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Type: Prelims Only

Green Highways: Sustainable Road Infrastructure
Why in the News?
- India’s Green Highways approach is promoting sustainable road infrastructure through plantation, climate-resilient design and resource-efficient construction.
- More than 3.61 crore saplings have been planted across approximately 1.32 lakh km of National Highways over the last five years.
Key Highlights
- National Highway network increased by nearly 61%:
  - 2014: 91,287 km
  - March 2026: 1,46,572 km
- More than 3.61 crore saplings planted across approximately 1.32 lakh km of National Highways as of July 2026.
- Green highway practices include:
  - Plantation and afforestation
  - Miyawaki plantations
  - Tree transplantation and compensatory afforestation
  - Recycled and waste-derived materials
  - Bio-bitumen
  - Drone and satellite-based monitoring
Green Highways Policy, 2015
- Official name: Green Highways (Plantation, Transplantation, Beautification and Maintenance) Policy, 2015.
- Key objectives:
  - Framework for plantation along National Highways.
  - Reduce air pollution and dust.
  - Arrest soil erosion on embankment slopes.
  - Moderate wind and incoming radiation.
  - Generate employment for local communities.
- Implementation involves Self Help Groups, private agencies, State Forest Departments, Forest Corporations and contractors.
- A Plantation Cell monitors implementation through NHAI regional offices and other agencies.
Miyawaki Plantation
- Miyawaki technique creates dense forests in limited spaces.
- Also known as the “pot plantation method”.
- Trees and shrubs are planted close together to promote rapid growth.
- Plants can grow up to 10 times faster under this method.
- Useful particularly for expanding green cover in space-constrained urban areas.
National Highways Green Cover Index
- National Highways Green Cover Index (NH-GCI) 2025-26 is the first Annual Report on the index.
- Prepared in collaboration with National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) of ISRO.
- Provides the first scientific and quantitative assessment of green cover within the Right of Way (RoW) along National Highways.
- Covers nearly 30,000 km of National Highways under the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) phase across 24 states.
- Uses space-based technologies for monitoring.
- Provides a baseline for comparison, ranking and targeted interventions.
Sustainable Highway Materials
- Bio-bitumen technology was transferred in January 2026.
- Developed jointly by:
  - CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI), New Delhi
  - CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum (CSIR-IIP), Dehradun
- Uses post-harvest rice straw as feedstock.
- Rice straw undergoes pyrolysis to produce bio-oil, which is blended with conventional bitumen.
- A 100-metre trial stretch was laid on the Jorabat-Shillong Expressway (NH-40), Meghalaya.
- India meets nearly 50% of its bitumen requirement through imports.
- Other materials include fly ash, pond ash, Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP), Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste, recycled aggregates, plastic waste, slag and crumb rubber.
Green Highway Compliance
- NHAI’s September 2026 guidelines require:
  - At least 80% of available Right of Way (RoW) earmarked for plantation to be covered for provisional completion certification.
  - Minimum 90% survival rate of planted saplings at inspection.
  - The same 90% survival benchmark applies during the Operations and Maintenance period.
- Green Highways Excellence Awards were instituted by NHAI in 2025.
- The 2026 awards gave highest weightage to plantation survival.
Prelims Quick Revision
- Green Highways Policy launched in 2015.
- National Highway network: 91,287 km in 2014 → 1,46,572 km in March 2026.
- 3.61 crore+ saplings planted across approximately 1.32 lakh km of National Highways.
- NH-GCI 2025-26 provides scientific assessment of highway green cover.
- NH-GCI assessment covers nearly 30,000 km across 24 states.
- NH-GCI prepared with NRSC, ISRO.
- Bio-bitumen uses rice straw pyrolysis and has been trialled on NH-40 in Meghalaya.
- NHAI plantation compliance requires 80% RoW coverage and 90% sapling survival.
UPSC Prelims Trap
- Green Highways Policy, 2015 is not limited to plantation; it also covers transplantation, beautification and maintenance.
- NH-GCI measures green cover scientifically using space-based technologies; it is not simply a count of saplings planted.
- Miyawaki plantation is associated with dense plantation in limited spaces, not conventional large-scale forest plantation.
- Bio-bitumen in the article is produced using post-harvest rice straw through pyrolysis, not directly by mixing raw agricultural residue with conventional bitumen.
