The 2nd meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Ayush held on 15.12.2025 in New Delhi under the chairmanship of Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Ayush.
Union Minister of State Shri Prataprao Jadhav emphasized the critical role of medicinal plant cultivation in empowering farmers, strengthening the AYUSH sector, and conserving biodiversity.
He highlighted the initiatives of the National Medicinal Plants Board and informed that for the last 25 years,
NMPB has been implementing the Central Sector Scheme on “Conservation, Development and Sustainable Management of Medicinal Plants” across the country. Special emphasis has been placed on Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities to create awareness and build capacity among farmers.
He stated that during 2020–21 to 2024–25, about ₹1161.96 lakh was approved through 139 projects for farmers’ training and awareness, with 7 Regional-cum-Facilitation Centres providing technical support across the country. He noted that the “e-Charak” digital platform has strengthened market linkages by directly connecting farmers with buyers.
The Minister emphasized that medicinal plant cultivation is a key driver of farmer empowerment, strengthening the AYUSH value chain, and biodiversity conservation, and also highlighted the global rise of millets (Shri Anna), boosted by the UN declaration of 2023 as the International Year of Millets, which enhanced cultivation and farmers’ income.
The annual rate of inflation based on All India Wholesale Price Index (WPI) number is (-) 0.32% (provisional) for the month of November, 2025 (over November, 2024). Negative rate of inflation in November, 2025 is primarily due to decrease in prices of food articles, mineral oils, crude petroleum & natural gas, manufacture of basic metals and electricity etc.
Ensuring ‘Right Pension to the Right Pensioner at the Right Time’, System for Pension Administration - Raksha (SPARSH), a flagship Digital India initiative, has emerged as the country’s first end-to-end digital pension platform.
The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank today signed agreements for five loans totaling over $2.2 billion with to support various development projects. The financing will advance initiatives under India’s national flagship programmes in skilling and rooftop solar deployment along with projects supporting healthcare,
metro development and ecotourism promotion across three states.
The Government of India’s engagement with ADB for the finalisation of the loans was done under the guidance of Shri Baldeo Purushartha, Joint Secretary (ADB & Japan), Department of Economic Affairs.
Accordingly, the loan agreements were signed by Shri Saurabh Singh, Deputy Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, on behalf of the Government of India, and Officer-in-Charge and Deputy Country Director, India Resident Mission, Ms. Aarti Mehra, on behalf of ADB.
The signed projects comprise of supporting Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded Industrial Training Institutes Programme ($846 million); Accelerating Affordable and Inclusive Rooftop Solar Systems Development Programme (Subprogramme 1 – $650 million); Assam State Tertiary Health Care Augmentation Project (ASTHA- $398.8 million);
Chennai Metro Rail Investment Project (Tranche 2- $240 million); and Integrated Ecotourism and Sustainable Agri-based Livelihood Development in Meghalaya Project ($77 million).
ADB financing for Supporting Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded Industrial Training Institutes Programme aims to create a future-ready workforce for India’s manufacturing and emerging technology sectors.
This will be achieved through modernising 650 ITIs across 12 states and upgrading 5 National Skill Training Institutes into centres of excellence for advanced trainer development. This will help deliver demand-driven courses in high-growth sectors such as renewable energy, electric mobility and advanced manufacturing, improving employability for at least 1.3 million youth.
As informed by Reserve Bank of India (RBI), in terms of outstanding education loans, the Gross Non-Performing Assets (NPA) of Public Sector Banks (PSBs) reduced from 7% in FY 2020-21 to 2% in FY 2024-25, thereby showing the significant improvement in asset quality of education loans over the years. The state-wise information in this regard is not maintained by the RBI.
Credit related matters of regulated entities (REs) are largely deregulated and the same are governed by the Board approved loan policies of the REs framed under the ambit of relevant regulatory and statutory requirements and terms and conditions of the loan agreement between the borrower and the RE.
A Dividend Distribution Ceremony was held on Monday, 15th December 2025, in respect of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL). The occasion was graced by the presence of Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, Shri H.D. Kumaraswamy.
During the ceremony, a dividend cheque of Rs. 109.98 Crore was handed over to the Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel. The dividend payout for the financial year 2024-25 is a 100% increase over the payout for the year 2023-24.
