Some Current Affairs Points by Saurabh Kr Pandey

PM JANMAN (Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha

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PM-JANMAN has been launched to provide PVTGs (Particularly Vulnerable

Tribal Groups) households and habitations with basic facilities such as safe
housing, clean drinking water and improved access to education, health and
nutrition, road and telecom connectivity, electrification of unelectrified
households and sustainable livelihood opportunities in 3 years.
PM JANMAN is a government scheme that aims to bring tribal communities
into the mainstream. The scheme (comprising Central Sector and Centrally
Sponsored Schemes) will be implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, in
collaboration with the State governments and the PVTG communities.
The scheme will concentrate on 11 critical interventions and it encompasses
various sectors, including safe housing under the PM-AWAS Scheme, access
to clean drinking water, improved healthcare, education, nutrition, road and
telecommunications connectivity, as well as opportunities for sustainable
livelihoods.
The plan also includes the establishment of Van Dhan Vikas
Kendras for trading in forest produce, off-grid solar power systems for 1 lakh
households, and solar street lights.
PM KISAN (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi)
On 24 February 2019, PM Narendra Modi launched the PM KISAN scheme
in Gorakhpur that give farmers up to ₹6,000 per year as minimum income
support. It is a Central Sector scheme administered by the Ministry of
Agriculture and Farmers Welfare with 100% funding from Central Government.
Under the scheme an income support of 6,000/- per year in three equal
installments will be provided to all land holding farmer families. The fund will
be directly transferred to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries.
State Government and UT administration will identify the farmer families
which are eligible for support as per scheme guidelines.
Note:-
The scheme was first conceived and implemented by government of
Telangana as the Rythu Bandhu scheme, where a certain amount is given
directly to eligible farmers.
2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics
Official mascots of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics:
Tina & Milo

The 2026 Winter Olympics officially the XXV Olympic Winter Games is an
upcoming international multi-sport event scheduled to take place from 6 to 22
February 2026 in three regions, with the Italian cities of Milan and Cortina
d'Ampezzo as main hosts.
2022 winter Olympics: Beijing (China)
Current President of IOC (International Olympic Committee): Thomas Bach
(Germany)
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is headquartered in Lausanne,
Switzerland. It is a non-governmental organization. Formed on 23rd June 1894,
it acts as a supreme authority to organize the Olympic Games.
Note:
The Winter Olympic Games is a major international multi-sport event held once
every four years for sports practiced on snow and ice. The first Winter Olympic
Games were held in Chamonix, France in 1924. The modern Olympic Games
were inspired by the ancient Olympic Games, which were held in Olympia,
Greece, from 776 BCE to 394 CE.
The Baron Pierre de Coubertin of France founded the International Olympic
Committee (IOC) in 1894, leading to the first modern Summer Olympic
Games in Athens, Greece in 1896.
Olympic Symbols
Flag:

The five rings on the flag represent the inhabited continents of the world
Olympic Flame
The Olympic flame symbolizes Continuity between ancient and modern games
The Olympic torch relay symbolizes peace, unity, and friendship. Throughout
the Torch relay, the flame announces the Olympic Games and spreads a message
of peace and friendship between peoples. The Torch relay ends at the opening
ceremony of the Olympic Games. The final runner (or sometimes runners)
enters the stadium and lights the cauldron with the Olympic flame.
Vibrant Village Programme
Government has approved Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) as a Centrally
Sponsored Scheme on 15th February, 2023 for comprehensive development of
the select villages in 46 blocks in 19 districts of abutting northern border in the
States of Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand and UT
of Ladakh. It is a centrally sponsored scheme under the Ministry of Home
Affairs.
The programme envisages focused areas of interventions in the select villages
for creation of opportunities for livelihood generation through promotion of
tourism & cultural heritage, skill development & entrepreneurship and
development of cooperative societies including agriculture/horticulture,
cultivation of medicinal plants/herbs etc. the interventions also include
providing road connectivity to unconnected villages, housing & village
infrastructures, energy including renewable energy, television & telecom
connectivity. The objective of the programme is to create sufficient incentives
for people to stay on in the selected villages.
India, UAE sign civil nuclear energy agreement
In Sep 2024, India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed a Memorandum
of Understanding (MoU) for civil nuclear cooperation. The deal between the
Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and the ENEC (Emirates
Nuclear Energy Company)-led Barakah Nuclear Power Plant Operations and
Maintenance took place during the Indian visit of Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed
bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
During the August 2015 visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the UAE,
both countries had agreed to cooperate in “peaceful use of nuclear energy”,
including in areas of “safety, health, agriculture, and science and technology.
Apart from the nuclear cooperation-related MoU, the two sides signed an MoU
for long-term LNG supply between Abu Dhabi National Oil Company
(ADNOC) and Indian Oil Corporation Limited. A third agreement between
ADNOC and India Strategic Petroleum Reserve Limited (ISPRL) was also one
of the outcomes during the visit of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. Urja Bharat
and ADNOC signed a Production Concession Agreement for Abu Dhabi
Onshore Block 1. The fifth MoU was between the Government of Gujarat and
Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company PJSC (ADQ) on food parks
development in India.
India and the UAE are part of the I2U2 grouping that includes Israel and the
United States under which food parks in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh were
envisaged. The food parks-related MoU in Gujarat is being viewed as an
extension of that grouping.
JAYWAN
The Jaywan card scheme is the UAE’s first national domestic card
program aimed at revolutionizing its payment infrastructure and fostering
financial inclusion. Developed in partnership with India’s National Payments
Corporation of India (NPCI) International
Sagar Setu
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal
recently launched the App Version of National Logistics Portal
(Marine) ‘Sagar-Setu’
The app has been envisaged with deliverables covering features like Login
Module, Service Catalogue, Common Application Format, Letter of Credit,
Bank Guarantee, Certification, and Track & Trace etc. It will provide real-time
information of activities that are generally not in reach of the importer, exporter,
and customs broker including vessel-related information, gate, container freight
stations and transactions on fingertips. It also enables digital transactions for
payments required for the clearance process of import and export like container
freight station charges, shipping line charges, transportation charges, etc.
Benefits for Traders
• Improve convenience with reduced turnaround time for approval and
compliances.
• Increase visibility of operations and tracking.
Benefits for Service Providers
• Help in tracking of records and transactions offered
• Receive notification of service requests.
Harit Sagar
To meet the larger vision of achieving Zero Carbon Emission Goal, Ministry of
Ports, Shipping & Waterways has launched ‘Harit Sagar’ the Green Port
Guidelines.
Harit Sagar Guidelines - 2023 envisages ecosystem dynamics in port
development, operation and maintenance while aligning with ’Working with
Nature’ concept and minimizing impact on biotic components of harbour
ecosystem. It lays emphasis on use of Clean / Green energy in Port operation,
developing Port capabilities for storage, handling and bunkering Greener Fuels
viz. Green Hydrogen, Green Ammonia, Green Methanol / Ethanol etc.
These Guidelines provides a framework for the Major Ports for drawing out a
