Recently, the Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas launched E85 fuel at an IndianOil retail outlet in New Delhi, marking another significant milestone in India's efforts to promote cleaner transportation, ethanol blending, and reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels.

About E85 Fuel

E85 Fuel is a high-ethanol blended automotive fuel consisting of approximately 80–85% ethanol and 14–19% petrol. It has been specifically developed for use in Flex-Fuel Vehicles (FFVs), which are equipped with specialized engines capable of operating efficiently on a wide range of ethanol-petrol blends, from E20 to E100. Unlike conventional petrol vehicles, FFVs automatically adjust engine performance according to the ethanol concentration, providing consumers with greater flexibility in fuel choice.

The introduction of E85 represents an important step under India's Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme, supporting the country's objective of achieving energy security, reducing crude oil imports, lowering carbon emissions, and creating additional income opportunities for farmers through increased demand for ethanol produced from agricultural feedstocks.

Key Features of E85 Fuel

E85 contains a very high proportion of ethanol, making it one of the cleanest liquid transport fuels currently available for commercial use. Since ethanol is produced domestically from renewable agricultural sources such as sugarcane, maize, and other biomass, the fuel significantly reduces India's dependence on imported petroleum.

The fuel is intended exclusively for Flex-Fuel Vehicles (FFVs), whose engines are specially designed to safely and efficiently utilize high ethanol blends without compromising performance or engine durability. This flexibility allows consumers to use fuels ranging from E20 to E100 depending on availability.

Another important characteristic of E85 is its higher Research Octane Number (RON) of around 108, substantially higher than conventional petrol. A higher octane rating improves knock resistance, allowing engines to operate at higher compression ratios and with optimized ignition timing, thereby improving engine efficiency and performance.

Major Benefits of E85 Fuel

One of the most significant advantages of E85 is its lower retail price compared to conventional petrol. Since ethanol is produced domestically, the fuel reduces dependence on costly imported crude oil, enabling consumers to benefit from relatively lower fuel prices while supporting India's domestic biofuel industry.

From an environmental perspective, E85 offers substantial climate benefits. Flex-fuel vehicles operating on E85 can reduce lifecycle Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions by nearly 61% compared to conventional petrol vehicles. As ethanol is a renewable biofuel, the carbon dioxide released during combustion is largely offset by the carbon absorbed by crops during their growth, making it a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels.

E85 also promotes cleaner combustion because ethanol contains oxygen within its molecular structure. This enables more complete burning of fuel, resulting in near-zero particulate matter emissions, lower carbon monoxide emissions, and reduced levels of other harmful pollutants, thereby contributing to improved urban air quality.

The superior octane rating of ethanol also enhances engine performance by preventing engine knocking, allowing manufacturers to design more efficient, high-compression engines capable of delivering improved fuel efficiency and power output.

Importance of E85 in India's Energy Transition

The launch of E85 fuel is an important component of India's broader strategy to promote alternative fuels, strengthen energy security, and achieve the country's climate commitments under the National Biofuel Policy and Net Zero by 2070 vision. By encouraging the adoption of Flex-Fuel Vehicles and expanding the use of domestically produced ethanol, India seeks to reduce its import bill, diversify its energy mix, stimulate rural economies, and accelerate the transition towards a low-carbon transportation sector.

The India–Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) came into force on 1 June 2026. Even before its implementation, bilateral trade between the two countries increased from USD 8.94 billion (FY 2023–24) to USD 11.18 billion (FY 2025–26), highlighting the growing economic partnership between India and Oman.

About India–Oman CEPA

The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) is a comprehensive trade agreement that goes beyond tariff reduction to include trade in goods and services, investment, customs cooperation, regulatory facilitation, intellectual property rights (IPR), and professional mobility.

The India–Oman CEPA is part of India's broader strategy to strengthen economic integration with key global partners and diversify its export markets. Oman occupies a strategically important position at the crossroads of the Gulf, the Indian Ocean, and East Africa, making the agreement significant not only for bilateral trade but also for India's long-term geopolitical and economic interests.

Before the CEPA, only 15.33% of India's exports enjoyed duty-free access under the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) regime. With the implementation of the agreement, Oman now provides duty-free access to 98.08% of its tariff lines, covering approximately 99.38% of India's exports by value, significantly improving the competitiveness of Indian products.

Major Benefits for India's Merchandise Exports

The CEPA substantially enhances India's export opportunities across several important sectors.

