Author: Ramvilas

Awiqli drug

Science & technology

In News 

• Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk launched its weekly insulin shot (icodec) in India , making blood sugar control easier and more convenient for Indian diabetics.

Icodec/Awiqli drug

• Uniqueness – The world’s first once-weekly basal insulin injection.
• Developer: Engineered and manufactured by Danish multinational Novo Nordisk.
• Target Diseases: Indicated for adults with Type 2 Diabetes (and Type 1 in specific jurisdictions like India).
• Impact Metric: Drastically reduces the treatment burden from 365 daily injections to just 52 injections per year.

Additional Information – Diabetes

• Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder in which the body either does not produce enough insulin or cannot effectively use the insulin it produces.
• This leads to high levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood.
• Insulin: Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas.
• It helps glucose (from food) enter cells, where it is used for energy.

Types of Diabetes

• It is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system destroys insulin-producing cells. The body produces little or no insulin.
• It usually begins in childhood or adolescence.
• It requires lifelong insulin injections.

Type 2 Diabetes

• • This is the most common type of diabetes. The body doesn’t produce enough insulin.
  • It is usually linked to obesity, sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet and family history.

• It can be managed with diet, exercise, oral medications, and sometimes insulin.

Gestational Diabetes: 

• This occurs during pregnancy and usually disappears after delivery, but increases the risk of type 2 diabetes later in life.

Operation Amistad

Defence

In News

• Operation Amistad has concluded successfully with the return of the Indian contingent to New Delhi.

Operation Amistad

• It is  India’s Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) mission following the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela.

Major International HADR Operations/Evacuation / Relief Operations

• India has emerged as a dependable first responder in the Indian Ocean Region and beyond, guided by the principles of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” and SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region).
• India provides humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, evacuation, medical aid and reconstruction support to the global community through the joint efforts of the Army, Navy and Air Force. 
• The induction of INS Sunayna as IOS SAGAR (2025) with personnel from Indian Ocean countries is a reflection of India’s commitment towards collective maritime security, regional cooperation and capacity building.

India’s major HADR operations include

• Operation Maitri (Nepal, 2015) for rapid rescue, relief, and $2 billion commitment for reconstruction after the earthquake;
• Operation Devi Shakti (Afghanistan, 2021) for the evacuation of 669 people and humanitarian aid; 
• Mission SAGAR (2020 onwards) where the Indian Navy provided food, medical oxygen and relief materials to 15 Indian Ocean countries during the COVID-19 pandemic; and
• Operation Samudra Setu (2020) to repatriate 3,992 Indians by sea.
• Operation Ganga (Ukraine, 2022) to evacuate more than 18,000 Indian citizens during the conflict,
• Operation Dost (Türkiye and Syria, 2023) to send medical teams, field hospitals, rescue teams and more than 135 tonnes of relief material after the deadly earthquakes,
• Operation Kaveri (Sudan, 2023) to ensure the safe evacuation of Indian nationals during civil conflict
• Operation Brahma (Myanmar, 2025) to provide approximately 750 tonnes of humanitarian assistance, field hospital for  earthquake-hit Myanmar.

GI Tag to Jodhpur Mojari

Economy

Context

• The iconic Jodhpur Mojari, a handcrafted footwear tradition from Rajasthan, has been awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

Jodhpur Mojari

• It is a leather boot known for its high craftsmanship, delicate embroidery and timeless style. 
• It is predominantly created by the Jinagar community who were traditionally engaged in saddle manufacture.

Connect with the basics – Geographical Indication or GI Tag

• It is a name or a sign given to certain products related to a specific geographical location or origins like a region, town, or country.
• A certification for unique products – GI Tag may be regarded as a certification for a particular product with certain specific qualities or has a specific reputation because of its geographical origin.
• GI Tags can be issued for wine and spirit drinks, foodstuffs, agricultural products, handicrafts, and industrial products.
• Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) – At the International level, GI is governed by the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO’s) Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). 
• Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act – In India, Geographical Indications registration is administered by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, which came into force in September 2003. 
• Darjeeling tea  – The first product in India to be accorded with the GI tag was Darjeeling tea in 2004-05.

GI tags of 2026

India’s First Hydrogen Train

Science and Tech

Context

• Indian Railways has notified India’s first hydrogen-powered train, which is expected to be flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 17 July. 

