Mansukh Mandaviya chairs 239th Central Board of Trustees (CBT) meeting of Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).
[Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)]
Key Updates:
- Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Labour and Employment, chaired the 239th meeting of the Central Board of Trustees (CBT) of the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) in New Delhi.
- The CBT recommended an annual interest rate of 8.25% to be credited to EPF accumulations for the financial year 2025-26.
- The government will officially announce the 8.25% interest rate before EPFO credits it into subscribers' accounts.
- The Board approved a one-time amnesty scheme to address compliance issues arising from trusts recognized by income tax.
- New simplified SOP on EPF exemption and updated EPF, EPS, and EDLI schemes aligned with the Code on Social Security, 2020, were approved to enhance efficiency, transparency, and ease of compliance.
Similar Coverage
- Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, delivered the keynote address at the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) 75th Year of Service celebrations held at Bharat Mandapam.
- Ms. Vandana Gurnani, Secretary, Labour & Employment, stated that ESIC has emerged as a cornerstone of India’s social security architecture.
- ESIC signed an MoU with the National Health Authority to converge the ESI Scheme with Ayushman Bharat–PM-JAY.
- ESIC signed an MoU with the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) to strengthen quality assurance in laboratories.
- Union Minister for Labour and Employment and Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, announced that EPFO offices will be revamped into modern, technology-enabled, single-window service centres.
- All upcoming and several existing EPFO offices will be redesigned on the lines of passport seva kendras, allowing citizens to resolve any EPF-related issue at any regional office nationwide.
- EPFO will undertake mission-mode KYC verification and launch a dedicated digital platform for simplified claim filing and faster settlements.
- Claims up to ₹5 lakh are now settled automatically and withdrawals of up to 75 percent of EPF balances have been eased.
- EPFO will introduce EPF Suvidha Providers—authorised facilitators to assist members in accessing benefits and resolving grievances.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair the fifth National Conference of Chief Secretaries from December 26 to December 28 in the national capital.
- The conference theme is 'Human Capital for Viksit Bharat', focusing on leveraging India's demographic strengths for economic and social progress.
- Key discussion pillars include education and schooling, health and wellness, economic hubs, and frontier technologies.
- The first meeting of BRICS Sherpas and Sous Sherpas under India’s Chairship was held from 9-10 February 2026 in New Delhi.
- Secretary (Economic Relations) Sudhakar Dalela, India’s BRICS Sherpa, chaired the meeting, supported by Joint Secretary (Multilateral Economic Relations) Shambhu L Hakki, India’s BRICS Sous Sherpa.
- BRICS Sherpas and senior officials from Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and UAE participated in the meeting.
- India presented its 2026 Chairship priorities under the theme 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability'.
- Ministries outlined proposed activities in health, agriculture, labour and employment, disaster risk reduction, environment, climate change, energy, innovation, ICT, security and counter-terrorism, economic and financial domains.
- Presentations on people-centric initiatives included sports, youth connect, cultural engagements, BRICS Academic Forum, BRICS Think Tank Council, BRICS Civil Forum, BRICS Business Council and BRICS Women’s Business Alliance.
- BRICS Members and Partner countries appreciated India’s theme and priorities and shared perspectives on advancing resilience, innovation, cooperation, sustainability and a people-centric approach.
- Delegates visited the National Crafts Museum & Hastakala Academy and Akshardham Temple during the meeting.
Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) proposes mandatory Ind AS adoption for insurers from April 2026.
[Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI)]
Key Updates:
- IRDAI has released a consultation paper proposing mandatory adoption of Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS) for all insurers effective April 1, 2026.
- The move would bring life insurers, general insurers, health insurers, and reinsurers under a globally aligned financial reporting framework converged with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
- The new standards introduce market-consistent liability valuation, expected credit loss methodology, and different underwriting performance from investment returns.
- IRDAI has been preparing the sector since 2022 through mandatory gap assessments, training programmes, and phased submission of Ind AS-compliant proforma financial statements.
- Most major insurers have already submitted proforma statements for FY 2023–24 and FY 2024–25.
- Stakeholders have until March 24, 2026 to submit feedback to IRDAI.
Similar Coverage
- Alwar has become the first district in India to achieve 100% insurance coverage under the central government's Insurance for All by 2047 roadmap.
- The roadmap is a joint initiative of the Government of India and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), a statutory body under the Ministry of Finance.
