Daily PIB Highlights (16-07-2025)

Topic- 1: India as a Global Space Partner: ‘Vishwa Bandhu in Orbit’

GS- 2 &3: International Relations and Science & Technology

The context:

On July 15, 2025, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla safely returned to Earth from the Axiom-4 space mission, marking a significant milestone in India’s space journey. The SpaceX Dragon capsule, carrying Shukla and three international crewmates, splashed down in the Pacific Ocean after an 18-day stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

India as a Global Space Partner

• • The participation of an Indian astronaut in the Axiom-4 international commercial space mission marks a major step in India’s integration with the global space ecosystem.
  • The term “Vishwa Bandhu in Orbit” symbolizes India’s positioning as a reliable partner in multilateral scientific cooperation, in line with the PM’s vision of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.
  • The collaboration with NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX demonstrates the success of India’s science diplomacy and strategic soft power.
  • India’s role in such missions supports its ambition to influence global space governance and contribute to peaceful space exploration.

India’s Growing Human Spaceflight Capabilities

• • Group Captain Shukla’s mission is a precursor to India’s indigenous human spaceflight programme—Gaganyaan.
  • Successful international participation helps enhance ISRO’s technological capabilities and human spaceflight protocols.
  • This mission featured experiments that had never been done before, indicating India’s push towards cutting-edge space science.

Benefits to Indian Scientific Community

• • Post-mission debriefings with ISRO, Axiom, and NASA will transfer advanced knowledge on human physiology in space, re-entry dynamics, and psychological adaptations.
  • This contributes directly to the development of future Indian astronauts and mission designs.

About Axiom-4 space mission:

• • Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) is the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS), organized by Axiom Space in collaboration with NASA, SpaceX, and ISRO.

Objectives:

• • Enable commercial activities in low Earth orbit, including space tourism and private research.
  • Demonstrate the feasibility of commercial space stations as platforms for business and science.
  • Strengthen international collaboration in space exploration.
  • Conduct scientific experiments in microgravity, focusing on materials science, biology, Earth observation, and life sciences.
  • Launch Vehicle & Capsule: First flight of Crew Dragon C213—the fifth and final new Dragon capsule—to be launched atop a Falcon‑9 Block 5 from LC‑39A, Kennedy Space Centre.
  • Mission Timeline: Originally set for early June 2025, the mission was moved multiple times— then again postponed on June 11, due to the LOx leak, which caused further delay.

Crew (4 total):

• • Peggy Whitson (USA)
  • Shubhanshu Shukla (India)
  • Sławosz Uznański‑Wiśniewski (Poland)
  • Mission Specialist: Tibor Kapu (Hungary)

Significance:

• • Marks India’s return to human spaceflight after 41 years, since Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 mission.
  • First government-sponsored flights to the ISS for India, Poland, and Hungary in over four decades.

 

Source: PIB

Topic- 2: Regulation of Biostimulants in Indian Agriculture

GS- 3: Economy, governance, agriculture, science policy, or farmers’ welfare

The context:

On July 15, 2025, Union Minister of Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, held a crucial meeting at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi, to address rising concerns over the sale of unverified biostimulants.

Key Highlights Points:

• • It was emphasized that farmers must not be misled and transparency is essential in approving agricultural products.
  • Only biostimulants that are scientifically proven to be effective will be allowed for sale.
  • Strict action will be taken against companies found selling fake or unverified biostimulants.
  • Complaints from farmers about fake fertilizers, seeds, and biostimulants were highlighted as a serious concern.
  • A complete review was called for, questioning why ineffective biostimulants were still in the market.
  • Officials were asked to provide data on registered products, quality checks, testing processes, and legal actions.
  • ICAR was directed to test and validate biostimulants to ensure they benefit farmers.
  • The number of biostimulant products has been reduced from about 30,000 to 650 after regulatory action.
  • Clear rules and standard procedures are to be set, and negligence in protecting farmers’ interests will not be tolerated.

