Current Affairs 27 August 2025

NASA unveils new CHAPEA Mars habitat to simulate year-long missions.

• NASA unveiled the second CHAPEA habitat, a 1,700 sq. ft. 3D-printed structure for Mars mission simulations.
• Missions involve 4 crew members living in isolation for one year.
• Objective: Study physical & psychological effects of long-duration space missions.
• Crew tasks: Scientific experiments, vegetable cultivation, habitat upkeep, and simulated.

Govt launches Rs 25,000 cr Export Promotion Mission for 6 years.

• Export Promotion Mission (EPM) launched by Commerce & Industry Ministry with Rs 25,000 crore (US$ 2.85 bn) outlay for 6 years.
• Aims: mitigate tariff risks, trade wars, demand slowdown, and diversify export markets & basket.
• Two pillars of support: Niryat Protsahan (Export Encouragement) – Rs 10,000 crore; Niryat Disha (Export Direction) – Rs 14,500 crore.

India’s unique dairying model, and the challenges it faces.

• India’s low-cost, cooperative-led dairying model ensures global price competitiveness, but its dependence on cheap labour and low productivity poses long-term sustainability challenges.
• India is the world’s largest milk producer, contributing 24.76% of global milk output.
• Top Producing states: Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and MP.
• Milk production rose to 239.30 million tonnes in 2023-24.

Government e-Marketplace Touches ₹15 Lakh Crore Procurement Milestone.

• GeM has crossed ₹15 lakh crore in total GMV since its launch in 2016.
• It plays a key role in making public procurement more transparent, efficient, and inclusive.
• The platform connects government buyers with a wide range of sellers.
• These include MSEs, startups, women-led businesses, SC/ST enterprises, and Self-Help Groups.
• Over the past nine years, GeM has become a major digital hub for government procurement in India.

Court can’t accord assent to bills, only guv and Prez can: Maharashtra.

• The Maharashtra government argued in the Supreme Court that courts couldn't accord assent to bills passed by state assemblies as the power vested only in governors or President.
• Senior advocate Harish Salve, representing Maharashtra, made the submissions before a five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice B R Gavai.

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