Kalaignar Kaivinai Thittam – Alternative to the Centre’s PM Vishwakarma scheme
▪ Chief Minister launched the Kalaignar Kaivinai Thittam, an artisan development scheme by the Tamil Nadu government, as an alternative to the Centre’s PM Vishwakarma scheme (2023).
▪ It focuses on inclusivity, upskilling, and social justice, avoiding caste-based vocations (the centre’sscheme will only promote caste-based vocation) and encouraging individuals to pursue trades of their own choice.
▪ Launched by the MSME Department.
▪ It aims to develop artisan skills in a socially inclusive manner.
▪ Offers loans ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹3 lakh with subsidy.
▪ Covers 25 trades (as opposed to 18 trades in the Vishwakarma scheme).
▪ Minimum age to apply: 35 years (to prioritize higher education first).
▪ Applicants can choose any trade, not limited to traditional family trades.
India’s first Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor
▪ India’s first Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, is set to be
commissioned in 2026.
▪ It will mark the second stage of India’s three-stage nuclear programme that aims to recycle spent fuel to reduce the inventory of radioactive waste.
▪ The PFBR is the first-of-its-kind nuclear reactor to use plutonium-based mixed oxide as fuel
and liquid sodium as coolant, which ensures high efficiency in power generation..
▪ Unlike traditional nuclear reactors, the PFBR uses fast neutrons for energy
generation and employs liquid sodium as a coolant instead of water.
▪ The PFBR was developed by BHAVINI (Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited), a government enterprise set up in 2003 under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) to focus on fast breeder reactors.
Tamil Nadu Ranks 4th in Solar Power Generation
▪ In the year 2024-25, Tamil Nadu has maintained its 4th position at the national level for the
third consecutive year by generating 10,153 megawatts of solar power – According to the Union
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
▪ Gujarat state ranks 1st (28,286 megawatts)
▪ Maharashtra state ranks 2nd (10,687 megawatts)
