Art and culture
Gyan Bharatam Conference on manuscripts in New Delhi:
-
- It is an international conference on “Reclaiming India’s Knowledge Legacy through Manuscript Heritage” as part of the launch of the Gyan Bharatam Mission.
- Gyan Bharatam Mission is a national initiative to preserve, digitise, and disseminate India’s vast manuscript heritage, integrating tradition with technology for future generations.
- The Mission has been allocated 482.85 crore (2024–31), with over 44.07 lakh manuscriptsalready documented in the Kriti Sampada digital repository.
- Cutting-edge digital tools and AI innovations central to making India’s manuscript heritage globally accessible.
- India had the world’s largest collection of about one crore manuscripts, of which over 10 lakhs had been digitised so far.
- PM launched the “Gyan Bharatam” portal, a dedicated digital repository platform to digitalise and preserve ancient Indian manuscripts and enhance sharing traditional knowledge embedded in them.
(TH)
Science & Technology
Gold nanoparticles:
-
- Gold nanoparticles are nanoscale clusters of neutral gold atoms prepared from the reduction of gold salts in appropriate agents (example- citric acid).
- Widely used for medical and non-medical applications.
- These nanoparticles change their behaviour when exposed to certain everyday molecules like Amino Acids and salts.
- They can give rise to powerful optical technologies such as smarter biosensors, better diagnostics tools and reliable drug delivery systems.
- They interact with light in unique ways. Their colour and optical response depend on whether they are alone or clustered together.
- When they aggregate, their optical properties modulate, which is why they are widely used in biosensors and imaging.
- Scientists from S N Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, an autonomous institution of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) found a way to control this aggregation or clustering.
- Scientists introduced two molecules — Guanidine Hydrochloride (GdnHCl) – a powerful salt known for breaking proteins apart in laboratories & L-Tryptophan (L-Trp) – an amino acid we consume daily, found in proteins and often associated with sleep and relaxation.
- They found that When GdnHCl was added, gold nanoparticles quickly lost their repulsion and clumped into dense, compact clusters. But when L-Trp entered the scene alongside GdnHCl, the story changed. Instead of tight clumps, the nanoparticles formed looser, branched networks.
- The researchers called this “frustrated aggregation”—as if the nanoparticles wanted to clump tightly, but the amino acid kept interfering.
- Researchers used a highly sensitive Evanescent Wave Cavity Ringdown Spectroscopy (EW-CRDS) techniqueto monitor aggregation in real time.
(PIB)
Geography & Environment
Mundra Port:
-
- Located in Gujarat’s Kutch district.
- It is the first privately developed port in India and is operated by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone(APSEZ Ltd).
- It is recognized as India’s largest and most advanced commercial port (privately owned).
- It is a versatile port capable of handling a wide range of cargo, including bulk bitumen, crude oil, LNG, and cars.
- Mundra Port plays a crucial role in India’s logistics and international trade, serving as a major gateway for imports and exports.
(TH)
Taiwan Strait:
-
- The strait connects the South China Seato the East China Sea.
- It is located between the Fujian province of mainland China and the island of Taiwan.
- The Pescadores Islands(P’eng-hu Islands), controlled by Taiwan, are located in the strait.
- It is one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, carrying a significant volume of international trade.
- The strait is a critical defensive barrier for Taiwan against any invasion attempt from mainland China.
(TH)
Senkaku Islands:
-
- The islands are located in the East China Sea, about 170 km northeast of Taiwan and west of Okinawa. They are a group of small, uninhabited islands, with Uotsuri Island being the largest.
- Japan administers the islands, but China and Taiwan also claim sovereignty, referring to them as the Diaoyu and Tiaoyutai Islands, respectively.
- The surrounding waters are a significant fishing area due to their location on a continental shelf with nutrient-rich currents.
- Japan incorporated the islands into its territory in 1895.
- After World War II, Japan renounced territories, but the Senkakus were returned to Japanese control in 1972 with the Okinawa Reversion Agreement.
- China’s claims intensified after the 1968 discovery of potential oil and gas reserves in the 1970s.
(TH)
Facts/Data
Polity:
-
- According to an analysis by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), around 21% or one in five MPs, MLAs, and MLCs are from dynastic backgrounds, indicating that a significant share of current elected representatives belongs to established political families.
- At 31%, the Lok Sabha has the highest dynastic representation, while the State Assemblies have the lowest at 20%.
- In north India, Uttar Pradesh tops the list at 23%, followed by Rajasthan at 18%.
(TH)
Miscellaneous
4th edition of World Food India 2025:
-
- The 4th edition of the global mega food event is set to be inaugurated by the Prime Minister, on 25th September 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
- Organized by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI).
- This flagship global event aims to position India as the “Food Hub of the World”by fostering collaboration, innovation, and investments across the food processing value chain.
- New Zealand and Saudi Arabia have been designated as Partner Countries, while Japan, UAE, Vietnam, and Russia will participate as Focus Countries.
- The event will feature exhibitions, knowledge sessions, networking opportunities, the Global Food Regulators Summit, and the India International Seafood Show.
(PIB)
4th Coast Guard Global Summit in Rome:
-
- The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) participated in the 4th Coast Guard Global Summit in Rome (September 2025), reaffirming India’s commitment to global maritime governance and safety.
- India’s announces its bid to host the next summit in India in 2027.
- The summit had delegates from 115 countries, focusing on cooperation in maritime safety, environmental protection, and countering transnational maritime crimes.
- Discussions highlighted collective approaches to marine pollution response, search and rescue, law enforcement, and sharing best practices for safer and cleaner seas.
(PIB)
PRACTICE MCQ’S
Q1. Consider the following statements:
1. Taiwan Strait connects the South China Sea to the East China Sea.
2. The Pescadores Islands (P’eng-hu Islands), controlled by Japan, are located in the strait.
3. It is located between the Fujian province of mainland China and the island of Taiwan.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: C
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: Taiwan Strait connects the South China Sea to the East China Sea.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The Pescadores Islands (P’eng-hu Islands), controlled by Taiwan, are located in the strait.
Statement 3 is correct: It is located between the Fujian province of mainland China and the island of Taiwan.
Q2. Consider the following statements:
1. Gold nanoparticles are nanoscale clusters of neutral gold atoms prepared from the reduction of gold salts.
2. They can give rise to powerful optical technologies such as smarter biosensors, better diagnostics tools and reliable drug delivery systems.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: C
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: Gold nanoparticles are nanoscale clusters of neutral gold atoms prepared from the reduction of gold salts.
Statement 2 is correct: They can give rise to powerful optical technologies such as smarter biosensors, better diagnostics tools and reliable drug delivery systems.
Q3. Consider the following statements:
Statement I: Senkaku islands are located in the East China Sea, southwest of Taiwan and east of Okinawa.
Statement II: Japan, China and Taiwan claim sovereignty over these islands.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is not correct
d) Statement-I is not correct but Statement-II is correct
Answer: D
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect: The islands are located in the East China Sea, about 170 km northeast of Taiwan and west of Okinawa.
Statement 2 is correct: Japan, China and Taiwan claim sovereignty over these islands.
Q4. Consider the following statements:
1. Mundra port is the first privately developed port in India.
2. It is located in the shallow waters of Gulf of Khambhat.
3. It serves as a major gateway for imports and exports.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: C
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: Mundra port is the first privately developed port in India.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Mundra Port is located on the western coast of India, on the north shores of the Gulf of Kutch in the state of Gujarat. It is known for its deep waters, which allow it to accommodate large vessels, and is not situated in shallow waters on the eastern coast.
Statement 3 is correct: It serves as a major gateway for imports and exports.
Spread the Word