Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is a question by Dr the Hon Hoey Simon Lee and a written reply by the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, in the Legislative Council today (May 22):
Question: (1) “Check-in Smart (HKDSE)”: to allow candidates to check examination information and perform self check-in before the examination; (2) “i-Invigilation (HKDSE)”: for invigilators to verify the candidates’ identities, confirm attendance, and count the answer scripts collected; and (3) “Centre Supervisor Control Panel”: to enable centre supervisors to monitor the examination operations, confirm the candidates’ attendance and answer scripts collected, handle irregularities and communicate with the HKEAA Command Centre. Prior to the commencement of the 2024 HKDSE, the HKEAA has developed contingency measures in the event of any issues with the PESS2. If the system is unable to function properly, examination personnel should handle the candidates’ attendance and the checking of answer scripts manually using paper forms. These paper forms were delivered to centre schools with other examination stationery in mid-March. The details of these contingency measures were outlined in the Centre Supervisor’s Handbook and explained to examination personnel during the PESS2 Briefing Session and the Centre Supervisors’ Conferences held in February and March 2024 respectively.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LCQ9: Student Activities Support Fund The Government established in early 2019 a $2.5 billion Student Activities Support Fund (the Fund) to support primary and secondary students with financial needs to participate in school-organised or recognised out-of-classroom life-wide learning activities, so as to foster their whole-person development. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the annual and cumulative (i) amounts of revenue and expenditure of and (ii) numbers of school and student beneficiaries as well as activities organised (together with the types and natures of the activities) under the Fund since its establishment;
(2) whether there are schools which have never or scarcely applied for subsidy under the Fund; if so, whether the authorities know the reasons for that, and whether assistance has been provided to such schools to ensure that all students with financial needs are given the opportunity to participate in life-wide learning activities;
(3) as it is reported that situations such as low birth rate, decline in the number of school-age children and the addiction of many students to online activities arise in Hong Kong, whether the authorities will encourage schools to make use of the subsidy granted under the Fund to organise more life-wide learning activities conducted in groups and physical settings;
(4) whether the authorities have received complaints on or identified problems in the operation of the Fund since its establishment; if so, of the follow-up actions; and
(5) whether the authorities have assessed if the operation of the Fund since its establishment can achieve its intended objectives; whether a comprehensive review of the overall operation of the Fund will be conducted in the light of the experience gained in the operation of the Fund, feedback of stakeholders, development of society, changes in students’ needs, etc.?
Reply:
President,
The Education Bureau (EDB) has been providing resources for schools to organise a wide range of learning activities and schools may deploy such resources flexibly to support student learning and offer after-school student activities to foster students’ whole-person development. Starting from the 2019/20 school year, the EDB has been providing a recurrent Life-wide Learning Grant (LWL Grant) with an annual provision of about $900 million to support public sector and Direct Subsidy Scheme (DSS) schools in taking forward life-wide learning based on the present foundation. The LWL Grant aims to help students develop lifelong learning capabilities and foster their whole-person development through the knowledge, skills and positive values and attitudes acquired in experiential learning. At the same time, the Government set up the Student Activities Support Fund (SAS Fund) in 2018-19 with an allocation of $2.5 billion, and the investment return of the SAS Fund has been used to provide the Student Activities Support Grant (SAS Grant) for public sector and DSS schools to support students with financial needs to participate in out-of-classroom life-wide learning activities organised or recognised by schools. While the SAS Grant is supplementary in nature, schools should make good use of the LWL Grant and the SAS Grant, having regard to their own development contexts and students’ needs.
Our consolidated reply to the question raised by the Hon Tony Tse is as follows:
(1) and (2) The SAS Grant has been available for schools’ application since the 2019/20 school year. The amount to be disbursed to a school is calculated based on the number of students of the school in receipt of the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) or the full-grant under the School Textbook Assistance Scheme (STAS full-grant) in that school year (based on the number in December of the school year). The rate for each primary student is $350 and that for each secondary student is $650. Noting that some families may be in need of support but are not in receipt of the CSSA or STAS full-grant for various reasons, so besides providing support for students receiving the CSSA or STAS full-grant, schools are given the flexibility to, at their discretion, deploy up to 25 per cent of the total provision of the SAS Grant for the school year to support students who are identified as needy according to the school-based criteria (e.g. students receiving the STAS half-grant) to participate in out-of-classroom experiential learning activities. Since the 2019/20 school year, nearly 95 per cent of schools have applied for the SAS Grant. For the schools which have not submitted any application, the main reason is that their numbers of students with financial needs are relatively small and they have flexibly deployed the LWL Grant and other resources to support student learning.
