Short notes on Current Affairs 05.12.2025

Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat

Overall Mission Goals

• Target of 100 GWe nuclear power capacity by 2047 to support India’s Net Zero by 2070 goal.
• Aims to expand low-carbon, reliable base-load power, reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
• Focus on increasing nuclear energy’s share in India’s energy mix using indigenous technologies.

Two-Pronged Strategy for Capacity Expansion

1. Large Reactors
   • Deployment of 700 MWe indigenous PHWRs.
   • Installation of large imported reactors at greenfield sites for rapid capacity addition.
2. Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
   • BSMR-200 (200 MWe) and SMR-55 (55 MWe) designed by BARC.
   • Intended for brownfield deployment with multiple applications:
     • Repurposing retiring fossil-fuel plants.
     • Serving captive power needs of energy-intensive industries (steel, aluminum, metals).
     • Off-grid and remote area power supply.
   • SMRs positioned as key solutions for decarbonising power, industrial processes, and transport.

R&D and Advanced Technologies

• Emphasis on indigenous advanced reactor designs, improved safety, and new fuel cycles.
• Development of high-temperature gas-cooled reactors (up to 5 MWth) for hydrogen production, enabling decarbonisation of transport and process industries.

Implementation and Demonstration Plans

• Lead units of BSMR-200, SMR-55, and high-temperature reactors to be constructed at DAE sites.
• Expected construction time: 60–72 months from sanction.

Current and Projected Nuclear Capacity

• Existing operational units include Kakrapar 3 & 4 (2×700 MW) and Rajasthan Unit-7 (700 MW).
• NPCIL targets:
  • ~22 GW nuclear capacity by 2031–32.
  • ~54 GW by 2047 (from the current 8.78 GW, excluding RAPS-1).

Uranium Resource Development

• As of September 2025, AMD has established 4,36,700 tonnes of in-situ U₃O₈ across 47 deposits in 11 states.
• Recent discovery: 28,637 tonnes U₃O₈ at Jaduguda North–Baglasai–Mechua, Jharkhand—an extension of the existing Jaduguda deposit.

Regulatory Oversight

• Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) monitors all radiological safety aspects in uranium mining and milling.
• New projects undergo multi-stage safety reviews following AERB and IAEA standards.
• Regular inspections ensure compliance with safety and waste-management norms.

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Exercise Garuda-VIII (2025)

Exercise Overview

• 8th edition of Exercise Garuda, a bilateral Indo–French air exercise between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the French Air and Space Force (FASF).
• Conducted at Air Base 118, Mont-de-Marsan, France.
• Exercise concluded on 27 November 2025; IAF contingent returned to India on 02 December 2025.

IAF Participation & Assets

• IAF deployed:
  • Su-30MKI fighter aircraft
  • IL-78 air-to-air refuelling aircraft
  • C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft
• Maintenance crews ensured high serviceability, enabling smooth execution of all planned missions.

Training Activities & Objectives

• Conducted complex air operations in a realistic operational environment.
• Activities included:
  • Joint mission planning
  • Coordinated strike and escort missions
  • Familiarisation with each other’s operational procedures
• Focus on enhancing interoperability and operational coordination between the two air forces.

Engagements & Interactions

• Senior officials from India and France participated in the closing ceremony.
• They commended the forces for their professionalism, discipline, and commitment.

Significance

• One of the largest international air training engagements of the IAF in 2025.
• Reinforced the strategic partnership between India and France.
• Provided valuable operational insights to both air forces.
• Expected to enhance:
  • IAF’s war-fighting capabilities
  • Jointmanship with friendly foreign air forces
  • Future cooperation in bilateral and multinational frameworks

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Deep Ocean Mission

Deep Ocean Mission (DOM) includes two major verticals related to deep-sea exploration:

• Technological Advancements for Deep-Sea Mining and Crewed Submersibles
• Deep Ocean Survey & Exploration

India’s deep-seabed mineral exploration is conducted under contracts with the International Seabed Authority (ISA).

• 2002: Contract for polymetallic nodules (PMN) over ~75,000 km² in the Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB).
• 2016: Contract for polymetallic sulphides (PMS) over 10,000 km² in the Central Indian Ridge (CIR).
• 2025: Contract for PMS over 10,000 km² in the Carlsberg Ridge.

