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Posted 04 Jun 2025

8 min read

Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI)

While inaugurating DRI’s new headquarters, in New Delhi Union Finance Minister urged it to adopt a holistic and technology-driven approach to tackle smuggling and narcotics trade. 

About DRI

  • Apex anti-smuggling agency of India, under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs, Ministry of Finance. 
  • Functions: Enforces the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962 and over fifty other allied Acts including the Arms Act, NDPS Act, COFEPOSA, Wildlife Act, Antiquities Act etc.
    • It undertakes collection, collation, analysis and dissemination of intelligence relating to smuggling, carries out investigations, etc.
  • Tags :
  • Customs Act, 1962
  • DRI

Nanozyme

Researchers at Indian Institute of Science (IISc) developed an artificial metal-based nanozyme (vanadium pentoxide (V2O5)  to clamp down on abnormal blood clotting caused by conditions like pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE).

  • Under normal conditions, an injured blood vessel witnesses the activation of platelets to form clots while under PTE over-activation of platelets occur causing excess blood clots or thrombosis leading to mortality.

About Nanozymes

  • They are nanomaterials with intrinsic enzyme-like properties. 
  • Compared to natural enzymes, they exhibit the unique advantages including high catalytic activity, low cost, high stability, easy mass production, etc. 
  • Tags :
  • Nanozyme
  • Nanomaterials

SHUKR Gene

Researchers from CSIR- Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, shed light on the molecular innovations in flowering plants that help explain abominable mystery through newfound gene, called SHUKR (or sperm). 

  • CCMB is a premier research organization in frontier areas of modern biology.

About SHUKR Gene

  • It controls a group of genes called F-box, which help manage proteins involved in developing healthy pollen. 
  • SHUKR and its F-box genes evolve fast, explaining Darwin’s “abominable mystery” or the  sudden rise and success of flowering plants in evolutionary history.
  • Tags :
  • Abominable Mystery
  • SHUKR Gene
  • CCMB

Kerch Strait

Recently, Ukraine claimed responsibility for the underwater explosion that damaged the Kerch bridge.

  • The 19km Bridge over the Kerch Strait is the direct link between the transport network of Russia and the Crimean peninsula. 

About Kerch Strait

  • Location: The Kerch Strait connects the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea. 
    • A strait is a narrow body of water that connects two larger bodies of water. 
  • Significance: Key route for exports of Russian grain and crude oil, fuel oil, LNG, etc.
  • Tags :
  • Kerch Strait
  • Black Sea
  • Sea of Azov

Article 311 (2)

The J&K Lieutenant Governor dismissed three government employees for alleged terror links using powers under Article 311(2) (c).

About Article 311 (2) 

  • Provides ‘Right to informed inquiry’ before dismissal, removal, or reduction to a lower rank to those employed in 
    • All India Services or 
    • in civil capacities or under the Union or a State, 
  • However, no enquiry is needed if
    • Person is convicted of a crime,
    • Authority is satisfied that holding an inquiry is not practical (reasons must be recorded in writing).
    • President/Governor, is satisfied that, in the interest of the security of the State it is not expedient to hold such inquiry

NOTE: Provisions under Article 311 are enforceable in a court of law

Source 

  • Tags :
  • All India Services
  • President
  • Governor
  • Article 311

International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)

ICRISAT, in collaboration with the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), launched the ICRISAT Centre of Excellence for South-South Cooperation. 

  • ICRISAT also signed an MoU with DAKSHIN (Development and Knowledge Sharing Initiative), which is India’s initiative for strengthening South-South cooperation through capacity building and development partnerships.

About ICRISAT

  • Headquarters: Hyderabad, Telangana
  • Genesis: Established as a Non-profit research centre under the CGIAR consortium in the 1970s. 
    • CGIAR (Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research) is a global research group dedicated to achieving food security and sustainable agriculture.
  • Purpose: To improve food security in semi-arid regions and support smallholder farmers in drylands.
  • Global Footprint: Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and other dryland regions globally.
  • Achievements
    • Awarded the Africa Food Prize in 2021.
    • Developed the world’s first pigeon pea hybrid
  • Tags :
  • ICRISAT
  • CGIAR
  • DAKSHIN

Thermophilic Bacteria

Scientists believed that Thermophilic bacteria from hot springs are untapped sources of powerful antibiotics.

About Thermophilic bacteria

  • Definition: Thermophiles are microorganisms that can grow between 40 and 90 °C. 
  • Reasons for Heat tolerance: They form spores, a dormant, resistant state that helps them survive harsh conditions.
  • Applications: 
    • Bioconversion of xylose to ethanol 
    • Crude Oil Degradation
    • Heavy Metal Recover
    • Saccharification of Agricultural Residues
    • Hygiene Indicator in Dairy Products
    • Breast Cancer Treatment
    • Remediation of Textile Dyes
  • Tags :
  • Bacteria
  • Thermophilic Bacteria

Ungulates

Wildlife Institute of India and National Tiger Conservation Authority did India’s first survey of ungulates (hoofed animals).

  • Study warns that Ungulates (Hoofed animals) which are key prey species for tigers are declining in Odisha, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh.

About Ungulates

  • Classification: They are primarily herbivorous mammals, including the chital, antelopes, sambar, nilgai, wild pig, barking deer, gaur, and wild boars.
  • Habitat: Grasslands, Forests and mountainous regions
  • Significance:
    • Aid forest and grassland regeneration through seed dispersal.
    • Influence nutrient cycling and soil health
    • Play key role in sustaining carnivores like tiger, leopard, dhole, hyena, and jackal)
  • Threats: Habitat loss, poaching, competition with livestock for grazing, changing rainfall patterns 
  • Tags :
  • Ungulates
  • Harbivorous
  • Mammals
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