1 . Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS)
Syllabus Mapping: GS-III: Environmental Pollution | Climate Change | Energy Security | Science and Technology
- Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) involves capturing carbon dioxide (CO₂) from industrial sources for productive utilisation or permanent geological storage. It can complement renewable energy in achieving India’s Net Zero target by 2070.
- NITI Aayog identifies steel, cement, oil and gas, petrochemicals, chemicals and fertilisers as key hard-to-abate sectors. Emissions from these sectors and thermal power generation are projected to reach nearly 2,300 million tonnes per annum by 2030.
- The CCUS process involves capturing CO₂ at the source, purifying and compressing it, transporting it through pipelines or ships, and directing it towards utilisation or geological storage.
- Captured CO₂ can be used in concrete, aggregates, urea, green methanol, chemicals, polymers, food and beverages, and algae-based products. Geological storage involves injecting CO₂ into depleted oil and gas reservoirs, deep saline aquifers or basalt formations.
- The hub-and-cluster model connects multiple industrial emitters with shared CO₂ transport, utilisation and storage infrastructure. The DST CCUS Roadmap 2025 identifies the Gujarat coast, Odisha–Jharkhand belt and Northeast India as potential cluster regions.
- CCUS can support blue hydrogen production from fossil fuels, including coal gasification. Green hydrogen, in contrast, is produced through electrolysis of water using renewable electricity. Coal gasification converts coal into synthesis gas (syngas) using controlled heat, oxygen and steam at approximately 800°C–1,600°C.
- As of August 2026, fossil-fuel-based sources accounted for 12% of India’s installed power capacity. CCUS can help reduce emissions from existing thermal power plants and industrial facilities during the transition to cleaner energy.
- India’s first integrated CCUS Field Laboratory at IIT Bombay, inaugurated in May 2026, can capture up to 3 tonnes of CO₂ per day from industrial emissions and ambient air. It converts CO₂ into carbonate and bicarbonate products and studies permanent storage in Deccan Traps basalt formations.
- DST has supported two coal-gasification technology testbeds involving IIT Delhi–Thermax Ltd and CSIR-IICT Hyderabad–BHEL for methanol and dimethyl ether (DME) production. India also launched its first cluster of five CCU testbeds for the cement industry on 11 May 2025.
- The Union Budget 2026–27 announced ₹20,000 crore over five years for CCUS in power, steel, cement, refineries and chemicals. The DST CCUS R&D Roadmap (2025) and NITI Aayog CCUS Policy Framework (2022) provide direction for research, technology development and sector-specific policy interventions.
2. PM Vishwakarma Artisans Showcase Traditional Crafts at BRICS Cultural Bazar
Syllabus Mapping: GS-I: Indian Culture | Traditional Crafts | GS-II: Government Schemes | GS-III: MSMEs | Inclusive Growth
- Artisans under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, implemented by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), showcased traditional crafts at the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum Cultural Bazar held at Parliament House Complex, New Delhi, on 26–27 October 2026.
- Eight artisans from Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Nagaland, Karnataka and Maharashtra represented traditional trades, including tailoring, goldsmithing, stone sculpting, toy-making and cobbling. Live demonstrations highlighted indigenous craftsmanship.
- PM Vishwakarma Scheme: Launched in 2023, it supports traditional artisans and craftspeople through recognition, skill training, toolkit incentives, concessional credit, digital transaction incentives and marketing support.
- The scheme covers 18 traditional trades, including carpenter, boat maker, blacksmith, goldsmith, potter, sculptor, cobbler, tailor and doll and toy maker.
- Market access: Artisans have benefited from exhibitions and e-commerce onboarding on platforms such as Amazon, Flipkart and Meesho, enabling wider customer reach and improved product branding.
- Traditional crafts showcased: Jharkhand’s Dokra metal craft uses the ancient lost-wax casting technique; Jabalpur Stone Craft is associated with GI-tagged marble craftsmanship; Kolhapuri chappals represent Maharashtra’s traditional leatherwork; and Channapatna and Kinhal toys reflect Karnataka’s toy-making heritage.
- Other crafts included Rajasthan’s lac bangles, Kashmiri shawls and pherans, and crochet dolls inspired by Naga attire and cultural motifs. The artisans also received support through toolkits, training, credit assistance and market linkages under the scheme.
3. India Expands Maritime Partnerships with South Korea and Cyprus
Syllabus Mapping: GS-II: Bilateral Relations | International Cooperation | GS-III: Infrastructure | Industrial Development | Environmental Sustainability | Security- Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal held meetings with South Korean maritime institutions, shipbuilders and shipping companies, along with Cyprus’ Shipping Deputy Minister, in Busan, South Korea, to strengthen cooperation in shipbuilding, maritime finance, port infrastructure and green shipping.
