India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) Latest News

Recently, India and Italy have agreed to deepen their strategic cooperation across key sectors, including trade, defence, clean energy, and high technology.

Why in the News?

• This commitment was reaffirmed during a meeting between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Italian Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani held in April 2025.
• The discussions prominently focused on advancing ties under the Joint Strategic Action Plan (JSAP) 2025–2029, which serves as a structured roadmap to diversify bilateral cooperation.
• The JSAP was jointly announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during their meeting in November 2024 in Rio de Janeiro.

About the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC)

• IMEEC is a multimodal connectivity initiative aiming to improve infrastructure for trade and transport between India, the Middle East, and Europe.
• It was officially launched through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by India, the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and the US during the G20 Summit in New Delhi (2023).
• IMEEC is a part of the broader Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII), which was initially announced at the G7 Summit 2021 in the UK.
• It is widely regarded as a strategic counter to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
• Structure of IMEEC: IMEEC will comprise two main corridors:
  • Eastern Corridor: Connecting India to the Gulf region.
  • Northern Corridor: Connecting the Gulf to Europe.
• Expansion of Bilateral Cooperation
  • India and Italy agreed to deepen cooperation in critical areas such as: Trade and Investment, Defence and Security, Clean Energy Transition, High-end Technology, Space and Scientific Research and People-to-People Exchanges.
  • The ministers also identified vast potential for collaboration in sectors including: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity and Telecommunications, Digital Technologies, Renewable Energy and Biofuels and Higher Education and Youth Mobility.

India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) FAQs

Q1: What is the IMEEC Initiative?
Ans: The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, announced at G20 2023, is a multimodal transport network linking India to Europe via UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Israel.

Q2: What are its objectives?
Ans: Enhance trade efficiency, counter China’s BRI, and integrate energy grids and digital infrastructure across regions.

Q3: Which countries are involved?
Ans: India, UAE, Saudi Arabia, EU nations, and the US (as a strategic partner).

Source: IE

rt-LAMP Assay Latest News

Researchers from Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), Thiruvananthapuram, have successfully developed a novel, indigenous, real-time LAMP (rt-LAMP) assay for the early detection of Tuberculosis (TB).

What is the rt-LAMP Assay?

• The rt-LAMP assay is a molecular diagnostic tool similar to GeneXpert and Truenat, providing high sensitivity and specificity. It can detect TB DNA even when only 10 copies per microlitre are present, enabling early-stage diagnosis.
• Unlike RT-PCR, which requires three different temperature cycles, **rt-LAMP works at a single temperature, simplifying the testing process.
• The test uses six primers for DNA amplification (compared to two in RT-PCR), ensuring faster and more specific detection.
• The researchers used a fluorescent dye (Syto 16)—commonly used in cell biology—which does not inhibit the reaction, solving the long-standing issue of false negatives in earlier LAMP tests.
• Results can be detected in 10–20 minutes, significantly reducing diagnostic time compared to RT-PCR.

Regulatory Status

• The rt-LAMP assay has been licensed to the industry for production.
• It has received approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).
• The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is currently validating the technology.
• The World Health Organization’s Health Technology Access Pool (HTAP) also evaluates the test, pending ICMR validation.

Significance for India’s TB Control Strategy

• As of 2023, around 79% of presumptive TB cases in India were still being diagnosed using sputum smear microscopy, while only 21% used molecular tests.
• Despite the rise in molecular testing labs (from 5,090 in 2022 to 6,496 in 2023), India still falls short of the targets set under the National Strategic Plan (2017–2025) to reduce reliance on smear microscopy.
• The indigenous rt-LAMP assay could help bridge the diagnostic gap, by providing a low-cost, rapid, scalable, and accurate alternative to outdated smear techniques.
• It supports the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) by enabling faster case detection, reducing disease transmission, and improving public health outcomes.

rt-LAMP Assay FAQs

Q1: What is the rt-LAMP Assay?
Ans: Reverse Transcription Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (rt-LAMP) is a rapid molecular diagnostic technique to detect RNA pathogens (e.g., viruses) by amplifying genetic material at a constant temperature, eliminating the need for complex thermal cycling.