- The achievement is part of the national vision of Secure India–Insured India at the grassroots level.
- A total of 1,367 uninsured individuals over the age of 10 from nine villages were brought under coverage following systematic door-to-door surveys.
- The nine villages formally declared as fully insured are Bhulla Ka Bas, Bichpuri, Palankheda, Antapada, Hanumanta, Kalyanpura, Morodkhurd, Kodalka, and Lalpur.
- Insurance policies for the beneficiaries were issued by the government-owned United India Insurance Company Ltd.
- The insurance premiums for all eligible adults in the nine villages were funded by a non-governmental organisation (NGO) to ensure coverage without financial burden.
- The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi, signed a Common Empanelment Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the General Insurance Council (GIC) on 10 February 2026.
- AIIA has become the first Ayush institution in India to enter into a formal empanelment with the GIC to provide cashless treatment facilities.
- The agreement enables AIIA to be empanelled with all 32 general insurance companies under the GIC for eligible Ayurveda-based healthcare services.
- The Ministry of Ayush has launched India’s first dedicated Ayush Health Insurance Helpline with the toll-free number 1800-11-0008 to assist beneficiaries.
- The GIC is a statutory body established under the Insurance Act, 1938, and has been functioning since 2001 under the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).
- The MoU was signed by Prof. (Vaidya) P. K. Prajapati, Director of AIIA, and Shri Segar Sampathkumar, Director (Health) of the GIC.
- AIIA is the apex institute for Ayurveda established under the Ministry of Ayush and operates a 200-bed referral hospital with 25 specialty departments.
- A.V. Girija Kumar, former Chairman and Managing Director of Oriental Insurance Company Ltd., was appointed Chairman of the reconstituted Reinsurance Advisory Committee (RAC) by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).
- The reconstituted RAC includes Praveen Vashishta, former CEO and Managing Director of Howden Insurance Brokers India Pvt. Ltd.; Roopam Asthana, former CEO of Liberty General Insurance; and T.L. Alamelu, former Whole-Time Member of IRDAI.
- The committee has been constituted for a tenure of three years under Section 101B of the Insurance Act, 1938.
- The Deputy General Manager (Reinsurance) at IRDAI will function as Secretary to the RAC.
- The Union Cabinet approved the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Bill, 2025 to revamp India’s insurance framework.
- The Bill raises the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) limit in Indian insurance companies from 74% to 100%.
- It reduces the Net Owned Funds requirement for foreign reinsurers from Rs 5,000 crore to Rs 1,000 crore.
- IRDAI gets enhanced enforcement powers, including authority to disgorge wrongful gains made by insurers or intermediaries.
- LIC is empowered to set up new zonal offices without prior government approval and to align overseas operations with host-country laws.
NITI Aayog and UNICEF India sign SOI to improve maternal and child nutrition in aspirational districts and blocks
[NITI Aayog, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)]
Key Updates:
- NITI Aayog and UNICEF India signed a Statement of Intent (SOI) to support strategic interventions in aspirational districts and aspirational blocks.
- The SOI was signed by Rohit Kumar, Additional Secretary and Mission Director of the Aspirational Districts and Blocks Programme at NITI Aayog, and Arjan de Wagt, Deputy Representative at UNICEF India.
- UNICEF India will provide technical expertise and channel CSR funds into nutrition-focused initiatives through its platform IMPAct4Nutrition (I4N).
- The partnership will focus on strengthening Anganwadi infrastructure, enhancing nutrition literacy, improving uptake of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), and building capacity of frontline workers.
- The agreement aims to promote multi-stakeholder engagement and strengthen implementation systems for nutrition and health interventions at the block level.
Similar Coverage
- NITI Aayog and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed the Record of Discussions for Phase II of the Japan–India Cooperative Actions towards Sustainable Development Goals.
- The agreement was signed in the presence of Rohit Kumar, Additional Secretary and Mission Director of the Aspirational Districts and Blocks Programme at NITI Aayog, and Takeuchi Takuro, Chief Representative, JICA India.
- Phase II focuses on institutional capacity-building and improving governance systems at district and block levels under the Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP) and Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP).
- The initiative covers six themes: global partnership, health and nutrition, education, agriculture and water resources, financial inclusion and skill development, and basic infrastructure.
- Key activities include capacity-building exchanges, Japan–India knowledge forums, identification and dissemination of best practices, and targeted support to selected Aspirational Districts and Blocks.
