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IIA scientists unveil secret behind the dusty veil of T. Chamaeleontis

Scientists from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) have unveiled an intriguing secret behind the dusty veil of a young star named T. Chamaeleontis (T. Cha), quietly forming planets about 350 light years from Earth when part of its circumstellar inner wall collapsed partially.

According to the Department of Science and Technology, this can help rewrite our understanding of how planetary systems evolve.

T Chamaeleontisan (T. Cha) is surrounded by a planet-forming disk called circumstellar disk that contains a wide gap- likely carved out by a newborn planet. “Normally, the dense inner regions of such disks act like a protective wall or veil blocking much of the star’s ultraviolet light from reaching the colder, outer regions. That shielding makes Poly Atomic Hrydrocarbons (PAHs), flat, honeycomb-shaped molecules (Benzene rings) made of carbon and hydrogen thought to be among the earliest precursors of life’s chemistry, especially hard to detect around low-mass, Sun-like stars,” the department said.

While these molecules are common in interstellar clouds, detecting them in the disks of low-mass, Sun-like stars has been challenging due to the low amount of ultra violet light produced by them.

The IIA scientists used archival spectroscopic data from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Mid Infrared Instrument (MIRI) to study polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the spectrum of this star.

The ultra-sensitive JWST telescope, almost by accident, caught the moment in 2022 when that veil thinned- and an ancient kind of chemistry lit up in space.

The material from the disk of the star suddenly plunged onto the star in a burst of accretion, thinning or partially collapsing that inner wall. As this happened ultraviolet radiation suddenly streamed outward, illuminating parts of the disk that were once in shadow. This helped shed light on the survival and variation of complex hydrocarbon molecules in the planet-forming disk around a young, Sun-like star.

“JWST’s MIRI has now revealed them clearly in T. Cha and this is one of the lowest mass stars with PAH detection in their circumstellar disk,” said Arun Roy, a post-doctoral fellow at the IIA.

T. Cha was observed by the JWST in 2022, when the inner wall had partially collapsed allowing ultraviolet photons to flood the outer disk.

“This sudden illumination excited the PAHs in the disk, making them glow strongly in the JWST’s detectors. It was like a curtain lifting, revealing chemistry that had been hidden for years,” Mr. Roy added.

Source: The Hindu

Export Promotion Mission: Govt. unveils 2 more credit-linked plans

Indian Economy: Exports scenario and scheme

Context; The Government introduced two new components in the Export Promotion Mission (EPM) aimed at easing and reducing the cost of the credit-access process for exporters.

• This comes days after the Ministry of Commerce and Industry notified guidelines for a market access scheme under the EPM. With announcement, three of the 11 schemes under the EPM have been operationalised.
• The two schemes would entail an outlay of ₹5,181 crore over six years until 2030-31. The two schemes were under the Niryat Protsahan category, which is meant to lower the cost of credit for exporters.
• Interest Subvention for Pre- and Post-Shipment Export Credit scheme will reduce the cost of export finance and “strengthens MSME liquidity, improve competitiveness and supports India’s integration into global value chains, while ensuring fiscal prudence and compliance,” the Ministry of Commerce said in its announcement.

Interest subvention

• “Eligible MSME exporters can avail interest subvention on rupee export credit (pre- and post-shipment) extended by scheduled banks, in accordance with RBI Master Directions,” it added.
• The second sub-scheme — Collateral Support for Export Credit — is aimed at giving MSME exporters the ability to access bank credit even with limited collateral or third-party guarantees.
• The scheme would be implemented through the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) on a pilot basis and be applicable to export-linked working capital loans.
• MSME exporters exporting notified tariff lines will be eligible for the collateral support.
• Micro & small exporters would be eligible for up to 85% guarantee, while medium exporters would be capped at a 65% guarantee.

India’s Export Promotion Mission now includes two new credit-linked schemes to ease MSME access to export finance, with ₹5,181 crore allocated until 2030–31.
🚀 Export Promotion Mission (EPM): Credit-Linked Schemes Overview
The Government of India has expanded the Export Promotion Mission (EPM) by operationalizing two new schemes under the Niryat Protsahan category. These are designed to reduce the cost and complexity of accessing export credit, especially for MSME exporters.

📌 Key Highlights
Total Outlay: ₹5,181 crore over 6 years (2025–2031)

Schemes Operationalized: 3 out of 11 under EPM

Focus: MSME liquidity, competitiveness, and global integration

💡 Strategic Impact
Liquidity Boost: Easier access to working capital for MSMEs

Competitiveness: Lower financing costs improve pricing and delivery capabilities

Inclusivity: Supports exporters from non-traditional districts and sectors

Compliance & Prudence: Aligned with RBI Master Directions and fiscal safeguards

🌍 Export Scenario Context
India’s exports have faced global headwinds due to supply chain disruptions and trade protectionism. The EPM aims to:

Consolidate fragmented schemes into a digitally enabled framework

Promote labour-intensive and MSME sectors

Enhance market access through targeted support

According to the PIB framework, the full EPM has a total outlay of ₹25,060 crore and includes components like Niryat Disha (market readiness) and Niryat Protsahan (financial support).

