Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati AbhyudayYojana (PM-AJAY) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme being implemented since 2021-22. The Scheme has three components namely (i) ‘Adarsh Gram’, (ii) ‘Grants-in-aid for District/State-level Projects for Socio-Economic betterment of Scheduled Caste(SC) Communities’ and (iii) ‘Hostel’. The objectives of the Scheme are:
To improve socio-economic developmental indicators by ensuring adequate infrastructure and requisite services in the SC dominated villages.
To reduce poverty of the SC communities by generation of additional employment opportunities through skill development, income generating schemes and other initiatives.
To increase literacy and encourage enrolment of SCs in schools and higher educational institutions by providing adequate residential facilities in quality institutions, as well as residential schools where required, especially in the aspirational districts/ SC dominated blocks and elsewhere in India.
Skill development is one of the interventions covered under Grants-in-aid Component of the Scheme. 25 States have submitted Perspective Plans for 2023-24, 2024-25 & 2025-26 and Rs. 457.82 Crore has been released for 8146 projects including 987 projects for skill development during 2023-24 & 2024-25 under Grants-in aid Component.
In 2021-22, the erstwhile scheme of Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana has been subsumed under the umbrella Scheme Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY). The villages having more than 40% SC population and a total population of 500 or more are eligible for selection under the Scheme. The selected villages are saturated with identified 50 Socio-Economic developmental indicators, under 10 domains namely Drinking Water and Sanitation, Education, Health and Nutrition, Social Security, Rural Roads and Housing, Electricity and Clean Fuel, Agricultural Practices, Financial Inclusion, Digitization, Livelihood and Skill Development, which are the minimum requirements for any person residing in a village. Since 2018-19, 29,847 villages have been selected out of which 11,076 villages have been declared as Adarsh Gram. During 2024-25, 4,991 villages have been declared as Adarsh Gram.
The Hostel Component aims to increase literacy and encourage enrolment of SCs in schools and higher educational institutions by providing adequate residential facilities in quality institutions, as well as residential schools where required. Till now, 891 hostels have been sanctioned under PM-AJAY of which 27 hostels have been sanctioned during 2024-25.
Under PM-AJAY, upto 5% of the total funds is allocated for Administration, Monitoring and Evaluation of the Scheme. During 2024-25, Rs. 6.64 Crore has been utilized as Administrative expense under PM-AJAY.
This information was provided by UNION MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICEAND EMPOWERMENT, SHRI RAMDAS ATHAWALE, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
WAVES ‘Create in India Challenge’ Crosses 85,000 Registrations with 1100 International Participants 750 Finalists from 32 Challenges to participate in WAVES ‘CreatoSphere’ at Mumbai from 1st to 4th May, 2025
Posted On: 01 APR 2025 3:54PM by PIB Delhi
The Create in India Challenge (CIC) Season-1, launched as part of the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) set to take place at the Jio World Centre in Mumbai from 1st to 4th May, 2025, has achieved a new milestone of crossing 85,000 registrations including 1,100 International participants. Over 750 finalists, selected after a meticulous selection process, from across 32 diverse challenges, will get a unique opportunity to showcase the outcome and output of their individual challenge, their talent and skills, apart from networking opportunities with business leaders from their respective sector including pitching sessions, and learn from global stalwarts through masterclasses, panel discussions, conferences etc. The winners of the Create in India challenges will be felicitated with ‘WAVES Creator Awards’ in a grand ceremony at Mumbai.
These challenges have made a powerful entry into the creative landscape, igniting a wave of innovation and engagement across India and beyond, emerging as a premier platform for creative talent on a global scale. Featuring 32 diverse and dynamic challenges including the high-energy Reel Making Competition, the solution-oriented Truth Tell Hackathon, the visionary Young Filmmaker’s Challenge, and the imaginative Comics Creator Championship, CIC offers a unique opportunity for creators to showcase their skills. Other flagship events such as the A.I. Avatar Creator Challenge, WAM! Anime Challenge, Esports Tournament, Trailer Making Competition, Theme Music Competition, and the cutting-edge XR Creator Hackathon further establish CIC as a definitive launchpad for the next generation of storytellers, designers, and digital innovators.
By uniting creators across disciplines, borders, and generations, CIC not only celebrates India’s creative energy — it has sparked a global dialogue around the future of storytelling and digital expression. With this remarkable foundation, CIC is poised to scale new heights in the seasons ahead, continuing its mission to empower creators and shape the cultural landscape of tomorrow.