From the 2019/20 to 2023/24 school years, the incomes and expenditures of the SAS Fund, the numbers of beneficiary schools and the numbers of students are set out in the table below:
School year($ million)($ million)(Provisional figures)(Estimate)# Due to the epidemic, life-wide learning activities were generally reduced during the suspension of face-to-face classes. Consequently, the usage rates of the SAS Grant were lower than expected and the numbers of school applications were also slightly affected.
Inclusivity And Freedom Of Expression Are Our Rich Legacy – Vice-President Gradient Of Expression And Inclusivity Is Comparably The Highest In Bharat –says VP
We Must Move From Food Security To Farmer Prosperity – Says VP
Farmer Must Transform From Producer To Entrepreneur –urges VP
Citizens Must Be Extremely Mindful That Freedom Of Expression And InclusivityTurn Out To Be National Assets – VP
Innovation And Research Must Be Farmer-Centric – VP
Vice-President Addressesthe Gathering At Tamil Nadu Agricultural University In Coimbatore
Posted On: 27 APR 2025 2:49PM by PIB Delhi
The Vice-President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar today said,“Bharat is the world’s oldest civilisation, a peace-loving nation where inclusivity and freedom of expression and thought are our legacy.”
Addressing the gathering at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu on the theme “Fostering Agri-Education, Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Viksit Bharat”, the Vice-Presidentobserved that if one traverses history for thousands of years, one would find that in our civilisation, inclusivity and freedom of expression thrived, blossomed, and were respected. In present times, he said, the quotient and gradient of expression and inclusivity are comparably the highest in the world, “Look around, there is no other country like Bharat which can demonstrate inclusivity and freedom of expression,” he said, adding that as citizens of this great nation—the largest democracy, the oldest democracy, the most vibrant democracy—we need to be extremely watchful, mindful and cognisant that freedom of expression and inclusivity must turn out to be our national assets.
Turning to the agriculture sector, the Vice-President underscored that “we must move from food security to farmer prosperity.” The farmer, he said, has to be prosperous, and this evolution must originate from institutions like Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.
He further elaborated that farmers must step out of the farmland and involve themselves in marketing their produce. “Farmers should not just be a producer and forget about it. That would mean they will painstakingly, tirelessly raise a produce and will sell it at a time when it is right for the market, without holding it. It doesn’t give much financially,” he noted. He called for empowering the farmers by generating awareness and by informing them that the government cooperative system is very robust.
The farmer must step out of the farmland, and involve himself or herself with marketing of the produce.
The farmer should not just be a producer and forget about it.
You have to empower the farmer by generating awareness, by informing them of the robust government cooperative… pic.twitter.com/ts40ywfWV1
“For the first time, we have the Cooperation Minister. Cooperatives find place in our Constitution. Therefore, what we need is farmer traders. We need farmer entrepreneurs. Change that mindset, so that a farmer transforms himself from producer to a value adder, starting some industry which is based on least produce,” he said.
The Vice-President also emphasized that the farm produce market is gigantic, and when value is added to the farm produce, industry will thrive.
Shri Dhankhar underlined that it is the duty of every citizen to bear this in mind, particularly at a time when the nation is witnessing unstoppable exponential economic rise, extraordinary growth in infrastructure, technological penetration reaching to the last mile, and the international repute of the nation and its leader, the Prime Minister, is at the highest ever, “We as citizens, therefore, have a great role to contribute to sustain this rise of the nation,” he asserted.
Bharat is the world’s oldest civilisation, a peace-loving nation where inclusivity and freedom of expression and thought are our legacy.
