News for 'Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment'

80% jump in Social Justice Ministry funds

80% jump in Social Justice Ministry funds

Rediff.com26 Feb 2010

Announcing the hike in the ministry's outlay while presenting the budget in Lok Sabha, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said this would help the social sector to focus more on the welfare of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes, as well as the physically challenged.

UN Emphasises Gender Equality as Key to India's Development Goals

UN Emphasises Gender Equality as Key to India's Development Goals

Rediff.com6 hours ago

A top UN official has emphasised the critical role of women in India's development, highlighting that gender equality should be viewed as both a human right and a key factor in development effectiveness.

UPSC exams to allow change of scribe, screen-readers for visually impaired

UPSC exams to allow change of scribe, screen-readers for visually impaired

Rediff.com3 Dec 2025

The Supreme Court has directed the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to incorporate provisions for scribe changes and implement screen-reader software for visually-impaired candidates in its examinations. The court emphasized the constitutional rights of differently-abled people and the need for inclusive governance.

SC flags discrimination against disabled in jobs, seeks Centre's reply

SC flags discrimination against disabled in jobs, seeks Centre's reply

Rediff.com12 Sep 2025

The Supreme Court has raised concerns about discrimination against persons with disabilities in employment, questioning the Centre on the lack of 'upward movement' for meritorious candidates. The court also ordered nationwide monitoring of care institutions for persons with cognitive disabilities.

70% of India's elderly financially dependent: Report

70% of India's elderly financially dependent: Report

Rediff.com1 Aug 2025

A new report highlights the financial dependence, health challenges, and social isolation faced by India's elderly population, calling for greater support and inclusion.

'For marginalised communities': Govt cancels lateral entry for babus

'For marginalised communities': Govt cancels lateral entry for babus

Rediff.com20 Aug 2024

The Centre on Tuesday asked the UPSC to withdraw the latest advertisement for lateral entry in bureaucracy, amid a row over reservation in the advertised posts.

President Nominates Nikam, Shringla To Rajya Sabha

President Nominates Nikam, Shringla To Rajya Sabha

Rediff.com13 Jul 2025

Former foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, Kerala BJP leader C Sadanandan Master and Delhi-based historian Meenakshi Jain have been nominated to the Rajya Sabha.

IYCU: Scholarship for OBC Students, Delhi

IYCU: Scholarship for OBC Students, Delhi

Rediff.com2 Feb 2024

Selected students from Delhi will receive up to Rs 10,000 to cover tuition fees along with an annual academic allowance of up to Rs 10,000.

SC directs Centre to safeguard domestic workers' rights

SC directs Centre to safeguard domestic workers' rights

Rediff.com29 Jan 2025

The Supreme Court of India directed the government to establish a legal framework to protect domestic workers and address their exploitation.

Rs 1.2 Lakh Scholarship For Entrance Exam Coaching

Rs 1.2 Lakh Scholarship For Entrance Exam Coaching

Rediff.com28 Nov 2024

Students from de-notified tribes, nomadic tribes and semi-nomadic tribes will receive coaching fees of up to 1,20,000 and additional benefits for preparing for entrance examinations such as JEE, NEET, CLAT and the NDA.

SC constitutes task force to address student suicides

SC constitutes task force to address student suicides

Rediff.com24 Mar 2025

The Supreme Court of India has formed a National Task Force (NTF) to address the growing concern of student suicides in higher educational institutions. The court took note of the recurring cases and directed Delhi Police to register FIRs on the complaints of families of two students who died by suicide at IIT Delhi in 2023. The NTF, chaired by former apex court judge Justice S Ravindra Bhat, will prepare a comprehensive report, including the identification of causes leading to suicides, analysis of existing regulations, and recommendations for strengthening protections. The NTF will also have the authority to conduct surprise inspections of higher educational institutions and make further recommendations to ensure a holistic approach to addressing mental health concerns and eliminating suicides.

Full list: Modi's New Ministers And Their Portfolios

Full list: Modi's New Ministers And Their Portfolios

Rediff.com10 Jun 2024

Here is the complete list of ministers in Modi 3.0 and their portfolios:

Drug victims need rehabilitation, not demonisation: SC

Drug victims need rehabilitation, not demonisation: SC

Rediff.com17 Dec 2024

The Supreme Court of India expressed deep concern over the rising drug abuse problem in the country, highlighting the impact on youth and the need for urgent intervention. The court emphasized the need for rehabilitation rather than demonization of drug users and called for open discussions to address the issue. The judgment came while granting bail to a man accused in a heroin smuggling case. The court cited a 2019 report that indicated a significant number of people in India use opioids, cannabis, and other substances, with alarming trends in opioid dependence.

