Source: BS Context: India is promoting biomass co-firing in coal-fired thermal power plants to tackle rural distress, air pollution, and the transition to cleaner energy. The initiative is driven under the Ministry of Power’s SAMARTH Mission (Sustainable Agrarian Mission on Use of Agri Residue in Thermal Power Plants). About: Objectives: Key Features: Significance:
PhonePe Launches Affordable Home Insurance Product in India
Source: BS Context: On August 25, 2025, PhonePe announced the launch of its home insurance product line, aimed at providing a simple, affordable, and fully digital solution for homeowners to protect their properties. Key Highlights:
Malaysia Launches Ryt Bank: First AI-Powered Digital Bank
Context: Malaysia has launched Ryt Bank, the country’s and world’s first AI-powered digital bank, developed by YTL Group in collaboration with Sea Limited, ahead of its Independence Day (Merdeka). Key Highlights:
RBI’s FREE-AI Framework
Context: A recent report by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) introduced a comprehensive framework, termed FREE-AI (Framework for Responsible and Ethical Enablement of Artificial Intelligence), to govern AI usage in the financial sector. Source: The Economic Times What Is the RBI’s FREE-AI Framework? The FREE-AI Framework (Framework for Responsible and Ethical Enablement of Artificial Intelligence) is a strategic initiative by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), introduced in August 2025. It aims to guide the ethical, transparent, and inclusive deployment of AI across India’s financial sector. Core Principles (“Seven Sutras”): The framework is built upon seven foundational principles meant to balance innovation with ethical safeguards: Six Strategic Pillars with Actionable Recommendations To support these principles, the framework lays out 26 actionable measures under six categories: A. Innovation Enablement B. Risk Mitigation
Framework to Simplify Transfer of Unclaimed Shares and Dividends
Source: BS Context: The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) are jointly developing a framework to streamline the transfer and claim process for unclaimed shares and dividends. Key Highlights: Significance: A unified framework will make the recovery of unclaimed financial assets easier, reduce investor grievances, and boost trust in capital markets.
National Designated Authority (NDA) for Carbon Emissions Trading
Source: TH Context: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has set up a National Designated Authority (NDA) as mandated under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement (2015) to facilitate a carbon emissions trading mechanism. Key Highlights: Carbon Emissions Trading Carbon emission trading, also known as cap-and-trade, is a market-based mechanism to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It allows countries, companies, or entities to buy and sell emission allowances or credits within a regulated framework.
SAMARTH Panchayat Portal
Source: Mint Context: The Centre is set to launch SAMARTH Panchayat, a dedicated digital platform to track and manage tax and non-tax revenues of Panchayats, aiming to bring transparency, efficiency, and self-reliance to local governance. Key Highlights:
Adi Karmayogi Initiative
Source: TH Context: The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has launched the Adi Karmayogi initiative to build a cadre of 20 lakh “change leaders” in tribal villages under the Dharti Aba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyaan for last-mile delivery of welfare schemes. Key Highlights:
Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Reforms
Source: TH Context: Early childhood care and education (ECCE) has emerged as a national priority under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a “Viksit Bharat.” Recognising that 85% of brain development occurs before the age of six (NEP 2020), the government has transformed Anganwadi Centres into hubs for holistic learning and parental engagement through key initiatives like Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi and Navchetna. Key Initiatives: Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi Aadharshila – National Curriculum for ECCE (3-6 years) Navchetna – National Framework for Early Childhood Stimulation (0-3 years)
National Cooperative Policy, 2025
Context: The National Cooperative Policy, 2025, launched by Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah in July, has triggered a strong backlash from Kerala, a State with a deep-rooted cooperative movement. The policy has intensified Centre-State tensions over cooperative federalism and the constitutional division of powers. What is it? Objectives: Key Features: What are Cooperatives? Cooperatives are voluntary, democratic, and member-owned organisations formed by individuals with a common economic, social, or cultural interest. They work on the principle of “mutual help” rather than profit maximisation, where members own, control, and benefit from the organisation collectively.
