Recently, Prime Minister offered prayers at Brihadisvara Temple in Tamil Nadu.

About Brihadeeswara Temple

• It is also known as Peruvudaiyar Kovil is located in Thanjavur. 
• Testimony to the Dravidian architecture of the Chola Period.
• Dedicated to Lord Shiva represented as a huge ‘Lingam’.
• Temple was built around 1010 AD by the Chola king Rajaraja Chola I. 
• The temple’s inscriptions and frescoes narrate the tale of the rise and decline of the city’s fortunes. 
• It is also listed as a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
  • Considered as one of the three ‘Great Living Chola Temples’ along with the Gangaikondacholeeswaram Temple and Airavastesvara Temple.

Majuli residents combat riverbank erosion by planting Kanchan trees along the Brahmaputra River.

About Majuli Island

• Majuli is the world’s largest river island in the Brahmaputra River.
• It became India’s first river island district in 2016.
• Formed by the Brahmaputra River (south) and Kherkutia Xuti + Subansiri River (north).
• Surrounded by wetlands (beels) and small islets locally known as “Chaporis”.
• Listed in India’s Tentative List for UNESCO World Heritage Sites
• Hosts Sattras (Vaishnavite monasteries) that serve as cultural and spiritual centers.
  • The Institution of Satra is a unique feature of Vaishnavism in Assam, founded by Sankardeva, the father of Assamese culture.

14^th Edition of India–Singapore Joint Military Exercise, Exercise Bold Kurukshetra 2025 commenced on July 27, 2025.

About Exercise Bold Kurukshetra

• The exercise will be conducted as a Table Top Exercise and Computer-Based Wargame, aimed at validating operational procedures for mechanised warfare.

Deep-brain stimulation (DBS) is a medical technique where doctors implant electrodes deep inside specific areas of the brain to treat certain disorders.

About DBS

• Concept: The electrodes are connected to a pacemaker-like device placed under the skin in the chest, which sends controlled electrical impulses to adjust abnormal brain activity.
• How Does it Work?
  • DBS works by modifying how groups of neurons talk to each other. Many of these disorders involve faulty electrical signals in the brain.
  • Delivering electrical pulses through DBS can interrupt these erratic signals, helping reduce symptoms. 
• DBS is most commonly used for Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, etc.

APEDA has refuted certain allegations against Organic Cotton Certifications.

About Organic Certification in India

• National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP): Implemented by APEDA, Union Ministry of Commerce & Industry, programme involves the accreditation of Certification Bodies, standards for organic production, promotion of organic farming and marketing etc.
  • NPOP standards for production and accreditation system have been recognized by European Commission and Switzerland for unprocessed plant products as equivalent to their country standards. 
• Participatory Guarantee System (PGS - India) Certification: Is a process in which producers assess, inspect, and verify the production practices of each other and collectively declare the entire holding of the group as organic.

The Prime Minister in the monthly radio programme had praised the traditional craftsmanship of Paithani sarees.

About Paithani sarees:

• The Paithani sari, known as the ‘mahavastra of Maharashtra’, is known for its rich, vibrant colors woven in pure silk and gold zari.
• The birthplace of Paithani, is the medieval town of Paithan, located on the banks of the River Godavari.
  • Originated during the 6th century B.C. 
• Distinctive style: with bold patterns and traditional motifs.
  • Special designs in Pallu and its borders: peacock, lotus, mango 
  • Uses designs borrowed from the rock-cut caves of Ajanta and Ellora.
• Geographical Indication (GI) tag: Awarded in 2010.

Recently, ICMR submitted to the NGT that it will initiate a study to evaluate whether chemical compounds found in flame retardants materials are potentially carcinogenic.

About Flame Retardants

• Flame retardants are various chemicals applied to materials to prevent burning or slow the spread of fire.
• They are highly resistant to degradation in the environment.
• Chemicals used as flame retardants: Tris (1-chloro-isopropyl) phosphate (TCIPP), Tris (1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCIPP), Tris (2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP).

Google's Android Earthquake Alert system has detected over 18,000 earthquakes using phone accelerometer signals.

About accelerometer:

• An accelerometer is defined as a sensing device that measures acceleration and detects the frequency and intensity of human movement
• Principle of Functioning: Accelerometers work according to Newton’s law of motion, the force on an object is equal to its mass times its acceleration.
• Can measure both: Static acceleration (due to gravity) & dynamic acceleration (car crash).

Key Applications: 

• Digital Devices: smartphones, Laptops, digital cameras- for rotating the display.
• Vehicles: Used to trigger airbags.
• Drones: to stabilize their orientation mid-flight. 

In a significant advancement for India’s nuclear self-reliance, TEMA India Ltd. commissioned India’s first private test facility for depleted Heavy Water upgradation.

About Heavy Water

• Also known as Deuterium Oxide (D2O), it is a form of water where Hydrogen atom is replaced with Deuterium (heavier isotope of Hydrogen).
• Applications 
  • In Nuclear reactors: Moderator (slows down neutrons) and coolant in the reactor core.
  • Others: As a solvent in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy, for detecting certain neutrinos, etc.