In News:

The first dedicated Grassland Bird Census was conducted in Kaziranga National Park, Assam, marking a significant step in avian biodiversity monitoring in India. The initiative was widely acknowledged, including by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Mann Ki Baat broadcast, for its innovative use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and acoustic monitoring.

Objective and Significance

• Purpose: To systematically monitor the population, breeding patterns, and habitat health of grassland-dwelling bird species, many of which are rare or threatened.
• Conservation Value: Grassland birds serve as ecological indicators of habitat quality, akin to how BMI reflects human health.
• Highlight Species:
  • Documented 43 bird species
  • Included 1 Critically Endangered, 2 Endangered, and 6 Vulnerable species (IUCN Red List)
  • Notably, over 85 nests of the endangered Finn’s Weaver, endemic to the Brahmaputra floodplains, were discovered.

Methodology & Technological Innovations

• Conducted By: Joint effort of forest officials, Kaziranga National Park authorities, conservationists, and researchers including INSPIRE fellow Chiranjib Bora.
• Sites Covered: 185 grassland locations across the national park.
• Tools Used:
  • Passive Acoustic Monitoring: Audio recorders placed atop trees to capture bird calls during the breeding season.
  • AI Integration:
    • BirdNET Software used to automatically identify bird species by analyzing vocalizations.
    • Spectrograms enabled visual analysis of sound frequencies for accurate classification.

Key Innovations and Impact

• First of its Kind: India’s first census focused exclusively on grassland bird species, often overlooked in standard bird surveys.
• Non-Intrusive Monitoring: AI-powered audio analysis allowed species identification without disturbing natural behavior.
• Awareness & Biodiversity Education: The census is a powerful example of how technology and sensitivity can together enhance biodiversity understanding and conservation awareness.

In News:

The Setubandha Scholar Scheme (also referred to as Setubandha Vidwan Yojana) is a pioneering national initiative launched by the Ministry of Education to integrate scholars from traditional gurukuls into India's mainstream research ecosystem—especially at premier institutions like IITs.

Key Highlights:

• Objective: To formally recognise traditional learning and connect Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) with modern scientific disciplines.
• Implementing Agency: Indian Knowledge System (IKS) division under the Central Sanskrit University (CSU).
• Eligibility: Minimum 5 years of rigorous study in a recognised gurukul and proven expertise in Shastras or traditional knowledge. No formal academic degree is required.
• Age Limit: Maximum 32 years.

Fellowships & Research Grants:

• Research Domains (18 Fields): Ayurveda, health sciences, mathematics, astronomy, physics, grammar, strategic studies, political theory, cognitive science, architecture, performing arts, and more.
• Notable traditional categories include Anvikshiki Vidya (philosophy), Ganit-Bhaut-Jyotish Vidya (mathematics, physics, astronomy), and Bhaishajya-Arogya Vidya (health sciences).

Policy Context: NEP 2020 and Beyond

The scheme is a direct outcome of reforms envisioned under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes integrating traditional Indian knowledge systems with modern education, promoting multidisciplinary learning, and creating a flexible, inclusive research environment.

NEP-Driven Initiatives Linked to Setubandha:

• Nipun Bharat: Improved foundational literacy and numeracy by Class 2.
• Vidya Pravesh & Balvatikas: Early childhood education integration.
• Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Yojana: Democratizing Indian language access.
• National Digital Depository for IKS: Repository of classical knowledge.
• PM Shri Schools: Model schools aligned with NEP's vision.
• Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) and Multiple Entry-Exit options.
• Anusandhan NRF & PMRF 2.0: Boosting research funding and fellowships.
• Global Outreach: Foreign universities (e.g., Deakin, Wollongong) setting up campuses in India.

Wider Impact and Significance:

• Institutional Recognition: For the first time, gurukul-trained scholars can pursue advanced research alongside IIT peers.
• Inclusivity in Education: Enables non-formal scholars to access elite academic spaces.
• Global Relevance: As interest grows in Ayurveda, Yoga, Sanskrit linguistics, and indigenous governance, India is positioning itself as a global knowledge hub.
• Empowerment of Marginalised Groups: Over 7.12 lakh girls in Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas, and hostel schemes for PVTGs reflect NEP’s inclusive approach.

In News:

• In a landmark discovery in transfusion science, researchers from India and the UK have identified a new and ultra-rare human blood group named CRIB, with the first case detected at the Rotary Bangalore TTK Blood Centre.
• The CRIB group adds to India’s growing contribution to rare blood immunogenetics and has been officially recognised by the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) and the International Blood Group Reference Laboratory (IBGRL), UK.

What is the CRIB Blood Group?

• CRIB stands for Cromer India Bengaluru and also symbolically refers to its importance in newborn and fetal medicine.
• It is a new antigen within the Cromer blood group system, which is linked to the Decay-Accelerating Factor (DAF) protein on red blood cells.
• CRIB belongs to the broader INRA (Indian Rare Antigen) blood group system, officially recognised in 2022 by the ISBT.

