• The Government has approved “Revitalising Infrastructure and Systems in Education by 2022”, as per which the scope of institutions to be funded through Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA) has been enlarged to encompass School Education and Medical Education institutions, apart from Higher Education. The total authorized equity capital of HEFA has been raised to Rs.10,000 crore, with the facility to leverage additional resources from the market, based on requirement.


  • A total Government equity of Rs. 6,000 Crore, has been approved. All funds for educational infrastructure in centrally funded educational institutions will henceforth be in the form of ten year loans through HEFA to the institution, the interest liability of which would be borne by the Government. The principal repayment would be undertaken by the institutions in part or full depending on their age profile and financial capability. For new institutions and those which have limited internal fund generating capacity, the entire principal and interest repayment would be undertaken by the Government. There is an additional window of financing for school and medical education institutions where the sponsoring Department would undertake to repay the principal and interest to HEFA. So far, HEFA has approved projects of Rs. 24430 Crore with total loan amount of Rs. 12307 Crore.


  • The Government of India, in August 2018, had sanctioned the scheme “Impactful Policy Research in Social Sciences (IMPRESS)” at a total cost of Rs. 414 Cr for implementation up to 31.03.2021. Under the Scheme, 1500 research projects will be awarded for 2 years to support the social science research in the higher educational institutions and to enable research to guide policy making.


  • The Indian Council of Social Science and Research (ICSSR) will be the project implementing agency.


  • The broad objectives of the scheme are: To identify and fund research proposals in social sciences with maximum impact on the governance and society.


  • To focus research on (11) broad thematic areas such as : State and Democracy, Urban transformation, Media, Culture and Society, Employment, Skills and Rural transformation , Governance, Innovation and Public Policy, Growth, Macro-trade and Economic Policy, Agriculture and Rural Development, Health and Environment, Science and Education, Social Media and Technology, Politics, Law and Economics. The sub- theme areas will be decided on the basis of Expert Groups’ advice before notifying the scheme and calling for applications.


  • To ensure selection of projects through a transparent, competitive process on online mode.


  • To provide opportunity for social science researchers in any institution in the country, including all Universities (Central and State), private institutions with 12(B) status conferred by UGC.


  • ICSSR funded/ recognized research institutes will also be eligible to submit research proposals on the given themes and sub-themes.






  • Ishan Vikas and Ishan Uday schemes are being implemented for the students of North Eastern region.


  • Ishan Vikas is coordinated by Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati and under the programme, selected school children from North Eastern States are brought in close contact with the Indian Institute of Technology (IITs), Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs) and National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) during the vacation period to motivate them to pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics and to facilitate internship opportunities for the engineering college students in various institutes of national importance. Annual target is to provide visit of 96 school children to premier institutes and summer internships to 250 engineering students. Rs. 605.45 lakhs has been approved for the programme. Since inception of the programme in 2014-15, 1637 (922 boys and 715 girls) school children and 378 (266 boys and 112 girls) Engineering students have benefitted.


  • Ishan Uday Scholarship Scheme is administered by University Grants Commission (UGC). Under the scheme, scholarship is provided to the students having parental income upto Rs. 4.5 lakh per annum, from the North East Region for pursuing general degree, technical and professional degree courses including medical and para-medical courses. The target of beneficiaries under the scheme is 10,000 per year. Rate of scholarship under the scheme is, Rs. 5400/- per month for general degree course and Rs. 7800/- per month for technical/medical/professional/paramedical courses. Since inception of the scheme in 2014-15 and till September, 2018, Rs. 309.95 Crore has been disbursed to 68,207 students, towards fresh and renewal scholarships.






  • Some of the major initiatives taken by Indian Railways towards improvement in standards and cleanliness of toilets in trains and at Railway stations are as follows:


  • To avoid dropping of night soils on platform lines and on track, pace of installation of Bio-toilets in Coaches has been intensified under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. It is planned to install bio-toilets in the entire BG coaching fleet of Indian Railways by 2019.


