Prelims Mantra – (20/12/2025)

International Developments

Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine:

• • Prime Minister addressed the closing ceremony of the Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
  • WHO Traditional Medicine Centre: He highlighted the establishment of the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar as a source of national pride.
  • Global Cooperation: Over 175 countries participated, facilitating dialogue on research, regulation, training, and knowledge sharing in traditional medicine.
  • Integration of Tradition & Technology: Emphasis on combining traditional practices with modern technology (AI, digital health tools) for safer, evidence-based traditional medicine.
  • Yoga & Health: Yoga was described as integral to traditional medicine; India’s role in securing International Yoga Day (21 June) was highlighted.
  • Key Initiatives Launched/Unveiled:
    • Traditional Medicine Global Library: repository for scientific data and policy documents.
    • My Ayush Integrated Services Portal (MAISP): national digital portal for AYUSH services.
    • Ayush Mark: envisaged as a global benchmark for AYUSH product quality.
    • WHO technical reports and books on training and AYUSH were released.
  • Capacity Building: Inauguration of WHO South-East Asia Regional Office in Delhi aimed at strengthening research, regulation, and capacity building.
  • Awards & Recognition: Prime Minister’s Awards for Outstanding Contribution to Yoga (2021–25) were conferred, reinforcing yoga’s global promotion.

(PIB)

Science & Technology

IN-SPACe:

• • IN-SPACe is a single-window, independent nodal agency under the Department of Space.
  • It authorises, promotes and regulates the participation of private sector / startups / academia in India’s space activities.
  • Acts as an interface between ISRO and Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs).
  • Facilitates private access to ISRO facilities, launch infrastructure, and technical expertise.
  • A key institutional reform under India’s space sector liberalisation (2020).
  • Complements NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), which focuses on commercialisation, while IN-SPACe focuses on regulation & promotion.
  • Recent linkage:
    • IN-SPACe has been issuing authorisations to private companies for launch vehicles, satellites and ground stations, reflecting India’s push towards a commercial space ecosystem.

(TH)

New study may redefine how the mass of the halo around galaxies is measured:

• • Study source: Research from Raman Research Institute (RRI) under Department of Science & Technology (DST) on galaxy halo mass measurement.
  • Galaxy structure: A galaxy has a halo 10–20 times the size of stellar disk, comprising dark matter and diffuse gas; the gaseous component is the circumgalactic medium (CGM), and the region beyond it is the intergalactic medium (IGM).
  • Current observation method: Astronomers use highly ionized oxygen absorption in light from background sources to estimate CGM mass.
  • New Insight: The study suggests that contributions from the IGM along the line of sight may be wrongly attributed to CGM, leading to overestimation of CGM mass.
  • Galaxy mass differences: For high-mass galaxies (e.g., Milky Way), CGM may provide ~50% of observed ionized oxygen; for low-mass galaxies it may be as low as ~30%, implying significant IGM influence.
  • Implication: This finding calls for refined models and measurements to separate CGM and IGM contributions for accurate understanding of galaxy formation and evolution.

(PIB)

Defence & Security

Bureau of Port Security (BoPS):

• • Context: A meeting was convened by the Union Home Minister to constitute a dedicated statutory body called the Bureau of Port Security (BoPS) for enhancing security of vessels and port facilities nationwide.
  • Legal Basis: BoPS is established as a statutory body under Section 13 of the newly promulgated Merchant Shipping Act, 2025.
  • Administrative Control: BoPS functions under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and is modeled on the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).
  • Leadership & Structure: Headed by a Director General (an IPS officer at Pay Level-15); during the transition year, the DG of Shipping acts as DG, BoPS.
  • Core Role: The Bureau will oversee regulatory and security oversight of ships and port infrastructure, including risk-based, graded security measures.
  • Cyber Security Emphasis: BoPS will have a division focused on cybersecurity of port IT systems and information exchange related to security risks.
  • Security Infrastructure: CISF designated as a Recognised Security Organisation (RSO) to undertake assessments and security planning for ports; CISF also to train and certify Private Security Agencies (PSAs) engaged in port security.

(TH+PIB)

History, Art & Culture

Prime Minister shares Sanskrit Subhashitam:

• • The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, shared a Sanskrit Subhashitam that reflects the timeless wisdom of Indian thought.
  • The verse conveys that just as trees bearing fruits and flowers satisfy humans when they are near, in the same way, trees provide all kinds of benefits to the person who plants them, even while living far away.
  • The Prime Minister posted on X;
    “पुष्पिताः फलवन्तश्च तर्पयन्तीह मानवान्।
    वृक्षदं पुत्रवत् वृक्षास्तारयन्ति परत्र च॥”

(PIB)