05^th September 2025

1. National Institutional Ranking Framework: Recently, the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025 was released by the Union Education Minister, who also presented the India Rankings 2025 awards.

• Key Highlights: IIT Madras topped the NIRF 2025 overall rankings for the 7th consecutive year and remained the best engineering college for the 10th year.

• 17 categories were awarded in the 10th edition of NIRF; more institutions joined compared to earlier years.
• IISc Bengaluru topped the Universities category (10th year) and Research Institutions category (5th year).
• IIM Ahmedabad ranked 1st in Management for the 6th year.
• AIIMS, New Delhi topped Medical (8th year) and Dental (1st time) categories, also ranking 8th overall.
• IIT Hyderabad ranked 12th overall and 6th in Innovation.
• Jamia Hamdard retained 1st place in Pharmacy.
• IIT Roorkee retained 1st in Architecture & Planning.
• NLSIU Bengaluru topped Law for the 8th year.
• Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi ranked 1st in Agriculture & Allied Sectors.
• In Universities category: 1st: IISc Bengaluru and 2nd: JNU, New Delhi

2. Methandienone Long-Term Metabolite (LTM): Recently, the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Guwahati, under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, collaborated with the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL), New Delhi.

• Together, they successfully developed a rare and high-purity Reference Material (RM) – Methandienone Long-Term Metabolite (LTM).

• About Reference Materials (RMs): Highly purified and scientifically characterized drug substances or metabolites. Essential for precise analytical testing in anti-doping.

• Help detect 450+ banned substances identified by WADA.

• Significance of Methandienone LTM: An anabolic steroid. Its long-term metabolites (LTMs) remain detectable in urine for months or years after use.

• LTMs are the most reliable markers for identifying doping.

• Impact of the breakthrough: Improves testing accuracy in anti-doping labs.

• Enables detection of banned substance use long after consumption.
• Increases positive doping case identification and serves as a deterrent against doping in sports.

3. DRDO: Recently, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) transferred three advanced materials technologies to industry partners. This marks a major step in strengthening indigenous capabilities in strategic defence applications.

• Technologies transferred:

• High-strength Radomes manufacturing to BHEL, Jagdishpur
  - Radomes are protective covers for missile sensors.
  - Enhances self-reliance in missile systems.
• DMR-1700 Steel Sheets & Plates for defence applications to JSPL, Angul
  - Offers ultrahigh strength and high fracture toughness at room temperature.
• DMR-249A HSLA Steel Plates for naval applications to BSP, Bhilai, SAIL
  - Robust, reliable, and meets stringent requirements for naval vessel construction.
• Significance: Marks a major advancement in indigenous materials technology for strategic applications.
• Industry partnerships ensure rapid scaling and deployment of innovations.

4. RERA Portal: Recently, the Union Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs launched the Unified RERA (Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016) Portal – mohua.gov.in. It is aimed at providing a common platform for all stakeholders.

• About RERA Portal: Aimed at providing a common platform for stakeholders, enhancing transparency, sharing best practices among States/UTs.
• Progress of RERA (8 years):
  - 35 States/UTs established Real Estate Regulatory Authorities.
  - 29 States/UTs set up Appellate Tribunals.
  - 27 States/UTs appointed Adjudicating Officers.
  - 1,51,113 projects and 1,06,545 agents registered under RERA.
  - 1,47,383 complaints disposed nationwide.

5. Suspension of Operations (SoO) Agreement: Recently, the Union Home Ministry and the Manipur government signed a revised Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki-Zo insurgent groups.

• The agreement introduces fresh ground rules to restore peace in the conflict-torn state.

• Key Provisions of the Revised Pact: According to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the new terms and conditions include:

• Verification of cadres by security forces and de-listing of foreign nationals, who will be deported if identified.
• Reaffirmation of Manipur’s territorial integrity while pursuing a negotiated political settlement within the framework of the Indian Constitution.
• Relocation and reduction of designated camps run by insurgent groups, with weapons moved to the nearest CRPF/BSF camps.
• Formation of a Joint Monitoring Group to enforce compliance; violations will invite strict action, including review of the pact.

6. Sample Registration Survey (SRS) Statistical Report 2023: Recently, the Office of the Registrar General of India released the Sample Registration Survey (SRS) Statistical Report 2023.

