1. AI Kosha
Recently, the Union government launched ‘AI Kosha’, a platform aimed at providing datasets for developing Artificial Intelligence (AI) models and tools using locally sourced data.
- About AI Kosha: It is a platform for non-personal datasets to assist in AI model development.
o At launch, it contains 316 datasets, mainly focused on creating or validating language translation tools for Indian languages.
- Limited datasets also include: Telangana’s open data initiative (health data, 2011 Census data) → Satellite imagery from Indian satellites → Meteorological and pollution data.
- IndiaAI Mission & Compute Capacity: The IndiaAI Datasets Platform is one of the seven pillars of the IndiaAI Mission.
o The Compute Capacity pillar provides pooled access to Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) for startups and academia to train and run AI models.
o The government increased shared GPU capacity from 10,000 to 14,000 GPUs, with plans for quarterly expansion.
- Homegrown Foundational AI Model: The government is supporting efforts to develop a foundational AI model for India, similar to China’s DeepSeek.
2. IFTAR
March 7, 2025, is the first Friday of Ramzan, the Islamic holy month.
- After observing roza (ritual fast) throughout the day, Muslims break their fast with Iftar during Ramzan.
- About Iftar or Iftari: It is partaken at sunset, immediately before the Maghrib namaz (evening prayer) after a day-long fast.
o It is one of the two meals during Ramzan, the other being sehri (suhoor), eaten before dawn.
- UNESCO Recognition: In 2023, Iftar was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
- About Ramzan or Ramadan: "Ramadan" is the Arabic pronunciation.
o "Ramzan" is the Persian pronunciation, popular in the Indian subcontinent.
o Similarly, "Suhur" (Arabic) is known as "Sehri" in India.
3. Taj Mahotsav 2025
The 33rd edition of Taj Mahotsav was organized at Shilpgram, Agra from 18th February to 2nd March 2025.
- About Taj Mahotsav: A 10-day cultural festival showcasing Indian art, crafts, music, dance, and cuisine.
- Organized annually at Shilpgram, Agra, celebrating the Mughal and Nawabi heritage of Uttar Pradesh.
- Theme 2025: ‘Dharohar’ – highlighting India's rich cultural heritage.
- First started in 1992 to promote local artisans and Agra’s traditional crafts.
- Major Events in 2025: Flower Show at Atal Garden → Garment Show featuring regional attire → "Our Heritage, Our Identity" cultural programs → Bird Watching at Sur Sarovar Bird Sanctuary.
- Agra District: Situated on the banks of the Yamuna River in western Uttar Pradesh. Bordered with- Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
- Historical Significance: Founded by Sikandar Lodi in 1504 AD. He shifted his capital from Delhi to Agra in 1504 AD.
- Major Tourist Attractions: Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah, Akbar’s Tomb, Buland Darwaza (Lofty Gate), Moti Masjid, and Keetham Lake (Sur Sarovar Bird Sanctuary)
4. Pashu Aushadhi Initiative
The government will open “Pashu Aushadhi” stores across India to provide affordable generic veterinary medicines to those engaged in animal husbandry and dairying.
- About Pashu Aushadhi Initiative: The initiative aims to improve livestock health and reduce out-of-pocket expenses for farmers.
- Based on Janaushadhi Kendras: Conceptualized on the lines of Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJK), which provide affordable generic medicines for humans.
- Over 10,300 PMBJKs are currently functional across the country.
- Pashu Aushadhi Kendras will provide generic medicines for animals.
- Implementation: Pashu Aushadhi stores will be run by Cooperative societies & Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Kendras (PMKSK).
5. Fluoride Poisoning
Sonbhadra district (Uttar Pradesh) is experiencing high levels of fluoride pollution in groundwater.
- About extent of contamination: More than 2 lakh people in 276 villages are affected.
- Groundwater fluoride levels in Kon, Bhabni, Myorpur, and Duddhi blocks are 5-6 times higher than the prescribed limit.
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- Health Impacts: Causes weak and deformed bones → Children are born with disabilities → Elderly population struggles to walk due to skeletal issues.
- NGT's Order & Implementation Issues: National Green Tribunal (NGT) had directed action against fluoride contamination.
o Local administration failed to implement measures effectively, forcing people to drink contaminated water.
- About Fluoride: A non-biodegradable, long-term pollutant found in minerals, soil, water, and air, which released into the environment by burning coal bricks.
- Toxicity & Recommended Limits: Highly toxic in excessive amounts. WHO’s safe limit for fluoride in drinking water: 1.5 mg/liter.