  • Provision of dustbins is being done in non AC coaches also in addition to the AC Coaches. Provision of health faucets in all new AC and non-AC coaches, in addition to mug with chain arrangement. Upgradation of coach toilets in identified rakes.


  • Cleaning of coaches including toilets at both ends including mechanised cleaning through professional agencies at around 145 coaching depots. On Board Housekeeping Service (OBHS) has been provided in more than 1050 pairs of trains including Rajdhani, Shatabdi and other important long distance Mail/Express trains for cleaning of coach toilets, doorways, aisles and passenger compartments during the run of the trains.


  • ‘Coach Mitra’ facility has been introduced in about 1000 pairs of OBHS trains. ‘Coach Mitra’ is a single window interface to register coach related requirements of passengers such as cleaning, disinfection, linen, train lighting, air conditioning and watering of coaches.


  • Separate toilets for men and women are available as per norms at all erstwhile ‘A1’, ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘D’ category railway stations. However, upgradation of amenities at stations including toilets is a continuous and on-going process and 2894 toilets were constructed / improved in the past four years, and further, construction / improvement works in this regard are being undertaken depending upon need, volume of the passenger traffic and priority subject to availability of funds.


  • Operation of public toilets, both deluxe and normal, with ladies and gents units, is also being done through Public Private Partnership (PPP) model on ‘Pay and Use’ basis. Zonal Railways have been authorized regarding operation and maintenance, including cleanliness of these ‘Pay and Use’ toilets through contracts. More than 900 stations have Normal Pay and Use toilets and about 60 stations have Deluxe Pay and Use toilets.


  • Provision of Integrated Mechanised cleaning contracts with improved processes and machinery at major stations including toilets has been intensified. Currently, mechanised cleaning is done at nearly 520 stations.


  • Special Cleanliness Campaign under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan was launched on Indian Railways on 2nd October, 2014. Regular intensive campaigns / awareness drives have been organised since then over the Indian Railways with the sole objective to achieve significant and sustainable improvements in cleanliness standards of railway stations and trains.


  • Regular inspections at various levels are carried out and deficiencies are made good whenever noticed. Suitable action is taken against the contractors who are found wanting in the performance of their duties.






  • On 17 December 2018, Experimental Test Pilots and Test Engineer from IAF’s premier testing establishment ASTE, flew India’s first military flight using blended bio-jet fuel on the An-32 transport aircraft.The project is a combined effort of IAF, DRDO, Directorate General Aeronautical Quality Assurance (DGAQA) and CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum.


  • On 27 July 2018, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa, Chief of Air Staff had announced IAF’s intention to promote biojet fuels. Addressing the CII-SIDM seminar on promoting indigenised technologies, the CAS had stated that IAF intended to fly the An-32 with 10% biojet fuel on 26 Jan 2019 Republic Day flypast.


  • Indian Air Force carried out extensive engine tests on the ground. This is now followed by flight trials using 10% biojet blended ATF. This fuel is made from Jatropha oil sourced from Chattisgarh Biodiesel Development Authority (CBDA) and then processed at CSIR-IIP, Dehradun. IAF intends to fly the An-32 transport aircraft using biojet fuel on 26 January 2019, in the Republic Day flypast.






  • The Ministry of Minority Affairs organised several “Hunar Haats” in the country including at Baba Khadak Singh Marg, New Delhi (from February 11, 2018)at Allahabad (Sept, 2018), Pragati Maidan (2016, 2017, 2018) at New Delhi; Puducherry (2017, 2018) and Mumbai (2017)..


  • The theme of “Hunar Haat” organized by the Ministry of Minority Affairs was “Development with Dignity”. “Hunar Haat” was organised from February, 10-18, 2018 in New Delhi “Hunar Haats”, are being organised by the Minority Affairs Ministry to provide an opportunity, as well as domestic and international exposure to the master artisans from across the country.


