1. NISTAR

Context

• ‘Nistar’, the first indigenously designed and constructed Diving Support Vessel, was delivered by Hindustan Shipyard Limited to the Indian Navy on 08 Jul 2025 at  Visakhapatnam.

About 

• The ship’s name, ‘Nistar’, originates from Sanskrit and means liberation, rescue or salvation.
• The ship is built with nearly 75% of indigenous content 
• The ship, measuring 118 m with a tonnage of nearly 10,000 tons, is installed with state-of-the-art Diving Equipment and has the capability to undertake Deep Sea Saturation Diving up to 300 m depth.
• The ship also has a Side Diving Stage for undertaking Diving Operations up to 75 m depth.

Features of the Ship

• The ship will also serve as the ‘Mother Ship’ for the Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV)
• It will be used to rescue and evacuate personnel, in case of an emergency in a submarine underwater.
• The ship is equipped with a combination of Remotely Operated Vehicles to undertake Diver Monitoring and Salvage Operations up to a depth of 1000 m.

Conclusion

The delivery of Nistar, with nearly 75% indigenous content, is yet another milestone in the Indian Navy’s quest for indigenous construction and is in line with the GoI’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and the Make in India campaign.

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2. Sheesh Mahal

Context

• Recently, a Mughal-era palace, Sheesh Mahal, located in Shalimar Bagh, North Delhi, was restored and unveiled by the Union Culture and Tourism minister.

About 

• It was built in 1653 by Izz-un-Nisha Begum, wife of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan.
• This monument was a tribute and a replica  of the Shalimar Bagh in Kashmir.
• It is a fine example of Mughal garden architecture designed to be a royal retreat away from Shahjahanabad’s bustle.
• Construction: Originally constructed of bricks and red sandstone, with entry gates in the east and west, the palace has an archway, flanked on either side by a three-arched dalan.
• Beyond the archway is a central hall with a compartment at each wing.
• The main building of the Sheesh Mahal had a Baradari with a water channel running through it. 
• The paintings in two of its well maintained , mirror-worked chambers are of Kangra and Rajasthani qalam, depicting the poetic visions of Keshav, Surdas and Bihari. 
• The red sandstone building adjacent to the Mahal is believed to have been used as hamam (public bathhouse), made of brick masonry and red sandstone.
• Historical significance: Aurangzeb held his imperial coronation (1658) in this mahal.
• In 1983, it was declared a monument of national importance, and the ASI has been preserving it since.

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3. Prime Minister State Visit to Brazil

Context

• Recently, Prime Minister of India went on a State Visit to Brazil and was hosted by President of Brazil 

List of Outcomes of the Visit

• The President of Brazil, H.E. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, conferred upon Prime Minister, Brazil’s highest national honour – "The Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross”
• Agreement on Cooperation in Combating International Terrorism and Transnational Organized Crime.
• MoU on Cooperation for the sharing of Successful Large-scale Digital solutions for Digital Transformation
• MoU on Cooperation in Renewable Energy.
• MoU on Agricultural Research between EMBRAPA and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.
• Agreement on the Exchange and Mutual Protection of Classified Information.
• MoU on Cooperation in the field of Intellectual Property between DPIIT of India and Secretariat of Competitiveness and Regulatory Policy, MDIC of Brazil.

Other Major Announcements

• Defense and Security: The signing of the Agreement on the Exchange and Mutual Protection of Classified Information, which will enable deeper cooperation in various strategic areas.
• Both Nations signed the Brazil-India Agreement on Cooperation in Combating International Terrorism and Transnational Organized Crime. 
• Food and Nutritional Security:  Both nations recalled the goal of eradicating hunger worldwide by 2030 and renewed their support to the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty
• Energy Transition and Climate Change: India welcomed Brazil’s initiative to launch the Tropical Forests Forever Fund (TFFF), 

