Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
​To enhance governance efficiency and strengthen performance accountability, the Chief Executive has instructed the Chief Secretary for Administration to lead a working group to conduct in-depth reviews of the direct investigation operation reports issued by the Office of The Ombudsman from time to time. This aims to ensure that all heads of government departments proactively follow up on the recommendations from these investigations while strengthening the establishment of departmental management systems and reinforcing performance accountability among departmental managerial staff to enhance public service management.
Regarding the report released by the Office of The Ombudsman yesterday (April 16) on its direct investigation operation into the Government’s regulation of occupational safety and health (OSH) in the construction industry, the Chief Secretary for Administration will meet with the Ombudsman, Mr Jack Chan, to discuss the investigation findings and analyses in depth. The working group will gain a thorough understanding of the bottlenecks and core issues in the Government’s regulation of OSH in the construction industry, with a view to further enhancing the establishment of relevant departmental management systems, particularly the leadership and supervisory functions of managerial staff.
The Development Bureau, the Labour Department (LD), and the Buildings Department are thoroughly examining and studying the report released by the Office of The Ombudsman and are actively following up on the recommendations. The LD has referred the suspected criminal fraudulent acts discovered during the investigation to law enforcement agencies for follow-up.
Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Inaugurates Athlete Passport Management Unit (APMU) at National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL), New Delhi APMU can become a beacon of support for Global South – Dr. Mandaviya
Posted On: 17 APR 2025 4:46PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, inaugurated the Athlete Passport Management Unit (APMU) at the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) in New Delhi today. This initiative reaffirms India’s commitment to promoting clean and transparent sports practices on both national and international platforms.
Speaking during the occasion, Dr. Mandaviya said, “APMU is a key milestone in India’s fight against doping, enabling the longitudinal tracking of Athletes Biological profiles through the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) system. This innovative mechanism will help in detecting doping patterns and protect the fairness of sports by identifying unethical practices”.
Calling the APMU as a beacon of support for Global South, Union Minister said it will help our neighbouring countries that don’t have enough resources to set up similar systems. “By sharing knowledge and tools, India can support these nations in keeping their sports free from unfair practices. Such initiatives underline the spirit of solidarity and contribute to strengthening sports integrity across Global South”, he added.
Dr. Mandaviya emphasized the potential of regional collaboration, highlighting India’s readiness to extend support to neighbouring countries by sharing expertise and resources through the APMU. He said that there is a need for greater involvement of Sports Federations, Organizations, Universities and Institutes of early education on Doping and the launch of awareness companion in Rural Areas. Further, he mentioned that scientists working in the laboratories may give education to the students of various schools / universities about Anti – Doping Science to sensitize the students about doping.
The NDTL’s APMU is designed to align with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) guidelines, strengthening anti-doping programme globally. By tracking parameters like blood and steroidal profiles over time, this unit will safeguard the credibility of clean athletes while ensuring a level playing field in sports.
Notably, this is the 17th Athlete Passport Management Unit in the world which is established in India. It will serve as a specialized body responsible for monitoring and managing biological passports of athletes.
As India continues to excel on the international sports stage, the Athlete Passport Management Unit highlights the nation’s strong dedication to maintaining fair play, integrity in sports and also sets a benchmark for ethical sports practices worldwide.
The event was attended by Smt. Sujata Chaturvedi, Secretary (Sports), Shri Kunal, Joint Secretary (Sports), other officers of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports including Eminent–Scientists and Prof. (Dr.) P. L. Sahu, Director & CEO(I/c), NDTL.
Background:
The concept of the “athlete biological passport” emerged when scientists identified monitoring blood markers as a way to detect doping. With input from stakeholders and medical experts, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) refined and standardized this idea, leading to the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP).
A biological passport is an electronic document that compiles data on an athlete’s biological markers over time. By tracking variables such as blood parameters, hormonal levels, and other physiological markers, the APMU can detect any anomalies or trends indicative of doping without directly identifying banned substances.
TRAI, through its appointed agency, conducted Independent Drive Tests (IDT) in cities/highways/Railway/Coastal area of Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh LSA), City & Railway route of Shimla (Himachal Pradesh LSA), Alappuzha & Alappuzha Backwaters (Kerala LSA), Dehradun (UP-West LSA), Rajkot (Gujarat LSA), Highway route of Visakhapatnam to Brahmapur, Railway route from Brahmapur to Bhubaneswar and Coastal area of Paradeep (Odisha LSA). Drive tests were conducted to assess the quality of service provided by Cellular Mobile Telephone Service providers for voice and data services in February 2025.
