{"id":50341,"date":"2025-08-04T18:42:36","date_gmt":"2025-08-04T13:12:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=50341"},"modified":"2025-08-05T12:18:45","modified_gmt":"2025-08-05T06:48:45","slug":"news-in-short-04-08-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/04-08-2025\/news-in-short-04-08-2025","title":{"rendered":"News In Short 04-08-2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>OPEC+ Countries to Boost Oil Production<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus<\/strong><strong>: GS3\/Economy;&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Recently, the OPEC+ alliance announced that it will increase oil production by 547,000 barrels per day (bpd) starting in September, 2025.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About OPEC+<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>OPEC+ is an extended alliance of OPEC, having 22 members, made up of <strong>10 major, non-OPEC oil producing countries<\/strong> <em>(Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Brunei, Bahrain, Mexico, Oman, South Sudan, Sudan and Malaysia)<\/em>,<strong> along with the 12 OPEC members<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It was formed in 2016 after the adoption of the \u2018<strong>Algiers Accord\u2019 by OPEC countries<\/strong> and signing of the <strong>\u2018Vienna Agreement\u2019<\/strong> between OPEC and other major oil exporting countries.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>OPEC+ was created <strong>to counterbalance US shale oil growth<\/strong> and stabilize prices amid global volatility.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Market Influence and Production Strategy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>OPEC+ controls nearly 48% of global oil output, making it a dominant force in energy pricing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The group has shifted from price defense to market share strategy, ramping up production to pressure US shale producers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>About OPEC<\/strong><br>&#8211; It was established in <strong>1960 at the Baghdad Conference<\/strong> by Saudi Arabia, Iran, Venezuela, Kuwait and Iraq.<br>&#8211; It has <strong>12 members<\/strong>, viz. Algeria, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Venezuela.<br>&#8211; Angola withdrew its membership effective 1 January 2024.<br>&#8211; It is headquartered in Vienna, Austria.<br>&#8211; It aims to coordinate and unify petroleum policies among member countries and ensure stable oil markets.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Impact of Recent Move<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Brent crude fell to around $69.27 per barrel, while WTI crude dropped to $66.96.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Analysts from Goldman Sachs and BNP Paribas predict prices could dip further to $55\u2013$59 per barrel by late 2025.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/world-news\/opec-countries-to-boost-oil-production-by-547-000-barrels-per-day-125080300779_1.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Source: BS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>&nbsp;\u201cJoint Sea-2025\u201d Drills&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus :GS3\/Defence<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>China and Russia began \u201cJoint Sea-2025\u201d naval drills in the Sea of Japan<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>\u201cJoint Sea-2025\u201d Drills&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The three-day exercises near Vladivostok involve operations like submarine rescue, anti-submarine warfare, air defence, and maritime combat, with four Chinese warships participating.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>These annual drills, started in 2012, reflect growing military cooperation between the two nations, especially after Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&nbsp;Following the drills, joint patrols will be conducted in the Pacific.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It aims to strengthen their strategic partnership and counter the U.S.-led global order.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source&nbsp; :TH<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Pingali Venkayya<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus :GS1\/History&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi paid tribute to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/03-08-2022\/pingali-venkayya\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/03-08-2022\/pingali-venkayya\"><strong>Shri Pingali Venkayya ji<\/strong><\/a> on his birth anniversary.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Pingali Venkayya<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>He was born on 2 August 1876, in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>He was a freedom fighter and the designer of the Indian national flag, which later evolved into the present-day Tricolour.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Flag Design<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In 1921, he presented a flag design to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/mahatma-gandhi-father-of-nation\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/mahatma-gandhi-father-of-nation\/\"><strong>Mahatma Gandhi<\/strong><\/a> at a Congress session in Vijayawada.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>His original design featured three stripes representing India&#8217;s major communities and a spinning wheel (charkha) symbolizing self-reliance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In<strong> 194<\/strong>7, the design was modified to include the <strong>Ashoka Chakra, symbolizing law and progress.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Legacy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>His work laid the foundation for the official adoption of the national flag by the Constituent Assembly on 22 July 1947.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>He is remembered as a symbol of unity and patriotism, and his efforts are commemorated annually during Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav and Har Ghar Tiranga campaigns.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Recognition<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Government of India has issued postage stamps in his honor and organized events like Tiranga Utsav to celebrate his legacy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source :PIB<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>1st-ever BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus :GS2\/IR<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The first-ever BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival, titled \u2018SaptaSur: Seven Nations, One Melody\u2019 was held&nbsp; at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is a grouping of seven Member States lying in the <strong>littoral and adjacent areas of the Bay of Bengal.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is a unique link connecting South Asia with South-East Asia &#8211; five Members from South Asia (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka) and two from South-East Asia (Myanmar and Thailand).