THE HEADLINES:-
- Government announces setting up of 8th Pay Commission for Central government employees and pensioners; Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, the decision will improve quality of life and give a boost to consumption.
- Union Cabinet approves establishment of Third Launch Pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre of ISRO at Sriharikota.
- QS World Future Skills Index ranks India 2nd for Digital Skills, ahead of Canada and Germany; Prime Minister Modi expresses happiness over the achievement.
- In Chhattisgarh, at least 12 Maoists killed in ongoing encounter with security forces in forests of South Bastar.
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh holds telephonic conversation with UK Defence Secretary John Healey; Discusses defence cooperation issues.
- In India Open Badminton, P.V Sindhu and Kiran George enter Singles quarterfinals.
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The Government has announced the setting up of the 8th Pay Commission for the Central government employees and pensioners. An announcement in this regard was made by Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in New Delhi. The Minister said that the term of the 7th Pay Commission is going to end in 2026 and the setting up of the 8th Pay Commission now will give enough time to receive the recommendations of the Pay Panel. He said, the appointment of Chairman and two members of the Commission will be made soon.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the decision on the 8th Pay Commission will improve quality of life and give a boost to consumption. In a social media post, Mr Modi lauded the efforts of all Government employees, who work to build a Viksit Bharat.
The decision will benefit more than 45 lakh central government employees and more than 68 lakh pensioners. The leaders of Railway Unions have thanked the Central government for the announcement of the constitution of the 8th Central Pay Commission. General Secretary of the All India Railwaymen’s Federation and Secretary of the staff side, Shiv Gopal Mishra, today met Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in New Delhi. During the meeting, he thanked Prime Minister Modi on behalf of 40 lakh civilians and 29 lakh defence and paramilitary forces, as well as a similar number of pensioners.
President of the National Federation of Indian Railwaymen, Guman Singh, also thanked the Prime Minister and the government for making this decision.
Vice president of National Federation of Indian Railwaymen, BC Sharma also thanked the Prime Minister Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
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The Union Cabinet today approved the establishment of the Third Launch Pad (TLP) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre of ISRO at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The TLP project envisages the establishment of the launch infrastructure at Sriharikota for the Next Generation Launch Vehicles of ISRO and also to support as standby launch pad for the Second Launch Pad there. It will also enhance the launch capacity for future Indian human spaceflight missions. It will boost the Indian Space ecosystem by enabling higher launch frequencies and the national capacity to undertake human spaceflight and space exploration missions.
Briefing media in New Delhi after the Union Cabinet meeting, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, the third launch pad will prove to be an important milestone for the country in space infrastructure.
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The Indian Space Research Organisation, ISRO today scripted history by successfully completing the docking of two satellites named Chaser and Target under the SpaDeX mission. With the stupendous success of the indigenously developed Bharatiya Docking System by ISRO, India has become the fourth country to use this technology after the USA, Russia and China. Docking technology is critical in assembling the space station and in crewed missions. It provides crucial facilities including in-orbit refueling and assembling heavy infrastructure in microgravity.
ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan congratulated the team on the feat.
President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have extended their wishes to ISRO for boosting India’s space capabilities.
Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted that it is an entirely indigenous Bharatiya Docking System.
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The QS World Future Skills Index has ranked India 2nd for Digital Skills, ahead of Canada and Germany. In a social media post, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed happiness over this achievement. He said, over the last decade, the government has worked on strengthening the country’s youth by equipping them with skills that enable them to become self-reliant and create wealth. The Prime Minister stated that the insights from the QS World Future Skills Index are valuable as the country moves further on the journey towards prosperity and youth empowerment.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, skilling India is a mission taken up by the Central government on the path towards Viksit Bharat. She said, this new QS World Future Skills Index identifies India for its Digital Skills, AI and Green Skills. Ms Sitharaman said, Skilling the country’s youth is a priority for the government. India has ranked 4th in Artificial Intelligence and Green Skills.