India-Brazil Relations

• Strategic Partnership: Relations were established in 1948, and the two countries have been Strategic Partners since 2006.
• Both sides also have several Joint Working Groups to take forward sectoral cooperation. 
• Trade Relations: The bilateral trade expanded by 32% to US$15.2 billion (India’s exports US$8.8 billion & Imports – US$6.4 billion).
• India and Brazil have established Trade Monitoring Mechanism as an institutional mechanism to monitor and identify bottlenecks in bilateral trade and take appropriate measures to address them. 
• Defence & Security Cooperation: India and Brazil signed an agreement in 2003 for cooperation in defense. Meetings of the Joint Defence Committee (JDC) are held as an institutionalized mechanism for defense cooperation. 
• Security Cooperation: India and Brazil established a Strategic Dialogue mechanism in 2006 to cover regional and global issues of mutual concern.
• The two countries have an Extradition Treaty, Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty in Criminal Matters and an Agreement of Transfer of Sentenced Persons in place.

Challenges

• Geopolitical Competition: Both India and Brazil are emerging powers with aspirations for greater global influence. This leads to competition, particularly in international forums like the United Nations, where both countries seek greater representation and influence.
• Trade Barriers: Trade between India and Brazil has not reached its full potential, partly due to various trade barriers and protectionist measures in both countries. These barriers hinder the growth of bilateral trade and investment.
• Infrastructure and Connectivity: Improving infrastructure and connectivity between the two countries remains a challenge.

Way Forward

• Overcoming the challenges requires sustained diplomatic efforts, enhanced economic cooperation, and a commitment to finding common ground on global issues. 
• Despite the obstacles, the potential benefits of a stronger India-Brazil partnership make overcoming these challenges a worthwhile endeavor.

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4. Panna Tiger Reserve

Context

• Vatsala’, considered to be Asia’s oldest elephant, died recently at the age of more than 100 years at the Panna Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh.

About the Tiger Reserve 

• Panna Tiger Reserve is a critical tiger habitat located in the Vindhyan mountain range in the northern part of Madhya Pradesh.
• Location: It is located in the Vindhyan mountain range in the northern part of Madhya Pradesh.
• Standing over an area of 542 sq.km., it is the only tiger reserve in the entire Bundhelkhand region.
• It falls in biogeographic zones of the Deccan Peninsula and the Biotic Province of the Central highlands.
• It was declared a Project Tiger Reserve by the Government of India in 1994. 
• Landscape:
• It is characterized by a ‘Table Top’ topography.
• It consists of extensive plateaus and gorges.
• Two plateaus run parallel to each other from southwest to northeasterly direction. 
• River: The Ken River flows from south to north through the reserve.
• The reserve is also dotted with two-thousand-year-old rock paintings.
• The region surrounding the reserve is home to various indigenous tribes, each with its distinct culture and traditions. The Baiga and Gond tribes are among the prominent ones.

Flora

• Panna Tiger Reserve is characterized by dry deciduous forests, with a mix of teak and mixed forests. 
• Notable tree species include Tectona grandis (teak), Diospyros melanoxylon (tendu), Madhuca indica (mahua), Buchnania latifolia (chironji), Anogeissus latifolia (dhaora), Anogeissus pendula (dhok), Lannea coromandelica (jhingan), and Boswellia serrata (salai). Shrub species include Lantana camara, Grewia species, Nyctanthus arbortristis (harshringar), Ixora species, Ziziphus mauritiana (ber), and Ziziphus oenoplia.

Fauna 

• Panna Tiger Reserve boasts a diverse fauna, including the Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, sloth bear, and various other mammals, reptiles, and birds.

• Notable mammals include the nilgai, chinkara, chital, sambar, and four-horned antelope. The reserve is also home to a variety of birds, with over 200 species recorded, including migratory birds. Reptiles like gharials and muggers can be found in the Ken River. 

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5. Great Hornbill

Context

• In a rare and remarkable sighting, the Malamuzhakki Vezhambal (Great Horn bill), Kerala state bird was spotted in coastal belt of Kakkampara, near Ezhimala, in Kannur.

