National Seeds Corporation
Syllabus: GS3/ Agriculture
In News
- The Union Agriculture Minister has inaugurated the National Seeds Corporation’s (NSC) state-of-the-art seed processing plant in New Delhi.
About National Seeds Corporation
- It is a Schedule ‘B’ Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India.
- Established in 1963, it plays a key role in the production, processing, and distribution of certified quality seeds across India and maintenance of genetic purity and quality of foundation and breeder seeds.
- It is headquartered in New Delhi
Source: AIR
Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR)
Syllabus: GS3/ Science & Technology
In News
- The Supreme Court allowed the Union government to review and reconsider additional demand in adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues against financially distressed telecom operator Vodafone Idea (Vi).
About Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR)
- Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) refers to the usage and licensing fee that telecom operators are required to pay to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), under the Telecom Regulatory Framework.
- It is a crucial component in determining the share of revenue the telecom operators must pay to the government.
Background
- The concept of AGR originated under the National Telecom Policy, 1999, when India shifted from a fixed license fee regime to a revenue-sharing model.
- Telecom operators agreed to share a percentage of their AGR as licence fees and spectrum usage charges (SUC) with the government.
Source: TOI
Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025
Syllabus: GS3/Science and Technology
Context
- The Government of India (GoI) has announced the full list of winners of Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025.
Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar
- Aim: To celebrate outstanding contributions by scientists, technologists, and innovators in diverse fields of science, technology, and technology-led innovation.
- The award is organized and presented by the Ministry of Science and Technology.
- The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar is conferred under four categories:
- Vigyan Ratna (VR) award will recognise lifetime achievements and contributions made in any field of science and technology.
- Vigyan Shri (VS) award will recognise distinguished contributions in any field of science and technology.
- Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY-SSB) award will recognise and encourage young scientists up to the age of 45 years who have made an exceptional contribution in any field of science and technology.
- Vigyan Team (VT) award to be given to a team comprising three or more scientists/ researchers/ innovators who have made an exceptional contribution working in a team in any field of science and technology.
- Awards are conferred across 13 domains: Physics, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Mathematics & Computer Science, Earth Science, Medicine, Engineering Sciences, Agricultural Science, Environmental Science, Technology & Innovation, Atomic Energy, Space Science and Technology, and other allied fields.
Source: PIB
Burevestnik Missile
Syllabus: GS3/Defence
In News
- Russia has successfully tested its nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile.
Burevestnik missile
- It was first revealed by Russia in 2018 and recently it reportedly flew 14,000 km over 15 hours during test.
- NATO refers to it as the SSC-X-9 Skyfall and is named for the storm petrel, a bird that some believe foreshadows a storm.
- It boasts an unlimited range and the ability to evade missile defenses.
Source :IE
Red Sanders
Syllabus: GS3/Environment
In News
- The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), under India’s Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) framework, has released ₹55 lakh to 18 farmers cultivating Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus).
About Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus)
- It is commonly known as Red Sandalwood .
- It is a medium-sized tree (10–15 m tall) found in dry deciduous forests, either in mixed stands with native species or as pure stands.
- It is a prized hardwood known for its use in furniture, instruments, carvings, and tools.
- It is an endemic species to Eastern Ghats found in Andhra Pradesh and has ecological, economic, and cultural significance.
- It is also cultivated in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Odisha and other States.
- The species is protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which strictly regulates its international trade.
- The IUCN Red List of threatened species classifies it as Endangered .
Source :PIB
Intrusion Detection System to Protect Elephants
Syllabus: GS3/ Environment
Context
- The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has deployed an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) across key sections of its network to prevent elephant deaths caused by train collisions.
What is the Intrusion Detection System (IDS)?
- The IDS is an optical fiber-based monitoring system that detects intrusions or movements along railway tracks in real time.
- When a large object, such as an elephant or human, crosses or nears the track, the system identifies the vibration pattern and immediately alerts railway staff.
| Intrusion Detection System in Cybersecurity – In its original form, an IDS is a network security tool that detects unauthorized access or attacks on computers and networks. – It operates as a passive monitoring system, observing traffic and alerting administrators to suspicious activity but not directly blocking it. |
Source: IE
Digital Arrest
Syllabus: GS3/Cybercrime
Context
- President Droupadi Murmuo said that “digital arrests” had become one of the most dreaded threats faced by citizens today.
About
- A digital arrest refers to a cyber scam where fraudsters use fake video calls, forged IDs, and official-looking websites to falsely accuse individuals of crimes and coerce them into paying money.
- The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) have issued public advisories.
- Citizens are urged to report such cases on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal.
Source: TH
Stanford/Elsevier’s Rank List
Syllabus: Miscellaneous
In News
- Stanford University’s “World’s Top 2% Scientists list” 2025 was recently released .
World’s Top 2% Scientists list” 2025
- Stanford professor John Ioannidis annually publishes a list of the world’s top 2% scientists based on a composite metric called the c-score, derived from Elsevier’s Scopus database. The 2025 list includes 6,239 Indian scientists, with the top 10 ranked between 288 and 952, mostly from lesser-known institutions.
- Curiously, six of seven Nobel laureates ranked far lower, raising questions about the metric’s validity.
- It is a prestigious ranking that highlights the most influential researchers across a broad range of scientific fields.
- It is compiled in collaboration with Elsevier.
Source: TH
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