Bureau of Indian Standards announces 500 internships for students from MoU partner institutions Internship programme to promote standardisation awareness and practical engagement in industries
Convention marks renewed commitment to embed quality and standards culture in Indian academia
Posted On: 22 APR 2025 12:51PM by PIB Delhi
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the National Standards Body under the Government of India, announced internship opportunities for 500 students from its partner institutions in the field of standardisation. The announcement was made at the Annual Convention of BIS Standardisation Chairs and Nodal Faculty of MoU Partner Institutions, held recently.
The internships will be offered to students enrolled in 4-year degree courses, 5-year integrated degree courses, postgraduate degrees, and diploma programmes. The 8-week internship will include pre-standardisation work in two key industries, QCO (Quality Control Order) compliance surveys in collaboration with BIS offices, and site visits to large-scale units, MSMEs and laboratories. Students will undertake detailed studies on manufacturing and testing processes, raw materials, in-process controls, and other aspects of product quality and conformity assessment.
Key achievements of the BIS-Academia interface include:
Standardisation modules have been incorporated into the curriculum of 15 institutes.
More than 130 research and development projects have been commissioned.
Over 50 institutions have established BIS Corners and Academic Dashboards.
A total of 198 Standards Clubs have been formed across 52 institutes.
More than 3,400 students from 74 institutes participated in national quizzes.
500 student internships are planned for the 2025-26 academic year.
Director General, BIS, Shri Pramod Kumar Tiwari in his inaugural address, said, that this partnership is a shared national mission to embed a culture of quality and standardisation across academia. Deputy Director General (Standardisation), BIS, Shri Rajeev Sharma encouraged institutions to foster action-oriented collaborations and contribute actively to the country’s quality ecosystem.
The convention hosted technical sessions on curriculum integration, standards formulation, student engagement through Standards Clubs, and other promotional activities. In an open house discussion, partner institutions shared best practices and innovative models for academic collaboration.
The event concluded with a collective resolve to strengthen the culture of standardisation across Indian academia, empowering students and faculty to meaningfully engage with national and global quality systems.
Representatives from 58 partner institutes participated in the convention. Five institutions— IIT Roorkee, SSEC Chennai, NIT Jalandhar, SVCE Chennai, and PSNACET Dindigul—were felicitated for their exceptional performance in BIS-related activities as per the MoU.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
“The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Cézanne and Renoir Looking at the World – Masterpieces from the Musée de l’Orangerie and the Musée d’Orsay” exhibition at HKMoA extended to May 14 Renoir’s use of colour, light and shadow in his works played a pivotal role in the development of Impressionism. Cézanne’s art theory, meanwhile, laid the groundwork for the development of various art styles in the 20th century, unveiling a new era in modern art. Hong Kong is the first stop on the Asia tour of the exhibition, featuring 52 iconic works from the renowned Musée de l’Orangerie and the Musée d’Orsay, 51 of which are debuting in Hong Kong, including still life paintings with fruits and flowers, landscapes, portraits, and paintings of bathers. The exhibits serve as a testament to the remarkable artistic achievements of Cézanne and Renoir, highlighting the intersections in their careers.
Highlight exhibits include Cézanne’s “Apples and Biscuits”, “Still Life with Soup Tureen” and “Landscape with Red Roof (The Pine at l’Estaque)” and Renoir’s “Claude Renoir in Clown Costume”, “Nude in a Landscape” and “Bouquet in a Theatre Box”. The exhibition also showcases two invaluable artworks, “Large Still Life” and “Large Nude with Drapery”, from Spanish artist Pablo Picasso to demonstrate how the innovations of the two Impressionists inspired the next generation of great masters.
The HKMoA has created an education corner that mimics a French train platform, inviting visitors to board a time-travel train and immerse themselves in the creative worlds of Cézanne and Renoir. The Hong Kong version of this exhibition also features specially designed simulated conversations between the two masters, footprint maps, and more. These elements highlight the fascinating lives and enduring friendship of these two iconic artists.
The HKMoA has also invited two Hong Kong artists, Trevor Yeung and Lai Kwan-ting, to draw inspiration from the works of the two art masters and create their own new art. In “Garden Cruising: Bathers and Watchers”, an art installation with photographic works and large soft sculptures, Yeung explores the idea of the gaze associated with the depiction of nudity in the bathers painting series by Cézanne. Inspired by the still life works and portraits of the two French masters, Lai Kwan-ting’s installation work, “Everyday Whispers”, creates figure and landscape paintings with contemporary Chinese ink painting that capture fleeting moments in daily life, reinterpreting the styles of the two masters from a 21st-century perspective.
