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The Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme, announced in the Union Budget 2024-25, is set to offer a tremendous opportunity for young Indians to gain hands-on experience in leading companies across diverse sectors.<br /><br />As of October 12, the portal for this ambitious initiative is open for registrations, with over 90,000 internship positions posted by top companies like <keyword id="19896380" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Reliance-Industries" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Reliance Industries" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Reliance Industries">Reliance Industries</keyword>, <keyword id="19895995" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="HDFC-Bank" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="HDFC Bank" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="HDFC Bank">HDFC Bank</keyword>, <keyword id="19950119" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tata-Consultancy-Services" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Tata Consultancy Services" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Tata Consultancy Services">Tata Consultancy Services</keyword> (TCS), ONGC, Maruti Suzuki, and more. Here’s everything you need to know about how to apply, the companies participating, and answers to frequently asked questions.<br /><h2>Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for the <keyword id="23273918" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="PM-Internship-Scheme" source="keywords">PM Internship Scheme</keyword></h2><ol><li>Visit the Official Portal: The PM Internship Scheme’s application process takes place on the official website,<a href="http://pminternship.mca.gov.in"> pminternship.mca.gov.in</a>.</li><li>Register and Set Up Your Profile: After opening the portal, you’ll need to register and fill out basic information, including educational qualifications, age, and internship preferences.</li><li>Explore Internship Listings: With over 90,000 internships available from 193 companies, you can browse listings in sectors like Oil &amp; Gas, Travel &amp; Hospitality, Automotive, Banking, and more. Each listing will provide details on job roles, skills required, and specific fields like Operations Management, Production, Maintenance, and Sales.</li><li>Apply for Your Chosen Roles: You can apply for up to five internships based on your interests, qualifications, and preferred location. The portal allows for an easy application submission and lets you track your applications.</li><li>Confirmation and Next Steps: Once you apply, download the confirmation page for reference. Internships are set to begin on December 2, 2024, so selected candidates will receive further instructions as the start date approaches.</li></ol><h2>Major Companies Participating in the PM Internship Scheme</h2>Here are some of the top companies that have already posted internships on the portal, with more joining every day:<br /><br /><ul><li>Reliance Industries Ltd.</li><li>HDFC Bank</li><li>Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)</li><li>Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)</li><li>State Bank of India (SBI)</li><li>Maruti Suzuki India Ltd.</li><li>Jubilant FoodWorks</li><li>Larsen &amp; Toubro Ltd.</li><li>Eicher Motors Ltd.</li><li>Muthoot Finance</li></ul>These companies are providing internships across over 20 fields, covering a wide range of skills and sectors. The biggest opportunities are currently in the Oil &amp; Gas sector, followed by industries like Travel, Automotive, and Financial Services.<br />    <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113986236" title="Why so many entry-level jobs aren&amp;#39;t entry-level" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><h2>Key Features of the Internship Scheme</h2>Under the scheme, interns will receive a stipend of Rs 5,000 per month, plus a one-time grant of Rs 6,000 to support miscellaneous expenses. These internships are available across 737 districts in all 37 states and Union Territories, making this a truly inclusive national program.<br /><br />Interns can indulge in many diverse internship roles. From operations to maintenance, sales, marketing, and production, these internships offer a variety of hands-on experiences that match real-world corporate needs.<br /><h2>FAQs about the PM Internship Scheme</h2><h5>Who is eligible?</h5>The scheme is open to Indian citizens aged 21 to 24 who are not employed full-time or enrolled in full-time study programs. Candidates in online or distance learning programs are eligible.<br /><h5>What sectors offer the most internships?</h5>The largest number of internships are in the Oil &amp; Gas, Travel &amp; Hospitality, Automotive, and Banking &amp; Financial Services sectors, with positions also available in fields like Manufacturing, IT, and Retail.<br /><h5>When do the internships start?</h5>Internships for this year will begin on December 2, 2024. The scheme aims to facilitate 1.25 lakh internships this financial year and eventually reach one crore internships over the next five years.<br /><h5>What are the application deadlines?</h5>The portal is open from October 12 for candidates to start applying, with companies continuing to post positions as the scheme rolls out. It’s recommended to apply early, as some positions may fill up quickly.<br />    <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="114029056" title="Read 5 résumés that helped techies land $300,000-plus jobs at Google, Meta, Amazon, and Salesforce" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><br />

PM Internship Scheme finally launched — here’s how you can apply to work with Reliance, TCS, SBI and more!

