Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students (CSSS)
Prelims: Current events of national and international importance
Why in News?
CBSE has released a public notice inviting students to apply for the Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students (CSSS) for the academic year 2025–26.
Scholarship sponsored by - The Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education.
Aim- It is designed to provide financial assistance to deserving students to help meet part of their daily expenses during their graduation and postgraduation studies.
It is meant to help bright students from economically weaker backgrounds continue their higher education.
Eligibility -These scholarships are evenly distributed between male and female students.
They are then dispersed among several State Education Boards and central boards, such as CBSE and the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE).
Dispersal is based on the population of students in the 18-25 age category in each state's jurisdiction.
The number of scholarships allotted to a State Education Board is distributed amongst pass-outs of the Humanities, Science and Commerce streams in the ratio of 3:3:1.
Eligibility criteria
Be above the 80th percentile of successful candidates in the relevant stream from their respective board of examination in Class XII.
Be pursuing a regular course (and not a distance-learning course) in a recognized institution.
Not be availing benefits from any other scholarship schemes.
Have a family income of less than Rs 4.5 lakh per annum.
Students changing their institution may be allowed to continue or renew the scholarship.
Amount awarded -For the first three years of undergraduate education, the scholarship offers Rs 12,000 per year, and for the fourth and fifth years, it offers Rs 20,000 annually.
In the fourth and fifth years of professional studies, such as B.Tech, students receive 20,000 annually.
Application process - Applications need to be submitted online via the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
Disbursement of scholarship - It is disbursed directly into the student’s savings bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, utilizing the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) gateway.
To facilitate this, students are required to link their Aadhaar number with their bank account.
Institutional Nodal Officers have also been requested to verify, mark defects, or reject applications through their respective login portals promptly to ensure smooth processing.
Prelims: Current events of national and international importance
Why in news?
Recently Prime Minister’s is on a 9-day, 5-nation tour from July 1, 2025, covering Africa and South America.
PrimeMinister’s foreign visit– The foreign visit intended to strengthen India’s engagement with the Global South, economic partnerships, diaspora ties and participation in the BRICS Summit.
Focus – To strengthen India’s strategic and economic footprint in Africa & South America.
It reinforces India's leadership role in the Global South.
It deepens ties with key resource-rich nations (lithium, oil, gold).
It showcases India’s commitment to multilateralism and global governance reforms.
Key Countries and Highlights
Ghana– It is the first bilateral visit by an Indian PM in three decades.
Ghana is one of West Africa's fastest-growing economies.
India is the largest destination for Ghanaian exports, mainly gold.
Agenda of the visit – Strengthening ties in economy, energy, defence, development cooperation.
Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) – First Indian PM visit to T&T since 1999.
Large Indian diaspora – About 40-45% of Caribbean Indian diaspora lives here.
It marks 180 years of Indian immigration to T&T.
Bilateral trade (2024-25) – $341.61 million.
Agenda of the visit – Cultural ties, economic cooperation.
Argentina – First bilateral Indian PM visit in 57 years.
Meeting with President Javier Milei, known for close ties with the US.
In 2024 India was Argentina’s 5th-largest trading partner.
Agenda of the visit – Defence, agriculture, mining, oil & gas, energy.
Strong cooperation in lithium, crucial for India's green energy transition.
Brazil – Attending BRICS Leaders’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro.
The 17th BRICS Leaders' Summit is scheduled to take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from July 6th to 7th, 2025 and the theme is "Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance”.
Brazil is the India’s largest trading partner in South America.
Agendaof the visit – Global governance reforms, Peace, security, multilateralism, AI regulation, climate action and global health.
Namibia – PM Modi’s first visit to Namibia and 3rd Indian PM visit overall.
Trade with Namibia grew from $3 million in 2000 to $600 million currently.
India’s investments in Namibia – Mining, diamond processing, manufacturing, services.
Previously, India received eight cheetahs and relocated to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradeshin 2022.
Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Science & technology
Why in news?
Recently Japan launched its third satellite in the Japan's mission to greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
GOSAT-GW – Global Observing Satellite for Greenhouse gases and Water cycle.
Developed by – Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
Aim - To monitor carbon, methane, and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
It monitors aspects of the global water cycle, including sea surface temperature and precipitation.
Launch– It is launched on June 29, 2025, from Tanegashima Space Center, Japan.
It is launched using Japan’s H-2A rocket, which completed its 50th mission.
GOSAT series – It is the third satellite in the GOSAT series following GOSAT and GOSAT-2.
Global collaboration – Within one year, it will begin distributing data to users worldwide, including the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Significance– It supports climate change mitigation efforts by providing high-resolution environmental data.
It aims to improve global understanding of greenhouse gas emissions, water cycle changes and aids in tracking progress toward net-zero emissions targets.
It supports disaster management through better rainfall and ocean temperature data.
It helps in monitoring of sea surface temperature and precipitation.
It supports global climate models and policies by providing high-resolution data.
Quick Facts
H-2A rocket – It is introduced in 2001 and carried major missions like Japan's SLIM moon lander and Hayabusa2 asteroid probe.
