Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan

Introduction

• A tribal grassroots leadership programme to empower tribal communities, strengthen responsive governance, and create local leadership opportunities across the country.
• Vision: Aadi Karmayogi cadre as a “Tribal Seva Path” driven by Seva (Service), Samarpan (Dedication), and Sankalp (Resolve), ensuring lastmile service saturation in tribal areas.

Why in news?

• Forms a key part of the Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh (15 November 2024 to 15 November 2025) to commemorate Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s 150th birthday.

Background

• Delivery gaps persist despite a fivefold rise in the Scheduled Tribe welfare budget (DAPST) from ₹25,000 crore to ₹1,24,000 crore.
• STs face the highest poverty: 40.6% below the poverty line versus 20.5% of the nontribal population (Tribal Health report).
• Cultural preservation needs: unique tribal languages, art, dance, and festivals are endangered; TRIFED is collaborating with ministries for GI tagging of tribal products.
• Ecological wisdom: traditional practices like shifting cultivation, sacred groves, and community forestry support climate resilience; e.g., Dongria Kondh of Odisha practise milletbased farming conserving agrobiodiversity.
• Democratising development: Adi Karmayogis to be chosen in consultation with Gram Sabhas to foster trust, ownership, and cultural sensitivity.

Significance

• Reaches and uplifts over 10.5 crore tribal citizens through a dedicated cadre and structured delivery mechanisms.
• Embeds participatory planning via villagelevel cocreation of Vision 2030 and Development Action Plans.
• Achieves service saturation targets: road connectivity, pucca housing, piped drinking water, household electrification, and Ayushman Bharat insurance enrolment.
• Strengthens accountability through institutionalised grievance redressal and feedback systems.
• Aligns efforts across departments to ensure lastmile delivery in tribal areas.

Facts/General knowledge

• Target: Develop a cadre of 20 lakh to operate in over 1 lakh tribaldominated villages across 30 States/UTs, 550+ districts, and 3,000 blocks.
• Key objectives: Promote responsive, transparent, and accountable governance.

• Facilitate bottomup visioning and participatory planning.
• Institutionalise proactive grievance redressal and feedback systems.
• Ensure lastmile delivery through convergence of flagship tribal initiatives.
• Key features: Multitiered leadership structure from habitation to State.

• Multidepartment convergence: Tribal Welfare, Rural Development, Women & Child Development, Jal Shakti, School Education, and Forest.
• Implementation strategy: Governance Learning Workshops via Regional Process Labs at centres including Bengaluru, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Guwahati, Dehradun, and Ranchi.
• Village Visioning and Development Action Plans: every village cocreates a Village Vision 2030 document and plan with officials and villagers.
• Mentorship ecosystem: retired civil servants, tribal elders, Padma awardees, and others as mentors.
• Aadi Karmayogi Digital Platform: ongoing training, datadriven tools, knowledge sharing, and impact dashboards.
• Anticipated outcomes and infrastructure:
• 1 lakh Adi Sewa Kendras as onestop service centres for tribal communities.
• A Single Window Responsive Governance Centre in every tribal village for information dissemination and grievance redressal.
• 100+ Adi Karmayogi Student Chapters across IITs, NITs, and IIMs to foster tribal youth leadership.

Kapas Kisan App

Introduction

• Developed by the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), under the Ministry of Textiles
• Facilitates seamless procurement of cotton from farmers under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) scheme

Background

• Built to streamline the MSPbased cotton procurement process and improve farmer experience during procurement

Significance

• Protects cotton farmers against distress sales through assured MSP procurement
• Reduces manual paperwork and saves time at procurement centres
• Enhances transparency and improves planning by enabling farmers to choose convenient time slots
• Improves convenience and speed in the cotton procurement process

Facts/General knowledge

• Secure selfregistration for farmers to sell cotton under MSP
• Digital slot booking/scheduling at designated procurement centres to reduce waiting time and crowding
• Realtime status updates on quality assessment, accepted quantities, and payment processing
• Payment tracking facility for farmers
• Userfriendly interface with support for multiple Indian languages

BHARATI initiative to boost India’s agri‑food exports

Introduction

• BHARATI is an initiative to support agri‑food startups and strengthen India’s presence in global agri‑food trade.
• It focuses on export enablement through innovation, resilience, and incubation in the agri‑food sector.

