Daily PIB Highlights (09-07-2025)

Topic- 1: Digital Platforms Boost Efficiency and Transparency in Agricultural Schemes

GS-3: Economy and Sci & Tech

The context:

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare hosted a national workshop in New Delhi on 8^th July 2025 to showcase the upgraded Centralized Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Platform Version 2.0 and the newly launched NaMo Drone Didi Yojana.

Key Highlights:

• • Inauguration & SOP Launch: The Agriculture Secretary inaugurated the event and released Crop-Specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for drone-based application of soil and plant nutrients. These SOPs will standardize drone operations across India.
  • DBT Platform Version 2.0: The upgraded portal addresses major issues like delayed subsidies, lack of transparency, and manual delays in the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM). It aims to streamline subsidy disbursements and improve service delivery to small and marginal farmers.
  • NaMo Drone Didi Yojana: This flagship initiative focuses on empowering Self-Help Group (SHG) women by training them in drone operations for agricultural purposes, including spraying fertilizers and pesticides.
    The Drone Portal will manage drone mapping, pilot training, certification, and provide real-time data through a central dashboard.
  • Stakeholder Engagement: The workshop featured live demonstrations of the portals and interactive sessions where state nodal officers shared feedback, implementation strategies, and best practices to improve the system.

About the NaMo Drone Didi Yojana:

• • The scheme aims to provide drones to 14500 selected Women SHGs during the period from 2024-25 to 2025-2026 for providing rental services to farmers for agriculture purposes (application of liquid fertilizers and pesticides for the present).
  • Components of the operational guidelines are
    • The Scheme will be governed at the Central level by the Empowered Committee of the Secretaries of Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Department of Rural Development, Department of Fertilizers, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Ministry of Women and Child Development.
    • The Implementation and Monitoring Committee headed by the Additional Secretary, Department of Rural Development and having representation from all other stakeholders will be responsible for effective planning, implementation and monitoring of the scheme.
  • Financial Assistance: A Central Financial Assistance @ 80% of the cost of drone and accessories/ancillary charges up to a maximum of ₹ 8.0 lakhs will be provided to the women SHGs for purchase of drones as a package.
    • The Cluster Level Federations (CLFs) of SHGs/SHGs may raise the balance amount (total cost of procurement minus subsidy) as loan under National Agriculture Infra Financing Facility (AIF).
    • Interest subvention @ 3% on the AIF loan will be provided to the CLFs/SHGs.
    • The CLFs/SHGs shall also have the option to access loans from other sources/programmes/schemes of the Ministry of Rural Development.
  • One of the members of the women SHGs will be selected for 15 day training comprising of mandatory drone pilot training and additional training for agriculture purpose for nutrient and pesticide application.
  • The Lead Fertilizer Companies (LFCs) responsible for the States will be the implementing agencies of the scheme at the State level.
  • The drones will be procured by the LFCs through a fair and transparent process and the ownership of drones will be placed with the CLF of SHGs or SHGs.
  • The State Departments of Agriculture & State Mission Directors of DAY-NRLM will have a very strong convergence and they will take the ownership of the scheme for its successful implementation at the ground level with the help of State Level Committee.
  • The scheme will be monitored through an IT based Management Information System (MIS) i.e. Drone Portal which will act as end-to-end software for service delivery and monitoring, funds flow and disbursement of funds.
  • Significance: It is envisaged that the initiatives under the scheme will provide sustainable business and livelihood support to SHGs and they would be able to earn additional income for them.

Source: PIB

 

Topic- 2: Extended Range Anti-Submarine Rocket (ERASR)

GS-3: Science and Technology 

The context:

The Indian Navy, in collaboration with DRDO, has successfully conducted user trials of the Extended Range Anti-Submarine Rocket (ERASR) from INS Kavaratti between June 23 and July 7, 2025. It has been developed by DRDO’s Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune, with support from the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory and Naval Science & Technological Laboratory.

