State PCS - Uttarakhand (UKPSC)

• 17 Nov 2025

Narendra-09 Wheat Variety

Why in News? 

A farmer from Nainital district, Uttarakhand, has received national recognition for developing the climate-resilient wheat variety “Narendra-09” and registering it under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001 (PPV&FRA). 

Key Points 

• About Narendra-09: 
  • Narendra Singh Mehra from Devla Malla village (Nainital) developed the wheat variety “Narendra-09” through on-farm selection of naturally occurring plants. 
  • The variety shows high heat tolerance and produces 50–80 grains per stalk, compared to 20–25 grains in traditional varieties. It adapts well to diverse areas across hills and plains, requires less water, and performs well under climate-stress conditions. 
  • The farmer registered the variety under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act (PPV&FRA), 2001, securing legal breeder and farmer rights.
    
• About Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act (PPV&FRA), 2001: 
  • It was enacted to protect newly developed plant varieties, recognise the rights of farmers, and promote the breeding of improved crop varieties in India. 
  • The Act allows the registration of new, extant, farmers’, and essentially derived varieties, provided they meet the DUS criteria of Distinctness, Uniformity, and Stability. 
  • It grants breeders exclusive rights to produce, sell, market, distribute, import or export their registered varieties. Farmers are also allowed to save, use, sow, resow, exchange and share seeds of protected varieties, but they cannot sell these seeds in branded form. 
  • The Act also provides for benefit-sharing, Plant Genome Saviour Awards, and establishes the National Gene Fund to reward farmers and communities that have conserved or contributed valuable genetic resources. 

Garuda Exercise 2025

Why in News? 

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is taking part in the 8th edition of Exercise Garuda-25, a bilateral air combat drill conducted with the French Air and Space Force (FASF). 

Key Points 

• About Garuda Exercise: 
  • “Garuda” is a bilateral air exercise between the Indian and French air forces, conducted periodically since 2003. 
  • It is among the highest-level air force exercises India conducts with a foreign air force and is held alternately in India and France. 
  • Its key objectives include enhancing mutual operational capabilities, sharing tactics, building log-operational familiarity and forging strategic ties. 
• About 2025 Edition: 
  • The 8th edition of Garuda (Garuda-25) is being held from 16th to 27th November, 2025 at Mont‑de‑Marsan Air Base in France. 
  • The Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent, featuring Su-30MKI fighter aircraft supported by IL-78 refuellers and C-17 Globemaster III air-lift assets, will operate alongside French multirole fighters in complex simulated missions involving air-to-air combat, air defence, and joint strike operations.