News In Short 08-1-2025

Section 479 of BNSS

Syllabus: GS2/ Governance

In News

• The MHA has urged all states and Union Territories to implement Section 479 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) to provide relief to undertrial prisoners.
  • Provisions include releasing those who have served a substantial portion of their sentence on bail or bond, aiming to mitigate long detentions.

Key Provisions of Section 479 of BNSS

• One-half Detention: Undertrial prisoners (UTPs) who have completed half of the maximum sentence for their offence (excluding offences punishable with death or life imprisonment) must be released on bail by the court.
• One-third Detention (First-Time Offenders): First-time offenders who have served one-third of the maximum sentence should be released on bond by the court.
• Responsibilities of Prison Authorities: Section 479(3) mandates prison superintendents to file applications in the concerned courts for eligible prisoners to secure their release on bail or bond.

Source: ET

10 Years of UJALA scheme

Syllabus: GS2/ Governance

Context

• The UJALA scheme, launched on 5th January 2015 marked its 10th anniversary as a groundbreaking initiative in energy efficiency. 

About UJALA scheme

• It was launched as the Domestic Efficient Lighting Programme (DELP) and later rebranded, UJALA to revolutionise household lighting by providing affordable energy-efficient LED bulbs, tube lights, and fans to millions of Indian homes. 
• It is a joint effort by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) and DISCOMs under the Ministry of Power.
• Implementation Model: EESL handled initial costs, with repayments made through monthly or quarterly annuities by municipalities.
  • Ensured over 95% uptime for LED streetlights, enhancing public safety and reliable municipal services.

Significance

• It is the world’s largest zero-subsidy domestic lighting programme.
• It contributed to energy savings, environmental awareness, and economic efficiency.
• It empowered households with reduced electricity bills and fostered sustainable living.

Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP) – It was launched alongside UJALA on 5th January 2015. – It replaced outdated streetlights with energy-efficient LED streetlights in urban and rural areas. – It is aimed at reducing energy consumption and operational costs for public lighting.

Source: PIB

PLI Scheme 1.1

Syllabus: GS3/Economy

Context

• Union Minister of Steel and Heavy Industries, launched the second round of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for specialty steel, termed PLI Scheme 1.1.

About PLI 1.1

• Aim: To boost domestic production and reduce dependence on imports.
• The five product categories covered under PLI Scheme 1.1 include Coated/Plated Steel Products, High Strength/Wear Resistant Steel, Specialty Rails, Alloy Steel Products & Steel Wires, and Electrical Steel.
  • These products have applications across diverse sectors such as white goods, automobiles, infrastructure, and power transformers.

PLI Scheme

• Initially launched for three sectors to address the need to boost domestic manufacturing during COVID-19 lockdown, the PLI scheme was later extended to include steel.
• The first round of the PLI Scheme for Specialty Steel was notified in 2021.
• The objective of the PLI scheme for specialty steel is to promote manufacturing of value-added steel grades within the country and help the Indian steel industry mature in terms of technology as well as move up the value chain.

Steel Production in India

• India is the world’s second-largest producer of crude steel, with an output of 125.32 MT of crude steel and finished steel production of 121.29 MT in FY23.
• The past five years have witnessed a global increase in steel capacity by nearly 62 million tonnes, with India accounting for 6% of this growth. 

Source: TH

Anji Khad Bridge

Syllabus: GS3/ Infrastructure

In News

• Indian Railways has successfully conducted a trial run of a tower wagon on the Anji Khad Bridge, the country’s first cable-stayed rail bridge, located in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district.

About Anji Khad Bridge

• Length: 725.5 meters
• Cable-Stayed Span: 473.25 meters supported by 96 cables (ranging from 82 to 295 meters).
• Built By: Indian Railways
• Project: Part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) Project
• Connectivity: Links Katra and Reasi, addressing challenging terrain in the Anji River Valley.
• It stands at an impressive height of 331 meters from the riverbed.

Significance

• The Anji Khad Bridge will play a vital role in enhancing connectivity, boosting tourism, and facilitating economic growth in the region.

Source: DD News

Selective Silencing

Syllabus: GS3/Science and Technology

Context

• New research uncovers why certain individuals with disease-causing genes remain symptom-free.

