Current Context: : The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2025 has been awarded to Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell (USA), and Shimon Sakaguchi (Japan) for their groundbreaking discoveries on peripheral immune tolerance — how the immune system distinguishes between harmful invaders and the body’s own cells. ABOUT THE DISCOVERY Focus Area: The peripheral immune system, which operates outside the brain and spinal cord. Major Findings: 1995: Sakaguchi discovered Regulatory T-cells (Tregs) — immune cells that prevent the body from attacking itself. 2001: Brunkow and Ramsdell identified the FOXP3 gene, responsible for autoimmune diseases like IPEX. The FOXP3 gene was....Read More

Current Context: The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded to John Clarke, Michel Devoret, and John Martinis (USA) for their pioneering research demonstrating quantum properties on a human scale. Their work proves that quantum mechanical behavior can occur not just in atoms but also in systems large enough to hold in one’s hand. ABOUT THE DISCOVERY Focus: Demonstration of quantum mechanics at macroscopic levels (visible size). Key Concept: Quantum tunnelling — the ability of particles to pass through barriers even when classical physics forbids it. Innovation: Used electric circuits with two superconducting components separated by a thin non-conductive....Read More

Current Context : Uttar Pradesh (UP) has achieved the highest number of student nominations in India under the INSPIRE Award MANAK scheme for 2023–24, registering 2,80,747 entries, the highest since the program began. ABOUT THE SCHEME Full Form – Million Minds Augmenting National Aspiration and Knowledge (MANAK) Implemented By – Department of Science and Technology, Government of India Target Group – Students of classes 6 to 12 Purpose – To promote original ideas, creativity, and scientific innovation among students UP’s ACHIEVEMENT Total nominations: 2,80,747 in 2023–24, a rise of 70,000 from the previous year. Districts with the highest entries: Pratapgarh,....Read More

Current Context : India has been honoured with the International Social Security Association (ISSA) Award 2025 at the World Social Security Forum, recognizing the nation’s remarkable expansion of social security coverage from 19% in 2015 to 64.3% in 2025, benefiting over 940 million citizens. ABOUT ISSA AWARD 2025 Awarded By: International Social Security Association (ISSA) Organized At: World Social Security Forum 2025 Key implementing agencies: Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) and Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC). HOW INDIA EXPANDED SOCIAL SECURITY COVERAGE Simplified Legislation: Social Security Code, 2020 — merged 9 laws to ensure protection for all workers. Digital and....Read More

Current Context: Dr. R. Arthur James, Professor and Chair of the Department of Marine Science at Bharathidasan University, has been honoured with the Tamil Nadu Scientist Award (TANSA) 2022 in Environmental Science. ABOUT TANSA Awards Instituted by: Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology Nature: Annual awards to encourage innovation and research Purpose: Recognize excellence across scientific disciplines Inspire young researchers in science and technology Significance: One of the highest recognitions for scientists in Tamil NaduRead More

Current Context: Veteran journalist Amshi Prasannakumar from Mysuru has been awarded the Hombale Samhita Harinikumar Alumni Krishi Media Award – 2025 for his contributions to agricultural journalism. ABOUT Krishi Media Award Instituted By: Alumni Association of University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Bangalore. Objective: Encourage quality agricultural journalism. Promote farmer awareness through media. Inspire young journalists to cover rural and farming issues. Venue & Date: Award to be presented on October 11, 2025 at Veterinary College Campus, Hebbal, Bengaluru.Read More

Current Context: President Droupadi Murmu conferred the National Geoscience Awards 2024 at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, honouring 20 scientists for excellence in mineral exploration, geophysics, and applied geosciences. ABOUT National Geoscience Awards Established: 1966 by Ministry of Mines. Formerly Known As: National Mineral Awards (till 2009). Objective: To recognise individuals and teams for outstanding contributions in geosciences, mineral discovery, mining technology, and applied geosciences. Eligibility: Any Indian citizen with significant contributions in geosciences. Categories: National Geoscience Award for Lifetime Achievement National Geoscience Award National Young Geoscientist Award Key Recipients – 2024 Lifetime Achievement: Prof. Shyam Sundar Rai (Seismological studies in....Read More

Current Context: The President of India will confer the prestigious National Geoscience Awards 2024 at a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, New Delhi. ABOUT National Geoscience Awards Established: 1966 by the Ministry of Mines. Former Name: Known as National Mineral Awards until 2009. Objective: To honour individuals and teams for extraordinary achievements in geosciences such as mineral discovery, mining technology, mineral beneficiation, and applied geosciences. Eligibility: Any Indian citizen with significant contribution in geosciences. Award Categories: National Geoscience Award for Lifetime Achievement National Geoscience Award National Young Geoscientist Award 2024 Awards: Total 12 awards (09 individual + 03 team).Read More

Current Context : The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) awarded the 2025 Young Champions of the Earth Prize to three entrepreneurs from India, Kenya, and the United States for innovative environmental solutions. ABOUT the Prize Established: 2017; relaunched in 2025 with Planet A. Eligibility: Individuals under 30 years. Award: $20,000 seed funding, mentoring, and global platform support. Winners 2025: India – Jinali Mody: Banofi Leather (eco-friendly leather from banana waste). Kenya – Joseph Nguthiru: HyaPak (converts invasive water hyacinth into packaging). USA – Noemi Florea: Cycleau (compact greywater-to-drinking water reuse system). ABOUT UNEP Founded: 1972. Role: Leading global voice on environment;....Read More

Current Context : At the 28th National Conference on e-Governance held on 22 September 2025 in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, several Gram Panchayats were honoured with the National e-Governance Awards 2025 for their digital innovations in citizen services. The awards were presented by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State in the PMO.  ABOUT THE AWARDS Theme : “Viksit Bharat: Civil Service and Digital Transformation”. Process : Over 45 lakh entries were evaluated in a multi-tier selection process. Award Benefits : Gold Award winners received ₹10 lakh, while Silver Award winners received ₹5 lakh, along with trophy and certificate.   AWARD-WINNING GRAM....Read More