SHITIJ 2.0: ICAR-CPCRI Launches Nationwide Agri-Startup Incubation with 7 Hubs

E20 Ethanol Fuel Used in 4 Crore Vehicles; Flex-Fuel Engines to End ₹22 Lakh Cr Fuel Imports

E20 ethanol-blended petrol is being used in 4 crore four-wheelers and 20 million two-wheelers without harming vehicles and with improved mileage. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced that automobile companies will produce flex-fuel engines capable of running on 100% ethanol, potentially saving ₹22 lakh crore in fuel imports and boosting farmers' income through higher maize prices.

Google's $15B AI Data Centre: AP's Agrivoltaics Model for Farmers' Income & Energy Security

Google commits $15 billion to build Asia's largest AI data centre (1 GW) in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, requiring 24 GWh daily. To avoid power conflicts with agriculture, the article proposes an agrivoltaics model where farmers co-own solar farms on their land, supplying clean energy to the data centre via the state's new Deemed Distribution Licence (DDL). This model can multiply farmer incomes 8-10 times and secure social licence for the project.

UP Sugar Output Falls 36.9 Lt as Red Rot Hits Co-0238; ICAR's Co-20016 Clears AICRP

Uttar Pradesh's sugar production has fallen by over 36 lakh tonnes in six years because the dominant cane variety Co-0238 lost resistance to red rot caused by the CF13 pathotype. A new ICAR-SBI variety Co-20016, with higher yield, higher sucrose content and red-rot resistance, has cleared AICRP trials and awaits central release. This is important for agriculture, plant pathology and UPSC GS-III questions on cropping patterns and plant protection.

SEBI Revamps SLB Scheme, Launches Setu Portal, Pilots Bond Tokenisation on Blockchain

SEBI is modernizing the Securities Lending and Borrowing (SLB) scheme to improve price discovery and link cash and derivatives markets. It also launches a single online portal (Setu) for intermediaries and a pilot project for tokenising corporate bonds using blockchain. These reforms are crucial for capital market efficiency and are highly exam-relevant for UPSC, Banking, and SSC.

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.

India's First Farmer Carbon Credit Payout: ₹2.5 Crore Distributed to 2,500 Farmers in Punjab & Haryana

For the first time in India, ~2,500 farmers in Punjab and Haryana have received carbon credit payments (totaling ₹2.5 crore) for adopting climate-smart agricultural practices like reducing stubble burning and economizing fertilizer use. This marks a major shift from penalizing stubble burning to economically rewarding sustainable farming, with satellite monitoring and ICAR-backed verification.

PM Modi Pitches India as Trusted Chip Hub, Launches Semicon 2.0 ₹1.27 Lakh Cr Programme

PM Modi inaugurated SEMICON India 2026, announcing Semicon 2.0 (₹1.27 lakh crore) to build a comprehensive semiconductor ecosystem. India aims to meet global demand for trusted chip manufacturing, with major investments from Applied Materials ($5B) and Lam Research (₹10,000 Cr). This is crucial for prelims (data points) and mains (Atmanirbhar Bharat, tech policy).

Global Refinery Attacks Spike Sulphur Prices Above $1,000/Tonne; Threatens India's Phosphatic Fertiliser Supply

The energy crisis has shifted from crude oil supply to refined products. Attacks on refineries in Russia and West Asia have caused sulphur prices to skyrocket from $200 to $1,000/tonne, severely affecting India's ability to manufacture phosphatic fertilizers. This distinct crisis poses a long-term threat to India's food security and fertiliser imports even as the country enjoys surplus refining capacity.