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Silicon Dreams SEMICON India 2026 and the Making of a Chip Powerhouse

 

Silicon Dreams

SEMICON India 2026 and the Making of a Chip Powerhouse

Posted On: 15 SEP 2026 10:52AM by PIB Delhi

On September 17, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will walk into Yashobhoomi in Dwarka and inaugurate SEMICON India 2026. Global chipmakers, policymakers and investors will fill the halls behind him, all watching an industry India has built from the ground up. For three days, the country's semi-con (semiconductor) manufacturing story will be on full display. For an industry that barely had a heartbeat in India a decade ago, this is not just a conference. It is the moment India’s semiconductor ambitions step into the spotlight.

The theme this year is "Silicon to Systems: Building the Ecosystem." That phrase carries more weight than it first appears to. India is no longer asking whether it can make chips. It is now asking how fast it can build everything around them.

 

The Object That Runs the World

Hold up your phone. Somewhere inside it sits a piece of silicon smaller than a postage stamp, carrying billions of transistors switching on and off, billions of times a second. Apple's A19 Bionic chip, built at 3 nanometres, packs roughly 30 billion transistors onto that tiny surface. It is, without exaggeration, one of the most complex objects human beings have ever built.

Chips are not a niche product anymore. They sit inside cars, drones, aeroplanes, MRI machines and satellites. At the moment, the global electronics industry is valued at around $4.3 trillion and growing fast. Semiconductors sit right at the base of this growing structure,  forming it’s foundation. Every other industry, from automobiles to healthcare to defence, depends on what comes out of a chip fabrication plant. That is what makes semiconductors a foundational industry. Miss this layer, and every layer above it becomes fragile.

The world learned this the hard way. For example, during the COVID pandemic, car factories faced shutdowns. Not because of a lack of steel or labour, but because they could not get chips. Countries that had spent decades treating semiconductors as someone else's problem suddenly scrambled to build their own capacity. The pandemic did not create the race for chips. It simply forced everyone to run faster.

A Long Road to This Moment

India's interest in semiconductors goes back further than most people realise, decades of quiet attempts, small starts, and lessons learned the hard way. For a long time, the ambition was there, but the ecosystem around it never quite came together. That changed with a different approach. Reforms in foreign investment, taxation and customs opened the door wide. Global electronics companies slowly began setting up manufacturing lines in India, and the results are hard to argue with.

In 2014-15, India produced about ₹1.9 lakh crore worth of electronics goods. By 2025-26, that number touched ₹13.11 lakh crore, a sevenfold jump. Electronics exports rose from around ₹38,000 crore to ₹4.24 lakh crore, an elevenfold increase.

Mobile phones tell an even sharper story. Production rose 33 times, from ₹18,000 crore to ₹6.27 lakh crore. Exports rose 165 times, from about ₹1,500 crore to ₹2.59 lakh crore. Smartphones did not even feature among India's top 100 exported goods in 2014. In FY 2025-26, smartphones became India's single largest exported commodity. Ahead of petroleum products and ahead of gems and jewellery. India now makes 99.2 percent of the phones it uses, and has flipped from a net importer of mobiles to a net exporter. This entire manufacturing engine now supports 2.5 million jobs.

This is the moment where the picture shifts. A country once known for false starts in electronics is now the second largest mobile phone manufacturer in the world by volume. Electronics manufacturing was the proof of concept. Semiconductors were always the next step.

Building the Mission

That next step arrived in 2021 with the Semicon India programme. The strategy was deliberate. Build a real ecosystem, not a showpiece. Semicon 1.0 came with a ₹76,000 crore outlay. Covering the entire value chain from chip design and fabrication to packaging, testing, equipment, materials and skilled talent. In July 2026, the government approved Semicon 2.0, scaling that foundation with a ₹1,27,500 crore outlay. This is built around six pillars: chip design, semiconductor equipment and materials, fabrication facilities, advanced packaging, research and development, and talent development.

The numbers on the ground back the intent. 12 semiconductor projects have been approved across six states, with investment commitments exceeding ₹1.64 lakh crore. The projects span across silicon and compound semiconductor fabs, display fabrication and advanced packaging. Three facilities have already started commercial production. That single fact marks India's shift from semiconductor policy on paper to semiconductor manufacturing on the ground.

Growing the Talent Behind the Chips

A fab is only as good as the engineers designing what goes inside it. The target set for this is clear. A pool of 85,000 skilled semiconductor engineers within this decade. Through the Chips to Startup programme, Electronic Design Automation tools have already been deployed across 320 academic institutions, with more than 68,000 students trained so far. Separately, 24 semiconductor design projects have been approved for financial support, along with 105 startups and MSMEs receiving EDA tool support under the DLI Scheme.