- NITI Aayog launched the 3-month Sampoornata Abhiyan 2.0 campaign running from 28 January to 14 April 2026.
- The campaign targets saturation of 5 Key Performance Indicators in 112 Aspirational Districts and 6 Key Performance Indicators in 513 Aspirational Blocks.
- Shri B.V.R Subrahmanyam, CEO, NITI Aayog, inaugurated the campaign in the presence of Shri Rohit Kumar, Additional Secretary and Mission Director, Aspirational Districts and Blocks Programme, NITI Aayog.
- Aspirational Blocks will focus on indicators including percentage of children aged 6 months to 6 years receiving Supplementary Nutrition under ICDS, measurement efficiency of Anganwadi-enrolled children, functional toilets and drinking water in operational Anganwadi Centres, adequate girls' toilet facilities in schools, and percentage of bovine animals vaccinated against Foot-and-Mouth Disease.
- Aspirational Districts will prioritise indicators such as proportion of live births weighed at birth, Tuberculosis case notification rate, conduct of Village or Urban Health Sanitation & Nutrition Days, functional girls' toilets in schools, and percentage of animals vaccinated.
- Districts and Blocks will prepare a 3-month Action Plan, track monthly progress, run awareness and behaviour change campaigns, and conduct concurrent monitoring field visits.
- NITI Aayog will collaborate with relevant Central Ministries, States, and Union Territories to improve planning, implementation, capacity building, and sustainable service delivery.
- President Droupadi Murmu launched the nationwide 'Karmayoga for Empowered Bharat' campaign during the All-India Conference of the Brahma Kumaris in New Delhi.
- The campaign was inaugurated alongside the silver jubilee celebrations of the Om Shanti Retreat Centre in Gurugram.
- The President emphasised that Karmayoga involves fulfilling responsibilities while adhering to high spiritual principles and practicing selfless service in everyday life.
- She stated that morality and spirituality must guide economic growth and technological advancement to prevent social and environmental imbalances.
- Smt. Murmu highlighted that spirituality offers a moral framework based on integrity, compassion, non-violence and service essential for just governance.
- The campaign aims to inspire citizens to contribute to India’s sustainable and inclusive development by harmonising economic progress with ethical values.
- Mumbai is slated to host the ‘Mumbai Climate Week 2026’ from February 17 to 19, marking India’s first city-led initiative dedicated to fostering local action through citizen-driven solutions.
- UNICEF India and YuWaah have been named the official youth engagement partners for the event.
- The initiative is curated by Project Mumbai in collaboration with UNICEF and YuWaah to empower the next generation to become active agents of change within their communities.
India urges WTO ministerial for time-bound tech-transfer roadmap to aid developing nations
[World Trade Organization (WTO)]
Key Updates:
- India submitted a draft ministerial declaration asking developed members to facilitate transfer of advanced environmentally sound technologies (ESTs) to developing and least-developed countries (LDCs).
- The declaration cites export controls on inputs such as semiconductor chips and rare earth minerals and rigid intellectual-property regimes as persistent barriers to technology access.
- India requested developed countries to share regional and sector-specific technology needs, experiences, challenges and best practices to cut high access costs and domestic capacity constraints.
- New Delhi proposed a detailed review of technology-transfer provisions in WTO agreements covering TRIPS, agriculture, technical barriers to trade, and sanitary and phytosanitary measures.
- The text seeks operationalisation of existing TRIPS flexibilities for technology transfer and a time-bound roadmap to be adopted at the forthcoming WTO ministerial meeting later this month.
Similar Coverage
- India joined the BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies (BCIC) on 4 February 2026.
- BCIC was launched by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) in 2025.
- The National Productivity Council (NPC) has been designated as the India Centre for BCIC.
- A trust fund agreement formalising India’s participation was signed between the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and UNIDO.
- The agreement was signed by Economic Adviser, DPIIT, Agrim Kaushal, and Director, UNIDO, Cristiano Pasini.
- NPC will operate under DPIIT’s policy direction to support capacity building and manufacturing-related initiatives for MSMEs within the BRICS framework.
- The launch event was presided over by Secretary, DPIIT, Amardeep Singh Bhatia.
