STATE NEWS
Tamil Nadu CM Launches ‘Anbu Karangal’ for Orphaned Children
• Chief Minister M.K. Stalin launched the ‘Anbu Karangal’ scheme in Tamil Nadu to support the education of orphaned children.
• The launch was timed with the birth anniversary of former CM C.N. Annadurai.
• The scheme offers ₹2,000 monthly assistance for children who lost one or both parents, continuing until they turn 18 and complete schooling.
• In its first phase, 6,082 children are expected to receive the benefit.
• The programme functions under the broader ‘Thayumanavar’ initiative, designed to aid economically weaker families.
• Stalin highlighted other welfare measures such as the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme, aid for disabled and transgender persons, and support for COVID-19 orphans.
• He emphasized that these steps are not political strategies but part of the government’s responsibility to uplift the marginalized.
NATIONAL NEWS
EPFO Introduces ‘Passbook Lite’ for Easy PF Access
• The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has launched ‘Passbook Lite’ on its website for simplified PF account tracking.
• Announced by Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, the feature ensures all EPFO services under one login for over 70 million subscribers.
• Members earlier had to use a separate portal for contributions, withdrawals, and balances, but now a summary view is directly available on the main site.
• The older passbook portal will remain functional, offering detailed records with graphical displays.
• The move is expected to reduce server load and improve accessibility for account holders.
• A new option enables employees to download Annexure K in PDF format, a document required for PF transfers.
• This update helps members track transfer status, confirm balances, and store digital records vital for EPS-related calculations.
PM Modi’s Gujarat Visit
• On September 20, PM Narendra Modi visited Gujarat for the ‘Samudra se Samriddhi’ event, launching development works exceeding ₹34,200 crore.
• He addressed people in Bhavnagar, inaugurated projects, and conducted an aerial survey of Dholera Special Investment Region, planned as a smart industrial hub.
• At Lothal, he visited the National Maritime Heritage Complex worth ₹4,500 crore and unveiled maritime projects totaling ₹7,870 crore, including upgrades at ports nationwide.
• Major maritime works include the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal, a container terminal in Kolkata, the Tuna Tekra Multi-Cargo Terminal in Kandla, and firefighting and road upgrades at Ennore Port.
• Additional initiatives feature a seawall at Car Nicobar, a Green Bio-Methanol Plant at Deendayal Port, and ship repair units in Patna and Varanasi.
• In Gujarat, projects worth ₹26,354 crore were launched across energy, transport, healthcare, and urban development, including LNG and petrochemical facilities.
• Key green and social initiatives include the 600 MW Green Shoe Project, PM-KUSUM solar feeder (475 MW), Badeli Solar PV (45 MW), full solarization of Dhordo village, expansion of Bhavnagar and Jamnagar hospitals, and four-laning of 70 km highways.
Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan (SNSPA) 2025
• Launched by PM Narendra Modi on 17 September 2025, SNSPA is India’s largest health outreach drive for women and children.
• The campaign runs from 17 September to 2 October 2025, with 10 lakh health camps set up in public and private healthcare facilities.
• It strengthens preventive, promotive, and curative services, focusing on women’s and children’s health.
• Priority areas include early screening and treatment of cancer, anaemia, tuberculosis, sickle cell disease, hypertension, and diabetes.
• The programme also promotes maternal, child, and adolescent health through immunisation, nutrition support, menstrual hygiene, and mental health awareness.
• Lifestyle initiatives encourage healthy habits, such as obesity prevention and voluntary blood donation.
• Designed as a Jan Bhagidaari movement, it brings together governments, private hospitals, NGOs, and community groups, with volunteers mobilising families for active participation.
RANKING AND REPORT
WTO World Trade Report 2025: AI and the Future of Global Trade
• The WTO’s 2025 World Trade Report projects that AI could lift global trade values by nearly 40% by 2040, mainly through efficiency gains and lower trade costs.
• AI has the potential to raise world GDP by 12–13% and expand trade by 34–37%, depending on how nations adopt technology and strengthen digital infrastructure.
• Developing economies could see income growth of 14–15% if they halve the digital divide with advanced countries and adopt AI on a large scale.
• Trade in AI-enabling goods—such as semiconductors, raw materials, and intermediate inputs—already reached USD 2.3 trillion in 2023, underscoring their importance.
• The report emphasizes that inclusive growth policies and better access to digital tools are essential to ensure all nations benefit from AI-driven trade.
• Barriers remain steep: tariffs on AI goods can hit 45% in some poorer nations, limiting affordable access to technology.
• Quantitative restrictions on AI-related products have also risen dramatically, from 130 in 2012 to almost 500 by 2024, creating hurdles for global adoption.