In her <keyword id="19906106" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Interim-Budget" source="keywords">Interim Budget</keyword> speech in February 2024, <keyword id="20385790" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-Finance-Minister" source="keywords">Union Finance Minister</keyword> <keyword id="19916618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nirmala-Sitharaman" source="keywords">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> celebrated what she termed as the Modi government's landmark achievement: unleashing 'nari shakti' or women's power through various initiatives since 2014. Among these, the creation of one crore 'Lakhpati Didis' — women whose annual household income exceeds one lakh rupees — under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), has garnered significant attention.<br /><br /><h2>The hype around it<br /></h2>Imagine being a <keyword id="20416259" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Lakhpati-Didi" source="keywords">Lakhpati Didi</keyword> — a rural woman whose annual household income exceeds Rs. 1 lakh. These women are not just financial achievers; they are community leaders who inspire others through their entrepreneurial journeys. Their success stories highlight the transformative impact of self-help groups (SHGs) and collective action in rural India.<br /><br />Launched amid much fanfare on August 15, 2023 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself, the 'Lakhpati Didi' scheme aims to empower women through diverse skill development programs, from producing LED bulbs to operating agricultural drones. Partnering with entities like Patanjali, Flipkart, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the initiative also focuses on branding and marketing these products, ostensibly connecting women with credit lines and MUDRA loans for financial support.<br /> <br />Almost an year on, the scheme is all set to get some well-deserved boost in the Budget 2024 to be presented on July 23. However, the time also apt to examine if it has actually contributed to <keyword id="20009191" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="women-empowerment" source="keywords">women empowerment</keyword> in the country.<br />    <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111915324" title="Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to table Economic Survey in Parliament today" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><br /><h2>The reality check<br /></h2>Critics argue that such schemes may inadvertently tether women's SHGs to corporate networks, potentially benefiting transnational agribusiness giants aligned with the government. Programs like 'Namo Drone Didi', allocated Rs. 500 crore in the Interim Budget, exemplify this trend by integrating women into digital agriculture, albeit under the influence of corporate agendas.<br /><br />Further, while the Interim Budget championed the narrative of women's economic prosperity, it failed to adequately address their basic needs. Despite claims of empowerment, essential schemes such as PM Awas Yojana (Rural) and Har Ghar Jal have seen significant budgetary underspending, raising concerns about the government's commitment to women's welfare beyond mere rhetoric.<br /><br />For instance, the underutilisation of funds in Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) and the shrinking allocations for crucial subsidies like nutrition and education further highlight the disconnect between budgetary outlays and on-ground impact. This trend suggests a shift in responsibility towards state governments without commensurate support from the Union government, leaving vulnerable populations like widows and rural women at risk.<br />Overall, the well-intentioned narrative around the scheme needs better translation and execution on ground to achieve desired outcomes.<br /><br /><h2>Looking ahead<br /></h2>Until now, the budgetary allocation for women-centric programs have remained disproportionately low, with the Ministry of Women and Child Development having been allocated Rs 26,000 crore in 2024-25, an increase of 2.52% compared to the previous budget. This paltry investment underscores a broader pattern of neglecting systemic issues such as gender-based violence, social discrimination and pro-corporate stance.<br /><br />As Budget 2024 approaches, stakeholders eagerly anticipate policies that not only boost economic growth but also empower rural women as entrepreneurs and leaders. While Lakhpati Didi stands poised to empower rural women with opportunities and support, more steps are needed to make it more sustainable.<br />    <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111689743" title="Union Budget 2024: A handy FAQ guide to decode the upcoming budget" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><br />

Budget 2024: Can Lakhpati Didi Yojana’s reality inspire better focus on women?

The Budget 2024-2025 announcement by Union Finance Minister <keyword id="19916618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nirmala-Sitharaman" source="keywords">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> saw productivity and resilience in <keyword id="19931887" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="agriculture" source="keywords">agriculture</keyword> being prioritised above all else. With a desire to turn focus on <keyword id="19934969" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="farmers" source="keywords">farmers</keyword>, or <em>Annadata</em>s, ₹1.52 lakh crore has been allocated for agriculture and its allied sectors. This is quite an increase from the Interim Budget announcement of ₹1.27 lakh crore in February 2024.<br /><br />It is being speculated that this substantial focus on the agricultural sector stems from the BJP's vote share dipping in semi-urban and rural areas during the recent Lok Sabha elections. In fact, when Prime Minister <keyword id="19895781" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="narendra-modi" source="keywords">Narendra Modi</keyword> returned for a third term in office, the first file he signed was for the release of the 17th instalment of the PM <keyword id="22000840" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="kisan-nidhi" source="keywords">Kisan Nidhi</keyword> scheme, ET reported.<br /><br />However, the government's commitment to transforming agriculture and potentially the lives of Indian farmers could lead to the agricultural sector growing at 3.7% in the current fiscal, compared to 1.4% last year, as per the CII.<br /><br /><h2>Key initiatives in agriculture</h2><strong>Transforming Agriculture Research<br /></strong>The government is set to conduct a comprehensive review of the agricultural research framework, with an emphasis on enhancing productivity and developing climate-resilient crop varieties. Funding will be allocated on a challenge basis, including to private sector initiatives. This research will be overseen by domain experts from both governmental and non-governmental organizations.<br /><strong>Release of New Varieties<br /></strong>A total of 109 new high-yielding and climate-resilient varieties of 32 field and horticulture crops will be introduced for farmers to cultivate.<br /><strong>Promoting Natural Farming<br /></strong>In the next two years, the government plans to transition one crore farmers to natural farming practices, supported by certification and branding efforts. This initiative will be carried out through scientific institutions and willing <keyword id="20030597" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gram-panchayats" source="keywords">gram panchayats</keyword>, with 10,000 bio-input resource centers to be established based on need.<br /><br /><strong>Missions for Pulses and Oilseeds<br /></strong>To achieve self-sufficiency in pulses and oilseeds, the government will strengthen their production, storage, and marketing. As outlined in the interim budget, a strategy is being implemented to attain 'atmanirbharta' (self-reliance) for oilseeds like mustard, groundnut, sesame, soybean, and sunflower.<br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111930255" title="Economic Survey calls for urgent agricultural reforms; cites growth hurdles" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><strong>Vegetable Production &amp; Supply Chains<br /></strong>Large-scale clusters for vegetable production will be developed near major consumption centers. The government will support Farmer-Producer Organizations, cooperatives, and startups to streamline the vegetable supply chain, including collection, storage, and marketing.<br /><br /><strong>Digital Public Infrastructure for Agriculture<br /></strong>Building on the success of a pilot project, the government, in partnership with states, will facilitate the implementation of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for agriculture over the next three years. This year, a digital crop survey for Kharif crops will be conducted in 400 districts, integrating details of six crore farmers and their lands into registries. Additionally, Jan Samarth-based Kisan Credit Cards will be issued in five states.<br /><br /><strong>Shrimp Production &amp; Export<br /></strong>Financial support will be provided to establish a network of Nucleus Breeding Centres for shrimp broodstocks. NABARD will facilitate financing for shrimp farming, processing, and export.<br /><br /><strong>National Cooperation Policy<br /></strong>A new National Cooperation Policy will be introduced to promote systematic and comprehensive development of the cooperative sector. This policy aims to fast-track rural economic growth and create large-scale employment opportunities.<br /><br /><h2>Budget allocation highlights</h2><ul><li>PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi: Will be retaining its allocation of ₹60,000 crore to provide direct financial assistance to 11.8 crore small and marginal farmers.</li><li>Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana: Allocated funds to provide crop insurance to four crore farmers, protecting them from adverse weather conditions.</li><li>e-NAM Expansion: Integration of 1,361 mandis into the e-NAM platform to enhance market efficiency and transparency, benefiting 1.8 crore farmers with an expected trading volume of ₹3 lakh crore.</li></ul><h2>Government committed to Polavaram irrigation project in Andhra Pradesh</h2>The Finance Minister said that the government is fully committed to financing and expeditiously completing the Polavaram irrigation project, which is considered a lifeline for Andhra Pradesh and its farmers.<br /><br /><h2>Future directions</h2>The government aims to increase public and private investment in post-harvest infrastructure and supply chains, promoting aggregation, modern storage, and efficient processing to reduce losses and improve food security. Additionally, the dairy and fisheries sectors will see significant development, with initiatives to boost productivity and exports, contributing to a sustainable and prosperous agricultural ecosystem.<br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111951205" title="Budget 2024-25: Changes to tax slabs, increased standard deduction and other changes to direct taxation" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><br />

