Dharmendra Pradhan urges citizens to participate in the ‘National Curriculum Framework Survey’

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August 16, 2022

Union Education and Skill Development Minister Dharmendra Pradhan today urged citizens to participate in the ‘Citizen Survey for National Curriculum Framework’ for developing a new curriculum for the country.

Minister took to Twitter and said, “A dynamic National Curriculum Framework in line with the National Education Policy, 2020 will play a major role in achieving the goal of ‘Viksit Bharat’.

“The development of a vibrant, dynamic, inclusive and futuristic National Curriculum Framework is essential for integrating cultural-rootedness along with global outlook, freeing education from colonial hangover and instilling a deeper sense of pride in our next generations,” the minister said in another tweet.

In July 2022, the Ministry of Education launched this online public survey which involves a participant to answer ten MCQs on issues such as ‘best ways to ensure that learning in classrooms is made more enjoyable to ‘primary issues regarding curriculum content in textbooks that a new curriculum framework must address.

This online survey is being conducted in 23 languages, including the languages in the VIII Schedule of our Constitution.

On July 29, 2020, the Government of India announced the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which recommends quality improvement of the system of education through the development of a National Curriculum Framework (NCF).

The process of the National Curriculum Framework has been started through the constitution of the District Consultation Committees, State Focus Groups, State Steering Committee, National Focus Groups and National Steering Committee, etc.

Ministry of Education has invited suggestions of the public through an online public consultation survey for the formulation of the National Curriculum Framework and subsequently design of syllabus, textbooks and other instructional materials.

A tech platform – website and mobile app has been developed for the execution of the work at scale and in a paperless manner.

According to the official, District level consultations, mobile app-based surveys, state-level consultations through State Focus Groups and State Steering Committee have been conducted by the States and Union Territories to reach out to the stakeholders at the grassroots level and collect their views and opinion about the future education.

At the national level, the National Focus Groups and National Steering Committee have been engaged to deliberate on various issues and concerns, including the interaction with various ministries, autonomous bodies, NGOs, Corporates, Philanthropic agencies, etc. for collecting and collating valuable inputs for formulation of NCF.

“Such multiple and diverse views are likely to provide a practical road map for the smooth implementation of the vision of NEP 2020. Join us and take the online survey and contribute to the creation of a robust, resilient and coherent ecosystem of education in India” the Ministry said in a statement.

Bilkis Bano can never get justice, and then she was raped and now stunned

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Vaidehi Taman

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August 16, 2022

bilkis bano, godhra case, godhra kand, gujarat 2002, gujarat riots, 2002 gujarat riots, court, high court — Image: Bilkis Bano / File Photo

In his Independence Day speech, PM Modi asked Indians to take a pledge not to do anything that lowers the dignity of women… The Gujarat BJP government released criminals convicted of gang rape on the same day. All the eleven convicts sentenced to life imprisonment in the 2002 post-Godhra Bilkis Bano gang rape case and murder of her seven family members were allowed to walk freely on Monday under its remission policy. The eleven convicts had served more than 15 years in jail.

This tragedy was followed by the burning of the Sabarmati Express coach which killed 59 ‘karsevaks’ on February 27, 2002, violence erupted, and Bilkis Bano, who was five-month pregnant at that time, fled her village with her toddler daughter and 15 others. Bilkis Bano along with her daughter and other family members had taken shelter in a field when a mob of 20-30 people with arms attacked them Bilkis Bano was gang raped, while seven members of her family were murdered. However, six other members managed to run away from the spot. In August 2004, the Supreme Court transferred the case to Mumbai after Bilkis Bano expressed anxieties that witnesses could be harmed and the evidence collected by the CBI tampered.

On January 21, 2008, the special CBI Court sentenced the eleven accused to life imprisonment on the charge of gang rape and murder of seven members of Bilkis Bano’s family. They were all convicted on charges of conspiring to rape a pregnant woman, murder and unlawful assembly under the Indian Penal Code. Seven other accused were acquitted by the special court for want of evidence while one accused died during the trial.

