Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 28 APR 2025 6:38PM by PIB Mumbai

Mumbai, 28 April 2025

 

While inaugurating and laying the foundation stone for key fisheries projects worth Rs. 255 crores at the Coastal States Fisheries Meet in Mumbai today, Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh highlighted the creation of the Regional Fisheries Council, progress under schemes like the Blue Revolution, Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), Fisheries Infrastructure Development Fund and emphasized on tapping India’s vast marine resources. The coastal States Fisheries Meet saw extensive participation from across all coastal states and UTs across the country. The event was graced by Ministers of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel and Shri George Kurian. Dignitaries attending the event also included Shri Nitesh Neelam Narayan Rane, Minister of Fisheries, Government of Maharashtra, Raghavjibhai Patel, Minister of Fisheries, Government of Gujarat, Shri. Nilkanth Halarnkar, Minister of Fisheries, Government of Goa, Shri Mankala S Vaidya, Minister of Fisheries, Government of Karnataka, along with officials from the Department of Fisheries, State Fisheries Departments, ICAR Institutes and Bay of Bengal Programme (BoBP).

In his address, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh, emphasized on developing infrastructure in Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands, enhancing value addition in exports, promoting conservation measures in the fisheries sector while discouraging harmful fishing practices. Key initiatives including deploying artificial reefs, creating climate-resilient villages, providing safety transponders, sanctioning Kisan Credit Cards, and supporting women’s empowerment through mariculture and seaweed farming, underlining the importance of Centre-State cooperation for the sector’s growth were also outlined by the Union Minister.

Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, said that the significant progress made under the Blue Revolution and PMMSY, as lead to India becoming the second-largest fish producer globally. The substantial investments made in infrastructure and livelihoods through schemes like PMMSY and PMMKSY, which have led to a doubling of fish production and a rise in exports were also highlighted by him. Prof. Baghel spoke about the role of innovative farming methods, development of digital platforms, and empowerment of women in the sector. He stressed the need for continued cooperation between the Centre and states to promote sustainable practices, enhance marine culture, and position the fisheries sector as a key contributor to the national economy.

Shri George Kurian, laid emphasis on the need for  strong collaboration between the Centre and States in advancing the fisheries sector. Highlighting the Blue Revolution and Prime Minister  Narendra Modi’s vision of the “blue chakra” symbolizing the ocean economy’s vast potential, the Minister of State noted that various departmental initiatives have strengthened the sector, improved nutrition and is driving economic growth for nearly 3 crore people in the country. He also highlighted that in future fisheries resources within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone will be harnessed and seaweed farming will be further promoted. expanding artificial reef deployment, distributing 1 lakh safety transponders to fishermen, and developing 100 climate-resilient coastal villages was also outlined.

Dr Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, MoFAH&D, stated that the Indian fisheries sector has grown significantly with a 9.8% growth since 2014-15. He said that the underutilized potential of India’s 11,000 km coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone, particularly the untapped tuna resources in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep need to be harnessed. Dr. Likhi stressed the need for enhanced infrastructure, including the development of smart harbours and the amendment of the Marine Fisheries Regulation Act to address the modern infrastructural challenges. Issues of expanding mariculture activities like seaweed farming and cage culture, enhancing security measures through biometric IDs and transponders, and state governments to utilize the extended PMMSY funding for further sectoral growth  were also highlighted by him.

The Coastal States Fisheries Meet 2025 featured key technical sessions including Strengthening Marine Fisheries Governance: Integrating Marine Fisheries Regulation Acts (MFRAs), Monitoring, Control & Surveillance (MCS), and Sea-Safety; Model Mariculture SOPs; Standard Operating Procedure of the Vessel Communication and Support System (VCSS); Export Promotion – Processing, Value Chain & Quality Improvements; and Promotion of Traceability and Certification in Marine Capture Fisheries.

This meeting provided a crucial platform for the  Fisheries Ministers of all coastal states and Union Territories, along with government officials and key fisheries stakeholders, to engage in meaningful and constructive dialogue. It served as an important opportunity for the participants to share insights on the successes and advancements made by various coastal states in the fisheries sector, highlighting best practices and innovative solutions that have been implemented so far. The discussions focused not only on the achievements but also on the persistent challenges faced by the sector, such as infrastructure gaps, resource management issues, and the need for modernized fishing techniques. The focus was on strengthening fisheries governance, enhancing infrastructure, fostering innovation, and improving market linkages, all of which contributed to increased productivity, enhanced livelihoods, and sustained economic growth in coastal regions.

 

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PIB Mumbai | AA/ NJ/ DR

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(Release ID: 2124938) Visitor Counter : 75

Source: Government of India

PM to participate in YUGM Conclave on 29th April

In line with Prime Minister’s vision of a self-reliant and innovation-led India, key projects related to Innovation will be initiated during the Conclave

Conclave aims to catalyze large-scale private investment in India’s innovation ecosystem

Deep Tech Startup Showcase at the Conclave will feature cutting-edge innovations from across India

Posted On: 28 APR 2025 7:07PM by PIB Delhi

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will participate in YUGM Conclave on 29th April, at around 11 AM, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. He will also address the gathering on the occasion.