In IDT, the performance of M/s Bharti Airtel Ltd., M/s BSNL/MTNL, M/s Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd. and M/s Vodafone Idea Ltd., providing services in a Licensed Service Area (LSA) through various technologies (like 2G/ 3G/ 4G/ 5G) for voice and data, has been measured by conducting drive test. The observations presented in drive test reports represent the performance of the service providers on the area/ route under test on the day/ time of conducting the drive test.
The following Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Voice as well as Data service were assessed for the networks of all Telecom service providers operating in the region:
Voice services:
Call setup success rate
Drop call rate (DCR)
Speech Quality using MOS (mean opinion score)
Downlink & Uplink packet (voice) drop rate
Call Silence Rate
Coverage (%)- Signal strength
Data Service:
Data Throughput (Downlink and uplink both)
Packet drop rate (Downlink & Uplink)
Video streaming delay
Latency
Jitter
The details of drive tests conducted in the six areas are given below:
The detailed reports are available at TRAI website www.trai.gov.in. For any clarification/information, Shri Tejpal Singh, Advisor (QoS-I) TRAI may be contacted on email: adv-qos1@trai.gov.in or at Tel. No. +91-11-20907759.
(Atul Kumar Chaudhary)
Secretary
Annexure-A
Drive test route Map: (Alappuzha City & Alappuzha Backwaters- Kerala LSA)
This route map indicates the routes covered in independent drive test in Alappuzha & Alappuzha Backwaters under Kerala LSA.
Legends for the Drive Tests route & area are as below
Performance against key QoS parameters:
CSSR: Call setup success rate (in %), CST: Call setup time (in milli seconds), DCR: Drop call rate (in %) & MOS: Mean Opinion Score.
Drive test route Map: (Dehradun City- UP West LSA)
This route map indicates the routes covered in independent drive test in Dehradun City under UP West LSA. Legends for the Drive Tests route & area are as below
Performance against key QoS parameters:
CSSR: Call setup success rate (in %), CST: Call setup time (in milli seconds), DCR: Drop call rate (in %) & MOS: Mean Opinion Score.
Drive test route Map: (Shimla – Himachal Pradesh LSA)
This route map indicates the routes covered in independent drive test in Shimla City and Railway route from Shimla to Kalka under Himachal Pradesh LSA.
Legends for the Drive Tests route & area are as below
Performance against key QoS parameters:
CSSR: Call setup success rate (in %), CST: Call setup time (in milli seconds), DCR: Drop call rate (in %) & MOS: Mean Opinion Score.
Drive test route Map: (Visakhapatnam to Brahmapur Highway & Brahmapur to Bhubaneswar Railway Route & Paradeep Coastal area – Odisha LSA)
This route map indicates the routes covered in independent drive test in Visakhapatnam to Brahmapur Highway & Brahmapur to Bhubaneswar Railway Route & Paradeep Coast under Odisha LSA.
Legends for the Drive Tests route & area are as below
Performance against key QoS parameters:
CSSR: Call setup success rate (in %), CST: Call setup time (in milli seconds), DCR: Drop call rate (in %) & MOS: Mean Opinion Score.
Drive test route Map: (Hyderabad City- Andhra Pradesh LSA)
This route map indicates the routes covered in independent drive test in Hyderabad City under Andhra Pradesh LSA. Legends for the Drive Tests route & area are as below
Performance against key QoS parameters:
CSSR: Call setup success rate (in %), CST: Call setup time (in milli seconds), DCR: Drop call rate (in %) & MOS: Mean Opinion Score.
1. Drive test route Map: (Rajkot City- Gujarat LSA)
This route map indicates the routes covered in independent drive test in Rajkot City under Gujarat LSA.
Legends for the Drive Tests route & area are as below
2. Performance against key QoS parameters:
CSSR: Call setup success rate (in %), CST: Call setup time (in milli seconds), DCR: Drop call rate (in %) & MOS: Mean Opinion Score.
