CA-25/03/2026
Contents
1. Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (DDKY)
2. Cooperative Sugar Mills
3. Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF)
4. AI in Cancer Screening
5. U-WIN Portal
6. SHE-Marts (Self-Help Entrepreneur)
7. Minor Planet Center (MPC)
8. Akasha300 3D Printer
9. Aghanashini River
10. GARBH-Ini Initiative
Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (DDKY)
Why in News?
The Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) is a flagship initiative launched by the Government of India to modernize the agricultural sector across 100 underperforming districts.
Key Features
- Scheme Type and Duration: Central Sector Scheme with 100% central funding; runs for 6 years from FY 2025-26.
- Financial Outlay: ₹24,000 crore annually.
- Target Beneficiaries: 1.7 crore farmers in 100 districts selected based on low productivity, cropping intensity, and credit access; at least one district per state/UT.
- Convergence: Integrates 36 central schemes from 11 ministries, plus state schemes and private partnerships.
Objectives
- Enhance agricultural productivity through quality seeds, modern inputs, and integrated farming.
- Promote crop diversification and sustainable, climate-resilient practices.
- Augment post-harvest storage at panchayat/block levels and improve irrigation infrastructure.
- Improve access to short- and long-term agricultural credit.
Implementation Structure
- District Level: District Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana Samiti (DDKY Samiti) chaired by District Collector prepares tailored plans.
- Monitoring: 117 KPIs tracked monthly via central dashboard; Central Nodal Officers for oversight.
- Governance: Three-tier system (district, state, central) with teams under ministers/secretaries; digital app for farmers and GIS/AI tools.
- Support Institutions: Involves NITI Aayog, agricultural universities, NABARD, and Krishi Vigyan Kendras.
Expected Outcomes
- Increased farm incomes, reduced post-harvest losses, better market access via FPOs.
- Focus on allied sectors like fruits, fisheries, beekeeping, animal husbandry, and agroforestry.
- Creates resilient, market-oriented farming systems for rural prosperity.
Why in News?
Cooperative sugar mills are recently in the news due to a series of significant government interventions aimed at their modernisation, financial revival, and role in India's energy transition.
Financial Support & Loans
- The National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) has sanctioned over ₹10,000 crore to strengthen 56 cooperative sugar mills.
- Revised Funding: The NCDC now covers 90% of project costs (previously 70%) for setting up ethanol plants, requiring mills to contribute only 10%.
- Reduced Interest: Floating interest rates for term loans have been reduced to 8.50% to ease the financial burden.
Ethanol & Multi-Feedstock Transition
- A new Modified Ethanol Interest Subvention Scheme allows cooperative mills to convert existing plants into multi-feedstock units using maize and damaged grains, enabling year-round operation.
- Procurement Priority: Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) give Priority-1 to cooperative sugar mills in ethanol purchase cycles.
Tax & Regulatory Relief
- Income Tax Reform: Mills are now exempt from additional income tax on "excess" payments made to farmers, provided they are within the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) or State Advised Price (SAP).
- GST Reduction: GST on molasses has been slashed from 28% to 5%, significantly improving liquidity for distilleries and mills.
Sugar Policy 2025
- The government formulated the Sugar (Control) Order, 2025, to modernize regulations and include by-products like ethanol and bagasse under its framework for better oversight.
- FRP Hike: The FRP for the 2025–26 season was increased to ₹355/quintal (based on a 10.25% recovery rate) to support farmer income.
Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF)
Why in News?
Lok Sabha response on March 24, 2026, detailed FIDF's implementation, approvals, sanctions, and disbursements up to Rs. 1,600.56 crore across states like Maharashtra (42 projects, Rs. 1,230.90 crore).
About
- Launched in FY 2018-19 by Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, with Rs. 7,522.48 crore total outlay (Rs. 5,266.40 crore from Nodal Loaning Entities, Rs. 1,316.60 crore beneficiary contribution, Rs. 939.48 crore government support).
- Aims to create/modernize fisheries infrastructure in marine and inland sectors to support Blue Revolution targets, like 20 million tonnes production by 2022-23 (achieved higher).
- Provides concessional finance via interest subvention up to 3% p.a. (loans at ≥5% p.a.) through Nodal Loaning Entities (NLEs) like banks.
Key Features
- Loans up to 80% of project cost (beneficiary 20% margin); repayment up to 12 years with 2-year moratorium.
- Eligible entities: State Govts/UTs, corporations, entrepreneurs, farmers, cooperatives.
- No limits on units/area; covers deep-sea vessels, disease labs, mariculture, feed mills, training centers.