About the Bird

• It is the state bird of Kerala and Arunachal Pradesh
• The great hornbill, also known as the concave-casqued hornbill, great Indian hornbill, or great pied hornbill, is a large bird and one of the larger members of the hornbill family.
• The Scientific name of bird is Buceros bicornis.
• Distribution:Great hornbills are found in India’s northeastern area, Bhutan, Nepal, mainland Southeast Asia, and the Indonesian island of Sumatra.
• In the subcontinent they are found in a few forest areas in the Western Ghats and in the forests along the Himalayas.
• Habitat: India’s northeastern area, Bhutan, Nepal, mainland Southeast Asia, and the Indonesian island of Sumatra.
• Distinctive Feature: The casque of the bird appears U-shaped when viewed from the front and has two ridges along the sides that form points in the front.
• They are fairly large, ranging from 95 to 120 cm in length and featuring a wingspan of 151 to 178 cm. On average, they weigh 3 kg.
• IUCN STATUS: Endangered
• CITES: APPENDIX I

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6. Extended Range Anti-Submarine Rocket

Context

• Recently user trials of Extended Range Anti-Submarine Rocket (ERASR) were successfully carried out from INS Kavaratti 

About the News

• It was carried out by Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune, in association with High Energy Materials Research Laboratory.
• Naval Science & Technological Laboratory, has designed and developed ERASR for indigenous rocket launcher (IRL) of Indian Naval Ships.
• ERASR is a totally indigenous anti-submarine rocket used to combat submarine and fired from onboard IRL of Indian Naval Ships.

Features of Anti-Submarine Rocket

• It has twin-rocket motor configuration to meet a wide spectrum of range requirements with high accuracy and consistency.
• The ERASR uses an indigenously developed Electronic Time Fuze.
• A total of 17 ERASRs were successfully test evaluated at different ranges.
• All the specified objectives of the trials such as Range performance, Electronic Time Fuze functioning and Warhead functioning were successfully demonstrated.
• Bharat Dynamics Limited, Hyderabad and Solar Defence& Aerospace Limited, Nagpur are the Production Partners for ERASR Rockets.

Conclusion

With successful completion of User Trials, Indian Navy is expected to induct the ERASR System soon.

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7. Bulgaria

Context

• Bulgaria becomes 21st member to adopt Euro after EU green light.

About Bulgaria

• Bulgaria is a country located in Southeastern Europe, on the eastern side of the Balkan Peninsula.
• Capital City: Sofia
• The estimated population as of 2025 is 6.4 million.
• It shares its borders with  Romania in north, Serbia and North Macedonia in west, Greece and Turkey in south and Black Sea is situated in East.
• Bulgaria is member of NATO since 2004 and of European Union since 2007.

Geographical Setting

• Mountains: Rila, Pirin, and Balkan ranges.
• Rivers: Danube (forms the northern border with Romania).
• Black Sea Coast: Popular for summer tourism (e.g., Varna, Burgas, Sunny Beach).
• UNESCO Sites includes Rila Monastery, Boyana Church, Thracian tombs, Srebarna Nature Reserve.

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8. FATF Comprehensive Update on Terrorist Financing Risk 2025

Context

• The FATF’s 2025 report highlights how accused in major terror incidents in India—including the Gorakhnath attack and Pulwama bombing—used online payment platforms, VPNs, and e-commerce sites to fund and execute terrorism.

About the Report

• The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), in a report, highlighted that digital platforms including online payments, VPNs, social media, and e-commerce were misused in the Pulwama (2019) and Gorakhnath Temple (2022) terror attacks.
• The report, titled ‘Comprehensive Update on Terrorist Financing Risks’, serves as a global alert on the evolving and increasingly complex methods of terrorist financing. 
• It warned that such platforms are increasingly being exploited for terror financing.

Other Trends in Report

• The report highlights terrorist abuse of E-Commerce sites like Amazon to purchase materials covertly.
• Growth in unregulated crypto markets and mixer services pose serious tracking challenges for investigation.
• Online intermediaries are used to route funds between foreign sources and terrorists complicating traceability.
• Radicalised individuals act independently, often funded via online storefronts to launder funds and move value undetected which leads to increase in threats of lone actor rise.
• South Asia, West Africa, Sahel, and Middle East remain high-risk regions; India sighted as a critical case studies.
• Many jurisdictions lack sufficient KYC,AML, and CTF frameworks for digital platforms.
• Crowdfunding Platforms: Terror-linked campaigns are launched under social causes to attract global donors without disclosing real intent. Funds raised this way are diverted to finance radicalisation and weapons procurement.
• Without naming countries, the report notes that some national governments continue to financially and materially support terrorist organisations. 
• This includes direct funding, logistical support, training, and sanctions circumvention via trade and smuggling.

