Mission MAUSAM

Why in News?

Updates on implementation of Mission Mausam presented in Parliament.

• Aim – It is a mission to modernise weather tracking and forecasting and to deliver high-resolution weather services and provide impact-based services to every citizen with accurate weather alerts.
• Type of Scheme – Central Sector Scheme (100% funded by Union Government).
• Launched in – November 2024.

The mission was officially inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 14, 2025, marking the 150^th anniversary of the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

• Nodal Ministry – Ministry of Earth Sciences.
• Implementing Agency –
  • India Meteorological Department – Operational Forecasts.
  • National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting – Modelling (3–7 days).
  • Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology – Research Support.
  • Indian Space Research Organisation – Satellite Data.
• Coverage – Pan-India + surrounding regions, includes Antarctic stations (Maitri & Bharati).
• Objectives – To achieve 5 × 5 km resolution forecasting.
• Improve accuracy by 10–15%.
• Enable impact-based & risk-based warnings.
• Ensure last-mile dissemination (household level by 2030).
• Target - All citizens, especially - Farmers, Fishermen, Disaster-prone populations.
• Features – Observation Network – Expansion of Doppler Weather Radars (DWRs) for precipitation and wind movement. Radiosonde for Upper-air systems
• Utilisation of Advanced instruments like Disdrometers (raindrop size), LiDAR (aerosols/clouds), Radiometers (temp & humidity).
• Computing Power - Use of High-Performance Computing (HPC) systems like Pratyush and Mihir, alongside AI and Machine Learning models.
• Forecasting Approach – Shift to impact-based forecasting and Risk-based warnings (damage-focused).
• Nowcasting - Increase the frequency of "Nowcasts" (very short-term predictions) from every 3 hours to every hour.
• Dissemination Mechanism - Mobile Apps – Meghdoot (Agriculture), Damini (Lightning alerts).
• Disaster alerts → SMS alerts via Common Alerting Protocol (CAP).
• Space → ISRO satellites.
• Integration with disaster management authorities.

References

1.  IMD | Mission Mausam
2.  PIB | Mission Mausam  

Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojna (BHAVYA) Scheme

Why in News?

The Union Cabinet has approved the BHAVYA Scheme for developing 100 plug-and-play industrial parks across India by 2032.

• Aim – To develop 100 future-ready plug-and-play industrial parks.
• It will act as an accelerator for manufacturing, complementing existing initiatives like the Make in India 2.o and Production Linked Incentive.
• Type – Central Sector Scheme with cooperative federalism (States) + Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
• Launched in – March 2026.
• Nodal Ministry – Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
• Duration - 6 years (FY 2026–27 to 2031–32).
• Implementing Agency - National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDIT) under Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
• Objectives –
  • Promote industrial infrastructure development
  • Facilitate ease of doing business
  • Attract domestic and global investments
  • Enable balanced regional development
  • Support logistics efficiency through multimodal connectivity
• Eligibility – No direct individual beneficiaries
  • Industrial parks identified based on Land availability, Connectivity potential, Industrial demand.
• Coverage – Pan-India implementation, priority 8 NICDP corridors.
• Key Features – Plug-and-Play Industrial Parks – Pre-developed industrial zones where land, infrastructure, utilities, and approvals are ready, enabling industries to start operations immediately.
• Park Size - 100 to 1,000 acres (Minimum 25 acres in hilly & North-East regions).
• Financial Support - Up to Rs.1 crore per acre for
  • Core infrastructure — roads, utilities, drainage, ICT
  • Value-added infrastructure — factory sheds, testing labs, warehousing
  • Social infrastructure — worker housing & amenities
• External Infrastructure Support - Up to 25% of project cost.
• Project Selection - Challenge mode (reform-oriented, investment-ready proposals).
• Design Principles - Aligned with PM GatiShakti; green energy, underground utility corridors, no-dig environment.
• Ease of doing business - Single-window (60-day clearances).
• Sustianable industrial development – Attained through green compliance (solar, Zero Liquid Discharge).
• Transfer Mode – Central financial assistance, Funds routed through implementing agencies (NICDC) with State participation.
• Beneficiaries
  • Primary — Manufacturing units, MSMEs, startups, global investors
  • Secondary — Workers, logistics providers, local communities

References

1. PIB | BHAVYA Scheme
2. The Hindu | BHAVYA Scheme

Jyoti-Jyot Diwas

Why in News?

