2,000-year-old Buddhist Site Found in Haryana

Context: Recently, IT Kanpur, using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), has discovered signs of ancient Buddhist stupas and structural remains in Haryana’s Yamuna Nagar district. 

Key Highlights

• Evidence of a Buddhist Stupa: Technology: GPR revealed circular structures, old walls, and rooms 6–7 feet deep, suggesting a 2,000-year-old Buddhist site.

• Sites of Discovery:
  • Topra Kalan: Strong GPR signals indicated a buried semi-circular structure, likely a stupa, near an ancient temple.
  • ‘Jarasandha ka Qila’: A mound here also showed signs of a circular structure, consistent with another stupa.
• Historical Significance:
  • The site may date back to the Buddhist era or possibly the Mahabharata period, as per local oral traditions.
  • These findings offer vital clues into ancient trade routes, religious networks, and cultural exchanges across the subcontinent.
  • If similar structures are uncovered, it could point to a broader spread and influence of this ancient civilization.

Key Buddhist Sites

• Lumbini, Nepal: Recognized as Buddha’s birthplace, it is closely linked to Indian Buddhist sites.
• Bodh Gaya, Bihar: The site of Buddha’s enlightenment under the Bodhi tree.
  • Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya: Site of Buddha’s enlightenment, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002.
  • Vaishali, Bihar: Where Buddha gave his final sermon and announced his Parinirvana.
  • Rajgir and Nalanda, Bihar: Renowned centers of Buddhist learning and ancient monasteries.
• Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh: The location where Buddha delivered his first sermon.
  • Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh: The place of Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana (final passing away).
• Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh: Home to ancient stupas and Buddhist monuments, showcasing Buddhist architecture and heritage.
• McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh: Houses the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, serving as a key Tibetan Buddhist hub.
• Ellora Caves, Maharashtra: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcasing rock-cut temples from Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain traditions.
  • Ajanta Caves: Known for ancient Buddhist monasteries and murals depicting the life of Buddha.

Prithvi-II & Agni-I Ballistic Missiles

Context: Short-Range Ballistic Missiles Prithvi-II and Agni-I were successfully test-fired on July 17, 2025, from Chandipur, Odisha.

• The tests, conducted by the Strategic Forces Command, validated all operational and technical parameters. 
• The tests mark a boost to India’s nuclear and air defence capabilities.

About Prithvi-II Ballistic Missile

• Type: Short-range, single-stage, liquid-fueled surface-to-surface ballistic missile.
• Developed By: Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO) under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP).
• Range: Approximately 250-350 km.
• Payload: Capable of carrying 500 kg to 1000 kg warheads, including both conventional and nuclear options.
• User: Primarily developed for the Indian Air Force, inducted into the Strategic Forces Command in 2003.
• Features: Designed with measures to deceive anti-ballistic missiles and has improved navigation.

About Agni-I Ballistic Missile

• Type: Short to medium-range, single-stage, solid-fueled ballistic missile.
• Developed By: DRDO, designed to fill the range gap between the Prithvi-II and longer-range Agni missiles, particularly after the Kargil War.
• Range: 700-1200 km, capable of reaching up to 1200 km with lighter payloads.
• Payload: Can carry a 1000 kg payload, including conventional and nuclear warheads.
• Mobility: Road and rail mobile, offering greater survivability.
• User: Used by the Strategic Forces Command of the Indian Army.
• Future: An upgraded two-stage variant, Agni-1P, is being developed with enhanced accuracy and reliability, potentially replacing older Agni-1 and Agni-2 missiles.

Tawke Oilfield, Iraq

Context: Recent drone strikes in Iraq’s Kurdistan region have disrupted oil output, with the Tawke oilfield (operated by Norway’s DNO) hit on 17th July 2025.

About Tawke Oilfield

• Location: An onshore operation situated in the Zakho Administration area of Duhok Province, within the Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq. 
  • The Kurdistan Region refers to areas inhabited by ethnic Kurds, primarily in Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Turkey.
• Operated by: The Norwegian oil and gas company DNO.
• Strategic Importance: A significant oil production site.
  • The Tawke Oilfield produced an average of 78,615 barrels of oil per day in 2024.

Iraq

• Location: Iraq is located in Western Asia
• Borders: Iraq shares borders with several countries:
  • Turkey to the north
  • Iran to the east
  • The Persian Gulf and Kuwait to the southeast
  • Saudi Arabia to the south
  • Jordan to the southwest
  • Syria to the west

Three-person in vitro fertilization (IVF) Technique

Context: In a remarkable breakthrough, scientists in the UK used a three-person in vitro fertilization (IVF) technique to bring to life eight children and spared them from genetic mitochondrial disease.

About Three-person in vitro fertilization (IVF) or Mitochondrial Replacement Therapy (MRT)

• Refers: A technique to prevent mothers from passing on severe mitochondrial diseases to their children. 
• Purpose: Prevents inherited mitochondrial diseases, which affect organs like the brain and heart and are passed exclusively by the mother.
• Genetic Composition: Despite being termed a “three-parent” baby, over 99.9% of the DNA is inherited from the biological parents.

