PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

Dear Students,

Here I’m sharing with you the PIB and ESI Current Affairs Magazine for RBI Grade B, NABARD Grade A, and
Other Regulatory and Banking Exams. This magazine has been created to meet the current need for exams.
These days, most of the banking and regulatory exams have started asking more and more questions about
banking, finance, and ESI Current Affairs, and this magazine covers them very well. I can assure you that we have
tried our best to provide all the necessary details required so that you don’t have to invest your precious time
searching, eliminating relevant articles, and making notes.

Another important thing that students need to understand is that IBPS sometimes only takes reference to news
available on the PIB website and asks questions based on related information, and for that, additional information
has been provided in the box.

Please find below the answers to the frequently asked questions related to PIB and program policies.

Why Government Schemes are important?

• Government schemes play a very important role in Phase 1 + Phase 2 of RBI Gr B and NABARD Gr A/B,
their weightage is especially high in Phase 2 of both these exams, but in recent years IBPS has started
asking in general awareness of all the banking exams.

How many Questions came in RBI Grade B 2024 from this Magazine?
• In recently conducted RBI Grade B 2024, around 25+ Questions in phase I Exam were from this
Monthly PIB and ESI Current Affairs Magazine and 12 Questions in Phase II ESI Objective and 4
Question in FM Objective were also directly from Magazine.

How this PDF compilation is different from others?

• As you know most of the institutes hire content writer for these things, that content writer can be anyone,
this compilation has been created by me going through each and every article and even I useed this for
myself in exams while I was preparing.

What does RBI Selected Candidates Say about it?

• Many of the Officers of 2022, 2023 and 2024 have followed it and have recommended it. This year in RBI
2024 we had many students who were using this magazine for their exam and they loved every bit of it.
How to Read this PDF?
• As I said earlier PIB is important for Phase I as well as Phase II but in Phase II only specific ministries are
important which relate to the syllabus of Economics and Social Issue, Agriculture and Rural Development
and there are only 14-15 such ministries. So, for these ministries’ updates have been provided Ministry
wise and for rest other such defense etc., news has been kept under Miscellaneous Updates. So, this PDF
has been categorized in Eight parts namely,
I. PM and President in News
II. Cabinet Approvals (Most Important)
III. Programs & Polices under Syllabus Related Ministries
IV. Miscellaneous (PIB Based General News)
V. RBI, SEBI Circulars and News
VI. PIB Explainer Articles

2 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

OUR HALL OF FAME – RBI 2024

Testimonial by Shekhar (RBI Grade B 2024)

Thank you, Brajesh Sir, Thank you so much for everything
You're the one who viewed me dream to become RBI Officer.
Your materials have helped me through the time. Your PIB and GA magazine are top notch. There is no match for
them in the market. And how can I forget the interview time.
I still remember, when I saw that I had my interview on the very first day. I was very confused and afraid. Your help
at that crucial time made me feel confident. Words won't be sufficient for describing what you did for me.
Please always be the same. Always be the light guiding the people in their journey.
Thank you so much Sir.

3 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

Index
Table of Content Page No

PM and President in News 5-22

Cabinet Approvals 23-31

Ministry of Commerce & Industry 32-33

Ministry of Finance 34-37

Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment 38

Ministry of Women and Children Development 38-39

Ministry of Tribal Affairs 39

Agriculture and Rural Development Updates 40-46

Miscellaneous News – General Awareness (PIB Based) 47-64

RBI/SEBI Circulars – July 2025 65-74

PIB Explainers – July 2025 75

Copyright:

© The Study Materials and its content shared part of this course are the copyright of Brajesh Mohan, EduGrade
Learning.

© All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in
any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise, except
as permitted under Section 52 of the Copyright Act, 1957 of India, without prior written permission of Brajesh
Mohan, EduGrade Learning.

*******
No notes could be perfect or completely error free, although tried best to keep it error free but if
you find error or have feel something has been missed then Feel free to Contact me through
Email or Telegram.

Thank You, Brajesh Mohan

(B. Tech (ECE), MA (Economics), B.Ed. (Education)
Founder & Lead Educator – EduGrade Learning
Ex-Educator, Unacademy Plus

4 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

President & PM In News – July 2025

President Confers Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 Awards
• President Draupadi Murmu conferred the 9th edition of the Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 Awards to the
winners at a function in New Delhi on 17th July 2025.
o The function was organized by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
o The Swachh Survekshan was launched by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in 2016
to encourage large-scale participation from citizens of a city to make their city a better place to live.
o More than 4900 cities under the Swachh Bharat Mission Urban (SBM-U) have been surveyed.
o Theme - Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
o A new category of the Super Swachh League has been introduced
o The population criteria of the cities are based on the 2011 population census.
• Super Swachh League Category Award Winners
o Million Plus Cities (having a population of 10 lakhs or more)
▪ Indore (Madhya Pradesh)
▪ Surat (Gujarat)
▪ Navi Mumbai (Maharashtra)
o Big Cities (having a population of 3 lakhs to 10 lakhs)
▪ NOIDA (Uttar Pradesh)
▪ Chandigarh
▪ Mysuru (Karnataka)
o Medium Cities (population of 50,000 to up to 3 lakhs)
▪ Delhi
▪ Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh)
▪ Ambikapur (Chhattisgarh)
o Small Cities (Population 20,000 to 50,000)
▪ Vita (Maharashtra)
▪ Sawad (Maharashtra)
▪ Deolali Pravara (Maharashtra)
o Very Small Cities (Population less than 20,000)
▪ Panchgani (Maharashtra)
▪ Patan (Chhattisgarh)
▪ Panhala (Maharashtra)
• Presidential Awardees: Swachh Shehar in 5 Population Categories Winners
o Million Plus Cities
▪ Ahmedabad (Gujarat)
▪ Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh)
▪ Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh)
o Big Cities (having a population of 3 lakhs to 10 lakhs)
▪ Mira Bhayandar (Maharashtra)
▪ Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh)
▪ Jamshedpur (Jharkhand)
o Medium Cities (population of 50,000 to up to 3 lakhs)
▪ Dewas (Madhya Pradesh)
▪ Karhad (Maharashtra)
▪ Karnal (Haryana)
o Small Cities (Population 20,000 to 50,000)
▪ Panaji (Goa)
5 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com
PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

▪ Aska (Odisha)
▪ Kumhari (Chhattisgarh)
o Very Small Cities (Population less than 20,000)
▪ Bilha (Chhattisgarh)
▪ Chikiti (Odisha)
▪ Shahganj (Madhya Pradesh)
• Ministerial Awardees: Promising Swachh Shehar of States/Union Territories Award Winners
o Sri Vijayapuram (earlier known as Port Blair), Andaman and Nicobar
o Rajahmundry (Andhra Pradesh)
o Jairampur (Arunachal Pradesh)

President Murmu inaugurates Mahayogi Guru Gorakhnath AYUSH University

• President Draupadi Murmu inaugurated the Mahayogi Guru Gorakhnath AYUSH University in
Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, on 2nd July, marking a significant milestone in the advancement of traditional
medicine and medical education in India.
• Addressing the gathering, President Murmu described the university as a modern embodiment of
India’s rich ancient healing traditions.
o Gorakhnath, who likely flourished around the 11th century CE, is regarded as a revered Hindu
yogi and the spiritual founder of the Kanphata yogis, a sect of ascetics known for practicing Hatha
Yoga.
▪ The Kanphata yogis emphasize both physical discipline and spiritual mastery, aligning with
the principles of Hatha Yoga.

President of India unveils the Trophies of Durand Cup Tournament

• President Draupadi Murmu unveiled and flagged the three Durand Cup trophies - the Durand Cup, the
Shimla Trophy, and the President’s Cup- awarded to the winner of the Durand Cup at a function in the
Rashtrapati Bhawan on 4th July 2025.
• It formally marked the commencement of the world’s third-oldest and Asia’s oldest club-based football
tournament, the Durand Cup.
• The FA Cup in England is the world’s oldest club-based football tournament.
• 134h Durand Cup and its Host
o The 134th edition of the Durand Cup will be hosted by five states - West Bengal, Jharkhand, Assam,
Meghalaya, and Manipur at six venues from 23rd July to 23rd August 2025.
o This is the first time that the Durand Cup is being held in five states of India.
o The three trophies will now visit various cities of the hosting states after being flagged off by
President Murmu.
• Teams
o 24 football clubs from India and abroad will participate in the Durand Cup. The domestic teams are
drawn from the Indian Super League (ISL), the I-League, and the Indian Armed Forces and
Paramilitary.
o For the first time, an Indonesian Army team will take part in the tournament.
o 24 teams have been divided into six groups.
• Organizer of the Durand Cup
o Before independence, the British Army organized the Durand Cup, and the first Durand Cup was
held in Shimla in 1888.
o After Independence, the Indian Army was given the responsibility of organising the Durand Cup.
o Until 2013, the tournament was held in Delhi, and from 2014 to 2018 it was held in Goa.
o Since 2019, the Durand Cup has been held in Kolkata and other northeastern states.

6 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

o Since 2019, the Durand Cup has been organized by the Eastern Command of the Indian Army under
the aegis of the All-India Football Federation (AIFF).
• Three Trophies for the Durand Cup winner
o The winner of the Durand Cup tournament is awarded three trophies: the Durand Cup, the Shimla
Trophy, and the President’s Cup.
▪ Durand Cup - the original trophy, which is a rolling trophy (it is not permanently kept by the
winner but passed on to the next winner every year).
▪ Shimla Trophy - Gifted by the people of Shimla in 1904.
▪ President’s Cup- Instituted by President Dr Rajendra Prasad in 1956.
• Winners of the Durand Cup
o The Durand Cup has been named after Mortimer Durand, the Foreign Secretary of British India.
o The border between Afghanistan and Pakistan is named after him as the Durand Line.
o First Indian club to win the Durand Cup: Mohammedan Sporting in 1940.
o Most Successful Team: Mohun Bagan SuperGiant,17 titles.
o Winner of 133rd edition: Northeast United FC

President of India Graces Birth Anniversary Celebrations of Adikabi Sarala Das; Presents Kalinga
Ratna Award 2024
• President participated in the birth anniversary celebrations of Adikabi Sarala Das (15th July 2025) at
Cuttack, Odisha.
o Adikabi Sarala Dasa, originator of Odia literature, was born around the 15th century A.D. He was
the first scholar to write in Odia language.
o In 2014, Odia became the 6th language of the country to get 'classical language' status, after
Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam.
o In 2024, Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali were included in the category of classical
languages.
o Odia is one of the 22 official languages included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
• During the same event, President presented the Kalinga Ratna Award-2024 to Union Education
Minister Dharmendra Pradhan at an event in Cuttack, Odisha.
o The award ceremony was held during the 600th birth anniversary celebrations of Adikabi Sarala Das,
a revered 15th-century Odia poet, organized by the Sarala Sahitya Sansad.
▪ The Kalinga Ratna Award, presented annually by the Sarala Sahitya Sansad, recognizes
individuals who have made significant contributions in the fields of education, literature,
culture, or public service.

PM shares an article on PRS 2024

• Recently, the Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development
Rashtriya Sarvekshan (PARAKH RS), formerly known as the National Achievement Survey (NAS), released its
findings.
• About PARAKH RS
o PARAKH is a national assessment body set up under the National Council of Educational Research
and Training (NCERT) and mandated by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
o Objective: To standardize assessment practices across the states and to provide reliable data on
students’ learning outcomes.
o PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan is undertaken by the Department of School Education and
Literacy, Ministry of Education, Government of India
• 2024 Survey Coverage:
o Assessed over 21 lakh students from 74,229 schools across 781 districts.

7 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

o Subjects included language and mathematics for all grades, “The World Around Us” for Grades 3
and 6, and science and social science for Grade 9.
o 2.7 lakh teachers and school leaders also participated through questionnaires.
• Key Findings of the Survey
o Top Performing States/UTs: Punjab, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman
& Diu, Chandigarh.
o Low Performing Districts:
▪ Grade 3: Sahebganj (Jharkhand), Reasi and Rajouri (J&K)
▪ Grade 6: North, South, and South West Garo Hills (Meghalaya)
▪ Grade 9: Shi Yomi (Arunachal Pradesh), South West and North Garo Hills (Meghalaya).
o Grade-Wise Learning Outcomes:
▪ Grade 3: Only 55% could order numbers up to 99; 54% understood basic
multiplication/division.
▪ Grade 6: 44% identified environmental/social elements; 38% made predictions based on
patterns.
▪ Grade 9: 45% understood the Constitution and national movement; 54% extracted key points
from texts.
• Government Initiatives for Learning Improvement
o National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: Focus on foundational literacy and numeracy by Grade 3;
promotes experiential, competency-based learning, and equitable access to education.
o NIPUN Bharat Mission: Aims for all children to achieve foundational literacy and numeracy by
2026–27 through activity-based learning, teacher training, and parental engagement.
o Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan: Integrated school education scheme aimed at improving quality,
access, and equity from pre-primary to Class 12, with emphasis on inclusive education and gender
parity.
o Digital Initiatives: DIKSHA portal, PM e-Vidya, and SWAYAM for content dissemination, e-
learning modules, and teacher training.
o TALA (Technology-Assisted Learning and Assessment): Encourages the use of AI, adaptive
assessments, and digital tools for improving learning and tracking student progress.

PM welcomes return of Sacred Piprahwa Relics after 127 years

• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi hailed the return of the sacred Piprahwa relics of Bhagwan Buddha
to India after 127 long years, calling it a proud and joyous moment for the nation’s rich cultural heritage.
• Godrej Industries (with government) played a key role in acquiring and repatriating the relics, which
were taken abroad during the colonial era, from Sotheby’s auction house, ensuring their return to India for
display at the National Museum in New Delhi.
• About Piprahwa Relics
o The Piprahwa relics, believed to contain relics of Lord Buddha, were excavated by William Claxton
Peppé in 1898 at the Piprahwa Stupa in Uttar Pradesh, believed to be ancient Kapilvastu, the
birthplace of Lord Buddha.
o They include bone fragments of the Buddha, soapstone caskets, crystal caskets, gemstones, gold
ornaments, and other ritual offerings.
o An inscription in Brahmi script on one casket links the relics directly to Lord Buddha, stating they
were deposited by the Sakya clan.
• Legal Protection of the Relics:
o India classifies the relics as ‘AA’ antiquities (highest level of legal protection).
o Indian law prohibits their sale or export, making any attempt to auction or remove them illegal.
o While most relics were handed over to the Indian Museum, Kolkata, in 1899, descendants of British

8 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

excavator William Claxton Peppé retained some relics like Piprahwa relics.

PM's UK Visit
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his successful visit to the United Kingdom (UK) with the
historic signing of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and an agreement on
deepening defence cooperation.
o To combat economic offence and serious fraud, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Kingdom’s National Crime
Agency.
o Both countries also adopted the India-UK Vision 2035, which will guide and strengthen the
Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries for the next decade.
• Outcome of PM Modi’s visit to the United Kingdom
o Prime Minister Modi was on his fourth official visit to the United Kingdom on 23-24 July 2025. He
was accompanied by External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, Union Commerce and Industry
Minister Piyush Goyal, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, along with an official and business
delegation.
o He met the United Kingdom’s monarch, King Charles III, at the Sandringham Estate, which is the
summer residence of the King.
o He met Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the Chequers Estate, where the historic CETA was signed and
held a discussion on bilateral and global issues.
• India, UK Sign Historic CETA Deal
o India and the United Kingdom (UK) signed the historic Comprehensive Economic and Trade
Agreement (CETA) at Chequers Estate, United Kingdom on 24 July 2025 during the visit of Prime
Minister Narendra Modi.
o The agreement was signed by the Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, and
Jonathan Reynolds, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, United Kingdom.
• When will it be implemented?
o The CETA needs to be ratified by the Cabinet of the Government of India, which it has already done
before the departure of Prime Minister Modi to the United Kingdom.
o The United Kingdom Parliament has to ratify the CETA, and according to experts, it may take around
one year before the process is complete.
o After that, the CETA will come into force on a mutually decided date.
• CETA and Trade Target
o Both the countries have set a target to increase the bilateral trade from the present $23.17 billion in
2024-25 billion to $120 billion by 2030.
o Indian merchandise exports in 2024-25 were $14.55 billion, and imports from the United Kingdom
were $8,607 billion.
o India has consistently enjoyed a trade surplus with the United Kingdom, and it was $5.94 billion in
2024-25.
• Features of the India-UK CETA
o The CETA will liberalize trade in goods and services and also include professional mobility (Indian
professionals working in the United Kingdom and vice versa).
o It reduces tariffs on 99% of Indian exports to the United Kingdom to zero per cent, and similarly,
India will reduce tariffs on the United Kingdom’s goods from 15% to an average of 3%.
o India will reduce tariffs on the United Kingdom’s products, such as whisky, gin, soft drinks,
cosmetics, lamb, and other farm goods.
o India will allow the import of some United Kingdom-made cars at just 10% duty from the earlier
100%.

9 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

o Both countries have also agreed to use digital systems and paperless trade to make customs
clearance easier and the trade process simpler and quicker.
• Benefits to India
o The Indian labor-intensive sectors, such as leather, textiles, footwear, sports goods, toys, marine
products, and gems and jewellery, alongside fast-growing sectors like engineering goods, auto
components, and organic chemicals, will have greater access to the United Kingdom’s market.
o Agriculture Sector
▪ Around 95% of Indian agricultural products, including basmati rice, spices, fresh grapes,
bakery items, nuts, sauces, tea, coffee, and millets, will have access to the United Kingdom at
a zero per cent rate.
▪ It is expected to raise India’s Agri-exports by over 20% over the next three years.
▪ However, the dairy sectors, apples and oats have been excluded from tariff concessions.
o Double Contribution Convention Agreement
▪ A significant feature of the CETA is the Double Contribution Convention.
▪ It grants an exemption for Indian workers working in the United Kingdom and their
employers from contributing to the United Kingdom’s social security system for three years.
Similar benefits will be extended to the United Kingdom’s citizens in India.
▪ Earlier, they had to pay social security contributions in both countries.
▪ The agreement is expected to boost the income of the Indian workers and the company.
o Participation in Government Contract
▪ The Indian companies, in partnership with the local United Kingdom companies, can
participate in the bidding process for government contracts in the United Kingdom.
▪ Similarly, benefits will be available to the United Kingdom’s firms for Indian government
contracts.
• India UK Vision 2035
• Both sides adopted the India-UK Vision 2035 document. The document laid down a roadmap for the next
10 years to strengthen and deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
• It has identified cooperation between the two countries in the areas of economy and growth, defence and
security, technology, innovation, climate action, research and education, health and people-to-people ties.
• Defence Industrial Roadmap for 10 Years
o Both countries adopted a 10-year Defence Industrial Roadmap to promote strategic and defence
industry collaboration through joint development of advanced technologies and complex weapons,
such as the Electric Propulsion Capability Partnership for the Indian Navy and Jet Engine Advanced
Core Technologies for the Air Force.
o They also agreed to upgrade the existing Foreign and Defence 2+2 senior official-level dialogue to
the next higher level.
• MoU between CBI and the National Crime Agency
o The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the
UK’s National Crime Agency to combat instances of economic offence, serious fraud, corruption and
organized crime.
o During his visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Keir
Starmer to extradite economic offenders, including Lalit Modi, Nirav Modi, and Vijay Mallya, from
the United Kingdom to India.

PM Modi visits Maldives

• It was Prime Minister Modi’s third visit to the Maldives, following his visits in November 2018 and
June 2019.
o PM Modi is the first foreign leader to visit the Maldives after President of the Maldives Dr.

10 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

Mohamed Muizzu assumed office in November 2023.

o On his arrival in Male, Maldives, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was received at the Male
airport by Dr Muizzu and his cabinet members and accorded a traditional welcome.
• PM Modi, Guest of Honour
o Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the Guest of Honour at the 60th Independence Day celebration
of Maldives at the Republic Square in Male.
o Independence Day is celebrated annually on 26th July, commemorating the day the Maldives gained
full independence from the British in 1965.
• Inauguration of Indian Aided Projects in Maldives
o PM Modi formally handed over 3,300 social housing units in Hulhumale that were built under the
Indian Buyer's Credit Scheme.
o He also gifted 72 vehicles for the Maldives National Defence Force and immigration authorities.
o Two units of the Indian made Aarogya Maitri Health Cubes (BHISHM) were gifted to the Maldives.
The Aarogya Maitri Health Cubes is the world’s first portable hospital that supports 200 casualties
and sustains six personnel for up to 72 hours.
o Both leaders inaugurated a roads and drainage project in Addu City and six High Impact Community
Development Projects across various cities of the Maldives.
o They also inaugurated the Maldives Ministry of Defence building in Male, which was constructed
with Indian financial assistance.
o Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu planted a mango sapling
in Male as part of India’s ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ (Plant for Mother) initiative and Maldives’s “Pledge
of 5 million Tree Plantation” campaign.
• Release of Commemorative Stamps
o Both leaders released commemorative stamps on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the
establishment of India-Maldives diplomatic relations.
o India established diplomatic relations with the Maldives following its independence from the United
Kingdom on 26 July 1965.
o The stamp depicts the Indian boat Uru and the Maldivian fishing boat - Vadhu Dhoni.
o Uru is a wooden handcrafted dhow crafted in the Beypore boatyard of Kerala.
o Vadhu Dhoni is a traditional Maldivian boat used for fishing in coastal and reef waters.
• Six MoUs between India and the Maldives
o The following are the Agreements and MoUs signed between India and the Maldives.
o Cooperation in the field of fisheries and aquaculture,
o Cooperation in meteorology,
o Cooperation in digital public infrastructure,
o Recognition of the Indian pharmacopoeia in the Maldives, which will ensure the availability of Indian
medicines in the Maldives.
o MoU between National Payment Corporation of India International Limited and the Maldives
Monetary Authority for the implementation of the UPI payment system in the Maldives
o Rs 4850 crore as a loan to the Maldives.
▪ For the first time, India will provide a loan to the Maldives in Indian Rupees.
• Debt Relief for Maldives
o In a relief to the struggling Maldivian economy, both countries signed an agreement that will reduce
the Maldives' loan repayment obligation to India.
o The agreement reduces the annual repayment of Indian loans by the Maldives to $29 million per
year from the previous obligation of $51 million per year.
• About Maldives
o It is an archipelago of coral atolls in the north-central Indian Ocean. Geographically, it belongs to

11 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

the South Asian region.

o It is a maritime neighbour of India with eight-degree channels separating Minicoy Island of
Lakshadweep from the Maldives.
o Capital: Male
o Currency: Rufiyaa
o President: Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

Prime Minister participates in the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the 17th BRICS Summit Meeting being held in the Brazilian city
of Rio de Janeiro on 6 and 7th July 2025.
o Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula Da Silva hosted the Summit Meeting.
o Brazil handed over the Chair of BRICS to India at the end of the Summit, and India will host the
18th BRICS Summit Meeting in 2026.
o Theme of the 17th Summit Meeting was - “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for a More
Inclusive and Sustainable Governance”.
• Who attended the Summit Meeting?
o The Summit meeting was attended by the leaders of all 11 BRICS member countries -Brazil,
Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and
Indonesia.
o Indonesia attended the BRICS Summit Meeting for the first time, having joined the Group in January
2025.
o The Summit was also attended by 10 BRICS partner countries: Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Vietnam,
Nigeria, Malaysia, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Uganda, and Uzbekistan.
• About BRICS
o BRIC was a term coined by Jim O'Neill, Chief Economist at Goldman Sachs, an American
multinational investment bank. He identified Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC) as the most
promising economies of the future.
o For the first time, the BRIC foreign ministers met in New York, the United States, in 2006.
o The First Summit Meeting of the leaders was held in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg in 2009.
o Following the joining of South Africa at the Sanya Summit in China in 2011, the group's name was
changed to BRICS.
o In 2024, five more countries joined BRICS: Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Iran, and
Ethiopia.
o Indonesia joined in 2025 to make the total member countries eleven.
o BRICS Secretariat - BRICS does not have a permanent secretariat or headquarters.

