During a Ministry of Education review of the PM-POSHAN scheme, a significant drop in government school enrolment for 2024-25 was revealed in 23 States and UTs.
This decline is substantial, with major states like Uttar Pradesh (21.83 lakh), Bihar, Rajasthan, and West Bengal seeing large drops (over 1 lakh in several cases), continuing a trend of overall school enrolment decline noted earlier.
Reasons cited for the drop include a change in data collection methodology from total numbers per school to detailed student-wise reporting (with Aadhaar), which likely removed ‘ghost’ students and false entries through a data cleaning process.
Another reason suggested is a post-Covid shift of students from government to private schools, reversing trends seen during the pandemic.
The enrolment drop affects the PM-POSHAN scheme’s reach, with low meal coverage flagged in some states (e.g., Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal), meaning fewer eligible students are receiving the midday meals.
The Ministry of Education expressed deep concern over the trend, asking states to investigate the specific reasons for the decline and report findings, and also to improve meal coverage where it is low.
Chancellor
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on May 20, 2025.
PM Modi congratulated Friedrich Merz on recently assuming office as German Chancellor.
They discussed regional and global developments, emphasizing a shared commitment to combating terrorism.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the India-Germany Strategic Partnership in areas like trade, investment, defence, and technology.
PM Modi extended an invitation for Chancellor Merz to visit India.
Context: The German Chancellor is not directly elected by citizens but by the Bundestag (Federal Parliament) upon nomination by the President.
A-to-I Editing
Researchers from China highlighted A-to-I mRNA editing in the wheat pathogen Fusarium graminearum, revealing its complex biological role.
A-to-I mRNA editing is a process where adenosine (A) in mRNA is converted to inosine (I) by ADAR enzymes, which is news because its widespread persistence, especially in evolution, is a biological puzzle.
This editing can alter the resulting protein because ribosomes read inosine as guanine (G), changing the amino acid sequence coded by the mRNA. This is significant as it adds a layer of complexity to gene expression beyond just the DNA sequence.
The study in F. graminearum found A-to-I editing is essential during the fungus’s sexual stage, particularly for specific ‘PSC’ genes, providing a clue to why this editing persists despite being more complex than a simple DNA change.
confer stress resistance in the vegetative stage, explaining why the original ‘A’ is maintained in the DNA rather than being permanently changed to a ‘G’, as the edited form is needed only in specific life stages.
RNA editing offers potential advantages over DNA editing for therapeutic use (though the news is about a pathogen) because the changes are temporary and rely on naturally occurring enzymes, potentially making it safer for repeated treatments and those with immune sensitivities.
Despite findings, the widespread existence and precise reasons for A-to-I editing across many sites (like the 26,000+ found in the fungus) remain largely unknown, highlighting it as a significant ongoing question in biology.
Suez Waterway
Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, triggered by the Gaza conflict, drastically disrupted shipping traffic through the Suez Canal.
Why: The attacks made the Red Sea route unsafe, causing ships linked to Israel or allies to be targeted.
Egypt’s Suez Canal Authority offered discounts on transit fees.
Why: To incentivize cargo ships to return and boost revenue, which significantly dropped as vessels rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope.
Major shipping lines diverted vessels around Africa via the Cape of Good Hope.
Why: To avoid the security risks in the Red Sea and ensure the safety of ships and crew.
The crisis led to a collapse in Canal revenue and daily transit volume, while increasing shipping costs and freight rates globally.
Why: The longer Cape route added transit time (10-14 days), fuel costs, and war risk insurance premiums for the Red Sea, making it more expensive or unviable.
Despite discounts and reports of a potential truce, shipping companies remain hesitant to return to the Suez Canal fully.
Why: Safety concerns persist as Houthi attacks haven’t ceased entirely, and shippers have adjusted to the Cape route, often passing increased costs to consumers and maintaining profitability.
Online Zero FIR
Launched as a pilot in Delhi under the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) to improve efficiency in investigating cyber financial frauds, supporting the vision of a Cyber Secure Bharat and nabbing criminals faster.
e-Zero FIR is the electronic version of Zero FIR, allowing complaints to be filed regardless of jurisdiction, enabled by Section 173 of BNSS, improving speed and overcoming geographical barriers.
