Indian Government Proposes Honorary Ranks for Retiring CAPF Personnel
The Indian government is considering a new initiative to award honorary senior ranks to retiring Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel who haven’t been promoted due to organizational constraints. This proposal aims to recognize their service and boost their morale.
Under the scheme, eligible personnel would receive the insignia for the next senior rank a month before their retirement. This honorary rank would be reflected in their service records, accompanied by the corresponding pay. This initiative is designed to provide a sense of accomplishment and acknowledgment for their dedication and service.
Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar Takes Oath as Kerala’s 23rd Governor
Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar was sworn in as the 23rd Governor of Kerala at Raj Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram. He succeeds Arif Mohammed Khan, who has been appointed as the Governor of Bihar.
The oath was administered by Kerala High Court Chief Justice Nitin Madhukar Jamdar. The ceremony was attended by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Secretary Sharada Muraleedharan, and other dignitaries. Following the ceremony, Arlekar and his family visited the Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple to offer prayers.
Arif Mohammad Khan Assumes Office as Bihar’s 42nd Governor
Arif Mohammad Khan has been sworn in as the 42nd Governor of Bihar, following the appointment of Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar as the Governor of Kerala. The oath-taking ceremony was held at the Raj Bhavan in Patna, with Chief Justice of Patna High Court, Justice K Vinod Chandran, administering the oath.
Prominent figures, including Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, and other dignitaries, attended the event. Khan expressed his dedication to serving the state and upholding its esteemed traditions.
Sai Paranjpye Awarded Prestigious Padmapani Lifetime Achievement Award
Acclaimed filmmaker and writer Sai Paranjpye will be honored with the Padmapani Lifetime Achievement Award at the upcoming Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival (AIFF) 2025. Renowned for her contributions to Indian cinema with classics like “Sparsh,” “Chashme Buddoor,” and “Katha,” Paranjpye’s work has left an indelible mark on the industry.
The award will be presented on January 15, 2025, at the Rukmini Auditorium of MGM University Campus in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Along with a Padmapani memento, she will receive a letter of honour and a monetary award of Rs 2 lakh.
Launch of ONOS Initiative Transforms India’s Research Landscape
Launched on January 1, 2025, the One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) initiative represents a major milestone in enhancing India’s research and education framework. This program seeks to provide extensive access to academic, research, and scientific materials for scholars and professionals nationwide.
With coordination from INFLIBNET under the University Grants Commission (UGC), ONOS aims to benefit over 1.8 crore students, faculty, and researchers from more than 6,300 institutions. The initiative, supported by a budget of Rs 6,000 crore for 2025-2027, will provide access to 13,000 scholarly journals from 30 international publishers.
India Establishes Committee to Update WPI Base Year
The Indian government has formed a committee headed by NITI Aayog member Ramesh Chand to revise the base year for the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) from 2011-12 to 2022-23. This change aims to better reflect the economic transformations over the past decade and improve the accuracy of factory-gate inflation measurements. The committee will also consider transitioning from WPI to a more comprehensive Producer Price Index (PPI), which includes both goods and services, enhancing the overall economic output estimations. This update is expected to offer a more precise picture of India’s economic landscape.