Current Affairs, 2 July 2026

Site and status

Borjuli in Sonitpur district, Assam, has been notified as a Biodiversity Heritage Site by the National Biodiversity Authority.

Species conserved

The project conserves wild rice, Oryza rufipogon, in its natural habitat (in-situ) in Sonitpur.

Who runs and funds it

NRAA funds the project. ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi, implements it with the Assam State Biodiversity Board, and has done so since 2022.

Legal basis of BHS

Biodiversity Heritage Sites are notified by the State Government, in consultation with local bodies, under Section 37 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.

Nodal body

The National Biodiversity Authority, headquartered in Chennai, is the statutory body under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.

Don’t confuse with Biodiversity Heritage Site vs protected area: A BHS under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 is a well-defined area rich in biodiversity, with community-linked management. National parks and sanctuaries are protected areas under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Don’t confuse with In-situ vs ex-situ conservation: In-situ conserves species in their natural habitat, as at Borjuli. Ex-situ keeps them outside, for example in gene banks.

Species and protected areas: 12 Prelims questions since 2013; they test legal status, location and the year of designation.

1. 2018Mains GS3 · Q17Biodiversity variation in India and Biological Diversity Act's role in conservation
2. 2026Mains GS3 · Q8Kunming-Montreal framework's aims and India's commitments and initiatives
3. 2016Prelims Q27Overall goal of FAO's Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System initiative
4. 2023Prelims Q79Functions of Biodiversity Management Committees under Nagoya Protocol access and benefit sharing
5. 2012Prelims Q3How National Biodiversity Authority protects Indian agriculture and genetic resources

UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.

Existing allocatees

Those who have already furnished PBGs can replace them with ISBs, subject to prescribed conditions.

Legal notification

The rules were published in the Gazette of India as G.S.R. 508(E) on 22 June 2026.

Intended benefit

It is meant to ease the financial burden of bank guarantees and let allocatees deploy capital in mine development and operations.

Don’t confuse with MMDR Act vs CMSP Act: The MMDR Act, 1957 governs mines and minerals generally, and blocks auctioned under it are covered first. The Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015 governs coal blocks allocated after the 2014 Supreme Court cancellation; ISBs are not yet extended to these.

Don’t confuse with Surety bond vs bank guarantee: A PBG is issued by a bank. An ISB is issued by an insurer. Both act as performance security for the government.

Economy terms and data: 42 Prelims questions since 2013, rising in recent years; they test what a term or instrument means. In Mains, 12 news-triggered questions.

1. 2017Mains GS1 · Q6Whether coal mining is inevitable for development despite adverse environmental impact; discuss.
2. 2013Mains GS3 · Q19Consequences of illegal mining and MoEF's Go and No Go zones for coal mining.

UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.

Parent law

The Drugs Rules, 1945 are framed under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, which sets the regulatory structure for drugs and cosmetics.

Existing CLAA categories

Vaccines, large volume parenterals (IV solutions above 100 ml) and r-DNA based medicines were already under joint Central and State supervision.

New categories added

The amendment adds cell or stem cell-derived products, gene therapeutic products and xenografts to the CLAA list.

Xenografts

Xenografts are animal tissue-derived products, such as heart valves, that can be transplanted into humans. They are used in cardiology and orthopedics.

Joint oversight

Central and State Licensing Authorities will jointly oversee these products, aiming at uniform regulatory standards across the country.

Central regulator

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), headed by the Drugs Controller General of India, is the central drug regulator.

Don’t confuse with Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 vs Drugs Rules, 1945: The Act is the parent law passed by Parliament. The Rules are subordinate legislation made under it, and they are what this amendment changes.

Don’t confuse with Gene therapy vs xenograft: Gene therapy alters or replaces genes to treat disease. A xenograft is animal-derived tissue transplanted into humans.

Laws, judgments and statutory bodies: 30 Prelims questions since 2013 (what the law says, who chairs, legal basis). In Mains, 44 news-triggered questions, most in GS2, asking for provisions and challenges.

1. 2014Mains GS3 · Q11Can antibiotic overuse and lack of prescription cause resistance; monitoring mechanisms
2. 2017Mains GS3 · Q6Describe stem cell therapy and its advantages over other treatments
3. 2024Mains GS4 · Q12Ethical dilemma of expediting drug trials under pressure during a viral outbreak
4. 2015Prelims Q23Which nanotechnology statements are correct: targeted drug delivery and gene therapy contribution
5. 2021Prelims Q66Which statements on mitochondrial diseases and replacement therapy are correct
6. 2012Prelims Q16Which statements on stem cells are correct: mammal-derived, drug screening, medical therapies

UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.

Economic security

They adopted a Joint Declaration on Economic Security Cooperation for project-based work in semiconductors, critical minerals, ICT, clean energy and pharmaceuticals.

IEA membership

Japan backed India's membership of the International Energy Agency.

UNSC seats

India and Japan agreed to support each other for non-permanent UNSC seats in 2028-29 and 2033-34, and for permanent seats in a reformed Council.

Investment target

Both sides noted progress towards the 10 trillion Yen Japanese private investment target set at the last Annual Summit.

Don’t confuse with Quad vs India-Japan bilateral: The Quad is a four-country grouping (India, Japan, US, Australia). The Annual Summit and 2+2 are bilateral India-Japan mechanisms.

Don’t confuse with FOIP vs IPOI vs MAHASAGAR: FOIP is Japan's Indo-Pacific vision. IPOI and MAHASAGAR are Indian initiatives. The statement says FOIP aligns closely with both.

International bodies and relations: the largest group of news questions in Prelims (61 since 2013), often about background, members and location. In Mains, 27 news-triggered questions, mostly on India's interests.

1. 2019Mains GS2 · Q9Comment on India-Japan global and strategic partnership's significance for Asia.
2. 2013Mains GS2 · Q20Elucidate policy constraints inhibiting India-Japan economic ties' growth potential.

UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.