Read Current Affairs
- Why in News?
- Two wetlands in Bihar – Gokul Reservoir (Buxar) and Udaipur Lake (West Champaran) – have recently been recognized as new Ramsar Sites.
- Key Provisions:-
- With this inclusion, India’s tally of wetlands of international importance has reached 93, covering an area of 1,360,719 hectares. Bihar earlier had three Ramsar sites: Kabar Jheel in Begusarai and the Nagi–Nakti Bird Sanctuaries in Jamui.
- Both the new wetlands are oxbow lakes, crescent-shaped water bodies formed alongside meandering rivers. Gokul Reservoir lies on the southern bank of the Ganga, while Udaipur Lake is nestled within the Udaipur Wildlife Sanctuary, serving as a crucial habitat for migratory species such as the common pochard (Aythya ferina).
- The Ramsar Convention, adopted in 1971 under UNESCO and ratified by India in 1982, provides a global framework for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. Sites qualify by fulfilling criteria such as supporting large waterbird populations or safeguarding biodiversity.
- Why in News?
- India has achieved a significant milestone with the launch of its first fully indigenous 4G (5G-ready) network, deployed by BSNL in collaboration with C-DOT, Tejas Networks, and TCS. This achievement strengthens India’s ability to swiftly develop and adopt next-generation telecom technologies, paving the way for 5G expansion and future 6G development.
- Key Provisions:-
- The indigenous 4G stack holds wide-ranging importance. It ensures strategic autonomy by reducing reliance on foreign vendors, thereby enhancing security. Being cloud-native, it supports quick upgrades, scalability, and seamless migration to 5G. The network is expected to bridge the digital divide, extending reliable services to remote, tribal, and hilly regions. It also promotes domestic supply chains, boosts employment, and fosters a skilled workforce.
Globally, India now joins a select group of nations capable of developing such technology. While 5G has been rolled out nationwide since 2022, the government is actively preparing for 6G by 2030 through initiatives like Bharat 6G Vision and the Bharat 6G Alliance.
- Why in News?
- The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) has released operational guidelines for setting up public charging stations under the PM E-DRIVE (Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement) scheme.
- Key Provisions:-
- This scheme is aimed at speeding up the adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs) and ensuring the development of a robust charging ecosystem across India, thereby advancing the shift towards cleaner and sustainable mobility.
- Key features of PM E-DRIVE include demand incentives and subsidies for a wide range of EVs such as two-wheelers, three-wheelers, ambulances, buses, trucks, and other emerging vehicle categories. In addition, the scheme provides grants for capital asset creation, covering initiatives like the procurement of e-buses, setting up extensive charging networks, and modernizing testing facilities under MHI.
- By integrating incentives with infrastructure development, PM E-DRIVE seeks to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, cut carbon emissions, and support India’s long-term green mobility transition.