‘We Rise (Women Entrepreneurs Reimagining Inclusive and Sustainable Enterprises) initiative was launched recently.
We Rise Initiatives
Objective –to empower women entrepreneurs to expand globally through trade facilitation, mentorship, and strategic partnerships.
Launched by – by NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) under its Award to Reward (ATR) initiative
Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP)
Launched in NITI Aayog in 2018
It serves as a national aggregator to strengthen India’s women entrepreneurship
Award to Reward (ATR) initiative
It was launched in 2023
Objective – to institutionalize WEP’s partnership framework by bringing together ecosystem stakeholders to address specific needs of women entrepreneurs while celebrating their success stories.
UPOV Convention
Syllabus: GS2/IR
Context
A new report by GRAIN warns of growing corporate control over seeds via free trade agreements.
Powerful economies — including the US, EU, Japan and the UAE — are pushing harsh IP rules on plant varieties.
Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) Convention 1991
Mandate – It is an international treaty that provides a framework for intellectual property rights for plant breeders.
Adoption and Enforcement- The 1991 Act, which entered into force in 1998
Significance – It strengthens breeders’ rights compared to earlier versions of the convention and has significant implications for farmers and the seed industry.
Rotavirus Vaccine Effective Against Gastroenteritis in Children
Syllabus: GS2/ Health
Context
According to a recent study India’s indigenous rotavirus vaccine, Rotavac, has significantly reduced rotavirus-related gastroenteritis cases among children since its introduction in the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP).
Rotavac
Introduction: India introduced Rotavac, an indigenous oral rotavirus vaccine, in 2016 under the Universal Immunisation Programme, administered at 6, 10, and 14 weeks of age.
Rotavirus
Responsible pathogen – A highly contagious, double-stranded RNA virus from the Reoviridae family.
Target population: Primarily affects infants and young children under the age of five. Adults can also be infected, but symptoms are typically mild.
Symptoms: Fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and severe, watery diarrhea. The biggest concern is severe dehydration, which can be life-threatening if untreated.
Transmission: Occurs primarily through the fecal-oral route—by contact with contaminated hands, surfaces, or objects. It can also spread through contaminated food and water.
State Mining Readiness Index
Syllabus: GS3/ Economy
Context
The Ministry of Mines has released the State Mining Readiness Index (SMRI) and corresponding State rankings.
State Mining Readiness Index (SMRI)
Mandate – This index is designed to benchmark State performance in facilitating and reforming the mining sector.
The index aims to promote transparency, efficiency, and sustainable mining by encouraging competition among States.
Indicators-
Auction performance,
Early mine operationalization,
Thrust on exploration
Sustainable mining pertaining
Non-coal minerals.
Categorisation of States
States have been divided into three categories based on their mineral endowment;
The top three ranked States in Category A (Mineral-rich States): Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
The top three ranked States in Category B (Moderately endowed States): Uttar Pradesh, and Assam.
The top three ranked States in Category C (Lesser-endowed States): Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Tripura.
State of Finance for Forests (SFF) Report
Syllabus :GS3/Environment
In News
The first State of Finance for Forests (SFF) report was recently released by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
State of Finance for Forests (SFF)
It provides a global overview of public and private forest finance in 2023,
It compares current flows with the investments needed to realize forests’ potential to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation.
Key Findings
In 2023, global forest finance stood at US$84 billion, far below the US$300 billion needed annually by 2030 and US$498 billion by 2050, leaving a US$216 billion yearly gap.
REDD+ Programme
Syllabus: GS3/Environment
Context
According to a study, only a small number of tropical forests have achieved significant cuts in deforestation, with just 19% meeting their reported targets.
These offset projects are a part of the REDD+ programme.
REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation Plus)
It is a climate change initiative under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
It offers financial incentives for developing countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.
The “plus” in REDD+ includes additional activities like the conservation and sustainable management of forests and the enhancement of forest carbon stocks.
The goal is to provide a financial value for forests that encourages developing countries to protect them
BrahMos
Syllabus: GS3/Defence
Context
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath flagged off the first batch of BrahMos missiles manufactured at the BrahMos Aerospace unit in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
BrahMos Missile
Joint Venture: Between DRDO (India) and NPO Mashinostroyeniya (Russia).