In April 2019, the Supreme Court directed the Gujarat government to pay Rs 50 lakh compensation, a job, and a house to Bilkis Bano. The 11 convicts who have been granted premature release are Rajubhai Soni, Radhesham Shah, Kesarbhai Vohania, Shailesh Bhatt, Bipin Chandra Joshi, Bakabhai Vohania, Ramesh Chandana, Pradeep Mordhiya, Jaswantbhai Nai, Mitesh Bhatt, Govindbhai Nai. Besides these 11, a police constable was also convicted and got three years in jail. There was an action against other police officers, too, for shielding the rioters and tampering with evidence.

Bilkis was paid the said amount but the government has not yet made any arrangements for a job or house as directed by the court. They don’t have a fixed address yet. The house that they had was vandalised and burned. On the other hand, after the release of the rapist from the Godhra jail the convicts were welcomed with sweets and garlands. There was a celebration and no regrets for what they did to a pregnant lady.

The decision to release them was taken as per the state government’s 1992 policy — a decision that appears to be in conflict with a recent policy of the BJP’s central government against releasing rapists. On March 3, 2002, when they gang-raped Bilkis Bano, who was 21 at the time. Now she is in her forties. Waited all this while for justice, but she was given shocked by the release of her rapists.

NIA court sends ISIS active member to one-month judicial custody

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ANI

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August 16, 2022

Mohsin Ahmad, NIA, Mohsin, National Investigation Agency, Terror, Terorist — NIA court sends ISIS active member to one-month judicial custody 4

On Tuesday, a Special National Investigation Agency (NIA) Court sent Mohsin Ahmad, an alleged active member of ISIS, to Judicial Custody. He was produced before the court on Tuesday by NIA at the end of his remand. He was arrested on August 6, 2022, from Batla House Delhi ahead of Independence Day.

The NIA Judge Dharmesh Sharma on Tuesday sent Mohsin Ahmed to Judicial Custody for a month after NIA didn’t seek further remand of him.

Mohsin was arrested on August 6, 2022, from his residence in Delhi for alleged involvement in the collection of funds for the terrorist outfit from sympathisers in India as well as abroad and sending it to Syria and other places in form of cryptocurrency, the agency said.

The NIA arrested Ahmad during a search operation conducted at his present residence at Japani Gali, Jogabai Extention, Batla House, New Delhi.

He was arrested in a case about online and on-ground activities of ISIS, said the NIA. The case was registered suo-moto by the NIA on June 25 this year.

“Ahmad is a radicalised and active member of ISIS. He has been arrested for his involvement in the collection of funds for ISIS from sympathisers in India as well as abroad,” said the NIA.

The anti-terror agency further said that the arrested accused was sending these funds to Syria and other places in form of cryptocurrency to further the activities of ISIS, and added that further investigations in the case are in progress.

Giriraj Singh says, ‘Mahagathbandhan’ formed out of ‘Selfish Interest’

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ANI

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August 16, 2022

Soon after the Bihar Cabinet expansion, Union Minister Giriraj Singh, lashed out at the newly formed “Mahagathbandhan” or the Grand alliance by saying that this alliance is formed out of “selfish interests”.

However, Singh extended his best wishes for the alliance to complete the remaining term in Bihar.

In an exclusive conversation with the agencies, Giriraj Singh said, “I give my best wishes (to the newly formed Mahagathbandhan) to complete the remaining term. Although, I believe that this alliance is formed out of selfish interests.”

“Nitish Babu (Nitish Kumar) snapped ties with RJD in 2017. Now, for some reason or the other, he has gone back with RJD. Nitish wishes to become a candidate for Prime Minister’s post and (Deputy Bihar Chief Minister) Tejashwi Yadav wishes to become Chief Minister under his regime. As long as these two have their own interests, this (politics) will continue,” he said.

Hailing the newly formed Magagathbandhan government in Bihar, Rashtriya Janata Dal MP Manoj Kumar Jha on Tuesday said that the “map of 2024 elections is clear” up to a great extent.

