Current Context : India’s employability among graduates is expected to rise by 7 percent, reaching 54.81 percent in 2025, according to the ‘India Skills Report 2025.’

• Prepared by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) in collaboration with Wheebox, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and supported by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).

Report Findings:

1. Employability Rate: India’s graduate employability is projected to rise to 81% in 2025, up from 51.2% in 2024.
2. Top Performing Graduates:
   1. Management Graduates: 78% employability.
   2. Engineering Graduates: 71.5% employability.
   3. MCA Graduates: 71% employability.
   4. Science Graduates: 58% employability.
3. Geographical Insights:
   1. States: Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Delhi lead in employable talent.
   2. Cities: Pune, Bengaluru, and Mumbai emerge as hubs for skilled workforces​

Government Initiatives Linked to Skill Development:

1. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY): Provides training, assessment, and certification to enhance employability.
2. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): Certifies unorganized sector workers under the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF), with over 63 lakh beneficiaries since 2015​

Current Context : Researchers at IIT Guwahati have developed a sustainable method to convert methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) into biofuels using microbial and biocatalytic processes.

Method:

• The process employs microbes and engineered enzymes to catalyze the conversion of methane and carbon dioxide into cleaner biofuels like ethanol and butanol​

Environmental Impact:

• Reduces reliance on fossil fuels.
• Mitigates methane and CO₂ emissions, both significant contributors to global warming.

About Biofuels

Biofuels are renewable energy sources derived from biological materials like plants, algae, and organic waste.

Types:

1. First-generation: Made from food crops (e.g., ethanol from sugarcane).
2. Second-generation: Derived from non-food biomass like agricultural residues.
3. Third-generation: Produced using algae.
4. Advanced biofuels: Created using innovative technologies such as microbial processing.

Current Context :  The Abathsahayeshwarar Temple in Thukkatchi, Tamil Nadu, received UNESCO’s 2023 Award of Distinction for outstanding conservation efforts.

Historical Importance:

• Built 1,300 years ago during the Chola dynasty by Kings Vikrama Chola and Kulothunga Chola.
• Houses idols of deities including Soundaryanayaki Ambal, Ashtabhuja Durga Parameshwari, and Aadhi Sarabeshwarar.
• The site was formerly known as Vikrama Chozheeswaramand Kulothunga Chola Nallur.

Architectural Features:

• Comprises five prakarams (enclosures).
• Represents the grandeur of Chola-era architecture and temple design​

Current Context : IIT Madras has developed India’s first Hyperloop test track, a 410-meter prototype, located at its Discovery Campus in Thaiyur, Tamil Nadu.

Aim : to assess Hyperloop technology’s practicality, with the Mumbai-Pune corridor selected for the first full-scale Hyperloop route. This system is projected to reduce travel time between Mumbai and Pune to just 25 minutes.

What is Hyperloop?

• A high-speed transport system proposed by Elon Musk in 2013. It uses vacuum-sealed tubes for pods (passenger or cargo) to travel at speeds up to 1,100 km/h.
• Features:
  • Near-Vacuum Tubes: Minimized air resistance.
  • Magnetic Levitation: Frictionless movement.
  • Linear Induction Motors: Propulsion mechanism​

Current Context : Recently, the Amrit Gyaan Kosh Portal was launched by the Union Minister of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh, as part of the Mission Karmayogi initiative.

It is developed by the Capacity Building Commission (CBC) and Karmayogi Bharat under the iGOT platform.

Objective :

• It serves as a knowledge repository for best practices in governance and policy implementation.
• The platform promotes self-reliance in governance training and aligns with 15 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), covering areas like health, education, and agriculture.

Features:

• Provides curated resources for aligning civil service training with global standards while addressing India’s specific administrative challenges.
• Aims to digitize governance training materials to ensure wide accessibility.

About Mission Karmayogi :

Karmayogi Bharat, the implementing Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), oversees the iGOT platform and supports “anytime, anywhere, any-device learning” for government officials.

The SPV operates under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013, as a not-for-profit government entity.