&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The BIMSTEC region brings together 1.7 billion people <strong>&#8211; 22% of world population with a combined GDP of US$ 5 trillion.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Focus&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>BIMSTEC had initially focused on six sectors in 1997 (trade, technology, energy, transport, tourism, and fisheries) and expanded in 2008 to incorporate agriculture, public health, poverty alleviation, counter-terrorism, environment, culture, people-to-people contact, and climate change.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Historical Linkages<\/strong><br>&#8211; The organization came into existence on 6 June 1997 through the <strong>&#8216;Bangkok Declaration&#8217;.&nbsp;<\/strong><br>&#8211; It was originally formed with four Member States with the acronym &#8216;BIST-EC&#8217; (Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka and Thailand Economic Cooperation).&nbsp;<br> 1. Following the inclusion of Myanmar in December 1997, it was renamed &#8216;BIMST-EC&#8217; (Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand Economic Cooperation). With the inclusion of Nepal and Bhutan in 2004, the name of the grouping was changed to BIMSTEC.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Source :Air<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#ebecf0\"><strong>Also Read: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/05-04-2025\/bimstec-summit-2025\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/05-04-2025\/bimstec-summit-2025\">BIMSTEC Summit 2025<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>The India UN Global South Capacity Building&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus :GS2\/IR<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India launched the first tranche of four projects under the India-UN Global Capacity Building Initiative.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>India-UN Global Capacity Building Initiative<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is&nbsp; aimed at supporting the Global South in achieving SDG goals through specialized training.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The initiative, announced in September 2023, is a collaboration between India&#8217;s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and UN agencies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It builds on India\u2019s longstanding ITEC programme, which offers over 12,000 training slots annually to nearly 160 countries.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>&nbsp;Under this initiative, UN agencies help identify projects, while training is conducted via ITEC.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Progress&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In the first phase of the India-UN Global Capacity Building Initiative, four projects have been launched:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Rice Fortification in Nepal (with WFP),<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Digital Health Platforms for Zambia and Lao PDR (with UNDP),<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Census Preparedness in Caribbean nations (with UNFPA),<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Vocational Training in South Sudan (with UNESCO).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source :Air<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Stablecoins<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Hong Kong is set to enforce the Stablecoins Ordinance from August 1, 2025, marking a significant regulatory intervention in the global cryptocurrency ecosystem.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What are stablecoins?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Stablecoins are <strong>cryptocurrencies designed to maintain price stability<\/strong> by pegging their value to underlying assets such as:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Fiat currencies (e.g., USD, Euro),<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Commodities (e.g., gold),<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Other cryptocurrencies, or<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Algorithm-based systems.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stablecoins are <strong>different from CBDCs, or Central Bank Digital Currencies,<\/strong> which are digital currencies officially issued and controlled by a government\u2019s central bank.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Meanwhile, stablecoins can be privately issued and can also be pegged to foreign currencies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Global Scenario in Stablecoins<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>USA: <\/strong>The GENIUS Act mandates 100% reserve backing for stablecoins and monthly public disclosures.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Japan &amp; Singapore:<\/strong> Have introduced targeted regulations for stablecoins.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>China:<\/strong> Bans crypto domestically but is exploring Hong Kong as a stablecoin hub via its tech firms.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_international\/issues\/142518\/OPS\/GILEMFTOJ.1+G2GENILFE.1.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Bairabi\u2013Sairang Railway Line in Northeast India<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Infrastructure<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Indian Railways has commissioned a new <strong>51.38 km broad gauge<\/strong> railway line from Bairabi to Sairang in Mizoram, just <strong>18 km <\/strong>short of the State capital, Aizawl.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About the&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Bairabi in Kolasib district, near the border with Assam, has so far been the only railhead in Mizoram.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Sairang is a satellite town of Aizawl, around 20 km from the city.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The project was part of the Indian Railways\u2019 plan in the early 2010s to connect all the northeastern State capitals to the country\u2019s rail network.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Bairabi-Sairang section has <strong>48 tunnels<\/strong> with a total length of <strong>12.85 km<\/strong> and <strong>142 bridges.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is the Act East Policy?