07 MAY 2025

Operation Sindoor: India’s Decisive Strike Against Cross-Border Terrorism

In a strong message against terrorism, the Indian Armed Forces successfully conducted ‘Operation Sindoor’ in the early hours of May 7, 2025. This operation involved precision strikes against multiple terrorist camps and infrastructure located across the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and some parts of Pakistan.

The operation is a direct response to the horrific Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, where 26 innocent civilians, mostly tourists, lost their lives.

Key Highlights of ‘Operation Sindoor’:

Coordinated Action: ‘Operation Sindoor’ was a swift and coordinated tri-services operation, involving elements from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. It was executed between approximately 1:05 AM and 1:30 AM on May 7.
Precision Strikes: The Indian government has emphasized that these were precision strikes using “niche technology weapons” aimed specifically at terrorist infrastructure. The objective was to neutralize these launch pads and training facilities with minimal collateral damage.
Targeted Locations: According to official sources, nine key terrorist sites were targeted. These included camps and facilities associated with terror groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM). Locations reportedly included Bahawalpur (JeM’s headquarters), Muridke, and sites in Muzaffarabad, Kotli, and Sialkot sectors.
Official Stance: India has stated that its actions were “focused, measured, and non-escalatory.” It was clarified that no Pakistani military installations were targeted. The operation aimed to pre-empt further terrorist attacks planned against India from these locations.
Retaliation for Pahalgam Attack: The primary trigger for ‘Operation Sindoor’ was the brutal Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, which claimed 26 civilian lives (25 Indians and one Nepali citizen). The government stated that this operation fulfills India’s commitment to hold those responsible for the attack accountable. The Resistance Front (TRF), believed to be a front for LeT, had claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack.

Impact and Outcomes:

Terrorist Casualties: Initial reports from Indian government sources suggest that over 70 terrorists were killed and more than 60 were injured in the strikes, significantly degrading the operational capabilities of the targeted terror outfits.
JeM Chief’s Family Affected: Significantly, reports indicate that Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar admitted to losing ten members of his family, including his sister, nephew, and mother, along with close associates, in the strike on the JeM headquarters in Bahawalpur.
Pakistan’s Reaction: Pakistan has condemned the Indian action, terming it an “act of war” and stated it reserves the right to respond. Following the operation, there were reports of cross-border shelling by Pakistan in the Kupwara sector of Jammu and Kashmir, to which Indian forces retaliated. Pakistan also temporarily closed parts of its airspace.
Domestic Measures: In India, precautionary measures were taken, including the temporary shutdown of some airports in northern India and the conducting of civil defence mock drills and blackouts in certain cities. The Indian government also convened an all-party meeting to brief political leaders on the situation.

India’s Standpoint:

The Indian government, including the Raksha Mantri (Defence Minister) Shri Rajnath Singh and the Ministry of External Affairs, has firmly stated that ‘Operation Sindoor’ was an exercise of India’s “right to respond” to acts of terror and to pre-empt further attacks emanating from soil under Pakistan’s control.
It was highlighted that despite a fortnight passing since the Pahalgam attack, Pakistan had not taken any “demonstrable step” against the terrorist infrastructure on its territory.

International Response:

The international community has largely called for restraint and de-escalation from both India and Pakistan.
Nations and organisations including the United Nations (UN), the United States (US), China, Russia, and the United Kingdom (UK) have urged dialogue to resolve issues.
Notably, countries like France stated they “understand India’s desire to protect itself against terrorism,” while Israel explicitly supported India’s right to self-defence.
India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, has engaged with his counterparts from several nations to convey India’s position and its “zero tolerance” policy towards terrorism.

Celebrating Fitness and Youth: World Athletics Day 2025

World Athletics Day was observed globally on May 7, 2025, to promote the importance of sports and athletics, particularly among young people. This annual event encourages active participation in athletic activities, highlighting their positive impact on both physical and mental health and instilling values like discipline and perseverance.

A Glimpse into its History:

The concept of World Athletics Day was introduced in 1996 by the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF), which is now known as World Athletics.
The IAAF itself was founded on July 17, 1912, in Stockholm, Sweden. It was officially rebranded as World Athletics in 2019.
The inaugural World Athletics Day was celebrated on May 15, 1996, under the initiative of the late Primo Nebiolo, who was the President of the IAAF at the time.
Today, May 7 is consistently observed each year as World Athletics Day.

Why World Athletics Day is Significant:

Promoting Youth Participation: A primary goal is to encourage children and young people to take up athletics and make sports a part of their daily lives.
Health Benefits: The day emphasizes how sports contribute to a healthy lifestyle, combating issues like obesity and inactivity, especially in an increasingly digital world.
Holistic Development: Athletics, encompassing track and field events like running, jumping, and throwing, helps in building strength, stamina, discipline, and teamwork skills.
Inclusivity and Accessibility: It aims to highlight sports as a universally accessible activity, promoting inclusivity and diversity, regardless of an individual’s background or abilities.
“Athletics for a Better World”: The day is part of a broader vision by World Athletics to use sports as a tool for positive social change.

