1. Over the last five financial years, approximately 57,125 KM of national highways have been constructed under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
a. India has 161,350KM of national highways as on March 2022 compared to 101,011 Km in FY 2013-14
2. The country's first all-electric tug project was inaugurated by Sarbananda Sonowal. This project has been launched for Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), Kandla
Its objective is to fulfill the vision of green shipping in the maritime sector.
Under the Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP) - Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal Virtually flgged off India's first all-electric green tug, marking a major national milestone in sustainable and energy-efficient maritime operations.
A tug (or tugboat) is a powerful, manoeuvrable vessel used to assist larger ships in habour operations such as guiding, towing, berthing, escorting and emergency response, especially in confined port waters where precision is required.
3. The Maharashtra state government has mandated that all thermal power plants in the state need to blend 5-7% bamboo based biomass/charcoal with coal under the Bamboo Industry Policy to reduce emissions.
Maharastra mandated December 2,2025 that all public and private thermal power plants in the state need to blend 5-7 percent bamboo-based biomass or charcoal with coal. The requirement, notified under the new Maharashtra Bamboo Industry Policy, 2025, positions bamboo as a formal component of the State's energy mix for the first time. The state has huge bamboo - growing potential, despite declining production.
Bamboo, described as "green gold", is among the world's fastest - growing renewable biomaterials. It can sequester large amounts of carbon dioxide, regenerate degraded soils, and grow with minimal input compared to commercial timber or agricultural energy crops. Maharashtra's policy leans heavily on these charachteristics to position bamboo as a low-emission substitute in industrial combustion.
4. The Scope and timeline of the Prime Minister's JI - VAN scheme (launched in 2019) have been extended by 5 years to 2028-29 to ensure continued financial support for second-generation ethanol projects.
Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN (Jaiv Indhan - Vatavaran Anukool Fasal awashesh Nivaran) Yojana aims to provide financial support to Integrated Bioenthanol Projects using lignocellulosic biomass and other renewable feedstock.
Centre for High Technology (CHT), a technical body under the aegis of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoP&NG), will be the implimentation Agency for the scheme.
Background
Indian government had lauched an Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme in 2003 for undertaking blending of ethanol in Petrol to adress environmental concerns due to fossil fuel burning, provide remuneration of farmers, subsidize crude imports and achieve forex savings. Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has targeted to achieve 10% blending percentage of Ethanol in petrol by 2022. Presently, EBP is being run in 21 States and 4 UTs of the Country.
Under EBP programme, OMCs are to blend upto 10% of ethanol in Petrol. In order to meet 10% ethanol blending target with a project demand for petrol in 2021-22, about 450 crore litres of ethanol would be required. The estimated production of bioenthanol in the country is around 300 crore litres, a large part of which is required for potable alcohol and chemical industries and the balance is used for Ethanol Blending Petrol (EBP) programme.
The present policy allows procurement of ethanol produced from molasses and non-food feed stock like celluloses and lignocelluloses material including petrochemical route.
Despite efforts of the Government such as higher ethanol prices and simplification of ethanol purchase system, the highest ever ethanol procurement stands around 150 crore litres during Ethanol supply year 2017-18 which is sufficient for around 4.22% blending on Pan India basis. Therefore, an alternate route viz. Second Generation (2G) Ethanol from biomass and other wastes is being expolored by MoP&NG to bridge the supply gap for EBP programme. In this direction, Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana is being lauched as a tool to create 2G Ethanol capacity in the country and attract investments in this new sector.
Objectives
1. Establish 12 commercial-scale and 10 demonstration-scale 2G Bioethanol projects using non-food biomass.
2. Provide farmers with income for agricultural waste.
3. Reduce environmental pollution from biomass burning.
4. Support India's Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme and reduce fossil fuel imports.
5. Generate rural and urban employment.
6. Contribute to Swachh Bharat Mission by aggregating waste feedstock.
7. Indigenise 2G bioethanol technology.
Financial Implications
1. Total outlay: ₹1,969.50 crore (2018-19 to 2023-24).
2. ₹1,800 crore for 12 commercial projects.
3. ₹150 crore for 10 demonstration projects.
4. ₹19.50 crore for administrative charges.
Implementation
Projects receive Viability Gap Funding (VGF) in two phases:
1. Phase-I (2018-23): 6 commercial + 5 demonstration projects.
2. Phase-II (2020-24): 6 commercial + 5 demonstration projects.
Proposals are reviewed by a Scientific Advisory Committee and approved by a Steering Committee under the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoP&NG).
Benefits
1. Ethanol produced will be supplied to Oil Marketing Companies for blending.
2. Reduces fossil fuel import dependence and greenhouse gas emissions.
3. Mitigates air pollution from crop burning, improving public health.
4. Increases farmer income through waste sales.
5. Creates employment in projects and biomass supply chains.
6. Advances waste management and indigenous 2G technology.
5. India's first 24 x 7 on open and networked court was inaugurated in Kollam City, Kerala
6. The 'Pramukh Varni Amrut Mahotsav', organized by the BAPS Swaminarayan organization, was addressed by Home Minister Amit Shah in Ahemdabad.
Pramukh Varni Din commemorates the day Shastriji Maharaj appointed Pramukh Swami Maharaj as the President of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. On Vaishakh Vad 10 Vikram Samwat year 1963 (June 5, 1907), Shashtriji Maharaj, the third spiritual successor of bhagwan Swaminarayan, inaugurated a shikharbaddha mandir in Bochasan with Akshar Purushottham in the Central Shrine. Thus this day became known as the day Shashtriji Maharaj founded the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha.
