opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1509 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-05
Subject: Students in IIT and NIT
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: M. CHANDRAKASI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1509 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.03.2018

## Students in IIT and NIT

1509. SHRI M. CHANDRAKASI:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the details regarding representation of girl students in Indian Institutes of  Technology (IITs) and National Institutes of Technology (NITs) during the last three years;
- (b)     the reasons for low representation of girl students in IITs and NITs;
- (c)      whether  Government  has  given  instructions  for  reservation  of  seats  in IITs and NITs to enhance representation of girl students; and
- (d)     if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (DR. SATYA PAL SINGH)

(a) to (d): The representation of girl students in B.Tech. Programmes in Indian Institutes  of  Technology  (IITs)  and  National  Institutes  of  Technology  (NITs) during the last three years is as under:

|      | 2015   | 2016   | 2017   |
|------|--------|--------|--------|
| IITs | 9.0%   | 8.0%   | 9.15%  |
| NITs | 19.39% | 23.10% | 14.3%  |

The  reasons  for  low  enrollment  are  societal  biases  and  non-availability  of educational facilities in rural areas and smaller cities. The low representation of  female  enrollment in IITs was reviewed by a Committee constituted by the Joint Admission Board (JAB) and on the recommendations of the Committee, it has been decided to increase female enrollment in IITs from 8% in 2016 to 14% in 2018-19, 17% in 2019-20 and 20% in 2020-21 by creating supernumerary seats.   This  decision  was  also  adopted  by  the  NITs.  Statutory  reservation  for Scheduled  Castes  (SCs),  Scheduled  Tribes  (STs),  Other  Backward  Classes (OBCs) and for Physically Handicapped (PH) categories will be applicable in the supernumerary seats in the same manner as for the sanctioned seats.  All the IITs and NITs have been directed to implement the decision.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1507 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-05
Subject: New Affiliation Norms for ITIs
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: CH. MALLA REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1507 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05 March, 2018

## NEW AFFILIATION NORMS FOR ITIs

## 1507.    SHRI CH. MALLA REDDY:

Will  the  Minister  of  SKILL  DEVELOPMENT  AND  ENTREPRENEURSHIP be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the Affiliation norms for Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs);
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  introduced  new  affiliation/accreditation  norms  to reinvigorate the ITI ecosystem by emphasising on its qualitative aspect and to ensure that the procedural and civil norms are strictly adhered to in all the existing and new ITIs to  curb  the  mushrooming  of  unauthorized  institutes  across  India  and  to  improve  the overall quality of these institutes; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER IN THE MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

(a) to (c) Yes,  the  Government  has  introduced  new  affiliation/accreditation  norms  to reinvigorate the ITI ecosystem.  The  revision  of  existing  affiliation norms  for  Civil Infrastructure  and  Affiliation  Procedure  has  been  carried  out  by  National  Council  for Vocational Training (NCVT) with extensive consultation of the expert committees, trade experts,  industry,  academia  and  also  the  State  Government(s).  For  the  purpose, Directorate General and Training (DGT) had set up various committees with major focus on  civil  norms  in  terms  of  the  standardization  of  infrastructure,  safety  and  provision  of basic amenities to improve the quality of ITIs.

These new norms have been notified as 'Affiliation Norms for ITIs -2017' on dated 09.01.2018.  The  salient  features  of  the  new  Affiliation  norms  of  ITIs,  inter-alia,  includes following:-

- The civil and infrastructural requirements have been majorly overhauled.
- The  application  and  assessment  stage  for  ITIs  has  also  been  made  digital  to simplify  the  process.  The  contenders  can  apply  and  receive  acknowledgement online.
- A new ITI can be set up with 4 trades and the minimum plot size will be around 1 acre to accommodate all technical requirements.
- The land lease period has also been reduced to 10 years to assist entrepreneurs aspiring to enter the long-term training space.
- Stringent  physical  inspection  of  infrastructure  and  machinery  to  be  done  by  an expert committee.
- These new affiliation norms supersede all the previous civil and procedural norms for  affiliation  ITIs  under  the  aegis  of  National  Council  for  Vocational  Training (NCVT).

These norms are applicable for new proposals from academic session 2018-19.