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Act East Policy, announced in<strong> 2014, <\/strong>was a more ambitious version of the Look East Policy initiated in<strong> 1991<\/strong> with the key objective of transforming the northeastern region into India\u2019s gateway to the ASEAN bloc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Related Rail &amp; Road Projects:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Dimapur\u2013Zubza Railway (Nagaland): <\/strong>Progressing steadily<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Imphal\u2013Moreh Railway (Manipur): <\/strong>Delayed due to ethnic unrest<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Asian Highway-1:<\/strong> From Assam to Moreh via Kohima and Imphal<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Agartala\u2013Akhaura Line (Tripura\u2013Bangladesh)<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Challenges to Transnational Connectivity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The implementation of the<strong> Act East Policy<\/strong> has encountered geopolitical setbacks, including the ongoing civil conflict in Myanmar following the <strong>military coup <\/strong>in <strong>February 2021,<\/strong> and political instability in <strong>Bangladesh<\/strong> after the change in government in <strong>August 2024.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Agartala-Akhaura railway project<\/strong>, which would have provided Tripura faster access to Kolkata through Bangladesh and connectivity to the Chittagong Port, has been stalled.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project Delay:<\/strong> \u20b92,904 crore project would reduce Mizoram\u2013Kolkata distance by 1,000 km but is stalled due to instability in Myanmar.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/mizoram\/how-will-the-railway-to-sairang-help-in-regional-connectivity-explained\/article69891004.ece\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>ICRISAT&#8217;s AI Advisory for Small Farmers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Welfare Initiative<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>ICRISAT, in collaboration with ICAR and others, has launched an AI-powered climate advisory initiative to boost farming.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>ICRISAT is an international organisation that conducts agricultural research for development in Asia &amp; sub-Saharan Africa.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It helps farmers by providing improved crop varieties and hybrids and also helps smallholder farmers in the drylands fight climate change.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It was established under a Memorandum of Agreement between the Government of India and the CGIAR on 28 March 1972.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Recent Advisory<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is Supported under the Union Government\u2019s <strong>Monsoon Mission III<\/strong>, the project is titled <strong><em>AI-powered Context-Specific Agromet Advisory Services for Climate-Resilient Agriculture at Scale<\/em><\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It aims to equip smallholder farmers with hyper-local, actionable weather and climate insights.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>By integrating real-time weather forecasts, crop models, and machine learning analytics, the initiative will offer precise recommendations on <strong>sowing, irrigation, and pest management<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Advisories will be delivered through<strong> user-friendly digital channels<\/strong>, including an AI-powered WhatsApp bot, ensuring accessibility even in remote areas.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The project will first be implemented in <strong>Maharashtra<\/strong>, through ICAR\u2019s <strong>Agro-Meteorological Field Units (AMFUs)<\/strong> to reach smallholder farmers. Insights from this phase will inform a national rollout and serve as a model for South-South expansion.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsonair.gov.in\/icrisat-launch-ai-powered-climate-advisory-for-small-farmers\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">AIR<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Calls grow to set up permanent National Commission for DNTs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Polity and Governance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Calls are growing for the establishment of a <strong>permanent national commission for Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes<\/strong> at the national conference of Denotified Tribes (DNTs).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Nomadic, Semi Nomadic, and Denotified Tribes (NTs, SNTs, and DNTs)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Nomadic communities: <\/strong>Communities that move frequently instead of settling in one place. They are often engaged in traditional occupations like herding, trading, or crafts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Semi-nomadic Tribes:<\/strong> Partially nomadic and partially settled, migrating seasonally but also establishing temporary settlements.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Denotified tribes (DNTs): <\/strong>Formerly classified as <strong>&#8220;criminal tribes&#8221;<\/strong> under the <strong>Criminal Tribes Act, 1871<\/strong> during British rule. The Act was repealed in 1952, and these communities were &#8220;<strong>de-notified.&#8221;<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>While most DNTs are spread across the Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) categories, <strong>some<\/strong> <strong>DNTs are not covered in any of the SC. ST or OBC categories.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Status: The Idate Commission<\/strong> had concluded there were a total of 1,526 DNT, NT, and SNT communities across the country, of which <strong>269 were not yet categorised as either SC, ST, or OBC.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>There are a total of <strong>425 Denotified Tribes, 810 Nomadic Tribes and 27 Semi Nomadic Tribes in India.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Of DNT communities,<strong> Lambadas (STs) <\/strong>are the most vocal and visible, followed by Vadderas (BCs) in government sector and political spheres.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Committees Linked to DNTs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Ayyangar Committee (1949-50):<\/strong> It was set up to review the Criminal Tribes Act, it recommended its repeal and emphasized the need for welfare and rehabilitation of these communities.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Act was repealed in 1952.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Kalelkar Committee (1953)<\/strong>: It was The first Backward Class Commission which was appointed on 29 January 1953 under the Chairmanship of Mr. Kakasaheb Kalelkar.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It suggested dropping the term &#8220;Criminal Tribes&#8221; and instead using &#8220;Denotified Communities.&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&nbsp;It also recommended their integration into mainstream society through dispersed settlement.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Idate Commission (2014-2017)<\/strong>: It was Tasked with identifying and listing Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNT\/NT\/SNT), assessing their development, and recommending systematic welfare measures.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Based on its report, the Development and Welfare Board for DNTs (DWBDNC) was established in 2019.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_international\/issues\/142377\/OPS\/GRMEMCB5T.1+G5DENFECH.1.