Objectives
- Develop fishing harbours, landing centers, cold chains, hatcheries, and processing units to reduce post-harvest losses and boost marketing.
- Attract private investment from entrepreneurs, farmers, and state entities for sustainable 8-9% growth in fish production.
- Bridge infrastructure gaps, generate employment for over 9.4 lakh fishers, and enhance exports.
Progress
- 228 projects approved (95 private, 133 govt.) at Rs. 5,559.54 crore cost (Rs. 4,351.86 crore for subvention); 111 sanctioned (Rs. 4,212.05 crore), Rs. 1,600.56 crore disbursed.
- 68 projects completed; major spends on fishing harbours (Rs. 3,803.86 crore for 28 projects).
- Top states: Tamil Nadu (108 projects), Maharashtra (42).
Why in News?
AI in cancer screening is recently a major focus of medical research and public health policy, particularly due to its ability to detect malignancies earlier and more accurately than traditional methods.
Early Detection & Accuracy
- AI can identify microscopic patterns in X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans that are often invisible to the human eye.
- Studies show AI can detect lung nodules on chest X-rays with a sensitivity of up to 80%, significantly higher than unassisted radiologists.
Precision Prevention
- Instead of age-based screening, AI models analyze full medical history, lifestyle, and genetics to provide personalized "5-year risk scores".
- AI-driven "digital twins" simulate disease progression to predict how a specific patient might respond to treatment.
Addressing Healthcare Gaps
- In India, portable AI devices (like IIT Kharagpur's breath analyzer) are being deployed in rural screening camps to bridge the shortage of specialists.
- Low-cost AI tools for cervical cancer use mobile phone cameras to interpret Pap smears with expert-level accuracy.
Reduced False Alarms
- AI reduces "false positives" (false alarms) in lung cancer screening by better distinguishing between benign nodules and actual malignancies, sparing patients from unnecessary invasive biopsies.
Future Trends
- Continuous Screening: Integration with wearable devices to monitor real-time health data for subtle shifts in cancer risk.
- Multi-Modal Fusion: Combining imaging, genomics, and electronic health records into a single diagnostic engine for higher reliability.
Why in News?
The U-WIN Portal is a digital platform designed by the Government of India to maintain a permanent electronic registry of routine immunisations for pregnant women and children. As of March 18, 2026, approximately 11.87 crore children and 3.96 crore pregnant women have been registered on the platform.
Key Information
- Platform Design: It is modelled after the successful Co-WIN platform used during the COVID-19 pandemic to manage large-scale vaccination efforts.
- Target Group: Focuses on pregnant women and children from birth to 16 years (some records extend to 18 years).
Main Features
- Self-Registration: Citizens can self-register via the U-WIN Citizen Portal or mobile app using a mobile number and government ID.
- E-Vaccination Certificate: Generates a QR-based, digitally verifiable certificate after every dose, which can be downloaded anytime.
- Automated Reminders: Sends SMS alerts to parents three days before a scheduled or due dose.
- Portability: Allows "Anywhere Access," meaning a child can receive their first dose in one city and subsequent doses in another without carrying physical booklets.
Functionality for Health Workers
- Due-List Generation: Automatically creates a list of children who are due for vaccination in a specific area, helping ASHA and Anganwadi workers with follow-ups.
- Offline Mode: Enables digital recording of vaccinations in remote areas without internet, syncing the data once connectivity is restored.
- Health Record Linking: It records birth details, including birth weight and any physical deformities, which can be shared with other government programs like POSHAN Tracker.
SHE-Marts (Self-Help Entrepreneur)
Why in News?
SHE-Marts is a recent Indian government initiative to empower rural women entrepreneurs through dedicated retail outlets. Announced in the Union Budget 2026 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, it builds on prior schemes like Lakhpati Didi.
Key Information
- Definition: SHE-Marts are community-owned and managed retail outlets established within Cluster-Level Federations (CLFs) of Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
- Primary Objective: To provide women entrepreneurs with direct market access, professional branding opportunities, and sustainable income avenues.
Core Features
- Direct Sales: Eliminates middlemen, allowing women to sell products like handicrafts, organic farm produce, and processed foods directly to consumers.
- Branding Support: Provides assistance for professional packaging and quality standardization (e.g., FSSAI) to help local products compete with urban brands.
- Innovative Financing: Supported by "enhanced and innovative financing instruments" such as credit guarantees and bridge funding rather than just standard bank loans.
- Infrastructure: Offers permanent physical and digital retail spaces, moving beyond temporary exhibition stalls or local fairs.
