Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) approved India’s first dengue vaccine, Qdenga.

• Dengue is a viral infection caused by the dengue virus (DENV), which is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes.

About Qdenga

• It is a live, attenuated tetravalent dengue vaccine developed using recombinant DNA technology by Takeda GmbH, Germany.
  • Recombinant DNA technology can be used to combine (or splice) DNA from different species or to create genes with new functions.
• Manufactured in Vero cells using a DENV-2 backbone containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
• Received World Health Organization (WHO) prequalification.

The Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has issued directions over illegal fish ponds and environmental degradation in the Kolleru Lake.

About Kolleru Lake

• Located in Andhra Pradesh, it is one of the largest freshwater lakes in India.
• Lies in the inter-deltaic plain of Krishna and Godavari rivers.
• It receives water from Budameru, Ramileru, Tammileru, Errakalva rivers.
• It is a designated Ramsar Wetland.

Delhi cabinet approved implementation of Central scheme PARIVARTAN (Programme for Accelerated Renewal and Incentivization of Vehicle Assets for Reducing Transport Air Pollution and Network Emissions).

About PARIVARTAN Scheme

• Implementing Ministry: Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).
• Objective: It seeks to phase out ageing, polluting trucks and buses and replace them with vehicles meeting BS-VI emission standards or electric vehicles (EVs).
• Benefits: Owners replacing BS-IV or older goods vehicles and purchasing new BS-VI compliant or electric goods vehicles will receive 100% motor vehicle tax exemption for 10 years, full waiver of registration fees, five percent interest subsidy, eight percent discount from OEM etc. 

Supreme Court uphold removal of all commercial activity in the Segur plateau (Western Ghats area), which was declared as an Elephant corridor.

About Segur Plateau 

• It connects the Western and the Eastern Ghats and sustains elephant populations and their genetic diversity.
  • It has the Nilgiri Hills on its southwestern side and the Moyar River Valley on its north-eazstern side.
• The plateau is a part of Mudumulai Tiger Reserve and a key component of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (a UNESCO World Network site).

Indian Navy hosts Operation Southern Readiness 26-2 at the Southern Naval Command, Kochi.

About Operation Southern Readiness 26-2

• It is a multinational maritime security training exercise.
• It is conducted under the Indian Navy-led Combined Task Force 154 (CTF 154) in partnership with the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
  • CMF is a 47 nations maritime partnership that upholds the International Rules Based Order (IRBO) by countering illicit non-state actors on the high seas and promoting security, stability and prosperity across international waters.
• It is the first edition of Operation Southern Readiness to be hosted in India.

The issue of the Right to Protest has gained renewed attention after clashes between protesters and police during the "Sansad Chalo" march. 

About Right to Protest in India

• Constitutional Provisions:
  • Article 19(1)(a): Freedom of speech and expression. 
  • Article 19(1)(b): Right to assemble peacefully and without arms.
  • Article 19(1)(c): Right to form associations or unions.
• Regulation of Protest: Articles 19(2) and (3) renders above rights subject to 'reasonable restrictions' for the reasons of public order, sovereignty, security, decency or morality.
  • Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (earlier Section 144 of the CrPC) makes police permission mandatory.
• Key SC Judgments:
  • Himat Lal K. Shah v. Commissioner of Police (1973): Upheld right to public assembly but allowed State regulation for public order. 
  • Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan v. Union of India (2018): Issued guidelines balancing protest rights with residents’ right to peace and free movement.
  • Amit Sahni v. Commissioner of Police (2020) – Shaheen Bagh: Public spaces cannot be occupied indefinitely for protests.

National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID) gets nod to raise 20,000 cr via Zero-coupon Bonds.

• Zero-coupon bonds are financial instruments that do not pay periodic interest but are sold at a discount and redeemed at their full face value upon maturity. 

About NaBFID:

• It is a specialized Development Finance Institution (DFI) in India aimed at supporting the country's infrastructure sector.
  • Other Key DFIs in India: NABARD, SIDBI, EXIM Bank, National Housing Bank, etc.
• Set Up: under the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development Act, 2021.
• Objectives: 

To address the gaps in long-term non-recourse finance for infrastructure development.

• To strengthen the development of bonds and derivatives markets in India.

The Assam Government has launched Mission Senehjori to convert Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged Muga silk waste into high-value spun yarn.

About Muga silk

• It is one of the 5 major natural varieties of silk.
  • India produces all five - Mulberry, Tropical Tasar, Oak Tasar, Eri, and Muga.
• It is produced by the semi-domesticated multivoltine silkworm Antheraea assamensis, which is endemic to Northeast India.
  • Silk is a natural protein fibre produced by silkworms, primarily from the Bombyx mori species.
• Unique Identity: Muga silk is the world’s only naturally golden silk and India’s first GI-tagged silk (2007).
• Production: Assam accounts for 90% of the world’s Muga silk production.