NITI Aayog to push India's cyber defence system

[Hindustani78]

NITI Aayog
19-March, 2018 14:39 IST
NITI Aayog Released SATH-Education Roadmaps 2018-2020 on 17 March 2018

The roadmaps for the Sustainable Action for Transforming Human Capital in Education (SATH-E) Project of NITI Aayog, being undertaken in partnership with three participating States of Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha, were released on Saturday, March 17 by Shri Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog, in presence of Shri Sudhir Tripathi, Chief Secretary, Jharkhand, Shri Alok Kumar, Adviser (HRD), NITI Aayog, Principal Secretaries for education, State Project Directors (SPDs), knowledge partners and representatives operating in the field of education.

The forward-looking roadmaps for SATH-E were released at the conclusion of the first meeting of the National Steering Group (NSG), the governing body for the project, which is chaired by the CEO of NITI Aayog.

“SATH-E aspires to be a ‘saathi’, to the educational system with the student and the teacher at its centre”, said Shri Amitabh Kant, underscoring the significance of this project. “The aim is to make the entire governmental school education system responsive, aspirational and transformational for every child.”

The release of the States’ roadmap was preceded by a workshop anchored by the States’ Principal Secretaries for education and State Project Directors along with field level functionaries. The States presented their respective systemic and innovative best practices so as to learn from each other.

Shri Deepti Gaur Mukharjee, Principal Secretary, Madhya Pradesh, gave an overview of the teacher rationalization scheme being initiated in the state to ensure that vacancies are filled through transfer of surplus teachers across schools through a transparent, online system. Shri PK Mahapatra, Principal Secretary, Odisha, highlighted the development of iLMS (Integrated Litigation Management System) which is an integrated, online software for efficiently managing education-related cases pending in various courts and tribunals. Shri Amrendra Pratap Singh, Principal Secretary, Jharkhand, discussed the need of optimisation of school size for improvement in quality, meet teacher requirements & efficient allocation of resources.

These programmes and other initiatives stated in the Roadmap will be further strengthened, customized and executed by the SATH-E States in consultation with knowledge partners - the Boston Consulting Group and Piramal Foundation for Education Leadership – over the next 24 months.

This ‘tripartite arrangement’, where the NITI Aayog, the three States, chosen througha challenge method, and knowledge partners from the private sector, symbolises the very essence of competitive and cooperative federalism exemplified by NITI. The process ensured that schemes of the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) and projects under SATH-E are in sync with their respective state schemes.


About SATH-E

In May 2017, the NITI Aayog wrote to all States offering assistance for improving their health and education sectors. 16 States responded favorably. Following presentations and consultations with MHRD, the three States of Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha were selected for the programme. The Sustainable Action for Transforming Human Capital-Education (SATH-E) was thus, born.

The SATH-E initiative in based on formal agreements with the States and will be funded through a cost-sharing mechanism between NITI Aayog and the participating states. The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and Piramal Foundation for Education Leadership (PFEL) were chosen as knowledge partners for the project facilitating review, data collection and implementation.

SATH-E has been envisaged as a programme which aims to transform elementary and secondary school education across these three states. SATH-E roadmap refers to a time-bound, goal-driven exercise that will reach its logical culmination by the end of the academic year 2020. Further, the foundations of other long term interventions,as is found necessary by each state, would be laid during this period.

Limiting interventions to only those where there is complete state buy-in for sustainability, the whole process would be done in consultation with the states and MHRD. This will be facilitated by the National Steering Group (NSG), chaired by the CEO of NITI Aayog and including the Chief Secretaries of the States, which will continuously monitor progress, introduce course-corrections and offer a platform for addressing issues in implementation.

Thus, SATH-E aims to create role model States for education and mainstream ‘islands of excellence’ across the country to facilitate qualitative and quantitative transformation of learning outcomes. Marrying technology with need-based, data-driven assessment and a ‘giving it what it takes’ approach - be it innovation, incubation, external third party funding and Public- Private- Philanthropic Partnership (PPPP) experimentation – SATH-E puts the States in the driver’s seat to transform education at scale.

