(c) Why in news? Several Indian banks, have initiated interoperability between the Unified Payments Interface’s (UPI) Quick Response (QR) codes and their central bank digital currency (CBDC) or e₹ applications. ■ This integration allows users of the retail digital rupee to perform transactions by scanning any UPI QR code at a merchant outlet, simplifying payments for customers and merchants. ■ The digital rupee, issued by the RBI, is a tokenized digital version of the rupee, stored in a digital wallet linked to a customer’s savings bank account. ■ This move aims to increase the adoption of the digital rupee by leveraging the widespread use of UPI. ■ As defined by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), interoperability enables a payment system to work seamlessly with other payment systems. In this context, it means that all UPI QR codes are compatible with CBDC apps, eliminating the need for separate QR codes for transactions.

(a) Only Statement 1 is correct. Why in news? Recently Union Ministry for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship launched the Malaviya Mission – Teachers Training Programme under the University Grants Commission (UGC). ■ It is proposed by restructuring of existing schemes of capacity building of teachers under the Department of Higher Education. ■ This initiative aims to provide tailored training programs for teachers and enhance the quality of education at higher educational institutions (HEIs). ■ The program will capacitate 15 lakh teachers across India through 111 Malaviya Mission centres, formerly known as Human Resource Development Centers (HRDCs). ■ It seeks to make educators future-ready, improve training quality, build leadership skills, and align with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP).

(a) Why in news? Recently, Iran recorded a scorching heat index of 70 degrees Celsius (°C) in the coastal part of the country. ■ The heat index, also known as apparent temperature, is a crucial indicator that measures how the temperature feels to humans based on a combination of air temperature and relative humidity. ■ It provides a more accurate representation of how hot the weather actually feels compared to just the air temperature. ■ The heat index is calculated using a complex formula that considers factors such as air temperature, relative humidity, and dew point. ■ The dew point, the temperature at which air becomes saturated with moisture and forms dew, is a critical component in this calculation. ■ Various countries have their own heat index measurement systems. For instance, Canada uses the Humidex, and the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) has its own heat index chart. ■ The importance of measuring the heat index lies in its ability to assess the impact of heat on human health and well-being. ■ High humidity during heatwaves can make the apparent temperature significantly higher than the actual air temperature, making it feel much hotter to people. ■ High heat index values can lead to heat stress, heat exhaustion, and even heatstroke, posing serious health risks. ■ Monitoring the heat index is vital for public safety, especially during extreme heat events. ■ It helps authorities issue heat wave alerts, implement necessary precautions, and adapt to extreme heat conditions by adjusting work schedules and providing cooling solutions to protect public health and safety.

(a) Why in news? Recently, the Union Ministry of Education and Adobe signed an agreement to help children develop creative expression in classrooms using the application Adobe Express. ■ Adobe Express is a user-friendly content creation application with generative AI capabilities. ■ It allows users to create stunning graphics, videos, collages, flyers, logos, and more using a variety of templates, fonts, filters, stickers, and icons. ■ Training and certification in creativity and digital literacy will be provided to about 20 million students and 5,00,000 teachers by 2027 using an Adobe Express-based curriculum.

(c) Why in news? Recently the Indian government approved viability gap funding (VGF) to cover up to 40% of the total capital cost for the establishment of a 4,000 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) in the country. ■ Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in 2005 approved the Scheme for Financial Support to PPPs in Infrastructure (Viability Gap Funding scheme) as a Central Sector Scheme of the Government of India. ■ The Scheme is administered by the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance and provides financial support in the form of grants, one time or deferred, to economically desirable but commercially unviable infrastructure projects undertaken through PPPs with a view to make them commercially viable. ■ CCEA in the year 2020 approved the revamped VGF Scheme . ■ The revamped scheme includes higher VGF support of upto 60% of the Total Project Cost (maximum up to 30% by the Central and State Governments each) for the social sectors i.e. Water Supply, Waste Water Treatment, Solid Waste Management ■ Upto 80% of the Total Project Cost (maximum up to 40% by the Central and State Governments each) for Pilot/Demonstration Projects in Health and Education sectors. ■ For other sector projects, Viability Gap Funding up to 40% of the Total Project Cost (maximum upto 20% by the Central and State Government each) is available.