Source: IE Context: India has again topped the global doping chart, according to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Testing Figures Report 2024, marking the third consecutive year at No. 1 — a worrying trend for Indian sport. Key Data: Sport-Wise Highest Offenders: Global Comparison: India far exceeds doping totals of other major sporting nations:
AFMS Launches India’s First AI-driven Community Screening Programme for Diabetic Retinopathy
Source: News on Air Context: The Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) has rolled out India’s first artificial intelligence-enabled community screening programme for Diabetic Retinopathy, aimed at transforming early detection and prevention of diabetes-related blindness at scale. What is the initiative? A nation-first AI-powered screening system designed to detect and grade Diabetic Retinopathy at the community level. Developed through a collaboration between: Powered by the AI platform MadhuNetrAI. Aim of the programme Key Features
ISRO launches RESPOND Basket 2025
Source: TOI Context: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has released RESPOND Basket 2025, inviting targeted research proposals from academic and research institutions across India to support its upcoming mission and technology requirements. What is RESPOND Basket 2025? A curated set of mission-oriented research problem statements, identified by ISRO and Department of Space (DoS) centres, designed to guide the academic community toward high-priority areas linked to India’s current and future space programmes. Issued by: Aim of the initiative
Vijay Diwas 2025
Source: TNIE Context: On Vijay Diwas 2025, President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the ‘Param Vir Dirgha’ at Rashtrapati Bhavan — a dedicated gallery showcasing portraits of all 21 Param Vir Chakra (PVC) awardees. This installation replaces portraits of former British Aide-de-Camps, marking a significant step in India’s ongoing effort to remove colonial-era symbols and honour the nation’s own military heritage. About Param Vir Chakra (PVC) India’s highest military gallantry award, given for exceptional bravery, valour and supreme sacrifice in the presence of the enemy during wartime. Key features: Award criteria: About Aide-de-Camps (ADCs) An Aide-de-Camp is a commissioned military officer attached to high constitutional authorities such as the President, Governors, or Service Chiefs. Typical ranks:
India endorses Tianjin Declaration at SCO Summit 2025
Context: At the 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit held in Tianjin, China, India joined other member states in adopting the Tianjin Declaration — a comprehensive outcome document affirming deeper cooperation in Artificial Intelligence governance, research, standards and capacity building across the Eurasian region. The declaration reinforces India’s stand on equitable and responsible AI, while expanding its multilateral technology engagement within the SCO framework. About the Tianjin Declaration An outcome document adopted by the SCO Council of Heads of States at the Tianjin Summit, laying out shared priorities on security, technology, economy and institutional reforms. About SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) A permanent intergovernmental regional organisation focused on security, economic cooperation and cultural ties across Eurasia.
PFRDA Allows Up to 80% NPS Withdrawal
Source: TOI Context: The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has revised NPS withdrawal rules, allowing private sector subscribers to withdraw up to 80% of their accumulated corpus, instead of the earlier 60%. The remaining 20% must be used to purchase an annuity to generate pension income. Key Changes: Tax Clarity Pending: Revised Eligibility Criteria: Full Withdrawal Limit Revised: For Corpus Between ₹8–12 Lakh: Subscribers can:
Taliban Approves Water Diversion from Kunar River
Context: Afghanistan’s Taliban administration has approved plans to divert water from the Kunar (Chitral) River to the Darunta Dam in Nangarhar province, triggering concerns in Pakistan about reduced downstream flows from the shared river system. The move could affect irrigation, drinking water supply, and hydropower potential in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. About the Kunar River A major transboundary Himalayan river, known as the Chitral River in Pakistan and the Kunar River in Afghanistan. It forms an important part of the Indus Basin and supports agriculture, water supply, and energy needs. Origin: Course: Countries involved:Pakistan → Afghanistan → Pakistan (via Kabul–Indus system) Major Tributaries: River Hierarchy: Kunar River → Kabul River → Indus River
DHRUV64 Microprocessor
Source: TH Context: On December 15, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) announced the launch of DHRUV64, a fully indigenous microprocessor developed under India’s Microprocessor Development Programme. The chip is positioned to strengthen India’s domestic processor ecosystem and support applications across telecom, industrial automation, and embedded systems. Who developed DHRUV64? What is DHRUV64? What is Microprocessor? A microprocessor is an integrated circuit (IC) that functions as the central processing unit (CPU) of a computer or electronic system. It acts as the brain of a device—processing data, performing calculations, and executing instructions that run programs. Part of India’s Processor Ecosystem Other indigenous chips linked to this ecosystem: What is DIR-V? Upcoming Indigenous Chips: Government schemes supporting indigenous fabs & chip development:
ULLAS Scheme
Context: India’s goal of achieving 100% literacy by 2030, aligned with NEP 2020 and global SDG commitments, is facing a major hurdle due to Bihar’s refusal to participate in the Centre’s flagship ULLAS adult literacy programme. What is ULLAS? Where Bihar Stands:
UNESCO India Education Report 2025
Source: UNESCO Context: UNESCO has released its flagship report, Bhasha Matters: The State of the Education Report for India 2025, calling for a national transformation in India’s language-of-instruction framework. The report strongly advocates mother-tongue based multilingual education (MTB-MLE) to enhance equity, learning outcomes and linguistic inclusion, particularly for marginalised, tribal and multilingual learners. Key Recommendations – UNESCO (India Education Report 2025)
