Indonesia has been admitted as a full member of the BRICS bloc of developing economies, announced by the group's presiding country Brazil. 

• Indonesia has the largest population and economy in Southeast Asia 

About BRICS

• Genesis: British economist Jim O’ Neill in 2001 coined acronym ‘BRICs’ representing the emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, and China. 
  • BRICS was formed in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, with South Africa joining in 2010. 
  • Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirate and Saudi Arabia have also joined BRICS.
• Aim: Reforming global governance institutions and contributes positively to deepening South-South Cooperation.

Researchers at Columbia University have revealed impact of selective silencing on disease outcomes

About study

• Every cell in the body (except sperm and eggs) contains two copies of each gene (one inherited from each parent). 
• However, certain cells can exhibit a bias, selectively inactivating one parent’s copy of a gene, i.e., selective silencing.
  • ‘silencing’ means blocking a specific gene’s message .
• This selective silencing could be the reason why some individuals carrying genes linked to diseases remain symptom-free.

Ministry of Power marks the 10 years of UJALA scheme, initially named DELP (Domestic Efficient Lighting Program).

• Aim: Promote energy efficiency at residential level by providing affordable energy-efficient LED bulbs, tube lights, and fans to households.
• Implementation: Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) and DISCOMs under the Ministry of Power.
• It evolved into world’s largest zero-subsidy domestic lighting programme.
• Outcomes: 
  • Cost savings per year: ₹19,153 crore.
  • Reduction in CO₂ emissions per year: 3.87 crore tonnes.
  • Energy saved per year: 47,883 million kWh.

Idol of Saint Narahari Tirtha has been discovered in Simhachalam Temple, Vishakhapatnam.

About Saint Narahari Tirtha

• Narahari Tirtha was a prominent Dvaita Vedanta philosopher, scholar, and saint of the 13^th century.
• Believed to be born in Chikakolu town (present Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh).
• He was a disciple of Madhvacharya, the proponent of Dvaita Vedanta philosophy.
• He introduced Yaksha Gana and Bayalu Aata (open theatre drama) as a part of Vaishnava Bhakti Movement.
• He was consecrated near the rock adjacent to Chakratirtha at Hampi on the banks of river Tungabhadra.

A Nascent galaxy was discovered in formation at the end of the tidal tail of the NGC 3785 galaxy.

• NGC 3785 galaxy is known to possess the longest tidal tail discovered so far. 

About Tidal Tail

• It is formed due to gravitational forces ("tidal forces") when two galaxies interact closely, essentially pulling material away from each other during a close encounter or merger process.
• A seemingly longer-than-average tidal tail consists of a stream of stars and gas.
• Tidal tail offers a glimpse into how galaxies like ultra-diffuse ones, with very low surface brightness, come into being.

The Banihal bypass has been completed. 

About Banihal Pass

• The pass is 2.35 km road section of NH-44 in Jammu and Kashmir,
  • NH44, also known as the Old NH 7, is the longest national highway in India. 
  • It stretches 3,745 kilometers, connecting Srinagar in the northern tip of Jammu and Kashmir to Kanyakumari at the southernmost point of India.
• The bypass is particularly important for security forces, enabling rapid movement, and will also reduce the travel time between Kharpora, Banihal, and the Navyuga Tunnel to just seven minutes.

Supreme Court said a foreigner should not be allowed to leave India if he/she is required to answer a criminal charge.

• Foreigners Act, 1946 empowers the Central Government to regulate the entry, departure, and presence of foreigners in India, including issuing orders for their arrest, detention, or confinement.
• Foreigners Order, 1948, outlines provisions such as appointing Civil Authorities and regulating the departure of foreigners from India.
  • It mandates that no foreigner may leave India without permission and that departure must be denied if a foreigner's presence is required to answer a criminal charge.

ISRO achieved a milestone as cowpea seeds aboard PSLV-C60's CROPS experiment sprouted leaves in space within four days. 

• It was ISRO’s first biological experiment in space and part of CROPS (Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies),

About CROPS Experiment 

• It is an automated platform designed to cultivate and sustain plant life in microgravity environment of space.
• Developed by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
• Current accomplishment not only demonstrates ISRO’s capability to grow plants in space but also provides valuable insights for future long-duration missions. 

Union Ministry of Steel launched the second round of PLI (Production Linked Incentive) Scheme for Specialty Steel, termed as PLI Scheme 1.1.

About PLI scheme 1.1

• Objective: Promote manufacturing of value-added steel grades, helping Indian industry mature in technology and move up value chain.
• Implementation period: FY 2025-26 to FY 2029-30.
• Product coverage: Covers five product categories in line with the existing PLI Scheme, namely Coated / Plated Steel Products, High Strength Steel, Specialty Rails, Alloy Steel Products & Steel wires and Electrical Steel. 

Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying launched India’s first Organic Fisheries Cluster in Soreng District of Sikkim.

• It aims at development of organic fisheries and aquaculture in Sikkim under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
  • PMMSY aims to bring about Blue Revolution through sustainable development of fisheries sector in India. 
  • PMMSY provides for adoption of cluster-based approach to enhance competitiveness of fisheries sector, facilitate economies of scale, and generate higher incomes. 
• Organic Fisheries focuses on ecologically healthy fish farming system avoiding the use of harmful chemicals, antibiotics, and pesticides.