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[Hindustani78]

Vice President's Secretariat
20-March, 2018 13:33 IST
It is important for officers to learn local languages: Vice President

Interacts with 71st batch of Indian Revenue Service Officer Trainees

The Vice President of India, Shri. M. Venkaiah Naidu has said that it is important for the Officers to learn local languages as it helps in improving efficiency and communicate better with locals. He was interacting with the 71st batch of Indian Revenue Service Officer Trainees of National Academy of Direct Taxes, Nagpur, who called on him, in New Delhi today.

The Vice President wanted the officers to be proficient in their respective mother tongues. Be proficient in your mother tongue and learn as many languages as possible. Do not be against any language, he added.

The Vice President said that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was instrumental in unifying India and created services like IAS, IPS to promote unity and integrity of the country. Patel emphasized on the need for officers to have Character, Capacity, Caliber and proper Conduct, he added.

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[Hindustani78]

The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu interacting with 71st batch of Indian Revenue Service Officer Trainees from National Academy of Direct Taxes, in New Delhi on March 20, 2018.

The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu interacting with 71st batch of Indian Revenue Service Officer Trainees from National Academy of Direct Taxes, in New Delhi on March 20, 2018

The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu with the 71st batch of Indian Revenue Service Officer Trainees from National Academy of Direct Taxes, in New Delhi on March 20, 2018.

The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu with the 71st batch of Indian Revenue Service Officer Trainees from National Academy of Direct Taxes, in New Delhi on March 20, 2018.

The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu with the 71st batch of Indian Revenue Service Officer Trainees from National Academy of Direct Taxes, in New Delhi on March 20, 2018.

The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu with the 71st batch of Indian Revenue Service Officer Trainees from National Academy of Direct Taxes, in New Delhi on March 20, 2018.

 

[Hindustani78]

President's Secretariat
20-March, 2018 14:27 IST
Probationers of Indian Postal Service and Indian Corporate Law Service call on the President

Separate groups of probationers of the Indian Postal Service and the Indian Corporate Law Service together called on the President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, today (March 20, 2018) at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that both services had an important role in India’s development. Post offices exist even in remote places where banks have not yet reached. The role of post offices and the postal network needs to be re-imagined in this age of communication technology. The Government of India has taken initiatives to link post offices with modern banking and payment systems. Post offices in India could potentially become 'one stop shops' like in some developed countries. They could also benefit from the boom in e-commerce.

The President said that the corporate and banking system are critical to any modern economy. As public servants, ICLS officers have a responsibility in simplifying the process of establishing and running companies and businesses. It is within their regulatory obligation to help ensure that the individual company is trustworthy and that the public retains confidence in it.

The President said that India’s current GDP is valued at approximately US$ 2.3 trillion. We have set ourselves a target of becoming a US$ 5 trillion economy by 2025. ICLS officers will have a role to play in this process. While facilitating business, they must keep in mind the need for lawful and ethical conduct in the corporate sector.

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Ministry of Communications
20-March, 2018 15:31 IST
Philately can be a good source of revenue generation- Manoj Sinha

The Minister of Communications Shri Manoj Sinha today called upon the Department of Posts to explore ways to generate revenue through philately as is the practice in many countries of the world. He was speaking after an award ceremony here to felicitate the students selected in the first edition of DeenDayal SPARSH (Scholarship for Promotion of Aptitude and Research in Stamps as a Hobby) Yojana 2017-18. Shri Sinha gave awards to 40 students who had qualified for the Scholarship from Delhi Circle. 880 students selected in 22 different Circles all across India were also linked to the event through Video Conferencing facility and had an interaction with Shri Manoj Sinha.The Minister said that more than 20,000 students participated in the competition and urged the department to target one lakh students in the next round of competition.

A Commemorative Postage Stamp on Solar System and Special Cover and Special Cancellation on renowned scientist Stephen Hawking were also released on the occasion. Two MoUs were exchanged between Department of Posts and CCIC& Department of Posts and WWF regarding development of Philatelic Ancillary products.

