Prelims Current Affairs includes Sugamya Bharat App, India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025, PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana & Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses, Siddi tribal community, Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) has launched Studentship Program for Ayurveda Research Ken (SPARK–4.0), 1,856 MW Sawalkote Hydro Electric Project, Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 and Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026.

IMPORTANT DAY

1. INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

• Observed every year on 13 October.

• Aim: To raise awareness about the importance of reducing disaster risks and to promote global efforts toward building resilient communities and nations.

• Established By: United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 1989.

E-GOVERNANCE

2. SUGAMYA BHARAT APP (REVAMPED)

Current Context: The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched the revamped Sugamya Bharat App at the Purple Fest in Goa, enhancing accessibility for divyangjan and elderly citizens.

ABOUT SUGAMYA BHARAT APP

• Launched Under: Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan).

• Nodal Department: Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD).

• Purpose: Citizen-led platform to make India’s public spaces more inclusive and accessible.

Key Features

• Accessibility Mapping: Locate and rate public spaces on accessibility.

• Consolidated Directory: Access all schemes, scholarships, and benefits on one platform.

• Job & Education Listings: Tailored for persons with disabilities.

• Grievance Module: Lodge complaints for inaccessible infrastructure.

• Inclusive Design: Multi-language, assistive tech compatible, available on Android & iOS.

• New Addition: AI-powered chatbot for real-time assistance.

ECONOMY

3. PRADHAN MANTRI DHAN-DHAANYA KRISHI YOJANA (PMDDKY)

Current Context: The Prime Minister launched two new agricultural initiatives — PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana and Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses, with a total outlay of ₹35,440 crore.

ABOUT PM-DDKY

Key Objectives

• Objective: To provide financial support, crop insurance, modern tools, and better market access to farmers in 100 low-yield districts.

• Budget: ₹1.44 lakh crore (₹24,000 crore annually for 6 years).

• Beneficiaries: 1.7 crore small and marginal farmers owning less than 2 hectares.

• Integration: Unifies 36 agricultural schemes across 11 ministries (PM-KISAN, PMFBY, PMKSY, RKVY, etc.).

• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare.

• Targets:

  • Increase crop yield by 20–30%.

  • Reduce monsoon dependence through irrigation systems.

  • Create storage & cold chain infrastructure to cut post-harvest losses.

  • Double farmer incomes by 2030 and promote organic & sustainable farming.

Key Benefits

• Financial Assistance: Subsidies and Kisan Credit loans.

• Market Access: Digital platforms like e-NAM and PMDDKY App.

• Training: Free workshops and skill programs through KVKs.

• Women Empowerment: Support to 10,000 women producer groups.

• Global Exposure: Training for farmers in Israel, Japan, Netherlands.

SOCIAL ISSUES

4. SIDDI TRIBAL COMMUNITY

Current Context: The President of India recently expressed happiness that the Siddi tribal community, listed as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), has achieved a literacy rate of over 72%, marking significant social progress.

ABOUT SIDDI TRIBAL COMMUNITY

• Origin: The Siddi community is an Indo-African tribal group descended from the Bantu people of Africa.

• Historical Arrival: They first arrived in India in the 7th century with Arab merchants and later in the 16th century with Portuguese and British colonisers, often as slaves or workers (blacksmiths, carpenters, masons).

• Distribution: Majorly found in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Telangana.

• Tribal Status: Recognised as Scheduled Tribes and listed among Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) since 2003.

• Occupation: Traditionally engaged in agriculture, forest work, and manual labour.

• Language: They speak Konkani, Urdu, or Marathi.

• Culture: Known for vibrant folk dances and music, especially Dhamal and Rasda, performed mainly by men.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

5. SPARK–4.0 INITIATIVE

Current Context: The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), under the Ministry of Ayush, has launched SPARK–4.0, a studentship program to encourage young Ayurveda students to take up research and innovation in traditional medicine.

ABOUT SPARK–4.0 INITIATIVE

• Full Form: Studentship Program for Ayurveda Research Ken (SPARK).

• Aim: To promote scientific research aptitude among undergraduate Ayurveda students.

• Eligibility: Open to BAMS students from colleges recognised by the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM).

• Studentship: ₹50,000 per student (₹25,000 per month for two months).

• Key Features:

  • Hands-on research exposure with faculty mentors.

  • Focus on research design, methodology, and data analysis.

  • Students receive certificates after successful completion.

• Significance: Strengthens India’s research capacity in traditional medicine and integrates innovation with heritage.

INFRASTRUCTURE

6. SAWALKOTE HYDRO ELECTRIC PROJECT

Current Context: The Centre has recently recommended environmental clearance for the 1,856 MW Sawalkote Hydro Electric Project on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir.

ABOUT SAWALKOTE HYDRO ELECTRIC PROJECT

• Location: On the Chenab River in Ramban District, Jammu and Kashmir.

• Developer: National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) Limited.

• Capacity: 1,856 MW, the largest in the Union Territory.

• Cost: Estimated at ₹31,380 crore.

• Infrastructure: Includes a 192.5-metre-high concrete dam and underground powerhouses producing 7,534 million units/year.

POLICY & LAW

7. SURROGACY (REGULATION) ACT, 2021

Current Context: The Supreme Court has clarified that age limits under the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, do not apply to couples who had frozen embryos and initiated surrogacy before the law came into force on 25 January 2022.

ABOUT SURROGACY (REGULATION) ACT, 2021

• Purpose: To regulate surrogacy practices in India and prevent exploitation of women through commercial surrogacy.

• Type Allowed: Only altruistic surrogacy — no monetary benefit except medical and insurance costs.

• Key Provisions:

  • Registration mandatory for surrogacy clinics.

  • Commercial surrogacy prohibited for all individuals and clinics.

  • Abortion during surrogacy requires written consent of the surrogate mother and medical professionals.

  • Eligibility:

    • Surrogate: Married woman (25–35 years) with one child of her own.

    • Intended couple: Indian citizens, married for at least 5 years.

    • Age: Woman (23–50 years), Man (26–55 years).

  • Restrictions: Intended couple must not have any surviving biological or adopted child.

• Legal Status of Child: The child born is considered the biological child of the intended couple with full rights.

EDUCATION

8. SHOOLINI UNIVERSITY AMONG WORLD’S TOP 500

Current Context: In the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026, Shoolini University has secured a place in the 401–500 global band, marking its third appearance in the Top 500 list and showcasing India’s rising academic excellence.

ABOUT SHOOLINI UNIVERSITY RANKING

• Global Rank Band: 401–500 out of 2,191 universities.

• India Rank: 3rd among 128 Indian universities.

• Category Scores:

  • Teaching: 29.9

  • Research Environment: 21.3

  • Research Quality: 87.2

  • Industry Initiatives: 22.6

  • International Outlook: 71.4

• Global Standing: 135th globally in research quality.

• Indian Universities in Top 500:

  • IISc Bangalore (201–250)

  • Saveetha Institute (351–400)

  • Shoolini University (401–500)

  • Jamia Millia Islamia (401–500)

• Significance: India now has the second-highest number of ranked universities globally, after the United States.

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