Nafithromycin launch is India’s first new antibiotic in over 30 years, a key step but highlighting the severe gap in antibiotic R&D why? Pharma prioritizes more profitable drugs.
AMR makes infections untreatable why? Microbes evolve resistance, leading to treatment failure and death, as tragically seen in Viswanathan’s case.
AMR caused 1.27 million deaths globally in 2019, 297,000 in India why? Standard antibiotics no longer work effectively.
Leading causes include overuse of antibiotics in humans (even for viral infections) why? Drives resistance development.
Inadequate healthcare infrastructure (lack of diagnostics, poor hygiene) why? Forces empirical prescribing and spreads resistant bacteria in hospitals.
Massive unregulated use in livestock and agriculture (for growth promotion) why? Spreads resistance genes through food and environment.
Environmental factors like pharmaceutical discharge and poor waste management why? Create resistance hotspots.
Consequences include making common infections and medical procedures (like surgery) life-threatening why? Without effective antibiotics, risk is too high.
Significant economic cost why? Increased healthcare spending and GDP losses due to longer illnesses and deaths.
Threat to food security why? Resistant pathogens affect animals and crops.
India’s efforts include the National Action Plan, surveillance networks (NARS-Net), regulation (banning FDCs, restricting H1 drugs, Kerala’s OTC ban), hospital stewardship, R&D support, and awareness campaigns (Red Line) why? To monitor, control usage, encourage innovation, and educate the public.
Further measures needed involve strengthening regulations, incentivizing domestic R&D, expanding diagnostics and stewardship, increasing public awareness, and adopting a One Health approach why? A multi-faceted, sustained strategy is essential for effective long-term control.
Dugong Day
World Dugong Day on May 28 brought attention to India’s critically low dugong population, estimated at only around 200 individuals.
This dwindling number makes their conservation a pressing national priority in India.
Dugongs, or “sea cows,” are the only herbivorous marine mammals in Indian waters, depending entirely on vulnerable seagrass meadows for food and habitat.
Their slow reproductive rate (maturing late and infrequent calving) severely limits their ability to recover from population declines.
Major threats include habitat loss from coastal development and pollution, accidental entanglement in fishing nets, climate change impacts on seagrass, and illegal hunting.
Dugongs are legally protected in India under Schedule 1 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, and globally under IUCN (Vulnerable) and CITES (Appendix I).
India has taken steps like becoming a CMS signatory and establishing the first Dugong Conservation Reserve in Palk Bay (2022) to protect them and their habitats.
Effective conservation requires protecting and restoring seagrass, regulating harmful fishing, increasing research, and involving local communities.
Kanchenjunga
Sikkim Chief Minister urged the Central government to ensure Mt. Khangchendzonga is made out of bounds for mountaineers.
Why in news: A recent ascent from the Nepal side reportedly hurt the religious sentiments of Sikkim’s indigenous communities.
Why in news: The mountain is regarded as sacred and a guardian deity by the people of Sikkim, and scaling it is seen as a violation of their deep-held beliefs.
Why in news: Climbing is already banned on the Sikkim side (since 1998/2001), and there’s local sentiment against compromising its sanctity for adventure.
Mt. Khangchendzonga is the world’s third-highest and India’s highest peak, located on the Sikkim-Nepal border.
It holds profound spiritual significance as the abode of guardian deities and is known as “Five Treasuries of the Great Snow.”
Ghaggar
Tragic drowning incident occurred near Panchkula, resulting in the deaths of two teenagers. This is key because it is the main news driving attention to the river currently.
The Ghaggar River is an intermittent river that flows only during the monsoon season. This is important context as it highlights its seasonal nature, impacting flow and conditions.
It originates from the Shivalik Range in Himachal Pradesh. This defines its source.
The river flows through parts of Haryana and disappears into the Thar Desert in Rajasthan. This outlines its geographical course.
It feeds two irrigation canals in Rajasthan. This shows its practical use despite being seasonal.
The Ghaggar is considered the continuation of the Hakra River in Pakistan, together known as the Ghaggar-Hakra River. This explains its cross-border connection and common historical name.
Historically, it is identified by some with the Vedic Saraswati River and has numerous Indus Valley Civilization sites along its banks. This gives it significant historical and archaeological importance.
