WCL has been making significant efforts to support the scheme and create meaningful learning opportunities for young people, particularly those residing in interior coalfield regions. Through practical training and industry exposure, PMIS is helping youth develop employable skills without having to move far from their homes.

As part of this initiative, WCL is offering 150 technical internships, reinforcing its focus on empowering youth and expanding access to career-oriented training opportunities.

Following the Essor (Acquisition of Undertakings in India) Act passed by Parliament, the Government of India took over the refinery and marketing operations of Esso Eastern Inc. on this day in 1974. These operations were merged with Lube India Limited to officially birth HPCL.

Over more than five decades, HPCL transitioned from a private multinational setup to a proud Maharatna CPSE. Today, it commands over 19% of India’s petroleum marketing share and operates massive refining setups in Mumbai and Visakhapatnam.

Under the updated protocol, the complete six-stanza version of Vande Mataram, which has a running duration of approximately three minutes and ten seconds, must be utilized at important official events. This includes civil investitures, the arrival and departure of the President and Governors at formal functions, national parades involving the National Flag, and during official presidential broadcasts. The ministry underscored that all citizens are required to stand at attention, maintain silence, and remain still during the rendition of both the National Song and the National Anthem to demonstrate utmost respect. These directives reinforce an earlier order from January 28, 2026, which established this complete version of Vande Mataram as the standard for state ceremonies, while the established regulations for the full and short versions of Jana Gana Mana remain firmly in place.

This administrative push is part of a larger, nation-wide effort by the Government to ensure that India’s sacred national symbols are uniformly respected and consistently honoured across all levels of administration, from village halls to state banquets. While deliberate disrespect to the National Anthem is legally punishable under The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, the guidelines for Vande Mataram aim to foster voluntary, deeply rooted civic respect. By urging states and central ministries to distribute these rules to bands, choirs, educational institutions, and event organisers, the MHA aims to protect the historical, cultural, and emotional sanctity of these songs, ensuring their dignity remains fully preserved in the modern digital age.

To ensure active stakeholder participation and to offer comprehensive clarity on the scheme provisions and bidding requirements, the Ministry will host a Pre-Application Conference on 20 July 2026. Prospective applicants and industry stakeholders are encouraged to attend this session and raise queries for official clarification. The final deadline for the submission of applications has been set for 7 September 2026. Comprehensive documentation, including the detailed application timeline, guidelines, and the RFP, is currently accessible on the Ministry of Coal’s official website for interested public and private entities to review.