Summary-Voice Service
Call Setup Success Rate: Airtel, BSNL, RJIL and VIL have call setup success rate of 99.85%, 91.75%, 99.86% and 100.00% respectively in Auto-selection mode (5G/4G/3G/2G).
Call Setup Time: Airtel, BSNL, RJIL and VIL have call setup time of 1.25, 1.56, 0.72 & 0.77 seconds respectively in Auto-selection mode (5G/4G/3G/2G).
Drop Call Rate: Airtel, BSNL, RJIL and VIL have drop call rate of 0.00%, 0.90%, 0.14% & 0.15% respectively in Auto selection mode (5G/4G/3G/2G).
Call Silence/Mute Rate: Airtel, BSNL, RJIL and VIL have silence rate of 0.00%, 6.95%, 0.56% & 0.56% respectively in packet switched network (4G/5G).
Mean Opinion Score (MOS): Airtel, BSNL, RJIL and VIL have MOS score of 4.02, 2.91, 3.91 & 4.53 respectively.
In a landmark achievement, C-DOT, jointly with Sterlite Technologies Limited (STL), hassuccessfully tested India’s first QKD transmission over a 4-core Multi-CoreFibre(MCF) — marking a major milestone in the nation’s journey towards quantum-secured communicationnetworks.
Multi-Core Fibre (MCF) technology provides a powerful solution by enabling data transmission across multiple cores within a single fibre, significantly saving physical space and infrastructurecosts. In the context of QKD — which typically requires a dedicated dark fibre for the quantum channel, MCF offers a significant advantage: it enables the physical separation of quantum and classical signals into distinct cores within single fibre. This allows for the simultaneoustransmission of QKD and high-capacity data traffic on a single fibre without compromising quantum signalintegrity thereby saving fibre cost.
In this activity, the quantum signals of QKD were transmitted through one core, while simultaneously, the other three cores on the same fibre were used to carry high-speed user data. A stable QKD link was established over a distance exceeding 100 km, validating the robustness and stability of quantum communication even amidst high-capacity classical data traffic.
The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), India’s premier telecom R&D centre under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, Government of India, has emerged as a key player in advancing India’s quantum communication ecosystem. C-DOT has successfully developed and deployed industry-grade Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) systems. Notably, C-DOT’s QKD systems have received Technology Approval from the Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), a body under the DoT.
Sterlite Technologies Limited (STL) is a leading global provider of integrated digital networks, specialising in optical fibre manufacturing and network designs, with 10+ globalmanufacturing plants and a customer base spanning 100+ countries. As a trailblazer in Optical Networking, Optical Connectivity, Data Centres, and Enterprise solutions, STL has recentlydeveloped Multi-Core Fibre (MCF), positioning it at the forefront of building future-ready, scalable fibre networks. STL’s Multicore fibre leverages Space Division Multiplexing in 7 and 4 core fibre to achieve ultra-high transmission capacity per fibre within the same diameter.
Speaking at the occasion, Dr. Rajkumar Upadhyay, CEO of C-DOT, stated, “This initiative is a key milestone for India’s telecom ecosystem. This achievement clearly establishes the feasibility of integrated quantum-classical networks over next-generation optical fibres saving costs for QKD deployments drastically”.
Rahul Puri, CEO, Optical Networking Business, STL said: “This breakthrough collaboration with C-DOT underscores India’s growing prowess in pioneering next-gen digital infrastructure. By successfully integrating QKD with our indigenously developed MCF, we have demonstrated how cutting-edge optical innovations can revolutionized secure communication. We are committed to advancing India’s quantum communication ambitions while driving global optical leadership. This milestone is a testament to the power of public-private partnerships in building a digitally sovereign and secure nation.”
Both C-DOT and Sterlite Technologies (STL) reaffirm their commitment to advancing India’scapabilities in quantum communication and optical network innovations. This achievement isa foundational step toward realizing a cost effective, secure and resilient national quantum communicationinfrastructure.
