Centre frames draft rules for Gas Meters under the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011 Rules mandates gas meters to undergo testing, verification and stamping prior use in trade and commerce
Posted On: 14 APR 2025 12:40PM by PIB Delhi
The Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, has taken a significant step towards strengthening consumer protection, promoting fair trade practices and ensuring accurate measurement in gas usage by framing draft rules for Gas Meters under the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011. These rules make it mandatory for all gas meters used for domestic, commercial, and industrial purposes, to undergo testing, verification and stamping prior to their use in trade and commerce. The re-verification of these gas meters is also prescribed under the rules to ensure their correctness when these are in use.
The primary objective of these new rules is to ensure accuracy, transparency, and reliability in the measurement of gas. Verified and stamped gas meters will prevent overcharging or under-measurement, reduce disputes and provide guaranteed protection to consumers against faulty or manipulated devices. Consumers stand to benefit directly through fair billing, improved energy efficiency and reduced maintenance costs arising from standardized and compliant equipment.
In addition to consumer benefits, the rules provide a structured compliance framework for manufacturers and gas distribution companies, aligned with international best practices and OIML (International Organization of Legal Metrology) standards. This alignment strengthens India’s commitment to global standards, boosts credibility in international trade and encourages innovation and quality assurance within the domestic manufacturing ecosystem.
The Legal Metrology Division of the Department of Consumer Affairs, entrusted with ensuring the accuracy of all weighments and measurements has followed a thorough and inclusive consultative process to draft these rules. A technical committee consisting of representatives from the Indian Institute of Legal Metrology (IILM), Regional Reference Standard Laboratories (RRSLs), industry experts and Voluntary Consumer Organizations (VCOs) was constituted to frame the draft. Simultaneously, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) was engaged to examine the draft and provide scientific and technical inputs.
Draft rules were widely circulated among stakeholders, including manufacturers, testing laboratories, City Gas Distribution (CGD) companies and State Legal Metrology Departments. Their feedback was carefully analysed and incorporated into the final draft, wherever required. Multiple rounds of stakeholder meetings and inter-departmental consultations were held to ensure every aspect was comprehensively addressed, balancing regulatory requirements with ease of implementation.
Following deliberations, the rules were finalized with a provision for a transitional period to allow industry and implementing authorities to prepare for compliance. This measured approach ensures a smooth implementation across the country without disrupting gas supply or burdening consumers or businesses.
This initiative underscores the Department’s commitment to modernizing India’s measurement ecosystem in line with global benchmarks, enhancing consumer confidence and promoting efficiency and integrity in the market. With these rules, India moves closer to a transparent and accountable system of gas measurement, aligned with its vision of consumer-centric governance and international standardization.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, says the Modi govt is rooting out drug networks ruthlessly In the ceaseless pursuit of building a drug-free Bharat, a monumental feat was achieved by seizing 300 kg of narcotics worth ₹1800 crore near the international maritime border
This operation, in the seas, is a shining example of the success of the Modi govt’s whole-of-the-government approach to rooting out the evil of narcotics
Home Minister applaud Gujarat Police ATS and Indian Coast Guard for the grand success
Posted On: 14 APR 2025 12:35PM by PIB Delhi
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, has said that the Modi government is rooting out drug networks ruthlessly.
In a post on ‘X’, Union Home Minister said, “In the ceaseless pursuit of building a drug-free Bharat, a monumental feat was achieved by seizing 300 kg of narcotics worth ₹1800 crore near the international maritime border. This operation, in the seas, is a shining example of the success of the Modi govt’s whole-of-the-government approach to rooting out the evil of narcotics. Applaud Gujarat Police ATS and Indian Coast Guard for the grand success”.
The Modi govt is rooting out drug networks ruthlessly.
