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IREDA Bags Triple Honours at 14th PSE Excellence Awards.

Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA) has been honoured with three awards at the 14th PSE Excellence Awards ceremony, organized by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in New Delhi. The company won Gold Awards in the Mini Ratna category for “Corporate Governance” and “Corporate Social Responsibility & Sustainability.”

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IREDA Bags Triple Honours at 14th PSE Excellence Awards.

Additionally, IREDA received the Silver Award for “Operational Performance Excellence.”

The awards were presented by Dr. Bhaskar Chatterjee, Former Secretary, Department of Public Enterprises, and Shri Apurv Kumar Mishra, Member, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister.

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Odisha Solar Investor Conclave: IREDA Sanctions Over Rs. 3,000 Crore; CMD Commits Support for State 10 GW RE Target.

Shri Pradip Kumar Das, Chairman and Managing Director, Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA), delivered a special address at the Odisha Solar Investor Conclave, organized by GRIDCO, in Bhubaneswar.

Shri Das emphasized the pivotal role of accessible financing in accelerating renewable energy (RE) projects.

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Odisha Solar Investor Conclave: IREDA Sanctions Over Rs. 3,000 Crore; CMD Commits Support for State 10 GW RE Target.

CMD, IREDA reaffirmed its commitment to Odisha's ambitious renewable energy target, with the state setting its visions on achieving 10 GW capacity by 2030. Highlighting its support, IREDA has already sanctioned over Rs. 3,000 crores for green energy projects across Odisha, covering solar, hydro, ethanol and renewable energy manufacturing sectors.

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Odisha Solar Investor Conclave: IREDA Sanctions Over Rs. 3,000 Crore; CMD Commits Support for State 10 GW RE Target.

Sharing IREDA’s national contributions, he noted that the company has sanctioned over 2.08 lakh crore and disbursed 1.36 lakh crore towards renewable energy projects, positioning itself as a catalyst for market formation in emerging RE technologies such as ethanol, EV fleet financing, pumped storage hydropower and green ammonia, etc.

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National Farmers’ Day | 23 December

National Farmers’ Day, observed on 23rd December, celebrates their invaluable contribution. This day marks the birth anniversary of Shri Chaudhary Charan Singh, India’s fifth Prime Minister, renowned for his deep understanding of rural issues and unwavering advocacy for farmers’ welfare.

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National Farmers’ Day | 23 December

It is a moment to honour our farmers’ unwavering dedication and recognise their pivotal role in shaping the nation’s progress.

Through schemes like PM-KISAN, PMFBY, and the Namo Drone Didi, the government not only ensures financial security but also enhances productivity and market access for farmers.

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ALL-INDIA CONSUMER PRICE INDEX NUMBERS FOR AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL LABOURERS – NOVEMBER, 2024.

The All-India Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Labourers (CPI-AL) and Rural Labourers (CPI-RL) (Base: 1986-87=100) registered an increase of 5 points each in

months of November 2024, reaching levels of 1320 and 1331, respectively.

The year-on-year inflation rates based on CPI-AL and CPI-RL for the month of November, 2024 were recorded at 5.35% and 5.47%, respectively,

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ALL-INDIA CONSUMER PRICE INDEX NUMBERS FOR AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL LABOURERS – NOVEMBER, 2024.

compared to 7.37% and 7.13% in November, 2023. The corresponding figures for October, 2024 were 5.96% for CPI-AL and 6.00% for CPI-RL.

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DoCA to launch apps to empower consumers to identify dark patterns on website.

The Department of Consumer Affairs said that it is set to launch the ‘Jago Grahak Jago App,’ and ‘Jagriti App,’ for public use on National Consumers Day 2024, December, 24. It said these apps will empower consumers with tools to identify dark patterns on e-commerce platforms.

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DoCA to launch apps to empower consumers to identify dark patterns on website.

Also, the Central Consumer Protection Authority is being strengthened with the ‘Jagriti Dashboard’ which is used to generate real-time reports on e-commerce URLs for the presence of dark patterns, enhancing the capability to monitor and regulate online consumer interactions effectively.

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DoCA to launch apps to empower consumers to identify dark patterns on website.

The ‘Jago Grahak Jago App,’ provides essential e-commerce information about all URLs during a consumer’s online activities, alerting them if any URL may be unsafe and requires caution. Meanwhile, the ‘Jagriti App,’ allows users to report URLs where they suspect the presence of one or more dark patterns declared illegal.

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DoCA to launch apps to empower consumers to identify dark patterns on website.

These reports are then registered as complaints to the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) for possible redressal and subsequent action.

