News in Shorts: 26 September 2025

National Initiative on Water Security

Context: Recently, the Government of India launched the National Initiative on Water Security under MGNREGA to prioritise water conservation works.

About the National Initiative on Water Security

• Introduction: The initiative was launched jointly by the Ministry of Rural Development and the Ministry of Jal Shakti to address depleting groundwater resources.
• Objective: Its aim is to ensure mandatory allocation of MGNREGA funds for water conservation and harvesting, strengthening long-term rural water security.
• Fund Allocation
• • In ‘over-exploited’ and ‘critical’ blocks, 65% of MGNREGA funds will be spent on water-related works.
  • In ‘semi-critical’ blocks, 40% of MGNREGA funds will be allocated.
  • Even in water-sufficient blocks, 30% of MGNREGA funds must go to water conservation.
• In total, 193 districts across India are classified as Over-exploited, Critical, or Semi-critical (OCS) by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB).

Other Initiatives: Campaigns like ‘Catch the Rain’, rainwater harvesting, and construction of ‘Amrit Sarovars’ (68,000 reservoirs built/rejuvenated) complement the National Initiative on Water Security.

Authentication Mechanisms for Digital Payment Transactions

Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released new guidelines mandating Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for all digital payment transactions, effective from April 1, 2026. 

• This framework aims to enhance security in the rapidly growing digital payments ecosystem.

Key Features

• Mandatory 2FA: All digital payments require two distinct forms of user identification (authentication factors), though RBI does not enforce a specific method.
• Dynamic Factor Requirement: At least one of the authentication factors used must be dynamically created or proven uniquely for each transaction, especially for transactions other than card-present transactions. This prevents security breaches arising from static credentials.

What is Two-Factor Authentication?

• It is an identity and access management security method that requires users to provide two different types of identification before accessing accounts or completing transactions. 
• It provides an additional layer of security beyond just a password or a one-time password (OTP), making it harder for attackers to gain unauthorized access.

Mechanism: The process combines any two of the following three factors:

• Something you know: Such as a password or PIN.
• Something you have: Such as a registered mobile phone, hardware token, or a security app.
• Something you are: Biometrics like fingerprint, face recognition, or iris scan.

WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine

Context: The Ministry of Ayush has signed an agreement with WHO to co-host the 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in New Delhi, December 2025.

About the WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine

• A global platform to promote the role of traditional medicine in health and sustainable development.
• Host: Co-hosted by the Ministry of Ayush and the World Health Organization (WHO).
• 2025 Theme: Restoring balance for people and planet: The science and practice of well-being.
• Objective
• • To advance evidence-based traditional medicine practices, fostering well-being for people and the planet.
  • To bring together experts, policymakers, and stakeholders for knowledge exchange.

First Edition: The 1st WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine was held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, in August 2023, alongside the G20 Health Ministers’ Meeting.

World Food India (WFI) 2025

Context: Recently India hosted  World Food India (WFI) 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

About World Food India

• Introduction: World Food India is the flagship international event of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), first launched in 2017.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI)
• Aim: To position India as a Global Food Hub by fostering innovation, investments, and partnerships across the food value chain.

WFI 2025 Highlights

• The 2025 edition features participation from 90+ countries, 2,000+ exhibitors, and multiple international delegations.
• Partner Countries: New Zealand and Saudi Arabia.
• Focus Countries: Japan, UAE, Vietnam, and Russia are designated as Focus Countries, reflecting India’s global outreach in food processing.
• International Events
  • 3rd Global Food Regulators Summit (FSSAI)
  • 24th India International Seafood Show (SEAI).

Strategic Importance

• Economic Strength: India is the largest producer of milk, onions, pulses and the second largest in rice, wheat, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables, and eggs.
• Investment Growth: The food processing sector attracted USD 7.33 billion FDI inflow in the past decade, supported by 100% FDI policy.
• Vision 2047 Link: WFI 2025 aligns with Viksit Bharat 2047, advancing sustainability, innovation, farmer income growth, and global food security

DOWNLOAD PDF