Prelims
Internal Security: National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID)
Background & Purpose
- NATGRID is a secure, integrated intelligence platform providing real-time access to multiple government and private databases.
- Conceptualised in 2009 after the 26/11 attacks, when lack of information-sharing between agencies was identified as a major gap.
- Established under MHA in 2010; became operational between 2020–2023.
- Objective: enable intelligence-led policing, faster investigations, and better coordination against terrorism, organised crime, cybercrime, and financial fraud.
Operational Mechanism
- Integrates datasets including Aadhaar, driving licences, immigration/visa records, airline/rail travel data, banking and credit card transactions, telecom details, and relevant social media inputs.
- Uses Big Data analytics to detect patterns, map linkages, and track suspects.
- Enables agencies to “join the dots” without approaching multiple departments.
- End-to-end encryption ensures confidentiality; FIR not required for data access.
Coverage & Access
- Initially accessible to 10–11 central agencies (IB, RAW, NIA, ED, FIU, NCB, DRI, etc.).
- Now extended to State/UT police, with access up to Superintendent of Police (SP) rank.
- Receives ~45,000 data requests per month, showing expanding operational reliance.
- Recent DGP Conference (Raipur) encouraged increased State-level adoption.
Operational Challenges
- State police report slow login processes and delays in receiving information, limiting field usability.
- Intended “real-time” access is sometimes not realised due to system speed and connectivity issues.
National Security Context
- NATGRID gained momentum under Home Minister Amit Shah (from 2019) after resolving earlier bureaucratic hurdles.
- Rising cyber threats—20.41 lakh cybersecurity incidents in 2024—highlight the need for integrated intelligence systems.
Significance
- Eliminates dependence on fragmented databases; enables rapid link analysis.
- Enhances inter-agency coordination, strengthens internal security, and modernises policing.
- Critical for countering terrorism, cybercrime, financial fraud, and organised crime in a data-intensive era.
Red-breasted Parakeet (Psittacula alexandri)
Overview
- The Red-breasted Parakeet, also called the Moustached Parakeet, is a colourful Asian parrot species.
- Scientific name: Psittacula alexandri.
- It is recognised for its distinctive facial “moustache” marking and vibrant plumage.
Distribution & Habitat
- The species is spread across India, Nepal, and several Southeast Asian countries, including Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
- It survives in forests, woodland belts, agricultural edges, and occasionally near human settlements.
Physical Characteristics
- A medium-sized parrot, reaching 33–38 cm including tail length.
- Males show green plumage with a pink breast and belly, grey head, blue upper tail, green tail tip, and a red upper mandible.
- Females resemble males but have duller pink underparts and a black upper mandible.
- Known for being highly social, forming small groups or large flocks.
- Their vocalisations consist of loud squawks and screeching calls, especially during flight or feeding.
Behaviour
- The species is an active flock-dweller, frequently observed feeding or travelling in coordinated groups.
- Its noise levels make it easily detectable in its habitat.
Conservation Status
- Listed as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List.
- Decline is linked to habitat loss, trapping, and fragmented populations across its range.
Shingles Disease
Overview
- Shingles is a viral infection presenting as a painful rash in affected individuals.
- It is caused by the Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) — the same virus responsible for chickenpox.
Cause & Reactivation
- After recovering from chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in nerve cells for years.
- It can reactivate later when the immune system weakens due to ageing, illnesses, or immunosuppressive drugs.
Symptoms
- The disease typically begins with pain, burning, tingling, or itching along a nerve pathway.
- A stripe-like band of blisters appears on one side of the torso, neck, or face.
- Additional symptoms include headache, fever, and sensitivity to touch or light.
Transmission
- Shingles itself is not directly contagious.
- However, the virus can infect a person who never had chickenpox, causing chickenpox (not shingles).
- Risk is highest in people above 50 years or those with weakened immunity.
Complications
- Can lead to post-herpetic neuralgia, causing long-lasting severe nerve pain.
- Involvement of the face or eye can cause vision-related complications.
Prevention & Treatment
- Shingrix vaccine is available and effectively prevents shingles and its complications.
- Early antiviral therapy reduces severity and duration of the illness.
- Pain management and supportive care improve patient outcomes.
Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme
Overview
- Launched: June 29, 2020, as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.
- Aim: Address challenges of micro food processing enterprises and promote their formalisation and upgradation.
Key Objectives
- Enhance credit access for micro food processors, FPOs, SHGs and cooperatives.
- Enable integration with organised supply chains through improved branding and marketing.
- Facilitate transition of 2 lakh existing micro units into the formal sector.
- Strengthen access to common services such as processing, labs, storage, packaging, marketing and incubation.
- Build institutional capacity, research support and technical advisory systems.
Outlay and Funding Pattern
- Scheme outlay: ₹10,000 crore for 2020-21 to 2024-25.
- Cost-sharing:
- 60:40 → Centre : States
- 90:10 → Northeastern & Himalayan States
- 60:40 → UTs with legislature
- 100% → Other UTs.
Coverage
- 2,00,000 micro units to receive direct credit-linked subsidy.
- Supportive common infrastructure and institutional frameworks will be strengthened.
Major Components
- Support for individual and group enterprises.
- Branding and marketing assistance.
- Institutional strengthening in the food-processing sector.
- Creation of a project management framework.
Financial Support
- For Individual Micro Units
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- 35% credit-linked subsidy, up to ₹10 lakh.
- Minimum 10% beneficiary contribution, rest through loan.
- Includes on-site skill training and DPR/technical support.
- For FPOs/SHGs/Cooperatives
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- Seed capital: ₹4 lakh per SHG for lending to members.
- 35% capital subsidy up to ₹3 crore for common infrastructure.
- Up to 50% grant for branding and marketing.
- Includes training and handholding.
- Eligible Beneficiaries
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- FPOs, SHGs, Cooperatives, Existing Entrepreneurs.
- New units supported only under the One District One Product (ODOP) framework.
Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP)
Overview
- The Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP) aims to shift India’s harbour tug fleet from diesel-powered vessels to green alternatives.
- It was launched in 2024 by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
- The programme supports India’s commitments to clean maritime operations and the IMO’s decarbonisation goals.
Implementation Strategy
- GTTP follows a phased transition plan (2024–2040) to replace conventional tugs.
- 50 green tugs will be inducted by 2030, marking a significant shift towards sustainable port operations.
- Phase 1 (2024–27) targets deployment of 16 green tugs across major ports.
- Two green tugs each at:
- DPA (Kandla)
- Paradip Port Authority
- Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA)
- V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOCPT)
- One green tug each at the remaining eight major ports.
- Two green tugs each at:
Nodal Agency & Technology
- The National Centre of Excellence in Green Port & Shipping (NCoEGPS) functions as the nodal agency.
- Deployment begins with Green Hybrid Tugs powered by Green Hybrid Propulsion systems.
- Future phases will adopt non-fossil fuels, including methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen, promoting deep decarbonisation.
Significance
- Enhances India’s shift to a green maritime ecosystem under Viksit Bharat vision.
- Reduces carbon emissions, fuel consumption, and operational costs in ports.
- Aligns with India’s goals for energy transition, blue economy growth, and sustainable coastal infrastructure.
- Positions India among the first movers in green tug technology in the Global South.