Name Origin: Derived from the Brahmaputra (India) and Moskva (Russia)
First Test: Conducted on June 12, 2
Type: “Fire and forget” supersonic cruise missile — can be launched from land, sea, or air in all-weather conditions, and is nearly impossible to intercept.
Combat Use:Reportedly used for the first time during Operation Sindoor.
Speed:
Current: Mach 2.8 (Supersonic)
Future: Mach 5+ (Hypersonic version under development)
Range:
Initially 290 km (under MTCR limit)
Extended to 400 km, with a 600+ km variant under development.
Additional information – Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)
Objective – The Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) is a group of 35 member states that seeks to limit the proliferation of missiles and missile technology.
Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, launched the Logistics Excellence, Advancement, and Performance Shield (LEAPS) 2025.
LEAPS 2025
Launched by – It is a flagship initiative of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Purpose: To benchmark and recognize excellence in the logistics sector, promoting efficiency, sustainability, innovation, and technology adoption.
Alignment: Supports National Logistics Policy (2022), PM GatiShakti, and initiatives like Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Objectives:
Promote best practices in logistics operations.
Encourage ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) compliance and green logistics.
Foster collaboration between government, industry, and academia.
Rhodamine B
Syllabus: GS3/ Science & Technoly
In Context
Scientists at the Raman Research Institute (RRI) in India have developed an effective and sensitive method to detect toxic molecules like Rhodamine B.
Rhodamine B
Rhodamine B is a water-soluble synthetic dye known for its bright pink fluorescent color.
Rhodamine B is toxic and has carcinogenic potential; it can cause damage to skin, eyes, and the respiratory system.
Seals and Birds Under Threat in IUCN’s New Red List
Syllabus: GS3/ Environment
Context
Arctic seals and global bird populations are facing severe threats from climate change and human activities. It is highlighted in the latest IUCN Red List of Threatened Species released at the World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi.
Key Findings of the Report
Status of Arctic Seals: The IUCN Red List now includes 172,620 species, of which 48,646 are threatened with extinction.
The hooded seal has been moved from Vulnerable to Endangered status.
Bearded and harp seals are now classified as Near Threatened.
Status of global bird populations: 61% of bird species are experiencing population decline, up from 44% in 2016.
Out of 11,185 bird species, 1,256 (11.5%) are globally threatened.
The green sea turtle has been downlisted from endangered to least concern after its population rose by 28% since the 1970s.
International Union of Conservation of Nature
Establishment– 1948.
Set up in – Gland, Switzerland.
Objective – To promote international cooperation and to provide scientific knowledge and tools to aid conservation action.
IUCN Red List – It established the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in 1964.
IUCN Red List
It is a list compiled by the IUCN, which contains the world’s most comprehensive information on the conservation status of plants, animals, and fungus species.
Species in the IUCN Red List – There are 143000 species on the Red List.
India’s membership in IUCN – India became a member in 1969
The IUCN classification – The IUCN classification of species is based on their extinction/conservation status.
They are as follows
Extinct (EX)
Extinct in the Wild (EW)
Critically Endangered (CR)
Endangered (EN), Vulnerable (VU)
Near Threatened (NT)
Least Concern (LC)
Snow Leopards
Syllabus: GS3/Species in News
In News
The snow leopard, known as the elusive “ghost of the mountains”, has the lowest genetic diversity among big cats, even lower than the critically endangered cheetah.
More about the news
A Stanford University study, using whole-genome sequencing of 37 snow leopards, concluded that this low diversity is likely due to a persistently small population over evolutionary history rather than recent inbreeding.
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
Project Snow Leopard (PSL)
Launched in – 2009
Objective – To promote an inclusive and participatory approach to conserve snow leopards and their habitat.
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.
Snow Leopard conservation breeding programme – It is undertaken at Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Darjeeling, West Bengal.
HimalSanrakshak – It is a community volunteer programme, to protect snow leopards, launched on 23rd October 2020.
First National Protocol – was also launched In 2019.
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).
Horticultural scientist G. Karunakaran, who is credited with popularising dragon fruit cultivation and identifying the Siddu jackfruit variety, was conferred the Dr. Kalayya Krishnamurthy National Award 2024 by the University of Agricultural Sciences -Bengaluru (UAS-B)
State to appoint three Information Commissioners soon
News –
The State government has reportedly finalised the names of three candidates for filling vacancies in the Karnataka Information Commission.
