Ministry of Information & Broadcasting

India to participate at 77th Cannes Film Festival (14-25 May)

‘Bharat Parv’ to be celebrated at the 77th Cannes Film Festival

Bharat Pavilion designed by NID, Ahmedabad christened as inspired by ‘The Sutradhara’

for depicting this year theme of Create in India

Payal Kapadia’s ‘All We Imagine as Light’ is an Indian film in the competition section
after 30 years

Festival to witness Poster & Trailer Launch of 55th IFFI and Save the Date of 1st WAVES
in November 2024

Posted On: 10 MAY 2024 1:08PM by PIB Delhi

It is a special year for India at the Cannes Film Festival as the country readies for the 77th edition of the
prestigious festival. The Corporate Indian Delegation consists of representatives from Government of India,
State Governments, members of the industry will showcase India's creative economy in the leading film market
of the world, Marche du Films through a series of significant initiatives.

It will be for the first time that the country will host a “Bharat Parv” at the 77th Cannes Film Festival,for
eminent dignitaries and delegates from around the world participating in the Festival,to engage with film
celebrities, filmmakers, directors, producers, buyers and sales agents from across the world and showcase the
myraid creative opportunities and a rich bank of creative talent. The official poster & trailer of the 55th India
International Film Festival (IFFI) to be held in Goa on 20-28 November, 2024 will be unveiled at the Bharat
Parv. The Bharat Parv will also see the release of the “Save the Date” for the 1st World Audio-Visual&
Entertainment Summit (WAVES) to be hosted alongside the 55th IFFI.

The Bharat Pavilion at the 77th Cannes Film Festival at 108 village International Riviera, will be inaugurated on
May 15 in the presence of eminent film personalities. The Bharat Pavilion at Cannes serves as a platform for the
Indian film community to engage in various activities, including, fostering production collaborations, curated
knowledge sessions, signing distribution deals, greenlighting scripts, B2B meetings and networking with
prominent entertainment and media players from around the world. The Pavilion will be organized by the
National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of
Commerce & Industry (FICCI) as industry partner. A ‘Bharat Stall’ will be put in the Marche du Cannes through
the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for providing the industry to connect & collaborate.

The Bharat Pavilion has been designed by the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad is christened on ‘The
Sutradhara’ for depicting this year’s theme of “Create in India”. As we look at India’s presence, this year, at the
Cannes Film Festival, a rich history and the landscape of creativity denote the direction on an international stage.

In the spotlight, Payal Kapadia's magnum opus, "All We Imagine As Light," poised to captivate audiences and
vie for the prestigious Palme d'Or. Notably, this marks a significant milestone as an Indian title graces the
Competition section of Cannes Film Festival Official Selection, after three decades. The cinematic landscape is
further enriched by British-Indian filmmaker Sandhya Suri's poignant narrative in "Santosh," in Un Certain
Regard alongside Karan Kandhari's evocative "Sister Midnight" in Directors' Fortnight and Maisam Ali's
compelling "In Retreat" in L’Acid.
The Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) student’s film “SUNFLOWERS WERE FIRST ONES TO
KNOW” is selected in the La Cinef Competitive section. The short film made in Kannada, was shortlisted
among entries from across the globe and will now compete against 17 other international short films in the final
stage.

Furthermore, ShyamBenegal's‘Manthan’, a film focusing on the Amul dairy cooperative movement, will be
presented in the Classics section, adding a touch of historical significance to the festival's Indian lineup. The film
reels were preserved for several decadesin film vaults of NFDC-National Film Archive of India (NFAI), a unit of
the Ministry, and has been restored by the Film Heritage Foundation(FHM).

National Award-winning cinematographer Santosh Sivan will be the recipient of the prestigious Pierre
Angenieux tribute at the Cannes Film Festival. He will also deliver a masterclass for the Cannes delegates,
becoming the first Indian to be honored with this distinction.

Many Indian states including Goa, Maharashtra, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Jharkhand, and Delhi are likely
to participate to help showcase India's diverse locations and film talent.

A Session on exploring opportunities of film production in collaboration with India, titled “Abundant Incentives
and Seamless Facilitations - Come, Create in India” is being organized at the Main Stage (Riviera) on 15th May
at 12 pm. The panel discussion will spotlight India’s huge incentives for film production, co-production
opportunities, and the top-notch post-production facilities. The panel will put forward as to how filmmakers are
welcoming these initiatives, what are the actual experiences on the ground for filming in India and what are the
exciting stories that are being shared.

Interactive sessions at the Bharat Pavilion, organized throughout the festival, will cover topics such as incentives
for creating in India, international collaboration in film festivals, India as a filming destination, bilateral film co-
productions between India and countries like Spain, the UK, and France, among others. These sessions aim to
facilitate discussions, networking, and collaboration opportunities for filmmakers seeking to engage with the
dynamic Indian film industry and international partners.

*****

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Ministry of Development of North-East Region

Task Force for Development of Tourism in North East holds 5th

Meeting at Vigyan Bhawan
Posted On: 10 MAY 2024 5:22PM by PIB Delhi

The 5thmeeting of the Task Force for the Development of Tourism in North East states was convened at Vigyan
Bhawan in New Delhi today. In the meeting, the discussion centred onstrategies for capacity building, training
policies, marketing and promotion effortsfor the development of tourism in NE States.

Attendees included officials from the eight North Eastern State of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya,
Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura, along with representatives from various ministries, i.e.
Ministry of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprise, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of
Culture, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting,Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)and other private
partners.

****

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Ministry of Defence

VICE ADMIRAL SANJAY BHALLA, AVSM, NM ASSUMES

CHARGE AS THE CHIEF OF PERSONNEL OF INDIAN NAVY
Posted On: 10 MAY 2024 11:22AM by PIB Delhi

Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, AVSM, NM assumes charge as the Chief of Personnel of the Indian Navy, on 10
May 24. He was commissioned in the Indian Navy on 01 Jan 1989. In a career spanning 35 years, he has held a
number of specialist, staff and operational appointments, both afloat and ashore.

After completing his Specialisation Course in Communication and Electronic Warfare, he served as a specialist
onboard several frontline warships. He subsequently had the privilege of holding challenging, fulfilling and
eventful Commands at sea, which include, INS Nishank, INS Taragiri, INS Beas and the coveted appointment
of Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet (FOCEF). During his tenure as FOCEF, he was the Officer in
Tactical Command for the prestigious President’s Fleet Review (PFR – 22) and the Sea Phase of Indian
Navy’s flagship multinational exercise MILAN – 22, that witnessed an unprecedented participation from
Friendly Foreign Countries. Ashore, he has held important staff appointments at the Naval Headquarters
including Assistant Chief of Personnel (Human Resource Development); headed Officers training at Naval
Academy, and has held a diplomatic assignment overseas. Prior to assuming charge as the COP, he was the
Chief of Staff of the Western Naval Command and oversaw operations such as Op Sankalp and events
such as the Navy Day Op Demo 2023 at Sindhudurg.

An alumnus of Royal College of Defence Studies, London; Naval War College and Defence Services Staff
College, Wellington; his educational accomplishments include M Phil (Defence & Strategic Studies), Masters in
International Security and Strategic Studies from the Kings College, London, M.Sc (Defence & Strategic
Studies), Madras University and M.Sc (Telecom) from CUSAT.

As recognition for his distinguished Service, he has been awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, the Nao Sena
Medal, and Commendations by the Chief of the Naval Staff and the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief.

___________________________________________________________________________

VM/SPS 90/24
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Ministry of Defence

ICG signs MoU with private sector for manufacturing & supply of
indigenous marine-grade aluminum for construction of ships
Posted On: 10 MAY 2024 12:17PM by PIB Delhi

Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Hindalco Industries, on May 09, 2024, inked a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) in New Delhi for the manufacturing and supply of indigenous marine-grade aluminium to Indian public
and private shipyards for the construction of ships. The MoU will also provide benefits such as quarterly pricing,
priority in supplies and Turnover discount.

The ICG fleet is presently operating 67 ships with aluminium hull with capability of operating in shallow waters.
To further boost coastal security, it has planned to induct more such vessels where the indigenously
manufactured marine-grade aluminium will be utilised.

The MoU was signed by Deputy Director General (Materiel & Maintenance), ICG IG HK Sharma and CEO,
Downstream Aluminum Business, Hindalco Shri Nilesh Koul in the presence of senior officials of the ICG.
 ******

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Ministry of Defence

Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control & Discipline) Act

notified through Gazette Notification
Posted On: 10 MAY 2024 4:04PM by PIB Delhi

The Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Act has been notified through a Gazette
Notification to be enforced with effect from May 10, 2024. In order to bolster effective command, control and
efficient functioning of Inter-Services Organisations (ISOs), the bill was passed by both the Houses of
Parliament during the Monsoon Session of 2023. The Bill received the assent of the President on
August 15, 2023.

The Act empowers Commanders-in-Chief and Officers-in-Command of ISOs to exercise control over Service
personnel, serving under them, for effective maintenance of discipline and administration, without disturbing the
unique service conditions of each individual Service.

With the notification, the Act will empower the Heads of ISOs and pave the way for expeditious disposal of
cases, avoid multiple proceedings and will be a step towards greater integration & jointness among the Armed
Forces personnel.

****

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Ministry of Defence

KEEL LAYING OF 8th ASW SWC (ex-GRSE) ON 10 MAY 24 AT

M/S GRSE KOLKATA
Posted On: 10 MAY 2024 5:02PM by PIB Delhi

Keel laying ceremony of the 8th ASW SWC (ex-GRSE) was held at M/s GRSE, Kolkata on 10 May 24. The
ceremony was presided by VAdm B Sivakumar, Controller Warship Production & Acquisition in presence of
Cmde PR Hari, IN (Retd), Chairman & Managing Director, GRSE and other Senior Officials from Indian Navy
and M/s GRSE.

The contract for indigenous design and construction of 08 x ASW SWC ships was concluded on 29 Apr 19
between MOD and M/s GRSE, Kolkata. As on date six ships of the project have already been launched with
delivery of first ship (Arnala) planned in Aug 24.

Arnala Class of ship will replace the in-service Abhay class ASW Corvettes of Indian Navy and are designed to
undertake anti-submarine operations in coastal waters, Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO) and Mine
Laying Operations. Keel laying of Yard 3034, last ship of the Project is yet another significant milestone in
Indian Navy's pursuit towards indigenous shipbuilding and is in consonance with 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' and
'Make in India' initiatives of the nation.
 ***

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Ministry of Defence

DRDO celebrates National Technology Day 2024 through lectures &

orations in its labs & establishments
Posted On: 10 MAY 2024 6:01PM by PIB Delhi

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) celebrated the National Technology Day 2024 by
organising various lectures and orations in its laboratories & establishments on May 10, 2024. On this occasion,
Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat presided over a special
function organised by Defence Science Forum (DSF), Delhi.

In his address, the Chairman DRDO greeted the scientists & technologists and appealed to them to rededicate
themselves in the service of the nation by providing cutting-edge technologies for making the country strong and
self-reliant.

Former GM of Integral Coach Factory, Chennai Shri Sudhanshu Mani was the Chief Guest of the function. Chief
Technologist for Amazon Web Services Smt Shalini Kapoor was the Guest of Honour. Shri Sudhanshu Mani
delivered his keynote address on the topic ‘Leadership and innovations in large organisations: some takeaways
from Vande Bharat/Train 18 Project’. The other keynote address was given by Smt Shalini Kapoor on ‘Future
trends in AI and Digital Transformations’.

Convener DSF and Director General (Life Sciences) Dr UK Singh, in his welcome address, brought out the
importance of AI in R&D and need of innovative leadership style in large organisation like DRDO.

A total of forty five oration papers were received from various DRDO laboratories and establishments, out of
which best three papers were selected for presentation. The DRDO Technology Day Spectrum was also released
on the occasion. A monograph titled ‘Investigations on failures of defence hardware components: Fundamentals
and case histories’ authored by former Scientist ‘G’, Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory Dr KP Balan
was unveiled. DRDO publications namely DRDO Newsletter (2024); Defence Science Journal (May, 2024), and
the Defence Scientific Information & Documentation Centre

(DESIDOC) Journal of Library science and information technology were also released. In addition,
Commendation Certificates were given to DRDO scientists on the occasion. National Technology Day Orators
were also felicitated.

National Technology Day is celebrated on May 11 every year to remember the successful nuclear test conducted
by India and recognise & honour the significant contributions of scientists and engineers who have played a
crucial role in the country's technological progress. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of science and
technology in nation-building.

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Ministry of Defence

DRDO organises 8th Technology Council Meeting to review the status

of induction of DRDO technologies into CAPFs, Police & NDRF
Posted On: 10 MAY 2024 7:36PM by PIB Delhi

Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) organised the 8th Technology Council Meeting in New
Delhi on May 09, 2024. The meeting was held to review the status of induction of DRDO technologies into the
Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), Police and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) under the Ministry
of Home Affairs (MHA).

Various DRDO laboratories from across the country participated in the meeting virtually. The meeting had active
participation and was successful in consolidating the progress achieved. It also laid out a roadmap of activities
for the next six months.

An exhibition of various DRDO-developed products was also organised as part of the meeting, where latest
technologies across diverse domains such as Weapon systems, Communications, Internal security, VIP security,
Sustenance etc were showcased.

DG (Production, Coordination & Services Interaction) Smt Chandrika Kaushik chaired the meeting, which was
attended by IGs of BSF, CRPF, ITBP, SSB, NDRF, NSG, Assam Rifles, IB and Delhi Police. Advisor, MHA Smt
Harcharan Kaur also participated in the meeting. Shri Sangita Rao

Director, Directorate of Low Intensity Conflicts (DLIC) Achary Addanki steered the meeting. DLIC is the nodal
agency coordinating the same.

DRDO is the premier research organisation involved in development of critical and futuristic technologies for
the Defence Services towards achieving self-reliance. To aid in the modernisation of Central Police and
Paramilitary forces under MHA and the state police forces, an MoU had been signed between DRDO and MHA
in 2012 to induct DRDO developed technologies and products into these forces.

***

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Ministry of Defence

The two-day Parivartan Chintan II for jointness & integration of

Armed Forces concludes in New Delhi

CDS Gen Anil Chauhan stresses on the need for expediting the jointness process to create
Multi Domain Response capable Indian Armed Forces

Posted On: 10 MAY 2024 8:33PM by PIB Delhi

The two-day “Parivartan Chintan II’ was held in New Delhi on 09 – 10 May 2024, under the chairmanship of the
Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Anil Chauhan. The event was attended by the officers from the three Services
Headquarters, Department of Military Affairs, Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff and members of various
sub-committees of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC), mandated to oversee the initiatives undertaken and to
generate novel ideas to give impetus to the ongoing process of Theaterisation.

Various COSC Sub-Committees gave an update on the progress of initiatives considered imperative for Jointness
and Integration. There was active deliberation on the vital reforms critical towards the fruition of the goals
envisioned to achieve the desired “Joint & Integrated” end state towards transformation.

The CDS initiated the ’Chintan’ on both days by addressing various committees. He emphasized the need for
expediting the progress of the initiatives as these were to pave the way to Theaterisation and hence creation of a
Multi Domain Response capable Indian Armed Forces.

The CDS expressed confidence that such brainstorming would help the Armed Forces evolve into a theaterized
force capable of Multi-Domain Operations and strengthen the resolve and capability to safeguard our territorial
integrity and national sovereignty.
 ****

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Ministry of Communications

DoT, MHA and State Police join hands to combat cyber fraudsters

DoT issued directions for blocking of 28,200 mobile handsets & reverification of associated
20 lakh mobile connections

Posted On: 10 MAY 2024 1:21PM by PIB Delhi

Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and State Police have joined hands
for curbing the misuse of telecom resources in cyber-crime and financial frauds. This collaborative effort aims to
dismantle networks of fraudsters and protect citizens from digital threats.

Analysis carried out by MHA and State Police have revealed that 28,200 mobile handsets were misused in
cybercrimes. The DoT further analyzed and found that a staggering 20 lakh numbers were used with these
mobile handsets. Subsequently, DoT issued directions to telecom service providers for pan India blocking of
28,200 mobile handsets and to carryout immediate reverification of 20 lakh mobile connections linked to these
mobile handsets and disconnect failing re-verification.

The unified approach demonstrates a shared commitment towards public safety and to safeguard the integrity of
telecommunications infrastructure and ensure a secure digital environment.

*****

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President's Secretariat

PRESIDENT OF INDIA GRACES 22ND CONVOCATION OF

NATIONAL BOARD OF EXAMINATIONS IN MEDICAL
SCIENCES

TREATMENT DELAYED MAY BE LIFE DENIED: PRESIDENT MURMU

Posted On: 10 MAY 2024 7:12PM by PIB Delhi

The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu graced and addressed the 22nd convocation of the National Board
of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) in New Delhi today (May 10, 2024).

Underlining the importance of golden hour in medical emergencies, the President said that the life of patients
could be saved if they get treatment during this period. She said that specialist doctors should be sensitive
towards emergency patients and they should never ask an emergency patient to go somewhere else for treatment.

Giving reference of the saying -‘justice delayed is justice denied’, President Murmu stressed that in the
healthcare sector, the time is even more important because treatment delayed may be life denied. She said that
sometimes we hear the sad news that if timely treatment had been given, the life of the person could be saved.
Even if life is saved, in many situations, treatment delayed is health denied. Such examples are often seen in
paralysis patients. Due to lack of timely treatment, patients lose the ability to move their limbs and become
dependent on others.

The President appreciated the past and present members of NBEMS for their contribution to medical education
over the past nearly four decades. She noted that the efforts of NBEMS have significantly increased the
availability of specialist doctors in the country.

The President urged doctors to pay attention towards prompt healthcare, sensitive healthcare and in-expensive
healthcare. She said that they can make an invaluable contribution to the country and society by giving their time
free of cost to poor patients. She told the medical students that if they have chosen medical as a profession, then
they definitely have the desire to serve humanity. She called upon them to protect, enhance and spread the spirit
of service.

The President said that in view of the vast population of our country, there is a need to continuously increase the
availability of doctors. She stated that it should be the endeavor of all to give priority to quality along with
quantity.

The President said that Indian doctors have made their mark globally. Due to affordable Medicare, India has
become a major center of medical tourism. She described doctors as the most important part of the country's
healthcare system and expressed confidence that they will take the health services of the country to greater
heights.

Noting that the number of female doctors is more than the male doctors who got degrees and medals at this
convocation, the President said that the achievement of girl students in higher medical education is a great
achievement of our society and country. She stated that in the context of most of the families, it can be said that
girls are made to feel the limitations and restrictions. Even in society and public places girls have to be extra
conscious about their safety and society's acceptance. In such an environment our daughters are presenting a new
picture of the new India by proving their excellence.

Please click here to see the President's Speech -

 ***

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Ministry of Finance

GST revenue collection for April 2024 highest ever at Rs 2.10 lakh
crore

GST collections breach landmark milestone of ₹2 lakh crore

Gross Revenue Records 12.4% y-o-y growth

Net Revenue (after refunds) stood at ₹1.92 lakh crore; 15.5% y-o-y growth

Posted On: 01 MAY 2024 11:55AM by PIB Delhi

The Gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections hit a record high in April 2024 at ₹2.10 lakh crore.
This represents a significant 12.4% year-on-year growth, driven by a strong increase in domestic transactions (up
13.4%) and imports (up 8.3%). After accounting for refunds, the net GST revenue for April 2024 stands at ₹1.92
lakh crore, reflecting an impressive 15.5% growth compared to the same period last year.

Positive Performance Across Components:

Breakdown of April 2024 Collections:

Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST): ₹43,846 crore;

State Goods and Services Tax (SGST): ₹53,538 crore;
Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST): ₹99,623 crore, including ₹37,826 crore collected on imported
goods;
Cess: ₹13,260 crore, including ₹1,008 crore collected on imported goods.

Inter-Governmental Settlement: In the month of April, 2024, the central government settled ₹50,307 crore to
CGST and ₹41,600 crore to SGST from the IGST collected. This translates to a total revenue of ₹94,153 crore
for CGST and ₹95,138 crore for SGST for April, 2024 after regular settlement.

The chart below shows trends in monthly gross GST revenues during the current year. Table-1 shows the state-
wise figures of GST collected in each State during the month of April, 2024 as compared to April, 2023. Table-2
shows the state-wise figures of post settlement GST revenue of each State for the month of April, 2024.

Chart: Trends in GST Collection

 [1]
Table 1: State-wise growth of GST Revenues during April, 2024

State/UT Apr-23 Apr-24 Growth (%)

Jammu and Kashmir 803 789 -2%

Himachal Pradesh 957 1,015 6%

Punjab 2,316 2,796 21%

Chandigarh 255 313 23%

Uttarakhand 2,148 2,239 4%

Haryana 10,035 12,168 21%

Delhi 6,320 7,772 23%

Rajasthan 4,785 5,558 16%

Uttar Pradesh 10,320 12,290 19%

Bihar 1,625 1,992 23%

Sikkim 426 403 -5%

Arunachal Pradesh 238 200 -16%

Nagaland 88 86 -3%

Manipur 91 104 15%

Mizoram 71 108 52%

Tripura 133 161 20%

Meghalaya 239 234 -2%

Assam 1,513 1,895 25%

West Bengal 6,447 7,293 13%

Jharkhand 3,701 3,829 3%

Odisha 5,036 5,902 17%

Chhattisgarh 3,508 4,001 14%

Madhya Pradesh 4,267 4,728 11%

Gujarat 11,721 13,301 13%

Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu 399 447 12%
Maharashtra 33,196 37,671 13%

Karnataka 14,593 15,978 9%

Goa 620 765 23%

Lakshadweep 3 1 -57%

Kerala 3,010 3,272 9%

Tamil Nadu 11,559 12,210 6%

Puducherry 218 247 13%

Andaman and Nicobar Islands 92 65 -30%

Telangana 5,622 6,236 11%

Andhra Pradesh 4,329 4,850 12%

Ladakh 68 70 3%

Other Territory 220 225 2%

Center Jurisdiction 187 221 18%

Grand Total 1,51,162 1,71,433 13%

Table-2: SGST & SGST portion of IGST settled to States/UTs

April (Rs. in crore)

 Pre-Settlement SGST Post-Settlement SGST[2]

State/UT Apr-23 Apr-24 Growth Apr-23 Apr-24 Growth

Jammu and Kashmir 394 362 -8% 918 953 4%

Himachal Pradesh 301 303 1% 622 666 7%

Punjab 860 999 16% 2,090 2,216 6%

Chandigarh 63 75 20% 214 227 6%

Uttarakhand 554 636 15% 856 917 7%

Haryana 1,871 2,172 16% 3,442 3,865 12%

Delhi 1,638 2,027 24% 3,313 4,093 24%

Rajasthan 1,741 1,889 9% 3,896 3,967 2%

Uttar Pradesh 3,476 4,121 19% 7,616 8,494 12%

Bihar 796 951 19% 2,345 2,688 15%

Sikkim 110 69 -37% 170 149 -12%

Arunachal Pradesh 122 101 -17% 252 234 -7%

Nagaland 36 41 14% 107 111 4%

Manipur 50 53 6% 164 133 -19%

Mizoram 41 59 46% 108 132 22%

Tripura 70 80 14% 164 198 21%

Meghalaya 69 76 9% 162 190 17%

Assam 608 735 21% 1,421 1,570 10%

West Bengal 2,416 2,640 9% 3,987 4,434 11%

Jharkhand 952 934 -2% 1,202 1,386 15%

Odisha 1,660 2,082 25% 2,359 2,996 27%

Chhattisgarh 880 929 6% 1,372 1,491 9%

Madhya Pradesh 1,287 1,520 18% 2,865 3,713 30%

Gujarat 4,065 4,538 12% 6,499 7,077 9%

Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and62

Diu 75 22% 122 102 -16%

Maharashtra 10,392 11,729 13% 15,298 16,959 11%

Karnataka 4,298 4,715 10% 7,391 8,077 9%

Goa 237 283 19% 401 445 11%

Lakshadweep 1 0 -79% 18 5 -73%

Kerala 1,366 1,456 7% 2,986 3,050 2%

Tamil Nadu 3,682 4,066 10% 5,878 6,660 13%

Puducherry 42 54 28% 108 129 19%

Andaman and Nicobar Islands 46 32 -32% 78 88 13%

Telangana 1,823 2,063 13% 3,714 4,036 9%

Andhra Pradesh 1,348 1,621 20% 3,093 3,552 15%

Ladakh 34 36 7% 55 61 12%

Other Territory 22 16 -26% 86 77 -10%

Grand Total 47,412 53,538 13% 85,371 95,138 11%

[1]Does not include GST on import of goods

[2] Post-Settlement GST is cumulative of the GST revenues of the States/UTs and the SGST portion of the IGST
settled to the States/UTs

****

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Ministry of Home Affairs

Nominations for Padma Awards-2025 begins

Posted On: 01 MAY 2024 5:20PM by PIB Delhi

Online nominations/recommendations for the Padma Awards 2025 to be announced on the occasion of Republic
Day, 2025 have begun from today. The last date for nominations for Padma Awards is 15th September, 2024.
The nominations/recommendations for Padma Awards will be received online on the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal
(https://awards.gov.in).

The Padma Awards, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri, are amongst the highest
civilian awards of the country. Instituted in 1954, these Awards are announced on the occasion of the Republic
Day every year. The award seeks to recognize ‘work of distinction’ and is given for distinguished and
exceptional achievements/service in all fields/disciplines, such as, Art, Literature and Education, Sports,
Medicine, Social Work, Science and Engineering, Public Affairs, Civil Service, Trade and Industry etc. All
persons without distinction of race, occupation, position or sex are eligible for these Awards. Government
servants including those working with PSUs, except Doctors and Scientists, are not eligible for Padma Awards.

The Government is committed to transform Padma Awards into “People’s Padma”. All citizens are, therefore,
requested to make nominations/recommendations, including self-nomination. Concerted efforts may be made to
identify talented persons whose excellence and achievements really deserve to be recognized from amongst
women, weaker sections of the society, SCs & STs, divyang persons and who are doing selfless service to the
society.

The nominations/recommendations should contain all relevant details specified in the format available on the
above said Portal, including a citation in narrative form (maximum 800 words), clearly bringing out the
distinguished and exceptional achievements/service of the person recommended in her/his respective
field/discipline.

Details in this regard are also available under the heading 'Awards and Medals' on the website of Ministry of
Home Affairs (https://mha.gov.in) and on the Padma Awards Portal (https://padmaawards.gov.in ). The statutes
and rules relating to these awards are available on the website with the link
https://padmaawards.gov.in/AboutAwards.aspx .

*****

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Ministry of Earth Sciences

India set to host the prestigious 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative

Meeting and 26th Meeting of the Committee for Environmental
Protection in 2024
Posted On: 01 MAY 2024 2:58PM by PIB Delhi

The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India, through the National Centre for Polar and Ocean
Research (NCPOR), will host the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM 46) and the 26th Meeting
of the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP 26) from May 20 to 30, 2024, in Kochi, Kerala. This is in
line with India’s poise to facilitate constructive global dialogue on environmental stewardship, scientific
collaboration, and cooperation in Antarctica.

The ATCM and meetings of the CEP are pivotal in the international community's ongoing efforts to safeguard
Antarctica's fragile ecosystem and promote scientific research in the region. Convened annually under the
Antarctic Treaty System, these meetings serve as forums for Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties and other
stakeholders to address Antarctica's pressing environmental, scientific, and governance issues. The Antarctic
Treaty, signed in 1959 and entered into force in 1961, established Antarctica as a region dedicated to peaceful
purposes, scientific cooperation, and environmental protection. Over the years, the Treaty has garnered
widespread support, with 56 countries currently party to it. The CEP was established under the Protocol on
Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (the Madrid Protocol) in 1991. The CEP advises the ATCM on
environmental protection and conservation in Antarctica.

India has been a Consultative Party to the Antarctic Treaty since 1983. It participates in the decision-making
process along with other 28 Consultative Parties to the Antarctic Treaty to date. India’s first Antarctic research
station, Dakshin Gangotri, was established in 1983. At present, India operates two year-round research stations:
Maitri (1989) and Bharati (2012). The permanent research stations facilitate Indian Scientific Expeditions to
Antarctica, which have been ongoing annually since 1981. In 2022, India enacted the Antarctic Act, reaffirming
its commitment to the Antarctic Treaty.

As a signatory to the Antarctic Treaty, India remains dedicated to environmental protection, scientific
cooperation, and peaceful operations in Antarctica. Dr M Ravichandran, Secretary of the Ministry of Earth
Sciences, highlighted the importance of India hosting the ATCM and CEP meetings in 2024. He said, “We look
forward as a country to fostering meaningful exchanges of knowledge and expertise to advance the shared goals
of environmental conservation and scientific research in the Antarctic region.”

The Antarctic Treaty Secretariat (ATS) serves as the administrative hub for the Antarctic Treaty System.
Established in 2004, the ATS coordinates the ATCM and CEP meetings, reposits and disseminates information,
and facilitates diplomatic communication, exchanges, and negotiations related to Antarctic governance and
management. It also monitors compliance with Antarctic Treaty provisions and agreements and provides
assistance and guidance to Antarctic Treaty Parties on treaty implementation and enforcement matters.

Key items on the 46th ATCM agenda include strategic planning for sustainable management of Antarctica and its
resources; policy, legal, and institutional operations; biodiversity prospecting; inspections and exchange of
information and data; research, collaboration, capacity building and cooperation; addressing climate change
impacts; development of tourism framework; and promoting awareness. Lectures of the Scientific Committee on
Antarctic Research will also be conducted. The 26th CEP agenda focuses on Antarctic environment evaluation,
impact assessment, management, and reporting; climate change response; area protection and management plans
including marine spatial protection; and conservation of Antarctic biodiversity.
The hosting of the 46th ATCM and 26th CEP meeting reflects India's growing role as a responsible global
stakeholder in efforts to preserve Antarctica for future generations. Through open dialogue, collaboration, and
consensus-building, India remains committed to upholding the principles of the Antarctic Treaty and contributing
to the sustainable management of one of Earth's last pristine wilderness areas.

India’s scientific and strategic endeavours in the polar regions (the Arctic and Antarctic), the Himalayas, and the
Southern Ocean are under the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) in Goa. NCPOR is an
esteemed autonomous institution under MoES, Government of India. MoES has set up a Host Country
Secretariat with Dr Vijay Kumar, Scientist G & Adviser, as Head at MoES HQ to successfully coordinate and
organise the event. India has proposed the name of Ambassador Pankaj Saran, a distinguished former Deputy
National Security Advisor, to chair the 46th ATCM.

Participation in the ATCM and CEP meetings is restricted to delegates designated by Parties, Observers and
invited Experts. Over 350 delegates from 60+ countries are expected to attend the 46th ATCM and 26th CEP this
year hosted by NCPOR, MoES at Lulu Bolgatty International Convention Centre (LBICC) in Kochi, India. More
details are available at https://www.atcm46india.in/ and https://www.ats.aq/devAS/Meetings/Upcoming/97/

****

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Ministry of Development of North-East Region

Workshop on sensitization of Women Employees of Ministry of

Development of North Eastern Region on “ Self Defence
Posted On: 01 MAY 2024 4:44PM by PIB Delhi

Joint Secretary, MDoNER, Smt Anuradha S. Chagti Chairperson of the Internal Complaints Committee along
with Ms Monalisa Dash JS, Smt Suchita Gupta, SA held a session with all women employees of the Ministry of
Development of North Eastern Region and CISF officers posted in Vigyan Bhawan Annexe complex on women
related issues including self-defence techniques. The external member of the committee Ms Vaishali Dhoot was
also in attendance along with other members of the committee. Ms Dhoot is CEO of Streebal Foundation. She is
a veteran Self-Defence Instructor and 4th DAN Black Belt Achiever in Taekwondo Martial Arts.

The comprehensive session covered basic techniques, situational awareness, punches, blocks, and other self
defense techniques. Ms. Dhoot emphasized the importance of prioritizing self-care and encouraged every woman
to dedicate at least 10 minutes daily to exercise and self-defense training.
She highlighted that these skills not only ensure personal safety but also enable women to support and protect
others.

***

MG/MS/SK/VL

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Ministry of Earth Sciences

Indian Meteorological Department releases weather forecast for the

1st week of May 2024

Heat wave to severe heat wave conditions likely to continue over East India till 02nd May
and over south Peninsular India till 03rd May and gradually improve thereafter says
Indian Meteorological Department

Heat wave conditions likely over Maharashtra & Gujarat during next 5 days and over
Central India during 03rd-05th May

Heavy rainfall spell accompanied with thunderstorms and gusty winds very likely to
continue over Northeast India till 02nd May

Posted On: 01 MAY 2024 3:09PM by PIB Delhi

Weather Systems and Forecast & Warnings:

A cyclonic circulation lies over northeast Bangladesh and a trough runs from Bihar to Nagaland in
lower tropospheric levels. Another cyclonic circulation lies over northeast Assam in lower
tropospheric levels. Strong southwesterly winds from Bay of Bengal to northeast India are
prevailing. Under their influence:
Fairly widespread to widespread, light to moderate rainfall/snowfall accompanied with isolated
thunderstorm & lightning & gusty winds (30-50 kmph) very likely over Arunachal Pradesh,
Assam, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura during next 5 days with isolated
hailstorm over Sikkim on 01st May, 2024.
Isolated heavy rainfall very likely over Arunachal Pradesh and Assam & Meghalaya during 01st-
02nd and over Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & Tripura during 01st-03rd May; with isolated very
heavy rainfall over Arunachal Pradesh on 01st & 02nd May and south Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram
& Tripura on 02nd May 2024.

A fresh Western Disturbance likely to affect northwest India from 3rd May. Under its influence:
Scattered light to moderate rainfall/snowfall accompanied with thunderstorm and lightning
very likely over Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad, Uttarakhand and
Himachal Pradesh during 03rd-06th May 2024.
Isolated very light/light rainfall accompanied with thunderstorm and lightning very likely
over West Uttar Pradesh. Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan during 04th-06th May
2024
Strong surface winds (25-35 kmph) very likely to prevail over Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and
Haryana, Chandigarh & Delhi during 01st–03rd May, 2024.
Rainfall activity is likely over south peninsular India with isolated to scattered, light to moderate
rainfall accompanied with thunderstorm & lightning over Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam.
Telangana. Rayalaseema, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & Karaikal, South Interior Karnataka and Kerala
& Mahe during 05th-08th May, 2024.
 Heat Wave, Warm Night and Hot & Humid weather warning for next 5 days
Maximum temperatures in the range of 44-47°C likely to continue over Gangetic West Bengal,
East Jharkhand, north Odisha and Rayalaseema till 03rd May and decrease thereafter.
Heat Wave to severe heat wave conditions very likely to prevail in many places over Gangetic
West Bengal; some parts of Odisha, Bihar; in isolated pockets of Sub-Himalayan West Bengal,
Jharkhand during 01st-02nd May and reduce in intensity thereafter with heat wave conditions in
isolated pockets over the region during subsequent 3 days.
Heat Wave to severe heat wave conditions very likely to prevail in isolated pockets over
Rayalaseema during next 3 days and heat wave conditions during subsequent 2 days
Heat wave conditions very likely in isolated pockets over Telangana, Interior Karnataka, Coastal
Andhra Pradesh & Yanam during next 4-5 days; over Kerala on 01st & 02nd and over Tamil Nadu
during 01st -03rd May.
Heat wave conditions very likely in isolated pockets over Konkan, Madhya Maharashtra, Gujarat
State during 01st -05th and over Marathwada during 03rd-05th May.
Hot and humid weather very likely to prevail over Coast Karnataka and Kerala & Mahe during
next 5 days and West Assam on 01st May 2024.
Warm night very likely to prevail over Chhattisgarh during 01st-03rd; over Madhya Maharashtra
and Marathwada during 03rd-05th; over Odisha & Gangetic West Bengal on 01st & 02nd May 2024.

Click for more details

****

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Ministry of Defence

Supersonic Missile-Assisted Release of Torpedo system successfully

flight-tested by DRDO off the Odisha coast
Posted On: 01 MAY 2024 12:32PM by PIB Delhi

Supersonic Missile-Assisted Release of Torpedo (SMART) system was successfully flight-tested at around 0830
hrs on May 01, 2024 from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha. SMART is a next-generation
missile-based light-weight torpedo delivery system, designed and developed by the Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO) to enhance the anti-submarine warfare capability of the Indian Navy far
beyond the conventional range of lightweight torpedo.

This canister-based missile system consists of several advanced sub-systems, namely two-stage solid propulsion
system, electromechanical actuator system, precision inertial navigation system etc. The system carries advanced
light-weight torpedo as payload along with parachute-based release system.

The missile was launched from the ground mobile launcher. Several state-of-the-art mechanisms such as
symmetric separation, ejection and velocity control have been validated in this test.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has complimented the DRDO and the industry partners on the successful
flight-test of SMART. “The development of the system will further enhance the strength of our Navy,” he said.
Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat lauded the synergistic efforts
of the entire SMART team and urged it to continue on the path of excellence.

***

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Ministry of Defence

VICE ADMIRAL KRISHNA SWAMINATHAN, AVSM, VSM

ASSUMES CHARGE AS VICE CHIEF OF NAVAL STAFF
Posted On: 01 MAY 2024 12:42PM by PIB Delhi

Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, AVSM, VSM assumes charge as Vice Chief of Naval Staff on 01 May
2024. On assuming charge, the Flag Officer paid homage to Bravehearts that made the supreme sacrifice in
service of the nation by placing a floral wreath at the National War Memorial.

The Flag Officer was Commissioned into the Indian Navy on 01 Jul 87 and is a specialist in Communication and
Electronic Warfare. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla; the Joint Services
Command and Staff College, Shrivenham, United Kingdom; the College of Naval Warfare, Karanja; and the
United States Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, USA.

A recipient of Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal, the Admiral has held several key operational,
staff and training appointments in his naval career including the Command of missile vessels INS Vidyut and
INS Vinash; the missile corvette INS Kulish; the guided missile destroyer INS Mysore and the aircraft carrier
INS Vikramaditya.

On promotion to the rank of Rear Admiral, he served as the Chief Staff Officer (Training) at Headquarters,
Southern Naval Command, Kochi and played a key role on the conduct of training across the Indian Navy. He
was also instrumental in raising the Indian Naval Safety Team that oversees operational safety across all verticals
of the Navy. He then went on to head the Work-Up Organisation of the Navy as the Flag Officer Sea Training
after which he was privileged to be appointed as the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Fleet. After
commanding the Sword Arm, he was appointed as the Flag Officer Offshore Defence Advisory Group and
Advisor, Offshore Security and Defence to the Government of India.

On promotion to the rank of Vice Admiral, the Flag Officer was Chief of Staff of the Western Naval Command
and Controller of Personnel Services at NHQ. Prior to his current assignment as Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, he
served as Chief of Personnel at NHQ.

