The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has pledged $4.26 billion in sovereign lending to India in 2025, targeting skills development, renewable energy, and urban infrastructure transformation. The 16-project portfolio marks one of ADB’s largest annual commitments to India, aligning with the country’s push toward inclusive growth and climate resilience.
The biggest investment, worth $846 million, will fund the PM-SETU program to modernize Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across states. The initiative, co-financed with the World Bank, will upgrade 1,000 government-run ITIs under a hub-and-spoke model to boost employability and workforce readiness.
In the clean energy sector, ADB has approved $650 million for the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, which aims to provide free rooftop solar power to one crore households. As of March 2025, installations have reached 10 lakh homes nationwide.
Urban and infrastructure projects form a major share of the portfolio, with $775 million allocated to enhance water supply, sanitation, and other civic services in Assam, Kerala, Sikkim, and West Bengal. A further $729 million will finance transport systems, including the Delhi-Meerut rapid rail and metro expansions in Chennai and Indore.
Additional funding includes $460 million for Maharashtra’s rural power network, $398.8 million for healthcare in Assam, and targeted investments in Meghalaya, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, and Tripura. The commitments underscore ADB’s continued partnership with India in supporting sustainable, job-rich growth.
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