A farming revolution modernizing and encouraging sustainable agricultural practices is underway in SPS Nellore District. Led By IAS Himanshu Shukla, a 2013 batch officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre and currently posted as the District Collector of SPS Nellore District has launched the Champion Farmers Programme. A community driven initiative that uses local farmers themselves to spread scientific, sustainable and market-oriented practices.

Agriculture in Nellore has traditionally been dominated by paddy cultivation, sometimes even accompanied by excessive use of fertilizers, pesticides, low levels of mechanization and limited market linkages. These Structural challenges have not only affected farm productivity but also restricted farmers income. Recognizing these issues a multifaceted initiative ‘Champion Farmers’ was designed to promote better farming techniques at the grassroots level.

Under the programme, one Champion Farmer is identified in each Gram Panchayat and positioned as a Guide/local change leader. These farmers are trained and supported by agricultural experts and government departments enabling them to demonstrate improved practices directly in their fields

At the heart of this is a simple idea “Seeing is Believing” meaning when neighboring farmers observe successful results in nearby farms, they are more likely to adopt similar practices. By demonstrating improved techniques on their own fields, these farmers make new practices more visible, practical and easier to trust.

Built on several key pillars. The programme encourages farmers to try different crops such as millets, pulses and oilseeds along with paddy. Demonstration plots have been set up to show better methods of farming, including direct sowing, proper use of fertilizers and improved pest control methods.

Another focus of the initiative is the use of modern farming equipment. Demonstrations of machines like Power Weeders (Save 90% of time and 30% of costs compared to traditional methods), Paddy Drum Seeders (Allows a single person to cover large areas easily), drone spraying and others are being conducted in villages. These machines can help farmers save time, reduce labour and improve productivity

In addition to this Proper training sessions and exposure visits are organized to help farmers understand soil health management, seed selection and post-harvest practices.

Under Shukla’s leadership there has been strong progress- Champion Farmers have been identified across all Gram Panchayats, demonstration plots have been set up and regular training sessions and field interactions are being conducted. Field days and millet melas are also helping reach more farmers. Notably, the initiative is also linking crops like maize to ethanol projects, creating new market opportunities.

Beyond the field, the initiative provides a structured support backbone through WhatsApp and dedicated digital dashboard where farmers receive real-time weather alerts, pest advisories and market intelligence.

The initiative isn't just about growing crops it’s also about selling them by improving market awareness and access. By linking farmers directly to buyers and markets the programme helps them get better prices. Additionally several departments and banks are also working together to support farmers by providing loans for machinery.

By setting strong local examples and handholding farmers, IAS Himanshu Shukla is creating a model in Nellore that boosts productivity, improves incomes and promotes environmentally responsible farming practices.

In  power circles, name of DG ITBP, Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor,  is also in circulation for the prestigious post of CBI Director. A 1990 batch IPS officer, Kapoor had been DGP Haryana and Chief of the Anti-Corruption Bureau for a long period.

Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth, current Southern Army Commander, Pune, will take over as Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS), Army HQ on April 1.

If sources are to be believed the government is unlikely to appoint a Finance Secretary. The said appointment is awaited for the last one year.  Sources further said that perhaps this is for the first time that the ministry is being run without a Finance Secretary.

The Punjab Government is preparing a panel of IPS officers for appointment as director general of police (DGP) to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

Krishna Kumar Thakur, a 1998 batch officer of the Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS), has assumed charge as Director (Personnel) at NMDC Limited, India’s largest iron ore producer.

The State Bank of India is believed to have received an income tax demand of Rs 63,375 crore (including interest) for the assessment year 2023–24. Is it true ?

No IPS officer of 1998 batch from West Bengal cadre has been empanelled for holding Additional Director General (ADG) and Additional Director General (ADG) equivalent posts in the Government of India.

Expect mid-2026 reshuffles tied to cadre policy; whispers of fiscal equity demands could spur IAS-led projects in Tamil Nadu/Karnataka.

Kranthi Kumar Pati (IAS 2015, Tamil Nadu cadre) appointed as Deputy Director (Deputy Secretary level) at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie, under the Central Staffing Scheme for four years (deputation). Yogesh Gupta (IPS 1993, Kerala cadre) empanelled for Director General-equivalent posts at the Centre.

Bipin Kumar Giri, ED, SAIL, is in the race for the post of Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL).

 Human–Elephant interaction has always been dangerous due to increasing overlap between human settlements and elephant habitats. As forests shrink and resources become scarce, encounters become more frequent. Dharmapuri Forest Circle in Tamil Nadu also faced the same, leading to human-elephant injuries, loss of life, and property damage. Understanding this, 2008 batch Chief Conservator of Forests, Dharmapuri Circle, C H Padma switched into action mode along with her team to identify conflict causes and promote coexistence and safety strategies. 

(For full story read April 2026 English and Hindi magazine issues)

 The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) regularly gives money (grants) to scientists and doctors for health research. For small research projects called ICMR SMALL or ICMR ANVESHAN Extramural Grants 2026, the last date to submit proposals was 16 March 2026 at 5:00 PM IST. This date has now passed, so it is a simple administrative closure. It does not mean any change in staff or personnel. For Follow-on SMALL grants (projects that continue earlier work), the deadline was also originally 16 March but has been extended to 19 March 2026 in some notices. Other similar grants, like ICMR Intermediate or Follow-on Intermediate, have a deadline around 20 March 2026.

