About Biomaterials:

• They are materials of natural, synthetic, or hybrid origin designed to interact safely and compatibly with different systems such as the human body and the environment.
• They are derived wholly or partly from biological sources or engineered using biological processes that are designed to replace or interact with conventional materials.
• They are increasingly used across sectors such as packaging, textiles, construction and healthcare.
• They are central to modern biomedicine and bioengineering and their design is informed by application-specific demands and trade-offs.
• The modern field of biomaterials combines physics, chemistry, medicine, and biology, as well as materials science and tissue engineering.
• Metals, plastics, ceramics, glass, cells and living tissue are currently used to create biomaterials.
• They can be broadly categorised into three types:
  • Drop-in biomaterials, which are chemically identical to petroleum-based materials and can be used in existing manufacturing systems (such as bio-PET);
  • Drop-out biomaterials, which are chemically different and require new processing or end-of-life systems (such as polylactic acid or PLA);
  • Novel biomaterials, which offer new properties not found in conventional materials, such as self-healing materials, bioactive implants, and advanced composites.

About SHINE Scheme:

• The Standards Help Inform & Nurture Empowered Women (SHINE) is a new scheme of the Bureau of Indian Standards.
• It places women, at the center of India’s quality journey.
• Through structured training, grassroots partnerships with NGOs and SHGs, and practical, locally delivered programmes.
• It empowers women with knowledge that protects families and strengthens livelihoods.
• Through this BIS spreads awareness about standards, safety, and quality within households, self-help groups, and communities.

Key Facts about Bureau of Indian Standards

• It is the National Standard Body of India established under the BIS Act 2016.
• Objective: It was established for the harmonious development of the activities of standardization, marking, and quality certification of goods and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
• It is the successor of the Indian Standards Institution (ISI), which was created in 1947 to ensure quality control and competitive efficiency in the rapid industrialization era.
• BIS represents India in International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• Nodal Ministry: It is functioning under the administrative control of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
• Headquarter: It is headquartered in New Delhi and maintains regional and branch offices throughout the country.

About W Ursae Majoris Star:

• It is also known as a low mass contact binary, is a type of eclipsing binary variable star.
• They share a single outer atmosphere and they orbit around each other.
• W UMa stars are easily recognized by their light curves with near equal minima and continuous light variation.
• Their variability ranges from a few tenths to slightly over a magnitude. The periods are typically short and range between 25 days to around 1.0 days.
• Origin: The traditional theory explaining the origin of contact binaries is W UMa systems form from detached binaries of that comparable periods through orbital decay by angular momentum loss.
• The idea of the contact binary seems to have been first introduced by Kuiper (1941).
• Significance W Ursae Majoris Star Study: They assist in precise determinations of fundamental stellar parameters such as masses, radii, and temperatures, crucial for testing theories about how stars evolve over time.

Key Findings

• It was found that stars share their outer layers, their orbits shift slightly over time, as if tugging and pulling on one another
• Some stars appear lopsided—brighter on one side than the other.
• It is found that there is an uneven brightness point at dark magnetic star spots similar to star spots.
• These spots rotate in and out of view, creating bumps in the light curves.  
• This also suggests the stars have strong magnetic activity.
• Scientists also found specific light signals (called H-alpha and H-beta) that clearly show activity in the star’s outer layer, which is linked to magnetic events like star spots and stellar flares.

About Melghat Tiger Reserve:

• Location: It is situated in Maharashtra.
• It is located on the southern offshoot of the Satpura Hill Range in Central India, called Gavilgarh Hill.
• It was the first tiger reserve in Maharashtra.
• The name ‘Melghat’ means the confluence of various ‘ghats’ or valleys, as is typical from the landscape of this tiger Reserve.
• Vegetation: The forest is tropical dry deciduous in nature, dominated by teak.
• Rivers: The reserve is a catchment area for five major rivers: the Khandu, Khapra, Sipna, Gadga, and Dolar, all of which are tributaries of the river Tapti.
• Boundaries: The Tapti River and the Gawilgadh ridge of the Satpura Range form the boundaries of the reserve.
• Tribes: The Korkus are the largest tribal community in Melghat. Other communities include the Gawli community and the Gond tribe also reside here.
• Flora: Some of the common species are teak, Lagerstroemia Parviflora, Terminalia Tomentosa, Ougeinia Oojeinensis, Emblica Officinalis, Bamboo, etc.
• Fauna: Sloth Bear, Indian Gaur, Sambar deer, Leopard, Nilgais, dhole, hyena, jungle cat, langur, etc. 
  • It is considered a stronghold of the critically endangered forest owlet.