By April 2026, 211 chips had been taped out by 75 institutions, a clear sign that design capability is spreading well beyond a handful of elite labs. Seven of those chips have been fabricated at various nodes, including advanced nodes down to 12 nanometers.

To democratize chip design across the country, the ChipIN Centre has been set up at C-DAC under the Chips to Start-up (C2S) Programme and the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme. It serves as a centralized national facility providing access to advanced chip-design tools, fabrication services and specialized training.

The ChipIN Centre has extended these facilities to more than 1 lakh engineers from over 500 organizations, including 400 academic institutions and 100 start-ups. These organizations have collectively developed more than 300 chip designs for fabrication at SCL, Mohali, and advanced foundries abroad, while recording over 4 crore hours of chip-design tool usage. By enabling shared access to otherwise capital-intensive tools and services, this initiative has lowered entry barriers, reduced development costs and accelerated chip innovation, creating the world’s largest user base for a centralized chip-design facility.

An Alliance for the Chip Age

India's semiconductor push is no longer just a domestic story. On the fifth day of the India AI Impact Summit 2026, India formally joined the Pax Silica coalition. The coalition brings together the United States and other partner nations, focused on securing the global silicon supply chain. Its goal is to secure the full "silicon stack", from critical minerals and fabrication to advanced AI systems and deployment infrastructure. The mission is simple. Keep supply chains out of too few hands. Resist economic coercion. Keep the technologies that will define this century in the hands of open, democratic nations. For India, this is proof its semiconductor ambitions now reach well beyond its own borders.

Where It All Meets

This is what makes SEMICON India 2026 more than an exhibition. Over three days at Yashobhoomi, more than 600 exhibitors, 300 international companies will fill 15,000 square metres of space and 150+ renowned speakers sharing knowledge and wisdom . Six country pavilions and 12 state pavilions will sit alongside a startup showcase, a student hackathon,  a workforce development pavilion and Women forum , each one a small window into a piece of the ecosystem India has spent five years building.

A chip takes years to design and months to fabricate, but its footprint lasts far longer, inside every phone, every car, every hospital equipment it powers. Every one of those devices in your life today depends on someone, somewhere, having built that chip first. SEMICON India 2026 is India's declaration that it intends to be that someone. Not tomorrow. Starting now.

From Waste Picker to Swachhta Udyami: Balamala Malli's Journey Towards Dignity and Self-Reliance

 

From Waste Picker to Swachhta Udyami: Balamala Malli's Journey Towards Dignity and Self-Reliance

Posted On: 15 SEP 2026 4:20PM by PIB Delhi

The limited income, social exclusion and lack of educational opportunities can restrict the possibility of building a secure future for sanitation workers from economically disadvantaged communities. Timely financial assistance and access to mechanised sanitation equipment can help transform such vulnerable livelihoods into safer and more sustainable sources of income.

Demonstrating the impact of support under the Swachhta Udyami Yojana (SUY) component of the NAMASTE Scheme, Shri Balamala Malli, a 30-year-old member of the Scheduled Tribe community, has moved towards greater economic stability and dignity. As part of a five-member group project, he received assistance to procure a 3-in-1 Jetting, Grabbing and Rodding Machine, which created an additional livelihood opportunity for him and the other group members.

Shri Malli has worked as a waste picker with the Guntur Municipal Corporation in Andhra Pradesh, for the past ten years. He worked six days a week and earned approximately Rs. 150 to Rs. 200 per day.

Poverty had prevented Mr. Malli from attending school. His parents were extremely poor, and he began accompanying them in waste-picking activities at a young age instead of receiving a formal education. As an illiterate member of the Scheduled Tribe community living in an urban slum, he also faced social discrimination, exclusion and limited access to essential amenities and services.

His wife is a homemaker, and the couple have three children studying in elementary school. Despite the family's difficult socioeconomic circumstances, Mr. Malli aspired to become economically self-sufficient and provide his children with quality education and a better future.

On 19 June 2023, financial assistance was provided by the National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC) under SUY for a group project comprising Shri Malli and four other members. The support enabled the group to procure a 3-in-1 Jetting, Grabbing and Rodding Machine for mechanised sanitation work.

The project had a total cost of Rs. 49,40,710. It was supported through a loan amount of Rs. 30,80,530 and an upfront capital subsidy of Rs. 18,60,180. Access to the machine enhanced the group's livelihood opportunities and enabled its members to undertake sanitation operations through safer and more efficient mechanical methods.

Before receiving assistance, Shri Malli earned approximately Rs. 8,000 per month through waste-picking activities. Following the procurement of the 3-in-1 machine, he began earning an additional Rs. 10,000 per month, increasing his total monthly income to approximately Rs. 18,000.

The increase in income has enabled Shri Malli to meet household expenses more comfortably, support his children's education and address several of the economic challenges that previously affected his family. The intervention has strengthened his livelihood and helped him lead a more stable and dignified life.

