Polity
ECINet:
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- Election Commission (EC) has launched a new e-sign feature on its ECINet portal and app that requires those seeking to register as voters, or applying for deletion and corrections, to verify their identity using their Aadhaar-linked phone numbers.
- The ECINet, a one-stop platform integrating over 40 of the EC’s earlier mobile and Web applications.
- The app provides easy access to voter registration, electoral rolls, polling station details, candidate information, real-time election updates, and various election processes.
- ECINET offers secure, role-specific access for election officials verified by mobile number authentication to enhance efficiency, accountability, and coordination.
- ECINET consolidates multiple previous apps (like Voter Helpline, cVIGIL, Saksham, and others) into one platform, reducing the need to download multiple apps and remember different logins.
(TH)
Economy
National Shipbuilding Mission (NSM):
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- Union Cabinet approved a package of ₹69,725 crore to boost India’s shipbuilding and maritime sector, using a four-pillar approach.
- The package extends Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Scheme (SBFAS) till 2036 and launches a Maritime Development Fund with a corpus of ₹25,000 crore to support long-term sectoral financing.
- It targets expansion of domestic shipbuilding to 5 million Gross Tonnage per year, creation of mega shipbuilding clusters, and job generation for nearly 30 lakh people.
- Measures include policy and legal reforms, technical skill enhancement, and insurance support to strengthen critical maritime infrastructure.
- The initiative aims to improve national and economic resilience, strengthen supply chains, and position India as a major global shipbuilding force.
(PIB)
Art and Culture
Garba (folk dance):
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- Garba originated in the Indian state of Gujarat and is a popular folk dance performed during the nine-night festival of Navratri to honour the goddess Durga (Amba Mata).
- The name “Garba” comes from the Sanskrit word Garbha (meaning womb), and the dance often revolves around a central, lit lamp, symbolizing the divine feminine.
- It is a circular, rhythmic dance characterized by clapping and sweeping movements and is also performed by the community to celebrate fertility and womanhood.
- It fosters social equality, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds to sing, dance, and celebrate.
- UNESCO has inscribed Garba on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (December 2023), recognizing its cultural significance.
(TH)
Terms in the News
Tylenol (paracetamol):
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- Tylenol is a pain reliever and a fever reducerused to treat many conditions such as headaches, muscle aches, arthritis, cramps and fevers.
- The brand name Tylenol and the United States Adopted Name acetaminophen were generated by McNeil from the chemical name of the drug, N-acetyl-para-aminophenol (APAP).
(IE)
Captions and Quotations
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- “Art is a powerful tool to enrich cultural heritage and foster a sensitive society” – President of India
- “Order is the architecture of our democracy. Every platform that seeks to operate within the jurisdiction of our nation must accept that liberty is yoked with responsibility, and the privilege of access carries with it the solemn duty of accountability,” the Karnataka high court
- The Karnataka high court also said., “As and when technology developed, from messengers to the postal age till the age of WhatsApp, Instagram and Snapchat, all have been regulated by regulatory regimes subsisting then and subsisting today, both globally and locally; and regulation of information in this domain is neither novel nor unique.”
Schemes in the News
Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G):
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- PMAY-G launched on 1st April 2016, targets “Housing for All” in rural areas; cumulative target revised to 95 crore rural homes by 2028-29, with 2.82 crore completed out of 4.12 crore allocated so far.
- 68 lakh landless beneficiaries have received housing approvals under the scheme.
- Scheme generated 568 crore person-days of employment since 2016.
- Strong focus on transparency and quality through digital monitoring tools (AwaasSoft, Awaas+ 2024 App), geo-tagged construction photos, Aadhaar-based direct benefit transfer, AI/ML for fraud detection, and real-time dashboards.
- Beneficiaries receive financial assistance via DBT, with houses built to local disaster-resilient specifications and access to basic amenities through convergence with other welfare schemes.
- The programme created direct and indirect employment, including 2.97 lakh trained rural masons by August 2025.
- Strict physical and social audits, grievance redressal systems, and digital innovations ensure inclusive and accountable delivery.
(PIB)
Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Scheme (SBFAS):
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- The Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Scheme (SBFAS), provides direct subsidies and financial assistance to Indian shipyards to make them more competitive, support the “Make in India” initiative, and promote green shipping.
- SBFAS is extended till March 2036 with a corpus of ₹24,736 crore to incentivize shipbuilding in India.
- The scheme offers financial assistance: 15% for vessels under ₹100 crore, 20% for vessels above ₹100 crore, and 25% for green, hybrid, or specialized vessels.
- Includes a Shipbreaking Credit Note (₹4,001 crore), providing 40% of scrap value as a credit for new vessel construction in Indian yards.
- Overseen by a National Shipbuilding Mission and aims to increase domestic shipbuilding, cluster development, and employment generation.
(PIB)
Facts and Data
Economy:
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- In a 2024 report, the International Energy Agency (IEA) highlighted the growing interconnections between energy and AI worldwide. It projected that demand from data centres would more than double by 2030 to around 945 TWh and that AI would be the principal driver.