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).
The Government has taken measures to ensure the full implementation of the three new criminal laws in Jammu and Kashmir such as:
A Steering Committee under the Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir and an Empowered Committee under Director General of Police, Jammu and Kashmir has been formed.
The training programs are conducted at the Police Academy, Police Training Institutes, District Police Lines and Battalion Training Centres. Translation of new criminal laws in Urdu, Dogri and Kashmiri languages have been completed.
Jammu and Kashmir Police along with other departments of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir is organizing joint awareness programmes at all 282 blocks in the second and fourth week of every month.
All the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System (CCTNS) patches including e-Sakshya (audio-video recording application) for the IOs of Jammu and Kashmir Police, sending of e-summons/SMS/emails have been made functional.
All the required Rules, Notifications and Administrative Orders in respect of three criminal laws have been issued.
Regular training on three new criminal laws is provided. So far 975 Gazetted Officers, 60,890 police personnel under Jammu and Kashmir Police and 254 Judicial Officers have been trained. Additionally, 191 Master Trainers under the Training of Trainers (ToT) program and 118 personnel have been trained at NFSU, Gandhinagar. J&K Police also use the iGoT Karmayogi platform, with 50,984 personnel onboard, completing 1,21,000 courses, including 1,10,773 on new criminal laws.
To monitor the implementation of new criminal laws, review meetings are held fortnightly by the Chief Secretary and weekly by the Principal Secretary (Home), DGP and top police officials. The reports thereof are for internal circulation of the Government.
This was stated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs Shri Nityanand Rai in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.
Strengthening of Early Warning Systems is prerequisite for preparedness measures and is the most important element of entire cycle of disaster management.
The Prime Minister has enunciated ten-point agenda on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) during the Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR) held in New Delhi in November 2016. The all-inclusive agenda includes the following: –
“Leverage technology to enhance the efficiency of disaster risk management efforts.” and “Build on local capacity and initiative to enhance disaster risk reduction”.
The Government effectively deploys technologies for improved early warning and forecasting of disaster in the vulnerable areas. Central Government has designated nodal agencies for early warning of different natural disasters.
To promote the use of modern technologies and to strengthen the early warning system for natural disasters, Ministry of Earth Sciences has
launched a Multi-faceted transformative approach namely “Mission Mausam” for the period 2024-2026 with the goal of making India a “weather-ready and climate smart” nation.
Under the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP) Early Warning Systems have been installed in the Coastal States, which have proved to be of great help in alert dissemination to the coastal community during recent cyclones.
‘Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) based Integrated Alert System’ has been initiated with an outlay of Rs. 354.83 Crore, for dissemination of geo targeted early warnings/alerts related to disasters to the citizens of India for all 36 States/UTs using various disseminating medium like SMS, TV, Radio, Indian Railways, Costal Sirens, Cell broadcast, Internet (RSS feed & Browser Notification), Satellite Receiver of GAGAN & NavIC etc., through integration of all alerting agencies, [India Meteorological Department (IMD), Central Water Commission (CWC), Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Defence Geo-informatics Research Establishment (DGRE), Geological Survey of India (GSI) and Forest Survey of India (FSI)].
In CAP system, the alerts related to various disasters are generated by Alert Generating Agencies like IMD, CWC, INCOIS, DGRE & FSI and moderated by SDMAs of concern States/UTs. The alerts are sent to geo targeted areas in regional languages. There is a web-based dashboard to disaster managers for approving/editing alerts and choosing media for dissemination. The system has been used successfully in recent disasters. More than 4500 crore SMS alerts have been disseminated so far using CAP.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has also initiated a project for Pan India, end-to-end secure and foolproof Disaster Grade Cell Broadcasting System (CBS) to improve faster dissemination of alert / early warning messages to the citizen.
Defence Geoinformatics Research Establishment (DGRE), Chandigarh under Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is also the nodal agency for studying and developing avalanche mitigation technologies. DGRE has installed 72 Snow Meteorological Observatories and 45 Automated Weather Stations (AWS).
India Metrological Department (IMD) issues regular and precise weather forecasts & warning bulletins including for cyclones to all the affected/ likely affected States/ UTs.
