02 April 2025: PIB Summary For UPSC

1. MEASURES TO IMPROVE INDIA’S GLOBAL RANKING IN TEXTILE MANUFACTURING

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2117114 )

Government Initiatives to Promote Indian Textiles: Key Schemes and Initiatives

• PM MITRA Parks Scheme aims to create modern, world-class textile infrastructure.
• PLI Scheme focuses on large-scale manufacturing of Man-Made Fibre (MMF) fabric, MMF apparel, and technical textiles.
• National Technical Textiles Mission supports research, innovation, and market development.
• SAMARTH Scheme provides skill training for employment in the textile sector.
• Silk Samagra-2 promotes sericulture development.
• National Handloom Development Program supports the handloom sector.
• National Handicrafts Development Programme and Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme aid handicraft artisans through marketing, skill development, and technology support.
• The government ensures Minimum Support Price (MSP) for cotton farmers to prevent distress sales.

Global Branding and Promotion

• Kasturi Cotton India has been registered as a trademark to enhance the identity of premium Indian cotton.
• The BHARAT TEX 2025 event in February showcased India’s textile industry, highlighting manufacturing strength, global competitiveness, and sustainability.

2. India Achieves Historic Milestone in Renewable Energy Capacity Addition

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2117501 )

Solar Power Growth

• The solar power sector led the growth, with capacity additions rising from 15 GW in FY24 to nearly 21 GW in FY25, a 38% increase.
• India surpassed 100 GW of installed solar capacity this year.

Expansion in Domestic Solar Manufacturing

• Solar module manufacturing capacity nearly doubled from 38 GW in March 2024 to 74 GW in March 2025.
• Solar PV cell manufacturing capacity tripled from 9 GW to 25 GW.
• India’s first ingot-wafer manufacturing facility (2 GW) started production.
• Investments of ₹41,000 crore under the PLI Scheme created 11,650 jobs.

PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana

• The scheme benefited 11.01 lakh households by March 2025.
• Financial assistance was provided to beneficiaries to promote the adoption of rooftop solar systems.

Green Hydrogen Development

• Incentives of ₹2,220 crore were given for 1,500 MW per annum electrolyser manufacturing.
• Significant investments were made to boost Green Hydrogen production and support pilot projects for decarbonizing the steel and transport sectors.
• These initiatives include manufacturing electrolysers, producing Green Hydrogen, and introducing hydrogen-fueled vehicles along with refueling infrastructure.

PM-KUSUM Scheme Achievements

• 4.4 lakh solar pumps installed, a 4.2-fold increase from FY24.
• A significant increase was recorded in the installation and solarization of pumps under different components of the scheme.
• The total number of installed and solarized pumps crossed a major milestone, showing rapid progress.
• Financial expenditure for the scheme saw a sharp rise compared to the previous year.

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