Shri Malli's journey shows how financial assistance, collective enterprise and mechanised sanitation equipment can improve livelihood security for sanitation workers. From relying on low-paid waste-picking work, he has become part of a group enterprise with improved earning opportunities and greater confidence about his family's future.

Talking about the support, Shri Malli said, “The support helped me increase my income and provide better education and a more secure future for my children. I now feel more confident about supporting my family and living with dignity.”

Today, he is working towards economic self-reliance and ensuring that his children receive the education and opportunities that poverty denied him. His progress reflects the role of the SUY component of the NAMASTE Scheme in advancing safety, dignity and sustainable livelihoods among sanitation workers.

Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation Organises 12th District Collectors’ Peyjal Samvad

 

Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation Organises 12th District Collectors’ Peyjal Samvad

Six Districts Showcase Innovative Practices on Source Sustainability, Behaviour Change through IEC activities, Grievance Redressal Mechanism and Convergence

Posted On: 15 SEP 2026 5:36PM by PIB Delhi

The Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, organised the 12th edition of the District Collectors’ Peyjal Samvad today through video conferencing, bringing together senior officials, District Collectors/ District Magistrates/ Deputy Commissioners, to deliberate on accelerating the implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0 and sharing of best practices.

The Samvad was chaired by Shri Ashok K.K. Meena, Secretary, DDWS. Shri Kamal Kishore Soan, Additional Secretary & Mission Director, National Jal Jeevan Mission (NJJM) and Senior Officers from SWSM and DDWS were also present during the Samvad.

Addressing the occasion, Shri Ashok K.K. Meena, Secretary, DDWS, emphasized the importance of regular monthly District Water and Sanitation Mission (DWSM) meetings to review scheme progress, service delivery, water quality, and source sustainability under JJM 2.0. He stressed that completed schemes should be handed over to Gram Panchayats through the Jal Arpan programme after the prescribed trial run and proper documentation, thereby promoting community ownership and sustainable operation and maintenance. He urged districts to actively involve MPs, MLAs, and other public representatives through Jal Arpan ceremonies, DISHA meetings, and DWSM reviews to enhance transparency and public confidence in rural water supply systems. He also highlighted the need for timely utilization of JJM 2.0 funds, accurate reporting of physical and financial progress, and preparation of District and State Improvement Plans to address service gaps. Further, he encouraged the use of the Decision Support System (DSS) for planning source sustainability measures such as rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge, while underscoring that regular monitoring of scheme functionality, water quality, and sustainability interventions is essential to ensure reliable and sustainable drinking water services for all rural households.

The progress and best practices of six selected districts, Shahdol (Madhya Pradesh), Samba (Jammu & Kashmir), Hooghly (West Bengal), Dhamtari (Chhattisgarh), Fatehgarh Sahib (Punjab) and North & Middle Andaman (Andaman & Nicobar Islands) were also presented by the respective District Collectors/District Magistrates/District Commissioners to facilitate cross-learning and support other districts in strengthening implementation under JJM 2.0.
Innovative Best Practices shared by six districts through presentations by the respective District Collector/ District Magistrate/ Deputy Commissioner:

• Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh- Sh. Parth Jaiswal, District Collector informed that civil and electrical works for the water supply schemes have largely been completed, and the remaining works are expected to be commissioned by November 2026. Emphasis was laid on conducting weekly reviews to ensure timely completion of all Single Village Schemes (SVSs) and Multi Village Schemes (MVSs). Out of 544 completed SVSs, 405 have already been handed over, while 35 more are planned for handover on 2 October 2026 through the Jal Arpan programme. The district has set a target to achieve full completion and functionality of all rural water supply schemes by December 2026 and to declare the district fully functional by 26 January 2027. The district also showcased best practices, including a digital platform for overhead tank cleaning and maintenance, an online mechanism for collection of water and sanitation charges through UPI and net banking, and systems to strengthen Gram Panchayat-led operation and maintenance. These initiatives are helping improve transparency, service delivery, revenue collection, and long-term sustainability of rural drinking water infrastructure.

• Samba, Jammu & Kashmir- Smt Ayushi Sudan, Deputy Commissioner presented Samba as a model district under Jal Jeevan Mission, despite facing significant water management challenges due to diverse geographical conditions and dependence on groundwater sources. Through JJM, the district increased Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC) coverage with prescribed service levels from about 23% to nearly 70%, adding around 35,000 new tap connections. The district implemented 130 water supply schemes, supported by filtration plants, tube wells, dug wells, pumping stations, and storage infrastructure. Key challenges included difficult hilly terrain, declining groundwater levels, source sustainability concerns, power supply constraints, land-related issues, and the high operation and maintenance requirements of water supply systems. To address these challenges, the district adopted location-specific solutions based on local hydrogeological conditions. Several successful interventions were highlighted, including the revival of a 60-year-old dug well at the revered Uttar Behni Temple, which now provides drinking water to hundreds of households, and the development of customized schemes for remote hilly villages through a combination of filtration plants and tube wells to ensure universal coverage.

