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8.7 Crore Young Indians Were Out of Education, Work or Training in 2021: NITI Aayog

Around 8.7 crore Indians aged between 15 and 29 were not engaged in education, employment or training in 2021, according to NITI Aayog’s report, Reimagining Skilling for Viksit Bharat@2047. The findings highlight a significant gap in India’s transition from education to employment and skill development. Based on data from the 78th round of the National Sample Survey, the report categorises these young people as NEET — those who are not in education, employment or training, including those who are unemployed. NITI Aayog has called for affordable and subsidised training, financial assistance and stronger links between skilling programmes, local employment opportunities, self-employment and emerging industries. The report also flagged a weak connection between formal education and the job market. It found that only 8.25 per cent of graduates are employed in positions that match their qualifications. According to the think tank, insufficient practical exposure and limited industry-oriented training are major factors affecting employability. Young people from economically weaker families face additional barriers, as many cannot afford private tuition or paid skill courses alongside college expenses. After graduation, some accept low-paying jobs simply for income stability, while others remain outside the workforce and education system. To address this gap, NITI Aayog has recommended bringing skilling deeper into mainstream school education. It proposed introducing General Employability and Entrepreneurship Skills for students from Classes 6 to 12, while introducing specialised vocational pathways, called Kaushal Tracks, from Class 9. These tracks would allow students to acquire skills aligned with local and national employment demand. However, the report noted that vocational education remains limited across schools. Fewer than one in 12 secondary schools currently offer vocational subjects, despite provisions under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework to integrate vocational education and employability skills from Class 6 onwards. For Classes 10 and 12, the think tank has recommended incorporating vocational subjects into the board examination subject structure with equal weightage. It also proposed allowing state boards to adopt the revised framework for certification and retaining General Employability and Entrepreneurship Skills as a separate subject for Classes 11 and 12. NITI Aayog has also called for changes in higher education, recommending a move away from generic degrees towards applied and industry-relevant specialisations. Greater integration of apprenticeships, work-based learning and earn-while-you-learn programmes has also been suggested to help students gain practical experience. The report identified apprenticeships as a crucial but underdeveloped bridge between education and employment. Although government initiatives such as the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme and National Apprenticeship Training Scheme have expanded opportunities, participation remains uneven. NITI Aayog has proposed incentives for MSMEs to create more apprenticeship positions and a unified platform where young people can access credible opportunities. The skilling strategy should also focus on sectors expected to generate future employment, including green industries and electric vehicles. At the same time, workers in declining sectors would need opportunities for reskilling and transition into new occupations. NITI Aayog said more than 7.67 crore people have received training since 2014-15, while the Union Budget 2025-26 allocated around Rs 34,000 crore for skilling-related expenditure across various Central ministries. However, the report stressed that higher training numbers and spending alone may not resolve the problem unless skilling is tied more closely to measurable employment outcomes. Source: Indian Express

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More Than 16,000 Ebola Vaccine Doses Arrive in Outbreak-Hit DRC

admin / Health & Wellness Community

More than 16,000 doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine arrived in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Friday, August 21, as the country battles its deadliest Ebola outbreak, according to an AFP journalist at the scene. A total of 16,250 doses were delivered by plane to Kinshasa, forming part of the 70,000 Ervebo doses made available to the DRC by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Of the total allocation, 20,000 doses are earmarked for a clinical trial, while 50,000 will be administered to frontline and healthcare workers. The DRC declared its 17th Ebola outbreak on May 15, although health officials believe the virus had been circulating for several weeks before the announcement. The outbreak has affected areas in the country’s north and east, where limited state presence, weak healthcare infrastructure and the presence of armed groups have complicated the response. According to the latest figures from Congolese authorities, the outbreak has resulted in 5,290 confirmed cases and 2,516 deaths. Julien Harneis, the UN’s senior Ebola coordinator, warned on Friday that the outbreak was “growing exponentially”. The Ervebo vaccine, developed by pharmaceutical company Merck, is approved for protection against the Zaire strain of Ebola but has not been approved for the Bundibugyo strain currently circulating in the DRC. WHO experts are yet to establish whether it can protect humans against the strain, although preliminary evidence, including animal studies, indicates that it may provide some level of protection. DRC Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba said Ervebo had already been deployed during previous outbreaks, including extensively during the 2018-2020 Ebola epidemic. WHO vaccine experts this month recommended conducting a large-scale human trial to determine whether Ervebo can provide cross-protection against the Bundibugyo strain. The trial is expected to provide crucial evidence as authorities seek to contain the rapidly expanding outbreak. Researchers are also working on vaccines specifically designed to target the Bundibugyo strain. Moderna is developing an mRNA-based candidate, while another vaccine is being developed by the University of Oxford. Singapore-based Hilleman Laboratories is also set to develop an “rVSV Bundibugyo” vaccine, which WHO has described as the most promising candidate. Ebola spreads primarily through contact with infected bodily fluids and can cause severe fever and other serious symptoms. The virus has killed more than 15,000 people across Africa over the past five decades. Source: AFP

