1. Parakram Diwas 2025

Parakram Diwas 2025: India is set to Celebrate Parakram Diwas 2025 to honour the legacy of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on the occasion of his 128th Birth anniversary.

• About: The event will celebrate at Barabati Fort, Cuttack (Netaji's birthplace).
• Past Commemorations: PM inaugurated event at Red Fort, Delhi (INA trials site) in 2024 è 21 islands in Andaman & Nicobar named after Param Vir Chakra awardees in 2023 è First Parakram Diwas at Victoria Memorial, Kolkata in 2022.

• About: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose born in Cuttack, Orissa on January 23, 1897.

o Early Education: Passed the civil service examination in 1920, but resigned in April 1921 to join the Indian independence movement.

o Indian National Congress: Actively participated in the freedom struggle, mentored by C.R. Das in Bengal.

o Leadership: Elected Congress president for two consecutive terms but resigned due to ideological differences with Mahatma Gandhi.

o Forward Bloc: Formed in 1939 to unite anti-British forces.

o Influence: Inspired by Swami Vivekananda, known for his patriotic zeal.

o World War II: Fled India to seek foreign support, traveled to Soviet Union, Germany, and Japan for alliances.

o Indian National Army (INA): Led the INA, formed with Indian prisoners-of-war and plantation workers, supported by Japan, against British forces.

o Azad Hind Government: Established in exile with Japanese support, fought battles at Imphal and in Burma.

o Death: Believed to have died on August 18, 1945, in a plane crash over Taiwan. His death remains controversial and mysterious.

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2. Diamond Imprest Authorization (DIA) Scheme

Diamond Imprest Authorization (DIA) Scheme: Department of Commerce, GOI has recently introduced the DIA Scheme.

• About: The scheme will be effective from 1st April 2025. It allows import of Natural Cut and Polished Diamonds duty-free, and requires 10% value addition for eligibility.
• Eligibility Criteria: Two Star Export House status, and annual exports of $15 million or more.

• Objective: To enhance global competitiveness of India’s diamond sector.

o Retain India’s position as a global leader in the diamond value chain.

o Prevent investment outflows to diamond-mining countries.

• Impact on Industry: Supports MSME diamond exporters and safeguards domestic industry.

o Promotes employment generation for diamond assorters and craftsmen.

o Boosts exports of Cut and Polished Diamonds.

o Addresses the decline in exports and worker job losses.

• Diamond industry in India: India (referred to as ‘world’s cutlery) is the world's largest cutting and polishing centre for diamonds (India polishes over 90% of the world's natural diamonds).

o It is also the largest diamond exporter in the world.

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3. Hypersonic Tech

Hypersonic Tech: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully demonstrated a cutting-edge active cooled scramjet combustor ground test for 120 seconds for the first time in India.
About Scramjet Engines: These air-breathing engines sustain combustion at speeds over Mach 5 without moving parts, key for hypersonic missiles that travel at speeds above Mach 5.

o The Mach number depends on the speed of sound in the gas and the speed of sound depends on the type of gas and the temperature of the gas.

• Key Achievements: Stable combustion, successful ignition, and new flame stabilization techniques demonstrated.
• Indigenous Fuel: DRDO and industry developed a cooling and ignition-efficient fuel, marking a first in India.
• Thermal Barrier Coating (TBC): Advanced ceramic TBC developed with Department of Science & Technology (DST) to withstand extreme temperatures during hypersonic flight.

o Coating applied using special deposition methods for enhanced performance and longevity.

• Global Relevance: The test sets the stage for India's next-gen hypersonic missile program, placing it alongside global powers like the U.S., Russia, and China.

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4. AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM)

AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM): Recently the UNESCO Regional Office for South Asia, in partnership with MeitY and Ikigai Law, held a two-day consultation on AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) in India.

• About: The event was held at IIIT Bangalore and the Nasscom AI office.
• Purpose: To shape India’s AI policy aligned with global ethical guidelines (transparency, inclusiveness, fairness).

o Part of AI RAM initiative to drive responsible AI adoption.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Diverse voices from government, industry, academia, and civil society.

o Focus on ethical AI aligned with UNESCO’s recommendations.

• Startups Focus: Spotlight on AI for startups amid INDIAai Mission (₹10,000 crore funding).
• Key Insights: UNESCO, the RAM provides a snapshot of AI landscape—key stakeholders, infrastructure, and legislation.

o MeitY: Highlighted Safe and Trusted AI as core to India’s AI growth and global leadership.

