NATIONAL NEWS

CENSUS DATA 2025

• The Government of India has announced the 2025 Census, receiving broad approval due to its historical significance since 1872.

• The Census plays a crucial role in recording demographic shifts, economic conditions, and socio-political trends.

• The upcoming Census will focus on three key initiatives: caste enumeration, electoral delimitation, and the National Population Register (NPR).

• It serves as an essential tool for public policy formulation, providing vital data for effective planning and governance.

• Post-independence, the emphasis has shifted from caste categorization to fostering a unified national identity.

• Previous Censuses recognized only Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), often overlooking other caste groups.

• Census data is critical for electoral delimitation, which involves redrawing constituency boundaries based on population changes.

• This process involves redrawing constituency boundaries. The 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 froze delimitation until 2000. The 84th Amendment Act of 2002 extended this freeze until 2026.

• The 2025 Census will supply necessary demographic information to determine constituency boundaries and allocate seats for various social groups.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Vegan Day celebrated on November 1.

• World Vegan Day is celebrated every year on November 1, bringing together vegans globally.

• The day aims to raise awareness about the advantages of a plant-based lifestyle for individuals, animals, and the planet.

• It serves as a platform for educating the public on veganism’s ethical, environmental, and health benefits.

• World Vegan Day encourages people to consider transitioning to a vegan diet, highlighting its accessibility.

• The celebration underscores the positive effects of veganism on health and sustainability.

• Ultimately, the day promotes a compassionate approach to food, fostering a more sustainable future.

DEFENCE

Exercise ‘Garud Shakti’ Begins

• A contingent of 25 Indian Army personnel has departed for Indonesia.

• They are participating in the 9th edition of the joint exercise, ‘Garud Shakti 24’.

• The exercise is taking place in Cijantung, Jakarta, from November 1 to November 12.

• Garud Shakti 24 highlights the strong defense cooperation between India and Indonesia.

• The primary objective is to enhance bilateral military collaboration.

• The focus is on strengthening ties between the Indian and Indonesian armies.

• Activities include discussions and rehearsals of tactical military drills.

Exercise VAJRA PRAHAR

• The Indian Army has departed for the 15th edition of the India-US joint Special Forces Exercise, VAJRA PRAHAR.

• This year's exercise is scheduled from November 2 to November 22, 2024, at the Orchard Combat Training Centre in Idaho, USA.

• VAJRA PRAHAR underscores the ongoing military collaboration between India and the United States.

• The previous exercise took place in December 2023 at Umroi, Meghalaya.

• This marks the second joint military exercise in 2024 between the two countries.

• The first exercise of the year was Exercise YUDH ABHYAS, conducted in Rajasthan in September 2024.

• These joint exercises reflect a commitment to enhancing military ties.

• The partnership between India and the US continues to evolve through such collaborative initiatives.

RANKING AND INDEX

AI Preparedness Index 2023-24

• AI is significantly reshaping labour markets, industries, and societal dynamics.

• The global AI market is projected to expand at a CAGR of 36.6% from 2024 to 2030.

• Advanced economies will experience AI-driven changes sooner than emerging markets, focusing on cognitive-intensive roles.

• The IMF identifies the top 10 countries best prepared for AI in 2023.

• Leading Country: Singapore ranks highest in AI preparedness with a score of 0.80.

• Key Metrics: The AI Preparedness Index evaluates digital infrastructure, human capital, technological innovation, and legal frameworks.

• Global Leaders: Other top countries include the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and France.

• India ranks 72nd out of 174 countries, with an AI Preparedness Index rating of 0.49.

GOVERNMENT SCHEMES

Namo Drone Didi Scheme for Women SHGs Launched

• The Indian Government has launched the ‘Namo Drone Didi’ scheme.

• ‘Namo Drone Didi’ Scheme enhance the role of Women Self Help Groups through drone technology.

• The scheme is part of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).

• Primary object is to provide affordable drone rental services for agricultural tasks.

• Increase Agricultural Efficiency: Utilize drones for precise spraying of fertilizers and pesticides.

• Boost Crop Yields: Improve agricultural productivity through advanced technology.

• Reduce Costs: Lower operational expenses for farmers using drone services.

• Promote Sustainable Livelihoods: Create job opportunities for women in rural areas.

• The scheme has a budget of ₹1261 crores.

• The initiative will be active from 2024 to 2026.

SPORTS

Mansi Ahlawat won the bronze medal at the Senior World Wrestling Championships.

• Mansi Ahlawat secured a bronze medal in the women’s 59 kg category at the Senior World Wrestling Championships held in Tirana, Albania.

• She won her bronze match against Laurence Beauregard of Canada, finishing with a score of 5-0.

• The gold medal in this category went to Risako Kinjo from Japan.

• Tserenchimed Sukhee of Mongolia earned the silver medal.

• Mansi Ahlawat shared the bronze with Elena Heike Brugger from Germany.

• In the Men’s Freestyle 92 kg category, Sandeep S Mann will compete against Batyrbek Tsakulov of Slovakia in the Repechage round.

• Bipasha was defeated by Anastasiya Alpyeyeva of Ukraine in the qualification round for the 72 kg category.

STATE NEWS

Uttar Pradesh’s Authority for Advance Ruling (UPAAR) has ruled pre-paid vouchers are taxable at 18%.

• The Uttar Pradesh Authority for Advance Ruling (UPAAR) has determined that pre-paid vouchers are subject to an 18% GST.

• Pre-paid vouchers are classified as a supply of goods under UPAAR's ruling.

• The ruling aligns pre-paid vouchers with Sodexo and Kalyan Jewellers gift vouchers, which are also taxable at 18%.

• The tax implications for the supply of these vouchers include 9% CGST and 9% UPGST.

• Payline Technologies, based in Noida, is the applicant involved in trading gift cards and pre-paid vouchers.

• Pre-paid vouchers enable customers to purchase goods or services from designated brands on platforms like Amazon and Flipkart.

• Payline acquires these vouchers at discounted rates and resells them to clients, who can then distribute them freely.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

ISRO launches India’s first analog space mission in Leh, Ladakh

• ISRO has launched India’s first analog space mission in Leh, Ladakh, marking a significant advancement in space exploration.

• The initiative, led by ISRO's Human Spaceflight Centre, involves collaboration with AAKA Space Studio, the University of Ladakh, and IIT Bombay.

• This mission focuses on simulating conditions for interplanetary habitats to assess the viability of sustainable bases beyond Earth.

• The project is supported by the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, showcasing regional collaboration.

• This pioneering effort aims to gather insights that could pave the way for future missions and human presence in outer space.

• Ladakh has been chosen for such a mission as the geographical features of the area – dry and cold climate, barren land, high-altitude terrain and extreme isolation – are considered to closely resemble Martian and lunar landscapes.