India’s First Private Gold Mine
- Context: India’s first large-scale private gold mine will be launched in Andhra Pradesh.
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- The project is developed by Geomysore Services India Pvt Ltd, with backing from Thriveni Earthmovers and Deccan Gold.
- The mine is located in Kurnool district, covering about 598 hectares across Jonnagiri, Erragudi, and Pagidirayi villages.
- It is expected to produce around 1 tonne (1,000 kg) of gold annually for nearly 15 years.
- The project will help reduce India’s dependence on gold imports, which exceed 800 tonnes per year.
- It represents a shift from state-controlled mining to private sector participation.
- Advanced technologies such as open-pit mining and carbon-in-leach extraction will be used.
Open-pit mining
- Open-pit mining involves removing surface layers of rock to extract minerals found near the ground, making it cost-effective for large-scale operations.
Carbon-in-leach extraction
- Carbon-in-leach extraction is a method where crushed ore is treated with cyanide, and activated carbon is used to absorb and recover the gold efficiently.
Current Facts
- Measles
- Highly contagious and serious airborne viral disease.
- Caused by a virus belonging to the paramyxovirus family.
- Infections spreads through respiratory droplets from coughing.
- Initially infects the respiratory tract then spreads throughout the body
- Can lead to: Severe illness, Complications, Death in serious cases
- The State’s immunisation coverage stands at 99%.
- The Measles-Rubella vaccine, administered at nine and 18 months – has about 85% efficacy and provides adequate protection.
India’s Bioeconomy Growth and Key Achievements- Context: Addressing an international conference, the Union Minister highlighted bioeconomy-driven growth, projecting the sector to reach $1 trillion by 2047.
- The bioeconomy refers to the utilisation, management, and conservation of biological resources, along with associated science, technology, and innovation, to deliver products and services across sectors while promoting sustainability.
India’s Bioeconomy
- The sector expanded from $10 billion in 2014 to about $195.3 billion in 2025, contributing nearly 4.8% to GDP.
- The number of bioeconomy start-ups surged from around 50 in 2014 to over 11,800 in 2025.
- Reduction in petrol imports has resulted in foreign exchange savings of $12–14 billion, helping lower the current account deficit.
Major Growth Factors
- Implementation of 20% ethanol blending in petrol.
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- Rising use of GLP-1 category drugs.
- Establishment of several Global Capability Centers (GCCs).
- Increased application of enzymes and microorganisms in industries such as textiles, detergents, food processing, and biofuels.
Research & Innovation Milestones
- Creation of the world’s first DNA-based COVID-19 vaccine (ZyCoV-D).
- Development of indigenous CAR-T cell therapy.
- Progress in mRNA vaccine technologies.
- Introduction of India’s first homegrown antibiotic (Nafithromycin).
- Setting up of a National Biobank facility.
India’s Achievement in Global Cheese Competition-
- Context: Prime Minister congratulated Indian cheesemakers for their success.
- India participated in Mundial do Queijo do Brasil 2026, a global dairy competition.
- India secured a total of 4 medals in the event.
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- Medal tally: 1 Super Gold, 2 Gold, 1 Silver.
- Super Gold was awarded to Eleftheria Gulmarg (Brie Style).
- Gold medals were won by Yak Churpi-Soft (Nordic Farm, Leh, Ladakh) and Eleftheria Brunost (Whey Cheese).
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- Silver medal was awarded to Eleftheria Kaali Miri (Belper Knolle Style).
- Awardees included Mausam Narang and Thenlay Nurboo.
- The achievement highlights the growing global recognition of India’s artisanal dairy sector.
- It reflects India’s strong entry into the international cheese industry.
India’s Currency Swap Support to Maldives- Context: India has approved the first disbursement of ₹30 billion to the Maldives under the SAARC Currency Swap Framework.
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- The framework includes an INR swap facility of ₹25,000 crore, in addition to an existing USD/Euro swap window.
- It aims to encourage wider use of the Indian Rupee in international transactions.
About SAARC
- The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation is a regional body that promotes cooperation, connectivity, and development in South Asia.
- It was established in 1985 during its first summit held in Dhaka.
- It has 8 member countries: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Afghanistan
- The SAARC Secretariat is located in Kathmandu.
Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE)- Context: Recently, the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) conducted a Global Symposium on Credit Guarantees.
About CGTMSE
- Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises was set up in 2000.
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- Aim: To promote and ease the flow of formal credit to Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs).
- Jointly created by: Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Small Industries Development Bank of India
Funding Pattern
Corpus funded by:
- Government of India and SIDBI
- Contribution ratio: 4 : 1
Eligible Lending Institutions
- Scheduled commercial banks (public, private, and foreign banks)
- Selected Regional Rural Banks (RRBs)
- National Small Industries Corporation
- North Eastern Development Finance Corporation
- SIDBI
- Selected Small Finance Banks and NBFCs
Credit Guarantee Support
- Provides guarantee cover of 75% to 85% on loans
- Helps strengthen credit access for MSEs