  • “Hunar Haats”, being organised across the country have become a “credible brand” to fulfil Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s commitment to “Make in India”, “Stand up India” and “Start up India”.


  • In the coming days, “Hunar Haat” will be organised at Mumbai (December 2018), Baba Kharak Singh Marg, New Delhi (January 2019) and Goa (February 2019). More Than 1 lakh 50 thousand artisans and people associated with them have been provided employment and employment opportunities during about last one year through “Hunar Haat”.






  • The Ministry of Minority Affairs has implemented a scheme namely “ Free Coaching and Allied Scheme for the candidates and students belonging to minority communities” all over the country including North Eastern States, under which, free coaching is provided to students belonging to six notified minority communities through selected or empanelled coaching institutions or organisations for preparation of qualifying examinations for admission in technical and professional courses and competitive examinations for recruitment to Group “A” , “B” and “C” services and other equivalent posts under the Central and State governments including public sector undertakings, banks, insurance companies etc. The Ministry has organised “Taleem-o-Tarbiyat” programme at Anjuman-a-Islam Girls High School at Bandra, Mumbai.


  • The Ministry has launched a pilot project for minority Cyber Gram for digital literacy in a minority dominated village Chandauli in Alwar district of Rajasthan. The Ministry mainstreamed the Cyber Gram project with the Multi-sectoral Development Programmein the year 2014-15 as a special initiative.


  • The Ministry implements various schemes for pursuing higher research and institutions of National importance for minority students, though there is no specific skill scheme for minority youth to facilitate their entry into the areas of higher research and institutions of national importance.


  • The Merit-cum-Means Scholarship Scheme is awarded for pursuing professional and technical courses, at under-graduate and post-graduate levels, in institutions recognized by the appropriate authority. The details of schemes/guidelines and achievements are available on the website of this Ministry (www.minorityaffairs.gov.in).


  • The Ministry has launched a training programme to link Madarsa teachers with the mainstream education system on 27 March, 2018.


  • The Ministry, in collaboration with Jamia Millia Islamia University, has organised residential training programme for 40 Madarsa teachers and distributed certificates after completion of training


  • The Ministry, distributed certificates to those students who have been successful in “Bridge Course”, jointly conducted by Ministry of Minority Affairs and Jamia Millia Islamia, for school drop outs and those students who are pursuing their studies in Madarsas. Ministry of Minority Affairs, in collaboration with Jamia Millia Islamia University, had started “Bridge Course” to bring Madarsa students and school drop outs into mainstream education system


  • The Ministry launched the country's first "National Scholarship Portal Mobile App" (NSP Mobile App) in New Delhi on 13 September, 2018. The portal will ensure a smooth, accessible and hassle-free scholarship system for students from poor and weaker sections.


  • On 1stOctober, 2018, Union Minister for Minority Affairs Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi laid foundation stone of first world class educational institute being established with the assistance of Minority Affairs Ministry, Govt. of India, at Kohrapipli village of Alwar district in Rajasthan. the first world class educational institute in Alwar will be proved to be a milestone in the direction of affordable, accessible and quality education to poor, weaker sections including Minorities.


  • This educational institution will start functioning in 2020. The Rajasthan Government has given 15 acres of land in Kohrapipali village for this educational institute. World class skill development centre, educational facilities for primary to higher studies, Ayurveda and Unani science and sports facilities will be established here. Forty per cent reservation is proposed for girls in this institution.






  • Saudi Arabia has given the green signal for India’s decision to revive the option of sending Haj pilgrims through sea route also and officials from both the countries will discuss on all the necessary formalities and technicalities so that Haj pilgrimage through sea route can be started in the coming years. A decision in this regard was taken, during the signing of bilateral annual Haj 2018 agreement between India and Saudi Arabia at Makkah. Sending pilgrims through ships will help cut down travel expenses significantly. The practice of ferrying Haj pilgrims between Mumbai and Jeddah by waterways was stopped from 1995.