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YouTube Offers Millions to Top Creators as Netflix Intensifies Talent Push: Report

admin / Article/Stories

YouTube is reportedly offering millions of dollars to some of its biggest creators in an effort to prevent them from making their content exclusive or simultaneously available on Netflix, Bloomberg News reported. According to people familiar with the discussions, the proposed deals could involve direct funding for programmes or giving creators a share of major brand partnerships. While YouTube has not finalised the agreements, the company is reportedly close to striking deals with several prominent creators. The move comes as Netflix steps up its efforts to attract established YouTube personalities. The streaming platform has recently signed creators such as Alan Chikin Chow and Nick DiGiovanni to release their content on both Netflix and YouTube. Netflix is also reportedly in discussions with several other creators, channels and programmes, including the celebrity interview series Hot Ones. For creators, Netflix offers the prospect of earning millions from content they are already producing while gaining access to the platform’s more than 325 million subscribers. YouTube, however, has cautioned creators that distributing identical videos on Netflix could reduce viewership on YouTube and weaken its position as their primary platform for audiences and advertisers. YouTube Tightens Relationship With Creators Creators who opt for Netflix partnerships could also face changes in their relationship with YouTube. People familiar with the matter said the platform has indicated that creators working with competitors may receive fewer opportunities to participate in YouTube marketing campaigns and company events. They could also potentially miss out on certain major brand collaborations. Some creators have already rejected Netflix offers. Among the concerns are requirements to provide videos several days before their scheduled release, which may disrupt creators’ existing production workflows. Netflix has also reportedly asked some creators to remove certain brand sponsorships from their videos. Streaming Giants Enter New Battle for Creators The developments signal growing competition between YouTube and Netflix, two platforms that traditionally operated in different segments of the video industry. Netflix built its business around subscription-based streaming and professionally produced films and television programmes, while YouTube became the leading destination for user-generated content and helped create a global generation of online creators. That distinction has increasingly narrowed. YouTube has expanded its presence in television viewing and advertising while securing rights to major live events. Netflix, meanwhile, is turning increasingly to YouTube creators to attract younger viewers and boost engagement. The rivalry has intensified over the past year as Netflix has targeted some of YouTube’s most popular channels. YouTube CEO Neal Mohan has previously argued that creators can work with competing platforms such as Instagram or Amazon Prime Video while continuing to use YouTube as their primary distribution channel. However, the growing number of creators releasing the same content on both YouTube and Netflix appears to be prompting the company to reconsider that approach. YouTube Weighs Direct Financial Support YouTube has historically avoided operating like a traditional television studio by directly funding creators or influencing their programming decisions. Providing financial incentives to a select group of creators could also create challenges in maintaining relationships with the broader creator community. However, the company increasingly views exclusive or simultaneous distribution arrangements as a potential threat to its advertising proposition. If the same content is available on Netflix, YouTube could find it more difficult to demonstrate the unique value of its audience to advertisers. The strategy also has precedent. YouTube previously offered financial incentives to creators who avoided partnerships with Vessel, a short-form video platform founded by former Hulu CEO Jason Kilar. The company also launched Shorts as a response to the rapid rise of TikTok. The latest developments highlight a broader transformation in the streaming industry, with Netflix and YouTube increasingly competing not only for viewers but also for the creators whose content drives audiences to their platforms.

