Soil Health Card Scheme

Context: Soil Health Card Scheme (SHCS) has completed 10 Years since launch.

About Soil Health Card Scheme

• Launched in 2015.
• Aim: To improve soil health and fertility by providing farmers with information on their soil’s nutrient status and recommendations for appropriate fertilizer use.
• Objective: To ensure sustainable agricultural practices by promoting balanced fertilization and improving soil health. 
• Implementation: By the Department of Agriculture of all State and Union Territory Governments, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. 
• Soil Testing: Involves soil sampling, testing, and the generation of Soil Health Cards (SHCs) for every farmer. 
• SHC Content: Provides information on the nutrient status of the soil, including macro-nutrients (N, P, K, S), micro-nutrients (Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Bo), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and organic carbon (OC). 
• Integration with RKVY: Merged in Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) scheme as one of its components under the name ‘Soil Health & Fertility’ from the year 2022-23.

Famine Early Warning Systems Network (Fews Net)

Context: Recently, A warning and analysis system – Famine Early Warning Systems Network (Fews Net  that focuses on acute food insecurity around the world was shut down on January 30, 2025.

About Famine Early Warning Systems Network (Fews Net)

• FEWS NET is a global system that provides information and analysis on food insecurity.
• It was established in 1985 by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the US Department of State.
• Created after famines in East and West Africa, particularly the 1984-85 famines in Sudan and Ethiopia.
• Aims to predict and prevent food crises by informing decision-makers.

International Organization of Aids to Marine Navigation (IALA)

Context: Recently, India was elected to the Vice Presidency of the International Organization of Aids to Marine Navigation (IALA) in Singapore.

About International Organization of Aids to Marine Navigation (IALA)

• Formerly known as the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities.
• Established: 1957 as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO).
• Transition to IGO: In 2024, IALA officially became an Inter-Governmental Organization (IGO) after the ratification of its convention by 34 member states.
• Headquarters: Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France.
• Purpose: To harmonize and improve marine aids to navigation (AtoN) globally, ensuring safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly maritime navigation.
• India’s Role: India will host the IALA Council meeting in December 2025 and the IALA Conference & General Assembly in September 2027 in Mumbai.

Digital Brand Identity Manual (DBIM)

Context: MeitY launched Digital Brand Identity Manual (DBIM) to harmonize the government’s Digital presence.

About Digital Brand Identity Manual (DBIM)

• Objective:
  • To harmonize the Government of India’s digital footprint under the Gov.In initiative.
  • Aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision of “Reform, Perform, and Transform” to make digital governance more accessible, inclusive, and citizen-centric.
• Features of DBIM initiative
  • DBIM Toolkit for ensuring uniformity in digital identity.
  • Gov.In CMS Platform for streamlined website management.
  • Central Content Publishing System (CCPS) for centralized content governance.
  • Social Media Campaign Guidelines to standardize digital communication.

About Gov.In: Harmonisation of Government of India’s Digital Footprint initiative

• It is a strategic effort by the Government of India, spearheaded by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), to create a unified, consistent, and user-friendly digital presence across all government platforms. 
• Aim: To enhance citizen engagement, improve accessibility to government services, and streamline the digital experience by standardizing the online infrastructure managed by various ministries, departments, and agencies.

Warning to OTTs against ‘obscene content

Context: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) issued a warning to OTT (Over-The-Top) streaming services on February 20, 2025.

What is obscene content?

• Obscene content” generally refers to material that is offensive or inappropriate according to societal standards of decency.

Advisory on Content Restrictions- Highlights

• Platforms are advised to avoid transmitting any content that is prohibited by law.
• They must classify content based on age, following the Information Technology (Intermediary Liability and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
• OTT platforms should enforce age-gating for mature content to restrict access to younger audiences
• IT Rules and Content Classification
• Under the IT Rules, 2021, OTT platforms must:
  • Follow strict content classification guidelines.
  • Establish a grievance redressal system for user complaints.
  • Function within a three-tier system:
    • Users complain directly to the streaming platform.
    • If unresolved, complaints go to a self-regulatory body.
    • The final authority is an inter-departmental government committee.

Microsoft’s Majorana 1 Chip

Context: Microsoft has recently launched its quantum processor chip called Majorana 1.