Sena-UBT trolls Shinde over non-inclusion in NITI Aayog

Sena-UBT trolls Shinde over non-inclusion in NITI Aayog

Rediff.com17 Jul 2024

Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray leader Priyanka Chaturvedi on Wednesday took potshots at the rival Shiv Sena over its minister not finding a place in the reconstituted NITI Aayog.

SC seeks details from Centre on steps taken to stop manual scavenging

SC seeks details from Centre on steps taken to stop manual scavenging

Rediff.com25 Feb 2023

The apex court has also sought state-wise details about the steps taken towards abolition of dry latrines, the status of dry latrines, and 'safai karamcharis' in cantonment boards and the railways.

Anil Goswami to join Union home ministry as OSD

Anil Goswami to join Union home ministry as OSD

Rediff.com27 Apr 2013

Anil Goswami, a 1978 batch IAS officer, will join the Union home ministry as an officer on special duty on Saturday in keeping with the government's decision to appoint him as the next home secretary from June 30.

45 specialists to join Modi govt in major lateral entry push

45 specialists to join Modi govt in major lateral entry push

Rediff.com17 Aug 2024

Forty-five specialists will soon be joining key posts of joint secretaries, directors and deputy secretaries in different central ministries as part of the Modi government's ambitious plan to infuse fresh talent to further improve ease of governance.

Tendulkar, Pant pay tribute on 'Kargil Vijay Diiwas'

Tendulkar, Pant pay tribute on 'Kargil Vijay Diiwas'

Rediff.com26 Jul 2024

Legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant on Friday paid their tributes to the brave hearts who sacrificed their lives for the country during the Kargil War back in 1999.

Modi's top 4 retain portfolios; Nadda gets health, Shivraj agri

Modi's top 4 retain portfolios; Nadda gets health, Shivraj agri

Rediff.com10 Jun 2024

Among the new entrants to the Union cabinet, former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has been given the agriculture and rural development portfolios, Bharatiya Janata Party president J P Nadda the health portfolio and former Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar the power portfolio.

How about granting same sex couples social benefits, SC asks govt

How about granting same sex couples social benefits, SC asks govt

Rediff.com27 Apr 2023

The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Centre whether social welfare benefits can be granted to same-sex couples without going into legalising their marriage.

SC notice to Centre over caste-based census for OBCs

SC notice to Centre over caste-based census for OBCs

Rediff.com24 Dec 2022

The top court was hearing a plea filed by advocate Krishan Kanhaya Pal who said that the governments are unable to share the benefits of the welfare schemes with all sections among backward classes due to a lack of caste-based survey and a caste-based census of the OBCs is of 'vital necessity'.

Centre justifies no SC tag for Dalit Muslims, Christians in SC

Centre justifies no SC tag for Dalit Muslims, Christians in SC

Rediff.com10 Nov 2022

The ministry also submitted that the identification of scheduled castes is centred around a specific social stigma that is limited to the communities identified in the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950.

Govt posts Manipur cadre officer as aviation secretary, rejigs bureaucracy

Govt posts Manipur cadre officer as aviation secretary, rejigs bureaucracy

Rediff.com1 Sep 2023

The Centre has appointed senior IAS officers Vumlunmang Vualnam and Neeraj Mittal as new secretaries in the ministry of civil aviation and the department of telecommunications respectively in a major secretary-level bureaucratic reshuffle, a government order stated.

Key Modi ministers retain their previous portfolios

Key Modi ministers retain their previous portfolios

Rediff.com10 Jun 2024

While there are some new faces in the cabinet, leaders such as BJP president JP Nadda and Jual Oram have returned as ministers.

Caste or cash? Tell us

Caste or cash? Tell us

Rediff.com15 Sep 2006

Will you marry outside your caste for money?

No plan to release 2011 caste census data at this stage: Govt

No plan to release 2011 caste census data at this stage: Govt

Rediff.com26 Jul 2022

Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai also said that the central government has not enumerated caste-wise population other than SCs and STs in census since Independence.

