Union Minister of State for Science & Technology Dedicated India’s first of its kind public funded DST-ICGEB ‘Bio-Foundry’ at 31st ICGEB Board of Governors Meet.

About ICGEB

• Founded in 1983.
• It has 69 member countries, India is one of the founding members of ICGEB.
• It is a premier intergovernmental organization dedicated to advancing research in the life sciences.
• The organization operates through three main centres: New Delhi (India), Trieste (Italy) and Cape Town (South Africa).
• The research themes broadly includes infectious disease, non-communicable disease, medical biotechnology, industrial biotechnology and plant biotechnology.

A team of scientists from China has reported a way to produce 2D sheets of bismuth, gallium, indium, tin, and lead.

• According to the team, the bismuth sheet was just 6.3 Å (Angstrom) thick — a depth of roughly two atoms and sufficient for electrons in the metal to be confined in 2D.

Significance of the Invention (2D Metals):

• Breakthrough in Materials Science: Enables the creation of truly atomically thin metal sheets.
• Topological Insulators: Materials like 2D bismuth and tin can act as topological insulators, conducting electricity only along their edges.
  • Ideal for faster, low-energy computers.

Indian officials briefed the monitoring team of the UNSC’s 1267 Sanctions Committee on the activities of The Resistance Front (TRF).

About 1267 sanctions Committee

• It is also called the ISIS and Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee.
• It was established in 1999, to focus on combating terrorism linked to ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and related groups.
• It comprises all permanent and non-permanent members of the UNSC.
• The committee decides on sanctions and travel bans for terror organisations and ensures the enforcement of these measures under UNSC resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011), and 2253 (2015).

India has successfully test-fired an indigenously developed anti-drone system, Bhargavastra.

About  Bhargavastra

• It is a low-cost, 'hard kill' anti-drone system designed to neutralize threats from drone swarms. 
• Developed By: Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL), 
• Key Features
  • Two-layer security system:
    • Layer 1: Unguided micro-rockets with a 20m lethal radius for swarm drones
    • Layer 2: Guided micro-missiles for precision strikes
  • Range: Detects drones from up to 2.5 km. Radar detects aerial threats from 6–10 km
  • Terrain adaptability: Above 5000 meters
  • Modular design: Allows integration of soft kill options like jamming and spoofing.
  • C4I-enabled command centre: Enhances network-centric warfare integration.

It played a pivotal role in neutralising drone and missile threats during recent border skirmishes with Pakistan. 

About Akashteer

It is an AI-driven, fully automated air defence solution, designed to intercept and neutralise drones, missiles, micro UAVs, and loitering munitions. 

Developed: Indigenously by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).

Key Features:

• Integrated Network: Links surveillance, radar, and command units.
• Situational Awareness: Delivers real-time airspace data to all units.
• Low-Altitude Monitoring: Tracks and controls threats in battle zones.

Tribal women of Kalahandi, Odisha successfully protested the Forest Department’s denial of Gram Sabha-issued transit permits for kendu leaf transportation. 

About Kendu leaves (Tendu Leaf, Diospyros Melanoxylon)

• Known as the ‘Green Gold of Odisha’, they are a vital minor forest produce (MFP) for the state’s economy as well as livelihood of forest dwellers.
• Kendu leaf is a nationalized product like Bamboo and Sal seed.
  • This means its collection, processing, and trade are regulated by the government.
• Use: For wrapping bidis due to characteristics like matching aroma with Tobacco, 
• Top producer States: Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha.

In the context of appointment of archakars (priests) to temples, the Supreme Court requested the Committee of Madras High Court to identify Agamic temples as against non-Agamic temples in Tamil Nadu.

About Agamas

• Agamas are post-Vedic scriptures conveying ritual knowledge. They are seen as manuals for temple management.
• Methods of worship: Image worship of God through rituals (Tantra), symbolic charts (Yantra) and verbal symbols (Mantra).
• They broadly deal with jnana (knowledge), Yoga (meditation), Kriya (rituals) and Charya (ways of worship).
• Divided into 3 sections: Vaishnava, Saiva and Sakta.
• They do not derive their authority from the Vedas, but are Vedic in spirit and character.
• Important books: Isvara-Samhita, Narada-Pancharatra, Spanda-Pradipika, Mahanirvana-Tantra.

The Supreme Court (SC) passed an order affirming the constitutional rights of pedestrians.

About the SC Order

• SC stated that the Right to have unobstructed and disabled-friendly footpaths is guaranteed under Article 21.
  • Article 21 (Protection of life and personal liberty) states that no person shall be deprived of their life except according to the procedure established by law.
• The SC issued directions:
  • All public roads must have footpaths and must be accessible and usable by persons with disabilities. 
  • Removal of encroachments from footpaths is mandatory. 
  • States/UTs must evolve policies to ensure the availability and maintenance of footpaths and footways.