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- Why in News?
- During a recent announcement, the Prime Minister of India revealed plans to establish a comprehensive database of the Girmitiya community—descendants of Indian indentured laborers who were sent to British colonies in the 19th and early 20th centuries to work on plantations.
- Key Provisions:-
- This initiative aims to strengthen ties with the global Indian diaspora, which is largely comprised of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs).
- OCI cardholders enjoy various privileges in India, including visa-free travel, the right to study and work, and the ability to own property, excluding agricultural and plantation land.
- Notably, Indian-origin individuals constitute over 40% of the population in Trinidad and Tobago, highlighting the lasting impact of Girmitiya migration.
- The database is expected to serve as a bridge connecting the descendants of these laborers with their ancestral roots, deepening cultural and historical connections between India and its far-flung diaspora communities.
- Why in News?
- The Finance Ministry has declared that all existing tax benefits under the National Pension System (NPS) will now be extended to the Unified Pension System (UPS) as well.
- Key Provisions:-
- The UPS has been introduced as an alternative payout option within the NPS framework. It functions as a fund-based pension scheme, depending on the systematic and timely contributions from both the employee and the Central Government as the employer.
- A key highlight of the UPS is its assurance of a minimum pension of ₹10,000 per month upon retirement, provided the individual has completed at least 10 years of service.
- Additionally, those with a qualifying service of 25 years are entitled to 50% of the average basic pay drawn during the last 12 months prior to retirement. By aligning tax incentives with the NPS, the government aims to encourage broader participation in UPS and ensure greater financial security for central government employees post-retirement.
- Why in News?
- Scientists have captured rare photographic evidence of an unusual type of supernova involving a white dwarf star—a dense, burnt-out remnant of a once-living star.
- Key Provisions:-
- This specific event, known as a “double detonation,” was documented using the Very Large Telescope operated by the European Southern Observatory in Chile. Unlike typical supernovae that involve massive stars, this explosion was triggered in a smaller white dwarf, making the discovery particularly unique.
- A supernova is an extremely powerful stellar explosion, typically occurring when a star over eight times the mass of the Sun exhausts its nuclear fuel and its core collapses. However, in this case, the white dwarf underwent a surface explosion that led to a second, internal detonation—resulting in the full destruction of the star.
- This rare observation could help scientists better understand the diverse pathways through which stars end their lives and the role such events play in enriching the universe with heavy elements.