Q2: How is rt-LAMP significant for public health?
Ans: It enables quick, low-cost detection of diseases like COVID-19 and dengue in resource-limited settings, delivering results in 30–60 minutes.

Q3: What are its advantages over PCR?
Ans: It requires minimal equipment, has faster results, and works without RNA extraction, making it suitable for rural and field diagnostics.

Source: TH

Carbon Tax Latest News

Recently, India, along with 62 other countries, voted in favour of the first global carbon tax on the shipping industry, adopted by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in London.

About Carbon Tax

• A Carbon Tax is an environmental tax levied on the carbon content of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas.
• The objective is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by creating a financial disincentive for pollution and encouraging clean energy alternatives.
• It is calculated based on the amount of CO₂ or other GHGs emitted and promotes a market-based climate solution.

Types of Carbon Tax

• Emissions tax: Tax on total GHG emissions, based on the carbon content of fuels used.
• Energy tax: Levied on fossil fuel consumption, calculated from carbon or energy usage.
• Cap-and-Trade System: Sets a cap on emissions; permits traded in a carbon market to incentivise reduction.
• Border tax adjustment: Applies carbon tax on imported goods based on emissions during production to prevent carbon leakage.

Carbon Tax in India

• India currently does not have a nationwide carbon tax, but there have been proposals to introduce one.
• In 2015, India proposed a carbon tax of INR 50 per metric ton on coal production/import, but it remains unimplemented.
• Some states, like Tamil Nadu, have introduced state-level carbon levies, particularly on coal used in electricity generation.
• India promotes clean energy and emission reductions through initiatives like the following:
  • National Clean Energy Fund
  • National Solar Mission
  • Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC)

About the International Maritime Organisation (IMO)

• The IMO is a United Nations specialised agency responsible for the safety, security, and environmental performance of international shipping.
• It contributes to SDG 14: Conserve and sustainably use oceans, seas, and marine resources.
• While the IMO sets global maritime rules, their enforcement depends on member states converting them into national laws.
• The IMO also deals with legal matters like liability, compensation, and maritime traffic facilitation.

IMO – Quick Facts

• Established: Founded in 1948 as IMCO; became a UN specialised agency in 1959; renamed IMO in 1982.
• Members: 174 Member States.
• Headquarters: London, United Kingdom.
• Main bodies: Assembly (highest body), Council (executive), Five Committees (policy-making).
• Funding: Funded by member contributions, voluntary donations, and commercial income.

Carbon Tax FAQs

Q1: What is a carbon tax?
Ans: A levy imposed on fossil fuel emissions to incentivize reduction of greenhouse gases by making polluters pay for environmental damage.

Q2: How does it work in India?
Ans: India uses an implicit carbon tax via fuel excise duties (e.g., ₹18/liter on petrol) but lacks a direct nationwide carbon tax framework.

Source: TH

Kathak Latest News

Renowned Kathak dancer Kumudini Lakhia passed away recently at the age of 94.

About Kathak

• The term Kathak is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Katha’, meaning ‘story’.
• Nature of Performance: It originated as a temple performance where stories from scriptures were enacted and evolved into a court dance during the Mughal period.
• Major gharanas (schools): Prominent gharanas include the Lucknow, Jaipur, and Benaras gharanas.
• Dance style: Focus is on footwork (Tatkaar), pirouettes (Chakkars), mudras, and facial expressions. Dancers wear ankle bells (ghungroos) and perform with graceful yet intricate movements.
• Musical association: It is the only classical dance form linked to Hindustani (North Indian) music.
• Mughal influence: Under the Mughals, Kathak was transformed into a refined court art, emphasizing grace and intricate rhythmic patterns.
• Patronage: Wajid Ali Shah, the last Nawab of Awadh, played a major role in its artistic development and patronage.
• Prominent exponents: Key figures include Birju Maharaj, Sitara Devi, Shovana Narayan, and Aditi Mangaldas.

