Current Affairs - National

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.

The 56th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) was held in Goa, a state renowned for hosting this prestigious event. IFFI is one of the most significant film festivals in India, attracting filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from around the world. Goa has consistently been chosen as the venue due to its international appeal, infrastructure, and popularity as a cultural hub. This edition concluded with the Vietnamese film Skin of Youth winning the Golden Peacock award, highlighting the global nature of the festival and Goa’s continued importance in promoting international cinema.

A joint venture named Digital Connexion, involving Brookfield, Reliance Industries, and Digital Realty, announced a $11 billion investment to establish a 1 GW AI-native data centre campus in Visakhapatnam by 2030. Spanning 400 acres, the facility is designed specifically for AI workloads, equipped with GPUs, TPUs, and advanced AI processors. Its modular infrastructure will include redundant power systems and renewable-integrated cooling to ensure operational efficiency and sustainability. This investment highlights Visakhapatnam’s emergence as a key hub for high-tech infrastructure and AI-driven innovation in India, contributing significantly to the country’s digital and technological growth.

The fifth edition of the India Internet Governance Forum (IIGF) 2025 was held in New Delhi from 27–28 November. The event focused on “Advancing Internet Governance for an Inclusive and Sustainable Viksit Bharat” and included four major panels and twelve workshops addressing key aspects of digital governance. Day 1 took place at the India Habitat Centre, while Day 2 was held at the India International Centre. The forum was inaugurated by Union Minister of State Jitin Prasada, highlighting the importance of internet policy, digital inclusion, and governance in shaping India’s technological and socio-economic landscape.

‘Nayi Chetna 4.0’ is a national campaign launched to strengthen gender equality and empower women across communities. Led by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and organised by DAY-NRLM under the Ministry of Rural Development, the month-long initiative focuses on encouraging community-level action and awareness to combat gender-based violence. The campaign aims to inspire collective responsibility, promote safer environments for women, and reinforce the importance of equal opportunities. By engaging rural communities, the programme works toward long-term social transformation and supports broader national goals related to gender justice and empowerment.