Early Monsoon Onset 2025

For Prelims:  India Meteorological Department, Southwest monsoon, Westerly winds, Madden-Julian Oscillation, Somali jet 

For Mains: Factors influencing the onset of the southwest monsoon over India. 

Source:IE 

Why in News?

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) declared the southwest monsoon onset over Kerala earlier than usual. This early arrival is significant as the monsoon provides over 70% of India’s annual rainfall, crucial for agriculture and the economy. The last early onset before 2025 was in 2009. 

What are the Criteria for Declaring the Onset of the Monsoon? 

• Essential criteria: IMD declares monsoon onset anytime after May 10 based on key criteria: 
  • Rainfall Criteria: After 10th May, if 60% of 14 designated weather stations in Kerala and surrounding areas (e.g., Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Mangalore) record ≥2.5 mm rainfall for two consecutive days, onset can be considered on the second day. 
  • Wind Field: Westerly winds blow from West to East in the 30 to 60 degree latitudes, both in the northern and southern hemispheres.  
    • For the onset, the depth of westerly winds should be maintained at up to 600 hectoPascals or hPa, which is the unit for measuring atmospheric pressure, and wind speeds must range between 15-20 knots (27-37km/hr) at 925 hPa. 
  • Outgoing Longwave Radiation (OLR): The INSAT-derived OLR value, which measures the energy emitted to space by the Earth's surface, oceans, and atmosphere, should be below 200 watts per square meter (W/m²) in the region between 5°N and 10°N latitude and 70°E and 75°E longitude, indicating sufficient atmospheric heat conducive to rainfall. 
• Once these conditions are met on two consecutive days, IMD declares the monsoon onset.  

What Factors Caused the Early Monsoon Onset 2025? 

• Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO): The MJO  is a transient eastward-moving system of winds, clouds, and pressure disturbances that travels around the equator.  
  • It was identified in 1971 by Roland Madden and Paul Julian, scientists at the National Centre for Atmospheric Research in Colorado. 
  • The MJO typically travels eastward at 4–8 m/s, and completes one global cycle in 30–60 days, though sometimes it takes up to 90 days. 
  • It influences weather in tropical regions, especially between 30°N and 30°S, which includes India. 
  • MJO has two distinct phases: an active phase, which brings enhanced convection and increased rainfall, and a suppressed phase, which leads to reduced convection and drier conditions.  
  • It can trigger cyclones and cause brief but intense rainfall spells, even during dry periods. 
• Mascarene High: The IMD describes the Mascarene High as a high-pressure area found around the Mascarene Islands (in the south Indian Ocean) during the monsoon period.  
  • The variation in the intensity of high pressure is responsible for heavy rains along India’s west coast. 
• Convection: An increase in the convective activity, that is, the vertical transport of heat and moisture in the atmosphere, also brings rainfall. 
• Somali Jet: It is a low-level, inter-hemispheric cross-equatorial wind band originating near Mauritius and north Madagascar.  
  • During May, after crossing the east coast of Africa, it reaches the Arabian Sea and the west coast of India. A strong Somali jet is associated with the strengthening of monsoon winds. 
• Heat-low: As the Sun moves northward, a low-pressure zone forms over the Arabian Sea and Pakistan, acting like a suction pump to draw moist air along the monsoon trough, boosting monsoon rainfall. 
• Monsoon Trough: It is an elongated low-pressure area extending from the heat low to the north Bay of Bengal. The north-south swinging of this trough causes rainfall during the June–September period across the core monsoon zone. 
• Cyclonic Monsoon Vortex: It is also known as a Monsoon Onset Vortex (MOV), is a synoptic-scale cyclonic circulation that forms over the Arabian Sea during the Indian summer monsoon.  
  • These vortices can intensify into tropical cyclones and play a crucial role in the onset and advance of the monsoon. 
• Pressure gradients: It is  the rate of change of pressure over a given distance. It also supports the strong monsoon onset. 

