Ancient Survivor

Khurasani Imli (fruit of the Baobab tree) from Mandu, Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh, has been granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag. 

»     The fruit is rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants and is used in traditional medicine for digestive ailments. 

Baobab tree

»     Popularly known as Upside-down Tree.

Native to Africa.

»     Characterized by a massive water-storing trunk and leafless branches resembling roots, highly drought-resistant.

»     Baobabs are a keystone species.

       o   A keystone species is an organism that has a disproportionately large impact on its ecosystem relative to its population size or biomass.

»     Found in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka etc.

Bolivia Faces Shortages as Blockades Intensify

Bolivia has declared a state of emergency amid protests.

Bolivia [Capital:  La Paz (administrative); Sucre (constitutional)]

Physical Features

»     It is a landlocked nation located in west-central South America.

»     Bordering Countries: Brazil (north and east), Paraguay (southeast), Argentina (south), Chile (southwest), Peru (northwest).

Geographical Features

»     Bolivia shares Lake Titicaca with Peru.

       o   It is the largest freshwater lake in South America and the highest of the world''s large lakes.

»     Mountain range: Andes Mountains.

»     Major rivers: Madeira, Paraguay, Mamore.

»     Argentina, Bolivia and Chile make up the “lithium triangle” with more than half of world’s known lithium reserves.

Green Carbon Gold

Biochar offers a way to turn India’s farm smoke into medium that could improve soil health and generate income for farmers.

Biochar

»     Carbon-rich material produced by heating biomass (crop residues, organic waste, etc.) in low-oxygen conditions through pyrolysis. 

»     Applications: Used as a soil amendment, growing medium in vertical farming, carbon sequestration tool, etc. 

       o   Improves soil fertility, promotes the growth of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms, and enhances water-holding capacity by retaining moisture for longer periods.

»     Economic Significance: Supports carbon credit generation and converts agricultural waste into a resource.

Handicrafts in Headlines

Indian Prime Minister gifted various products to foreign dignitaries during recent visits to France and Slovakia, showcasing Indian Heritage.

Indian Art and Handicraft 

»     Kalamkari Painting (Andhra Pradesh): Traditional hand-painted textile artwork that uses intricate pen-drawing techniques; depicting scenes from the Mahabharata etc.

»     Pochampally Silk (Telangana): Handwoven Ikat textile known for distinct Ikat resist-dyeing technique, geometric and floral patterns.

»     Kashmiri Silk Carpet: Exquisite handwoven silk carpet featuring floral and paisley motifs.

»     Dokra Metal Casting: Tribal metal-craft artwork made using the ancient lost-wax casting technique. Practiced by tribal artisans across Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.

»     Thewa Art (Rajasthan): Traditional Jewellery craft combining engraved gold sheets with coloured glass.

»     Himroo Silk (Maharashtra): Originating under historical Deccan court patronage, unique silk-cotton blend, famous for its reversible weave and floral motifs.

»     Thekua: Traditional sweet from Bihar and Jharkhand, prepared especially during Chhath Puja.

IITs Carry India’s Knowledge Traditions into Modern Technology:

The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) have fostered a culture of excellence, innovation and global leadership in India.

»     IITs are autonomous prestigious engineering and technology-oriented institutes, aimed to provide trained technical personnel of international class.

»     Declared as Institutes of National Importance; first IIT at Kharagpur (1951); now expanded to 23 IITs.

Contributions of Ancient India to Modern Science

»     Ancient universities: Takshashila, Nalanda, and Vikramshila fostered scientific inquiry, multidisciplinary learning, and global knowledge exchange. 

       o   Takshashila: Decentralized learning system; eminent scholars- Panini, Chanakya

       o   Nalanda: World''s First Residential International University; Chinese scholars like Hiuen Tsang and I-Tsing studied.

       o   Vikramshila: State-administered, centre for advanced research and teacher training.

»     Mathematics: Concept of Zero, decimal system; contributions of Aryabhata, Brahmagupta, and Baudhayana.

»     Medicine & Surgery: Sushruta pioneered surgical techniques E.g. cataract; Charaka laid the foundations of Ayurveda.

