State PCS - Karnataka

• 04 Dec 2025

Gyanesh Kumar Takes Charge of IDEA Council

Why in News?

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India, Shri Gyanesh Kumar, formally assumed the Chairmanship of the Council of Member States of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) for the year 2026, in Stockholm, Sweden.

Key Points

• Background: International IDEA, established in 1995, now has 35 member countries, with the United States and Japan as observers, and has held observer status at the United Nations General Assembly since 2003.
• Partnerships: Alongside India’s leadership, Mauritius and Mexico will serve as Vice-Chairs of the International IDEA Council for 2026. 
• Milestone: The Chairmanship represents a significant global milestone, acknowledging the Election Commission of India (ECI) as one of the world’s most credible, transparent, and innovative Election Management Bodies (EMBs), with India being a founding member contributing consistently to IDEA’s governance and democratic initiatives.
• Vision: CEC Gyanesh Kumar pledged that India’s Chairmanship would be decisive, ambitious, and action-oriented, guided by the theme “Democracy for Inclusive, Peaceful, Resilient and Sustainable World”, with focus on two pillars: Reimagining Democracy for the Future and Independent & Professional Election Management Bodies for Sustainable Democracy.

India's First All-Electric Tug Project

Why in News?

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal virtually flagged off India’s first all-electric green tug, marking a major national milestone in sustainable and energy-efficient maritime operations under the Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP).

• A tug (or tugboat) is a powerful, manoeuvrable vessel used to assist larger ships in harbour operations such as guiding, towing, berthing, escorting and emergency response, especially in confined port waters where precision is required.

Key Points

• Purpose & Design: The tugboat, designed for Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), Kandla, is being developed to advance India’s maritime decarbonisation goals, ensuring silent operations, zero carbon emissions, optimised energy efficiency, and a 60-ton bollard pull capacity.
• GTTP Roadmap: The Green Tug Transition Programme aims to induct 50 green tugs by 2030, with 16 tugs scheduled in Phase 1 (2024–2027). 
  • Two each will be deployed at DPA, Paradip Port Authority, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority and V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority, with DPA becoming the first to start construction.
• Future Integration: Once deployed, the tug will support harbour manoeuvring, escorting and emergency responses with zero emissions, generating critical data for future GTTP phases. 
  • The initiative aligns with Maritime India Vision 2030, Amrit Kaal commitments, and international decarbonisation frameworks.
• Strategic Impact: DPA’s leadership demonstrates India’s move toward clean-energy ports, strengthens Make in India shipbuilding through Atreya Shipyard, and positions the country as a future global hub for green maritime innovation.