0.55 GW came from waste-to-energy off-grid projects, linking renewable energy growth with waste management and circular economy goals.
Role of hydropower in grid stability
Small hydro capacity increased to 5.16 GW, aiding decentralised and region-specific power generation.
Large hydro stood at 50.91 GW, including 7.18 GW of pumped storage.
Pumped storage strengthens grid flexibility and renewable integration, crucial as solar and wind shares rise.
Strategic significance
Expansion enhances energy security by reducing dependence on fossil fuel imports.
Supports climate responsibility by lowering emissions intensity.
Promotes a self-reliant green economy through domestic renewable capacity creation.
Future outlook
India remains on a steady path toward its national target of 500 GW of non-fossil energy capacity by 2030.
Continued collaboration between the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, States, and stakeholders is expected to accelerate deployment further.
Indian Lighthouse Festival 3.0
Successful conclusion of Indian Lighthouse Festival 3.0
The two-day festival concluded in Visakhapatnam, emerging as a major platform celebrating India’s maritime heritage, coastal culture, and lighthouse tourism.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal described Visakhapatnam as a “beacon of India’s maritime heritage and coastal culture.”
Cultural and community significance
The festival showcased cultural performances, coastal cuisine, handicrafts, fashion, illumination, and interactive activities, transforming the venue into a living cultural space.
Strong public participation—including families, youth, artists, entrepreneurs, and students—made the event inclusive and people-centric.
Major announcements on lighthouse tourism
Announcement of the first Lighthouse Museum of Andhra Pradesh in Visakhapatnam.
Government plans to develop 25 additional lighthouses nationwide, building on the success of 75 lighthouses already developed as tourism destinations.
Special focus on Andhra Pradesh to expand lighthouse-led tourism along the eastern coast.
MoU for Lighthouse Museum at Visakhapatnam
An MoU was signed between Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) and Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL).
VPA will provide 3,156 sq. metres of land at the Old Lighthouse area.
The museum will trace the evolution of lighthouses, their role in navigation, maritime safety, and India’s maritime legacy.
National-level lighthouse initiatives
Foundation stone laid for reconstruction of staff quarters at Junglighat, Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Light and sound projection mapping inaugurated at Aguada Lighthouse, Goa.
Announcement of four new lighthouses along National Waterway–2 (Brahmaputra) at Bogibeel, Silghat, Pandu, and Biswanathghat to enhance inland waterway navigation.
Global-scale maritime heritage project
A 77-metre-high Lighthouse Museum is under construction at the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) with an investment of ₹266 crore.
It is envisioned as the world’s tallest lighthouse museum and among the largest maritime museums globally.
₹230-crore port infrastructure projects launched
On the sidelines of the festival, ₹230 crore worth of projects were launched at Visakhapatnam Port.
Projects aim to improve safety, ship repair capacity, administrative efficiency, and employee welfare.
Key port infrastructure projects
₹52.24 crore for upgrading fire-fighting facilities at LPG berth for vessels above 40,000 DWT (OISD-156 compliant).
₹35.87 crore for upgrading ORS Dry Dock to boost ship repair and employment.
Establishment of India Ship Technology Centre (ISTC) under India Maritime University, a first-of-its-kind centre for ship design, R&D, and manpower training.
₹97.70 crore Administrative Office Building for modern governance.
₹44.20 crore residential apartments at Harbour Park for port employees.
Transformation of India’s maritime sector
In 2024–25, major ports handled 855 million tonnes of cargo, a historic high.
Vessel turnaround time reduced from 96 hours (2014) to 49.5 hours (2025).
Nine Indian ports now rank among the global top 100, with Visakhapatnam Port in the top 20 for container traffic.
Sagarmala and inland waterways impact
Under Sagarmala Programme, 272 projects worth ₹1.41 lakh crore completed.
Inland waterway cargo movement increased by over 700%, reaching nearly 150 million tonnes annually.
Strategic vision and policy alignment
Lighthouse tourism aligns with Maritime India Vision 2030 and Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
Lighthouses are being reimagined as centres of tourism, culture, livelihoods, and maritime awareness.
Evolution of Indian Lighthouse Festival
1st edition (2023): Fort Aguada, Goa – launch of lighthouse tourism initiative.
