Prelims Current Affairs includes e-Production Investment Business Visa (E-B-4), Caracas, Venezuela, 72nd National Volleyball Tournament, First Braille Library for Visually Impaired, New Non-Permanent Members Elected to Un Security Council and Inland Rainbow Trout Farm

INTERNATIONAL

1.  e-PRODUCTION INVESTMENT BUSINESS VISA (e-B-4)

Current Context: India has introduced a new e-Production Investment Business Visa (e-B-4) for Chinese nationals.

Aim :  to facilitate structured and regulated business travel related to production, investment and technical activities, marking a step towards gradual normalisation of people-centric exchanges between India and China.

ABOUT e-B-4 VISA

• Type: Electronic Business Visa
• Eligible Applicants: Chinese nationals
• Purpose: Production-linked, investment-related and technical business activities
• Mode of Application: Fully online (no embassy visit required)

KEY FEATURES

• Processing Time: Approximately 45–50 days
• Maximum Stay: Up to six months
• Nature: Purpose-specific and controlled entry
• Focus: Legitimate industrial and production cooperation

PERMITTED BUSINESS ACTIVITIES

• Installation and commissioning of equipment
• Plant setup and production activities
• IT systems and ERP ramp-up
• Training of Indian staff
• Quality inspections and audits
• Supply chain development and vendor empanelment
• Essential maintenance work
• Visits by senior management and executives

INTERNATIONAL

2.  CARACAS, VENEZUELA

Current Context: The United States carried out military strikes in and around Caracas, Venezuela, under Operation Absolute Resolve, triggering strong debate on international law, sovereignty and unilateral military action. 

REASONS FOR THE STRIKES

Resurgence of the Monroe Doctrine to reassert U.S. dominance in the Americas

Countering China’s influence in Latin America

• China is the largest buyer of Venezuelan crude oil

Control over Venezuela’s resources

• World’s largest oil reserves
• Significant natural gas reserves
• Largest gold reserves in South America

ABOUT VENEZUELA

• Official Name: Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
• Capital: Caracas
• Continent: South America
• Political Status: Federal presidential republic

LOCATION AND GEOGRAPHY

•  Located on the northern coast of South America
•  Borders:

1. Colombia to the west
2. Brazil to the south
3. Guyana to the east
4. Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean to the north

Major Physiographic Regions:

• Andes Mountains in the west and southwest
• Llanos (tropical grasslands) in central Venezuela
• Guiana Highlands and Tepuis in the southeast

ECONOMY AND OIL SECTOR

• Venezuela possesses the world’s largest proven oil reserves
• Petroleum has been the backbone of the economy

SPORTS

3. 72ND NATIONAL VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT

Current Context: Narendra Modi inaugurated the 72nd National Volleyball Tournament in Varanasi through video conferencing, highlighting the role of sports in nation-building and youth empowerment.

ABOUT NATIONAL VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT

• Organised annually by the Volleyball Federation of India
• One of India’s oldest national team tournaments
• Platform for talent identification and national selection

STATE IN NEWS

4. FIRST BRAILLE LIBRARY FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED

Current Context: Uttar Pradesh inaugurated its first Braille library exclusively for visually impaired persons at Dr Shakuntala Mishra National Rehabilitation University, Lucknow.

LOCATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE

• Located on first floor of Swami Vivekananda Central Library
• Inaugurated by Vice-Chancellor Acharya Sanjay Singh

KEY FEATURES

• Over 4,000 Braille books
• Covers 54 undergraduate and postgraduate courses
• Aligned with National Education Policy
• Books printed using in-house Braille press

SIGNIFICANCE

• Strengthens inclusive education
• Promotes independence and dignity
• Reduces dependence on external material suppliers
• Ensures timely availability of study resources

INTERNATIONAL

5. NEW NON-PERMANENT MEMBERS ELECTED TO UN SECURITY COUNCIL

Current Context: Five countries have been elected as non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council for a two-year term.

NEWLY ELECTED MEMBERS : Bahrain, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Latvia, Liberia.

ABOUT UN SECURITY COUNCIL

• Established: 1945 under the UN Charter
• Purpose: Maintenance of international peace and security

COMPOSITION

• Permanent Members (P5):
• China, France, Russia, United States, United Kingdom
• Non-Permanent Members: 10 (two-year tenure)

MISCELLANEOUS

6. INLAND RAINBOW TROUT FARM

Current Context: India inaugurated its largest integrated inland Rainbow Trout farm in Ranga Reddy district, Telangana, marking a breakthrough in cold-water aquaculture outside Himalayan regions.

TECHNOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

• Cold-water species cultivated in warm Deccan Plateau
• Advanced systems regulate:
• Water temperature
• Oxygen levels
• Circulation

BREAKING GEOGRAPHICAL BARRIERS

• Traditionally limited to: Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir
• Demonstrates climate-adaptive aquaculture potential

ECONOMIC AND EXPORT POTENTIAL

• Boosts inland fisheries
• Promotes startups and private investment
• Supported by National Fisheries Development Board for exports
• Meets rising global demand for high-value fish

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