ALMM List-II for Solar Cells: India’s New Compliance Era

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has decided not to grant a blanket extension to ALMM List-II implementation beyond 1 June 2026.

ALMM

»     It is a list of models and manufacturers of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules approved by MNRE.

»     Introduced by the MNRE in 2019 to ensure quality, reliability, and domestic sourcing of solar PV modules.

»     Lists: Solar PV modules (List-I) and Solar PV cells (List-II).

»     Mandate: Only solar PV modules/cells included in the ALMM can be used in notified projects such as government projects, government-assisted projects, open access and net-metering projects.

Rationale and Significance

»     Policy Certainty: Provides a stable regulatory framework.

»     Domestic Manufacturing Boost: Supports development of an indigenous solar manufacturing ecosystem.

»     Supply Chain Self-Reliance: Enhances self-reliance and reduces import dependence in renewable energy supply chains.

Concerns

»     Capacity Mismatch: Significant gap between India''s solar module capacity (~200 GW) and solar cell capacity (~30 GW).

»     Pressure on Small Manufacturers: Smaller, non-integrated manufacturers may face supply constraints and higher input costs.

»     Market Consolidation Risk: Increased dependence on large integrated players could reduce competition.

»     Higher Project Costs: Costlier domestic cells may raise overall solar project costs in the short term.

Aravalli Range: India’s Ecological Shield Under Threat

Recently, massive dust storms in parts of Rajasthan highlighted the ecological importance of the Aravalli Range.

»      This storm has been caused by Western Disturbances that brought high-speed winds and upward surge of hot air due to heating in Western Rajasthan.

»     The Aravallis act as a natural barrier between the Thar Desert and the Indo-Gangetic plains whose degradation has increased intensity of such storms in Delhi and northern plains in the past.

Importance of the Aravalli Range

»     Geographical Importance: It is one of the world’s oldest fold mountain ranges that extends from Gujarat to Delhi over nearly 700 km.

»     Barrier Against Desertification: The Aravallis prevent the eastward spread of the Thar Desert and reduce dust storms in northern India.

»     Ecological Importance: The range supports rich biodiversity through forests, grasslands and wildlife habitats.

»     Hydrological Importance: The range acts as a major watershed and is the source of rivers like Sabarmati, Luni and Banas.

»     Economic and Cultural Importance: They support agriculture, livestock and mining while hosting important cultural and religious sites.

Measures to Protect the Aravallis 

»     Aravalli Green Wall Initiative: Large-scale restoration programme by MoEFCC focusing on Afforestation, Grassland restoration, Wetland restoration etc.

»     Control on Mining : Strict regulation of illegal mining and encroachments along with enforcement of Supreme Court directives.

»     Soil Conservation: Construction of check dams, contour trenches and rainwater harvesting structures.

AUKUS: Trilateral Security Pact in the Indo-Pacific

AUKUS members announced deeper maritime cooperation, including development of advanced underwater drones and expanded US submarine deployment in Australia from 2027.

AUKUS

»     Origin: 2021, as a strategic defence alliance between Australia, UK and US.

»     Aim: To boost defense capabilities, accelerate technological integration, and expand the industrial capacity of all three nations as part of a collective effort to stabilize the Indo-Pacific region.

Composed of two pillars: 

»     Pillar 1: Focuses on developing shipbuilding capacities of the three nations, which includes Australia''s acquisition of its first SSNs (Nuclear-powered Attack Submarines).

»     Pillar 2: Focuses on joint development of eight advanced military capability areas such as autonomy, artificial intelligence (AI), electromagnetic warfare, modelling, and simulation.

Buddha Purnima 2026: Historic Enshrinement in Ulaanbaatar

Relics of Arhat Sariputra and Arhat Mahamoggallana, the two chief disciples of Lord Buddha, enshrined at Gandantegchenling Monastery, Mongolia

»     These relics were preserved for centuries in the sacred stupas of Sanchi.

Arhat Sariputta

»     Regarded as the chief disciple (Aggasāvaka) of Lord Buddha and one of the two Dhamma-Senapatis. 

»     He was the first human disciple to directly learn the Abhidhamma from the Buddha and is regarded as the first teacher to carry forward the Abhidhamma tradition.

Arhat Moggallana

»     Maha Moggallana was other chief disciple of Lord Buddha.

»     His other name was Kolita.

»     He served as the teacher of Rahula, the son of the Buddha.

Chambal’s Vanishing Shores: A Battle Against Illegal Mining

SC took suo motu cognizance and severely reprimanded states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh over persistent illegal sand mining in and around National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary.

Illegal Sand Mining

»     Legal Status: Sand is classified as a minor mineral under Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Act, 1957.

»     Definition: Under Minerals Concession Rules, 2016, illegal mining means reconnaissance, prospecting, or mining without the required mineral concession.

       o   As per MMDR Act, extraction or transportation of minerals without a valid prospecting licence, mining lease, composite licence, or in violation of rules under Section 23C (rules made by state governments) constitutes illegal mining.

»     Implications: Causes ecological degradation, biodiversity loss, law-and-order challenges due to mining mafias, and socio-economic costs including revenue loss etc.

Protection Against Illegal Sand Mining

»     Guidelines: MoEFCC''s Sustainable Sand Mining Management Guidelines (2016) and Enforcement & Monitoring Guidelines (2020).

»     Technology-Based Monitoring: The Mining Surveillance System (MSS) uses satellite imagery.

»     Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 2017: It mandates end-to-end mineral accounting.

»     Penalties: The MMDR Amendment Act, 2015 provides for higher fines, imprisonment up to 5 years, and special courts for speedy trials.

National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary

»     It is a protected area established in 1979.