SANSKRIT IS NOT MERELY A CLASSICAL LANGUAGE, BUT ALSO A PROFOUND MEDIUM OF SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY: LOK SABHA SPEAKER STUDENTS MUST DON THE MANTLE OF SANSKRIT’S AMBASSADORS TO ILLUMINATE THE WORLD WITH RADIANCE OF INDIA’S TIMELESS KNOWLEDGE TRADITION.: LOK SABHA SPEAKER
LOK SABHA SPEAKER GIVES AWAY DEGREES AND GOLD MEDALS TO MERITORIOUS SCHOLARS
LOK SABHA SPEAKER ADDRESSES INVITEES AT SEVENTH CONVOCATION CEREMONY OF JAGADGURU RAMANANDACHARYA RAJASTHAN SANSKRIT UNIVERSITY
Posted On: 17 APR 2025 7:48PM by PIB Delhi
Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla extolled the eternal essence of Sanskrit today, calling it not merely a classical language, but also a profound medium of scientific inquiry and philosophical clarity. as the world rediscovers India’s wisdom through Yoga, Ayurveda and Vedantic philosophy, it becomes our sacred duty to awaken the younger generation to the treasures enshrined in Sanskrit, he remarked. Shri Birla made these remarks while speaking at the seventh convocation of the Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Rajasthan Sanskrit University, Jaipur today.
Shri Birla noted that at a time when the most prestigious universities across the globe are delving into Sanskrit research, we must weave this ancient language into the fabric of modern innovation and technological advancement. He lauded the university’s pioneering initiatives, such as the scientific teaching of yoga, digitization of ancient manuscripts, and the introduction of online learning modules, calling them visionary steps toward cultural resurgence. He said that students must become torchbearers of Sanskrit’s timeless glory.
Tracing the university’s genesis, Shri Birla fondly recalled that the noble vision for this institution was born in the heart of the venerable Shri Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, the then Chief Minister of Rajasthan, under the divine guidance of Param Pujya Narayandas Ji Maharaj. He urged the graduating students to don the mantle of Sanskrit’s ambassadors, and to illuminate the world with the radiance of India’s timeless knowledge tradition.
On this occasion, Shri Birla gave away degrees and Gold Medals to meritorious scholars of the University. Swami Avdheshanand Giri was conferred with the Revered Title of ‘Vidya Vachaspati’. The seventh convocation of the esteemed Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Rajasthan Sanskrit University unfolded with grandeur at the Rajasthan International Center in Jaipur. Among others, gracing the august occasion were Rajasthan Governor Shri Haribhau Bagade, and Rajasthan’s Minister for Education and Panchayati Raj Shri Madan Dilawar.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The following is issued on behalf of the Office of The Ombudsman:
​The Ombudsman, Mr Jack Chan, today (April 17) welcomes and thanks the Chief Executive for his announcement of a working group led by the Chief Secretary for Administration to conduct in-depth review on the recommendations from the Office of The Ombudsman’s direct investigation operations, ensuring that these recommendations are proactively followed up. Mr Chan is very encouraged by the support and recognition of the Chief Executive on the work of his Office.
Mr Chan said, “I am grateful for the Chief Executive’s recognition of the work of my Office. The establishment of the working group fully reflects the current term Government’s commitment and determination to strengthening the departmental management systems and reinforcing performance accountability among departmental managerial staff, so as to enhance public service management and efficiency, as well as for good governance.”
The Office will fully co-operate with the working group and join hands with various government departments to strengthen the effectiveness of public administration, ensuring that the public will receive high-quality and efficient government services.
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Inaugurates Newly Developed 220-Bedded ESIC Hospital in Ranchi, Jharkhand “This ESIC hospital is not just a building but a temple” – Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya
Union Minister Distributes Cash Benefit Certificates/Sanction Letters to ESIC Beneficiaries and Honours Construction Workers
Posted On: 17 APR 2025 9:59PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, today, on April 17, 2025, inaugurated the newly developed 220-bedded ESIC Hospital in Namkum, Ranchi, Jharkhand. This state-of-the-art hospital marks a significant milestone in strengthening healthcare delivery under the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) scheme in the state of Jharkhand. The event was graced by Union Minister of State for Defence, Shri Sanjay Seth along with Shri Pradip Verma, Hon’ble Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), and senior officers of ESIC.
During the programme, Dr. Mandaviya honoured the ESIC beneficiaries and presented them with cash benefit certificates/sanction letters. He also felicitated the construction workers involved in the construction of the hospital.
In his address, Dr. Mandaviya said that today is a momentous day for Ranchi and in the coming days, this hospital will provide healthcare services to over 5 lakh workers.
