Month: April 2025

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 28 APR 2025 3:53PM by PIB Delhi

The Governments of India and France have signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for the procurement of 26 Rafale Aircraft (22 Single-Seater and four Twin-Seater) for the Indian Navy. It includes Training, Simulator, Associated Equipment, Weapons and Performance-Based Logistics. It also includes additional equipment for the existing Rafale fleet of the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The IGA has been signed by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and Minister of Armed Forces of France Mr Sebastien Lecornu. The signed copies of the agreement, aircraft package supply protocol and weapons package supply protocol were exchanged by Indian and French officials in the presence of Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh at Nausena Bhawan, New Delhi on April 28, 2025.

 

 

In line with the Government’s thrust on Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the agreement includes Transfer of Technology for integration of indigenous weapons in India. It also includes setting up of production facility for Rafale Fuselage as well as Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facilities for aircraft engine, sensors and weapons in India. The deal is expected to generate thousands of jobs and revenue for a large number of MSMEs in setting up, production and running of these facilities.

Manufactured by France’s Dassault Aviation, the Rafale-Marine is a carrier-borne combat-ready aircraft with proven operational capabilities in maritime environment. The delivery of these aircraft would be completed by 2030, with the crew undergoing training in France and India.

Rafale-Marine has commonality with the Rafale being operated by IAF. Its procurement will substantially enhance joint operational capability, besides optimising training and logistics for the aircraft for both Indian Navy and IAF. The induction would lead to the addition of a potent force multiplier to the Indian Navy’s aircraft carriers, substantially boosting the nation’s air power at sea.

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VK/SR/Savvy

(Release ID: 2124851) Visitor Counter : 244

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 28 APR 2025 9:46PM by PIB Delhi

Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today, attended the Civil Investiture Ceremony-I where the Padma Awards were presented.”Outstanding individuals from all walks of life were honoured for their service and achievements”, Shri Modi said.

The Prime Minister posted on X :
 
“Attended the Civil Investiture Ceremony-I where the Padma Awards were presented. Outstanding individuals from all walks of life were honoured for their service and achievements.”

 

 

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MJPS/VJ

(Release ID: 2125020) Visitor Counter : 36

Source: Government of India

IEPFA Signs MoU with Kotak Mahindra Bank to Enhance Investor Education through Digital outreach

MoU strengthens Strategic Partnership to step up Investor Awareness 

Posted On: 28 APR 2025 8:25PM by PIB Delhi

 In a significant move to enhance investor education and protection, the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA), under the aegis of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited (KMBL), one of India’s premier financial institutions. This strategic partnership aims to amplify the dissemination of critical investor awareness messages through Kotak Mahindra Bank’s extensive physical and digital network across the country.

The collaboration will see IEPFA’s curated investor education content being prominently featured on Kotak Mahindra Bank’s ATMs, kiosks, websites, mobile apps and social media platforms. Digital banners, short films, and educational videos produced by IEPFA will be showcased to raise awareness on responsible investing, financial fraud prevention, and the protection of investor’s rights.

This initiative is designed to be rolled out during the current financial year 2025-2026, with no financial obligation on IEPFA. The partnership leverages Kotak Mahindra Bank’s widespread domestic presence of 2000+ branches and 3000+ ATMs, ensuring impactful outreach to diverse segments of the population.

Under the leadership of Smt. Anita Shah Akella, CEO of the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) and Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, IEPFA continues to drive innovative collaborations for financial empowerment. Smt. Samiksha Lamba, Deputy General Manager, IEPFA, and Mr. Vishal Agarwal, Senior Vice President and Head at Kotak Mahindra Bank, exchanged the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), reinforcing trust in our financial ecosystem.

Since its inception, the IEPFA has conducted several Investor Awareness Programmes aimed at increasing financial literacy and empowering investors to protect themselves from financial fraud.

About IEPFA

The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority, established under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, safeguards investor interests by promoting financial literacy and protecting investor rights.

About Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited

Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited, one of India’s premier financial institutions, serves millions of customers through its extensive network of over 2,000 branches and 3,000 ATMs, offering innovative banking and financial solutions.

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 NB/AD

 

(Release ID: 2124989) Visitor Counter : 57

Source: Government of India

Book Launch and Panel Discussion

Ramanujan: Journey of a Great Mathematician

Posted On: 28 APR 2025 8:24PM by PIB Delhi

National Archives of India is going to launch book titled Ramanujan: Journey of a Great Mathematician. The book launch will be followed by a panel discussion on ‘Legacy of Ramanujan’ on 30th April 2025 at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, in New Delhi.

The book is a compelling historical account that delves into the life and contributions of Srinivasa Ramanujan, one of India’s most extraordinary mathematical geniuses. The book meticulously documents Ramanujan’s journey, from his humble beginnings in Erode, Tamil Nadu, to his groundbreaking work in number theory, infinite series, and continued fractions. It highlights how Ramanujan, despite lacking formal training, produced theorems and results that continue to astonish mathematicians worldwide.

The book stands out for its use of original documents, offering readers an authentic glimpse into Ramanujan’s life. These include letters exchanged between Ramanujan and prominent figures like G.H. Hardy, who played a pivotal role in bringing Ramanujan’s work to the global stage. Hardy, along with other mentors like J.E. Littlewood and Indian supporters such as Ram Chandra Rao, recognized Ramanujan’s unparalleled talent and helped him gain recognition. The book also sheds light on the personal struggles and triumphs of Ramanujan, emphasizing the support of his wife, Janaki, and his parents, who stood by him through his journey.

Ramanujan’s story is not just about mathematical brilliance but also about perseverance, passion, and the power of mentorship. This book serves as a tribute to his legacy, inspiring future generations to explore the beauty of mathematics and the human spirit behind it.

The National Archives of India has been awarded ISO Certification and is launching Abhilekh Patal version 3.0 on 30^th April 2025.

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Sunil Kumar Tiwari

pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com

(Release ID: 2124988) Visitor Counter : 49

Source: Government of India

IEPFA Hosts Preparatory Meeting with Stakeholder Companies for ‘Niveshak Shivir’ Initiative

 “Niveshak Shivir” is an Initiative with dedicated Company Kiosks to help Investors Claim Unclaimed Dividends

Pilot Phase of ‘Niveshak Shivir’ Will be  Launched in Mumbai and Ahmedabad in May 2025, with One-Stop Helpdesks for KYC Updates and Claims Assistance

Posted On: 28 APR 2025 8:21PM by PIB Delhi

In a step forward to enhance investor services and streamline the claims process, the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA), under the aegis of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, convened a preparatory meeting with Nodal Officers of stakeholder companies through video conference on April 28, 2025 chaired by Smt. Anita Shah Akella, Chief Executive Officer, IEPFA. This meeting was aimed at finalizing operational details for “Niveshak Shivir” – a collaborative initiative of IEPFA and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). It was decided that Niveshak Shivir will be organised in the cities having large number of investors whose dividends are lying unclaimed with Companies for a period of six to seven years. As part of this initiative, selected companies with highest number of investors in unclaimed dividend account will be invited to set up dedicated kiosks at these events to assist investors directly.

 

“Niveshak Shivir” has been conceived to simplify procedures for claiming unclaimed dividends and shares, improve financial literacy among investors, and ensure direct and transparent access to investor services. By facilitating direct interaction with companies and Registrars and Transfer Agents (RTAs), and by offering immediate grievance redressal support, this initiative is set to significantly reduce investors’ dependency on intermediaries and mitigate risks of fraud and misinformation.

The strategic meeting outlined the pilot phase of the initiative, which will be launched in Mumbai and Ahmedabad in May 2025. These camps will serve as one stop comprehensive helpdesks where investors can update their KYC and nomination details, check the status of their unclaimed assets and receive guided assistance for reclaiming their investments – whether assets are still with companies or have been transferred to IEPFA.

