Author: instakas

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas – 18th edition

International

Context

• The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated once in two years on 9th January.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD)

• Objective – It is a significant event that honors the contributions of the Indian diaspora to their homeland.
• Historic background – It symbolises Mahatma Gandhi’s return from South Africa in 1915.
• Organised by – Ministry of External Affairs. Since 2015, it has evolved into a biennale event.

Indian Diaspora

• The diaspora encompasses a group of people who can either trace their origins to India or who are Indian citizens living abroad, either temporarily or permanently.
• As per the Indian Ministry of External Affairs [2024], the global Indian diaspora numbers approximately 35.42 million, consisting of 85 million non-resident Indians (NRIs) and 19.57 million people of Indian origin (PIOs).
• Top 5 countries where the Indian diaspora resides: United States of America (USA): 5.4Mn, United Arab Emirates (UAE): 3.6Mn, Malaysia: 2.9Mn, Canada: 2.8Mn and Saudi Arabia: 2.4Mn.
• India is the origin of the largest number of international migrants in the world, touching nearly 18 million, according to the UN World Migration Report 2024.

Importance of the Diaspora

• Remittances: In 2024, India received an estimated $129.1 billion worth of remittances, the highest ever for a country in any year.
• India’s share in global remittances was 14.3% in 2025, the highest such share since the turn of the millennium for any country.
• These contribute significantly to foreign exchange reserves and rural household incomes.
• Investment & Trade: NRIs and PIOs invest in Indian real estate, startups, and infrastructure, and act as trade facilitators between India and their countries of residence.
• Tech & Innovation: Indian-origin professionals in Silicon Valley, academia, and global corporations contribute to knowledge transfer, mentorship, and innovation linkages.
• Cultural Ambassadors: The diaspora promotes Indian languages, yoga, cuisine, Cinema, and festivals globally.
• Policy Advocacy: Diaspora communities often influence foreign policy decisions in host countries in favor of India.
• Citizen Diplomacy: Diaspora involvement helps India manage relations during bilateral tensions or negative media coverage.
• Global Recognition: Their achievements enhance India’s image as a land of talent and opportunity.

PANKHUDI Portal

Health and Society

In News

• The Ministry of Women and Child Development launched PANKHUDI Portal.

PANKHUDI Portal

• It is an integrated Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and partnership facilitation digital portal.
• Objective – It is aimed at strengthening coordination, transparency, and structured stakeholder participation in initiatives for women and child development.

Features

• It is developed as a single-window digital platform that brings together individuals, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributors, corporate entities, and government agencies working in the domain of women and child development.
• It supports and strengthens the implementation of the Ministry’s flagship missions—Mission Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0, Mission Vatsalya, and Mission Shakti—through a structured and transparent digital mechanism.

AdditionalInformation – Mission Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0

• This is an integrated nutrition support program focused on combating malnutrition and improving early childhood development.
• Target Beneficiaries: Children (0–6 years), adolescent girls (14–18 years), and pregnant/lactating women.

Mission Vatsalya

• This mission focuses on child protection and the welfare of children in difficult circumstances, aiming to ensure “No Child is Left Behind”.
• Objectives: To secure a healthy, happy childhood for every child through better implementation of the Juvenile Justice Act (2015) and POCSO Act (2012).

Mission Shakti

• This umbrella scheme is dedicated to the safety, security, and economic empowerment of women. It is divided into two sub-schemes:

Sambal (Safety and Security):

• One Stop Centres (OSC): Integrated support for victims of violence.
• Women Helpline (181): 24/7 emergency assistance.
• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP): Prevention of gender-biased sex selection and promotion of girls’ education.
• Nari Adalats: Community-level alternative dispute resolution forums.

Samarthya (Empowerment):

• Shakti Sadan: Rehabilitation homes (merging former Swadhar Greh and Ujjawala schemes).
• Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY): Maternity benefit scheme.
• Hub for Empowerment of Women (HEW): Facilitating access to government services.

Graham-Blumenthal Sanctions Bill

International

Context

• S. President Donald Trump has given his nod to the Graham-Blumenthal sanctions bill that will authorise the US President to levy up to 500% tariffs on nations that knowingly purchase Russian oil or uranium.

