{"id":63099,"date":"2025-12-31T20:17:18","date_gmt":"2025-12-31T14:47:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=63099"},"modified":"2025-12-31T20:24:30","modified_gmt":"2025-12-31T14:54:30","slug":"news-in-short-31-12-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/31-12-2025\/news-in-short-31-12-2025","title":{"rendered":"News In Short 31-12-2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Ulcerative colitis (UC)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Health<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A new study has suggested that<strong> ulcerative colitis<\/strong> may be triggered when a normally hidden layer of immune cells, located just beneath the gut lining, becomes thinner.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Ulcerative colitis (UC) <\/strong>is a <strong>chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)<\/strong> that causes long-lasting inflammation and ulcers in the <strong>inner lining of the large intestine (colon) and rectum.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is an <strong>auto-inflammatory\/immune-mediated condition<\/strong> with periods of flare-ups and remission.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Causes:<\/strong> Immune system dysfunction attacking the gut lining, Genetic susceptibility, environmental factors (diet, infections, gut microbiome imbalance).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Management:\u00a0<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids for flares, immunosuppressants and biologics, surgery in severe or refractory cases (can be curative).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_international\/issues\/163947\/OPS\/GHUFBFR58.1+GAIFCIHVP.1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>National Test House<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The National Test House (NTH) will be empanelled as a recognised laboratory for NHAI. It will send samples related to highway construction and allied works to NTH laboratories across the country for testing and inspection.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>National Test House (NTH)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is India&#8217;s largest multi-location multidisciplinary industrial <strong>central government&#8217;s testing laboratory <\/strong>dealing with almost all sorts of testing, calibration and quality evaluation related to industry, commerce, trade etc. as per international and national standards.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It was <strong>established in 1912 under the Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food &amp; Public Distribution<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is a leading scientific testing and quality assurance organisation with a pan-India presence.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Importance&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This would improve transparency, standardisation and efficiency in quality assurance processes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It will help enhance the safety, durability and performance of national highways and support the Government of India\u2019s vision of strong, reliable and world-class infrastructure.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source :<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2209918&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=2#:~:text=Established%20in%201912%2C%20the%20National,with%20a%20pan%2DIndia%20presence.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>PIB<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>JIVA Programme<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Environment\/ Agriculture<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>JIVA programme<\/strong> in drought-prone Nanded district of Marathwada has been beneficial for small and marginal farms.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Components of JIVA Programme<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The JIVA programme (Joint Initiative for Village Advancement), launched in 2022 by the <strong>National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)<\/strong>, is an agroecology-based initiative to promote natural farming in India.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The program is implemented in three phases viz., <strong>Learning Phase and Upscaling and Consolidation phases.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Objectives of the Programme:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Promote long-term sustainability of farming systems using <strong>natural and low-cost inputs.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Strengthen resilience<\/strong> against climate variability and drought through ecological methods.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Enhance soil health<\/strong>, biodiversity, and food security in rural landscapes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Facilitate a<strong> shift from input-intensive to ecosystem-based agriculture<\/strong> for small and marginal farmers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Focus Areas:<\/strong> Implemented in existing watershed and tribal development projects in ecologically sensitive regions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"172018\" data-has-transparency=\"true\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"760\" height=\"389\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-171.png\" alt=\"Components of JIVA Programme\" class=\"has-transparency wp-image-63100\" style=\"--dominant-color: #172018; width:434px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-171.png 760w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-171-300x154.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/agriculture\/how-natural-farming-turned-10-gunthas-into-a-six-figure-harvest-for-these-marathwada-farmers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>DTE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Agriculture<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD)<\/strong> offers Indian rice farmers a simple way to save water, cut methane emissions, and earn carbon income without reducing yields.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Conventional rice farming<\/strong> uses flooded fields to suppress weeds, but the resulting anaerobic soil promotes <strong>methane-producing microbes<\/strong>, emitting methane\u2014a greenhouse gas 28 times more potent than CO\u2082.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Methane <\/strong>is responsible for 30% of global warming, and rice farming contributes 12% of the overall methane emissions stack.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Globally, conventional rice farming contributes to the same amount of GHGs as the aviation industry.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Under AWD,<\/strong> the paddy fields, instead of being constantly flooded, are <strong>periodically dried out before re-flooding<\/strong>. The idea is to disrupt the waterlogged anaerobic conditions conducive to methane-producing microbes.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Simple water tubes, approximately 30 cm long, with perforations across the submerged half, are used to measure the depth of the water table.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Practice: <\/strong>Flood paddy fields for the first 20 days after transplanting.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Between day 21\u201365:<\/strong> two dry cycles of ~6 days each.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Significance:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India is the world\u2019s largest rice producer and exporter, AWD aligns food security, water conservation and climate mitigation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It supports India\u2019s NDC targets and climate-resilient agriculture agenda.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/explained-economics\/methane-emission-reductions-farmers-climate-change-rice-carbon-credits-10443685\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>IE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus:&nbsp; GS2(IR)\/GS3\/Environment&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The European Union has begun rolling out the <strong>Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)<\/strong>, which will significantly impact steel and aluminium exporters.