He stated that this hospital is not just a structure but a symbol of the hard work and dedication of our workers. Referring to the government’s post-COVID initiatives, he highlighted that 80 crore people are being provided with free food grains and more than 60 crore people are receiving free healthcare worth ₹5 lakh per annum under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.
Concluding his address, Union Minister said, “This hospital is not just a building, it is a temple. All the doctors and staff working here are like priests, and the patients who come here are akin to God for us. We will serve them with complete devotion and dedication.”
Union Minister of State for Defence Shri Sanjay Seth congratulated everyone on the inauguration of the hospital and urged that more services be provided to the poor and underprivileged. He advocated for the early establishment of a medical college at the facility to further enhance healthcare services in the region. He also welcomed Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya to the land of Jharkhand and lauded his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic as the then Health Minister.
The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) had approved the construction of this 200-bedded hospital in June 2018 to enhance healthcare services in the region. Construction began on 31st May 2018 and has now been completed. The hospital has now been upgraded to a 220-bedded facility. It is noteworthy that ESIC has also approved the establishment of a medical college with 50 MBBS seats in October 2024, which is expected to commence operations soon.
The hospital is equipped with essential departments such as General Medicine, Surgery, Gynecology, Orthopedics, Ophthalmology, and Dentistry, along with various support services. It offers both Outpatient (OPD) and Inpatient (IPD) care. As such, the medical needs of ESIC beneficiaries will be effectively addressed. The upgraded hospital will now also provide specialty and super-specialty care, significantly enhancing access to advanced healthcare for residents of Ranchi and neighbouring districts.
Over 5 lakh insured persons (IPs) and their dependents are expected to benefit from this modernized hospital. The hospital complex includes a basement, ground floor, and four additional floors, spread over 7.9 acres. The new building has been constructed at a cost of ₹99.06 crore and covers a built-up area of 17,559 square meters.
This four-storeyed hospital houses three modern operation theatres (OTs), with provision for an additional OT. It comprises 34 wards and 6 isolation wards, 40 OPD rooms, and ample space for doctors, administrative officials, and staff.
It is worth mentioning that the ESIC Hospital in Namkum, Ranchi was originally established in 1987 with the primary objective of providing accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare to insured workers and their families. For over four decades, this hospital has catered to the healthcare needs of industrial workers in Ranchi and surrounding areas.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs Reviews Tribal Welfare Schemes in Delhi Three-Day National Review Charts Roadmap for Holistic Tribal Development
Emphasis on Ground-Level Execution of PM-JANMAN & DhartiAabaJanjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan
Special Focus on Education, Empowerment, and Tribal Heritage
Posted On: 17 APR 2025 10:13PM by PIB Delhi
Government of India remains steadfast in its commitment to the holistic development of tribal communities across the country. A comprehensive suite of initiatives—ranging from scholarships, Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS), Article 275(1) grants, PM-JANMAN, DhartiAabaJanjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA), to livelihood programs and Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs)—continue to drive inclusive growth and empowerment among tribal populations.
In line with this vision, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs conducted a three-day National Review and Orientation Meeting from 15th to 17th April 2025 in New Delhi, under the chairmanship of Shri VibhuNayar, Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, and the guidance of Hon’ble Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Shri JualOram. The review brought together Principal Secretaries, Tribal Welfare Secretaries, Directors, and senior officials from States and Union Territories to evaluate progress and recalibrate strategies for accelerated implementation.
In his inaugural address, Secretary Shri VibhuNayar stressed the importance of district- and block-level capacity building and robust institutional mechanisms to ensure effective on-ground execution& IEC Campaign ofPM-JANMAN and DAJGUA.
Key Highlights:
PM-JANMAN, launched on 15th November 2023 from Khunti (the birthplace of Bhagwan Birsa Munda), aims to uplift 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) across 30,000 habitations, providing comprehensive last-mile delivery of housing, water, sanitation, education, healthcare, nutrition, and digital connectivity for approximately 45 lakh beneficiaries.
DAJGUA, a convergence-based initiative across 17 Union Ministries, targets the transformation of 63,843 tribal villages in 549 districts, impacting over 5.5 crore tribal citizens through 25 integrated interventions.