What does Union Budget 2024-2025 have in store for farmers and the agricultural sector?

<br /><ul><li>India's real GDP grew at around 8.2% in real terms in Fy24: Economic Survey </li><li>Retail inflation dipped to 5.4% in FY24, notes Economic Survey</li><li>Unemployment dipped to 3.2% in FY24</li></ul><keyword id="19912360" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Finance-Minister-Nirmala-Sitharaman" source="keywords">Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> is set to present the union budget on 23rd July, at 11 am. The budget session is scheduled to last between 22nd July and 12th August. This will be <keyword id="19956941" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="FM-Sitharaman" source="keywords">FM Sitharaman</keyword>'s seventh consecutive budget presentation under the third term of <keyword id="20205025" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bhartiya-Janata-Party" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Bhartiya Janata Party" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Bhartiya Janata Party">Bhartiya Janata Party</keyword> (BJP). All budget-related documents will be available at indiabudget.gov.in. You can watch the presentation live on Doordarshan, Sansad TV, and also on various official government YouTube channels.<br /><br />With this budget, Sitharaman will only precede former PM <keyword id="20342248" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Morarji-Desai" source="keywords">Morarji Desai</keyword>, who has presented the highest number of budget (10) till date, followed by <keyword id="22330828" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="P-Chidambaram" source="keywords">P. Chidambaram</keyword> with 9 budgets, and Pranab Mukherjee, who has 8 budgets to his credit. In her recent address in parliament, Sitharaman noted that significant social and economic decisions will be a highlight of this budget. Notably, she concluded <keyword id="901788" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="pre-budget-consultations" source="Orion">pre-budget consultations</keyword>, which began on June 19th, on July 5th, where she met 20 invitees across 10 groups, including representatives from agriculture, skill development, finance and banking, energy, <keyword id="17408" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Infrastructure" source="Orion">infrastructure</keyword> sector and more. <br /><br /><h2>Key expectations from Budget 2024</h2>Experts note that this budget will mainly focus on improving consumption, and boosting <keyword id="174143" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="infrastructure-development" source="Orion">infrastructure development</keyword>. Per reports, the government is also mulling raising the threshold of standard deduction under income tax regimes from the present Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh. Additionally, to boost healthcare accessibility for the underserved in the country, the government is also contemplating to double the annual coverage offered under the <keyword id="20097876" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ayushman-Bharat-health-insurance-scheme" source="keywords">Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme</keyword> from the present Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh over the next 3 years, along with also covering individuals aged over 70. <br /><br />Mr. Tashwinder Singh, CEO &amp; MD, Niyogin Fintech Limited, which offers credit to MSMEs, noted that upcoming regulatory changes should focus on simplifying compliance, taxation policies that encourage entrepreneurship, and incentivise innovations that drive R&amp;D investments. <br /><br />"We hope that the government takes measures to support the lending industry through access to capital and affordable interest rates, enabling entrepreneurs to realize their vision. Furthermore, we look forward to relaxed norms for NBFCs, allowing them to contribute more substantially to the economy. These measures will collectively propel India's economic growth, boost job creation, and position the Indian fintech industry as a strong contender in innovation and entrepreneurship", he continues. <br /><br />As for bolstering green infrastructure and clean energy production, Ms Aditi Balbir, Co-founder, EcoRatings notes that the 2024 union budget should prioritize investments in sustainable infrastructure projects and clean energy solutions, as 70% of greenhouse gas emissions stem from energy, industry, and buildings. <br /><br />"This will create a future-proof foundation for economic growth and help in achieving net-zero targets. Infrastructure is crucial in addressing climate change and meeting diverse societal needs. A transformative overhaul of our current and future infrastructure assets is essential. The budget should introduce financial incentives, such as lower interest rates on loans and dedicated grants, for companies committed to ESG compliance. This will create a clear link between sustainability efforts and economic benefits", she continued. <br /><br /><h2>Focus on Agri-credit, Real Estate in Budget 2024</h2>The government could also raise the target for agricultural loans disbursed during the year by up to 25%, setting the target at Rs 25 lakh crore. The government will also have to revamp the MSP (minimum support price) system in this space, focusing on challenges such as narrow coverage, dipping export competitiveness, discouraging private investment in this space and more. <br /><br />Another area that demands significant attention is real estate. Shubhi Jain, Principal Partner &amp; Head of CRM, Square Yards anticipates significant reforms in the upcoming budget under the new government. Securing industry status will unlock a plethora of legal and administrative benefits, along with much-needed tax incentives. <br /><br />"Also, while government’s focus on affordable housing under PMAY is commendable, recalibrating strategies in light of escalating construction costs is imperative for sustained inclusiveness and effectiveness. Moreover, enhanced tax reliefs and increased deductions on home loans, currently capped at INR 2 lakhs, are pivotal in stimulating demand and supporting prospective buyers", she says.