In News:

In August 2025, the Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL), promoted by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), signed an agreement with ICICI Bank to implement India’s first Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling system. The pilot will be rolled out at Choryasi Fee Plaza on NH-48 in Gujarat, making it the country’s first barrier-free toll plaza, with further expansion planned across multiple locations.

What is MLFF?

• Definition: A barrier-less electronic tolling system.
• Technology Used:
  • FASTag-based RFID readers.
  • Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras for vehicle registration verification.
• Function: Enables seamless toll deduction without vehicles halting at toll plazas.

Significance of MLFF

• Seamless travel – Eliminates queues and stoppages at toll booths.
• Reduced congestion & time-saving – Improves traffic flow on busy highways.
• Fuel efficiency & lower emissions – Supports environmental sustainability.
• Improved toll revenue collection – Reduces leakages and ensures transparency.
• Technology-driven infrastructure – Supports creation of a smart, efficient, and user-friendly National Highway network.

About NHAI

• Statutory Body: Established under the National Highways Authority of India Act, 1988; operational since 1995.
• Mandate: Development, maintenance, and management of India’s National Highways.
• Administrative control: Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).
• Composition:
  • 1 Full-time Chairman.
  • Up to 5 Full-time Members.
  • 4 Part-time Members (Secretaries of Road Transport & Highways, Expenditure, Planning, and DG of Road Development).

In News:

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a major public health challenge in India, causing high mortality, morbidity, and long-term disability. Traditional diagnostic tools like CT and MRI scans are costly, infrastructure-intensive, and often unavailable in rural or emergency settings.

To bridge this gap, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), in collaboration with AIIMS Bhopal, NIMHANS Bengaluru, the Medical Device & Diagnostics Mission Secretariat (MDMS), and Bioscan Research, has developed CEREBO, a portable and indigenous diagnostic device.

What is CEREBO?

• Nature: A hand-held, portable, non-invasive device.
• Technology: Uses near-infrared spectroscopy integrated with machine learning.
• Function: Detects intracranial bleeding and brain edema within one minute.
• Accessibility: Designed for use by paramedics and unskilled personnel in ambulances, trauma centres, rural clinics, and disaster zones.
• Safety: Radiation-free, safe for infants and pregnant women.
• Output: Provides colour-coded, easy-to-interpret results.

Validation & Adoption

• Underwent multi-centre clinical trials at leading trauma and neurosurgical centres.
• Evaluated for diagnostic accuracy, time-to-decision benefits, and feasibility in emergency care pathways.
• Supported by ICMR-MDMS post-market surveillance confirming effectiveness in patient triage.
• Recommended for adoption in tertiary care hospitals, emergency services, and military healthcare.

Importance of CEREBO

• Addresses diagnostic gaps in rural and underserved areas.
• Enables early detection and triage, reducing fatalities and long-term complications.
• Provides a low-cost, rapid, and radiation-free alternative to CT/MRI scans.
• Potential for global adoption in emergency medicine, military operations, and disaster response.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) – A Public Health Concern

• Definition: Disruption of normal brain function due to sudden trauma to the head.
• Causes in India:
  • Road traffic accidents: ~60%
  • Falls: 20–25%
  • Violence: ~10%
• Incidence: ~1.5–2 million injuries annually; ~1 million deaths in India.
• Challenges: Mild TBIs often go undiagnosed initially, but may worsen over time.
• Consequences:
  • Immediate: Loss of consciousness, seizures, dizziness, confusion.
  • Complications: Intracranial bleeding, brain swelling, coma.
  • Long-term: Memory loss, cognitive decline, depression, behavioural changes, and risk of neurodegenerative diseases.

In News:

• The Ministry of Education released the Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) 2024–25 report, providing a comprehensive picture of India’s school education system.
• Covering Grades I–XII across government, aided, and private schools, UDISE+ maps enrolment, teacher availability, infrastructure, digital access, retention, and learning environment.
• The findings reflect both significant progress and persistent gaps in achieving the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Teacher Availability and Pupil–Teacher Ratio (PTR)

• For the first time, the number of teachers crossed 1 crore (1.01 crore) in 2024–25, a 6.7% rise since 2022–23.
• PTRs improved: Foundational (10), Preparatory (13), Middle (17), and Secondary (21)—all within NEP’s benchmark (30:1).
• However, disparities remain: states like Jharkhand (47:1) and Maharashtra/Odisha (37:1) face severe shortages, especially in higher classes.
• Female teachers now constitute 54.2%, reflecting growing gender balance.

