Morung Education System

• In the 132nd edition of Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister highlighted the Naga community’s Morung education system.
• He praised its blend of traditional cultural learning with modern subjects like mathematics and science.

About Morung Education System:

• Morung is a traditional community-based indigenous education system of the Naga tribes.
• Historically, it functioned as a youth dormitory and learning space, where elders transmitted history, customs, warfare skills, ethics, folklore, and community values to younger generations.

Aim:

1. To preserve tribal heritage, oral traditions, and community values
2. To ensure holistic development by integrating traditional wisdom with modern education

Key Features:

• Elder-Led Learning: Knowledge is transmitted through elders using storytelling, oral traditions, and lived experiences.
• Integrated Modern Curriculum: Traditional learning is now combined with subjects such as science, mathematics, and language skills.
• Experiential & Cultural Pedagogy: Uses folk songs, traditional games, storytelling, and community interaction for practical learning.

Significance:

• Cultural Preservation: Safeguards the identity, traditions, and indigenous knowledge systems of Naga communities.
• Holistic Education Model: Promotes intellectual, social, ethical, and life-skill development beyond textbook learning.

Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC)

• The inaugural meeting of the BRIC-Research Advisory Board (BRIC-RAB) was held at the Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), Faridabad.

About Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC):

• BRIC is an Apex Autonomous Body established as a registered Society under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology.
• It was formed by subsuming 14 distinct Autonomous Institutes (AIs) into a single, cohesive entity to centralize research efforts and optimize resource utilization in the biotech sector.

Established In:

• The restructuring was initiated in late 2023, and the operational transition into the current BRIC framework reached its strategic maturity with the constitution of the Research Advisory Board (RAB) in 2026.
• Aim: The primary aim of BRIC is to transform India’s fragmented biotechnology research landscape into a decentralized national laboratory.

Functions:

• Guiding and Monitoring Research: The council, through its Research Advisory Board, reviews and monitors the scientific activities of all iBRIC (Integrated BRIC) institutes to ensure they align with national goals.
• Fostering Mission-Mode Programs: It designs and implements ambitious, forward-thinking national missions tailored to grow India’s bioeconomy.
• Resource Optimization: It manages a network of biomanufacturing hubs and biofoundries, promoting a culture of shared laboratories and infrastructure to minimize redundancy.
• Developing Sovereign Technologies: BRIC focuses on frugal innovation and design intelligence, utilizing locally sourced materials and indigenous data to reduce dependency on foreign technology.
• Capacity Building: It establishes performance framework matrices for scientists to align their career paths with nation-building goals and creates the biotech leaders of the future.

Significance:

• By subsuming 14 autonomous institutes into one council, it reduces administrative hurdles and creates a unified voice for Indian biotechnology.
• The decentralized national laboratory model allows India to compete with global biotech giants by pooling the niche expertise of various specialized institutes.

Superior Kerosene Oil (SKO)

• The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has issued a gazette notification allowing the distribution of Superior Kerosene Oil (SKO) under the Public Distribution System (PDS) across 21 States and UTs, including Delhi and Gujarat.

About Superior Kerosene Oil (SKO):

• Superior Kerosene Oil (SKO) is a highly refined middle distillate fraction of crude oil. It is a specific grade of kerosene that has undergone extra processing to remove impurities (like sulphur and aromatics), ensuring it meets stringent quality standards for domestic and industrial use.
• In India, it is primarily distributed through the Public Distribution System (PDS) to provide energy security to low-income households.
• Aim: The primary aim of providing SKO is to ensure a reliable and affordable fuel source for cooking and lighting in rural and semi-urban areas.

Key Characteristics of SKO:

• High Smoke Point: It is refined to have a high smoke point (minimum 18-22 mm), which ensures that it burns with a steady, smokeless flame.
• Low Sulphur Content: SKO contains very low levels of sulphur, reducing the emission of harmful oxides (SOx) during combustion, making it safer for indoor use.
• Flash Point: It has a specific flash point (typically above 35°C to 40°C) to ensure safety during storage and transport, preventing accidental ignition.
• Coloration: In India, PDS-destined SKO is often dyed blue to distinguish it from non-subsidized kerosene and to prevent its illegal diversion for adulterating automotive fuels like diesel.

