Daily Current Affairs

September 8, 2025

Current Affairs

Incentive Scheme for Critical Mineral Recycling 

Context: Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved a Rs 1500 crore Incentive Scheme to develop recycling capacity in the country for the separation and production of critical minerals from secondary sources. 

Relevance of the Topic:Prelims: Key facts about Incentive Scheme for Critical Mineral Recycling. 

Incentive Scheme for Critical Mineral Recycling

  • Aim: To develop capacity to recycle battery waste and e-waste for extraction of critical minerals. 
  • This scheme is part of the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) which is aimed at building the domestic capacity of and supply chain resilience in critical minerals. 
  • Tenure: 6 years from FY 2025-26 to FY 2030-31. 

Key Highlights of the Scheme: 

  • Eligible feedstock: e-waste, Lithium Ion Battery (LIB) scrap, and scrap other than e-waste & LIB scrap (E.g., catalytic convertors in end-of-life vehicles). 
  • Expected beneficiaries: Both large established recyclers and small new recyclers (including start-ups), for whom one-third of the scheme outlay has been earmarked. 
  • The scheme will be applicable to investments in new units as well as expansion of capacity / modernisation and diversification of existing units. 

Incentive Structure

  • Capex subsidy: 20% on plant, machinery, and utilities for units that start production within a set timeframe. Delays will attract lower subsidies.
  • Opex subsidy: Linked to incremental sales over the FY 2025-26 base year. Firms can claim 40% of eligible Opex in the second year, and 60% in the fifth year, subject to meeting sales thresholds.
  • Subsidy limits: Maximum Rs 50 crore per large entity and Rs 25 crore per small entity, with ceilings on Opex support at Rs 10 crore and Rs 5 crore respectively.

Expected Outcomes: 

  • Expected to develop at least 270 kilo ton of annual recycling capacity resulting in around 40 kilo ton annual critical mineral production.
  • Bringing in about Rs 8000 crore of investment and creating close to 70,000 direct and indirect jobs. 

Also Read: National Critical Mineral Mission 

The scheme is a prudent way to ensure supply chain sustainability in the near term through the recycling of secondary sources.

India-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Roadmap

Context: Recently, the Prime Minister of Singapore was on his official visit to India. India and Singapore marked 60 years of diplomatic ties by adopting a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Roadmap.

Relevance of the Topic: Mains: Significance of India-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Roadmap. 

image 22

Both countries agreed on a forward-looking roadmap for the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) covering eight priority areas. 

Key Elements of the Roadmap towards Comprehensive Strategic Partnership: 

1. Economic Cooperation: 

  • Deepen bilateral trade and market access by Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) and initiate the review of CECA in 2025.
  • Substantial review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA).
  • Semiconductor ecosystem collaboration through policy dialogues, resilient supply chains, R&D partnerships, workforce training, and business-to-business cooperation.
  • Jointly develop sustainable and next-generation industrial parks with advanced manufacturing capabilities.
  • Enhance capital market connectivity through NSE-IFSC-SGX GIFT Connect.

2. Skills Development: 

  • The National Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Advanced Manufacturing will be established in Chennai with Singapore’s support.
  • Both sides will promote cooperation in Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET), curriculum development, certification frameworks, internships, and teacher training.
  • State-level initiatives (such as Singapore-Assam Nursing Talent Skills Cooperation) will be scaled up.

3. Digitalisation and Technology: 

  • Strengthening digital finance and fintech cooperation, cyber security, and capital market linkages.
  • The Joint Working Group on Digital Technologies will explore opportunities in AI, quantum computing, critical and emerging technologies.
  • Specific AI collaboration will involve AI-ready datasets and sectoral applications in agriculture, healthcare, and education.
  • The UPI-PayNow linkage will be expanded to maximise paperless, secure, cross-border payments.

