1. Rare Earth Permanent Magnet Pilot Plant: ARCI Hyderabad
The Government of India has established a first-of-its-kind pilot plant for the manufacturing of Nd-Fe-B (Neodymium-Iron-Boron) rare earth permanent magnets at the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI) in Hyderabad.
- Exam-Centric Facts:
- Strategic Importance: Nd-Fe-B magnets are critical components for Electric Vehicles (EVs), wind turbines, defense systems, and high-end electronics. Currently, global supply is heavily dominated by China.
- Technology: The facility adopts an "end-to-end" approach, covering the entire process from strip-cast alloy production to finished sintered magnets.
- Implementing Agency: ARCI is an autonomous institution under the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
- Vision: The project is a key step toward Atmanirbhar Bharat in critical minerals and aims to create a "mineral-to-market" ecosystem in India.
2. 'PRARAMBH 2026' Awareness Campaign
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched PRARAMBH 2026, a massive nationwide awareness campaign by the Income Tax Department. The campaign is designed to prepare citizens and businesses for the transition to the new Income Tax Act, 2025.
- Exam-Centric Facts:
- Effective Date: The new Income Tax Act, 2025, is scheduled to come into effect on April 1, 2026.
- Key Innovation: As part of the campaign, the FM launched 'Kar Saathi', an AI-enabled chatbot to assist taxpayers with queries regarding the new tax laws and forms.
- Digital Upgrade: The campaign also marked the inauguration of Income Tax Website 2.0, which features improved navigation and simplified service delivery.
- Objective: To reduce tax litigation, improve compliance through clarity, and shift the department's role from "tax collector" to a "service-oriented facilitator."
3. Youngest T20I Centurion: Fanny Utagushimaninde
Rwanda’s teenage cricketer Fanny Utagushimaninde made international headlines by becoming the youngest player—male or female—to score a century in a T20 International (T20I).
- Exam-Centric Facts:
- The Record: She achieved this feat at the age of 15 years and 223 days, scoring an unbeaten 111 runs off 65 balls against Ghana.
- Tournament: The record was set during the Nigeria Invitational Women’s T20I Tournament held in Lagos.
- Previous Record: She surpassed the record held by Uganda’s Prosscovia Alako, who was 16 years and 233 days old when she scored her maiden T20I century in 2019.
- Debut Milestone: Utagushimaninde also became the first woman in cricket history to score a century on her T20I debut, breaking the long-standing debut record (96*) held by Australian legend Karen Rolton since 2005.