PM's Visit to Brazil

• Prime Minister Modi is on a five-nation State visit to Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil
and Namibia from 2-9 July 2025.
o He will first visit Ghana, then Trinidad and Tobago and then to Argentina. From Argentina, he will
visit Brazil to attend the 17th BRICS Summit and will also be on a bilateral state visit. From Brazil, he
will visit Namibia before returning home on July 9, 2025.
o PM Modi was in Brazil from July 5 to 8, 2025, to attend the 17th BRICS Summit Meeting and his
first bilateral State Visit.
o For the bilateral State visit, PM Modi went to the Brazilian capital, Brasilia, to hold delegation-
level talks with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
o Alvorada Palace is the official residence and office of the President of Brazil.
• PM Modi Conferred Brazil’s Top Honour

12 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

o Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva honoured the visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra
Modi with the country’s highest civilian award - The Grand Collar of the National Order of the
Southern Cross”- in a ceremony in Brasilia on 8th July 2025.
• Bilateral Summit
o This was his fourth visit to Brazil, following his visits in 2014, 2019, and 2024, but this was his first
bilateral visit.
o He visited Brazil to attend the BRICS Summit in 2014 and 2019, as well as the G20 Summit in 2024.
o An Indian Prime Minister visited Brazil for a bilateral State visit after a 57-year gap.
o Indira Gandhi’s visit in 1968 was the first and last bilateral State visit of an Indian Prime Minister
before PM Modi’s visit in 2025.
• India and Brazil Identify Five Pillars of Cooperation
o After the meeting, both leaders issued a joint statement titled "India and Brazil - Two Great Nations
with Higher Purposes."
o The joint statement identified five pillars of cooperation that will define India-Brazil's strategic
partnership for the coming decade.
▪ Defence and Security;
▪ Food and Nutritional Security;
▪ Energy Transition and Climate Change;
▪ Digital Transformation and Emerging Technologies;
▪ Industrial Partnerships in Strategic Areas.
• Six Agreement and MoUs
o Six agreements and MoUs were signed and exchanged between the two countries during PM Modi’s
visit.
▪ Agreement on Cooperation in Combating International Terrorism and Transnational
Organized Crime.
▪ Exchange and Mutual Protection of Classified Information.
▪ MoU on sharing of Successful Large-scale Digital solutions for Digital Transformation
▪ MoU on Renewable Energy.
▪ MoU between EMBRAPA of Brazil and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) for
cooperation in agriculture.
▪ MoU between the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) of India
and the Secretariat of Competitiveness and Regulatory Policy, MDIC of Brazil, for
cooperation in the field of Intellectual Property.
• Trade Target of $20 Billion
o Both sides agreed to increase the bilateral trade between India and Brazil to $20 billion by 2030.
o In 2024-25, the total trade was $12.20 billion.
o Indian imports from Brazil were $5.43 billion. India mainly imports crude oil, soya oil, raw sugar, iron
ore concentrates, etc.
o Indian exports were $6.77 billion. India mainly exports Diesel, Agrochemicals, Pharmaceuticals, and
engineering products.
• About Brazil
o It is the world’s fifth-largest country, both in terms of area and population, and the largest in
South America.
o It encompasses most of the Amazon River basin, which is the largest river basin in the world.
o Brazil was a Portuguese colony, and it became independent in September 1822.
▪ Capital: Brasilia
▪ Currency: Real
▪ Language: Portuguese

13 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

PM's Visit to Argentina

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his historic visit to Argentina with a summit-level meeting
with Argentine President Javier Milei in Buenos Aires on 4-5th July 2025
• After 57 Years, a Bilateral Visit to Argentina
o Three Indian Prime Ministers have visited Argentina. Indira Gandhi in 1968, PV Narasimha Rao in
1995, and Narendra Modi in 2014.
o Only Indira Gandhi’s visit was a bilateral visit. PV Narasimha Rao was in Argentina to attend the G-15
summit meeting in November 2015, and Narendra Modi was in Argentina in 2018 to attend the G-
20 Summit.
o However, the current visit of Narendra Modi was a bilateral visit, marking the first time in 57
years that an Indian Prime Minister had visited Argentina for a bilateral state visit.
• Highlights of PM Modi's Visit to Argentina
o Prime Minister Modi started his official visit by visiting the General José de San Martín
memorial in Buenos Aires.
▪ General San Martin, the liberator of Argentina, Peru and Chile from Spanish colonial
rule, is considered Argentina's Father of the Nation.
o Key of Buenos Aires - In a symbolic welcome to the city of Buenos Aires, the Prime Minister was
conferred the Key to the City of Buenos Aires by Mr. Jorge Macri, Chief of the City Government
of Buenos Aires.
• Delegation-level talk with Argentinian President Javier Milei
o Prime Minister Modi was warmly welcomed at the Casa Rosada by Argentinian President Javier
Milei.
▪ Casa Rosada is the official residence and office of the President of Argentina.
o India and Argentina are celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations.
▪ Both leaders discussed issues of bilateral importance and enhanced cooperation in the fields
of critical minerals, oil and gas, defence, nuclear energy, agriculture, and other areas.
▪ Argentina has one of the world's largest reserves of lithium. Lithium is one of the critical
minerals with extensive use in the renewable energy sector.
▪ Argentina also has the world's second-largest shale gas and fourth-largest shale oil reserves.
▪ India is the 5th largest trading partner of Argentina.
▪ India primarily imports edible oils (such as soybeans and sunflower), pulses, and finished
leather from Argentina.
• About the Republic of Argentina
o It is the eighth-largest country in the world in terms of area and is shaped like an inverted triangle
with the base at the top.
o It is located in South America and derives its name from Argentum, the Latin word for silver.
o The country is blessed with rich grasslands known as the Pampas.
o Capital- Buenos Aires
o Currency- Argentine peso
o President- Javier Milei

PM's Visit to Ghana

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Air India One plane arrived at the Kotoka International Airport in
Accra, Ghana, on 2nd July 2025.
• He was received at the airport by Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama and was accorded 21 21-
gun ceremonial salute.
• It was PM Modi’s first visit to Ghana and was the second Indian Prime Minister to visit Ghana after PV
Narasimha Rao’s visit on 8-9 November 1995.

14 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

• Award
o PM Modi received the ‘'Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana’ honour from President John
Mahama at the Jubilee House in Accra in recognition of his distinguished statesmanship and
influential global leadership.
o He also held delegation-level talks with President John Mahama, where both leaders discussed
bilateral and other issues.
• Four MoUs signed between India and Ghana
o Cultural Exchange Programme
o Between the Ghana Standards Authority and the Bureau of Indian Standards to enhance
cooperation in standardization, certification, and conformity assessment.
o Between the Institute of Traditional & Alternative Medicine, Ghana, and the Institute of Teaching &
Research in Ayurveda, India, to promote collaboration in traditional medicine,
o Setting up a Joint Commission Meeting to institutionalize high-level dialogue between the two
countries.
• Trade
o The total trade between the two countries in 2022-23 was $2873.76 million. India’s imports were $
1,909.59 million, while its exports to Ghana were $964.17 million.
o Gold constitutes about 80 % of India’s imports from Ghana. India exports to Ghana consist of
pharmaceuticals, agricultural machinery, transport vehicles, electrical equipment etc.
o India is Ghana's largest export market.
• About Ghana
o Location - Situated on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea in Western Africa.
o Ghana was formerly known as the Gold Coast due to the abundance of gold found along its coast.
o Its name was changed to Ghana after it gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1957.
o Europeans introduced the cacao tree and its seeds—cocoa beans — to the country, and Ghana is
the second-largest cocoa producer in the world after Côte d'Ivoire.
▪ Capital - Accra
▪ Currency - Ghana Cedi
▪ President - John Mahama

PM's Visit to Trinidad and Tobago

• PM Modi’s official plane, ’Air India One’, landed at the Piarco International Airport in Port of Spain on
3rd July 2025.
• He was accorded a traditional welcome and received by the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago,
Mrs. Kamla Persad-Bissessar and her Cabinet ministers.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the joint session of the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago on 4
July 2024.
• He is the first Indian Prime Minister to address Trinidad and Tobago’s Parliament.
• 1st foreign leader to receive the award of Trinidad and Tobago
o Prime Minister Modi is the first foreign leader to receive ‘The Order of the Republic of Trinidad
& Tobago’ award.
o The award was conferred on him by President Christine Carla Kangaloo at a special ceremony at the
President’s House in Port of Spain on 4 July 2025.
o PM Modi was chosen for this honour for his exemplary statesmanship, championing the priorities of
the Global South (developing countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America), and his role in
strengthening bilateral relationships between the two countries.
• Six Agreements and MoUs
o During his meeting with Mrs. Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held

15 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

delegation-level talks. They agreed to work together for greater solidarity among the countries
of the Global South and to strengthen the India-CARICOM partnership.
o Trinidad and Tobago announced that it will join the Coalition of Disaster Resilient
Infrastructure and Global Biofuel Alliance, promoted by India.
o Six agreements and MoUs were exchanged between the two countries. They are as follows:
▪ MoU on Indian Pharmacopoeia
▪ MoU on Sports
▪ MoU on Diplomatic Training
▪ Re-establishment of two Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Chairs of Hindi and
Indian Studies at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Trinidad and Tobago.
▪ India to provide a grant to Trinidad and Tobago for the Implementation of Quick Impact
Projects in the country.
▪ Cultural Exchanges between the two countries for the period 2025-2028.
• Announcements Made by PM Modi for Trinidad and Tobago
o Upto 6th generation of Indian Diaspora in Trinidad and Tobago will get the Overseas Indian Card
(OCI). Earlier, it was issued up to the 4th generation of the Indian Diaspora.
o Specialized medical treatment to be offered to citizens of Trinidad and Tobago under the ‘Heal in
India’ program.
o India to gift 20 Hemodialysis Units and two (02) Sea ambulances to Trinidad and Tobago
o Geeta Mahotsav is to be celebrated in Port of Spain concurrently with the Geeta Mahotsav
organized in Kurukshetra, Haryana.
o India to train Pandits of Trinidad and Tobago.
o Handing over $1 million worth of Agro-processing machinery.
o India to hold an Artificial Limb Fitment Camp for 800 people of Trinidad and Tobago,
o 2000 laptops gifted by India to school students of Trinidad and Tobago
• India's Relations with Trinidad and Tobago
o Trinidad and Tobago has a large native Indian population brought by the British colonialists to work
as indentured labourers at the sugar plantations.
o The Fatel Razack was the first ship to bring Indians to Trinidad in 1845.
o The country is celebrating the 180th anniversary of the arrival of the Indians.
o Currently, Indians comprise approximately 40 to 45% of Trinidad and Tobago's population.
o Both countries maintain a cordial and friendly relationship, with regular high-level visits taking place.
o Ms. Christine Carla Kangaloo, President of Trinidad and Tobago, was the Chief Guest of the
18th Bhartiya Diwas in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha, in January 2025.
o Trinidad & Tobago is the first country in the Caribbean region to adopt the UPI platform.
• About Trinidad and Tobago
o It is an island country situated in the Caribbean Sea and is part of the West Indies.
o It consists of two major islands, Trinidad and Tobago and a few small islands.
o It became independent from Britain in 1962.
▪ Capital - Port of Spain, located on Trinidad Island.
▪ Currency - Trinidad and Tobago dollar
▪ Prime Minister - Mrs. Kamala Persad-Bissessar

PM's Visit to Namibia

• Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Namibia as the last stop of his five-country visit to connect
with nations in the Global South.
• This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the resource-rich southern African country in nearly 30
years.

16 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

• During the visit, he held bilateral talks with Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and addressed a
joint session of the Namibian Parliament.
• Namibia has also formally joined two key initiatives associated with India: The Coalition for Disaster
Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and the Global Biofuels Alliance.
• During Prime Minister Modi's visit, an agreement has been signed between the two countries in which
Namibia will adopt the UPI system for its domestic payment services. Namibia becomes the first country in
the world to sign a licensing agreement to adopt UPI (Unified Payments Interface) technology.
• Award
o Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded The Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis,
the country’s highest civilian honour, by President Netumbo Nandi‑Ndaitwah.
o This recognition marked his 27th global honour, underscoring India’s growing diplomatic and
strategic ties with African nations.
• Key Agreements Signed
o India and Namibia signed two major Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) during the visit,
▪ One to set up an Entrepreneurship Development Center in Namibia. This centre will help
train young people and support startups.
▪ Another MoU was signed for cooperation in the field of health and medicine. It aims to
improve access to medical services, training, and technology sharing between the two
nations.
• India-Namibia Relations
o India was among the first countries to raise Namibia’s independence at the United Nations in 1946,
extended material and diplomatic support to South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO
led Namibia’s liberation struggle).
o The SWAPO embassy (Namibia’s liberation group) was set up in New Delhi in 1986, with India
giving support through NAM, military training and material help.
o After Namibia’s independence in 1990, India’s mission there became a High Commission, and
Namibia opened its embassy in New Delhi in 1994.
o Sam Nujoma, Namibia’s first President, visited India 11 times and praised India’s help during
the struggle for independence.
o Cheetah Translocation Project: 8 cheetahs translocated from Namibia to India in 2022, marking
the world’s first intercontinental translocation of a major carnivore species.
• About Namibia
o It is a country in Southern Africa. Its western border touches the Atlantic Ocean. To its north, Angola
and Zambia, while Botswana sits to its east. South Africa borders Namibia on both its eastern and
southern sides.
o It is the driest country in sub-Saharan Africa. It has several big deserts, including the Namib, the
Kalahari, the Succulent Karoo, and the Nama Karoo.
o The Welwitschia Mirabilis is Namibia's national plant. It is a very rare and ancient plant that
grows only in the Namib Desert in Namibia and southern Angola. Namibia's highest civilian award,
the "Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis," takes its name from this special plant.
▪ Capital: Windhoek
▪ Currency: Namibian Dollar (NAD)/ Rand
▪ President: Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (First Female President)
▪ Prime Minister: Elijah Ngurare

PM reaffirms government’s unwavering commitment to build a skilled and self-reliant youth force
through the Skill India Mission
• Marking 10 years of Skill India Mission, the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today reaffirmed the

17 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

government’s unwavering commitment to build a skilled and self-reliant youth force through the Mission.
• The 10th anniversary of Skill India Mission was observed on 15th July, World Youth Skills Day.
• The Skill India Mission was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015 to create a trained
workforce in India to meet the needs of the industry and help in the economic development of the country.
• The government of India later launched various schemes to realize the objectives of the Skill India
Mission.
o Three key skilling schemes of the central government - Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0,
Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS), and the Jan Shikshan
Sansthan Scheme have been consolidated into a comprehensive “Skill India Programme”.
• Skill India Programme
• The Skill India programme is being implemented by the Union Ministry of Skill Development and
Entrepreneurship.
• The Outlay for the Skill India Programme from the period 2022-23 to 2025-26 is Rs 8,800 crore.
• Components of the ‘Skill India Programme”
• Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0:
o The Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) was launched by the government of India in
2015.
o The PMKVY scheme has been rebooted by the government depending upon the needs of industry
and the economy.
o The PMKVY 4.0 was announced in the Union Budget of 2023-24 and it is being implemented from 1
April 2022 till 31st March 2026.
o The scheme emphasizes job training, industry partnership, and alignment of courses with the needs
of the industry.
o The PMKVY 4.0 focuses on new-age courses for Industry 4.0 like coding, AI, robotics, mechatronics,
IOT, 3D printing, drones, and soft skills.
• PM National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS)
o The government of India launched the Prime Minister National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme
(NAPS) in August 2016. Presently the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS)-2 is under
implementation.
o The scheme is for individuals aged 14 to 35 years.
o Objectives
▪ To promote apprenticeship training in the country, by providing partial stipend support to
the apprentices engaged under the Apprentice Act, of 1961 by an industry or establishment.
▪ The apprentice during on-job training gains valuable knowledge and the country gets a
skilled workforce.
▪ The government of India provides 25% of the stipend, up to Rs.1,500 per apprentice to the
industry or the established through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
• Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) scheme:
o The Scheme of Jan Shikshan Sansthan was launched as Shramik Vidyapeeth in 1967.
o It was renamed as the Jan Shikshan Sansthan in 2000 and it was transformed from the Union
Ministry of Education to the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in 2018.
o The Jan Shikshan Sansthan is implemented through a network of non-governmental organizations
(NGOs).
o The scheme is a community-centric skilling initiative, to make vocational training accessible, for
women, rural youth, and economically disadvantaged groups and caters to the age group of 15 -45
years of age.
o Objectives
▪ improve the occupational skills and technical knowledge of the non/neo literates and

18 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

persons having a rudimentary level of education up to 8th standard and other school
dropouts beyond 8th standard i.e. up to class 12th.
▪ to raise their efficiency, increase their productive ability, and enhance their livelihood
opportunities.
▪ To identify and promote traditional skills in the districts through skilling/upskilling
▪ To create a pool of master trainers working across the department/agencies of skill
development through a training/orientation programme.
• Other Skilling Programs:
o Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH): Digital platform integrating education, employment, and
entrepreneurship ecosystems, enabling Aadhaar-based tracking and performance-linked payments.
o Skill Hub Initiative (SHI): Integrates vocational education with formal education through school
and college infrastructure.
o PM Vishwakarma Yojana: End-to-end support for traditional artisans including training, credit,
toolkits, and digital marketing.
o Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY): Focuses on diversifying rural
household income and training youth for wage employment.
o Rural Self-Employment and Training Institutes (RSETIs): Bank-led initiative offering residential
entrepreneurial training and credit linkage for rural youth.
• Achievements of Skill India
o Massive Training Outreach: Over 1.6 crore youth have trained under PMKVY since 2015.
o Over 6 crore citizens have been trained across all schemes under the Ministry of Skill Development
and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) since 2014.
o Gender and Social Inclusion: 45% of PMKVY trainees are women, with significant representation
from SCs, STs, and OBCs.
o Sectoral and Technological Expansion: Skill training expanded to include AI, Robotics, IoT,
Mechatronics, and Drone Technology.
o Special Projects: They were designed to include the marginalized sections.
o Examples include training of 2,500 Bru tribes, jail inmates, and Namda craftswomen in J&K.
o Effective Apprenticeship Promotion: Over 43.47 lakh apprentices engaged under PM-NAPS in
partnership with 51,000+ establishments.
o PM Vishwakarma Scheme Performance: Over 2.7 crore applications received and 29 lakhs
registered by July 2025.
• Challenges in Realizing the Vision of Skill India
o Low Placement Rates: Only 42.8% placement rate reported under PMKVY’s Short-Term Training
(STT) component till PMKVY 3.0.
o Digital Divide and Infrastructure Gaps: Limited access to digital resources in rural and remote
regions hinders online skill delivery.
o Industry-Relevance and Curriculum Gaps: Training curricula often lag behind rapidly changing
industry demands in emerging tech sectors.
o Fragmented Implementation: Overlapping schemes and governance structures reduce
coordination and overall efficiency.
o Quality Assurance Deficits: Variations in trainer quality and institutional standards affect skill
outcomes and employability.
• Recent Initiatives to Address Challenges
o Launch of Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH): A unified digital platform linking skilling, education,
employment, and entrepreneurship, with performance-based payments.
o Academic Integration through ABC: Under PMKVY 4.0, Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) allows credit
transfer between skill and formal education.

19 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

o Creation of Centres of Excellence: Two new Centres established at NSTIs in Hyderabad and
Chennai for high-end instructor training in June 2025.
o Focus on Outcome-Based Monitoring: Aadhaar-linked verification, digital certification, and
placement tracking introduced for transparency and accountability.

Prime Minister congratulates eminent personalities nominated to Rajya Sabha by the President of
India
• President Draupadi Murmu has nominated Ujjwal Nikam, C. Sadanandan Master, Harsh Vardhan
Shringla and Dr. Meenakshi Jain as members of the Rajya Sabha for a term of six years from the date
they took oath in the Rajya Sabha.
• A notification to this effect was issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs on 12 July 2025.
• Nominated Members in Rajya Sabha
o According to Article 80 of the Constitution, the total strength of the Rajya Sabha is 250.
o 12 members are nominated by the President of India, having special knowledge or practical
experience in respect of such matters as science, art, literature and social service.
o 238 members are elected by the members of the legislative assembly of 28 states and the three
Union Territories of Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir and Puducherry.
o However, the current strength of the Rajya Sabha is 245, with 233 members representing 28 states
and Union Territories.
o Rajya Sabha or the Council of States is the upper house of the Parliament of India.
o The Rajya Sabha members have a tenure of six years, and one-third of the members retire every two
years. It is a permanent body that the President cannot dissolve.
• About Ujjwal Nikam
o Ujjawal Nikam is a lawyer by profession. He became famous after the Maharashtra government
appointed him as a public prosecutor in the 26/11 terror case. Ten gunmen of Lashkar-e-Taiba, a
Pakistan-based terrorist group, attacked Mumbai on 26 November 2008, in which 174 people were
killed. Ajmal Kasab of Pakistan was the sole surviving terrorist. He was tried in court, convicted and
hanged.
o Ujjawal Nikam was the lawyer of the Maharashtra government who secured Ajmal Kasab's
conviction.
o He contested the 2024 Lok Sabha election from the Mumbai North Central seat on the BJP ticket,
which he lost.
• C. Sadanand Master
o He is a BJP leader from Kerala, and in 1994, both his legs were chopped off by Communist Party of
India (Marxist) cadre. Sadanand Master is a teacher and a social activist. He has been nominated for
his social work and for his contribution to society.
• Harsh Vardhan Shringla
o Harsh Vardhan Shringla, a Gorkha from the Darjeeling Hills in West Bengal, is a former Indian
Foreign Service officer who served as Indian Foreign Secretary from 2020 to 2022.
o He served as the chief coordinator of India’s G-20 presidency in 2023 and was also the Indian
Ambassador to the United States from 2019 to 2020.
o During his ambassadorship, he played a crucial role in organising the “Howdy Modi” event held in
Texas in 2019.
• Dr Meenaskhi Jain
o Dr Meenakshi Jain is a scholar, researcher and historian. She was an Associate Professor of history at
Gargi College, University of Delhi.
o She has authored many books on Indian religion and civilization and is presently a Senior Fellow of
the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR).

20 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

o Her scholarly works are focused on cultural and religious developments in medieval and early
modern India.
o She was honoured with Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, by the government of India
in 2020.