Target Beneficiaries
Implementation Model
- Managed by Cluster-Level Federations (CLFs), which aggregate products from multiple village organizations.
- Integrated with digital platforms like Jan Samarth for seamless loan applications and bank-linked approvals.
- Strategic Impact: Aims to reach a goal of 3 crore Lakhpati Didis by 2027 (and a further target of 3 crore more by 2029) by scaling their micro-businesses into competitive market brands.
Minor Planet Center (MPC)
Why in News?
On March 16, 2026, the MPC officially announced the discovery of 15 new moons in our solar system—4 orbiting Jupiter and 11 orbiting Saturn.
Key Information
- Official Status: Operates under the auspices of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and is hosted by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
- Primary Functions
- Data Clearinghouse: Acts as the single central hub for all astrometric (positional) measurements of small solar system bodies.
- Orbit Calculation: Uses high-performance computing to calculate the precise orbits of asteroids and comets to predict future paths.
- Official Designations: Assigns unique alphanumeric identities to newly discovered objects (2026 FB3).
- Impact Alerts: Maintains the NEO Confirmation Page (NEOCP), which alerts astronomers worldwide to newly detected objects that might pose a short-term risk of hitting Earth.
- Funding & Support: Primarily funded by a grant from NASA’s Near-Earth Object Observations (NEOO) program.
- The MPC Catalogue: As of March 2026, the center manages data for over 1.5 million observed small bodies, including more than 887,000 officially numbered minor planets.
- New Digital Tools: Recently introduced a near-duplicate check tool via API to help researchers avoid resubmitting redundant observational data.
Why in News?
The Akasha300 is in the news following its first commercial delivery to ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) in Valiyamala, Thiruvananthapuram, on March 23, 2026.
Key Information
- Developed by the Kerala-based deep-tech startup Spacetime 4D Printing Solution, a startup founded in 2020 by Akhil Madhavan and his team. This delivery marks a major milestone in the "Atmanirbhar Bharat" initiative, as it provides ISRO with a domestically produced platform for high-performance additive manufacturing.
- Technological Support: The project was backed by the Space Technology Innovation and Incubation Centre (STIIC) at the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) and the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM).
- High-Temperature Capability: The printer features a nozzle capable of reaching 350°C (upgradeable to 500°C), allowing it to process engineering-grade thermoplastics and composites like PEEK, PEKK, and carbon-fibre-reinforced materials.
- Dual-Extrusion System: It utilizes a dual-extrusion setup, enabling multi-material printing—such as simultaneous printing of a high-strength part and its soluble support structure.
- Controlled Thermal Environment:
- Heated Bed: Reaches 110°C (upgradeable to 150°C) to prevent warping.
- Enclosed Chamber: Maintains temperatures up to 80°C for dimensional stability.
- Modular Architecture: Designed as a research platform, its modular extruder allows for future integration of additional systems or hybrid manufacturing techniques.
- Aerospace Applications: ISRO will use the Akasha300 to rapidly prototype and manufacture complex components for next-generation rocket propulsion systems and satellite hardware.
- Significance: By producing these high-end printers locally, India reduces its reliance on expensive imports from the US and Europe while shortening development cycles from months to days.
Why in News?
On March 23, 2026, UNESCO advised the Government of India that the proposed Aghanashini–Vedavathi river-linking project must strictly comply with World Heritage Conservation norms to avoid harming the ecological balance of the Western Ghats.
About
- Ramsar Site Implementation: Following its designation as a Ramsar Site in 2024, efforts are recently underway to establish a Wetland Conservation Authority to manage the estuary's natural resources sustainably.
- Environmental Protests: Local activists and groups like the Vriksha Laksha movement are actively opposing the diversion project, warning that it could lead to the felling of approximately 1.2 lakh trees and submerge 600 acres of forest land.
Origin & Course
- Source: Originates in the Western Ghats at Gadihalli (Sirsi) at an altitude of 676m.
- Length: Travels approximately 117 km entirely within the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka.
- Mouth: Joins the Arabian Sea at Tadri (near Gokarna).
Ecological Significance
- Pristine State: It is one of the few rivers in India that remains largely undammed and lacks significant industrial pollution.
- Biodiversity: The estuary supports over 80 fish species, 115 bird species, and 45 varieties of mangroves.
- Waterfalls: The rugged terrain creates several famous falls, including the Unchalli Falls (Lushington Falls).
Socio-Economic Impact
- Livelihoods: Approximately 6,000–7,500 families directly depend on the estuary for fishing, bivalve collection, and salt farming.
