Products conforming to IS 19412:2025 can carry the BIS Standard Mark, helping consumers make informed and safe choices.
Promotes ethical and sustainable manufacturing practices.
Protects traditional livelihoods, including artisans, MSMEs, and rural micro-entrepreneurs.
Enhances global market access for Indian incense products.
Stakeholder Involvement
Developed by BIS Fragrance and Flavour Sectional Committee (PCD 18).
Experts from leading research institutes contributed:
CSIR–CIMAP, CSIR–IITR, CSIR–CFTRI
Fragrance and Flavour Development Centre (FFDC), Kannauj
All India Agarbatti Manufacturers Association
Industry Significance
India is the largest producer and exporter of agarbattis.
Estimated annual industry size: ₹8,000 crore
Exports: ~₹1,200 crore to 150+ countries
Supports a large ecosystem of artisans and women workers, particularly in rural/semi-urban areas.
Cultural & Market Context
Agarbattis are widely used in:
Households
Places of worship
Meditation and wellness centres
Rising global interest in yoga, meditation, aromatherapy, and holistic well-being has increased domestic and international demand.
T Chamaeleontis (T Cha)
Object of Study
T Chamaeleontis (T Cha) is a young, Sun-like star located approximately 350 light-years from Earth.
It is surrounded by a circumstellar (planet-forming) disk containing gas and dust.
The disk has a wide gap, likely created by a forming protoplanet, making T Cha an important system for studying early planet formation.
Disk Structure and the “Veil” Effect
Normally, a dense inner wall of the circumstellar disk blocks much of the star’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
This shielding prevents UV light from reaching the colder outer disk.
As a result, certain molecules—especially those that require UV excitation—are usually hard to detect around low-mass, Sun-like stars.
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
PAHs are flat, carbon- and hydrogen-based molecules made of linked benzene rings.
They are:
Common in interstellar clouds
Considered precursors to complex organic chemistry
Known to absorb UV photons and emit characteristic mid-infrared radiation (5–15 μm)
PAHs are rarely observed in disks around low-mass stars due to low UV output and disk shielding.
Key Event: Disk Collapse and Illumination
In 2022, T Cha underwent a high accretion event:
Material from the disk rapidly fell onto the star.
This caused the inner disk wall to partially collapse.
The collapse allowed UV radiation to flood the outer disk, illuminating previously shadowed regions.
Observations and Instruments
Scientists from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) analyzed:
JWST (James Webb Space Telescope) data from the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI).
JWST’s sensitivity captured strong mid-infrared emission from PAHs during the 2022 event.
Archival data from the Spitzer Space Telescope were re-examined for comparison.
Key Findings
Clear PAH emission bands were detected in JWST data, making:
T Cha one of the lowest-mass stars with confirmed PAHs in its disk.
Spitzer data showed:
Faint but definite PAH signatures, confirming the molecules existed earlier.
Comparison between Spitzer (earlier) and JWST (2022) data showed:
PAH emission became much brighter after the disk collapse.
Relative intensities of PAH spectral features remained nearly unchanged.
This indicates:
The PAHs were stable over nearly two decades.
Their intrinsic properties (size and charge) did not change.
Chemical Characteristics
The detected PAHs are small molecules, containing fewer than 30 carbon atoms.
Their excitation is directly linked to increased UV exposure, not molecular transformation.
Scientific Significance
The study was published in The Astronomical Journal.
Demonstrates that:
Disk structure changes can temporarily reveal hidden chemistry.
PAHs can survive in planet-forming disks around Sun-like stars.
Provides new insight into:
Disk evolution
Planet–disk interactions
The persistence of complex organic molecules during planet formation.
Future Implications
With JWST’s long operational lifetime:
T Cha can be observed repeatedly over time.
Scientists can track chemical and structural changes in the disk.
This opens new opportunities to study:
How organic molecules evolve during planet formation
Conditions that may influence the chemical origins of life
Veer Baal Diwas
Overview
Veer Baal Diwas is observed annually on 26 December by the Government of India.
The day commemorates the martyrdom of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji, the younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Sikh Guru.
It aims to honour their extraordinary bravery, sacrifice, and unwavering faith.
The observance seeks to inspire India’s youth with values of courage, moral strength, and selflessness.
Historical Context
Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji were martyred on 26 December 1704.
The martyrdom took place at Sirhind (present-day Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab).
They were bricked alive for refusing to abandon their faith under coercion.
Despite their young age, they displayed remarkable moral courage and dignity.
Their sacrifice is a lasting symbol of the Sikh Gurus’ heritage, faith, and resistance against injustice.
The event holds a central place in India’s collective historical memory.