“This entire Mahagathbandhan is stronger with Nitish Kumar coming (into the alliance). So, the map of 2024 is clear up to a great extent,” Manoj Jha told to agencies.

Responding to this, Giriraj Singh said, “Whether the Opposition will get united, it is up to them to know. Everyone dreams to become the prime minister and is in the race for sharing power. But the post of Prime Minister is for one person only.”

A total of 31 ministers were inducted into the Bihar cabinet on Tuesday from various parties that are part of the Mahagathbandhan or the Grand Alliance in the state.

The new Ministers were administered the oath of office and secrecy by Bihar Governor Phagu Chauhan at Raj Bhavan here.

The RJD got 16 ministerial berths and the Janata Dal (United) 11.

Two legislators from the Congress, one from Jitin Ram Manjhi’s Hindustani Awam Morcha and the lone Independent MLA, Sumit Kumar Singh, also took oath as cabinet ministers.

From RJD, Deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav’s brother Tej Pratap Yadav, Samir Kumar Mahaseth, Chandrashekhar, Kumar Sarvajeet, Lalit Yadav, Surendra Prasad Yadav, Ramanand Yadav, Jitendra Kumar Rai, Anita Devi and Sudhakar Singh and Alok Mehta took the oath.

Congress legislators Afaque Alam and Murari Lal Gautam were inducted into the cabinet as ministers, while Hindustani Awam Morcha’s Santosh Suman was also sworn in.

The Bihar cabinet can have up to 36 ministers, including the Chief Minister. Some ministerial berths will be kept vacant for future cabinet expansion, sources said.

Nitish Kumar had broken away from the BJP and formed a government with the RJD and other parties earlier this month. The Chief Minister and his deputy – RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav – took oath on August 10.

The Bihar Grand Alliance has a combined strength of 163. Its effective strength climbed to 164 after Independent MLA Sumit Kumar Singh extended its support to Nitish Kumar.

The new government is likely to prove majority in the Bihar assembly on August 24. The BJP’s central leadership will hold a meeting with the party’s Bihar unit leaders here on Tuesday, days after the JD(U) parted ways with it and formed a new government in the state.

They are likely to deliberate upon the BJP’s future course of action, and the strategy for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, sources said, adding organisational changes may also come up for discussion.

The meeting will be chaired by BJP national president Jagat Prakash Nadda and the general secretary (organisation) BL Santhosh will also be present.

The 2020 Assembly polls in Bihar was a tight one with the National Democratic Alliance winning 125 seats, with BJP winning 74 of these, the Janata Dal (United) of Nitish Kumar 43, the Vikassheel Insaan Party 4 and Hindustan Awaam Party (Secular) 4.

This put the NDA just above the requisite 122-majority mark needed to form the government. The RJD and its allies, on the other hand, had won 110 seats.

The RJD finished as the single-largest party with 75 seats, while Congress won a mere 19 seats. Of the 29 seats the Left parties had contested, they won in 16, with the CPI (ML-Liberation) winning 12 of them. Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM had won five seats in the Seemanchal region of the state. Four of its MLAs have switched to the RJD.

Irish Cricketer Kevin O’Brien announces retirement from international cricket

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ANI

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August 16, 2022

Ireland star all-rounder Kevin O’Brien called time on his international cricket career on Tuesday, leaving a lasting legacy on the game.

Making his debut for Ireland in 2006, O’Brien was a prominent figure in his team’s rise with a career that spanned close to two decades.

The star all-rounder represented Ireland in three Tests, 153 ODIs and 110 T20Is. In his blistering international career, he scored 5850 runs and bagged 172 wickets.

O’Brien announced his retirement in a Twitter post and said that he originally planned to retire after this year’s T20 World Cup but was not selected in Ireland’s WC squad and decided to call the time on his stunning career.

“Today I announce my retirement from international cricket after 16 years and 389 caps for my country. I had hoped to finish my career at the T20 World Cup in Australia but having not been picked for the Irish squad since last year’s World Cup, I feel that the selectors and management are looking elsewhere,” O’Brien wrote in a Twitter post.