Applications:

• Domestic Cooking: Used in wick stoves and pressure stoves as a primary or backup cooking fuel.
• Lighting: Widely used in hurricane lanterns and simple lamps in areas with unreliable power grids.
• Industrial Use: Used as a solvent in paints, a degreaser in mechanical workshops, and a base for some pesticide formulations.
• Aviation: When further refined and treated with additives, a similar fraction serves as Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF).

How it differs from Regular Kerosene?

• While both are derived from the same petroleum fraction, the Superior tag denotes significant differences:

OPU–IVF–ET Technology

• Scientists at the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly, have achieved a significant breakthrough by producing five healthy Sahiwal calves from a single donor cow using advanced OPU–IVF–ET technology.

About OPU–IVF–ET Technology:

• OPU–IVF–ET stands for Ovum Pick-Up, In Vitro Fertilization, and Embryo Transfer. It is an advanced assisted reproductive technology (ART) for livestock. It involves recovering eggs directly from a donor’s ovaries, fertilizing them in a lab, and then implanting the resulting high-quality embryos into surrogate mothers.
• Organization Involved: Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly.
• Aim: The technology aims to accelerate genetic improvement of indigenous livestock.

How it Works?

• Ovum Pick-Up (OPU): Mature eggs (oocytes) are collected from a genetically superior donor cow using ultrasound-guided needles (non-stimulated conditions).
• In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): The collected eggs are fertilized with high-quality sperm from a proven bull in a strictly controlled laboratory environment.
• Embryo Culture: The fertilized eggs develop into blastocysts (early-stage embryos) over a few days.
• Embryo Transfer (ET): These test-tube embryos are then implanted into the uterus of surrogate cows (typically those with lower milk yields).
• Gestation: The surrogates carry the calves to term (approx. 9 months), resulting in offspring with the superior traits of the original donor.

Key Features:

• High Efficiency: IVRI achieved blastocyst production rates of over 47% in cattle, which is on par with global standards.
• Non-Stimulated Recovery: Scientists can recover eggs without heavy hormone stimulation, ensuring the long-term health of the donor cow.
• Cryopreservation: Embryos can be frozen and stored to be used or transported as needed, allowing for breeding on demand.
• Genetic Multiplication: It allows a single elite cow (e.g., one producing >12 liters/day) to spread its traits to dozens of offspring in a single year.

About Sahiwal Cow:

• The Sahiwal is one of the most important indigenous (Zebu) dairy breeds of the Indian subcontinent. It is highly prized for its milk production and hardiness.

Breed & Habitat:

• Origin: Historically from the Montgomery region (now in Pakistan) and the Punjab region of India.
• Prevalence: Primarily found in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.

Key Characteristics:

• High Milk Yield: It is considered the best indigenous dairy breed, with some cows capable of producing significant lactation yields (up to 3,320 kg).
• Heat Tolerance: Due to its origin in arid regions, it is highly resistant to extreme heat and ticks, making it ideal for tropical climates.
• Physical Traits: Typically reddish-brown or pale red in color. They are characterized by a large hump, a lethargic gait (often called Lola due to their loose skin), and a prominent dewlap.
• Milk Quality: Sahiwal milk is rich in fat and is often associated with the A2 beta-casein protein, which is considered easier to digest and healthier by many consumers.

Addressing Women’s Safety in India

• Context (PIB): The Ministry of Women and Child Development recently highlighted legal, institutional, and financial measures addressing women’s safety in India.

Current Landscape of Women’s Safety in India

• Crime Rates: Increased to 4,48,211 cases, averaging nearly 51 FIRs every hour. [NCRB 2023]
• Nature of Crime: The majority of crimes involve cruelty by husbands or relatives (29.8%), followed by kidnapping (19.8%) and assault with intent to outrage modesty (18.7%).
• India reports about 81 rapes daily, roughly one every 18 minutes nationwide. [NCRB 2023]
• Global Standing: India ranks 128th out of 177 countries in the Women, Peace, and Security Index 2023.
• Women Trafficking: Registered cases under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956, increased by about 44.7% between 2022 and 2023. [NCRB 2023]
• Regional Variation: Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of cases, while Telangana reports the highest crime rate at 124.9 per lakh females.