Financial Action Task Force

• FATF is an intergovernmental policy-making body established in 1989 at the G7 Summit in Paris. 
• Its primary objective is to develop policies to combat money laundering (ML), terrorist financing (TF), and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system.
• Headquarters – FATF is headquartered in Paris, France, and functions out of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) headquarters.
• FATF comprises 39 members, including 37 jurisdictions and 2 regional organizations (European Commission and Gulf Cooperation Council).
• India became a full member of the FATF in 2010, which enhanced its global financial credibility.

Key Functions and Roles

• Setting International Standards for combating Money Laundering and Terror Financing through its famous 40 Recommendations.
• Monitoring Compliance of member and non-member countries with those standards.
• Conducting Mutual Evaluations to assess effectiveness of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing measures.
• Issuing Public Statements to identify high-risk and non-cooperative jurisdictions (also known as the FATF Grey List and Black List).
• Encouraging Legal, Regulatory, and Operational Reforms in financial systems globally.

Challenges in Countering Digital Terrorism

• Transactions often span over multiple nations which complicates legal access and Law enforcement cooperation like use of Dark web to buy arms communicate and move crypto. 
• Many fintech platforms fail to verify user identity allowing fake accounts to move funds across freely.
• Terror groups quickly adapt to new tech tools in this new age which helps is dodging existing regulations.

Measures to Counter this

• Mandate stringent verification procedures for all online transactions by strengthening Digital KYC.
• Deploy AL/ML based system to track abnormal spending patters and keyword linked purchases by ensuring real time monitoring.
• Create Mutual legal assistant treaties and date exchange protocols with tech hosting nations by strengthening Cross border data sharing.
• E-commerce platforms Must monitor and flag purchases of dual-use materials and verify seller legitimacy.

Conclusion

• The report underscores a growing trend of misusing digital tools—e-commerce, VPNs, and online payment systems—for planning, funding, and executing terrorist acts.
• This highlights the urgent need for regulatory oversight and monitoring.

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9. India Reaffirms its Target of Reaching $300 billion by 2030 in Bio-Economy Sector

Context

• Union Minister of Science & Technology called for a wider public understanding and inclusive participation in India’s biotechnology mission, stating that every Indian is a stakeholder in the country’s bioeconomy.
• The Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to realizing a $300 billion bioeconomy by 2030.

About Bioeconomy

• The bioeconomy is the use of renewable biological resources to produce food, energy and industrial goods, which supports sustainability and economic growth. 
• Innovations like gene editing and bioprinting are driving progress, while integration across sectors strengthens long-term impact.
• By aligning biotechnology with digital tools and circular economy principles, the bioeconomy offers sustainable solutions to environmental challenges and promotes overall societal well-being.

India’s Bioeconomy

• India is among the Top 12 destinations for biotechnology worldwide and 3rd largest destination for biotechnology in Asia Pacific. 
• India’s bioeconomy has grown sixteen-fold from $10 billion in 2014 to an impressive $165.7 billion in 2024. 
• Contributing 4.25% to the national GDP, the sector has demonstrated a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.9% over the past four years. 
• India’s Biotechnology sector is categorised into Biopharmaceuticals, Bio agriculture, Bio IT and Bio Services.
• Future Goals: Target of achieving a $300 billion bioeconomy by 2030.
  • India also seeks to lead globally in bio-pharma, including vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics. 