“I have enjoyed every minute playing for Ireland, made many friends on the pitch and I have so many happy memories to remember from my time playing for the National side,” he wrote.

“I have enjoyed every minute of playing for Ireland, made many friends on the pitch and I have so many happy memories to remember from my time playing for the National side. It’s now onto the next stage of my life and my career for me, the time is right,” said O’Brien.

I want to continue to grow my own Coaching Academy here in Ireland and I have some exciting opportunities coming up in the near future.

I also want to continue to gain coaching experience overseas and hopefully will have more opportunities with some international and professional sides in the near future,” he further added.

Master plan for AIIMS redevelopment submitted for approval to Centre: Randeep Guleria

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ANI

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August 16, 2022

AIIMS 1 — Image: ANI | Representative Image

A master plan to re-develop All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) has been submitted to the government, the director of AIIMS, Dr Randeep Guleria said on the occasion of the 75th Independence Day.

While addressing the AIIMS faculty, administrative staff and doctors, Dr Guleria said, “AIIMS Master Plan Project which aims to re-develop our infrastructure in a holistic manner by consolidating patient care, teaching research and administration, outpatient services and residential facilities has been submitted to the government.

” The project will include new 50 new operation theatres and over 3000 patient care beds, including 300 emergency beds in the present Institute of the campus.

“This project will result in the transformation of AIIMS New Delhi into a world class medical University with the creation of fifty new operation theatres and over 3000 patient care beds, including 300 emergency beds,” he said.

Research labs, animal facilities, clinical trial facilities, 4000 hostel units and 14000 parking spaces will be installed through new project.

Dr Guleria further said, “We have completed our preparatory work of this project and submitted the detail report to the government and recently the project has been notified as a re-development project by the government.”

He said that five different land parcels of Masjid Moth, Ansari Nagar West, Ansari Nagar East, Trauma centre have also been amalgamated under a new category of Medical Education and Research University by the Delhi Development Authority which will give more flexibility to the campus.

“I am hopeful that on the 75th year of independence, AIIMS will enter in a new era of holistic transformation where not only our physical infrastructure but also our digital backbone and assets will be built up to match the best in the world.”

Earlier, the Central government decided to organize a ‘Chintan Shivir’ that will primarily focus on improving the functioning (AIIMS) across the country.

According to the sources, during the upcoming Chintan Shivir that will be held for two days i.e. August 24-25, the experts and stakeholders will discuss standards of teaching, learning, research and service delivery for patients at AIIMS.

The other focus will be on evaluating “patient satisfaction” in AIIMS like developing institutional procedures to make facilities available ‘at ease’ to the patients, sources told media.

The Chintan Shivir will have directors from various AIIMS, colleges in India and will focus on how AIIMS can become common platform for various clinical research purposes.

Mehbooba Mufti, Omar Abdulla express grieves over ITBP personnel in Pahalgam bus accident

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ANI

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August 16, 2022

Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday “felt sorry about the targetted killings in Shopian” and expressed condolences to the family of the six Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel who died in the tragic Pahalgam bus accident.

“Terribly sorry to hear about the targeted killing in Shopian. Condolences to the deceased’s family. GOI (Government of India) continues to behave like an ostrich with its head buried deep under the sand. Every resident of J&K has become cannon fodder in Delhi’s quest for ‘manufactured normalcy’,” Mufti said in a tweet.

Thirty-three personnel sustained injuries in the accident that took place when a civilian bus carrying 37 ITBP personnel and two J-K Police was on its way to Pahalgam from Chandanwari when it rolled down into the deep gorge reportedly after its breaks malfunctioned, a senior ITBP official said.

National Conference leader and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also took to Twitter to express his grief. “…I send my condolences to the families and colleagues of the brave ITBP jawans killed in an accident in Pahalgam today. A number of ITBP personnel have been injured. I send my best wishes for their speedy and complete recovery,” he said in a tweet.

