2 Min Series 2 December 2025

 02^nd December 2025 

1. Sanchar Saathi: Recently, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) directed smartphone makers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on all new devices and ensure its features are neither disabled nor restricted.

• About Sanchar Saathi: The app will be used to verify the authenticity of IMEI numbers, helping identify cloned, tampered, or blacklisted devices.
• It remains unclear whether the app will automatically access a device’s IMEI or require users to enter it manually.
• DoT said the move would protect citizens from non-genuine phones, make reporting of telecom misuse easier, and boost the platform’s overall effectiveness.
• Origins and Usage: Initially launched as a web-only service in 2023, Sanchar Saathi provided users a channel to report fraudulent calls—similar to TRAI’s DND app for spam.
• Since launch: 48 lakh complaints have been filed
• Nearly 9 crore requests have been made to check mobile connections linked to users
• The government continues large-scale SMS campaigns to popularise the platform.
• The platform has been positioned as a key mechanism to help recover stolen or lost devices.
• DoT reported that 50,000 devices were recovered in October 2025 alone using Sanchar Saathi services.

2. National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR): Recently, the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) has become the leading institution guiding India’s scientific initiatives in polar and oceanic regions.

• About NCPOR: Established in 1998 as an autonomous R&D institution under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
  • Earlier known as the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR).
    Headquartered in Vasco da Gama, Goa.
• Mandate and Key Roles: Serves as the nodal organisation for planning and carrying out India’s polar expeditions to the Antarctic, Arctic, Southern Ocean, and Himalayan regions.
• Manages and coordinates scientific research and logistical support in polar and oceanic sectors.
• Leads strategic national initiatives such as Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) mapping, continental shelf surveys, and activities under the Deep Ocean Mission.
• Guided by a Research Advisory Committee (RAC) that oversees scientific direction and priorities.

3. National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA): Recently, the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs informed that twenty State and Union Territory Legislatures have fully shifted to digital law-making through the adoption of the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA).

• About NeVA: Aims to digitalise all 37 State/UT Legislatures in the country.
• Built as a multi-tenancy platform aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision of “One Nation – One Application.”
• Designed to automate House processes and enable smooth, paperless functioning.
• Key Features: Backend computerisation of Legislature Secretariats to ensure seamless electronic data flow.
• Capacity building for Members, Secretariat staff, and State Government officials.
• Establishment of NeVA SeVA Kendras (NSKs) to assist Members in using the platform.
• Uniform public information portals for greater transparency and access.
• Common application architecture enabling process standardisation across all Houses.
• A total of 28 Legislatures has signed MoUs, marking a major step towards the goal of digitalising all Legislative Houses across India.

4. Heron Mk II: Recently, India’s armed forces signed new emergency procurement contracts with the Israeli defence industry to acquire satellite-enabled Heron Mk II UAVs.

• About Heron Mk II: A Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE)
• Key features include: Ability to carry ~500 kg payload
  • 24+ hours of continuous endurance
  • Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) for all-weather imaging
  • Electro-optical sensors and SIGINT payloads for intelligence gathering
  • Fully automated take-off/landing systems
  • Encrypted SATCOM links enabling beyond-line-of-sight control
• The Indian Army has already deployed these platforms across forward bases in the northern sector.

5. Bioremediation: Recently, India’s rising waste and pollution crisis has threatened air, water, and soil quality, making bioremediation a key natural solution for sustainable contamination control.

• About Bioremediation: It means “restoring life through biology,” using microorganisms—bacteria, fungi, algae, or plants—to break down or transform pollutants.
• These organisms metabolise harmful substances such as oil, pesticides, plastics, or heavy metals into harmless by-products like water, CO₂, or organic acids.
• Some microbes can convert toxic metals into less dangerous, non-leaching forms that prevent groundwater contamination.
• Types of Bioremediation: In-situ Bioremediation: Treatment takes place directly at the contaminated site. Example: Oil-digesting bacteria sprayed on ocean spills.
• Ex-situ Bioremediation: Contaminated soil/water is removed, treated at a facility, and returned after cleaning.
• Modern Bioremediation: New biological tools allow scientists to identify useful biomolecules and replicate them under controlled conditions.
• Genetically modified microbes can degrade persistent toxins like plastics or oil residues faster than natural strains.
• Synthetic biology enables biosensors—microorganisms that change colour or fluoresce when they detect pollutants, offering early warnings.

6. Protosticta Sooryaprakashi: Recently, a new damselfly species, Protosticta sooryaprakashi, distinguished by its vivid sky-blue markings, has been discovered in the biodiversity-rich Western Ghats.

