The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) has approved confined field trials of two varieties of genetically modified (GM) maize at the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) for the 2025 Kharif season.
What are GM crops?
Crops that have undergone genetic engineering processes to alter their DNA are referred to as genetically modified crops.
This alteration is done to introduce desirable traits such as resistance to pests or herbicides, improved nutritional content, or increased yield.
The process of creating GM crops typically involves: identification of desired traits, isolation of genes, insertion into crop genome, and expression of the trait.
The techniques used in GM crops are: gene guns, electroporation, microinjection, agrobacterium etc.
Scientists have detected signals from the largest black hole merger ever observed, marking a breakthrough in the study of the universe’s most powerful cosmic collisions.
About
The event, named GW231123, was detected on November 23, 2023, by the global network of gravitational wave detectors, including LIGO, Virgo, and KAGRA.
The merger involved two black holes with masses of 100 and 140 times the mass of our Sun, creating a final black hole of 225 solar masses — making it one of the heaviest black hole mergers ever detected.
The Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), is repositioning itself to drive the next wave of inclusive and innovation-driven IT growth across the country, especially targeting Tier-II and Tier-III cities.
Way Ahead
India’s global leadership in IT has so far been driven largely by service exports, which, while significant, offer limited value addition in the long term.
To remain competitive in the evolving digital landscape, the country must now pivot towards a robust software product-based economy.
The National Policy on Software Products (NPSP) 2019 rightly emphasises this transition by advocating for indigenous innovation and IP-led growth.
India is working on comprehensive policy interventions to accelerate the growth of Global Capability Centers (GCCs).
What are Global Capability Centers (GCCs)?
These are offshore units established by multinational corporations to manage a wide range of business functions like software development, data analytics, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and customer experience management.
These are wholly owned subsidiaries of global firms, offering strategic control and alignment with corporate goals.
GCCs have evolved from cost-saving BPO units to strategic innovation hubs driving digital transformation, AI, and R&D.
They differ from traditional outsourcing by focusing on value creation, innovation, and digital transformation.
Launched on 15 July 2015, World Youth Skills Day, the Skill India Mission provides skill, re-skill, and up-skill training through an extensive network of skill development centres and institutes under various schemes.
In February 2025, the restructured ‘Skill India Programme’ was approved for 2022-23 to 2025-26, merging Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 (PMKVY 4.0), the Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS), and the Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) Scheme into a single Central Sector Scheme.
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)- Offers short-term skill training and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for youth nationwide, including rural areas.
National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS)- Promotes apprenticeship with financial support for stipends, providing both basic and on-the-job training.