Prime Minister lauds the inscription of ‘Maratha Military Landscapes of India’ on the UNESCO
World Heritage List
• At the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC), India’s official nomination for the 2024-25
cycle, the Maratha Military Landscapes, is inscribed on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage List.
o This makes it India’s 44th World Heritage Site, following the 2024 inscription of the Moidams
of Charaideo, Assam.
• What is the Maratha Military Landscape?
o The Maratha Military Landscapes of India include 12 major forts, mostly in Maharashtra and one in
Tamil Nadu, built or expanded between the late 17th and early 19th centuries.
o Strategically located in coastal and hilly areas, the forts formed a strong defence system that
supported Maratha military power, trade, and territorial control.
o 12 Major Forts:
▪ Maharashtra: Salher, Shivneri, Lohgad, Khanderi, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg,
Panhala, Vijaydurg, Sindhudurg
▪ Tamil Nadu: Gingee Fort
• UNESCO World Heritage
o UNESCO, through the 1972 World Heritage Convention, helps countries identify and protect cultural
and natural heritage sites. India joined the Convention in 1977 (a total of 196 countries have ratified
the 1972 World Heritage Convention).
o Every year, each State Party may propose just one site for consideration of the World Heritage
Committee for inscription to the World Heritage List.
o India ranks 6th globally and 2nd in the Asia-Pacific for the highest number of World Heritage
Sites. With 62 sites on its Tentative List of the World Heritage, which is a mandatory threshold
for any site to be considered as a World Heritage property in future.
o To be included on the World Heritage List, sites must be of outstanding universal value and
meet at least one out of ten selection criteria.
▪ The nominated site is independently evaluated by the International Council on Monuments
and Sites (ICOMOS) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
▪ Final decision on its inscription is made by the World Heritage Committee (India is a
member from 2021-25).

Prime Minister congratulates Divya Deshmukh on becoming FIDE Women's World Chess Champion
2025
• 19-year-old International Master Divya Deshmukh of Maharashtra became the first Indian chess player to
win the FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup title by beating compatriot Grandmaster (GM) Koneru Humpy 1.5–
0.5 in the tiebreaks.
• With this win, Divya Deshmukh also became the 88th Indian chess GM and the fourth woman to earn
a GM norm
• The FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup 2025 was held at Batumi in Georgia from 6 -28 July 2025. The
World Cup was played in the classical chess format.
• The top three players in the World Cup were to qualify for the 2026 FIDE Women’s Candidate
Tournament.

21 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

• With the win, Divya also secured a prize money of $50,000 (approximately Rs 41.6 lakh), while Humpy
took home $35,000 (approximately Rs 29.1 lakh).
• 88th Chess Grandmaster of India & 4th Women
o Divya Deshmukh also became the 88th Indian and fourth woman chess player to earn the coveted
GM title.
o Koneru Humpy was the first Indian woman to earn the GM title in 2002, followed by Harika
Dronavalli (2011) and R. Vaishali in 2023.
o The 87th GM was A Ra Harikrishnan of Tamil Nadu, who achieved this norm in July 2025 at the
La Plagne International Chess Festival in France.
o Viswanathan Anand was the first Indian to get the GM norm in 1988.
o Grandmaster or GM norm is the highest title in Chess, and it is awarded to a player who has earned
three international norms and 2500 Elo rating points in Standard or Classical Chess.
o Another way to obtain the GM norm is by winning specific Elite Tournament titles recognised by
FIDE, including the FIDE Women’s World Cup.
o Thus, Divya Deshmukh got the GM norm after winning the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 title.
• 2026 FIDE Women’s Candidate Tournament
o Three top players from the FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup 2025 - GM Divya Deshmukh, GM
Koneru Humpy and former Chinese World Champion Tan Zhongyi have qualified for the 2026 FIDE
Women’s Candidate Tournament.
o Eight players will play in the 2026 FIDE Women’s Candidate Tournament, and the winner of the
Tournament will take on the current Women's Chess Champion, GM Ju Wenjun of China, to decide
the next FIDE Women's Chess World Champion.
• About FIDE
o FIDE, the International Chess Federation, governs the sport of chess worldwide.
o Members: 201 countries national chess federations.
o Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland
o President: Arkady Dvorkovich

Prime Minister condoles the passing of Shri Meghnad Desai

• Lord Meghnad Desai, a “multifaceted personality”, eminent economist, holder of India’s third-highest
civilian honour, and a member of the United Kingdom’s House of Lords has passed away on Tuesday
(July 29, 2025), at the age of 85.
• Lord Meghnad Desai: Academic and political journey
o Desai, who was born in Vadodara in 1940, completed his PhD in economics from the University of
Pennsylvania in 1963. In 1991, he was appointed to the House of Lords as a Peer for the Labour
Party. The Indian government recognized his contributions by awarding him the Pravasi Bharatiya
Puraskar in January 2004, followed by a Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian Honours, in
2008.
o Desai moved to London in 1965 and began teaching at the prestigious London School of
Economics. Over time, he rose to become a full professor and was later honoured as professor
emeritus.
o Meghnad Desai authored several books, not only on economics but on a wide range of other topics.
His most recent publication, released in 2022, was titled The Poverty of Political Economy: How
Economics Abandoned the Poor.
o In 2004, he also wrote a biography of legendary actor Dilip Kumar, called Nehru's Hero: Dilip
Kumar in the Life of India. He also wrote, until recently, a weekly column for The Indian Express
newspaper tilted 'Out of My Mind'.

22 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

Prime Minister condoles the passing of former Kerala CM Shri VS Achuthanandan

• Former Kerala Chief Minister and veteran CPM leader VS Achuthanandan passed away after a prolonged
illness and hospitalization in Thiruvananthapuram.
• In 2006, he led the CPM led Left Democratic Front to victory and served as the Chief Minister of Kerala till
2011.
• A lifelong campaigner for social justice and workers' rights, Achuthanandan was one of the last surviving
members of the group that founded the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in 1964, following the vertical
split in the undivided Communist Party.

Vice-Presidential Election 2025

• The Election Commission of India, under Article 324 of the Constitution of India, is mandated to conduct
the election to the office of the Vice-President of India.
• As per Article 66(1) of the Constitution, the Vice-President of India is elected by an Electoral College
comprising the elected members of the Rajya Sabha, nominated members of the Rajya Sabha and the
elected members of the Lok Sabha.
• The election for the post of VP would be conducted on 9th September.

Cabinet Approvals – July 2025

Cabinet Approves Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme

• The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the Employment
Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme to support employment generation, enhance employability and social
security across all sectors, with special focus on the manufacturing sector.
• Under the Scheme, while the first-time employees will get one month’s wage (up to Rs 15,000/-), the
employers will be given incentives for a period to two years for generating additional employment,
with extended benefits for another two years for the manufacturing sector.
• The ELI Scheme was announced in the Union Budget 2024-25 as part of PM’s package of five schemes to
facilitate employment, skilling and other opportunities for 4.1 Crore youth with a total budget outlay of Rs 2
Lakh Crore.
• The Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme, will come into effect from 1st August 2025 as the “PM
Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY)”.
• What is Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme?
o With an outlay of Rs 99,446 Crore, the ELI Scheme aims to incentivize the creation of more than 3.5
Crore jobs in the country, over a period of 2 years. Out of these, 1.92 Crore beneficiaries will be first
timers, entering the workforce.
o The benefits of the Scheme would be applicable to jobs created between 01 August 2025 and 31
July, 2027.
• Components of Scheme
• The Scheme consists of two parts with Par A focused on first timers and Part B focused on
employers:
o Part A: Incentive to First Time Employees:
▪ Targeting first-time employees registered with EPFO, this Part will offer one-month EPF wage
up to Rs 15,000 in two installments.
▪ Employees with salaries up to Rs 1 lakh will be eligible.
▪ The 1st installment will be payable after 6 months of service and the 2nd installment will be
payable after 12 months of service and completion of a financial literacy programme by the

23 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

employee.
▪ To encourage the habit of saving, a portion of the incentive will be kept in a savings
instrument of deposit account for a fixed period and can be withdrawn by the employee at a
later date.
▪ The Part A will benefit around 1.92 crore first time employees.
o Part B: Support to Employers:
▪ This part will cover generation of additional employment in all sectors, with a special focus
on the manufacturing sector.
▪ The employers will get incentives in respect of employees with salaries up to Rs 1 lakh.
▪ The Government will incentivize employers, up to Rs 3000 per month, for two years, for each
additional employee with sustained employment for at least six months.
▪ For the manufacturing sector, incentives will be extended to the 3rd and 4th years as well.
▪ Establishments, which are registered with EPFO, will be required to hire at least two
additional employees (for employers with less than 50 employees) or five additional
employees (for employers with 50 or more employees), on a sustained basis for at least six
months.
• The incentive structure will be as under:
EPF Wage Slabs of Additional Employee Benefit to the Employer (per additional
(in employment per month)
Up to Rs 10,000* Upto Rs 1,000
More than Rs 10,000 and up to Rs 20,000 Rs 2,000
More than Rs 20,000 (upto salary of Rs 1 Rs 3,000
Lakh/month)

o Incentive Payment Mechanism:

▪ All payments to the First Time Employees under Part A of the Scheme will be made
through DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) mode using Aadhar Bridge Payment System
(ABPS).
▪ Payments to the Employers under Part B will be made directly into their Permanent
Account Number-linked Accounts.

Major Employment Generation Schemes in India

1. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS)

• Act Passed: 2005
• Cost Sharing: Central: State = 90:10
• Target Group: All rural households; priority for women (at least 1/3rd of wage seekers)
• Unemployment Allowance:
• ≥ 1/4 of wage rate for first 30 days
• ≥ 1/2 of wage rate for remaining period
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD)
• Objective: Guarantees 100 days of wage employment per year for rural households

2. Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP)

• Launch Year: 2008
• Objective: Credit-linked subsidy for self-employment in micro-enterprises (non-farm sector)
• Nodal Agency: Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC)

24 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

• Eligibility:
o Indian citizens
o Age 18–35 years (General); 18–40 years (SC/ST/OBC/PH/Women)

3. Rural Self-Employment and Training Institutes (RSETIs)

• Launch Year: 2009
• Objective: Skill training and infrastructure support for rural youth entrepreneurship
• Funded By: Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD)
• Eligibility: Rural youth

4. Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM)

• Launch Year: 2011 (restructured in 2016)
• Objective: Sustainable self-employment and wage employment through financial assistance
• Nodal Ministry: MoRD
• Eligibility: Rural poor households, especially women, SHGs, vulnerable communities
• Subcomponent: Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY)

5. Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM)

• Launch Year: 2013
• Objective: Alleviate urban poverty via access to self-employment and skill-based jobs
• Nodal Agency: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
• Eligibility: Urban poor (women, street vendors, unemployed youth, etc.)

6. National Career Service (NCS) Project

• Launch Year: 2015
• Objective: Job matching, career counselling, vocational guidance, skill development info
• Nodal Agency: Ministry of Labour and Employment
• Eligibility: Job seekers and employers across all sectors

Cabinet Approves Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme

• Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the Research
Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme with a corpus of Rs. One lakh Crore.
o Recognizing the critical role that the private sector plays in driving innovation and
commercializing research the RDI Scheme aims to provide long-term financing or refinancing
with long tenors at low or nil interest rates to spur private sector investment in RDI.
o It is an initiative of the Ministry of Science and Technology to boost private sector investment
in basic and applied research to drive the development of innovative technologies and products.
• Why does India need this RDI Scheme?
o India's spending on research and development (R&D) has been quite low, about 0.64% of its
GDP, while countries like the US, China, and Israel spend much more, often over 2% or even 5%.
▪ Gross Expenditure on R&D (GERD): Consistently increased over the years and has more
than doubled from Rs. 60,196.75 crore in 2010–11 to Rs. 127,380.96 crore in 2020–21.
▪ GERD is mainly driven by the Government sector: Central Government (43.7%), State
Governments (6.7%), Higher Education (8.8%) & Public Sector Industry (4.4%).
▪ Low R&D Spending by Private Sector: India’s industry invests only 0.2% of GDP in R&D,
far below the US (2.7%), South Korea (3.9%), and UK (2.1%), as many businesses priorities
short-term gains over long-term research.

25 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

o India’s R&D spending is significantly lower than advanced economies like the US (3.46%), Japan
(3.30%), Israel (5.56%), and South Korea (4.93%).
o In India, the government funds most of the R&D, while in advanced countries, private companies
contribute over 50%.
• What are the main objectives of the RDI Scheme?
o Encourages private companies to increase their research, development, and innovation efforts. This
focuses on "sunrise sectors" (new, high-growth industries) and other areas crucial for India's
economic security and self-reliance.
o Supports transformative projects that are already quite developed (at higher "Technology Readiness
Levels" or TRLs), meaning they are closer to becoming useful products.
o Helps India to buy important or strategic technologies from outside.
o Create a special "Deep-Tech Fund of Funds", to support startups and companies working on
advanced technologies.
• How will the RDI Scheme be managed and implemented?
o Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) is the main governing body overseeing the
scheme. The ANRF Act of 2023 established it, which replaced the older Science and Engineering
Research Board (SERB).
o Governing Board => The Prime Minister chairs this board. It provides the overall strategic direction
for the RDI Scheme.
o Executive Council (EC) => Approves the scheme's detail rules, suggests who should manage the
funds at the next level, and defines what kinds of projects in sunrise sectors can get funding.
o Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS) => Led by the Cabinet Secretary, this powerful group
approves major changes to the scheme, decides on specific sectors and project types, and reviews
how the scheme performs.
o The Department of Science and Technology (DST) serves as the main government department
responsible for putting the RDI Scheme into action.
• Special Purpose Fund (SPF)
o A Special Purpose Fund (SPF) within the ANRF will serve as the custodian of funds, distributing
mainly long-term concessional loans to second-level fund managers.
o These managers will finance R&D projects through low or zero-interest loans, offer equity
support for start-ups, and may contribute to Deep-Tech or other RDI-focused Funds of Funds (FoFs).
• How will the RDI Scheme provide Funds for projects?
o First Level: Special Purpose Fund (SPF) => The ANRF creates a Special Purpose Fund. This fund
holds ₹1 lakh crore. The government provides this money to the ANRF as a 50-year interest-free
loan.
o Second Level: Fund Managers => The SPF then provides funds to different "second-level fund
managers." These managers can be Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs), Non-Banking Financial
Companies (NBFCs), or other organizations. They are the ones who directly provide funds to R&D
projects.
o Financing in the form of equity may also be done, especially in case of startups. Contribution to
Deep-Tech Fund of Funds (FoF) or any other FoF meant for RDI may also be considered.
o Funds will be provided only to products with a certain level of development and market
potential, including high-risk TRL-4 (Technological Readiness Level -4) projects that often lack
financial support.
• How does the TRL-4 condition affect R&D inclusivity?
o Excludes Early-Stage Fundamental Research: The requirement of Technology Readiness Level-4
(TRL-4) support means only projects with demonstrated application potential are eligible. This
excludes TRL-1 to TRL-3 projects, which involve basic, foundational research. Eg: A university lab

26 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

studying the quantum behavior of materials may be denied funding despite its long-term potential.
o Narrows Innovation Pipeline: Focusing only on mid-to-late-stage research limits the scope for high-
risk, high-reward innovation, which often begins at lower TRLs. This curbs diverse and disruptive
innovations from entering the ecosystem. Eg: Internet and GPS started as risky low-TRL military
projects—India might miss such breakthroughs by ignoring early research.

Cabinet approves the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana

• The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved the “Prime Minister Dhan-
Dhaanya Krishi Yojana” for a period of six years, beginning with 2025-26 to cover 100 districts.
o Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana draws inspiration from NITI Aayog’s Aspirational
District Programme and first of its kind focusing exclusively on agriculture and allied sectors.
o The Scheme aims to enhance agricultural productivity, increase adoption of crop diversification and
sustainable agricultural practices, augment post-harvest storage at the panchayat and block levels,
improve irrigation facilities and facilitate availability of long-term and short-term credit.
o The Scheme will be implemented through convergence of 36 existing schemes across 11
Departments, other State schemes and local partnerships with the private sector.
• Background of Scheme
o Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman while presenting the Union Budget on February 1
announced the launch of the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDKY).
o “Motivated by the success of the Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP), our government will
undertake a PMDKY in around 100 districts in partnership with States,” Sitharaman had said
while announcing the programme.
▪ ADP was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January 2018. The programme
aimed to quickly and effectively transform 112 of the most under-developed districts across
India, based on 3 Cs — Convergence (of Central and State schemes), Collaboration (of
Central and State level nodal officers, and District Collectors), and Competition (among
districts through monthly delta ranking).
• The ranking is based on the incremental progress made across 49 Key Performance
Indicators under 5 broad socio-economic themes: Health & Nutrition, Education,
Agriculture & Water Resources, Financial Inclusion & Skill Development and
infrastructure.
• Districts to be covered
o PMDKY will cover 100 districts based on three broad parameters: low productivity, moderate
crop intensity, and below-average credit parameters, Sitharaman had said.
o 100 districts will be identified based on three key indicators of low productivity, low cropping
intensity, and less credit disbursement.
▪ The number of districts in each state/UT will be based on the share of Net Cropped Area and
operational holdings. However, a minimum of 1 district will be selected from each state.
▪ Cropping intensity is a measure of how efficiently land is used, and it is defined as the
percentage of the gross cropped area to the net area sown. In simple words, the cropping
intensity indicates the number of crops grown on a piece of land in an agricultural year (July-
June).
o At the all-India level, the cropping intensity was recorded at 155% in 2021-22, although the
figure greatly varied from state to state. Cropping intensity was only 111% in 1950-51.
o The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, in collaboration with NABARD and the
Department of Financial Services, will identify these districts based on data analysis of farm
credit, cropping intensity, and land productivity.
• Monitoring and Implementation

27 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

o Committees will be formed at District, State and National level for effective planning,
implementation and monitoring of the Scheme.
o A District Agriculture and Allied Activities Plan will be finalized by the District Dhan Dhaanya Samiti,
which will also have progressive farmers as members.
o The District Plans will be aligned to the national goals of crop diversification, conservation of water
and soil health, self-sufficiency in agriculture and allied sectors as well as expansion of natural and
organic farming.
o Progress of the Scheme in each Dhan-Dhaanya district will be monitored on 117 key Performance
Indicators through a dashboard on monthly basis.
o NITI will also review and guide the district plans.
o Besides Central Nodal Officers appointed for each district will also review the scheme on a regular
basis.
• According to the finance minister, the program has the following five objectives:
1. Enhancing agricultural productivity;
2. Adopting crop diversification and sustainable agriculture practices;
3. Augmenting post-harvest storage at the panchayat and block level;
4. Improving irrigation facilities; and
5. Facilitating availability of long-term and short-term credit.
• Financial Support and Convergence of Existing Schemes
o PMDKY does not have a standalone budget allocation but will be funded through the convergence
of existing agricultural schemes under:
▪ Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare
▪ Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
• Rural Prosperity and Resilience Programme
o To address underemployment in agriculture, the government has introduced a multi-sectoral
Rural Prosperity and Resilience Programme. This will focus on:
▪ Skilling rural youth & farmers
▪ Investments in agricultural infrastructure
▪ Technology-driven solutions for higher farm output
▪ Encouraging rural entrepreneurship
• Additional Measures under PMDKY
o Aatmanirbharta in Pulses
▪ A new six-year mission for self-sufficiency in pulses will focus on crops like Tur, Urad,
and Masoor. Strategies include:
• Developing climate-resilient seeds
• Enhancing protein content in pulses
• Ensuring procurement and remunerative prices
• NAFED and NCCF will buy pulses from farmers under guaranteed agreements for the
next four years.
• Comprehensive Programme for Vegetables & Fruits
• A new initiative will support increased production, better supply chains, and processing of
vegetables and fruits.
• Focus will be on promoting Shree-Anna (millets) for better nutrition.
o Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and cooperatives will play a key role.
• Grameen Credit Score for Financial Inclusion
o Public Sector Banks (PSBs) will introduce a Grameen Credit Score framework.
o This will help Self-Help Group (SHG) members and rural farmers access affordable loans.

28 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

Cabinet approves total outlay of Rs 6520 crore for ongoing Central Sector Scheme
PMKSY
• The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved a total outlay of
Rs.6520 crore including additional outlay of Rs.1920 crore for ongoing Central Sector Scheme "Pradhan
Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana" (PMKSY) during 15th Finance Commission Cycle (FCC) (2021-22 to 2025-26).
• Approval includes:
o Rs.1000 crore to support setting up of 50 Multi Product Food Irradiation Units under the
component scheme-Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure (ICCVAI)
▪ The implementation of the proposed 50 multi-product food irradiation units is expected to
create total preservation capacity ranging from 20 to 30 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) per
annum, based on the type of food products irradiated under these units.
▪ 100 Food Testing Labs (FTLs) with NABL accreditation under the component scheme – Food
Safety and Quality Assurance Infrastructure (FSQAI) of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada
Yojana (PMKSY)
▪ The setting up of the proposed 100 NABL-accredited food testing laboratories under private
sector will lead to the development of advanced infrastructure for testing food samples,
thereby ensuring compliance with food safety standards and supply of safe foods.
o Rs.920 crore, for sanctioning projects under various component schemes of PMKSY during the
15th FCC.
• About PMKSY Scheme
o Initial Launch: In 2017, it was launched as SAMPADA (Scheme for Agro-Marine Processing and
Development of Agro-Processing Clusters) with Rs. 6000 crores. Then, renamed as Pradhan Mantri
Kisan SAMPADA Yojana.
o Ministry Implemented: This scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries
(MoFPI)
o Aim: The scheme aims to modernize infrastructure from farm gate to retail outlet, enhance farmer
incomes, reduce wastage, and boost food processing and exports.
o Components: The PMKSY had seven component schemes, (i) Mega Food Parks, (ii) Integrated Cold
Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure, (iii) Infrastructure for Agro-Processing Clusters, (iv) Creation
of Backward and Forward Linkages, (v) Creation/Expansion of Food Processing & Preservation
Capacities, (vi) Food Safety and Quality Assurance Infrastructure and (vii) Human Resources and
Institutions.
o Components (i), (iv), (vi) and (vii) are discontinued in the 15th FCC except for committed
liabilities.
o Extension: The scheme was extended in 2020-21, and continues till 31 March 2026.

Centre Approves ₹2,000 Crore NCDC Grant to Boost Rural Cooperatives

• The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the Central Sector
Scheme “Grant in aid to National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC)” with an outlay of
Rs.2000 crore for a period of four years from 2025-26 to 2028- 29 (Rs.500 crore each year from FY
2025-26).
o On the basis of grant in aid of Rs.2000 crore to NCDC from FY 2025-26 to FY 2028-29, NCDC
will be able to raise Rs.20,000 crore from open market over a span of four years.
o These funds will be utilized by NCDC for granting loans to Cooperatives for setting up new projects
/ expansion of plants and loan for meeting the working capital requirements.
• Financial implications:
o The source of finance of Rs.2000 crore (Rs.500 crore each year from FY 2025-26 to FY 2028-29) grant
to NCDC shall be through budgetary support from Government of India.
29 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com
PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

o On the basis of grant in aid of Rs.2000 crore to NCDC from FY 2025-26 to FY 2028-29, NCDC will be
able to raise Rs.20,000 crore from open market over a span of four years.
• Benefits:
o Approximately 2.9 crore members of 13,288 Cooperative societies of various sectors like Dairy,
Livestock, Fisheries, Sugar, Textile, Food Processing, Storage and Cold Storage; Labour and Women
led cooperatives. across the country are likely to get benefitted.
• Implementation strategy and targets:
o NCDC will be the executing agency for this scheme for the purpose of disbursement, follow up,
monitoring of implementation of project, and recovery of loan disbursed out of the fund.
o NCDC will provide loans to cooperatives either through state government or directly, as per NCDC
guidelines. Cooperatives, which are meeting the criteria of direct funding guidelines of NCDC would
be considered for financial assistance directly against admissible security or state government
guarantee.
o NCDC will provide loans to cooperatives, long term credit for setting up/ modernization/ technology
upgradation/ expansion of project facilities for various sectors and working capital to run their
businesses efficiently and profitably.
• Background:
o The cooperative sector is contributing immensely to the Indian economy.
o The cooperatives in India cover a wide array of activities, including credit and banking, fertilizer,
sugar, dairy, marketing, consumer goods, handloom, handicraft, fisheries, housing, etc.
o India has more than 8.25 lakh cooperatives with more than 29 crore members and 94 percent
farmers are associated with cooperatives in some form or the other.

