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- The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the revised SHAKTI (Scheme for Harnessing and Allocating Koyala Transparently in India) Policy to improve coal allocation in the power sector. Originally launched in 2017 by the Ministry of Coal, SHAKTI ensures a transparent and efficient system for coal distribution.
- The updated policy aims to meet the sector’s evolving coal needs, promote import substitution, and simplify the allocation process. It reduces the earlier eight categories to two streamlined mechanisms. Under Window-I, notified price coal linkages will continue for central and state government thermal plants. Window-II allows all producers, including private players, to bid for coal via auction without requiring Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), boosting private participation.
- Additional reforms include flexible auction durations (12 months to 25 years), prioritization of pithead-based plants, and legislative changes under the Coal Mines Act and MMDR Act to enhance transparency. Tools like the Khanan Prahari app also improve oversight of illegal mining.
- Announced in Budget 2024–25, a new Centrally Sponsored Scheme has been approved to upgrade Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and enhance India’s skill development ecosystem. The scheme aims to transform existing ITIs into government-owned, industry-managed aspirational institutions in collaboration with State Governments and industry partners.
- With a total outlay of ₹60,000 crore over five years (₹30,000 crore from the Centre, ₹20,000 crore from States, and ₹10,000 crore from industry), it will be co-financed 50% by the Asian Development Bank and World Bank.
- Key initiatives include upgrading 1,000 government ITIs through a hub-and-spoke model, introducing modern industry-aligned trades, and enhancing five National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs), where five National Centres of Excellence for Skilling will be established. An industry-led Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) model will drive implementation.
- India’s 15,000+ ITIs, mostly privately owned, form the backbone of vocational training. Oversight is provided by the Directorate General of Training under the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship.
- In response to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, India launched Operation Sindoor—its most extensive cross-border counter-terror strike since Balakot. Framed as a pre-emptive and deterrent action, the operation targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
- The strikes were carefully calibrated to avoid escalation, employing advanced, precision-guided weaponry. Indian forces used high-tech systems such as the SCALP missile (450 km range), HAMMER munitions (50–70 km range), loitering munitions (autonomous or remote-guided drones), METEOR air-to-air missiles, and BRAHMOS supersonic cruise missiles.
- Pakistan, invoking Article 51 of the UN Charter, stated its right to respond, referencing the right to individual or collective self-defence if attacked. Article 51 also requires nations to report such measures to the UN Security Council.
- India emphasized its right to defend itself and prevent future attacks, stating that Operation Sindoor was a strategic, non-escalatory response to cross-border terrorism.