2 Minute Series_23rd December 2025

23^rd December 2025

1. MTBVAC: Recently, Spain-based Biofabri, part of the Zendal Group, and Hyderabad-headquartered Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL) signed a technology transfer agreement for the tuberculosis vaccine candidate MTBVAC.

• About MTBVAC: The only live, attenuated Mycobacterium tuberculosis vaccine currently in the global pipeline

• Target Population: Newborns, Adolescents and Adults

• These groups currently lack an effective prophylactic vaccine against TB disease, beyond the limited protection offered by BCG.

• About Tuberculosis (TB): A bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

• It mainly affects the lungs but can also involve the abdomen, lymph glands, bones and the nervous system. TB spreads through the air when a person inhales tiny droplets released during coughing or sneezing by an infected individual.

• Symptoms: Persistent cough lasting more than three weeks, sometimes with blood

• Weight loss, night sweats, fever and constant fatigue

• Loss of appetite, chest pain and swollen lymph nodes

• Treatable with antibiotics: Requires prolonged treatment, usually lasting 6–18 months

• BCG vaccine: Provides partial protection, especially against severe forms of TB in infants and children

2. High-Precision Combat-Proven Systems: Recently, India Optel Limited (IOL), a Mini Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking (PSU), signed a collaboration agreement with Safran Electronics & Defense, France, for local production of two high-precision combat-proven systems in India.

• Key Systems:

• SIGMA 30N Digital Ring Laser Gyro Inertial Navigation System:

• Deployed in artillery guns, air defence systems, missiles and radars

• Provides highly accurate navigation and targeting independent of GPS signals

• Essential for sustained operations in GPS-denied and electronic warfare environments

• CM3-MR Direct Firing Sight

• Developed for artillery guns and anti-drone systems

• Improves precision, response time and accuracy in direct firing missions

• Enhances India’s counter-drone capability and overall battlefield situational awareness

• According to Safran, the SIGMA 30 system: Optimises operational deployment of artillery units and intelligence systems

• Provides autonomous engagement capability, even without satellite signals

• Helps pinpoint enemy battery locations immediately upon detection of firing

• Increases survivability and effectiveness in high-intensity conflict scenarios

3. H3-24L Rocket: Recently, Japan’s space mission launched onboard the H3-24L rocket suffered a second-stage failure shortly after lift-off.

• About the H3 Rocket Series: Developed by Japan as a next-generation heavy-lift launch vehicle

• Designed to carry the heaviest payloads into space

• Intended to replace older launch systems and improve cost efficiency and reliability

• Critical for Japan’s future scientific, commercial, and interplanetary missions

• The same H3 rocket series is planned to launch Chandrayaan-5

• Chandrayaan-5 (LUPEX) is a joint mission of ISRO and JAXA.

• The mission is scheduled for 2028–2029.

• Chandrayaan-5 will explore volatile materials and water ice near Permanently Shadowed Regions (PSRs) at the lunar south pole.

• The mission will carry an ISRO-developed lunar lander.

• The lunar rover for Chandrayaan-5 is being developed by Japan.

4. World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA): Recently, for the third consecutive year, India emerged as the largest contributor to anti-doping rule violations globally, according to the World Anti-Doping Agency.

• About the WADA: Established in 1999 as an independent international organisation to promote doping-free sport worldwide.

• Mandate: To develop, harmonise and coordinate uniform anti-doping rules and policies across all sports and countries.

• Key functions include: Scientific and social science research

  • Education and awareness programmes

  • Intelligence gathering and investigations

  • Building global anti-doping capacities

• Headquarters: Montreal, Canada

  • Members: Comprises 42 members and serves as the highest policy-making body.

  • Jointly represented by the Olympic Movement (IOC, National Olympic Committees, International Federations, athletes) and governments from all five continents.

  • Executive Committee (ExCo): A 16-member body responsible for the management and day-to-day functioning of the agency. Oversees implementation of activities and administration of WADA’s assets.

5. MAVEN: Recently, NASA reported the loss of contact with MAVEN, one of its most important Mars orbiters.

• About MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution) Mission: Launched: 2013 and Entered Mars orbit: 2014

• Primary objective: Study the upper Martian atmosphere and examine interactions with the solar wind

• Significance: Solar wind stripped away much of Mars’ atmosphere over billions of years

• This process transformed Mars from a warm, wet planet into the cold, dry world seen today

• This finding significantly advanced understanding of planetary habitability and atmospheric loss.