On April 21, following the Holy See’s announcement of the passing of Pope Francis, Presidential Office Spokesperson Karen Kuo (郭雅慧) stated that upon hearing the news, President Lai Ching-te expressed deepest sympathies and extended sincere condolences to the Holy See on behalf of Taiwan’s people and government. At the same time, President Lai directed Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) to convey condolences to the Holy See’s Apostolic Nunciature in Taiwan. The Republic of China (Taiwan) Embassy to the Holy See also conveyed a message from President Lai expressing the nation’s grief and sympathies.
Spokesperson Kuo stated that President Lai has fond memories of Pope Francis’s friendly, close interactions with Taiwan during his papacy, and especially his focus on social justice and advocacy for environmental sustainability, as well as his concern for issues regarding immigrants, child labor, and violence against women. His proposals and appeals regarding world peace have resonated with all humanity. The spokesperson said that the passing of Pope Francis is a loss for the international community, and prayed that he may rest in peace. She added that Taiwan will continue to deepen cooperation with the Holy See and the Catholic Church in humanitarian efforts and continue to strengthen the friendly ties between Taiwan and the Vatican. The Presidential Office and Executive Yuan will fly the national flag at half-mast for two days to express the sympathies of the people and government of Taiwan.
Union Minister Shri Jayant Chaudhary launches NSDC-PDEU Centre offering 40 skill courses at Gandhinagar in Gujarat Online and hybrid courses in semiconductors, solar, and smart manufacturing to be offered at NSDC-PDEU Centre
Union Minister emphasizes the need for empowering universities to make them engines of national growth
Posted On: 21 APR 2025 6:45PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship & Minister of State, Ministry of Education Shri Jayant Chaudhary launched a Centre of Excellence (CoE) – jointly set up by National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and Pandit Deendayal Energy University (PDEU) – at Gandhinagar in Gujarat.
“Universities are not merely centres of academic learning—they are transformative bridges connecting young minds to the dynamic realities of the world. By equipping students with both technical expertise and a broad-based liberal education, they cultivate the ability to think critically, innovate fearlessly, and adapt with agility. Gujarat has emerged as a frontrunner in this journey, reshaping its higher education landscape through a strong focus on academic rigor, industry partnerships, and holistic development. And our universities are producing a generation that is not only employable but also imaginative, responsible, and deeply committed to the nation’s progress.”
Shri Jayant Chaudhary further emphasized the need for universities across India to realign with the evolving demands of industry and actively skill students in response. “We must empower our universities to become engines of innovation—not just to serve market needs, but to advance national growth. When universities lead innovation, it is driven by purpose—for the benefit of society and the nation at large.”
The Centre will be equipped with advanced manufacturing capabilities labs to provide specialised training. The centre will offer over 40 online and hybrid courses in sectors such as semiconductors manufacturing, renewable and non-renewables energy, digital edge, smart manufacturing, and more.
A Memorandum of Association (MoA) was signed earlier this month between NSDC and PDEU in this regard. These courses will cater to students from ITI, Diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate programs. The curriculum is designed to equip learners from Tier-1, Tier-2 and Tier-3 institutes with hands-on experience in niche manufacturing skill sets across critical sectors, including energy, health, water and food.
Shri Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO of NSDC and MD of NSDC International, said, “At NSDC, our core mission is to make youth employable, and this collaboration will strengthen the skilling ecosystem. This collaboration will support the development of training infrastructure in smart manufacturing, along with Centres of Excellence focused on automotive, EV charging, renewable energy, and semiconductors. Training in the semiconductor domain is already underway, paving the way for youth to gain practical exposure in high-demand, future-oriented fields. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the NSDC is placing a strong emphasis on global certification programmes that enable Indian students to access world-class skills and compete confidently in the international job market. We are dedicated to making India’s youth employable, entrepreneurial, and future-ready.
“Through hybrid-mode training in renewable, non-renewable, and hydrogen energy technologies, India is equipping its youth to lead in the global energy revolution. This initiative ensures nationwide access, bridging gaps and empowering students across the country. It’s more than skill development—it’s nation building. These efforts boost youth employability while positioning India as a future global leader in the energy sector.”
This CoE will serve as a hub for hands-on learning, R&D, and real-time industry engagement in semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, embedded systems, and VLSI design, directly addressing the talent needs of these sectors. It will act as a crucible for developing specialised skills aligned with the national priorities of sustainable development and energy security. Students will be trained to become “Energy Ambassadors for the Nation.”