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UGC-NET June 2026 Exam to Be Re-Conducted for Three Subjects in September

admin / Education Community

The Centre has informed the Delhi High Court that the UGC-NET June 2026 examination will be re-conducted for three subjects following complaints of errors in the question papers. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, told the court that examinations for English and Commerce will be held on September 9, while the Sociology paper will be conducted on September 10. The submission was made during the hearing of a petition filed by Aman Singh Yadav, a candidate who appeared for the Sociology examination on June 30. The petitioner had sought a stay on the declaration of UGC-NET results, along with an independent investigation into allegations that the question paper had been leaked and circulated commercially before the examination. Taking note of the Centre’s decision to conduct a fresh examination, Justice Jasmeet Singh disposed of the petition, observing that the relief sought by the petitioner no longer remained applicable. The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted the UGC-NET June 2026 examination between June 22 and June 30 across 87 subjects. The examination determines eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), appointment as assistant professors and admission to PhD programmes. During the hearing, the petitioner alleged that the Sociology question paper contained serious errors and had also been leaked before the examination. He claimed to have submitted representations to the NTA regarding the issues but had not received a response. The petition also sought an independent investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the alleged question paper leak. The CBI was represented before the court by standing counsel Premtosh Mishra. In a separate public notice, the NTA said it had received multiple complaints concerning errors in the question papers of the three affected subjects. The agency subsequently constituted a committee to examine the complaints. The decision to re-conduct the examinations comes amid renewed scrutiny of the NTA, which has also announced plans to overhaul its examination system. Source: PTI

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Ashwini Vaishnaw Says India’s Growth Anchored in Infrastructure, Inclusion and Manufacturing

admin / Governance Community

Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said India’s economic growth is gaining global recognition, with the country maintaining a growth rate in the range of 6 to 8 per cent. He attributed the momentum to four key areas — investment in social, digital and physical infrastructure, inclusive development and a strong manufacturing push. Addressing the Uttar Pradesh-Japan Investment Summit 2026 in New Delhi, Vaishnaw said investment remains central to India’s development journey. He noted that annual public investment, which was once relatively limited, has now reached around $130 billion. Highlighting the expansion of infrastructure, the minister said 99.6 per cent of India’s railway network has been electrified. Around 38,000 kilometres of railway lines have been added over the past decade, while 162 semi-high-speed trains have also been introduced. Vaishnaw further said India now has the world’s second-largest road network, with nearly 65,000 kilometres of highways added over the last decade. The number of airports in the country has also doubled during this period, he added. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the India-Japan partnership is built around shared growth, technological cooperation and prosperity. He highlighted Uttar Pradesh’s emergence as one of India’s three largest state economies and described it as an important engine of the country’s growth. Adityanath said the state’s budget and per capita income have nearly tripled over the past nine years, with the government focusing on security, stability and faster development. He added that more than 96 lakh MSME units, over 35,000 large industries and more than 22,000 startups are contributing to the state’s economic expansion. Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the government is working to accelerate India’s development while placing particular emphasis on farmers and the agriculture sector. Chouhan said increasing agricultural production and positioning India as the world’s food basket are among the government’s key objectives. He stressed that greater farm mechanisation will be important for lowering agricultural production costs and improving farmers’ productivity. The minister also underlined the need to ensure that research and technological innovations reach farmers directly, helping them adopt modern agricultural practices. Calling Uttar Pradesh a state with significant investment potential, Chouhan said it has increasingly emerged as a hub for global investment. He also described India-Japan ties as a relationship that extends beyond government-to-government cooperation, calling it a convergence of two civilisations. Source: News on AIR

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MetLife GCC Appoints Dimple Kaloya as Chief Human Resources Officer

admin / Human Resource Community

MetLife Global Capability Centers (MGCC) has appointed Dimple Kaloya as its new Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), bringing more than two decades of experience in human resources, consulting, talent management, people analytics and workforce management. Kaloya announced her new role in a LinkedIn post, saying she was “delighted” to join MetLife Global Capability Centers as Chief Human Resources Officer. Before joining MetLife GCC, Kaloya spent around seven years with HSBC, where she led human resources functions for the bank’s Global Service Centers in India and Group Functions GSC HTCs. Over the course of her career, she has also held roles at EY, Aon and WNS Global Services. Her experience spans HR consulting, organisational design, talent management, performance management and employee engagement. Kaloya holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management from the Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Ghaziabad, and a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management from Annamalai University. Source: Economic Times

