The Government of India has implemented a series of comprehensive measures to reduce the country’s reliance on imported coal and strengthen domestic coal production. Coal is currently importable under the Open General License (OGL), allowing consumers to procure it at contractual prices upon paying the required duties. However, to encourage self-reliance, the government has been actively pursuing coal import substitution. To reduce dependency on imports, the Annual Contracted Quantity (ACQ) for power plants has been raised to 100% of normative requirements—reversing earlier reductions that limited supply to 70% or 90% depending on the plant’s location. This will ensure a more…
Author: Aruna Sharma
Apprenticeship training in India, governed by the Apprentices Act, 1961, remains a key pillar in the country’s skill development framework, offering industry-driven, on-the-job learning. The Central Apprenticeship Council (CAC), constituted under the Act, is instrumental in shaping national apprenticeship policy, ensuring alignment between vocational training and industry needs, and expanding apprenticeship opportunities across diverse economic sectors. The 38th meeting of the CAC, held on May 26, 2025, marked a major milestone in enhancing the apprenticeship system. One of the key decisions taken during the meeting was a 36% increase in apprentice stipends, with a provision for linking future revisions to…
India, home to the fifth-largest coal reserves globally, continues to rely heavily on coal for meeting its energy needs. Coal contributes around 55% of the country’s energy consumption and remains the dominant source of electricity generation. While the share of renewable energy sources like solar and wind is expanding rapidly, the Government of India is actively working to diversify its energy mix, reduce carbon emissions, and modernize the coal sector in line with sustainability goals. To ensure the long-term sustainability, environmental responsibility, and competitiveness of the coal industry, the Government has undertaken several strategic measures. Key Sustainability Initiatives Coal and…
The Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and implemented by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), has trained/oriented over 1.6 crore candidates in the last decade. As of June 30, 2025, 1.29 crore candidates have been certified under the scheme. Additionally, around 1.74 crore candidates have received training through other NSDC programs. To date, over 2.32 lakh trainers have been certified by Awarding Bodies under NSDC. The trainer-to-trainee ratio varies depending on the nature and location of training. Key Measures for Quality Enhancement To improve training quality, the government has introduced…
The Government of India launched the Bima Sakhi – Mahila Career Agent (MCA) Scheme on December 9, 2024, to empower women by offering them career opportunities in the life insurance sector. Under this initiative, the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) has extended both financial support and career advancement prospects to women agents across the country. In FY 2024–25, LIC disbursed ₹62.36 crore as stipend to Bima Sakhis. For the ongoing financial year 2025–26, LIC has earmarked a budget of ₹520 crore, out of which ₹115.13 crore has already been paid as of July 14, 2025. Currently, there are 2,05,896 Bima Sakhis…
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has launched the Skill India Assistant (SIA) — an AI-powered chatbot designed to enhance access to skilling and employment-related services for citizens across the country. Developed in collaboration with Meta and the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), SIA operates under the aegis of MSDE to promote digital inclusion and ensure seamless service delivery within India’s skilling ecosystem. Key Features of Skill India Assistant (SIA): Access Platforms: Available on the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) and via WhatsApp for ease of use. AI Technology: Built on Meta’s open-source Large Language Model (LLaMA), enabling…
Bihar has become the first state in India to ensure that all polling stations (PS) cater to fewer than 1,200 electors, marking a significant step toward smoother voting experiences and reduced wait times. This follows the revision of the previous limit of 1,500 electors per polling station to 1,200, as per the Bihar SIR order dated June 24, 2025 (Page 2, Point 6/7 & Page 7, Point 2(a)). To meet this new criterion, 12,817 new polling stations have been added, increasing the total number from 77,895 to 90,712. Other states and Union Territories are expected to follow Bihar’s model. Collaborative…
In a strategic move towards cleaner energy and efficient coal utilization, the Government of India has launched a series of initiatives to promote coal and lignite gasification across both the public and private sectors. On January 24, 2024, the Cabinet approved a major financial incentive scheme with an outlay of ₹8,500 crore aimed at encouraging the establishment of coal and lignite gasification projects throughout the country. This initiative is part of the broader energy transition strategy and is designed to facilitate the use of syngas (synthetic gas) derived from coal. Under the scheme, public sector undertakings (PSUs) and private companies…
Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), India’s largest public sector steel producer and Maharatna company, in collaboration with MyGov, today announced the results of the SAIL Story Writing Competition – 2025. The competition, organised on the theme “SAIL: Building a Culture of Happiness, Where Every Smile Matters” (सेल: खुशियों की संस्कृति का निर्माण, जहां हर मुस्कान मायने रखती है), saw an overwhelming response from public across the nation, with nearly 1,000 entries. This impressive participation significantly exceeded expectations, highlighting the deep connection the public feels with SAIL’s legacy and its substantial contributions to India’s progress and the well-being of its…
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the “Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana” for a six-year period starting from 2025-26. The scheme aims to transform agricultural and allied activities in 100 identified districts, drawing inspiration from the success of NITI Aayog’s Aspirational District Programme. It is the first initiative of its kind to focus exclusively on improving agriculture and allied sectors through targeted, district-specific interventions. The key objectives of the scheme include enhancing agricultural productivity, promoting crop diversification and sustainable practices, expanding post-harvest storage at panchayat and block levels, improving irrigation infrastructure, and increasing access…