NewzIntel.com

Category: Asia Pacific

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Government of India is democratizing Chip designing in India: India’s semiconductor moment has arrived

    Source: Government of India

    Government of India is democratizing Chip designing in India: India’s semiconductor moment has arrived
    Winners Announced: ‘Analog & Digital Design Hackathons’ (participated by 2,210 teams, 10,040 students)

    Boosting Indigenization: M/s Vervesemi Microelectronics Pvt. Ltd. to design BLDC Motor Controller Chip with 90% BOM ‘Made in India’

    Next Big Leap: Launch of ‘Digital India RISC-V (DIR-V) Grand Challenge’

    Posted On: 20 MAR 2025 8:05PM by PIB Delhi

    Understanding chip design as a strategic necessity, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) with its series of graded and proactive steps, is in the process of systematic overhaul of semiconductor design approach at 300+ organizations across the country (including 250 academic institutions and 65 start-up companies). These steps aim to debut an era of creative enablement where anyone with innate skills, anywhere in the country can get the semiconductor chips designed. In the process, chip design will be democratized in line with the vision of Hon’blePrime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi that –‘Design in India is as important as Make in India’.

    The C2S Programme aims to generate 85,000 number of industry-ready manpower at B.Tech, M.Tech, and PhD levels specialized in semiconductor chip design. The Programme takes a comprehensive approach by offering students complete hands-on experience in chip design, fabrication, and testing. This is achieved through regular training sessions, conducted in collaboration with industry partners, and by providing mentorship and access to chip design, fabrication & testing resources to students, including EDA tools, access to semiconductor foundries for fabricating their chips etc. These opportunities include implementing the R&D projects for development of working prototypes of ASICs, SoCs, and IP Core designs.

    ChipIN Centre has been setup under C2S Programme as one of the largest facilities established at C-DAC, aims to bring the chip design infrastructure at door-steps of semiconductor design community in the country. It is a centralized design facility, not only hosting the most advanced tools for entire chip design cycle going up to 5nm or advanced node but also provide aggregate services for fabrication of design at foundries and packaging.

    Under C2S Programme, following announcements were made by Hon’ble Minister- Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw with august presence of Secretary- Shri Krishnan, Additional Secretary- Shri Abhishek Singh and Group Coordinator- Smt Sunita Verma, MeitY on 20th March 2025.

    1. After intense rounds of coding, design challenges, and expert-led training, 40 elite teams, 200 innovators battled it out in the Grand Finale of the 100-hour deep-tech “Analog and Digital Hackathons” launched in partnership of AMD, Synopsys and CoreEL Technologies. Armed with EDA & cloud resources, they tackled real-world problems—enhancing LIVE image processing on FPGA hardware in Digital Design and optimizing complex voltage regulator circuits in Analog Design. Six winning teams were announced by Hon’ble Minister:

    Winners of the Analog Design Hackathon:

    1. 1st Prize winner to the Team Intuition from IIT Delhi.
    2. 2nd Prize Winner to Team Analog Edge from NIT Rourkela.
    3. 3rd Prize Winner to Team FETManiacs from IIT Guwahati.

    Winners of the Digital Design Hackathon:

    1. 1st Prize winner to the Team RISCB from IIT Bombay.
    2. 2nd Prize Winner to Team Silicon Scripters from Saveetha Engineering College.
    3. 3rd Prize Winner to Team Daedalus from IIT (BHU Varanasi).
    1. The indigenous development of the ‘BLDC Controller Chip’ was awarded to M/s Vervesemi Microelectronics Pvt. Ltd.

    This ‘BLDC Controller Chip’ has the following USP: 90% BOM made in India for self-reliant semiconductor solution, Complete power & control solution under $1.50 and Scalability at 10 million units/year.

    Vervesemi is a fabless semiconductor company incorporated in 2017 and developing high performance ASICs for sensors and wireless, exploiting the expertise of state-of-art data converters and differentiated Analog IP. The ICs of VerveSemi has been taped out on 8nm, 22nm, 28nm, 40nm, 55nm, 90nm, 180nm, 110nm node of Samsung, UMC, TSMC, SMIC PSMC.

    Supporting BLDC and SR motors <200W

     

    1. The launch of ‘Digital India RISC-V (DIR-V) Grand Challenge’ was announced – to start inviting applications from 10th April onwards. With VEGA Processors and SHAKTI Microprocessor at its core – the participants of DIR-V Grand Challenge will tinker innovative applications using them. The DIR-V Grand Challenge is technologically powered by VEGA Processor from C-DAC & SHAKTI Processor from IIT Madras with support from Renesas, LTSC, CoreEL Technologies and Bharat Electronics. MakerVillage will provide the coordination and incubation support.

    While addressing the gathering, Hon’ble Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that we must all collectively adopt three approaches for India to become a product nation.

    1. “While the country has made significant achievements in the service industry and it continues to grow, it must now become a product nation. Today’s announcements on developing software & hardware products are a few successful steps toward that goal.”
    2. These solutions should come from a broader category of stakeholders, involving partnerships across all tiers of academia, start-ups, students, and researchers, rather than just a select few.
    3. The incremental yet progressive approach needs to be ensured to achieve these solutions. Some chips may have low value but high deployment potential, while others may have high value but limited deployment potential. The entire spectrum should be targeted. While the BLDC Controller chip development announced today has significant volume deployment potential, RISC-V, being open-source, holds very high-value due to its use in designing CPUs, GPUs, and sustainable products for the country.

    India today presents a significant opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs and researchers to be at the forefront of designing and redefining the semiconductor systems, devices and products of the future. “Chips to Start-up (C2S) Programme” of Government of India and MeitY in alignment with the nation’s unwavering commitment to building a robust and self-sustaining semiconductor ecosystem, is empowering the next generation of engineers, researchers and entrepreneurs to drive India’s technological advancements and propel the nation towards becoming a global powerhouse.

    ***********

    Dharmendra Tewari/ Navin Sreejith

    (Release ID: 2113411) Visitor Counter : 328

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India’s IT sector to play a key role in achieving ambitious $450 billion services export target: Shri Piyush Goyal

    Source: Government of India (2)

    India’s IT sector to play a key role in achieving ambitious $450 billion services export target: Shri Piyush Goyal

    MSMEs driving rapid growth in IT and services exports

    Posted On: 20 MAR 2025 9:02PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal called for a collective commitment from the government and the IT sector to achieve a $450 billion services export target. Recognizing the rapid growth of MSMEs in IT, tourism, business accounting, and financial services, Shri Goyal emphasized the sector’s high job creation potential. He expressed confidence at the inaugural session of NASSCOM Global Confluence 2025 in New Delhi today that in 2025-26, India’s services exports could surpass merchandise exports, with IT at the forefront. He called for a collective commitment from the government and the IT sector to achieve a $450 billion services export target.

    Shri Goyal underscored the critical role of the IT and IT-enabled services (ITES) sector in India’s economic growth. He noted that the services sector exports reached approximately $340 billion last year, with IT and ITES contributing nearly $200 billion. This year, services exports are expected to reach between $380 billion and $385 billion, further solidifying India’s global presence.

    Shri Goyal highlighted the importance of innovation and adaptability in maintaining India’s competitive edge. He praised NASSCOM (National Association of Software and Services Companies) for fostering a culture of continuous learning, stating that the IT sector has consistently remained ahead of the curve by embracing new technologies such as quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.

    He also stressed the need to attract Global Capability Centers (GCCs) to India, leveraging the country’s vast talent pool. Encouraging businesses to operate from India rather than relocating talent abroad, he said this would enhance foreign exchange earnings and fuel domestic economic growth.

    Discussing India’s expanding middle class and rising consumption levels, Shri Goyal outlined the cascading benefits of IT-led growth, including increased demand for commercial real estate, housing, and infrastructure. He called it a “virtuous cycle of growth” where a thriving services sector strengthens the overall economy.

    NASSCOM, he noted, plays an omnipresent role across industries and must continue reskilling and retraining IT professionals to remain relevant in today’s fast-evolving landscape. He reiterated the government’s commitment to expanding global partnerships through Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and bilateral engagements, emphasizing that numerous global markets are eager for India’s arrival.

    The Minister concluded by reaffirming confidence in India’s IT sector and MSMEs as key drivers of the country’s economic transformation in the Amrit Kaal, working collectively towards a developed and prosperous Viksit Bharat.

    Congratulating the winners of the SME Inspired 2025 Awards, he lauded their achievements and encouraged others to strive for excellence in the coming years.

     

    ***

    Abhishek Dayal/ Abhijith Narayanan/ Ishita Biswas

    (Release ID: 2113462) Visitor Counter : 54

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hong Kong movie “Last Song For You” screened at Osaka Asian Film Festival (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Hong Kong movie “Last Song For You” screened at Osaka Asian Film Festival  
    The gala screening, attended by some 300 film fans from Japan, was sponsored by the Cultural, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency and the Film Development Fund, with the support from the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Tokyo).
     
    Speaking before the screening, the Principal Hong Kong Economic and Trade Representative (Tokyo), Miss Winsome Au, said that the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office was proud to support the “Hong Kong Gala Screening” together with the film talents coming all the way from Hong Kong to participate in the OAFF this year.
     
    “Showcasing Hong Kong’s cultural diversity and creative excellence is our top priority. By promoting Hong Kong films to overseas audiences, we hope to share our love for cinema and our city as a colourful and vibrant metropolis rich in arts and culture from the East and West,” she said.
     
    She added that the Film Development Fund has already approved over $1.3 billion to support more than 120 film projects, involving 110 new directors and producers.
     
    Miss Au was joined by director Jill Leung of “Last Song For You”, as well as other Hong Kong film talents participating in the film festival. After the screening of “Last Song For You”, Leung also took part in a sharing session with the audience.
    Issued at HKT 23:02

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addresses programme of Bavaliyali Dham

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addresses programme of Bavaliyali Dham

    PM lauds Bharwad community’s dedication to service, love for nature and commitment to cow protection

    Developing villages is the first step toward building a Viksit Bharat: PM

    PM emphasises on the importance of education for empowering the community through modernity as the way forward

    PM highlights the importance of “Sabka Prayas” being the nation’s greatest strength

    Posted On: 20 MAR 2025 9:04PM by PIB Delhi

    The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi delivered his remarks during the programme of Bavaliyali Dham related to the Bharwad Samaj of Gujarat via video message today. Addressing the gathering, Shri Modi extended heartfelt greetings to Mahant Shri Ram Bapu ji, the community leaders, and the thousands of devotees present. He began by paying respectful tribute to the traditions of the Bharwad community and to the revered saints and mahants who have dedicated their lives to upholding these traditions. Highlighting the immense joy and pride associated with the historic Mahakumbh, Shri Modi remarked on the significant occasion of Mahant Shri Ram Bapu ji being conferred the title of Mahamandaleshwar during this sacred event, calling it a monumental achievement and a source of great happiness for all. He conveyed his wishes to Mahant Shri Ram Bapu ji and the families of the community, celebrating their contributions and achievements.

    Shri Modi said that over the past week, Bhavnagar’s land seemed to transform into Lord Krishna’s Vrindavan, highlighting the Bhagwat Katha conducted by the community, describing the atmosphere as one filled with devotion, where people immersed themselves in Krishna’s essence. “Bavaliyali is not merely a religious site but a symbol of faith, culture, and unity for the Bharwad community and many others”, he added.

    The Prime Minister emphasized, with the blessings of Naga Lakha Thakur, the sacred place of Bavaliyali has always provided the Bharwad community with true direction and boundless inspiration. He highlighted the golden opportunity of the re-consecration of the Shri Naga Lakha Thakur temple, calling it a momentous occasion. He noted the vibrant celebrations over the past week, praising the enthusiasm and energy of the community. He further remarked on the Ras performed by thousands of women, describing it as a living embodiment of Vrindavan and a harmonious blend of faith, culture, and tradition, describing it as a source of immense joy and satisfaction. He highlighted the contributions of the artists who participated in the programs, bringing the events to life and delivering timely messages to society. The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the community would continue to receive valuable messages through the Bhagwat Katha. He extended heartfelt appreciation to all those involved, stating that their efforts deserve endless accolades.

    Expressing gratitude to Mahant Shri Ram Bapu ji and the organizers of the Bavaliyali Dham event for inviting him to participate in this auspicious occasion, the Prime Minister conveyed his inability to attend in person due to parliamentary commitments. He assured that he would visit in the future to pay his respects. 

    Shri Modi highlighted his long-standing connection with the Bharwad community and Bavaliyali Dham, lauding the community’s dedication to service, their love for nature, and their commitment to cow protection, describing these values as beyond words. He remarked on the shared sentiment that resonates deeply within the community.

    Underlining the profound legacy of Naga Lakha Thakur, Shri Modi hailed his contributions as a beacon of service and inspiration. He highlighted the enduring impact of Thakur’s efforts, which continue to be remembered and celebrated even after centuries. He shared his personal witness to the remarkable services rendered by Pujya Isu Bapu during challenging times in Gujarat, particularly during periods of severe drought. He noted the immense hardships faced by regions like Dhandhuka and Rampur, where water scarcity was a persistent issue. He praised Pujya Isu Bapu’s selfless service to the afflicted, describing it as a divine act recognized and revered across Gujarat. The Prime Minister further highlighted Isu Bapu’s dedication to the welfare of displaced communities, the education of their children, environmental conservation, and the preservation of Gir cows. He remarked that every aspect of Isu Bapu’s work reflects a deep tradition of service and compassion.

    Lauding the Bharwad community for their unwavering commitment to hard work and sacrifice, emphasizing their consistent progress and resilience, the Prime Minister recalled his past interactions with the community, where he encouraged them to transition from wielding sticks to embracing pens, symbolizing the importance of education. He expressed pride in the new generation of the Bharwad community for adopting this vision, with children advancing through education. Shri Modi highlighted the need for further progress, stating that now even the daughters of the community should hold computers in their hands. He emphasized the community’s role as protectors of nature and culture, applauding their embodiment of the “Atithi Devo Bhava” tradition. He noted the unique values of the Bharwad community, where elders are cared for within joint families, reflecting a spirit of service akin to serving the divine. Acknowledging the community’s efforts in preserving traditions while embracing modernity, Shri Modi commended initiatives like providing hostel facilities for children of displaced families and connecting the community with new opportunities globally. He expressed his desire for the community’s girls to excel in sports and highlighted the potential he witnessed during Gujarat’s Khel Mahakumbh. He also emphasized the community’s dedication to cattle rearing, particularly their efforts in preserving the Gir cow breed, which has brought pride to the nation. He remarked on the global recognition of Gir cows and urged the community to extend the same care and concern to their children as they do to their livestock.

    Emphasising his deep connection with the Bharwad community, describing them as his family and partners, Shri Modi remarked on the gathering at Bavaliyali Dham, expressing his belief that the community would support his vision for Viksit Bharat within the next 25 years. He highlighted the importance of collective efforts, reiterating his statement from the Red Fort about “Sabka Prayas” being the nation’s greatest strength. The Prime Minister underscored the need to develop villages as the first step toward building a Viksit Bharat. He highlighted the government’s free vaccination program for livestock to combat Foot and Mouth Disease, urging the community to ensure regular vaccinations for their cattle. He described this initiative as an act of compassion and a way to receive divine blessings. Shri Modi also mentioned the introduction of Kisan Credit Cards for cattle rearers, enabling them to access low-interest loans for expanding their businesses. He emphasized the importance of preserving indigenous cattle breeds and highlighted the National Gokul Mission as a key initiative for their conservation and growth. He urged the community to take full advantage of these programs. The Prime Minister reiterated the significance of tree plantation, encouraging the community to plant trees in honor of their mothers. He described this as a way to restore the health of Mother Earth, which has suffered due to excessive exploitation and chemical use. He emphasized the value of natural farming and urged the community to adopt this practice to rejuvenate the land. Shri Modi praised the Bharwad community’s dedication to service, highlighting the potential of cattle dung as a resource for strengthening the soil. He commended the efforts of Gujarat’s Governor, Shri Acharya Devvrat in promoting natural farming and called on the community to contribute to this cause.

