Nehru Death Anniversary
- On May 27, 2025, the Prime Minister paid homage to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on his death anniversary.
- Why it’s news:
- It marks the death anniversary of India’s first Prime Minister, who died on May 27, 1964.
- Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru is remembered as the Architect of Modern India for his crucial role in the freedom struggle and post-independence development.
- The current Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, publicly paid tribute via a post on X, acknowledging his place as a former Prime Minister.
- The event of the Prime Minister paying homage is reported by the Press Information Bureau (PIB).
Dholes
- May 28th is World Dhole Day, aimed at promoting the conservation of dholes, endangered Asian wild dogs.
- Dholes are crucial apex predators that help maintain forest ecosystem balance.
- They are highly social, living and hunting cooperatively in packs of 2 to 25 individuals.
- Known as “whistling dogs” due to their unique communication calls.
- Dholes hunt by eating prey alive because they lack the jaw strength to deliver a quick, fatal bite.
- Recent observations highlight the complexity of their hunting behaviour and interactions with prey, such as mothers defending their young or carcasses.
- They are found across southern and eastern Asia, including key regions in India like the Western Ghats.
- Dholes are listed as ‘Endangered’ by the IUCN and receive protection under international and national laws, emphasizing the urgency of conservation efforts.
Gallantry Awards 2025
- President Droupadi Murmu conferred Gallantry Awards 2025 at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
- This included 6 Kirti Chakras (4 posthumously) and 33 Shaurya Chakras (7 posthumously).
- Awards were presented to personnel from the Armed Forces, Central Armed Police Forces, and State/UT Police.
- Why in News: The President formally presented these awards, recognizing raw courage, unparalleled bravery, and total disregard for personal safety in the line of duty.
- Why in News: Awardees were honoured for bravery displayed during various operations, including counter-terror/insurgency in J&K and North-East, anti-piracy operations by the Navy, rescue operations by the IAF, and operations against Left-Wing Extremism by the CRPF.
- Gallantry Awards are given for acts of bravery and sacrifice, announced twice yearly on Republic Day and Independence Day.
- Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra are types of Gallantry Awards given for actions “Other than in the Face of Enemy”.
SASCI Scheme
- Why in News: Driving major land reforms across India by pushing states to modernise property systems, boosting efficiency, and industrial growth.
- Provides 50-year interest-free loans to states exclusively for capital expenditure projects.
- Launched in 2020-21 to stimulate economic recovery; capital expenditure boosts productive capacity, creates jobs, and has a high GDP multiplier effect (Rs 3 per Rs 1).
- Structured to target multiple sectors including urban reforms, digital infrastructure, and tourism development.
- Scaled up significantly from Rs 12,000 crore (2020-21) to Rs 1,50,000 crore (2024-25).
- Facilitating widespread industrial reforms: states are updating building bylaws, optimizing land use, and increasing permissible built-up areas for efficient development.
- Driving rural land digitisation: achieving high rates of cadastral map geo-referencing, ULPIN assignment, and digitisation of Records of Rights, improving transparency and reducing disputes.
- Funds earmarked for the first time for developing iconic tourist centres across states.
3rd Child Maternity Benefits
- Supreme Court (SC) granted maternity benefits to a woman for her third child in the K. Umadevi v. Government of Tamil Nadu case, setting aside a Madras High Court decision.
- The SC ruled that maternity benefits are a constitutional right, considering them integral to the Right to Life (Article 21), which includes health, dignity, privacy, and non-discrimination.
- Reproductive rights are recognised as part of international human rights law (like health, equality, dignity) and are protected under Article 21 of the Constitution, as previously affirmed.
- The SC clarified that the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017 does not prohibit maternity leave for women with more than two children; it only limits the duration of paid leave (26 weeks for up to two children, 12 weeks for more than two).
- The court noted that maternity leave itself is not denied based on the number of children.
- The SC also stated that population control and reproductive rights are not mutually exclusive goals and should be reconciled humanely.
- The Act applies to establishments with 10 or more employees and includes women covered under the Employees’ State Insurance Act.
ISO Rules 2025
-
Key Point: India has notified the Inter-services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Rules, 2025, which came into effect from May 27, 2025.
- Why: These rules are framed under Section 11 of the Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Act, 2023, to enable effective implementation of the Act and support the functioning of ISOs.
-
Key Point: The Rules provide a framework for the effective management of discipline and administration within Inter-Services Organisations (ISOs), which comprise personnel from two or three branches of the Armed Forces.
- Why: The Act and these Rules address challenges arising from separate service laws (Army, Navy, Air Force Acts) that previously hindered coordination and discipline in joint settings, especially highlighted during events like Operation Sindoor.
-
Key Point: The ISO Rules 2025 empower the Commanders-in-Chief and Officers-in-Command of ISOs with administrative and disciplinary authority over all service personnel under their command, regardless of their parent service.
- Why: This ensures effective maintenance of discipline and administration within ISOs, allows for expeditious disposal of disciplinary cases, avoids duplication of proceedings, and bolsters effective command and control.
-
Key Point: The notification of these Rules makes the ISO Act 2023 fully operational.
- Why: The Act and now the Rules are crucial steps towards strengthening jointness, operational synergy, and command efficiency within the Indian Armed Forces, aligning with military reform recommendations for better coordination and preparedness for multi-domain operations.
RoDTEP Scheme
- India has reinstated the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) scheme benefits for exports made by Advance Authorization (AA) holders, Export-Oriented Units (EOUs), and Special Economic Zone (SEZ) units.
- The benefits were previously halted in February 2025.
- The reinstatement, effective from June 1, 2025, aims to ensure a level playing field for all exporters and boost export competitiveness and global market access for these specific categories.
- The RoDTEP scheme, launched in 2021, reimburses exporters for embedded duties, taxes, and levies not refunded under other schemes, replacing MEIS and complying with WTO norms.
- Rebates are issued as transferable duty credits or electronic scrips (e-scrips).
- The restoration is seen by export bodies as a significant step towards improving global competitiveness and recognizes the critical role of AA, EOU, and SEZ units in India’s export ecosystem.
- Total disbursements under the scheme exceeded Rs 57,976 crore as of March 2025, indicating its substantial support for exports.
NGO Regulation Review
- MHA amends FCRA Rules for NGOs receiving foreign funds.
- Ban on NGOs with foreign funds engaging in news publication/broadcast; Why: Ensure foreign contributions don’t influence media; requires ‘Not a Newspaper’ certificate.
- Mandatory detailed financial statements for past 3 years for FCRA registration; Why: Increase transparency and accountability of fund usage.
- Require adherence to FATF Good Practice Guidelines; Why: Align with global standards to combat terror financing and money laundering.
- New requirements for receiving donations: donor commitment letter, detailed project report with expense breakdown; Why: Ensure funds are tied to specific projects, limit admin costs to 20%.
- NGOs with expired/cancelled FCRA must submit affidavit on past fund use; Why: Ensure accountability for previously received foreign contributions.
- Only NGOs with definite cultural, educational, religious, or social programs allowed to receive funds; Why: Ensure foreign funds support specific non-profit objectives.