In a landmark decision set to shape India’s economic and developmental trajectory, the Union Cabinet, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has greenlit a series of transformative schemes with a total outlay exceeding ₹3.95 lakh crore. These include the ₹1.07 lakh crore Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme, ₹1 lakh crore Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme, the National Sports Policy 2025, and the ₹1,853 crore four-laning of the Paramakudi–Ramanathapuram National Highway in Tamil Nadu.
Massive Employment Boost with ₹1.07 Lakh Crore ELI Scheme
The cornerstone of this policy push is the Employment Linked Incentive Scheme, designed to create over 3.5 crore new jobs in the next two years. With a laser focus on the manufacturing and construction sectors, the scheme offers monthly incentives of up to ₹3,000 per new employee for up to four years.
Key Features of the ELI Scheme
Budget Allocation: ₹1.07 lakh crore
Target Sectors: Primarily manufacturing, extended benefits to construction
Employment Incentive: ₹3,000 per new hire, applicable for 24 months
Salary Cap for Incentive: ₹1 lakh/month per employee
Extended Support: Construction sector eligible for benefits for an additional 2 years
The ELI Scheme is split into two dynamic components:
First-Time Employment Support: Incentives for employers hiring individuals entering the workforce for the first time.
Sustained Employment Incentive: Continued support for companies maintaining consistent hiring practices.
This initiative is expected to fortify the MSME ecosystem, encourage formal employment, and bolster India’s global manufacturing competitiveness.
₹1 Lakh Crore Research-Development-Innovation Scheme to Power India’s Scientific Prowess
In a bold step to place India on the global innovation map, the Cabinet has sanctioned the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme with a whopping ₹1 lakh crore budget. Spearheaded by inputs from the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), this scheme is modeled on the globally successful frameworks of the U.S., Israel, Singapore, and Germany.
Salient Features of the RDI Scheme
Funding Allocation: ₹1,00,000 crore
Mission Objective: Accelerate innovation, applied research, and industry collaboration
Global Benchmarking: Inspired by successful research-to-commercialization pipelines abroad
Private Sector Participation: Strong emphasis on academia-industry synergies
Target Outcome: Transform India into a tech-driven manufacturing hub
The RDI scheme is strategically structured to bridge gaps between laboratories and factories, enabling a start-up-driven ecosystem that thrives on intellectual property, deep-tech innovations, and home-grown technologies.
National Sports Policy 2025: Roadmap to Make India a Global Sporting Powerhouse
The Khelo India Policy 2025, dubbed the National Sports Policy 2025, is a sweeping reform that seeks to catapult India into the top five sporting nations by 2047. Approved by the Union Cabinet, this ambitious framework redefines India’s sports strategy by integrating grassroots talent development, sports science, and rural outreach.
Highlights of the Sports Policy 2025
Vision 2047: Propel India among the top 5 sporting nations
Focus Areas:
Rural Talent Discovery
Women and Para-sports Empowerment
Public-Private Partnerships in Infrastructure
Mass Participation Goals: Transform sports into a “people’s movement”
Institutional Support: Expansion of Sports Universities, training centers, and sports-specific academies
With PM Modi’s decade-long emphasis on youth empowerment through sports, this policy represents a consolidated national approach to nurturing Olympic-level athletes, expanding sports infrastructure, and embedding fitness into India’s lifestyle.
₹1,853 Crore Paramakudi–Ramanathapuram National Highway Upgradation
The Cabinet has also approved a critical infrastructure development project in Tamil Nadu — the four-laning of the 46.7 km Paramakudi to Ramanathapuram section of National Highway. With a capital outlay of ₹1,853 crore, this road project will ease congestion, improve coastal connectivity, and enhance trade flow in the southern region.
Strategic Importance of the Highway Project
Length: 46.7 km
Total Cost: ₹1,853 crore
Improved Access: Seamless travel from Madurai to Ramanathapuram
Boost to Regional Economy: Enhanced access to Dhanushkodi, Rameswaram, and neighboring fishing hubs
Long-Standing Demand: Coastal communities’ key demand finally addressed
Additionally, the government is preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for extending the road up to Dhanushkodi, including sea bridge assessments, which could later pave the way for multimodal tourism and trade logistics in the Bay of Bengal region.
Integrated Impact: Job Creation, Industrial Strength, and National Prestige
These cabinet decisions collectively represent a multisectoral investment in India’s future:
Employment: Immediate generation of lakhs of jobs, especially for youth and skilled workers
Industrial Growth: A stronger, globally competitive manufacturing base
Innovation Ecosystem: Strengthened link between academic research and commercial viability
Sports Culture: Institutionalization of sports as a core pillar of national identity
Infrastructure Development: Enhanced connectivity, safety, and economic prospects for under-served regions
With this unprecedented ₹3.95 lakh crore push, India is not only addressing its present challenges but also laying the foundation for sustained economic dominance, technological excellence, and global athletic recognition.
Conclusion: A New Era of Growth Underway
The Modi government’s strategic infusion of nearly ₹4 lakh crore into employment, innovation, infrastructure, and sports sets a definitive blueprint for India’s ascendancy on the global stage. By bridging the urban-rural divide, empowering youth, energizing industries, and institutionalizing research and sports, these measures position India to leapfrog into the world’s top economic and developmental powerhouses over the next two decades.
As the world watches, India has clearly sent a message: This is the century of Bharat.
