Wednesday, 23 April 2025

Moments of honor 2025

Moments of Honor 2025 

=>Tripura is the 3rd 100 % literate state: Tripura has been declared a fully literate state, achieving a literacy rate of 95.6 per cent through the 'ULLAS' program. This accomplishment positions Tripura as the third fully literate state in India, following Mizoram and Goa

Saturday, 15 February 2025

38th National Games 2025

 38th National Games 2025

38th National Games in Uttrakhand conclude; Services tops medal tally.



Meghalaya to Host the 39th Edition of National Games in 2026

Wednesday, 5 February 2025

Ecology 2025

 Ecology 2025

=>Indian state of forest report 2023: The India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023, published by the Forest Survey of India (FSI), shows a positive trend in India's forest and tree coverForest and tree cover now stands at 25.17% of the country's geographical area, a marginal increase from the previous assessment. This includes a 21.76% forest cover and a 3.41% tree cover. 

  • Context (IE): The 18th biennial India State of Forest Report (ISFR-2023) was released by the Environment Minister.
  • The India State of Forest Report is released biennially (every two years) by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) and involves forest cover mapping of the country using satellite data.
  • Forest Survey of India is an organisation under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC). It was established in 1981 and headquartered in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.

Key Findings of India State of Forest Report 2023

New missions, projects and plans 2025

 New missions, projects and plans 2025

=>Census 2027 will be digital: 

Sunday, 2 February 2025

Global/National Indexes and rankings 2025

Global/National Indexes and Rankings 2025 

=>Global Energy Transition Index: 

Energy Transition Index (ETI), 2025

The World Economic Forum (WEF) recently released Energy Transition Index (ETI), 2025.

Key Findings 

  • Sweden ranked first followed by Finland, Denmark and Norway
  • India’s rank dropped from rank 63 in 2024 to rank 71 in 2025.

About ETI

  • It ranks countries on their progress towards energy transition from fossil fuels to clean energy.
  • It takes into account two main aspects to put together the Index:
    • System Performance (energy security, equity & sustainability)
    • Transition Readiness (regulation, infrastructure, investment etc.)

Budget 2025-2026

Budget 2025-2026 

Read the summary of the said document:

 

Highlights of Budget 2025-26

      India’s economy is the fastest-growing among all major global economies. Over the past 10 years, Modi Govt’s development track record and structural reforms have garnered significant international attention.

o   The transformative work during this Government's first 2 terms serves as a guiding light, enabling this govt to move forward with determination.

      In this Budget, the proposed development measures span across various sectors focusing on Garib, Yuva, Annadata and Nari. (Poor, Youth, Farmers, Women)

Income Tax relief

      Democracy, Demography and Demand are the key support pillars in our journey towards Viksit Bharat. The middle class provides strength for India’s growth.

o   Hon’ble Prime Minister Modi led NDA Govt has always believed in the admirable energy and ability of the middle class in nation building.

o   In recognition of their contribution, Govt periodically has reduced their tax burden. Right after 2014, the ‘Nil tax’ slab was raised to ₹2.5 lakh, which was further raised to ₹5 lakh in 2019 and to ₹7 lakh in 2023.

o   In this Budget Govt has announced that there will be No Income Tax payable upto income of ₹12 lakh (i.e. average income of ₹1 lakh per month other than special rate income such as capital gains) under the new regime.

o   For the Salaried Class, No Income Tax is applicable till annual income of ₹12.75 lakh, due to standard deduction benefit available to salaried class of ₹75,000.

      The total tax benefit of slab rate changes and rebate at different income levels can be illustrated with examples.

o   A tax payer in the new regime with an income of ₹12 lakh will get a benefit of ₹80,000 in tax (100% of tax payable as per existing rates will be exempt). The effective income tax rate will be 0%.

o   A person having income of ₹16 lakh will get a benefit of ₹50,000 in tax. [The effective income tax rate payable will be just 7.5%]

o   A person having income of ₹18 lakh will get a benefit of ₹70,000 in tax. [The effective income tax rate payable will be just 8.8%]

o   A person having income of ₹20 lakh will get a benefit of ₹90,000 in tax. [The effective income tax rate payable will be just 10%].

o   A person with an income of ₹25 lakh gets a benefit of ₹1,10,000. [The effective tax rate will be just 13.2%]

o   A person with an income of ₹50 lakh also gets a benefit of ₹1,10,000. [The effective tax rate will be just 21.6%]

As a result of these proposals, revenue of about ₹ 1 lakh crore in direct taxes will be forgone.

 


Key Announcements

      Government will undertake a ‘Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana’ in partnership with states.

o   This scheme will cover 100 districts with low productivity, moderate crop intensity and below-average credit parameters. It will help 1.7 crore farmers.

      Govt will now launch a 6-year “Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses” with a special focus on Tur, Urad and Masoor.

o   It will focus on improving productivity, domestic pulses production, assuring remunerative prices to the farmers and development of climate resilient seeds.

      Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) facilitate short term loans for 7.7 crore farmers, fishermen, and dairy farmers. The KCC loan limit will be enhanced from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh for loans under the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme.

      A comprehensive multi-sectoral ‘Rural Prosperity and Resilience’ programme will be launched in partnership with states.

o   This will address under-employment in agriculture through skilling, investment, technology, and invigorating the rural economy.

o   The goal is to generate ample opportunities in rural areas so that migration is an option, but not a necessity.

o   In Phase-1, 100 developing agri-districts will be covered.

