{"id":86008,"date":"2026-09-30T18:42:49","date_gmt":"2026-09-30T13:12:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=86008"},"modified":"2026-09-30T18:43:05","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T13:13:05","slug":"news-in-short-30-09-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/30-09-2026\/news-in-short-30-09-2026","title":{"rendered":"News In Short 30-09-2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Grasslands<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS1\/Geography<\/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 found tha<strong>t grasslands that evolved over millennia rarely return to their original state,<\/strong> even when they recover, the regenerated grasslands are different species.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Grasslands<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Grasslands exist <strong>on every continent except for Antarctica, One-fourth<\/strong> of the planet is covered by grasslands.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In Africa, they\u2019re called <strong>savannas and veldts;<\/strong> <strong>pampas <\/strong>in South America; <strong>steppes <\/strong>in Europe and Asia; <strong>prairies or grasslands<\/strong> in North America; and <strong>rangelands<\/strong> in Australia.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The two most fundamental characteristics of grasslands are <\/strong>the presence of grass species as the dominant type of plant in the area and the general lack of taller vegetation.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>They receive <strong>more rain than deserts but less precipitation than forests.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They are usually found in the <strong>dry interior of continents,<\/strong> between the mountains and deserts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Two subgroups: tropical and temperate.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Tropical grasslands: <\/strong>The climate is generally hot and wet, and though the primary vegetation is grass, some scattered trees may still grow here.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Temperate grasslands: <\/strong>They are\u00a0 located between the equator and the poles. These grasslands endure greater temperature variation and include both prairies with longer grasses and steppes with shorter grasses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Ecological Significance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Carbon storage:<\/strong> A significant proportion of carbon is stored below ground in grassland root systems and soils.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Biodiversity:<\/strong> Provide habitat for species such as blackbuck, Indian wolf, Great Indian Bustard and floricans.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Livelihoods:<\/strong> Support pastoralism and livestock grazing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Soil conservation:<\/strong> Dense root networks help reduce soil erosion.<\/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>Grasslands of India<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Himalayan and Terai grasslands,<\/strong> the <strong>Thar desert and Banni grasslands<\/strong> of Gujarat, <strong>Deccan savannas,<\/strong> <strong>Aravalli scrublands, <\/strong>the <strong>Yamuna-Chambal ravines,<\/strong> <strong>rocky plateaus of the Western Ghats,<\/strong> grasslands of the <strong>central Nicobar Islands<\/strong> and <strong>Tamil Nadu\u2019s Theri Kaadu scrub landscapes.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_delhi\/issues\/206787\/OPS\/GJMGJLVGT.1+G3FGJLVVI.1.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">International Whaling Commission (IWC)&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/ International Organisations<\/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>India underlined the need for conservation of whales and other cetaceans at the 70th meeting of the <strong>International Whaling Commission (IWC-70)<\/strong>, being held in <strong>Hobart, Australia.<\/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>The <strong>International Whaling Commission (IWC) <\/strong>was set up under the <strong>International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling,<\/strong> signed in <strong>1946<\/strong>, as the global body responsible for the management of whaling and conservation of whales.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A commercial whaling moratorium was <strong>adopted in 1982<\/strong> and came into full force in <strong>1986.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Commission continues to <strong>regulate Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling<\/strong>, which is conducted by indigenous communities, often in remote parts of the world.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Convention<strong> <\/strong>recognises <strong>three different types of whaling: <\/strong>commercial, aboriginal subsistence and special permit (also known as scientific) whaling.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Its membership includes <strong>89 governments <\/strong>from all over the world.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India has been a member of the International Whaling Commission since <strong>1981.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2316042&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>PIB<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">India\u2019s First PRAMAAN Certificates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/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 Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister handed over <strong>India\u2019s first PRAMAAN certificates<\/strong> under the<strong> Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme (IFWCS).<\/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><strong>PRAMAAN:<\/strong> Programme for Recognition and Accreditation of sustainable Management practices for Agroforestry And Natural forestry resources.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The certificates were presented to<\/strong>:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>the Andhra Pradesh Forest Development Corporation (APFDC) for its plantations spread over 33,000 hectares,\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>and to Govind Mohapatra, a bamboo farmer associated with the Odisha Bamboo Development Agency (OBDA).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About India\u2019s First PRAMAAN Certificates<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>PRAMAAN is a <strong>nationally accepted framework <\/strong>for certification of<strong> forests, wood and non-timber forest products.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The initiative seeks to strengthen<strong> linkages between certified forests and agroforestry products <\/strong>and<strong> domestic and international markets.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Under the framework, Forest Management certification is assessed against Indian Forest Management Standards derived from the <strong>National Working Plan Code 2023.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Independent audits<\/strong> by accredited certification bodies form the basis of certification.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Indian Forest &amp; Wood Certification Scheme<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change launched the Indian Forest &amp; Wood Certification Scheme in <strong>2023.