26th September 2026

Explanation - Marfan Syndrome is a genetic condition that affects the connective tissue in the body. Connective tissue helps support structures in the body, including organs, bones, and blood vessels. It most commonly affects the heart, eyes, blood vessels, and bones. Cause — It is a hereditary defect in elastin fibers. There is a change in the fibrillin-1 or FBN1 gene that gives your cells instructions to make fibrillin, a protein. This protein helps connective tissue stay strong and flexible. Treatment — There's no cure for Marfan syndrome, so treatment focuses on managing the symptoms and reducing the risk of complications. Treatment usually includes medicines to keep your blood pressure low. This helps reduce the strain on your aorta. Many people with Marfan syndrome eventually require preventive surgery to repair the aorta.

Explanation - Technology Development Fund Scheme has been established to promote self-reliance in Defence Technology as a part of the ‘Make in India’ initiative. Objective: It encourages the participation of public/private industries, especially MSMEs and startups, so as to create an ecosystem for enhancing cutting-edge technology capability in the defence sector. Project Duration: The maximum development period will be four years. Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Defence. It is executed by DRDO to promote self-reliance in cutting-edge defence and aerospace technologies. Eligibility criteria — Entity Type — A public limited company, a private limited company, a partnership firm, a limited liability partnership, a one-person company, or a sole proprietorship registered as per applicable Indian laws registered in India especially MSMEs and Startups. The industry must be owned and controlled by a resident Indian citizen. An entity with excess of 49 percent foreign investment not be eligible. Start up — Startups must be recognised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) as per Government of India (GOI) guidelines. Startups incorporated for less than three years from date of submission of application will be considered as nascent startups. A nascent startup should be incubated at one of the Central/State government assisted incubators. Startups should not have received any grants/grants-in-aid by any government scheme for a similar technology. The startup must be owned and controlled by a Resident Indian citizen with a shareholding of at least 51%.

Explanation - It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched in 2014, under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission. It provides placement linked skill training to poor rural youth. Nodal Ministry — Ministry of Rural Development Key Features — Target: It has been providing placement-linked skill training to rural youth aged 15-35 years from poor households. Social Inclusion: It also promotes social inclusion through mandatory coverage of SC/ST communities (50%), women (33%), and persons with disabilities (5%). The Government notified the upgraded DDU-GKY 2.0 Guidelines in 2025 and framework provides training across multiple sectors based on industry requirements, including aerospace and aviation, agriculture, beauty and wellness, green jobs, healthcare, textiles, and others. Initiatives under DDU-GKY 2.0 — Roshni: It addresses the specific needs of Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected districts notified by the Ministry of Home Affairs. It mandates residential skill training, with 40% coverage for women candidates. The initiative has been extended to Aspirational Districts, focusing on local infrastructure, education, health, natural resources, and traditional skills. Himayat: It is a special DDU-GKY scheme for Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. It covers rural and urban youth, including BPL and APL persons, and supports wage, self, and gig employment. The scheme is 100% centrally funded and implemented with State support through dedicated Mission Management Units. North East: Acknowledging the challenges of unique topography of the North Eastern States, out of the total allocation for DDU-GKY, 10% is earmarked for the North-Eastern States. Hard to reach Areas: It has provision for Special Area Allowance where Project implementing agencies shall be eligible for a payment at the rate of an additional 10% of the Base training cost per candidate.

Explanation - A green bond (or ‘climate bond) is a debt instrument with which capital is raised to fund ‘green’ projects, which typically include those relating to renewable energy, clean transportation, sustainable water management etc. Like any other bond, it is a fixed income instrument that represents a loan made by an investor to a borrower (typically corporate or governmental).

Blue bonds are sustainability bonds to finance projects that protect the ocean and related ecosystems. This can include projects to support sustainable fisheries, protection of coral reefs and other fragile ecosystems, or reducing pollution and acidification. The Republic of Seychelles launched the world’s first sovereign blue bond in November 2018 to support sustainable marine and fisheries projects. Note - All blue bonds are green bonds, but not all green bonds are blue bonds.

Explanation - Like a conventional bond, a blue bond is an instrument through which an issuer raises money from investors, promising periodic interest and repayment of principal at maturity. The difference lies in its environmental purpose: proceeds must go towards clearly identified water- and ocean-related projects. Key requirements for issuers — A framework explaining where the money will be invested. Impact measurement mechanisms. Periodic reporting, to avoid "bluewashing" — the water-sector equivalent of greenwashing. Greenwashing is the deceptive practice of making a product, service, or company appear more environmentally friendly than it actually is. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has already recognised blue bonds as part of sustainable finance instruments and highlighted their potential for India's blue economy.