Read Current Affairs
- Why in News?
- The Union Cabinet has approved the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses, a six-year initiative (2025-26 to 2030-31) with a financial outlay of ₹11,440 crore, aimed at achieving self-sufficiency in pulse production.
- Key Provisions:-
- Announced in the Union Budget 2025-26, the mission seeks to reduce import dependence, enhance productivity, and boost farmers’ income. It will promote climate-resilient and improved seed varieties, develop post-harvest and value-addition infrastructure, and expand the area under pulses to 310 lakh hectares, including 35 lakh hectares from rice fallow and diversifiable lands. The mission targets 350 lakh tonnes of production with a productivity of 1,130 kg/ha, following a cluster-based approach tailored to local needs. Focus crops include tur (pigeon pea), urad (black gram), and masoor (red lentil). To ensure farmer confidence, NAFED and NCCF will provide 100% assured procurement for four years, while a mechanism will monitor global pulse prices to stabilize returns and supply.
- Why in News?
- According to data from the National Securities Depository Ltd (NSDL), Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) have offloaded cash shares worth ₹2.02 trillion in the calendar year up to October 1, 2025, reflecting a cautious investor sentiment amid global market volatility.
- Key Provisions:-
- FPIs are entities that invest in Indian securities such as shares and bonds, but their ownership in any Indian company cannot exceed 10% of the firm’s paid-up equity capital. If this limit is breached, FPIs must either divest the excess holdings or reclassify their investment as Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). As per the 2024 RBI and SEBI framework, such reclassification is not permitted in sectors barred for FDI, including chit funds and gambling. Moreover, FPIs from countries sharing land borders with India require government approval and the consent of the investee company. These regulations aim to ensure transparency, national security, and balanced foreign investment flows in Indian markets.
- Why in News?
- The Ministry of Electronics and IT has notified rules to implement the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, aimed at regulating and safeguarding India’s online gaming ecosystem.
- Key Provisions:-
- The Act classifies online games into E-Sports, Online Social Games, and Online Money Games, with the latter—such as poker and fantasy sports—being completely prohibited. An Online Gaming Authority of India (OGAI) will be established to oversee regulation, maintain a national registry, ensure compliance, and impose penalties. Both social games and e-sports must register with OGAI and obtain a valid certificate. A three-tier grievance redressal system will address user complaints, with appeals escalated to the Grievance Appellate Committee and the Authority. Violations will be treated as non-bailable offences, making company officials liable. Supporting frameworks include Section 69A of the IT Act (2000) to block illegal sites, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (2023) to penalize cybercrimes, and the Consumer Protection Act (2019) to curb misleading ads.