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is the<strong> national forest certification scheme<\/strong> which offers<strong> voluntary third-party certification<\/strong> designed to promote<strong> sustainable forest management and agroforestry in the country.\u00a0<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The scheme includes<strong> forest management certification, tree outside forest management certification, and chain of custody certification.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The scheme is overseen by the<strong> Indian Forest and Wood Certification Council, <\/strong>which acts as a multistakeholder advisory body.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal<\/strong> acts as the scheme operating agency.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies<\/strong> accredit the certification bodies which carry out<strong> independent audits and assess adherence <\/strong>of various entities on the standards prescribed under the scheme.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/ddnews.gov.in\/en\/environment-minister-bhupender-yadav-hands-over-indias-first-pramaan-certificates-for-forest-plantation-and-bamboo-farming\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>DD<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">India and Japan UNICORN Naval Radar Agreement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Defence<\/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>Japan called on India to fast-track internal official processing of the agreement on the <strong>UNICORN (Unified Complex Radio Antenna) naval radar system.<\/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>The <strong>UNICORN agreement<\/strong> between India and Japan is the <strong>first-ever joint defence co-development project<\/strong> formalised during the <strong>16th India\u2013 Japan Annual Summit.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is classified militarily as a <strong>cutting-edge, weapon-grade naval stealth antenna system.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is developed originally for the<strong> Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force<\/strong> and is the primary stealth feature of Japan\u2019s advanced Mogami-class stealth frigates.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is enclosed inside a smooth, unified horn-shaped dome, therefore, a <strong>warship appears much smaller or even completely invisible on hostile <\/strong>radar screens.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>On the other hand, traditional warships have exposed and \u201ccluttered\u201d antenna arrays that produce large radar returns.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Under the UNICORN agreement, <strong>state-run Bharat Electronics Limited<\/strong> of India will collaborate with Japanese defence majors to <strong>co-produce the advanced stealth mast for future warships.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The UNICORN mast is slated to <strong>replace the Indian Navy\u2019s legacy Advanced Composite Communication System (ACCS)\u00a0<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is planned for integration onto <strong>future surface combatants, nextgeneration frigates and guided-missile destroyers.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This Indo-Japan pact makes India only the <strong>second Asian nation<\/strong> after the <strong>Philippines <\/strong>to receive sensitive Japanese defence technology following its <strong>relaxation of strict post-WWII defence export restrictions.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/japan-calls-on-india-to-fast-trackinternal-process-on-unicorn-naval-radar-agreement\/article71524306.ece\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Pashudhan Bima Portal&nbsp;<\/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 Government launched the <strong>Pashudhan Bima Portal<\/strong> in New Delhi.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Pashudhan Bima Portal<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is a <strong>comprehensive digital platform<\/strong> aimed at transforming livestock insurance delivery across the country under the Livestock Insurance activity of the <strong>National Livestock Mission (NLM).<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is developed and administered by the <strong>Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD).\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It will enable streamlined policy issuance, claim processing, monitoring, and reporting in case of animals insured under the Livestock Insurance Scheme of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It will be <strong>available in 13 languages<\/strong>, including 11 regional languages plus Hindi and English, making livestock insurance more accessible to pastoralists and rural livestock owners.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Farmers will now be able to submit their insurance applications online, while the entire process will be monitored digitally.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/newsonair.gov.in\/government-launches-pashudhan-bima-portal-to-streamline-livestock-insurance-claims-and-monitoring\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">AIR<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Geographical Indication Tag to Mandar&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS1\/ Culture<\/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>Jharkhand\u2019s traditional folk musical instrument, the <strong>Mandar<\/strong>, has received the <strong>Geographical Indication (GI) tag.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Mandar&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Mandar is a traditional <strong>double-headed percussion instrument<\/strong> widely used in the folk music and dance traditions of Jharkhand.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is particularly associated with the <strong>Oraon<\/strong> and other tribal communities of the <strong>Chotanagpur region.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The instrument plays an important role in community celebrations, religious festivals and traditional dances, including <strong>Sarhul and Karma.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-dominant-color=\"a45e45\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #a45e45;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"479\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-235.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-86009\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-235.png 640w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-235-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\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>Geographical Indication (GI)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A geographical indication (GI) is a <strong>sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin <\/strong>and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In order to function as a GI, a sign must identify a<strong> product as originating in a given place.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Geographical indications are typically <strong>used for agricultural products, foodstuffs, wine and spirit drinks, handicrafts, and industrial products.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Darjeeling Tea from West Bengal<\/strong> was the first product in India to receive a GI tag.