News in Shorts: 24 April 2026

24 Apr 2026

e-National Agriculture Market (eNAM)

Context: Rajasthan has emerged as the top state in e-trade volume on e-National Agriculture Market, reflecting rapid digitalisation of agricultural marketing.

Key Highlights of Rajasthan’s Achievement

Digital Integration of Mandis: Rajasthan has connected 173 mandis to e-NAM, enabling nationwide trade access, better price discovery, and inclusion of over 15 lakh farmers in digital agricultural markets.
Technological Advancement & Scale: The state leads in e-trade volume with AI-based quality testing in 134 mandis, handling 3.16 crore tonnes worth ₹1.3 lakh crore since 2016.

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About e-NAM

e-NAM is a pan-India electronic trading portal launched in April 2016 to integrate agricultural markets and enable transparent online trading.
Key Objectives
- Create a unified national agricultural market.
- Ensure transparent price discovery through e-auctions.
- Improve efficiency by standardising market procedures.
- Assure quality through grading and assaying systems.
Implementing Body: Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
Features (Trading & Participation)
- Online auctions with real-time price discovery and pan-India access.
- Eligible participants include farmers, traders, FPOs, processors, and exporters.
- Single trading licence valid across states with direct digital payments.
- Logistics, analytics, and fintech integration under e-NAM 2.0.
Significance
- Enhances farmers’ income through better price realisation and reduced intermediaries.
- Promotes formalisation, transparency, and financial inclusion in agricultural trade.

National Panchayati Raj Day

Context: National Panchayati Raj Day 2026 is being celebrated nationwide on April 24, marking 33 years of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment.

About National Panchayati Raj Day

National Panchayati Raj Day is observed annually on April 24, it commemorates the enactment of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, which granted constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
Theme 2026: The theme “Sashakt Panchayat, Sarvangeen Vikas” emphasises empowered local governance and holistic, inclusive rural development aligned with sustainable development goals.
Key Innovations & Initiatives:
- Release of Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2.0 to assess grassroots governance performance.
- Launch of “Meri Panchayat Meri Dharohar” publications highlighting rural heritage.
- Promotion of Gram Sabha meetings nationwide to strengthen participatory democracy.

Significance of Panchayati Raj

Establishes a three-tier system: The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992 provides a uniform three-tier Panchayati Raj system (Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, Zila Parishad) for states with a population over 20 lakhs, allowing a two-tier system (village/district) for smaller states.
- Ensures decentralisation, local planning, and democratic participation at grassroots level.
Governance & Development Role
- Enhances service delivery, accountability, and rural development outcomes.
- Plays a key role in achieving “Viksit Bharat” through bottom-up planning and local empowerment.

Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNTs)

Context: The 2025–26 annual report of the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment highlights weak State support for Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNTs).

About Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNTs)

Denotified Tribes: These communities were stigmatised under the Criminal Tribes Act and were denotified in 1952, but the stigma and exclusion have persisted
- Example: Pardhi tribe, Sansi tribe
Nomadic Tribes: Communities with no fixed habitation, dependent on mobility-based livelihoods.
- Example: Banjara tribe, Gadia Lohar.
Semi-Nomadic Tribes: Partially settled but continue seasonal migration.
- Example: Gujjar community, Rabari community
Estimated Population of DNT’s: Estimated at over 10 crore, spread across diverse regions of India
Current Classification: They are distributed across SC, ST and OBC categories, with nearly 300 communities still unclassified.

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Key Points of Ministry of Social Justice Report on DNT Welfare, 2025–26

State support remains inadequate: Despite repeated advisories since 2015, most States have not taken the required institutional and administrative steps for DNT welfare.
Low certification coverage: Only 7 States i.e Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra issue DNT community certificates.
Institutional gaps: States are yet to establish dedicated welfare boards, departments and grievance redressal systems.
State capacity and data deficit: Weak State response in issuing certificates, generating population data, identifying beneficiaries and ensuring land allocation constrains effective delivery of schemes.
Enumeration uncertainty: DNTs are proposed to be covered in Census 2027, but the enumeration methodology and identification framework remain unclear.
Limited Scheme Outreach: Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs (SEED) has enabled formation of over 5000 self-help groups, coaching support to around 3000 students and issuance of about 50000 Ayushman cards for health insurance, though overall coverage remains limited.

