ADB Approves $850 Million Loan to Accelerate Affordable Rooftop Solar Adoption for Households in India

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved an $850 million loan to support reforms that will speed up the rollout of the Government of India’s flagship rooftop solar program, boosting the resilience of Indian households through better access to affordable clean energy, mobilizing private sector investment, and strengthening the skills of grid personnel and rural entrepreneurs.

The financing for subprogram 2 of the Accelerating Affordable and Inclusive Rooftop Solar Systems Development Program supports the government’s flagship Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, which aims to install rooftop solar systems for 10 million low- and middle-income households, adding 30 gigawatts of residential solar capacity by fiscal year 2027.

“The program will help India expand rooftop solar at scale while making clean energy more affordable and accessible to millions of households,” said ADB Country Director for India Mio Oka. “It supports a people-centered energy transition by reducing exposure to energy price and supply shocks, strengthening distribution systems, creating green jobs, expanding opportunities for women, and building stronger domestic clean energy value chains.”

Subprogram 2 builds on subprogram 1, approved in November 2025, which established the policy, institutional, digital, financing, and market foundations for large-scale rooftop solar deployment. The new financing will help scale rooftop solar adoption by improving incentives, financing, grid readiness, utility engagement, skills, and digital monitoring, while supporting domestic manufacturing, storage, recycling, and household use of clean energy.

Upfront costs will be reduced and adoption accelerated under the program through financial assistance for at least 3.5 million rooftop installations, digital application and monitoring systems, distribution company participation, and private sector engagement.

The program will also support training and certification of at least 6,000 people—at least one-third of whom are women—and facilitate new model solar villages and innovative distributed solar projects. It will further strengthen vendor accountability, promote women’s participation in distributed renewable energy, and improve the safe handling and recycling of solar photovoltaic panels and battery waste.

ADB’s support is expected to contribute to India’s target of 30 gigawatts of cumulative rooftop solar capacity, reduce carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by 28.8 million tons, and expand access to affordable solar energy.

ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members—50 from the region.

Did you Know

IRS officer Satya Pal Kumar appointed FIU director

Indian Revenue Services (IRS) officer Satya Pal Kumar has been appointed as director of the Financial Intelligence Unit as part of a major joint secretary-level reshuffle effected by the Union government on Friday.

Kumar is a 2005-batch IRS officer of the Income Tax Department cadre.

The FIU is a national agency under the Union finance ministry responsible for receiving, processing, analysing and disseminating information relating to suspect financial transactions in Indian economic channels to various enforcement agencies.

Among the other key appointments made by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), Avanish Kumar Mishra, ISS (2000), was named joint secretary in the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances.

Abhijit Phukon, IES (2004), was appointed joint secretary in the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

The ACC further appointed Sudhir Shyam, IES (1999) as joint secretary in the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management, Kuldip Narayan, IAS (2005), as Adviser in NITI Aayog.

V Lalithalakshmi, IAS (2008), was posted as professor at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), and Sajeesh Kumar N, IRTS (2002), as joint secretary in the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Did you Know

New species of polypore (bracket) fungus, Microporellus kolhapurensis, was discovered in Kolhapur

A new fungus species of polypore (bracket), was discovered in Bhudargad taluka in Kolhapur district, and was named Microporellus kolhapurensis, after Kolhapur.

The researchers who discovered the species said the find adds significantly to the region’s biodiversity and gives a new direction to fungal research in Maharashtra.

The fungus was found by Dr Anjali Patil, head of the botany department of Rajaram College, and research scholar Yogesh Patil. Their work was published in Nelumbo, the research journal of the Botanical Survey of India. The researchers said they found the fungus on rotting wood in the Bediv area, on the Ajra border of Bhudargad taluka.

The characteristics of the yellowish-orange to grayish-brown species are distinct from other closely related species due to its umbrella-shaped structure, lateral stalk, ground-growing nature, large pores, teardrop-shaped spores, and distinctive thick-walled cystidia (large cells found on the spore-bearing surfaces of certain fungi that do not make spores themselves).

