Current Context : Recently, the Supreme Court asked the Union government to place on record the report prepared by a committee negotiating a dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka over the sharing of the Pennaiyar river water.

About Pennaiyar River:

• It is a major river in southern India, flowing through Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
• Also known as South Pennar, Dakshina Pinakini (Kannada), Thenpennai, and Ponnaiyar (Tamil).
• Originates in the Nandi Hills, Chikkaballapura district, Karnataka.
• Flows ~400 km through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, ending in the Bay of Bengal at Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu.
• Surrounded by Eastern Ghats (Velikonda, Nagari, Javadu, Shevaroy, Chitteri, Kalrayan Hills) and the Bay of Bengal.
• Second-largest east-flowing interstate river basin after the Pennar-Cauvery basins.
• Tributaries: Chinnar, Markanda, Vaniar, and Pamban rivers.

Current Context : Recently, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Climate Club launched the Global Matchmaking Platform (GMP)

About Global Matchmaking Platform:

• Purpose: Supports decarbonization of high-emission industries in emerging and developing economies.
• Launch: Introduced at COP28 (2023) by UNIDO and the Climate Club; further discussed at COP29 (2024).

Mechanism:

• Matches country-specific decarbonization needs with technical and financial resources.
• Focuses on sectors like steel, cement, and chemicals, targeting low and zero-emission practices.

Structure:

• Hosted by UNIDO with support from OECD and IEA as Climate Club interim secretariat.
• Funded by initiatives like Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.

Goals:

• Address $125 billion annual funding gap for net-zero by 2050.
• Promote inclusion of industrial decarbonization in updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

Current Projects:

• Pilot initiatives in countries like Argentina, Indonesia, Kenya, and Egypt.

Current Context : ISRO gets government approval for Venus mission “Shukrayaan”

• Mission Shukrayaan or Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM) by Department of Space will explore the atmosphere and surface of Venus, and its interaction with sun.

About VOM: 

Launch: ISRO is set to launch it in 2028.

Goals:

• Study Venus’ atmosphere, including dust and airglow.
• Map the planet’s surface topography.
• Analyze the solar X-ray spectrum near Venus.
• Understand greenhouse effects and planetary evolution.

Technological Demonstration:

• Test aero-braking(using Venus’ atmosphere to slow the spacecraft).
• Evaluate thermal management techniques for harsh conditions.

Payloads:

• 16 Indian payloads.
• Collaborative payloads: VISWAS (Indian-international), RAVI (Indian-international), VIRAL (international).

Past Venus Missions:

• USA: Mariner 2 (1962), Magellan.
• Europe: Venus Express (ESA).
• Japan: Akatsuki.

Future Venus Missions:

• NASA: DAVINCI, VERITAS.
• ESA: EnVision.
• Private/Collaborative: Venus Life Finder (Rocket Lab and MIT).

Current Context : India’s first indigenous antibiotic launched by the Ministry of Science & Technology to combat Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).

About Nafithromycin

Created with support from BIRAC under its Biotechnology Industry Partnership Program (BIPP).

Market Name: Commercially introduced as “Miqnaf” by Wolkardt Pharma.

Purpose:

• Targets Community-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia (CABP)caused by drug-resistant bacteria.
• Specifically benefits vulnerable populations (e.g., children and elderly).

Advantages:

• Ten times more effective than existing treatments.
• Provides faster, safer, and more tolerable results for patients.

About Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).

• AMR occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve and become resistant to antimicrobial drugs (e.g., antibiotics, antivirals).

This reduces or nullifies the effectiveness of treatments, making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness, and death.

Current Context : Union Minister of Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare has launched third edition of national campaign ‘Nayi Chetna – Pahal Badlaav Ki’.

