News In Short 07-1-2025

Konda Reddi Tribe

Syllabus: GS1/Tribal Groups

Context

• Some youth of the Konda Reddi tribe in Andhra Pradesh, have begun to prefer entering into live-in relationships with the partners of their choice.

About

• The Konda Reddi Tribe is a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group inhabiting the Papikonda hill range in the Godavari region of Andhra Pradesh.
• Their mother tongue is Telugu.
• Konda Reddies have their own institution of social control called ‘Kula Panchayat’. 
• Each village has a traditional headman called ‘Pedda Kapu’. 

Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group

• In 1973, the Dhebar Commission set up a separate category for Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs).
  • In 1975, the Union identified 52 tribal groups as PTGs. 
  • In 1993, 23 more groups were added to the list. Later, in 2006, these groups were named PVTGs.
• PVTGs are a more vulnerable group among tribal groups in India.
  • These groups have primitive traits, geographical isolation, low literacy, zero to negative population growth rate and backwardness. 
  • Moreover, they are largely dependent upon hunting for food and a pre-agriculture level of technology.
• It is said that more developed tribal groups take advantage of the development funds, and thus, there is a need to direct more funds towards PVTGs.
• According to the 2011 Census, Odisha has the largest population of PVTGs followed by Madhya Pradesh.

Source: TH

University Grants Commission (UGC) Draft Regulations 2025

Syllabus: GS2/ Education

Context

• The UGC has announced draft regulations aimed at broadening the eligibility criteria for Vice Chancellors and academic roles in universities, aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

What are the Draft Guidelines?

• Changes in Vice Chancellor Recruitment: Candidates from fields like public administration, public policy, industry, and public sector undertakings are now eligible for V-C appointments.
  • They must have a minimum of 10 years of senior-level experience and significant academic contributions.
  • Selection Committee Composition: The committee will now consist of three members: nominees from the Visitor or Chancellor, the UGC, and the university’s apex body.

• Relaxed NET Requirement: Candidates with a Master of Engineering (ME) or Master of Technology (MTech) with a minimum of 55% marks can apply for Assistant Professor roles without the need to qualify for the UGC National Eligibility Test (NET).
• Focus on Specialisation: Faculty selection will now align more closely with candidates’ highest specialisation, offering flexibility in teaching subjects outside traditional academic tracks.
• Revised Selection Criteria: There will be emphasis on innovative teaching methods, contributions to digital content creation, securing research funding, and teaching in Indian languages.
• The Academic Performance Indicator (API) system, previously used for faculty promotions, will be phased out in favour of a more qualitative assessment.

Source:  HT

Maiya Samman Initiative

Syllabus :GS 2/Welfare Schemes 

In News

• Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren transferred ₹1,415.44 crore to 56.61 lakh women under the Maiya Samman Yojana.

About Maiya Samman Yojana

• The scheme increased the amount from ₹1,000 to ₹2,500 per woman aged 18 to 50. 
• The scheme requires women to have bank accounts, bringing millions of women into the formal banking system.
• The ₹2,500 installment was transferred for December, and January’s installment will be transferred later.

Importance 

• The cash transfer is  described as a transformative boost to women’s household income, especially in rural areas.
  • Research shows women-directed cash transfers improve family health, education, and nutrition.
  • The government aims to involve women in economic activities to promote the state’s economic growth.

Source :TH

PM YASASVI scheme

Syllabus :GS 2/Welfare Schemes 

In News

• Punjab opened  scholarship portal for OBC, EBC, DNT students under PM YASASVI scheme.

About scheme

• The PM Young Achievers Scholarship Award Scheme for Vibrant India (PM-YASASVI) was  launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
• Selection Process: Candidates are selected through the YASASVI Entrance Test (YET) conducted by NTA.
• Eligibility: Open to  Other Backward Classes (OBC), Economically Backward Classes (EBC), and Denotified Tribes (DNT)  students with family income up to ₹2.5 lakh.
• Objectives: The scheme promotes educational empowerment, helping disadvantaged students overcome financial barriers and complete their education.
• It combines several earlier schemes, including Dr. Ambedkar Post-Matric and Pre-Matric Scholarships for EBCs and DNTs.
  • Sub-Schemes: Pre-Matric Scholarship (Class 9-10)-₹4,000 for students from families with income below ₹2.5 lakh.
    • Post-Matric Scholarship (Post-secondary education)-₹5,000 to ₹20,000 based on course type.
    • Top Class School Education
    • Top Class College Education
    • Construction of Hostels for OBC Boys and Girls

Source: PIB

India’s Coffee Export Surpasses USD 1 Billion For The First Time

Syllabus: GS 3/Economy 

In News

• Indian coffee exports reached a record high of over USD 1.684 billion in 2024, a 45% increase from USD 1.160 billion in 2023.

