The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has terminated the contract of the toll collection agency and debarred it from participating in bids for one year after its staff misbehaved with army personnel at the Bhuni Toll Plaza on the Meerut–Karnal section of NH-709A on 17th August 2025. In addition, NHAI has imposed a penalty of ₹20 lakh on the agency and decided to encash its performance security of ₹3.66 crore to cover the cost of repairing and replacing damaged equipment and infrastructure at the plaza. The action follows a ‘Show-Cause Notice’ issued to the toll collecting agency, M/s Dharm…
Author: Aruna Sharma
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Economic Times World Leaders Forum in New Delhi, emphasizing India’s economic resilience, reforms, and ambitious vision for the future. Welcoming global leaders, he noted the forum’s “perfect timing” coming soon after his Independence Day address outlining next-generation reforms. PM Modi highlighted that India is the world’s fastest-growing major economy and is set to become the third-largest globally, with an expected 20% contribution to future global growth. He attributed this to a decade of macroeconomic stability, citing declining fiscal deficit, record capital market inflows, strong banking systems, low inflation, controlled current account deficit, and robust…
The 11th Round of India-Australia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (Ind-Aus CECA) negotiations took place in New Delhi from 18–23 August 2025, marking a significant step towards strengthening bilateral trade and economic partnership. Building on progress from earlier rounds and intersessional meetings, discussions spanned key areas including Goods, Services and Mobility, Digital Trade, Rules of Origin, Legal and Institutional Provisions, Environment, Labour, and Gender, bringing both sides closer to convergence on pending provisions. Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that the CECA delivers meaningful benefits, economic opportunities, and a balanced outcome. To maintain momentum, negotiations will continue through virtual intersessions.…
Under the Skill India Mission (SIM), the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) is delivering skill, re-skill and up-skill training through a wide network of centres across the country under schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS), National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), and Craftsman Training Scheme (CTS) via ITIs. The mission aims to make Indian youth future-ready with industry-relevant skills. Key Initiatives for New-Age Skills PMKVY: Over 200 future skills job roles aligned with Industry 4.0 in AI/ML, Robotics, EVs, Mechatronics, Drone Tech, etc. NAPS: Apprenticeship in designated and optional trades, including new-age…
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will visit Bihar and West Bengal on 22nd August to lay the foundation stone and inaugurate multiple development projects worth over ₹18,000 crore. PM in Bihar At Gaya, Bihar (11 AM), the Prime Minister will launch projects worth ₹13,000 crore, flag off two new trains, and address the public. Key highlights include: Connectivity: Inauguration of the 8.15 km Aunta–Simaria bridge on River Ganga (₹1,870 crore) and the four-lane Bakhtiyarpur–Mokama section of NH-31 (₹1,900 crore). Power: Launch of Buxar Thermal Power Plant (660×1 MW) worth ₹6,880 crore. Healthcare: Inauguration of Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital & Research…
The NAVYA (Nurturing Aspirations through Vocational Training for Young Adolescent Girls) initiative, jointly launched by the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the Ministry of Women & Child Development (MWCD) in June 2025, aims to empower adolescent girls (AGs) aged 16–18 years in aspirational districts. The program focuses on equipping girls with market-relevant skills to achieve socio-economic independence and bridge the gap between education and livelihood. Objectives of NAVYA The initiative is designed to: Provide demand-driven vocational training aligned with both traditional and non-traditional sectors. Facilitate holistic development through modules on health, nutrition, hygiene, financial literacy, life skills,…
The National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), launched in August 2016, is a flagship initiative aimed at strengthening apprenticeship training across India. The scheme is currently in its second phase, NAPS-2, under which the Government provides partial stipend support up to 25% of the prescribed stipend, subject to a maximum of ₹1,500 per apprentice per month. This financial assistance is transferred directly to apprentices’ bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, ensuring transparency and efficiency. Recent Reforms and Enhancements To make apprenticeship more attractive, recent reforms have introduced a 36% stipend hike, raising the range from ₹5,000–9,000 to ₹6,800–12,300,…
Under the Government of India’s Skill India Mission (SIM), the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) delivers skill, re-skill and up-skill training through a wide network of centres and institutes across the country. Training is provided under key schemes such as: Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) Craftsman Training Scheme (CTS) through Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) The initiative aims to make India’s youth future-ready by equipping them with industry-relevant skills, including in backward and tribal regions. Training in Yoga and Wellness Under PMKVY, courses like Yoga Instructor, Yoga Trainer, and…
Heavy to very heavy rainfall lashed several parts of Himachal Pradesh, triggering landslides and uprooting trees, leading to the closure of 332 roads, including two national highways, for vehicular movement, officials said on Tuesday. In the state capital Shimla, three to four vehicles were damaged after trees were uprooted. Several trees fell in the Tutikandi area, while another damaged the roof of a building in Vikas Nagar, officials added. In Khalini, six labourers had a narrow escape when a tree collapsed on their makeshift shelter.
उत्तर प्रदेश के मुख्यमंत्री योगी आदित्यनाथ ने कहा कि प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी के नेतृत्व और मार्गदर्शन में प्रदेश देश की सबसे बड़ी अर्थव्यवस्था बनने की दिशा में तेजी से आगे बढ़ रहा है। पिछले साढ़े सात वर्षों में राज्य ने विभिन्न क्षेत्रों में अभूतपूर्व, सतत और समावेशी विकास किया है। राज्य सरकार ने श्रमिकों, युवाओं, महिलाओं और उद्यमियों के उत्थान के लिए व्यापक प्रयास किए हैं। मुख्यमंत्री ने बताया कि प्रदेश के इंफ्रास्ट्रक्चर में अभूतपूर्व परिवर्तन आया है। अनेक राष्ट्रीय एवं अंतरराष्ट्रीय संस्थाओं ने इन कार्यों की सराहना की है। विधानमंडल सत्र का शुभारंभ मुख्यमंत्री ने यह वक्तव्य उत्तर प्रदेश…