Cabinet approves National Sports Policy 2025

• The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved the the National Sports
Policy (NSP) 2025, a landmark initiative aimed at reshaping the country’s sporting landscape and
empowering citizens through sports.
• The new policy supersedes the existing National Sports Policy, 2001, and lays out a visionary and
strategic roadmap to establish India as a global sporting powerhouse and a strong contender for excellence
at international sporting events, including the 2036 Olympic Games.
• Pillars of the NSP or the Khelo Bharat Niti, 2025
o Excellence on Global Stage: Strengthen sports programs from grassroots to elite levels, enhance
capacity and governance of National Sports Federation, etc.
o Economic Development: Promoting the economic potential of sports through sports tourism,
promoting Start up and entrepreneurship, etc.
o Social Development: Ensuring social inclusion through the participation of women, weaker
sections, etc.
o Sports as a People’s Movement: Driving mass participation, promoting a culture of fitness, universal
access to sports facilities, etc.
o Integration with National Education Policy 2020: By integrating sports into school curricula,
specialized training for teachers, etc.
• Sports for Economic Development
o NSP 2025 recognizes the economic potential of sports and seeks to:
o Promote sports tourism and attract major international events to India.
o Strengthen the sports manufacturing ecosystem, and promote startups and entrepreneurship in the
sector.
o Encourage private sector participation through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) and innovative funding initiatives.

30 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

Renewables boost: NTPC can now invest Rs 20,000 crore, NLC India Rs 7,000 crore
after Cabinet approval
• In a major move to boost public investment in India’s renewable energy sector, the Union Cabinet has
approved state-owned NTPC Ltd to invest up to Rs 20,000 crore in its subsidiary NTPC Green Energy
Ltd, an amount earlier limited to Rs 7,500 crore.
• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Wednesday also made certain exemptions to
allow NLC India Ltd to invest Rs 7,000 crore in its subsidiary NLC India Renewables Limited (NIRL).
• NTPC Investment Plan
o The enhancement of NTPC’s investment limit in its subsidiary NTPC Green Energy comes months
after the latter launched its initial public offering (IPO) in November 2024, with an issue size of Rs
10,000 crore.
o Currently, NTPC Green Energy has a portfolio of roughly 32 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy
assets, of which 6 GW is operational, 17 GW has been awarded, and another 9 GW is in the pipeline.
o NTPC, India’s largest player in the thermal sector under the Ministry of Power, aims to add 60 GW of
renewables by 2032.
• About NLC
o NLC India, a central public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Coal, is primarily engaged in
mining lignite used as feedstock in thermal plants.
o Lately, it has ventured into renewables too, with an installed capacity of 2 GW.
o The CCEA’s decision will allow it to infuse Rs 7,000 crore as capital in its renewables subsidiary NIRL
as part of its bid to expand its installed portfolio to 10.11 GW by 2030 and 32 GW by 2047.

*******

31 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

Ministry of Commerce & Industry

Government Strengthens Startup Ecosystem Through Fund of Funds, Seed Fund Support, and
Credit Guarantee Fund Under Startup India
• The Government with an intent to build a strong ecosystem for nurturing innovation, startups and
encouraging investments launched the Startup India initiative on 16th January 2016.
• Under the Startup India initiative, the Government is implementing three flagship Schemes, namely, Fund of
Funds for Startups (FFS), Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) and Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups
(CGSS) to support startups at various stages of their business cycle.
• Flagship Schemes under Startup India:
o Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS): A Rs 10,000 crore fund to provide early-stage funding support.
FFS has been established to catalyze venture capital investments and is operationalized by Small
Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), which provides capital to Securities and Exchange
Board of India (SEBI)-registered Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) which in turn invest in startups.
o Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS): SISFS offers financial assistance to startups for proof of
concept, prototype development, and product trials. SISFS is implemented from 1st April 2021. As
on 30th June 2025, Rs. 945 crores have been approved to 219 incubators selected under the
Scheme.
o Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS): CGSS facilitates collateral-free loans to startups
to ensure access to credit. CGSS is operationalized by the National Credit Guarantee Trustee
Company (NCGTC) Limited and has been operationalized from 1st April 2023. As on 30 th June
2025, 289 loans amounting to Rs. 667.85 crore have been guaranteed for startup borrowers.
o Startup Intellectual Property Protection (SIPP): SIPP provides startups with assistance in patent
filing, trademark registration, and Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) protection at reduced costs.
• Other Initiatives Under Startup India
o Bharat Startup Knowledge Access Registry (BHASKAR) platform launched in 2024, connects
entrepreneurs, investors, mentors, policymakers, and other startup ecosystem players on a single
platform.
o MAARG mentorship platform to facilitate intelligent matchmaking between mentors and
startups.
o Startup India Hub portal serves as a comprehensive digital platform for entrepreneurial ecosystem
stakeholders.

27 States Advancing PM Ekta Malls to Promote ODOP, GI, and Handicrafts Products
• As many as 27 states—all except West Bengal—have received central approval to set up PM Ekta Malls for
showcasing and selling indigenous products under the 'One District, One Product' (ODOP) initiative.
• The Union government cleared projects worth nearly ₹4,796 crore in fiscal year 2023-24 under the scheme,
official data shows.
• About PM Ekta Malls:
o The PM Ekta Mall scheme, announced in the Union Budget 2023-24, aims to provide dedicated retail
space for each state and Union Territory to promote ODOP items, Geographical Indication (GI)-
tagged goods and local handicrafts.
o The scheme is being implemented under Part-VI of the Special Assistance to States for Capital
Investment (SASCI) framework by the ministry of finance.
o Under Unity Mall, a substantial budget of INR 5,000 Cr has been allocated, with a minimum
incentive of INR 100 Cr for each state.
o Under the Special Assistance Scheme, 28 states are poised to construct Ekta Malls at strategic

32 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

locations – their financial capitals or areas with maximum footfall.

• Assistance to States
o As per the information provided by the minister to Lok Sabha on Tuesday, the highest
allocation has gone to Uttar Pradesh, which has been permitted to set up three Ekta Malls—
one each in Agra, Lucknow, and Varanasi—receiving ₹370.25 crore, given the state's size and
diversity of local crafts.
o Madhya Pradesh follows with an allocation of ₹284 crore for a mall in Ujjain, while Assam has
been sanctioned ₹226 crore for the project in Guwahati.
o Tamil Nadu and Bihar have also received substantial support, with ₹223 crore and ₹212.69 crore
respectively, to build Ekta Malls in Chennai and Patna.

India’s GeM Platform Opens Wider Doors for Startups, MSMEs and Women Entrepreneurs
• In a significant push towards inclusive procurement, the Government of India has rolled out a series of
transformative measures to broaden the reach of the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) for micro and
small enterprises (MSEs), startups, women-led businesses and other underrepresented groups.
• These initiatives were announced in the Rajya Sabha by Minister of State for Commerce & Industry,
Shri Jitin Prasada.
• The new reforms include:
o Smart Visibility Tools: Marketplace filters and product catalogue icons now help buyers easily
identify goods and services offered by MSMEs, startups, women entrepreneurs and SC/ST-owned
businesses, particularly in Direct Purchase and L1 procurement modes.
o Cost Relief: Reduced vendor assessment fees for OEMs and full exemptions from caution money
lower entry barriers for emerging businesses.
o Simplified Registration: API integration with the Udyam MSME database allows for a two-step
auto-registration process making onboarding faster and more seamless.
o Localized Boost with Vocal for Local Stores: Eight curated GeM Outlet Stores now promote
products from artisans, SHGs, ODOP sellers, FPOs and women-led enterprises.
o Strategic Ecosystem Partnerships: Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with industry bodies
like Laghu Udyog Bharati, FICCI-FLO and SEWA are accelerating seller enablement and product
catalogue building across sectors.
o Immersive Seller Onboarding: From hands-on catalogue support to sharing success stories, GeM
is building confidence among first-time sellers.
• As of mid-2025, GeM has surpassed major milestones:
o ₹13.6 lakh crore in cumulative Gross Merchandise Value
o 23+ lakh registered sellers, including over 10.4 lakh MSMEs and 30,800+ startups
o More than 1.64 lakh government buyers
o Over 50% of transactions by volume involve MSE suppliers, reflecting strong alignment with Public
Procurement Policy mandates

33 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

Ministry of Finance
Banking Laws (Amendment) Act, 2025: Key Provisions to Take Effect from Aug 1
• The Banking Laws (Amendment) Act, 2025, which was notified on April 15, contains 19 amendments
across five legislations, including the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, Banking Regulation Act, 1949,
State Bank of India Act, 1955, and Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act,
1970 and 1980.
• These amendments are set to come into effect on August 1, with key provisions aimed at enhancing
bank governance, safeguarding depositors, improving public sector bank (PSB) audits, and aligning
cooperative banks with constitutional norms.
• Key Amendments:
o The threshold for “substantial interest” has been increased from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 2 crore, a limit
that had remained unchanged since 1968.
▪ ‘Substantial interest’ refers to a director's or officer's significant financial stake in a firm,
which may cause a conflict of interest. It is determined by the paid-up share capital held by
them or their relatives exceeding the specified limit.
▪ This amendment aims to modernize the definition of substantial interest in line with current
economic conditions.
o The maximum tenure for directors in cooperative banks has been extended from 8 years to 10
years, excluding the chairperson and whole-time director.
▪ This aligns with the 97th Constitutional Amendment and aims to promote stability in
cooperative bank management.
• Under 97th CAA, 2011, the right to form cooperative societies was included as
Right to Freedom under Article 19(1).
o Public sector banks will now be permitted to transfer unclaimed shares, interest, and bond
redemption amounts to the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF), similar to practices
followed by companies under the Companies Act.
▪ It is in parity with Companies Act, 2013 norms to enhance transparency and depositor
awareness.
▪ The assets included dividends remaining unpaid/unclaimed, shares where dividends haven’t
been claimed for 7 consecutive years, and unclaimed interest/redemption amounts on
bonds.
o PSBs will be empowered to offer remuneration to statutory auditors, facilitating the
engagement of high-quality audit professionals and enhancing audit standards.
o The amendments also revise the reporting dates for the submission of statutory reports by
banks to the RBI from reporting every Friday to the last day of the fortnight, month or the
quarter.

New Credit Assessment Model for MSMEs

• Announced in the Union Budget 2024–25, the New Digital Credit Assessment Model for MSMEs was
officially launched by the Union Finance Minister on 6th March 2025.
o This model empowers Public Sector Banks (PSBs) to assess creditworthiness of MSMEs using
digital footprints instead of traditional document-based methods.
o This credit assessment model will devise automated journeys for MSME Loan appraisal.
• Banks evaluate MSMEs using digitally verifiable data sources such as:
o PAN verification via NSDL
o Mobile/email verification through OTP

34 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

o GST data via APIs

o Bank statement analysis through account aggregators
o ITR upload and verification
o Credit bureau checks (CICs)
o Fraud detection APIs
• Implementation & Impact
o Rollout Status: Live across all PSBs, with varying loan amount thresholds.
o Applications Sanctioned (1 April – 15 July 2025):
▪ ,995 MSME loan applications approved using the new model.
o No change in basic eligibility norms, but assessment is simplified and standardized digitally.
o Bank loans through new digital credit assessment model are decided within maximum of upto one
day significantly reducing the turnaround time (TAT) as compared to manual methods.
o Under the new model, credit decision is based on objective data/ transactional behaviour and
credit history of the borrower.
o Further, credit request submission & assessment is done entirely through digital process which
reduces subjectivity, fraudulent submission of credit information & error in decision making.
o This enables faster, transparent and more objective assessment of creditworthiness using
system-generated credit logic and scorecards.

India logs 65,000 crore digital transactions worth 12,000 lakh crore rupees in 6 years
• Indian digital payment landscape witnesses over 65,000 crore digital transactions amounting to more
than Rs. 12,000 lakh crores in last 6 Financial years, according to Union Minister of State for Finance Mr.
Pankaj Chaudhary.
• The Government has been closely working with different stakeholders including the Reserve Bank of India
(RBI), National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), fintechs, banks and State Governments to increase
the adoption rates of digital payments in the country including in tier-2 and tier-3 cities.
• As on May 31, 2025, around 4.77 Crore digital touch points have been deployed through PIDF.
• The RBI has developed the Digital Payments Index (RBI-DPI) to measure the extent of digitization of
payments across the country.

Atal Pension Yojana (APY) Achieves Major Milestone, Gross Enrolments Surpass 8 Crore
• The Atal Pension Yojana (APY), a flagship social security scheme of the Government of India administered
by PFRDA, has achieved a significant milestone by surpassing 8 crore total gross enrolments with an
addition of 39 lakh new subscribers in the current Financial Year (FY 2025-26) alone.
• This milestone comes as the scheme celebrates its 10th anniversary since its launch on May 9, 2015.
• Launched with a vision to create a universal social security system for all Indians, APY is a voluntary,
contributory pension scheme, focused on the poor, the underprivileged, and workers in the unorganized
sector.
o APY is meticulously designed to provide 'Sampurna Suraksha Kavach' (Complete Security
Shield), by ensuring a guaranteed monthly pension of ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 for the subscriber post-
60 years of age, the same pension to the spouse after the subscriber’s demise, and return of the
accumulated corpus to the nominee after the death of both.
o It is open to all Indian citizens between the age of 18-40 years except those who are or have
been income tax payers.

Stand-Up India Scheme Provides Financial and Institutional Aid to the marginalized
• The Stand-up India Scheme was launched on 05th April, 2016.
• The objective of the Stand-Up India Scheme was to provide loans from Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs)

35 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

of value between Rs.10 lakh and Rs.1 Crore to at least one Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe
(ST) borrower and one-woman borrower per Bank branch for setting up a greenfield enterprise in
manufacturing, services or trading sector and also for activities allied to agriculture.
o The Scheme provided loans of value between Rs. 10 lakh and Rs.1 Crore at the lowest applicable
rate of the bank for that category (rating), not exceeding base rate MCLR+3%+ Tenor premium,
with a repayment period of 7 years with a maximum moratorium of up to 18 months.
o Apart from linking prospective borrowers with Banks for loans, the online portal
(www.standupmitra.in) provided guidance to prospective SC, ST and Women entrepreneurs in
their endeavor to set up business enterprises, starting from training to filling up of loan applications
as per Bank requirements.
• Nearly Rs 29,000 crore amount sanctioned to SC/ST and Women Entrepreneurs since April 2022 till
March 2025

Gross NPAs reduce from 9.11% to 2.58% from March 2021 to March 2025
• Gross non-performing assets (NPAs) of public sector banks have been declining during the last five financial
years. The NPAs have reduced from 9.11% in March 2021 to 2.58% in March 2025.
• Comprehensive measures have been taken by the Government and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to
recover and reduce NPAs. These measures include, inter alia, the following:
o Change in credit culture has been affected, with the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC)
fundamentally changing the creditor-borrower relationship, taking away control of the defaulting
company from promoters/owners, and debarring wilful defaulters from the resolution process. To
make the process more stringent, personal guarantor to corporate debtor has also been brought
under the ambit of IBC.
o The Securitization and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security
Interest Act, 2002 and the Recovery of Debt and Bankruptcy Act have been amended to make it
more effective.
▪ Valuation of fixed assets is done before sanction of loan to a borrower as part of the
appraisal process and before sale to recover dues under SARFAESI Act, 2002.
▪ In order to maintain transparency, for properties valued at Rs 50 crore or above, banks
obtain minimum two independent valuation reports.
o Pecuniary jurisdiction of Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRTs) was increased from Rs. 10 lakhs to Rs.
20 lakhs to enable the DRTs to focus on high value cases resulting in higher recovery for the banks
and financial institutions.
o Public Sector Banks have set-up specialized stressed assets management verticals and
branches for effective monitoring and focused follow-up of NPA accounts, which facilitates quicker
and improved resolution/ recoveries.
▪ Deployment of Business correspondents and adoption of Feet-on-street model have
also boosted the recovery trajectory of NPAs in banks.
o Prudential Framework for resolution of stressed assets was issued by RBI to provide a
framework for early recognition, reporting and time bound resolution of stressed assets, with a
build-in incentive to lenders for early adoption of a resolution plan.
o As per RBI master circular on Income Recognition, Asset Classification and Provisioning
(IRAC) norms dated July 1, 2015, collateral such as immovable properties charged in favour of the
bank should be valued once in three years by empaneled valuers.

Bima Sakhi Scheme enrolls Over 2 Lakh Women

• The Government of India launched Bima Sakhi- “Mahila Career Agent (MCA) Scheme” on 9.12.2024.
• It is a government-supported scheme launched by LIC to help women earn a livelihood by working as

36 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

insurance agents.
• Eligibility – Women aged 18 – 70 who complete minimum class 10 eligible for this scheme.
• The plan is to appoint 2 lakh Bima Sakhi over 3 years.
• Training - Women will receive specialized training and a stipend for the first 3 years.
• Stipend –
o Each Bima Sakhi will earn a monthly stipend of Rs. 7,000 in the first year
o Rs. 6,000 per month in the second year
o Rs. 5,000 per month in the third year.
• Women agents can earn commissions based on the insurance policies they secure, with their earnings
increasing in proportion to the business they bring in.
• Career Advancement
o Graduate Bima Sakhis become eligible to apply for the LIC Apprentice Development Officer (ADO)
position after completing five years, subject to performance and other eligibility criteria. This offers a
defined career pathway within LIC for committed participants.
• Recent Update:
o In the current Financial Year (2025-26), LIC has provided a budget of Rs 520 crore for the scheme,
out of which Rs115.13 crore has been paid up to 14.7.2025.
o As of now, 2,05,896 women have been enrolled under the scheme.
• Impact
o The scheme has created significant livelihood opportunities for women, especially in rural India,
promoting financial independence, gender empowerment, and insurance awareness. LIC disbursed
₹62.36 crore in stipends in FY 2024–25 alone, highlighting its substantial scale and outreach.

Government’s RRB Consolidation Drive reduces RRBs from 196 to 28 Under ‘One State-One RRB’
Policy to Boost Efficiency and Financial Strength
• In order to improve operational viability of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) and to take advantage of
economies of scale, Government of India initiated structural consolidation of RRBs in FY 2005-06.
o In Phase-I amalgamation (2005-2010), the number of RRBs was brought down from 196 to 82 by
amalgamating RRBs of the same Sponsor Bank within a State.
o In Phase-II amalgamation (2012-14), the number of RRBs was brought down from 82 to 56, by
amalgamating RRBs across Sponsor Banks within a State with geographically contiguous areas of
operation.
o Phase-III amalgamation was initiated in the year 2019 by amalgamating weaker RRB with the
stronger RRB.
▪ As a result of three phase amalgamation, the number of RRBs was brought down from
56 to 43 at the end-March 2021.
• A study on the impact of amalgamation of RRBs on their financial performance was undertaken by
NABARD in 2021 and it was observed that the amalgamation process in the past had resulted in
improved viability and financial performance of the RRBs.
• Guided by the principle of 'One State-One RRB', the Government continued with the process of further
consolidation of RRBs in Phase-IV amalgamation to achieve the benefits of scale efficiency and cost-
rationalization, whereby number of RRBs has been reduced from 43 to 28 w.e.f. 01.05.2025, in 26
states and 2 UTs, vide GoI notification dated 05.04.2025.
• The Government has constituted State Level Monitoring Committee (SLMC) and National Level
Project Monitoring Unit (NLPMU) to oversee and monitor the implementation of the amalgamation
programme.

37 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment

PM-DAKSH YOJANA
• PM-DAKSH Scheme is a Central Sector Scheme which was launched in 2020-21 with an objective to
enhance competency level of the different target groups.
• Under this, eligible target groups are provided with the skill development training programmes on Short
Term Training Program; Up-Skilling/Reskilling; Entrepreneurship Development Programme, and Long-Term
Training Programme
• Eligibility:
o Marginalized persons of SC (Scheduled Caste), OBC (Other Backward Classes), EWS, Economically
Backward Classes, Denotified tribes, Sanitation workers including waste pickers, manual scavengers,
transgenders and other similar categories.
• Income Limit:
o Under the scheme, any Other Backward Caste's (OBCs) and Economically Weaker Section (EWS)
candidates whose annual family income is less than Rs. 3.0 lakh is eligible to get training whereas
there is no income limit for the candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste's (SCs)/De-notified Tribes
(DNTs), Safai Karamcharis including Waste Pickers.
• Budget:
o The scheme has been approved for an amount of Rs. 450 Cr. from the years 2021-22 to 2025-26.
There has been no change in Budget Estimate of 2025-26, which is Rs. 130 Crore under PM-DAKSH
Scheme.

Ministry of Women and Child Development

Ministry approves 14,599 Anganwadi Cum Crèches under Palna Scheme

• The Ministry of women and Child Development has introduced Palna Scheme under the Samarthya Vertical
of Umbrella Mission Shakti for all States and UTs w.e.f. 01 April 2022, to provide day care facilities and
protection to children.
o During the 15th Finance Cycle i.e. up to FY 2025-26 a total of 17,000 Anganwadi-cum-Creches
(AWCCs) have been envisioned for establishment under the Palna Scheme.
o A total of 14,599 Anganwadi-cum-Creches (AWCCs) have been approved as per proposals received
from various states/UTs under Palna Scheme of Mission Shakti, Minister of State for Women and
Child Development Savitri Thakur said in a reply in Rajya Sabha on July 23.
• What is Palna Scheme?
o The past few decades have shown a rapid increase in nuclear families. Thus, the children of such
working women, who were earlier getting support from joint families while they were at work, are
now in need of day care services which have to provide quality care and protection for the children.
o Lack of proper day-care services is, often, a deterrent for women to go out and work.
o In 2022, erstwhile National Creche Scheme was revamped as Palna Scheme under the sub-
scheme ‘Samarthya’ of ‘Mission Shakti’.
o Anganwadi-cum-Creche (AWCC) initiative aims to increase ‘women work force participation’.
▪ It aims to provide quality creche facilities in a safe and secure environment for children
(from ages 6 months – 6 years), nutritional support, health and cognitive development
of children, growth monitoring, immunization, education, etc.
▪ Creche facilities under Palna are to be provided to all mothers irrespective of their
employment status.

38 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

• Palna is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme ensuring the participation of state/UT

government to ensure better day-to-day monitoring and proper implementation
of scheme, and is implemented with a funding ratio of 60:40 between Centre and
state governments and UTs with legislature except northeast & special category
states where ratio is 90:10. For UTs without a legislature, 100 per cent funding is
provided by the central government.
o The Mission Shakti guidelines state that the creche timings need to be flexible depending on
the local requirements.
▪ Creches shall be open for 26 days in a month and for seven and a half hours per day as per
the work schedule of majority of the mothers in the area.