Scholarships from the Department of Science and Technology. Last date is 31 March 2026. These open calls mean scientists and researchers across India can keep applying for money to do new studies. It reflects strong and continuous government support for science.

Post of Curator for National Museum, New Delhi on deputation basis has been advertised. Details can be availed from Ministry of Culture website.

Last date for IFS officers to apply for National Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority as Deputy Chief Executive Officer at the level of Deputy Inspector General of Forests on deputation basis has been extended. The revised date is April 10, 2026.

Padala Veera Venkata Satyanarayana and Rajiva Ranjan Verma have been empanelled for appointment as IEMs. Both are from IDBI Bank.

A Vijay Anand and Umendra have been empanelled for appointment as IEMs. Both are from Industrial Finance Corporation of India (IFCI).

Dr Nagin Nanda has been empanelled for appointment as IEM. Dr Nanda is a 1985 batch IFoS officer and retired as Pr Chief Conservator of Forests, HP.

Najib Shah has been empanelled for appointment as IEM. He is a 1979 batch IRS officer and retired as Chairman, CBIC.

Rail Land Development Authority is seeking to fill Joint General Manager and Deputy General Manager (Electrical Engineering) posts for Surat/ SITCO on deputation basis. Applications must reach latest by April 20, 2024.

Ministry of Electronics, and Information Technology(MeiY) has advertised the post of Deputy Manager – Startups. Applications must reach latest by March 27, 2026.

Two IAS officers have been shifted in MP. Vikas Mishra has been appointed as Collector, Sidhi, while Swarochit Somwanshi was posted as OSD-cum-Commissioner, Planning, Economics and Statistics Department, and ex-officio Secretary, Statistics Commission.

Harikesh Meena has been appointed as Director in the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. He is a 2012 batch IAS officer of HP cadre.

Five IAS officers have been given new postings in Assam on the direction of Election Commission of India. Mrs Kimnei Changsan is transferred and posted as District Commissioner, Baksa, while Madhu Sudan Nath was appointed as District Commissioner, Chirang and Dr P Uday Praveen was made District Commissioner, Kokrajhar. Similarly, Jay Vikas has been shifted as District Commissioner, Udalguri and Mrs. Srishti Singh is now District Commissioner, Majuli.

At 75 km from Delhi, Jewar will become the NCR’s second international gateway — a gleaming greenfield marvel developed by Zurich Airport International AG that finally eases the suffocating pressure on Indira Gandhi International Airport.

Conceived in 2001 as a bold vision under then Chief Minister Rajnath Singh, the project languished through political shifts and location changes until it was revived in 2014. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone on November 25, 2021, and construction began in June 2022. Despite delays from material shortages and the pandemic, the airport is now complete and ready for its historic debut.

Why Jewar? Western Uttar Pradesh and Greater Noida desperately needed their own world-class hub. Phase 1 will handle 12 million passengers annually with 10 aerobridges, 28 aircraft stands and a runway supporting 30 movements per hour. A dedicated link to the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, seamless rail feeders, RRTS and new UPSRTC bus routes to 25 cities will slash travel time for millions.

The benefits are life-changing for common readers: thousands of direct jobs in aviation, retail and logistics; a projected ₹1-lakh-crore economic boost; and a real-estate boom along the Yamuna Expressway. Local youth who once migrated for work can now build careers at home.

On March 28, when Prime Minister Modi inaugurates Noida International Airport — following Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s invitation — this decade-long dream becomes reality, redrawing India’s aviation map and opening new skies for ordinary families. However, flight operations are likely to begin in mid-May.

Rohit Malpani has been appointed as Director in the NATGRID, MHA. He is a 2012 batch IPS officer of HP cadre.

Krishna Kumar has been appointed as Deputy Secretary in the Department of Rural Development. He is a 2013 batch IAS officer of Manipur cadre.

Navtej Singh has been appointed as Director, NITI Aayog. He is a 2011 batch ITradeS officer.

Mahendra Kumar has been appointed as Director in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. He is a 2011 batch IAS officer of Bihar cadre.

Ramachandran has been appointed as Director, Census Operations/Director of Citizen Registration at Director level, Karnataka. He is a 2012 batch IAS officer of Karnataka cadre.

Sanjeev Shrivastava has been appointed as Director of Census Operations/Director of Citizen Registration, Madhya Pradesh. He is a 2011 batch IAS officer of MP cadre.

Vinod P Kavle has been appointed as Director of Census Operations/Director of Citizen Registration, Mizoram at Director level. He is a 2008 batch IAS officer of AGMUT cadre.

Ms Ranjita has been appointed as Director of Census Operations/Director of Citizen Registration at Deputy Secretary level, Bihar. She is a 2013 batch IAS officer of Bihar cadre.

