ACSCeND — AI Framework for Cancer Stem-like Cells

GS III Science & Technology

Why in News?

Indian scientists have developed ACSCeND, an AI-based framework that can identify and study hidden cancer stem-like cells inside tumours.

What are Cancer Stem-like Cells?

●     Think of a tumour as a large group of cancer cells. Among them, some cells have stem-cell-like properties.

●     These cells may have a greater ability to: Renew themselves, Produce different types of cancer cells, Help the tumour grow, Contribute to treatment resistance and recurrence

What does ACSCeND do?

Earlier, researchers often gave a tumour one overall "stemness" score.

ACSCeND goes further.It identifies 3 different states:

Why is this important?

ACSCeND helps use information learned from single-cell data to analyse more commonly available bulk RNA-sequencing data.

ACSCeND could help researchers:

●     Identify hidden cancer stem-like cells

●     Understand their biological mechanisms

●     Discover new drug targets

●     Develop more precise cancer therapies

●     Improve understanding of tumour progression and patient outcomes

Alang–Sosiya Ship-Recycling Cluster

GS-III | Indian Economy , Infrastructure

Why in News?

Alang–Sosiya in Gujarat is India''s dominant ship-recycling cluster and accounts for the overwhelming majority of India''s ship-recycling activity.

Location

●     Alang–Sosiya - Gujarat

●     District - Bhavnagar

●     Located along the Gulf of Khambhat (Cambay).

●     Situated on India''s western coast.

●     International standard - Hong Kong Convention

About

●     Accounts for approximately 98% of India''s ship-recycling activity.

●     It is India''s principal ship-recycling cluster.

Why Alang is Suitable for Ship Recycling?

●     Natural Factors

●     Gulf of Khambhat

●     Strong tidal range

●     Coastal location

●     Relatively broad intertidal zone

Himalayan Traditional System of Medicine

Why in News?

Dr. Padma Gurmet, Director of the National Institute of Sowa-Rigpa (NISR), Leh, was conferred the UT Ladakh State Award 2025 for her contribution to Sowa-Rigpa.

What is Sowa-Rigpa?

●     A traditional system of medicine originating in the Himalayan region.

●     Particularly associated with Tibet.

●     Also known as the Amchi System of Medicine.

●     In India, it is recognised as a system of traditional medicine under the Ministry of AYUSH.

Important Text :Gyud-Zi (Four Tantras) → fundamental/classical text of Sowa-Rigpa.

Influences

Sowa-Rigpa incorporates knowledge from:

●     Tibetan medical traditions

●     Ayurveda

●     Traditional Chinese medicine

●     Local Himalayan medical traditions

Important Institution

National Institute of Sowa-Rigpa (NISR)

Location: Leh, Ladakh

India’s Lunar Future: From Chandrayaan to Sustained Lunar Exploration

Why in News ?

India’s lunar programme is entering a new phase with deeper NASA–ISRO cooperation and growing focus on future lunar infrastructure and long-term exploration.

India’s Key Lunar and Space Initiatives

●     NASA–ISRO Cooperation: Greater cooperation can provide India access to advanced technologies and scientific expertise for future lunar missions.

●     Gaganyaan: Experience in human spaceflight and astronaut training can strengthen India’s capability for more complex deep-space missions.

●     Chandrayaan Programme: Chandrayaan missions have progressively expanded India’s understanding of the Moon and laid the foundation for future exploration.

●     NISAR: The NASA–ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar mission strengthens India’s capabilities in advanced Earth observation and space technology cooperation.

●     Private Space Sector: Indian space startups can participate in developing spacecraft components, robotics, communication systems and other technologies required for future missions.

Strategic Opportunities for India

●     Advanced Technology: Collaboration can accelerate India’s development of robotics, autonomous systems, life-support technologies and lunar surface systems.

●     Space Economy: Future lunar activities can create new markets for Indian private space companies and strengthen domestic space manufacturing.

●     Global Space Leadership: Greater participation in international lunar programmes can increase India’s influence in shaping the future rules and standards of space exploration.

●     Challenges for India

●     High Costs: Building and maintaining lunar infrastructure requires large and sustained investments.

Way Forward

• Build Indigenous Capability: Accelerate the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) and strengthen indigenous deep-space communication, navigation and tracking systems.
• Promote Space-Tech Industry: Increase private-sector participation in launch vehicles, robotics, spacecraft, communication systems and lunar technologies.
• Maintain Interoperability: India should advocate open international standards for communication, power systems, navigation and docking to prevent fragmentation of lunar infrastructure.
• Strengthen Space Governance: Use UNCOPUOS and the Outer Space Treaty framework to promote peaceful, sustainable and cooperative exploration of the Moon.

Namibia

Why in News?

India and Namibia agreed to deepen trade and economic cooperation during the 4th Session of the India–Namibia Joint Trade Committee (JTC) held in New Delhi.

Location

• Southwestern Africa
• Capital: Windhoek
•  Coast: Atlantic Ocean

Neighbours

• North: Angola
• Northeast: Zambia
• East: Botswana
• South: South Africa
•  West: Atlantic Ocean

Physical Features

• Namib Desert → western coastal Namibia; among the world''s oldest deserts.
• Kalahari Desert → eastern/southeastern Namibia.