September 29, 2026
Steel Industry Safety Council (SISC)
Why in the News?
- The Ministry of Steel has decided to establish the Steel Industry Safety Council (SISC) as an apex-level industry safety body under the administrative control of the Ministry of Steel.
- The initiative aims to strengthen safety standards, accident prevention, safety practices and safety awareness across India’s steel industry.
Key Highlights
- SISC will function as an apex-level industry safety body.
- It will be headed by the Secretary, Ministry of Steel as Chairman.
- Members will include:
  - Senior officials of the Ministry of Steel
  - Chief Executives of integrated steel producers
  - Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS)
  - Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO)
  - National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
  - Recognised steel technology institutions
- Key functions of SISC:
  - Assess safety conditions in the steel industry.
  - Facilitate studies and improvements in safety practices.
  - Approve industry safety standards and recommended practices.
  - Review serious accidents, accidents and near-miss incidents.
  - Strengthen safety awareness, training and preventive measures.
Steel Industry Safety Directorate (SISD)
- A Steel Industry Safety Directorate (SISD) will provide technical and professional support to SISC.
- Expertise will cover:
  - Process safety
  - Blast furnaces
  - Steel melting
  - Rolling mills
  - Coke ovens
  - Refractory systems
  - Electrical and mechanical safety
  - Occupational health
  - Fire engineering
  - Disaster management
- SISD will:
  - Implement SISC decisions.
  - Conduct periodic safety audits and reviews.
  - Maintain and disseminate accident and near-miss information.
  - Investigate serious safety incidents.
  - Review emergency preparedness and safety training.
  - Develop and issue Steel Industry Safety Standards, Recommended Practices and Guidelines suited to Indian conditions.
Prelims Quick Revision
- SISC is an apex-level safety body for the steel industry.
- SISC will function under the administrative control of the Ministry of Steel.
- Secretary, Ministry of Steel will be its Chairman.
- DGMS, PESO and NDMA are among the organisations represented in the Council.
- SISD will provide technical and professional support to SISC.
- SISD will conduct safety audits, investigate serious incidents and maintain accident and near-miss information.
- SISC will approve industry safety standards and recommended practices.
- SISD will develop safety standards and guidelines suited to Indian conditions.
UPSC Prelims Trap
- SISC vs SISD: SISC is the apex-level Council, while SISD is the technical and professional support Directorate.
- DGMS is included in SISC, but the article does not state that DGMS will chair the Council.
- SISC is under the Ministry of Steel, not described as an independent statutory regulator.
- Near-miss incidents are explicitly included in the safety review framework, alongside accidents and serious accidents.
September 29, 2026
Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool (BMIP)
Why in the News?
- The Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool (BMIP) was launched in May 2026 as India’s first domestic maritime insurance pool.
- It provides domestic insurance coverage for Indian-linked vessels and cargo, reducing dependence on foreign marine insurers.
Key Highlights
- Approved: 18 April 2026.
- Launched: 12 May 2026.
- Insurance capacity: ₹13,906.50 crore (US$1.5 billion).
- Sovereign guarantee: ₹12,980 crore (US$1.4 billion).
- Pool duration: 10 years, extendable up to 15 years.
- Covers:
  - Hull & Machinery
  - Cargo
  - Protection & Indemnity (P&I)
  - War Risks
- Eligible vessels:
  - Indian-flagged vessels
  - Vessels owned, managed or controlled by Indian entities
  - Cargo vessels destined to or originating from India.
Why India Needs BMIP
- 95% of India’s trade value and 70% of trade volume flows through maritime routes.
- India previously depended heavily on foreign insurers, particularly international P&I Clubs.
- Foreign insurance dependence resulted in an annual outflow of US$45-60 million in P&I premiums.
- Geopolitical disruptions such as conflicts in the Red Sea and tensions around the Strait of Hormuz increased insurance premiums and created risks of coverage withdrawal.
Insurance Coverage
- Hull & Machinery: Protects the ship’s hull, propulsion machinery and installed equipment.
- Cargo: Covers goods transported through international sea routes against specified war-related losses.