• NASA has lost contact with the MAVEN spacecraft, which has been orbiting Mars for more than ten years. The spacecraft abruptly stopped communicating with Earth-based ground stations over the weekend.

• According to NASA: MAVEN was functioning normally before passing behind Mars

• When it re-emerged from the planet’s shadow, no signals were received

• Engineering teams have initiated detailed investigations to determine the cause

6. Anjadip: Recently, the Indian Navy inducted Anjadip, the third of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC), into its fleet.

• About Anjadip: Named after Anjadip Island off the coast of Karwar, Karnataka

  • Reincarnation of the erstwhile INS Anjadip, a Petya-class corvette decommissioned in 2003

  • Symbolises India’s enduring commitment to maritime security and naval heritage

  • Key Features: Length: ~77 metres

• Largest Indian naval warships to be propelled by waterjets

• Optimised for littoral and shallow-water operations

• Combat Systems: Lightweight torpedoes

• Indigenously developed anti-submarine rockets

• Shallow-water sonar for underwater detection

• These systems enable effective detection, tracking, and engagement of submarine threats in coastal waters.

• The ASW SWCs will significantly enhance: Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capability

• Coastal surveillance and maritime domain awareness

• Mine-laying operations

• Protection of ports, harbours, and critical coastal infrastructure

7. NITI Aayog: Recently, NITI Aayog launched the policy report titled “Internationalisation of Higher Education in India: Prospects, Potential, and Policy Recommendations,” highlighting India’s ambition to emerge as a global education and research hub.

• Key Findings: It is a collaborative effort between NITI Aayog and an IIT Madras–led consortium of knowledge partners.

• The report is a pioneering publication from the Global South.

• It focuses on ‘internationalisation at home’, as envisioned under NEP 2020.

• It analyses internationalisation at global, national, and institutional levels.

• The report reviews 20 years of trends in academic mobility.

• It explores opportunities for: Increased student and faculty mobility

• Enhanced international academic and research collaborations

• India aims to host 1 lakh international students by 2030 across Central and State universities.

• Emphasis laid on strengthening doctoral programmes through global collaborations.

• Recommendations span five thematic areas: Strategy, Regulation, Finance, Branding, Communication & Outreach, and Curriculum & Culture.

• The overall goal is to make India a global hub for higher education and research by 2047.

8. Micrometeoroids and Orbital Debris (MMOD): Recently, growing congestion in Earth’s orbits has made space debris a critical safety challenge, with escalating risks from Micrometeoroids and Orbital Debris (MMOD) to astronauts and spacecraft.

• About MMOD:

• Micrometeoroids: Extremely small natural particles (micrometres to ~2 mm)

• Mostly originate from asteroid belt collisions, with some from comets

• Travel at 11–72 km/s

• Each weigh less than a dried grape, yet can puncture spacecraft surfaces

• Orbital Debris (Space Junk): Human-made, non-functional objects in Earth orbit

• Sources include: Exploded rocket stages, Defunct satellites, Accidental collisions and Anti-satellite (ASAT) weapon tests

• Average speed: ~10 km/s

• A rising debris density could trigger the Kessler Syndrome, where cascading collisions make space operations unsafe or impossible.

• The Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) includes NASA, ESA, ISRO, JAXA, and others

9. India and New Zealand: Recently, India and New Zealand finalised an agreement, marking it as one of India’s quickest Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).

• Key Highlights: 100% duty elimination on Indian exports to New Zealand

• Significant boost for labour-intensive sectors such as: Textiles, Leather and Footwear

• India safeguards its core interests in dairy and agriculture

• USD 20 billion investment commitment over 15 years

• Strengthens long-term economic and strategic cooperation

• New Zealand signs an Annex on Health and Traditional Medicine Services for the first time

• Opens opportunities for AYUSH, Yoga, and wellness services

• New visa pathway for 5,000 skilled occupations

• Post-study work visas for: STEM graduates and Skilled professionals

• Serves as a gateway to the wider Oceania and Pacific Island economies
• Positions India as a reliable supplier of skilled workforce and services