💥Join UPSC 2027,2028 Mentorship (July Batch) + XFactor Notes & Microthemes PDF
Talk to Mentor

Civilsdaily

Login

Type: PIB

  • PM SVANidhi Street Food Hub Initiative

    Why in News?

    Lakhanpur (Kathua, Jammu & Kashmir) has been selected among the first towns approved under the PM SVANidhi Street Food Hub Initiative.

    Key Highlights

    • Lakhanpur, the gateway to Jammu & Kashmir, will develop a Street Food Hub across two clusters covering 1,754.25 sq. m.
    • Will promote Dogra cuisine and improve facilities for pilgrims, tourists, and local vendors.
    • The project aims to transform Lakhanpur into a culinary tourism destination.

    About the Initiative

    • Implemented by the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) under PM SVANidhi.
    • Plans to establish up to 50 Street Food Hubs across India.
    • Focuses on organized, hygienic food streets, tourism promotion, and sustainable livelihoods.
    • Preference to towns with:
      • Tourism and heritage significance.
      • Unique local cuisine.
      • Convergence with Swadesh Darshan, PRASHAD, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and UNESCO Creative Cities.

    Financial Support

    • ₹4 crore per project: 30% first instalment, 50% second instalment, and 20% after completion
    • Additional ₹25 lakh incentive for cities with a notified Street Vending Plan.

    PM SVANidhi

    • Launched: 2020, Ministry: MoHUA
    • Objective: Provide collateral-free working capital loans to street vendors and promote financial inclusion through interest subsidy and digital payments.

    Significance

    • Enhances livelihoods of street vendors.
    • Promotes local cuisine and tourism.
    • Improves food hygiene and visitor experience.

    [2015] Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana has been launched for

    [A] providing housing loan to poor people at cheaper interest rates

    [B] Promoting women’s Self-Help Groups in backward areas

    [C] promoting financial inclusion in the country

    [D] providing financial help to marginalised communities

  • National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER)

    Why in News?

    The Vice President of India recently addressed the 15th Graduation Ceremony of the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar.

    About NISER

    • Established in 2006.
    • An Autonomous Institute under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Government of India.
    • Located about 20 km south of Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
    • Equipped with advanced laboratories, computational facilities, library, and residential hostels.
    • Affiliated with the Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Mumbai, a deemed-to-be university under the DAE.

    Objectives

    • Develop high quality human resources in basic sciences.
    • Promote excellence in scientific research and innovation.
    • Contribute to India’s knowledge economy through education and research.

    Major Activities

    • Science Education: Centre of excellence for undergraduate and postgraduate education in basic sciences.
      • Offers: Five year Integrated M.Sc. Ph.D. programmes in pure and applied sciences.
    • Scientific Research: Conducts theoretical and experimental research in frontier areas of science. Has seven Schools specializing in different scientific disciplines.
    • Science Outreach and Policy: Promotes scientific temper through outreach programmes for students and the public. Faculty members contribute to national science policy formulation through various government committees.

    About Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI)

    • Established in 2005.
    • A Deemed to be University under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).
    • Headquartered in Mumbai.
    • Integrates academic programmes of premier DAE institutions to promote advanced education and research in science, engineering, and technology.

    [2015] Indira Gandhi Peace Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2014 was given to which of the following?

    [A] Bhabha Atomic Research Centre

    [B] Indian Institute of Science

    [C] Indian Space Research Organization

    [D] Tata Institute of Fundamental Research

  • Government Tightens Regulation of High Alcohol Containing Drug Formulations

    Why in News?

    The Central Government has amended the Drugs Rules, 1945 to tighten regulation of high alcohol containing medicinal formulations, removing their exemption under Schedule K and bringing them under Schedule H1.

    Key Highlights

    • Schedule K exemption removed for medicinal formulations containing:
      • More than 12% v/v ethyl alcohol, and
      • Pack size exceeding 30 mL.
    • Such products must now obtain manufacturing and sale licenses under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
    • Shifted to Schedule H1, making them:
      • Available only on the prescription of a Registered Medical Practitioner (RMP).
      • Subject to strict sale records and monitoring.
    • Targets misuse of formulations such as cardamom tincture, ginger tincture, and other aromatic preparations, some containing 80 to 90% v/v ethyl alcohol.
    • Ensures availability for genuine therapeutic use while preventing diversion for intoxication.

    Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940

    • Regulates the import, manufacture, distribution and sale of drugs and cosmetics in India.
    • Administered by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
    • Implemented through the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and State Drug Controllers.
    • Supported by the Drugs Rules, 1945, which prescribe standards, licensing, labeling and schedules.