    The Prime Minister extended his heartfelt wishes to the Bharwad community and prayed for the continued blessings of Naga Lakha Thakur on everyone. He expressed his hope for the well-being and progress of all individuals associated with Bavaliyali Dham. Shri Modi emphasized the importance of education, urging the community’s children, especially daughters, to excel academically and contribute to a stronger society. He remarked that empowering the community through modernity and strength is the way forward. He concluded by expressing joy and gratitude for being part of this auspicious occasion, acknowledging that his presence in person would have brought him even greater happiness.

     

     

    ***

    MJPS/SR

    (Release ID: 2113463) Visitor Counter : 38

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu visits the Udyam Utsav at Rashtrapati Bhavan

    Source: Government of India

    President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu  visits the Udyam Utsav at Rashtrapati Bhavan

    The Utsav is open to the public from March 20, 2025 to 30, 2025 between 10 AM and 8 PM

    Posted On: 20 MAR 2025 7:57PM by PIB Delhi

    President Smt Droupadi Murmu visited the Udyam Utsav in the President’s Estate today. She visited the pavilions displaying various products ranging from handicrafts and food products to khadi products.

    The Ministry of MSME is organizing “Udyam Utsav” at Rashtrapati Bhavan from March 20, 2025, to March 30, 2025, an event to celebrate the spirit of MSMEs across the country, aimed to empower and encourage MSMEs, thereby bringing India’s vibrant heritage closer to its citizens at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

    The key highlights of the event include  :

    • Seven pavilions showcasing diverse product segments, including Heritage & Handicrafts, Organic & Agro-based products, Green MSME Technologies, Women Entrepreneurs, PM Vishwakarma & Tribal Entrepreneurs, Khadi & Village Industries (APRATIM), and MSME Business Support Pavilion.

    • Around 60 stalls, having products for sale and display by artisans and entrepreneurs.

    • A dedicated pavilion highlighting PM Vishwakarma Scheme of the Ministry of MSME and Tribal Entrepreneurs will showcase trades covered under the Scheme with toolkits and  live pottery demonstration.

    • Additional attractions include food stalls offering a variety of cuisine, AR/VR experiences, and traditional crafts. A model of Chandrayaan will be a central highlight ensuring an immersive experience.

    • Activities such as Hunar Sangeet, Nukkad Natak, Saree Draping Sessions, and Rajasthani Puppet Maker demonstrations will add vibrancy to the event.

    The Utsav is open to the public from March 20, 2025 to 30, 2025 between 10 AM and 8 PM. Entry will be through Gate Number 35 of the Rashtrapati Bhavan (where North Avenue meets Rashtrapati Bhavan). Online and free of cost Bookings can be done on https://visit.rashtrapatibhavan.gov.in/plan-visit/amrit-udyan/rE/mO

    ****

    SK  

    (Release ID: 2113404) Visitor Counter : 180

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Top IITs, NIT Rourkela and Saveetha Engineering College to lead in India’s chip design to solve real life problems

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Top IITs, NIT Rourkela and Saveetha Engineering College to lead in India’s chip design to solve real life problems

    Vervesemi selected for indigenous ‘BLDC controller chip’ development, advancing India’s semiconductor goals

    Next big leap: Digital India RISC-V processor’ announced, applications open from April 10

    Posted On: 20 MAR 2025 8:05PM by PIB Delhi

    Recognizing semiconductor design as a strategic imperative, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is spearheading a comprehensive transformation of India’s chip design ecosystem. Through a series of graded and proactive initiatives, MeitY is systematically revamping semiconductor design processes across more than 300 organizations, including 250 academic institutions and 65 start-ups. This initiative aims to democratize chip design, fostering an environment where talent from any corner of the country can contribute to India’s semiconductor innovation. Aligning with the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi that ‘Design in India is as important as Make in India’, MeitY is set to usher in a new era of creative empowerment in chip design.

    About C2S Programme

    The Chips to Start-up (C2S) Programme is a flagship initiative by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) aimed at strengthening India’s semiconductor design ecosystem. Aims to generate 85,000 number of industry-ready manpower at BTech, MTech, and PhD levels specialized in semiconductor chip design.The Programme takes a comprehensive approach by offering students complete hands-on experience in chip design, fabrication, and testing. This is achieved through regular training sessions, conducted in collaboration with industry partners, and by providing mentorship and access to chip design, fabrication & testing resources to students, including EDA tools, access to semiconductor foundries for fabricating their chips etc. These opportunities include implementing the R&D projects for development of working prototypes of ASICs, SoCs and IP Core designs.

    ChipIN Centre

    ChipIN Centre has been setup under C2S Programme as one of the largest facilities established at C-DAC, aims to bring the chip design infrastructure at door-steps of semiconductor design community in the country. It is a centralized design facility, not only hosting the most advanced tools for entire chip design cycle going up to 5nm or advanced node but also provide aggregate services for fabrication of design at foundries and packaging.

    Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, made the announcements

    Under C2S Programme, following announcements were made by Hon’ble Minister- Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw with august presence of Secretary- Shri Krishnan, Additional Secretary- Shri Abhishek Singh and Group Coordinator- Smt Sunita Verma, MeitY on 20th March 2025.

    After intense rounds of coding, design challenges, and expert-led training, 40 elite teams, 200 innovators battled it out in the Grand Finale of the 100-hour deep-tech “Analog and Digital Hackathons” launched in partnership of AMD, Synopsys and CoreEL Technologies. Armed with EDA & cloud resources, they tackled real-world problems—enhancing LIVE image processing on FPGA hardware in Digital Design and optimizing complex voltage regulator circuits in Analog Design. Six winning teams were announced by Hon’ble Minister:

    Winners of the Analog Design Hackathon:

    1st Prize winner to the Team Intuition from IIT Delhi

    2nd Prize Winner to Team Analog Edge from NIT Rourkela

    3rd Prize Winner to Team FETManiacs from IIT Guwahati

    Winners of the Digital Design Hackathon:

    1st Prize winner to the Team RISCB from IIT Bombay

    2nd Prize Winner to Team Silicon Scripters from Saveetha Engineering College

    3rd Prize Winner to Team Daedalus from IIT (BHU Varanasi)

    Vervesemi to Lead Indigenous Development

    The indigenous development of the ‘BLDC Controller Chip’ was awarded to M/s Vervesemi Microelectronics Pvt. Ltd with following USP: 90% BOM made in India for self-reliant semiconductor solution, Complete power & control solution under $1.50 and Scalability at 10 million units/year.

     

    Supporting BLDC and SR motors <200W

    Next Big Leap

    The launch of ‘Digital India RISC-V Processor’ was announced – to start inviting applications on 10th April onwards. With VEGA Processors and SHAKTI Microprocessor at its core- the participants will tinker innovative applications. The ‘Digital India RISC-V Processor’ is technologically powered by VEGA Processor by C-DAC & SHAKTI Processor by IIT Madras with support from Renesas, LTSC, CoreEL Technologies and Bharat Electronics.

    Chips to Start-up (C2S) Programme

    India today presents a significant opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs and researchers to be at the forefront of designing and redefining the semiconductor systems, devices and products of the future. “Chips to Start-up (C2S) Programme” of Government of India and MeitY in alignment with the nation’s unwavering commitment to building a robust and self-sustaining semiconductor ecosystem, is empowering the next generation of engineers, researchers and entrepreneurs to drive India’s technological advancements and propel the nation towards becoming a global powerhouse.

    ***

    Dharmendra Tewari/ Navin Sreejith

    (Release ID: 2113411) Visitor Counter : 83

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India’s own safe and secure Browser on anvil: after an intense competition, MeitY assigns the task of making Indian Browser compatible with iOS, Android and Windows

    Source: Government of India (2)

    India’s own safe and secure Browser on anvil: after an intense competition, MeitY assigns the task of making Indian Browser compatible with iOS, Android and Windows

    India is Striving Towards Becoming a “Product Nation” from a “Service Nation”: Union Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw

    Zoho Wins India’s Web Browser Challenge, with Team PING and Team Ajna as 1st and 2nd Runner-Up; Special Mention for Jio Vishwakarma’s Multi-Platform Design

    Posted On: 20 MAR 2025 8:01PM by PIB Delhi

    On the occasion of World Happiness Day, the Government of India reaffirmed its commitment to empowering citizens through secure and innovative digital solutions. The focus of India’s IT sector, which generates over USD 282 billion in revenue, is shifting towards creating indigenous hardware and software products. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), took a visionary leap toward technological self-reliance by launching an ambitious challenge to develop an indigenous web browser under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. This landmark initiative, aimed at fostering innovation and bolstering digital independence, was conducted by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Bangalore.

    Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the winners of Indian Web Browser Development Challenge (IWBDC). In a function organized by MeitY on 20th March, 2025, he expressed immense pride on the participants who demonstrated outstanding innovations, remarkable creativity, expertise and in making significant strides in the development of a reliable web browser tailored to Indian needs. The developments are a step forward in realizing the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and empowering India’s digital future.

    Speaking on the occasion Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized Government of India’s broader vision of transforming India into a “product nation” from a service nation, that is self-reliant in technology, hardware and software solutions. As part of this vision, IWBDC was launched to develop an indigenous web browser, receiving enthusiastic participation from startups, students, and researchers, all eager to contribute to India’s digital self-reliance. The Minister also urged the need to accelerate the journey from innovation to large-scale productization, enabling the widespread adoption of homegrown digital solutions and encourage startups and industry to develop competitive secure, and scalable technologies that contribute to India’s self-reliance.

    The web browser serves as the primary gateway to the internet, enabling activities such as web surfing, email, eOffice, and online transactions. The advantages of an indigenous Indian browser are manifold. Firstly, it ensures enhanced data security, with user data kept within the country’s borders, fostering better control over sensitive information. Secondly, it complies with India’s Data Protection Act, ensuring privacy and adherence to the highest standards of data security. Additionally, all data generated by Indian citizens will remain in India, enhancing the country’s digital sovereignty. Furthermore, the browser will be compatible with all major platforms, including iOS, Windows, and Android, ensuring broad accessibility and usability across devices.

    Addressing the participants, the Minister said that that the development of India’s own web browser marks the first significant step towards the creation of an entire Indian digital stack. Zoho Corporation emerged as a winner with Team PING- a startup as 1st Runner-Up and Team Ajna a startup as the 2nd Runner-Up. Recognizing their outstanding contributions, an award of ₹1 crore, ₹75 lakhs, and ₹50 lakhs was given to the winner, 1st Runner-Up, and 2nd Runner-Up, respectively. A special mention was made for “Jio Vishwakarma” for their design of browsers in varied platforms.The Minister also expressed his satisfaction in seeing the winners emerge from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, highlighting the significant talent and potential across India’s smaller cities.

    On the occasion Shri S. Krishnan Secretary, MeitY highlighted the importance of indigenous Web Browser and its features. Shri Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary, Shri Bhuvnesh Kumar, Additional Secretary, Shri E Magesh, Director General C-DAC, Shri Arvind Kumar, CCA, Smt Sunita Verma, Scientist ‘G’ and GC(R&D) and other Senior officers from MeitY, C-DAC and industries also participated in the event.

    With its own certificate trust-store, these indigenous browsers will cater to the needs of the Indian users and set a new benchmark for trust-worthy digital interaction.

    Indian Web Browser Development Challenge

    The Indian Web Browser Development Challenge (https://iwbdc.in) was launched setting the stage for a transformative journey in web browsing. Structured across three progressive stages—Ideation, Prototype, and Productization—the challenge required designing the browser with a spectrum of critical features, including a dedicated trust store with CCA India Root certificate, Digital Signing within the browser, Child-friendly browsing, Parental Controls, seamless compatibility with all official Indian languages, Web3 support, and cutting-edge browser capabilities. The competition garnered an overwhelming response from startups, industry leaders, and academia, showcasing India’s immense talent and drive for digital sovereignty. A remarkable 434 teams registered for the challenge, embarking on a rigorous and competitive journey. As the challenge unfolded, eight outstanding teams made it to the final stage, where their innovations were evaluated by a distinguished Jury Panel.

    *****

    Dharmendra Tewari/ Navin Sreejith

    (Release ID: 2113408) Visitor Counter : 26

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu visits the Udyam Utsav at Amrit Udyan, Rashtrapati Bhavan

    Source: Government of India (2)

    President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu  visits the Udyam Utsav at Amrit Udyan, Rashtrapati Bhavan

    The Utsav is open to the public from March 20, 2025 to 30, 2025 between 10 AM and 8 PM

    Posted On: 20 MAR 2025 7:57PM by PIB Delhi

    President Smt Droupadi Murmu visited the Udyam Utsav in the President’s Estate today. She visited the pavilions displaying various products ranging from handicrafts and food products to khadi products.

    The Ministry of MSME is organizing “Udyam Utsav” at Rashtrapati Bhavan from March 20, 2025, to March 30, 2025, an event to celebrate the spirit of MSMEs across the country, aimed to empower and encourage MSMEs, thereby bringing India’s vibrant heritage closer to its citizens at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

    The key highlights of the event include  :

    • Seven pavilions showcasing diverse product segments, including Heritage & Handicrafts, Organic & Agro-based products, Green MSME Technologies, Women Entrepreneurs, PM Vishwakarma & Tribal Entrepreneurs, Khadi & Village Industries (APRATIM), and MSME Business Support Pavilion.

    • Around 60 stalls, having products for sale and display by artisans and entrepreneurs.

    • A dedicated pavilion highlighting PM Vishwakarma Scheme of the Ministry of MSME and Tribal Entrepreneurs will showcase trades covered under the Scheme with toolkits and  live pottery demonstration.

    • Additional attractions include food stalls offering a variety of cuisine, AR/VR experiences, and traditional crafts. A model of Chandrayaan will be a central highlight ensuring an immersive experience.

    • Activities such as Hunar Sangeet, Nukkad Natak, Saree Draping Sessions, and Rajasthani Puppet Maker demonstrations will add vibrancy to the event.

    The Utsav is open to the public from March 20, 2025 to 30, 2025 between 10 AM and 8 PM. Entry will be through Gate Number 35 of the Rashtrapati Bhavan (where North Avenue meets Rashtrapati Bhavan). Online and free of cost Bookings can be done on https://visit.rashtrapatibhavan.gov.in/plan-visit/amrit-udyan/rE/mO

    ****

    SK  

    (Release ID: 2113404) Visitor Counter : 63

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Government will adjust Conditions of Sale and extend tender period for sites for multi-storey buildings for modern industries in Hung Shui Kiu and Yuen Long

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The Government announced today (March 20) that adjustments will be made to the Conditions of Sale for the tender of the site for Multi-storey Buildings for Modern Industries (MSBs) at Area 39A and 39B, Hung Shui Kiu and Ha Tsuen (i.e. Hung Shui Kiu Town Lot No. 10) (the Hung Shui Kiu Lot), and the MSB site at Yuen Long Fuk Wang Street and Wang Lee Street (i.e. Yuen Long Town Lot No. 545) (the Yuen Long Lot). The tender period of these two MSB sites will be extended to July 25, 2025.

         The Government launched tenders under the two-envelope approach for the Yuen Long Lot and the Hung Shui Kiu Lot in March and October 2024 respectively. The original tender closing date of both sites was March 21, 2025. These two sites are the first batch of MSB sites rolled out for achieving the dual policy objectives of promoting the development of industries, and providing floor space to some brownfield operations displaced by government development projects to enable them to upgrade their operations. Under the two-envelope approach, tenderers must submit respective envelopes containing the non-premium proposals and premium proposals (accounting for 70 per cent and 30 per cent of the assessment weighting respectively), so that the Government can consider non-premium factors, such as how the MSB(s) concerned may drive development of industries and facilitate consolidation of displaced brownfield operations, in addition to premium offers, and award the site to the most suitable bidder.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Declares 2nd Khelo India Para Games Open

    Source: Government of India

    Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Declares 2nd Khelo India Para Games Open

    When one is determined, is heading in the right direction, and is working hard, the result is always positive – Dr. Mandaviya

    Through Khelo India Para Games, our athletes are getting the best opportunity and they are paving the pathway to success – Dr. Mandaviya

    Five Paralympians Participate in Unique Torch Rally in Presence of Union Ministers Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya and Dr. Virendra Kumar

    Posted On: 20 MAR 2025 6:50PM by PIB Delhi

     Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya declared the 2nd Khelo India Para Games 2025 open at KD Jadhav Indoor Hall, Indira Gandhi Stadium complex in New Delhi today. More than 1300 para athletes will take part in six sports disciplines in this eight-day long championship.