About Nayi Chetna – Pahal Badlaav Ki campaign

• Objective: Aims to create awareness and mobilize action against gender-based violence through grassroots initiatives.
• Organizer: Implemented under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) by the Ministry of Rural Development.
• Highlights:
• 227 Gender Resource Centers inaugurated across 13 states.
• Slogan: “Ek Saath, Ek Awaaz, Hinsa Ke Khilaaf” (One Voice, Together Against Violence).

Current Context : The Indian Coast Guard will conduct SAREX-24 in Kochi,  Kerala from November 27 to 30.

• It is India’s largest National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise hosted by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).

Theme: “Enhancing SAR Capabilities Through Regional Collaboration.”

Key Features:

• Includes the 22nd National Maritime Search and Rescue (NMSAR) Board Meeting.
• Features the largest-ever real-time simulations to enhance skills for search and rescue (SAR) operations.
• Participation from 40+ international observers representing partner nations.

Current Context :The Union Cabinet recently approved the continuation of its flagship Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), under NITI Aayog, with an allocation of ₹2,750 crore until March 31, 2028.

About Atal Innovation Mission (AIM):

It is a flagship initiative set up by the NITI Aayog  in 2016.

Objective: To foster innovation and entrepreneurship in India through structured initiatives.

Core Programs:

• Atal Tinkering Labs (ATL):For fostering creativity in schools.
• Atal Incubation Centers (AIC):Supporting startups.
• Challenges and Mentorship:Includes Atal New India Challenges and Mentor India programs.

New Developments (AIM 2.0):

• Focus on inclusive innovation (Language Inclusive Program of Innovation – LIPI).
• Creation of 30 vernacular innovation centers and 2,500 new ATLs.

Current Context : Recently, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) declared the winners of the National Gopal Ratna Awards (NGRA) for the year 2024.

About National Gopal Ratna Award:

It is one of the highest National Awards in the field of livestock and dairy sector.

 Purpose:

• Recognizes excellence in the livestock and dairy sector.
• Aims to encourage individuals and organizations contributing significantly to animal husbandry and dairying.

Categories:

• Best Dairy Farmer Rearing Indigenous Cattle/Buffalo Breeds.
• Best Artificial Insemination Technician (AIT).
• Best Dairy Cooperative/Milk Producer Company/Dairy Farmer Producer Organization.

Special awards for the North Eastern Region (NER) introduced in 2024 to promote dairy development in these states.

Current Context :The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved PAN 2.0 Project of the Income Tax (IT) Department.

About PAN 2.0 Project

• An upgraded e-Governance initiative by the Income Tax Department, replacing the existing PAN/TAN 1.0 system.
• Aims to modernize taxpayer registration services through technology-driven transformation.

Key Features

1. Unified Portal: One-stop solution for all PAN/TAN-related services (application, Aadhaar linking, corrections, online validation).
2. Paperless Process: Emphasizes eco-friendly digital methods.
3. Free PAN Issuance: No cost for issuance; faster processing times.
4. Enhanced Security: Includes a PAN Data Vault to secure user information.
5. Dedicated Support: Call centers and helpdesks for taxpayer assistance

Current Context :The Government of India has launched the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) as a standalone Centrally Sponsored Scheme.

• Objective: Promote chemical-free, livestock-based natural farming across India.
• Ministry : Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare.
• Evolution: Originated as Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF), renamed Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhti (BPKP) under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) in 2019. Revamped as NMNF in 2023-24.

Natural Farming Practices:

1. Components:
   1. Beejamrit: Seed treatment with cow dung and urine.
   2. Jivamrit: Bio-stimulant promoting microorganisms.
   3. Mulching: Use of live and dead biomass to cover soil.
   4. Whapasa: Enhancing soil moisture via water vapor management.
   5. Plant Protection: Use of biological sprays against pests.
2. Approach: On-farm resource utilization and avoidance of synthetic chemicals.

Benefits:

• Improved soil health, enhanced productivity, and reduced input costs.
• Higher income through intercropping and eco-friendly practices.
• Healthier food due to chemical-free cultivation.