  • This time Haj 2018 has been made 100 per cent digital/online. For the first time about 1300 Muslim women from India went to Haj without “Mehram” (male companion). Separate accommodation and transport was arranged for these women Haj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia. For the first time more than 100 female Haj Assistants were deployed in Saudi Arabia to assist women Haj pilgrims.


  • India’s Haj Quota Increased for the second consecutive year and for the first time after the Independence, record number of 1 lakh 75 thousand 25 Haj Pilgrims from India went for Haj 2018 that too without Haj subsidy. The Government, led by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has succeeded in getting India’s Haj quota increased for the consecutive second year.


  • The amount of Haj subsidy provided by the Government of India reflects in the budget of Ministry of Civil Aviation, which is the nodal Ministry responsible for making air travel arrangements for Haj pilgrims identified by the Haj Committee of India.


  • The welfare schemes meant for minorities are implemented by Ministry of Minority Affairs from the budget allocated to the Ministry. An additional allocation of Rs.505 Crore has been made for the Ministry of Minority Affairs for the year 2018-19. It has been decided to allocate bulk of the additional funding for educational empowerment of Minority communities. For the first time after the Independence, a record number of Muslims from the country went to Haj this year and that too without any subsidy.


  • The Union Government’s commitment to transparency and strict directives given to the airlines to check unreasonable increase in fares has ensured that Haj 2018 air fares have been come down significantly this year.


  • Even after ending the Haj subsidy, Rs 57 crore less were paid to airlines this year for those Haj pilgrims, who went through Haj Committee of India.


  • Union Minister for Minority Affairs Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi flagged off the first batch of Haj pilgrims from New Delhi Airport in the morning of 14 July, 2018, with prayers of country’s safety and prosperity.


  • It is for the first time after Independence that preparation for next year’s Haj has been started immediately after completion of the current year’s Haj process in India.


  • Union Minister for Minority Affairs Shri Naqvi has reviewed the Haj 2019 preparation meeting on 3rd October, 2018.






  • The Ministry of Minority Affairs has decided to award those “Mutawallis” who will perform well in management of waqf properties to ensure utilisation of these properties for upliftment of the society especially educational empowerment of girls. Central Waqf Council is providing financial help to state waqf boards for digitisation of records so that state waqf boards can complete the task within timeframe.


  • The Central Government has launched a scheme in 2009 namely „Computerization of Records of State Waqf Boards‟ with a view to streamline record keeping, introduce transparency, and to computerize and digitize the records of waqf properties of the State/UT Waqf Boards (SWBs). The scheme has now been modified and renamed as Qaumi Waqf Board Taraqqiati Scheme (QWBTS).Under the “Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karykram” (PMJVK), the Minority Affairs Ministry will construct schools, colleges, ITIs, skill development centres, multi-purpose community centres “Sadbhav Mandap”, “Hunar Hub”, hospitals, business centres etc on waqf properties across the country. This will be for the first time after the Independence of the country.


  • As per provisions of section 32 of the Waqf Act 1995 as amended, general superintendence of all auqaf in a State is vested with the State Waqf Board (SWB) and the Waqf Board is empowered to manage the waqf property and take legal action against unauthorized occupation and encroachment of such properties. The Central Waqf Council (CWC) has decided to provide training to women for their empowerment in the trades of i) Tailoring & Knitting ii) Food Processing iii) Embroidery and iv) Cloth Printing and accordingly, proposals have been invited. The CWC has also decided to provide financial support for coaching of muslim students for competitive examinations for jobs through the coaching centers of Jamia Millia Islamia for 50 students for Civil Services and Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Aligarh for 100 students i.e. 50 for Civil Services and 50 for SSC-CGL/Bank PO examinations.


  • Ministry of Minority Affairs has been implementing a scheme called “Nai – Roshni. The scheme is for Leadership Development of Minority Women with an aim to empower and instil confidence in women by providing knowledge, tools and techniques for interacting with Government systems, banks and intermediaries at all levels.