    Six Paralympians – Simran Sharma (athletics), Praveen Kumar (badminton), Nitesh Kumar (badminton), Nitya Sre (badminton) and Preeti Pal (athletics) joined Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Virendra Kumar, Union Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment,  Sri Kento Jini, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister of Arunachal Pradesh and President of the Paralympic Committee of India and former Paralympian Sri Devendra Jhajharia, in a unique torch rally to formally flag off the Khelo India Para Games 2025.

    Dr Mansukh Mandaviya said he was excited to see the response to every Khelo India event that has now become the “umbrella” for all athletes aspiring to win laurels for the country. “I am immensely proud and elated by the contributions made by Khelo India to Indian sports. Be it Khelo India Youth Games, Khelo India School Games, Khelo India Winter Games or Khelo India Para Games, our athletes are making the country proud through their talent everywhere,” said Dr Mandaviya.

    Dr Mandaviya further said, “When one is determined, is heading in the right direction, and is working hard, the result is always positive. The success at Paris Paralympics 2024, where we won a total of 29 medals proved that our athletes have the potential to make the country proud on the global stage. Through Khelo India Para Games, our athletes are getting the best opportunity and they are paving the pathway to success. This is exactly what our Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi had envisaged”.

    Dr. Kumar too lauded the Khelo India initiative and mentioned, “Khelo India Para Games 2025 is a world-class platform for Indian athletes to compete among each other and portray their talent publicly. At the same time, it also provides a chance to the para athletes to not just prove themselves but also inspire others through their challenging journey”.

    The opening ceremony featured athletes, coaches and support staff from all over the country. Secretary (Sports), Smt. Sujata Chaturvedi and senior officials of the Sports Authority of India were also present at the opening ceremony.

    For more on KIPG 2025, click: Welcome | KIPG 2025

    ABOUT KHELO INDIA PARA GAMES

    Khelo India Para Games is part of the Khelo India mission to provide a platform for talented athletes to showcase their sporting and competitive skills. The 1st edition of Khelo India Para Games, held in December 2023, was organized to enable para-athletes to showcase their talent at the national level. The Games were played in seven sports disciplines across three venues in New Delhi. The second edition of KIPG, to be held at three venues in the capital between March 20-27, 2025, will be held in six disciplines – para-athletics, para archery, para powerlifting, para badminton, para table tennis and para shooting.

    *****

    Himanshu Pathak

    (Release ID: 2113356) Visitor Counter : 39

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Transforming India’s Agricultural and Dairy Sectors

    Source: Government of India

    Transforming India’s Agricultural and Dairy Sectors

    Recent Policy Decisions and Budgetary Provisions

    Posted On: 20 MAR 2025 6:49PM by PIB Delhi

    Summary

    • The Union Cabinet approved the Revised National Program for Dairy Development (NPDD) with an additional budget of ₹1,000 crore.
    • The Union Cabinet has also approved the Revised Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) to boost the livestock sector, with an additional outlay of ₹1,000 crore.
    • The Union Budget 2025-26 has emphasized agriculture as the foremost engine of India’s development.
    • On January 1, 2025, the Union Cabinet approved continuation of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme till 2025-26.
    • On January 1, 2025, the Union Cabinet approved the extension of One-time Special Package on Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) for the period from 01.01.2025 till further orders.
    • The Union Cabinet, on November 25, 2024, approved the launching of the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) with a total outlay of Rs.2481 crore.
    • On October 3, 2024, the Union Cabinet approved the rationalization of all Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) operating under Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer’s into two-umbrella Schemes viz. Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY), and Krishonnati Yojana (KY).
    • On October 3, 2024, the Union Cabinet approved the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds with a financial outlay of Rs 10,103 crore.

     

    Introduction

    On March 19, 2025, the Union Cabinet took two key decisions to further the development of agriculture, dairying and animal husbandry in India. Agriculture, animal husbandry, and dairying are the cornerstone of India’s economy. These sectors play a crucial role in ensuring rural employment and economic stability.

    The Union Cabinet approved the Revised National Program for Dairy Development (NPDD), a Central Sector Scheme, with an additional budget of ₹1,000 crore, bringing the total to ₹2,790 crore for the 15th Finance Commission period (2021-22 to 2025-26).

    Key Objectives of the Revised NPDD:

    • Improved milk procurement, processing capacity, and quality control.
    • Enhanced market access for farmers and better pricing through value addition.
    • Strengthening of the dairy supply chain to increase rural income and development.

    Components of the Revised NPDD:

    1. Component A: Focuses on improving dairy infrastructure.
    2. Component B: Dairying through Cooperatives (DTC) in partnership with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

    Expected Outcomes of Revised NPDD:

    • Establishment of 10,000 new Dairy Cooperative Societies.
    • Additional 3.2 lakh employment opportunities, 70% benefiting women.

    The Union Cabinet has also approved the Revised Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) to boost the livestock sector, with an additional outlay of ₹1,000 crore, bringing the total budget to ₹3,400 crore for the 15th Finance Commission period (2021-22 to 2025-26).

    Key Additions to the Revised RGM:

    1. Heifer Rearing Centres: One-time assistance of 35% of capital cost for setting up 30 housing facilities for 15,000 heifers.
    2. Support for High Genetic Merit (HGM) Heifers: 3% interest subvention on loans taken by farmers to purchase HGM IVF heifers from milk unions/financial institutions.

    Ongoing Activities under RGM:

    • Strengthening of semen stations and Artificial Insemination (AI) network.
    • Bull production and breed improvement using sex-sorted semen.
    • Skill development and farmer awareness programs.
    • Establishment of Centres of Excellence and strengthening of Central Cattle Breeding Farms.

    Expected Outcomes of Revised RGM:

    • Increased incomes for 8.5 crore farmers engaged in dairying.
    • Scientific conservation of indigenous bovine breeds.

    India is the world’s largest producer of milk and the second-largest producer of fruits and vegetables. With a rising global demand for organic produce, value-added dairy products, and sustainable farming practices, the government has placed renewed emphasis on enhancing productivity, infrastructure, and market access for farmers. In the past six months, the Union Government has introduced key policy decisions aimed at modernizing these sectors. Through targeted investments, regulatory support, and infrastructure development, the government seeks to improve farmer incomes, ensure disease control in livestock, and bolster cooperative movements to benefit small and marginal farmers. A crucial component of this vision is the Union Budget 2024-25, which has made substantial allocations to agriculture, animal health, and rural development.

    Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying Provisions in Union Budget 2024-25

    The Union Budget 2025-26 has emphasized agriculture as the foremost engine of India’s development, focusing on improving productivity, farmer incomes, rural infrastructure, and self-sufficiency in key commodities. The provisions also extend to animal husbandry, dairying, and fisheries, ensuring holistic growth in the primary sector.

    1. Agriculture Sector Provisions

    1.1 Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana

    • A new scheme targeting 100 low-productivity districts.
    • Focus on enhancing agricultural productivity, crop diversification, sustainable practices, irrigation, and post-harvest storage.
    • Likely to benefit 1.7 crore farmers.

    1.2 Rural Prosperity and Resilience Programme

    • A multi-sectoral initiative to address underemployment in agriculture.
    • Focus on skilling, investment, and technology-driven transformation.
    • Phase-1 to cover 100 agricultural districts.

    1.3 Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses

    • A six-year mission with a focus on Tur, Urad, and Masoor.
    • Development of climate-resilient seeds and protein enhancement.
    • Assurance of remunerative prices through procurement by NAFED and NCCF for four years.

    1.4 Comprehensive Programme for Vegetables and Fruits

    • Promotion of vegetable and fruit production with efficient supply chains.
    • Focus on value addition, processing, and ensuring better market prices.
    • Implementation in partnership with states and farmer producer organizations.

    1.5 National Mission on High Yielding Seeds

    • Strengthening research for high-yield, pest-resistant, and climate-resilient seeds.
    • Commercial availability of over 100 seed varieties released since July 2024.

    1.6 Cotton Productivity Mission

    • A five-year mission to improve cotton yield and sustainability.
    • Promotion of extra-long staple cotton to benefit cotton-growing farmers.
    • Alignment with the 5F vision for textile sector growth.

    1.7 Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Loan Limit Enhancement

    • The loan limit under the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme raised from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh.
    • Expected to benefit 7.7 crore farmers, fishermen, and dairy farmers.

    1.8 Urea Plant in Assam

    • A new urea plant with an annual capacity of 12.7 lakh metric tons at Namrup, Assam.
    • Expected to enhance self-sufficiency in urea production.

    2. Animal Husbandry and Dairying

    2.1 Makhana Board in Bihar

    • Establishment of a dedicated board to support makhana production, processing, and marketing.
    • Organization of makhana farmers into Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs).

    2.2 Fisheries Development Framework

    • Special focus on Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands.
    • Sustainable harnessing of fisheries from the Exclusive Economic Zone and High Seas.
    • Expected to boost marine sector potential and increase exports.

    3. Credit and Financial Inclusion

    3.1 Grameen Credit Score

    • Public Sector Banks to develop a framework for SHG members and rural credit needs.

    3.2 Expansion of Credit for Micro Enterprises

    • Introduction of customized credit cards with a ₹5 lakh limit for micro-enterprises registered on the Udyam portal.
    • 10 lakh cards to be issued in the first year.

    4. Research and Infrastructure Development

    4.1 Gene Bank for Crops Germplasm

    • A second gene bank with 10 lakh germplasm lines for future food security.

    4.2 Research and Development in Agriculture

    • Enhanced support for private-sector-driven R&D.

    The Union Budget 2025-26 provisions for agriculture, animal husbandry, and dairying reflect the government’s commitment to boosting agricultural productivity, ensuring financial stability for farmers, and strengthening allied sectors.

    Overview of Cabinet Decisions Since October 2024

    1. Continuation of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS)

    On January 1, 2025, the Union Cabinet approved continuation of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme till 2025-26 with an overall outlay of Rs.69,515.71 crore from 2021-22 to 2025-26. The decision will help in risk coverage of crops from non-preventable natural calamities for farmers across the country.

    In addition to the same, for large scale technology infusion in implementation of the scheme leading to increasing transparency and claim calculation and settlement, the Union Cabinet has also approved creation of Fund for Innovation and Technology (FIAT) with a corpus of Rs.824.77 crore.

    1. Extension of One-time Special Package on Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP)

    On January 1, 2025, the Union Cabinet approved the proposal of the Department of Fertilizers for extension of One-time Special Package on Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) beyond the NBS subsidy @ Rs 3,500 per MT for the period from 01.01.2025 till further orders to ensure sustainable availability of DAP at affordable prices to the farmers. The tentative budgetary requirement for above would be approximately up to Rs. 3,850 crore.

    1. Increase in Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Copra for 2025 season

    The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, on December 20, 2024, has given its approval for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for copra for 2025 season. The government has increased MSP for milling copra and ball copra from Rs. 5250 per quintal and Rs. 5500 per quintal for the marketing season 2014 to Rs. 11582 per quintal and Rs. 12100 per quintal for the marketing season 2025, registering a growth of 121% and 120%, respectively. A higher MSP will not only ensure better remunerative returns to the coconut growers but also incentivize farmers to expand copra production to meet the growing demand for coconut products both domestically and internationally.

    1. Launch of National Mission on Natural Farming

    The Union Cabinet, on November 25, 2024, approved the launching of the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) as a standalone Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare. The scheme has a total outlay of Rs.2481 crore (Government of India share – Rs.1584 crore; State share – Rs.897 crore) till the 15th Finance Commission (2025-26).

    • National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) promotes NF to ensure safe, nutritious food and reduce farmers’ dependency on external inputs. It aims to enhance soil health, biodiversity, climate resilience, and sustainable agriculture.
    • Natural Farming (NF) is a chemical-free farming method based on traditional knowledge, local agro-ecological principles, and diversified cropping systems.
    • NF reduces input costs, soil degradation, and health risks from fertilizers and pesticides, ensuring nutritious food and climate resilience.
    1. Launch of PM Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY) and Krishonnati Yojana (KY)

    On October 3, 2024, the Union Cabinet approved the proposal of the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) for rationalization of all Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) operating under Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer’s into two-umbrella Schemes viz. Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY), and Krishonnati Yojana (KY).  

    PM-RKVY will promote sustainable agriculture, while KY will address food security & agricultural self-sufficiency. The PM-RKVY and KY are being implemented with total proposed expenditure of Rs.1,01,321.61 crore. These Schemes are implemented through the State Governments. Out of the total proposed expenditure of Rs.1,01,321.61 crore the projected expenditure towards central share of DA&FW is Rs.69,088.98 crore and states share is Rs.32,232.63 crore. This includes Rs.57,074.72 crore for RKVY and Rs.44,246.89 crore for KY.

    1. Approval of National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds

    On October 3, 2024, the Union Cabinet approved the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds), a landmark initiative aimed at boosting domestic oilseed production and achieving self-reliance in edible oils. The Mission will be implemented over a seven-year period, from 2024-25 to 2030-31, with a financial outlay of Rs 10,103 crore.

    The mission aims to increase primary oilseed production from 39 million tonnes (2022-23) to 69.7 million tonnes by 2030-31. Together with NMEO-OP (Oil Palm), the Mission targets to increase domestic edible oil production to 25.45 million tonnes by 2030-31 meeting around 72% of our projected domestic requirement.

    Welfare Schemes for Agriculture, Dairying and Animal Husbandry by the Indian Government

    • Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN): Launch of PM-KISAN in 2019 an income support scheme providing Rs. 6000 per year in 3 equal instalments. So far, more than Rs. 3.46 lakh crore has been disbursed to over 11 crore farmers through 18 instalments. On February 24, 2025, the government released the 19th instalment of the PM-KISAN scheme. Over 9.8 crore farmers including 2.41 crore female farmers across the country will be benefitted through the 19th instalment release, receiving direct financial assistance exceeding ₹22,000 crore through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) without involvement of any middlemen.
    • Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana: PMKMY is a central sector scheme, is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme for the entry age group of 18 to 40 years with a provision of Rs. 3000/- monthly pension on attaining the age of 60 years, subject to exclusion criteria. Since the inception of the scheme, over 24.67 lacs small and marginal farmers have joined the PMKMY scheme.
    • Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana: PMFBY was launched in 2016 addressing problems of high premium rates for farmers and reduction in sum insured due to capping. In past 8 Years of implementation. In past 8 Years of PMFBY implementation, 63.11 crore farmer applications have been enrolled and over 18.52 crore (Provisional) farmer applicants have received claims of over Rs. 1,65,149 crore. During this period nearly Rs. 32,482 crore were paid by farmers as their share of premium against which claims over Rs. 1,65,149 crore (Provisional) have been paid to them. Thus, for every Rs. 100 of premium paid by farmers, they have received about Rs. 508 as claims.

    ​​​​​​​

    • National Livestock Mission (NLM): The focus of the scheme is towards employment generation, entrepreneurship development; increase in per animal productivity and thus targeting increased production of meat, goat milk, egg and wool. An outlay of Rs. 324 crores have been allocated during the year 2024-25 for this mission.
    • Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF): The scheme envisaged for incentivizing investments by individual entrepreneurs, private companies, MSME, Farmers Producers Organizations (FPOs), and Section 8 companies to establish dairy processing and value addition infrastructure, meat processing and value addition infrastructure, animal feed plant, breed improvement technology and breed multiplications farms, veterinary drugs and vaccine infrastructure and waste to wealth management. Further, the Dairy Infrastructure Development Fund (DIDF) has been subsumed in the AHIDF and revised outlay is now Rs. 29610 crore.
    • National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP): Launched in 2019, the program is the largest of its kind globally, targeting the eradication of FMD and Brucellosis by 2030. Over 99.71 crore vaccinations against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in cattle and buffaloes, benefitting 7.18 crore farmers have been made so far.

