Poshan Pakhwada 2025: Advancing Nutrition & Childcare Initiatives

• Poshan Pakhwada 2025 is the 7th edition of a high-priority campaign under the Poshan Abhiyaan, a flagship initiative launched in 2018 to improve nutrition among women and children.
• The campaign is led by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) and is observed from April 8 to April 22, 2025.
• It focuses on combating malnutrition across India, making it a vital aspect of current government policies and a frequent topic in competitive exam papers.

Key Themes and Strategies

• Maternal and Infant Nutrition:

  • Emphasis is on the first 1000 days (from conception to a child’s second birthday), a critical window for brain and body development.
  • Proper nutrition during this period is fundamental for long-term physical and mental health.

• Digital Innovation:

  • Promotion of the AI-enabled Poshan Tracker app which enables real-time monitoring of nutritional services across Anganwadi centres.
  • Beneficiaries can register via a web application to track progress, reflecting the government’s focus on integrating technology into public service delivery.

• Community-Based Management of Malnutrition (CMAM):

  • The campaign incorporates protocols for early detection and treatment of acute malnutrition at the grassroots level.

• Healthy Lifestyle Initiatives:

  • Alongside addressing undernutrition, there is a strong focus on preventing childhood obesity through the advocacy of healthy dietary practices and lifestyle changes.

    Childcare Initiatives: The Palna Scheme

• Palna Scheme is part of the childcare support measures under the Samarthya sub-scheme of Mission Shakti.
• The scheme provides quality créche services for children aged six months to six years, aiming to:

  • Support working mothers in balancing employment with childcare responsibilities.
  • Facilitate daycare, early stimulation, preschool education, nutritional meals, growth monitoring, and immunization services.

• This initiative not only supports childcare but also contributes to early childhood development, a subject often highlighted in exams.

  Government Outreach and Collaborative Efforts

• Community Outreach:

  • Initiatives include village camps, home visits, and educational drives designed to engage local communities and raise awareness about nutrition.

• High-Level Involvement:

  • Union Minister Annpurna Devi will visit Arunachal Pradesh during the campaign to assess nutrition initiatives in remote and tribal areas.
  • Minister of State Savitri Thakur will inaugurate the event through a webcast, addressing Anganwadi workers and state department officials.

• Inter-Ministerial Coordination:

  • The campaign is notable for its collaborative approach, involving 18 partner Ministries and various state departments, ensuring a comprehensive and coordinated effort.

POSHAN Abhiyaan

POSHAN Abhiyaan, also known as the National Nutrition Mission, is the Government of India's flagship program aimed at improving nutritional outcomes for children, adolescents, pregnant women, and lactating mothers. Launched on March 8, 2018, the mission seeks to address malnutrition through a targeted and time-bound approach.

Key Objectives:

• Reduce Stunting:​ Prevent and reduce stunting in children aged 0-6 years.
• Address Under-nutrition:​ Prevent and reduce under-nutrition (underweight prevalence) in children aged 0-6 years.
• Combat Anemia:​ Reduce the prevalence of anemia among young children (6-59 months), women, and adolescent girls aged 15-49 years.
• Reduce Low Birth Weight (LBW):​ Aim to decrease the incidence of low birth weight among newborns. ​

Background:

Despite the existence of various schemes targeting nutrition, India faced high levels of malnutrition due to a lack of synergy among these programs. POSHAN Abhiyaan was initiated to create a robust convergence mechanism, ensuring effective service delivery and addressing malnutrition comprehensively.

Implementation Strategy:

• Convergence:​ Integrate multiple ministries and programs to work collaboratively towards common nutritional goals.
• Technology Integration: Utilize technology for real-time monitoring and data-driven decision-making to enhance service delivery.
• Behavioral Change Communication (BCC): Promote awareness and behavioral changes regarding nutrition through mass campaigns and community engagement. ​ Sources
• ddnews
• outlookindia

One State-One RRB: Streamlining Rural Banking for Enhanced Efficiency

Key Highlights of the Initiative

• Policy Objective:

  • One State-One RRB is a government reform aimed at amalgamating multiple RRBs within a single state or region into one consolidated entity.
  • The goal is to enhance operational efficiency, achieve cost rationalisation, and improve access to modern technology-driven services.

• Scope & Coverage:

  • The latest consolidation phase has notified the amalgamation of 26 RRBs, which will reduce the total number of RRBs from 43 to 28.
  • The process covers RRBs operating in 10 states and 1 Union Territory (or 11 regions overall), including key states like Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
  • The effective date for this consolidation is slated for May 1, 2025.

• Legal & Operational Framework:

  • The consolidation is carried out under the powers conferred by Section 23A(1) of the Regional Rural Banks Act, 1976.
  • Each unified RRB post-merger will have an authorized capital of Rs. 2,000 crore.
  • This phase follows earlier consolidation rounds, where the number of RRBs was reduced from 196 (in Phase-I: FY 2006–2010) to 82, then 56 (in Phase-II: FY 2013–2015), and 43 (in Phase-III: FY 2019–2021).

    Benefits and Insights

• Enhanced Efficiency & Financial Inclusion:

  • Scale Efficiency: Consolidation helps in streamlining operations across over 22,000 branches serving around 700 districts, predominantly in rural and semi-urban areas.
  • Cost Rationalisation: With reduced duplication of functions and improved allocation of resources, the consolidated RRBs are expected to operate more cost-effectively.

• Improved Capital and Technological Capabilities:

  • Post-merger entities benefit from a stronger capital base and the adoption of better digital banking solutions, aligning with the government’s intent to modernize rural banking.

• Stronger Operational Framework:

  • The initiative minimizes competition among sponsoring public sector banks and optimizes resource use by creating larger, well-capitalized regional banks.
  • Stakeholder Consultation: The decision followed extensive consultations initiated in November 2024 with state governments, sponsor banks, and other key stakeholders.

Sources

• ddnews
• economictimes
• theprint

10 Years of MUDRA: A Decade of Financial Empowerment

Key Highlights

• Inception & Objective:

  • Launched in April 2015, the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY) was designed to provide collateral-free loans to micro and small enterprises.
  • The scheme’s core objective is to empower budding entrepreneurs and foster financial inclusion, especially among traditionally underrepresented groups.

• Celebration & Presidential Accolades:

  • Marking its 10th anniversary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated the success of the initiative, emphasizing how it has turned several dreams into reality.
  • The PM highlighted stories of beneficiaries who, with the support of MUDRA, have grown from small-scale ventures to thriving enterprises.

    Achievements & Socio-Economic Impact

• Loan Disbursement & Scale:

  • Over the past decade, over 52 crore loans have been disbursed, amounting to a total credit of around Rs.33 lakh crore.
  • The scheme has provided an accessible funding source that has catalyzed grassroots entrepreneurship and radical economic transformation.

• Empowerment of Marginalized Communities:

  • More than 70% of beneficiaries are women, highlighting the scheme’s role in uplifting female entrepreneurs.
  • A significant portion of the loans has reached individuals from SC, ST, and OBC communities, furthering the cause of social inclusion.

• Boosting Employment & Economic Growth:

  • MUDRA has not only supported the expansion of micro-enterprises but also contributed to job creation and enhanced the overall socio-economic fabric of the nation.
  • Beneficiaries have shared inspiring accounts—from small shop owners expanding their operations to innovative start-ups creating local employment opportunities.

    Structural & Operational Framework

• Loan Categories:

  • To cater to various stages of an enterprise, loans under MUDRA are segmented into three categories:

    • Shishu: For startups and very small businesses.
    • Kishor: For expanding micro-enterprises.
    • Tarun: For established businesses aiming for further growth.

• Implementation & Oversight:

  • The scheme is executed under the aegis of the Ministry of Finance with MUDRA Ltd. acting as the implementation agency.
  • A wide network of financial institutions—including public and private banks, regional rural banks, and microfinance institutions—ensures smooth and accessible credit delivery.

Sources

• ddnews
• ddnews
• ndtv

Supreme Court Blasts Governor’s Inaction: Bills Deemed Passed

Background & Context

• Incident Overview:

  • Governor RN Ravi reserved 10 bills—included amendments affecting university governance and other legislative measures—for the President’s assent even after they were re-passed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly.
  • The move created a deadlock, leaving several state universities without vice-chancellors (VCs) and hampering smooth legislative functioning.

• Political & Constitutional Concern:

  • The state's elected government argued that the Governor’s inaction was an attempt to thwart the democratic mandate and delay the legislative process.
  • These standoff highlighted wider issues concerning the powers and responsibilities of Governors under the Indian Constitution.

    Supreme Court Judgment: Key Points

• Ruling on Gubernatorial Inaction:

  • The Supreme Court ruled that the Governor’s decision to reserve the 10 bills was illegal and arbitrary.
  • The judgment deemed that once the bills were re-presented by the Assembly, they should be considered as having received assent on that very day, nullifying any subsequent action to withhold consent.

• Constitutional Clarifications:

  • The Court underscored that a Governor does not possess a veto power over bills passed by the state legislature.
  • It reiterated that the Governor is constitutionally obligated to decide in a timely manner and adhere to the established procedures under Article 200 of the Constitution.

• Timelines Established:

  • The judgment laid down specific timelines for the Governor's action:

    • Withholding assent with advice: Action must be taken within one month.
    • Other modalities of withholding are clearly delineated to ensure that indecision does not stall the legislative process.

• Implications for State Governance:

  • This decision reaffirms the primacy of the state legislature and curbs any attempts to use the Governor's office to create legislative roadblocks.
  • Chief Minister M. K. Stalin and the Tamil Nadu government hailed the verdict as a historic restoration of democratic norms and a victory over gubernatorial overreach.

Source

• thehindu

Indigenous EV Wireless Chargers: Accelerating Green Mobility

Breakthrough Charging Technology:

• Indigenous EV wireless chargers have been developed that can charge up to 90% of an electric vehicle's battery in 3 hours.
• The technology is based on a 1.5 kW wireless charger design, operating on standard 230V, 50Hz AC single-phase power supply.
• It achieves a high efficiency of 89.4%, even with a coil separation ranging from 7.5 to 12.5 cm.

  Innovative Engineering & Development:

• The charger is the result of collaborative research by CDAC and VNIT Nagpur.
• Advanced Silicon Carbide-based MOSFETs are used to enhance performance and reliability, serving as a testament to India's growing prowess in power electronics.

  Commercialisation & Industry Collaboration:

• The transfer of technology (ToT) has been successfully executed, with the technology now in the hands of Global Business Solution Pvt. Ltd. for commercial development.
• Key agreements, such as Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), have been signed with various industry players to ensure a robust commercialization roadmap.

  Policy Framework & National Goals:

• This initiative falls under the ambit of the National Mission on Power Electronics Technology (NaMPET), spearheaded by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
• It aligns with the government’s flagship campaigns, Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat, emphasizing the drive for indigenisation and reduced import dependency.

Source

• newsonair

Defence Ministry Signs ₹2,385 Cr Deal with BEL for Mi-17 V5 EW Suites

Contract Value & Stakeholders:

• The Ministry of Defence has signed a contract worth ₹2,385.36 crore.
• The deal is with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a public sector enterprise known for its critical role in indigenous defence production.

  Scope of the Deal:

• The contract covers the acquisition and installation of advanced Electronic Warfare (EW) suites and aircraft modification kits.
• The EW suites are designed to significantly improve the operational survivability of the Mi-17 V5 helicopters in hostile environments.

  Strategic and Operational Importance:

• The EW suites empower the helicopters to detect, intercept, disrupt, deceive, or deny the enemy’s use of the electromagnetic spectrum.
• By enhancing the helicopters’ countermeasure capabilities, the initiative strengthens the overall combat readiness of the Indian Air Force.

  Indigenous Focus:

• The project falls under the Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) (IDDM) category.
• A majority of the sub-assemblies and components will be sourced from domestic manufacturers, including active participation from MSMEs.

Source

• newsonair

Bengal’s Traditional Treasures Get GI Tag

GI Tag Award:

• West Bengal has recently received Geographical Indication (GI) tags for seven traditional products.
• The GI tag serves as an official certification, ensuring products are recognized for their unique regional characteristics and heritage.

  Products Recognized:

• Nolen Gurer Sandesh:

  • A signature winter sweet made from fresh chhena (curdled milk) and the prized nolen gur (date palm jaggery).
  • Known for its caramel-like flavor and golden hue, it holds a cherished spot in Bengali culinary tradition.

• Baruipur Guavas: Celebrated for their unique taste and region-specific cultivation methods.
• Kamarpukur’s White Bonde: A traditional sweet that reflects the region’s culinary craftsmanship.
• Murshidabad’s Chhanabora: An indigenous product recognized for its distinctive preparation techniques.
• Bishnupur’s Motichur Laddoo: Known for its melt-in-the-mouth texture, a popular delicacy in the region.
• Radhunipagal Rice: A unique rice variety grown in a defined geographical area with specific agro-climatic conditions.
• Malda’s Nistari Silk Yarn: A traditional silk textile product esteemed for its quality and handcrafted excellence.

Source

• ndtv

NTPC Talcher Kaniha Achieves 100% Ash Utilization

Achievement Overview:

• NTPC Talcher Kaniha, a Super Thermal Power Station with a capacity of 3010 MW, has reached 100% ash utilization for the financial year 2024-25.
• This milestone is a major environmental accomplishment, aimed at minimizing ash storage in ash ponds and promoting effective resource utilization.

  Ash Utilization Details:

• The power station has achieved a total ash utilization of 67 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) during the current financial year—a 43.2% increase from the previous year.
• Non-dyke ash utilization stands at 45%, indicating the station’s commitment to reducing environmental impact while enhancing the use of ash in industrial and infrastructural applications.

  Utilization Applications:

• Fly ash is being supplied for national infrastructure projects such as:

  • Road construction
  • Soil conservation
  • Manufacturing of ash-based products

• Major projects benefiting include road works on corridors like Cuttack-Angul (NH55), Duburi-Chandikhol-Balasore (NH53), Chandikhol-Paradip (NH53), Berhampur Bypass (NH59), and Khordha Bypass (NH57).

Source

• psuwatch

BJP Tops Donation Charts: ₹2,243 Crore in FY 2023-24

Key Highlights

• BJP Leads in Donations:

  • The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) declared receiving ₹2,243.94 crore in donations during the financial year 2023-24.
  • This amount accounts for 88% of the total donations received by all national parties combined.

• Comparison with Other Parties:

  • The Indian National Congress (INC) came second, receiving ₹281.48 crore.
  • Other parties, including the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Communist Party of India (Marxist), reported significantly smaller amounts.
  • The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), consistent with its filings for the past 18 years, declared zero donations above ₹20,000.

• Corporate Dominance in Donations:

  • Corporate and business entities contributed ₹2,262.55 crore, making up 88.92% of the total donations.
  • Individual donors accounted for ₹270.87 crore, representing 10.64% of the total.

• Top Donors:

  • The Prudent Electoral Trust emerged as the largest donor, contributing ₹880 crore, of which ₹723.68 crore went to the BJP.
  • Other notable contributors include Triumph Electoral Trust and Acme Solar Energy Pvt Ltd.

    Trends and Observations

• Sharp Increase in Donations:

  • Total donations to national parties rose by 199% compared to the previous financial year.
  • The BJP’s donations increased by 211.72%, while the Congress saw a 252.18% rise.

• State-Wise Contributions:

  • Delhi was the highest contributor, followed by Gujarat and Maharashtra.

• Delayed Submissions:

  • Despite the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) deadline, most parties, including the BJP and Congress, submitted their reports late.
  • Only the BSP and AAP adhered to the timeline.

Sources

• ptinews