All posts by Neel Achary

India’s rural local governance system has received a major financial push under the recommendations of the Fifteenth Finance Commission, which has allocated substantial grants to Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) during the award period from FY 2020–21 to FY 2025–26.

The 15th Finance Commission recommended ₹60,750 crore for FY 2020–21 (interim period) and ₹2,36,805 crore for the period FY 2021–2026 to support rural local governance institutions such as Gram Panchayats, Block Panchayats and District Panchayats. These grants aim to strengthen grassroots democracy, improve local service delivery and support development at the village level.

Allocation Framework for Rural Local Bodies

The fund allocation framework developed by the Finance Commission is based on a population–area formula, with 90% weightage given to population and 10% to geographical area for inter-state distribution.

Within states, the distribution among different tiers of Panchayati Raj institutions is guided by the recommendations of the respective State Finance Commissions and must fall within the following ranges:

For states with a two-tier system—comprising only village and district panchayats—the distribution bands are:

Where State Finance Commission recommendations are unavailable, state governments determine the distribution within these bands.

Eligibility Conditions for Grant Release

The release of grants is linked to several mandatory conditions set by the Ministry of Finance to ensure transparency, accountability and effective utilisation of funds.

Key conditions include:

• Constitution of elected Rural Local Bodies, except in areas where constitutional provisions do not apply.

• Uploading annual development plans on the eGramSwaraj portal.

• Mandatory onboarding of RLBs on eGramSwaraj–PFMS for financial transactions.

• Completion of audits through the AuditOnline platform.

• Availability of provisional accounts on eGramSwaraj.

• Constitution and operationalisation of State Finance Commissions by states.

States must also transfer funds to Panchayats within 10 working days after receiving them from the Union Government. Delays beyond this period require payment of interest by the state government.

Digital Governance Tools for Panchayats

To strengthen financial transparency and monitoring, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj introduced the eGramSwaraj application in April 2020. The platform supports planning, budgeting, accounting and auditing functions of Panchayats.

Additionally, the AuditOnline platform enables digital auditing of Panchayat accounts and financial records, helping improve accountability in rural governance.

Strong Adoption of Digital Systems

The latest data for FY 2025–26 indicates widespread adoption of these digital platforms across the country:

• 2,54,604 Gram Panchayats (96.36%) uploaded their Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs) on eGramSwaraj.

• 2,42,871 Panchayats (91.92%) transferred ₹38,491 crore to vendors using the eGramSwaraj–PFMS interface.

• For FY 2024–25, over 2.58 lakh Panchayati Raj Institutions closed their annual accounts, while 1.63 lakh generated audit reports.

Role of Key Ministries

The implementation of these grants involves two nodal ministries:

• Ministry of Panchayati Raj — responsible for recommending release of Untied (Basic) Grants.

• Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation — responsible for recommending Tied Grants, largely linked to water and sanitation services.

Grants are released in two instalments each year, and subsequent instalments are approved only after states submit a Grant Transfer Certificate (GTC) and meet the prescribed eligibility conditions.

State-Wise Disbursement Trends

Between FY 2020–21 and FY 2025–26, a total allocation of ₹2,97,555 crore was recommended for Rural Local Bodies across states, out of which ₹2,67,250.78 crore has been released.

Large states such as Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and West Bengal have received the highest allocations, reflecting their population size and rural governance requirements.

Strengthening Grassroots Democracy

The Finance Commission’s grant framework represents one of the largest fiscal transfers to local governments in India. By linking funding with digital governance, auditing requirements and planning processes, the initiative aims to ensure that Panchayats become more accountable, financially empowered and capable of driving rural development.

The details were shared by Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Union Minister for Ministry of Panchayati Raj, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on March 17, 2026.

India’s rapid expansion in solar energy capacity has been one of the defining features of its clean energy transition. However, alongside this growth, policymakers and industry experts are beginning to focus on an emerging challenge: managing the growing volume of end-of-life solar panels and ensuring that renewable energy infrastructure does not create a new environmental burden.