The details of these revised affiliation norms are also available in public domain.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1504 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-05
Subject: Land Acquired for SEZs
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: MD. BADARIDDOZA KHAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1504 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05 th  MARCH,2018

## LAND ACQUIRED FOR SEZs

## 1504. SHRI MD. BADARUDDOZA KHAN:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वाͨणÏय एवं उɮयोग मंğी ) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether over 60 per cent of total notified area for Special Economic Zones (SEZs) is lying vacant;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the total land acquired under SEZs indicating the details of agricultural and nonagricultural land separately;
- (c) the total area of this acquired land for SEZs which is being actually utilised for the special purpose; and
- (d) the details of the problems in making SEZs operational alongwith the amount spent on SEZs, employment generated and the amount of exports by SEZ units during the last three years?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=ky; esa jkT; ea=h ¼Jh lh- vkj- pkS/kjh½

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)

- (a) to (c): Madam, 52% of the Notified Special Economic Zones (SEZs) land is presently vacant.    Out  of  total  notified  area  of  45,629.43  hectares  in  respect  of  375  notified  SEZs, 21872.71 hectares of land have been utilized and 23779.19 hectares land are lying vacant in these SEZs.  In respect of 375 notified SEZs, 93.47% of land is waste/barren/ dry/industrial, 5.28% of land is single crop and 1.25% of land is double crop.
- (d): Setting  up  of  Special  Economic  Zones  (SEZs)  is  a  long  term  process  and  delay  in commencement of commercial operations of the SEZs may be due to various reasons which include  time  taken  in  getting  approvals  from  statutory/State  Government  bodies,    adverse business climate due to changed global economic situation, changes in fiscal incentives, etc. No  funds  have  been  spent  by  the  Central  Government  for  setting  up  of  SEZs  after  the enactment of SEZ Act, 2005. The details of export and employment in SEZs during the last three years is as under:

| Year      | Export (in Rs. Crores)   | Employment* (in persons)   |
|-----------|--------------------------|----------------------------|
| 2015-2016 | 4,67,337                 | 15,91,381                  |

| 2016-2017                    | 5,23,637   | 17,31,641   |
|------------------------------|------------|-------------|
| 2017-2018 (as on 30.09.2017) | 2,66,773   | 18,23,451   |

* Calculated on cumulative basis

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1501 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-05
Subject: Study in India Mission
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Shrirang Appa Barne, VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT, SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL, ANANDRAO  ADSUL, SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE, PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE, DHARMENDRA YADAV

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †1501

TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.03.2018

## Study in India Mission

†1501

. SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT:

SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO

SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL:

DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:

DR. PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE:

SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV:

Will  the  Minister  of  HUMAN  RESOURCE  DEVELOPMENT  be  pleased  to state:

- (a) the number of foreign students currently enrolled in various institutions across
- the country;
- (b) whether the Government is working on an ambitious mission to draw over one lakh  foreign  students  to  study  in  Indian  Institutions  under  'Study  in  India'
- mission and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has targeted the countries for sending students to
- India for higher studies and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether  the  Ministry  has  consulted  the  Ministry  of  External  Affairs  in  this
- regard; and
- (e) if so, the details and the outcome thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## (DR. SATYA PAL SINGH)

- (a) As per the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) carried out annually by the  Ministry  of  Human  Resource  Development,  the  number  of  foreign  students
- enrolled for higher education in India during 2016-17 is 47575.
- (b) to  (e)  Ministry  of  Human  Resource  Development  is  currently  working  on  a proposal  under  the  title  'Study  in  India',  with  the  aim  to  boost  the  number  of inbound International students in India. Ministry of Human Resource Development had preliminary level consultations with Indian Council of Cultural Relations, Ministry of External Affairs for drafting the proposal.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1492 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-05
Subject: Education Budget
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: KAMAL NATH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION AND LITERACY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1492 TO BE ANSWERED ON 5 th  MARCH, 2018

## Education Budget

## 1492.      SHRI KAMAL NATH:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Union  Government  has  decided  to  design  a  new  scheme  based  on  composite schooling from pre-primary to class XII in place of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the total expenditure incurred by the Government on education in the past three years vis-à-vis GDP reported; and
- (d) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to boost infrastructure in education in the next few years particularly in rural areas across the country?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI UPENDRA KUSHWAHA)

- (a)  and  (b):  In  pursuance  of  the  announcement  in  the  Union  Budget,  2018-19,  to  treat  school education  holistically  without  segmentation  from  pre-nursery  to  Class  12,  the    Department  has prepared an Integrated Scheme on School Education by subsuming the three Centrally Sponsored Schemes of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) and Teacher  Education  (TE).  States  have  been  advised  to  integrate  the  administrative  structures  at various levels created for SSA and RMSA in the States and UTs to achieve productive synergies, better co-ordination and enhanced focus on improvement in quality of education.
- (c):          The  year-wise  details  of  total  expenditure  incurred  and  as  a  %  of  the  GDP  by  the Government, including the State Governments, on education during the last three years as per the latest data available are:

(Rs. in crore)

| Financial Year   | Total Expenditure on Education Total   | Expenditure on   |
|------------------|----------------------------------------|------------------|
| by               | Centre and States Education by Centre  | and              |
|                  |                                        | GDP              |

| 2012-13   |   372680.46 |   3.70 |
|-----------|-------------|--------|
| 2013-14   |      441629 |   3.86 |
| 2014-15   |      515693 |   4.04 |

Source: Analysis of Budgeted Expenditure on Education, 2012-13 to 2014-15, MHRD

(d):          The  Central  Government  supports  States  and  UTs  for  creation  and  augmentation  of infrastructural facilities in government elementary and secondary schools under the SSA and RMSA programmes. The  requirement of infrastructural facilities in schools is worked out every year by the respective State and Union Territory on incremental basis depending on their need and priority and this is reflected in their Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWP&B).