Shri Raj Kumar Goyal has been appointed as the Chief information Commissioner in the Central Information Commission and assumed his office on 15.12.2025.
The Government of India has comprehensively modernized Haj infrastructure across three key areas, Digital Infrastructure, Medical Infrastructure and Physical Infrastructure.
The Haj Suvidha Mobile App and fully digitized portal now enable end-to-end online registration, payments, health uploads, real-time tracking, and feedback to ensure hassle free experience for the pilgrims. To address medical needs of the pilgrims, round-the-clock clinics, mobile medical teams, dental units, and emergency services are operational in Saudi Arabia,
supported by doctors, paramedics and pharmacists, and health monitoring. To address pilgrims needs for facilities in Saudi Arabia, the buildings in Makkah and Madinah are inspected and booked months in advance to secure closer and better accommodations; transport fleets, airport shuttles, and AC-equipped tents in Mina/Arafat have been upgraded;
training facilities at Haj House Mumbai and regional centres have been enhanced. The infrastructure at all embarkation points across India is regularly assessed and expanded in close coordination with State Haj Committees and other stakeholders, with development works executed by the Haj Committee of India.
The Government has undertaken several measures to improve coordination between the Ministry, the Haj Committee of India, and State Haj Committees for the preparations for Haj–2026. These include strengthened institutional coordination through periodic review meetings, issuance of detailed guidelines and timelines for all operational activities, and
regular consultations to streamline accommodation, transport, training, and other logistical arrangements.
The Government has undertaken several initiatives to enhance the safety, convenience, and logistical support of pilgrims, with special focus on senior citizens and first-time pilgrims.
Key measures include: Improving the State Haj Inspector (SHI) ratio from 1:300 to 1:200 and further to 1:150 for better on-ground support. Enhancing the quality of SHIs through a Computer-Based Test and interview to ensure deployment of well-trained personnel. Strengthening medical support, including robust pre-departure screening and,
including robust pre-departure screening and improved medical arrangements during Haj operations. Upgrading digital facilitation through the Haj Suvidha App for real-time information, guidance, and grievance redressal. Providing Haj Suvidha Smart Watches to all pilgrims for Haj–2026 to assist with navigation, tracking, and emergency alerts in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The Union Government has released ₹260.20 crores to Rural Local Bodies in Kerala as XV Finance Commission grants for the Financial Year 2025- 26. The amount represents the first instalment of Untied Grants and covers all 14 District Panchayats, 152 Block Panchayats and 941 Gram Panchayats in the State.
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Ministry of Jal Shakti (Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation) recommend the release of XV FC Grants for RLBs/PRIs, which is subsequently released by the Ministry of Finance in two installments during a financial year.
Untied Grants are meant to be utilized by Rural Local Bodies/PRIs for location-specific felt needs under the 29 subjects listed in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution, except for salaries and other establishment expenditures.
Indian Railways has achieved a new milestone in energy conservation. On the occasion of National Energy Conservation Day, Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji, presented the National Energy Conservation Award, 2025 to Miyana Railway Station in Guna, Madhya Pradesh. The award was received by GM WCR, Smt. Shobhana Bandopadhyaya.
The station was recognised as the Best Performing Unit in the Transport Category (Railway Station).
The award, given by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), recognises outstanding efforts in energy conservation. Miyana Railway Station was selected for its effective use of LED lighting, BLDC fans, and 30- 70% smart lighting circuit operation systems.
These measures have helped the station save 9,687 units of electrical energy, reflecting Railways’ strong focus on energy efficiency and sustainable development.
Indian Railways remains committed to energy saving, cost efficiency, and eco-friendly operations, with Miyana Railway Station emerging as a model of effective implementation and sustainable development.
As India rapidly expands its highway network, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), under the guidance of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), is also redefining what responsible infrastructure development looks like.
The government appointed Ravi Ranjan as the new Managing Director of State Bank of India (SBI).
Prior to this, Ranjan was the Deputy Managing Director at the bank and succeeded Vinay M Tonse, who completed his term on November 30, 2025.
Following the government's notification, Ranjan assumed the charge, SBI said in a regulatory filing.
The government has cleared his appointment up to the date of his attaining the age of superannuation, September 30, 2028, or until further orders, whichever is earlier, it said.
The SBI board is headed by the Chairman, assisted by four managing directors.