2nd edition (2024): Puri, Odisha – expanded outreach and community focus.
3rd edition (2025): Visakhapatnam – consolidation of lighthouse tourism as a national cultural and economic movement.
Overall significance
The festival reinforced lighthouses as symbols of heritage, safety, tourism, and coastal development.
Demonstrated how maritime culture, infrastructure development, and economic growth can be integrated to support the vision of Viksit Bharat.
Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) – food safety and plant/animal health rules.
Mandatory acceptance of EIC certificates.
Recognition of Halal certification and NPOP organic certification.
Streamlined conformity assessment reduces delays and costs.
10. State-Wise & Employment Impact
Broad-based gains across states such as UP, Punjab, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal.
Significant benefits for labour-intensive and MSME sectors.
Expected to boost employment, income generation, and regional export diversification.
11. Strategic Significance
Strengthens India’s footprint in the Gulf and Middle East.
Provides export diversification amid global protectionism.
Enhances supply-chain resilience and regional integration.
Supports India’s objectives of inclusive growth, MSME expansion, and employment generation.
12. Conclusion
The India–Oman CEPA is a high-quality, comprehensive trade agreement balancing liberalisation with safeguards.
It is expected to:
Boost trade and investment
Strengthen services exports and professional mobility
Create jobs in labour-intensive sectors
Deepen long-term economic partnership between India and Oman.
Somnath Swabhiman Parv
1. Overview and Significance
Somnath Swabhiman Parv is being observed from 8–11 January 2026 to commemorate:
1,000 years since the first attack on the Somnath Temple by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1026
75 years since the reopening of the reconstructed Somnath Temple in 1951
The Parv is conceived not as a remembrance of destruction, but as a celebration of resilience, faith, and civilisational self-respect.
It symbolises India’s unbroken civilisational continuity and enduring spiritual identity.
2. Spiritual and Civilisational Importance of Somnath
Somnath is revered as the first among the 12 Aadi Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, occupying a foundational place in India’s spiritual geography.
Located at Prabhas Patan near Veraval, Gujarat, it is associated with:
Lord Shiva
Chandra (Moon God), who was freed from a curse here
The temple represents not just a structure of worship, but a living embodiment of Sanatan civilisational values.
3. Historical Context: A Millennium of Resilience
Somnath has undergone multiple cycles of destruction and reconstruction, unparalleled in global history.
The first recorded attack occurred in January 1026, marking a long period of repeated invasions.
Despite destruction, Somnath remained alive in the collective consciousness of devotees, rebuilt each time through public faith and resolve.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, after visiting the ruins in 1947, envisioned Somnath’s reconstruction as essential to restoring India’s cultural confidence.
The present temple, built in Kailash Mahameru Prasad architectural style, was consecrated on 11 May 1951 by President Dr Rajendra Prasad.
The reconstruction symbolised post-Independence India’s civilisational self-assertion.
4. Somnath Swabhiman Parv: Key Features
A four-day national observance transforming Somnath into a hub of:
Spiritual reflection
Cultural expression
National remembrance
Central spiritual feature:
72-hour Akhand Omkar chanting, symbolising unity, continuity of faith, and collective consciousness
Additional activities include:
Devotional music
Spiritual discourses
Cultural programmes celebrating India’s heritage
The Parv reflects confidence in India’s Sanatan journey, rather than a narrative of victimhood.
5. Temple Architecture and Living Heritage
The Somnath Temple complex includes:
Garbhagriha, Sabhamandap, and Nrityamandap
A 150-foot Shikhar crowned with a 10-tonne Kalash
27-foot Dhwajdand (flagpole)
1,666 gold-plated Kalash and 14,200 Dhwajas
The temple stands majestically along the Arabian Sea, symbolising spiritual steadfastness.
6. Devotional Footfall and Cultural Revival
Annual devotees: 92–97 lakh (nearly 98 lakh in 2020).
Key rituals and events:
Bilva Pooja attracts over 13.77 lakh devotees annually
Maha Shivratri 2025 saw 3.56 lakh devotees
Cultural initiatives:
Light and Sound Show (started in 2003, upgraded in 2017 with 3D laser technology)
Attracted over 10 lakh visitors in the last three years
Vande Somnath Kala Mahotsav revived dance traditions dating back 1,500 years
Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chairperson of the Shri Somnath Trust, governance reforms and heritage preservation have strengthened the temple’s cultural role.