IMD uses a suite of quality observations from Satellites, Radars and Conventional & Automatic Weather Stations for monitoring of cyclones developing over the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea. It includes INSAT 3D, 3DR and SCATSAT satellites, Doppler Weather Radars (DWRs) along the coast and coastal Automated Weather Stations (AWS), High wind speed recorders, Automatic Rain Gauges (ARGs), Meteorological buoys and ships.
NDMA also conducts capacity building programmes, organizes awareness workshops and fosters community-based risk reduction strategies and also trainings for monitoring and alert mechanism to ensure last mile connectivity.
Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG) monitors the glaciers and provides comprehensive analysis of factors that trigger hazards and its associated downstream risks to significantly enhance early warning capabilities and disaster preparedness. WIHG has prepared glacial lake
inventories for Uttarakhand (2015) and Himachal Pradesh (2018), identifying 1,266 lakes (7.6 km²) in Uttarakhand and 958 lakes (9.6 km²) in Himachal Pradesh.
Central Water Commission (CWC) monitors 902 Glacial lakes and water bodies, to enable the detection of relative change in water spread areas of Glacial lakes and water bodies as well as identifying those ones which have expanded substantially during its monitoring months.
Central Government has approved National Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) Risk Mitigation Project (NGRMP) for its implementation in four states namely, Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Uttarakhand at a financial outlay of Rs. 150.00 crore.
NGRMP is aimed at reducing the risks associated with glacial lake outburst floods, particularly in regions that are highly susceptible to such natural disasters. The objectives of NGRMP project are:
(i) Prevent loss of life and reduce economic loss and damage to critical infrastructure due to GLOF and similar events.
(ii) Strengthen the early warning and monitoring capacities based on last mile connectivity.
(iii) Strengthen scientific and technical capabilities in GLOF risk reduction and mitigation at local levels through strengthening of local level institutions and communities.
(iv) Use of indigenous knowledge and scientific cutting-edge mitigation measures to reduce and mitigate GLOF risk.
NGRMP, approved by the Government, has one of its components as GLOF monitoring and Early Warning Systems (EWS) including remote sensing data, community involvement for monitoring, alerting / dissemination.
Two Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) have been installed in Sikkim with further deployments of EWS planned in collaboration with C-DAC, ISRO and Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad to provide early warning to local communities in case of any GLOF event.
CWC has finalized the criteria for Risk Indexing of Glacial Lakes offering a structured approach for identifying and ranking such lakes based on their likelihood of failure and potential damage they could cause in the event of GLOF.
A Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction (CoDRR) under NDMA involving representatives from six Himalayan States / Union Territories and other Stakeholders, has identified a set of high risk glacial lakes for sending expeditions to directly assess these lakes and prepare comprehensive mitigation strategies in terms of setting up EWS / other structural and non-structural measures.
Subsequent to Teesta-III Hydroelectric dam collapse in October, 2023, CWC has decided to review the design flood of all the existing and under construction dams vulnerable to GLOFs to ensure their adequate spillway capacity for a combination of Probable Maximum Flood / Standard Probable Flood and GLOF. Further, GLOF Studies has been made mandatory for all new dams planned having Glacial Lakes in their catchments.
This was stated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs Shri Nityanand Rai in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.
The cases registered, arrests made and quantity of drug seized under Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 by various Drug Law Enforcement Agencies (DLEAs) as reported to Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) during 2020 to 2024 is at Annexure-I. The specific details of incidents regarding number of killings, anti-social atrocities on women and children under the influence of various types of narcotics and chemical drugs in the country are not maintained.
As part of its drive against drug smuggling to make India a drug free nation, Government is taking various measures, some of which are mentioned below: –
(i) The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, as amended from time to time contains stringent provision to deal with illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and controlled substances as defined under Section 2 (viiib). Further, Chapter IV of the NDPS Act, 1985 provides detailed provisions for offences committed in contravention of the relevant provisions of the Act and penalties thereto.
(ii) Considering the international obligations or having regard to the available information and evidence with respect to the nature and effects of and the abuse or scope for abuse, Department of Revenue has scheduled 134 narcotic drugs under section 2(xi)(b), 173 psychotropic substances under section 3 and 45 controlled substances under section 9A in order to exercise due regulation, control or prohibition in public interest while ensuring availability of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances for medical and scientific use subject to the relevant provisions to the NDPS Act and rules/ regulations made thereunder.