VAdm Swaminathan’s educational qualifications include a BSc degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New
Delhi; MSc in Telecommunications from Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi; MA in Defence
Studies from King’s College, London; MPhil in Strategic Studies from Mumbai University; and PhD in
International Studies from Mumbai University.
 ****

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Ministry of Defence

AIR MARSHAL NAGESH KAPOOR

TAKES OVER AS AOC-IN-C TRAINING COMMAND

Posted On: 01 MAY 2024 2:02PM by PIB Delhi

Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor assumed the appointment of Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C)
Training Command (TC) on 01 May 2024.

Air Marshal N Kapoor was commissioned into the Fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on 06 December 1986.
He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College and National Defence
College. A Qualified Flying Instructor and a Fighter Combat Leader, he has more than 3400 hours of flying
experience.

During his illustrious career, the Air Marshal has held numerous field and staff appointments. His operational
tenures include being the Commanding Officer of a fighter squadron in the Central Sector, Station Commander
of a flying base in the Western Sector and Air Officer Commanding of a premier air base. He has done
instructional tenures as Chief Instructor (Flying) at Air Force Academy and Directing Staff at the prestigious
Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. During his tenure at Air Force Academy, the Air Officer was
instrumental in the induction and operationalisation of PC-7 MK Il aircraft in the IAF. He has also undertaken a
diplomatic assignment as Defence Attaché, Pakistan. His staff appointments include Assistant Chief of Air Staff
Operations (Strategy) at Air HQ, Air Defence Commander at South Western Air Command and Senior Air Staff
Officer at HQ Central Air Command. Before assuming the present appointment, he served as the Air Officer-in-
Charge Personnel at Air HQ.

In recognition of his meritorious service, the Air Marshal was awarded with Vayu Sena Medal in 2008 and Ati
Vishisht Seva Medal in 2022.
 ***

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Ministry of Defence

Army Dental Centre (R&R), the largest dental establishment of

Armed Forces, celebrates its silver jubilee

GoC-in-C, Western Command Lt Gen MK Katiyar releases its Special Postal Cover

Posted On: 01 MAY 2024 4:18PM by PIB Delhi

The Army Dental Centre of Research & Referral (ADC R&R) celebrated 25 years of establishment on 01 May
2024. General Officer Commanding in Chief, Western Command Lieutenant General MK Katiyar visited the
Dental Centre on the occasion and released a Special Postal Cover.

Director General Dental Services Lt. Gen Vineet Sharma, and former Commandants of the Centre were also
present during the ceremony. Brigadier SS Chopra, Commandant ADC R&R apprised all the achievements and
initiatives of ADC R&R to becoming a leading institution in dental education, research, and patient care.

The ADC R&R is the largest dental establishment of Armed Forces providing post graduate training in five
specialties of dentistry, namely Oral and maxillofacial surgery, Prosthodontics and crown & bridge, Periodontics
and oral implantology, Conservative dentistry and endodontics, Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopaedics.

The dentists of the facility have achieved great feats in dentistry by performing various specialist procedures like
Cranioplasty; a surgical procedure that involves repairing or replacing a bone flap in the skull, often performed
to correct defects in the skull caused by trauma, previous surgeries, or congenital abnormalities, TMJ
arthroscopy; a minimally invasive procedure used to diagnose and treat issues with the temporomandibular joint
(TMJ), which connects jaw to skull, and other complex surgeries.

It has also pioneered use of Nitrous Oxide-Oxygen minimal sedation for anxiolysis & analgesia during minor
oral surgical & rehabilitative treatment in all age groups in Armed Forces. This is the only centre in the Armed
Forces using intraoral scanners for fabrication of Computer Aided Designing (CAD), Computer Aided
Manufacturing (CAM) Prosthesis. Patient Specific implants for rehabilitation of maxillofacial defects are
routinely used here. This institution’s library is RFID enabled with a large digital access of journals and books.

‘The Major General RN Dogra memorial oration’ that is delivered by the stalwarts of dentistry every year to
commemorate the raising day of this prestigious institute was delivered by Major General GK Thapliyal, (Retd),
Vice Chancellor, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut, on “India that is Bharat”.

GOC-in-C, Western Command interacted with all ranks and lauded the yeoman service provided by the dental
centre. He urged all ranks to continue delivering the state-of-the-art elite care to the soldiers, their families and
veterans and exhorted everyone to continue working with the same professional zeal. He commended the staff of
ADC R&R for constant improvements in the patient care facilities.

*****

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Ministry of Culture

Exhibition Showcasing Lithographs of Karl Erich Muller held at

IGNCA

Karl Erich Muller Lithographs Serves as Mirror to Society of his Times: Shri Dattatraya
Apte

Posted On: 01 MAY 2024 9:37PM by PIB Delhi

The Conservation and Archives Division of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) hosted an
exhibition titled 'People and Places of India – A Retrospect' in celebration of International Labour Day. The
exhibit will feature Lithographs by Karl Erich Muller from the IGNCA Archives. Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi,
Member Secretary of IGNCA, graced the event as the Chief Guest, while Shri Dattatraya Apte, a distinguished
lithography and printmaking artist, was the Guest of Honour.

The inauguration of the exhibition was done by Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi and Shri Dattatraya Apte, accompanied
by the launch of a catalogue showcasing the works of Karl Erich Muller.
In his address, Shri Dattatraya Apte expressed a profound sense of connection with Erich Muller through his
artistic creations. He elaborated on how Muller's lithographs serve as a reflection of his keen observations of
people and their daily lives, offering a poignant glimpse into the society of his era. His work, serving as a mirror
to the society of his times, holds archival value, encapsulating the essence of his era and offering a vivid
representation of the spirits through his art. Influenced by socialism, Muller keenly witnessed and endured the
challenges of his time, which he expertly depicted through his art. Shri Dattatraya Apte emphasized the artist's
ability to translate personal experiences into powerful artistic expressions.

Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, in his address, expressed the uniqueness, rarity, and surreal essence of lithographs,
emphasizing how they encapsulate the essence of ordinary lives. He reiterated that not all expressions require
abundant resources, showcasing how Karl Erich Muller communicates this profound teaching through his
lithographs. Dr. Joshi accentuated the significance of IGNCA as a repository of cultural artefacts, emphasizing
the importance of curating it with the meticulousness evident in this exhibition. He commended the Conservation
and Archives team for their efforts in curating such a relevant exhibition and encouraged everyone to spread
awareness about it through social media. Dr. Joshi concluded by stressing the need for further endeavours in this
realm, fostering a culture of inspiration for people of all ages, especially the youth.

Among the notable attendees were Prof. Ramesh Chandra Gaur, Dean (Administration) and Head of the
Kalanidhi Division, Varun Jain, Trustee of the Sanskriti Foundation, and Dr. Kumar Sanjay Jha, Archivist at
IGNCA.

Prof. Ramesh Chandra Gaur extended warm greetings on the occasion of International Labour Day, commending
the team of the Conservation and Archives Division for organizing such an insightful exhibition. He highlighted
the immense value of IGNCA's cultural archives, boasting over 45 collections dedicated to art and culture. Prof.
Gaur emphasized that exhibitions like this serve as a remarkable effort to make IGNCA's archives accessible to
the public. Speaking about Karl Erich Muller's works, he asserted their role as a historical narrative of his era,
presenting an unaltered portrayal of reality that contrasts with potentially biased historical accounts.

Dr. Kumar Sanjay Jha introduced the exhibition, marking the International Labour Day with the Conservation
and Archives Division. He informed the display of 20 original lithographs by Karl Erich Muller are categorized
into themes such as tourist perspectives, temples and heritage, portraiture, and village festivals. He further said
that Karl Erich Müller, a prominent German artist associated with the Halle School and known for his 'Socialist
Realism' style globally, had a profound connection with India, influenced by the Bengal school and Santiniketan.
He also noted Erich Muller’s interactions with Indian artists such as K. K. Hebbar and Lalita Lajmi,
collaborating with them to create portraits. Subsequently, his book ‘Mein Indien’ showcased thirty-one
lithographs. Müller's works depict various aspects of everyday life in the 1970s, including laborers, transport
workers, factory workers, and fisherwomen in their natural environments. These works are housed in IGNCA,
NGMA, and Bharat Kala Bhawan.

***

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Election Commission

Voting by tribal communities blossoms as ECI’s outreach to them

bears fruit

ECI's efforts over last two years brings PVTG Communities & tribals into electoral
process in a big way

Posted On: 01 MAY 2024 2:46PM by PIB Delhi

ECI’s efforts, over last two years, for inclusion of PVTG (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups) communities
and other tribal groups in the electoral process have borne fruit with scenes of tribal groups in various States/UTs
participating enthusiastically in phase 1 and phase 2 of the GE 2024 at polling stations. In a historic move, the
Shompen tribe of Great Nicobar voted for the first time in a General Election.

The Election Commission of India being conscious of PVTGs inclusion in the electoral process had made special
efforts in the last two years for their enrolment as voters and also participation in the voting process. During the
special summary revision for updation of electoral rolls, special outreach camps were held across the specific
states where PVTGs reside for inclusion in the electoral roll. It may be recalled that during the press conference
at Pune in November 2022, on the occasion of national level launch of Special Summary Revision 2023, CEC
Shri Rajiv Kumar had emphasised on Commission’s focussed outreach & interventions to enrol and empower
PVTGs as country’s proud voters.

PVTG- Baiga tribe from MP and Shompen tribe from great Nicobar

Snapshots from certain States

Madhya Pradesh

There are a total three PVTGs in the state namely Baiga, Bhariya and Sahariya. Out of a total population of
9,91,613 in 23 districts, 6,37,681 are eligible 18+ citizens and all are registered in the electoral rolls. In two
phases of voting in the state, there was a lot of enthusiasm among the voters of Baiga and Bharia tribes who
reached the polling station early in the morning, waited for their turn to vote and ensured their participation in
the great festival of democracy.

Tribal theme-based polling stations were also set to welcome tribal groups at the polling stations, with villagers
in Dindori, MP decorated the polling stations themselves.
 Polling station in Dindori, MP

Karnataka

The western and southern regions of Karnataka are home to the PVTGs Jenu Kuruba and Koraga. Prior to the
general elections, the office of CEO Karnataka in association with social and tribal welfare departments ensured
100% enrollment of eligible PVTGs. District and AC level tribal welfare committees were formed. which met
regularly to ensure enrolment of all and to create electoral awareness amongst all PVTGs. Election Officials
have visited these areas to enhance registration and electoral participation. There are 55,815 PVTGs in the entire
population, out of them 18+ are 39,498 and all are registered in the electoral rolls

40 polling stations are established in unique tribal themes in an effort to draw these voters to the polls on election
day.
Kerala

In Kerala, five communities are classified as PVTGs. They are Koraga of Kasaragod District, Cholanaikayan of
Nilambur valley, Malappuram district, Kurumbar of Attappady, Palakkad District, Kadar of Parambikulam,
Palakkad and Thrissur districts, Kattunaykan of Wayanad, Kozhikode, Malappuram, and Palakkad districts. They
have a total population of 4750 as of March 31, 2024, with 3850 of them successfully enrolled in the electoral
rolls through special campaigns and registration camps. Provision for transportation on polling day was ensured
alongside intensive voter awareness initiatives facilitated by Electoral Literacy Clubs and Chunav Pathashalas.

An inspiring feat was achieved by the Kurumba tribal voters who walked for hours to reach an accessible forest
area where vehicles were provided to facilitate their transportation to polling booths in Mukkali region of Silent
Valley, Kerala. Many tribal voters aged 80 and 90 years exemplified a commitment to democracy and an
inspiration to many. Among the 817 voters, 417 were female.
Tripura

Reang is one of the tribal groups in Tripura exhibiting a stand-alone spirit. They make up a large number of the
State's Assembly Constituencies residing in different places of remote and hilly areas such as Dhalai, North,
Gomati and South Tripura Districts. The Bru community, also known as the Reang Community, migrated to the
state of Tripura from the state of Mizoram and are now living in several government-provided resettlement sites.

Odisha

Odisha is home to 13 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) namely Paudi Bhuiya, Juang, Saura, Lanjia
Saura, Mankirdia, Birhore, Kutia Kondha, Bondo, Didayi, Lodha, Kharia, Chukutia Bhunjia, Dongoria Khond
with a total population of 2,64,974.

With significant efforts and registration drives, 100 % enrollment of all 1,84,274 eligible PVTGs have been
achieved. Awareness activities were conducted periodically on the importance of electoral participation and voter
education content was created in the local dialects. Alongside special registration drives, a multifaceted approach
incorporating traditional folk arts and community engagement has been instrumental in ensuring 100% PVTG
enrolment. Street plays performed in local languages, along with cultural forms like Pala and Daskathia, have
served as powerful media for voter education and awareness.
Mobile demonstration vehicles were deployed in PVTG areas to educate communities about the electoral process
and over 20,000 PVTGs participated in mock polls to familiarise them with the voting process. The novel idea of
having wall paintings in local dialects not only added aesthetics to the surroundings but also called out
empowering messages like "vote for sure" and "my vote can't be purchased."
Voters of the Paudi Bhuyan Tribes (PVTG) in Odisha put up culturally inspired events being empowered by the
efforts of officials of Bonai district.

666 theme-based polling booths are set up in their areas, removing logistical barriers and ensuring voting process
within their reach. Polling is scheduled in the state in coming phases (phase 4-7).

Bihar

In Bihar, five PVTGs, including Mal Pahariya, Sauria Paharia, Pahariya, Korwa, and Birhor, constitute a
population of 7631 across ten districts. With a remarkable 100% enrollment of eligible 3147 electors, an
extensive campaign including ‘Matdaata appeal patra’ was launched to enhance their participation in ongoing
elections.
Jharkhand

Jharkhand has 32 tribal groups with 9 of them belonging to PVTGs namely Asur, Birhor, Birjia, Korwa, Mal
Paharia, Pahariya, Sauria Paharia, Baiga and Savar. During SSR 2024, special campaigns were conducted in the
habitat areas of PVTGs in Jharkhand which are mostly hilly areas, resulting in 6,979 enrolments, with a total of
all 1,69,288 eligible 18+ PVTGs now registered in the electoral roll. Total PVTG population stands at 2,58,266.
Gujarat

Kolgha, Kathodi, Kotwalia, Padhar, Siddi are the tribal groups belonging to the PVTGs in 15 districts of
Gujarat. A total of 86,755 are registered in the electoral roll ensuring 100% registration of eligible PVTGs in the
state. Gujarat is going for polls in third phase of General Elections 2024.

Tamil Nadu

In Tamil Nadu, there are six PVTGs, namely Kuttunayakan, Kota, Kurumba, Irular, Paniyan, Toda with a total
population of 2,26,300. Out of 1,62,049 18+ eligible PVTGs, 1,61,932 are registered electors. A comprehensive
campaign spanning 23 districts has prioritised PVTG inclusion, with significant focus on regions like
Coimbatore, Nilgiris, and Tirupathur.
Enthusiastic voters reached the polling station through various modes like walking through dense forest,
waterways etc., and ensured their participation in the Lok Sabha elections.

Chhattisgarh

With a combined population of 1,86,918, five PVTGs are found in Chhattisgarh namely Abujhmadia, Baiga,
Birhor, Kamaar, and Pahadi Korwa spread across 18 districts. The number of 18+ voters stand at 1,20,632 and all
have been registered in the electoral rolls.

Many steps have been taken to increase their electoral participation, including voter education campaigns in
Gariaband, the deployment of additional vehicles in Kanker and establishment of eco-friendly polling stations in
Kabirdham District under the Baiga tribal theme and using plastic free natural material like bamboo, flowers,
leaves for decoration as a step towards sustainable elections.

In a remarkable feat, 100% epic card distribution was ensured and “Chunai Madai” festival celebrations in
Mahasamund district helped establish a connect with the tribes.
 Eco Friendly Polling Station in Kabirdham District of Rajnandgaon PC.

Mahasamund PC – Kulhadighat Village, Dist Gariaband - Kamar PVTG

Background
India has 8.6% tribal population which includes 75 groups of Tribals which are Particularly Vulnerable Tribal
Groups (PVTG). Location of new Polling booths in previously inaccessible areas has led to the large-scale
inclusion of PVTGs. In the elections to the last 11 state legislative assemblies, there were around 9 lakh eligible
voters from 14 PVTG communities namely Kamar, Bhunjia, Baiga, Pahadi Korwa, Abujhmadia, Birhor,
Sahariya, Bhariya, Chenchu, Kolam, Thoti, Kondareddy, Jenu Kuruba & Koraga. The Commission’s special
efforts ensured 100% enrolment of PVTGs in those states.

******

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Election Commission

ECI issues direction for handling and storage of Symbol Loading Units
in compliance of Supreme Court Order
Posted On: 01 MAY 2024 4:18PM by PIB Delhi

In pursuance of the judgement of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, dated 26th April, 2024 in Writ Petition
(Civil) No. 434 of 2023, ECI has issued the new protocol for handling and storage of Symbol Loading Unit
(SLU). All CEOs have been directed to create necessary infrastructure and provisions to implement the new
protocols for handling and storage of SLUs.

As mandated by the Hon’ble Supreme Court, the revised protocols are applicable in all cases of completion of
the symbol loading process in the VVPATs undertaken on or after 01.05.2024.

SOP/instructions can be accessed here:

https://www.eci.gov.in/eci-backend/public/api/download?

******

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President's Secretariat

PRESIDENT OF INDIA VISITS AYODHYA; HAS DARSHAN AT

SHRI HANUMAN GARHI TEMPLE AND PRABHU SHRI RAM
TEMPLE

RAM TEMPLE IS A VIBRANT SYMBOL OF THE IDEALS OF INDIAN SOCIETY AND

CULTURE: PRESIDENT MURMU

Posted On: 01 MAY 2024 10:07PM by PIB Delhi

The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu visited Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh) today (May 1, 2024).

The President had Darshan at the Prabhu Shri Ram Temple and performed Aarti. After the Darshan, the
President, in a tweet, shared that she had the privilege of seeing the Divine Child form of Prabhu Shri Ram. She
said that the Ram temple is a vibrant symbol of the ideals of Indian society and culture. The Ram temple will
continue to inspire people to work for welfare of all. She sought the blessings of Prabhu Shri Ram and prayed for
prosperity of all citizens.

Earlier, the President visited Shri Hanuman Garhi Temple and performed Darshan and Aarti. She also attended
Aarti at the ghat of river Saryu before visiting the Ram temple.

The President also offered Puja at Kuber Teela and paid obeisance at the statue of celestial bird Jatayu who is so
revered in our tradition as a symbol of the value of collective caring among the divine, human beings and other
creatures.

***

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Ministry of Science & Technology

A lecture titled "Health and Sanitation: Both are linked together" held
at the National Institute of Science Communication and Policy
Research (NIScPR) of the Council for Scientific and Industrial
Research (CSIR)
Posted On: 02 MAY 2024 5:39PM by PIB Delhi

Prof. Shridhar Dwivedi, Senior Consultant Cardiologist & Head of Academics at National Heart Institute
delivered a lecture titled "Health and Sanitation: Both are linked together" at the National Institute of Science
Communication and Policy Research (NIScPR) of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR),
New Delhi today during the Swachhata Pakhwada.

The lecture was held on the second day of the 15 days programme of Swachhata Pakhwada organized by CSIR-
NIScPR at the institute’s Vivekananda Hall and drew attention to the intrinsic connection between cleanliness
and overall well-being.

Prof. Ranjana Aggarwal, Director, CSIR-NIScPR felicitating chief guest Prof. Shridhar Dwivedi

In his address, Prof. Shridhar Dwivedi emphasized the importance of not only physical health but also mental
and spiritual well-being. He pointed out that all religions encourage cleanliness and urged the audience to
continue the healthy habits adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prof. Dwivedi's message resonated with the
attendees, highlighting the need for a holistic approach to health that includes proper sanitation practices and a
balanced lifestyle.
The Director of CSIR-NIScPR, Prof. Ranjana Aggarwal reiterated the institute's commitment to making
cleanliness a mission, aiming to rectify and enhance India's image as a clean nation. The Swachhata Pakhwada
initiative is a testament to this commitment, fostering awareness and action towards a healthier and cleaner India.

The CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (NIScPR) is a constituent
laboratory under the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, Ministry of Science and Technology,
Government of India. It is dedicated to science communication, evidence-based science technology and
innovation policy research, and the promotion of scientific awareness among the public.

****

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Ministry of Science & Technology

The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) - Advanced

Materials and Processes Research Institute (AMPRI), in collaboration
with Knowledge & Awareness Mapping Platform (KAMP) conducts
Scientific Excursion for over 250 Students
Posted On: 02 MAY 2024 4:58PM by PIB Delhi

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) - Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute
(AMPRI), in collaboration with the Knowledge and Awareness Mapping Platform (KAMP), conducts Scientific
Excursion on April 29th, 2024 at Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
The Scientific Excursion was conducted by KAMP under the CSIR Jigyasa and Viksit Bharat Program with 250
students accompanied by their teachers from DPS Kolar Road Bhopal, IES public school Sehore, and IES public
school, Ratibad, Bhopal. The programme was inaugurated by Dr. D.P Mondal, Chief Scientist. Head, Alloys,
Composites and Cellular Materials Division, CSIR-AMPRI, Bhopal and Dr. Satanand Mishra Principal Scientist
& Jigyasa Coordinator, CSIR-AMPRI, Bhopal.

This excursion provided the students with a unique opportunity to delve into the world of science, technology,
and innovation. It aimed to instill a passion for scientific exploration and discovery within the students. Dr.
Mishra and his Jigyasa team inspired the students in their scientific pursuits through interactive discussion and
lab visits. Within the labs, the students learnt several new things in a practical manner with respect to 3D printing
Lab, Raman Spectrometer lab, Hybrid Composite, Centre for Advanced Radiation Shielding and Geo-polymeric
Materials (CARS&GM).

Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute (AMPRI), Bhopal was instituted in May 1981 as “Regional
Research Laboratory” (RRL).

The Knowledge and Awareness Mapping Platform (KAMP), an initiative and knowledge alliance between the
Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) - National Institute of Science Communication and Policy
Research (NIScPR) and industrial partner M/S Nysa Communications Pvt. Ltd. (NCPL) provides a platform for
students to explore and engage with scientific concepts, develop a holistic understanding, and ignite their
scientific curiosity.

***

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Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports

NADA India organizes #PlayTrue Campaign to create awareness

about clean sports
Posted On: 02 MAY 2024 5:43PM by PIB Delhi

The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), India concluded #PlayTrue Campaign, with turnout of more than
12,133 participants. The campaign commemorated WADA’s Play True Day and aimed at fostering awareness
about the importance of clean sport and anti-doping practices in India, received overwhelming participation and
support from athletes, coaches, and sports enthusiasts nationwide.

The #PlayTrue Campaign highlights NADA India's commitment to equipping athletes, coaches, and the entire
sporting community with a thorough understanding of anti-doping regulations, empowering them to champion
clean play in India.The campaign was held from 15th to 30th April, 2024.

Aligned with the vision of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the #PlayTrue Campaign strives to instill
integrity in sports by advocating for fair play, rejecting doping, and promoting the spirit of fair competition.
Through its interactive activities including the #PlayTrue Quiz, I’m a #PlayTrue Ambassador, #PlayTrue Pledge,
and Mascot Drawing Competition, NADA India engaged participants thereby fostering a culture of clean and
ethical competition.

The campaign featured insightful awareness sessions covering all aspects of anti-doping regulations. Participants
had the opportunity to learn about the consequences of doping in sports, understand supplements, and the role of
law enforcement in anti-doping. In an endeavor to reach every segment of India’s sports community, the sessions
were tailored for athlete support personnel, medical practitioners, educators, legal persons and nutritional
supplement manufacturers, ensuring comprehensive coverage across the sports ecosystem.

The campaign served as a crucial event for athletes and stakeholders to collaborate, exchange insights, and
strategies towards establishing a resilient anti-doping framework in anticipation of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
India's unwavering commitment to advocating for fair play, integrity, and upholding the principles of clean sports
on the global stage was prominently showcased throughout the event.

****

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Ministry of Panchayati Raj

Elected Women Representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions to

Participate in CPD57 Side Event “Localizing the SDGs: Women in
Local Governance in India Lead the Way” on 3rd May 2024 at United
Nations Headquarters in New York
Posted On: 02 MAY 2024 4:00PM by PIB Delhi

The Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations and the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, in collaboration with
the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), is organizing the side event titled “Localizing the SDGs: Women
in Local Governance in India Lead the Way” on 3rdMay, 2024, during the 57th Session of the Commission on
Population and Development (CPD57), taking place from the 29th of April until the 3rd of May 2024 at United
Nations Headquarters in New York.Smt. Supriya Das Datta, Sabhadhipati, Sepahijala Zilla Parishad, Tripura;
Smt. Kunuku Hema Kumari, Sarpanch, Pekeru Gram Panchayat, Andhra Pradesh and Smt. Neeru Yadav,
Sarpanch, Lambi Aheer Gram Panchayat, Rajasthan are attending the event to represent the Elected Women
Representatives from the rural local self-government in India and the delegation is led by Shri Vivek Bharadwaj,
Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, GoI.

Scheduled for 3rdMay 2024, the side event titled “Localizing the SDGs: Women in Local Governance in India
Lead the Way” will shed light on the key role of Indian women in grassroots political leadership, emphasizing
their significant contributions to sustainable development at the grassroots level.This momentous occasion will
be livestreamed from the United Nations Headquarters on the social media pages of theMinistry of Panchayati
Raj, GoI, commencing at 10:45 PM (IST) on 3rdMay, 2024 (Friday), facilitating a global audience to witness this
inspiring display/manifestation of women’s empowerment in action.
(https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1e/k1e5k5ukq7)

Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj, Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, will inaugurate the
event by highlighting the pivotal role of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in advancing gender equality, and the
significance of women leadership in grassroots governance, through her opening remarks. Following
Ambassador Kamboj’s address, Secretary Shri Vivek Bharadwajwill discuss strategies derived from India’s
Panchayati Raj Institutions aimed at fostering gender equality and women's empowerment, particularly focusing
on poverty reduction and inclusive development. He will also share insights from India’s experience with
women’s leadership in local governance.
The side event will feature a panel discussion with three distinguished Elected Women Representatives (EWRs),
who will share their invaluable experiences, insights, and perspectives on local self-governance as well as their
impactful journey. Smt. Supriya Das Datta, Sabhadhipati, Sepahijala Zilla Parishad, Tripura will share insights
on the women's leadership role in the Panchayats in enabling inclusive development. Smt. Kunuku Hema
Kumari, Sarpanch, Pekeru Gram Panchayat, West Godavari, Andhra Pradesh will highlight the Panchayat’s role
in driving key social sector programmes. Smt. Neeru Yadav, Sarpanch, Lambi Aheer Gram Panchayat,
Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan will share her experience in promoting women and girl-friendly Panchayats.

The CPD57 side-event will also see the presence of Mr. Pio Smith, the UNFPA Asia Pacific Regional Director,
Ms. Andrea M. Wojnar, the UNFPA India Representative, and Shri Alok Prem Nagar, Joint Secretary, MoPR,
who will share their insightful remarks and recognize these leading EWRs for their game-changing efforts and
instrumental role as torchbearers in driving forward the Sustainable Development Goals.

Elected Women Representatives (EWRs) have been instrumental in driving positive change at the grassroots
level. India stands at the forefront globally, with 1.4 million women serving as elected members of Panchayati
Raj Institutions / Rural Local Bodies, constituting 46% of the total elected representatives of PRIs. The CPD57
side event on 3rdMay, 2024 aims to highlight India’s trailblazing model of empowering EWRs in Panchayati Raj
Institutions to spearhead the localization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It showcases how
EWRs play catalytic roles in championing gender equality, poverty alleviation, and inclusive development at the
grassroots.

India’s remarkable success stories, where EWRs have driven positive and impactful change through community
leadership and engagement, advancing SDG localization, will be highlighted. The event illustrates the scalability
and replicability of India's transformative approach in empowering EWRs as agents of change to steer local
development aligned with the SDGs.
Moreover, it advocates for greater global recognition and support for India’s pioneering model as a best practice
in promoting women's meaningful participation and leadership towards achieving the SDGs at the grassroots
level. This groundbreaking event emphasizes India’s commitment to empowering women in local governance as
torchbearers of sustainable development.

During its G20 Presidency, India reaffirmed its commitment to gender equality and women-led development by
establishing the Working Group on Women’s Empowerment. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has taken a
proactive leadership role in localizing and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in rural India,
with women spearheading local self-governance initiatives. Embracing a thematic approach, the Ministry of
Panchayati Raj has endeavoured to localize the SDGs through Panchayati Raj Institutions, consolidating the 17
SDGs into nine overarching themes.Notably, ‘Theme 9: Women-Friendly Panchayat’underlines the pivotal
objective of safeguarding and promoting the interests of women, while ensuring their survival, protection,
development, and participation rights at the grassroots level.

In order to empower women to assume leadership roles effectively, various initiatives have been launched,
including providing quality training. Beginning this year, an innovative and first-of-its-kind initiative –
Leadership and Management Development Programme – has been undertaken to conduct training programs for
elected representatives and functionaries of PRIs in premier management institutes such as IIM Ahmedabad. The
CPD57 side event showcases how EWRs like Smt. Supriya Das Datta, who received training in the first batch of
MoPR’s Leadership and Management Development Programme at IIM Ahmedabad, play catalytic roles in
championing gender equality, poverty alleviation, and inclusive development at the grassroots.

Brief Profile of Three EWRs attending CPD57 side-event at the UN Headquarters

Smt. Supriya Das Datta, Sabhadhipati, Sepahijala Zilla Parishad, Tripura has promoted women’s involvement in
public decision-making processes. She initiated discussion platforms for women in the District to voice concerns
and views on village development issues before District Panchayat officials. She has been active in promoting
child-care facilities to create a conducive work environment for women. She firmly believes in addressing deep-
rooted social norms to achieve gender equality and has actively worked towards this goal in her public role. Smt.
Supriya Das Datta holds a Diploma in Pharmacy.

Smt. Kunuku Hema Kumari, Sarpanch, Pekeru Gram Panchayat, Block: Iragavaram, District: West Godavari,
Andhra Pradesh has dedicated herself to raising awareness about government schemes and programs within the
community. She has focused on ensuring the effective delivery of public services to the most vulnerable and
marginalized groups. Smt. K. Hema Kumari has organized regular medical camps in her village, ensuring that
medical services reached even the most remote areas. She has successfully established linkages between
frontline health workers and women and girls in need of health services through her public outreach efforts. She
holds a Master's Degree in Technology and previously served as a faculty member for Electronics and e-
Communication in an Engineering College.

Smt. Neeru Yadav, Sarpanch, Lambi Aheer Gram Panchayat, Tehsil: Buhana, District: Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan has
led initiatives to combat gender stereotypes and empower women. She prioritized girls' education, leading
community efforts to reduce school dropout rates among girls. She has been acknowledged by the Government
of Rajasthan for outstanding contributions to education. She initiated girls’ engagement in sports, particularly
hockey, challenging regressive gender norms and earning the title “Hockey Wali Sarpanch”. Smt. Neeru Yadav
steered campaigns to reduce plastic usage and organized large-scale plantation drives for environmental
preservation. She launched an innovative initiative to promote environmental conservation by presenting trees as
part of Kanyadaan during marriages and initiated the campaign ‘My Tree–My Friend’. She holds a Master’s
Degree in Mathematics and Education and is currently pursuing her Ph.D.

*****
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Ministry of Mines

Mineral Production in the Country Grows by 8 percent in February,

Compared to Last Year
Posted On: 02 MAY 2024 6:52PM by PIB Delhi

The index of mineral production of mining and quarrying sector for the month of February, 2024 (Base: 2011-
12=100) at 139.6 is 8.0% higher as compared to the level in the month of February, 2023. As per the provisional
statistics of Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), the cumulative growth for the period April-February, 2023-24 over
the corresponding period of previous year is 8.2%.

Production level of important minerals in February, 2024 were: Coal 966 lakh tonne, Lignite 42 lakh tonne,
Natural gas (utilized) 2886 million cu.m., Petroleum (crude) 23 lakh tonne, Bauxite 2414 thousand tonne,
Chromite 400 thousand tonne, Copper conc. 11 thousand tonne , Gold 255 kg, Iron ore 244 lakh tonne, Lead
conc. 27 thousand tonne, Manganese ore 295 thousand tonne, Zinc conc. 149 thousand tonne, Limestone 387
lakh tonne, Phosphorite 218 thousand tonne, and Magnesite 10 thousand tonne .

Important minerals showing positive growth during February, 2024 over February, 2023 include: Gold (86%),
Copper Conc.(28.7%), Bauxite (21%), Chromite (21%), Phosphorite (19%), Limestone(13%), Coal (12%),
Natural gas (U) (11%), Petroleum(crude) (8%), Manganese Ore (6%), Magnesite (3%), Lignite(2.8%), and Zinc
Conc.(2.8%). Other important minerals showing negative growth include Iron Ore (-0.7%) and Lead Conc.
(-14%).
 ****

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Ministry of Finance

Exchange Rate Notification No. 30/2024- Customs (N.T.)

Posted On: 02 MAY 2024 5:13PM by PIB Delhi

In exercise of the powers conferred by section 14 of the Customs Act, 1962 (52 of 1962), and in supersession of
the Notification No. 30/2024-Customs(N.T.), dated 18th April, 2024 except as respects things done or omitted to
be done before such supersession, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs hereby determines that the
rate of exchange of conversion of each of the foreign currencies specified in column (2) of each of Schedule I
and Schedule II annexed hereto, into Indian currency or vice versa, shall, with effect from 3rd May, 2024, be the
rate mentioned against it in the corresponding entry in column (3) thereof, for the purpose of the said section,
relating to imported and export goods.

SCHEDULE-I

Sl.
Rate of exchange of one unit of foreign currency
Foreign Currency
equivalent to Indian rupees
No.

1. (2) (3)

(a) (b)

(For Imported Goods) (For Export Goods)

1. Australian Dollar 55.70 53.30

2. Bahraini Dinar 236.90 208.95

3. Canadian Dollar 61.80 59.85

4. Chinese Yuan 11.75 11.35

5. Danish Kroner 12.15 11.80

6. EURO 91.00 87.90

7. Hong Kong Dollar 10.85 10.55

8. Kuwaiti Dinar 279.75 262.40

9. New Zealand Dollar 50.60 48.30

10. Norwegian Kroner 7.65 7.45

11. Pound Sterling 106.35 102.90

12. Qatari Riyal 23.65 22.25

13. Saudi Arabian Riyal 22.80 21.65

14. Singapore Dollar 62.40 60.40

15. South African Rand 4.65 4.35

16. Swedish Kroner 7.75 7.55

17. Swiss Franc 92.75 89.35

18. Turkish Lira 2.65 2.50

19. UAE Dirham 23.45 22.05

20. US Dollar 84.35 82.60

SCHEDULE-II
 Sl. Rate of exchange of 100 units of foreign currency
Foreign Currency
No. equivalent to Indian rupees

1. (2) (3)

(a) (b)

(For Imported Goods) (For Export Goods)

1. Japanese Yen 54.30 52.70

2. Korean Won 6.25 5.90

****

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Ministry of Electronics & IT

Launch of Intelligent Transportation System (ITS)

Technology/Product Booklet and ToT of Thermal Camera to Industry
Posted On: 02 MAY 2024 5:53PM by PIB Delhi

The Indigenous Technologies of Thermal camera, designed and developed by CDAC Thiruvananthapuram under
InTranSE Program of MeitY, was transferred to M/s Aditya Infotech (CP Plus). It is a step towards Innovation,
Science and Technology theme of Viksit Bharat @2047.

Thermal Camera: The thermal Smart camera has an inbuilt Data Processing Unit (DPU) to run various AI
based analytics. The indigenised technology is targeted for applications across multiple domains, including
Smart cities, Industries, Defence and Health, etc. The field implementation, testing and validation of this camera
was done for Road traffic applications.

ITS Technology/Product Booklet:

Under InTRanSE program of R& D group, MeitY, technologies/product/solution developed for Traffic control,
Public Transit, Road Safety, Sensors for traffic Applications etc. have been compiled in a booklet form which
was launched for awareness creation.

The exchange of technology transfer documents happened in the presence of Shri S Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY;
Shri Bhuvnesh Kumar, Addl Secretary, MeitY; Prof H P Khincha; Smt Sunita Verma, GC R&D in E&IT, MeitY,
senior officials in the Government, CEO and CTO of Industries.
 ****

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Ministry of Defence

Defence Secretary & Secretary General of MoD, Indonesia to co-chair

7th Joint Defence Cooperation Committee meeting in New Delhi
Posted On: 02 MAY 2024 4:06PM by PIB Delhi

The seventh Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting between India and Indonesia will be held in
New Delhi on May 03, 2024. The meeting will be co-chaired by Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane and
Secretary General of Ministry of Defence, Indonesia Air Marshal (Retd.) Donny Ermawan Taufanto, MDS. Both
sides will exchange views on regional and global issues of shared interest.

The India-Indonesia friendship, which was elevated to the level of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2018,
has widened the scope of bilateral relations to allow for new collaboration in the realm of defence industry,
science and technology etc. The defence relations form a significant pillar to this growing partnership.

Defence engagements between the two nations have diversified to include wide-ranging contacts between the
services, military-to-military exchanges, high-level visits, capacity building and training programmes,
cooperation in UN Peace Keeping, ship visits and bilateral exercises.

The defence cooperation agreement signed in 2001 between India and Indonesia stipulated the establishment of
the JDCC to explore and identify potential areas of cooperation, matters of common interest, initiate, coordinate,
monitor and control the approved cooperative activities.

The Secretary General, who is on a visit to India from May 02-04, 2024, will also undertake discussions with
Indian Defence Industries in New Delhi and Pune.

****

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Ministry of Defence

ICG rescues fisherman with head injury onboard IFB St. Francis off
the Gujarat coast
Posted On: 02 MAY 2024 5:17PM by PIB Delhi

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) successfully executed a daring night rescue operation to save a fisherman who
had sustained serious head injury. The fisherman had a bad fall onboard the Indian Fishing Boat (IFB) St Francis
due to rough sea conditions about 130 km west of Veraval, Gujarat on the night of May 01, 2024.

ICG received a distress call from the Coast Guard Maritime Rescue Sub Center in Veraval. Responding swiftly,
ICG Ship C-153, which was on a surveillance mission at the time, altered its course to aid in the medical
evacuation. The ICG successfully evacuated the injured fisherman from the IFB St
Francis and promptly transferred him to a medical facility in Veraval for further treatment.