About the Majorana 1 Chip

• Majorana 1 is an eight-qubit chip and allows for the quantum chip to be potentially scaled to a million qubits.
• Quantum Particle: Microsoft has used a whole new state of matter ie. Majorana particles for the architecture of its quantum chip. 
  • Electrons were used for chips made by Google, Intel, IBM before.
• The Topoconductor/Topological Superconductor: The Majorana particles have been fabricated using topological conductors existing  in a topological state, which differs from traditional states of matter such as solid, liquid, and gas.
  • Topoconductor can observe and control Majorana particles to produce more reliable and scalable qubits  that is fast, small and can be digitally controlled
  • It will help develop quantum systems that can “scale to a million qubits
• Material Used: Topoconductors are made by combining indium arsenide (a semiconductor) and aluminium (a superconductor).
• Approach: Microsoft has employed a new  measurement approach that can measure the amount of quantum information stored in Majorana particles. 
  • The approach can detect the difference between one billion and one billion and one electrons in a superconducting wire
• Application: The development will help realise quantum computers to deliver transformative, real-world,  meaningful solutions to  industrial-scale problems in near future.
  • To break down microplastics into harmless byproducts or inventing self-healing materials for construction, manufacturing or healthcare etc

About Majorana Fermions

• Theory: It was first theorised over 80 years ago by Italian physicist Ettore Majorana
• Majorana fermions are particles that are their own antiparticles.
• Majorana zero mode (MZM): Signs have been detected of a kind of Majorana fermion known as a Majorana zero mode (MZM), where groups of electrons and other particles act as a single particle.

International Asperger’s Day

Context: The National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (NIEPID) under the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has organized various programmes across its centres to raise awareness and promote inclusivity for individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome.

About Asperger’s Syndrome

• It is a type of autism spectrum development disorder (ASD) that affects how people interact with others, understand the world, and behave. 
  • It is also sometimes called high-functioning autism
• Symptoms: Asperger’s symptoms start early in life and are usually related to emotional, communication, and behavioral skills such as,
  • Difficulty relating to others socially; Repetitive behaviors; Narrow range of interests; Difficulty understanding social situations; Difficulty understanding subtle forms of communication; Obsessive interests;Clumsiness; Poor motor skills
• Diagnosis:  Most diagnoses happen between ages 5 and 9 with doctors asking questions about communication skills, social and emotional abilities, learning abilities, movement skills, and special interests
• Therapy: Therapy providers for children and adults with Asperger’s syndrome include,
  • Physical therapists: It can help improve coordination and balance. It can also help them to focus better when faced with distracting noises or sights.
  • Speech therapists: It can improve the ability to speak clearly and at appropriate volumes.
  • Occupational therapists: It can help you learn job skills needed to become and stay independent.
  • Family or relationship therapists: This type of therapy can help children and adults have healthier relationships with friends and loved ones.
• Treatment: It does not specifically prescribe drugs for treatment but certain types of medications can help manage severe Asperger’s symptoms like,
  • Antidepressants (SSRIs or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors).
  • Anti-psychotics.
  • Drugs for attention-deficit disorder.

Dinesh Khara Committee

Context: The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has constituted a high-powered committee, led by former SBI chairman Dinesh Khara, to review key provisions of the Insurance Act, 1938.

Purpose of the Dinesh Khara Committee

• To review and update the Insurance Act, 1938, making it relevant to modern industry needs.
• To assess the feasibility of allowing 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the insurance sector.
• To facilitate the establishment of composite insurance companies offering life, non-life, and health insurance under a single entity.
• To enhance policyholder protection measures and ensure that insurance revenue remains within India.
• To propose necessary amendments for submission to the Union Finance Ministry for legislative consideration.

Evolution of the Insurance Sector

• 1938 : The Insurance Act, 1938, was enacted during British rule, laying the legal foundation for the insurance industry in India.
  • The Act defines three main categories of insurance in India: Life Insurance, General Insurance, and Health Insurance.
• 1956 : The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) was nationalized.
• 1972 : The general insurance sector was nationalized.
• 1999 : The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) was established, opening the insurance sector to private players.
• 2015 : The FDI limit in the insurance sector was increased from 26% to 49%, later raised to 74% in 2021.
• 2025 Budget : The FDI limit was further raised to 100%, with the condition that any premium paid for the acquisition of shares should remain within the country.
• 2025 Economic Survey :  India’s insurance sector is on a rapid growth trajectory and is expected to become the fastest-growing insurance market among G20 nations within the next five years.

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