(iii) A 4-tier Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) mechanism for ensuring better coordination between Central & State Drug Law Enforcement Agencies and other stakeholders in the field of controlling drug trafficking and drug abuse in India has been established. An all in one NCORD portal has been developed for information related to drug law enforcement.
(iv) A dedicated Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) headed by Additional Director General/ Inspector General level Police Officer has been established in each State/ Union Territory to function as the NCORD Secretariat for the State/ Union Territory and follow-up on compliance of decisions taken in NCORD meetings at different levels.
(v) To monitor the investigation of important and significant seizures, a Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) under the Chairmanship of Director General, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has been set up by Government of India.
(vi) Border Guarding Forces (Border Security Force, Assam Rifles and Sashastra Seema Bal) have been empowered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 to carry out search, seizure and arrest for illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs at international border. Further, Railway Protection Force (RPF) has also been empowered under NDPS Act to check drug trafficking along the railway routes.
(vii) Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) coordinates with other agencies like, Navy, Coast Guard, Border Security Force, State ANTF, etc., to conduct joint operations to control the drug trafficking.
(viii) Electronics scanning of consignments for drug detection at all Ports are being ensured.
(ix) Towards the capacity building of Drug Law Enforcement Agencies of the country, NCB is continuously imparting training to the officers of other Drug Law Enforcement Agencies.
(x) To strengthen NCB and to increase its pan India presence, 536 posts in different level has been created in NCB. During this restructuring, special focus has been laid on cyber, legal, and enforcement aspects for more effective drug law enforcement.
(xi) A task force on Darknet and Crypto-Currency has been set up under the Multi Agency Centre (MAC) mechanism with a focus on monitoring all platforms facilitating Narco-trafficking, sharing of inputs on drug trafficking amongst Agencies/MAC members, interception of drug networks, continuous capturing of trends, modus operandi & nodes with regular database updates and review of related rules & laws.
(xii) To assist all DLEAs/other investigation agencies for investigation and proactive policing, National Integrated Database on Arrested Narco-Offenders (NIDAAN) portal is developed. It provides data of narcotics offenders involved in narcotics offences under Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
(xiii) A National Narcotics Helpline No. 1933 “Madak-Padarth Nished Asoochna Kendra” (MANAS) has been created as 24×7 toll-free National Narcotics Call Centre helpline. Accordingly, MANAS has been envisioned as an integrated system providing a single platform for citizens to log, register, track and resolve drug related issues/problems through various modes of communication like call, SMS, Chat-bot, e-mail & web-link.
(xiv) A high-level dedicated group has been created in National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) in November 2022 to analyze the drug trafficking through maritime routes, challenges and solutions (Maritime Security Group – NSCS).
(xv) Director General level talks by NCB are organized with neighboring and other countries such as Myanmar, Iran, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Singapore, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, etc. to resolve various issues on drugs trafficking having international implications and issue of maritime trafficking.
(xvi) Launched Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) in all districts of the country through more than 10000 master volunteers. It has reached out to more than 14.79 crore people including 4.96 crore youth and 2.97 crore women.
(xvii) Government is providing financial assistance to 350 Integrated Rehabilitation Centers for Addicts (IRCAs), 46 Community based Peer Led Intervention (CPLI) Centers, 74 Outreach and Drop In Centers (ODICs), 142 Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs), 124 District De-addiction Centres (DDACs) across the country.
(xviii) A Toll-free Helpline No.14446 for de-addiction is operated for providing primary counseling and immediate assistance to persons seeking help.
(xix) Government through its autonomous body National Institute of Social Defense (NISD) and other collaborating agencies like State Counsel of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), etc. provides for regular awareness generation and sensitization sessions for all stakeholders including students, teachers, parents.
(xx) Navchetna Modules, Teachers Training Modules have been developed by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE) for sensitizing students (6th – 11th standard), teachers and parents on drug dependence, related coping strategies and life skills.
*****
Annexure-I
Year
Case
Arrest
Quantity (in Kg)
2020
55,622
73,841
10,82,511
2021
68,144
93,538
16,09,612
2022
1,02,769
1,26,516
12,53,662
2023
1,09,546
1,32,954
13,89,725
2024
89,913
1,16,098
13,30,600
Cases registered, arrests made and quantity of drug seized under Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 by various Drug Law Enforcement Agencies (DLEAs) as reported to Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) during 2020 to 2024
Source: Narcotics Control Bureau
This was stated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs Shri Nityanand Rai in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.
Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS) facilitates collection, updation, and sharing of data related to crime and criminals in near real time basis. It facilitates various benefits to State/ Union Territory Police, Central Law Enforcement Agencies and citizens of India, as per details given below:
Benefits to Police and Central Law Enforcement Agencies(CLEAs):
Computerization of police processes, including filing of Complaints, FIRs, Investigation details, Chargesheet, Court disposal and appeals, Challans/Registers, etc.
Search on National/State database of crime & criminals
Enable sharing of data amongst Police, Central Law Enforcement Agencies (CLEAs), Courts, Prison, Forensic and Prosecution for effective justice delivery
The following services have been provided to citizens at National level through Digital Police Portal and Central Citizen Services Portal:
Missing Persons search
Generate Vehicle NOC
Proclaimed Offenders information
Locate Nearest Police Station
In addition, the following 9 mandated citizen services have been provided by State CCTNS Citizen Portals:
Filing of complaints to the concerned Police Station
Obtaining the status of complaints
Obtaining the copies of FIRs
Details of arrested persons/ wanted criminals
Details of missing/ kidnapped persons
Details of stolen/ recovered vehicles, arms and other properties
Submission of requests for issue/ renewal of various NOCs (Procession, Event / Performance, Protest/ Strike etc.)
Verification requests for servants, employment, passport, senior citizen registrations etc.
Portal for sharing information and enabling citizens to download required Forms
(c) As on 01.02.2025, all 17,171 Police Stations across the country are connected and using CCTNS.
This was stated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs Shri Bandi Sanjay Kumar in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.
‘Fisheries’ is a state subject. While the governance of fisheries in the territorial waters of 12 nautical miles falls under the domain of the State Governments, fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and beyond is the subject of the Union Government. The ‘National Policy on Marine Fisheries, 2017’ (NPMF, 2017) notified by the Department of Fisheries, Government of India provides guidance for sustainable harnessing of marine resources in the country. The conservation and management measures implemented for sustainable harnessing of marine resources inter alia include 61 days of annual fishing ban, Ban on destructive fishing practices viz. paired bottom trawling or bull trawling and use of artificial and LED lights in fishing, marine protected areas (MPAs) and protection of endangered, threatened and protected (ETP) species, Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in trawl nets, fishing gear and mesh-size regulations, minimum legal size (MLS) of fishes, spatial-temporal restrictions, and zonation of fishing areas by the coastal States/UTs, etc.
The Department of Fisheries, Government of India is implementing a flagship scheme “Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)” with a vision of ecologically healthy, economically viable and socially inclusive fisheries sector that contributes towards economic prosperity and well-being of fishers in a sustainable and responsible manner. Under PMMSY, the activities such as sea ranching and installation of artificial reefs are supported for the first time by the Government across entire coastline of India for enhancing the fish stocks and supporting livelihood of fishers. Besides, the activities such as mariculture including seaweed cultivation, open sea cage culture, bivalve culture and ornamental fisheries are also promoted under PMMSY to reduce the fishing pressure in the nearshore waters and enhancing marine production. Advisories are also issued to coastal States/UTs from time to time for preventing juvenile fishing and promoting sustainable fishing practices.
Government schemes including PMMSY are aimed at reducing the post-harvest losses by development and modernization, strengthening of fisheries post-harvest infrastructure, value chain and marketing infrastructure including construction/ modernization and upgradation of fishing harbours/fish landing centres, setting up of markets and marketing infrastructures, providing cold-chain of transportation and storage facilities. During the last 10 years, the Government of India has approved the projects for construction/modernization of 67 Fishing Harbours and 50 Fish Landing Centres at a total cost of Rs 9,735.89 crore for safe landing and berthing of about 48,000 fishing vessels, benefitting 9 lakhs fishers and associated stakeholders. Further, the GoI has also created a dedicated fund namely ‘Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund’ (FIDF) with a corpus of Rs 7522.48 crore in 2018-19 for providing the concessional finance. GoI has also supported for improvements in the transportation & logistics network including processing facilities. This includes 27,189 fish transportation facilities, 6,916 fish retail markets, wholesale markets and fish kiosks, 11 integrated aquaparks, 1,725 fish feed mill/plants & ice plant/cold storages and 128 value added enterprise units. Three Modern and Smart Fish Markets are being developed with facilities such as IoT, e-Trading, green technology, logistic supply chain integration, etc.