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Delhi Schools Revise Class 9 Rules, Make Vocational Education and Third Language Mandatory

admin / Education Community

Delhi schools will implement a revised academic and assessment framework for Class 9 from the 2026-27 academic session, introducing mandatory vocational education and a third language while offering students optional advanced examinations in Mathematics and Science. According to a circular issued by the Directorate of Education, Class 9 students will have six core subjects: Language-1, Language-2, Mathematics, Science, Social Science and Vocational Education, or Kaushal Vikas. Performance in these subjects will determine students’ eligibility for promotion to Class 10. Vocational Education has been added as a compulsory subject to provide students with early exposure to practical skills, skill development and employability-oriented learning. The revised framework also makes a third language, designated as R3, compulsory for Class 9. Students will continue with the three-language combination they studied in Class 8 and select one of these as their R3 language. The subject will be assessed at the school level and will be treated as a qualifying requirement, with the marksheet recording students as either ‘qualified’ or ‘not qualified’. Students who fail to qualify in R3 can still be promoted to Class 10 if they meet the remaining promotion requirements. However, they will have to clear the Class 9 third-language assessment while studying in Class 10 and must qualify before appearing for the Class 10 Board examination. Advanced Mathematics and Science Options The new system will provide Class 9 students with the option of taking advanced-level examinations in Mathematics and Science. While all students will appear for the common examinations based on the prescribed syllabus, those interested in studying beyond the standard curriculum can opt for Mathematics Advanced, Science Advanced or both. The advanced examinations will carry 25 marks and have a duration of one hour. They will focus primarily on higher-order thinking skills. Scores from these examinations will not be considered for promotion or included in the overall aggregate. Students who score at least 50 per cent in an advanced examination will have the achievement mentioned on their marksheet. The Directorate has also discontinued the Basic and Standard Mathematics examination structure for Class 9 from 2026-27. The existing system will continue for Class 10 students during the 2026-27 academic year. AI and Computational Thinking to Become Mandatory The revised curriculum also makes Individuals in Society, Art Education, and Physical Education and Well-Being compulsory curricular areas, with assessment conducted at the school level. Computational Thinking and Artificial Intelligence (CT & AI) will initially be introduced through structured modules across schools during 2026-27. The subject is scheduled to become compulsory from the 2027-28 academic session. New Promotion Criteria Under the revised rules, students will need to secure at least 33 per cent separately in internal assessment/practical and external assessment in each of the six core subjects. They will also need to score a minimum of 25 per cent in the annual examination to qualify for promotion. The Directorate will continue to allow grace marks and compartment examinations. Students who fail in up to three of the six core subjects can appear for compartment examinations. Those who do not meet the requirements for either promotion or a compartment examination will be classified as ‘Essential Repeat’ and will have to repeat Class 9. The changes are aimed at bringing Delhi’s school education system in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023, with greater emphasis on competency-based education, vocational skills, multidisciplinary learning and emerging technologies. Source: PTI

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Tamil Nadu to Launch Health Insurance Scheme for Elderly, Announces Major Healthcare Reforms