In the ceaseless pursuit of building a drug-free Bharat, a monumental feat was achieved by seizing 300 kg of narcotics worth ₹1800 crore near the international maritime border. This operation, in the seas, is a shining…
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today called upon citizens to reaffirm their commitment to Babasaheb Ambedkar’s ideals in building a Viksit Bharat. Responding to a post by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh on X, Shri Modi said:
“Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh writes that Babasaheb was one of modern India’s greatest thinkers and institution-builders. He recalls Dr. Ambedkar’s role in establishing key institutions and calls upon citizens to reaffirm their commitment to his ideals in building a Viksit Bharat.”
Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh writes that Babasaheb was one of modern India’s greatest thinkers and institution-builders. He recalls Dr. Ambedkar’s role in establishing key institutions and calls upon citizens to reaffirm their commitment to his ideals in building a Viksit… https://t.co/VpgWVchCcR
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Music Office’s Instrumental Music Training Scheme intermediate and advanced year-one courses start recruitment The IMTS provides training in a wide variety of Chinese, string and wind musical instruments including dizi, sheng, suona, liuqin, yangqin, pipa, zhongruan, zheng, sanxian, erhu, cello, double bass, percussion, violin, viola, harp, flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, alto-saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, euphonium and tuba. Courses on musicianship and music theory are also included.
One-hour group lessons, conducted in Cantonese, will be held once a week at the Music Office’s five music centres in Wan Chai, Kwun Tong, Mong Kok, Sha Tin and Tsuen Wan. Annual tuition fees of $4,554 for the intermediate level and $5,830 for the advanced level are payable in four instalments.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Appeal for information on missing man in Western District (with photo) He is about 1.7 metres tall, 80 kilograms in weight and of fat build. He has a round face with yellow complexion and short black hair. He was last seen wearing a dark-coloured jacket, a dark-coloured long-sleeved top, dark-coloured trousers and carrying a grey backpack.Issued at HKT 14:53
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hongkong Post announces sale of philatelic products of various postal administrations China Post issued a set of two special stamps titled “Year of Yisi”. The first stamp, “Snake Presents Bumper Harvest”, captures the vibrant imagery of a golden coiling snake in traditional Chinese culture. The golden snake, holding an ear of wheat in its mouth, symbolises a good harvest and an affluent life. The second stamp, “Happiness Embraces All Blessings”, depicting the cursive-script Chinese character “福” (fu, meaning “happiness”) formed by three snakes, is an innovative piece of work that is concise and untrammelled, with a sense of gracefulness and smoothness. Macao Post and Telecommunications released the sixth issue of the fourth series of Chinese Zodiac philatelic products with the stamp theme “Lunar Year of the Snake”. The stamps vividly depict snakes in different postures in the style of traditional Chinese ink painting.
In addition, postal administrations around the world continue the tradition of issuing zodiac stamps to welcome the Year of the Snake. Australia Post launched a set of three stamps entitled “Lunar New Year of the Snake”. The three stamps are decorated with, respectively, gold coins, gold ingots and a money tree, which are feng shui elements representing wealth and prosperity. Isle of Man Post Office issued a set of four stamps to celebrate the “Year of the Snake”. The stamps depict a colourful illustration of a snake with various decorations inspired by the traditions of Lunar New Year, symbolising harmony, prosperity, hope and renewal in the Year of the Snake. Liechtensteinische Post AG issued a stamp which combines two traditional Chinese cultural elements, namely snakes and mahjong tiles. New Zealand Post issued a set of four stamps to celebrate the “Year of the Snake”. Each stamp, combining Chinese traditions with New Zealand characteristics, depicts the interactions between a child and a snake, exuding a joyous new year atmosphere.