Through the above initiatives, the Department endeavours to create a transparent and fair digital marketplace where consumers can make informed decisions without being tricked or coerced;

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DoCA to launch apps to empower consumers to identify dark patterns on website.

educate consumers about their rights and regulate e-commerce platforms to prevent practices such as subscription traps, where consumers are unknowingly signed up for recurring payments.

The Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns in 2023 specified 13 dark patterns, which include false urgency, basket sneaking, confirm shaming, forced action,

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DoCA to launch apps to empower consumers to identify dark patterns on website.

Subscription trap, Interface Interference, Bait and switch, Drip Pricing, Disguised Advertisements and Nagging, Trick Wording, Saas Billing and Rogue Malware. CCPA had earlier issued notices to IndiGo Airlines and BookMyShow under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 for alleged Misleading Advertisement/Unfair Trade Practices in the form of deceptive design patterns.

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India beat Bangladesh by 41 runs to clinch Women's U19 T20 Asia Cup title.

Opener G Trisha made a doughty fifty before the left-arm troika of Ayushi Shukla, Sonam Yadav and Parunika Sisodia spun web around Bangladesh batters as India scored a 41-run win to emerge champions in the inaugural Women's T20 U19 Asia Cup.

The biggest partnership in Indian innings, in fact in the match itself, was between,

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India beat Bangladesh by 41 runs to clinch Women's U19 T20 Asia Cup title.

Trisha and her skipper Nikki Prasad a 41-run alliance for the fourth wicket.

Aayushi Shukla, who finished the tournament as the top wicket-taker, was the star bowler for India, finishing with figures of 3.3-0-17-3.

Bangladesh’s innings crumbled as it lost its last seven wickets for 21 runs in 40 balls.

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Kejriwal announces Ambedkar scholarship for free foreign education of Dalit students in Delhi.

AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal announced an Ambedkar scholarship for free foreign education of the city's Dalit students.

Under the scheme, any Dalit student from Delhi will be able to receive education in foreign universities. If they get admission to any such university, the Delhi government will bear the entire cost of their education, travel and accommodation.

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Kejriwal announces Ambedkar scholarship for free foreign education of Dalit students in Delhi.

Kejriwal also announced that children of government employees would be eligible for the scholarship, making the programme inclusive of a broader section of society.

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Govt forms committee to look into IAF's overall capability development.

Amid the growing air power of China and Pakistan and the shortage of fighter aircraft faced by the Indian Air Force, the Defence Ministry has formed a high-level committee under Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh to look into the overall capability development of the service through indigenous design, development and acquisition projects.

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Govt forms committee to look into IAF's overall capability development.

During the conference, the top Defence Ministry functionaries were briefed about the futuristic combat aircraft requirements along with the gaps required to be filled in the capability that the force wants to have in the coming times to tackle the threat perception faced on both the fronts.

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Govt forms committee to look into IAF's overall capability development.

The officials said the committee has other senior members of the Defence Ministry, including the Secretary (Defence Production), Sanjeev Kumar; Defence Research and Development Organisation chief Dr Samir V Kamat; and Deputy Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal T Singh, who is the committee's member secretary.

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RTE Amendments 2024: Schools now allowed to fail class 5 and 8 students.

In a major shift in school education policy, schools will now have the authority to ‘fail’ students in classes 5 and 8 if their performance does not meet required standards. The central government on Monday announced this amendment in the Right of Children and Free School Education Act 2010 (RTE Act 2010).

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RTE Amendments 2024: Schools now allowed to fail class 5 and 8 students.

The new amendments allow states to hold regular exams for the students of class 5 and 8 and hold them back if they fail. These amendments come five years after the RTE Act was amended, in 2019.

Under the new rules, states are allowed to conduct ‘regular examinations for Classes 5 and 8 at the end of the academic year’.

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RTE Amendments 2024: Schools now allowed to fail class 5 and 8 students.

Students who ‘fail’ these exams will receive ‘additional instruction’ and have the chance to retake the examination two months later. If they still fail to meet the promotion criteria, they will be forced to repeat Class 5 or Class 8.

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RTE Amendments 2024: Schools now allowed to fail class 5 and 8 students.

States like Gujarat, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, and Delhi have already announced that children failing in classes 5 or 8 would be retained there. However, Karnataka had announced regular exams — essentially, public exams — for Classes 5, 8, 9, and 11. The effort was struck down by the Karnataka High Court in March 2024.

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RTE Amendments 2024: Schools now allowed to fail class 5 and 8 students.

States like Kerala have been entirely opposed to the idea of exams in Classes 5 and 8.

The original version of the Right to Education (RTE) Act included a ‘no-detention policy’, which prohibited the practice of failing primary school students in a lower grade. Under this policy, all students were promoted to Class 8 automatically, regardless of their academic performance.