- Worldwide, data centres consume 1-2% of total power and that’s expected to increase to 3-4% by 2030. To compare, the steel industry consumes around 7% of total power.
- According to McKinsey report, India’s data centre demand is projected to increase from 1.2 GW in 2024 to 5 GW by 2030, driven largely by AI and digital adoption across sectors.
(TH)
PRACTICE MCQ’s
Q1. Consider the following statements:
1. Classical dances emerged from ancient scriptures, notably the Natya Shastra, and developed over centuries as a spiritual art form.
2. Folk dances are developed from the local traditions of common people, often to celebrate agricultural harvests, festivals, and social events.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: C
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct:
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- Classical dances Emerged from ancient scriptures, notably the Natya Shastra, and developed over centuries as a spiritual art form.
- Deeply spiritual and technical, often used to narrate mythological stories and convey spiritual themes through intricate movements.
- Requires precise posture, complex footwork, intricate hand gestures (mudras), and sophisticated expressive acting (abhinaya).
- Examples: Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Manipuri, and Sattriya.
Statement 2 is correct:
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- Folk dances are Developed from the local traditions of common people, often to celebrate agricultural harvests, festivals, and social events.
- Expresses joy, energy, and enthusiasm, reflecting the lives and culture of the local community.
- Focuses on simple, energetic movements rather than complex technicalities or strict postures.
- Examples: Bhangra, Garba, Giddha, Lavani, Bihu, and Ghoomar.
Q2. Consider the following statements about Election Commission of India:
1. It is an autonomous constitutional authority established under Article 324 of the Indian Constitution.
2. It conducts free and fair elections to the Parliament, State Legislatures, and the offices of the President and Vice-President of India.
3. It is headed by a chief election commissioner and consists of three other election commissioners as constituent members.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
a) Only one
b) Only two
c) All three
d) None
Answer: B
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: It is an autonomous constitutional authority established under Article 324 of the Indian Constitution.
Statement 2 is correct: It conducts free and fair elections to the Parliament, State Legislatures, and the offices of the President and Vice-President of India.
Statement 3 is incorrect: it is headed by a chief election commissioner and consists of two other election commissioners as constituent members.
Q3. Consider the following statements about International Energy Agency (IEA):
Statement I: The IEA acts as energy policy advisor for its 32 member countries in their efforts to ensure reliable, affordable and clean energy.
Statement II: India is a member country of IEA since February 2024.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is not correct
d) Statement-I is not correct but Statement-II is correct
Answer: C
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: The IEA acts as energy policy advisor for its 32 member countries in their efforts to ensure reliable, affordable and clean energy
Statement 2 is incorrect: India is an associate member of the International Energy Agency (IEA) and has been in talks for full membership since February 2024, though the full membership requirements, particularly relating to oil reserves, are a hurdle. India’s associate membership allows it to participate in IEA activities and collaborate on global energy and climate issues.
Q4. Consider the following statements about Classical Dance forms:
1. Kathak is a narrative dance form from Uttar Pradesh featuring intricate footwork and rhythmic movements.
2. Sattriya is a classical dance form originating from the monasteries of Assam.
3. Mohiniyattam is a gentle, swaying dance performed traditionally by women in Kerala.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: Kathak is a narrative dance form from Uttar Pradesh featuring intricate footwork and rhythmic movements.
Statement 2 is correct: Sattriya is a classical dance form originating from the monasteries of Assam.
Statement 3 is correct: Mohiniyattam is a gentle, swaying dance performed traditionally by women in Kerala.
Q5. Which of the following is not included in the UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity?
a) Ramlila
b) Mudiyettu
c) Sattriya
d) Kutiyattam
Answer: C
Explanation:
- Sattriya dance originated in the Satra monasteries of Assam, India, and is closely associated with the Vaishnavite monks. It was granted the status of a classical dance by India’s Sangeet Natak Akademi in the year 2000. The dance is known for its graceful movements, intricate footwork, and lyrical quality.
- Ramlila is a traditional theatrical form that dramatically reenacts the life of Lord Rama from the Hindu epic, the Ramayana. It is a popular folk performance, especially in northern India, and is a central part of the Dussehra festival, celebrating the triumph of good over evil by portraying Rama’s victory over Ravana. Ramlila integrates elements of song, narration, and dialogue into a series of scenes, and was recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008.
- Mudiyettu is a traditional ritual dance-drama from Kerala, celebrating the mythological battle between the goddess Kali and the demon Darika. Performed annually in Bhadrakali temples, it involves purifying rituals, drawing a large kalam (image of Kali) with colored powders, and a vibrant performance depicting the goddess’s victory. Mudiyettu is a community ritual, passed down through generations, and is inscribed on UNESCO’s representative list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (in 2010).
- Kutiyattam is a 2,000-year-old, UNESCO-recognized traditional Sanskrit theatre form from Kerala (in 2008), India, known for its elaborate acting, detailed costumes, and stylized eye and hand movements (mudras). It involves “combined acting,” presenting classical Sanskrit plays in temple theatres (kuttampalams) with a community of specialized actors and is recognized for its unique performance texts and integration of regional elements.