Estimates supported by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and prepared by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water suggest that cumulative waste from existing and projected solar photovoltaic installations in India could reach around 600 kilo-tonnes by 2030. As India accelerates towards ambitious renewable energy targets, this figure highlights the need for a robust ecosystem for recycling, recovery of materials, and sustainable disposal.

Recognising this challenge, the government has begun taking steps to promote domestic recycling capacity and strengthen circular economy practices in the solar sector. The objective is not only to manage waste responsibly but also to recover valuable materials such as silicon, aluminium, glass and critical minerals that can be reused in the clean energy value chain.

A key policy framework supporting this transition is the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The rules provide for environmentally sound management of electronic waste generated from electrical and electronic equipment, including solar photovoltaic panels. Under the regulations, manufacturers and producers are required to take responsibility for the lifecycle of their products through the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) mechanism.

To operationalise this framework, the Central Pollution Control Board has launched an online Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) portal, which enables producers to register, track and fulfil their recycling obligations for e-waste.

Beyond regulatory measures, the government is also working to encourage innovation and technology development in the recycling space. The MNRE has constituted a Committee on Circular Economy in Solar Panels to prepare action plans for transitioning the sector from a linear “produce-use-discard” model to a circular system where materials are continuously reused.

The ministry has also launched an Innovation Challenge for Circularity in Renewable Energy Technologies – Batteries and Solar Photovoltaic under the Renewable Energy Research and Technology Development programme. The initiative is designed to promote research and entrepreneurial innovation in areas such as recycling technologies, second-life applications for solar components, and circular product design.

At the same time, the Department of Science and Technology has issued a call for research proposals focused on recovery and recycling of end-of-life solar PV modules. The initiative aims to foster collaborations between academia and industry to develop economically viable recycling technologies and specialised equipment.

Another important policy push is coming from the Ministry of Mines, which has launched a ₹1,500-crore recycling incentive scheme under the National Critical Mineral Mission. The programme seeks to build domestic capacity to recover critical minerals from e-waste, lithium-ion battery waste, and components of end-of-life vehicles—an effort that aligns closely with India’s broader clean-energy supply chain strategy.

The emerging policy framework reflects a broader realisation that the clean energy transition must also incorporate sustainable material management. Solar panels typically have a lifespan of 20 to 25 years, meaning that the earliest large-scale installations in India will begin reaching the end of their operational life within this decade.

Industry experts note that building recycling capacity now will help India avoid future environmental risks while also creating new economic opportunities. The recovery of valuable materials from solar panels can reduce dependence on imported raw materials and support the domestic manufacturing ecosystem.

As India expands its solar capacity to meet its renewable energy targets, the next phase of the sector’s evolution will involve integrating sustainability across the entire lifecycle of solar technologies—from manufacturing and installation to recycling and resource recovery.

The government’s focus on circular economy practices indicates that the solar revolution is no longer only about generating clean power. It is increasingly about ensuring that the clean energy ecosystem itself remains sustainable for decades to come.

This information was shared by Shripad Yesso Naik, Minister of State for the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on March 17.

New Delhi, March 18: In a major step to strengthen rural drinking water governance, the Government of India has signed reform-linked Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the states of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh under the extended phase of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0. The agreements mark the formal rollout of the reform-based implementation framework of the mission, which was approved by the Union Cabinet on March 10, 2026.

The MoU with Rajasthan was signed in the presence of Union Minister of Jal Shakti C. R. Patil, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, and Minister of State for Jal Shakti V. Somanna. The ceremony was attended by Rajasthan’s Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) Minister Kanhaiya Lal Choudhary and senior officials from both the Centre and the state government.

Later in the day, a similar MoU was signed with Madhya Pradesh in the presence of Union Minister C. R. Patil and Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, who joined the event through video conferencing. Madhya Pradesh PHED Minister Sampatiya Uikey and other senior officials were also present.