India’s first hydrogen-powered train

• Launch Date: Scheduled for July 17, 2026.
• Route: Jind to Sonipat (89 km) in Haryana.
• Global Status: Puts India in an elite club (with Germany, Sweden, China, US, Japan).
• Maker: Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai, under RDSO supervision.
• Specs: 10-car Broad Gauge trainset (longest broad-gauge hydrogen train globally).
• Speed & Power: Max speed 75 kmph; capacity of 2400 kW.
• Fuel Station: Dedicated 3,000-kg storage and refueling hub set up at Jind.

Ken-Betwa River Linking Project

Economy

Context

• Residents of several villages who are being impacted by the Ken-Betwa river linking project, have restarted their agitation over their demands of better compensation and rehabilitation.

Ken-Betwa Link Project 

• It is a project proposed to transfer excess water from the River Ken to the Betwa basin through the use of a concrete canal. 
• Objective – to provide irrigation to the Bundelkhand region of UP, which is one of the worst drought-affected areas in India.
• Beneficiary states –  Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
• Significance – It will meet the irrigation purposes, drinking water, and electricity needs of 6 districts in both states.
• Biodiversity Concerns – Nearly 8,650 hectares of forest land including part of Panna National Park in Madhya Pradesh will be submerged if the project were to become a reality.

Conservation Projects for River Dolphins & Snow Leopards 

Environment

Context

• The governing body of the National Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) gave the nod to four new conservation projects for river dolphins, snow leopards, wild water buffalo, and Indian rhinoceros along with continued support for the conservation of Manipur’s brow-antlered deer, Sangai.

Snow Leopard

• Scientific name – Panthera uncia
• Habitats – The Snow Leopard lives at high altitudes in the steep mountains of Central and Southern Asia, and in an extremely cold climate.
• Range states – Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim
• Ghost of the mountains – The Snow Leopard is also known as Ghost of the mountains 
• Bio indicator – It acts as an indicator of the health of the mountain ecosystem
• Snow Leopard capital of the world – Hemis, Ladakh.
• International Snow Leopard Day – It is observed on 23rd October.

Conservation status  

• IUCN Red List- Vulnerable
• CITES convention – Appendix I
• Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972– Schedule I

Conservation Efforts Launched by India

1. Project Snow Leopard (PSL) 

• Launched in  – 2009 
• Objective – To promote an inclusive and participatory approach to conserve snow leopards and their habitat.

1. Species recovery programme – Snow Leopard is in the list of 21 critically endangered species for the recovery programme of the Ministry of Environment Forest & Climate Change.
2. Snow Leopard conservation breeding programme – It is undertaken at Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Darjeeling, West Bengal.
3. HimalSanrakshak – It is a community volunteer programme, to protect snow leopards, launched on 23rd October 2020.
4. First National Protocol –  was also launched In 2019.
5. SECURE Himalaya – Global Environment Facility (GEF) , United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) funded the project on conservation of high altitude biodiversity and reducing the dependency of local communities on the natural ecosystem.

International Conservation Efforts

• SNOW LEOPARD ECOSYSTEM PROTECTION PROGRAM – It seeks to address high-mountain development issues using the conservation of the endangered snow leopard as a flagship program.
• Bishkek Declaration – In 2013, the 12 snow leopard range countries signed and agreed to secure at least 20 snow leopard landscapes across by 2020 
• International Year of the Snow Leopard – Year ‘2015’ was designated as International Year of the Snow Leopard 

Recent Census – 

• The exercise reported 718 snow leopards in India
• It was conducted from 2019 to 2023.
• Conducted by – The program was conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) with the help of all snow leopard range states and two conservation partners – the Nature Conservation Foundation, Mysuru (Karnataka), and WWF (World Wildlife Fund)-India. 
• Based on data analysis, the estimated population of 718 snow leopards in different states/UTs are as follows – Ladakh (477), Uttarakhand (124), Himachal Pradesh (51), Arunachal Pradesh (36), Sikkim (21), and J & K (9).

Wild Water Buffalo (Bubalus Arnee)

• It is also called Asiatic buffalo.
• It is a large bovine native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
• Habitat: The wild water buffalo occurs in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Thailand, and Cambodia. 
• Indian distribution – Kaziranga, Manas and Dibru-Saikhowa National Parks, Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary and Bura Chapori Wildlife Sanctuary and in a few scattered pockets in Assam,
• IUCN status: Endangered.