Exploration follows ISA-approved plans of work, which require:

• Seabed resource estimation
• Environmental baseline studies
• Geological, geophysical, oceanographic, and biological data collection
• Comprehensive biodiversity and ecosystem assessments

Regulatory framework within India’s jurisdiction:

• Governed by the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act (OAMDR), amended in August 2023.
• Applies to all offshore minerals except mineral oils and hydrocarbons.
• Supporting rules notified in 2024, including:
  • Offshore Areas (Existence of Mineral Resources) Rules
  • Offshore Areas Mineral (Auction) Rules
  • Offshore Areas Operating Right Rules
  • Offshore Areas Mineral Conservation and Development Rules

Beyond India’s EEZ, exploration in the Indian Ocean contract areas follows ISA regulations to ensure sustainable, legally compliant mineral exploration.

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Passport Verification Records (PVR) on DigiLocker

• Initiative:
  • NeGD (MeitY) in collaboration with MEA has enabled Passport Verification Records (PVR) on the DigiLocker platform.
  • Part of the Digital India programme, aimed at secure, paperless, and citizen-centric service delivery.
• DigiLocker Overview:
  • Cloud-based platform for issuance, storage, sharing, and verification of digital documents and certificates.
  • Promotes paperless, contactless, and secure document management.
• Functionality for Citizens:
  • PVRs can be accessed, stored, shared, and digitally verified within DigiLocker.
  • Available in the “Issued Documents” section after verification.
  • Can be accessed via web and mobile app.
• Key Benefits:
  1. Convenience & Anytime Access – Citizens can retrieve PVRs without physical copies.
  2. Faster Processes & Reduced Paperwork – Streamlines verification for travel, employment, and compliance.
  3. Secure & Tamper-Proof Records – Issued digitally by government systems; ensures authenticity and integrity.
  4. Easy Digital Sharing & Verification – Instant, consent-based sharing; reduces need for attested physical copies.
  5. Supports Paperless & Green Governance – Promotes environmentally responsible administrative practices.
• Significance:
  • Modernizes citizen services and strengthens digital public infrastructure.
  • Reinforces a ‘Citizen-First’ approach enhancing transparency and trust in government processes.
  • Reflects a whole-of-government approach for secure and efficient digital service delivery.
  • Expected to benefit millions of passport applicants and holders.

Analysis

• This initiative demonstrates India’s push towards digital governance, reducing reliance on physical documents.
• The integration of PVR with DigiLocker ensures security, authenticity, and convenience, aligning with global best practices in digital identity and document management.
• It enhances the usability of digital documents in multiple domains (government, travel, employment).
• The focus on citizen-centric design and eco-friendly governance aligns with India’s Digital India and sustainability goals.

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Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY)

Scheme Overview:

• Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY) is a central sector, demand-driven scheme.
• Applications are invited from all eligible applicants, including Farmers Producing Organisations (FPOs).
• Expression of Interest (EoI) can be submitted from all over India, including Hazaribagh and Koderma districts in Jharkhand.
• Funds are not allocated or sanctioned state-wise under any PMKSY component.

Special Benefits for FPOs:

Benefit	FPO Category	General Category / Others
Subsidy / Grant-in-Aid	50% of eligible project cost; 70% under Food Safety & Quality Assurance	35%; 50% under Food Safety & QA
Equity Contribution	10% required	20% required
Minimum Credit / Loan Requirement	10% required	20% required
Net Worth Requirement	Equal to grant-in-aid sought	1.5 times the grant-in-aid

Objective:

• To provide financial support and incentives to FPOs to enhance food processing infrastructure and quality assurance.
• Encourage inclusive participation of farmers’ groups in food processing and value addition.

Key Takeaways:

• FPOs are given preferential treatment in subsidy, equity, and loan requirements.
• Focus on ease of access to funds and financial viability for small and collective farmer organizations.
• Part of broader PMKSY goal to promote modern food processing and strengthen the supply chain in India.

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PMFME Scheme (PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises)

Implementing Agency:

Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI); centrally sponsored scheme.

Objective:

• Support establishment and upgradation of micro food processing enterprises.
• Enhance competitiveness in the unorganized food-processing sector.
• Promote formalization of micro enterprises.

Type of Support Provided:

• Financial, technical, and business support for setting up or upgrading units.
• Credit-linked subsidy and other forms of assistance (details in the Annexure mentioned).

Beneficiaries Supported (as of 31 October 2025):

• 1,363 Self Help Groups (SHGs)
• 236 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)
• 1,61,072 individual micro food processing enterprises

Promotion of “Vocal for Local”:

• Scheme adopts the One District One Product (ODOP) approach for balanced regional development.
• Each district selects one primary product for focused support, branding, and promotion.
• ODOP approved in 726 districts across 35 States/UTs, including GI-tagged products.

Key Contributions of the Scheme:

• Acts as a catalyst for rural economic growth and entrepreneurship.
• Enhances food security by reducing post-harvest losses, improving processing efficiency, and extending shelf life.
• Strengthens value chains via:
  • District-specific ODOP interventions
  • Technology adoption and capacity building
  • Shared/common infrastructure for processing
  • Market integration through e-commerce, retail, and institutional linkages
• Generates local employment, particularly through SHGs, FPOs, and community-based initiatives.

