In News:

The National Bamboo Mission (NBM) was initially launched in 2006 under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare to promote bamboo-based development. Between 2014–2016, it was subsumed under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH).

In 2018-19, it was restructured under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) to revamp bamboo cultivation, processing, and value chain integration.

A key reform was the 2017 amendment to the Indian Forest Act, 1927, which removed bamboo grown outside forests from the definition of “tree.” This de-regulated its felling and transit, boosting private bamboo farming and easing trade.

Objectives

• Increase the availability of quality planting materials and expand area under bamboo cultivation, especially in non-forest land.
• Promote post-harvest management, primary treatment, seasoning, and preservation technologies.
• Develop market infrastructure, incubation centers, and tools & equipment for value addition.
• Encourage value-added product development, skill development, and entrepreneurship.
• Reduce import dependency on bamboo and bamboo-based products.

Funding Pattern

• General States: 60% Central and 40% State funding.
• Northeastern & Hilly States: 90% Central and 10% State.
• Union Territories, BTSGs & National Level Agencies: 100% Central funding.

Implementation Framework

• Implemented through the State Nodal Departments, nominated by respective State/UT governments.
• Notable example: Bareilly Bamboo Cluster operational in Shahjahanpur district, Uttar Pradesh, since 2019-20, with activities like nursery establishment, bamboo plantation, skill development, and bamboo product demonstration.

Bamboo – Ecological & Economic Significance

• Botanical Classification: Grass (Family: Poaceae, Subfamily: Bambusoideae), ~115 genera and ~1,400 species globally.
• Native to tropical, subtropical, and mild temperate zones, with highest concentration in East and Southeast Asia.

Properties & Applications:

• Carbon Sequestration: Produces 35% more oxygen than comparable vegetation; acts as a natural carbon sink.
• Climate Adaptability: Thrives in degraded lands; prevents soil erosion; vital for land restoration.
• Alternative Energy Source: Among the fastest-growing plants (up to 90 cm/day); can substitute fossil fuels.
• Food & Medicine: Bamboo shoots are consumed in Northeast India; roots and parts used in traditional medicine.
• Livelihood Support: Flexible harvest cycles provide year-round income for farmers.

Bamboo Production Status in India

• 18,000+ inventoried grids reported bamboo presence between 2016–17 to 2019–20.
• Estimated total bamboo culms: 53,336 million.
• 35.19% increase in bamboo culms from ISFR 2019 to ISFR 2021 (an increase of 13,882 million culms).

In News:

The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation and restructuring of the Skill India Programme (SIP) till March 2026, with a financial outlay of ?8,800 crore.

The revamped programme consolidates three flagship schemes under a composite Central Sector Scheme—Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 (PMKVY 4.0), Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS), and Jan ShikshanSansthan (JSS)—with the aim to build a skilled, future-ready workforce.

Objectives and Vision

• Strengthen workforce development through industry-aligned, technology-enabled, and demand-driven skill training.
• Enhance global competitiveness, promote international mobility, and align with India's economic priorities such as Atmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India, and Digital India.
• Enable lifelong learning, skilling, reskilling, and upskilling through inclusive, flexible, and community-based training.

Beneficiaries and Coverage

• Over 2.27 crore individuals have benefited so far.
• Targeted age groups vary across schemes:
  • PMKVY 4.0: 15–59 years
  • PM-NAPS: 14–35 years
  • JSS: 15–45 years
• Emphasis on marginalized sections, women, rural youth, aspirational districts, and the North-East Region.

Key Components of the Restructured Programme

1. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 (PMKVY 4.0)

• Offers NSQF-aligned training via:
  • Short-Term Training (STT)
  • Special Projects (SP)
  • Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
• Introduces 400+ new courses in emerging fields:
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI), 5G, Cybersecurity, Green Hydrogen, Drone Technology.
• Establishment of Skill Hubs in premier institutions (IITs, NITs, JNVs, KendriyaVidyalayas, etc.).
• Focus on international mobility:
  • Mobility Partnership Agreements (MMPAs), joint certifications, and language proficiency training.
• Blended learning models with digital delivery and regional language content.
• Integration with schemes such as PM Vishwakarma, PM Surya GharMuft Bijli Yojana, National Green Hydrogen Mission, and NAL JAL Mitra.
• Adoption of an Ease of Doing Business framework to reduce compliance burdens.

2. Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS)

• Promotes earn-while-you-learn through industry-specific apprenticeships.
• Government support of 25% stipend (up to ?1,500/month per apprentice) via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
• Focus on both traditional and emerging sectors like AI, robotics, blockchain, green energy, and Industry 4.0.
• Encourages participation of MSMEs and enterprises in underserved regions.

3. Jan ShikshanSansthan (JSS) Scheme

• Community-based skilling for economically disadvantaged, rural youth, and women.
• Offers low-cost, flexible, doorstep training for both self-employment and wage-based livelihoods.
• Linked with initiatives such as PM JANMAN, ULLAS, and financial literacy campaigns.
• Also promotes awareness in health, hygiene, gender equality, and education.

Certification and Digital Integration

• All certifications are aligned with the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF).
• Integrated with DigiLocker and the National Credit Framework (NCrF), ensuring:
  • Formal recognition of skills.
  • Horizontal and vertical mobility in education and employment.
• Micro-credential courses (7.5 to 30 hours) and National Occupational Standards (NoS)-based training introduced.

Supporting Schemes and Initiatives

• SANKALP(Skill Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion).
• TEJAS (Skilling for international placement).
• Model Skill Loan Scheme.

Significance of Skill India Programme

• Demographic Dividend: With over 65% of India’s population below 35, the programme is pivotal in transforming potential into productivity.
• Employment & Entrepreneurship: Reduces unemployment through structured training, apprenticeships, and encourages skill-based startups.
• Global Workforce Readiness: Aligns with international standards, enabling Indian workers to access global job markets.
• Technological Preparedness: Equips the youth with skills in futuristic technologies.
• Inclusive Growth: Ensures urban-rural and gender-based equity in skilling access.
• Economic Impact: Supports India's manufacturing, IT, and services sectors, driving GDP growth.

In News:

India has officially surpassed 100 GW of installed solar power capacity as of January 31, 2025, marking a historic milestone in its clean energy journey. This achievement strengthens India’s position as a global leader in renewable energy and signifies major progress toward its ambitious target of 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, as outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy, highlighted this milestone as a testament to India’s energy self-reliance, driven by key initiatives such as solar parks, rooftop solar schemes, and domestic solar manufacturing.

Growth Trajectory and Achievements

• Installed Capacity Growth:
  • From 2.82 GW in 2014 to 100.33 GW in 2025 – a growth of 3450% over a decade.
  • Solar energy now accounts for 47% of India’s total installed renewable energy capacity.
• Capacity Pipeline:
  • 84.10 GW of solar under implementation.
  • 47.49 GW under tendering.
  • Including hybrid and RTC renewable projects, India has 296.59 GW of solar and hybrid projects in total.
• Record Additions in 2024:
  • 24.5 GW solar capacity added, more than double from 2023.
  • 18.5 GW utility-scale installations – a 2.8 times increase from 2023.
  • 4.59 GW of rooftop solar added, a 53% increase over 2023.
• Top States in utility-scale solar growth:Rajasthan, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh.

Solar Manufacturing Boom

• Solar module production capacity has grown from 2 GW (2014) to 60 GW (2024).
• With continued policy support, India is targeting 100 GW of manufacturing capacity by 2030.
• This shift makes India a global hub for solar technology and reduces reliance on imports.

Major Government Initiatives Driving Solar Growth

• National Solar Mission (NSM) (2010):Set long-term targets, with 280 GW of solar capacity by 2030 under its ambit.
• PM SuryaGharMuft Bijli Yojana (2024):
  • A game-changing rooftop solar scheme aiming to empower households with free, clean electricity.
  • Nearly 9 lakh rooftop installations as of early 2025.
• PM-KUSUM Scheme:Promotes solar irrigation pumps and supports farmers with grid-connected solar systems.
• Solar Parks Scheme:Facilitates development of large-scale solar clusters in states to boost capacity.
• Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme:Incentivizes domestic manufacturing of solar PV modules.
• Net Metering Policy:Allows consumers to generate and export surplus solar power to the grid.
• International Solar Alliance (ISA):India-led global initiative fostering solar energy cooperation among solar-rich countries.

Benefits of Solar Energy for India

• Energy Security: Reduces dependence on fossil fuel imports.
• Environmental Gains: Cuts GHG emissions and combats climate change.
• Economic Boost: Millions of jobs created across installation, manufacturing, and maintenance.
• Affordability: Declining PV costs make solar a cost-effective energy source.
• Rural Electrification: Powers remote and off-grid regions, improving livelihoods.