Enrolment, Dropouts, and Retention

• Dropout rates declined significantly: Preparatory (2.3%), Middle (3.5%), Secondary (8.2%).
• Retention rates improved: Foundational (98.9%), Preparatory (92.4%), Middle (82.8%), Secondary (47.2%).
• Transition rates rose across stages, with 92.2% students moving to middle level and 86.6% to secondary level.
• Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER): Middle (90.3%), Secondary (68.5%)—indicating improved access but a need for further inclusion at higher levels.

Infrastructure and Digital Divide

• Basic facilities: Electricity (93.6%), Girls’ toilets (97.3%), Boys’ toilets (96.2%), Drinking water (99.3%), Handwashing (95.9%).
• Digital readiness: Computer access in schools rose to 64.7%, internet access to 63.5%. Yet regional disparities remain:
  • South Indian states (Kerala, Tamil Nadu) report near-universal coverage.
  • Eastern & Northeastern states lag behind—West Bengal (18.6% internet), Meghalaya (26.4%).
• Despite progress, >25,000 schools lack electricity, and 5.1% schools run with fewer than 10 students.
• Single-teacher schools reduced by 6%, and zero-enrolment schools fell by 38%, but remain concentrated in Ladakh (32%), Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand (22%).

Health and Inclusive Education

• Medical check-ups are available in only 75.5% schools, with serious gaps in Bihar (32.7%) and Nagaland (44.9%).
• Inclusive facilities: 54.9% of schools now have ramps and handrails for children with disabilities.
• Girls’ enrolment increased marginally to 48.3%, indicating gradual progress towards gender equity.

Teacher Training and Capacity Building

• 91% teachers are formally trained, but inter-state variation persists.
  • Kerala and Tamil Nadu lead with near-total coverage.
  • Meghalaya lags with only 72% at primary and 80% at upper-primary levels.

Significance and Challenges

• The report highlights improved teacher strength, better PTR, reduced dropouts, and rising digital access, aligning with NEP’s vision of universal foundational literacy and equitable access.
• Persistent regional disparities, lack of electricity in thousands of schools, inadequate digital penetration in the Northeast, and weak health infrastructure remain major challenges.

In News:

The VrindavaniVastra, a 16th-century sacred silk textile of Assam, is set to return temporarily from the British Museum, London, for exhibition in 2027. The decision marks a significant milestone in India’s efforts to reclaim its cultural heritage and present it to the public in its place of origin.

Historical Background

• The VrindavaniVastra was woven in Assam under the guidance of SrimantaSankardeva, the great Vaishnav saint-reformer, at the request of Koch King Nara Narayan.
• It depicts scenes from Lord Krishna’s childhood and divine pastimes in Vrindavan, woven intricately with silk threads.
• Historically, Nara Narayan had sheltered Sankardeva after he faced persecution by the Ahom kingdom under pressure from Brahmin priests, reflecting the socio-political tensions of the time.

Artistic and Cultural Significance

• The textile is regarded as a masterpiece of Assamese Vaishnav art, blending weaving traditions with spiritual themes.
• Originally consisting of 15 separate silk panels, the current exhibit measures around 9.5 metres in length, assembled from multiple fragments.
• It represents not only religious devotion but also the syncretic weaving traditions of Assam, incorporating motifs influenced by diverse artistic cultures.
• As a central artefact of Assamese Vaishnavism, it reinforces Sankardeva’s legacy of devotional bhakti traditions.

Journey to the West

• Fragments of the Vastra were believed to have travelled from Assam to Tibet in the 17th–18th centuries, before being collected by British explorers during the 19th–20th centuries.
• In 1904, the India Museum acquired the textile and later transferred it to the British Museum. Since then, it has been part of their South Asian collection, alongside similar pieces in other European museums.