PDEU Director General S Sundar Manoharan said, “Aligning seamlessly with the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and his mission to empower youth and advance skill development across India, PDEU is committed to empower countless individuals nationwide, with Centres of Excellence playing a vital role in realizing the goals of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat.”
Underscoring the Gujarat Government’s strategic investments in these centres, he noted their crucial contribution to national missions—particularly in the realm of semiconductors—cementing India’s position as a global innovation hub.
The NSDC will play a key role in the smooth functioning of the CoE and in the seamless delivery of programmes to students. It will periodically monitor project progress to ensure that students receive quality training and are prepared for future job roles.
The PDEU, which has been at the forefront of energy transition and skill development, will leverage its expertise in different verticals, including solar and wind energy, lithium and vanadium energy storage, carbon capture and smart hybrid grids to prepare students for careers in these fields. It will empower students with industry-standard manufacturing lines, including the “45 MW Solar PV Manufacturing Line” and the ATMP Semiconductor Packaging Line.
The partnership between NSDC and PDEU marks a transformative step towards building a future-ready workforce, which is crucial for India’s economic growth and technological leadership. It will play a vital role in Make-in-India Readiness movement and accelerate the progress of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, holds a review meeting with Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai in New Delhi on the implementation of three New Criminal Laws in the state Chhattisgarh should become an ideal state by implementing the New Criminal Laws soon
Chhattisgarh government should fix accountability of DSP level officers for filing chargesheet within 60 and 90 days
Under the New Criminal Laws, the entire process—from recording evidence to conducting trials—can be carried out through video conferencing, which will significantly save manpower
Every police station and DSP level officers in Chhattisgarh should regularly use NATGRID in serious crime investigations
Posted On: 21 APR 2025 7:57PM by PIB Delhi
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, held a review meeting in New Delhi today with Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai to assess the implementation of three new criminal laws in the state. The discussion focused on the progress and current status of key provisions concerning police, prisons, courts, prosecution, and forensic services. The meeting was attended by the Deputy Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Union Home Secretary, Chief Secretary of Chhattisgarh, Director General of the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D), Director General of Police of Chhattisgarh, Director of the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB), along with other senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Government of Chhattisgarh.
In his address, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah emphasized the importance of making the full implementation of the three new criminal laws—enacted under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi—a top priority in Chhattisgarh. He said that the primary objective of these laws is to strengthen and modernize the Indian judicial system, and that a state like Chhattisgarh stands to benefit significantly from these reforms. He said that Chhattisgarh should take the complete implementation of the three new criminal laws as a challenge and become an ideal state by implementing them soon.
Shri Amit Shah said that the Chhattisgarh government should ensure accountability by assigning the responsibility to Deputy Superintendent of Police level officers for filing chargesheets within 60 and within 90 days for serious crimes. He highlighted that under the new criminal laws, the entire process—from recording evidence to conducting trials—can be carried out through video conferencing, significantly reducing the need for manpower and streamlining judicial.
Union Home Minister emphasized that all police stations and DSP-level officers in Chhattisgarh should regularly use the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) in serious crime investigations. He also recommended a structured review mechanism for the implementation of the new criminal laws in the state. Shri Shah added that the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police should conduct weekly reviews, the State Home Minister should review the progress every 15 days, and the Chief Minister should assess the implementation on a monthly basis.
Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal Stresses Innovation and Inclusive Urban Planning in Transport Sector, at 17th Civil Services Day celebrations Secretary, MoHUA , Shri Srinivas Katikithala , receives the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration for the successful implementation of the PM SVANidhi scheme.
Posted On: 21 APR 2025 8:15PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs and Power, Shri Manohar Lal, chaired a session on “Strengthening Urban Transport” at the 17th Civil Services Day in New Delhi. Addressing young civil servants, the Hon’ble Minister encouraged them to think innovatively and adopt out-of-the-box approaches to tackle critical challenges like urban transportation.
He emphasized the importance of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), urging officers to ensure that every commuter stepping off a metro train or public bus should not have to worry about how to reach home—the last-mile connectivity should be seamless, affordable, and integrated with easy digital payment options.
The Minister also called on urban planners and policymakers to design cities where residential colonies are located near workplaces, promoting the “walk-to-work” culture. He said the same principle should guide the development of government residential areas, enabling more efficient, livable, and sustainable urban environments.
Encouraging young officers to be transformative, solution-driven leaders, Shri Manohar Lal highlighted the achievements in urban transport and envisioned Indian cities as engines of growth and symbols of sustainability. He urged civil servants to champion inclusive urban planning and model governance to realize the vision of a developed India.
In a moment of pride for the Ministry, Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri Srinivas Katikithala, received the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration for the successful implementation of the PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) scheme.