Officials from IEPFA, SEBI, companies, and RTAs will be present on ground to assist investors, ensuring a robust and supportive framework. Pre-registration for the camps will be enabled through a QR code-linked Google Form, with additional logistic support extended by regional offices of ICAI and SEBI.

About IEPFA

The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) is committed to promoting investor awareness and protection in India through various educational initiatives and strategic collaborations, ensuring an informed and secure investing populace.

Find out more at: https://www.iepf.gov.in/content/iepf/global/master/Home/Home.html

 

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  NB/AD

 

(Release ID: 2124987) Visitor Counter : 56

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 28 APR 2025 8:15PM by PIB Delhi

On the basis of the result of the written part of the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination, (I) 2025 held by the Union Public Service Commission on 13th April, 2025, candidates with the under mentioned Roll Nos. have qualified for interview by the Services Selection Board (SSB) of the Ministry of Defence for Admission to Army, Navy and Air Force Wings of the National Defence Academy for the 155^th Course and for the 117^th Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC) commencing from 2^nd January, 2026. The result is also available at Commission’s website www.upsc.gov.in.

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

 

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

 

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

 

Click here to see Result:-

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NKR/PSM

(Release ID: 2124979) Visitor Counter : 36

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 28 APR 2025 8:11PM by PIB Delhi

The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu presented Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri Awards for the year 2025 at the Civil Investiture Ceremony-I held at Rashtrapati Bhavan this evening (April 28, 2025). Among the dignitaries present on the occasion were Vice President of India, Prime Minister of India and Union Minister for Home Affairs. 

 List of Awardees of the ceremony can be viewed here

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MJPS/SR

(Release ID: 2124978) Visitor Counter : 56

Source: Government of India

Hon’ble Minister of Communications Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia announces the publication of Gazette Notification for ‘Gyan Post’ to Enable Affordable Delivery of Books and Study Materials through Post Offices

“Gyan Post serves as a vital delivery mechanism for ensuring that education reaches every individual” – Shri. Jyotiraditya M. Scindia

Posted On: 28 APR 2025 7:36PM by PIB Delhi

Hon’ble Minister of Communications and Development of North Eastern Regions, Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia announced the publication of the gazette notification regarding ‘Gyan Post’, a new service to make the delivery of educational, social, cultural, and religious books more affordable across India. This service reflects India Post’s continued commitment to supporting education and reaching learners in every part of the country.

Education is the foundation of a stronger future, but access to learning resources should not depend on geography or affordability. ‘Gyan Post’ has been created with this belief at its heart to ensure that a textbook, a preparation guide, or a cultural book can travel the last mile, reaching even the most remote village or town.

Speaking on the occasion, the Hon’ble Minister of Communications and Development of North Eastern Regions, Shri Jyotiraditya M Scindia said, “Under the new education policy and syllabus, “Gyan Post” serves as a vital delivery mechanism for ensuring that education reaches every individual.”

Designed to support learning and knowledge-sharing, ‘Gyan Post’ offers affordable options for sending books and printed educational materials through India’s vast postal network. The service is priced to encourage wider access.

Books and printed educational materials sent under ‘Gyan Post’ will be trackable and transported through surface mode to ensure cost-effective delivery. The packages can be sent at highly affordable rates, starting from only ₹20 for packets up to 300 grams and maximum of  ₹100 for packets up to 5 kilograms (taxes as applicable).

Only non-commercial, educational material will be eligible under ‘Gyan Post’. Publications of a business or commercial nature, or containing advertisements (other than incidental announcements or book lists), will not be accepted under this service. Each book must carry the name of the printer or publisher as per prescribed conditions.

Through ‘Gyan Post’, India Post reaffirms its enduring commitment to public service, helping bridge the education gap, one book at a time. By making learning resources more accessible and affordable, India Post continues its legacy of empowering individuals and communities across the nation.

The ‘Gyan Post’ service will be operational at all departmental post offices across India from 1st May, 2025. Further details are available at the nearest post office or online at www.indiapost.gov.in.

