15^th September 2025

1. Defence Procurement Manual (DPM) 2025: Recently, the Defence Minister approved the Defence Procurement Manual (DPM) 2025, a comprehensive revision aimed at streamlining and rationalising revenue procurement in the Ministry of Defence.

• About DPM 2025: Faster Procurement & Military Readiness: Ensures quick supply of resources, better coordination among the three Services, and fewer delays in acquisitions.

• Boost to Self-Reliance (Aatmanirbhar Bharat): New chapter to promote indigenisation; industry, academia, IITs, IISc, start-ups, and Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSUs) to work together on R&D and defence item development.
• Business-Friendly Reforms: Easier financing, simpler processes, and lighter penalties for industry.
• More Power to Local Authorities: Field-level Competent Financial Authorities can extend delivery timelines, change bid opening dates, and ensure faster supplier payments without sending files to higher levels.
• Better Maintenance Support: 15% extra provision for repair and maintenance of naval and aerial platforms to cut downtime and keep equipment ready.
• Fair & Transparent Bidding: No need for NOCs from DPSUs before open bidding; contracts to be awarded purely through competitive and transparent processes.

2. First Bamboo-Based Bio-Ethanol Refinery: Recently, the Prime Minister inaugurated India’s first bamboo-based bio-ethanol refinery in Assam’s Golaghat district, marking a major step towards India’s energy self-reliance mission.

• About Bio-Ethanol Plant: It will use local bamboo resources to support clean energy generation and green industrial growth.

• Energy Self-Reliance & Renewables: The project marks progress toward Atmanirbharta in energy, contributing to reduced carbon emissions and dependence on fossil fuels; India is already among the top five countries in solar energy capacity.
• Polypropylene Unit: Foundation stone laid for a new polypropylene unit at the refinery to enhance industrial and petrochemical capacity in the Northeast.
• Healthcare Infrastructure: Foundation stones laid for Darrang Medical College, Nursing College, and GNM School in Darrang district to boost medical education and healthcare services.
• Connectivity & Infrastructure: Virtual launch of a new bridge over the Brahmaputra River (linking Narengi in Guwahati with Kuruwa in Darrang) and the Guwahati Ring Road Project to improve traffic flow and regional connectivity.

3. Guidelines for DNA: Recently, the Supreme Court laid down a set of guidelines for the collection, storage, and use of DNA samples in criminal cases, after finding repeated lapses in the handling of forensic evidence.

• Supreme Court’s DNA Guidelines (2025)

• Proper documentation at the time of collection: Must include FIR details, officer names, medical professionals, witnesses, statutes invoked, etc. Signatures of all concerned are mandatory.
• Timely transfer to Forensic Science Laboratory: Investigating officer responsible for safe transportation.
• Samples must reach the FSL within 48 hours; delays must be explained and preservation ensured.
• No tampering during storage: Samples pending trial/appeal cannot be opened, resealed, or altered without trial court’s authorisation.
• Chain of Custody Register: Must be maintained from collection till conviction/acquittal.
  - Should form part of trial court records.
  - Investigating officer must explain any lapses.

4. Chlamydia: Recently, Australia approved the world’s first vaccine to protect koalas from Chlamydia, a disease threatening their survival.

• About Koalas: Scientific name: Phascolarctos cinereus.

• Arboreal, herbivorous marsupial native to Australia.
• Only living member of the Phascolarctidae family; closest relatives are wombats.
• Mostly solitary, coming together mainly during the breeding season.
• Spend most of their lives eating and sleeping in eucalyptus trees.
• Found in eastern and southeastern Australia: Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and parts of South Australia.
• Conservation Status: IUCN Status: Vulnerable.

• About Chlamydia in Koalas: Caused by Chlamydia pneumoniae and Chlamydia pecorum.

• Transmission: through mating, birth, and infected discharges.
• Symptoms: eye infections, blindness, urinary tract disease, infertility.
• Infected koalas become weak, dehydrated, and prone to predators and bushfires.
• In some regions, up to 70% of wild koalas are infected.

5. PLI Scheme for White Goods: Recently, the government re-opened the application window for the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for White Goods.

• About the Scheme: To build a complete component ecosystem for Air Conditioners (ACs) and LED lights in India.

