The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved four major infrastructure projects under the Ministry of Railways, with a total estimated cost of ₹11,169 crore. Approved Projects: Itarsi – Nagpur (4th Line) Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar) – Parbhani Doubling Aluabari Road – New Jalpaiguri (3rd and 4th Line) Dangoaposi – Jaroli (3rd and 4th Line) Key Highlights: These multi-tracking projects aim to ease congestion, enhance line capacity, and improve operational efficiency for Indian Railways. The initiatives align with PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, focusing on multi-modal connectivity and logistics efficiency through integrated planning.…
Author: Aruna Sharma
In alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, vocational education is being integrated with mainstream education across schools through a structured framework. The National Credit Framework (NCrF) supports creditization of academic, vocational, and experiential learning across school and higher education. Under the Samagra Shiksha scheme, vocational education is provided in Classes 9 to 12, with NSQF-aligned courses. At the secondary level (Classes 9–10), vocational subjects are offered as additional subjects, and at the senior secondary level (Classes 11–12), they are offered as compulsory electives. Employability skill modules such as Communication, ICT, Entrepreneurship, Self-Management, and Green Skills are mandatory components.…
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) observed Swachhata Pakhwada 2025 from 16th to 31st July 2025, at its Head Office and across the country through its attached/subordinate offices and autonomous bodies. This annual cleanliness initiative, held as per the directives of the Cabinet Secretariat and coordinated under the aegis of the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, reflects the Government’s commitment to realizing Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of a clean and hygienic India. The campaign began with a pledge-taking ceremony on 16th July 2025, led by Shri Rajit Punhani, Secretary, MSDE, in the presence of senior officers of the…
Aligned with the Government’s vision to ensure the safety, dignity, and well-being of truckers, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has launched an ambitious initiative titled ‘Apna Ghar’. This program is designed to improve the long-haul travel experience for truck drivers across the country. As of 1st July 2025, a total of 368 ‘Apna Ghar’ facilities have been established by Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) at Retail Outlets (ROs) along national highways. These facilities together offer 4,611 beds and a range of essential amenities. Facilities Available at ‘Apna Ghar’: Dormitories with 10 to 30 beds Restaurants/Dhabas for nutritious…
The Ministry of Coal, through its PSUs—CIL, NLCIL, and SCCL—is promoting the use of treated mine water for drinking, irrigation, and industrial purposes in line with environmental and water conservation laws. This is done under the Environmental Protection Act (1986), Water Act (1974), and CPCB/SPCB guidelines. PSUs have also created their own standard procedures to ensure safety and effectiveness. For drinking use, treated water undergoes regular testing by accredited labs as per BIS IS 10500:2012, CGWA, and other standards. Treatment processes like sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection are followed before supply. Efforts are underway to expand these initiatives across all coal…
All coal mining operations are conducted with valid statutory clearances such as Environmental Clearance (EC), Forest Clearance (where applicable), Consent to Operate, and Groundwater Clearance. These are granted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, following the EIA Notification, 2006, and are monitored through regular compliance reports submitted to Pollution Control Boards and MoEF&CC. The clearance process includes a thorough Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and an Environmental Management Plan (EMP), covering air, water, soil, biodiversity, and post-mining restoration. Coal-fired power plants follow a framework of environmental policies and technologies aligned with national sustainability goals to reduce air, water, and soil pollution.…
The National Policy for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (NPSDE), 2015 envisioned creation of an ecosystem of empowerment by skilling on a large scale at speed with high standards and to promote a culture of innovation-based entrepreneurship which could generate wealth and employment so as to ensure sustainable livelihoods for all citizens in the country. With a view to guide the interventions to realize the vision of NPSDE 2015, an analysis of skilling requirements has been provided in the policy document based on 66th and 68th round of National Sample Survey (NSS) and Census 2011 data. As per the analysis, 298.25…
गोरखपुर लिंक एक्सप्रेसवे पर 1 अगस्त 2025 से टोल टैक्स वसूली शुरू की जाएगी। उत्तर प्रदेश एक्सप्रेसवे औद्योगिक विकास प्राधिकरण (UPEIDA) द्वारा इसके लिए टोल दरों की सूची जारी कर दी गई है। टोल टैक्स दरें (प्रति फेरा): दोपहिया/तीनपहिया वाहन/कानूनी रूप से पंजीकृत ट्रैक्टर: ₹140 कार, जीप, वैन, हल्के मोटर वाहन: ₹285 हल्के व्यवसायिक वाहन, हल्के मालवाहन, मिनी बस: ₹440 बस/ट्रक: ₹840 भारी निर्माण कार्य मशीन (HCM), भू गतिमान उपस्कर (EME), बहुधुरीय वाहन (3–6 धुरीय): ₹1,335 विशाल आकार वाहन (7 या अधिक धुरीय): ₹1,745 छूट और रियायतें: एक ही दिन लौटने पर: वापसी यात्रा के लिए केवल 160% टोल शुल्क…
एनईपी 2020 की पांचवीं वर्षगांठ पर शिक्षा में प्रगति और भविष्य की दिशा 29 जुलाई, 2025 को शिक्षा मंत्रालय द्वारा भारत मंडपम परिसर में राष्ट्रीय शिक्षा नीति (एनईपी) 2020 की 5वीं वर्षगांठ के उपलक्ष्य में अखिल भारतीय शिक्षा समागम (एबीएसएस) 2025 का आयोजन किया जा रहा है। इस एक-दिवसीय विचार-मंथन सत्र का उद्घाटन शिक्षा मंत्री श्री धर्मेंद्र प्रधान करेंगे। एबीएसएस 2025 शिक्षाविदों, नीति निर्माताओं, शिक्षकों, उद्योग विशेषज्ञों और सरकारी प्रतिनिधियों के लिए एक साझा मंच प्रदान करेगा, जहाँ वे एनईपी 2020 के अंतर्गत हुई प्रगति की समीक्षा करेंगे और शिक्षा की आगामी दिशा तय करेंगे। चर्चा का मुख्य उद्देश्य शिक्षा…
Comprehensive studies have been conducted to analyze the presence of trace elements and Rare Earth Elements (REE) in coal by-products and overburden materials across various regions: Singareni Thermal Power Plant (STPP):Fly ash, bottom ash, and overburden clay samples collected from STPP have been analyzed. The results indicate that the total REE content in fly ash and clays is approximately 400 ppm. NLC India Limited, Neyveli:Overburden, lignite, and fly ash samples from Neyveli’s mines and thermal power plants were examined. The fly ash revealed a significant REE concentration of 2100 mg/kg, including both light and heavy REEs, with Yttrium content at…