Recently, NIRF rankings 2025 were released by the Union Government.

Key highlights 

• IIT Madras topped the overall category 
• Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru topped the Universities Category.

About NIRF

• Origin: Launched in 2015 by the Ministry of Education to rank Indian institutions. 
  • Provides a transparent, reliable system for students, parents, and policymakers to evaluate colleges and universities.
• Assessment Parameters: 5 broad categories with different weightage are used 
  • Teaching, Learning & Resources(0.30)
  • Research and Professional Practice(0.30)
  • Graduation Outcome(0.20)
  • Outreach and Inclusivity(0.10)
  • Perception(0.10)

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) is planning to install four additional radars under Mission Mausam in Jammu & Kashmir.

About Mission Mausam

• Launched in: 2024 by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
• Implemented by: India Meteorological Department (IMD), the National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF), and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM).
• Aim: to improve weather and climate services, ensuring timely and precise observation, modeling, and forecasting information for multiple sectors, including agriculture, disaster management, and rural development.

Recently, a tripartite Suspension of Operation (SoO) Agreement was renewed between the Centre, the Manipur government, and insurgent groups comprising Kuki-Zo, Zomi and Hmars.

About the Agreement

• Came into force: from August 22, 2008 
• Objective: to end hostilities by initiating political dialogue and finding a political settlement within the Constitution of India.

Other Peace Pacts in North East India

• NLFT(SD) Agreement (2019): signed with National Liberation Front of Tripura. 
• Bodo Accord (2020): with Bodo groups (Assam); disbanded by March 2020. 
• Karbi Accord (2021): with Karbi groups (Assam); over 1,000 cadres joined mainstream. 

India Develops Rare Reference Material for Enhanced Anti-Doping Testing in Sports (Methandienone Long-Term Metabolite’) .

About Methandienone Long-Term Metabolite

• It is one of Reference Materials (RMs) being developed by National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) and NIPER-Guwahati.
  • RMs are highly purified and scientifically characterized forms of drug substances or their metabolites, essential for accurate analytical testing.
  • They are crucial for the detection of over 450 substances that are currently prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
• It helps in identifying athletes who have used steroids like Methandienone.

L.I.V.E.S. and ARTHA unveiled at the Star Rating Award Ceremony for Coal and Lignite Mines.

About L.I.V.E.S. and ARTHA

• L.I.V.E.S is a comprehensive practitioner’s guide formulated to serve as a benchmark for responsible and sustainable mine closures in alignment with global best practices.
• ARTHA is a Green Financing Framework aimed at channelling investments towards transforming reclaimed mines into productive and environmentally friendly assets.

The Indian government has introduced voluntary Hallmarking Unique Identification (HUID)-based hallmarking for silver jewellery under revised standard enhancing traceability and aligning with the gold hallmarking system.

Hallmarking

• Hallmarking is the accurate determination and official recording of the proportionate content of precious metal in precious metal articles.
• It ensures authenticity, consumer protection, quality and traceability of jewellery and articles.
• In India it is regulated by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). 

Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) [HQ: New Delhi]

• National standards body under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs
• Established under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986, now operates under  BIS Act 2016.
• Formulates standards, certifies products (ISI mark, Hallmarking) and operates testing labs.

Recently, FSSAI and Ministry of Ayush released definitive list of ‘Ayurveda Aahara’ Products.

Ayurveda Aahara

• It is a part of the Food Safety and Standards (Ayurveda Aahara) Regulations, 2022.
• It gives clear rules for Food Business Operators (FBOs) making Ayurvedic food products, so consumers know they are authentic and safe.
• These formulations are drawn from classical Ayurvedic texts
• The food products include preparations such as, Angarkarkati (baked wheat balls), Krishara (Khicdi), Panaka (fruit drinks), Dadhi  (curd-based), and Gulkand (rose petal jam).