I&B Ministry
MIB demands confirmation from MSOs regarding carriage of all DD channels
MUMBAI: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has sought affidavits from both existing MSOs as well as fresh applicants that they are carrying all 24 DD channels, besides Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha TV channels, on their TV network.
The ministry has mentioned in the notice that in view of the contribution of Doordarshan towards dissemination of accurate information about policies and programmes of government, acceleration of socio-economic change, promotion of national integration and stimulation of scientific temper, it is mandated that all cable TV networks should carry DD channels.
The ministry has noticed that the mandate is not being followed by several cable operators in contravention of existing rules. The ministry has also asked to submit the affidavit within one month of the issue of notice.
Section 8 of The Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 states that cable operators will have to compulsorily include Doordarshan channels notified by the central government in the Official Gazette. The MIB also listed DD Arunprabha as a mandatory DD channel recently.
I&B Ministry
MeitY & Reliance Foundation launch e-SafeHER cyber training for Women
Programme aims to train one million rural women in cyber safety over three years
NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has partnered with Reliance Foundation and C-DAC Hyderabad to launch ‘e-SafeHER’, a nationwide cyber security awareness programme aimed at empowering one million women across rural India.
Anchored under the Information Security Education and Awareness Programme, the initiative will focus on building digital confidence and safe online practices among women who are increasingly using digital platforms for financial transactions, livelihoods and essential services.
The programme will be rolled out through a community-led model, with training delivered via women’s self-help groups and grassroots networks. C-DAC Hyderabad will develop and localise training content, while Reliance Foundation will drive on-ground implementation using its rural outreach platforms.
Speaking on the launch, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology secretary S Krishnan said, “e-SafeHER is an exciting opportunity to bring together knowledge and collaboration to build a cyber secure Bharat. Through this initiative, women from even the remotest regions will be empowered to participate safely in the digital ecosystem.”
Echoing this, Reliance Foundation director Isha Ambani said the initiative aims to equip women with the skills needed to navigate the online world safely. She added that the goal is to enable one million “Cyber Sakhis” who can confidently adopt digital tools to improve their lives and livelihoods.
The programme will begin with pilot training in Madhya Pradesh and Odisha, before scaling nationwide through a phased approach. It will use multilingual content, audio-visual modules and blended learning formats to ensure accessibility and engagement.
Designed for long-term impact, e-SafeHER will be integrated into existing digital literacy and women’s empowerment programmes, avoiding the need for parallel infrastructure. The initiative also aims to drive measurable behavioural change, from improved awareness of cyber risks to safer digital transactions.
By combining policy, technology and grassroots reach, the programme looks to bridge not just the digital divide, but the digital safety gap, ensuring that inclusion goes hand in hand with security.