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Groundwater Quality and Government Initiatives

Overall Groundwater Quality Status

• CGWB conducts groundwater quality monitoring and scientific studies as per a standardized SOP.
• Groundwater across India is largely potable, with localized contamination in isolated pockets.

Findings from Annual Ground Water Quality Report 2025

• In Katni district, Madhya Pradesh, all 16 monitored locations show Fluoride levels within the BIS permissible limit of 1.5 mg/L (IS 10500:2012).
• JJM data confirms no quality-affected habitations remaining in Katni district; safe drinking water has been ensured for all.

Groundwater Assessment in Other Districts

• In Panna and Khajuraho (Chhatarpur district), groundwater has been monitored for Fluoride, Arsenic, and Nitrate as per CGWB SOP.
• District-wise contamination details, including samples exceeding limits, are provided in the Annexure.

Responsibility and Governance

• Water is a State subject; primary responsibility for mitigation and provision of safe water lies with state governments.
• The Central Government complements these efforts through monitoring, policy support, and nationwide programs.

Key Central Government Interventions

1. Enhanced Groundwater Monitoring
   • CGWB adopted a new SOP with more frequent and denser sampling, especially in vulnerable areas.
   • Quality data disseminated via Annual Reports, Half-yearly Bulletins, and Fortnightly Alerts for timely action.
2. National Aquifer Mapping Programme (NAQUIM)
   • Special focus on groundwater quality during aquifer mapping studies.
3. Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) – Har Ghar Jal
   • Ensures contamination-free potable tap water to every rural household.
   • Adopted BIS:10500 standards for tap water quality.
   • Over 2,180 water quality testing laboratories established nationwide.
   • States advised to set up Community Water Purification Plants (CWPPs) as interim solutions in affected areas.
4. Artificial Recharge and Conservation Initiatives
   • Programs such as Jal Shakti Abhiyan, Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari, Atal Bhujal Yojana, PMKSY, and MGNREGS help improve groundwater recharge and quality.
5. Surface Water Pollution Control
   • Since groundwater contamination is linked to polluted surface water, steps include installing STPs, ETPs, and improving sewage networks.
   • Under NMCG and NRCP, substantial efforts are being made to improve water quality in major river stretches.

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Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) – Har Ghar Jal

Purpose and Implementation

• JJM – Har Ghar Jal is a centrally sponsored programme aimed at providing tap water supply to every rural household in all Gram Panchayats and villages across India.
• Implemented in partnership with States, as water is a State subject.

Community Participation and Governance

• In line with the 73rd Constitutional Amendment, the mission emphasizes village-level planning and community involvement.
• Gram Panchayats and their sub-committees like Village Water & Sanitation Committees (VWSCs)/Pani Samitis are empowered to:
  • Plan
  • Implement
  • Manage
  • Operate and maintain in-village water supply systems
• This strengthens ownership and accountability at the village level.

Certification of ‘Har Ghar Jal’ Status

• After achieving 100% tap connections in a village:
  • Implementing department issues a completion certificate to the Gram Panchayat.
  • Gram Panchayat, in a Gram Sabha meeting, reads out the completion report and passes a resolution certifying itself as a ‘Har Ghar Jal’ village.
  • The certificate, Gram Sabha resolution, and a video of the Gram Sabha are uploaded to the JJM Dashboard.
• As of 02.12.2025:
  • About 2.68 lakh villages have been reported as ‘Har Ghar Jal’.
  • About 1.76 lakh villages have been certified by their Gram Sabhas.

Capacity Building – Nal Jal Mitra Programme (NJMP)

• To support local operation and maintenance, the Nal Jal Mitra Programme has been launched with the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship.
• Trains community members as “Nal Jal Mitras” with skills such as:
  • Masonry
  • Plumbing
  • Fitting
  • Electrical work
  • Motor mechanics
  • Pump operations
• These trained individuals handle minor repairs, preventive maintenance, and functioning of piped water supply systems at the village level.

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Indian Carbon Market under the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS)

Institutional Framework

• The Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) framework for the Indian Carbon Market has been finalized.
• Institutional structure includes:
  • National Steering Committee co-chaired by Secretaries of the Ministry of Power and Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change.
  • Grid India designated as the Registry.
  • Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) designated as the Administrator.

