Prelims Current Affairs includes P-8i Poseidon Aircraft, Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETIS), Mlatrack Portal, Reduction in Excise Duty & Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026

DEFENCE

1. P-8I POSEIDON AIRCRAFT

Current Context: Ministry of Defence has signed contracts for maintenance of P-8I Long-Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft along with procurement of air defence systems.

ABOUT P-8I AIRCRAFT

• Full Name: P-8I Poseidon
• Type: Long-range, multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft
• Manufactured by: Boeing (USA)
• Operated by: Indian Navy
• Origin:
  • Variant of P-8A Poseidon used by US Navy
  • Replaced Indian Navy’s Tupolev Tu-142 aircraft
• Key Roles:
  • Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW)
  • Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW)
  • Maritime surveillance and reconnaissance
  • Intelligence gathering
• Technical Features:
  • Equipped with advanced sensors and weapon systems
  • Capable of detecting submarines and surface threats
• Performance:
  • Maximum Speed: ~789 km/h
  • Range: Over 2,200 km
  • Altitude: Up to 12,496 m
• Maximum Take-off Weight: 85,139 kg.

SCHEME

2. RURAL SELF EMPLOYMENT TRAINING INSTITUTES (RSETIs)

Current Context: Government highlighted the role of RSETIs in promoting rural entrepreneurship and skill development.

ABOUT RSETIs

• Objective: To provide skill training and promote self-employment among rural youth
• Nature: Free residential training institutes
• Institutional Model:
  • Partnership between banks and Government
  • Lead bank of district manages the institute
• Coverage:
  • One RSETI in each district
  • 632 RSETIs operational across 619 districts
• Target Group: Rural youth aged 18–50 years
• Training Features:
  • Short-duration, practical courses
  • 73 NSQF-aligned courses
  • Sectors: Agriculture, Manufacturing, Services, Entrepreneurship
• Post-Training Support: Handholding support
  • Credit linkage with banks
• Recognition: Certificates recognised by banks for loan eligibility

E-GOVERNANCE

3. MLATRACK PORTAL

Current Context: MLATrack Portal has been launched to monitor legislative performance of Kerala MLAs.

ABOUT MLATRACK PORTAL

• Developed by: Atyeti Research with Sahya Digital Conservation Foundation
• Coverage Period: 2021–2026
• Objective: To enhance transparency and public participation in legislative processes
• Key Features:
  • Profiles of 140 MLAs
  • Data on attendance, questions, and debates
  • Records of motions, submissions, and interventions
  • Hyperlinked access to official answers
• Data Source:
  • Kerala Legislative Assembly website
  • Constituency Asset Development Scheme portal
• Key Insights:
  • Over 68,000 questions raised
  • Several MLAs crossed 95% attendance
  • High participation in debates and legislative activities.

ECONOMY

4. REDUCTION IN EXCISE DUTY

Current Context: Government reduced excise duty on petrol and diesel due to rising global oil prices.

Reduction: ₹10 per litre on petrol and diesel

About EXCISE DUTY

• Definition: Indirect tax levied on manufacture or production of goods within a country. Collected at the point of production, not at the point of sale.
• Legal Framework:
  • Governed by Central Excise Act, 1944
  • Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985
• Administered by: Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC).

POLITY

5. JAN VISHWAS (AMENDMENT OF PROVISIONS) BILL, 2026

Current Context: Government introduced Jan Vishwas Bill 2026 to promote ease of doing business and trust-based governance.

ABOUT JAN VISHWAS BILL 2026

• Introduced in: Lok Sabha
• Purpose: To decriminalise minor offences. Simplify regulatory framework
• Scope:
  • Amendments in 79 Central Acts
  • Covers 784 provisions
• Key Changes:
  • 717 provisions to be decriminalised
  • Over 1000 offences rationalised
• Approach:
  • Shift from criminal penalties to civil penalties
  • Introduction of graded enforcement system
• Penalty Mechanism:
  • Monetary fines instead of imprisonment
  • Warnings for first-time offences.

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