Cyber financial fraud complaints above Rs 10 lakh, filed via National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) or Helpline 1930, are automatically converted into Zero FIRs at Delhi’s e-Crime Police Station. This speeds up the initial registration process, addressing difficulties victims face in filing FIRs quickly and enabling easy restoration of lost money.
The initiative integrates I4C’s NCRP, Delhi Police’s e-FIR, and NCRB’s CCTNS into a unified system to streamline reporting, investigation, and tracking of cybercrimes.
Complainants must visit the concerned police station within 3 days to convert the e-Zero FIR into a regular FIR for full investigation and facilitate punitive action against criminals.
Leverages provisions of the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) for electronic filing and transfer of cases.
Will be extended nationwide after the pilot phase to bolster the cybersecurity grid.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D deficiency is a widespread “silent epidemic” in India, affecting people across all age groups and professions, including children and adults.
This deficiency can lead to severe health issues like rickets in children and osteoporosis (weak, brittle bones) in adults, impacting health and potentially reducing national productivity and increasing healthcare costs.
Vitamin D is crucial because it helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorus, essential for strong bones and teeth. Without enough Vitamin D, bones can become weak, thin, or misshapen.
Besides bone health, Vitamin D plays roles in reducing inflammation, cell growth, immune function, muscle function, and metabolism, highlighting its broad importance for overall health.
Vitamin D is naturally produced when skin is exposed to sunlight (UV rays), stored in fat, and released later; it’s also found in few foods like fatty fish, liver, mushrooms, eggs, and fish oils, and added to fortified foods like milk and cereal.
Deficiency can cause bone diseases, muscle weakness, cramps, fatigue, and depression; it’s more common in people with darker skin or those who cover their skin extensively.
Getting sufficient Vitamin D involves a combination of sunlight exposure, diet, and potentially supplements to prevent and treat deficiency.
Jayant Narlikar
Eminent astrophysicist, science communicator, and Padma Vibhushan awardee Dr. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar passed away in Pune on May 20, 2025, at the age of 87. This is key news because he was a towering figure in Indian science with global recognition.
He was a distinguished theoretical cosmologist best known for co-developing the Hoyle–Narlikar theory of gravity. This is significant as it was an alternative to Einstein’s general relativity and championed the steady-state theory of the universe, challenging the widely accepted Big Bang model and stimulating scientific debate.
He played a crucial role in establishing premier research institutions in India, notably founding and directing the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) in Pune (1988-2003), which gained worldwide reputation. He also led the Theoretical Astrophysics Group at TIFR (1972-1989), enhancing its international standing.
He was a passionate science communicator, authoring numerous popular science books, articles, and appearing on radio/TV. This is why he was known for making complex scientific ideas accessible to the public, a role recognised by the UNESCO Kalinga Award in 1996.
He received several prestigious awards for his contributions, including Padma Bhushan (1965), Padma Vibhushan (2004), Maharashtra Bhushan (2011), and the Sahitya Akademi award for his Marathi autobiography (2014), highlighting his impact across science and literature.
He was a Fellow of major science academies, underscoring his high regard in the scientific community.
Irula Tribe
Point: Irula families in Tamil Nadu’s Kunnapattu face eviction and denial of rights.
Why in news: They have lived on the land for generations, but nearly half remain without legal ownership or recognition, leading to their current plight.
Point: The Irula are one of India’s oldest indigenous communities and Tamil Nadu’s second largest Adivasi community.
Why in news: This provides context about the historical significance and size of the community facing land rights issues.
Point: They are classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in Tamil Nadu.
Why in news: This status underscores their vulnerability and the critical need to protect their rights, which are currently being denied in Kunnapattu.
Point: The community is renowned for its legendary knowledge of snakes and their skills contribute significantly to India’s anti-snake venom production via a cooperative.
Why in news: This highlights the community’s unique value and contribution, making their potential displacement and denial of rights a matter of broader concern beyond just land ownership.
Jarosite
Recent study by Indian researchers explores Jarosite as a potential “natural clock” on Mars.
Jarosite is a yellow-brown mineral containing potassium, iron, and sulphate, commonly found in arid, saline environments and on Mars.
Discovered on Mars by the Opportunity rover, indicating past acidic, water-based conditions.
Researchers used samples from Kachchh, Gujarat, an arid, saline region similar to Mars, as an analog site.
The study used luminescence dating: measuring light emitted by the mineral from energy stored from natural radiation over time.