  • Maulana Azad Education Foundation (MAEF) is implementing Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship for girls belonging to minorities. Under this scheme scholarship is provided to girls students for classes 9th, 10th, 11th & 12th. The eligible girls may apply online. The details of this scheme is available on the website for MAEF i.e. www.maef.nic.in. The details of the various schemes of the Ministry are available on its website i.e. www.minorityaffairs.gov.in.






  • Union Minister for Minority Affairs Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi offered 'Chadar' on behalf of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at dargah of Sufi Saint Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti at Ajmer Sharif on 19 March, 2018.


  • In his message, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi conveyed greetings and best wishes to followers of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in India and abroad on the occasion of 806th annual Urs. Prime Minister said, “On the occasion of the annual Urs of this great saint, I am offering “Chadar” and Khiraaj-E-Aqueedat (homage) to Dargah Ajmer Sharif and wish for a harmonious co-existence of our culture. Greetings and best wishes to the followers of Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti across the world on the annual Urs. ”People from all sections of the society welcomed wholeheartedly the “Chadar” send by the Prime Minister. Shri Naqvi also inaugurated 100 toilets complex, constructed by Ministry of Minority Affairs at “Vishramsthali”, Kayad near the Dargah. Zaireen, coming in large number at Dargah, will be benefitted from the facility. Shri Naqvi also took stock of various ongoing development works related to Ajmer Dargah with the officials.


  • Union Minister for Minority Affairs Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has emphasised that the philosophy of Sufism spreads the thoughts of peace and harmony. While launching the official web portal of Dargah Khwaja Sahib Ajmer on 17 July, 2018 in New Delhi, Shri Naqvi said that the present government is doing efforts for inclusive growth of every section of the society. The web address can be accessed at https://gharibnawaz.minorityaffairs.gov.in






  • “Pradhan mantri Jan Vikas Karykram” (earlier Multi Sectoral Development Programme) has been proved to be a milestone in the direction of socio-economic-educational empowerment of Minorities and other weaker sections of the society. For the first time after the Independence, a campaign has been started on war-footing to provide basic amenities to ensure educational empowerment of Minorities especially girls in 308 districts across the country.


  • The Central Government, keeping in mind the educational empowerment and employment oriented skill development of Minority girls, is providing school, college, polytechnic, girls hostel, ITI, skill development centre etc under “Pradhan mantri Jan Vikas karykram” in those “backward and ignored” areas which had been deprived of these facilities since the Independence.


  • During the last 4 years, under PMJVK, 16 Degree Colleges, 1992 School Buildings, 37,123 Additional Classrooms, 1147 Hostels, 173 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), 48 Polytechnics, 38,753 Anganwadi Centres, 3,48,624 lAY (PMAY) houses, 323 Sadbhavna Mandaps, 73 Residential Schools, 494 Market sheds, 17,397 drinking water facilities etc have been constructed by the Central Government in the Minority concentrated areas. This has led to significant improvement in lives of weaker sections, Minorities especially women.






  • "Secularism, social-communal harmony and tolerance" is in the DNA of India and compared to the entire world, constitutional, social, cultural and religious rights of minorities are more safe and secure in India. A campaign has been started by the government on war-footing to provide basic amenities to ensure educational empowerment of girls belonging to Minority communities in 308 districts across the country. The Central Government, keeping in mind the educational empowerment and employment oriented skill development of Minority girls, is providing school, college, polytechnic, girls hostel, ITI, skill development centre etc under “Pradhanmantri Jan Vikas Karykram” in those “backward and ignored” areas which had been deprived of these facilities since the Independence.


  • The steps taken by the Central Government aimed at inclusive growth has ensured that today Minorities have been brought into mainstream development. Schemes such as “Seekho aur Kamao”, “Ustaad”, “Garib Nawaz Kaushal Vikas Yojana”, “NaiManzil”, “Nai Roshni”, “Begum Hazrat Mahal Girls scholarships” etc have proved to be the guarantee of empowerment of Minorities especially girls. More than 6 lakh people from Minority communities have been provided employment and employment opportunities through these job-oriented skill development programmes.


