DDU-GKY 2.0: rural skilling
NEW DELHI, 24 September: India is strengthening its rural skilling architecture by shifting the focus from merely providing training to ensuring that young people remain meaningfully employed.
Under Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) 2.0, the minimum placement duration has been extended from three to six months. The revamped programme also strengthens post-placement support, digital monitoring and career progression.
Since its inception, DDU-GKY has trained more than 18.47 lakh candidates across over 800 job roles, while more than 12.43 lakh have secured placements. Of these, over 9.71 lakh women have been trained and more than 6.34 lakh women placed.
The programme currently operates across 31 States and Union Territories through 760 active training centres and more than 455 project implementing agencies. The new framework represents an important shift towards linking skill development with sustainable livelihoods rather than training alone.
PBSHABD widens verified news access across India
NEW DELHI, 24 September: Prasar Bharati’s digital news-sharing platform PBSHABD is emerging as a significant public news resource for India’s expanding media ecosystem, with 3,600 media organisations now connected to the service. The platform provides registered media organisations with ready-to-use text, video, audio, photographs and infographics in 15 Indian languages across nearly 50 news categories. Access remains free until March 2027.
A nationwide network of more than 1,500 reporters, correspondents and stringers, supported by 60 dedicated editorial desks, feeds the service. According to Prasar Bharati, material passes through multiple levels of editorial verification before dissemination. For smaller and regional publishers that cannot maintain correspondents across India, the platform can substantially widen access to verified national, regional and international information.
Special Campaign 6.0 puts record management in focus
NEW DELHI, 24 September: The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities is preparing for Special Campaign 6.0, bringing administrative efficiency, cleanliness, record management and responsible disposal of electronic waste under a common governance initiative.
The campaign will run from October 2 to 31, following a preparatory phase from September 16 to 30. The focus includes reducing pending matters, digitising records, freeing usable office space and ensuring proper segregation and disposal of obsolete material, particularly e-waste.
The larger objective is to institutionalise cleanliness and timely disposal as part of everyday government functioning rather than treating them as one-time exercises.
By connecting better record management and reduced pendency with responsible resource use, the initiative seeks to improve efficiency, accountability and productivity across government offices.
Beyond roots, towards new India
NEW DELHI, 24 September: India’s flagship Know India Programme (KIP) continues to strengthen engagement between the country and younger generations of the Indian diaspora by exposing participants to India’s culture as well as its contemporary development story.
Since its launch in 2003–04, the Ministry of External Affairs has organised 88 editions involving 3,178 young members of the Indian diaspora, while the 89th edition is currently in progress.
The programme introduces participants to India’s economic transformation, cultural heritage, innovation and start-up ecosystem, scientific advancement and progress towards Viksit Bharat @2047.
The initiative is particularly significant for younger people of Indian origin who have grown up abroad, offering them an opportunity to understand today’s India beyond their ancestral and cultural connections.
MEA launches applications for diaspora immersion
NEW DELHI, 24 September: The Ministry of External Affairs has invited applications for the 90th edition of the Know India Programme, this time aimed at young professionals of Indian origin between 24 and 28 years of age.
Scheduled from October 18 to 31, the programme is open to eligible Persons of Indian Origin, Overseas Citizens of India and Non-Resident Indians.
Participants will gain first-hand exposure to India’s economic transformation, innovation and start-up ecosystem, scientific and technological advances, cultural heritage and broader development journey. The initiative reflects India’s effort to build a deeper, forward-looking relationship with its global diaspora—connecting younger overseas Indians not only with their heritage, but also with opportunities emerging from contemporary India.
India sends largest team to WorldSkills Shanghai 2026
NEW DELHI, 24 September: India’s skilled youth are competing on one of the world’s biggest vocational platforms, with the country fielding its largest-ever contingent at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. Team India comprises 70 young competitors participating across 63 skill categories. The global competition has brought together nearly 1,400 competitors from more than 65 countries and regions.
India is also making its debut in 11 new-age and emerging skill categories. The competitors underwent rigorous selection and specialised training supported by governments, Sector Skill Councils, industry partners, institutions and experts. India’s participation highlights the growing importance of vocational education and technical excellence in building a workforce capable of supporting advanced manufacturing, services, technology and future industries.