Why in news?

• APEDA has launched BHARATI to support agri‑food startups and boost India’s agri‑food exports.

Background

• The initiative aligns with the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat and Startup India visions.
• It is designed to enhance India’s global agri‑food trade presence through structured startup support.

Significance

• Creates a clear pathway from product development to export readiness for agri‑food startups.
• Addresses critical bottlenecks in quality, logistics, and market access to improve export competitiveness.
• Catalyses technology‑driven, value‑added growth across the agri‑food ecosystem.

Facts/General knowledge

• Full form: Bharat’s Hub for Agritech, Resilience, Advancement and Incubation for Export Enablement.

Key objectives:

• Support 100 agri‑food startups.
• Achieve 50 billion USD in agri‑food exports by 2030.

Acceleration programme:

• Three‑month duration covering product development, export readiness, regulatory compliance, and market access.

Target technologies:

• AI‑based quality control.
• Blockchain‑enabled traceability.
• IoT‑enabled cold chains.

High‑value categories:

• GI‑tagged agri‑
• Organic foods.
• Novel processed Indian agri‑
• Livestock products.
• AYUSH products.

Export challenges addressed:

• Product development and value addition.
• Quality assurance.
• Perishability and wastage.

Role of agri‑startups in enhancing agri‑export:

• Streamlined supply chains through demand‑driven cold chains, warehouse monitoring, and market linkages to reduce post‑harvest losses.
• Quality optimisation via better inputs and technical guidance for export‑ready produce.
• Enhanced processing and traceability to raise farmer income and export competitiveness.
• Technology integration using Big Data and IoT for precision farming, pest management, and weather forecasting to ensure consistent, high‑quality crops.
• Market linkages aligning crop production with consumer demand for timely and efficient fulfilment of export orders.
• Transforming agriculture from subsistence to profit‑driven enterprises with significant export impact.

Angikaar 2025 Campaign

Introduction

• Angikaar 2025 is an outreach campaign for implementation of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban 2.0 (PMAYU 2.0) by creating widespread awareness about the scheme across the country.

Why in news?

• The Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs launched the Angikaar 2025 campaign.

Background

• Objectives: Accelerate the implementation of PMAYU 2.0.
• Inform stakeholders about the Credit Risk Guarantee Fund Trust for Low Income Housing (CRGFTLIH) scheme.
• Fasttrack verification of applications and expedite the completion of already sanctioned houses.

Significance

• The campaign reaffirms the Government’s commitment to bring welfare schemes closer to the people by bridging the implementation gap.

Facts/General knowledge

• Duration: Two months from 4th September 2025 to 31st October 2025.
• Coverage: Across 5,000+ Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in the country.
• Features: Widespread doortodoor awareness; a lineup of camps; loan melas; cultural events to engage prospective beneficiaries and other related stakeholders.
• Convergence: PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana will be provided to beneficiaries of PMAYU; beneficiaries from Special Focus Group identified will be prioritised.
• PMAYU Awas Diwas: To be celebrated on 17th September 2025 to mark the first anniversary of PMAYU 2.0 across all States/UTs/Districts/ULBs.
• PM Awas Mela – Shehri: To be held between 17th September 2025 and 27th September 2025 at District Headquarters/Nagar Nigam level.

Purple Fest 2025

Introduction

• A vibrant, inclusive event celebrating the talents and abilities of persons with disabilities.
• Promotes awareness, acceptance, and inclusion through cultural performances, sports, exhibitions, and accessible entertainment.
• Creates a welcoming space for everyone.

Why in news?

• The Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC) organised Purple Fest 2025 in New Delhi.

Background

• The Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC) is an autonomous organisation under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
• Established in 2011 to promote Indian Sign Language by developing skilled manpower, providing training, and conducting research.

Significance

• Conveys that disability is not a weakness, assistive devices are not charity, and respect is a fundamental right.
• Anchors key themes: inclusion; awareness of assistive devices; normal behaviour towards Divyangjan; and professional development in rehabilitation.