DoF, GoI is taking various steps under the PMMSY towards providing financial assistance to fishers, which includes livelihood and nutritional support provided annually to ~5.94 lakh fisher families during the fishing ban and lean periods. Besides, the Group Accident Insurance Scheme cover was increased from ₹1 lakh to ₹5 lakh benefiting 32.16 lakh fishers. The empowerment of fisheries cooperatives and entrepreneurship has been prioritized through the establishment of 2,195 Fisheries Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs). Additionally, 63 FFPOs have been integrated into the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), improving access to markets and fair pricing. Under the PMMSY, financial assistance is also provided to traditional fishers for acquisition of deep-sea fishing vessels, upgradation of existing fishing vessels for export competence, procurement of boats and nets by traditional fishers for better catch, vessel communication and support system and safety kits to ensure safety of fishermen at sea.
The Government has taken several steps to increase the fish stocks, such as implementation of uniform fishing ban during monsoon season, ban on destructive fishing methods, discouraging juvenile fishing, installation of artificial reefs, promoting sea ranching, alternate/additional livelihood to coastal communities to reduce fishing pressure etc. The potential of fishery resources are estimated in regular intervals by committee of experts to ascertain the status of fish stocks and revalidation of potential of fishery resources in the Exclusive economic Zone of India. The sustainable fisheries in the maritime zones of India is ensured by way of implementation of laws, regulations and policies at national and state levels. As per the report of Marine Fish Stock Status of India 2022, published by ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), the marine fish stocks of the Indian waters are in good health and 91.1% of the 135 fish stocks evaluated in different regions during 2022 were found sustainable.
The NPMF, 2017 inter alia recommends the use of Information Technology (IT) and Space Technology (ST) to ensure optimum use for harnessing the benefits in support of the fisher community. The DoF, GoI through its schemes and programs, has promoted use of IT and ST for various applications for the benefits of fishers such as providing real-time Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) advisories and weather forecasts to fishers, use of Vessel Monitoring System/Automatic Identification System, safety kits to fishers for their safety. The Vessel Communication and Support System (VCSS) is provided to ensure safety of fishermen at sea. The bycatch could undermine the integrity of the marine ecosystem, therefore, DoF, GoI is providing 100% financial assistance to fishers shared between Centre and State/UTs in the ratio of 60% Central share and 40% State share without any share of fisher/beneficiary, for installation of Turtle Excluder Device (TED).
The availability of fish and fish products throughout India is ensured through promotion of sustainable and responsible fishing practices, conservation and optimum utilization of fishery resources, promotion of aquaculture and reduction in post-harvest losses. Moreover, the DoF, GoI has been implementing various schemes and programs which inter alia promotes various activities for enhancing production and productivity of fishery resources, ensuring availability of fish as an affordable source of nutrition for the growing population, especially in low-income regions.
This information was given by Union Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri George Kurian, in a written reply in Lok Sabha on 1st April, 2025.
The Ministry of Fisheries Animal Husbandry and Dairying is implementing various schemes for development of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying sectors which inter-alia include (i) Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), (ii) Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), (iii) Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY), (iv) Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme, (v) Infrastructure Development Fund, (vi) Dairy Development, (vii) Rashtriya Gokul Mission, (viii) Livestock Census & ISS, (ix) National Livestock Mission and (x) Dairying through Cooperatives. During the year 2024-25, an amount of Rs. 5113.00 crore has been allocated and an amount of Rs.3459.74 crore has been spent for various activities across the country under these above schemes by 23rd March, 2025.
The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries Animal Husbandry and Dairying is implementing a new Central Sector Sub-scheme namely the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY) under the ongoing Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) for a period of four years from FY 2023-24 to FY 2026-27 at an estimated outlay of ₹6000. The Component 1-B of PM-MKSSY provides onetime incentive to the aquaculture farmers against purchase of insurance with farm size upto 4 hectares of water spread area.