The rescue operation underscores the ICG's commitment to safeguard precious lives at sea, ensuring the safety &
security of all those who venture into maritime waters and stay true to their motto "We Protect" or "वयम् रक्षामः”.
 ****

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Ministry of Commerce & Industry

India and New Zealand to have deeper collaboration in Pharma,

Agriculture and Food Processing Industries, among others

11th India - New Zealand Joint Trade Committee (JTC) Meeting held in New Zealand

Enhancing services sector trade given special focus during discussions

Posted On: 02 MAY 2024 3:56PM by PIB Delhi

A delegation led by the Commerce Secretary, Shri Sunil Barthwal held a number of constructive and outcome-
oriented meetings in New Zealand from 26-27 April 2024 to work on ways to deepen the existing bilateral
relations. These meetings were held with the Minister for Trade of New Zealand Hon. Todd McClay, Acting
Chief Executive and Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Zealand, Mr. Brook Barrington, the India-
New Zealand Business Council (INZBC) and the 11th India - New Zealand Joint Trade Committee (JTC)
Meeting.

Both sides acknowledged the existing huge potential in both economies and mutual trade complementarities,
there is a substantial potential to increase the trade and people to people contacts. These meetings had focused
discussions on several key areas aimed at promoting bilateral trade and cooperation, marking a pivotal moment
in strengthening economic ties and fostering collaboration between the two nations, building upon the existing
close ties through people to people and business contacts.
The meetings reviewed progress on market access issues, economic cooperation projects and explored
opportunities for new initiatives. Both sides discussed the establishment of robust bilateral economic dialogue
architecture and the creation of working groups on sectors like Agriculture; Food Processing, Storage &
Transportation; Forestry and Pharmaceuticals to facilitate ongoing collaboration on key trade and economic
issues. Notably, discussions also included the cooperation in horticulture sector, including cooperation in kiwi
fruit sector (quality & productivity, proper storage in pack houses and their suitable transportation) as well as the
dairy sector. Once working groups are established, India and New Zealand will review the progress made by
those working groups and the recommendations thereof at regular intervals.

The meetings addressed bilateral trade matters of mutual interest, including issues related to market access, non-
tariff barriers (NTBs), and sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures on products like grapes, okra and
mangoes, Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) in Organic products, simplified homologation including
through mutual recognition of comparable domestic standards for vehicles, etc. Both parties reaffirmed their
commitment to resolve these issues through constructive dialogue and cooperation under the existing mechanism
of JTC.
Services sector and enhancing its scale for bilateral trade was given special focus during the discussions held at
various levels which revealed great interest from both sides for increasing business to business as well as people
to people contacts and to work on the skill gaps and how the same can be strengthened through capacity building
and improving the ease of mobility. It touched upon areas such as hospitality sector including adventure tourism,
nursing, tele-medicine, education, air connectivity, Joint R&D (wherever feasible), startups, etc.

Collaboration in area of pharmaceuticals and medical devices sector was discussed at length, including the
adoption of fast tracking of regulatory process and quality assessment of manufacturing facilities using, as
appropriate, the inspection reports of comparable overseas regulators. Greater sourcing of medicines from India
and cooperation in medical device sector was also discussed.

Both parties briefly explored opportunities for collaboration in digital trade, meeting Nationally Determined
Contributions, cross border payment systems, among others. Discussions also encompassed co-operative
engagement within platforms such as G20, Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), and other
plurilateral and multi-lateral associations and how to address imperative economic challenges and opportunities.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the principles of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to uphold a
rules-based international trading system.

Overall, it was a common understanding that the existing co-operation can be taken forward with continuous
dialogue. Hence, both the sides committed to hold regular meetings at all levels to sort out issues and work on
collaborative and co-operative activities in exiting as well as areas which remain unexplored.

***

AD/VN

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Ministry of Coal

7.41 percent Increase in Coal Production in April Compared to Last

Year
Posted On: 02 MAY 2024 4:53PM by PIB Delhi

India’s coal production for April 2024 reached 78.69 MT (Provisional), with a growth rate of 7.41% compared to
the corresponding period in the previous year, which was 73.26 MT. During April 2024, Coal India Limited
(CIL) achieved a coal production of 61.78 MT (Provisional), marking a growth of 7.31% compared to the same
period last year when it was 57.57 MT. Additionally, coal production by Captive/others in April 2024 stood at
11.43 MT (Provisional), reflecting a growth of 12.99% from the previous year, which was 10.12 MT.

India’s coal dispatches for April 2024 reached 85.10 MT(Provisional) up by 6.07% compared to the same period
last year when it was recorded at 80.23 MT. During April 2024, CIL dispatched 64.26 MT (Provisional) of coal,
with a growth of 3.18% compared to the corresponding period of the previous year when it was 62.28 MT.
Additionally, coal dispatch by Captive/others in April was recorded at 15.16 MT (Provisional), reflecting a
growth of 26.90% from the previous year, which was 11.95 MT.

***

BY/ST

(Release ID: 2019426) Visitor Counter : 1857

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Election Commission

ECI directs all political parties to cease enrolling/ registering voters for
post-election beneficiary-oriented schemes under the guise of surveys

Potential of quid pro quo for voting and inducements amounts to bribery/corrupt practice

Posted On: 02 MAY 2024 5:34PM by PIB Delhi

The Election Commission of India has taken a serious view of activities by political parties and candidates
seeking details of voters under the guise of various surveys for their proposed beneficiary schemes, as a corrupt
practice of bribery under Section 123(1) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. It has noted that, “some
political parties and candidates have been engaging in activities that blur the lines between legitimate surveys
and partisan efforts to register individuals for post-election beneficiary-oriented schemes”.

The Commission, while noticing various instances in the ongoing General Elections 2024, has issued an advisory
today (Link: https://www.eci.gov.in/eci-backend/public/api/download?) to all national and state political parties
to immediately cease and desist from any activities that involve registering individuals for post-election
beneficiary-oriented schemes through any advertisements/ survey/App.

The Commission said the act of inviting/calling upon individual electors to register for post-election benefits
may create an impression of the requirement of one-to-one transactional relationship between the elector and the
proposed benefit and has the potential to generate quid-pro-quo arrangement for voting in a particular way
thereby leading to inducement.

The Commission while acknowledging that generic and general electoral promises are in the realm of
permissibility, noted that such activities as mentioned in table below obscure the distinction between authentic
surveys and biased attempts to enrol people in programs for political gain, all while masquerading as legitimate
survey activities or efforts to inform about government programs or party agendas related to potential individual
benefits.

The Commission has directed all District Election Officers to take appropriate actions against any such
advertisements within the statutory provisions namely Section 127A of the Representation of People’s Act, 1951,
123 (1) of the Representation of People’s Act, 1951, and Section 171 (B) IPC.

Table 1:

1. Newspaper advertisements calling upon individual voters to register themselves for

benefits by giving missed calls on a mobile or calling on a telephone number.
2. Distribution of guarantee cards in the form of pamphlets giving details of prospective
individual benefits along with an attached form asking for details of voters such as
name, age, address, mobile number, booth number, constituency name & number etc.
3. Distribution of forms seeking details of voters such as name, ration card number,
address, phone number, booth number, bank account number, constituency name &
number etc. in the name of socio-economic survey of prospective beneficiaries for
expanding an ongoing government individual benefit scheme.
4. Circulation or propagation of web platforms or web /mobile application by political
parties/ candidates seeking details of voters such as name, address, phone number,
booth number, constituency name & number etc. (This may or may not have an
invitation for availing individual benefits or revealing their voting preference).
 5. Newspaper advertisements or physical forms regarding existing individual benefit
schemes along with registration form seeking details of the voter such as name,
husband/father’s name, contact number, address etc.

******

DK/RP

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Kannada , Malayalam
AYUSH

Above 7000 Yoga enthusiasts practised Common Yoga Protocol in

unison at Police Parade Ground, Surat, Gujarat

International Day of Yoga has now become a Global platform to raise awareness about
Yoga – Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha

50th Countdown to IDY 2024 generated massive enthusiasts about Yoga, people from all
walks of life participated in the event

Posted On: 02 MAY 2024 11:42AM by PIB Delhi

Surat was infused with the bliss of Yoga during the 'Yoga Mahotsav,' a grand celebration leading up to the
International Day of Yoga-2024. Held at the Police Parade Ground in Athwalines, this event, drew a massive
crowd. Above seven thousands of eager participants came together for this gala affair, immersing themselves in
the practice of the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) from 7.00 AM on May 02, 2024. Their overwhelming
enthusiasm and active engagement highlighted the increasing significance of Yoga in fostering both personal and
societal well-being.

The event was graced by Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush along with Shri Satyajit Paul,
Deputy Director General, Ministry of Ayush; Prof. Avinash Chandra Pandey, Director of the Inter-University
Accelerator Centre, New Delhi and Inter-University Centre for Yogic Sciences, Bengaluru; and Vaidya Dr.
Kashinath Samagandi, Director of Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY). Their attendance lent a
profound significance to the occasion, showcasing a shared dedication to the promotion of Yoga and the
advancement of betterment for individuals and communities alike. Their participation underscored a collective
commitment to fostering holistic well-being through the practice of Yoga.
In his address, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha highlighted that Surat has also made a
wonderful contribution to the development of the country. It is a matter of pride for us that Surat has got the title
of the cleanest city in the country.

Vaidya Kotecha expressed his delight at the gathering for the 'Yoga Mahotsav' in Surat, amidst its serene
environment. He commended the attendees for their disciplined presence, which contributed to the success of the
program. He said that Yoga has now drawn attention of the world and in IDY 2023 more than 23.5 crore people
across the globe practised Yoga. This Year this participation is sure enough to increase. He also said that to mark
the occasion of 25th countdown to IDY2024, a major event will also be held in Bodhgaya.

He emphasized that in 2015, a significant milestone was achieved when the United Nations declared June 21st as
International Day of Yoga. This day serves as a global platform to raise awareness about the many benefits of
practicing Yoga, both for physical and mental well-being, and to promote its universal appeal across different
cultures and societies. Since its inception, International Yoga Day has been celebrated worldwide with various
events, seminars, workshops, and demonstrations aimed at highlighting the profound impact of Yoga on
individuals and communities.

He also stated that Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga has played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of
yoga in our country by producing thousands of skilled yoga masters.
Dr. Kashinath Samagandi, Director, Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY), began the event with a
warm welcome address, extending his gratitude to all participants for their valuable contributions to the
program's success. He underscored the role of Yoga Mahotsav as a crucial stepping stone towards the
International Day of Yoga 2024 (IDY-2024), emphasizing its significance in promoting the universal practice of
Yoga. The 10th edition of the International Day of Yoga celebrations represents a significant milestone in the
journey of this global movement promoting health and well-being.

A live demonstration of the Common Yoga Protocol unfolded, showcasing the expertise of the practitioners from
the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, led by the Director of the institute. Over 7000 Yoga enthusiasts
actively participated in the demonstration, collectively engaging in the prescribed Yoga practices outlined in the
Common Yoga Protocol.

The event was enriched by the presence of senior officials from the Ministry of Ayush, Gujrat Yog Board,
representatives from the state government, and numerous other distinguished dignitaries and experts.
Additionally, the gathering was enhanced by messages from revered Yoga masters and gurus, further
illuminating the significance of the occasion. Their collective involvement and guidance added depth to the
event, emphasizing the importance of Yoga in promoting personal and societal well-being.

The Ministry of Ayush, in conjunction with the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, is orchestrating a series
of Mass Yoga Demonstrations and sessions as part of the '100 Days, 100 Cities, and 100 Organizations'
campaign- an event to commemorate to IDY-2024. This initiative operates in collaboration with a wide array of
stakeholders including schools, universities, institutes, colleges, corporate bodies, as well as all states and union
territories.

***

SK

(Release ID: 2019405) Visitor Counter : 1796

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UPSC

Union Public Service Commission announces written results for

Central Bureau of Investigation (DSP) Limited Departmental
Competitive Examination, 2023
Posted On: 03 MAY 2024 7:31PM by PIB Delhi

On the basis of the results of the written part of the CBI (DSP) Limited Departmental Competitive Examination
2023 held by the UPSC on 16.03.2024 & 17.03.2024, the candidates with the under mentioned roll numbers hav
qualified provisionally for the Physical Standard Test (PST).

2. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will intimate to the candidates about the date, time and venue of th
PST to be conducted by the CBI. In case any candidate, whose roll number figures in this list, does not receive an
intimation regarding the PST, he/she may contact the CBI Authorities, immediately.

3. The Marks and other details related to the Examination shall be available on the Commission’s website within 3
days from the date of publication of the final result i.e. after the conduct of interview and will be available on th
website of the UPSC for a period of 30 days.

4. Candidates are also advised to intimate the change in their address, if any, to the CBI Authorities at CBI HO, 5B
C.G.O. Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003.

Roll Numbers as per list enclosed

CBI (DSP) LDC EXAMINATION, 2023

0800001 0800002 0800005 0800009 0800014 0800018 0800020 0800022 0800023

0800027 0800030 0800033 0800040 0800050 0800051 0800052 0800053 0800055

0800056 0800057 0800062 0800065 0800067 0800073 0800075 0800081 0800082

0800086 0800090 0800091 0800092 0800094 0800095 0800106 0800107 0800108

0800109 0800111 0800114 0800116 0800117 0800119 0800120 0800122 0800126

0800127 0800136 0800139 0800142 0800147 0800153 0800154 0800155 0800156

0800162 0800164 0800167 0800168 0800172 0800174 0800178 0800183 0800186

0800187 0800189 0800191 0800192 0800193 0800197 0800199 0800203 0800204

0800206 0800209 0800211 0800212 0800215 0800217 0800218 0800221 0800223

0800226 0800228 0800230 0800231 0800234 0800237 0800244 0800248 0800258

0800259 0800269

****

PK/PSM

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Ministry of Mines

Mining Sector Registers Record Production in FY 2023-24

Significant Growth in Production of Key Minerals and Aluminium Metal

Posted On: 03 MAY 2024 4:32PM by PIB Delhi

The index of mineral production for the month of March 2024 was 156.1, which is 1.2% higher as compared to
the level in the month of March 2023. The index for the entire FY 2023-24 has increased by 7.5% over FY 2022-
23. Some of the non-fuel minerals showing positive growth during the month of March 2024 as compared to the
corresponding month of the previous year are Copper Concentrate, Gold, Manganese Ore, Diamond, Graphite,
Kyanite, Sillimanite, Limeshell, Limestone, Magnesite, etc.

Iron ore and Limestone together account for about 80% of the total MCDR mineral production by value.
Production of these key minerals in the country has exhibited high growth in FY 2023-24 as per provisional
figures. The production of iron ore at 277 million metric ton (MMT) in FY 2023-24 has broken the production
record of 258 MMT achieved in FY 2022-23, with a 7.4% growth. Showing a similar trend, limestone production
has also surpassed the production record of 406.5 MMT achieved in FY 2022-23, increasing by 10.7% to 450
MMT in FY 2023-24.

In the non-ferrous metal sector, production of primary Aluminium metal in FY 2023-24 has broken the
production record of FY 2022-23. Primary aluminium production increased from 40.73 lakh ton (LT) in FY
2022-23 to 41.59 LT during FY 2023-24, at 2.1% growth rate.

India is the 2nd largest Aluminium producer, 3rd largest lime producer and 4th largest iron ore producer in the
world. Healthy growth in production of iron ore and limestone in FY 2023-24 reflect the robust demand
conditions in the user industries viz. steel and cement. Coupled with the high growth in Aluminium, these growth
trends point towards strong economic activity in user sectors such as energy, infrastructure, construction,
automotive and machinery.

****

BY/ST

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Ministry of New and Renewable Energy

Government hosts 'Run for Sun' Marathon in New Delhi to celebrate

International Sun Day

All-India Intra-School Solar Art Competition Solart to be held

Posted On: 03 MAY 2024 8:30PM by PIB Delhi

The Government of India joined the global community in commemorating International Sun Day today, 3rd May,
2024, as an annual reminder of the significant benefits of solar energy in fostering a greener and healthier planet.
On this day, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India, organized a 'Run for
Sun' Marathon at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi. The 'Run for Sun' Marathon, featuring 3 km and 5 km
races, was designed to raise awareness about the pivotal role of solar power in mitigating climate change and
promoting a cleaner and healthier future for all.

The Marathon expressed the nation's steadfast commitment to solar energy and environmental sustainability. On
the occasion, Secretary, Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, Shri Bhupinder S. Bhalla said: “This event
underscores our dedication to advancing sustainable energy solutions and highlights the importance of solar
power in our journey towards environmental stewardship. The Marathon aligns perfectly with the Government's
vision to promote physical fitness and well-being, wherein we encouraged citizens to embrace an active lifestyle
while championing the cause of renewable energy. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all participants whose
enthusiasm and support made this event a resounding success. We look forward to building upon this momentum
and establishing it as an annual tradition."
Solar Stops in six cities to educate citizens on significance of solar energy

Another highlight of the International Sun Day celebrations was Solar Stops — kiosks boasting a diverse array
of elements that bring out the significance of solar energy. The 12 captivating installations have been set up at
prominent malls in six Indian cities, namely Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Vadodara, Guwahati, Varanasi and Chennai.
Serving as focal points, Solar Stops highlight the innovative and eco-friendly aspects of solar energy, inviting
attendees to learn and engage with the displays.
Solart: All-India Intra-School Solar Art Competition

On the occasion, the Ministry has also announced Solart, an All-India Intra-School Solar Art Competition, which
would be an engaging and educational way to celebrate solar energy through artistic expressions, in recognition
of International Sun Day. The competition seeks to spark creativity and promote awareness of solar energy
among school students across India. Winners, as adjudged by schools, will receive commendation certificates
from the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy.
 ***

PIB DELHI | Kripa Shankar Yadav / Dheep Joy Mampilly

(Release ID: 2019591) Visitor Counter : 3170

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Ministry of Defence

7th India-Indonesia Joint Defence Cooperation Committee meeting

held in New Delhi

Defence Secretary & Secretary General of MoD, Indonesia agree to enhance collaboration
in areas of defence industry, maritime security & multilateral cooperation

Posted On: 03 MAY 2024 3:45PM by PIB Delhi

Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane and Secretary General of the Ministry of Defence, Indonesia, Air
Marshal Donny Ermawan Taufanto, M.D.S. co-chaired the 7th India-Indonesia Joint Defence Cooperation
Committee (JDCC) meeting in New Delhi on May 03, 2024. During the meeting, both sides expressed
satisfaction at the expanding scope of defence cooperation between the two countries. The progress made on
various bilateral defence cooperation initiatives deliberated in meetings of Working Groups on Defence
Cooperation and Defence Industries Cooperation was also reviewed by the co-chairs.

In addition, the dignitaries identified means to enhance existing areas of collaboration especially in the field of
defence industry ties, maritime security and multilateral cooperation.

During the visit, the Secretary General visited the DRDO headquarters in New Delhi as well as TATA Advanced
Systems and L&T Defence facilities in Pune. He also held deliberations with other Indian defence industry
partners like Bharat Forge, Mahindra Defence & Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited and discussed ways to
enhance defence industrial capabilities by cooperation in research & joint production. He also called on the Chief
of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan during the visit.

The Secretary General is on a visit to India from May 02-04, 2024. He laid a wreath and paid homage to the
fallen heroes at National War Memorial, New Delhi.

India and Indonesia have a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and have arrived at a shared vision of the Indo-
Pacific. In current times, this partnership is characterised by closed cooperation in bilateral and multilateral
arena, including frequent high-level interactions. Indonesia is an important partner in India’s Act East Policy and
the Indo-Pacific region.

****

ABB/Savvy/KB

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Ministry of Commerce & Industry

2nd Session of India-Nigeria Joint Trade Committee held in Abuja

Both sides to finalise Local Currency Settlement System Agreement soon

Several areas of focus identified:Digital Economy and Digital Public Infrastructure, Crude
oil and Natural Gas, pharmaceuticals

Posted On: 03 MAY 2024 12:31PM by PIB Delhi

A seven-member delegation from India led by Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of
Commerce and Industry, Shri AmardeepSingh Bhatia, accompanied by High Commissioner of India to Federal
Republic of Nigeria,Shri G Balasubramanian and Economic Adviser, Department of Commerce, Ms. Priya P.
Nair held a Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meeting with their Nigerian counterparts in Abuja from 29.04.2024 to
30.04.2024. The JTC was co-chaired by Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and
Investment, Nigeria, Ambassador Nura Abba Rimi; and Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce.

In a comprehensive dialogue, both sides undertook a detailed review of recent developments in bilateral trade
and investment ties and acknowledged the vast untapped potential for further expansion. To this effect, both
sides identified several areas of focus for enhancing both bilateral trade as well as mutually beneficial
investments. These include resolving of market access issues of both sides, and cooperation in key sectors such
as Crude oil and Natural Gas, Pharmaceuticals, Unified Payments Interface (UPI), Local Currency Settlement
System, Power Sector and Renewable Energy, Agriculture & Food Processing, Education, Transport, Railway,
Aviation, MSMEs, Development etc. Both sides agreed to early conclusion of Local Currency Settlement System
Agreement to further strengthen bilateral economic ties.

Official delegation from India consisted of officials from Reserve Bank of India (RBI), EXIM Bank of India and
National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). The officials of both sides actively engaged in the proceedings
of the JTC.The discussions were held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere and were fruitful. There was
enthusiastic response towards greater cooperation, addressing pending issues, boosting trade and investment,
greater people to people contacts.
In a concerted effort to bolster bilateral trade, both sides committed to expeditiously address all issues impeding
bilateral trade and facilitate trade promotion between the two nations. A business delegation led by CII also
accompanied the official delegation comprising representatives from various sectors like power, fintech,
telecommunications, electrical machinery, pharmaceuticals, etc. The deliberations of the 2nd Session of India-
Nigeria JTC were cordial and forward-looking, indicative of the amicable and special relations between the two
countries.

Nigeria is a major partner- the 2nd largest trading partner of India in Africa region. Bilateral trade between India
and Nigeria stood at USD 11.8 billion in 2022-23. In the year 2023-24, the bilateral trade stands at 7.89 billion
showing a declining trend. With a total investment of USD 27 Billion, approximately 135 Indian companies are
actively engaged in Nigeria’s vibrant market. These investments traverse diverse sectors, encompassing
infrastructure, manufacturing, consumer goods and services.

***

AD/VN

(Release ID: 2019519) Visitor Counter : 3117

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Election Commission

1717 candidates to contest elections across 10 States/UTs going for

polls in phase 4 of Lok Sabha Elections 2024

4264 Nomination forms filed for 96 PCs across 10 States/UTs for phase 4

Posted On: 03 MAY 2024 1:27PM by PIB Delhi

1717 candidates from 10 States /UTs to contest elections in phase 4 of Lok Sabha Elections 2024. A total of 4264
nominations were filed for 96 PCs across 10 States /UTs going for polls in phase 4 for the Lok Sabha Elections
2024. The last date for filing nominations for phase 4 for all 10 States/UTs was April 25, 2024. After the scrutiny
of all nominations filed, 1970 nominations were found to be valid.

In phase 4, Telangana had a maximum of 1488 nomination forms from 17 Parliamentary Constituencies,
followed by Andhra Pradesh with 1103 nominations from 25 PCs. 7-Malkajgiri Parliamentary Constituency in
Telangana received a maximum of 177 nomination forms followed by 13-Nalgonda and 14-Bhongir in the same
State with 114 nomination forms in each. Average number of contesting candidates in a PC for 4th Phase is 18.

State/UT wise details for Phase 4 of Lok Sabha Elections 2024:

Number of PCs Nomination Valid candidates After withdrawal, final

State/UT
in fourth phase forms received after scrutiny Contesting Candidates

Andhra Pradesh 25 1103 503 454

Bihar 5 145 56 55

Jammu & Kashmir 1 39 29 24

Jharkhand 4 144 47 45

Madhya Pradesh 8 154 90 74

Maharashtra 11 618 369 298

Odisha 4 75 38 37
Telangana 17 1488 625 525

Uttar Pradesh 13 360 138 130

West Bengal 8 138 75 75

Total 96 4264 1970 1717

******

DK/RP

(Release ID: 2019528) Visitor Counter : 9746

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Election Commission

ECI remains keenly focussed on enhancing voter turn out

Commission’s largest ever awareness and facilitation measures being further reinforced

Public /Private organisations, celebrities join in voter outreach campaigns

Normal weather forecast for Phase 3 as per IMD reports; Special steps in place to deal
with hot weather conditions

Posted On: 03 MAY 2024 9:42PM by PIB Delhi

Election Commission of India has doubled up its voter participation interventions to overcome the small drop in
turnout in the first two phases of Lok Sabha polls. The turnout so far has been 66.14% in phase 1 and 66.71% in
phase 2, which seen against electoral participation history in India is among the best but somewhat lags the high
benchmarks of 2019. The turnout of voters continues to remain at the centre of ECI’s election management
efforts.

ECI remains committed to take up all interventions possible to boost voter turnout in next 5 phases. Commission
led by CEC Shri Rajiv Kumar, EC Shri Gyanesh Kumar and EC Shri Sukhbir Singh Sandhu is leading a set of
additional initiatives for this purpose with Chief Electoral Officers and senior officers at Nirvachan Sadan.

A remarkable feature of the SVEEP campaigns personally led by CEC Shri Rajiv Kumar has been the pro-bono
collaborations by major departments, corporates, celebrities, and organisations. The Commission during the last
one year has energetically run its flagship programme Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation
(SVEEP) pushing hard all three parts of it: information, motivation, and facilitation, more so in the run up to the
Lok Sabha elections. States and districts have taken up a range of local specific interventions to boost citizen
participation under Turn Out Implementation (TIP) plan targeting low turnout constituencies. Some of the mass
campaigns that resonated in recent weeks across the country are at Annexure A.

Commission is disappointed with the turnout level in some metropolitan cities in phase 2 polls, a pointer to the
rigid levels of apathy in India’s high-tech city. Cities in NCR have fared no better. ECI last month assembled
many metro Commissioners in Delhi to work out a strategy to fight urban apathy. An exclusive action plan has
been taken up. The Commission hopes that urban centres going to polls in next phases turn the tide. Commission
will constantly follow up with concerned city administrations.

Following the dip in turnout in phase 1, Commission had directed state CEOs of Maharashtra, Bihar, UP and
Rajasthan and Karnataka to come up with additional set of plans to enhance voter turnout. The Commission also
held one to one interaction with DEOs of low turnout districts (based on 2019 figures) in phases 3 and 4 to
identify ways for enhancing turnout.

ECI already held meeting with top IMD experts, health and disaster management agencies to consider the impact
of heatwave on the election process, especially voters’ turnout during phase 3. As per the empirical evidence
provided by IMD, there is no major concern with regard to heat wave for phase 3 of the General Elections
scheduled on May, 7, 2024. The weather forecast situation is predicted to be normal in the 11 States/UTs going
for polls in Phase 3.
A comprehensive specific set of advisories are in place to make sure that voters are extended the best possible
comfort in hot weather.
 Election Commission of India
@ECISVEEP · Follow

Heat wave advisory and Assured Minimum Facilities at

Polling Booth

#ECI #IMD #HeatWave #Elections2024

11:38 AM · Mar 27, 2024

442 Reply Copy link

Read 17 replies

The Commission attaches due importance to timely release of voter turnout figures after each phase of the polls.
Disclosures and transparency are standard practices in ECI’s work. As per statutory requirements, voter turnout
is to be recorded at every polling station in absolute numbers in Form 17C. As a strong measure of transparency,
the copies of Form 17C, duly signed by Presiding Officer and all present polling agents, are shared with all
present polling agents. Thus, leave alone Constituency, even booth wise data of actual number of votes polled is
available with the candidates, which is a statutory requirement.

As a disclosure initiative for other stakeholders and media, State/PC/AC wise tentative turnout figures are made
available through ECI Voter Turnout app which is regularly updated. The Commission is committed to provide
voter turnout figures timely that is useful for media and other stakeholders in the coming phases.

Annexure A

In the ongoing Lok Sabha Elections 2024, Election Commission of India has launched its biggest ever voter
awareness and outreach drive for enhanced participation in the General Elections 2024. As part of this targeted
outreach initiatives, various public and private sector organisations have collaborated with the Commission on a
pro-bono basis. A judicious mixture of paid advertising, advocacy and partnerships with celebrities has driven
this initiative.
Taking a cue from CEC Rajiv Kumar’s clarion call to youth to vote and become Election Ambassadors, ECI’s
social media cell has started a social media campaign "I am Election Ambassador". Any one on social media
including content creators, influencers and celebrities can share creative reels and memes to promote the cause.
Popular influencers and individual content creators have already joined in with their creatives. Users can share
their creatives and content with hashtags #MainBhiElectionAmbassador. Good entries will get featured on ECI
social media platforms.

The Commission is thankful to various partners and collaborators for their initiatives and efforts towards voter
awareness and enhanced participation. Some of the initiatives are as follows:

1. In collaboration with the BCCI, voter awareness messages and songs are being played at different
stadiums during IPL 2024. Standees are displayed, and voter awareness messages are integrated into
cricket commentary. Cricketers from the 10 IPL teams encouraged voters to participate in the Lok Sabha
Elections 2024 with recorded voter awareness messages, which are being shared on ECI social media
platforms. A voter’s pledge by cricket legend and ECI National Icon, Sachin Tendulkar, in a pre-recorded
video message, is being administered at various IPL venues.
2. A voting day alert was sent to all Facebook users pan India to inform and aware the voters about the
General Elections and also to nudge them to participate in the festival of democracy.
3. Vast network of post offices and banking institutions was utilised by ECI to reach out to a wide and
diverse audience across the length and breadth of the country.
a. Department of Post has over 1.6 lakhs post offices and 1000 ATMs and 1000 digital screens
b. There are over 1.63 lakh bank branches and 2.2 lakh ATMs across public and private sector banking
institutions.
4. In collaboration with the Ministry of Railways, the Parliamentary Elections campaign logo “Chunav ka
Parv, Desh Ka Garv” has been integrated with IRCTC portal and tickets, SVEEP creatives are being
displayed at railway stations and railway station announcements are including voter awareness messages.
The logo stickers are also used in coaches.
5. In collaboration with the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, hoardings on voter awareness have
been installed in about 16,000 retail petrol pumps.
6. In collaboration with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, airlines are making an inflight announcement with
an appeal message to participate in the ensuing elections. Voter guides are being kept in aircraft seat
pockets. Apart from this, many airports are providing space for display of voter awareness messages.
Selfie-points have been installed at airports in 10 major cities in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru,
Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Patna, Chandigarh, etc.
7. Cinema theatres across the country are playing ECI voter awareness films and ECI Song Main Bharat
Hoon, Hum Bharat Ke Matdata Hai on regular intervals, as a part of Public Service awareness (PSA) film.
8. AMUL and Mother Dairy have started branding their milk pouches with the message ‘Chunav Ka Parv,
Desh ka Garv’ and also encouraging voters through social media platforms. AMUL is also encouraging
voters with its unique messaging through AMUL Girl Topical advertisement in Newspapers.
9. Sansad TV is creating short films on Unique Polling Stations setup in remote corners of the country by the
election machinery after navigating difficult terrain have been produced to demonstrate the challenges in
ensuring voting at the last mile.
10. Telecom Operators such as Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd., Bharti Airtel Limited, Jio Telecommunication,
Vodafone-Idea Ltd. are also contributing in voter awareness activities by sending SMSs through the well-
connected mobile network across the country.
11. Music App Spotify, and bike app Rapido have been onboarded for voter awareness messages across
their platforms and channels wherein Spotify has created a “Election Playlist” to motivate voters, and
Rapido is encouraging voters with a free ride for voting.
12. Food delivery platforms such as Zomato and Swiggy have also partnered with ECI for disseminating
voter awareness messages in their unique style.
13. A comprehensive 360-degree multimedia campaign is underway with the theme “Chunav ka Parv, Desh
ka Garv.” The campaign includes:
 a. TV Commercials: Celebrity endorsements featuring national icon Sachin Tendulkar, Rajkummar Rao,
as well as actors Ayushmann Khurrana and Vijay Varma, alongside non-celebrity TVCs. Additionally,
short films and videos are being produced by DD for social media and its channels.
b. Print Media: Major newspapers are publishing advertisements ranging from strip, quarter, half to full-page
formats which has commenced from April 1, 2024.
c. Radio: Radio jingle, Vox pop programmes, RJ Mention, Celebrity interviews, influencer engagement,
and social media messaging are being done on various radio stations’ platforms.
d. Social media: Trendy and explanatory videos are being created by popular social media platforms, in
collaboration with the Election Commission of India (ECI). The “My Vote My Duty” montage and
individual films, along with TVCs, are being shared across social media platforms, featuring national
icons.
e. Outdoor Campaign: Train wrapping initiatives are commenced with Indian Railways, with plans for
further paid outdoor campaigns.
f. Public Broadcaster: It is running creative thematic content on various channels of DD and AIR along
with L-band branding, mug branding, Chunav ka Parv, Desh ka Garv logo bug has been incorporated
through shows.

Apart from these, independent initiatives have also been taken by different institutions, such as

1. NDTV has launched the #NDTV18KaVote campaign to make youth aware of the need to vote and
encourage voters aged 18 to show their strength in the 18th Lok Sabha election. Further, Dainik Jagran is
bringing unique poll stories from ground. Doordarshan, Akashvani and Sansad TV have also initiated
various programmes and informative content for the ongoing General Elections 2024.
2. Times of India group has launched a campaign called ‘Power of the Print’ calling for entries on voter
awareness from creative agencies and designers.
3. Payments app PhonePe has also integrated voter awareness message in their app and is actively
encouraging voters.
4. Youth organisations such as India International Movement to Unite Nations (IIMUN) have also
contributed to increasing voter awareness and education among the youth of the country.

***************

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President's Secretariat

President of India to visit Himachal Pradesh from May 4 to 8

Posted On: 03 MAY 2024 6:54PM by PIB Delhi

The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu will visit Himachal Pradesh from May 4 to 8, 2024. During her
visit, the President will stay at the Rashtrapati Niwas, Mashobra, Shimla.

On May 6, the President will grace the 7th convocation of the Central University of Himachal Pradesh at
Dharamshala.

On May 7, the President will witness a cultural programme at Gaiety Heritage Cultural Complex, Shimla. Later,
she will attend a dinner hosted by the Governor of Himachal Pradesh at Raj Bhawan, Shimla.

*****

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President's Secretariat

NO CHANGE OF GUARD CEREMONY TOMORROW

Posted On: 03 MAY 2024 7:36PM by PIB Delhi

The Change of Guard Ceremony will not take place tomorrow (May 4, 2024) at Rashtrapati Bhavan due to some
official commitment of Army Guard.

***

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Ministry of New and Renewable Energy

IREDA holds 16th Stakeholders' Meet

Posted On: 04 MAY 2024 7:40PM by PIB Delhi

CMD emphasizes Ease of Doing Business and Digitisation; borrowers

commend IREDA for Navratna Status and streamlined Loan Process

Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA) organized its 16th Stakeholders' Interaction
Meet at the India International Centre in New Delhi today, May 4, 2024. The Stakeholders' Meet witnessed
enthusiastic participation from business partners spanning the renewable energy spectrum, including Solar,
Wind, Hydro, Bio Energy, and New & Emerging technologies. Notably, this was the second in-person meeting
out of 16, with 14 meetings having been conducted virtually.

The event featured a presentation highlighting IREDA's recent achievements, emphasizing its historic annual
performance in FY 2023-24. The discussion covered major initiatives undertaken for renewable energy
development, execution of suggestions from previous interaction meets, and future plans aligned with the targets
set by the Government of India.

The meet highlighted notable financial achievements,

with IREDA's Tier-1 Capital reaching Rs. 8,265.20
crores as of March 31, 2024. This substantial capital
base enables larger exposure in project financing, with
the company capable of financing up to Rs. 2,480
crores to a single borrower and Rs. 4,133 crores to a
group of borrowers. IREDA's net worth has witnessed
significant growth from Rs. 2,995 crores in FY 2020-21
to Rs. 8,559 crores in FY 2023-24, demonstrating its
financial strength and stability.
Borrowers congratulated IREDA for its streamlined loan sanction process and faceless transactions, underscoring
the agency's commitment to facilitating Ease of Doing Business. Stakeholders also commended IREDA for
achieving “Navratna” status recently and for being the first NBFC to publish audited financial results in a period
of just 19 days.

Addressing the stakeholders, Chairperson & Managing Director of IREDA, Shri Pradip Kumar Das underscored
the importance of facilitating Ease of Doing Business and optimizing IT Infrastructure. The CMD reaffirmed
IREDA's commitment to sustainable corporate governance, transparency, and accountability. He emphasized the
company's dedication to tailoring financial products to sector requirements and its readiness to introduce new
products based on partners’ feedback. Aligning with the vision outlined at COP26 by the Govt. of India, IREDA
aims to play a pivotal role in achieving the ambitious target of 500 GW of installed electricity capacity from non-
fossil sources by 2030, he said.

The meet had an interactive session where stakeholders got to engage directly with the CMD and team. Director
(Finance), Dr. Bijay Kumar Mohanty and other senior officials of IREDA also attended the interaction.

One of the most memorable parts of the event was the Hasya Kavi Sammelan, where renowned poet and satirist
Shri Surender Sharma, along with Shri Ved Prakash Ved, Smt. Manisha Shukla, and Shri Govind Rathi, delivered
moments of joy and laughter to the audience.
 ***

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Ministry of Defence

KEEL LAYING OF THE FIRST NEXT GENERATION OFFSHORE

PATROL VESSEL (ex-GSL) ON 03 MAY 24 AT GOA SHIPYARD
LTD
Posted On: 04 MAY 2024 12:31PM by PIB Delhi
Keel laying ceremony of the first NGOPV (ex-GSL) was held at M/s Goa Shipyard Ltd, Goa on 03 May 24.
The ceremony was presided by VAdm B Siva Kumar, Controller Warship Production & Acquisition in presence
of Shri B K Upadhyay, Chairman & Managing Director, GSL and other senior officials from Indian Navy and
M/s GSL.

The contracts for indigenous design and construction of 11 Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels
(NGOPV) were concluded on 30 Mar 23 between MoD and M/s Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL), Goa and M/s
Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, with seven ships to be constructed by Lead
Shipyard M/s GSL and four ships by Follow Shipyard M/s GRSE.