NIPCCD renamed as Savitribai Phule National Institute of Women and Child Development
• The National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD) has officially been renamed
as the Savitribai Phule National Institute of Women and Child Development, reflecting its evolving
role and greater focus on region-specific, mission-driven support for the development of women and
children across India
o NIPCCD now renamed as Savitribai Phule National Institute of Women and Child
Development has its headquarters in New Delhi and presently has regional centres in Bangalore,
Guwahati, Lucknow, Indore and Mohali.
o It serves as the apex body for training, research, documentation, and capacity building in the
field of Women and Child Development.
o The Institute plays a pivotal role in strengthening implementation mechanisms under various
flagship schemes through its online and physical training programmes.

Ministry of Tribal Affairs

Centre, UNICEF to provide career counselling for Eklavya tribal school students
• The National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), an autonomous organization under the Ministry
of Tribal Affairs, in partnership with UNICEF India launched TALASH (Tribal Aptitude, Life Skills and
Self-Esteem Hub).
• TALASH is a national programme to support the all-round development of students in Eklavya
Model Residential Schools (EMRSs).
o It is expected to benefit over 1.3 lakh students enrolled in EMRSs across the country, making it
a truly national movement for inclusive education.
o TALASH is an innovative digital platform designed to equip EMRS students with essential tools for
self-discovery and career planning.
• The initiative offers:
o Psychometric Assessments: Inspired by NCERT’s ‘Tamanna’ initiative, TALASH offers a common
aptitude test to help understand each student’s strengths and interests. Based on the test results,
students receive career cards that suggest the best career options suited to their skills and abilities.
o Career Counselling: The platform guides students toward informed career decisions, helping them
align their aspirations with their aptitudes.
o Life Skills & Self-Esteem Modules: TALASH has special sections that help students learn
important life skills like solving problems, communication skills, and handling emotions. These build
confidence and self- value of students.
o E-Learning for Teachers: A specialised portal equips educators with resources and training to
effectively mentor and support students in their academic and personal journeys.

39 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

Agriculture and Rural Development Updates

97th Foundation Day of ICAR Celebrated
• Union Agriculture, Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Minister, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, attended
the 97th Foundation Day celebration of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) on 16th July.
• He also inaugurated the ‘ViksitKrishi Exhibition’, showcasing cutting-edge agricultural technologies
and innovations, released 10 new agricultural publications, and launched several MoUs to strengthen
research collaborations.
• He proposed the establishment of low-cost fertilizer centres similar to Jan Aushadhi Kendras for
medicines.
• The Union Minister stated that, despite challenges such as climate change, fragmented landholdings,
viral infestations, and complexities in livestock management, India has consistently witnessed growth
in agricultural production owing to the outstanding efforts of its scientific community, which deserves
acknowledgement.

Use of Artificial Intelligence, IoT, and Drones in Indian Agriculture

• To enhance crop productivity, sustainability, and farmer incomes, the Government of India has deployed
Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and drone-based solutions across multiple schemes and
platforms.
• These initiatives aim to tackle real-time challenges like pest attacks, inefficient farm practices, and the
digital gap among smallholder farmers.
• Some initiatives are given below:
o ‘Kisan e-Mitra’ is a voice-based AI-powered chatbot developed to assist farmers with responses
to their queries on the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme. This solution supports 11 regional
languages and is evolving to assist with other government programs. At present, it handles over
20,000 farmer queries daily and so far, more than 95 lakh queries have been answered.
o The National Pest Surveillance System, for tackling the loss of produce due to climate change,
utilizes AI and Machine Learning to detect pest infestation in crops, enabling timely intervention for
healthier crops. This tool, currently used by over 10,000 extension workers, allows farmers to
capture images of pests to help them mitigate pest attacks and reduce crop losses. At present, it
supports 61 crops and over 400 pests combinations.
o AI/ML-based analytics using field photographs for crop health assessment and pest identification.
• Drone Subsidy Under SMAM (Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization)
o Beneficiaries:
▪ ICAR/KVKs/SAUs/PSUs: 100% subsidy (up to ₹10 lakh per drone).
▪ FPOs: Up to 75% subsidy for demonstration use.
▪ CHCs (Cooperative/FPOs/Rural Entrepreneurs):
• 40% subsidy (max ₹4 lakh).
• 50% subsidy (max ₹5 lakh) for agriculture graduates.
▪ Individual Farmers:
• SC/ST/Women/NE States/Small & Marginal: 50% subsidy (max ₹5 lakh).
• Others: 40% subsidy (max ₹4 lakh).
• Namo Drone Didi Scheme (2023–26)
o It is a Central Sector Scheme with ₹1,261 crore outlay.
o Aim: To empower Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) as drone service providers, boost mechanized
agriculture, and enhance rural livelihoods.
o Targets:
▪ Distribution of 15,000 drones to SHGs over three years.
40 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com
PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

▪ 80% government subsidy (max ₹8 lakh); SHGs contribute 20%.

▪ SHGs can avail Agri Infra Financing (AIF) with 3% interest subvention on loans.
o Progress:
▪ 1,094 drones distributed by fertilizer companies in 2023–24 using internal resources.
▪ Of these, 500 drones were allocated directly under the Namo Drone Didi scheme.

NABARD Launches First Carbon Credit Pilot with 3,500 Mango Farmers in Karnataka
• NABARD’s consultancy arm, NABARD Consultancy Services (NCB), has initiated its first pilot carbon
credit project in Karnataka’s Koppal district, aiming to integrate climate finance with rural agriculture.
• In collaboration with Karnataka’s horticulture and forest departments, the project focuses on biomass
management and border tree plantations for farmers with mango orchards less than five years old.
• Around 3,500 mango farmers are participating, with free saplings supplied by the forest department.

Tenant Farmers to Now Avail PMFBY and MSP Benefits

• On July 30, 2025, the Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced in the Lok Sabha that
tenant farmers can now avail benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and Minimum
Support Price (MSP) procurement if authorized by the landowner and permitted by the state government.
• Earlier, tenant farmers were unable to receive the full benefit of several government schemes.
o According to the National Statistical Office’s (NSO) Situation Assessment of Agricultural
Households survey for 2018–19, 17.3 per cent of the total estimated 101.98 million operational
holdings in rural India were on leased land.
o The share of such leased-in lands in the total area used for agricultural production stood at 13 per
cent.
o Chouhan also stated that tenant farmers or share-croppers can now become members of farmer
producer organizations (FPOs).

Maharashtra Grants Agricultural Status to Livestock & Poultry Farming

• On July 11, 2025, the Maharashtra Cabinet approved a historic policy decision to grant agricultural status to
livestock and poultry farming, making Maharashtra the first Indian state to do so.
• Traditionally, India’s agriculture policy prioritized crop farming, while livestock was treated as an allied
activity.
• This excluded livestock farmers from agriculture-specific benefits like subsidized power, institutional credit,
and tax exemptions.
• Maharashtra’s move seeks to bridge this policy gap and recognize the economic importance of animal
husbandry.

NABARD Launches RuralTech CoLab to Boost Innovation in Rural Ecosystem

• On its 44th Foundation Day (July 13, 2025), the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
(NABARD) launched RuralTech CoLab, a dedicated portal to unify and support rural technology start-ups in
India.
o It is a tech-enabled platform aimed at bringing together fintechs, agritechs, and digital service
providers.
o Facilitates innovation and co-creation of smart, scalable, and inclusive solutions.
o The portal provides a structured and transparent onboarding mechanism for tech partners to work
with NABARD.

Seven New Products Added to e-NAM Platform

• Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced the inclusion of seven new agricultural

41 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

commodities on the e-NAM (National Agriculture Market) platform.

• This move is aimed at enhancing price realization, improving market access, and strengthening farmer
welfare.
• The following seven region-specific commodities have been added:
o Sugarcane
o Marcha rice
o Katarni rice
o Jardalu mango
o Shahi litchi
o Magahi paan
o Banarasi paan
▪ With these additions, the total number of products listed on the e-NAM portal has
risen to 238.
• e-National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) Scheme
o National Agriculture Market (NAM) is a pan-India electronic trading portal launched on 14th April,
2016 completely funded by Central Government and implemented by Small Farmers Agribusiness
Consortium (SFAC).
o NAM portal networks the existing APMC (Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee) / Regulated
Marketing Committee (RMC) market yards, sub-market yards, private markets and other
unregulated markets to unify all the nationwide agricultural markets by creating a central online
platform for agricultural commodity price discovery.
o 1,522 mandis have been integrated with the National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) portal
o Key Objectives:
▪ Facilitate nationwide integration of markets through a common e-platform for agricultural
trade.
▪ Standardize marketing and transaction procedures across all APMC mandis.
▪ Expand farmers’ access to buyers and markets for better price discovery and reduced
information gaps.
▪ Promote quality-based bidding through the establishment of assaying systems.
▪ Ensure stable pricing and availability of quality produce to consumers.
o For Markets (APMCs/RMCs):
▪ One-time Grant of up to ₹30 lakh per market for hardware, internet, assaying labs, etc.
▪ Free e-NAM Software is provided with customization for each state.
▪ Support Staff (1 person per market) provided for 1 year at no cost.
▪ Provision to use Cold Storages & Warehouses as market sub-yards.

Kerala Signs MoU to Accelerate Climate-Resilient Farming

• In a decisive move to strengthen climate resilience in agriculture, the Kerala Climate Resilient Agri
Value Chain Modernization Project (KERA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with
Kerala Agricultural University (KAU).
o The agreement, signed on July 6, 2025, seeks to institutionalize advanced, low-emission,
climate-smart farming practices across Kerala’s varied agro-climatic zones.
o The MoU sets the stage for scaling CRA technologies that reduce emissions and enhance farm
productivity amid growing climate risks.
o KAU will provide research-driven insights, while KERA ensures grassroots-level implementation via
farmer networks and institutional support.

Indian fertilizer firms sign pacts for yearly import of 3.1 mn MT of DAP from Saudi

42 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

• Three Indian fertilizer companies — IPL, KRIBHCO and Coromandel — have signed agreements with
Ma’aden, the Saudi Arabian major, for importing 3.1 million metric tonnes of Diammonium Phosphate
(DAP) per annum for five years from 2025–26.
• The agreements were signed during Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister JP Nadda’s visit to Dammam and
Riyadh between July 11 and 13.
• Saudi Arabia is a major source of India’s fertilizer imports, and Ma’aden is a leading producer.
• In 2024–25, India imported 19.05 LMT of DAP from the kingdom, a 17 per cent increase over 16.29 LMT
during 2023–24.

APEDA Refutes Misleading Allegations on Organic Cotton Certification Under NPOP

• The Agriculture & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has strongly refuted
recent allegations made in a press briefing by an opposition leader, terming them unfounded, misleading,
and factually incorrect.
• What is NPOP and APEDA’s Role?
o The National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) was launched in 2001 by the Department
of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt of India for exports of Organic products and
APEDA acts as the Secretariat for the implementation of the NPOP.
o The system of grower group certification was launched in 2005, as it was felt necessary to cater to
small and marginal farmers.
o Third party certification is a mandatory requirement for export of organic products. The NPOP
standards for crop production have been recognized by the European Commission and Switzerland
as equivalent to their country’s standards and are also accepted by Great Britain.
o The accredited Certification Bodies certify organic operators as per their scope of accreditation. At
present, there are 37 active Certification Bodies operating in India, which include 14 State
Certification Bodies.
• National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP)
o Organic products are grown under a system of agriculture without the use of chemical fertilizers and
pesticides with an environmentally and socially responsible approach.
o According to the government, India ranks first in the number of organic farmers.
o The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) is
implementing the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP).
o Third party certification is a mandatory requirement for export of organic products.

India’s Agri-exports surge in Q1 FY26, rice exports lead

• India’s exports of agricultural and processed foods got off to a great start in FY26, growing 7 per cent year-
on-year to $5.96 billion in the April–June quarter (Q1 FY26).
• The centre-piece of India’s agricultural exports is still rice. The shipments of both non-basmati and
basmati rice increased by 3.5 per cent to $2.9 billion in Q1.
o This comes after rice exports in FY25 reached a record $12.47 billion, a 20 per cent increase over the
previous fiscal year, as per official data.
o For more than 10 years, India has maintained its position as the world’s largest rice exporter,
accounting for 40 per cent of the global rice trade, as per industry data.
• In Q1, buffalo meat, dairy, and poultry exports grew by a strong 17 per cent to $1.18 billion.
o According to reports, India has established itself as the world’s second-largest exporter of buffalo
meat, with important markets in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Malaysia, Egypt,
and Iraq.
• In the meantime, exports of fruits and vegetables increased by 13 per cent to $0.95 billion, indicating a
rise in the demand for Indian produce worldwide.

43 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

• Meanwhile, products under the APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export
Development Authority) umbrella contributed significantly to the export surge, the report stated.
o In FY25, APEDA-coordinated exports reached $25.14 billion, up 12 per cent from FY24. These
products now account for 51 per cent of India’s total agricultural exports, with the remainder
comprising marine products, tobacco, coffee, and tea.

Lakhpati Didi initiative

• More than 1.48 crore rural women have been empowered under ‘Lakhpati Didi’ initiative, Minister of State
for Rural Development Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani said in a reply in Lok Sabha on July 22.
• Maharashtra is the top performer, with 22.69 lakh women from self-help group (SHG) households, followed
by Andhra Pradesh (17.41 lakh) and Bihar (14.47 lakh).
• Lakhpati Didi scheme
o Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the scheme, which aims to encourage women to start
micro-enterprises, in his Independence Day speech on August 15, 2023.
o The programme is aimed at training women in self-help groups (SHGs) so that they can earn a
sustainable income of at least Rs 1 lakh per annum per household.
o The Ministry of Rural Development is adopting a whole-of-government approach for maximum
impact through convergence to transform the rural economy with the enabling of ‘Lakhpati Didis’.
o To give impetus to economic empowerment of women, the Lakhpati Didi scheme has been
initiated under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-
NRLM), wherein each SHG household is encouraged to take up multiple livelihood activities
coupled with value chain interventions, resulting in a sustainable income of Rs 1 lakh or more per
year.
o So far, over 10.05 crore rural households across India have been organized into nearly 90.9 lakh
SHGs, providing the structural backbone for economic empowerment.
• Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM)
o Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM) is a flagship
poverty alleviation programme launched in June 2011.
o Its aim is to reduce poverty by enabling poor households to access gainful self-employment and
skilled wage employment opportunities, resulting in sustainable and diversified livelihood options
for the poor.
o It is being implemented across the country (except Delhi & Chandigarh) with the objective of
organizing the rural poor households into self-help groups (SHGs) and continuously nurturing and
supporting them till they attain appreciable increase in income over a period of time and improve
their quality of life and come out of abject poverty.
o This is one of the world’s largest initiatives to improve the livelihoods of the poor.
o The Mission seeks to achieve its objective through investing in four core components. They
are:
▪ Social mobilization and promotion and strengthening of self-managed and financially
sustainable community institution so the rural poor women.
▪ Financial inclusion.
▪ Sustainable livelihoods.
o Social inclusion, social development, and access to entitlements through convergence.
▪ The programme leverages community resources (social capital) to build institutions and
promote livelihoods, with trained SHG members serving as Community Resource Persons
(CRPs) in various roles like Pashu Sakhi, Krishi Sakhi, Bank Sakhi, Bima Sakhi, Community
Resource Persons-Enterprise Promotion (CRP-EP), Poshan Sakhi, etc.
▪ The programme has expanded its reach to 7,145 blocks across 745 districts nationwide.

44 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

▪ So far, the mission has mobilized 10.05 crore rural poor women households, forming them
into 90.9 lakh SHGs.

India Establishes First Internationally Recognized Equine Disease-Free Compartment at RVC Centre,
Meerut
• Recognized by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) on 3rd July 2025, this approved facility at
the Remount Veterinary Corps (RVC) Centre & College, Meerut Cantonment, Uttar Pradesh, marks a
major step towards enabling the international movement of Indian sport horses in compliance with global
biosecurity and animal health standards.
• With the implementation of robust biosecurity protocols, stringent veterinary surveillance, and
adherence to international norms, Indian sport horses from this facility can now be eligible to travel
and compete abroad.
• The EDFC has been officially declared free from Equine Infectious Anemia, Equine Influenza, Equine
Piroplasmosis, Glanders, and Surra. Additionally, India has historically remained free from African Horse
Sickness since 2014.

“Meri Panchayat” App Wins Big on Global Stage; Bags WSIS Champion Award 2025 in Geneva,
Switzerland
• The transformative mobile application “Meri Panchayat” has been internationally recognized with the
prestigious World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Prizes 2025 Champion Award under the
Action Line Category: Cultural Diversity and Identity, Linguistic Diversity and Local Content.
• The honor was conferred during the WSIS+20 High-Level Event 2025, organized by the International
Telecommunication Union (ITU) as part of the WSIS initiative.
• Meri Panchayat, as a WSIS Prizes 2025 Champion Project, symbolizes the global excellence of India’s digital
governance model.
• About WSIS:
o The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)+20 High-Level Event 2025 was held from 7 to
11 July 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland.
o Also known as the WSIS Forum 2025, the event was co-hosted by the International
Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Swiss Confederation and co-organized by ITU, UNESCO,
UNDP, and UNCTAD.

India’s Millet Standard Gains Recognition at 88th Codex Executive Committee Meet in Rome
• The 88th Session of the Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CCEXEC88) was
held at FAO headquarters in Rome from July 14-18.
• India is an elected member of the Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commission
(CCEXEC).
• India’s leadership in developing a group standard for whole millet grains, approved during Codex
Alimentarius Commission (CAC47) in 2024, was appreciated during the meeting.
• India chairs the millet standards initiative alongside Mali, Nigeria and Senegal as co-chairs, with terms
of reference finalized at an April cereals committee session.
• The executive committee also endorsed India’s proposed standards for fresh dates for approval at
November’s 48th Codex Alimentarius Commission session.
• Codex Alimentarius
o International food trade has existed for thousands of years but until not too long ago, food was
mainly produced, sold and consumed locally. Over the last century, the amount of food traded
internationally has grown exponentially, and a quantity and variety of food never before possible
travels the globe today.

45 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

o The international trade in food is now worth over $1.7 trillion annually.
o The Codex Alimentarius, or “Food Code”, is a collection of standards, guidelines and codes of
practice developed by consensus and based on the most robust up-to-date science available.
o It includes standards for all the principal foods, whether processed, semi-processed or raw, for
distribution to the consumer.
• How a Codex Standard is developed?
o The procedures for preparing standards are well defined, open and transparent.
o A national government or a subsidiary committee of the Commission usually makes the proposal for
a standard to be developed. They then prepare a discussion paper that outlines what the
proposed standard is expected to achieve, and then a project document that indicates the time
frame for the work and its relative priority.
o The Commission reviews the project document and decides whether the standard should be
developed as proposed.
o Standards can take several years to develop. Once adopted by the Commission, a Codex standard is
added to the Codex Alimentarius.
o Codex standards ensure that food is safe and can be traded.
o The texts contained in the Codex Alimentarius are considered the benchmark standards for
international commerce in food, and as such are recognized by the World Trade Organisation
(WTO).
• Codex Alimentarius Commission
o The Codex Alimentarius Commission emerged following a four-year process and met for the first
time in Rome from June 25 to July 3, 1963. That inaugural meeting is taken as the date that Codex
came into being.
o It was established by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the
World Health Organisation (WHO) to protect consumer health and ensure fair practices in the food
trade.
o The Codex Alimentarius Commission is based in FAO in Rome.
o It currently comprises 188 member countries and one member organization (The European
Union). There 240 Observers, of which 60 are inter-governmental organizations, 164 are non–
governmental organizations and 16 are United Nations agencies.
o The Commission meets in regular session once a year alternating between Geneva and Rome.

*******

46 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

Miscellaneous News – General Awareness (PIB Based)

ADEETIE Scheme
• ADEETIE Scheme will facilitate MSMEs in adopting energy-efficiency measures through interest subvention
and handholding.
o It is an initiative by the Ministry of Power, Government of India, is being implemented by the
Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE).
o The Scheme is structured to provide end-to-end hand holding through subvention on loans,
Investment Grade Energy Audits (IGEA), Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), and post-implementation
Monitoring and Verification (M&V).
• Scheme Duration: 3 years - The implementation period of the scheme shall be from 2025-26 to 2027-
28.
o Committed liability of the scheme shall be up to 2030-31.
o No applications for new enrolment under this Scheme will be accepted from eligible MSMEs after
31st March, 2028.
• Budgetary outlay: ₹1000 crore.
o The scheme will offer both technical and financial handholding to MSMEs, backed by a
budgetary outlay of ₹1000 crore, including ₹875 crore for interest subvention, ₹50 crore for
energy audits, and ₹75 crore for implementation support.
• Target Sectors: Covers 14 energy-intensive sectors like Brass, Bricks, Ceramics, Chemicals, Fishery, Food
Processing, etc.
• Implementation Approach: Phased roll-out, First phase with 60 industrial clusters, and additional 100
clusters in the second phase.
• The Scheme is a Central Sector Scheme.
• Eligibility
o Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) registered under Udyam portal of Ministry of Micro
Small and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME), operational in identified 60 clusters in energy-intensive
sectors of Brass, Bricks, Ceramics, Chemicals, Fisheries, Food Processing, Forging, Foundry, Glass &
Refractory, Leather, Paper, pharmaceutical, Steel Re-Rolling, and Textiles will be eligible for the
scheme.
o Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises seeking loans from Banks and Financial Institutions would be
eligible for an interest subvention.
o Loan amounts ranging between Rs 10 lakh to Rs 15 Cr will be eligible.
o Debt funding up to 75% of the project cost will be eligible.
o The projects that achieve a minimum 10% energy savings and sustain it during the scheme period
will only be eligible to receive annual interest subvention.
• Ineligibility
o Interest subvention will be available only for loans availed for new projects (energy efficient
technology) and will not be available for projects already implemented or to the projects benefited
under other schemes or refinanced.
o Beneficiaries whose loan accounts have been declared Non-Performing Assets (NPA) are not eligible
• Scheme components
o Interest Subvention: The scheme envisages to provide interest subvention of 5% for Micro and
Small Enterprises, and 3% for Medium Enterprises on loans, ensuring accessibility and
affordability for MSMEs seeking financial aid for energy efficiency (EE) projects.
47 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com
PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

▪ Interest subvention will be credited to the loan account of beneficiaries through

Lending Institutions.
o The scheme will provide technical support in preparation of IGEA based DPRs through Certified
Energy Auditors (CEA), Certified Energy Managers (CEM) and Energy Auditing Firms. The scheme will
reimburse up to Rs.1,00,000 per IGEA based DPR, if the project is approved by any Lending
Institution.
o ADEETIE portal was launched to facilitate the financing process for the beneficiaries
• Institutional Framework
o Steering Committee (SC) will be chaired by Additional Secretary, Ministry of Power (MoP),
comprising Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), MoMSME, as members, and Director General
(DG), BEE as convenor of the Committee. The Chair may coopt other members as required. The
Committee will monitor and review the scheme implementation.
o Implementation Committee (IC) will be chaired by Director General, BEE and comprising
representatives from State Designated Agency (SDA) concerned, Central Nodal Agency (CNA) and
Director, Ministry of Power as members. The Chair may co-opt other members as required.
o Lending Institution - Any scheduled commercial bank, Public Financial Institutions and Non-
Banking Finance Companies (NBFC) may be the Lending Institution.
• Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE):
o It was established in March 2002 under the provisions of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001.
o The mission is to develop policies and strategies based on self-regulation and market principles,
aiming to reduce the energy intensity of the Indian economy.
o Other Initiatives for Promoting Energy Efficiency in MSMEs by BEE
▪ BEE-SME Program: Enhance energy efficiency in MSMEs.
▪ National Programme on Energy Efficiency and Technology Upgradation of MSMEs.
▪ SIDHIEE (Simplified Digital Hands-on Information on Energy Efficiency in MSMEs) portal.