Key Challenges in Implementing Safety Measures

• Judicial Delay: Judicial pendency in crimes against women exceeds 90%, weakening deterrence.
• Low Conviction: Conviction rates in rape cases fell to 22.7% in 2023 from 27-28% (2018-2022), due to weak investigations and poor forensic evidence collection.
• Patriarchal Mindsets: Cultural norms normalise male dominance and victim-blaming, discouraging nearly 80% of victims from reporting incidents.
• Fund Underutilisation: Despite large Nirbhaya Fund allocations, bureaucratic delays stall grassroots projects like Safe City and helplines.
• Institutional Gaps: Only 11.7% of India’s police are women, limiting gender-sensitive trauma response and investigations.

Legal Framework and Key Govt Interventions

• Constitutional Provisions: Articles 15(3) and 21 protect dignity and allow affirmative action, forming the basis of gender-protective laws and state safety measures.
• PoSH Act 2013: Mandates Internal Committees in workplaces with over ten employees; SHe-Box portal monitors compliance and handles workplace sexual harassment.
• Mission Shakti: Operates as an umbrella scheme with two components, Sambal for safety measures and Samarthya for women’s empowerment interventions.
• Nirbhaya Fund: It is a non-lapsable corpus that supports projects such as Safe City initiatives in eight major cities and Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs).
• Emergency Response: Women Helpline 181, integrated with the Emergency Response Support System 112, has helped over 9.9 million distressed women nationwide.
• Localised Justice: Grassroots Nari Adalats offer dispute resolution, while Shakti Sadans serve as rehabilitation homes for domestic violence and trafficking.

Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2025

• Context (PIB): National Statistical Office (NSO) has released PLFS 2025 as the first calendar-year (Jan-Dec) based survey with revamped methodology.
• PLFS is a nationwide survey by NSO to measure employment, unemployment, & labour force indicators.
• Objective: The survey aims to generate monthly, quarterly, and annual estimates of key labour indicators across rural and urban areas.
• Methodology: PLFS 2025 introduced a revised sampling design and rotational panels to generate high-frequency labour data.

Highlights of Periodic Labour Force Survey 2025

• Labour Force Participation Rate: LFPR remained stable at 59.3%, with a wide gender gap.
• Worker Population Ratio: WPR stood at 57.4%, indicating stable employment levels.
• Unemployment: Overall unemployment remained low at 3.1%, with declines in educated and urban female unemployment.
• Youth Employment: Unemployment (15–29 years) declined to 9.9%; improved in rural & urban areas.
• Employment Structure: The share of regular salaried jobs increased to 23.6%, while self-employment declined to 56.2%.
• Sectoral Shift: Employment share in agriculture declined; manufacturing & services sectors expanded.
• Gender: Female wages increased more rapidly than men’s; female participation and working hours continue to be lower.
• Education: Average schooling is about 10 years; higher attainment in urban areas and among males.
• Skill Gap: Only 4.2% received formal vocational training, highlighting limited skill development.
• NEET Concern: Around 25% youth (15–29 years) are not in employment, education, or training (NEET).
• Workforce Size: Total employed population (15+) is estimated at 61.6 crore.
• Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR): Percentage of people in the population who are working, seeking, or available for work.
• Worker Population Ratio (WPR): Percentage of people in the population who are actually employed.
• Unemployment Rate (UR): Percentage of people in the labour force who are not employed but actively seeking work.

RBI Publishes “Payments Vision 2028” to Transform India’s Payment Frontier

• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released the “Payments Vision 2028” policy roadmap with the theme “Shaping India’s Payment Frontier.”
• Transition: It outlines 15 initiatives to shift focus beyond the “4Es” (Everyone, Everywhere, Every time) toward consumer trust, resilience, and global expansion.

