The results of PARAKH RS, formerly known as the National Achievement Survey (NAS) , were released.

• It assessed the performance  in the following subjects: language and mathematics (for Grades 3, 6, and 9), world around us (for Grades 3 and 6), and science and social science (for Grade 9).

About PARAKH

• It is the National Assessment Centre.
• It was set up in NCERT as an independent constituent unit in 2023.
• Objective: setting norms, standards, guidelines and implementing activities related to student assessment
  • Along with other tasks as mandated by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Scientists at National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR) have used CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology to increase phosphate uptake and transport in japonica rice varieties.

Role of Phosphorous in Plants

• It is an essential mineral for plant growth and its limited availability leads to productivity drops drastically.
• It is noted especially for its role in capturing and converting the sun’s energy into useful plant compounds.
• It is essential for Stimulated root development, Increased nitrogen N-fixing capacity of legumes, Improved flower formation and seed production, etc.

The BRICS nations have “condemned and rejected” Europe’s CBAM calling it a unilateral and unfair trade barrier.

About CBAM

• It is the carbon border tax with the aim of reducing carbon emissions.
• It is the EU's tool to put a fair price on the carbon emitted during the production of carbon intensive goods that are entering the EU, and to encourage cleaner industrial production in non-EU countries.
• Enforcement: From 2026 while transitional phase lasts between 2023 and 2025.

Kharai camels have been rescued in Gujarat from sea tide.

About Kharai camels 

• It is a unique and domesticated breed known for its ability to swim in the sea and graze on mangroves.
• It is indigenous to Gujarat (primarily in Kutch).
  • Derives its name from the local term “Khara,” meaning saline, reflecting its adaptability to both desert and coastal ecosystems.
• It has been preserved by the Rabari and Fakirani Jat tribes for over 400 years.
• It's milk, rich in nutrients and with potential therapeutic benefits.

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released the Indian Telecom Services-Yearly Performance Indicators for the year 2024-25.

Key-highlights

• Internet Subscribers: Increased from 954.40 million (2024) to 969.10 million (2025).
• Telephone Subscribers: Increased from 1,199.28 million (2024) to 1,200.80 million (2025)
• Tele-Density: Decreased from 85.69% (2024) to 85.04% (2025). 
  • Urban and rural tele-density stand at 131.45% and 59.06%, respectively.

A new Akashvani Kendra will be established in Ujjain with the support of the BIND scheme.

About BIND Scheme (2023)

• Type: Central Sector Scheme
• Ministry: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
• Objective: Provides financial support to Prasar Bharati (i.e. All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan (DD)) to expand and upgrade its broadcasting infrastructure, content development, etc. 
  • Prasar Bharati is a public broadcaster of the country.

NCSC submitted its Annual Report for 2023-24 to the President of India.

About ⁠National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC)

• Established in accordance with the Constitution (Eighty-Ninth Amendment) Act, 2003 the erstwhile National Commission for Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes has been replaced by:-
  • NCSC (Article 338)
  • National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (Article 338-A)
• Key Functions:
  • To investigate and monitor all matters relating to the safeguards provided for the SC.
  • To inquire into specific complaints with respect to the deprivation of rights and safeguards of the Scheduled Castes, etc. 
• Composition: Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, and 3 other members, appointed by the President.
• Power: It has the power of a civil court in certain matters. 

Uttarakhand government has commissioned assessments of carrying capacity of cities to check ecological imbalances.

About Carrying Capacity

• Carrying capacity of an ecosystem is the size of the population or community that can be supported indefinitely upon the available resources and services of that ecosystem.
• It is generally determined by three factors:
  • the amount of resources available in the ecosystem;
  • the size of the population or community; and
  • the amount of resources each individual within the community is consuming.