 

Other Factors Influencing Monsoon 

• Monsoon low: It is a type of low-pressure area (LPA) characterized by the lowest pressure at its center with winds blowing anticlockwise in the Northern Hemisphere. 
  • It causes air to converge and rise, leading to cloud formation and rainfall. During the monsoon season, these LPAs are known as monsoon lows and can intensify into monsoon depressions, which are the main rain-bearing systems of the southwest monsoon over India.  
• Tibetan High: It is a warm anticyclone located over the Tibetan Plateau in the middle to upper troposphere during the monsoon season.  
  • It produces an outflow of easterly winds that form a jet stream near Chennai. The position of this Easterly Jetstream influences the monsoon rainfall pattern over India. 

How are Rainfall alerts Categorised? 

Alert Colour	Rainfall Category (24 hrs)	Weather Description	Advisory / Action
Green	Less than 64 mm	Light rain	No advisory: Weather is generally safe; no action needed.
Yellow	64.5 – 115.5 mm	Moderate rain	Be aware: Minor disruptions possible; stay informed and updated.
Orange	115.6 – 204.4 mm	Heavy to very heavy rain	Be prepared: Likely disruptions in transport, power; take necessary precautions.
Red	204.5 mm and above	Extremely heavy rain	Take action: High risk to life and property; follow emergency measures immediately.

    

What is the Impact of Early Onset of Monsoon? 

• Boost to Kharif Crop Sowing: Early monsoon facilitates timely sowing of major Kharif crops like rice, maize, millets, toor, and moong, ensuring higher productivity. 
• Vegetable and Mushroom Cultivation: Pre-monsoon rains benefit vegetable farmers (e.g., tomatoes, okra, beans) and mushroom growers by creating a cool, moist environment favorable for cultivation. 
• Water Resource Management: Early rainfall recharges groundwater, fills reservoirs, and improves irrigation, essential for both agriculture and hydropower generation. 
• Increased Spoilage & Inflation Pressure: Unanticipated rains have led to farm-level spoilage, pushing up vegetable prices in cities like Mumbai. 
• Weather Extremes and Flood Risks: Heavy downpours, lightning, and gusty winds in parts of Kerala, Karnataka, and Maharashtra raise concerns over localized flooding and damage to standing crops. 
• Enhanced Export Potential: Increased crop production could improve farm incomes, boost agri-exports, and support India’s GDP growth.
  

Why do Cyclones not occur in India during the Peak Monsoon Months? 

• Conditions Required for Cyclone Formation: Tropical cyclogenesis (cyclone formation) requires a combination of the following environmental factors: 
  • Warm ocean waters with temperatures of at least 26.5°C, extending to a depth of 50 meters or more. 
  • High humidity in the mid-troposphere, around 5 km altitude, to support cloud development. 
  • Low vertical wind shear, meaning there should be minimal difference in wind speed and direction between the surface and the upper atmosphere, allowing the system to remain vertically aligned. 
  • A pre-existing low-pressure disturbance near the surface to initiate cyclonic rotation. 
• Atmospheric Conditions During Monsoon: Despite warm seas and high moisture (both crucial for cyclone formation) India rarely experiences cyclones during July and August, the peak monsoon months.  
  • This is primarily due to unfavorable atmospheric conditions, especially strong vertical wind shear that prevents cyclones from developing and sustaining.  
  • Westerly winds peak at 20–25 knots between 900 and 800 hPa, while easterly winds reach 60–80 knots at 150–100 hPa over peninsular India.  
    • This results in high vertical wind shear, disrupting cyclone formation and making conditions unfavorable for tropical cyclogenesis during these months. 

What is the Impact of Climate Change on Indian Monsoon? 

