Union Cabinet

November 6, 2024 4:00 PM

Cabinet approves PM Vidyalaxmi scheme for affordable education loans

The Union Cabinet has approved the PM Vidyalaxmi scheme, aimed at easing financial barriers for middle-class students pursuing higher education. This initiative enables students admitted to higher education institutions to secure loans without collateral or guarantors, Union Information Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced after the Cabinet meeting. Under the PM Vidyalaxmi scheme, up to 100,000 students annually can avail of education loans for their studies. Students from families with an annua...

October 24, 2024 5:12 PM

Cabinet approves ₹1,000 crore venture capital fund to boost space sector startups

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the creation of a ₹1,000 crore Venture Capital Fund dedicated to the space sector, under the supervision of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe). Announcing the decision, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the fund aims to support the development of space startups, with a planned deployment period of up to five years from the start of operations. “The Union Ca...

October 18, 2024 11:02 PM

PM Modi to visit Varanasi on Oct 20, lay foundation for 23 projects worth ₹1,300 crore

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Varanasi, his parliamentary constituency, on October 20 to lay the foundation stone for 23 development projects worth ₹1,300 crore. Preparations are in full swing in Varanasi ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit. Earlier this week, the Union Cabinet approved a major infrastructure initiative—a rail-cum-road bridge across the Ganga, connecting Varanasi and Chandauli districts. This project will feature a six-lane highway on the upper deck and a four-l...

October 16, 2024 9:39 PM

Cabinet approves multi-deck bridge across Ganga connecting Varanasi and Chandauli with six-lane highway and four railway tracks

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the construction of a state-of-the-art rail-cum-road bridge across the Ganga River, traversing Varanasi and Chandauli districts in Uttar Pradesh. The bridge will feature a six-lane highway on the upper deck and four railway lines on the lower deck, marking a significant infrastructural upgrade for the region. Announcing the decision, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who also serves as the Union Railways Minister, explained the need ...

October 16, 2024 4:29 PM

Cabinet approves 3% hike in DA for govt employees

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved a 3% increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for central government employees on Wednesday. The hike, which takes effect from July 1, 2024, also extends to pensioners, with Dearness Relief (DR) being increased by the same percentage. The Dearness Relief for pensioners has also been revised by 3%, Vaishnaw said. "The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved an additional installment of Dearness Allowanc...

October 3, 2024 10:53 PM

Cabinet approves India to Join International Energy Efficiency Hub by signing the Letter of Intent

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved India's decision to join the International Energy Efficiency Hub by signing a Letter of Intent. This strategic move aligns with India’s commitment to advancing sustainable development and reducing greenhouse gas emissions through global cooperation. The International Energy Efficiency Hub (Hub) was established in 2020 as the successor to the International Partnership for Energy Efficiency Cooperation (IPEEC), in which In...

October 3, 2024 10:19 PM

Centre declares Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali as classical languages

The Union Cabinet on Thursday officially granted classical language status to Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali, recognizing their historical and cultural significance. This decision marks a significant addition to India's classical language list, which was first established on October 12, 2004, with the declaration of Tamil as a classical language. The category was created to honor languages with a long and rich history, ancient literature, and cultural heritage. The status of a c...

September 18, 2024 4:34 PM

Cabinet approves ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the 'One Nation, One Election' proposal, which aims to conduct simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, followed by urban body and panchayat polls within 100 days. The proposal is based on the recommendations of a high-level committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind, which submitted a detailed report on the subject. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, addressing a press conference in New Delhi, said, "The Union Cabinet has accepted the recomme...

September 16, 2024 3:31 PM

Cabinet approves one more semiconductor unit in Gujarat, India’s fifth

In a bid to develop a vibrant semiconductor ecosystem, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved a proposal by Kaynes Semicon Pvt Ltd to set up a new semiconductor unit in Sanand, Gujarat. The proposed unit will be established with an investment of Rs 3,300 crore and will have a capacity of 60 lakh chips per day. The chips produced will cater to a wide range of applications, including industrial, automotive, electric vehicles, consumer electronics, telecom, and mobi...

September 16, 2024 3:35 PM

Govt approves rolling out 730 FM radio channels in 234 new cities/towns

The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the third batch of ascending e-auctions for 730 FM radio channels across 234 new cities. The estimated reserve price for these channels is set at Rs 784.87 crore under the Private FM Radio Phase III Policy. In addition to approving the auctions, the Cabinet has also set the Annual License Fee (ALF) for FM channels at 4% of Gross Revenue, excluding Goods and Services Tax (GST). This fee structure will be applicable to the 234 c...