LIRC@SFIT

The upcoming 2025 budget presents a critical juncture for India. As global economic uncertainties and geopolitical tensions loom large, the choices we make today will determine whether India can sustain its growth trajectory and emerge as a global leader in the coming decades. While India has made significant strides, particularly in building a world-class digital public infrastructure, our policy framework needs a fundamental shift to capitalise on the opportunities before us. I outline three key expectations that should be central to the 2025 budget. Read the full article at:  https://indianexpress.com/article/business/economy/prioritise-growth-oriented-regulations-deep-tech-push-invest-in-human-capital-particularly-in-stem-fields-9770602/

The Centre has set a target of creating 6 crore farmer IDs by the end of March this year. Written by Harikishan Sharma According to sources, all new applicants for the PM-Kisan scheme will have to get registered with the Farmers' Registry and provide their farmer ID in the application form. The Centre has made it mandatory for new applicants to obtain a farmer ID for enrolment into the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) to get benefits under the scheme. The move by the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare to make farmer ID mandatory for registering new beneficiaries under the PM-Kisan is significant as it receives about 2 lakh new applications monthly. “This farmer ID guarantees that the applicant-farmer owns the land, and thus, the PM-KISAN registration process would be vastly simplified,” said a source, adding that it will ease the process for farmers to avail themselves of the benefits of the Central scheme. According to sources, all new applicants for t...

India will have to invest close to $4 billion-$5 billion, says Samir V. Kamat Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chairman Samir V. Kamat. | Photo Credit: ANI The only way India can develop a sixth-generation aero-engine and other technologies required is by co-development with a foreign manufacturer, Samir V. Kamat, Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), said while noting that India currently invests only 5% of its defence budget for research and development, which needs to increased to 15%. To realise that capability, he said the country will have to invest close to $4 billion to $5 billion, that’s ₹40,000 crore to 50,000 crore. His remarks come against the backdrop of huge delays in the development of indigenous fighter jets, while China has made rapid progress in this area. Incidentally, India is in talks with France for the co-development of a 110KN engine for the fifth-generation jet, Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), that is ...

  "India’s Genomic Revolution: 10,000 Whole Genome Samples Now Accessible Globally" "Prime Minister Modi Congratulates Scientific Community as India Poised to Lead the Next Generation Revolution in Biotech" Posted On: 09 JAN 2025 7:51PM by PIB Delhi Making a vital move towards self-reliance in the field of genomics, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, today announced that India is no longer dependent on foreign genomic data. At the Genome India Data Conclave, held at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi the Indian Genomic Data Set unveiled and Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh launched the ‘Framework for Exchange of Data Protocols (FeED)’ and the Indian Biological Data Centre (IBDC) Portals, making 10,000 whole genome samples accessible to researchers across India and the globe. Addressing the conclave, Dr. Singh proudly stated, “India has developed its own genomic dat...