Philately is the hobby of collection and study of Postage stamps. It includes seeking, locating, acquiring, organizing, cataloguing, displaying, storing, and maintaining the stamps or related products on thematic areas. Philately is called the king of hobbies because Stamp collection as a hobby has lot of educational benefits - it teaches a lot about the socio economic political reality of the period in which the stamp is issued or the theme on which it is issued.In order to increase the reach of Philately, Department of Posts had launched scholarship program for school children called DeenDayal SPARSH (i.e. Scholarship for Promotion of Aptitude & Research in Stamps as a Hobby) on 3rd November 2017. Under the scheme it was proposed to award annual scholarships to children of Standard VI to IX having good academic record and also pursuing Philately as a hobby through a competitive selection process in all postal circles. Selections under the DeenDayal SPARSH Yojana were made based on the evaluation of Project work on Philately & performance in Philately Quiz conducted by the Circles. Under the DeenDayal SPARSHYojana conducted for the year 2017-2018 almost 20,000 students across the country participated and out of these 880 students have been selected for the award of Scholarship of Rs. 6000/- per annum @ Rs. 500/- per month. 40 scholarships representing 10 students each from Standard VI, VII, VIII & IX are being given for each Postal Circle.

Stephen Hawking (8 January 1942 – 14 March 2018) was regarded as one of the most brilliant theoretical physicists in history. His work on the origins and structure of the universe, from the Big Bang to the black holes, the theoretical prediction called Hawking Radiation, revolutionized the understanding of the subject. Department of Posts is pleased to honour his legacy by releasing of a Special Cover and Special Cancellation on Stephen Hawking. Set of eight Commemorative Postage Stamps on Solar System is also being released. The set contains stamps on eight planets of the Solar System, a First Day Cover, Brochure and a First Day Cancellation.

Department of Posts have entered into a MoU with Central Cottage Industries Emporium (CCIC) to design and develop Philatelic Ancillary products based on the rich and varied themes of Postage Stamps. It is expected this partnership will on the one hand provide opportunities for skilled Indian artisans and master Indian Craftsmen to develop Philatelic products and on the other hand would be able to leverage vast intellectual property and rich cultural heritage of more than 150 years available through Indian Postage stamps in propagating Philately as a hobby amongst the masses.

Department of Posts have also entered into a MoU with World Wide Fund, India (WWF) regarding development of Philately products based on the theme of conservation and preservation of our natural heritage. The partnership would help in promoting the causes of Environment protection, Wildlife conservation and the fight against Global Climate Change through the exciting world of Philately and Philatelic products.

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[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
21-March, 2018 14:50 IST
Committee on Journalist Welfare Scheme and Central Press Accreditation Committee Reconstituted

Journalists are made Members of the Journalists Welfare Committee for the First Time

Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has reconstituted the composition of Committee on Journalist Welfare Scheme and Central Press Accreditation Committee. Journalists are made members of the Journalists Welfare Committee for the first time.


Central Press Accreditation Committee is chaired by Principal Director General, PIB with Representative from Press Council of India, Representative from News Broadcasters Association as its members. Other members include Shri Prashant Mishra, Dainik Jagran, Smt Navika Gupta, Times Now, Shri Kanchan Gupta, ABP News, Shri J Gopikrishna, The Pioneer and Smt Smita Prakash, ANI. The members of the Committee have a tenure of 2 years and shall meet once in a quarter or more frequently.

The composition of Committee on Journalist Welfare Scheme has been made leaner for its efficient functioning. Now only Secretary (I&B), Joint Secretary (P&A), Principal Director General, PIB would be official members. For the first time journalists are also made members to the Committee. Six Journalists viz, Shri Vikas Bhadauria, Smt Richa Anirudh, Shri Ashok Upadhyay, Shri Sujit Thakur, Ms Sipra Das, Shri Ravindra Singh were made as non official members of the Committee on Journalist Welfare Scheme. The term of non official members of the Committee will be for a period of two years. This initiative will benefit the aggrieved parties by giving support in a time bound manner.

