Great Nicobar Island Project
News-Great Nicobar Island Project: Transforming India’s Southernmost Island.
- Project – Great Nicobar Island Project highlighted by PM Narendra Modi.
- Value – ₹72,000 crore.
- Aim – Transform Island into a major maritime and air connectivity hub in Indian Ocean Region.
- Significance – Boosts strategic and defense capabilities + ensures economic growth with ecological balance.
- Components –
- International container transshipment terminal.
- Greenfield international airport.
- 450 MVA gas and solar power plant.
- Township development.
- About Great Nicobar Island–
- Largest island of Nicobar group – 910 sq km.
- Indira Point – southernmost tip of India.
- Declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
- Located near Malacca Strait (important sea route).
Mizoram’s First Railway Link
News-Mizoram’s First Railway Link – Bairabi–Sairang Line.
- Event – 13 Sept 2025, PM Modi inaugurated Bairabi–Sairang railway line (51.38 km).
- Cost – ₹8,070 crore; took ~20 years.
- Features – 48 tunnels, 142 bridges (Bridge No. 196 = 114 m high).
- Connectivity – Links Sairang (near Aizawl)–Bairabi–Silchar (Assam) → national rail network.
- Significance – First rail link for Mizoram.
- Aizawl – 4th NE capital with direct rail (after Guwahati, Agartala, Itanagar).
- New Trains –
- Sairang–Delhi Rajdhani Express.
- Sairang–Kolkata Express.
- Sairang–Guwahati Express.
Nepal’s First Woman Prime Minister
News-Sushila Karki Becomes Nepal’s First Woman Prime Minister.
- Event – 12 Sept 2025, Sushila Karki sworn in as Nepal’s interim Prime Minister.
- First Woman – To hold PM post in Nepal.
- Administered by – President Ramchandra Paudel at Sheetal Niwas, Kathmandu.
- Replaced – KP Sharma Oli (resigned after Gen Z-led anti-corruption protests).
- Selection – Chosen through youth-driven online vote on Discord.
- Support – Backed by activists and political parties.
- About Nepal –
- Location – Landlocked country in South Asia, between India and China.
- Capital – Kathmandu.
- Official Language – Nepali.
- President (2025) – Ramchandra Paudel.
- Prime Minister (2025, interim) – Sushila Karki (first woman PM).
- Geography – Contains 8 of the world’s 14 highest peaks, including Mount Everest (8,849 m).
Fitch Rating
News-Fitch Revises India’s Growth Forecast from 6.5% to 6.9%.
- India’s GDP (FY2025) – Forecast raised from 6.5% → 6.9%.
- Growth Drivers – Strong domestic demand, higher consumer spending, supportive financial conditions.
- GST Reforms – Credit positive; boost consumption and lower growth risks.
- Medium-term Outlook – India’s GDP projected at 6.3% in FY2027 (slightly above potential).
- RBI Policy – May cut rates by 25 basis points by year-end.
- Global Forecast (Fitch) – 2.3% growth in 2026, led by China and Eurozone momentum.
Asian Giant Tortoise
News-Asian Giant Tortoise Breeding at Manipur Zoo.
- Achievement – First successful artificial incubation of Asian Giant Tortoise (Manouria emys phayrei).
- Hatchlings – 28 at Manipur Zoological Garden (MZG).
- Collaboration – With India Turtle Conservation Programme (ITCP).
- Species – Critically endangered; native to Northeast India.
- Goal – Conservation breeding → release into the wild.
- Workshop – MZG hosted capacity-building training on tortoise and freshwater turtle conservation.
- Research – Habitat assessments and population studies underway for long-term recovery.
MCQs
Q1. What is the total cost of the Great Nicobar Island Project?
a) ₹50,000 crore
b) ₹72,000 crore
c) ₹80,000 crore
d) ₹60,000 crore
Q2. Which capital became the 4th NE capital with direct rail connectivity after this project?
a) Shillong
b) Kohima
c) Aizawl
d) Imphal
Q3. Who became Nepal’s first woman Prime Minister in Sept 2025?
a) Bidhya Devi Bhandari
b) Sushila Karki
c) Pushpa Kamal Dahal
d) Tara Devi
Q4. India’s GDP forecast for FY2025 was revised from ___ to ___?
a) 6.0% → 6.2%
b) 6.3% → 6.5%
c) 6.5% → 6.9%
d) 7.0% → 7.5%
Q5. The Asian Giant Tortoise is native to which region of India?
a) Western Ghats
b) Northeast India
c) Rajasthan
d) Andaman Islands