Daily Current Affairs 2025  

12/12/2025

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CA-12/12/2025

• NSIL is a Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Department of Space, Government of India.​ It is a commercial arm of ISRO.
• It was incorporated on 6 March 2019 to commercially exploit the products and services emanating from the Indian space programme.​
• Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka.​

• NSIL is mandated to be the primary commercial interface for ISRO, handling end‑to‑end commercial space activities on a demand‑driven model.​
• It aims to scale up private/Indian industry participation in all segments: satellites, launch vehicles, launch services, and space‑based services.​
• Under space sector reforms (June 2020), it was designated as a full‑fledged satellite operator and single‑window commercial entity for space services.​

• Own and operate communication and earth observation satellites and provide space‑based services (e.g., transponder capacity, EO data) to domestic and international customers.​
• Build and launch satellites as per customer demand, including in‑orbit delivery services.​
• Enable production of launch vehicles (PSLV, LVM3, SSLV) through Indian industry and provide commercial launch services on these vehicles.​
• Transfer ISRO/DoS technologies to Indian industry and market spin‑off technologies.​

• NSIL provides launch services using vehicles like PSLV, SSLV, GSLV, and GSLV MkIII for customer satellites.
• The company owns, builds, and operates Earth observation and communication satellites, including in-orbit delivery and ground segment establishment.
• NSIL also offers satellite-based services such as remote sensing data and satcom capacity leasing.​
• NSIL transfers ISRO-developed technologies and spin-offs to Indian industries, promoting self-reliance. This includes small satellite tech licensing and marketing space products globally.

Aspect	NSIL	Antrix Corporation	IN‑SPACe
Nature	CPSE under DoS; commercial arm of ISRO.​	Government company under DoS.​	Regulatory/authorisation body.​
Core role	End‑to‑end commercial space business, demand‑driven, satellite operator.​	Legacy commercialisation of ISRO products and launches.​	Promotes and regulates non‑government/private participation in space.​
Focus after reforms	Building/owning satellites, rockets via industry; space‑based services.​	Reduced centrality as NSIL takes over major commercial mandates.​	Acts as a single‑window for private players to access ISRO infrastructure.​

• The initiative follows a 3A Framework—Awareness, Accessibility, and Action—to raise public knowledge, simplify access via digital tools, and support claim filings across all states and union territories.
• It targets dormant accounts inactive for 10 years or more, addressing roughly ₹78,000 crore in unclaimed bank deposits, ₹14,000 crore in insurance, ₹3,000 crore in mutual funds, and ₹9,000 crore in dividends.​

• Facilitation camps occurred in 477 districts, including rural areas, with helpdesks and multilingual materials.
• Nearly ₹2,000 crore has been returned to rightful owners by early December 2025 through multi-regulator efforts.​

• SAMPANN is the Comprehensive Pension Management System (CPMS) for telecom pensioners under India's Department of Telecommunications.
• Launched in 2018 by the Prime Minister, it streamlines pension processing, sanctioning, authorization, and direct payments into bank accounts nationwide.​

• Pensioners access a digital dashboard at www.dotpension.gov.in to track pensions, view e-PPOs, submit forms, check life certificates, and lodge grievances.
• A dedicated mobile app on Google Play offers similar functions like monthly statements and updates, with automatic credentials sent via SMS/email upon migration.​

• It serves over 4.3 lakh telecom retirees, reducing government costs on bank commissions and enabling faster case settlements, including 76,000 BSNL VRS cases.
• Ongoing migration from banks/post offices ensures phased integration without disrupting existing payments.​

• The Swasthya Portal serves as a centralized platform for tribal health and nutrition data in India.
• Launched by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, it aggregates secondary data sources like NFHS surveys to monitor health indicators among tribal populations.
• Developed under the central sector scheme "Tribal Research Information Education Communication and Events (TRI ECE)," the portal hosts data on NIC servers. 

• Swasthya acts as a one-stop repository, facilitating information exchange on tribal health status without real-time district uploads, as public health remains a state subject.
• It supports policy-making through aggregated statistics but lacks integration with national databases or AI analytics currently.

• Dashboard covers 177 high-priority tribal districts with curated health data.
• Knowledge repository includes research briefs, case studies, and best practices on tribal health.
• Dedicated sections for partners and Sickle Cell Disease support.​

• Indian and international reports highlight that GlowCas9 is a bioluminescent Cas9 created by fusing Cas9 with split nano‑luciferase derived from deep‑sea shrimp proteins, so the enzyme literally “glows” when correctly folded and active during genome editing.​
• GlowCas9 allows non‑destructive tracking of CRISPR activity in living cells, tissues and even plant leaves, opening a “new light” for visualizing genome engineering.​

• The protein is reported to be more thermostable than conventional Cas9 and improves the precision of homology‑directed repair, a key DNA repair pathway for correcting mutations linked to hereditary diseases like sickle cell anaemia, muscular dystrophy and some cancers.​
• Commentaries describe GlowCas9 as inaugurating “theratracking” – being able to watch therapeutic gene correction in real time – and mention potential applications in both human gene therapy and non‑transgenic crop improvement.​

