The Union Cabinet has approved an Employment-Linked Incentive (ELI) scheme with an allocation of ₹99,446 crore to boost job creation, primarily in manufacturing. The scheme offers incentives to first-time employees (one-month wage up to ₹15,000) and employers (up to ₹3,000 per month for two years, extended for manufacturing). It aims to create over 3.5 crore jobs, with 1.92 crore beneficiaries being first-timers. Benefits are applicable for jobs created between August 1, 2025, and July 31, 2027, as part of a larger government package for youth employment and skilling.
The Union Cabinet has approved the Employment-Linked Incentive (ELI) scheme to stimulate job creation, particularly in the manufacturing sector.
The scheme offers financial incentives to both first-time employees and employers for generating additional employment.
It targets the creation of over 3.5 crore jobs, with a significant focus on integrating new entrants into the workforce.
Exam Points
ELI scheme allocation: ₹99,446 crore.
Target job creation: over 3.5 crore jobs.
First-time employee wage incentive: up to ₹15,000 (one-month wage).
A recent lethal accident at a Sigachi Industries pharma unit in Hyderabad, which killed 36 people, highlights the critical need for a high safety culture in India's pharma manufacturing industry. Despite the benign nature of the substance (Microcrystalline Cellulose), its production involves risky processes. The article emphasizes that such hazardous units must conduct Process Hazard Analysis (HAZOP) by competent staff, integrate data for abnormality detection, and ensure operators are well-trained and safety-conscious. Frequent accidents in the sector, a key foreign exchange earner, underscore the failure to conform to global safety norms, which can negatively impact India's trade.
A recent accident in a Hyderabad pharma unit, killing 36, underscores the urgent need for robust safety protocols in the manufacturing sector.
The article highlights that even with benign substances, manufacturing processes can be hazardous, requiring strict adherence to safety procedures.
It stresses the importance of Process Hazard Analysis (HAZOP), data integration for abnormality detection, and continuous training for operators.
Exam Points
Accident occurred at Sigachi Industries pharma unit in Hyderabad.
Despite India's constitutional commitment to social justice and reservation policies for SCs, STs, OBCs, and EWS, central universities and premier institutions consistently fail to fill reserved faculty positions. Significant vacancies persist across various categories, particularly at senior levels, highlighting a structural disparity. Systemic barriers include institutional autonomy, varied enforcement of UGC guidelines, the contentious "13-point roster system" which reduces reserved positions, and allegations of bias in selection processes. Addressing this requires stricter enforcement, revisiting the roster system, ensuring diversity in selection committees, and proactive political enforcement to align recruitment practices with social justice goals.
Central universities and premier institutions show a persistent failure to fill reserved faculty positions for marginalized communities.
Significant vacancies exist across SC, ST, OBC, and EWS categories, especially at senior academic levels.
Systemic barriers include institutional autonomy, inconsistent UGC guideline enforcement, and the controversial "13-point roster system."
Exam Points
Reservation quotas: SC (15%), ST (7.5%), OBC (27%), EWS (10%).
Data from Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan (April 2021) showed 2,389 SC, 1,199 ST, and 4,251 OBC vacancies in 45 central universities.
UGC's "13-point roster system" (2018) is contentious, replacing the earlier 200-point system.
Over the past decade, the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD) has leveraged technology to democratize access to rights, services, protection, and opportunities for women and children. Initiatives like Saksham Anganwadi, Poshan Tracker, SHe-Box portal, Mission Shakti dashboard, and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) have integrated digital tools for efficient service delivery, real-time monitoring, and transparency. These efforts have yielded tangible outcomes, including an improved Sex Ratio at Birth and a decline in Maternal Mortality Rate, showcasing how governance combined with technology can achieve social transformation and empower vulnerable populations.
The MoWCD has significantly integrated technology into its programs to enhance access to services for women and children.
Initiatives like Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan Tracker ensure efficient delivery of nutrition, healthcare, and education services at the last mile.
Technology-led platforms such as SHe-Box and Mission Shakti provide safety and support, enabling online redressal and integrated assistance for women in distress.
Exam Points
Saksham Anganwadi initiative: modernizes over 2 lakh Anganwadi centres.
Poshan Tracker: registers over 10.14 crore beneficiaries; recognized with PM's Award for Excellence in Public Administration (2025).
SHe-Box portal: for complaints under Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.