In present times, the quotient and gradient of expression and inclusivity are comparably the highest in the world.
Emphasizing citizen participation, the Vice-President said that this is the right time for every citizen to fully become aware and also take advantage of the ecosystem of hope and possibility. He urged everyone to take a firm resolve that nation first will be our motto, our unflinching commitment to nation and ever guiding star. “No interest can be higher than that of the Nation,” he stressed.
Highlighting the role of research and technology in agriculture, he stressed that the gap between lab and land must not merely be bridged—it must be a seamless connect. “Lab and land must be together and for this, over 730 Krishi Vigyan Kendras must be vibrant centres of interaction with farmers, to educate the farmers,” he said. He also called for connecting Krishi Vigyan Kendras and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, which in itself has over 150 institutions focusing on every aspect of Agronomy.
We must move from food security to farmer prosperity.
The gap between lab and land must not simply get bridged, but there must be a seamless connect between the two.
Lab and land must be together, and for this, over 730 Krishi Vigyan Kendras must be vibrant centres of… pic.twitter.com/ccDwi6LfDs
Applauding the government’s initiatives, the Vice-President noted that innovative schemes like PM Kisan Nidhi Samman are not freebies but are measures of doing justice to a sector that is our life-line. “This is a direct transfer to the farmer,” he emphasized.
In this context, Shri Dkhankhar said “in our country there is a massive subsidy for fertilisers. Institutions like Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, he said, must think that if the subsidy currently given to the fertiliser sector for the benefit of the farmer goes directly to the farmer, every farmer would be getting around 35,000 rupees every year.”
On the larger national vision, the Vice-President asserted, “attainment of Viksit Bharat has to be navigated carefully by institutions like Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. He called it a privilege to be at the University which, he said, has made seminal contributions to India’s food security.”
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University has made seminal contributions to India’s food security. We have traversed from food scarcity to food being in plenty.
One of the towering giants of agro sector, one of the proudest sons of Bharat, happens to be your alumnus.
He recalled, “India has traversed from food scarcity to food being in plenty, and Tamil Nadu Agricultural University has effected agrarian development and served the broader cause of rural transformation.”
Paying rich tributes, the Vice-President noted, “one of the towering giants of the agro-sector, one of the proudest sons of Bharat, Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, was an alumnus of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University”. He pointed out that Dr. Swaminathan had the rare distinction of being the recipient of all four civilian awards, including the highest one—the Bharat Ratna.
Calling for impact-oriented innovation and research, he said that innovation and research initiatives must be evaluated as to what impact they have on the farmer. “Are they having ground impact? Therefore, research has to be applied. Research must be based on need. Research must serve a cause which you identify,” he advised. He added that research must be supported not only by government at the Centre and the State but also by industry, trade, business, and commerce.
In his concluding remarks, the Vice-President observed that India—our Bharat—has always been a land of agriculture. Its heart pulsates in villages. It is the lifeline of employment and economy, and the spinal strength of the nation in every sense of the term.
Bharat has always been a land of agriculture. It is the lifeline of economy, the spinal strength of the nation. The farmer is our अन्नदाता, our भाग्य विधाता. pic.twitter.com/iuHkSYkvFQ
Recalling the ancient wisdom of the Tamil land, he remembered that in this sacred land, the role of the farmer was taken to a high level by the great poet-saint Thiruvalluvar. Citing him, the Vice-President said, “Farmers are the cornerstone of humanity and agriculture as the foremost craft.”He lauded Thiruvalluvar’s wisdom, calling it timeless, and remarked that “the farmer is the provider of our food. The farmer is the architect of our destiny.”