About Biostimulant:

• • These are substances or microorganisms applied to plants or soil to stimulate natural processes and alsowork by enhancing the plant’s own physiological abilities.
  • Biostimulants are products that reduce the need for fertilizers and increase plant growth, resistance to water and abiotic stresses.
  • They improve overall plant health and productivity by targeting processes such as root development, nutrient efficiency, stress tolerance (drought, salinity, extreme temperatures), soil microbial activity.
  • In addition, biostimulants applied to plants enhance nutrition efficiency, abiotic stress tolerance and/or plant quality traits, regardless of its nutrient contents.
  • Common types of biostimulants include: Humic and fulvic acids, seaweed extracts, beneficial fungi and bacteria (e.g., mycorrhizae, rhizobacteria).
  • In India Biostimulants are incorporated under the Fertilizer (Control) Order,1985.

Advantages of Biostimulants

• • Improving plant tolerance to abiotic stress on plants, including drought, extreme temperatures (cold, frost, and heat), and salinity
  • Enhancing uptake and efficient use of nutrients, both applied and existing
  • Improving soil health by enhancing beneficial soil microorganisms
  • Enhancing crop quality through plant health and vigor
  • Increasing harvestable yields

 

Source: PIB

Topic- 3: Role of ICAR in India’s Agricultural Transformation: Research and Innovation

GS-3:  Agriculture, Science & Technology, Environment

The context:

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), established as India’s premier institution for agricultural research and education, is celebrating its 97th Foundation Day. This annual event marks decades of transformative contributions to India’s agriculture sector, encompassing crop improvement, livestock and fisheries development, natural resource management, and agri-biotechnology innovations.

ICAR’s Role in Indian Agriculture: Key Highlights

Institutional Significance

• • ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) is India’s premier institution for agricultural research and education.
  • It plays a transformative role in strengthening Indian agriculture, ensuring food and nutritional security.
  • Celebrates milestones like the 97th Foundation Day, emphasizing continued commitment to innovation and farmer welfare.

Key Achievements (2024–25)

• • Record food grain production: 353.95 million tonnes, making India the world’s largest rice producer and exporter.
  • Leading milk producer (239.30 million tonnes) and second-largest wheat producer (117.3 million tonnes).
  • Second-largest global producer of horticulture (367.72 million tonnes) and fish (18.42 million tonnes).
  • These highlight ICAR’s critical role in enhancing India’s agricultural resilience and global competitiveness.

Flagship Initiatives

• • Release of 109 high-yielding, climate-resilient, bio-fortified crop varieties.
  • Campaigns like ‘One Scientist One Product’, ‘100 Days 100 Varieties/Technologies’, and ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’ benefiting 1.35 crore farmers.
  • Use of social media (#OneICAR) for unified outreach and awareness.

Crop Science Innovations

• • Development of 679 new crop varieties, including 27 bio-fortified types for nutritional security.
  • Major contribution to export earnings via ICAR-developed Basmati rice varieties.
  • Record wheat production supported by climate-resilient varieties.
  • Introduction of genome-edited rice varieties—first globally—showcasing ICAR’s lead in precision breeding.

Horticulture and Plant Science

• • Development of 83 new varieties across fruits, vegetables, flowers, spices, and medicinal plants.
  • Extensive seed production and distribution to ensure quality planting material.
  • Establishment of Clean Plant Centres to prevent disease and improve crop health.
  • Technology transfer via thousands of trainings and demonstrations.

Fisheries Science and Sustainability

• • Innovation in super-intensive shrimp farming with high yield and resource efficiency.
  • Development of breeding protocols and specialized fish feeds.
  • Creation of value-added nutraceutical fish products.
  • Assessment showing India’s marine fisheries carbon footprint is 31% lower than the global average, underlining sustainability focus.

