India’s Nutrient-Rich Purple Potato

Economy

Context

An important outcome of biofortification research has been the development of coloured potato varieties with enhanced nutritional value.

ICAR–CPRI Coloured Potato Varieties

Developed nutrient-rich varieties: Kufri Neelkanth, Kufri Manik and Kufri Jamunia.
Contain anthocyanins, iron and zinc, which contribute to nutritional quality.

Kufri Jamunia

Released: 2024.
Features: Purple flesh, high antioxidant content and higher levels of ascorbic acid, anthocyanins and carotenoids compared with Kufri Manik and Kufri Neelkanth.
Nutritional value: Enhanced levels of iron and zinc.
Performance: Stable in multi-location trials; recommended for cultivation in the North Indian plains.

Connect with the basics – Biofortification

Definition: Biofortification is the process of increasing the nutritional value of crops by enhancing vitamins, minerals and essential nutrients through plant breeding, agronomic practices or biotechnology.
Objective: To address hidden hunger (micronutrient deficiencies despite adequate calorie intake).
Methods: Conventional plant breeding, agronomic biofortification and genetic engineering.
Benefits: Improves nutritional security, reduces micronutrient deficiencies and provides a cost-effective, sustainable approach to combating malnutrition.
Examples: Iron-rich pearl millet, zinc-rich wheat, vitamin A-rich sweet potato and biofortified coloured potatoes.
Significance for India: Helps tackle anaemia, micronutrient deficiencies and malnutrition, complementing food fortification and nutrition programmes.

Organic Palmyra Jaggery Powder Export to Bulgaria

Economy

News

India exported its first consignment of organic Palmyra Jaggery Powder to Bulgaria.

Organic Palmyra Jaggery

Origin: Gobichettipalayam, Erode district, Tamil Nadu.
Preparation: Made from the nectar of Palmyra palm blossoms; a traditional natural sweetener.

Certification: Certified under India’s National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) and European Union organic standards.

Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)

Established: 1986 under the APEDA Act, 1985.
Nature: Statutory authority.
Ministry: Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Headquarters: New Delhi.
Role: Promotes the export of agricultural and processed food products from India.

INTERNET ACCESS AS A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT FOR CHILDREN

Polity and Governance

Context

The Supreme Court recognised children’s constitutional rights to Internet access and use while hearing matters concerning the circulation of Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Material (CSEAM) online.

Key Observations of the Supreme Court

Fundamental Right: Internet access is linked to Article 21 (right to life and personal liberty) and Article 19(1)(a) (freedom of speech and expression).
Children’s Rights: Children enjoy constitutional rights irrespective of age; their freedom of expression cannot be denied merely because they are minors.
Protection from Abuse: Non-consensual, sexually exploitative and abusive material must have no place on the Internet.

Constitutional Provisions

Article 21: Right to life and personal liberty.
Article 19(1)(a): Freedom of speech and expression, including the right to access and communicate information.
Article 19(2): Permits reasonable restrictions on freedom of speech and expression on specified constitutional grounds.

Important Supreme Court Judgments

Anuradha Bhasin v. Union of India (2020): Freedom of speech and expression, and the freedom to carry on trade or business through the Internet, are protected under Articles 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(g).
Pragya Prasun v. Union of India (2025): Recognised digital access as an intrinsic component of Article 21, in the context of accessibility and digital KYC for persons with disabilities.
Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting v. Cricket Association of Bengal (1995): Article 19(1)(a) includes the right to know and to receive and impart information and ideas.

Additional Information – Australia’s Social Media Minimum-Age Law

Legislation: Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024.
Provision: Establishes a minimum age of 16 years for accounts on designated social media platforms.
Implementation: Overseen by the Australian eSafety Commissioner.
Concerns: Effectiveness of age-assurance methods, privacy risks and possible circumvention.

2 Years of PM Internship Scheme

Government Schemes

Context

The PM Internship Scheme has completed 2 years of its implementation.

PM Internship Scheme

Objective: To provide internship opportunities to youth in leading companies, bridging the gap between academic knowledge and practical skills.
Ministry: Ministry of Corporate Affairs
Duration: The internship lasts for 12 months.
Stipend: Interns will receive a monthly stipend of ₹5,000 for the entire year.
Eligibility Criteria: Must be an Indian citizen.
- Must be aged between 21-24 years.
- Should not be employed full-time or engaged in full-time education.

10 Years of UDAN Scheme

Government Schemes

News

The UDAN Scheme completed ten years and considerably expanded the regional aviation network of India by linking unserved and underserved areas.

UDAN

Full Form: Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik.
Launch: 2016.
Ministry: Ministry of Civil Aviation.
Framework: Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) under the National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP), 2016.
Objective: Provide affordable air connectivity to Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities and underserved regions.
First Flight: Shimla–Delhi, April 2017.
Mechanism: Airline concessions and Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to support regional routes.

Significance

Inclusive Growth: Connects smaller cities to national markets.
Regional Development: Improves connectivity to the North-East, hills and islands.
Economic Growth: Promotes tourism, MSMEs and perishable-goods exports.
Employment: Supports regional aircraft, MRO services and pilot training.
Infrastructure: Expands regional airports and aviation services.

Aditya-L1 Mission offers New Insights

Science & Technology

Context

Scientists have generated Doppler velocity images of activities taking place in the solar corona using data from India’s maiden solar mission, Aditya-L1.

Doppler Velocity

Doppler Effect: Change in the observed frequency of a wave due to relative motion between the source and observer.
Positive Doppler Velocity: Solar plasma moving away from the observer.
Negative Doppler Velocity: Solar plasma moving towards the observer.
Significance: Helps measure plasma motion and understand solar activity and space weather.

About Aditya-L1

Launch: 2023.
Significance: India’s first space-based solar observatory.
Location: Sun–Earth L1 (Lagrange Point 1), approximately 1.5 million km from Earth towards the Sun.
Objective: Study the Sun’s photosphere, chromosphere, corona, solar wind and magnetic activity.

Advantages of Aditya-L1 at L1

Continuous Observation: Minimises interruptions caused by Earth’s occultation of the Sun.
Solar-Wind Study: Enables in-situ measurement of solar wind and energetic particles.
Space Weather Monitoring: Helps study solar flares and CMEs that can affect satellites, communication and power grids.