Key Initiatives under Payments Vision 2028

• Shared Liability: Both the sender’s bank and the receiver’s bank jointly bear liability for unauthorised digital transactions.
• E-commerce Regulation: E-commerce marketplaces and payment aggregators will be brought directly under RBI regulatory oversight.
• Switch Facility: A universal Switch On/Off facility, currently limited to cards, will expand instant enable/disable controls to all digital payment methods.
• PaSS: The Payments Switching Service (PaSS) will enable customers to seamlessly migrate standing instructions (e.g., EMIs and utility bills) when switching banks.
• e-Cheques: Traditional paper cheques will be digitised into e-cheques, blending legal familiarity with the speed of electronic clearing.
• TReDS Interoperability: Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) will be made fully interoperable to improve credit flow for small businesses.
• Regulatory Sandbox: Small Payment System Providers will operate in a perpetual controlled testing environment to balance fintech innovation with systemic risk mitigation.
• Cyber KRI: A standardised set of Cyber Key Risk Indicators (KRI) will continuously monitor cybersecurity resilience across non-bank payment system operators.
• White-label AePS: Regulated non-bank entities may operate Aadhaar Enabled Payment Systems (AePS) as white-label operators to deepen last-mile financial inclusion in rural areas.

India’s Digital Payments Landscape

• Global Share: India accounts for 48.5% of the world’s real-time payment transactions, recording 22,190 crore digital transactions worth approximately $3.4 trillion in FY 2024-25.
• UPI Dominance: UPI now accounts for nearly 83% of all retail digital payments by volume.
• RBI-DPI: The RBI Digital Payments Index increased from 493.22 in March 2025 to 516.76 in September 2025, signalling deep market penetration.
• Global Footprint: UPI has expanded to 8 countries, including France, the UAE, Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, and Qatar.
• Spending Shift: Credit card usage is growing at 21% annually for high-value transactions, while debit card volumes decline as users shift to UPI for everyday transactions.
• Credit Pivot: Credit line on UPI is democratising access to formal finance, with monthly transaction volumes exceeding ₹10,000 crore by mid-2025.
• Merchant Acceptance: India’s payment network comprises over 709 million active QR codes and 23 million soundboxes, offering near-universal digital access at the point of sale.

Resilient Growth in India’s Agriculture Sector

• Agriculture remains the central pillar of achieving food security, rural prosperity, and inclusive growth under the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.

Overview of India’s Agriculture Sector

• GVA Contribution: Agriculture and allied activities contribute nearly 20% of India’s Gross Value Added at current prices.
• Sector Growth: The sector recorded an average annual growth rate of 4.4% at constant prices over the past five years.
• Employment Share: About 43% of the workforce is employed in agriculture and allied sectors.
• Export Growth: Agricultural exports increased from $34.5 billion in FY20 to $51.1 billion in FY25, with 8.2% CAGR.
• Export Share: Agriculture contributes 11.2% of total exports, with processed food accounting for 20.4% of agricultural exports.
• Irrigation Coverage: About 55.8% of gross cropped area is irrigated, with net irrigated area at 79.3 million hectares.
• Growth Target: India targets a sustained 5% annual agricultural growth and $100 billion agricultural exports by 2030.

Structural Challenges

• Fragmented Landholdings: About 86% of India’s farmers are small and marginal, with an average holding size of 1.08 hectares, limiting economies of scale and mechanisation.
• Climate Vulnerability: Over 50% of net sown area remains rainfed, exposing nearly 75 million hectares to monsoon variability and yield instability.
• Groundwater Depletion: Agriculture consumes nearly 90% of freshwater, and overexploitation affects about 30% of assessment blocks.
• Post-Harvest Losses: Inadequate cold-chain infrastructure causes annual wastage of nearly 16% of fruits and vegetables, valued at over ₹50,000 crore.
• Market Inefficiency: Despite e-NAM, farmers often receive only 15% to 40% of the final consumer price due to multiple layers of intermediary commissions.

Key Government Initiatives

• Income Security: PM-KISAN has disbursed over ₹4.27 lakh crore in direct income support to 11.2 crore landholding farmers.
• Market Integration: e-NAM integrated 1,389 mandis to reduce regional market rigidities and enable transparent pan-India price discovery.
• Collectivisation: 10,000 Farmer-Producer Organisations (FPOs) are registered to aggregate small producers and strengthen collective bargaining.
• Import Substitution: National Mission on Edible Oils (NMEO–Oilseeds) targets 69.7 MMT oilseeds production by 2030-31 to reduce import dependence.
• Water Efficiency: Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) has expanded micro-irrigation across 95.58 lakh hectares to improve water efficiency in water-stressed regions.
• Public Distribution: One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) enables nationwide portability of foodgrain entitlements through digitised integration of the Public Distribution System.

