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| Jan 01, 1970 | Daily Report |
| RISING BHARAT | News Count (101810) | |
451. MNRE Adds 23,119 MW of Solar Module Capacity in December 2025
- On December 22, 2025, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) added 23,119 MW of solar module manufacturing capacity to ALMM List-I, increasing the total listed capacity to 144,841 MW. The update supports India’s push for quality-assured domestic solar manufacturing eligible for government projects and incentives.
- Six new manufacturers entered the list with 4,187 MW, led by Znshine Solarworld (1,552 MW) and Inox Solar (1,274 MW). Existing players added 18,932 MW, with major expansions by Waaree Energies (6,684 MW, Gujarat), Rayzon Solar (5,659 MW, Surat) and Goldi Solar (3,384 MW, Gujarat), along with capacity increases by INA Solar, Saatvik Solar Industries and others.
- The ALMM framework, introduced in 2021, will expand further as solar cells come under ALMM from June 1, 2026. MNRE has also proposed including solar wafers under ALMM from June 1, 2028, subject to integrated domestic manufacturing capacity, strengthening India’s solar supply chain.
452. MoU Signed Between DRDO and Rashtriya Raksha University to enhance defense R&D and training
- On December 22, 2025, in New Delhi at South Block, the Defence Research and Development Organisation DRDO and Rashtriya Raksha University signed an MoU in New Delhi to strengthen cooperation in defence and internal security research, education, training, and technology development, in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
- The collaboration focus on joint research projects, doctoral programmes, specialised training, and technology gap analysis, combining DRDO’s defence technology expertise with RRU’s academic and internal security knowledge.
- The partnership aims to support Aatmanirbhar Bharat by enhancing self-reliance, innovation, and capacity building in defence and internal security during the Amrit Kaal period.
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453. India and New Zealand announce trade pact making majority of goods trade duty free
- On December 22, 2025, India and New Zealand concluded a historic Free Trade Agreement (FTA) aimed at deepening economic ties, under which New Zealand will eliminate or reduce tariffs on about 95 % of its exports to India—with more than half becoming duty‑free immediately—while India will provide zero‑duty market access for all its exports to New Zealand, significantly boosting bilateral trade prospects.
- Negotiations formally began in March 2025 and, after five rounds of talks between officials from New Delhi and Wellington, the agreement was finalised in December 2025 in New Delhi following a telephone conversation between India Prime Ministers and Christopher Luxon, with formal signing expected within the next implementation slated for early 2026.
- The pact seeks to expand trade and investment—New Zealand has pledged $20 billion investment into India over 15 years—enhance market access for labour‑intensive Indian sectors (like textiles, leather, engineering goods), and diversify trade amid global tariff pressures however, sensitive products such as dairy, certain agricultural items, and metals remain excluded to protect domestic industries.
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454. Concord bags Rs 139 Cr Indian Railways wireless systems order
- On December 22, 2025, India’s Concord Control Systems Ltd, through its wholly owned subsidiary Advanced Rail Controls Pvt Ltd, won a major ₹139.32 crore contract from Indian Railways for the supply, installation, and commissioning of a locomotive wireless control system—a critical tech upgrade for safer and more efficient rail operations.
- The contract, awarded and to be executed in India, is part of the nation’s railway modernisation efforts and is slated for completion within 18 months from the start of the project, strengthening infrastructure on key routes nationwide.
- The order reflects Indian Railways’ focus on enhancing operational reliability, communication, and safety using advanced wireless control technology, while bolstering Concord’s role as a key supplier of electronic railway solutions and aligning with India’s broader infrastructure and modernisation goals.
455. India adds 50GW RE capacity with Rs 2 lakh cr investment in 2025; to keep momentum in 2026
- On December 21, 2025, India reached a major climate milestone in 2025 by achieving 50% non-fossil fuel power capacity—262 GW out of 510 GW total—five years ahead of its Paris Agreement target. About 50 GW of renewable capacity was added in 2025, mainly from solar, backed by investments of nearly Rs 2 lakh crore.