Facts/General knowledge

• Hosted by ISLRTC, in partnership with Amity University, Noida.
• Structured as a twoday festival.

Anbu Karangal (Hands of Love) Scheme – Tamil Nadu

Introduction

• A welfare scheme in Tamil Nadu to secure the future of children left vulnerable by the loss of parental care
• Embedded within the DMK government’s larger social security framework, reflecting inclusive and childfocused governance

Why in news?

• Launched by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on 16 September 2025
• Announced as the ‘Anbu Karangal’ (Hands of Love) scheme

Background

• Designed for: Children who have lost both parents
• Children with only one surviving parent who is incapable of providing care
• Rooted in the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, which mandates state governments to safeguard children who are orphaned, abandoned, or in need of care

Significance

• Ensures education and basic needs are not compromised in the absence of parental guidance
• Expected to directly impact thousands of children across the state

Facts/General knowledge

• Each eligible child will receive ₹2,000 monthly
• Support continues until the child completes school education or turns 18, whichever occurs earlier
• In the first phase, 6,082 children across Tamil Nadu are set to benefit
• Financial support will be directly transferred to beneficiaries

Bairabi–Sairang Railway Line to Connect Aizawl

Introduction

• A new railway line in Mizoram linking Bairabi and Sairang aims to transform the state’s connectivity and economic prospects.
• The project is positioned to improve infrastructure, trade dynamics, and regional access for Aizawl.

Why in news?

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Bairabi–Sairang railway line, delivering the firstever rail connectivity to Aizawl.
• This marks a historic milestone for Mizoram’s infrastructure.

Background

• The line connects Bairabi, near the Assam–Mizoram border, with Sairang.
• Sairang is located 20 km from Aizawl, providing a crucial gateway to the state capital.

Significance

• Reduces travel time and freight costs, making the movement of goods easier and more affordable.
• Boosts trade and tourism within Mizoram.
• Generates employment through construction and associated services.
• Strengthens connectivity with mainland India.
• Promotes regional integration within the Northeast.
• Enhances access to markets for Mizoram’s agricultural and horticultural products.
• Described by Governor General (Retd.) V. K. Singh as both ambitious and important for Mizoram.

Facts/General knowledge

• Length: 51 km.
• Cost: ₹8,000 crore.
• Makes Aizawl the fourth northeastern capital, after Guwahati, Agartala, and Itanagar, to be linked with Indian Railways.

Samudra se Samriddhi: Maritime Projects and Reforms

Introduction

• ‘Samudra se Samriddhi’ is an initiative to strengthen India’s maritime infrastructure through portled development and trade facilitation.
• It includes reforms and targeted support for shipbuilding, technology adoption, and improved design/quality standards.

Why in news?

• The Prime Minister inaugurated and launched maritime projects worth ₹34,200 crore in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, under the ‘Samudra se Samriddhi’ initiative to enhance maritime infrastructure.
• Introduction of nextgeneration reforms: ‘One Nation, One Document’ and ‘One Nation, One Port’ to simplify trade processes.

Background

• India’s share in trade through Indianbuilt ships has fallen from 40% to about 5%.
• Nearly $75 billion (₹6 lakh crore) is paid annually as freight to foreign shipping companies, almost equal to India’s defence budget.
• Outsourcing of shipping leads to millions of jobs being created abroad instead of bolstering the local industry.

Significance

• Multiplier effect: Shipbuilding drives allied industries such as steel, machinery, electronics, and textiles, creating 6–7 indirect jobs per shipyard job.
• Growth target: India accounts for 10% of maritime trade, with the aim to triple this by 2047.
• Seafarers: India contributes over 3 lakh seafarers, ranking among the top three globally.
• Investment push: ₹70,000 crore earmarked for three schemes—financial support to shipbuilding, adoption of modern technology, and improved design/quality standards.