Shri R.N. Ravi, Governor of Tamil Nadu, Smt. N. Kayalvizhi Selvaraj, Minister for Human Resources Management, Govt. of Tamil Nadu, Shri V. Dakshinamoorthy, Agricultural Production Commissioner and Secretary to Government, Dr. M. Raveendran, Director of Research, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Dr. R. Thamizh Vendan, Registrar and Acting Vice Chancellor Tamil Nadu Agricultural University and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LCQ20: Strengthening Physical Education and Arts Education in schools It has been reported that according to the figures from the Education Bureau, a total of 31 suspected fatal student suicide cases were recorded from January to November last year, which was the highest in the past five years, and even represented an increase of more than one-fold as compared to the 14 cases in the whole year of 2018. There are views that while robust Physical Education (PE) and Arts Education (AE) are conducive to the physical and mental health of primary and secondary students, there is still much room for improvement in PE and AE locally. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) whether the relevant government departments will review the overall effectiveness of local PE and AE; if so, of the details (including the method and mechanism of the review, as well as the specific timetable); if not, the reasons for that;
(2) whether the relevant government departments will conduct a survey based on the situation of all students in Hong Kong to make an analysis of the number of PE and AE lessons as well as the time for extra-curricular activities needed in a week for most students in order to relieve their stress and enable them to keep a healthy body, and based on the outcome of the analysis, set indicators for implementation in all schools in Hong Kong; if not, of the reasons for that; and
(3) as it is learnt that the Education Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality has put into practice since January 1 this year the Implementation Opinions of Shenzhen on Strengthening and Improving the Work on Physical Exercise in Schools, which proposes that schools offering compulsory education should provide one PE lesson per day, while senior secondary schools (including secondary vocational schools) should provide three PE lessons per week, and that PE activities during recess in primary and secondary schools should last no less than 30 minutes per day, whether the relevant government departments will consider drawing reference from the practices in the Shenzhen Municipality and require schools to provide one PE lesson per day and incorporate activities such as physical activities between lessons, and require that activities between lessons should last no less than 30 minutes, so as to increase the time students spend on exercise every day?
Reply:
President,
The Education Bureau (EDB) has attached great importance to students’ physical and mental well-being. Establishing a healthy lifestyle is one of the seven learning goals of the school curriculum and relevant learning elements have been integrated into some subjects. The EDB has all along been committed to supporting schools in the promotion of school Physical Education (PE) and Arts Education (AE) through the life-wide learning approach, including providing curriculum guides, developing learning and teaching resources, offering training for teachers, and organising territory-wide physical and aesthetic learning activities or assisting schools in flexibly arranging activities, fully supporting schools in planning and implementing PE and AE within and beyond the classroom. The EDB’s strategies to support schools in the implementation of PE and AE and the related details are set out in Paper No. CB(4)123/2024(03) Our reply to the question raised by the Hon Stanley Ng is as follows:
IOS SAGAR arrived at Port Louis Harbour, Mauritius on 26 Apr 25 on completion of Phase I of Joint EEZ surveillance with National Coast Guard (NCG) Mauritius as part of deployment to the South Western Indian Ocean. The visit marks a significant milestone in India’s commitment to regional maritime cooperation and capacity-building with friendly foreign countries.
Indian Naval Ship Sunayna (IOS SAGAR), which sailed from Karwar on 05 Apr 25, has 44 naval personnel from nine friendly foreign nations of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), including two officers and six sailors from the Republic of Mauritius.
This initiative underlines the Indian Navy’s continued efforts to enhance interoperability, mutual learning, and regional maritime security in a spirit of collective growth and cooperation.
The ship and her crew were received with warmth and enthusiasm, reflecting the close and time-tested bonds between India and Mauritius. The welcome reception was graced by Mr. Sooroojebally R, PMSM, the Commissioner of Police, and several high-ranking dignitaries of the Prime Minister’s Office, Mauritius Police Force, Indian High Commission, and NCG Mauritius. On completion of the welcome ceremony, the dignitaries were given a tour of the ship, which was followed by interaction with personnel embarked from friendly foreign nations.
During the port call, the Commanding Officer, IOS SAGAR, will call on the Commandant, National Coast Guard, the Commissioner of Police and the High Commissioner of India. Various activities are planned during the two-day port call, including the visit by the IOS SAGAR crew to the Maritime Air Squadron, Special Mobile Force Squadron and the Police Helicopter Squadron. The Commissioner of Police will also interact with the multinational crew of IOS SAGAR at Police Headquarters. The ship will be open to visitors on 27 Apr 25. Activities like trekking, Joint Yoga session and friendly sports fixtures have also been planned during the ship’s stay at Port Louis.
