Weekly Important News (22-28 Sept)

Fresh SSB batches start around the 1st & 15th of every month.

🧪 The Growing Relevance of Traditional Medicine

• Key Point: Traditional medicine is gaining global traction, with 88% of WHO member states using it.
• India’s Role: The Ministry of Ayush is promoting it actively, including hosting the WHO Global Centre in Jamnagar.
• Market Impact: Projected to hit $583 billion by 2030.
• Call to Action: Emphasis on scientific validation and integration into national health systems.

🚢 Indian Navy’s Shipbuilding Surge

• Headline: 54 vessels under construction; 10 to join fleet this year.
• Strategic Vision: Targeting 200+ warships/submarines by 2035.
• Domestic Push: Shift from “Buyers Navy” to “Builders Navy” under Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
• Geopolitical Lens: Supports SAGAR vision for regional security and growth.

💰 GST 2.0: Reforming India’s Tax Engine

• Focus: Simplifying GST for smoother compliance and stakeholder transition.
• Challenges: Tech gaps, coordination issues, and SME concerns.
• Leadership: Chandrakant Salunkhe advocates for better execution and stakeholder support.
• Goal: Make GST 2.0 efficient, inclusive, and tech-driven.

🛸 India’s Mega Drone Drill: ‘Cold Start’

• Event: Joint Army-Navy-Air Force exercise in October.
• Objective: Test drones in surveillance, combat, and GPS-jammed environments.
• Scale: Largest drone drill since Operation Sindhudh.
• Innovation: Includes private tech partners and drone swarms.

🌱 India’s Climate Targets Ahead of COP30

• Commitment: 45% reduction in emissions intensity by 2030 (from 2005 levels).
• Energy Goal: 50% electric power from non-fossil sources by 2030.
• Global Context: EU targets 55% reduction from 1990 levels.
• Challenge: Balancing development with climate responsibility.

🌧️ Flood Management: Follow Rain, Not Calendar

• Problem: Urban flooding worsened by outdated calendar-based planning.
• Solution: Use real-time rainfall data and predictive models.
• Experts: Pratha Mishra and Nitin Bassi advocate for dynamic flood calendars.
• Urgency: Climate change makes rainfall patterns unpredictable.

🌍 Zelenskyy on India’s Stance

• Claim: India is “mostly with us,” says Zelenskyy.
• Backdrop: UNGA speech and meetings with global leaders.
• Energy Diplomacy: India’s ties with Russia vs. EU’s energy cuts.
• Strategic Angle: Push for stronger India-EU relations.

📉 Border States & India’s Export Challenge

• Statistic: 8 border states contribute just 0.13% to exports.
• Barriers: Poor infrastructure, limited industrialization, weak global access.
• Global Context: U.S.-China trade tensions affecting sectors like electronics.
• Insight: India’s export growth needs inclusive regional development.

🛡️ Saudi-Pakistan Defence Pact: Strategic Ripples

• Deal: Military agreement signed during Pakistan Army Chief’s visit to Saudi Arabia.
• Implication: Alters India’s strategic calculus in West Asia.
• Backdrop: Saudi Crown Prince’s April visit to Pakistan.
• Analysis: Signals shifting alliances and regional power dynamics.

🏙️ India’s Urban Definition: A Census Misfit

• Issue: 2011 Census criteria miss rapidly urbanizing areas.
• Definitions: Statutory vs. Census towns—many urban-like areas excluded.
• Impact: Skewed planning, poor resource allocation.
• Call: Update definitions to reflect real urban growth.

🇮🇳🤝🇲🇦 India-Morocco Defence Ties Deepen

• Event: Rajnath Singh inaugurates India’s first overseas defence manufacturing unit in Morocco.
• Facility: Run by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), producing gear like bulletproof jackets and helmets.
• Strategic Impact: Marks a new chapter in India-Africa defence collaboration, boosting Make in India abroad.

🚄🔥 Agni-Prime Missile: Rail-Based Launch Breakthrough

• Test: DRDO and Strategic Forces Command successfully launch Agni-Prime from a mobile rail platform.
• Innovation: First-of-its-kind rail-based system enables stealthy, rapid deployment.
• Outcome: All mission objectives met; trajectory tracked via multiple ground stations.

🇺🇸🇵🇰 Trump-Khan Meeting Signals Warmer Ties

• Meeting: Trump hosts Pakistan PM Imran Khan at the White House.
• Focus: Peace talks with the Taliban, regional stability.
• Backdrop: Pakistan Army Chief and ISI Director also present, signaling high-level engagement.

🇵🇰🇮🇳 Pakistan Calls for Composite Dialogue with India

• Proposal: PM Imran Khan urges comprehensive talks, including Kashmir.
• Venue: Foreign Minister Qureshi speaks at U.S. Institute of Peace.
• Tone: Diplomatic outreach amid regional tensions.

🌾🏜️ Farming Tech to Combat Desertification in Rajasthan

• Innovation: ‘Soilification’ via biomodulation boosts water retention and soil health.
• Success: Wheat grown in Thar desert using natural plant-based soil activators.
• Impact: Higher yields, potential game-changer for arid agriculture.

🇳🇵⚖️ Nepal’s Political Turmoil & Gen Z Uprising

• Unrest: Youth-led protests demand PM Oli’s resignation.
• Backdrop: Struggles with federalism, post-monarchy governance.
• Insight: Gen Z’s frustration reflects deeper systemic issues; reforms needed for stability.

🌐🔁 Jaishankar Calls for UN Reform

• Speech: At UNGA, Jaishankar urges expansion of Security Council membership.
• Message: Current structure lacks credibility; India backs Global South’s rise.
• Response: India rebuts Pakistan’s plea for ceasefire, reaffirms commitment to peace.

💻🇺🇸 H-1B Visa Fee Hike: Wake-Up Call for Indian Tech

• Change: Trump proposes raising H-1B fee from $15K to $100K.
• Impact: 70% of H-1B holders are Indian; hiring may drop.
• Call to Action: India must invest in domestic tech infrastructure to reduce dependency.

🌍🇵🇸 Global Shift: U.K., Australia, Canada Recognize Palestine

• Move: Major Western powers formally recognize Palestinian state.
• Ripple Effect: France may follow; U.S. and Israel react cautiously.
• Conflict Update: Israeli airstrikes kill 35 in Rafah amid ongoing tensions.

🇺🇸🔥 Trump Claims He Averted India-Pakistan War

• Statement: Trump reiterates he prevented war during his presidency.
• Context: Adds to his narrative of global peacemaker, amid renewed South Asia tensions.

CLICK HERE TO GET ALL IMAGES OF THESE ARTICLES