About Iran:

• Location: It is located in West Asia.
• Bordering Countries: It shares land boundaries with Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan to the north, Afghanistan and Pakistan to the east, Iraq to the west, and Turkey to the northwest.
• Maritime Boundaries: It is bordered by major water bodies, namely the Caspian Sea to the north, and the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman to the south.
• Capital City: Tehran
• It is a member country of SCO, OPEC and BRICS.
• Geographical Features of Iran:
  • Terrain: Its terrain is predominantly marked by the Iranian Plateau, characterised by vast deserts like the Dasht-e Kavir and Dasht-e Lut.
  • Mountain Range: It has important mountain ranges such as the Zagros Mountains in the west and the Alborz Mountains in the north.
  • Highest Peak: Mount Damavand, located in the Alborz Mountain Range, is the highest peak in Iran.
  • Climate: Iran’s climate varies from arid and semi-arid conditions to subtropical regions, especially along the Caspian coast.
  • Major Rivers: Karun, Dez, Karkheh, and Diyala rivers, essential for irrigation and agriculture.
  • Natural Resources: It is rich in oil and natural gas, along with coal, chromium, copper, iron ore, lead, manganese, zinc, and sulphur.

About Mpemba Effect:

• Mpemba effect is a paradoxical phenomenon in which a hot liquid can cool or freeze faster than a cold liquid under certain conditions. 
• The effect was described by Aristotle, in his book Meterologica.
• It is named after Tanzanian student Erasto Mpemba, who brought attention to this counterintuitive phenomenon in 1969, makes for curious observation.
• Possible causes to Mpemba Effect:
  • Micro bubbles: One cause, scientists have posited, is micro bubbles left suspended in water that has been heated by boiling.
    • These cavities promote convection and transfer heat faster as the water cools.
  • Evaporation: as warmer water evaporates more, it also takes away some heat (evaporation is inherently endothermic, which is how sweat cools your skin).
    • Both convection and accelerated heat transfer are enhanced in warmer water because such water is less dense.
  • Presence of frost in cold water: Frost is an insulator and could slow the loss of heat.
  • Scientists have also considered whether compounds in water like calcium carbonate could be precipitated by boiling, and then dissolve, thus increasing the water’s freezing point.

Recent Findings related to Mpemba effect

• The researchers also found that the Mpemba effect is not unique to water.
• The simulation demonstrates that similar behaviour can occur during fluid-to-solid phase transitions in other materials.
• Supercomputer simulation of ice formation gives evidence of paradoxical phenomenon of water.

Why in news?

The Supreme Court’s denial of bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam rests on an expansive reading of “terrorist act” under Section 15 of the UAPA, which includes acts committed by “any other means” beyond conventional weapons.

Section 15 of the UAPA has been repeatedly invoked in cases unrelated to mass-casualty violence or organised terror, from the arrest of journalist Siddique Kappan and the detention of NewsClick editor Prabir Purkayastha to charges against Kashmir University students and Umar Khalid for protest-related activities, highlighting the law’s widening application to dissent and political mobilisation.

While the UAPA’s expansion has been incremental and bipartisan, the ruling reinforces a widened scope of terrorism and the strengthened executive powers under the current framework.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Origins of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act
• Terrorism Brought Within the UAPA Framework (2004)
• Post-26/11 Amendments: Expansion of UAPA Powers (2008)
• Economic Offences Brought Under UAPA (2012)
• 2019 Amendments: Individual Designation and Expanded Powers

Origins of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act

• Enactment Without a Terror Focus (1967) - The UAPA was enacted in 1967 to address “unlawful activities” threatening India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. In its original form, it did not deal with terrorism.
• Roots in National Integration Concerns - The law emerged from the work of the National Integration Council (NIC), set up in 1961 to counter communalism, regionalism, and other divisive forces.
• Constitutional Backing - NIC recommendations led to the Constitution (Sixteenth Amendment) Act, 1963, introducing reasonable restrictions on fundamental rights to protect national integrity. The UAPA operationalised these changes.
• Shift Towards Terrorism Came Later - Initially focused on secessionist and integrity-related activities, terrorism entered the UAPA framework only decades later through subsequent amendments.