Challenges and the Way Forward

• Land Acquisition: Scarcity of land hinders large-scale solar deployment.
• Grid Integration: Intermittency of solar power stresses the existing power grid.
• Finance & Investment: Scaling up infrastructure and storage requires sustained capital inflow.
• Storage Solutions: Affordable battery storage is essential for reliability and round-the-clock supply.

In News:

A magnitude 7.6 earthquake recently struck the Caribbean Sea southwest of the Cayman Islands, as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey. While no tsunami warning was issued, tremors were felt across the region, and assessments of damage are ongoing.

Geographical and Geopolitical Overview

• The Cayman Islands is a British Overseas Territory located in the western Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba and northwest of Jamaica.
• It comprises three islands:
  • Grand Cayman (largest and most populous)
  • Cayman Brac
  • Little Cayman
• The islands are part of the Cayman Ridge, an underwater mountain range, with the islands themselves being the emergent peaks of this ridgeline.
• Area: Only 264 sq. km
• Capital: George Town, located on Grand Cayman
• Official Language: English
• Currency: Cayman Islands Dollar (KYD)
• Ethnic Composition:
  • Afro-European: 40%
  • African: 20%
  • European: 20%
  • Other: 20%

Seismic and Climatic Features

• The islands are near the Cayman Trench, a deep subduction zone formed by the interaction between the North American and Caribbean Plates.
• Although major earthquakes are rare, the region is seismically active, and moderate to high seismic events are possible, such as the recent 7.6 magnitude quake.
• Climate: Tropical marine with a distinct wet and dry season; vulnerable to hurricanes, especially during the Atlantic hurricane season (June–November).

Ecological Significance

• Known for crystal-clear waters, coral reefs, and white sand beaches, the Cayman Islands are a global hub for marine biodiversity.
• Key ecological features include:
  • Coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves
  • Famous dive sites like the Great Blue Hole and Bloody Bay Wall
• Terrestrial biodiversity is limited due to the islands’ small limestone-based land area, but they are home to endemic species such as the Grand Cayman Blue Iguana, which has recovered from critical endangerment through conservation efforts.

Economic Importance: A Global Financial Hub

• The Cayman Islands is renowned as a major offshore financial center and global tax haven.
• Zero taxation: No corporate, income, or capital gains tax
• Home to:
  • Offshore banks
  • Hedge funds
  • Multinational corporations
• The islands offer a favorable regulatory environment and strict financial confidentiality laws, although they now comply with international transparency norms.

In News:

The Indian Navy’s biennial TROPEX-25is currently underway in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) from January to March 2025.

It is the Indian Navy’s largest maritime exercise, aimed at testing combat readiness and integrated warfighting capabilities across all domains.

About TROPEX

• Full Form: Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise (TROPEX)
• Frequency: Biennial (every two years)
• Lead Agency: Indian Navy
• Participants:
  • Indian Navy (all operational units)
  • Indian Army (IA)
  • Indian Air Force (IAF)
  • Indian Coast Guard (ICG)

Purpose and Strategic Objectives

TROPEX-25 aims to:

• Validate core warfighting skills of the Indian Navy.
• Ensure a synchronised, integrated response across services to defend India’s maritime interests.
• Simulate real-time operations in a contested maritime environment, including conventional, asymmetric, and hybrid threats.
• Enhance jointness, interoperability, and combat synergy among the three armed forces and the Coast Guard.

Duration and Operational Scope

• Timeline: January to March 2025 (Three months)
• Location: Various sectors across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)
• Phases:
  • Harbour Phase: Planning and coordination activities.
  • Sea Phase: Execution of complex naval and joint operations.
  • Joint Work-Up Phase: Includes cyber and electronic warfare, and live weapon firings.
  • AMPHEX (Amphibious Exercise): Integrated amphibious operations.

Key Features

• Integrated Combat Operations: Real-time execution of multi-domain missions
• Cyber and Electronic Warfare: Tactical simulations of modern non-kinetic threats
• Live Weapon Firings: Enhancing target precision and battle readiness
• Inter-Service Jointness: High-level coordination across the Navy, Army, Air Force, and Coast Guard
• Maritime Domain Awareness: Surveillance and security operations over vast maritime stretches

Strategic Significance

• Reinforces India’s commitment to safeguarding maritime sovereignty and strategic interests in the Indian Ocean.
• Enhances forward-deployment strategies, logistics, and sustained operations far from the mainland.
• Demonstrates India’s ability to operate “Anytime, Anywhere, Anyhow” in support of national security.