»     Physics: Kanada''s Vaisheshika School proposed the concept of atoms (Anu) as the basic unit of matter.

»     Metallurgy: E.g. Iron Pillar of Delhi demonstrates corrosion-resistant metallurgy.

»     Astronomy: Studies of planetary motions, eclipses, etc. by scholars like Aryabhata.

Initiatives Taken to Promote Science, Technology, and Innovation

»     National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: Emphasis on research, innovation, and multidisciplinary education.

»     Dedicated Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) Centers at IITs: Interdisciplinary research of indigenous knowledge.

»     Research: Anusandhan National Research Foundation (academia, industry, and government coordination); PM Research Fellowship (in IITs and premier institutions).

»     Emerging Technologies: National Quantum Mission; IndiaAI Mission etc.

»     Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Atal Innovation Mission (AIM); Startup India

Voices of Change

Centre rolls out ‘Nirbhay Chetna’ to sensitise 17.5 lakh male elected representatives.

»     It is a flagship component of Nirbhay Raho.

Nirbhay Chetana

»     Ministry: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj.

»     Funded through: Nirbhaya Fund.

»     Components of Nirbhay Raho

       o   Nirbhay Chetna: Sensitisation of men on gender equality and women''s safety.

            Ø  It aims to create a cadre of 28,500 master trainers at the state, district, and block levels to train male elected representatives nationwide through a cascading training model.

      o   Nirbhay Netri: Capacity building and legal literacy for women leaders.

      o   Nirbhay Drishti: Strengthening village-level safety infrastructure.

India''s Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) Framework Delivers Benefits at Grassroot level

The ABS Framework mobilized over Rs 266 crore towards benefit sharing since 2008 and disbursed around Rs 145 crore to beneficiaries.

»     Benefited 10,500+ Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs), farmers, etc. and supported biodiversity conservation and research initiatives.

»     Red Sanders accounted for largest share of ABS realization followed by the seed sector.

       o   Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus) is endemic to southern Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh (IUCN Status- Endangered).

ABS Framework

»     ABS refers to how genetic resources may be accessed and how the benefits resulting from their use are shared between the people/countries using the resources (users) and those that provide them (providers).

»     Aim: Equitable benefit-sharing from the use of biological resources and traditional knowledge.

       o   E.g. Kani Tribe (Kerala): Traditional knowledge of medicinal plant (Arogyapacha) used to develop a drug ‘Jeevani’ under Benefit Sharing Agreement.

»     Global Framework:

       o   Covered under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), 1992 and its Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing, 2010.

       o   The Bonn Guidelines assisting governments in adopting ABS.

»     Indian Legal Framework: Biological Diversity Act (BDA), 2002 and Biological Diversity Rules, 2024 and Regulations 2025. 

Biological Diversity Act, 2002

»     Aim: Ensures conservation, sustainable use, and equitable sharing of benefits from biological resources and traditional knowledge.

»     Implements India''s commitments under the CBD.

»     India implements ABS through a three-tier system: National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), State Biodiversity Boards, and Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs).

Innovations in Energy Storage: Sodium Cell Prototype

Department of Atomic Energy Inaugurates Deuterated Compounds Production Plant and Commissions Prototype Sodium Cell.

Deuterated Compounds 

»     Deuterated compounds are molecules where specific hydrogen atoms are replaced by deuterium (D or ²H), a stable, non-radioactive isotope of hydrogen containing one proton and one neutron.

»     Deuterium contains one neutron and one proton in its nucleus, which makes it twice as heavy as protium (hydrogen), which contains only one proton. 

»     Used in advanced scientific research, strategic applications and frontier technologies.

24 kA Prototype Sodium Cell

»     An electrochemical device developed for the indigenous production of nuclear-grade sodium.

»     Critical for India''s Fast Breeder Reactor Programme and the second stage of the three-stage nuclear power programme.

Loop Engineering Breakthrough

Loop engineering could change how humans interact with AI by replacing manual prompting.

Loop Engineering

»     It is the design of recurring AI-agent workflows (loops) that automate tasks with minimal human prompting. 