Government Initiatives and Programmes

• BioE3 Policy (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment): It was approved by the Union Cabinet  in 2024, and aims to transform India into a global biotech powerhouse by fostering high-performance biomanufacturing. Key features of the policy include: 
• Innovation-driven support for R&D and entrepreneurship;
• Establishment of Biomanufacturing & Bio-AI hubs and Biofoundry.
• Focus on regenerative bioeconomy models for green growth;
• Expansion of India’s skilled workforce;
• Alignment with ‘Net Zero’ carbon economy and ‘Lifestyle for Environment’ (LiFE) initiatives.
• National Biopharma Mission: It is a government-approved initiative led by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and implemented by BIRAC.
• Aim: To boost India’s capabilities in biopharmaceuticals, vaccines, biosimilars, medical devices, and diagnostics by fostering collaboration between industry and academia. 
• With a budget of $250 million, co-funded 50% by the World Bank, the mission supports 101 projects, involving over 150 organisations and 30 MSMEs. 

Other Initiatives

• Bio-agriculture: Agricultural biotechnology in India is advancing rapidly through innovations in genomics, transgenics, and gene editing under the Department of Biotechnology’s Agriculture Biotechnology programme.
• Climate-Smart Crops: A drought-tolerant, high-yielding chickpea variety SAATVIK (NC 9) has been approved for cultivation.
• Genome-Edited Rice: Loss-of-function mutations in yield-limiting genes have led to improved rice lines like DEP1-edited MTU-1010, showing higher yields.
• Genotyping Arrays: India’s first 90K SNP arrays—IndRA for rice and IndCA for chickpea—enable DNA fingerprinting and variety identification.
• Amaranth Resources: A genomic database, NIRS techniques, and a 64K SNP chip aid nutritional screening and development of anti-obesity amaranth varieties.
• Biocontrol: A nano-formulation from Myrothecium verrucaria offers eco-friendly control of powdery mildew in tomato and grape.
• Kisan-Kavach: An anti-pesticide protective suit enhances farmer safety from toxic exposure.
• Biotech-KISAN (Biotech-Krishi Innovation Science Application Network): Biotech-KISAN is a scientist-farmer partnership programme launched to empower farmers through agricultural innovation and scientific interventions.
• It follows a hub-and-spoke model and is active across 115 Aspirational Districts in India.
• Bioenergy: Bioenergy is a form of renewable energy that is derived from recently living organic materials known as biomass, which can be used to produce transportation fuels, heat, electricity, and products.
• Ethanol blending has seen a significant rise—from 1.53% in 2014 to 15% in 2024, with a target of 20% blending by 2025. 
• This shift has not only reduced crude oil imports by 173 lakh metric tons but also saved Rs. 99,014 crores in foreign exchange and cut 519 lakh metric tons of CO₂ emissions.
• Boosting Biotech Innovation Through BIRAC Initiatives: The Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), established by the Department of Biotechnology in 2012, plays a pivotal role in nurturing India’s biotech startup ecosystem.
• With 95 bio-incubation centres set up nationwide, BIRAC supports startups through funding, infrastructure, and mentorship.

Conclusion

• India’s bioeconomy stands at a defining moment, with its integrated approach to innovation, sustainability, and inclusive development setting a global benchmark. 
• Through robust policy frameworks, cutting-edge research, and a strong emphasis on collaboration across sectors, the nation is well on track to redefine its industrial and environmental landscape. 
• The convergence of bio-manufacturing, bio-agriculture, and bioenergy not only strengthens national resilience but also signals India’s strategic intent to lead in the emerging global bioeconomy.

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10. India Maize Summit

Context

• Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare & Rural Development inaugurated the 11th edition of the India Maize Summit.

About Maize and its Production

• Maize, often known as Indian corn, is globally called the queen of cereals due to its highest genetic yield potential.
• In India, it is the third most important food crop after rice and wheat.
• Maize is a rainfed Kharif crop primarily grown in regions with semi-arid conditions (25 – 75 cm rainfall), where rice and wheat production is not feasible.
• In Tamil Nadu, maize is a rabi crop sown before the onset of the winter rainy season in September and October, as rains occur mostly in November and December in eastern Tamil Nadu.
• Maize can be grown in various soils, from loamy sand to clay loam. 
• India’s maize production has grown from 10 Mn MT in the 1990s to 42.3 Mn MT in recent years, with a projected target of 86 Mn MT by 2047.
• Maize is cultivated in almost all Indian states, with the major producing states being Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh.

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