Discovery and Identification:

• Detected in a 38-year-old South Indian woman undergoing cardiac surgery in Kolar, Karnataka.
• Her blood was pan-reactive, reacting with all samples including O+ blood.
• No match was found even among 20 family members, leading to further analysis.
• After 10 months of genetic study at IBGRL, UK, a novel antigen was confirmed and designated as CRIB.

Scientific and Medical Significance:

• Rare Antigen Profile: Individuals with CRIB blood type lack a high-prevalence antigen, making compatible transfusions highly complex.
• Hemolytic Disease Risk: The CRIB antigen is especially relevant in Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn (HDFN), where maternal antibodies attack fetal red blood cells.
• Global First: It is the first discovery of its kind globally, expanding the total number of known human blood group systems.

Implications for India and the World:

• Transfusion Protocols: Requires specialised matching and CRIB-negative donor identification, necessitating rare donor registries.
• Prenatal Care: Early screening could prevent complications in pregnancies involving blood group incompatibilities.
• Healthcare Infrastructure: Highlights the need for investment in genetic screening, rare blood banks, and pan-India awareness among healthcare professionals.
• Research Opportunities: Opens new areas of study in genomics, population diversity, and immune response in transfusions.

Next Steps:

• Development of CRIB-specific antibody panels and diagnostic tests.
• Integration into global and national blood group databases.
• Promotion of international collaboration in transfusion science and rare donor management systems.

In News:

The Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar (MGMD) initiative is a nationwide cultural mapping project launched by the Ministry of Culture on 27th July 2023 as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. It operates under the National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM) and is implemented by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA).

Key Highlights:

• Objective: To digitally document and preserve the intangible cultural heritage of all 6.5 lakh villages across India through a comprehensive virtual cultural portfolio.
• Current Status (as of 2025):

• Over 4.7 lakh villages have been culturally mapped.
• The data is accessible on the MGMD web portal.

• Thematic Categories: Each village is documented based on one or more of seven cultural themes:

1. Arts and Crafts Villages
2. Ecologically Oriented Villages
3. Scholastic Villages (linked to texts and scriptural traditions)
4. Epic Villages (associated with Ramayana, Mahabharata, Puranas, and oral epics)
5. Historical Villages (linked to local or national history)
6. Architectural Heritage Villages
7. Other culturally significant villages (e.g., fishing, horticulture, pastoral communities)

Significance:

• Preservation of Heritage: Helps safeguard India’s diverse village-level traditions and practices.
• Cultural Inclusion: Recognizes lesser-known cultural narratives and identities.
• Rural Development: Encourages economic and artistic growth through cultural awareness.
• Digital Cultural Infrastructure: Enables access to cultural data via online platforms.

About National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM)

Launched in 2017, the NMCM is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Culture aimed at documenting and promoting India’s cultural diversity with a focus on grassroots-level heritage.

Key Components:

• Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar (MGMD) – Mapping of village-level cultural assets.
• Sanskritik Pratibha Khoj – Campaigns to discover artistic talent and promote folk and tribal arts.
• National Cultural Workplace (NCWP) – A digital platform and mobile app to create databases of artists, art forms, and cultural services.

This initiative strengthens India’s commitment to heritage conservation, digital documentation, and self-reliant cultural development, in line with Atmanirbhar Bharat.

In News:

In July 2025, the Indian Army conducted Exercise Divya Drishti in East Sikkim, showcasing next-generation warfare technologies under high-altitude conditions.

Organised by the Trishakti Corps, the exercise focused on integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) with battlefield surveillance and decision-making systems, in alignment with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative and the Army’s Decade of Transformation roadmap.

Key Features:

• AI-Enabled Battlefield Awareness: The Army deployed AI-integrated sensors capable of real-time surveillance, terrain mapping, and threat detection.
• Sensor-to-Shooter Linkage: Real-time data was transmitted from UAVs, drones, and ground-based sensors to command centres and firepower units, ensuring rapid response capability.
• UAV-Drone-Ground Synergy: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and drones operated in coordination with ground platforms to simulate operational combat scenarios.
• Secured Communication Networks: Robust digital communication systems enabled seamless and secure data sharing across units.
• High-Altitude Readiness: The technologies were tested in the Himalayan terrain to assess their effectiveness in extreme operational environments.

Strategic Significance:

• Enhanced Situational Awareness: The exercise aimed to improve the Army’s capacity to observe, interpret, and act swiftly on the modern battlefield.
• Faster Decision-Making: AI integration minimizes command delays, improving response speed and operational precision.
• Indigenisation Drive: Demonstrates the Indian Army’s push for self-reliance in defence technology under Make in India.
• Future Warfare Doctrines: The insights will inform new operational strategies for multi-domain and hybrid warfare.