- Protection & Indemnity (P&I): Covers third-party liabilities such as:
  - Pollution
  - Oil pollution clean-up
  - Wreck removal
  - Crew injury
  - Cargo damage
- War Risk: Covers risks arising from:
  - Armed conflict
  - Piracy
  - Terrorism
  - Hostile vessel seizure.
BMIP Structure
- Policies: Issued by domestic insurers that are members of the Pool.
- Reinsurance: Risks are collectively reinsured by Pool members according to their committed capacity.
- Claims up to US$100 million: Met from accumulated reserves and reinsurance recoveries.
- Claims above US$100 million: Sovereign guarantee becomes available after exhaustion of Pool reserves.
- Pool Administrator: General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re).
- Governing Body: Oversees and regulates Pool operations.
- Underwriting Committee: Ensures risk evaluation and underwriting discipline.
Important Outcomes
- War-risk insurance premiums reportedly fell by around 35-40% from their peak during the West Asia conflict.
- As of 7 September 2026:
  - 3,000 Cargo War policies
  - 92 Hull War-risk policies
  - 3 P&I policies
- India’s first BMIP P&I policy was issued on 30 July 2026 to Shipping Corporation of India Ltd.
- The first Hull and Machinery War-risk policy was issued on 12 May 2026.
India’s Maritime Sector
- Major ports: 12.
- Non-major ports: 217.
- Cargo handled during 2025-26: 1,668 million metric tonnes.
- Coastline: Around 11,098 km.
- Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): 2.4 million sq km.
- Inland waterways: More than 14,500 km.
- Maritime sector supports over 30 million livelihoods.
- Indian-flag fleet as of mid-2026: 1,609 ships and 14.33 million GT.
Prelims Quick Revision
- BMIP: India’s first domestic maritime insurance pool.
- Launch: 12 May 2026.
- Capacity: ₹13,906.50 crore / US$1.5 billion.
- Sovereign guarantee: ₹12,980 crore / US$1.4 billion.
- Administrator: General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re).
- Main insurance categories: Hull & Machinery, Cargo, P&I and War Risk.
- Claims up to US$100 million: Reserves and reinsurance recoveries.
- Duration: 10 years, extendable up to 15 years.
UPSC Prelims Trap
- BMIP is an insurance pool, not a standalone insurance company.
- P&I vs Hull & Machinery: P&I primarily covers liabilities such as pollution and crew injury, while Hull & Machinery covers physical damage to the vessel and its machinery.
- Sovereign guarantee ≠ initial insurance capacity: Pool capacity is ₹13,906.50 crore, while sovereign backing is ₹12,980 crore.
- Foreign P&I Clubs vs BMIP: International P&I Clubs provide global maritime liability insurance, while BMIP provides a domestic pool-based mechanism for eligible Indian-linked maritime risks.
September 28, 2026
WorldSkills Shanghai 2026
Why in the News?
- India secured 10th position at the 48th WorldSkills Competition, Shanghai 2026, improving from 13th position at WorldSkills Lyon 2024.
- India won 6 Silver Medals and 20 Medals for Excellence with its largest-ever contingent of 70 competitors across 63 skills.
Key Highlights
- Edition: 48th WorldSkills Competition.
- Venue: Shanghai, China.
- Dates: 22-27 September 2026.
- India’s rank: 10th.
- Indian contingent: 70 competitors across 63 skills.
- Global participation: Over 1,400 competitors from around 70 countries and regions.
- Silver Medals: 6.
- Medals for Excellence: 20.
- Best of Nation: Smriti Nambiar, Bakery.
- WorldSkills Lyon 2024: India ranked 13th, with 4 Bronze Medals and 12 Medals for Excellence.
Silver Medal Winners
- Bakery: Smriti Nambiar
- Dental Prosthetics: Mohammed Salam
- Digital Interactive Media Design: Kovid Ajay Gangrade
- Industrial Design Technology: Parth Vohra
- Logistics and Freight Forwarding: Mehrunissa Begum
- Retail Sales: Saniya Joshi
New and Emerging Skills

India made its debut in 11 new and emerging skill categories, including:
- Dental Prosthetics
- Digital Interactive Media Design
- Intelligent Security Technology
- Landscape Gardening
- Optoelectronic Technology
- Retail Sales
- Unmanned Aerial Systems
- Industrial Mechanics
- Software Testing
- Heavy Vehicle Technology
- Aircraft Maintenance
Medal for Excellence
- A Medal for Excellence is awarded to competitors demonstrating a high level of professional proficiency against internationally established WorldSkills standards.
