Recently, Central Drugs Standard Control Organization under Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has become an affiliate member of the International Medical Device Regulators Forum (IMDRF).

About IMDRF

• Established in 2011, it is a collaborative group of global medical device regulators dedicated to accelerating the harmonization and convergence of international medical device regulations. 
• Members include national regulatory authorities from different countries and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Significance of India’s membership

• Enable Indian medical device manufacturers to meet the regulatory requirements of IMDRF member countries, thereby strengthening the "Brand India" in global market.
• Simplified manufacturing processes and enhanced public health through improved collaboration and harmonized global regulatory requirements.

Indian Army has completed the acquisition of 100 Akashteer Air Defence Systems.

About Akashteer Systems 

• They are advanced Air Defence Control and Reporting Systems (ADCRS) which will serve as a critical asset in safeguarding country from aerial threats, including missile and rocket attacks. 
• Developed indigenously by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).
• Significance: Enable monitoring of low level airspace over battle areas of Indian Army, offers ability to monitor and respond to enemy attacks in real-time, etc.

IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation has launched a new training program to create ‘Cyber Commandos’ among law enforcement officers across India.

• IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation is a Section 8 company. 
• It is funded under its National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems and hosted by IIT Madras.

About Cyber Commandos Programme

• Nodal Ministry: Union Ministry of Home Affairs
• Aim: To bolster India’s cyber defence capabilities.
• Significance: While the existing cybercrime cells focus on reactive measures such as investigation and prosecution of cybercrimes, the commandos will be a proactive force.

Recently, Supreme Court laid down twin tests - ‘functionality’ and ‘essentially’ - for Input Tax Credit eligibility in construction.

• Court stated that if a building is essential for supplying services like renting or leasing (as per Schedule 2, clauses 2 and 5 of CGST Act), it may be considered a plant. 
• Functionality test determines whether a building qualifies as a plant or not.

About Input Tax Credit

• It is a mechanism to avoid cascading of taxes, i.e, ‘tax on tax’.
• A registered taxable person under GST Act who is paying tax due in the course or furtherance of business can claim and avail ITC credited in electronic ledge.

Union Cabinet has approved the signing of a letter of intent enabling India to join the IEEH. 

• Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has been designated as the implementing agency for the Hub on behalf of India.

About International Energy Efficiency Hub (IEEH):

• Genesis: Established in 2020 as the successor to the International Partnership for Energy Efficiency Cooperation (IPEEC) in which India was a member.
• Mandate: It is a global platform dedicated to fostering collaboration and promoting energy efficiency worldwide.

Recently, Food Corporation of India (FCI) launched microservices-based integrated supply chain management system – Anna Darpan.

About Anna Darpan

• It is a comprehensive digital transformation initiative to modernize FCI’s existing supply chain management system, known as the 'Depot Online System'.
• Aims to streamline and enhance the entire supply chain operations and services at various levels.
• M/s Coforge Limited shall be responsible for the end-to-end design, development, implementation, and maintenance.
• Key Objectives: Improved efficiency and productivity, data-driven decision making, facilitating smooth interoperability with other systems, both within and outside FCI, etc.

World Health Organization (WHO) launched SPRP.

About SPRP

• Aim: To tackle dengue and other Aedes-borne arboviruses (Zika and chikungunya) by fostering a global coordinated response. 
• Tenure: Over one year until September 2025.
• 5 key components:
  • Emergency coordination
  • Collaborative surveillance
  • Community protection
  • Safe and scalable care
  • Access to countermeasures
• Aligns with other Global initiatives: SPRP is aligned with the Global Vector Control Response 2017–2030  and Global Arbovirus Initiative.

Union Government launched the PM Internship Scheme

About PM Internship Scheme

• Ministry: Ministry of Corporate Affairs
• Objective: Providing internship opportunities to one crore youth in the top 500 companies over 5 years
• Duration of internship:12 months.
• Stipend: ₹5,000 per month for one year.
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Must be an Indian citizen.
  • Aged between 21-24 years.
  • Must not be employed full-time or engaged in full-time education.