Prelims Focus 21st July 2026
PM-NAPS NE Extension (2026–27)
In News: The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship extended the PM-NAPS special intervention for the North-Eastern Region (NER) for FY 2026–27, targeting 30,000 apprentices with a ₹57.58 crore financial outlay.
Scheme Overview
Key Targets & Funding
- Target: 30,000 apprentices (15,000 within NER, 15,000 outside).
- Outlay: ₹57.58 crore from the NER component of PM-NAPS.
- Implementing Agency: Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE), Guwahati.
Key Enhancements
- Stipend: Extra ₹1,500/month incentive extended to in-state NER training.
- Significance: Boosts youth employability and regional mobility under the Skill India Mission.
Manasbal Lake
In News: Manasbal Lake in Jammu and Kashmir is experiencing a clear ecological revival, highlighted by a noticeable increase in migratory waterbirds. This recovery stems from active cleanup efforts and better care of the surrounding wetland habitat.
Lake Profile and Location
- Location: Ganderbal district, central Kashmir (about 30 km north of Srinagar).
- Depth & Size: India’s deepest freshwater lake at roughly 13 meters (43 feet); measures 3.5 km long and 1.5 km wide.
- Water Source: Fed by precipitation, surface runoff, and over 1,200 natural groundwater springs.
Signs of Recovery and Wildlife
- Bird Species: Home to more than 46 species across 23 families.
- Returned Birds: Mallards, White-headed Ducks, Eurasian Hoopoes, Horned Grebes, and Long-eared Owls.
- Restoration Actions: The Wullar-Manasbal Development Authority (WMDA) used targeted dredging and weed removal to improve water flow and health.
Museum of Word
In News: The first phase of ‘Museum of Word’ was inaugurated in Kolkata by Union Home Minister.
- It is created under the umbrella of the Union Culture Ministry by the National Library.
- It is the first country’s “immersive language museum”, also called “Shabdalok”.
- It honors the 22 official languages of India and their evolution from oral language to ancient manuscripts to printed language to electronic language.
- The museum houses 9 galleries, with each one of them covering various aspects of the history of languages and their impact on the civilisation and culture of India.
- It aims to depict language as a dynamic force that moulds society and is at the same time moulded by it.
Electronic Gold Receipts (EGRs)
In News: The National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) launched Electronic Gold Receipts (EGRs) in 2026.
- An Electronic Gold Receipt (EGR) is an exchange-traded security that gives ownership of physical gold (specified purity) kept in vaults of companies regulated by SEBI.
- They can be registered in a demat account, can be purchased/sold in other denominations and can be converted into physical gold through the prescribed process.
- There are two grades of purity for the EGRs: 999 – 99.9% pure gold and 995 – 99.5% pure gold.
- Investors can choose from 10 different denominations (the purity category) for each category, including 10 mg, 100 mg, 1 g, 10 g, 100 g and 1 kg.
- There are different denominations of EGRs to cater to new investors and old investors.
- Gold bullion enthusiasts can cash in on EGRs for gold as needed.
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