Recently, the Supreme Court of India declined to grant an urgent hearing on a petition challenging the practice of state-sponsored ceremonial honours, specifically the offering of a ‘Chadar’ by the Prime Minister at the Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer.
The matter has brought renewed attention to the historical and spiritual significance of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti.

Who was Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti?

Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti was one of the most revered Sufi saints of India and the founder of the Chishti Order of Sufism in the Indian subcontinent.

• He was popularly known as “Gharīb Nawāz”, meaning “Benefactor of the Poor”, due to his lifelong service to the marginalized.

• He was born in 1141 CE in Sistan, a region in Persia (modern-day Iran) near present-day Afghanistan.

Education and Spiritual Lineage

• From an early age, he showed a strong inclination towards spiritual learning.

• He studied in Samarkand and Bukhara, which were renowned centres of Islamic scholarship.

• He followed Sunni Islam of the Hanafi school.

• He became a disciple of Hazrat Khwaja Usman Harooni, who later declared him his spiritual successor at the age of 52.

Arrival in India and Settlement

• Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti arrived in India around 1192 CE, a period of major political change.

• He finally settled in Ajmer, during the reign of Sultan Iltutmish in Delhi and Prithviraj Chauhan in Ajmer.

• In Ajmer, he established a Khanqah (spiritual centre) to provide food, shelter, and support to the poor.

Teachings and Philosophy

Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti’s teachings emphasized humanism and spiritual devotion over ritualism.

Key Teachings:

• Love and compassion for all people

• Service to the poor and needy

• Tolerance and peaceful coexistence

• Simple living and detachment from materialism

• Spiritual devotion as the path to God

Important Point: His teachings helped promote religious harmony and syncretism in medieval India.

Death and Ajmer Sharif Dargah

• Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti passed away in 1236 CE.

• He was buried in Ajmer, where his tomb later became the famous Ajmer Sharif Dargah (Dargah Sharif).

• The Dargah is a major pilgrimage centre for people of all religions.

Architectural Features

• The Dargah reflects Mughal architectural style.

• Several Mughal rulers, from Humayun to Shah Jahan, contributed to its expansion and renovation.

The Chishti Order of Sufism

The Chishti Order is one of the most influential Sufi orders in South Asia.

Origin

• Founded by Abu Ishaq Shami in Chisht (Afghanistan).

• Spread mainly across Afghanistan and the Indian subcontinent.

Core Beliefs of the Chishti Order

• Universal love and brotherhood

• Helping the poor and needy

• Simple and austere living

• Tolerance and non-violence

• Use of devotional music (Qawwali) to attain spiritual closeness to God

Conclusion

Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti remains a central figure in India’s spiritual and cultural history. His message of love, tolerance, and service continues to influence society even today. The contemporary legal debate surrounding ceremonial practices at his Dargah highlights the enduring relevance of his legacy in India’s public and constitutional discourse.

Recently, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved emergency financial assistance of USD 206 million to Sri Lanka under its Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI). The funding is intended to help the country meet urgent balance of payments needs arising from the devastating impact of Cyclone Ditwah.

About the Rapid Financing Instrument

The Rapid Financing Instrument is an IMF facility that provides prompt financial assistance to any IMF member country facing an urgent balance of payments requirement. It is designed to offer rapid and flexible support in times of crisis, without the need for a full-fledged economic reform program. The RFI operates under the General Resources Account (GRA) of the IMF.

Types of Rapid Financing Instrument

Regular Window

The Regular Window of the Rapid Financing Instrument is meant to address urgent balance of payments needs caused by factors such as domestic instability, exogenous shocks, or economic fragility. Under this window, a member country can access financial assistance up to 50 percent of its IMF quota in a year and up to 100 percent of its quota on a cumulative basis.

Large Natural Disaster Window

The Large Natural Disaster Window is applicable in cases where a country experiences a natural disaster that causes damage equivalent to or exceeding 20 percent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This window provides relatively higher access limits, allowing a country to obtain assistance of up to 80 percent of its quota per year and up to 133.33 percent of its quota on a cumulative basis.

Conditionality under the Rapid Financing Instrument

Financial assistance under the Rapid Financing Instrument is provided without ex-post program-based conditionality or periodic reviews, which distinguishes it from traditional IMF lending programs. However, in certain cases, prior actions may be required before the disbursement of funds. The recipient country is expected to pursue appropriate economic policies aimed at resolving the underlying balance of payments difficulties and maintaining macroeconomic stability.