Indian rhinoceros (Greater One-Horned Rhino)

• Scientific name – Rhinocerotidae
• Habitats – Rhinos’ habitats include tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas and shrublands, tropical moist forests, deserts and shrublands.
• In India, it is found in Assam – Kaziranga National Park, Manas National Park, Pobitora Reserve Forest, Orang National Park, and Laokhowa Reserve Forest.
• Three species of rhino – There are three species of rhino in Asia — Greater one-horned, Javan, and Sumatran.
• Rhino range countries – India, Nepal, Bhutan, Indonesia, and Malaysia. These countries are also known as Asian Rhino Range Countries.
• Great one-horned rhino –  The Indian state of Assam is home to the largest population of greater-one horned rhinos, with more than 90% in Kaziranga National Park.
• World Rhino Day – It is celebrated on September 22nd of every year.

Conservation status 

• IUCN – Vulnerable
• Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 – Schedule I

River Dolphins

• India is home to two species of freshwater dolphins: Ganges (Platanista gangetica) and Indus (Platanista minor).

Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista Gangetica)

Characteristics

• Functionally blind; relies on echolocation for hunting.

• Known as Susu due to the sound it makes while breathing.

• Exclusively freshwater species, inhabiting Ganga and Brahmaputra river basins in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
• Threats: Habitat destruction, pollution and hunting. 

conservation Status

• Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I
• CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species): Appendix I
• CMS (Convention on Migratory Species): Appendix I
• IUCN Red List: Endangered

National & State Recognition

• Declared India’s National Aquatic Animal in 2009.

• Recognized as the State Aquatic Animal of Assam.

Indus River Dolphin (Platanista minor)

Characteristics:

• Functionally blind, navigates using echolocation.

• Locally called Bhulan in the region.

• Found mainly in the Indus River System (Pakistan) with a small population in India’s Beas River.
• Threats: Habitat fragmentation, Restricted range, leading to population isolation.

Conservation Status:

• • Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I
  • CITES: Appendix I
  • IUCN Red List: Endangered.

• State Recognition:Declared the State Aquatic Animal of Punjab.

Do You Know?

• • One more species of Dolphin i.e. Irrawaddy dolphin found in India in Chilika Lake (Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon) in Odisha.
  • Unlike the other two species, Irrawaddy dolphins are not blind and have a bulbous head with no beak.

• IUCN Red List Conservation status: Critically Endangered.

Brow-antlered deer

• The Sangai, also known as the Manipur brow-antlered deer.
• It is a deer species found exclusively in Manipur, within the Keibul Lamjao National Park, India. 
• It serves as the official state animal of Manipur and is famously nicknamed the “dancing deer” due to its unique, delicate gait over its marshy habitat.

India-Australia Relations

International

News – 

• The Indian Prime Minister participated in the 3rd India-Australia Annual Summit in Melbourne.

Outcomes

• India-Australia Civil Nuclear Agreement: Operationalises Civil Nuclear Agreement signed in 2014, enabling supply of uranium from Australia for peaceful purposes under IAEA safeguards.
• Australia-India Partnership for Cyber, Critical Technologies, Supply Chains (PACTS): Builds on 2020 Framework Arrangement on Cyber and Cyber Enabled Critical Technology Cooperation.

India-Australia Relations

• • Strategic: Upgraded bilateral relationship from ‘Strategic Partnership’ in 2009 to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) in 2020.
  • Civil Nuclear Cooperation: Australian Parliament passed Civil Nuclear Transfer to India Bill 2016 allowing Uranium mining companies to supply Australian uranium to India for civil use.
  • Economic Cooperation: India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (Ind-Aus ECTA) was signed in 2022, Negotiations are underway for Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA).
  • Bilateral Trade: Stood at USD 24.1 billion in 2024-25.
  • Exports From India: India is Australia’s fifth largest trading partner; 4th largest source of refined petroleum.
  • Multilateral Cooperation: Quad partnership; cooperation under Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), etc.

• Military Exercises: AUSINDEX, AUSTRAHIND, MALABAR exercises, etc.

Additional Information – International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

• • It was established in 1957 as the world’s “Atoms for Peace” organisation within the UN.
  • It serves as the UN’s nuclear watchdog, promoting peaceful atomic energy use while verifying safeguards against proliferation.
  • Headquartered in Vienna, the body got the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize for non-proliferation efforts.
• The IAEA has 178 member states, India being one of the founding members of it.

Super Typhoon Bavi

Geography

News- 

• Super Typhoon Bavi affected the U.S. territories of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, as well as Ryukyu Islands of Japan and China, in the western North Pacific Ocean.

Typhoon Bavi 

• It was the 3rd tropical cyclone in 2026
• Origin: Western North Pacific Ocean.
• Typhoon Bavi is named by Vietnam.
• Intensity: Peak sustained winds of 290 km/h (Category 5) 
• Impact Areas: Guam, Rota, Philippines, Japan, Taiwan, and Southeastern China Climate Driver: Fueled by a strong El Niño phase causing warmer ocean waters.

