Economy

Cabinet approves continuation of Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS)

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the continuation of the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS) for the financial year 2025–26. This decision aims to provide affordable short-term credit to farmers through the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) system

What is MISS?

The Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS) is a Central Sector Scheme that aims to provide concessional short-term crop loans to farmers through the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) platform. It encourages timely repayment by offering interest incentives, thereby reducing the cost of borrowing for small and marginal farmers.

Key Details

• Launched In: Initially introduced in 2006–07 to improve access to agricultural credit and curb rural indebtedness.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare
• Implementing Agencies: Jointly implemented by RBI and NABARD, in coordination with Public Sector Banks, Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Cooperative Banks, and Private Sector Banks.

Objectives of MISS

• Expand the flow of credit to agriculture and allied sectors.
• Provide short-term working capital for activities like farming, dairy, animal husbandry, and fisheries.
• Lower the borrowing cost for small and marginal farmers.
• Promote timely repayment through interest incentives.
• Offer relief during natural calamities by subsidizing restructured loans.

Salient Features of MISS (2025–26)

Significance

• Enhancing agricultural productivity through affordable credit.
• Ensuring financial inclusion of small and marginal farmers.
• Strengthening the rural credit ecosystem.
• Supporting the government’s broader goal of doubling farmers’ incomes.

Economy

IIP growth falls to eight-month low of 2.7% in April- The hindu 

India’s industrial output growth slowed to an eight-month low of 2.7% in April 2025, as per the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, driven by weaker performance in sectors like mining, electricity, consumer non-durables, and infrastructure goods.

About the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) 

The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) is a critical economic indicator that tracks short-term changes in the volume of production within India’s industrial sectors. It reflects the pace of industrial growth or contraction over time.

• Published by: Central Statistics Office (CSO), under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI)
• Current Base Year: 2011–12, updated periodically to align with evolving industrial structures and production patterns. 

Sectoral Composition (by weight):

• Manufacturing – 77.63% (809 items)
• Mining – 14.37% (29 items)
  Electricity – 7.99% (1 item)

About Eight Core Sectors – Rephrased Precisely

• The Eight Core Sectors are key industries that together account for 40.27% of the total weight in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).
• The eight core sector industries in decreasing order of their weightage: Refinery Products> Electricity> Steel> Coal> Crude Oil> Natural Gas> Cement> Fertilizers.

Environment 

Study finds stingless bees increase crop yield, quality - The Hindu

A recent study has revealed that stingless bees, known for producing distinctively flavored, high-value honey, can significantly enhance both the yield and quality of crops.

About Stingless Bees
Stingless bees closely resemble honeybees but lack the ability to sting effectively, as their stingers are too small to function in defense. Instead, they defend themselves by biting with their mandibles.

• There are around 550 known species of stingless bees, primarily classified under genera such as Austroplebeia, Melipona, and Tetragonula.
• They are closely related to bumblebees and carpenter bees.
• Advantages: Stingless bees offer safe pollination services without the risk of stings. They are highly valued for their medicinal honey and play a vital role in crop pollination, supporting the development of crop-specific pollination calendars for farmers and agricultural planners.

Distribution of Stingless Bees

•  Stingless bees are primarily found in Africa, Australia, Southeast Asia, and parts of Central and South America.
• In India, they are mostly reported from the northeastern, eastern, and southern states, where traditional rearing practices are common—especially in homestead apiaries of the northeastern region.

Science and Technology 

Indian players double down on sodium-ion chemistry as China tightens lithium-ion stranglehold- Indian Express

JNCASR, Bengaluru, has developed a super-fast charging sodium-ion battery that charges up to 80% in 6 minutes, offering a promising alternative to lithium-ion technology.

About Sodium-Ion Battery (SIB)

Definition:
Sodium-Ion Batteries (SIBs) are rechargeable batteries that function similarly to lithium-ion batteries but use sodium ions (Na⁺) instead of lithium ions (Li⁺) to store and transfer charge.

Working Mechanism:

• During Discharge: Sodium ions move from the anode (negative electrode) to the cathode (positive electrode), where they are stored and reduced. The movement of these ions through the electrolyte creates an electric current.
• During Charging: The process reverses—sodium ions migrate back to the anode, restoring the battery’s charge for reuse.

Inadequate diagnostic services still a critical gap in cancer care in India: NAMS report- The Hindu

A recent NAMS Task Force Report on Breast Cancer in India highlights a critical gap in cancer care—inadequate diagnostic services—amid rising cancer cases, with India reporting nearly 200,000 new cancer cases annually, and a higher proportion of younger breast cancer patients compared to high-income countries.

NAMS Task Force Report 

• India is currently witnessing nearly 2 lakh new cancer cases annually, with a growing burden expected to reach 2.08 million by 2040, marking a 57.5% increase from 2020.
• Asia hosts 60% of the world’s population and contributes to 50% of global cancer cases and 58% of cancer-related deaths.
• India ranks third in global cancer incidence, after China and the United States.
• Among Indian women, breast cancer is the most common cancer and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality.
• A notably higher proportion of breast cancer cases are diagnosed at a younger age in India compared to high-income nations.
• Most Indian patients are diagnosed at advanced stages (Stage 3 or 4), whereas about 60% of U.S. cases are caught early (in situ or Stage 1).
• Over 50% of Indian patients delay medical consultation by more than three months, often due to lack of awareness or access.
• The survival rate in India remains lower than in Western countries, largely due to late detection, delays in treatment, and fragmented or inadequate care infrastructure.