International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS)
Syllabus: GS2/IR
In News
- India has won the Presidency of the International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS) for the 2025–2028 term.
The International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS)
- It is a global federation comprising 31 Member Countries, 20 National Sections, and 15 Academic Research Centres, collaborating on scientific research in public administration.
- Key member countries include India, Japan, China, Germany, Italy, Korea, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Switzerland, Mexico, Spain, Qatar, Morocco, and Indonesia, among others.
- India has been a Member State of the IIAS since 1998, represented by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances.
- It is not a formally affiliated body of the United Nations, it actively engages with the UN’s work in the field of public administration.
- It maintains a close working relationship with the United Nations, and participates in the UN’s Committee of Experts on Public Administration (CEPA) and the UN Public Administration Network (UNPAN).
Source :TH
India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)
Syllabus :GS 2/IR
In News
- The ongoing crisis in the Middle East could pose an obstacle to the completion of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)
India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)
- IMEC was launched during India’s G20 presidency in 2023.
- It is a proposed corridor spanning ship, ship-rail, and road networks to connect India to the Gulf region and the Gulf region to Europe.
- It aims to integrate India, Europe, the Middle-East through UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel and the European Union.
Importance
- It is an important initiative that can add to India’s maritime security and faster movement of goods between Europe and Asia.
- It will reduce the logistics costs by up to 30% and transportation time by 40%.
Source :TH
Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations
Syllabus: GS 2/IR
In News
- Recently, India was elected to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations for the period from 2026-28.
About Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
- Established in 1945 by the UN Charter as one of the six principal organs of the United Nations.
- It is the United Nations’ main body for coordinating and reviewing policies on economic, social, and environmental issues, as well as overseeing the implementation of global development goals.
- It serves as a central platform for UN system activities in these fields, supervises subsidiary and expert bodies, and fosters debate and innovation on sustainable development.
- It has 54 Members, elected by the General Assembly for overlapping three-year terms.
Source :AIR
National Polio Surveillance Network (NPSN)
Syllabus: GS2/ Health
Context
- The Government of India, in collaboration with the WHO has proposed a phased winding down of the National Polio Surveillance Network (NPSN), reducing from 280 in 2024-25 to 140 by 2026-27.
National Polio Surveillance Network (NPSN)
- Established in 1997 by WHO in coordination with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, is a nationwide surveillance system comprising over 200 field surveillance units.
- It played a pivotal role in India’s declaration as polio-free in 2014 and has since expanded its scope to include surveillance of measles, rubella, DPT (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus)
| What is Polio? – Polio (poliomyelitis) is a highly contagious viral disease caused by the poliovirus, primarily affects children under the age of 5 and can lead to severe complications such as paralysis, disability, or even death. – Polio spreads mainly through fecal-oral transmission. 1. It can also be spread via respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing. – There is no cure for polio, it can only be prevented through vaccines. – There are three types of wild poliovirus (WPV): type 1, type 2, and type 3. State of Polio – EradicationEradication: Type 2 wild poliovirus was declared eradicated in September 2015 and Type 3 wild poliovirus was declared eradicated in October 2019. – Only type 1 wild poliovirus remains.The WHO South-East Asia Region was declared free of poliovirus in 2014 and the WHO African Region was certified free of wild poliovirus (WPV) in 2020. – India was certified polio-free in March 2014 and continues to be so. – According to the WHO, Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only countries in the world where polio remains endemic. |
Source: TH
IISc Researchers Developed Novel Nanozyme to Prevents Excess Clotting
Syllabus: GS2/ Health
Context
- Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed a metal-based nanozyme to address abnormal blood clotting caused by conditions like Pulmonary Thromboembolism (PTE) and COVID-19-related thrombosis.
What is Blood Clotting (Haemostasis)?
- About: It is a natural physiological mechanism in which platelets and proteins in the blood work together to form clots that stop bleeding when a blood vessel is injured.
- This process is initiated and regulated by chemical signals or physiological agonists such as collagen and thrombin, which activate platelets and initiate a complex series of protein interactions.
- Concern: Controlled clotting is essential, but abnormal activation leads to thrombosis, which can cause strokes or heart attacks.
- In disorders like PTE or COVID-19, oxidative stress leads to elevated Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS).
- ROS over-activates platelets, causing excessive clotting or thrombosis.
Nanozymes Developed by IISc
- Nanozymes: Artificial nanomaterials that mimic antioxidant enzymes to control ROS.