For further details on the composition of the committee and modified guidelines visit http://mib.gov.in/sites/default/files/JWS New guidelines_0.pdf



Background on Journalist Welfare Scheme:
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has recently increased the provision for Journalist welfare scheme by fivefold to Rs. 1 crore in BE 2018 - 19 from Rs.20 lakh in 2017-18. The scheme aims to provide one time ex-gratia relief on urgent basis to journalists and their families on the event of extreme hardship. This scheme covers journalists accredited to PIB / State Governments / UTs or non-accredited journalists working for a minimum period of five continuous years either whole time or part time as news editor, reporter, photographer, cameramen, photo journalist, freelance journalist.

The financial assistance available under this scheme is upto Rs. 5 lakh to the family on account of death of journalist, upto Rs. 5 lakh to the journalists in case of permanent disability, upto Rs. 3 lakh towards the cost of treatment of major ailments which is not covered under CGHS or any other insurance / health schemes.

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[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Electronics & IT
22-March, 2018 14:01 IST
Smart India Hackathon 2018 - Software edition Grand Finale, to be held simultaneously at 28 different nodal centers across India

27 Union Ministries & 17 State governments part of this grand initiative

Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology today announced that the much awaited Smart India Hackathon 2018 – is scheduled to be held on Mar 30 & 31, 2018 simultaneously at 28 different nodal centers across India. With 27 union Ministries and Departments and 17 State Governments having joined this grand initiative, SIH2018 is much bigger than its previous edition. Hyderabad is the nodal centre for Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, which is a ‘Premier Partner’ in this initiative. Shri Ajay Sawhney, Secretary, MeitY said that “Smart India Hackathon (SIH) 2018 would give an opportunity to students to use their creative skills in solving some of the country’s real life problems and he hoped that outcome of SIH 2018 will result in innovative solutions which can be commercialized”

Smart India Hackathon 2018 would be the second massive scale hackathon initiative in India following Smart India Hackathon 2017. It includes 2 sub-editions – Software edition, which is a 36-hr software product development competition and scheduled to be held on Mar 30 & 31, 2018. The Hardware edition, involving building of hardware solutions will be held later this year. During the software edition grand finale, teams of thousands of technology students will build innovative digital solutions for problems posed by different central govt. ministries/ departments. A total of 340 software problem statements are proposed for the above event. Winners stand to get cash prizes and a chance to be part of the NASSCOM’s 10,000 Startups program.

About Smart India Hackathon 2018

Launched on Oct 16, 2017 in Pune, Smart India Hackathon 2018 harnesses creativity & expertise of students, builds funnel for ‘Startup India, Standup India’ campaign, crowdsources solutions for improving governance and quality of life, and provides opportunity to citizens to provide innovative solutions to India’s daunting problems. All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) under the aegis of Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) and in collaboration with Inter Institutional Inclusive Innovations Center (i4c), MyGov, Persistent Systems, and Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini is organizing Smart India Hackathon 2018.

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The Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Shri Prakash Javadekar addressing a press conference relating to Smart India Hackathon-2018, in New Delhi on March 22, 2018.

The Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Shri Prakash Javadekar addressing a press conference relating to Smart India Hackathon-2018, in New Delhi on March 22, 2018.

The Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Shri Prakash Javadekar addressing a press conference relating to Smart India Hackathon-2018, in New Delhi on March 22, 2018.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Finance
22-March, 2018 16:51 IST
States Exempted from Tax Refund after GST

The North Eastern and Hilly States have not been provided exemption from tax refund till March, 2027 under GST. The GST Council in the meeting held on 30.09.2016, had decided that all entities exempted from payment of indirect tax under the then existing tax incentive scheme shall pay tax in the GST regime. It was also decided that the decision to continue with any incentive given to specific industries in existing industrial policies of States or through any Schemes of the Central Government, shall be with the concerned State or Central Government and in case the State or Central Government decides to continue any existing exemption/incentive/deferral Scheme, then it shall be administered by way of a reimbursement mechanism through the budgetary route, the modalities for which shall be worked-out by the concerned State/Centre.

