THE HEADLINES:-
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi to launch Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana through video conferencing in Bihar today to make women self-reliant.
- MiG-21 fighter jets to retire today after 62 years in service.
- External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar stresses the need to show zero tolerance toward terrorist activities; Criticizes world’s double standards in applying sanctions.
- Election Commission issues new directive to streamline process of Counting of Postal Ballots.
- Centre cancels FCRA certificate of Sonam Wangchuk’s NGO in violation of Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act.
- Palestinian President condemns Hamas, says ready to work with US on peace plan.
- In cricket, Pakistan beat Bangladesh to set up the first ever Asia Cup final against India.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the “Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgar Yojna “ this morning from New Delhi through video conferencing. Under this scheme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will transfer 10,000 rupees directly into the beneficiaries’ bank accounts via DBT. This scheme is considered significant ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections. More from our correspondent:
“On the first day of the launch of scheme, the first installment of 10,000 rupees will be transferred to the accounts of 75 lakh women. This initiative is being launched as part of a series of welfare measures for women under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Today, a total of 7,500 crore rupees will be directly transferred to bank accounts through DBT. The scheme has been envisioned with the aim of empowering women and making their families self-reliant. The government has said that if employment progresses in the right direction, beneficiaries will be provided additional assistance of up to 2 lakh rupees. Dharmendra Kumar Rai Akashvani News Patna.”
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The Indian Airforce will bid farewell to the MiG-21 aircraft in Chandigarh today. The event marks the end of an era for the aircraft that served the nation for more than sixty years. During the ceremony, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will be the chief guest. He will be joined by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, and retired Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari. In a statement, the Ministry of Defence said that MiG 21 is a legendary icon of the Indian Air Force, and a fearless warrior that has etched its valour across generations.
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President Droupadi Murmu will confer the prestigious National Geoscience Awards (NGA) 2024 at a ceremonial function at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre in New Delhi today. The National Geoscience Awards are among the country’s oldest and most prestigious honors in the field of geosciences. More from our correspondent:
“The objective of these Awards is to honour individuals and teams for extraordinary achievements and outstanding contributions in various fields of geosciences. For the year 2024, the Ministry of Mines received two hundred eight nominations across the three award categories. Following a rigorous three-stage screening process, 12 awards have been finalized under three award categories, which include nine individual and three team awards. The Awards are given in three categories which includes National Geoscience Award for Lifetime Achievement, National Geoscience Award and National Young Geoscientist Award. With Aman Yadav, Rohan, Akashvani News, Delhi.”
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External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said that those who are fighting against terrorism are performing a service to the international community. Presenting the case of Operation Sindoor at G20 Foreign Ministers meeting in New York, Mr Jaishankar stressed the need for the world to show zero tolerance toward terrorist activities. The External Affair Minister also criticized the world’s double standards in applying sanctions. He pointed out that sanctions disrupt supplies, logistics, and increase costs, creating pressure on nations. Mr Jaishankar pointed out how peace and development have both suffered, especially affecting the Global South due to soaring prices of energy, food, and fertilizers.
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The Home Ministry has cancelled the FCRA certificate of Sonam Wangchuk’s NGO. Sources said that according to official findings, Sonam Wangchuk had deposited 3.5 lakh rupees into the FCRA account of the association in violation of Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act in 2021-22. The NGO had also received 4 lakh 93 thousand 205 rupees from a Swedish donor for educational programmes on issues including migration, climate change, food security, and sovereignty.The Ministry said a foreign contribution cannot be accepted for study on sovereignty of the nation and said the act is against the national interest of the country.
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The next-generation GST reforms represent a significant step towards simplifying India’s indirect tax system. Now people can avail the benefit of GST reforms, which are already implemented on the 22nd of this month. Under the new structure, the GST council has simplified the earlier four-tier structure of 5 percent, 12 percent, 18 percent and 28 percent into a two tier structure of 5 percent and 18 percent. By reducing the tax rate on a wide range of goods and services, the reforms are bringing substantial relief to citizens. A report:
The Goods and Services Tax Council has approved major reforms in the indirect tax system. The earlier four-tier structure of 5, 12, 18, and 28 percent has now been simplified into a two-tier framework of 5 and 18 percent. An additional slab of 40 percent has been introduced for select items such as tobacco and luxury goods.The rate rationalisation aims to benefit the common man, labour-intensive industries, farmers, agriculture, healthcare, and other key drivers of the economy. Under the new structure, several essential food items including ultra-high-temperature milk, chhena, paneer, pizza bread, and chapati will attract zero tax. In a significant relief for the agricultural sector, GST on equipment like tractors, harvesting machinery, and composting machines has been reduced from 12 to 5 percent. Similarly, the GST on two-wheelers up to 350 cc has been lowered from 28 to 18 percent, providing relief to lower middle-class families, young professionals, and gig workers who rely on affordable transport. Talking to Akashvani News, Delhi resident Abhay Pratap welcomed the decision, saying it will go a long way in helping the middle class realise their aspirations.
