The Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) has successfully achieved Open Defecation Free (ODF) status for Indian villages, but the next challenge lies in managing faecal waste. ODF Plus focuses on solid and liquid waste management. A significant gap exists in faecal sludge management (FSM), especially in peri-urban and rural areas. Maharashtra is pioneering urban-rural partnerships, as seen in Satara district, where rural gram panchayats utilize urban treatment plants. This model ensures financial viability and sustainable sanitation by sharing infrastructure, potentially transforming sanitation across India by integrating rural needs with existing urban facilities.
Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) has transitioned from building toilets to ensuring sustainable waste management under ODF Plus.
The primary challenge in rural sanitation is the regular desludging and safe treatment of faecal waste from septic tanks.
Maharashtra's Satara district demonstrates a successful model where rural clusters use urban faecal sludge treatment plants (FSTPs).
Exam Points
Over 12 crore household toilets built in rural India since 2014.
As of October 2025, nearly 97% of India's villages are declared ODF Plus.
Satara district's FSTP has a capacity of 65 kilo litres a day (KLD).
With India's urban population projected to reach 814 million by 2050, waste management is a critical challenge. The article emphasizes moving from a linear to a circular economy, focusing on 'Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.' Key issues include plastic waste, construction and demolition (C&D) waste, and wastewater. While SBM 2.0 aims for 'Garbage Free Cities,' hurdles like poor segregation and lack of inter-departmental coordination persist. The upcoming Environment (Construction and Demolition) Waste Management Rules 2025 and the expansion of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) are vital steps toward achieving sustainability and meeting climate goals.
India needs to transition from a linear 'take-make-dispose' model to a circular economy to manage increasing urban waste.
Plastic waste remains the toughest challenge due to poor segregation at the source and the presence of non-recyclable materials.
Construction and demolition waste requires better tracking and enforcement of management rules to prevent illegal dumping.
Exam Points
India's urban population is expected to grow to 814 million by 2050.
The Environment (Construction and Demolition) Waste Management Rules, 2025, come into effect from April 1, 2026.
The goal of 'Garbage Free Cities' (GFC) is set for 2026 under SBM 2.0.
The Coordination Committee of Tribal Organisations of Assam (CCTOA) has rejected recommendations to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six communities: Chutia, Koch-Rajbongshi, Matak, Moran, Tai Ahom, and Tea Tribes (Adivasis). The CCTOA argues that this move is unconstitutional and would destroy the political rights and reservations of existing tribes. They cite the Lokur Committee report of 1965, which defines ST criteria based on primitive traits and geographical isolation. The Group of Ministers had suggested categorizing these communities into ST (Plain), ST (Hill), and ST (Valley) to accommodate the request.
Six communities in Assam are seeking ST status, which is being opposed by existing tribal organizations (CCTOA).
Opponents argue that granting ST status to these groups would dilute the benefits and political representation of current STs.
The criteria for ST status are traditionally based on the Lokur Committee's 1965 recommendations regarding primitive traits and backwardness.
Exam Points
The six communities are Chutia, Koch-Rajbongshi, Matak, Moran, Tai Ahom, and Tea Tribes.
The Lokur Committee report of 1965 established the criteria for identifying Scheduled Tribes.
Cabinet Secretary T.V. Somanathan announced that the Union government has no plans to change the existing land acquisition policy, despite it being a major hurdle for infrastructure development. During the 50th PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation) meeting, it was revealed that over 3,300 projects worth ₹85 lakh crore have been reviewed. PRAGATI serves as a three-tier system (PMO, Union Secretaries, and Chief Secretaries) to resolve bottlenecks in projects. While land acquisition and environmental clearances cause delays, the mechanism has successfully resolved thousands of issues through coordinated inter-ministerial and state-level action.
PRAGATI is a multi-purpose platform aimed at addressing grievances and monitoring significant government projects.
Land acquisition remains a primary reason for delays in major infrastructure projects across India.
The government emphasizes that the PRAGATI framework ensures coordinated action between Central and State governments.
Exam Points
PRAGATI stands for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation.
Over 3,300 projects worth ₹85 lakh crore have been reviewed under PRAGATI.
The 50th meeting of PRAGATI was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Union government plans to introduce the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan (VBSA) Bill, 2025, to overhaul the regulatory framework for higher education. The bill aims to liberalize the open schooling system and encourage the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in teaching. It will also establish technical education standards focused on employability and entrepreneurship. The VBSA Bill is expected to subsume the functions of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE). Additionally, the government seeks to expand the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) to accommodate learners of all age groups for secondary certifications.
The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan (VBSA) Bill, 2025, aims to modernize the regulatory landscape of Indian higher education.
New guidelines will be introduced to promote the use of AI in teacher education and classroom instruction.
The bill focuses on aligning technical education with job market needs and fostering entrepreneurship among graduates.
Exam Points
The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan (VBSA) Bill was introduced in the 2025 Winter Session of Parliament.
The Bill proposes to subsume the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE).
A significant milestone was reached in the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project with the breakthrough of its first mountain tunnel. The 1.5-km MT-5 tunnel, located in Maharashtra's Palghar district, was completed in 18 months using the 'drill and blast' method. The MAHSR project, India's first bullet train corridor, will span 508 km and feature seven tunnels in Maharashtra and one in Gujarat. Once operational, the train will reduce travel time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad to under two hours. The project is expected to boost regional economies and generate significant employment.
The MT-5 tunnel is the longest of the seven mountain tunnels planned for the Maharashtra section of the bullet train.
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project aims to significantly reduce travel time between the two commercial hubs.
The project utilizes advanced engineering techniques, including underground and surface tunnels, to navigate difficult terrain.
Exam Points
The MT-5 tunnel is 1.5 km long and located in Palghar district, Maharashtra.
The total length of the MAHSR project is 508 km.
The project includes a total of 27.4 km of tunnel length, with 21 km being underground.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has introduced two new credit-linked schemes under the Export Promotion Mission (EPM) to support MSME exporters. The 'Interest Subvention for Pre- and Post-Shipment Export Credit' aims to reduce financing costs and improve liquidity. The second scheme, 'Collateral Support for Export Credit,' provides MSMEs with access to bank credit even with limited collateral, offering guarantees up to 85% for micro and small exporters. These initiatives, part of the Niryat Protsahan category, entail an outlay of ₹5,181 crore over six years to integrate Indian MSMEs into global value chains.
The Export Promotion Mission (EPM) aims to lower the cost of credit and ease access to finance for Indian exporters.
Interest subvention schemes are designed to strengthen MSME liquidity and enhance their global competitiveness.
The Collateral Support scheme, implemented via CGTMSE, reduces the burden of providing security for export-linked loans.
Exam Points
The two schemes have a total outlay of ₹5,181 crore until 2030-31.
Micro and small exporters are eligible for up to 85% guarantee, while medium exporters are capped at 65%.
The schemes are implemented through the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE).
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