The textiles and apparel industry stands to benefit significantly. India already accounts for nearly 43% of Oman's woven apparel imports and around 31% of knitted apparel imports. The removal of the existing 5% import duty further strengthens India's competitive position, particularly against other major suppliers such as China.

The chemical sector also gains considerable advantages. India supplies nearly 39% of Oman's inorganic chemical imports, and duty-free market access is expected to further expand India's presence in this segment.

The agreement creates enormous opportunities for engineering goods, one of India's fastest-growing export sectors. Oman imports more than USD 3.7 billion worth of mechanical machinery and USD 3.3 billion worth of automobiles annually. India's current market share remains relatively low, providing significant scope for expansion through preferential market access under the CEPA.

The pharmaceutical sector receives an important boost through simplified regulatory procedures. Although tariff reductions are limited, medicines approved by internationally recognized regulatory authorities will receive fast-track approvals, reducing compliance costs and accelerating market entry into Oman.

The agreement also provides duty-free access for several food and agricultural products, including meat, eggs, honey, butter, and processed food products. At the same time, sensitive sectors such as dairy products, cereals, edible oils, and certain agricultural commodities remain protected to safeguard domestic producers.

Trade Facilitation and Ease of Doing Business

Beyond tariff concessions, the CEPA focuses extensively on reducing non-tariff barriers and improving trade efficiency.

Oman will now recognize certificates issued by India's Export Inspection Council (EIC), eliminating repetitive product testing and reducing transaction costs for exporters.

The agreement also recognizes India's National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) certification and Indian Halal Certification systems, making it easier for Indian agricultural and food products to access Omani markets.

Dedicated provisions relating to Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) enhance regulatory transparency and reduce unnecessary trade restrictions.

Additionally, the introduction of fast-track customs clearance for perishable goods will significantly reduce delays and logistics costs for exporters.

Boost to Services and Professional Mobility

The India–Oman CEPA represents a major breakthrough in the services sector.

Although bilateral services trade stood at around USD 863 million in 2024, India's share in Oman's total services imports remains only about 5%, indicating considerable untapped potential.

Under the agreement, Oman has made binding commitments for Indian professionals in sectors such as information technology, engineering, healthcare, education, accounting, consulting, and financial services.

The CEPA also increases quotas for Intra-Corporate Transferees (ICTs), allowing greater mobility of Indian professionals working with multinational companies.

Furthermore, the agreement recognizes opportunities for AYUSH systems of medicine and traditional wellness services, opening new avenues in the rapidly growing Gulf healthcare and wellness market.

Strategic Importance of Oman for India

The significance of the CEPA extends far beyond bilateral trade.

Oman's strategic geographical location makes it a vital gateway connecting the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, the Indian Ocean, and the East African coast. Ports such as Sohar, Duqm, and Salalah are emerging as major international logistics, industrial, and maritime hubs.

The agreement enables Indian businesses to use Oman as a regional export and investment hub, facilitating easier access to larger markets across the Gulf and East Africa.

The benefits of the CEPA are expected to extend across India's industrial ecosystem, including textile clusters in Tamil Nadu, engineering industries in Maharashtra and Punjab, pharmaceutical manufacturers in Telangana, gems and jewellery industries in Gujarat, and seafood exporters in Andhra Pradesh and Kerala.

Significance for India

The India–Oman CEPA strengthens India's strategy of diversifying export markets while reducing dependence on traditional trading partners. It supports the objectives of Atmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India, and Act West Policy by enhancing India's participation in global value chains and improving market access for Indian products and services.

The agreement also reinforces India's maritime and strategic presence in the Indian Ocean Region while strengthening economic resilience through diversified trade partnerships.

Conclusion

The India–Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement represents a significant milestone in India's expanding trade architecture. It transforms centuries-old maritime and commercial ties into a modern economic partnership covering trade, investment, services, logistics, and strategic cooperation. By combining preferential market access with regulatory facilitation and enhanced professional mobility, the CEPA has the potential to make Oman not only an important trading partner but also a strategic gateway for India's engagement with the Gulf, Africa, and the wider Indian Ocean region.

The Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary, popularly known as Surha Tal, has recently been designated as India’s 100th Ramsar Site. This recognition highlights the ecological significance of the wetland and India’s commitment to the conservation and wise use of wetlands.

About Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary

The Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary is located in Uttar Pradesh and is also known as Surha Tal. It is a natural perennial oxbow lake situated in the middle stretch of the Ganga River basin.