Tropical Cyclones (Connect with the basics – Cyclone)

• • They are violent storms that originate over oceans in tropical areas and move over to the coastal areas bringing about large-scale destruction caused by violent winds, very heavy rainfall and storm surges.
  • Wind Direction – The winds blow counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.
  • Different Names –  Tropical Cyclones are known by different names in different regions

• Cyclones in the Indian Ocean

• Hurricanes in Atlantic

• Typhoons in the Western Pacific & South China Sea

• Willy-Willies in Western Australia.

• Conditions – The conditions favorable for the formation and intensification of tropical cyclones are:
  • Large sea surface with a temperature higher than 27°C.
  • Presence of Coriolis force.
  • Small variations in the vertical wind speed.
  • A pre-existing weak-low-pressure area or low-level-cyclonic circulation.
  • Upper divergence above the sea level system.

Global Passport Index 2026

Report

News- 

• The sixth annual Global Passport Index released by Global Citizen Solutions (GCS).

Objective- 

• It assesses passports of 197 countries across three weighted pillars – Enhanced Mobility (50%), Investment (25%), and Quality of Living (25%), using 14 different indicators.

Key Findings

• Nine of the world’s top 10 strongest passports belong to European countries. Sweden ranks first, followed by Switzerland and Finland.
• India ranks 125th, slipping one place from 124th in the previous edition.
• Indian passport holders currently enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 26 destinations.

Astra Mk 1 Missiles

Science & Technology

News- 

• India and Indonesia signed a deal for the export of Astra Mk 1, marking India’s first-ever export of the Astra missile family.

Astra Mk 1

• Developed by – Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
• Type – It is a family of indigenous Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missiles (BVRAAMs)  that will be integrated with the Air Force and the Navy.
• Range – 20 nautical miles, or 37 km.

Astra Variants:

• Astra Mk 1: It has a range of 80 to 110 km, an altitude capability of up to 20 km, and a speed of Mach 4.5. It is integrated with the Su-30 MKI and planned for the Tejas Mk 1A and Rafale jets.
• Astra Mk 2: Advanced variant with enhanced range of 200 km.
• Astra Mk 3 (Gandiva): India’s most advanced BVRAAM, potential range exceeding 350 km.

Uttarakhand Declared “Fully Literate” State

Government Schemes

News – 

• Uttarakhand became India’s sixth fully literate state under the ULLAS initiative, crossing a literacy rate of 98%.

About – 

• Ladakh (2024) was the first UT to achieve full functional literacy.
• Mizoram (2025) was the first fully literate state, followed by Goa, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh, and Sikkim.
• A state or UT is declared fully literate on reaching at least 95% literacy among those aged 15 and above.

ULLAS

• Full form – Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society 

• Financing – It is a centrally sponsored scheme 

• Launched by – Ministry of Education (2022–2027) 
• Objective – to educate adults aged 15+ who missed formal schooling.
• It aligns with NEP 2020 and is based on the spirit of Kartavya Bodh (sense of duty) and Jan Jan Saakshar Bharat (Every Citizen Literate).
• Key pillars: Foundational literacy, life skills, education, vocational skills, and continuing learning.

Global Status Report on Cancer 2026

Report

News- 

• WHO and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) jointly released the Global Status Report on Cancer 2026, alongside the first-ever global survey of people affected by cancer.

Key Findings of the Report

• Cancer ranks as the second-leading cause of death globally after cardiovascular disease, claiming over 26,000 lives daily, with 20.6 million new cases and ~10 million deaths recorded in 2024.
• Lung cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed and deadliest global malignancy, followed by breast and colorectal cancers.

Prambanan Temple complex

History and Culture

Context

• PM Modi visited the majestic Prambanan Temple complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Yogyakarta, Indonesia,

Prambanan Temple Complex

• Timeline: Built 9th century CE (c. 856 CE) during the Sanjaya Dynasty (Mataram Kingdom).
• Patronage: Commissioned by King Rakai Pikatan.
• Motive: Hindu response to Buddhist Borobudur, marking a Shaivite revival in Central Java.
• Decline: Abandoned in 10th century due to power shifts and Mount Merapi eruptions.

Architecture & Religion

• • Layout: Three concentric squares mapping Hindu cosmology (Bhurloka, Bhuvarloka, Svarloka).
  • Trimurti: Main soaring towers for Shiva (47m), Brahma, and Vishnu.
  • Vahanas: Facing temples for Nandi (bull), Hamsa (swan), and Garuda (eagle).
  • Deities: Shiva temple houses Shiva, Ganesha, Agastya, and Durga (Roro Jonggrang).
  • Reliefs: Walls depict narrative panels of the Ramayana and Bhagavata Purana.
• UNESCO: Inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1991.

Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) 2025-26

Governance

Context

• The Union Ministry of Education released a Report on Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) 2025-26 on School Education in India.

Major Highlights

• Coverage: 14.67 lakh schools, 1.02 crore teachers, 24.72 crore students.
• Nodal Body: Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education.

Structural Shift: 

• NEP 2020 FrameworkThe 2025-26 report drops the traditional 10+2 system. 
• It marks the first time data is entirely structured around the NEP 5+3+3+4 framework

1. Foundational Stage (5 yrs): 22% of total enrolment.
2. Preparatory Stage (3 yrs): 25% of total enrolment.
3. Middle Stage (3 yrs): 26% of total enrolment.
4. Secondary Stage (4 yrs): 27% of total enrolment.

Enrolment & Retention

• Secondary GER: Rose to 71.7% (up from 68.5%).
• Dropouts: Fell to 1.8% at preparatory and 7.0% at secondary levels.
• Retention: Reached 83.7% (middle) and 51.9% (secondary).
• Migration: Government schools lost 86 lakh students; private schools gained 88 lakh.

Teaching Workforce

• Volume: Crossed 1.02 crore teachers (8.3% increase since 2022-23).
• Gender: Women comprise 54.9% of the workforce.

White Gut Disease

Health & Society

Context

• The Fisheries department sounded an alarm about the outbreak of White Gut Disease (WDG), also known as White Feces Disease (WFD), in shrimp ponds in West Godavari district.

White Gut Disease

• It is a disease affecting farmed shrimp, particularly Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei), which is widely cultivated in India.
• Symptoms: It is characterized by the appearance of floating white fecal strings in shrimp ponds and discoloration of the shrimp intestine.
• Causes: It is not caused by a single pathogen but is considered a multifactorial disease, resulting from interactions among pathogens, poor water quality, environmental stress, and management practices.
• Microsporidian parasite: Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP) (commonly associated).
• Bacterial infections: Mainly Vibrio species.
• Poor pond hygiene and accumulation of organic waste.
• Deterioration in water quality (high ammonia, nitrite, low dissolved oxygen).

Zebra Finches

Environment

Context

• An American scientist, Dr Julie Elie at the University of California has won the the Coller Dolittle Challenge award for her work on how zebra finches communicate with each other.

Zebra Finches

• Scientific Name: Taeniopygia guttata.
• Family: Estrildidae (Waxbills and Grass Finches).
• Habitat: Grasslands, scrublands, and areas near water sources.
• The Zebra Finch is a small, colorful songbird native to Australia.
• They can also be found natively in parts of Indonesia and East Timor.
• It is one of the most widely studied bird species in the world because of its simple care requirements, social behavior, and vocal learning abilities.
• IUCN Status: Least Concern (LC).

Israel-Palestine Two-State Solution

International Relations

News – 

• During his visit to Indonesia, PM Modi reaffirmed India’s support for a negotiated two-state solution, envisaging a sovereign, independent Palestine coexisting peacefully with Israel.

Two-State Solution

• Two-state solution is a proposed diplomatic framework to establish two independent, sovereign states: Israel for the Jewish people and Palestine for the Palestinian people.
• Proposed Territory: The Palestinian state would encompass the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, based on the 1949 Armistice Lines (Green Line), with mutually agreed land swaps.
• East Jerusalem, site of the Temple Mount (holiest in Judaism) and Haram al-Sharif (third holiest in Islam), is claimed by Palestine as its future capital.
• Palestinian Demands: Fully independent state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its sovereign capital and the Right of Return for refugees displaced in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.
• Israeli Demands: Demilitarisation of any Palestinian state, Jerusalem as its undivided and permanent capital, rejection of the Right of Return, and land swaps to annex major settlement blocs in the West Bank.

Historical Background

• UN Partition Plan (1947): Recommended dividing British-mandated Palestine into separate Arab and Jewish states, but the Arab side rejected the proposal.
• UNSC Resolution 242 (1967): Established the land-for-peace principle, calling for Israel’s withdrawal from territories occupied during the Six-Day War.
• Oslo Accords (1993): Established the Palestinian Authority as an interim self-governing body in the West Bank and Gaza, but left final-status issues unresolved.
• Arab Peace Initiative (2002): Offered Israel full normalisation with Arab states in exchange for a complete withdrawal from occupied territories and an independent Palestinian state.

