Modified UDAN Scheme with ₹29,000 Cr Outlay Approved; PM Opens Jodhpur's ₹480 Cr Terminal

MoCA Plans to Cap Airport Bundles per Bidder in Next Privatisation of 11 Airports

The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) plans to cap the number of airport bundles awarded to a single bidder in the upcoming privatisation round to prevent market concentration and over-leveraging. The PPPAC has given in-principle approval for bundling 11 airports into 5 groups for a 50-year concession, with cross-subsidisation and cross-sectoral bidding allowed.

Centre Invokes Section 11 Emergency, Directs 112 Captive Coal Plants to Max Capacity from Oct 1

Amid an unusual September power demand surge (peak 269 GW), the government invoked Section 11 of the Electricity Act to mandate 112 captive coal plants (≥50 MW) to run at full capacity from Oct 1 to Dec 31. This emergency move aims to maximize electricity availability and is exam-relevant for its legal provision, institutional mechanism (CEA), and energy security context.

₹9,450 Cr Railway Multitracking Approved Under PM Gati Shakti for 4 States

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved four railway multitracking projects across eight districts in West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh at a total cost of ₹9,450 crore. Expected to be completed by 2030-31, these projects will add about 410 km of track capacity, boost freight movement by 76 million tonnes per annum, and improve connectivity to key tourist destinations under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.

FASTag Full Implementation to Save ₹25,000 Cr/yr; Barrier-Free Toll Booths Target March 2027

India's highway toll system is undergoing a digital transformation. Full FASTag implementation will save the government ₹25,000 crore annually, and all toll booths will become barrier-free by March 2027 — cutting operational costs and fuel wastage. This is a major efficiency reform with direct exam relevance for infrastructure, digital payments, and fiscal savings.

Viksit Bharat: States, Finance Ministry Discuss Agricultural Exports, Energy Transition, Private Investment

Union Finance Ministry held a first-of-its-kind conference with state finance ministers on 'Financing India's Journey towards Viksit Bharat'. Key discussions included boosting agricultural exports, addressing logistical gaps, energy transition challenges, and the need for private sector investment. The conference highlighted examples like Meghalaya flowers vs Vietnam and sesame seed value addition, emphasizing India's untapped export potential.

Rs 12.22 Lakh Crore Capex Target for 2026-27: Can Public Investment Crowd In Private Capex?

India's capex strategy is a key driver of growth, with effective capital expenditure reaching Rs 17.15 lakh crore for 2026-27. The article examines whether public investment can crowd in private investment, the need for quality over quantity, and the next frontiers like digital infrastructure, AI, and semiconductors.

India's Data Centre Boom: $200B Investment, 6.5 GW Capacity by 2030 Strains Power & Water

India's data centre capacity is set to quadruple to 6.5 GW by 2030, driving $200 billion investment. However, this boom is colliding with climate reality: soaring electricity demand (57 TWh), water consumption (358 billion litres annually), and heat generation. The governance gap, with no enforceable standards, risks socializing costs to consumers and worsening water/energy stress.

WDFC Fully Operational: 2,843 km DFC Network Transforms India’s Logistics Under PM GatiShakti

The Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) is now fully operational, completing India’s 2,843-km freight backbone. Combined with the Eastern DFC, this structural transformation is expected to slash logistics costs, boost manufacturing, and integrate ports under the PM GatiShakti and Sagarmala frameworks. For UPSC/SSC aspirants, this is a critical Mains topic linking infrastructure, economy, and planning.