News In Short 4-2-2025

Dhimsa Dance

Syllabus: GS1/Culture 

In News

• Tribal families in Neelabandha celebrated their first electricity supply since Independence with the ‘Dhimsa’ dance.

Dhimsa Dance

• Dimsa is a popular dance performed by  tribes, including Bagata, Valmiki, Poraja, Khond, Gadaba, Kondadora, Mukadora, Kotia  in Andhra Pradesh .
• It represents the unity and cultural heritage of the tribal communities.
• Themes: The dance variants are based on themes like mythology, folktales, economic activities, kinship, and marital life.
• Music and Instruments: Music is essential to the dance, with instruments like dappu, tudumu, mori, kidgi, gilka, and jodukommulu (now almost out of use) played by men.
• Performance  : It is performed during festivals, marriages, and religious occasions, with a strong presence during Chaitrapurab (Eetela Panduga) in the agency area of ASR District.
  • Both men and women can dance together without hesitation, and while songs are not mandatory, music plays a vital role.

Source :TH

Guru-Shishya Parampara Scheme

Syllabus :GS2/Welfare Schemes

In News

• Recently, progress of the Guru-Shishya Parampara Scheme was highlighted.

About Guru-Shishya Parampara Scheme

• It is being implemented by The Ministry of Culture implements the “Financial Assistance for Promotion of Guru-Shishya Parampara (Repertory Grant)” 
• It provides financial assistance to cultural organizations engaged in performing arts (music, dance, theatre, folk art, etc.) for training artists (shishyas) under the guidance of a Guru.
• Eligibility: Cultural organizations across the country are eligible to apply, provided they follow the Guru-Shishya Parampara.
• Target Group: The scheme supports shishyas aged 3 years and above in dance, music, theatre, and traditional art forms.
• Financial Assistance: The scheme offers financial support of Rs. 15,000 per month for each Guru/Director. A maximum of 18 Shishyas in theatre and 10 Shishyas in music and dance can receive assistance under each Guru.
• Objective: The goal is to ensure regular training of shishyas by their respective Gurus, following the traditional Guru-Shishya Parampara.

Source :PIB

Ocean Coordination Mechanism

Syllabus: GS1/ Physical Geography

In News

• The Ocean Coordination Mechanism (OCM) is a new initiative for ocean conservation.

About

• Announced by Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO on January 14, 2025.
• Focuses on the Caribbean and North Brazil shelf, which are rich in biodiversity, coral reefs, and fisheries.
• Objectives: Establishes a collaborative framework for ocean conservation.
  • Builds on lessons from past initiatives like Pacific Islands Regional Ocean Policy (PIROP).
  • Addresses financial sustainability with an initial $15 million investment from Global Environment Facility (GEF), plus $126.02 million in co-financing.
  • Promotes Blue Carbon Projects to enhance carbon storage and ecosystem resilience.
  • Integrates traditional knowledge with scientific research for community-driven conservation efforts.

Importance of Oceans

• Cover 70% of Earth’s surface, playing a key role in climate regulation, biodiversity, and livelihoods.
• Threatened by pollution, overfishing, climate change, and habitat destruction.
• Coastal ecosystems provide natural barriers against storms and are crucial for economic sustainability.

About Caribbean Sea

• The Caribbean Sea is a part of the Atlantic Ocean, located southeast of the Gulf of Mexico and north of South America.
• It is bounded by the Greater Antilles (Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico) to the north, the Lesser Antilles to the east, and the coastlines of Central and South America to the south and west.
• It is a major maritime route connecting North and South America, Europe, and Asia.
• It is home to one of the world’s largest coral reef systems, including the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef (2nd largest after the Great Barrier Reef).

Source: DTE

Makhana Board in Bihar

Syllabus: GS3/Economy

Context

• The Union Budget 2025-26 has allocated ₹100 crore to establish a Makhana Board in Bihar, aimed at promoting Makhana products.
  • The Board will provide training, support, and access to government schemes to benefit Makhana farmers.

About Makhana (Black Diamond)

• Common Name: Fox nut
• Botanical Features: Recognized for its violet and white flowers.
  • Has large, round, and prickly leaves, often exceeding one meter in diameter.
• Nutritional & Economic Importance: Considered a superfood, rich in carbohydrates, protein, and minerals.
  • Widely used in medicine, healthcare, and nutrition.
  • Mithila Makhana received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2022.
• Cultivation: Cultivated across South and East Asia, with Bihar contributing nearly 90% of global production.
• Major Producing Districts in Bihar: Darbhanga, Madhubani, Purnea, Katihar, Saharsa, Supaul, Araria, Kishanganj, and Sitamarhi (Mithilanchal region).
• Climatic & Agronomic Conditions: Grown in tropical and subtropical regions.
  • Cultivated in stagnant water bodies like ponds, lakes, and wetlands (depth: 4-6 feet).
  • Optimal Growth Conditions:
    • Temperature: 20-35°C
    • Humidity: 50-90%
    • Annual Rainfall: 100-250 cm

Source: IE

A New Presumptive Taxation Regime

Syllabus: GS3/Economy

Context

• The Finance Minister announced a new presumptive taxation regime for non-residents providing services in India’s electronics manufacturing sector.