The Indian Navy has inducted INS Udaygiri, the second stealth frigate of Project 17A, delivered in a record 37 months. This induction showcases India's growing military manufacturing capabilities and enhances its naval power. Project 17A frigates are successors to the Shivalik-class (Project 17) frigates and are being built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. (MDSL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers. INS Udaygiri, a modern avatar of its predecessor, is equipped with enhanced stealth features and an advanced weapon and sensor suite, representing a significant leap in the Indian Navy's in-house design capabilities for blue-water operations.
INS Udaygiri, the second Project 17A stealth frigate, has been delivered to the Indian Navy in record time.
This induction signifies a major advancement in India's indigenous military manufacturing and naval design capabilities.
Project 17A frigates are designed for blue-water operations, capable of handling conventional and non-conventional threats.
The Indian Navy commissioned INS Tamal (F71), a multi-role stealth guided missile frigate, in Kaliningrad, Russia. This commissioning is significant as Tamal is the last foreign-built major warship to be inducted into the Indian Navy, aligning with the government's "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" and "Make in India" initiatives focused on indigenisation. Tamal is the eighth ship in the Project 1135.6 series (Talwar class) and the second of the follow-on Tushil-class frigates. It symbolizes the deep Indo-Russian defence partnership, being the 51st ship produced under this collaboration over 65 years, and is equipped with dual-role BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles.
INS Tamal, a multi-role stealth guided missile frigate, has been commissioned in Russia.
It marks a pivotal moment as the last foreign-built major warship to be inducted by the Indian Navy, emphasizing a shift towards indigenisation.
The commissioning highlights the long-standing and deep Indo-Russian strategic defence partnership.
The eighth edition of the Indo-French Army exercise, 'Shakti 2025', concluded in France. This joint military exercise, which began on June 18, involved over 500 legionnaires and military personnel from various units of the French Army, Foreign Legion, Air and Space Force, and Navy. The Indian contingent comprised 90 personnel, including a battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles. Exercise Shakti serves as a crucial platform for Indian and French military personnel to enhance joint operational preparedness and strengthen bilateral defense cooperation.
The eighth edition of the Indo-French Army exercise, 'Shakti 2025', has concluded in France.
The exercise involved a significant number of military personnel from both Indian and various French forces.
It aims to boost joint operational preparedness and interoperability between the two nations' armed forces.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw launched RailOne, a new all-in-one app developed by CRIS (Centre for Railway Information Systems), a PSU under the Railways. The app aims to improve the passenger interface by integrating various services like live train tracking, grievance redressal, e-catering, porter booking, and last-mile taxi services. It offers a 3% discount on unreserved and platform tickets and supports single sign-on with mPIN or biometrics. While reserved tickets will still be offered on IRCTC, RailOne is designed to streamline daily train travel, save device space by consolidating multiple apps, and enhance the overall digital experience for passengers.
The Indian Railways has launched the RailOne app to provide an integrated platform for various passenger services.
Developed by CRIS, the app aims to simplify ticket booking, live train tracking, and access to other travel-related amenities.
It offers a 3% discount on unreserved and platform tickets, encouraging digital adoption for daily commuters.
Exam Points
App name: RailOne.
Launched by: Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Developed by: CRIS (Centre for Railway Information Systems), a Railways PSU.
India's sports policy journey reflects its socio-economic development, initially prioritizing basic needs over sports post-independence. Despite hosting the first Asian Games in 1951, a dedicated Department of Sports and the first National Sports Policy (NSP) emerged only in 1984, followed by the Sports Authority of India (SAI). The 1990s saw sluggish progress, but post-2000, a dedicated Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports was formed, and a revised NSP (2001) set clearer goals. Schemes like TOPS, Khelo India, and Fit India Movement have since boosted elite athlete support and mass participation. With the NSP 2025 announced, India now actively pursues its bid to host the 2036 Olympics, signaling a renewed commitment to sports.
India's sports policy evolved from a period of neglect post-independence, with initial focus on nation-building.
Key milestones include the first National Sports Policy in 1984 and the establishment of the Sports Authority of India (SAI).
Post-2000, a dedicated Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and revised policies aimed at mass participation and international excellence were introduced.
Exam Points
First Asian Games hosted by India: New Delhi, 1951.
First National Sports Policy (NSP): 1984.
Sports Authority of India (SAI) established: 1986.
Read more
Read it. Retain it. Recall it.
Get spaced-repetition flashcards, daily quizzes and offline access — free on Android.