Govt launches 24X7 toll free mental rehabilitation helpline

Govt launches 24X7 toll free mental rehabilitation helpline

Rediff.com7 Sep 2020

The helpline 'KIRAN' (1800-599-0019) was launched by Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thaawarchand Gehlot. The helpline will offer mental health rehabilitation services with the objective of early screening, first aid, psychological support, distress management, mental well being, promoting positive behaviour and psychological crisis management, the minister said.

SC status for religious converts? Top court panel under ex-CJI to study issue

SC status for religious converts? Top court panel under ex-CJI to study issue

Rediff.com7 Oct 2022

The Centre has appointed a commission headed by former CJI K G Balakrishnan to examine the matter of giving Scheduled Caste status to new people who claim to "historically" have belonged to the Scheduled Castes but have converted to a religion other than those mentioned in the presidential orders.

Govt-backed international Para Games to be postponed

Govt-backed international Para Games to be postponed

Rediff.com17 Apr 2015

With just a fortnight left, India's first Open Para Games proposed next month in Delhi has been postponed in the wake of the infighting between Executive Committee members of the suspended Paralympics Committee of India (PCI).

Tarun Bajaj posted as revenue secretary in IAS reshuffle

Tarun Bajaj posted as revenue secretary in IAS reshuffle

Rediff.com6 Apr 2021

Senior bureaucrat Tarun Bajaj was appointed revenue secretary as part of a top-level bureaucratic reshuffle by the Centre on Tuesday.

Bungalow allotted to foundation not Meira Kumar: Ministry

Bungalow allotted to foundation not Meira Kumar: Ministry

Rediff.com27 Dec 2013

A foundation in the name of former Deputy Prime Minister Babu Jagjivan Ram and father of Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar has been allotted a bungalow in the prime Lutyen's Delhi for 25 years.

Govt limits pre-matric scholarship to class 9-10, hitting SC/ST/OBC, minorities

Govt limits pre-matric scholarship to class 9-10, hitting SC/ST/OBC, minorities

Rediff.com29 Nov 2022

Stating that RTE covers compulsory education up to class 8th for all students, the government has now limited its pre-matric scholarship scheme meant for backward and minority communities to students of class 9th and 10th.

PM Modi's new ministers take charge

PM Modi's new ministers take charge

Rediff.com10 Nov 2014

A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi carried out the first revamping of his ministry since he assumed power in May, the new ministers took charge of their portfolios on Monday.

Govt gets 5.59 lakh public grievances so far this yr

Govt gets 5.59 lakh public grievances so far this yr

Rediff.com12 Jul 2022

The Centre received 5.59 lakh public grievances against various government departments in the first half of this year, with the Department of Financial Services (DFS) getting most of such complaints, according to an official report.

No proposal to release caste census data: Govt in RS

No proposal to release caste census data: Govt in RS

Rediff.com10 Mar 2021

The government has no proposal at present to release the report of the caste census carried out in 2011, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday.

'BJP will have no effect. Not even an iota'

'BJP will have no effect. Not even an iota'

Rediff.com18 Apr 2024

'The people of Tamil Nadu in particular Chennai know about the double standards of the BJP. Nothing will work for them here.'

Govt introduces bill in LS to restore states' rights on OBC list

Govt introduces bill in LS to restore states' rights on OBC list

Rediff.com9 Aug 2021

The 102nd Constitution Amendment Act of 2018 inserted articles 338B, which deals with the structure, duties and powers of the National Commission for Backward Classes, and 342A that deals with the powers of the president to notify a particular caste as an SEBC and the power of Parliament to change the list. Article 366 (26C) defines SEBCs.

Top-level bureaucratic reshuffle at Centre, Pant named new health secretary

Top-level bureaucratic reshuffle at Centre, Pant named new health secretary

Rediff.com14 Jun 2023

Pant, a 1991-batch Indian Administrative Service officer of Rajasthan cadre, is currently secretary in the ministry of ports, shipping and waterways.

Government lags in SC/ST schemes implementation

Government lags in SC/ST schemes implementation

Rediff.com8 May 2008

The government lags behind in implementing the various schemes meant for SC/ST and OBCs, a parliamentary committee has said

Ambedkar, Swachh Bharat among themes for 67th R-Day tableaux

Ambedkar, Swachh Bharat among themes for 67th R-Day tableaux

Rediff.com23 Jan 2016

A total of 23 tableaux would be on display at the ceremonial parade, with 17 of them belonging to various states and UnionTerritories.