NEWS 1: Colossal Biosciences’ De-extinction Project

GS-3: Environment – Biodiversity Conservation, Climate Change

Company Involved

• Colossal Biosciences, a biotechnology firm located in Dallas, is the leading entity behind this breakthrough.

Species Revived

• The extinct species revived is the dire wolf (Canis dirus), a large wolf species that once roamed North America during the Pleistocene era and went extinct around 12,500 years ago.

Genetic Materials Used

• DNA was extracted from ancient specimens: a 13,000-year-old tooth and a 72,000-year-old skull.
• These samples were used to analyze the full genome of the species.

CRISPR Technology

• The company used CRISPR gene-editing technology to modify cells taken from a living gray wolf.
• These genetically altered cells were used to create embryos which were then implanted in a domestic dog surrogate.,Birth of Dire Wolf Puppies:

Three healthy dire wolf puppies were born:

• Romulus (Male)
• Remus (Male)
• Khaleesi (Female) — named after the character from “Game of Thrones.”

NEWS 2:NCB seizes 30 kg of meth tablets worth ₹24.32 cr. in Assam

GS-3: Internal Security – Drug Trafficking, Narcotics Control, Border Security

Major Drug Seizure in Assam

• Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) seized 30.4 kg of methamphetamine tablets (commonly known as Yaba) worth ₹24.32 crore in Assam’s Silchar on April 6.
• The operation was jointly conducted with Assam Police and CRPF, resulting in three arrests.

Operational Details

• In the first raid, a car was intercepted with 10 packets (9.9 kg) of meth tablets hidden in the boot.
• In the second raid, another vehicle was found with 21 packets (20.5 kg) of meth concealed in its spare tyre area.

Government Stance & Response

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised the agencies for the crackdown.
• Shah emphasized the vision to build a “drug-free Bharat” and described the actions as part of massive operations targeting drug cartels.
• Congratulated NCB, Assam Police, and CRPF for acting with “ruthless force”.

• India is also situated between two major drug-producing regions, the Golden Crescent (Iran-Afghanistan-Pakistan) and the Golden Triangle (Thailand-Laos-Myanmar), which makes it vulnerable to illicit drug trafficking.

Government Tackling the Drug Problem

• Legislative Measures: The government has enacted various laws such as the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940; the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985; and the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (PITNDPS), 1988
  • To regulate and prohibit the manufacture, distribution, possession, and consumption of drugs.
  • The NDPS Act provides for stringent penalties for drug offenses.
• Institutional Measures: The government has created institutions such as the NCB, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), the Customs Department, etc.
  • These institutions enforce drug laws and coordinate with other agencies at national and international levels.
  • The NCB is also part of various bilateral and multilateral initiatives such as the SAARC Drug Offences Monitoring Desk (SDOMD).

• News 3:Kerala duo develops eco-friendly edible wrappers
• GS-3: Environment & Science and Technology – Plastic Alternatives, Sustainable Innovation, Biotechnology

• Two students from Kerala developed edible food wrappers made using bacterial cellulose, aiming to reduce plastic waste.
• The product, named ‘Eden Wrap’, is biodegradable, decomposes in a month, and resembles plastic in appearance.

Scientific Basis & Composition

• Created using cellulose-producing bacteria; essential oils from specific plants give the wrapper anti-microbial properties.
• These wrappers can extend shelf life of food by acting as a preservative barrier.

Innovation Development Journey

• Developed at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani, by Ashir Kariyattil and Mohammed Nabin.
• The idea evolved based on feedback from industry mentors and competitions.
• Mentorship, academic support, and small grants helped them continue the research.

NEWS 4:Centre to pay more for PM-POSHAN scheme in schools

GS-2: Welfare Schemes & Education – Government Schemes for Vulnerable Sections

Revised Cost Norms Due to Inflation

• Centre enhances material cost under PM-POSHAN (formerly Mid-Day Meal) scheme by 9.5%, raising expenditure by ₹954 crore in FY 2025–26.
• New rates from May 1:
  • Bal Vatikas & Primary Schools: ₹6.19 → ₹6.78
  • Upper Primary Schools: ₹9.29 → ₹10.17

Nutritional Norms & Coverage

• Scheme serves 11.2 crore students from Classes 1–8 across 10.36 lakh government/aided schools.
• Per meal includes:
  • Bal Vatikas/Primary: 20 gm pulses, 50 gm cereals, 5 gm oil
  • Upper Primary: 30 gm pulses, 75 gm cereals, 7.5 gm oil
• Per-meal cost: ₹12.13 (Bal Vatika) & ₹17.62 (Upper Primary)

Government Support & Subsidy

• Centre provides 100% cost of foodgrains, approx. ₹9,000 crore annually.
• FCI depot to school transportation fully funded by Centre.
• States/UTs free to contribute more than minimum share for enhanced nutrition.

PM Poshan Scheme

• In September 2021, the Union Cabinet approved the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman or PM-POSHAN for providing one hot cooked meal in Government and Government-aided schools with the financial outlay of Rs 1.31 trillion.
• The scheme replaced the national programme for mid-day meal in schools or Mid-day Meal Scheme.
• It has been launched for an initial period of five years (2021-22 to 2025-26).

 Features of the PM Poshan Scheme

• Coverage:
  • Primary (1-5) and upper primary (6-8) schoolchildren are currently entitled to 100 grams and 150 grams of food grains per working day each, to ensure a minimum of 700 calories.
  • It also covers students of balvatikas (children in the 3-5 year age group) from pre-primary classes.
• Nutritional Gardens:
  • Use of locally-grown nutritional food items will be encouraged from “school nutrition gardens” for boosting the local economic growth, and will also include involvement of Farmers Producer Organizations (FPO) and Women Self Help Groups in the implementation of the scheme.