The combined Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) increased by 3.8 per cent (provisional) in March, 2025 as compared to the Index in March, 2024. The production of Cement, Fertilizers, Steel, Electricity, Coal and Refinery Products recorded positive growth in March, 2025. The details of annual indices, monthly indices and growth rates are provided at Annex I and Annex II.
The ICI measures the combined and individual performance of production of eight core industries viz. Coal, Crude Oil, Natural Gas, Refinery Products, Fertilizers, Steel, Cement and Electricity. The Eight Core Industries comprise 40.27 percent of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).
The final growth rate of Index of Eight Core Industries for December 2024 was observed at 5.1 per cent. The cumulative growth rate of ICI during April to March, 2024-25 is 4.4 per cent (provisional) as compared to the corresponding period of last year.
The summary of the Index of Eight Core Industries is given below:
Coal – Coal production (weight: 10.33 per cent) increased by 1.6 per cent in March, 2025 over March, 2024. Its cumulative index increased by 5.1 per cent during April to March, 2024-25 over corresponding period of the previous year.
Crude Oil – Crude Oil production (weight: 8.98 per cent) declined by 1.9 per cent in March, 2025 over March, 2024. Its cumulative index declined by 2.2 per cent during April to March, 2024-25 over corresponding period of the previous year.
Natural Gas – Natural Gas production (weight: 6.88 per cent) declined by 12.7 per cent in March, 2025 over March, 2024. Its cumulative index declined by 1.2 per cent during April to March, 2024-25 over corresponding period of the previous year.
Petroleum Refinery Products – Petroleum Refinery production (weight: 28.04 per cent) increased by 0.2 per cent in March, 2025 over March, 2024. Its cumulative index increased by 2.8 per cent during April to March, 2024-25 over corresponding period of the previous year.
Fertilizers – Fertilizer production (weight: 2.63 per cent) increased by 8.8 per cent in March, 2025 over March, 2024. Its cumulative index increased by 2.9 per cent during April to March, 2024-25 over corresponding period of the previous year.
Steel – Steel production (weight: 17.92 per cent) increased by 7.1 per cent in March, 2025 over March, 2024. Its cumulative index increased by 6.7 per cent during April to March, 2024-25 over corresponding period of the previous year.
Cement – Cement production (weight: 5.37 per cent) increased by 11.6 per cent in March, 2025 over March, 2024. Its cumulative index increased by 6.3 per cent during April to March, 2024-25 over corresponding period of the previous year.
Electricity – Electricity generation (weight: 19.85 per cent) increased by 6.2 per cent in March, 2025 over March, 2024. Its cumulative index increased by 5.1 per cent during April to March, 2024-25 over corresponding period of the previous year.
Note 1: Data for January, 2025, February, 2025 and March, 2025 are provisional. Index numbers of Core Industries are revised/finalized as per updated data from source agencies.
Note 2: Since April 2014, Electricity generation data from Renewable sources are also included.
Note 3: The industry-wise weights indicated above are individual industry weights derived from IIP and blown up on pro rata basis to a combined weight of ICI equal to 100.
Note 4: Since March 2019, a new steel product called Hot Rolled Pickled and Oiled (HRPO) under the item ‘Cold Rolled (CR) coils’ within the production of finished steel has also been included.
Note 5: Release of the index for April, 2025 will be on Tuesday, 20th May, 2025.