In News:

The Mela Patt Festival, celebrated annually in Bhaderwah (Doda district, Jammu & Kashmir), is one of the most prominent cultural and religious events of the region. Rooted in Nag culture, the festival honors Lord Vasuki Nag, the presiding deity of Bhaderwah Valley, and reflects the valley’s rich legacy of syncretic traditions and communal harmony.

Historical Background

• The origins of the festival date back to the 16th century, when it was first celebrated by King Nag Pal during the era when Bhaderwah was known as Bhadarkashi.
• The festival commemorates the historic meeting between Mughal Emperor Akbar and King Nag Pal of Bhaderwah, highlighting its integration into broader Indian history.
• Over the centuries, the event has remained a symbol of unity, with no reported communal discord in its nearly 600-year-long history.

Rituals and Celebrations

• Timing: The festival is observed on Nag Panchami, seven days after the conclusion of the sacred Kailash Yatra.
• Cultural Expressions:
  • The unique ‘Dikko Dance’ features participation from men and women across communities, symbolizing peace and pride.
  • The ‘Dhakku Dance’, a traditional Dogra folk performance, is also showcased, underscoring its importance in the cultural mosaic of India.
• Inclusivity: Devotees and visitors from across Jammu & Kashmir, irrespective of caste or religion, gather to pay homage to Raja Nag Pal’s bravery and spiritual power.

In News:

India has been steadily advancing towards ethanol blending in petrol to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, cut carbon emissions, and boost the agricultural economy. Recently, debates have intensified after the nationwide rollout of E20 fuel (20% ethanol + 80% petrol) in July 2025—five years ahead of its initial 2030 target. Concerns were raised about its impact on older vehicles and consumer safety.

What is Ethanol Blending?

• Ethanol (C?H?OH): A renewable, biodegradable, and clean-burning fuel derived from biomass such as sugarcane molasses, rice, maize, barley, and wheat.
• Ethanol Blending: Mixing ethanol with petrol to increase oxygen content, leading to cleaner combustion, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and lower crude oil imports.
• India’s Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme began in 2003.
• Progress:
  • 10% blending target achieved in 2021-22
  • 12.06% in 2022-23
  • 14.06% in 2023-24
  • 20% blending achieved in July 2025, ahead of the 2030 deadline.

E20 Fuel and Automobile Industry Response

• E20 fuel is now being offered at petrol pumps, replacing earlier E5/E10 options.
• The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) confirmed that warranties will remain valid for older cars even if they were not originally designed for E20.
• Automakers are issuing dealer advisories on E20 usage in pre-2023 vehicles, when flex-fuel-compatible models began rolling out.
• The government has also announced guidelines for 27% ethanol blending, further deepening the transition.

Concerns and Challenges

• Fuel Efficiency & Engine Issues: Some vehicle owners have reported lower mileage and performance issues with E20.
• Warranty and Consumer Trust: Initial confusion over automaker responsibility raised fears of invalidated warranties.
• Agricultural Dependence: Heavy reliance on sugarcane and food crops raises concerns about the food vs. fuel debate and water stress.
• Supply Chain & Technology: Ethanol storage, transport, and blending infrastructure must scale up nationwide.
• Legal Challenge: A public interest litigation (PIL) on the impact of E20 is pending before the Supreme Court.

Benefits of Ethanol Blending

• Environmental: Cuts CO? emissions, improves urban air quality, and reduces vehicular pollution.
• Economic: Reduces crude oil imports (India imports ~85% of crude requirements), saving forex reserves.
• Agricultural: Provides a stable market for farmers through ethanol demand from crops like sugarcane, maize, and rice.
• Strategic: Contributes to India’s energy security and climate commitments under Paris Agreement & Net Zero 2070 goals.

Government Push and Future Roadmap

• Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has reiterated that higher ethanol blending is central to India’s green mobility transition.
• India is also exploring flex-fuel vehicles and second-generation (2G) ethanol derived from agricultural residues to address food security concerns.
• Targets:
  • 27% blending roadmap under preparation.
  • Expansion of ethanol production capacity through distilleries and 2G ethanol plants.
  • Incentives for biofuel research, hybrid engines, and flex-fuel adoption.