- India won 20 Medals for Excellence across technical, industrial, digital, creative and service skills.
India’s Participation
- Participation coordinated by National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
- Supported by:
  - Sector Skill Councils
  - Industry partners
  - Training institutions
  - Technical experts
  - Other stakeholders
- India’s participation focused on global occupational standards, emerging technologies and international best practices.
WorldSkills Competition
- WorldSkills is an international skills competition showcasing excellence in vocational and technical skills.
- Held every two years.
- Promotes:
  - International skills standards
  - Knowledge exchange
  - Technical excellence
  - Skilled career development
Prelims Quick Revision
- WorldSkills Shanghai 2026: 48th edition.
- Host: Shanghai, China.
- India’s rank: 10th.
- Indian medals: 6 Silver + 20 Medal for Excellence.
- Indian contingent: 70 competitors across 63 skills.
- Previous Indian rank: 13th at Lyon 2024.
- Best of Nation: Smriti Nambiar, Bakery.
- WorldSkills frequency: Every two years.
UPSC Prelims Trap
- WorldSkills is not a conventional sports competition: It focuses on vocational and technical skills.
- India’s 2026 result: 10th position, not 13th. The 13th position refers to India’s performance at Lyon 2024.
- Medal for Excellence ≠ Silver Medal: Medal for Excellence recognises achievement against established professional standards.
- NSDC vs MSDE: NSDC coordinated India’s participation, while MSDE is the concerned Union ministry.
September 28, 2026
Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026: “Power in Partnership”
Why in the News?
- The Indian Air Force (IAF) commenced the operational phase of Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 at Air Force Station Jodhpur.
- The multilateral air exercise is being conducted from 26 September to 12 October 2026 under the theme “Power in Partnership”.
Key Highlights
- Organiser: Indian Air Force (IAF).
- Venue: Air Force Station Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
- Duration: 26 September – 12 October 2026.
- Nature: Multilateral air exercise.
- Theme: “Power in Partnership”.
- Participating Friendly Foreign Countries (FFCs): 7 : Australia, USA, UAE, France, Germany, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh
- Several other FFCs will participate as observers.
- Builds on the inaugural edition held in 2024.
- Participating Aircraft: F-35 Lightning II, Rafale, F-16, A400M, MRTT, C-130, C-130J, and KC-30A
Operational Significance
- Focuses on:
  - Advanced joint training
  - Exchange of operational expertise
  - Interoperability
  - Aerospace safety
  - Mutual learning
  - Understanding different operational procedures and philosophies
- Participating forces will conduct missions alongside the IAF using frontline combat platforms and support elements.
Beyond Flying Operations
- Professional activities: Dedicated seminar and industrial tour.
- Cultural/outreach activities:
  - Sekhon Marathon
  - Heritage tours
  - Yoga sessions
- These activities aim to promote professional interaction, cultural exchange and greater camaraderie among participating forces.
Prelims Quick Revision
- Exercise: Tarang Shakti 2026.
- Theme: Power in Partnership.
- Organiser: Indian Air Force.
- Location: Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
- Dates: 26 September – 12 October 2026.
- Type: Multilateral air exercise.
- 7 participating FFCs: Australia, USA, UAE, France, Germany, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
- Previous edition: 2024.
UPSC Prelims Trap
- Tarang Shakti is an air exercise: It is conducted by the Indian Air Force, not the Indian Navy or Army.
- 2026 venue: Jodhpur, not a naval or maritime facility.
- Multilateral vs bilateral: Tarang Shakti involves multiple foreign air forces, making it a multilateral exercise.
- Theme: The 2026 theme is “Power in Partnership”.
September 28, 2026
India’s First Port-based e-Methanol Production Facility
Why in the News?
- Foundation stone laid on 26 September 2026 for India’s first port-based e-methanol plant at Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), Kandla, Gujarat.
- The facility will produce green fuel for ships using renewable power, water and biogenic CO₂, supporting India’s Net Zero 2070 goal.
Key Highlights
- Location: Kandla, Gandhidham, Gujarat.
