News Summary · 4 minutes read
PM Modi at the inaugural event of the world’s first Bamboo-ethanol plant in Golaghat, Assam. Photo: X/@IndianInfoGuid
Stay ahead in your UPSC CSE preparation with our daily News Summary. Designed to save time, it highlights key national and international events from leading newspapers and government websites.
PM Modi inaugurates India’s first bamboo-based ethanol plant
- Inaugurated on September 14, 2025, in Golaghat, Assam → world’s first bamboo-based ethanol plant.
- Besides ethanol, the plant produces valuable byproducts such as furfural, acetic acid, and food-grade liquid carbon dioxide.
- ₹ 5000 crore project → managed by Assam Bio Ethanol Private Limited (ABEPL) → joint venture of Numaligarh Refinery Limited, Finland-based Chempolis, and other partners.
- PM Modi also laid the foundation stone for a polypropylene plant at the Numaligarh Refinery near the Bamboo based ethanol Plant.
PLI scheme for white goods (ACs and LED Lights)
- Recently, the govt. has reopened the application window for the PLI scheme for white goods (ACs and LED Lights).
- PLI scheme for white goods (ACs and LED Lights)
- Launched in 2021 → implemented from FY22 to FY29 with a total outlay of ₹6,238 crore.
- Aims to create a robust domestic component ecosystem and boost local manufacturing for ACs and LED lights.
- Provides incentives ranging from 4% to 6% on incremental sales for five years following a base year.
Erra Matti Dibbalu
- These are the Red Sand Dunes beside the Visakhapatnam-Bheemunipatnam Beach Road in Andhra Pradesh.
- Recently added to the UNESCO Tentative List of World Heritage Sites → Being on the tentative list is a prerequisite for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites List.
- Already one of the 34 national geo heritage sites.
- Red colour of these sand dunes is due to the presence of ferrous minerals → react with water to acquire a rusty red colour over a period of time.
Defence Procurement Manual (DPM), 2025
- Replaces the 2009 manual to streamline revenue procurement valued at around ₹1 lakh crore annually under the Ministry of Defence.
- Distinct from the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP), which regulates capital procurements.
- Key highlights:
- focuses on promoting self-reliance by encouraging defence indigenisation, innovation, and jointness among the Armed Forces.
- Simplifies procurement by removing redundant approvals, empowering Competent Financial Authorities (CFAs) to make faster decisions, and ensuring timely payments to suppliers.
- Penalties for contract delays have been softened, with no damages during development phases and capped penalties thereafter to encourage innovation.
- Provides order stability with guaranteed orders for up to 5-10 years, boosting investment confidence.
- Private sector, MSMEs, startups, and academic institutions are supported to engage more actively in defence manufacturing.
- NOC requirement from DPSUs before bidding is removed to enhance competition.
Supreme Court issues guidelines for DNA evidence handling
- Recently, the Supreme Court issued guidelines to maintain the integrity of DNA samples in criminal cases → part of the judgment in Kattavellai @ Devakar v. State of Tamil Nadu (2025).
- These guidelines seek uniformity across states → aims to prevent faulty investigations, ensure tamper-proof collection and preservation, and strengthen forensic science reliability.
- Key highlights:
- DNA sample collection must be thoroughly documented with FIR number, date, sections, investigating officer details, and signatures of the medical professional, investigator, and independent witnesses.
- Investigating officer must transport DNA samples to the forensic lab within 48 hours → any delay must be recorded.
- Samples cannot be opened, altered, or resealed during storage without trial court approval.
- A Chain of Custody Register must document every transfer of samples from collection to final court disposal.
- DNA evidence: treated as opinion evidence under Section 39 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, with its probative value varying on a case-by-case basis → NOT substantive evidence alone.
Quick Picks
- Amit Khare: appointed as Secretary to the Vice-President of India.
- Australia has approved the world’s first vaccine (Koala Chlamydia Vaccine) to protect koalas from chlamydia infection (causes infertility, blindness, and even death in koalas) → Vaccine is developed by University of the Sunshine Coast → koalas are exclusive to Australia and are not found naturally anywhere else in the world.
- Global Plastic Outlook: A report published by OECD → only two reports have been published till date (2020, 2022).
- Kirishi oil refinery: Russia
- 3M22 Zircon: a scramjet-powered, nuclear-capable hypersonic cruise missile of Russia.
- Zapad exercise: a joint military exercise conducted by Russia and Belarus.
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