Lab tests showed Jarosite emits distinct light signals even after being heated up to 450°C, suggesting it can survive heating by rover drills.
The mineral’s radiation saturation level indicates it can potentially date events that occurred within the last ~25,000 years on Mars.
As Jarosite is common and tough on Mars and its luminescence can be read by rover equipment, it could be used to date geological events like dust storms or ancient flood deposits.
State Law Review 2024
India’s state legislative assemblies function with alarmingly low productivity, averaging only 20 sitting days in 2024, down from 28 in 2017. This low number of days undermines democratic deliberation and oversight of the executive.
8 state assemblies currently lack a Deputy Speaker, despite a constitutional mandate (Article 178), indicating a lapse in institutional structure.
Over 51% of bills were passed on the same day they were introduced, often without debate. This rushed law-making weakens deliberative democracy and results in poor quality legislation lacking depth, foresight, and public engagement.
Most bills are passed without referral to committees for expert input or stakeholder consultation, leading to hastily drafted laws vulnerable to legal and implementation challenges.
Focus areas of legislation included education, finance, and local governance; notable laws included Uttarakhand’s Uniform Civil Code and Maharashtra’s Maratha reservation.
Delays in Governor’s assent and over-reliance on ordinances circumvent legislative scrutiny and raise concerns about arbitrary governance.
Low productivity means delayed reforms in key areas like education and health, overlooking local aspirations.
Stop Online Abuse
Recent high-profile cases, like the severe trolling of a terror attack victim and the Foreign Secretary, reveal India’s growing crisis of online abuse and the need for stronger regulation.
Online abuse encompasses various harmful behaviors like cyberbullying, trolling, and doxxing (sharing private info without consent). India reports the highest cyberbullying rate globally, showing the scale of the problem.
Existing legal provisions under BNS, IT Act, and DPDP Act address some related issues (identity theft, obscenity, data protection) but lack a dedicated, comprehensive framework for tackling sustained online hate speech and trolling.
Key challenges include the absence of a specific law, inadequate content moderation by social media platforms, ambiguity in defining “publicly available data” (which can enable doxxing), and weak enforcement where victims often face disbelief.
Judicial decisions recognize privacy as a fundamental right and the risks posed by doxxing, while also emphasizing the need to protect free speech (like striking down Section 66A of the IT Act).
Effective solutions require legal reforms (a dedicated law for specific online abuses), strengthening enforcement through specialized cyber cells, leveraging technology for detection, increasing public awareness, and holding platforms accountable with better moderation policies.
Ultimately, stopping online abuse requires a balanced approach combining strong laws, better enforcement, tech solutions, platform responsibility, and societal change to protect victims while upholding free speech principles.
Presumption of Constitutionality
The Doctrine of Presumption of Constitutionality is a principle that laws enacted by the legislature are presumed to be constitutional until proven otherwise.
This doctrine is fundamental to Indian law, rooted in respect for the separation of powers and legislative authority.
The burden of proving a law unconstitutional lies on the challenger.
The Supreme Court has consistently upheld this doctrine, emphasizing courts should try to uphold statutes’ constitutionality unless there’s a clear breach.
It promotes respect for the legislative process, legal stability, predictability, and prevents undue judicial interference.
In recent news, the Supreme Court mentioned this doctrine regarding the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, stating parliamentary statutes enjoy this presumption.
Petitioners are challenging the Waqf Act, terming it a “creeping acquisition” of properties and arguing the presumption can be rebutted by showing a prima facie breach or irreparable injury.
Petitioners contend the Waqf Act amendments violate minority rights (Article 25, 26) and secularism, citing discriminatory clauses, issues with property inquiry, invalidation of unregistered waqfs, and conditions on creating a waqf.
They argue specific sections (like 3C, 3D, 3E, 3(r)) are problematic and expropriatory, challenging the Act’s constitutionality despite the general presumption.
The Chief Justice indicated the petitioners need to make a strong case for interim relief given the presumption in favour of the parliamentary law.
Webb Keck Titan
NASA scientists observed Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, in November 2022 and July 2023 using the James Webb Space Telescope and Keck Observatory.
These observations found clouds in Titan’s mid- and high northern latitudes that rose to higher altitudes over time.