Natural Resource Management (NRM)

• • ICAR has made notable progress in natural resource management, including the development of the National Soil Spectral Librarywith 40,000 soil spectra in the vis-NIR range. It formulated 35 Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) on soil, water, crop, and farming system management tailored to various states. Six integrated farming system prototypes and packages of practices for organic cultivation of 8 cropping systems and natural farming of 2 cropping systems were developed. Crop diversification demonstration units, each covering 100 hectares, were established in 17 districts across Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, and Arunachal Pradesh.
  • To support agroforestry, 285 nurseries across 7 stateswere accredited, and Odisha’s state agroforestry policy was successfully enabled. ICAR also established 43 climate-resilient villages, compiled relevant technologies for 5 states, and invented a new microbial consortium capable of reducing methane emissions in rice cultivation by 18%, contributing significantly to climate-smart agriculture.

Livestock Development

• • In the livestock sector, ICAR made significant advancements with the registration of 10 indigenous animal breeds, development of 5 vaccinesand 7 diagnostic tools to strengthen animal health. A total of 11 lakh semen doses were produced to support breed improvement, while 14.09 lakh poultry germplasm were distributed to farmers.
  • ICAR also released two new chicken varietiesand introduced smart sensors for real-time quality assessment of dairy products, enhancing food safety and value addition.

Agricultural Engineering

• • In the field of agricultural engineering, ICAR developed 45 new technologies, machines, and instruments, alongside 8 process protocolsand 3 value-added products aimed at enhancing on-farm efficiency and value addition. To ensure effective adoption, a total of 301 training programmes were organized for farmers, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders across the country.

Agricultural Education

• • ICAR strengthened agricultural education by organizing virtual meetings with 76 Agricultural Universities, enabling vice-chancellors to showcase research, extension, and academic initiatives. It implemented the 6th Deans Committee Report, introduced “Academic Guidelines for Award of Certificate and Diploma”, and rolled out the PM-One Nation One Subscription (PM-ONOS)
  • The ASEAN Fellowshipprogramme was launched for M.Sc. students in agriculture and allied sciences. ICAR supported 50 Experiential Learning Units across 22 universities and conducted 166 training programmes, including a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC). Additionally, the Rashtriya Karmayogi Jan Seva Program trained 466 ICAR/DARE/ASRB staff across 14 batches during May–June 2025.

Agricultural Extension

• • ICAR significantly expanded its extension footprint by conducting 42 lakh On-Farm Trials (OFTs)and 2.66 lakh Frontline Demonstrations (FLDs), including 1.41 lakh FLDs on oilseeds and pulses. Training programmes benefited 18.57 lakh farmers and 1.77 lakh extension personnel. Through 3.8 lakh sample analyses of soil, water, and plant inputs, and 4.19 crore customized mobile advisories, farmers received timely, location-specific guidance. Crop Residue Management (CRM) in 65 districts across 4 states led to an 80% reduction in stubble burning compared to 2020. ICAR also developed 299 Custom Hiring Centres, 82 Seed Banks of climate-resilient varieties, and 34 Fodder Banks.
  • The Nutri-sensitive Agri Resources Innovations (NARI)initiative, integrated with 18,000 Anganwadi centres, promoted nutritional security through nutri-gardens. A total of 16,952 rural youth were trained through 694 skill development programmes, resulting in 3,398 entrepreneurial units involving 5,472 youth. Moreover, ICAR provided technical support to 3,093 FPOs, organizing 3,002 training programmes for 22 lakh FPO members across the country.

Intellectual Property Rights

• • ICAR has made remarkable progress in protecting and commercializing agricultural innovations. During the year, 125 patentswere granted, 307 copyrights registered, and 120 design and 111 trademark applications were filed. In terms of technology dissemination, ICAR signed 1,012 technology licensing agreements and 72 consultancy/contract research agreements, reinforcing its role in fostering innovation-led agricultural transformation.