Former IAS officer Richard Vincent D’Souza,
Journalist Venkat Singh, and
Former journalist Mahesh Valvekar.
Karnataka information commission
Established under – It is an autonomous statutory body established under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005.
It comprises one State Chief Information Commissioner (SCIC) and up to 10 State Information Commissioners (SIC) who are appointed by the Governor.
Objective – to hear appeals and complaints regarding information requested from various government entities in Karnataka.
Powers and Functions
The KIC’s powers include receiving and investigating complaints about denied RTI requests, ordering public authorities to provide information, and exercising powers similar to a civil court.
The commission can also recommend disciplinary action against Public Information Officers who obstruct access to information
Recently, the Supreme Court of India issued notices to various stakeholders calling for urgent directions to reinforce the aging structure of the 130-year-old Mullaperiyar dam.
Mullaperiyar Dam
It is a gravity dam built on the Periyar River in the Idukki district of Kerala that was constructed between 1887 and 1895.
The dam is operated and maintained by Tamil Nadu, under a 999-year lease agreement signed in 1886 between the Maharaja of Travancore and the British government.
It diverts water to the Vaigai basin in Tamil Nadu for irrigation across 68,558 hectares.
India’s Dam Landscape – According to the National Register of Large Dams (NRLD) maintained by the Central Water Commission (CWC)
India ranks third globally — after China and the United States — in the number of large dams, with over 6,000 operational dams.
Functions of Dams – irrigation (supporting agriculture across vast regions); hydropower generation; flood control; and drinking water supply.
There are concrete gravity dams (e.g., Bhakra Dam), earthen dams (e.g., Banasura Sagar Dam), rock-fill dams, and arch dams (rare in India), based on topography, geology, and hydrological needs.
Legal and Institutional Framework
Dam Safety Act, 2021: Enacted to ensure surveillance, inspection, operation, and maintenance of dams. It mandates:
National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA): It coordinates dam safety efforts across states.
Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP): It was launched by the CWC with World Bank support. It focuses on rehabilitation of aging dams; improved safety monitoring; and capacity building for dam operators and engineers;
PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana
Syllabus: GS3/Environment
Context
A report on the performance of PM Surya Ghar Yojana has been jointly published by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) and JMK Research & Analytics.
PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana
Launched in – 2024
Ministry: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
Objective: Installing rooftop solar (RTS) & providing free electricity for up to 300 monthly units for 1 Crore households.
Uniqueness – It is the world’s largest domestic rooftop solar initiative, transforming India’s energy landscape
Subsidy: The scheme offers a subsidy of up to 40% to households.
PM-Surya-Ghar-Muft-Bijli-Yojana-eligibility– Model Solar Village:
An allocation of ₹800 crore has been designated for this component, with ₹1 crore provided to each selected Model Solar Village.
To qualify as a candidate village, it must be a revenue village with a population of over 5,000 (or 2,000 in special category states).
This initiative aims to promote solar energy adoption and empower village communities to achieve energy self-reliance.
UNESCO’s new Virtual Museum of Stolen Cultural Objects
Syllabus: GS1/Culture
News
UNESCO officially launched the Virtual Museum of Stolen Cultural Objects at MONDIACULT 2025.
UNESCO’s new Virtual Museum of Stolen Cultural Objects
It offers a globally accessible digital platform to raise awareness about stolen heritage.
It currently showcases around 240 missing objects from 46 countries, with the goal of gradually “emptying itself” as items are recovered and returned to their countries of origin.
It is financially supported by Saudi Arabia and implemented with INTERPOL.
Delhi Declaration on 6G
Syllabus: GS3/Science and Technology
In News
Recently, the leading global 6G research alliance including Bharat 6G, 6G-IA, ATIS’ Next G Alliance issued a Joint Declaration to develop 6G as a global public good at the International Bharat6G Symposium 2025 in New Delhi.
Delhi Declaration on 6G
The declaration endorsed key principles to ensure that 6G networks are trusted, secure, resilient, open, inclusive, affordable, and sustainable.
6G (sixth-generation wireless)
6G (sixth-generation wireless) is the next-generation cellular technology following 5G
It is expected to offer numerous advantages including significantly higher data speeds, drastically reduced latency, and the integration of communication and sensing capabilities within the network.
