GOBARdhan (Current Events)
GOBARdhan (Current Events)
Why In News:
The Union Cabinet has approved GOBARdhan, the National Circular Bioenergy Scheme as a National Unified Scheme with a total outlay of about Rs 23,731 crore to promote Compressed Biogas (CBG) from cattle dung, agri-residue and organic waste.
Source:The Indian Express, Page 9, 7 August 2026 - 'To cut gas imports, Cabinet gives nod to Rs 24k cr biogas scheme GOBARdhan'; The Hindu, Page 15, 7 August 2026 - 'Govt. okays Rs 23,731 cr. GOBARdhan scheme'
National Circular Bioenergy Scheme
The Scheme will be implemented from FY 2026–27 to FY 2035–36, positioning Compressed Biogas (CBG) as a key pillar of India’s future energy mix.
Through measures like assured demand, stable and remunerative pricing, capital support, pipeline infrastructure, credit facilitation, and technology advancement, the GOBARdhan initiative aims to create a robust and predictable ecosystem for scaling up the CBG sector.
It seeks to expand domestic CBG production nearly tenfold, attract large-scale private investment, and foster a dynamic circular bioeconomy across the country.
What is GOBARdhan?
Full form: Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan.
Origin: Launched in 2018 under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) to convert cattle dung, agricultural residue and organic waste into biogas/CBG and organic manure.
2026 unification: Earlier fragmented initiatives (including the New National Biogas and Organic Manure Programme) have now been merged into a single National Unified Scheme for wider adoption.
How CBG is Produced
Feedstock: Cattle dung, agricultural residue, municipal solid waste and sewage.
Process: Anaerobic digestion in biogas plants generates raw biogas plus organic manure (Fermented Organic Manure).
Upgradation: Raw biogas is purified and compressed to produce Compressed Biogas (CBG), chemically similar to CNG and usable as automotive fuel.
Key Facts for Prelims
SATAT Scheme (2018): The Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) scheme was launched in October 2018 to promote Compressed Biogas (CBG) as a clean and affordable transport fuel.
It is supported under Solid and Liquid Waste Management (SLWM), a key component of the Swachh Bharat Mission- Gramin (SBM-G).
The scheme aims to convert municipal and organic waste into biogas, thereby improving waste management and reducing environmental pollution.
It also supports sustainable energy generation while contributing to a cleaner and greener transportation system.
SBM-Grameen Phase II: GOBARdhan is one of the key verticals under Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen Phase II, which also focuses on solid and liquid waste management.