"major minerals" by the Ministry of Mines.
The current extraction contracts will be extended by 50 years as a result of this measure, which also permits mining for vital scientific and technological uses.
These mines will eventually have to register as significant minerals with the Indian Bureau of Mines.
Pegmatite rocks include mica, quartz, and felspar.
Numerous vital minerals, including beryl, lithium, niobium, tantalum, molybdenum, tin, titanium, and tungsten, are found in significant amounts in them.
Technologies pertaining to electric cars (EVs), the energy shift, the aerospace industry, and healthcare depend heavily on critical minerals.
Up until recently, mica, quartz, and felspar leases were issued as minor mineral leases.
Prisoner Remission Decisions of the Supreme Court
States having remission regimes have been ordered by the Supreme Court to take into account the early release of inmates, even if they haven't applied for remission in advance.
The BNSS and the CrPC-73 provide states the authority to release inmates before the end of their term, with few limitations for specific types of offenders.
The ability to shorten a sentence for an individual convicted of a crime is known as the power of remission.
State governments have the authority to send punishments "at any time" under Section 473 of the BNSS (and Section 432 of the CrPC).
The states may also revoke the remission and make another warrantless arrest of the offender.
This is distinct from the authority granted by Articles 72 and 161 of the Constitution to the President and the Governor, respectively, to remit the sentences.
SC remains on Lokpal's order
The Supreme Court has overturned the Lokpal's ruling that it had the authority to investigate allegations against High Court judges who were still serving.
Justice A M Khanwilkar, a former Supreme Court judge, is in charge of the Lokpal.
The Lokpal came to the conclusion that judges of the High Court were "public servants" and were thus covered by the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act of 2013.
The Lokpal had said that it had no authority over the Chief Justice of India or any of the judges of the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court was neither a "body" created by a parliamentary act, nor was it funded or governed by the federal government.
Therefore, even though the Chief Justice of India and other Supreme Court justices were considered "public servants" under the Prevention of Corruption Act of 1988, they were beyond the Lokpal's purview.
The judges of the court created by a parliamentary act are not specifically exempt from the 2013 Act.
India's Suicide Rate Drops in 2021
Between 1990 and 2021, the suicide mortality rate in India decreased by more than 30%.
In 1990, the suicide mortality rate in India was 18.9 per lakh.
The population was 13·1 lakh per lakh in 2019 and 13 per lakh in 2021.
India's suicide fatality rate decreased to 31.5 percent between 1990 and 2021.
Females had a greater decrease in suicide mortality rates than men.
The suicide mortality rate among females was 16·8 per lakh in 1990; by 2021, it had dropped to 10·3 per lakh.
According to the survey, there are over 740,000 suicides recorded worldwide each year.
That is, on average, one person commits suicide every forty-three seconds.
The age-standardized suicide mortality rate has decreased by around 40% worldwide during the last three decades.
License for electronic personnel
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation's (DGCA) "electronic personnel license (EPL) for pilots" was introduced by Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu.
India will become the second nation in the world to adopt the EPL for flight crew, after China.
The eGCA platform (the DGCA's e-platform) will update in real time whenever a pilot license is approved or renewed.
Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign
The Centre has launched the Annual Nationwide Mass Drug Administration (MDA) Campaign for Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) Elimination.
A house-to-house administration of filaria control medicines in 111 endemic districts across 13 States is being covered under this campaign.
The MDA campaign is a critical tool in the Indian LF elimination arsenal and it is spearheaded by NCVBDC.
Elephantiasis: Lymphatic filariasis is commonly known as haatipaon and elephantiasis in Maithili.
This is because of the infection caused by which class of parasites described as nematodes (roundworms) belonging to the family Filariodidea.
PubMed record of the Act states that it is a priority disease in 345 districts located in 20 Indian States and Union Territories with more than 90 per cent of the total cases being reported from eight States.
Future Scope of Solar Projects: Energy Storage
All tenders for the coming solar projects will be mandated with energy storage systems by the government
Going forward, it is recommended that all renewable energy implementing agencies (REIAs), and state discoms include at least two-hour co-located ESS (making up 10 per cent of the installed solar project capacity) in upcoming solar tenders.
This will minimise problems around intermittency and offer much needed support during the times of peak demand.
This would help increase capacity utilization of renewable energy assets as India rapidly scales up to its 500 GW non-fossil capacity target by 2030.
TRAI’s New Framework 2025
For the grant of broadcasting services, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has issued its recommendation for framing a guideline for service Authorisation to offer Services in Broadcasting Wireless Access services Under telecommunication Act 2023
This leads to a significant deviation from the prior regime which was predominant under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.
These include a proposal on ending radio co-location, new norms that reduce DTH fees to zero and the promotion of sharing infrastructure.
Lifts net worth requirement for IPTV
TEC should fix standards for interoperable STBs.
Skill Index 2025
Mercer-Mettl released a new report, India's Graduate Skill Index 2025.
42.6% Indian graduates are not employable at all
That is down from 44.3 per cent of voters in 2023.
The primary reason for this is a growing