- The government expects similar momentum in 2026 despite challenges like land issues, transmission delays, and power purchase hurdles. Public sector institutions have deployed over Rs 10.79 lakh crore into renewables since 2014, with major pushes in domestic manufacturing, storage, and grid infrastructure.
- Industry leaders say 2025 saw record project commissioning driven by schemes like PM Surya Ghar and PM Kusum, but warn grid imbalance, storage gaps, financing issues, and transmission delays must be fixed. They project continued growth, deeper manufacturing capacity, and structural reforms shaping India’s clean-energy future.
456. ISRO scientists test drogue parachute for Gaganyan module
- On December 20, 2025, ISRO researchers have completed qualification tests for drogue parachutes, a crucial part of the Gaganyaan crew module’s deceleration system, at the Rail Track Rocket Sled facility in Chandigarh on December 18–19.
- The parachute sequence involves apex separation parachutes, drogue parachutes for stabilisation, and pilot and main parachutes to slow the module for a safe touchdown; the tests confirmed drogue parachutes’ reliability under extreme conditions.
- The trials form part of ISRO’s broader Gaganyaan testing programme, which earlier included an Integrated Air Drop Test in August, main parachute testing in November, and propulsion system hot tests in July.
457. PM Modi Lays Foundation Stone of Rs 10,601 Cr Fertiliser Plant in Assam
- On December 21, 2025, the Prime Ministerof India laid the foundation stone of a fertiliser plant worth 10,601 crore rupees at Namrup in Dibrugarh district of Assam.
- The project is aimed at strengthening fertiliser production and supporting agricultural growth in the region. The plant will have an annual production capacity of 12.7 lakh metric tonnes of urea.
- The plant will serve neighbouring states, reduce dependence on fertiliser imports, generate substantial employment opportunities, and act as a catalyst for industrial development in the region.
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458. Bhopal Metro Orange Line ‘Priority Corridor’ Inaugurated: CM Mohan Yadav and Union Minister Manohar Lal Flag Off Modern 7-Km Metro
- On December 20, 2025, the Bhopal Metro Orange Line Priority Corridor was inaugurated at the Kushabhau Thakre International Convention Centre by CM of Madhya Pradesh and Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs of India, with the inaugural train flagged off from Subhash Nagar Station.
- The 7 km elevated corridor connects eight stations from Subhash Nagar to AIIMS, featuring modern safety systems, accessibility facilities, air-conditioned coaches, and eco-friendly technology like regenerative braking and solar power.
- Built at a cost of ₹2,225 crore (part of the ₹10,033 crore metro project), the corridor aims to reduce traffic congestion, offer sustainable commuting, and enhance urban transport in Bhopal, with commercial operations starting soon.
459. Namrup Fertilizer Surakshya United Forum welcomes new ₹11,000-crore urea plant, seeks support for ageing Namrup-III unit
- On December 20, 2025, the Namrup Fertilizer Surakshya United Forum welcomed the Centre’s approval of a ₹11,000-crore urea plant in Namrup, Assam, expected to boost industrial growth.
- The new plant, a joint venture of Assam Government, Oil India, NRL, HURL, and BVFCL, will produce 1.27 million tonnes of urea annually. The forum urged funding for the ageing Namrup‑III plant (38 years old) to protect 400+ jobs until the new facility starts.
- The foundation stone will be laid by PM Modi on December 21, 2025. The plant should be ready in 4–6 years, strengthening urea supply, reducing imports, and supporting farmers in the region.
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460. Indian Railways Sanctions ₹89,780 Crore Projects in Maharashtra for Network Expansion
- On December 20, 2025, Indian Railways has approved 38 major projects in Maharashtra, covering 5,098 km at a cost of ₹89,780 crore, including new lines, gauge conversions, and doubling works to boost capacity and regional connectivity.
- 98 surveys (8,603 km) and Mumbai suburban upgrades under MUTP‑II, III, and IIIA, including platform extensions and 238 new 12‑car rakes, aim to improve passenger capacity and safety in Mumbai’s heavily used network.
- High-speed rail and freight corridor projects like the Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train (100% land acquired) and Western Dedicated Freight Corridor are modernizing Maharashtra’s rail infrastructure, with phased implementation and accelerated commissioning.