7. The 'Jal Shakti Hackathon - 2025' was launched by Union Minister C.R. Patil in New Delhi.
Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri C.R. Patil today launched the "Jal Shakti Hackathon - 2025' and Bharat- WIN Portal at Shram Shakti Bhawan, New Delhi. The initiative is aligned with the vision of PM and his emphasis on 'Water Vision @ 2047' to strengthen scientific and technological solutions in India's water sector.
The Hackathon aims to promote innovation in the water sector and make it a truly public good, accessible to all stakeholders. It adopts a whole-of-government and Whole-of-Society (Jan Bhagidari) approach, enabling broad participation from citizens, researchers, industries and innovators.
8. IIT-Bombay lauched India's first deep tech venture capital fund (Y-Point Venture Capital fund)
IIT Bombay marked a major milestone in its pursuit of global leadership in education, research, and innovation with the unveiling of its Strategy Plan 2026-2030 and Beyond, alongside the launch of India's first incubator - linked deep tech venture capital fund by the Society for Innovation and Enterpreneurship (SINE), IIT Bombay.
9. Bengluru secured the 16th position in the list of the world's top tech cities (Global Tech cities Index)
Bengaluru stands as India's premier IT destination, earning its reputation as the 'Silicon Valley of India.' The city has over 3000 IT companies, including global giants and virtually every major Indian IT firm. This concentration makes it one of the best cities for IT jobs in India, offering opportunities across all technology domains. Bengaluru's advanced IT infrastructure, availability of upskilling platforms, and dense professional network make it deal for both freshers and experienced professionals.
10. The Government of India launched the State-Level Watershed Mahotsav 2025 and Mission Watershed PUNARUTTHAN in Kohima (Nagaland) to revive traditional water bodies.
The State - Level Lauching Programme of Watershed Mahotsav 2025 was held at Naga Solidarity Park, Kohima on December 2025, organised by the State Level Nodal Agency (SLNA), Department of Land Resources, Government of Nagaland.
The event was graced by Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, Minister of State, Ministry of Rural Development and Communications, Government of India, as the Guest of Honour.
11. 'Your Money, Your Right' is a nationwide initiative lauched by the Government of India.
b. This initiative is based on the 3A frameword (Awareness, Accessibility, and Action)
c. Through coordinated efforts of Government departments, regulators and financial institutions, nearly 2000 crore has been returned to rightful owners.
The initiative is coordinated by the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with key financial sector fund regulators, including:
i. Reserve Bank of India
ii. Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India.
iii. Securities and Exchange Board of India
iv. Investor Education and Protected Fund Authority
v. Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority.
The Central objective is to help citizens identify, access and reclaim financial assets that legally belong to them, using simple processes and transparent systems.
The volume of unclaimed financial assets in India is significant and spans multiple segments of the formal financial system. Indicative estimates suggest that Indian banks together hold around 78ooo crore in unclaimed deposits. Unclaimed insurance policy proceeds are estimated at nearly 14000 crore, while unclaimed amounts in mutual funds are about 3000 crore. In addition, unclaimed dividends account for around 9000 crore rupees.
12. Lucknow district has become the top district in Uttar Pradesh (in the implementation of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Biji Yojana) by completing 62,271 roof top solar installation
Muft Bijli Yojana is a government scheme that aims to provide free electricity to households in India. This scheme was lauched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 15, 2024. Under the scheme, households will be provided with a subsidy to install solar panels on their roofs. The subsidy will cover upto 40% of the cost of the solar panels. The scheme is expected to benefit 1 crore households across India. It is estimated that the scheme will save the government Rs. 75000 crore per year in electricity costs.
13. India's first indigenous hydrogen fuel cell passenger vessel on the Ganges River has commenced commercial operations between Namo Ghat and Lalita Ghat (Varanasi).
India's first indigenous hydrogen fuel cell passenger vessel, named FCV Pilot-01, was launched in Varanasi in December 2025, built by Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) for the Inland Waterways Authority of India to promote zero-emission transport on inland waterways, using a hybrid system of hydrogen, batteries, and solar power for silent, green operation.
14. The Bhartiya Bhasha Utsav 2025 will be organized in New Delhi with the theme "Many languages, One Emotion".
The Ministry of Education organized the Bhartiya Bhasha Utsav 2025 today on the birth anniverdary of Mahakavi Subramania Bharati, at National Bal Bhawan, New Delhi, celebrating India's rich linguistic diversity under the theme "Many languages, One Emotion" as its theme. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs actively participated in the event, highlighting the depth, vibrancy and cultural significance of India's tribal languages.
15. Begusarai in Bihar has secured the first position for creating environmental awareness among children.
16. Interpol recently issue a Blue corner notice (investigation notice) for the missing owners following a fire at a nightclub in Goa
Interpol issued a Blue Corner Notice for the missing owners, Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, of the "Birch of Romeo Lane" nightclub in Goa following a tragic fire in December 2025 that killed 25 people, to held locate them and gather information as they fled the country, likely to Thailand, after the incident.
Blue corner Notice is issued to collect information about a person's identity, location, or activities linked to a criminal investigation. It is not an arrest warrant, unlike a Red Notice, but it helps law enforcement agencies across countries track suspects internationally.
0 Comments