Senior officials from the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), including Secretary Ashok K. K. Meena and Additional Secretary and Mission Director (NJJM) Kamal Kishore Soan, attended the MoU signing ceremonies.

For Rajasthan, the agreement was signed between Swati Meena Naik, Joint Secretary (Water), DDWS, and Akhil Arora, Additional Chief Secretary, PHED Rajasthan. For Madhya Pradesh, the MoU was signed between Swati Meena Naik and P. Narahari, Principal Secretary, PHED Madhya Pradesh.

Addressing the gathering, Union Minister C. R. Patil reiterated the Union government’s zero-tolerance policy toward corruption and stressed that quality, transparency and accountability must guide all works under the Jal Jeevan Mission. He urged both states to maintain strict quality standards to ensure that water supply assets remain functional and sustainable in the long term.

Highlighting the different water challenges faced by the two states—including water scarcity in Rajasthan and diverse hydro-geological conditions in Madhya Pradesh—the minister praised both governments for proactively adopting the reform-linked framework.

He also emphasised that effective implementation of the mission would significantly reduce the burden on women and girls, particularly in water-stressed rural regions, while ensuring reliable and safe drinking water supply for households.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma reaffirmed the state’s commitment to implementing Jal Jeevan Mission reforms with a focus on timely execution, institutional strengthening and long-term sustainability of rural drinking water systems.

Similarly, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said the state would fully align with the national reform agenda and work toward strengthening governance systems, improving service delivery and achieving the goal of 24×7 drinking water supply in rural areas.

The MoUs outline 11 key structural reform areas aimed at strengthening governance and sustainability in rural drinking water systems. These include institutional architecture for water governance, service utility frameworks, technical compliance in scheme implementation, citizen-centric water quality governance, water source sustainability, digital data governance, participatory governance through community involvement, capacity building, human resource development, operational and financial sustainability of water supply systems, and research and innovation.

A key feature of the reform framework is a Gram Panchayat-led model of water governance, under which completed piped water supply schemes will be handed over to Gram Panchayats and Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs) through the “Jal Arpan” process.

The MoU also calls for operationalising a Decision Support System (DSS) developed by DDWS as a digital planning tool for districts and Gram Panchayats to improve water source sustainability and planning.

In addition, the agreement provides for “Jal Seva Aankalan” at the Gram Panchayat level to assess service delivery and share results with citizens through the Meri Panchayat mobile application.

The reform agenda also includes the Jal Utsav initiative, a nationwide awareness campaign celebrating the importance of water through three tiers—Jal Mahotsav at the national level, Rajya Jal Utsav or Nadi Utsav at the state level, and Lok Jal Utsav at the Gram Panchayat level. As part of this initiative, National Jal Mahotsav 2026 began with a nationwide Jal Arpan event on March 8, 2026, and will culminate on March 22, World Water Day. The national event held on March 11 was attended by the President of India Droupadi Murmu.

The extension of Jal Jeevan Mission until December 2028 with enhanced financial outlay aims to shift the programme’s focus toward assured service delivery, water quality, system functionality, sustainability and community ownership.

Through the reform-linked framework, the government aims to ensure that every rural household receives adequate, safe drinking water on a regular basis, strengthening community participation and improving living standards while contributing to long-term water security under the national vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.

New Delhi, March 18: The Government of India is implementing the “Enhancement of Competitiveness in the Indian Capital Goods Sector – Phase II” scheme to strengthen domestic manufacturing capabilities and support the growth of a globally competitive capital goods industry.

The scheme, implemented by the Ministry of Heavy Industries, has a total financial outlay of ₹1,207 crore, including ₹975 crore in budgetary support from the government and ₹232 crore contribution from industry stakeholders.

The initiative aims to develop a robust ecosystem for the capital goods sector by promoting research, innovation, skill development, and advanced manufacturing technologies.