• Hooghly, West Bengal- Sh. Khursheed Ali Qadri, District Magistrate showcased the district’s substantial progress in creating drinking water infrastructure, the district shifted its focus towards community participation, service assessment, and grievance redressal to ensure sustainable service delivery under Jal Jeevan Mission. Under the Jal Seva Abhiyan, village-level service assessments were conducted by Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs), followed by validation exercises. The findings and suggested improvements were incorporated into the District Improvement Plan and submitted to the State Government. A strong emphasis was also placed on community awareness through Self-Help Groups (SHGs), with meetings, workshops, and campaigns involving nearly seven lakh women. These initiatives focused on water conservation, efficient water use, source sustainability, and reducing water wastage. To strengthen accountability, the district established a robust grievance redressal mechanism, receiving complaints through multiple channels, including helplines, emails, public representatives, and government platforms. Dedicated public hearing days are organized every week to address drinking water-related grievances promptly. Strict action has also been taken against illegal water connections and unauthorized usage to prevent water losses and ensure equitable distribution. Regular District Water and Sanitation Committee (DWSC) and DISHA meetings are being conducted with active participation of public representatives to review JJM implementation, address concerns, and undertake corrective measures. These efforts have significantly improved community engagement, transparency, service delivery, and public confidence in rural drinking water systems.

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• Dhamtari, Chhattisgarh- Sh. Abhinash Mishra, District Collector showcased that the district reported significant progress in the implementation of MVSs, with the majority of schemes already completed and the remaining works expected to be completed after obtaining necessary clearances, particularly in forest and tiger reserve areas. To ensure effective operation and maintenance (O&M), regular DWSM meetings are being conducted twice a month, focusing on scheme sustainability, convergence activities, payment issues, and service delivery improvements. The district has strengthened community ownership by ensuring active participation of VWSCs, with user charges being collected online based on population served. Gram Panchayats have been entrusted with the day-to-day O&M of water supply assets. Special emphasis has been placed on awareness generation through SHGs and community mobilization, with women playing a leading role in water governance. More than two-thirds of the Sarpanches and community representatives involved in these initiatives are women. A notable success story highlighted was a solar-powered Single Village Scheme in a remote tribal habitation, which has significantly improved access to drinking water in difficult terrain. The initiative received wide public appreciation and demonstrated how community participation, renewable energy, and decentralized management can contribute to sustainable rural drinking water service delivery.

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• Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab- Dr. Sona Thind, Deputy Commissioner highlighted the district’s successful achievement of 100%  FHTC coverage, ensuring tap water supply to all 78,475 rural households across 429 villages, along with full coverage of schools and Anganwadi centres. Building upon this achievement, the district has shifted its focus towards maintaining service quality, with nearly 80% of rural households receiving more than 70 lpcd of water, exceeding the JJM benchmark of 55 lpcd. To address groundwater depletion and water quality concerns, the district implemented a major 12 MLD surface water project drawing water from the Rajpura Distributary. The project serves 92 villages and has significantly benefited fluoride-affected areas by providing safe drinking water to over 86,000 people through an extensive pipeline network. The district has also adopted IoT-based real-time monitoring systems and a dedicated grievance redressal mechanism to ensure continuous service delivery and prompt response to complaints. Regular DWSM meetings, community participation through Gram Panchayats and VWSCs, and structured planning have strengthened local ownership of water supply systems. A strong emphasis has been placed on water quality surveillance, with NABL-accredited laboratories conducting regular testing and women-led community monitoring through Field Testing Kits (FTKs). Through a combination of surface water infrastructure, digital monitoring, community participation, and rigorous quality testing, the district has developed a sustainable model for maintaining safe and reliable drinking water services under Jal Jeevan Mission.