How Does It Work?

• Maternal Spindle Transfer (MST): The nucleus (parent’s main DNA) from the mother’s unfertilized egg is transferred into a donor’s healthy, enucleated (nucleus-removed) egg.
  • This reconstructed egg is then fertilized by the father’s sperm and implanted.
• Pronuclear Transfer (PNT): Both the mother’s and donor’s eggs are fertilized by the father’s sperm.
  • The pronuclei (early nuclei) from the parents’ fertilized egg are transferred into the donor’s enucleated fertilized egg.
  • This new embryo is then implanted.

Key Considerations

• Minimal Donor DNA: The donor contributes only a tiny fraction of DNA from the mitochondria, not influencing traits like appearance.
• Germline Modification: It’s considered germline modification because the mitochondrial DNA is inheritable, especially by female offspring.
• Regulation: Highly regulated and legal in a few countries (e.g., UK since 2015).
  • Three-person IVF is not explicitly legal or regulated in India. 
  • While the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021 exists, no specific law permits MRT for clinical use, keeping it in a regulatory grey area—unlike countries like the UK, where it is formally allowed.
• Success: As of July 2025, eight healthy babies have reportedly been born in the UK using this method, free of mitochondrial disease.

Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA)

Context: The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) has issued comprehensive directions to strengthen and institutionalise structured counselling services throughout the adoption process.

Key Aspects of the New Directives

• Mandatory Counselling: Counselling is now a critical and mandatory component at pre-adoption, during adoption, and post-adoption stages.
• Qualified Counsellors: State adoption boards must designate or empanel qualified professionals (child psychology, mental health, social work backgrounds) at district and state levels.
• Stakeholder Support: Aims to reinforce psychosocial support for prospective adoptive parents, adopted children (especially older ones), and biological parents.
• Specific Situations: Post-adoption counselling is required for root searches, non-adjustment issues, or potential adoption disruptions.
• Legal Backing: Directions are issued under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 (amended 2021) and Adoption Regulations, 2022.

About CARA

• Institutional Identity: CARA is India’s apex statutory body for adoption, under the Ministry of Women & Child Development.
• Status: Established in 1990 as autonomous; gained statutory status via JJ Act 2015.
• Role: The nodal body that monitors and regulates both in-country and inter-country adoptions of orphan, abandoned, and surrendered children.
• International Role: Designated Central Authority for inter-country adoptions under the Hague Convention (1993).
• Framework: Operates under the JJ Act 2015, and is linked to Child Care Institutions (CCIs).

OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2025-2034

Context: Recently, the Agricultural Outlook 2025-2034 was released by a joint report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

• It provides a comprehensive assessment of the ten-year prospects for agricultural commodities (including fish) and their markets at national, regional, and global levels. 

Key Global Trends (by 2034)

• Cereal Use Shift: Only 40% for direct human consumption; 27% for biofuel/industrial (up from 23%), and 33% for animal feed.
• Biofuel Boom: 0.9% annual growth, led by India, Brazil, Indonesia, heavily relying on food-based feedstocks.
• Production Growth: 1.1% annually (mostly yield gains). India and Southeast Asia will drive 39% of cereal consumption growth.
• Animal Products: Rising demand, particularly in middle-income nations, leading to increased meat/dairy production (17%) and 6% rise in agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
• Cotton: India set to overtake China as top producer.

India’s Agri-Marketing Challenges & Solutions

• Challenges:
  • Weak Infrastructure: ₹92,000 crore in post-harvest losses due to inadequate cold storage/transport.
  • Fragmented Markets: No national integrated market; Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) regulated by states.
    • Agricultural marketing is a State subject, regulated by State-specific APMC Acts, under which APMCs are established.
  • Limited Access: Small farmers struggle with market access and low prices.
• Government Steps:
  • National Agriculture Market (e-NAM): Online platform for price transparency and wider reach.
  • 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) Scheme: Strengthens market linkages for small farmers.
  • Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF): Provides financial aid and interest subvention to support post-harvest infrastructure like warehouses and cold chains.
  • Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure (AMI): Focuses on enhancing rural storage capacity through godown/warehouse construction.

Senegal

Context: Recently, France formally handed back its last military bases in Senegal, leaving Paris with no permanent camps in either West or Central Africa.

• The French withdrawal comes as the Sahel region faces a growing jihadist conflict across Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger that is threatening Gulf of Guinea nations to the south.

About Senegal

• Capital: Dakar 
• Form of Government: Presidential Republic. 
• Location: Westernmost part of Africa, bordering Mauritania, Mali, Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau. 
  • Located in the Northern and Western hemispheres of the Earth. 
  • It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west.
• Geography: Dominated by the Sahara desert, with the Senegal River as a major drainage system. 
• Climate: Dry, hot, and windy, with desertification being a concern. 
• Historical Context: Gained independence in 1960 from France.

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