Main tributaries include Kaushalya, Markanda, Sarsuti, Tangri, and Chautang. This lists the smaller rivers contributing to it.
Dugong
May 28th is World Dugong Day, raising awareness for this unique marine mammal.
Dugongs are the only herbivorous marine mammals in India, crucial for grazing on seagrass beds.
Found in warm Indian waters like Gulf of Mannar, Palk Bay, Gulf of Kutch, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands, their distribution is restricted by seagrass availability.
Highly dependent on shallow seagrass beds for food and habitat, making them vulnerable to habitat degradation.
They have a very slow reproductive rate (late maturity, infrequent calving, low population growth) which makes them highly susceptible to population decline.
Listed as ‘Vulnerable’ globally (IUCN) and ‘Regionally Endangered’ in India, with rapidly declining numbers (estimated ~200 in India), receiving highest legal protection under Schedule I.
Major threats include extensive loss and degradation of seagrass habitats
due to pollution, coastal development, unsustainable fishing practices, and climate change.
Accidental entanglement in fishing nets (like gillnets and trawls), boat collisions, and illegal hunting are significant causes of death.
India established its first Dugong Conservation Reserve in Palk Bay, Tamil Nadu in 2022 to protect a key remaining stronghold and its seagrass habitat.
Their shy nature leads to lack of awareness, hindering conservation, requiring increased research, community involvement, and regulation of harmful activities.
Arrest Warrant
Supreme Court Clarification: When an arrest is made with a warrant, a separate communication of arrest grounds is not required because the warrant itself serves as the grounds. The warrant, if read to the person, is sufficient.
Arrest Without Warrant: If arrested without a warrant, the person must be explicitly told the specific reasons for their arrest, including the precise acts committed, not just the law violated.
Definition: A warrant of arrest is a written judicial order authorizing the arrest and custody of an accused person for a specific offense, based on a sworn affidavit.
Execution: An officer executing a warrant must notify the person of its substance and show it if demanded. The arrested person must be promptly brought before the court.
Validity: A warrant must be in writing, signed by the judge, bear the court’s seal, and contain the name, address, and offense of the accused. Lacking any of these makes it illegal.
Types: Warrants can be Bailable (allowing release upon furnishing bail with sureties) or Non-Bailable (no bail endorsement on the warrant).
Arrest Without Warrant Situations: Police can arrest without a warrant for cognizable offenses (serious crimes) based on reasonable suspicion, probable cause, witnessing a crime, fleeing a scene, escaping custody, probation/parole violation, court order violation, or immediate threat to public safety where delay is risky. Arrests for non-cognizable offenses typically require a warrant.
Issuing Authority: In India, a Judge or Magistrate is legally empowered to issue an arrest warrant.
APO
India officially assumed the Chairmanship of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) for the 2025–26 term during the 67th Governing Body Meeting (GBM) in Jakarta, Indonesia. Why: India takes a significant leadership position in this important regional body promoting productivity across Asia-Pacific.
As Chair, India will lead APO’s strategic agenda with a focus on innovation, sustainability, and digital transformation. Why: These are critical areas for driving economic growth and development in the region, and India will guide collaborative efforts.
India reaffirmed its commitment to the APO Vision 2030 and expanding the Green Productivity 2.0 framework. Why: Shows India’s support for APO’s long-term strategy and emphasis on environmentally sustainable practices.
The APO, established in 1961 with headquarters in Tokyo, is an intergovernmental body promoting productivity enhancement through regional cooperation and capacity building among 21 member economies in the Asia-Pacific. Why: Provides essential context about the organization India is now leading, its mission, and its scope.
India is a founding member of the APO and actively participates through its National Productivity Council (NPC). Why: Highlights India’s historical involvement and ongoing contribution to the organization’s activities and goals.
The Governing Body Meeting is the highest decision-making authority of the APO. Why: Indicates the significance of the event where India assumed leadership.
Bow Echo
A bow echo is a line of storms appearing as an archer’s bow on radar, notable recently because intense storms hitting Delhi had this characteristic shape.
They form through a process involving rain-cooled air creating a gust front that lifts warm air, forming new storms, and an inflow of air on the trailing side that bends the storm line, often resulting in strong winds.