- Purpose: Prevent over-activation of platelets and formation of dangerous clots.
- Synthesis: Redox-active nanomaterials were synthesized using controlled chemical reactions.
- Among various types synthesized and tested on human platelets, spherical vanadium pentoxide (V₂O₅) nanozymes were found most effective.
Source: TH
India’s Stainless Steel Industry
Syllabus: GS3/ Economy
Context
- At the Global Stainless Steel Expo 2025, industry leaders emphasized the need for a National Stainless Steel Policy to unlock its full potential in manufacturing, innovation, and global competitiveness.
About
- In FY 2024-25, India’s stainless steel consumption reached approximately 4.8 million tonnes, marking an 8% year-on-year increase.
- Over the past five years, consumption has grown by 84%, up from 2.61 million tonnes in FY 2020-21.
- Per capita consumption has also risen from 2.5 kg to 3.4 kg during this period.
Need for the a new policy
- Despite being the third-largest producer of stainless steel globally, India relies on imports for nearly 30% of its domestic consumption.
- In FY25, imports stood at approximately 1.73 million tonnes.
- The domestic production capacity is around 7.85 million tonnes annually, but current utilization is only about 60%, indicating significant underused potential.
| What is Stainless Steel? – Stainless steel is a type of alloy primarily made of iron and a minimum of 10.5% chromium, along with varying amounts of nickel, molybdenum, carbon, and other elements. – Key Properties: 1. Corrosion-resistant: The chromium forms a thin oxide layer that protects the steel from rusting. 2. Durable and strong: High tensile strength and can withstand high temperatures without losing strength. – Applications: 1. Construction: Bridges, cladding, roofing, and structural supports. 2. Kitchenware: Cutlery, sinks, utensils, and cookware. 3. Medical equipment: Surgical tools, implants, and hospital furniture. |
Source: TH
Two New Ramsar Sites Added To Ramsar List
Syllabus: GS3/ Environment
Context
- On World Environment Day 2025 (observed annually on June 5 since 1973 and led by the UN Environment Programme), two wetlands from Rajasthan—Khichan and Menar—were designated as new Ramsar Sites, taking India’s total sites to 91.
- Now Rajasthan now has four Ramsar sites, while Tamil Nadu continues to lead with the highest number (20 sites) in India.
What are the Wetlands?
- The Ramsar Convention’s definition for wetlands includes:
- “areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres”.
- Human-made wetlands: Fish and shrimp ponds, farm ponds, irrigated agricultural land, salt pans, reservoirs, gravel pits, sewage farms and canals.
What is the Ramsar Convention?
- The Ramsar Convention is one of the oldest inter-governmental accords signed by member countries to preserve the ecological character of their wetlands of international importance.
- It was signed on February 2, 1971 in Ramsar, Iran and came into force in 1975.
- India became a signatory to the Ramsar Convention in 1982.
Newly Designated Ramsar Sites in Rajasthan
- Menar Wetland, Udaipur: A freshwater monsoon wetland complex comprising:
- Three ponds: Braham Talab, Dhand Talab, and Kheroda Talab
- Seasonal agricultural lands that flood during monsoon.
- Biodiversity: White-rumped vulture, Long-billed vulture, Indian flying foxes.
- Khichan Wetland (Phalodi) Jodhpur: Located in the northern Thar Desert. It comprises; Ratri Nadi (river), Vijaysagar Talab (pond), Riparian zones and scrublands.
- Biodiversity: It supports 150+ bird species and is notable for migratory demoiselle cranes with over 22,000 individuals arriving each winter.
Source: PIB
Exposomics
Syllabus: GS3/ S&T
In Context
- Studies suggest that exposomics are the next-gen scientific framework to comprehensively assess health risks and shape integrated prevention strategies.
What is Exposomics?
- Exposomics refers to the study of all environmental exposures an individual experiences from conception to death, and how they influence health.
- It is designed to complement genomics, given that genetics alone explains only less than 50% of the risk for most chronic diseases.
- It involves high-tech tools like real-time sensors, chemical analyses of biomonitoring samples & AI-driven data mining.
Why India Needs Exposomics?
- India contributes to 25% of the global environmental disease burden.
- Environmental and Occupational Health (OEH) risks caused approx 3 million deaths in India.
- Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like heart disease, stroke, COPD, diabetes, and even chronic kidney disease are closely linked to environmental factors.
Source: TH
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