An investment of ₹735.70 crore has been approved for ITI clusters in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Telangana under the ‘Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs’ (PM-SETU) scheme. This decision was taken during the 5th National Steering Committee (NSC) meeting of the scheme, chaired by Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

The objective of this investment is to modernize the infrastructure of ITI campuses, introduce new courses aligned with future needs, and align training with the evolving demands of the industry. The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Ministry and state governments—including Dilip Kumar, Director General of the Directorate General of Training (DGT) as well as representatives from multilateral development banks and the industry.

With the new approvals, a total investment of ₹2,171 crore has now been sanctioned for 9 ITI clusters under PM-SETU. According to the government, this initiative will accelerate the development of ITI institutes in the country that are modern, industry-oriented, and aligned with future employment needs.

Rs 735.70 Crore Investment Approved for Three ITI Clusters

Rajasthan: Rs 241 Crore

The National Steering Committee has approved the Strategic Investment Plan submitted by H.G. Infra Engineering Limited (HGIEL) for the Bhiwadi ITI cluster. Government ITI Bhiwadi will serve as the central hub, while the government ITIs in Alwar, Neemrana, Tijara, and Kishangarh Bas will act as partner institutions.

Telangana – Rs 254.30 crore

The National Steering Committee (NSC) approved the strategic investment plan submitted by Zen Technologies Limited for the Medchal ITI cluster. The proposal designates Government ITI Medchal as the ‘Hub’ and the ITIs at Alwal, Shameerpet, Kukunurpally, and Siddipet as ‘spoke’ institutions.

The proposal was deferred during the 4th NSC meeting due to certain operational and financial clarifications. Subsequently, the committee approved the scheme after receiving the necessary information regarding the course, financial calculations, eligibility, documentation, and civil works.

Uttar Pradesh – Rs 240.40 crore

The committee approved the proposal for the Skill India Program (SIP) submitted by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) for the Meerut ITI cluster. Under this initiative, Government ITI, Saket (Meerut) has been designated as the ‘Hub’, while Government ITIs in Ghaziabad, Hapur, Gautam Buddha Nagar, and Baghpat have been included as ‘spokes’.

Industry Collaboration for ITI Modernisation

During the meeting, a Shareholders’ Agreement (SHA) was also signed among H.G. Infra Engineering Limited, the Government of Rajasthan, and the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship for the Bhiwadi ITI Cluster. With this, Rajasthan has become the first state in the country to formally launch the implementation of the scheme by signing the SHA under PM-SETU.

The approval of three Strategic Investment Plans (SIPs) under PM-SETU marks a significant step towards the modernization of government ITIs. With a combined investment of ₹735.70 crore, these plans encompass infrastructure upgrades, the modernization of existing trades, the introduction of new long-term and short-term courses, and the strengthening of operational capabilities. The objective is to equip the youth with skills aligned with emerging technologies and the evolving needs of the industry.

(PIB)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Gujarat and Maharashtra today. During the visit, he will inaugurate, lay the foundation stones and dedicate to the nation various development projects worth over ₹35,000 crore in Vadodara. Additionally, he will inaugurate the Global Fintech Fest 2026 in Mumbai.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate three sections of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC), spanning 326 kilometers, to the nation in Vadodara. Developed at a cost of over ₹20,700 crore, these sections comprise Sanand (North)-Makarpura, New Umargaon-New Safale, and New Safale-JNPT. With their inauguration, the Dedicated Freight Corridor network will become operational across its entire length.

Direct connectivity to JNPA will accelerate the movement of import-export cargo and strengthen the link between industrial hubs and ports. This will also help reduce logistics costs and alleviate the pressure of freight transport on Mumbai’s railway network.

The Prime Minister will flag off goods trains from four locations and launch a new train service on the Vadodara-Tanda route. He will also dedicate the new Jobat-Tanda rail line to the nation, connecting the remote and tribal areas of Alirajpur to the national rail network.

Additionally, the foundation stones for three railway projects worth over ₹9,700 crore will be laid. These include the Vadodara-Ratlam third and fourth line project and two other projects. They will enhance rail connectivity between Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, as well as increase passenger and freight transport capacity.

The Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for National Highway projects worth approximately ₹1,780 crore, these include six-laning of NH-48’s Kamrej-Chalthan section, new major bridges over the Tapi and Narmada, and grade-separated structures at Abhava, Mindhola and Khajod junctions on NH-53.

