Cabinet Approves ₹1.27 Lakh Crore Semicon 2.0 for Indigenous Chip Manufacturing

₹62,500 Cr Smartphone Manufacturing Scheme: Two-Track Strategy for PLI Successor & Indian Brands

India's new Rs 62,500 crore smartphone scheme aims to sustain large-scale production after the first PLI ends and create a homegrown brand with its own IP. It offers two tracks: one for global manufacturers with incremental production targets, and another with higher incentives for Indian-owned companies that design and develop in India.

Centre Launches Semicon 2.0: Rs 1.27 Lakh Cr Programme for Chip Design, Fabless Firms & Deployment Incentives

Govt launches Semicon 2.0 with Rs 1.27 lakh crore to boost indigenous chip design, support fabless companies, and provide deployment-linked incentives. The programme aims to build Indian-owned IP and reduce dependence on foreign semiconductors, targeting talent development and massive investment.

₹1.27 Lakh Crore Semicon 2.0 Notified: Boosts Domestic Chip Design, Manufacturing, and R&D

The government notified the operational framework for Semicon 2.0, a ₹1.27 lakh crore program to boost domestic chip design, manufacturing, and supply chain. It includes six pillars, with incentives for chip design, fabrication plants, packaging, and R&D. This is critical for India's semiconductor ecosystem and self-reliance.

HPCL-led Consortium Sets Up MC2 Plus Incubator and AIF to Cut ₹1 Lakh Crore Refining Energy Bill

A consortium of PSU oil companies led by HPCL has formed MC2 Plus, a Section 8 company, as an incubator for deep-tech energy startups. The initiative targets the ₹1 lakh crore annual energy cost in India's refining sector, shifting PSU engagement from procurement to active innovation and investment. A proposed Alternative Investment Fund ('India Energy Fund') will back the startups.

Rs 1 Lakh Crore RDI Fund: Collateral-Free Loans at 2-4% Interest for Deep-Tech Firms via TDB, BIRAC

The government's Rs 1 lakh crore RDI Fund for deep-tech innovation has come under scrutiny as 15 of 22 funded companies have investment ties to selection committee members. The fund provides collateral-free loans at 2-4% interest over 15 years, administered through ANRF with TDB and BIRAC as fund managers.

GOBARdhan Scheme Approved with ₹23,731 Cr Outlay to Boost CBG Production Tenfold

Union Cabinet approves GOBARdhan, a National Circular Bioenergy Scheme with ₹23,731 crore outlay for 10 years to increase domestic compressed biogas (CBG) production by nearly 10-fold. The scheme aims to reduce natural gas imports, strengthen energy security, and create a commercially viable waste-to-energy ecosystem through assured offtake, administered pricing, capital subsidies, and pipeline infrastructure.

Ministry of Mines Notifies 2 Offshore Mineral Blocks Near Great Nicobar for Polymetallic Nodules

India has notified two offshore mineral blocks near Great Nicobar Island for polymetallic nodule and crust exploration, strengthening its critical minerals push under the blue economy framework. This connects directly to the Deep Ocean Mission, Samudra Manthan scheme, UNCLOS, and India's strategic need for deep-sea mineral security. For exams, remember the Act, the minerals, the contracts, and the institutional framework.

RDI Fund: Govt Defends Conflict Safeguards; 62% of ₹2,192 Cr Loans Went to Panel-Linked Firms

The RDI Fund, created to support deep tech companies, faces controversy as 62% of first-round soft loans (₹2,192 crore) went to firms linked to selection panel members. The government defends safeguards including super-majority voting and 10% stake disqualification, noting the second cohort has only 1 of 13 such companies. Congress seeks a parliamentary review on August 13.