The IUCN World Heritage Outlook 4 revealed a worrying global environmental trend that climate change has emerged as the greatest threat to natural World Heritage sites.
Key Points
The report finds that 43% of sites face severe climate threats, while invasive alien species affect 30%, and wildlife and plant diseases are rising sharply, now impacting 9% of sites, up from just 2% in 2020.
Note – Khangchendzonga National Park is the only site rated “Good” in conservation outlook.
Sundarbans National Park has deteriorated from “Good with Some Concerns” (2020) to “Significant Concern” (2025) due to sea-level rise, salinity, and cyclones.
Manas National Park is in significant Concern category persists due to poaching and encroachment.
Additional information – Khangchendzonga National Park (KNP)
World Heritage Site: Declared a UNESCO mixed World Heritage Site in 2016, meaning it has both natural and cultural significance.
It was also designated as part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2018.
Location: Situated in the eastern Himalayas on the border of Sikkim state and eastern Nepa
Geography and ecosystem:
Encompasses diverse landscapes from plains and valleys to mountains, glaciers, and forests.
Home to the world’s third-highest peak, Mt. Khangchendzonga.
It contains the 26 km long Zemu Glacier.
Recognized for the widest and most extensive zone of krummholz (stunted forest) in the Himalayan region.
Biodiversity:
Flora: Includes a vast number of medicinal plants, orchids, rhododendrons, and a significant portion of India’s flowering plants.
Fauna: A haven for a wide variety of species, including:
Mammals: Snow leopard, red panda, Himalayan black bear, musk deer, golden cat, clouded leopard, and Tibetan wolf.
Birds: Over 300 bird species, including the blood pheasant (Sikkim’s state bird), Himalayan monal, and satyr tragopan.
Others: Reptiles, amphibians, and various insects.
Exercise AUSTRAHIND 2025
Syllabus: GS3/Defence
In News
The 4th edition of Exercise AUSTRAHIND 2025 began in Australia.
AUSTRAHIND 2025
Launched in-2022
It is an annual bilateral military exercise, held alternately in India and Australia.
Kenton R. Miller Award
Syllabus: Miscellaneous
Context
Dr Sonali Ghosh, Field Director of Kaziranga National Park became the first Indian to receive the prestigious WCPA-Kenton Miller Award at the IUCN World Conservation Congress held in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Kenton R. Miller Award
Established in – 2006
Awarding organisation – It is presented every two years by the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA).
Note – WCPA is one of the six technical commissions of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Objective – The award honors individuals who demonstrate innovation and leadership in conserving national parks and protected areas, particularly in ensuring their long-term sustainability.
Named after – Dr. Kenton R. Miller, a former IUCN Director General and a prominent global leader in protected area management.
Abel Prize 2025
Syllabus: Miscellaneous
Context
Japanese mathematician Masaki Kashiwara was awarded the Abel Prize 2025 for contributions to algebraic analysis and representation theory.
Contributions of Masaki Kashiwara
He pioneered the theory of D-modules, an algebraic framework to study systems of linear partial differential equations (PDEs).
His work on sheaf theory, deepened understanding of how local analytical data connects to global geometric structure.
Abel Prize
It is an international award recognizing outstanding scientific work in mathematics, often considered the equivalent of a Nobel Prize for mathematicians.
Named after – 19th-century Norwegian mathematician Niels Henrik Abel.
Awarded by: The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters on behalf of the Government of Norway.
It can be awarded to mathematicians of any age and nationality.
Notable Laureates
Jean-Pierre Serre: First laureate (2003) for contributions in algebraic geometry and topology.
Srinivasa S. R. Varadhan: Indian-origin mathematician, won in 2007.
Michel Talagrand (France) For contributions to probability theory and functional analysis won in 2024.
Civil Registration System (CRS) 2023 Report
Syllabus: GS1 / Society and GS2 / Governance
Context
The Registrar General of India (RGI) released the “Vital Statistics of India Based on the Civil Registration System (CRS)”,
Key Findings of the CRS 2023 Report
Births Registered: 2.52 crore births were registered in 2023
Deaths Registered: 86.6 lakh deaths were registered in 2023
Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB):is the number of female births per 1,000 male births
Highest SRB: Arunachal Pradesh (1,085), Nagaland (1,007), Goa (973), Tripura (972), and Kerala (967).