- Attendees included senior officials from DPIIT, the Ministry of MSME, the Ministry of External Affairs, UNIDO representatives, and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
- India secured 18% tariff on nearly $900 billion worth of US global imports and zero-duty access on $150 billion.
- Indian exports to the US stood at $86.35 billion in 2024.
- Tariffs on $30.94 billion of Indian goods slashed from up to 50% to 18%.
- $10.03 billion of Indian exports now enjoy zero-duty access to the US.
- Silk products secured zero-duty access to a $113-billion US market.
- Textiles and apparel tariffs reduced from peaks of 50% to 18%.
- Machinery and engineering exports tariffs cut to 18% in a $477-billion market.
- India’s current machinery exports to the US are $2.35 billion.
- $1.36 billion worth of Indian farm exports enter the US with zero additional duties.
- Products valued at $1.035 billion assured zero reciprocal tariffs including spices, tea, coffee, fruits, nuts, and processed foods.
- Dairy, meat, poultry, cereals, millets, and oilseeds remain fully protected under exemption.
- Gems and jewellery tariffs reduced from 50% to 18% for a $61-billion market.
- Diamonds and platinum secured 0% duty access covering a $29-billion segment.
- Home décor tariffs dropped to 18% for a $52-billion market; 0% duty for $13-billion segment including chandeliers and seats.
- Toy sector tariffs cut from 50% to 18% for an $18-billion market.
- Leather and footwear industry gains 18% tariff cap in a $42-billion market.
- India is the 5th largest exporter of digitally delivered services with exports of $0.28 trillion in 2024, up 10.3% year-on-year.
- Zero additional duty access secured for industrial exports valued at $38 billion covering aircraft parts, generic drugs, and elementary auto parts.
- DGFT, in collaboration with MEA and FIEO, organised the National Conference on Strategic Trade Controls (NCSTC) 2026 in New Delhi.
- The Conference provided a platform for discussions on India’s Strategic Trade Control framework, including policies and procedures governing the export of dual-use and sensitive goods under the SCOMET framework.
- The third edition of the Handbook on India’s Strategic Trade Control System was released during the inaugural session.
- The Conference included seven thematic sessions covering licensing framework, enforcement mechanisms, compliance, supply chain security, AEO programme, ITT, and sector-specific controls.
- Discussions covered emerging technologies such as quantum-related items, advanced computing, semiconductors, additive manufacturing, aerospace technologies and cyber security in context of SCOMET List updates.
- Over 500 stakeholders participated, including Government officials, industry representatives, exporters, compliance professionals, academia, research institutions, and international participants.
- The cap on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in defence firms with existing licences under the automatic route is set to be raised to 74% from 49%.
- The government is dropping a condition that stipulates foreign investment beyond 74% is only allowed if it 'results in access to modern technology'.
- A requirement for fully export-oriented defence manufacturers to set up domestic maintenance and support facilities is set to be dropped to attract foreign investment.
- The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is asking for a 20% increase in spending in the budget for fiscal 2026/27 over the $75.36 billion allotted for the current year.
- India aims to nearly double domestic production of defence equipment to $33.25 billion and boost defence exports to $5.5 billion by 2029.
- Defence exports grew 12% year-on-year in 2024/25 to $2.6 billion - a record high as the nation seeks to reduce arms imports.
- Foreign equity inflows into the defence sector accounted for $26.5 million of total foreign inflows of $765 billion in the 25 years through September 2025.
- Foreign firms currently operating in India include France's Airbus, Lockheed Martin of the U.S. and Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.
- Presently, foreign investors can only own 74% of an Indian defence business under the automatic route when the companies are seeking new licenses.
- The government sought to bolster funding following a conflict with Pakistan in May in which drones and fighter jets took centre stage.
Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Pratiksha Trust launch Moonshot project on brain co-processors
[Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Pratiksha Trust]
Key Updates:
- Indian Institute of Science (IISc) launched a Moonshot project to develop brain co-processors combining neuromorphic hardware with AI algorithms to enhance or restore brain function.
- The initiative is funded by Pratiksha Trust, founded by Kris Gopalakrishnan and Sudha.
- The project aims to develop implantable and non-invasive brain co-processors that decode neural activity, process signals using AI, and re-encode them via neural stimulation or neurofeedback.
- Devices will support cognitive rehabilitation for stroke survivors who have lost goal-directed reach and grasp functions.
- The project builds on IISc’s Brain, Computation and Data Science programme involving over 20 faculty members.