      A new scheme for socio-economic upliftment of Urban Workers will be implemented to help them improve their incomes, have sustainable livelihoods and a better quality of life.

      Govt will arrange for Gig Worker’s identity cards and registration on the e-Shram portal. Gig workers will be provided healthcare under PM Jan Arogya Yojana. This measure is likely to assist nearly 1 crore gig-workers.

      SWAMIH Fund 2 will be established as a blended finance facility with contribution from the Government, banks and private investors. This fund of ₹15,000 crore will aim for expeditious completion of another 1 lakh units.

o   SWAMIH has delivered 50,000 dwelling units. Another 40,000 units will be completed in 2025.

      To improve access to credit, the Credit Guarantee Cover will be enhanced:

a)     For Micro and Small Enterprises, from ₹5 crore to ₹10 crore, leading to additional credit of ₹1.5 lakh crore in the next 5 years.

b)     For Startups, from ₹10 crore to 20 crore, with the guarantee fee being moderated to 1 per cent for loans in 27 focus sectors important for Atmanirbhar Bharat.

c)     For well-run exporter MSMEs, for term loans up to ₹20 crore.

      In the Tourism sector, Top 50 tourist destination sites in India will be developed in partnership with states through a challenge mode. the following measures will be taken for facilitating employment-led growth:

o   Organizing intensive skill-development programmes for our youth including in Institutes of Hospitality Management

o   Providing MUDRA loans for homestays

o   Providing performance-linked incentives to states for effective destination management including tourist amenities, cleanliness, and marketing efforts

o   Introducing streamlined e-visa facilities.

      To help MSMEs achieve higher efficiencies of scale, technological upgradation and better access to capital, the investment and turnover limits for classification of all MSMEs will be enhanced to 2.5 and 2 times respectively.

This will give them the confidence to grow and generate employment for our youth.


      ‘Export Promotion Mission’ to be set up which will be driven jointly by the Ministries of Commerce, MSME, and Finance. It will facilitate easy access to export credit, cross-border factoring support, and support to MSMEs.

      The revamped Central KYC Registry will be rolled out in 2025 for simplifying KYC process. We will also implement a streamlined system for periodic updating of KYC.

      Presently, the Customs Act, 1962 does not provide any time limit to finalize Provisional Assessments leading to uncertainty and cost to trade. As a measure of promoting ease of doing business, Govt has fixed a time-limit of two years, extendable by a year, for finalising the provisional assessment.

      To provide relief to patients, particularly those suffering from cancer, rare diseases and other severe chronic diseases, Govt has proposed to add 36 lifesaving drugs and medicines to the list of medicines fully exempted from Basic Customs Duty (BCD).

o   Govt also proposed to add 6 lifesaving medicines to the list attracting concessional customs duty of 5%. Full exemption and concessional duty will also respectively apply on the bulk drugs for manufacture of the above.

      New Income Tax Bill to be introduced in the Budget session. The New Income Tax Bill will be clearer and will have around 50% lesser text compared to the present law, in terms of both chapters and words. It will be simple to understand for taxpayers and tax administration, leading to tax certainty and reduced litigation.

Key Highlights

Improving Agricultural Growth and Rural Development

      A Makhana Board will be established in Bihar to improve production, processing, value addition, and marketing of makhana.

      A National Mission on High Yielding Seeds will be launched.

      We will undertake Mission for Cotton Productivity, for the benefit of lakhs of cotton growing farmers.

o   This 5-year mission will facilitate significant improvements in productivity and sustainability of cotton farming, and promote extra-long staple cotton varieties.

      Government will bring in an enabling Framework for sustainable harnessing of Fisheries from Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and High Seas, with a special focus on the Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands.

      A Urea plant with annual capacity of 12.7 lakh metric tons will be set up at Namrup, Assam.

      India Post will also be transformed as a large public logistics organization.

o   This will meet the rising needs of Viswakarmas, new entrepreneurs, women, self-help groups, MSMEs, and large business organizations.

Entrepreneurship, MSMEs & Employment

      The Govt will introduce ‘Customized Credit Cards’ with a ₹5 lakh limit for Micro Enterprises registered on Udyam portal. In the first year, 10 lakh such cards will be issued.

      A new Fund of Funds for Startups, with a contribution of ₹10,000 crore will be set up.

      A new scheme will be launched for 5 lakh women, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes ‘First-time entrepreneurs’.

o   This will provide Term Loans up to ₹2 crore during the next 5 years.

      For  India’s footwear and leather sector, a focus product scheme will be implemented. The scheme is expected to facilitate employment for 22 lakh persons, generate turnover of ₹4 lakh crore and exports of over ₹1.1 lakh crore.

o   Basic Custom duty on Wet Blue leather is now fully exempt to facilitate imports for domestic value addition and employment.

      Govt will support Clean Tech manufacturing to improve domestic value addition, jobs and build our ecosystem for solar PV cells, EV batteries, motors and controllers, electrolyzers, wind turbines, very high voltage transmission equipment and grid scale batteries.

      5 National Centres of Excellence for Skilling will be set up with global expertise and partnerships.


Moments of honor 2025

Moments of Honor 2025  => Tripura is the 3rd 100 % literate state:   Tripura has been declared a fully literate state, achieving a litera...