PIB Snippets — July 21, 2026
Surface Coal Gasification Scheme 2026
What is Coal Gasification
- Coal gasification is a thermo-chemical process that converts solid coal into a combustible gas mixture rather than burning it directly.
- In a pressurised gasifier, coal is subjected to temperatures above 1,000°C and high pressure, reacting with steam and a limited supply of oxygen.
- Unlike combustion (which produces fire and ash), gasification breaks down chemical bonds of coal to produce Syngas.
- Chemical reaction: carbon from coal reacts with steam to produce Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Hydrogen (H₂).
Syngas: Key Facts
Syngas (Synthetic Gas) is the primary product of coal gasification, consisting mainly of Carbon Monoxide (CO), Hydrogen (H₂), and smaller quantities of Methane (CH₄). Since it is hydrogen-rich, gasification is a major pathway for producing “Blue Hydrogen” (hydrogen from fossil fuels with Carbon Capture and Storage).
Advantages & Challenges
Cleaner Processing
Impurities like sulphur, mercury, and ash can be filtered from the gas before use, rather than scrubbed from smokestacks.
High-Value Products
Produces ammonia, methanol, DRI, and synthetic fuels, reducing import dependence.
High Capital & Water Cost
Gasification plants cost significantly more than traditional coal plants and require large amounts of water.
Carbon Footprint
Still produces CO₂; must be paired with CCUS technology to be truly sustainable.
Kala Sanskriti Vikas Yojana (KSVY)
- KSVY is an umbrella Central Sector Scheme implemented by the Ministry of Culture, providing financial support for promotion and preservation of India’s art and culture.
- Being a Central Sector Scheme, it is 100% funded by the Union Government.
- India is a signatory to the UNESCO 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, and KSVY supports India’s obligations under this convention.
Major Sub-Schemes Under KSVY
Promotion of Art & Culture
Provides grants for organising cultural programmes, festivals, exhibitions, and seminars.
Cultural Infrastructure
Offers funding for constructing or renovating cultural spaces such as auditoriums, cultural centres, and museums.
Scheme for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage
| UNESCO ICH Element | State / Region |
|---|---|
| Kutiyattam | Kerala |
| Ramman | Uttarakhand |
| Chhau Dance | Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha |
| Kalbelia Folk Songs and Dances | Rajasthan |
| Mudiyettu | Kerala |
| Buddhist Chanting of Ladakh | Ladakh |
| Sankirtana | Manipur |
National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM)
- NMCM was launched in 2017 by the Ministry of Culture to create a cultural map of India, highlighting its diversity and supporting the artist community.
- It is implemented under the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA).
Key Objectives
- Documenting India’s cultural assets, both tangible and intangible.
- Using cultural potential to promote self-reliance in villages, and highlighting the link between heritage, development, and identity.
Mission Components
Cultural Awareness Programme
“Hamari Sanskriti Hamari Pahchan” (Our Culture, Our Identity).
Grading of Artists
Introduction of a Unique Cultural-ID (UCID) for artists.
Cultural Infrastructure
Development of cultural hubs (Kala Grams) and integrating knowledge centres.
Artist Welfare
Implements welfare schemes and grants for artists, especially veterans.
Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar (MGMD): Launched to document the cultural heritage of 6.5 lakh villages in India. Information is collected in seven broad categories, including Arts and Crafts Village and Ecologically Oriented Village.
PM-SETU Scheme
Hub-and-Spoke ITI Model
- 200 “Hub” ITIs will act as central institutes with advanced infrastructure, each mentoring approximately 4 “Spoke” ITIs by sharing modern equipment, digital learning resources, and specialised training facilities.
- Five National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) at Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kanpur, and Ludhiana will be turned into global Centres of Excellence.
Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) Governance
- Each upgraded ITI will be managed through an industry-government SPV, with industry partners holding 51% ownership and government holding 49%.
- Industry partners can receive up to 83% government funding for infrastructure and training improvements.
- Anchor Industry Partners (AIPs) are invited through Expression of Interest (EOI) by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
Target Sectors
Advanced Manufacturing
Core focus area for hub-and-spoke ITI upgradation.
Electronics
Aligned with India’s growing electronics manufacturing ecosystem.
Mobility
Covers automotive and EV-linked skilling needs.
Logistics
Supports skilling for the expanding logistics and supply chain sector.
SMILE Scheme
SMILE: Key Facts
- SMILE stands for Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise.
- It is a Central Sector Scheme (100% Central funding) under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, an umbrella scheme including the Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Persons Engaged in the Act of Begging.
- Special focus on metropolitan cities, religious, tourist, and historical places.
- Digital monitoring through the SMILE-Beggary National Portal for registration, monitoring, and tracking of rehabilitation centres and shelter homes.
Key Objectives & Approach
- Rehabilitation, skill development, education, healthcare, counselling, and economic empowerment of persons engaged in begging.
- Uses a convergence-based approach involving Central Government, State Governments, UTs, District Administrations, Urban Local Bodies, and Municipal Corporations.
- Four-step approach: Identification, Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration into mainstream society.
Legal Framework for Beggary
Begging is not a central crime under Indian law; states have their own Prevention of Begging Acts, with the Bombay Prevention of Begging Act, 1959 the most widely adopted model. In 2018, the Delhi High Court decriminalised begging in Delhi, ruling that criminalising poverty is unconstitutional as it violates Article 21 (Right to Life). The Supreme Court has also noted that the state has an obligation to provide for basic needs before criminalising begging.
