{"id":7434,"date":"2026-01-11T07:30:01","date_gmt":"2026-01-11T07:30:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mehnatt.com\/?p=7434"},"modified":"2026-01-11T07:30:01","modified_gmt":"2026-01-11T07:30:01","slug":"short-notes-on-current-affairs-05-01-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mehnatt.com\/?p=7434","title":{"rendered":"Short notes on Current Affairs 05.01.2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-ast-global-color-6-background-color has-background\">Bhogapuram International Airport<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">A successful <strong>validation flight<\/strong> at <strong>Bhogapuram International Airport<\/strong> marks a crucial operational milestone ahead of its formal commissioning.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">The aircraft, operated by <strong>Air India<\/strong>, landed on the newly built <strong>3.8-kilometre runway<\/strong>, confirming the runway\u2019s readiness for commercial operations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">The presence of Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu and Vizianagaram MP Kalisetti Appala Naidu underscores the project\u2019s national and regional importance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">The water salute symbolizes aviation clearance and ceremonial recognition of the airport\u2019s readiness.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">Senior district officials and GMR Group representatives participated, reflecting coordination between government and private stakeholders.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">The Minister described the event as historic for India\u2019s aviation sector, particularly for North Andhra Pradesh, signaling expectations of regional economic growth.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">The airport is expected to act as a catalyst for trade, tourism, employment, and infrastructure development in Vizianagaram and nearby districts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">Confidence was expressed that the June 30 deadline for full-scale operations will be met, indicating advanced project readiness.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">Government initiatives to widen access roads highlight efforts to ensure supporting infrastructure connectivity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">The airport is a greenfield project being developed by GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Ltd. (GVIAL).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">Located about 50 km from Visakhapatnam, it is designed to decongest the existing Visakhapatnam airport and serve future demand.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">The project spans <strong>2,200 acres<\/strong> and involves an investment of <strong>\u20b94,725 crore<\/strong>, reflecting its large-scale economic significance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">With 96% of construction completed, the airport is in its final phase before operational launch.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">Once operational, it will have the capacity to handle 200 flights per day, indicating potential as a major regional aviation hub.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">The airport will also support cargo operations of up to 20,000 tonnes annually, enhancing export potential.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">A dedicated cargo terminal is under construction to facilitate agricultural and industrial exports.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">Overall, the validation flight confirms the airport\u2019s technical readiness and reinforces its role as a strategic infrastructure asset for regional development and economic integration.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-ast-global-color-6-background-color has-background\">Samudra Pratap<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"font-size:17px\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Event &amp; Leadership<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will commission the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) ship <strong>Samudra Pratap<\/strong> in <strong>Goa<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">The commissioning marks a significant addition to India\u2019s maritime environmental protection fleet.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Vessel Significance<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Samudra Pratap<\/em> is the <strong>first of two Pollution Control Vessels (PCVs)<\/strong> being inducted into the Indian Coast Guard.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It represents a major upgrade in India\u2019s capability to respond to marine pollution incidents.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Primary Role<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Designed for pollution response operations, particularly oil spill detection and mitigation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Capable of operating within India\u2019s <strong>Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)<\/strong> and <strong>beyond<\/strong>, extending India\u2019s maritime environmental reach.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Advanced Capabilities<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Equipped with state-of-the-art oil spill detection systems.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Can conduct high-precision pollution control operations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Able to:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Recover pollutants from viscous oil spills<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Analyse contaminants<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Separate oil from contaminated water, aiding effective clean-up efforts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Technical Specifications<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Length:<\/strong> 114.5 metres<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Displacement:<\/strong> 4,200 tonnes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Maximum speed:<\/strong> Over 22 knots<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Operational endurance:<\/strong> 6,000 nautical miles<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Strategic Impact<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Enhances the ICG\u2019s:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Marine pollution response<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fire-fighting capabilities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Maritime security operations<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Strengthens India\u2019s preparedness against environmental disasters at sea and supports sustainable maritime governance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Overall Importance<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The induction of <em>Samudra Pratap<\/em> underscores India\u2019s commitment to protecting marine ecosystems, ensuring environmental safety, and bolstering coastal and offshore security.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-ast-global-color-6-background-color has-background\">Funding of Deep-Tech Start-ups under Industrial Research and Development Promotion Programme (IRDPP)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Policy Announcement<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">The Central Government has relaxed eligibility norms for deep-tech start-ups to receive financial assistance from the <strong>Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">The announcement was made by Union Minister for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, during the 42nd Foundation Day celebrations of DSIR.