Recently “Emission Gap Report 2025: Off Target” was released by UN Environment Program (UNEP).

Key Highlights of the Report

• Even the updated Nationally Determined Contribution pledges under the Paris Agreement, could lead to global temperature rise by 2.3-2.5 ⁰C by this century.
  • This falls short of Paris agreement's goal of limiting warming to well below 2 °C, while pursuing efforts to cap it at 1.5 °C.
• GHGs emissions rose 2.3% in 2024, reaching 57.7 gigatonnes of CO₂ equivalent.
  • To align with 1.5 °C target, emissions would need to fall by 55% by 2035.
• Highest absolute increase in total GHG emissions was observed in India and China. However, per capita GHG emission for India remained below the world average.

Union Minister recently interacted with the VAIshwik BHArtiya Vaigyanik (VAIBHAV) Fellows from across the world.

About VAIBHAV

• Ministry: Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology.
• Launched in: 2023
• It envisages collaboration between scientists of the Indian Diaspora with Indian Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs), Universities and/ or public funded Scientific Institutions. 
• VAIBHAV Fellow can choose an Indian institution to work with and can spend up to 2 months each year there, for up to 3 years.

Recently, National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) lifted the ban WhatsApp from sharing data with Meta platforms for advertising purposes for five years.

About NCLAT

• Constituted under: Section 410 of the Companies Act, 2013.
• Jurisdiction: It hears appeals against orders passed by –
  • National Company Law Tribunal(s) (NCLT);
  • Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India under Section 202 and Section 211 of IBC;
  • Competition Commission of India (CCI) under Section 410 of the Companies Act, 2013;
  • National Financial Reporting Authority under the Companies Act, 2013.

Union Government is considering mandating Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) in all new models of trucks and buses, including school buses.

About ADAS

• It is a built-in suite of coordinated technologies that help drivers operate their vehicles more safely and avoid human errors.
• In ADAS, sensors such as Lidar, Radar, and cameras work together to inform features such as pedestrian detection, and lane departure warning.
• It includes a range of features including Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Detection, Cross-Traffic Alert, Parking Assistance, Traffic Sign Recognition, among others.

A Study has proposed that black hole ‘morsels’ could offer insights into  quantum gravity.

• Black hole morsels are hypothetical micro-black holes, far smaller than their parent black holes, comparable in mass to asteroids and therefore much hotter. 

About Quantum Gravity

• Field of theoretical physics that seeks to describe gravity according to the principles of quantum mechanics. 
• Hence, it seeks to reconcile two theories of physics — quantum mechanics (dealing with particles on small scales) — and gravity (for large scales, based on Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity). 
• Significance: Understand the physics within black holes, quantum entanglement, condensed matter physics, etc. 

Meghalaya’s Umngot river (also known as Dawki River), known for its greenish blue crystal-clear water is turning murky.

About Umngot River

• Origin:  Originates from the Eastern part of Shillong Peak.
• Flow:  Southwards through Dawki, a small town in East Jaintia Hills district, Meghalaya (near the Indo-Bangladesh border) and finally enters Bangladesh.
  • Acts as the gateway to Bangladesh. 
• Key Features: Forms Natural boundary between Ri Pnar (Jaintia Hills) and Hima Khyrim (Khasi Hills).

Union Minister of Steel launched the Third Round (PLI 1.2) of Specialty Steel Incentive Scheme. 

About the PLI Scheme

• Approved by the Union Cabinet in July 2021 to encourage production of high-value, high-grade steels used in sectors like defence, aerospace, energy, automobiles, and infrastructure.
• Key Highlights of Third Round PLI 1.2
  • Scope: Covers 22 product sub-categories across five broad target segments including strategic steel grades, etc. 
  • Incentives: Range from 4% to 15% of incremental sales with revised base year of 2024-25.
  • Incentive Period: Maximum of 5 years starting from FY 2025–26.