Great Escarpment

• Khomas Highlands
• Naukluft Mountains
• Highest peak: Brandberg (Mount Brand)

Important Rivers

• Kunene - Namibia–Angola border region.
• Okavango (Cubango) - flows towards Botswana''s Okavango Delta.
• Zambezi - northeastern Namibia.
• Orange River - southern boundary region with South Africa.

Significance

• Critical Mineral Security : Namibia''s mineral resources make it relevant to India''s efforts to diversify sources of critical minerals and strategic raw materials.
• Africa Outreach : Strengthens India''s engagement with Africa and the Global South, complementing India''s broader development partnership approach.
• Trade Diversification : Provides India with opportunities to diversify its African trade and investment footprint.
• Energy Cooperation : Namibia''s potential in renewable energy and green hydrogen creates scope for future cooperation.

Way forward

• Diversify Trade Basket : Move beyond commodities towards pharmaceuticals, machinery, agriculture, IT and services.
• Critical Minerals Partnership : Promote cooperation in exploration → processing → value addition, rather than merely importing raw materials.
• Green Energy Cooperation : Explore partnerships in solar energy, green hydrogen and climate-resilient technologies.
• Improve Connectivity : Develop more efficient maritime, logistics and supply-chain linkages.
•  Boost Private Investment : Facilitate Indian investment in mining technology, manufacturing, infrastructure and renewable energy.

Oil Spill Threat to Iran’s Coastal Ecosystem

GS III Environment

Why in News?

An oil spill in the Persian Gulf poses a threat to the Hara mangrove ecosystem around Qeshm Island in Iran.

This is important because mangroves are highly valuable coastal ecosystems but are vulnerable to oil pollution and coastal disturbances.

Location

• Hara Mangrove Forests Qeshm Island, Iran, Persian Gulf
• Qeshm is a major island in southern Iran.

Dominant Species

•  Avicennia marina - Commonly known as grey mangrove.
•  It is adapted to saline coastal conditions.

Why is an Oil Spill Dangerous?

• Oil can coat vegetation and interfere with ecosystem functioning.
•  It can affect Mangrove roots , Sediments, Fish, Crustaceans, Birds, Microorganisms
•  Mangrove ecosystems are particularly concerning because oil can become trapped in sediments and tidal areas, potentially prolonging ecological impacts.

Preserving India’s Manuscript Heritage through Digitisation 

GS-I: Art & Culture | GS-II: Governance

Why in News?

A Parliamentary panel flagged the slow progress in digitisation of India’s manuscripts. This brings attention to the Gyan Bharatam Mission, which seeks to preserve, digitise and make India’s manuscript heritage more accessible.

What is the Gyan Bharatam Mission?

The Gyan Bharatam Mission is aimed at preserving India’s manuscript heritage through survey, conservation, digitisation and dissemination of manuscripts.

The broader objective is to ensure that India’s traditional knowledge does not remain confined to fragile physical documents.

Why is Digitisation Important?

• Prevents loss of knowledge : Old manuscripts are vulnerable to Moisture , Fungi, Insects, Fire, Physical deterioration, Natural ageing
• Wider access : Researchers do not necessarily have to physically travel to the location where a manuscript is preserved.
•  Global research : Digitised manuscripts can facilitate research by:Indian scholars, Foreign universities

Role of Artificial Intelligence

One particularly important emerging application is AI-based handwritten-text recognition.

Traditional handwritten manuscripts can be difficult to read because of:

•  Old scripts
•  Damaged pages
•  Different handwriting styles
•   Linguistic variations

Socio-Economic Empowerment of Scheduled Castes - Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana

Why in News?

The PM-AJAY scheme came into focus through the PIB case of Ruby Devi, a Scheduled Caste woman from Bihar, who received ₹17,000 under PM-AJAY to strengthen her grocery business.

• Ministry: Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
•  Target group: Scheduled Castes (SCs)
•  Nature: Centrally Sponsored Scheme
•  Core objective: Reduce poverty and improve the socio-economic development of SC communities.

What is PM-AJAY?

PM-AJAY is an integrated scheme for the socio-economic development of Scheduled Castes.

It seeks to improve the living conditions of SC communities through:

• Income-generating activities
• Skill development
• Infrastructure development
• Village development
• Improved access to essential services
•  Core philosophy

How did PM-AJAY originate?

PM-AJAY was formed by merging three existing schemes:

• Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY)
• Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCA to SCSP)
• Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana (BJRCY)

Strengthening India’s EXIM Logistics through Digital Tracking                                                                         

GS-III: Infrastructure | Economy

Why in News?

The Logistics Data Bank crossed an important milestone in tracking EXIM containers.

EXIM = Export-Import.

What is the Logistics Data Bank?

The Logistics Data Bank system provides end-to-end visibility of container movement.

In simple terms: Container enters logistics chain → movement is tracked → stakeholders can monitor its journey → bottlenecks can be identified.

Technologies Used

The system uses technologies such as: RFID, Radio Frequency Identification, IoT, Cloud computing

Why is Container Tracking Important?

A container may move through:

Factory → Inland Container Depot → Road/Rail → Port → Ship

Delays can occur at multiple points.

Tracking helps identify:

• Where the container is
• Where delays are occurring
• Where congestion exists
• How efficiently logistics nodes are functioning.