Centre Waives Excise Duty on 22%–30% Ethanol-Blended Petrol

Context: Recently, the Central Government has exempted 22%–30% ethanol-blended petrol (E22–E30 fuels) from Central Excise Duty to promote higher ethanol blending and advance India's biofuel, energy-security, and clean-mobility objectives.

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• The exemption has been granted through a notification issued by the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance. 

• Earlier, excise-duty exemption was available for blending ethanol with petrol up to the notified limits under the Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP). The latest notification extends the benefit to higher ethanol blends. 

• The notified categories include: 

• E22: 22% ethanol and 78% petrol. 
• E25: 25% ethanol and 75% petrol. 
• E27: 27% ethanol and 73% petrol. 
• E30: 30% ethanol and 70% petrol. 

• The measure comes after India achieved the 20% ethanol blending target ahead of schedule, marking the next phase of ethanol-based fuel adoption. 

• The move is expected to encourage automobile manufacturers, oil marketing companies, and fuel retailers to prepare for higher ethanol-blend fuels.

About Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP)

• Launched in 2003, it is implemented by Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG). 

• The programme seeks to blend ethanol with petrol to reduce crude oil imports, enhance energy security, and lower carbon emissions. 

• Ethanol for blending is produced from: 

• C-heavy molasses, 
• B-heavy molasses, 
• Sugarcane juice and syrup, 
• Damaged food grains, 
• Maize and surplus rice permitted by the Government. 

• The programme is supported by the National Policy on Biofuels, 2018, which promotes the use of biofuels in the transport sector. 

• India has already achieved 20% ethanol blending (E20), thus meeting the accelerated deadline of 2025-26, and 5 years ahead of the original target year of 2030. 

Significance

• Strengthens Energy Security: Reduces dependence on imported crude oil and diversifies India’s transport-fuel mix. 

• Supports Biofuel Economy: Expands demand for domestically produced ethanol and strengthens the biofuel value chain. 

• Benefits Farmers: Creates additional market opportunities for sugarcane and grain-based feedstocks, supporting rural incomes. 

• Promotes Cleaner Mobility: Higher ethanol blends can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support India’s decarbonisation goals. 

• Advances Aatmanirbhar Bharat: Encourages indigenous fuel production and reduces vulnerability to global oil-price fluctuations.

Yuva Sangam Phase-VI

Context: The sixth edition of Yuva Sangam is ongoing, offering youth from different States and UTs immersive exposure to India’s cultural diversity, development initiatives, technology ecosystems, and people-to-people connect. 

About Yuva Sangam

• Yuva Sangam is an initiative of the Ministry of Education under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB). 

• It promotes youth exchange among paired States and UTs through experiential learning and exposure visits. 

• The programme is organised around the 5 Ps: 

• Paryatan (Tourism) 
• Parampara (Tradition) 
• Pragati (Development) 
• Paraspar Sampark (People-to-People Connect) 
• Prodyogiki (Technology) 

• It is implemented through Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) across the country. 

About Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB)

• Launched on 31 October 2015 on the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. 

• Seeks to strengthen national integration through structured engagement between paired States and UTs. 

• Promotes cultural, linguistic, educational, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges. 

• Coordinated by the Ministry of Education. 

Significance

• Strengthens National Integration: Fosters emotional bonding and unity among youth from different regions. 

• Promotes Cultural Understanding: Encourages appreciation of India's linguistic, cultural, and social diversity. 

• Facilitates Experiential Learning: Provides exposure to best practices, developmental initiatives, and innovation ecosystems. 

• Advances the Vision of Viksit Bharat: Encourages active youth participation in nation-building and cooperative federalism.

Global Economic Prospects June 2026

Context: The World Bank’s Global Economic Prospects (June 2026) report projects India to remain the world’s fastest-growing major economy, even as global growth slows amid geopolitical tensions, energy-market disruptions, and rising inflationary pressures triggered by the conflict in the Middle East. 

Key Highlights of the Report

• Global Growth: Forecast to slow from 2.9% in 2025 to 2.5% in 2026, the weakest pace since the COVID-19 pandemic (excluding outright recessions). 

• EMDEs: Growth in Emerging Market and Developing Economies (EMDEs) is projected at 3.6% in 2026, down from 4.4% in 2025. 