• Increasing Extreme Rainfall Events: Rising trend in both the frequency and magnitude of extreme rainfall events during the monsoon season, particularly over central India. This is attributed to climate change combined with natural variability. 
  • Alongside more extreme events, there is a decreasing trend in moderate rainfall occurrences during the monsoon season over central India. 
• Overall Monsoon Rainfall Decline: Over the last 50 years, summer monsoon precipitation (June to September) over India has declined by approximately 6%, with significant reductions noted over the Indo-Gangetic Plains and the Western Ghats. 
• Increase in Heavy Rainfall Frequency: Central India has experienced about a 75% increase in the frequency of daily extreme precipitation events, defined as rainfall exceeding 150 mm per day. 
• Warming Atmosphere and Moisture Capacity:  The Earth’s rising temperature due to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions increases the atmosphere’s capacity to hold moisture. 
  • According to the Clausius-Clapeyron Relation principle, the moisture-holding capacity of air increases by approximately 7% for every 1°C rise in temperature. 
  • As the atmosphere holds more moisture, heavy rainfall events are expected to become more frequent and intense under changing climate conditions. 

Withdrawal of Monsoon 

• The withdrawal of monsoon is defined as the gradual retreat of the southwest (SW) monsoon from different parts of India. It marks the end of the rainy season and is characterized by: 
  • Cessation of rainfall for at least 5 consecutive days. 
  • Change in wind patterns, especially a shift from southwesterly to northeasterly directions. 
  • Reduction in atmospheric moisture as seen in satellite water vapour imagery and tephigrams. 
  • Formation of anticyclonic circulation in the lower troposphere  (850 hPa and below). 

Drishti Mains Question:

Discuss the atmospheric and oceanic factors responsible for the early onset of the southwest monsoon.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ) 

Prelims:

Q. With reference to ‘Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD)’ sometimes mentioned in the news while forecasting Indian monsoon, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2017)

1. The IOD phenomenon is characterized by a difference in sea surface temperature between tropical Western Indian Ocean and tropical Eastern Pacific Ocean. 
2. An IOD phenomenon can influence an El Nino’s impact on the monsoon. 

Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

(a) 1 only 

(b) 2 only 

(c) Both 1 and 2 

(d) Neither 1 nor 2 

Ans: (b) 

---

Mains:

Q. How far do you agree that the behavior of the Indian monsoon has been changing due to humanizing landscape? Discuss. (2015)

India’s AMR Crisis

For Prelims: Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), Nafithromycin, Superbugs, WHO, Broad-spectrum Antibiotics, National Action Plan on AMR, National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Red Line Campaign, Fixed-dose Combination (FDC), Schedule H1 Drugs, GLASS (Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System). 

For Mains: Antimicrobial Resistance, their implications, Steps taken and additional measures needed to curb AMR. 

Source: TH 

Why in News? 

The launch of Nafithromycin (Miqnaf)—India’s first indigenously developed antibiotic in over 30 years, marks a key step in combating Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), but the scale and urgency of the AMR crisis demand far broader and sustained efforts.

What is Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)? 

• About: AMR occurs when microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites) adapt and resist drugs like antibiotics and antivirals, making infections harder to treat and easier to spread. 
  • Often called "superbugs," these drug-resistant microbes are a major global threat and are listed by WHO among the top 10 health risks. 
• Threat: A 2019 report by the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) revealed that AMR caused 2,97,000 deaths in India and 1.27 million globally.  
  • If unchecked, The Lancet projects 1.91 million direct AMR deaths and 8.22 million associated deaths by 2050. 

What are the Key Issues Leading to Rise of AMR in India?   

• Overuse of Antibiotics: Improper prescriptions and overuse of antibiotics—even for viral infections like influenza—drives resistance.  
  • Although only 30% of antibiotics are used in humans, in 2022, 59% of India’s antibiotic consumption came from the "Watch" group. 
    • The "Watch" group is a category of antibiotics classified by the World Health Organization (WHO), intended for use only in treating severe infections. 
• Inadequate Healthcare Infrastructure: Lack of diagnostic tools leads doctors to prescribe broad-spectrum antibiotics empirically. Overcrowded, unhygienic hospitals and poor infection control promote resistant bacteria and hospital-acquired infections.  
  • Frequent AMR outbreaks in Indian tertiary care centers highlight systemic deficiencies fueling antimicrobial resistance (AMR) . 
• Lack of New Antibiotics: No new antibiotics emerged for 30 years until Nafithromycin (2024), as pharma companies prioritize more profitable chronic disease drugs over antibiotic R&D. 
• Unregulated Use in Agriculture and Animal Husbandry: India is among the top antibiotic consumers in livestock, where 70% are used for growth promotion in livestock, agriculture, and aquaculture.  
  • These antibiotics enter the food chain and environment, spreading resistance. Indiscriminate antibiotic use in aquaculture further worsens the problem. 
• Environmental Factors: Pharmaceutical factories discharge antibiotic residues into water bodies without proper treatment, contaminating rivers and soil, and creating resistance hotspots.  
  • Inadequate sewage and waste management in India further allow resistant microbes to spread unchecked in the environment. 

