India Post Launches 'Gyan Post' to Promote Educational Access Nationwide

1. India Post has introduced a new initiative called 'Gyan Post' aimed at making education more accessible across the country.
2. This service is designed to facilitate low-cost delivery of books and educational materials through the national postal network.
3. The primary objective is to bridge the educational divide by ensuring that study resources reach learners in remote and rural areas.
4. Gyan Post covers only non-commercial and purely educational content, excluding any material of business or advertisement-related nature.

Key Features of Gyan Post

1. Every parcel is eligible for real-time tracking, ensuring transparency and secure delivery.
2. To maintain authenticity, each book must carry the name of the printer or publisher, in line with prescribed postal regulations.
3. Materials with commercial intent or advertisements are strictly not permitted under this scheme.

Affordable Pricing Structure for Students and Educators

1. A concessional rate of ₹20 is fixed for packages weighing up to 300 grams.
2. For heavier consignments, the price is capped at ₹100 for packages up to 5 kilograms.
3. This pricing model makes educational content affordable and accessible for students across socio-economic backgrounds.\

Padma Awards 2025: Honouring India’s Distinguished Citizens

1. The President of India conferred the Padma Awards 2025 during the Civil Investiture Ceremony-I held recently.
2. These awards are among the highest civilian honours in India, celebrating excellence and service in various fields.
3. They are announced every year on the eve of Republic Day, recognizing individuals for their exceptional contributions.

Three Prestigious Categories of Padma Awards

1. Padma Vibhushan is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service.
2. Padma Bhushan is given for distinguished service of a high order.
3. Padma Shri honours distinguished service in any field with a public service component.

Scope and Significance of the Awards

1. The awards recognize achievements in all areas of public life, including art, literature, education, social work, science, medicine, sports, and civil services.
2. They are meant to highlight individuals whose work involves an element of public service and national impact.

Historical Background and Key Facts

1. The Padma Awards were instituted in 1954 as a means to acknowledge extraordinary service to the nation.
2. They were not conferred during the years 1978–79 and 1993–1997, due to political and administrative reasons.

Transparent and Inclusive Selection Process

1. The Padma Awards Committee, constituted annually by the Prime Minister, is responsible for final recommendations.
2. The process allows for public nominations, enabling even self-nomination for greater democratic participation.
3. However, these awards are not titles, and cannot be used as prefixes or suffixes to the name of the awardee.

 

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