News for 'Universal Service'

EPFO records highest net member addition of 18.75 lakh in July

EPFO records highest net member addition of 18.75 lakh in July

Rediff.com20 Sep 2023

Retirement fund body EPFO has recorded the highest net member addition of 18.75 lakh in July 2023, according to the payroll data released on Wednesday. The labour ministry in a statement said that the addition of 18.75 lakh during the month is the highest since the first publishing of EPFO payroll data from April 2018 covering the period of September 2017 onwards. A growing trend has continued for the last three months with an increase of around 85,932 net members over the previous month of June 2023.

British Indian ex-minister Alok Sharma knighted; 30 more PIOs to be honoured

British Indian ex-minister Alok Sharma knighted; 30 more PIOs to be honoured

Rediff.com31 Dec 2022

Sharma was the president of the conference, the first since the Paris Agreement of COP21 that expected parties to make enhanced commitments towards mitigating climate change.

Bandhan Bank's micro challenges: Unsecured loan book, CEO's tenure

Bandhan Bank's micro challenges: Unsecured loan book, CEO's tenure

Rediff.com1 Mar 2024

It is 10 years since Bandhan Financial Services became the first microfinance institution (MFI) to receive the universal bank licence. A year later, in 2015, it started operations. Bandhan's entry into banking was seen as a vote of confidence by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for the country's microfinance sector. Subsequently, the RBI awarded small finance bank licences to nine MFIs.

Why Raghuram Rajan is creating a university

Why Raghuram Rajan is creating a university

Rediff.com26 Mar 2018

'We have 100,000 students going abroad every year.' 'So, we have room for at least 100 universities of very high quality to service those 100,000 students.'

This gorgeous woman will represent India at Miss Universe 2018

This gorgeous woman will represent India at Miss Universe 2018

Rediff.com1 Oct 2018

A civil services aspirant from Mumbai, Nehal Chudasama hopes to bring home the title of Miss Universe.

Mukesh Ambani pitches for subsidised smatphones

Mukesh Ambani pitches for subsidised smatphones

Rediff.com8 Dec 2021

Billionaire Mukesh Ambani on Wednesday pitched for using the USO Fund to subsidise smartphones for select groups to help penetrate the digital revolution and said India should make the rollout of 5G or the fifth-generation technology standard for broadband cellular networks a national priority. As much as 5 per cent of the licence fee paid by telecom operators goes to the Universal Service Obligation (USO) Fund, which was set up in April 2002 for achieving universal service objectives by providing access to telephone services in rural and remote areas and creation of infrastructure for mobile services and broadband in these areas. However, according to the CAG, less than half of the funds so collected are transferred for the said purpose.

Smallcaps see biggest monthly leap in 3 years; Nifty climbs 5.5% in Nov

Smallcaps see biggest monthly leap in 3 years; Nifty climbs 5.5% in Nov

Rediff.com8 Dec 2023

Notwithstanding concerns about lofty valuations, smallcaps recorded their most significant monthly gain in nearly three years in November. The National Stock Exchange Nifty Smallcap 100 finished the month with a 12 per cent gain, the most since February 2021 when it rose by 12.2 per cent. After declining by 4.1 per cent in the preceding month, the Nifty Midcap 100 rose by 10.4 per cent, the most since July 2022.

Needed urgently: The Indian National Defence University

Needed urgently: The Indian National Defence University

Rediff.com19 Jan 2015

'A veiled secret of India's defence and strategic culture is the lack of a serious interest in them by the political class. The Indian National Defence University would fill this void,' feels Lieutenant General Anil Chait (retd).

Meet the accidental shooter who beat China's best!

Meet the accidental shooter who beat China's best!

Rediff.com27 Sep 2023

Samra was juggling between her MBBS studies at the GGS Medical College (in Faridkot) and shooting but ultimately decided to change her course.

Mexican family killed in Nepal crash had toured India

Mexican family killed in Nepal crash had toured India

Rediff.com12 Jul 2023

The five Mexican nationals killed in a helicopter crash in eastern Nepal near Mount Everest on Tuesday visited India before touring the Himalayan nation for sightseeing.

Indian-origin teenage varsity student among 3 killed in UK knife attacks

Indian-origin teenage varsity student among 3 killed in UK knife attacks

Rediff.com14 Jun 2023

Nottinghamshire police said the 31-year-old suspect, who remains in custody, then went on to stab a man in his 50s to death and also attempted to run over three people - still in hospital - with a van stolen from that man.

'We are going to be an AI-first company'

'We are going to be an AI-first company'

Rediff.com19 Jan 2024

'GenAI has democratised the AI conversation. I do not know of a single client who is not interested in that conversation.'

SC asks Punjab guv to decide on granting assent to Bills passed by assembly

SC asks Punjab guv to decide on granting assent to Bills passed by assembly

Rediff.com24 Nov 2023

he Punjab government had also sought a judicial declaration that the assembly session held on June 19 and 20 was "legal and that the business transacted by the House is valid".

