1. Job Skills Report 2025

Job Skills Report 2025: India has emerged as the global leader in generative AI (GenAI) enrolments surpassing Europe with over 27 million registered learners.

• About this report: Published by Coursera. They identify the top skills employees, students, and job seekers are prioritizing for career success. Discover the fastest-growing skills across AI, data science, technology, and business, and see how learners are embracing AI-based learning tools to excel in the future of work.
• About Report Highlights: India’s growing focus on GenAI, cybersecurity, and HR technology, positioning India as a leader in building future-ready workplaces.

o 60% of India’s top courses in 2024 centered around artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML).

• Other Popular Courses: Courses in finance, project management, and data analytics remained popular, alongside entry-level certificates from Google and IBM, aligned with India’s National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF).
• About Generative artificial intelligence (AI): It is a type of AI that uses machine learning to create new content, such as text, images, music, and videos and also used to analyse data and identify patterns. 
• About NSQF: Launched in December 2013 and was rationalized and notified in June, 2023.

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2. Governor’s power as Chancellor

Governor’s power as Chancellor: The Governor’s role as Chancellor of State universities is inherited from British colonial rule, not mandated by the Constitution, and often politicised, undermining university autonomy.

• About the historical background: Initially set up by the British in 1857, the Governor was appointed as Chancellor to maintain control over universities in Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras. This model continued post-Independence.
• Dual Role of Governor: Governors exercise two roles: acting on ministerial advice (Article 163) as Governor and independently as Chancellor, often bypassing State government advice on university matters.
• Governor vs. President: The President, as Visitor of Central universities, consults with the Ministry of Education, while Governors act unilaterally for State universities, lacking legislative oversight.

• Governance Issues: Governors’ unchecked power in State universities creates administrative paralysis, delays Vice-Chancellor appointments, and undermines university autonomy.
• Academic Incompetence: Many Governors lack academic qualifications, relying on opaque advice, leading to poor decision-making.
• Federalism Concerns: The Governor’s central role in State universities undermines federalism, as universities should be accountable to elected State governments.
• Commissions’ Recommendations:

o Rajamannar Committee (1969-71): Suggested Governors perform functions as Chancellor on the advice of the State government.

o Sarkaria Commission (1983-88): Recommended consultation with Chief Ministers while maintaining independent judgment.

o M.M. Punchhi Commission (2007-10): Advocated for the Governor to focus on constitutional duties and proposed eminent academics as Chancellors.

o Venkatachaliah Commission (2000-02): Recommended political neutrality and a supportive role for Chancellors.

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3. Space Program Goals (2025)

Space Program Goals (2025): India’s space program is shifting into mission mode, with significant plans underway for Chandrayaan-4, Bharatiya Antariksh Station, and human spaceflight.

• Key Highlights of Missions:

o PSLV-C60 Mission (Dec 30, 2024): Laid the foundation for Chandrayaan-4 & Bharatiya Antariksh Station.

o Deployed SpaDeX satellites into a 475-km circular orbit.

o On January 16, ISRO achieved successful in-orbit rendezvous and docking.

o Planned steps: power transfer between satellites, followed by undocking.

• POEM4 (Post-PSLV-C60): Fourth stage of PSLV-C60 moved to 350-km orbit, carrying 24 payloads.

o Tests conducted with payloads like Relocatable Robotic Manipulator, Debris Capture Robotic Arm, and CROPS (plant studies).

Several private and academic payloads demonstrated successful tests, including Manastu Space’s propulsion, Bellatrix Aerospace’s RUDRA, and GalaxEye’s SAR imaging.

• Transporter 12 Mission (Jan 15, 2025): Three Indian payloads launched on SpaceX's Falcon 9.

o Pixxel Space: Launched Firefly hyperspectral satellites.

o Digantara: Launched Space Camera for Object Tracking for space situational awareness.

o XDLINX Labs: Launched Elevation 1 miniaturised communications satellite.

• ISRO Infrastructure: Third launch pad approved at SDSC Sriharikota to be built by 2029.
• Vikas Engine Test: Successful restart test conducted at ISRO’s propulsion complex in Mahendragiri, enhancing atmospheric operation capability.

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4. Whip

Whip: The Vice President of India questioned whether party whips limit MPs' freedom of speech, arguing that they make MPs follow the party line without using their own judgment.

