UPSC current magazine

🔆 PRODUCTION LINKED INCENTIVE (PLI) SCHEME 🔆 1. ABOUT PLI 🟢 Introduced in 2020 under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. 🟢 Covers 14 strategic sectors to boost domestic manufacturing, investment, exports and employment. 🟢 Total approved financial outlay: ₹1.91 lakh crore. 🔆 2. KEY ACHIEVEMENTS (AS OF 30 JUNE 2026) 🟢 791 approved applications across 14 sectors. 🟢 Cumulative investment: ₹2.58 lakh crore. 🟢 Production/Sales: ₹23.79 lakh crore. 🟢 Exports: ₹15.53 lakh crore. 🟢 Employment: 14.57 lakh direct and indirect jobs. 🟢 Incentives disbursed: ₹36,754 crore. 🔆 3. MAJOR SECTORAL OUTCOMES 🟢 Electronics: Production reached ₹13.11 lakh crore in 2025–26; 99.2% of mobile phones used in India are domestically made. 🟢 Pharmaceuticals: Enabled first-time domestic manufacturing of 191 bulk drugs. 🟢 Telecom: Exports reached ₹21,033 crore. 🟢 Automobiles: Supports EVs and advanced automotive technologies. 🟢 Solar PV: Awards issued for 48,337 MW of manufacturing capacity. 🟢 ACC Batteries: Targets 50 GWh domestic manufacturing capacity. 🔆 4. SIGNIFICANCE 🟢 Reduces import dependence and strengthens domestic value chains. 🟢 Promotes technology transfer, innovation and economies of scale. 🟢 Generates employment and boosts export competitiveness. 🟢 Supports Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047. 🔆 5. KEY CHALLENGES 🟢 Dependence on imported components and critical minerals. 🟢 Need for deeper domestic value addition and R&D. 🟢 Global competition and infrastructure constraints. 🟢 Ensuring benefits reach MSMEs and domestic suppliers. 🔆 MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION Examine the role of Production Linked Incentive schemes in strengthening India’s manufacturing ecosystem and global competitiveness. #goverment_schemes Join https://t.me/PIB_UPSC https://t.me/upsc_government_scheme