The tax cut will provide much needed boost to the manufacturing sector, especially small and medium enterprises. NITIKA GUPTA Akashvani News, Delhi.
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Guided by the mantra of Seva and Sushasan, that is, Public Service and Good Governance, the Government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been working tirelessly to bring transformation and progress. Today, in this Special Series – ‘Seva Parv’, we bring to you how the Modi government has transformed governance into a seamless, transparent, and inclusive digital experience through India’s growing e-Governance ecosystem.
From public services to financial empowerment, India’s e-Governance ecosystem is redefining the citizen experience. Guided by the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, technology is making governance more accessible and inclusive. As the Prime Minister said, E-Governance is Easy, Effective, Economical and Environment Friendly Governance.
The JAM Trinity—Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, and Mobile, has become the key enabler of India’s well-developed digital landscape. Direct Benefit Transfer, or DBT, uses the JAM network to send government benefits, subsidies, and payments directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts. Meanwhile, e-KYC makes Aadhaar-based verification instant, paperless, and fraud-free, ensuring seamless, transparent, and secure governance.
The Government e-Marketplace, or GeM, has revolutionised procurement, while also enabling lakhs of small businesses, women entrepreneurs, and startups to thrive.
UMANG app acts as a single platform to access government services, DigiLocker allows citizens to store digital documents, BHASHINI enables inter-language communication and iGOT Karmayogi has emerged as a key digital learning platform.
Sharing his experience, Syed Khalid from Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir, said the UMANG app has helped him complete his work easily and quickly.
Technology has now become a bridge between government and people. Together, these platforms ensure that governance is not bound by counters and corridors, but flows digitally, inclusively, and transparently to every citizen of India.
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The Election Commission has revised the rules relating to counting of postal ballots, making it mandatory for all postal ballot papers to be counted before the penultimate round of EVM and VVPATS counting is taken up. In a statement, the commission said that the 30th initiative aims to streamline postal ballot counting to enhance speed, transparency and uniformity.
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Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has condemned Hamas and expressed willingness to work with US President Donald Trump on a UN-backed peace plan.
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Moving on to the world of sports. In Cricket, Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by 11 runs in their Super Four clash of the Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai last night. With this win, Pakistan will now face India for the first time in an Asia Cup final. We have more from Sports Desk:
“India and Pakistan will meet in the Asia Cup 2025 final for the first time in the tournament’s history. Pakistan qualified for the final with an 11-run victory over Bangladesh. After being invited to bat first, Pakistan scored 135 for 8 in 20 overs. In reply, Bangladesh fell 11 runs short of the target. Shaheen Afridi was named Player of the Match for his clinical all-round performance with both bat and ball. Meanwhile, in another Super Four encounter before the finals, India will face Sri Lanka in Dubai this evening.
Next we have from Football, where India U-17 men’s football team secured a 3-nil victory over Nepal in the semi-final of the SAFF U-17 Championship in Colombo, Sri Lanka. This win ensures their place in the final, where they will face Bangladesh. With this win, the Blue Colts continue their unbeaten run and remain on track for a fourth consecutive title in the tournament.
And in Archery, India has assured at least three medals at the Para Archery World Championships in South Korea, with a historic three Indian players to play for gold medal in the compound open category. WITH NANDINI, CHIRAG JHA, SPORTS DESK.”
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NEWSPAPERS HEADLINE:-
- The top story in The Asian Age quotes Prime Minister Narendra Modi as saying, after inaugurating the UP international Trade Show, that the next-gen GST will boost growth.
- With the successful testing of the Agni-Prime nuclear capable missile from a rail-based launcher, India has joined an exclusive club of countries with this capability, writes Hindustan Times.
- A day before the iconic MiG-21 is slated to retire from service in the Indian Air Force, the Ministry of Defence has signed a 62,370 crore rupees contract with HAL for 97 Light Combat Aircraft, reports The Statesman.
- The Times of India cites a report titled ‘Children in India 2025’ which reveals that a third of Indian children aged 5 to 9 have high triglycerides, and Delhi tops in hypertension.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:-
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi to launch Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana through video conferencing in Bihar today to make women self-reliant.
- MiG-21 fighter jets to retire today after 62 years in service.
- External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar stresses the need to show zero tolerance toward terrorist activities; Criticizes world’s double standards in applying sanctions.
- Election Commission issues new directive to streamline process of Counting of Postal Ballots.
- Centre cancels FCRA certificate of Sonam Wangchuk’s NGO in violation of Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act.
- Palestinian President condemns Hamas, says ready to work with US on peace plan.
- In cricket, Pakistan beat Bangladesh to set up the first ever Asia Cup final against India.
For details of these stories and more, log on to our website
www.newsonair.gov.in and News On Air App.
AND WITH THAT WE END THE MORNING NEWS
HAVE A NICE DAY!