The Central Government, w.e.f. 01.07.2017, has notified a Scheme for grant of Budgetary Support to the eligible units which were availing exemption or refund benefit, for the residual period of exemption under erstwhile Central Excise regime. The support under the scheme will be equal to the share of Central Government of CGST/IGST paid by the unit after utilisation of credit of Central and Integrated Tax.

This was stated by Shri Shiv Pratap Shukla, Minister of State for Finance in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha.

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Ministry of Finance
22-March, 2018 16:50 IST
GST on Skill Development, Start-Ups and Tourism

All kinds of representations received from the trade and industry (including start-ups) regarding GST rates on services have been deliberated in the Fitment Committee. Government has exempted various kinds of services in relation to skill development. Decision pertaining to rates of GST and exemption on skill development, start-ups and tourism are taken after due deliberation in GST Council.


There are several services which have been exempt from GST. The details are as given below.


Exemptions in relation to Skill development and start-ups


· Services provided by an incubatee up to a total turnover of fifty lakh rupees in a financial year subject to the following conditions, namely:-

• • the total turnover had not exceeded fifty lakh rupees during the preceding financial year; and
  • a period of three years has not elapsed from the date of entering into an agreement as an incubatee.

• Taxable services, provided or to be provided, by a Technology Business Incubator or a Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Park recognised by the National Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India or bio-incubators recognised by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council, under the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India.
• Any services provided by, (a) the National Skill Development Corporation set up by the Government of India; (b) a Sector Skill Council approved by the National Skill Development Corporation; (c) an assessment agency approved by the Sector Skill Council or the National Skill Development Corporation; (d) a training partner approved by the National Skill Development Corporation or the Sector Skill Council, in relation to-

1. the National Skill Development Programme implemented by the National Skill Development Corporation; or
2. a vocational skill development course under the National Skill Certification and Monetary Reward Scheme; or
3. any other Scheme implemented by the National Skill Development Corporation.

• Services of assessing bodies empaneled centrally by the Directorate General of Training, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship by way of assessments under the Skill Development Initiative Scheme is exempt from GST.
• Services provided by training providers (Project implementation agencies) under Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India by way of offering skill or vocational training courses certified by the National Council for Vocational Training are exempt from GST.
• Services provided to the Central Government, State Government, Union territory administration under any training programme for which total expenditure is borne by the Central Government, State Government, Union territory administration.

Exemptions is relation to Tourism


Services by a specified organisation in respect of a religious pilgrimage facilitated by the Government of India, under bilateral arrangement is exempt.

Further, supply of tour operators services attracts concessional rate of GST @ 5%, subject to fulfilment of specified conditions.

This was stated by Shri Shiv Pratap Shukla, Minister of State for Finance in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha.

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[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
23-March, 2018 17:17 IST
Dr. Jitendra Singh chairs 30th meeting of Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies

Adhaar is not mandatory to get pension: Dr Jitendra Singh

The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh chaired the 30th meeting of the Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA) here today. The SCOVA meeting is organised by the Department of Pensions & Pensioners’ Welfare (DoP&PW), Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions and the last such meeting was held on January 12, 2017.

During the meeting, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that the SCOVA which was first constituted in July, 1986 would be completing 32 years this year. He said this platform has gone a long way in addressing in a focused manner issues related to Pensioners. He said that today’s interaction was very meaningful and stimulating, thus reflecting on the working of DoP&PW. The Minister while assuring the representatives of pensioners’ Associations said that it was no more mandatory to have one’s Adhaar Card to get his/her pension.

The Minister said that the Department of Pensions has brought out a series of OMs to benefit the Pensioners/Family Pensioners in the last 12 months including enhancing of minimum pension from Rs.3500/- to Rs.9000/- per month; the ceiling of gratuity has been increased from the existing Rs.10 lakhs to Rs.20 lakhs; the rates of ex-gratia lump sum compensation being paid to the families of employees who die in performance of duty has been increased from existing Rs. 10-15 lakhs to Rs.25-45 lakhs. He also said that divorced daughter will be eligible for family pension if divorce case has been filed before the death of pensioner/family pensioner, even though the judgment has been passed after the death of the pensioner /family pensioner.