March 22, 2026, marks the Jyoti-Jyot Diwas of the Guru Angad Dev Ji, according to many traditional calendars.

• Jyoti-Jyot Diwas - It refers to the death anniversary of Sikh Gurus, symbolizing union with the divine.

Key Contributions

• Standardization of Gurmukhi Script – Standardized and promoted Gurmukhi script.
• Gurmukhi Means “from the mouth of the Guru” is the holy text in which Sikh teachings are written including the Guru Granth Sahib.

Guru Granth Sahib is the central religious scripture of Sikhism.

• Compilation of Guru Nanak’s Teachings - He collected the hymns (Banis) of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and wrote the first biography of the founder, known as the Bhai Bala Janamsakhi. This formed the nucleus of the future Guru Granth Sahib. 
• Strengthening the Institution of Langar - Along with his wife, Mata Khivi, he expanded the community kitchen (Langar).
• Mata Khivi is particularly remembered in the Guru Granth Sahib for her selfless service in supervising the Langar, ensuring that all visitors, regardless of caste or creed, sat together to eat.
• Promotion of Physical Fitness (Mall Akhara) - Established wrestling arenas.
• Promoted discipline and physical fitness.
• Promotion of Sangat – Strengthened collective worship and community bonding.
• Promotion of Education – Encouraged basic education using Gurmukhi script.
• Social & Institutional Reforms - Emphasized Equality, Brotherhood, and Seva (selfless service).
• Played key role in institutionalizing Sikh practices.
• Succession principle – Chosen by Guru Nanak based on merit and devotion, not heredity.

Quick Facts

Reference

PIB | Jyoti Jyot Diwas

EVM–VVPAT Randomisation in Elections

Why in News?

First randomisation of EVM–VVPATs completed for Assembly Elections in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry.

• EVM Randomisation – It is a digital process of randomly allocating EVMs and VVPATs to constituencies and polling stations to eliminate human bias.
• Aim –Ensure free, fair, and transparent elections.
• Prevent tampering, bias, or pre-determined allocation of machines.
• Maintain neutrality and credibility of electoral process.
• Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) - EVM is a device used to electronically record and count votes, designed to replace traditional paper ballots to make the voting process faster, more accurate, and more secure.
• Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) - Modern EVMs are often paired with VVPAT, which prints a paper slip showing the voter's choice for 7 seconds so they can verify their vote before it drops into a sealed box.
• Introduced in –
  • EVM - First introduced in 1982 (Kerala); Full Nationwide use: 2004 General Elections
  • VVPAT – First introduced in 2013 (Nagaland); Full Nationwide implementation: 2019 General Elections.

Elections in India are conducted under Article 324 of the Constitution.

• Legal Basis – EVM randomisation is based on ECI guidelines (procedural safeguard).
• Conducted by – Election Commission of India (ECI).
• Process – Two Stage Randomisation
  • Stage 1: District → Constituency
    • EVMs randomly allocated from District warehouses → To Assembly Constituencies
  • Stage 2: Constituency → Polling Station
    • EVMs further randomized: From constituency level → To specific polling booths
• Features –
  • Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) - Consists of
    • Ballot Unit → Voter presses button
    • Control Unit → Controlled by polling officer

• • VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail)
    • Provides paper slip verification of vote
    • Slip visible for 7 seconds to voter

• First Level Checking (FLC)
  • • Only EVMs that pass FLC are used
    • Conducted by engineers of Bharat Electronics Limited and Electronics Corporation of India Limited
  • Digital System
    • Randomisation carried out using EVM Management System (EMS) software.
  • Transparency Measures – Conducted in presence of Political party representatives and lists are shared with: Political parties and Contesting candidates
  • Storage and Security –
    • Stored in Strong Rooms
    • Security features: Sealed rooms, CCTV surveillance, Guarded by CAPF and Monitoring by candidates/representatives
  • Counting Safeguard – VVPAT verification done in: 5 randomly selected polling stations per constituency

References

1. PIB | EVM VVPAT
2. India Today | EVM VVPAT
3. ECI |EVM VVPAT