The ‘onetime incentive’ is provided at the rate of 40% of the cost of premium subject to the ceiling of ₹25000 per hectare of water spread area of the aquaculture farm. The maximum incentive payable to single farmer is ₹100,000 upto farm size of 4 hectares of water spread area. For intensive form of aquaculture other than farms such as cage culture, Re-circulatory Aquaculture System (RAS), bio-floc, raceways, etc. the incentive payable is 40% of premium. The maximum incentive payable is ₹1 lakh and the maximum unit size eligible is 1800 m3. The aforesaid benefit of ‘onetime incentive’ is provided for aquaculture insurance purchased for one crop only i.e. one crop cycle. Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Women beneficiaries would be provided an additional incentive @ 10% of the incentive payable for General Categories.
The Component 3 of PM-MKSSY provides financial incentive to fisheries micro and small enterprises in the form of Performance Grant for adoption of value chain efficiencies, safety and quality assurance systems in fish and fishery products against a set of measurable parameters. The quantum of Performance Grant is: (i) for microenterprise, 25% of the total investment or, ₹35 lakhs, whichever is lower, for General Category and 35% of total investment or, ₹45 lakhs, whichever is lower, for SC, ST and Women owned microenterprises. (ii) for Small enterprise, 25% of total investment or ₹75 lakhs, whichever is lower, for General Category and 35% of total investment or ₹100 lakhs, whichever is lower, for Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Women owned small enterprises. (iii) for Village Level Organizations and Federations of Self Help Groups (SHGs), Fish Farmer Producer Organisation (FFPOs) and Cooperatives, 35% of total investment or ₹200 lakhs, whichever is lower.
This information was given by Union Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri George Kurian, in a written reply in Lok Sabha on 1st April, 2025.
The Department of Fisheries (DoF), Government of India (GoI) has taken various steps to promote ornamental fisheries in the country including North East and Southern State. Under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), 2465 unit of Ornamental fish rearing units, 207 Integrated Ornamental fish (breeding and rearing) units, 5 fresh water Ornamental Fish Brood Bank units and 144 units of Promotion of Recreational Fisheries have been approved at a total cost of Rs.230.45 crore during the last four financial years (2020-21 to 2023-24) and current financial year (2024-25).
To promote entrepreneurship, infrastructure and market expansion in the area of ornamental fisheries, the DoF, GoI has notified Madurai District of Tamil Nadu as the Ornamental fisheries cluster under PMMSY during 2024-25. The proposal of Government of Assam has also been approved for construction of an aquarium at Amingaon, Kamrup for display of indigenous variety of ornamental fish from North India. Further, To prepare the strategy and roadmap for development of ornamental fisheries resources in the country, the project proposal of ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIFA) approved for Strategic Planning and Database development of Ornamental Fisheries Value Chain Upgradation in India under PMMSY.
Under PMMSY, the proposal of Government of Madhya Pradesh approved at cost of Rs.2.60 crore for establishment of 11 unit of ornamental fish breeding and rearing unit. Under Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), the project proposal of Government of Tamil Nadu has been approved with total outlay of Rs.5.00 crore for establishment of a public aquarium and ornamental fish retail unit at Tirunelveli in Tirunelveli District. National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) has extended financial support to Tropical Aquaculture and farming systems, Udaipur, Rajasthan and Government of Rajasthan for organising training and skill development programme for 1000 trainees to promote ornamental fisheries in the state of Rajasthan.
ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA), Bhubaneswar has reported that Indian ornamental fish industry is valued at approximately Rs.3,000 crore which includes breeding, rearing, trade of ornamental fishes, aquarium accessories, aquatic plants, and decorative items, contributing significantly to employment and entrepreneurship. As reported by ICAR-CIFA, at present, about 1,300 aquarium shops are in operation in Madhya Pradesh and 700 shops in Rajasthan.
This information was given by Union Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri George Kurian, in a written reply in Lok Sabha on 1st April, 2025.
The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India has organized the Fisheries Startup Conclave on 8th March, 2025 at Hyderabad, Telangana to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in the fisheries sector. During the Conclave, the ‘Fisheries Startup Grand Challenge 2.0’ was launched with the aim to encourage the startups to develop transformative solutions in the fisheries sector and to drive innovation, sustainability and efficiency by supporting Startups with seed funding and incubation. The Fisheries Startup Conclave witnessed active participation from over 50 fisheries startups, highlighting their innovations in areas such as aquaculture, fisheries technology, and value addition. Key outcomes of the conclave included the identification of potential areas for promoting innovation and sustainability, challenges and opportunities for startups regarding validation of their products & services, access to funding, market linkages, technology adoption and sustainability concerns.