Graham-Blumenthal Sanctions Bill

• Objective – This Bill would give the US tremendous leverage against countries like China, India, and Brazil to incentivise them to stop buying the cheap Russian oil.
• In 2018, under similar pressure from the previous Trump administration, India had “zeroed out” its oil imports from Iran and Venezuela as well.
• Tariffs on India: The United States has imposed high tariffs on Indian goods, up to 50%.
• Part of this tariff is connected to India’s continued purchase of Russian oil.
• India’s Stand: India says the decision to buy oil from Russia is based on national interest. It wants to ensure energy security and keep fuel prices affordable for its people.

Spina Bifida

Health and Society

Context

• Many countries launched national awareness campaigns and programs to prevent spina bifida through folic acid supplementation.

Spina Bifida

• It is a congenital defect of the spinal cord caused by improper closure of the neural tube during early pregnancy.
• The condition results in varying degrees of paralysis, ranging from mild weakness of the feet to complete paralysis of the lower limbs.
• Many affected children also suffer from hydrocephalus, urinary and bowel incontinence, and orthopaedic deformities such as clubfoot.
• Role of Folic Acid in Prevention: Periconceptional folic acid intake prevents over 70% of Spina Bifida cases.
• Folic acid is a B-complex vitamin that supports neural tube development in the embryo.

U.S. Withdraw From International Solar Alliance

International

Context

• The United States has announced its withdrawal from the International Solar Alliance (ISA).

International Solar Alliance

• Started – The ISA, is an Indian initiative that was launched by the Prime Minister of India and the President of France on 30th November 2015 in Paris.
• Solar powered countries – It is an initiative with 124 solar resource rich countries lying fully or partially between the tropic of Cancer and the tropic of Capricorn.
• Objective – To collectively address key common challenges to the scaling up of solar energy in ISA member countries.
• Headquarter – National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) campus, Gurugram.
• Members: Member Countries are countries which have signed and ratified the Framework Agreement of the ISA.
• At present,  120 countries are signatories to the ISA Framework Agreement.

Satellite Tagging of Sea Turtles Aims to Aid Conservation

Geography & Environment

Context

• In a first-of-its-kind initiative, Olive Ridley sea turtles nesting on Chennai’s coast have been satellite-tagged and released as part of a two-year telemetry study (2025–27) to strengthen conservation efforts.
• It will track turtle movements, nesting behaviour, migratory routes, and interactions with fishing activities across key sites.

Olive ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea)

• They are the smallest and most abundant of all sea turtles in the world.
• Distribution – They get their name from the olive green colour of their heart-shaped shell, and inhabit warm waters of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans.
• These are carnivores and feed mainly on jellyfish, shrimp etc.
• These turtles are best known for their unique mass nesting called Arribada, where thousands of females come together on the same beach to lay eggs.
• Major nesting sites in India are Rushikulya rookery coast (Odisha), Gahirmatha beach (Bhitarkanika National park) and the mouth of the Debi River.
• Odisha is the largest mass nesting site for Olive Ridleys in the world.

Conservation status 

• Protection status: IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
• CITES: Appendix I

Huntington’s Disease

Health and Society

Context

• Huntington’s Disease is increasingly recognised as underdiagnosed in India due to limited awareness and delayed diagnosis.

Huntington’s Disease (HD)

• It is a rare, progressive, hereditary neurodegenerative disorder that affects the brain and leads to motor dysfunction, cognitive decline, and psychiatric disturbances (depression, psychosis, irritability, OCD), resulting in lifelong disability.
• The disease is caused by a mutation in the huntingtin (HTT) gene and follows an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern, meaning a child inheriting the mutated gene from either parent will develop the disorder.
• Consanguineous marriages significantly increase the probability of transmission, up to 75%.
• Symptoms typically begin between 40 and 50 years of age and progress over 15–20 years.
• While there is no cure for the disease, treatments are available that can improve patients’ quality of life and ease the burden on caregivers.

Policy Perspective

• The WHO defines rare diseases as those affecting 1 or fewer per 1,000 people. Although over 7,000 rare diseases exist globally, fewer than 5% have treatment options.
• In 2021, the Union government formulated the National Policy for Rare Diseases (NPRD)-2021 for identification, prevention and providing support to families with rare diseases.
• The NPRD recognises 63 rare diseases in India, but Huntington’s Disease is not included. Patients with any of the 63 recognised diseases are eligible for financial assistance of up to ₹50 lakh under PM-JAY.

Payments Regulatory Board

Economy

In News

• The first meeting of the Payments Regulatory Board (PRB) was held under the chairmanship of RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra, marking the operationalisation of India’s new payments governance framework.