4. Sustainability: 

  • Collaborate on green hydrogen and ammonia production and trade. Explore cooperation in urban water management and civil nuclear energy.
  • Joint work will continue in multilateral platforms such as the International Solar Alliance and Global Biofuels Alliance.
  • Food security cooperation will include export promotion and accreditation frameworks for agricultural products.
  • Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC) will be developed to strengthen maritime connectivity and promote green maritime fuels.

5. Connectivity: 

  • Maritime connectivity will be expanded through the Green & Digital Shipping Corridor.
  • Aviation connectivity will be expanded through partnerships in aviation and aerospace Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO).
  • Cooperation in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) will be promoted.

6. Healthcare and Medicine: 

  • The MoU on Health Cooperation will be implemented to cover digital health, disease surveillance, maternal and child health, access to medicines, and combating communicable and non-communicable diseases..

7. People-to-People and Cultural Exchanges: 

  • Student exchanges, including ITI students and Singapore-India Partnership Foundation's immersion programmes will be expanded.
  • Internships for Singaporean students in Indian companies under the India Ready Talent (IRT) programme will be encouraged.

8. Defence and Security: 

  • Deepen defence technology cooperation in AI, quantum computing, automation, and unmanned vessels.
  • Maritime cooperation will include maritime security, submarine rescue, and Maritime Domain Awareness. Singapore acknowledged India’s interest in the Malacca Straits Patrol highlighting shared maritime security interests.
  • The Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty will be used to strengthen cooperation in criminal investigations.

Institutional Mechanisms: 

  • India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable will be institutionalised as the foremost mechanism to monitor the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership roadmap annually. Regular Foreign Office Consultations will review bilateral relations.

Strategic Significance

  • The roadmap reflects India’s Act East Policy and positions Singapore as a key partner in the Indo-Pacific region.
  • The focus on semiconductors, digital economy, and green shipping aligns with India’s strategic priorities for self-reliance and sustainable growth.
  • Cooperation in maritime security and the Malacca Straits Patrol enhances India’s strategic presence in one of the world’s busiest sea lanes.
  • Skill development initiatives and the National Centre of Excellence in Chennai will strengthen India’s human capital and industry-readiness.
  • Expansion of UPI-PayNow and fintech linkages highlights India’s global leadership in Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).
  • Counter-terrorism coordination deepens India’s regional and global security partnerships.

Centre and Manipur ink Peace Pact with Kuki-Zo groups

Context: Recently, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the Manipur state government signed a revised Suspension of Operations (SoO) pact with 24 Kuki-Zo insurgent groups under the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United People’s Front (UPF).

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims & Mains: Key features of Peace Pact between Centre, Manipur Government and Kuki-Zo Groups. 

Suspension of Operations (SoO) Pact

  • The SoO pact was first signed in 2008 after the violent Kuki-Naga clashes of the 1990s.
  • Under the original pact, around 2200 cadres of KNO and UPF were moved into designated camps, received a stipend of ₹6,000/month, and agreed to suspend operations against the State and Union forces.
  • The pact was extended annually until February 29, 2024, when the Manipur Government refused renewal of the pact citing violations of ground rules and accusing SoO groups of instigating the 2023 ethnic violence in Manipur.