About

• A new section — 44BBD — in the Income Tax Act has been proposed, 25% of revenue from their manufacturing facility in India shall be considered as income and shall be taxed at 35%.
  • Hence, their effective tax rate will be less than 10%.
• This amendment will take effect from the first day of April, 2026.
• The move could give a fillip to foreign entities working in the electronics sector in India, and help the country’s aspirations of becoming a semiconductor manufacturing base.

The Presumptive Taxation Regime

• It is a simplified tax framework designed to reduce the tax compliance burden for small businesses and professionals. 
• Under this regime, taxpayers are not required to maintain detailed books of accounts or undergo extensive audits. 
  • Instead, their income is presumed based on a percentage of their total turnover or gross receipts.
• The regime is available to small businesses and professionals whose turnover or gross receipts fall below a specified limit.

Benefits:

• Simplified Compliance: Reduces paperwork and the need for maintaining detailed accounts.
• Lower Tax Burden: Helps smaller businesses and professionals avoid high compliance costs, making tax payments simpler.

Source: IE

Extra-long Staple Cotton

Syllabus: GS3/Economy

Context

• The Union Finance Minister announced a five-year mission to “facilitate significant improvements in productivity and sustainability of cotton farming, and promote extra-long staple (ELS) cotton varieties”.

About

• Cotton is classified, based on the length of its fibres, as long, medium, or short staple. 
• Gossypium hirsutum, which constitutes roughly 96% of the cotton grown in India, falls in the medium staple category, with fibre lengths ranging from 25 to 28.6 mm.
• ELS varieties have fibre lengths of 30 mm and above.
  • Most ELS cotton comes from the species Gossypium barbadense, commonly known as Egyptian or Pima cotton. 
• It originated in South America, and is mainly grown in China, Egypt, Australia, and Peru.
• Need for the Mission:
  • India is highly import dependent on ELS cotton fibres which are known for its use in making high-quality fabrics.
  • India’s textile and garment exports have remained stagnant at around $35 billion, while Vietnam and Bangladesh have gained market share, bolstered by free trade agreements (FTAs) and Least Developed Country (LDC) status.

Production and Consumption of Cotton in India

• India is the only country which grows all four species of cotton G. Arboreum & G. Herbaceum (Asian cotton), G. Barbadense (Egyptian cotton) and G. Hirsutum (American Upland cotton). 
• Majority of cotton production comes from 9 major cotton growing states, which are grouped into three diverse agro-ecological zones, as under:
  • Northern Zone – Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan 
  • Central Zone – Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh 
  • Southern Zone – Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. 
  • Apart from the above the cotton is also grown in the state of Odisha and Tamil Nadu. 
• India has 2nd place in the world with estimated production of 5.84 Million Metric Tonnes during cotton season 2022-23 i.e. 23.83% of world cotton production. 
• India is also the 2nd largest consumer of cotton in the world with estimated consumption of 22.24% of world cotton consumption.

Source: IE

GARBH-INi-DRISHTI Data Repository

Syllabus: GS3/Science and Technology

Context

• The Department of Biotechnology has launched the GARBH-INi-DRISHTI data repository. 

About

• GARBH-INi-DRISHTI is the Data Repository and Information Sharing Hub at Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI). 
  • It provides access to clinical data, images, and biospecimens collected from over 12,000 pregnant women, newborns, and postpartum mothers. 
• Significance: As one of South Asia’s largest maternal and child health databases, GARBH-INi-DRISHTI will empower researchers worldwide to conduct transformative research aimed at improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes. 
• THSTI: The newly inaugurated THSTI Ferret Research Facility, is a state-of-the-art establishment adhering to the highest biosafety and research standards.
  • It will serve as a crucial resource for vaccine development, therapeutic testing, and research into emerging infectious diseases.

Source: PIB

Framework Agreement on International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)

Syllabus :GS3/Environment 

In News 

• The Framework Agreement on the establishment of the International Big Cat Alliance(IBCA) recently came into force, making it a full-fledged, treaty-based inter-governmental international organization.

About International Big Cat Alliance(IBCA)

• The IBCA was launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in 2023, during the “Commemorating 50 years of Project Tiger” event.
  •  headquarters located in India.
• Members: 27 countries have consented to join the Alliance.
  • Five countries (Nicaragua, Eswatini, India, Somalia, and Liberia) have officially ratified and become members of the IBCA. 
  • It  was established by the Government of India through the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC), with an order dated 12th March, 2024.
• Focus: It aims to conserve seven big cat species: Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, and Puma.
  •  It includes both range countries (countries where these species are found) and non-range countries interested in supporting big cat conservation.
• Objective: The primary goal of IBCA is to facilitate global collaboration for big cat conservation, consolidate successful conservation practices, and achieve the common goal of preserving big cats worldwide.
  • It aims to provide financial support, disseminate conservation best practices, create a central repository of technical knowledge, and strengthen intergovernmental conservation platforms.

Source :PIB