Additionally, foundation stones will be laid and inaugurations held for Gujarat government projects worth around ₹2,600 crore. Key projects include Phase II of the Vadodara Urban Development Authority Ring Road, a 110 MW floating solar project at Kadana Dam, and a new Vadodara Municipal Corporation office. Inaugurations will include PMAY housing projects and a water-supply scheme for 11 villages in eastern Vadodara.

PM Modi in Mumbai

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2026 in Mumbai today. The seventh edition of the GFF—one of the leading global conferences in the fintech sector—is being held from September 8 to 11. This year, the theme of the conference is “Potential to Impact: Agentic AI, Tokenisation, Quantum – Trusted, Connected, Global Systems for Inclusive Finance.”

Policymakers, regulators, central banks, financial institutions, fintech and tech companies, investors, and academics are participating in GFF 2026. The conference will focus on making the global financial system more trustworthy, connected, and inclusive through agentic AI, tokenization, programmable finance, and quantum technology.

Launched in 2020, the GFF has now emerged as a premier platform for global dialogue on the future of finance. The event aims to reinforce India’s leadership in digital payments and financial inclusion, while emphasizing the transformation of new technologies into tangible economic and social impact at scale.

(PIB)

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal has unveiled a five-point action plan to strengthen India’s medical value tourism ecosystem. The initiative aims to position India as a premier hub for high-quality international health and wellness services.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony of ‘Sanjeevani 2026’—held as part of the ‘Bharat Health Global Expo 2026’ in New Delhi—Goyal stated that India possesses the capacity and resources to deliver world-class healthcare services.

Training and Certification for Caregivers

Goyal emphasized that the first step should be to train and certify caregivers capable of attending to patients in accordance with international standards. He stressed the need to build a skilled and trained workforce for this purpose.

Onboarding More Hospitals to ‘Heal in India’

Under the second point, he advocated for bringing more hospitals onto the ‘Heal in India’ platform and ensuring the availability of clear, transparent information regarding treatment packages.

He urged hospitals to operate ethically and avoid any form of fraud against patients, noting that a single wrong move could damage India’s reputation, business prospects, and credibility.

Better Platforms by Insurance and Health-Tech Companies

In the third point, Goyal urged insurance and health-tech companies to develop products and platforms that streamline the entire patient journey.

He emphasized the need for timely reimbursements and the widespread availability of cashless payment facilities. He also suggested the large-scale use of teleconsultation and telemedicine during the initial stages of medical value tourism.

Promoting India’s Medical Facilities Globally

The fourth point highlighted the need to organize exhibitions and presentations in various countries, appoint facilitators, and forge global partnerships with hospitals.

He stated that patients arriving from abroad should receive treatment only at NABH-accredited, verified, and empaneled hospitals. Goyal asserted that the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) must uphold the highest quality standards without compromise. Expanding Medical Tourism to Smaller Cities

Under the fifth point, Goyal urged states to focus on quality in hospitals and wellness centers, expand their networks, and promote high-quality facilities globally.

He stated that medical value tourism should not be confined to major metropolitan cities alone. Extending it to Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities would generate employment and new opportunities, foster infrastructure development, and improve healthcare facilities for Indian patients as well.

Targeting 10 Million Patients Annually

Goyal noted that approximately 3.5 million patients have benefited from India’s medical value tourism ecosystem over the past seven years. India should now aim to provide medical services to 10 million patients annually.

He affirmed that India possesses the capacity, expert doctors, technology, and the necessary ecosystem to achieve this goal.

High Demand for Indian Healthcare Professionals Abroad

Goyal mentioned that countries with which India is negotiating Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and trade deals are seeking high-quality medicines, doctors, technicians, nurses, and caregivers from India in large numbers.

He also suggested creating a pool of interpreters for patients arriving from various countries. This would instill greater confidence in patients and facilitate easier communication with the medical system in their own languages.

Equal Quality for Indian and Foreign Patients

The Union Minister emphasized that the quality of healthcare services should not differ between Indian and foreign patients.

He stated that India must ensure every Indian patient receives the same high standard of healthcare as that provided to patients arriving from abroad.

Treatment Costs 60–80% Lower

Highlighting the potential of India’s medical value tourism, Goyal noted that the country possesses excellent clinical expertise and modern technology, while offering healthcare costs that are 60 to 80 percent lower than those in many developed nations.

He also spoke of the abundance of compassion in India. He commended the efforts of medical professionals across the country—ranging from small nursing homes and private clinics to large municipal, private, and government hospitals—in caring for patients despite limited resources.

More than 600 internet experts, policymakers, and technology leaders have gathered in Mumbai to discuss strengthening and securing internet infrastructure amidst the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and rapidly expanding digital services. The 62nd APNIC Conference (APNIC 62) is being held here from September 4 to 10.