The NGOPVs will be utilised for performing missions such as Anti-Piracy, Coastal Defence & Surveillance,
Search & Rescue and Protection of Offshore Assets. These ships will enable Indian Navy to maintain its combat
capability to protect the economic and geopolitical interests of the nation in the Indian Ocean Region. This is yet
another significant milestone in Indian Navy’s pursuit towards indigenous shipbuilding and is in consonance
with ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ initiatives of the nation.
 ***
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Ministry of Panchayati Raj

Elected Women Representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions

participated in CPD57 Side Event: “Localizing the SDGs: Women in
Local Governance in India Lead the Way” at New York on 3rd May
2024

Powerful voices of amazing women leaders resonated at the United Nations Headquarters

They shared their inspiring initiatives and achievements in driving progress on the
Sustainable Development Goals through local governance amidst their challenges and
struggles along the journey of leadership

Posted On: 04 MAY 2024 1:46PM by PIB Delhi

May 3, 2024, marked a momentous occasion as the powerful voices of women representatives resonated within
the hallowed halls of the United Nations Headquarters. Elected women representatives (EWRs) from India’s
Panchayati Raj Institutions took centre-stage at the CPD57 Side Event titled “Localizing the SDGs: Women in
Local Governance in India Lead the Way”, captivating the audience with their inspiring stories and
transformative initiatives. Three iconic women Panchayat leaders – Smt. Supriya Das Datta, Smt. Kunuku Hema
Kumari and Smt. Neeru Yadav – inspired with their ground-breaking work empowering women and girls through
initiatives ranging from combating child marriage, promoting education, financial inclusion, livelihood
opportunities, environmental sustainability, and sports. Their stories exemplified the tenacity and impact of
women’s leadership in realizing the SDGs.

The Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations and the Ministry of Panchayati Raj jointly organized the
Side Event in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on 3rd May, 2024 at the UN
Headquarters Secretariat Building in New York. The Side Event was organized as a part of the fifty-seventh
session of the United Nations Commission on Population and Development (CPD57).
Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj set the tone for the event, highlighting India’s unique Panchayati Raj system as a
beacon of decentralized power and direct democracy. Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj set the context by
highlighting India’s unique system of decentralized rural local self-government through Panchayati Raj as a
sterling example of direct democracy that facilitates active people’s participation. With more than 1.4 million
Elected Women Representatives (EWRs), India’s journey with Panchayati Raj system is a narrative of
empowerment, inclusion and progress particularly highlighting the strides made in women’s leadership.
Ambassador Kamboj emphasized the meticulous alignment of local planning processes with the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs), with a special focus on addressing women’s issues.

Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, while shedding light on the robust democratic
system in India and rich and old tradition of rural local self-government making India as ‘mother of democracy’,
emphasized India’s commitment to empowering women in local governance, with over 46% of elected
representatives being women; and how Gram Panchayats are localizing the SDGs through thematic annual plans
backed by resources and technological interventions like geo-tagging, Audit Online for transparency and
initiatives like Panchayat Development Index to assess the overall holistic development, performance and
progress of Panchayats. Empowering women at the grassroots level is pivotal for the advancement, vibrancy, and
deepening of democracy and accelerating progress on the SDGs, added Shri Bharadwaj. He highlighted the
innovative approaches taken by Panchayati Raj Institutions in leveraging technology for development and policy
interventions to ensure economic empowerment, citing examples like “Drone Didi” and “Lakhpati Didi”
initiatives of the Central Government.

The event featured impactful interactive presentations by three iconic women Elected Representatives namely
Smt. Supriya Das Datta from Tripura, Smt. Kunuku Hema Kumari from Andhra Pradesh, and Smt. Neeru Yadav
from Rajasthan, who shared their experiences and innovations in local governance and advancing the
Localization of SDGs in many thematic areas. From combating child marriages to promoting health, education,
livelihood opportunities, and environmental sustainability, these women exemplified the transformative power of
grassroots leadership. They articulated the challenges and struggles they faced and overcome in their journey of
leadership.
Smt. Supriya Das Datta highlighted initiatives aimed at empowering women and girls, including the construction
of separate restrooms in government offices and the exponential growth of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) from 600
to almost 6,000 under her leadership. She underscored the importance of initiatives aimed at amplifying
women’s voices and ensuring that their issues are not only heard but also acted upon, highlighting the impactful
initiative – ‘Your Story Must Be Told’.

Smt. Kunuku Hema Kumari emphasized the importance of creating an enabling environment for women through
access to health, education, and financial resources, driving towards financial independence and higher
education.

Smt. Neeru Yadav showcased initiatives promoting environmental sustainability, including the Swachh Bharat
Abhiyan and efforts to curb plastic usage, demonstrating the critical role of women in building a cleaner and
greener future. She mentioned her efforts and successes in inculcating sporting sprit among the girls and
nurturing leadership in them.
The event witnessed keynote speakers including Deputy Permanent Representative of Norway to the United
Nations Ambassador Mr. Andreas Lovold, and representatives from UNFPA, including Mr. Pio Smith, UNFPA
Asia Pacific Regional Director, Ms. Diene Keita, Deputy Executive Director (Programme), UNFPA and Ms.
Andrea M. Wojnar, UNFPA India Representative, who commended India’s efforts in advancing gender equality
and localizing the SDGs.

The Deputy Permanent Representative of Norway to the United Nations Ambassador Mr. Andreas Lovold
highlighted the importance of women’s leadership in local governance as a catalyst for development, particularly
in economic development. He emphasized Norway’s experience with women’s leadership in local governing
bodies and the positive impact and results it has yielded. Also, he praised India’s women-led development as an
inspiration to the global community.
UNFPA Regional Director Mr. Pio Smith commended India’s robust progress in reducing inequalities through
transformative women’s leadership at all levels. Noting this is both a moral imperative and strategic necessity, he
emphasized UNFPA’s role in promoting gender-sensitive policies and capacity building of women leaders. Ms.
Andrea M. Wojnar, UNFPA India Representative highlighted that India’s success is crucial for the world’s
success in achieving the SDGs, stating that If India succeeds, then the world succeeds in achieving the SDGs.
She also commended the brochure on the Panchayat Development Index brought out by the Ministry of
Panchayati Raj. Shri Alok Prem Nagar, Joint secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj underlined that the fervor,
zeal, and commitment of elected women representatives of Panchayats serve as a beacon, inspiring and
influencing others to speed up action on the SDGs.

The CPD57 Side Event underlined the invaluable contributions of women in local governance towards achieving
the SDGs. It sparked a global demand for exporting India’s Panchayati Raj model as an effective system of local
governance, inviting interested foreign delegations to witness the brilliance and innovation of India’s Panchayati
Raj system and Panchayati Raj Institutions firsthand. The CPD57 Side Event created global demand to learn
from and institutionalize the successful Panchayati Raj model of local governance led by women. As
Ambassador Kamboj stated, this system has revolutionized development with women at the forefront across
health, education, sanitation and livelihoods in India.

***

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Ministry of Commerce & Industry

India and Australia to work closely for collaborative projects, timely

resolve market access issues, deepen people to people contacts, create
institutional mechanism for sharing of preferential import data and
work on innovative areas for result oriented successful completion of
ongoing CECA negotiations
Posted On: 04 MAY 2024 4:39PM by PIB Delhi

Australia is an important trading partner of India in Oceania region with merchandise trade between India and
Australia reaching around 24 billion USD in 2023-24, signaling significant potential for further growth. The
Joint Committee Meeting serves as a vital platform for both nations to further strengthening trade ties and
exploring new opportunities for bilateral economic cooperation in areas such as trade facilitation, investment
promotion, as well as co-operation in other areas including support for technology.

An Indian delegation led by Commerce Secretary Shri Sunil Barthwal had a very constructive and productive
discussions on various trade and prospective investment related issues with the Australian delegation led by
Depute Secretary Shri George Mina from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in Canberra as
well as the businesses in Sydney and Melbourne for deepening the existing economic relations between the two
democracies, taking advantage of the trade complementarities and expertise and unexplored potential both
economies have.
In the first Joint Committee Meeting (JCM) under India-Australia Economic Co-operation and Trade Agreement
(Ind-Aus ECTA), both the sides while acknowledging the sooth implementation of the ECTA, briefly elaborated
on ECTA implementation issues including MRAs on organic products, market access issues related to products
like okra, pomegranate, grapes, cottage cheese, macadamia nuts, lentils and avocado, TRQ administration,
pharmaceutical pricing control in Australia particularly on Generics, progress made by the working group on
Whisky and Wine aiming to address regulatory challenges and promote trade of these products, outcomes of the
ECTA sub-committee meetings and need for their regular meetings for timely resolution, areas of mutual interest
including coastal tourism, critical mineral and collaboration for establishing Disease-Free Zones for shrimps and
prawns in India. JCM also adopted the Rules of Procedure for the Joint Committee and established an
institutional mechanism, first of its kind for FTAs, for regular exchange of preferential import data on monthly
basis. It also briefly deliberated on integrated approach for the forthcoming CEO forum event for promoting
investments, in particular on Start-ups.

The JCM meeting also addressed certain critical services issues, including the consideration of India’s request for
facilitation of cross border e-payments and mutual recognition agreements in professions like nursing and
dentistry. Furthermore, the commitment to remove the ENT/LMT requirement in line with the UK-Australia Free
Trade Agreement was reiterated, alongside discussions focusing on facilitating the mobility of healthcare
workers between the two nations, promoting tele-medicines.

Overall, the JCM reaffirmed the commitment of both India and Australia to foster a robust and mutually
beneficial economic relationship, paving the way for enhanced cooperation and prosperity for both nations.

Discussions were also held at the chief negotiators level between Additional Secretary Shri Rajesh Aggarwal
from DoC and Assistant Secretary Shri Ravi Kewalram from DFAT under India-Australia CECA negotiations to
review the progress made after nine rounds and the way forward for its completion with a view to reaching at a
balanced outcome, building on the achievements of Ind-Aus ECTA, keeping in mind the sensitivities on both the
sides. It also explored areas of effective co-operation in various sectors, going beyond the traditional approach to
FTAs for a deeper integration of the economies.

Meeting also touched upon the WTO issues wherein both the sides appreciated the Commerce Secertary made it
ample clear on the importance of support of Australia for early resolution of the long pending issue of permanent
solution to public stock holding (PSH). Australia sought support of India for the plurilateral arrangement for
domestic support for services. Both the sides agreed to discuss these matters intersessionally, if required.
Meetings with the businesses and business associations including Australia India Business Council and
Chambers of Commerce in Sydney and Melbourne as well as CII explored areas of mutual interest. It was
evident that given the existing potential, businesses are eager to work together including capacity building and
vocational training, hiring of skilled professional and caretakes such as healthcare workers, nurses etc, through
skill gap mapping exercise, need for mutual recognition of standards, collaboration on critical minerals, digital
connectivity including cross border payment system, finance, education, Agri, dairy & food processing, transport
and storage, sports, pharmaceuticals, silicon wafers, space, medical equipments and so on and so forth.

Overall, these meetings revealed the extreme eagerness of the businesses and governments of both the sides to
work hard and bring new synergy to take the strategic partnership to a new level, bringing in significant benefit
to businesses and citizens.

*****

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Election Commission

On ECI’s invitation, 75 International visitors from EMBs of 23

countries arrive to watch the world’s largest elections unfold
Posted On: 04 MAY 2024 1:44PM by PIB Delhi

As a beacon of electoral integrity and transparency, the Election Commission of India exemplifies its
commitment to conduct general elections of the highest standards, offering a golden bridge for global Election
Management Bodies (EMBs) to witness democratic excellence first-hand. The Election Commission of India
continues fostering international cooperation by organising the Election Visitors’ Programme (IEVP) during
the ongoing Lok Sabha Elections 2024.

The event will be a first in terms of the scale and magnitude of participation. 75 delegates representing various
EMBs and organisations from 23 countries namely - Bhutan, Mongolia, Australia, Madagascar, Fiji, Kyrgyz
Republic, Russia, Moldova, Tunisia, Seychelles, Cambodia, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe,
Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Chile, Uzbekistan, Maldives, Papua New Guinea and Namibia will take
part in the event. Members from the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), and media teams
from Bhutan and Israel will also participate.

Beginning on the 4th of May, the program seeks to familiarise foreign Election Management Bodies (EMBs)
with the nuances of India’s electoral system as well as the best practices used by the largest democracy in the
world. Chief Election Commissioner Shri Rajiv Kumar, Election Commissioner Shri Gyanesh Kumar and Dr.
Sukhbir Singh Sandhu will address the delegates on the 5th of May 2024. Thereafter, the delegates will
embark on visits to six states—Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh—in
small groups to observe polls and related preparedness in various constituencies. The programme will end on
the 9th of May, 2024.

***

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President's Secretariat

PRESIDENT OF INDIA PAYS FLORAL TRIBUTES TO GIANI

ZAIL SINGH ON HIS BIRTH ANNIVERSARY
Posted On: 05 MAY 2024 11:44AM by PIB Delhi

The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu paid floral tributes to Giani Zail Singh, former President of India
on his birth anniversary at Rashtrapati Niwas, Mashobra, Shimla today (May 5, 2024).

***

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Ministry of Power

REC gets RBI nod to set up subsidiary in GIFT City, Gujarat

Posted On: 05 MAY 2024 5:45PM by PIB Delhi

REC Limited, a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Power and a leading NBFC,
has received a ‘No Objection Certificate’ (dated May 3, 2024) from the Reserve Bank of India, for setting up a
wholly owned subsidiary in International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), Gujarat International Finance Tec-
City ("GIFT"), Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

The decision to expand operations into GIFT, a burgeoning hub for financial services in India, comes as REC
continues to diversify its portfolio and explore new avenues for growth. The proposed subsidiary will engage in a
range of financial activities as a finance company within GIFT, including lending, investment, and other
financial services.

Speaking on the development, CMD, REC Limited, Shri Vivek Kumar Dewangan said: “The GIFT City platform
offers a conducive environment for international lending activities, coupled with world-class infrastructure. We
are confident that REC will harness these advantages to carve a niche for itself in the global market. The entity at
GIFT City will not only present new business opportunities for REC but will also contribute significantly to the
growth of the country's energy sector. We look forward to leveraging this strategic move to further propel REC's
mission of fostering growth in India's power and infra sector while expanding our footprint on the global stage.”

***

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Election Commission

Largest ever global delegation to witness India's General Election

Contribution of the Indian electoral space, process, and capacity it generates, creates huge
‘democratic surpluses’ for the world: CEC Rajiv Kumar

Trust reposed by people in results every time after election is a testament to robust
democratic processes in India

Posted On: 05 MAY 2024 4:01PM by PIB Delhi

In keeping with the tradition of the Election Commission of India (ECI) to foster a culture of transparency and
reiterate its commitment to high standards of electoral practices amidst the democratic nations, 75 delegates
representing 23 countries are in India to witness the Indian General Elections as part of the International Election
Visitors’ Programme (IEVP). The event today was inaugurated in the presence of CEC Shri Rajiv Kumar and
ECs Shri Gyanesh Kumar and Shri Sukhbir Singh Sandhu at New Delhi.

Chief Election Commissioner Shri Rajiv Kumar while addressing the delegates, remarked that the contribution
of the Indian electoral space and work done by the Election Commission of India, holds a significant portion of
the world democratic space. In terms of process and capacity it generates, what can be legitimately called,
‘democratic surpluses’ is of a huge significance in the otherwise growing concerns of shrinkage of or decline of
democratic spaces worldwide.

Shri Kumar further said that the Indian elections space is unique, as neither electoral registration is compulsory
nor voting is mandatory. Therefore, the ECI is required to operate in an entirely persuasive space, inviting the
citizens to volunteer to become part of electoral roll and, thereafter, through systematic voter awareness
programme, to motivate them to exercise their franchise. He said “It would be axiomatic to say that the
credibility of the processes that we undertake is validated through the sheer turnout at elections and the near
saturation of electoral rolls in terms of Elector-population ratio.”
Commenting on the scale of the electoral exercise in India, he said that a 970 million strong electorate will be
welcomed by over 15 million polling personnel at over 1 million Polling Stations spread across the country. Shri
Kumar added that diversity of the nation’s electorate can be witnessed in its full expression by the visiting
delegates at the Polling Stations. He added that India is a country of festivals and invited the delegates to
experience the festival of democracy first-hand.

On the sidelines of the event, the Commission also held bilateral interactions with the Chief Election
Commissioners of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Nepal along with their delegation.

Earlier, in the day delegates were briefed on various aspects of Indian General Elections 2024 including EVM-
VVPAT, IT initiatives, role of media and social media. The briefing session chaired by Senior Deputy Election
Commissioner Sh. Dharmendra Sharma included an overview of Elections by Sh. R.K. Gupta, Deputy Election
Commissioner followed by a presentation on EVM-VVPAT by Sh. Nitesh Kumar, Sr. Deputy Election
Commissioner. A presentation on the IT Initiatives of the ECI by Ms. Neeta Verma, Director General (IT) and
Media and social media by Sh. Anuj Chandak, Joint Director (Media) was part of the session.

The delegates will split into groups to visit six states—Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh,
and Uttar Pradesh to observe polls and related preparedness in various constituencies. The programme will end
on the 9th of May, 2024. The program will familiarise foreign EMB delegates with the nuances of India’s
electoral system as well as the best practices in Indian election.
This year, commensurate to the scale and stature of the on-going Lok Sabha Elections 2024, the largest ever
delegation representing various Election Management Bodies (EMBs) and organisations from 23 countries
namely - Bhutan, Mongolia, Australia, Madagascar, Fiji, Kyrgyz Republic, Russia, Moldova, Tunisia,
Seychelles, Cambodia, Nepal, The Philippines, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Chile,
Uzbekistan, Maldives, Papua New Guinea and Namibia are taking part in the event. Members from the
International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), and media teams from Bhutan and Israel are also
participating.

***

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Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions

12th Meeting of the Board of Directors of Karmayogi Bharat, held in

Mumbai

Board acknowledged twin milestones of 1 crore course enrolments and 1000 plus courses
on iGOT Karmayogi platform

Integration of the e-HRMS platform with iGOT

Course launched on Three New Criminal Laws

Posted On: 06 MAY 2024 8:21PM by PIB Delhi

The 12th Meeting of the Board of Directors of Karmayogi Bharat was held in Mumbai on May 3rd, 2024. The
meeting was chaired by Shri. Ramadorai Subramanian.

The Board acknowledged the twin milestones of 1 crore course enrolments and the offering of more than 1000
courses on the platform. The board felt the milestones underscored the platform's role in nurturing competency-
based learning amongst govt officials.

The meeting appreciated the integration of the e-HRMS platform with iGOT Karmayogi which will enable
role-based governance by enabling deployment of officers based on their competencies and capabilities.

The Board also appreciated the collaboration with NITI for States platform, emphasizing the importance of
SAMARTH curated programs in driving block level and district-level capacity-building initiatives.
The launch of courses on the three new criminal laws passed by the parliament- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita,
2023; the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023; and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, and
the Digital Personal Data Protection Act were commended by all, reflecting Karmayogi Bharat's commitment
to imparting training on the most contemporary issues to officials involved in public-facing, citizen-centric
governance.

The Board also appreciated the Jan Karmayogi initiative aimed at empowering field officials in effectively
implementing key development programs. Gyaan Karmayogi on iGOT, serving as a comprehensive knowledge
repository for civil servants, was noted as a welcome addition to the platform.

Board members including Smt S. Radha Chauhan (Secretary, DoPT), Dr Nirmaljeet Singh Kalsi (Chairperson,
National Council for Vocational Education & Training), Shri Govind Iyer (Director and Chairperson, SVP
Philanthropy Foundation), Shri Pankaj Bansal (Co-Founder, PeopleStrong), Smt Debjani Ghosh (President,
NASSCOM), Shri S. Krishnan (Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and IT), Shri Abhishek Singh (CEO,
Karmayogi Bharat) and Shri S.P Roy (Secretary, Capacity Building Commission) and Other senior officials of
Karmayogi Bharat were also present.

Looking ahead, the Board affirmed its focus on impact assessment as a priority area, along with activating the
content marketplace and sourcing high-quality assessments and content to enhance learning outcomes.

The team leads of Karmayogi Bharat also made individual presentations on broader strategic goals for the future,
and were given feedback by the board members.

The meeting ended with a pledge to redouble efforts to play a transformational role in moving from rule-based to
role-based governance.
 ***

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Ministry of Tourism

Ministry of Tourism participates in Arabian Travel Mart 2024 in

Dubai

Launches ‘Cool Summers of India’ campaign to promote India as a holistic destination

throughout the year

Posted On: 06 MAY 2024 5:56PM by PIB Delhi

Ministry of Tourism, Government of India is participating in Arabian Travel Mart 2024, being held in Dubai
from May 6th to 9th May, 2024. The event marks a significant step in strengthening India's presence in the
Middle East tourism market.

Incredible India pavilion was Inaugurated today by Mr. Satish Kumar Sivan, Counsul General of India to Dubai.
The pavilion has made a resounding entry, aiming to capture the entirety of the UAE market. Leading a
delegation comprising tour operators, luxury hotels, wellness resorts, and the Indian Railway Catering and
Tourism Corporation, India is poised to showcase itself as a 365-day destination.

Highlighting lesser-known yet refreshing destinations, the Ministry of Tourism has launched the ‘Cool Summers
of India’ campaign at Arabian Travel Mart. This digital campaign challenges the notion of India being too hot for
summer travel, emphasizing its offerings in hill resorts, including the Himalayas. The campaign seeks to promote
India as a holistic destination throughout the year.
India's participation in the Arabian Travel Mart 2024 holds immense potential for the tourism industry and the
economy at large. The event provides a platform for Indian tourism players to exhibit their offerings, forge
alliances within the industry, and attract visitors from the MENA region. This, in turn, is expected to bolster
revenue generation and foster job creation within the tourism sector.

***

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Ministry of Finance

Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman administers Oath of

Office to Justice (Retd.) Sanjaya Kumar Mishra as the first President
of GST Appellate Tribunal in New Delhi
Posted On: 06 MAY 2024 5:43PM by PIB Delhi

Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman administered the oath of integrity
and secrecy to Justice (Retd.) Sanjaya Kumar Mishra as the President of the GST Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT),
in New Delhi, today. Justice (Retd.) Mishra’s appointment marks the beginning of the operationalisation of the
GSTAT, a crucial body for resolving GST-related disputes.

The GSTAT is the Appellate Authority established under the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, to hear
various appeals under the said Act and the respective State/Union Territories GST Acts against the orders of the
first appellate authority. It consists of a Principal Bench and various State Benches. As per the approval of the
GST Council, the Government has notified the Principal Bench, to be located at New Delhi, and 31 State
Benches at various locations across the country. Process for appointment of Judicial Members and Technical
Members is already in progress.

The Tribunal will ensure swift, fair, judicious and effective resolution to GST disputes, besides significantly
reducing the burden on higher courts. The establishment of the GSTAT would further enhance the effectiveness
of the GST system in India and foster a more transparent and efficient tax environment in the country.

GSTAT’s first President, Justice (Retd.) Mishra was a former Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court and was
selected by a Search-cum-Selection Committee headed by the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India.
 ****

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Ministry of Finance

Auction for Sale (re-issue) of (i) ‘7.32% GS 2030’ and (ii) ‘7.30% GS
2053’
Posted On: 06 MAY 2024 9:22PM by PIB Delhi

The Government of India (GoI) has announced the sale (re-issue) of (i) “7.32% Government Security 2030”
for a notified amount of Rs. 11,000 crore (nominal) through price based auction using multiple price method
and (ii) “7.30% Government Security 2053” for a notified amount of Rs. 9,000 crore (nominal) through price
based auction using multiple pricemethod. GoI will have the option to retain additional subscription up to Rs.
2,000 crore against each security mentioned above. The auctions will be conducted by the Reserve Bank of
India, Mumbai Office, Fort, Mumbaion May 10, 2024 (Friday).

Up to 5% of the notified amount of the sale of the securities will be allotted to eligible individuals and
institutions as per the Scheme for Non-Competitive Bidding Facility in the Auction of Government Securities.

Both competitive and non-competitive bids for the auction should be submitted in electronic format on the
Reserve Bank of India Core Banking Solution (E-Kuber) system on May 10, 2024. The non-competitive bids
should be submitted between 10:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. and the competitive bids should be submitted between
10:30 a.m. and
11:30 a.m.

The result of the auctions will be announced on May 10, 2024 (Friday) and payment by successful bidders will
be on May 13, 2024 (Monday).

The Securities will be eligible for “When Issued” trading in accordance with the guidelines on ‘When Issued
transactions in Central Government Securities’ issued by the Reserve Bank of India vide circular No. RBI/2018-
19/25 dated July 24, 2018 as amended from time to time.

****

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Ministry of Defence

ICG detains Iranian boat, with six Indians onboard, off Kerala coast
Posted On: 06 MAY 2024 4:49PM by PIB Delhi

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) detained an Iranian fishing vessel, with six Indian crew, west of Beypore off the
coast of Kerala late on May 05, 2024. The swift sea-air coordinated operation involved the ships and aircraft of
the ICG.

After intercepting the boat, an ICG team boarded the vessel and thoroughly investigated it to check the
involvement of any anti-national activity. Initial investigation revealed that the owner of the boat was an Iranian
sponsor who had contracted these Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu, and issued them Iranian Visas for fishing
off the Iran coast.

The crew alleged that the sponsor ill-treated and deprived them of basic living conditions, besides confiscating
their passports. The crew said that they had decided to escape from Iran to India using the same boat.

The detained vessel was safely brought to Kochi for further investigation on May 06, 2024.
 *****

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Ministry of Defence

MAIDEN VISIT OF JORDAN ARMED FORCES TRAINING

DELEGATION TO SNC AND INA
Posted On: 06 MAY 2024 5:08PM by PIB Delhi

A three member Jordan Armed Forces (JAF) training delegation led by Cdr Hazem I Maitah visited Southern
Naval Command, Kochi and Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala from 29 Apr to 04 May 24. The maiden visit was
aimed at military training exchanges as decided during the second consultative meeting on defence cooperation
between the two countries in Mar 23. The delegation visited various training facilities in the professional training
schools of SNC, Kochi. Salient aspects included familiarisation with simulators, professional interactions
and demonstration of VBSS & Diving Ops. A guided tour of the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant
and ship repair facilities at Cochin Shipyard Ltd was also conducted. The delegation interacted with Cmde
Sritanu Guru, Cmde Training, Southern Naval Command on avenues of engagement in Naval training and
professional courses between the Indian Navy & Jordan Armed Forces.

At INA, the delegation called on VAdm Vineet McCarty, Commandant of INA, and shared insights on training
methodologies, leadership strategies and operational experiences. They were provided an insight into the state of
the art training facilities of the Academy, and held discussions on best practices. The visit of Jordan Armed
Forces Training Delegation marks a significant step towards deepening cooperation between India Navy and
Jordan Armed Forces under the larger ambit of defence cooperation between the two countries.
 *****

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Ministry of Commerce & Industry

4th Session of India-Ghana Joint Trade Committee held in Accra

India, Ghana agree to operationalise UPI on Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement
Systems in six months

Both sides explore possibility of MoUs on Digital transformation Solutions and Local
Currency Settlement System; opportunities under African Continental Free Trade
Agreement also discussed

Digital economy, textiles, renewable energy and healthcare sectors identified as focus areas

Posted On: 06 MAY 2024 1:46PM by PIB Delhi

A seven-member delegation from India led by Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of
Commerce and Industry, Government of India, Shri Amardeep Singh Bhatia accompanied by High
Commissioner of India to Republic of Ghana, Shri Manish Gupta and Economic Adviser, Department of
Commerce, Ms. Priya P. Nair held a Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meeting with their Ghanaian counterparts in
Accra from 2nd to 3rd May, 2024. The JTC was co-chaired by Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, Republic
of Ghana, Hon. Michael Okyere-Baafi; and Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, Shri Amardeep
Singh Bhatia.

In a comprehensive dialogue, both sides undertook a detailed review of recent developments in bilateral trade
and investment ties and acknowledged the vast untapped potential for further expansion. Both sides agreed to
work expeditiously towards the operationalization of Unified Payment Interface (UPI) of National Payments
Corporation of (NPCI) on Ghana’s Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems (GHIPSS) within a period
of 6 months. Both sides delved into discussions regarding the possibilities of a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) on Digital transformation Solutions; Local Currency Settlement System and also deliberated on the
opportunities offered by African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

Both sides identified several areas of focus for enhancing both bilateral trade as well as mutually beneficial
investments. These include cooperation in pharmaceuticals, healthcare, information and communication
technology, agriculture and food processing, renewable energy, power sector, digital economy and digital
infrastructure, critical minerals, textiles and garments, etc.

Official delegation from India consisted of officials from Geological Survey of India, EXIM Bank and the Indian
Pharmacopoeia Commission. The officials of both India and Ghana actively engaged in the proceedings of the
JTC.

A business delegation led by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) also accompanied the official delegation
with representatives from the varied sectors including power, fintech, Telecommunications, electrical machinery,
pharmaceuticals sectors. The delegation including representatives of business also met Secretary General,
AfCFTA and his team of officials wherein areas of cooperation including signing of an MoU, setting of
standards, investments, participation in trade events in India, and increasing the depth of engagement between
India and AfCFTA was discussed. Names of nodal officers to take the discussions forward were also exchanged.

Ghana is an important trading partner of India in Africa region. Bilateral trade between India and Ghana stood at
USD 2.87 billion in 2022-23. India stands as a leading investor in Ghana and emerged as the third-largest
investor. These investments traverse diverse sectors, encompassing pharmaceuticals, construction,
manufacturing, trade services, agriculture, tourism, and more.

The deliberations of the 4th Session of India-Ghana JTC were cordial and forward-looking, indicative of the
amicable and special relations between the two countries. There was enthusiastic response towards greater
cooperation in addressing pending issues, boosting trade and investment and enhancing people to people
contacts.
 *****

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Election Commission

ECI directs responsible and ethical use of social media platforms by political parties and their
representatives

Existing legal framework to deal with misinformation and synthetic content specifically brought to the notice of political parties

Parties to remove fake content within 3 hours of coming to their notice

Posted On: 06 MAY 2024 6:47PM by PIB Delhi

Taking cognizance of the certain violations of MCC and the extant legal provisions by Political Parties /their representatives while using social media for election
campaigning, the Commission today has issued directions to political parties for responsible and ethical use of social media in election campaigning to ensure level
playing field among all stakeholders.

Link:

https://www.eci.gov.in/eci-backend/public/api/download?
url=LMAhAK6sOPBp%2FNFF0iRfXbEB1EVSLT41NNLRjYNJJP1KivrUxbfqkDatmHy12e%2FztfbUTpXSxLP8g7dpVrk7%2FeVrNt%2BDLH%2BfDYj3Vx2GKWdqT

The Commission has also warned the parties against misuse of AI based tools to create deep fakes that distort information or propagate misinformation, emphasising the
need to uphold the integrity of the electoral process. The ECI has brought to the notice of political parties the existing legal provisions that govern the regulatory
framework against the use of misinformation and impersonation using deep fakes. This includes the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the Information Technology
(Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021, the Indian Penal Code and framework of the twin acts namely the Representation of People Act,
1950 and 1951 and the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct.

In view of the existing legal provisions, amongst other directions, the parties have been specifically directed to refrain from publishing and circulating deep fake
audios/videos, disseminate any misinformation or information which is patently false, untrue or misleading in nature, to refrain from posting derogatory content towards
women, to abstain from using children in campaigns, to avoid depicting violence or harm to animals.

The parties have been directed to promptly remove any such content within three hours of bringing it to their notice, warn the person responsible in their party, reporting
unlawful information and fake user accounts to respective platforms, and escalate persistent issues to the Grievance Appellate Committee under Rule 3A of the
Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.

******

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Election Commission

Preparations in place for Phase-3 polling tomorrow

Spread: 93 Lok Sabha seats, 17.24 crore voters, 1.85 lakh polling stations, 11 States/UTs

SMS alerts and WhatsApp messages to nudge voters to go out and vote

New feature added in Voter Turnout App to show aggregated phase-wise turnout also in
addition to State/PC /AC wise figures

Weather conditions predicted to be normal; Heat mitigation arrangement like water, ORS,
shamiana made at each PS

75 delegates from 23 countries to see poll process

Posted On: 06 MAY 2024 8:45PM by PIB Delhi

The Election Commission of India is fully geared up for the Phase-3 of the Lok Sabha polls tomorrow. Weather
conditions are predicted to be within normal ranges. However, for convenience for voters, meticulous
arrangements have been made at all polling stations including facilities like water, shamiyana, fans to deal with
hot weather conditions.

Fixed wing Air ambulance and Pawan Hans Helicopter for emergency medical duties at Raipur

The Commission has called upon voters to turnout in greater numbers at polling stations and vote with
responsibility and pride. Ahead of Phase 3 polls, ECI has partnered with four major Telecom Service Providers—
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd., Bharti Airtel Limited, Jio Telecommunication, and Vodafone-Idea Ltd. to facilitate
messages, and voice calls featuring national and state icons, before and on polling days, to encourage voter
participation. Commission also appeals to all organisations, startups, unicorns to actively participate in the
outreach programme and become ambassadors and influencers of the ECI.

Disclosures and transparency are standard practices in ECI’s work. As per statutory requirements, voter turnout
is to be recorded at every polling station in absolute numbers in Form 17C. As a strong measure of transparency,
the copies of Form 17C, duly signed by Presiding Officer and all present polling agents, are shared with all
present polling agents. Thus, booth wise data of actual number of votes polled is available with the candidates,
which is a statutory requirement.

Polling Stations prepared with AMF

As a disclosure initiative for other stakeholders and media, State/PC/AC wise tentative turnout figures are made
available through ECI Voter Turnout app which is available on following link:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=in.gov.eci.pollturnout&hl=en_IN

https://apps.apple.com/in/app/voter-turnout-app/id1536366882

It is pertinent to note that State wise/PC wise/ AC component within each PC, approximate turnout data is
available on voter turnout App live. It is updated on the day of polling on two hourly basis till 7 pm. After close
of poll, which may go beyond fixed polling hours to enable voters who have come in the queue well in time
fixed for close of poll, the polling parties return to deposit machines and statutory papers in the strong room. The
two hourly limit is removed after 7 pm and turn out data is continuously updated on arrival of polling parties.

Polling parties’ dispersal, Goa ICU bed facility, Sehore MP

Commission has added a new feature in Voter Turnout App to show aggregated phase-wise turnout also in
addition to State/PC /AC wise figures. This is for better facilitation of media and other stakeholders who may
need this customized information.

Polling is scheduled in 93 Constituencies across 11 States/UTs. It may be recalled that polling for Anantnag-
Rajouri PC in Jammu and Kashmir was rescheduled to the Sixth phase. Also, there will be no polling in Surat
PC, as the candidate has been elected unopposed. Betul PC will also go to polls in this phase since polling date
for the PC was rescheduled from Phase-2 owing to the demise of a BSP candidate.

Remaining 4 phases of polls will continue till the 1st of June with counting of votes scheduled on 4th June.
Polling for 189 seats was completed in a smooth and peaceful manner in the first two phases of the General
Elections. Phase 3 will witness the visit of a large number of foreign delegates for experiencing India’s polling
process and management. 75 delegates from 23 countries will visit polling stations in six states, as part of the
International Election Visitor Programme.

Aaliya Bet, Gujarat Supaul, Bihar

Polling parties have been dispatched along with EVMs and poll materials to their respective polling stations. In
Assam, Sashastra Seema Bal troops have been deployed on boats to polling stations in South Salmara
Mankachar PC for the 3rd phase of elections. In Bihar, polling personnel navigated the river Kosi on boats to
reach polling stations in Supaul.

Phase 3 Facts

1. Polling for Phase-3 of the General Elections 2024 will be held i.e., 7th of May, 2024 for 93 Parliamentary
Constituencies (General- 72; ST- 11; SC-10) in 11 States/ UTs. Voting begins at 7AM and ends at 6 PM
(Closure of Poll timings may differ PC wise)
2. Around 18.5 lakh Polling officials will welcome over 17.24 crore voters across 1.85 lakh polling
stations
3. Over 17.24 crore voters include 8.85 crore Male; 8.39 crore Female.
4. There are over 14.04 lakh registered 85+ years old, 39,599 voters above 100 years and 15.66 lakh PwD
voters for phase 3 who have been provided the option to vote from the comfort of their homes. The
optional Home Voting facility is already receiving tremendous appreciation and response.
5. 264 Observers (101 General Observers, 54 Police Observers, 109 Expenditure Observers) have
already reached their Constituencies days before the polls. They serve as the eyes and ears of the
Commission to exercise utmost vigilance. Additionally, Special Observers have been deployed in certain
states.

6. A total of 4303 Flying Squads, 5534 Static Surveillance Teams, 1987 Video Surveillance Teams and
949 Video Viewing Teams are keeping surveillance round the clock to strictly and swiftly deal with any
form of inducement of voters.
7. A total of 1041 inter-state and 275 international Border check posts are keeping strict vigil on any
illicit flow of liquor, drugs, cash and freebies. Strict surveillance has been kept at sea and air routes.
8. Assured Minimum Facilities like water, shed, toilets, ramps, volunteers, wheelchairs, and electricity are in
place to ensure that every voter, including elderly and persons with disabilities, can cast their vote with
ease. Special attention has been given to measures to deal with hot weather conditions.
9. Voter Information Slips have been distributed to all registered voters. These slips serve as a facilitation
measure and also as an invitation from the Commission to come and vote.

10. Voters can check their polling station details, and poll date through this link
https://electoralsearch.eci.gov.in/
 11. The Commission has also provided 12 alternative documents other than Voter id card (EPIC) for identity
verification at polling stations. If a voter is registered in the electoral roll, voting can be done by showing
any of these documents. Link to ECI order for alternative identification documents:

https://www.eci.gov.in/eci-backend/public/api/download?

******

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Vice President's Secretariat

Vice-President highlights India's historical eminence as the epicentre

of knowledge and education

Education is the most impactful transformational mechanism for change, stresses VP

Education is not merely a means to acquire knowledge; rather it is the cornerstone of

progress, empowerment, and social transformation-VP

NEP heralds a transformative change, charting a roadmap for holistic development,

underlines VP

SOL provides a transformative platform for diverse range of learners; working

professionals, homemakers and students-VP

SOL offers a second chance to those who missed formal education earlier, notes VP

Vice-President addresses at the 62nd Foundation Day of the School of Open Learning,
University of Delhi

Posted On: 06 MAY 2024 1:41PM by PIB Delhi

The Vice-President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar today underscored India's historical eminence as the epicentre of
knowledge and education, and asserted that the country is firmly on its way to regain its past glory. Mentioning
the illustrious legacy of institutions like Nalanda and Takshashila, Vice-President highlighted the paradigm shift
& resurgence in India's educational landscape in contemporary times.
 Vice-President of India
@VPIndia · Follow

प्राचीन भारत शिक्षा और ज्ञान का विश्व कें द्र रहा है।

पूरी दुनिया हमारी तरफ देखती थी, कि ज्ञान का मतलब भारत, शिक्षा
अर्जन करना मतलब भारत! @SOL_UnivofDelhi
@UnivofDelhi

Watch on X

7:36 AM · May 6, 2024

200 Reply Copy link

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Addressing the gathering at the 62nd Foundation Day Celebration of the School of Open Learning (SOL),
University of Delhi, Vice-President applauded SOL for providing a transformative platform for diverse range of
learners, from varied walks of life including working professionals, homemakers and students.

