The Supreme Court stated that while the right to property is no longer a fundamental right, it remains a constitutional and recognized human right.

About Right to property 

• Original Status: Initially, the right to property and compensation for acquisition were protected as Fundamental Rights under Articles 19(1)(f) and 31 of the Constitution.
• Present Status:44th Constitution Amendment in 1978 removed the right to property from the list of Fundamental Rights, making it a constitutional right under Article 300A.
  • Article 300A states that “No person shall be deprived of his property save by authority of law”

IIT Madras has partnered with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare on Project VISTAAR (Virtually Integrated System to Access Agricultural Resources)

About VISTAAR

• It is a "Network" of Networks (Al-augmented) and every State can build their own Agri-Advisory Network.
• It is a comprehensive network that connects decentralized databases to provide seamless access to vital agricultural resources. 
• Objective: enhance decision-making and resource utilization
• Significance
  • Expand access to high-quality advisory services on crop production, marketing, value addition, and supply chain management.
  • provide farmers with information on relevant government schemes

Building on the success of the first Composite Ecological Task Force (CETF) for the Ganga, the Indian Army has formed a new company for the revitalization of the River Gomti.

• The CETF is a unit of ex-servicemen aimed at supporting the NMCG's (National Mission for Clean Ganga) efforts to reduce pollution in the River Ganga.

About Gomti River

• Origin: Starts at Gomath Taal (also called Fulnar Jheel) near Madho Tanda in Pilibhit district of UP.
• Length: It is a tributary of the River Ganga (merges with the River Ganga in Ghazipur district of UP).
• Tributaries: Kathina, Sai, etc.
• Major Cities: Lucknow, Jaunpur, etc.

FSSAI provided clarification in Guidelines for usage of Methylcobalamin in health supplements, medical purposes and nutraceutical products under certain conditions.

• FSSAI had banned Methylcobalamin in 2016 and lifted the ban in 2021 but is yet to notify the same

About Methylcobalamin

• It is a naturally occurring form of vitamin B12 that can be obtained through supplements, as well as food sources like fish, meat, eggs, and milk.
  • Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin integral to DNA synthesis, RBC production, and neurological function. 
  • Other forms of Vitamin B12 are cyanocobalamin and hydroxocobalamin.
• Function: regulates vital bodily functions like cell multiplication, blood formation and protein synthesis.
• Uses: Pain alleviation in diabetic neuropathy,treatment of anaemia, Alzheimer's disease

Recently, a faunal survey was conducted in the Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, focussed on birds, butterflies, odonates (dragonflies and damselflies), and other wildlife.

• Species like the Great Indian Hornbill (State bird of Kerala), Malabar Banded Peacock (butterfly) were spotted.

About Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary

• Situated in Southern Western Ghats in Kollam, Kerala, it is part of Agastyamalai Biosphere Reserve.
• It derives its name from the endemic species, Ghuta Travancorica, locally known as ‘Chenkurunji’.
• Major rivers: Shendurney, Kazhuthuruthy and Kulathupuzha, together forming the River Kallada.
• Common fauna: Elephant, Gaur, Sambar, Malabar giant squirrel, Nilgiri langur, Lion-Tailed macaque etc. 
• Thenmala, the first planned eco-tourism destination in India, is located here.

Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports announced National Sports Awards 2024, to be awarded by the President of India.

About National Sports Awards 2024

• They are a collection of 6 awards given to sportspersons, coaches or organisations etc. 
  • Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2024: It has been awarded to Gukesh D (Chess), Harmanpreet Singh (Hockey), Praveen Kumar (Para-Athletics), Manu Bhaker (Shooting).
    • It is given for outstanding performance over a period of 4 years.
  • Other Awards: 
    • Arjuna Award
    • Arjuna (Lifetime) Award
    • Dronacharya Award (For coaches)
    • Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy: Top-performing University in Khelo India University Games
    • Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar: Organisations/individuals for sports promotion and development over the last 3 years.

Union Ministry of Home Affairs in its annual report of 2023-24 highlighted the new cyber fraud known as the "pig butchering scam" or "investment scam".

About Pig-Butchering scam

• It is a global phenomenon and involves large-scale money laundering and even cyber slavery. 
• It is a type of confidence and investment fraud in which the victim is gradually lured into making increasing monetary contributions to a seemingly sound investment before the scammer disappears with the contributed monies.
• Scammers target mostlyunemployed youths, housewives, students, etc.

Recently, researchers from IIT Guwahati developed an innovative injectable hydrogel for targeted Breast Cancer Therapy.

• The newly developed hydrogel made of protein-based ultra-short peptides remains stable at injection sites by being insoluble in body fluids. 
  • These peptides are both biocompatible and biodegradable.

About Hydrogel

• Hydrogels are water-based, three-dimensional polymer networks capable of absorbing and retaining fluids. 
• Their unique structure mimics living tissues, making them suitable for biomedical applications.