e-NAM Platform

Context: Recently, the e-NAM platform added 09 new commodities, raising the total tradable items to 247, enhancing digital trading opportunities for farmers.

About e-NAM

• National Agriculture Market (eNAM) is a pan-India electronic trading portal which networks the existing APMC mandis to create a unified national market for agricultural commodities.
• Establishment: Launched by the Government of India in 2016 to integrate agricultural markets and enhance transparency.
• Nodal Body: Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC) is the lead agency for implementing eNAM under the aegis of Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India.
  • The Directorate of Marketing and Inspection (DMI) develops tradable parameters, in consultation with state agencies, experts, and Small Farmer’s Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC).
  • SFAC is an autonomous Indian government society established in 1994 that promotes the economic inclusion of small and marginal farmers through the formation of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Farmer Producer Companies.

Significance of the Listing: The inclusion of new commodities expands market access, strengthens farmers’ bargaining power, ensures fair quality-based prices, and fosters a transparent, inclusive agricultural trade ecosystem.

Water and Power Consultancy Services (WAPCOS)

• The Water and Power Consultancy Services (WAPCOS) Limited has directed the repatriation of 48 officials from 16 foreign postings with immediate effect. 

About WAPCOS

• Nature: A “Mini Ratna-I” public sector enterprise providing consultancy and engineering services in water resources, power, and infrastructure sectors.
• Governance Oversight: Operates under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, with projects spread across Asia, Africa, and the Pacific.
• Significance: According to the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Annual Procurement Report, WAPCOS has achieved the top rank among consulting service firms in the Water and Infrastructure sectors, securing the highest amount of sanctioned financing.

Nobel Prize in Literature 2025

Context: Hungarian author László Krasznahorkai wins the 2025 Nobel Prize in Literature for his visionary and compelling works.

About László Krasznahorkai

• Birth and Background: Born in 1954 near the Romanian border, Hungary.
• Literary Debut: Gained prominence with his first novel, ‘Sátántangó’ (1985; English translation ‘Satantango’, 2012).
• Style and Themes: Known for apocalyptic narratives, social critique, and philosophical depth, exploring violence, beauty, and impermanence.
• Notable Works
  • ‘Herscht 07769’ (2025): Portrays social unrest, violence, and moral ambiguity in a small town in Thüringen, Germany.
  • ‘Seiobo There Below’ (2008; English translation 2013): Explores artistic creation and beauty in a world of impermanence.
    • Collection of 17 stories arranged in Fibonacci sequence.
  • ‘A Mountain to the North, a Lake to the South, Paths to the West, a River to the East’ (2022)
• Previous Literature Nobel (2024): Awarded to Han Kang, South Korean writer.
• Indian Laureates: Rabindranath Tagore (1913) –  First Asian and Indian to win, for Gitanjali.
  • Notable literary contributions by Rabindranath Tagore are: Manasi, Gitanjali, Sâdhanâ: The Realisation of Life, and Chitra: a Play in One Act.

68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC)

Context: Recently, Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla arrived in Bridgetown, Barbados to lead India’s delegation at the 68th CPC, held from 5–12 October.

About the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC)

• Introduction: CPC is one of the largest gatherings of parliamentarians from the Commonwealth, providing a platform for discussion and exchange of ideas.
• Purpose: Strengthens democratic institutions, promotes good governance, and addresses global challenges through parliamentary diplomacy and cooperation.
• Participation: The 68th CPC brings together over 600 delegates from more than 180 national, state, and provincial legislatures across the Commonwealth.
• Theme: “The Commonwealth: A Global Partner”,
• India’s Role: India participates actively, highlighting democratic values, inclusive governance, parliamentary transparency, and bilateral cooperation with Commonwealth counterparts.

Commonwealth of Nations 

• The Commonwealth of Nations is a voluntary association of sovereign countries, mostly former British colonies, committed to shared values of democracy, human rights, and rule of law.
• Members: It comprises 56 member countries across Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe, and the Pacific, representing over 2.5 billion people.

Significance

• The conference fosters global parliamentary dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaboration, enhancing India’s contribution to strengthening democracy and governance worldwide.

Tejas Mk1A Fighter Jet

Context: The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to receive its first Tejas Mk1A Light Combat Aircraft in the last week of October 2025, marking a major step in India’s indigenous defence manufacturing.

About the Tejas Mk1A Fighter Jet

• Tejas Mk1A is an advanced variant of the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas.
• Developed by: Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
• Key Features: Equipped with General Electric (GE) F404-IN20 engines, modern Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missiles, and advanced Electronic Warfare (EW) systems including a Unified Electronic Warfare Suite (UEWS) and an Advanced Self-Protection Jammer (ASPJ) pod for increased survivability against enemy threats.
• Future Procurement: Negotiations are underway for 97 additional Tejas Mk1A jets.

Strategic Significance

• Tejas Mk1A will bolster the IAF’s depleting squadron strength (currently 29 vs. the sanctioned 42) and enhance operational self-reliance.
• It represents a key pillar of Atmanirbhar Bharat, reducing dependence on foreign platforms and paving the way for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project.

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