Indian Tech Startups Raised $9.1 Billion in 2025

• A recent report titled “Momentum to Maturity’ revealed a structural shift in Indian tech startups from rapid, volume-driven expansion to disciplined, execution-focused growth.

Key Findings of the Report

• Total Funding: Indian tech startups raised $9.1 billion in 2025, a 23% year-on-year increase from 2024.
• DeepTech Funding: DeepTech investments surged 37% to $2.3 billion in 2025, with AI driving 91% of these investments.
• Startup Count: The Indian tech startup ecosystem comprises an estimated 31,000-34,000 startups.
• Exit Momentum: Over 140 M&A deals were recorded in 2025, nearly double the count from the previous year, signalling maturing exit pathways.
• Tech Hubs: Bengaluru accounts for 28% of India’s DeepTech startups, followed by Delhi-NCR (21%) and Mumbai (10%).

Structural Challenges

• Stage Fragility: The Seed-to-Series A transition is the most fragile funding stage; 85% of Indian startups fail to reach Series A within five years.
• Funding Concentration: Early-stage deals accounted for 74% of total deal volume in 2025, while late-stage deal flow remained weak.
• Commercial Gap: Startups frequently achieve technical readiness before commercial readiness, struggling to secure early customers and clear pilot-to-revenue pathways.
• M&A Deals: Mergers and Acquisitions are financial transactions in which ownership of companies, business units, or operating assets transfers to, or is consolidated with, another entity.
• Seed Funding: First equity funding stage, where a startup raises institutional capital to transition from a prototype to a market-ready product.
• Series A: First significant venture capital financing round, typically raised once a startup has a proven product and initial market traction.

Balirajgarh Fort Excavation

• Archaeological Survey of India has begun excavation at Balirajgarh in Bihar to explore the history of ancient Mithila.
• Locations: Balirajgarh is located in the Madhubani district of Bihar.
• History: Site is believed to be linked to King Bali and an administrative centre of the Videha Kingdom.
• Cultural Continuity: Evidence shows continuous habitation across the Mauryan, Sunga, Kushan, Gupta, and Pala periods.
• Fortification: Earlier explorations revealed a fortified settlement, indicating large-scale urban planning.
• Archaeological Findings: Artefacts like beads, copper objects, terracotta figurines, and punch-marked coins suggest a rich and advanced civilisation.
• Videha Kingdom was an ancient kingdom in the Mithila region (present-day Bihar and Nepal).
• It is associated with King Janaka and was a major centre of Vedic learning and philosophy.

Euthalia zubeengargi

• Scientists have discovered a new butterfly species, Euthalia zubeengargi, in the Leparada district of Arunachal Pradesh.
• Naming: It is named in honour of the late Assamese cultural icon Zubeen Garg. The proposed common name is “Basar Duke“.
• Appearance: The species has olive-brown upper wings with distinctive white spots and markings.
• Habitat Preference: It thrives in humid understories of cool, shaded semi-evergreen forests at an elevation between 600 and 750 metres.
• Distribution: E. zubeengargi is highly localised, currently known only from the Basar region in Arunachal Pradesh.
• Diet: Adults mainly feed on tree sap and engage in mud-puddling to obtain vital minerals from moist soil near streams.
• Ecological Role: It serves as a bio-indicator of the overall health and stability of the forest ecosystem.
• Key Threats: Habitat fragmentation, shifting (Jhum) cultivation, and climate change.

