NITI Aayog releases Report on Water Budgeting for Aspiration Blocks.

About Water Budgeting

• It provides a comprehensive view of how much water is available from different sources, how it is utilised, and where shortages or surpluses might arise. 
• It helps identify the demand–supply gap and supports water security and integrated water resources management (IWRM). 
  • It is one of the key activities under the Atal Bhujal Yojana.

The report was released by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA).

Key Highlights

• The cities are now home to 45 % of the global population (approx. 8.2 billion).
• The number of megacities quadrupled from eight in 1975 to 33 in 2025.
  • A megacity has population of over ten million people
• Jakarta (Indonesia) is now the world’s most populous city, followed by Dhaka (Bangladesh), Tokyo (Japan) and New Delhi. 
• India related Findings:
  • India has 44 per cent population living in towns in India.
  • India, along with six other countries, will add more than 500 million city residents between 2025 and 2050.

ICAR patented Transposon-associated proteins (TnpB) based-Genome Editing technology.

• Transposons or Jumping genes are DNA sequences that can transpose or move themselves to new positions within the genome of a single cell.

About Transposon-associated proteins (TnpB): 

• It acts as molecular scissors to cleave the DNA of a gene at a predetermined target site and change its sequence similar to CRISPR-associated Cas9 and Cas12a proteins. 
  • Such editing is aimed at bringing forth desirable alterations in that gene’s expression and function.
• Significance:
  • Compact: much smaller (400-500 amino acids per molecule) than Cas9 proteins.
  • Easier Transfer: transfer of proteins is done via viral vectors directly into the cell.

Nagaland Chief Minister urged the Union Home Minister to urgently review the re-imposition of the Protected Area Permit (PAP) regime.

About Protected Area Permit (PAP)

• A PAP is a special permit required for foreign nationals to visit certain sensitive areas in India.
• Legal Framework: Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958.
• Areas Covered: All areas falling between the ‘Inner line’ and the International Border of the State. 
  • It is required for many states and Union Territories such as Mizoram, Manipur, etc.
• Issuing Authority: Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

Note: Inner Line Permit (ILP) issued by the Government of India to allow inward travel of an Indian citizen into a protected area for a limited period.

Ex.president of Chile Michelle Bachelet, was conferred with the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize 2024.

About Indira Gandhi Peace Prize

• The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development is awarded annually. 
  • Instituted by the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust
• It is awarded to a person or organization without any distinction of nationality, race or religion, in recognition of creative efforts towards: Promoting racial equality, and goodwill and harmony among nations, etc.

Researchers from the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) tapped the century old data from the Kodaikanal Solar Observatory to reconstruct the Sun’s past polar magnetic behaviour.

About Kodaikanal Solar Observatory   

• Operated by:Indian Institute of Astrophysics, an autonomous institute of Department of Science and Technology (DST).
• Location: Palani Range of hills in Southern India.
• Establishment: 1899.
• Telescopes : WARM (White light Active Region Monitor), H - Alpha, Twin Telescope.
• Known for the discovery of Evershed Effect in 1909. 
  • It is nearly horizontal outflow of material seen in the penumbrae of sunspots in the photospheric layer. 

A Study was conducted to understand behavioural mechanisms observed between wild dolphins including Humpback dolphins and traditional fishers in Ashtamudi Lake, Kerala.

About Humpback Dolphins

• Geographical Distribution: Relatively shallow nearshore waters in most of the coastlines in Australia, Africa and Asia.
• Two genetic variations along Indian coastline:
  • Indian Ocean humpback dolphin (Sousa plumbea; IUCN: Endangered)
  • Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis; IUCN: Vulnerable). 

River Dolphins In India

• Gangetic River Dolphins (IUCN: Endangered): Freshwater species found in Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems. 

• Indus River dolphin(IUCN: Endangered): Indus River system in Pakistan and small population in Beas River Punjab.

Experts point to climate change as a likely factor for Himalayan Black Bear attacks in Uttarakhand. 

About Himalayan Black Bear

• Also known as Asiatic Black Bear or Moon Bear due to crescent- shaped white mark on its black chest.
• Characteristics: Largely nocturnal and solitary, with occasional sightings during the day. 
  • Life span of 15-25 years and gestation period of 200 to 240 days. 
• Habitat: Heavily forested broad- leaved and coniferous forests.
• Distribution: Himalayan region of Tibet, India, China and Bhutan.
• Conservation Status: 
  • IUCN: Vulnerable
  • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I

• Threat: Poached for its bile.

Morgan Stanley in 2026 India Economics Outlook, projected a " Goldilocks Environment" for India with real GDP growth of 6.8% in FY26.

About Goldilocks Environment

• It refers to an ideal situation where there is steady growth. 
• The economic growth is neither too high to trigger inflation and nor too low for a slowdown. 
• Hence, in a goldilocks scenario, the economy is not expanding by a huge margin with inflation or shrinking into recession.
• The situation offers a good chance of stable policymaking and achieving price stability.