PIB Snippets
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UPSC Prelims & Mains
PIB Snippets — September 17, 2026
Today’s official releases — PMAY-U 2.0’s housing achievements, PM Vishwakarma nearing three years, the BIMSTEC Conference on Traditional Medicine in Goa, and World Ozone Day 2026’s Montreal Protocol progress
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PMAY-U 2.0: Housing for All in Urban India
News Context
- The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U), launched June 2015, has been highlighted by PIB for its affordable urban housing achievements, alongside its restructured version PMAY-U 2.0, launched September 2024.
Key Facts for Prelims
- Focus: EWS, LIG, MIG and slum dwellers; original mission extended to 30 September 2026; PMAY-U 2.0 runs 2024-2029, targeting 1 crore additional families; assistance up to ₹2.50 lakh/unit.
- Four verticals: BLC (Beneficiary-Led Construction), AHP (Affordable Housing in Partnership), ARH (Affordable Rental Housing), ISS (Interest Subsidy Scheme).
- As on 9 August 2026: 1.25 crore houses sanctioned, over 1 crore completed; 1 crore houses allotted to women (sole/joint ownership); under PMAY-U 2.0, 18.38 lakh sanctioned (mostly BLC).
Source: PIB
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Vishwakarma Scheme: Supporting Traditional Artisans
News Context
- As PM Vishwakarma (launched 17 September 2023) approaches three years, it has achieved its registration target of 30 lakh beneficiaries, with progress in skill training, credit support and market linkages for artisans.
Key Facts for Prelims
- Central Sector Scheme; outlay ₹13,000 crore (FY2023-24 to FY2027-28); covers 18 traditional trades; nodal ministry: MSME.
- Three pillars: Samman (recognition), Samarthya (capability building), Samriddhi (prosperity).
- Collateral-free loans up to ₹3 lakh in two tranches (₹1 lakh + ₹2 lakh) at a concessional 5% rate (8% interest subvention by Government); toolkit incentive up to ₹15,000; ₹1/digital transaction (up to 100/month).
Source: PIB
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BIMSTEC Conference on Traditional Medicine
News Context
- The Third BIMSTEC Conference on Traditional Medicine Knowledge, Genetic Resources and IPR began in Goa, organised by the Ministry of Ayush, alongside the Second Meeting of the BIMSTEC Nodal Group.
Key Facts for Prelims
- BIMSTEC = Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation; 7 members: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand. Sixth Summit held Bangkok, April 2025.
- Nodal institute: All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), Goa. Focus: conservation, documentation, equitable benefit-sharing of traditional medicine knowledge.
- Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) — India’s database documenting Ayurveda/Unani/Siddha/Yoga knowledge to prevent biopiracy; its regional application across BIMSTEC was discussed.
BTFTM
BIMSTEC Task Force for Traditional Medicine — promotes research, standardisation and regulatory cooperation.
Nagoya Protocol
Global framework on genetic resources and benefit-sharing under the CBD, referenced as a comparable model.
Source: PIB
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World Ozone Day 2026: India’s Montreal Protocol Progress
News Context
- India celebrated the 32nd World Ozone Day in Mumbai, themed “Global Action for a Cooler Planet,” launching the Net Zero Portal and NAPCC Dashboard, and reviewing progress under the Montreal Protocol and Kigali Amendment.
Key Facts for Prelims
- Observed annually on 16 September, marking the 1987 signing of the Montreal Protocol. India party to the Vienna Convention (1985) and Montreal Protocol since 1992.
- Kigali Amendment phases down HFCs (high-GWP, non-ozone-depleting); India ratified September 2021, in force from 26 December 2021; phase-down schedule: 10% by 2032, 20% by 2037, 30% by 2042, 85% by 2047.
- India currently implementing HPMP Stage III (2025-2030) with GIZ (Germany) support for the RAC servicing sector; has already met 2015, 2020 and 2025 HCFC phase-out targets.
Exam trap: The Kigali Amendment targets HFCs for their climate (GWP) impact, not because they deplete ozone — a frequently tested overlap between ozone protection and climate change mitigation.
Source: PIB