• About Protosticta Sooryaprakashi: It is a newly identified species of damselfly.
• Commonly called the Kodagu Shadowdamsel, it was found in Karnataka’s Kodagu district.
• The species is named in memory of Dr. Sooryaprakash Shenoy, a noted botanist.
• With its striking sky-blue patterns, it thrives in low-light habitats and depends on pristine conditions for breeding.
• Experts note that its presence signifies a healthy, low-pollution ecosystem.
• Though similar to related species, it is the slimmest member of its damselfly group.
• Key identifiers include a distinct blue spot on the neck and at the tip of the abdomen.
• Unlike dragonflies that prefer sunny environments, this damselfly favours cool, shaded areas, making sightings uncommon and ecologically significant.

7. Cold Wave: Recently, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) projected that several parts of India are likely to face more cold wave days than usual this winter.

• About Cold Wave: IMD defines a ‘cold wave’ based on minimum temperatures:
• In plains: Minimum temperature ≤ 10°C
• In hilly regions: Minimum temperature ≤ 0°C
• Additionally, if temperatures fall 5°C to 6.4°C below normal, it is considered a cold wave regardless of geography.
• The IMD expects above-normal cold wave occurrences across: Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Northern Madhya Pradesh, Western Maharashtra and Arunachal Pradesh
• Why the Increase in Cold Waves: Western disturbances—rain-bearing Mediterranean storms—raise minimum temperatures through moisture. Fewer such systems result in sharper night-time cooling.
• This winter is a La Niña year, marked by cooler-than-normal Pacific temperatures. While the link is not direct, historically La Niña years see more cold waves, IMD chief M. Mohapatra said.
• Early cold wave spells in November were linked to a southward dip of the Polar Vortex. Though Himalayas block direct impact, India still experiences secondary cooling effects.

8. Rare Earth Permanent Magnets: Recently, the Union Cabinet approved a ₹7,280-crore scheme to boost domestic manufacturing of rare earth permanent magnets, vital for electric mobility, renewables, electronics, and defence.

• Key Highlights: New Scheme to Boost Domestic Rare Earth Magnet Manufacturing: The scheme aims to build integrated REPM manufacturing facilities, covering:
  • Conversion of rare earth oxides → metals
  • Metals → alloys
  • Alloys → finished permanent magnets
  • The approval follows recent decisions to rationalise royalty rates for graphite, caesium, rubidium, and zirconium, improving industry competitiveness.
  • India’s Push to Expand Domestic Production: India holds 8% of global REE reserves, mostly in monazite sands across Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. Yet it produces less than 1% of global output, importing over 53,000 tonnes of REE magnets in FY 2024–25.
  • National Critical Mineral Mission: Launched in January 2025
• Total outlay: ₹34,300 crore (₹16,300 crore for REEs and other minerals)
• Focus areas: Exploration, Processing, Recycling and Securing overseas mineral assets

9. Nuclear Reactor on Moon: Recently, the U.S. announced plans under its Lunar Fission Surface Power Project to deploy a small nuclear reactor on the Moon by the early 2030s.

• Why Nuclear Power in Space Matters: Solar power, though useful, is limited by two-week lunar nights, weak sunlight near the poles, and dust interference.
• Long-term human presence on the Moon or Mars will require continuous, high-density, reliable power—something nuclear reactors can reliably provide.
• The U.S. programme could signal a shift toward energy independence in deep space.

About Lunar Fission Surface Power Project: Develop a small nuclear fission reactor to provide sustained power on the Moon and inform future Mars designs.

• Phase Completed: NASA has wrapped up Phase 1, focused on concept designs.
• Design Scope: Included reactor design, power conversion, heat rejection, power management, cost estimates, and development schedule.
• Future Use: Successful design may be adapted for Mars missions.

10. Toxic Pollutants: Recently, a CSE analysis revealed that vehicular emissions are releasing high levels of toxic pollutants, particularly nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and carbon monoxide (CO).

• Key Highlights: Farm fire contribution stayed below 5% on most days, rising to 5–15% on some days.
• This indicates that local, year-round sources, especially vehicular emissions, have an outsized impact on winter pollution levels.
• CSE’s previous analyses show a clear link between traffic congestion and elevated NO₂ levels. Congested, peak-hour travel with reduced speeds leads to higher toxic emissions.
• CSE’s Recommendations for Structural Clean-Air Reforms: Meet vehicle electrification targets with strict timelines
• Scrap older vehicles
• Scale up integrated public transport, last-mile connectivity, cycling and walking pathways
• Implement parking caps, pricing, and congestion tax to curb personal vehicle use
• Industry: Switch to cleaner, affordable fuels, enforce stringent emission norms, Lower taxes on natural gas and electrify industrial processes