He further emphasized that SOL has opened doors for those previously handicapped by circumstances, enabling
them to pursue education without disrupting their routine. Shri Dhankhar commended SOL for offering a second
chance to those who missed formal education earlier, empowering marginalized communities through knowledge
and skills, thereby fostering an environment of true inclusivity. Shri Dhankhar further emphasized the pivotal
role of faculty over infrastructure in shaping the essence and quality of educational institutions.
 Vice-President of India
@VPIndia · Follow

शिक्षा उस ताले की कुं जी है जो प्रगति, समृद्धि और सशक्तिकरण के द्वार

खोलती है। @SOL_UnivofDelhi @UnivofDelhi

7:11 AM · May 6, 2024

186 Reply Copy link

Read 9 replies

Highlighting Education as the most impactful transformational mechanism for change, Shri Dhankhar asserted
that education is not merely a means to acquire knowledge; rather, it is the cornerstone of progress,
empowerment, and social transformation. It is the key that unlocks the door to progress, prosperity, and
empowerment. “Education is the greatest right and donation. There can be no fundamental right greater than
education and no donation can be greater than education”, he added.
 Vice-President of India
@VPIndia · Follow

शिक्षा समाज में सबसे बड़े बदलाव का कें द्र है।

To bring about equality and do away with inequities in

society, शिक्षा ही एक माध्यम है। @SOL_UnivofDelhi
@UnivofDelhi

7:32 AM · May 6, 2024

95 Reply Copy link

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Drawing inspiration from the Chandrayaan journey where after initial setback it made a smooth landing on the
south pole of the moon, Shri Dhankhar urged students to consider failure as a key to success. He underscored the
need for a resilient mindset in navigating the complexities of the modern world.
 Vice-President of India
@VPIndia · Follow

चंद्रयान-3 की एक खासियत है जो हर छात्र और छात्रा को ध्यान में रखनी

चाहिए।

चंद्रयान-2 नहीं होता तो चंद्रयान- 3 नहीं होता। चंद्रयान-2 पूरी तरह से

सफल नहीं था, पर काफी हद तक सफ़ल था।

हर छात्र-छात्रा को ध्यान रखना चाहिए, विफलता किसी चीज़ का नाम

नहीं है। विफलता में आप सफलता की कुं जी… Show more

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7:30 AM · May 6, 2024

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Highlighting the pivotal role of The New Education Policy (NEP) in Indian Educational Landscape, Shri
Dhankhar Stated that NEP heralds a transformative change, charting a roadmap for holistic learner development
and creating a knowledgeable society equipped for the 21st century challenges. He underscored the emphasis of
NEP on flexible learning pathways, technology integration, recognizing diverse needs and aspirations

He further expressed confidence that institutions like the School of Open Learning will play a pivotal role in
expanding access to quality education and bridging long-standing gaps, as envisioned by NEP.
 Vice-President of India
@VPIndia · Follow

Hon'ble Vice-President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar addressed

the students and faculty members of School of Open
Learning, @UnivofDelhi on the occasion of its 62nd
Foundation Day today. @SOL_UnivofDelhi

7:05 AM · May 6, 2024

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Prof. Yogesh Singh, Vice Chancellor, University of Delhi, Prof. Payal Mago, Director, Campus of Open learning,
University of Delhi, faculty members, students and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
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Vice President's Secretariat

Text of the Vice-President’s address at the 62nd Foundation Day of the

School of Open Learning, University of Delhi
Posted On: 06 MAY 2024 5:04PM by PIB Delhi

Greetings to everyone gathered here.

इस स्थान से अंग्रेजों ने दो दशक से ज्यादा राज करा। यह वह स्थान है। और उन्होंने भगत सिंह को यहां रखा।मैं जब यहां आया तो
मन में एक नई शक्ति का संचार हुआ। भगत सिंह जी के वाक्य, “वह मुझे मार सकते हैं लेकिन मेरे विचारों को नहीं। वह मुझे कु चल
सकते हैं लेकिन मेरी आत्मा को नहीं”।

It is an absolute honour to be part of the auspicious occasion of the 62nd Foundation Day Celebration of the
School of Open Learning, University of Delhi.

Britishers ने यहां पर दो दशक तक राज करा। उनका सूर्य कभी अस्त नहीं होता था। सोने की चिड़िया को उन्होंने खत्म कर दिया
पर आज का भारत आर्थिक ताकत है। इंग्लैंड से ज्यादा है।

मैं जब पहली बार लोकसभा का सदस्य बना, 1989 में। कें द्र में मंत्री बना तब हमारी अर्थव्यवस्था का साइज लंदन शहर से कम था
और हमारे सोने को हवाई जहाज में डालकर स्विट्जरलैंड के दो बैंकों में गिरवी रखा गया था। तब हमारा फॉरेन एक्सचेंज एक
बिलियन के आसपास झोल खा रहा था और आज का भारत दो-तीन साल में जापान, जर्मनी को भी पीछे छोड़ देगा। यही कारण
मुझे यहां खींच लाया कि भारत में ऐसा क्या हुआ क्यों कै से हुआ और यही आज का खास विषय है।

Long time back, A great Greek philosopher before Socrates he said the only constant in life is change। उन्होंने यह
भी कहा कि एक ही व्यक्ति एक ही नदी में 2 बार पांव नहीं रख सकता। क्योंकि ना तो व्यक्ति एक है ना तो नदी एक है।

भारत के संदर्भ में टेक्नोलॉजी beyond Globe हो गई है। चंद्रयान-3, 23 अगस्त 2023 को चाँद पर पंहुचा और चाँद पर लिखा भी
क्या शिव शक्ति पॉइंट और तिरंगा पॉइंट। चंद्रयान-3 की एक खासियत और है जो हर छात्र और छात्रा को ध्यान में रखनी चाहिए।
चंद्रयान-2 नहीं होता तो चंद्रयान-3 नहीं होता। चंद्रयान-2 पूरी तरह से सफल नहीं था। बहुत हद तक सफल था। उस समय मैं बंगाल
का गवर्नर था। साइंस सिटी के अंदर मैं और मेरी धर्मपत्नी 500 बच्चों के साथ रात के 2:00 बजे के आसपास सितंबर का महीना था।

चंद्रयान-2 पहुंच गया और लूनर सरफे स के नजदीक पहुंच गया पर टच करने से कु छ पहले नहीं कर पाया जो उम्मीद थी। लोगों ने
उसको असफल माना पर माननीय प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी ने साइंटिस्ट की वाह-वाही करी।

हम इतना पहुंच गए पहली बार तो कोई नहीं पहुंचा इतना नजदीक उनको कई प्रयास करने पड़े इतना पहुंचने में यह सफलता की
सीढ़ी है और वह बात हो गई 23 अगस्त 2023 को।

हर छात्र-छात्रा को ध्यान रखना चाहिए, विफलता किसी चीज़ का नाम नहीं है। विफलता में आप सफलता की कुं जी देखो। सफलता
का अवसर देखो।

शिक्षा को describe करते एक वृद्ध महिला थी वह अंधी थी बीमार रहती थी एक ही लड़का था और उसके पास कोई नौकरी नहीं
थी, उसकी शादी भी नहीं हो रही थी भगवान प्रकट हुए बोला एक वचन मांगो अब वह अपना स्वास्थ्य मांगे आंखों की दृष्टि मांगे या
घर में संपन्नता मांगे या बच्चे की नौकरी मांगे या उसकी शादी मांगी पर वह शिक्षित थी उसने भगवान से एक ही वचन मांगा सोने की
थाली में हंसता खेलता हुआ बच्चा दिखा दे मुझे।

आप देखो सब बातें पूरी हो गई बच्चा शादी हो गई सोने की थाली धन आ गई दिखा दो ए खा गई happiness उसने शिक्षा मांगी वह
जो बच्चा था ना सोने की थाली में वह शिक्षा का स्वरूप था शिक्षा समाज में सबसे बड़े बदलाव का कें द्र है।
If we have to bring about equality in society and be have to do away with inequities तो शिक्षा ही एक माध्यम है। मुझे
यहां आकर बड़ी प्रसन्नता है कि I join all of you in celebrating the 62nd foundation day the school of open learning
which is changing the life of millions of millions across the country.

एक विशेष खासियत क्या है, शिक्षा तो सभी जगह मिलती है, पर यह अनुच्छेद तरीके की शिक्षा है। शिक्षा आपकी सहूलियत से
शिक्षा आपकी दिनचर्या में कोई व्यवधान पैदा नहीं करती। यह आपको ज्ञान का उपयोग अपनी शर्तों पर करने की अनुमति देती है।
आप आजीविका में भी लग रह सकते हैं, कार्य भी कर सकते हैं। यह open learning अद्वितीय है और यह Open Learning हमारी
सांस्कृ तिक विरासत भी है। प्राचीन भारत शिक्षा और ज्ञान का विश्व कें द्र रहा है। पूरी दुनिया हमारी तरफ देखती थी, कि ज्ञान का
मतलब भारत, शिक्षा अर्जन करना मतलब भारत। प्राचीन नालंदा विश्वविद्यालय, 5वीं शताब्दी से लेकर 13 वीं सदी तक, क्या
पहचान थी?

दुनिया का मुख्य शिक्षा का कें द्र, मैं ज्यादा विवेचन नहीं करूं गा।

सोचिए, 13 वीं सदी के बाद बदलाव क्यों आया और अब बदलाव क्यों करवट ले रहा है और हमें कितने गंभीर होने की आवश्यकता
है।

तक्षशिला, पाटलीपुत्र, कन्याकुं ज, मिथिला, तंजौर आदि की प्रसिद्धि से हम सभी परिचित हैं। आर्यभट्ट और कोई ऐसा क्षेत्र नहीं है,
चाणक्य का हर शास्त्र जो ज्ञान का भंडार नहीं हो।

भारत की प्राचीन पद्धति में हमें दो खासियत नजर आती हैं, औपचारिक और अनौपचारिक- आप अनौपचारिक हैं। औपचारिक
शिक्षा मंदिर में होती थी, आश्रमों में होती थी, गुरुकु लों के माध्यम से दी जाती थी- ये शिक्षा के कें द्र थे।

आपको बड़ी प्रसन्नता होगी जब भारत के संविधान की मूल प्रति आप देखेंगे। उसमें जो चित्र है, वो गुरुकु ल का है। उसमें 22 चित्र हैं,
गुरुकु ल का है। उसमें Fundamental Rights वाले में भगवान श्री राम, सीता और लक्ष्मण अयोध्या आ रहे हैं वो है- तो मौलिक
अधिकारों से जुड़ा हुआ है।

Directive Principles of State Policy: उसमें भगवान श्री कृ ष्ण, कु रुक्षेत्र में अपना ज्ञान दे रहे हैं। गुरुकु ल हमारी औपचारिक
शिक्षा का माध्यम था, आश्रम थे, शिक्षा के मंदिर थे पर इसके अलावा परिवार शिक्षा देता था अनौपचारिक, पुरोहित देते थे, पंडित
देते थे, सन्यासी देते थे। त्योहारों का प्रसंग आता था तो हम सीखते थे, आज यह काम आप बखूबी कर रहे हैं, संस्थागत तरीके से कर
रहे हैं।

I congratulate the School of Open Learning to formalise this informal education in an informal manner.

भारत की प्राचीन शिक्षा पद्धति में हमें अनौपचारिक तथा औपचारिक दोनों प्रकार के शैक्षणिक के न्द्रों का उल्लेख प्राप्त होता है।
औपचारिक शिक्षा मन्दिर, आश्रमों और गुरुकु लों के माध्यम से दी जाती थी, ये ही उच्च शिक्षा के के न्द्र भी थे।

आपको बड़ी प्रसन्नता होगी जब आप भारत के संविधान की मूल प्रतिलिपि देखेंगे, उसमें जो चित्र है गुरुकु ल का है, उसमें 22 चित्र हैं,
उसमें fundamental rights वाले में भगवान श्री राम सीता और लक्ष्मण अयोध्या आ रहे हैं, वह है जो मौलिक अधिकारों से जुड़ा
हुआ है। Directive principles of state policy में भगवान श्री कृ ष्णा कु रुक्षेत्र में अपना ज्ञान दे रहे हैं। गुरुकु ल हमारी औपचारिक
शिक्षा का माध्यम था। आश्रम के शिक्षा के मंदिर थे, पर इसके अलावा परिवार शिक्षा देता था, अनौपचारिक पुरोहित देते थे, पंडित
देते थे, सन्यासी देते थे, त्योहारों का प्रसंग आता था, तो हम सीखते थे। आज यह काम आप बखूबी कर रहे हैं, संस्थागत तरीके से कर
रहे हैं। I congratulate the school of open learning to formalise this informal education in an informal manner। अपने
अनौपचारिक शिक्षा की व्यवस्था में एक नई सुगंध डाल दी है, इसको जीवंत कर दिया है, और आपने इसको सम्मान पूर्वक कर दिया
है, आपने इसे औपचारिक शिक्षा के समक्ष कर दिया है।

परिवार, पुरोहित, पण्डित, सन्यासी और त्यौहार प्रसंग आदि अनौपचारिक शिक्षा के माध्यम हुआ करते थे। प्राचीन काल से ज्ञान का
भंडार है भारत।वेद, उपनिषद, पुराण ,संस्कृ त, आयुर्वेद तथा योग आदि विषयों का भारत श्रौत रहा है।
प्रधानमंत्री जी की पहल पर दुनिया भर में योग दिवस मनाया जाता है। जून में, सबसे लंबे दिन में, हमें योग दिवस मनाने का अवसर
प्राप्त होता है। प्रधानमंत्री जी ने इस पहल की शुरुआत की, जिससे संयुक्त राष्ट्र संघ में कम समय में ज्यादा से ज्यादा लोगों ने योग का
अभ्यास किया। हमारी बहुत बड़ी सांस्कृ तिक विरासत है "वसुधैव कु टुंबकम"। जब हमने G20 का नेतृत्व किया, तो इसका महत्व क्या
था, यह दुनिया को समझ में आ गया कि भारत अलग है। खुशी की बात यह है कि लंबे अंतराल के बाद नालंदा के गौरव का
नवीनीकरण हो रहा है। 2047 में, हम विकसित भारत देखेंगे, हम नए बच्चे नहीं रहेंगे। आज का भारत उसी गौरव के रास्ते पर तीव्र
गति से अग्रसर है। आज का भारत पूर्ण विकसित होने के लक्ष्य की प्राप्ति की यात्रा पर है। संपूर्ण आहुति 2047 में अवश्य होगी। अति
प्रसन्नता की बात है कि आपकी संस्था की यात्रा कारगर हो रही है।

आप उन लोगों को भागीदार कर रहे हैं जो भागीदार होना चाहते थे पर किसी वजह से नहीं हो पाए you have hand held those
people who were keen to acquire education they had passion for the education they were in mission mode to
acquire it उनका रास्ता नहीं दिख रहा था उनके लिए जो टनल थी रोशनी नहीं दिख रही थी आपने वह रोशनी उनको दिखयी
और अब वह देश और दुनिया को रोशनी दिखा रहे हैं।

This institution, beyond the traditional classrooms, is serving over 400,000 students across 17 disciplines.

सबसे बड़ा दान और सबसे बड़ा अधिकार, शिक्षा है। शिक्षा से बड़ा कोई मौलिक अधिकार नहीं हो सकता, और शिक्षदान से बड़ा
कोई दान नहीं हो सकता। आज हम भारत में क्या देख रहे हैं? एक अद्भुत परिवर्तन हो रहा है। वह शिक्षा का अधिकार, खास तौर
से आपके माध्यम से, जमीनी हकीकत है। कार्यक्रम शिक्षा प्राप्त करने वाले व्यक्तियों के अनुरूप बनाए गए हैं, और यह उनके सामान्य
कार्यक्रम में किसी तरह से बाधक नहीं होते। इससे बड़ी मदद कोई हो नहीं सकती।

Friends, this is a commendable step towards easy access to education, providing opportunities for open learning
to a larger segment which is keen but otherwise handicapped. You have removed that handicap, you have
overcome, and now it is being on fast track.

इसीलिए मैं कहता हूं आज के दिन इससे बेटर कोई थीम नहीं हो सकती "विकसित भारत के निर्माण में मुक्त शिक्षा कायोगदान,"। It
is foundation, it is inalienable, it is integrated into growth.

हमने वह जमाना देखा है, पूछा पढ़े लिखे हो कि नहीं, अंगूठा लगा दो। That angutha culture, अंगूठा अभिशाप खत्म हो गया हैं।
जब कोई गलती से कहता है कि अंगूठा लगा दो, तब हमारी माताए और बहनें रहती हैं पेन दे।

शिक्षा उसे ताले की कुं जी है, जिसके माध्यम से प्रगति, समृद्धि और सशक्तिकरण के द्वार खोलती है।

शिक्षा ही तो वह कारण है कि दुनिया के हर कोने में आज, दुनिया की हर बड़ी संस्था में आज भारत का दिमाग काम कर रहा है।
नजर फै ला कर देखो, यूनाइटेड नेशंस की संस्थाएं देखो, बड़े कॉर्पोरेट के टॉप प्रक्रिया देखो, भारतीय दिमाग का करिश्माई दौर है।
आवश्यकता थी कै से वातावरण की, जिसमें हमारे बच्चे और बच्चियों अपनी प्रतिभा दिखा सकें ।

Friends, it is delightful situation that we have today in the country, an ecosystem where every young boy and girl
can exploit his or her talent, potential, realize his or her dream aspirations. ऐसा पहले नहीं था, और ऐसा होने के लिए
बड़ा क्या था और वह बड़ा बहुत खतरनाक थी। सबसे बड़ी बाधा थी, कु छ लोग औरों से ज्यादा अपने आप को मानते थे। कानून की
समानता नहीं थी, equality before law was eluding us through a constitutional right.

लोगों के मन में यह आ गई थी, इनका कानून क्या बिगड़ेगा? हताश हो चुके थे, यह तो कानून से ऊपर है, कानून का शिकं जन तक
पहुंच ही नहीं सकता, और उनमें फिर एक दिन भावना आई थी कि हम दुनिया के सबसे बड़े प्रजातंत्र के नागरिक हैं और हमें यह
देखना पड़ रहा है, आज के दिन यह हालत नहीं है, कानून से ऊपर कोई नहीं है।

Everyone is accountable to law, legal premises, and legal processes. और यह आज के दिन जमीनी हकीकत है, one is
above law, everyone is accountable to law. यह हमारे youth mind के लिए impressionable मन के लिए गीता के ज्ञान से
भी ज्यादा महत्वपूर्ण है।
दूसरा एक हो गया था कि नौकरी opportunities और contracts सिफारिश से ही मिलेगा, सिफारिश का जो सिक्का है, उसका जो
दूसरा भाग है, वह है करप्शन, कि बिना भ्रष्टाचार के आपका काम नहीं होगा। हमारे जो संस्थान, the power corridors, they
were infested with corrupt elements, power brokers, liaison agents, उनके बिना फाइल आगे नहीं बढ़ती थी, अब तो
फाइल ही खत्म हो गई, सब डिस्टर्ब हो गया, power corridors having duly sanitized, even income tax assessment is
faceless.

So friends, zero accommodation for corruption. यह new norms हैं। लोक एडजस्ट हो गए थे की हालत कभी नहीं बदलेंगे,
पर हालात बदल गए।

तीसरा बड़ा बदलाव जो शिक्षा की वजह से आया है कि हमारे भारत के अर्थव्यवस्था बदल गई। इसमें आम आदमी का योगदान है,
आम आदमी का मेहनत और पसीना है। वह तो पहले भी था, बदलाव किया या सकारात्मक नीति सकारात्मक सोच व्यापक हैंड
होल्डिंग लोगों को अंदाजा नहीं है। पर ग्रामीण परिपेक्ष में जाकर देखो, मुद्रा स्कीम में क्या कर दिया है, महिला की ताकत देखो, खुद
काम करती है, दो को कम दे रही है। कभी सोचा था देश में इतना बड़ा बदलाव आएगा, की जो बैंक अकाउंट खुलवाने से डरते थे,
बैंक उनके घर पहुंचा, नतीजा 50 करोड़ लोगों का बैंक अकाउंट खुला।

ऐसे मामले में जो स्वाभाविक रूप से कु छ छू ट जाते थे, वह मानते थे कि हमारा तो मौका गया हमारी तो बस छू ट गई। उनको मौका
आप दे रहे हैं, सबसे महत्वपूर्ण मौका दे रहे हैं। तhat is amazing, outstanding, spectacular achievement. I congratulate the
entire team

India is one of the few countries in the world that is focusing on disruptive technologies. 5 से 7 countries हैं, और
हमारा देश उसमें शामिल है। Artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, machine learning, blockchain, यहां तक कि 6G
के मामले में भी, इसके बड़े commercialisation के अंदर भी, 2025 से 30 तक हम हैं। Quantum computing के अंदर, भारत ने
सबसे पहले पहल की। 6000 करोड़ का एक कमिशन बनाया ग्रीन हाइड्रोजन का, 19000 करोड़ का। इसको इसलिए बता रहा हूं कि
यह आज के दिन हमारे यंग माइंड के लिए अवसर का अनूठा मौका है।

आपने जो हैंडीकै प्ड लोगों की मदद करी है, they are not physically handicapped, they were not handicapped by their
design, passion, and mission. ये एक नई चुनौती देश में है और नई चुनौती है कि हर कोई सरकारी नौकर बनना चाहता है।
उसके लिए वह अंधाधुन होकर कं पटीशन के लिए लगा है। वह एक silo में रह रहा है। हर व्यवस्था में सरकारी नौकरियों की संख्या
सीमित होगी। उनको यह नहीं पता है कि आपके पास कितने और मौके हैं, जिससे आप देश और दुनिया को बदल सकते हैं। जब
ISRO गया मैं, ISRO ने दुनिया में नाम कमाया है। हम दूसरे देशों के सैटेलाइट स्पेस में डालते हैं, उनमें विकसित देश भी है। वह
देश है जो तकनीकी में हमसे आगे है, because we give good value for money, because we have technology.

मैं IIT और IIM का बड़ा सम्मान करता हूं, पर इसरो के अंदर साधारण कॉलेज के बच्चे हैं। इन संस्थानों में से एक भी नहीं है। यहां से
संदेश जाना चाहिए छात्र-छात्राओं के लिए विशेष कर, let them not be only in grew of the competitive examination, they
can have startups, they can contribute best in economy and in research in innovation in enterprise.

और मैं समझता हूं वह समय दूर नहीं है कि ऐसा होकर रहेगा। नई शिक्षा नीति क्रांतिकारी कदम है। 3 दशक के बाद आया। मैं
पश्चिम बंगाल राज्यपाल था, हमसे भी राय गई। Inputs were taken from thousands of people, तब जाकर इसका evolution
हुआ।

भारत आज महानता के शिखर की और अग्रसर पर है। निवेश, शिक्षा, पर्यटन, अंतरिक्ष अन्वेषण, और बहुमुखी प्रगति का कें द्र है। बड़े
संस्थान पहले हमें चेताते थे, हमें समझते थे कि आपकी अर्थव्यवस्था कै सी है। आज सीखने आते हैं when economy is facing
headwinds the terrain is difficult. India's GDP rise among large economy is the highest. Our digital penetration,
given our diversity, far from areas, given different dialects, is ahead of developed Nations.

वर्ल्ड बैंक ने तो यहां तक कहा कि भारत ने जो करिश्मा 6 साल में किया है, वह 47 साल में भी संभव नहीं है।

हम सब एक मैराथन मार्च का हिस्सा हैं। हम सब एक महान यज्ञ में आहुति दे रहे हैं। इस मैराथन मार्च और महान यज्ञ में पूर्ण
आहुति 2047 में दी जाएगी, जब भारत अपने आजादी का शताब्दी पर्व मना रहा होगा, और तब भारत उसे स्थान पर रहेगा, जिस
स्थान पर भारत सदियों तक सदियों पहले रहा था।

बहुत-बहुत शुभकामनाएं। धन्यवाद।

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President's Secretariat

PRESIDENT OF INDIA GRACES 7th CONVOCATION OF

CENTRAL UNIVERSITY OF HIMACHAL PRADESH
Posted On: 06 MAY 2024 4:38PM by PIB Delhi

The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu graced and addressed the 7th convocation of Central University of
Himachal Pradesh at Dharamshala today (May 6, 2024).

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that change is the law of nature. But, the pace of change was not so
rapid in the past. Today we are in the era of the 4th Industrial Revolution. New areas like Artificial Intelligence,
Machine Learning are emerging rapidly. Both the speed and magnitude of change are very high, due to which
technology and required skills are changing very quickly. At the beginning of the 21st century no one knew what
kind of skills people would need in the next 20 or 25 years. Similarly, many current skills will no longer be
useful in the future. Therefore, we have to continuously adopt new skills. Our focus should be on developing
flexible minds so that the young generation can keep pace with the rapid changes taking place. We have to
strengthen the curiosity and the desire to learn in the students to prepare them for facing the challenges of the
21st century.

Addressing the teachers, the President said that education should be such that along with educating the students,
it makes them self-reliant and builds their character and personality. The aim of education is also to bring
awareness among the students about their culture, tradition and civilization. She stressed that the role of teachers
is very important in this regard. Their scope of work is not limited to teaching only, and they have the huge
responsibility of building the future of the nation.

The President said that our focus should be on ‘what to learn’ as well as ‘how to learn’. She underlined that when
students learn independently, without any stress, their creativity and imagination take flight. In that case they do
not consider education as just a synonym for livelihood. Rather, they innovate, find solutions to problems, and
learn with curiosity.

Addressing the students, the President said that every person has the potential for both good and evil. She
advised them to keep in mind that no matter how difficult the situation they are in, they should never let evil
dominate them. They should always take the side of good. She urged them to make human values ​like
compassion, conscientiousness and sensitivity their ideals. She said that based on these values, they can live a
successful and meaningful life.

The President said that the youth have immense potential for growth. They are the most important link to fulfil
the resolve of a developed India. Therefore, they should dedicate themselves to the nation. This is not only their
human, social and moral duty but also their duty as citizens.
Please click here to see the President's Speech -

***

DS/AK

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Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions

National Centre for Good Governance commences the Two-Week

Capacity Building Programme on Project and Risk Management for
Public Works for officials of Tanzania at Mussoorie

39 senior officers from various key ministries and departments are attending the program

“Progressive policies and digital governance is the mantra for development and
empowerment of citizens” says DG, NCGG

Posted On: 07 MAY 2024 12:06PM by PIB Delhi

The two weeks program on Capacity Building Programme on Project and Risk Management for Public Works
for the officers from Republic of Tanzania commenced today at the National Centre for Good Governance
(NCGG), Mussoorie. The program is being organized from 6th May, 2024 to 17th May, 2024 in partnership with
the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Government of India. A total of 39 officers representing various
organisations and ministries in Tanzania such as National Roads Agency, Ministry of Energy, Planning
Commission, Tanzania Building Agency, Tanzania Railway Corporation, Housing investments, Rapid Transit
Agency, E-government authority, Energy and Water Regulatory Authority, President’s Office Public Service
Management and Good Governance, Regional Administration and Local Government, Livestock and Fisheries
among others are attending the programme.

The NCGG, an autonomous institution under the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances,
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Government of India, is committed to action research,
studies, and capacity building at both the national and international levels. NCGG's efforts align with the Indian
philosophy of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ i.e. “The world is one Family” and emphasizes strengthening bilateral
ties and fostering cooperation with other countries. The capacity building program focuses on providing a rich
cross country experience and a platform for policy dialogue, while sharing best practices focusing on project and
risk management in various sectors. This will result in the officers gaining valuable insights into the manner in
which projects are planned and executed and institutions are being transformed and people are getting closer to
the government.

Shri V. Srinivas, Director General, National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) and Secretary, Department of
Administration Reform and Public Grievances (DARPG) in his inaugural address extended a warm welcome to
the participating officers. During his address, he talked about the relations between the two nations and the
outline of future collaborations in the area of capacity building programmes. He focused on the evolving
landscape of governance and gave an elaborate presentation on the New Paradigms of Governance and
emphasized on the transformative role of technology in maximizing governance efficiency and development
thereby bringing citizens closer to government. He elaborated on National E- Service Delivery Assessment,
India’s vision for 2047 and showcased exemplary governance models such as Aadhaar Card, Advancements in
Fintech, Public Grievance Redressal Mechanisms like CPGRAMS, and the integration of Artificial Intelligence
in administration.

Shri V. Srinivas, Director General, National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) and Secretary, Department
of Administration Reform and Public Grievances (DARPG)

Speaking on the occasion Mr. George Nsavike Ndatta, Head of the Delegation expressed gratitude to the Indian
Government for extending such a warm hospitality and providing this immensely useful opportunity to facilitate
knowledge exchange. He was of view that this will ultimately empower officers to implement and design
effective projects thereby aiding development in the country.

Dr. B.S Bisht, Associate Professor and Course Coordinator gave a comprehensive presentation on the
background and ongoing initiatives of the National Centre for Good Governance. He also highlighted the core
objectives of the two-week training program, which is meticulously structured to equip officers with essential
skills in Project and Risk Management for Public Works, while showcasing several projects and works in several
important sectors relevant to the participants. He elaborated how the programme is designed for officers who are
at decision making level and is aimed at equipping them with the cutting-edge knowledge, skills and tools to
deliver and design effective public works projects, which will lead to achievement of good governance and
ultimately sustainable development apart from providing a rich cross-country experience so that there is no need
to reinvent the wheel.

He discussed how the programme covers a diverse range of topics such as Project Selection and Formulation,
Project Management Framework and Processes, Project Risk Management, PPP in Infrastructure Projects, Smart
and Resilient Cities, Innovation in Awarding Public Projects, and Managing Rural and Urban Housing Projects.
Additionally, the program incorporates immersive field visits, with officers slated to visit key project sites such
as Dakpathar Hydropower and Irrigation Dam, NHAI in Uttarakhand, Dwarka Expressway in New Delhi, Indira
Paryavaran Bhawan, World Trade Centre NBCC in New Delhi, and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation,
culminating with a visit to the iconic Taj Mahal. He also informed that in partnership with MEA, NCGG has
imparted training to civil servants of 17 countries.

The entire capacity building programme will be supervised by Dr. B.S Bisht, Associate Professor and Course
Coordinator, Dr. Sanjeev Sharma, Associate Course Coordinator and Shri Brijesh Bisht, Training Assistant,
NCGG.

***

PK/PSM

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Ministry of Mines

Mines Ministry to organize One-Day Workshop on State Mining Index

in collaboration with IIT-ISM, Dhanbad
Posted On: 07 MAY 2024 3:56PM by PIB Delhi

Ministry of Mines, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology – Indian School of Mines (IIT-ISM),
Dhanbad will organize a one-day workshop tomorrow i.e., on 8th May, 2024 in Delhi to discuss the draft
framework of the State Mining Index, envisaged to capture mining sector performance of States. The Secretary,
Ministry of Mines, Shri V. L. Kantha Rao, will chair the workshop, to be participated by the senior officials
from States.

The mining sector is at the forefront of numerous value chains, supplying raw materials to key industrial
domains such as steel, non-ferrous metals, cement, fertilizers, chemicals, and electronics. The States have a
crucial role to play in the development of the country’s mining sector. For a mining sector vision that prioritizes
resource use efficiency with equity, sustainability and responsibility, focussed attention is required on the
exploration of India’s geography; taking actions for facilitating future mineral production and working for the
interest and benefit of persons and areas affected by mining related operations. In such a national effort, a State’s
relative contribution is important and needs to be reflected. As such, a State Mining Index has been envisaged to
capture the mining sector performance as well as States’ future readiness in mining activity. The ambit of the
index will be non-fuel major minerals and minor minerals. Ministry of Mines has commissioned IIT-ISM,
Dhanbad to conduct a study for designing the framework, collecting data and formulating the index.

In order to make the process transparent and objective, States are being consulted at every stage of index
development. The One-Day Workshop in Delhi is a part of this endeavour. Feedback from States at the workshop
will help in finalizing the framework.

****

BY/ST

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Competition Commission of India

CCI approves acquisition of additional shares in Sikkim Urja Limited

(formerly Teesta Urja Limited) by Greenko Energies Private Limited
Posted On: 07 MAY 2024 9:01PM by PIB Delhi

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition of additional shares in Sikkim Urja
Limited (formerly Teesta Urja Limited) by Greenko Energies Private Limited.

Greenko Energies is a limited liability company incorporated in India. It is an (indirectly) wholly-owned

subsidiary of Greenko Mauritius. Greenko Mauritius is wholly-owned by Greenko Energy Holdings (GEH), a
company incorporated in Mauritius, which is the holding company of the Greenko group of companies. GEH is
an investment holding company, having its investments in a portfolio of companies engaged in the power
generation sector in India.

Sikkim Urja is a special purpose vehicle incorporated for the purpose of the implementation of the 1200 Mega
Watt (MW) (6 Units of 200 MW each) hydro power project in North Sikkim, India.

Detailed order of the CCI will follow.

****

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Ministry of Labour & Employment

Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) to actively evaluate

the course of action in response to the recent judgment issued by the
esteemed High Court of Karnataka
Posted On: 07 MAY 2024 8:27PM by PIB Delhi

The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) acknowledges the recent judgment issued by the esteemed
High Court of Karnataka. The judgment pertains to the specific provisions for International Workers outlined in
Paragraph 83 of the Employees' Provident Fund Scheme, 1952 and Paragraph 43A of the Employees' Pension
Scheme, 1995, which were deemed to be inconsistent with Article 14 of the Constitution. The EPFO is actively
evaluating the course of action in response to this judgement.

India presently has social security agreements with 21 countries. These agreements ensure continued social
security coverage for employees from these nations on a mutually reciprocal basis. When citizens from these
countries take up employment in each other's territories, their social security coverage remains uninterrupted.

These agreements aim to guarantee the uninterrupted social security coverage of employees during international
employment. These agreements are very important for India for promoting International mobility and leverage
the demographic dividend. The EPFO serves as the operational agency in India for such social security
agreements.

MJPS

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Ministry of Finance

5th Joint Group of Customs (JGC) meeting between India and Bhutan
was held on 6th-7th May, 2024 in Leh, Ladakh

The 5th JGC meeting discussed a host of bilateral issues for further enhancing cooperation
between the two countries

India and Bhutan agreed on discovering new strands of complementarities that can be
maximised for mutual benefit

Posted On: 07 MAY 2024 8:58PM by PIB Delhi

The 5th Joint Group of Customs (JGC) meeting between India and Bhutan was held on 6th-7th May, 2024 in Leh,
Ladakh. The meeting was co-chaired by Mr. Surjit Bhujabal, Special Secretary and Member (Customs), Central
Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, Government of India, and Mr. Sonam Jamtsho, Director General,
Department of Revenue and Customs, Ministry of Finance, Royal Government of Bhutan.

The 5th JGC meeting discussed a host of bilateral issues such as opening of new Land Customs Stations and
notifying new trade routes, development of infrastructure, automation and digitisation of transit processes,
prevention of smuggling, coordinated cross-border management, pre-arrival exchange of Customs data, bilateral
agreement on Customs cooperation and movement of transit cargo under electronic cargo system among others.

Bhutan thanked the Government of India and particularly the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs for
the continued support in providing capacity building, training and skill development through workshops,
seminars and various training programmes, including the IRS programme to the Bhutan customs administration.
Also, Bhutan expressed sincere appreciation to the Indian Government for initiating and promoting the cross-
border trade and economic activities with Bhutan through the various bilateral agreements.
The India-Bhutan Joint Group of Customs meetings are held annually to discuss issues relating to re-defining
and re-engineering of Customs procedures, promote Customs cooperation and cross-border trade facilitation with
alignment to global best practices. These meetings play a vital role in enhancing connectivity and developing
trade infrastructure for smooth customs clearance at land borders. There are 10 Land Customs Stations along the
India-Bhuan Border in the States of West Bengal (6) and Assam (4).

India is Bhutan’s top trade partner both as an import source and as an export destination. Since 2014, India’s
trade with Bhutan has more than tripled from $484 million in 2014-15 to $1,615 million in 2022-23, accounting
for about 80% of Bhutan’s overall trade. Trade with Bhutan through the land Customs Stations is significant as
Bhutan is a land-locked country. Enhancing connectivity with Bhutan is pivotal to India’s ‘Neighbourhood
First’ and the ‘Act East’ Policy.

The meeting concluded on an optimistic note. Both the countries agreed on discovering new strands of
complementarities between India and Bhutan that can be maximised for mutual benefit, respond to the
expectations and aspirations of the youth and adapt to the rapid changes related to new technologies and social
innovations. Both sides also agreed to consider new developments for facilitating customs and trade cooperation
for mutual prosperity.

****

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Ministry of Electronics & IT

CISCE empowers students with convenient access: Declaration of 2024

real-time examination results and availability of marksheets and
certificates through DigiLocker
Posted On: 07 MAY 2024 9:39AM by PIB Delhi

In a pioneering digital transformation initiative, the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations
(CISCE) integrated with DigiLocker platform to declare the ICSE (Class X) and ISC (Class XII) examination
results for 2024 digitally via DigiLocker platform. Additionally, CISCE made available certificates and
marksheets in real-time through DigiLocker. A total of 2,43,617 students appeared for ICSE while 99,901 took
ISC exams this year.

Over 3.43 lakh students can now seamlessly access their academic awards such as marksheets and certificates
issued by CISCE on the DigiLocker instantly after results were announced.

The overall pass percentage for ICSE 2024 was an impressive 99.47% with Girls outperforming Boys (99.65%
for Girls vs 99.31% for Boys). In the ISC exams, 98.19% students cleared with a similar trend of girls faring
better than boys (98.92% vs 97.53%).

DigiLocker, the flagship platform under Digital India initiative, has enabled this revolutionary step by providing
a secure, trusted and eco-friendly solution for issuing and accessing academic credentials in digital format by
boards, universities and other bodies.

Key Highlights:

2,42,328 students passed ICSE: 98,088 cleared ISC across India and abroad.
Marksheets, certificates instantly available on DigiLocker in digital format.
Students can access their authentic digital documents anytime, anywhere.

Dr Joseph Emmanuel, Chief Executive & Secretary of CISCE, announced that examination results are now
accessible in real-time via DigiLocker and the CISCE website. Additionally, he discussed the availability of
academic awards on the DigiLocker platform.

***

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Ministry of Education

Shri K. Sanjay Murthy launches Capacity Building on Design and

Entrepreneurship (CBDE) program
Posted On: 07 MAY 2024 7:03PM by PIB Delhi

Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Shri K. Sanjay Murthy today virtually
launched the ‘Capacity Building on Design and Entrepreneurship (CBDE)’ program in presence of officials
of the Department; members of the Program Advisory Council, CBDE; mentors from the industry;
representatives of the shortlisted Higher Education Institutions (HEIs); Prof. Sudhir Varadarajan, Program
Director, CBDE, and Principal Investigators and Co-Principal Investigators. More than 130 participants
virtually attended the meeting.