In News:

India is set to join a select group of nations—US, Russia, China, Japan, and France—with the capability for manned deep-sea exploration through its ambitious Samudrayaan Project.

As part of preparations, two Indian aquanauts recently dived into the Atlantic Ocean aboard France’s submersible Nautile, gaining critical experiential insights.

The mission is a core component of the Deep Ocean Mission (2021–26), which supports India’s Blue Economy vision and aligns with the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–30).

Samudrayaan Project

• Objective: To send three humans in a manned submersible to a depth of 6,000 metres by 2027.
• Coordinating agency:National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), with technical support from ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC).
• Budget: Part of the ?4,077 crore Deep Ocean Mission, approved by the Union Cabinet in 2021.

Key Aims

• Develop deep-sea mining technologies, robotics, and underwater vehicles.
• Conduct surveys for mineral deposits, particularly polymetallic nodules (rich in nickel, cobalt, manganese, rare earths).
• Explore deep-sea biodiversity and promote bio-prospecting.
• Establish an ocean climate change advisory service.
• Develop technologies for energy and freshwater from oceans.
• Build an advanced marine station for ocean biology and engineering.

Matsya-6000: The Crewed Submersible

• India’s first self-propelled manned submersible, designed like a fish.
• Built with a titanium alloy sphere (2.1 m diameter, 80 mm thickness) to withstand 600 times atmospheric pressure at 6,000 m depth and temperatures as low as -3°C.
• Capacity: 3 aquanauts for 12-hour missions, extendable to 96 hours in emergencies.
• Equipped with:
  • Life-support systems (oxygen supply, CO? scrubbers, re-breather systems).
  • Acoustic communication systems (since radio waves cannot penetrate deep water).
  • Drop-weight escape mechanism for emergency ascent.
  • Li-Po batteries and bio-vests for crew health monitoring.

Challenges in Deep-Sea Exploration

• Extreme Pressure: Precise fabrication (via electron beam welding) is required, as even a 0.2 mm deviation in sphere thickness can lead to collapse.
• Material Constraints: Titanium alloy of required grade is rare, and countries are reluctant to share reserves.
• Life Support: Ensuring safe oxygen levels, CO? absorption, and emergency backup systems.
• Communication: Acoustic telephones must overcome issues of temperature, salinity, and water depth.
• Human Endurance: Aquanauts face restricted mobility, limited nutrition, and confined conditions during 9–12 hour dives.

Deep Ocean Mission (DOM)

• Launched in 2021 for 5 years.
• Components:
  • Deep Sea Mining & Manned Submersible: Samudrayaan and mineral exploration.
  • Ocean Climate Change Advisory Services: Seasonal to decadal forecasting.
  • Deep-Sea Biodiversity Studies: Exploration of flora, fauna, microbes.
  • Deep Ocean Surveys: Mapping multi-metal sulphide and PMN sites.
  • Energy & Freshwater: Research into Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) and desalination.
  • Advanced Marine Station: Capacity building, R&D, and technology incubation.

Recent Progress

• Ocean Mineral Explorer (OMe 6000): Autonomous underwater vehicle deployed in 2022, surveying 14 sq. km in the Central Indian Ocean Basin at depths of 5,271 m, assessing PMN deposits and biodiversity.
• Research vessel SagarNidhi used for exploration and surveys.

Strategic and Economic Significance

• Blue Economy Growth: Supports industries like shipping, fishing, tourism, and biotechnology.
• Resource Security: Access to polymetallic nodules critical for electronics, renewable energy, and defense sectors.
• Geostrategic Edge: Enhances India’s role in the International Seabed Authority (ISA) regime.
• Scientific Advancement: Builds indigenous expertise in ocean engineering and extreme-environment technologies.
• Climate Preparedness: Generates critical data on ocean-climate interactions.

In News:

The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH), spanning about 3,500 km across eight countries—Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan—is a global ecological and hydrological powerhouse.