Annual albums released by various postal administrations will also be put on sale concurrently. The stamp albums, comprising a rich collection of special stamps issued in 2024 with descriptions and illustrations, are not to be missed by philatelists.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi lays foundation stone of new terminal building of Hisar airport worth over Rs 410 crore Today, being the birth anniversary of the architect of our Constitution, Baba Saheb Ambedkar, is a very important day for all of us, for the entire country: PM
Today flights have started from Haryana to Ayodhya Dham, meaning now the holy land of Shri Krishna, Haryana, is directly connected to the city of Lord Ram: PM
On one hand, our government is emphasizing on connectivity and on the other hand, we are also ensuring welfare of the poor and social justice: PM
Posted On: 14 APR 2025 12:14PM by PIB Delhi
In line with his commitment to make air travel safe, affordable, and accessible to all, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the new Terminal Building of the Maharaja Agrasen airport in Hisar, Haryana worth over Rs 410 crore today. Addressing the gathering, he extended his greetings to the people of Haryana, acknowledging their strength, sportsmanship, and brotherhood as the defining traits of the state. He expressed his gratitude to the large gathering for their blessings during this busy harvest season.
The Prime Minister paid respectful homage to Guru Jambheshwar, Maharaja Agrasen, and the sacred Agroha Dham. He shared his fond memories of Haryana, particularly Hisar, recalling his time working closely with many colleagues when he was entrusted with the responsibility of the state by his party. He highlighted the dedication and efforts of these colleagues in strengthening the party’s foundation in Haryana. He expressed pride in his party’s commitment to the goal of a developed Haryana and a developed India, working with utmost seriousness toward this vision.
“Today is a significant day for the entire nation as it marks the birth anniversary of the architect of the Constitution, Babasaheb Ambedkar”, said Shri Modi, highlighting that Babasaheb’s life, struggles, and message have been the cornerstone of the government’s 11-year journey. He emphasized that every decision, every policy, and every day of the government has been dedicated to Babasaheb’s vision. He reiterated the government’s commitment to improving the lives and fulfilling the dreams of the underprivileged, oppressed, exploited, poor, tribal communities, and women. He stated that continuous and rapid development has been the mantra of their government to achieve these goals.
Underlining the launch of flights connecting Haryana to Ayodhya Dham, symbolizing the direct link between the sacred land of Shri Krishna and the city of Lord Ram, the Prime Minister announced that flights to other cities will commence soon. He highlighted the foundation stone laying of the new terminal building at Hisar Airport, describing it as a step toward elevating Haryana’s aspirations to new heights. He extended his congratulations to the people of Haryana for this significant milestone.
Reiterating his promise that even those wearing slippers would fly in airplanes, a vision now being realized across the country, Shri Modi highlighted that in the past 10 years, millions of Indians have experienced air travel for the first time. He noted that new airports have been built even in areas that previously lacked proper railway stations, sharing that before 2014, India had 74 airports, a number achieved in 70 years while today, the number of airports has surpassed 150. He emphasized that nearly 90 aerodromes have been connected under the UDAN scheme, with over 600 routes operational, enabling affordable air travel for many. He remarked that this has led to record-breaking numbers of annual air travelers. He further highlighted that various airlines have placed record orders to the tune of 2,000 new aircraft, which will create numerous jobs for pilots, air hostesses, and other services. He also pointed out that the aircraft maintenance sector will generate significant employment opportunities. “Hisar Airport will elevate the aspirations of Haryana’s youth, providing them with new opportunities and dreams”, he added.
“Our government is focusing on connectivity while ensuring welfare for the poor and social justice, fulfilling the vision of Babasaheb Ambedkar and the aspirations of the Constitution’s framers”, emphasised the Prime Minister. He criticized the Congress party for its treatment of Babasaheb Ambedkar, stating that while he was alive, they insulted him, orchestrated his electoral defeats twice, and conspired to exclude him from the system. He remarked that after Babasaheb’s passing, the party also attempted to erase his legacy and suppress his ideas. He highlighted that Dr. Ambedkar was the protector of the Constitution, whereas they became its destroyer. He stated that while Dr. Ambedkar aimed to bring equality, Congress spread the virus of vote-bank politics in the country.