Did you Know

Chhattisgarh launches women-led solar policy under DWEEPTI Yojana

Chhattisgarh has launched the DWEEPTI Yojana (Decentralised Women Empowerment on Energy and Policy for Transformative Inclusion), a first of its kind initiative that places rural women's self help groups at the centre of the state's expanding solar power sector, enabling them to become vendors, technicians, managers and entrepreneurs.

Developed by the state's Panchayat and Rural Development Department in collaboration with technical partner Transform Rural India under the Green Economy Transition Mission, the scheme makes Chhattisgarh the first state in the country to adopt a women led distributed renewable energy policy, officials told this newspaper.

To kickstart the policy, 13 Cluster Level Federations across 12 districts have already been registered as authorised vendors under the Central government's PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana in partnership with the Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited (CSPDCL), they added.

To ensure financial accessibility, self help group (SHG) members are being offered flexible loans for rooftop solar installations.

This financing model aligns with the Prime Minister's Lakhpati Didi vision, opening up skill-based livelihood opportunities beyond traditional SHG activities.

Kabirdham district has emerged as the flagship site for the early implementation of the scheme. The Zila Panchayat Kabirdham (Bihan) facilitated the registration of the Vande Mataram Cluster Level Federation as an authorised solar vendor.

With technical support from Tata, nearly 35 women from local SHGs underwent hands on technical training in rooftop solar installation, forming the first cadre of "Solar Didis".

The state's first rooftop solar system under the initiative was installed in Samnapur village in Kabirdham.

Did you Know

President Droupadi Murmu's Four Years in Office Marked by Release of Five Commemorative Books at Rashtrapati Bhavan

The Vice-President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, released and presented the first set of five commemorative books, marking four years of the Presidency of the Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, to the President at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

On completion of four years of the Presidency of Hon’ble President Smt. Droupdi Murmu, four books, Rashtrapati Bhavan: Rashtra Ka Bhavan, Seva aur Samvedana, Samaveshi Sahbhagita and Bharatiyata Ka Utsav, were released at Rashtrapati Bhavan. These books are published by the Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Besides these books, another book in odia, Ama Rastrapati Ama Gourav, was also released. Ama Rastrapati Ama Gourav is a collection of articles on the Hon’ble President of India.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that the titles of these books reflect our faith in inclusive democracy. She expressed confidence that these illustrated compilations will introduce readers to the traditions, functioning and multiple facets of Rashtrapati Bhavan. She stated that their true significance lies in their ability to inspire fellow citizens to move forward on the path of progress while taking pride in their heritage.

Did you Know

NVIDIA Forms 37-Member Open Secure AI Alliance and Open-Sources NOOA Framework

NVIDIA and 36 other organizations have formed the Open Secure AI Alliance to develop and share open technologies, techniques, and tools for securing software and artificial intelligence (AI) agents.

The 37-member group spans cloud, security, enterprise software, and AI companies, including Microsoft, Cisco, Cloudflare, CrowdStrike, Hugging Face, IBM, Palo Alto Networks, Red Hat, and the Linux Foundation.

Its stated scope covers the full agent stack, including identity, permissions, isolation, guardrails, logs, model formats, multi-model scanning, and secure coding workflows.

The pitch is that cyber defenders need AI models they can read, change, and run on their own hardware, not only closed systems reached through a vendor's application programming interface (API).

The launch also brings its first named technical contribution: NVIDIA-labs OO Agents (NOOA), an Apache 2.0 research framework designed to make agent behavior easier to test, trace, audit, and govern. The launch materials do not include a charter, governing board, technical workstreams, delivery schedule, or shared alliance repository, and its standalone website remains under construction.

Did you Know

CCI clears Go Digit Infoworks merger with insurer; Fairfax entity to hold 57.28% stake

Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved the proposed amalgamation of Go Digit Infoworks Services Pvt Ltd, the holding company of Go Digit General Insurance, with the insurer.

Under the proposed transaction, Go Digit Infoworks Services will be merged into Go Digit General Insurance Ltd (GDGIL), which will remain the surviving entity, the competition watchdog said in a release.

Commission approves the amalgamation of Go Digit Infoworks Services Pvt Ltd with Go Digit General Insurance Ltd.

Go Digit Infoworks Services does not have any market-facing business operations in India or overseas, while Go Digit General Insurance provides a range of general and health insurance products and services in India, with a focus on general insurance.