Often termed the “Third Pole”, it holds the largest area of permanent ice cover outside the Arctic and Antarctic, feeding 10 major Asian river systems including the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra. Despite its significance, a new report by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) warns that the region is tapping only 6.1% of its vast renewable energy potential, exposing vulnerabilities in the face of climate change.

About ICIMOD

• Established in 1983, headquartered in Kathmandu, Nepal.
• Intergovernmental body representing eight member countries of the HKH.
• Mission: Build and share knowledge to drive regional policy, investments, and climate-resilient development.
• Functions:
  • Knowledge generation and sharing.
  • Bridging science, policy, and practice.
  • Providing a regional platform for sustainable mountain development.

Renewable Energy Potential in HKH

• Total hydropower potential: 882 GW.
  • Of this, 635 GW lies in the trans-boundary rivers of HKH.
  • Only 49% of hydropower potential is currently harnessed.
• Non-hydro potential: Nearly 3 Terawatts (solar & wind).
• Combined renewable energy potential in the region: >3.5 Terawatts.
• Current share in Total Primary Energy Supply (TPES): just 6.1%.

Country-wise Renewable Scenario

• Bhutan & Nepal: Generate 100% of electricity from renewables.
• India: Renewables contribute 23% of electricity generation.
• Others: Reliance on fossil fuels remains very high (Bangladesh 98%, Pakistan 76%, China 67%, Myanmar 51%).
• Traditional biomass use: Alarmingly high in rural areas—two-thirds of Nepal’s TPES, half of Myanmar’s, one-fourth of Bhutan’s and Pakistan’s—leading to severe air quality and health issues.

Climate Change & Energy Risks

The report highlights that climate variability is destabilising energy systems:

• Increased water variability and changing hydrological regimes reduce hydropower reliability.
• Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) and extreme weather events threaten nearly two-thirds of existing and planned hydropower projects.
• Infrastructure damage due to landslides, floods, and mega-floods is rising.

Policy Recommendations

• Integrate disaster risk reduction into hydropower and renewable energy projects.
• Explore “dams equivalents” like:
  • Climate-resilient irrigation systems.
  • On-farm water-efficient practices.
  • Urban water storage solutions.
  • Scaling up solar and wind power.
• Promote regional cooperation through platforms like SAARC Energy Centre and BIMSTEC Energy Ministers’ Conference.
• Attract international finance and private investment to overcome capital constraints.
• Encourage south-south collaboration, technology exchange, and joint research.

Significance for India

• India, a major HKH country, has both high renewable potential and high fossil fuel dependence.
• Regional clean energy cooperation can:
  • Enhance energy security.
  • Reduce import dependence.
  • Create green jobs.
  • Help achieve India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.

In News:

• In the wake of devastating floods in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, the Union Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, announced the deployment of over a thousand trained MY Bharat Aapda Mitras to aid ongoing rescue and relief efforts.
• The initiative underscores the government’s emphasis on community-based disaster response, leveraging trained youth volunteers to strengthen resilience at the grassroots level.

MY Bharat: An Overview

• MY Bharat is an autonomous body established by the Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
• It operates as a phygital (physical + digital) platform, connecting and mobilising India’s youth (aged 15–29 years) through volunteering, mentorship, experiential learning, and industry networks.
• The platform seeks to provide equitable access to opportunities, enabling youth to contribute to Viksit Bharat (Developed India).

Aapda Mitra Programme under MY Bharat

• The Aapda Mitra programme, implemented by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), provides structured, NDMA-certified disaster response training to youth volunteers.
• Training modules cover:
  • Search and rescue operations
  • First aid and medical response
  • Crowd management
  • Emergency coordination
• These volunteers act as first responders, ensuring the timely supply of food, medicines, and relief material to communities cut off by floods, landslides, or cloudbursts.

Current Mobilisation for Punjab and Himachal Pradesh

• Thousands of Aapda Mitras are being deployed across the flood-hit districts of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.
• Volunteers will work in coordination with District Magistrates, district administrations, and local authorities to ensure swift rescue and relief.
• Their role will be crucial in reaching remote villages, where connectivity has been disrupted due to floods and landslides.