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Regulation of Geographical Indication (GI)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>As a form of intellectual property, GIs are recognised internationally under the <strong>Paris Convention <\/strong>for the Protection of Industrial Property and the <strong>World Trade Organization\u2019s (WTO) Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>In India,<\/strong> their registration and protection are overseen by the <strong>Geographical Indications Registry under the 1999 Act.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India established a legal framework for protecting products linked to specific regions through the Geographical Indications of <strong>Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999<\/strong> and the accompanying Rules notified in <strong>2002<\/strong>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The framework became operational in<strong> 2003, and GI registrations commenced in 2004\u201305.<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The registration of a geographical indication is valid for a period of <strong>10 years.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/newsonair.gov.in\/jharkhands-traditional-musical-instrument-mandar-gets-geographical-indication-tag\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>AIR<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Centre Reduces Import Duty on Edible Oils&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>In News<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Union government reduced the <strong>Basic Customs Duty (BCD) <\/strong>on major imported crude edible oils, including palm oil.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Oils are a high frequency household purchase, so lower prices help contain food inflation and protect real incomes of the poor.<\/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>Basic Customs Duty<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is an<strong> indirect tax<\/strong> that is levied on imported goods, and it is usually calculated based on the assessed value of the product.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It can vary from <strong>zero to one hundred percent<\/strong> depending on factors such as the HSN code of the product as well as the country from where it is imported.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Goods that are imported under <strong>Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) are usually exempted from BCD<\/strong>, which is revised from time to time by the Union Ministry of Finance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why Crude Oils Matter?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Landed cost:<\/strong> Duty is part of the landed cost, so cutting it on crude oils lowers input cost for the entire supply chain.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Value addition at home<\/strong>: Crude oil is refined in India, which keeps processing jobs and margins domestic. For ex: coastal refineries at Kandla, Mangalore and Kakinada depend on crude imports.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Palm oil&#8217;s role:<\/strong> Palm is the cheapest and most imported oil, so any duty change on it moves overall edible oil prices. It is sourced mainly from Indonesia and Malaysia.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Substitution effect: <\/strong>Edible oils compete with one another, so lower palm duty also restrains soybean and sunflower prices.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>India&#8217;s Response<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>National Mission on Edible Oils, Oil Palm (2021):<\/strong> Promotes domestic palm cultivation, with focus on the North East and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>National Mission on Edible Oils, Oilseeds (2024): <\/strong>Aims to raise oilseed production through quality seeds and value chain support.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>MSP and procurement:<\/strong> PM AASHA and price support protect oilseed farmers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Stock monitoring: <\/strong>Stock limits and price tracking under the Essential Commodities Act deter hoarding.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Technology:<\/strong> High yield varieties and the pending GM mustard debate are central to reducing dependence.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/business\/Industry\/ahead-of-festivals-centre-cuts-import-duty-on-edible-oils\/article71504736.ece\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">TH<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Environment<\/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 Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has approved the revised <strong>Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) schedule<\/strong> for the National Capital Region.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>GRAP framework<\/strong> was approved by the<strong> Supreme Court in 2016<\/strong>, and its implementation has since been overseen by the <strong>Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) (<\/strong><strong><em>statutory body<\/em><\/strong><strong>)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is a <strong>mechanism to decide the actions that governments in Delhi-NCR must take<\/strong> as the levels of air pollution rise through various stages.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It aims to put certain steps or restrictions in place as soon as air pollution reaches a specific level, instead of waiting for the air to become worse.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Stages&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is implemented in <strong>four stages<\/strong>, depending on the level of the Air Quality Index (AQI).\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/cities\/Delhi\/ncr-air-quality-panel-tightens-winter-pollution-curbs\/article71525317.ece\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">TH<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\n<strong> <\/p>\n<p>Context<\/p>\n<p> <\/strong>\n<\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">\n<p>A new study has found that grasslands that evolved over millennia rarely return to their original state, even when they recover, the regenerated grasslands are different species.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>\n<strong> <\/p>\n<p>Role of AI in Managing Disaster<\/p>\n<p><\/strong>\n<\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">\n<p>Grasslands exist on every continent except for Antarctica, One-fourth of the planet is covered by grasslands.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">\n<p>In Africa, they\u2019re called savannas and veldts; pampas in South America; steppes in Europe and Asia; prairies or grasslands in North America; and rangelands in Australia.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<p><a href=\" https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/30-09-2026\/news-in-short-30-09-2026\"   class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"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-86008","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\/86008","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\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=86008"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86008\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":86011,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86008\/revisions\/86011"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=86008"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=86008"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=86008"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}