Did you Know

L&T secures major EPC order for crude export infra from Kuwait Oil Company

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) said it has secured a major engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract from Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) to build key crude oil export infrastructure as the Gulf nation looks to expand its hydrocarbon production capacity.

The project, awarded to L&T Energy Hydrocarbon Onshore, involves the EPC of six new crude oil storage tanks, each with an operating capacity of 618,000 barrels, along with associated facilities on a lump-sum turnkey basis, the company said in an exchange filing.

L&T Energy Hydrocarbon Onshore is the EPC arm of the company that executes upstream, midstream and downstream hydrocarbon projects globally.

The order is expected to be worth up to ₹10,000 crore, as L&T said that this contract reflects continued demand for large-scale hydrocarbon infrastructure projects in West Asia and reinforces its position in executing complex oil and gas EPC projects.

"The development of the Jurassic Light Oil export infrastructure is an important investment in Kuwait's energy sector, and we are committed to supporting the country's energy ambitions through reliable and world-class project execution," E S Sathyanarayanan, senior vice president and head of L&T Energy Hydrocarbon Onshore, said.

Did you Know

Irdai approves Patanjali Ayurved, DS Group's acquisition of Magma General

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) has approved the acquisition of Magma General Insurance by Patanjali Ayurved and DS Group from Adar Poonawalla-owned Sanoti Properties.

In March 2026, Sanoti Properties had announced the sale of its stake in Magma General Insurance to Patanjali Ayurved and DS Group for ₹4,500 crore, subject to regulatory approvals. Under the share purchase agreement (SPA), Patanjali Ayurved will acquire a 73.56 per cent stake in Magma General Insurance, while DS Group will acquire 24.50 per cent.

“…the Irdai vide its letter dated July 28, 2026, has granted approval with respect to proposed acquisition of shares along with the terms and conditions for the said acquisition. The approval shall be valid for a period of 3 months from the date of the IRDAI communication,” Magma General Insurance said in an exchange filing.

Magma General Insurance, which operates across motor, health, property and other commercial lines, reported gross written premium (GWP) of ₹ 3,615.48 crore in FY26, compared with ₹3,334.4 crore in FY25.

Patanjali Ayurved, established in 2006, manufactures and markets herbal and nature-based products, medicines and other FMCG products. DS Group has a diversified portfolio across mouth fresheners, food and beverages, confectionery, hospitality, agriculture, luxury retail, tobacco and other investments.

Did you Know

P&G appoints Shailesh Jejurikar as chairman

Shailesh Jejurikar has been appointed the chairman of the Board of Directors of global FMCG major Procter and Gamble, effective August 1, 2026, the company said in a statement.

Jejurikar will take on the role in addition to serving as the company's president and chief executive officer (CEO). Executive Chairman Jon Moeller will retire from the Board on July 31, and from the company on August 14.

Jejurikar is the brother of Rajesh Jejurikar, executive director and CEO of the Auto and Farm Sector division at Mahindra Group.

Announcing the leadership change, P&G said Jejurikar will succeed Moeller, who has spent 38 years with the company in multiple roles, including executive chairman, CEO, chief operating officer, and chief financial officer.

Jejurikar joined P&G in 1989 and has been part of the company's global leadership team since 2014. According to the company, he has held senior leadership roles across categories, sectors and regions, helping build businesses including global Fabric Care and Home Care across North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America. He has also led work on the company's supply chain, information technology, and global business services strategies.

Did you Know

RBI imposes monetary penalty on The Citizen Co-operative Bank Limited, Bangalore, Karnataka

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has, by an order dated July 17, 2026, imposed a monetary penalty of ₹50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand only) on The Citizen Co-operative Bank Limited, Bangalore, Karnataka (the bank) for non-compliance with certain directions issued by RBI on ‘Income Recognition, Asset Classification, Provisioning and Other Related Matters - UCBs’. This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers conferred on RBI under the provisions of section 47A(1)(c) read with sections 46(4)(i) and 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.

Did you Know

India becomes world’s second-largest supplier of seafarers

India has become the world's second-largest supplier of seafarers, overtaking China, Russia and Indonesia, according to the BIMCO-ICS Seafarer Workforce Report 2026.