“Deeply anguished by the bus accident near Chandanwari in which we have lost our brave ITBP personnel. My condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured. All possible assistance is being provided to the injured personnel,” Lt Governor Sinha said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed his grief on the tragic incident and took to Twitter to wish for the early recovery of those injured.

“Anguished to learn about the accident of a bus carrying ITBP and police personnel in Pahalgam, J&K. My prayers and thoughts are with the bereaved families. The injured were rushed to the hospital. May they recover at the earliest,” he tweeted.

A doctor at the Government Medical College of Anantnag, Dr Syed Tariq said that 30 people were injured in the accident. “Our six jawans have lost their lives, 30 injured. We will provide the best possible treatment to the injured. ITBP Headquarters is keeping a watch on the situation. The jawans were returning from Amarnath Yatra duty. All help will be provided to affected families, Vivek Kumar Pandey, ITBP PRO said. The mishap took place at Frislan in Pahalgam area. The jawans were deputed in the area for the Amarnath Yatra. “We are in touch with local administration and teams of disaster management have been rushed to the site for a rescue operation,” an ITBP official said.

The Amarnath Yatra began on June 29, from Jammu amid tight security arrangements made by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) along with the army and the local police.

The Amarnath shrine pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre-high cave shrine of Lord Shiva, located in the upper reaches of the Himalayas, is held from the twin routes of Pahalgam and Baltal.

Rajnath Singh hands over indigenous defence systems to Indian Army

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ANI

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August 16, 2022

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh handed over multiple indigenous weapons to the Indian Army, said the officials on Tuesday.

Defence Minister handed over the F-INSAS system to the Indian Army in presence of Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande and Lt Gen Harpal Singh. Indian Army’s Futuristic Infantry Soldier as a System (F-INSAS) soldier gave a briefing to Defence Minister on his new weapon systems and aids including the AK-203 assault rifle.

Anti-personnel mine ‘Nipun’ was also handed over to the Indian Army, by Defence Minister Singh. Around 7 lakh of these mines would be provided to the force manufactured by the Indian private sector industry.

The indigenously manufactured weapons that were given part to the Army included Landing Craft Attack for operations in Pangong lake, infantry combat vehicles and many other systems.

The move comes in wake of the Make in India movement that was launched by the Centre to grow indigenous manufacturing of goods.

Earlier for the first time in the history of India, the indigenously developed artillery gun ATAGS (Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System) prototype developed under the government’s Make in India initiative were fired from the Red Fort during the Independence Day celebrations on August 15.

The completely indigenous gun designed and developed by DRDO will give the ceremonial 21 Gun Salute along with the “25 Pounder British guns” which are traditionally fired till now. A team of DRDO’s Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune led by Scientists and Artillery Officers have been responsible for making this possible.

Sangam Sinha, DG (R&M), DRDO said, “On the occasion of the elixir of freedom, folding cannon is a great gift for India. This is the longest-range cannon in the world and is capable of hitting targets from 45 to 48 km.”

“The biggest thing is that for the first time it is Made in India by Bharat Forge. It is an indigenous artillery gun being used for the 21-gun salute on Independence Day. The ATAGS is developed by DRDO and is currently at the Red Fort. This will be a big support to the Indian Army,” he added.

The ATAGS project was started in 2013 by DRDO to replace older guns in service in the Indian Army with a modern 155mm artillery gun. ARDE partnered with two private firms Bharat Forge Limited and Tata Advanced Systems Limited for the manufacturing of this specialised gun.

India is our invaluable neighbour: Sri Lankan Foundation for Buddhist Brotherhood

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ANI

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August 16, 2022

India and Sri Lanka — Image: ANI | Representative Image

As India commemorated 75 years of Independence, the Foundation for the Buddhist Brotherhood of Sri Lanka conveyed their greetings to the government of India and its people hailing India as an invaluable neighbour.

“India, our invaluable neighbour and the largest democracy in the world, is today celebrating her Independence Day which is a momentous annual event in the annals of independent India,” the official statement of the foundation read.

