News for 'Universal Service'

EPFO net members addition grows to 16.05 lakh in Dec

EPFO net members addition grows to 16.05 lakh in Dec

Rediff.com25 Feb 2025

Retirement fund body EPFO added 16.05 lakh net new members in December, which is 9.69 per cent higher compared to November 2024, as per the payroll data released on Tuesday. Further, a labour ministry statement said there was a growth of 2.74 per cent in net payroll additions compared to December 2023.

Trump's Tariff Tsunami: Will India Sink or Reform?

Trump's Tariff Tsunami: Will India Sink or Reform?

Rediff.com21 Apr 2025

The Trump trade shock is a chance to push long-overdue reforms, rather than tinker with tariffs to appease the US, suggests M Govinda Rao.

After 3 years, a bureaucrat to head Sebi

After 3 years, a bureaucrat to head Sebi

Rediff.com28 Feb 2025

Seasoned bureaucrat and a stickler for rules Finance Secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey will be at the helm of capital market regulator, Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), for three years. The 1987-batch Odisha-cadre Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, Pandey, would replace Madhabi Puri Buch, whose three-year term ends on Friday.

Roshni Nadar Malhotra, 3rd Richest Indian

Roshni Nadar Malhotra, 3rd Richest Indian

Rediff.com10 Mar 2025

Only Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani are ahead of her.

'Applying to universities abroad is increasingly risky'

'Applying to universities abroad is increasingly risky'

Rediff.com31 Aug 2023

'With the current situation in the global job market, students come back with an added burden of educational loans.'

K'taka budget: Sidda announces Muslim quota for govt supplies

K'taka budget: Sidda announces Muslim quota for govt supplies

Rediff.com8 Mar 2025

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced reservation for Muslims in supplying goods and services up to a value of Rs 1 crore to various government departments, corporations and institutions in the state budget for 2025-26. The budget also increased the value limit of government contracts in which Muslims can avail reservation to Rs 2 crore. The reservation to Muslims under 2B category is in addition to the Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and Castes coming under Category-1, Category-2A. The budget also included various welfare schemes for minorities, including Rs 50,000 to support simple marriages and Rs 1,000 crore under the Chief Minister's Minority Colony Development Programme.

Meet Nirmalaji's Budget Team

Meet Nirmalaji's Budget Team

Rediff.com30 Jan 2025

This will be the first full-year Budget of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government since it came to power for a third consecutive term in July last year.

'Engaging With The US Is Important'

'Engaging With The US Is Important'

Rediff.com10 Apr 2025

'But I don't think the government is in a great hurry to sign the BTA.'

Captain America: Brave New World Review: Nothing New

Captain America: Brave New World Review: Nothing New

Rediff.com14 Feb 2025

Brave New World deviates from the Marvel template and takes a route of a paranoid thriller with a politically charged narrative, observes Mayur Sanap.

'I Want To Forget The Horror Of This War'

'I Want To Forget The Horror Of This War'

Rediff.com22 Apr 2025

'While I would never wish for anyone to go through what we are, it has brought out the best in us by making each one of us a better version of ourselves.' 'Being courageous, fighting for freedom, taking the burden of responsibility to help each other...' 'I know hundreds and hundreds of examples where Ukrainians are risking their lives for complete strangers and it is only in moments like this that we truly understand what it means to be human.'

Almost all pending ideological tasks completed: Amit Shah

Almost all pending ideological tasks completed: Amit Shah

Rediff.com23 Jan 2025

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has asserted that the Narendra Modi government has "almost all" completed its ideological tasks, including the abrogation of Article 370, and will continue on the same path in its third tenure. Shah, a senior BJP leader, was speaking at the Hindu Spiritual & Service Fair in Gujarat, where he highlighted the government's achievements in areas such as the Ram Temple construction, abolition of triple talaq, and the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Uttarakhand. He also emphasized the government's success in promoting Yoga internationally and repatriating stolen idols of Hindu deities. Shah lauded Hindu temples and organizations for their service to society, especially their contributions to education and healthcare for the poor.

Earnings winter to persist in Q4

Earnings winter to persist in Q4

Rediff.com23 Apr 2025

Brokerages expect a further slowdown in Indian firms' revenue and earnings growth in Q4FY25, following low single-digit growth in the preceding three quarters, as factors like weak consumer demand and credit growth linger on.

Meity To Tap Global AI & ML Experts

Meity To Tap Global AI & ML Experts

Rediff.com20 Feb 2025

'We will start reaching out to researchers, academics, and experts on AI from top universities and companies from across the world.'

How Will Trump Change The World On April 2?

How Will Trump Change The World On April 2?

Rediff.com1 Apr 2025

We have entered a new era in human history, asserts Aakar Patel.

'Putin And Putin's Elite Hate America'

'Putin And Putin's Elite Hate America'

Rediff.com6 Mar 2025

'Putin will not be bound by any kind of deal he would sign with the US.'

'How Do Students Get 100% In Exams?'

'How Do Students Get 100% In Exams?'