<br /><div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111946291" title="Union Budget 2024-25 key highlights: Assistance for Nalanda's development as a tourist center" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><h2>Short-term outlook positive, notes Economic Survey  <br /></h2>FM Sitharaman presented the Economic Survey 2023-24 in the parliament today, ahead of the budget. The survey noted that the Indian economy had managed to recover and expand in an orderly fashion post the pandemic, with the real GDP growing by 8.2% in FY24. Going ahead, prospects for continued strong growth in FY25 remain robust. India also managed to bring down its current account deficit (0.7% of GDP in FY24), while projecting a 7%+ growth rate in the medium term. <br /><br />On the employment front, the survey noted that AI might moderate India's services export growth by as much as 0.3 to 0.4 percentage points annually over the course of the next decade. As such, greater emphasis and focus is needed on areas like blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, Internet of Things, cybersecurity, cloud computing, big data analytics, augmented reality, virtual reality, 3D printing, and web and mobile development.<br /><br />The Indian labour market indicators have significantly improved over the past 6 years, with unemployment rates dipping to 3.2% in 2022-23. However, even as net payroll additions to EPFO have doubled over the last 5 years, signaling a healthy formal employment market, job creation and increasing women participation in workforce remain key areas of concern. <br /><br />For all updates and latest information related to the budget, don't forget to follow <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Budget Insider</a>! <br /><br /><strong>SEE ALSO:</strong><br /><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/union-budget-2024-live-updates-finance-minister-nirmala-sitharaman-key-announcements-23-july/liveblog/111942008.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Union Budget 2024 Live Updates: FM Sitharaman announces internships for 10 million youth in 500 top companies</a><br /><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/loan-limit-under-mudra-scheme-to-be-doubled-to-20-lakh-sitharaman/articleshow/111950024.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Loan limit under MUDRA scheme to be doubled to ₹20 lakh: Sitharaman</a>

Union Budget 2024: When will it be presented, what time, where to watch and what are various sectors expecting?

With the 2024 general elections handing the <keyword id="19894848" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="BJP" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="BJP" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="BJP">BJP</keyword> and its allies a fractured, albeit ruling majority in the country for the third consecutive time, India is now gearing up for the 2024–25 <keyword id="19908389" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-budget" source="keywords">Union budget</keyword>, which will be presented on July 22 between 11 am and 1 pm. The <keyword id="20613906" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="economic-survey" source="keywords">economic survey</keyword> is traditionally presented the day before. However, as per reports, the economic survey is likely to be released on July 3rd this year. The famous halwa ceremony will take place 10 days before the budget is tabled.<br /><br />Pre-budget consultations will begin on June 17th. FM <keyword id="19916618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nirmala-Sitharaman" source="keywords">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> will become the first finance minister to have presented seven straight budgets, a record previously held by <keyword id="238033" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Morarji-Desai" source="Orion">Morarji Desai</keyword>, who had six consecutive budget presentations to his name. To date, Sitharaman has tabled five full and one interim budget.<br /><br />The first parliamentary session under Modi 3.0 will kick off on June 24, and the 264th session of the parliament will take place between the 27th of June and the 3rd of August. The year is set to see two budgets: one full-fledged budget in July and an interim budget presented on February 1, 2024.<br /><cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="What can we expect from this budget?" comment="subhead" text="What can we expect from this budget?"><span data-til="noop">What can we expect from this budget?</span></cmsannotation><br />Presenting an interim budget is customary during election years in India since it facilitates the transfer of work and finances between the outgoing and incoming governments. <br /><br />With the upcoming budget, PM Modi’s government will largely focus on tackling unemployment, issues in the agriculture sector, and maintaining the flow of capital expenditure in the economy. The simplification of the <keyword id="19993914" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="GST-regime" source="keywords">GST regime</keyword> and rolling out the 3rd edition of the <keyword id="20359761" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="FAME-scheme" source="keywords">FAME scheme</keyword> (Faster Adoption &amp; Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles) will also rank highly on the budget agenda. In that stead, a meeting of the GST council is also scheduled to take place on June 22nd. <br /><br />Additionally, experts are also anticipating the expansion of the PLI (production-linked incentives) schemes in this budget to include other sectors as well.<br /><cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Lesser-known budget milestones" comment="subhead" text="Lesser-known budget milestones"><span data-til="noop">Lesser-known budget milestones</span></cmsannotation><br />Till 2019, the union budget was carried in a briefcase, a practice initiated by India’s first FM, Sir RK Shanmukham Chetty. In 2019, the budget was presented as a traditional bahi-khata for the first time. It went paperless in 2021 after the FM introduced the budget via a tablet. Apart from having presented most budgets, Sitharaman also holds the record for having delivered the longest budget speech while presenting the Union budget for 2020–21. She spoke for two hours and 42 minutes. On the other hand, India’s shortest-ever budget speech was given in 1977 by Hirubhai Patel. <br /><br /><br />