 

What are the Consequences of Rising Antimicrobial Resistance? 

• Health Catastrophe: AMR makes infections harder to treat, raising mortality and morbidity. Common illnesses like tuberculosis, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections can become life-threatening.  
  • E.g., In 2017, multidrug-resistant or rifampicin-resistant TB caused 230,000 deaths, mostly in India and China. 
  • Surgeries, chemotherapy, and transplants depend on effective antibiotics; without them, routine procedures become high-risk. 
• Economic Cost: The World Bank estimates AMR could add USD 1 trillion in healthcare costs by 2050 and cause USD 1–3.4 trillion in annual GDP losses by 2030. 
  • Longer illnesses and deaths lower workforce efficiency, while livestock losses disrupt food chains. 
• Food Security Crisis: With 70% of antibiotics used in farming, the AMR accelerates threatening food availability, quality, and safety, and posing a risk to national food security.  
  • E.g., Resistant E. coli in poultry can infect humans, and antifungal-resistant blights harm crops like wheat, rice, and bananas. 
• Environmental Spread: Drug waste, hospital sewage, and farm runoff spread resistance genes, while migratory birds and marine life carry resistant bacteria worldwide.  
  • E.g., the River Ganga carries superbug bacterial genes, exposing users to antibiotic-resistant infections. 
• Social Implications: Poorer communities and countries with limited healthcare face higher AMR deaths due to scarce diagnostics and drugs, risking declining public confidence in treatments.  

What Measures are Underway to Tackle Antimicrobial Resistance in India? 

• National Action Plan on AMR (2017): NAP on AMR  aligns with global efforts, focusing on surveillance, rational antibiotic use, and public awareness.  
  • Coordinated by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), it covers 50 medical colleges/labs across 27 states and 6 UTs as of March 2024. 
• AMR Surveillance Networks: Through the National Antimicrobial Surveillance Network (NARS-Net), India monitors nine priority bacterial pathogens, including Escherichia coli.  
• Antibiotic Regulation: In August 2024, the government banned 156 fixed-dose combination (FDC) drugs, including popular medicines such as Cheston Cold and Foracet.  
  • Hospital Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs (AMSP) optimize patient care and help combat antimicrobial resistance.  
  • Schedule H1 drugs (last-resort antibiotics e.g., carbapenems) require chemists to retain prescription copies before sale. 
  • In January 2024, Kerala became the first state in India to ban the over-the-counter sale of antibiotics without a prescription, setting an example that other states can follow to reduce antibiotic misuse. 
• Research & Innovation: Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) India AMR Challenge identifies and supports startups, companies, and innovators developing technologies to tackle AMR.  
  • Companies like Wockhardt, Orchid Pharma, and Bugworks are among the few in India focusing on antibiotic development. 
• Public Awareness: Red Line Campaign warns against using medicines marked with a vertical red line, including antibiotics, without a prescription. 
• Global Collaboration: India participates in WHO's GLASS (Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System) to standardize and strengthen the collection, analysis, and sharing of data on AMR across countries. 

What Further Measures Should be Adopted to Combat AMR?    