Significance

• Strengthens community-led disaster resilience.
• Bridges the gap between formal institutions (NDMA, administration) and citizen response efforts.
• Provides a youth-centric model of disaster preparedness, integrating skill development with national service.
• Demonstrates the whole-of-society approach to disaster management by combining government resources, institutional training, and grassroots volunteerism.

In News:

The increasing frequency of extreme weather events—cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides—has underlined the urgent need for robust forecasting and disaster management mechanisms in India’s Himalayan region.

In this context, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), is set to install four additional radars in Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) as part of Mission Mausam (2024). This development coincides with intensified relief and rehabilitation efforts following unprecedented rainfall and floods in August–September 2025.

Mission Mausam: An Overview

• Launched: 2024 by the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
• Implementing Agencies: IMD, National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF), and Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM).
• Objectives:
  • Enhance India’s forecasting capability across short, medium, extended, and seasonal scales.
  • Develop high-resolution models for improved accuracy in monsoon prediction.
  • Strengthen observational networks with radars, satellites, automated weather stations.
  • Provide sector-specific advisories for agriculture, water resources, health, energy, and disaster management.
  • Build capacity through national and international collaborations.

Significance: It represents a transformative milestone in India’s climate resilience strategy, supporting sustainable development, while safeguarding lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure.

Relief and Rehabilitation Measures in J&K (2025)

Following the cloudbursts and floods, the Centre and UT administration launched coordinated relief measures:

• Immediate Relief: Supply of rations, medicines, water filters, and medical kits. Additional consignments dispatched from MP funds to supplement government aid.
• Community Role: Civil society and local bikers acted as first responders, showcasing a whole-of-society approach.

Broader Relevance for Disaster Management

• Policy Linkages: Aligned with the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and the Sendai Framework (2015–2030), emphasizing early warning systems and community resilience.
• Socio-Economic Impact: Strengthening forecasting reduces agricultural losses, protects infrastructure, and prevents human casualties.
• Strategic Significance: Enhances preparedness in the fragile Himalayan ecosystem, prone to climate-induced disasters.

In News:

• In a landmark achievement, India has successfully developed a rare and high-purity Reference Material (RM) – Methandienone Long-Term Metabolite (LTM) for advanced anti-doping testing in sports.
• This development was led by the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Guwahati in collaboration with the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL), New Delhi, under the Department of Pharmaceuticals.

What are Reference Materials (RMs)?

• Highly purified, scientifically characterized forms of drug substances or their metabolites.
• Essential for accurate analytical testing and doping control.
• Crucial for detecting over 450 prohibited substances listed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
• Globally scarce – only 4–5 manufacturers worldwide produce such materials, making them expensive and difficult to access.

Methandienone Long-Term Metabolite (LTM)

• A specialized RM developed for tracing misuse of anabolic steroid Methandienone.
• LTMs are metabolites that remain detectable in urine long after substance use – enabling identification of athletes even months or years after doping.
• Enhances detection sensitivity and increases the number of positive tests, thus acting as a deterrent.
• Not commercially available globally, making India’s contribution unique.

Significance for India and the World

• Strengthening Anti-Doping Efforts: Supports WADA’s global mission of transparency, fairness, and integrity in sports.
• Protecting Clean Athletes: Shields honest athletes while discouraging performance-enhancing drug misuse.
• Global Contribution: Methandienone LTM can be shared with 30 WADA-accredited laboratories worldwide, positioning India as a global leader in doping science.
• Self-Reliance in Sports Science: Since 2020, NIPER Guwahati has synthesized 12 out of 22 identified RMs for NDTL, reducing dependency on costly imports.

National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) – Key Facts

• Premier analytical testing and research organization under Government of India.
• Only laboratory in India accredited for human sports dope testing.
• Accredited by:
  • National Accreditation Board for Testing & Calibration Laboratories (NABL)
  • World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)
• Plays a central role in ensuring India’s compliance with international anti-doping standards.

In News:

India and Singapore have recently elevated their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) by signing multiple agreements across defence, space, trade, skills, and sustainability.