🔆 INDIA’S RENEWABLE ENERGY JOURNEY 🔆 1. INDIA’S RENEWABLE ENERGY LANDSCAPE 🟢 Total installed power capacity: ~560 GW (October 2026), up from 249 GW in 2014. 🟢 Non-fossil capacity: 308 GW (31 July 2026), accounting for 55% of total installed capacity. 🟢 India ranks 3rd globally in renewable energy installed capacity. 🟢 Renewable energy investment: USD 63.7 billion (July 2024–June 2026). 🔆 2. SOLAR ENERGY 🟢 Installed solar capacity: ~175 GW (31 October 2026), up from 2.8 GW in 2014. 🟢 India became the world’s second-largest solar growth market in 2025, adding over 37 GW. 📍 PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana 🟢 Launched in February 2024 with an outlay of ₹75,021 crore for 1 crore households. 🟢 65.26 lakh households benefiting from rooftop solar (2 November 2026). 🟢 Subsidy transferred: approximately ₹35,800 crore. 🟢 Nearly 21 lakh households received zero electricity bills by October 2026. 🟢 Rooftop solar capacity commissioned: 19.1 GW. 📍 Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana (PM-SSY) 🟢 Approved on 31 July 2026 with an outlay of ₹5,070 crore. 🟢 Target: 5,000 MW floating solar PV projects. 🟢 Co-located energy storage: 10,000 MWh, with minimum two-hour duration. 🟢 Projects to be sanctioned during FY 2026–27 to FY 2030–31. 🔆 3. WIND ENERGY 🟢 Installed capacity: 59.20 GW (29 October 2026); India ranks 4th globally. 🟢 Added 6.05 GW in FY 2025–26, its highest-ever annual addition. 🟢 Around 28 GW additional capacity under implementation. 🟢 Wind turbine manufacturing capacity: 24 GW (March 2026), with 70–80% indigenisation across key components. 🟢 ₹7,453 crore VGF scheme approved for 1 GW offshore wind projects. 🔆 4. BIO-ENERGY 🟢 Bio-power capacity: 11.75 GW (29 October 2026). 🟢 839 CBG plants registered; 210 commissioned and 255 under construction (2 November 2026). 🟢 Grid-connected Waste-to-Energy capacity: 324.24 MW; off-grid capacity: 554.16 MW. 🟢 National Bioenergy Programme: Supports Waste-to-Energy, Biomass and Biogas projects; Phase-I outlay of ₹858 crore. 📍 GOBARdhan – National Circular Bioenergy Scheme 🟢 Approved on 6 August 2026 with an outlay of ₹23,731 crore for FY 2026–27 to FY 2035–36. 🟢 Aims to nearly ten-fold domestic CBG production and create a national circular bioeconomy. 🔆 5. HYDROPOWER 🟢 Total hydro capacity: 57.49 GW (29 October 2026). 🟢 Small Hydro Power Development Scheme: Approved in March 2026 with an outlay of ₹2,584.60 crore. 🟢 Target: Add approximately 1,500 MW through projects of 1–25 MW, particularly in hilly and North-Eastern regions. 🔆 6. GREEN HYDROGEN 📍 National Green Hydrogen Mission 🟢 Launched in 2023, with an outlay of ₹19,744 crore. 🟢 Target: 5 MMT green hydrogen production by 2030. 🟢 Green hydrogen offtake commitments: 5.5 lakh MTPA since 2023. 🟢 Over 70% of commitments earmarked for exports. 🟢 Expected investment: approximately ₹90,000 crore. 🟢 Around 8,000 tonnes per annum production capacity commissioned by February 2026. 🟢 12 pilot projects launched for 70 hydrogen-powered vehicles across 21 routes (July 2026). 🟢 India’s first indigenous hydrogen fuel-cell-powered train began operations on the Jind–Sonipat section in July 2026. 🔆 7. GEOTHERMAL ENERGY 🟢 National Policy on Geothermal Energy notified on 15 September 2025. 🟢 India’s geothermal potential estimated at 10,600 MW by the Geological Survey of India. 🟢 Based on exploration of 381 hot springs, with 42 promising geothermal manifestations identified. 🟢 Cooperation mechanisms with Australia, Iceland, Saudi Arabia and the USA. 🔆 8. SIGNIFICANCE 🟢 Enhances energy security and reduces dependence on fossil fuels. 🟢 Supports climate commitments and low-carbon development. 🟢 Promotes domestic manufacturing, investment and employment. 🟢 Encourages decentralised energy access and technological innovation. 🟢 Strengthens India’s pathway towards a sustainable and self-reliant energy system. 🔆 MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION Discuss the role of renewable energy in strengthening India’s energy security and achieving sustainable economic development. Examine the major challenges in scaling up renewable energy capacity. #Environment

🔆 SHATAYU: STRENGTHENING INDIA’S GERIATRIC CARE ECOSYSTEM 🔆 1. ABOUT SHATAYU 🟢 Full form: Senior Holistic Care Assistance and Training for Your Utility. 🟢 A digital initiative of the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. 🟢 Launched on 22 May 2026 during the National Workshop on Creating a Well-Functioning Care Economy. 🟢 Developed as a centralised national Geriatric Caregiver Dashboard and Directory. 🟢 Objective: Connect trained geriatric caregivers with senior citizens, families and institutions requiring elderly care. 🔆 2. KEY FEATURES 🟢 National directory featuring 30,151 caregivers across States and Union Territories. 🟢 Search caregivers by geographical location, including State/UT and district. 🟢 Direct access to caregiver profiles. 🟢 Request Callback facility for individuals seeking caregiving assistance. 🟢 OTP-based verification for callback requests. 🟢 Enrolment tracking and feedback/rating mechanism. 🟢 Searching the directory and placing callback requests are free of charge. 🟢 Caters to both full-time and hourly caregiving requirements. 🔆 3. SERVICES AVAILABLE 🟢 General geriatric care 🟢 Post-surgical care 🟢 Dementia and Alzheimer’s care 🟢 Physiotherapy and mobility assistance 🟢 Palliative care 🟢 Other elderly-care requirements, including rehabilitation and assistance with daily activities. 🔆 4. PROFESSIONAL TRAINING CATEGORIES The initiative recognises four broad categories: 🟢 Geriatric Care Provider 🟢 Geriatric Caregiver (Institutional and Home Care) 🟢 Wellness Therapist (Elderly) 🟢 Elderly Care Companion 📍 Training competencies include: 🟢 Holistic elderly care and physiological monitoring 🟢 Emergency handling and bedside mobility 🟢 Assistance with daily living activities 🟢 Therapeutic rehabilitation and cognitive engagement 🟢 Emotional companionship and social integration 🔆 5. INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT 🟢 Training framework supported by the National Institute of Social Defence (NISD) and National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). 🟢 Eligible professionals can enrol by submitting personal details, address information, qualifications and training certificates. 🟢 Following review and approval, eligible caregiver profiles are listed on the platform. 🔆 6. SIGNIFICANCE 🟢 Strengthens India’s organised care economy. 🟢 Improves access to skilled and dependable elderly-care services. 🟢 Creates organised employment opportunities for trained professionals. 🟢 Promotes dignity, well-being, independence and quality of life for senior citizens. 🟢 Supports the development of a professionally recognised geriatric-care workforce. 📍 Official Portal: https://shatayu.dosje.gov.in/ 🔆 MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION Discuss the significance of digital platforms such as SHATAYU in strengthening India’s geriatric care ecosystem and promoting an organised care economy. #SocialJustice