It is retired after this mission and will be replaced by H3 rocket, designed to be more cost-competitive and capable of carrying larger payloads.
Role of Private Capital in Sustainable Development
Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Sustainable Development
Why in news?
Recently, Finance Minister highlighted Role of Private Capital in Sustainable Development issues at the International Business Forum, Sevilla, Spain.
Private capital – It is the money invested by private players (like individuals, companies, venture funds, or private equity firms) to support businesses, infrastructure, or development, aiming for financial returns or economic growth.
Private investment is crucial for achieving inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
It acts as a catalyst by unlocking capital, boosting productivity, fostering innovation, and introducing technology.
Forms of Private Capital in Sustainability
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) – Capital inflows into green energy, sustainable infrastructure, etc.
Investments made with the intention to generate measurable social and environmental impact alongside financial returns.
Green bonds – They are financial instruments specifically aimed at funding eco-friendly projects.
Venture capital– Supporting green start-ups, clean technologies, and circular economy ventures.
Role in Sustainable Development
Development imperative – Private capital is becoming a vital source of development finance, amid volatile FDI flows and global uncertainties.
Bridging the financing gap – Public funds alone are insufficient to meet the $4.5 trillion annual investment needed globally for SDGs.
Innovation and technology development – Private sector drives innovation in renewable energy, waste management, water conservation, and clean mobility.
Scalability and efficiency – Private enterprises can scale sustainable solutions rapidly, leveraging operational expertise and market networks.
Catalysing climate action – Private capital accelerates decarbonization efforts through renewable energy, carbon markets, and green infrastructure.
Challenges in Mobilizing Private Capital
Low and middle-income countries still receive a disproportionately small share.
Thali Index Shows Hidden Hunger Despite Falling Poverty Estimates
Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Social Development
Why in new?
Recent findings show that discrepancies in poverty estimation which highlights hidden food deprivation.
Thali Index– It is a proposed measure to assess the standard of living based on food affordability in India.
It uses the price of a basic vegetarian thali (meal) as a practical metric.
It represents a culturally familiar, nutritionally balanced unit comprising rice/roti, lentils, vegetables, and optionally dairy/meat/fish.
Thaliprice reference – Price of a vegetarian thali taken as ₹30, based on data from Crisil, considering regional variations across India.
Shiftfrom Calorie-based measurement – The Thali Index reflects actual food consumption patterns that consider nutrition, cultural norms, and satisfaction, not just calories.
It provides a more relatable and tangible measure for the general public.
Key Findings Using Thali Index (2023-24)
Affordability – Up to 40% of the rural population could not afford two vegetarian thalis a day.
In urban areas, up to 10% of the population faced the same deprivation.
It indicates higher food deprivation than suggested by official poverty estimates from SBI or World Bank.
Policy implications – Current poverty estimates may understate the need for food subsidies.
Thali Index suggests food subsidies should not be eliminated but rationalised.
Thali Index offers a goods-based, realistic measure of food security.
It is compatible with nutritional and calorific assessments, making it a comprehensive tool for evaluating poverty and deprivation.
The Tamil Nadu government has recently launched the restoration of Kariyachalli Island in the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, following the successful Vaan Island project.
TNSHORE Initiative - Part of the Tamil Nadu Sustainably Harnessing Ocean Resource (TNSHORE) initiative, this ₹50 crore project is funded by the state government and the World Bank.
Island Shrinkage Concerns - Kariyachalli Island has drastically shrunk from 20.85 hectares in 1969 to just 3.14 hectares (high tide) recently, primarily due to coastal erosion and climate change.
Vital Coral Reefs - Coral reefs are crucial for coastal protection and marine biodiversity. The Gulf of Mannar, home to a major Indian reef system, has suffered from historical coral mining.
Restoration Techniques - The project involves deploying 8,500 artificial reef modules to protect the island and restore marine life, along with rejuvenating degraded coral reefs and seagrass beds.
Community and Scientific Involvement - Over 300 local community members will participate. Comprehensive environmental, social, and wave dynamics studies, led by IIT-Madras, informed the restoration strategy, aiming to enhance biodiversity and sustain livelihoods.
Polity & Governance
Revolutionizing Rail Reservations
Recently, Indian Railways has launched major reforms to modernize its reservation system, making it more passenger-friendly, transparent, and efficient, with a strong focus on technological transformation.
Earlier Waitlist Charting - To reduce uncertainty for waitlisted passengers, the reservation chart will now be prepared 8 hours before departure for trains leaving after 2 PM, and at 9 PM the previous day for morning trains. This provides more time for alternate arrangements.
Modern PRS by December 2025 - CRIS is developing a new Passenger Reservation System (PRS) to significantly boost booking capacity to over 1.5 lakh tickets per minute and enquiry capacity to over 40 lakh per minute.
Enhanced PRS Features - The new PRS will offer a multilingual interface, seat selection, a fare calendar, and integrated services for special categories like Divyangjan, students, and patients.
Verified Tatkal Bookings - Effective July 1, 2025, Tatkal bookings on IRCTC will require OTP-based identity verification using Aadhaar or DigiLocker. This aims to reduce fraud and ensure fair access for genuine users.