    Conclusion

    The government’s recent decisions and budgetary provisions reflect a strong push towards modernization, infrastructure development, and sustainability in agriculture, animal husbandry, and dairying. The focus on disease control, cooperative strengthening, and technological innovation will contribute to improving productivity and farmers’ incomes, ensuring the long-term growth of these vital sectors.

    References

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2112791

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2112788

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2089249

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2089258

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2086629

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2077094

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2061649

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2061646

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2098404

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2098401

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1897084

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1985479

    https://pib.gov.in/FactsheetDetails.aspx?Id=149098

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2105745

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2086052

    https://www.instagram.com/airnewsalerts/p/DAqvpYOoVgI/

    https://x.com/pmkisanofficial/status/1891741181614133264/photo/1

    www.linkedin.com/posts/agrigoi_agrigoi-naturalfarming-nmnf-activity-7288065904469229568-7OdL

    https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2025/feb/doc202521492701.pdf

    Kindly find the pdf file 

    ****

    Santosh Kumar | Ritu Kataria | Rishita Aggarwal

    (Release ID: 2113351) Visitor Counter : 40

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Leveraging Non-conventional Data Sources for Official Statistics

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 20 MAR 2025 6:45PM by PIB Delhi

    The brainstorming session on Leveraging Non-Conventional Data Sources for Official Statistics, of Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), was concluded on 20th March, 2025 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

    The inaugural session of the event was addressed by Sri Kris Gopalakrishnan, Chairman Axilor Ventures and Co-founder of Infosys, Sri Rana Hasan, Regional Lead Economist, South Asia, Asian Development Bank (ADB), Sri Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator (UNRC), and Dr. Saurabh Garg, Secretary, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.

    Sri Kris Gopalakrishnan, one of the co-founders of Infosys, Chairman, The Council, IISc Bangalore, and the Chairman, Board of Governors of IIIT, Bangalore, in his keynote address, underpinned the importance of the non-conventional data by citing success of Aadhar, primarily developed as a tool of citizen services, however, now used for developing various applications. He said that in view of India’s tremendous potential in technology, it can lead from front in respect of using non-conventional datasets for decision making.

    He impressed upon the need of standardization of various datasets, strengthening data processing capabilities, and developing data governance framework. He emphasized further that there is a need for evolving a framework enabling access to private data, legally backed and for rightful usages. In addition, he underlined that there is a need of fostering data literacy amongst all stakeholders so that the non-conventional sources are effectively used. Further, he opined that a single source of data would empower not only to the data producers but also to the entrepreneurs. He concluded by stating that the deliberations like this would strengthen formalizing the non-conventional data sources.

    Dr. Saurabh Garg, Secretary, MoSPI, impressed upon the importance of such sessions for encouraging a concerted effort of all stakeholders for the optimal usages of available in the ecosystem. He urged upon the representatives of the Central Ministries/Departments, including the Statistical Advisors to explore the possibility of reusing datasets generated by the other agencies. Further, he also mentioned that the culture of data sharing, however, maintaining the sanctity of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) must be fostered in the working of all the stakeholders.

    Sri Shombi Sharp, UNRC in his address shared some best practices regarding the citizen generated data and their usages in the official statistics especially in achieving the SDGs. Besides, he also emphasized upon a greater collaboration amongst the stakeholders to capitalize the full potentials of all possible alternate datasets.   

    Sri Rana Hasan in his presentation demonstrated the power of combining various datasets for an improved decision making.  He noted that the cities are hubs of growth and innovation, and thus India’s ongoing urbanization should be appropriately leveraged. He observed further that since the industrial parks are affecting neighboring settlements, they should be catalysed for structural transformation.

    The first technical session invited presentations from Shri. M. C. Gaur, Addl. Surveyor General (NZ), Survey of India; Shri. Ayago Wambile, Senior Economist, World Bank; Prof. Bappaditya Mukhopadhyay, Expert in Analytics, Great Lakes Institute of Management, New Delhi; and Shri. Ankur Bansal, Founder, GDi Partners. This session was moderated by Sh. P. R. Meshram, Director General (Data Governance), MoSPI.

    Sh. Gaur from Survey of India, in his presentation, highlighted the relevance of linking statistical data to geospatial locations and making the same easily accessible to various data users. While Shri. Wambile from World Bank, spoke about different non-traditional data sources such as, scanner data, mobile phone data, etc that can be leveraged to supplement the official statistical data in the country. Prof Mukhopadhyay from Great Lakes Institute of Management, presented a specific use case of using satellite data to assess SDG at district and sub-district levels over time. Shri Bansal from GDi Partners thereafter, brought attention to objectives, challenges, and potential way forward of using non-traditional data sources along with illustrations of use of such data sets by NSOs across the world.

    The second technical session invited presentations from Ms. Tanusree Deb Barma, Deputy Director General, UIDAI, M/o Electronics and Technology; Prof. Shalabh, Professor of Statistics & Data Science, IIT Kanpur; Shri Srinivasa Rao Sitiraju, DD, BGWSA, NRSC, Department of Space, ISRO; and Dr. Karan Nagpal, India Regional Director, IDinsight, New Delhi, India. The session was moderated by Ms. Geeta Singh Rathore, Director  General (NSS), MoSPI.

    Ms. Tansuree from M/o Electronics and Technology, provided an overview of the Aadhar Ecosystem and presented areas where non-traditional data is being used for authentication of data, identification of bugs, etc. Further, Shri Sitiraju from ISRO, presented various types and aspects of Geospatial data being collected by ISRO and products built using them within the official data ecosystem. Dr. Shalabh from IIT Kanpur, thereafter, presented a specific use case of grievance redressal mechanism leveraging emerging technologies for deriving insights from grievance data collected by Government of India, while Dr. Nagpal from IDinsight presented various use cases of alternative datasets and their usages in generating macro indicators. He, specifically, discussed various usages in price data in official statistics.

    The event has been attended by around 150 delegates, ranging representations from the central Ministries/Departments, UN agencies, Think Tanks, Independent organisations, and Universities and research institutions.

    The deliberations of the brainstorming session would be a sine qua non for the data innovation involving tapping into alternative data gathered from new or non-conventional data sources and combining and enhancing existing data sources with that new data to gain additional insights.

    One of the significant takeaways of the brainstorming session is that the digital revolution provides abundant opportunities to improve the way services are delivered, including harnessing valuable data and insights into products, services, and customer behaviors. Such data innovations are rapidly changing institutions and the data sources available to them. A well-designed intertwining of various data sources may provide better comprehension resulting into improved health care system, Strong supply chains and logistics, Convenient travel, Smart farming, and a transparent FinTech ecosystem.

    Further, it was discussed that the Ministries/Departments may use the alternative datasets for the real time monitoring and tracking the decision variables. In addition, it also emerged that the Ministries/Departments may make available Alternative/Administrative datasets to various stakeholders so that their integration with Census/Survey data may become possible.  Besides, it emerged that there should be concerted efforts of all the stakeholders for creation of enabling environment so that all possible data sources, Conventional and Non-Conventional are used for decision making.  

    ****

    Samrat/ Allen

    (Release ID: 2113347) Visitor Counter : 68

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Swift Justice, Safer Society: The Impact of Fast Track Special Courts

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 20 MAR 2025 6:43PM by PIB Delhi

     

    “Justice delayed is justice denied”

    • Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) play a crucial role in expediting justice for rape and POCSO Act cases, with a high disposal rate of 96.28%.
    • In 2024 alone, 88,902 new cases were instituted and 85,595 cases were resolved, highlighting the effectiveness of FTSCs in addressing backlogs.
    • The government extended the scheme until 2026 with a financial outlay of ₹1952.23 crore under the Nirbhaya Fund.
    • These courts have collectively disposed of over 3,06,604 cases as of the latest data.
    • FTSCs reaffirm the government’s commitment to justice, women’s safety, and reducing the trauma faced by survivors of sexual crimes.

                       – William E Gladstone

    With an impressive disposal rate of 96.28%, Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) have significantly expedited justice for survivors of sexual crimes by ensuring swift legal proceedings in cases of rape and offenses under the POCSO Act. In 2024 alone, 88,902 new cases were instituted, while 85,595 cases were resolved, underscoring the effectiveness of these courts in addressing case backlogs.

    Need for FTSCs

    Despite the existence of a strong law and policy framework, a large number of rape and POCSO Act cases are pending in various courts across the country. The key motive behind introducing harsh punishment is to create deterrence, but it is only possible if trials are completed within the time frame and justice is delivered expeditiously to the victims. The Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) and POCSO Act prescribe strict timelines for the completion of investigation and trial, yet delays persist due to case backlogs and limited judicial resources.

    The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, in Suo Motu Writ Petition (Criminal) No. 1/2019, took up the issue of timely investigations and trials in POCSO Act offenses and issued directives on July 25, 2019, mandating speedy disposal of cases. To implement these directions and the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018, the Government launched the FTSC Scheme on October 2, 2019, establishing specialized courts nationwide for the expeditious disposal of rape and POCSO Act cases.

    Progress so far

    The implementation of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) of FTSCs, managed by the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law & Justice, aims to support State Governments in establishing Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) across the country. Under the Scheme, a total of 790 FTSCs, including exclusive POCSO (e-POCSO) courts, are to be set up. Each FTSC is expected to dispose of 41-42 cases per quarter and at least 165 cases annually to ensure timely justice and case backlog reduction. `

     

    Currently, 745 Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), including 404 exclusive POCSO Courts, are operational across 30 States and UTs, having collectively disposed of over 3,06,604 cases to date. Setting up and functioning of the FTSCs falls within the domain of State Govt. in consultation with their respective High Courts which are set up as per their need and resources.

    FINANCIAL FRAMEWORK

    The Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) Scheme was initially launched for one year and later extended until March 2023. The Union Cabinet, in its meeting on November 28, 2023, further extended the Scheme for three more years, from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2026. The total financial outlay for this period is ₹1952.23 crore, with ₹1207.24 crore as the Central Share, funded through the Nirbhaya Fund.

    During the financial year 2024-25, a total of ₹200.00 crore has been allocated and fully released as the Central share of funds for the functioning of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) in the States/UTs.

    The financing of the Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) Scheme follows the pattern of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) as outlined below:

    1. Cost Sharing: The Central Government contributes 60%, while State/UT Governments contribute 40%. However, for Northeastern States, Sikkim, and the hilly States of J&K (now a Union Territory), Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, the ratio is 90:10.
    2. Funding for Union Territories: In UTs with a legislature, the 60:40 ratio applies, whereas in UTs without a legislature, the entire funding is provided by the Central Government.
    3. Provision of funds is made for meeting expenses related to remuneration to one Judicial Officer and seven support staff as well as flexi-grants.   Flexi-Grant can be utilized for meeting daily operational expenses and making the courts child and women friendly.
    4. Reimbursement Mode: The Scheme operates on a reimbursement basis, where funds are released only after the submission of an Expenditure Statement by the respective State/UT Governments

    Key Recommendations from the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA)

    A third-party evaluation of the Scheme was carried out by Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) in the year 2023 which has inter-alia recommended for continuation of the scheme. The recommendations given by IIPA, are as under:

    • IIPA strongly recommended the continuation of this scheme as its primary objective is to handle cases of sexual offences against women and children through a streamlined and expedited judicial process.
    • To expedite trials, States and High Courts must strengthen parameters, including appointing Special Judges experienced in POCSO cases, ensuring sensitization training, and appointing female public prosecutors.
    • The courtrooms need to be upgraded with modern technology, such as audio and video recording systems and LCD projectors. To be at par with the current evolving technologies, the court could enhance IT systems including electronic case filing and digitalization of court records.
    • Forensic Labs to increase and to train manpower to expedite the pending cases in courts and ensure timely submission of DNA Reports. It will not only help the skilled manpower to assist the scientist and reporting officers but moreover will help to give a fair and speedy justice.
    • Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centers (VWDCs) should be established in all districts to facilitate a better process of recording victim testimonies, thereby initiating a smoother court proceeding. The States should take initiative to conduct the trial in a way that is child-friendly, behind closed doors without disclosing the child’s identity. Further, every FTSC should have a child psychologist to assist the child with rigorous pre-trial and trial procedures.

    Fast Track Special Courts have notably adopted the approach of setting up Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centers within the courts to facilitate the victims and to make the courts into Child-Friendly Courts for providing crucial support for a compassionate legal system.

     

    Conclusion

     

    Fast Track Special Courts have become a vital part of India’s judicial system, ensuring swift justice for victims of heinous crimes. While challenges persist, continuous reforms and infrastructural improvements can enhance their effectiveness. Their role in addressing case backlogs and providing expert-guided legal proceedings is crucial in reducing victims’ trauma and distress, reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting vulnerable groups and upholding justice through a responsive legal framework.

     

    References

    Swift Justice, Safer Society: The Impact of Fast Track Special Courts

    ******

    Santosh Kumar/ Sarla Meena/ Anchal Patiyal

    (Release ID: 2113344) Visitor Counter : 70

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: WAM! Heads to Mumbai on 23rd March, 2025

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 20 MAR 2025 6:38PM by PIB Mumbai

    Mumbai, 20th March 2025

    The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB), Government of India, in collaboration with the Media & Entertainment Association of India (MEAI), announces the next edition of WAM! (WAVES Anime & Manga Contest) in Mumbai. WAM! is part of Create in India Challenge, under WAVES (World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit), set to take place from 1st to 4th May 2025 in Mumbai. The previous editions of WAM! were successfully conducted in Guwahati, Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Varanasi, and Delhi.

    The Mumbai edition will be hosted at Whistling Woods International and is expected to attract participants competing in different categories, including:

    • Manga (Japanese-style comics)

    • Webtoon (digital comics)

    • Anime (Japanese-style animation)

    Participants will not only showcase their talent but also enjoy a thrilling Voice Acting and Cosplay competition and an exclusive sneak peek of TRIO, India’s first anime being developed by Vaibhavi Studios. The day will conclude with an award ceremony to honor the winners and celebrate their achievements.

    Some of the Industry veterans participating to evaluate the competition and award the awardees are:  Chaitanya Chinchlikar, Vice President, Whistling Woods International and CEO, National Centre of Excellence – Animation, VFX, Gaming, Comics & Extended Reality; Abhishek Dutta – Associate Vice President – Acquisition & Programming (Kids Cluster), Star India Pvt Ltd; Sumeet Pathak – Actor, Chief Operating Officer & Managing Director, Gulmohar Media; Ankur Javeri – Actor, Voice Actor and Founder and Past President of Association of Voice Artists; Jazyl Homavazir – 2d Animation professional and creator of India’s first Manga – Beast Legion

    Ankur Bhasin, Secretary of MEAI shared that the event is more than just a competition and that it is a celebration of creativity and a platform for artists to showcase their unique voices.

    For Details: Ankur Bhasin, Secretary, Media & Entertainment Association of India; 98806 23122; secretary@meai.in; www.meai.in/wam

    About WAVES

    The first World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES), a milestone event for the Media & Entertainment (M&E) sector, will be hosted by the Government of India in Mumbai, Maharashtra, from May 1 to 4, 2025.

    Whether you’re an industry professional, investor, creator, or innovator, the Summit offers the ultimate global platform to connect, collaborate, innovate and contribute to the M&E landscape.

    WAVES is set to magnify India’s creative strength, amplifying its position as a hub for content creation, intellectual property, and technological innovation. Industries and sectors in focus include Broadcasting, Print Media, Television, Radio, Films, Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, Sound and Music, Advertising, Digital Media, Social Media Platforms, Generative AI, Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Extended Reality (XR).

    Have questions? Find answers here  

    Come, Sail with us! Register for WAVES now (Coming soon!).

