On November 29, 2025, the Government of India signed major financial agreements with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), totaling over $800 million in loans and a $1 million technical assistance grant. These funds are allocated for crucial projects in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Assam, focusing on infrastructure, clean energy, skill development, and ecological restoration.
India Secures $800M+ ADB Loans for Clean Energy, Indore Metro, and Gujarat Skill Development
| State | Project Focus | ADB Financial Aid | Key Objective |
| Maharashtra | Agricultural Solarization | $500 million (Loan) | Providing daytime solar-powered irrigation to 900,000 farmers by 2028. |
| Madhya Pradesh | Indore Metro Rail Project | ¥27.1 billion (~$190.6M) (Loan) | Constructing an 8.62 km underground metro corridor to ease urban congestion. |
| Gujarat | Skill Development | $109.97 million (Loan) | Upgrading the workforce for high-demand sectors like IT and Renewable Energy. |
| Assam | Wetland & Fisheries | $1 million (Grant) | Rejuvenating over 4,000 hectares of degraded wetlands (beels) under the SWIFT Project. |
Detailed Project Highlights
- Maharashtra: Solarizing Agriculture ($500 Million Loan)
- Project Name: Maharashtra Power Distribution Enhancement Programme for Agricultural Solarization.
- Goal: To shift farm irrigation from diesel and grid electricity to solar power, reducing costs and supporting India’s clean energy commitment.
- Key Feature: Includes the installation of 500 MWh of battery storage for integrating renewable energy.
- Madhya Pradesh: Indore Metro Rail Project (~$190.6 Million Loan)
- Objective: To improve urban mobility and connectivity in Indore.
- Scope: Financing an 8.62 km underground corridor with seven stations, linking key areas including the airport.
- Target: Operations are expected to begin by January 2030.
- Gujarat: Skill Development Programme ($109.97 Million Loan)
- Focus: Upgrading the skills of the workforce for future-ready industries (e.g., logistics, automotive, agri-tech).
- Key Institutions: Upgrading 11 mega Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and establishing Centres of Excellence.
- Anchor Institution: The project uses a hub-and-spoke model with Kaushalya: The Skill University (KSU) as the anchor.
- Assam: Wetland and Fisheries Transformation ($1 Million Grant)
- Project Name: SWIFT Project (Sustainable Wetland-Fisheries Transformation).
- Goal: To rejuvenate degraded wetlands (locally called beels) and enhance indigenous fish production.
- Environmental Benefit: Improves groundwater recharge and increases flood resilience in the region.
The agreements underline the ADB’s long-standing partnership with India focused on inclusive and sustainable growth across infrastructure and environmental sectors.
Question & Answer
Q1. The ADB loan of $500 million is allocated to which state for its Agricultural Solarization Programme?
A) Gujarat
B) Madhya Pradesh
C) Maharashtra
D) Assam
Answer: C) Maharashtra
Explanation: The $500 million loan supports the Maharashtra Power Distribution Enhancement Programme for Agricultural Solarization, aimed at solarizing farm irrigation.
Q2. What is the primary focus of the $1 million technical assistance grant (SWIFT Project) in Assam?
A) Developing a new highway network.
B) Restoring degraded wetlands (beels) and fisheries.
C) Establishing a technology park.
D) Funding flood control dams.
Answer: B) Restoring degraded wetlands (beels) and fisheries.
Explanation: The SWIFT Project aims to rejuvenate degraded wetlands and develop fisheries as sustainable livelihood systems in Assam.
Q3. The ADB loan for the Indore Metro Rail Project is specifically aimed at financing a section of which type of corridor?
A) Elevated corridor
B) Underground corridor
C) At-grade corridor
D) Ring road corridor
Answer: B) Underground corridor
Explanation: The loan will finance an 8.62 km underground metro corridor with seven stations, improving connectivity and airport access.
Q4. The Gujarat Skill Development Programme will use which institution as its anchor under the hub-and-spoke model?
A) IIM Ahmedabad
B) IIT Gandhinagar
C) Kaushalya: The Skill University (KSU)
D) Central Institute of Technology (CIT)
Answer: C) Kaushalya: The Skill University (KSU)
Explanation: KSU will act as the central hub for skill development initiatives across Gujarat.
Q5. The total financial agreements signed between the Government of India and the ADB on November 29, 2025, amounted to:
A) Exactly $800 million
B) Less than $500 million
C) Over $800 million
D) Exactly $1 million
Answer: C) Over $800 million
Explanation: The combined value of the agreements—including $500M + ~$190.6M + $109.97M + $1M—exceeds $800 million.
🔗 Other Useful Links:
📌 Latest Government Job Vacancies
📌 Latest Exam Results
📌 Free Mock Tests
.jpg=w704-h396-p-k-no-nu?w=1024&resize=1024,1024&ssl=1 "Mohammed Lateef Khan Receives Maulana Abul Kalam Azad National Award 2025")
.jpg=w704-h396-p-k-no-nu?w=1024&resize=1024,1024&ssl=1 "Sonali S Jeet Iyengar Honoured with 10th ATAL Shastra Lifetime Achievement Award 2025")
.jpg=w704-h396-p-k-no-nu?w=1024&resize=1024,1024&ssl=1 "NADA Suspends Manju Bala and Other Athletes in Major Anti-Doping Action")
.jpg=w704-h396-p-k-no-nu?w=1024&resize=1024,1024&ssl=1 "Climate Crisis in the Amazon: Lake Tefé’s 41°C Waters Cause Mass Dolphin Deaths")