Additional Information – Civil Registration System (CRS)
It is a unified process for the continuous, permanent, and compulsory recording of vital events such as births, deaths, and stillbirths.
It does not include registration of marriages or divorces.
The system operates under the Registration of Births and Deaths (RBD) Act, 1969, which mandates compulsory reporting of all births and deaths.
Nobel Prize 2025 Winners List
Context
The 2025 Nobel Prizes in six categories —Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, Peace, and Economic Sciences —were awarded.
Nobel Prize
It is a set of prestigious international awards given annually for outstanding achievements.
Recipients of the prize are called
It was established by the will of Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel (the inventor of dynamite).
The first Nobel Prizes were awarded in 1901, and they have been awarded annually since then. They were not awarded during World War I (1914–1918) and II (1939–1945).
It is formally presented on December 10, the anniversary of Nobel’s death in 1896.
Given in 6 fields:Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, Peace, and Economic Sciences.
Prize in Economic Sciences was introduced in 1968 by Sveriges Riksbank (Swedish central bank)
A Nobel Prize can be shared by up to three individual In the case of the peace prize, it can also be awarded to an organisation.
To become a Nobel Prize laureate one must be nominated for a prize by an eligible nominator. Self-nomination is not allowed.
The Nobel Prize cannot be awarded posthumously. However, since 1974, if the recipient dies after the prize has been announced, they can still be awarded it
Note
First Indian Nobel Laureate was Rabindranath Tagore, for Literature (1913).
The first Indian woman Nobel Laureate was Mother Teresa, for Peace (1979).
Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2025
Awarded by – Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
Awardees – Susumu Kitagawa (Japan), Richard Robson (Australia), and Omar M. Yaghi (USA)
Achievement – for their groundbreaking development of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs).
Additional Information – Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs)
They are crystalline, porous materials made of metal ions as “nodes” connected by organic molecules called “linkers.”
Functionality: Their lattice structure creates large cavities that can store substances, catalyse reactions, or conduct electricity.
Nobel Prize in Physics 2025
Awarded by – Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
Awardees – John Clarke (UK), Michel Devoret (France), and John Martinis (USA)
Achievement – for the discovery of macroscopic quantum mechanical tunnelling and energy quantisation in an electric circuit.
Their discovery confirmed that quantum phenomena, once thought limited to subatomic particles, can also manifest in macroscopic systems, expanding the boundaries of quantum mechanics.
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2025
Awarded by – Nobel Assembly at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, for outstanding contributions to medical research.
Awardees –
Shimon Sakaguchi (Japan) received the award for discovering regulatory T-cells.
Mary E. Brunkow and Fred Ramsdell (USA) were honoured for identifying the Foxp3 gene, which controls immune regulation.
Significance of the discovery – groundbreaking discoveries concerning peripheral immune tolerance that prevents the immune system from harming the body.
Did you know?
● First Laureate: In 1901, Emil von Behring received it for developing serum therapy to treat diphtheria.
● Indian–Origin Laureate: In 1968, Har Gobind Khorana became the first Indian winner for decoding the genetic code guiding protein synthesis.
Nobel Prize in Economics 2025
Awarded by – Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
Awardees – Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion and Peter Howitt “
Achievement – for having explained innovation-driven economic growth”.
The official name for the Nobel Prize in Economics is the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel.
It was established in 1968 by Sweden’s central bank (Sveriges Riksbank) in memory of Alfred Nobel, and first awarded in 1969.
Nobel Prize in Literature 2025
Awarded by – Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
Awardee – to Hungarian novelist and screenwriter László Krasznahorkai.
He is known for distinct long sentences that can span dozens of pages, his acclaimed works include Satantango (1985) and The Melancholy of Resistance (1989).
Nobel Peace Prize 2025
Awarded by – Norwegian Nobel Committee
Awardee – to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado.
Achievement – She was honoured for promoting democratic rights and advocating a peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy in Venezuela.
Political Role: Machado, the leader of the Vente Venezuela party, has mobilised civic movements demanding judicial independence, electoral transparency, and human rights protection.
Karnataka Cabinet’s landmark decision to approve the Karnataka Menstrual Leave Policy-2025 that will ensure one day’s paid leave in a month across government and private sectors.
Note – Karnataka becomes the first State to cover both the government and private sectors in its menstrual leave policy.