  ‘Gyan Post’ Gazette Notification announcement by the Hon’ble Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, in the esteemed presence of Ms. Vandita Kaul, Secretary (Posts), and Shri Jitendra Gupta, Director General Postal Services

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Samrat/Allen

(Release ID: 2124967) Visitor Counter : 109

Source: Government of India

Consultative Committee of the Members of Parliament for the Ministry of Power held on the subject- “Roadmap for Development of Nuclear Power Generation”

Government targets 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047 to strengthen India’s long-term energy security

Strategic measures underway to accelerate nuclear power deployment and promote clean energy transition

Posted On: 28 APR 2025 7:22PM by PIB Delhi

A meeting of the Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Power was held today under the Chairmanship of Shri Manohar Lal, Hon’ble Union Minister for Power and Housing & Urban Affairs. The agenda for discussion was “Roadmap for Development of Nuclear Power Generation.”

Nuclear Power: A Key Pillar for Achieving Net Zero Goals

During the meeting, Hon’ble Minister highlighted India’s commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2070 and emphasized that increasing the share of non-fossil fuel-based power generation is central to this vision. As the power sector contributes over 40% of global energy-related emissions, nuclear energy, being a non-fossil and stable power source, will play an increasingly important role in India’s sustainable development journey.

The Hon’ble Minister elaborated that, apart from electricity generation, nuclear energy can also serve non-electric applications such as hydrogen production, desalination, process steam, and space heating, thus supporting India’s broader energy transition goals.

Current Status and Future Plans

Members were informed that India currently operates 25 nuclear reactors across seven locations, with a total installed capacity of 8,880 MW, contributing about 3% of the country’s electricity generation. Eight reactors with 6,600 MW capacity are under construction, and another ten reactors with 7,000 MW capacity are in pre-project stages.

In line with India’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’, the Government has set a target of achieving 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047. This will significantly strengthen India’s long-term energy security and contribute towards achieving clean energy goals.

Strategic Initiatives for Accelerated Deployment

The Hon’ble Minister outlined the key challenges and strategic steps required for scaling up nuclear energy, including:

• Amending the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 to enable broader participation by private and state sectors.
• Strengthening public perception and enhancing awareness about nuclear energy’s safety and benefits.
• Facilitating faster land acquisition through brownfield expansions and repurposing retired thermal sites.
• Streamlining regulatory approval processes to reduce project timelines.
• Introducing tax concessions, green power classification, and long-term financing to ensure competitive nuclear tariffs.
• Diversifying technology choices through competitive bidding and promoting indigenous manufacturing under Make in India.
• Securing diversified uranium fuel sources and expanding the vendor base for specialized nuclear equipment.
• Building skilled manpower capacity by strengthening nuclear education and training infrastructure.

Members’ Participation and Way Forward

Members of Parliament actively participated in the discussions and provided valuable suggestions for expediting nuclear power deployment. They stressed the need for faster project execution, creating a favorable public narrative, ensuring technology diversification, and building robust vendor and manpower ecosystems.

In his concluding remarks, the Hon’ble Minister assured the Members that the Ministry of Power would work closely with the Department of Atomic Energy, State Governments, industries, and other stakeholders to accelerate the deployment of nuclear power projects and ensure a clean, secure, and sustainable energy future for India.

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SK

(Release ID: 2124961) Visitor Counter : 138

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 28 APR 2025 7:20PM by PIB Delhi

The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu presented 4 Padma Vibhushan, 10 Padma Bhushan and 57 Padma Shri Awards for the year 2025 at the Civil Investiture Ceremony-I held in Ganatantra Mandap of the Rashtrapati Bhawan today.

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

The Padma Awardees will pay homage at the National War Memorial tomorrow morning, April 29, 2025. They will also visit Rashtrapati Bhawan and Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya.

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RK/VV/RR/PR/PS

(Release ID: 2124956) Visitor Counter : 214