General Studies Paper -2

Context: A recent case study titled ‘From Gridlock to Growth: How Leadership Enables India’s PRAGATI Ecosystem to Power Progress’ by Oxford and Gates Foundation highlighted PRAGATI’s role in transforming India’s governance landscape, underscoring the platform’s success in bridging gaps in governance and driving national development.

Essence of PRAGATI

• India’s Digital PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance And Timely Implementation) initiative is a multi-purpose and multi-modal platform aimed at addressing the common man’s grievances and simultaneously monitoring and reviewing important programs and projects of the Central Government as well as projects flagged by state governments.
• It leverages digital technology to enhance coordination, accountability, and efficiency in the execution of large-scale projects.
• It aims to enhance governance by integrating technology, fostering collaboration, and ensuring accountability by integrating three key aspects: digital data management, real-time tracking, and high-level coordination.

Key Features of PRAGATI

• Digital Data Management: PRAGATI uses a robust digital ecosystem to manage vast amounts of data related to various projects.
  • It ensures that all stakeholders have access to up-to-date information, facilitating better decision-making and transparency.
• Real-Time Tracking: One of the standout features of PRAGATI is its ability to provide real-time updates on the progress of projects.
  • It helps in identifying bottlenecks and addressing them promptly, ensuring that projects stay on track.
• High-Level Coordination: PRAGATI brings together officials from different departments and levels of government, fostering a collaborative approach to problem-solving.
  • This high-level coordination is crucial for the timely and effective implementation of projects.

Key Findings of Case Study

• Accelerated Project Implementation: PRAGATI has reviewed over 340 critical projects worth $205 billion (₹05 lakh crore), significantly expediting their implementation.
  • It includes the development of 50,000 kilometers of National Highways and doubling the number of airports, including the North Karanpura Thermal Power Plant.
• Enhanced Governance: PRAGATI integrates digital tools such as real-time data, video conferencing, and geo-spatial mapping to facilitate seamless collaboration between the Prime Minister’s Office, Central Ministries, and State Governments.
• This direct engagement ensures that issues are addressed in real time, fostering a culture of accountability and efficiency.
• Leadership from the Top: The Prime Minister’s active involvement (based on SWAGAT, a digital platform started by then Chief Minister Modi in Gujarat) has driven PRAGATI’s success, by directly reviewing progress, setting deadlines, and breaking bureaucratic bottlenecks.
  • The study emphasizes the importance of top leadership in using technology to drive cross-collaboration and regular accountability reviews that has created a culture of efficiency and trust in public infrastructure projects.
  • For instance, the Pakri-Barwadih Coal Mine in Jharkhand, delayed since 2006, saw swift progress after PM Modi’s intervention in 2016, leading to its completion in 2019.
• Collaboration Across States: PRAGATI has fostered collaboration across states, embodying the concept of ‘Team India’ – a unified approach to national development that transcends political divides.
• For the Ennore-Thiruvallur-Bengaluru Gas Pipeline, which faced land issues across three states, the Prime Minister urged creating a single implementing agency to resolve disputes.
• Economic and Social Impact: The platform has driven significant economic growth, with studies indicating that for every rupee spent on infrastructure, India gains 2.5 to 3.5 rupees in GDP.
  • Additionally, fast-tracked projects providing essential services like roads, railways, water, and electricity have improved the quality of life for millions.
• Sustainable Development: PRAGATI incorporates green technologies and streamlined environmental clearances, ensuring that India’s development remains sustainable and inclusive.
• Model for Global Governance: The study commends PRAGATI as a beacon of modern governance, urging other nations to learn from India’s innovative approach to project monitoring and resolution, and setting a standard that other emerging economies can emulate to overcome the Middle-Income Trap.

Concerns and Suggestions Highlighted in Study

• Project Delays: Many of the 340 projects reviewed were significantly delayed, ranging from three to twenty years overdue.
  • PRAGATI has been instrumental in reducing these delays from years to months.
• Accountability and Collaboration: The platform has driven accountability at the highest levels and fostered unprecedented federal and regional collaboration.
  • Ensuring seamless coordination among these entities can be challenging, leading to delays and inefficiencies.
  • Collaboration across government organisations is crucial in accelerating project completion and cutting through bureaucratic red tape.