Terrorism Brought Within the UAPA Framework (2004)

• Shift After Repeal of POTA - A major change came in 2004 when Parliament amended the UAPA after repealing the Prevention of Terrorist Activities Act, responding to concerns over misuse.
• Creation of a Terror-Specific Chapter - The Act’s title was expanded, and Chapter IV (Sections 15–23) was introduced to define terrorist acts, prescribe punishments, and criminalise related activities.
• Definition of Terrorist Acts - Section 15 defined terrorism as acts using explosives, firearms, hazardous substances or lethal weapons, causing or likely to cause death, injury or property damage, with intent to threaten India’s sovereignty or strike terror.
• Expanded Scope of Unlawful Activity - The amendment widened “unlawful activity” to include acts causing “disaffection against India” and strengthened penalties for membership of banned organisations, including life imprisonment or death if loss of life occurred.

Post-26/11 Amendments: Expansion of UAPA Powers (2008)

• Trigger: Mumbai Terror Attacks and UNSC Mandate - Following the 26/11 attacks and citing UNSC Resolution 1373, Parliament amended the UAPA to strengthen India’s counter-terror framework.
• Broadening the Definition of Terrorism - The insertion of “by any other means” in Section 15 vastly widened the scope of terrorism, enabling non-violent or disruptive acts to be construed as terrorist offences.
• Harsher Procedural Regime - Police custody was extended to 30 days and judicial custody to 180 days. Anticipatory bail was barred, and regular bail was restricted if accusations appeared “prima facie true.”
• Reversal of Burden of Proof - Section 43E introduced presumptions of guilt for possession of arms linked to terrorism, departing from standard criminal law principles.
• Expanded Offences and Institutions - The amendments criminalised conspiracy, recruitment, and training, classified attacks on public functionaries as terrorism, introduced “terrorist gangs,” and established special courts.

Economic Offences Brought Under UAPA (2012)

• Expansion to Economic Security - In 2012, the UPA government amended the UAPA to include threats to “economic security” within the definition of terrorism, covering financial, food, energy, livelihood, and environmental security.
• Counterfeit Currency as Terrorism - The production, smuggling, and circulation of counterfeit Indian currency were explicitly designated as terrorist acts.
• Corporate and Institutional Liability - New Sections 22A–22C extended criminal liability to companies, trusts, and societies, holding office-bearers responsible unless they proved lack of knowledge.
• Longer Bans and Global Alignment - The period for declaring organisations “unlawful associations” was extended from two to five years, and new schedules incorporated international conventions and currency security features.

2019 Amendments: Individual Designation and Expanded Powers

• Individuals as Terrorists - The 2019 amendment empowered the Centre to designate individuals—not just organisations—as terrorists, drawing criticism for undermining the presumption of innocence without prior conviction.
• Enhanced Powers for Investigating Agencies - The National Investigation Agency (NIA) was authorised to seize properties without state consent, and investigation authority was extended to inspector-rank officers.
• Expanded International Commitments - The amendment added the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism to the UAPA schedule, widening the Act’s global legal alignment.

Why in news?

Over the past decade, India has built a massive skilling ecosystem, with the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana training about 1.40 crore candidates between 2015 and 2025.

However, skilling has not emerged as a preferred career pathway. Employability outcomes remain uneven. PLFS data show limited and inconsistent wage gains from vocational training—especially in the informal sector, where most trainees find work and certified skills bring little improvement in livelihoods.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Why Skilling Struggles to Attract Aspirations?
• Industry’s Limited Role in Strengthening Skilling
• Why Sector Skill Councils Are Underperforming?
• Skilling as a Driver of Long-Term Economic Growth
• Rethinking India’s Skills Strategy

Why Skilling Struggles to Attract Aspirations?