• Aim: Make India a key part of global supply chains in this sector.
• Coverage: A pan-India scheme (not limited to any region or population group).
• Incentives: Eligible companies to receive 4–6% incentive on incremental turnover (over base year 2019–20).
• Applies to goods sold domestically and exported globally.
• Incentives valid for 5 years.
• Eligibility: Any company incorporated in India under the Companies Act, 2013. Must achieve specified net incremental sales and cumulative investment thresholds.
• Duration: Implementation period: FY 2021-22 to FY 2028-29.
• Nodal Ministry: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

6. m-Kisan Portal: Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (MoAFW) launched AI-based monsoon forecasts via SMS through the m-Kisan portal, reaching about 3.8 crore farmers across 13 states this year.

• About the AI- Based Monsoon Forecast Program: Targeted AI weather forecast dissemination directly to farmers.

• Correctly predicted a 20-day pause in monsoon progression.
• Farmers received weekly updates until continuous rains resumed in their area.
• AI Models Used: Google’s Neural GCM and ECMWF’s Artificial Intelligence Forecasting Systems (AIFS).

• About m-Kisan Portal: A web-based mobile advisory platform for farmers.

• Supported by Research Institutes and Agricultural Universities.
• Used by Central and State agencies to send advisories via SMS.
• Messages are customised by language, location, and preferred practices.
• Provides updates on weather, crops, pest control, and government schemes.

7. Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan: Recently, the Prime Minister will launch the ‘Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan’ along with the 8th Poshan Maah.

• About Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan: India’s largest-ever women and child health mobilisation.

• Jointly led by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) and Ministry of Women & Child Development (MoWCD).
• 1 lakh+ health camps planned; daily health camps at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, CHCs, District Hospitals, etc.

• Objectives: Strengthen healthcare & nutrition services for women, adolescent girls, and children.
  - Focus on early detection, prevention, health promotion, and treatment linkages.
  - Advance vision of Health, Poshan, Fitness, and Viksit Bharat 2047.

• Key Health Services: Screening & Care: NCDs, cancers, anaemia, TB, sickle cell, maternal & child health, immunisation.

• Nutrition & Wellness: Diet counselling, IFA/deworming, menstrual hygiene, mental health, yoga & AYUSH.
• Support Services: Blood donation, digital enrolment (PM-JAY, ABHA), e-Raktkosh, Nikshay Mitras.

8. Bhadohi’s Handmade Carpet: Recently, Bhadohi’s handmade carpet industry, which accounts for over 60% of India’s carpet exports, faced a crisis after the U.S. imposed a 50% tariff, causing order cancellations, production cuts, and job losses.

• Bhadohi’s handmade carpet: A traditional craft where wool, silk, or cotton threads are knotted or tufted on looms to produce decorative and durable floor coverings.

• The Bhadohi–Mirzapur belt (Uttar Pradesh), known as “Carpet City”, is the largest hand-knotted carpet cluster in India and a globally recognised hub.
• History: Mughal Era: Origins traced to the time of Akbar, with references in Ain-i-Akbari (16th century).
  - Persian Influence: Persian weavers were invited, introducing Indo-Persian designs.
• Characteristics: Hand-knotted Carpets: Extremely durable, featuring intricate and detailed designs; weaving may take 3–6 months depending on size and complexity.
  - Materials: Use of premium wool (New Zealand), silk (Karnataka), and eco-friendly natural dyes ensures sustainability and quality.
  - Design Range: From Persian and Mughal floral motifs to modern geometric styles, meeting diverse global preferences.
  - Labour-Intensive Craft: Involves skilled processes like carding, spinning, dyeing, knotting, washing, and shearing — generating large-scale rural employment.

9. Continuing Medical Education (CME): Recently, the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi, organised three six-day Continuing Medical Education (CME) programmes for Ayurveda teachers under the Ayurgyan Scheme of the Ministry of Ayush.

• Key Highlights:  

• Kriya Sharira: 12 eminent experts delivered lectures on Oja, Agni, Mana, Indriya, Prakriti, Nidra, bioinformatics, advanced Nadi assessment, cardiorespiratory system, innovative teaching techniques, and cutting-edge research tools such as multi-omics and transcriptome analysis.
• Rasa Shastra & Bhaishajya Kalpana: 14 distinguished experts covered drug standardisation, safety and efficacy evaluation, regulatory frameworks, Ayurvedic cosmetics, molecular simulation, and functional characterisation of formulations.
• Swasthavritta & Yoga: 20+ experts from institutions such as AIIMS, NIFTEM, and MDNIY conducted sessions on Ayurvedic dietetics, sleep science, Dinacharya, Ritucharya, Yoga practices, stress management, environmental health, biomedical waste management, and national health programmes.
• The initiative aligns with the Ministry of Ayush’s vision under the Ayurgyan Scheme to build interdisciplinary learning, innovative pedagogy, and evidence-based research capacity within Ayurveda.