Govt plans to launch WiFEX-II to improve winter fog forecasts for airports
• Accurate forecasts under the Winter Fog Experiment (WiFEX) have provided significant benefits to airlines,
including reduction in flight diversions and cancellations, minimizing economic losses and passenger
inconvenience.
o The WiFEX, launched in the winter of 2015 at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi,
has now completed 10 years of dedicated research into North India’s dense winter fog and its
impact on daily life and aviation safety.
o The government now plans to launch WiFEX-II, which will extend localized, runway-specific fog
predictions to more airports in north and northeast India.
• What is WiFEX?
o The presence of heavy and extended period fog is one of the major weather hazards, impacting
aviation, road transportation, economy and public life.
o Led by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), under the Ministry of Earth
Sciences (MoES), with support from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the
National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF), WiFEX is one of the
world’s few long-term open-field experiments focused solely on fog.
o It was launched in the winter of 2015 at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), New Delhi.
o The main objective of this project is to study the characteristics and variability of fog events and
associated dynamics, thermodynamics and fog microphysics, with the aim to achieve a better
understanding of fog life cycle and ultimately improve capability in fog prediction.
48 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com
PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

Technical textiles export up 15%

• India’s exports of technical textiles stood at Rs 24,732.68 crore in 2024-25, Union Textiles Minister Giriraj
Singh said in a written reply in Lok Sabha on July 23. The exports grew by 15.53 per cent compared to
2023-24.
• A total of 168 research projects has been approved under the National Technical Textiles Mission
(NTTM).
o Some of these projects have been approved to develop items which are strategically important, and
their import is restricted by manufacturing countries.
o Technical textiles
o Technical textiles are materials and products manufactured primarily for technical performance and
functional properties rather than aesthetic characteristics.
o They are futuristic which are used for various applications ranging from agriculture, roads, railway
tracks, sportswear, bulletproof jackets, fireproof jackets, high-altitude combat gear and space
applications.
• Technical textiles products are divided into 12 broad categories depending upon their application
areas. They are:
o Agrotech (shade-nets, crop-covers, etc.),
o Meditech (diapers, PPEs, contact lenses, etc.)
o Mobiltech (air-bags, nylon tyre cords, etc.)
o Packtech (wrapping fabrics, jute bags, etc.)
o Sportech (artificial turfs, parachute, etc.)
o Buildtech (architectural membranes, hoarding & signage, etc.)
o Clothtech (umbrella cloth, interlinings, etc.)
o Hometech (blinds, fire-resistant curtains, etc.)
o Protech (bullet proof jackets, chemical protection clothing, etc.)
o Geotech (geo-grids, geo-composites, etc.)
o Oekotech (environmental protection, etc.)
o Indutech (conveyor belts, bolting cloth, etc.)
• National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM)
o With a view to position the country as a global leader in technical textiles, National Technical
Textiles Mission (NTTM) was approved in 2020 with an outlay of Rs 1,480 crore, valid up to March
31, 2026.
o The Mission has four components:
▪ Component I – Research, Innovation and Development: Supports R&D in technical
textiles, inviting proposals to develop new materials and processes.
▪ Component II – Promotion and Market Development: Aims to increase technical textile
adoption in India through market promotion and international collaborations.
▪ Component III – Export Promotion: Focuses on boosting exports of technical textiles
with a dedicated export council. Outlay
▪ Component IV – Education, Training, and Skill Development: Promotes technical textiles
education, skill training, and internships in top institutes and industries.
o The Mission will focus on usage of technical textiles in various flagship missions, programmes of the
country including strategic sectors.
o There is no provision under NTTM to release the funds state-wise.

PIB Explainer on NTTM: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2115710

49 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

Mera Gaon Mera Dharohar (MGMD) Programme

• To preserve and promote India’s rich cultural heritage, the Ministry of Culture established the National
Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM).
• Implemented by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), the mission aims to
document India’s cultural heritage and its potential to revitalize rural economics.
• NMCM launched Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar (MGMD) portal in June 2023.
• Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar Programme
o The Mera Gaon Mera Dharohar (MGMD) Programme is an initiative to document and preserve
India’s diverse cultural heritage.
o The initiative aims to create a comprehensive digital repository of the cultural assets of 6.5 lakh
villages across India, covering aspects such as oral traditions, folk arts, festivals, traditional attire,
local cuisines, and historical landmarks.
o Currently, 4.7 lakh villages have been successfully mapped and uploaded on the MGMD portal
(mgmd.gov.in), making their cultural portfolios accessible to the public.
o One of the key objectives of MGMD is to revitalize rural economies by leveraging cultural
heritage for tourism and local entrepreneurship.

Ministry of Tourism issued operational guidelines for ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital
Investment – Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale’ (SASCI)
• The Ministry of Tourism issued operational guidelines for ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital
Investment – Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale’ (SASCI) with the objective to
comprehensively develop iconic tourist centres in the country, branding and marketing them at global
scale.
• The aim of this scheme is to infuse long term interest free loans for a period of 50 years to states for
comprehensively develop iconic tourist centers in the country, branding, and marketing them at
global scale.
• By infusing capital investment in the form of projects, the scheme further envisages growth of local
economy and creation of employment opportunities through sustainable tourism projects.
• Salient features of this endeavor include developing end-to-end tourist experience, funding support to
the shortlisted proposals, strengthening all points of the tourist value chain, harnessing quality expertise for
design and development, sustainable operations and maintenance etc.
• Benefits:
o The initiative aims to ease pressure on high-traffic sites and promote a more balanced
distribution of tourists across the country.
o By focusing on lesser-known destinations, the government hopes to enhance the overall
tourism experience, boost local economies, and ensure sustainable growth in the tourism sector
through a strategic approach to new project selection.
o The Ministry of Tourism is also encouraging state governments to integrate advanced
technologies into their tourism projects.

Govt unveils incentive scheme for electric trucks under PM E-DRIVE

• Union Minister for Heavy Industries & Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy launched a scheme to provide financial
incentives for electric trucks (e-trucks) under the PM E-DRIVE initiative.
• This scheme extends direct support for up to Rs 9.6 lakh per vehicle for electric trucks, aiming to
accelerate the country’s transition to clean, efficient, and sustainable freight mobility.
• This scheme represents India’s first dedicated support for electric trucks.
• Diesel trucks, though constituting only 3 per cent of the total vehicle population, contribute to 42
per cent of transport-related greenhouse gas emissions and significantly worsen air pollution.

50 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

• The scheme reserves incentives for approximately 1,100 e-trucks registered in Delhi, which will address
the air quality concerns in the national capital. An approximate outlay of Rs 100 crore has been earmarked
for this.
• The scheme envisages support of up to 5,600 electric trucks.
• How will the scheme be implemented?
o To qualify for the incentive, scrapping of old, polluting trucks is mandatory, ensuring a dual
benefit of modernizing vehicle fleets and reducing emissions.
o To promote affordability, the incentive will depend on the gross vehicle weight of the electric
truck and the highest level of incentive that can be availed is Rs 9.6 lakh.
o These incentives will be provided as an upfront reduction in the purchase price and reimbursed to
original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) through the PM E-DRIVE portal on a first-come,
first-served basis.
o Under the scheme, demand incentives will be extended to N2 and N3 category electric trucks,
as defined under the Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR).
▪ The N2 category includes trucks with gross vehicle weight (GVW) above 3.5 tonnes and up to
12 tonnes.
▪ The N3 category covers trucks with GVW exceeding 12 tonnes and up to 55 tonnes.
o To ensure reliability of electric trucks, the manufacturers will provide a comprehensive
manufacturer-backed warranty.
▪ This will include five years or 5 lakh kilometres warranty for battery while the warranty for
vehicle and motor shall be five years or 2.5 lakh kilometres, whichever is earlier.
• PM E-Drive Scheme
o The government notified ‘PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement
(PM E-DRIVE) Scheme’ on September 29, 2024 to provide impetus to green mobility in the
country.
o The scheme has an outlay of Rs 10,900 crore over a period of two years from April 1, 2024 to
March 31, 2026.
o It aims for faster adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), setting up of charging infrastructure and
development of EV manufacturing eco-system in the country.
o With greater emphasis on providing affordable and environment friendly public transportation
options for the masses, the scheme will be applicable mainly to vehicles used for public transport or
those registered for commercial purposes in e-3W, e-trucks and other new emerging EV categories.
o The Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme (EMPS) 2024 implemented for the period of six months
from April 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024 is subsumed in PM e-DRIVE Scheme.
• Components of the scheme:
o Subsidies: Rs 3,679 crore as demand incentives for e-2W, e-3W, e-ambulances, e-trucks & other
new emerging EV categories.
o Grants for creation of capital assets: Rs 7,171 crore as grants for e-buses, establishment of network
of charging stations and upgradation of testing agencies identified under this scheme.
o Administration of Scheme including IEC (Information, Education & Communication) activities
and fee for Project Management Agency (PMA).

7 years of ‘Eat Right India’ initiative

• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) launched the Eat Right India initiative on July 10,
2018.
• The initiative focuses on promoting a culture of safe, healthy and sustainable food processes.
• Through a mix of regulatory, capacity-building, collaborative and empowerment approaches, the initiative
has been enhancing the quality of food people consume daily — from when food is grown or sourced to

51 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

when it is cooked and delivered to people’s plates.

• The campaign is built on three foundational pillars:
o Eat Safe: Ensuring personal and surrounding hygiene, hygienic and sanitary practices through the
food supply chain, combating adulteration, reducing toxins and contaminants in food and
controlling food hazards in processing and manufacturing processes.
o Eat Healthy: Promoting diet diversity and balanced diets, eliminating toxic industrial trans-fats from
food, reducing consumption of salt, sugar and saturated fats and promoting large-scale fortification
of staples to address micronutrient deficiencies.
o Eat Sustainable: Promote local and seasonal foods, prevent food loss and food waste, conserve
water in food value chains, reduce use of chemicals in food production and presentation and use of
safe and sustainable packaging.
• FSSAI brings together key ministries — Health and Family Welfare, Women and Child Development,
Housing and Urban Affairs, and Education — to align the initiative with flagship programmes like
Ayushman Bharat, POSHAN Abhiyaan and Swachh Bharat Mission.
• Achievements
o Over 12 lakh food safety supervisors and over 13 lakh street food vendors were trained as part of
the programme.
o As on July 6, as many as 284 Eat Right Stations and 249 Clean Street Food Hubs were certified
across India.
o Over 55 lakh liters of used cooking oil collected under Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (RUCO), with 39
lakh liters converted into biodiesel.

Jitendra Singh inaugurates Phenome India ‘National Biobank’

• Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh inaugurated Phenome India ‘National
Biobank’ at the CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB) in New Delhi on July 6.
• The newly launched facility marks a significant stride towards building India’s own longitudinal health
database and enabling personalized treatment regimens in future.
• The Phenome India Project, under which the Biobank has been launched, is designed to be a long-term,
data-rich study tracking the health trajectories of individuals over several years.
• The Biobank will serve as the backbone of a nationwide cohort study, collecting comprehensive
genomic, lifestyle, and clinical data from 10,000 individuals across India.
• The initiative will aid early diagnosis, improve therapeutic targeting, and bolster the fight against complex
diseases such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular ailments, and rare genetic disorders.

India is world’s sixth largest producer of chemicals

• In a report titled ‘Chemical Industry: Powering India’s Participation in Global Value Chains’, NITI
Aayog said India is aiming for $1 trillion chemical output by 2040.
o Today, India is the world’s sixth and Asia’s third-largest producer of chemicals. China, the
United States and Germany are the top producers.
o With over 80,000 commercial products, the industry fuels multiple sectors such as agriculture,
pharmaceuticals, textiles and automotives.
▪ As of 2023, the Indian chemicals market consumption stood at around $220 billion.
▪ India’s share in the chemicals global value chain (GVC) is expected to reach $400 to $450
billion by 2030, with an estimated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10 to 11 per
cent.
▪ However, despite its robust growth trajectory, India’s participation in global chemicals value
chains (GVCs) remains limited, with its share in global chemicals consumption standing at
3 to 3.5 percent in 2023.

52 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

• Import and export of chemicals

o In 2023, India imported chemicals worth $75 billion compared to exports worth $44 billion,
accounting for a trade deficit of around $31 billion.
o Back in the year 2000, India had a net zero trade balance. Rising imports of plastics, inorganics and
chemicals have since caused a growing deficit over time.
o Heavy domestic reliance on petrochemicals, too, contributes substantially to the trade
imbalance.
o India imports its highest volume of chemicals from China (30-35 percent).

Varsha Despande wins UN Population Award 2025

• Varsha Deshpande, founder of Dalit Mahila Vikas Mandal, won the United Nations Population Award in the
individual category on July 11.
• The International Union for the Scientific Study of Population (IUSSP) won the award in the institution
category.
• Who is Varsha Deshpande?
o Varsha Deshpande is a pioneering women’s rights activist with more than 35 years of experience
working on gender-based violence, discrimination and gender.
o Deshpande became the third Indian to win the award after former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi
(1983) and industrialist-philanthropist J.R.D. Tata (1992).
o She founded the Dalit Mahila Vikas Mandal in 1990 to advance women’s rights and gender justice.
• UN Population Award
o The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health
agency.
o Every year, the Committee for the United Nations Population Award honours an individual or
institution in recognition of outstanding contributions to population and reproductive health issues
and solutions.
o The Award was established by the General Assembly in 1981, and was first presented in 1983.
o It consists of a gold medal, a diploma and a monetary prize.

TEMA India Ltd. Commissions India’s First Private Test Facility for Depleted Heavy Water
Upgradation
• It is a privately-built test infrastructure for upgrading depleted heavy water, a crucial component used
in Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs).
• Developed by TEMA India Ltd under BARC’s technology transfer and a purchase order from NPCIL.
• The facility is commissioned in Mumbai, Maharashtra and is India’s first private sector plant of its kind in the
nuclear domain.
• What is Distillation Equipment?
o Heavy water (D2O) is a form of water (H2O) with deuterium, a heavier isotope of hydrogen, instead
of regular hydrogen, and is used as a coolant as well as moderator for slowing down fast-moving
neutrons during a chain reaction, essential for sustaining the nuclear fission process.
o D2O needs to be 99.9% pure for working efficiently. But with time, it gets contaminated with
light or regular water, requiring the depleted D2O to be upgraded back to 99.9% using a distillation
process. TEMA India will not only manufacture the components required for the distillation process,
but will also test them to ensure they produce the right results.
• First Batch Delivered:
o At the inauguration ceremony Saturday, TEMA India also dispatched the first batch of tested
distillation column sections for deployment at Unit 8 of the Rawatbhata Nuclear Power Plant (RAPP-
8) in Rajasthan, which is scheduled to go critical by December this year.

53 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

o The company will also manufacture and test distillation equipment for the upcoming four nuclear
reactors at Gorakhpur in Haryana and two at Kaiga in Karnataka.
• Govt Targets and Recent Updates:
o India has set its eyes at achieving 100 GW of installed nuclear energy capacity by 2047. There are 24
nuclear reactors operational in India, with an installed capacity of 8,780 MW.
o The government had approved construction of 10 more nuclear reactors in 2015, of which one has
come onboard, while the rest — with a combined capacity of 13.6 GW — are under construction.
o The immediate target is to achieve 22.4 GW of installed capacity by 2032. The government has also
launched a Rs.20,000-crore Nuclear Energy Mission to develop Small Modular Reactors.

NISAR to revolutionize Earth observation with precision, global data access

• The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) launched from GSLV-F16 is a collaboration between
the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA).
• The Nisar mission, a $1.5 billion joint venture between the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) and
the United States' National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa), is now set to revolutionize climate
monitoring and disaster response, not just for India, but worldwide.
• Nisar is the world’s first Earth-mapping satellite equipped with dual-frequency synthetic aperture
radar.
• This combination of Nasa's L-band radar and Isro's S-band radar enables Nisar to capture the faintest
shifts on Earth’s surface — whether under forests, clouds, or even in darkness — detecting movements as
small as a few millimeters.
• Nisar is designed to orbit the planet every 97 minutes, mapping nearly all land and ice surfaces with an
unparalleled imaging swath every 12 days.
• It has a massive 12-meter deployable mesh antenna, one of the largest ever used for Earth
observation. This enables wide imaging swaths of over 240 kilometres while maintaining high resolution.
• The innovative SweepSAR architecture, implemented for the first time in space, allows the satellite to cover
vast areas without compromising image quality.
• The 2,393-kg satellite was inserted into a 747-kilometre Sun-synchronous orbit.
o Over its five-year mission life, NISAR will offer invaluable data for global climate science,
seismic and volcanic monitoring, forest mapping, and resource management.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana scheme, a total of 16,912 Jan Aushadhi
Kendras have been opened till 30.6.2025
• 2,110 medicines and 315 surgical, medical consumables and devices are under the scheme product
basket, covering all major therapeutic groups, such as cardiovascular, anti-cancers, anti-diabetic, anti-
infectives, anti-allergic and gastro-intestinal medicines and nutraceuticals.
• The government has launched the scheme to make quality generic medicines available at affordable prices
to all.
• With a view to further expand reach to Janaushadhi medicine and thereby reduce out-of-pocket
expenditure, the Government has set a target to open 25,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras by March 2027.
• Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana scheme
o The Jan Aushadhi Scheme, revamped as Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana (PMJAY) in September
2015, aimed to make quality medicines available at affordable prices, particularly for the poor and
disadvantaged.
o Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) is the implementing agency of Pradhan
Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP).
o Incentive:

54 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

▪ The incentive up to Rs. 20,000/- per month is given @ 20% of monthly purchases made and
subject to the stocking mandate.
▪ A one-time incentive of Rs. 2.00 lakh is provided to PMBJP Kendras opened in North-Eastern
States, Himalayan areas, Island territories and backward areas mentioned as aspirational
district by NITI Aayog or opened by women entrepreneur, Ex-serviceman Divyang, SC & ST.
▪ The prices of Jan Aushadi medicines are 50%-90% less than the prices of branded medicines
in open market.
▪ Medicines are procured only from World Health Organisation – Good Manufacturing
Practices (WHO-GMP) certified suppliers to ensure quality of products.
▪ The drugs are tested at laboratories accredited by National Accreditation Board for
Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL).
o Janaushadhi Sugam:
▪ A mobile application “Janaushadhi Sugam” has been also launched for facilitating the
general public by providing a digital platform at the tip of their fingers, by the virtue of
which they can avail a host of user-friendly options like – locate nearby PMBJK (direction
guided through Google Maps), search janaushadhi medicines, analyze product comparison
of Generic vs Branded medicine in the form of MRP & overall Savings, etc.
o Janaushadi Suvidha Sanitary Napkin:
▪ It is oxo-biodegradable sanitary napkins launched under the PMBJP. It will ensure ‘Swachhta,
Swasthya and Suvidha’ for underprivileged women.
o Janaushadi Diwas:
▪ Every year, March 7th is celebrated as 'Jan Aushadhi Diwas' to raise awareness about the
scheme and promote the use of generic medicines.

Overall, 7 Nano Urea plants have been setup by Fertilizer Companies

• Overall, 7 Nano Urea plants have been set up by Fertilizer Companies with total production capacity of all
these Nano Urea plants presently in operation is 27.22 crore bottles (500 ml each) per annum.
• Further, 3 Nano DAP plants have been set up by Fertilizer Companies with total production capacity of all
these Nano DAP plants presently in operation is 7.64 crore bottles (500 ml each) per annum.
• Since inception, fertilizer companies have sold 10.68 crore bottles (500 ml each) of Nano Urea and 2.75
crore bottles (500 ml each) of Nano DAP across all regions of the nation, including tribal-dominated
regions.
• In order to promote the use of Nano Fertilizers among farmers across the Nation, the following steps
have been taken:
o Use of Nano Urea is promoted through different activities such as awareness camps, webinars, field
demonstrations, Kisan Sammelan and films in regional languages etc.
o Nano Urea and Nano DAP are made available at Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samridhi Kendras (PMKSKs)
by concerned companies.
o ICAR through Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal recently organized a National Campaign on
“Efficient and Balanced Use of Fertilizer (including Nano-fertilizers)”

Launching of Sanchar Mitra Scheme

• The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) launched the Sanchar Mitra scheme nationwide on July 11.
• The initiative aims to engage student volunteers as “digital ambassadors” to bridge the communication gap
between citizens and the telecom ecosystem.
• What is Sanchar Mitra scheme?
o Initially piloted in select institutions, the Sanchar Mitra scheme has now been scaled up for
nationwide implementation following an enthusiastic response and promising impact in its pilot

55 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

phase.
o Under this scheme, student volunteers — designated as ‘Sanchar Mitras’ — will be empowered
to raise awareness among the public about key telecom issues such as digital safety, cyber fraud
prevention, and electromagnetic fields (EMF) radiation concerns, while also promoting
responsible mobile usage and digital literacy.
o The expanded Sanchar Mitra scheme not only aims to enhance public awareness but also provides
participating students with exposure to cutting-edge telecom technologies including 5G, 6G,
Artificial Intelligence, and cybersecurity.
o Sanchar Mitras will receive necessary training from experts and from the National
Communications Academy-Technology (NCA-T).

Dhruva Policy
• The initiative by Ministry of Communications aims to enhance the way addresses are structured and
managed in India. It works by assigning unique codes to locations using a geo-coded grid system of
around 4 meters by 4 meters, known as a DIGIPIN. This significantly improves location accuracy and
enables precise identification of places.
o In addition, the ‘Digital Address’ layer enables users to generate personalized address labels by
combining the DIGIPIN with descriptive information such as house numbers, street names, etc.
o This approach simplifies address usage, enhances accuracy, and facilitates easy sharing, and
ultimately aims to establish a robust digital address management system.

Department of Posts and AMFI Sign Pathbreaking MoU for KYC Verification of Mutual Fund
Investors
• The Department of Posts (DoP), under the Ministry of Communications, Government of India, and the
Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) have hit a historic milestone by signing a pathbreaking
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on July 17, 2025, in Mumbai
• It aims to streamline KYC (Know Your Customer) verification for approximately 24.13 crore mutual
fund folios, including 19.04 crore in Equity, Hybrid, and Solution-Oriented Schemes, as per AMFI data for
June 30, 2025.
• This landmark agreement will benefit all Asset Management Companies (AMCs) under AMFI by ensuring
seamless KYC compliance for their vast and growing investor base, enhancing operational efficiency and
financial inclusion across India.
• The MoU enables postal employees to assist investors in completing KYC forms, verifying and attesting self-
attested documents, and transferring them to AMCs.

