Odisha Cabinet Approves Bovine Breeding (Regulation) Bill, 2026

What’s the News?

• The Odisha Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, approved the draft Odisha Bovine Breeding (Regulation) Bill, 2026.
• The Bill aims to regulate cattle and buffalo breeding services, improve milk productivity, conserve indigenous breeds and protect livestock farmers.
• The proposed legislation will be introduced in the State Legislative Assembly and implemented in phases after enactment and notification.

Provisions of the Bill

Odisha Bovine Breeding Regulatory Authority

• A proposed authority responsible for registration, certification, quality monitoring and enforcement of breeding standards.
• Mandatory registration for semen stations, semen banks, Artificial Insemination (AI) centres, AI technicians and Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) establishments.
• Only registered AI technicians or registered veterinary practitioners will be permitted to provide artificial insemination services.
• Powers to conduct inspections, quality testing, corrective actions and impose penalties for violations.

State Digital Livestock Breeding Registry

A proposed digital platform for:

• Animal identification and pedigree recording.
• Parentage verification.
• Monitoring breeding outcomes and genetic performance.

Odisha Bovine Genetic Improvement Fund

A proposed fund to support:

• Genetic improvement and conservation of indigenous breeds.
• Adoption of modern breeding technologies.
• Research and capacity-building programmes.

Advanced Breeding Technologies

• Regulation of sex-sorted semen, In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) and embryo transfer technologies.
• Quality assurance and traceability of semen, embryos and other breeding materials.

Objectives of the Bill

• Improve cattle and buffalo productivity and increase milk production.
• Protect farmers against substandard breeding materials and unauthorised services.
• Enhance farmers' incomes and strengthen livestock-based livelihoods.
• Support milk production targets under the Viksit Odisha vision.

Additional Info

Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM)

• Launched in 2014 by the Ministry of Agriculture's then Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries.
• Currently implemented by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
• Objectives:
  • Development and conservation of indigenous bovine breeds.
  • Genetic improvement of cattle and buffaloes.
  • Enhancement of milk production through artificial insemination, sex-sorted semen and IVF.
• Revised outlay: ₹3,400 crore for the 2021–22 to 2025–26 period.

Sources

• The Times of India
• Sambad English

India Bans Export of Lithium-Ion Battery Black Mass

What’s the News?

• The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has prohibited the export of Lithium-Ion Battery Black Mass with immediate effect.
• The export policy under ITC (HS) Code 85491400 has been changed from ‘Free’ to ‘Prohibited’ until further orders.
• The move aims to strengthen domestic battery recycling, recover critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel and manganese, and reduce India's import dependence.

What is Lithium-Ion Battery Black Mass?

• Black Mass is a powdery material obtained by shredding end-of-life lithium-ion batteries and battery manufacturing waste.
• It contains recoverable critical minerals, including:
  • Lithium: Used in rechargeable batteries.
  • Cobalt and Nickel: Used in certain battery cathodes.
  • Manganese: Used in battery cathode materials.
  • Graphite: Used primarily in battery anodes.
• These materials can be recovered through recycling processes such as hydrometallurgy and pyrometallurgy.

Features of the Export Ban

• Regulatory Authority: Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).
• Notification: No. 49/2026-27.
• ITC (HS) Code: 85491400.
• Export Status: Changed from Free to Prohibited until further orders.
• Coverage: Specified unsorted waste and scrap of primary cells, batteries and electric accumulators that do not contain lead, cadmium or mercury.
• Transitional provisions under Paragraph 1.05 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023 remain applicable.

Additional Info

National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM)

• Approved in 2025 to strengthen India's critical mineral supply chains.
• Total expenditure: ₹34,300 crore over seven years, comprising ₹16,300 crore in government expenditure and ₹18,000 crore in expected investments by PSUs and other entities.
• Focuses on mineral exploration, mining, processing, recycling and overseas acquisition of critical mineral assets.

Critical Mineral Recycling Incentive Scheme

• Outlay: ₹1,500 crore.
• Duration: Six years (FY 2025–26 to FY 2030–31).
• Implemented by the Ministry of Mines under NCMM.
• Supports recovery of critical minerals from spent lithium-ion batteries, electronic waste and other scrap materials.
• Provides incentives for establishing new recycling units and expanding existing facilities.

Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)

• Parent Ministry: Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Responsible for implementing India's Foreign Trade Policy and regulating imports and exports.
• Functions under the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992.

Sources

• Firstpost
• ET Manufacturing

Union Cabinet Extends Stand-Up India Scheme Until 2031

What’s the News?

