UPSC Daily Current Affairs| One Liners 04-09-2025

One Liners 04-09-2025

Social Issues

Awareness Programme on Cooperatives for Transgender Community

Organised by – Department of Social Justice and Empowerment with Laxmanrao Inamdar National Academy of Cooperative Research and Development (LINAC), and National Institute of Social Defence (NISD).
Aim – To highlight how cooperatives can serve as a powerful instrument for economic empowerment, collective growth, and social inclusion.

Laxmanrao Inamdar National Academy of Cooperative Research and Development (LINAC)

LINAC – It is the training, research, and consultancy arm of National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC).
Established in – 1985 through a World Bank project.
Upgrade from pioneer – Government of India upgraded the institute with a broader mandate for training, research and consultancy and renamed it as LINAC in 2018.
Aim – To build upon the strength of the training institution and to promote research and development in the cooperative sector.

National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC)

It is a statutory organization under the Ministry of Cooperation.
Established in – 1963.
Aim – To promote, strengthen and develop farmer cooperatives for increasing production, productivity and instituting post-harvest facilities across the country.

National Institute of Social Defence (NISD)

NISD – It is the nodal training and research institute in the field of Social Defence.
Evolution –
- Originally as – Central Bureau of Correctional Services in 1961, under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Transferred to – Department of Social Security in 1964.
- Current status – Since 1975, it has been a subordinate office under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.
Aim – To focus on human resource development in the areas of drug abuse prevention, welfare of senior citizens, transgender welfare and beggary prevention.

Economy

New GST System

GST Council, during its 56th meeting, decided to revamp the tax structure into a primarily two-rate system.

Objectives – To simplify India’s existing multi-rate tax framework and make taxation simpler and fairer.
Categorization of tax – Under this, instead of the existing 5 tax slabs, goods and services will be categorized into 2 main rates.
- Slab 1 – 5%
- Slab 2 – 18%
- Special slab – 40% (sin goods and luxury item)
Classification of good & services – It classifies goods and services into essential items and standard or luxury items.
- Essential Goods and Services – These would attract a lower tax rate which includes necessities such as food items, basic household goods, and essential services.
- Standard or Non-Essential Goods and Services – These would attract a higher tax rate, covering luxury items, discretionary goods, and high-value services.

Sin Goods

Sin goods are products considered harmful to health or society, which include tobacco, gutka, pan masala, and alcoholic or sugary beverages.
Higher taxation – To discourage consumption while raising revenue for public welfare.
Earlier tax rate – It attracted the steepest GST rates, charged at 28% plus an additional Compensation Cess.
Current tax rate – Cess being phased out, the same burden has now been consolidated under a single 40% GST slab.

Science

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Feasibility Study for India

Released by – Ministry of Civil Aviation, with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and with support from the European Union.
Prepared under – ICAO ACT-SAF Programme.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

SAF – It is a biofuel used to power aircraft that has similar properties to conventional jet fuel but with a smaller carbon footprint.
Obtained from – The non-fossil fuel sources called feedstocks, including waste products like used cooking oil, agricultural waste, and municipal solid waste.

ICAO Assistance, Capacity-building and Training for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (ICAO ACT-SAF)

Launched in – 2022.
Aim – To provide tailored support for States in various stages of SAF development and deployment, facilitate partnerships and cooperation.

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

ICAO – It is a United Nations agency which helps 193 countries to cooperate together and share their skies to their mutual benefit.
Established in – 1944.
Objectives – To achieve the sustainable growth of the global civil aviation system.
To serve as the global forum of States for international civil aviation.
To develop policies and standards, undertake compliance audits, perform studies and analyses, and provide assistance to its member states and stakeholders.