According to the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) Year-End Review 2025, India’s biotechnology sector has witnessed remarkable growth, expanding from USD 10 billion in 2014 to USD 165.7 billion in 2024. The sector is projected to reach USD 300 billion by 2030, reflecting India’s rapid advancement in biotechnology-driven innovation and commercialization.

This expansion has positioned India as the 12th largest biotechnology hub globally, the 3rd largest in the Asia-Pacific region, the 3rd largest biotech startup ecosystem in the world, and the largest vaccine manufacturer globally.

Key Highlights of India’s Biotechnology Growth

India’s biotechnology growth has been driven by significant advancements in healthcare innovations, gene-edited high-yield crops, space biomanufacturing, and technology transfers from laboratories to industry. Strategic initiatives such as the BioE3 Policy, the National Biofoundry Network, regulatory reforms, and the E-YUVA scheme have strengthened innovation ecosystems, enhanced commercialization, and promoted youth-led entrepreneurship in biotechnology.

Key Initiatives in India’s Biotechnology Sector

Infrastructure and Policy Initiatives

India has launched its first National Biofoundry Network to strengthen indigenous biomanufacturing capabilities and accelerate the transition from research to scalable production. The BioE3 Policy is being implemented across six thematic sectors, including bio-based chemicals, precision biotherapeutics, climate-resilient agriculture, and sustainable materials, to support a circular bioeconomy.

The D.E.S.I.G.N for BioE3 Challenge has been introduced to empower youth-led innovation focused on sustainable bioeconomic solutions. Additionally, Centre–State BioE3 Cells have been initiated to ensure coordinated implementation of biotechnology initiatives across states.

Regulatory and Genomic Initiatives

The Guidelines on Genetically Engineered Plants Containing Stacked Events (2025) were notified to ensure biosafety while promoting innovation. Stacked plants involve the combination of two or more transgenes, such as herbicide tolerance (HT) and insect resistance (Bt), into a single crop.

The GenomeIndia Project (2020) has created a national genomic database with 10,000 accessible whole-genome samples, strengthening India’s precision medicine and research capabilities. The One Day One Genome Project (2024) highlights India’s unique microbial diversity through the daily public release of fully annotated microbial genomes isolated in India.

Human Resource Development and Research Support

The Biomedical Research Career Programme (BRCP) Phase III (2025–26 to 2037–38) aims to nurture top scientific talent, promote cutting-edge and translational biomedical research, reduce regional disparities, and build globally competitive research capacity.

Biotechnology: Concept and Applications

About Biotechnology

Biotechnology involves the use of cellular and biomolecular processes to develop products and technologies that improve human life and protect the environment.

Major Applications of Biotechnology

In healthcare (Red Biotechnology), biotechnology enables the development of advanced drugs and vaccines, personalized and gene therapies, and stem cell-based regenerative medicine.
In agriculture (Green Biotechnology), it supports the development of pest-resistant, drought-tolerant, and nutritionally enhanced crops, such as vitamin A–enriched Golden Rice, thereby strengthening food security.
In environmental applications (White Biotechnology), microorganisms are used for bioremediation, while biofuels, bioplastics, and biodegradable materials promote a circular economy.

Biotechnology also contributes significantly to economic growth by creating skilled employment and enhancing global competitiveness. In the context of climate action and materials science, it supports CO₂ capture, cleaner biofuels, and the development of novel bio-based materials for industries such as fashion and aerospace.

Key Achievements of the Department of Biotechnology in 2025

Healthcare and Biomedical Research

The DBT supported the development of indigenous AI-driven models for pregnancy dating and preterm birth prediction, identifying 66 genetic markers. Under the Dare2eraD TB Programme, 18,000 Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates were sequenced to map drug-resistant tuberculosis.

The GARBH-INi cohort enrolled 12,000 pregnant women, with over 14 lakh biospecimens and one lakh ultrasound images archived. Additionally, consortia of beneficial Lactobacillus crispatus isolates were commercialized and transferred to an Indian nutraceutical company for use in nutraceutical and cosmetic products.

Agricultural Biotechnology Innovations

A high-yielding gene-edited rice variety with the DEP1 mutation showing a 20 percent yield increase was developed. The ADT 39-Sub1 rice variety, tolerant to submergence, was released in 2025, along with the drought-resistant rice variety ‘Arun’. Two drought-tolerant chickpea varieties, ADVIKA and SAATVIK, contributed to 30 percent of the total breeder seed indent.

Space Biomanufacturing Achievements

In space biomanufacturing experiments, microalgae exhibited a two-fold increase in growth under microgravity. A proof of concept was achieved for growing cyanobacteria on urea in microgravity, enabling the potential use of human waste (CO₂ and urea) to produce nutritional supplements for astronauts. India’s first human muscle stem-cell experiment in microgravity revealed accelerated muscle aging, offering insights into sarcopenia.