Odisha and Bihar have a policy for government employees while Kerala has implemented the policy in universities.
Karnataka Menstrual Leave Policy-2025
Women in the state of Karnataka will be entitled to up to 12 menstrual leaves annually.
This development marks a significant step in recognising menstrual health at a workplace and rights issue.
The Dr. Sapna S committee was appointed by the Karnataka government to study and recommend menstrual leave policy
Significance – It aims to create a more inclusive and stigma-free workplace and is considered a landmark decision in India, as it covers both government and private sectors comprehensively.
Farmers in Himachal Pradesh are increasingly adopting natural farming, supported by the State’s flagship Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojana (PK3Y), which promotes chemical-free agriculture.
Natural Farming
It is a chemical free farming, involving livestock (preferably local breed of cow) integrated natural farming methods and diversified crop systems rooted in the Indian traditional knowledge.
It is largely based on on-farm biomass recycling with major stress on biomass mulching, use of on-farm cow dung-urine formulations; maintaining soil aeration and exclusion of all synthetic chemical inputs.
Additional Information- National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF)
Launched in – November 2024
It is a centrally sponsored Scheme
Objective – to promote chemical-free, ecosystem-based natural farming rooted in traditional knowledge.
Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana and Self-Reliance in Pulses Mission
Syllabus: GS3/ Agriculture
Context
PM Modi launched two new agriculture schemes, the PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) and the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses, at a special Krishi programme in New Delhi.
Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana
Launched in – The scheme will be launched in partnership with states.
Key Focus Areas:
Enhancing agricultural productivity.
Promoting crop diversification and sustainable practices.
Expanding post-harvest storage at Panchayat and Block levels.
Improving irrigation facilities.
Facilitating long-term and short-term credit access.
Building Rural Prosperity and Resilience Program
Purpose: launched in partnership with states to address under-employment in agriculture.
Key Focus Areas: Skilling, investment, and technology to invigorate rural economy.Modernizing agriculture with improved productivity and warehousing.
Target Beneficiaries: Rural women, young farmers, marginal & small farmers and landless families.
Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses
The Mission was launched for 2025–26 to 2030–31 with a budgetary allocation of ₹11,440 crore.
Objective – It aims to make India self-sufficient in pulses production, reducing dependence on imports in light of rising domestic demand.
It aims to ensure 100 percent procurement of Tur, Urad, and Masoor at MSP for four years.
Additional Information- Pulses Production and Consumption in India
Global Leader: India is the largest global producer (25%), consumer (27%), & importer (14%) of pulses.
Seasonal Production: Pulses are grown in Kharif and Rabi seasons
Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan are the top three pulses producing states in the country.
Government Initiatives for Achieving Self-Sufficiency in Pulse Production
National Food Security Mission (NFSM-Pulses): Boosts area, production, and productivity through HYV seeds, improved agronomy, and demonstrations.
Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Pulses: Regularly revised MSPs (E.g., Tur ₹7000/qtl in 2023-24) ensure price security and encourage pulse cultivation.
Seed Hub Program by ICAR-IIPR: Expands availability of certified, short-duration, and high-yielding pulse seeds at the grassroots level.
PM-AASHA Scheme: Ensures MSP realisation via Price Deficiency Payment (PDP) and targeted procurement by private and public agencies.
Climate-Resilient Varieties Development (ICAR): Develops varieties resistant to drought, pests, and diseases suited to changing climates.
e-NAM Integration for Pulses: Enhances market access, reduces middlemen, and enables transparent price discovery through online pulse trading.
Durand Line
Syllabus: GS1/Geography; GS2/IR
News –
Border clashes erupted between Afghanistan and Pakistan along the Durand Line.
Durand Line
It is a 2,640 km land border established in 1893 following an agreement between Sir Mortimer Durand, then Foreign Secretary of British India, and Amir Abdur Rahman Khan, the ruler of Afghanistan.
The line was intended to define the spheres of influence between British India and Afghanistan, effectively splitting ethnic Pashtun and Baloch communities between the two sides.
Thalassemia
Syllabus: GS2/Health
News
Thalassemia patients in Kerala are facing serious health risks due to a shortage of leukocyte filter sets and iron chelation drugs.
Thalassemia
Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder (passed from parents to children through genes) where the body cannot produce enough hemoglobin (it is the protein in red blood cells (RBCs) that carries oxygen).
