1 . Five New Allographa Species Discovered in the Western Ghats
Syllabus Mapping: GS3: Science & Technology; Biotechnology & Taxonomy • Environment & Biodiversity
- Scientists have discovered five new species of lichen-forming fungi belonging to the genus Allographa from the Western Ghats, significantly enriching India’s known lichen diversity.
- The discovery highlights the ecological importance of lichens as bioindicators of forest health and environmental quality.
- Allographa is a genus of script lichens belonging to the family Graphidaceae and comprises more than 200 species
- Lichens are symbiotic associations between a fungus (mycobiont) and a photosynthetic partner (green alga or cyanobacterium).
- The newly discovered species were identified using an integrative taxonomic approach, combining morphology, chemistry and DNA-based molecular phylogeny.
- The Western Ghats, one of the world’s 36 Biodiversity Hotspots, harbour exceptionally rich lichen diversity due to their humid tropical forests.
- Lichens are highly sensitive to air pollution, habitat degradation and climate change, making them reliable bioindicators of ecosystem health.
- Besides environmental monitoring, lichens contribute to nutrient cycling, soil formation and provide microhabitats for several organisms.
2. GREAT Scheme (Grant for Research and Entrepreneurship across Aspiring Innovators in Technical Textiles)
Syllabus Mapping: GS3: Science & Technology; Research & Innovation • Industries • Start-up Ecosystem
- The Ministry of Textiles informed Parliament that, under the GREAT Scheme of the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM), 31 start-ups have been approved with a total project cost of ₹15.40 crore (Government share: ₹13.65 crore) to promote innovation and commercialization in the technical textiles
- The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Textiles under the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM), launched to promote innovation and start-ups in technical textiles.
- It supports young innovators, scientists, technologists and start-ups in converting research ideas into commercial technologies and products.
- Maximum financial assistance under the scheme is ₹50 lakh per approved start-up.
- Approved start-ups work in diverse domains such as smart textiles, medical textiles, protective textiles, energy-harvesting fabrics, high-performance composites and sustainable bio-based textiles.
- Eligible applicants include individual innovators as well as DPIIT-recognised Start-ups, subject to the prescribed eligibility conditions under the GREAT Guidelines.
- Start-ups are required to possess R&D capability or be incubated/associated with a recognised incubator for project execution
- The National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) is a Central Sector Scheme aimed at making India a global leader in technical textiles through research, innovation, market development, export promotion and skill development.
- Technical Textiles are textile materials manufactured primarily for functional and performance characteristics rather than aesthetics. They are used in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, defence, construction, transport, geotextiles and sports.
3. PM VIKAS (Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan Yojana)
Syllabus Mapping: GS2: Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections • Inclusive Development • Skill Development
- The Ministry of Minority Affairs informed Parliament that PM VIKAS has been under implementation since January 2025. The scheme aims at the socio-economic empowerment of notified minority communities through an integrated approach to skill development, entrepreneurship, leadership and preservation of cultural heritage.
- PM VIKAS stands for Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan Yojana and is a Central Sector Scheme implemented by the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
- The scheme converges five erstwhile schemes: Seekho Aur Kamao + Nai Manzil + Nai Roshni + USTTAD (Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development) + Hamari Dharohar.
- It targets the six centrally notified minority communities under the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992:
Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Parsis (Zoroastrians) and Jains. - The scheme focuses on four major components:
- Skill development (traditional & non-traditional)
- Entrepreneurship and self-employment
- Women leadership
- Education support for school dropouts.
- It also supports the preservation and promotion of traditional arts, crafts and cultural heritage of minority communities.
- Training is aligned with the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) to improve employability and industry relevance.
- The scheme seeks to promote market linkages, credit access and entrepreneurship to facilitate sustainable livelihoods rather than only providing skill training.
4. Mission Golden Spice (Integrated Lakadong Turmeric Value Chain Enhancement Project)
Syllabus Mapping: GS3: Agriculture • Food Processing & Related Industries • Value Addition & Marketing • North Eastern Region
- The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) launched Mission Golden Spice – Integrated Lakadong Turmeric Value Chain Enhancement Project in Meghalaya to develop a complete value chain for GI-tagged Lakadong Turmeric.
- Mission Golden Spice is a convergence-led initiative for the end-to-end development of the Lakadong Turmeric value chain, covering cultivation, processing, branding, certification and market access.
- The mission is implemented by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) in partnership with the Government of Meghalaya through a two-phase roadmap (2025–2030).
- Lakadong Turmeric is a GI-tagged variety cultivated primarily in the Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya and is renowned for its high curcumin content (7–12%), significantly higher than ordinary turmeric varieties.
- The project seeks to establish an integrated ecosystem comprising quality planting material, scientific cultivation, post-harvest management, processing, packaging and export-oriented branding.
- The mission aims to position Meghalaya as a global source of premium high-curcumin organic turmeric, enhancing farmers’ income through value addition rather than raw produce sales.
- Curcumin is the principal bioactive polyphenolic compound in turmeric responsible for its characteristic yellow colour and widely studied antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
- India is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of turmeric globally, accounting for over 70% of world production.
- The National Turmeric Board, headquartered at Nizamabad (Telangana), has been established to promote research, value addition, quality standards and exports of turmeric.
5. Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award (TNNAA)
Syllabus Mapping: GS2: Awards & Honours • Government Policies • Youth Affairs & Sports
- The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports has invited nominations for the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award.
- Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award (TNNAA) is the highest national honour for adventure sports in India.
- It was instituted in 1993–94, and the first awards were conferred in 1994.
- In 2003, the National Adventure Awards were renamed as the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of the first successful ascent of Mount Everest (1953).
- The award is administered by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports and is regarded as equivalent in status to the Arjuna Award.
- It is conferred in four categories: Land Adventure + Water (Sea) Adventure + Air Adventure + Lifetime Achievement.
- Recipients are selected for outstanding achievement, leadership, discipline and sustained excellence in adventure activities over the preceding three years; the Lifetime Achievement category recognises long-term contribution to the promotion of adventure sports.
- The award comprises a bronze statuette of Tenzing Norgay, a certificate, a blazer with silken tie/saree, and a cash prize of ₹15 lakh.
- Nominations are accepted from State/UT Governments, recognised adventure institutions, the Indian Armed Forces, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and other eligible organisations.
- Tenzing Norgay, along with Sir Edmund Hillary, became one of the first two climbers to successfully summit Mount Everest on 29 May 1953.
- Before the institution of TNNAA, outstanding achievements in adventure sports were recognised under the Arjuna Award.