On departure, the ship will undertake phase II of Joint EEZ surveillance with the NCG Mauritius and, upon completion, proceed to Port Victoria, Seychelles.
INS Sunayna, a state-of-the-art Saryu class NOPV, is designed for anti-piracy operations, maritime surveillance, and HADR. The ship is equipped with medium and close-range gunnery weapons and modern electronic warfare suites, including missile defence measures. She can also carry a helicopter, which enhances her operational and surveillance capability.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
National security education (NSE) is an important component of values education. It is inseparable from national education and an indispensable part of the school curriculum in Hong Kong. To support schools in integrating NSE elements into and connecting them naturally with the English Language curriculum, the Curriculum Development Institute of the Education Bureau (EDB) has newly developed the English Language Resource Kit on National Security Education at the Primary Level and the English Language Resource Materials on National Security Education at the Secondary Level. The resources not only enhance primary and secondary students’ language skills, but also guide students to understand the importance of safeguarding national security.
The English Language Resource Kit on National Security Education at the Primary Level features four learning topics, covering the major fields of cultural security, ecological security, food security and outer space security. Through engaging in viewing, reading and multifarious English activities, students can learn about the folk dances of different ethnic groups and the achievements in aerospace technology of the country, as well as the sustained efforts of the country in conserving endangered wildlife animals and stabilising food supply. Students can also reflect on how to contribute to safeguarding national security in their daily lives, thus cultivating in them a sense of belonging to the country and enhancing their awareness of safeguarding national security.
The English Language Resource Materials on National Security Education at the Secondary Level feature a series of learning and teaching resources covering the major fields of artificial intelligence security, nuclear security, resource security and food security. The resource materials aim to heighten students’ self-awareness of national security and develop their sense of responsibility for safeguarding national security. In addition to reading, writing and speaking activities, suggestions on cross-curricular and life-wide learning activities are also provided to enrich students’ English learning experiences, enhance their understanding of the developments of the country and the significance of safeguarding national security, and foster their sense of national identity.
Schools are encouraged to select and use the learning and teaching resources to cater for students’ needs, interests and abilities, enable students to learn and apply English across various themes, as well as develop in them an awareness of and a sense of responsibility for safeguarding national security. Besides, parents are encouraged to read the texts and view the videos recommended in the resources together with their children to not only increase their exposure to English beyond the classroom, but also enhance their understanding of the richness and beauty of the Chinese culture as well as the latest developments of the country. The resources can be accessed through the following webpages of the EDB:
For other information on English Language learning and the Campaign on “Promoting Positive Values and Attitudes through English Sayings of Wisdom (SOW) 2023/24”, please visit the webpage of the English Language Education Section (https://www.edb.gov.hk/ele) and its SOW webpage (https://www.edb.gov.hk/sow).
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
National security education (NSE) is an important component of values education. It is inseparable from national education and an indispensable part of the school curriculum in Hong Kong. To support schools in integrating NSE elements into and connecting them naturally with the English Language curriculum, the Curriculum Development Institute of the Education Bureau (EDB) has newly developed the English Language Resource Kit on National Security Education at the Primary Level and the English Language Resource Materials on National Security Education at the Secondary Level. The resources not only enhance primary and secondary students’ language skills, but also guide students to understand the importance of safeguarding national security.https://www.edb.gov.hk/NSE_eleprihttps://www.edb.gov.hk/NSE_elesec_1
For other information on English Language learning and the Campaign on “Promoting Positive Values and Attitudes through English Sayings of Wisdom (SOW) 2023/24”, please visit the webpage of the English Language Education Section (https://www.edb.gov.hk/ele) and its SOW webpage (https://www.edb.gov.hk/sow).
BECIL Successfully Organizes ‘India: A Bird’s Eye View Challenge’ under Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Finalists of ‘India: A Bird’s Eye View Challenge’ Shortlisted for Felicitation at WAVES 2025
Posted On: 26 APR 2025 6:30PM by PIB Mumbai
:Mumbai, 26th, April, 2025
Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Limited (BECIL), a Mini Ratna Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, was entrusted with organizing and managing the India: A Bird’s Eye View Challenge.