States have been directed to achieve complete saturation of interventions under PM-JANMAN by 15th November 2025, marking the 150th birth anniversaryofBhagwan Birsa Munda.
Emphasis was placed on village-wise tracking, physical completion, and quarterly progress reporting ending June 2025, with certification from Gram Sabhas as a mandatory milestone for saturation.
States were encouraged to replicate best practices from high-performing districts and bring lagging areas at par through knowledge-sharing and convergence.
States were encouraged to start IEC Campaign & Benefit saturation camp for DAJGUA in coming few weeks.
States were encouraged to sanction interventions under DAJGUA at faster pace.
Elevating Quality of Education through EMRS
The review laid strong emphasis on improving academic and infrastructural standards in Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS). The Ministry’s vision is to transform EMRS into centres of academic excellence, nurturing future tribal leaders and innovators.
Action Points:
Recruitment and continuous training of qualified teachers
Infrastructure upgrades and smart classroom facilities
Integration of experiential learning and 21st-century skills
Enhanced student and staff welfare mechanisms
State-wise progress on each EMRS construction was closely reviewed
Expanding Access and Efficiency in Scholarships
To ensure no tribal student is left behind, the Secretary urged states to step up efforts to increase awareness and timely disbursal of pre- and post-matric scholarships.
Directives to States:
Ensure timely and transparent disbursal
Remove bureaucratic and procedural bottlenecks
Integrate all states into the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) or states having portal to integrate NSP portal throughAPI-based systems
Ensure disbursal at the beginning of the academic year to maximize impact
Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh: A Year of Impactful Action
Recognizing the year as Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh, Shri VibhuNayarhas given special emphasis to States and TRIs to organize thematic events/ activities / campaigns / initiatives that honour tribal heritage while promoting social and economic inclusion. The key themes include:Education & Skill Development, Health & Nutrition, Livelihood & Entrepreneurship, Preservation of Tribal Art, Culture, and Language, Infrastructure and Service Delivery.
A whole-of-government approach—involving collaboration with Line Ministries, State Departments, NGOs, and Corporates—was advocated to ensure deeper engagement and measurable impact.
Preserving Tribal Arts, Culture, and Languages: Adi Sanskriti& Adi Vaani
The Secretary emphasized accelerating theinitiatives like Adi Sanskriti and Adi Vaani.
Adi Sanskriti Project focuses on creating quality content for Tribal Art Academy, Digital Repository, and Tribal Haat to curate and promote tribal art, cuisine, rituals, and cultural expressions.
Adi Vaani, an AI-driven multilingual translation platform, is being leveraged to overcome language barriers in education and governance.
States have been instructed to identify low-resource tribal languages for AI-based documentation and development.
Combating Sickle Cell Disease: Centers of Competency
As part of the National Mission to Eliminate Sickle Cell Anaemia, the Ministry announced the establishment of Centers of Competency in tribal regions. These centres will act as hubs for screening, treatment, capacity building, and community outreach.
The three-day review culminated in a renewed commitment to inclusive, technology-driven, and community-centric approaches to tribal development. The roadmap ahead emphasizes:
Stronger inter-ministerial convergence
Capacity buildingat every administrative level
Active community participationfor sustainable outcomes
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs continues to lead with vision and resolve, ensuring that
tribal citizen becomes a key stakeholder in India’s growth storyTop of Form
“Anusandhan” National Research Foundation (ANRF) to anchor upscaled collaborations involving private players, says Dr Jitendra Singh; ANRF to Anchor India’s Scientific Future: Dr. Jitendra Singh Charts Roadmap for Cross-Ministry Collaboration
‘No More Silos’: Dr. Jitendra Singh Pitches Unified Scientific Vision
From Lab to Market: Govt Taps ANRF to Turn Research into Scalable Public Goods with commercial viability
Dr. Jitendra Singh Chairs Joint Review Meet of All Science Ministries, Charts Unified Innovation Roadmap
Posted On: 17 APR 2025 10:19PM by PIB Delhi
In a significant move aimed at transforming India’s scientific research and innovation ecosystem into a collaborative and commercially viable enterprise, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh today called for positioning the newly constituted “Anusandhan” National Research Foundation (ANRF) as a critical organisation for all science ministries and departments across the government and declared that ANRF has been envisaged to anchor upscaled collaborations involving private players.