• Strengthening Regulations: Enforce Schedule H1 to ban over-the-counter antibiotic sales with prescription retention, expand the colistin (growth promoter in the poultry industry) ban on non-therapeutic antibiotics in livestock, and regulate pharmaceutical antibiotic discharge into water bodies. 
  • India must strengthen the Drug and Cosmetics Act to penalize unauthorized antibiotic sales and enforce prescription audits. 
• Domestic Antibiotic Development: Government must incentivize pharma through tax breaks & grants (like BIRAC’s support for Nafithromycin) and expand initiatives like C-CAMP AMR Challenge to support startups (e.g., Bugworks). 
• Enhancing Antibiotic Stewardship Programs: Hospitals and clinics must implement antibiotic stewardship programs to optimize prescription and usage, supported by training on rational use and regular prescription audits.  
  • Incorporating stewardship into medical education and professional development ensures sustainable change.  
  • Use machine learning for real-time AMR tracking and isolate AMR patients to prevent outbreaks. 
• Expanding and Upgrading Diagnostic Facilities: Improved access to affordable, rapid diagnostic tests helps confirm bacterial infections before prescribing antibiotics, preventing unnecessary use.  
  • Investing in point-of-care diagnostics at rural and primary health centers reduces guesswork and supports targeted therapy. 
• Public Awareness: Expand Red Line awareness to include AMR risks in livestock and agriculture, with ASHA workers educating rural communities and farmers attending workshops on reducing antibiotic use in poultry and aquaculture. 
• Promoting One Health Approach: Promote multisectoral collaboration across health, veterinary, agriculture, and environment sectors and enforce stricter regulations on antibiotic use in livestock and agriculture to reduce misuse and contamination.

Conclusion 

The launch of Nafithromycin marks a significant milestone, but combating AMR requires a multifaceted, sustained approach. Strengthening regulations, fostering One Health collaboration, boosting domestic antibiotic innovation, enhancing rapid diagnostics and hospital stewardship, and expanding public awareness are crucial to curb resistance and safeguard global health security. 

Drishti Mains Question:

Q. Discuss the causes of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in India and suggest a comprehensive strategy to combat it. 

 

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQ)  

Prelims

Q. What is the importance of using Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines in India? (2020)  

1. These vaccines are effective against pneumonia as well as meningitis and sepsis. 
2. Dependence on antibiotics that are not effective against drug-resistant bacteria can be reduced. 
3. These vaccines have no side effects and cause no allergic reactions. 

Select the correct answer using the code given below:  

(a) 1 only   

(b) 1 and 2 only  

(c) 3 only   

(d) 1, 2 and 3  

Ans: (b) 

Q. Which of the following are the reasons for the occurrence of multi-drug resistance in microbial pathogens in India? (2019)  

1. Genetic predisposition of some people 
2. Taking incorrect doses of antibiotics to cure diseases 
3. Using antibiotics in livestock farming 
4. Multiple chronic diseases in some people 

Select the correct answer using the code given below.  

(a) 1 and 2   

(b) 2 and 3 only  

(c) 1, 3 and 4   

(d) 2, 3 and 4  

Ans: (b)

---

Mains 

Q. Can overuse and free availability of antibiotics without Doctor’s prescription, be contributors to the emergence of drug-resistant diseases in India? What are the available mechanisms for monitoring and control? Critically discuss the various issues involved. (2014)

World Dugong Day

Source: TH 

Why in News?  

As the world observed World Dugong Day on 28th May, attention turned toward India’s dwindling dugong population. With only around 200 individuals remaining in the wild, making their conservation a pressing national priority.

What are Dugongs? 

• About: Dugongs (Dugong dugon), also called “sea cows,” are marine mammals that graze on seagrass beds, earning them the nickname “farmers of the sea.” They are the only herbivorous marine mammals found in Indian waters. 
• Distribution: Dugongs are distributed throughout the Indo-Pacific region, and along the Indian coastline, they primarily inhabit the warm waters around the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Gulf of Mannar, Palk Bay, and the Gulf of Kutch. 
  • The Palk Bay is considered their last stronghold in Indian waters. 

