NASA’s first crewed lunar mission since 1972; used
SLS rocket & Orion spacecraft ; farthest human journey from Earth (252,752 miles), surpassing Apollo 13. Key astronauts: Christina Koch (first woman), Victor Glover (first person of color), Jeremy Hansen (first non-American) beyond low-Earth orbit.
Blue Bird 7 Satellite: Direct-to-smartphone satellite by Blue Origin (Jeff Bezos) on New Glenn rocket; upper stage failed.
Giant Magellan Telescope: To be located in Atacama Desert, Chile .
Psychedelics: Non-addictive, non-toxic substances altering perception; prohibited under India’s NDPS Act, 1985 .
GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: Drugs for Type 2 Diabetes & Obesity (e.g., Ozempic); DCGI cracking down on illegal circulation.
SMOPs 2026 (2nd Edition): Conference on Spacecraft Mission Operations held in Bengaluru .
BIRAC BioNEST Incubation Centre: Inaugurated at CFTRI, Mysuru (food processing & biotech startups).
Designer Rice: Developed by CSIR-NIIST (Thiruvananthapuram) with 3x more protein ; low glycemic index; not GM.
Keytruda (Pembrolizumab): Immunotherapy drug for cancer (Merck).
Artesunate Lumefantrine (Quatum Baby): First antimalarial for infants (5-20kg), pre-qualified by WHO.
Microsoft new transcription model: “Trib One” (25 languages).
Bank of Baroda AI tool: BOB Samvad (22 languages).
Income Tax website AI assistant: Kar Saathi .
India’s first indigenous quantum computing testbed: Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh .
ISRO Gaganyaan test: IADT-02 (Integrated Air Drop Test).
India’s first mental disorders database: Kam Brain in Bengaluru.
World’s first freight-only bullet train: Japan’s E-series (converted passenger coaches).
Snake venom identification app (ICP): Launched by Costa Rica .
Environment & Health
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Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary: India’s 99th Ramsar site ; freshwater wetland in Uttar Pradesh ; on Central Asian Flyway .
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Varkala, Kerala: Selected for UN’s “20 Cities Towards Zero Waste” initiative.
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Emperor Penguins & Antarctic Fur Seals: IUCN status upgraded to Endangered .
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India’s Updated NDCs (2026): Target 47% reduction in GDP emission intensity (from 2005 levels) and 60% non-fossil fuel-based electricity by 2035.
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COP Withdrawal: India