5 July 2025: PIB Summary For UPSC
1. Tax benefits available under NPS shall apply mutatis mutandis to UPS
(Source – PIB (Press Information Bureau), July, 5, 2025)
|
Topic: GS Paper 3 ( Indian Economy: Pension Reforms, Taxation) |
|
Context |
|
Content
-
Overview
-
UPS is an optional variant under NPS for Central government recruits (effective 01 Apr 2025), formalized by Department of Financial Services notification (24 Jan 2025) .
-
PFRDA framed the UPS operational regulations on 19 Mar 2025 .
Key Developments
-
Tax exemptions and deductions available under NPS will apply equivalently to UPS—i.e., mutatis mutandis.
-
This ensures parity and incentivizes adoption among employees.
Importance for UPSC
-
Pension reforms: Part of India’s move away from defined‑benefit pensions like CGHS.
-
Tax policy: Shows how tax incentives are used to foster social security.
-
Institutional roles: Highlights interplay of DFS, PFRDA, and Ministry of Finance.
-
-
Analysis
Aspect Implications Employee benefits UPS enrollees enjoy same tax deductions (e.g. Section 80CCD benefits). Policy coherence Matches existing NPS, reducing confusion and administrative burden. Fiscal outcomes While revenue forgone, better retirement portability may reduce future pension liabilities.
Conclusion
-
-
Harmonising tax benefits strengthens UPS adoption.
-
The move aligns with broader pension reform—shifting toward contributory models.
-
Further expansion could include similar provisions for state government employees.
-
|
Practice Question: “Critically analyse how extending NPS tax benefits to the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) furthers pension reforms in India. Examine the impact on financial inclusion and fiscal management.” |
2. Scientists use nanoscale geometry for colors shift, making way for wearable tech
(Source – PIB (Press Information Bureau), July, 5, 2025)
|
Topic: GS Paper 3 (Science & Technology: Nanotechnology and Its Applications) |
|
Context |
|
Content
-
Introduction
-
Structural coloration arises not from pigments but microscopic geometry—seen in peacock feathers and butterfly wings.
Technique
-
Self‑assembly of ~400 nm polystyrene spheres at an air–water interface into a hexagonal monolayer.
-
Reactive‑ion etching shrinks spheres, changing optical spacing.
-
Tilting alters light reflection, shifting color—typically blue as angle increases.
Advantages Over Pigments
-
Non-fading vibrancy, scalable bottom-up fabrication, eco-friendly.
-
Applications in wearable sensors, anti‑counterfeit tags, displays, pigments.
Scientific Significance
-
Advances understanding of light–matter interaction at nanoscales.
-
Demonstrates predictable tuning via sphere size/arrangement.
Policy Relevance
-
Promotes Make in India through indigenous nanotech research.
-
Drives DST’s mission to convert lab discoveries into commercial tech.
-
-
Analysis
-
Innovation: Structural color design offers sustainable alternatives to synthetic dyes.
-
Economy: Scalable technique may reduce import dependency for advanced materials.
-
S&T ecosystem: Demonstrates institutional capabilities in fundamental research with real-world potential.
-
Interdisciplinary link: Bridges physics, materials science, nanotech, and industrial design.
-
Conclusion
-
-
Next steps include scaling production, integration with electronics/textiles.
-
Collaboration with industry to develop prototypes for consumer use.
-
Could foster niche biotech clusters and startups in advanced materials.
-
|
Practice Question: “Evaluate the role of the chemical industry in India’s integration into global value chains and suggest policy measures to increase downstream value addition.” |
Check this out 4 July 2025: PIB Summary For UPSC
