The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) seeks partners to develop monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against Nipah viral disease.

• Nipah virus is a zoonotic pathogen causing severe respiratory and neurological illness, transmitted from bats or infected animals to humans.

About Monoclonal Antibodies (mAbs)

• Definition: Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-produced proteins, engineered to bind specific antigens, mimicking natural immune responses.
• Origin: Derived from identical immune cells cloned from a single parent B-cell.
• Function: Used to diagnose, prevent, and treat diseases including cancers, autoimmune disorders, and viral infections.

Supreme Court has held that in-house counsels employed by corporate entities will not be entitled to client-attorney privilege under Section 132 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA).

• SC held this because they are not considered advocates under the Advocates Act, 1961.
• Section 132 of BSA protects communications between an advocate and their client subject to exceptions. 

Advocates: 

• Advocates are those rolled under the provisions of Advocates Act, 1961 and Bar Council of India Rules, subject to qualifying Bar Council Exam post LL.B. degree.
  • Advocates to be the only recognised class of persons entitled to practise law in India, according to section 29 of this Act.
• Lawyer: Any person who has completed a law degree can be called a lawyer. He may be a legal adviser, etc.

Recently, National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) said that Competition Commission of India (CCI) has no power to examine into the disputes related to patent matters.

• Tribunal held that Patent Act, 1970 takes precedence over the Competition Act, 2002. 
• Patent Act, 1970 safeguards inventor’s exclusive rights over their innovations, aiming to reward innovation while ensuring public access to new technologies.

About National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) 

• Established: Under Companies Act, 2013.
• Function: Hears appeals against orders of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India and CCI.

About Competition Commission of India (CCI)

• Established under the Competition Act, 2002 to enforce it.
• Purpose: To eliminate anti-competitive practices, protect the interests of consumers and ensure freedom of trade, in Indian markets.

Odisha’s Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for India’s first end-to-end silicon carbide semiconductor manufacturing facility in the state.

About Silicon Carbide (or SiC)

• A hard, covalently bonded ceramic made of silicon and carbon atoms.
• Properties: Exhibits high thermal conductivity, low thermal expansion, and exceptional hardness.
• Applications: Used in semiconductors, aerospace components, etc. 

Coal India Limited (CIL) has completed 50 years of its establishment.

About CIL   (HQ: Kolkata)

• Establishment: November 1975 as a holding company after nationalisation of coal mines.
• It is a Maharatna CPSU under the Ministry of Coal.
• Workforce: Over 2.20 lakh employees across 8 states.
• Operations: Manages 310 mines (129 underground, 168 opencast, 13 mixed).
• Market Role: Supplies ~80% of India’s total domestic coal production.

In a historic feat, the Indian women’s Cricket Team clinched their first-ever ODI World Cup title after defeating the South Africa in the final.

About ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025

• First Edition: 1973 (in England) and won by England.
• 2025 Host Country: India hosted the current 13^th edition.
• Most number of titles won by: Australia (7 times)
• It was India’s 3rd final after 2005 & 2017.