1. Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary

Around 100 wild boars were found dead in Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary in March, and postmortem findings suggest toxic waste contamination in Nangal Lake as the possible cause.
Located in the foothills of the Shivalik Hills in Punjab’s Rupnagar district, the sanctuary covers 116 hectares and forms part of the Nangal Wetland on the Sutlej River. Established in 2009 and declared a Ramsar site in 2019, it occupies a reservoir built under the Bhakra-Nangal Project (1961). The site is historically significant as the venue where India and China adopted the “Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence” in 1954. The sanctuary hosts over 150 bird species and threatened animals like leopards, Indian pangolins, and Egyptian vultures, serving as an important migratory stopover for waterfowl.

2. Unicorn Company

The Defence Minister recently urged startups to create India’s first defence unicorn, calling them the new force in innovation.
A unicorn is a privately owned startup valued at over $1 billion — a term introduced by venture capitalist Aileen Lee in 2013.
Key traits: high growth potential, private ownership, disruptive innovation, and strong investor funding.
Their valuations rely on future potential rather than present profits. Some unicorns go public via IPOs, while others remain private or get acquired.
As of July 2025, the world has over 1,200 unicorns.
Related terms:

• Gazelles: Startups expected to become unicorns within 2 years (valuation $500M–$1B).

• Cheetahs: Startups expected to achieve unicorn status within 4 years (valuation $200M–$500M).

  Source: Rajnath commends startups powering defence innovation

   

3. Easter Island

Recent studies show that Easter Island’s moai statues were moved upright using ingenious engineering methods.
Located in the southeastern Pacific Ocean, Easter Island (Rapa Nui) is a Chilean territory spanning 163.6 sq. km and formed by three extinct volcanoes — Terevaka, Poike, and Rano Kau. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, it lies 3,540 km west of Chile and has a tropical rainforest climate.
Moai Statues:
Over 900 large stone statues, carved between the 13th–16th centuries, represent revered ancestors. Standing up to 40 feet tall, these statues were erected on stone platforms (ahu), serving as tombs for chieftains and leaders. Each moai is unique, reflecting the individual it honors.

4. Online National Drugs Licensing System (ONDLS)

The ONDLS portal serves as a unified digital platform for processing drug-related licenses across India.
Developed by CDAC with CDSCO and State Drug Authorities, it ensures transparency, uniformity, and accountability in licensing. It facilitates applications for manufacturing and sales licenses, including Blood Banks, GMP, WHO-GMP, COPP, and Market Standing Certificates.
Although 18 states have adopted the portal, none have fully met the Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) guidelines yet.

5. Nesolynx banabitanae

A new wasp species, Nesolynx banabitanae, was discovered in Central Park (Banabitan), Salt Lake, West Bengal — named after its discovery site.
It belongs to the Eulophidae family and is India’s seventh identified wasp species. This hyperparasitoid species parasitizes other parasitoid wasps, specifically Charops aditya, which targets butterfly caterpillars such as the common palmfly and common castor.

6. Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Certification

About ten Indian marine and saline fish and shrimp species are set to receive MSC certification for sustainable fishing.
The Marine Stewardship Council is a global non-profit setting science-based standards for responsible fishing and seafood traceability. Certification is based on three principles: healthy stocks, minimal environmental impact, and effective management.
The certification lasts five years, subject to annual audits, and aligns with FAO’s Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing.
India’s first MSC-certified fishery was the Ashtamudi clam (Paphia malabarica).

7. Indian Radio Software Architecture (IRSA) Standard

The DRDO, Integrated Defence Staff, and Tri-Services have jointly released IRSA Standard 1.0, India’s first national specification for Software Defined Radios (SDRs).
It establishes standardized interfaces, APIs, and execution environments for secure and interoperable military communication. IRSA aims to position India as a global leader in SDR technology alongside frameworks like the U.S. SCA and NATO’s STANAG.
SDR Definition: Software-based radio systems that can be reconfigured for various frequencies and functions, offering high flexibility for modern communication needs.

8. UNESCO

UNESCO’s Executive Board recently nominated Egypt’s former tourism minister Khaled el-Anani as the agency’s next director.
About UNESCO:
Founded in 1945, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization promotes global peace through education, science, culture, and communication.
Headquartered in Paris, it has 194 member states and 12 associate members.
UNESCO designates and protects World Heritage Sites, combats illiteracy, and fosters cultural exchange and cooperation among nations.

9. Supermoon

A supermoon occurs when a full moon coincides with its closest approach to Earth (perigee), appearing up to 14% larger and 30% brighter.
Coined by astrologer Richard Nolle in 1979, the term refers to the moon being within 90% of its perigee distance.
Supermoons enhance tidal forces, producing perigean spring tides, which may slightly increase coastal flooding during storms.

10. PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana

The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSGMBY), launched on February 15, 2024, aims to provide free electricity through rooftop solar systems.
It offers subsidies covering 60% of installation costs up to 2 kW and 40% for systems between 2–3 kW. Each district will develop a Model Solar Village under the scheme.
Local bodies receive ₹1,000 incentives per installation, while DISCOMs act as State Implementation Agencies, earning incentives for added grid-connected solar capacity.
As of September 2025, over 5.79 lakh loans worth ₹10,907 crore have been sanctioned by Public Sector Banks.