Union budget 2024-25 : When will it be presented, what to expect and more

The electric vehicle (EV) market in India is evolving rapidly, and with the festive season approaching, many consumers are contemplating whether to wait for the usual <keyword id="23152657" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="festive-discounts" source="keywords">festive discounts</keyword> or take advantage of government incentives. One of the key schemes driving <keyword id="20421629" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="EV-adoption" source="keywords">EV adoption</keyword> has been the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and <keyword id="19895203" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="electric-vehicles" source="keywords">Electric Vehicles</keyword> (FAME) initiative in 2015, which is transitioning to phase 2 in 2019.<br /><br />As per the recent announcement from the government, the government is replacing FAME II with a new scheme for the next two years. And no, it’s not FAME III!<br /><h2><keyword id="23136597" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="PM-E-Drive" source="keywords">PM E-Drive</keyword> subsidy comes into effect</h2>The PM E-Drive subsidy aims to build on the success of previous versions, where over 16 lakh vehicles benefited from FAME 2. However, unlike its predecessor which included subsidies for passenger EVs, PM E-Drive has reportedly limited subsidies to only two-wheelers, three-wheelers, buses, hybrid ambulances and electric trucks.<br /><br />All in all, the scheme, with an outlay of Rs 10,900 crores, is expected to support 24.79 lakh electric two-wheelers, 3.16 lakh e-three wheelers, and 14,028 e-buses, along with a plethora of other features to improve the national e-mobility ecosystem. This also includes 22,100 fast chargers for e-4 Ws, 1800 fast chargers for e-buses and 48,400 fast chargers for e-2W/3Ws that will be set up in selected cities with high EV penetration and highways to allay the “range anxiety” of EV buyers.<br /><br />More specifically, Rs 3,679 crores have been provided to incentivise e-2Ws, e-3Ws, e-ambulances, e-trucks and other emerging EVs. These incentives are expected to help reduce the upfront cost of electric vehicles, making them accessible to a larger segment of the population. Additionally, state-run bus companies will likely see increased support, further boosting the public transport EV ecosystem.<div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113282182" title="Automobile industry hails PM e-DRIVE scheme to promote EVs" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>As a result, PM E-Drive will particularly benefit individuals and businesses looking for two- and three-wheelers, as well as state transportation corporations. Small businesses that rely on electric three-wheelers for deliveries or passenger services could also see significant savings, which can be reinvested into their operations.<br /><h2>How does it compare to festival deals?</h2>While the <keyword id="20022183" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="government-subsidies" source="keywords">government subsidies</keyword> under PM E-Drive offer substantial savings, festival season sales from EV manufacturers can provide additional discounts and promotions, such as reduced down payments, lower interest rates, and free charging infrastructure. However, these discounts are often limited-time offers and might not match the long-term financial benefits provided by government subsidies. For example, if you’re in the market for a <keyword id="23152655" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="two-wheeler-EV" source="keywords">two-wheeler EV</keyword>, PM E-Drive incentives might be more valuable than a one-time festive discount of Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000, based on the final discounts that automakers provide.<br /><br />Additionally, manufacturers sometimes adjust their prices before offering festival deals, potentially reducing the actual discount. On the other hand, FAME subsidies are fixed and directly reduce the vehicle's purchase cost. Therefore, if you're primarily looking at entry-level electric vehicles like scooters or bikes, PM E-Drive might offer a more substantial and stable financial benefit than waiting for festive discounts.<br /><div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113239075" title="Drivers are feeling better about EV range and charging infrastructure, but still aren&amp;#39;t ready to go electric" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><h2>Should you buy now or wait?</h2>The decision to wait for the festival season or go ahead with the purchase largely depends on what you're looking for. If you're in the market for an electric two-wheeler or three-wheeler, the government subsidies under PM E-Drive — when they finally arrive — could be more beneficial than the temporary discounts during the festival season. However, if you're eyeing an electric car, especially a high-end one, the limited scope of PM E-Drive for passenger EVs might mean that festival offers provide better value.<br /><br />If you’re contemplating waiting for the festival season to purchase an electric two-wheeler, these festive offers could stack up alongside the PM E-Drive subsidies, if automakers integrate the scheme into their pricing by then. Festival deals may even provide additional perks such as easy EMI options and free service packages, which aren't typically covered under government schemes. Therefore, it's worth evaluating both festive deals and FAME subsidies to maximise savings.<br /><br />In conclusion, the launch of PM E-Drive brings a solid financial incentive to accelerate India's transition to <keyword id="20138204" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="electric-mobility" source="keywords">electric mobility</keyword>. Those considering two- or three-wheelers may want to act quickly as these subsidies roll out, while car buyers might want to weigh their options as the festive season approaches.<br />