Key Facts about World Athletics Day:

It was established in 1996 by World Athletics (formerly IAAF).
The day is dedicated to promoting athletics and its numerous benefits.
It encourages sports participation among individuals of all ages and skill levels.
It serves as a reminder of the importance of an active lifestyle for overall well-being.

Cabinet Greenlights Rs. 60,000 Crore Scheme to Modernise ITIs and Boost Skilling

In a major push to transform India’s vocational training landscape, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, approved a landmark national scheme. This initiative, with an outlay of Rs. 60,000 crore over five years, aims to upgrade Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and establish five National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs) for Skilling.

This ambitious scheme is designed to create a future-ready workforce, aligning with the evolving demands of various industries and contributing to the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) by 2047.

Key Features and Objectives of the Scheme:

ITI Upgradation: 1,000 Government ITIs across the country will be upgraded. This will follow a hub-and-spoke model to ensure better industry alignment and resource utilization.
National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs): Five NCOEs for Skilling will be established. These centres will be housed within existing National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs).
NSTI Capacity Augmentation: The five NSTIs earmarked for housing the NCOEs and for capacity enhancement are located in Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kanpur, and Ludhiana.
Skilling Target: The scheme aims to impart industry-relevant skills training to 20 lakh (2 million) youth over the next five years.
Industry-Led Approach: A significant shift involves adopting an industry-led Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) model for implementation. This aims to make ITIs government-owned but industry-managed, ensuring that training is directly linked to industry needs in curriculum, infrastructure, and management.
Focus on Trainers: To enhance teaching quality, the scheme will upgrade Training of Trainers (ToT) facilities in the five NSTIs and provide pre-service and in-service training to 50,000 trainers.
Modernised Courses: ITIs will offer revamped courses focusing on new-age trades relevant to high-growth sectors such as electronics, automotive, and renewable energy.

Funding and Partnerships:

The scheme will be implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with a robust funding model:

Central Government: Rs. 30,000 crore
State Governments: Rs. 20,000 crore
Industry Partners: Rs. 10,000 crore
International Co-financing: 50% of the Centre’s share (Rs. 15,000 crore) will be co-financed equally by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank.

Addressing Gaps in Vocational Training:

The government statement highlighted that previous financial aid was often insufficient for comprehensive ITI upgradation. This new scheme introduces a need-based investment model, providing flexibility to institutions for:

Enhancing infrastructure.
Introducing modern, capital-intensive trades.
Overcoming outdated course content.
Improving the low employability rates of ITI graduates.
Changing the perception of vocational training, making it a more aspirational educational pathway.

Alignment with National Goals:

This initiative is a crucial component of the broader Skill India Mission. By focusing on creating a skilled workforce, it directly supports the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047, where skilling is a key pillar for inclusive growth and global competitiveness. India currently has a network of over 14,600 ITIs with approximately 14.4 lakh students enrolled.

Significance for India’s Skilling Ecosystem:

Leveraging Demographic Dividend: The scheme is vital for harnessing India’s vast youth population by equipping them with employable skills.
Industry 4.0 Readiness: Focusing on new-age trades will help prepare the workforce for the demands of Industry 4.0, including automation, AI, and green technologies.
Boosting Employability & MSMEs: By aligning training with industry demands, the scheme aims to improve the employability of youth and provide Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with access to a skilled talent pool.
Strengthening Cooperative Federalism: As a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with significant state participation, it underscores the importance of Centre-State collaboration in national development.
Enhanced Quality and Relevance: The industry-led SPV model and the focus on training trainers are expected to significantly improve the quality and relevance of vocational training.
International Collaboration: The involvement of ADB and World Bank brings in financial resources as well as global expertise in skill development. For aspirants from Odisha, the upgradation of the NSTI in Bhubaneswar is a notable local development under this national scheme.

Cabinet Approves ₹11,828 Crore Expansion for Five New IITs, Boosting Research and Student Capacity

In a significant move to bolster higher technical education and research in the country, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, approved an ₹11,828.79 crore expansion plan for five of the newer Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). This initiative, termed Phase-B construction, aims to significantly enhance the academic and infrastructure capabilities of these premier institutions over the next four years (2025-26 to 2028-29).

The five IITs set to benefit from this expansion are:

IIT Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh)
IIT Palakkad (Kerala)
IIT Bhilai (Chhattisgarh)
IIT Jammu (Jammu & Kashmir)
IIT Dharwad (Karnataka)

These institutions were established after 2014 and are now operating from their permanent campuses.

