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India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed five loan agreements worth over $2.2 billion to finance multi-sector development projects. The package supports human capital formation, clean energy transition, urban mobility, healthcare strengthening, and sustainable rural livelihoods.

About the Asian Development Bank (ADB)

• Established: 1966
• Headquarters: Manila, Philippines
• Type: Multilateral development bank
• Members: 69 countries (India is a founding member)
• Voting system: Weighted voting based on capital subscription
• Top shareholders: Japan & USA (~15.6% each), China (~6.4%), India (~6.3%), Australia (~5.8%)
• Mandate: Promote inclusive, environmentally sustainable, and regionally integrated growth in Asia-Pacific

Key Highlights of the $2.2 Billion Loan Package

1. Skilling & Employability – $846 Million

• Supports modernisation of 650 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across 12 states and upgradation of 5 National Skill Training Institutes.

Focus Areas:

• Renewable energy
• Electric mobility
• Advanced manufacturing

Target: Improve employability of 1.3 million youth

2. Rooftop Solar Expansion – $650 Million

Supports Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana

Objectives:

• Rooftop solar for 10 million households by 2027
• Uniform technical standards
• Affordable collateral-free loans for households
• Expands access to clean and affordable energy

3. Assam Tertiary Healthcare Strengthening – $398.8 Million

Project to modernise medical education and tertiary healthcare in Assam.

Institutions to be upgraded:

• Medical colleges in Guwahati
• Dibrugarh
• Silchar

These will serve as centres of excellence under the state health university system.

4. Urban Mobility – Chennai Metro – $240 Million

Supports Tranche 2 of the Chennai Metro Rail Limited project.

Features:

• ~20 km of new corridors (elevated + underground)
• 18 new metro stations
• Universal accessibility features
• Climate-resilient infrastructure for extreme weather

5. Meghalaya Sustainable Livelihoods & Ecotourism – $77 Million

Supports ecotourism + climate-smart agriculture.

Key Outcomes:

• Improve incomes of 8,000+ local beneficiaries
• Focus on women & indigenous communities
• Promote forest conservation and nature-based tourism