{"id":71168,"date":"2026-04-09T21:17:01","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T15:47:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=71168"},"modified":"2026-04-09T21:26:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T15:56:09","slug":"news-in-short-09-04-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/09-04-2026\/news-in-short-09-04-2026","title":{"rendered":"News In Short 09-04-2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Soil Sakhis<\/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>The \u201cSoil Sakhis\u201d initiative in drought-prone districts of western Maharashtra is empowering women while improving soil health and agricultural productivity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About the Initiative<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Launched in <strong>2023<\/strong> under the <strong>Mann Deshi Foundation\u2019s Agriculture and Climate Action Programme<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Trains rural women as <strong>\u201cSoil Sakhis\u201d<\/strong> to promote <strong>soil testing and scientific farming practices<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Implemented in <strong>Satara, Sangli, Solapur, Kolhapur, and Pune<\/strong> districts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Features<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Soil Sakhis collect samples and facilitate <strong>soil testing through laboratories<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Farmers receive <strong>actionable reports<\/strong> for improved crop and nutrient management.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Soil Sakhis earn about <strong>\u20b98,000\u2013\u20b910,000 per month<\/strong> (excluding petrol allowance).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_international\/issues\/179484\/OPS\/G4UFPS0KM.1+GEDFQV8UO.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>FSSAI Cannot Regulate Animal Feed<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Health\/Governance<\/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 Delhi High Court struck down a Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulation that <strong>prohibited the sale of animal feed<\/strong> containing meat or bone meal of bovine or porcine origin for <strong>milk-producing animals.<\/strong><\/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>FSSAI banned the use of meat or bone meal in feed meant for milk- and meat-producing animals, <strong>except poultry, pigs and fish.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Delhi High Court held that FSSAI is<strong> not empowered<\/strong> to prescribe standards for <strong>food meant for animal consumption<\/strong> and its mandate is <strong>limited to food for humans.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It has been established under the <strong>Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Administrative Authority: <\/strong>Ministry of Health &amp; Family Welfare.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It has been created for laying down<strong> science based standards<\/strong> for articles of food and to regulate their <strong>manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import<\/strong> to ensure availability of <strong>safe and wholesome food for human consumption.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Headquarters:<\/strong> Delhi<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>FSSAI and the State Food Safety Authorities <\/strong>enforce the various provisions of the Act.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/delhi-hc-quashes-fssai-regulation-on-animal-feed-bis-certification\/article70834954.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Cabinet Clears 12% Hike in P&amp;K Fertiliser Subsidy<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Agriculture<\/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 Union Cabinet has approved a 12% increase in Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) rates for Phosphatic and Potassic (P&amp;K) fertilizers for the Kharif Season 2026.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Launch:<\/strong> Introduced in 2010 by the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Objectives:<\/strong> Encourage balanced fertilizer application across nutrients.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Rationalise and contain the government\u2019s subsidy burden.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Promote efficient nutrient management in agriculture.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Key Features:<\/strong> Subsidy is nutrient-centric, i.e., calculated based on the content of:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Nitrogen (N)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Phosphorus (P)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Potassium (K)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sulphur (S)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Covers 28 notified grades of P&amp;K fertilisers<\/strong>, including commonly used products such as DAP and SSP (Urea is not under NBS and remains under a separate subsidy regime).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source: TH<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>11 Years of Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Economy; GS2\/Government Initiatives<\/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>The Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY) <\/strong>has completed 11 years.<\/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>Launched: <\/strong>In 2015.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Aim: <\/strong>To support small-scale business ventures for non-corporate and non-farm income-generating activities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Target Group:<\/strong> New entrepreneurs, small shopkeepers, women entrepreneurs, street vendors, artisans, fruit\/vegetable vendors, and small manufacturing units.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>These loans are given by<strong> Commercial Banks, RRBs, Small Finance Banks, MFIs and NBFCs.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Under the aegis of PMMY, MUDRA has created four products namely:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Shishu: <\/strong>Covering loans upto Rs. 50,000\/-.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Kishor: <\/strong>Covering loans above Rs. 50,000\/- and up to Rs. 5 lakhs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tarun: <\/strong>Covering loans above Rs.5 lakh and upto Rs.10 lakhs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>TarunPlus: <\/strong>Covering loans above Rs.10lakh and upto Rs.20 lakhs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Loans cover term financing and working capital needs <\/strong>across manufacturing, trading and service sectors,<strong> including activities allied to agriculture<\/strong> like poultry, dairy, and beekeeping, etc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The interest rate <\/strong>is governed by RBI guidelines, with flexible repayment terms.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID=2249915&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>PIB<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Skills Outcomes Fund<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has launched a campaign to establish the<strong> Skills Outcomes Fund.