Dr. Jitendra Singh said that this Government has given relief to the senior citizens and Pensioners in the Budget 2018-19 by allowing Standard Deduction of Rs. 40,000/- per year to the Pensioners and given exemption on tax on account of interest income from bank savings accounts has been increased to Rs. 50,000/ from Rs. 10,000/- per year. Deduction on account of health insurance premium which was earlier allowed at maximum of Rs.30,000/- has now been increased to Rs. 50,000/- in the case of Senior Citizens/Pensioners.

While addressing the meeting he said that we need to put in place an institutionalized mechanism to make good use of the knowledge, experience and efforts of the retired employees which can help in the value addition to the current scenario. Dr. Jitendra Singh said the retired employees are a healthy and productive workforce for India and we need to streamline and channelize their energies in a productive direction. We should learn from the pensioners’ experience, he added. The Minister also said that the DoP&PW should be reoriented in such a way that pensioners become a part of nation building process.

In the meeting, discussions were held on the action taken report of the 29th SCOVA meeting. Further many issues related to pensioners were discussed threadbare, such as revision of PPOs of pre-2006 pensioners, Health Insurance Scheme for pensioners including those residing in non-CGHS area, Special "Higher" Family Pension for widows of the war disabled invalidated out of service, Extension of CGHS facilities to P&T pensioners, issue relating to CGHS Wellness Centre, Dehradun etc. The Minister directed for the prompt and time bound redressal of the grievances of the pensioners and said that we should have sympathetic attitude towards them.

The Secretary, DoP&PW, Shri K.V. Eapen and other senior officers of the department were also present on the occasion. The meeting was also attended by the member Pensioners Associations and senior officers of the important Ministries/Departments of Government of India.

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The Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (I/C), Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh chairing the 30th meeting of the Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA), in New Delhi on March 23, 2018. The Secretary, DoP&PW, Shri K.V. Eapen is also seen

The Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (I/C), Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh chairing the 30th meeting of the Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA), in New Delhi on March 23, 2018. The Secretary, DoP&PW, Shri K.V. Eapen is also seen

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Water Resources
23-March, 2018 18:04 IST
36-hour Smart India Hackathon 2018 Grand Finale to be held in Kanpur and Varanasi

The much awaited Smart India Hackathon 2018 – Software edition Grand Finale will be held on the 30th and 31st of this month at 28 different nodal centers across India. This Hackathon was launched on October 16th last in Pune. Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation is a ‘Premier Partner’ in this initiative.

A total of 23 software problem statements have been proposed for which 66 teams have been shortlisted consisting of 528 youngsters competing in the grand finale. Nodal centers at Kanpur and Varanasi have been finalized for Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. Smart India Hackathon 2018 harnesses creativity and expertise of students, builds funnel for ‘Startup India, Standup India’ campaign, crowd sources solutions for improving governance and quality of life, and provides opportunity to citizens to provide innovative solutions to India’s daunting problems.



The event will be inaugurated by the Minister of State for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation and HRD Shri S. P. Singh at IIT BHU Varanasi on 30th March, 2018. He will also attend the valedictory function at PSIT Kanpur on 31st March 2018. Minister of State Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal will attend the valedictory function on 31st March, 2018 IIT-BHU, Varanasi.



The Smart India Hackathon 2018 is being organized by All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) under the aegis of Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) and in collaboration with i4c, MyGov, Persistent Systems, and Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini. With 27 union ministries and departments and 17 state governments having joined this grand initiative, the Hackathon is much bigger than its previous edition. It includes 2 sub-editions – Software edition, which is a 36-hr software product development competition and scheduled to be held on Mar 30 & 31, 2018. The Hardware edition, involving building of hardware solutions will be held later this year.



