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…
Author: Aruna Sharma
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…
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) organized a dedicated workshop today at its headquarters in New Delhi to train empanelled audit firms responsible for conducting Digital Addressable Systems (DAS) audits. The event marked a crucial initiative towards reinforcing regulatory compliance, ensuring system integrity, and enhancing transparency in the television broadcasting distribution ecosystem. The day-long workshop witnessed active participation from 43 TRAI-empanelled auditors along with key stakeholders from the broadcasting industry. It served as a collaborative platform for sharing insights, challenges, and experiences encountered during DAS audit processes. According to TRAI regulations, all distributors of television channels are mandated to…
The 11th Session of the India-Russia Working Group on Modernization and Industrial Cooperation was held today at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi, under the framework of the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation.The session was co-chaired by Shri Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and H.E. Mr. Alexey Gruzdev, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation.The meeting reviewed the progress made since the previous session and served as a platform to reinforce bilateral cooperation across a range of key sectors. Sub-groups…
Underground coal mining presents numerous advantages over opencast methods, especially in terms of environmental sustainability, land-use efficiency, and reduced social disruption. As it causes minimal surface disturbance, underground mining helps preserve vital infrastructure, agricultural lands, forests, and residential areas. From an environmental perspective, underground mining generates considerably less dust and noise pollution than surface mining. It is particularly effective for accessing deep-seated coal reserves, which often have superior quality. Additionally, because it leaves a smaller surface footprint, underground mining contributes to lower greenhouse gas emissions associated with land degradation and vegetation loss. Operationally, underground mines are less affected by adverse…