YUGM (meaning “confluence” in Sanskrit) is a first-of-its-kind strategic conclave convening leaders from government, academia, industry, and the innovation ecosystem. It will contribute to India’s innovation journey, driven by a collaborative project of around Rs 1,400 crore with joint investment from the Wadhwani Foundation and Government Institutions.

In line with Prime Minister’s vision of a self-reliant and innovation-led India, various key projects will be initiated during the conclave. They include Superhubs at IIT Kanpur (AI & Intelligent Systems) and IIT Bombay (Biosciences, Biotechnology, Health & Medicine); Wadhwani Innovation Network (WIN) Centers at top research institutions to drive research commercialization; and partnership with Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) for jointly funding late-stage translation projects and promoting research and innovation.

The conclave will also include High-level Roundtables and Panel Discussions involving government officials, top industry and academic leaders; action-oriented dialogue on enabling fast-track translation of research into impact; a Deep Tech Startup Showcase featuring cutting-edge innovations from across India; and exclusive networking opportunities across sectors to spark collaborations and partnerships.

The Conclave aims to catalyze large-scale private investment in India’s innovation ecosystem; accelerate research-to-commercialization pipelines in frontier tech; strengthen academia-industry-government partnerships; advance national initiatives like ANRF and AICTE Innovation; democratize innovation access across institutions; and foster a national innovation alignment toward Viksit Bharat@2047.

 

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MJPS/VJ

(Release ID: 2124948) Visitor Counter : 165

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

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 28 APR 2025 5:09PM by PIB Delhi

Researcher have developed fresh insights into proton adsorption behaviour at the surface of catalysts, which can help construct electrocatalysts useful for producing green hydrogen.

Plethora of heterostructures have been studied for green hydrogen generation with the effect of built-in electric field (BIEF). However, the metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) based p-n heterojunction can be considered as a promising material to have robust BIEF due to asymmetric electronic environment.

Recent research is focused on leveraging BIEFs at the interface of different electronic environments to improve hydrogen production. Therefore, analysing and correlating parameters such as the work function, BIEF, and Gibbs free energy (a thermodynamic potential that can be used to calculate the maximum amount of work) is crucial for understanding the reaction mechanism. The difference in work functions between two materials is what drives the initial charge redistribution, which in turn sets up the built-in potential across the junction. BIEF directly affects the dynamics of proton adsorption/desorption, which was evaluated by Gibbs free energy of adsorption.

Scientists of Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, grew CuWO₄ (Copper tungsten oxide) nano-particles precursor over Cu (OH)2 (Copper hydroxide) and fabricated CuWO₄-CuO hetero-structure and studied its physical and electrochemical properties. They examined the Gibbs free energy profile for proton adsorption of different regiones and found that near the depletion region and along the interface, the proton adsorption energy shows contrasting behaviour as compared with bulk area. This induces a gradient in Gibbs free energy across and near the depletion region, thereby promoting an improved hydrogen adsorption and desorption.

Fig:  Mechanism revealing an interplay of BIEF and Gibbs Free Energy in CuO-CuWO₄ p-n heterojunction for proton adsorption/desorption in HER.

Interestingly, Scientists from INST, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), demonstrated that the interplay between the built-in electric field (BIEF) and Gibbs free energy in the proposed catalyst gives rise to a favourable regime, where hydrogen bonding to the catalyst is optimized, facilitating efficient hydrogen evolution. They also found that along the heterojunction interface, the ∆G indicates high adsorption affinity of protons toward the CuO phase and significant desorption at the CuWO₄ phase. The CuO-CuWO₄ catalyst unveils an excellent example of ‘negative cooperativity,’ in which the binding of one molecule decreases the affinity of other binding sites for additional molecules. With more and more proton coverage, the affinity of the catalyst’s surface towards the proton adsorption decreases, and promotes alkaline Hydrogen Evolution Reaction by enhancing desorption.

This research published in Adv. Energy Mater. 2025 helped understand the typical proton adsorption behaviour at the surface of the catalyst, which can help others to design and construct similar electrocatalyst which can give robust activity to produce green hydrogen. Improving in electrocatalytic hydrogen production can lead to sustainable environment with advance green technologies.

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NKR/PSM

(Release ID: 2124882) Visitor Counter : 63

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 5:21PM by PIB Mumbai

Mumbai, 28 April 2025

 

World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit 2025 – will bring together the world’s leading media, entertainment, and technology innovators at Jio Convention Centre, Mumbai from 1st to 4th May. Spanning an extraordinary 15,000 Sqms, WAVES 2025 will serve as the ultimate platform for industry giants, creators, investors, and cutting-edge technology pioneers to converge, collaborate, and explore the future of global entertainment. With over 100 leading exhibitors — including Netflix, Amazon, Google, Meta, Sony, Reliance, Adobe, Tata, Balaji Telefilms, Dharma Productions, Saregama, and Yash Raj Films — along with next-generation innovators such as JetSynthesys, Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM), Free Stream Technologies, Neural Garage, and Fractal Picture —WAVES will be the definitive meeting point for innovation, creativity, and cross-border collaboration in the entertainment sector.