Technology Transfer and Commercialization

An engineered glucoamylase-secreting yeast strain was developed for first-generation ethanol production, reducing external glucoamylase requirements by 50 percent. Several technologies were transferred to industry, including white rust–resistant mustard varieties licensed to eight seed companies. The E-YUVA scheme expanded to 19 pre-incubation centres across 15 states, supporting over 460 fellows.

North-Eastern Region Development

Value-added technologies for wild apple products and theaflavin extraction were developed, benefiting 218 trained beneficiaries, including farmers. A Network Project on Large Cardamom is being implemented in collaboration with the Sikkim State Science and Technology Council and iBRIC+.

Strategic Partnerships

India strengthened international collaborations with the United Kingdom in women-oriented health technologies (FEMTECH) and with Switzerland under the One Health framework, reinforcing global cooperation in biotechnology.

Conclusion

Driven by forward-looking policies such as the BioE3 Policy, sustained public investment, cutting-edge research, and strong public–private partnerships, India’s biotechnology sector has undergone transformative growth. It is now well-positioned as a global leader in sustainable bioeconomy, technological self-reliance, and innovation-led development.

Recently, 17 families belonging to the Paliyar tribe in the Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu submitted a petition to the District Collector, requesting the district administration to recognise and develop their existing settlement as a formal village.

About the Paliyar Tribe

The Paliyar tribe is an indigenous tribal community primarily inhabiting the hilly regions of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, especially along the Western Ghats.

Nomenclature and Distribution

The Paliyars are known by multiple names, including Paliyans, Pazhaiyarares, and Panaiyars. Historically, they were spread across the Dindigul district, the Sirumalai hills, and the Palani hills. Due to their habitation in the Palani hills, they came to be known as Panaiyars.

Language

The Paliyar people primarily speak a Tamil-related dialect, reflecting their Dravidian linguistic heritage.

Traditional and Present Occupations

Traditionally, the Paliyars were hunters and gatherers who lived in the forest regions of the Western Ghats. Over time, their livelihood patterns have diversified. At present, they are engaged in trading forest produce, food cultivation, and beekeeping, while some members work as wage labourers, particularly in plantations.

Social Life and Settlement Pattern

The Paliyars live in small communities known as kudis. Their settlements are modest, consisting of mud shelters and, in some cases, caves. These small and scattered settlements reflect their close association with forest ecosystems.

Traditional Knowledge and Practices

The Paliyar tribe is well known for its extensive traditional knowledge of medicinal plants and forest-based healing practices. This indigenous knowledge has been passed down through generations.

Cultural Practices and Beliefs

The Paliyars traditionally did not practice cremation. Instead, they followed the custom of burying the dead near their residential area, usually on the western side of the settlement. Their festivals are deeply nature-centric, involving rituals connected with forests, along with dance and music. They also perform a special ceremony to invoke rainfall and appease forest spirits, highlighting their spiritual connection with nature.

Why in News

Recently, the Karnataka government urged the Central Government to intervene in a dispute concerning excess utilization of Bhima River water by Maharashtra, highlighting inter-state water sharing concerns.

About the Bhima River

The Bhima River is a perennial river and the largest tributary of the Krishna River. It plays a crucial role in the water resources of peninsular India.

Origin and Course

The Bhima River originates near the Bhimashankar Temple in the Bhimashankar Hills of the Western Ghats in Maharashtra. After originating, it flows through the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Telangana.

Confluence

The Bhima River finally merges with the Krishna River in Raichur district of Karnataka.

Drainage Basin and Physical Features

The drainage area of the Bhima River is bounded by the Western Ghats to the west, the Balaghat Range to the north, and the Mahadeo Hills to the south. The total basin area of the river is approximately 48,631 square kilometres, of which about 75 percent lies in Maharashtra.

The river flows through a well-entrenched valley, and its banks are densely populated, reflecting its importance for agriculture and human settlements.

Major Tributaries of the Bhima River

Right Bank Tributaries

The major right bank tributaries of the Bhima River include the Indrayani, Mula, Mutha, and Pavana rivers.

Left Bank Tributaries

The important left bank tributaries include the Sina and Nira rivers.

Cultural and Spiritual Significance

The town of Pandharpur, one of the most important pilgrimage centres in Maharashtra, is located on the right bank of the Bhima River. It is closely associated with the Vithoba (Vitthal) tradition and holds immense religious significance.