State PCS - Odisha (OPSC)

• 02 Apr 2026

Coal to Ammonium Nitrate Project Launched in Odisha

Why in News? 

Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Limited (BCGCL) and Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) signed a land leasing agreement for the Coal to Ammonium Nitrate Project at Lakhanpur, Odisha. 

Key Points

• Project: The project envisages a coal to ammonium nitrate facility at Lakhanpur, Odisha with a capacity of 2,000 tonnes per day.  
  • It is India’s first coal gasification project to deploy indigenously developed gasification technology by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL). 
  • The Cabinet has approved a budget of ₹8,500 crore to advance coal gasification initiatives. 
• Venue: The leasing agreement was signed in New Delhi in the presence of G. Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of Coal and Mines.  
• Incentives: The Ministry of Coal has extended financial support of ₹1,350 crore under a dedicated financial incentive scheme to promote coal gasification. 
• Implementation: Major Lump Sum Turnkey (LSTK) packages have been awarded to BHEL and Larsen & Toubro for various phases of execution. 
• Investment: The land lease agreement reflects an estimated investment of around ₹25,000 crore.  
• Strategic Importance: The project is expected to reduce import dependence, conserve foreign exchange, and strengthen domestic industrial capabilities in energy and chemicals. 

Read More:  Coal gasification,  Ammonium Nitrate 

India Begins First Fully Digital Census

Why in News? 

The Government of India has commenced Phase I of Census 2027 – Houselisting and Housing Census (HLO), marking the beginning of the world’s largest census exercise with the introduction of digital data capture and self-enumeration. 

Key Points 

• About: Census 2027 is India’s nationwide population enumeration exercise conducted to collect demographic, social, and economic data for policy planning and governance. 
  • The exercise marks the country’s 16th Census and the 8th to be conducted since Independence. 
• Digital Census: Census 2027 will be the first Indian census with digital data capture and an online self-enumeration facility. 
  • For the first time, enumerators will collect and submit data using a mobile application on smartphones. 
• Self-Enumeration Facility: 
  • Citizens can submit details through a secure web portal (se.census.gov.in). 
  • A Self-Enumeration ID (SE ID) will be generated after submission for verification during the enumerator’s visit. 
• Beginning : Droupadi Murmu, President of India, became the first citizen to complete the self-enumeration process for Census 2027. 
  • About 55,000 households from these States/UTs availed Self-Enumeration facility on the very first day. 
• Languages: The self-enumeration facility is available in 16 regional languages, making the process accessible to people across the country. 
• Initial Rollout Areas: The self-enumeration process initially started in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Goa, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Mizoram, Odisha, Sikkim, and areas under New Delhi Municipal Council and the Delhi Cantonment Board.  
• Phase I – Houselisting and Housing Census: 
  • Conducted between 1 April and 30 September 2026. 
  • Each state/UT will conduct 30 days of continuous field operations within this period. 
  • For the first time, an additional 15-day period for Self-Enumeration will be provided just before the commencement of the door-to-door survey. 
• Information Collected: During Phase I, details related to housing conditions, household amenities, and assets will be collected through 33 notified questions.  
• Legal Framework: The data collected during the census is protected under the Census Act, 1948, ensuring strict confidentiality of personal information. 

Read More: Census Act, 1948, Census 2027 Mascots