Tobacco and Vapes Bill (UK Smoking Ban)

Context: The United Kingdom has approved a landmark law banning cigarette sales for individuals born after 2008 to create a smoke-free generation.

About the Tobacco and Vapes Bill

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill prohibits the sale of cigarettes to individuals born after January 1, 2009, effectively phasing out smoking for future generations.
Phased Implementation Approach
- The legal age for purchasing cigarettes will progressively increase each year.
- Future provisions include extending smoking bans to outdoor public spaces like playgrounds and schools.
- Restrictions on vape flavours, packaging, and usage in public spaces are also included.
Need for the Ban
- Smoking causes nearly 75,000 deaths annually in England, placing a major burden on public health systems like the NHS.
- It is responsible for around one-fourth of total deaths, linked to cancers, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
- Rising youth vaping and early addiction trends necessitate stricter preventive measures.
- The policy aims to reduce long-term healthcare costs and improve population health outcomes.

Global Efforts to Curb Smoking

WHO Framework: The World Health Organization leads global tobacco control through the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), promoting taxation, advertising bans, and warning labels.
New Zealand Model: New Zealand pioneered a similar generational smoking ban in 2022, though later repealed, highlighting policy challenges.
India’s Approach: India regulates tobacco via the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) (COTPA) Act 2003, bans advertising, mandates pictorial warnings, and promotes awareness under the National Tobacco Control Programme.

India–Egypt Defence Meet

Context: India and Egypt strengthened defence ties at the 11th Joint Defence Committee meeting in Cairo, Egypt, adopting a roadmap for deeper military cooperation.

Key Highlights of India–Egypt 11th Joint Defence Committee Meet

Defence Cooperation Roadmap (2026–27): Both countries agreed to expand structured military engagements, joint training programmes, and enhance the scale and complexity of bilateral exercises.
Defence Industrial Partnership: Emphasis on co-development and co-production of defence equipment, leveraging India’s growing defence manufacturing capabilities and export potential.

About India–Egypt Relations

Introduction: India–Egypt relations are rooted in historical civilisational ties and have evolved into a multidimensional partnership covering defence, trade, and geopolitics.
- Modern ties were shaped during the Bandung Conference, with leaders like Nehru and Nasser founding the Non-Aligned Movement.
Strategic Partnership: Relations were elevated to a Strategic Partnership in 2023, marking deeper political, economic, and defence engagement.
Trade Relations: Total trade crossed 7 billions USD in FY 2021-22, with India holding a trade surplus.
- India has strategic interest in the Suez Canal Economic Zone for global market access.
Regular joint exercises: Cyclone (Army), Desert Warrior (Air Force), and naval drills.

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About Egypt

Egypt, officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a transcontinental nation linking Africa and Asia, known for its ancient civilisation and strategic geopolitical importance.
- Cairo is the capital, largest city, and cultural centre, located along the Nile River.
Emerging Administrative Capital: A new administrative capital is being developed east of Cairo (Not named yet) to reduce congestion and improve governance efficiency.
Location: Egypt lies in northeastern Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula extending into Asia, making it a transcontinental country.
Boundaries: It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea (north), Red Sea (east), Libya (west), Sudan (south), and Israel and Palestine (northeast).
Geographical Features
- Nile River System: The Nile River forms the fertile Nile Valley and Delta, supporting the majority of Egypt’s population and agriculture.
- Desert Regions: The Western Desert covers most of Egypt, while the Eastern Desert is mountainous and mineral-rich.
- Sinai Peninsula: A triangular arid landmass in Asia with rugged mountains, including Mount Catherine (highest point of Egypt).
- Unique Landforms: The Qattara Depression is the country’s lowest point, reflecting its diverse physical geography.