- Capacity: 150 tonnes per day of e-methanol.
- Total investment: ₹2,300 crore.
- Phase I: 50 tonnes/day, ₹1,200 crore, targeted for January 2027.
- Phase II: Additional 100 tonnes/day, ₹1,100 crore, targeted for March 2027.
- Project partners: Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) and Assam Petro-Chemicals Ltd. (APCL).
- Capital contribution: DPA:APCL = 76:24.
- Expected to create more than 3,500 direct and indirect jobs.
- Green methanol production cost stated as US$750/tonne, compared with global rate of US$1,300/tonne.
- Fuel will be supplied to vessels operating on the Asia-Europe International Trade Corridor.
- Supports Net Zero 2070, Atmanirbharta, Make in India and Make for the World.
E-Methanol
- E-methanol is a green fuel produced using:
  - Renewable power
  - Water
  - Biogenic CO₂
- The project aims to use e-methanol as a cleaner marine fuel.
- The facility will help develop a green energy value chain around Kandla, including:
  - Transportation
  - Storage
  - Fuel supply
  - Associated green molecule infrastructure
Project Institutional Structure
- Deendayal Port Authority (DPA):
  - Provides equity capital of ₹567.32 crore.
  - Provides 75 acres of land.
  - Provides desalinated water.
  - Provides renewable energy in the form of green hydrogen.
- Assam Petro-Chemicals Ltd. (APCL):
  - Based in Namrup, Assam.
  - Joint partner in the Kandla e-methanol project.
Maritime Sector Linkages
- Government plans to add 100 new ships to India’s merchant fleet over the next 5 years.
- Target: Make India one of the top five ship-owning nations by 2047.
- DPA-Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) shipbuilding project at Vadinar:
  - Value: ₹1,520 crore.
- Proposed greenfield shipbuilding and repair cluster at Kuchhadi, Porbandar has received in-principle approval.
Prelims Quick Revision
- First port-based e-methanol plant in India: Kandla, Gujarat.
- Port: Deendayal Port Authority.
- Capacity: 150 tonnes/day.
- Investment: ₹2,300 crore.
- Partners: DPA + Assam Petro-Chemicals Ltd.
- Capital contribution ratio: 76:24.
- Feedstocks/inputs: Renewable power, water and biogenic CO₂.
- Primary application: Green fuel for ships operating on the Asia-Europe International Trade Corridor.
UPSC Prelims Trap
- E-methanol ≠ conventional methanol: The article specifically describes production using renewable power, water and biogenic CO₂.
- Kandla ≠ Namrup: The production facility is at Kandla, Gujarat, while the partner Assam Petro-Chemicals Ltd. is based at Namrup, Assam.
- 150 tonnes/day is the total capacity: Phase I contributes 50 tonnes/day, while Phase II adds 100 tonnes/day.
September 28, 2026
From Waste to Purpose: Indian Cities and Plastic Waste Management
Why in the News?
- Indian cities are adopting local initiatives to reduce, reuse, return, recover and recreate plastic waste.
- The Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), launched on 2 October 2014, has strengthened waste collection, segregation and recovery systems. Identified single-use plastic items have been prohibited since 1 July 2022.
Key Highlights
- Focus: Plastic waste reduction, reuse, recovery and circular economy.
- Trichy: Market-level campaign to reduce single-use plastic.
- Vita, Maharashtra: Thaila ATMs provide reusable cotton bags.
- Andaman & Nicobar Islands: Buy-back system for used milk pouches.
- Bengaluru: Material Recovery Facility under UNDP Project Prithvi.
- Patiala: Multilayered Plastic (MLP) converted into durable chipboards.
- SBM focuses on source segregation, door-to-door collection, scientific waste processing and material recovery.
Reduce – Trichy Market Initiative
- Three farmers’ markets covered:
  - Tennur
  - K.K. Nagar
  - Woraiyur
- 220 vendors engaged.
- ThunippaiThiruvizhai or Cloth-Bag Festival promoted reusable bags.
- Single-use plastic avoided:
  - Tennur: 2,200 kg in one year
  - K.K. Nagar: 620 kg in four months
  - Woraiyur: 300 kg in six months
Reuse – Thaila ATM
- Location: Vita town, Maharashtra.
