1 . India’s Coir Sector
Syllabus Mapping: GS-III: MSMEs | Rural Employment | Sustainable Development | Export Promotion | Women Empowerment
- India is the world’s largest producer and exporter of coir, accounting for about two-thirds of global production. Coir is a natural fibre extracted from the outer husk of coconuts. The sector has a turnover of approximately ₹16,000 crore and contributes close to 1% to India’s GDP.
- India has over 21,000 coir units and provides direct and indirect employment to more than 7 lakh workers, around 80% of whom are women from rural households.
- Coir exports increased from ₹1,630.33 crore in FY 2014–15 to ₹6,614.40 crore in FY 2025–26, registering 7% growth.
- Major export destinations include the US, China, the Netherlands, Spain and the UK. Major exports include coir pith, fibre, yarn and tufted mats.
- The Ministry of MSME implements the Coir Vikas Yojana (CVY) to promote sustainable sectoral growth through technological development, new machinery, product innovation, skill training and promotional programmes.
- CVY also supports domestic and international sales, publicity, trade fairs, exporter participation in international exhibitions, financial assistance for sales promotion and publication of sectoral statistics.
- Since 2014–15, over 68,000 people have received training, with women accounting for more than 80% of trainees. Over 150 innovative machines, technologies and value-added products have been developed.
- Over 21,000 coir units registered on the Udyam portal employ approximately 2.3 lakh people, bringing them into the formal MSME policy ecosystem.
- The Coir Board supports training, technical guidance, research, product development and export promotion. The Central Coir Research Institute (CCRI), Kalavoor, provides technical support, including for coir pith biofertiliser production.
- The Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) has enabled entrepreneurs to establish coir-based enterprises, generating local employment and promoting women-led businesses.
- Coir pith, a by-product of coir processing, can be converted into biofertiliser, creating additional income opportunities and improving resource utilisation.
2. National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)
Syllabus Mapping: GS-II: Social Justice | Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections | Inclusive Growth | Rights of PwD
- The Union Cabinet approved the continuation of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) for five years, from 2026–27 to 2030–31, with a total outlay of ₹53,428 crore.
- The approval covers renaming the programme and its sub-schemes, revising disability pension eligibility and assistance, and continuing old-age, widow and family benefit schemes in their existing form. The programme will benefit 20 crore beneficiaries across all 36 States and Union Territories.
- NSAP is a Centrally Sponsored Programme implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development, providing social assistance to vulnerable households, particularly those living below the poverty line.
- Launched on 15 August 1995, NSAP aims to provide assistance to poor households and fulfil the State’s responsibility under Article 41 of the Constitution.
- Article 41, under the Directive Principles of State Policy, directs the State to provide public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness, disability and undeserved want, within the limits of its economic capacity.
- NSAP will be renamed Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana. Its four sub-schemes and their approved names are: IGNOAPS: Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana; IGNWPS: Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana; IGNDPS: Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana; National Family Benefit Scheme: Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana.
- Under the revised Divyangjan Pension Yojana, monthly assistance will be ₹375 for beneficiaries aged 0–79 years and ₹625 for those aged 80 years and above.
- The benchmark disability threshold will be reduced from 80% to 40%, while the minimum age criterion will be removed, allowing eligibility from birth.
- These changes align with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, which recognises benchmark disability at 40% and provides for disability-related assistance to be 25% higher than comparable schemes for other categories.
- The old-age and widow pension schemes, along with the National Family Benefit Scheme, will continue in their existing form.
- The National Family Benefit Scheme provides financial assistance to an eligible household following the death of its primary breadwinner, helping address immediate economic vulnerability.
- Revised guidelines covering disability pension eligibility, beneficiary numbers and assistance rates will be issued and implemented within three months.
- NSAP provides 100% Central assistance under the programme, seeking to ensure uniform availability of social assistance across the country. It complements State-level welfare measures and helps strengthen social protection for vulnerable groups.
3 . India’s Accession to the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA)
Syllabus Mapping: GS-II: International Organisations | International Relations | GS-III: Fisheries | Blue Economy | Marine Resources
- The Union Government approved India’s accession to the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA) to strengthen its participation in high-seas fisheries and global fisheries governance.
