Current Affairs - National

RVNL secured a ₹9.64 crore Letter of Acceptance to implement an IP-based video surveillance system across East Coast Railway’s rolling stock, adhering to the latest RDSO specifications. The project involves supplying, installing, testing, and commissioning advanced monitoring infrastructure designed to improve security and operational oversight. Work is scheduled to commence within 30 days of the LoA and must be completed within 180 days. This contract is part of RVNL’s regular business activities and reflects the increasing use of modern surveillance technology within Indian Railways to enhance safety and asset protection.

The revised draft of Bharat NCAP 2.0 has been issued by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, which oversees regulatory frameworks related to transport safety, vehicle standards, and road-crash prevention measures in India. By expanding the scope of safety assessment areas, increasing mandatory crash tests, introducing advanced test devices, and adding structured evaluation criteria for pedestrian and post-crash protection, the ministry aims to push India’s automobile ecosystem closer to global safety benchmarks. This strengthens public safety, encourages manufacturers to adopt robust safety technologies, and enhances consumer awareness, ultimately contributing to safer mobility and improved road-transport infrastructure across the country.

A total of 7 new Indian names were approved by the International Astronomical Union for Martian surface features, reflecting India’s growing contributions to planetary science. These names include locations from Kerala such as Valiamala, Thumba, Bekal, Varkala, and Periyar, along with two features honouring geologist M. S. Krishnan. The approvals highlight India’s scientific heritage, the significance of its geological and space research sites, and the role of Indian institutions in deepening Martian geological understanding. The global naming process, overseen by the IAU, ensures that culturally meaningful and scientifically relevant names gain international recognition.

India is preparing to introduce the Atomic Energy Bill, 2025 to enable private participation in the civil nuclear power sector, which has historically been dominated by government control under NPCIL. Opening this sector will help mobilise large-scale investments, address capital shortages, accelerate construction timelines, and support the development of advanced reactor technologies, including Small Modular Reactors. Private involvement is also expected to improve uranium supply chains, enhance localisation of reactor components, and strengthen India’s long-term energy security. These reforms are aligned with national goals of expanding nuclear capacity to 100 GW by 2047 and supporting India’s net-zero vision for 2070.

The approved scheme centres on building a robust domestic ecosystem for manufacturing Rare Earth Permanent Magnets, which are crucial for advanced technologies including electric vehicles, defence systems, renewable energy equipment, and high-precision industrial applications. By promoting complete value-chain integration—from oxide conversion to finished sintered magnets—the programme aims to reduce India’s heavy import dependence, especially amid global supply chain constraints dominated by China. The scheme’s incentive structure, long-term duration, and phased implementation are designed to attract major investors, enhance self-reliance, support clean mobility, and strengthen India’s path toward energy security and strategic technological independence.