10 Tamil Romantic Films On OTT

10 Tamil Romantic Films On OTT

Rediff.com5 Mar 2024

In the mood for romance but don't know which movies to watch? Tamil cinema has a lot to offer on OTT, and Arjun Menon lists his favourites.

'Sheikh Hasina is better than the others. But is that good enough?'

'Sheikh Hasina is better than the others. But is that good enough?'

Rediff.com10 Jan 2024

'Are we supposed to look the other way as Islamists go on a rampage against Hindus and the Hasina government pay lip service to secularism?' A revealing excerpt from Avishek Biswas and Deep Halder's book, Being Hindu In Bangladesh: The Untold Story.

'Toll on Mumbai trans-harbour bridge should be Rs 500, not Rs 250'

'Toll on Mumbai trans-harbour bridge should be Rs 500, not Rs 250'

Rediff.com12 Jan 2024

'You need to have enough funds to maintain the primacy of public transport and it should not suffer because of lack of funds.'

Want To Invest In IPOs? Read This

Want To Invest In IPOs? Read This

Rediff.com14 Dec 2023

Patience can be rewarding. 'Post-listing, sanity often returns to valuations of newly-listed businesses within six to nine months. Buy then.'

Protests in DU college as ad hoc teacher dies by suicide weeks after sacking

Protests in DU college as ad hoc teacher dies by suicide weeks after sacking

Rediff.com27 Apr 2023

Samarveer, originally from Molki village in Rajasthan's Baran district, was found hanging from a ceiling fan in a room he shared with his cousin who had gone to duty at the time of the incident, the police said.

Governors can't keep bills pending indefinitely: SC

Governors can't keep bills pending indefinitely: SC

Rediff.com24 Nov 2023

The bench said if the governor decides to withhold assent to a bill, then he has to return the bill to the legislature for reconsideration.

Uday Kotak: A journey to meteoric heights cut short by regulator

Uday Kotak: A journey to meteoric heights cut short by regulator

Rediff.com2 Sep 2023

Growing up in the Mumbai of 1970s, Uday Kotak aspired to be a cricketer and trained under legendary coach Ramakant Aachrekar. However, it was an on-field injury which resulted in a shift to finance. He started off with bill discounting, turned to lending and successfully applied to start a universal bank in the first decade of the millennium, as India was warming up to private play in banking.

After full literacy, Kerala is now 100% e-governed, says CM Pinarayi

After full literacy, Kerala is now 100% e-governed, says CM Pinarayi

Rediff.com25 May 2023

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday declared the southern state as India's first fully e-governed state where an entire range of government services have been digitised so that they can be provided to the citizens promptly and transparently.

Meet K Krithivasan, TCS' CEO-designate

Meet K Krithivasan, TCS' CEO-designate

Rediff.com17 Mar 2023

"Humble", "kind", and "spiritual" are some adjectives used to describe K Krithivasan, chief executive officer designate and global head of banking, financial services, and insurance business, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), where he is an old stager. Krithivasan, based out of Chennai, has been part of the global technology sector for over 34 years. He joined TCS in 1989. During his long tenure at the company, he has held leadership roles in delivery, customer relationship management, large programme management, and sales.

How IT services cos are fighting shrinking client budgets

How IT services cos are fighting shrinking client budgets

Rediff.com31 Oct 2017

IT firms are training employees of their clients and even aspiring IT professionals, in order to create fresh revenue streams amid shrinking deal sizes in traditional software maintenance, says Ayan Pramanik.

She Oversaw Ajmal Kasab's Hanging

She Oversaw Ajmal Kasab's Hanging

Rediff.com15 Nov 2023

'As a police officer, I had gone on deputation to the prison department; on both occasions (the hanging of Ajmal Kasab and Yakub Memon), the government said that I should remain present.' 'I was not mentally prepared for these sensitive operations and had to work on myself to lead the teams.'

How to Get A Scholarship At Oxford

How to Get A Scholarship At Oxford

Rediff.com17 Apr 2023

The Savitribai Phule Graduate Scholarship will cover course fee to study at Somerville College, University of Oxford and a grant for living costs.

10% fewer fresh formal jobs created in April-August

10% fewer fresh formal jobs created in April-August

Rediff.com24 Oct 2023

While the country's unemployment rate is falling, the quality of employment seems to have taken a hit. The pace of formalisation slowed in the five months of the current financial year (April-August) with more than half a million fewer formal jobs created in the period compared to the same period last year, according to data from the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). The payroll data showed that cumulatively 4.92 million new subscribers joined the social security organisation between April-August this year, compared to 5.51 million subscribers in the same period in the previous year, reflecting a 10.7 per cent decline in the number of new payrolls created.

Odd-even scheme returns in Delhi from Nov 13-20; in-person classes suspended

Odd-even scheme returns in Delhi from Nov 13-20; in-person classes suspended

Rediff.com6 Nov 2023

With Delhi recording air pollution levels seven to eight times above safe standards on Monday, the city government announced the return of its flagship odd-even scheme after four years anticipating further deterioration of air quality post-Diwali.

