Parvatmala Pariyojana
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib ropeway projects in Uttarakhand under the National Ropeways Development Programme – Parvatmala Pariyojana.
About Parvatmala Pariyojana
- Launched: Union budget 2022-23.
- About: Aims to develop over 250 ropeway projects in five years under PPP mode.
- Ministry: Implemented by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) through National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML).
- Benefits of ropeways:
- Multiple cars propelled by a single power-plant and drive mechanism, reducing both construction and maintenance costs.
- Can handle large slopes and large differences in elevation.
- Tags :
- Ropeway
- Parvatmala
- Hilly Areas
Articles Sources
Chagos Archipelago
India has supported Mauritius in its stance on sovereignty over Chagos archipelago.
- Chagos archipelago has been under British control since 1814 when they were ceded to Britain with Mauritius.
- It was constituted as British Indian Ocean Territory in 1965 and kept under British control even after Mauritius’s independence in 1968.
- In 2024, UK and Mauritius signed an agreement to return sovereignty of Chagos archipelago to Mauritius.
About Chagos archipelago
- It is a group of atolls comprising 58 islands, located in Indian Ocean.
- Its largest atoll – Diego Garcia – hosts a major US military base.
- Tags :
- Mauritius
- Indian Ocean
- Diego Garcia
Large Phased Array Radar (LPAR)
China has reportedly deployed a new Large Phased Array Radar (LPAR) in Yunnan province near the Myanmar border, significantly enhancing its surveillance capabilities over India.
- LPARs can track multiple targets including ballistic missiles, with high precision, playing a critical role in early warning system and air defence networks.
- Unlike traditional radars, which rely on mechanical rotation, LPARs use electronically controlled antennas to scan vast areas almost instantly.
- Besides China, only the US and Russia operate similar LPAR systems.
- Tags :
- Radar
- Anti-Missile System
75/25 Initiative
As of now, the 75/25 initiative has achieved 89.7% of its target, providing treatment for hypertension to 42.01 million individuals and treatment for diabetes to 25.27 million individuals.
About 75/25 Initiative
- Launched: On World Hypertension Day 2023.
- Aim: To provide standardized care to 75 million individuals living with hypertension and diabetes by December 2025 through Primary Health Centres (PHCs).
- It utilizes the strategies under National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD).
- Tags :
- Diabetes
- Non-Communicable Diseases
- Hypertension
Articles Sources
Venture Capital
India’s Venture Capital (VC) funding surges 43% to $13.7 billion in 2024.
About VC
- It is a form of private equity and a type of financing for startup companies and small businesses with long-term growth potential.
- Venture capital usually takes the form of equity shares or a future claim on equity, such as convertible debt, which in return allows the venture capital firm to receive a share of ownership in the business.
- Venture capitalists provide backing through financing, technological expertise, or managerial experience.
- Tags :
- Venture Capital
- Startup Ecosystem
UAPA, 1967
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) declared the Jammu and Kashmir-based organization as unlawful associations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, imposing a five-year ban on the organization.
About Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967
- Origin: Introduced as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Ordinance, 1966, in response to secessionist movements like the Naxalbari uprising.
- Objective: It provides for effective prevention of certain unlawful activities of individuals and associations and for dealing with terrorist activities.
- 2019 amendment added key provisions:
- Director General of National Investigation Agency (NIA) can now approve seizure of terrorist-linked properties, expediting investigations.
- Central Government can designate individual terrorist
- Tags :
- Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
- UAPA 1967
Gene-edited Bananas
Recently, a UK-based biotech company developed gene-edited bananas that are less likely to turn brown when bumped during harvesting and transportation.
Browning process of Bananas
- Bananas boast a colourful life cycle, they start at a deep green, change to bright yellow, and end at an unappetising brown.
- These changes are a product of their ripening process, which is caused by a hormone called ethylene.
- Ethylene triggers the activity of genes linked to the production of enzyme Polyphenol Oxidase (PPO), responsible for turning bananas brown.
- In gene-edited bananas, genes linked with PPO have been silenced.
- Tags :
- Ethylene
- Polyphenol Oxidase (PPO)
Bills of Lading Bill, 2025
Lok Sabha Passed the Bills of Lading Bill, 2025.
About the Bills of Lading Bill, 2025
- It will replace the colonial-era Indian Bills of Lading Act, 1856.
- It empowers the Central Government to issue implementation directives.
- It also includes a standard repeal and saving clause to eliminate colonial elements.
Need of New Bill
- Supports India’s growing role in global trade by simplifying shipping processes and reducing disputes.
- Streamlines business processes and reduces litigation risks.
- Provides clarity for carriers, shippers, and lawful goods holders
- Tags :
- Maritime Sector
- Shipping Sector