Key Provisions of the 2025 Revised SoO Pact

  • Verification of cadres will be carried out by security forces, and a complete list of cadres with name, date of birth, Aadhaar, and latest photographs will be prepared by the Government.
  • Foreign nationals (particularly from Myanmar’s Chin-Kuki community) if found among the cadres will be removed from the list and deported.
  • The number of designated camps will be reduced from 14 to 12 (6 for KNO and 6 for UPF), and these camps will not be located near highways, populated areas, conflict-prone zones, the Myanmar border, or inter-state boundaries.
  • Weapons belonging to cadres will be stored in the nearest CRPF or BSF camps rather than in the insurgent-run camps.
  • Stipends for cadres will resume but will only be paid through Aadhaar-linked bank accounts and only for those physically present in the camps during inspections.
  • The Manipur Police will issue photo identity cards to all cadres to facilitate proper monitoring.
  • The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) has agreed to open National Highway-2 (Imphal-Dimapur) a critical supply route for the Imphal Valley for free movement of commuters and goods.
  • A Joint Monitoring Group (JMG) headed by the Principal Secretary (Home) of Manipur will monitor implementation, conduct physical verification, and deal firmly with violations.
  • The pact mandates that KNO and UPF must abjure violence, abide by the Constitution of India and the territorial integrity of Manipur, and not maintain links with other armed groups.
  • The agreement bars insurgent groups from recruiting new cadres, carrying out offensive operations, or associating with domestic or foreign armed groups.
  • The Army, Assam Rifles, CAPFs, and State Police will not launch operations against these groups as long as they abide by the pact.
  • The pact provides for a tripartite political dialogue among the Centre, Manipur Government, and KNO/UPF to work towards a negotiated political settlement within the Constitution of India.

Significance: 

  • The pact represents a renewed attempt at peace-building after the collapse of the agreement in 2024.
  • It reaffirms the territorial integrity of Manipur, addressing concerns of the Meitei community.
  • It acknowledges the Kuki-Zo demand for a political settlement, but strictly within the framework of the Indian Constitution.
  • The opening of NH-2 restores the economic lifeline and ensures supply of essential commodities to the Imphal Valley.
  • The relocation of camps away from sensitive areas reduces the possibility of renewed violence and enhances civilian security.

Challenges: 

  • Trust deficit remains between communities: Meiteis accuse Kuki groups of fuelling the 2023 violence, while Kukis distrust the State Government.
  • The phrase “negotiated political settlement within the Constitution of India” is ambiguous and may be interpreted differently by the parties.
  • Implementation difficulties exist in verifying cadres, relocating camps, and deporting foreign nationals from Myanmar.
  • The temporary nature of the pact (valid for one year) means long-term peace remains uncertain.

The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), one of the largest Meitei civil society groups in Manipur, has rejected the signing of Suspension of Operations (SoO) pact with the Kuki-Zo insurgent groups. 

Also Read: What Manipur Needs?

CEREBO: Portable Device for Brain Injury Detection

Context: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and partner institutes have developed CEREBO, a hand-held, non-invasive indigenous diagnostic device for rapid detection of Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs). 

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: About CEREBO. 

image 21

Key Features of CEREBO

  • CEREBO is a novel hand-held, portable, non-invasive diagnostic device designed for the detection of Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs). 
  • It utilises advanced near-infrared spectroscopy combined with machine learning to detect intracranial bleeding and brain swelling within one minute.

Benefits of CEREBO: 

  • Can be used by paramedic staff as well as unskilled personnel. 
  • Provides colour-coded, radiation-free results, making it safe for infants and pregnant women.
  • Cost-effective (reduces imaging costs) as compared to conventional imaging tools. 
  • Offers an emergency diagnostic option when advanced tools like CT or MRI scans are inaccessible or delayed. Can be deployed in ambulances, rural clinics, military healthcare systems and disaster response units.
  • Enhances early detection of TBI and improves patient outcomes.
  • Reduces dependence on expensive, imported diagnostic tools. 

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

  • TBI is a condition caused by sudden trauma or injury to the head, which disrupts normal brain function. The injury may range from mild (concussion) to severe, often leading to long-term physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioural impairments.
  • Nearly 1.5-2 million persons are injured every year and one million die annually in India due to TBIs. Road traffic injuries (60%) are the leading cause, followed by falls and violence. 

Trending now

Taming the Algorithm: India’s New Rules for Regulating AI-Generated Content
China’s New Antarctic Law and Implications for Global Polar Governance
India–EU Deepen Partnership in Peaceful Nuclear Science and Fusion Energy
Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026: Strengthening India’s Waste Governance Framework