    PIB TEAM WAVES 2025 | Dhanlakshmi/ Preeti Malandkar | 075

    Follow us on social media: @PIBMumbai     /PIBMumbai     /pibmumbai   pibmumbai[at]gmail[dot]com   /PIBMumbai     /pibmumbai

    (Release ID: 2113340) Visitor Counter : 52

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: International Day of Forests 2025

    Source: Government of India

    International Day of Forests 2025

    India’s Integrated Vision for Forests, Food, and Sustainability

    Posted On: 20 MAR 2025 6:35PM by PIB Delhi

    Introduction

    Forests are the lifelines of our planet, providing oxygen, food, medicine, and livelihoods to millions. Beyond their ecological significance, forests are pillars of global food security, offering essential resources such as fruits, seeds, roots, and wild meat, which support indigenous and rural communities. Every year on March 21, the world celebrates the International Day of Forests to celebrate all types of forests, recognize the importance of trees and forests, and take action to protect them.

    In year 2012, the United Nations declared March 21 as the International Day of Forests (IDF) to celebrate and raise awareness about the vital role of forests. Every year a new theme is chosen by the Collaborative Partnership on Forests. The theme for this year is “Forests and Food,” which emphasizes the deep connection between forests and global food security.

    In India forests are deeply intertwined with culture, economy, and biodiversity, and their protection is not just an environmental necessity but a fundamental responsibility. In this direction, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and related ministries of Government of India have launched various schemes that link forests to food security, nutrition, and livelihoods.

    National Agroforestry Policy

    Agroforestry is a sustainable land-use system that integrates trees and crops to enhance agricultural productivity, improve soil fertility, and provide an additional income source for farmers. Recognizing its potential, the Government of India introduced the National Agroforestry Policy in 2014 to promote tree plantation in farmland.

    Objectives of the Scheme

    The National Agroforestry Scheme aims to encourage farmers to adopt agroforestry for climate resilience, environmental conservation, and economic benefits.

    Implementation Strategy

    The scheme emphasizes the production and distribution of Quality Planting Material (QPM) through nurseries and tissue culture units. The ICAR-Central Agroforestry Research Institute (CAFRI) is the nodal agency responsible for providing technical support, certification, and training. Various institutions such as ICFRE, CSIR, ICRAF, and state agricultural universities collaborate to implement the program effectively.

    Market and Economic Support

    To make agroforestry profitable, the scheme supports farmers through price guarantees and buy-back options for farm-grown trees. It also encourages private sector participation in the marketing and processing of agroforestry products. Additionally, agroforestry integrates well with India’s strategy to promote millets, as millets thrive in tree-based farming systems.

    Funding and Support Interventions

    The government provides financial assistance for the establishment of nurseries and research projects.

    Green India Mission

    The Green India Mission (GIM) also known as National Mission for a Green India, is a key part of India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). It is one of the eight missions under NAPCC. The mission aims to protect, restore, and enhance India’s forest cover while tackling climate change. GIM focuses on improving biodiversity, water resources, and ecosystems like mangroves and wetlands, all while helping absorb carbon. The activities under GIM were started in the FY 2015-16.

    Mission Goals:

    • Expand forest/tree cover by 5 million hectares (mha) and improve the quality of another 5 mha of forest and non-forest land.
    • Boost ecosystem services like carbon storage, water management, and biodiversity.
    • Improve livelihoods for 3 million households by increasing income from forest-based activities.

    Sub-Missions:

    GIM has five sub-missions, each focused on a different aspect of greening:

    1. Enhancing Forest Cover – Improving Forest quality and ecosystem services.
    2. Ecosystem Restoration – Reforesting and increasing forest cover.
    3. Urban Greening – Adding more trees in cities and nearby areas.
    4. Agro-Forestry & Social Forestry – Boosting biomass and creating carbon sinks.
    5. Wetland Restoration – Reviving critical wetlands.

    Ecosystem Services Improvement Project (ESIP)

    The Green India Mission is working on the Ecosystem Services Improvement Project (ESIP), a World Bank-backed initiative in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.

     

    Funding and Expenditure

     

    As of July 2024, Rs. 909.82 crores have been allocated to 17 states and one Union Territory for plantation and eco-restoration over 155,130 hectares. In Maharashtra’s Palghar district, 464.20 hectares in Dahanu Division have been covered under GIM for plantation and eco-restoration.

     

    Forest Fire Prevention & Management Scheme

    The Forest Fire Prevention & Management is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme that supports states and Union Territories in preventing and controlling forest fires. The Ministry provides financial assistance to help implement various fire prevention and management measures.

    India has a forest fire detection system managed by the Forest Survey of India, Dehradun. It uses remote sensing technology to detect and share information about forest fires in near real-time. This system plays a crucial role in the early detection and effective management of forest fires across the country. The Ministry has also constituted a Crisis Management Group under the chairmanship of Secretary (EF&CC) to deal with crises arising as a result of forest fires.

    Source: India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023

    Objectives of the scheme

     

    The scheme aims to reduce forest fire incidents and restore productivity in affected areas. It emphasizes the involvement of local communities in forest protection and contributes to maintaining environmental stability. Developing a fire danger rating system and forecasting methods is also a key objective. The scheme encourages the use of modern technology, such as Remote Sensing, GPS, and GIS, to enhance fire prevention efforts. Additionally, it seeks to improve knowledge about the impact and behaviour of forest fires.

    Implementation

     

    Following the recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee and NGT’s directions, the Ministry has developed the National Action Plan on Forest Fire. It is based on a study with the World Bank and consultations with key stakeholders like State Forest Departments and the National Disaster Management Authority. In addition to forest fire detection, the Forest Survey of India (FSI), under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has developed a satellite-based Forest Fire Monitoring and Alert System. This system helps in the timely detection and monitoring of forest fires. Fire alerts are sent via SMS and email to registered users, ensuring quick response and better fire management.

    Van Dhan Yojana

    Launched in 2018 by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and TRIFED, the Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY) aims to improve the livelihood of tribal communities by enhancing the value of forest produce. The scheme helps tribal gatherers become entrepreneurs through skill training, infrastructure support, and market linkages.

    Formation of Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs)

    Under this initiative, tribal communities form Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs), each consisting of 300 members from 15 Self-Help Groups (SHGs). These Kendras serve as hubs for processing, value addition, and marketing of Minor Forest Produce (MFPs).

    Financial Support and Implementation

    The scheme is a centrally funded, with ₹15 lakh allocated per Kendra. Tribal members contribute ₹1,000 each to ensure ownership. The government also supports branding, packaging, and global market access for tribal products.

    Two-Stage Implementation

    1. Stage I: Establishment of 6,000 Kendras across tribal districts with basic facilities.
    2. Stage II: Scaling up successful Kendras with better infrastructure, such as storage and processing units.

    Impact and Benefits

    PMVDY generates sustainable livelihoods, promotes forest conservation, discourages tribal migration, and strengthens the tribal economy, making it a key initiative for India’s tribal development.

    Conclusion

    India’s commitment to forest conservation and sustainable development is evident through various initiatives like the National Agroforestry Policy, Green India Mission, Forest Fire Prevention & Management Scheme, and Van Dhan Yojana. These programs not only help restore and protect forest ecosystems but also enhance livelihoods, promote climate resilience, and strengthen food security. On International Day of Forests 2025, it is crucial to reaffirm our dedication to preserving forests as vital resources for future generations. By integrating conservation efforts with community participation and sustainable policies, India continues to pave the way for a greener, healthier, and more prosperous future.

    References:

    International Day of Forests 2025

    *****

    Santosh Kumar/ Sheetal Angral/ Priya Nagar

    (Release ID: 2113339) Visitor Counter : 95

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: NHAI Debars 14 Agencies for Irregular activities in Fee Collection at Toll Plazas

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 20 MAR 2025 6:23PM by PIB Delhi

    In an unprecedented action to strengthen and establish a robust user fee collection at the toll plazas, NHAI has debarred 14 User Fee Collection Agencies for Irregular activities in Fee Collection at Toll Plazas. Raids at the Atraila Shiv Ghulam Toll Plaza in Mirzapur district of Uttar Pradesh was conducted by UP Special Task Force.  Based on the FIR, NHAI took prompt action and served ‘Show Cause Notice’ to the defaulting agencies.

    The replies submitted by the fee collection agencies were not found to be satisfactory. The agencies have been debarred for a period of two years for violation of the provisions of the contract agreement.  ‘Performance Securities’ worth over Rs. 100 crores of the defaulting agencies have been forfeited and are being encashed for breach of the contract.   

    In order to ensure seamless operation of the toll plazas that were managed by debarred agencies, NHAI will intimate the defaulting agencies to hand over the Toll plazas to a new agency that will be appointed by the authority.     

    NHAI is committed to follow the highest standards in highway operations and any lapses will be dealt with zero tolerance. Action will be taken against the defaulters, and they will be debarred from NHAI projects with severe penalties.

    ***

    GDH / HR

    (Release ID: 2113332) Visitor Counter : 75

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PARLIAMENT QUESTION: AMRIT GYAAN KOSH PORTAL

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 20 MAR 2025 6:11PM by PIB Delhi

    Amrit Gyaan Kosh is a knowledge repository of governance good practices in the form of case studies. It focuses on India-centric ideas and scalable governance models, offering content accessible to government officials in Centre, State, ULBs, and Panchayats.

    Amrit Gyaan Kosh Portal contributes towards improving Public Service Delivery across various government departments in the following manner:

    1. Serving as valuable examples of real-life, solution-oriented approaches to governance challenges enabling officials to address similar issues more effectively.
    2. Providing actionable insights to tackle governance challenges, foster continuous innovation, and promote practical knowledge-sharing.
    3. Inspiring public servants, offering them successful governance models to emulate and adopt innovative strategies to improve public service delivery.
    4. Incentivizing high performance among government officials by recognizing their contributions on platforms like the iGOT Portal, motivating public servants to strive for excellence in their roles.

    The Amrit Gyaan Kosh Portal is integrated with the iGOT (Integrated Government Online Training) platform, which is a key digital learning tool under the Mission Karmayogi initiative offering online training and capacity-building content for government officials.

     All government training institutions are being encouraged to integrate Amrit Gyaan Kosh case studies into their training programs, strengthening the problem-solving and decision-making capabilities of government officials.

    This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

    ***

    NKR/PSM

    (Release ID: 2113320) Visitor Counter : 88

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: AMRIT GYAAN KOSH PORTAL

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 20 MAR 2025 6:11PM by PIB Delhi

    Amrit Gyaan Kosh is a knowledge repository of governance good practices in the form of case studies. It focuses on India-centric ideas and scalable governance models, offering content accessible to government officials in Centre, State, ULBs, and Panchayats.

    Amrit Gyaan Kosh Portal contributes towards improving Public Service Delivery across various government departments in the following manner:

    i. Serving as valuable examples of real-life, solution-oriented approaches to governance challenges enabling officials to address similar issues more effectively.

    ii. Providing actionable insights to tackle governance challenges, foster continuous innovation, and promote practical knowledge-sharing.

    iii. Inspiring public servants, offering them successful governance models to emulate and adopt innovative strategies to improve public service delivery.

    iv. Incentivizing high performance among government officials by recognizing their contributions on platforms like the iGOT Portal, motivating public servants to strive for excellence in their roles.

    The Amrit Gyaan Kosh Portal is integrated with the iGOT (Integrated Government Online Training) platform, which is a key digital learning tool under the Mission Karmayogi initiative offering online training and capacity-building content for government officials.

     All government training institutions are being encouraged to integrate Amrit Gyaan Kosh case studies into their training programs, strengthening the problem-solving and decision-making capabilities of government officials.

    ******

    NKR/PSM

    (Release ID: 2113320) Visitor Counter : 39

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India’s Trade and Economic Outlook

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 20 MAR 2025 6:10PM by PIB Delhi

     RBI Bulletin (March 2025): Navigating the Trade Deficit, Exports, and Economic Shifts

    In an era marked by escalating global trade tensions and persistent geopolitical uncertainties, the Indian economy has demonstrated remarkable resilience and robust growth. The above findings are from Reserve Bank of India’s March 2025 bulletin which highlights the state of the economy in the country. The latest data-driven analysis underscores the strength of domestic fundamentals amidst a volatile global backdrop. While global economic uncertainties persist, India’s economy shows strong growth, supported by robust consumption and government spending. Inflation has moderated, and policy measures have helped stabilize market liquidity. However, foreign portfolio outflows and currency depreciation remain key risks.

    Domestic Economic Developments

    Resilient GDP Growth Amidst Global Challenges

    • India’s GDP is projected to grow by 6.5% in FY 2024-25, according to NSO’s Second Advance Estimates.
    • Quarter 3 GDP growth was 6.2%, rebounding from 5.6% in Q2 due to higher private consumption and government spending.
    • Sectors driving growth: construction, trade, and financial services.

    Foreign Portfolio Outflows & Currency Risks

    • Sustained foreign portfolio investor (FPI) outflows put pressure on stock markets and the rupee.
    • However, domestic investors increased their holdings, stabilizing market ownership structures.
    • Rupee depreciation risks remain due to external uncertainties.

    Inflation Trends: Headline Inflation Eases

    • CPI inflation fell to a 7-month low of 3.6% in February 2025, mainly due to a decline in vegetable prices.
    • However, core inflation (excluding food & fuel) rose to 4.1%, indicating persistent price pressures.

    Employment Trends

    • Manufacturing employment grew at the second-fastest rate since the PMI survey began.
    • Services sector employment also expanded significantly, reflecting strong demand.
    • Urban unemployment remains at a historic low of 6.4%.

    Trade & External Sector

     

    Import and Export Trends

    • Exports grew marginally by 0.1% to $395.6 billion from April 2024-Feb 2025 but merchandise exports declined by 10.9% YoY in February, largely due to base effects and weak global demand.
    • Top-performing export sectors: electronics, rice, and ores.
    • Weak export sectors: petroleum products, engineering goods, chemicals, and gems & jewellery.
    • Imports increased by 5.7% to $656.7 billion, driven by gold, electronics, and petroleum during April 2024-Feb 2025, however it fell by 16.3% in Feb 2025, leading to a narrowing trade deficit.
    • Oil and gold imports dropped significantly, contributing to the decline in overall imports.
    • Imports of electronic goods and machinery remained strong, reflecting domestic investment demand.

    Financial & Monetary Policies

    RBI’s Liquidity Management

    • RBI used open market operations (OMO), daily repo auctions, and dollar/rupee swaps to manage liquidity.
    • These measures helped stabilize domestic liquidity despite capital outflows.

    Sector-Specific Developments

    Agriculture Sector

    India’s foodgrain production for 2024-25 is estimated at 330.9 million tonnes, marking a 4.8% increase from 2023-24, driven by kharif production up 6.8% and rabi up 2.8%, according to second advance estimates.

    Automobile Sector

    • Car and motorcycle sales declined in February due to weaker demand.
    • Tractor sales saw double-digit growth, indicating strong rural economy demand.

    Infrastructure & Construction

    • Toll collections and E-way bills recorded double-digit growth, signalling robust infrastructure activity.
    • Government spending on infrastructure projects supported economic momentum.

    Global Setting

    Trade War & Tariffs Impacting Growth

    • The global economy entered 2025 with strong momentum but is now slowing due to increased protectionism and trade restrictions.
    • US-China tariff escalations could reduce US GDP growth by 0.6 percentage points in 2025 and shrink the economy by 0.3-0.4% in the long run.
    • OECD lowered global GDP forecasts to 3.1% in 2025 and 3.0% in 2026 due to slowing demand.

    Market Volatility & Currency Fluctuations

    • US dollar lost gains made since November 2024 due to trade policy uncertainty.
    • European bond yields surged as Germany and others increased military spending.
    • Equity markets worldwide have been volatile, reflecting fears of slowing growth.

    Commodity Markets & Inflationary Pressures

    • Global oil prices fell 15% since mid-January 2025 due to reduced demand expectations.
    • Gold prices hit a record high of $3000 per ounce due to investor flight to safety.
    • Food production outlook improved, with cereal production exceeding 2024 levels.

    Conclusion

    Despite global economic headwinds, India’s growth remains stable at 6.5%, supported by strong domestic demand. Inflation is under control, though core inflation remains sticky, necessitating careful monetary management. Trade challenges persist due to weak global demand, but a narrowing trade deficit offers some relief. While foreign investor outflows pose risks, robust domestic investment provides resilience. The RBI’s proactive policies have played a crucial role in stabilizing liquidity and inflation expectations. Overall, India’s economy is well-positioned for growth, but uncertainties in global markets, financial volatility, and trade disruptions remain key risks. Sustained policy support and domestic resilience will be essential in maintaining economic momentum.

