PM-KUSUM and Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana

• India plans to showcase the PM-KUSUM and PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana programs through the International Solar Alliance platform.

PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan)

• PM-KUSUM was launched in 2019 to provide financial assistance to farmers for adopting solar irrigation pumps in agriculture.
• Implementation: Under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, via state agencies.
• Target: Add 34,800 MW of solar capacity by March 2026 to promote solar energy use in agriculture.
• Components: The scheme has three components:
• Installation of small grid-connected solar plants and selling power to DISCOMs.
• Stand-alone solar pumps in off-grid areas to reduce diesel dependence.
• Solarisation of existing grid-connected pumps for irrigation and selling surplus power to the grid.
• Key Achievements: About 70% of standalone solar pumps are installed under the scheme, but progress on grid-connected plants and pumps has been slower.

PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana

• PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is a Central Sector Scheme launched in 2024 to provide free electricity by installing rooftop solar panels.
• Implementation: Under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy through the state-level DISCOMs.
• Target: Provide up to 300 units of free electricity monthly to 1 crore eligible households by 2026–27.
• Key Achievement: The scheme has completed 10 lakh rooftop solar installations and is steadily progressing towards its set target.

Unified Mental Health Response

• India’s 13.7% mental disorder prevalence is worsening due to stress from disasters and conflicts.

• World Mental Health Day urged a unified response and integration of mental health in emergency management, as 1 in 5 crisis-hit people face mental disorders.

Need for a Unified Mental Health Response in India

• High National Burden: India has a 13.7% lifetime prevalence of mental disorders, affecting nearly 200 million people, signalling a large unmet care need (National Mental Health Survey, 2015-16).
• Global Scale: Over 1 billion individuals (13% of the world population) live with mental illnesses, making it a major global health crisis (World Health Organisation, 2025).
• Workforce Deficiency: Only 0.75 psychiatrists and 0.12 psychologists per 1 lakh population, far below the WHO norm of 3 psychiatrists per 1 lakh, which limits accessibility (WHO Mental Health Atlas).
• Budgetary Shortfall: Mental health receives just 1.05% of India’s total health budget, compared to 8-10% in developed nations like the U.K. and Canada (Union Budget 2024-25; OECD, 2024).
• Medication & Rehabilitation Gaps: Less than 15% of identified patients receive rehabilitation; frequent stock-outs of psychotropic drugs at PHCs hinder continuity (MoHFW Evaluation Report, 2023).
• Awareness Deficit: Over 50% of Indians still attribute mental illness to “personal weakness” or “shame,” reducing early help-seeking (NIMHANS Perception Survey, 2022).
• Urban-Centric Services: Nearly 70% of India’s population lives in rural areas, but < 25% of mental-health facilities are located outside cities (National Health Profile, 2023).

India–UK Bilateral Talks 2025

• UK PM Keir Starmer visited India and held bilateral talks with PM Narendra Modi, leading to significant agreements in key sectors.

Key Outcomes

• Defence Deal: India signed an agreement to procure British-made Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM ‘Martlet’) for the Indian Army.
• Naval Collaboration: Both countries agreed to jointly develop electric-powered engines for next-generation Indian naval vessels.
• Fintech Corridor: A new India–UK Fintech Corridor will connect regulators, startups, and investors to promote innovation and digital financial cooperation.
• AI Collaboration: A joint research centre will develop AI-native 6G network technologies to strengthen cybersecurity and digital infrastructure.
• Critical Minerals Partnership: Phase II of the UK–India Critical Minerals Observatory, along with an Industry Guild, has been launched to ensure sustainable mineral supply chains.
• Education Linkages: Lancaster University and the University of Surrey were given approval to establish campuses in India, aligning with the NEP 2020.

Russia Withdraws from Plutonium Agreement with US

• Russia to formally withdraw from the Plutonium Management and Disposition Agreement (PMDA).

Plutonium Management and Disposition Agreement (PMDA)

PMDA is a bilateral agreement between United States & Russia, signed in 2000 & came into force in 2011.

• Objective: To safely dispose of surplus weapons-grade plutonium following post-Cold War arms reductions and to reduce nuclear proliferation risks.
• Both countries committed to eliminating 34 tonnes of weapons-grade plutonium each, enough to produce approximately 17,000 nuclear warheads.
• The plutonium was to be converted into mixed oxide (MOX) fuel for nuclear reactors or irradiated in fast-neutron reactors to prevent its reuse for weapons.
• Reasons for Withdrawal:
• Russia accused the U.S. of breaching the agreement by diluting plutonium instead of converting it into MOX fuel without prior consent.
• It also cited U.S. sanctions, NATO expansion, & other “unfriendly actions” as reasons for withdrawal.

