MATES (Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme)
Australia is introducing a new scheme – Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES).
- A visa stream that allows Indian graduates and early career professionals to live and work in Australia for up to 2 years.
- Eligible fields of study – Renewable energy, mining, engineering, information and communication technology, artificial intelligence, financial technology and agricultural technology.
Pinaka Weapon System
DRDO completed Flight Tests of the indigenously developed Guided Pinaka Weapon System.
- A Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) system.
- Precision strikes – Can launch a salvo of 12 rockets within 44 seconds covering an area of 700×500 meters.
- Range – 38Km (Pinaka I), 60 Km (Pinaka II), 75 Km (Pinaka III, the latest version)
Hallmark
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) began the fourth phase of mandatory hallmarking
- Accurate determination and official recording of the proportionate content of precious metal in precious metal articles.
- Acts as a guarantee of purity or fineness of precious metal articles.
- At present, gold and silver have brought under the purview of hallmarking in India
- Regulated under – Hallmarking of Gold Jewellery and Gold Artefacts Amendment Order, 2024.
Bodo Tribe
1st Bodoland Mahotsav was inaugurated
- One of Assam’s largest indigenous communities
- Concentrated in Assam’s Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR)
- BTR is governed by Bodoland Territorial Council established under the 6th Schedule of the constitution.
- Language – Bodo which is part of the Tibeto-Burman language family
- Bodo Peace Accord (2020) – Signed between the Centre, state government of Assam and Bodo Groups.
Consent to Establish
MoEFCC removed the dual compliance of Environmental Clearance (EC) and Consent to Establish (CTE) for setting up of new industries.
- Mandated under – Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
- Issued by – State Pollution Control Board
- Required to industries that discharge effluents or emit pollutants into the environment
- Industries who have already taken EC will not be required to take CTE.