10th October 2025

Explanation -
Sawalkote Hydropower Project is a 2,185 megawatt (MW) run-of-the-river hydroelectric plant proposed on the Chenab River in the Ramban District of Jammu and Kashmir. It will be the largest hydroelectric project in the Union Territory and one of the biggest in North India. The project was first conceptualised in the 1980s and revised several times due to environmental and technical concerns. The project, to be executed by National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) Ltd in collaboration with Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation Limited (JKSPDC), is estimated to cost ₹22,704 crore 

The project would feature a 5-metre roller-compacted concrete gravity dam. It is expected to generate over 7,000 million units of electricity annually. It is expected to enhance power availability in the Union Territory, especially during winters when electricity shortages are frequent. It also has the potential to turn J-K into a power-surplus region, creating scope for exporting surplus energy to the national grid. By regulating the flow of the Chenab River, the Sawalkote project could contribute to flood mitigation downstream, while also ensuring better water management for agriculture and domestic use. 

Explanation -
Green crackers are eco-friendly fireworks developed by the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research – National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) to reduce harmful emissions and air pollution. These crackers are made with smaller shells, reduced raw material use, elimination of ash, and dust-suppressant additives, which help curb smoke and particulate emissions. While combustion-based fireworks can never be entirely pollution-free, green crackers release 30–40% fewer pollutants than traditional ones. They do not contain toxic substances such as barium nitrate, arsenic, or lead, and instead use alternative formulations that reduce smoke, particulate matter, and noise levels. 

Variants Developed by CSIR-NEERI —
Introduced in 2018, CSIR-NEERI created three key variants: 

• SWAS (Safe Water Releaser) 

• STAR (Safe Thermite Cracker) 

• SAFAL (Safe Minimal Aluminium) 

These versions eliminate potassium nitrate and sulphur, helping cut gas and dust emissions significantly while maintaining festive brightness and sound within safer limits. 

Explanation - 
Coal, Crude Oil, Natural Gas, Refinery Product, Steel, Cement and Electricity are known as Core Industries. The eight Core Industries comprise nearly 37.9% of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP). 

Explanation - 
Index of Industrial Production (IIP) is released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. IIP is published monthly, six weeks after the reference month ends. 

Explanation -
Asset tokenisation is the process of converting real-world assets, such as government securities, bonds, or commodities, into digital tokens recorded on a blockchain or distributed ledger. Each token represents a share of ownership in the underlying asset. This approach allows for — 

• Fractional ownership, enabling small investors to participate in large-value assets. 

• Improved liquidity, as tokens can be traded globally and instantly. 

• Enhanced transparency, since all transactions are recorded on an immutable blockchain. 

• Faster settlements, reducing intermediaries through smart contracts. 

Globally, tokenisation has emerged as a major innovation in financial systems. Countries like Singapore, Switzerland, and the UK are piloting tokenised securities, while India's RBI is among the first major central banks to explore tokenisation via wholesale CBDC.