Global Reach

• • ICAR continued to strengthen its global footprint through strategic partnerships with international forums including ASEAN, SAARC, BIMSTEC, QUAD, BRICS, G20, and SCO. It actively participated as a member of global research bodies like the CGIAR System Council, ICARDA, and BI-CIAT. During the year, ICAR held five bilateral and multilateral cooperation meetingsand signed nine MoUs and work plans. As part of its commitment to knowledge exchange, 50 ASEAN-India fellowships were awarded for higher education in agriculture and allied sciences.

Major Programmes for Future-Ready Agriculture

• • Launch of Global Centre of Excellence on Millets.
  • Genome editing in 40 crops to enhance climate resilience.
  • National Gene Bank expansion and several crop/productivity missions.
  • Focus on biotech crops and tackling emerging pests, empowering next-gen agriculture.

Conclusion:

ICAR is a cornerstone institution driving scientific innovations that have resulted in record agricultural production, diversification, and global leadership. It holistically integrates research, education, extension, and commercialization, with a focus on climate resilience, nutrition security, and sustainability. ICAR’s flagship programmes, farmer-centric approaches, and global collaborations position India for a future-ready and self-reliant agriculture. The institution’s multi-sectoral approach spanning crops, horticulture, fisheries, livestock, and natural resource management significantly supports India’s food security, farmer welfare, and rural development goals.

About Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)

• • The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is an autonomous organisation under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India.
  • Formerly known as the Imperial Council of Agricultural Research, it was established on 16 July 1929 as a registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, in pursuance of the report of the Royal Commission on Agriculture.
  • The ICAR has its headquarters in New Delhi.
  • The Council is the apex body for coordinating, guiding, and managing research and education in agriculture, including horticulture, fisheries, and animal sciences, throughout the country.
  • India has one of the largest agricultural systems in the world, with 113 ICAR institutes and 74 agricultural universities across the country.
  • Through its research and technology, India has significantly increased production from 1950-51 to 2021-22: foodgrains grew by 6.21 times, fruits and vegetables by 11.53 times, fish by 21.61 times, milk by 13.01 times, and eggs by 70.74 times. This has greatly improved the country’s food and nutritional security.

 

Source: PIB

Topic- 4: PM VIKAS Scheme: Boosting Employment Opportunities for Minority Youth

GS- 3: Economy

The context:

Union Minister for Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs, is inaugurating the Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) training centre at Tilak Nagar, New Delhi, on 16th July 2025.

The Key Highlights:

• • The centre is set up by the Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC) under the PM VIKAS scheme.
  • DSGMC has been appointed by the Ministry of Minority Affairs to implement this project.
  • The project aims to train a total of 31,600 candidates.
  • Out of these, 29,600 candidates will receive skill development training.
  • The remaining 2,000 candidates will get educational support.
  • Training will focus on industry-relevant job roles like Technical Artist (AR-VR), Social Media Influencer, and General Duty Assistant.
  • The training is completely free for all enrolled candidates.
  • Candidates will also receive a monthly stipend from the Ministry during their training period.
  • This initiative is part of the government’s effort to enhance skills and employment opportunities among minority communities.

About PM VIKAS scheme:

• • PM VIKAS is a central government initiative under the Ministry of Minority Affairs aimed at preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage and socio-economic development of minority communities in India. The scheme focuses primarily on skill development, education, and livelihood enhancement.

Objectives:

• • Skill Development: Equip minority youth with industry-relevant skills to improve employability and entrepreneurship.
  • Educational Support: Provide educational assistance to minority students to reduce dropout rates and improve literacy.
  • Cultural Preservation: Promote and conserve the traditional arts, crafts, and cultural heritage of minority communities.
  • Economic Empowerment: Facilitate economic self-reliance by creating job opportunities and enhancing income sources.

