Current Context : India has joined the HealthAI Global Regulatory Network (GRN), alongside the UK and Singapore, to share safety protocols and monitor AI use in healthcare. ABOUT HEALTHAI GRN Headquarters: Geneva Nature: Independent non-profit promoting equitable access to AI in healthcare Collaborations: Works with governments, international bodies, and health experts Special Access: Members can use a Global Public Repository of AI-registered health solutions Role of AI in Healthcare Transforming Delivery: Data-driven, efficient, patient-centered care Targeted Therapeutics: Supports drug discovery, clinical trials, personalized treatment Connected Care: Enables chatbots, remote monitoring, virtual assistants for patient engagementRead More

Current Context : UPSC Chairman Dr. Ajay Kumar announced plans to establish a Centre of Excellence (CoE) as a knowledge hub of best practices for UPSC and State PSCs. OBJECTIVES Collect and share best practices, SOPs, and innovations in recruitment. Strengthen transparency, efficiency, and fairness in exams. Support State PSCs for improved recruitment systems. SIGNIFICANCE Will create a uniform and transparent recruitment process across the country. Encourages modern tools and innovation in examinations.  Read More

Current Context: The Coconut Development Board celebrated World Coconut Day by launching newly revised schemes for the integrated development of the coconut sector.  ABOUT CDB Established on: 12 January 1981 Type: Statutory body Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India Headquarters: Kochi, Kerala Regional Offices: Bangalore (Karnataka), Chennai (Tamil Nadu), Guwahati (Assam), Patna (Bihar) FUNCTIONS OF CDB Promote integrated development of coconut production and utilization Provide technical advice to coconut cultivators and industry Offer financial assistance for expansion of coconut area Encourage modern processing technologies for value addition Suggest measures for remunerative prices for coconut products Recommend....Read More

Current Context : At the 2025 SCO Summit, China announced major financial, technological, and educational initiatives to boost cooperation among member nations. Relevant Data Financial Support RMB 2 billion (USD 274 million) in grants to SCO members by 2025 RMB 10 billion (USD 1.37 billion) in loans to SCO Interbank Consortium in 3 years Livelihood Projects : 100 “Small and Beautiful” Projects in health, sanitation, education, and community welfare Education and Human Resource Doubling of SCO scholarships from 2026 Launch of SCO Innovative PhD Programme 10 Luban Workshops in 5 years 10,000 vocational training opportunities in advanced technology Artificial Intelligence....Read More

Current Context : Prime Minister nominated two new members and renominated three existing members to NDMA for 3 years. Nominated members—scientist Dinesh Kumar Aswal and disaster recovery specialist Rita Missal ABOUT NDMA Chairperson: Prime Minister of India Legal Framework: Established under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 Headquarters: NDMA Bhavan, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi Structure: Includes a Vice-Chairperson (Cabinet rank) and up to eight Members (MoS rank) Mandate: Formulates the National Disaster Management Plan, issues guidelines, coordinates efforts across ministries and states, and administers the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM)Read More

Current Context: The Government of India and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) announced a collaboration to address the global hunger crisis. ABOUT WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME (WFP) Nature: World’s largest humanitarian organisation working on food security. Functions: Provides food assistance in emergencies. Helps people recover from conflicts, disasters, and climate change. Builds pathways towards peace, stability, and prosperity. Operations: Active in 120+ countries, including India. Recognition: Awarded Nobel Peace Prize (2020).Read More

Current Context : At the 23rd General Conference in Thailand, India was elected as Chairman of the AIBD Executive Board. ABOUT AIBD Founded: 1977 under UNESCO Mandate: Strengthening electronic media in Asia-Pacific Membership: 92 organizations from 45 countries India’s Role: Founding member; represented by Prasar Bharati (Ministry of I&B) Secretariat: Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaRead More

Current Context: NATO is considering establishing a logistics base in Sweden after Sweden’s accession as the 32nd member (2024). ABOUT NATO Nature: A political and military alliance of countries from Europe and North America. Founded: April 1949, with the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty. Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium. Membership: 32 members (latest: Sweden, 2024). OBJECTIVES Cold War era: To provide collective security against the Soviet Union. Presently: Ensures members protect each other from threats, including cyber, terrorism, and hybrid warfare. KEY PRINCIPLE Article 5: An armed attack against one or more members is considered an attack against all members. Invoked....Read More

CURRENT CONTEXT : The International Solar Alliance (ISA) announced plans to set up a Global Capability Centre in India, referred to as a “Silicon Valley for solar”. ABOUT GCCs Definition: Strategic units that support an organisation’s global operations through technology, talent, and innovation. Objective: To leverage global talent and advanced technology for business transformation. Drivers in India: Cost efficiency. Skilled workforce (especially in IT, engineering, English proficiency). Strong startup and innovation ecosystem.Read More

Current Context : Recently, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare informed the Lok Sabha that India currently hosts three Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS). ABOUT GIAHS PROGRAMME Launched by: Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) at the World Summit for Sustainable Development, 2002. Purpose: Conserve traditional agricultural systems. Promote sustainable adaptation and socio-economic development. Address threats like climate change, displacement, and biodiversity loss. Approach: Multistakeholder model providing: Technical assistance. Promotion of traditional agricultural knowledge. Market opportunities through agrotourism and product branding. INDIA’S GIAHS SITES Koraput Region (Odisha) Known for subsistence paddy cultivation on highland slopes. Rich in....Read More