Shri K. Sanjay Murthy in his address highlighted that the program will be led by industry and academia
collaboration. He mentioned that industry experts are also providing the necessary guidance and support to
HEIs through various initiatives under the banner of industry-academic linkage. He recognized the rigorous
selection process instituted through which 30 HEIs have been identified to implement this program in their
institution..
The Capacity Building Program is designed to equip identified HEIs and faculty members to focus on
Design and Entrepreneurship development in their institution with the support of mentors from industry. At
this stage, 30 HEIs have been selected through a process anchored by the IIITDM, Kancheepuram, a
Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Center (MMTTC) as Nodal Centre for the program. This program will
focus on instilling in students a problem-solving approach that encourages creative and innovative solutions
to complex challenges and ultimately takes concrete steps in scaling up their ideas through stage-wise hand-
holding support provided by mentors from the industry. The program includes one-to-one mentoring of
faculty and promoting generative dialogue among faculty, student teams and HEI partners by a pool of
expert mentors. The program is designed to provide mentor support to the identified HEIs to learn from the
expertise gained through years of engagement in the industry setup.

During the meeting, industry experts including Shri Manoj Kohli, Chairperson, Program Advisory Council,
CBDE, and Smt. Debjani Ghosh, President, NASSCOM expressed hope in the outcomes of this program.
Shri Kohli suggested that during the execution of the initiatives, efforts will be made to ensure linkages and
support to the startups from global investors and industry. In her remarks, Smt. Ghosh mentioned
entrepreneurial mindset needs to be nourished in the young minds present in educational institutions.
Problem-solving skills as demanded by the industry are required to complement the technical skills provided
in the traditional pedagogical approach, she said.

In his address, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras envisioned that prioritization of locally relevant
challenges to produce effective and sustainable solutions by young entrepreneurs/innovators would garner
global recognition.

Mentors from the industry also shared their views about the program. Dr Miftahul Barbaruah, Member,
Confederation of Indian Industry, Assam Chapter, and Shri Chandrasekaran Balakrishnan, former Chief
Digital Data and Innovation Officer, Marsh McLennan Asia, highlighted that the program will build
capacities of the HEIs to transform students into entrepreneurs and enable them to develop solutions to
pressing challenges of the society.

Prof. Sudhir Varadarajan, Program Director, IIITDM Kancheepuram, shared the way forwardand guided the
participating HEIs to follow the subsequent plan of action about implementation of the program.

***

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Ministry of Defence

INDIAN NAVAL SHIPS DELHI, SHAKTI, AND KILTAN ARRIVED

AT SINGAPORE, AS A PART OF EASTERN FLEET
DEPLOYMENT TO SOUTH CHINA SEA
Posted On: 07 MAY 2024 11:11AM by PIB Delhi

Indian Naval Ships Delhi, Shakti, and Kiltan led by RAdm Rajesh Dhankhar, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern
Fleet arrived at Singapore on 06 May 24 to a warm welcome by personnel of Republic of Singapore Navy and
the High Commissioner of India in Singapore. The visit is part of the Operational Deployment of the Indian
Navy's Eastern Fleet to the South China sea. This visit is poised to further strengthen the longstanding friendship
and cooperation between the two maritime nations through a series of engagements and activities.

During the ships' stay in harbour, various activities planned to be undertaken include interactions with the High
Commission of India, professional interactions with the Republic of Singapore Navy as also academia and
community outreach amongst other activities, reflecting the shared values of both navies.

The Indian Navy and Republic of Singapore Navy have had robust relations spanning three decades of
cooperation, coordination and collaboration with regular visits, exchange of best practices, and reciprocal
training arrangements. The current deployment underscores the strong linkages between both the navies.
____________________________________________________________________________

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Ministry of Defence

BRO celebrates its 65th Raising Day

Defence Secretary commends BRO for playing a major role in the country’s security &
ensuring socio-economic progress of border areas

Exhorts BRO to infuse latest technology for faster completion of projects

Posted On: 07 MAY 2024 1:47PM by PIB Delhi

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is celebrating its 65th Raising Day on May 07, 2024. To mark the day, an
event was organised in New Delhi, which was presided over by Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane. In his
address, the Defence Secretary lauded the BRO for fulfilling its responsibilities successfully in inhospitable
terrain and tough weather conditions. He termed the BRO an extremely crucial organisation which, through its
infrastructure projects in border areas, is playing a major role in the security of the country, besides ensuring the
socio-economic progress of far-flung areas.

Shri Giridhar Aramane commended the BRO for completing the projects in a time-bound manner, exuding
confidence that the Karmayogis will continue to ensure border infrastructure development in a record time. He
urged the BRO to infuse latest technology and techniques for faster completion of projects, through which
human efforts will be reduced & utilised more efficiently. Automation and mechanisation will be key for the
BRO in the future, he said.

The Defence Secretary also recalled the valuable contribution of the BRO personnel in the relief and rescue
efforts during the Silkyara Tunnel Collapse and the Sikkim Floods. He added that the Organisation will play an
important role in the Vibrant Villages Programme which envisages comprehensive development of select border
villages.

Speaking on the occasion, Director General, Border Roads Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan extended greetings to all
ranks of the BRO. He stated that the pan-India presence of the BRO reflects its commitment to national security,
connectivity and development. He added that the tagline ‘In the Silence of Our Great Mountains – Work
Speaks’ speaks volumes of the Organisation’s dedication, perseverance and impact on the lives of the people
residing in the remotest corners of the country. He exhorted all ranks to renew the pledge to
continue ‘Connecting Places Connecting People’ and leaving a lasting legacy of progress, prosperity and unity.

The event also witnessed the unveiling of a compendium on Sela Tunnel as well as some books including
‘Oonchin Sadaken’, ‘Path Pradarshak’ and ‘Path Vikas’ by the Defence Secretary. He gave away Excellence
Awards to the BRO personnel for the year 2023-24 and felicitated the women achievers of the Organisation. The
Casual Paid Labourers who worked in various projects such as Sela Tunnel, as well as during Sikkim floods
were also felicitated.

Raised with just two projects in 1960 - Project Tusker (now Vartak) in the East and Project Beacon in the North,
the BRO has today become a vibrant organisation with 18 projects operating in 11 States and three Union
Territories. It has now established its credentials as the leading infra construction agency in the high-altitude and
difficult snow-bound areas.

The BRO executes road construction and maintenance works at altitude ranging from 9,000 ft up to 19,000 ft
along the Northern and Western frontiers, primarily to meet the strategic requirements of the Armed Forces. In
over six decades, it has constructed over 62,214 kms of roads, 1,005 bridges, seven tunnels and 21 airfields
in adverse climatic and geographical conditions along India's borders as well as in friendly countries, including
Bhutan, Myanmar, Afghanistan & Tajikistan, thus contributing towards the nation’s strategic objectives.
In 2023-24, the BRO completed a total of 125 infrastructure projects worth Rs 3,611 crore. This includes the
construction of Sela Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh on Balipara-Chardwar-Tawang Road. The tunnel
was dedicated to the Nation by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi recently from Itanagar virtually. The BRO
will soon commence the construction on 4.10-km long Shinkun La Tunnel. Once completed, this tunnel
will become the world’s highest tunnel at 15,800 ft bypassing Mila Tunnel in China at 15,590 ft.

The BRO accomplished the completion of two significant airfield projects namely Bagdogra and Barrackpore,
marking yet another milestone in its journey of excellence. The foundation stone for Mudh Airfield Project was
laid by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh recently. The BRO aims to complete the project within just two
working seasons.

Over the few years, the BRO has witnessed an exponential surge in budget expenditure, marking a remarkable
leap forward in capabilities and impact. This increased budgetary support has empowered the organisation to
undertake crucial projects, accelerate critical infrastructure development, and enhance its operational readiness.

The BRO has been at the forefront of promoting gender equality and inclusivity, offering key roles and
opportunities to women. Officers like Col Ponung Doming is leading critical projects in Eastern
Ladakh. Assistant Executive Engineer (Civ) Smt Nikita Chaudhary has played a pivotal role in successful
completion of Sela Tunnel Project.

*****

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Ministry of Defence

Sixth Edition of Commandants’ Conclave held in Pune

Conclave deliberates on defence strategies in nurturing future leaders of Indian Armed

Forces.

Posted On: 07 MAY 2024 4:47PM by PIB Delhi

The sixth edition of Commandants' Conclave was held at Military Institute of Technology, Pune under the aegis
of HQ Integrated Defence Staff on 07 May 24. The Commandants of esteemed Armed Forces Training
Institutions and War Colleges along with other senior leadership of Armed forces attended the Conclave and
brainstormed on charting the course for future defence strategies in nurturing the future leaders of Indian Armed
Forces.

Senior leadership gathered at MILIT, Pune and exchanged insights, shared best practices at institutions and
strategised on building future-ready Forces. This landmark event underscores Indian Armed Forces' commitment
to continuous improvement, innovation and collaboration in the face of evolving global challenges. This
conclave served as a platform for the commandants and decision-makers of AFTIs to engage in open dialogue
and discussions on fostering joint culture of learning and adoption of new technologies in training the future
leaders of the Armed Forces.

During the conclave, a wide range of key topics on strategic-resilience, technological advancement, human
capital development, interoperability and jointness were discussed to harness innovation, technological
advancement and to leverage the best practices of institutions for ensuring world class training at the AFTIs.
 ***

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Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers

Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals launches the MEDITECH

STACKATHON 2024 in collaboration with CII at New Delhi

India's MEDTECH industry holds immense potential with projections estimating a growth
rate of 28% annually: Dr Arunish Chawla

Industry captains and key stakeholders to brainstorm on the Value Chain Mapping of the
select medical devices to facilitate meaningful discussions on the way forward

Posted On: 07 MAY 2024 3:48PM by PIB Delhi

Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers Dr Arunish Chawla, launched
the MEDITECH STACKATHON 2024 in collaboration with CII in New Delhi today. The MEDITECH
STACKATHON is a groundbreaking initiative designed to catalyze transformative change within India's
burgeoning MedTech sector by undertaking a comprehensive value chain analysis of select medical devices.
Through close consultation with industry leaders, policymakers, and experts, the STACKATHON aims to
address critical challenges, foster domestic manufacturing, and reduce import dependence, thereby positioning
India as a global leader in medical technology. Joint Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals Shri RP Singh
and Chairman, CII National Medical Technology Forum Shri Himanshu Baid and other senior officials of the
Department and representatives of the Industry were present on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, Dr Arunish Chawla said that India's MedTech industry holds immense potential,
with projections estimating a growth rate of 28% annually, reaching a size of USD 50 billion by 2030. He said
that currently, India is the 4th largest market for medical devices in Asia and among the top 20 globally. Net
imports for 2022-23 stands at USD 4101 Million with import coverage ratio of 0.45.

The Secretary said that the sector has witnessed a surge in imports, driven primarily by countries like the US,
China, and Germany, however, India's robust policy ecosystem presents opportunities for export boosts and
reducing import dependence through domestic manufacturing.
Pharma Secretary Shri Arunish Chawla emphasized on the importance of policymakers, industry coming
together to draw up a sturdy policy stack for growth of medical devices industry in the country.

He highlighted the critical need to focus on quality to ensure that India becomes globally competitive.

Exports have overtaken imports in consumables and disposables during last year, he said, and urged the
industry to continue with the momentum in other pillars of medi-tech sector.

Collaboration among stakeholders is essential to address these challenges and enhance both the ease and cost
of doing business in the sector. By fostering partnerships, boosting investment in research and innovation, and
streamlining value chain processes, we can achieve our shared goal of accessible and affordable healthcare for
all, he added.

Through the STACKATHON, participants will delve into the complexities of different product segments
within the medical devices industry to gain insights into their unique challenges and opportunities, analyze and
map value chains across various segments of the medical devices industry to identify key stakeholders,
processes, and dependencies, identify critical issues hindering the development of the medical devices
industry, such as import dependence, regulatory hurdles, and technological gaps, Dr Chawla said in his
address.

The STACKATHON would deliberate in eight focused groups namely Cancer Therapy, Imaging, Critical Care,
Assistive Medical Devices, Body Implants, Surgical instruments and Hospital Equipment, Consumables &
Disposables, and IVD Instruments and reagents, each tasked with specific objectives including segment-wise
identification of important medical devices, assessment of import-export dynamics, examination of duty
structures, and their implications across the entire value chain.

Preceding this workshop, group leads and members have undertaken extensive virtual discussions and
preparatory work. The challenges persist in the sector, including cost competitiveness, quality assurance, and
regulatory hurdles.

Shri Himanshu Baid, Chairman, CII highlighted a shared vision of collaborative excellence, wherein
stakeholders unite to drive tangible outcomes and propel the MedTech industry towards unparalleled growth.
He said that with India's MedTech exports surpassing 4 billion dollars, the industry stands poised on a
trajectory of remarkable expansion. However, he highlighted the need for enhanced data collation mechanisms
to address gaps in product consumption and production within India. He stated that India's MedTech landscape
is brimming with promise, poised to capture 10% of the global market share over the next decade. Endowed
 with a robust ecosystem comprising world-class hospitals, skilled manpower, and cutting-edge resources, India
is primed to emerge as a frontrunner in the global MedTech arena. He further underscored the importance of
fostering industry-friendly policies, streamlining regulatory frameworks, and extending support to Micro,
Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through targeted incentives and technology funds.

Against this backdrop of immense potential, the MEDITECH STACKATHON 2024 seeks to harness the
collective expertise of stakeholders to propel the industry towards unprecedented heights of innovation and
self-reliance.

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Election Commission

Peaceful polling across 11 States/UTs in Phase-III of General Elections

Voter Turnout - 61.45% as of 8PM

Polling over in 20 States/UTs and 283 PCs; crosses halfway mark

75 International delegates witness polling in phase 3; commend India’s electoral processes

Posted On: 07 MAY 2024 8:43PM by PIB Delhi

Polling in the third phase of General Elections 2024 which commenced at 7 am today simultaneously across 93
PCs recorded an approximate voter turnout of 61.45% as of 8 pm. Though polling was till 6 PM, but voters were
seen in the queue at many polling stations. Voters from across 11 States/UTs participated enthusiastically to cast
their vote at their polling stations, braving hot weather conditions in some areas. Starting with this phase, ECI
has commenced a system of SMS alerts, WhatsApp messages, and voice calls from national and state icons, with
support from major Telecom Service Providers to encourage voter participation. With the conclusion of Phase-3,
polling is now over in 20 States/UTs and 283 PCs for General Elections 2024. A total of 1331 candidates were in
the electoral fray in this Phase.

Women voters at the polling stations

Electors Data and Voter Turnout:

Approximate turnout data for each State / 93 PCs having gone to poll in third phase / each of the Assembly
constituency falling in each of the PC, is already available on voter turnout App (VTR App) live. Commission
has added a new feature in VTR App to show aggregated phase-wise turnout also in addition to State/PC /AC
wise figures for the benefit of media and other stakeholders. The VTR App is available at the following link:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=in.gov.eci.pollturnout&hl=en_IN

https://apps.apple.com/in/app/voter-turnout-app/id1536366882

The voter turnout figures which are approximate as of 8 pm will continue to be further updated on VTR App on
continuous basis as various polling parties formally close the poll and hand over Form 17 C to the polling agents
of candidates at each of the polling station. As per statutory requirements, voter turnout is to be recorded at every
polling station in absolute numbers in Form 17C, which prevails. As an embedded measure of transparency, the
copies of Form 17C, duly signed by Presiding Officer and all present polling agents, are invariably shared with
all present polling agents of contesting candidates. Thus, booth wise data of actual number of votes polled is
always available with the candidates, which is a statutory requirement.

As a further measure of enhanced transparency and facilitation of all stakeholders including media, PC wise
electors’ data for Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 is also being shared at Annexure A1, A2, and A3 respectively.
This will facilitate calculation of number of voters at regular intervals, when aggregate PC wise turnout figures
along with figures for respective assembly segments are updated on VTR App.

The state wise approximate voter turnout at 8pm is as below:

Approximate
Sl. No. State / UT No. PCs
Voter Turnout %

1 Assam 4 75.26

2 Bihar 5 56.55

3 Chhattisgarh 7 66.99

4 Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu 2 65.23

5 Goa 2 74.27

6 Gujarat 25 56.76

7 Karnataka 14 67.76

8 Madhya Pradesh 9 63.09

9 Maharashtra 11 54.77

10 Uttar Pradesh 10 57.34

11 West Bengal 4 73.93

 Above 11 States
93 61.45
(93 PCs)

Data displayed here are as per the information being filled in the systems by the field officer.

This is an approximate trend, as data from some polling stations (PS) takes time and this trend does not
include Postal Ballot. Final actual account of votes recorded for each PS is shared in Form 17 C with all
Polling agents at close of polls.

In order to further facilitate the stake holders, Commission has decided to update the above table and again
release the approximate voter turnout close to 11.30 pm today. Needless to add that same shall continue to be
updated by the field level officers as polling parties keep returning and be available PC wise (along with
respective AC segments) live at VTR App.

As per the laid down procedure, scrutiny of election papers takes place one day after the polling day in the
presence of Candidates or their authorised polling agents. The decision to conduct repoll, if any, is also taken
thereafter. Some polling parties return after polling day depending on the geographical/ logistical conditions.
Commission will also, after the scrutiny and depending on the number/ schedule of repoll, publish the updated
voter turnout along with gender wise breakup by 11.5.2024. In any case VTR App will continue to display
updated turn out figures as usual.

Voters at polling stations

High resolution poll day photos of the biggest election and related logistic exercise of movement of man and
material on earth, transit of polling parties, polling stations, enthusiasm of voters can be accessed here:
https://www.eci.gov.in/ge-2024-photogallery

Smooth and peaceful conduct of elections

The polling was held smoothly and peacefully in all States/UTs across the three phases which covered the entire
North eastern part of the country, LWE affected and vulnerable areas in Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Madhya
Pradesh. The Commission led by CEC Shri Rajiv Kumar along with ECs Shri Gyanesh Kumar and Shri Sukhbir
Singh Sandhu kept a regular close watch on each and every aspect of the poll process. Stringent security
measures were in place creating a conducive environment for voters to cast their vote without fear or
intimidation.

Showcasing India's Democracy to the world

In phase-3, 75 international delegates from 23 countries visited many polling stations in 6 states to witness the
poll process. The delegates also witnessed the process of dispatch of polling materials and machines to the
polling teams and were appreciative of the magnitude, transparency and most importantly the festive mood of
voters.

Delegates from Philippines and Sri Lanka visiting polling station in Bhopal
 Delegates from Bhutan, Mongolia and Israel at Goa

Special arrangements were made to mitigate the effects of hot weather conditions including the provision of
shamiyana, drinking water, medical kits, fans for convenience of voters. The Commission had made special
efforts to facilitate voting amongst the tribal groups with polling stations decorated in tribal culture and local
themes. Women tribal voters came out along with children to cast their vote at polling stations. In Chhattisgarh,
five generations of a family voted together at a polling station in Sarguja PC in Chhattisgarh.

Polling Booth in Shimoga, Karnataka and ecofriendly PS in Valsad, Gujarat

Pahadi Korwa PVTGs at polling station in Chhattisgarh

Shipping container PS container in Aliabet island, Gujarat 5 generations of voters vote together, Semli
PS, Chhattisgarh

Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and
Diu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Goa and Chhattisgarh are the States/UTs where polling took place in this phase.
Voting in the Anantnag-Rajouri PC in Jammu and Kashmir was rescheduled to Phase-6. Also, Surat PC in
Gujarat did not go to polls as the candidate was elected unopposed.

The next phase (phase 4) polling is scheduled on May 13, 2024 in 96 PCs in 10 States/UTs.

Annexures – PC wise electors’ data

Annexure-A1

Phase-1: Parliamentary Constituency wise number of Electors

State Name PC Name Electors *

Arunachal Pradesh Arunachal West 517384

Arunachal Pradesh Arunachal East 375310

Assam Sonitpur 1633800

Assam Lakhimpur 1577234

Assam Dibrugarh 1659588

Assam Jorhat 1727121

Assam Kaziranga 2050126

Bihar Aurangabad 1871564

Bihar Gaya 1816815

Bihar Nawada 2006124

Bihar Jamui 1907126

Madhya Pradesh Sidhi 2028451

Madhya Pradesh Shahdol 1777185

Madhya Pradesh Jabalpur 1896346

Madhya Pradesh Balaghat 1873653

Madhya Pradesh Mandla 2101811

Madhya Pradesh Chhindwara 1632190

Maharashtra Nagpur 2223281

Maharashtra Ramtek 2049085

Maharashtra Bhandara Gondiya 1827188

Maharashtra Gadchiroli - Chimur 1617207

Maharashtra Chandrapur 1837906

Manipur Inner Manipur 991574

Manipur Outer Manipur 553078

Meghalaya Shillong 1400411

Meghalaya Tura 826156

Mizoram Mizoram 856364

Nagaland Nagaland 1317536

Rajasthan Ganganagar 2102002

Rajasthan Bikaner 2048399

Rajasthan Churu 2213187

Rajasthan Jhunjhunu 2068540

Rajasthan Sikar 2214900

Rajasthan Jaipur 2287350

Rajasthan Jaipur Rural 2184978

Rajasthan Alwar 2059888

Rajasthan Bharatpur 2114916

Rajasthan Karauli-Dholpur 1975352

Rajasthan Dausa 1899304

Rajasthan Nagaur 2146725

Sikkim Sikkim 464140

Tamil Nadu Tiruvallur 2085991

Tamil Nadu Chennai North 1496224

Tamil Nadu Chennai Central 1350161

Tamil Nadu Chennai South 2023133

Tamil Nadu Sriperumbudur 2382119

Tamil Nadu Kancheepuram 1748866

Tamil Nadu Arakkonam 1562871

Tamil Nadu Vellore 1528273

Tamil Nadu Krishnagiri 1623179

Tamil Nadu Tiruvannamalai 1533099

Tamil Nadu Arani 1496118

Tamil Nadu Viluppuram 1503115

Tamil Nadu Kallakurichi 1568681

Tamil Nadu Dharmapuri 1524896

Tamil Nadu Salem 1658681

Tamil Nadu Namakkal 1452562

Tamil Nadu Erode 1538778

Tamil Nadu Nilgiris 1428387

Tamil Nadu Tiruppur 1608521

Tamil Nadu Coimbatore 2106124

Tamil Nadu Pollachi 1597467

Tamil Nadu Dindigul 1607051

Tamil Nadu Perambalur 1446352

Tamil Nadu Cuddalore 1412746

Tamil Nadu Chidambaram 1519847

Tamil Nadu Nagapattinam 1345120

Tamil Nadu Mayiladuthurai 1545568

Tamil Nadu Thanjavur 1501226

Tamil Nadu Karur 1429790

Tamil Nadu Tiruchirappalli 1553985

Tamil Nadu Sivaganga 1633857

Tamil Nadu Madurai 1582271

Tamil Nadu Theni 1622949

Tamil Nadu Virudhunagar 1501942

Tamil Nadu Ramanathapuram 1617688

Tamil Nadu Thoothukkudi 1458430

Tamil Nadu Tenkasi 1525439

Tamil Nadu Tirunelveli 1654503

Tamil Nadu Kanniyakumari 1557915

Tripura Tripura West 1463526

Uttar Pradesh Kairana 1722432

Uttar Pradesh Saharanpur 1855310

Uttar Pradesh Bijnor 1738307

Uttar Pradesh Nagina 1644909

Uttar Pradesh Moradabad 2059578

Uttar Pradesh Rampur 1731836

Uttar Pradesh Muzaffarnagar 1817472

Uttar Pradesh Pilibhit 1831699

West Bengal Coochbehar 1966893

West Bengal Alipurduars 1773252

West Bengal Jalpaiguri 1885963

Chhattisgarh Bastar 1472207

Uttarakhand Tehri Garhwal 1577664

Uttarakhand Haridwar 2035726

Uttarakhand Almora 1339327

Uttarakhand Garhwal 1369388

Uttarakhand Nainital-Udhamsingh Nagar 2015809

Andaman & Nicobar

Andaman & Nicobar Islands 315148
Islands

Lakshadweep Lakshadweep 57784

Puducherry Puducherry 1023699

Jammu and Kashmir Udhampur 1623195

* Number of Electors do not include count of Service Electors

Annexure-A2

Phase-2: Parliamentary Constituency wise number of Electors

State Name PC Name Electors *

Assam Darrang-Udalguri 2209314

Assam Nagaon 1817204

Assam Diphu 901032

Assam Silchar 1369578

Assam Karimganj 1412148

Bihar Kishanganj 1829994

Bihar Katihar 1833009

Bihar Purnia 1893698

Bihar Bhagalpur 1983031

Bihar Banka 1856566

Karnataka Udupi Chikmagalur 1585162

Karnataka Chitradurga 1856876

Karnataka Tumkur 1661309

Karnataka Kolar 1726914

Karnataka Bangalore North 3214496

Karnataka Bangalore Central 2433751

Karnataka Bangalore South 2341759

Karnataka Chikkballapur 1981347

Karnataka Bangalore Rural 2802580

Karnataka Hassan 1736610

Karnataka Dakshina Kannada 1817603

Karnataka Mandya 1779243

Karnataka Mysore 2092222

Karnataka Chamarajanagar 1778310

Kerala Kasaragod 1452230

Kerala Kannur 1358368

Kerala Vadakara 1421883

Kerala Kozhikode 1429631

Kerala Wayanad 1462423

Kerala Malappuram 1479921

Kerala Ponnani 1470804

Kerala Palakkad 1398143

Kerala Alathur 1337496

Kerala Thrissur 1483055

Kerala Ernakulam 1324047

Kerala Chalakudy 1310529

Kerala Idukki 1250157

Kerala Kottayam 1254823

Kerala Pathanamthitta 1429700

Kerala Alappuzha 1400083

Kerala Mavelikkara 1331880

Kerala Kollam 1326648

Kerala Attingal 1396807

Kerala Thiruvananthapuram 1430531

Madhya Pradesh Tikamgarh 1826585

Madhya Pradesh Damoh 1925314

Madhya Pradesh Satna 1705260

Madhya Pradesh Rewa 1852126

Madhya Pradesh Khajuraho 1997483

Madhya Pradesh Hoshangabad 1855692

Maharashtra Buldhana 1782700

Maharashtra Akola 1890814

Maharashtra Amravati 1836078

Maharashtra Wardha 1682771

Maharashtra Yavatmal- Washim 1940916

Maharashtra Nanded 1851843

Maharashtra Hingoli 1817734

Maharashtra Parbhani 2123056

Manipur Outer Manipur 484949

Rajasthan Tonk-Sawai Madhopur 2148128

Rajasthan Ajmer 1995699

Rajasthan Pali 2343232

Rajasthan Jodhpur 2132713

Rajasthan Barmer 2206237

Rajasthan Jalore 2297328

Rajasthan Udaipur 2230971

Rajasthan Banswara 2200438

Rajasthan Chittorgarh 2170167

Rajasthan Rajsamand 2060942

Rajasthan Bhilwara 2147159

Rajasthan Kota 2088023

Rajasthan Jhalawar-Baran 2030525

Tripura Tripura East 1396761

Uttar Pradesh Meerut 2000530

Uttar Pradesh Baghpat 1653146

Uttar Pradesh Ghaziabad 2945487

 Uttar Pradesh Amroha 1716641

Uttar Pradesh Gautam Buddha Nagar 2675148

Uttar Pradesh Bulandshahr 1859462

Uttar Pradesh Aligarh 1997234

Uttar Pradesh Mathura 1929550

West Bengal Darjeeling 1765744

West Bengal Raiganj 1790245

West Bengal Balurghat 1561966

Chhattisgarh Mahasamund 1762477

Chhattisgarh Rajnandgaon 1868021

Chhattisgarh Kanker 1654440

Jammu and Kashmir Jammu 1781545

* Number of Electors do not include count of Service Electors

Annexure-A3

Phase-3: Parliamentary Constituency wise number of Electors

State Name PC Name Electors *

Assam Kokrajhar 1484571

Assam Dhubri 2660827

Assam Barpeta 1966847

Assam Guwahati 2036846

Bihar Jhanjharpur 2003040

Bihar Supaul 1927207

Bihar Araria 2018767

Bihar Madhepura 2071166

Bihar Khagaria 1840217

Chhattisgarh Surguja 1819347

Chhattisgarh Raigarh 1838547

Chhattisgarh Janjgir-Champa 2056047

Chhattisgarh Korba 1618864

Chhattisgarh Bilaspur 2102687

Chhattisgarh Durg 2090414

Chhattisgarh Raipur 2375379

Dadra & Nagar Haveli
Daman & Diu 134189
and Daman & Diu

Dadra & Nagar Haveli

Dadar & Nagar Haveli 283024
and Daman & Diu

Goa North Goa 580577

Goa South Goa 598767

Gujarat Kachchh 1943136

Gujarat Banaskantha 1961924

Gujarat Patan 2019916

Gujarat Mahesana 1770617

Gujarat Sabarkantha 1976349

Gujarat Gandhinagar 2182736

Gujarat Ahmedabad East 2038162

Gujarat Ahmedabad West 1726987

Gujarat Surendranagar 2033419

Gujarat Rajkot 2112273

Gujarat Porbandar 1768212

Gujarat Jamnagar 1817864

Gujarat Junagadh 1795110

Gujarat Amreli 1732810

Gujarat Bhavnagar 1916900

Gujarat Anand 1780182

Gujarat Kheda 2007404

Gujarat Panchmahal 1896743

Gujarat Dahod 1875136

Gujarat Vadodara 1949573

Gujarat Chhota Udaipur 1821708

Gujarat Bharuch 1723353

Gujarat Bardoli 2048408

Gujarat Navsari 2223550

Gujarat Valsad 1859974

Karnataka Chikkodi 1761694

Karnataka Belgaum 1923788

Karnataka Bagalkot 1806183

Karnataka Bijapur 1946090

Karnataka Gulbarga 2098202

Karnataka Raichur 2010103

Karnataka Bidar 1892962

Karnataka Koppal 1866397

Karnataka Bellary 1884040

Karnataka Haveri 1792774

Karnataka Dharwad 1831975

Karnataka Uttara Kannada 1641156

Karnataka Davanagere 1709244

Karnataka Shimoga 1752885

Madhya Pradesh Morena 2006730

Madhya Pradesh Bhind 1900654

Madhya Pradesh Gwalior 2154601

Madhya Pradesh Guna 1889551

Madhya Pradesh Sagar 1745690

Madhya Pradesh Vidisha 1945404

Madhya Pradesh Bhopal 2339411

Madhya Pradesh Rajgarh 1875211

Madhya Pradesh Betul 1895331

Maharashtra Raigad 1668372

Maharashtra Baramati 2372668

Maharashtra Osmanabad 1992737

Maharashtra Latur 1977042

Maharashtra Solapur 2030119

Maharashtra Madha 1991454

Maharashtra Sangli 1868174

Maharashtra Satara 1889740

Maharashtra Ratnagiri- Sindhudurg 1451630

Maharashtra Kolhapur 1936403

Maharashtra Hatkanangale 1814277

 Uttar Pradesh Sambhal 1898202

Uttar Pradesh Hathras 1938080

Uttar Pradesh Agra 2072685

Uttar Pradesh Fatehpur Sikri 1798823

Uttar Pradesh Firozabad 1890772

Uttar Pradesh Mainpuri 1790797

Uttar Pradesh Etah 1700524

Uttar Pradesh Badaun 2008758

Uttar Pradesh Aonla 1891713

Uttar Pradesh Bareilly 1924434

West Bengal Maldaha Uttar 1862035

West Bengal Maldaha Dakshin 1782159

West Bengal Jangipur 1805360

West Bengal Murshidabad 1888097

* Number of Electors do not include count of Service Electors

***************
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Election Commission

Voter Turnout – 64.4% as of 11:40 PM for phase 3

Posted On: 07 MAY 2024 11:58PM by PIB Delhi

Polling in third phase of General Elections recorded an approximate voter turnout of 64.4% as of 11:40 pm.
The same shall continue to be updated by the field level officers as polling parties keep returning and will
be available PC wise (along with respective AC segments) live at VTR App, as was the case in phase 1 and
phase 2.

The state wise approximate voter turnout at 11:40 pm is as below:

Approximate
Sl. No. State / UT No. PCs
Voter Turnout %

1 Assam 4 81.61

2 Bihar 5 58.18

3 Chhattisgarh 7 71.06

4 Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu 2 69.87

5 Goa 2 75.20

6 Gujarat 25 58.98

7 Karnataka 14 70.41

8 Madhya Pradesh 9 66.05

9 Maharashtra 11 61.44

10 Uttar Pradesh 10 57.34

 11 West Bengal 4 75.79

Above 11 States
93 64.40
(93 PCs)

Data displayed here are as per the information being filled in the systems by the field officer. This is an
approximate trend, as data from some polling stations (PS) takes time and this trend does not include Postal
Ballot. Final actual account of votes recorded for each PS is shared in Form 17 C with all Polling agents at
close of polls.

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Ministry of Science & Technology

Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR)

commemorates Swacchta Pakhwada
Posted On: 08 MAY 2024 4:23PM by PIB Delhi

Under the auspices of the Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India, the Department of Scientific
and Industrial Research (DSIR) commemorates Swacchta Pakhwada from May 1 to May 15, 2024, in an effort to
raise awareness of cleanliness and hygiene. The first Swachhta drive was organized today at PM SHRI Kendriya
Vidyalaya, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), NCERT Campus, New Delhi.

Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Secretary, DSIR and DG CSIR addressing the campaign

The Swachhta drive began with an address of Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Secretary, DSIR and DG CSIR where she
motivated the children to become the future leaders in different walks of life. She also emphasized the
significance of cleanliness in fostering a healthy and vibrant society. Shri Surinder Pal Singh, Joint Secretary,
DSIR also encouraged the children to maintain for personal hygiene and cleanliness of their surroundings.
Thereafter the DSIR team conducted cleanliness drive and motivated the children for keeping their surroundings
clean.

Swachhta Pledge taken by entire DSIR family focused on individual’s commitment towards cleanliness,
devoting hundred hours per year for cleanliness and propagating the message of Swachh Bharat Mission. Pledge
encourages every individual to promote 100 other persons to take this pledge and make them devote their 100
hours for cleanliness. The Swacchta Pakhwada initiative aims to instill a sense of responsibility towards
cleanliness and hygiene among individuals, particularly the younger generation.
 ****

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UPSC

Union Public Service Commission announces final result of Indian

Forest Service Examination, 2023
Posted On: 08 MAY 2024 4:49PM by PIB Delhi

Based on the result of the written part of the Indian Forest Service Examination, 2023 held by the UNION
PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION from 26th November to 03rd December, 2023, and the interviews for
Personality Test held from 22nd April to 1st May, 2024, following is the list, in order of merit, of candidates who
have been recommended for appointment to the posts in Indian Forest Service.

2. A total of 147 candidates have been recommended for appointment under different categories as per the
following break-up :-

General EWS OBC SC ST TOTAL

43 20 51 11 147#

(including 01 (including 01 (including 02 22 (including 01 (including 03

PwBD-3) PwBD-3) PwBD-2) PwBD-2) PwBD-2 &
02 PwBD-3)

# 03 current vacancies of PwBD (02 PwBD-1 and 01 PwBD-3) have been carried forward to the next recruitment
year due to non availability of candidates.

3. Appointments shall be made by the Government according to the number of vacancies available and subject to
the candidates fulfilling all the prescribed eligibility conditions/provisions contained in the Rules for the
Examination and verifications, wherever due, being completed satisfactorily. The number of vacancies reported
by the Government are as under:-

General EWS OBC SC ST TOTAL

62 15 40 22 11 150*

* Including 08 PwBD vacancies (03 PwBD-1, 02 PwBD-2 & 03 PwBD-3)

4. The candidature of 51 recommended candidates with following Roll Nos. is provisional:

0102958 0114406 0227324 0300592 0310227 0322895 0337756

 0413005 0504394 0600672 0615048 0706468 0800188 0813325

0817043 0821586 0833048 0834464 0841778 0859873 0869875

0870045 1000744 1027247 1033488 1042127 1204761 1214896

1220260 1220304 1302751 1529728 1704224 2400909 2605584

2610020 2617853 5108118 5602025 5607488 5915343 6120680

6414141 6421395 6605344 6617352 6800430 7303089 7600746

7809960 8204643

5. Union Public Service Commission has a ‘Facilitation Counter’ near Examination Hall Building in its Campus.
Candidates may obtain any information/ clarification regarding their Examination/ Recruitments on working
days between 10:00 A.M. and 05:00 P.M. in person or over Telephone Nos.011-23385271 / 23381125. The
result will also be available on Commission’s Website, i.e., www.upsc.gov.in. However, marks of candidates
shall be made available on the Commission’s Website within 15 days from the date of declaration of result.

Click here to see complete result.

****

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Ministry of Science & Technology

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) - Jigyasa Hosts

Student-Science Connect program on Climate Change
Posted On: 08 MAY 2024 6:41PM by PIB Delhi

Jigyasa Division of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-National Institute of Science
Communication and Policy Research (NISCPR) hosted a Student-Science Connect program titled “Impact of
Climate Change: Food and Water Sustainability” today at the Vivekananda Hall, CSIR-NISCPR campus, New
Delhi.

The program aimed to engage school students and inspire action towards sustainability through science
education. A total of 55 students participated in the program from two schools: Kendriya Vidyalaya BSF Camp
Chawla and Cambridge School, Srinivaspuri, New Delhi.

Prof. Ranjana Aggarwal, Director, CSIR-NISCPR said, “In response to the pressing issue of climate change, we
have launched the ‘Wrinkle Achche Hain’ campaign in which staff will wear non-ironed clothes to encourage
energy conservation. Our goal is to raise awareness about climate change and inspire students to actively
participate in environmental conservation and energy-saving practices. Through this student-science connect
program, we are dedicated to nurturing a generation that is aware of their environmental impact and equipped to
make a positive difference.”

The event also featured an engaging activity called “Doing Science is Fun,” led by Shri Amit Kumar Sharma
from the Nirbhaya Science Museum, MCD, New Delhi. A visit to the SVASTIK Exhibition was also a part of the
event. Principal Investigator and Nodal of the CSIR-NIScPR Jigyasa project, Dr. Suman Ray (Principal
Scientist), Dr. Shiv Narayan Nishad, Senior Scientist and Dr. Kanika Malik, Sr. Principal Scientist CSIR-NIScPR
were also present for the event.

***

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Ministry of Mines

26 States Participate in the Workshop on State Mining Index

Organized by Mines Ministry to Discuss and Finalize the Indicators of
Performance
Posted On: 08 MAY 2024 4:25PM by PIB Delhi

Ministry of Mines, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology-Indian School of Mines (IIT-ISM),
Dhanbad successfully organized a one-day workshop on State Mining Index, here today. The Index would serve
as a tool for stakeholders of the mining sector to understand various aspects related to the Ease of Doing Mining
Business within a State.