• Key Findings: India’s birth and fertility rates have both registered a decline, with the country’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) falling for the first time in two years.

• 18 States/UTs reported TFR below replacement level (2.1).
• Northern States above replacement level: Bihar (2.8), Uttar Pradesh (2.6), Madhya Pradesh (2.4), Rajasthan (2.3), Chhattisgarh (2.2).
• Lowest TFR States/UTs: Delhi (1.2), West Bengal (1.3), Tamil Nadu (1.3), Maharashtra (1.4); several others at 5 (Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, J&K, Punjab).
• India’s Crude Birth Rate (CBR) declined from 19.1 in 2022 to 4 in 2023 (a 0.7-point fall), while the TFR dropped to 1.9, down from 2.0 recorded in 2021 and 2022.
• Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB): National SRB: 917 girls per 1000 boys.
  - Highest SRB: Chhattisgarh (974), Kerala (971).
  - Lowest SRB: Uttarakhand (868).
• Elderly population (60+ years): Increased to 7% in 2023, up by 0.7 points in one year.
  - Highest proportion: Kerala (15%).
  - Lowest proportions: Assam (6%), Delhi (7.7%), Jharkhand (7.6%).

7. Environment Auditors: Recently, the Union Environment Ministry approved the creation of a new, independent class of “environment auditors”. The move comes under the newly notified Environment Audit Rules, 2025.

• Role of Environment Auditors: Under the new framework, private agencies will be allowed to seek accreditation as environment auditors. Much like chartered accountants, they will be licensed and authorised to:

• Evaluate project compliance with environmental laws.
• Ensure adherence to best practices in pollution prevention, control, and abatement.
• Conduct environmental impact assessment (EIA) studies for appraisal by expert committees.
• The auditors’ reports can also be used for compliance with various green regulations, including:
  - Green Credit Rules (for tradeable credits in afforestation, water management, and waste management).
  - Ecomark Rules, 2024.
  - E-Waste Management Rules, 2022.
  - Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016.
  - Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022.
  - Provisions under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980 and the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

8. Solar Orbiter Mission: Recently, a new study from the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Solar Orbiter Mission traced the origin of Solar Energetic Electrons (SEEs) emerging from the Sun.

• About Solar Orbiter Mission: A joint mission of the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA.

• Launched:
• Objective: To study the Sun and the heliosphere from close range and from outside the ecliptic plane.
• Payload: 6 remote-sensing instruments → observe the Sun and solar corona and 4 in-situ instruments → measure solar wind, energetic particles, and electromagnetic fields.

• About Solar Energetic Electrons (SEE): High-energy particles released by the Sun.

• Role: Influence and shape the cosmic environment.
• Sources: Solar flares (explosive bursts on the Sun’s surface) and Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs).

• Significance: Enhances understanding of space weather phenomena.

• Provides insights into how solar activity affects the cosmic and near-Earth environment.

9. Unique Disability ID: Recently, a data showed that less than 40% of India’s projected population of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) have been issued a Unique Disability ID (UDID) Card, which enables access to government benefits.

• About Unique Disability ID (UDID) Card: A single identification document for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).

• Serves as a universal ID valid across India.
• Issued under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016.
• Can be obtained from the home district hospital or the hospital providing treatment.
• Structure of UDID Card Number (18 characters):
  - First 2 characters: State code.
  - Next 2 digits: District code.
  - Next 1 digit: CMO code.
  - Next 2 digits: Disability type.
  - Next 4 digits: Year of birth of PwD.
  - Next 6 digits: Running number.
  - Last digit: Check sum (for security).
• Types of UDID Cards (based on disability percentage):
  - White Card: Below 40% disability.
  - Yellow Card: 40% to 80% disability.
  - Blue Card: Above 80% disability.

10. Acanthamoeba: Recently, findings revealed that Acanthamoeba is more prevalent in Kerala’s waterbodies than earlier believed.

• About Acanthamoeba:A free-living ameba (one-celled organism), found in water, soil, and dust.

• Also present in swimming pools, hot tubs, drinking water systems, humidifiers, and HVAC systems.
• Causes serious infections of the brain, skin, eyes, and sinuses.
• Can infect through: Cuts or wounds on the skin.
  - Inhalation into lungs/nasal passages.
  - Eyes (especially in contact lens users)