National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) | 11th India International Science Festival (IISF) | Saras Food Festival 2025

National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID)

Defense

Context

• The National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) has begun receiving nearly 45,000 requests per month, reflecting a significant rise in its use by central and state security agencies.

National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID)

• It is a real-time intelligence and data-access platform developed after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks (2008)
• Objective – to enable seamless information-sharing across agencies.
• It functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
• It consolidates over 20 categories of civil and commercial data, such as bank transactions, telecom usage, passport/immigration records, tax IDs, police FIRs (CCTNS), and other e-governance sources.
• Data accessibility: Initially restricted to Intelligence Bureau (IB), the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) etc.
• Access to NATGRID is now available to Superintendent of Police (SP) rank officers.

Significance of NATGRID

• Counterterrorism: NATGRID enhances the ability to detect and disrupt terror networks by correlating travel patterns, financial transactions, telecom data and social contacts.
• Improved Crime Detection: The platform assists in investigations related to organised crime, narcotics, human trafficking, cybercrime, fake currency networks, and cross-border smuggling.

11th India International Science Festival (IISF)

Economy

In News

• The 11th India International Science Festival (IISF) commenced in Panchkula, Haryana.

India International Science Festival (IISF)

• It was launched in 2015
• It is a major platform for scientific exchange, innovation, outreach, and public engagement.
• 2025 Theme : Vigyan Se Samruddhi: for Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

IISF 2025 focus on five broad themes:

1. Science, Technology and Ecology of North-West India and the Himalayan Region;
2. Science for Society and Education;
3. Atmanirbhar Bharat through Science and Technology;
4. Biotechnology and Bio-economy; and
5. Integration of Traditional Knowledge with Modern Science.

Saras Food Festival 2025

Syllabus: Miscellaneous

In News

• The Saras Food Festival 2025 at Delhi’s Sunder Nursery became a vibrant showcase of women’s empowerment through Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM).

Saras Food Festival 2025

• It features over 500 traditional dishes served across 62 stalls, representing states from Haryana, Arunachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Gujarat, and many more.
• It showcases women’s entrepreneurship and self-reliance, with around 300 “Lakhpati Didis” from SHGs across India presenting food and rural products.

SARAS Aajeevika Mela

• It is organised by the Ministry of Rural Development under Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission.
• It provides rural women and self-help groups a national platform to sell their products directly, eliminate middlemen, and gain vital market exposure.
• It equips them with skills to upgrade their products, increase incomes, and connect with buyers from across the country and beyond through workshops on packaging, design, communication, and marketing, the Melas