Payments Regulatory Board

• It is a statutory body through which the Reserve Bank of India exercises regulatory and supervisory control over payment and settlement systems in India.
• Established under – Payment and Settlement Systems (PSS) Act, 2007.
• Mandate – Its objective is to ensure safety, efficiency, stability, and consumer protection in digital and non-cash payments.

Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ)

Geography & Environment

In News

• The National Green Tribunal issued a notice to the Centre and the Uttar Pradesh government over non-compliance with environmental norms in the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ).

Taj Trapezium Zone

• Purpose: It is a 10,400 sq. km trapezoidal shape area to safeguard the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Fatehpur Sikri (all UNESCO World Heritage Sites) from the damaging effects of air pollution.
• Establishment: In 1996 by the Supreme Court to control pollution affecting the Taj Mahal.
• SC Directive: The Supreme Court mandated that industries within the TTZ switch from using coal and coke to cleaner fuels like natural gas.

Additional Information – National Green Tribunal

• Legal status – It is a statutory body established under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010
• Mandate – to ensure speedy and effective disposal of cases related to environmental protection and conservation.
• It hears matters linked to major environmental laws in Schedule I, including the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, among others.

India Becomes World’s Largest Rice Producer

Economy

In News

• India has become the world’s largest producer of rice, surpassing China.
• India’s rice production has reached 150.18 million tonnes, compared to China’s 145.28 million tonnes.

Rice

• It is the most important food crop of India.
• It is predominantly a Kharif or summer crop.

Geographical conditions

• Annual average temperature required – 22°C to 32°C.
• Annual Average Rainfall -150-300 cm.
• Soil: clayey and loamy soil.
• Highest producing states – Based on data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare for the 2024–25 crop year (finalized in late 2025), the highest producers are:

1. Uttar Pradesh: Produced 20.93 million tonnes
2. Telangana: Produced 17.09 million tonnes
3. West Bengal: Produced 16.49 million tonnes

Importance

• It is the staple food crop of a majority of the people in India.
• It plays a significant role in the national food and livelihood security system.

SAMPANN (System for Accounting and Management of Pension)

Polity and Governance

Context

• SAMPANN (System for Accounting and Management of Pension) is an integrated, online pension management system for Department of Telecommunications (DoT) pensioners.

SAMPANN

• It creates a single platform for processing, sanctioning and disbursing pension directly to the bank account of pensioners.
• Implementing agency:- Controller General of Communication Accounts, Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications.
• It also offers online grievance redressal, digital profile management and transaction record, enhancing transparency and efficiency for telecom retirees.

Wolf Supermoon

Science and Technology

Context

• The January 2026 Wolf Supermoon occurred recently.
• A Wolf Supermoon combines two distinct concepts: Wolf Moon and Supermoon.

Wolf Moon:

• The term refers to the full moon occurring in January.
• Such traditional names for full moons originated from seasonal patterns and were popularised through folklore and almanacs to mark time before modern calendars.
• The name is associated with winter stories of wolves being heard more frequently, though it has no astronomical significance.

Supermoon:

• A supermoon is an astronomical phenomenon that occurs when a full moon coincides with the Moon’s closest approach to Earth, known as perigee.
• The Moon follows an elliptical orbit, with its farthest point called apogee.

Key Features

• During a Wolf Supermoon, the Moon appears slightly larger and brighter than a typical full moon.
• An associated visual effect is the Moon Illusion, where the Moon appears larger near the horizon due to human perception, not actual size change.

Suryastra Rocket Launcher System

Science and Technology

Context

• The Indian Army has signed a ₹293 crore contract with the NIBE Limited, in collaboration with Israel, for the supply of the long-range Suryastra Rocket Launcher system.

Suryastra Rocket Launcher

• It is India’s first indigenously manufactured universal multi-calibre rocket launche
• It is capable of precision surface-to-surface strikes up to 300 km.

US Strikes on Venezuela

International

Context

• The US strikes on Venezuela have brought to the forefront concerns over violations of international law, breach of national sovereignty & reinforcing perceptions of U.S. imperialism.
• However, data shows that the U.S. attack on Venezuela is unlikely to have any direct impact on India’s energy security.

Probable Reasons for US Attack on Venezuela

• Oil Reserves: Venezuela holds about 18% of the world’s oil reserves, more than Saudi Arabia (around 16%), Russia (about 5-6%), or the United States (around 4%).
• Venezuela alone has more crude oil reserves than the US and Russia combined.
• Countering China’s Expansion in Latin America: China, the world’s largest crude oil importer, has emerged as the biggest buyer of Venezuelan oil.
• Venezuela is a strategic node in China’s energy security and global influence, making it geopolitically sensitive for the U.S.
• S. Deals: The United States has signed trade deals with partners such as the European Union, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom, getting commitments from them to buy U.S. petroleum products and LNG, without having sufficient crude oil or refining capacity.
• Resurrection of the Monroe Doctrine: The US has described the operation as consistent with the US foreign policy known as the Monroe Doctrine.