According to the ministry, the scheme focuses on five key objectives: building a strong and globally competitive capital goods sector, establishing a sustainable ecosystem for research and manufacturing innovation through technology portals, enhancing skill levels of existing manpower while expanding the pool of highly skilled professionals, promoting smart manufacturing and adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies, and encouraging progressive indigenisation of technologies used in capital goods production.

So far, 29 projects have been sanctioned under the scheme. These include seven Centres of Excellence (CoEs), four Common Engineering Facility Centres (CEFCs), six Testing and Certification Centres, nine Industry Accelerators for Technology Development, and three projects focused on creating qualification packs for skill levels six and above.

The scheme builds on the outcomes of its earlier phase. A third-party evaluation of Phase I was conducted by an expert committee chaired by S. Chaudhary. The committee observed that the first phase helped address technological and infrastructure requirements of the capital goods sector to a certain extent.

However, the committee recommended scaling up the initiative to support the broader needs of the capital goods industry across the country. Expanding the programme, it noted, would generate a stronger impact in advancing the government’s Make in India initiative and strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities.

Following these recommendations, the government formally notified the Phase II version of the scheme on January 25, 2022, aimed at expanding its scope and impact.

To ensure effective implementation, the ministry has constituted a Project Review and Monitoring Committee (PRMC) for each approved project. These committees are responsible for regularly reviewing progress and ensuring that project objectives are achieved in line with the scheme’s goals.

The initiative is expected to play a crucial role in boosting technology development, strengthening manufacturing infrastructure, and promoting innovation within India’s capital goods sector.

This information was provided by Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma, Minister of State for Ministry of Heavy Industries, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on March 17.

New Delhi, March 18: Union Minister of Food Processing Industries Chirag Paswan has called for a long-term strategic roadmap for India’s food processing and nutraceutical sectors, stressing that the industry must align its growth with the country’s broader goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.

Speaking at “NutriBharat 2026: National Conference on the Role of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods in Strengthening Nutrition Security,” organised by ASSOCHAM on March 17, the minister urged stakeholders to set clear milestones for the short, medium and long term while working closely with policymakers and regulators.

Paswan emphasised the need for a structured roadmap for the next one year, five years and ten years, highlighting that collaborative efforts between industry, government and regulatory bodies will be essential to unlock the sector’s full potential.

“India has successfully moved from food scarcity to food security. The next frontier is nutrition security, ensuring that our future generations are healthy and free from malnutrition,” he said.

The minister noted that the food processing industry will play a critical role in strengthening the country’s nutrition ecosystem by ensuring the availability of safe, nutritious and high-quality food products. With rising consumer awareness around health and wellness, sectors such as nutraceuticals and functional foods are expected to emerge as key drivers of India’s food economy.

Paswan also stressed the importance of maintaining global standards and stringent quality control to safeguard India’s credibility in international markets. He warned that even a single rejected export consignment at a foreign port could undermine the reputation that Indian food exporters have built over decades.

Calling for higher industry accountability, he urged companies to prioritise quality assurance, innovation, and responsible manufacturing practices, while strengthening collaboration with regulatory authorities and research institutions.

Industry experts attending the conference highlighted that nutraceuticals and functional foods are increasingly becoming important tools for addressing malnutrition, lifestyle diseases, and micronutrient deficiencies. With India aiming to improve public health outcomes, the integration of food processing, nutrition science and regulatory frameworks is expected to play a pivotal role in achieving the country’s long-term nutrition security goals.

The conference brought together policymakers, industry leaders, researchers and nutrition experts to discuss strategies for strengthening the nutraceutical ecosystem and advancing India’s food processing sector in line with national development priorities.

New Delhi, March 18: The Government of India has supported the establishment of a state-of-the-art fisheries training centre in Himachal Pradesh to strengthen aquaculture capacity and improve skill development in the fisheries sector.

The Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying approved a proposal from the Government of Himachal Pradesh during 2022–23 for the establishment of a State-of-the-Art Fisheries Training Centre at Gagret. The project was sanctioned at a total cost of ₹5.17 crore, with the project cost restricted to ₹5 crore for interest subvention under the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF).

