India achieved breakthrough in gene therapy for Haemophilia at BRIC-inStem.

• Haemophilia is an inherited bleeding disorder in which blood does not clot properly. 

About BRIC-inStem 

• Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), is a state-of-the-art research institute in Bangalore, India under BRIC. 
  • Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC), established in 2023, unified 14 autonomous institutions under one umbrella.
• inStem is a premier research institute focused on stem cell science and regenerative biology.

As per a new report by the International Labour Organization (ILO), algorithmic management of work is leading to decline in job quality.

Algorithmic Management (AM) of Work

• It refers to the allocation, monitoring and evaluation of work tasks and workers' performance through extensive data collection, surveillance, real-time decision-making and metrics-driven evaluations.
• It integrates digital technologies such as big data analytics, machine learning, geolocation and wearable devices to automate or support functions traditionally performed by human managers.
• AM has expanded to traditional sectors including warehouses, factories, call centres, transportation etc. 

India achieved a record 145.5 million tonnes cargo movement on inland waterways in FY 2024–25, up from 18.1 MMT in FY 2013–14, registering a CAGR of 20.86%.

Key Takeaways

• India aims to increase IWT modal share from 2% to 5%, and raise traffic to 200+ MMT by 2030 and 500+ MMT by 2047 under Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision.
• Number of National Waterways increased from 5 to 111, with the operational length growing from 2,716 km (2014–15) to 4,894 km (2023–24).

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched the National Zero Measles-Rubella Elimination Campaign, on the occasion of World Immunization Week. 

About Measles and Rubella

• Measles and Rubella are highly contagious viral diseases that can cause severe illness, lifelong complications, and death.
• India aims to eliminate Measles-Rubella by 2026. 
• As part of Universal Immunization Programme, two free doses of the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine are given.
  • Currently India's MR vaccination coverage stands at 93.7% for the first dose and 92.2% for the second dose, as per 2024-25 HMIS data.

Recently, the Ministry of Coal has introduced measures aimed at promoting underground coal mining. 

• These incentives address the traditional challenges of high capital investment and longer gestation periods in the mining sector.
• Underground coal mining is inherently more environment-friendly, as it causes significantly less surface disruption compared to opencast operations.

Measures Taken

• Reduction in Floor Revenue Share: From 4% to 2% offering substantial fiscal relief and enhancing the financial viability of underground projects.
• Waiver of Upfront Payment: Encouraging participation from the private sector and facilitating faster project implementation.

The Indian government has announced that Pakistan nationals will not be permitted to travel to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES).

About SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme

• Launched: In 1992, following the decision at the 4th SAARC Summit held in Islamabad in 1988.
• Aim: Promote people-to-people contact and enhance regional cooperation among SAARC members.
• Currently, the list included 24 categories of entitled persons, which include Dignitaries, Judges of higher courts, etc.

About The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)

• Genesis: It was established with the signing of the SAARC Charter in Dhaka in 1985. 
• Members: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. 

CCS takes measures against Pakistan on Pahalgam.

About CCS

• Composition: chaired by the Prime Minister, includes the ministers for Finance, Defence, Home Affairs, and External Affairs. The defence chiefs and senior bureaucrats may also participate as needed.
• Functions:
  • It handles key decisions on national security, defence, and major appointments in security bodies.
  • It discusses internal security, law and order, foreign affairs with security concerns, etc.

About Cabinet Committees

• The Prime Minister sets up these committees with selected members of the Cabinet.
• There are eight Cabinet committees at present, including on issues such as Economic Affairs, Political Affairs, and Parliamentary Affairs.

As per a report by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), currently no breeding programme has been started in Indian zoos for the conservation of musk deer.

About Musk Deer

• Musk deer are small, solitary ungulates, active at night or twilight, belonging to the family Moschidae.
• They comprise 7 species (e.g., Kashmir, Himalayan, Anhui, etc.) and exist in 13 countries in Asia, including India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Myanmar, Russia (Siberia), etc.
• They are hunted for their ‘Musk Gland’, a secretion (only by adult males to attract mates) highly valued in the perfume industry.
• Habitat: Askot Wildlife Sanctuary, Gangotri National Park, etc.

Conservation Status

• IUCN: Endangered, except Siberian Musk Deer (Vulnerable)
• CITES: Appendix I (Only the populations of Afghanistan, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan; all other populations are included in Appendix II)
• Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I

The Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment launched the issuance of sports certificates via DigiLocker at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi.

• Significance: Sports certificates issued via DigiLocker will soon be integrated with the National Sports Repository System (NSRS), enabling automatic disbursal of Government cash rewards directly into athletes’ bank accounts.

About DigiLocker

• Launch: 2015. (Secure cloud-based platform.)
• Ministry: flagship initiative of Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY) under Digital India programme.
• Aims at ‘Digital Empowerment’ of citizens by providing access to authentic digital documents to citizen’s digital document wallet.

AI Kiran, an initiative to empower women in Artificial Intelligence, has been launched.

About AI Kiran

• Objective: To foster a vibrant AI community where women can thrive as innovators, changemakers, and leaders.
• Led by: Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India.
• Focus Areas: It highlights contributions of over 250 women driving advancements in AI across critical sectors such as education, healthcare, 

About KIRAN Scheme

• The Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement through Nurturing (KIRAN) Scheme was launched by the Department of Science and Technology (DST)
• Aim: Promote gender equality in science and technology by supporting and empowering women in the field.