‘E-sign’ for Voter Verification

Context: The Election Commission of India (ECI) now requires Aadhaar-linked phone verification for online voter registration, deletion, and correction. , following allegations of misuse in Karnataka’s Aland constituency.

About the E-Sign Feature

The ECI has introduced an ‘e-sign’ feature on its ECINet portal and app to enhance the security and authenticity of online voter applications.

Working Mechanism

• Applicants submitting Form 6 (new voter registration), Form 7 (objection to inclusion/deletion), or Form 8 (correction of entries) must verify their identity using an Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
• The system cross-checks that the name on the voter card matches the name on Aadhaar and that the mobile number is linked to the same Aadhaar ID.

Significance: Reduces the risk of unauthorized or fraudulent voter deletions and registrations.

Capacity Building and Human Resource Development

Context: The Union Cabinet approved the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) / Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Scheme on “Capacity Building and Human Resource Development” (CBHRD) for the 15th Finance Commission cycle (2021–22 to 2025–26).

About the CBHRD Scheme

• Implementing Agency: CSIR, covering R&D institutions, national laboratories, Institutes of National Importance, Institutes of Eminence, and Universities.
• Objective: To build a strong pipeline of high-quality researchers in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Medical & Mathematical Sciences) by providing platforms for young scholars guided by eminent scientists.
• Role in SDGs: Supports India’s progress on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by increasing researchers per million population.

Key Features

CBHRD is an Umbrella Scheme, Consists of four sub-schemes—

• Doctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships: Supporting young researchers in diverse STEMM fields.
• Extramural Research Scheme, Emeritus Scientist Scheme, and Bhatnagar Fellowship: Promoting advanced research and supporting senior scientists.
• Promotion and Recognition of Excellence through Awards: To incentivise cutting-edge research and honour contributions.
• Knowledge Sharing Grants: Travel and symposia grants to enable international and domestic collaboration.

Significance

• Boost to Innovation Ecosystem: Strengthens India’s position as a global S&T hub by fostering innovation-driven R&D.
• Global Rankings: India has improved to 39th rank in Global Innovation Index (2024, WIPO); CSIR contributions place India among the top three nations in scientific paper publications
• Strategic Importance: Positions India to achieve global leadership in science and innovation by the 21st century through sustained R&D capacity building.

Nightmare Bacteria

Context: A CDC report shows drug-resistant “nightmare bacteria” infections in the U.S. rose nearly 70% between 2019 and 2023, driven mainly by the NDM gene.

About ‘Nightmare Bacteria’

• ‘Nightmare bacteria’ are carbapenem-resistant bacteria, highly resistant to a wide range of antibiotics, including last-resort drugs.
• Impact on Human Health
• • Only two antibiotics are effective, requiring expensive intravenous treatment.
  • Infections, like urinary tract infections, may become chronic and harder to treat.
  • Many carriers are unrecognized, increasing risk of community transmission.

About NDM Gene

• The New Delhi Metallo-β-lactamase-1 (NDM-1) gene was first identified in 2008 in New Delhi, India, in a patient infected with multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae.
• NDM-1 is a class B metallo-β-lactamase that hydrolyzes most β-lactam antibiotics, causing multidrug resistance.

Superbug: A superbug is a strain of bacteria that has developed resistance to multiple antibiotics, making infections hard to treat.

Tylenol

Context: US President Donald Trump recently claimed Tylenol use in pregnancy is linked to autism, despite lack of strong evidence.

About Tylenol

• Introduction: Tylenol is the brand name for acetaminophen (paracetamol), a widely used over-the-counter drug for pain and fever relief.
• Common Uses: Prescribed for headaches, backaches, arthritis, menstrual cramps, muscle aches, toothaches, and fever
• Medical Consensus: Experts, including former WHO Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan, say paracetamol remains the safest painkiller for pregnant women.
• Scientific Evidence: A Swedish study of 2.4 million children showed no increased risk of autism or neurodevelopmental disorders.
• Health Risks of Avoidance: Doctors warn that refusing paracetamol during high fever in pregnancy could endanger both mother and baby.
• WHO Statement: Declared evidence “inconsistent” and reaffirmed paracetamol’s safety during pregnancy..
• Professional Associations: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists also confirmed no autism risk linked to paracetamol.

About Autism

• Autism, also known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition affecting brain development, leading to challenges in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors.
• The abilities and needs of autistic individuals vary widely; some can live independently, while others require lifelong care and support.
• According to WHO, about 1 in 127 people worldwide had autism in 2021, a condition with diverse needs, often diagnosed later in life.

Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya

Context: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi paid tributes to Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya on the occasion of his 109th Birth Anniversary.

About Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya

• Early Life:
  • Born: 25 September 1916, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh.
  • Qualified for the civil services examination, earning the nickname “Panditji” for wearing traditional dhoti-kurta during the exam.
• Political Involvement 
  • RSS Campaigner: A lifelong pracharak (campaigner) of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
  • Leader: Prominent leader of Bharatiya Jana Sangh (precursor to BJP).
• Philosophy
  • Integral Humanism (Ekatma Manav Darshan) : Introduced the concept focusing on holistic development—physical, mental, and spiritual.
  • Antyodaya: Advocates uplifting the last person in the queue (focus on weakest sections of society).

What is Integral Humanism?

• Concept: A doctrine formulated by Upadhyaya as an alternative to both Capitalism and Communism.
• Core Principles:
• • Harmony between body, mind, intellect, and soul.
  • Balanced growth of individuals and society.
  • Social Vision: Advocated a classless, casteless, conflict-free society.
  • Cultural Heritage: Draw from ancient Indian ideals of unity and oneness.
  • Sustainability: Stressed coexistence with nature.
  • Based on the four purusharthas: dharma, artha, kama, and moksha.

Legacy and Commemoration

• Antyodaya: His vision of uplifting the last person in society remains a core principle for the BJP.
• Antyodaya Diwas: Since 25th September 2014, his birth anniversary is celebrated to honor his contributions to social and political thought.

All India Institute of Medical Sciences

Context: The Union Cabinet has approved  22 new AIIMS under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY).

• It will add 5,000 postgraduate (PG) seats and 5,023 undergraduate (MBBS) seats by 2028–29 for strengthening and upgrading existing government medical institutions.

Benefits

• Augmentation of Doctors: Increases UG and PG medical capacity, ensuring steady supply of doctors and specialists.
• Regional Balance: Promotes equitable distribution of healthcare resources across states/UTs.
• Cost-effective Expansion: Leverages existing infrastructure for medical education and tertiary care.
• Improved Healthcare Access: Strengthens healthcare delivery in underserved rural, tribal, and remote regions

About Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY)

• A Central Government scheme launched in 2006.
• Objective: Reduce regional gaps in access to affordable tertiary healthcare; and Strengthen facilities for quality medical education.
• Two main components:
  • Establishment of new AIIMS institutes.
  • Upgradation of existing Government Medical Colleges/Institutions (GMCIs).

Agni Prime

Context: Recently, India successfully tested Agni-Prime missile from a specially designed rail-based mobile launcher under a full operational scenario.

About Agni Prime

• Agni-Prime (Agni-P) is India’s next-generation medium/intermediate-range ballistic missile designed to replace older Agni variants in its category.
• Developed By:  Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with the Strategic Forces Command (SFC).
• Features
• • Range : Up to 2,000 km, capable of carrying advanced warheads.
  • Canisterised system: Enabling storage, rapid transport, and quick launch with reduced detection.
  • Advance components: Equipped with state-of-the-art navigation, communication, and protection mechanisms.
  • Rail-based launcher:  It can operate across the railway network without pre-conditions, offers cross-country mobility, and enables quick launch with reduced visibility.
    • Provides independent launch capability with self-sustained systems.

Significance 

• Strategic Significance: The rail-based Agni-Prime marks India’s entry into the select group of nations with canisterised launch from a moving rail network, boosting survivability.
• Operational Advantage: It complements the already inducted road-mobile Agni-P, ensuring wider operational flexibility and greater mobility of missile systems across terrains.
• Deterrence & Defence Preparedness: The system enhances India’s second-strike capability, reduces vulnerability to pre-emptive attacks, and contributes significantly to the modernisation of the nuclear triad and long-term defence posture.

Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT)

Context: Recently , Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched the Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT) in New Delhi, marking a milestone in GST reforms.

About GSTAT

• GSTAT is a statutory appellate body established under GST laws to provide an independent forum for dispute resolution.
• Establishment: Constituted to hear appeals against orders passed by GST Appellate Authorities.
• Benches: Principal Bench located in New Delhi, with 31 State Benches spread across 45 locations nationwide for accessibility.
• Composition: Each bench comprises two Judicial Members, one Technical Member (Centre), and one Technical Member (State).
  • Ensures balanced participation of judicial expertise and Central–State technical knowledge, reflecting cooperative federalism.
• GSTAT e-Courts Portal: Developed by Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) in collaboration with National Informatics Centre (NIC).
  • It will enable taxpayers and practitioners to file appeals online, track the progress of cases, and participate in hearings through digital mode

Role & Objectives

• Provide a specialised forum for taxpayers to resolve indirect tax disputes.
• Ensure consistency in interpretation, predictability in outcomes, and credibility of the appellate process.
• Designed to deliver swift, jargon-free, and transparent justice with digital-first systems, including an e-courts portal for online filing, case tracking, and virtual hearings.

Significance

• Strengthens India’s indirect tax dispute resolution framework.
• Reduces litigation delays, improves ease of doing business, and boosts trust between taxpayers and administration.
• Embodies the principle of “One Nation, One Forum for Fairness and Certainty.”

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