Stringent curbs set in but Delhi's air quality still 'severe'

Stringent curbs set in but Delhi's air quality still 'severe'

Rediff.com6 Nov 2023

The poisonous haze has been causing significant problems for people with existing respiratory issues, according to doctors.

If Ambani Buys Disney Star...

If Ambani Buys Disney Star...

Rediff.com18 Nov 2023

Assume Voot, JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar are merged into one entertainment app, and you have a streaming service with more than 233 million unique visitors. That is a reach just under half of India's largest streaming app: YouTube. 'This level of consolidation does not exist even in the US.'

The degeneration of India's universities

The degeneration of India's universities

Rediff.com10 May 2010

'How is this rush to decay to be halted before Indian universities become the laughing stock of the world, the (few) good ones unfairly tarred by the misdeeds of the worst of the lot?'

We support Canada's probe, want India to join: US special envoy

We support Canada's probe, want India to join: US special envoy

Rediff.com7 Oct 2023

Amid the diplomatic sparring and souring of bilateral ties in the wake of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegation of Indian involvement in the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the Special Envoy and Coordinator, Global Engagement Centre, James Rubin said the standoff was a 'tricky subject' as he sought cooperation into the investigation as far as it goes.

Dr M S Swaminathan, who made India self-sufficient in food, passes away

Dr M S Swaminathan, who made India self-sufficient in food, passes away

Rediff.com29 Sep 2023

Renowned agricultural scientist M S Swaminathan and the driving force behind the nation's 'Green Revolution,' passed away in Chennai on Thursday.

Realty sector's inventory surges to over Rs 1 trn, outpacing sales growth

Realty sector's inventory surges to over Rs 1 trn, outpacing sales growth

Rediff.com13 Dec 2023

The past 18 months have seen a resurgence in the real estate industry, with developers regaining the ground lost to the Covid-19 pandemic. But it is once again adding inventory at a pace faster than sales. The industry's inventory rose by 28 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) in H1FY24, com-pared to a 25.5 per cent year-on-year increase in net sales during the same period.

When small is actually BIG!

When small is actually BIG!

Rediff.com25 Dec 2023

Smaller stocks have emerged as Dalal Street's favourites in 2023 that has turned out to be a "great year" for equities, rewarding investors with big gains, driven by optimism over the country's macroeconomic fundamentals and heavy retail investors participation. Experts said equity markets are experiencing a prolonged bull run and it is during this time that the midcap and smallcap segments tend to outshine their larger counterparts. Till December 22 this year, the BSE smallcap gauge has jumped 13,074.96 points or 45.20 per cent while the midcap index has surged 10,568.18 points or 41.74 per cent.

Govt fund shouldn't be used to build statues: Gadkari

Govt fund shouldn't be used to build statues: Gadkari

Rediff.com18 Jun 2023

Gadkari was speaking in Nagpur at the ground-breaking ceremony for the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on the premises of the Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU).

Indian-Americans demand security for Hindus in Canada

Indian-Americans demand security for Hindus in Canada

Rediff.com29 Sep 2023

A group of eminent Indian-Americans has condemned the brazen hateful comments and a hostile environment against Hindus in Canada and asked Ottawa not to mix freedom of expression with freedom for terror and endorse hate crimes by being silent on the issue.

Kuki group says Shah assured security, new burial site

Kuki group says Shah assured security, new burial site

Rediff.com9 Aug 2023

In a statement, the ITLF said in view of a request of the home minister, the group will finalise an alternative location, in consultation with the people, for burial of bodies of ethnic violence victims belonging to the Kuki-Zo community which are lying in Imphal.

Ravneet Kaur: An IAS officer with varied experience

Ravneet Kaur: An IAS officer with varied experience

Rediff.com17 May 2023

The Appointments Committee of Cabinet has named Ravneet Kaur, a Punjab cadre IAS officer of 1988 batch, as chairperson of the Competition Commission of India (CCI). Kaur will hold the post for five years or until attaining the age of 65. She is the second woman to serve in an 'economic regulator' role after Madhabi Puri Buch, who was appointed chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Board of India last year and the first woman to head the country's chief national competition regulator.

Senior IPS officer Praveen Sood takes over as new CBI chief

Senior IPS officer Praveen Sood takes over as new CBI chief

Rediff.com25 May 2023

Senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Praveen Sood took over as the new Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director on Thursday and he will be in the post for two years, officials said.

Gujarat HC quashes order to give Modi's degree details to Kejriwal, AAP to appeal

Gujarat HC quashes order to give Modi's degree details to Kejriwal, AAP to appeal

Rediff.com31 Mar 2023

In April 2016, the then CIC M Sridhar Acharyulu had directed the Delhi University and the Gujarat University to provide information to Kejriwal on the degrees that Modi received.