1. India’s Space Sector

Source: The Hindu
Syllabus: GS3 – Economy

News

India’s space sector has contributed approximately $24 billion (₹20,000 crore) to the country’s Gross Domestic Product over the past decade. Consistent investment, totaling $13 billion in the last decade, has positioned India as the 8th largest space economy globally in terms of funding. The 2024-25 Union Budget further boosted the space sector with an allocation of ₹13,042.75 crore.

Contribution to GDP:
The space sector has generated 96,000 jobs across public and private sectors. Each dollar produced in this sector has a multiplier effect of $2.54 on the Indian economy, and the productivity of India’s space workforce is 2.5 times that of the broader industrial workforce. With 700 companies, including 200 startups, the sector achieved revenues of $6.3 billion in 2023, accounting for 1.5% of the global space market. Satellite communications represent 54% of the sector’s contribution, followed by navigation (26%) and launches (11%). Major supported industries include telecom (25%), information technology (10%), and administrative services (7%).

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Space Sector:
Under the revised FDI policy, 100% FDI is allowed in the space sector, with specific routes depending on activity:

Up to 74% (Automatic Route): Satellite manufacturing and operation, satellite data products, and the ground segment.
Up to 49% (Automatic Route): Launch vehicles and associated systems, and spaceport creation.
Up to 100% (Automatic Route): Manufacturing components and subsystems for satellites, ground segments, and user segments.

Potential and Challenges:

Export and Investment Potential: India’s current export market share in space services stands at ₹2,400 crore ($0.3 billion) with an aim to increase it to ₹88,000 crore ($11 billion).
Space Tourism: The space tourism market, valued at $848.28 million in 2023, is expected to grow to $27,861.99 million by 2032.
Challenges: To achieve an 8% global market share, Indian space companies must enhance global competitiveness, encourage private sector investment, and foster technological innovation. Additionally, regulatory frameworks, licensing processes, and infrastructure development remain areas needing attention.

Major Reforms:

Indian Space Policy 2023: This policy clarifies the roles of organizations like ISRO, New Space India Limited (NSIL), and private sector entities while encouraging the participation of academia, startups, and industry.
Strategic Proposals by SIA: The Space Industry Association of India (SIA-India) recommended a significant increase in India’s space budget to advance the space program, encourage private participation, and establish India as a global leader in space technology.

2. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)

Established: Under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
Affiliation: Autonomous body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Functions:

Establishes science-based, globally benchmarked food standards.
Ensures food safety compliance through testing, surveillance, and enforcement.
Promotes public health through regulations and food safety supervision.

Key Responsibilities:
FSSAI addresses food-related issues, ensuring the safe availability of food for human consumption.

Composition:
The authority comprises a Chairperson and 22 members, with one-third being women, including representatives from various ministries, industry, consumer organizations, and experts.

3. Virupaksha Temple at Hampi

Source: The Indian Express
Syllabus: GS1 – Art & Architecture

Context:

Conservation of the Virupaksha Temple at Hampi is crucial following the collapse of the Saalu Mantapa pavilion during torrential rainfall.

Historical Significance:
Located in Hampi, Karnataka, the Virupaksha Temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and dates back to the 7th century CE. It gained prominence under the Vijayanagara Empire (14th-16th centuries), becoming a center for religious and cultural activities.

Architectural Marvels:
The temple is a prime example of Vijayanagara architecture with Dravidian-style towers (gopurams), pillared halls, and intricately carved shrines. The Vitthala Temple within the complex is renowned for its ornate structure, grand bazaar street, and beautifully carved mandapas.

Religious Significance:
Dedicated to Lord Virupaksha (a form of Lord Shiva), the temple is associated with the local goddess Pampadevi and the Tungabhadra River. Worship continues even after the city’s destruction in 1565.

4. Botswana Discovers the World’s Second-Largest Diamond

Source: The Hindu
Syllabus: GS2 – International Relations

Botswana has discovered a 2,492-carat diamond, the world’s second-largest, at a mine owned by Lucara Diamond, a Canadian company. The largest diamond, the 3,106-carat Cullinan Diamond, was found in South Africa in 1905.

About Botswana:
Located in Southern Africa, Botswana is a landlocked country dominated by the Kalahari Desert and bordered by Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and South Africa. Its capital is Gaborone. The country’s major rivers include the Limpopo, Okavango, and Shashe, with the Molopo River marking its border with South Africa. Botswana is also home to the world’s largest elephant population.

5. PM-WANI Scheme

Source: Press Information Bureau
Syllabus: GS3 – Economy
Context:
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released a draft Telecommunication Tariff (70th Amendment) Order, 2024, focusing on the regulatory framework for the PM-WANI scheme.

About the PM-WANI Scheme:

Launched by the Department of Telecommunications in 2020, the Prime Minister’s WiFi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI) scheme aims to expand public WiFi hotspots, especially in rural areas, to create a robust digital communications infrastructure. The initiative seeks to provide affordable internet access to underserved populations and boost employment opportunities for small entrepreneurs.

PM-WANI Ecosystem:
The ecosystem consists of four components: Public Data Office (PDO), Public Data Office Aggregator (PDOA), App Provider, and Central Registry. PDOs set up WiFi hotspots, PDOAs handle authorizations, app providers list available hotspots, and the Central Registry maintains records of these entities.

Challenges:
Despite the National Digital Communications Policy 2018 and Bharat 6G Vision targeting 10 million public WiFi hotspots by 2022, the current number of hotspots under PM-WANI remains far below the target. Achieving the vision of 50 million hotspots by 2030 requires overcoming this shortfall.