President Droupadi Murmu has given assent to the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, which replaces the MGNREGA. The new Act increases guaranteed work days from 100 to 125. It focuses on four key areas: water security, core rural infrastructure, livelihood-related infrastructure, and extreme weather mitigation. The funding model shifts to a 60:40 ratio between the Centre and States for administrative costs, compared to the previous 90:10 ratio under MGNREGA. The government has reserved ₹1,51,282 crore for the scheme's comprehensive development of villages.
The VB-G RAM G Bill officially replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
Guaranteed days of employment have been increased from 100 to 125 days per year for rural households.
The funding pattern for administrative costs has been revised to a 60:40 ratio, increasing the financial burden on state governments.
Exam Points
The new Act is named Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) or VB-G RAM G.
A budget of ₹1,51,282 crore has been allocated for the scheme.
The cost-sharing ratio for administrative expenses changed from 90:10 to 60:40.
The winter session of Parliament concluded after 15 sittings, marked by the 150th anniversary of the national song, Vande Mataram. Ten Bills were introduced and eight were passed, including significant legislation allowing 100% FDI in the insurance sector and facilitating private investment in nuclear power by reducing supplier liability. The session also saw the passage of the VB-G RAM G Bill. While the session was less acrimonious than previous ones, debates occurred regarding electoral reforms and the naming of Bills in Hindi, which caused concern among representatives from non-Hindi speaking regions.
The session commemorated the 150th anniversary of the national song, Vande Mataram, through various discussions.
Significant legislative changes include allowing 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the insurance sector via the 'Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha' Bill.
Parliament facilitated private sector investment in nuclear power by reducing the liability of suppliers.
Exam Points
The insurance reform Bill is titled 'Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha'.
The session lasted for 15 sittings with 10 Bills introduced and 8 passed.
The national song Vande Mataram celebrated its 150th anniversary during this session.
India is currently Africa’s fourth-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching nearly $100 billion in FY24. However, China remains the leader with over $200 billion in trade. To bridge this gap, a five-point strategy is proposed: removing trade barriers via preferential trade agreements, moving to high-value manufacturing, scaling up Lines of Credit for MSMEs, lowering freight costs through port modernization, and expanding digital and service trade. India aims to double its trade with Africa by 2030, leveraging its strengths in IT, healthcare, and professional services to build sustainable long-term partnerships.
India's bilateral trade with Africa reached nearly $100 billion in FY24, with exports totaling $38.17 billion.
Major exports to Africa include petroleum products, engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, rice, and textiles.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents a significant opportunity for Indian exporters to access a unified market.
Exam Points
India is Africa's 4th largest trading partner; China is the 1st with trade exceeding $200 billion.
India's exports to Africa in FY24 were $38.17 billion, with key destinations being Nigeria, South Africa, and Tanzania.
India has set a target of doubling its trade with Africa by the year 2030.
Beijing successfully reduced PM2.5 levels by over 50% between 2013 and 2021 through a 'top-down' approach involving coherent policy, strict enforcement, and regional coordination. In contrast, India's efforts, like the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), are often reactive and fragmented across multiple agencies. China's 'airshed' strategy for the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region ensured transboundary regulation. India can learn by shifting from episodic responses to a long-term mission-oriented strategy, accelerating clean energy transitions, and strengthening the implementation of existing laws like the Air Act, 1981, and the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
Beijing's PM2.5 levels dropped significantly from 102 µg/m³ in 2013 to 31 µg/m³ in 2024 due to coordinated regional action.
China utilized an 'airshed' strategy for regional coordination, which India currently lacks for the Delhi-NCR region.
India's regulatory framework is fragmented, with interventions often limited to 'pollution peaks' rather than long-term planning.
Exam Points
Beijing reduced PM2.5 levels by more than 50% between 2013 and 2021.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) was established to manage air quality in Delhi-NCR.
The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was enacted in 1981.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch the BlueBird Block-2 satellite on December 24 using the LVM3 M6 mission. This is part of a commercial agreement with U.S.-based AST SpaceMobile. The satellite is a next-generation communication tool designed to provide high-speed cellular broadband directly to standard smartphones globally, bypassing the need for specialized ground equipment. The BlueBird Block-2 will be the largest commercial communication satellite ever deployed into Low Earth Orbit (LEO), aiming to bridge connectivity gaps for billions of mobile users worldwide.
The LVM3 M6 mission will deploy the BlueBird Block-2 satellite for AST SpaceMobile under a commercial agreement.
The technology enables direct-to-smartphone cellular broadband connectivity from space without specialized hardware.
BlueBird Block-2 is recognized as the largest commercial communication satellite ever launched into Low Earth Orbit.
Exam Points
The mission name is LVM3 M6.
The satellite is BlueBird Block-2, owned by AST SpaceMobile.
Recent research published in Nature Climate Change reveals that the Southern Ocean is absorbing more carbon than previously predicted by climate models. While models suggested that stronger westerly winds would bring carbon-rich deep water to the surface and release CO2, observations show the opposite. A thinning layer of freshwater at the surface, resulting from increased rainfall and melting ice, has strengthened stratification. This 'lid' of fresh, cold water traps carbon-rich water 100-200 meters below the surface, preventing its release into the atmosphere and acting as a temporary buffer against climate change.
The Southern Ocean absorbs approximately 40% of all human-emitted carbon dioxide globally.
Existing climate models predicted the Southern Ocean would become a carbon source due to stronger winds, but observations show it remains a sink.
Increased stratification caused by a freshwater layer is currently trapping carbon-rich water below the surface.
Exam Points
The Southern Ocean covers 25-30% of the global ocean area.
The research was published in the prestigious journal Nature Climate Change.
The Southern Ocean absorbs 40% of all human-emitted CO2.
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