Multilingual Accessibility - The new system will support multiple Indian languages, making it more inclusive and accessible for passengers from diverse linguistic backgrounds, especially in rural and semi-urban areas.
National Turmeric Board
The union Home minister recently inaugurated the National Turmeric Board headquarters in Nizamabad, Telangana, addressing a 40-year demand from farmers.
Specialized Statutory Body - This new statutory body, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, will promote, regulate, and support India's turmeric sector from production to export. Nizamabad, the "Turmeric Capital," will serve as its base.
Board Composition - Chaired by a Central Government appointee, the Board includes representatives from key ministries, top-producing states, farmers, exporters, and research institutions.
Objectives - Include value addition, branding, eliminating middlemen, and boosting farmer income.
Key Functions - The Board will develop export infrastructure, promote GI-tagged organic turmeric, ensure compliance with international standards, and coordinate exports with relevant bodies.
Turmeric in India - Known as the "Golden Spice," turmeric is a crucial rhizomatous plant in India, cultivated across over 20 states. India produces over 75% of global turmeric, with major producers being Maharashtra, Telangana, and Karnataka.
Production and Export Targets - In 2022-23, India produced 11.61 lakh tonnes of turmeric. The country aims to increase turmeric exports to USD 1 billion by 2030, building on current major destinations like Bangladesh and the UAE.
Economy
Indian GST Day
July 1st marks Indian Goods and Services Tax (GST) Day, commemorating its 2017 nationwide rollout.
Unifying Tax Reform - GST replaced a complex indirect tax system, creating a "one nation, one tax" regime to simplify compliance.
Vision for Growth - The aim was to foster a seamless national market, reduce tax evasion, and boost India's economic growth.
Overcoming Initial Hurdles - Despite initial adaptation challenges, the digital GST system has matured, becoming more streamlined and efficient.
Celebrating Collaboration - GST Day acknowledges the collaborative efforts of governments and businesses in this successful tax transition.
Transparent Economic Impact - GST has brought greater transparency, expanded the tax base, improved logistics, and significantly aided India's digital economic integration.
Security
QUAD
The Coast Guards of India, Japan, the US, and Australia have recently launched the QUAD at Sea Ship Observer Mission to boost Indo-Pacific maritime cooperation.
Wilmington Declaration Roots - This mission, fostering a rules-based maritime order, stems from the Wilmington Declaration adopted at the September 2024 QUAD Leaders’ Summit.
First-of-its-Kind Initiative - Two officers, including women, from each QUAD nation are aboard the US Coast Guard Cutter Stratton, marking a unique collaborative effort.
India's SAGAR Vision - India’s participation underscores its SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) maritime vision, aligning with wider Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) efforts.
Enhancing Maritime Governance- The mission aims to improve interoperability, domain awareness, and operational readiness, strengthening a free, open, and rules-based maritime order crucial for regional stability.
Paving the Way for Future Cooperation- This initiative sets the stage for more joint operations, fostering trust and resilience against evolving maritime threats in the vital Indo-Pacific region.
Science
Altermagnets
Recent advancements highlight altermagnets, a novel class of magnetic materials, with potential to transform electronics, particularly in spintronics.
Hybrid Magnetic Nature - Altermagnets uniquely combine ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic properties, lacking external magnetism but possessing beneficial internal electron behavior.
CrSb's Remarkable Qualities - Chromium antimonide (CrSb) is a metallic altermagnet, retaining magnetic properties significantly above room temperature and exhibiting the largest recorded altermagnetic spin-splitting.
Direction-Dependent Conduction - CrSb displays Direction-Dependent Conduction Polarity (DDCP): n-type conduction parallel to crystal layers and p-type perpendicular, challenging conventional material classifications.
Device Design Implications - This dual conduction simplifies device architecture, potentially eliminating the need for doping and leading to more compact, efficient electronic devices.
Sustainable Future - Composed of earth-abundant, non-toxic elements, CrSb offers an environmentally friendly solution for next-generation electronics, aligning with sustainable technology demands.
Teak Leaf Extract for Optical Safety
Recently, Researchers at the Raman Research Institute (RRI) have found that teak leaf extract, usually discarded, shows promise for optical safety due to its nonlinear optical properties.
Harnessing Natural Pigments - Teak leaves contain natural pigments with remarkable nonlinear optical (NLO) properties, making them a potential eco-friendly alternative to synthetic optical components.
Extracting the Dye - The process involves drying and grinding leaves, then soaking the powder in solvents. Ultrasonication and centrifugation purify the extract into a vibrant dye for testing.
Reverse Saturable Absorption (RSA) - RRI tests with green laser light revealed the dye's reverse saturable absorption (RSA), where it absorbs more light at higher intensities, crucial for laser safety equipment.
Environmental Advantages - This teak leaf dye is inexpensive, biodegradable, and compostable, offering a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional optical limiters.
Broad Future Applications - This discovery could lead to laser safety goggles, protective shields for optical sensors, and laser-resistant coatings, reducing laser-induced injuries and promoting green practices in the optical industry.
