The Centre has fixed a floor wage of ₹300 per day under the new Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025, which replaced the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). This move has increased wage rates for 21 States and Union Territories that previously paid less than ₹300. While some states saw significant hikes, others had minimal increases. Critics, including former Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh, argue the wages are "unjustifiably low" and fall short of the ₹375 per day recommended by the Dr. Anoop Satpathy Expert Committee in 2019.
The new VB-G RAM G Act, 2025, establishes a national floor wage of ₹300 per day, replacing MGNREGA.
This change has led to increased wage rates for 21 States and Union Territories that previously paid below ₹300.
Critics argue the new wage is insufficient, citing the Dr. Anoop Satpathy Expert Committee's 2019 recommendation of ₹375 per day.
Exam Points
The Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025, replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005.
The new floor wage is ₹300 per day.
The Dr. Anoop Satpathy Expert Committee in 2019 recommended a national minimum wage floor of ₹375 per day.
The World Bank Group (WBG) has indicated it will drop its funding target for climate-centric projects, following strong disapproval from the U.S. administration, its largest shareholder. The WBG will retire its 45% climate co-benefits target and 35% target in the Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP), shifting focus from inputs to outcomes. The U.S. argues the WBG should prioritize its core mission of poverty reduction and economic growth, claiming climate finance targets breed inefficiency. This decision could impact climate-focused projects in developing countries, including India, which has several ongoing initiatives with the WBG.
The World Bank Group is abandoning its climate finance funding targets due to U.S. disapproval.
The WBG will retire its 45% climate co-benefits target and 35% CCAP target, focusing instead on development impact.
The U.S., as the largest shareholder, believes the WBG should prioritize poverty reduction and economic growth over climate targets.
Exam Points
The World Bank's Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP) was launched in 2020, with a goal to allocate 35% of financing to climate projects, increased to 45% in 2023.
The U.S. is the World Bank Group's largest shareholder.
U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew the country from the Paris Agreement (2015).
India's energy security relies on reducing dependence on disrupted resources, as demonstrated by the refining sector's flexibility during the Strait of Hormuz crisis in 2026. The article argues that similar discipline is needed for coal chemistry to produce domestic molecules like Dimethyl Ether (DME) from coal gasification. DME, chemically similar to LPG, can be blended into existing cylinders, reducing LPG imports and saving foreign exchange. The Union Cabinet has approved a ₹37,500 crore scheme to promote coal and lignite gasification, targeting 100 million tonnes annually by 2030, highlighting the strategic importance of indigenous capability.
India's energy security can be enhanced by developing indigenous coal chemistry capabilities.
Producing Dimethyl Ether (DME) from coal gasification can reduce reliance on imported LPG.
DME can be blended into existing LPG infrastructure without needing new distribution networks.
Exam Points
Dimethyl Ether (DME) is a clean-burning gas chemically similar to LPG.
The Bureau of Indian Standards has approved blending up to 20% DME with LPG.
A 20% DME blend from coal gasification could displace 6.3 million tonnes of LPG imports annually, saving ₹34,000 crore.
A new report, based on Rural Development Ministry surveys, reveals the erosion of India's grassroots democracy, particularly concerning gram sabhas. It notes "participation fatigue" among citizens, partly due to a lack of outcomes and systemic issues like precarious rural labour. Gram sabhas are increasingly reduced to clearinghouses for central and State schemes, dependent on grants, and their decision-making powers are bypassed, especially regarding land acquisition and mining, despite the PESA Act. The report criticizes the state's failure to institutionalize attendance as a paid component of social protection, leading to gram sabhas becoming a domain for the leisured elite.
A report highlights the erosion of gram sabhas' decision-making powers and declining citizen participation in grassroots democracy.
Gram sabhas are often reduced to merely approving central and state schemes, with limited autonomy in identifying local issues or generating revenue.
The report points to "participation fatigue" stemming from a lack of tangible outcomes and systemic issues affecting rural livelihoods.
Exam Points
The report is based on Rural Development Ministry surveys.
The 73rd Amendment empowers gram sabhas.
The NIRNAY app is promoted for uploading gram sabha meeting minutes.
India has made significant progress in its energy transition, achieving near-universal household electrification and expanding renewable energy. However, to meet 2047 energy self-reliance and 2070 net-zero goals, an integrated approach is crucial. An INSA policy brief proposes a four-pillar framework: adequacy (reliable, diversified supplies), access (equitable services), affordability (economically viable transition), and appropriate sustainability (aligned with developmental priorities). This framework emphasizes greater coordination across diverse energy resources and technologies, viewing the entire energy system as an integrated whole to build a resilient, affordable, and sustainable energy future.
India needs a unified policy architecture to achieve its energy self-reliance by 2047 and net-zero emissions by 2070 goals.
An INSA policy brief proposes a four-pillar framework: adequacy, access, affordability, and appropriate sustainability.
The framework advocates for reliable and diversified energy supplies, equitable energy services, economically viable transition, and sustainability aligned with India's context.
Exam Points
India aims for energy self-reliance by 2047 and net-zero emissions by 2070.
The Indian National Science Academy (INSA) released a policy brief in May 2026.
Renewable energy installed capacity grew from approximately 40 GW in 2015 to approximately 260 GW by 2025.
An analysis by The Hindu reveals that States' expenditure under the new Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025, could increase nearly six-fold, from ₹7,700 crore in 2024-25 to at least ₹51,000 crore in 2026-27. This significant shift in financial burden from the Centre to States is a major concern, as the new scheme changes the funding pattern from roughly 90:10 (Centre:State) under MGNREGA to a 60:40 ratio for most categories. The Centre's interim allocation of ₹95,692.31 crore for 2026-27 does not specify State contributions or how past dues will be settled, raising concerns about financial implications for states.