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Indians can travel to Malaysia without a visa for 30 days until Dec 2026

Malaysia has officially extended its visa exemption for Indian nationals until December 31, 2026, allowing them to visit the country without a visa for up to 30 days.

This announcement was made by Datuk Awang Alik Jeman, the Secretary-General of the Home Ministry, who emphasized that the extension aligns with Malaysia's 2025 ASEAN chairmanship and,

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Indians can travel to Malaysia without a visa for 30 days until Dec 2026

the preparations for Visit Malaysia Year 2026.

The visa liberalization plan, initially introduced in 2023, aims to enhance tourism and stimulate economic growth. A similar exemption also been granted to Chinese nationals, signaling Malaysia's commitment to attracting more visitors from key markets.

Currently, two airlines operate flights between Kolkata and Kuala Lumpur.

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Indians can travel to Malaysia without a visa for 30 days until Dec 2026

Under the visa exemption policy, which began on December 1, 2023, Indian nationals can stay in Malaysia for up to 30 days by presenting a return flight ticket and proof of sufficient funds for their stay, either in the form of a bank statement or credit cards, upon arrival.

Indian passport holders can visit Malaysia without a visa from December 1, 2023 to December 31, 2026.

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Indians can travel to Malaysia without a visa for 30 days until Dec 2026

This visa-free entry allows for a stay of up to 30 days per visit.

The validity of a Malaysia visa for Indians depends on the type of visa issued. For example, business visas are typically valid for up to 30 days, while work visas can be valid for up to two years.

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TRAI unveils upgraded website with new features; aims to enhance accessibility, public engagement.

TRAI has unveiled an upgraded website to broaden its reach to connect with a wider audience. In recognition of the growing importance of social media, new sharing features facilitate the dissemination of regulatory information to all stakeholders.

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TRAI unveils upgraded website with new features; aims to enhance accessibility, public engagement.

The website offers comprehensive information on telecom and broadcasting regulations, policies, laws, statistics and trends in India. These resources are easily accessible to the public, stakeholders, researchers, and international audiences.

The new website will be hosted in NIC Cloud. The old website will run concurrently for 3 months after go - live of the new website.

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TRAI unveils upgraded website with new features; aims to enhance accessibility, public engagement.

A Chatbot 'TARA' (Telecom Authority Responsive Advisor) has been introduced to facilitate interactive search.

These new features aim to enhance transparency, accessibility, and public engagement of TRAI's regulatory initiatives in Telecom and Broadcasting sector.

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TRAI unveils upgraded website with new features; aims to enhance accessibility, public engagement.

The new website includes the following additional features:

Introduction of a new dashboard for Telecom & Broadcasting sector.

Provision of data download for research.

A Grid View feature, allowing users to view data in a new and interactive format.

Online Registration for subscription to TRAI latest releases and updates.

Brief profile of Authority.

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TRAI unveils upgraded website with new features; aims to enhance accessibility, public engagement.

In addition to sharing via email, users can now also share documents directly through major social media platforms, links for visualisation on Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin, Whatsapp, Facebook, X etc.

New website is compatible with iOS, Android & various platforms.

A blog with a facility for registered users to comment.

Provision to publish information about upcoming events.

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TRAI unveils upgraded website with new features; aims to enhance accessibility, public engagement.

Online registration for participation in Open House Discussions.

Compliance to accessibility features.

Tenders and notices

Concise and compiled regulations at a single place with amendments mentioned in foot notes.

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Poonawalla Fincorp Introduces AI in its HR Processes.

Poonawalla Fincorp, a non-banking finance company under the Cyrus Poonawalla Group, announced its adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in human resource (HR) processes to manage risks and improve hiring accuracy. The phased implementation has reduced the time taken to finalise job offers from about 10 days to less than a day, cutting time and operational costs by 90%.

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Poonawalla Fincorp Introduces AI in its HR Processes.

AI tools now handle document verification and candidate screening, improving recruitment efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The company, following the appointment of Arvind Kapil as Managing Director and CEO in June, has focused on AI-driven changes in talent acquisition.

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Poonawalla Fincorp Introduces AI in its HR Processes.

This step aligns with its goal to create a customer-focused ecosystem, with plans to extend AI across compliance, customer service, and operations.

Salil Hajarnis, recently appointed as Chief Technology Officer (CTO), is leading the company’s digital transformation and AI initiatives.

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Poonawalla Fincorp Introduces AI in its HR Processes.

The new AI system minimises manual intervention in recruitment processes, accelerating and streamlining them. Additionally, a WhatsApp-powered AI bot is being developed to provide instant support for employee queries on leave, payroll, policies, and benefits.

Poonawalla Fincorp has partnered with IIT Bombay to assist with key elements of the AI implementation.

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