SAKSHAM-3000
• Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, launched
high capacity SAKSHAM-3000 switch cum router with 25.6 Tera bit per second throughput today at
C-DOT campus
o It acts a traffic manager that help to build stronger, faster, and more secure internet and
communication networks for the country.
o Whenever huge amounts of data like phone calls, internet browsing, videos, or cloud storage is
transmitted, this machine ensures they move quickly, smoothly.
▪ Developed by – Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT).

United Nations International Year of Cooperatives 2025

• The Ministry of Cooperation has undertaken a range of special initiatives and events to commemorate the
United Nations-International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) – 2025 with the theme “Cooperatives Build a Better

56 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

World”.
• It was officially launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at the ICA Global Cooperative
Conference held in 2024.

India to host AI Impact Summit in February 2026, focusing on democratizing AI to solve real-world
challenges across sectors
• India will host the AI Impact Summit in February 2026 with an aim to shape global rules for safe and
inclusive use of Artificial Intelligence.
• This comes after the Paris AI Summit 2025 failed to reach a global consensus on AI governance.
o The Paris Summit showed clear differences - U.S. and U.K. rejected the final statement while
China supported it.
o India wants to act as a bridge between developed and developing countries in AI discussions.

Shri Dharmendra Pradhan along with Shri Nayab Saini inaugurated India campus of University of
Southampton in Gurugram
• Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan, along with Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, on
Wednesday inaugurated the India campus of the University of Southampton in Gurugram.
o The University of Southampton—a QS Top 100 global institution and founding member of the
UK’s Russell Group—becomes the first foreign university to operationalize a campus in India
under the University Grants Commission’s (Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher
Educational Institutions in India) Regulations.

RailOne App launched: One-stop solution for all passenger services

• Recently, the Union Railway Minister launched a new app, RailOne, at India Habitat Centre in New Delhi on
the 40th Foundation Day of Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS).
• It is an all-in-one mobile application for Indian Railways passengers, offering integrated services through a
single platform.
o Developed By: Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS), under the Ministry of Railways.
o Objective: To enhance digital interface, offer seamless access to rail services, and reduce
dependency on multiple apps.

Central Electricity Authority and IIT Roorkee signed MoU to Strengthen Collaboration in Power
Sector Research and Capacity Building
• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on 01-07-2025 between the Central Electricity
Authority (CEA), Ministry of Power, Government of India and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee
to foster collaboration in knowledge sharing, capacity building, and interdisciplinary research in the power
and energy sector.
o Both organizations will also collaborate on the sharing of data, facilities, and research outcomes
based on mutual consent and in line with confidentiality agreements.

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh launches state-of-the-art Digital Studio 'Shrishti' at IIPA
• These new facilities are set to become transformative spaces for content creation, policy education, and
administrative synergy.
• Developed under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, the ‘Shrishti’ studio
represents a state-of-the-art digital hub for knowledge dissemination, government training, and capacity-
building—positioning IIPA at the forefront of future-ready administrative learning.

Newspapers, Periodicals and TV Channels Urged to Register on PB-SHABD Platform for Free
57 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com
PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

Access to Authentic News Content

• Prasar Bharati has extended an invitation to all newspapers, periodicals, and TV channels across India to
register on its newswire platform, Prasar Bharati Shared Audio Visuals for Broadcast and Dissemination
(PB-SHABD), to access high-quality news and multimedia content free of cost.
• Launched in March 2024, PB-SHABD offers over 800 news stories daily in multiple Indian languages,
covering more than 40 diverse categories.
o The platform also features live feeds of key national and international events, a rich archive of visual
content, and regularly published explanatory and research-based articles.
o All content is made available in usable formats, ensuring ease of access for media organizations and
content creators.

ESIC Launches SPREE 2025 to Expand Social Security Coverage

• The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has approved SPREE 2025 (Scheme for Promotion of
Registration of Employers and Employees)—during its 196th ESI Corporation Meeting held in Shimla,
Himachal Pradesh, under the chairmanship of Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Labour &
Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports.
• SPREE 2025
o The Scheme for Promotion of Registration of Employers and Employees (SPREE) 2025, approved by
the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), is a special initiative aimed at expanding social
security coverage under the ESI Act. The scheme will be active from 1st July to 31st December 2025
and provides a one-time opportunity for unregistered employers and employees—including
contractual and temporary workers—to enroll without facing inspections or demands for past dues.
o Under SPREE 2025:
▪ Employers can register their units and employees digitally through the ESIC portal, Shram
Suvidha and MCA portal.
▪ Registration will be considered valid from the date declared by the employer.
▪ No contribution or benefit will apply for periods prior to registration.
▪ No inspection or demand for past records will be made for the pre-registration period.

NSO launches “Statathon – A Data Journey Towards Viksit Bharat”

• The National Statistical Office (NSO), India, in collaboration with the Innovation Cell of the Ministry of
Education (MoE), launched a Grand Challenge titled “Statathon – A Data Journey Towards Viksit Bharat”.
• Organized under the aegis of MoSPI’s Data Innovation Lab (DI Lab) initiative, the Statathon marks an
important milestone in the commemoration of 75 years of the National Sample Survey (NSS).
• The challenge invites participation to address five problem statements, each covering different phases of
the data lifecycle; collection, processing & analysis, and dissemination.

Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme

• Ministry of Tourism launched Swadesh Darshan scheme (SDS) in 2014-15 with the idea to develop thematic
tourism circuits in the country and sanctioned 76 projects for ₹5290.30 Crore under identified themes.
• This scheme has been revamped as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0) with the aim to develop sustainable
tourism destinations with tourist and destination centric approach.
• Under SD2.0, the Ministry has sanctioned 52 projects for ₹2108.87 Crore.
• Swadesh Darshan Scheme
o It was launched in 2015 by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, to develop sustainable and
responsible tourism destinations in the country.
o It is 100% centrally funded scheme.
o Under the scheme, the Ministry of Tourism provides financial assistance to State governments,

58 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

Union Territory Administrations or Central Agencies for development of tourism infrastructure in the
country.
o Operation & Maintenance (O&M) of the projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan Scheme is the
responsibility of the respective State Government/UT Administration.

Nyaya Bandhu Legal Aid programme

• The Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono Legal Service) is one of the programmes under the scheme of “Designing
Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice” (DISHA) which is being implemented by Department
of Justice.
• The Nyaya Bandhu program registers interested Pro Bono Advocates and connects them with the
beneficiaries (who are entitled for free legal aid under Section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987)
through the Nyaya Bandhu Application.
• A panel of Pro Bono Advocates has also been constituted in 23 High Courts to strengthen institutional
mechanism for delivering pro bono legal services to the beneficiary.

Agreement signed between India and Morocco

• The objective and features of the agreement signed between India and Morocco i.e. Mutual Legal
Assistance Treaties (MLAT) for promoting fruitful cooperation in the Judicial and legal spheres, this
agreement facilitates the widest measures of mutual legal assistance in civil and commercial matters in
accordance with national laws.
• This MoU provide opportunity to legal fraternity in India and Morocco to exchange their experience and
expertise, in the fields of law and legislation.

MSME sector accounts for 30.1% of India’s GDP

• Union Minister for Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi, announced that the
MSME sector now contributes 30.1% to India’s GDP.
• The sector also plays a key role in national output and trade, contributing 35.4% to manufacturing and
45.73% to exports.
• He said the Udyam portal, launched in July 2020 to offer free, paperless and self-declared registration for
MSMEs, has over 3.80 crore units in its database.
• The Udyam Assist Portal, launched in January 2023 to support informal micro enterprises by facilitating
their access to formal benefits such as Priority Sector Lending, has over 2.72 crore units registered.
• PMEGP Enables Over 80 Lakh Jobs, with 80% Impact in Rural India
• The Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) has generated 80.33 lakh jobs, with 80%
of these created in rural areas. This demonstrates the programme’s critical role in boosting employment
and entrepreneurship beyond urban centres.
• ₹9.80 Lakh Crore Worth Credit Guarantees Fuel MSME Growth
• The Credit Guarantee Scheme (CGS) has so far facilitated guarantees worth ₹9.80 lakh crore since its
inception. In FY24-25 alone, ₹3 lakh crore worth of guarantees were approved. The scheme has supported
1.18 crore MSMEs and is projected to triple its beneficiaries by 2029, with particular focus on women and
entrepreneurs from SC/ST communities.

Ministry of Mines Launches ‘Aspirational DMF Programme’

• Union Ministry of Mines released the operational guidelines for the ‘Aspirational DMF Programme’ which
aims for the convergence of DMF initiatives with the Aspirational District Programme (ADP) and Aspirational
Block Programmes (ABP).
o These guidelines are based on Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY) which
aims to develop areas affected by mining operations through District Mineral Foundation

59 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

(DMF) funds.
o ABP/ ADP is an initiative of NITI Aayog to rapidly and effectively transform most
underdeveloped districts/ blocks across the country.
• About Aspirational DMF Programme
o Objective: Alignment of DMF works with key ADP/ ABP sectors and performance indicators for
multiplier effect and strengthened outcomes for mining affected communities.
o Priority sectors for alignment:
▪ Health and Nutrition
▪ Education
▪ Agriculture and Water resources; Agriculture and allied activities
▪ Basic infrastructure
▪ Social development; Financial development and skill development
o Identification of Aspirational Districts and Blocks: At present, 106 Aspirational Districts and 473
Aspirational Blocks are aligned with DMFs, which is likely to increase over time.
• About District Mineral Foundation (DMF)
o DMFs are established under the Section 9(B) of the MMDR Act, 1957 (introduced through an
amendment in 2015) provides for the establishment of DMF as a non-profit body.
o Objective: To work for the interest and benefit of persons, and areas affected by mining related
operations in such manner as may be prescribed by the State Government.
o Funding: Derived from a statutory contribution from holders of mining leases.
▪ 10% of royalty for leases granted before 2015.
▪ 30% of royalty for leases granted after 2015.

3rd Empowered Committee Meeting Held Under PM VIKAS Scheme

• The 3rd Empowered Committee (EC) Meeting under the Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS)
scheme was convened today (24th July 2025) under the chairmanship of Dr. Chandra Shekhar Kumar,
Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs
• The Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) is a Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry,
which converges five erstwhile schemes viz. ‘Seekho Aur Kamao’, ‘Nai Manzil’, ‘Nai Roshni’, ‘USTTAD’
and ‘Hamari Dharohar’ schemes and focuses on upliftment of six notified minority communities through the
following:
o Skilling and Training (Non-traditional and traditional)
o Women Leadership and Entrepreneurship
o Education (through National Institute of Open Schooling)
o Infrastructure Development (through Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram)
• The scheme also provides to facilitate credit linkages by connecting beneficiaries with loan programs
offered by the National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC).
• For the implementation of the scheme, two key committees are constituted in order to scrutinise and
evaluate proposals.
o The Screening Committee is for initial scrutiny of the proposals and making recommendations to
the Empowered Committee, which approves the proposals.

GRSE delivers Project 17A Himgiri to Navy

• Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd delivered an advanced guided-missile frigate ‘Himgiri’
to the Indian Navy on July 31.
• Himgiri is first in a series of three such platforms being built by GRSE under the Navy’s Project 17A.
• Project 17A frigates
o Project 17A frigates are a follow-on class of the P17 (Shivalik Class) frigates with improved stealth

60 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

features, advanced weapons and sensors and platform management systems.

o The Navy had placed orders for seven stealth frigates, four of which are being developed by
Mazagaon Dock Ltd (MDL) and three by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE).
o P17A ships have been designed in-house by Navy’s Warship Design Bureau. Around 75 per cent of
the orders for equipment and system of P17A ships are being placed on indigenous firms.
• The first ship of Project 17A, ‘Nilgiri’ built by MDL, was launched on September 28, 2019.
o ‘Himgiri’, built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE), Kolkata was launched
on December 14, 2020.
o The third ship ‘Udaygiri’ under the project was launched on May 17 this year. It is expected to start
sea trials during the second half of 2024.
o ‘Dunagiri’, the fourth ship of P17A frigates, was launched in July this year. It was named after a
mountain range in Uttarakhand.
o ‘Taragiri’, named after a hill range in the Himalayas located at Garhwal, was the fifth ship of Project
17A frigates. It was launched in September 2022.
o ‘Vindhyagiri’, named after the mountain range in Karnataka, was the sixth ship of Project 17A
frigates. It was launched in August.
o ‘Mahendragiri’ is the last of the seven warships under Project 17A.

DRDO test-fires Astra beyond visual missile

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully test-fired Astra Beyond Visual
Range (BVR) air-to-air missile equipped with indigenous radio frequency seeker from Su-30 Mk-I
aircraft off the coast of Odisha.
• The missile has a range exceeding 100 km and is equipped with state-of-the art guidance and
navigation system.
• During the tests, two launches were carried out against high-speed unmanned aerial targets at different
ranges, target aspects and launch platform conditions.
DRDO test-fires drone-launched missile ULPGM-V3
• A drone-launched precision guided missile has been successfully test-fired by the Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO) on July 25.
• The flight trials of UAV Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3 were conducted in the National
Open Area Range (NOAR), test range in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.
• The missile is an enhanced version of the ULPGM-V2 missile developed and delivered by the DRDO earlier.
• The ULPGM-V3 is equipped with a high-definition dual-channel seeker that can strike a wide variety of
targets.

India, Singapore begin 14th edition of ‘Bold Kurukshetra’ in Jodhpur

• The 14th edition of India–Singapore joint military exercise — Bold Kurukshetra 2025 — began at Jodhpur
on July 27.
• The exercise seeks to enhance interoperability and joint training capabilities of both armies under the UN
mandate, thereby strengthening bilateral defence cooperation.
• The 42nd battalion of Singapore Armored Regiment and Indian Army’s Mechanized Infantry Regiment are
participating in the exercise.
• Other bilateral exercises:
o Army – Agni Warrior
o Navy – SIMBEX
o Air Force – Joint Military Training.

HAL receives first set of wing assemblies for Tejas LCA from L&T

61 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

• Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) received the first set of wing assemblies for its Tejas Light Combat Aircraft
(Mk1A) programme on July 17.
• The wing assemblies have been produced by Larsen & Toubro.
• In February 2021, the Ministry of Defence sealed a Rs 48,000 crore deal with HAL for the procurement of
83 Tejas Mk-1A jets for the Indian Air Force.
• The single-engine Mk-1A will be a replacement for the IAF’s MiG-21 fighters.
• The IAF’s first LCA Tejas MK1 squadron, Number 45 the Flying Daggers, was raised in 2016.
• LCA Mk1A is the advanced version of the LCA Tejas.
o The aircraft is presently powered by GE 404 engine which will get upgraded to GE 414 engine for
LCA Mk2 which will be manufactured in India with 80 per cent Transfer of Technology arrangement
with GE engines for which the MoU has been signed with it.

India receives final Airbus C295 military aircraft from Spain

• India received the last of its 16 Airbus C295 military transport aircraft from Spain, marking an important
milestone in strengthening its defence capabilities.
• Indian Ambassador to Spain Dinesh K. Patnaik, along with senior Indian Air Force officials, received
the aircraft at the Airbus Defence and Space assembly line in Seville on August 2.
• Deal with Airbus for purchase of 56 C295 transport aircraft
o In September 2021, India sealed a nearly Rs 21,000 crore deal with the Airbus Defence and Space to
procure 56 C295 transport aircraft to replace the ageing Avro-748 planes of the Indian Air Force,
under a project that entails manufacturing of military aircraft in India for the first time by a private
company.
o Under the agreement, a total of 56 aircraft is to be delivered, of which 16 were to be delivered
directly by Airbus from its final assembly line in Seville, Spain.
o The subsequent 40 aircraft will be manufactured and assembled by the Tata Advanced Systems
(TASL) in India as part of an industrial partnership between the two companies.
o In October 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Spanish counterpart, Pedro Sanchez, jointly
inaugurated the TATA Aircraft Complex for manufacturing C295 aircraft at TATA Advanced Systems
Limited (TASL) Campus in Vadodara, Gujarat, in October 2024.
o The facility in Vadodara will involve the full development of a complete ecosystem, from
manufacture to assembly, test and qualification, to delivery and maintenance of the complete life
cycle of the aircraft.
o The first ‘Make in India’ C295 will roll out of the Vadodara FAL in September 2026, which will be a
milestone for the Indian aerospace industry, and shall ramp-up to deliver 40 aircraft to the IAF by
August 2031, as required by the IAF contract.
o India has become the largest customer for the C295, with the acquisition of 56 aircraft.

GRSE hands over eighth Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft to Navy
• ‘Ajay’, the eighth Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) was launched on July 21 at
GRSE, Kolkata.
• Ajay was indigenously designed and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata for
the Indian Navy.
• Arnala, the first ship of the class, was commissioned on June 18.
• ASW Shallow Water Craft (SWC) Project
o The contract for building eight ASW SWC ships was signed between the Defence Ministry and
Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata on April 29, 2019.
o Arnala class of ships will replace the in-service Abhay class ASW Corvettes of the Indian Navy and
are designed to undertake anti-submarine operations in coastal waters, Low Intensity Maritime

62 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

Operations (LIMO) and Mine Laying operations including subsurface surveillance in littoral waters.
o Anjadip, Amini, Abhay, Agray, Androth, Akshay are the other ASW SWC ships from GRSE.

Navy inducts first indigenous diving support vessel ‘Nistar’

• Nistar, the first indigenously constructed diving support vessel, was delivered by Hindustan Shipyard
Limited to the Indian Navy at Visakhapatnam on July 8.
• The ship will also serve as the ‘mother ship’ for Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV) to rescue and
evacuate personnel in case of an emergency in a submarine underwater.
• The ship is highly specialised and can undertake deep-sea diving and rescue operations, a capability
with select navies across the globe.
• The warship has been designed and built as per classification rules of the Indian Register of Shipping
(IRS).
• It has the capability to undertake deep sea saturation diving up to 300 m depth.

Navy tests-fires anti-submarine rocket ERASR from INS Kavaratti

• The user trials of Extended Range Anti-Submarine Rocket (ERASR) were successfully carried out from
INS Kavaratti.
• DRDO’s Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune, in association with High
Energy Materials Research Laboratory and Naval Science & Technological Laboratory, has designed and
developed ERASR for indigenous rocket launcher (IRL) of Indian Naval Ships.
o ERASR is an indigenous anti-submarine rocket used to combat submarine and fired from onboard
IRL of Indian Naval Ships.
o It has twin-rocket motor configuration to meet a wide spectrum of range requirements with high
accuracy and consistency.
o Bharat Dynamics Limited, Hyderabad and Solar Defence & Aerospace Limited, Nagpur are the
Production Partners for ERASR rockets.
AHRR Hosts First-Ever Armed Forces National Conference ‘SHAPE 2025’ on Sustainable Hospital
Planning
• The Department of Hospital Administration at Army Hospital Research & Referral (AHRR), New Delhi,
successfully organized the first-ever Armed Forces National Conference, SHAPE 2025: Sustainable
Hospital Architecture, Planning, Infrastructure and Equipment, on July 26-27, 2025.
• SHAPE 2025 brought together stakeholders from military, civil, and private sectors to forge a unified
vision for future-ready healthcare facilities.
• The discussions focused on moving beyond conventional blueprint-based hospital planning towards
environmentally conscious, technologically enabled, and contextually aligned health infrastructure.
• SHAPE 2025 outlined a framework for integrating green technologies, such as solar energy, rainwater
harvesting, disaster-resilient design, and zero-emission infrastructure.
• Emphasis was also laid on achieving GRIHA ratings, CFEES certification, and adopting ergonomically
designed, healing architecture.

DRDO & AIIMS Bibinagar unveil first Make-in-India cost-effective advanced Carbon Fibre Foot
Prosthesis
• First Make-in-India cost-effective advanced Carbon Fiber Foot Prosthesis, indigenously designed and
developed by DRDO’s Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) and AIIMS Bibinagar was
unveiled at AIIMS Bibinagar, Telangana on July 14, 2025.
• ADIDOC is biomechanically tested to loads up to 125 kgs with sufficient factor of safety.
• It has three variants to cater to patients of different weights. This foot is designed with the goal of offering a
high-quality and affordable solution accessible to a larger population in need, while delivering performance

63 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

at par with available international models.

32nd edition of the Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX-25)

• Indian Naval Ship Satpura has arrived at Singapore to participate in the 32nd edition of the Singapore-
India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX-25), marking yet another chapter in the strong and enduring
maritime partnership between the Indian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).
• The exercise, a hallmark of the deep-rooted naval cooperation between the two nations, commenced with
the Harbour Phase, which includes Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs), professional interactions, and
operational-level discussions.
• These activities reaffirm the growing professional synergy and strategic trust between the two navies, in line
with India’s vision of ‘MAHASAGAR’ and the Act East Policy, which emphasizes robust engagement
with neighbour countries.

********

64 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

RBI/SEBI Circulars – July 2025

Reserve Bank of India (Investment in AIF) Directions, 2025
• On 29th July, the Reserve Bank of India (‘RBI’) notified the Reserve Bank of India (Investment in AIF)
Directions, 2025 to regulate and streamline the how banks and other financial institutions invest in
Alternative Investment Funds (‘AIFs’).
• These Directions will come into force from January 1, 2026, or from any earlier date as decided by a
RE as per its internal policy
• Applicability:
o Commercial Banks (including Small Finance Banks, Local Area Banks and Regional Rural Banks);
o Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks/ State Co-operative Banks/ Central Co-operative Banks;
o All-India Financial Institutions;
o Non-Banking Financial Companies (including Housing Finance Companies).
• Definitions
o ‘Debtor company’ of a RE shall imply any company to which the RE currently has or previously had a
loan or investment exposure (excluding equity instruments) anytime during the preceding twelve
months.
o ‘Equity instrument’ shall refer to equity shares, compulsorily convertible preference shares (CCPS)
and compulsorily convertible debentures (CCD).
• Key Guidelines:
o The investment policy of the RE should have suitable provisions governing its investments in an
Alternative Investment Funds Scheme.
o Limits on Investments and Provisioning:
▪ RE cannot individually contribute more than 10% of the corpus of an Alternative
Investment Funds Scheme;
▪ Collective contribution by all the REs cannot be more than 20% of the corpus of that
scheme;
▪ In case any RE contributes more than 5% of the corpus, which has downstream
investment (excluding equity instruments) in a debtor company of the RE, then:
• the RE will be required to make 100% provision for its proportionate investment
in the debtor company through the Alternative Investment Funds Scheme;
• This provision is capped at maximum of the RE’s direct loan and/ or investment
exposure to the debtor company.
▪ In case REs contribution is in the form of subordinated units, then the entire investment
will be deducted from its capital funds- proportionally from both Tier-1 and Tier- 2
capital.
o Exemptions:
▪ Outstanding investments or commitments of a RE, made with prior approval from the
Reserve Bank under the provisions of Master Direction-Reserve Bank of India (Financial
Services provided by Banks) Directions, 2016.
▪ RBI can exempt certain Alternative Investment Funds from the scope of the existing
circulars and the revised Directions.

What are Alternative Investment Funds?

• Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) are privately pooled investment vehicles that collect funds from
investors, whether Indian or foreign, for investing in various asset classes like private equity, venture
capital, real estate, hedge funds, etc.
• Unlike traditional investments such as mutual funds or stocks, AIFs offer exposure to alternative

65 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

investment opportunities, providing diversification and the potential for higher returns.
• These Funds are ideal for High Net-worth Individuals (HNIs) because they need a high amount of
investment.
• AIFs in India are controlled by SEBI. They can be set up as a:
o Trust
o Company
o Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
o Corporate Body.