Waiting for the festive season to buy an EV? Cabinet approves PM E-Drive subsidising most EVs, sans electric cars

Thiruvananthapuram, External Affairs Minister <keyword id="491850" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="s-jaishankar" source="Orion">S Jaishankar</keyword> on Sunday said the West was not the "bad guy" as it was not flooding Asian and African markets with goods on a massive scale and that there was a need to get over the "syndrome" of seeing it in a negative way. <keyword id="236448" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="jaishankar" source="Orion">Jaishankar</keyword>, in an interview to Malayalam news channel Asianet, also made it clear that he was not batting for the West. He was in Thiruvananthapuram as part of the launch of the <keyword id="18816562" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="PM-Vishwakarma-scheme-" source="Orion">PM Vishwakarma scheme.</keyword> <br /><br /> "It is not the West which is flooding Asia and Africa with goods on a massive scale. I think we need to get over the syndrome of the past that the West is the bad guy and on the other side are the developing countries. The world is more complicated, the problems are much more complicated than that," the minister said. <br /><br /> Former Indian diplomat T P Sreenivasan interviewed the minister for the channel. <br /><br /> On being asked whether Chinese President <keyword id="191809" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="xi-jinping" source="Orion">Xi Jinping</keyword> did not attend the G20 summit in New Delhi because it did not want India to be seen as leader of the Global South, Jaishankar said the reasons were up for speculation. <br /><br /> He said the issue today was the building up of a strong sense, over the last 15-20 years, over the inequities of globalisation where countries saw their products, manufacturing and employment come under stress due to their markets being flooded by cheap goods -- an indirect reference to the Chinese trade and economic policies. <br /><br /> The minister said this underlying resentment and pain of those countries regarding the global economy was building up for the last 15-20 years and the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine conflict resulted in prices of energy and food items going up. <br /><br /> So there was a sense of anger building up in countries about them being used as an extractive resource to fuel the economy of another nation and added that the West was not to be blamed for that. <br /><br /> He made it clear that he was not batting for the West and said that in today's globalisation there was a concentration of manufacturing that was being leveraged and subsidised and was affecting economies of various nations. <br /><br /> However, India's manufacturing, agriculture, scientific achievement like the Chandrayaan-3 mission, ability to vaccinate, etc all of that has created a sense among the Global South, which includes the African Union, "that one of us has the ability to stand, grow and progress". <br /><br /> "So they identify with us in a way that they do not with other people," Jaishankar said. <br /><br /> Responding to queries, he also spoke about the achievements of the G20 Summit under the Indian presidency and the threat posed by the political space given by Canada to the Khalistan group. <br /><br /> Jaishankar said that some of the major achievements of the G20 Summit under the Indian presidency was that India was able to get the influential group of nations back on the track of growth and development and also focus on the Global South initiative. <br /><br /> In addition to that, the country was also able to do diplomacy in a different way and through the summit created a greater interest in the nation about the Baltic, he said. <br /><br /> Jaishankar said India was a different country now with a different level of confidence and a different leadership and the manner in which G20 was conducted has only benefited the nation. <br /><br /> He said that the summit showed that the agenda "does not have to be decided by the West or by the P5 or by a narrow one or two countries" and that India too can shape it. <br /><br /> "By doing the Voice of the Global South (summit) and bringing 125 nations together, we straightaway shaped the agenda," he said. <br /><br /> At the same time, he said, the Global South was not a new world order or a definition and India was not claiming to be its leader. <br /><br /> "My most truthful answer is that the Global South is not a definition, but a feeling. It is a feeling of solidarity, a willingness to put yourself out," he said, adding that "those who are part of it know it and those who are not also know it". <br /><br /> World leaders at the two-day G20 Summit in New Delhi recently had hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his "decisive leadership" and for championing the voice of the Global South. <br /><br /> He also welcomed the proposed economic corridor with India at one end and Europe at the other and which passes through the Middle East making it easier for people from here to go there for job opportunities. <br /><br /> While speaking about people migrating abroad for jobs, he touched upon the issue of the Khalistan group's activities in Canada and its effect on India's relations with that country. <br /><br /> He said the problem arises when, for whatever reason, such countries give space in their politics for activities of such groups. <br /><br /> The minister said there were compulsions in politics, "but everybody, especially in a democracy, must temper that with a larger sense of responsibility to the world as well as a sense of responsibility to their own image and their own well being". <br /><br /> "Forget us for the moment. You know the kind of force involved in all of this. They are not good for the country where all of this will happen. Today it is Canada, it could be something else tomorrow. We are focusing on generating that appreciation," he said. <br /><br /> On how India managed to not get Russia blamed for the Ukraine conflict in the G20 declaration, Jaishankar said, "Everybody compromised." <br /><br /> "There was a lot of give and take," he added. <br /><br /> He said what happened in the Bali Summit of G20, where Russia was blamed, could not be repeated in India and at the same time the clock could not be stopped there. <br /><br /> "This is New Delhi. So the New Delhi outcome had to be forged," he said. <br /><br /> He also said that in the G20 India was able to focus on the Global South in terms of phrases, agenda, outcome and the African Union's membership "for which Prime Minister Narendra Modi really stuck his neck out". <br /><br /> "This is a different country, with a different level of confidence and a different leadership," he concluded.