Bow echoes are important news as they are associated with severe weather, particularly damaging straight-line winds.
While not a new phenomenon in India, they have occurred before during intense thunderstorms, such as over Delhi and Noida in 2022 causing 100 kmph winds and recently in Odisha, indicating their potential for significant impact.
Indian Folk Art
News Event: A group of Gond and Madhubani artists participated in the Artists in Residence programme at Rashtrapati Bhavan and met the President of India on May 26, 2025.
Why in News: The event is part of the ‘Kala Utsav’ initiative showcasing India’s traditional art forms and providing a platform for folk and tribal artists at the highest level, highlighting their contribution. The artists stayed from May 20-27, 2025, creating paintings witnessed by the President.
Gond Painting: Famous folk art of the Gond tribal community in central India (Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh). Themes include nature, animals, celestial bodies, mythology. Artists use natural materials (charcoal, colored soil, plant sap) and distinctive pattern styles (dots, lines, dashes, etc.) on mud walls, cloth, or paper.
Madhubani Painting: Originated in the Mithila region of Bihar, traditionally by women. Themes depict Hindu mythology (Ramayana), daily life, deities (Krishna, Durga, Saraswati), festivals. Symbolizes fertility and good luck. Historically on mud walls/cloth, now on paper/canvas. Uses natural pigments (turmeric, lamp black, cow dung). Features precise linework, double outlining, and geometric patterns. Also known as Mithila Art.
India First Gene Sheep
Researchers from Kashmir (SKUAST), funded by ICAR, successfully developed India’s first gene-edited sheep.
They used CRISPR-Cas9 technology to edit the myostatin gene in a local Merino lamb.
This resulted in a nearly 30% increase in muscle mass, a trait similar to European Texel sheep and naturally absent in Indian breeds.
The sheep is non-transgenic as it contains no foreign DNA, only edited native DNA.
This represents a significant technological leap over traditional crossbreeding methods for introducing desirable traits.
The achievement is seen as the birth of a new era in livestock genetics in India.
Potential applications of this technology include producing disease-resistant animals and increasing twinning rates.
The non-transgenic nature may facilitate regulatory approval under India’s evolving biotech policy framework.
The government is currently in the process of developing regulations for gene-edited animals for potential farmer-level use.
CRISPR-Cas9 is a precise gene-editing tool for which the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2020 was awarded.
This builds on previous work, such as the development of a gene-edited buffalo embryo by NDRI.
Invar Missile
Ministry of Defence is finalising a procurement order for 500 Invar anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) from Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL).
The deal is expected to be worth between Rs 2,000 crore and Rs 3,000 crore. This procurement is why the missile is currently in the news.
It is an anti-tank guided missile designed to be launched from tank platforms, specifically capable of being fired from the barrel of T-90 tanks used by Indian forces.
Known for its long-range precision strike capability and ability to neutralise tanks with Explosive Reactive Armour Protection.
Originally built by Rosoboronexport of Russia, it is produced under license in India by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
Features include semi-automatic control system, laser beam riding, jamming immunity, and a tandem warhead.
Can destroy stationary and moving targets up to 70 kmph with high hit and kill probability.
Has a maximum range of 5 km.
Early Monsoon 2025
IMD declared early southwest monsoon onset over Kerala in 2025.
Why in News: Monsoon provides over 70% of India’s annual rainfall, vital for agriculture and economy; early onset is significant and hasn’t occurred since 2009.
Criteria for Onset: Declared after May 10 based on specific Rainfall (≥2.5mm for 2 days at 60% of 14 stations), Wind Field (westerly winds up to 600 hPa, speed 15-20 knots at 925 hPa), and Outgoing Longwave Radiation (OLR) (< 200 W/m² in specific region) criteria met for two consecutive days.
Factors for Early Onset: Attributed to favourable large-scale atmospheric-oceanic and local factors including the phase of the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO), strong Mascarene High, increased Convection, robust Somali Jet, formation of a Heat-low over Pakistan, presence of the Monsoon Trough, Cyclonic Monsoon Vortex (MOV), and favourable Pressure gradients.
Impact of Early Onset: Beneficial for Kharif crop sowing, vegetable/mushroom cultivation, and water resource management (groundwater, reservoirs). However, it also carries risks of increased spoilage of certain crops and inflation pressure on prices due to potential extreme weather events like heavy downpours and flooding.