• About: The term ‘whip’ originated from England's hunting fields, where a "whipper-in" gathered straying hounds. It was later adapted in politics by Edmund Burke.
• Role of Whips: The party chief whip informs MPs about important matters and ensures their attendance during voting.

o The whip acts as a bridge between the party leadership and MPs.

• Consequences of Violating a Whip:

o Violation can lead to disqualification under the Anti-Defection Law.

o Disqualification is recommended by the party leader to the Presiding Officer.

• Enforcement of the Whip: The chief whip plays a crucial role in enforcing the whip system.
• Additional whips and the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs also enforce whips, especially for the ruling party.
• Importance of the Whip System: Ensures discipline within parties for parliamentary proceedings.

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5. Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)

Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS): The number of cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) crossed the 100 mark in Pune recently.

• About: GBS is a rare neurological disorder where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nervous system—the network of nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.
• Symptoms include weakness, sensory changes, difficulty walking, facial paralysis, difficulty swallowing, and coordination issues.
• Causes: Unknown, but GBS often follows a respiratory or gastrointestinal infection.

o Infections with bacteria like Campylobacter jejuni and viruses such as Zika, COVID-19, Epstein-Barr, and others have been associated with GBS.

• Diagnosis:

o Medical History & Physical Exam: Assesses muscle/nerve function, reflexes, symptom progression.

o Nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV): Slowed nerve signals indicate damage.

o Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis: Elevated protein with normal white blood cell count suggests GBS.

o Imaging: MRI helps rule out other conditions.

• Treatment:

o Plasma Exchange (Plasmapheresis): Removes harmful antibodies.

o Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIg): Provides normal antibodies to reduce immune activity.

o Supportive Care: Monitors/manage complications like respiratory failure, heart rate issues, autonomic dysfunction.

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6. Wetland City Accreditation

Wetland City Accreditation: PM Modi recently congratulated Indore (MP), and Udaipur for being the first 2 cities of India added to the list of 31 Wetland Accredited Cities worldwide.

• About: Wetlands are areas of land that are covered by water or have waterlogged soil for a significant portion of the year.
• Wetland City Accreditation Scheme: A voluntary accreditation system established by the Ramsar Convention during the COP 12, 2015.

o Aim: To recognize the importance of wetlands in urban and peri-urban environments and to take appropriate measures to conserve and protect these wetlands.

o To further promote the conservation and wise use of urban and peri-urban wetlands, as well as sustainable socio-economic benefits for local populations.

• Criteria: To be formally accredited, a candidate for the Wetland City Accreditation should satisfy the standards used to implement each of the six international criteria mentioned Operational Guidance for WCA of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
• Validity: Once granted it is valid for 6 years. 

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7. PM YASASVI Scheme

PM YASASVI Scheme: On Republic Day 2025 eve, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment honoured 400 students from 21 states under the PM Young Achievers’ Scholarship Award Scheme for Vibrant India (PM YASASVI).

• About PM YASASVI Scheme: Empower students from OBC, EBC, and DNT communities educationally, socially, and economically.

o Consolidates earlier schemes like Dr. Ambedkar scholarships (Pre-Matric and Post-Matric) for streamlined benefits.

• Scholarship Benefits under the scheme:

o Pre-Matric: For Class 9-10, ₹4,000 annually.

o Post-Matric: For higher studies, ₹5,000–₹20,000 depending on course.

o Top-Class Education: Funding for tuition, hostel, and study materials (up to ₹1.25 lakh annually for school students; full financial support for college students).

• Eligibility: For OBC, EBC, DNT students with family income up to ₹2.5 lakh/year.
• Selection: Based on YASASVI Entrance Test (YET), conducted by NTA.

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8. Global Risks Report

Global Risks Report: The World Economic Forum (WEF) recently released the 20th Global Risks Report 2025.

• About the report highlights: India, Mexico, Morocco, Tunisia, and Uzbekistan highlighted as most vulnerable in both short-term (1-2 years) and long-term (10 years) horizons.

o These nations citing water shortages as a top-five risk increased from 7 (2024) to 27 (2025).

• Driving Factors: Overexploitation, mismanagement of natural resources, climate change, and inadequate infrastructure.
• Global Impact: Water insecurity affects human, industrial, and ecosystem needs, escalating regional and global crises.

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