International Standing

• Oslo II Accord (1995): West Bank is divided into three zones: Area A (18%, under Palestinian control), Area B (22%, under shared control), and Area C (60%, under Israeli control).
• UNSC Resolutions: Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem are declared illegal under the Fourth Geneva Convention by UNSC Resolutions 446 and 465.

Performance Grading Index 2.0

Governence

News – 

• The Union Ministry of Education released the Performance Grading Index 2.0 for States/UTs 2025-26.

Key Findings

• All States and UTs scored over 50% in their assessments, but none achieved the top ‘Utkarsh’ grade.
• Top Performers: Chandigarh became the first territory to reach the ‘Uttam-3’ performance band. Punjab, Kerala, Delhi, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu secured 2nd spot within the Prachesta-1 band.
• Lowest Performer: Meghalaya remained the lowest performer but made progress over the past year.

PGI 2.0

• Developed by – Department of School Education and Literacy
• Objective – It is an evidence-based framework to assess the school education system. 
• It aligns with NEP 2020 and SDG 4 on quality education.
• It uses data from UDISE+, PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan, PM POSHAN, and the PRABANDH portal.
• Grading Categories: Consist of 10 classification levels, ranging from Utkarsh (highest, for scores >90%) to Akanshi-3 (lowest, for scores up to 10%).

World Investment Report 2026

Economy

News – 

• The UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) released the World Investment Report (WIR) 2026, titled “International Investment in a Turbulent Era.”

World Investment Report 2026

• It is UNCTAD’s annual flagship publication, published since 1991
• It provides a comprehensive assessment of global FDI trends, investment policies, multinational enterprises, and emerging investment issues.

Key Findings

• Global FDI Showed Resilience In 2025: Flows rose by 6% to $1.6 trillion. Europe attracted most of the increase in global foreign investment.
• FDI Inflow : The U.S. retained its position as the largest recipient of FDI. Other major recipients included Singapore, Hong Kong (China) and China.
• FDI Outflow: The US was the largest source of FDI, followed by Japan and China. The top five source economies accounted for almost half of global outflows.

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 

• • It is a permanent intergovernmental body established by the UN General Assembly in 1964. 

• Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland

• It acts as the UN’s key entity for trade, finance, technology, and investment in developing nations.

Guwahati Declaration

International Relations

News – 

• The BRICS nations adopted the Guwahati Declaration, at the conclusion of the BRICS Heads of Anti-Drug Agencies meeting held in Guwahati, Assam.
• The meeting was hosted by India’s Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) under India’s 2026 BRICS Chairship, guided by the theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability“.

Key Highlights of Declaration

• It reaffirms the commitment of BRICS nations to strengthen cooperation in preventing and combating illicit drug trafficking and related transnational organised crime.
• It calls for timely exchange of information, intelligence, and best practices among member countries, consistent with national laws and international obligations.
• Technology: It emphasises the use of innovative technologies, digital tools, AI, and data-driven approaches to strengthen law enforcement and regulatory mechanisms against drug trafficking.

Additional Information – Efforts by India to combat drug menace

• Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act 1985: Central law criminalizing drug trafficking while mandating treatment for addicts.
• Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) & Anti-Narcotics Task Forces (ANTF) : The Narcotics Control Bureau coordinates national enforcement, aided by state-level Anti-Narcotics Task Forces.
• Narco-Coordination Centre  – A four-tier coordination system unifying central and state intelligence agencies.

Supply & Intelligence Control

• Geopolitical Challenge: Securing borders against the Golden Crescent (West) and Golden Triangle (East).
• Seizure Information Management System (SIMS) and the NIDAAN platform: Integrated digital portals used for real-time tracking of drug seizures and offenders.
• Darknet Monitoring: Special task forces targeting cryptocurrency-funded drug sales on the dark web.

Demand Reduction & Rehab

• National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction: National action plan funding awareness, counseling, and hospital-based Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs).
• Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan: A massive, community-led awareness campaign targeting youth in high-risk districts.

Indira Point

Geography

Context

• The Environment Ministry is seeking approval for protection and development work at Indira Point.

Indira Point

• Indira Point is India’s southernmost point of territory, located on Great Nicobar Island (Andaman and Nicobar Islands). 
• Formerly called Pygmalion Point, it was renamed in 1985. 
• It is strategically situated near the Six Degree Channel and Indonesia.
• It is crucial for maritime security but experienced severe land subsidence during the 2004 Tsunami.