Annex I
Performance of Eight Core Industries
YearlyIndex & Growth Rate
Base Year: 2011-12=100
Index
Sector
Coal
Crude Oil
Natural Gas
Refinery Products
Fertilizers
Steel
Cement
Electricity
Overall Index
Weight
10.33
8.98
6.88
28.04
2.63
17.92
5.37
19.85
100.00
2012-13
103.2
99.4
85.6
107.2
96.7
107.9
107.5
104.0
103.8
2013-14
104.2
99.2
74.5
108.6
98.1
115.8
111.5
110.3
106.5
2014-15
112.6
98.4
70.5
108.8
99.4
121.7
118.1
126.6
111.7
2015-16
118.0
97.0
67.2
114.1
106.4
120.2
123.5
133.8
115.1
2016-17
121.8
94.5
66.5
119.7
106.6
133.1
122.0
141.6
120.5
2017-18
124.9
93.7
68.4
125.2
106.6
140.5
129.7
149.2
125.7
2018-19
134.1
89.8
69.0
129.1
107.0
147.7
147.0
156.9
131.2
2019-20
133.6
84.5
65.1
129.4
109.8
152.6
145.7
158.4
131.6
2020-21
131.1
80.1
59.8
114.9
111.6
139.4
130.0
157.6
123.2
2021-22
142.3
77.9
71.3
125.1
112.4
163.0
156.9
170.1
136.1
2022-23
163.5
76.6
72.4
131.2
125.1
178.1
170.6
185.2
146.7
2023-24
182.7
77.1
76.8
135.9
129.8
200.4
185.7
198.3
157.8
Apr-Mar 2024-25*
192.0
75.4
75.9
139.7
133.5
213.8
197.4
208.4
164.8
*Provisional
Growth Rates (on Y-o-Y basis in per cent)
Sector
Coal
Crude Oil
Natural Gas
Refinery Products
Fertilizers
Steel
Cement
Electricity
Overall Growth
Weight
10.33
8.98
6.88
28.04
2.63
17.92
5.37
19.85
100.00
2012-13
3.2
-0.6
-14.4
7.2
-3.3
7.9
7.5
4.0
3.8
2013-14
1.0
-0.2
-12.9
1.4
1.5
7.3
3.7
6.1
2.6
2014-15
8.0
-0.9
-5.3
0.2
1.3
5.1
5.9
14.8
4.9
2015-16
4.8
-1.4
-4.7
4.9
7.0
-1.3
4.6
5.7
3.0
2016-17
3.2
-2.5
-1.0
4.9
0.2
10.7
-1.2
5.8
4.8
2017-18
2.6
-0.9
2.9
4.6
0.03
5.6
6.3
5.3
4.3
2018-19
7.4
-4.1
0.8
3.1
0.3
5.1
13.3
5.2
4.4
2019-20
-0.4
-5.9
-5.6
0.2
2.7
3.4
-0.9
0.9
0.4
2020-21
-1.9
-5.2
-8.2
-11.2
1.7
-8.7
-10.8
-0.5
-6.4
2021-22
8.5
-2.6
19.2
8.9
0.7
16.9
20.8
8.0
10.4
2022-23
14.8
-1.7
1.6
4.8
11.3
9.3
8.7
8.9
7.8
2023-24
11.8
0.6
6.1
3.6
3.7
12.5
8.9
7.1
7.6
Apr-Mar 2024-25*
5.1
-2.2
-1.2
2.8
2.9
6.7
6.3
5.1
4.4
*Provisional.
Y-o-Y is calculated over the corresponding financial year of previous year
Annex II
Performance of Eight Core Industries
MonthlyIndex & Growth Rate
Base Year: 2011-12=100
Index
Sector
Coal
Crude Oil
Natural Gas
Refinery Products
Fertilizers
Steel
Cement
Electricity
Overall Index
Weight
10.33
8.98
6.88
28.04
2.63
17.92
5.37
19.85
100.00
Mar-24
256.0
78.9
79.3
147.0
116.6
219.8
219.4
204.2
175.0
Apr-24
173.3
76.3
74.8
137.9
117.8
210.0
192.3
212.0
161.7
May-24
184.7
77.9
78.7
141.8
135.9
209.7
190.6
229.3
168.2
Jun-24
186.4
74.4
75.8
134.1
134.0
204.0
198.5
222.8
163.7
Jul-24
163.0
76.6
78.0
143.3
138.8
205.1
174.6
220.2
162.8
Aug-24
138.2
75.7
77.4
134.0
137.5
206.6
177.4
212.3
156.3
Sep-24
151.8
72.0
75.8
134.1
134.8
202.0
178.8
206.9
155.4
Oct-24
186.0
74.6
79.3
135.5
136.9
212.9
187.2
207.8
162.4
Nov-24
199.6
73.9
75.7
138.4
136.2
212.9
177.0
184.1
159.1
Dec-24
215.1
77.9
78.1
149.1
139.8
221.8
211.7
192.8
169.4
Jan-25*
229.8
77.9
78.1
147.2
139.0
228.1
220.3
201.9
173.8
Feb-25*
215.6
69.7
70.0
133.5
124.9
216.8
215.2
194.0
163.0
Mar-25*
260.2
77.4
69.2
147.3
126.9
235.5
244.8
216.9
181.7
*Provisional
Growth Rates (on Y-o-Y basis in per cent)
Sector
Coal
Crude Oil
Natural Gas
Refinery Products
Fertilizers
Steel
Cement
Electricity
Overall Growth
Weight
10.33
8.98
6.88
28.04
2.63
17.92
5.37
19.85
100.00
Mar-24
8.7
2.1
6.3
1.6
-1.3
7.5
10.6
8.6
6.3
Apr-24
7.5
1.7
8.6
3.9
-0.8
9.8
0.2
10.2
6.9
May-24
10.2
-1.1
7.5
0.5
-1.7
8.9
-0.6
13.7
6.9
Jun-24
14.8
-2.6
3.3
-1.5
2.4
6.3
1.8
8.6
5.0
Jul-24
6.8
-2.9
-1.3
6.6
5.3
7.0
5.1
7.9
6.3
Aug-24
-8.1
-3.4
-3.6
-1.0
3.2
4.1
-2.5
-3.7
-1.5
Sep-24
2.6
-3.9
-1.3
5.8
1.9
1.8
7.6
0.5
2.4
Oct-24
7.8
-4.8
-1.2
5.2
0.4
5.7
3.1
2.0
3.8
Nov-24
7.5
-2.1
-1.9
2.9
2.0
10.5
13.1
4.4
5.8
Dec-24
5.3
0.6
-1.8
2.8
1.7
7.3
10.3
6.2
5.1
Jan-25*
4.6
-1.1
-1.5
8.3
3.0
4.7
14.6
2.4
5.1
Feb-25*
1.7
-5.2
-6.0
0.8
10.2
6.9
10.8
3.6
3.4
Mar-25*
1.6
-1.9
-12.7
0.2
8.8
7.1
11.6
6.2
3.8
*Provisional.