    Schedule K

    • Lists specified drugs exempted from certain licensing provisions under defined conditions.
    • Intended mainly for low risk preparations or specified categories of sale.
    • The amendment removes exemption for high alcohol formulations exceeding the prescribed threshold.

    Schedule H1

    • Introduced to regulate drugs prone to misuse and antimicrobial resistance.
    • Drugs can be sold only on a registered medical practitioner’s prescription.
    • Pharmacists must:
      • Maintain a separate register recording patient and prescriber details.
      • Preserve records for at least three years.
    • Originally covered certain antibiotics, anti TB medicines and other critical drugs; now also includes specified high alcohol medicinal formulations.

    [2018] Consider the following statements:

    1. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954.
    2. The Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) is under the charge of Director General of Health Services in the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    (a) 1 only

    (b) 2 only

    (c) Both 1 and 2

    (d) Neither 1 nor 2

  • Footwear Quality Control Orders (QCOs)

    Why in News?

    The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) amended two Footwear Quality Control Orders (QCOs) to promote ease of doing business while strengthening domestic footwear manufacturing.

    Key Amendments

    • Legacy stock clearance deadline extended from 31 July 2026 to 31 July 2027.
    • Allows manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to clear existing seasonal inventory.
    • After the deadline, only BIS-certified footwear can be sold.

    R&D Import Exemption

    • Manufacturers can import up to 4,500 pairs of footwear samples annually for Research & Development (R&D).
    • Samples:
      • Must be marked “NOT FOR SALE”.
      • Cannot be sold commercially.
      • Must be disposed of as scrap after use.
      • Year-wise import records must be maintained.

    Purpose

    • Support product design, testing, and innovation.
    • Reduce compliance burden.
    • Facilitate domestic manufacturing under Make in India.
    • Strengthen India’s quality ecosystem in line with the “Zero Defect, Zero Effect” vision.

    Quality Control Orders (QCOs)

    • Issued under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) framework.
    • Mandate compliance with prescribed Indian Standards.
    • Aim to ensure product quality, consumer safety, and curb substandard imports.

    About DPIIT

    • The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) is a central government department under the Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
    • Established in 1995, it acts as the nodal agency for formulating overall industrial policies, driving the Startup India initiative, and managing inward Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) frameworks.

    Significance

    • Improves ease of doing business.
    • Encourages innovation and R&D.
    • Enhances quality assurance.
    • Boosts competitiveness of India’s footwear industry.

    [2017] Consider the following statements:

    1. The Standard Mark of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is mandatory for automotive tyres and tubes.
    2. AGMARK is a quality Certification Mark issued by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    [A] 1 only

    [B] 2 only

    [C] Both 1 and 2

    [D] Neither 1 nor 2

  • Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM)

    Why in News?

    The government highlighted the achievements of SMAM, including wider access to farm machinery, Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs), and drone-based precision farming.

    Key Facts

    • Launched in 2014-15 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under RKVY (Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana).
    • Promotes mechanization among small & marginal farmers, women, SC/STs, FPOs, SHGs, and rural entrepreneurs.
    • Supports:
      • Subsidies for farm machinery
      • Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs)
      • Farm Machinery Banks (FMBs)
      • Hi-Tech Hubs
      • Training, testing, and demonstrations
      • Drone-based agriculture

    Financial Assistance

    • 40% subsidy for general farmers.
    • 50% subsidy for SC/STs, small & marginal farmers, and North Eastern States.
    • Funding pattern: 60:40 (Centre:State) for most states, 90:10 for NE & Himalayan states, and 100% Central funding for UTs

    Achievements (2014-15 to 2025-26)

    • ₹9,404.47 crore central assistance.
    • 21.61 lakh farm machines distributed.
    • 27,554 CHCs established.
    • 25,608 Farm Machinery Banks created.
    • 646 Hi-Tech Hubs established.

    Drone Promotion

    • ₹52.5 crore allocated.
    • 40,928 drone demonstrations over 40,918 hectares (2023-24 to 2025-26).
    • ICAR institutes, KVKs, and SAUs receive 100% support (up to ₹10 lakh per drone).
    • FPOs receive 75% grant.

    Special Features

    • 30% of total funds earmarked for women farmers.
    • Special incentives for North Eastern States, including up to 100% subsidy for small machinery.

    Significance

    • Enhances farm productivity and efficiency.
    • Reduces labour dependence and cost of cultivation.
    • Promotes precision farming and post-harvest mechanization.
    • Improves access to modern machinery for small farmers.

    [2023] Which one of the following best describes the concept of ‘Small Farmer Large Field’?