• GlowCas9: a light‑emitting (bioluminescent) CRISPR‑Cas9 variant that glows during gene editing.​
• Developed by: Bose Institute, Kolkata, under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India.​
• Significance: Enables real‑time tracking of genome editing, improves stability and homology‑directed repair, and supports the emerging concept of “theratracking” in gene therapy.​

• Passive euthanasia involves withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment, allowing a terminally ill patient to die naturally rather than actively causing death.​

• Doctors do not start or continue treatments like ventilators or feeding tubes needed to keep a patient alive.
• This differs from active euthanasia, where lethal drugs are administered intentionally.​

• Supreme Court legalized passive euthanasia in 2018 through the Common Cause case, recognizing living wills for competent patients to refuse treatment.
• This upholds the right to die with dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution, but requires court approval and strict guidelines.​

• Multiple analyses note that, despite legality, passive euthanasia is still hard to access due to multi‑tier medical boards, documentation requirements, and low awareness, leading families and doctors to make informal end‑of‑life decisions outside the legal framework.​
• Oriented platforms and policy commentators are calling for clearer legislation to replace court‑made guidelines, digital registries for living wills, stronger safeguards, and better palliative‑care access so that the constitutional promise of dignity in death is meaningful in practice.​

• Many countries permit passive euthanasia, like most US states allowing withdrawal of treatment per patient wishes.
• Active forms remain restricted in places like India, focusing instead on consent and futility.​

• Kashmiri woodwork, primarily walnut wood carving, represents a centuries-old craft unique to the Kashmir region, known for its intricate designs and use in furniture and decor.
• This art form thrives due to the local abundance of walnut trees and skilled artisans in Srinagar.
• Walnut wood from the Juglans regia tree, grown at high altitudes of 5,500-7,500 feet, provides hard, compact, durable, light material with close grain ideal for detailed carving.
• Deodar and pine woods are used for specific techniques like Khatamband ceilings.​

• The craft traces back over 10 centuries, flourishing post-1028 CE after architectural reconstructions, with peaks under Sultans like Zainul Abidin who invited artisans from Persia and Central Asia.

• Influences include Islamic, Punjabi, and Mughal styles, seen in mosques and shrines like Khanqah-i-Mualla.
• It received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2012.​

• Statutory protection refers to legal safeguards established by statutes or acts of Parliament, providing specific rights and protections in areas like civil services, environment, wildlife, and marginalized communities.
• These protections ensure compliance, prevent arbitrary actions, and promote public welfare. 

• It prohibits acts like burning, mutilating, defacing, or otherwise disrespecting the Indian National Flag or Constitution in public view.
• Explanations clarify that bona fide criticism is exempt, and specific flag misuse—like wearing it below the waist or printing on undergarments—is covered.​
• Prevents intentional disruption of the National Anthem's singing.
• The Act targets public insults to symbols including the flag, Constitution, anthem, and India's map, but safeguards lawful dissent.
• Courts have interpreted it to balance free speech under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.​

• India advocated for people-centric equity, highlighting Mission LiFE, 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' tree-planting (over 2.6 billion saplings), and Namami Gange river rejuvenation.
• These align with circular economy measures like Extended Producer Responsibility for plastics and e-waste.​

• UNEA, or United Nations Environment Assembly, serves as the world's highest-level decision-making body on environmental issues.
• It governs the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) with universal membership of all 193 UN Member States.​
• Established in 2012 following the Rio+20 Conference, UNEA upgraded UNEP's former Governing Council to promote stronger global environmental governance. 
• UNEA meets biennially in Nairobi, Kenya, typically in odd-numbered years, with a high-level segment for ministers.
• A Bureau of one President and eight Vice Presidents oversees operations, supported by the Committee of Permanent Representatives (CPR) for intersessional work.
• UNEA sets global environmental policy priorities, identifies emerging challenges, promotes science-policy interfaces, and initiates international environmental law negotiations. 

• Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum aims to boost local manufacturing and jobs amid pressure from the US ahead of the USMCA review.
• Analysts link it to US President Donald Trump's tariff threats on Mexico, including on steel and autos, prompting alignment with North American protectionism.
• Earlier hikes on Chinese goods set the stage for this broader policy.​

• Indian auto exports worth around $1 billion, including from Volkswagen and Hyundai, face major hurdles as Mexico is India's third-largest car market.
• Textiles, steel, and engineering goods lose competitiveness, potentially raising costs and disrupting supply chains to North America.

• Bilateral goods trade has expanded strongly in recent years, crossing around 10–12 billion US dollars annually and reaching roughly 11–12 billion in 2024.
• India runs a consistent surplus: in 2024 India’s exports to Mexico were about 8.9 billion US dollars against imports of about 2.8 billion US dollars, marking multiple consecutive years of surplus in India’s favour.​

• Vehicles and auto components (cars, parts, tyres) forming the single largest item.
• Machinery, electrical and electronic equipment, organic chemicals, aluminium, textiles, and pharmaceuticals.​

• Mineral fuels and oils, especially crude and refined products.
• Electrical and electronic equipment, machinery, optical/medical instruments, gold and other precious metals.​

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