Electronics Development Fund (EDF) | Saalumarada Thimmakk | National Gopal Ratna Awards (NGRA) 2025

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Syllabus: GS3/Economy; IT

Context

Recently, the Government of India launched the Electronics Development Fund (EDF)

Electronics Development Fund (EDF)

Overview: It was launched in 2016 under the MeitY as a key component of the Digital India and Make in India missions.
Objective – It is aimed at catalyzing innovation, research, and entrepreneurship in the electronics and IT sectors.

Strategic Importance

Reducing India’s dependence on imported electronics
Encouraging domestic innovation in critical technologies like semiconductors, IoT, AI, and robotics
Positioning India as a global hub for electronics design and manufacturing

Syllabus: GS4/ Ethics; Environmental Ethics

In News

India mourns the passing of Padma Shri awardee Saalumarada Thimmakka.
She is one of the country’s most respected environmentalists and a global symbol of grassroots afforestation.

Saalumarada Thimmakk

Born in Gubbi taluk, Tumakuru district, and later settled in Hulikal
Beginning in the 1950s, she and her husband Bikkala Chikkayya carried water daily for miles, protected the saplings from grazing cattle using thorny branches, and planted mostly in monsoon seasons to ensure the trees’ survival.
Their persistent efforts resulted in a green corridor that provides shade, supports birdlife, and regulates the microclimate, serving as a living example of community-led afforestation.
Her legacy also influenced Karnataka’s afforestation policies and inspired numerous tree-planting movements across India.
The 385 trees she planted were saved from being cut down during a road widening project in 2019 after her appeal to the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister.

Syllabus: GS3/Dairy Sector

Context

The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying has announced the winners of the National Gopal Ratna Awards (NGRA) 2025.

National Gopal Ratna Awards (NGRA) 2025

It is one of the highest national honours in the livestock and dairy sector.
These awards will be presented on 26th November 2025 as part of the National Milk Day celebrations.
It was instituted in 2014 as a part of Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM)
It focuses on the scientific conservation and development of indigenous bovine breeds.
It s annually conferred to encourage milk-producing farmers, dairy cooperative societies/MPCs/FPOs, and Artificial Insemination Technicians (AITs).
The awardees will get a certificate of merit and a memento and cash price of ₹5,00,000, ₹3,00,000 and ₹2,00,000 for the first, second and third categories respectively.

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