National Manufacturing Mission GS-I COVERNANCE]
• Why in the News: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently announced a National Manufacturing Mission to further boost the 'Make In India' initiative.
> Definition:
• The National Manufacturing Mission has been introduced in the Union Budget 2025-26 with the aim of boosting the manufacturing sector across small, medium, and large industries.
This initiative further strengthens the Make in India initiative.
• The mission will focus on five major areas:
• Ease and cost of doing business
- Future-ready workforce for emerging industries
• Vibrant MSME sector
- Technology availability - Quality products.
> Objective:
• The mission aims to provide comprehensive policy support, execution roadmaps, and a governance framework for both central ministries and state governments.
• A key component of the mission is its emphasis on Clean Tech manufacturing, with the goal of enhancing domestic value addition.
> Focus on Clean Tech Manufacturing: The initiative aims to create a robust ecosystem for the manufacturing of clean and sustainable technologies, including:
• Solar PV cells
• EV batteries, motors, and controllers
• Electrolyzers
• Wind turbines
• High-voltage transmission equipment
• Grid-scale batteries.
• The mission envisions India becoming a global leader in clean and sustainable manufacturing by investing in these technologies.
> Key Focus Areas: The mission will concentrate on five strategic areas to promote industrial growth and enhance India's global competitiveness.
Telecom Disputes Settlement & Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) ▪️ Why in the news: The Telecom Disputes Settlement & Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) has stayed the telecommunications regulator's levy of financial penalties totalling more than '141 crore on Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea for not being able to curb spam.
> Definition:
• The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) was established by amending the TRAI Act of 1997 in the year 2000.
o The tribunal was set up to resolve disputes and handle appeals, with the primary aim of protecting the interests of service providers and consumers in the telecom sector.
• It also works towards promoting and ensuring the orderly growth of the telecom sector.
> Composition:
• The Tribunal comprises a Chairperson and two Members who are appointed by the Central Government.
• Eligibility of Members:
• Chairperson: The Chairperson must be either a sitting or retired Judge of the Supreme Court or the Chief Justice of a High Court.
• Other Members: The other members should meet one of the following criteria:
• They must have held the position of Secretary to the Government of India or an equivalent post in the Central or State Government for at least two years.
• Alternatively, the members may be individuals with expertise in areas such as technology, telecommunication, industry, commerce, or administration.
• Tenure of Office:
• The Chairperson serves for a term of up to four years, or until the age of seventy, whichever is earlier.
• Other members hold office for four years, or until the age of sixty-five, whichever is earlier.
• Powers of Tribunal:
• The Tribunal has jurisdiction over matters related to Telecom, Broadcasting, IT, and Airport tariffs under the TRAI Act, 1997, the Information Technology Act, 2008, and the Airport Economic Regulatory Authority of India Act, 2008.
• It holds both original and appellate jurisdiction for matters concerning Telecom, Broadcasting, and Airport tariffs.
• For matters related to Cyber issues, the Tribunal exercises only appellate jurisdiction.
• In January 2004, the Government expanded the scope of the TRAI Act to include broadcasting and cable services.
3. Geo-Economic Fragmentation (GEF) ▪️Why in the news: As per a new study, growing geo-economic fragmentation can decrease global GDP by up to $ 5.7 trillion, giving it a bigger blow than the financial crisis of 2008 or the COVID-19 pandemic.
> What is Geo-Economic Fragmentation (GEF)?
• Geo-Economic Fragmentation (GEF) refers to the decline in global economic integration caused by the implementation of strategic national policies.
> It results in disruptions across trade, capital flows, foreign direct investment FDI), and migration.
> The shift is reminiscent of the Cold War era, where countries aligned themselves into distinct economic blocs.
> Western nations have contributed to economic divisions by imposing uniform environmental, labor, and social standards.
> According to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Monitoring Report for October 2024:
• A total of 169 new trade-restrictive measures were introduced, affecting $887.7 billion worth of global trade.
• This marked a significant rise from the $337.1 billion recorded in 2023, signaling a surge in protectionist policies.
• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) highlights that the cost of trade fragmentation today exceeds the levels during the Cold War: While global trade then represented just 16% of GDP, it now accounts for 45%, making economic isolation riskier.
- Economic Impacts of Geo-Economic Fragmentation:
> The fragmentation of the global economy could lead to permanent losses in global GDP.
• IMF estimates suggest that the costs of geo-economic fragmentation may range between 0.2% to 7% of GDP for some economies. 4. Rusty-Spotted Cat (Prionailurus Rubiginosus) ▪️ Why in the news: Bengal has discovered the world's smallest and lightest wild cat,
the rusty-spotted cat, in its Purulia district.
> Definition: The Rusty-Spotted Cat holds the title of being the smallest and lightest known species of cat in the world.
> Distribution of the Rusty-Spotted Cat:
• This species is found in various regions, including dry deciduous and semi-deciduous forests across northern and central India, the Western Ghats, Kachchh, Rajasthan, and other parts of peninsular India
• The Rusty-Spotted Cat is also present in Nepal and Sri Lanka.
• India is home to about 80% of the global population of this species.
> Features of the Rusty-Spotted Cat:
• The Rusty-Spotted Cat weighs less than 1.5 kilograms, making it about half the size of a typical domestic cat.
• It has a fawn-grey colored coat adorned with characteristic rusty spots on its back and flanks.
o The head of the cat is short and rounded, with two white streaks near the inner edges of its eyes.
• Its large eyes are greyish-brown to amber in color, which may be an adaptation for its nocturnal lifestyle.
• The cat's legs are relatively short, and its feet have black soles.
• The tail is moderately long, with a rusty color that is more prominent than the body, and it remains unmarked.
• Conservation Status: Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List
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