News in Shorts: 05 April 2025

CSIR-NAL Signs Technology Transfer Deal

Context: The National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), part of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), has signed its first-ever technology transfer agreement with a private company.

• The agreement allows Pioneer Clean AMPS Pvt Limited to manufacture trainer aircraft in India.

About the Hansa-3 NG Aircraft

• The Hansa-3 NG is a two-seater trainer aircraft.
• It is the latest version of the HANSA planes designed by NAL since 1998.
• So far, 14 Hansa planes have been made and used by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and IITs.

150th Assembly of Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)

Context: The Lok Sabha Speaker, is leading a Parliamentary Delegation to the 150th Assembly of Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), being held in Tashkent from 5 to 9 April, 2025.

About IPU

• The IPU was established in 1889, making it one of the oldest global inter-parliamentary organizations.
• The IPU’s headquarters is located in Geneva, Switzerland
• The IPU currently includes 180 member parliaments and 13 associate members, mostly regional parliamentary assemblies.
• Its current president, elected in 2023, is Dr. Tulia Ackson of Tanzania, and its Secretary General is Martin Chungong of Cameroon.
• Key Functions
  • Promotes parliamentary diplomacy, peace, and sustainable development
  • Supports diverse, inclusive, and gender-balanced parliaments
  • Protects parliamentarians’ human rights
• Funded by member contributions from public funds
• Structure
  • Assembly: Main political body; debates global issues
  • Governing Council: Sets policies, program, and budget
  • Executive Committee: Administers and advises Council
    • The 15 members of the Executive Committee are elected by the Council for a four-year term.
    • It Administers and advises Council
  • Standing Committees: Thematic support to Assembly

National Tele Mental Health Programme

Context: As on 1st April 2025, 36 States/ UTs have set up 53 Tele MANAS Cells; 24×7 tele-mental health services are available in 20 languages based on languages opted by States  under National Tele Mental Health Programme (NTMHP)

About  National Tele Mental Health Programme (NTMHP)

• Nodal Ministry:  Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
• Need for Tele MANAS:
  • India, home to 18% of the global population, faces a significant mental health crisis, with mental disorders being the second leading cause of years lived with disability (YLDs) and suicide ranking as the third leading cause of death in many states.
• Objective:
  • To exponentially scale up the reach of mental health services to anybody who reaches out, across India, any time, by setting up a 24×7 tele-mental health facility in each of the States and UTs of the country.

Vibrant Villages Programme-II

• The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister approved the Vibrant Villages Programme -II (VVP-II) as a Central Sector Scheme (100% Centre funding).
• Budget outlay: Rs.6,839 crore
• Objective: To create better living conditions and adequate livelihood opportunities to ensure prosperous and safe borders, control trans-border crime and assimilate the border population with the nation and inculcate them ‘as eyes and ears of the border guarding forces’, crucial for internal security.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs
• Key feature:
• • The program will fund infrastructure development, value chain growth (via cooperatives, SHGs, etc.), border outreach, SMART class education, tourism circuits, and projects for diverse, sustainable livelihoods in border villages or clusters.
  • It is a central sector scheme with 100% funding by the Centre.
• Implementation: The program will target strategic villages in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, J&K (UT), Ladakh (UT), Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal until FY 2028-29.

‘Baku to Belem Roadmap’

Context: India strongly pushed for teamwork among BRICS nations to tackle climate change and meet the 2030 Climate Agenda during the 11th BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting held in Brasilia, Brazil.

What is ‘Baku to Belem Roadmap’?

• The Roadmap is an ambitious climate finance framework initiated between COP29 (held in Baku, Azerbaijan) and COP30 (scheduled in Belém, Brazil).
  • Its main goal is to raise USD 1.3 trillion every year by 2035  to support Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
    • The money will help developing countries take action on climate change.
• It is expected to be finalized at COP30 (Belem, Brazil, November 2025).
• Organisations Involved: UNFCCC COP Presidencies (Azerbaijan and Brazil). 
• It ensures that poorer countries are not left behind while moving toward sustainability.
• Main Goal
  • To support developing nations in:
    • Adapting to climate change
    • Switching to cleaner sources of energy
    • Meeting targets under the Paris Agreement (NDCs)
  • Increase funding for climate projects through grants, low-interest loans, and private investments.
  • Ensure fairness and support for developing nations during the transition to greener practices.
  • Overcome challenges like expensive borrowing costs and restrictive regulations.
  • Strengthen global cooperation by leveraging partnerships and development banks.
• Why is it needed?
  • The current climate finance promise from developed countries is only USD 300 billion per year, which is not enough.
  • Developing nations face high costs and need more support to meet their climate goals.

Warangal Chapata Chilli

Context: Recently, the Warangal Chapata chilli, from the Telangana State has been granted the Geographical Indication tag by the GI Registry, government of India.

• This is the 18th product from Telangana that has secured the coveted GI tag.

About Warangal Chapata chilli

• Also known as Tomato Chilli due to its bright red color and round tomato-like shape.
• Less pungent but has high capsicum oleoresin, giving rich red color and strong flavor.
• Cultivated for over 80–100 years.
• Three types: Single Patti; Double Patti; Odalu.

About GI Tag

• Definition: Sign used on products linked to specific geographic origins, showcasing qualities tied to that location.
• Applicability: Commonly used for agricultural produce, food, beverages, handicrafts, and industrial items.
• Legislation: Governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 in India, aiming to register and safeguard these indications.
• Validity: Remains valid for 10 years, renewable thereafter.