Sajo K F, Chief General Manager Chief General Manager, The Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore Limited (FACT), has been selected for the post of Director (Technical), The Fertilisers And Chemicals Travancore Limited (FACT) at a Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) meeting held on March 23, 2026. As many as seven persons were interviewed for the same.

In a significant move to deepen civil-military ties and inspire the youth of Madhya Pradesh, Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi met Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav at the latter’s residence here on Monday. The high-level discussions centred on motivating young people to join the Indian Army and familiarising citizens with the force’s rich military heritage and traditions.

During the meeting, Dr Yadav announced that Bhopal will host the prestigious Army Day parade on January 15, 2027 — a departure from its traditional venue in New Delhi. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to grace the occasion. The Chief Minister described the event as mirroring the grandeur of Republic Day celebrations on Kartavya Path, promising a spectacular showcase of military prowess, discipline, and modern capabilities.

A series of programmes will kick off on January 9, including ‘Shaurya Sandhya’ — an evening of valour-themed cultural events — alongside military exhibitions, live demonstrations, rehearsals, and displays of equipment. Key venues include Atal Path, Bada Talab (for water sports, air shows, and exercises), Jamburi Maidan, and BHEL routes. Preparatory activities are set to begin on November 1, 2026, coinciding with Madhya Pradesh Foundation Day, featuring the ‘Meri Maati’ campaign, where soil from districts will be collected for a ‘Sankalp Vriksh’ at the Shaurya Smarak.

Dr Yadav assured full state support for the Indian Army’s initiatives. Army Day commemorates January 15, 1949, when General (later Field Marshal) K.M. Cariappa took charge as the first Indian Commander-in-Chief, marking the indigenisation of military leadership post-independence.

This decentralisation of national military events, initiated under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for greater nationwide participation, has seen parades in Bengaluru (2023), Lucknow (2024), Pune (2025), and Jaipur (2026). The Bhopal edition is anticipated to further strengthen bonds between the armed forces and civilians while energising recruitment among the state’s youth.

Rajeev Jain, former Director General, Government of India, has joined as Independent Director on the Board of Transrail Lighting Limited, Mumbai, bringing rich governance experience and strategic insight to both organisations. He is a 1991 batch IIS officer.

Manish Kumar has been appointed as Chairperson of Ganga Papers India Limited.

Mrs Falguni Rajanbhai Shah has been appointed as Additional Executive Director of Bloom Dekor Limited.

Ms Avani Ashwinkumar Shah has been appointed as Additional Non-Executive Independent Director of Bloom Dekor Limited.

Chaitanya Jayantilal Pandya has been appointed as Additional Executive Director of Bloom Dekor Limited.

Venkat Rao Nallagorla has been appointed as Non-Executive Independent Director of Kallam Textiles Limited.

Mrs Ruchita Jain has been appointed as Additional Non-Executive Independent Woman Director of Tashi India Limited.

Ms Neelam Bhanushali has resigned from the position of Independent Director of Explicit Finance Limited.

Mrs Usha Chachan has resigned from the position of Non-Executive Non-Independent Director of Aditya Ispat Limited.

Mrs Shweta Anuj Jejani has ceased to be Non-Executive Independent Director of Tashi India Limited.

Ramesh Kumar Chaudhary has stepped down from the position of Chairperson of Ganga Papers India Limited and will continue as Non-Executive Non-Independent Director.

Ratan Kumar Singh has resigned from the position of Independent Director of Ganga Papers India Limited.

Politics : Game of scoundrels

Politics is the game of scoundrels where moral values are zero and character seems missing, it may be any form of government or system in place.

Harish Kumar

Young and dynamic Revenue Secretary

Like his illustrious predecessors, the young and dynamic Revenue Secretary is working very hard to see to it that the initiatives of the Government reach the common man. Excelling in technical matters is his forte. All the departments under his supervision are transforming and performing under his watchful eye.

Vijay Kumar

Aadhar Biometric - Print of the fingers and thumb impressions

Mentioning his Aadhar Card Number, the appellant requested to provide a print of the ten fingers and thumb impressions taken on biometric. The PIO replied that the "core biometric information" has been defined in Section 2(i) of the Aadhaar Act and there is a clear prohibition under the law against sharing or using core biometrics for any reason whatsoever. The CIC held that appropriate response in keeping with the provisions of the law has been duly provided to the Appellant. The CIC further observed that since the response of the PIO is found legally appropriate and the Appellant has chosen not to buttress the case at hand, no further intervention is deemed necessary in this case, under the RTI Act.

Comments

When a citizen seeks information which originates from him, the public authority can take the plea that the information is not “held” by it. However, in this case, the CIC has remained silent about section 22 of the RTI Act (Act to have overriding effect) and has preferred not to discuss which Act is supreme in case of inconsistencies between them.

Citation: Shri Suresh Chand Meena v. Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), Second Appeal No. CIC/UIDAI/A/2024/638600; Date of Decision: 04.09.2025

Dr Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is a RTI Consultant currently working with IIM Vishakhapatnam. She has co-authored the books PIO’s Guide to RTI and Right to Information – Law and Practice. Her weekly article is being published since 2008 on this site. She offers consultancy on RTI matters and third party audit to individuals / organisations. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation at the link https://www.rtifoundationofindia.com

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