<\/strong><\/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>This initiative is designed to create better career opportunities for young people from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It expands upon the achievements of the Skill Impact Bond, India&#8217;s inaugural outcomes-based project started by the<strong> National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) in 2021.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Skill Impact Bond utilized private sector resources and knowledge, prioritizing actual job placement and long-term employment over simple training completion.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The NSDC will also lead and manage this new fund.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Financial support is directly tied to confirmed career results, specifically focusing on hiring and continued employment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2250149&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>PIB<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Meteorites<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Space<\/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>During the Artemis II mission, astronauts observed meteorite impacts on the Moon.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What are Meteorites<\/strong><strong>?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A <strong>meteorite<\/strong> is a solid piece of debris from an object, such as a <strong>comet, asteroid, or meteoroid<\/strong>, that originates in outer space and survives its passage through the atmosphere to reach the surface of a planet or moon.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"2b314b\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"680\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-60.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-71169\" style=\"--dominant-color: #2b314b; width:440px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-60.png 680w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-60-300x176.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Types of Meteorites<\/strong><strong>:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Stony:<\/strong> Composed mainly of silicate minerals<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Iron:<\/strong> Rich in iron and nickel<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Stony-Iron:<\/strong> Combination of metallic and rocky material<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p><strong>About Artemis II Mission<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Artemis II mission is a crewed lunar flyby mission under <strong>NASA\u2019s Artemis programme.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It was launched on April 1, 2026, marking the first human mission to the Moon\u2019s vicinity since Apollo 17 (1972).\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The mission carries four astronauts aboard the <strong>Orion spacecraft.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is a 10-day mission, orbiting the Moon and returning to Earth without a lunar landing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_international\/issues\/179484\/OPS\/G4UFPS0LA.1+G49FQSTU9.1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Decline of Lakes in Jammu &amp; Kashmir<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Environment<\/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 href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/14-01-2025\/comptroller-and-auditor-general-of-india-cag\">Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG)<\/a> finds nearly half of Jammu and Kashmir\u2019s lakes have vanished since 1967, warns of ecological crisis.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Major Causes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Unchecked human activities and encroachment;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Weak institutional coordination;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Absence of a unified regulatory framework, leading to land-use changes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Major Lakes of J&amp;K, Ladakh UT<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Dal Lake: <\/strong>Famous freshwater lake known for houseboats, shikaras, and floating gardens (Raad).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Wular Lake<\/strong>:\u00a0 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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pangong Tso:<\/strong> It is a high-altitude brackish water lake extending into Tibet, known for its changing colors and strategic importance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tso Moriri:<\/strong> It is another high-altitude brackish lake and a Ramsar site.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Manasbal Lake:<\/strong> 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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Hokersar Wetland: <\/strong>Often referred to as the \u201cQueen of Wetlands\u201d.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Surinsar Lake and Mansar Lake:<\/strong> They are twin lakes and are Ramsar sites.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/governance\/cag-finds-nearly-half-of-jammu-and-kashmirs-lakes-have-vanished-since-1967-warns-of-ecological-crisis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>DTE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Exercise Cyclone-IV<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS\/3 Defence Exercises<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Indian Army is participating in the 4th edition of Exercise Cyclone-IV in Egypt.<\/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>Started in<strong> 2023<\/strong>, it is a bilateral India-Egypt joint Special Forces military exercise.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It will provide an opportunity for mutual exchange of professional expertise, strengthen camaraderie, and deepen understanding of each other\u2019s military traditions and cultures.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: TH<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong> Context <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> The \u201cSoil Sakhis\u201d initiative in drought-prone districts of western Maharashtra is empowering women while improving soil health and agricultural productivity.\n <\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong> About the Initiative <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> Launched in 2023 under the Mann Deshi Foundation\u2019s Agriculture and Climate Action Programme.\n <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> Trains rural women as \u201cSoil Sakhis\u201d to promote soil testing and scientific farming practices.\n <\/li>\n<p><a href=\" https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/09-04-2026\/news-in-short-09-04-2026 \" 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-71168","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\/71168","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=71168"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71168\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":71175,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71168\/revisions\/71175"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=71168"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=71168"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=71168"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}