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>T cell<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Biotechnology, GS2\/ Health<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A team of Harvard scientists has used artificial intelligence (AI), in the form of <strong>AI-designed proteins<\/strong>, to generate large numbers of immune cells and enhance immunity against diseases ranging from cancer to viral infections.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Significance of the Discovery:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Enabled large-scale T cell production in lab bioreactors, important for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/28-03-2022\/t-cell\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/28-03-2022\/t-cell\"><strong>CAR T-cell immunotherapies<\/strong><\/a><strong>.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In mice, injections of these agonists enhanced immune responses and boosted memory T cell production, improving the effectiveness of vaccines.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"e2e9ed\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"675\" height=\"584\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/08\/CAR-T-cell-Therapy.webp\" alt=\"CAR T-cell Therapy\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-50350\" style=\"--dominant-color: #e2e9ed; width:402px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/08\/CAR-T-cell-Therapy.webp 675w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/08\/CAR-T-cell-Therapy-300x260.webp 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 675px) 100vw, 675px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Potential Applications:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Immunotherapy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Vaccine development.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Immune cell regeneration.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What are B and T-Cells?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>B-cells and T-cells<\/strong> are a specific type of white blood cell called <strong>lymphocytes.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They <strong>help the immune system <\/strong>to fight germs and protect from disease.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Types of T cells:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Cytotoxic T-cells:<\/strong> They kill cells infected with viruses and bacteria, and they also destroy tumor cells.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Helper T-cells: <\/strong>They send signals that direct other immune cells to fight infection.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Regulatory T-cells (Tregs):<\/strong> These cells suppress excessive immune responses to prevent autoimmune reactions and maintain immune tolerance.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>They play a crucial role in preventing the immune system from attacking the body&#8217;s own cells and tissues.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>T-cells start in <strong>bone marrow, mature in thymus and eventually relocate to lymph tissue or bloodstream.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>B-cells<\/strong> make antibodies in response to antigens (antibody generators).\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>There are two main types of B-cells:<\/strong> plasma cells and memory cells. Both types help to protect from infection and disease.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_international\/issues\/142518\/OPS\/GILEMFTO9.1+G2GENJ70Q.1.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Operation Muskaan-XI<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Government Initiative<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Telangana Police rescued over 7,600 children during the last month as part of the nationwide<strong> Operation Muskaan-XI initiative<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About the Initiative<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Objective:<\/strong> To <strong>rescue children<\/strong> involved in <strong>child labour<\/strong>, <strong>begging<\/strong>, or living in <strong>unsafe conditions<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>High-risk areas targeted:<\/strong> Railway and bus stations, brick kilns, mechanic shops, construction sites, tea stalls, and religious places.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Conducted in coordination with:<\/strong> Women Development and Child Welfare Department, Labour and Health Departments, Child Welfare Committees (CWCs), District Child Protection Units (DCPUs), and NGOs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Did You Know?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Operation Muskaan<\/strong>, also known as Operation Smile, is a <strong>Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) <\/strong>initiative.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is a <strong>month-long campaign<\/strong> led by <strong>State Police forces<\/strong> that aims to trace<strong>, rescue, rehabilitate<\/strong>, and <strong>reunite<\/strong> missing or trafficked children with their families.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/cities\/Hyderabad\/over-7600-children-rescued-under-operation-muskaan-xi\/article69883028.ece\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">TH<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<h3><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Recently, the OPEC+ alliance announced that it will increase oil production by 547,000 barrels per day (bpd) starting in September, 2025.\n<\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<h3><strong>About OPEC+<\/strong><\/h3>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">OPEC+ is an extended alliance of OPEC, having 22 members, made up of 10 major, non-OPEC oil producing countries (Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Brunei, Bahrain, Mexico, Oman, South Sudan, Sudan and Malaysia), along with the 12 OPEC members.\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">It was formed in 2016 after the adoption of the \u2018Algiers Accord\u2019 by OPEC countries and signing of the \u2018Vienna Agreement\u2019 between OPEC and other major oil exporting countries.\n<\/li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs-hindi\/04-08-2025\/news-in-short-04-08-2025\" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":50370,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-50341","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/08\/upsc-news-in-short-4-august-2025.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50341","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=50341"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50341\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":50379,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50341\/revisions\/50379"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/50370"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=50341"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=50341"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=50341"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}