Context: P K Mishra, Principal Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office said that there was a need for reforms in ICAR to have better outcomes and optimum resource use. Key Suggestion: Genetically Modified (GM) Crops The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)

Context: India’s overall import bill for the first eight months of 2024-25, reckoned to have grown 8.35% at $486.73 bn, has been pared by almost 3% to $472.5 bn, as per DGCIS data; the dramatic revisions alarm economists and one calls it ‘statistical harakiri’ Gold Reserve in Central Bank The World Gold Council

Context: ISRO’s to-do list includes the Chandrayaan-4 moon mission, the development of the space station, Bharatiya Antariksha Station, a second mission to Mars, and the maiden Venus Orbiter Mission. The Venus Orbiter Mission The Venus Orbiter Mission, also known as Shukrayaan, is a mission by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to study the planet Venus:

Context: In March 2024, the Sadashivanagar police booked Mr. Yediyurappa under POCSO Act for allegedly sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl on February 2, 2024, at his residence. The case was later transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which chargesheeted Mr. Yediyurappa. The POCSO Act The POCSO Act was enacted on 14th November 2012, addressing offenses of sexual exploitation and abuse of children in India. Problems and Challenges under the POCSO Act: UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ) Q. Examine the main provisions of the National Child Policy and throw light on the status of its implementation. (2016)

Public Distribution System (PDS): A government-owned system that delivers food and other essentials to the poor at a subsidized rate. The PDS is operated by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. Procurement, storage, and transportation of food grains are the Central Government’s responsibilities, while operational aspects are those of the State Governments. Public Distribution System (PDS) Problems & Solutions

The Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 provides rights to people with regard to receiving information from a public authority. The RTI Act came into force on June 15, 2005. The Right to Information (Amendment) Act, 2019 is Act No. 24 of 2019. It was enacted by Parliament on August 1, 2019. The Act amended the Right to Information Act, 2005.  UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ) Q. The Right to Information Act is not all about citizens’ empowerment alone, it essentially redefines the concept of accountability.” Discuss. (2018)

Context: A three Supreme Court judge Bench headed by Justice Surya Kant said the Dam Safety Act, 2021, was “existing on paper” after the State of Kerala argued that “nothing has been done”, including the constitution of a National Committee on Dam Safety. Dam Safety Act, 2021: Need and Features The Salient features of the Dam Safety Act: Problems with the Act: UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs) Prelims Q. On which one of the following rivers is the Tehri Hydropower Complex located? (2008) (a) Alaknanda(b) Bhagirathi(c) Dhauliganga(d) Mandakini Ans: (b) Exp: Mains Q. Suppose the Government of India is thinking of constructing a dam in a mountain valley bound by forests and inhabited by ethnic communities. What rational policy should it resort to in dealing with unforeseen contingencies? (2018) Q. What do you understand by Run-of-river hydroelectricity project? How is it different from any other hydroelectricity project? (2013)

Context: “The country launched the National Green Hydrogen Mission in 2023. Our aim is to make 5 million metric tons of green hydrogen production annually by 2030. As a first step, two green hydrogen hubs will be set up, out of which one is in Visakhapatnam,” PM said. The National Green Hydrogen Mission The National Green Hydrogen Mission is a program that the Government of India launched on January 4, 2023. Green hydrogen can be produced using renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydropower. It can replace fossil fuels in transportation and industry, and provide a reliable source of energy. Other Initiatives Related to Renewable Energy Green Ammonia UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ) Prelims: Q. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles produce one of the following as “exhaust” (2010) (a) NH3 (b) CH4 (c) H2O (d) H2O2 Ans: (c)

Context: India’s first commercial utility-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) will be launched in Delhi. Key Highlights: Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) A battery energy storage system (BESS) is a collection of batteries that stores energy from a power plant or grid, integrating renewable energy sources like solar and wind, stabilizing the grid, reducing carbon emissions, and providing backup power during