Highlighting the bilateral ties between the two nations, the Chairman of the Foundation for Buddhist Brotherhood, Dr Damenda Porage stated that the people of Sri Lanka are delighted in sharing the spirit of the celebrations with India and conveying their greetings to the government of India and its people.

“We gratefully reminisce the very rare historical occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s arrival to participate in the UN-declared international Vesak day celebrations in Colombo in May 2017; his immediate arrival in Sri Lanka to share our grievances after disastrous bomb blasts on Easter Sunday on the 21st of April 2019; and the ever-continuing magnanimous support and assistance towards strengthening the historical, cultural, spiritual, linguistic and traditional relations,” he added.

Sri Lankan’s indebtedness is inexpressible in mere words, he said, adding that for India’s prompt humanitarian and all medicinal related support and assistance during the long years of the coronavirus pandemic and the magnanimous and humanitarian support and assistance to feed and rescue the starving Sri Lankans in the recent months joined benevolently also by the state governments, the media release stated.

The Maha Sangha of Sri Lanka has strongly and openly reiterated on its commitment to safeguarding the regional interest of India and its neighbours in the Indian Ocean zone against threats from anti-democratic and hegemonic forces. “We remain committed towards the growth of India from strength to strength as a democratic country and strongly believe that our retention depends inalienable on India’s growth and we convey our heartiest greetings to the Indian leadership and the people of India on this very auspicious occasion,” the statement read.

Indian women’s team to play Tests against Australia, and England at home in 2023-24

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ANI

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August 16, 2022

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday announced the first-ever Women’s Future Tours Programme (FTP) that confirms the bilateral international tours for 10 teams over the next three years and incorporates all three formats of the game.

“A result of a joint effort from Members, the FTP ensures more matches for teams with the enhancement of the ICC Women’s Championship (IWC) to a 10-team event. With teams featuring in more matches across formats in bilateral series, over 300 matches will be played as part of the 2022-25 FTP,” stated an official release.

There are a total of seven Tests planned in the 2022-25 period. India will be hosting both England and Australia for one Test each in December 2023. Indian women’s team will be playing 2 Tests, 24 ODI and 36 T20 from August 2022 to January 2025.

Among the fixtures are two multi-format Ashes series during the period consisting of one Test, three ODIs and three T20Is each – one in England in June 2023 and the other in Australia in January 2025.

The three ODIs in the first series will be part of the ICC Women’s Championship, which provides direct qualification to the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 in India.

The other commitments for Australia, reigning World champions of both the 50-over and 20-over formats as well as winners of both previous editions of the IWC, include an away series of a Test, three ODIs and three T20Is in India in December 2023 apart from the IWC home series against them.

They also play a three-match home series, which is not part of an IWC tour, against New Zealand in March 2025. England, India and South Africa are the other teams to schedule Tests during this period while some teams have planned five-match T20I series.

England plays New Zealand in both a home and away series of three ODIs and five T20Is during this period while India has three T20Is each scheduled along with their IWC series against Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa and the West Indies.

The West Indies play five T20Is at home versus Ireland, three T20Is in Australia, five in Pakistan, three in Sri Lanka, and three each at home against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh plays additional three T20Is each against South Africa and the West Indies (January 25) while Ireland plays five T20Is against the West Indies in June 2023, three home T20Is against England on September 24, three away T20Is against India, in January ’25 and five T20Is away against Bangladesh in December ’24.

Sri Lanka plays three T20Is each against Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa and the West Indies. ICC General Manager of Cricket, Wasim Khan, said the confirmation of the first-ever women’s FTP was a watershed moment for women’s cricket.

“This is a huge moment for the women’s game. This FTP not only lends certainty to future cricket tours but also sets the base for a structure that is sure to grow in the coming years,” ICC GM of Cricket Wasim Khan said.

“The ICC Women’s Championship, which underpins the FTP, is instrumental in propelling the game to the next level and the competitive matches that we saw in this year’s World Cup in New Zealand were a result of the greater number of matches that women have got to play because of the IWC,” Khan said.

“I thank the Member Boards for helping draft this historic FTP, which I am sure will go a long way in taking the women’s game to the next level,” he added.