The wetland was originally formed from a meander of the Ganga River and continues to receive freshwater inflow through three channels. Due to its perennial nature and abundant food resources, it serves as a critical wintering ground for migratory birds travelling along the Central Asian Flyway.

The sanctuary is characterized by floodplains, extensive marshes, seasonally flooded areas, and rice paddies, which together create a highly productive freshwater wetland ecosystem.

Ecological Significance

Surha Tal supports a rich diversity of migratory and resident bird species, making it an important avian habitat in northern India. Its location along the Central Asian Flyway makes it a key stopover and wintering site for many migratory birds.

Apart from avifauna, the sanctuary supports a wide range of biodiversity, including 221 plant species, 66 fish species, 7 reptile species, and 3 amphibian species. Notable fish species found in the wetland include Wallago attu and Bagarius bagarius, both of which are listed as Vulnerable species.

The wetland also plays an important role in flood control, groundwater recharge, nutrient cycling, and supporting local livelihoods through fisheries and agriculture.

Why It Was Designated a Ramsar Site

The designation of Surha Tal as a Ramsar Site recognizes its international importance as a wetland ecosystem. The site qualifies for Ramsar recognition because it supports significant biodiversity, provides habitat for migratory birds, and contributes to the ecological health of the Ganga River basin.

Being declared India’s 100th Ramsar Site is a milestone in the country’s wetland conservation efforts and reflects the increasing emphasis on protecting ecologically sensitive habitats.

Key Facts about the Ramsar Convention

The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands was adopted in 1971 in the city of Ramsar, Iran, and came into force in 1975. It is the first intergovernmental treaty focused exclusively on the conservation and wise use of wetlands.

The Convention is based on three pillars:

• Conservation of wetlands of international importance.

• Promotion of the wise use of all wetlands within the territory of member countries.

• International cooperation on shared wetland systems and migratory species.

The Ramsar Convention currently has 172 Contracting Parties. India became a party to the Convention in 1982, initially designating Chilika Lake in Odisha and Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan as its first Ramsar Sites.

The Jan Samarth Portal has completed four years since its launch and continues to strengthen financial inclusion by providing seamless digital access to credit-linked government schemes across India.

About Jan Samarth Portal

The Jan Samarth Portal is a first-of-its-kind digital platform launched by the Government of India in 2022 to provide a single-window interface for accessing credit-linked government schemes. It was conceptualized with the twin objectives of expanding the reach of government-sponsored credit schemes and simplifying the loan delivery process through digital technology.

The portal integrates beneficiaries, banks, financial institutions, Central and State Government agencies, and nodal agencies on one unified platform, thereby improving transparency, efficiency, and ease of access. By leveraging digital infrastructure, Jan Samarth promotes financial inclusion, ease of doing business, and inclusive economic development, especially for rural and underserved populations.

Objectives of the Jan Samarth Portal

The primary objective of the portal is to expand the coverage of government-backed credit schemes by making them easily accessible through a digital platform. It aims to streamline the entire credit lifecycle, from checking eligibility to loan sanction and disbursement, thereby reducing paperwork, processing time, and the need for multiple visits to bank branches.

The platform also seeks to strengthen coordination among various stakeholders in the financial ecosystem while ensuring transparent, technology-driven credit delivery.

Key Features of Jan Samarth Portal

The portal is available in eight Indian languages, making it accessible to people from diverse linguistic backgrounds, particularly those living in rural and remote areas.

It functions as a digital marketplace by integrating beneficiaries with a large network of Member Lending Institutions (MLIs) through a user-friendly online interface. The platform is connected with multiple centralized government databases, enabling quick verification of applicant information and reducing manual documentation.

Applicants can access the portal 24×7 to check their eligibility, submit loan applications, upload documents, and track the status of their applications without visiting bank branches repeatedly.

One of the most significant features is its built-in rule engine, which automatically evaluates an applicant's eligibility under various government schemes and provides an in-principle loan sanction before forwarding the application to the selected lending institution.

The portal currently provides access to 15 Credit-Linked Central Government Schemes through 254 Member Lending Institutions, including all Public Sector Banks, offering beneficiaries a wide choice of lenders.

Jan Samarth also offers real-time application tracking, enabling applicants to receive updates at every stage of the loan approval and disbursement process. Additionally, it has a dedicated grievance redressal mechanism for both beneficiaries and lending institutions, ensuring faster resolution of issues.

Significance of the Jan Samarth Portal

The Jan Samarth Portal represents a major step towards Digital India and inclusive financial growth by simplifying access to institutional credit. It reduces information asymmetry, minimizes paperwork, enhances transparency, and improves the efficiency of government-sponsored lending programmes.

