• 05 Sep 2025

Advanced Lithium-ion Battery Plant in Haryana

Why in News?

Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, inaugurated TDK Corporation’s Advanced Technologies Lithium-ion (Li-ion) Battery Manufacturing Plant at Sohna, Haryana.

• TDK Corporation is a global leader in electronic components, operating 250+ manufacturing, R&D, and sales sites across 30+ countries.

Key Points

• The facility will manufacture Li-ion batteries used in mobile phones, laptops, wearables, and hearables such as watches, earbuds, and AirPods.
• It is expected to produce 20 crore (200 million) battery packs annually, covering nearly 40% of India’s annual demand of 50 crore packs.
• The plant has been set up under the Electronics Manufacturing Cluster (EMC) Scheme of the Government of India.
• The project will generate about 5,000 direct jobs, with workers already receiving preparatory training at the AT Bawal plant.
• The Sohna plant strengthens India’s vision of becoming a global hub for electronics manufacturing, reducing reliance on imports and contributing to the global value chain. 

NIT Raipur FIE Wins National Incubator Award

Why in News?

The NIT Raipur Foundation for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (FIE) will be awarded the National Incubator Award at the 4th India Entrepreneurship Summit on 13th September 2025 at NDMC Convention Centre, New Delhi.

Key Points

• Establishment: NIT Raipur-FIE was founded in March 2021 under the Department of Science and Technology’s (DST) National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI) program as a non-profit technology business incubator.
• Reason for Award: Recognition for mentoring 35+ startups in Chhattisgarh and providing strong technical support.
  • Startups incubated span governance, medical devices, analytics, deep-tech, clean tech, and ICT.
• Organizer: The summit is jointly organized by the Entrepreneur Association of India (EAI) and Enterprising Zone (EZ), a government-funded, internationally recognized incubation center.
• Significance:
  • Strengthens India’s Startup Ecosystem by mentoring youth in Chhattisgarh.
  • Helps position Chhattisgarh as an innovation hub.
  • Contributes to entrepreneurship promotion and technology-led economic growth.

National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI)

• About:
  • The NIDHI is a groundbreaking initiative designed to drive innovation, support startups, and create a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in India.
  • NIDHI comprises various components that provide a comprehensive framework for promoting and accelerating innovation-driven enterprises across the nation.
• Components:
  • NIDHI-PRAYAS (Promoting and Accelerating Young and Aspiring Innovators and Startups):
    • Focuses on converting innovative ideas into tangible prototypes.
    • Offers mentoring and financial support at the Proof-of-Concept level.
  • NIDHI Entrepreneurs-In-Residence (EIR) Program:
    • Provides fellowships to students pursuing entrepreneurship.
    • Aims to nurture and encourage young entrepreneurs.
• Key Players and Collaborators:
  • Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR):
    • NIDHI collaborates closely with CSIR to shape and develop cutting-edge incubation facilities.
      • Plays an active role in conceptualizing and developing advanced incubation facilities.
    • Supports translating technology and products, benefiting society, industry, and the country.
  • Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY):
    • NIDHI's partnership with MeitY in the Technology Incubation and Development of Entrepreneurs (TIDE 2.0) Scheme empowers tech-driven startups.
    • Together, they provide financial and technical support to foster technology-based entrepreneurship.

Department of Science and Technology

• The foundation of DST was laid on 3rd May 1971 along the model of the National Science Foundation (NSF), USA.
• It provides funding and also makes policies and coordinates scientific work with other countries.
• It empowers scientists and scientific institutions and also works with a highly distributed system permeating stakeholders ranging from school, college, PhD, Postdoc students, young scientists, startups, and NGOs working in Science & Technology.

UP to Integrate with Yuktdhara Portal

Why in News?

From 1st April 2026 Uttar Pradesh will integrate with the Yuktdhara Portal, a GIS-powered geospatial planning system, to monitor and plan works conducted under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGS) in real time.

Key Points

• Yuktdhara Portal:
  • Geospatial Planning System: Facilitates Gram Panchayat-level planning of MNREGS activities across India.
  • GIS Integration: Uses open-source Geographical Information System (GIS) tools to enable holistic rural planning.
  • Comprehensive Records: Action plan, location, cost, and progress of every work will be recorded and mapped.
  • Transparency & Accountability: Designed to prevent anomalies in payment processes and minimize irregularities.
• Benefits to Villagers
  • Direct benefits in the form of timely employment and development works.
  • Open and accessible information on all village-level works.
  • Increased transparency ensures minimal scope for corruption or irregularities.
• Capacity Building Initiatives:
  • The state government has started batch-wise training sessions at the district, block, and Gram Panchayat levels.
  • Training ensures officials and local planners are equipped to use the portal effectively.

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) Scheme

• About:  The MGNREGA is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for social security aimed at providing guaranteed rural employment in India. 
  • It was enacted in 2005 under the Ministry of Rural Development as a nodal ministry. 
• Coverage:  The scheme extends across the entire country, excluding districts with 100% urban populations. 
• Fund Sharing: The Central Government covers 100% of unskilled labor costs and 75% of material costs, while State Governments contribute 25% of material costs, ensuring cooperative federalism in implementation. 

Rare Caracal Cub Spotted in Jaisalmer Desert

Why in News?

Experts have confirmed a rare caracal cub in the Jaisalmer desert, making a significant wildlife discovery for Rajasthan.

• Following a photo-based sighting, authorities have launched population surveys and intensified patrolling in the border areas of Jaisalmer.

Key Points

• About: The Caracal is a medium-sized wildcat found in parts of Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia, including India. 
  • In India, the population is estimated at around 50 individuals, mostly in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
  • It plays an important role in local ecosystems as a predator and is known for its distinctive physical features and remarkable hunting abilities.
• Habitat: Adapted to savannas, semi-deserts, dry woodlands, rocky hills, arid hilly steppes, and dry mountainous regions.
• Taxonomy and Relation: Caracal is more closely related to the African golden cat and serval than to true lynxes, despite often being called the “desert lynx”.
  • In India, it is called ‘siya gosh’, a Persian-derived term meaning ‘black ear’.
  • Its scientific name is Caracal caracal.
• Physical Features:
  • Caracals possess slender bodies and long legs, and are the largest among Africa’s small cats.
  • Adults weigh between 8-18 kg and may reach up to a meter in length. Males are generally larger than females.
  • The fur is short, dense, and ranges from tawny-brown to reddish-tan with lighter underparts.
  • They have distinct facial markings, featuring dark lines and white highlights around the eyes.
• Conservation Status:
  • Least Concern (globally) in the IUCN Red List.
  • Listed under Schedule I of India’s Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 (maximum protection).
• Threats:
  • Habitat loss, shrinking prey base, and human-wildlife conflict.