During the software edition grand finale, teams of thousands of technology students will build innovative digital solutions for problems posed by different ministries and departments. Smart India Hackathon 2018 would be the second massive scale hackathon initiative in India following Smart India Hackathon 2017. Winners will get cash prizes and a chance to be part of the NASSCOM’s 10,000 Startups programme.

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[Hindustani78]

The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind with the Officer Trainees of 71st Batch of Indian Revenue Service from National Academy of Direct Taxes, Nagpur, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on March 23, 2018. The Finance Secretary, Dr. Hasmukh Adhia is also seen.

The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind with the Officer Trainees of 71st Batch of Indian Revenue Service from National Academy of Direct Taxes, Nagpur, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on March 23, 2018. The Finance Secretary, Dr. Hasmukh Adhia is also seen.

The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind with the Officer Trainees of 71st Batch of Indian Revenue Service from National Academy of Direct Taxes, Nagpur, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on March 23, 2018. The Finance Secretary, Dr. Hasmukh Adhia is also seen.

 

[Hindustani78]

The Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment, Shri Ramdas Athawale addressing a press conference, in Mumbai on March 24, 2018.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
26-March, 2018 15:24 IST
Department of Food & Public Distribution gears up for 36 hours Smart India Hackathon 2018 Grand Finale to be held in Mumbai

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Department of Food & Public Distribution announced that the much awaited Smart India Hackathon 2018 – Software edition Grand Finale is scheduled to be held on Mar 30 & 31, 2018 simultaneously at 28 different nodal centers across India. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Department of Food & Public Distribution is a ‘Premier Partner’ in this initiative. Launched on Oct 16, 2017, in Pune, Smart India Hackathon 2018 harnesses creativity & expertise of students, builds the funnel for ‘Startup India, Standup India’ campaign, crowd sourcing solutions for improving governance and quality of life, and provides an opportunity to students to provide innovative solutions to India’s daunting problems.

The details pertaining to Department of Food & Public Distribution are as under:


Organizations
Software Problems Statements proposed
Shortlisted Teams for Grand Finale
No. of Youngsters competing in Grand Finale
Nodal Center for Grand Finale

FCI & WDRA
3
19
152
Mumbai

Overall event
340
1282
10250+
NA



About Smart India Hackathon 2018

All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) under the aegis of Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) and in collaboration with i4c, MyGov, Persistent Systems, and Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini is organizing Smart India Hackathon 2018. With 27 union ministries and departments and 17 state governments have joined this grand initiative, SIH2018 is much bigger than its previous edition. It includes 2 sub-editions – Software edition, which is a 36-hr software product development competition and scheduled to be held on Mar 30 & 31, 2018. The Hardware edition, involving the building of hardware solutions will be held later this year.


During the software edition grand finale, teams of thousands of technology students will build innovative digital solutions for problems posed by different Central Govt. Ministries/ Departments. Smart India Hackathon, 2018 would be the second massive scale hackathon initiative in India following Smart India Hackathon 2017. Winners stand to get cash prizes and a chance to be part of the NASSCOM’s 10,000 Startup program.

 

[Hindustani78]

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), UIDAI, Dr. Ajay Bhushan Pandey delivering 29th lecture of the “Lecture Series”, organised by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), in New Delhi on March 26, 2018. The Central Vigilance Commissioner, Shri K.V. Chowdary and the Secretary, CVC, Smt. Nilam Sawhney are also seen.

 

[Hindustani78]

NITI Aayog
27-March, 2018 15:34 IST
NITI Aayog's Atal Innovation Mission Signs SOI with SAP Global To foster innovation across 100 Atal Tinkering Labs across India

NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) today announced the signing of a Statement of Intent (SOI) with SAP to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. As part of the SOI, SAP in 2018 will adopt 100 Atal Tinkering Laboratories (ATL) for five years to nurture the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning among secondary school children across India.

