IT Resilience Index (ITRI)
Context: SEBI has introduced the IT Resilience Index (ITRI) framework for Market Infrastructure Institutions (MIIs) to strengthen the resilience of their critical IT systems and identify emerging weaknesses before they cause disruptions.
About IT Resilience Index (ITRI)
- ITRI is a system-driven, 100-point index for assessing the robustness of the critical IT systems of stock exchanges, clearing corporations and depositories.
- It assesses nine parameters: Availability (20%), Security (20%), Integrity (10%), Governance (10%), Reliability & Monitoring (10%), Business Continuity (10%), Modularity & Flexibility (10%), Scalability (5%) and Other aspects, including incident handling (5%).
- The index will be computed half-yearly within 60 days of the end of each half-year, with comparative analysis of two consecutive half-years and corrective actions submitted to the Standing Committee on Technology (SCOT) and Governing Board.
- The Industry Standards Forum (ISF) will finalise detailed sub-parameters, measurement criteria, thresholds and SOPs.
- MIIs are required to establish an Early Warning System (EWS) to detect deterioration in ITRI parameters that could lead to performance issues, system slowness or disruption.
- The framework, including EWS and real-time monitoring of service delivery, is to be operationalised by 28 February 2027; the first ITRI computation will cover the half-year ending 31 March 2027. MIIs have already implemented a beta version of the framework.
Significance of ITRI
- Proactive risk management: Enables early identification of weaknesses in critical IT systems and timely remedial action.
- Enhanced operational resilience: Helps ensure continuity of critical securities-market operations during technology-related disruptions.
- Standardised regulatory assessment: A uniform, system-driven scoring framework makes IT resilience more objective and comparable across MIIs.
Khagantak-243 Long-Range Glide Bomb
Context: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has successfully conducted the drop trial of the indigenously designed and developed Khagantak-243 Long-Range Glide Bomb (LRGB), with the trial meeting all its objectives.
Khagantak-243: Key Features
- Type: A 300-kg-class, air-launched, long-range stand-off precision-guided glide bomb designed to engage ground targets from considerable distances.
- Range: It has a reported range of more than 140 km when released from an altitude of around 12 kilometres.
- Warhead: Carries a Mk-81 general-purpose blast-fragmentation warhead with about 125 kg of explosive fill.
- Design: Features a cylindrical body, swivel-type mid-body glide wings and five aft control surfaces, which generate aerodynamic lift and enable the weapon to glide towards its target after release.
- Development: Jointly developed by Nagpur-based JSR Dynamics Pvt. Ltd. and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) under the Development-cum-Production Partner (DcPP) model. JSR Dynamics provides the bomb body and control systems, while BEL contributes electronics and guidance subsystems.
- Aircraft integration: The Su-30MKI has been identified as the initial platform for testing, with integration with other fighter aircraft planned.
- Glide bomb: Unlike a conventional free-fall bomb, a glide bomb does not use its own propulsion after release; it uses aerodynamic lift and control surfaces to travel towards its target, enabling stand-off engagement.
Significance
- Enhances stand-off strike capability: Enables fighter aircraft to engage targets at long distances while reducing exposure to hostile air-defence systems.
- Strengthens indigenous precision munitions capability: Adds a domestically developed long-range air-to-ground weapon to India’s precision-strike ecosystem.
- Promotes defence self-reliance: The JSR Dynamics–BEL partnership demonstrates public-private collaboration in advanced weapon development and supports the Atmanirbhar Bharat objective of reducing dependence on imported precision-guided munitions.
6th World Nomad Games
Context: The 6th World Nomad Games are being held in Kyrgyzstan from 31 August to 6 September 2026, with the opening ceremony in Bishkek and the main events in the Issyk-Kul region.
About World Nomad Games
- The World Nomad Games (WNG) are a biennial international multisport competition dedicated to traditional sports, games and cultural heritage of nomadic peoples.
- The initiative originated in Kyrgyzstan following the Bishkek Declaration (2012) adopted by Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Türkiye at the Summit of the Heads of Turkic States.