- Effects of Fluoride:
o Benefits (in adequate amounts): Prevents tooth decay → aids in tooth enamel formation → prevents bone mineral loss.
o Harmful Effects (in excessive amounts): Weakens bones & joints → causes skeletal and dental fluorosis → adversely affects wildlife.
6. Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)
The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways signed an MoU with the Government of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) to boost river cruise tourism on three National Waterways in J&K.- About: The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is an autonomous organization that was established on October 27, 1986, in accordance with the Inland Waterways Authority of India Act, 1985.
- Primary responsibility: The development, maintenance, and regulation of waterways that have been designated as National Waterways (NWs) under the National Waterways Act of 2016.
o IWAI carries out the implementation of policy guidelines and directives issued by the Inland Water Transport (IWT) Wing.
- Headquarter: Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
- Regional offices: Guwahati (Assam), Patna (Bihar), Kochi (Kerala), Bhubaneswar (Odisha) and Kolkata (West Bengal).
- Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
- Jammu & Kashmir has three declared national waterways: River Chenab (NW-26) → River Jhelum (NW-49) → River Ravi (NW-84).
7. New Credit Assessment Model for MSMEs
Union Finance Minister and MoS, recently launched the New Credit Assessment Model for MSMEs in Vishakhapatnam as announced in Union Budget 2024-25.
- About New Credit Assessment Model for MSMEs: Public Sector Banks (PSBs) will develop in-house credit assessment capability instead of relying on external assessment.
- Objective: Assess MSMEs for credit based on digital footprints instead of traditional asset or turnover-based criteria.
- Automated Loan Appraisal: Uses digitally fetched and verifiable data for objective decision-making in loan applications.
8. Bio-economy
The government of India recently highlighted India’s 10-fold Bioeconomy growth in the last decade while addressing PBBCON-2025 Conference in Jammu.
- About Bio-economy: An economic system that uses renewable biological resources to create products, services, and energy. It aims to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and GHGs emissions.
- About India’s Bio-economy: Grew by 13% (2014 - 2024).
o J&K as a hub for Agri-Biotech Innovation: Aroma Mission & Floriculture Revolution boosting local farmers' income.
- Key achievements in 2024: World’s first HPV vaccine → Breakthrough antibiotic ‘Nafithromycin’ → Pioneering gene therapy experiment for Hemophilia.
- Mission Suraksha: Development of indigenous DNA-based vaccines during COVID-19.
o India’s global biotech rankings: 3rd in Asia-Pacific and 12th globally in bio-manufacturing.
- New BioE3 Policy: Focuses on bio-manufacturing and bio-foundries for biotech sector growth.
- Global Innovation Index rank: From 80th (2014) to 39th (2024).
9. On-Board Oxygen Generating System (OBOGS):
The Defence Bio-Engineering & Electro Medical Laboratory (DEBEL) under DRDO successfully conducted high-altitude trials of the Indigenous On-Board Oxygen Generating System (OBOGS)-based Integrated Life Support System (ILSS) for the LCA Tejas aircraft.
- About: OBOGS-based ILSS is a cutting-edge system designed to generate and regulate breathable oxygen for pilots during flight, eliminating dependence on traditional liquid oxygen cylinder-based systems.
o The ILSS met stringent aeromedical standards under various flight conditions, including taxying, takeoff, cruise, G-turns, rejoin approach, and landing.
- Performance evaluations covered: Oxygen concentration and demand breathing → Availability of 100% oxygen → Aerobatic maneuvers and full functional testing of the Anti-G Valve and Breathing Oxygen System (BOS).
- The ILSS integrates 10 Line Replaceable Units (LRUs), including: Low-Pressure Breathing Regulator, BOS, Emergency Oxygen System, Oxygen Sensor, Anti-G Valve, and other advanced components.
10. Doomsday Clock
Germany’s Chancellor-to-be Friedrich Merz referred to the Doomsday Clock, stating that it was “five minutes to midnight for Europe,” highlighting deteriorating relations between the United States and its European allies.
- He urged Europeans to become self-reliant in response to geopolitical challenges.
- About: The Doomsday Clock is a symbolic representation of how close humanity is to a global catastrophe (nuclear war, climate change, emerging threats).
- Concept Origin: Imagined by the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists in 1947 to assess the probability of nuclear destruction.
- Founders: Established by Albert Einstein, J. Robert Oppenheimer, Leo Szilard, and others who worked on atomic weapons.
- Purpose: Created to inform policymakers, scientists, and the public about existential threats.
- Design: The clock’s first design, showing the minute hand nearing midnight, was created by artist Martyl Langdorf in 1947. It was redesigned by Michael Bierut in 2007.
- Current Position of the Clock: Announced every January by the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists.
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