GARBHINI DRISHTI
Department of Biotechnology has launched GARBH-INi-DRISHTI
- Data dashboard that provides a comprehensive overview of maternal and child health databases.
- Developed under the GARBH-INi program.
- A flagship programme supported by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).
Samudrayaan Project
Samudrayaan project has received Rs 600cr in Union Budget 2025-26.
- Part of – Deep Ocean Mission
- Ministry – Ministry of Earth Sciences
- Aim – To develop a self-propelled manned submersible to carry 3 human beings to a water depth of 6000 meters for deep ocean exploration.
Invasive Fish Species
NGT has sought a response from Centre on two invasive fish species being used as biological agents for controlling mosquitoes.
- Gambusia –
- Found in Mississippi River basin from central Indiana and Illinois, south to Gulf of Mexico.
- Found in freshwater; Viviparous and breeds throughout summer.
- Do not lay eggs, but rather give birth to live young.
- Guppy – Mostly in Northern South America and Caribbean islands.
Ocean Coordination Mechanism
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (UNESCO-IOC) signs MoU to establish Ocean Coordination Mechanism for Wider Caribbean Region.
- Objective – Securing a sustainable future for the Wider Caribbean region’s marine ecosystems.
- Funding from Global Environment Facility (GEF).
- Functions – Promoting regional cooperation among Signatories for sustainable use of marine resources.
Neutrinos
A small detector, weighing under 3 kilograms, successfully identified anti-neutrinos, which are the antimatter counterparts of neutrinos.
- Subatomic particles with no electric charge and an extremely small mass, almost close to 0.
- Abundant particles in the universe, following photons.
- Interact with matter only via the weak nuclear force and gravity, making them incredibly difficult to detect.
- Global Neutrino Detection Initiatives – IceCube Neutrino Observatory (Antarctica), Super-Kamiokande (Japan)
- India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) is in Tamil Nadu