The Karnataka Department of IT/BTon Monday launched its Local Economy Accelerator Programme (LEAP) to promote innovation and entrepreneurship, especially in rural areas.

Revealing this to the TNIE, IT/BT Minister Priyank Kharge said the state government has announced an allocation of Rs 1,000 crore to implement the programme, which is expected to create five lakh jobs.

Priyank said LEAP was announced in this year’s budget. The aim is to create cluster-based economic accelerators outside Bengaluru. It could be exclusively IT and BT, IT/BT or electronics or skill development. It should not be limited to Bengaluru alone, but spread across the state. The government has announced Rs 1,000 crore for Phase I of LEAP, which is the first of its kind with so much funding.

State-owned shipbuilder, Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL), has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) for a long-term strategic collaboration in shipbuilding.

Mint reported in April that CSL is in talks with Korean companies to build ships near its existing shipbuilding facility in Kerala.

This partnership seeks to combine CSL’s legacy, infrastructure, and domestic expertise with HD KSOE’s advanced technology and global experience, marking a significant step in strengthening India’s shipbuilding capabilities.

The 28th National Conference on e-Governance (NCeG), co-hosted by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), and the Government of Andhra Pradesh, concluded in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday with the adoption of the “Visakhapatnam Declaration.” The two-day conference outlined a forward-looking strategy to advance India’s e-Governance agenda.

At the valedictory session, Shri V. Srinivas, Secretary, Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), lauded the Government of Andhra Pradesh for successfully hosting the conference outside the state capital after many years, terming it one of the most substantive e-Governance gatherings in recent times. He highlighted the wide participation from 18 ministries, states and union territories, and congratulated the winners of the National e-Governance Awards 2025. From the dais, he also launched the official website for the National e-Governance Awards 2026. Expressing gratitude to the officers and partner institutions who worked for over a year to make the event possible, Shri Srinivas underlined Andhra Pradesh’s innovative governance practices, including real-time governance and WhatsApp-based service delivery, as models worth replicating nationally.

The Ministry of Ayush has launched the National Dhanwantari Ayurveda Awards to celebrate outstanding contributions in the field of Ayurveda. These awards aim to encourage Ayurvedic doctors to continue advancing traditional medicine while inspiring young practitioners.

The awards will be given in five categories every year. The top award carries a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh, while others carry Rs 1 lakh each along with a citation and trophy.

Ayurveda Bhushan Award – Rs 5 lakh
Ayurveda Ratna Award – Rs 1 lakh
Ayurveda Gaurav Award – Rs 1 lakh
Ayurveda Yuva Award – Rs 1 lakh
Ayurveda Prashasti Patra Award – Rs 1 lakh
These categories cover recognition of senior doctors, young achievers, and notable contributions across Ayurveda practice, education, and research.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Morocco’s Defence Minister Abdeltif Loudiyi signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation in Rabat yesterday. The MoU provides for a robust institutional framework for the growing partnership and paves the way for collaboration in the defence industry, joint exercises, military training and capacity building. Both leaders decided to intensify defence industry collaboration and agreed on a comprehensive roadmap covering counter-terrorism, maritime security, cyber defence, peacekeeping operations, military medicine, and expert exchanges. The discussions between the two Ministers reflected the shared resolve to further strengthen the longstanding friendship between India and Morocco.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also met Morocco’s Minister of Trade, Mr Ryad Mezzour, in Rabat. In a social media post, the Defence Ministry informed that during the meeting, Mr Mezzour highlighted the importance of enhancing industrial cooperation between India and Morocco, bound by a long-standing friendship. The Ministry added that the discussions centred on deepening partnerships in key sectors, including defence, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.

In a significant move marking a pioneering step in grassroots digital governance, Gram Panchayats were today conferred with the National Awards for e-Governance (NAeG) 2025 under a newly instituted category dedicated to grassroots-level initiatives in digital service delivery. The Awards were conferred during the 28th National Conference on e-Governance (NCeG) in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State, Prime Minister’s Office & MoS (Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions). Earlier in the day, Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, inaugurated the Conference and delivered the inaugural address.

After a rigorous multi-tier evaluation of more than 1.45 lakh entries nationwide, the following Gram Panchayats were awarded under the newly introduced category, “Grassroots-level initiatives in Gram Panchayats for deepening service delivery” :

Gold Award: Rohini Gram Panchayat, Dhule District, Maharashtra – Sarpanch Dr. Anandrao Pawara

Silver Award: West Majlishpur Gram Panchayat, West Tripura District, Tripura – Sarpanch Smt. Anita Deb Das

Jury Award: Palsana Gram Panchayat, Surat District, Gujarat – Sarpanch Shri Pravinbhai Parshottambhai Ahir

Jury Award: Suakati Gram Panchayat, Kendujhar District, Odisha – Sarpanch Smt. Kautuka Naik

Each award includes a trophy, certificate, and financial incentives of Rs.10 lakh (Gold) and Rs.5 lakh (Silver), to be reinvested in strengthening citizen-centric initiatives.

In a major boost to its international law enforcement efforts, India has been elected as a member of the INTERPOL Asian Committee. The election took place during the 25th Asian Regional Conference held in Singapore. India made it to the committee after a multi-stage voting process.

This marks a significant step in strengthening India’s role in global policing and security cooperation. The Asian Committee plays an important advisory role, supporting the Asian Regional Conference by identifying strategic crime-fighting priorities and enhancing police cooperation in the region.

India to amass global cooperation to tackle crimes

India’s membership is expected to advance collaboration in tackling key security challenges, including organised crime, cybercrime, terrorism, drug trafficking and human trafficking. The move reflects India’s growing commitment to the Global Policing Goals and its active participation in transnational law enforcement initiatives.

In a major symbolic move, Indian Railways has officially renamed the Ahmednagar Railway Station of Pune Division, Central Railway, as Ahilyanagar Railway Station. The renaming pays tribute to Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Holkar, the 18th-century Maratha queen known for her just and benevolent rule. It follows the Government of Maharashtra’s decision to rename the district as Ahilyanagar.

According to the Railway Board notification, the new name will now appear across all platforms, timetables, and signage.

The renaming process began after the Maharashtra government forwarded a proposal to the Union Home Ministry, which subsequently gave its approval. A notification was then issued to implement the new name. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar had earlier written to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, emphasising the need to align the railway station’s name with the district’s new identity.

When Justice Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud retired as the 50th Chief Justice of India in November 2024, many wondered what the next chapter in his public life might look like. With over 25 years on the bench, he delivered some of the most significant legal rulings in recent Indian history. Now, the former CJI has turned author. His debut book, Why the Constitution Matters (Penguin Random House), is slated to be released by August-end.

The former CJI’s landmark judgments have addressed issues as diverse as the right to privacy, the decriminalisation of homosexuality, and gender equality in the armed forces. However, this book is not a legal treatise. Instead, in his words, it is an “an invocation to every citizen to engage in realising the true potential of the Constitution.” Written with the clarity of someone accustomed to explaining complex principles, it seeks to connect constitutional ideals with the lived experiences of everyday Indians.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today inaugurated the Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Science City at Rajendra Nagar in Patna.

Spread over 21 acres, the Science City features five science-based galleries, 269 fascinating science exhibition models, an auditorium, and a 4D theater as its main attractions.
The Chief Minister said that this Science City has become a modern center of science and innovation that will attract people of all age groups.

It will be a unique and appealing center for understanding and exploring science and technology in the country.

The Science City has been constructed by Bihar’s Department of Science, Technology, and Technical Education at a cost of 889 crore rupees, and it has been completed within a period of five years.