India has officially declared 2025 as the "Year of Defence Reforms" with the goal of modernizing its military and enhancing synergy between the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh outlined a nine-point reform plan that includes the creation of integrated theatre commands to improve collaboration and resource utilization among the three services. These reforms will ensure a technologically advanced, combat-ready force capable of operating across multiple domains

STEM Scholarships for 2024: Opportunities and Application Strategies As the demand for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) graduates continues to grow worldwide, numerous scholarships have been designed to support students pursuing education in these critical fields. While earning a STEM degree can be expensive, scholarships help make it more accessible for students, including those from India. This guide provides insights into STEM schol

In a significant change to school education, the Centre has scrapped the 'no-detention policy' for classes 5 and 8 in schools under its control. This means that students who fail the year-end exams will no longer automatically be promoted. Instead, they will have the chance to retake the exam after additional coaching within two months of the results. If they still fail, they will be held back in the same grade. This move follows amendments to the Right to Education Act (RTE

India introduced the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in 2017 to simplify the tax structure and reduce the tax burden. Recent data shows that the gross GST collection for October 2024 rose by 9% to ₹1.87 lakh crore, a record second-highest figure. However, a recent proposal by the Group of Ministers (GoM) on GST Rates Rationalisation suggests a new 35% GST slab on products like aerated drinks and tobacco, which has raised concerns. The proposal aims to target 'sin' products such as thos

Indian students are increasingly looking beyond traditional study destinations like the US and UK to explore new opportunities in countries such as Malta, Singapore, Dubai, Italy, and various European nations. These countries have simplified their visa regulations, and their competitive living and tuition fees, along with diverse academic programmes, are attracting a growing number of students. The ease of access and affordable education options are key factors driving this trend. Many expert

Chandrababu Naidu, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, continues to impress with his unparalleled work ethic, even at the age of 74. Despite expectations that age would slow him down, Naidu chaired a marathon 13-hour conference, which started at 9:30 AM and concluded around 10:40 PM. The conference covered a broad range of crucial topics, such as sand and liquor policies, pension program disparities, and other key governance issues. One of the notable moments during the conference

Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan recently criticized former CM YS Jagan for allegedly running the state’s temples like a business operation, shortly after the discovery of adulterated ingredients in the famous Tirumala Laddu. However, with the new TTD (Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams) board now in place, led by the experienced BR Naidu, significant changes are being made to improve the operations and environment at the Tirumala temple. Under the new leadership, the TTD has focused on res

Amaravati, the new capital of Andhra Pradesh, is rapidly progressing toward becoming a major metropolis. While current developments include state government buildings and prominent educational institutions like VIT and SRM, the city is gaining significant attention from top companies across various sectors. Following the recent elections, Nara Chandrababu Naidu, the Chief Minister and key figure behind Amaravati's vision, has resumed leadership with a renewed focus on shaping th

In its ongoing efforts to reform public policies, the NDA government has now turned its focus on the education sector. Following changes in policies related to sand and liquor, the government is now preparing to revive an initiative aimed at reducing student dropouts in government junior colleges. IT and Education Minister Nara Lokesh has announced plans to reinstate a government-funded mid-day meal scheme, initially introduced by the TDP in 2018. The program was designed to encoura

Andhra Pradesh Education Minister Nara Lokesh has proposed several strategies to address the growing drug abuse problem in the state. Speaking at a meeting of the ministers' sub-committee on narcotics, Lokesh suggested that a chapter about the dangers of drug addiction should be included in the school curriculum to educate youth. He also recommended the use of drones to identify and destroy ganja plantations and the creation of anti-narcotics committees across schools, colleges,

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP), known for its strong presence among the masses in Andhra Pradesh, has achieved an extraordinary milestone with its ongoing membership drive. In less than a month, TDP has successfully enrolled 50 lakh new members, a feat that showcases the party's deep-rooted influence in the region. With Andhra Pradesh’s population in 2022 at 5.33 crore, this means 10% of the state's population is now registered as TDP members. This massive membership sur

BR Naidu, a prominent media figure and owner of TV5 Media, has traditionally been a reserved individual, rarely making public appearances despite leading a major media channel. However, his recent appointment as the Chairman of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has marked a change in his approach. Naidu has become more vocal and has started participating in media interviews, shedding light on his long-standing association with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and his aspirations for the TT

Andhra Pradesh IT and Education Minister Nara Lokesh is proving to be a people’s leader with incident after incident. In the latest development, he quickly assisted a group of Ayyappa devotees from Goduguchinta village in Vedurukuppam Mandal, Nellore Constituency, who were struggling in Kerala. The devotees encountered difficulties during their pilgrimage to Sabarimala, facing a road accident en route and subsequently being detained by the Kerala police despite not being at fault

Is Pursuing a Computer Science Degree in 2024 Still Worth It? As the technological landscape rapidly evolves, many students are questioning the value of a Computer Science (CS) degree in 2024. With advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and automation reshaping industries, it's essential to assess whether a CS degree remains a viable and rewarding path. The Current State of the Tech Industry The tech sector has experien

N. Lokesh, the IT Minister of Andhra Pradesh, took a direct shot at YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s approach to decentralization during his speech in the state assembly. Lokesh mocked Jagan’s vision, claiming that the construction of a palatial building with an extravagant budget of Rs 500 crore hardly aligns with the concept of decentralization. He said, "Building a palace does not reflect true decentralization; it is a misuse of public funds for personal gain." Lokesh

Andhra Pradesh’s IT and Education Minister, Nara Lokesh, has announced an ambitious vision to create a distinctive "Andhra Pradesh model" of education, which he claims will surpass the existing educational frameworks of Delhi and Kerala. His reforms aim to bring revolutionary changes to the state's education system, spanning from KG to PG levels, with a focus on quality and holistic development. Lokesh emphasized that his approach would break awa

Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance’s campaign promises to overhaul U.S. immigration policy on their first day in office have raised serious concerns, especially among Indian-American communities. Trump has vowed to curb the process of naturalized citizenship, and his pledge to introduce a sweeping immigration reform on "Day 1" could impact millions of children born in the United States to immigrant parents. Under Trump’s proposed executive order, childr

Somu Veerraju, the former chief of BJP in Andhra Pradesh, has long been associated with a perceived soft corner for YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s leadership, which many believe contributed to his removal from the BJP's state leadership position. However, after remaining largely silent despite the NDA alliance's massive victory in Andhra Pradesh, Veerraju made a surprising public appearance recently by meeting Nara Lokesh, the son of TDP leader N. Chandrababu Naidu. In a meeti

That Andhra Pradesh state IT and education minister Nara Lokesh is gradually emerging as the heir apparent of his father and chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu is being established gradually in the TDP and also the government. The way the TDP ranks have been calling Lokesh the future chief minister of Andhra Pradesh on social media and the state government carrying his picture on the front page advertisements of the official programmes along with his father clearly indicated that Lokesh is em

Nara Lokesh, the scion of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), is currently on an extended trip to the USA, where he is actively engaging with global tech giants to attract investments to Andhra Pradesh. One of the highlights of his visit occurred in Atlanta, where he unveiled a statue of the legendary Sr NTR, commissioned by the NRI TDP workers. The unveiling ceremony was a grand affair, marked by a unique spectacle of flower petals showered from a helicopter, adding a festive atmosphere