• 09 Sep 2025

RMC to Issue Municipal Bonds

Why in News?

The Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) has been given the go-ahead to raise financial resources through the issuance of municipal bonds under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) 2.0 scheme. 

Key Points

• About: The Joint Secretary-cum-Deputy Director of the Urban Development and Housing Department (SUDA) has directed RMC to take renewed steps toward accessing the municipal bond market, requiring the corporation to:
  • Prepare audited annual accounts up to the financial year 2024–25.
  • Identify a bankable project worth at least ₹125 crore.
  • Appoint both a transaction advisory firm and a credit rating agency to facilitate the process.
  • The PMU (Revenue Augmentation) team will extend technical and procedural support to RMC during this initiative.
• Previous Attempt: RMC had previously explored bond issuance during 2016–17 under the earlier AMRUT scheme. 
  • A credit rating exercise for Jharkhand’s ULBs was conducted, in which Ranchi Municipal Corporation received a BBB rating. Although a transaction advisor was appointed, bonds could not be issued due to the lack of a bankable project at that time.

Municipal Bonds

• Definition: These are debt instruments issued by Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to fund infrastructure and development projects. 
• Advantages: Reduce reliance on government funds, enhance financial autonomy, attract private investment, and enable long-term urban financing. 
• Challenges: Low issuance due to heavy dependence on state grants. Only a few cities like Pune, Ahmedabad, Surat, Hyderabad, and Lucknow have issued bonds. 
• Funding: The Central Government is actively encouraging urban local bodies (ULBs) across India to mobilize resources through municipal bonds, a globally recognized tool for financing infrastructure. 
  • Under AMRUT 2.0, a provision of ₹520 crore has been allocated as incentives for municipalities that issue such bonds.
• Incentive Structure: The scheme’s incentive framework is aimed at motivating municipalities to raise funds while prioritising investments in sustainable projects, as outlined in the guidelines:
  • First-time issuances: Incentives of up to ₹13 crore per ₹100 crore, capped at ₹26 crore, will be provided.
  • Subsequent issuances: An incentive of ₹10 crore per ₹100 crore will be extended.
  • Green projects: For bonds dedicated to renewable energy or energy efficiency, an additional ₹5 crore per ₹100 crore will be granted.

AMRUT Scheme

• About:
  • AMRUT was launched on 25th June 2015 in 500 selected cities across the country, covering around 60% of the urban population.
  • The mission targets enhancing basic infrastructure and implementing urban reforms for selected cities, encompassing water supply, sewerage, drainage, green spaces, non-motorised transport, and capacity building.
• AMRUT 2.0 Scheme:
  • The scheme was launched on 1st October 2021, subsuming AMRUT 1.0 for the period of 5 years, i.e., from the financial year (FY) 2021-22 to the FY 2025-26.
  • Its objectives are universal coverage of water supply from 500 cities to about 4,900 statutory towns in the country, and coverage of sewerage/septage management in 500 cities covered in the first phase of the AMRUT scheme.
  • AMRUT 2.0 aims to promote the circular economy of water through the development of a City Water Balance Plan (CWBP) by recycling/reuse of treated sewage, rejuvenation of water bodies, and water conservation.

World Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Day

Why in News?

The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India, observes World Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Day every year on 7th September.

Key Points

• About: The UN General Assembly designated 7 September as World Duchenne Awareness Day starting in 2024.
  • The day focuses on fostering global solidarity, awareness, and empathy towards affected individuals and families.
• Theme 2025: This year’s theme, “Family: The Heart of Care,” highlights the vital role of families in providing love, support, and resilience for those with DMD, while fostering inclusion, awareness, and community support.

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)

• DMD is a rare, progressive genetic disorder caused by mutations on the X chromosome leading to the absence of dystrophin, a muscle-protecting protein.
• It is named after Dr. Duchenne de Boulogne, who detailed the condition in the 1860s.
• This primarily affects males, as they have a single X chromosome.
• Symptoms begin with difficulty in walking, followed by progressive weakening of motor functions.
• Over time, the disorder affects the ability to breathe and impacts the heart (a muscle itself).
• Dystrophin also plays a role in the brain, which can lead to learning and behavioral challenges.
• The average age of diagnosis globally is above 4 years, with a diagnostic delay of ~2.5 years despite parents noticing symptoms earlier. Some symptoms may appear in very young children.

Ancient River Unearthed in Ganga-Yamuna Doab

Why in News?

A major aquifer mapping project under the National Mission for Clean Ganga (Namami Gange) in Prayagraj has uncovered a long-lost ancient river in the Ganga-Yamuna Doab, stretching between Prayagraj and Kanpur.

Key Points

• About: The paleo-channel mapping revealed the river spans around 200 kilometres in length, about 4 kilometres in width, and 15 to 25 metres in depth.
• Method: Satellite imagery and geospatial data were used to trace the river’s ancient route and map subsurface water reservoirs.
• Potential: The ancient river has a water storage potential of nearly 3,500–4,000 million cubic meters (MCM). 