Extracellular RNA

• A recent study has found that extracellular RNA (exRNA) from bacteria persists even after water disinfection.
• exRNA refers to RNA molecules that exist outside cells in various body fluids such as blood, saliva, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid.
• Origin: exRNA is actively released by cells, rather than simply leaking out due to cell damage.
• Protection: It is transported in protective vesicles that prevent enzymatic degradation.
• Communication Role: Acts as a cell-to-cell communication molecule, influencing gene expression.
• Physiological Roles: It plays key roles in immune response, tissue repair, and development.
• Role in Diseases: exRNA can contribute to disease progression, including promoting tumour growth.
• Medical Significance: Serves as a non-invasive biomarker for detecting diseases like cancer and cardiovascular disorders.

Ribonucleic Acid (RNA)

• RNA is a single-stranded nucleic acid that plays a central role in gene expression & protein synthesis.
• It is made up of ribose sugar, a phosphate group, & bases (A, U, G, C), with uracil replacing thymine.
• RNA is found in both the nucleus and cytoplasm and is less stable than DNA.
• In some organisms, like RNA viruses, it acts as the genetic material and is widely used in modern medicine (e.g., mRNA vaccines).

Tunguska Air Defence Missile Systems

• Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Russia to procure Tunguska Air Defence Missile Systems.
• Tunguska (NATO designation SA-19 “Grison“) is a Soviet-origin, mobile, self-propelled anti-aircraft weapon system.
• It integrates surface-to-air missiles and high-speed anti-aircraft guns on a single tracked chassis to provide low-altitude protection.
• Dual Capabilities: It can combine 9M311 missiles for long-range engagement (up to 8–10 km) and twin 30 mm autocannons for close-in defence.
• Detection: The system employs a 360-degree target acquisition radar with an 18 km detection range.
• Resilience: Supported by an optical backup system, it sustains tracking even during intense electronic warfare (jamming).
• Key Role: Functions as Short-Range Air Defence (SHORAD), bridging the gap between man-portable systems (MANPADS) and medium-range air defence systems.
• Significance for India: It will strengthen India’s multi-layered air defence against threats like drone swarms, which can bypass systems like the S-400.

Integration of ASRAAM with MiG-29 Fighter Jets

• Ministry of Defence issued a request for proposals to integrate the Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) with the Indian Air Force’s MiG-29 fighter jets.
• Objective: To replace ageing Soviet-era R-73 missiles and enhance the fleet’s close-combat capability.

About ASRAAM

• It is a fourth-generation, short-range air-to-air missile developed by MBDA, a European multinational defence consortium.
• Speed and Range: It can fly at speeds exceeding Mach 3 and engage targets beyond 25 km.
• Guidance: Uses a fire-and-forget system with advanced Imaging Infrared (IIR) homing, enabling the pilot to launch and quickly move away.
• Advanced Targeting: It has Lock-On After Launch (LOAL) and Lock-On Before Launch (LOBL) capabilities, allowing firing even if the target is outside the seeker’s view.
• Manoeuvrability: Its aerodynamic design and powerful rocket motor help it to hit rapidly turning, highly agile enemy aircraft.
• Current Integrations: ASRAAM is already integrated with the LCA Tejas and the upgraded SEPECAT Jaguar in the Indian Air Force.

Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) 2026

• Government opened nominations for the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) 2026 through the National Awards Portal of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• RVP is India’s highest award in science, technology, and innovation, first awarded in 2024.
• The awards are managed by the RVP Secretariat at Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), guided by the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.
• CSIR is India’s leading scientific and industrial research organisation, founded in 1942 by Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar, operating as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Science and Technology.
• Eligibility: Scientists, technologists, and innovators from government, private institutions, or working independently; Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) are eligible if their contributions benefit Indian society.
• Recognition Domains: Covers 13 domains, including Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Engineering Sciences, Agricultural Science, Mathematics and Computer Science.
• Award Categories: It is presented in four categories —

1. Vigyan Ratna (VR): Recognises lifetime achievements.
2. Vigyan Shri (VS): Given for distinguished contributions.
3. Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY-SSB): Recognises young scientists up to 45 years old.
4. Vigyan Team (VT): Honours collaborative excellence by teams of three or more researchers.

• Key Awards 2025: Vigyan Ratna was conferred posthumously on Prof. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar, while the Vigyan Team award went to CSIR Aroma Mission.