    References:

    https://rbidocs.rbi.org.in/rdocs/Bulletin/PDFs/0BULT19032025F9CCA0AB1F7294130A950E2FD5448B5FC.PDF

    Click here to see in PDF

    ***

    Santosh Kumar/ Sarla Meena/ Priya Nagar

    (Release ID: 2113316) Visitor Counter : 56

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India Pavilion Makes Debut at Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco

    Source: Government of India (2)

    India Pavilion Makes Debut at Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco

    WAVES – ‘Create in India Challenge’ Winners Take the Spotlight at GDC

    Posted On: 20 MAR 2025 5:54PM by PIB Mumbai

    Mumbai, 20th March 2025

    The India Pavilion made an impressive start at the prestigious Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco, USA. Consul General of India, San Francisco, Dr. K. Srikar Reddy, inaugurated the pavilion in the presence of Deputy Consul General, Shri Rakesh Adlakha, and Head of Digital Growth, NFDC, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Shri Tanmay Shankar.

    The Game Developers Conference (GDC), held from 17th to 21st March 2025, is the world’s largest and most influential event for game developers and industry professionals, featuring lectures, panels, and exhibitions on game design, technology, and business trends.

    Promoting WAVES: India’s Premier M&E Summit

    A key focus of the India Pavilion is to promote the upcoming World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES), scheduled to take place in Mumbai from 1st to 4th May 2025. Organised by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) and spearheaded by National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), WAVES is poised to be a premier platform aimed at bringing the global Media & Entertainment (M&E) industry’s attention to India. It will foster trade, innovation, and cross-border collaborations, positioning India as the Content Hub of the World.

    Spotlighting India’s Gaming Excellence

    The India Pavilion at GDC features cutting-edge exhibitors and innovators, highlighting India’s rapidly evolving gaming industry. The pavilion showcases some of the country’s leading game development companies, including Nazara Technologies and WinZO, alongside the IGDC 2024 Award winners—Wala Interactive, Brewed Games, Xigma Games, and Singular Scheme—renowned for their creativity and excellence in game development.

    Additionally, the pavilion spotlights champions of Bharat Tech Triumph Season 3, a challenge under Create in India Challenge as part of WAVES.

    • Yudiz Solutions
    • Brahman Studios
    • Godspeed Gaming
    • Second Quest
    • Over the Moon Studios
    • Game2Maker
    • Pariah Interactive
    • Lysto
    • Mixar
    • Little Guru
    • Mono Tusk Studios
    • GameEon
    • Funstop
    • Abracadabra

    The India Pavilion serves as a strategic platform for collaboration, connecting Indian gaming companies with global developers, publishers, and investors. By facilitating dialogues on co-production, technology partnerships, and content distribution, the pavilion will help unlock new growth opportunities for Indian studios in the global gaming market.

    About NFDC

    National Film Development Corporation of India is the central agency established to encourage the good cinema movement in the country. Through its participation in key international events such as FILMART, Cannes Film Festival, and Berlinale, NFDC facilitates co-productions, market access, and distribution opportunities for Indian content creators.

    About WAVES

    The first World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES), a milestone event for the Media & Entertainment (M&E) sector, will be hosted by the Government of India in Mumbai, Maharashtra, from May 1 to 4, 2025.

    Whether you’re an industry professional, investor, creator, or innovator, the Summit offers the ultimate global platform to connect, collaborate, innovate and contribute to the M&E landscape.

    WAVES is set to magnify India’s creative strength, amplifying its position as a hub for content creation, intellectual property, and technological innovation. Industries and sectors in focus include Broadcasting, Print Media, Television, Radio, Films, Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, Sound and Music, Advertising, Digital Media, Social Media Platforms, Generative AI, Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Extended Reality (XR).

    Have questions? Find answers here  

    Come, Sail with us! Register for WAVES now (Coming soon!).

    PIB TEAM WAVES 2025 | Dhanlakshmi/ Preeti Malandkar | 074

    Follow us on social media: @PIBMumbai     /PIBMumbai     /pibmumbai   pibmumbai[at]gmail[dot]com   /PIBMumbai     /pibmumbai

    (Release ID: 2113309) Visitor Counter : 57

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah says, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Central Government is moving forward with a ruthless approach against the Naxalites

    Source: Government of India

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah says, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Central Government is moving forward with a ruthless approach against the Naxalites

    Security forces neutralizes 22 Naxalites in two separate operations in Chhattisgarh

    Today our jawans have achieved another big success in the direction of a ‘Naxalmukt Bharat Abhiyan’

    The Modi government is adopting a zero-tolerance policy against those Naxalites who are not surrendering despite all the facilities being offered to them, ranging from surrender to inclusion

    The country is set to be Naxal-free by March 31 next year

    Posted On: 20 MAR 2025 5:39PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Central Government is moving forward with a ruthless approach against the Naxalites.

    After the security forces neutralized 22 Naxalites in two separate operations, Union Home Minister said in an X post that today our jawans have achieved another major success in the ‘Naxalmukt Bharat Abhiyan’. He said that in two different operations by our security forces in Bijapur and Kanker, Chhattisgarh, 22 Naxals were killed. He added, the Modi government is moving forward with a ruthless approach against the Naxals and adopting a zero-tolerance policy against those Naxalites who are not surrendering despite all the facilities being offered to them, ranging from surrender to inclusion. Shri Shah said, the country is set to be Naxal-free by 31st March next year.

    Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the guidance of Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah, as part of zero-tolerance policy against Naxalism, 90 Naxals have been killed, 104 arrested, and 164 have surrendered in the year 2025 so far. In 2024, 290 Naxalites were neutralized, 1090 were arrested, and 881 surrendered. A total of 15 top Naxal leaders have been neutralized so far.

    Between 2004 and 2014, there were a total of 16,463 incidents of Naxal violence. However, during the tenure of the Modi government from 2014 to 2024, the number of violent incidents decreased by 53 per cent, dropping to 7,744. Similarly, the number of causalities of security forces decreased by 73 per cent, from 1851 to 509, and the number of civilian causalities decreased by 70 per cent, dropping from 4766 to 1,495.

    By 2014, there were a total of 66 fortified police stations, but under the Modi government’s tenure over the past 10 years, their number has increased to 612. Similarly, in 2014, 126 districts in the country were affected by Naxalism, but by 2024, the number of such districts has drastically reduced to only 12. In the past 5 years, a total of 302 new security camps and 68 night landing helipads have been established.

    *****

    RK/VV/ASH/PR/PS

    (Release ID: 2113303) Visitor Counter : 47

    Read this release in: Hindi

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PARLIAMENT QUESTION: GOVERNMENT SCHEMES TO PROMOTE SCIENCE EDUCATION AMONG GIRLS

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 20 MAR 2025 4:59PM by PIB Delhi

     The Department of Science and Technology is implementing Vigyan Jyoti programme to encourage meritorious girls to pursue higher education and careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields since 2019-20. The program aims to promote gender parity in STEM by sustaining the talent pool in science and technology through various year-round activities like hands-on experiential learning sessions, interactions with scientific role models, visits to R&D and industrial labs, career guidance workshops and student-parent counselling sessions that provide exposure to increase the interest and inclination of girls towards science. Since its inception, Vigyan Jyoti programme has benefitted over 80,000 high-achieving girls from 300 districts across 35 States/UTs. To strengthen its impact, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) has engaged with over 250 premier national institutions, including universities, science and technology institutes, CSIR labs, and other reputed organizations, which serve as knowledge partners, contributing significantly to the program’s mission of fostering more girl’s participation in STEM.

    The details of girl students encouraged during the last three years, State/UT-wise is given below:

    State/UTs

    2022-23

    2023-24

    2024-25

    Total

    Andaman and Nicobar

    100

    100

    115

    315

    Andhra Pradesh

    692

    880

    889

    2461

    Arunachal Pradesh

    277

    233

    347

    857

    Assam

    925

    970

    1276

    3171

    Bihar

    694

    912

    1243

    2849

    Chandigarh

    100

    100

    103

    303

    Chhattisgarh

    739

    1066

    1397

    3202

    Dadar, Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu

    200

    200

    188

    588

    Delhi

    197

    195

    200

    592

    Goa

    93

    98

    100

    291

    Gujarat

    785

    1703

    1567

    4055

    Haryana

    583

    891

    1580

    3054

    Himachal Pradesh

    711

    856

    972

    2539

    Jammu and Kashmir

    366

    589

    939

    1894

    Jharkhand

    713

    1017

    1265

    2995

    Karnataka

    846

    1030

    1278

    3154

    Kerala

    686

    810

    975

    2471

    Ladakh

    88

    99

    200

    387

    Madhya Pradesh

    961

    1273

    1385

    3619

    Maharashtra

    1001

    1496

    1709

    4206

    Manipur

    291

    289

    463

    1043

    Meghalaya

    222

    300

    394

    916

    Mizoram

    47

    90

    87

    224

    Nagaland

    82

    104

    97

    283

    Odisha

    776

    1082

    1280

    3138

    Puducherry

    341

    399

    396

    1136

    Punjab

    653

    1091

    1480

    3224

    Rajasthan

    920

    1263

    1712

    3895

    Sikkim

    199

    167

    187

    553

    Telangana

    491

    745

    771

    2007

    Tripura

    213

    233

    299

    745

    Uttarakhand

    664

    861

    900

    2425

    Uttar Pradesh

    1285

    1502

    2566

    5353

    West Bengal

    925

    998

    1083

    3006

    This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

    ***

    NKR/PSM

    (Release ID: 2113279) Visitor Counter : 78

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PARLIAMENT QUESTION: SUPPORT MECHANISMS FOR WOMEN SCIENTISTS FACING CAREER BREAKS

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 20 MAR 2025 4:57PM by PIB Delhi

    The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is implementing a comprehensive initiative, Women in Science and Engineering-KIRAN (WISE-KIRAN) to address the problems of Women Scientists due to “break-in-career” and strengthen women’s participation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. This initiative includes multiple programs that provide opportunities for women in STEM at different career stages. Department implemented the Women Scientist Scheme (WOS), which included three programs: WOS-A for research in basic and applied sciences, WOS-B for lab-to-land translational research for societal benefit and WOS-C for training in Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). Following a third-party review, these programs have been restructured into four new initiatives under WISE-KIRAN. The WISE Fellowship for Ph.D. (WISE-PhD) program supports women pursuing doctoral research in basic and applied sciences. The WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship (WISE-PDF) and WISE-Societal Challenges with Opportunities (WISE-SCOPE) programs provide opportunities for women to conduct lab based basic/applied or translational lab-to-land research respectively in STEM. WISE-PDF focuses on laboratory-based research in basic and applied sciences, while WISE-SCOPE supports translational research with lab-to-land aspect that addresses societal challenges. The WISE Internship in Intellectual Property Rights(WISE-IPR) program provides training in the field of Intellectual Property Rights, with the goal of enabling self-employment opportunities in this sector. DST is also implementing the WIDUSHI program, which supports senior women scientists in two categories: retired women scientists and women scientists who are not in regular employment. This program allows them to continue contributing to the scientific advancements.

    The eligibility criteria and financial assistance provided under programs of WISE-KIRAN Scheme is given below:

    Sl. No.

    Name of Program

    Eligibility Criteria

    Financial Assistance

    Duration

    1

    WOS-A

    Post-Graduation in Basic or Applied Sciences/ PhD degree in STEM area.

    Age: 27-57 years.

    Up to 38 Lakh fund for project (including fellowship @ Rs. 67000 per month and HRA as per norms)

    3 Years

    2

    WOS-B

    Post-Graduation in Basic or Applied Sciences or PhD degree in STEM area.

     Age: 27-57 years.

    Up to 38 Lakh fund for project (including fellowship @Rs. 67000 per month and HRA as per norms)

    3 Years

    3

    WISE-PhD

    Post-Graduate Degree in Basic/ Applied Science or equivalent degree like M. Phil., M. Tech., M. Pharm., etc. or B.Tech.

    Age: 27-45 years

    Up to Rs. 35.69 Lakh fund for project (including (@ Rs. 37000 per month fellowship and HRA as per norms)

    5 Years

    4

    WISE-PDF

    (Lab based research)

    PhD or Equivalent Degree in STEM area. Age: 27-60 years.

    Up to Rs. 42.6 Lakh for project. (including Fellowship @67000 per month and HRA)

    3 Years

    5

    WISE-SCOPE

    (Lab-to-Land Research work)

    PhD or Equivalent Degree in STEM area. Age: 27-60 year

    Up to Rs. 44 Lakh for project. (including Fellowship @67000 per month and HRA)

    3 Years

    6

    WIDUSHI

    Two categories

    1. Category A: For retired Women Scientists,

    Age: 57-62 years

    1. Category B: For Women Scientists not in regular employment.

    Age: 45-62 years.

    All applicants must have Ph.D. in Basic/ Applied Science or equivalent degree like MD, MS, MDS.

    Category A: Up to Rs. 90 Lakh (including Rs. 75000/- fellowship per month)

    Category B: Up to Rs. 95 Lakh (including @Rs.85,000/- fellowship per month)

    5 Years

    The Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India had initiated a special scheme “Biotechnology Career Advancement and Re-orientation (BioCARe)” in the year 2011 with the aim to enhance participation of women scientists in India towards research in Biotechnology and allied areas. It provides a unique opportunity to the unemployed women researchers/ scientists or those not working on regular positions up to age of 55 years and having a qualification of Ph.D.in any discipline of Life Sciences or allied areas/interdisciplinary sciences/ MD/ MDS/ M.V.Sc. (Category-I) or M.Tech. in Biotechnology or in allied areas/M. Pharma degree holders (Category-II). Women researchers/ scientists supported under BioCARe Scheme are being supported with a Research Grant up to Rs. 40.00- Rs.60.00 lakh for a period of 3 years to carry out their research endeavour’s in Indian universities, research institutions and laboratories which also includes consolidated monthly fellowship of Rs. 75,000/- (for Category-I) and Rs. 85,000/- (for Category-II).

    The details of beneficiaries from the DST-WISE-KIRAN and DBT- BioCARe schemes for the past five year’s state/UT-wise is given below:

    DST-WISE-KIRAN Scheme:

    Name of State/UT

    2020-21

    2021-22

    2022-23

    2023-24

    2024-25

    Andhra Pradesh

    4

    4

    2

    4

    5

    Andaman & Nicobar

    1

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Assam

    5

    1

    5

    3

    17

    Bihar

    1

    1

    1

    0

    0

    Chandigarh

    2

    0

    9

    1

    9

    Chhattisgarh

    3

    1

    0

    0

    3

    Delhi

    19

    16

    26

    24

    52

    Goa

    0

    2

    0

    0

    3

    Gujarat

    5

    0

    4

    7

    9

    Haryana

    4

    4

    2

    3

    11

    Himachal Pradesh

    3

    1

    1

    0

    4

    Jammu and Kashmir

    5

    0

    11

    6

    17

    Jharkhand

    0

    1

    3

    1

    2

    Karnataka

    15

    7

    16

    11

    24

    Kerala

    10

    16

    19

    6

    36

    Madhya Pradesh

    7

    4

    3

    1

    16

    Maharashtra

    31

    14

    20

    11

    41

    Manipur

    3

    0

    2

    1

    2

    Mizoram

    0

    0

    0

    3

    4

    Nagaland

    0

    0

    1

    2

    0

    Orissa

    1

    3

    4

    1

    10

    Puducherry

    2

    0

    1

    0

    2

    Punjab

    8

    1

    12

    8

    16

    Rajasthan

    3

    3

    5

    4

    9

    Sikkim

    0

    0

    1

    0

    1

    Tamil Nadu

    17

    14

    20

    18

    39

    Telangana

    13

    3

    19

    12

    34

    Tripura

    0

    0

    0

    0

    3

    Uttar Pradesh

    20

    9

    17

    16

    44

    Uttarakhand

    9

    3

    2

    3

    13

    West Bengal

    12

    7

    16

    14

    34

    DBT- BioCARe Scheme

    Name of State/UT

    2020-21

    2021-22

    2022-23

    2023-24

    2024-25

    Andhra Pradesh

    1

    1

    0

    0

    0

    Assam

    1

    1

    0

    0

    0

    Bihar

    2

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Chandigarh

    1

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Goa

    00

    1

    0

    0

    0

    Gujarat

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Haryana

    3

    1

    0

    1

    1

    Jammu and Kashmir

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Jharkhand

    2

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Karnataka

    3

    2

    1

    5

    5

    Kerala

    1

    2

    0

    3

    3

    Madhya Pradesh

    1

    0

    0

    2

    2

    Maharashtra

    3

    4

    1

    6

    8

    Manipur

    0

    1

    0

    2

    1

    Mizoram

    0

    0

    0

    1

    1

    New Delhi

    12

    13

    2

    12

    10

    Orissa

    1

    1

    0

    0

    0

    Punjab

    1

    3

    0

    6

    5

    Rajasthan

    1

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Tamilnadu

    3

    2

    0

    7

    6

    Telangana

    2

    1

    0

    4

    4

    Uttar Pradesh

    3

    1

    0

    6

    6

    Uttarakhand

    2

    0

    0

    0

    0

    West Bengal

    1

    2

    0

    4

    3

    DST-WISE-KIRAN and DBT- BioCARe schemes are Central Sector Schemes and the total funds allocated/utilized for the past five years is given below:

    Scheme

    2020-21

    (Rs. In cr.)