Chairing a high-level joint meeting of all the science Ministries and departments in Govt of India at the National Science Centre here today, the Minister laid out a vision for aligning research outcomes across departments with national priorities, private sector participation, and market readiness.
At the core of this shift, said Dr Jitendra Singh, is the aspiration to build a unified research strategy that breaks silos, avoids duplication and delivers tangible, scalable benefits to society. “All the science ministries must work with the intent to deliver market-relevant, public-good products,” he emphasised, adding that ANRF will not only act as a coordinating body but also serve as a catalyst to bring in private sector investment and innovation.
The ANRF’s newly appointed CEO, Dr.Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, outlined a bold roadmap that envisions catalytic funding models, deep private sector integration, and AI-led scientific acceleration. The agency is set to model its functioning on globally successful institutions like the NSF and DARPA, launching cross-ministerial missions focused on economic growth and societal impact.
Notably, ANRF is set to launch a “Small Business Deep Tech Innovation” programme inspired by global best practices, aimed at supporting startups and MSMEs in scaling technologies for real-world application. In a bid to maximise national research infrastructure, ANRF will also roll out a “Cloud of Research and Innovation Infrastructure” to allow deep-tech startups and institutions to access underused equipment across the country.
The foundation’s AI-for-Science initiative is another key highlight, focusing on using AI to model scientific equations in physics, chemistry, and biology — a leap expected to drastically shorten the time from theory to practice in core scientific domains.
Dr. Jitendra Singh underscored the importance of projects with visible public utility, citing CSIR’s HANSA-NG aircraft, the Department of Atomic Energy’s Bharat Small Modular Reactors, and space-based applications as models to emulate.
The HANSA-NG, a two-seater trainer aircraft developed indigenously by CSIR-NAL, is already witnessing strong market interest with 110 orders and production lined up in collaboration with Pioneer Clean Arms Pvt Ltd. Dr. Jitendra Singh noted the project’s potential to reduce India’s dependency on expensive foreign pilot training, and suggested roping in private airlines and aerospace component manufacturers to scale up production beyond Bengaluru.
Similarly, the Department of Atomic Energy is developing the Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR), a 200 MW pressurised water reactor intended for industrial applications and grid-independent power generation. These initiatives demonstrate the type of innovation the Minister wants the ANRF to incubate and scale.
India’s space programme also featured prominently in the review. From the recent success of the SPADEX satellite docking to the development of reusable engine technology and advanced space exploration missions, the Department of Space reported rapid strides, including preparations for India’s human spaceflight mission by 2040.
Across the spectrum — whether it’s ocean mining technology from the Ministry of Earth Sciences, bio-manufacturing hubs by DBT, or cutting-edge chips and AI solutions in partnership with semiconductor labs — the government is pushing for synergy, scalability, and sustainability.
Concluding the meeting, Dr. Jitendra Singh reiterated that the future of Indian science lies in integration and innovation. “The time for working in silos is over. We must institutionalise collaboration and deliver solutions that matter,” he said, signalling a new era for India’s science ecosystem — one where policy, private investment, and research institutions converge under the stewardship of ANRF.
The meeting was attended by Tarun Kapoor, Advisor to the Prime Minister; Hari Ranjan Rao, Additional Secretary in the PMO; Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology; Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology; Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General, CSIR and Secretary, DSIR; Dr. V. Narayanan, Chairman, ISRO and Secretary, Department of Space, along with other senior officials.
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi chaired a meeting on cleaning and rejuvenating the Yamuna as well as addressing drinking water related issues of Delhi, yesterday. He affirmed that Centre will work closely with the Delhi Government to ensure world class infrastructure and ‘Ease of Living’ for the people of Delhi.
He wrote in a post on X:
“Yesterday, chaired a meeting on cleaning and rejuvenating the Yamuna as well as addressing drinking water related issues of Delhi. Centre will work closely with the Delhi Government to ensure world class infrastructure and ‘Ease of Living’ for my sisters and brothers of Delhi.”
Yesterday, chaired a meeting on cleaning and rejuvenating the Yamuna as well as addressing drinking water related issues of Delhi. Centre will work closely with the Delhi Government to ensure world class infrastructure and ‘Ease of Living’ for my sisters and brothers of Delhi. pic.twitter.com/PV81cuIVnZ