RBI has proposed new loan interest-rate framework, tighter rules for floating-rate loans 

About Floating-Rate Loans

• A floating-rate loan is a loan in which the interest rate changes periodically in line with an underlying benchmark.
• Benchmark-linked: It is linked to an underlying benchmark such as the RBI repo rate, Treasury Bill yields or other approved external benchmarks. 
• Impact on borrower: A rise or fall in interest rates can change the EMI and/or loan tenure.
• Monetary policy transmission: External benchmarking enables faster transmission of changes in policy rates to borrowers.

Researchers from Ashoka University have developed ACSCeND (AI-based Cancer Stem-like Cell Profiler and Neoplasm Deconvoluter).

About ACSCeND

• It is an AI-based framework to identify hidden cancer stem-like cells (CSCs).
  • CSCs are a rare population of tumour cells that can survive treatment and contribute to Tumour recurrence, Metastasis, Drug resistance etc.
• It can analyse bulk tumour RNA sequencing using knowledge derived from single-cell sequencing.
• Significance: Enables precision medicine, Identifies new drug targets, Scalable and cost-effective etc.

Parliament has passed the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, which seeks to change the name “Kerala” to “Keralam” in the Constitution. 

Article 3 of the Constitution

• Parliament may by law alter the name, area or boundaries of an existing State or form a new State.

Procedure

• President’s Recommendation → Reference to State Legislature → Passage by Parliament → President’s Assent

Key Provisions

• A Bill can be introduced in either House of Parliament only on the recommendation of the President.
• If the proposal affects a State’s name, area or boundaries, the President refers the Bill to the concerned State Legislature to express its views.
• The views of the State Legislature are not binding on Parliament.

Kaziranga eco-sensitive zone to be cut from 10km to 1km as per SC guidelines.

About Eco sensitive zones

• It is a buffer/transition zone around ecologically important areas, particularly protected areas, where development activities are regulated to reduce environmental damage.
• They are notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) under:
  • Section 3(2)(v) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
  • Rule 5 of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986.

About Kaziranga NP

• Located across the districts of Golaghat, Nagaon and Biswanath.
• Situated along the Brahmaputra River, with extensive grasslands, wetlands and forests.
• UNESCO World Heritage Site: Inscribed in 1985 under natural heritage criteria.
• It is both a National Park and Tiger Reserve.

Tribal leaders have accused the Andaman and Nicobar island administration of seeking to drag the Shompen tribe into a “modern lifestyle”.

About Shompen Tribe

• One of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups.
• Reside in dense tropical rain forests of Great Nicobar island.
• Belong to the Mongoloid group.
• According to Census (2011), estimated population of Shompen is 229.
• They are hunters and gatherers. 
• They used to hunt wild pig, python, monitor Lizard, crocodile, etc.
• Live a semi-nomadic life and have not been colonised at one place in a defined reserve forest.

A Total Solar Eclipse occurred recently, visible from parts of Europe. 

About Total Solar Eclipse 

• It occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely covering the Sun’s visible disc.
• Key feature: During totality, the Sun’s faint outer atmosphere, called the corona, becomes visible.
• Scientific significance: Provides a unique opportunity to study the corona, solar magnetic fields and related solar activity, including coronal mass ejections which can affect satellites, GPS and communication systems.

NASA’s Voyager 2 mission extended by a year.

About Voyager 2

• NASA’s interplanetary spacecraft launched in 1977 to explore the outer Solar System and interstellar space. 
• Unique achievement: Only spacecraft to visit all four giant planets—Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.
  • First spacecraft to fly by Uranus and Neptune.
• Current status: Operating in interstellar space  beyond the heliopause (only such spacecraft after Voyager-1), studying the outer boundary of the Sun’s influence.
  • Heliopause is the outer boundary of the heliosphere where solar wind gives way to interstellar space.

Scientists used generative AI to design completely new bacteriophages (viruses that target bacteria) from scratch.

About AI-generated Viruses/Genomes

• DNA sequence designed by an AI model that could potentially function as the genetic blueprint of a virus.
• Scientists gave the AI millions of existing genetic sequences. 
  • AI learned patterns in these sequences and then generated new DNA sequences that did not exist in nature.
• Significance: Enables potential development of customised viruses against drug-resistant bacteria.

The Ministry of Ayush and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare renewed MOU for the implementation of the One Herb, One Standard initiative.

About One Herb, One Standard Initiative

• Launched: In 2022 (initially for a 3-years period) to merge multiple standards for the same herb into a single harmonised standard.
• MOU between: Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H), Ministry of AYUSH and Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
• Significance:
  • Strengthens quality control and credibility of traditional medicines.
  • Helps protect India’s biodiversity and traditional medicinal heritage.