- Five Thaila ATMs installed at crowded locations.
- Provide reusable cotton bags through a vending-machine model.
- Based on Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) technology for remote stock monitoring.
- Local Self-Help Groups (SHGs) stitch the bags.
- Around 6,000 bags sold.
- Weekly market recorded nearly 200 bags in a day.
- In Indapur, authorities seized 25 kg plastic bags and imposed a ₹90,000 fine.
Return – Milk Pouch Buy-back
- Location: Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- Used plastic milk pouches exchanged for rewards such as:
  - Fresh milk
  - Discounts
- Implemented with ANIIDCO and SVPMC.
- By November 2024:
  - 17,600 milk pouches collected.
  - 352 litres of milk provided as rewards.
- Uses incentives to encourage responsible disposal and recycling.
Recover – Bengaluru
- UNDP Project Prithvi supports plastic waste recovery.
- Swachhata Kendra, a Material Recovery Facility (MRF), established in 2019.
- Centre sorts plastic and processes it through:
  - Shredding
  - Baling
- Processed material becomes suitable for recyclers.
- Provided employment to 76 Safai Saathis during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Processed plastic used for:
  - Roads
  - Agricultural water pipes
  - Furniture
- Demonstrates the circular economy by returning waste into productive use.
Recreate – Multilayered Plastics
- Multilayered Plastics (MLPs) combine materials such as:
  - Plastic
  - Paper
  - Aluminium
- Their multiple layers make separation and recycling difficult.
- Patiala uses a Plastic Recycling Facility (PRF).
- Process:
  - Sorting → cleaning → shredding → hot/cold pressing
- Produces chipboards, an alternative to plywood.
- Applications include:
  - Furniture
  - Roofing
  - Temporary shelters
- Capacity: 10 tonnes/day
- Produces 75-100 chipboards.
- Supports circular economy and reduces landfill waste.
Prelims Quick Revision
- SBM: Launched on 2 October 2014.
- Identified single-use plastic items prohibited from 1 July 2022.
- Trichy: 220 vendors across three farmers’ markets engaged in plastic reduction.
- Vita, Maharashtra: Five Thaila ATMs provide reusable cotton bags.
- Andaman & Nicobar: 17,600 milk pouches collected by November 2024.
- Bengaluru: Swachhata Kendra MRF established in 2019 under Project Prithvi.
- Patiala: MLP waste converted into chipboards.
- The five-part plastic approach highlighted is reduce, reuse, return, recover and recreate.
UPSC Prelims Trap
- MRF vs PRF: The Bengaluru initiative involves a Material Recovery Facility, while Patiala uses a Plastic Recycling Facility.
- MLP: Multilayered plastics are difficult to recycle because they combine multiple material layers.
- Thaila ATM: It provides reusable cotton bags, not plastic alternatives.
- Circular economy: The Bengaluru and Patiala examples demonstrate conversion of discarded plastic into new productive materials/products, rather than simply disposing of it.
September 26, 2026
PLI Scheme for Bulk Drugs and Resilient Pharmaceutical Supply Chain
Why in the News?
- The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Bulk Drugs is supporting domestic manufacturing of Key Starting Materials (KSMs), Drug Intermediates (DIs) and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs).
- Five greenfield projects have commissioned facilities for critical pharmaceutical inputs, reducing import dependence and strengthening supply-chain resilience.
Key Highlights
- Five greenfield projects commissioned under the Bulk Drugs PLI Scheme.
- Focus areas include:
  - Antibiotic ingredients
  - Cardiovascular medicine APIs
  - Paracetamol starting materials
- Supports import substitution, domestic value addition, employment generation and backward integration.
Penicillin G – Andhra Pradesh
- Company: Lyfius Pharma Pvt. Ltd., subsidiary of Aurobindo Pharma Ltd.
- Location: Kakinada SEZ, Andhra Pradesh.
- Investment: ₹2,270.05 crore
- Capacity: 15,000 MT/year
- Direct jobs: 2,353
- Domestic value addition: More than 90%
- Penicillin G is a fermentation-based KSM.
- Used to produce 6-APA, which is used in antibiotics such as amoxicillin and ampicillin.
- Domestic Penicillin G manufacturing restored after about three decades.