Mechanisms under CCTS

1. Compliance Mechanism
   • Covers emission-intensive industries designated as Obligated Entities.
   • These entities must meet assigned Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity (GEI) targets.
   • Entities that overachieve their targets earn Carbon Credit Certificates.
2. Offset Mechanism
   • Open to Non-Obligated Entities on a voluntary basis.
   • Allows registration of projects that reduce, remove, or avoid GHG emissions.
   • Such projects may receive Carbon Credit Certificates.

Sectoral Transition from PAT to CCTS

• The following sectors have shifted from the Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme to the CCTS Compliance Mechanism:
  • Aluminium
  • Cement
  • Chlor-alkali
  • Petrochemicals
  • Petroleum refineries
  • Pulp & paper
  • Textiles
• Thermal power plants have not been transitioned to the CCTS Compliance Mechanism.

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CSIR Floriculture Mission

Objectives

• Enhance farmers’ income and livelihood security.
• Develop entrepreneurship in floriculture.
• Strengthen India’s domestic floriculture sector and reduce imports.

Key Achievements

• Phase II: Created 32,44,000 man-days of employment.
• Area under cultivation: 2,208.63 ha across 399 clusters in 126 districts of 26 States/UTs.
• Direct beneficiaries: 16,220 individuals, including women.
• Technology development: 17 technologies transferred to entrepreneurs and industries.
• Capacity-building: 144 training programs for 5,728 beneficiaries, including 1,615 women.
• Apiculture integration: 1,072 honey bee boxes distributed, benefitting 175 farmers.
• Income impact: ₹262 crore generated, ~₹1.18 lakh per farmer (2–3× increase over traditional crops).
• Employment generated: Over 44 lakh man-days.
• Variety development: Eight flower varieties released (lotus, chrysanthemum, gerbera).

Export & Import Impact

• Targeted 15% reduction in flower imports.
• Strengthened domestic flower production.

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CSIR Aroma Mission

Objectives

• Promote rural empowerment through aromatic crop cultivation, processing, and value addition.
• Support aroma industry with quality raw materials and contribute to self-reliance.

Key Achievements

• Area covered: Over 51,000 ha under aromatic crops.
• Clusters developed: 4,500+ clusters across 28 States, including 20 tribal clusters.
• Technology & varieties: 52 varieties and 82 region-specific agro-technologies developed.
• Processing infrastructure: 408 improved distillation units installed.
• Skill development: 2,096 training programs, trained 1.22 lakh manpower including 10,000 women.
• Entrepreneur support: 110+ entrepreneurs assisted in value-added products.
• Employment created: ~1 crore rural jobs.
• Production & revenue: 6,000+ tons of essential oils worth ₹600 crore.

Crop Benefits

• Aromatic crops like Lemongrass, Palmarosa, Vetiver, Tulsi, and Mentha:
  • Low water and nutrient requirements.
  • Suitable for rain-fed conditions.
  • Income: ₹60,000–₹70,000 per hectare.
  • Vetiver cultivation profitable in disaster-affected areas (cyclones, floods).

Export & Self-reliance Impact

• India became largest producer and exporter of lemongrass oil.
• Leadership in Menthol Mint production.
• Vetiver cultivation in UP, Bihar, Tamil Nadu reduced import dependence.
• Palmarosa oil exported to multiple countries.

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Combined Socio-Economic Impact

• Both missions have significantly enhanced farmers’ income, livelihoods, and employment.
• Developed high-yielding crop varieties for domestic cultivation and export.
• Promoted rural entrepreneurship, capacity-building, and technology transfer.

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Nano-plastics from PET Bottles – Key Findings

Background

• Nano-plastics are emerging pollutants detected in the human body, but their direct effects on human health were poorly understood.
• Gut microbes play a central role in immunity, metabolism, and mental well-being, making them critical to study in the context of nano-plastic exposure.

Research Study

• Conducted by Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali under Department of Science and Technology (DST).
• Objective: Investigate the impact of nano-plastics on multiple biological systems – gut bacteria, red blood cells, and human epithelial cells.
• Method: Nano-plastics recreated from PET bottles in the laboratory and tested across three biological models.

Findings

1. Gut Bacteria (Lactobacillus rhamnosus)
   • Long-term exposure reduced bacterial growth, colonization, and protective functions.
   • Increased stress responses and higher sensitivity to antibiotics.
2. Red Blood Cells
   • High concentrations disrupted cell membranes.
   • Caused hemolytic changes, affecting blood stability.
3. Human Epithelial Cells
   • Prolonged exposure caused DNA damage, oxidative stress, and apoptosis.
   • Triggered inflammatory signaling and altered energy and nutrient metabolism.

Implications

• Nano-plastics act as biologically active particles affecting gut health, blood stability, and general cellular function.
• Highlight hidden health risks from everyday plastics in food, water, and human body.
• Findings may inform industry practices and policy towards safer and sustainable plastic use.

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