    2021-22

    (Rs. In cr.)

    2022-23

    (Rs. In cr.)

    2023-24

    (Rs. In cr.)

    2024-25

    (Rs. In cr.)

    DST-WISE-KIRAN

    95.00

    96.80

    79.71

    79.72

    77.59

    DBT- BioCARe

    5.82

    4.29

    0.7329

    12.57

    5.00

    This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

    ***

    NKR/PSM

    (Release ID: 2113278) Visitor Counter : 77

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PARLIAMENT QUESTION: “ONE DISTRICT, ONE EQUIPMENT” PROGRAMME UNDER I-STEM

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 20 MAR 2025 4:56PM by PIB Delhi

    I-STEM (Indian Science Technology and Engineering facility Map) is a National Portal for sharing of publicly funded scientific equipment available at various R&D and Academic institutions. It facilitates sharing of expensive R&D resources/equipment/software available at R&D and Academic institutions with other academic institutions and colleges, in order to optimize the usage of these resources across the country by researchers and start-ups. It is not true that the lab equipment in scientific and educational institutions remains underutilized. The facilities are widely utilized by scientific community, researchers, MSMEs, start-ups and industries and around 34,000 users have already been registered in I-STEM portal and more than 26,000 instruments are uploaded by 3300 institutes PAN-India. In addition to the usage data captured through I-STEM Portal, by numerous ways researchers from scientific and academic institutions book slots to utilise scientific facilities such as online booking through intranet system, spot booking and other booking methods.

    State-wise, Union Territory-wise and District-wise equipment distribution and region-wise number of Institutions registered their facilities in I-STEM portal, is indicated at Annexure.

    Annexure

    I-STEM Statistics as of 13-03-2025

    1) State-wise Equipment Distribution

    State

    Active Equipment

    Andhra Pradesh

    474

    Arunachal Pradesh

    132

    Assam

    780

    Bihar

    553

    Chhattisgarh

    1150

    Goa

    180

    Gujarat

    561

    Haryana

    802

    Himachal Pradesh

    451

    Jharkhand

    887

    Karnataka

    2397

    Kerala

    1560

    Madhya Pradesh

    982

    Maharashtra

    2050

    Manipur

    261

    Meghalaya

    286

    Mizoram

    90

    Nagaland

    71

    Odisha

    1264

    Punjab

    1239

    Rajasthan

    789

    Sikkim

    15

    Tamil Nadu

    3235

    Telangana

    1494

    Tripura

    316

    Uttar Pradesh

    1365

    Uttarakhand

    966

    West Bengal

    957
    • Union Territory-wise equipment counts

    Union Territory

    Active Equipment

    Andaman and Nicobar Islands

    1

    Chandigarh

    6

    Delhi

    1178

    Jammu and Kashmir

    220

    Ladakh

    11

    Pondicherry

    51
    1. District-wise Distribution

    Institutes from 192 districts have registered on the I-STEM Portal.

    Sr.

    No.

    District

    Equipment

    ( In Nos.)

    		  

    Sr.

    No.

    District

    Equipment

    ( In Nos.)

    1

    Bengaluru

    1741

    		  

    101

    Srinagar

    43

    2

    Chennai

    1395

    		  

    102

    Raigad

    41

    3

    New Delhi

    1154

    		  

    103

    Belagavi

    40

    4

    Hyderabad

    1131

    		  

    104

    Madurai

    40

    5

    Khurda

    916

    		  

    105

    Gurugram

    38

    6

    Raipur

    813

    		  

    106

    Puducherry

    38

    7

    Haridwar

    759

    		  

    107

    Rajouri

    35

    8

    Pune

    742

    		  

    108

    Salem

    34

    9

    Kozhikode

    697

    		  

    109

    Alappuzha

    30

    10

    Kurukshetra

    656

    		  

    110

    Bhavnagar

    30

    11

    Dhanbad

    621

    		  

    111

    Delhi

    30

    12

    Prayagraj

    550

    		  

    112

    Korba

    30

    13

    Indore

    543

    		  

    113

    Theni

    30

    14

    Coimbatore

    481

    		  

    114

    Kapurthala

    28

    15

    Tiruchirappalli

    461

    		  

    115

    Sonipat

    27

    16

    Jaipur

    445

    		  

    116

    Guntur

    26

    17

    Chandigarh

    440

    		  

    117

    West Godavari

    26

    18

    Patna

    366

    		  

    118

    Kangra

    25

    19

    Kolkata

    361

    		  

    119

    Nadia

    23

    20

    Warangal

    358

    		  

    120

    Ajmer

    22

    21

    West Tripura

    316

    		  

    121

    Aligarh

    21

    22

    Sundergarh

    315

    		  

    122

    Mandya

    21

    23

    Mandi

    305

    		  

    123

    Patiala

    21

    24

    Kamrup Metropolitan

    304

    		  

    124

    Sri Sathya Sai

    21

    25

    Bilaspur

    292

    		  

    125

    Anantpur

    21

    26

    Thiruvananthapuram

    290

    		  

    126

    Kalaburagi

    20

    27

    East Khasi Hills

    286

    		  

    127

    Dindigul

    19

    28

    Bhopal

    275

    		  

    128

    Jhansi

    19

    29

    Sangrur

    256

    		  

    129

    Palghar

    19

    30

    Manipur

    248

    		  

    130

    Erode

    18

    31

    Ghaziabad

    232

    		  

    131

    Ganjam

    18

    32

    Sonitpur

    214

    		  

    132

    Mahbubnagar

    18

    33

    Ernakulam

    204

    		  

    133

    Malappuram

    18

    34

    Surat

    204

    		  

    134

    Durg

    15

    35

    Malda

    198

    		  

    135

    Mahendergarh

    15

    36

    Dakshina Kannada

    196

    		  

    136

    South Sikkim

    15

    37

    Ranchi

    195

    		  

    137

    Udupi

    15

    38

    Jodhpur

    194

    		  

    138

    Anantnag

    14

    39

    Kancheepuram

    193

    		  

    139

    Kanyakumari

    14

    40

    Mumbai

    181

    		  

    140

    Khordha

    14

    41

    Bagalkot

    174

    		  

    141

    Ludhiana

    14

    42

    Jalandhar

    172

    		  

    142

    Vadodara

    14

    43

    Visakhapatnam

    169

    		  

    143

    Imphal

    13

    44

    Paschim Medinipur

    165

    		  

    144

    Jalgaon

    13

    45

    Jabalpur

    164

    		  

    145

    Karaikal

    13

    46

    Tirupati

    162

    		  

    146

    Muzaffarnagar

    12

    47

    Lucknow

    155

    		  

    147

    Tirunelveli

    12

    48

    Dehradun

    154

    		  

    148

    Leh

    11

    49

    Anand

    153

    		  

    149

    Mathura

    11

    50

    Mohali

    149

    		  

    150

    Chikkaballapur

    10

    51

    Paschim Bardhaman

    141

    		  

    151

    Hassan

    10

    52

    Samastipur

    136

    		  

    152

    Itanagar

    10

    53

    Thanjavur

    130

    		  

    153

    Amravati

    9

    54

    Amritsar

    123

    		  

    154

    Karnal

    9

    55

    Nagpur

    122

    		  

    155

    Nainital

    9

    56

    Papum Pare

    122

    		  

    156

    Shimoga

    8

    57

    Mysuru

    119

    		  

    157

    Bareilly

    7

    58

    Jhunjhunu

    117

    		  

    158

    Chitradurga

    7

    59

    Hamirpur

    116

    		  

    159

    Navsari

    7

    60

    Namakkal

    114

    		  

    160

    Bhagalpur

    6

    61

    Kolhapur

    112

    		  

    161

    Dibrugarh

    6

    62

    Kanpur

    111

    		  

    162

    Udham

    6

    63

    Virudhunagar

    111

    		  

    163

    Uttara Kannada

    6

    64

    North Goa

    109

    		  

    164

    Vizianagaram

    6

    65

    Gandhinagar

    107

    		  

    165

    Agra

    5

    66

    Cachar

    106

     

    166

    Ahmednagar

    5

    67

    Palakkad

    103

     

    167

    Hisar

    5

    68

    GautamBuddh Nagar

    100

     

    168

    Raichur

    5

    69

    Varanasi

    97

     

    169

    Thiruvarur

    5

    70

    Chandrapur

    95

     

    170

    Thoothukudi

    5

    71

    Dharwad

    95

     

    171

    Gwalior

    4

    72

    Aurangabad

    91

     

    172

    Sangli

    4

    73

    Kottayam

    91

     

    173

    Shimla

    4

    74

    Aizawl

    90

     

    174

    Thiruvallur

    4

    75

    Jorhat

    88

     

    175

    Vanasthali

    4

    76

    Kasaragod

    88

     

    176

    Bikaner

    3

    77

    Nashik

    83

     

    177

    Davanagere

    3

    78

    Faridabad

    79

     

    178

    Eluru

    2

    79

    South Goa

    78

     

    179

    Mau

    2

    80

    Jammu

    77

     

    180

    Nandyal

    2

    81

    Ahmedabad

    75

     

    181

    Sikar

    2

    82

    Tumkur

    74

     

    182

    Tonk

    2

    83

    East Singhbhum

    72

     

    183

    Cuttack

    1

    84

    Kokrajhar

    72

     

    184

    Gorakhpur

    1

    85

    Dimapur

    71

     

    185

    Kota

    1

    86

    Thane

    71

     

    186

    Pudukkottai

    1

    87

    Thrissur

    71

     

    187

    Rajkot

    1

    88

    Kollam

    67

     

    188

    Solan

    1

    89

    Meerut

    61

     

    189

    South Andaman

    1

    90

    Villupuram

    56

     

    190

    Tiruvallur

    1

    91

    Howrah

    55

     

    191

    Murshidabad

    1

    92

    Rupnagar

    55

     

    192

    Karimnagar

    1

    93

    Sagar

    55

     

     

    94

    Krishna

    53

     

    95

    Pulwama

    53

     

    96

    Sivagangai

    53

     

    97

    Vellore

    52

     

    98

    Bathinda

    46

     

    99

    Cuddalore

    46

     

    100

    Gaya

    45

     

    3. Total Institutions (Registered):

    Sr. No.

    Regions

    Institutions (Nos.)

    1

    Northern

    1639

    2

    Western

    294

    3

    Central

    86

    4

    Eastern

    202

    5

    North Eastern

    149

    6

    Southern

    939

    This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

    ***

    NKR/PSM

    (Release ID: 2113274) Visitor Counter : 82

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PARLIAMENT QUESTION: ESTABLISHMENT OF RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS AND PROMOTION OF SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION IN ODISHA

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 20 MAR 2025 4:55PM by PIB Delhi

    The Ministry has already established several Research Institutions, Innovation Hubs and Technology Parks in Odisha to strengthen scientific research and technological advancements. The details are given in Annexure – I

    ANNEXURE – I

    1. Department of Biotechnology (DBT)

    Institute of Life Sciences (ILS), Bhubaneshwar, an autonomous research institution established by DBT carries out high-quality multidisciplinary research in the field of life sciences. ILS has core strength in four areas (a) Infectious Diseases, (b) Cancer Biology, (c) Genetic & Autoimmune Disorders, and (d) Plant and Microbial Biotechnology. ILS uses modern biology techniques to acquire insights at cellular and molecular levels in pathogen biology, immune-regulation and inflammation, cancer biology, and plant biotechnology for the overall development and betterment of human health, longevity, agriculture, and the environment. ILS undertakes cutting-edge research using state-of-the-art technologies in the fields of vector-borne diseases such as malaria and filaria, viral infections, cancer biology, allergy and auto-immune disorders, genetic disorders, and agricultural productivity. The Institute also focuses on generating Human Resources by creating trained scientific personnel in the area of modern biosciences and biotechnology research.

    The Department is also implementing ‘Biotechnology Research Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development (Bio- RIDE)’ scheme in the country, including the State of Odisha to foster innovation, promote bio-entrepreneurship, and strengthen India’s position as a global leader in biomanufacturing and biotechnology. The scheme aims at harnessing the potential of bio-innovation to tackle national and global challenges such as healthcare, agriculture, environmental sustainability, and clean energy through its 3 components i.e. (i) Biotechnology Research and Development (R&D); (ii) Industrial & Entrepreneurship Development (I&ED) and (iii) Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry.

    2. Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR)

    CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (IMMT), Bhubaneswar established by CSIR conducts basic scientific research and technology development in a wide range of subjects to address the R&D problems of mining, mineral and metals industries and ensure their sustainable development. For the last one decade, the main thrust of R&D at CSIR-IMMT has been to empower Indian industries to meet the challenges of globalization by providing advanced and zero waste process know-how and consultancy services for commercial exploitation of natural resources through the public-private-partnership (PPP) approach. CSIR-IMMT also carved out a niche in processing of advanced materials for greater value addition and working on resource use efficiency of critical raw materials.

    • Common Research and Technology Development Hub (CRTDH) at CSIR-IMMT has been established in 2019 to nurture and promote innovations in MSMEs and provide them R&D or knowledge-based support in the area of new materials and chemical processes. CRTDH has provided more than 4 number of technological solutions to agro and metallurgical/minerals industries and 10 know-hows related to fighting against COVID like sanitisers, liquid soap, disinfection kits etc. to around 14 MSMEs since its inception. CRTDH has trained more than 200 manpower, including agro entrepreneurs, self-help group leaders, artisans etc. Number of know-how/process/technology developed have been transferred to more than 20 MSMEs/MSEs. The CRTDH trained 30 Women Self Help Group Leaders on Agarbatti manufacturing using Charcoal technology from locally available Rice husk. These 30 leaders represent 1000 Groups and eventually, 15000 women are currently working in Agarbatti manufacturing using rice husk Charcoal.
    • Innovative Technology Enabling Centre (InTEC) has been established at CSIR-IMMT for translation of Innovative Technologies into successful business ventures through intervention of science & technology. InTEC has been recognized by StartupOdisha and supporting the startups in terms of mentoring, technical and intellectual support, analytical and instrumentation support and IPR.