US to Supply Advanced AMRAAM Missiles to Pakistan

• The US has clarified that Pakistan will not receive new Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs), as the amended contract covers only sustainment and spare parts.

AIM-120 AMRAAM Missile

• The AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) is an advanced beyond-visual-range air combat weapon with additional surface-to-air capability, by the US.
• It is mainly intended for deployment from fighter jets such as the F-16.
• Range & Speed: It can target airborne objects over 160 km away and exceed speeds of Mach 4.
• Target Precision: The missile uses an advanced guidance system with Global Positioning System (GPS) inputs to ensure high accuracy.
• Autonomous Targeting: It has a “fire-and-forget” capability, with a two-way data link for real-time updates, allowing the missile to guide and adjust its course independently.

Foreign Currency Settlement System at GIFT City

• The Union Finance Minister launched the Foreign Currency Settlement System (FCSS) at Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) to boost international trade and investment.

Foreign Currency Settlement System (FCSS)

• The FCSS is a payment infrastructure within GIFT-International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), enabling instant or near real-time settlement of foreign currency trades and payments.
• Mechanism: It replaces the traditional method of routing payments through multiple foreign banks, reducing settlement time from 36–48 hours to almost immediately.
• Regulatory Oversight: It operates under the supervision of the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) and is governed by the Payment and Settlement Systems (PSS) Act, 2007.

• Current Scope: Initially, the system supports settlements in U.S. Dollar (USD), British Pound (GBP), and Euro (EUR), with plans to add more global currencies.

• Significance: The launch positions GIFT City alongside major financial centres like Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Manila, which are capable of local foreign currency settlements.

India’s Growth Forecast

The World Bank’s South Asia Development Update revised India’s growth forecast for FY26 to 6.5% (from 6.3%), while lowering FY27 to 6.3% due to higher U.S. tariffs on Indian exports.

Key Highlights of the Report

• FY26 Growth: Upgraded to 6.5% due to strong domestic demand and GST simplification.
• FY27 Growth: Downgraded to 6.3%, due to 50% U.S. tariffs on nearly three-fourths of Indian exports.
• South Asia: Region projected to grow 6.6% (2025); India accounts for ~70% of South Asia’s output.

Reasons for Upgraded FY26 Outlook

• Public Investment: Continued push through PM Gati Shakti and National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP).
• Domestic Consumption: Boosted by rural wage growth and strong agricultural output.
• GST Reform: Simplification of compliance and rationalisation of tax slabs in 2025.
• Monetary Easing: RBI’s accommodative stance promotes liquidity and private investment.

Challenges Ahead for India

• U.S. Tariffs: 50% duty on major exports (~2% of GDP exposure) will impact textiles and pharma exports.
• Global Slowdown: The World Bank projects South Asia’s growth will decelerate from 6.6% in 2025 to 5.8% in 2026, citing spillovers from a global slowdown and trade headwinds
• Weak Urban Demand: Slower growth in car sales and personal credit demand indicates urban consumption fatigue. In June 2025, car wholesales to dealers dropped 7.4% YoY, an 18-month low. (FADA)
• AI Disruption Risks: ~23% of jobs are exposed to AI, especially mid-skill service roles.

Way Forward

• Diversify Export: Reduce overdependence on the U.S. by exploring ASEAN, Africa, and GCC. E.g. India–UAE CEPA to expand export base.
• Domestic Manufacturing: Strengthen Make in India 2.0, PLI Schemes, and logistics competitiveness.
• Boost AI Integration: Promote AI–human complementarity in high-skill sectors. E.g. National AI Mission and Skill India Digital Platform for upskilling.
• Infrastructure Push: Continue capital expenditure momentum to drive employment and demand. PM Gati Shakti & NaBFID Infra Bonds to deepen infra financing.
• Agriculture Demand: Support through MSP reforms, irrigation projects, and digital agri-tech platforms. E.g. Digital Public Infrastructure for Agriculture (DPIA) model.

AgriEnIcs Programme

• The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) launched and transferred five indigenous agri-electronic technologies under the AgriEnIcs national programme.