This conference, organized by APNIC—the Asia Pacific Network Information Centre is being hosted by the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) and the Internet Service Providers Association of India (ISPAI). The conference is supported by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Government of Maharashtra. The conference will feature discussions on AI, network automation, cybersecurity, routing security, and internet governance. Emphasis will also be placed on secure and robust internet infrastructure amidst rising digital traffic.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will be signed between NIXI and APNIC on September 8 during the conference. The objective is to promote the adoption of critical internet technologies—such as IPv6 and routing security in India. This initiative is expected to help strengthen the security, stability, and future capabilities of the country’s internet network.

Sushil Pal, Joint Secretary at MeitY, stated that a secure, robust, and future-ready internet infrastructure is essential for India’s rapidly expanding digital ecosystem. According to him, APNIC 62 serves as a significant platform to strengthen India’s collaboration with the technical community of the Asia-Pacific region.

APNIC Director General Jia-Rong Low stated that rapid technological changes, including AI, are placing unprecedented pressure on internet networks. In this context, regional cooperation is essential for secure, robust, and large-scale networks.

At the conference’s inaugural ceremony, Amjit Gupta, CEO and Managing Director of Lightstorm Group, will deliver a keynote address on AI-based network automation, while Yukako Uchida of JPCERT/CC will speak on the role of trust and collaboration in cybersecurity. Several senior officials, including S. Krishnan, Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, and Rajesh Agarwal, Chief Secretary of Maharashtra, will also attend the event.

(PIB)

The Ministry of Women and Child Development will launch the 9th Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2026 today at the Rudraksh International Cooperation and Convention Centre in Varanasi. Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi will inaugurate the campaign. Senior officials, Anganwadi workers, and beneficiaries will be present on the occasion, alongside Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Union Minister of State Savitri Thakur, and State Cabinet Minister Baby Rani Maurya.

The Rashtriya Poshan Maah, observed every September, has evolved into a nationwide Jan Andolan to strengthen public participation in promoting nutrition, health and caregiving practices. This year’s theme, “Hamari Anganwadi, Hamari Jimmedari”, aims to strengthen Anganwadi Centres as key hubs for children’s nutrition, healthcare, care and early learning. The campaign will further advance the vision of a Suposhit Bharat as the foundation of Viksit Bharat@2047.

Under Poshan Maah 2026, various activities will be organized at Anganwadi centers to promote nutrition and a balanced diet. Under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, emphasis has been placed on clearly defining Hot Cooked Meals for the first time, as well as on the use of SNP Menu Boards and the constitution of Anganwadi Management Committees.

One of the campaign’s five key themes focuses on Dietary Diversity and Adequate Protein intake; under this, nutritious dishes prepared from local and affordable food items will be demonstrated at Anganwadi centers. Additionally, the provision of Fresh Hot Cooked Meals at Anganwadi centers will be promoted. States and Union Territories will be encouraged to implement a weekly rotating menu that incorporates millets, pulses, and seasonal vegetables.

Under the third key theme of Poshan Maah—‘Community Ownership and Accountability’—emphasis will be placed on enhancing transparency and public participation in Anganwadi services. During Poshan Maah, service delivery will be reviewed by holding at least one AMC meeting at each center. Additionally, SNP Menu Boards will be installed, while AMC and Mother Committees will monitor the quality of the food and adherence to the prescribed menu.

Under the fourth theme of Poshan Maah—‘Nutrition, Early Stimulation, and Education for Child Development’—efforts will be made to promote children’s health, learning, and holistic development. For children aged 0–3 years, Anganwadi workers will conduct home visits to educate parents about responsive caregiving and early stimulation through age-appropriate activities. Additionally, 34 developmental milestones will be monitored, and children requiring intervention will be promptly referred with the support of the Health Department and RBSK—during Village Health, Sanitation, and Nutrition Day (VHSND) sessions.

Meanwhile, early childhood education for children aged 3–6 years will be promoted through foundational learning and play-based activities. Each Anganwadi center will organize ECCE Days, parent-child activities, and visits to government primary schools for children aged 5–6 years. Community participation regarding nutrition, childcare, and learning materials will also be enhanced.

Poshan Maah 2026 will mark 10 years of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), highlighting its role in promoting maternal nutrition and health-seeking practices. A 100% saturation drive will focus on enrolling all eligible pregnant and lactating women, faster Direct Benefit Transfers, and the launch of a PMMVY Toolkit to support state- and UT-level implementation.

(PIB)