Rediff.com18 Mar 2025

'Because the same stupid questions are repeated year after year when an exam should provoke the students to think and not ask repetitive questions.' 'So, what do coaching institutes do? They teach students to memorise these questions and answers without understanding the subject.'

Ready For Moana 2 On OTT?

Ready For Moana 2 On OTT?

Rediff.com31 Jan 2025

Allu Arjun's biggest blockbuster, Satyajit Ray's story and Spidey's exciting new avatar, Sukanya Verma lists her recommendations on OTT this week.

CM Stalin opts out of Governor Ravi's 'At Home' reception

CM Stalin opts out of Governor Ravi's 'At Home' reception

Rediff.com26 Jan 2025

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin did not attend the traditional 'At Home' reception hosted by Governor R N Ravi on Republic Day. Stalin instead visited Madurai to participate in events celebrating the cancellation of the Centre's tungsten mining initiative. The Chief Minister and his cabinet colleagues boycotted the event, following suit with the ruling DMK's allies, including the Congress party. Governor Ravi, who has been critical of the DMK regime, had targeted the Stalin-led government in his Republic Day Eve address, alleging that many state-run universities in Tamil Nadu were in a dire financial crisis. In Madurai, CM Stalin, recalling his assurance that tungsten mining would not be allowed while he remained in office, said the village elders visited him in Chennai and invited him for the felicitation function. He said rather than praising him, it is the people who should be greeted, thanked and felicitated. The union government recently announced its decision to annul the auctioning of the mining rights.

Pakistan Army Chief Shuffles Generals

Pakistan Army Chief Shuffles Generals

Rediff.com22 Jan 2025

These transfers can be seen as part of a continuing process on General Asim Munir's part to keep his senior generals happy, notes Rana Banerji, who headed the Pakistan desk at RA&W.

99 And Seven Decimal Points

99 And Seven Decimal Points

Rediff.com11 Mar 2025

'Does 99 percent guarantee character and capacity for an independent awareness of life or does it make you -- barring exceptions -- a compliant careerist beholden to governments and corporations?' 'What kind of political and social choices would such minds make?' asks Shyam G Menon.

Empuraan Review: Return Of The King

Empuraan Review: Return Of The King

Rediff.com27 Mar 2025

L2: Empuraan is an ambitious sequel that is bigger, bolder and timid in equal measure, observes Arjun Menon.

Shaktikanta Das appointed principal secretary to PM

Shaktikanta Das appointed principal secretary to PM

Rediff.com22 Feb 2025

P K Mishra, a retired IAS officer of the Gujarat cadre, is currently serving as the principal secretary to the prime minister.

Interested In Maths? Apply For The PROMYS Scholarship

Interested In Maths? Apply For The PROMYS Scholarship

Rediff.com14 Jan 2025

The PROMYS India (Program in Mathematics for Young Scientists) 2025 is a unique scholarship opportunity in partnership with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, for students from Classes 9 to 12.

Gyanesh Kumar appointed as next CEC

Gyanesh Kumar appointed as next CEC

Rediff.com18 Feb 2025

Gyanesh Kumar, a 1988-batch Kerala Cadre IAS officer, has been appointed as the next Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India. Kumar, who was previously an Election Commissioner, will serve until January 26, 2029. His appointment comes amidst controversy as the Congress party demanded the government defer its decision until the Supreme Court concludes its hearing on a petition challenging the composition of the selection panel. Kumar's tenure will see him oversee several state assembly elections, including Bihar, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal.

3 of 5 top rank holders are IPS trainees, 1,016 qualify for civil services

3 of 5 top rank holders are IPS trainees, 1,016 qualify for civil services

Rediff.com17 Apr 2024

A total of 1,016 candidates -- 664 men and 352 women -- have qualified in the examination and have been recommended by the Union Public Service Commission for appointment to various services.

ED probes agents' network facilitating Indians' illegal US entry via Canada

ED probes agents' network facilitating Indians' illegal US entry via Canada

Rediff.com7 Feb 2025

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating a complex network of agents and facilitators in India, Canada, and the US who assist Indians in illegally entering the US through fraudulent admissions to Canadian colleges. Over 8,500 financial transactions are under scrutiny by the ED in a case related to money laundering, stemming from a 2023 Gujarat Police crime branch FIR. The investigation includes international financial companies involved in remittances abroad, with the ED conducting 35 searches in the past year and seizing assets worth Rs 92 lakh. The issue has gained significant attention following the deportation of 104 Indians from the US on Wednesday. The investigation is linked to the tragic death of an Indian family in January 2022, who perished while attempting to cross the Canada-US border illegally. The ED has identified a network of agents and facilitators who manage and facilitate the stay, transportation, visa arrangements, and legal matters of illegal immigrants who gained admission to Canadian colleges through fraudulent means. The investigation has revealed that the fees paid to Canadian colleges were remitted back to individuals' accounts, with around 8,500 transactions identified between September 2021 and August 2024. The ED suspects that approximately 370 individuals have entered the US using this illegal immigration scheme. The agency has recorded statements from parents and guardians of students enrolled in Canadian colleges and continues its investigation.

