Policy UpdateBhavya Introduction The “Development of Solar Parks and Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects” scheme was launched in December 2014 under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, with a timeline up to 31st March 2026. It aims to contribute…
The National Knowledge Network (NKN) is a state-of-the-art, high-speed gigabit-class network infrastructure established to connect educational and research institutions across India. The Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure (CCI) approved NKN in March 2010 with an outlay of Rs. 5,990 crores. NKN is implemented by the National Informatics Centre (NIC), and it was conceptualized as a 10-year project.
A Gram Panchayat Development Plan is a comprehensive document outlining a village’s development goals and their strategies, focusing on economic, social and physical development. It is a bottom-up approach and is a participatory process where villagers, along with their elected representatives, identify their needs and priorities aiming for a more efficient use of their available resources.
The National Housing Bank (NHB), through its Refinance Scheme for Construction Finance for Affordable Housing, aims to enhance the supply of affordable housing across India. This initiative provides concessional refinance support to Primary Lending Institutions (PLIs) like Scheduled Commercial Banks and Housing Finance Companies, enabling them to extend construction finance to agencies engaged in affordable housing projects (NHB, n.d.).
Mission Vatsalya is a flagship child welfare and protection initiative launched by the Government of India in the year 2021 which was implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development aimed at ensuring the safety, protection and holistic development of children, especially those in the vulnerable situations for instance the orphans, abandoned kids and distressed children.
India's strategic engagement in Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with the European Union (EU), the United Kingdom (UK), and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) reflects its commitment to integrating into the global economy and enhancing trade relations. These agreements aim to reduce tariffs, eliminate trade barriers, and foster investment, promoting economic growth and development.
The negotiations for the India and European Union Free Trade Agreement were initiated in 2007 were stopped in 2013 due to differences in market access and regulatory standards. The discussions were again resumed in June 2022, where both India and the European Union were aiming to finalise the FTA by the end of 2025. The European Union is India’s third-largest Trading Partner, and the FTA is aimed at strengthening this trade relationship and taking it further while also addressing key issues related to trade and investment.