The report says India now contributes 311,936 seafarers, accounting for 12.16% of the global maritime workforce, behind only the Philippines.

The milestone caps a decade of steady growth. In 2015, India accounted for just 5.2% of the global seafaring workforce and ranked fifth worldwide. By 2021, its share had increased modestly to 6%, while retaining the fifth position. The latest report, released on 25 June, shows India's share has more than doubled since then, propelling it to second place globally.

According to the report, India's strength is particularly evident in skilled positions. The country currently supplies 140,718 ship officers, representing 13.41% of the global officer workforce, along with 171,218 ratings, accounting for 11.29% of ratings serving aboard merchant vessels.

The report estimates the global supply of seafarers at 2.57 million and demand at 2.55 million, highlighting a tightening labour market. It also points to a continuing global shortage of qualified ship officers, positioning India as a key supplier of maritime talent.

The minister said the government is now pursuing "Mission 20%", an initiative aimed at increasing India's share of the global seafaring workforce from 12.16% to 20% by the end of the decade.

Did you Know

India Strengthens Telecom Security: FSID and C-DOT Partner with IISc on Quantum-Ready CoE

FSID and C-DOT have signed an agreement to establish a new Centre of Excellence (CoE) at IISc Bengaluru, focusing on advanced telecom research in 5G, 6G, AI, cybersecurity, and quantum technologies. This marks C-DOT’s fifth CoE in India, strengthening academia–industry collaboration and boosting indigenous telecom innovation.

Notably, C-DOT has established a total of five Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in recent times — four at IITs (Kanpur, Gandhinagar, Roorkee, and Hyderabad) and the latest one at IISc Bengaluru in partnership with FSID.

India is positioning itself as a leader in 6G, AI-driven networks, and quantum-ready communication systems. In just over a year, C-DOT has rolled out five CoEs, signaling aggressive investment in next-gen telecom R&D. With focus on cybersecurity and post-quantum cryptography ensuring readiness against future threats, Each CoE is designed to support MSMEs, startups, and academia, fostering indigenous innovation.

Did you Know

Navy launches ASW shallow watercraft Machilipatnam at Cochin shipyard

The Navy on July 29, 2026 launched Machilipatnam (BY 529), the seventh of the eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Watercraft (ASW SWC) being constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), marking another significant milestone in India’s indigenous warship building programme.

The vessel was launched by Mrs. Goolrukh Anand in the presence of the Additional Secretary, Department of Military Affairs.

Named after the historic port city of Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh’s Krishna district, the warship reflects the city’s rich maritime heritage and its historic role as a thriving trading hub on India’s eastern seaboard. The Navy said the vessel embodied the spirit and legacy of Machilipatnam while reinforcing its commitment to safeguarding the country’s maritime interests.

Designed for a range of coastal and littoral operations, the ship is equipped to undertake underwater surveillance, anti-submarine warfare missions, low-intensity maritime operations and mine warfare tasks. Once commissioned, it will strengthen the Navy’s coastal defence capabilities and significantly enhance maritime domain awareness.

The Navy said the launch marked another key milestone in the execution of the ASW SWC project, aimed at enhancing the anti-submarine warfare capability through indigenous platforms.

Did you Know

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia launches theme for 10th India Mobile Congress 2026

Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia has launched the theme for the 10th edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2026 in New Delhi. The 10th edition of Asia’s largest digital technology forum will be held from 7th to 10th October in New Delhi.

Organised by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), IMC 2026 will bring together global technology leaders, telecom operators, innovators, startups, investors, researchers and policymakers to shape the next phase of India’s digital transformation.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Scindia said the theme, ‘Scale without Boundaries’, reflects India’s ambition to take its telecom innovations, technologies and digital solutions beyond national borders for global benefit. He said the next phase of India’s telecom journey should focus on exporting home-grown innovations and shaping global technology standards.

Did you Know

Para athlete Dilip Gavit wins gold, Mohammed Basil Morssinganakath claims silver at Commonwealth Games

India scripted history in para athletics at the Commonwealth Games, securing a historic one-two finish in the men’s 100-metre T47 final, with Dilip Mahadu Gavit winning gold and Mohammed Basil Morssinganakath claiming silver.

