Soil Sakhis
Syllabus: GS3/Agriculture
Context
- The “Soil Sakhis” initiative in drought-prone districts of western Maharashtra is empowering women while improving soil health and agricultural productivity.
About the Initiative
- Launched in 2023 under the Mann Deshi Foundation’s Agriculture and Climate Action Programme.
- Trains rural women as “Soil Sakhis” to promote soil testing and scientific farming practices.
- Implemented in Satara, Sangli, Solapur, Kolhapur, and Pune districts.
Key Features
- Soil Sakhis collect samples and facilitate soil testing through laboratories.
- Farmers receive actionable reports for improved crop and nutrient management.
- Soil Sakhis earn about ₹8,000–₹10,000 per month (excluding petrol allowance).
Source: TH
FSSAI Cannot Regulate Animal Feed
Syllabus: GS2/Health/Governance
Context
- The Delhi High Court struck down a Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulation that prohibited the sale of animal feed containing meat or bone meal of bovine or porcine origin for milk-producing animals.
About
- FSSAI banned the use of meat or bone meal in feed meant for milk- and meat-producing animals, except poultry, pigs and fish.
- The Delhi High Court held that FSSAI is not empowered to prescribe standards for food meant for animal consumption and its mandate is limited to food for humans.
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
- It has been established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
- Administrative Authority: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
- It has been created for laying down science based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption.
- Headquarters: Delhi
- FSSAI and the State Food Safety Authorities enforce the various provisions of the Act.
Source: TH
Cabinet Clears 12% Hike in P&K Fertiliser Subsidy
Syllabus: GS3/ Agriculture
In News
- The Union Cabinet has approved a 12% increase in Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) rates for Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers for the Kharif Season 2026.
About Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme
- Launch: Introduced in 2010 by the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
- Objectives: Encourage balanced fertilizer application across nutrients.
- Rationalise and contain the government’s subsidy burden.
- Promote efficient nutrient management in agriculture.
- Key Features: Subsidy is nutrient-centric, i.e., calculated based on the content of:
- Nitrogen (N)
- Phosphorus (P)
- Potassium (K)
- Sulphur (S)
- Covers 28 notified grades of P&K fertilisers, including commonly used products such as DAP and SSP (Urea is not under NBS and remains under a separate subsidy regime).
Source: TH
11 Years of Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY)
Syllabus: GS3/Economy; GS2/Government Initiatives
Context
- The Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY) has completed 11 years.
About
- Launched: In 2015.
- Aim: To support small-scale business ventures for non-corporate and non-farm income-generating activities.
- Target Group: New entrepreneurs, small shopkeepers, women entrepreneurs, street vendors, artisans, fruit/vegetable vendors, and small manufacturing units.
- These loans are given by Commercial Banks, RRBs, Small Finance Banks, MFIs and NBFCs.
- Under the aegis of PMMY, MUDRA has created four products namely:
- Shishu: Covering loans upto Rs. 50,000/-.
- Kishor: Covering loans above Rs. 50,000/- and up to Rs. 5 lakhs.
- Tarun: Covering loans above Rs.5 lakh and upto Rs.10 lakhs.
- TarunPlus: Covering loans above Rs.10lakh and upto Rs.20 lakhs.
- Loans cover term financing and working capital needs across manufacturing, trading and service sectors, including activities allied to agriculture like poultry, dairy, and beekeeping, etc.
- The interest rate is governed by RBI guidelines, with flexible repayment terms.
Source: PIB
Skills Outcomes Fund
Syllabus: GS3/ Economy
In Context
- The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has launched a campaign to establish the Skills Outcomes Fund.
About
- This initiative is designed to create better career opportunities for young people from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
- It expands upon the achievements of the Skill Impact Bond, India’s inaugural outcomes-based project started by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) in 2021.
- The Skill Impact Bond utilized private sector resources and knowledge, prioritizing actual job placement and long-term employment over simple training completion.
- The NSDC will also lead and manage this new fund.
- Financial support is directly tied to confirmed career results, specifically focusing on hiring and continued employment.
Source: PIB
Meteorites
Syllabus: GS3/Space
Context
- During the Artemis II mission, astronauts observed meteorite impacts on the Moon.
What are Meteorites?
- A meteorite is a solid piece of debris from an object, such as a comet, asteroid, or meteoroid, that originates in outer space and survives its passage through the atmosphere to reach the surface of a planet or moon.
- Types of Meteorites:
- Stony: Composed mainly of silicate minerals
- Iron: Rich in iron and nickel
- Stony-Iron: Combination of metallic and rocky material
About Artemis II Mission
- Artemis II mission is a crewed lunar flyby mission under NASA’s Artemis programme.
- It was launched on April 1, 2026, marking the first human mission to the Moon’s vicinity since Apollo 17 (1972).
- The mission carries four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft.
- It is a 10-day mission, orbiting the Moon and returning to Earth without a lunar landing.
Source: TH
Decline of Lakes in Jammu & Kashmir
Syllabus: GS3/Environment
Context
- Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) finds nearly half of Jammu and Kashmir’s lakes have vanished since 1967, warns of ecological crisis.
Major Causes
- Unchecked human activities and encroachment;
- Weak institutional coordination;
- Absence of a unified regulatory framework, leading to land-use changes.
Major Lakes of J&K, Ladakh UT
- Dal Lake: Famous freshwater lake known for houseboats, shikaras, and floating gardens (Raad).
- Wular Lake: Wular Lake is the largest freshwater lake in India and has been formed due to tectonic activity. It is fed by the Jhelum River and is recognized as a Ramsar site.
- Pangong Tso: It is a high-altitude brackish water lake extending into Tibet, known for its changing colors and strategic importance.
- Tso Moriri: It is another high-altitude brackish lake and a Ramsar site.
- Manasbal Lake: It is considered one of the deepest freshwater lakes in the region and the Mughal garden Jaroka Bagh, built by Nur Jahan, overlooks the lake.
- Hokersar Wetland: Often referred to as the “Queen of Wetlands”.
- Surinsar Lake and Mansar Lake: They are twin lakes and are Ramsar sites.
Source: DTE
Exercise Cyclone-IV
Syllabus: GS/3 Defence Exercises
In Context
- The Indian Army is participating in the 4th edition of Exercise Cyclone-IV in Egypt.
About
- Started in 2023, it is a bilateral India-Egypt joint Special Forces military exercise.
- It will provide an opportunity for mutual exchange of professional expertise, strengthen camaraderie, and deepen understanding of each other’s military traditions and cultures.
Source: TH
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