    [A] Resettlement of a large number of people, uprooted from their countries due to war, by giving them a large cultivable land which they cultivate collectively and share the produce

    [B] Many marginal farmers in an area organize themselves into groups and synchronize and harmonize selected agricultural operations

    [C] Many marginal farmers in an area together make a contract with a corporate body and surrender their land to the corporate body for a fixed term for which the corporate body makes a payment of agreed amount to the farmers

    [D] A company extends loans, technical knowledge and material inputs to a number of small farmers in an area so that they produce the agricultural commodity required by the company for its manufacturing process and commercial production

  • Poshan Tracker

    Why in News?

    The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD) highlighted the achievements of the Poshan Tracker, India’s real time nutrition monitoring platform under Mission Poshan 2.0.

    What is Poshan Tracker?

    • Mobile based application launched in March 2021.
    • Developed by MoWCD with the National e-Governance Division (NeGD).
    • Digital backbone of POSHAN Abhiyaan.
    • Enables real time monitoring of nutrition, beneficiaries, and Anganwadi services.

    About POSHAN Abhiyaan

    • Launched on 8 March 2018.
    • India’s flagship National Nutrition Mission.
    • In 2021, merged with Anganwadi Services and Scheme for Adolescent Girls under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0.

    Key Features

    • Aadhaar based beneficiary authentication.
    • Facial Recognition System (FRS) for service verification.
    • Digital home visit scheduler.
    • Poshan Calculator based on WHO Child Growth Standards.
    • Tracks stunting, wasting, underweight, SAM, MAM, and obesity.
    • Provides ECCE learning content and Poshan Helpline (1515).

    Achievements (May 2026)

    • Covers 28 States and 8 UTs.
    • 8.93 crore beneficiaries registered.
    • 7.7 crore children tracked through Aadhaar authenticated database.
    • 6.3 crore children (0 to 5 years) monitored for growth (about 94% coverage).
    • 5.5 crore beneficiaries received Supplementary Nutrition for at least 15 days.

    Significance

    • Enables evidence based nutrition governance.
    • Reduces leakages and duplicate beneficiaries.
    • Strengthens Anganwadi service delivery.
    • Supports Digital India and Viksit Bharat.

    Prelims Facts

    • POSHAN Abhiyaan: 2018.
    • Poshan Tracker: March 2021.
    • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Women and Child Development.
    • Uses WHO Child Growth Standards.
    • Operates under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0.

    [2023] Consider the following statements in the context of interventions being undertaken under Anaemia Mukt Bharat Strategy:
    1. It provides prophylactic calcium supplementation for pre-school children, adolescents and pregnant women.
    2. It runs a campaign for delayed cord clamping at the time of child- birth.
    3. It provides for periodic deworming to children and adolescents.
    4. It addresses non-nutritional causes of anaemia in endemic pockets with special focus on malaria, hemoglobinopathies and fluorosis.
    How many of the statements given above are correct?

    [A] Only one

    [B] Only two

    [C] Only three

    [D] All four

  • Index of Services Production (ISP)

    Why in News?

    The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the report of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) on compiling the Index of Services Production (ISP) with base year 2024-25. The trial ISP series will be released on 14 July 2026.

    Key Highlights

    • ISP will be India’s first monthly indicator to measure short-term performance of the services sector.
    • Services contribute about 53% of India’s Gross Value Added (GVA).
    • It will complement the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).

    Data Sources

    • GST aggregated data for market-based services.
    • Administrative data from Railways, Aviation, Banking and Insurance.
    • ASISSE data for Health and Education.

    Technical Features

    • Base Year: 2024-25
    • Index Type: Laspeyres Volume Index
    • Classification: 2-digit NIC 2025
    • Weights: Gross Value Added (GVA)
    • Release: Monthly, within 60 days of the reference month.

    Significance

    • Provides a high-frequency indicator for the services sector.
    • Improves economic policymaking and monitoring.
    • Enhances India’s statistical system using GST-based data.

    [2020] With reference to the international trade of India at present, which of the following statements is/are correct?

    1. India’s merchandise exports are less than its merchandise imports.
    2.India’s imports of iron and steel, chemicals, fertilisers and machinery have decreased in recent years.
    3.India’s exports of services are more than its imports of services.
    4.India suffers from an overall trade/current account deficit.
    Select the correct answer using the code given below:
    a) 1 and 2 only
    b) 2 and 4 only
    c) 3 only
    d) 1, 3 and 4 only

  • India and Costa Rica Hold First JETCO Meeting

    Why in News?