• North and Middle Andaman, Andaman & Nicobar Islands- Sh. Sushant Padha, Deputy Commissioner highlighted the district's achievement of 100% FHTC coverage, covering all villages and approximately 24,400 households under Jal Jeevan Mission. A total of eight JJM schemes were completed with an expenditure of about ₹5.2 crore, ensuring universal rural water supply coverage. Given the district's unique island geography and recurring summer water scarcity, monthly DWSM meetings are being conducted to review water availability and plan long-term sustainability measures. Discussions focus on rejuvenation of existing water sources, construction of ponds, ring wells, and water treatment plants, as well as expediting Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) clearances, which often delay project implementation due to the district's extensive forest cover. To address seasonal water shortages, the district has adopted a decentralized approach by creating village-level water storage structures and enhancing local water security through convergence with MGNREGA and other development programmes. The administration is also working closely with ISRO's National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) to identify and study spring sources, assess groundwater feasibility, and improve recharge measures. The district has placed strong emphasis on water quality monitoring, with regular sample testing through WQMIS-enabled laboratories and continuous surveillance of drinking water sources. A proactive grievance redressal mechanism, supported by digital communication platforms and local stakeholder networks, helps ensure prompt resolution of complaints, including a focus on zero-leakage service delivery. Awareness campaigns on water conservation, social water audits, community training, and public outreach through print and social media are being conducted extensively to promote responsible water use and strengthen long-term source sustainability in the island district.

In his concluding remarks, Shri Kamal Kishore Soan, AS&MD, NJJM appreciated the presentations made by Districts and urged that all Mission Directors to actively participate in the upcoming Skilling and Nal Jal Mitra Programme discussions by coordinating with the State Skill Development Departments and sharing inputs before the virtual meeting scheduled on 21 September 2026. Further, he stated that States/UTs were also advised to commence geo-tagging of rural water supply sources from 2 October 2026. Further, Jal Arpan activities should be organized on 2 October 2026 across the maximum possible number of Gram Panchayats, with details of participating GPs to be shared with the Department by 20 September 2026. States/UTs were also directed to initiate post-monsoon testing of water supply sources from 2 October 2026. The meeting concluded with appreciation for the efforts of all participating States and Districts towards effective implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0.

CAQM reviews Enforcement and Compliance Status across NCR; 150 Inspections conducted during 15-day reporting period

 

CAQM reviews Enforcement and Compliance Status across NCR; 150 Inspections conducted during 15-day reporting period

Posted On: 15 SEP 2026 5:44PM by PIB Delhi

The 139th meeting of the Enforcement Task Force (ETF) of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM), held on 14.09.2026, reviewed enforcement actions, inspections and compliance status across the National Capital Region (NCR) for the reporting period from 24.08.2026 to 07.09.2026. During the 15-day reporting period, a total of 150 inspections were reported, including 7 inspections at Construction and Demolition (C&D) sites, 98 inspections in the Industrial Sector and 45 inspections related to Diesel Generator (DG) sets.

As part of the reporting period, a special inspection drive was conducted in Nuh, Haryana on 03.09.2026. Eight teams of the Commission's Flying Squads, along with District Administration and Police personnel and officers of the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB), inspected a total of 35 premises. Of these, 13 were found compliant, while 7 units were found locked and are to be re-inspected by the concerned State Pollution Control Board. The recommended actions include personal hearing in 1 case, sealing of a DG set in 1 case, issuance of orders in 7 cases and imposition of Environmental Compensation (EC) in 6 cases.

Based on the violations reported by the concerned sectors, actions have been proposed in the reported cases. These include closure of 3 C&D projects and 1 industrial unit; sealing of 25 DG sets across C&D sites, industrial units and other units; and issuance of orders/directions for compliance in 1 C&D case, 2 industrial cases and 3 DG-related cases involving 10 DG sets. Environmental Compensation (EC) has also been proposed in 2 industrial cases. Other cases have been identified for appropriate action, including issuance of letters to project proponents, re-inspection and prosecution, and forwarding of cases to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), as applicable.

The status of resumption orders issued after the previous ETF meeting was also reviewed. As on 10.09.2026, a total of 6 resumption orders had been issued after the last ETF meeting, comprising 1 Industrial Unit and 5 C&D sites. State-wise, 3 resumption orders were issued in Haryana and 3 in Uttar Pradesh.

The updated cumulative enforcement status as on 14.09.2026 was also reviewed. The Flying Squads of the Commission have so far carried out inspections at 28,547 units/projects/entities across NCR. Based on these inspections, 1,829 Closure Directions have been issued, out of which 1,479 Resumption Orders have been issued after verification of compliance. Further, 126 cases have been transferred to the respective State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) for final decision, while 224 entities remain under examination for issuance of resumption orders.

The Commission reiterated the need for continued strengthening of enforcement, timely verification of compliance and close coordination among implementing agencies for effective implementation of the prescribed norms. It also emphasised expeditious enforcement action, strict compliance monitoring and continued inspections across priority sectors, including Industrial Units, C&D activities and DG sets, to ensure effective mitigation of air pollution across the NCR.

