Daily Current Affairs

• Over 55% of patent submissions originated from resident Indian innovators.
• Signals a major transition from tech usage to domestic tech creation.
• India’s ranking in the Global Innovation Index (GII) improved significantly from 81st to 38th.

• A fast-growing startup ecosystem supported by Start-Up India and related initiatives.
• Rising emphasis on skill development and applied scientific learning.
• Policy measures by the Ministry of Science & Technology that simplify patent filing processes.
• Increased awareness of patents as vital economic and strategic tools enhancing global competitiveness.

• Updated rates will encourage auctioning of mineral blocks containing caesium, rubidium, and zirconium.
• Unlocks additional critical minerals such as lithium, rare earths, tungsten, and niobium.
• Increased domestic output will reduce import dependence, enhance supply chain resilience, and generate jobs.

• Located in West Singhbhum district.
• Spans 820–900 sq. km and is considered Asia’s largest natural Sal forest.
• Known as the “land of seven hundred hills”.
• Falls under the Chhotanagpur bio-geographic zone, forming ecological continuity with forests in Odisha and Chhattisgarh.

The forest is home to rare species such as the Sal forest tortoise (endemic and endangered), four-horned antelope, Asian palm civet, and wild elephants.

• The GI tag was issued by DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
• The marble is quarried from Banaskantha district in North Gujarat.
• Its history dates back 1,200–1,500 years, the era during which the famous Dilwara Jain Temples of Mount Abu were built.
• The temples are celebrated worldwide for intricate marble architecture.

• The crest was introduced ahead of the ship’s commissioning ceremony in Mumbai.
• Marks a significant step in the ship’s journey from design to deployment.
• INS Mahe is named after the coastal town of Mahe on the western coast, symbolizing India’s deep maritime heritage.

• IFFI continues as South Asia’s only FIAPF-accredited competitive film festival, active since 1952.
• Showcasing 240 films from 81 countries.
• Japan will serve as the Country of Focus, featuring six contemporary Japanese films.
• Spain will be the Partner Country, and Australia will be the Spotlight Country.

Established in 1952, IFFI began in Mumbai, later rotating through Chennai (Madras), Delhi, and Kolkata (Calcutta). The festival reflects the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.

• Marks a crucial advancement in India’s upcoming Gaganyaan crewed space mission.
• The L110 engine serves as the primary propulsion unit for the Human-rated Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (HLVM3).
• Will carry Indian astronauts to space by 2027.

With a partnership spanning over 40 years, Godrej Aerospace celebrated the delivery as a moment of national achievement and technical excellence. The accomplishment showcases India’s strengthening capability in high-precision space propulsion and promotes further indigenization in the aerospace sector.

• Theme: “Technology, Trust and Trade: Navigating the New Geoeconomic Order.”
• Jointly organised by CII, DPIIT, the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, and the Government of Andhra Pradesh.
• The two-day summit is being attended by over 2,500 delegates from 77 nations.

The Vice-President praised India’s strong economic performance and acknowledged Andhra Pradesh’s robust investment environment under Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. He urged global investors to make the most of India’s rise as a technology-led startup powerhouse.

• Theme: “MSMEs Powering the USD 10 Trillion Economy.”
• Over 100 entrepreneurs and industry specialists participated.
• Explored India’s journey from a USD 4.1 trillion to a USD 10 trillion economy by 2032.

EVOLVE aims to help MSMEs enhance efficiency, embrace digital solutions, and broaden their market prospects. Over the last decade, the programme has supported 10,000+ entrepreneurs across 50+ cities.

• Under the agreement, DWS will acquire up to a 40% minority stake in Nippon Life India AIF Management Limited (NAIF), a wholly owned NAM India subsidiary.
• The collaboration aims to co-develop and expand the Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) ecosystem in India.

NAM India is a major domestic asset manager offering Mutual Funds, Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), and Managed Accounts to diverse investor groups.

• The entire transaction was processed in under two minutes, marking a major technological breakthrough.
• The operation was completed on the mBridge platform.
• Demonstrates UAE’s preparedness and ambition to emerge as a major global player in digital finance.

• Plans to triple spacecraft production within the next three years.
• Will carry out seven additional launches within the ongoing financial year.
• Includes the first PSLV manufactured entirely by industry partners.

• Chandrayaan-4 (2028): India’s first lunar sample-return mission, making India the fourth country to accomplish this feat.
• LUPEX mission (with Japan): Will survey water ice deposits at the Moon’s south pole.
• India aims to send astronauts to the Moon and return them safely by 2040.

• Gaganyaan, India’s maiden human spaceflight mission, is planned for 2027, following three uncrewed test missions.
• ISRO targets to launch the first module of the Indian Space Station in 2028, with full operational capability expected by 2035.
• Positions India as the third nation with its own station.

• India currently holds 2% of the global space market (USD 8.2 billion).
• Goals to expand this to 8% by 2030 and reach USD 44 billion by 2033.
• Fueled by support from over 450 industries and 330 space-tech startups.

• Born on 30 June 1911 in Gubbi Taluk, Tumakuru district.
• She earned the titles “Vriksha Mata” and “Mother of Trees.”
• Honored with the name ‘Saalumarada’, meaning “row of trees”, after planting 385 banyan trees along a 5-km stretch between Hulikal and Kudur in Ramanagara district.
• Alongside her husband, she nurtured and planted over 8,000 trees across Karnataka.

• National Citizen’s Award (1995)
• Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshamitra Award (1997)
• Karnataka Kalpavalli Award (2000)
• Godfrey Phillips Bravery Award (2006)
• Nadoja Award (2010)
• Padma Shri in 2019 for her contribution to social work

A U.S.-based environmental organisation named Thimmakka’s Resources for Environmental Education (TREE) was founded in her honour.