Y-o-Y is calculated over the corresponding financial year of previous year
Union Minister of Civil Aviation Shri Ram Mohan Naidu visits Air India Hq and training facilities in Gurugram Shri Ram Mohan Naidu inaugurates Air India Safety Promotion Centre
Posted On: 21 APR 2025 8:17PM by PIB Delhi
Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri Ram Mohan Naidu, today undertook a comprehensive visit to Air India’s corporate and training infrastructure in Gurugram, reflecting the Ministry’s commitment to enhancing safety, training, and operational excellence in Indian aviation. His visit commenced with a walkthrough of the Air India Experience Centre, a facility that encapsulates the airline’s 92-year legacy and showcases its Vihaan.AI transformation journey.
The Minister then visited the Emergency Control Centre (ECC) and the Integrated Operations Control Centre (IOCC)-critical facilities that underscore Air India’s operational resilience and commitment to on-time performance. At the Air India Aviation Training Academy in Gurugram, he received an overview of the Academy’s role in shaping aviation professionals, followed by an in-depth tour of training infrastructure including the Safety Lab, Grooming Centre, Security Lab, and the under-construction Simulator Buildings.
The visit marked a key milestone with the inauguration of the Air India Safety Promotion Centre by Shri Ram Mohan Naidu in the presence of the Chairman of Tata Sons and Air India. Speaking at the occasion, he said, “On the occasion of inaugurating the Air India Safety Promotion Centre, I am pleased to see a strong commitment towards fostering a safety-first culture in Indian aviation.” “I congratulate Air India for bolstering safety by investing in training its manpower through this state-of-the-art centre inaugurated today, where learnings from past incidents have been thoughtfully curated and translated into immersive, real-world training that goes far beyond the classroom” he added.
Commenting on the broader vision for Indian aviation, the Minister said, “As India expands its air connectivity across regions, safety remains our top priority. Air India, under the stewardship of the Tata Group and with the dedicated efforts of its committed staff carrying forward the legacy of JRD Tata, is well on its path to becoming one of the world’s best airlines.” He also reiterated the government’s continued partnership with the aviation sector “The Government of India extends its full support to our airlines in building a globally competitive, safe, and reliable aviation ecosystem.”
The Safety Promotion Centre aims to cultivate a safety-first culture within Air India through immersive learning experiences that draw from real-world scenarios and past incidents. The visit underscored the Ministry’s focus on strengthening India’s aviation infrastructure through enhanced safety protocols, advanced training, and close collaboration with industry stakeholders. Earlier, the Minister was welcomed at the Air India Headquarters by Mr Campbell Wilson, CEO & MD of Air India and his management team.
India’s DBT: Boosting Welfare Efficiency Report Reveals ₹3.48 Lakh Crore in Savings and 16-Fold Increase in Beneficiaries
Posted On: 21 APR 2025 5:01PM by PIB Delhi
Introduction
India’s Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system has helped the country save an estimated ₹3.48 lakh crore till 2024 by plugging leakages in welfare delivery, according to a new quantitative assessment by the BlueKraft Digital Foundation. The report also finds that subsidy allocations have been halved from 16 percent to 9 percent of total government expenditure since the implementation of DBT, reflecting a major improvement in the efficiency of public spending.