• South Asia: Expected to remain the fastest-growing region, with growth projected at 6.3% in 2026. 

• Commodity Markets: Overall commodity prices are projected to rise by 22% in 2026; Brent crude oil is expected to average $94 per barrel. 

• Risks: Further escalation of geopolitical tensions and energy-supply disruptions could reduce global growth to 1.3% in 2026 and intensify inflationary pressures. 

• Long-Term Drivers: The report identifies Artificial Intelligence (AI), the clean-energy transition, and regional trade integration as potential drivers of future global growth. 

India in the Report

• India’s economy is projected to grow by 6.6% in FY 2026–27, retaining its position as the fastest-growing major economy. 

• The forecast has been revised upward by 0.1 percentage point from the January 2026 projections. 

• India’s resilience is attributed to: 

• Strong domestic consumption, 
• Continued public and private investment, 
• Infrastructure-led growth, 
• Expanding services-sector activity. 

• The report notes that India remains relatively better positioned than many economies to withstand global headwinds, although higher energy prices and geopolitical uncertainties continue to pose risks.

13th BRICS Urbanisation Forum

Context: Recently, India hosted the 13th BRICS Urbanisation Forum in New Delhi as part of its 2026 BRICS Chairmanship.

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• The Forum was organised by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). 

• The theme of the Forum was “Cities for People: BRICS Cooperation for Inclusive and Resilient Urban Futures.” 

• India hosted the BRICS Urbanisation Forum for the fourth time, having previously hosted it in New Delhi in 2013, Visakhapatnam in 2016 and virtually in 2021.

• The Forum adopted the BRICS Urbanisation Forum Resolution on People-Centric Urban Development. 

• The Resolution emphasised: 

• Inclusive, sustainable, resilient, and liveable cities; 
• Affordable and adequate housing; 
• Climate-responsive urban planning; 
• Sustainable urban infrastructure; 
• Strengthened urban governance and municipal institutions; 
• Leveraging digital technologies for improved urban management. 

• The Forum served as a platform for sharing experiences and best practices among BRICS countries on managing rapid urbanisation and improving the quality of urban life. 

About BRICS Urbanisation Forum

• The BRICS Urbanisation Forum is a cooperation mechanism among BRICS countries focused on urban development and sustainable urbanisation. 

• It facilitates dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration on issues relating to: 

• Urban planning, 
• Housing, 
• Urban infrastructure, 
• Municipal governance, 
• Smart and resilient cities. 

• The Forum complements broader BRICS cooperation in achieving sustainable and people-centric urban development. 

Advanced Quantum Computing & AI Lab at MNIT Jaipur

Context: The Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology of India (MeitY) recently announced the establishment of an Advanced Quantum Computing and Quantum Communications Lab, along with an AI Lab at MNIT Jaipur, to strengthen research, innovation, and skill development in frontier technologies. 

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• The Advanced Quantum Computing and Quantum Communications Lab will be established under the Electronics and ICT Academic Project of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

• It will focus on building indigenous capabilities in Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), Quantum Computing simulation, and Quantum Sensing hardware components. 

• An AI lab will also be established, which will provide advanced computing and tools for research and innovation and connect with the IndiaAI mission network. 

• The initiatives aim to foster collaboration among academia, industry, startups, and researchers working in emerging technologies. 

About Quantum Computing and AI

• Quantum Computing leverages principles of quantum mechanics such as superposition and entanglement to process information in ways that can significantly outperform classical computers for certain complex tasks. 

• Potential applications include cryptography, drug discovery, material science, optimisation, financial modelling, and climate simulations. 

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to computer systems capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, decision-making, and pattern recognition. 

• AI is increasingly being deployed across sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, education, manufacturing, governance, and finance. 

Significance

• Promotes Frontier Research: Strengthens research and innovation in strategically important technologies. 

• Builds Skilled Human Capital: Enhances student training and workforce readiness in emerging technology domains. 

• Supports Technological Self-Reliance: Contributes to India's goal of developing indigenous capabilities in critical technologies. 

• Strengthens Innovation Ecosystem: Encourages industry–academia collaboration and technology-driven entrepreneurship.