Why: This indicates convection-driven weather patterns and is the first confirmed evidence of convective cloud activity in Titan’s northern hemisphere, where most large hydrocarbon seas are located.
Why: The findings provide new insights into Titan’s active methane cycle, analogous to Earth’s water cycle.
scientists comprehend prebiotic chemistry and climate dynamics on icy moons with thick atmospheres and provides insight into non-Earth-like habitability.
Olive Ridley Ops
Indian Coast Guard’s ‘Operation Olivia’ is an annual mission (Nov-May) protecting Olive Ridley turtles nesting along Odisha’s coast, particularly Gahirmatha and Rushikulya river mouth. This is important as it targets vital nesting grounds for a vulnerable species.
Recently, it helped protect a record over 6.98 lakh turtles nesting at the Rushikulya river mouth in February 2025, highlighting the significant positive impact of the operation on turtle conservation.
The operation uses round-the-clock patrols, aerial surveillance, and detects illegal fishing (detaining boats) to ensure safe nesting environments. These actions are crucial for reducing direct threats like net entanglement and habitat disruption.
ICG also collaborates with local communities by promoting Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) and partnering with NGOs. This broader approach fosters sustainable practices essential for the long-term protection of marine life.
Protecting Olive Ridley turtles is key because they are listed as vulnerable by the IUCN and their conservation is vital for maintaining marine biodiversity along India’s eastern coast.
PBAT Biodegradable
Tripura’s Kamalpur Nagar Panchayat introduced compostable bags made from PBAT plastic as a sustainable alternative to single-use plastic (SUP).
This initiative under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban aims to tackle plastic waste and promote plastic-free alternatives in urban areas.
PBAT is a biodegradable and compostable polymer that decomposes into water, COâ‚‚, and biomass within 180 days under industrial composting conditions, offering an eco-friendly end-of-life compared to conventional plastics.
Certified for meeting compostability and biodegradability standards, PBAT bags are presented as a practical and affordable solution (approx. ₹145/kg wholesale) to reduce plastic pollution.
PBAT behaves like traditional plastic, being flexible and tough, making it suitable for bags and packaging, facilitating its adoption as a direct substitute.
The move highlights a specific, tangible action by a local body to adopt sustainable materials and support responsible waste management and a circular economy.
Shirui Lily Fest
The Shirui Lily Festival is being held after a two-year pause caused by ethnic violence in Manipur, marking its return as a test of peace in the conflict-scarred state.
The festival celebrates the rare and endangered Shirui Lily, found only in the Shirui Hills of Manipur, aiming to promote its conservation and ecological awareness.
A controversy arose when security personnel at a checkpoint allegedly instructed media covering the festival to hide ‘Manipur State Transport’ on their bus, which was seen by some as questioning the state’s authority.
This checkpoint incident led to media protest, including returning from the venue and announcing a ‘pen down strike’ and boycott of state government news.
Tensions were further highlighted by a case against a Kuki student leader for allegedly asking Meiteis not to cross the ‘buffer zone’ towards the festival venue in the Tangkhul Naga-dominated Ukhrul district.
Suggi Migration
Suggi is seasonal migration primarily in summer from Rayalaseema, Andhra Pradesh. Why: It is a response to severe summer distress caused by drought and lack of local livelihood options.
Agriculture is rain-fed, failing during summer due to lack of water for a second crop. Why: This makes land unproductive and removes the primary source of income for villagers.
Tanks, ponds, and borewells dry up in summer, leading to acute water shortages for both irrigation and drinking. Why: This makes living conditions extremely difficult, forcing people to seek water or move elsewhere.
Lack of non-farm jobs and low wages/delayed payments from MGNREGA (Rs 307/day) compared to higher migrant wages (Rs 800-1000/day for jobs like chilli harvesting). Why: Economic necessity and better earning potential make migration a more viable option despite hardships.
Suggi leads to children and elderly being left behind in villages. Why: Able-bodied family members must migrate for work, causing social strain, loneliness, and care burdens.
Villages reflect a cycle of drought, underdevelopment, and poverty. Why: These systemic issues underpin the need for seasonal migration as a coping mechanism.
Proposed solution is irrigation infrastructure, specifically a weir to divert Krishna river water. Why: Ensuring reliable water supply is seen as crucial to breaking dependence on monsoon, enabling year-round agriculture, creating local jobs, and ending the cycle of distress migration.