Clavulanic Acid – Himachal Pradesh
- Company: Kinvan Private Limited, DPB Group.
- Location: Nalagarh, Himachal Pradesh.
- Investment: ₹504.68 crore
- Capacity: 400 MT/year
- Direct jobs: 465
- India’s first fermentation-based manufacturing facility for Potassium Clavulanate.
- Clavulanic Acid is a β-lactamase inhibitor.
- Combined with penicillin-group antibiotics such as amoxicillin to improve effectiveness against resistant bacteria.
Sulfadiazine, Telmisartan and Olmesartan – Andhra Pradesh
- Company: Andhra Organics Limited (AOL), subsidiary of Virchow Laboratories Ltd.
- Location: Pydibhimavaram, Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh.
- Investment: ₹151.47 crore
- Direct employment: 221
- Manufacturing technology developed in-house.
- Sulfadiazine imports declined by about 73% compared with the FY 2019-20 baseline since domestic supplies began in 2022.
- Telmisartan and Olmesartan are APIs used in medicines for hypertension.
Para Amino Phenol – Gujarat
- Company: Meghmani LLP.
- Location: Dahej, Gujarat.
- Investment: ₹60.46 crore
- Capacity: 13,500 MT/year
- PAP is a critical starting material for Paracetamol.
- Facility provides domestic capacity for a material that was earlier largely imported.
- Supports backward integration in Paracetamol manufacturing.
- Cumulative production: ₹687 crore.
Atorvastatin API – Punjab
- Company: Centrient Pharmaceuticals India Pvt. Ltd.
- Location: Nawanshahr, Punjab.
- Investment: ₹161.13 crore
- Capacity: 206 MT/year
- Domestic value addition: More than 80%
- Atorvastatin is a widely prescribed cardiovascular medicine used to lower cholesterol and reduce cardiovascular risk.
- Cumulative production: ₹432 crore.
Prelims Quick Revision
- PLI Bulk Drugs Scheme supports domestic production of KSMs, DIs and APIs.
- Penicillin G: Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh; 15,000 MT/year.
- Potassium Clavulanate: Nalagarh, Himachal Pradesh; 400 MT/year.
- PAP: Dahej, Gujarat; 13,500 MT/year; starting material for Paracetamol.
- Atorvastatin API: Nawanshahr, Punjab; 206 MT/year.
- Sulfadiazine imports: declined by about 73% against the FY 2019-20 baseline.
- Penicillin G is a fermentation-based KSM and is used to produce 6-APA.
- Clavulanic Acid is a β-lactamase inhibitor used with penicillin-group antibiotics.
UPSC Prelims Trap
- API vs KSM: API is the active pharmaceutical ingredient in a medicine, whereas KSM is a starting input used in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
- PAP vs Paracetamol: PAP is a starting material for Paracetamol, not Paracetamol itself.
- Clavulanic Acid: It is a β-lactamase inhibitor, not a penicillin-group antibiotic.
- Penicillin G: It is a fermentation-based KSM and is used in producing intermediates such as 6-APA.
September 26, 2026
Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Ji – Jayanti
Why in the News?
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya on his Jayanti on 25 September 2026.
- The PM highlighted his vision of Antyodaya and the upliftment of the marginalized as a foundation of nation-building.
Key Highlights
- Date: 25 September 2026
- Person: Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya
- Core idea: Antyodaya – upliftment of the person standing in the last line of society.
- Nation-building: Social welfare and upliftment of marginalized sections were highlighted as central to nation-building.
- PM urged citizens to imbibe his ideals and fulfil their social and national responsibilities.
- Sanskrit Subhashitam emphasised:
  - Continuous effort and perseverance lead to success.
  - Dedicated action, courage and resolve are important for innovation.
  - Success and innovation were presented as outcomes of sustained effort rather than luck.
Antyodaya
- Means focusing on the upliftment of the person at the last end of society.
- In the article, it is presented as a central idea associated with Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya.
- Linked with social welfare and inclusive nation-building.
Sanskrit Subhashitam
- “यथा यथा प्रयत्नः स्याद्भवेदाशु फलं तथा।”
- Emphasises that greater effort and perseverance can lead to quicker achievement of results.
- The article connects the idea with innovation, stressing continuous effort and dedicated action.
