The Committee to recommend the name of new CBI Director failed to reach consensus.

Appointment Process

• As per the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act 1946, the CBI Director is appointed by the Central Government on the recommendation of a 3-members committee consisting of 
  • Prime Minister (Chairperson)
  • Chief Justice of India (or Judge of the Supreme Court nominated by him)
  • Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha (or the leader of the single largest opposition party in Lok Sabha).
• Tenure: 2 years, extendable to 3 more years (1 year at a time).

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has appointed Parameswaran Iyer as the new Executive Director, representing India at IMF’s Executive Board.

About IMF’s Executive Board

• The Executive Board (the Board) is responsible for conducting the day-to-day business of the IMF. 
• It is composed of 25 Directors, who are elected by member countries or by groups of countries, and the Managing Director, who serves as its Chairman. 
• The Board represents all IMF member countries.
• It approves IMF financing to help member countries address temporary balance of payments problems.

The Ministry of Tourism and Culture aims to elevate at least 10 Indian cities into the world’s top Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) destinations. 

India as an emerging destination for MICE Industry

• India is emerging as a global MICE powerhouse which generated USD 49.4 billion in 2024, projected to reach USD 103.6 billion by 2030, with a 13% CAGR.
• Factors: Robust economic growth, world-class infrastructure (roads, railways), and government support have already helped in developing world class convention centres like Bharat Mandapam, Jio World Centre etc.

The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) announced the selection of seven e-Nodes for support under its MAHA-EV mission

• Each selected electric mobility node (e-nodes) will execute the project in consortia mode involving academic institutions/R&D laboratories with the mandatory industry participation.

About MAHA-EV mission

• It is a program of ANRF.
  • ANRF is a statutory body established with an aim to seed, fund, and coordinate, research and development across institutions in the country.
• Aim: To catalyze India's leadership in next-generation electric mobility solutions, aligned with the goals of sustainability, innovation, and self-reliance.

The Ministry of Culture takes steps to halt the auction of piprahwa relics by Sotheby’s Hong Kong.

About Piprahwa Relics

• History: Excavated in 1898 by William Claxton Peppé from the Piprahwa Stupa (ancient Kapilavastu, the birthplace of Lord Buddha).
• Relics include bone fragments, crystal and soapstone caskets, a sandstone coffer, and offerings like gold ornaments and gemstones.
  • An inscription in Brahmi script identifies the relics as those of the Buddha, deposited by the Sakya clan.

Faroe Islands Space Program’s initiative is harnessing the gravitational pull of Moon to generate electricity through Luna 12. 

About Luna 12 

• Luna 12 is a tidal kite that captures underwater currents off the Faroe Islands’ coast, converting them into renewable power.
  • Tidal Kites is a type of underwater turbine that generates electricity by harnessing power of ocean currents and tides driven by Moon’s Gravitational Pull.
• It is part of Swedish company Minesto’s Dragon Class of tidal kites.
• Significance: Tidal Energy offers predictable and consistent renewable energy unlike solar or wind energy. 

Indian Security Forces Launches Operation Shiva to guard Amarnath Yatra.

• This is amid the backdrop of Pahalgam Terror attack and tensions between India and Pakistan.

About Shri Amarnath ji

• Located in Anantnag district at 13,000 ft, Amarnath Cave houses the ice lingam, the phallic symbol of Lord Shiva.
• Two smaller ice stalagmite represent Parvati, his wife, and Ganesha, his son.
• Pilgrimage occurs in Shravan month, when the lingam reaches full size, and the origin of the pilgrimage is described in a Sanskrit book “Bringesha Samhita”.

Traditional Nilgiri tahr habitats in Coimbatore Forest Division show signs of population revival, according to synchronised census in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. 

About Nilgiri Tahr 

• Endemic to Western Ghats, it is the only mountain ungulate in southern India amongst the 12 species present in India.
• Habitat: Open montane grassland habitats.
  • Distributed across Western Ghats between Nilgiris in the north and Kanyakumari hills in the south. 
• Threats: Habitat loss, livestock competition, hydro projects, monoculture plantations, and occasional hunting.
• Project Nilgiri Tahr: Flagship project of Tamil Nadu state to protect its state animal.
• Conservation Status:  
  • IUCN Red List: Endangered.
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act of India, 1972: Schedule I.

Airglow has been captured above the La Silla Observatory in Chile’s Atacama Desert.

About Airglow

• Airglow occurs when atoms and molecules in the upper atmosphere, excited by ultraviolet ray from sun, emit light in order to shed their excess energy.
  • Airglow is ever-present in the night sky, but is typically too faint to be seen by the naked eye and can only be detected by high-precision cameras in dark locations.
• The phenomenon is similar to auroras, but where auroras are driven by high-energy particles originating from the solar wind, airglow is sparked by day-to-day solar radiation.