- The first WNG was held in 2014 at Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan. Subsequent editions were held in Kyrgyzstan (2016 and 2018), Iznik, Türkiye (2022), and Astana, Kazakhstan (2024) before returning to Kyrgyzstan in 2026.
- The Games aim to preserve, revive and promote traditional nomadic sports and cultural heritage, including indigenous knowledge and practices threatened by modernisation.
Key Features & Significance of the 6th World Nomad Games
- Sports: The programme comprises 43 disciplines, including traditional wrestling forms such as Goresh, Kurash and Mongol Bokh; equestrian events such as Kok Boru, Kekpar and Er Enish; traditional archery; and intellectual/traditional games such as Toguz Korgool, Mangala, Oware, Chuko and Ordo, besides tug of war and strongman competitions.
- Three-dimensional programme: The Games are organised around Sports, Culture and Science. The cultural programme includes the UNESCO-recognised “Echo of Nomads” international ethnic song festival, Nomad Fest, Heritage of Nomads, Art Lab and an Ethno-Bazaar; the science programme focuses on nomadic heritage, traditional knowledge and cultural dialogue.
- India’s participation: India has sent its largest-ever WNG contingent of 87 members, comprising 73 athletes, 10 cultural representatives and 4 scientific-programme participants. Indian athletes are participating in traditional wrestling, equestrian events, archery and traditional board/strategy games.
- Significance: The Games provide a global platform for the preservation and promotion of intangible cultural heritage and traditional knowledge, while facilitating intercultural dialogue and people-to-people ties, including India’s engagement with Central Asian countries.
National Sports Day 2026
Context: National Sports Day is observed annually on 29 August to commemorate the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand; 2026 marks his 121st birth anniversary.
Key Highlights of National Sports Day 2026
- Theme: “Khelega Bharat, Jeetega Bharat” (Playing India, Victorious India), with emphasis on promoting sports participation, fitness and an active lifestyle, particularly among youth.
- Three-day campaign: National Sports Day 2026 was observed through a nationwide three-day campaign from 28–30 August, structured around “Tribute, Play and Move”—honouring Major Dhyan Chand, encouraging participation in sports and promoting physical activity.
- “Ek Ghanta Khel Ke Maidan Mein”: The nationwide initiative encouraged citizens, especially young people, to devote at least one hour to sports and physical activity, reinforcing the Fit India Movement.
About National Sports Day
- National Sports Day was instituted in 2012 and is observed on 29 August, the birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand (1905–1979), popularly known as the “Hockey Wizard” and “The Magician”.
- Dhyan Chand played a central role in India’s three consecutive Olympic hockey gold medals in 1928 (Amsterdam), 1932 (Los Angeles) and 1936 (Berlin), during India’s golden era of hockey.
- He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1956 for his contribution to Indian hockey.
- The occasion serves to recognise sporting achievements and promote sports, physical activity and fitness among citizens. National Sports Awards, including the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, Arjuna and Dronacharya Awards, are traditionally associated with this period.
- The Fit India Movement was launched on 29 August 2019, further linking National Sports Day with the promotion of fitness and active lifestyles.
Government Initiatives for Sports Promotion
- Khelo Bharat Niti-2025: Launched in July 2025, it seeks to build a strong, inclusive and performance-driven sports ecosystem, covering grassroots participation, talent identification, sports infrastructure, competitive opportunities and physical literacy.
- Revamped Khelo India Scheme: In July 2026, the Union Cabinet approved the expanded Khelo India Scheme along with enhanced assistance to National Sports Federations, with a combined outlay of ₹36,441 crore for 2026–27 to 2030–31. It aims to create a stronger pathway from grassroots participation and talent identification to high-performance sport.
- KIRTI (Khelo India Rising Talent Identification): A nationwide programme to identify and nurture sporting talent among children aged 9–18 years, using Talent Assessment Centres, standardised protocols and technology-enabled assessment.
- Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS): Provides customised financial, training and other support to identified elite athletes preparing for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
- National Sports Governance Act, 2025: Provides a statutory framework for transparency, accountability, ethical practices, good governance and welfare of sportspersons in sports administration; selected provisions came into force from 1 January 2026.
Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Awards 2024
Context: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has announced the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Awards (TNNAA) 2024, recognising four individuals for outstanding achievements in adventure activities.
About Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Awards (TNNAA)
- Instituted as the National Adventure Awards in 1993 and later renamed after Tenzing Norgay, the award recognises outstanding achievements in adventure and is accorded a status at par with the Arjuna Award.
- It covers four categories: Land Adventure, Water (Sea) Adventure, Air Adventure and Lifetime Achievement. The award aims to promote courage, endurance, discipline, risk-taking, teamwork and quick and effective decision-making among youth.
- Each awardee receives a statuette, certificate and ₹15 lakh in award money.
TNNAA 2024: Awardees & Key Highlights
- Awardees: Baljeet Kaur and Skalzang Rigzin (Land Adventure), Rimo Saha (Water Adventure), and Shiv Prasad Chamoli (Lifetime Achievement). No awardee was listed under Air Adventure for 2024.
- The selections were made on the recommendations of the National Selection Committee, following evaluation and due scrutiny of nominations.
- President Droupadi Murmu will confer the awards at Rashtrapati Bhavan, along with the National Sports Awards 2025; the date of the ceremony will be announced separately.
RK-251 — India’s New ‘Smart’ Cancer Drug
Context: Indian scientists have developed RK-251, a novel “smart” cancer-drug candidate designed to activate primarily inside cancer cells, potentially reducing damage to healthy cells associated with conventional chemotherapy.
About RK-251: Mechanism & Key Features
- Development: Developed through collaborative research led by Dr. Asis Bala of the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science & Technology, and Dr. K.P. Bhabak of IIT Guwahati.
- ROS-responsive activation: Cancer cells often contain high levels of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). RK-251 is designed to remain relatively inactive in normal tissues and gets activated in the ROS-rich environment of cancer cells.
- Mode of action: ROS triggers RK-251 to release NBDHEX, a potent anticancer compound that blocks target proteins used by cancer cells for survival and resistance to treatment.
- Preclinical findings: It showed strong activity against aggressive triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells, with substantially lower effects on healthy cells. In zebrafish embryo (Danio rerio) studies, it showed no obvious signs of toxicity and exhibited the desired fluorescence in the presence of ROS.
Significance & Present Status
- Targeted approach: Activation primarily within cancer cells could potentially reduce collateral damage to healthy tissues and adverse effects associated with conventional chemotherapy.
- Potential therapeutic value: Its demonstrated activity against TNBC, an aggressive form of breast cancer, highlights its potential for further development.
- Preclinical stage: RK-251 has not yet entered human clinical trials. Further research and validation are required before it can be tested in patients. The research has been published in the ACS Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.
Chipflation
Context: “Chipflation” has emerged as a new source of inflation as the global AI boom drives up demand for memory chips, raising prices of consumer electronics.
About Chipflation
- Coined by Morgan Stanley in June 2026, chipflation refers to memory chips becoming more expensive and harder to obtain, reversing their long-term trend of declining prices.
- The surge in AI data-centre demand is prompting manufacturers to prioritise higher-margin HBM and server DRAM, constraining supply of DRAM used in smartphones, laptops, refrigerators, TVs, automobiles and other electronics.
- In India, prices of several consumer-electronics categories rose 3–5% between January and July 2026.
Intismeran
Context: Intismeran autogene, an investigational personalised mRNA-based cancer therapy developed by Moderna and Merck, has shown positive Phase 3 results in combination with Keytruda for high-risk melanoma.
About Intismeran
- Intismeran (mRNA-4157/V940) is an individualised mRNA-based neoantigen therapy tailored to mutations in a patient’s tumour.
- It encodes 34 tumour-specific neoantigens to train the immune system to recognise and attack cancer cells carrying these mutations.
- In the Phase 3 INTerpath-001 trial, its combination with pembrolizumab (Keytruda) reduced the risk of recurrence or death by 49% and distant metastasis or death by 59%, compared with pembrolizumab alone, in patients with high-risk melanoma. It remains an investigational therapy.