Shri Modi remarked that Babasaheb Ambedkar envisioned a life of dignity for every poor and marginalized individual, enabling them to dream and fulfill their aspirations. He criticized the previous government for treating SC, ST, and OBC communities as second-class citizens during its long tenure. He highlighted the disparity under its rule, where water reached the swimming pools of some leaders but failed to reach villages. He noted that even after 70 years of independence, only 16% of rural households had tap water connections, disproportionately affecting SC, ST, and OBC communities. He shared that in the past 6-7 years, their government has provided tap water connections to over 12 crore rural households, raising the coverage to 80% of rural homes. He expressed confidence that, with Babasaheb’s blessings, tap water will reach every household. He also addressed the lack of toilets, which severely impacted SC, ST, and OBC communities. He highlighted the government’s efforts in constructing over 11 crore toilets, ensuring a life of dignity for the underprivileged.
Criticising the previous dispensation’s rule, during which the SC, ST, and OBC communities faced significant barriers, with even access to banks being a distant dream, the Prime Minister said that insurance, loans, and financial assistance were mere aspirations for them. He highlighted that under their government, the largest beneficiaries of Jan Dhan accounts are from SC, ST, and OBC communities. He proudly noted that today, these individuals confidently showcase their RuPay cards, symbolizing their financial inclusion and empowerment.
Shri Modi further criticised the Congress party for turning the sacred Constitution into a mere tool for gaining power. He remarked that whenever they faced a crisis of power, it crushed the Constitution. He highlighted the Emergency period, during which the then Government undermined the spirit of the Constitution to retain power. He emphasized that the essence of the Constitution is to ensure a uniform civil code for all, but the then Government never implemented it. He pointed out the opposition to the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code in Uttarakhand, despite its alignment with the Constitution’s principles.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi remarked that the Constitution provided for reservations for SC, ST, and OBC communities, but Congress turned it into a tool for appeasement. He highlighted recent reports of the present government in Karnataka granting reservations in government tenders based on religion, despite the Constitution not allowing such provisions. He stated that appeasement policies have significantly harmed the Muslim community, benefiting only a few extremists while leaving the rest of the society neglected, uneducated, and impoverished. He pointed to the Waqf Act as the biggest evidence of the previous Government’s flawed policies. He noted that in 2013, just months before elections, Congress amended the Waqf Act to appease its vote bank, elevating it above several constitutional provisions.
Criticising the Congress for claiming to work for the welfare of Muslims while failing to take meaningful actions, Shri Modi remarked that if the party truly cared for the Muslim community, they would have appointed a Muslim as their party president or allocated 50% of their tickets to Muslim candidates, stating that their intentions were never aligned with the genuine welfare of Muslims, exposing their true nature. Highlighting the vast tracts of land under Waqf, meant to benefit the poor, destitute women and children, were instead exploited by a handful of land mafias, Shri Modi pointed out that these mafias were encroaching on lands belonging to Dalits, backward classes, and tribals, leaving the Pasmanda Muslim community without any benefits. He mentioned that amendments to the Waqf Act will put an end to such exploitation, emphasizing a significant new provision in the amended law, ensuring that tribal lands cannot be touched by Waqf boards. He described this as a major step in protecting tribal interests. He stated that the new provisions will honor the sanctity of Waqf, ensuring that the rights of poor and Pasmanda Muslim families, women, and children are upheld. He affirmed that this reflects the true spirit of the Constitution and genuine social justice.
Underlining the numerous steps taken by the government since 2014 to honor Babasaheb Ambedkar’s legacy and inspire future generations, the Prime Minister pointed out that places associated with Babasaheb, both in India and abroad, were neglected for years. He noted that even for constructing Babasaheb’s memorial at Indu Mill in Mumbai, people had to protest. He emphasized that their government has developed all key sites, including Babasaheb’s birthplace in Mhow, his educational site in London, his Mahaparinirvan Sthal in Delhi, and his Diksha Bhoomi in Nagpur, transforming them into the “Panchteerth.” He shared his privilege of recently visiting Diksha Bhoomi to pay homage to Babasaheb. The Prime Minister criticized Congress for making lofty claims about social justice while failing to honor Babasaheb and Chaudhary Charan Singh with the Bharat Ratna during their tenure. He proudly stated that Babasaheb was awarded the Bharat Ratna only when a BJP-supported government was in power at the center, and it was also their party when in power honored Chaudhary Charan Singh with the Bharat Ratna.