Acknowledging the importance of such collaborations, Amitabh Kant, CEO of NITI Aayog, said, “India’s growth for the next few decades will depend on the innovations coming out of these tinkering labs. Tomorrow’s ideas come from students, who will disrupt industries and creative sectors with new technologies and processes which will thrust India into the leadership position for technological creativity and innovation. This is possible only through effective public-private partnership and we are delighted to have SAP partner with us on AIM to nurture the future talent of our country”. The program aims to enable students to learn advanced technology topics relevant to digital transformation and the Internet of Things, e.g. Design Thinking methodology, introduction to programming languages and experiential science learning.

Ramanathan Ramanan, Mission Director, AIM, added, “Such partnerships are a win-win situation for AIM and its partners. This partnership shall help support and boost innovations from the ATLs. The support to Atal Incubators will catalyze adoption of the innovations to commercial scales, ensuring deployment of the innovations to the domestic and international markets quickly and efficiently.”

SAP employee volunteers will coach and mentor students in advanced technology topics and the design lab of SAP Labs India, will provide trainings and allow students to gain hands-on experience with technology gadgets.

NITI Aayog’s AIM envisions the creation of a collaborative ecosystem, where students, teachers, mentors and industry partners work to facilitate innovation, foster scientific temper and an entrepreneurial spirit in the children of today, who will go on to become successful contributors to nation-building tomorrow.



About Atal Innovation Mission of NITI Aayog

The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) is Government of India’s flagship initiative to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the country. AIM is mandated to create an umbrella structure to oversee innovation ecosystem of the country and revolutionizing the innovation eco-system - touching upon the entire innovation life cycle through various programs. Atal Tinkering Laboratories (ATLs) create innovators, Atal Incubation Centre and support to Established Incubation Centre will take the innovations to the market and a network of Incubators shall help create enterprises around these innovations.

Till date, AIM has already announced selection of 2441 schools across India to establish ATLs, covering 93% of the total districts in India and 98% of the upcoming smart cities representing all states and 5 out of 7 UTs. In the last one year, more than 50,000+ school students have been engaged in ATLs.

The goal remains to expand the reach of ATLs to every district of our country and establish over 30,000 ATLs covering the length and breadth of India over next three years. AIM also ensures training of teachers and mentors and organized a pan-India training workshop “Unbox Tinkering” which lasted over 100 days and at 10 locations. 500+ teachers were trained and 100+ prototypes created by teachers from different streams of science, mathematics, history etc. Several other initiatives, including ‘ATL School of the Month Challenge’, Community Day are conducted frequently to engage the ATLs. The next edition of the Community Day on April 14, , on which children, parents and teachers of all schools near an ATL will be invited to come experience innovation first-hand.


S. No.
State/UT

Atal Tinkering Labs

1
A & N islands
4

2
Andhra Pradesh
164

3
Arunachal Pradesh
14

4
Assam
56

5
Bihar
58

6
Chandigarh
17

7
Chhattisgarh
86

8
Dadra and Nagar Haveli
2

9
Delhi
100

10
Goa
11

11
Gujarat
120

12
Haryana
95

13
Himachal Pradesh
29

14
Jammu and Kashmir
35

15
Jharkhand
45

16
Karnataka
177

17
Kerala
213

18
Madhya Pradesh
153

19
Maharashtra
193

20
Manipur
16

21
Meghalaya
11

22
Mizoram
11

23
Nagaland
9

24
Odisha
107

25
Puducherry
7

26
Punjab
78

27
Rajasthan
92

28
Sikkim
9

29
Tamil Nadu
171

30
Telangana
60

31
Tripura
16

32
Uttar Pradesh
186

33
Uttarakhand
28

34
West Bengal
68



Total
2441


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[Hindustani78]

The CEO, NITI Aayog, Shri Amitabh Kant and the Member, Executive Board of SAP Global, Mr. Bernd Leukert at the signing ceremony of Statement of Intent (SOI) between NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission and SAP Labs. India, to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, in New Delhi on March 27, 2018.

The CEO, NITI Aayog, Shri Amitabh Kant along with the Member, Executive Board of SAP Global, Mr. Bernd Leukert addressing at the signing ceremony of Statement of Intent (SOI) between NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission and SAP Labs. India, to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, in New Delhi on March 27, 2018.