Ker Sangri
Rajasthan’s famous dish, Ker Sangri, has received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag. This is news because it officially recognizes Ker Sangri as a special product originating from Rajasthan with traditional preparation methods.
Ker Sangri is a Rajasthani delicacy made from sangri pods from the hardy khejri tree and Ker berries from the Ker tree. This is relevant as both ingredients are native to the arid Thar Desert, tying the dish to its specific geography, which is key for a GI tag.
The dish involves a careful process where bitter raw Ker berries are soaked, boiled, and cooked with Sangri, curd, red chillies, and spices to create a tangy, spicy, earthy dish. The traditional and distinct preparation contributes to its unique identity.
Ker Sangri is known for being healthy, high in fibre, low in fat, and nutrient-rich. Its nutritional value adds to its significance as a traditional food.
The Sangri bean grows on the Khejri tree, which is sacred in Rajasthan and protected by the Bishnoi community. This cultural connection further grounds the dish in its geographical and social context.
A GI tag is a sign used on products having a specific geographical origin and qualities/reputation due to that origin. Getting this tag is news for Ker Sangri because it legally protects its name and association with Rajasthan, preventing misuse.
The GI tag is governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods Act, 1999, in India, providing legal protection.
The GI tag is valid for 10 years and can be renewed. This ensures long-term recognition and protection for Ker Sangri.
Breakthrough Prizes
The 2025 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics was awarded jointly to the ATLAS, CMS, ALICE, and LHCb collaborations at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC).
Indian scientists played a significant role in the success of the ALICE and CMS experiments, contributing intellectually and technically from inception to data analysis and leadership.
Each Breakthrough Prize is valued at $3 million. For the LHC collaborations, the prize money will support grants for doctoral students from member institutes to work at CERN.
The prizes honor important, primarily recent achievements in Life Sciences, Fundamental Physics, and Mathematics.
Founded in 2013 by Mark Zuckerberg, Priscilla Chan, Sergey Brin, Anne Wojcicki, Yuri, and Julia Milner, the prizes aim to recognize scientists, inspire future generations, and advocate for science.
Often referred to as the “Oscars of Science,” winners are selected by committees of previous laureates from publicly open nominations.
India has a long-standing collaboration with CERN since the 1960s, becoming an Associate Member State in 2017, and contributed significantly to LHC infrastructure and experiments.
The award recognizes collaborative research that deepened understanding of the Higgs boson, quark-gluon plasma, and physics beyond the Standard Model based on LHC Run-2 data (2015-July 2024).
Indian institutions and scientists are involved in governing bodies and are contributing to future LHC detector upgrades for the high-luminosity phase.
India’s extensive contributions include detector development, computing (Worldwide LHC Computing Grid), training students, and producing significant research publications and Ph.D. theses.
Sugar Boards
CBSE has mandated ‘sugar boards’ in over 24,000 affiliated schools.
‘Sugar boards’ visually display sugar content in common foods/drinks using simple comparisons like teaspoons.
Reason: To educate children about the health risks of excessive sugar intake.
NCPCR has urged all schools (including state boards) to implement sugar boards.
Reason: To combat the alarming rise in Type-2 diabetes among children.
Reason: Indian children consume significantly higher sugar amounts (13-15% daily calories) than the recommended 5% limit, increasing their risk of lifestyle diseases.
The initiative aims to raise awareness while regulatory bodies like FSSAI work on finalising HFSS standards for school meals and labelling.
RoDTEP
Recent News: Government restored Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) scheme benefits for exports made by Advance Authorization (AA) holders, Export-Oriented Units (EOUs), and units operating in Special Economic Zones (SEZs).
Effective Date: The restored benefits are applicable for eligible exports from June 1, 2025 onwards.
Why this happened: This decision aims to boost India’s export competitiveness, provide a level playing field for these specific export categories, and demonstrates the government’s continued commitment to supporting exports.
About RoDTEP: The scheme became effective January 1, 2021, replacing the Merchandise Export Incentive Scheme (MEIS) to align with WTO norms.
