News in Shorts: 18 October 2025

Military Combat Parachute System (MCPS)

Context: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully tested the indigenously developed Military Combat Parachute System (MCPS) from a record altitude of 32,000 feet.

About the Military Combat Parachute System (MCPS)

• An advanced high-altitude military parachute system designed for combat freefall operations by special forces and paratroopers in extreme conditions
• It enables safe, controlled, and precise landings from high altitudes during tactical missions.
• Developed By: Jointly developed by DRDO’s Aerial Delivery Research & Development Establishment (Agra) and Defence Bioengineering & Electromedical Laboratory (Bengaluru).
• Key Features:
• • High-Altitude Capability: Only Indian parachute system operational above 25,000 feet, tested at 32,000 feet.
  • Enhanced Safety: Lower rate of descent and superior steering control for stable, accurate landings.
  • Navigation Compatibility: Integrated with NaVIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) for precise geolocation without reliance on foreign satellites, ensuring immunity from external interference or denial of service.
  • Operational Flexibility: Allows pre-determined altitude deployment and accurate zone navigation under combat conditions.
  • Maintenance Advantage: Quick turnaround time and easy repairability, offering higher lifetime utility than imported systems.

Prime Minister Internship Scheme

Context: Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs interacted with interns of the Prime Minister Internship Scheme (PMIS) at Hampi, Karnataka.

About Prime Minister Internship Scheme (PMIS)

• It provides 12-month internships in India’s top 500 companies to bridge academic learning and real-world experience and enhance youth employability.
• Launch Date: 3 October 2024.
• Ministry: Ministry of Corporate Affairs
• Aim: It aims to provide 12-month internship opportunities to one crore youth aged 21–24 years in the country’s top 500 companies over five years.
• Eligibility
  • Individuals aged 21 to 24 who are currently not enrolled in any full-time academic program.
  • They must have at least secondary education; ITI certificates, polytechnic diplomas, or graduation degrees are acceptable.
  • The scheme targets youth from low-income households (Family’s annual income should be less than Rs. 8 lakh)
• Benefits
  • Financial assistance of ₹5,000, supplemented by one-time financial assistance of ₹6,000.
  • Insurance coverage for every intern under Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana

Oral Rehydration Salts

Context: Recently, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) prohibits food brands from using ‘ORS’ on non-compliant drinks after a Hyderabad doctor’s campaign, ensuring only WHO-approved rehydration products carry the label.

Reasons For Prohibition

• FSSAI banned the use of “ORS” by food brands because most products misled consumers, didn’t meet WHO’s medical standards, and posed public health risks. 
• The move ensures only WHO-approved formulations can use “ORS,” preventing false claims and protecting consumers.

About Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) 

• A simple, scientifically formulated mixture of glucose and electrolytes (sodium chloride, potassium chloride, and trisodium citrate) dissolved in clean water to prevent and treat dehydration caused by diarrhoea.
• Mechanism of Action: Works on the principle of glucose-sodium co-transport in the small intestine, where glucose enhances sodium and water absorption, effectively rehydrating the body even during active diarrhoea. 
• WHO-UNICEF Formulation: The current low-osmolarity (reduced osmolarity solution) contains:
  • Sodium chloride: 2.6 gram
  • Glucose: 13.5 grams
  • Potassium chloride: 1.5 grams
  • Trisodium citrate: 2.9 grams 
  • To be dissolved in 1 litre of clean water 
• Global Recognition: Listed as an Essential Medicine by WHO; described as one of the most important medical advances of the 20th century.

8th Session of CCSCH

Context: The 8th Session of the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH8) concluded successfully in Guwahati, India, 

About the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH)

• Establishment: CCSCH was created in 2013 at India’s initiative to harmonize global spice and culinary herb standards.
• The CCSCH is a subsidiary body of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC)
• Secretariat: Hosted by India, managed by the Spices Board, headquartered in Kochi.
• 8th Session Highlights:
• • Participation: The 8th session witnessed participation from around 30 countries and observers.
  • The session finalized Codex standards for large cardamom, vanilla, and coriander, which have been forwarded for adoption by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC). 
    • This brings the total number of finalized spice standards to 19, including earlier standards for pepper, turmeric, cumin, nutmeg, and saffron.

About Codex Standards

• International food standards, codes of hygienic practice, guidelines established to protect health of consumers and to ensure fair practices in food trade.
• Collection of food standards and related texts adopted by CAC is known as the Codex Alimentarius (CA).
• Codex texts are not binding on national food legislation and are adopted in most cases by consensus among Members.

About the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC)

• An international food standards body established jointly by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and WHO in 1963.
• Members: 189 (188 Member Countries(Including India) and 1 Organization i.e. EU).
• Headquarters: Rome, Italy
• The Commission meets once a year alternating between Geneva and Rome.
• Significance: Promotes food safety, consumer protection, and fair trade practices globally.
  

About the Spices Board of India

• Constituted under: Spices Board Act, 1986.
• Mandate: Development and export promotion of 52 spices listed under the Act.
• Headquarters: Kochi, Kerala.

Tejas Mk1A and HTT-40

Context: Defence Minister inaugurated the third production line of the HAL Tejas Mk1A Light Combat Aircraft and the second production line of the HAL HTT-40 trainer aircraft at the Nashik facility of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), 

About Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)–Mk1A

• It is an indigenously developed multi-role, single-engine, supersonic light combat aircraft (LCA). 
• It’s designed for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Navy by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under the DRDO, and produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
• Category: 4.5 generation fighter aircraft 
• Development:
  • The Tejas programme was initiated in the 1980s to replace the ageing MiG-21 fleet.
  • The improved variant, Tejas Mk1A, is an advanced version of the Tejas Mk1, featuring enhanced avionics, radar, and electronic warfare systems.

Key Features

• Speed: ~Mach 1.8 (approx. 2,200 km/h)
• Combat Range: ~500 km (Ferry range over 1,700 km)
• Weapons: Air-to-air, air-to-ground missiles, bombs, and precision-guided munitions
• Fly-by-wire system for enhanced manoeuvrability

About Hindustan Turbo Trainer (HTT)-40

• It  is an indigenously designed and developed basic turboprop trainer aircraft by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
• Purpose: Used for basic flight training of IAF pilots before they move on to advanced jet trainers.

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