Key Features:

• • Training Centres: Establishment of specialized training centres like the Tilak Nagar Training Centre (DSGMC) for providing free skill development training.
  • Target Beneficiaries: Focus on large-scale coverage of minority youth, including women, differently-abled, and marginalized groups.
  • Industry-Aligned Courses: Skill training aligned with emerging sectors such as AR-VR, digital media, healthcare, and hospitality.
  • Financial Support: Monthly stipends and financial assistance to trainees during the training period.
  • Community Participation: Partnering with community organizations and NGOs for effective implementation.
  • Monitoring & Evaluation: Robust mechanism to track progress and outcomes for continuous improvement.

Significance:

• • Contributes to inclusive development by empowering minorities economically and socially.
  • Supports national goals of Skill India and Digital India by integrating new-age technology skills.
  • Enhances minority participation in the mainstream workforce.
  • Promotes cultural heritage alongside economic upliftment, preserving India’s diversity.

Recent Developments:

• • Onboarding of organizations like Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC) to implement large-scale training projects.
  • Expansion of skill training in futuristic job roles (e.g., AR-VR Technical Artists, Social Media Influencers).
  • Free training with stipends to ensure accessibility and reduce financial barriers.

Conclusion:

PM VIKAS is a holistic scheme addressing skill gaps and cultural preservation among minorities, fostering inclusive growth, and empowering marginalized communities to contribute actively to India’s development story.

 

Source: PIB

Topic- 5: ADEETIE Scheme: Assistance in Deploying Energy Efficient Technologies in Industries & Establishments

GS- 3: Economy

The context:

On 15th July 2025, Union Minister for Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, officially launched the Assistance in Deploying Energy Efficient Technologies in Industries & Establishments (ADEETIE) scheme at a national roll-out event in Panipat, Haryana.

ADEETIE Scheme: A ₹1000 Crore Initiative to Promote Industrial Energy Efficiency in India

• • The Assistance in Deploying Energy Efficient Technologies in Industries & Establishments (ADEETIE) scheme, launched in July 2025 by the Ministry of Power.
  • It is a landmark initiative aimed at accelerating energy efficiency adoption among Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Implemented by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), ADEETIE has a budgetary outlay of ₹1000 crore to facilitate MSMEs in upgrading their technologies to energy-efficient alternatives.

Key Features:

• • Provides comprehensive support including Investment Grade Energy Audits (IGEA), Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), and post-implementation Monitoring and Verification (M&V).
  • Offers interest subvention of 5% for micro and small enterprises and 3% for medium enterprises on loans, reducing the financial burden of technology adoption.
  • Targets 14 energy-intensive sectors and 60 industrial clusters in its initial phase.
  • Expected to mobilize investments worth ₹9000 crore, enhancing MSME productivity and competitiveness.

Significance:

• • Enables MSMEs to reduce energy consumption by 30–50%, directly contributing to India’s goals of carbon emission reduction and sustainable industrial growth.
  • Strengthens India’s commitment to international climate goals by lowering industrial carbon footprints.
  • Supports the government’s vision of a green and self-reliant economy by promoting renewable and energy-efficient technologies.
  • Facilitates the creation of green energy corridors and reduces dependence on fossil fuels.

Conclusion:

The ADEETIE scheme is a strategic push toward building a greener industrial ecosystem by empowering MSMEs with affordable and accessible energy-efficient technologies. It marks a significant step in India’s energy transition, fostering economic growth aligned with environmental sustainability.

About BEE

• • The Government of India set up the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) on March 1, 2002 under the provisions of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001.
  • The mission of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency is to assist in developing policies and strategies with a thrust on self-regulation and market principles, within the overall framework of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001 with the primary objective of reducing the energy intensity of the Indian economy.
  • BEE coordinates with designated consumers, designated agencies and other organizations and recognises, identifies and utilises the existing resources and infrastructure, in performing the functions assigned to it under the Energy Conservation Act.
  • The Energy Conservation Act provides for regulatory and promotional functions.