- Phase 1 will develop and validate a non-invasive neural co-processor for sensorimotor feedback in stroke survivors.
- Phase 2 will focus on a minimally invasive embedded co-processor to restore sensorimotor coordination in chronic stroke patients.
- The team plans to indigenise implant design, hardware systems, and AI software stacks for low-resource clinical settings.
- The project will create India-specific databases of stereo EEG and ECoG recordings and develop open-source AI tools, datasets, and visualisation platforms as digital public goods.
Similar Coverage
- HCL Technologies (HCLTech) and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur signed an MoU to convert research into real-world pilots and scalable solutions for Global Capability Centres (GCCs).
- The collaboration focuses on advanced engineering and deep tech including AI, robotics and next-generation technologies.
- The partnership enables GCCs to accelerate complex research, access niche skills without building internal labs and reduce time-to-market.
- IIT Kanpur brings translational R&D expertise in AI, intelligent systems, robotics, cybersecurity and other next-generation technologies.
- The MoU bridges academic research and enterprises to co-develop innovative technologies with measurable impact.
- Union Minister for Health JP Nadda and French President Emmanuel Macron inaugurated the Indo-French Centre for AI in Health (IF-CAIH) at AIIMS, New Delhi, on Wednesday.
- The IF-CAIH has been established under a joint MoU between AIIMS, Sorbonne University, and Paris Brain Institute, with additional collaboration from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and other leading French institutions.
- The launch coincided with the Rencontres Universitaires et Scientifiques de Haut Niveau (RUSH) 2026, held at AIIMS on February 18 and February 19, coordinated by the French Embassy.
- President Macron emphasised that India and France are committed to developing computing capacity and talent to build trusted AI systems.
- The initiative builds on ongoing India-France cooperation in Digital Health, Antimicrobial Resistance, Human Resources for Health, and responsible use of health data.
- Microsoft rolled out the Maia 200, its second-generation in-house AI chip, online this week in a data center in Iowa with a second site planned in Arizona.
- The Maia 200 is manufactured by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) using 3-nanometer technology and incorporates high-bandwidth memory and substantial SRAM for AI workloads.
- Microsoft will provide software tools including Triton—an open-source contribution from OpenAI—to program the Maia 200, directly competing with Nvidia’s CUDA platform.
- Google, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and other major cloud providers are also developing proprietary chips that increasingly compete with Nvidia’s offerings.
- Nvidia has claimed it is 'a generation ahead' of rivals in the artificial intelligence (AI) industry.
- Nvidia stated it was the only platform which 'runs every AI model and does it everywhere computing is done'.
- Google's chips are called tensor processing units (TPUs).
- Google rents access to its chips, called tensor processing units (TPUs), through Google Cloud to AI developers.
- Nvidia's chips have become a critical part of powering the data centres behind many of the most popular AI tools, such as ChatGPT.
- Both Amazon and Microsoft have announced they also have AI chips in development.
Chile verified as first country in Americas to eliminate leprosy: WHO
[Chile, World Health Organization (WHO)]
Key Updates:
- Chile is the first country in the Americas and the second worldwide to be verified as having eliminated leprosy by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
- The last locally acquired case of leprosy in Chile was detected in 1993, and no local transmission has been reported for more than 30 years.
- Between 2012 and 2023, Chile reported 47 cases of leprosy, all of which were imported rather than locally transmitted.
- WHO and PAHO have provided free multidrug therapy (MDT) to countries in the Americas, including Chile, since 1995.
Similar Coverage
- World Leprosy Day is observed on the last Sunday of January every year.
- In 2026, World Leprosy Day falls on 25 January.
- The theme for World Leprosy Day 2026 is 'Leprosy is curable, the real challenge is stigma'.
- In India, World Leprosy Day is celebrated on 30 January, marking the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
- Central Leprosy Division (CLD) under Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), organised an Information, Education and Communication (IEC) outreach programme at Dilli Haat on National Leprosy Day.
- The programme included a Nukkad Natak on early signs and symptoms of leprosy and a cultural dance by children affected by leprosy supported by Rotary Club.
- A Self-Examination Mirror activity and an interactive quiz were conducted to encourage recognition of early signs and reinforce key messages, with prizes distributed to participants.
- A pamphlet titled '100 Questions & Answers on Leprosy' along with other IEC materials was distributed to promote awareness, early reporting, treatment adherence, and stigma reduction.
