21 June 2025: PIB Summary For UPSC

1. PM Launches ₹18,600 Cr Projects in Odisha

(Source – PIB (Press Information Bureau), June 21, 2025)

Topic: GS Paper 2 (Governance, Government Policies & Polity)

Context

On 20 June 2025, PM Modi chaired a state-level event in Bhubaneswar marking one year of Odisha’s newly elected BJP government, inaugurating major development projects across sectors.

Content

• Overview: Projects worth ₹18,600 crore launched across water, irrigation, health, roads, highways, rail, EV transport.

• Highlights:

  • First rail link to Boudh district; 100 e-buses flagged off.

  • Odisha Vision Document for 2036 & 2047 unveiled.

  • Launch of cultural heritage scheme “Baraputra Aitihya Gram Yojana.”

• Central-state synergy: Enhanced Ayushman Bharat and state health schemes; over 3 crore beneficiaries. Farmers receive dual PM-KISAN and state support.

• Tribal empowerment: Emphasis on Dharati Aaba and PM Janman Yojana targeting tribal upliftment (₹25,000 crore fund).

• Industrial agenda: Expansion from Paradip to Jharsuguda; petrochemical investments (~₹1.5 lakh crore); dual-feed cracker and LNG terminal planned; focus on MSME and job creation.

• Strategic vision: Odisha and Eastern India to drive “Purvoday” – with plans up to 2047 centenary.

Way Forward:

• Emphasizes blending cultural heritage with modern infrastructure.

• Strengthens central–state coordination.

• Key to tribal, rural, industrial development and achieving eastern India’s momentum.

Practice Question: Discuss the significance of ‘Purvoday’ and the central–state synergy in Odisha’s recent infrastructure and social sector development initiatives. How do these align with India’s broader developmental goals?

2. BSNL soft launches Quantum 5G FWA

(Source – PIB (Press Information Bureau), June 21, 2025)

Topic: GS Paper 3 (Science and Technology; Infrastructure)

Context

On 18 June 2025, BSNL introduced an indigenous SIM-less 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) in Hyderabad — a pilot for future broadband delivery.

Content

• What & Why:

  • SIM-less 5G FWA allows fiber-like speeds without physical SIM.

  • Developed under Atmanirbhar Bharat: indigenous core, RAN, CPE.

• Technical metrics:

  • Recorded 980 Mbps downlink, 140 Mbps uplink, sub‑10 ms latency.

  • Self-installation possible in 85% Hyderabad households.

• Roadmap:

  • Pilot expansion to Bengaluru, Pondicherry, Visakhapatnam, Pune, Gwalior, Chandigarh by Sept 2025.

  • Introductory plans: ₹999 (100 Mbps), ₹1499 (300 Mbps).

  • Future uses: network-sliced, SLA-backed enterprise links for MSMEs and factories.

Analysis:

• Promotes digital inclusion via wireless broadband; avoids trenching, accelerates rollout.

• Sim-less architecture avoids SIM dependency and leverages IoT potential.

• Strengthens indigenous telecom manufacturing and integration.

• Boosts affordability and network access in underserved areas.

Way Forward:

• After pilots, imminently scale nationally.

• Affordability plans critical to bridge digital urban-rural divide.

• Potential catalyst for Indian telecom self-reliance.

Practice Question: Evaluate the implications of BSNL’s indigenous SIM-less 5G FWA on India’s telecommunication infrastructure and digital equity. How does it enhance the goals of Atmanirbhar Bharat?

3. India Develops Solar-Based Green Hydrogen Device

(Source – PIB (Press Information Bureau), June 21, 2025)

Topic: GS Paper 3 (Science and Technology; Environment)

Context

Researchers at CeNS, Bengaluru (DST) developed a scalable photoelectrochemical device for green hydrogen production using solar energy alone—a critical clean energy breakthrough.

Content

• Innovation: n‑i‑p heterojunction silicon photoanode using TiO₂/Si/NiO layers via magnetron sputtering.

• Performance Achievements:

  • Surface photovoltage of 600 mV; onset potential ~0.11 V RHE.

  • Stable operation for over 10 hours with only ~4% performance drop.

  • Demonstrated at 25 cm²—scalable prototype.

• Advantages: High solar-to-hydrogen efficiency, durability, low-cost materials, large-scale readiness.

• Publication & Potential: Featured in Journal of Materials Chemistry A. Could transform hydrogen production for industries and energy storage.

Analysis:

• Green hydrogen is crucial for decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors and storage.

• Device’s stability and scalability address key bottlenecks in PEC tech.

• Aligns with India’s National Hydrogen Mission and renewable energy targets.

Conclusion / Way Forward:

• Scale-up to pilot and field deployment needed; integrate with power and transport sectors.

• Policy support: incentives, infrastructure investment, public-private partnerships.

• Potential to position India as leader in green hydrogen innovation.

Practice Question: How does the recent development of scalable photoelectrochemical devices for green hydrogen by Indian scientists contribute to India’s energy transition goals? Examine their potential economic and environmental impacts.

Check this out 20 June 2025: PIB Summary For UPSC