The assessment evaluates data from 2009 to 2024 to examine the impact of DBT on budgetary efficiency, subsidy rationalisation, and social outcomes. It shows how the shift from paper-based disbursals to direct digital transfers has ensured that public funds reach the people they are meant for. One of the key features of DBT is the use of the JAM trinity, which stands for Jan Dhan bank accounts, Aadhaar unique ID numbers and mobile phones. This framework has enabled targeted and transparent transfers on a massive scale.
To capture the full extent of its impact, the report introduces a Welfare Efficiency Index. This index combines fiscal outcomes such as savings and reduced subsidies with social indicators like the number of beneficiaries reached, offering a clear picture of how well the system is working. The index has risen nearly threefold from 0.32 in 2014 to 0.91 in 2023, reflecting a sharp increase in both effectiveness and inclusion.
At a time when governments across the world are rethinking how to strengthen social protection, the DBT model presents valuable lessons in aligning financial prudence with equitable governance.
Key Findings
Budgetary Allocation Trends
The data on subsidy allocations reveals a significant shift post-DBT implementation, highlighting improvements in fiscal efficiency despite a surge in beneficiary coverage.
Pre-DBT Era (2009–2013): Subsidies averaged 16% of total expenditure, amounting to ₹2.1 lakh crore annually, with considerable leakages in the system.
Post-DBT Era (2014–2024): Subsidy expenditure decreased to 9% of total expenditure in 2023-24, while beneficiary coverage surged 16-fold from 11 crore to 176 crore.
COVID-19 Outlier: A temporary spike in subsidies occurred during the 2020–21 fiscal year due to emergency fiscal measures. However, efficiency rebounded following the pandemic, further validating the system’s long-term effectiveness.
Subsidy Allocation Trends (2009-2024)
The reduction in subsidy burden, despite a significant increase in coverage, underscores DBT’s role in optimising fiscal allocations. By eliminating ghost beneficiaries and middlemen, the system redirected funds to genuine recipients without proportional increases in the budget.
Sectoral Analysis
A detailed breakdown of sector-specific impacts shows how DBT has particularly benefited high-leakage programmes.
Food Subsidies (PDS): ₹1.85 lakh crore saved, accounting for 53% of total DBT savings. This was largely due to Aadhaar-linked ration card authentication.
MGNREGS: 98% of wages were transferred timely, saving ₹42,534 crore through DBT-driven accountability.
PM-KISAN: ₹22,106 crore saved by deleting 2.1 crore ineligible beneficiaries from the scheme.
Fertilizer Subsidies: Sales of 158 lakh MT of fertiliser were reduced, saving ₹18,699.8 crore through targeted disbursement.
Sectoral Impact Analysis
These sector-specific savings highlight DBT’s disproportionate impact on high-leakage programs, such as food subsidies and wage schemes like MGNREGS. The system’s role in biometric authentication and direct transfers has been crucial in improving efficiency and curbing misuse.
Correlation and Causality Findings
The correlation analysis further underscores the effectiveness of DBT in improving welfare delivery.
Strong Positive Correlation (0.71): There is a strong positive correlation between beneficiary coverage and DBT savings, signifying that as coverage expanded, savings increased.
v Negative Correlation (-0.74): There is a significant negative correlation between subsidy expenditure as a percentage of total expenditure and welfare efficiency, highlighting the reduction in waste and leakages facilitated by DBT.
Heat-map showing correlation between key variables
The heat-map analysis quantifies the relationship between budget allocations, DBT savings, and welfare efficiency. As DBT savings increased, subsidy allocations decreased, demonstrating that DBT improved targeting while reducing leakages. This enabled the government to expand welfare programs, reaching more beneficiaries without increasing fiscal outlays. The inverse relationship between subsidy expenditure and efficiency challenges critiques of “declining welfare spending” and affirms DBT’s role as a powerful tool for fiscal optimisation.
Welfare Efficiency Index (WEI)
As part of the methodology for assessing the impact of the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, the Welfare Efficiency Index (WEI) was developed as a composite metric to measure efficiency gains across various dimensions. The WEI comprises three weighted components:
DBT Savings (50% weight): This component captures the direct reduction in leakage, normalised against the maximum observed savings of ₹3.48 lakh crore.
Subsidy Reduction (30% weight): Measures the decline in subsidy expenditure as a percentage of the total national budget.
Beneficiary Growth (20% weight): Assesses the expansion in the number of beneficiaries, adjusted for population growth.
The rise in the WEI from 0.32 in 2014 to 0.91 in 2023 quantifies systemic improvements, emphasising that efficiency gains stem from multi-dimensional factors—not merely budget cuts. This index provides a replicable model for global policymakers to evaluate welfare reforms.
