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    News In Short – 29 September, 2025

    In News

  • The Vice-President of India, C.P. Radhakrishnan, graced the valedictory session of the third edition of Unmesha – International Literature Festival in Patna, Bihar, as the Chief Guest.

    • Unmesha

  • It is Asia’s largest and most inclusive international literature festival.
  • It is a celebration of literature in multiple languages, offering an excellent platform for writers, scholars, publishers, and poets from 15 countries, representing more than 100 languages.
  • It was organized by the Sahitya Akademi in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Government of Bihar
  • It featured over 550 writers, poets, scholars, translators, and other cultural figures from more than 100 languages and 15 countries, across 90 sessions.
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    Building Resilient Infrastructure for Storage of Food Grains

    In Context

  • India produced a record 353.96 million tonnes of foodgrain in 2024-25, supported by modern storage infrastructure.

    • Role of FCI 

  • The Food Corporation of India (FCI) is the main agency managing centralized storage of food grains in India. 
  • It procures wheat, rice, and other grains at Minimum Support Price (MSP) to protect farmers' incomes and maintain buffer stocks. 
  • Procurement is done directly by FCI or through State Government Agencies, which hand over stocks to FCI for storage.
  • FCI stores these grains in modern warehouses and steel silos, ensuring quality and safety. 
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    Analysing Indian States’ Macro-Fiscal Health

    Context

  • A recent decadal analysis by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reveals how Indian States are managing their finances — balancing growth, welfare, and sustainability.

    • About the Macro Fiscal Health of Indian States

  • It refers to the overall financial stability, efficiency, and sustainability of State-level public finances.
  • It’s a composite measure that evaluates how States in India manage their revenues, expenditures, deficits, and debt, and ensures adequate investment in development sectors like health, education, and infrastructure.
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    New Draft CAFE Rules

    Context

  • India has proposed to significantly revamp its key vehicle emissions rules, called the Corporate average fuel efficiency (CAFE) norms.

    • India’s Current CAFE Norms

  • The Bureau of Energy Efficiency introduced the CAFE norms in 2017 to regulate fuel consumption and carbon emissions from passenger vehicles. 
  • These norms apply to vehicles running on petrol, diesel, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), compressed natural gas (CNG), hybrids, and electric vehicles (EVs) weighing less than 3,500 kg. 
  • The norms were tightened in the beginning of financial year 2022-23, with increased penalties for non-compliance.
  • These norms are designed to reduce oil dependency and curb air pollution.
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    U.S. Imposes 100% Tariff on Pharmaceuticals Import

    Context

  • The U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 100% import tariff on branded and patented pharmaceutical products, including a 25% tariff on imports of all heavy-duty trucks and 50% tariff on kitchen cabinets.

    • About

  • Exemptions: The EU and Japan benefit from a 15% tariff ceiling, under special trade agreements that cap duties on most goods, including pharmaceuticals.
  • Companies establishing pharmaceutical plants in the U.S. are exempt, provided construction has begun or is under way.
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    Food Loss and Waste

    Context

  • On September 29, the world observes the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (IDAFLW).

    • About

  • In 2019, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming an International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (IDAFLW).
  • SDG 12 seeks to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
    • Read More

    India Expands Medical Education

    Context

  • The Union Cabinet has approved the addition of 10,023 medical seats with an investment of Rs. 15,034 crore, as part of the goal to create 75,000 medical seats within the next five years.

    • About

  • The Cabinet approved 5,000 post-graduate and 5,023 undergraduate (MBBS) seats in government colleges and hospitals by 2028-29. 
  • The Union government will fund 68.5% of the project (Rs. 10,303.20 crore), with the remaining Rs. 4,731.30 crore contributed by states.
    • Read More
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