Symptoms –Anemia, weak bones, delayed or slow growth, Iron overload (due to frequent transfusions), poor appetite, enlarged spleen or liver, and pale skin.
Note – India is known as the thalassemia capital of the world, with over 1,00,000 patients dying before the age of 20 due to lack of access to treatment.
In India, thalassemia, along with two other blood disorders (Hemophilia and Sickle Cell disease) are recognised under Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, of 2016.
Every year, World Thalassemia Day is observed on May 8 to raise awareness among the public and policymakers.
Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana (TBSY)
Launched by – Union Health Ministry, in partnership with Coal India Limited
Objective – to Rs. 10 lakh financial aid to eligible patients for bone marrow transplants (BMT) at 17 empanelled hospitals nationwide,
Maitri II: India’s New Frontier in Antarctica
Syllabus: GS3/ Science & Technology
Context
The Ministry of Finance has approved the establishment of Maitri II, India’s upcoming research station in eastern Antarctica, to be completed by January 2029.
India’s Antarctic Presence
In 1983, India established the first permanent base in Antarctica named Dakshin Gangotri. However it is no longer in operation.
India presently has two research stations at Antarctica namely ‘Maitri’ and ‘Bharati’.
Maitri II
Nodal Agency: National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa.
Estimated Cost: ₹2,000 crore over seven years.
Location: Eastern Antarctica, near the Schirmacher Oasis, replacing the aging Maitri station.
Green Research Base: Designed to operate on renewable energy sources, solar during summer and wind energy year-round, reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
Additional Information – Antartica
Antarctica is the world’s southernmost and fifth largest continent.
Uniqueness – It is also the world’s highest, driest, windiest, coldest, and iciest continent.
The continent is divided into East Antarctica (Greater Antarctica) and West Antarctica (Lesser Antarctica). They are separated by Transantarctic Mountains.
East Antarctica is composed of older, igneous and metamorphic rocks whereas West Antarctica, is made up of younger, volcanic and sedimentary rock.
West Antarctica, is part of the “Ring of Fire,” a tectonically active area around the Pacific Ocean.
Mount Erebus, located on Antarctica’s Ross Island, is the southernmost active volcano on Earth.
Longest River: Onyx
Largest Lake: Vostok
Conservation efforts to protect Antartica
Antarctica treaty
The Treaty covers the area south of 60°S latitude.
It was signed at Washington D.C. in 1959 with the objective of the Demilitarisation of Antarctica.
The signatories are supposed to bring laws so that no activity in contravention of the treaty takes place.
India signed the treaty in 1983.
The Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR):
Signed in – Canberra in 1980
Objective – to protect and preserve the Antarctic environment and, particularly, for the preservation and conservation of marine living resources in Antarctica.
India ratified the CCAMLR in 1985.
The Protocol on the Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (Madrid Protocol)
Signed in – Madrid in 1991.
Objective – It aims to strengthen the Antarctic Treaty system and develop a comprehensive regime for the protection of the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated ecosystems.
India ratified the Madrid Protocol in 1998.
Council of Managers of the National Antarctic Programme (COMNAP)
India is also a member of the COMNAP which shows the significant position that India holds among the nations involved in Antarctic research.
Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022
Objective: To demilitarize Antarctica; use of Antarctica for peaceful purposes; promote international scientific cooperation in Antarctica.
Prohibited activities: The Bill prohibits certain activities in Antarctica including:
Nuclear explosion or disposal of radioactive wastes
Discharge of garbage, plastic or other substances into the sea which is harmful to the marine environment.
International Blue Flag Certification
Syllabus: GS3/ Environment
In News
Five beaches in Maharashtra have received the international Blue Flag certification.
The list includes Shrivardhan and Nagaon beaches, Parnaka, and Guhagar and Ladghar beaches.
Blue Flag Certification
Objective – ‘Blue Flag’ is a certification that can be obtained by a beach, marine, or sustainable boating tourism operator, and serves as an eco-label.
Awarded by – The certification is awarded by the Denmark-based non-profit Foundation for Environmental Education.
Parameters – The certification is accorded based on four major parameters:
Environmental education and information
Bathing water quality
Safety and services at the beaches
Environment management and conservation
Indian Sites under Blue Flag
There are now a total of 10 sites under Blue Flag Certification.