Other Concerns

• Digital Governance: The platform integrates several key technologies and the success of PRAGATI heavily relies on these technologies.
  • Any technical glitches or lack of technological infrastructure, especially in remote areas, can hinder its effectiveness.
• Data Accuracy: PRAGATI platform depends on accurate and timely data for monitoring and decision-making. Inaccurate or outdated data can lead to poor decision-making and ineffective governance.
• Resistance to Change: Implementing new governance models often faces resistance from within the bureaucracy that can slow down the adoption of PRAGATI’s processes and tools.
• Resource Constraints: Adequate resources, both financial and human, are essential for the successful implementation of PRAGATI. Resource constraints can limit its reach and effectiveness.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Continuous monitoring and evaluation are crucial for the success of PRAGATI. However, establishing robust monitoring mechanisms can be complex and resource-intensive.

Conclusion and Way Forward

• India’s digital PRAGATI is a shining example of how technology can be harnessed to improve governance and accelerate development. By fostering transparency, accountability, and efficiency, PRAGATI is paving the way for a more robust and resilient infrastructure landscape in India.
• Recent findings underscore PRAGATI’s role as a model of cooperative federalism and innovative governance, making it a valuable example for other developing countries aiming to enhance their infrastructure development strategies.

Current Context :  Amit Thakur, a social worker and captain of the Himachal Pradesh Wheelchair Cricket Team, was honored with the prestigious Divyang Swabhiman Award-2024.

About the Award:

• The award recognizes individuals or organizations for their exceptional contributions toward the empowerment and inclusion of persons with disabilities (PwDs), promoting dignity and independence.

Current Context :  The QS Quacquarelli Symonds, global higher education experts, released the third edition of the ‘QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2025’.

Top Indian Performers:

• IIT Delhi ranked 171 globally (India Rank 1), showing the largest leap with an improvement of 255 ranks from 426 (2024).
• IIT Kharagpur ranked 202 globally (India Rank 2), up by 147 ranks from 349.
• IIT Bombay ranked 234 globally (India Rank 3), advancing 69 ranks from 303.

Other Notable Institutions:

• IIT Kanpur ranked 245 globally, showing an exceptional improvement of 277 ranks from 522.
• University of Delhi, the only non-IIT in the top 6, dropped 79 ranks to 299.

Top 10 Indian Institutions in Sustainability:

Overall Performance: A total of 78 Indian universities were featured, with nine of the top 10 improving their rankings compared to 2024.

Current Context :  Indian ecologist Madhav Gadgil was honored with the Champions of the Earth award in the Lifetime Achievement category for his significant contributions to environmental protection.

• Gadgil, the only Indian on the list of this year’s award recipients, chaired the government-constituted Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel to study the impact of population pressure, climate change, and development activities on the ecologically fragile region in India.

About Award

• The Champions of the Earth award is the United Nations’ highest environmental honor, presented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
• It recognizes outstanding leaders from government, civil society, and the private sector whose actions have had a transformative positive impact on the environment.
• Categories: The award is conferred in several categories, including Policy Leadership, Inspiration and Action, Entrepreneurial Vision, Science and Innovation, and Lifetime Achievement.
• Purpose: It aims to acknowledge and promote exceptional environmental initiatives that contribute to sustainable development and environmental conservation.

Current Context :  Opposition parties have decided to move a notice under Article 67(b) of the Constitution to remove the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha from his office.

About Article 67(b):

Role of Vice President:

• The Vice President serves as the ex-officio Chairmanof the Rajya Sabha

Provision for Removal:

• Article 67(b) outlines the process for removing the Vice President.
• A resolution for removal must be initiated in the Rajya Sabha and passed by a majority of all its members. It then requires agreement from the Lok Sabha.

Notice Period : A minimum of 14 days’ notice is required before moving the resolution. The notice should clearly state the reasons for the resolution.

Grounds for Removal: The Constitution does not specify particular grounds, leaving the decision to the discretion of Parliament members.