We need to get over syndrome that 'West is the bad guy': Jaishankar

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana also popularly called as PM-Kisan is a scheme that is meant to benefit the farmers in the country. Under the <keyword id="7289466" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="pm-kisan">PM Kisan</keyword> scheme, every farmer in the country will be given a total amount of Rs. 6,000 issued in three instalments of Rs. 2,000. PM-Kisan yojana targets to provide financial assistance to the small and marginal level farmers in the nation. <br /><br />The PM Samman Nidhi Yojana benefits the Indian farmers in all states by providing INR 6,000 financial assistance for the purchase of seeds, fertilizers, farming supplies and pesticides. The payment is released as per the details published on the official website of the scheme <a href="http://pmkisan.gov.in">pmkisan.gov.in</a>. You can follow the steps given below to check the PM Kisan balance. <br /><br />How to check PM Kisan Samman Nidhi status or PM Kisan balance<br /><br />Visit the official website of the Indian Government’s <a href="http://pmkisan.gov.in">PM Kisan Samman Nidhi</a> scheme. You can find the latest updates on the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi on this website.<br /><br />Move the mouse curser on the ‘Farmer’s Corner Section. You will find a drop down menu. Select the option ‘Beneficiary List’. In this list, you will find the status of your application for the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi. Alternatively, you can also click on the direct link <a href="http://pmkisan.gov.in/">pmkisan.gov.in</a>. Here also you will find the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi list for your village. In this list, you will find the name of the farmer and the amount allotted for the farmer in their bank account.<br /><br />After landing on the beneficiary list of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, you need to choose the name of your state, district, Sub-District, Block and Village one by one from the drop down menus. Once you have selected all these entries, you must click on the ‘Get Report’ section for checking the list of your village for the details of the Kisan Samman Nidhi with regard to this present phase. On the list of Kisan belonging to your village, choose your name from the alphabetical list to know the status of the financial aid given to you under this scheme. <br /><br /><strong>See Also - </strong><br /><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/article/how-to-check-pradhan-mantri-jan-dhan-yojana-account-balance/articleshow/75182470.cms">How to check Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana Balance</a><br /><br />