Bangladesh leave out Shakib for Champions Trophy

Bangladesh leave out Shakib for Champions Trophy

Rediff.com12 Jan 2025

Bangladesh will be without premier all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan for the ICC Champions Trophy after the veteran was excluded after getting suspended from bowling in all competitions.

14-yr-old, out on morning run, hit by speeding Jaguar in Noida

14-yr-old, out on morning run, hit by speeding Jaguar in Noida

Rediff.com11 Jan 2025

The incident took place around 6 am on January 9 near Stellar Jeevan Society in the Bisrakh police station area when the Jaguar car allegedly struck the boy from behind, as per a complaint lodged by the victim's father, Murari Singh.

Banks Struggle to Regain Deposits

Banks Struggle to Regain Deposits

Rediff.com13 Mar 2025

Privately, many bankers admit their immediate goal is not growth but slowing the erosion of Casa deposits, reveals Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

Trump picks anti-vaccine activist as health secretary

Trump picks anti-vaccine activist as health secretary

Rediff.com15 Nov 2024

President-elect Donald Trump announced a slate of key Cabinet nominations, including tapping former Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as his Secretary of Health and Human Services and former Congressman Doug Collins of Georgia as Secretary for Veterans Affairs. Trump also named Jay Clayton as US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Todd Blanche as Deputy Attorney General, and Dean John Sauer as Solicitor General of the United States.

Two Indian students killed in car crash in Ireland; 2 critical

Two Indian students killed in car crash in Ireland; 2 critical

Rediff.com2 Feb 2025

Two Indian students in their 20s were killed and two others injured in a car crash in County Carlow, southern Ireland. The Indian Embassy in Dublin issued a condolence message on social media. The four friends had been sharing a house in the local area and had recently finished third-level education at South East Technological University (SETU) in Carlow.

Several unauthorised entities stopped from giving PAN card services

Several unauthorised entities stopped from giving PAN card services

Rediff.com18 Jan 2024

The Bombay high court has passed an ex-parte interim order restraining several entities from operating websites etc claiming to provide PAN card services on behalf of the government-owned UTI Infrastructure Technology and Services Limited (UTIITSL) and noted such an act poses a "national level threat". A single bench of Justice Bharati Dangre, in its order of January 12, said the Union government has made it mandatory for PAN card holders to link the same to their Aadhar Card, which is an acceptable proof of identification. Therefore, any potential misuse of the licence/ authorization to issue PAN cards would be highly detrimental not only to the interest of the company but also to national interest, the HC said.

WEF lists highest and lowest growing jobs

WEF lists highest and lowest growing jobs

Rediff.com8 Jan 2025

Farm workers and drivers will figure among the fastest growing jobs over the next five years, while roles of cashiers and ticket clerks will see the largest decline, a new study showed on Wednesday. In its Future of Jobs Report 2025, the World Economic Forum (WEF) also said that 170 million new jobs will be created by 2030, while 92 million are projected to be displaced, resulting in 78 million net new jobs.

Want A US Visa? Pray to Lord Hanuman!

Want A US Visa? Pray to Lord Hanuman!

Rediff.com20 Feb 2025

As the US gets tougher with visas, the prayers of US-bound devotees in India are getting more fervent, and their purse strings looser. Called Visa Hanuman temples (there are half a dozen all over India), some of them ask for a 'fee'.

Review: Naah-daniyan!

Review: Naah-daniyan!

Rediff.com7 Mar 2025

Nadaaniyan's lack of charm, chemistry and cheek fails to create any ripples sighs Sukanya Verma.

The Silent Crisis of Student Suicides

The Silent Crisis of Student Suicides

Rediff.com4 Mar 2025

What is pushing students to take this extreme step?

MTech Grads, How You Can Get Govt Jobs

MTech Grads, How You Can Get Govt Jobs

Rediff.com6 Jan 2025

rediffGURU Aasif Ahmed Khan counsels students on the best career options in tech and engineering.

Why Is India Not In The Innovation Race?

Why Is India Not In The Innovation Race?

Rediff.com16 Jan 2025

India has its share of both large tech companies and large national laboratories, but why is it that these don't seem to be at the forefront of any innovation news headlines? asks Ajit Balakrishnan.

Union Budget 2025-26: Economists stress need for manufacturing policy

Union Budget 2025-26: Economists stress need for manufacturing policy

Rediff.com9 Dec 2024

The need for a manufacturing policy, reining in food inflation and raising investment in the country were among key suggestions given by economists who met Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and senior ministry officials in the first round of pre-Budget consultations on Friday.

Burmans vs Gaekwad: Who will manage to acquire Religare Enterprise?

Burmans vs Gaekwad: Who will manage to acquire Religare Enterprise?

Rediff.com27 Jan 2025

The race to acquire diversified fintech firm Religare Enterprise Limited (REL) intensified as Dabur group promoters, the Burman family, said it was going ahead with the open offer on Monday and claimed that the counter offer made by US-based businessman Digvijay Gaekwad wasn't valid and will not stand scrutiny of market regulator Sebi. The Burman family claimed that the competing offer falls outside the 15-day window stipulated by the Sebi takeover code, following their initial offer on October 4th, 2023.