Rani Velu Nachiyar
Syllabus :GS 1/History
In News
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Rani Velu Nachiyar on her birth anniversary.
Rani Velu Nachiyar
- Born in 1730, Rani Velu Nachiyar was the first queen in India to fight against British rule.
- Known as “Veeramangai” (brave woman) by the Tamils.
- Key Events in Her Life: After her husband was assassinated, she spent eight years under the protection of Hyder Ali.
- She prepared her army and planned to confront the British with her allies.
- Defeating the British: In 1780, she defeated the British with the help of her army and allies, regaining her empire.
- Her victory is considered an important chapter in India’s freedom struggle.
- Innovative Strategy: Rani Velu Nachiyar is credited with using the suicide attack strategy for the first time in history.
- Language Proficiency: She was proficient in French, English, and Urdu.
- Legacy: Rani Velu Nachiyar is a symbol of bravery, empowerment, and the courage to fight against injustice. Her life continues to inspire generations.
Source: PIB
Savitribai Phule Birth Anniversary
Syllabus: GS1/ History and Personalities in news
Context
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Savitribai Phule, a pioneer in the field of education and social reform, on her birth anniversary.
About the Savitribai Phule
- Birth: On January 3, 1831, in Naigaon village of Maharashtra’s Satara district.
- Marriage: In 1840, at the age of nine, she married Jyotirao Phule, who was just 13 at the time.
- Education: Formally recognised as India’s first female teacher. In 1848, the couple established the country’s first school for girls in Bhidewada, Pune.
- Balhatya Pratibandhak Griha: In 1863, Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai began Balhatya Pratibandhak Griha, India’s first home dedicated to prohibiting infanticide.
- She also advocated inter-caste marriages, widow remarriage, and eradication of child marriage, sati, and dowry systems, among other social issues.
- In 1873, the Phules set up the Satyashodhak Samaj (‘Truth-seekers’ society’), a platform open to all, irrespective of their caste, religion or class hierarchies, with the sole aim of bringing social equity.
- Literary works: Kavya Phule (Poetry’s Blossoms) in 1854 and Bavan Kashi Subodh Ratnakar (The Ocean of Pure Gems), in 1892.
Source: PIB
Draft Rules on Data Protection Law
Syllabus :GS 2/Governance
In News
- The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has drafted the Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025 to implement the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act).
- The DPDP Act, 2023, aims to balance individuals’ right to protect their personal data with the need for lawful processing of personal data.
About Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025
- The draft rules follow the SARAL framework, ensuring they use simple language, provide clear contextual definitions, and include illustrations for easier understanding.
- These rules aim to strengthen the legal framework for the protection of digital personal data in India.
- Key Features of the Draft Rules: Requirements for data fiduciaries (entities processing personal data) to notify individuals.
- Registration and obligations for Consent Managers who handle consent-related activities.
- Rules for processing personal data by the government for issuing subsidies, benefits, services, etc.
- Requirements for reasonable security safeguards to protect personal data.
- Obligation to inform individuals about personal data breaches.
- Provisions detailing how individuals can exercise their rights regarding their personal data.
- Guidelines for processing data of children or persons with disabilities.
- Framework for establishing the Data Protection Board, including the appointment and service conditions for the Chairperson and members.
Source: TH
Ramesh Chand Committee
Syllabus: GS 3/Economy
In News
- The Indian government announced the formation of Ramesh Chand Committee to revise the country’s Wholesale Price Index (WPI), with a new base year of 2022-23, replacing the current base year of 2011-12.
About
- The WPI has undergone revisions in the past, with the last update occurring in 2015 when the base year was changed from 2004-05 to 2011-12.
- The primary objective of updating the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) is to provide a more accurate representation of inflation at the producer level.
- Currently, the WPI focuses solely on goods, overlooking the service sector, which accounts for more than half of India’s economic output.
- To address this limitation, the government plans to transition to a more inclusive Producer Price Index (PPI). This shift aims to capture a broader range of economic activity by incorporating both goods and services, ensuring a more comprehensive and precise measure of inflation.
Ramesh Chand Committee
- The panel, headed by Niti Aayog member Ramesh Chand, will also review the methodology and composition of a new Producers’ Price Index (PPI).
- Purpose: The group’s task is to assess and suggest improvements to the price collection system,refine the computation methods for both indices, and develop a roadmap for transitioning from the WPI to the PPI.
- It is also expected to propose further enhancements for the reliability of the indices. The final report is due by June 30, 2026.
Source :TH
India’s Share of Global Trade in Textiles
Syllabus: GS3/Economy
Context
- India will be the 6th largest exporter of Textiles & Apparel (T&A) in the world in 2023.
About
- Share in Global Trade: India has a share of 3.9% of the global trade in textiles and apparel.
- Share in Exports: The share of T&A including handicrafts in India’s total exports stands at 8.21% in 2023-24.
- It marked a growth of 7% during April-October period of FY 2024-25.
- Major Destinations: USA and EU and with around 47% share in total textile and apparel exports.
Source: PIB
Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV)
Syllabus: GS2/ Health and GS3/ S&T
Context
- China is witnessing a sharp increase in cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), particularly affecting children under 14 years of age.
About HMPV (Human Metapneumovirus)
- Nature: A respiratory virus that typically causes mild infections, resembling symptoms of the common cold.
- Discovery: First discovered in 2001, the HMPV belongs to the Pneumoviridae family along with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
- Transmission: Like Covid-19, HMPV is spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
- Symptoms: Cough, fever, and shortness of breath, with potential complications like bronchitis and pneumonia.
- Treatment: Currently, there is no vaccine or specific antiviral to treat HMPV and most people rely on over-the-counter medications to relieve fever and pain.
Source: TH
India’s 1st ‘Coastline-Waders Bird Census’
Syllabus: GS3/Ecology and Biodiversity
Context
- Gujarat is set to conduct the country’s first-ever census of coastal and wader birds at the Marine National Park and Sanctuary in Jamnagar.
About
- The census will be jointly organised by the state forest department and the Bird Conservation Society of Gujarat.
- Waders Bird:
- They are also known as shorebirds or sandpipers, are a group of birds typically found in coastal habitats or wetlands.
- They are characterized by long legs, slender bodies, and often long bills, which they use to forage for food like insects and worms.
- Marine National Park:
- The Marine National Park and Marine Sanctuary in Gujarat is India’s first designated marine national park.
- Spanning the districts of Devbhoomi Dwarka, Jamnagar, and Morbi, it covers approximately 170 km of coastline and 42 islands.
- This protected area in the Gulf of Kutch was established to conserve marine biodiversity and mangrove ecosystems.
- The park is positioned along the Central Asian Flyway (CAF).
- It is a key migratory route for birds traveling, covering a large continental area of Eurasia between the Arctic and Indian Oceans and the associated island chains.
- Bird Species:
- Jamnagar district hosts over 300 species of local and migratory birds, including more than 50 species of wader birds.
- Among these are rare species like the ‘Shankhlo’ (Crab Plover) and ‘Moto Kichadiyo’ (Great Knot), which are seldom found elsewhere in the country.
Source: IE