- India has been a Cooperating Non-Contracting Party (CNCP) to SIOFA since 2022. Accession as a Contracting Party will enable fuller participation in decision-making and scientific and compliance bodies.
- SIOFA provides a regional framework for the conservation and sustainable management of fishery resources in the southern Indian Ocean beyond national jurisdictions.
- Its coverage includes fish, molluscs, crustaceans and certain sedentary species, but excludes highly migratory species covered under Annex I of UNCLOS and sedentary species under coastal-state jurisdiction.
- Following the completion of India’s accession to SIOFA, Indian-flagged fishing vessels and enterprises will be able to undertake authorised fishing for squid, toothfish, alfonsino and other non-migratory fish stocks within SIOFA’s area of competence, subject to applicable authorisations and conservation measures.
- SIOFA cooperation also aims to prevent Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, which threatens marine ecosystems, fish stocks and legitimate fishing livelihoods.
- India’s accession will enable participation in the High Seas Boarding and Inspection (HSBI) Scheme, strengthening compliance monitoring and supporting maritime security.
- The high seas are marine areas beyond national jurisdiction. Under UNCLOS, coastal States exercise sovereign rights over resources in their Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs), extending up to 200 nautical miles from their baselines, subject to the Convention.
- The high seas constitute approximately 65% of the global ocean and identifies China, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and Spain as major participants in high-seas fisheries.
- Two important regional fisheries bodies in the Indian Ocean are SIOFA and the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC). India has been a Contracting Party to IOTC since 1996. The IOTC regulates tuna and tuna-like species, whereas SIOFA covers specified non-tuna fishery resources within its geographical and legal scope.
- Indian fishing vessels currently operate largely within 60–80 nautical miles (NM) of the EEZ. Expanding high-seas fishing capacity could create opportunities for fishers, entrepreneurs, exports and the wider Blue Economy.
4. Advanced Chemicals, Petrochemicals and Material Technologies under RDI Scheme
Syllabus Mapping: GS-III: Science & Technology | Research and Development | Industrial Growth | Manufacturing |
- The Government of India included Advanced Chemicals, Petrochemicals and Material Technologies as an eligible technology area under the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme, effective 8 October 2026.
- The decision was taken by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) following a proposal by the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC), Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
- The RDI Scheme, launched in November 2025, has a corpus of ₹1 lakh crore to catalyse private-sector investment in research, development and innovation. It provides for long-term financing and refinancing on favourable terms for transformative projects, supporting advanced technology adoption and industrial competitiveness.
- The inclusion aims to promote indigenous technologies for advanced industrial applications and strengthen domestic manufacturing of chemicals, petrochemicals, polymers and their derivatives.
- Petrochemicals are chemicals derived primarily from petroleum and natural gas. They serve as inputs for plastics, synthetic fibres, synthetic rubber, fertilisers and several other industrial products.
- The initiative seeks to reduce dependence on imported technologies and high-value materials, while encouraging technology-led industrial growth and self-reliance.
5. BHARAT TULIP
Syllabus Mapping: GS-II: Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections | GS-III: MSMEs | Inclusive Growth | Traditional Industries
- The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, through the National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC), implements BHARAT TULIP (Traditional Artisans’ Upliftment Livelihood Programme).
- Launched on 5 November 2024, the initiative aims to improve market access, product visibility and livelihood opportunities for traditional artisans.
- BHARAT TULIP promotes traditional products under a common brand, connecting artisans with customers through digital platforms, e-commerce channels and other marketing avenues. The programme seeks to overcome limited market access and dependence on local buyers by connecting artisans with wider domestic and international markets.
- Its support includes digital marketing, product promotion, quality assurance, skill development, logistics and delivery assistance.
- Artisans are also encouraged to participate in exhibitions, trade fairs and buyer–seller interactions to establish business linkages and explore new markets. Products showcased include home decor, lifestyle products, handcrafted jewellery, handwoven textiles, fabrics and traditional leather products.
- The initiative combines traditional craftsmanship with contemporary market demand, supporting entrepreneurship and the preservation of India’s cultural heritage.
- NBCFDC facilitates market linkages and artisan empowerment through the programme, targeting eligible artisan groups under its mandate.