Key Highlights:

• • Indigenous Development: ERASR has been designed and developed by DRDO’s Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune, in collaboration with High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) and Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL).
  • System Features:
    • Fully indigenous anti-submarine rocket.
    • Launched from onboard Indigenous Rocket Launcher (IRL) of Indian Naval Ships.
    • Features twin-rocket motor configuration for a broad range spectrum.
    • Equipped with indigenously developed Electronic Time Fuze for precise targeting.
  • Trial Outcomes:
    • 17 ERASRs were successfully test-evaluated at various ranges.
    • Validated all key parameters: Range performance, fuze functionality, and warhead effectiveness.
  • Production Partners:
    • Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), Hyderabad
    • Solar Defence & Aerospace Limited, Nagpur

About Extended Range Anti-Submarine Rocket (ER-ASR):

• • It was designed and developed by Pune-based Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL).
  • It is designed to intercept submarines at specific depths.
  • It will be deployed in anti-submarine operations and will be fired from an indigenised rocket launcher mounted onboard various Indian naval ships.
  • It can be fired in single or in salvo mode depending on the tactical mission requirements
  • It has been designed to replace the existing Russian origin RGB rockets which are already fitted in ships.
  • While the RGB has a range of five kilometers, the ER-ASR can achieve a range over eight kilometers.
  • It consists of two motor propulsion systems which can fire the rocket in Short Range mode and Long Range mode to achieve different range capabilities.

 

Source: PIB

Topic- 3: Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)

GS-3: Environmental Conservation

The context:

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), in its 24th meeting, decided to extend the timeline for implementing Direction No. 89—which mandates denial of fuel to End-of-Life (EoL) vehicles in Delhi-NCR—to address technological and legal concerns raised by the Government of NCT of Delhi (GNCTD).

The Key Highlights:

• • The CAQM held its 24th meeting and decided to extend the timeline for denying fuel to End-of-Life (EoL) vehicles in Delhi-NCR.
  • The enforcement of Direction No. 89 will now begin from 11.2025 in Delhi and 5 nearby high vehicle density districts—Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gautam Budh Nagar, and Sonipat.
  • For the rest of the NCR, the Direction will be enforced from 04.2026 after resolving technological issues.
  • The GNCTD had raised concerns about the incomplete readiness of the Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system, including technical glitches and incomplete integration.
  • GNCTD also warned that stage-wise enforcement could lead to fuel being purchased from neighboring areas, defeating the purpose of the ban.
  • The Chief Secretary of GNCTD argued that blanket bans based on vehicle age without considering fitness or emission levels may not align with the Motor Vehicles Act and could hurt middle-class citizens.
  • CAQM acknowledged these concerns and amended the enforcement clause of Direction No. 89 to allow uniform enforcement from the new dates.
  • Identified EoL vehicles must be denied fuel and will face legal actions including impounding, regardless of how they are detected (ANPR, manual checks, etc.).
  • Transport departments of Delhi and NCR states are directed to ensure proper installation, trial runs, and staff training for the ANPR system.
  • Monthly progress reports on efforts to remove EoL vehicles must be sent to the Commission by all concerned agencies.

About the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM):

• • The CAQM is a statutory body established under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region (NCR) and Adjoining Areas, Act 2021.
  • Mandate: Better coordination, research, identification, and resolution of problems surrounding the air quality index and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
  • It undertakes action for the prevention and control of Air pollution in Delhi-NCR & Adjoining Areas which impacts the air quality of the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi.
  • The Commission is required to coordinate its actions on monitoring of air quality with the government of Delhi and the adjoining states, which includes Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.

Powers:

• • Restricting activities influencing air quality.
  • Investigating and conducting research related to environmental pollution impacting air quality, preparing codes and guidelines to prevent and control air pollution,
  • Issuing directions on matters including inspections, or regulations, which will be binding on the concerned person or authority.
  • All the directions and orders by the Commission are of binding nature, and any person, officer, or authority shall be bound to comply with the same.
  • The commission is directly accountable to the parliament.

Composition:

• • Chairperson: To be chaired by a government official of the rank of Secretary or Chief Secretary. He will hold the post for three years or until s/he attains the age of 70 years.
  • It will also have five ex officio members who are either Chief Secretaries or Secretaries in charge of the department dealing with environment protection in the States of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
  • Three full time technical members.
  • Three members from non-government organisations.
  • Technical members from Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Indian Space Research Organisation, and NITI Aayog

 

Source: PIB

 

Topic- 4: Kalaa Setu Initiative

GS-3: Science and Technology

The context:

The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, through its WaveX Startup Accelerator Platform, has launched “Kalaa Setu – Real-Time Language Tech for Bharat”, a nationwide initiative inviting India’s leading AI startups to develop scalable, indigenous solutions for automated generation of multimedia content—video, graphics, and audio—from text inputs in multiple Indian languages.

