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.

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. 

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