A key highlight was Singapore’s support for India’s interest in joint patrolling of the Malacca Strait, one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints. This development has both bilateral and regional strategic implications.

The Malacca Strait: Geography and Importance

• Location: Between Sumatra (Indonesia) and Peninsular Malaysia–Thailand, linking the Andaman Sea (Indian Ocean) with the South China Sea (Pacific Ocean).
• Significance:
  • One of the busiest shipping lanes globally, handling ~60% of India’s seaborne trade and nearly all its LNG imports.
  • A vital energy artery for China, making it a strategic vulnerability (“Malacca Dilemma”).
  • Historically named after the Malacca Sultanate (1400–1511).

Malacca Straits Patrols (MSP)

• Launched in 2004 by Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore; Thailand joined later.
• Aimed at curbing piracy, terrorism, and trafficking.
• Three coordinated layers:
  1. Sea Patrols: Regular joint naval patrolling.
  2. Eyes-in-the-Sky: Combined aerial surveillance.
  3. Intelligence Exchange Group: Real-time information sharing.
• India’s interest in joining the MSP reflects its commitment to freedom of navigation, regional stability, and maritime security.

India–Singapore Bilateral Cooperation (2025 Roadmap)

During PM Narendra Modi’s meeting with Singapore PM Lawrence Wong (2025), a roadmap was adopted identifying eight priority areas:

1. Trade and Economy
2. Skills Development – MoU to establish a National Centre of Excellence for Advanced Manufacturing Skilling in Chennai.
3. Digitalisation& AI
4. Sustainability – MoU for a Green and Digital Shipping Corridor and collaboration on green maritime fuel.
5. Connectivity– Deepening maritime links.
6. Healthcare & Medicine
7. People-to-People and Cultural Exchanges
8. Defence and Security – including space collaboration.

Key Agreements

• Space Cooperation: MoU between IN-SPACe (India) and Singapore’s Office for Space Technology and Industry for commercial and research linkages.
• Green Shipping Corridor: To promote sustainable maritime trade.
• Skill Development: Centre of Excellence for advanced manufacturing skilling.

Strategic Implications

• For India:
  • Securing energy and trade routes through the Strait.
  • Expanding its role in regional security architecture.
  • Strengthening defence and space cooperation with ASEAN.
• For Singapore:
  • Reinforces its position as a hub for maritime and digital connectivity.
  • Gains from India’s manufacturing, space, and green energy initiatives.
• Regional Balance:
  • Counters China’s strategic dominance in the South China Sea.
  • Enhances multilateral security frameworks in the Indo-Pacific.

In News:

• The vaquita porpoise (Phocoena sinus), the world’s rarest marine mammal, is on the brink of extinction with only about 10 individuals remaining in the northern Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez), Mexico.
• Despite global attention, weak enforcement of wildlife protection laws in Mexico and the persistence of illegal fishing practices have accelerated the species’ decline.
• A recent report by the North American Environmental Commission under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) has held Mexico accountable for failing to safeguard the vaquita.

The Vaquita: An Overview

• Discovery: Identified in 1958.
• Classification: Smallest member of the cetacean family (whales, dolphins, porpoises), diverged from dolphins ~15 million years ago.
• Habitat: Restricted to shallow waters (up to 50 m deep) in the Upper Gulf of California.
• Appearance: Distinct dark eye rings, lip patches, and a large dorsal fin aiding heat release.
• Behavior: Solitary or small-group species, shy, avoids boats.
• Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered.
  • CITES: Appendix I (strict trade regulation).

Causes of Decline

• Gillnet Bycatch:
  • The primary threat is entanglement in illegal gillnets set for totoaba fish, whose swim bladder fetches high prices in East Asia.
  • Despite Mexico’s ban on gillnets since 2020, on-ground reports reveal continued use.
• Weak Enforcement:
  • Only 10 of the 850 promised satellite trackers fitted on fishing vessels.
  • Fishermen bypass restrictions by sending illegal catch to other regions.
• Institutional Failures:
  • Lack of adequate vessel inspections, monitoring, and promotion of alternative fishing gear.
  • Mexico’s enforcement claims contradicted by eyewitness accounts and NGO reports.

