Sarnath

India has nominated Sarnath for the UNESCO World Heritage List for the 2025–26 cycle.

What is Sarnath?

• One of the four sacred Buddhist sites (along with Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, and Kushinagar), located 10 km from Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh).
• It is the place where Buddha delivered his first sermon (Dhammachakkappavattana Sutta).

History & Importance:

• Ashoka (268–232 BCE) built the Lion Capital (National Emblem) and stupas here.
• Became a major monastic center during the Kushan and Gupta periods.
• Destroyed in the 12th century, rediscovered in the 18th–19th century by Jagat Singh, Cunningham, and Oertel.

Key Sites:

• Dhamek Stupa, Ashokan Pillar & Lion Capital, Sarnath Museum.

National Geothermal Energy Policy 2025

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) launched the National Geothermal Energy Policy 2025 to harness India’s 10 GW potential.

Objectives:

• Research & Innovation: Exploration, drilling, cost-effective production.
• Collaboration: Partnerships with global agencies and the oil-gas sector.
• Decarbonisation: Use in space heating, agriculture, and tourism.
• Infrastructure: Reuse of abandoned oil/gas wells.

Key Features:

• 100% FDI allowed, tax exemptions, single-window clearance.
• 381 hot springs identified (Ladakh–Puga, Himachal–Manikaran, Chhattisgarh–Tatapani as key sites).
• Uses: Electricity, heating, cold storage, greenhouses, tourism, and mineral extraction (lithium, boron).

Denotified, Nomadic & Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNTs)

The Development Board for DNT/NT/SNT Communities (DWBDNC) has written to the PM demanding permanent commission status, staff, and financial powers.

Who are they?

• Denotified Tribes (DNTs): Communities branded as “born criminals” under the Criminal Tribes Act, 1871 during British rule.
• Nomadic Tribes (NTs): Communities that migrate continuously/seasonally for livelihood.
• Semi-Nomadic Tribes (SNTs): Communities with short-distance and short-duration migration.

Current Status:

• Around 10% of India’s population (~130 million).
• 150 DNT and ~500 NT communities.
• Renke Commission (2008) and Idate Commission (2017) highlighted their marginalisation.

Development Board (2019):

• Advisory body under the Ministry of Social Justice.
• Implements SEED Scheme, scholarships, hostels, and skill development.

Coloured Photos of Candidates on EVMs

The Election Commission has revised the EVM ballot design under Rule 49B, 1961.

New Provision:

• For the first time, ballot papers will have coloured photographs of candidates.
• Larger serial numbers for candidates/NOTA, improved design.

Objectives:

• Greater clarity and transparency for voters.
• To reduce confusion in cases of candidates with similar names/symbols.

Features:

• 75% of photo box reserved for the face.
• Pink-coloured paper for Assembly elections.
• Maximum 15 candidates per sheet, rest left blank.

Significance:

• Easier for new and elderly voters.
• Strengthens identification and transparency.
• Enhances credibility of free and fair elections.

Hathei Chilli

Recently, the 14th Sirarakhong Hathei Chilli Festival was inaugurated in Manipur to promote the GI-tagged Hathei chilli.

• Commonly known as Sirarakhong chilli.
• Grows only in the climatic conditions of Sirarakhong village (66 km from Imphal, Manipur).
• Cultivated on slopes under the jhum system.
• Received GI Tag in 2021.

Features of Hathei Chilli:

• Considered one of the best varieties of chilli in the world, with unique colour, taste, size, and shape typical of Sirarakhong village.
• High demand both inside and outside Manipur due to its deep red colour and special taste.
• Main source of income for Tangkhul Naga-dominated Sirarakhong village.
• Extremely high ASTA (American Spice Trade Association) colour value of 164.
• Health benefits: Rich in antioxidants, calcium, and Vitamin C.

What is a Geographical Indication (GI) Tag?

• A tag indicating the geographical origin of a product.
• Given to food items, handicrafts, industrial goods, wines & spirits, and agricultural products.
• Governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
• Granted by the Geographical Indication Registry under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry.

Global Innovation Index (GII)

According to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Global Innovation Index 2025, R&D growth fell to 2.9% in 2024 and is projected to drop further to 2.3% in 2025.

About GII:

• Ranks countries based on innovation capacity and success.
• First launched in 2007, it is a leading global benchmark for innovation.
• Recognised by the UN General Assembly as an authoritative reference for STI (Science, Technology, Innovation) policies.
• Published annually by WIPO.
• Tracks global innovation through investment trends, technological progress, adoption rates, and socio-economic impacts.
• Significance: Useful for governments, industry, researchers, and stakeholders in innovation ecosystems.

Key Highlights of GII 2025:

• Top 5 innovators: Switzerland (1st for 15th consecutive year), Sweden (2nd), USA (3rd), South Korea (4th), Singapore (5th).
• New entrants & rising stars: China entered the top 10 for the first time (10th place), leading among middle-income countries.
• Other climbers: India, Türkiye, Vietnam, Morocco.
• India’s position: Rose to 38th among 139 economies in 2025, compared to 81st in 2015.

  According to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Global Innovation Index 2025, R&D growth fell to 2.9% in 2024 and is projected to drop further to 2.3% in 2025.

  About GII:

• Ranks countries based on innovation capacity and success.
• First launched in 2007, it is a leading global benchmark for innovation.
• Recognised by the UN General Assembly as an authoritative reference for STI (Science, Technology, Innovation) policies.
• Published annually by WIPO.
• Tracks global innovation through investment trends, technological progress, adoption rates, and socio-economic impacts.
• Significance: Useful for governments, industry, researchers, and stakeholders in innovation ecosystems.

• Key Highlights of GII 2025:

• Top 5 innovators: Switzerland (1st for 15th consecutive year), Sweden (2nd), USA (3rd), South Korea (4th), Singapore (5th).
• New entrants & rising stars: China entered the top 10 for the first time (10th place), leading among middle-income countries.
• Other climbers: India, Türkiye, Vietnam, Morocco.
• India’s position: Rose to 38th among 139 economies in 2025, compared to 81st in 2015.