India Today

India Today is the leading news magazine and most widely read publication in India. The magazine’s leadership is unquestioned, so much so that India Today is what Indian journalism is judged by, for its integrity and ability to bring unbiased and incisive perspective to arguably the most dynamic, yet perplexing, region in the world. Breaking news and shaping opinion, it is now a household name and the flagship brand of India’s leading multidimensional media group. Additionally, the weekly brings with it a range supplements like Women, Home, Aspire, Spice and Simply which focus on style, health, education, fashion, etc. and Indian cities.

FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

India Today

THE NEW GEN BUDGET • WILL THE MODI GOVERNMENT’S INITIATIVES FOR MASSIVE JOB CREATION WORK?

BIG 5 PACKAGE FOR JOBS • Amid the increasing unemployment rate and job and wage losses, the Union government has come out with a five-pronged strategy to facilitate employment and skilling for India’s teeming youth population

“It’s a big push for employment intensive growth” • Union finance secretary T.V. Somanathan is one of the key figures responsible for Budget 2024’s massive new packages for employment generation and skilling. He speaks candidly to Group Editorial Director Raj Chengappa on how it was conceived and the challenges ahead. Excerpts:

MORE MEASURES TO BOOST JOBS • The Union budget has announced several incentives for MSMEs and start-ups, which are expected to push job creation

SPECIAL PLATTER FOR PARTNERS • They may not have got special category status, but BJP allies get enough of a budget bonanza for the Opposition to scream preferential treatment

A SUSTAINED THRUST • Though the Union Budget does not explode a big-ticket bomb in infrastructure this year, each of its big sectors—railways, highways, housing, industry, urban planning—gets an adequate push

WAITING FOR THE HARVEST • The Budget focus has been on raising farmer incomes and widening the scope of the rural job market

JUST A BIT SHORT OF BREATH • The allocation for healthcare not only falls short of expectations, but misses out on key areas of requirement

ON TARGET • The change in allocation may not be substantive but is directed towards the right areas—border infra, hi-tech acquisitions

PRIVATE MISSION • Backing research and private participation, the Budget underlines the key role of space and atomic energy

BALANCING HIGH GROWTH AND SUSTAINABILITY • Addressing the concerns over jobs, giving a rural push and continuing with the high allocation on capex, even while maintaining a tight leash over finances—the challenges before finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman were many. How did she fare? As part of our BITE (Board of India Today Experts) survey, we ask six top economists what their reading of the Union Budget 2024-25 is, its major thrust areas, and some key measures the FM missed out on

BEST INDIAN UNIVERSITIES • WINNERS OF THE INDIA TODAY-MDRA BEST UNIVERSITIES SURVEY, 2024

A GLOBAL CLASS • WHAT IT WILL TAKE FOR INDIA TO MAKE A GIANT LEAP IN EDUCATION INSTEAD OF INCREMENTAL CHANGE

HOW THE UNIVERSITIES WERE RANKED

“ STUDENTS NOW GET ADDED COURSE OPTIONS TO MAKE THEM MORE EMPLOYABLE ” • In alignment with the National Education Policy 2020, the University Grants Commission (UGC) introduced a series of reforms for higher education institutions or HEIs. These student-centric reforms focus on a new curriculum framework, a multidisciplinary approach, modern pedagogy and transparent regulations. In an exclusive interview with Executive Editor KAUSHIK DEKA, UGC Chairman M. JAGADESH KUMAR elaborates on the reforms undertaken by the higher education regulator and outlines a future roadmap. Edited excerpts from the interview.

ERA OF INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE • JNU...