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1. The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) has introduced new guidelines for appointing insolvency professionals (IPs) as interim resolution professionals, liquidators, and bankruptcy trustees. These guidelines include the formation of a six-month validity panel of IPs, shared with the National Company Law Tribunal and Debt Recovery Tribunal to expedite proceedings. IPs on the panel must have no ongoing disciplinary proceedings or convictions within three years. IPs will receive an authorization for assignment valid for the panel's duration. The panel prioritizes IPs based on completed assignments and registration dates, aiming to enhance efficiency in the insolvency resolution process.
2. Ajrakh, a traditional resist-dyeing craft from Kutch, Gujarat, has recently been granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, offering legal protection to this centuries-old art form. Utilizing natural dyes and intricate designs, Ajrakh textiles, adorned with vibrant colors like indigo, red, and white, serve as cultural attire for nomadic communities such as Rabaris, Maldharis, and Ahirs. In the same region, Bela Block Printing, a lesser-known craft practiced by the Khatri community, features bold designs and striking color combinations, often depicting elephants and horses on textured fabrics. Despite its cultural significance, Bela Block Printing has been flagged as an endangered craft by the Office of the Development Commissioner for Handicrafts, highlighting the need for preservation efforts.
3. The Netherlands has emerged as India's third-largest export destination globally in the fiscal year 2023-24, following the US and UAE. Positioned among India's top trading partners in Europe, it ranks after Germany, Switzerland, the UK, and Belgium. Exports to the Netherlands experienced a 3.5% increase, amounting to USD 22.36 billion in 2023-24, up from USD 21.61 billion in the previous fiscal year, constituting 2.36% of India's total trade in 2022-23. Moreover, the Netherlands stands as a significant investor in India, with Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) totaling approximately USD 5 billion, marking a substantial rise from the previous year's $2.6 billion. Geographically, the Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Germany to the east, and Belgium to the south, with Amsterdam as its official capital and The Hague as its seat of government. Governed as a Constitutional Monarchy with a Parliamentary system, the country features major rivers such as the Rhine, Meuse, and Scheldt.
4. The 2025 QS World University Rankings showcased significant improvements for Indian universities alongside notable global standings. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) retained its top position globally for the 13th consecutive year, followed by Imperial College London in second place, with Harvard University and the University of Oxford jointly holding third. Regional highlights include ETH Zurich maintaining its top position in Continental Europe and the National University of Singapore (NUS) ranking eighth in Asia. In India, with 46 universities represented, the country ranks seventh globally and third in Asia, with 61% of universities experiencing ranking improvements. Notably, IIT Bombay secured the top spot in India, climbing from 149th to 118th globally, followed by IIT Delhi, which rose from 197th to 150th. While India performs strongly in citations per faculty, it lags in international faculty and student ratios, emphasizing the need for enhanced international collaboration. Additionally, Symbiosis International (Deemed University) entered the top 20, ranked between 641-650 globally.
5. The Global Soil Partnership (GSP), established in December 2012 under the auspices of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, has convened a crucial meeting to address urgent actions needed amid global crises. With over 700 partners, including FAO Members, the GSP aims to elevate soils on the global agenda and advocate for inclusive policies and soil governance. A central objective is to enhance and sustain the health of at least 50% of the world's soils by 2030 through sustainable soil management, focusing on the principles of reduce, re-use, and renew. Among its key initiatives, the GSP is implementing the Soil Mapping for Resilient Agrifood Systems (SoilFER) project in Central America and African countries as part of the VACS Initiative. Other initiatives encompass measuring, reporting, and verifying soil health, establishing the Global Soil Laboratory Network for quality certificates, promoting Conservation Agriculture, and recognizing the vital role of healthy soils in agrifood systems transformation.