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), one of the designated nodal loaning entities under FIDF, sanctioned ₹5 crore to the Himachal Pradesh government for the project and has already disbursed the full sanctioned amount to facilitate its implementation.

The fisheries department is implementing several schemes nationwide aimed at holistic development of the fisheries sector across all states and union territories, including Himachal Pradesh. Key initiatives include the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), being implemented from 2020–21 to 2025–26, the FIDF scheme covering the period 2018–19 to 2025–26, and the central sector sub-scheme of PMMSY, Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah Yojana (PM-MKSSY), which runs from 2023–24 to 2026–27.

These programmes aim to address critical gaps in fish production and productivity by strengthening infrastructure, promoting technological adoption, improving post-harvest management systems, and modernising fisheries value chains. The schemes also focus on improving fishers’ livelihoods and enhancing welfare measures across the sector.

The government has also extended the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) facility to fishers and fish farmers since 2018–19, enabling them to meet working capital requirements and improve access to institutional credit for fisheries-related activities.

Data provided by the Himachal Pradesh government shows steady growth in fish production in key districts such as Kangra and Chamba over the past three years. Fish production in Kangra increased from 4,871.09 tonnes in 2022–23 to 5,480.62 tonnes in 2024–25, while Chamba recorded growth from 1,075.36 tonnes to 1,379.48 tonnes during the same period.

Overall fish production in Himachal Pradesh has also risen significantly in recent years. According to official figures, the state’s fish output increased from 13,745 tonnes in 2019–20 to 16,250 tonnes in 2025–26, reflecting steady expansion in aquaculture and fisheries activities.

Within this growth, Kangra district contributed around 2,850 tonnes of fish production, while Chamba district accounted for about 1,920 tonnes, highlighting the expanding aquaculture base in these regions.

The government believes that improved infrastructure, enhanced training facilities, and better access to institutional credit will further strengthen the fisheries ecosystem and support sustainable growth in fish production across the hill state.

This information was provided by Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Union Minister for the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

New Delhi, March 18: The Government of India has implemented a series of policy measures aimed at expanding institutional credit to the agriculture sector, with particular emphasis on underserved segments such as small and marginal farmers and allied activities including dairy, fisheries, and animal husbandry.

The initiatives are designed to improve access to affordable credit, strengthen rural financial institutions, and enhance agricultural productivity through increased financial inclusion in rural areas.

According to information shared in the Rajya Sabha by Pankaj Chaudhary, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, the government sets annual Ground Level Credit (GLC) targets for agriculture and allied sectors, which banks are required to meet during each financial year.

These credit targets are allocated region-wise and agency-wise across institutions such as Scheduled Commercial Banks, Regional Rural Banks, and rural cooperative banks. Since the financial year 2021–22, the government has also introduced dedicated credit targets for allied agricultural activities to ensure focused financial support for sectors like dairy farming, fisheries, and animal husbandry.

The credit expansion strategy is also supported by regulatory norms under Priority Sector Lending (PSL) issued by the Reserve Bank of India. Under these guidelines, commercial banks—including Regional Rural Banks, Small Finance Banks, Local Area Banks and primary urban cooperative banks—must allocate at least 18% of their Adjusted Net Bank Credit (ANBC) or credit equivalent of off-balance sheet exposures to agriculture.

Within this mandate, a sub-target of 10% has been earmarked specifically for Small and Marginal Farmers (SMFs), who account for a significant majority of India’s agricultural community. The PSL framework also includes incentive mechanisms to encourage higher credit flow to districts with lower lending levels while discouraging excessive concentration of credit in already well-served districts.

A key instrument supporting farmers’ access to credit is the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme, which provides timely and affordable credit to farmers for purchasing agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertilizers and pesticides, as well as meeting working capital needs. Since 2019, the scheme has also been expanded to cover working capital requirements related to animal husbandry, dairying, and fisheries.