Lauding the Haryana government for consistently strengthening the path of social justice and welfare for the poor, the Prime Minister highlighted the dire state of government jobs in Haryana under previous administrations, where individuals had to rely on political connections or sell family assets to secure employment. He expressed satisfaction with Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini’s government, which has eradicated these corrupt practices. He praised Haryana’s remarkable track record of providing jobs without bribes or recommendations. He noted that previous governments had made every effort to prevent 25,000 youth in Haryana from receiving government jobs. However, as soon as Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini took office, thousands of appointment letters were issued to deserving candidates. He described this as an example of their good governance and commended the government’s roadmap for creating thousands of new jobs in the coming years.
Highlighting Haryana’s significant contribution to the nation, with a large number of youth serving in the armed forces, Shri Modi criticized previous dispensations for decades of deception regarding the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme and emphasized that it was his government that implemented OROP. He shared that ₹13,500 crore has been disbursed to Haryana’s ex-servicemen under OROP. He pointed out that the previous Government had allocated only ₹500 crore for the scheme while misleading the nation’s soldiers. He remarked that the previous government has never truly supported Dalits, backward classes, or soldiers.
Expressing confidence in Haryana’s role in strengthening the vision of a developed India, the Prime Minister praised the state’s global impact, whether in sports or agriculture. He conveyed his trust in Haryana’s youth and described the new airport and flights as inspirations for fulfilling Haryana’s aspirations and concluded by extending his congratulations to the people of Haryana for this new milestone.
The Chief Minister of Haryana, Shri Nayab Singh Saini, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Shri Murlidhar Mohol were present among other dignitaries at the event.
Background
The new Terminal Building of the Maharaja Agrasen airport will include a state-of-the-art passenger terminal, a cargo terminal and an ATC building. With scheduled flights from Hisar to Ayodhya (twice weekly), three flights in a week to Jammu, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, and Chandigarh, this development will mark a significant leap in Haryana’s aviation connectivity.
The inauguration of Hisar Airport marks a significant milestone in Haryana’s development journey. It will boost regional connectivity and catalyse economic growth across the state. https://t.co/8DtkTWUEXD
In a major breakthrough against drug trafficking, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), in a joint overnight operation with the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) on April 12-13, 2025, seized over 300 kg of narcotics (methamphetamine) worth approximately Rs1,800 crore.
Based on a corroborated input from Gujarat ATS, an ICG ship from the Coast Guard Region (West), which was on multi-mission deployment off North Maharashtra/ South Gujarat area, diverted and intercepted an attempted transshipment in proximity of the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). On realising the approaching ICG ship, the suspect boat dumped its narcotics consignment in sea before it started fleeing towards the IMBL. The alert ICG ship deployed its sea boat immediately for recovery of the jettisoned consignment whilst commencing a hot chase of the suspect boat.
The proximity of IMBL and the initial separation between the ICG ship and the boat at the time of its detection helped the perpetrator to evade interception before it crossed over the IMBL within a short time. The cross over resulted in termination of the hot chase and precluded the ICG ship to apprehend the suspect boat. Meanwhile the ICG team in a sea-boat, after thorough search in the tough night conditions, recovered the sizable amount of narcotics that was dumped into the sea.
The seized narcotics have been brought to Porbandar by the ICG ship for further investigations. The jointness of ICG and Gujarat ATS, which has led to 13 such successful law enforcement operations in recent years reaffirms the synergy for national objectives.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the World Internet Conference (WIC) Asia-Pacific Summit – Main Forum on the Digital Intelligence Future today (April 14):
Vice-chairman Francis Gurry (Vice-chairman of the WIC), Secretary General Ren Xianliang (the Secretary General of the WIC), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good afternoon. Again welcome to Hong Kong.