7. Spiritual Build-up and Padayatra
Ahead of the Parv, saints undertook a Padayatra from Shankh Chowk to Somnath Temple.
Participation included:
Saints from Girnar Tirthkshetra
75 drummers of Siddhivinayak Dhol Group
The Padayatra featured:
Devotional chants of “Har Har Mahadev”
Traditional instruments like the Damru
Floral welcomes and collective prayers
Created a deeply immersive and spiritually charged atmosphere.
8. Sustainability and Environmental Practices
Declared a “Swachh Iconic Place” in 2018.
Key sustainability initiatives:
Temple flowers converted into vermicompost for 1,700 Bilva trees
Plastic waste converted into 4,700 paver blocks monthly under Mission LiFE
Rainwater harvesting treats nearly 30 lakh litres of sewage water per month
Miyawaki forest with 7,200 trees absorbs 93,000 kg of CO₂ annually
Purified Abhishek water bottled as Somgangajal, benefiting 1.13 lakh families
9. Women Empowerment at Somnath
Somnath has emerged as a model of women-led employment and dignity.
Out of 906 temple trust employees, 262 are women.
Women-led activities include:
Complete management of Bilva Van
65 women in prasad distribution
30 women in temple dining services
Overall, 363 women earn livelihoods through the temple ecosystem.
Generates approximately ₹9 crore annually, promoting economic self-reliance.
10. Broader Civilisational Message
Somnath Swabhiman Parv conveys:
Resilience over destruction
Faith over fear
Unity over division
Reinforces Somnath as:
A symbol of India’s civilisational confidence
A reminder that faith rooted in righteousness and self-respect endures beyond adversity
UPSC Introduces Facial Authentication for Exams
UPSC has announced that all candidates appearing for its examinations will undergo facial authentication at exam venues.
This follows a pilot project in September 2025 in Gurugram, Haryana, where AI-enabled facial recognition verified candidates against photos submitted during registration.
The new system reduced verification time to 8–10 seconds per candidate, enhancing both security and efficiency.
The Commission is also planning to integrate Aadhaar-based fingerprint authentication, digital fingerprints, and QR code scanning of e-admit cards.
UPSC conducts 14 major exams and multiple recruitment tests across 180 centers with ~3,000 venues, with a total candidature of up to 12 lakh candidates.
Recent reforms now require online submission of educational, caste, and disability certificates at the preliminary stage, instead of after Mains qualification.
Samagra Shiksha 3.0
1. Context and Purpose
The Union Education Ministry is planning the next phase of Samagra Shiksha, India’s integrated school education programme.
A consultative meeting was held in Delhi, chaired by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, co-chaired by Skills Development Minister Jayant Chaudhary.
The main goal: to strengthen the school education ecosystem and align it with the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
2. Key Themes Discussed
Holistic development of students: Emphasis on nurturing multiple dimensions of learning, not just academics.
Societal participation: Schools should be entrusted to society, encouraging community involvement in governance and operations.
Integration of technology: Use of digital tools to expand knowledge access and improve learning outcomes.
3. Governance and Management
School Management Committees (SMCs): Proposal to increase public participation for better accountability and local oversight.
Teacher training and capacity building: States requested more support to enhance teacher effectiveness and professional development.
Operational responsibility: Government to manage salaries and systemic infrastructure; day-to-day school management should involve society.
4. Strategic Goals
Quality education for all: Achieving 100% school enrollment and equitable access to education.
Outcome-oriented education: Focus on measurable learning outcomes and student achievements.
Global competitiveness and cultural rootedness: Education should prepare students for a global stage while retaining Bharatiya values.
5. Vision Alignment
The reforms align with the Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
The meeting aimed to reimagine Samagra Shiksha 3.0 to create an inclusive, adaptive, and modern education ecosystem.
Emphasis on collaboration between central, state governments, experts, and society to build a future-ready school system.
6. Challenges Highlighted
Need for better governance frameworks and active societal engagement.
Gaps in teacher training, infrastructure, and resource availability.
Ensuring diverse student needs are met in a uniform and equitable manner.
