Current Affairs - National

Coal India Limited (CIL) has entered into a strategic partnership with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras to establish a Centre for Sustainable Energy. This collaboration aims to promote advanced research and development in clean energy technologies, low-carbon innovations, and repurposing of coal mines for sustainable applications. The initiative aligns with India’s broader goal of achieving a balanced and environmentally responsible energy transition. By combining CIL’s industry experience with IIT Madras’s research expertise, the partnership seeks to create scalable solutions that can contribute to reducing emissions and enhancing energy efficiency across sectors.

The Vegetable Oil Products, Production and Availability (Regulation) Order was first introduced in 2011 under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. It was later amended and reintroduced as the VOPPA Order, 2025. The 2011 version served as the foundational regulatory framework governing the production, processing, and distribution of edible oils in India, ensuring quality control, fair trade practices, and consumer protection. The 2025 amendment builds upon this framework by introducing mandatory registration for all participants in the edible oil supply chain.

Under India’s leadership, the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH) has successfully standardized 19 spices since its establishment in 2013. The committee, chaired by India and supported by the Spices Board in Kochi, works under the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) to develop international standards that promote food safety, fair trade, and consumer protection. During the 8th CCSCH session, standards for vanilla, large cardamom, and coriander were finalised, marking another milestone in harmonizing global spice trade practices and reinforcing India’s pivotal role in shaping food quality benchmarks worldwide.

The Government of India extended the tenure of the 16th Finance Commission, chaired by Arvind Panagariya, by one month to November 30, 2025. This extension shifts the report submission deadline from October 31 to November 30, allowing additional time for finalizing recommendations on tax revenue distribution between the Centre and states for the 2026–2031 period. The Commission is also reviewing fiscal mechanisms for disaster management financing. The extension ensures thorough deliberation on key fiscal policies, equitable devolution, and performance-based grants, reflecting the importance of comprehensive guidance for Centre-State financial relations in the coming fiscal period.

NITI Aayog, through its Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP), launched the ‘We Rise – Women Entrepreneurs Reimagining Inclusive and Sustainable Enterprises’ initiative in partnership with DP World. The program aims to support 100 high-potential women-led MSMEs by providing mentorship, trade access, and international market exposure, including platforms like Bharat Mart in Dubai. It integrates NITI Aayog’s extensive ecosystem of women entrepreneurs with DP World’s global trade infrastructure to enhance export readiness. The initiative promotes sustainable and inclusive business growth, capacity-building, and long-term access to global value chains for women entrepreneurs.