Prelims Current Affairs includes 700 MW Tato-II Hydro Electric Project in Shi Yomi district, NASA’s Orbiting Carbon Observatories (OCO) program, Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has reported that as of 2023-24, semiconductor manufacturing projects in Odisha, Union Health Secretary launched the State Health Regulatory Excellence Index and Bibi Fatima Women’s Self-Help Group (SHG).

SPACE

1. ORBITING CARBON OBSERVATORIES (OCO) PROGRAM

Current Context: The Trump administration has recently proposed shutting down NASA’s Orbiting Carbon Observatories (OCO) program.

ABOUT OCO PROGRAM

• Purpose: Dedicated Earth remote sensing satellites to observe atmospheric CO₂ from space and improve understanding of climate change.

Missions Timeline:

• OCO-1: Failed after launch (Feb 2009)

• OCO-2: Launched (July 2014), based on original OCO design to minimize cost and time

• OCO-3: Installed on International Space Station (ISS) in 2019 for enhanced atmospheric CO₂ observations

Significance:

• Provides high-resolution maps of plant growth globally

• Applications in agriculture, drought monitoring, rangeland management, and forest mapping

• Used by the US Department of Agriculture and private agricultural consulting companies for crop yield forecasts and drought tracking

ECONOMY

2. CESS

Current Context: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has reported that as of 2023-24, the Central Government has failed to transfer ₹3.69 lakh crore worth of cess collections to their designated funds.

ABOUT CESS

• Definition: A cess is a tax on tax levied for a specific purpose until the required funds are collected.
  Example: Swachh Bharat Cess for cleanliness drives

Key Features:

• Paid by the public, added to their basic tax liability

• Imposed over and above existing taxes

Difference from Regular Taxes:

• Collection & Use:

  • Taxes like income tax → kept in Consolidated Fund of India (CFI) and used for any purpose

  • Cess → first credited to CFI, but used only for the specified purpose after parliamentary approval

• Revenue Sharing:

  • Taxes must be shared with states

  • Cess proceeds may or may not be shared with states

POLICY AND PROGRAMME

3. INDIA SEMICONDUCTOR MISSION (ISM)

Current Context: The government approved four more semiconductor manufacturing projects in Odisha, Punjab, and Andhra Pradesh under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM).

ABOUT ISM

• Launched: 2021 under Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY).

• Outlay: ₹76,000 crore under the Semicon India Programme.

• Aim: Develop a robust semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem in India.

Functions:

• Acts as nodal agency for semiconductor manufacturing, packaging, and design.

• Provides financial support and facilitates technology transfer.

Key Schemes:

• Semiconductor Fabs.

• Display Fabs.

• Compound Semiconductors / Silicon Photonics / Sensors Fab and ATMP/OSAT.

• Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme.

INDEX

4. STATE HEALTH REGULATORY EXCELLENCE INDEX (SHRESTH)

Current Context: The Union Health Secretary launched the State Health Regulatory Excellence Index to benchmark and improve state drug regulatory systems.

ABOUT SHRESTH

• Developer: Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO).

• Coverage:

  • 27 indices for manufacturing states.

  • 23 indices for distribution-focused states.

• Themes: Human Resources, Infrastructure, Licensing, Surveillance, Responsiveness.

• Significance:

  • Data-driven monthly scoring.

  • Helps states achieve drug safety and quality assurance.

POLITY

5. TAXATION LAWS (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2025 & INCOME-TAX (NO. 2) BILL, 2025

Current Context: The Lok Sabha passed two bills aiming to simplify and modernise India’s income tax framework.

ABOUT INCOME-TAX BILL, 2025

• Purpose: Replace the complex 1961 Act with simplified provisions.

• Key Features:

  • Broadened deductions (family pension, gratuity).

  • Separate Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT) and Alternate Minimum Tax (AMT) rules.

  • AMT exemption for LLPs with only capital gains income and no deductions claimed.

  • Electronic payment mandate for professionals with receipts above ₹50 crore.

  • Updated definitions for capital asset, micro and small enterprises, beneficial owner.

ABOUT TAXATION LAWS (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2025

• Purpose: Amend Income-tax Act, 1961 and Finance Act, 2025.

• Reforms:

  • Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) with tax exemptions.

  • Direct tax relief to Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.

  • Streamlined rules for pending search case assessments.

AWARDS

6. UNDP EQUATOR INITIATIVE AWARD

Current Context: Bibi Fatima Women’s Self-Help Group (SHG) from a small village in Dharwad district, Karnataka, has won the prestigious Equator Initiative Award for their work in promoting climate-resilient agriculture and biodiversity conservation.

ABOUT UNDP EQUATOR INITIATIVE AWARD

• Presented by: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under its Equator Initiative.

• Frequency: Biennially (once every two years).

• Purpose:

  • Recognise and honour outstanding Indigenous Peoples and local community initiatives.

  • Support efforts addressing land degradation, biodiversity conservation, and livelihood improvement.

• Reputation: Known as the “Nobel Prize for Biodiversity Conservation”.

ABOUT BIBI FATIMA WOMEN’S SELF-HELP GROUP (SHG)

• Location: Dharwad district, Karnataka, India.

• Key Initiatives:

  • Introduced millet-based mixed cropping on rainfed farms.

  • Promoted climate-resilient farming systems.

  • Practised livestock rearing and horticulture.

  • Popularised millets for nutrition and sustainability.

MISC

7. TATO-II HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT

Current Context: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved an investment proposal worth ₹8,146.21 crore for the construction of the 700 MW Tato-II Hydro Electric Project in Shi Yomi district, Arunachal Pradesh.

ABOUT TATO-II HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT

• Location: Siyom River, Shi Yomi district, Arunachal Pradesh

• Type: Run-of-river hydroelectric project

• Capacity: Total 700 MW (4 turbines × 175 MW each)

• Hydro Reservoir Capacity: 56 million cubic meters

• Expected Annual Generation: 2,738.06 million units of energy

Benefits:

• Improves power supply in Arunachal Pradesh

• Helps balance the national grid

State Benefits:

• 12% free power to Arunachal Pradesh

• Additional 1% for Local Area Development Fund (LADF)

Implementation: Joint venture between NEEPCO and Government of Arunachal Pradesh

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