The key highlights of the WaveX “Kalaa Setu” Initiative:

• • WaveX, a startup accelerator under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, has launched “Kalaa Setu,” a nationwide challenge for AI startups in India.
  • The goal is to develop scalable AI tools that generate real-time multimedia content—audio, video, and graphics—from text in multiple Indian languages.
  • Kalaa Setu focuses on three core AI-driven content types: text-to-video, text-to-graphics (infographics), and text-to-audio (voice synthesis with regional accents).
  • This initiative aims to improve communication from government bodies to citizens in their own languages for faster, clearer, and more inclusive outreach.
  • Applications are open on the WaveX portal, with startups required to submit a working Minimum Viable Concept (MVC) by July 30, 2025.
  • Both initiatives promote AI-driven solutions to bridge language barriers and enable last-mile delivery of government information in multiple Indian languages.

What is “Kalaa Setu”?

• • Kalaa Setu – Real-Time Language Tech for Bharat is a nation-wide AI innovation challenge launched by the WaveX platform to empower Indian startups to build scalable AI tools for real-time multilingual multimedia content generation.

Key Objectives:

• • Deliver government information effectively in Indian languages
  • Enable real-time, citizen-centric communication
  • Support inclusive digital governance from urban to rural India

Citizen Applications:

• • Weather alerts for farmers
  • Exam updates for students
  • Health scheme information for senior citizens

About WaveX

• • WaveX is the dedicated startup accelerator platform launched under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting’s WAVES initiative, aimed at nurturing innovation in the media, entertainment, and language technology sectors. At the WAVES Summit held in Mumbai in May 2025, WaveX provided pitching opportunities to over 30 promising startups, enabling direct engagement with government agencies, investors, and industry leaders. WaveX continues to support breakthrough ideas through targeted hackathons, incubation, mentorship, and integration with national platforms.

WaveX Launches “Kalaa Setu” Challenge for AI-Driven Multilingual Content in Governance

• • Addressing India’s Linguistic Diversity and Digital Divide: India’s linguistic landscape is vast, with hundreds of languages and dialects spoken across the country. The Kalaa Setu challenge is a strategic response to this diversity, aiming to overcome barriers in public communication by leveraging AI to generate multimedia content in multiple Indian languages. This ensures that government messages reach citizens in their native tongues, fostering greater inclusivity and engagement, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
  • Leveraging AI for Scalable, Real-Time Communication: Traditional content creation methods are often slow, resource-intensive, and limited in scale, especially when catering to multiple languages and media formats. AI-powered solutions like text-to-video, text-to-graphics, and text-to-audio promise automation, speed, and scalability, enabling real-time transformation of official information into contextually relevant multimedia formats. This enhances the effectiveness of government outreach programs and emergency communications.
  • Encouraging Indigenous Innovation and Start-Up Ecosystem Growth: By positioning WaveX as a platform for startups to showcase their AI capabilities, the government is fostering homegrown innovation in cutting-edge technology sectors such as natural language processing, voice synthesis, and computer vision. This not only strengthens India’s tech ecosystem but also aligns with the broader goal of self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) in digital governance tools.
  • Potential Impact on Governance and Citizen Engagement: Multimedia content—videos, infographics, and audio—can significantly improve comprehension and retention compared to text-only communication, especially for populations with varying literacy levels. Real-time, multilingual dissemination of information can empower citizens with timely updates on health, agriculture, education, and government schemes, thus improving transparency, participation, and trust in governance.
  • Integration with Existing Government Platforms: Kalaa Setu’s collaboration with entities like AIR, DD, and PIB for pilot support suggests a holistic approach toward integrating AI-driven content tools with national communication channels. This synergy could set a precedent for how technology accelerates public service delivery at scale.

Challenges and Considerations:

• • Technical Complexity: Developing AI models that can handle diverse languages, dialects, accents, and culturally sensitive content with high accuracy is challenging.
  • Ethical and Quality Concerns: Automated content must maintain authenticity, avoid bias, and ensure that nuanced messages are correctly conveyed.
  • Digital Infrastructure: Effective deployment requires robust internet and device penetration, especially in remote regions.
  • User Adoption: Training government officials and stakeholders to use AI tools effectively will be key for success.

Conclusion: 

The Kalaa Setu challenge exemplifies how AI can transform governance by making communication inclusive, accessible, and efficient. It presents a unique opportunity for Indian startups to innovate at the intersection of technology, language, and public policy, supporting the government’s vision of a digitally empowered society. Success here could serve as a blueprint for other multilingual, multicultural nations seeking to leverage AI for inclusive development.

