Novak Djokovic’s chance to play for a 10th Australian Open title was thrown into limbo Thursday when the country denied him entry and canceled his visa because he failed to meet the requirements for an exemption to COVID-19 vaccination rules.

The top-ranked Djokovic announced on social media Tuesday that he had “exemption permission” and landed in Australia late Wednesday after receiving a medical exemption from the Victoria state government that was expected to shield him from the strict vaccination regulations in place for this year’s first major tennis tournament.

Food Processing Industries Minister Pashupati Kumar Paras launched six brands developed as part of the 'One District-One Product' approach under the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro food processing Enterprises Scheme in New Delhi yesterday. The products are Amrit Phal, Cori Gold, Kashmiri Mantra, Madhu Mantra, Somdana, and Whole Wheat Cookies of Dilli Bakes. The Ministry has signed an agreement with NAFED for developing ten brands of selected One District One Product under the branding and marketing component of the scheme. According to NAFED, all the products come in unique and attractive packaging to ensure a longer shelf life of the product and keeping it fresh.

The Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro food processing Enterprises Scheme is a centrally sponsored scheme that aims to enhance the competitiveness of existing individual micro-enterprises in the unorganized segment of the food processing industry and to provide support to Farmer Producer Organizations, Self Help Groups, and Producers Cooperatives along their entire value chain.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has clarified that the civil service main examination will be conducted as per schedule i.e., from January 7 onwards. The commission has also urged the states to ensure that no inconvenience is caused to candidates, examination functionaries in their movement.

As stated by UPSC, candidates’ e-admit cards, identity cards of examination functionaries are to be used as movement passes.

Owing to the omicron variant of the Covid-19, several states have imposed curfews and restrictions to curb the spread of the virus. Schools and other educational institutions have also been shut in many states.

UPSC CSE mains exams will begin on January 7 and end on January 16. The nine papers will be conducted in morning and afternoon sessions. The morning session will begin at 9 am and conclude at 12 noon while the forenoon session will be conducted from 2 pm to 5 pm.

Science and Technology Minister Dr Jitendra Singh today released a Special Postage Stamp commemorating the 75th Platinum Jubilee year of CSIR-National Physical Laboratory in New Delhi. The Minister also dedicated the nation LED Photometry Laboratory to fulfill Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to develop energy-efficient illumination technology. 

Lauding the role of National Physical Laboratory, Dr Jitendra Singh said, it is a monumental illustration of country's incredible scientific journey in the last 75 years. He said the Platinum Jubilee celebration is coinciding with the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said science and technology is going to be the main currency for the inclusive growth of India in the coming decades. 

Director-General of National Cadet Corps, Lt General Gurbirpal Singh formally inaugurated NCC Republic Day Camp - 2022 at Delhi Cantt today. The Republic Day Camp is held at the culmination of one complete year of training of NCC cadets and is conducted at Parade Ground, Delhi Cantonment from 1st to 29th January every year.

The Camp is attended by around 2,200 cadets, specially selected from all over India. Inter Directorate competitions in training, cultural competitions and National Integration awareness programmes are conducted during the month-long camp. Two NCC marching contingents participate in the Republic Day Parade on Rajpath on 26th January every year. To commemorate India’s 75 years of Independence, the theme of this year’s Republic Day Camp is ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’

Women and Child Development Ministry has invited nominations for Nari Shakti Puraskar 2021 to be awarded on the occasion of International Women's Day on 8th March this year. The nominations will be accepted only through online mode on
www.awards.gov.in
.

All nominations received upto 31st January will be considered for the Nari Shakti Puraskar.

Women and Child Development Ministry has been celebrating International Women's Day every year by felicitating eminent women, organisations and institutions with Nari Shakti Puraskar.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said, the youth of Manipur, especially daughters of the State have made the country proud all over the world. He added, the youth of the country are getting inspired by the players of Manipur.

The Prime Minister said in a public gathering at Imphal, Manipur has been producing the rarest gems for the country in different areas especially games and sports. The sportspersons from the State brought laurels for the country in international events including Olympic and Commonwealth Games.

The Prime Minister also informed that, a modern Sports University has been set up in Manipur. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 25th National Youth Festival in the Union Territory of Puducherry on January 12  at the Pondicherry Central University campus. AIR correspondent reports, As a part of the  National Youth Festival Union Minister for Youth Affairs and sports Anurag Thakur and Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan will jointly release the logo today.

The Union Minister will oversee the preparations and logistics of the festival also. Around 7000 youth from across the country and 500 youth from Puducherry aged between 18 and 22 are expected to participate in the 5-day youth festival to be held from January 12 to 16.

Lieutenant Governor Dr Soundararajan said that the Prime Minister will reach Puducherry by 9.30 am and visit the Aurobindo Ashram.  

He will then virtually inaugurate the Kamarajar Manimandapam at Samipillaithottam, the National Youth Festival, and the tool room of the MSME centre at the Puducherry Technological University campus.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is  in Punjab to address a rally in Ferozepur today. Just hours ahead of his visit, in a tweet, Prime Minister said he is looking forward to being among sisters and brothers of Punjab today.

At a programme in Ferozepur, the foundation stone of development works worth Rs 42,750 crore would be laid, which will improve the quality of life for the people.

AIR correspondent reports that  Prime Minister has left for Ferozepur from Bathinda. After reaching Ferozepur, he will visit Hussaini Wala, 10 kilometer away from Ferozepur to pay homage to martyrs Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev.

Education Minister and Skill Development Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched NEAT 3.0, which is a single platform to provide the best-developed ed-tech solutions and courses to students of the country. The Minister also launched AICTE prescribed technical books in regional languages. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Pradhan said that NEAT will be a game-changer in bridging the digital divide, especially among the economically disadvantaged students and also in fulfilling the knowledge-based requirement of India and the world.

The Minister informed that 58 global and Indian start-up ed-tech companies are onboard NEAT and are offering 100 courses and e-resources for bettering learning outcomes, developing employable skills and overcoming learning loss.
The Minister encouraged AICTE to integrate courses in NEAT with skill India to tap the opportunities in emerging areas of skill to boost employability and prepare youth for the future. He urged AICTE and ed-tech companies to offer e-resources in the least possible cost.