Increased Defence Deals Post Operation Sindoor

Context: In its first meeting after Operation Sindoor, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for 10 capital acquisition proposals valued at ₹1.05 lakh crore through indigenous sourcing.

About India’s Defence Acquisition

• AoNs were accorded for procurement of:
  • Armoured Recovery Vehicles
  • Electronic Warfare System
  • Integrated Common Inventory Management System for the Tri-Services 
  • Surface-to-Air Missiles
• Indigenous Emphasis: The recent DAC clearance includes indigenous Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM) systems worth ₹30,000 crore
• Joint Capability Building: Procurement decisions increasingly aim to strengthen tri-service capabilities through systems like the Integrated Common Inventory Management System (ICIMS), enhancing logistics and operational coordination among the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
• Naval Defence Focus: India is also modernising its naval assets by procuring Moored Mines, Mine Counter Measure Vessels, Submersible Autonomous Vessels, and Super Rapid Gun Mounts, improving both coastal and blue-water security.
• Significance: These acquisitions aim to enhance mobility, air defence, and supply chain efficiency, ensuring the armed forces are prepared for rapid response along sensitive borders, especially with Pakistan and China.

About Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) 

• DAC is the highest decision-making body for capital procurement of defence equipment.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Defence and is chaired by the Defence Minister of India.
• Function: DAC grants Acceptance of Necessity (AoN), sets procurement priorities, and ensures alignment with indigenisation and self-reliance goals.

Garcinia Kusumae

Context: Recently, the international journal Feddes Repertorium published a new species, Garcinia kusumae, discovered in Assam’s Bamunbari region, adding to the state’s rich floral diversity.

About Garcinia kusumae

• Garcinia kusumae is a dioecious evergreen tree belonging to the genus Garcinia, which is known for its tropical distribution and medicinal potential.
• Climatic and Geographic Conditions: The species thrives in Assam’s tropical lowland rainforests and was found in Baksa district (Assam) a region known for its rich biodiversity and humid climate.
• Morphological Features: Garcinia kusumae grows up to 18 metres and flowers from February to April, with fruits maturing between May and June.
  • It bears up to 15 staminate flowers per fascicle.
• Distinct Characteristics: Though similar to Garcinia assamica, Garcinia cowa, and Garcinia succifolia, it differs in flower structure, number of stamens, and fruit characteristics like blackish resinous exudation.
• Traditional and Medicinal Uses: The fruit pulp is sun-dried to make a refreshing sherbet used to prevent heat stroke. It is also added to fish curries.
• Ethnobotanical Importance: Locally, the fruit is used in traditional medicine to treat diabetes and dysentery. The slightly sour seed aril is consumed raw with salt, chillies, and mustard oil.
• Contribution to Assam’s Flora: With this discovery, Assam now records 12 species and three varieties of Garcinia, enriching the state’s botanical heritage and supporting ongoing ecological research.

Sabrang: Transgender Clinic

Context: India’s first transgender-led clinic, shut in January 2025 due to a USAID funding freeze, has reopened in Hyderabad as Sabrang Clinic with Tata Trusts’ support.

About Transgender Clinic

• Originally launched in 2021 as Mitr Clinic, it was India’s first healthcare facility fully staffed and managed by transgender community members.
• Purpose and Services: The clinic offers general health services, hormone therapy consultations, gender affirmation support, HIV/STI treatment, psychological counselling, and mental health services in a stigma-free environment.
• Community-Centric Model: The clinic is operated entirely by transgender staff, fostering a trusted, inclusive space, and has served over 3,000 patients since its inception.
• Expansion and Inclusivity: Renamed Sabrang, meaning ‘all colours’, the clinic now extends services to other marginalised, queer, and gender-diverse individuals facing healthcare barriers.
• Independent Operations: The clinic chose to remain independent despite potential government support, valuing quick community-driven service delivery and the trust built over years.

Savitribai Phule National Institute of Women and Child Development

Context: The National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD) has officially been renamed as the Savitribai Phule National Institute of Women and Child Development

About the Institute

• It is an Indian government organization focused on promoting voluntary action, research, training, and documentation in the areas of women and child development. 
• Established in 1966, it operates under the Ministry of Women and Child Development and has expanded its reach through regional centers across the country.
• Headquarters: Located in New Delhi.
• Regional Centers: Guwahati, Bangalore, Lucknow, Indore, and Mohali

About Savitribai Phule

• She was a social reformer, poet, and powerful voice who played a crucial role in India’s social reform movement during the 19th century.  
• Birth: On January 3, 1831, in Naigaon village of Maharashtra. At the age of 9 years, she was married to Jyotirao Phule, who was 13 years old at the time. 
• Death: On 10th March 1897  while fighting the plague.
• Her Contribution: India’s first woman teacher; founded the first girls’ school in Pune in 1848.
  • Initiated India’s first home, Balhatya Pratibandhak Griha, preventing infanticide and aiding pregnant widows and rape victims.
• Literary Contributions: Authored works like “Go, Get Education,” “Kavya Phule” (1854), and “Bavan Kashi Subodh Ratnakar” (1892).

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