Subsidy Reduction (30% weight): A decline from 16% to 9% of total expenditure.
Beneficiary Growth (20% weight): A 16-fold expansion in coverage.
Conclusion
The Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system has proven to be a transformative tool for India’s welfare delivery, significantly enhancing the efficiency of public spending and expanding the reach of social benefits. Over the past decade, DBT has not only reduced fiscal leakages by ₹3.48 lakh crore but also ensured that subsidies are better targeted, with a marked decline in subsidy allocations as a percentage of total expenditure. The rise in the Welfare Efficiency Index (WEI) underscores the success of DBT in optimizing fiscal resources while broadening coverage for millions of beneficiaries. The sectoral savings, particularly in high-leakage programs like food subsidies, MGNREGS, and PM-KISAN, illustrate how the system’s integration of Aadhaar and mobile-based transfers has addressed inefficiencies and curbed misuse.
As per the report by the BlueKraft Digital Foundation, this data-driven assessment demonstrates that fiscal prudence and inclusivity can go hand-in-hand, offering valuable insights for policymakers worldwide looking to refine their own social protection models. As governments grapple with balancing fiscal constraints and social equity, India’s experience with DBT presents a compelling case for the efficacy of direct transfers in fostering both economic and social development. The lessons learned from this success story can guide global efforts to make welfare systems more efficient, transparent, and inclusive.
CCI Approves Google’s Settlement Proposal in Android TV Case
Posted On: 21 APR 2025 8:32PM by PIB Delhi
The Competition Commission of India (Commission), in terms of Section 48A (3) of the Competition Act, 2002 (the ‘Act’), and the Competition Commission of India (Settlement) Regulations, 2024 (‘Settlement Regulations’), vide majority order, has agreed to the Settlement Proposal of Google in the Android TV case.
The case originated from the Information filed by two individuals, namely Mr. Kshitiz Arya and Mr. Purushottam Anand under Section 19(1)(a) of the Act, 2002 against Google LLC, Google India Private Limited, Xiaomi Technology India Private Limited and TCL India Holding Private Limited for alleged contravention of various provisions of the Act.
The gist of the allegation was that Google misused its dominant position by enforcing restrictive agreements on OEMs, including compulsory bundling of the Play Store with Android TV OS and preventing the use or creation of rival forked Android versions through its Anti-Fragmentation Agreements. These practices allegedly blocked market access, curbed competition, and placed unrelated obligations on Original Equipment Manufacturers (‘OEMs’), ultimately stifling innovation and violating provisions of Section 4 of the Act.
The Commission formed a prima facie view that Google has contravened various provisions of Sections 3(4) and 4 of the Act and directed the DG to cause an investigation to be made under the provisions of Section 26(1) of the Act.
The investigation concluded that Android Smart TV OS has a dominant position in the relevant market of ‘licensable Smart TV device operating system in India’ and Google Play Store is in a dominant position in the ‘Market for App Store for Android Smart TV OS in India’. It found that Google’s agreements—Television App Distribution Agreement (‘TADA’) and Android Compatibility Commitments (‘ACC’)—executed together, imposed unfair terms by requiring the pre-installation of its full app bundle Google TV Services, preventing OEMs from developing or using Android forks, and hindering innovation. These agreements extended across entire device portfolios and included the tying of services like YouTube with the Play Store, strengthening Google’s market dominance and breaching several provisions of Section 4 of the Act. The allegation of refusal to deal and exclusive supply under Section 3(4) was not substantiated.
Google filed a Settlement Application under Section 48A of the Act, read with the Settlement Regulations. The Commission invited objections and suggestions in terms of regulation 5 of the Settlement Regulations on the settlement proposal from 45 concerned parties. The Commission considered the settlement proposal and observed that under the “New India Agreement,” Google will provide a standalone license for the Play Store and Play Services for Android smart TVs in India, thereby removing the requirement to bundle these services or impose default placement conditions. Additionally, by waiving the need for a valid ACC for devices shipped into India that do not include Google apps, OEMs can now sell and develop incompatible Android devices without violating the TADA.
Consequently, considering the material on record and the assessment of the Settlement Proposal after taking into consideration the nature, gravity, and impact of the contraventions, the Commission agrees to the proposal for settlement in terms of Section 48A (3) of the Act and the Settlement Regulations. The Final Settlement Amount, after applying a Settlement Discount of 15%, is Rs. 20.24 crore.
A copy of the public version of the order passed is available on the CCI website at https://www.cci.gov.in/antitrust/orders/details/1182/0.