The workshop was chaired by Secretary, Ministry of Mines, Shri V. L. Kantha Rao. In his keynote address, Shri
Rao emphasized the importance of States’ efforts in the development of mining sector getting properly reflected
in the policy narrative. He emphasized the importance of having a State Mining Index, which will promote
cooperative federalism as well as competition among States. Emphasizing the active participation of States being
important in making the exercise successful, he requested the States to help in data collection efforts by properly
submitting the statistical returns in time.
The workshop brought together policymakers, administrators and practitioners from the Central and State
governments. Principal Secretaries, Directors and other officials from 26 States actively participated in the
workshop to discuss and finalize the indicators and sub-indicators of performance which form part of the Index
framework and methodology. Post consultations and feedback from the States, the Framework of the State
Mining Index will be finalized and released in July 2024 for actual ranking to take place in April 2025.

****

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Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

International Thalassemia Day

Union Health Secretary stresses on importance of timely detection and prevention for
addressing Thalassemia

"By integrating compulsory Thalassemia testing into RCH program, burden of

Thalassemia can be significantly alleviated"

Emphasizes on critical need for wide awareness on Thalassemia among the masses;
launches an awareness video

Posted On: 08 MAY 2024 3:42PM by PIB Delhi

Shri Apurva Chandra, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare stressed on the importance of timely
detection and prevention of Thalassemia to tackle the disease. He stated that only by preventing it at the right
time, can the burden of this disease be curtailed. The Union Health Secretary was speaking at an event to mark
the International Thalassemia Day, here today.

Speaking on the occasion, the Union Health Secretary stated, “Timely detection and prevention are the most
effective strategies to tackle Thalassemia.” He added that there are almost 1 lakh Thalassemia patients in the
country, with approximately 10,000 new cases reported each year. He emphasized on the urgency for proactive
intervention aided by timely detection through screening.

Shri Apurva Chandra also highlighted the critical need for wide awareness around the subject. He stated that
“Still many people are unaware of this disease and how this can be prevented. It is imperative that all
stakeholders in this arena collaborate for a nationwide campaign to enhance awareness on Thalaseemia”. As a
significant step in this direction, he launched a video made in collaboration with the Indian Association of
Pediatrics and Thalassemics India to promote effective prevention methods and optimal treatment for
Thalassemia
(https://youtu.be/H__bidXcanE?si=-_87PEPxAdsPNaw1).

Union Health Secretary also advocated for inclusion of compulsory Thalassemia testing in the existing
reproductive and child health (RCH) programs under NHM as a means to curtail the prevalence of the disease.
He added that some states have included this in their public health programs and activities; other states will be
urged to include and expand screening and testing for Thalassemia.

Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder that causes a body to have less hemoglobin than normal. Celebrated
every year, International Thalassemia Day serves as a crucial platform to emphasize the importance of disease
prevention, raise awareness, sensitize stakeholders, promote early detection, and ensure quality care for those
affected by thalassemia. This year's theme, "Empowering Lives, Embracing Progress: Equitable and Accessible
Thalassemia Treatment for All," encapsulates the collective mission toward universal access to comprehensive
Thalassemia care.

Ms. Aradhana Patnaik, AS&MD (NHM); Dr. G. V. Basavaraja, President, Indian Academy of Pediatrics; Ms.
Shobha Tuli, Secretary, Thalassemics India; Dr. Manas Kalra, Honorary Secretary, PHO Chapter of IAP and
other senior officials from Union Health Ministry were present on the occasion.

*****

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Ministry of Finance

Sixteenth Finance Commission (XVIFC) invites suggestions/views

from general public, institutions and organisations on issues related to
its terms of reference
Posted On: 08 MAY 2024 4:23PM by PIB Delhi

The Sixteenth Finance Commission (XVIFC) invites suggestions/views from general public, interested
organisations and individuals on the terms of reference for the XVIFC as specified below, as well as the general
approach that the XVIFC may adopt. Views are also invited on any other issue relevant to the work of the
XVIFC.

Suggestions may be submitted through the website of the 16th Finance Commission
https://fincomindia.nic.in/portal/feedback) under the section ‘Call for Suggestions’.

The Sixteenth Finance Commission (XVIFC) has been constituted in pursuance of the provisions of the
Constitution of India by the President with Dr. Arvind Panagariya as Chairman vide a Notification dated 31st
December 2023. The XVIFC is required to make recommendations covering a period of five years commencing
on 01st April 2026 as to the following matters:

i. The distribution between the Union and the States of the net proceeds of taxes which are to be, or
may be, divided between them under Chapter I, Part XII of the Constitution and the allocation
between the States of the respective shares of such proceeds;
ii. The principles which should govern the grants-in-aid of the revenues of the States out of the
Consolidated Fund of India and the sums to be paid to the States by way of grants-in-aid of their
revenues under article 275 of the Constitution for the purposes other than those specified in the
provisos to clause (1) of that article; and
iii. The measures needed to augment the Consolidated Fund of a State to supplement the resources of
the Panchayats and Municipalities in the State on the basis of the recommendations made by the
Finance Commission of the State.

The XVIFC is also mandated to review the present arrangements on financing Disaster Management initiatives,
with reference to the funds constituted under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 (53 of 2005), and make
appropriate recommendations thereon.

****

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Ministry of Defence

ICG rescues critically-ill fisherman off Kerala Coast

Posted On: 08 MAY 2024 11:37AM by PIB Delhi

Indian Coast Guard (ICG) rescued a critically-ill fisherman from Indian Fishing Boat (IFB) Jazeera, about 40
nautical miles, off Beypore, Kerala on May 07, 2024. The fisherman experienced a near-drowning incident after
he fell into the sea. He was rescued by the IFB but his health condition deteriorated due to the excess water in the
lungs.

The boat, then, made a medical distress call, which was responded to by the ICG. It mobilised its Advanced
Light Helicopter with a medical team from Kochi, along with Aryaman & C-404 ships. The ICG assets located
the IFB and the patient was airlifted to Kochi. He was later shifted to a nearby hospital.

The swift and prompt coordination by the ICG saved another life at sea, in line with its motto ‘Vayam
Rakshama’.

***

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Ministry of Defence

Indian Coast Guard inks MoU with private sector for indigenous
marine grade steel to enhance indigenous content in shipbuilding
Posted On: 08 MAY 2024 12:12PM by PIB Delhi

Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Jindal Steel & Power (JSP), on May 07, 2024, signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi for the supply of indigenous marine grade steel to enhance the indigenous
content in shipbuilding. Through this partnership, both entities have committed to foster indigenisation, enhance
capabilities to produce and use these items in the Nation’s interest.

The MoU underscores the importance of public-private partnerships in addressing complex security challenges,
emphasising the need for collaboration between government agencies and the private sector. Several key benefits
including quality, grades and dimensions along with the designated steel plants to manufacture the product are
stipulated in the MoU as an assurance to the shipbuilding yards for a timely supply of marine-grade steel for the
ICG.

The MoU was signed by Deputy Director General (Materiel & Maintenance), ICG IG HK Sharma and Chief
Marketing Officer, JSP Shri SK Pradhan in the presence of senior officers of the ICG.

***

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Ministry of Defence

AWPO SUMMIT 2024 – CONVERGING REQUIREMENTS OF

BUSINESSES & INDUSTRY WITH VETERANS
Posted On: 08 MAY 2024 9:53PM by PIB Delhi

The Army Welfare Placement Organisation (AWPO) today, organised the AWPO Summit 2024 in Manekshaw
Centre, New Delhi. The Summit witnessed convergence of notable personalities from various sectors to include
veteran entrepreneurs, veterans leading in the field of businesses and industry, corporate entities, representatives
from government and social sector.

The aim of the Summit was to bring together different stakeholders on a common platform, to bridge the gap
between requirements of enterprise and core competencies possessed by the veterans. While the demand for a
skilled and experienced workforce exists at the industry end, a disciplined human resource pool of veterans with
adequate experience and unique skill sets exit from active service each year. Such a resource pool provides an
opportunity to the industry to absorb this workforce. The Summit was an endeavour to synergise the two
converging requirements. The AWPO Summit assisted in strengthening the linkages of the veteran community
with the industry, PSUs and Quasi Government organisations. The presence of Corporate Heads, representatives
of Industry, Start Ups, Ministry and Government Officials in the Summit, underscored this facet.

General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), in his remarks, emphasised the invaluable contributions
of veterans to the nation's prosperity and reiterated the commitment of the Indian Army to facilitate their
integration into various sectors. He said that veterans bring with them, a unique set of qualities and experiences
that can be harnessed by the industry. He acknowledged the opportunities provided by several corporate houses
and enterprises to veterans and added that veterans bring with them a unique set of qualities and experiences.
The COAS mentioned that services to the nation by the veterans do not end when they bid farewell to military
life, instead it transitions into a new chapter or second innings of dedication and commitment to the society and
nation building. He urged all to recognize the potential of the words - ‘भूतपूर्व सैनिक, अभूतपूर्व योगदान’.

The COAS underscored that Indian Army has undertaken the process of holistic skill certification, as per the core
competency of each individual, in collaborative efforts with the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Skill
Development and Entrepreneurship. He also mentioned that initiatives such as Project KAUSHALVEER help
serving personnel in acquiring certification for skill sets as per established industry standards thereby meeting
the requirements of both stakeholders. He mentioned that the veterans, with diverse knowledge, experience,
managerial acumen and adaptability can contribute in fields such as entrepreneurship, HR consultancy,
mentorship, education, crisis management, infrastructure development, healthcare etc.

The COAS further highlighted that Veer Naris also bring with them unparalleled determination and resilience
and urged the entrepreneurs to integrate them as part of their initiatives on human capital intake, from the
‘uniformed community’. He emphasised that the Veer Naris also possess vocational skills, entrepreneurship
acumen and aptitudes in many professional domains.

This Summit was an endeavour in Indian Army’s pursuit to evolve an institutionalised support eco-system for the
veterans. Insightful perspectives were put forth by panelists from different fields on the entire landscape of
avenues, potential, challenges and initiatives with respect to absorption of veterans into new roles. Veterans who
have established themselves into a successful second career, also shared their experiences and success stories.
The subjects were discussed across three main themes, aimed at fostering synergy between veterans and various
sectors with an important role in nation building.

Theme 1: Harnessing Veterans' Potential & Experience. The panel for Theme 1 included distinguished
Veteran Entrepreneurs such as Major V P Sharma (Retired) from Gratitude Farms, Colonel Subhash Deswal
(Retired), the Carrot King of India, Naik Shivaji Dole (Retired), who took initiative to revive Venkateshwara Co-
operative which practices agro farming, organic farming and water conservation, and Naik Daljinder Singh
(Retired), an entrepreneur and established businessman. The discussion was moderated by Major General Ajay
Singh Chauhan, Managing Director, AWPO and Brigadier Vikas Bhardwaj from the Directorate of Indian Army
Veterans. The session focussed on veterans’ potential as entrepreneurs, success stories of achievers and the way
ahead. The panelists delved into their inspiring journeys, challenges faced, and the roadmap ahead. Key points
discussed were the unexplored potential of veterans in innovative sectors and strategic entrepreneurship that
align with national growth imperatives.

Theme 2: Skills Required to Meet Public and Private Sector Needs. Addressing the need for skilled
workforce integration, the session highlighted the significance of the Skilling & Training Ecosystem. The panel
for the theme included Colonel Sunil Prem (Retired) from Brisk Olive, Lieutenant Colonel Iqbal Singh (Retired)
from Google India and Major Md Ali Shah (Retired). The discussion was moderated by Major General Deepak
Sapra (Retired). The session focussed on skills needed in corporate/ industry and strengthening capabilities for
veterans in the emerging industrial landscape. The panelists explored avenues, challenges, and strategies to
effectively harness the unique skills and experiences veterans bring to the table. They underscored the essential
role veterans play in bridging the skills gap in both public and private sectors and deliberated on the road map to
explore the veterans’ potential.

Theme 3: Unveiling Opportunities for Veterans in India’s Growth Story. This session explored the diverse
skill sets of veterans, widows, and dependents, showcasing their potential in emerging sectors of both the public
and private sectors. The panel for the theme included Major General Rajesh Jha (Retired), Director NEEPCO,
Colonel RS Bhatia (Retired), Chairman & MD Bharat Forge Ltd, Mr Gurdeep Singh, CMD of NTPC and Ms
Anuradha Prasad, Founder & CEO of India Leaders for Social Sector (ILSS). The session was moderated by
Major General Ajay Singh Chauhan (Retired), MD, AWPO. The discussions centred around strategies to enhance
veterans' potential and opportunities in the social sector. This comprehensive dialogue addressed the multifaceted
contributions and tremendous capacities of veterans in furthering India’s social and economic frameworks.

The Summit has been a catalyst for dialogue, collaboration and inspiration, spotlighting vital role of veterans in
India's progress. It is crucial for all industries to recognise and utilise unique strengths and skill sets of the
veterans by having matching policies for their smooth transition into civilian roles. The nation's growth hinges
on nurturing the veterans, whose ongoing contributions are essential for sustained progress and collective
wellbeing. Assimilation of skilled and disciplined resource pool of veterans into industry and services sectors
will be a win- win situation for both and a game changing venture.
*******
SC

(Release ID: 2020036) Visitor Counter : 1529

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Ministry of Culture

National Archives of India Acquires the private paper collection of

Late Shri Rafi Ahmad Kidwai
Posted On: 08 MAY 2024 5:57PM by PIB Delhi

National Archives of India (NAI) has acquired the private paper collection of Late Shri Rafi Ahmad Kidwai,
comprising original correspondences of Shri Kidwai with other eminent leaders like Pt. Nehru, Sardar Patel,
Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, P.D. Tandon etc. These papers were handed over to D.G. NAI by Shri Faiz Ahmad
Kidwai (IAS), Additional Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, in the presence of Smt. Tazeen
Kidwai, daughter of Late Shri Hussain Kamil Kidwai, youngest brother Shri Rafi Ahmad Kidwai and Ms. Sarah
Manaal Kidwai.

National Archives of India is the custodian of the non-current records of the Government of India and holds them
in trust for the use of administrators and researchers as per the provision of Public Record Act 1993. As a
premier archival Institution, National Archives of India plays a key role in guiding and shaping archival
consciousness. Apart from the vast collection of public records, NAI has a rich and ever-growing collection of
private papers of eminent Indians from all walks of life, who have made significant contributions to our nation.
Shri Rafi Ahmad Kidwai was a man of vivacity, brilliance and charm who is known for his ceaseless efforts
towards Independence of our country and for refuting communalism and superstitions of every type. Born on
February 18, 1894, in Masauli, Uttar Pradesh, he hailed from a middle-class zamindar family. His political
journey began in 1920 with his involvement in the Khilafat Movement and the Non-Cooperation Movement,
leading to imprisonment. Kidwai served as the Private Secretary to Motilal Nehru and later held significant
positions in the Congress Legislative Assembly and the United Provinces Congress Committee. His political
acumen led him to become a Minister in Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant's cabinet, where he managed Revenue and
Jail portfolios. Post-independence, he served as India's first Minister for Communications in Jawaharlal Nehru's
cabinet, launching initiatives like the "own your telephone" service and night air mail. In 1952, he took charge of
the Food and Agriculture portfolio, successfully tackling food rationing challenges with his administrative skills.

Kidwai's dedication to liberating India and strengthening the nation remained unwavering throughout his
political career. His contributions were recognized with the creation of the Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Award by the
Indian Council of Agricultural Research in 1956. Kidwai's tenure as Communication Minister earned him a
reputation for innovation and effectiveness, while his leadership in the Food Ministry was hailed as a triumph
over adversity, earning him the moniker of a magician and a miracle man. Rafi Ahmed Kidwai indeed embodied
action and dedication in his pursuit of Indian independence and later in his administrative roles. His ability to
swiftly address crises and implement innovative solutions highlights his remarkable leadership qualities. His
contributions to various sectors, from communications to agriculture, left a lasting impact on the nation's
development. His legacy as a committed freedom fighter and a skilled administrator continues to inspire
generations.
 ***

BY/ SKT

(Release ID: 2019993) Visitor Counter : 1734

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Election Commission

695 candidates to contest elections across 8 States/UTs going for polls

in Phase 5 of Lok Sabha Elections 2024

1586 Nomination forms filed for 49 PCs across 8 States/UTs for Phase 5

Posted On: 08 MAY 2024 2:46PM by PIB Delhi

695 candidates from 8 States /UTs to contest elections in Phase-5 of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. A total of
1586 nominations were filed for 49 PCs across 8 States /UTs going for polls in Phase- 5 for the Lok Sabha
Elections 2024. The last date for filing nominations for phase 5 for all 8 States/UTs was May 3, 2024. After
the scrutiny of all nominations filed, 749 nominations were found to be valid.

In Phase-5, Maharashtra had a maximum of 512 nomination forms from 13 Parliamentary Constituencies,
followed by Uttar Pradesh with 466 nominations from 14 PCs. 4-Chatra Parliamentary Constituency in
Jharkhand received a maximum of 69 nomination forms followed by 35-Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh with 67
nomination forms. Average number of contesting candidates in a PC for 5th Phase is 14.

State/UT wise details for Phase 5 of General Election to Lok Sabha Election 2024:

Nomination After
Number of Valid
withdrawal,
PCs in fifth candidates after
forms final Contesting
State/UT
phase scrutiny
received Candidates

Bihar 5 164 82 80

Jammu & Kashmir 1 38 23 22

Jharkhand 3 148 57 54

Ladakh 1 8 5 3

Maharashtra 13 512 301 264

Odisha 5 87 41 40
 Uttar Pradesh 14 466 147 144

West Bengal 7 163 93 88

Total 49 1586 749 695

******

DK/RP

(Release ID: 2019950) Visitor Counter : 21306

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Manipuri , Punjabi , Gujarati , Odia , Tamil
Election Commission

Voter Turnout – 65.68% as of 10 PM for phase 3

Posted On: 08 MAY 2024 11:05PM by PIB Delhi

The updated approximate voter turnout figures for polling in third phase of General Elections stands at
65.68% at 10 pm on 08.05.2024. The same shall continue to be updated by the field level officers and will
be available PC wise (along with respective AC segments) live at VTR App.

The state wise approximate voter turnout at 10 pm on 08.05.2024, as also available live on VTR App
is as below:

Approximate
Sl. No. State / UT No. PCs
Voter Turnout %

1 Assam 4 85.45

2 Bihar 5 59.14

3 Chhattisgarh 7 71.98

4 Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu 2 71.31

5 Goa 2 76.06

6 Gujarat 25 60.13

7 Karnataka 14 71.84

8 Madhya Pradesh 9 66.74

9 Maharashtra 11 63.55
 10 Uttar Pradesh 10 57.55

11 West Bengal 4 77.53

Above 11 States
93 65.68
(93 PCs)

Data displayed here are as per the information being filled in the systems by the field officer. This is an
approximate trend, as data from some polling stations (PS) takes time and this trend does not include
Postal Ballot. Final actual account of votes recorded for each PS is shared in Form 17 C with all Polling
agents at close of polls.

***************

DK/RP

(Release ID: 2020037) Visitor Counter : 1635

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UPSC

Union Public Service Commission announces written results of

National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination, (I) 2024
Posted On: 09 MAY 2024 6:33PM by PIB Delhi

On the basis of the result of the written part of the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination,
(I) 2024 held by the Union Public Service Commission on 21st April, 2024, candidates with the under mentioned
Roll Nos. have qualified for interview by the Services Selection Board (SSB) of the Ministry of Defence for
Admission to Army, Navy and Air Force Wings of the National Defence Academy for the 153rd Course and for
the 115th Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC) commencing from 2nd January, 2025. The result is also
available at Commission’s website www.upsc.gov.in.

2. The candidature of all the candidates, whose Roll Nos. are shown in the list is provisional. In accordance with
the conditions of their admission to the examination, “candidates are requested to register themselves online
on the Indian Army Recruiting website joinindianarmy.nic.in within two weeks of announcement of
written result. The successful candidates would then be allotted Selection Centers and dates, of SSB
interview which shall be communicated on registered e-mail ID. Any candidate who has already registered
earlier on the site will not be required to do so. In case of any query/ Login problem, e-mail be forwarded
to dir-recruiting6-mod[at]nic[dot]in.”

“Candidates are also requested to submit original certificates of Age and Educational Qualification to
respective Service Selection Boards (SSBs) during the SSB interview.” The candidates must not send the
Original Certificates to the Union Public Service Commission. For any further information, the candidates may
contact Facilitation Counter near Gate ‘C’ of the Commission, either in person or on telephone Nos. 011-
23385271/011-23381125/011-23098543 between 10:00 hours and 17:00 hours on any working day. In addition
for SSB/Interview related matter the candidates may contact over telephone no. 011-26175473 or
joinindianarmy.nic.in for Army as first choice, 011-23010097/ Email: officer-navy[at]nic[dot]in or
joinindiannavy.gov.in for Navy/ Naval Academy as first choice and 011-23010231 Extn. 7645/7646/7610 or
www.careerindianairforce.cdac.in for Air Force as first choice.

3. The mark-sheets of the candidates will be put on the Commission’s website within fifteen (15) days from the
date of publication of final result. (After concluding SSB Interviews) and will remain available on the website
for a period of thirty (30) days.

Click here for Complete Result.

***

PK/PSM

(Release ID: 2020107) Visitor Counter : 740

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Ministry of New and Renewable Energy

IREDA incorporates "IREDA Global Green Energy Finance IFSC

Limited” in GIFT City, Gujarat
Posted On: 09 MAY 2024 5:37PM by PIB Delhi

Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. (IREDA) has incorporated a wholly owned subsidiary in
the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) located in GIFT City, Gujarat. Named "IREDA Global Green
Energy Finance IFSC Limited," the subsidiary was officially incorporated on 7th May, 2024. Earlier, on 8th
February, 2024, the Reserve Bank of India gave its No Objection letter to set up the finance company in IFSC
GIFT City.

Commenting on the development, Chairperson & Managing Director of IREDA Shri Pradip Kumar Das, said
that IREDA's presence in GIFT City signifies a momentous step in its mission to pioneer innovative approaches
to green financing. “This subsidiary not only positions IREDA to extend its global reach but also acts as an
offshore platform for securing competitive funding to drive the renewable energy sector's growth, aligning with
the Government of India’s ambitious ‘Panchamrit’ targets.”

The CMD added that IREDA's entry into the IFSC is anticipated to unlock fresh business prospects and establish
its global footprint in the renewable energy sector. “This strategic step is in line with IREDA’s vision of
facilitating sustainable development through renewable energy investments, both domestically and
internationally. With IREDA's presence in the IFSC, we anticipate greater access to innovative financing
alternatives and enhanced collaboration with international investors, encouraging the advancement of renewable
energy projects in the country and abroad.”

***

PIB DELHI | Kripa Shankar Yadav / Dheep Joy Mampilly

(Release ID: 2020099) Visitor Counter : 1953

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Ministry of Textiles

India’s Technical Textiles market has huge potential backed by a

significant growth rate of 10%: Textiles Secretary

Application of advanced composites is a strategic decision on a blend of performance

requirements and cost consideration: Member NITI Ayog

Ministry of Textiles organized National Symposium on Advancements in Composites,

Speciality Fibres and Chemicals

Posted On: 09 MAY 2024 5:45PM by PIB Delhi

The Ministry of Textiles in partnership with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Ahmedabad Textiles
Industries’ Research Associations (ATIRA) organized a National Symposium on Advancements in Composites,
Speciality Fibres and Chemicals here in New Delhi today.

India’s Technical Textiles market has a huge potential backed by a significant growth rate of 10% and placement
as the 5th largest technical textiles market in the world, said Mrs Rachna Shah, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles
while addressing the symposium.

She further said that that composites has distinct structural and physical features, which make them suitable for
specific applications across various sectors. For example, in infrastructure development, aerospace, automotive
sector, Military and Defence sector, medical devices, composite materials, among others. She highlighted the
significance and importance of institutional buyers, user Ministries and industries in the adoption of technical
textiles and products made out of specialty fibres and composites.
A collaborative approach among stakeholders including industry representatives, policymakers, researchers, and
investors is imperative to address the cost implications in the field of composites and specialty fibres and work
together in increasing awareness and education for wider adoption by the larger community for the growth of the
sector, she added.

Dr Vijay Kumar Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog, highlighted that the specialty fibres are the building blocks of
the advanced composites and its choice is a strategic decision on a blend of performance requirements and cost
consideration.

He mentioned that specialty fibres like aramids, carbon fibre, zylon, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene
(UHMWPE), glass fibre, ceramic fibre can be tailored for diverse applications and strategic needs, such as Fire
Retardant fabrics, Bullet Resistant Jackets, ropes and cables, windmills (renewable energy) and in gas and
chemical filtration respectively. He highlighted the top trends in composite materials including but not limited to
high performance resins and adhesives, carbon fibre based materials light weighting advanced polymer
composites, biomaterials, nanocomposites, intelligence design and manufacturing.

He elucidated the advancements in material science are not just about creating stronger or lighter materials, but
also about ensuring their sustainable use through material circularity. He also stressed that the demand for bio-
composites is increasing due to growth in its adoption by construction, furniture industry and increased
compatibility in medical applications.

Dr Saraswat also said advanced composites and specialty fibres are continuously evolving with research, pushing
the boundaries of fibre performance. Future developments will include fibres with even greater strength and
stiffness, enhanced thermal properties and even self-healing capabilities. He also emphasised that although
composite materials have been around for many years, the industry is still amid innovation and evolution. There
is a need to adopt sustainable practices which will be a key feature of the composites industry going forward.

Shri Ajay Kumar Rana, Director General, RDSO during his address talked about the use of geotextiles and geo-
composites in the railways sector. He highlighted the use of geotextiles, geogrids, pre-fabricated vertical drains
(PVDs) for load bearing applications, slope erosion protection control application, drainage, separation, filtration
etc. He also stated RDSO is actively working in developing new guidelines and standards for use of geo-
composites in railways sector, in association with BIS.

Shri Rajeev Saxena, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Textiles suggested technical textiles is one of the fastest
growing segment with a strong global demand. The technical textiles industry holds immense potential to drive
productivity, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and innovative solutions across engineering and general applications.
He highlighted that NTTM is a flagship mission with a view to position India as the Global Leader in Technical
Textiles. During his speech, Shri Saxena elucidated various guidelines under the NTTM mission related to
Research & Innovation, Start-up, machinery development, internship, education and skilling.

While deliberating on the importance of composites, he stated that textile composite materials are replacing the
conventional materials in several fields.

Shri Nilesh M Desai, Director, Space Applications Centre (SAC/ISRO) said that SAC is the second largest
research centre of ISRO with a long association with ATIRA. He said that space and aerospace is going to be a
major area for composites applications, due to its light weight and durable properties. CFRP and Asto glass fibres
are majorly used nowadays in space and aerospace sector.

Around 150 participants attended the conference including Officials and Representatives from Central
Ministries, user Departments of Central and State Governments, industry leaders, scientific experts, researchers,
and professionals related to technical textiles.
 *****

AD/NS

(Release ID: 2020101) Visitor Counter : 3297

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Ministry of Home Affairs

President of India presents 2 Padma Vibhushan, 9 Padma Bhushan

and 56 Padma Shri Awards for the year 2024 at Civil Investiture
Ceremony-II held at Rashtrapati Bhawan
Posted On: 09 MAY 2024 8:55PM by PIB Delhi

The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu presented 2 Padma Vibhushan, 9 Padma Bhushan and 56 Padma
Shri Awards for the year 2024 at the Civil Investiture Ceremony-II held with grandeur in Darbar Hall of the
Rashtrapati Bhawan today.

The Vice President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister
and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, many Ministers of the Union and other dignitaries were present on
the occasion.

After the Investiture Ceremony, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah and other
Union Ministers interacted with the Padma Awardees at a dinner hosted by the Home Minister at his residence in
New Delhi.

The Padma Awardees will pay homage at the National War Memorial tomorrow morning (May 10, 2024).They
will also visit Rashtrapati Bhawan and Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya.

*****

RK/VV/ASH/PS

(Release ID: 2020150) Visitor Counter : 2611

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Ministry of Finance

Dr. Vivek Joshi chairs workshop on ‘State of Artificial Intelligence in

Banks’ with representatives from 12 Public Sector Banks and other
financial institutions under DFS

Workshop aimed to enhance understanding of AI technologies and their impact on

financial services industry and witnessed discussions on various case studies and strategies
for implementing AI in banking sector

Posted On: 09 MAY 2024 7:35PM by PIB Delhi

Dr. Vivek Joshi, Secretary, Department of Financial Services (DFS), chaired a workshop on the ‘State of
Artificial Intelligence in Banks’ as part of its lecture series, in New Delhi, today. The NASSCOM made a
presentation during the workshop to provide banks and financial institutions with insights into best practices for
AI adoption and risk mitigation.

The event featured several industry experts who shared their experiences and insights on the AI. Besides, DFS
Secretary, attendees included senior officials from the DFS, CEOs, MDs, CTOs, and CDOs from 12 Public
Sector Banks (PSBs), as well as MDs and CEOs from various financial institutions under administrative control
of DFS and delegates from NASSCOM.
The workshop served as a platform for participants to learn about various case studies and strategies for
implementing AI in the banking sector. By leveraging the expertise of industry leaders, the workshop aimed to
enhance the understanding of AI technologies and their potential impact on the financial services industry. The
industry experts discussed how AI can be used to enhance customer service, make better decisions regarding
credit, detect fraud and defaults, manage risks early, and boost employee productivity and efficiency.

The workshop also addressed the emerging challenges of AI in terms of data governance, cybersecurity,
transparency and compliance.

****

NB/VM/KMN

(Release ID: 2020119) Visitor Counter : 2246

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Ministry of Education

Shri Sanjay Kumar chairs meeting for achieving the broader

objectives of Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE)
Posted On: 09 MAY 2024 2:55PM by PIB Delhi

Secretary, School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, Shri Sanjay Kumar, chaired a meeting for
achieving the broader objectives of Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE), at Ambedkar International
Centre, New Delhi today. The representatives of the Ministry of Women & Child Development (MoWCD),
States, and Autonomous bodies of the Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSE&L) attended the
meeting. As envisioned under the National Curriculum Framework-Foundational Stage (NCF-FS) a continuum
of pre-school education and School education is required for seamless transition and quality ECCE.

Speaking on this occasion Shri Sanjay Kumar set the context of the meeting and highlighted the importance of
every stakeholder in quality ECCE. Shri Kumar reiterated that it was heartening to see various initiatives taken
by MoWCD and various States/UTs.

The need to have three Balvatikas for 3 to 6-year-olds for pre-primary in all CBSE and Kendriya Vidyalayas
having Class 1 was emphasised during the meeting. Co-locating Anganwadis with primary schools in villages
was recommended in coordination with WCD, in a decentralised manner to get a proper preschool education
and smooth transition to Grade 1.

It was also suggested to use Jaadui Pitara at the Government schools with pre-primary classes for a well-
rounded learning experience. It was suggested that NCERT can work with state officials to assess existing
learning toys, ensuring alignment with NCF-FS goals.

It was also suggested that MoE and WCD should collaborate to link Poshan Tracker and UDISE+ data to track
pre-primary to Class-1 transitions. States can define parameters and use Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for
Jaadui Pitara materials to ensure transparency and efficiency in procurement.
Discussions were also held on the standardization of branding for programs such as NIPUN Bharat, Jaadui
Pitara, e Jaadui Pitara and Vidya Pravesh across states to enhance visibility and recognition.

It was suggested that the adopted and adapted version of Jaadui Pitara should correspond with the prescribed
learning outcomes curated by NCERT for Jaadui Pitara. NCERT should support SCERTs in following the
designated Learning Outcomes.

The need for proper training of preschool teachers and Anganwadi Worker (AWW) was also discussed at length
during the meeting.

***

SS/AK

(Release ID: 2020072) Visitor Counter : 2018

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Ministry of Development of North-East Region

MDoNER hosts countdown to International Day of Yoga -2024 at

Vigyan Bhawan Annexe, New Delhi
Posted On: 09 MAY 2024 12:22PM by PIB Delhi

In anticipation of the upcoming International Day of Yoga, the Ministry of Development of North Eastern
Region (MDoNER) organized a countdown event at VigyanBhawan Annexe in New Delhi. Secretary and
officers/officials of MDoNER and CISF officers and staff posted in VigyanBhawan Annexe, activelyparticipated
under the guidance of Yoga Instructor and Demonstrators from MDNIY highlighting the timeless benefits of
yoga deeply ingrained in Indian heritage.

The event featured dynamic yoga practices aimed at nurturing holistic well-being. Secretary DoNER emphasized
yoga's role in promoting physical, mental, and spiritual health

As MDoNER hosts the countdown to this transformative day, it reaffirms India’s commitment to nurturing a
culture of health and wellness through yoga. The event at Vigyan Bhawan serves as a reminder of yoga’s
universal appeal and its enduring relevance in addressing contemporary challenges.
Yoga, with its roots in ancient Indian tradition, has been widely recognized for its positive impact on physical,
mental, and spiritual health. MDoNER's event highlights the importance of incorporating yoga into daily life for
a healthier and more balanced lifestyle.

****

MG/MS/SK/VL

(Release ID: 2020061) Visitor Counter : 1384

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Ministry of Defence

CDS Gen Anil Chauhan to chair Parivartan Chintan – Il, a two-day

conference on jointness & integration of Armed Forces on 9-10 May
Posted On: 09 MAY 2024 8:42AM by PIB Delhi

In light of the imminent Theaterization, the Indian Armed Forces are intent on giving momentum to the ongoing
Jointness and Integration initiatives amongst the three services.

“Parivartan Chintan”, a pioneering conference for the heads of all Tri-services Institutes, aimed at generating
novel reformative ideas & initiatives, was conducted on 08 Apr 2024. Parivartan Chintan – Il, chaired by Chief
of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, is planned over a period of two days on 09-10 May 2024 in New Delhi.

Members from all the sub-committees of the apex Chiefs of Staff Committee; the CDS as its permanent
Chairman and the three Service Chiefs, shall review the progress made in multiple domains, and ideate on the
necessary reforms to achieve the desired end state towards transformation through jointness and integration.

****

ABB/Anand

(Release ID: 2020038) Visitor Counter : 1646

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Ministry of Defence

DRDO organises two-day National Symposium & Industry Meet on

‘Emerging Technologies in Infrastructure Development’ in New Delhi

Defence Secretary calls for achieving self-reliance to deal with future challenges

Urges Infra firms to contribute in Govt’s efforts towards development of border areas

Posted On: 09 MAY 2024 4:06PM by PIB Delhi

A National Symposium and Industry Meet on ‘Emerging Technologies in Infrastructure Development’, organised
by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), was inaugurated by Defence Secretary Shri
Giridhar Aramane in New Delhi on May 09, 2024. The two-day event, with the participation from the Armed
Forces, academia, industry and DRDO, aims to foster dialogue, exchange knowledge and explore innovative
approaches to address the challenges and opportunities presented by emerging technologies in infrastructure
development in line with the vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.

In his address, the Defence Secretary emphasised on the need to achieve self-reliance in every field to deal with
future challenges. He stated that India is a country with a significant percentage of young population, and self-
reliance will ensure gainful employment to them.

Underlining the importance of achieving ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence, Shri Giridhar Aramane asserted that there
is no trusted trend in geopolitics, and India cannot depend on other countries for its security & safeguarding
national interests. He stressed that self-reliance will help the country take giant strides on the path of becoming a
developed nation by 2047.

Highlighting the emphasis being laid by the Government on infrastructure development along the borders, the
Defence Secretary exhorted the infrastructure firms to contribute in further strengthening the apparatus. He
added that while the Armed Forces personnel are being provided with latest weapons/equipment, the private
sector should contribute in bolstering the infrastructure set-up in the border areas. He referred to the Vibrant
Villages Programme which aims to motivate people to stay in their native locations in border areas, and urged
the firms to set up a separate section, within their respective organisations, which focuses on development in far-
flung areas.

Shri Giridhar Aramane stated that the DRDO is extending support to the private sector in Research &
Development, and together they can come up with new innovations to build faster & better in the times to come.
He called upon the industry to walk hand-in-hand with the government, and focus more on the mass production
of quality products in a time-bound manner. He also urged the industry to collaborate with the academia to
enhance the skills of the workforce, which can help realise a technology into a product.

Speaking on the occasion, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat
emphasised on the importance of infrastructure in the development of a nation. He stated that India is witnessing
a phenomenal growth in the field of technical infrastructure, which is required to maintain the country’s strategic
deterrence.

The DRDO Chairman added that technology is evolving rapidly, and the necessity of sustainable infrastructure
and green infrastructure is now becoming a part of technical domain. “It's time to explore ways to incorporate the
latest technologies in our technical infrastructure. We have made a good start, but work needs to be done to catch
up with the best practices," he said.
Director General, Resource & Management Shri Purushottam Bej said the symposium, being attended by over
500 delegates with five technical sessions, will deliberate upon varying topics on emerging technologies in
infrastructure development being expounded by experts from the users, industry, academia and scientists from
DRDO. This will go a long way in igniting the minds of users, planners, designers, architects and ultimately the
executives in realising the vision of the government and proving to be the stepping stone for a glorious future for
the infrastructure development in the country at large.

The Defence Secretary also inaugurated the industry-partner exhibition, organised on the sidelines of the event,
showcasing latest technologies and products developed by the various industry partners. The event also includes
student competition from IITs, NITs and other Engineering colleges. A symposium souvenir and Research &
Development Construction Establishment Work Procedure 2024 were also released during the event.

****

ABB/Savvy/KB

(Release ID: 2020080) Visitor Counter : 2370

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Ministry of Defence

INDIAN NAVAL SHIPS DELHI, SHAKTI, AND KILTAN

COMPLETED THEIR VISIT TO SINGAPORE, AS A PART OF THE
OPERATIONAL DEPLOYMENT OF THE EASTERN FLEET TO
THE SOUTH CHINA SEA
Posted On: 09 MAY 2024 5:55PM by PIB Delhi

Indian Naval Ships Delhi, Shakti and Kiltan visited Singapore from 06 - 09 May 24, aimed at undertaking
bilateral engagements and discussing areas of mutual interest and cooperation, and reaffirming the commitment
to enhance maritime security and stability in the region. This visit is part of the Operational Deployment of the
Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet to the South China Sea.

R Adm Rajesh Dhankhar, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet and Commanding Officers of the ships had an
interaction with the Fleet Commander, Republic of Singapore Navy at the Singapore Naval Headquarters. The
visit provided an opportunity for discussions on enhancing naval cooperation and interoperability between navies
of both India and Singapore. A deck reception was hosted onboard INS Shakti, wherein personnel from both
navies and the Indian diaspora in Singapore and also local diplomatic community had the opportunity to interact,
furthering the bonds of friendship and mutual respect.

