News Summary · 3 minutes read
A photo of the F404-GE-IN20 engine. GE Aerospace will deliver 113 engines to HAL by 2032. Photo: ANI
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.
HAL inks $1-billion deal with GE Aerospace
- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has finalized a $1-billion deal with American defence giant GE Aerospace to procure 113 F404-GE-IN20 jet engines for its Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A programme.
- Delivery schedule for these engines is planned to commence in 2027, with all supplies expected to be completed by 2032.
- Besides engine procurement, the agreement includes a comprehensive support package from GE, ensuring maintenance and operational readiness for the aircraft engines throughout their lifecycle under the 97 Light Combat Aircraft Mk1A programme.
- 97 Light Combat Aircraft Mk1A programme
- In September, the Defence Ministry had finalized a ₹62,370-crore procurement deal with the state-owned HAL to acquire 97 Tejas Mk1A light combat aircraft for the Indian Air Force.
- These aircrafts will feature an indigenous content of over 64%.
- Key upgrades: UTTAM Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar, Swayam Raksha Kavach electronic warfare suite, and indigenous control surface actuators.
Vande Mataram song
- First published in the literary journal Bangadarshan on 7 November 1875, and later included in his 1882 novel Anandamath.
- First sung publicly by Rabindranath Tagore at the Indian National Congress session in 1896.
- Became a powerful slogan during the Swadeshi Movement in 1905 and continued to inspire freedom fighters throughout India’s independence struggle → was banned by the British colonial authorities due to its unifying and revolutionary impact.
- Constituent Assembly officially adopted it as the National Song of India on January 24, 1950.
- Music for Vande Mataram was first composed by Yadunath Bhattacharya.
- 7 November 2025 marked the 150th anniversary of the Vande Mataram song.
Financial Sector Assessment (FSA) report
- Released by World Bank → highlights that India’s financial system has become more resilient, diversified and inclusive since the release of the last Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP, 2017).
- FSAP was jointly published by the IMF and the World Bank.
- States that India would require further impetus to financial sector reforms to boost private capital mobilisation in order to achieve its vision to become a $30 trillion economy by 2047.
Quick Picks
- Supreme Court has directed all the States/UTs to remove stray dogs from public places and relocate them to a designated shelter → dogs have to be sterilised and vaccinated in accordance with the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023 before relocation.
- Fujian: latest aircraft carrier commissioned by China that employs an electromagnetic launch system → China’s 3rd carrier and the 1st that it both designed and built itself.
- Typhoon Kalmaegi: originated in Philippine Sea → made 1st landfall in the Philippines, then re-intensified over the South China Sea before making final landfall in Vietnam → Philippines declared a state of national calamity.
- Istanbul Convention: first legally binding international treaty that aims to prevent and combat violence against women and domestic violence → came into force in 2014 → recently, Latvia’s parliament voted to withdraw, sparking protests.
- Global Peace Prayer Festival (Thimphu, Bhutan): sacred relics of Lord Buddha from the National Museum in New Delhi is being sent to this festival for public exposition.
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