- Agriculture: Known for the cultivation of Kagga rice, a traditional salt-tolerant variety grown in the estuarine fields.
Major Threats
- Proposed Diversion: The Aghanashini–Vedavathi project aims to divert water to drought-prone regions but faces criticism for potential "Frankenstein-like" ecological damage.
- Infrastructure Pressure: Proposals for large-scale ports and dredging threaten to destroy fragile mudflats and fish nurseries.
Why in News?
On March 23, 2026, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh announced successful milestones of the initiative, including the development of homegrown AI tools to predict preterm births.
Key Information
- GARBH-INi Initiative Stand For: Interdisciplinary Group for Advanced Research on Birth outcomes – DBT India Initiative
- Lead Agency: It is a collaborative initiative under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), led by the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad.
- Core Objective: To understand the biological and non-biological risks of preterm birth (PTB) and develop sustainable, technology-driven interventions for clinical use.
- Garbhini-GA2 Model:
- Developed by researchers from IIT Madras and THSTI, this is the first India-specific AI model to precisely estimate gestational age (fetal age) in the second and third trimesters.
- It reduces estimation errors by nearly threefold compared to traditional Western models (like Hadlock), which often fail to account for Indian fetal growth variations.
- Cohort Study: One of South Asia's largest pregnancy cohorts, tracking 12,000 women from early pregnancy (<20 weeks) through delivery and up to 6 months postpartum.
- Advanced Research Pillars:
- Genetic Markers: Identification of 19 genetic markers (SNPs) associated with preterm birth risk.
- Microbiome Research: Developing predictors based on the vaginal microbiome to identify risk factors early.
- AI Integration: Using machine learning to analyze ultrasound images and clinical data for personalized maternal risk stratification.
- Significance: Strengthens India's preventive healthcare capabilities and supports the "Viksit Bharat" vision for 2047 by ensuring healthier generations.
Question & Answer
Q1. With reference to the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY), consider the following statements:
a) It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with partial state funding
b) It targets 100 underperforming districts based on agricultural indicators
c) It integrates multiple schemes across ministries for convergence
d) It runs for 10 years starting from FY 2025-26
Answer: b) and c)
Explanation:
• PMDDKY is a Central Sector Scheme with 100% central funding, not centrally sponsored
• It targets 100 districts based on low productivity, cropping intensity, and credit access
• It converges 36 schemes from 11 ministries
• Duration is 6 years, not 10 years
Q2. Regarding cooperative sugar mills in India, consider the following statements:
a) National Cooperative Development Corporation provides financial assistance for modernization
b) GST on molasses has been increased to 28% to boost revenue
c) Cooperative mills are given priority in ethanol procurement by Oil Marketing Companies
d) Income tax exemption is provided on excess payments beyond FRP/SAP
Answer: a) and c)
Explanation:
• NCDC provides loans and financial support to cooperative sugar mills
• GST on molasses has been reduced from 28% to 5%, not increased
• OMCs provide Priority-1 status to cooperative mills in ethanol procurement
• Tax exemption applies only within FRP/SAP limits, not beyond
Q3. With reference to the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), consider the following statements:
a) It was launched in FY 2018-19 to develop fisheries infrastructure
b) It provides 100% funding for all approved projects
c) It offers interest subvention on loans through nodal lending entities
d) It only supports marine fisheries and excludes inland fisheries
Answer: a) and c)
Explanation:
• FIDF was launched in 2018-19 to boost fisheries infrastructure
• It provides up to 80% loan; beneficiary contributes 20%
• Interest subvention up to 3% is provided
• It covers both marine and inland fisheries
Q4. Consider the following statements regarding AI in cancer screening:
a) AI can detect patterns in medical imaging beyond human capability
b) AI-based screening completely eliminates false positives
c) AI enables personalized risk prediction using multiple data sources
d) AI tools are being used in rural India for low-cost screening
Answer: a), c) and d)
Explanation:
• AI improves early detection through advanced pattern recognition
• It reduces but does not eliminate false positives
• It uses medical history, genetics, and lifestyle for risk prediction
• Portable AI tools are deployed in rural areas to bridge healthcare gaps
Q5. With reference to the U-WIN Portal, consider the following statements:
a) It is modeled after Co-WIN platform
b) It maintains records only for children up to 5 years of age
c) It provides QR-based digital vaccination certificates
d) It supports offline data entry for health workers
Answer: a), c) and d)
Explanation:
• U-WIN is modeled after Co-WIN platform
• It covers children up to 16 years (sometimes up to 18), not just 5 years
• It generates QR-based certificates
• Offline mode is available for remote areas
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