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Policy Change<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">The <strong>three-year viability\/sustainability requirement<\/strong> for start-ups has been <strong>removed<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">Earlier, start-ups had to prove at least three years of operational sustainability to qualify for support.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Financial Assistance Details<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">Eligible deep-tech start-ups can receive <strong>financial assistance of up to \u20b91 crore<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">Support is provided under the <strong>Industrial Research and Development Promotion Programme (IRDPP)<\/strong> of DSIR.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Objective of the Relaxation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">Aimed at accelerating innovation and scaling deep-tech start-ups faster.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">Designed to support start-ups at early stages, even before they become fully self-sustaining.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rationale Behind the Move<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">Deep-tech ventures typically require longer gestation periods and high upfront R&amp;D investment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">Removing the time-based criterion allows promising technologies to access funding based on merit rather than age.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Continued Safeguards<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">Despite the relaxation, start-ups must meet evaluation standards linked to technological maturity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">Ensures accountability, quality control, and effective use of public funds.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Broader Significance<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">Strengthens India\u2019s start-up and innovation ecosystem, especially in advanced technologies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">Reflects the government\u2019s intent to promote research-driven entrepreneurship and indigenous technological development.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Overall Impact<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">Expected to boost early-stage deep-tech innovation, reduce funding barriers, and help India build a stronger science- and technology-led economy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-ast-global-color-6-background-color has-background\">SAMPANN: Transforming Pension Administration for DoT Pensioners<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is SAMPANN?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\"><strong>SAMPANN (System for Accounting and Management of Pension)<\/strong> is a fully integrated, online pension management system.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">Developed for Department of Telecommunications (DoT) pensioners.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Core Objective<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">To create a single digital platform for:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Processing pension cases<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">Sanctioning pension<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">Disbursing pension directly to pensioners\u2019 bank accounts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Features<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">End-to-end digital pension management<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) of pension payments<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">Online grievance redressal mechanism<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">Digital profile management for pensioners<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">Access to transaction history and records<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Benefits to Pensioners<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">Enhances <strong>transparency, efficiency, and accountability<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">Reduces paperwork and delays<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">Improves ease of access and user convenience for telecom retirees<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Integration with DigiLocker<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">Key pension-related documents are now available digitally through <strong>DigiLocker<\/strong>, including:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Gratuity Payment Orders<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pension Certificates \/ ePPOs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pension Commutation Payment Orders<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Form 16<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">Enables secure access, storage, and retrieval of official documents anytime and anywhere<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Governance and Digital India Alignment<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">Supports the Government\u2019s vision of:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Digital governance<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Paperless service delivery<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Long-term digital preservation of records<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">Ensures authenticity and security of pension documents<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Overall Impact<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"font-size:17px\">SAMPANN modernizes pension administration for DoT pensioners by combining automation, transparency, and digital integration, significantly improving service delivery and trust in public systems.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Bhogapuram International Airport Samudra Pratap Funding of Deep-Tech Start-ups under Industrial Research and Development Promotion Programme (IRDPP) Policy Announcement Key Policy Change Financial Assistance Details Objective of the Relaxation Rationale Behind the Move Continued Safeguards Broader Significance Overall Impact SAMPANN: Transforming Pension Administration for DoT Pensioners What is SAMPANN? Core Objective Key Features Benefits to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[592],"tags":[222,1445,21,22,1451,1449,1447,1450,1448,221,1452,1193,20,1453,1446],"class_list":["post-7434","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-short-notes","tag-bank-exams","tag-bhogapuram-international-airport","tag-competitive-exams","tag-current-affairs","tag-department-of-scientific-and-industrial-research","tag-funding-of-deep-tech-start-ups","tag-indian-coast-guard","tag-industrial-research-and-development-promotion-programme","tag-pollution-control-vessels","tag-rrb-exams","tag-sampann","tag-samudra-pratap","tag-ssc-cgl","tag-system-for-accounting-and-management-of-pension","tag-vizianagaram"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mehnatt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7434","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mehnatt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mehnatt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mehnatt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mehnatt.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7434"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/mehnatt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7434\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7449,"href":"https:\/\/mehnatt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7434\/revisions\/7449"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mehnatt.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7434"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mehnatt.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7434"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mehnatt.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7434"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}