To further reduce borrowing costs for farmers, the government operates the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS), under which farmers can access short-term crop loans at a concessional interest rate of 7% through Kisan Credit Cards. Farmers who repay their loans on time are eligible for an additional 3% incentive, effectively reducing the interest rate to 4%.

In another move to improve credit access, the collateral-free loan limit for short-term agricultural loans has been raised from ₹1.60 lakh to ₹2 lakh per borrower, effective January 1, 2025. The increase is expected to particularly benefit small and marginal farmers, who constitute over 86% of India’s farming community, by enabling easier access to formal credit without the need for collateral.

The government has also been strengthening rural infrastructure and financial ecosystems through institutional support from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). Funds allocated under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) are used to support infrastructure projects in rural areas, which in turn enhance credit absorption capacity in agriculture and allied sectors.

As part of the Union Budget 2025–26, the government also announced the launch of the PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PM-DDKY). One of the key objectives of the scheme is to improve the availability of both long-term and short-term agricultural credit in districts where credit disbursement to the sector remains low.

Efforts are also underway to strengthen rural financial institutions such as cooperative banks and Regional Rural Banks through technology upgrades and institutional reforms to improve their operational efficiency and outreach.

NABARD continues to play a central role in boosting credit flow to the agriculture sector. Under the RBI’s Lead Bank Scheme, NABARD prepares Potential Linked Credit Plans (PLPs) for each district every year to estimate the credit potential under priority sectors. These district-level plans are aggregated at the state level and used as the basis for setting annual credit targets for agriculture.

To support banks in meeting these targets, NABARD provides refinance assistance for both short-term and long-term agricultural lending. Short-term refinance is extended to institutions such as State Cooperative Banks, Regional Rural Banks, and Small Finance Banks for crop loans and other agricultural lending activities.

Long-term refinance support is also provided to rural financial institutions, scheduled commercial banks, small finance banks, and non-banking financial companies to strengthen lending for agriculture and allied sectors.

In addition, NABARD offers concessional refinance under various specialised schemes supporting sectors such as micro food processing, animal husbandry infrastructure development, solar rooftop installations, aspirational districts, and initiatives like the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund and the National Rural Livelihoods Mission.

The government believes these coordinated policy interventions will strengthen the rural credit ecosystem, improve farmers’ access to affordable finance, and support sustainable agricultural growth across the country.

New Delhi, March 18: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has strengthened its regulatory oversight of digital lending platforms as part of broader efforts by the government and financial regulators to curb the proliferation of illegal mobile loan applications and enhance consumer protection in India’s fast-growing digital lending ecosystem.

The central bank had earlier constituted a working group to examine issues related to digital lending, including loans offered through online platforms and mobile applications. Based on the recommendations of the panel, RBI introduced comprehensive regulatory guidelines aimed at strengthening the framework governing digital lending activities and safeguarding borrowers.

Under the framework, all regulated entities (REs), including banks and non-banking financial companies, are required to comply with the digital lending guidelines issued by the RBI. Compliance with these rules is periodically assessed during supervisory evaluations, and any deviations identified are required to be rectified. In cases of serious non-compliance, the RBI may initiate supervisory or enforcement actions.

In parallel, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has been empowered to block fraudulent digital loan applications under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, following due procedures outlined in the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking for Access of Information by Public) Rules, 2009.

Authorities have intensified coordinated efforts across ministries and agencies to prevent citizens from being exploited by unauthorised lending platforms, many of which operate through offshore entities or disguise themselves as legitimate financial service providers.

One of the key steps taken by the RBI includes the launch of a directory of Digital Lending Apps (DLAs) on its official website from July 1, 2025. The directory lists apps deployed by RBI-regulated entities and is intended to help customers verify whether a digital lending application is legitimately linked to a regulated financial institution.