Under the theme of “Integration of AI and Digital Technologies Shaping the Future – Jointly Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace”, this Summit brings together experts and leaders to explore the establishment of a solid foundation for digital intelligence, the advancement of “AI+” applications across diverse industries, and the resolution of critical challenges in security and governance in the digital era. These areas are pivotal for every economy to fully unlock the potential of the digital economy, drive technological progress and enhance economic competitiveness.
Today, digital intelligence is no longer confined to predictive algorithms or data-driven decision making. It is augmenting human capabilities and redefining governance, commerce, and communication. More importantly, the future will be determined not only by how fast AI and machines learn, but also by how well we, the humanity, adapt and integrate these intelligent systems into our daily lives.
Hong Kong has long benefited from the unwavering support of our motherland in its journey to become an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre. The national strategies have prioritised technological innovation as a core pillar of development, showcasing substantial support for Hong Kong’s progress in this area. The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) has made significant investments in various forms of infrastructure to strengthen the foundation for local I&T development and foster technological innovation.
Among all, a key priority is to reinforce Hong Kong’s strong R&D (research and development) capabilities, with three local universities ranked among the world’s top 20 for data science and AI in the QS 2025 subject rankings. Our global research collaboration platform, the InnoHK Research Clusters, has established collaborations with more than 30 world-renowned universities and research institutes from 12 economies, brought together more than 2,500 researchers from home and abroad, and established a total of 30 InnoHK research laboratories, more than half of which focus on AI and robotics-related technologies.
In addition to the AI Supercomputing Centre (AISC) established by Cyberport in December last year, the Hong Kong Microelectronics Research and Development Institute, which focuses on third-generation semiconductor core technology, is crucial to powering AI systems. Looking ahead, we are preparing to establish the Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute, which will focus on supporting upstream R&D efforts and facilitating the transformation of R&D outcomes into practical applications, marking another significant step forward in Hong Kong’s innovation journey.
More than just a transformative tool for upgrading traditional industries, AI is a dynamic catalyst for innovation and reinvention. The concept of “AI+”, signifying the seamless integration of AI into various sectors, is bringing about unprecedented breakthroughs and unlocking new opportunities. Hong Kong has firmly grasped this potential to accelerate the development of new quality productive forces and enhance its global competitiveness by intensifying our efforts to promote new industrialisation.
To this end, the Hong Kong SAR Government has implemented targeted initiatives to assist local manufacturers in adopting smart technologies, advancing production processes and enhancing productivity. For example, the $10 billion New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme provides financial support to enterprises in fields such as AI, robotics, life and health technology, new energy and advanced manufacturing to set up new smart production facilities in Hong Kong.
Furthermore, a $10 billion Innovation and Technology Industry-Oriented Fund is about to be set up to channel more market capital to invest in emerging and future industries of strategic importance. We will also launch the I&T Accelerator Pilot Scheme to attract professional start-up service agencies to enrich Hong Kong’s start-ups ecosystem by leveraging their extensive business network and experience.
While the integration of AI across industries is propelling innovation and growth, the exponential growth of digital intelligence demands a new framework – one built on ethical responsibility, robust security, and inclusivity. No single economy or industry can tackle these challenges alone. As we discuss how to build a robust foundation for digital intelligence, let us not forget to embrace collaborative intelligence – the synergy between human ingenuity and artificial advancements, and strengthen cross-regional, cross-sector and cross-cultural collaboration to ensure that technology amplifies human potential rather than replacing it. This is the truly unbreakable foundation of digital intelligence.
Being Asia’s world city and a strategic hub for digital innovation, Hong Kong will continue to contribute its I&T power to promote collaboration and innovation across the Asia-Pacific region, and the world. As we reflect on the transformative power of AI and digital technologies, let us continue to work together to break new ground, transcend boundaries and borders, and contribute to the betterment of humanity.
