DAILY NEWS ANALYSIS

In response to a question in the Lok Sabha, the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting informed that 1,469 film titles, amounting to approximately 4.3 lakh minutes of films, have been digitized under the National Film Heritage Mission (NFHM) so far.

About the National Film Heritage Mission

The National Film Heritage Mission was launched in 2015 by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting with the objective of restoring, preserving, and digitizing India’s rich film heritage.

Implementation Agency

The Mission is implemented by the National Film Archive of India (NFAI), Pune.

Objectives of NFHM

The key objectives of the National Film Heritage Mission include:

• Conducting condition assessments of film reels to determine their remaining life.

• Undertaking 2K and 4K restoration of picture and sound for landmark Indian films.

• Creating new picture and sound inter-negatives for long-term preservation.

• Digitizing films to ensure wider access and safeguard against physical degradation.

• Constructing archival and preservation facilities, known as vaults, with controlled environmental conditions.

• Organizing training programmes and workshops to build in-house technical capacity.

• Developing a web-based, end-to-end IT solution for film preservation and archival management.

National Film Archive of India (NFAI)

The National Film Archive of India was established in February 1964 as a media unit under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.

Mandate and Functions

The primary mandate of NFAI is to acquire, preserve, and maintain India’s cinematic heritage.
Its preservation work covers both film and non-film materials, including:

• Celluloid films

• Photographs and stills

• Glass slides

• Posters and lobby cards

• Scripts and song booklets

Promotion of Indian Cinema

In addition to preservation, the NFAI actively promotes film culture and appreciation in India.
It organizes film screenings, film appreciation courses, and research programmes, thereby fostering academic and cultural engagement with Indian cinema.

Organizational Structure

The NFAI is headquartered in Pune, with regional centres in Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Thiruvananthapuram.

International Affiliation

The National Film Archive of India has been a member of the International Federation of Film Archives (FIAF) since 1969, reflecting its global engagement in film preservation standards.

Ms. Supriya Sahu, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Forests, Government of Tamil Nadu, has been awarded the UN Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Champions of the Earth Award 2025 for her leadership in environmental governance.

About the Champions of the Earth Award

The Champions of the Earth Award was instituted in 2005 by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
It is the highest environmental honour of the United Nations, recognising individuals and organisations that have made exceptional contributions to environmental protection and sustainable development.

Purpose of the Award

The award aims to honour global leaders who provide innovative and scalable solutions to address the triple planetary crisis, namely:

• Climate change

• Biodiversity and nature loss

• Pollution and waste

Categories of the Award

Policy Leadership

This category recognises public officials and policymakers who lead national or international environmental action and shape policies for sustainable development.

Inspiration and Action

This category honours individuals or groups who inspire behavioural change and mobilise communities through bold environmental initiatives.

Entrepreneurial Vision

This category acknowledges entrepreneurs and innovators who develop clean technologies and sustainable business models to protect the environment.

Science and Innovation

This category celebrates scientists and technologists whose research and innovation result in significant environmental benefits.

Significance of the Award

The Champions of the Earth Award highlights best global practices in environmental leadership and promotes policy innovation, scientific advancement, and community-driven solutions

In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, the Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development informed that 222 institutions are currently participating in the Sanchar Mitra Scheme.

About the Scheme

The Sanchar Mitra Scheme is a youth-oriented initiative launched by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) under the Ministry of Communications.
The scheme aims to utilise the energy and technical knowledge of students to promote safe and responsible digital behaviour among citizens.

Objectives

The main objective of the scheme is to create trained student volunteers who can spread awareness about mobile safety, telecom fraud prevention, and government digital initiatives.

Role of Sanchar Mitras

Under the scheme, selected students are designated as Sanchar Mitras.
They conduct awareness campaigns in communities, educational institutions, and public spaces to educate people on the secure and responsible use of telecom services.

Eligibility

The scheme is open to students from technical institutions offering courses in telecommunications, electronics, computer science, cybersecurity, or related fields, provided the institution has agreed to participate in the scheme.

Training and Capacity Building

Sanchar Mitras receive structured training from subject experts and the National Communications Academy – Technology (NCA-T).
The training covers cybersecurity, emerging telecom technologies, and telecom policies and regulations.

Incentives and Opportunities

Top-performing Sanchar Mitras may receive opportunities to:

• Participate in research and development projects and telecom start-ups

• Contribute to policy and standards-related work

• Take part in field surveys and DoT initiatives

• Attend national conferences and events

Recognition and incentives are coordinated by DoT units using existing institutional resources.

Implementation

The Sanchar Mitra Scheme is implemented across all States and Union Territories through the Licensed Service Area (LSA) field offices of the Department of Telecommunications

Recently, the National Steering Committee (NSC) of the PM Vishwakarma Scheme approved several proposals and policy measures to improve loan sanctions and disbursement mechanisms under the scheme.

About the Scheme

The PM Vishwakarma Scheme is a Central Sector Scheme launched by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).
The scheme aims to strengthen the Guru–Shishya parampara, which refers to the family-based transmission of traditional skills among artisans and craftspeople who work with their hands and tools.