The challenge invited participants to submit 2–3 minute aerial videos highlighting India’s beauty, diverse landscapes, heritage, culture, innovation, progress and transformation through compelling drone cinematography. To promote inclusive participation, the challenge featured two categories:
1) Open Category: Open to all Indian citizens, including filmmakers, students, hobbyists, professionals, and drone enthusiasts.
2) Drone Didi Category: Exclusively for women trained under initiatives like the Namo Drone Didi Scheme, aimed at empowering women in rural and semi-urban areas through drone training.
To ensure widespread awareness and encourage participation, BECIL implemented a comprehensive national media campaign that combined both traditional and digital outreach methods. The campaign involved institutional visits and seminars at drone academies, media institutes and universities across India, along with live interactions with students and drone trainees to generate grassroots-level engagement. A dedicated online portal was launched to facilitate seamless registration and video submission. Additionally, strategic email campaigns targeted media schools, drone training centers and civil society networks to expand the campaign’s digital footprint. Social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn were actively leveraged through tailored content to build sustained interest in the challenge. Complementing the digital efforts, printed materials including posters and pamphlets were distributed.
The challenge received an overwhelming 1,324 registrations, including 382 entries from Drone Didi participants, reflecting the growing enthusiasm for drone videography as a storytelling medium. Entries poured in from across India—from the Himalayan valleys of Himachal Pradesh to the cultural corridors of Uttar Pradesh, the plains of Bihar, the innovation hubs of Gujarat and Karnataka, and the coastal stretches of Tamil Nadu—making this a true pan-India celebration of creativity and progress.
All entries were meticulously reviewed by a distinguished jury panel comprising:
Mr. Piyush Shah – Cinematographer, Producer, Writer, and Sound Designer
Mr.R.V. Ramani – National Award-winning Filmmaker & Documentary Cinematographer
Mr. Arun Varma – Acclaimed Cinematographer in Indian Cinema
Following a rigorous evaluation process, five finalists from each category were shortlisted, along with four entries under a Special Category for Social Representation:
These shortlisted entries will be showcased at WAVES 2025, and the winners will be declared and felicitated during a grand ceremony at the summit.
For more information and updates, visit: www.becil.com
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).
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Launches Guidelines and Portal for Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme Union Minister Urges Electronics Industry to Achieve Six Sigma Standards and Establish Design Teams
Sarvam AI selected to build India’s first indigenous AI foundational model
Posted On: 26 APR 2025 7:46PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw today launched the guidelines and portal for the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS), marking a major step towards strengthening India’s electronics manufacturing ecosystem.
Speaking at the launch, Union Minister outlined the Government’s clear strategy for electronics manufacturing. He said India started its journey by manufacturing finished products to build volume and basic confidence, enabling downward integration. This was followed by module-level manufacturing, then component manufacturing, and now manufacturing of materials that build components. Highlighting that finished goods account for 80 to 85 percent of the value chain, he noted that the scale achieved in electronics manufacturing has been phenomenal.
The Minister stated that electronics production has grown five-fold and exports have grown more than six-fold, with export CAGR exceeding 20% and production CAGR over 17%. He added that mobile phones, servers, laptops, and IT hardware have seen very strong progress and that the industry is poised to take off significantly.
Shri Vaishnaw described ECMS as a horizontal scheme that will support not just electronics but also industrial, power, automobile sectors and more. He emphasized that a complete ecosystem for electronics manufacturing is coming into place across the country.
Underscoring the importance of innovation and quality, the Minister said that many companies have now established design teams, and it is essential that every participant develops such teams. Stressing on quality, he called for achieving Six Sigma standards across the sector, warning that those not adhering to quality benchmarks would be cut short. He said the twin focus on design capability and quality excellence would drive India’s leadership in electronics.
Shri Vaishnaw also spoke about India’s advances in AI and data-driven solutions. He informed that 350 datasets have already been uploaded on AI Kosh, and four AI tools developed by IITs will soon be released. He further stated that techno-legal solutions are being developed to strengthen the electronics ecosystem.