At the heart of this extraordinary summit is the Bharat Pavilion, spanning a magnificent 1,470 Sqms, celebrating India’s dynamic legacy under the theme “Kala to Code.” Visitors will embark on an immersive journey through the evolution of Indian storytelling — from ancient oral traditions and visual arts to cutting-edge technological advancements — across four experiential zones: Shruti, Kriti, Drishti, and Creator’s Leap.

In addition to the Bharat Pavilion, WAVES 2025 will feature exclusive State Pavilions, where Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Gujarat, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, and several other states will proudly showcase their cultural and creative strengths.

Furthermore, the MSME Pavilion and Start-Up Booths will provide emerging businesses and innovators in the M&E Sector with unparalleled opportunities to connect with industry leaders, investors, and key stakeholders from the global entertainment and technology sectors.

A key attraction at WAVES 2025 will be the expansive Gaming Arena, highlighting the rapid growth of the gaming and esports industries. Featuring prominent brands such as Microsoft  &Xbox, Dream11, Krafton, Nazara, MPL, and JioGames. The arena will offer a glimpse into the future of interactive entertainment and demonstrate gaming’s growing influence within the global digital ecosystem.

Open for Business Days from 1st to 4th May 2025, with Public Days on 3rd and 4th May 2025, WAVES 2025 will offer exclusive networking opportunities and unparalleled insights into the entertainment, media, and technology landscapes. The exhibition will be open from 10 AM to 6 PM from 1st to 3rd May, and from 10 AM to 5 PM on 4th May 2025. With its extraordinary scale, influential exhibitors, and forward-looking vision, WAVES 2025 is set to emerge as the premier hub for global media convergence — a place where tradition and innovation come together to shape the future of storytelling, technology, and entertainment.

 

About WAVES

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

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

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

Have questions? Find answers here  

Stay updated with the latest announcements from PIB Team WAVES

Come, Sail with us! Register for WAVES now. 

 

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PIB TEAM WAVES 2025 | Sriyanka/ Darshana | 112

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(Release ID: 2124892) Visitor Counter : 53

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

Promotion of Hindi in government work is not just the task of a few departments but a shared responsibility of the society, says Dr. Jitendra Singh

Over the last decade under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the government’s commitment to promoting Hindi had helped bridge many longstanding gaps;

Sustained efforts from all stakeholders essential to achieve the broader vision

Posted On: 28 APR 2025 5:25PM by PIB Delhi

In a strong call for collective responsibility, 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 emphasized that the promotion of Hindi in government work is not just the task of a few departments but a shared responsibility of the society.

Speaking at the “Hindi Salahkar Samiti” meeting organized by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that while notable progress has been made in expanding the use of Hindi, sustained efforts from all stakeholders are essential to achieve the broader vision.

Reflecting on the progress made over the last decade under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Dr. Jitendra Singh noted that the government’s commitment to promoting Hindi had helped bridge many longstanding gaps. He pointed out that historically, despite being the mother tongue for many, Hindi did not enjoy the formal acceptance in official communication it deserved. “Earlier, receiving or sending letters

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

Aadhaar authentication surges past 2,707 crore in 2024-25; UIDAI’s face authentication gains momentum

UIDAI wins Prime Minister’s Award for innovation as Aadhaar face authentication sees record adoption

Aadhaar e-KYC transactions cross 44.63 crore in March 2025, boosting ease of business across sectors

Posted On: 28 APR 2025 5:51PM by PIB Delhi

In a clear sign of its growing adoption and utility, Aadhaar number holders carried out more than 2,707 crore authentication transactions in 2024-25 including 247 crore such transactions in March alone.

Aadhaar has been an enabler of digital economy and the increasing adoption shows its growing role across sector including banking, finance, telecom, and for the smooth delivery of benefits under various government schemes and services.

The total number of authentication transactions in March 2025 (246.75 Cr) is higher than the transactions clocked during the same period last year as well as in February 2025.  Since inception, the cumulative number of authentication transactions have crossed over 14,800 crore.

The AI/ML based Aadhaar Face Authentication solutions developed in house by UIDAI has been witnessing significant growth. In March more than 15 crore such transactions took place, indicative of the growing usage, adoption of this authentication modality and how it is benefiting Aadhaar number holders seamlessly. More than 100 entities both in government and private sector are using face authentication for smooth delivery of benefits and services.

On 21 April, UIDAI received the prestigious Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration. This was presented under the Innovation category for UIDAI’s Face Authentication modality.

Aadhaar e-KYC service continues to play a crucial role in improving customer experience and adding ease of doing business in sectors including banking and non-banking financial services.

The total number of eKYC transactions (44.63 Cr) carried out during March 2025 is over 6% more than the numbers during the same period last year. The cumulative number of e-KYC transactions has touched 2356 crore as on 31 March 2025.

Similarly, 20 lakh new Aadhaar numbers were generated in March 2025 and over 1.91 crore Aadhaars were updated successfully following submissions from Aadhaar number holders.  

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Dharmendra Tewari/ Navin sreejith

(Release ID: 2124910) Visitor Counter : 92