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:
  1. National Geoscience Award for Lifetime Achievement
  2. National Geoscience Award
  3. National Young Geoscientist Award

Key Recipients – 2024

• Lifetime Achievement: Prof. Shyam Sundar Rai (Seismological studies in Peninsular India, Himalayas, and Ladakh).
• Young Geoscientist: Shri Susobhan Neogi, GSI (Research on tectonic evolution and mineral genesis).
• Others: 10 awards for mining technology, groundwater studies, strategic mineral exploration, and applied geosciences.

Current Context: India won five medals, including a clean sweep in the women’s 50m prone rifle event, at the ISSF Junior World Cup 2025 hosted for the first time in New Delhi.

Highlights of Performance

• Women’s 50m Prone Rifle:
  • Gold – Anushka Thokur
  • Silver – Anshik
  • Bronze – Aadhya Agrawal
• Men’s 50m Prone Rifle:
  • Silver – Deependra Singh Shekhawat
  • Bronze – Rohit Kanyan

 ABOUT ISSF Junior World Cup 2025

• Edition: 11th.
• Venue: Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range, New Delhi.
• Dates: Concludes on October 2, 2025.
• Participants: 208 shooters from 19 countries.
• Indian Contingent: 69 shooters.
• Significance: First time India is hosting this prestigious junior shooting championship.

Current Context: Dr. Kanad Das has been appointed as the 13^th Director of the Botanical Survey of India (BSI), becoming the first mycologist (mushroom scientist) to lead the institute.

ABOUT Dr. Kanad Das

• Expertise: Internationally known fungal taxonomist; discovered 165+ new mushroom species and 2 new genera.
• Academic Work: Published 170 research papers and authored 8 books on mushrooms.
• Experience: Over 25 years in botanical sciences; served at Central National Herbarium and Acharya J.C. Bose Indian Botanic Garden.
• Career Start: Began as a research scholar at BSI Dehradun Centre.

 ABOUT Botanical Survey of India (BSI)

• Established: 1890.
• Parent Ministry: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
• Headquarters: Kolkata.
• Network: 11 regional centres, 4 supporting units.
• Mission: Explore, document, and conserve India’s floral wealth.

Current Context: India won their ninth Asia Cup title by defeating Pakistan in a thrilling final at the Dubai International Stadium on 28 September 2025. Chasing 147, India recovered from 20/3 to secure victory by five wickets, with Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 69 leading the chase.

ABOUT Asia Cup 2025 Final

• Venue: Dubai International Stadium, UAE
• Date: 28 September 2025
• Result: India (150/5) defeated Pakistan (147) by 5 wickets
• Key Performers:
  • Tilak Varma – 69* (Match-winning knock)
  • Shivam Dube – 33 off 22 balls (supporting role)
  • Kuldeep Yadav – 4/30 (crucial bowling spell)

Awards – Asia Cup 2025

• Man of the Match (Final): Tilak Varma
• Most Valuable Player of Tournament: Kuldeep Yadav
• Player of the Tournament: Abhishek Sharma

About Asia Cup

• Founded: 1984
• Governing Body: Asian Cricket Council (ACC)
• Formats: ODI and T20I (alternating with ICC tournaments)
• India’s Record: 9 titles (most successful team)
• Other Winners: Sri Lanka – 6 titles, Pakistan – 2 titles
• 2025 Final Venue: Dubai International Stadium, UAE

Special Recognition : BCCI Announced ₹21 crore cash prize for players and support staff for their unbeaten run in the tournament.

Current Context: Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced a 15-kilometre Dubai Autonomous Zone (DAZ) for self-driving vehicles and marine transport, which will be operational by 2026.

ABOUT Dubai Autonomous Zone (DAZ)

• Location: Extends across Al Jaddaf Metro Station, Dubai Creek Harbour, and Dubai Festival City.
• Launch Year: Early 2026.
• Goal: Supports Dubai’s plan to make 25% of daily trips autonomous by 2030.

Autonomous Features

• Driverless metro connectivity.
• RoboTaxis, RoboBuses, and autonomous shuttles.
• Logistics vehicles, delivery robots, and road-sweeping bots.
• Self-driving marine abras (water taxis).

Observed  every year on 30th September

Purpose: To pay tribute to language professionals (translators, interpreters, etc.) and their role in fostering international dialogue, peace, and security.

Current Context: The Government of India has registered Sirmaur’s special dried ginger variety “Hatti Saunth” under the Plant Variety and Farmers’ Rights Protection Authority.

ABOUT Hatti Saunth

• Type: A unique variety of dried ginger from Sirmaur, Himachal Pradesh.
• Registration: Granted under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001.
• Research: Characterized and documented by scientists of Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University with farmers’ support.

Significance of Recognition

• Farmers and traders will get legal protection and rights over the variety.
• Improves branding and marketing opportunities for Haṭhī Saunth in national markets.
• Expected to boost farmers’ income and encourage more research and conservation.
• Can lead to value-added products and private sector partnerships for wider benefits.

Current Context: The Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in Himachal Pradesh has been added to the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves during the 37th ICC Man and the Biosphere session.

ABOUT Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve

• Location: Situated in Lahaul-Spiti district, Himachal Pradesh.
• Area: Covers around 7,770 sq. km in the Trans-Himalayan region.
• Significance: Recognized for unique cold desert ecosystems and sustainable living practices.
• UNESCO Recognition: With this addition, India now has 13 biosphere reserves in UNESCO’s global list.

Current Context: India has nominated IIT-Madras as a UN Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence at a UN event in New York, marking a big step in AI skill development and governance.

ABOUT IIT-Madras Nomination

• Institute: Recognized as an Institute of Eminence and leading AI research hub in India.
• Nominated By: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
• UN Initiative: Part of UN Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies’ plan to create global AI hubs.

Role as Centre of Excellence

• To address AI skills gap and promote AI education.
• To ensure ethical AI governance and inclusive development.
• To expand AI access in developing nations, especially the Global South.
• Will position India as a leader in AI policy, innovation, and capacity building.

Current Context: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched a dedicated licensing and registration portal for Ayurveda Aahara products on the FoSCoS system in partnership with the Ministry of Ayush.

ABOUT Ayurveda Aahara

• Meaning: It refers to traditional Ayurvedic food products formulated as per ancient texts and principles.
• Purpose: These foods are designed for personalized nutrition (based on prakriti) and may support prescribed Ayurvedic treatments.
• Regulation: Companies can apply for licenses only if they use approved formulations and follow food safety norms.

New Regulation Features

• It includes a new Kind of Business (KoB) classification on FoSCoS for Ayurveda Aahara.
• The FSSAI released a list of 91 pre-approved traditional recipes (July 25, 2025).
• Products will carry QR codes for consumer information and complaint redressal.
• Collaboration with the Ministry of Ayush ensures authenticity and compliance.