Kumudini Lakhia Contributions

• Kumudini Lakhia challenged the classical notion that Kathak must always revolve around storytelling based on mythological or literary themes like Radha-Krishna or Shiva-Parvati.
• She believed in “art for art’s sake”, focusing on movement, rhythm, and form over narrative content.
• Over a career spanning seven decades, she transformed Kathak from a solo narrative-based art form to a group ensemble format, incorporating contemporary themes and abstract concepts.
• Awards and Recognition: She was conferred Padma Shri in 1987, Padma Bhushan in 2010, and Padma Vibhushan in 2024 for her outstanding contribution to Indian classical dance.

Kathak FAQs

Q1: What is Kathak?
Ans: A classical Indian dance form from North India, blending Hindu and Mughal traditions, characterized by intricate footwork, spins, and storytelling.

Q2: Name its key elements.
Ans: Tatkar (footwork), Chakkar (spins), Abhinaya (expression), and rhythmic synchronization with instruments like tabla and sarangi.

Q3: What are its major gharanas?
Ans: Jaipur, Lucknow, and Banaras gharanas, each emphasizing technical precision, grace, and devotional themes, respectively.

Source: IE

Bullet Curtain Latest News

China’s state-run defence firm Norinco recently said that it has developed the world’s first close-in anti-drone barrage weapon, dubbed the Bullet Curtain.

About Bullet Curtain

• It is the world’s first close-in anti-drone barrage weapon.
• It is capable of countering a broad range of low-flying aerial threats including rockets, helicopters, missiles, and most notably, drone swarms.
• It has been made by China's state-run defence firm Norinco.
• The system was inspired by Metal Storm, which is arapid-fire weapon concept jointly developed by Australia and the United States in the late 1990s. 
• Breaking from convention: 
  • Conventional anti-air systems typically rely on “point-to-point” interception, aiming directly at incoming threats.
  • By allowing multiple guns to fire together, the Bullet Curtain system creates a plane of fire that increases the probability of intercepting fast, unpredictable targets.

Bullet Curtain Features

• The system uses a “plane-to-point” interception model, which forms a wall of projectiles to blanket incoming targets with overlapping firepower.
• The system reportedly uses a 4x4 tight arrangement of 35mm gun barrels for various types of ammunition to deliver a high rate of fire while maintaining quick reload capabilities.
• It fires 35mm advanced hit efficiency and destruction (AHEAD) ammunition that spits hundreds of sub-projectiles each to form a barrage against drones.
• The system reportedly integrates radar, an optical detection system, a fire-control system, an integrated management system, and ammunition with the platform.
• The system has been fitted on a 6x6 truck and configured as a road-mobile air-defence cover embedded in mechanised units.
• Its modular design means it can also be integrated with various platforms, including wheeled and tracked armoured vehicles, naval ships, and fixed installations, allowing rapid deployment across different combat scenarios while staying compatible with existing military infrastructure.
• A computer-based system adjusts the volume and type of fire depending on the target’s nature, allowing dynamic threat engagement.

Bullet Curtain FAQs

Q1. What is the primary function of the Bullet Curtain system?

Ans. Close-in anti-drone and aerial threat defense

Q2. Which country developed the Bullet Curtain system?

Ans. China

Q3. What type of interception model does the Bullet Curtain use?

Ans. Plane-to-point

Source: SWAR

Microplastics Latest News

A multinational study led by scientists from Nankai University, University of Massachusetts Amherst, and other institutions revealed that plant leaves can absorb microplastics and nanoplastics directly from the air.

About Microplastics

• Microplastics are defined as plastic particles up to 5 millimetres in diameter, while nanoplastics are even smaller, measuring less than 1,000 nanometres.
• Types: Primary microplastics (e.g., cosmetics, microfibers) and secondary microplastics (formed from the breakdown of larger plastics).
• Environmental entry: Through product use, abrasion, or breakdown in natural settings.
• Persistence: Microplastics are non-biodegradable, mobile, and accumulate in ecosystems.
• Impact on Organisms: It can be ingested by marine and terrestrial organisms, causing toxicity and bioaccumulation.
• Chemical risk: Microplastics can carry pollutants and toxic chemicals, further endangering ecological and human health.

