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Science & Agriculture
India’s First Genome-Edited Rice Varieties
DRR Dhan 100 Kamla and Pusa DST Rice 1 — India’s first genome-edited rice varieties developed by ICAR using CRISPR-Cas technology (no foreign DNA). Based on Samba Mahsuri and Maruteru 1010 parent varieties. The ‘Minus 5 Plus 10’ formula: reduce rice cultivation area by 5 million hectares, increase production by 10 million tonnes.
Environment
India’s First Inter-State Cheetah Conservation Corridor
The corridor spans 17,000 sq km — 10,500 sq km in MP and 6,500 sq km in Rajasthan, across 27 districts. Connects Palpur Kuno NP + Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary (MP) with Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve (Rajasthan). Designated by NTCA and WII as suitable cheetah habitat.
International
USTR Special 301 Report 2025 — India on Priority Watch List
India placed on the Priority Watch List in USTR’s 2025 Special 301 Report — alongside Argentina, Chile, China, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, and Venezuela (8 countries total). Key concerns: patent issues and the Indian Patents Act, 1970. USTR: Jamieson Lee Greer; Established: 1963.
Technology
India’s Largest Quantum Computer — Amaravati (156-qubit)
TCS + IBM + AP Government will install an IBM Quantum System Two with a 156-qubit Heron processor at the Quantum Valley Tech Park, Amaravati — India’s largest quantum computer. TCS to develop quantum algorithms for life sciences, energy, cryptography, and supply chain. Aligned with India’s National Quantum Mission (NQM).
Defence
DRDO Stratospheric Airship Platform — HAPS
DRDO’s Stratospheric Airship Platform functions as a High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS) at 17–22 km altitude. Uses helium for lift, solar power (battery at night). Carries imaging sensors, radar, or telecom payloads for border monitoring and ISR. Developed by ADRDE, Agra; maiden flight-trial at Sheopur, MP; duration ~62 minutes.
International
Australia Elections 2025 — Albanese Re-elected
Anthony Albanese (Labor) won 70/150 seats in Australia’s House of Representatives, becoming the 1st Australian PM to win 2 consecutive 3-year terms in two decades — re-elected as the 31st PM of Australia. First became PM in May 2022; first Labor PM since 2013. Australia: Capital — Canberra; Currency — AUD.
Technology
MCP (Model Context Protocol) & Razorpay Integration
Model Context Protocol (MCP) was developed by Anthropic — an open standard enabling LLMs to interface with external tools and data. Razorpay (Bengaluru) launched India’s first MCP server for a payment gateway, allowing AI tools like Claude, Zapier, and VS Code to natively manage payment links, refunds, and transactions.
Environment
India’s Leopard Population — 13,874 (NTCA 2022)
India’s leopard population: 13,874 as per NTCA’s ‘Status of Leopards in India, 2022’ report. Madhya Pradesh has the highest count, followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka. Leopards are IUCN Vulnerable (criteria A2cd). NTCA established in 2006 under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Culture & Heritage
Swami Sivananda Saraswati — Oldest Padma Shri Recipient
Swami Sivananda Saraswati (born 8 August 1897, Sylhet) passed away on 4 May 2025 at age 128 in Varanasi. Received Padma Shri in 2022 — the oldest person to receive the award. Also received Yoga Ratna Award (2019). Had attended the Maha Kumbh Mela for 100 consecutive years.
Science
World Laughter Day — Dr. Madan Kataria & Laughter Yoga
World Laughter Day (WLD) is observed on the first Sunday of May. Initiated in 1998 by Mumbai-based physician Dr. Madan Kataria, founder of the Laughter Yoga Movement. First WLD: 11 January 1998, Mumbai (12,000+ participants). WLD 2025 theme: ‘Laugh for Health, Peace and Happiness’. First international event ‘HAPPY-DEMIC’ (Copenhagen, 2000) entered Guinness World Records.
🎴 Revision Flashcards
Click each card to flip and test your recall
Tap to Reveal
Name India’s first two genome-edited rice varieties (2025).
DRR Dhan 100 Kamla & Pusa DST Rice 1
Developed by ICAR using CRISPR-Cas; based on Samba Mahsuri & Maruteru 1010
Tap to Reveal
Total area of India’s first inter-state cheetah conservation corridor?
17,000 sq km (MP + Rajasthan)
10,500 sq km MP + 6,500 sq km Rajasthan; connects Kuno NP with Mukundara Hills TR
Tap to Reveal
Which list did USTR’s 2025 Special 301 Report place India on?
Priority Watch List
8 countries total including China, Russia, Indonesia; concern: Indian Patents Act, 1970
Tap to Reveal
Which processor powers India’s largest quantum computer in Amaravati?
156-qubit IBM Heron processor
IBM Quantum System Two; TCS + IBM + AP Govt; aligns with National Quantum Mission
Tap to Reveal
DRDO’s Stratospheric Airship Platform operates at what altitude range?
17–22 km (HAPS category)
Developed by ADRDE Agra; helium lift + solar power; maiden flight at Sheopur, MP
Tap to Reveal
Who developed the Model Context Protocol (MCP)?
Anthropic
Razorpay launched India’s first MCP payment server; supports Claude, Zapier, VS Code
Tap to Reveal
India’s estimated leopard population as per NTCA 2022 report?
13,874
Highest in MP, then Maharashtra & Karnataka; IUCN status: Vulnerable (A2cd)
Tap to Reveal
When did Swami Sivananda Saraswati receive the Padma Shri and at what age did he pass away?
Padma Shri 2022 — passed away at 128 (May 2025)
Born 8 Aug 1897, Sylhet; oldest Padma Shri recipient; Yoga Ratna Award 2019
Think & Discuss
CRISPR Rice and Cheetah Corridors: Can Technology and Conservation Coexist in India’s Land-Scarce Future?
Context from today’s quiz: India simultaneously launched its first genome-edited rice varieties (CRISPR-Cas, no foreign DNA) with a ‘Minus 5 Plus 10’ formula — reducing rice cultivation by 5 million hectares while boosting output — and established a 17,000 sq km inter-state cheetah conservation corridor between MP and Rajasthan. Both initiatives directly compete for the same resource: land.
🤔 Your Perspective Matters
India’s agricultural and conservation ambitions are on a collision course. The ‘Minus 5 Plus 10’ formula for rice assumes freed farmland can be repurposed — but for what? Urban expansion, solar farms, or wildlife corridors? Meanwhile, cheetah reintroduction requires large, undisturbed landscapes in the same semi-arid zones where dryland farming communities live.
How should India balance the competing demands of agricultural intensification (via biotechnology) and wildlife habitat restoration when both policies target the same landscapes?
How should India balance the competing demands of agricultural intensification (via biotechnology) and wildlife habitat restoration when both policies target the same landscapes?
- Should India create a national land-use policy that explicitly allocates freed agricultural land (from productivity gains) to biodiversity corridors and carbon sinks?
- Are genome-edited crops (CRISPR, no foreign DNA) sufficiently different from GMOs to warrant a separate regulatory and public acceptance framework in India?
- Given that cheetah corridors span 27 districts and two states, what governance mechanisms can prevent human-wildlife conflict from derailing India’s ambitious rewilding programme?
We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your perspective in the comments.
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