Jungle Cat

• A comprehensive new study published in Scientific Reports has established the first national population baseline for the jungle cat (Felis chaus) in India, estimating their numbers between 1.57 lakh and 4.59 lakh

About Jungle Cat:

• The jungle cat, also known as the reed cat or swamp cat, is a medium-sized wild cat native to the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia, and southern China. Despite its name, it is not a resident of jungles or dense rainforests, but rather prefers open, well-watered environments.

Habitat:

• Preferred Environment: They avoid dense forests and heavily modified urban landscapes, preferring wetlands, grasslands, and semi-arid regions.
• Agro-pastoral Landscapes: They are frequently found in agricultural fields and farms, where they have adapted to live alongside human activity.
• Geographic Range: In India, major populations are found in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Odisha.

IUCN Status:

• IUCN Red List: Least Concern.
• Status in India: Protected under Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Key Characteristics:

• Physical Appearance: They have a distinctive white muzzle, yellow irises, and long legs that often feature faint horizontal stripes.
• Large Tufted Ears: Their ears are notably large and end in small black tufts, similar to a lynx, which helps in detecting the subtle movements of prey.
• Nocturnal & Secretive: They are primarily active at night and are notoriously difficult to study due to their shy and elusive nature.
• Diurnal Flexibility: Unlike many other small cats, they are occasionally active during the day to hunt, especially in areas with low human interference.
• Adaptive Hunters: They are strong swimmers and have been known to dive into water to catch fish, though their primary diet consists of small rodents and birds.

Significance:

• By residing in and around farms, jungle cats hunt rodents that destroy crops. This provides a vital ecosystem service to farmers, acting as a biological shield for agriculture.
• Their presence indicates the health of Open Natural Ecosystems (ONEs), which are often overlooked in conservation policies compared to dense forests.

Ghorad (Great Indian Bustard)

• After a decade-long hiatus, a Great Indian Bustard (Ghorad) chick has been born in Gujarat’s Kutch district through a pioneering inter-state conservation effort.

About Ghorad (Great Indian Bustard):

• The Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps), locally known as Ghorad in Gujarat and Maharashtra, is one of the heaviest flying birds in the world. It is considered the flagship species of India’s grassland ecosystem and is often called the Guardian of the Grasslands.

IUCN Status: Critically Endangered.

• Population: Estimated to be fewer than 150 individuals globally, with the majority residing in Rajasthan’s Desert National Park.
• Legal Protection: Listed in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, providing it the highest level of legal protection.

Habitat:

• Primary Landscape: Dry, open grasslands and scrublands with scattered bushes.
• Geographic Range: Historically found across the Indian subcontinent, it is now restricted to isolated pockets in Rajasthan (Kutch/Thar), Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.
• Nesting: They are ground-nesting birds, making their eggs highly vulnerable to predators like stray dogs and foxes.

Key Characteristics:

• Physical Stature: Large, ostrich-like appearance with a black cap contrasting with a pale neck and brownish body.
• Heavyweight Flyer: Adult males can weigh up to 15 kg and stand about one meter tall.
• Breeding Behavior: During the breeding season, males produce a deep resonant boom that can be heard from nearly a kilometer away to attract females.
• Slow Breeders: Females typically lay only one egg per year, which contributes to their extremely slow population recovery.
• Omnivorous Diet: They feed on a variety of insects (like grasshoppers and beetles), small rodents, reptiles, and seeds, making them natural pest controllers for nearby farms.

About Operation Egg Transfer:

• Operation Egg Transfer is a high-tech foster-parenting conservation strategy. It involves replacing an unfertilized egg in a wild nest with a laboratory-fertilized egg to ensure a successful birth in regions where the natural male population has vanished.
• Organization Involved: Forest Departments of Gujarat and Rajasthan.
• Technical Partner: Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
• Aim: The primary aim was to revive the GIB population in Kutch, Gujarat, where the lack of male bustards meant that local females were laying unfertilized eggs.

Key Features:

• Cold Chain/Incubation Logistics: The fertilized egg was transported over 19 hours from Rajasthan to Kutch in a specialized portable incubator to maintain precise temperature and humidity.
• Decoy Strategy: The forest team carefully swapped an unfertilized egg in a wild nest in Abdasa with the fertilized one while the female was away.