CURRENT AFFAIRS

 

1. INDIA, PAKISTAN EXCHANGE LIST OF NUCLEAR INSTALLATIONS

• India and Pakistan exchanged the list of nuclear installations and facilities through diplomatic channels simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad.
• The nuclear installations and facilities are covered under the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities between India and Pakistan.
• It is the 33rd consecutive exchange of such lists between the two countries, the first one having taken place on January 01, 1992.
• It is also known as the India-Pakistan Non-Attack Agreement, that was signed on 31 December 1988 and entered into force on 27 January 1991.
• It provides that India and Pakistan inform each other of the nuclear installations and facilities to be covered under the Agreement on the first of January of every calendar year.
• India tested its first nuclear weapon in 1974, becoming the sixth country to detonate a nuclear weapon, and it has approximately 164 nuclear warheads, and has land-based, sea-based and air-launch nuclear capabilities.
• India is pursuing membership to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and became a member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) in 2016. India has not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty nor The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.
• Pakistan became a nuclear power in 1998, becoming the world’s 7th state to officially test a nuclear weapon and has approximately 170 warheads.
• Similar to India, Pakistan is not a signatory of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

 

2. NIA ACHIEVED A 94.70% CONVICTION RATE IN 2023 –

• The Union government enacted the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act after the wake of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attac in November 2008 and it is presently functioning as the Central Counter Terrorism Law Enforcement Agency in India.

Objectives-

1. To be a thoroughly professional investigative agency matching the best international standards.
2. To set the standards of excellence in counter terrorism and other national security related investigations at the national level by developing into a highly trained, partnership oriented workforce.
3. Ensuring effective and speedy trial.
4. Creating deterrence for existing and potential terrorist groups/individuals.
5. To develop as a storehouse of all terrorist related information.

• The law under which the agency operates extends to the whole of India and also applies to Indian citizens outside the country.

3. OLA ELECTRIC BECOMES FIRST INDIAN EV COMPANY TO GET PLI NOD –

• India’s electric vehicle (EV) landscape is witnessing a groundbreaking development as Ola Electric, the IPO-bound electric scooter company, secures eligibility for the government’s Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. This achievement positions Ola Electric as a key player in the push towards sustainable transportation.
• In a recent report by ET Auto, it has been disclosed that Ola Electric successfully met the stringent eligibility criteria outlined in the PLI scheme, including a minimum of 50% domestic value addition to its electric vehicles (e2W).
• This accomplishment makes Ola Electric the first Indian e-scooter company to gain approval, paving the way for potential financial benefits ranging from INR 15,000 to 18,000 per unit.
• While Ola Electric celebrates its achievement, it’s essential to note that other major players in the Indian automotive industry, including Hero MotoCorp, TVS Motor Company, and Bajaj Auto, have also applied for the PLI scheme. To qualify, e-scooter startups are required to invest a minimum of Rs 1,000 crore, indicating a substantial commitment to advancing electric mobility.
• The PLI-Auto Scheme, approved by the Centre in 2021 with an outlay of Rs 25,938 crore over five years, aims to boost domestic manufacturing of Advanced Automotive Technology products. These include electric vehicles and their components, offering financial incentives of up to 18% of eligible sales for electric vehicles and related components. This initiative aligns with India’s broader goals of promoting sustainable and eco-friendly transportation solutions.