Prelims Current Affairs includes National Seeds Corporation, Sj-100 – Indo-Russian Jet Production Pact, Koyla Shakti Dashboard, Cloud Seeding, Guru Charan Yatra, Uttar Pradesh To Get 76th District and Himachal Pradesh Human Development Report 2025.

ORGANISATION

1. NATIONAL SEEDS CORPORATION

Current Context: The Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development inaugurated the National Seeds Corporation’s (NSC) state-of-the-art seed processing plant at Pusa Complex, New Delhi.

ABOUT NATIONAL SEEDS CORPORATION

• Established: 1963

• Administrative Control: Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare

• Status: Schedule ‘B’ – Mini Ratna Category-I Company

• Ownership: Fully owned by the Government of India

Functions of NSC

• Produces and supplies foundation and certified quality seeds to farmers.

• Implements schemes like:

  • National Mission on Oil Seed and Oil Palm (NMOOP)

  • National Food Security Mission (NFSM)

  • Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)

DEFENCE

2. SJ-100 – INDO-RUSSIAN JET PRODUCTION PACT

Current Context: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) signed an MoU for the production of civil commuter aircraft SJ-100 in India.

ABOUT SJ-100

• Origin: Russia (earlier known as Sukhoi Superjet 100)

• Type: Twin-engine, narrow-body, short-haul jet aircraft

• Purpose: Commercial passenger transport

• Seating Capacity: 103 passengers

• Range: 3,530 kilometres

• Production: Over 200 aircraft manufactured; operated by 16 airlines (9 from Russia).

• Features: Low operating cost and capability to function in extreme weather (−55°C to +45°C).

POLICY AND PROGRAMME

3. KOYLA SHAKTI DASHBOARD

Current Context: The Ministry of Coal will soon launch “Koyla Shakti,” a smart coal analytics dashboard in New Delhi to ensure transparency and real-time coal sector monitoring.

ABOUT KOYLA SHAKTI DASHBOARD

• Serves as a unified digital platform integrating real-time data from multiple stakeholders, including:

  • Coal producers and private miners

  • Ministries of Coal, Power, Railways, Finance, Ports & Transport

  • State departments (E-Khanij platforms) and power generation companies

Objective:
To strengthen operational efficiency, coordination, and transparency in coal management.

Key Features:

• Unified visibility: Integration of all coal sector data sources.

• Real-time monitoring: Tracks production, dispatch, and logistics.

• Data-driven policy making: Analytical tools for informed decisions.

• Incident response: Immediate alerts for operational challenges.

• Standardization: Uniform reporting formats.

• Transparency: Visibility for all stakeholders.

• Forecasting: Analytical support for planning and demand estimation.

ENVIRONMENT

4. CLOUD SEEDING

Current Context: A Cessna 206H aircraft recently conducted a cloud seeding trial in Delhi to induce artificial rain amid rising air pollution levels.

ABOUT CLOUD SEEDING

• Weather modification technique that injects seed particles into clouds to increase rainfall.

• Common Agents: Silver iodide, Potassium iodide, Sodium chloride.

• Methods: Dispersal via aircraft or ground-based generators.

Meteorological Requirements:

• Sufficient moisture in clouds.

• Cloud thickness: At least 1 km vertical depth.

• Favourable winds for proper dispersal.

• Strong vertical air currents to enhance cloud development.

HISTORY

5. GURU CHARAN YATRA

Current Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged devotees to have darshan of the sacred ‘Jore Sahib’ during the Guru Charan Yatra from New Delhi to Patna Sahib Gurudwara, commenced on October 23, 2025.

ABOUT GURU CHARAN YATRA

• Jore Sahib: Sacred shoes belonging to Guru Gobind Singh Ji and Mata Sahib Kaur.

• Significance:

  • Deeply revered relics symbolising devotion and the spiritual legacy of Sikh Gurus.

  • Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the 10th Sikh Guru, founded the Khalsa Panth and declared the Guru Granth Sahib as the eternal Guru.

STATE IN NEWS

6. UTTAR PRADESH TO GET 76TH DISTRICT

Current Context: The Uttar Pradesh Government announced the formation of a new district named Kalyan Singh Nagar, carved out of Aligarh and Bulandshahr tehsils — becoming the 76th district of the state.

ABOUT KALYAN SINGH NAGAR

• Named After: Former CM Kalyan Singh (served 1991–92 & 1997–99).

• Purpose: To honour his legacy and improve administrative efficiency.

KALYAN SINGH’S LEGACY:

• Born in Atrauli, Aligarh — his political stronghold.

• Known for contributions to state governance and public welfare.

HIMACHAL NEWS

7. HIMACHAL PRADESH HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2025

Current Context: According to the Himachal Pradesh Human Development Report (HPHDR) 2025, the state has incurred a loss of ₹46,000 crore due to natural disasters over the past five years, leading to a 4% annual decline in GDP.

ABOUT HIMACHAL PRADESH HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2025

• Released by: Government of Himachal Pradesh and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

• Purpose: To assess the state’s progress on human development, economic resilience, and disaster impact.

Key Findings:

• Himachal Pradesh’s Human Development Index (HDI) stands at 0.783, higher than the national average of 0.63.

• Frequent climate-induced disasters such as landslides, flash floods, and erratic rainfall have severely affected economic growth.

• The estimated loss of ₹46,000 crore (2020–2025) caused a 4% GDP reduction.

• Sectors most affected: Agriculture, tourism, and infrastructure.

District-wise HDI Rankings (Top 5):

Lowest HDI: Chamba (0.735)
Best Performing District: Solan (HDI – 0.830)

Impact on Landscape and Economy:

• Increasing flash floods, landslides, and shifting cropping patterns due to climate change have altered the state’s geography.

• Decline in agricultural land, forest degradation, and biodiversity loss noted.

• Around 25% of the state’s land is vulnerable to climate-induced hazards.

• Horticulture and off-season vegetable cultivation in fragile ecosystems face major economic loss.

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