The Minister informed that ECMS has a strong pipeline of projects ready for approval and expressed confidence that this marks just the beginning of India’s rapid growth as a global electronics hub.
Addressing the session, Secretary, MeitY, Shri S Krishnan said that ECMS aims to firmly establish India as electronic manufacturing superpower in the world. He added the MeitY will work with all the stakeholders to make the scheme a great success.
During the event, Sarvam AI was selected to build India’s first indigenous AI foundational model, marking a major milestone in the country’s AI innovation ecosystem.
Strong Industry, Government, and Global Participation
The launch event was witnessed by 200+ participants which includes Senior GoI officials, Senior State Government officials, Embassy representatives, Senior Domestic and Global Industry leaders, Domestic and Global Industry Associations, Financial institutions, consulting firms, media, etc.
The unveiling of the guidelines and portal for the ECMS was a significant milestone, drawing the attention of prominent industry leaders, esteemed industry associations, leading financial institutions, and representatives from various embassies. This landmark event underscored the importance of collaboration between key stakeholders. The presence of such distinguished individuals highlighted the widespread interest in and commitment to advancing the component manufacturing in county.
Presentation was made on the scheme and its guidelines, highlighting the journey of its formulation and the distinctive features of this unique scheme. The presentation provided a comprehensive overview of the thought process and strategic considerations that shaped the scheme, emphasizing its innovative approach to differentiated incentivization. Notably, it marks the first-ever offering of hybrid incentives, introducing a direct linkage between incentives and employment generation, reinforcing its commitment to economic growth and job creation.
This scheme goes beyond incentivizing subassemblies and components—it adopts a comprehensive approach by encompassing the entire supply chain associated with these elements. In addition to fostering the development of components and subassemblies, it also extends support to capital equipment, ensuring the inclusion of essential machinery that drives manufacturing processes. Moreover, it incentivizes the subassembly of equipment used in manufacturing, reinforcing an integrated system that enhances efficiency and production capabilities. By incorporating these critical aspects, the scheme promotes a robust, interconnected ecosystem, strengthening domestic manufacturing.
The scheme places a strong emphasis on the performance of applicants, ensuring that incentives are allocated based on a first-come, first-served approach. This structure encourages efficiency, proactive participation, and timely application submissions, fostering a competitive yet fair environment.
Furthermore, the scheme guidelines that govern the implementation process have been designed with clarity and precision, ensuring they remain simple and unambiguous. The guidelines uphold the ease of doing business, making compliance straightforward and accessible for all stakeholders. By eliminating unnecessary complexities and streamlining procedural requirements, the guidelines facilitate efficient execution while fostering a conducive environment.
During the event, industry leaders applauded the seamless implementation of the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes rolled out by MeitY. They expressed appreciation for efficient execution of these initiatives, emphasizing how the well-defined processes have facilitated smooth and prompt disbursement of incentives.
Union Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, along with all participants, observed a minute of silence at the start of the event in memory of the victims of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
Background
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Hon’ble Prime Minister, had approved the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS), which was notified vide Gazette Notification CG-DL-E-08042025-262341 dated 08.04.2025.
The scheme aims to develop a robust component ecosystem by attracting large investments (global/domestic) in electronics component manufacturing ecosystem, increasing Domestic Value Addition (DVA) by developing capacity and capabilities, and integrating Indian companies with Global Value Chains (GVCs).
With various initiatives of Gol, the electronics manufacturing sector has witnessed remarkable growth in the last decade. The domestic production of electronic goods has increased from Rs.1.90 lakh crore in FY 2014-15 to Rs.9.52 lakh crore in FY 2023-24 at a CAGR of more than 17%. The exports of electronic goods have also increased from Rs.0.38 lakh crore in FY 2014-15 to Rs.2.41 lakh crore in FY 2023-24 at a CAGR of more than 20%. In FY 2024-25, Electronics became the 3rd largest exported commodity from India.
India has made significant progress in electronics manufacturing, especially in mobile manufacturing and become the world’s 2nd largest mobile manufacturing country.
