ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal recognized as a Category A Rinderpest Holding Facility by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and UN FAO.

• ICAR-NIHSAD is a research institute on exotic & emerging pathogens of animals, & WOAH reference laboratory for avian influenza.

About Rinderpest (Cattle Plague)

• It is a contagious viral disease affecting clovenhoofed animals (mainly cattle & buffalo).
• Caused by: A virus of the Paramyxoviridae family, genus Morbillivirus.  
• Severity: Spread by effective contact (does not affect humans) and may also lead to death.
  • Infected animals on recovery acquire lifetime immunity.
• This is the second infectious disease to have been eradicated from the world after smallpox.

The Registrar General of India, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, has notified that the Census will be held in 2027. 

• The notification was published under the Census Act, 1948.

Key Highlights of Census 2027

• Conduct in two phases.
  • Phase I – House Listing (HLO)
  • Phase II – Population Enumeration (PE)
• Include Caste enumeration as well.
• Conducted through digital means, using mobile applications. 
• Provision of self-enumeration would also be made available to the people.

TRAI releases Telecommunication Tariff Order 2025 on Tariff for retail broadband connectivity for PDOs under PM-WANI Scheme.

About Prime Minister’s Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI) Scheme

• It was launched by the Department of Telecommunication in 2020.
• Aim: To enhance the proliferation of public WiFi hotspots to create robust digital communications infrastructure in the country, especially in rural areas.
• The scheme encourages local shops and establishments to provide Wi-Fi for last-mile internet delivery. 
  • They do not require a license or charge a registration fee.

The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) provided grants to 18 startups under its ‘Samarth’ Program.

• C-DOT is the Telecom R&D centre of the Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications.

About Samarth Program

•  It is a cutting-edge Startup Incubation Program of C-DOT for the development of India’s telecommunications & IT sectors.
• It aids in access to Startup grants (up to 5 lakh/ startup), world-class infrastructure, expert mentorship, networking, etc.
• Implementation Partner: Software Technology Parks of India (STPI)  & TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs).
  • STPI is a premier S&T organization under Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

Defence Cyber Agency of the Ministry of Defence begins Cyber Suraksha exercise. 

About Cyber Suraksha Exercise

• It is a comprehensive Cybersecurity Exercise to bolster national cyber resilience. 
• The exercise is designed to simulate real-world cyber threats,  for providing targeted training sessions.

The World Health Assembly (WHA) of WHO unanimously passed a resolution titled “Skin Diseases as a Global Public Health Priority.”

About the Resolution 

• Need: 
  • Widespread Impact: Skin diseases affect 1.9 billion people globally.
  • Neglected Area: Often underfunded and overlooked, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
• Supported by: International League of Dermatologic Societies (ILDS), the world’s largest dermatology alliance
• Key provisions
  • Provides for Global Action Plan to establish a framework for Prevention, Early detection, Effective treatment, Long-term care of skin diseases.
  • Calls for dedicated health investment, 
  • Supports expansion of research, surveillance and data collection

Ministry of Tribal Affairs launches Largest Tribal Empowerment Campaign.

About Dharti Aaba Janbhagidari Abhiyan

• Under it, nationwide benefit saturation camps are being conducted at the village & habitation level to provide access to critical entitlements and government services. 
  • E.g. Adhaar Card Enrolments and Updates.
• It is a key initiative under Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh, which honors the legacy, culture, & contribution of India’s tribal communities.
• It embodies the principles of last-mile delivery, people’s participation (Janbhagidari) & dignified tribal empowerment under the larger umbrellas of PM-JANMAN and Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan.

In a government switch auction conducted for a notified amount of ₹25,000 crore, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) accepted approximately ₹ 9,000 crore.

About Switch Auction

• Genesis: Began in 2019 by the RBI on behalf of the Government of India.
• Objective: To manage the maturity profile of public debt by replacing short-term securities with longer-dated ones.
• Mechanism: Market participants sell source securities to the Government of India and simultaneously buy destination securities at quoted prices.
  • The process is executed through the e-Kuber portal via the Switch Transaction module.
• Benefits: Enhances debt sustainability, Bond Market development, etc.

Fifth FPV Achal built by Goa Shipyard Ltd, was launched for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG)

• It is the fifth FPV in a series of eight.

About FPV Achal

• Its primary role includes protection, monitoring, control, surveillance, and safeguarding offshore assets and island territories.
• It is designed and constructed under stringent dual-class certification from the American Bureau of Shipping and the Indian Register of Shipping.
• It is aligned with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence manufacturing with 60% indigenous content.