comprehensive action plan for achieving targeted outcomes in terms of
quantified reduction in carbon emission over defined timelines, through focused
implementation and close monitoring of Green Initiatives and to achieve
Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDG).
The objective of guidelines is to minimize waste through Reduce, Reuse,
Repurpose and Recycle to attain zero waste discharge from port operations and
promote monitoring, based on Environmental Performance Indicators. This also
covers aspects of National Green Hydrogen Mission pertaining to ports,
development of green hydrogen facility, LNG bunkering, Offshore Wind Energy
etc and provides provision for adopting global Green Reporting Initiative (GRI)
standard.
Sagar Manthan
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Ayush Shri Sarbananda
Sonowal virtually launched Real-time Performance Monitoring Dashboard of
MoPSW ‘Sagar Manthan’ – Digital platform having all the integrated data
related to the ministry and other subsidiaries. This dashboard will transform the
workings of various departments by improving well-coordinated real time
information.
Features of ‘SAGAR MANTHAN’ dashboard :
1. Data visualization
2. Real-time monitoring
3. Improved communication
4. Data-driven decision making
5. Increased accountability
In future, this dashboard would further be integrated with Input from CCTV
camera, Live streaming from Drone, AI based Algorithm to map actual progress
Digital Twin feature on board and Mobile App for easy access and usability by
all stakeholder to increase the efficiency.
The launch of ‘Sagar Manthan’ Dashboard is a development towards
digitalization and transparency in the maritime transport sector.
Costa Serena
The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda
Sonowal launched the domestic sailing of the first International Cruise Liner
‘COSTA SERENA’ in India at Mumbai. The ‘Dekho Apna Desh’, an initiative
launched as an appeal by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi to the middle
class to prefer the domestic tourism over the international tourism, drives such
cruise initiatives.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is very focussed on bringing
India on the cruising map of the world. At the recently concluded Global
Maritime India Summit 2023 organised by the Ministry, discussions revolved
around reaching the target of 50 million cruise passengers in India by 2047. This
looks achievable as India has a huge potential.
Brandon Hall Group Excellence 2023
NTPC, India’s largest integrated power company, has been declared as the
winner at the Brandon Hall Group’s Excellence in Technology Awards 2023 in
an online broadcast held on 7th December, 2023. NTPC stands out as the only
PSU in India to secure dual accolades in the Technology Awards category.
The company received the coveted silver awards in two distinct categories:
"Best Advance in Corporate Wellbeing Technology" and "Best Advance in
Augmented and Virtual Reality."
The US based Brandon Hall Group is a professional development company that
offers data, research, insights, and certification to Learning and Talent
executives and organizations. Their HCM Excellence Awards program was the
first to recognize organizations for learning and talent and is the gold standard,
known as the "Academy Awards of Human Capital Management." The awards
recognize the best organizations that have successfully developed and deployed
programs, strategies, modalities, processes, systems, and tools that have
achieved measurable results. The awards receive applications from
organizations worldwide ranging from small, medium, large, and global
enterprises to government, not-for-profits, and associations.
Badminton Asia team championship 2024
Indian women's team led by PV Sindhu and Anmol Kharb beat Thailand 3-2 in
the final to win their maiden gold medal in Badminton Asia Team
Championships 2024 in Shah Alam, Malaysia.
This was India's first-ever gold medal at the Badminton Asia Team
Championships. The Indian men's team had previously won two bronze - in
2016 and 2020.
India-USA net zero carbon Emission
On June 22, 2023, the United States government, represented by the U.S.
Agency for International Development (USAID), and Indian Railways
announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to combat climate change
and achieve Indian Railways' target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2030.
Under this MOU, the collective expertise, resources, and innovation of the two
partners will be leveraged to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy,
energy efficiency, and energy storage technologies, aligning with the net-zero
goal. Together, USAID and Indian Railways aim to develop sustainable
solutions that enhance energy efficiency, reduce carbon footprints, and ensure a
greener future for railway operations.
Ghepang Ghat
Ghepang Ghat Glacial Lake is located in Lahaul-Spiti district,
Himachal Pradesh. It is known for its rugged terrain and high-altitude
lakes.
The Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) long-term satellite
imagery covering the catchments of Indian Himalayan river basins from
1984 to 2023 have shown significant changes in glacial lakes.