Prelims Quick Revision
- 25 September – Jayanti of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya.
- Antyodaya – upliftment of the person at the last line of society.
- Deendayal Upadhyaya’s vision was associated with nation-building through upliftment of marginalized sections.
- The PM highlighted social and national responsibility.
- Sanskrit Subhashitam emphasised effort, perseverance and dedicated action.
- The article links continuous effort with both success and innovation.
- The message contrasts dedicated action and courage with reliance on luck.
UPSC Prelims Trap
- Antyodaya should not be confused with a specific scheme in this article; it is presented as a vision/ideology associated with Deendayal Upadhyaya.
- The article does not provide details of any specific government scheme under Antyodaya.
- The Sanskrit Subhashitam emphasises effort and perseverance, not merely luck, as drivers of success.
- 25 September is the date highlighted for Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya’s Jayanti.
September 26, 2026
PBSHABD: Prasar Bharati’s Trusted News for India’s Newsrooms
Why in the News?
- PBSHABD is Prasar Bharati’s free, multimedia news feed service, launched on 13 March 2024 by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB).
- It provides registered media organisations with ready-to-use news content in 15 Indian languages and five formats.
Key Highlights
- PBSHABD stands for Prasar Bharati – Shared Audio-Visuals for Broadcast and Dissemination.
- Launched: 13 March 2024, New Delhi.
- Free access extended up to March 2027.
- User base: 3,600 media organisations.
- Content available in: Text, Video, Audio, Photographs, and Infographics
- Content available in 15 Indian languages and nearly 50 news categories.
- Users include media organisations, digital publishers and content creators.
- Content can be used without a Prasar Bharati logo or credit line.
Prasar Bharati
- Prasar Bharati is India’s public service broadcaster.
- Created under the Prasar Bharati Act, 1990.
- Corporation came into existence on 23 November 1997.
- Its two constituents are:
  - Akashvani
  - Doordarshan
- Its mandate includes a fair and balanced flow of information in the public interest.
Evolution: PBNS to PBSHABD
- PBNS (Prasar Bharati News Service) initially functioned as an internal news wire for Prasar Bharati’s editorial teams.
- In March 2024, PBSHABD expanded this infrastructure into a multimedia news-sharing platform.
- PBSHABD provides ready-to-use content to external registered media organisations.
- PBSHABD 2.0 is planned with new product lines and improved delivery.
News Gathering and Editorial Network
- More than 1,500 reporters, correspondents and stringers contribute to the news pipeline.
- 60 dedicated editorial desks operate round the clock.
- Akashvani News:
  - 46 Regional News Units + 1 Headquarters
  - 607 bulletins daily in 92 languages and dialects.
- Doordarshan News:
  - 31 Regional News Units + 1 Headquarters
  - 145+ bulletins in more than 22 languages and dialects.
Editorial Verification
- PBSHABD uses multiple layers of editorial checks before dissemination.
- The service maintains safeguards against:
  - Fake content
  - Morphed content
  - Manipulated content
  - Unverified online material
- Stories are timestamped, datelined and captioned to identify when and where developments occurred.
Who Can Register?
- Newspapers and journals: Valid RNI certificate.
- Television and radio stations: Valid uplink and downlink certificates.
- Digital publishers: Copy of PAN.
- Each organisation receives one login, which can be shared within its newsroom.
Prelims Quick Revision
- Prasar Bharati Act: 1990.
- Prasar Bharati came into existence: 23 November 1997.
- Constituents: Akashvani and Doordarshan.
- PBSHABD launched: 13 March 2024.
- PBSHABD provides 5 content formats in 15 Indian languages.
- Current user base: 3,600 media organisations.
- Free access extended up to March 2027.
- News network: 1,500+ field personnel and 60 editorial desks.
- PBSHABD 2.0 is planned for expanded products and improved delivery.
UPSC Prelims Trap
- Prasar Bharati Act was enacted in 1990, but Prasar Bharati came into existence in 1997.
- PBNS was primarily an internal news wire, whereas PBSHABD is a multimedia news-sharing platform for registered external media users.
- PBSHABD is not limited to text news: it provides text, video, audio, photographs and infographics.
- PBSHABD was launched in 2024, not 1997. Prasar Bharati itself dates to 1997.
September 25, 2026