As part of the Indian Navy's commitment to maritime education and outreach, local school children were invited
to visit the Indian Ships. The children were given guided tours of the ships, where they learned about naval
operations, India's rich maritime history and heritage and also the importance of maritime security. These
interactions aim to inspire the younger generation and promote a greater understanding of maritime affairs.
Personnel from both the Indian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy also undertook cross-ship visits and
Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE), in addition to other professional interactions.
 ****

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Ministry of Communications

DoT in first-of-its-kind initiative brings together 15 startups, academia

on "Telecom Design Collaboration Sprint"

Different startups and other participants are engaged in deep-tech rapid ideation and
solution development

It aims at paving way for future-ready telecom ecosystem

Posted On: 09 MAY 2024 5:07PM by PIB Bengaluru

In a novel initiative, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) brought together start-ups/MSMEs, academia
and research institutions under the "Telecom Design Collaboration Sprint". This Sprint was organised by DoT at
IIIT, Bangalore. Fifteen leading startups/MSME in the Radio Access Network (RAN), Core ecosystems,
esteemed institutions such as IIT Madras, C-DOT, IIT Delhi and other network entities participated.

This collaboration engaged in deep-Tech rapid ideation and innovative solution towards developing a
comprehensive and future-ready telecom stack encompassing comprehensive 5G solution and setting the stage
for future advancements to 6G. The Sprint was driven by three primary objectives:

1. Leveraging Collective Strengths: The Sprint enabled startups to combine expertise in critical 5G
infrastructure areas, fostering innovation and speeding up a common telecom stack development.
2. Fostering Holistic Solutions: Through collaboration, startups aim to create comprehensive 5G solutions,
addressing industry needs and preparing for future advancements.
3. Creating Market Opportunities: By aligning efforts, it seeks to unlock market potential, empowering
startups to compete and grow in the telecom landscape.
After in-depth and extensive discussions during the sprint event, outcome-based focused groups were formed to
address gaps in the Indian telecom ecosystem and get ready for 6G and other upcoming technologies. These
groups will concentrate on areas like core infrastructure, distribution units (DUs), radio units (RUs), central units
(CUs) and others elements with an objective to bridge current gaps and provide solutions that are suited to meet
future needs. Two working groups were also formed.

The participants expressed appreciation for this pioneering initiative, marking it as a first-of-its-kind endeavour
in the industry. They also expressed interest in close collaboration and urged the DoT to continue with such
initiatives.

The Sprint underscores DoT's commitment to nurturing innovation and fostering industry collaboration to propel
India's telecommunications sector towards global leadership in the 5G era and beyond. Bringing together unique
strengths and competence of start-ups and MSMEs, together with academia and industry, the DoT aims at
creating a robust and forward-looking mobile telecom stack with an emphasis on advancing towards 6G
technology.

*****

DK/DK/SMP

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Election Commission

75 delegates from 23 countries witness the poll process first-hand in 6

States as part of IEVP

General Elections 2024 draws international admiration

IEVP part of ECI’s endeavour to maintain transparency, credibility and inclusiveness

during the General Elections

Posted On: 09 MAY 2024 7:34PM by PIB Delhi

International delegates have expressed their happiness at having witnessed the polling process first-hand in
General Election 2024. While some of the delegates appreciated transparency others termed ECI’s initiatives
such as Green Polling Stations as inspirational. Delegates also appreciated the use of technology at scale in
the elections including during randomization of EVM-VVPATs. Some of the delegates also said that they
were particularly struck by the unwavering faith and commitment of Indian voters towards strengthening
democratic ideals. Overall, there was unanimity among the visiting members of the Election Management
Bodies of these countries that the election process in India was a peaceful, inclusive and accessible and takes
place in a festive mood.

These reactions came after largest ever contingent of international delegates experienced India’s General
Elections first-hand in the recently concluded third phase of the elections as part of the International Election
Visitors’ Programme (IEVP).

Polling was held in 93 Constituencies across 11 States/UTs in the third phase and the delegates watched the
polling in 6 States/UTs including the preparatory work that goes into making what is arguably the largest
logistical exercise involving movement of men and machinery in the world.

IEVP 2024 experiences from ground

Karnataka
Delegates from Cambodia, Tunisia, Moldova, Seychelles, and Nepal visited Belgaum
Parliamentary constituency in Karnataka and interacted with polling officers and
presiding officers inside the polling station, witnessed mock poll, visited command
control center, media monitoring facilities. The delegates appreciated the transparency
as underscored by mock poll, presence and involvement of candidates’ representative
inside the polling station.

Goa

Delegates from Bhutan, Mongolia and a media team from Israel witnessed polling and
related arrangements in both the constituencies in Goa. They were also exposed to
mock poll, command control center, media monitoring facilities and dispatch centers.
CEC Bhutan and Electoral officials of Bhutan & Mongolia appreciated transparency
in involving political parties, media, candidates’ representative inside the polling
station in conduct of elections. Admiration and surprise was expressed to see PwD
managed Polling stations, and Pink Polling stations by the visiting delegates.
Delegates appreciated the use of software for randomization of EVM-VVPATs.
Madhya Pradesh

A 11-member international team comprising delegates from Sri Lanka and Philippines
visited polling stations across Bhopal, Vidisha, Sehore, and Raisen constituencies,
gaining firsthand insights into the electoral process of the Lok Sabha elections.
Interacting with voters, they observed the enthusiasm and active participation of
Indian citizens in the democratic process. Reflecting on their experiences, the
delegates expressed admiration for the vibrant democracy they witnessed in India.
They were particularly struck by the unwavering faith and commitment of Indian
voters towards strengthening democratic ideals.

Uttar Pradesh

Delegates from Chile, Georgia, Maldives, Namibia, Papua New Guinea and
Uzbekistan witnessed the polling on 7th May, 2024 in Fatehpur Sikri and Agra
Parliamentary constituency in Uttar Pradesh. Visiting dignitaries were taken to see
architectural marvel of Taj Mahal and the Fatehpur Sikri falling in these two
constituencies. They were exposed to the various arrangements/activities on the poll
day and the day before the polling day. There was unanimity among the visiting
members of the Election Management Bodies of these countries that the election
process in India was a peaceful, inclusive and accessible.
Gujarat

Delegates from Fiji, Australia, Russia, Madagascar, Kyrgyz Republic witnessed pre-
poll arrangements and polling process for the General Elections to the Lok Sabha,
2024 in Ahmedabad. The delegation was impressed with strong room(s) having
double lock system and deployment of armed police personnel ensuring effective
security for EVMs. Female managed polling stations in Assembly Constituency of
Sanand in Ahmedabad East PC was also drew appreciation and invited comments that
they boost confidence in women and increase their participation. Facility of ramp and
wheelchairs in all places along with volunteers to help elderly voters was also highly
appreciated. The concept of Braille ballot paper for blind voters was also liked as a
good initiative to help blind people.

Maharashtra

Representatives from the Election Management Bodies of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka,

Kazakhstan and Zimbabwe visited Raigad parliamentary constituency in Maharashtra
and witnessed the pre-poll arrangements, dispersal of polling parties and other
logistics. The group interacted with the District Election Officer, Returning Officer,
Presiding Officers and other election related officials about the various facets of the
Indian Elections. The delegates were impressed with the transparency measures at
polling stations.
 Background

Delegates from 23 countries namely Australia, Bangladesh. Bhutan, Cambodia, Chile, Fiji, Georgia,
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Rep, Madagascar, Maldives, Mongolia, Moldova, Namibia, Nepal, New Guinea,
Philippines, Russia, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Uzbekistan, Zimbabwe arrived at New Delhi to witness
the Elections in the third phase of polling on the 5th May 2024. They interacted with the Election
Commission of India in the inaugural session presided over by the Chief Election Commissioner Sh. Rajiv
Kumar along with Election Commissioners Shri Gyanesh Kumar and Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu. Thereafter
the delegates were divided into 6 smaller groups to visit different states viz. Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat,
Uttar Pradesh, Goa and Madhya Pradesh and visited polling stations in 13 constituencies for this purpose. The
CEOs of the States organized the visit of the groups to see the poll preparedness, logistics and webcasting
arrangements as well as engaging with polling officers and presiding officers on pre-poll day and to witness
the mock poll, actual polling and to interact with voters on election day i.e.7th May 2024.

***************

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President's Secretariat

PRESIDENT OF INDIA PRESENTS PADMA AWARDS AT THE

CIVIL INVESTITURE CEREMONY-II
Posted On: 09 MAY 2024 8:51PM by PIB Delhi

The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu presented Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan
and Padma Shri Awards for the year 2024 at the Civil Investiture Ceremony-II held at Rashtrapati
Bhavan today (May 9, 2024).

Among the dignitaries present on the occasion were the Vice President of India, Prime Minister and Union
Minister for Home Affairs.

List of Padma Awardees

***

DS/AK

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Ministry of Science & Technology

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)- Indian Institute

of Petroleum (IIP) celebrates National Technology Day
Posted On: 10 MAY 2024 7:47PM by PIB Delhi

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research(CSIR)- Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) celebrated the 'National
Technology Day' on 10th May 2024. India celebrates its National Technology Day on 11th May each year to
signify the technical prowess India achieved . It also inspires young minds and creates awareness of the
technological supremacy of the country.

Dr. D.K. Aswal, Director, Health, Safety and Environment Group, BARC, Mumbai graced the celebration. He
delivered a lecture on “Nuclear Energy for a Clean Environment and a Sustainable Future”. In his lecture, Dr
Aswal clarified various myths associated with the safety hazards and use of nuclear radiation. Dr Aswal
emphasized that Nuclear energy is far more safe and more economical than coal-based energy.
On the occasion, Dr H.S. Bisht Director CSIR-IIP also motivated students regarding technology and it’s benefit
to society. Dr Aarti, Senior Principal Scientist and Co-ordinator Jigyasa activities at CSIR-IIP, presented a brief
overview of the Jigyasa Activities undertaken by CSIR-IIP and how it is beneficial for school-going children.

Senior officials such as Shri Anjum Sharma, and Shri Someshwar Pandey were also part of the celebration.

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Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship

Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship signs MoU with

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. to conduct two Pilot Projects under the
Drone Didi Yojana
Posted On: 10 MAY 2024 5:24PM by PIB Delhi

Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding

(MoU) with Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd to conduct two Pilot Projects under the Drone Didi Yojana.
Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari; Group CEO & MD,
Mahindra Group Dr. Anish Shah and senior officials of the MSDE were present at the event. Launched
earlier this year, the scheme aims to train 15,000 women to operate drones for agricultural purposes such as
fertilising the crop, monitoring crop growth and planting seeds, thereby creating new livelihood
opportunities for women through imparting skills in new technology areas.

While speaking at the event, Shri Tiwari explained how the agricultural expertise of Mahindra & Mahindra
Ltd. will be leveraged through comprehensive training. He also informed that two centres of NSTI, situated
at Hyderabad and Noida, have been chosen for the Pilot Projects, to empower rural women in agriculture.
This collaboration advances the mission of upskilling women for nation-building, particularly through the
successful implementation of the Drone Didi program in empowering women in emerging trades, Shri
Tiwari added. He also said this collaboration will advance the vision of the Ministry to equip women with
the skills needed to contribute to nation-building.

Shri Tiwari also mentioned that building on the past successful collaborations with leading technology
industry partners, this initiative represents the beginning of many collaborative projects with M&M. He said,
through rigorous training methodologies and hands-on learning experiences, the students will be equipped
with the practical skills and competencies required to excel in their chosen fields and make meaningful
contributions to the nation's socio-economic growth.

Dr Anish Shah said that aligned with the company’s Rise philosophy, it is committed to empowering women
with the skills necessary to join the workforce and achieve financial independence. The Pilot Projects under
the Drone Didi Yojana represents a first-of-its-kind convergence of women, farming and technology, he said.

Under this partnership, MSDE and M&M will conduct two Pilot Projects at the National Skill Training
Institute (NSTI), situated in Hyderabad and Noida, to skill 500 women in exclusive batches of 20 women
each. The 15-day curriculum, approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), will be
delivered through Remote Pilot Training Organisation (RPTO) instructors at these Centres.

Within this partnership, NSTIs will provide infrastructure for running the training programme, hostel facility
for participants, and reach out to local Women Self Help Groups and NGOs to mobilise participation.
Mahindra Group will provide initial set-up support through simulation machinery/drones, simulator
controller, simulator software, desktop computer with i5 processor and trainers, and meet the operating costs
for the duration of the Pilot Projects, including the cost of DGCA License Holder Instructors at the centres.

The learning and outcomes from the Pilot Projects will assist MSDE in scaling up the Drone Didi Yojana at
identified NSTIs/ITIs across the country. As a further support to the intent of the Drone Didi Yojana, M&M
will soon roll out Drone training for women at the company’s skilling centres at Zaheerabad, Telangana, and
Nagpur, Maharashtra.

***

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Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation

India's Index of Industrial Production grows by 4.9 % in March 2024

QUICK ESTIMATE OF INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION AND USE-BASED INDEX

FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH 2024
(BASE 2011-12=100)

Posted On: 10 MAY 2024 5:30PM by PIB Delhi

For the month of March 2024, the Quick Estimates of Index of Industrial Production (IIP) with base 2011-12 stands at
159.2. The Indices of Industrial Production for the Mining, Manufacturing and Electricity sectors for the month of
March 2024 stand at 156.1, 155.1 and 204.2 respectively. These Quick Estimates will undergo revision in subsequent
releases as per the revision policy of IIP.

The Quick Estimates of Index of Industrial Production (IIP) are released on 12th of every month (or previous working
day if 12th is a holiday) with a six weeks lag and compiled with data received from source agencies, which in turn
receive the data from the producing factories/ establishments.

The IIP growth rates for the month of March 2024 over the corresponding period of previous year is 4.9 percent. The
growth rates of the three sectors, Mining, Manufacturing and Electricity for the month of March 2024 over March 2023
are 1.2 percent, 5.2 percent and 8.6 percent respectively. Within the manufacturing sector, the growth rate of the top
three positive contributors to the growth of IIP for the month of March 2024 are – “Manufacture of basic metals”
(7.7%), “Manufacture of pharmaceuticals, medicinal chemical and botanical products” (16.7%), and “Manufacture of
other transport equipment” (25.4%).

The cumulative growth rate for the period of April-March 2023-24 over the corresponding period of the previous year
stands at 5.8 percent. The cumulative growth rates of the three sectors, Mining, Manufacturing and Electricity for the
period of April-March 2023-24 over the corresponding period of the previous year are 7.5 percent, 5.5 percent and 7.1
percent respectively.

As per Use-based classification, the indices stand at 162.2 for Primary Goods, 130.5 for Capital Goods, 167.5 for
Intermediate Goods and 194.2 for Infrastructure/ Construction Goods for the month of March 2024. Further, the indices
for Consumer durables and Consumer non-durables stand at 129.9 and 154.7 respectively for the month of March 2024.

The corresponding growth rates of IIP as per Use-based classification in March 2024 over March 2023 are 2.5 percent in
Primary goods, 6.1 percent in Capital goods, 5.1 percent in Intermediate goods, 6.9 percent in Infrastructure/
Construction Goods, 9.5 percent in Consumer durables and 4.9 percent in Consumer non-durables (Statement III).

Details of Quick Estimates of the Index of Industrial Production for the month of March 2024 at Sectoral, 2-digit level
of National Industrial Classification (NIC-2008) and by Use-based classification are given at Statements I, II and III
respectively. Also, for users to appreciate the changes in the industrial sector, Statement IV provides month-wise indices
for the last 12 months, by industry groups (as per 2-digit level of NIC-2008) and sectors.

Along with the Quick Estimates of IIP for the month of March 2024, the indices for February 2024 have undergone the
first revision and those for December 2023 have undergone final revision in the light of the updated data received from
the source agencies. The Quick Estimates for March 2024, the first revision for February 2024 and the final revision for
December 2023 have been compiled at weighted response rates of 93 percent, 95 percent and 96 percent respectively.

Note:

1. Press release is also available at the Website of the Ministry -http://www.mospi.gov.in

2. Press release in Hindi follows and shall be available at:

https://www.mospi.gov.in/hi
 STATEMENT I: INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION - SECTORAL

(Base: 2011-12=100)

Mining Manufacturing Electricity General

Month (14.372472) (77.63321) (7.994318) (100)

2022-23 2023-24 2022-23 2023-24 2022-23 2023-24 2022-23 2023-24

Apr 116.6 122.6 131.6 138.8 194.5 192.3 134.5 140.7

May 120.4 128.1 134.6 143.1 199.9 201.6 137.8 145.6

Jun 113.7 122.3 136.8 141.6 196.9 205.2 138.3 143.9

Jul 101.1 111.9 135.0 142.1 188.9 204.0 134.4 142.7

Aug 99.6 111.9 131.3 144.4 191.3 220.5 131.5 145.8

Sep 100.0 111.5 134.6 141.5 187.4 205.9 133.8 142.3

Oct 112.6 127.4 128.5 142.1 169.3 203.8 129.5 144.9

Nov 122.7 131.3 137.5 139.3 166.7 176.3 137.7 141.1

Dec 132.6 139.5 144.9 151.6 179.4 181.6 145.9 152.3

Jan 136.1 144.1 145.5 150.7 186.6 197.1 147.4 153.5

Feb 129.2 139.7 137.6 144.3 174.0 187.1 139.3 147.1

Mar* 154.2 156.1 147.5 155.1 188.0 204.2 151.7 159.2

Average

Apr-Mar 119.9 128.9 137.1 144.6 185.2 198.3 138.5 146.6

Growth over the corresponding period of previous year#

Mar* 6.8 1.2 1.5 5.2 -1.6 8.6 1.9 4.9

Apr-Mar 5.8 7.5 4.7 5.5 8.9 7.1 5.2 5.8

* Figures for Mar’24 are Quick Estimates.

NOTE: Indices for the months of Dec'23 and Feb'24 incorporate updated production data.

#The growth rates over corresponding period of previous year are to be interpreted considering the unusual
circumstances on account of COVID 19 pandemic since March 2020

STATEMENT II: INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION - (2-DIGIT LEVEL)

 (Base: 2011-12=100)

Cumulative Percentage
Description Weight Index
Index growth #
Industry

code
Apr-
Mar'23 Mar'24* Apr-Mar* Mar'24*
Mar*

2022- 2023-
2023-24
23 24

10 Manufacture of food products 5.3025 147.2 141.5 132.4 134.2 -3.9 1.4

11 Manufacture of beverages 1.0354 123.5 124.0 105.5 110.9 0.4 5.1

12 Manufacture of tobacco products 0.7985 95.5 78.4 88.4 81.2 -17.9 -8.1

13 Manufacture of textiles 3.2913 110.2 109.3 107.5 108.0 -0.8 0.5

14 Manufacture of wearing apparel 1.3225 133.1 143.1 127.9 109.8 7.5 -14.2

Manufacture of leather and related

15 0.5021 106.2 95.3 96.0 94.9 -10.3 -1.1
products

Manufacture of wood and products of

wood and cork, except furniture;
16 0.1930 108.1 111.5 104.5 98.3 3.1 -5.9
manufacture of articles of straw and
plaiting materials

Manufacture of paper and paper

17 0.8724 83.1 83.2 82.4 79.4 0.1 -3.6
products

Printing and reproduction of recorded

18 0.6798 91.7 93.2 90.6 89.5 1.6 -1.2
media

Manufacture of coke and refined

19 11.7749 141.1 139.6 128.0 132.7 -1.1 3.7
petroleum products
 Manufacture of chemicals and chemical
20 7.8730 130.1 129.7 129.3 127.1 -0.3 -1.7
products

Manufacture of pharmaceuticals,
21 medicinal chemical and botanical 4.9810 194.7 227.3 216.2 233.4 16.7 8.0
products

Manufacture of rubber and plastics

22 2.4222 110.2 116.6 104.5 109.1 5.8 4.4
products

Manufacture of other non-metallic

23 4.0853 152.8 164.6 135.3 144.3 7.7 6.7
mineral products

24 Manufacture of basic metals 12.8043 214.0 230.5 191.9 213.9 7.7 11.5

Manufacture of fabricated metal

25 products, except machinery and 2.6549 95.4 114.8 85.3 92.5 20.3 8.4
equipment

Manufacture of computer, electronic

26 1.5704 134.1 132.7 137.2 121.6 -1.0 -11.4
and optical products

27 Manufacture of electrical equipment 2.9983 108.7 123.9 99.3 106.7 14.0 7.5

Manufacture of machinery and

28 4.7653 141.3 144.9 113.5 120.8 2.5 6.4
equipment n.e.c.

Manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers

29 4.8573 122.4 130.5 114.5 127.8 6.6 11.6
and semi-trailers

Manufacture of other transport

30 1.7763 139.2 174.5 127.0 144.6 25.4 13.9
equipment

31 Manufacture of furniture 0.1311 210.9 276.3 204.1 190.0 31.0 -6.9

32 Other manufacturing 0.9415 108.5 89.9 90.9 85.3 -17.1 -6.2

 05 Mining 14.3725 154.2 156.1 119.9 128.9 1.2 7.5

10-32 Manufacturing 77.6332 147.5 155.1 137.1 144.6 5.2 5.5

35 Electricity 7.9943 188.0 204.2 185.2 198.3 8.6 7.1

General Index 100.00 151.7 159.2 138.5 146.6 4.9 5.8

* Figures for Mar’24 are Quick Estimates.

#The growth rates over corresponding period of previous year are to be interpreted considering the unusual
circumstances on account of COVID 19 pandemic since March 2020

STATEMENT III: INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION - USE-BASED

(Base :2011-12=100)

Infrastructure/
Intermediate Consumer Consumer non-
Primary goods Capital goods Construction
goods durables durables
goods

Month (34.048612) (8.223043) (17.221487) (12.338363) (12.839296) (15.329199)

2022- 2023- 2022- 2023- 2022- 2023- 2022- 2023- 2022- 2023- 2023-
2022-23
23 24 23 24 23 24 23 24 23 24 24

Apr 139.5 142.2 88.5 92.4 149.5 152.0 149.7 169.8 110.7 108.1 138.9 154.7

May 144.7 149.9 94.9 102.6 151.7 156.9 153.3 173.2 113.9 115.6 137.5 149.8
Jun 139.3 146.7 104.4 107.4 146.6 154.2 150.8 170.9 125.3 116.8 145.9 146.7

Jul 131.7 141.8 97.1 102.1 149.0 153.8 151.3 170.3 121.4 117.0 141.7 153.5

Aug 129.4 145.4 95.0 107.4 146.6 157.4 152.8 176.8 116.2 123.2 134.9 148.3

Sep 128.5 138.8 103.9 112.6 145.3 154.2 156.9 172.8 123.8 125.0 138.9 142.6

Oct 131.2 146.1 87.2 106.1 143.8 157.5 156.2 175.9 106.1 123.0 130.3 142.4

Nov 132.6 143.8 99.1 98.0 146.3 151.3 161.7 164.2 111.9 106.5 162.7 157.2

Dec 145.0 151.9 100.1 103.8 154.1 159.8 170.9 180.3 108.8 114.5 174.4 179.7

Jan 149.9 154.2 104.9 108.5 155.6 163.8 176.9 186.7 108.8 121.7 164.4 164.0

Feb 139.9 148.2 104.9 106.0 145.1 157.7 165.7 179.8 108.3 121.7 154.8 149.4

Mar* 158.3 162.2 123.0 130.5 159.4 167.5 181.7 194.2 118.6 129.9 147.5 154.7

Average

Apr-
139.2 147.6 100.3 106.5 149.4 157.2 160.7 176.2 114.5 118.6 147.7 153.6
Mar

Growth over the corresponding period of previous year#

Mar* 3.3 2.5 10.0 6.1 1.8 5.1 7.2 6.9 -8.0 9.5 -1.9 4.9
Apr-
7.5 6.0 13.1 6.2 3.8 5.2 8.4 9.6 0.6 3.6 0.7 4.0
Mar

* Figures for Mar’24 are Quick Estimates.

NOTE: Indices for the months of Dec'23 and Feb'24 incorporate

updated production data.

#The growth rates over corresponding period of previous year are to be interpreted considering the unusual
circumstances on account of COVID 19 pandemic since March 2020

STATEMENT IV: MONTHLY INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION - (2-DIGIT LEVEL)

(Base: 2011-12=100)

Ind
Apr- May- Jun- Jul- Aug- Sep- Oct- Nov- Dec- Jan- Feb- Mar-
Description Weight
code 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 24 24 24*

Manufacture of
10 5.3025 137.8 123.2 113.6 121.6 123.9 114.6 123.5 141.5 160.8 157.7 151.0 141.5
food products

Manufacture of
11 1.0354 109.2 124.1 125.0 109.4 103.4 101.6 99.6 100.7 101.3 112.4 120.0 124.0
beverages

Manufacture of
12 tobacco 0.7985 67.1 83.7 93.8 71.8 81.4 89.8 82.7 79.8 82.7 85.6 77.5 78.4
products

13 Manufacture of 3.2913 105.6 107.4 107.8 108.5 107.1 108.4 110.2 102.7 112.3 111.2 105.7 109.3
 textiles

Manufacture of
14 1.3225 92.1 112.2 120.1 103.9 97.8 102.4 97.8 92.9 113.1 116.6 125.4 143.1
wearing apparel

Manufacture of
15 leather and 0.5021 97.7 101.1 103.4 95.1 92.4 91.8 91.1 78.8 95.9 99.5 96.5 95.3
related products

Manufacture of
wood and
products of
wood and cork,
16 except furniture; 0.1930 89.4 98.7 98.0 98.4 98.5 108.1 93.7 87.6 97.7 96.5 101.8 111.5
manufacture of
articles of straw
and plaiting
materials

Manufacture of
17 paper and paper 0.8724 79.8 77.9 81.3 82.1 82.3 78.5 78.5 73.3 78.1 79.1 78.6 83.2
products

Printing and
18 reproduction of 0.6798 88.6 88.7 88.7 89.0 91.0 87.5 87.0 84.1 95.5 90.8 89.4 93.2
recorded media

Manufacture of
coke and refined
19 11.7749 129.1 138.0 133.5 131.9 131.7 122.4 125.7 132.9 141.9 134.6 131.2 139.6
petroleum
products

Manufacture of
chemicals and
20 7.8730 126.6 133.8 130.5 128.6 126.8 123.6 126.5 119.5 127.5 127.7 124.8 129.7
chemical
products

Manufacture of
pharmaceuticals,
medicinal
21 4.9810 237.0 227.9 225.3 244.5 225.9 220.1 212.8 244.3 286.3 244.0 205.0 227.3
chemical and
botanical
products
 Manufacture of
22 rubber and 2.4222 106.3 112.7 106.5 107.7 108.5 106.5 109.0 105.1 106.9 111.7 111.2 116.6
plastics products

Manufacture of
other non-
23 4.0853 146.7 148.4 149.5 134.0 142.5 132.8 140.5 127.0 147.1 149.2 148.9 164.6
metallic mineral
products

Manufacture of
24 12.8043 201.9 206.3 203.4 209.4 217.4 213.6 217.2 207.3 220.2 226.2 213.2 230.5
basic metals

Manufacture of
fabricated metal
25 products, except 2.6549 76.4 87.1 86.7 83.8 100.0 97.1 92.8 81.0 98.1 96.9 95.7 114.8
machinery and
equipment

Manufacture of
computer,
26 1.5704 111.5 115.1 121.9 118.6 131.4 149.4 123.1 96.7 111.6 121.0 126.1 132.7
electronic and
optical products

Manufacture of
27 electrical 2.9983 106.6 106.6 103.5 102.5 108.6 108.0 94.8 89.0 116.6 108.7 111.6 123.9
equipment

Manufacture of
28 machinery and 4.7653 107.7 116.2 123.7 119.9 126.3 127.0 123.3 109.1 115.5 116.5 119.8 144.9
equipment n.e.c.

Manufacture of
motor vehicles,
29 4.8573 112.9 126.1 123.6 129.5 128.6 130.5 135.7 126.7 118.5 140.7 130.3 130.5
trailers and
semi-trailers

Manufacture of
30 other transport 1.7763 119.5 131.2 140.6 123.5 145.9 166.0 157.2 144.5 137.2 149.5 145.8 174.5
equipment

Manufacture of
31 0.1311 144.7 179.9 183.0 190.6 189.5 185.1 176.8 144.5 197.4 199.2 212.6 276.3
furniture
 Other
32 0.9415 87.8 79.2 85.6 97.1 94.6 96.7 103.7 65.8 70.5 76.7 76.3 89.9
manufacturing

5 Mining 14.3725 122.6 128.1 122.3 111.9 111.9 111.5 127.4 131.3 139.5 144.1 139.7 156.1

10-
Manufacturing 77.6332 138.8 143.1 141.6 142.1 144.4 141.5 142.1 139.3 151.6 150.7 144.3 155.1
32

35 Electricity 7.9943 192.3 201.6 205.2 204.0 220.5 205.9 203.8 176.3 181.6 197.1 187.1 204.2

General Index 100.00 140.7 145.6 143.9 142.7 145.8 142.3 144.9 141.1 152.3 153.5 147.1 159.2

* Figures for Mar’24 are Quick Estimates.

NOTE: Indices for the months of Dec'23 and Feb'24 incorporate updated production data.

The Indices are to be interpreted considering the unusual circumstances on account of COVID 19 pandemic since
March 2020

****

BY/ST

(Release ID: 2020239) Visitor Counter : 2802

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Ministry of Road Transport & Highways

NHAI Debars Toll Operating Agency for Misbehaving with Highway

Users
Posted On: 10 MAY 2024 3:56PM by PIB Delhi

Acting tough on misbehavior with the general public by toll (user fee) operator and its employees, NHAI has
taken strict action and debarred Ms. Riddhi Siddhi Associates for an incident of assault and misbehavior with the
National Highway users at Sirmandi Toll Plaza on Amritsar-Jamnagar section in Rajasthan.

An incident of assault and misbehavior by the employees of toll operating agency with highway users at
Sirmandi Toll Plaza on 05.05.2024 was reported. Taking prompt action on the matter, the incident was examined
by NHAI and a ‘Show Cause’ Notice was served to the firm. The reply submitted by the toll operating agency
was not found to be satisfactory. It was noted that in total violation of contractual provisions and NHAI Standing
Operating Procedure, the agency was indulged in violence and misbehaving activities with the highway users.
The Authority has debarred M/s.Riddhi Siddhi Associates for a period of three months from the list of pre-
qualified bidders.

NHAI contract agreement with its toll operators clearly defines that the personnel deployed by the Contractor
shall not misconduct/ misbehave with the members of Public and shall observe strict discipline and decency in
their behavior. Last year, NHAI issued detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to curb altercation incidents
at Toll Plazas and safeguard interests of both the commuters and the toll operators.

NHAI is committed to ensure safe and seamless travel on National Highways and has recently taken strong
action against errant agencies involved in violence and misbehavior with highway users at toll plazas.

*****

MJPS/NSK

(Release ID: 2020220) Visitor Counter : 1372

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Ministry of Power

Update on Power Situation in the Country: Summer Power Demand

expected to be adequately met during both day and night
Posted On: 10 MAY 2024 8:18PM by PIB Delhi

To meet the summer electricity demand during the months of April, May and June 2024, the Government of
India had already put in place the following measures, as part of its advance planning.

Section 11 Directions for Imported-Coal-Based Power Plants, to make full capacity available for
generation
Planned Maintenance of Power Plants shifted to Monsoon Season
Minimizing partial and forced outages of thermal generating units
Revival of thermal plants under long outage
Advisory to generation companies (central and state generation companies and Independent Power
Producers) to keep their generating plants under healthy condition to have full capacity available
Optimization of hydro power generation
Generating stations have been directed to offer surplus power for sale in Energy Exchange

With these measures, we have been able to successfully meet the peak evening power demand of 224 GW during
April 2024.

In addition to this, the government has taken following further measures to meet the power demand during May
and June, which is projected to peak at 235 GW during day-time and 225 GW during evening hours for May, and
to peak at 240 GW during day-time and 235 GW during evening hours for June 2024.

Similar to that done for Imported-Coal-based power plants, Section 11 directions have been issued
to gas-based power plants too. This has made available additional 6 GW for the months of May and
June, in addition to the 10 GW which was already available earlier.
Optimization of hydro power generation has made available an additional 4 GW for meeting the
demand during the months of May and June.
Further, the shifting of planned maintenance and minimization of partial and forced outages of
thermal power plants have made available another 5 GW for the summer season.
Further compared to April, power generated from wind is expected to increase by 4 GW to 5 GW
during May and June.

Thus, with the above measures in place and given the current generation trend and the anticipated above-normal
monsoon in the following months as predicted by the IMD, it is expected that the power demand would be
adequately met both during the day and during night hours in the summer months of May and June 2024.

Also read:

Steps being taken by the Government for meeting Summer Electricity Demand in the country
Government takes measures to operationalize Gas-based Power Plants to help meet Summer
Electricity Demand

***

PIB DELHI | Kripa Shankar Yadav / Dheep Joy Mampilly

(Release ID: 2020291) Visitor Counter : 1685

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Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas

OMCs' FY24 combined profit rose over 25-times year-on-year

OMC’s combined net profit in FY 24 up 543% vs FY 14

IOCL reported historical best refinery throughput and net profit in FY24

Posted On: 10 MAY 2024 7:49PM by PIB Delhi

The state-owned oil marketing companies (OMCs) have had a fabulous financial year 2023-24. Even as they
navigated rapidly evolving geo politics and wide fluctuations in crude prices, the OMCs not only ensured fuel
availability at affordable rates, with one of the lowest fuel price inflation globally in India, but they have also
rewarded the shareholders’ trust by posting commendable annual results.

However, some media reports have just focused on the Q4 2024 to Q4 2023 financial comparison to paint an
abysmal picture and downplay their overall annual performance. Parameters like all time best throughputs,
excellent capex utilisation, and projects completed have been completely ignored. The reportage is distinctly
unfair and paints a picture which is unjustified.
The combined profit of OMCs for FY 2023-24 stood at Rs 86,000 crore, over 25 times higher than the
extraordinarily difficult previous fiscal year. For the full 2023-24 fiscal, HPCL reported a record net profit of Rs
16,014 crore as opposed to a loss of Rs 6,980 crore in the previous year. IOCL capped an excellent year with
historical best refinery throughput, sales volume and net profit.

BPCL’s profit after tax for FY 2023-24 came in at ₹26,673 crores, nearly 13-times higher than the previous fiscal
year. Additionally, the company’s planned capital outlay of ₹1.7 lakh crores over 5 years under ‘Project Aspire’
underlines its commitment to creating long-term value for shareholders.

Markets have reacted positively to the results with BPCL and HPCL share prices rising after the announcement
of results. Moreover, analysts have taken cognisance of the performance and many of them have put a buy
recommendation, a strong validation of their annual performance and the outlook for the current fiscal year.

Over the last few years, the government has unleashed the potential of OMCs by allowing the right mix of
freedom and accountability. The government maintains an arm’s length distance from their business decisions
while fully supporting and encouraging ambitious plans that are aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat, 2047.

RKJ/M

(Release ID: 2020282) Visitor Counter : 1482

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Ministry of New and Renewable Energy

Government organizes workshop on Quality Control in Green

Hydrogen; deliberations held on Quality Standards, Testing
Infrastructure and Ease of Doing Business

Portal for National Green Hydrogen Mission Launched

Reports on “Green Hydrogen Standards and Approval Systems in India” and “India’s
Green Hydrogen Revolution” released

Posted On: 10 MAY 2024 8:01PM by PIB Delhi

The government held a day-long workshop on “Quality Control in Green Hydrogen: Standards & Testing
Infrastructure” at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi on May 8, 2024. The workshop convened by the Union
Ministry of New & Renewable Energy deliberated on actions needed to create a homogeneous ecosystem for
Green Hydrogen production processes through clear quality standards. It also discussed the steps to be taken to
create a network of green hydrogen testing facilities, and for promoting Ease of Doing Business to accelerate the
clean energy transition.

On the occasion, a dedicated portal for the National Green Hydrogen Mission was launched, which would serve
as a one-stop location for information on the Mission and steps taken for the development of the green hydrogen
ecosystem in India. The portal was launched jointly by Principal Scientific Advisor to Government of India Prof.
Ajay Kumar Sood and Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Shri Bhupinder S. Bhalla. The portal
can be accessed here: https://nghm.mnre.gov.in/.

A report on “Green Hydrogen Standards and Approval Systems in India” (report can be accessed here) and
another one on “India’s Green Hydrogen Revolution” (report can be accessed here) were also released during the
workshop.

Five panel discussions were held at the workshop, where experts from leading technical institutions, regulators
and industry deliberated on the following issues pertaining to the green hydrogen ecosystem.

1. Green Hydrogen Ecosystem: Imperatives, Challenges and Way Forward

 2. Standards in Hydrogen Storage
3. Standards of Electrolyser Manufacturing & Performance
4. Standards for Green Hydrogen Production Plants & Systems
5. Green Hydrogen based Applications

Around 300 stakeholders from ministries, PSUs, government agencies, industry, associations, research institutes,
laboratories and academia attended the workshop.
 ***

PIB DELHI | Kripa Shankar Yadav / Dheep Joy Mampilly

(Release ID: 2020288) Visitor Counter : 2770

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Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs

Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs Observes Swachhata Pakhwada

Posted On: 01 MAY 2024 4:03PM by PIB Delhi

The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs celebrated Swachhata Pakhwada from 16th to 30th April 2024. This was
celebrated as per the Calendar of Swachhata Pakhwada for the year 2024, released by the Department of Drinking Water
& Sanitation, Government of India.

The Swachhata Pakhwada commenced with administering of ‘Swachhata Pledge’ by Secretary, Ministry of
Parliamentary Affairs on 16th April, 2024.

During Swachhata Pakhwada, cleanliness drive was carried out and reviewing, recording and weeding out of old
Physical Files were done by various Sections of the Ministry and old and obsolete items were identified for auction.
Cleaning and regular maintenance of rooms and appliances were also carried out in ministry offices located in
Samvidhan Sadan. As part of the programme, Swachhata Pledge was administered to students of Kerala Senior
Secondary School, Vikaspuri to spread awareness and develop a culture of cleanliness. An essay competition was also
held in the school and winners were awarded with cash prizes with certificates.
Swachhata Pakhwada, 2024 concluded with Prize Distribution to top three Sections of the Ministry who stood best on
Swachhata Parameters. Speaking on the occasion Additional Secretary, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Dr Satya
Prakash highlighted the need for Swachhata inwards and outwards. Dr Prakash also presented a brief of various
activities undertaken by the Ministry during the Pakhwada. He also urged the staff for adopting best practices of
cleanliness, in all walks of life.

Secretary, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Umang Narula expressed happiness over active participation of staff in
Swachhata related activities. He said that Swachhata is part and parcel of larger goal and exhorted employees to keep up
the outcomes of Swachhata Pakhwada throughout the year.

****

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