About

• Selective silencing: It refers to the inactivation of one parent’s copy of a gene in certain cells. This process blocks the expression of a specific gene’s message.
• Mechanism: Every cell (except sperm and egg cells) has two copies of each gene—one from each parent.
  • In selective silencing, one of these copies is turned off, leading to a bias in gene activity.
• Disease Implications: Selective silencing could explain why individuals with genes linked to diseases may not show symptoms.
  • By inactivating the disease-prone copy, the body may mitigate the harmful effects of the gene.

Potential Applications

• Understanding selective silencing may help in developing targeted therapies for genetic disorders.
• Could lead to advancements in personalized medicine, focusing on individuals’ unique genetic profiles.

Source: Sciencedaily

Kandla port

Syllabus :GS 3/Economy 

In News

• Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways announced proposed investments worth ₹57,000 crore to enhance Kandla Port’s capacity in Gujarat.
  • The announced initiatives include a mega shipbuilding project and a new cargo terminal project to boost the port’s infrastructure and capacity.

Kandla port

• Location: It is  also known as the Deendayal Port is a seaport in Kutch District of Gujarat state in the western India, near the city of Gandhidham.
  • It is located on the Gulf of Kutch and  It is a major port on India’s western coast, about 256 nautical miles southeast of Karachi, Pakistan, and 430 nautical miles north-northwest of Mumbai.
• Development: It  was constructed in the 1950s as the chief seaport serving western India, after the independence of India. 
• Milestone: On March 31, 2016, Deendayal Port made history by handling 100 MMT (Million Metric Tons) of cargo in a year, becoming the first major Indian port to achieve this feat.
  •  It is currently the largest port in India by cargo volume.

Source :TH

Country’s First Organic Fish Cluster

Syllabus: GS3/Economy

Context

• Union Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Minister launched the country’s first organic fisheries cluster in Sikkim. 

About

• Aim: To sell antibiotic, chemical, and pesticide free organic fish in eco-conscious markets across the globe.
• The organic fisheries cluster focuses on an ecologically healthy fish farming system avoiding chemicals, antibiotics, and pesticides.
  • This also ensures minimal environmental pollution and prevents damage to aquatic ecosystems, contributing to sustainable fish production practices.
• The minister has also laid the foundations for 50 key projects under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), covering all northeastern states except Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram. 

Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) – It is the flagship scheme of the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, and was launched in 2020. – Aim: To give momentum to the ‘sunrise’ fisheries sector through consolidated efforts from various schemes and initiatives. – The PMMSY is an umbrella scheme with two separate components namely Central Sector Scheme (CS) and  Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS). – The Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) Component is further segregated into Non-beneficiary oriented and beneficiary orientated subcomponents/activities: 1. Enhancement of Production and Productivity 2. Infrastructure and Post-harvest Management 3. Fisheries Management and Regulatory Framework.

Source: TH

Tidal Tail

Syllabus :GS 3/Science and Tech 

In News

• A new ultra-diffuse galaxy has been discovered at the end of the tidal tail of galaxy NGC 3785, located 430 million light years from Earth in the Leo constellation.

About Tidal Tail

• The tidal tail contains star-forming clumps along its length, providing valuable information about galaxy evolution and the creation of low surface brightness structures.
• NGC 3785 is known to have the longest tidal tail discovered so far, extending for 1.27 million light years.
  • The tail is formed due to gravitational forces when two galaxies interact closely.

Importance 

• The recent discovery offers insights into how ultra-diffuse galaxies (UDGs) form.
  • The formation of the ultra-diffuse galaxy is likely driven by the gravitational interaction between NGC 3785 and a neighboring galaxy.
•  The tidal tail is thought to be a key feature in the creation of such faint and diffuse galaxies.
• The discovery is significant for understanding faint tidal features, which are often missed by traditional surveys. 

Source  :PIB

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD)

Syllabus :Miscellaneous 

In News

• Over 3,000 delegates from across 70 countries have arrived in Odisha ahead of 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD)
  • The PBD-2025 based on the theme ‘Diaspora’s contribution to a Viksit Bharat.

About Pravasi Bharatiya Divas(PBD)

• PBD is celebrated on January 9 every year to honor the contribution of the Overseas Indian community to India’s development.
• The date was chosen because on January 9, 1915, Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa, marking the beginning of his leadership in India’s freedom struggle.
• Objective: The main goal of PBD is to strengthen the engagement of the overseas Indian community with the Government of India and reconnect them with their roots.
• Initiatives:   PBD Conventions: The first PBD Convention was organized on January 9, 2003.
  • Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award: During the PBD Convention, select overseas Indians are honored with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award for their contributions to various fields both in India and abroad.

Source :TH