• Low Integration with Education Pathways - India’s GER is 28%, with a target of 50% by 2035 under NEP 2020. Achieving this requires embedding skilling within higher education, not expanding standalone vocational tracks.
• Limited Reach of Formal Training - Only about 4.1% of India’s workforce has formal vocational training, up marginally from 2% a decade ago—far below OECD levels where vocational enrolment is widespread.
• Global Comparison Gap - In OECD countries, 44% of upper-secondary students pursue vocational education, rising to 70% in several European economies, making skilling a mainstream choice.
• Weak Post-Degree Skilling Culture - The India Skills Report 2025 shows that graduates rarely pursue skilling after degrees, underscoring the need to align skilling with formal education systems.

Industry’s Limited Role in Strengthening Skilling

• High Industry Dependence on Skilled Labour - Industries face high attrition (30–40%), long onboarding periods, and productivity losses, making effective skilling economically critical for sectors like retail, logistics, hospitality, and manufacturing.
• Low Use of Public Skilling Certifications - Most employers do not rely on government skilling certificates for hiring, preferring internal training, referrals, or private platforms, limiting the value of public skilling programmes.
• Uneven Impact of Apprenticeships - While the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) has expanded participation, benefits remain uneven, especially among larger firms.
• Lack of Co-Design and Accountability - Industry is neither incentivised nor required to co-create curricula, standards, or assessments, keeping skilling disconnected from real labour-market needs.

Why Sector Skill Councils Are Underperforming?

• Original Mandate vs Reality - Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) were designed to anchor industry-led skilling—defining standards, ensuring relevance, and certifying employability. This core mandate remains largely unmet.
• Fragmented Accountability - Training, assessment, certification, and placement are handled by different entities, diluting responsibility and removing reputational or outcome-based accountability.
• Weak Employer Trust - SSCs’ certifications carry limited signalling value for employers, who prefer degrees or work experience. Standards exist, but hiring is rarely aligned to them.
• Contrast with Industry-Led Certifications - Global certifications (AWS, Google, Microsoft) succeed because certifiers own outcomes, conduct graded assessments, and risk their credibility—something SSCs lack.
• Need for Outcome Ownership - Unless SSCs are made accountable for employability and labour-market outcomes, certification will remain symbolic rather than economically meaningful.

Skilling as a Driver of Long-Term Economic Growth

• Accountability, Not Intent, Is the Core Gap - India’s skilling challenge stems from weak accountability rather than lack of funding or policy intent.
• Workplace-Embedded Skilling - Expanding apprenticeships under NAPS and integrating skilling into workplaces can rapidly improve job readiness at scale.
• Industry-Led Execution Models - Schemes like PM-SETU and ITI modernisation show the value of embedding industry ownership and responsibility into programme design.
• From Welfare to Economic Strategy - When skills are integrated into degrees, industry becomes a co-owner, and SSCs are accountable for placements, skilling transforms into a pillar of economic empowerment.
• Beyond Employment Outcomes - Effective skilling enhances dignity of labour, productivity, and enables India to convert its demographic advantage into sustained economic growth.

Rethinking India’s Skills Strategy

• Skills Must Translate into Better Pay - Vocational training cannot succeed unless wages and benefits reflect the skills acquired. Skilling policy must align training with sectoral competitiveness and worker aspirations.
• Shift to Demand-Led Training - Curricula should be guided by real-time labour market data, closer industry–institution coordination, and transparent job prospects to reduce skill mismatches.
• Remove Wage-Suppressing Constraints - Regulatory hurdles, finance and land access issues, corruption, and trade barriers limit firms’ ability to pay competitive wages. Skilling must be linked with broader industrial and regulatory reforms.
• Scale Placement-Linked Models - Training works best when combined with rigorous selection, quality instruction, and assured placement support through proven public-private partnerships.
• Make Skilling Aspirational - Only pathways that offer dignity, mobility, and clear career progression can shift India’s skilling ecosystem from headline numbers to real economic impact.