The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) launched a podcast app ‘Shiksha Vani’ earlier this week to disseminate crucial information to students and parents in a timely manner.

The board also mentioned that its first episode, on the evaluation process of Class 10 and 12 board examinations, has been released on the platform. As the examinations proceed, the episode helps students understand how their completed papers will be evaluated.

The board’s notification read: “Easy availability of up-to-date information regarding educational tools and initiatives can improve outcomes, and that is the reason why the board constantly endeavours to be in touch with its stakeholders. The board also believes in the use of new, appropriate and user-friendly technology to ensure the proper spread of its directions.”

In football, India has clinched the SAFF Women's Championship for the fifth time in a row, defeating hosts Nepal 3-1 in the final at Biratnagar. In the first half, Dalmia Chhibber of India scored the first goal of the match which was equalled by Nepal's Sabitra Bhandari at the 33rd minute.

In the second half, Grace Dengmei scored the second goal at 63rd minute and Anju Tamang scored third and decisive goal in the 76th minute. This was India's 23rd straight victory in the championship since its inception in 2010.
 

The Election Commission of India has appointed transgender social activist Gauri Sawant, as one of the 12 election ambassadors from Maharashtra.

During 2004 and 2009 Lok Sabha elections there was no record of transgender voters. 

Following the Supreme Court order, transgenders got the right to vote for the first time in 2014. In 2014, 918 voters were registered in this third category. This number has doubled in five years and now it is 2,086. 

There are 113, 184, and 123 registered transgenders in constituencies of Bhiwandi, Kalyan,  and East Mumbai respectively. North Mumbai constituency has registered the maximum number of 324 transgender.

According to the Election Commission, Gauri Sawant's appointment would help in more people from this category getting registered during the final phase of voters enrollment. It stated that in the next few days, Gauri Sawant would visit every transgender and inspire them about the need for voting.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address over 25 lakh Chowkidars through audio bridge medium on Wednesday and share the colours of Holi with them. 

Party's media head and Rajya Sabha MP Anil Baluni said, this is a part of a series of initiatives under the 'Main Bhi Chowkidaar' outreach programme.

The Prime Minister is also scheduled to interact with people, who have pledged to support the Main Bhi Chowkidar campaign, from 500 places in the country on 31st of this month.

President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday presented Gallantry Awards and Distinguished Service Decorations at the Defence Investiture Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. 

Kirti Chakras were conferred on Sepoy Vijay Kumar of Indian Army and Constable Pradip Kumar Panda of CRPF posthumously. 

Displaying exceptional bravery and commitment to duty during counter-terrorist operations in Jammu and Kashmir, both of them made the supreme sacrifice for the nation. 

Uttam Yudh Seva Medal was conferred on Lieutenant General Anil Kumar Bhatt for successful counter-terrorist operations conducted under him in Jammu and Kashmir.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba and Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

GST council today approved a transition plan for new goods and services tax rates on residential properties under which developers of under-construction buildings may either opt to shift to the revised lower rates without input tax credit or stick to the previous rates.

Revenue Secretary Ajay Bhushan Pandey told media that for housing projects launched on or after the first of April this year, the developers will have to adhere to the new GST rates recommended by the council last month. Developers can also opt for different GST options for separate buildings in a project depending on if construction started before or after 31st March this year. Mr Pandey added that there will be no revenue loss to the government due to the new GST structure for under-construction housing.

The next GST Council meeting will be held after the Lok Sabha elections. The Revenue Secretary informed that authorities will, however, seek permission of the Election Commission if the need arises for any meeting of the body.

Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev has announced his resignation after nearly 30 years in power. 

The 78-year old leader had ruled the country since it emerged from the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s. 

In a televised address last night, Mr Nazarbayev said, the decision was not easy but he wanted to help a new generation of leaders. He said, the Chairman of the Kazakh Senate would take over. 

The announcement came less than a month after the President sacked his government, citing a lack of economic development despite the country's vast energy resources. 

Former Supreme Court judge Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose has been appointed as the country's first Lokpal. 

According to a communique issued by Rashtrapati Bhavan, President Ram Nath Kovind has appointed the Chairman of the Lokpal along with other members of the anti-corruption watchdog.

The Lokpal will have four judicial and four non-judicial members. Former Chief Justices - Dilip B. Bhosale, Pradip Kumar Mohanty, and Abhilasha Kumari and sitting Chief Justice of Chhattisgarh High Court Ajay Kumar Tripathi - have been appointed as judicial members.

The non-judicial members are: former first woman Chief of Sashastra Seema Bal Archana Ramasundaram, ex-Maharashtra Chief Secretary Dinesh Kumar Jain, former IRS officer Mahender Singh and ex-IAS officer Indrajeet Prasad Gautam.

66-year old Justice Ghose retired as Supreme Court judge in May, 2017. He is a member of the National Human Rights Commission since 29th June, 2017.

With the shared mobility concept gaining traction in India and other markets, South Korean automobile manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group on Tuesday announced an investment of $300 million in India’s biggest cab aggregator Ola Cabs, as part of a strategic partnership between the two companies. With this deal, both Hyundai and Kia Motor Company will work with the Bangaluru based start-up for developing customized electric vehicles and charging stations appropriate for ride hailing applications.

The agreement will see the three companies collaborate on developing unique fleet and mobility solutions, building India-specific electric vehicles and infrastructure, as well as nurturing best in class opportunities and offerings for aspiring driver partners with customized vehicles on the Ola platform, both Hyundai and Ola said in a joint statement.

According to Euisun Chung, executive vice chairman, Hyundai Motor Group, India is the centerpiece of Hyundai’s strategy to gain leadership in the global mobility market and the partnership with Olais meant to accelerate the group’s efforts to transform into a smart mobility solutions provider.

The Telangana government and ANI Technologies-owned Ola Cabs, an app-based public transportation company, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to towards strengthening the traffic infrastructure in the city. The first pilot project proposed to be implemented under this MoU is the dynamic mapping of riding quality of major roads in Hyderabad through the network of vehicles operating on the app’s platform.

This data will be provided to respective departments of the Telangana government, which monitor road conditions and maintain their overall quality in Hyderabad. The intended outcome of this pilot is to reduce accidents due to potholes, monitor the quality of road construction, and prioritize road repair budget, said a press release from the state government on Monday.

This new partnership will see Ola, share ‘intelligent insights’ that enable the state to implement smart solutions to the mobility experience in the city, added the release. “With mobility playing a key role in the development of a city and our focus on building a comprehensive smart city plan for Hyderabad, these valuable data insights from Ola will pave the way towards building future-ready transport infrastructure," said Jayesh Ranjan, principal secretary, industries & commerce (I&C) and IT department, government of Telangana, in the release.