Scheme Budget Outlay:₹ 22,919 crore
Scheme Tenure:6 years (1 year of gestation period) i.e. from FY2025-26 to FY2031-32.
Incentive Structure
The scheme offers differentiated fiscal incentives viz. a) Turnover-linked incentive b) Capex-linked incentive c) Hybrid incentive [i.e. combination of both (a) and (b)]
Employment linked incentive: A part of turnover linked incentive and capex incentive is linked with employment.
Target Segment-wise Incentives Offered
S.No.
Target segments
Cumulative investment
(₹)
Turnover linked incentive
(%)
Capex incentive
(%)
A
Sub-assemblies
1
Display module sub-assembly
250 crore
4/4/3/2/2/1
NA
2
Camera module sub-assembly
250 crore
5/4/4/3/2/2
NA
B
Bare components
3
Non-SMD passive components
50 crore
8/7/7/6/5/4
NA
4
Electro-mechanicals
50 crore
8/7/7/6/5/4
NA
5
Multi-layer PCB
50 crore
≤ 6 layers 6/6/5/5/4/4
≥ 8 layers 10/8/7/6/5/5
NA
6
Li-ion Cells for digital application (excluding storage and mobility)
500 crore
6/6/5/5/4/4
NA
7
Enclosures for Mobile, IT Hardware products and related devices
500 crore
7/6/5/4/4/3
NA
C
Selected bare components
8
HDI/MSAP/Flexible PCB
1000 crore
8/7/7/6/5/4
25%
9
SMD passive components
250 crore
5/5/4/4/3/3
25%
S.No.
Target segments
Minimum investment
(₹)
Turnover linked incentive
(%)
Capex incentive
(%)
D
Supply chain ecosystem and Capital equipment
10
Supply chain of sub-assemblies (A) & bare components(B) & (C)
10 crore
NA
25%
11
Capital goods used in electronics manufacturing including their sub-assemblies and components
10 crore
NA
25%
Application Window:Scheme shall be open to receive application from 1st May 2025 through the online portal (www.ecms.meity.gov.in).
For target segment (A), (B) & (C): 3 months
For target segment (D): 2 years
Expected Outcomes
The scheme envisages to attract investment of ₹ 59,350 crore, result in production of ₹ 4,56,500 crore and generate additional direct employment of 91,600 persons and many indirect jobs as well during its tenure.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Sydney (Sydney ETO) is supporting the 28th Australian Dragon Boat Championships (AusChamps) being held in Penrith, Australia, from April 26 to May 1 to promote Hong Kong’s vibrant sports culture and rich dragon boat racing tradition.
Organised annually by the Australian Dragon Boat Federation since 1996, the AusChamps has attracted more than 2 500 paddlers from across Australia to compete for national titles. This year’s event is extended to six days for the first time, making it the largest edition to date. Two of the 2,000-metre races were named the “HKETO Premier Open Standard” and the “HKETO Premier Open Small Boat”, with the Director of the Sydney ETO, Mr Ricky Chong, presenting medals to the winning teams yesterday (April 26).
Speaking at the Welcome Function, Mr Chong remarked that Sydney ETO has been proud to support dragon boat events in Australia over the years, including the AusChamps and the Sydney Lunar New Year Dragon Boat Festival. These collaborations are a testament to the strong and enduring ties between Hong Kong and Australia, built on mutual respect, shared values and a passion for community spirit.
Mr Chong highlighted that under the National 14th Five-Year Tourism Development Plan, sports have been identified as a key component of tourism. Apart from dragon boat races, much more is happening in Hong Kong’s sports scene. He introduced a series of mega sports events to be held at the newly opened Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong, including the Volleyball Nations League in June, the Hong Kong Football Festival in July and the Ultimate Tennis Showdown Hong Kong in October, and invited guests to experience the vibrancy and diversity of Hong Kong through these world-class events and many other attractions.
Sydney ETO will continue to support cultural and sports exchanges to further strengthen the ties between Hong Kong and Australia, and showcase Hong Kong as a dynamic centre for international cultural exchange.