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SYLLABUS:
CURRENT EVENTS OF NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL IMPORTANCE: TO BE READ FROM THE IAS
GAZETTE: COVERS – POLITY, GOVERNMENT SCHEMES, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, ECONOMY,
SECURITY, INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, SECURITY, GEOGRAPHY, SOCIETY, ENVIRONMENT AND
ECOLOGY
Hirakud Dam Penalty: ₹10,000 fine / 6 months jail (first
Context: offence); ₹15,000 fine / 2 years jail (repeat
At 67 years old, the Hirakud Dam in Odisha, the offence).
world’s longest earthen dam, requires a major o Section 105, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023:
overhaul to address structural concerns and Fatal drunk driving cases treated as
enhance flood management capacity. culpable homicide (not murder).
Details: Punishment: up to 10 years imprisonment
Built across Mahanadi River, inaugurated in 1957 + fine.
by PM Jawaharlal Nehru. Significance for Odisha:
Length: 25.8 km (main dam 4.8 km + dykes). Despite decline in drunk driving deaths,
Creates Asia‟s largest artificial lake (743 sq km). distracted driving via mobile phones is an
Multipurpose: flood control, irrigation, emerging threat.
hydropower (347.5 MW), water supply. Enforcement success in one area shows potential
Declared Ramsar Wetland in 2021. for targeted awareness and regulation in another.
Significance for Odisha & India:
One of the first multipurpose river valley projects Odisha identifies 5,500 Acre for t &
post-Independence. Electronics Infrastructure Development
Key for flood moderation in Mahanadi basin. Context
Supports agriculture, power, industry and water The Odisha Pavilion at SEMICON India 2025
security in western Odisha. (New Delhi) was inaugurated highlighting the
state’s ambition to become a hub for
Odisha: 35% Rise in Mobile Phone-Linked semiconductors and ESDM (Electronics System
Road Fatalities in 2023 Design & Manufacturing).
Context: Key Developments
According to the “Road Accidents in India 2023” Institutional Achievements:
report (MoRTH), Odisha saw a sharp rise in road PMEC Berhampur → High-performance multi-
deaths due to mobile phone use while driving, plier IC.
even as fatalities from drunk driving declined. NIT Rourkela → Variable Gain Amplifiers (VGA),
Details: sensor circuit & encryption core.
Mobile Phone Use While Driving: Reflect Odisha’s growing role in Made in India
o 2022: 347 accidents, 120 deaths. chip initiative.
o 2023: 433 accidents, 163 deaths → 35% rise in Vision 2036 & 2047:
fatalities. Expansion of World Skill Centre (Bhubaneswar).
o Odisha ranked 3rd in India (after Uttar 3 new campuses: IT/ITeS, semiconductors,
Pradesh – 1,815; Madhya Pradesh – 185). aerospace & marine engineering.
Drunk Driving: Courses in avionics, digital animation, logistics,
o 2022: 301 deaths. chip design.
o 2023: 254 deaths → 15% decline. Industrial Clusters:
o Odisha still ranked 2nd in India, after Uttar Dedicated ESDM & semiconductor clusters
Pradesh (1,822 deaths). planned in Khurda& Ganjam.
o Reason for decline: strict enforcement & zero- Backed by R&D institutions, startups & skill
tolerance policy. training hubs.
Legal Provisions: Policy Support:
o Section 185, MV Act (Amendment 2019): Electronics Component Manufacturing Policy 2025:
Maximum Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) 25% capital subsidy (first 10 large projects).
limit: 30 mg per 100 ml of blood. 10% subsidy (subsequent projects).
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Land allocation, rental support, 10-year electricity Odisha Govt Launches Quad-City Economic
duty exemption, power tariff reimbursement. Zones
National Support: Context
Union Cabinet approved ₹4,009 crore Odisha govt has unveiled Quad-City Economic
semiconductor projects under India Zones to promote balanced urban-industrial
Semiconductor Mission. growth and boost the state’s economy.
Location: Info Valley, Bhubaneswar.
Includes India‟s 1st commercial compound Key Details
semiconductor fabrication unit → Will produce First Zone: Bhubaneswar–Puri–Cuttack–Paradip
SiC devices (critical for defense, missiles, EVs). → connects capital, cultural hub, admin center&
port city into an integrated corridor.
Odisha Govt‟s Jeevan Zindabad Campaign Other Zones:
Context o Koraput–Sunabeda–Sambalpur–Bargarh →
Odisha Govt to launch “Jeevan Zindabad” agro-industries, tribal economy.
campaign in all district HQs to curb rising student o Rourkela–Keonjhar → steel & mining hub.
suicides. o Fourth Zone → under discussion with NITI
Key Features Aayog.
Aim: Promote mental health, hope and resilience Implementation
among youth. Dedicated state committee formed.
Target Group: College & school students, youth Phased investment & infrastructure plans under
from diverse backgrounds. review.
Activities: Cultural programs, workshops, Significance
interactive sessions. Boosts industrialization, urban synergy &
Participation: 70+ artists, student community, civil regional balance.
society. Integrates high-GDP contributing regions.
Departments Involved: Strengthens Odisha’s role in steel, mining, agro&
o Women & Child Development port-led growth.
o Home Department
o Higher Education Department Odisha‟s Export Decline
Context
Odisha Govt mandates Biometric Mobile Odisha, once among India’s fastest-growing
App Attendance for SSEPD Staff export hubs post-COVID, is facing a steep decline
Context in its export performance. Between 2021-22 and
From Sept 1, 2025, Odisha govt has made mobile- 2024-25, exports fell by over 40%, exposing the
based biometric attendance mandatory for all state’s vulnerability due to its heavy reliance on
employees of the Department of Social Security & mineral-based commodities.
Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Key Details
(SSEPD). Export Trend: $17.06 bn (2021-22) → $10 bn (2024-
Key Features 25).
Implementation: All District Social Security National Rank: Dropped to 9th (2.31% of India’s
Officers (DSSOs) instructed to enforce compliance. exports), from 7th in 2021-22.
Salary Linkage: Attendance data via app will be Major Markets: China (21.5%), Turkey, South
the sole basis for salary disbursement starting Oct Korea, UK, USA, Malaysia, Mexico, Vietnam,
2025. Japan, Italy.
Significance Commodity Concentration: 106 commodities
Promotes digital governance and accountability exported, but top 10 make up ~98%; dominated by
in welfare administration. iron ore, ferro alloys, steel, aluminium.
Ensures transparent salary processing and Causes:
reduces manipulation in attendance. o Global slowdown in Chinese demand.
Model for e-governance reforms in other o Weak steel prices.
departments. o Stricter EU environmental norms.
