16 July 2026 - "Daily Current Affairs" Updates

Ravidassias

Why in News?

Thousands of members of the Ravidassia community assembled in Phagwara, Punjab, reiterating their demand for a separate 'Ravidassia Religion' category in the Census.

Who are the Ravidassias?

• A Dalit community inspired by the spiritual teachings, egalitarian philosophy and devotional poetry of Guru Ravidas.

• Concentrated mainly in Punjab's Doaba region, especially Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar.

Key Facts to Remember

• Sacred Scripture: Amritbani containing around 200 hymns of Guru Ravidas.

• Main Pilgrimage: Shri Guru Ravidass Janam Asthan (birthplace of Guru Ravidas).

• Central Philosophy: Begampura – an ideal society free from sorrow, fear, caste discrimination and inequality, founded on justice and equality.

Guru Ravidas

• Bhakti Movement saint and mystic poet born in Varanasi in a cobbler's family.

• Believed in one Supreme God and spread devotion through poetry.

• Fought against caste discrimination and promoted dignity and social harmony.

• Around 41 hymns are included in the Guru Granth Sahib.

PMFME Scheme

Why in News?

The Government is considering extending the PMFME Scheme till 2029 due to its successful implementation.

• Launched: 29 June 2020

• Type: Centrally Sponsored Scheme

• Part of: Atmanirbhar Bharat & Vocal for Local

• Objective: Formalise micro food processing enterprises, promote value addition, improve farmers' income, generate employment and strengthen entrepreneurship.

• Total Outlay: ₹10,000 crore

• Funding: 60:40 (Centre:States), 90:10 (NE/Himalayan), 100% for UTs without legislature.

• 35% subsidy (up to ₹10 lakh) for individual units.

• ₹40,000 seed capital per SHG member; up to ₹4 lakh for SHG Federations.

• Common infrastructure: 35% subsidy up to ₹3 crore.

• Branding grant up to 50%.

• Entrepreneurship and product-specific skill training.

CapaCITIES Project

• Stands for Capacity Building Project on Low Carbon and Climate Resilient City Development in India.

• Launched: 2016.

• Funded by Embassy of Switzerland to India and Bhutan.

• Objective: Climate-resilient urban planning and low-carbon development.

• Supports India's Net Zero 2070 goal.

• Expanded to Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Malaysia.

Pygoluciola mawsynram

• New firefly discovered in Mawsynram, Meghalaya.

• Named after the world's wettest place.

• Distinct flashing pattern.

• Genus now has 29 species globally; 5 in India.

• India has 92 firefly species; nearly 60% endemic.

NIDAR & SwaYaan

• NIDAR launched under SwaYaan by MeitY.

• SwaYaan launched in 2022.

• Vision: Make India a global drone hub by 2030.

• Implemented through 30 premier institutions.

• Five themes: Drone Electronics, GNC, Aeromechanics, Drone Applications and Allied UAS Technologies.