About the ADEETIE Scheme

• • Interest Subvention Support: MSMEs can avail 5% interest subvention for Micro & Small Enterprises and 3% for Medium Enterprises on loans for adopting energy-efficient technologies.
  • End-to-End Technical Support: ADEETIE provides full handholding support—including investment-grade energy audits, DPR preparation, technology identification, and monitoring & verification of implementation.
  • Target Sectors: The scheme covers 14 energy-intensive sectors: Brass, Bricks, Ceramics, Chemicals, Fishery, Food Processing, Forging, Foundry, Glass, Leather, Paper, Pharma, Steel Re-rolling, and Textiles.
  • Implementation Approach: ADEETIE will follow a phased roll-out, beginning with 60 industrial clusters in the first phase, followed by an additional 100 clusters in the second phase.
  • Implementation Period: The scheme will be implemented over three years, spanning FY 2025-26 to FY 2027-28, allowing for progressive deployment, course correction, and scaling based on early outcomes.
  • Budget & Impact:
    Total outlay of ₹1000 crore, comprising:
    • ₹875 crore for interest subvention
    • ₹50 crore for Investment Grade Energy Audit support
    • ₹75 crore for handholding support through BEE
      Expected to catalyze ₹9000 crore in investments, including ₹6750 crore of MSME lending.

 

Source: PIB

Topic- 6: “Statathon – A Data Journey Towards Viksit Bharat”: Harnessing AI and Emerging Technologies to Transform Official Statistics in India

GS- 3: Economy

The context:

On 15th July 2025, the National Statistical Office (NSO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell launched a national-level Grand Challenge titled “Statathon – A Data Journey Towards Viksit Bharat” in New Delhi.

About the Statathon – A Data Journey Towards Viksit Bharat

The National Statistical Office (NSO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell, launched a national-level Grand Challenge called “Statathon – A Data Journey Towards Viksit Bharat” to innovate and transform India’s official statistical ecosystem. This initiative celebrates 75 years of the National Sample Survey (NSS) and seeks to leverage cutting-edge technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve data lifecycle processes.

Key Highlights:

• • The National Statistical Office (NSO), along with the Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell, launched “Statathon,” a national challenge to boost innovation in India’s official statistics.
  • The event commemorates 75 years of the National Sample Survey (NSS) and aims to improve statistical data collection, processing, and dissemination using AI and new technologies.
  • The challenge invites solutions for five key problems related to data lifecycle phases, including API development, AI-powered survey tools, automated data processing, semantic search for occupational classification, and enhancing data anonymisation.
  • The competition will select 50 teams for mentorship in the first phase, then 25 teams will receive ₹50,000 each for further development in phase two.
  • Winners will be awarded ₹1,00,000 each, and runner-ups will get ₹50,000 in the grand finale later this year.
  • The challenge fosters collaboration among government bodies, academia, researchers, and startups, reflecting India’s push toward a data-driven, technology-enabled Viksit Bharat.
  • The event saw participation from over 300 stakeholders, highlighting strong interest across sectors.
  • Successful solutions may be integrated into India’s official statistical systems, enhancing the quality and accessibility of national data.

• • Scope:

• • • API Gateway for Survey Datasets: Build a secure, scalable API enabling SQL-based access to NSS datasets.
    • AI-Powered Smart Survey Tool: Develop a multilingual, mobile-friendly AI survey application for real-time data collection.
    • AI-Enhanced Automated Data Processing: Create AI modules for automated data scrutiny, statistical analysis, and report generation.
    • Semantic Search for Occupation Classification: Use NLP and Generative AI for context-aware searches in the National Classification of Occupations.
    • Evaluation & Enhancement of Data Anonymisation: Improve data privacy by developing advanced anonymisation tools.

• • Significance:

• • • Encourages youth and innovators to engage with national statistical data.
    • Advances India’s data infrastructure by integrating AI and digital tools.
    • Supports evidence-based policymaking by improving data quality and accessibility.
    • Reflects Government’s commitment to open innovation and digital public goods for a developed (“Viksit”) Bharat.

Source: PIB

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