According to the ISRO, of the 2,431 lakes larger than 10 hectares identified
during 2016-17, 676 glacial lakes have notably expanded since 1984.

“Specifically, 130 of these lakes are situated within India, with 65, seven,
and 58 lakes located in the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra River basins,
respectively. Of these lakes 601 lakes (89%) have expanded more than
twice, 10 lakes have grown between 1.5 to 2 times and 65 lakes 1.5 times,”
the ISRO said.

It added that satellite-derived long-term change analyses provide valuable

insights for understanding glacial lake dynamics, which are essential for
assessing environmental impacts and developing strategies for Glacial Lake
Outburst Floods (GLOF) risk management and climate change adaptation in
glacial environments.

INS Tarmugli
The Indian Navy commissioned a Fast Attack Craft, INS Tarmugli on 14 Dec 23
in Visakhapatnam . The ship has a unique distinction of having served under the
flag of two nations with three names during her distinguished service till date.
Commissioned in the Indian Navy as INS Tillanchang, a Trinkat Class ship, she
was in active service till 2006, and thereafter gifted to the Maldives National
Defence Force (MNDF) by the Govt of India, as part of diplomatic outreach in
the IOR.
The ship was commissioned into MNDF as MCGS Huravee on 16 April 2006,
and served there till its decommissioning in May 2023. The ship was returned to
the Indian Navy, which also provided an in-service Waterjet Fast Attack Craft,
INS Tarmugli, to MNDF as the new MCGS Huravee. After detailed
examination of the returned ship, a decision was taken to refurbish, repair and
re-induct her into the force levels of the Indian Navy. The ship has undergone
extensive repair and upgradation by the Indian Navy.
ULLAS Scheme (Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society)
The Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society (ULLAS) is a centrally
sponsored scheme implemented from 2022-2027.The scheme aligns with the
recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Aim: It aims to empower those adults aged 15 years and above from all
backgrounds who could not get due schooling and mainstream them with
society to be able to contribute more to the growth story of the country.
The scheme consists of five components
 Foundational Literacy and Numeracy,
 Critical Life Skills,
 Basic Education,
 Vocational Skills, and
 Continuing Education.
The ULLAS app can be used for registration of learners and volunteers either
through self-registration or by surveyors.
Note: Recently, Ladakh has become the first administrative unit to achieve full
functional literacy under the ULLAS-Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram (New
India Literacy Program).
Bailey bridge

The Madras Engineering Group of the Indian Army on August 1 completed the
construction of a 190-ft-long Bailey bridge that helped to connect the worst-
affected areas of Mundakkai and Chooralmala in Wayanad district which were
hit by devastating landslides on July 30, 2024.
A Bailey bridge is a type of portable, pre-fabricated, truss bridge. It was
developed in 1940–1941 by the British for military use during the Second World
War and saw extensive use by British, Canadian and American military
engineering units. A Bailey bridge has the advantages of requiring no special
tools or heavy equipment to assemble. The wood and steel bridge elements were
small and light enough to be carried in trucks and lifted into place by hand,
without the use of a crane. These bridges were strong enough to carry tanks.
Bailey bridges continue to be used extensively in civil engineering construction
projects and to provide temporary crossings for pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

INS Arighat

India recently commissioned its second nuclear-powered submarine, INS

Arighat at Visakhapatnam, for strategic deterrence. INS Arighat is India’s
second indigenously built nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN),
following INS Arihant, commissioned in 2018. It is an upgraded version of INS
Arihant. It was built at the Indian Navy’s Ship Building Centre in
Visakhapatnam. It is crucial for India’s nuclear triad, allowing nuclear missile
launches from land, air, and sea.
The submarine is 111.6 meters long, with a displacement of 6,000 tonnes, and
can reach speeds up to 24 knots submerged. It can carry four K-4 SLBMs or
twelve K-15 SLBMs, with additional torpedoes and mines for defense. INS
Arighat can strike targets up to 750 kilometers away.
1st Dedicated OPD for Transgender
Dr. RML Hospital, Delhi inaugurates India’s first dedicated OPD for
transgenders. Free treatment, investigations and sex change surgery along with
other facilities will be available at these OPDs for the transgender community.