India and Netherlands held 11th Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in New Delhi yesterday, where both sides discussed the way forward in crucial sectors such as Water, Agriculture and Health (WAH agenda), Science and Technology, climate innovation, and renewable technologies. Considering that the Netherlands is India's third-largest export partner in Europe, both sides are looking forward to strengthening their trade ties through the Joint Trade and Investment Committee Meeting next year.

Both the countries have also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest including Afghanistan, Ukraine, the Indo-Pacific, European Union, United Nations, and climate action. The re-launch of  Free Trade Agreement negotiations and Connectivity partnership between India and EU were acknowledged as key drivers by both sides. Both countries also committed to early implementation of the outcomes of the India-EU Leaders’ Meeting in May 2021.

Sashastra Seema Bal is commemorating its ‘59th Raising Day’ today with the commitment to a safe, secure, and prosperous India.

Sashastra Seema Bal, SSB is a border guarding force of India, which guards the nation’s border with Nepal and Bhutan. It is one of the five Central Armed Police Forces and it works under the administration of the Ministry of Home Affairs. In the aftermath of the 1962 India-China war, it was felt that the borders of India should need an additional force along with the Tri-Forces (Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force).

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh today commissioned INS Mormugao, a P15B stealth-guided missile destroyer, into the Indian Navy in Mumbai. Governor of Goa Sridharan Pillai, Chief Minister of Goa Dr. Pramod Sawant, CDS General Anil Chauhan and CnC Vice Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh along with other dignitaries, were present on the occasion.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the "Grih Pravesh" programme in Agartala for more than two lakh beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Urban and Rural schemes.

Addressing a rally in Agartala Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that Tripura is now elevated to a new height of development with various projects.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of several development projects worth over 6,800 crore rupees in Tripura and Meghalaya. Mr Modi was on a day-long visit to the two states yesterday. In Tripura, the Prime Minister launched projects worth 4,350 crore rupees. The projects include 'Grih Pravesh' programme for beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Urban and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Rural.

In his address, Mr Modi said, in the last eight years, many national highways have been constructed in the northeast and several rural areas are also connected by roads. He said, the government is dedicated towards the improvement of the lives of tribal communities. In Meghalaya, the Prime Minister unveiled projects worth over 2,450 crore rupees.

Union Minister for Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions Dr Jitendra Singh will inaugurate the Prashasan Gaon ki Ore, a nationwide campaign under the Good Governance Week 2022 in New Delhi today. He will also launch the Good Governance Week portal,
www.pgportal.gov.in

In the 5 days campaign, over 300 New Services identified by District Collectors across the country will be added for Online Service Delivery.

The Lok Sabha on Friday passed the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Third Amendment) Bill, 2022. The Bill will amend the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950, for inclusion of Hattee community of Trans Giri area of Sirmour, in the list of Scheduled Tribes in relation to the State of Himachal Pradesh.

Replying to the discussion, Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda said, inclusion of Hattee community to the Scheduled Tribes list gets them long pending justice. He said, the border sharing people from four blocks of Tran Giri of Himachal Pradesh have their relatives identified as Scheduled Tribes in Uttarakhand. Responding to the members, he said it is the responsibility of respective Governments to ensure no tribal land alienation takes place in their States. He also listed the number of initiatives the Tribal Affairs ministry has taken up in the field of health and education in tribal dominant areas.

The application process for the Common University Entrance Test for Graduation, CUET-UG, to be conducted between the 21st and 31st of May, will start in the first week of February next year.

Chairman of University Grants Commission M Jagadesh Kumar informed that the number of subjects and pattern of question papers will remain the same. He said, a candidate can take as many as 6 Domain subjects in addition to one or two languages and the General Test.

Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has said that India is confident of forming a bio-fuel alliance with other countries.

Addressing a curtain raiser press conference on India’s flagship Energy Event, India Energy Week 2023 in Bengaluru yesterday, the minister announced that India will soon launch E-20 fuel with 20 percent blending of ethanol as by 2025 the ethanol production in the country would reach 1000 crore litres.

The registration process for Joint Entrance Examination (Main) - 2023 started today. Candidates can apply online through the official site of National Testing Agency JEE at
jeemain.nta.nic.in
. It will close on 12th January next year. The JEE (Main) comprises two papers. The 1st session is in January and the second session in April 2023.

It will be conducted in 13 languages. These are English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu. The examination will be conducted on 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31st January next year.