Kerala Declares Bacillus Subtilis ‘State Microbe’
Syllabus: GS2/ Health/ Governance
Context
- Kerala has become the first Indian state to designate an official “State Microbe,” selecting Bacillus subtilis, a beneficial, soil-dwelling bacterium.
Bacillus subtilis
- It is a non-pathogenic, rod-shaped, gram-positive bacterium.
- It is found commonly in soil, water, and the human gut.
- Bacillus subtilis is a probiotic or good bacterium that plays a vital role in improving gut health and strengthening immunity.
- The bacterium is widely used in agriculture as a biofertilizer and biocontrol agent to enhance crop productivity and suppress plant diseases.
- Due to its resilience and spore-forming ability, it has significant industrial and biotechnological applications.
Do You Know?
Centre of Excellence in Microbiome
- It is established by the Government of Kerala located in Thiruvananthapuram,
- It is India’s first dedicated multi-domain research institution for microbiome studies.
Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad)
Syllabus: GS2/ International Relations
Context
- Recent remarks from senior U.S. officials describing the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) as a “very important platform” and India as an “active participant”.
Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad)
- It is the informal strategic dialogue between India, USA, Japan and Australia.
- Objective – To ensure and support a “free, open and prosperous” Indo-Pacific region.
Additional Information – Exercise Malabar
- Started in – It is a multilateral war-gaming naval exercise that was started in 1992. The exercise began as a bilateral exercise between the navies of India and the United States.
- Participating countries – From 2002 onward, the exercise has been conducted every year. Japan and Australia first participated in 2007. Since 2014, India, the US and Japan have participated in the exercise. In 2020 Australia too joined the Malabar Exercise.
- Aim – To support a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region and remain committed to the rules-based international order.
African Union
Syllabus: GS2/Regional Groupings
Context
- The African Union is hosting its annual summit in Ethiopia to discuss the future of the continent, as the organization faces widespread discontent.
African Union
- It is a continental body consisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent.
- It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU, 1963-1999).
- Aim: to drive Africa’s growth and economic development.
- Headquarters: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Initiatives
- African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement – It aims to create a single market for goods and services across the continent.
- Agenda 2063 – It is a strategic framework for the socio-economic t ransformation of the continent over the next 50 years.
Seva Teerth
Syllabus: GS2/Governance
In News
- The Prime Minister inaugurated the Seva Teerth complex in New Delhi, along with Kartavya Bhavan-1 and 2.
Seva Teerth and Kartavya Bhavan-1 and 2
- Seva Teerth houses the Prime Minister’s Office, the National Security Council Secretariat, the Cabinet Secretariat, all of which were previously located across different locations.
- It consolidates administrative functions within modern, and future-ready facilities.
- Kartavya Bhavan-1 and 2 accommodate several Key ministries including the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
- Both building complexes feature digitally integrated offices, structured public interface zones and centralised reception facilities.
Importance
- These features will foster collaboration, efficiency, seamless governance, improved citizen engagement and enhanced employee well-being.
CPI January, 2026 (Provisional) at Base year 2024=100 Released
Syllabus:GS3/Economy
Context
- The Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation has released the provisional Consumer Price Index (CPI) with Base 2024=100.
About
- The base has been revised from 2012 to 2024 using Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2023-24.
Consumer Price Index (CPI):
- It measures the average change in prices paid by consumers for a basket of goods and services over timee., it tracks retail inflation.
- Tracks cost of living and purchasing power.
- Includes items like food, housing, clothing, transport, etc.
- It is published monthly, the earlier base year: 2012 which is revised to 2024.
- Released By: NSO, MoSPI.
Lead Bank Scheme (LBS)
Syllabus: GS3/Economy
In News
- The RBI’s proposed guidelines aim to strengthen and streamline the Lead Bank Scheme by clearly defining the structure, membership, and roles of various committees
Lead Bank Scheme (LBS)
- It is an institutional mechanism introduced by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in December 1969
- Objective – to coordinate banking and development activities at the district level.
- Significance – It aims to enhance credit flow to priority sectors like agriculture and MSMEs, reduce regional imbalances, and promote overall rural development.
- As of February 2026, the RBI has proposed a major overhaul of the scheme through new draft guidelines to modernize its operations for the digital age.
Core Objectives
- Area Approach: Adopting a specific geographical area (the district) as the basic unit for intensive banking development.
- Financial Inclusion: Expanding banking services to unbanked and underbanked rural and semi-urban populations.
- Coordinated Planning: Acting as a “consortium leader” to align the efforts of commercial banks, regional rural banks (RRBs), cooperative banks, and government agencies.
- Credit Deployment: Ensuring credit reaches productive sectors to improve local income levels and productivity.
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