How Microplastics Enter Plants

• The study demonstrated that plastic particles entered leaves via multiple pathways, primarily through surface structures such as stomata and the cuticle.
  • Stomata are tiny pores formed by specialised cells on leaves that regulate gas exchange.
  • The cuticle is a wax-coated protective membrane on leaf surfaces that is particularly conducive to absorbing airborne particles like microplastics.
• Once inside, microplastics moved between plant cells and could accumulate in tiny, hair-like structures called trichomes on the surface of leaves.
• These particles were also found to travel through the plant’s water and nutrient transport systems, reaching other tissues, although trichomes acted as “sinks” by trapping many external particles and thereby limiting their movement to roots.

Ecological and Health Implications

• The study highlights significant ecological and public health risks due to atmospheric plastic pollution, as micro- and nanoplastics not only accumulate in plants but also bioaccumulate through the food chain.
• Despite these findings, the long-term impact on human health remains unclear, prompting a call for further investigation into:
  • The extent of dietary exposure,
  • The absorption efficiency of microplastics in the human digestive system,
  • And the potential for plastic particles to reach internal organs.

Microplastics FAQs

Q1: What are microplastics?
Ans: Plastic particles <5mm in size, originating from degraded plastics, cosmetics, textiles, and industrial waste.

Q2: How do they enter ecosystems?
Ans: Through wastewater discharge, stormwater runoff, and atmospheric deposition. A 2022 study found microplastics in 90% of Ganga River samples.

Source: DTE

Phawngpui National Park Latest News

Forest fires that had erupted in several parts of Mizoram’s Phawngpui National Park have affected nearly one-ninth of the park’s total area, state forest officials said recently.

About Phawngpui National Park

• Phawngpui National Park, also known as the Blue Mountain National Park, is located in the southeastern corner of Mizoram, near the India-Myanmar border.
• It is the highest peak in the state, rising to an altitude of 2,157 meters above sea level. 
• It overlooks the Chhimtuipui River and the hill ranges of Myanmar. 
• The national park covers an area of 50 sq.km.
• The local Mizo people consider the national park as a sacred place, and believe thatit is inhabited by the spirits of their ancestors. 
• The national park is often enveloped by clouds, and appears blue from a distance.
• Flora: The thick forests are interspersed with small patches of grassy glades and are replete with diverse fauna typical of Montane Subtropical forests including oak, rhododendrons, and rare species of bamboos.
• Fauna: It is home to an amazing variety of birdlife, including the rare Blyth’s Tragopan, Dark Rumped Swift, and Mrs. Hume’s Pheasant, the Mizoram state bird, and endangered mammals like the Slow Loris, Tiger, Leopard, Leopard Cat, Serow, Goral, Asiatic Black Bear, Stump-tailed Macaque, and Capped Langur.

Phawngpui National Park FAQs

Q1. Which is the highest peak in Mizoram?

Ans. The highest peak in Mizoram is Phawngpui, also known as Blue Mountain.

Q2. Which bird, also the state bird of Mizoram, is found in Phawngpui National Park?

Ans. Mrs. Hume’s Pheasant

Q3. Why is Phawngpui also known as the Blue Mountain?

Ans. Because it appears blue from a distance due to clouds.

Source: HT

Typhloperipatus williamsoni Latest News

A team of researchers recently reported rediscovering a long-lost species of the velvet worm (phylum Onychophora), named Typhloperipatus williamsoni, one of the oldest living fossils in the world, after 111 years.

About Typhloperipatus williamsoni

• It is an ancient velvet worm species (phylum Onychophora), one of the oldest living fossils in the world.
  • Onychophora is a very old group, easily older than 350 million years. 
  • It has only two families and not more than 200 species. The diversity is very less.
  • These were evolving almost simultaneously with dinosaurs. When the mass extinction happened, probably a lot of them were wiped out. 
  • What we see today is mostly those species which escaped extinction.
• T. williamsoni was rediscovered after 111 years from the Siang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh.
  • T. williamsoni was first collected during the “Abor expedition” by Stanley Kemp, the erstwhile superintendent of the Indian Museum, Calcutta, and his team in December 1911 in Siang Valley. 
  • Since Kemp’s discovery, there have been no documented records of it from India. 
• The molecular data from T. williamsoni indicated that South Asian onychophoras split from their neotropical (Central and South America), including southern parts of Mexico and the Caribbean) and only African relatives around 237 million years ago. 
• Interestingly, the Asian onycophora were found to have no relatives in Australian onychophoras. 
• This is unusual given that invertebrates found in Southeast Asia and India are usually related to those in Australia. 
• Asian Onychophora is one of the few exceptions to this relationship. 

