Author: Sharad Natani
Big relief is coming soon for over 8 crore EPFO members. The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is set to launch its much-awaited EPFO 3.0 digital platform in 2025, making provident fund services faster, simpler, and more user-friendly than ever before. The upgraded system is being developed with the support of IT majors Infosys, Wipro, and TCS. While the launch was initially slated for June 2025, ongoing technical testing has pushed the rollout to later this year. Key Features of EPFO 3.0 ATM Withdrawals: Members will soon be able to withdraw money directly from their PF accounts via ATMs by…
The government’s flagship Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), launched exactly 11 years ago on August 28, 2014, has transformed India’s financial landscape by bringing millions of citizens into the formal banking system. According to official data, the scheme has now crossed 561 million bank accounts with total deposits of Rs 2.68 lakh crore. In March 2015, deposits under Jan Dhan stood at just Rs 15,670 crore — a figure that has grown 170 times in a decade. Empowering Rural India and Women Nearly 67% of Jan Dhan accounts are in rural and semi-urban areas, while 56% are owned by…
Passengers at Gomti Nagar Railway Station in Lucknow are in for a whole new travel experience as the station becomes Uttar Pradesh’s first privately-managed rail hub. The makeover promises airport-like food courts, modern amenities, and cleaner surroundings, setting a new benchmark for Indian Railways. What’s Changing? Under the Integrated Station Facility Management System (ISFMS), private firms will handle services like: Cleanliness & crowd management Catering & food courts Parking facilities Passenger assistance However, train operations, ticketing, and security will remain under Indian Railways’ control. Private operators will manage the station for nine years (extendable to 12 years), sharing 15% of…
The Kempegowda International Airport (BLR Airport) has added another feather to its cap by becoming the first airport in India to achieve the prestigious Level-2 Accreditation under Airports Council International’s (ACI) Accessibility Enhancement Accreditation (AEA) programme. This recognition places BLR Airport in an exclusive league of global airports setting benchmarks in inclusivity and passenger care. The AEA programme is the world’s only initiative that evaluates airports on their commitment to improving accessibility for persons with reduced mobility and persons with disabilities. Inclusive Travel at the Core Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), the airport operator, highlighted that accessibility at BLR is…
In a big boost for coastal transport and tourism, Maharashtra is set to launch South Asia’s fastest Roll-On, Roll-Off (Ro-Ro) ferry service between Mumbai and the Konkan coast starting September 1, 2025. The high-speed ferry, operated by M2M Ferries, promises to revolutionise travel to Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg, cutting down road travel times by more than half. Travel Time Slashed Mumbai to Jaigad (Ratnagiri): Just 3 hours (vs 10–12 hours by road) Mumbai to Vijaydurg (Sindhudurg): 5 hours (vs 12+ hours by road) The vessel can carry 50 cars, 30 two-wheelers, minibuses, and hundreds of passengers, making it a game-changer for…
In a bold move to transform the healthcare landscape, the Andhra Pradesh government launched the Bharat Biodesign Research and Innovation (BRAIN) Programme, aiming to position the state as a global hub for health-tech and digital health innovation. The initiative was inaugurated at the Ratan Tata Innovation Hub, Amaravati, by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. Global Collaboration, Local Impact BRAIN marks a strategic collaboration between the state government, the APAC Biodesign Alliance, and Stanford Biodesign (USA), along with the AIM Foundation of the University of Western Australia. These global partners will facilitate research, startup incubation, professional training, and technology transfer in…