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- A documentary highlighting the conservation efforts for the Asian giant softshell turtle in Kasargod, Kerala, has been honored with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
- The Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival (DPIFF) awards pay tribute to the legendary filmmaker Dadasaheb Phalke, known as the ‘Father of Indian Cinema,’ who directed India’s first full-length feature film, Raja Harishchandra, in 1913.
- About the Asian giant softshell turtle (Pelochelys cantorii):
- Also known as Cantor’s giant softshell turtle, this large freshwater species is native to South and Southeast Asia. In Kerala, it is locally called Bhimanama — with ‘bhiman’ meaning giant and ‘aama’ meaning turtle. It inhabits large rivers, lakes, estuaries, mangrove channels, and coastal mudflats.
- Classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN, it is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Notable features include its flattened head, widely spaced eyes, and powerful ambush predatory behavior characterized by lightning-fast strikes.
- The Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) enables quick, focused, and collaborative responses to suspected telecom and financial frauds. It assesses mobile numbers and categorizes them as Medium, High, or Very High risk based on data from the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal, DoT’s Chakshu platform, the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP), and intelligence from banks and financial institutions. This tool supports banks, NBFCs, and UPI providers in strengthening customer protection and enhancing enforcement actions.
- Between FY 2020 and 2024, India recorded losses of around ₹3,207 crore across 5.82 lakh cyber fraud cases. These include KYC frauds, UPI scams, card fraud, and fake investment schemes.
- To tackle this, initiatives like the DIP enable real-time intelligence sharing among stakeholders. The Chakshu facility helps citizens report fraudulent communication. Tools like RBI’s Mulehunter identify money mules, while the Citizen Fraud Reporting System (2021) and E-Zero FIR streamline fraud reporting and legal action through the I4C platform.
- India has officially taken over the Chairmanship of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) for the period 2025-26.
- About the Asian Productivity Organization:
- Founded in 1961 by eight pioneering members, including India, the APO is a regional intergovernmental body focused on enhancing productivity across the Asia-Pacific. Currently, it brings together 21 member economies working collaboratively to boost economic growth and development.
- The APO’s primary goal is to foster productivity improvements through shared knowledge, capacity building, and cooperative initiatives. It undertakes research to address emerging challenges faced by its members, facilitates bilateral and multilateral partnerships, and evaluates the economic policies and development progress of each member nation. India’s Chairmanship highlights its growing leadership role in regional economic collaboration and productivity enhancement.
- Recently, the Union Government informed the Supreme Court that Waqf does not constitute an essential practice of Islam.
- About the Doctrine of Essentiality:
- This legal principle, developed by the Supreme Court of India, helps identify which religious customs are fundamental and thus safeguarded under Article 25 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion. The doctrine seeks to balance religious freedom with other fundamental rights, ensuring that religious practices do not violate individuals’ rights to equality, dignity, and personal liberty. By applying this test, the Court distinguishes between core religious beliefs and practices that may be subject to regulation or reform in the interest of public welfare.