Content

1. Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana
2. National Engineers’ Day 2025

Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana

Why is in News + Basics

• News: As of August 2025, PMGSY has sanctioned 1,91,282 rural roads (8.38 lakh km) and 12,146 bridges, out of which 1,83,215 roads (7.83 lakh km) and 9,891 bridges have been completed.
• Basics: Launched in 2000, PMGSY aims to provide all-weather rural connectivity to unconnected habitations.
• Context: Improved access to healthcare, education, markets, and jobs—contributing to rural poverty reduction.
• Fact: Over 1.66 lakh km roads using green technologies have been sanctioned, making PMGSY a leader in sustainable rural infrastructure.

Relevance :

• GS-II (Governance, Welfare Schemes): Centrally Sponsored Scheme, rural development, equity in backward/tribal/LWE areas, monitoring mechanisms.
• GS-III (Infrastructure, Economy, Environment): Rural connectivity, farm-to-market linkages, job creation, green technology in road construction, climate resilience.

Dimensions

• Polity/Legal
  • Centrally Sponsored Scheme under Ministry of Rural Development.
  • Fulfils Directive Principles (Art. 38, 39) by promoting social and economic justice.
  • Links with Fifth Schedule areas, Tribal Sub-Plan, Aspirational Districts, ensuring equity.
• Governance/Administrative
  • Monitored through OMMAS, e-MARG, GPS tracking, Quality Monitors (3-tier system).
  • Convergence with PM-AJAY, PM-JANMAN, DA-JGUA for SC/ST and PVTG-focused development.
  • Performance-based maintenance contracts ensure accountability.
• Economy
  • Reduces rural isolation → boosts farm-to-market connectivity.
  • Encourages non-farm employment (construction jobs, rural transport services).
  • Estimated to contribute ~1–2% to rural GDP growth (World Bank evaluation, 2019).
• Society
  • Enhances women’s mobility, school attendance, health access.
  • Case example: Barbaspur, MP—bridge under PMGSY-I transformed access for SC/ST communities.
  • Strengthens social inclusion in backward and conflict-affected districts.
• Environment/Science & Tech
  • Use of waste plastic, fly ash, bio-bitumen, cold mix in road building.
  • Promotes climate-resilient construction and reduces carbon footprint.
  • Over 1.24 lakh km of eco-friendly roads built till July 2025.
• International
  • Comparable to China’s rural roads programme under “Building a New Socialist Countryside”.
  • Supports India’s progress on SDGs 1 (No Poverty), 9 (Infrastructure), 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Challenges

• Maintenance deficit: Many roads deteriorate due to weak local capacity and funds.
• Regional imbalance: Difficult terrain in NE, tribal belts, LWE areas delays execution.
• Contractor quality issues despite monitoring mechanisms.
• Environmental concerns in ecologically sensitive zones.
• Over-reliance on Census 2011 data → possible exclusion of new habitations.

Way Forward

• Strengthen maintenance funding: NITI Aayog & World Bank suggest ring-fenced funds.
• Decentralised monitoring: Empower Panchayati Raj Institutions with digital tools.
• Capacity building: Train local workers (like Mandla example) for sustainable maintenance.
• Green technologies: Expand Full Depth Reclamation, bio-engineering in fragile regions.
• Data update: Integrate SECC 2024 and GIS mapping for identifying uncovered habitations.
• Convergence: Link PMGSY roads with PM Gati Shakti & BharatNet for holistic connectivity.

Conclusion

PMGSY is more than a road-building scheme—it is a rural transformation engine linking people to opportunities. With stronger focus on maintenance, inclusivity, and climate resilience, it can serve as a cornerstone of India’s journey towards equitable and sustainable rural development.

National Engineers’ Day 2025

Why is in News + Basics

• News: India celebrated National Engineers’ Day 2025 on 15 September, marking the birth anniversary of Sir M. Visvesvaraya, Bharat Ratna awardee and legendary engineer.
• Basics: Observed annually to honor engineers’ contributions to nation-building.
• Context: India is in its Techade—a decade of transformative technological growth aligned with Viksit Bharat 2047.
• Fact: India accounts for 20% of the world’s chip design engineers and ranks 1st globally in AI skill penetration (Stanford AI Index 2024).

Relevance :

• GS-I (Modern Indian Personalities): Sir M. Visvesvaraya’s legacy, nation-building through engineering.
• GS-II (Polity & Governance): Role in Digital India, Gati Shakti, Green Hydrogen; reforms in technical education (NEP 2020, ANRF Act 2023).
• GS-III (Economy): Semiconductor, AI, defence, space, renewable energy sectors; startups, R&D financing.

Dimensions

• Polity/Legal
  • Engineers are central to implementing national missions like Digital India, Green Hydrogen Mission, and PM Gati Shakti.
  • NEP 2020 & ANRF Act 2023 reorient technical education and R&D towards multidisciplinary innovation.
• Governance/Administrative
  • Flagship initiatives: Atal Innovation Mission, Startup India, Skill India Digital Hub, MERITE scheme, INSPIRE.
  • Regulatory bodies like AICTE and institutions like IITs/NITs anchor research, innovation, and skilling.
• Economy
  • Engineers drive semiconductor, AI, renewable energy, defence, and space sectors.
  • Startup India: DPIIT-recognized startups grew from ~500 (2016) to 1.59 lakh (2025).
  • ANRF’s ₹1 lakh crore RDI Scheme boosts industry–academia collaboration and private R&D financing.
• Society
  • Contributions in education, health tech, fintech, and agri-tech expand access to services.
  • Enhanced mobility and digital platforms (Aadhaar, UPI, DigiLocker) enable financial inclusion.
  • Engineers inspire youth through Visvesvaraya’s legacy of problem-solving and social impact.
• Environment/Science & Tech
  • Engineers lead renewable energy adoption (India: 3rd in solar, 4th in wind globally).
  • Green hydrogen, floating solar, agrivoltaics → climate-resilient solutions.
  • R&D in quantum computing (target: 1000 physical qubits by 2031) and AI-driven space exploration.
• International
  • India rising in Global Innovation Index rankings.
  • Provides engineering workforce and digital solutions to global markets.
  • Collaborations in semiconductors, AI, and clean energy enhance India’s global tech leadership.

Challenges

• Quality-skills gap: Mismatch between graduates and industry needs.
• R&D underfunding: India spends ~0.7% of GDP on R&D vs. 2–3% in advanced economies.
• Brain drain: High-skilled engineers migrate abroad.
• Infrastructure gaps in Tier-2/3 technical institutions.
• Ethical concerns: AI, data privacy, and dual-use defence technologies.

Way Forward

• Skill Development: Expand MERITE, Skill India Digital Hub, and industry-aligned curricula (NITI Aayog’s 2023 tech workforce roadmap).
• Research Ecosystem: Strengthen ANRF, promote PPPs, and increase R&D to 2% of GDP (as suggested in Science, Tech & Innovation Policy draft 2021).
• Inclusive Engineering: Encourage women and marginalized groups’ participation in STEM (align with SDG 5 & 10).
• Green & Deep Tech: Expand focus on renewables, AI, quantum, biotech for sustainable growth.
• Global Collaboration: Leverage partnerships like India-US Initiative on Critical & Emerging Technologies (iCET) for tech leadership.

Conclusion

National Engineers’ Day 2025 highlights that engineers are not only builders of infrastructure but also architects of India’s digital and green future. With stronger focus on skills, R&D, and inclusive innovation, India can harness engineering excellence to achieve Viksit Bharat 2047.