 

• Behaviour: The dugong is a long-lived species, capable of living up to 70 years. Typically solitary or found in small mother-calf pairs, large herds common in Australian waters are rare in India.  
  • Dugongs reach reproductive maturity at nine to ten years and give birth every three to five years.  
  • This slow reproductive cycle, combined with extended maturity and infrequent calving, limits the population’s maximum growth rate to about 5% per year. 
  • They are closely related to manatees but are strictly marine and shy in nature. 
    • Manatees are large, herbivorous aquatic mammals of the Sirenia group, found in coastal regions of South America, West Africa, and the Caribbean. 
• Diet: Dugongs feed on seagrass species such as Cymodocea, Halophila, Thalassia, and Halodule, consuming 20-30 kg per day. Their feeding stirs up the seabed, helping maintain seagrass health and biodiversity. 
• Protection: The Dugong  is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.  
  • Appendix I of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) bans international trade of dugongs or their parts, ensuring strict protection. 
  • In India, Dugongs are protected under Schedule 1 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. 
  • India is a signatory to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) since 1983 and to the CMS Dugong Memorandum of Understanding since 2008.  
    • A national Task Force has been set up to address dugong conservation and CMS implementation. 
  • The Dugong Conservation Reserve, established in 2022 in Palk Bay, Tamil Nadu, protects about 122 sq km of seagrass along the coasts of Thanjavur and Pudukottai districts. 
• Threats: Habitat loss is a major concern, as seagrass meadows are being destroyed by port construction, dredging, land reclamation, and pollution from agricultural runoff, sewage, and industrial waste.  
  • Mechanised fishing has degraded dugong habitats and increased accidental entanglement in nets, often causing fatal drownings. 
  • Climate change has added another layer of vulnerability, with rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification, and extreme weather events affecting both food availability and breeding grounds.  
  • Illegal hunting also persists, especially in remote regions like the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.  
  • Additionally, their slow reproductive cycle (maturing at 9–10 years and reproducing only once every 3–5 years) severely limits their ability to recover. 
• Dugong Conservation: Protecting and restoring seagrass habitats is vital for dugong conservation. This involves mapping and monitoring seagrass meadows, restricting damaging activities, and promoting community-led stewardship, especially with local fishers.  
  • Regulating harmful fishing methods like gill nets and trawling in dugong areas reduces accidental harm. 
  • More research funding is needed for long-term dugong studies, supported by citizen science and traditional knowledge. Technologies like tagging and drones aid in tracking and habitat identification.

Seagrass 

• Seagrass is an underwater flowering plant, not to be confused with seaweed (macroalgae). Classified as wetland ecosystems, seagrass meadows stabilize the seafloor, support fisheries, capture carbon, and shelter marine life.  
  • Healthy seagrass is essential for dugongs and marine life such as turtles and fish.  
  • A 2022 study by the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management documented 516.59 sq. km of seagrass habitat in India. This translates to a carbon dioxide sequestration potential of up to 434.9 tonnes per sq. km each year. 
• India’s most extensive seagrass meadows occur along the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay, off the coast of Tamil Nadu, and together support more than 13 species of seagrass (the highest diversity in the Indian Ocean).  
  • Seagrass in Lakshadweep and Kachchh is patchy and threatened by port activities and pollution. Andhra Pradesh and Odisha have minor, limited seagrass habitats unsuitable for dugongs.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs) 

Prelims

Q. With reference to ‘dugong’, a mammal found in India, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2015)

1. It is a herbivorous marine animal. 
2. It is found along the entire coast of India. 
3. It is given legal protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act; 1972. 

Select the correct answer using the code given below.  

(a) 1 and 2 only 

(b) 2 and 3 only 

(c) 1 and 3 only 

(d) 1, 2 and 3 

Ans: C

First Successful Use of Customised Base Editing

Source: IE 

Why in News? 

Scientists in the US have, for the first time, successfully employed a successful CRISPR-based gene-editing therapy to treat a baby diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder known as CPS1 deficiency. 

• CPS1 deficiency is a rare metabolic disorder in which the liver is unable to effectively process byproducts of protein metabolism, resulting in the accumulation of toxic levels of ammonia in the body.    

What is Gene Editing Therapy? 

