PIB Snippets
5 Topics
UPSC Prelims & Mains
PIB Snippets — September 21, 2026
Today’s official releases — Coal India’s tech-led diversification, a fisheries review meeting in West Bengal, the 13th SLINEX India-Sri Lanka naval exercise, DISHA 2.0’s access-to-justice push, and Central Silk Board’s 77th Foundation Day
⛏️
Coal India’s Technology-Led Diversification
News Context
- Coal India Limited (CIL) is diversifying beyond coal into coal gasification, thermal power, solar energy, battery storage, critical minerals and advanced materials.
Key Facts for Prelims
- Plans: four coal-to-chemicals projects worth ₹69,346 crore, an 800 MW × 2 thermal plant in Jharkhand, ~550 MW commissioned solar capacity; strengthening R&D via IIT-based Centres of Excellence.
- Supports import substitution in urea, natural gas and critical minerals; uses India’s high-ash coal for higher-value products instead of just burning it.
Why It Matters
Prepares CIL/India for a low-carbon transition while coal still meets most power needs.
Challenges
Gasification of high-ash Indian coal is technically difficult/costly; UCG and some critical mineral projects remain untested at scale.
Source: PIB
🐟
Fisheries Review Meeting in West Bengal
News Context
- Department of Fisheries held a high-level review meeting in Kolkata, 21 September 2026, to boost fisheries/aquaculture in West Bengal, handing over approval for Integrated Reservoir Development in the state.
Key Facts for Prelims
- Key institutions: NFDB (nodal for FIDF), NBFGR/CIFE (ICAR), CAA (coastal aquaculture regulator), MPEDA (marine exports), EIC, NABARD, NCDC.
- PMMSY (Sept 2020, ₹20,050 crore) covers the whole fisheries value chain; PM-MKSSY (sub-scheme, ~₹6,000 crore) formalises the sector; FIDF (2018-19, ~₹7,522 crore) gives interest subvention up to 3%.
- India is the 2nd-largest fish producer globally (~8% of global output); production ~195 lakh tonnes in 2024-25. Fisheries is a State subject (Entry 21, State List); fishing beyond territorial waters is Entry 57, Union List.
Source: PIB
⚓
SLINEX-26 — India-Sri Lanka Maritime Exercise
News Context
- The 13th SLINEX, held at Visakhapatnam (17-21 September 2026), included Harbour and Sea Phases — INS Kavaratti and INS Jyoti (India), SLNS Sindurala (Sri Lanka).
Key Facts for Prelims
- Conceptualised 2005; annual bilateral naval exercise held alternately in Indian/Sri Lankan waters; Harbour Phase run under the Eastern Naval Command (HQ Visakhapatnam).
- Linked to India’s MAHASAGAR vision (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions), building on the earlier SAGAR vision.
- Other India-Sri Lanka defence links: Exercise Mitra Shakti (army), Annual Defence Dialogue, Defence Cooperation MoU (April 2025).
Source: PIB
⚖️
DISHA 2.0 and Access to Justice
News Context
- Department of Justice organised a regional workshop under DISHA 2.0 in Goa (21 September 2026) — “Nyaya Prabodh: Awakening to Justice” and “Know Your Rights in 90 Seconds” videos.
Key Facts for Prelims
- DISHA = Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice, a Central Sector Scheme; DISHA 2.0 (2026-2031), outlay ₹255 crore, follows the first DISHA scheme (2021-26, 2.37 crore+ beneficiaries).
- Four components: Tele-Law, Nyaya Bandhu, LLLAP, VIDHI-Sanjeevani; Nyaya Setu AI chatbot (launched 29 March 2026) offers legal info in 22 languages; targets ~3 crore beneficiaries, supports SDG 16.
- Constitutional backing: Article 39A (DPSP, 42nd Amdt 1976); Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987; NALSA constituted 1995 organises legal aid and Lok Adalats (awards treated as civil court decrees).
Source: PIB
🧵
Silk in India — CSB’s 77th Foundation Day
News Context
- The Central Silk Board celebrated its 77th Foundation Day in Bengaluru, targeting India as the world’s No. 1 silk producer by 2028-29 and 60,000 MT production by 2030-31 — aligned with Mission Senehjori (promoting Muga silk globally).
Key Facts for Prelims
- India is the world’s 2nd-largest silk producer (after China) and largest consumer; the only country producing all five commercial silk varieties — Mulberry, Tropical Tasar, Oak Tasar, Eri, Muga (Mulberry ~70-75% of output).
- Muga — India’s only golden silk, exclusive to Assam, India’s first GI-tagged silk (~2006-07). CSB set up under the Central Silk Board Act, 1948, Ministry of Textiles, HQ Bengaluru.
- Silk Samagra-2 (2021-22 to 2025-26), outlay ₹4,679.85 crore, aims for Aatmanirbhar bivoltine raw silk; sector employs ~80.90 lakh persons, mostly rural women.
Source: PIB