  • The Ministry has stressed upon fast and transparent implementation of schemes for the welfare of the Minorities. A workshop on “Financial Management” was organised by National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC) on 17 July, 2018 in New.


  • The schemes/ programmes implemented by this Ministry for the minority communities notified under section 2(c) of the NCM Act 1992 viz Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and Parsis are :-


  • Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) [restructured Multi-sectoral Development Programme (MsDP)] - implemented in identified Minority Concentration Blocks, Minority Concentration Towns, Minority Concentration District Headquarters & Clusters of Villages for infrastructure development.






  • Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme, Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme and Merit-cum-Means based Scholarship Scheme – for educational empowerment. Maulana Azad National Fellowship – for research fellows’ empowerment.


  • “Naya Savera” Free coaching and Allied Scheme - to enhance skills and knowledge of students and candidates for employment through competitive examination and admission in technical and professional courses.


  • Padho Pardes – Scheme for interest subsidy on educational loans for overseas studies in technical and professional courses.


  • Nai Udaan - Support for students clearing Preliminary Examination conducted by UPSC, SSC, State Public Service Commissions, etc.


  • Jiyo Parsi – Scheme for containing population decline of Parsis.


  • Nai Roshni – Scheme for leadership development of minority women.


  • Seekho Aur Kamao – Skill development initiative for minorities.


  • 10. Nai Manzil – Scheme for formal school education & skilling of school dropouts.


  • 11. USTTAD - Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development.


  • 12. Hamari Dharohar - Scheme to preserve rich heritage of minority Communities under the overall concept of Indian Culture.


  • 13. Grants-in-Aid to Maulana Azad Education Foundation (MAEF) for implementation of education and skill related schemes.


  • 14. Garib Nawaz Skill Development Centre Scheme.


  • 15. Equity to National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC) for providing loans at concessional interest rates to minorities for self-employment and income generating activities. Details of the schemes and the achievements in respect of the schemes are available on the website of this Ministry (www. minorityaffairs.gov.in, on the website of MAEF (www.maef.nic.in) and, on the website of NMDFC (www.nmdfc.org).






  • The Ministry has stressed the need of cleanliness of our inner and outer self. At the SWACHHTA HI SEWA programme at Maulana Azad Educational Foundation in New Delhi on 15 September, 2018, the Minister of Minority Affairs Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi participated in the SHRAMDAAN activities along with film star Annu Kapoor, singer Sabri Brothers and other dignitaries.






  • The Ministry of Minority Affairs, organised “Mushaira”, on 6 October, 2018 based on the themes of teachings and principles of Mahatma Gandhi as a part of Central Government’s decision to commemorate 150th Birth Anniversary of the Father of the Nation in New Delhi.


  • On 26th October, 2018, A “Mushaira”, to commemorate 150th Birth Anniversary of Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi, was organised in Mumbai. Maharashtra Governor Shri C. Vidyasagar Rao inaugurated this “Mushaira” in the presence of Union Minority Affairs Minister Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi.


  • This “Mushaira” was organised at Rangsharda Auditorium, Bandra West, Mumbai. Famous Urdu poets like Shri Wasim Barelvi, Shri Haseeb Soz, Shri Manzar Bhopali, Shri Mansoor Usmani (Nazim), poetess Dr. Naseem Nikhat, Shri Aizaz Popular Merathi, poetess Shabina Adeeb, poetess Nikhat Amrohvi, singer Salma Agha, Shri Shakeel Azmi, Shri Qaiser Khalid and Col. Dr V P Singh gave strong message of peace, humanity and unity through their poetry.


  • A large number of people from political, social and other fields, intellectuals and youths were present and encouraged the performing poets. These Mushairas will also be organised inLucknow, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Ranchi and other cities in Future.