admin / Health & Wellness Community

The Tamil Nadu government has announced a series of healthcare reforms, including a new health insurance scheme for senior citizens, annual free health check-ups for people aged 30 and above, and a major expansion of medical infrastructure and healthcare workforce. The announcements were made in the Tamil Nadu Assembly as the government outlined plans to modernise the State’s healthcare system and address emerging and future health challenges. The 87-year-old Tamil Nadu Public Health Act, 1939, will be replaced with a new comprehensive legislation designed to address contemporary healthcare requirements. The proposed law will also include a provision making unsupervised home births outside hospitals a punishable offence. The government also plans to establish ‘TN Medicity’, a world-class integrated healthcare hub bringing together clinical services, medical research, medical tourism and AYUSH facilities. An initial allocation of ₹10 crore will be made to prepare the Detailed Project Report for the proposed project. Free Annual Health Checks for People Above 30 Under the proposed ‘Nalam 360 – Annual Free Health Check-up for All’ initiative, residents aged 30 years and above will receive 14 basic health tests every year at no cost. The programme will be implemented across 1,257 government healthcare facilities in Tamil Nadu. The tests will cover key health indicators, including blood pressure, ECG, haemoglobin, complete haemogram, random blood sugar, urea, creatinine, total cholesterol, serum bilirubin, urine albumin and VIA screening. For the first time in the State, the Health Department will also introduce Home Based Diagnostic Services in metropolitan areas. The initiative will facilitate sample collection and testing at people’s homes through a public-private partnership model. New Health Policy and Institutions The government will introduce a ‘Positive Health Policy’ aimed at promoting holistic health and wellbeing at the individual, family and community levels. A ‘Nalam 360’ mobile application will accompany the initiative. Another proposed legislation, the ‘TN Institutions of State Importance in Health Care Act’, will facilitate the creation of institutions of State importance focused on delivering advanced and world-class medical services. Expansion of Healthcare Workforce To address staffing requirements, the government will create 2,500 permanent staff nurse positions. Existing nurses working on consolidated pay will also be absorbed into regular time-scale positions. In addition, 1,695 nursing posts on consolidated pay will be created at an estimated cost of ₹42.72 crore. The Medical Services Recruitment Board will recruit 3,594 medical personnel across 24 categories, including pharmacists, nursing assistants, village health nurses and ophthalmic assistants. The Health Department will also create 284 temporary super-speciality posts across 25 disciplines, including neurology, cardiology and nephrology. These positions will be placed on time-scale pay and are intended to strengthen access to specialised healthcare at the district level. The posts will also provide opportunities for doctors completing postgraduate medical education each year, particularly those posted in government hospitals under bond conditions. The government has further announced several infrastructure initiatives, including construction of new hospital buildings and procurement of additional medical equipment, as part of its broader effort to strengthen healthcare delivery across Tamil Nadu. Source: The Hindu

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31 More Applications Approved Under Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme

admin / Governance Community

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has approved 31 additional applications under the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS), with a projected investment of ₹7,877 crore. The latest approvals are expected to create more than 9,500 employment opportunities across the country. The applications have been received from 10 states, with Tamil Nadu accounting for seven approvals, while Maharashtra and Haryana received six each. Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw formally handed over the approval letters to the selected applicants at an event in New Delhi. The approved projects cover the manufacturing of a range of electronic components, including acetylene black, speakers and microphones, optical transceivers, capacitors and coils. With the latest approvals, the total number of companies approved under the ECMS has reached 106. Vaishnaw said the government had initially set an investment target of ₹59,000 crore under the scheme, but the target has already been surpassed, with projected investments now crossing ₹69,000 crore. Source: News on AIR

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Zee Entertainment Appoints Ashish Mishra as Chief Marketing Officer

admin / Media Entertainment & Art Community

Zee Entertainment Enterprises has appointed Ashish Mishra as its new Chief Marketing Officer as the company seeks to strengthen its marketing strategy and enhance consumer engagement across its businesses. Based at Zee’s Mumbai headquarters, Mishra will report directly to CEO Punit Goenka and oversee the company’s network-wide marketing and brand initiatives. His responsibilities will include developing stronger consumer propositions, leading marketing campaigns across businesses and undertaking strategic and special projects aimed at supporting Zee’s long-term growth. As part of the organisational changes, Kartik Mahadev, who has been associated with Zee’s marketing operations, will transition to a new role within the company. Further details about his new position are expected to be announced soon. Welcoming the appointment, Goenka said marketing remains central to strengthening Zee’s relationship with consumers and creating long-term business value. He highlighted Mishra’s experience in building consumer-focused brands and his strategic and creative approach. Mishra said he would build on Zee’s understanding of Indian consumers while focusing on strengthening the company’s brand and content strategy, increasing consumer engagement and creating greater value for the business. Source: Economic Times

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