Current Context : Following the sinking of the cargo vessel MSC ELSA 3 off the Kerala coast on May 25, 2025, large quantities of plastic pellets, known as nurdles, have washed ashore along the southern coast of Kerala and into Tamil Nadu, raising significant environmental concerns.

What Are Nurdles?

• Definition: Small plastic pellets (1–5 mm) used as raw material in plastic production
• Material: Polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, PVC
• Classification: Primary microplastics

Environmental Hazards

• Pollution Risk:
  • Mistaken for food by marine animals
  • Breaks into nano/microplastics → enters food chain
• Ecosystem Damage: Threat to marine biodiversity and fisheries.

Current Context : France’s National Assembly passed a bill to legalise assisted dying for adults with incurable and unbearable illnesses.

Features of the Bill :

• Eligibility: Adults over 18, with serious, incurable, and suffering-causing illnesses
• Procedure:
  • Request → Medical Review (15 days) → Approval → 2-day waiting period
  • Patients can self-administer or get assistance.
  • Safeguards: Medical professionals may opt out on conscience grounds, but obstructing the process can lead to legal penalties.
• Countries where legal: Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal

Current Context : The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is seeking government approval to allow domestic banks to lend Indian rupees to overseas borrowers, particularly in neighbouring countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

Objective

• Promote use of INR in international trade & settlements
• Reduce dependence on foreign currencies
• Strengthen India’s position in global finance

Key Proposal

• Eligible Banks: Domestic banks & their overseas branches
• Target Borrowers: Non-residents, starting with countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka

Trade Context

• India’s Exports to South Asia (2024–25): ~$25 billion
• 90% of Exports directed to: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka
• Opportunity: INR lending could ease bilateral trade & reduce forex burden

Current Context : The Union Cabinet approved the continuation of the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS) for 2025–26 to provide affordable short-term credit to farmers via Kisan Credit Cards (KCC).

Features :

• Type of Scheme: Central Sector Scheme
• Loan Limit: Short-term agri-loans up to ₹3 lakh
• Subsidised Interest Rate:
  • Nominal rate: 7%
  • Effective rate: 4% for prompt repayment (3% subvention benefit)
• Allied Sectors: For animal husbandry & fisheries, benefit up to ₹2 lakh

Budget & Implementation

• Total Outlay: ₹15,640 crore (for FY 2025–26)
• Lending Institutions: Public Sector Banks, Cooperative Banks, RRBs, and eligible Private Banks

Observed annually on May 31.

• Aim : to raise awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco use.
• 2025 Theme: “Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products.”

Current Context: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) directed all affiliated schools to establish ‘Sugar Boards’ on their campuses.

• This initiative follows recommendations from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) to address rising cases of Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and related health issues among students.

ABOUT SUGAR BOARDS

• Purpose: To educate students about the health risks associated with excessive sugar consumption, including obesity, diabetes, and dental problems.
• Features:
  • Display information on recommended daily sugar intake.
  • Highlight sugar content in commonly consumed foods and beverages.
  • Provide awareness about healthier dietary choices.
• Implementation: Schools are required to submit reports with photographs of these boards and related activities to CBSE.

Current Context: The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has proposed a 36% hike in stipend under the NAPS scheme.

ABOUT NAPS

• Launched in August 2016; extended as NAPS 2.0 from FY 2022–23.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
• Funding:
  • Central Sector Scheme (100% funded by Central Government).
  • Part of the Skill India Programme.
• Objectives:
  • Financial incentives to establishments hiring apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961.

To promote apprenticeship training and skill development.

Current Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s first 9,000 horsepower (HP) electric locomotive at the Dahod workshop in Gujarat.

ABOUT 

• Regenerative Braking: Converts kinetic energy during braking into electrical energy, which is fed back into the power grid, enhancing energy efficiency.
• Opposed to dynamic braking, where energy is lost as heat
• Capable of hauling freight trains weighing between 4,500 to 5,000 tonnes at speeds up to 100 km/h.
• Manufactured in collaboration with Siemens, with potential for export.
• Benefits:
  • Enhances energy efficiency, Reduces fuel consumption and operational costs and Minimizes brake wear and tear.

Current Context: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has launched the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2.0 portal to streamline data collection and evaluation of panchayat performance.

About PAI 2.0

• A multi-domain and multi-sectoral index designed to assess the holistic development, performance, and progress of Panchayats.
  • Helps in evidence-based governance.
• Developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC)
• Rationalisation of Indicators:
  • Number of indicators reduced from 516 to 147 to improve data quality and ease of reporting.

Current Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted a 60% increase in honey production over the last decade during his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ address.

ABOUT HONEY PRODUCTION IN INDIA

• Production Growth:
  • Increased from approximately 70,000–75,000 metric tonnes to about 1.25 lakh metric tonnes in the last 11 years.
  • Represents a 60% rise in production.
• Global Standing:
  • India is the 7th largest producer of honey globally.
  • China is the top producer and exporter.
• Major Producing States (2022–23):
  • Uttar Pradesh (17%)
  • West Bengal (16%)
  • Also includes Punjab, Bihar, and Rajasthan.
• Export Trends:
  • Over 50% of India’s honey production is exported.
  • Major destinations: USA, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Libya.