- Visitors took a collective pledge not to discriminate against persons affected by leprosy, supporting the goal of a #LeprosyFreeIndia.
- Chilean President Gabriel Boric declared a state of catastrophe in the regions of Ñuble and Biobío.
- The wildfires have killed at least 16 people and forced the evacuation of nearly 20,000 residents.
- The fires have destroyed 250 homes and burned nearly 8,500 hectares (around 21,000 acres).
- Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda launched the Annual Nationwide Mass Drug Administration (MDA) Campaign to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) by the end of 2027.
- The national goal aims to eliminate LF as a public health problem three years ahead of the global Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of 2030.
- The current campaign is being implemented across 719 blocks in 124 districts across 12 identified LF-endemic States to bring microfilaria prevalence below 1%.
- From February 2026, the National LF Programme has transitioned to a single unified annual MDA campaign, replacing the previous biannual rounds held alongside National Deworming Day.
- Hydrocele surgery for affected patients has been included under the Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) to ensure financial protection.
- The MDA coverage in India has improved from 75% in 2014 to 85% in 2025, while districts stopping MDA after clearing the Transmission Assessment Survey (TAS-1) rose from 15% to 41%.
- Online reporting for the elimination programme is being strengthened through the Integrated Health Information Portal (IHIP).
- The initiative involves multi-sectoral mobilisation with ministries including Panchayati Raj, Rural Development, Women and Child Development, Education, Youth Affairs, Tribal Affairs, and Agriculture.
Two new moniligastrid earthworm species discovered in Silent Valley National Park
[Silent Valley National Park]
Key Updates:
- Researchers discovered two new moniligastrid earthworm species in Silent Valley National Park, part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR) in the Western Ghats.
- The species are Moniligaster girishi and Drawida reynoldsi, belonging to the family Moniligastridae.
- Moniligaster girishi was collected from tropical wet evergreen forest near Chembotti.
- Drawida reynoldsi was collected from montane grassland between Sispara and Anginda.
- Moniligaster girishi is named after P. Girish Kumar, scientist at the Zoological Survey of India’s Western Ghats Regional Centre, Kozhikode.
- Drawida reynoldsi is named after John Warren Reynolds, Canadian earthworm specialist.
- India’s recognised moniligastrid fauna now totals 95 species, with 70 species reported from the Western Ghats.
- Kerala hosts the highest moniligastrid species richness among Western Ghats states, with 30 Drawida and 13 Moniligaster species.
- Nilgiri Hills harbour about 43% (16 species) of Tamil Nadu’s 37 recorded moniligastrid species.
- The discovery is published in the peer-reviewed journal Zootaxa.
Similar Coverage
- Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) researchers identified two new marine worm species, Namalycastis solenotognatha and Nereis dhritiae, in Digha and Bankiput regions of Purba Medinipur, West Bengal.
- Namalycastis solenotognatha inhabits sulfide-rich, foul-smelling mudflats and decomposing mangrove wood, and possesses a channeled jaw structure with multiple pulp-cavity canals.
- Nereis dhritiae was found inside wooden dock piles on sandy beaches submerged at high tide and is named after ZSI’s first woman director Dhriti Banerjee.
- Both species tolerate heavy human activity and industrial pollution, highlighting their resilience and potential as bioindicators for monitoring coastal health.
- A new species of trapdoor spider, named Titanidiops kolhapurensis, has been discovered in the grasslands of Kolhapur district, Maharashtra.
- The discovery was made by a joint research team from the Thackeray Wildlife Foundation and Shivaji University, Kolhapur (SUK).
- The findings were published in the Journal of Natural History, an international research publication based in the United Kingdom (UK).
- The spider is nicknamed darkari koli in Marathi because of its unique ability to craft hinged doors for its burrows.
- The species was classified under the Titanidiops genus based on its specific tooth structure and the arrangement of its eight eyes.
- The spider has been recorded in specific locations including the SUK campus, Shenda Park, Kolhapur Chitranagari area, and Puikhadi hill.
- Researchers found the species is absent in areas overtaken by exotic tree plantations such as Gliricidia sepium, commonly known as Undirmari.
- The research team included Satpal Gangalmale, Sunil Gaikwad, Tejas Thackeray, and Akshay Khandekar.