• The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the extension of the Stand-Up India Scheme for five years, until March 2031.
• The government has approved a ₹4,111 crore credit guarantee corpus to support entrepreneurship among women, Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).
• The extension aims to provide financial assistance to at least 2.5 lakh additional entrepreneurs over five years.
• Since its launch in 2016, the scheme has facilitated loans to more than 2.75 lakh entrepreneurs.

Stand-Up India Scheme?

• Launched: 2016.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Finance (Department of Financial Services).
• Objective: Promote entrepreneurship among women, SCs and STs by facilitating institutional credit for greenfield enterprises.
• Loan Amount: Above ₹10 lakh and up to ₹1 crore.
• Eligible Sectors: Manufacturing, services, trading and agriculture-allied activities.
• Bank Coverage: Aims to facilitate at least one loan to an SC/ST entrepreneur and one to a woman entrepreneur per bank branch.

Features of the Extended Scheme

• Loan Coverage: Up to 85% of the project cost through term loans or composite loans (term loan and working capital).
• Credit Guarantee: 85% of the loan amount, reducing lending institutions' risk.
• Guarantee Fee: Standardised at 0.50%, without an additional risk premium.
• Financial Support: ₹4,111 crore credit guarantee corpus.
• Beneficiary Target: At least 2.5 lakh additional entrepreneurs over five years.

Additional Info

Eligibility and Repayment

• Minimum Age: 18 years.
• Greenfield Enterprise: A first-time venture in the eligible sectors.
• Non-Individual Enterprises:
  • At least 51% shareholding and controlling stake must be held by a woman or SC/ST entrepreneur.
• Repayment Period: Up to 7 years, including a moratorium of up to 18 months.
• Borrower's Contribution: At least 10% of the project cost.

Institutional Support

• SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of India):
  • Provides support for enterprise development and facilitates the scheme's digital portal.
• National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company (NCGTC):
  • Administers the Credit Guarantee Fund for Stand-Up India.
• Stand-Up Mitra Portal:
  • Provides guidance on loan applications, training and entrepreneurial support.

Sources

• The Economic Times
• The Hindu BusinessLine

Goa Tops Access Equality Index 2026

What’s the News?

• Goa has secured the top position in the Access Equality Index (AEI) 2026, with a score of 0.68, followed by Andhra Pradesh (0.66) and Sikkim (0.63).
• The index was developed by the Centre for New Economics Studies (CNES) at O.P. Jindal Global University.
• It evaluates 28 Indian states based on equitable access to essential services, infrastructure and socio-economic opportunities.

Access Equality Index 2026?

• Published by: Centre for New Economics Studies (CNES), O.P. Jindal Global University.
• Objective: Assess inequalities in access to essential services and opportunities across states.
• Coverage: 28 states, using 60 indicators across 23 categories.
• Methodology: Five equally weighted dimensions:
  1. Basic Infrastructure: Drinking water, sanitation, housing and clean energy.
  2. Healthcare: Availability and accessibility of healthcare services.
  3. Education: Access to educational facilities and opportunities.
  4. Socio-economic Security: Employment, banking, insurance and pensions.
  5. Legal Services: Access to legal assistance and justice.
• The index considers affordability, geographical accessibility, service availability and quality, while examining rural-urban, caste and gender disparities.

Findings

• Andhra Pradesh emerged as the highest-ranked major state and topped the socio-economic security dimension with a score of 0.69, followed by Goa (0.50).
• Despite ranking 13th in per capita income, Andhra Pradesh secured second position in overall access equality.

Additional Info

Access (In)Equality Index 2021

• The earlier edition was published by CNES at O.P. Jindal Global University.
• Top State: Goa, with a score of 0.67.
• States were classified into three categories:
  • Aspirants: Below 0.33.
  • Achievers: 0.33–0.42.
  • Front-runners: Above 0.42.
• The 2021 and 2026 scores are not directly comparable because of differences in their assessment frameworks.

Constitutional Provisions

• Article 21A: Free and compulsory education for children aged 6–14 years.
• Article 39A: Equal justice and free legal aid.
• Article 47: Duty of the State to improve nutrition, living standards and public health.
• Article 37: Directive Principles of State Policy are non-justiciable but fundamental to governance.

National Education Day 2026 Observed on 11 November

What’s the News?

• India observed National Education Day 2026 on 11 November to commemorate the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, independent India's first Education Minister.
• The day highlights the importance of inclusive and quality education, literacy, scientific learning and equal educational opportunities.
• The observance was introduced by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (now Ministry of Education) in 2008 to recognise Azad's contributions to India's education system.

National Education Day?

• Observed: 11 November annually.
• First Observed: 11 November 2008.
• Commemorates: Birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (1888–1958).
• Declared By: Ministry of Human Resource Development (now Ministry of Education).
• First Celebration: Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, inaugurated by then-President Pratibha Devisingh Patil.
• Significance: Promotes universal education, women's education, literacy, technical education and educational equality.
• Educational institutions observe the day through seminars, debates, workshops, quizzes and literacy awareness programmes.

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad?

• Born: 11 November 1888, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia (then part of the Ottoman Empire).
• Died: 22 February 1958.
• Position: First Education Minister of independent India (1947–1958).
• Freedom Movement:
  • Launched the Urdu weekly Al-Hilal in 1912 to promote nationalism and oppose British colonial rule.
  • Participated in the Non-Cooperation and Khilafat movements.
  • Served as Indian National Congress President in 1923 and 1940–1946.
  • Advocated Hindu-Muslim unity and opposed India's Partition.
• Award: Posthumously conferred the Bharat Ratna in 1992.

Major Contributions to Education

• Universal Education: Advocated free and compulsory education for children up to 14 years, women's education and vocational training.
• Higher Education:
  • IIT Kharagpur (1951): India's first Indian Institute of Technology.
  • University Grants Commission (UGC): Inaugurated in 1953; attained statutory status under the UGC Act, 1956.
• Cultural Institutions:
  • Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) – 1950.
  • Sangeet Natak Akademi – 1953.
  • Sahitya Akademi – 1954.
  • Lalit Kala Akademi – 1954.

Additional Info

Constitutional Provisions

• Article 21A: Free and compulsory education for children aged 6–14 years.
• Article 45: Early childhood care and education for children below six years.
• Article 51A(k): Fundamental duty of parents or guardians to provide educational opportunities to children aged 6–14 years.
• 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976: Transferred education from the State List to the Concurrent List.

National Education Policy (NEP) 2020

• Replaced the 10+2 structure with the 5+3+3+4 curricular structure.
• Targets 100% Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in school education by 2030.
• Aims to increase GER in higher education to 50% by 2035.
• Recommends public investment in education reaching 6% of GDP.

Sources

• The Indian Express
• Moneycontrol

Iran Designates Argentine Navy and Air Force as Terrorist Organisations

What’s the News?

• Iran's Foreign Ministry has designated the Argentine Navy and Argentine Air Force as terrorist organisations in a reciprocal response to Argentina's designation of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation.
• Argentina, under President Javier Milei, had designated the IRGC over its alleged support for Lebanon-based Hezbollah.
• Iran invoked its 2019 countermeasure law and warned Argentina of consequences arising from the dispute.
• Argentina's Foreign Ministry rejected Iran's designation, further escalating diplomatic tensions between the two countries.

Why Did Iran Take This Action?

• Reciprocal Designation: Iran responded to Argentina's decision to classify the IRGC as a terrorist organisation.
• Legal Basis: Iran invoked its 2019 law allowing countermeasures against countries supporting the designation of Iranian military forces as terrorist organisations.
• Scope: The designation covers Argentina's Navy and Air Force but excludes its Army.
• Immediate Impact: The move has intensified bilateral tensions, although its practical consequences remain unclear.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)?

• Established: 1979, following the Iranian Revolution.
• Country: Iran.
• Objective: Safeguard Iran's Islamic political system and the achievements of the 1979 Revolution.
• Constitutional Status: Recognised under Article 150 of Iran's Constitution.
• Components:
  • Quds Force: Responsible for external operations.
  • Basij: A volunteer paramilitary organisation involved in internal security and mobilisation.
• The IRGC operates separately from Iran's regular military and holds significant influence over the country's security and economy.

Additional Info

Iran–Argentina Historical Tensions

• 1992 Israeli Embassy Bombing:
  • Occurred in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • Killed 29 people.
• 1994 AMIA Bombing:
  • Targeted the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association (AMIA) Jewish community centre in Buenos Aires.
  • Killed 85 people and injured hundreds.
  • Argentina has attributed responsibility to Hezbollah and Iranian officials, allegations Iran has denied.

Similar Action Against the United Kingdom

• Iran also designated the British Royal Navy and Royal Air Force as terrorist organisations.
• It classified the British intelligence agency MI6 as a hostile organisation.
• The move followed the UK's designation of the IRGC as a terrorist organisation.

Sources

• Reuters
• The Economic Times