AgriEnIcs Programme

• Aim: To develop, deploy, and commercialise indigenous electronics, sensors, and AI-based solutions for agriculture and environmental applications.
• Theme: “Harnessing Sensors, Electronics, and AI for an Aatmanirbhar Bharat.”
• Full Form: Agriculture and Environment Electronics and Information Systems Programme (AgriEnIcs)
• Nodal Implementing Agency: Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Kolkata
• Associated Institutions: IIT Kharagpur, ICAR-NDRI (Kalyani), ICAR-IARI (New Delhi), FCI

Key Components of the Programme

• Go-P: Collar device monitoring cattle temperature to predict ‘heat’ cycles for artificial insemination.
• MAST-D: Electrochemical device for early detection of mastitis infection in cattle milk.
• Grain-Ex System: AI-based imaging tool for real-time quality analysis of pulses and grains.
• CT-VIEU System: Conveyorised imaging system for dry red chilli quality assessment.
• RIGE-Sense System: Machine-vision and AI/ML-based system for rice quality and age estimation.
• ODORPravah: Sensor-based odour and emission monitoring device for MSW, landfill, and industrial sites.

National Red List Assessment (NRLA) Initiative

• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change launched the National Red List Assessment (NRLA) initiative at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi.

• It includes The National Red List Roadmap and The Vision 2025–2030, outlining the programme’s long-term goal and strategic objectives.

NRLA Initiative

• The NRLA initiative is India’s first comprehensive framework to create a nationally coordinated, science-based system for assessing and documenting the conservation status of native species.
• Objective: It aims to publish National Red Data Books for both flora and fauna by 2030 to guide national conservation planning and policy.
• Target: To conduct a comprehensive threat assessment for at least 11,000 Indian species by 2030.
• Nodal Agencies: The Botanical Survey of India (BSI) and Zoological Survey of India (ZSI).
• Significance: It reinforces India’s commitment to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) and aligns with the IUCN global standards.

Four New Plant Species in Karnataka

• Scientists identified four new plant species in the Western Ghats of Karnataka.

Newly Discovered Plant Species

1. Zeuxine seetharamii: Dwarf orchid bearing thick rhizomes and compactly arranged flowers.
2. Oberonia marnkuliensis: Epiphytic orchid species with small cream to orange-yellow flowers.
3. Parasopubia gorensis: A dwarf herb characterised by sickle-shaped seeds and spiny leaves.
4. Utricularia kumtensis: Lithophytic (grows on rocks) bladderwort with small, half-opened flowers.

Fungus Bridgeoporus kanadii

The Botanical Survey of India discovered a new fungal species, Bridgeoporus kanadii, during a monsoon biodiversity survey in West Kameng district, Arunachal Pradesh.

Bridgeoporus kanadii

• Bridgeoporus kanadii is a polypore fungus with exceptionally large conks (fruiting bodies) reaching up to three meters in radius.
• Etymology: Named in honour of mycologist Dr Kanad Das for his contributions to fungal taxonomy.
• Proffered Habitat: It occurs in the subtropical temperate forests of the Eastern Himalayas
• Host Tree: The fungus grows in dense clusters on dead or decaying coniferous trees, especially fir trees.
• Distribution: The only known population is found in Shergaon village in Arunachal Pradesh.
• The genus Bridgeoporus was once considered monotypic, represented solely by B. nobilissimus from the Pacific Northwest of North America.
• Ecological Role: It decomposes cellulose and lignin from dead wood, supporting nutrient cycling.
• Human Use: The species is inedible and has no known commercial value for human use.

Saksham Counter-UAS Grid

• The Indian Army has started procuring the ‘Saksham’ (Situational Awareness for Kinetic Soft and Hard Kill Assets Management) Counter-UAS Grid to secure Tactical Battlefield Space.

Saksham

• Saksham is an indigenous AI-powered command and control system designed to detect, track, and neutralise hostile unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
• Joint Development: It is jointly developed by the Indian Army and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).
• Sensor Integration: The system combines data from radars, electro-optical sensors, and signal intelligence tools to deliver real-time situational awareness across the Tactical Battlefield Space (TBS).
• Threat Response: It coordinates soft-kill methods such as jamming and spoofing with hard-kill options for effective neutralisation of aerial threats.
• Network Architecture: Saksham operates through the secure Army Data Network (ADN) and remains compatible with existing defence systems, including the Akashteer Air Defence System.
• Operational Visualisation: The platform provides advanced 3D battlefield visualization, allowing commanders to monitor and react swiftly to aerial intrusions.

Nobel Prize in Literature 2025

• The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Literature to Hungarian novelist and screenwriter László Krasznahorkai.
• Major Novels: Known for distinct long sentences that can span dozens of pages, his acclaimed works include Satantango (1985) and The Melancholy of Resistance (1989).

Citation: The Academy honoured him for an introspective body of work that reaffirms art’s enduring humanistic power amid apocalyptic themes.