NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
29th PM-STIAC Meeting
The 29th meeting of the Prime Minister’s Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC) was chaired by Ajay Kumar Sood, the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, in New Delhi. The meeting focused on Advanced Manufacturing Systems, with discussions on launching a national mission to reduce India’s dependence on imports in robotics and 3D/4D printing technologies.
About PM-STIAC
- It was constituted in 2018, is an overarching advisory body that provides evidence-based policy advice to the Prime Minister on science, technology, and innovation (STI).
- It replaced the earlier Scientific Advisory Committee to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet, strengthening institutional coordination for India’s scientific and technological development.
CDSCO issues advisory prohibiting advertising of GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Drugs
India’s drug regulator, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), has issued an advisory prohibiting direct and indirect advertising of GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs to the general public. The restriction applies to medicines such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Saxenda. The decision addresses concerns over the misuse of these prescription-only medicines for cosmetic weight loss, often promoted through social media and influencer campaigns.
GLP-1 receptor agonists are primarily used for: treating type-2 diabetes and chronic obesity, as they mimic the GLP-1 hormone, helping regulate blood sugar, increase satiety, and slow gastric emptying. The advisory aims to ensure responsible drug use and prevent misleading public promotion of prescription medicines.
BANKING | ECONOMY CURRENT AFFAIRS
NIIF Raises $750 Million for Second Private Markets Fund
National Investment and Infrastructure Fund Limited (NIIF) has secured commitments of up to $750 million for its Private Markets Fund II (PMF II). The fund has a target size of $1 billion and succeeds the earlier Private Markets Fund I (PMF I), which had a size of $600 million and is now fully invested. The fund aims to channel long-term capital into infrastructure and strategic sectors, supporting India’s economic growth and investment ecosystem.
PMF II is anchored by the Government of India and has attracted investments from major global institutions, including the
- Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)
- New Development Bank (NDB). Additional commitments have come from institutional investors in Japan and India.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES CURRENT AFFAIRS
Government Constitutes Committee to Formulate SEZ 2.0 Policy
The Government of India has constituted a 17-member committee to recommend reforms in the policy framework governing Special Economic Zones and to formulate a new SEZ 2.0 policy. The committee will submit a concept paper and reform roadmap within six months.
Aim: Its main objective is to strengthen export competitiveness and improve the effectiveness of SEZs in the changing global trade environment. The review will focus on harmonising various export promotion schemes and aligning the SEZ policy with India’s current macroeconomic conditions, trade policies, and investment environment.
Schemes proposed for integration include:
- Special Economic Zones Act, 2005, Export-Oriented Units (EOUs)
- MOOWR Scheme
- Advance Authorisation Scheme, Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) Scheme
- Duty Free Import Authorisation (DFIA) Scheme
Government Measures to Enhance Institutional Credit to Agriculture
The Government of India has introduced multiple measures to enhance institutional credit flow to the agriculture and allied sectors, especially for small and marginal farmers. These initiatives aim to improve access to affordable finance, strengthen rural financial institutions, and promote agricultural growth. Key measures include setting Ground Level Credit (GLC) targets, strengthening Priority Sector Lending (PSL) norms for banks, and introducing incentive–disincentive mechanisms to encourage agricultural lending.
Major schemes such as Kisan Credit Card (KCC) provide farmers with easy access to short-term credit for agricultural needs. Additionally, the PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PM-DDKY) focuses on improving credit availability and strengthening the agricultural economy through targeted financial support.
National Conference of Women Panchayat Representatives
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj organised a National Conference of Women Elected Representatives (WERs) of Panchayats in New Delhi under the Sashakt Panchayat–Netri Abhiyan. The event marked one year since the launch of the initiative, which focuses on strengthening women-led grassroots governance in India.
The conference served as a national platform to recognise, empower, and build leadership capacities of women representatives in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). It highlighted the role of women leaders in local governance, inclusive decision-making, and rural development. The initiative aims to support women representatives through capacity building, leadership development, and knowledge-sharing, thereby enhancing their participation and effectiveness in decentralised governance and community development.
DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS
Ministry of Defence Releases ‘Defence Forces Vision 2047’ Roadmap
The Ministry of Defence has released a vision document titled “Defence Forces Vision 2047: A Roadmap for a Future-Ready Indian Military.” The blueprint was prepared by the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) and outlines a long-term strategy to transform India’s armed forces into a modern, integrated, and technologically advanced military.
The roadmap focuses on strategic reforms, capability development, and institutional transformation required to meet evolving geopolitical, technological, and security challenges. It aligns with India’s broader national objective of becoming a developed nation under Viksit Bharat 2047. The document emphasises:
- strengthening jointness among the three services
- advanced defence technologies, and
- future-ready operational capabilities to enhance India’s national security architecture.
REPORTS AND INDICES CURRENT AFFAIRS
Ministry of Textiles Releases Report on Textile Waste Value Chain in India
The 29th meeting of the Prime Minister’s Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC) was chaired by Ajay Kumar Sood, the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, in New Delhi. The meeting focused on Advanced Manufacturing Systems, with discussions on launching a national mission to reduce India’s dependence on imports in robotics and 3D/4D printing technologies.
PM-STIAC
The PM-STIAC, constituted in 2018, is an overarching advisory body that provides evidence-based policy advice to the Prime Minister on science, technology, and innovation (STI). It replaced the earlier Scientific Advisory Committee to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet, strengthening institutional coordination for India’s scientific and technological development.
INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
UN adopts Agreed Conclusions to improve access to justice for women and girls
The United Nations has adopted a new global framework known as the “Agreed Conclusions” to improve access to justice for women and girls worldwide. The framework was adopted by broad consensus during the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) held in New York. The Agreed Conclusions aim to eliminate discrimination, address systemic barriers, and strengthen legal and institutional mechanisms for gender equality.
The framework provides a global roadmap for inclusive governance, protection of women’s rights, and improved justice systems. It also focuses on:
- promoting peace, social cohesion, and preventing future violations of women’s rights,
- reinforcing international commitments toward gender equality and empowerment of women and girls.
AGRICULTURE CURRENT AFFAIRS
Growth and Contribution of Agriculture & Allied Sector in India
According to estimates released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), the Agriculture and Allied sector contributes around 18% to India’s Gross Value Added (GVA). Agriculture remains vital for food security, employment generation, and rural livelihoods, supporting a large portion of the population. Agriculture and Allied Sector Includes
- Crop production
- Livestock
- Forestry
- Fisheries and aquaculture
Gross Value Added (GVA)
- Measures value addition by each sector of the economy
- Used to estimate GDP at basic prices