Union Environment Minister and Gujarat Chief Minister inaugurate World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) 2026 at Gandhinagar

 

Union Environment Minister and Gujarat Chief Minister inaugurate World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) 2026 at Gandhinagar

WCEF2026 must embody spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam by developing Practical Circular Solutions for the World: CM (Gujarat), Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel

Repair before Replace, Reuse before Discard, Recover before Waste - India’s Circularity Ethos rooted in Tradition: Shri Bhupender Yadav

Circularity inherently Collaborative - Knowledge, Technology, Finance and Responsibility need to move across Borders and Sectors: Union Environment Minister

Posted On: 15 SEP 2026 12:20PM by PIB Delhi

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav, along with Chief Minister (Gujarat), Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel, inaugurated the World Circular Economy Forum 2026 at Gandhinagar today. The forum is being organised under the theme 'Circular Economy: Transition for People and Prosperity', from 15th - 18th September. Other dignitaries gracing the inaugural session included Minister for Forest, Environment and Climate Change (Gujarat), Shri Arjunbhai Modhwadia; Minister of State for Forests and Environment, Climate Change (Gujarat), Shri Pravinbhai Mali; Ambassador of Finland to India, Ambassador of Finland to India, H.E. Mr. Mikko Kivikoski; Dy. Directoe General (Circular Economy), Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate (Netherlands), Ms. Marieke Spijkerboer; President SITRA, Mr. Atte Jääskeläinen, along with senior officials from the Government of India and Government of Gujarat.

In his special address, Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel said the first-ever hosting of WCEF in South Asia reflects India’s growing global leadership under the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He said Mission LiFE is emerging as a foundation for the global circular economy and expressed confidence that the Forum would showcase practical circular economy practices for the world. 

The Chief Minister reflected on Gujarat’s journey towards environmental conservation, while maintaining a balance between development and the environment. Highlighting traditional circular practices, he cited the example of offerings at the Somnath Temple being recycled into reusable resources and generating livelihoods for local communities. He emphasised that the culture of reuse and the concept of converting waste into wealth have long been part of Indian traditions, and called for WCEF to embody the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam by developing practical circular solutions for the world.

In his keynote address on the occasion, Shri Bhupender Yadav said that for India, the circular economy is “not a new destination; it is a new way of looking at an old wisdom”. He said the principles of reuse, repair and respect for resources have been deeply embedded in India’s social and cultural fabric. “What we now describe in policy language as circularity was once simply common sense in everyday Indian life - repair before replace, reuse before discard, and recover before waste”, he stated. The Minister said the choice is not between growth and the environment, but an opportunity to make growth itself more resource-efficient, resilient and sustainable. “The true measure of a circular economy will not be how much waste we recycle, but how little value we allow to be wasted,” he said, expressing confidence that WCEF 2026 would forge partnerships and solutions for a circular future.

Shri Yadav highlighted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India has shifted towards a circular economy through regulatory reforms and digital compliance systems, including strengthened sector-specific waste management rules and the introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). He said the objective is to ensure that “waste should no longer be seen as the end of a product’s journey, but as the beginning of another resource cycle.” As of August 2026, more than 83,000 producers and 4,802 recyclers were registered under various EPR frameworks, with nearly 482.24 lakh metric tonnes of waste processed across regulated waste streams, he informed.

The Minister stressed that regulation alone cannot create a circular economy and that circularity must also begin with how people consume. Referring to Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE), he said a circular economy cannot be built only at the recycling plant, whereas it must begin in the marketplace, continue in homes and ultimately become a habit in daily life. Calling circularity inherently collaborative, the Minister said no country, company or community can close the loop alone, and emphasised the need for knowledge, technology, finance and responsibility to move across borders and sectors. He highlighted India’s international cooperation on the circular economy, including the Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy Industry Coalition (RECEIC) launched during India’s G20 Presidency. The Minister also stated how India's BRICS Chairship has placed the circular economy alongside sustainable lifestyles, ecosystem restoration and adaptation as interconnected priorities.

Addressing the occasion, Shri Arjunbhai Modhvadia recalled Mahatma Gandhi’s message that the Earth has enough to fulfil everyone’s needs, but not everyone’s greed. He said Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had laid the foundation for a circular economy in Gujarat, which is now being advanced under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel, positioning the State as a global hub for circular transition. He called for turning waste into resources and resources into value to build a sustainable and resilient future.

H.E. Mr. Mikko Kivikoski said circularity is not a separate environmental agenda but a fundamental way of thinking about growth and has become an integral part of Finland’s national policy. He highlighted Finland’s ambition to keep resource consumption below 2015 levels by 2035 and noted that over 100 Finnish companies operating in India are working with sustainable technologies and circular principles. He emphasised the need to move circularity upstream by rethinking what is produced and how value can be retained for as long as possible, noting that “the best waste is that which is never created”. He mentioned the elevation of the India-Finland relationship to a strategic partnership, focusing on digitalisation and sustainability.