Aquifer Mapping Project

• About: The aquifer mapping project, supported by cutting-edge technologies such as smart water management systems, remote sensing, and drone-based monitoring, is playing a crucial role in the sustainable rejuvenation of the Ganga. 
• Implementation: The project is being carried out in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh State Groundwater and Irrigation Department.
• Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) Sites: Over 150 MAR sites have been identified, where recharge structures will be constructed to boost groundwater levels and maintain the river’s baseflow.
• Phases: The project’s first phase will focus on developing 20-25 MAR sites. These recharge structures, each measuring 5m × 5m × 3m, are designed to improve groundwater levels, supporting the flow of water in the river. 
• Technology: With the installation of automatic water-level indicators by the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, National Geophysical Research Institute (CSIR-NGRI), real-time scientific monitoring will ensure the success of the recharge efforts. 
• Significance: These initiatives aim to mitigate climate change and water scarcity while preserving the Ganga and other rivers for future generations, providing long-term solutions through subsurface reservoir systems and advanced technologies.

First PM Mitra Park in Dhar

Why in News?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate a textile park in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district on 17th September 2025 under the PM MITRA Yojana.

PM Mitra Yojana 

• About: 
  • The PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel Park (MITRA) scheme was launched by the Ministry of Textiles in the year 2021 to strengthen the Indian textile industry. 
  • The Centre has chosen sites in Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh for setting up textile parks under the PM MITRA scheme.
    • These new textile parks are planned to be established by the year 2026-27.
  • Each MITRA Park will have an incubation centre, a common processing house and a common effluent treatment plant, and other textile-related facilities such as design centres and testing centres.
• Implementation:
  • Special Purpose Vehicle(SPV): PM MITRA Park will be developed by a Special Purpose Vehicle, which will be owned by the Central and State Governments, and in a Public Private Partnership (PPP) Mode.
  • Development Capital Support: The Ministry of Textiles will provide financial support in the form of Development Capital Support up to Rs 500 crore per park to the park SPV.
  • Competitive Incentive Support (CIS): A CIS of up to Rs 300 crore per park to the units in PM MITRA Park shall also be provided to incentivise speedy implementation.
  • Convergence with other Schemes: Convergence with other Government of India schemes shall also be facilitated in order to ensure additional incentives to the Master Developer and investor units.

Guru-Shishya Parampara Yojana

Why in News?

The Bihar Government’s Department of Art, Culture, and Youth has launched the Chief Minister’s Guru-Shishya Parampara Scheme. 

Key Points

• About: It aim to revive rare folk arts, musical traditions, and paintings through the traditional guru-shishya system between experienced masters and young disciples.
• Objective: The objective of this scheme is to preserve and promote Bihar’s rich cultural heritage as well as rare and endangered traditional folk and classical arts, by providing training to young people under the guidance of expert gurus.
  • After completing the training under this scheme, a grand convocation ceremony will be organized where trainees will showcase their art and also be felicitated. 
• Funding: The Bihar Government has sanctioned ₹1.11 crore for the scheme. 
• Format and Financial Support: A total of 20 Gurus, 20 accompanists, and 160 disciples will be selected, with financial assistance directly transferred to their bank accounts.
  • 20 selected Gurus will each receive ₹15,000 per month.
  • Accompanying artists will receive ₹7,500 per month.
  • 160 disciples (shishyas) will each be given a monthly scholarship of ₹3,000.
    • Training will be provided for two years in selected art forms.
    • Each participant must attend at least 12 days per month.
• Eligibility:
  • The Guru must be 50 years of age or older.
  • The Guru must be a permanent resident of Bihar.
  • The Guru must have at least 10 years of experience in the concerned rare or endangered art form.
  • The Guru must have a proper residence or training space, along with access to a training centre.
• Significance:
  • Senior artists will receive a respectable monthly income, supporting their livelihood.
  • Traditional and endangered art forms will be revived and preserved.
  • Young talent, especially from rural and semi-urban areas, will get a platform to nurture their skills.

Maharashtra’s Startup Policy 2025

Why in News?

The Maharashtra government has launched the Startup, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Policy 2025, aiming to foster a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem. 

• The policy's goal is to nurture 1.3 lakh entrepreneurs and recognize up to 50,000 startups within the next five years. 

Key Features of Maharashtra’s Startup Policy 2025

• Innovation City Development:
  • A 300-acre Innovation City will be established to provide a collaborative space for startups, corporations, investors, and academia.
  • The city will act as a hub for cutting-edge research, fostering innovation through collective efforts from industry experts, researchers, and startups.
• CM Maha Fund:
  • The state government will launch the CM Maha Fund with an allocated corpus of Rs 500 crore over five years, aimed at supporting grassroots entrepreneurship.
  • A target of creating 25,000 successful entrepreneurs/innovators has been set, with loans ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh being offered in collaboration with financial institutions.
• Venture Funds:
  • The government will establish a venture fund dedicated to supporting deep-tech startups and women-led businesses that focus on innovative and scalable solutions.
  • This sector-agnostic fund aims to empower startups that create high-impact innovations and foster sustainable employment.
• Loan Assistance:
  • A partnership with financial institutions will be established to support startups with loans against confirmed work orders from reliable clients such as government bodies and large corporations.
  • This initiative is designed to resolve cash flow issues and help startups scale their operations while enhancing their credibility in the market.
• Incubation Support:
  • The policy also focuses on strengthening incubation centers across the state, offering funding assistance of up to Rs 5 crore per center.
  • A dedicated capacity-building program will be launched to enhance the capabilities of these centers, fostering a strong regional entrepreneurial ecosystem.