The Government has operationalised the Inventory-based Cross-border E-Commerce Export Framework.

Key provisions of the Framework

• Operationalised under the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP), 2023 for export-only inventory-based e-commerce. 
  • Inventory-based e-commerce is a business model in which the e-commerce entity owns or procures goods, stores them as inventory, and sells them directly to customers. 
• EOR Model: For export promotion; registered Exporter-on-Record (EOR) manages exports, customs, compliance, and logistics for Indian Sellers-on-Record (SORs).
• Safeguards: Only confirmed export orders, digital traceability, no domestic diversion, timely seller payments, pass-through of export benefits, and mandatory annual compliance certification.

A 44-year study (1981–2024) identified Ahilyanagar, Beed, Dharashiv, Sangli and Solapur as Maharashtra's most vulnerable flash drought hotspots.

About Flash Drought

• Definition: A rapidly intensifying drought that develops within days to weeks, unlike conventional droughts. 
• Causes: Low precipitation, high temperatures, rapid soil moisture depletion, high winds, and/or changes in radiation and high evapotranspiration/Vapour Pressure Deficit (VPD).
• Impacts: Causes severe crop stress, water scarcity, ecosystem damage and economic losses.
• Response: Requires dedicated soil moisture monitoring and early warning systems.

Scientists have developed light-activated nanorobots that enable precise, targeted treatment of breast cancer. 

About Nanorobots

• Programmable nanoscale devices (~50–100 nm wide) designed to perform specific tasks inside the body.
  • Nanometre: 1 nanometre (nm) = 10⁻⁹ metre; the nanoscale refers to dimensions between 1–100 nm. 
• Working: Stimulus-responsive- can be guided by external stimuli (e.g., near-infrared light, magnetic fields) or internal stimuli (e.g., pH, enzymes) for precise action.
• Applications: Targeted cancer therapy, controlled drug delivery, biosensing, minimally invasive surgery, tissue repair, and regenerative medicine.
• Advantages: High precision, reduced systemic side effects, improved therapeutic efficacy.

Centre deploys National Joint Outbreak Response Team as multi-institutional probe intensifies into Chandipura virus outbreak

About Chandipura Virus (CHPV)

• Family: CHPV is a member of the Rhabdoviridae family, which includes rabies.
  • CHPV is a bullet- shaped enveloped rhabdovirus with a single-stranded, negative-sense RNA genome.
• First identified in 1965 in Chandipura village, Nagpur (Maharashtra). 
• Vector: Primarily transmitted by sandflies; mosquitoes and ticks may act as secondary vectors.
• Causes Chandipura Viral Encephalitis (CVE), mainly affecting children under 15 years.
• Symptoms: Sudden high fever, vomiting, altered sensorium, seizures, and rapidly progressive acute encephalitis.
• Treatment: No specific antiviral drug or vaccine; management is supportive; Control and prevention require a one-health approach.

The flood situation in Assam remained grim in affected areas due to the continuous rise in the water level of the Dhansiri river.

About Dhansiri River

• Dhansiri is the main river of Golaghat district (Assam) and Dimapur district (Nagaland).
• It is a major tributary of the Brahmaputra River.
• Origin: Laishang Peak in Nagaland (South-west corner of Naga hill).
• Length: ~352 km.
• The river flows along the Nagaland–Assam border, flanked by Dhansiri Reserved Forest and Intanki National Park, supporting rich biodiversity.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet led by the Prime Minister approved the extension in service of Cabinet Secretary.

About Cabinet Secretariat

• Functions directly under the Prime Minister and is headed by the Cabinet Secretary, the senior-most civil servant and ex-officio Chairman of the Civil Services Board.
• Key Functions:
  • Administers the Government of India (Transaction of Business) Rules, 1961 and Allocation of Business Rules, 1961.
  • Provides secretarial assistance to the Cabinet and Cabinet Committees.
  • Ensures inter-ministerial coordination and resolves differences among ministries through Committees of Secretaries.
  • Facilitates policy formulation and smooth transaction of government business.
  • Coordinates the management of major national crises and ensures effective cooperation among ministries during emergencies.

MPC kept the policy repo rate under the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) unchanged at 5.25%, maintaining a neutral stance.

About Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)

• Constituted under section 45ZB of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.
• Purpose: Determine the policy repo rate to achieve the inflation target.
• Members: It consists of six members (3 Members from RBI and 3 are appointed by the Central Government).
  • Governor of the RBI (Chairperson, ex officio)
  • Deputy Governor of RBI (in charge of Monetary Policy, Member, ex officio)
  • One officer of the RBI to be nominated by the Central Board (Member, ex officio).
• Members appointed by Governmenthold office for a period of four years.
• Meetings: The MPC is required to meet at least four times in a year. 
• Voting: Majority vote (present and voting). 
  • In case of a tie, the RBI governor will have the second or casting vote.

NASA announced that the second stage of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket crashed into the Moon’s surface.

About Falcon 9 Rocket

• It is a reusable, two-stage rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX for the reliable and safe transport of people and payloads into Earth orbit and beyond. 
• It is the world’s first orbital class reusable rocket. 
  • Reusability allows SpaceX to refly the most expensive parts of the rocket, which in turn drives down the cost of space access.
• Concerned Mission: It was launched in 2025, carrying two commercial robotic lunar landers.
  • After completing its mission, the rocket’s first stage successfully returned to Earth, while the second stage was left in space to drift.