🔆 PRADHAN MANTRI JANJATIYA VIKAS MISSION (PMJVM) 📍 Why in News? The PIB released a backgrounder on 14 November 2026 highlighting PMJVM’s role in strengthening India’s tribal forest economy through value addition, minimum support prices and market access. 📍 About PMJVM 🟢 Launched in 2021–22 to improve the livelihoods of tribal communities dependent on Minor Forest Produce (MFP). 🟢 Aims to transform tribal forest gatherers from raw-produce sellers into value-adding entrepreneurs. 🟢 Provides skilling, technology, enterprise funding and market linkages. 🟢 Around 20–40% of the annual income of many tribal families comes from MFP. 📍 Minor Forest Produce (MFP) 🟢 Includes non-timber forest products such as honey, tendu leaves, mahua flowers, tamarind, lac, bamboo, medicinal plants and herbs. 🟢 The government has notified Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for 87 MFP items under PMJVM. 🟢 The Forest Rights Act, 2006 recognises the rights of forest-dwelling communities to procure and sell non-timber MFP. 🟢 PESA Act, 1996 grants ownership rights over MFP to Gram Panchayats in Scheduled Areas. 📍 Institutional Framework 🟢 TRIFED (Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India) supports marketing and development of tribal products and MFP procurement at notified MSP. 🟢 Procurement is undertaken through State implementing agencies, including tribal cooperatives and forest development corporations. 🟢 Van Dhan Yojana, launched on 14 April 2018, forms the foundation of the Van Dhan Vikas Kendra model. 📍 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) 🟢 Tribal gatherers are organised into Self-Help Groups (SHGs). 🟢 15 SHGs, comprising around 300 tribal members, form one VDVK. 🟢 At least 60% of members must belong to Scheduled Tribe communities. 🟢 Support includes processing equipment, scientific harvesting training, packaging, storage, transportation and working capital. 🟢 Marketing support includes branding, exhibitions, e-commerce, market intelligence and geographical indications. 📍 Progress and Achievements 🟢 4,172 VDVKs sanctioned and 2,911 functional. 🟢 12.48 lakh tribal members linked to VDVKs. 🟢 Reported sales: approximately ₹168 crore as of 31 July 2026. 🟢 Since 2013–14, States have procured 2,67,954 metric tonnes of MFP worth ₹693.98 crore under the scheme. 📍 Tribal Women Empowerment 🟢 Women play a major role in MFP collection and sales. 🟢 The Nyigamane, Ho Yorbe, Medumhagdum VDVK in Arunachal Pradesh was established in October 2021 with 300 women SHG members and farmers. 🟢 It produces King Chilli Pickle, Bamboo Shoot Pickle, turmeric powder, ginger powder, pineapple jam and squash. 🟢 It has sold products worth ₹11 lakh since 2022–23. 📍 Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas 🟢 Observed on 15 November, the birth anniversary of Dharti Aaba Bhagwan Birsa Munda. 🟢 Declared in 2021 by the Government of India. 🟢 Janjatiya Gaurav Pakhwada 2026 is being observed from 1–15 November. 🟢 More than 300 projects are planned: 228 for inauguration and 74 for foundation stone laying. 🟢 Two digital initiatives: Jan-HIT Portal and National FRA Digital Platform. 📍 Significance 🟢 Reduces exploitation by intermediaries and ensures fair prices for tribal producers. 🟢 Promotes women’s financial empowerment and community-owned enterprises. 🟢 Encourages sustainable harvesting and value addition. 🟢 Strengthens livelihood security and contributes to Viksit Bharat@2047. 📍 UPSC Mains Practice Question Discuss the role of the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission in strengthening tribal livelihoods through sustainable utilisation of Minor Forest Produce. #goverment_schemes Join https://t.me/PIB_UPSC https://t.me/upsc_government_scheme

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