Coffee & Production in India

• Coffee is an important beverage used all over the world.
• It requires a warm, wet climate and well-drained loamy soil. Hill slopes are ideal for its growth.

• India produces Arabica (mild flavor, higher market value) and Robusta (strong flavor, used in blends). 
• India became the world’s eighth-largest coffee grower in 2022-2023.
• Regional Production: Karnataka is the largest producer (71%).
  • Kerala follows with 20%.
  • Tamil Nadu produces 5%, mainly in Nilgiri.
  • Smaller contributions come from Orissa and northeastern areas.

Reasons for growth

The growth in exports was driven by a surge in global coffee prices, impacted by poor weather in key coffee-producing countries like Brazil and Vietnam.

• The proposed European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) led European roasters and traders to buy coffee in advance, boosting demand.
• Italy is the Largest buyer, with a 40% increase in volumes to 78,048 tonnes.
  • Germany is Second largest, with a 19% increase to 42,587 tonnes.

Source :TH

Jammu Railway Division

Syllabus: GS3/ Infrastructure

In News

• Prime Minister inaugurates Jammu railway division (under the Northern Railway Zone), marking a significant step in enhancing train service management in India’s northernmost region.

About

• Railway Division: It is an administrative unit within Indian Railways, responsible for the management of train operations, maintenance, and infrastructure development in its jurisdiction.
• Indian Railways Structure: 19 zones (including Metro Railway, Kolkata) and 70 divisions under these zones. Zones are headed by the General Manager (GM).
• Significance of the Jammu Division
  • Enhanced Connectivity:  Will oversee iconic rail infrastructure:
    • Anji Khad Bridge: India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge.
    • Chenab Rail Bridge: The world’s highest railway arch bridge.
  • USBRL Project: Critical for linking Kashmir to the rest of India via the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL).
  • Strategic Importance: Drives regional development, enhances accessibility, and boosts tourism in Jammu and Kashmir.
  • Modern Infrastructure: Equipped with advanced IT systems for streamlined and efficient rail operations.

Source: ET

Rudra High-Performance Green Propulsion System

Syllabus: GS3/Science and Technology

Context

• Bellatrix Aerospace has announced that it has achieved the desired results from the Rudra High-Performance Green Propulsion System.

About

• It was onboard the  PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM-4) in the recently launched PSLV C-60 mission.
• Rudra 1N, is a green mono-propellant system featuring a fully integrated package.
  • It includes components such as tanks, valves, high-performance propellant, and a catalyst, all designed and developed in-house
  • POEM-4 platform is orbiting the earth at an altitude of 350 km.
• The POEM-4 platform, which is the fourth stage of the PSLV rocket, houses 24 experiments by various ISRO labs, start-up companies and educational institutions.

Source: TH

Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA)

Syllabus: GS3/Environment and Biodiversity

Context

• United States banks Citigroup and Bank of America are exiting the Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA).

About

• The Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA) is a coalition of banks that have committed to aligning their financing activities with the goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. 
• The alliance was established in 2021 under the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI). 
• It is part of the larger Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ), which includes other financial institutions and focuses on promoting climate action across the global finance industry.

Source: TH

PanchPran

Syllabus: GS4/Ethics and Human Values

In News

• Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, at the NCC Republic Day Camp – 2025 inauguration in Delhi, outlined India’s national transformation plan through the PanchPran (Five Resolutions).

PanchPran (Five Pillars of National Transformation)

• About: PanchPran refers to the five pledges announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Independence Day speech in 2022. These pledges aim to guide India towards a developed nation by 2047. These are:
  • Social Harmony: Promoting unity through diversity and transforming it into a cohesive force for the nation.
  • Family Enlightenment: Strengthening patriotic values at the grassroots level by nurturing these qualities within families.
  • Environmental Consciousness: Honouring Bharat Mata by protecting and conserving the environment for a sustainable future.
  • Swadeshi and Self-Reliance: Symbols of Atmanirbhar Bharat, fostering self-sufficiency and indigenous development.
  • Civic Duties: Guiding citizens towards progress through adherence to civic responsibilities.

Source: AIR