Other Stated and Unstated Motives:

• Allegations of state-sponsored drug trafficking
• Containment of socialist political ideology
• Addressing mass migration flows towards the U.S.

Venezuela Share in Oil Supply

• It is a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), a group of countries that largely dominates the global oil market.
• Impact on India – India imported $255.3 million worth of oil from Venezuela in the current financial year in 2025, about 0.3% of its total oil import during this period.

Somnath Swabhiman Parv

Culture

Context

• PM Modi commemorated 1,000 years since the first attack on the Somnath Temple in 1026 AD, describing the iconic shrine as a timeless symbol of India’s civilisational resilience and unbreakable spirit.

Somnath Temple

• Somnath is revered as the first of the twelve Jyotirlings of Lord Shiva, as mentioned in the Dwadasha Jyotirling Stotram.
• The temple is located at Prabhas Patan on the western coast of Gujarat, a region historically associated with maritime trade, cultural exchange, and prosperity.
• The shrine was first attacked in January 1026 by Mahmud of Ghazni, marking the beginning of a series of invasions aimed at destroying symbols of Indian civilization.
• Despite repeated devastation, the temple was rebuilt multiple times.

Restoration of the Temple

• Ahilyabai Holkar played a crucial role in restoring the temple in the 18th century, demonstrating the role of indigenous rulers in cultural revival.
• After Independence, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel envisioned the reconstruction of Somnath.
• The present structure was completed and inaugurated on May 11th 1951, by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, reflecting the constitutional ethos of cultural freedom.
• M. Munshi was instrumental in the reconstruction of the temple.
• Swami Vivekananda viewed Somnath as a symbol of India’s national spirit that regenerates despite adversity.

Human Rabies To Be Declared Notifiable Disease In Delhi

Health and Society

Context

• The Delhi government is set to declare human rabies a notifiable disease in the National Capital Territory of Delhi under the Epidemic Diseases Act.

Notifiable Disease

• A notifiable disease is one that must be legally reported to public health authorities upon diagnosis or suspicion.
• Mandatory reporting enables real-time surveillance, early detection, rapid response, and evidence-based planning.

Additional Information – Rabies

• It is a zoonotic viral disease (Disease Transmitted from Animals to Humans).
• Pathogen – It is caused by the Rabies virus, of the Lyssavirus genus, within the family Rhabdoviridae.
• It is a Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) virus that is present in the saliva of a rabid animal (dog, cat, monkey, etc).
• Rabies is 100% fatal but 100% vaccine-preventable.
• 33% of global rabies deaths are recorded in India.

Common Vectors/ Reservoirs of Virus

• Most mammals can carry the virus and hence can cause the disease.
• In South Asia and Africa, the most common reservoir of the virus is the domestic/street dog.
• In developed nations like the USA, animals that transmit rabies are bats, foxes, raccoons, and skunks.

Symptoms

• Anxiety, Confusion, salivation, seizures, hallucinations and paralysis.

National Action Plan for dog Mediated Rabies Elimination by 2030 (NAPRE)

• Under this, the union will encourage all the States and UTs to make Rabies a notifiable Disease.
• A notifiable disease is any disease that is required by law to be reported to government authorities.
• “Joint Inter-Ministerial Declaration Support Statement” for Elimination of Dog mediated Rabies from India by 2030 was also launched.

World Rabies Day

• Celebrated on 28 September which marks the anniversary of Louis Pasteur’s death.
• Louis Pasteur was a French chemist and microbiologist, who developed the first rabies vaccine.
• He also discovered Pasteurisation, Vaccines for Anthrax and Cholera and Chamberland filters.

Alo Prabhat: Dance of the Dawn

Culture

Context

• Dong, India’s easternmost village in Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh, celebrated India’s first sunrise of 2026 with “Alo Prabhat: Dance of the Dawn”.

‘Alo Prabhat: Dance of the Dawn’

• The sunrise was welcomed with a cultural performance titled “Alo Prabhat: Dance of the Dawn.”
• Celebrated by – indigenous Meyor and Mishmi communities, with traditional chants, songs and indigenous rhythms using traditional musical instruments.