Before I close, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to each and every one of you for your unwavering support and commitment in making the WIC Asia-Pacific Summit a meaningful and impactful experience. Thank you very much.
Student Mental Health in Focus as National Efforts Intensify on Suicide Prevention and Well-being Ministry of Education Convenes 2nd National Task Force Meeting Chaired by Hon. Justice (Retd.) S. Ravindra Bhat
Posted On: 14 APR 2025 2:44PM by PIB Delhi
The 2nd meeting of the National Task Force on the Mental Health Concerns of Students and the Prevention of Suicides in Higher Educational Institutions was held under the chairmanship of Justice S. Ravindra Bhat, former judge of the Supreme Court of India, in New Delhi today.
Members of the Task Force; Dr. Vineet Joshi, Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education; Shri Amit Yadav, Secretary, Department of Social Justice & Empowerment; Shri Anil Malik, Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development; senior officials of the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Law and Justice and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare attended the meeting.
During the meeting, actions taken so far were reported and discussed in detail. Agenda points included developing a portal/website for data collection; reports and regulations/guidelines; dissemination of questionnaires; gathering support from different sectors; onboarding of officers from DoSEL and MoHFW; coordination with institutions and NIEPA, among others.
The Supreme Court of India, in a judgment dated 24.03.2025, issued significant directions concerning the prevention of student suicides in higher education institutions. The judgment underscored the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address mental health concerns among students. The Supreme Court constituted a National Task Force under the chairmanship of Justice S. Ravindra Bhat, former judge of the Supreme Court of India, along with other experts from various domains as members, to discuss and deliberate on issues related to mental health concerns among students, the prevention of suicides in educational institutions, and to recommend preventive measures. The key areas of focus include:
i. Identifying predominant causes leading to student suicides, such as academic pressure, discrimination, financial burdens, and the stigma surrounding mental health.
ii. Analyzing the effectiveness of existing student welfare and mental health regulations/policies.
iii. Proposing reforms to strengthen institutional frameworks and create a supportive academic environment.
The composition of the National Task Force is as follows:
Justice S. Ravindra Bhat, Former Judge, Supreme Court of India, as the Chairperson;
Dr. Alok Sarin, Consultant Psychiatrist, Sitaram Bhartia Institute of Science & Research, New Delhi, as the Member;
Prof. Mary E. John (retired), Former Director, Centre, for Women’s Development Studies, New Delhi; as the Member;
Mr. Arman Ali, Executive Director, National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People; as the Member;
Prof. Rajendar Kachroo, Founder, Aman Satya Kachroo Trust; as the Member;
Dr. Aqsa Shaikh, Professor of the Department of Community Medicine in Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, New Delhi; as the Member;
Dr. Seema Mehrotra, Professor of Clinical Psychology, NIMHANS; as the Member;
Prof. Virginius Xaxa, Visiting Professor at the Institute for Human Development (IHD), New Delhi; as the Member;
Dr. Nidhi S. Sabharwal, Associate Professor, Centre for Policy Research in Higher Education, National University of Educational Planning and Administration, New Delhi; as the Member;
The following are the ex-officio members of the Task Force:
Secretary, Department of Higher Education, M/o Education, Govt. of India, as the Member Secretary
Secretary, Department of Social Justice & Empowerment, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India;
Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India;
Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India; and
Joint Secretary, Department of Higher Education, M/o Education – Convenor.
The Task Force has decided to form three working groups each looking after different tasks. Progress of working groups so far was discussed. This includes compiling and reviewing previous reports, examining existing laws and regulations, and developing a methodology for designing questionnaires.
The first meeting of the Task Force was virtually held on 29.03.2025, in which the Chairperson outlined the agenda of the meeting highlighting the need for collection of data from various stakeholders which included teachers, academics, persons involved in social sector, policy makers, formulation of diverse set questionnaires for collection of data from various stakeholders, making available resources for the task force for effective discharge of its time bound functions, formation of working groups for division of works, dissemination and publicity of the questionnaires and activities to be taken up by the task force etc.