APAAR ID

Context: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has made the APAAR ID mandatory for registration and List of Candidates (LOC) submission for the 2026 board exams.

About APAAR ID

• The Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) is a 12-digit unique identifier assigned to each student in India to unify academic records.
• Launched By: Ministry of Education for schools starting from the 2024-25 academic session.
• Purpose: APAAR ID is designed to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 vision of ‘One Nation, One Student ID’, consolidating academic achievements across a student’s lifetime in a single digital profile.
• Target: The initiative aims to cover all students in Classes 1 to 12 across India.
  • Over 2.36 crore IDs already generated as of July 2025.

Implementation for Board Exams 2026

• From the 2025-26 academic year, APAAR ID is compulsory for:
  • Registration of Class 9 and Class 11 students.
  • Submission of LOC for Class 10 and Class 12 students.
• Schools must obtain APAAR IDs before starting the registration and LOC process, expected to begin shortly.

Significance

• Streamlined Student Records: Creates a unified academic identity for each student, enabling seamless tracking of records across classes, schools, and states.
• Reduced Administrative Errors: Minimizes duplication and mismatches in examination registration and certification.
• Digital Integration: Facilitates integration with the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) and other education databases under NEP 2020.
• Policy Alignment: Supports transparency, efficiency, and portability in the Indian education system, crucial for students transferring between institutions.

TRAI’s Property Rating Framework for Digital Connectivity

Context: TRAI has issued the Manual for Rating of Properties for Digital Connectivity, creating a national standard to assess buildings’ readiness for high-speed, reliable digital access.

About the Framework

• Introduction: The framework is India’s first standardised system to evaluate and rate properties based on in-building digital connectivity infrastructure and performance developed under the Rating of Properties for Digital Connectivity Regulations, 2024, Manual.
• Purpose:
  • Establishes a uniform assessment methodology for Digital Connectivity Rating Agencies (DCRAs).
  • Serves as a reference framework for Property Managers (PMs) and Service Providers to plan, implement, and maintain future-ready Digital Connectivity Infrastructure (DCI).
• Focus Areas:
  • Fibre Readiness: Assesses availability and readiness of fibre infrastructure for delivering high-speed broadband.
  • Indoor Mobile Coverage: Evaluates mobile signal strength indoors, addressing losses from modern construction materials, especially for 4G/5G frequencies.
  • Wi-Fi Access & User Experience: Measures Wi-Fi coverage, broadband speeds, and overall user satisfaction in indoor environments.

Significance

• Improves Consumer Choice: The Ratings will help buyers, tenants, and businesses make informed property decisions based on actual digital connectivity performance.
  • With more than 80% of mobile data consumed indoors, and high frequency bands,  the signals of 4G and 5G are often weakened by modern day building materials.
• Encourages Developer Adoption: Incentivises integration of digital infrastructure at the design and construction stages of buildings.
• Supports Inclusive Growth: Robust in-building networks have become essential for work, education, healthcare, and daily digital services.

About TRAI

• The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is the statutory body regulating telecommunications and broadcasting services in India.
• Establishment: Formed in 1997 under the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997.
• Role
• • Regulates telecom services, including fixation/revision of tariffs.
  • Ensures compliance with quality-of-service standards.
  • Promotes fair competition and protects consumer interests.

SabhaSaar

Context: The Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj will launch the AI-powered ‘SabhaSaar’ tool to automate generation of structured minutes from Gram Sabha meeting recordings.

About SabhaSaar

• Introduction: SabhaSaar is an Artificial Intelligence-based meeting summarisation tool that transcribes and generates structured Minutes of Meeting (MoM) from audio and video recordings of Gram Sabha or Panchayat meetings.
• Objective: To streamline and standardise the documentation of Gram Sabha meetings, improving efficiency, transparency, and accessibility in Panchayat governance.

Key Features

• AI and NLP Integration: Uses advanced Artificial Intelligence and Natural Language Processing (NLP).
  • NLP is an AI field enabling computers to understand, interpret, and generate human language for tasks like translation, summarisation, and sentiment analysis.
• Multi-Language Support : It is integrated with Bhashini, the National Language Translation Mission of the Government of India.
  • It supports 13 Indian languages, including Kannada and English, ensuring inclusivity for diverse linguistic regions, with plans for further expansion.
• Structured Output: Produces well-formatted, official-ready minutes that can be directly used for administrative and legal purposes, significantly reducing manual transcription efforts.