- Researchers have identified a new dragonfly species named Lyriothemis keralensis, commonly known as the Slender Bombardier, in the coastal regions of Kerala.
- The study was conducted by a team led by Dr Dattaprasad Sawant, Dr A Vivek Chandran, Renjith Jacob Mathews, and Dr Krushnamegh Kunte, and published in the International Journal of Odonatology.
- The species was first spotted in 2013 in the Varappetty area of Kothamangalam and was initially mistaken for Lyriothemis acigastra, also known as the Little Bloodtail.
- Lyriothemis keralensis measures approximately three centimetres in length and features a slimmer abdomen with a unique tail and genital structure.
- Male dragonflies of this species possess a deep blood-red abdomen with black markings, while females are broader with yellow and black colouring.
- The species thrives in human-modified irrigation landscapes such as pineapple and rubber plantations rather than protected forest areas.
- The dragonfly primarily inhabits shaded canals and seasonal pools within agricultural land and is typically active during the monsoon season.
- The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) identified the new Diplura species Lepidocampa sikkimensis near Ravangla in Sikkim.
- Additional specimens of Lepidocampa sikkimensis were later found in Kurseong in Bengal.
- The findings were published on 7 January 2026 in the international taxonomic journal Zootaxa.
- The study provides the first DNA barcode data for an Indian Lepidodcampa species.
- The research team rediscovered the rare sub-species Lepidocampa juradii bengalensis after nearly five decades.
First-ever export of GI-tagged Karbi Anglong Ginger to London
[Assam, London, Karbi Anglong Ginger]
Key Updates:
- Assam exported 1.2 metric tonnes of GI-tagged Karbi Anglong Ginger to London for the first time.
- Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma flagged the shipment as taking 'Brand Assam to the world'.
- Agriculture Minister Atul Bora flagged off the consignment from Krishi Bhawan, Guwahati.
- The export was facilitated by Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) in collaboration with NextOn Foods Pvt. Ltd.
- Karbi Anglong Ginger holds a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for its distinctive aroma, fibre content and pungency.
Similar Coverage
- Ponduru Khadi, the cherished hand-woven cotton fabric from Ponduru village in Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam district, has been awarded the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
- The GI tag is registered in favor of Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC).
- KVIC Chairman Manoj Kumar announced the GI tag award on Friday.
- Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan launched the NeophyteID app at the Kerala Science Congress.
- The Malabar Botanical Garden and Institute for Plant Sciences (MBGIPS) developed the AI-powered mobile application to identify invasive plant species across Kerala.
- The app uses the YOLOv11 machine learning model for image recognition and geospatial tracking to detect and map invasive neophyte plants from camera or gallery images.
- NeophyteID operates in English and Malayalam and targets local communities, students, and ecologists for community-based biodiversity management.
- Each user identification updates a real-time distribution map to support research and conservation efforts.
- The app currently includes data on 98 invasive plant species.
- Developer N Aleem Yoosuf conceived the idea during an invasive plant eradication drive with tribal communities at Sughandagiri Tribal Eco Village, Wayanad.
- Zameel Hassan collaborated on the web application component of NeophyteID.
- World Wildlife Fund (WWF) India has developed the first biodiversity and cultural features map of Goa to be used as an educational tool in schools.
- The map features 48 commonly found species in Goa, covering birds, mammals, reptiles, sea animals, mangroves, and insects.
- Cultural aspects represented on the map include Kaavi art, the dressing of Kunbi women, the folk dance of Ghoddemodni, and the practice of crocodile worship known as manngetapnni.
- The map was created by artist Sudarshan Shaw using a folk indica art style to interest students.
- The initiative is integrated with the National Education Policy (NEP), under which WWF has trained approximately 450 teachers in government and government-aided schools starting from Class VI.
- The map was released by Stephen Alter at the Goa Art and Literature Festival.
- The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has operationalised a web-based portal enabling fully digital submission, review, and issuance of certificates of origin for cultivated medicinal plants.
- The portal replaces paper-based workflows with automated online verification and real-time data validation, cutting administrative effort for AYUSH practitioners, seed producers, and research institutions.
- Built under the Biological Diversity Act amendments approved by Parliament in 2023 and the Biological Diversity Rules notified in 2024 and amended in 2025, the system supports Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) compliance without physical document handling.
- Applications are processed through secure agency-managed logins, with instant cross-department updates and digital storage to strengthen traceability and regulatory oversight.