News In Short-13-03-2025

PM’s Scheme for Mentoring Young Authors (PM-YUVA 3.0)

Syllabus: GS2/ Governace

Context

• The Ministry of Education launched the third edition of the Prime Minister’s Scheme for Mentoring Young Authors (PM-YUVA 3.0).

About

• The initiative aims to train young authors under the age of 30 to promote reading, writing, and book culture in India. 
• The program provides mentorship and publishing opportunities to enhance Indian literature on a global platform.
• It focuses on three themes:
  • Contribution of Indian Diaspora in Nation Building;
  • Indian Knowledge System; and 
  • Makers of Modern India (1950-2025).
• The scheme is in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which highlights the need to create a knowledge-driven ecosystem.
• The National Book Trust, India, will oversee the implementation of PM-YUVA 3.0.

Source: AIR

Oilfield (Regulatory and Development) Amendment Bill Passed in Lok Sabha

Syllabus: GS2/ Polity and Governance

Context

• Lok Sabha passed the Oilfield (Regulatory and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024.
  • The Bill was earlier passed by the Rajya Sabha on 3rd December, 2024.

Key Provisions of the Bill

• The Bill amends the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Act, 1948.
  • The Act regulates the exploration and extraction of natural gas and petroleum.
• Definition of mineral oils expanded: The earlier Act defines mineral oils to include petroleum and natural gas.  The Amendment Bill expands the definition to include:
  • Any naturally occurring hydrocarbon, 
  • Coal bed methane, and Shale gas/oil.
  • However, it clarifies that mineral oils will not include coal, lignite or helium. 
• Introduction of petroleum lease:  The Bill replaces the mining lease with a petroleum lease, which also covers a similar set of activities.
  • Existing mining leases granted under the Act will continue to be valid.

Source: PIB

Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) 

Syllabus :GS 2/Governance

In News

• The National Review Meeting was conducted by the Ministry of Minority Affairs to assess the progress of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK).

The Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) 

• It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme aimed at developing community infrastructure and basic amenities in 1300 identified areas across India.
• The scheme, restructured in May 2018, focuses on reducing socio-economic gaps 
• It is implemented through State Governments/Union Territory (UT) Administrations. 
• It operates on a fund-sharing pattern between the Centre and States/UTs.

Priorities and Focus 

• The scheme prioritizes projects in education, health, skill development, and women’s welfare, such as building schools, hostels, laboratories, ITIs, hospitals, and community toilets.
• Proposals for projects are recommended by State Level Committees (SLC) and approved by the Empowered Committee (EC) within the Ministry.

Source :Air

Thalassemia

Syllabus: GS2-Health/GS3-Science and Tech

Context

• Andhra Pradesh is considering increasing the monthly pension for thalassemia patients and extending it to those above the poverty line, given the high cost of treatment.
  • At present, the government is providing treatment to patients below the poverty line under the NTR Vaidya Seva scheme.

What is Thalassemia?

• Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder (passed from parents to children through genes) where the body cannot produce enough hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells (RBCs) that carries oxygen.
• Each red blood cell contains 240 to 300 million hemoglobin molecules, and a deficiency leads to severe anemia, requiring blood transfusions every 2-3 weeks for survival.
• Symptoms of Thalassemia: Apart from anemia, patients may experience: weak bones, delayed or slow growth, Iron overload (due to frequent transfusions), poor appetite, enlarged spleen or liver, and pale skin.

Do you know?

• India is known as the thalassemia capital of the world, with over 1,00,000 patients dying before the age of 20 due to lack of access to treatment.
  • The first case of thalassaemia in India was reported in 1938. 
• In India, thalassemia, along with two other blood disorders (Hemophilia and Sickle Cell disease), was recognised as a benchmark disability in the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, of 2016.
• Every year, World Thalassemia Day is observed on May 8 to raise awareness among the public and policymakers.

Source: TH

Astra Missile

Syllabus: GS3/ Defence

Context

• The indigenously-built Tejas light combat aircraft successfully test-fired the Astra air-to-air missile off the coast of Chandipur, Odisha.

About

• Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Astra is an advanced beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) designed to engage targets over 100 km away.
• Equipped with advanced guidance and navigation systems, it ensures high precision in target engagement.
• Inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF), Astra strengthens India’s air defense with its ability to achieve speeds exceeding Mach 4 and reach a maximum altitude of 20 km, making it highly effective in air combat.

Source: DD News

Mission Amrit Sarovar

Syllabus :GS 3/Environment 

In News

• The Indian Railways will dig ponds as part of the Union government’s Mission Amrit Sarovar that aims to address the critical issue of water scarcity in the country.

Mission Amrit Sarovar 

• About: It was launched on April 24, 2022, to conserve water for the future by developing and rejuvenating ponds (Amrit Sarovars) across India.
  • It aims to develop or rejuvenate 75 Amrit Sarovars in each district of India, totaling approximately 50,000 pounds nationwide.
• Features: 
  • It is a “Whole of Government” approach with participation from multiple ministries:
    • Rural Development, Jal Shakti, Culture, Panchayati Raj, Environment, Forest & Climate Change, and technical organizations.
• The works are being implemented by States and Districts with convergence from various ongoing schemes like:
  • Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), 15th Finance Commission Grants, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sichayi Yojna sub-schemes like Watershed Development Component and Har Khetko Pani.
  • Public contributions such as crowdfunding and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) are allowed to support the initiative.

Importance 

• Amrit Sarovars will provide opportunities for livelihood through activities such as irrigation, fisheries, duckery, water chestnut cultivation, water tourism, and other related activities.
• The ponds will act as social gathering points in the localities and serve as sites for flag hoisting on Independence Day.

Progress 

• As of January 2025, over 68,000 Sarovars have been completed, improving surface and groundwater availability across various regions.
• Phase Two  was launched with a focus on water availability, community participation (Jan Bhagidaari), strengthening climate resilience, and fostering ecological balance for lasting benefits.

Source :TH

Lie-Detector Test (Polygraph Test)

Syllabus: GS3/Science and Technology

In Context

• The Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) conducted a polygraph test of the prime accused in the New India Cooperative Bank’s fraud case. 

What is the Polygraph Test?

• The Polygraph Test is commonly known as a lie detector test.
• It is based on the assumption that physiological responses (heartbeat, changes in breathing, sweating, etc.) triggered when a person is lying are different from what they would be otherwise. 
• Instruments like cardio-cuffs or sensitive electrodes are attached to the person, and variables such as blood pressure, pulse, blood flow, etc., are measured as questions are put to them. 
• A numerical value is assigned to each response to conclude whether the person is telling the truth, is deceiving, or is uncertain.

Are the results of the tests admissible as evidence?

• In ‘Selvi & Ors vs State of Karnataka & Anr’ (2010) the Supreme Court said, that the results of the tests cannot be considered to be “confessions”. 
• However, any information or material subsequently discovered with the help of such a voluntarily-taken test can be admitted as evidence.

Source: TH