Significance

• Governance Efficiency: Automates documentation, saving officials substantial time and effort, allowing them to focus on service delivery and other governance responsibilities.
• Transparency and Accountability:  Ensures accurate, tamper-proof meeting records, promoting trust in local decision-making processes.
• Inclusivity and Accessibility: Multi-language support ensures equitable participation by Panchayat functionaries across India, regardless of their linguistic background.

Note: The tool will first be deployed in Tripura, covering all 1,194 Gram Panchayats and traditional local bodies for Special Gram Sabhas on 15 August 2025, with nationwide rollout planned.

ALMM for Solar Sector

Context: India has reached 100 GW solar PV module manufacturing capacity under Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) , a leap from 2.3 GW in 2014, marking self-reliance and clean energy progress.

Achievement in Solar Energy Sector

• Rapid Capacity Growth: Manufacturing capacity rose over twelvefold in just over four years, from 8.2 GW in 2021 to 100 GW in 2025, with 100 manufacturers and 123 units.
• Policy-Driven Success: Initiatives like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for High-Efficiency Solar Modules and ALMM policy boosted competitiveness, efficiency, and global demand readiness.

About Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM)

• Intro: The ALMM includes solar PV module manufacturers eligible for use in government projects, government-assisted projects, and schemes such as PM KUSUM and solar PV rooftop schemes. 
  • It also includes those projects which are  selling electricity to central or state governments.
• Aim: Import substitution by ensuring Indian manufacturers can meet domestic demand competitively, without imposing direct import restrictions.
• Launch: Introduced by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)  in 2019.
  • The first list was published in March , 2021 with 8.2 GW capacity.
• Slower implementation: Initially kept in abeyance for two years due to concerns from renewable energy producers bound by pre-rule contracts, when cheaper imports from China dominated.
• Reintroduction: implemented on April 1 , 2024 after domestic manufacturing capacity improved through policies like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme, under the Atmanirbhar Bharat programme.

Significance

• Vision 2047: Develop a fully self-reliant and globally competitive renewable energy manufacturing hub.
• Atmanirbhar Bharat Alignment: Enhance domestic production to reduce import dependency and strengthen India’s clean energy ecosystem.
  • In 2023-24, imports from China accounted for over 90% of India’s solar cell imports. However, this has now declined to 56% for solar cells and 65% for solar modules.

The Elders Observations on Gaza Crisis

Context: Recently , the Elders group declared the Gaza crisis an “unfolding genocide” caused by Israel’s obstruction of humanitarian aid, leading to famine and mass civilian suffering.

About The Elders 

• The Elders is an independent, non-governmental group of respected global leaders, including former heads of state and senior UN officials.
• Formation: Established in 2007 by former South African President Nelson Mandela.
• Headquarters: London, England
• Mission: To promote peace, human rights, and sustainable development through moral authority, mediation, and advocacy.
• Members: The group comprises former presidents, prime ministers, peace activists, and human rights advocates from around the world.
  • The Elders group currently has 12 active members.
    • 10 full members and 2 Deputy Chairs.

What is Genocide? 

• As per the 1948 UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, genocide is any act committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group, including:
  • Killing members of the group.
  • Causing serious bodily or mental harm.
  • Deliberately inflicting living conditions aimed at physical destruction.
  • Imposing measures to prevent births.
  • Forcibly transferring children to another group.

Observations Made on Gaza

• Obstruction of Aid: Delegates reported deliberate Israeli restrictions on food and medical aid entering Gaza, particularly through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt.
• Humanitarian Collapse: They highlighted widespread famine, collapsing healthcare, and severe malnutrition among new mothers and newborns.
• Civilian Casualties: Eyewitness accounts described Palestinian civilians, including children, being killed while attempting to access aid.
  

Call to Action by the Elders

• Immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
• Release of all Israeli hostages still held in Gaza.
• Recognition of the State of Palestine as part of long-term peace efforts.
• Suspension of arms transfers to Israel and sanctions on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
• Pressure on Israel to end alleged “atrocity crimes” through legal and diplomatic means.

Rabies

Context: The Supreme Court has ordered the Delhi government to capture and confine stray dogs permanently, citing rising rabies deaths linked to dog bites.

About Rabies

• Introduction: Rabies is a fatal zoonotic viral disease caused by the rabies virus (RABV) and transmitted primarily through animal bites or scratches.
  • Once clinical symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal, making prevention critical.