»     Location: Located on the Chambal River near the tri-point of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

»     Other species:  Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle, Ganges river dolphin etc

Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) 

»     Range: In tributaries of Ganga River – Chambal and Girwa Rivers in India and Rapti-Naryani River in Nepal.

»     Conservation status: IUCN (Critically Endangered); WPA (Schedule I and IV); CITES (Appendix I).

Collateral-Free Credit Revolution: Six Years of PM SVANidhi

Launched in June 2020, PM SVANidhi is a transformative initiative providing street vendors formal credit access to strengthen and expand their livelihoods.

Key Achievements of the Scheme

»     Credit Support: Facilitated ~1 crore loans and disbursed ₹17,800 crore+ through collateral-free loans.

»     Beneficiary Coverage: Empowered more than 75.5 lakh street vendors by providing access to formal finance.

       o   The scheme has also recorded a 20% annual increase in average beneficiary incomes. 

»     Women Empowerment: Benefited 34.81 lakh women street vendors through targeted financial assistance.

»     Digital Inclusion: Digitally onboarded 55 lakh+ street vendors, promoting cashless transactions.

»     Awards: The scheme has received the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration (2023) for Innovation (Central Level).

PM SVANidhi

»     Ministry: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

»     Type: Central Sector Scheme.

»     Period: June 2020 to 2030.

       o   It was restructured in 2025 and lending period extended from 2024 to March 31, 2030.

»     Outlay: ₹7,332 crore.

»     Implementation: Jointly by Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and Department of Financial Services (DFS).

»     Objective: To address vulnerabilities of street vendors through

Cotton: India’s White Gold in Global Trade

Centre has temporarily exempted customs duty on cotton imports from 1 June–31 October 2026 to improve availability for the textile sector.

Cotton 

»     It is also termed as “White-Gold”.

»     A soft, fluffy natural fibre grown around seeds in a boll; a shrub (semi-xerophytic) crop of tropical and subtropical regions.

»     In India it is grown in the kharif season in semi-arid regions of India.

»     Temperature: Minimum 15°C for germination; 21–27°C optimal for growth.

       o   It can tolerate temperature to 43°C but temperature below 21°C is detrimental to the crop.

»     Soil: Well-drained alluvial, black, and red soils; sensitive to waterlogging.

»     Species of cotton: There are four cultivated species of cotton and India is the only country cultivating all four cotton species on commercial scale.

»     India has the largest area under cotton cultivation and second largest producer of cotton after China.

Four Years of JWST: Transforming Astronomy

JWST Detects Weather Patterns on Exoplanet WASP-94A b Located 700 Light-Years Away 

James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)

»     JWST is the largest, most powerful, and most advanced space telescope ever launched.

»     Partnership: Joint mission of NASA, European Space Agency (ESA), and Canadian Space Agency (CSA).

»     Launch: 25 December 2021.

»     Location: Operates at Lagrange Point 2 (L2), about 1.5 million km from Earth.

»     Objectives: Study the early universe, galaxy evolution, star formation and death, and exoplanets/planetary systems to understand cosmic history and the potential for life beyond Earth.

India’s Security Diplomacy in Action: PRAGATI 2026

India Concludes Maiden Multilateral Exercise PRAGATI (Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth And Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region) 2026 for Indian Ocean Region Partners.

Exercise PRAGATI 

»     Duration: Two-week exercise.

»     Participating Nations: India, along with 12 friendly regional partners- Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam.

»     Objectives: Enhance counter-terrorism capabilities, specialized tactical skills, multinational interoperability, and intelligence-sharing among participating armies.

Shangri-La Dialogue 2026: ASEAN Unity and Indo-Pacific Security

India has signed a deal with Vietnam for supply of BrahMos at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.

»     BrahMos is a supersonic “Fire and Forget” cruise missile with Mach 2.8 speed, stealth capability and a 290 km range.

Shangri-La Dialogue

»     It is recognised as Asia''s premier defence summit, held annually in Singapore and organised by International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).

»     It brings together global defence leaders to discuss major security challenges.

»     It serves as a platform for strategic debates, bilateral talks and defence cooperation.

Tributes to Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar on Her Birth Anniversary

»     Prime Minister pays tribute to Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar on her birth anniversary.

Ahilya Bai Holkar (1725 - 1795)

»     She was the visionary queen of the Holkar dynasty who ruled Malwa in the 18th century.

»     Known as the “Philosopher Queen”.

Early Life: 

»     Born in village of Chondi, Ahmednagar (Maharashtra).

»     Married to Malhar Rao Holkar.

»     After the deaths of her husband, father-in-law and son, she took charge of Malwa in 1767 (Indore was one of the major cities).

Key Contributions

»     She promoted trade, textile industries, education and public welfare.

»     Established a textile industry in Maheshwar, famous for Maheshwari Sarees.

»     Restored major temples like: Kashi Vishwanath Temple,Somnath Temple.

»     Architectural Legacy: Build Maheshwar Fort (Ahilya Fort) on the banks of Narmada River.

Udant Martand Bicentenary: Celebrating India’s First Hindi Newspaper

Hindi Journalism Day is celebrated on 30 May to mark the first publication of ‘Udant Martand’, the world’s first Hindi newspaper.

»     Udant Martand, meaning ''the rising Sun'', was published under the editorship of Pandit Jugal Kishore Shukla (lawyer from Kanpur) in Calcutta (1826).

»     On February 16, 1826, Shukla, along with Munnu Thakur of Banstala Gali, Calcutta, obtained government permission to start a Hindi newspaper.

Significance of Udant Martand

»     Marked the beginning of Hindi journalism in India.

»     Promoted Hindi as a language of public communication.

»     Became a symbol of cultural identity and national awakening under British rule.