Ms. Marieke Spijkerboer underlined that the circular transition is an integral part of Dutch industrial policy, with the country aspiring to become fully circular by 2050. She highlighted progress in reducing material consumption, efforts to strengthen the circular economy law and EPR systems, and stressed that international cooperation is imperative to build circular value chains. Noting the participation of over 20 Dutch companies and organisations at WCEF 2026, she lauded India’s energy and ambition in advancing circularity across large companies as well as start-ups.

The dignitaries inaugurated and reviewed the WCEF2026 exhibition at the venue featuring 135 national and international exhibitors, showcasing practical circular solutions. The Forum is witnessing participation of over 3600 cross-sectoral stakeholders from 62 countries, including business leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, researchers, policymakers, academicians, changemakers and others.  The Dignitaries also released two publications during the Inaugural Session. They are ‘Best Practices for Reuse of Treated Sewage’ and ‘Driving Sustainability - A Guide to India's Circular Economy and EPR Initiatives’.

Prime Minister extends greetings on Engineers' Day

 

Prime Minister extends greetings on Engineers' Day

Posted On: 15 SEP 2026 11:12AM by PIB Delhi

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has extended his greetings to all engineers on the occasion of Engineers’ Day. Shri Modi lauded engineers for their remarkable contribution to building, innovating and finding solutions that help create a better tomorrow.

The Prime Minister also paid tribute to Sir M. Visvesvaraya, whose exceptional engineering prowess and vision for nation-building continue to inspire generations of engineers.

The Prime Minister posted on X:

Happy #EngineersDay to all remarkable engineers, the people who build, innovate and provide solutions for a better tomorrow.

Tributes to Sir M. Visvesvaraya, whose engineering genius and nation-building vision continue to inspire.

Shri Bhupender Yadav reviews progress of Great Indian Bustard Conservation, Grassland Restoration and Project Cheetah at Bhuj; Releases Gujarat Action Plan for GIB Conservation

 

Shri Bhupender Yadav reviews progress of Great Indian Bustard Conservation, Grassland Restoration and Project Cheetah at Bhuj; Releases Gujarat Action Plan for GIB Conservation

Conservation succeeds when we Restore Whole Landscapes, Not Isolated Species: Union Environment Minister

Posted On: 13 SEP 2026 8:51PM by PIB Delhi

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav, today chaired a Review Meeting of Flagship Programmes at Bhuj, Kachchh (Gujarat), covering the conservation status of the Great Indian Bustard, grassland restoration and Project Cheetah. The Review Meeting was also attended by Shri Arjun Modhwadia, Cabinet Minister for Forest and Environment, Climate Change and Science & Technology, Government of Gujarat. Senior officials of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Gujarat Forest Department, the Wildlife Institute of India and the National Tiger Conservation Authority were also present.

On the occasion, the Union Minister emphasised that conservation must move beyond individual species to the restoration of entire landscapes, combining scientific management, habitat restoration and community participation, and said India is working towards becoming a global benchmark in landscape-level conservation.

Shri Yadav highlighted renewed efforts to conserve the Critically Endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB) in Gujarat, where, he noted, Kachchh supports an important but small and isolated population. Releasing the Gujarat Action Plan for GIB Conservation, prepared by the Wildlife Institute of India in collaboration with the Gujarat Forest Department, the Minister said it provides a science-based roadmap to establish a minimum viable population of over 30 birds and secure 200–500 sq. km. of safe, contiguous habitat. He added that the immediate focus is on the approximately 200 sq. km. Lala–Rawa landscape, with interventions including habitat restoration, grazing management, invasive species removal, predator management and mitigation of infrastructure-related threats.

Shri Yadav informed that significant on-ground action has already been undertaken to secure this population. He noted that in Naliya, around 11 sq. km. of grassland infested with the invasive Prosopis juliflora has been restored, and the enclosure secured with 30 km of predator-proof fencing covering 15 sq. km., alongside targeted management of nest predators. Shri Yadav further emphasised that GIB conservation is ultimately the conservation of Kachchh's open natural ecosystems, which, he said, also support the lesser florican, chinkara, desert cats, raptors, vultures and other specialised wildlife.

Referring to a pioneering ‘jump-start’ intervention, in which infertile eggs laid by wild GIB females were replaced with viable eggs from the conservation breeding programme, the Minister said the resulting chick from the second such attempt has survived beyond the critical first three months in the wild – a landmark result for the species' recovery in Gujarat. He further stated that a GIB Soft Release Centre has been developed near Naliya, which will house and acclimatise captive-bred birds from Rajasthan ahead of their eventual release, once appropriate protocols and habitat conditions are in place.

On Grassland Restoration, Shri Yadav underlined the ecological importance of grasslands, which, he said, cover nearly 24% of India's land area but remain among the country's most degraded and under-conserved ecosystems. He informed that a proposed five-year national assessment, in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India, ICFRE and the Forest Survey of India, with National CAMPA support, would provide a scientific basis for developing a national framework for grassland management, focusing on mapping, ecological assessment, restoration and improved management of Open Natural Ecosystems, including Gujarat's Banni Grassland.