Causes and Transmission

• Rabies infects mammals such as dogs, cats, livestock, bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes.
• According to WHO, dog bites and scratches cause 99% of human rabies cases.
• Rabies spreads when infected saliva contacts open wounds or mucous membranes.
• Without treatment, the disease leads to coma and death.

Vaccination and Prevention

• No WHO-approved diagnostic tool exists before symptoms appear.
• Types of Vaccines:
• • Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP): For high-risk occupations and travellers.
  • Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP): After suspected exposure, prevents virus entry into the nervous system.
• WHO pre-qualified vaccines: RABIVAX-S (Serum Institute of India), VaxiRab N (Zydus Lifesciences), VERORAB (Sanofi Pasteur).
• Immediate wound washing with soap and water plus timely vaccination is essential.

Status of Rabies in India

• WHO Findings: India is rabies-endemic and accounts for 36% of global rabies deaths.
  • Children aged 5–14 years are frequent victims.
• Reported Cases : In 2024, over 37 lakh dog bite cases and 54 suspected human rabies deaths were reported in the Indian Parliament.
  • A 2025 research study estimated 5,726 human rabies deaths annually in India,
  • far higher than official figures.

Gaur (Bos gaurus)

Context: Palamau Tiger Reserve (PTR), the last stronghold of Gaur (Bos gaurus) in Jharkhand, has recorded a steep decline in population from 150 in the 1970s to just 68.

About Gaur

• Scientific Name: Bos gaurus
• Common Names: Indian Bison, Gaur
• Size: Tallest wild cattle species and the largest living member of the cattle family.
• Color: Dark brown to black, lighter in females
• Population: Around 13,000–30,000 globally, with India hosting about 85% of the population
• Population in Nilgiris: Approximately 2,000 individuals (2020 estimate, Nilgiris Forest Division).
• Geographic Range: Native to South and Southeast Asia, predominantly in India.
• Preferred Habitat: Evergreen and moist deciduous forests.
• Threats: Habitat loss across much of its range, Poaching and  Vulnerability to diseases from domestic cattle, such as rinderpest and foot-and-mouth disease
• Protection Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
  • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I
  • CITES: Appendix I

About Palamau Tiger Reserve

• Location: Situated in the western part of Latehar district, Jharkhand, on the Chhotanagpur Plateau.
• Status: One of the first nine tiger reserves created under Project Tiger in 1974.
• Historic Milestone: First in the world to conduct a tiger census using the pugmark method (1932) under J.W. Nicholson.
• Rivers: Drained by North Koyal, Auranga, and Burha rivers; Burha is the only perennial river in this drought-prone area.
• Geology: Predominantly gneiss, with granite and limestone; rich in bauxite and coal deposits.
• Flora: Moist and dry deciduous forests, with Sal and bamboo as dominant vegetation.
• Fauna: Key species include Tiger, Asiatic Elephant, Leopard, Grey Wolf, Wild Dog, Gaur, Sloth Bear, and Four-horned Antelope.

Bitcoin Hits Fresh Record

Context: Bitcoin surged to a new record high of $124,002.49 recently, driven by expectations of the U.S. Federal Reserve rate cuts and a wave of crypto-friendly reforms under President Donald Trump’s administration.

What is Bitcoin ? 

• Bitcoin is a decentralised cryptocurrency that enables peer-to-peer transactions on a blockchain without intermediaries.

Cryptocurrency 

• Cryptocurrencies are digital or virtual currencies that use cryptography for security. 
• They operate on decentralized networks based on blockchain technology, which is a distributed ledger maintained by a network of computers (nodes).

Types of Cryptocurrencies

• Payment Cryptocurrencies: Designed for peer-to-peer transactions without intermediaries. Examples: Bitcoin, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash.
• Stablecoins: Pegged to assets like fiat currency to minimise volatility. Examples: USD Coin, Tether.
• Utility Tokens: Provide access to a product or service. Examples: Filecoin (cloud storage), Chainlink (smart contracts).
• Security Tokens: Digital representations of investment assets like stocks or bonds.
• Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs): Digital versions of fiat currency issued by central banks. Examples: eRupi, eCNY, Digital Yuan.

About Fed Reserve Rate Cut

• Federal Reserve rate cuts are reductions in the U.S. central bank’s benchmark interest rate to stimulate economic activity by lowering borrowing costs.

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