• About: Gene Editing Therapy is a medical approach that involves precisely modifying DNA to correct genetic defects, treat diseases, or enhance biological functions.  
  • The most widely used tool is CRISPR-Cas9, which acts like molecular scissors to cut and edit specific genes. 
• Applications: Treating Genetic Disorders e.g., Sickle Cell Anemia, Cancer Immunotherapy e.g., CAR-T Cell Therapy and Agricultural Uses e.g., Drought-resistant crops. 
• Tools Used for Gene Editing: CRISPR-Cas9 technology is a powerful and precise tool for editing genes that allows scientists to cut and modify DNA at specific locations inside living organisms. 
  • It uses guide RNA to locate and cut faulty DNA, enabling scientists to replace it with the correct sequence for cellular repair. 
    • TALENs and ZFNs: Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nucleases (TALENs) and Zinc Finger Nucleases (ZFNs) are older technologies that also allow targeted DNA modifications. 

 

How does Base Editing Differ from Traditional Gene Editing? 

• Base Editing: Unlike CRISPR-Cas9, which creates double-strand breaks in DNA, Base editing allows direct, precise conversion of one DNA base into another without cutting both DNA strands.  
  • This reduces risks of unintended mutations and improves accuracy. 
• Mechanism: The base editing tool uses a fusion of Cas9 with a base-modifying enzyme to convert specific bases (for example, changing a faulty cytosine to thymine) that cause genetic diseases. 
• Precision: Base editing can be likened to using a pencil eraser to fix a typo instead of scissors and glue, allowing safer and more targeted genetic correction. 
  • Scientists identified the exact mispaired base causing CPS1 deficiency and used a base editor to precisely locate and correct it in his DNA. 
    • This personalized treatment eliminated toxic ammonia buildup, marking the first known successful human case of base editing. 

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ) 

Prelims

Q. What is the Cas9 protein that is often mentioned in the news? (2019)

(a) A molecular scissors used in targeted gene editing 

(b) A biosensor used in the accurate detection of pathogens in patients 

(c) A gene that makes plants pest-resistant 

(d) A herbicidal substance synthesized in genetically modified crops 

Ans: (a)

NASA’s GRAIL Mission

Source: TH 

NASA’s Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission has revealed notable contrasts between the Moon’s near side and far side due to temperature variations, crust thickness, and ancient volcanic activity. 

• GRAIL used twin spacecraft, Ebb and Flow, to study the Moon's internal structure in detail and to produce the highest-resolution gravity map of the moon by mapping lunar gravitational variations. 
• Key Findings of GRAIL Mission: 
  • Tidal Locking: The Moon's rotation period equals its orbit period, so one side always faces Earth and the other permanently hidden. 
  • Temperature Difference: The Moon’s near side (facing Earth) is warmer, softer, and was once partly molten, while the far side (hidden from Earth) is colder with a thicker crust that blocks magma eruptions. 
  • Volcanic History: The Moon’s near side features dark lava plains (maria), while the far side has a thicker crust with fewer lava flows. 
  • Thermal Asymmetry: It estimated a temperature difference of 100–200°C between hemispheres. It found that the Moon’s crust is more porous and thinner than previously believed.  
• The phenomenon helps explain the Moon's Janus-faced appearance i.e., one side bright and heavily cratered, the other dark and smooth.

Read More: NASA's Artemis Program 

Sugar Boards

Source: TH 

To combat the rising health risks associated with excessive sugar consumption among school children, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has mandated the establishment of ‘sugar boards’ in over 24,000 affiliated schools across India. 

• ‘Sugar boards’ visually display the sugar content in common beverages and snacks, educating children about the health risks of high sugar intake using simple, relatable comparisons like teaspoons of sugar. 
• The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has urged all schools, including state boards, to implement sugar boards, highlighting a significant increase in Type-2 diabetes. 
• Studies show Indian children consume sugar amounts (13-15% of daily calories) far exceeding the recommended 5% limit, increasing their risk of lifestyle diseases. 
• The Food Standards and Safety Authority of India (FSSAI) is yet to finalize High Fat, Salt, and Sugar (HFSS) standards for school meals and front-of-pack labelling. 
• India follows World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines recommending adults and children limit free sugar intake to under 10% of daily energy.  
  • Experts urge stricter limits due to higher local heart disease risk. A nationwide study is needed to set suitable standards. 

