News Summary · 4 minutes read
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.
Tariff on Indian Exports to the U.S.
- The U.S. has revised the import duties imposed on India from 27% to 26%.
- From 2021-22 to 2023-24, the U.S. was India’s largest trading partner.
- The U.S. accounts for about 18% of India’s total goods exports.
- India and the U.S. are negotiating a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA).
Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve
- Established in 2001 ⇒ Southernmost end of the Western Ghats in Kerala and Tamil Nadu ⇒ Became part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2016.
- How many biosphere reserves does India have? How many of them are part of UNESCO’s global network? And wait — which one was India’s very first? Feel free to discuss HERE.
- Includes ⇒ 3 wildlife sanctuaries (Shendurney, Peppara and Neyyar) + 1 Tiger reserve (Kalakad Mundanthurai)
- It is also home to the Kanikaran (Kani) tribe.
- Forests: Tropical wet evergreen, South Western Ghats moist deciduous, South Western Ghats montane rain forests, and Shola.
- Animals: Bengal tiger, Asian elephant, and Nilgiri tahr.
HANSA-3 NG
- Indigenously designed/developed by CSIR-NAL ⇒ 2-seater trainer aircraft (civil) ⇒ latest version of HANSA planes (made by CSIR-NAL since 1998).
- Empty weight: 550 kg; Load carrying capacity: up to 200 kg; flies at an altitude of 8,000 ft.
- CSIR-NAL has signed a technology transfer agreement with Pioneer Clean AMPS Pvt Limited to manufacture HANSA-3 NG in India ⇒ 1st indigenously designed/developed civil aircraft transferred to an industry partner for manufacturing.
National Tele Mental Health Programme (NTMHP)
- Launched in 2022 to ensure universal access to equitable, affordable, high-quality mental health care.
- Tele MANAS Mobile Application: Launched on World Mental Health Day, October 10, 2024.
- A dedicated Tele-MANAS Cell has been set up at the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) in Pune.
- District Mental Health Programme (DMHP): Implemented under the NTMHP ⇒ Focuses on early detection, management, and treatment of mental illnesses at the district hospital level ⇒ extends its services to Community Health Centres (CHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs).
Stand-Up India Scheme
- Launched in 2016 by the Ministry of Finance ⇒ To empower SC, ST, and women entrepreneurs by facilitating bank loans for setting up new enterprises.
- Are there other government schemes that promote entrepreneurship? How well have these schemes performed so far? Feel free to discuss HERE.
Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025
- Seeks to regulate the immigration, entry, and stay of foreigners in India.
- Repeals the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920, the Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939, the Foreigners Act, 1946, and the Immigration (Carriers’ Liability) Act, 2000.
- Using forged passport/visa for entering/exiting India or staying in India ⇒ Jail term of up to 7 years and a fine up to ₹10 lakh.
- Entering India without valid documents (that are required) ⇒ Jail term up to 5 years or fine up to ₹5 lakh or both.
- Provides for mandatory reporting of information about foreigners by hotels, universities, other educational institutions, hospitals and nursing homes.
- International airlines/ships will also be required to provide the advance information of passengers and crew.
Quick Picks
- Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden: Srinagar.
- The Constitutional Court of South Korea ruled to remove impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol from office.
Categories: Current Affairs, UPSC News Summary
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