Under Fisheries Startup Grand Challenge 2.0, two Startup winners will be selected for each of the five problem statements, resulting in a total of 10 Grand Winners. Each winning Startup will receive a cash prize of Rs. 10.00 lakh, amounting to Rs. 1 crore in seed funding support. Winning Startups will gain access to incubation facilities and mentorship provided by ICAR, National Fisheries Development Board, and attached offices of the Department of Fisheries, GoI. This challenge presents a unique opportunity for fisheries-focused startups to develop high-impact solutions, scale their innovations, and contribute to the growth and modernization of India’s fisheries sector. Earlier, on 13th January, 2022, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying in collaboration with the Startup India under the Invest India, DPIIT, Government of India organised the Fisheries Grand Challenge 1.0, wherein,12 Startup winners were selected and awarded a cash grant of Rs 2.00 lakh each, including an incubation support and a seed grant up to Rs. 20.00 lakh (General category) and Rs. 30.00 lakh (SC/ST/Women) to 10 winners for transforming their ideas into effective pilots, which would further translate into commercialization. Further, the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India has also sanctioned 39 Nos of Project Proposals with subsidy assistance of Rs. 31.22 Crores, under the Entrepreneur Model of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) scheme.
The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Government of India is focusing on the areas in fisheries technology, aquaculture, and value addition by supporting a basket of interventions/activities along the fisheries value chain including quality fish production, expansion, diversification and intensification of aquaculture, promotion of export oriented species, infusion of technology, robust disease management and traceability, training and capacity building, creation of modern post-harvest infrastructure with seamless cold chain and processing facilities. The technology infusion and adoption has been enhanced through establishment of 52,058 reservoir cages, 22,057 RAS & Biofloc units and raceways and 1,525 sea cages approved under PMMSY with an investment of Rs. 3040.87 crore. The Department of Fisheries has collaborated with several research institutions under Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and private incubators to boost the fisheries startup ecosystem.
The Department of Fisheries has supported the establishment of five fisheries business incubation centers namely LINAC-NCDC Fisheries Business Incubation Centre (LlFIC), Guwahati Biotech Park, Assam, National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Hyderabad, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE), Mumbai and ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT), Kochi to provide mentorship and training for developing business models by fisheries start-ups, cooperatives, FPOs, and SHGs.
The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Government of India has approved construction/modernization of 66 Fishing Harbors (FHs) and 50 Fish Landing Centers (FLCs) with total outlay of Rs. 9,558.91 crore that are expected to create safe landing and berthing for about 47,000 fishing vessels, benefitting 8.94 lakhs fishers and other stakeholders. 3 Smart & Integrated Fishing Harbours are being developed with global standards, technological advancements, seamless hygienic and post-harvest management etc. Under Fisheries Infrastructure and Aquaculture Development Fund (FIDF) 141 proposals have been approved with a total project cost of Rs. 5915.54 crore. This included establishment/ upgradation/maintenance of 22 Fishing harbours and 24 Fish Landing Centres at an outlay of Rs. 4,905.77 crore and Rs. 182.20 crore, respectively. 6.16 lakh stakeholders are expected to benefit, and 2.5 lakh employment opportunities will be created including 8,000 stakeholders benefiting from 33 private investment projects.
Under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) the Department of Fisheries has approved the development of post-harvest interface viz- cold storage, fish processing and Marketing infrastructure. The major post-harvest and Marketing infrastructure include; 66 fishing harbours/fish landing centres, 634 ice plants/cold storages, 21 Modern wholesale fish markets including 3 Smart Wholesale Markets, 202 retail fish markets, 6694 fish kiosks, 27118 units of fish transportation facilities, 128 value add enterprises, 5 E-platform for e-trading and e-marketing of fish and fisheries products. Further, the Department of Fisheries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) with an objective to provide a digital platform and empower all stakeholders including traditional fishermen, fish farmers producer organization, entrepreneurs from fisheries sector to buy and sell their products through e-market place. Further, PMMSY has supported 2195 fisheries cooperatives as Fish Farmers Producer Organizations (FFPOs) with project outlay of Rs. 544.85 crore to facilitate fishermen with better market linkages, improved bargaining power and sustainable value-chain for higher returns.
This information was given by Union Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri George Kurian, in a written reply in Lok Sabha on 1st April, 2025.