    India and Costa Rica held the first Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) meeting virtually on 6 to 7 July 2026 to deepen bilateral trade and investment ties.

    Key Highlights

    • Bilateral merchandise trade reached USD 391 million in 2025-26.
    • Both sides reviewed trade, investment, and regulatory frameworks.
    • Cooperation areas include:
      • Standards and certification
      • Food safety
      • Pharmaceutical regulation
      • Export certification
    • India highlighted opportunities in pharmaceuticals, digital technologies, manufacturing, and innovation.
    • Costa Rica shared its experience in Central American regional trade integration.

    What is JETCO?

    • A bilateral mechanism established under the MoU on Economic Cooperation.
    • It reviews trade and investment, resolves trade issues, and promotes business, regulatory, and institutional cooperation.

    Significance

    • Strengthens India’s engagement with Latin America.
    • Facilitates trade by reducing non-tariff barriers.
    • Expands opportunities in high-value sectors and innovation.

    Prelims Facts

    • Capital: San José
    • Currency: Costa Rican Colón
    • Region: Central America
    • No standing army since 1948.

    [2023] Which one of the following countries has been suffering from decades of civil strife and food shortages and was in news in the recent past for its very severe famine?

    [A] Angola

    [B] Costa Rica

    [C] Ecuador

    [D] Somalia

  • INS Mahendragiri (Project 17A Stealth Frigate)

    Why in News?

    The Indian Navy will commission INS Mahendragiri (F38), the sixth Project 17A indigenous stealth frigate, at Visakhapatnam on 11 July 2026.

    Note: Project 17A is a ₹45,000-crore Indian Navy initiative to build seven advanced Nilgiri-class stealth frigates.

    Key Highlights

    • Named after the Mahendragiri Hills in the Eastern Ghats.
    • Designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau (WDB).
    • Built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai.
    • Features over 75% indigenous content, supporting Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
    • Powered by Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion for high speed and long endurance.

    Features

    • Advanced stealth design with reduced radar signature.
    • Equipped with:
      • Surface-to-Surface Missiles (SSM)
      • Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAM)
      • Electronic Warfare (EW) systems
      • Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) systems
      • Integrated Combat Management System (CMS)
    • High degree of automation and enhanced survivability.

    Operational Roles

    • Anti-air warfare, Anti-surface warfare, Anti-submarine warfare, Maritime security, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), Search and Rescue (SAR), and Indo-Pacific presence missions

    Significance

    • Strengthens India’s indigenous warship-building capability.
    • Enhances the Indian Navy’s blue-water combat capability.
    • Boosts the domestic defence ecosystem, including MSMEs.
    • Reinforces India’s role as the Preferred Security Partner in the Indian Ocean Region.

    [2026] Which of the following statements with regard to stealth technology is/are correct ?
    1. Stealth objects have a very small radar cross-section and are coated with Radar Absorbing Material.
    2. Stealth objects can be detected using specific frequencies.
    3. Stealth objects are coated with metamaterials to increase the scattering of electromagnetic radiation.
    Select the answer using the code given below :

    [A] 1 only

    [B] 2 and 3 only

    [C] 1 and 2 only

    [D] 1, 2 and 3

  • India’s Steel Sector Records Growth in Q1 FY 2026

    Why in News?

    India’s steel sector recorded steady growth in Q1 FY 2026-27 with higher production, strong demand, and continued policy support.

    Key Highlights

    • Crude steel production: 42.1 Mt (+3.0% YoY)
    • Finished steel production: 41.0 Mt (+5.9% YoY)
    • Finished steel consumption: 41.6 Mt (+8.3% YoY)
    • Installed steel capacity: 221.9 MTPA (Target: 300 MTPA by 2030 under National Steel Policy 2017)
    • India remained a net importer of finished steel despite export growth.

    Major Developments

    • DGTR launched an anti-dumping probe into hot-rolled steel imports from China, Japan, and Russia.
    • Ministry of Steel promoted AI, automation, predictive maintenance, digital mining, and smart manufacturing.
    • SAIL supplied 5,700 tonnes of special steel for three Indian Navy ships.
    • JSW Group began construction of a 2 MTPA integrated steel plant in Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh.

    Green Steel

    • SAIL Rourkela launched India’s first CO₂ Dashboard for digital carbon monitoring.
    • Plantation drives and decarbonisation initiatives continued under Van Mahotsav 2026.

    [2023]Consider the following heavy industries:
    1. Fertilizer plants
    2. Oil refineries
    3. Steel plants
    Green hydrogen is expected to play a significant role in decarbonizing how many of the above industries?

    [A] Only one

    [B] Only two

    [C] All three

    [D] None