 

Source: PIB

 

Topic- 5: ISA’s Seventh Regional Committee Meeting for Asia-Pacific to Boost Regional Solar Partnerships

GS-2: International Relation (IR)

The context:

The International Solar Alliance (ISA) will hold its Seventh Regional Committee Meeting (RCM) for Asia and the Pacific from July 15-17, 2025, in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

About the ISA’s Seventh Regional Committee Meeting for Asia and the Pacific Region:

• • The meeting’s theme is “Advancing Solar Cooperation Across a Region of Diversity and Opportunity,” focusing on strategic dialogue and collaboration to scale solar energy in the region.
  • Participants include government officials, technical universities, think tanks, institutional partners, and private sector leaders from 54 countries in the region.
  • The RCM aims to develop investment-ready solutions such as regional solar platforms for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), regional interconnections, solar and digital innovation integration, and new tech like Green Hydrogen and energy storage.
  • The RCM will feature thematic sessions on operationalizing SIDS solar platforms, strengthening institutional capacity via STAR Centres, accelerating green hydrogen and e-mobility, and advancing regional solar grid interconnections.
  • Country Partnership Frameworks and Partnership Agreements with regional and international organizations will be signed to enhance collaboration.
  • The meeting will also discuss establishing new STAR Centres to build technical expertise and support the region’s solar goals.

Key Objectives:

• • Develop investment-ready and scalable solar solutions across countries and technologies.
  • Promote regional collaboration for solar energy deployment, including for Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
  • Support integration of emerging technologies like Green Hydrogen and energy storage.
  • Align regional solar priorities with ISA’s evolving strategic vision.

ISA’s Four Foundational Pillars at the Meeting:

• • Catalytic Finance Hub:
    • Expand blended finance models to reduce investment risks and attract private capital, building on successful models from Africa.
  • Global Capability Centre & Digitisation:
    • Advance ISA’s “Silicon Valley for Solar” concept by connecting STAR Centres and supporting innovation through programs like the SolarX Startup Challenge.
  • Regional & Country-Level Platforms:
    • Strengthen platforms like SIDS e-tendering and e-procurement to aggregate demand and open up markets.
  • Technology Roadmap & Policy Innovation:
    • Assist countries in adopting advanced solar technologies and integrating solutions like Green Hydrogen and long-duration energy storage (LDES).
    • Utilize insights from the ISA-ADB joint project and reports released at ACEF 2025.

Thematic Sessions to Address:

• • Operationalizing the SIDS Solar Platform for regional e-marketplaces.
  • Strengthening institutional capacity via STAR Centres in Bhutan, Papua New Guinea, Kiribati, etc.
  • Accelerating green hydrogen, energy storage, and e-mobility initiatives, especially for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and SIDS.
  • Exploring frameworks for cross-border solar trade and regional grid interconnections.

Partnerships and Capacity Building:

• • Signing of Country Partnership Frameworks and collaboration agreements with regional and international organizations.
  • Discussion on new STAR Centres to enhance technical expertise and institutional capacity.

Significance:

• • This meeting is pivotal for coordinating solar deployment strategies in the diverse Asia-Pacific region, which includes 28 Member Countries and 54 total countries engaged with ISA activities.
  • It reinforces ISA’s role as a key platform fostering multilateral solar cooperation to accelerate clean energy transitions.
  • ISA’s efforts align with the global climate agenda, emphasizing affordable, sustainable, and inclusive energy access.

What is International Solar Alliance (ISA)?

• • The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is an intergovernmental organization that was launched in 2015, by the Prime Minister of India and the President of France, at the United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Paris.
  • ISA is an action-oriented, member-driven, collaborative platform for increased deployment of solar energy technologies.
  • ISA’s mission is to unlock investments in solar by 2030 while reducing the cost of the technology and its financing. It promotes the use of solar energy in agriculture, health, transport, and power generation sectors. ISA Member Countries are driving change by enacting policies and regulations, sharing best practices, agreeing on common standards, and mobilising investments.
  • Through this work, ISA has identified, designed and tested new business models for solar projects; supported governments to make their energy legislation and policies solar-friendly through Ease of Doing Solar analytics and advisory; pooled demand for solar technology from different countries; and drove down costs; improved access to finance by reducing the risks and making the sector more attractive to private investment; increased access to solar training, data and insights for solar engineers and energy policymakers.
  • With its advocacy for solar-powered solutions, ISA aims to transform lives, bring clean, reliable, and affordable energy to communities worldwide, fuel sustainable growth, and improve quality of life. On 6 December 2017, 15 countries signed and ratified the ISA Framework Agreement, making ISA the first international intergovernmental organisation to be headquartered in India.
  • ISA is partnering with multilateral development banks (MDBs), development financial institutions (DFIs), private and public sector organisations, civil society, and other international institutions to deploy cost-effective and transformational solutions through solar energy, especially in the least Developed Countries (LDCs) and the Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Source: PIB

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