Facts/General knowledge

• Mumbai: International Cruise Terminal at Indira Dock.
• Kolkata: New container terminal at Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port.
• Odisha – Paradip: Container berth and cargo handling facilities.
• Gujarat – Tuna Tekra (Bhavnagar): MultiCargo Terminal.
• Gujarat – Kandla (Deendayal Port): Green BioMethanol Plant.
• Tamil Nadu – Ennore (Kamarajar Port): Firefighting facilities and modern road connectivity.
• Tamil Nadu – Chennai: Coastal protection works and seawall construction.
• Andaman & Nicobar – Car Nicobar: Seawall construction.

Incentive Scheme for Critical Mineral Recycling (under NCMM)

Introduction

• The Incentive Scheme promotes critical mineral recycling as part of the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM).
• Recycling targets nearterm supply chain sustainability, given the long gestation period for new mining operations.

Why in news?

• The Cabinet has approved the Incentive Scheme to promote critical mineral recycling.

Background

• NCMM (FY 202425 to FY 203031) aims to secure India’s critical mineral supply chain by ensuring mineral availability from domestic and foreign sources.
• NCMM covers the full value chain: exploration, mining, beneficiation, processing, and recovery from endoflife products.

Significance

• Enhances supply chain resilience for critical minerals in the near term.
• Encourages participation of both large entities and small/new recyclers, including startups.
• Aligns incentives with capacity creation and operational performance through capex and opex support.
• Anticipated to boost recycling capacity, production, investment, and jobs (see Facts/General knowledge).

Facts/General knowledge

• Financial outlay: ₹1,500 crore.
• Scheme tenure: six years, from FY 202526 to FY 203031.
• Eligible feedstock: ewaste; LithiumIon Battery (LIB) scrap; other scraps such as catalytic converters from endoflife vehicles.
• Beneficiaries: large and small/new recyclers (including startups); onethird of the outlay for small entities.
• Incentive mechanism: 20% capital expenditure (capex) subsidy on plant and machinery for timely production.
• Operational expenditure (opex) subsidy on incremental sales: 40% in the 2nd year and 60% in the 5th year (FY 202627 to FY 203031).
• Incentive ceilings: total incentives capped at ₹50 crore for large entities and ₹25 crore for small entities.
• Expected outcomes:
• Development of 270 kilotons of annual recycling capacity.
• 40 kilotons of annual critical mineral production.
• Attraction of ₹8,000 crore investment.
• Creation of 70,000 direct and indirect jobs.

PRATUSH lunar radiometer and RRI singleboard computer for Cosmic Dawn signal

Introduction

• A compact singleboard computer (SBC) from the Raman Research Institute (RRI), Bengaluru, is set to support India’s effort to uncover signals from the Cosmic Dawn.
• The objective is to unlock insights into the epoch when the first stars and galaxies began illuminating the universe.

Why in news?

• A credit cardsized SBC will play a pivotal role in the proposed PRATUSH lunar mission, targeting one of the faintest radio signals ever observed.

Background

• PRATUSH (Probing ReionizATion of the Universe using Signal from Hydrogen) is a proposed lunar radiometer mission to study the 21‑cm hydrogen signal, a weak radio signature from neutral hydrogen in the early universe.
• Detecting this signal could provide direct observational evidence of the Cosmic Dawn, roughly 13 billion years ago when the first stars and galaxies formed.
• On Earth, the signal is obscured by heavy radio interference, including FM transmissions and ionospheric distortions; the far side of the Moon, the most radio‑quiet region in the inner solar system, offers an ideal site for such sensitive measurements.

Significance

• Capturing the 21‑cm hydrogen signal would directly reveal conditions during the Cosmic Dawn.
• The RRI SBC replaces bulky, power‑hungry controllers with a lightweight, low‑power solution suitable for lunar space applications.
• It coordinates the antenna, receiver, and FPGA chip; records, stores, and pre‑processes incoming radio data; and carries out system calibration, providing high efficiency with low power use.
• It balances size, power, and performance—key constraints for missions on the Moon.

Facts/General knowledge

• Institution and team: Raman Research Institute (RRI), Bengaluru; Electronics Engineering Group developed the lab‑scale digital receiver powered by the SBC.
• Named expert: Girish B.S., Research Scientist at RRI, highlights the SBC’s balance of size, power, and performance for lunar applications.