Key Highlights of the Expansion Plan:

Financial Outlay: A total of ₹11,828.79 crore will be invested over a four-year period from 2025-26 to 2028-29.
Increased Student Intake: The plan will facilitate the education of over 6,500 additional students, nearly doubling the current combined capacity of these five IITs from 7,111 to 13,687 students. This increase will be phased:
- Year 1: 1,364 additional students
- Year 2: 1,738 additional students
- Year 3: 1,767 additional students
- Year 4: 1,707 additional students This expansion will cover undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD programs.
New Faculty Positions: The Cabinet has sanctioned the creation of 130 new faculty posts at the level of Professor (Level 14 and above) to support the increased academic activities.
State-of-the-Art Research Parks: A crucial component is the establishment of five new research parks, one at each of these IITs. These parks are envisioned to strengthen industry-academia collaboration, promote technology transfer, and nurture startup incubation.

Alignment with National Vision:

This expansion plan aligns with the 2025-26 Union Budget announcement, which acknowledged the significant increase in student strength across all IITs over the past decade (from 65,000 in 2014 to 1.35 lakh in 2024). It also reinforces the government’s vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) by 2047, where world-class educational institutions play a pivotal role.

Broader Significance for India:

Strengthening STEM Ecosystem: This investment is critical for strengthening India’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education and research ecosystem, which is vital for technological self-reliance and economic development.
Fostering Innovation Culture: The emphasis on research parks is a strategic move to bridge the gap between academia and industry, translating research into tangible products and solutions, crucial for initiatives like Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-reliant India).
Addressing Regional Development: Establishing and strengthening IITs in diverse states, including newer ones like Chhattisgarh and Jammu & Kashmir, contributes to balanced regional development and provides opportunities for local talent.
Human Capital for Future Growth: The expanded pool of IIT graduates will be instrumental in driving innovation in emerging technology areas and contributing to India’s overall economic and social progress.
Quality in Higher Education: This move reflects a continued focus on enhancing the quality and capacity of India’s premier technical institutions, a key aspect of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’s objectives, even if not directly cited in the announcement.

CCEA Approves Revised SHAKTI Policy for Enhanced Coal Allocation to Power Sector

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, approved revisions to the SHAKTI (Scheme for Harnessing and Allocating Koyala Transparently in India) policy. This revised framework aims to simplify coal allocation, promote ease of doing business, and enhance energy security for the nation.

The core objective of the revised policy is to ensure better coal availability for thermal power plants, encourage new investments, and ultimately benefit electricity consumers.

Key Features of the Revised SHAKTI Policy:

The revamped policy simplifies the existing eight coal allocation categories into two distinct mechanisms:

Window-I: Coal Linkage at Notified Price
- This window will continue to provide coal linkages at notified prices (prices set by coal companies) to Central and State Government-owned thermal power projects (TPPs), including their Joint Ventures (JVs) and subsidiaries.
- States can utilize these allocated linkages for their own generating companies (Gencos).
- They can also allocate this coal to Independent Power Producers (IPPs) selected through Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) or to existing IPPs that have Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) under Section 62 of the Electricity Act, 2003, for setting up new expansion units.
Window-II: Coal Linkage at a Premium above Notified Price
- This window allows all thermal power producers – including domestic coal-based plants and, significantly, Imported Coal-Based (ICB) power plants – to acquire coal through auctions.
- The auction will be at a premium above the notified coal price.
- Linkages under this window will be available for flexible durations, ranging from 12 months up to 25 years.
- A major change is that power generated using coal procured under this window can be sold in the open market without the mandatory requirement of a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), offering producers greater market flexibility.

Implementation and Oversight:

Public Sector Undertakings Coal India Limited (CIL) and Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) will be responsible for implementing the revised policy.
The policy provides for the delegation of powers to concerned Ministries for making minor changes to the policy.
An “Empowered Committee” comprising the Secretary (Power), Secretary (Coal), and Chairperson of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) is proposed to deal with operational issues.

Background of the SHAKTI Policy:

The SHAKTI policy was first introduced in 2017, marking a shift from a primarily nomination-based coal allocation system to a more transparent mechanism involving auctions and tariff-based bidding for certain categories of power plants. However, nomination-based allocation continued for Central and State sector TPPs. The policy was subsequently amended in 2019 and 2023 to address evolving sector needs.

Significance for India’s Power Sector:

Energy Security: Coal remains a mainstay of India’s energy mix. This policy aims to strengthen fuel security for the vital power sector, which is crucial for economic growth.
Operational Efficiency and Transparency: The revisions are geared towards making coal allocation more efficient, transparent, and market-oriented.
Attracting Private Investment: The increased flexibility, especially for IPPs, is likely to attract more private investment into the thermal power sector.
Consumer Interest: Measures like coal source rationalization and benefits from import substitution are intended to positively impact electricity consumers.
Addressing Sectoral Challenges: The policy attempts to address long-standing issues related to coal shortages, PPA constraints, and the financial health of power plants.

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