How to check PM Kisan scheme money and balance

<p class="drop-cap">Every year, Bill Gates — and, until she left, Melinda French Gates — would hold multiple meetings with executives of the Gates Foundation to approve plans and budgets, and review strategies.</p><p>One of the highlights was the annual strategy review meeting, where the two of them listened to employee presentations about how well a program was working and whether adjustments needed to be made to improve their chances of success.</p><p>For many, the meeting might be the only direct opportunity to interact with, and impress, Gates and French Gates. Employees also felt the pressure at these meetings to showcase their accomplishments so that they could defend their budgets.</p><p>Several former senior executives who attended strategy review meetings recalled how, in the days leading up to them, the office atmosphere felt almost carnival-like, but suffused with dread. Employees rushed around preparing presentations frantically, reviewing their work and readying themselves for a possible inquisition by Gates.</p><h2 id="c42c6751-23ce-4b8b-bc82-91581bcad95f"><strong>A king holding court</strong></h2><p>The meetings themselves were spectacles, some attendees recalled; one described them as "almost comical."</p><p>They were usually held in a big room with a seating pattern. Strict etiquette was followed. One former senior executive who participated in many of the meetings said they had the feel of a king holding court, as though Gates were Louis XIV and the employees were courtiers bowing and scraping before him in Versailles, hoping to earn their ruler's favor.</p><p>Another recalled how, as executives were called upon to present to the former couple, highlighting what their team had done the previous year and how closely their work hewed to the strategies and priorities of the foundation, people would scrutinize Gates's expressions. The slightest hint of a smile or a nod could mean that he approved; an impassive face could mean he didn't.</p><p>Gates and French Gates followed the presentations closely, usually saving questions for the end. Once the meeting ended, and people went back to their offices and desks, they would dissect Gates's questions and expressions for days, often celebrating if they concluded that they had impressed their boss, a third former attendee said.</p><p>To this person, it seemed that many employees were motivated more by Gates's praise — sometimes, even the absence of opprobrium was seen as validation — than by the success of their grant-making.</p><p>"Sometimes, the interpretation of what Gates wanted could take up hours of back and forth among the directors and teams," this person said. "I felt we were spending more time managing up than working to meet the needs of the people."</p><h2 id="dffe995a-e025-40ca-937e-a01061ac8d9d"><strong>Torn between two power centers</strong></h2><p>More than two decades after its founding, the internal culture of the foundation remains one of deference, where hundreds of employees tiptoe around Gates, afraid to disagree and eager to do his bidding.</p><p>If anything, its deferential culture has become ossified along with the multiple layers of bureaucracy and processes. People who left more than a decade ago describe a place not too different from those who left within the last two years.</p><p>One recently departed employee observed that people at the foundation fall into three types: consiglieres who bow to Gates; young aspirants who are awed by him; and the skeptics who find Gates domineering and eventually leave.</p><p>After the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/bill-gates-melinda-divorce-one-of-his-personal-low-points-2022-12">couple's divorce</a>, one person who advises the foundation on media strategy said that there were instead two power centers — Gates and French Gates — and employees were increasingly torn between the two.</p><div type="image" title="Billionaire Nerd Savior King: book by Anupreeta Das" height="2100" width="1400" msid="112405303" hostid="261" sizebytes="184566"></div><p>The former couple sought to maintain a professional relationship, giving themselves at least two years to see if they could work together, with the understanding that French Gates would leave if they couldn't. In May 2024, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/melinda-french-gates-resigns-from-gates-foundation-charity-bill-2024-5">she cut her ties to the foundation</a>, saying that she wanted to chart her own course in philanthropy.</p><p>Gates can be imperious in strategy meetings with small groups of senior executives, launching into a topic at length without seeking their input. He might be censorious, say, of an employee who didn't cite the source of a statistic in a document provided to him. It's not surprising that leaders of governments and companies and large entities have large staff paid to deliver things just as their bosses would like — no tomatoes in a sandwich, double-spaced briefing documents, no phone calls after 8 p.m.</p><p>"Gates and Melinda weren't unique in how they were handled," said one outside public relations professional who has worked with the foundation. "A lot of clients get treated like royalty. It's like Succession," the person said, referring to the hit HBO show about a scheming media mogul and his children. "People scurrying around with clipboards, but also that these guys are really busy, and you're given a meeting spot, so you have to know going in what your meeting is about."</p><h2 id="0a673bc0-b079-4b0f-babc-62f7681c8622"><strong>A low hum of fear</strong></h2><p>What comes through about Gates for many is the fear he inspires for a number of things: for the fact that he and French Gates ran an organization without accountability to outside shareholders or other stakeholders; for the fact of his brilliance and fame that many find intimidating; and for the type of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/after-talking-to-teens-last-year-about-anger-management-bill-gates-admits-that-some-of-his-famous-microsoft-tantrums-might-not-have-been-wise-2019-1">arrogant behavior that colleagues of Gates from his Microsoft days</a> might find familiar, but that terrifies those who work for him.</p><p>Those who have worked for Gates at both Microsoft and the foundation point out that Gates's behavior hasn't changed much, but it was more acceptable in Microsoft's competitive culture; the foundation is full of people from the more genteel and collegial culture of the international development and academic communities. This dissonance between his <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/bill-gates-image-likable-nerdy-philanthropist-fell-apart-2021-5">public image and private persona</a> led many foundation employees to remark in private that outwardly, Gates is a global statesman and inwardly, he is an absolute monarch.</p><p>"He's the scariest person in the world to provide a recommendation or briefing to because he scans a page and comes back at you saying something like, 'what you say in the footnote on page 9 does not match with the footnote on page 28,'" one former foundation employee said.</p><p>The low hum of fear was a constant presence inside the foundation, in case an email came in from the boss asking about a grant application, or he pointed out something in your field of expertise that you had overlooked. If Gates sent an email asking for something to be done, there might be a flurry of as many as 100 emails among employees — after taking him off the chain — trying to decipher what he meant, why he meant it, and how they should follow through.</p><p>There was no handbook for how to deal with the foundation's cofounders, especially with Gates. Those who know Gates better said that the billionaire respects people who come in doing their homework and hates it when people waste his time. A person who repeats information from a document already sent to Gates at a meeting will be the target of his ire.</p><p>But Gates is also known to respect a good argument that a person could defend. He is somewhat mellower now, and people who have engaged with him more recently said that both French Gates and Warren Buffett — who has become a close friend and confidante to Gates — had a hand in showing him that it was possible to be a strong leader and be cordial.</p><h2 id="dd6fdaa6-c7a8-493f-b15a-c6dbe4c65b73"><strong>Silent seething</strong></h2><p>Still, many people spent years bristling at Gates's approach. Ultimately, it came down to an individual's level of tolerance. Some brushed it off. Others tried to outargue Gates or couldn't stand him. And there were yet others who kept their mouths shut but seethed silently.</p><p>It was particularly challenging for those who joined the foundation at the peak of their careers, hired for their expertise — the very expertise that Gates appeared to disregard and enjoy outsmarting someone on.</p><p>Often, during a meeting, he would keep probing about why a suggested solution was the best one, to the point that it frustrated senior executives.</p><p>One former senior employee compared the style of discussion to the Socratic method, often used in law schools by professors who push students to reasoning through dialogue.</p><p>But while professors are great at asking questions in a thought-provoking way, Gates was far less polished in his delivery, and as a result, conversations with him could be an unpleasant experience, the former employee said. "It's like using the Socratic method . . . with an autocrat."</p><p><em>From </em><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://affiliate.insider.com?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-72116-20&amp;h=f3e6a8dbf642e0f1765596f4d1a6767fce72c090925dbf9256aab7f60c3a0bbe&amp;postID=66b5053ab9a36536264893c6&amp;postSlug=bill-melinda-gates-stressful-work-culture-gates-foundation-book-excerpt-2024-8&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FBillionaire-Nerd-Savior-King-Gates%2Fdp%2F1668006723%3Fcampaign_id%3D4%26emc%3Dedit_dk_20240605%26instance_id%3D125428%26nl%3Ddealbook%26regi_id%3D194893788%26segment_id%3D168753%26te%3D1%26user_id%3D2259c117e2d6d1f3b6de8de6262da403"><em>BILLIONAIRE, NERD, SAVIOR, KING: Bill Gates and His Quest to Shape Our World</em></a><em> by Anupreeta Das. Copyright © 2024. Reprinted by permission of Avid Reader Press, an Imprint of Simon &amp; Schuster, Inc.</em></p><p><em>Editors Note: A Bill Gates spokesperson told Business Insider, "Relying almost exclusively on second- and third-hand hearsay and anonymous sources, the book includes highly sensationalized allegations and outright falsehoods that ignore the actual documented facts our office provided to the author on numerous occasions."</em></p>

You Searched For "What is PM kisan Scheme" and got 9 results

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