Current Affairs - National

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.

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.