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The year 2025 has started with significant initiatives from the government, reflecting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to a self-reliant, progressive, and united India. From strengthening agriculture and infrastructure to advancing scientific research and promoting cultural heritage, Mr. Modi’s leadership has set a transformative tone for the year.
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At least 12 Maoists have been killed in an ongoing encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh. The encounter has been going on since this morning in the forests of South Bastar on the Telangana border in Bijapur district. A joint team of Central Reserve Police Force, Cobra Battalion, and District Reserve Guard was on a search operation in the jungles of South Bastar after receiving information about the presence of a large number of Maoists in the area. The Inspector General of Police of the Bastar range and the CRPF IG are monitoring the entire operation. According to the police, the Maoists have suffered a huge loss in this operation.
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President of Singapore Tharman Shanmugaratnam today held wide range of discussions with President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi this evening. The discussions covered avenues for further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership between India and Singapore. During the meeting, President Murmu and President Shanmugaratnam unveiled a joint logo to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The joint logo incorporates colors from the Indian and Singaporean national flags and national flowers, which symbolize the enduring friendship, mutual trust, and shared values between the two countries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also met the President of Singapore.
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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today held a telephonic conversation with the UK Secretary of State for Defence, John Healey. The two ministers discussed the ongoing defence cooperation issues and emphasised the need to maintain the momentum in bilateral relations. They also reviewed the progress made between the two countries in niche defence technology areas such as Electric Propulsion and jet engines. The two ministers expressed satisfaction over the recent signing of the Statement of Intent on Electric Propulsion. With the increased focus of the UK on the Indo-Pacific, both sides will explore the possibilities of joint work and enhanced maritime engagements in 2025.
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President of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, will be the Chief Guest at the 76th Republic Day celebrations this year. At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Subianto will pay a state visit to India on the 25th and 26th of January.
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Now news from the Mahakumbh at Prayagraj:
A grand cultural extravaganza titled Sanskriti ka Mahakumbh began today at the Mahakumbh Mela. The event, which was inaugurated by Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya at Ganga Pandal ,will continue till the 24th of next month. With this, mega cultural programmes also started at different pandals including Yamuna, Airawat and Triveni located in the Mela area. More from our correspondent:
“The event will showcase the rich tapestry of Indian culture through a series of captivating performances by renowned artists. On the The main stage, Ganga Pandal, will host performances by renowned artists from across the country in different days. On the opening day, the visitors watched the special presentation by Bollywood singer Shankar Mahadevan. Talking to Akashvani News, Dr Subhash Chandra Yadav, Nodal Officer Department of Culture, Uttar Pradesh said that several other noted artists also showcased their performances.
The Ganga Pandal, with a capacity of 10 thousand spectators, is the main venue for this celebration of devotion and heritage. The entry to the event is free and visitors can watch the performance of artists from 4 PM to 9 PM everyday. Anand Kumar for Akashvani News, Prayagraj.”
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In Badminton, ace shuttler P.V Sindhu progressed to the quarterfinals of the India Open with a second round win over Japan’s Manami Suizu today. Sindhu outclassed her opponent 21-15, 21-13 at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. Sindhu will next take on Gregoria Mariska Tunjung of Indonesia tomorrow.
In Men’s singles, Indian shuttler Kiran George entered the quarterfinal beating Alex Lanier of France 22-20, 21-13. George will now face Weng Hongyang of China tomorrow.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN :-
- Government announces setting up of 8th Pay Commission for Central government employees and pensioners; Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, the decision will improve quality of life and give a boost to consumption.
- Union Cabinet approves establishment of Third Launch Pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre of ISRO at Sriharikota.
- QS World Future Skills Index ranks India 2nd for Digital Skills, ahead of Canada and Germany; Prime Minister Modi expresses happiness over the achievement.
- In Chhattisgarh, at least 12 Maoists killed in ongoing encounter with security forces in forests of South Bastar.
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh holds telephonic conversation with UK Defence Secretary John Healey; Discusses defence cooperation issues.
- In India Open Badminton, P.V Sindhu and Kiran George enter Singles quarterfinals.
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