The regulator has also been actively engaging with major internet intermediaries and messaging platforms to monitor the activities of unauthorised loan apps. Technology-driven vetting mechanisms and real-time enforcement systems have been introduced to detect and prevent the advertisement and circulation of fraudulent loan apps, particularly those originating from overseas operators.

The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs has also been analysing digital lending applications to identify cybercrime patterns. To facilitate public reporting of such incidents, the government has launched the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal and a dedicated cybercrime helpline number 1930.

Meanwhile, banks have been supporting public grievance mechanisms through platforms such as the SACHET portal, which enables citizens to lodge complaints against entities involved in illegal deposit-taking or unauthorised financial activities. State-level coordination committees among financial regulators further assist in monitoring and addressing such cases.

The RBI and banks have also intensified public awareness campaigns to educate consumers about the risks associated with fraudulent lending apps. These campaigns include SMS alerts, radio outreach programmes, and digital banking awareness initiatives such as the e-BAAT training programme, which focuses on cyber fraud prevention and risk mitigation.

However, enforcement against illegal mobile applications ultimately falls under the jurisdiction of state governments. Under India’s constitutional framework, “Police” and “Public Order” are state subjects, making state law enforcement agencies primarily responsible for the prevention, investigation, and prosecution of such crimes.

The central government continues to support states and union territories through advisories and financial assistance for capacity building of law enforcement agencies to combat cybercrime and financial fraud.

This information was shared by Pankaj Chaudhary, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on March 17.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. and NEW YORK CITY – Udacity, part of Accenture LearnVantage and the leading provider of tech skills for the AI economy, announced the launch of a fully accredited Master of Business Administration degree programme designed specifically for the next generation of AI product leaders.

While traditional MBAs have long held a direct path into product management, they often lack the hands-on, technical training required in today’s AI-driven economy. This MBA focused on AI product management combines rigorous business fundamentals with applied, project-based training—equipping graduates with both the strategic foundation and practical experience required to lead in the AI economy.

“As AI continues to redefine the global workforce, the need for leaders who can bridge the gap between technology and business strategy has never been more critical,” said Kishore Durg, global lead of Accenture LearnVantage. “This innovative MBA programme directly addresses the advanced skills crisis by providing an affordable, accredited path for the next generation of AI product leaders. By democratising access to high-quality education, we are helping both individuals and organisations unlock the full potential of the AI economy.”

For the first time, learners can earn an MBA degree built around Udacity’s hallmark project-based curriculum at a fraction of the cost of traditional MBA programmes. Degrees are awarded by Woolf, a global leader in higher education innovation, and are recognised through the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) across more than 60 countries—including the U.S., Canada, Australia, and 43 European nations. 

“Artificial intelligence is defining a new way of doing business, and MBAs need to prepare students for that new world,” said Woolf President and Rector Dr. Joshua Broggi. “We’re proud of this exceptional programme, which brings Accenture and Udacity’s depth of expertise to a degree that is affordable, practical, and rigorous.”

Answering the AI Product Skills Crisis
Young professionals are standing at a crossroads. 59% of executives believe AI automation is actively closing doors for new talent, according to Accenture’s January 2026 Pulse of Change report. Yet, most companies are still struggling to make AI work at scale, with only 32% reporting real enterprise-wide success.

This disconnect presents an outsized opportunity for professionals who retool. AI product management is powering the fastest-growing frontier in tech, with job openings surging nearly 90% last year. By mastering the intersection of AI and product development, professionals can secure roles that pay 36% more than traditional product manager roles while solving the C-suite’s biggest challenges.