Geographic & Strategic 

• Location: Lies in the Nicobar district at 6°45′ N latitude and 93°49′ E longitude.
• Proximity: It is located only about 145-163 km from Indonesia’s Rondo Island (Sumatra).
• Mainland vs. Territory: It is the southernmost point of the Indian Union. 
• In contrast, Kanyakumari is the southernmost point of the Indian mainland.
• Ecological Importance: Situated south of Galathea Bay, the region is a globally recognized nesting site for Leatherback Sea Turtles and houses the endemic Nicobar megapode.

Additional Information – The Great Nicobar Island (GNI) Project 

• It is conceived by NITI Aayog and launched in 2021.
• It is a ₹72,000–₹81,000 crore mega-infrastructure initiative. 

• It is aimed at transforming India’s southernmost island into a major strategic  and economic hub. 
• Significance – The project is a centerpiece of India’s Maritime Vision 2030 and Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.

Indiahandmade

Polity

Context

• Indiahandmade is a dedicated digital marketplace that brings India’s handloom and handicraft traditions into the online economy.

Indiahandmade 

• It was launched in 2023
• Objective – to strengthen the visibility of handmade products and open wider market opportunities for sellers.
• Developed By: Digital India Corporation under the Ministry of Textiles.

Salient Features: 

• • Specialised Online Marketplace: It enables weavers and artisans to sell their handloom and handicraft products online.
  • Direct Buyer Access: Artisans and weavers are directly connected with buyers, helping reduce intermediaries and support fair compensation.
  • Digital Empowerment: Artisans and weavers are provided with digital tools and visibility to participate more effectively in online commerce.
  • It offers a wide range of products, including apparel, home décor, furnishings, paintings, furniture, religious items, stationery, musical instruments, jewellery, bags and footwear.
• It also highlights special product categories such as GI-tagged and ODOP products.

Vikram-1

Science and Technology

Context

• Skyroot Aerospace has announced that Vikram-1, will carry six payloads during Mission Aagaman.

Vikram-1

• Vikram-1 is a four-stage orbital launch vehicle developed by Skyroot Aerospace, an Indian space-tech start-up.
• It is India’s first privately developed orbital-class rocket. 
• Vikram-I can deploy up to 350 kg into low Earth orbit (LEO) and 260 kg into a sun-synchronous orbit (SSO).
• Mission Aagaman is the first orbital test flight of the Vikram-1 rocket, making it India’s first private orbital launch. 
• Developed by Skyroot Aerospace, it is scheduled to launch from Sriharikota between July 12 and August 4, 2026.

Oldest Quasars Found

Science & technology

Context

• The Euclid space telescope has spotted the oldest quasars ever discovered, deepening a cosmic mystery that has been puzzling scientists.

About

• A quasar (short for Quasi-Stellar Radio Source) is an extremely active and luminous type of Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN). 
• It is not a star, but the glowing, energetic core of a distant galaxy powered by a supermassive black hole

Additional Information – Quasars vs. Blazars

Both are sub-classes of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs) powered by supermassive black holes, but they differ in how we observe them from Earth

INS Mahendragiri

Defence

Context

• The Indian Navy is set to commission INS Mahendragiri (F38), the sixth indigenous stealth frigate under Project 17A, at Visakhapatnam.

About

• It is named after the majestic Mahendragiri mountain range in the Eastern Ghats.
• The stealth frigate was designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, Mumbai.
• The frigate is equipped with an advanced suite of indigenous and state-of-the-art weapons and sensors, including surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missile systems, sophisticated electronic warfare capabilities, comprehensive anti-submarine warfare systems, and an integrated Combat Management System.

Additional Information – Project 17A (P-17A)

• Objective: To build seven advanced stealth guided-missile frigates for the Indian Navy.
• Key Manufacturers: The project is split between Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai (4 ships) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata (3 ships).
• Design: Designed in-house by the Warship Design Bureau (WDB).
• Indigenization: Approximately 75% of the content is indigenous, involving over 200 MSMEs, aligning with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-reliant India) initiative.

List of Seven Frigates

1. INS Nilgiri – Commissioned Jan 2025
2. INS Himgiri – Commissioned Aug 2025
3. INS Udaygiri – Commissioned Aug 2025
4. INS Taragiri – Commissioned April 2026
5. INS Dunagiri – Delivered March/April 2026
6. INS Vindhyagiri – Under sea trials/outfitting
7. INS Mahendragiri – Under construction/outfitting

India-Indonesia Relations

International Relations

News – 

• The Prime Minister of India undertook a State Visit to Indonesia from 6-8 July 2026.