Types of AIFs in India

AIFs can be classified into the following categories based on their investment strategies and objectives:
1. Category I - Investments in Startups & Social Ventures
These Funds invest in sectors that promote economic growth, job creation and social impact. The government
encourages them by offering incentives.
Types of Category I AIFs
• Venture Capital Funds (VCFs)– Invest in early-stage startups and businesses with high growth potential
• SME Funds– Support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) by providing capital for expansion
• Social Venture Funds– Invest in businesses with social or environmental impact, such as clean energy
and sustainability projects
• Infrastructure Funds– Finance infrastructure projects like roads, railways, airports, and smart cities.

2. Category II - Private Equity & Debt Investments

The Funds invest mainly in private equity, debt securities or other assets for the furtherance of growth. While
they do not directly benefit from government incentives, they are crucial in corporate finance since they invest in
companies at various stages.

Types of Category II AIFs

• Private Equity Funds– Invest in private companies to help them grow before being listed on the stock
market
• Debt Funds– Invest in debt securities of unlisted companies. Their low credit rating makes them a high-
risk choice for conservative investors
• Fund of Funds– Invest in multiple AIFs.

3. Category III - High-Risk, High-Return Investments

These Funds use advanced trading strategies to maximise returns.
Types of Category III AIFs
• Hedge Funds– Use techniques like short selling, arbitrage and margin trading for high-risk, high-reward
investing
• Private Investment in Public Equity (PIPE) Funds– Invest in listed companies at a discount when they
need capital.

Who Can Invest in AIFs?

Investing in AIFs is not open to everyone. Here are the key eligibility criteria:
• Eligible Investors
o Indian residents, NRIs and foreign nationals can invest in AIFs
o You can also apply as joint investors which includes your spouse, parents or children.
• Minimum Investment Amount
o ₹ 1 crore for general investors

66 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

o ₹ 25 lakh for fund managers, directors or employees of the AIF.

• Lock-in Period
o Generally, AIFs have a minimum lock period of 3 years.
• Investor Limit
o AIFs can have a maximum of 1,000 investors per scheme (49 investors for angel funds).

SEBI Explainer: https://www.sebi.gov.in/sebi_data/attachdocs/1471519155273.pdf

Reserve Bank of India (Pre-payment Charges on Loans) Directions, 2025

• To enhance access to affordable credit for Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) and resolve customer
grievances, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued the RBI (Pre-payment Charges on Loans)
Directions, 2025.
o Reserve Bank’s supervisory reviews have indicated divergent practices amongst Regulated Entities
(REs) with regard to levy of pre-payment charges in case of loans sanctioned to MSEs which led to
customer grievances and disputes.
o Further, certain REs has been found to include restrictive clauses in loan contracts/ agreements to
deter borrowers from switching over to another lender, either for availing lower rates of interest or
better terms of service.
o These Directions shall be applicable to all loans and advances sanctioned or renewed on or
after January 1, 2026.
o These Directions shall apply to all commercial banks (excluding payments banks), co-operative
banks, NBFCs and All India Financial Institutions.
• An RE shall adhere to the following Directions regarding levy of pre-payment charges on all floating
rate loans and advances:
o For all loans granted for purposes other than business to individuals, with or without co-
obligant(s), an RE shall not levy pre-payment charges;
o For business loans to individuals and MSEs:
▪ No charges if lender is:
• Commercial Bank (excluding SFBs, RRBs, LABs)
• Tier-4 Primary (Urban) Co-operative Bank
• NBFC-UL
• AIFI
▪ No charges up to ₹50 lakh if lender is:
• Small Finance Bank (SFB)
• Regional Rural Bank (RRB)
• Tier-3 Urban Co-operative Bank
• State & Central Co-operative Banks
• NBFC-ML
• Other Key Details:
o These rules apply regardless of the source of pre-payment funds, and borrowers are not subject
to any lock-in period before making a pre-payment.
o For loans not covered under these exemptions, the pre-payment charges will be levied in
accordance with the regulated entity’s approved policy.
o To ensure transparency, all applicable charges must be clearly disclosed in the sanction letter,
loan agreement, and, when needed, in the Key Facts Statement.
• Prepayment Penalties:
o Prepayment penalties are fees that lenders impose when borrowers repay their loans before the

67 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

scheduled end of the loan term.

o Lenders levy these charges to compensate for the potential loss of future interest income when a
loan is repaid earlier than expected.

RBI appoints Shri Kesavan Ramachandran as new Executive Director

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has appointed Shri Kesavan Ramachandran as Executive Director (ED) with
effect from July 01, 2025.
• Prior to being promoted as ED, Shri Kesavan Ramachandran was serving as Principal Chief General
Manager in Risk Monitoring Department.
o Shri Kesavan Ramachandran has experience of over three decades in areas relating to currency
management, Banking and Non-Banking supervision, training and administration.
o He also served as Principal of the Reserve Bank Staff College during his career.
o He served as, RBI’s nominee on the Board of Canara Bank for over five years and on the Auditing
and Assurance Standards Board of ICAI for two years.
o As Executive Director, Shri Kesavan Ramachandran will look after Department of Regulation
(Prudential Regulation Division).

Govt nominates Secretary Department of Economic Affairs Anuradha Thakur on RBI Central Board
• The Central Government has nominated Ms. Anuradha Thakur, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs,
Ministry of Finance, Government of India as a Director on the Central Board of Reserve Bank of India in the
place of Ajay Seth who has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Insurance Regulatory and
Development Authority of India (IRDAI).
• The nomination of Ms. Anuradha Thakur is effective from July 24, 2025 and until further orders.

RBI – Digital Payments Index for March 2025

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has been publishing a composite Reserve Bank of India – Digital Payments
Index (RBI-DPI) since January 1, 2021 with March 2018 as base to capture the extent of digitization of
payments across the country.
o The index for March 2025 stands at 493.22 as against 465.33 for September 2024, which was
announced on January 29, 2025.
o The increase in RBI-DPI index was driven by significant growth in parameters viz. Payment
Infrastructure – Supply-side factors and Payment Performance across the country over the period.

CARE Ratings Subsidiary CareEdge Global Gets RBI Accreditation as ECAI

• CARE Ratings Limited announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, CareEdge Global IFSC Limited, has
received accreditation from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) as an External Credit Assessment Institution
(ECAI).
• Banks can utilize ratings assigned by CareEdge Global for risk weighting their claims on specified
categories, particularly non-resident corporates originating at the International Financial Services
Centre (IFSC).
• This expands the existing framework, which previously allowed banks to use ratings from only three
international credit rating agencies—Fitch, Moody's, and Standard & Poor's—for risk weighting their
claims on foreign entities.
• The specific focus on non-resident corporates originating at the International Financial Services Centre
(IFSC) highlights the growing importance of GIFT City as a global financial hub.
• By enabling banks to use CareEdge Global's ratings for these entities, the RBI is fostering a more robust and
diversified credit assessment ecosystem within the IFSC, aligning with the Basel III Capital Regulations.
• The rating-risk weight mapping for the ratings assigned by M/s CareEdge Global IFSC Limited shall

68 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

be as follows:
Rating Category AAA AA A BBB BB & below
Risk weight (%) 20 30 50 100 150
• Applicable: All Scheduled Commercial Banks (including Small Finance Banks) (excluding Local Area Banks,
Payments Banks and Regional Rural Banks)

Inclusion in the Second Schedule of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934
• NSDL Payments Bank Limited has been included in the Second Schedule of the Reserve Bank of India Act,
1934
• Ahmednagar Merchant’s Co-op. Bank Ltd has been included in the Second Schedule of the Reserve
Bank of India Act, 1934
• Deogiri Nagari Sahakari Bank Lt, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar has been included in the Second Schedule of
the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934
• What is Second Schedule of RBI Act, 1934?
o The Second Schedule of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Act, 1934, lists banks that are considered
"Scheduled Banks". Conditions for inclusion in the Second Schedule of the RBI Act are as stated
in section 42(6)(a) of the RBI Act.
o Every Scheduled Commercial Bank enjoys two types of principal facilities: -
▪ It becomes eligible for debts/loans at the bank rate from the RBI
▪ It automatically acquires the membership of clearing house.
o SCBs include Public Sector Banks, Private Sector Banks, Foreign Banks, Regional Rural Banks,
Scheduled Payments Banks, Scheduled Small Finance Banks and Scheduled Co-operative Banks.

Master Direction – Business Authorization for Co-operative Banks (Directions), 2025

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released draft Master Directions titled “Business Authorization for Co-
operative Banks” aimed at consolidating and updating the regulatory framework governing the
expansion and operational permissions of co-operative banks.
o These directions are expected to bring uniformity, clarity, and procedural efficiency to the way co-
operative banks open, close, or modify their business locations.
o The draft covers a wide array of general guidelines and operational permissions that co-operative
banks must follow. These include procedures and eligibility norms for opening new places of
business, such as branches, extension counters, or administrative offices.
o It also outlines conditions under which co-operative banks can open branches through the
automatic route, which allows for certain branch expansions without prior RBI approval, subject to
fulfilling specific eligibility criteria.
o These measures aim to simplify and expedite the expansion process for well-managed co-operative
banks.
• Applicability
o The provisions of this Direction shall apply to all co-operative banks (hereinafter called the ‘banks’),
i.e., Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks (UCBs), State Co-operative banks (StCBs) and District
Central Co-operative banks (DCCBs).
• Categorization of UCBs for Regulatory Purposes
o Tier 1 - All unit UCBs and salary earners' UCBs (irrespective of deposit size), and all other UCBs
having deposits up to ₹100 crore;
o Tier 2 - UCBs with deposits of more than ₹100 crore and up to ₹1000 crore;
o Tier 3 - UCBs with deposits of more than ₹1000 crore and up to ₹10,000 crore;
o Tier 4 - UCBs with deposits of more than ₹10,000 crore.
• If a UCB transits to a higher Tier on account of an increase in deposits in any financial year, it can use a

69 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

glide path of up to a maximum of two years to comply with higher regulatory requirements, if any, of
the transited higher Tier.
• Eligibility Criteria for Business Authorization (ECBA)
o A bank will be considered as fully complying with ECBA if it meets the following conditions, based
on the audited financial statements as of 31st March of the immediately preceding financial year:
▪ Regulatory minimum applicable CRAR for the bank;
▪ Net NPAs of not more than 3%;
▪ Net profits during the preceding two financial years, without any accumulated losses in the
balance sheet;
▪ No default in the maintenance of CRR/ SLR during the preceding and current financial year;
▪ Core Banking Solution (CBS) fully implemented;
▪ The bank should not have been under any Directions/Supervisory Action Framework/PCA of
RBI/NABARD, as the case may be, in the previous or current financial year; and
▪ (Applicable only to UCBs)-The bank should have at least two professional directors on the
Board as prescribed in the "Master Circular on Board of Directors - UCBs" dated April 01,
2025, as amended from time to time.
• A bank shall determine its compliance with the ECBA every year based on the audited financial
statements as of 31st March of the immediately preceding FY and place it before its Board within 30
days from the date of adoption of the audit report.
• The Board shall satisfy itself about the compliance of the bank with ECBA and pass the necessary
resolution approving the same and inform the Reserve Bank within 15 calendar days from the date of
the Board resolution.
• If a bank wrongly declare itself compliant with ECBA based on audited figures shall be barred from
self-reviewing itself as ECBA compliant for a period as deemed fit by the supervisor subject to a
minimum of one year from the date of such supervisory review report date.
• Area of Operation of UCBs
• A UCB may extend its area of operation as follows:
Sr. No. Area of Operation Applicability
a) The whole of its district of A UCB may extend its area of operation to the whole of its district of
registration registration without prior permission from the Reserve Bank.
b) Additional three districts besides A UCB in compliance with ECBA may extend its area of operation to a
the district of registration (within maximum of three districts of its choice within its state of registration (other
the state of registration) than its district of registration), without prior permission from the
Reserve Bank.

c) Beyond the districts as A UCB in Tier 2, 3 and 4 (including Salary Earners’ Banks meeting the
mentioned at point (b) above minimum deposit requirement of a Tier 2 UCB) in compliance with
and within the state of ECBA may extend its area of operation beyond the districts as mentioned
registration at point 5.2 (b) above and within the state of registration, subject to prior
approval of the Reserve Bank.

2. The UCB would be permitted to extend its area of operation to a

maximum of five districts in a financial year, subject to the availability of
adequate headroom capital (Para 7) required for opening at least one
branch in each of the proposed districts.

d) Beyond the state of registration A UCB in Tier 3 and 4 (including Salary Earners' Banks meeting the
minimum deposit requirement of a Tier 3 UCB) in compliance with
ECBA and having a minimum assessed net worth (ANW) of ₹50
crore may extend its area of operation beyond the state of
registration, subject to prior approval of the Reserve Bank.

2. The UCB would be permitted to extend its area of operation to a

70 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com
PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

maximum of two states in a financial year, subject to the availability of

adequate headroom capital required for opening at least five branches
in each proposed state.
• Constitution of the Board of Management (BoM) shall be a mandatory condition for the expansion of the
area of operation for UCBs in Tier 2 and above. UCBs in Tier I may constitute BoM as a good governance
practice.
• Area of Operation of DCCBs & StCBs
o The area of operation of DCCBs is decided by the state government concerned by passing an order
to that effect.
o Any change in the extant area of operation that takes place due to the splitting/ reorganization of
districts is also notified by the government by issuing an order to that effect.
o Therefore, DCCBs desirous of amending their area of operation shall approach the Reserve Bank
along with the notification from the state government and a resolution passed to this effect by their
Board in line with the process.
• Norms for inclusion of a UCB and a StCB in the Second Schedule to the Reserve Bank of India Act,
1934
o The licensed UCBs (except Salary Earners’ Banks) and StCBs, which are in compliance with ECBA and
the following additional norms, may apply to the Regional Office concerned of the Reserve Bank for
inclusion in the Second Schedule to the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934:
▪ Maintenance of minimum deposits required for categorization as a Tier 3 UCB for two
consecutive years by a UCB;
▪ CRAR of at least 3 per cent more than the minimum CRAR requirement applicable to the
bank; and
▪ No major regulatory and supervisory concerns.
• Reporting of Bank / Branch Details under the Central Information System for Banking Infrastructure
(CISBI)
o RBI has replaced the existing system of email-based reporting at the branches to a web-based
central system which makes use of CISBI an online portal that allots Basic Statistical Return (BSR)
code to branches and offices of all banks for the purpose of branch licensing and financial policies
and for requisite coverage of additional dimensions or features.
o Under the new system, all cooperative banks are required to submit their information in a single
proforma online on the CISBI portal, as compared with the earlier system of submitting separate
documents with information about daily business activity at the bank through e-mail and are require
to submit the information relating to opening, closure, merger, shifting and conversion of bank
branches or offices online through CISBI portal immediately and in any case not later than one
week.
• Doorstep Banking Services
o A bank may provide Doorstep Banking Services to its customers on a voluntary basis, without
prior approval of the Reserve Bank.
o The bank may formulate a scheme for providing Doorstep Banking Services to its customers, with
the approval of their Boards. The details of the scheme may be informed to the Reserve Bank
within 15 calendar days of implementing the scheme.
o The bank shall take into account the various risks that may arise on account of offering Doorstep
Banking Services, such as outsourcing risk, operational risk, reputational risk, etc., to customers
either directly through its own employees or through agents and take all necessary steps to manage
the same.
o The operation of the scheme may be reviewed by the Board of the bank on an annual basis.

71 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

Reserve Bank of India – Digital Banking Channels Authorisation Directions, 2025

• Issued in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 35A read with Section 56 of the Banking
Regulation Act, 1949.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed sweeping changes to the governance of digital banking
services to safeguard consumer choice and tighten oversight.
• In a major shift, the RBI has proposed that banks be barred from showcasing 3rd-party products,
including those from their own promoter or group entities, on digital banking channels, unless expressly
permitted by the regulator.
• A key provision of the draft is that banks must obtain explicit and documented customer consent before
offering digital banking services. Moreover, customers must not be compelled to adopt digital banking
channels in order to access other essential services like debit cards.
• Applicability
o The provisions of these Directions shall apply to all banks authorized to operate in India (commercial
banks and cooperative banks).
▪ Commercial Banks - These include Public Sector Banks (PSBs), Private Sector Banks (PVBs),
Foreign Banks (FBs), Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Small Finance Banks (SFBs), Payment Banks,
and Local Area Banks (LABs).
▪ Cooperative Banks – These include Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks (UCBs), State Co-
operative Banks (StCBs), and District Central Co-operative Banks (DCCBs).
• Prudential Requirements
o Banks shall put in place comprehensive policy(s) for all digital banking channels keeping in account
all statutory and regulatory requirements (including on management of liquidity and operational
risks in digital banking scenario). The responsibility of oversight for management of risks emanating
from these facilities shall remain with the senior management.
• Eligibility Criteria for Digital Banking Access
• Viewing only banking facility:
o This feature includes only banking services that refrain from altering customers’ assets or
liabilities via balance enquiry, viewing, and account statement download.
o Only banks with a core banking solution (CBS) implementation and a ‘public-facing’ IT infrastructure
that handles Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) are eligible to provide this facility.
• Transactional banking facility:
o This feature of digital banking channels allows fund-based or non-fund-based banking services.
Banks should meet certain eligibility criteria before applying for approval from the RBI.
▪ Full implementation of the CBS and IT infrastructure to handle IPv6.
▪ Compliance with the minimum regulatory Capital to Risk-weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR)
requirement.
▪ Net worth of Rs 50 crore or as per the minimum regulatory requirement, whichever is higher.
▪ Presence of adequate financial and technical capabilities. The applicant should submit a
detailed report including the expected expenditure for the facility in the next five financial
years, cost-benefit analysis, and third-party technology service providers (if any), among
others.
▪ A previous record of regulatory compliance with cybersecurity guidelines and an adequate
internal control system. Aspects like a gap assessment report certified by CERT- In
empaneled auditors, the absence of major cautions in the Information Security (IS) Audit
report over the last two financial years and inputs of the bank’s supervisory authority should
be taken into account here.
• Customer Conduct and Other Instructions
o Banks shall obtain explicit consent from the customer for providing digital banking services

72 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

which may be duly recorded/documented. It shall also be clearly indicated that SMS/email alerts will
be sent to the mobile number/email of the customer registered with the bank for operations, both
financial and non-financial, in their account(s).
o Multiple channels for registration of these services may be provided to minimize the need for
branch visits and application processing time.
o Banks shall put in place appropriate risk mitigation measures in accordance with their policies
like transaction limit (per transaction, daily, weekly, monthly), transaction velocity limit, fraud checks,
etc. depending on their risk perception.
o It is clarified that wherever specific requirements have been prescribed by the Reserve Bank or
payment system operators (for example, NPCI, Card networks like VISA, Mastercard, etc.), the
stricter requirements of the two shall be applicable.
o Banks shall put in place risk-based transaction monitoring and surveillance mechanism. Study
of customer transaction behaviour pattern and monitoring unusual transactions or obtaining prior
confirmation from customers for outlier transactions may be incorporated in the systems in
accordance with the Fraud Risk Management Policy of the bank.

Reserve Bank of India (Novation of OTC Derivative Contracts) Directions, 2025

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued draft directions for the novation of Over-the-Counter (OTC)
derivative contracts, aimed at outlining the process by which a market participant can exit an existing
OTC derivative contract and transfer their position to another party.
• What are OTC Derivatives?
o OTC Derivatives are financial contracts (like forwards, swaps, options) not traded on exchanges like
NSE or BSE.
o They are custom-made contracts between two parties, often involving banks, companies, or financial
institutions.
o Example: A company and a bank may sign a currency swap deal directly between themselves — this
is OTC.
• What is "Novation"?
o Novation = Replacing one of the parties in an existing OTC contract with a new party.
o Think of it like this: You (Party A) have a financial contract with Bank X (Party B). You want to exit the
contract, so Bank Y (Party C) steps in. Now, the old contract is replaced by a new one: You (Party A)
and Bank Y (Party C) — with same terms, just new counterparty.
• Key Guidelines:
o The party who is not being replaced (i.e., the one staying in the contract) must agree to the
novation.
o Novation will require the prior consent of the remaining party and must be carried out at prevailing
market rates.
o The RBI has also mandated that all parties adhere to existing regulatory frameworks, with the
original contract being replaced by a new one with identical terms, except for the change in
counterparty.
o Eligible market participants may undertake novation of an OTC derivative contract, subject to the
following:
▪ the novation of an OTC derivative contract shall be done with the prior consent of the
remaining party;
▪ the transaction shall be undertaken at prevailing market rates. The amount corresponding to
the mark-to-market value of the OTC derivative contract at the prevailing market rate on
novation date shall be exchanged between the transferor and the transferee; and
▪ the parties to the novation shall adhere to the provisions of the Governing Directions and

73 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

the new contract post novation shall be in compliance with the provisions of the Governing
Directions.
• Documentation
o The Fixed Income Money Market and Derivatives Association of India (FIMMDA) and the
Foreign Exchange Dealers’ Association of India (FEDAI), as applicable, in consultation with
market participants and based on international best practices, shall devise standard agreements
for novation.
o Market participants may, alternatively, use a standard master agreement for novation.
• Reporting
o Market-maker(s) involved in the novation of an OTC Derivative contract shall ensure that the details
pertaining to the novation are reported to the Trade Repository of Clearing Corporation of India
Limited (CCIL), in terms of the provisions specified in the Governing Directions.

Export Data Processing and Monitoring System (EDPMS)

• The Export Data Processing and Monitoring System (EDPMS) is an online platform introduced by the
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in 2014.
• This system plays a critical role in the reporting and regulation of export activities, providing a structured
framework for Indian banks to document these transactions.
• By enhancing the transparency of dollar dealings between India and international markets, EDPMS
significantly contributes to the integrity of the country's trade practices.
• Key Features:
o Tracks exports from start to finish in India
o Links with customs and banks
o Monitors shipments and payments coming into India

******

74 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com

PIB Programs & RBI/SEBI Circulars Magazine – July 2025 ~BRAJESH MOHAN

PIB Explainers – July 2025

1. Higher Education under NEP 2020: Reimagining India’s Academic Landscape
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=154950&ModuleId=3

2. India’s UPI Revolution

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=154912&ModuleId=3

3. PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=154909&ModuleId=3

4. India’s Largest Tribal Village Development Scheme

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=154915&ModuleId=3

5. The Indian Monsoon

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=154892&ModuleId=3

6. A Decade of Building Skills & Empowering Dreams

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=154880&ModuleId=3

7. North East India’s SDG Progress

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=154877&ModuleId=3

8. World Population Day 2025

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=154867&ModuleId=3

9. India’s Story on Bridging Inequality

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=154837&ModuleId=3

10. Cooperatives: Building a Better Tomorrow - International Cooperatives Day 2025: Strengthening Rural
Prosperity Through Shared Efforts
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=154829&ModuleId=3

11. Breaking Barriers: Gender Budgeting as a Catalyst for Inclusion

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=154811&ModuleId=3

12. India’s Economic Surge

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=154840&ModuleId=3

13. India–UK CETA

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=154945&ModuleId=3

14. Leap Beyond: Elevating India’s Space Saga

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=154955&ModuleId=3

*******
75 |PIB & ESI Magazine www.brajeshmohan.in www.affairstap.com