.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1491 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-05
Subject: Skill Development Scheme for MSME Sector
Ministry: MICRO,SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
Asked by: HEMANT TUKARAM GODSE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

## LOK SABHA UN-STARRED QUESTION NO. 1491 TO BE ANSWERED ON 5.03.2018

## SKILL DEVELOPMENT SCHEME FOR MSME SECTOR

1491.  SHRI GODSE HEMANT TUKARAM:

Will the Minister of MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has implemented any skill development scheme for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector under the Skill India Programme;
- (b) if so, the details thereof including the funds allocated for the purpose during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise;
- (c) the details of skill development centres opened and the number of persons benefitted therefrom during the said period, State/UT-wise; and
- (d) the details of the new initiatives taken by the Government including modernization of technology for MSME sector under the Skill India Programme?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SHRI GIRIRAJ SINGH)

- (a): The  Ministry  of  Micro,  Small  and  Medium  Enterprises  (MSME)  has  not  been provided with  any  grants/funding  under  the  Skill  India  Programme.  However,  it  organizes Skill Development  Programmes  through  MSME-  Tool  Rooms,  MSME-  Technology Development  Centres,  MSME-  Development  Institutes,  KVIC,  Coir  Board,  National  level EDIs and NSIC etc. working under the Ministry of MSME.
- (b) to (d) : Does not arise in view of (a) above.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1488 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-05
Subject: Registration of Workers
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: ANIL SHIROLE, DUSHYANT CHAUTALA, PARBHUBHAI NAGARBHAI VASAVA, George Baker, ELUMALAI VELLAIGOUNDER, Richard Hay, M. CHANDRAKASI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1488

TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.03.2018

## REGISTRATION OF WORKERS

1488. SHRI ANIL SHIROLE:

SHRI DUSHYANT CHAUTALA:

SHRI PARBHUBHAI NAGARBHAI VASAVA:

SHRI GEORGE BAKER:

SHRI V. ELUMALAI:

PROF. RICHARD HAY:

SHRI M. CHANDRAKASI:

Will  the  Minister  of  LABOUR  AND  EMPLOYMENT  be  pleased  to state:

- (a)the details of the number of unorganized sector workers across the country, State/UT-wise;
- (b)whether the Government proposes to register these workers;
- (c)if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d)whether  the  Government  also  proposes  to  provide  Unorganised Worker  Index  Number  (UWIN)  to  all  the  workers  engaged  in  the
- unorganized sector;
- (e)if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  time  by  which  it  is  likely  to  be issued; and
- (f)the other steps taken/being taken by the Government to bring all the
- workers in the unorganized sector under the social security net?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

(a): Statistics  of  workers  in  the  unorganised  sector  is  not maintained centrally.

(b) to (e): Section 10 of the Unorganised Workers Social Security Act, 2008  provides  that  every  unorganised  worker  shall  be  eligible  for registration subject to the fulfilment of the conditions that he or she shall have completed fourteen years of age; and a self-declaration by him  or  her  confirming  that  he  or  she  is  an  unorganised  worker.  The application for registration is to be made to the District Administration.

A proposal to create a national platform to facilitate issue of a Unique ID i.e. Unorganised Workers Identification Number (UWIN) has been approved by the Central Government with an estimated cost of Rs.402.7 crores to be implemented in two years during 2017-18 and

2018-19.

- (f): Government  has  taken  steps  to  cover  workers  in  the Unorganised  Sector  under  the  Social  Security  which  includes  the following:-
- (i) Converged Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana/Pradhan Mantri  Suraksha  Bima  Yojana  in  which  premium  is  shared between Centre and the States in 50:50 ratio.
- (ii)
- (iii)
- (iv)
- National Health Projection Scheme
- National Family Benefit Scheme
- Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1484 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-05
Subject: Credit Inflow for MSME Sector
Ministry: MICRO,SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
Asked by: ADVOCATE NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1484 TO BE ANSWERED ON: 05.03.2018

## CREDIT INFLOW FOR MSME SECTOR

1484.