- Shipbuilding and Make in India: Discussions with Sejin Heavy Industries explored manufacturing partnerships for large shipbuilding blocks, LPG/LNG cargo tanks, cryogenic structures and specialised marine equipment. Cochin Shipyard Ltd. also explored the possibility of collaboration in block fabrication with Sejin.
- Marine Technology: Cooperation with the Korea Marine Equipment Research Institute (KOMERI) was discussed in marine equipment manufacturing, R&D, testing, certification, green propulsion and smart maritime technologies. Collaboration between KOMERI and the proposed India Ship Technology Center (ISTC) could strengthen indigenous ship design, testing, training and certification capabilities.
- Maritime Finance: India invited Korean maritime financing institutions to invest in its expanding maritime sector. The proposed opportunities include the Maritime Development Fund (MDF) and Sagarmala Finance Corporation (SMFC), alongside shipbuilding and port infrastructure projects.
- Investment Potential: India has approved a shipbuilding support package of approximately US$7.8 billion. Mega shipbuilding clusters are under development, with a pipeline of over 400 vessels worth an estimated US$23 billion, creating opportunities for international investment and technology partnerships.
- Shipping and Fleet Expansion: Discussions with South Korea’s shipping company HMM covered registering its vessels under the Indian flag, recruiting Indian seafarers, using Indian ship-recycling facilities compliant with the Hong Kong Convention, and expanding services to additional Indian ports.
- Port Infrastructure: The Korea Ocean Business Corporation (KOBC) explored investment and business opportunities in India’s growing maritime sector, particularly port infrastructure and shipping. HMM also expressed interest in Indian-flagged vessels, Make in India containers and the upcoming Vadhvan Port.
- Sustainable Ship Recycling: Cyprus reaffirmed support for India’s efforts to secure European Union (EU) recognition for eligible Indian ship-recycling facilities. The discussions also covered shipbuilding, maritime investment, seafarer welfare and maritime services. Around 25 leading Cypriot companies were expected to visit India in November 2026 to explore partnerships.
- Hong Kong Convention (HKC): The International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships establishes international standards for safer ship recycling, including requirements concerning hazardous materials, ship recycling facilities and worker safety.
- Green Shipping: Indigenous manufacturing of cryogenic tanks, specialised marine equipment and large ship blocks can strengthen domestic shipbuilding capabilities and support the development of a modern, energy-efficient fleet.
4. National Startup Awards 6.0 – Promoting Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Syllabus Mapping: GS-III: Indian Economy | Startups | Innovation | Science and Technology | Inclusive Growth
- The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, launched the 6th National Startup Awards (NSA 6.0) under Startup India to recognise innovative startups and promote entrepreneurship.
- Launched in January 2016, Startup India completed ten years in 2026. The National Startup Awards, introduced in 2019, recognise startups demonstrating innovation, scalability, sustainability and socio-economic impact.
- NSA 6.0 covers 20 sectoral categories and 3 special categories, with 12 new sectors reflecting emerging technologies and national development priorities, including semiconductors, biomanufacturing, defence, rural industries, space-tech, blue economy and future mobility.
- The special categories recognise women-led startups, startups from the North-Eastern region and student innovators. The student category has been introduced for the first time to encourage innovation among school and college students across all 36 States and Union Territories.
- Winners in the 20 sectoral categories and two startup-focused special categories are eligible for ₹25 lakh per category. The student award carries a total prize pool of ₹25 lakh across four sub-categories.
- Beyond cash prizes, the awards facilitate mentorship, investor engagement, market access, industry partnerships and national-level visibility for startups.
- DPIIT is encouraging participation from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities through collaboration with State Governments, incubators, academic institutions, banks, Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) and industry associations.
5. Singapore–India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX-2026)
Syllabus Mapping: GS-II: India–Singapore Relations | GS-III: Defence and Security | Maritime Security- The 33rd edition of SIMBEX-2026 concluded on 26 October 2026 at Visakhapatnam, strengthening maritime cooperation and operational coordination between the Indian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).
- The exercise was conducted in two phases. The Harbour Phase included professional interactions, Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs), cross-deck visits and joint planning, while the Sea Phase in the Bay of Bengal focused on operational drills.
- The sea phase involved Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Air Warfare, Anti-Surface Warfare, Maritime Interdiction Operations, seamanship evolutions and cross-deck flying operations to improve interoperability between the two navies.
- The exercise reinforces cooperation in maintaining maritime security and stability in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), amid the importance of a secure and open maritime domain for regional trade and connectivity.
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