Typhloperipatus williamsoni FAQs

Q1. Are velvet worms poisonous to humans?

Ans. Velvet worms (Onychophora) are not poisonous or dangerous to humans.

Q2. Typhloperipatus williamsoni belongs to which phylum?

Ans. Onychophora

Q3. Where was T. williamsoni rediscovered?

Ans. Siang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh

Source: TH

Saras Mk2 Latest News

The Saras Mk2, an updated version of an India-designed civilian aircraft, is set to test-fly in December 2027, Director, CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL) told recently.

About Saras Mk2

• It is a 19-seater, multi-purpose civilian aircraft.
• It is the first Indian multi-purpose civilian aircraft in the light transport aircraft category.
• It is being developed by National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), Bengaluru, in collaboration with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
• It is an upgraded version of the Saras Mk 1. 
• It can be used for multiple purposes, including for medical emergencies or in the event of natural disasters. 
• It can also help in transporting passengers from Tier-1 cities to Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.

Saras Mk2 Features

• It will be a 7.5-ton aircraft and will have an endurance of 6 hours with a service ceiling of 29,000 ft. 
• It will have a maximum range of 775 km with a max load of 19 passengers and 2450 km with 7 passengers. 
• Its maximum cruise speed will be 500 kmph and stall speed 185 kmph. 
• The take-off distance for SARAS MK2 is going to be 790m, landing distance of 740m.
• The aircraft will be powered by 2 Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67A turboprop engines.

Saras Mk2 FAQs

Q1. What is the passenger capacity of the Saras Mk2 aircraft?

Ans. 19 passengers

Q2. Which Indian organization is developing the Saras Mk2 aircraft?

Ans. It is being developed by National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), Bengaluru, in collaboration with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

Q3. What type of aircraft is the Saras Mk2?

Ans. Light transport civilian aircraft

Source: TH

Ramgarh Lake Latest News

Work has started for revival of the historic Ramgarh lake near Jaipur, which was once a lifeline for water supply to the Rajasthan Capital. 

About Ramgarh Lake

• It is situated near the Jamwa Ramgarh subdivision of the Jaipur district in the Indian state Rajasthan.
• It is a man-made water body created by forming an embankment on the forested hills.
• Erstwhile Jaipur ruler Sawai Ram Singh II had built the Ramgarh lake in 1876 to provide relief to the inhabitants of the region.
• It lies at a distance of 32 kilometres from Jaipur city and encompasses an area of about 15.5 sq.km.
• It measures 2 kilometres in width and 4 kilometres in length.
• Once, the lake served as the main source of water supply for the city of Jaipur. 
• In the present time, the four rivers, Roda, Banganga, Tala, and Madhoveni, which used to bring water to the lake, have gone dry due to the deforestation and mining activity carried out in the catchment area. 
• Ramgarh Lake has a historical record of hosting a rowing event during Asian Games of 1982.
• Jamwa Mata temple is situated at a downward course of Ramgarh Lake.
• The Polo Ground at Ramgarh, that sits in the middle of the Ramgarh Lake and the Aravalli Hills, is regarded as one of the best of its kind in the country.
• The thick forest near Ramgarh Lake is the abode to many wildlife species such as Nilgai, Chital, and lions. 
• The region was notified as a wildlife sanctuary in the year 1982 by the Government of India. 

Ramgarh Lake FAQs

Q1. In which state Ramgarh Lake is located?

Ans. Rajasthan

Q2. Who built the Ramgarh Lake?

Ans. Sawai Ram Singh II

Q3. Which major sporting event was hosted at Ramgarh Lake?

Ans. Rowing event of Asian Games 1982

Source: TH