»     It enables AI agents to plan, execute, review, and coordinate tasks independently.

»     ReAct Pattern: Reason, act, observe, repeat is the core of loop engineering.

»     Uses: Software development, code maintenance, workflow automation, and continuous monitoring.

»     Challenges: High token consumption and costs, security and oversight risks, lack of clear end-points, dependency on external memory, need for human supervision to prevent errors or unintended actions.

Maritime Power Boost: PM Commissions Three Naval Platforms

Recently the PM commissioned three indigenously built naval vessels INS Dunagiri, INS Sanshodhak and INS Agray, highlighting the significance of maritime sector in defence and overall security.

Naval Vessels

»     INS Dunagiri: Fifth Project 17A (Nilgiri-class) stealth guided missile frigate.

       o   Designed for blue-water operations far from the coast and strengthens India''s long-range maritime combat capability.

       o   Project 17A frigates are versatile multi-mission platforms designed to address current and emerging challenges in the maritime domain and follow-on ships of Shivalik-class (Project 17) frigates.

»     INS Sanshodhak: Large Survey Vessel. 

       o   Conducts hydrographic surveys,Seabed mapping etc.

»     INS Agray: Arnala-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC).

       o   Protects ports, naval bases and coastal approaches from submarine threats.

»     Significance of India’s maritime sector for security 

»     Economic security: Maritime routes carry 95% of India''s trade by volume and 70% by value, backbone of India''s global trade also Blue Economy contributes ~4% of GDP.

»     Strategic Importance: India’s 11,098 km coastline, 2.3 million sq. km Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and central location in the Indian Ocean through which over 80% of world trade by volume is transported.

»     National Security: Maritime capabilities safeguard Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs), energy imports, offshore resources, and coastal infrastructure strengthening coastal security.

»     Net Security Provider: Through initiatives like SAGAR and MAHASAGAR, India promotes regional cooperation, connectivity, and collective security.

Sacred Journey through Nathu La Pass

The first batch of pilgrims crosses into China via Nathu La pass as the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra begins.

»     Nathu La is a mountain pass located in the Dongkya Range of the Himalayas (East Sikkim). 

»     Connects Sikkim with the Tibet Autonomous Region at an elevation of 4,310 m.

Mansarovar Yatra

»     It is a holy pilgrimage in the Western Himalayan ranges of the Tibetan Autonomous Region.

»     Conducted annually (April-October) through two different routes - Lipulekh Pass (Uttarakhand) and Nathu La Pass (Sikkim).

»     It includes Mount Kailash (highest peak in Kailash Ranges) and Lake Mansarovar (world’s highest freshwater lake).

»     Religious and Cultural significance: Considered holy in Hindu, Jain, Buddhist religions.

Smart Drones with Fibre‑Optic Tech

Fibre-Optic Drones (Invisible drones) are being used in the wars recently.

Fibre-Optic Drones 

»     They are electronic warfare-resistant drones that use physical fibre links instead of radio signals, making them difficult to detect and jam.

»     They are FPV (First-Person View) drones connected to the operator through a thin fibre-optic cable, transmitting commands and live video as pulses of light.

       o   Fibre optics uses very thin glass or plastic threads through which light can travel to carry information. It works on the principle of total internal reflection.

»     Features: Immune to Electronic Warfare, Difficult Detection, more accurate navigation in difficult terrains.

»     Challenges: Limited Reaction Time and range etc.

Telecom Spectrum Allocation by Rules, 2026

»     Starlink, OneWeb and other satcom operators may face tighter security clearances and operational checks under the DoT''s draft satellite communication rules. 

Key Provisions

»     Under: Telecommunications Act, 2023.

»     Satcom firms will require security clearance even after spectrum assignment before commencing services.

»     Rollout of satellite phone and broadband services will require explicit approval from the Central Government.

»     Spectrum will be assigned administratively (non-auction route) with prescribed fees as per as identified for implementation of International Mobile Telecommunication in the National Frequency Allocation Plan.

»     Rules aim to address concerns related to signal spillage across borders, cybersecurity, lawful interception and national security.