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Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the FTI-TTP at Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, and Ahmedabad airports on January 16 from Ahmedabad.
FTI-TTP is one of the key agendas set by the Centre for ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’ – India becoming a developed nation by the centenary of its independence.
It was first deployed in June 2024 at Terminal 3 of the IGI Airport to facilitate international mobility with faster, smoother and more secure immigration clearance for Indian Nationals and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) passengers arriving from other countries.
The Bureau of Immigration under the Ministry of Home Affairs is the nodal agency for programme implementation.

Why in the News?
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, launched the National Turmeric Board on ThJanuary 14, 2025.e Board, headquartered in Nizamabad, Telangana, aims to support turmeric farmers, enhance turmeric production, and promote exports. Shri Palle Ganga Reddy has been appointed as the first Chairperson of the Board. India accounts for 70% of global turmeric production.
Key Takeaways
Focus on Farmer Welfare and Productivity
The Board benefits turmeric farmers across 20 states, including Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, and Meghalaya.
Promotes research and development of new turmeric varieties, value addition for global markets, and awareness of turmeric’s health benefits.
Emphasis on increasing productivity in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, key turmeric-growing regions.
Collaborative Composition
Includes representatives from Ministries of AYUSH, Pharmaceuticals, Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, and Commerce, along with delegates from turmeric-producing states and exporter bodies.
Focuses on maintaining quality and safety standards for turmeric production and exports.
India’s Global Dominance in Turmeric
India is the largest producer, consumer, and exporter of turmeric, contributing over 70% to global production.
In 2023-24, India cultivated turmeric on 3.05 lakh hectares, producing 10.74 lakh tonnes.
Exports reached 1.62 lakh tonnes, valued at $226.5 million, with India’s share in the global turmeric trade exceeding 62%.
Prime Minister’s Endorsement
Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the Board’s role in fostering innovation, global promotion, and value addition.
Highlighted its importance in strengthening supply chains to benefit both farmers and consumers.
Significance
The establishment of the National Turmeric Board marks a milestone in empowering India’s turmeric farmers and enhancing the global visibility of India’s ‘Golden Spice’. Under the leadership of Chairperson Shri Palle Ganga Reddy, the Board is expected to further strengthen India’s dominance in turmeric production and trade.

Why in the news?
India’s space tech startup Pixxel has launched the country’s first private satellite constellation, named Firefly, marking a major milestone in the country’s space exploration journey.
Key Takeaways:
Firefly is Pixxel’s flagship hyperspectral imaging satellite constellation, featuring six of the highest-resolution commercial hyperspectral satellites to date. It has launched three of its six hyperspectral imaging satellites aboard a SpaceX rocket from California.
Aim:
The satellites aim to use hyperspectral imaging, a technology that captures highly detailed data across hundreds of light bands to serve industries such as agriculture, mining, environmental monitoring, and defence.