Reviewing Project Cheetah, the Minister noted that India has established a growing population from 29 founder cheetahs, with the population now reaching 52 individuals, including 49 cubs born in India. He observed that the cub survival rate in Kuno, at around 68%, significantly demonstrates the potential for successful population establishment under appropriate ecological conditions. Shri Yadav further noted that the protected habitat for cheetahs has expanded to 3,428 sq. km. through the integrated management of Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar, and that Banni Grasslands in Gujarat and Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh have been identified as future release sites. The Minister said the programme is increasingly moving towards landscape-level management, ensuring adequate habitat, prey base and ecological connectivity for the long-term recovery of the species.

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VM

English Translation of Prime Minister’s Opening Remarks during the 18th BRICS Summit Session: “Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability: Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth

 

English Translation of Prime Minister’s Opening Remarks during the 18th BRICS Summit Session: “Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability: Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth”

Posted On: 13 SEP 2026 12:11PM by PIB Delhi

Your Highness,
Excellencies, 
Namaskar!

I extend a warm welcome to all of you to the extended family of BRICS. 

Today, this hall brings together continents, cultures, and diverse development journeys. It is a testament to the growing strength, appeal, and unprecedented trust in BRICS. 

Friends,

Under India’s Presidency, we have focused all our efforts on these four pillars: Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability. I am pleased that, with all your cooperation and support, we have been able to translate our shared vision into win-win cooperation. 

Today, the number of conflicts and tensions in the world is continuously increasing, and this is having an increasingly negative and far-reaching impact on the lives of ordinary people. 

Pandemics, climate disasters, and supply-chain disruptions have shown that in today’s interconnected world, no crisis remains confined to a single region. Therefore, within the BRICS group, we have placed special emphasis on strengthening Resilience. It is equally important to identify challenges in time, be prepared for them, and take prompt action. 

With this approach, we have agreed on a BRICS Integrated Early Warning System for the prevention of and response to infectious diseases. Early Warning Data Integration Guidelines have been prepared for disaster management. The BRICS Logistics Supply Chain Cooperation Framework will help make our supply chains more reliable and resilient. 

Friends,

Under Innovation, the BRICS Incubator Network will connect our start-ups and incubators with one another. To promote innovative and scalable solutions, we have proposed the BRICS Startup Innovation Fund. 

The BRICS Network on Digital Agriculture will create new opportunities for farmers. Through this initiative, AI, geospatial technology, and Digital Public Infrastructure will be connected to the real needs of farmers. 

The weaponization of technology and critical minerals can hinder our shared progress. Therefore, we have emphasised inclusivity in the adoption of technology. 

Friends,

India has advanced friendship, partnership, and cooperation through the BRICS platform. 

Our endeavour has been to ensure that BRICS cooperation does not remain limited to governments alone. We have sought to make our entrepreneurs, farmers, researchers, women, youth, and ordinary citizens active participants in it. 

Through BRICS CONNECT, we have promoted skills, employability, women in the workforce, social security, and capacity building. 

To connect small enterprises with knowledge, finance, and new markets, we have initiated the BRICS MSME Cooperation Portal. 

The BRICS Urban Mobility Hub has been established to facilitate the sharing of best practices among our cities. 

Friends, 

In Indian civilisation, nature has been accorded the status of a mother. For centuries, we have believed that development and the environment are not alternatives to each other, but are complementary. Within BRICS as well, we have emphasised the need to strike a balance between human development and the environment. 

This is the foundation of Sustainability. It is also our responsibility towards future generations. In this direction, we have made progress on several fronts. 

For Smart Grids and Energy Storage, we have established the BRICS Digital Centre of Excellence. This will help make our clean energy systems more reliable, efficient, and accessible. 

The Centres of Excellence for Agro-Ecology and Regenerative Agriculture will connect traditional knowledge with modern science. The principles developed for community-based climate adaptation will make indigenous knowledge an important foundation for climate action. 

Friends, 

Building on these four pillars, through BRICS we have sought to promote inclusive global growth. We believe that the benefits of solutions developed within BRICS should not remain confined to BRICS alone. They should be made adaptable and accessible to meet the needs of the Global South. 

Friends, 

From my personal experience, I can say that the Global South countries’ confidence in BRICS has grown, because within BRICS: 

Their voices are heard. 
Their experiences are respected. 
And solutions are developed not for them, but together with them. 

The strength of BRICS lies in our diversity and cooperation. 

We may be rooted in different realities, but together, we rise through cooperation, and blossom for humanity. 

May our diversity remain our identity, our cooperation become our inspiration, and our progress serve the cause of all humanity. 

Thank you very much.