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This comes at a difficult time for Indian metal exporters, who are already facing a 50% duty on exports to the US.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It was introduced in 2023, taxes certain imported goods based on the carbon emissions generated during their production.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is an import duty imposed by the European Union on goods produced outside Europe.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It applies to products made using processes with higher carbon emissions than those permitted for European manufacturers.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The objective is to prevent \u201ccarbon leakage\u201d, where production shifts to countries with weaker climate rules.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is in a transitional phase from 2023 to 2025 and will fully come into force in 2026.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Coverage:\u00a0 <\/strong>Under CBAM, imports are taxed based on the carbon emissions generated during their production.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>CBAM currently covers steel, aluminium, cement, electricity, fertilizers, and some other goods, though India exports limited quantities of non-metal products to the EU.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Criticisms&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Developing countries such as India and China have strongly opposed the EU\u2019s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), calling it a unilateral and unfair trade barrier that violates international trade and climate agreements.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They have repeatedly raised their concerns at global platforms, including climate conferences, but the European Union has remained firm.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>BRICS nations condemned CBAM as a discriminatory, protectionist measure imposed under the guise of environmental concerns.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Impacts on India<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India is the second-largest exporter of steel and aluminium to the EU, after China.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Since most Indian steel is produced using blast furnaces, which are carbon-intensive, Indian exports will face higher costs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>As a result, exports to the EU may become economically unviable, pushing Indian companies to explore alternative markets in Africa and West Asia.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There is uncertainty about whether CBAM will be applied at a company level or country level.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Indian government is seeking a CBAM exemption through an ongoing free trade agreement (FTA) negotiation with the EU.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source :<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindubusinessline.com\/economy\/cbam-to-crush-steel-aluminium-exports-to-the-eu\/article70453278.ece#:~:text=The%20rollout%20of%20Carbon%20Border,on%20exports%20to%20the%20US.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>National Frequency Allocation Plan 2025 (NFAP-2025)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Governance\/GS3\/Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, released the <strong>National Frequency Allocation Plan 2025 (NFAP-2025)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>National Frequency Allocation Plan 2025&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is\u00a0 a key policy document that governs the management and allocation of <strong>radio-frequency spectrum in India<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It\u00a0 will provide the allocation of <strong>radio-frequency spectrum<\/strong> to various radio-communication services in the frequency range 8.3 kHz to 3000 GHz.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It serves as an essential reference for<strong> spectrum managers, wireless operators, and telecom equipment manufacturers.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Enhancements in NFAP-2025<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>NFAP-2025 introduces several strategic and future-ready revisions to meet the growing spectrum demand for next-generation technologies:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Identification of the 6425\u20137125 MHz band for <strong>International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT)<\/strong>, significantly enhancing mid-band spectrum availability for 5G, 5G Advanced, and future 6G networks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Allocation of Ka, Q, and V bands for satellite-based services<\/strong>, crucial for high-throughput Geo-Stationary Orbit (GSO) satellites and large non-GSO satellite constellations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Additional spectrum for <strong>In-Flight and Maritime Connectivity (IFMC)<\/strong> to ensure seamless broadband access in the air and at sea.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Support for emerging technologies such as Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication, LEO\/MEO satellite services, and expanded broadband connectivity solutions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background has-fixed-layout\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>What is Satellite Spectrum?<\/strong><br><br>&#8211; Satellite spectrum refers to the specific radio frequency bands allocated for communication between Earth-based stations and satellites in orbit.<br>&#8211; These frequencies enable services such as:<br>a. Television broadcasting<br>b. Satellite internet and broadband<br>c. Navigation (GPS)<br>d. Disaster management and emergency communication<br><br><strong>Regulatory Oversight<\/strong><br><br>&#8211; Unlike terrestrial spectrum (used by mobile towers), satellite spectrum is borderless.<br>&#8211; Signals from satellites can cover multiple countries simultaneously. Hence, global coordination is required.<br>&#8211; This role is performed by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a United Nations specialised agency.<br><br><strong>Why Satellite Spectrum is Important?<\/strong><br><br>&#8211; Rising demand for satellite broadband (LEO constellations), emergency and disaster communication, defence and navigation services.<br>&#8211; Critical for remote, border, island, and underserved regions where terrestrial networks are weak or absent.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Source :<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2209717&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PIB<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Context<\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">A new study has suggested that ulcerative colitis may be triggered when a normally hidden layer of immune cells, located just beneath the gut lining, becomes thinner.\u00a0<\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong> About <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes long-lasting inflammation and ulcers in the inner lining of the large intestine (colon) and rectum. <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">It is an auto-inflammatory\/immune-mediated condition with periods of flare-ups and remission. <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Causes: Immune system dysfunction attacking the gut lining, Genetic susceptibility, environmental factors (diet, infections, gut microbiome imbalance). <\/li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/31-12-2025\/news-in-short-31-12-2025\" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-63099","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63099","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=63099"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63099\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":63111,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63099\/revisions\/63111"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=63099"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=63099"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=63099"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}