An MBA Degree Built for the AI Economy
The Master of Business Administration programme from Udacity and Woolf addresses these critical gaps by providing a flexible, affordable path to advanced credentials for working professionals and career changers without sacrificing career momentum:

• Radically Affordable: Can be completed for less than ₹2 lakh—a fraction of private university MBA programmes with an average cost between ₹4 lakh – ₹25 lakh.
• Industry Relevant: Courses are project-based and developed with input from leading tech companies, helping graduates build portfolios that prove their capabilities.
• Fully Accredited: Degrees awarded by Woolf carry academic weight comparable to other leading higher education institutions in Europe, North America, and Australia—and are widely accepted for immigration, visa applications, and doctoral programmes in 60+ countries.
• Backwards Compatible: With “Recognition of Prior Learning,” Udacity learners can apply previously completed Nanodegree programmes toward a master’s degree, potentially accelerating their path to graduation.
• Highly Flexible: Students progress at their own pace through 14 Udacity Nanodegree programmes plus a capstone project—approximately 2,250 hours in total, the standard workload for a European master’s degree under the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System.

Pioneering the Future of AI Education

Udacity has pioneered large-scale AI education for over a decade, but its recent entry into accredited degrees has set a new industry benchmark. This MBA with a focus in AI product management follows the successful launch of its Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence degree programme, which amassed more than 1,500 learners in its inaugural cohort—demonstrating the industry appetite for high-rigor, high-ROI AI credentials.

The MBA represents the next evolution of this success. By combining Udacity’s “skills-first” DNA with Woolf’s international accreditation, the company is transforming 15 years of AI innovation into an MBA designed for the next generation of technology product leaders.

“We’re not just adding credentials to existing learning, we’re democratising access to advanced education in one of the most important fields of the 21st century,” said Dr. Kai Roemmelt, CEO of Udacity and Dean of the Udacity Institute of AI & Technology. “This programme combines Udacity’s hallmark project-based curriculum with Woolf’s internationally recognised accreditation to offer an MBA degree that is both radically affordable and industry-relevant. It proves that you can break down traditional barriers to higher education while maintaining the academic rigor necessary to deliver immediate career impact for professionals in the AI economy.”

The creation of the MBA degree programme from Udacity and Woolf is a continuation of Accenture’s $1 billion investment in LearnVantage—a comprehensive learning and training service that helps individuals, organisations, and nations build the skills they need to grow in the AI economy. Since launching LearnVantage in 2024, Accenture has acquired Udacity, TalentSprint, Ascendient Learning, Aidemy, and Award Solutions, scaling Accenture’s deep capabilities as a world-class learning organisation helping clients meet their business growth objectives and enabling people to develop the relevant skills they need to make the most of the opportunities that technological change is bringing.

Enroll now and forge a new future in tech.

Epson has been selected as an A List company, the highest possible rating, in the Water Security category of the CDP assessment conducted by the international non-profit organisation CDP. In addition, Epson received an A- rating in the Climate Change category.

These ratings reflect CDP’s recognition of Epson’s leadership in addressing issues related to water security and climate change, as well as the transparency of its related disclosures.

CDP represents more than 640 institutional investors with combined assets of over USD 127 trillion worldwide. It evaluates corporate environmental actions through environmental disclosures made to CDP. 

The results of this assessment are also utilised in the environmental evaluations of leading global socially responsible investment (SRI) indices, which serve as benchmarks for ESG investing.

More than 22,000 companies worldwide disclosed information to CDP. Epson was one of the select few to be named to the A List-only about 4% make it-and was acknowledged as one of the leading companies in sustainability.

Epson recognises that this CDP assessment is an important evaluation not only for institutional investors engaged in ESG investing, but also for all stakeholders-including customers and business partners-who seek environmentally conscious products and services, as it helps to enhance trust in the company.

Epson views nature as a vital foundation of its business operations and has long conducted its activities with environmental stewardship as a core principle. 

The company has worked to reduce water usage and strengthen wastewater management by taking into account the regional characteristics of the areas in which its group sites are located, while steadily advancing climate change initiatives over many years through technological innovation and continuous improvements at operating sites.

Going forward, Epson will continue to pursue sustainable growth while fulfilling our responsibility to the environment through our business activities.
 

For more information on Epson’s environmental initiatives go to: https://corporate.epson/en/sustainability/environment/