News In Short 19-12-2025

Draft Content Syndication Policy, 2025

Syllabus: GS2/ Governance

Context

• Prasar Bharati has prepared a draft Content Syndication Policy, 2025 to promote cultural outreach and monetize content.

About

• The policy aims to monetize content being produced by Doordarshan and Akashvani, archived national and regional content, and live coverages (Government events, festivals, sports, etc.).
  • It also takes into consideration digital-first content published on Prasar Bharati’s OTT platform.
  • It also proposes monetization of commissioned, co-produced, licensed, and other content owned by Prasar Bharati.
• The draft Policy envisages fostering strategic collaborations with domestic and international platforms to expand the reach of Prasar Bharati’s content and strengthen India’s cultural presence globally.
• It provides for flexible licensing models such as flat fee, revenue share, minimum guarantee with revenue share.

Source: AIR

900 Million People will Have Diabetes by 2050

Syllabus: GS2/ Health

Context

• The 11th edition of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Diabetes Atlas, projects a sharp global rise in diabetes prevalence by 2050.

Scale of the Global Burden

• The number of people living with diabetes (20–79 years) is projected to rise from around 580 million adults in 2024 to over 850–900 million by 2050.
• Diabetes prevalence is estimated to increase from 11.11% of the global adult population in 2024 to 12.96% by 2050.
• The projections cover 210 countries and five territories, making it the most comprehensive global assessment to date.
• In 2024:
  • China ranks first with about 148 million people with diabetes.
  • India is second with nearly 90 million.
  • The United States ranks third, followed by Pakistan.
• By 2050, China and India are projected to retain the top two positions.

What is Diabetes?

• Diabetes is a chronic medical condition where the body has trouble regulating blood sugar (glucose) levels. 
• It occurs when the body either doesn’t produce enough insulin (a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar) or doesn’t effectively use the insulin it produces.

Types of diabetes

• Type 1 Diabetes: The body doesn’t produce insulin at all, and it typically develops in childhood or adolescence.
  • Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, although it can appear at any age.
  • People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day to stay alive.
• Type 2 Diabetes: The body doesn’t use insulin properly (insulin resistance), often due to lifestyle factors, and usually develops in adults.
  • One can develop type 2 diabetes at any age, even during childhood. However, this type of diabetes occurs most often in middle-aged and older people.
  • Type 2 is the most common type of diabetes.
• Managing Diabetes:
  • If not managed, diabetes can lead to serious health issues such as heart disease, kidney problems, and nerve damage. 
  • Managing diabetes typically involves a combination of diet, exercise, medication, and regular blood sugar monitoring.

Source: TH

New Logo for Regional Rural Banks (RRBs)

Syllabus: GS3/ Economy

In News

• The Government of India, in collaboration with NABARD, has unveiled a common logo for all Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) under the “One RRB, One Logo” initiative, marking a significant step towards unifying the identity of RRBs across the country.

What is the “One RRB, One Logo” Initiative?

• A reform measure to introduce a single, uniform visual identity for all 43 Regional Rural Banks operating in India.
• Implemented jointly by Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance & National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)
• Applies across all RRB branches, digital platforms, passbooks, ATMs, stationery and customer interfaces.

Objectives of the Initiative

• Unified Identity: Present RRBs as part of a single national banking system, rather than fragmented regional entities.
• Customer Trust: Improve public confidence by ensuring easy recognition and credibility.
• Operational Integration: Support recent amalgamation and consolidation of RRBs.
• Digital Readiness: Align RRB branding with modern banking and digital financial services.

About RRBs

• RRBs were created under the Regional Rural Banks Act, 1976 to expand institutional credit in rural areas & serve small farmers, SHGs, artisans and MSMEs.
• RRBs have a tripartite ownership pattern:
  • Government of India – 50%
  • Concerned State Government – 15%
  • Sponsor Bank – 35%.

Source: TH

Andhra’s Rare Earth Corridor

Syllabus: GS3/ Science & Technology

In News

• Andhra Pradesh’s 974-km-long coastline has gained strategic importance due to large reserves of rare earth elements (REEs) embedded in beach sand minerals.

What is Andhra’s Rare Earth Corridor?

• A continuous mineral-rich belt along Andhra Pradesh’s coast from Srikakulam (north) to Nellore (south).
• Rich in beach sand minerals such as:
  • Monazite (primary source of REEs and thorium)
  • Ilmenite, rutile, zircon, garnet and sillimanite
• Andhra Pradesh holds 30–35% of India’s total monazite reserves, out of 12–15 million tonnes nationally, making it one of India’s most underutilised critical mineral zones.

What are Rare Earth Elements (REEs)?

• They are a group of 17 elements, 15 lanthanides + scandium + yttrium.
• Though geologically abundant, they are termed “rare” because:
  • They occur in low concentrations, and
  • Their extraction and processing are complex, capital- and technology-intensive.
• REEs are classified into:
  • Light REEs (LREEs): lanthanum, cerium, neodymium, praseodymium, samarium, etc.
  • Heavy REEs (HREEs): dysprosium, terbium, yttrium, etc.

Source: TOI

Ratle Project

Syllabus: GS3/Infrastructure

In News

• Recently, the Jammu and Kashmir Police informed Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL) that 29 workers employed at the under-construction 850 MW Ratle Hydro Electric Project in Kishtwar had alleged militant links or criminal backgrounds. 

The Ratle Hydroelectric Project (850 MW)

• Location: On the Chenab River near Drabshalla in Kishtwar district, Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.​
• Type and capacity: Run-of-the-river scheme with a total installed capacity of 850 MW and a 133 m high concrete gravity dam and associated underground power houses.​
• Ownership structure: Implemented by Ratle Hydroelectric Power Corporation Ltd, a JV of NHPC (51% equity) and JKSPDC (49% equity).

Source :IE

RESPOND Basket 2025

Syllabus: GS3/Space

In News

• Recently, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched the RESPOND Basket 2025.

RESPOND Basket 2025

• It invites submission of research proposals from various premier universities, and other recognised academic and R&D institutions in areas relevant to ISRO’s upcoming missions and national priorities.
• It supports ISRO’s upcoming projects, including Bharatiya Antariksh Station, Chandrayaan-4, Gaganyaan missions, Venus orbiter, and a human Moon landing.

Source :TH