States' expenditure under the new VB-G RAM G Act is projected to increase nearly six-fold by 2026-27.
The new scheme shifts a significant financial burden from the Centre to the States, changing the funding pattern from 90:10 to 60:40 for most categories.
The Centre's interim allocation for 2026-27 does not clarify State contributions or how past dues will be settled.
Exam Points
States' expenditure under VB-G RAM G is projected to rise from ₹7,689.07 crore in 2024-25 to ₹50,968.31 crore in 2026-27.
The funding pattern for labour wages under VB-G RAM G is a 60:40 Centre:State ratio, compared to 100% by Centre under MGNREGA.
The number of guaranteed workdays increased from 100 under MGNREGA to 125 under VB-G RAM G.
Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth unveiled "VIJAY," a roadmap to transform the Indian Army into a technology-enabled, future-ready force capable of operating across multiple domains. Inspired by the Defence Minister's vision for the Decade of Transformation, the roadmap's acronym stands for Vigilance (operational readiness), Innovation and Transformation (modern doctrine, cutting-edge technologies), Jointness and Integration (synergy among services and military-civil fusion), Atmanirbharta (indigenous technologies), and Yodha First (soldier welfare and training). This initiative aims to strengthen national security and adapt to evolving warfare, ensuring the Army remains prepared for emerging security challenges.
General Dhiraj Seth unveiled the "VIJAY" roadmap to modernize the Indian Army.
The roadmap aims to create a technology-enabled, future-ready force capable of multi-domain operations.
"VIJAY" stands for Vigilance, Innovation and Transformation, Jointness and Integration, Atmanirbharta, and Yodha First.
Exam Points
General Dhiraj Seth is the 31st Chief of the Army Staff.
The roadmap is titled "VIJAY".
"V" stands for Vigilance, "I" for Innovation and Transformation, "J" for Jointness and Integration, "A" for Atmanirbharta, and "Y" for Yodha First.
A Kerala-based activist has filed a plea in the Supreme Court, advocating for mechanisms allowing disabled prisoners to self-identify and declare their disabilities. The submission argues that States have an obligation under Section 7 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act to protect disabled persons from violence, abuse, or exploitation in prisons. It recommends standardized, objective assessments by field experts for intellectual disabilities and that prison records identify disabled individuals for reasonable adjustments. The plea highlights the vulnerability of disabled inmates to exploitation by staff and fellow inmates, urging the government to create protective conditions from their entry into prison.
A plea in the Supreme Court seeks mechanisms for disabled prisoners to self-identify their disabilities.
States are obligated under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act to protect disabled persons from violence and exploitation in prisons.
The plea recommends standardized assessments by field experts for intellectual disabilities and recording disabilities in prison records for necessary adjustments.
Exam Points
The plea was filed by Kerala-based activist Sathyan Naravoor.
Section 7 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act mandates protection for disabled persons from violence, abuse, or exploitation.
The submissions were prepared by advocates Kaleeswaram Raj and Thulasi K. Raj.
India's Civil Registration System (CRS) 2024 report indicates significant improvement in birth and death registration, with 99.1% of births and 99.4% of deaths registered in 2024. The report also shows an improving, though uneven, sex ratio at birth (SRB) across states, with the national average at 917 females per 1,000 males. While Kerala, Arunachal Pradesh, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands are top performers, Nagaland, Lakshadweep, and Jharkhand show the weakest figures. The increased registration coverage provides a clearer picture of the country's demographic transition, reflecting better capture of vital statistics rather than sharp rises in fertility or mortality.
The CRS 2024 report indicates near-full coverage for birth and death registrations in India.
The national sex ratio at birth (SRB) has improved to 917 females per 1,000 males, though progress is uneven across states.
States like Kerala, Arunachal Pradesh, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands show high SRB, while Nagaland, Lakshadweep, and Jharkhand have the lowest.
Exam Points
The CRS 2024 report shows 99.1% birth registration and 99.4% death registration in 2024.
India's sex ratio at birth is 917 females per 1,000 males.
Arunachal Pradesh recorded the highest SRB at 1,050, while Nagaland and Lakshadweep recorded the lowest at 865.
The government has notified new telecom rules, including the Telecommunications (Authorisation for Provision of Principal/Captive/Miscellaneous Telecommunication Services) Rules, 2026, under the Telecommunications Act, 2023. These rules primarily simplify the regulatory framework by replacing the old licensing system with an "authorisation regime," aiming to ease compliance for operators and ISPs and add anti-spam obligations. While many operational changes are minimal, the new Act grants the Union government greater powers, such as regulating messaging apps and seizing telecom infrastructure for national security. However, aspects like satellite internet rules and Starlink approvals remain uncertain, indicating incomplete implementation.
The government has notified new telecom rules under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, replacing the previous licensing framework with an authorisation regime.
The primary objective is to simplify compliance for telecom operators and ISPs and introduce anti-spam obligations.
The new Act grants the Union government broader powers, including the ability to regulate messaging apps and seize telecom infrastructure for national security.
Exam Points
The new rules include Telecommunications (Authorisation for Provision of Principal Telecommunication Services) Rules, 2026.
The Telecommunications Act, 2023, replaces the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, and Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933.
The Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) has been renamed to Digital Bharat Nidhi.
Read more
Read it. Retain it. Recall it.
Get spaced-repetition flashcards, daily quizzes and offline access — free on Android.