International Pressure and USMCA Mechanisms

• The USMCA Environmental Commission report has urged the United States to hold Mexico accountable.
• Under USMCA, the US can:
  • Press for stricter compliance through consultations.
  • Escalate disputes to a panel stage.
  • Impose import penalties if Mexico fails to enforce the ban in vaquita habitats.

In News:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping economies, governance, and societies at an unprecedented pace. While AI offers transformative opportunities in healthcare, education, mobility, and governance, it also poses challenges of bias, misinformation, data privacy, and ethical use. Recognizing the urgency of global cooperation, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has launched two institutional mechanisms to advance inclusive and responsible AI governance.

UNGA’s Two New Initiatives on AI Governance (2025)

1. Independent International Scientific Panel on AI
   • Serves as a bridge between research and policymaking.
   • Provides independent scientific assessments of emerging AI risks and opportunities.
   • Annual reports to be presented at the Global Dialogue sessions in 2026 (Geneva) and 2027 (New York).
2. Global Dialogue on AI Governance
   • An inclusive UN platform for member states and stakeholders.
   • Facilitates deliberation on critical AI issues: ethical use, regulation, global standards, and equitable access.
   • Complements the Global Digital Compact, adopted as part of the Pact for the Future (2024).

India’s AI Governance Landscape

• Legal Framework:
  • No dedicated AI law. AI is currently governed under:
    • IT Act, 2000 – cybercrimes, intermediary liability.
    • Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 – data privacy.
    • IPR laws – regulation of AI-generated works.
• Policy Initiatives:
  • NITI Aayog’s National Strategy on AI (2018): Focus on healthcare, agriculture, education, mobility, smart cities.
  • Principles for Responsible AI (2021): Emphasize safety, transparency, fairness, accountability, and inclusivity.
• Global Engagement:
  • Hosted the GPAI Summit (2023).
  • Co-chaired the AI Action Summit with France (2025).
  • Set to host the AI Impact Summit (2026).
  • Actively shaping norms of ethical AI use in the Global South.

In News:

The Prime Minister Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) Scheme, launched on 1st June 2020 amidst the COVID-19 crisis, has emerged as a landmark initiative for supporting urban street vendors by providing collateral-free working capital loans, promoting digital inclusion, and enabling social security access.

In August 2025, the Union Cabinet approved the restructuring and extension of the scheme till 31st March 2030, with an enhanced outlay of ?7,332 crore to benefit 1.15 crore beneficiaries, including 50 lakh new entrants.

Key Features of the Restructured Scheme

• Enhanced Loan Tranches
  • 1st tranche: ?15,000 (earlier ?10,000)
  • 2nd tranche: ?25,000 (earlier ?20,000)
  • 3rd tranche: ?50,000 (unchanged)
• UPI-linked RuPay Credit Card
  • Available for vendors who have repaid the second loan.
  • Ensures instant credit access for business and personal needs.
• Digital Incentives
  • Cashback up to ?1,600 on digital transactions.
  • Promotes financial literacy and digital adoption.
• Expanded Coverage
  • From statutory towns to census towns, peri-urban areas, in a phased manner.
• Capacity Building & Convergence
  • Training in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and digital skills.
  • Food safety & hygiene certification for street food vendors in partnership with FSSAI.

‘SVANidhi se Samriddhi’ Component

• Ensures saturation coverage of welfare schemes for vendors’ families.
• Monthly Lok Kalyan Melas to connect beneficiaries with schemes like PM Suraksha Bima Yojana, PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, Ayushman Bharat, and PM Jan Dhan Yojana.

Achievements Till Date (as of July 2025)

• 96 lakh loans disbursed worth ?13,797 crore to 68 lakh vendors.
• 47 lakh digitally active beneficiaries with over 557 crore transactions worth ?6.09 lakh crore.
• ?241 crore cashback earned by vendors.
• 46 lakh beneficiaries profiled across 3,564 ULBs, leading to 1.38 crore scheme sanctions.
• Recognitions:
  • PM’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration (2023) for Innovation.
  • Silver Award (2022) for Government Process Re-engineering in Digital Transformation.