ADV. NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR:

Will the Minister of MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that credit inflow to the entrepreneurs in Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector has been found to be inadequate in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof during each of the last three years;
- (c) whether  it  is  also  a  fact  that  employment  opportunities  has  been  affected  due  to inadequate inflow of funds; and
- (d) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  measures  taken  by  the  Government  to safeguard the MSME sector?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SHRI GIRIRAJ SINGH)

(a) & (b): The details of the outstanding credit to Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) during the last three years furnished by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) are as under:

## Outstanding credit to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises by Scheduled commercial Banks

| As on          |   MSE Amount O/s |   Medium Amount O/s |
|----------------|------------------|---------------------|
| March 31,2015  | 961174           |              209852 |
| March 31, 2016 | 996425           |              219582 |
| March 31, 2017 |      1.07013e+06 |              226269 |

Source: As reported by Reserve Bank of India

(c) & (d): Efforts  have  been  stepped  up  by  the  Ministry  of  Micro,  Small  &  Medium Enterprises (MSME) to support generation of employment opportunities under the PMEGP (Prime  Minister's  Employment  Generation  Programme).  Other  important  initiatives  of  the Ministry  of  MSME  to  support  Micro,  Small  &  Medium  Enterprises  (MSMEs)  are  briefly indicated below:-

- i. Under CGTMSE (Credit Guarantee Trust Fund for MSEs), the loan coverage has been increased from Rs1 crore to 2 crore.
- ii. Infrastructure & technological support under Cluster Development Programme.
- iii. SFURTI (Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries) & ASPIRE (A Scheme for Promotion of Innovation, Rural Industry & Entrepreneurship).
- iv. Support  for  market  access  development  under  MDA  Scheme  and  procurement policy.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1483 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-05
Subject: PNG Network
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: RAMESWAR TELI

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1483

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.03.2018

## PNG NETWORK

## 1483.    SHRI RAMESWAR TELI:

Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:

## isVªksfy;e vkSj izkd`frd xSl ea=h

(a) whether the Government proposes to supply domestic gas through Piped Natural Gas (PNG) network in the State of Assam;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government for the development of PNG network across the State?

## ANSWER

## पेट्रोलियम और प्राक ृ लिक गैस मंत्री ( श्री धमेन्द  र प्रधान)

## MINISTER OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

(a)  to  (c):  The  Government  has  established  Petroleum  &  Natural  Gas  Regulatory  Board (PNGRB) under the PNGRB Act, 2006 which is the statutory authority to grant authorization for  the  development  of  City  Gas  Distribution  (CGD)  network  which  includes  Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) / Piped Natural Gas (PNG) network. PNGRB has granted authorization to Assam Gas Company Limited (AGCL) for the development of City Gas Distribution Network in  the  Geographical  Area  (GA)  of  Upper  Assam  region  covering  Tinsukia  and  Golaghat districts.

PNGRB  develops  GAs  depending  upon  the  natural  gas  pipeline  connectivity/natural  gas availability and techno-commercial feasibility and   is  in the process of finalizing 86 GAs for future  rounds  of  CGD  bidding    which  includes  5  districts  [Cachar,  Hailakandi,  Kamrup, Kamrup Metropolitan (Guwahati) and Karimganj]  in the State of Assam.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1482 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-05
Subject: Diksha Scheme
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: RENUKA BUTTA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1482 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.03.2018

## Diksha Scheme

## 1482. SHRIMATI BUTTA RENUKA:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the status of implementation of Diksha Scheme in the country;
- (b) the number of institutions empanelled under the said scheme;

(c) whether the private institutions are also empanelled under the said scheme and if so, the details thereof along with the outcome thereof; and

(d) the number of beneficiaries from the said scheme, State/UT-wise, particularly in Andhra Pradesh?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI UPENDRA KUSHWAHA)

(a) to (d): DIKSHA  is  a  national  digital  platform  for  teachers  which  offer  resources  for teaching,  learning  and  professional  development.  DIKSHA  is  aimed  at  upgrading  the  skills  of teachers through the usage of technology and providing open, modular and scalable technology that  state  governments  and  other  organizations  can  seamlessly  integrate  with  their  respective teacher centric initiatives.

DIKSHA website (diksha.gov.in) has been launched on 5 th September, 2017 and populated with more than 2500 teaching learning materials for  teachers  so  far.    All  states  and  UTs  have  been directed to appoint Nodal Agency and Nodal Officer for implementing DIKSHA. The states of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan have initiated the process of developing teaching learning content on a pilot basis.  As of now, no private institution has been empanelled for Diksha. Further, the target group for DIKSHA includes all categories of teachers- in-service teachers, teacher pupils and teacher educators.