Core Purpose: It reimburses exporters for central, state, and local taxes, duties, and levies embedded in the cost of exported goods that are not otherwise refunded through any existing mechanism. This helps reduce the cost of exports and encourages growth.
Implementation: It is WTO-compliant and managed through an end-to-end digital platform for transparency.
Mechanism: Rebates are calculated as a percentage of the Freight on Board (FOB) value and issued as transferable e-scrips.
Eligibility: Applies to most goods manufactured in India. AA, EOU, and SEZ units are now eligible again. Re-exported products are not covered.
Scale: The scheme has disbursed over Rs. 57,976.78 crore as of March 31, 2025, with a significant budget of Rs. 18,233 crore allocated for FY 2025-26, covering a wide range of product tariff lines.
Viksit Krishi Abhiyan
Nationwide Campaign for Agricultural Modernization: News because it’s a significant government initiative aiming to improve a core sector of the economy through scientific methods and farmer empowerment.
Conducted Biannually Before Sowing Seasons: News as it provides timely, field-level guidance directly relevant to farmers’ critical activities (Kharif and Rabi), ensuring practical application.
Massive Scale and Farmer Engagement: News due to its ambitious scope covering over 65,000 villages and targeting engagement with over 1.3 crore farmers, signifying a broad impact potential.
Focus on Scientific, Sustainable, and Climate-Resilient Practices: News because it promotes adoption of modern techniques essential for increasing productivity, ensuring soil health, efficient resource management, and addressing climate change impacts.
Aligns with “Food Basket of the World” Vision: News as it ties the campaign to an ambitious national goal, highlighting its strategic importance for global positioning and food security.
Collaboration of Key Stakeholders: News because the involvement of multiple central (Ministry of Agriculture, ICAR) and state bodies, KVKs, and FPOs demonstrates a coordinated, multi-agency approach to agricultural development.
Links to Digital and Tech Initiatives: News as it shows integration with broader government efforts like Digital Agriculture Mission and Namo Drone Didi, highlighting the push for technology adoption in farming.
GRAIL Moon Gravity
NASA’s GRAIL mission used twin spacecraft, Ebb and Flow, to create the highest-resolution gravity map of the Moon. This was significant because it allowed scientists to study the Moon’s internal structure in unprecedented detail.
The mission revealed notable contrasts between the Moon’s near side and far side in terms of temperature, crust thickness, and ancient volcanic activity. This is key because it explains why the two sides look so different, despite being part of the same body.
Key findings include the near side being warmer, softer, and partially molten, while the far side is colder with a thicker crust that blocked magma eruptions. This temperature difference (estimated 100–200°C) is why the near side features dark lava plains (maria) and the far side has significantly fewer lava flows.
GRAIL found the Moon’s crust is more porous and thinner than previously believed. This updated understanding of the crust is vital for models of the Moon’s formation and evolution.
The mission’s data helps explain the Moon’s “Janus-faced” appearance (one side bright and heavily cratered, the other dark and smooth). The differences mapped by GRAIL directly relate to these surface features.
First Custom Base Edit
US scientists achieved the first successful use of customized base editing therapy in a baby with a rare genetic disorder (CPS1 deficiency). Why: This marks the initial proven application of this advanced gene-editing technique in humans.
The therapy treated CPS1 deficiency, a severe disorder causing toxic ammonia buildup due to a faulty gene. Why: It successfully corrected the specific genetic error responsible for the condition, eliminating the life-threatening symptom.
Base editing differs from traditional CRISPR-Cas9 by precisely converting one DNA base to another without cutting both DNA strands (like an eraser vs. scissors). Why: This method is considered safer, more precise, and reduces the risk of unintended mutations compared to older techniques.
The tool uses a Cas9 enzyme fused with a base-modifying enzyme to target and change a single incorrect DNA base identified as the cause of the disease. Why: It directly fixes the ‘typo’ in the genetic code, offering a highly targeted correction.
This success offers hope for treating thousands of other rare genetic diseases caused by single-base mutations. Why: It demonstrates the potential of base editing to precisely correct specific errors underlying many inherited conditions.
However, widespread adoption faces significant challenges including prohibitive costs, the need for highly personalized treatments, difficulties in scaling up, and regulatory approvals. Why: These factors currently limit access and investment, making it unlikely to become commonplace soon.