Read more: Curbing Intake of Processed Foods 

Asian Productivity Organization

Source: PIB 

India has officially assumed the Chairmanship of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) for the 2025–26 term during the 67th Governing Body Meeting (GBM).

Asian Productivity Organization (APO) 

• About: The APO, is an intergovernmental body established in 1961 with headquarters at Tokyo.  
  • It aims to improve productivity through regional cooperation and capacity building across the Asia-Pacific region. 
  • It contributes to the sustainable socioeconomic development of the region through policy advisory services, and undertaking smart initiatives in the industry, agriculture, service, and public sectors. 
• Members & Organisation Structure: APO membership is open to Asia-Pacific countries that are also members of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP).  
  • UNESCAP is the regional development arm of the UN for the Asia-Pacific region. 
    • It currently has 21 member economies, including India (a founding member). 
    • Member countries collaborate through their respective National Productivity Organizations (NPOs). 
  • National Productivity Council (NPC), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, is the designated NPO for India. 
    • APO includes the Governing Body, which is the highest decision-making authority and meets annually to set strategic direction, and review performance.  

Read More: National Productivity Council,  Significance of Indo-Pacific 

Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan

Source: DD 

The Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan is a nationwide campaign launched to modernize Indian agriculture through scientific outreach, sustainable practices, and farmer empowerment. 

• About: Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan is conducted biannually before the Kharif and Rabi sowing seasons to provide timely field-level guidance on improving crop production, soil health, and resource management. 
  • It aims to cover over 65,000 villages across 723 districts and is expected to directly engage more than 1.3 crore farmers, fostering the adoption of scientific farming practices and promoting sustainable agricultural growth. 
  • It aligns with the vision of making India the “Food Basket of the World” through science-backed, climate-resilient, and farmer-centric agriculture. 
• Organizers: The campaign is organized by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), State Agriculture Departments, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). 
• India promotes tech-driven farming through the Digital Agriculture Mission, AgriStack (Farmer IDs), and Namo Drone Didi.  
  • Apps like Kisan Suvidha and AI-based irrigation under "Per Drop More Crop" enhance farm advice and water efficiency. 

Read more: Advancing Indian Farms with Digital Solutions 

India’s First Gene-Edited Sheep

Source: IE 

Researchers from Kashmir have successfully developed India’s first gene-edited sheep using CRISPR-Cas9 technology, under a project funded by the ICAR. 

• They edited the myostatin gene in a local Merino lamb, increasing muscle mass by 30%, similar to European Texel sheep. It contains no foreign DNA, making it non-transgenic. 

Gene Editing  

• About: Gene Editing (or Genome Editing) is a biotechnology that enables the precise modification of an organism’s genetic material (DNA or RNA). 
  • It allows scientists to add, delete, or alter specific gene sequences within the genome using specialised tools. 
• Key Gene Editing Methods: 
  • CRISPR-Cas9: CRISPR-Cas9 (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) is a widely used gene-editing tool that uses a guide RNA (gRNA) to direct the Cas9 enzyme to a specific DNA sequence, where it makes a double-strand cut; the cell then repairs the DNA, enabling gene disruption or insertion. 
    • The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2020 was awarded jointly to Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer A. Doudna for the development of a method for genome editing. 

 

• Zinc Finger Nucleases (ZFNs): ZFNs are artificial gene-editing tools composed of a DNA-binding domain (zinc finger proteins) and a DNA-cleaving domain (FokI endonuclease).  
• The zinc finger proteins are engineered to recognize and bind specific DNA sequences, while the FokI enzyme cuts the DNA at the target site. 
• Gene Knockout is a genetic technique where a specific gene is deliberately disabled or deleted to stop its protein expression. It helps study gene function by comparing traits in organisms with and without the gene. 

Read More: Genome Sequencing