By integrating multiple schemes and lending institutions onto a single digital platform, it promotes financial inclusion, particularly for farmers, entrepreneurs, students, women, MSMEs, and economically weaker sections. The portal also supports ease of doing business by accelerating credit flow and enabling faster decision-making through technology-driven processes.

Benefits of the Portal

Beneficiaries can easily identify suitable government credit schemes, verify their eligibility, and apply online through a single platform. Financial institutions benefit from standardized digital processing, faster verification, and reduced administrative costs. Government agencies gain improved monitoring, transparency, and efficient implementation of credit-linked welfare programmes.

Conclusion

The Jan Samarth Portal has emerged as an important pillar of India's digital financial ecosystem by integrating government schemes, banks, and beneficiaries through a unified online platform. By making institutional credit more accessible, transparent, and efficient, it is strengthening financial inclusion, promoting digital governance, and contributing significantly to the vision of inclusive and sustainable economic development.

The NFHS-6 (2023–24) findings have highlighted a sharp rise in obesity, diabetes, and lifestyle diseases in India, emphasizing the urgent need to strengthen school-based nutrition and health interventions for adolescents.

About Adolescent Malnutrition in India

Adolescence (10–19 years) is a critical phase of physical, mental, and emotional development that requires adequate nutrition. India is currently experiencing a double burden of malnutrition, where persistent undernutrition coexists with a rapidly increasing prevalence of overweight, obesity, and lifestyle-related diseases. This dual challenge threatens not only the health of adolescents but also the country's future productivity and human capital.

Recent evidence from NFHS-6, the Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (CNNS), and global studies shows that while stunting and anaemia continue to affect millions of adolescents, unhealthy diets, excessive consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), physical inactivity, and changing lifestyles are driving an unprecedented rise in obesity and metabolic disorders.

Key Facts and Evidence

The NFHS-6 (2023–24) reveals a significant increase in obesity among Indian adults. The proportion of obese women increased from 24% to 30.7%, while obesity among men rose from 22.9% to 27.3%. Cases of high blood sugar also increased considerably, reaching 20.9% among men and 17.8% among women, indicating the growing burden of diabetes.

According to the Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (CNNS), 2019, nearly 27.4% of Indian adolescents are stunted, while anaemia remains highly prevalent among adolescent girls. India is also witnessing the 'Thin-Fat Phenomenon', where children appear physically lean but possess excessive body fat, increasing their susceptibility to diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and metabolic disorders.

A 2025 Lancet study projects that by 2050, nearly 21.8 crore men and 23.1 crore women in India could become overweight, with the fastest increase expected among the 15–24 years age group.

Major Causes of Adolescent Malnutrition

Nutritional Transition and Unhealthy Diet

Traditional balanced diets are increasingly being replaced by energy-dense but nutrient-poor foods. Heavy dependence on cereals, combined with inadequate intake of proteins, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, has resulted in widespread deficiencies of essential nutrients. The Dietary Guidelines for Indians 2024 recommend that half of every meal should consist of fruits and vegetables, yet actual consumption remains significantly below recommended levels.

Growing Consumption of Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs)

The widespread availability and aggressive marketing of High Fat, Sugar and Salt (HFSS) foods have substantially altered dietary habits among children and adolescents. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), India's consumption of Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs) is increasing by more than 13% annually. Sugary beverages, packaged snacks, and instant foods are steadily replacing traditional nutritious diets, contributing to obesity and metabolic diseases.

Physical Inactivity and Sedentary Lifestyle

Increasing screen time, digital entertainment, and reduced outdoor activities have significantly lowered physical activity levels among adolescents. Research indicates that excessive screen exposure is associated with reduced consumption of fruits and vegetables, thereby increasing the risk of obesity and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Poor Nutrition Literacy

Many adolescents lack basic knowledge regarding balanced diets, food labels, portion sizes, and misleading food advertisements. Existing nutrition education in schools often remains theoretical and fails to equip students with practical dietary skills required for healthy decision-making.

Socio-economic and Gender Factors

Poverty, food insecurity, gender discrimination, early marriage, and adolescent pregnancy continue to contribute to poor nutritional outcomes. Adolescent girls are particularly vulnerable to anaemia, which often leads to inter-generational malnutrition affecting both mothers and children.

Government Initiatives

The PM POSHAN Scheme (Mid-Day Meal Scheme) provides nutritious cooked meals to school children, aiming to improve nutrition, enrolment, attendance, and learning outcomes.

