NATIONAL – DIARY OF EVENTS

Rail Tech Policy

• Context: Railway Minister rolled out two more reforms the Rail Tech Policy and second phase of e-RCT (Railway Claims Tribunal) under the government 52Reforms in 52 Weeks initiative

• • As a part of the Rail Tech Policy the minister launched the high-tech round-the-clock Rail Tech Portal to engage start-ups, innovators and industry in addressing emerging challenge in the railways.

• 52 Reforms in 52 Weeks: Major Reforms in Indian Railways Aiming for Systemic Improvements in Efficiency, Governance, and Service Delivery.

• Focus on Safety – Consequential train accidents reduced by ~90% (135 in 2014-15 to 11 in 2025-26); aiming to bring it down to a single digit.
• AI & Tech Boost – Accelerating AI and advanced tech use for safety, maintenance, and operations.
• Talent & Training Revamp – Exploring innovative methods for talent management and skill development of employees.
• Food & Catering Upgrade – Major reforms for better food quality, catering, and onboard services.

 

India–Israel Partnership for a Multi-Layered Air Defence Shield

• Context: The Prime Minister of India’s recent visit to Israel has given fresh momentum to defence cooperation, particularly in advanced weapons technology and missile defence under the proposed Mission Sudarshan Chakra framework.

• • The initiative gained urgency after Operation Sindoor, during which India encountered drone and missile threats from Pakistan. 

• In response to evolving aerial and missile challenges, India has envisioned the Sudarshan Chakra missile shield as a long-term national security project targeted for completion by 2035 under the Make in India programme.

• • The plan is to establish a comprehensive, layered air defence network by integrating cutting-edge systems such as Iron Dome, Iron Beam, Arrow, and David’s Sling with India’s existing platforms like S-400, Barak-8, and Akash. 

• This integrated shield would secure India’s land borders and extensive coastline against a wide spectrum of threats.

Sudarshan Chakra

• Sudarshan Chakra is envisioned as a multi-tiered, indigenously driven air defence programme. This layered architecture aims to ensure seamless protection across varying threat ranges and altitudes.

It will combine:

• Long-range systems such as the S-400 and Project Kusha,
• Medium-range platforms like MRSAM/Barak-8,
• Short-range defences including Iron Dome,
• Future-directed laser-based weapons such as Iron Beam and DURGA-II for economical interception of drones and low-flying targets.

 

India–Germany Climate Partnership

• India and Germany have jointly introduced a €20 million Large Grant project under the International Climate Initiative.

About the International Climate Initiative

• Launched in 2008, the International Climate Initiative is Germany’s principal funding platform for global climate action. 
• It finances projects focused on climate mitigation, adaptation strategies, and biodiversity conservation across more than 150 partner countries. 
• Among its 14 priority partner nations are India, Brazil, China, South Africa, Indonesia, and Mexico.

New India–Germany Project Objectives

• • The €20 million programme concentrates on safeguarding India’s most climate-sensitive ecosystems by encouraging nature-based approaches to strengthen long-term environmental resilience.

• The initiative complements India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), including the goal of achieving 50% power generation capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030. 

• It also aligns with the objectives of the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), particularly missions related to sustaining the Himalayan ecosystem and promoting sustainable habitats.

Key regions identified under the project include

• The Himalayas – threatened by glacier retreat and frequent landslides.
• The Western Ghats – biodiversity-rich areas facing deforestation pressures.
• North-East India – ecologically fragile zones vulnerable to soil erosion.
• Island ecosystems such as the Andaman & Nicobar Islands – at risk from rising sea levels.

 

Him-CONNECT

• • Context: The Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change formally opened the 25th edition of the World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS), organized by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), along with the launch of Him-CONNECT.

• The central theme of this year’s summit is “Transformations: Vision, Voices, and Values for Sustainable Development.”

About Him-CONNECT

• Him-CONNECT aims to reduce the gap between research and real-world application in the Himalayan region.
• It connects Himalayan researchers with start-ups, industry leaders, investors, and policymakers to promote innovation and implementation.
• The platform has been established by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to strengthen research-to-action linkages.
• It facilitates the transformation of research supported under the National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS) into practical and scalable sustainable development solutions.

E20 Petrol Mandate from 2026

• Context: The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) has directed oil marketing companies to blend up to 20% ethanol (E20) with petrol from April 1, 2026.

• • The order was issued under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, along with the Motor Spirit and High-Speed ​​Diesel Order, 2005.

• E20 petrol should meet the specifications of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) with a minimum Research Octane Number (RON) of 95.

• The order aims to standardize high-octane fuel across all states and union territories for modern engine requirements and environmental targets.
• The 2022 amendment to the National Biofuel Policy, 2018, increased the target deadline for 20% ethanol blending from 2030 to Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2025-26.

NATIONAL SCHEMES