The day is traditionally observed with prayers and keertans in Gurudwaras.
Objectives of Veer Baal Diwas
To honour the martyrdom and bravery of the Sahibzadas.
To educate and sensitize youth about their sacrifice and values.
To inculcate civic virtues such as courage, integrity, resilience, and patriotism.
To connect historical sacrifice with contemporary national values.
Observance and Activities
Observed nationwide, with strong participation from schools and youth organizations.
Activities include:
Essay writing, quizzes, and debates
Storytelling sessions and art competitions
Cultural programmes and youth marches
Public tributes and commemorative events
Emphasis on inclusive, participatory, and youth-centric engagement.
Events also serve as platforms to showcase the talent, creativity, and achievements of children and youth.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi graces the occasion, reinforcing the importance of children in nation-building.
Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP)
A prestigious national-level award linked with Veer Baal Diwas celebrations.
Conferred annually by the Hon’ble President of India.
Recognises exceptional achievements of children below 18 years.
Aims to:
Celebrate and encourage young achievers
Inspire peers through real-life role models
Promote innovation, service, perseverance, and national pride
Categories of PMRBP
Awards are given in six categories:
Bravery
Social Service
Environment
Sports
Art & Culture
Science & Technology
Eligibility Criteria
Open to Indian citizens residing in India.
Age group: 5 to 18 years as on 31 July of the award year.
The achievement must have occurred within two years prior to the last date of application.
Nomination and Selection Process
Selection is carried out by the PMRBP Committee.
The Committee is:
Constituted by the Hon’ble Minister for Women and Child Development
Chaired by the Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD)
Includes domain experts
Awards are granted based on:
Exceptional merit
Societal impact of the achievement
Final approval is given by the Hon’ble Minister for Women and Child Development.
Number and Nature of Awards
A maximum of 25 awards are conferred annually.
The Committee may exceed this limit in exceptional cases.
Each award includes:
A Medal
A Certificate
Posthumous Awards
PMRBP is generally not awarded posthumously.
Posthumous conferment may be considered only in rare and highly deserving cases.
National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) linked to National Population Register (NPR)
National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID): Overview
NATGRID is a secure intelligence-sharing platform used by police and other authorised law-enforcement and security agencies.
It enables real-time access to multiple government and private databases.
The platform is accessible only to security agencies and operates on indigenous, secure technology.
NATGRID became fully operational last year, though it was conceptualised in 2009 following the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
Linkage with National Population Register (NPR)
NATGRID has now been linked with the National Population Register (NPR).
NPR contains family-wise demographic details of about 119 crore residents of India.
This linkage allows investigating agencies to access family details of suspects or persons of interest, if available in the NPR database.
NPR data was:
First collected in 2010 during the first phase of the 2011 Census
Last updated in 2015 through door-to-door enumeration
Intended to be updated during the 2021 Census, which was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Government Push for Wider Use
The Union Home Ministry is encouraging:
State police forces
Central law and security agencies
Aim:
Enhanced intelligence gathering
Faster and more efficient investigation of criminal cases
States have been asked to liberally use the NATGRID platform.
Technological Capabilities: “Gandiva”
“Gandiva” is an upgraded analytical tool on NATGRID’s IT platform.
It supports:
Multi-source data collection
Advanced data analysis
Entity resolution
Facial recognition
Enables agencies to:
Identify relationships among individuals
Track organised crime networks
Access family-linked data through NPR integration
Organised Crime Network Database
On December 9, the Home Ministry informed the Lok Sabha that:
An Organised Crime Network Database is being developed on NATGRID.
Purpose:
Facilitate secure data-sharing between:
National Investigation Agency (NIA)
State Anti-Terror Squads (ATS)
Usage Statistics
According to The Hindu (December 7):
NATGRID processes around 45,000 requests per month on average.
Indicates growing reliance on the platform by security agencies.
NPR, Census, and NRC Link
The NPR is considered the first step towards the creation of a National Register of Citizens (NRC).
On December 12, the Union Cabinet approved:
Census 2027
Total cost: ₹11,718 crore
Key points:
No separate allocation for updating NPR
Government stated earlier (July 29) that no decision has been taken to update NPR during the upcoming Census
Privacy and Oversight Concerns
Concerns raised over:
Police and security agencies accessing extensive personal data
Data access even without registering a First Information Report (FIR)
Government response:
Every query is logged in the system
Agencies must state the purpose for accessing information
Senior police officers oversee the process
Multiple checks and balances are in place to prevent misuse
Significance and Implications
Strengthens India’s counter-terrorism and crime-fighting capabilities
Enhances inter-agency coordination and data-driven policing
Raises important privacy, civil liberties, and data protection concerns