Outcomes of the visit

• Defence: Elevation of defence cooperation through cooperation on BrahMos Missile System, and Astra Air-to-Air Missile.
• Culture: Inauguration of India-supported project towards restoration and conservation of UNESCO World Heritage Prambanan Temple Compounds by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
• Prambanan Temple Compounds, located in Yogyakarta on Indonesia’s Java Island, is the country’s largest Hindu temple complex dating 9th century AD, dedicated to Hindu Trinity – Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma.
• Commemorate 2026–2027 as “Tagore–Dewantara Year of India–Indonesia Cultural and Educational Diplomacy” marking centenary of Rabindranath Tagore’s visit to Indonesia in 1927.
• Setting up of Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore branch campus at Singhasari SEZ, Indonesia

India-Indonesia Relations

• Background: 2024 marked 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations. Signed Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2018.
• Bilateral Trade: Indonesia is the second largest trading partner of India in the ASEAN region.
• Defence: Participate in several exercises like 

• IND-INDO CORPAT, 

1. Multilateral Naval Exercises – Komodo and Milan, 
2. Bilateral Army Exercise – Garuda Shakti, 
3. Bilateral Naval Exercise – Samudra Shakti,Ex Elang Shakti, Ex Super Garuda Shield 2025, etc.

Natural History Museum (NHM) at Mizoram : 21st Designated Repository

Environment

News – 

• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) notified the Natural History Museum (NHM) at Mizoram University, Aizawl, as India’s 21st Designated Repository.

Natural History Museum (NHM)

• It is located in the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot.
• It specialises in lesser-studied taxa (like pteridophytes and macrofungi), and documents rare endemic species from Northeast India.

Designated Repository

• It is notified under Section 39 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002,
• It is a scientific institution authorised to receive, preserve, and maintain biological specimens in safe custody.
• MoEFCC notifies these repositories in consultation with the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA).

Kamarajar Port

Economy

News – 

• Kamarajar Port became the second Major Port of India, after Visakhapatnam Port, to offer a draft capability of 18 metres.

Kamarajar Port

• It is a deep-water port with cargo carrying capacity of up to 1,70,000 deadweight tonnage (DWT).
• Formerly Known as Ennore Port
• Major Ports: There are 14 major ports (12 Operational) under administrative control of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

Additional Information – India has 14 major ports, out of which 12 are fully operational.

Western Coast (6 Operational Ports)

1. Deendayal Port (Kandla) Gujarat
2. Mumbai Port, Maharashtra
3. Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA/Nhava Sheva), Maharashtra
4. Mormugao Port, Goa 
5. New Mangalore Port, Karnataka
6. Cochin Port, Kerala

Eastern Coast (6 Operational Ports)

1. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (Kolkata/Haldia), West Bengal
2. Paradip Port, Odisha 
3. Visakhapatnam Port, Andhra Pradesh
4. Kamarajar Port (Ennore), Tamil Nadu
5. Chennai Port, Tamil Nadu
6. V.O. Chidambaranar Port (Tuticorin), Tamil Nadu

Non-Operational / Under-Development (2 Ports)

1. Vadhvan Port: An upcoming mega satellite port located in Palghar, Maharashtra.
2. Galathea Bay Port: An international transshipment port being developed at Great Nicobar Island.

Akash Tarang

Science & Technology

Context 

• The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved the procurement of Akash Tarang

Akash Tarang

• It is an indigenous Anti-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Electronic Warfare System, designed to provide effective protection against hostile drones.
• Akash Tarang neutralises drones by targeting their radio frequencies. 
• The platform works by detecting, tracking, and jamming the essential control signals of invading drones.
• Akash Tarang functions as a key digital pillar in India’s broader “Sudarshan Chakra”.

Additional Information – Mission Sudarshan Chakra.

• During Operation Sindoor, India faced drone and missile threats from Pakistan.
• To strengthen national security, the Sudarshan Chakra missile shield—planned for 2035 under Make in India.
• Mandate – It aims to integrate advanced defensive systems like Iron Dome, Iron Beam, Arrow, David’s Sling, along with existing S-400, Barak, and Akash systems, covering India’s borders and coastline.

Sudarshan Chakra

• It is a multi-layered, home-grown air defence initiative. 
• It is  named after Lord Krishna’s divine disc, designed to protect key sites from missiles, rockets, drones, and swarms.
• It combines long-range systems like S-400 and Project Kusha, medium-range MRSAM/Barak-8, short-range Iron Dome, and future laser-based weapons like Iron Beam and DURGA-II for cost-effective drone and low-altitude threat interception.