Under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), the Ministry of Rural Development is implementing two key Centrally Sponsored Schemes to promote skill development and employment among rural poor youth — DeenDayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) and Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETI). These initiatives aim to equip youth with employable skills, encourage entrepreneurship, and contribute to poverty eradication across the country. DeenDayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY):This placement-linked skill development programme targets rural poor youth aged 15–35 years, providing them with market-relevant skills to secure jobs with regular monthly wages at or above minimum wage…
Author: Aruna Sharma
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has issued a comprehensive clarification on concerns raised about the impact of 20% Ethanol Blended Petrol (E20) on vehicle mileage and lifespan, reaffirming its environmental, economic, and performance benefits. The ministry emphasised that biofuels and natural gas are “bridge fuels” — enabling a non-disruptive transition toward India’s Net Zero target by 2070. A NITI Aayog study has shown that greenhouse gas emissions from sugarcane- and maize-based ethanol are 65% and 50% lower, respectively, than those from petrol. Beyond emission cuts, ethanol blending has transformed rural economies by eliminating sugarcane arrears, improving maize cultivation…
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved four additional semiconductor manufacturing projects under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), marking a major step toward strengthening the nation’s chip-making ecosystem. With these new approvals, India now has 10 sanctioned semiconductor projects across six states, with total planned investments of approximately ₹1.60 lakh crore. The four latest projects—proposed by SiCSem, Continental Device India Pvt. Ltd. (CDIL), 3D Glass Solutions Inc., and Advanced System in Package (ASIP) Technologies—together involve an investment of ₹4,600 crore and will directly employ over 2,000 skilled professionals, while also creating a host of indirect…
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved Phase-1B of the Lucknow Metro Rail Project in Uttar Pradesh. The new corridor will span 11.165 km with 12 stations — seven underground and five elevated. Once operational, Lucknow’s active metro network will extend to 34 km. Key Benefits and Impact Enhanced Connectivity:Phase-1B will connect the oldest and most densely populated parts of Lucknow, currently underserved by public transport. The corridor will link: Major commercial hubs such as Aminabad, Yahiyaganj, Pandeyganj, and Chowk King George’s Medical University and other critical healthcare facilities Tourist landmarks like Bara Imambara, Chota…
The National Policy on Biofuels 2018, as amended in 2022, advanced the target for 20% ethanol blending in petrol from 2030 to the Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2025-26. Under the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme, Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) sell ethanol blended with petrol. During ESY 2024–25, OMCs achieved an average blending rate of 19.05% as of 31 July 2025, with a monthly high of 19.93% in July 2025. To ensure sufficient feedstock for meeting the 20% blending target, the Government has implemented several measures, including: Expanding feedstock sources for ethanol production as per the amended Biofuels Policy.…
The Government of India is actively pursuing measures to explore and identify crude oil and hydrocarbon reserves in the Andaman-Nicobar (AN) Basin, with the objective of enhancing the country’s long-term energy security and reducing import dependence. Under the Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP), four blocks covering approximately 23,261 sq. km have been allocated for oil and gas exploration in the AN Basin. Exploration efforts so far have led to the acquisition of 8,501 line kilometers of 2D seismic data, 3,270 sq. km of 3D seismic data, and the drilling of three wells. Additionally, under Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP)…
The Government of India launched the Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP) in 2016, introducing the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) under it. So far, 172 exploration blocks covering 3,78,652 sq. km have been awarded to successful bidders in OALP Rounds I to IX. In addition, OALP Round X, offering 25 exploration blocks spanning 1,91,986.21 sq. km, was launched on 15 April 2025. India currently has eight Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminals with a total capacity of 52.7 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA). In terms of retail infrastructure, 13 LNG retail stations have been commissioned by state-owned oil and…
Under the Government of India’s Skill India Mission (SIM), the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) delivers skill, re-skill, and up-skill training through an extensive network of skill development centres under schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS), National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), and Craftsman Training Scheme (CTS) via Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs). These programmes aim to equip the youth of India, including those in rural areas, with industry-relevant skills to prepare them for future opportunities. MSDE collaborates extensively with private players for skill development programmes. Details of MoUs signed under PMKVY 4.0…
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the newly constructed dome at the entrance of Vidhan Bhavan and the assembly hall ahead of the legislature’s monsoon session. He also inaugurated the renovated Assembly Hall No. 15 and a VVIP canteen. The Chief Minister took part in the all-party meeting convened for the session. Vidhan Sabha Speaker Satish Mahana chaired the all-party meeting, attended by leaders from both the ruling and opposition parties, along with the Chief Minister. Key attendees included Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna, Leader of Opposition Mata Prasad Pandey, Minister Sanjay Nishad, Om Prakash Rajbhar, Congress MLA Aradhana…
Odisha, the rising powerhouse of Indian athletics, is set to script history by hosting India’s first-ever World Athletics Global Meet, a defining moment that marks the state’s emergence on the global sports map. The prestigious event World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze, is scheduled to be held at the iconic Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar, on 10th August 2025, in collaboration with World Athletics and the Athletics Federation of India. The event will bring together more than 200 elite athletes from 19 countries, turning Odisha into the epicenter of international athletics. This milestone reaffirms Odisha’s reputation as India’s premier destination for athletics and…