Objectives

The scheme seeks to enhance the productivity, income, and market access of traditional artisans by providing skill training, credit support, market linkages, and incentives for digital transactions.

Duration

The scheme is being implemented for a period of five years, from FY 2023–24 to FY 2027–28.

Eligibility and Coverage

The scheme is open to both rural and urban artisans and craftspeople across India.
To be eligible, beneficiaries must:

• Be 18 years of age or older

• Be engaged in a traditional craft or trade

• Not have availed similar loans in the last five years

The scheme covers 18 traditional trades, including boat makers, armourers, blacksmiths, hammer and toolkit makers, among others.

Key Features

Recognition

Eligible beneficiaries are provided with a PM Vishwakarma Certificate and Identity Card, giving them formal recognition as skilled artisans.

Skill Upgradation

The scheme offers:

• Basic training of 5–7 days

• Advanced training of 15 days or more

During the training period, beneficiaries receive a stipend of ?500 per day.

Toolkit Incentive

A toolkit incentive of up to ?15,000 is provided in the form of e-vouchers at the start of basic skill training to help artisans upgrade their tools.

Credit Support

The scheme provides collateral-free Enterprise Development Loans of up to ?3 lakh, distributed in two tranches:

• ?1 lakh in the first tranche

• ?2 lakh in the second tranche

The loans are offered at a concessional interest rate of 5%.

Target Beneficiaries

The scheme aims to cover 5 lakh families in the first year and 30 lakh families over five years.

The Reserve Bank of India’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has reduced the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.25%, marking a cumulative cut of 125 basis points in 2025.
The RBI described the current macroeconomic situation as a “Goldilocks phase”, characterised by low inflation and strong GDP growth.

What is the ‘Goldilocks Phase’ in an Economy?

A Goldilocks phase refers to an economic situation where conditions are neither too hot nor too cold. Economic growth remains strong and sustainable without overheating, while inflation stays low and stable without triggering deflation or weak demand.

India’s Goldilocks Phase

In December 2025, the RBI Governor termed India’s economy a “rare Goldilocks phase”, as:

• GDP growth stood at 8.2% in Q2 (July–September) of 2025–26, and

• Inflation averaged 1.7% in Q2, further dipping to 0.3% in October 2025.

Significance

During a Goldilocks phase, central banks enjoy greater policy flexibility. They can maintain accommodative interest rates or cut rates to signal confidence in economic stability and extend the growth cycle. However, such phases are temporary and require careful management.

Factors Leading to the RBI’s Repo Rate Cut

Sustained Disinflation

Inflation declined sharply, averaging 1.7% in Q2 of 2025–26 and falling to 0.3% in October 2025, well below the RBI’s lower tolerance limit of 2% under the Flexible Inflation Targeting framework.
This created sufficient policy space for a rate cut without risking inflationary pressures.

Strong Growth with Low Inflation

India maintained robust growth of 8.2% in Q2, while inflation remained subdued at around 2.2%, creating ideal macroeconomic conditions. The RBI cut rates to support domestic demand and prolong this favourable phase.

Countering External Headwinds

Weak global trade, volatile financial markets, and geopolitical uncertainties posed risks to exports and investment. The repo rate cut was aimed at cushioning the economy by strengthening domestic consumption.

Supporting Growth Momentum

Lower rates are expected to reinforce festive demand, amplify the impact of GST rationalisation, and stimulate overall consumption and investment during this favourable macroeconomic phase.

Repo Rate

The repo rate is the interest rate at which commercial banks borrow funds from the Reserve Bank of India for short-term liquidity needs.

Functioning

Banks borrow money by pledging government securities as collateral, which are repurchased later at a higher price that includes interest.

Role in Monetary Policy

An increase in the repo rate raises borrowing costs and curbs demand, while a decrease lowers loan costs and stimulates credit growth. The RBI uses the repo rate to regulate liquidity, inflation, and economic growth.

Flexible Inflation Targeting (FIT)

Flexible Inflation Targeting is a monetary policy framework where the central bank aims to achieve a specific medium-term inflation target, while retaining flexibility to stabilise output and employment in the short run.

India’s Inflation Target

In India, the RBI targets CPI inflation at 4%, with a tolerance band of ±2% (2% to 6%).

Trade-off Management

FIT recognises short-term trade-offs between inflation control and growth, allowing the RBI to support economic activity as long as inflation remains anchored.

Implications of the RBI’s Repo Rate Cut

Boost to Economic Growth

Lower interest rates reduce borrowing costs, encourage bank lending, stimulate consumption, and promote private investment, especially in capital expenditure.

Inflation Risks

Higher liquidity can potentially lead to demand-pull inflation if supply constraints emerge. However, the RBI’s decision reflects confidence that inflation will remain within the target band.

Impact on External Sector

A lower interest rate differential may weaken the rupee, improving export competitiveness but increasing import costs and potentially widening the trade deficit.

Effect on Savings

Reduced interest rates lower returns on fixed deposits and small savings, which may discourage household savings in favour of consumption or riskier investments