    3. Department of Science and Technology (DST)

    DST, over the years had established Several Innovation Hubs, Technology Parks, Incubation Centres in Odisha to promote scientific research, technology development and innovation through various Schemes and Programmes. The details are given below:

    • Four Science Technology and Innovation (STI) Hubs were established in Koraput, Bolangir, Khurda and Ganjam districts of Odisha under the Tribal Sub Plan Scheme. These hubs focus on improving the livelihood systems of SC/ST communities by identifying weak and strong links, developing and delivering innovative technologies, and promoting social enterprises. Two more STI Hubs are proposed to be established during 2025-26 in Mayurbhanj district.
    • Rural Women Technology Parks have been established in Sundergarh, Jagat singh pur, Kandhmahal and Ganjan districts of Odisha State for providing technological interventions for alternative livelihood creation for ST Women under the Scheme Science and Technology for Women supported to Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Bhubaneshwar.
    • Under the National Quantum Mission, four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs), in key technology verticals of Quantum Computing, Quantum Communication, Quantum Sensing & Metrology and Quantum Materials & Devices have been established. These Thematic Hubs consist of 14 Technical Groups, covering 17 states and 2 Union Territories, including Odisha. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bhubaneswar is one of the member institutes under the Thematic Hub for Quantum Materials and Devices and National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar is one of the member institutes under the Thematic Hub for Quantum Computing.
    • Under National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI), a NIDHI Centre of Excellence (CoE) has been established at Kalinga Institute of Industry Technology (KIIT), Bhubaneswar. 2 NIDHI TBIs at National Institute of Technology Rourkela (NIT-Rourkela) and CV Raman College of Engineering, Bhubaneshwar and 2 NIDHI iTBIs at Sophitorium Institute of Technology & Lifeskills, Bhubaneshwar and Sri Sri University, Cuttack have been established for promotion of innovation and entrepreneurship in the region.
    • A Technology Enabling Centre (TEC) has been established at KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha to create an Ecosystem for Technology and to provide a platform to network researchers with other Institutes, National laboratories and Industry. The focus of Centre will be on providing an enabling eco system, process and support system for technology development, deployment and diffusion.
    • More than 20 academic institutions/universities (including PG Colleges) located in the State of Odisha were supported under Fund for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure (FIST) scheme for augmenting basic infrastructural facilities for conducting quality research in basic and applied sciences.
    • Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT-Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar was supported during 2023-24 under the Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence (PURSE) Scheme to enhance R&D infrastructure and undertake mission-oriented research in various fields of S&T that align with national priorities.

    This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

    ***

    NKR/PSM

    (Release ID: 2113273) Visitor Counter : 75

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: ECI charts out bold steps towards strengthening election processes during past one month

    Source: Government of India (2)

    ECI charts out bold steps towards strengthening election processes during past one month

    Digital training planned for continuous capacity augmentation of nearly 1 crore election officials

    Participation of political parties through nearly 5000 all-party meetings with Election authorities at ERO, DEO & CEO levels

    Legal framework of objections and appeals guide correction of entries and inclusion of names in electoral rolls

    Merely 89 1st appeals and only 1 second appeal filed so far

    Posted On: 20 MAR 2025 5:21PM by PIB Delhi

    In under a month of the assumption of charge as the 26th Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India, ECI led by Shri Gyanesh Kumar along with Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi has put the entire election machinery right up to the BLO level on a path firmly on course for promoting participation of all electors and ensuring a pleasant experience for them at the polling stations. Political parties, being key stakeholders, are also being involved at the grassroot level.

    The Commission reaffirms that the nearly 100 crore electors always stand as the pillar of democracy. Technical consultations between UIDAI and experts of ECI are to begin soon. Though an elector can only vote in the assigned polling booth and nowhere else, the Commission has resolved to remove duplicates countrywide in EPIC numbers and end a decades-long issue within 3 months. Regular updation of the voter list shall be strengthened in close coordination with the birth and death registration authorities.  In the Commission’s interactions with political parties, it was clarified that any inclusion or deletion to the draft elector list is governed by the process of appeals under relevant legal provisions for filing claims and objections, available to all political parties in the Representation of People act, 1950. In the absence of such appeals, the list as prepared by the ERO prevails. It may be recalled that the ECI had on 7th March, 2025 clarified that merely 89 first appeals and just the sole second appeal was filed after the completion of the Special Summary Revision (SSR) exercise as of 6th-10th of January 2025.

    Ensuring 100% enrolment of all eligible citizens, ensuring ease of voting and a pleasant voting experience are key objectives of ECI. Steps will be taken to ensure that no polling station has more than 1,200 electors and they will be within 2 Kms of the electors. Even in the remotest rural polling station, basic facilities (AMF) will be ensured. To tackle urban apathy and encourage more participation, clusters of high-rise buildings and colonies will also have polling stations within their premises.

    In a major step towards comprehensive and continuous capacity building of nearly 1 crore election personnel, a two-day conference of CEOs of all States/UTs at IIIDEM was held in New Delhi on the 4th and 5th of March in which, in a first, DEOs and EROs of each of the State/UTs participated. The conference provided a thrust to energise the entire election machinery with a clear mapping of 28 stakeholders along with their responsibilities as per the framework set by the constitution, electoral laws and guidelines issued by ECI. Electoral handbooks and manuals for instructions will be harmonised with the most recent changes. Digital training kits in multiple Indian languages will be prepared for easy absorption and effective training of frontline functionaries. Animated videos and integrated dashboard will provide a digital push to training. A training module is being devised to train BLOs in days to come.

    To ensure full participation of political parties in all aspects of the election processes, CEC Gyanesh Kumar during the CEO conference on 4th March had directed that regular all-party meetings and interactions be held by all the 36 CEOs, 788 DEOs, 4123 EROs. Such meetings across the country will help resolve any outstanding and emergent issues raised by the political parties at the grassroot level itself. This process will be completed pan-India by the 31st of March, 2025.  The offer of the Commission to train political party representatives and their appointed BLAs on the due processes as per electoral laws including claims and objections to the voter list has been welcomed by political parties. The ECI has also invited suggestions from all political parties on any and all matters concerning the conduct of elections and they can send these by the 30th of April, 2025. The parties have also been extended an invitation to meet the Commission in Delhi at a mutually convenient time.

    These bold and far-reaching initiatives span the entire gamut of elections and encompass all the key stakeholders in a participatory manner.

    ******

    PK

    (Release ID: 2113296) Visitor Counter : 15

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Indo-U.S. Cultural Property Agreement

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 20 MAR 2025 5:19PM by PIB Delhi

    The Cultural Property Agreement (CPA) has been signed with the United States of America (USA) to prevent smuggling of Indian antiquities. Agreement, being preventive in nature has no timelines or target numbers.  So far, 588 antiquities have been repatriated from USA, out of which 297 received in 2024.

    India collaborates with different international organizations including UNESCO and INTERPOL as per requirement.

    The CPA has provision for fostering cooperation and mutual understanding in the matters of technical assistance, illicit trade and pillage of cultural property.

    This information was given by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

    ***

    Sunil Kumar Tiwari

    pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com

    (Release ID: 2113295) Visitor Counter : 33

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Resurgence of Ancient Sects

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 20 MAR 2025 5:18PM by PIB Delhi

    The Kumbh Mela is a significant Hindu pilgrimage festival and one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, where millions of devotees converge to bathe in sacred rivers. During this event, many ancient sects, spiritual organizations, and religious leaders come together, often showcasing rituals, traditions and practices that have been passed down through centuries.

    The resurgence of ancient sects in India is driven by factors such as a growing interest in cultural and spiritual heritage coupled with the search for deeper meaning amid modern religious challenges. Social media and religious tourism have also played a role in spreading awareness of these sects. This revival is significant in contemporary society as it helps to preserve traditional practices, offers an alternative to materialism, fosters social cohesion and strengthens national pride in India’s cultural roots.

    The government supports events like Kumbh Mela, which preserves the traditions of ancient sects while promoting inclusivity and cultural diversity of India. Ministry of Culture also organizes/ supports a number of cultural festivals/ programmes like Kashi Tamil Sangamam, MadhavpurGhed, Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam, Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsavs etc. where all types of audiences including the ancient sects participate ensuring inclusivity and cultural diversity.

    This information was given by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

    ***

    Sunil Kumar Tiwari

    pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com

    (Release ID: 2113293) Visitor Counter : 33

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: ‘Financial Assistance for Promotion of Art and Culture’ Scheme

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 20 MAR 2025 5:18PM by PIB Delhi

    Ministry of Culture implements a Central Sector scheme by the name of ‘Financial Assistance for Promotion of Art and Culture’. This scheme has eight sub-components under which financial assistance is provided directly to eligible cultural organizations working in the field of art and culture across the country. The brief objective of these schemes is given at Annexure.

    The broad criteria for selecting beneficiaries under the scheme components is as under:

    i)    The organization must be registered as a society under the societies Registration Act 1860 or similar Acts or as a Trust or Not-for-Profit Company and shall have been functioning for a period of at least three years.

    ii)   The organization must be registered on NGO Darpan Portal of NITI Aayog.

    iii)  The organization must have pre-dominate cultural profile.

    iv)  The organization must have submitted audit statements of last three years.

    v)   The organization must have filed Income Tax returns during the last three years.

    Application(s)/ proposal(s) found complete in all respect are placed before the Expert / Steering Committee, duly constituted for each scheme component by the Ministry, for its evaluation and recommendations on case-to-case basis on the merit of the proposal as per the respective scheme guidelines.

    An amount of Rs.78.30 Cr. was released to 2760 organizations under the scheme in the last financial year (2023-2024).

    Ministry of Culture has been monitoring the effective utilization of financial assistance by checking Utilization Certificate as per GFR-2017, Bill vouchers and other evidentiary proofs such as photos/videos, completion certificates etc. This apart, there are also provisions of on-site physical inspections to monitor the progress and effective utilization of financial assistance.

    It has been a continuous endeavour of the Ministry of Culture to expand the reach of its schemes to support a greater number of cultural organizations/ individual artists. Ministry of Culture has taken necessary steps to support a greater number of cultural organizations under the scheme of Promotion of Art and Culture and the guidelines and application forms of these schemes have been uploaded on the Official Website of the Ministry. Wide publicity is also given to the advertisements seeking applications under these schemes through various newspapers, official website and social media platforms of Ministry and concerned Nodal agency of the scheme.

    This information was given by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

    ***

     

    Sunil Kumar Tiwari

    pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com

    Annexure

    FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR PROMOTION OF ART AND CULTURE

    This scheme has following sub-components:

    1. Financial Assistance to Cultural organizations with National Presence

    To promote and support cultural organisations with national presence involved in promotion of art and culture throughout the country, this grant is given to such organisations that have a properly constituted managing body, registered in India; having a pan-India character with national presence in its operation; adequate working strength; and have spent 1 crore or more during 3 of the last 5 years on cultural activities. The quantum of grant under this scheme is upto Rs. 1 crore which can be increased upto Rs. 5 crore in exceptional cases

    1. Cultural Function & Production Grant (CFPG)

    The objective of this scheme component is to provide financial support to NGOs/ Societies/ Trusts/ Universities etc. for Seminars, Conference, Research, Workshops, Festivals, Exhibitions, Symposia, Production of Dance, Drama-Theatre, Music etc. The maximum grants provided under CFPG is Rs.5 Lakh for an organization which can be increased to Rs. 20.00 lakhs in exceptional cases

    1. Financial Assistance for the Preservation & Development of Cultural Heritage of the Himalayas

                The objective of this scheme component is to promote and preserve the cultural heritage of the Himalayas through research, training and dissemination through audio visual programmes. The financial support is provided to the organizations in the States falling under the Himalayan Region i.e. Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. The quantum of funding is Rs. 10.00 lakhs per year for an organization which can be increased to Rs. 30.00 lakhs in exceptional cases.

    1. Financial Assistance for the Preservation & Development of Buddhist/Tibetan Organization

    Under this scheme component financial assistance is provided to the voluntary Buddhist/Tibetan organizations including Monasteries engaged in the propagation and scientific development of Buddhist/Tibetan Cultural and tradition and research in related fields. The quantum of funding under scheme component is Rs. 30.00 lakhs per year for an organization which can be increased to 1.00 crore in exceptional cases

    1. Financial Assistance for Building Grants including Studio Theatres

    The objective of this scheme component is to provide financial support to NGO, Trust, Societies, Govt. Sponsored bodies, University, College etc. for creation of Cultural infrastructure (i.e. studio theatre, auditorium, rehearsal hall, classroom etc.) and provision of facilities like electrical, air conditioning, acoustics, light and sound systems etc. Under this scheme component, the maximum amount of grant is up to Rs.50 Lakh in metro cities and up to Rs.25 Lakh in non- metro cities.

    1. Financial Assistance for Allied Cultural Activities

    The objective of this scheme component is to provide financial assistance to all eligible organizations for creation of assets for enhancing the audio-visual spectacle for allied cultural activities to give firsthand experience of live performances on regular basis and during festivals in open/closed areas/spaces. Maximum assistance under the scheme component, including applicable duties & taxes and also Operation & Maintenance (O&M) costing for five years, will be as under: – (i) Audio: Rs.1.00 crore; (ii) Audio+Video: Rs. 1.50 crore.

    • vii. Intangible Cultural Heritage:

    This scheme was launched by the Ministry of Culture in 2013 for safeguarding the intangible cultural heritage and diverse cultural traditions of the country with the objective of reinvigorating and revitalizing various institutions, groups, NGOs, etc. so that they may engage in activities/projects for strengthening, protecting, preserving and promoting the rich intangible cultural heritage of India.

    1. Domestic Festivals and Fairs

    The objective of this scheme is to provide assistance for holding the ‘Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsavs’ organized by Ministry of Culture. Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsavs (RSMs) are conducted through Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) where a large number of artists from all over the country are engaged to showcase their talents. From November, 2015 onwards, fourteen (14) RSMs have been organized by Ministry of Culture in the country. During last three years, Rs. 38.67 Cr. has been released under this scheme.

    ***

    (Release ID: 2113294) Visitor Counter : 28

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Promotion of Durga Puja

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 20 MAR 2025 5:17PM by PIB Delhi

    In December 2021, “Durga Puja in Kolkata” was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The various stakeholders are involved in the promotion of Durga Puja.

    Some of the steps taken by Ministry of Culture, Government of India include:

    Documentation and preservation: The Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre, Kolkata, Ministry of Culture, Government of India has initiated efforts to document and preserve the intangible cultural heritage of Durga Puja, including its rituals, customs, and traditions through a documentary i.e. “Devi Durga” link is https://youtu.be/IBOQlcrq3Vk .

    Capacity building: The Ministry has organized capacity-building workshops and training programs for artisans, craftsmen, and other stakeholders involved in Durga Puja to enhance their skills and knowledge.

    Patachitra Workshop: Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre, Kolkata, Ministry of Culture, Government of India in collaboration with 14 Udyan Sangha organised Patachitra Workshop from 28 September, 2024 to 2 October, 2024 at 14 Pally Puja Mandap, 1A Haralal Das Street, Kolkata.

    Cultural programs: Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre, Kolkata, Ministry of Culture, Government of India has organized cultural programs and events to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Durga Puja.

    Cultural programme on the occasion of Saradiya Durgotsab: Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre, Kolkata, Ministry of Culture, Government of India in collaboration with Dakshin Srirampur Sarbojonin Durga Puja Committee organised a cultural programme on the occasion of Saradiya Durgotsab on 13 October, 2024 at Dakshin Srirampur, East Burdwan, West Bengal.

    Durga Puja Festival: Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre, Kolkata, Ministry of Culture, Government of India organised Durga Puja festival from 03rd – 05th October 2022 at Bharatiyam, EZCC, Kolkata. Folk dance, folk song, classical dance were presented in the festival.

    Dhak Utsav: Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre, Kolkata, Ministry of Culture, Government of India in collaboration with Chaltabagan Puja Committee organized Dhak Utsav at ITC, Royal Bengal, Kolkata on 6 October, 2021. Classical and Folk troupes performed in the programme.

    Dasabhuja: Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre, Kolkata, Ministry of Culture, Government of India in collaboration with Chaltabagan Puja Committee organized Dasabhuja at ITC, Royal Bengal, Kolkata on 20 October, 2020. Agomoni Songs by a group were performed in the programme.

    The Ministry through its various schemes and organizations is working towards the preservation and promotion of the vast intangible cultural heritage of the country as a whole including Durga Puja.

    This information was given by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

    ***

     

    Sunil Kumar Tiwari

    pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com

    (Release ID: 2113290) Visitor Counter : 34

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –