Nepal Joins International Big Cat Alliance

What’s the News?

• Nepal has officially become a member of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), an India-led initiative.
• The alliance aims at collaborative conservation of seven big cat species: tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma, jaguar, and cheetah.
• Nepal’s membership strengthens regional cooperation, especially in the conservation of tigers and snow leopards, which are significant to its Himalayan ecosystem.

International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)

• Launched by India to mobilize global resources and expertise for big cat conservation.
• Objectives:
  • Strengthen conservation strategies for big cats and their habitats.
  • Enhance research, capacity building, and knowledge sharing across countries.
  • Mobilize financial and technical support for range countries.
• Relevance for Nepal:
  • Nepal hosts tigers (Panthera tigris) in Terai grasslands and snow leopards (Panthera uncia) in high-altitude Himalayan regions.
  • Nepal achieved the tiger population doubling goal (Tx2) ahead of the global deadline.

Additional Info

• Tiger Conservation in Nepal:
  • Tiger population doubled between 2009–2022, reaching over 350 individuals.
  • Major habitats: Chitwan, Bardiya, Banke, Shuklaphanta National Parks.
• Snow Leopard Conservation:
  • Found in Himalayan ranges such as Mustang, Dolpo, Manang.
  • Estimated population: around 300–400.
• International Big Cat Alliance:
  • Proposed by India during its G20 presidency (2023).
  • Headquarters: India.
  • Membership open to all 97 range countries of big cats.
• Related Indian Initiatives:
  • Project Tiger (1973) under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
  • Project Snow Leopard (2009).
  • India hosts 70% of the world’s wild tiger population.

Sources:

• hindustantimes
• abplive
• thehindu

CISF Launches First All-Women Commando Unit

What’s the News?

• The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has begun training its first all‑women commando unit.
• The unit will join Quick Reaction Teams and Special Task Forces, assigned to sensitive installations such as airports and metro systems.

All-Women Commando Unit

• Training Location: Regional Training Centre, Barwaha, Madhya Pradesh.
• Training Details:
  • Duration: 8‑week intensive course. First batch (30 women) training from August 11 to October 4; second batch starting October 6 through November 29.
  • Curriculum includes: weapons handling, live‑fire drills under stress, endurance runs, obstacle courses, rappelling, forest survival skills, plus a 48‑hour confidence‑building exercise to assess decision‑making and team coordination under simulated hostile conditions.
• Initial Cohort: Approximately 100 women from the Aviation Security Group and other sensitive CISF units will complete the programme in this phase.
• Objective: Make this course a regular feature in CISF’s training calendar to expand women’s role in core operational capacities.

Additional Info

• Central Industrial Security Force (CISF):
  • One of India's seven Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
  • Established in 1969 to provide security to Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).
  • Its motto is "Protection and Security" (Sanrakshan aur Suraksha).
  • Its mandate has expanded to include securing airports, the Delhi Metro, government buildings, heritage monuments, and other vital installations.
• Historical Context of Women in CAPFs:
  • Women allowed in CISF in supervisory roles only since 1992. Subsequently expanded to combat roles via direct recruitment and officer entry through UPSC. As of mid‑2010s, 33 % reservation at constabulary level was introduced for CISF and CRPF.
  • Other all‑women operational units exist, such as CRPF’s Danteshwari Ladake (anti‑Naxal) and earlier female commandos in NSG/SPG.

Sources:

• newsonair
• morungexpress
• hindustantimes

Bhubaneswar to Host National Conference on SC/ST Welfare

What’s the News?

• Bhubaneswar will host the National Conference of Chairpersons of Committees on Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
• This marks the first time the conference is held outside New Delhi.
• Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will inaugurate the event, featuring an exhibition and souvenir release.

Role of Parliamentary and Legislature Committees in Welfare of SCs & STs

• Scope and Theme: "Role of Parliamentary and Legislature Committees in Welfare, Development and Empowerment of SCs and STs".
• Goals:
  • Strengthen constitutional safeguards
  • Enhance socio-economic development
  • Enable accountability in welfare policy implementation
  • Share best practices across states and union territories
  • Align with vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047

Additional Info

• Constitutional Provisions for SCs and STs:
  • Article 15(4): Enables the state to make special provisions for the advancement of any socially and educationally backward classes, including SCs and STs.
  • Article 17: Abolishes "Untouchability" and forbids its practice in any form.
  • Article 46: Mandates that the state shall promote, with special care, the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections, particularly SCs and STs, and protect them from social injustice and exploitation.
  • Article 330 & Article 332: Provide for the reservation of seats for SCs and STs in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, respectively.
  • Article 338 & Article 338A: Deal with the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, respectively, which are constitutional bodies to safeguard their interests.
• Key Government Initiatives:
  • Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub Plan (TSP): Strategies to ensure a targeted flow of funds and benefits from various government departments to SC and ST communities.
  • Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY): An initiative for the integrated development of villages with a significant SC population.
  • Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme: A major educational intervention for SC students, aiming to reduce dropout rates and promote higher education.

Sources:

• ddnews
• pragativadi
• theorissatoday

IREDA Sets ₹8,200 Crore Revenue Target for FY 26

What’s the News?

• Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) has entered a performance-based MoU with Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE).
• The revenue target for FY 2025‑26 is set at ₹8,200 crore.
• In the previous fiscal (FY 2024‑25), IREDA exceeded its target—achieved ₹6,743.32 crore against a target of ₹5,957 crore.

IREDA’s FY 26 Target & Strategic Goals

• Revenue Growth: Target reflects over 21% increase from FY 25 actual.
• Performance Metrics Included in MoU:
  • Return on Net Worth (RoNW)
  • Return on Capital Employed (RoCE)
  • Non‑Performing Assets (NPA) to Total Loans ratio
  • Asset Turnover Ratio
  • Earnings Before EBITDA
• Track Record:
  • "Excellent" MoU performance rating for four consecutive years since FY 2020‑21.
  • In FY 2023‑24 MoU ranking, rated top among NBFC and power sector entities, and among the top four CPSEs across sectors.
• Latest Results (Q1 FY 26):
  • Revenue rose 29% year-on-year to ₹1,947.60 crore, which is ~23% of the full-year target.
  • Gross NPA increased, but detailed figures available in statements.

Additional Info

• About IREDA:
  • A Mini Ratna (Category–I) and a Navratna Public Sector Enterprise under the administrative control of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
  • Established in 1987 as a Non-Banking Financial Institution (NBFI).
  • Its primary objective is to promote, develop, and extend financial assistance for projects related to new and renewable sources of energy and energy efficiency.
• Related Government Initiatives for Renewable Energy:
  • National Green Hydrogen Mission: Aims to make India a global hub for the production, usage, and export of green hydrogen and its derivatives.
  • PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana: Provides financial assistance and subsidies to households for installing rooftop solar panels, aiming to provide free electricity.
  • PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan): Encourages farmers to use solar energy for irrigation by providing subsidies for solar pumps and allowing them to sell surplus power to the grid.
  • Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO): A mandate requiring electricity distribution companies to purchase a certain percentage of their power from renewable energy sources.

Sources:

• moneycontrol
• upstox
• cnbctv18

RBI Governor Flags Global Uncertainty, Emphasises Monetary Policy's Role

What’s the News?

• RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra highlighted global economic fragility due to trade frictions, geopolitical tensions, and supply chain disruptions, creating heightened risks for India.
• He emphasised the monetary policy’s dual mandate: preserving macroeconomic stability while supporting growth.
• He urged the economy to “push the frontiers of growth”, by responding rapidly to challenges and seizing opportunities.

Monetary Policy & Strategic Outlook

• The RBI maintains a neutral policy stance with the repo rate at 5.5%.
• The RBI commits to maintaining ample liquidity, reinforcing its role as a growth enabler.
• In view of 50% US tariffs, the RBI stands ready to mitigate external shocks including exploring trade in local currencies and bolstering financial resilience.

Additional Info

• Reserve Bank of India (RBI):
  • India's central bank, established on April 1, 1935, under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.
  • It is a key institution in the Indian financial system, responsible for regulating monetary policy, issuing currency, and managing the country's foreign exchange reserves.
• Monetary Policy Committee (MPC):
  • A statutory body constituted under Section 45ZB of the RBI Act, 1934.
  • The MPC is responsible for setting the benchmark interest rate (Repo Rate) to achieve the inflation target.
  • Its primary objective is to maintain price stability while keeping in mind the objective of growth. The current inflation target is 4%, with a tolerance band of +/- 2%.
  • The committee consists of six members: three from the RBI (including the Governor as the ex-officio Chairperson) and three external members appointed by the Central Government.
• Key Monetary Policy Tools:
  • Repo Rate: The rate at which the RBI lends short-term funds to commercial banks. It is the primary tool for influencing liquidity and inflation.
  • Reverse Repo Rate: The rate at which the RBI borrows funds from banks.
  • Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR): The percentage of a bank's total deposits that must be maintained as cash reserves with the RBI.
  • Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR): The percentage of a bank’s deposits that must be maintained in liquid assets like government securities, cash, or gold.

Sources:

• newindianexpress
• economictimes