HRD Ministry launches ‘Atal Ranking’ for institutions

  • The human resource development (HRD) ministry launched the Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements (ARRIA).
  • The aim is to promote a culture of innovation and research in higher education.
  • The rankings are named after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
  • The ARRIA will rank educational institutions for innovation output based on all major indicators and parameters used globally.

Idea Cellular, Vodafone complete merger

  • The merger of Idea Cellular and Vodafone India has been completed.
  • This creates India’s biggest telecom service provider with over 408 million subscribers, taking top spot from Bharti Airtel.
  • Vodafone Idea Ltd will have all India revenue market share of 32.2%.
  • Balesh Sharma has been appointed Vodafone-Idea’s first CEO.

IWAI makes India’s first standardised modern ship design for Ganga a reality

  • The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has made public 13 standardised state-of-the-art ship designs suitable for large barge haulage on the river Ganga (National Waterway-1).
  • This marks a critical milestone in the growth of the country’s Inland Water Transport (IWT).
  • It will help overcome the unique navigation challenges of the Ganga.
  • It will also help the domestic shipbuilding industry working on inland vessels, opening possibilities for cargo and passenger movement on National Waterway-1.

PM Narendra Modi launches India Post Payments Bank

  • PM Narendra Modi is set to launch the India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) at Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi.
  • IPPB has been envisioned as an accessible, affordable and trusted bank for the common man.
  • The aim is to help achieve the financial inclusion objectives of the Union Government in a quick manner.
  • IPPB will utilize the vast network of the Department of Posts which covers the country with more than 300,000 Postmen and Grameen Dak Sewaks.
  • At launch, IPPB will have 650 branches and 3,250 access points across the country.

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