• Project Highlight: AI - Open-source algorithmic auditing framework by Civic Data Labs.
• Breakout Sessions: Focus on AI governance, infrastructure, and sectoral adoption.

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5. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY): The Yojana completed 10 years encouraging families to invest in the bright futures of their daughters, fostering a culture of inclusion and progress.

• About: SSY was launched on 22nd January 2015 by PM Modi, as part of the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Campaign.
• 10 Years Strong: Over 4.1 crore accounts by Nov 2024.
• Eligibility: For girls aged 0-10 years; only one account per child (exceptions for twins/triplets).
• Documents Needed: Birth certificate, KYC identity & residence proof
• Annual Deposit: Min ₹250 (Max ₹1.5 lakh); excess will be returned, Up to 15 years after account opening.
• Account Management: Managed by the guardian until the girl turns 18.
• Monthly Interest: Based on the lowest balance (calculated and credited annually).
• Maturity: Account matures at 21 years.
• Early Closure: Possible if the account holder marries (minimum age 18), with documentation.
• Education Withdrawals: Up to 50% for education after 18 years or completing 10th grade.
• Limit: One withdrawal per year, up to 5 years.
• Premature Closure: Death or Compassionate Grounds, immediate closure with necessary documents, and No Closure in First 5 Years.
• Securing Futures: SSY is a game-changer in empowering families, fostering financial discipline, and promoting gender equity for India's daughters.

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6. Arctic Boreal Region

Arctic Boreal Region: New research has revealed that 40% of the region has transitioned from a carbon sink (absorbing more carbon than it releases) to a carbon source (releasing more carbon than it absorbs).

• About: The Arctic Boreal Zone spans 26 million square kilometers, including tundra, boreal forests, and wetlands.
• Factors Driving the Shift: Longer growing seasons è Increased microbial activity è Higher frequency/intensity of wildfires
• Study Insights: 30% of the region was a net carbon source from 2001-2020, rising to 40% with fire emissions.
• Geographical Distribution of Carbon Source: Alaska (44%)>Northern Europe (25%)>Canada (19%)>Siberia (13%)
• Impact of Warming: Warming temperatures and increased wildfires in the Arctic tundra have caused it to emit more carbon than it stores.

o Permafrost thawing releases vast amounts of stored carbon.

ü It is the process by which frozen ground at the Earth's poles and in cold climates melts and releases carbon and methane into the atmosphere.

• Winter Emissions: Carbon emissions during the non-summer months (September to May) now outweigh carbon absorption during summer (June to August).
• Greening Effect: 49% of the region shows longer growing seasons and increased vegetation, but only 12% acts as a net carbon sink annually.
• Microbial Activity: Thawing permafrost releases organic matter, which microbes decompose and release as CO2, exacerbating global warming.
• Why 12% remains a Sink: Cold temperatures in the non-growing season may prevent photosynthesis but are warm enough for microbes to release CO2.

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7. World Health Organisation (WHO)

World Health Organisation (WHO): The United States (US) recently announced the withdrawal from the World Health Organisation (WHO) after Trump’s taking the President’s seat. It could severely affect the global health body’s disease programmes.

• WHO: Founded in 1948, and headquartered in Geneva,Switzerland, WHO is the UN agency that connects nations, partners and people to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable – so everyone, everywhere can attain the highest level of health. 

o WHO responsible for World Health Report, World Health Survey, and World Health Day (7 April)

o Members: 194, India is a member since 1948.

o Governance takes place through the World Health Assembly (WHA).

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8. Global corporate minimum tax

Global corporate minimum tax: The USA President recently declared that a global corporate minimum tax deal "has no force or effect" in the U.S., effectively pulling America out of the landmark 2021 arrangement negotiated by the Biden administration with nearly 140 countries.

• About: A global corporate minimum tax is a proposal to impose a minimum rate of taxation on corporate income in most countries of the world by international agreement.

• Aim: To mitigate tax competition and prevent the evasion of corporate taxes by domiciling themselves in tax havens.

o To institute a consistent global baseline. 

o To ensure that the impact of low tax rates or fiscal policies aimed at reducing tax burdens is significantly reduced.

• The EU, Britain and other countries have adopted the 15% global corporate minimum tax, but the U.S.

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