The POSHAN Abhiyaan (2018) seeks to reduce stunting, undernutrition, anaemia, and low birth weight through convergence among multiple ministries.

The Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) programme focuses on reducing anaemia among children, adolescents, and women through Iron-Folic Acid supplementation, deworming, and behavioural change campaigns.

Under Ayushman Bharat, the School Health and Wellness Programme promotes nutrition awareness, healthy lifestyles, mental health, and physical fitness among school-going children.

The Eat Right India Movement, launched by FSSAI, promotes safe, healthy, and sustainable diets, while initiatives such as Eat Right Schools encourage healthier school food environments.

The ICMR-NIN's "Let's Fix Our Food (LFOF)" Initiative advocates regulating HFSS food advertising, improving food-label literacy, promoting healthy school food environments, and integrating nutrition education into school curricula.

Way Forward

Schools should be transformed into Health Promoting Institutions, where nutrition, physical activity, and healthy lifestyles become integral parts of education rather than supplementary activities.

Strict regulation is needed to establish UPF-Free School Zones by restricting the sale and marketing of HFSS foods and sugar-sweetened beverages within and around educational institutions.

Nutrition education should move beyond textbooks and teach adolescents practical skills such as reading food labels, understanding portion sizes, basic cooking, and identifying misleading advertisements.

The PM POSHAN Scheme should be further strengthened by diversifying meals with proteins, fruits, vegetables, millets, eggs, and fortified foods to ensure balanced nutrition.

Schools should ensure daily physical activity, making sports and fitness compulsory components of education to reduce sedentary behaviour and obesity.

Community participation through nutrition clubs, school gardens, fruit breaks, peer education campaigns, and behavioural change programmes can help institutionalize lifelong healthy eating habits.

Conclusion

India's adolescent nutrition challenge has evolved beyond traditional concerns of undernutrition and anaemia to include rapidly increasing obesity, diabetes, and lifestyle diseases. Since the foundations of most Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are laid during adolescence, schools must become the frontline institutions for nutrition education, healthy diets, and physical activity. Investing in healthier adolescents today will significantly reduce the future burden of disease, improve workforce productivity, and contribute to achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

The Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) Platform has recently been awarded a Guinness World Records title for achieving the highest participation in an online quiz within one week, highlighting its growing role in youth engagement and digital participation in India.

About MY Bharat Platform

The Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) Platform is an autonomous body established by the Department of Youth Affairs under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India. It has been registered as a society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 (Act XXI of 1860).

The platform serves as a technology-driven institutional mechanism aimed at empowering India's youth by providing equal access to opportunities that foster skill development, leadership, community participation, and nation-building. It seeks to transform India's demographic dividend into a productive force for achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat.

Key Features of the MY Bharat Platform

The platform is specifically designed for young people aged 15–29 years, recognizing them as key drivers of India's socio-economic transformation.

It provides a technology-enabled ecosystem that promotes both youth development and youth-led development, ensuring that young citizens actively contribute to national progress rather than merely benefiting from government initiatives.

MY Bharat connects young individuals with government departments, private businesses, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations, enabling them to access internships, volunteer opportunities, mentorship programmes, and skill development initiatives through a single digital platform.

Recognizing that classroom education alone is insufficient, the platform promotes experiential learning by offering practical exposure in local businesses, local self-governments, public institutions, and community projects. This practical engagement helps youth develop employability skills, leadership qualities, and civic responsibility.

The platform allows every registered youth to create a personal digital profile, showcasing their skills, achievements, interests, volunteering experience, and certifications. This digital identity enhances employability and facilitates participation in various developmental programmes.

MY Bharat also enables networking among youth, allowing them to collaborate with peers while connecting with industry experts, mentors, professionals, and community leaders for career guidance and personal development.

Additionally, the platform provides access to a wide range of learning resources, mentorship programmes, industry connections, volunteer opportunities, and leadership development initiatives, creating a comprehensive ecosystem for holistic youth empowerment.

Significance of MY Bharat Platform

The MY Bharat Platform represents a major shift from traditional welfare-based youth policies to a participatory and empowerment-oriented approach. It aims to harness India's demographic dividend by promoting skill development, innovation, entrepreneurship, volunteerism, and active citizenship.

By integrating technology with youth engagement, the platform strengthens collaboration between government, industry, civil society, and educational institutions. It also contributes to the realization of the vision of Viksit Bharat, where young citizens play a central role in economic growth, social development, and nation-building.