Gavit clocked a Games record and season-best time of 10.71 seconds to take the top spot, while Basil produced his season-best time of 10.83 seconds to finish second in a closely fought race. England’s Kevin Santos completed the podium with 10.85 seconds to win the bronze medal.

Did you Know

CUK signs MOU with Indian Navy to foster academic and research collaboration

The Central University of Kerala (CUK) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Indian Navy, marking a significant milestone in strengthening collaboration between academia and the armed forces.

CUK Vice-Chancellor Siddu P. Algur said the MoU aims to promote academic excellence, interdisciplinary research, knowledge exchange, and capacity building in areas of mutual interest, with a special focus on maritime studies and strategic research.

The collaboration will facilitate collaborative research, faculty and student exchange programmes, expert lectures, joint seminars, workshops, internships, and access to specialised knowledge in maritime affairs, naval history, national security, defence technologies, and related disciplines, according to a press release from CUK.

The partnership is expected to significantly benefit students by exposing them to real-world applications of science, technology, strategic studies, and leadership through interactions with naval experts. Faculty members will gain opportunities to undertake collaborative research projects, participate in joint academic initiatives, and contribute to policy-oriented studies relevant to maritime security and national development.

The MoU also lays the foundation for interdisciplinary research in emerging areas such as maritime technologies, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, ocean sciences, environmental sustainability, logistics, and innovation, encouraging the exchange of ideas and expertise between the varsity and the Indian Navy.

Did you Know

World Nature Conservation Day | 28 July

The National Zoological Park, New Delhi (Delhi Zoo), successfully celebrated World Nature Conservation Day on 28 July 2026 with a series of awareness and conservation activities aimed at promoting environmental responsibility and sustainable living. The theme of World Nature Conservation Day 2026 focused on the conservation of natural resources and biodiversity, reinforcing the need for collective action to protect the environment.

As part of the celebrations, around 35 sanitation workers of the National Zoological Park participated in a plastic removal drive across the zoo premises. During the drive, around 230 kg of plastic waste, including plastic bottles, straws and other single-use plastic items, was collected, highlighting the zoo's continued commitment to maintaining a clean and environmentally sustainable campus.

The programme commenced with an interactive awareness session for zoo visitors on the objectives of the LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) initiative. The session focused on the themes of "Segregation of Waste" and "Waste to Useful Products", emphasising the importance of proper waste management in reducing pollution and conserving natural resources.

Did you Know

International Day of Friendship | 30 July

International Friendship Day 2026 is a special occasion dedicated to celebrating the bonds of friendship that enrich our lives. Friends provide emotional support, stand by us during difficult times, and share in our happiest moments. The day encourages people across the world to appreciate these relationships by spending time together, exchanging messages, or simply expressing gratitude.

The United Nations (UN) officially recognizes July 30 as the International Day of Friendship.

The idea of dedicating a day to friendship dates back to the early 20th century. The concept gained wider attention in 1958, when the World Friendship Crusade, an international civil organization founded in Paraguay, proposed celebrating friendship as a way to promote peace and understanding among people.

Recognizing the importance of friendship in fostering harmony and mutual respect, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed July 30 as the International Day of Friendship in 2011.

Did you Know

World Day Against Trafficking in Persons | 30 July

July 30 has been designated by the United Nations as the "World Day against Trafficking in Persons".

In East and South-East Asia, UNODC estimates that scams caused between US$18 billion and US$37 billion in financial losses in 2023 alone. A high proportion of these losses is linked to scams carried out by organized crime groups based in the region.

The UN Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is supporting countries across South-East Asia to improve victim identification, investigations and prosecutions related to trafficking for forced criminality, cyber-enabled fraud and money laundering. This includes advanced training, support for specialized taskforces and stronger cross-border cooperation.

The 2026 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons theme, "Trapped Behind the Scam," draws attention to a rapidly expanding form of human trafficking in which transnational organized crime groups exploit people to carry out industrial-scale financial fraud. Victims are trafficked for forced criminality and compelled to participate in online scam operations. This form of exploitation is closely linked to cybercrime, financial fraud, money laundering, and corruption, demonstrating the increasingly interconnected nature of organized crime.

Did you Know