Published on: September 15, 2025
Snippets : 15 SEPTEMBER 2025
Snippets : 15 SEPTEMBER 2025
- The World Bank has approved a $426 million (₹3,500 crore) loan for the Bengaluru Water Resilience Project (2026–2031), aiming to strengthen storm-water drains (SWDs) and build sewage treatment plants (STPs). With a total cost of ₹5,000 crore, the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) will implement SWDs while BWSSB handles STPs. Transitioning from BBMP, GBA marks its first independent project, aligning with Karnataka’s Climate Action Plan to enhance urban resilience, flood mitigation, and sustainable infrastructure.
- The Union Government has reopened the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for White Goods (ACs and LED lights) from Sept 15–Oct 14, 2025. Approved in April 2021 with an outlay of ₹6,238 crore (2021–22 to 2028–29), the scheme promotes domestic manufacturing, reduces import dependence, and boosts self-reliance. So far, 83 applicants with ₹10,406 crore investment have been approved. The reopening reflects growing demand, industry confidence, and India’s goal of becoming a global white goods hub.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s first bamboo-based ethanol plant at Numaligarh Refinery, Assam, built at a cost of ₹5,000 crore. Claimed as the world’s first zero-waste bamboo bioethanol facility, it will source 5 lakh tonnes of bamboo annually from the Northeast. The plant will produce ethanol, acetic acid, furfural, and food-grade CO₂, boosting Assam’s rural economy by ₹200 crore annually. It aligns with clean energy goals, “Viksit Bharat” vision, and rural empowerment through bamboo policy reforms.
- Australia’s veterinary medicine regulator has approved the world’s first chlamydia vaccine for koalas, developed by the University of the Sunshine Coast after a decade of research. The single-dose vaccine reduces symptomatic infections and lowers mortality by 65%, crucial for wild populations where infection rates reach 70%. With fewer than 100,000 koalas remaining in some estimates, the vaccine offers a safer alternative to antibiotics, while habitat loss remains the primary long-term threat.
- India unveiled the Defence Procurement Manual (DPM) 2025 to streamline and rationalise revenue procurement for the armed forces, covering procurement worth nearly ₹1 lakh crore this fiscal. Approved by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the manual emphasises timely resource availability, cost efficiency, and jointness among the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Replacing the 2009 version, DPM 2025 focuses on self-reliance, modernisation, and readiness to meet emerging requirements of modern warfare while reducing delays in decision-making.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Gyan Bharatam International Conference in New Delhi, highlighting the digitisation of manuscripts to curb intellectual piracy. The event, coinciding with the 132nd anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s Chicago address, marked the launch of the Rs 400-crore Gyan Bharatam Mission under the Ministry of Culture. The Mission replaces the 2003 National Manuscripts Mission, aiming for preservation, digitisation, research, and accessibility of manuscripts. The Gyan-Setu AI initiative was also launched for youth-led heritage innovation.