Leopard of ultra-rare colour variation spottedin State for the first time

Environment: Rare leopard in Karnataka

Context: An ultra-rare leopard colour morph has been documented for the first time in Karnataka, in Vijayanagara district, by wildlife scientist Sanjay Gubbi and his team from the Holématthi Nature Foundation (HNF).

Sandalwood hues

• Unlike most leopards that possess tawny coats with black rosettes, this exceptionally rare colour morph exhibits a pale reddish-pink coat, similar to the colour of sandalwood, with light-brown rosettes.
• “Only a handful of such leopards have been documented so far across the globe. Internationally, leopards of this colour morph are referred to as Strawberry leopards. But to honour Karnataka’s cultural heritage, we want to name it sandalwood leopard,” Mr. Gubbi said.
• Karnataka is one of the largest sandalwood producers in India.

Ultra-rare condition

• The leopard, documented by Mr. Gubbi’s team through camera trapping, is a female, estimated to be around six or seven years old.
• The unusual colouration is believed to result from a genetic condition involving either an excess of red pigmentation or a deficiency of dark pigmentation.
• In India, only a single such individual has been documented prior to this, in the Ranakpur region of Rajasthan in November 2021. Globally a few have been recorded in South Africa and single one in Tanzania.
• According to Mr. Gubbi, molecular analysis using DNA samples is required to determine the exact genetic mechanism that has led to the unusual colouration in the Vijayanagara individual.
• “This leopard is consistent with conditions such as hypomelanism or erythrism, both of which are naturally occurring genetic traits identified in wild mammals. The current assessment is based on photographic evidence and visual characteristics…Until genetic evidence is available, it is scientifically appropriate to describe this animal as a rare colour morph rather than assign a specific genetic condition,” he said.
• Camera trapping was conducted as part of HNF’s ongoing efforts to estimate leopard populations and identify key landscapes for large mammal conservation in the Kalyana-Karnataka region.
• “This region remains understudied from a wildlife conservation perspective yet holds significant potential for conserving arid-zone species such as the Indian grey wolf, striped hyena, and Bengal fox,” said a statement from the foundation. The HNF’s research indicates that Karnataka supports around 2,500 leopards.

First Vande Bharat sleeper train to ply between Guwahati and Kolkata

Economy: Infrastructure; Railways;

Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the first Vande Bharat sleeper train later this month. It will ply between Guwahati and Kolkata.

• The 16-coach train, with a capacity of 823 passengers, has a design speed of upto 180 kmph. It has 11 three-tier and four two-tier AC coaches, and a first-class AC coach.
• The third-AC fare will be ₹2,300, second AC ₹3,000, and first AC ₹3,600.
• The train boasts ergonomically designed berths with improved cushioning, automatic doors, and enhanced ride comfort with superior suspension and noise reduction.

• Safety measures include Kavach, an indigenously developed, high-tech automatic train protection system designed to prevent collision, advanced controls, and safety systems inside the driver’s cabin.

• There will be CCTV cameras on all coaches, and specially designed seats for passengers with disabilities, he said.

• The districts that will benefit from this service include Kamrup Metropolitan and Bongaigaon in Assam and Coochbehar, Jalpaiguri, Maldah, Murshidabad, Purba Bardhaman, Hooghly, and Howrah in West Bengal.

• Assamese cuisine will be served aboard when the train originates from Guwahati and Bengali cuisine on its return journey.

Bullet train

• The Minister also announced that the country’s first bullet train would be ready in August 2027, and the route would be opened in a phased manner. The first section to open will be from Surat to Bilimora, followed by Vapi to Surat, Vapi to Ahmedabad, Thane to Ahmedabad, and finally Mumbai to Ahmedabad.
• The 508-km Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor has been steadily progressing, with significant work completed on viaducts, bridges, tunnels, and stations. The corridor will see speeds of up to 320 kmph and is set to reduce travel time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad to two hours.

R.K. Shriramkumar receives Sangita Kalanidhi award

Culture: Music Awards; Sangita Kalanidhi award

Violin maestro R.K. Shriramkumar has been conferred the prestigious Sangita Kalanidhi award for the year 2025 by The Music Academy, Chennai — one of the highest honours in Carnatic classical music.

About the Award
The Sangita Kalanidhi is regarded as the highest recognition in Carnatic music, given annually to an outstanding musician in recognition of lifetime achievement and contribution to the art.
The awardee typically presides over the Music Academy’s annual conference and concert series held during Chennai’s famous December Music Season.

About R.K. Shriramkumar
R.K. Shriramkumar is a renowned Carnatic violinist from the celebrated Rudrapatnam lineage of musicians in Karnataka.
He has accompanied generations of legendary vocalists and musicians, including Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, M.S. Subbulakshmi, D.K. Pattammal, and contemporary stars like T.M. Krishna, Bombay Jayashri, and others.

His deep musical scholarship and expertise — particularly in the compositions and musicological work of Subbarama Dikshitar and Muthuswami Dikshitar’s tradition — have greatly contributed to his selection.

Significance of the 2025 Award
Shriramkumar’s selection coincides with the 250th birth anniversary of the composer Muthuswami Dikshitar, adding special cultural significance to the honour this year.

Central Excise (Amendment) Act, 2025

Economy: Tax Reforms; GST; Tobacco products;

Context: Finance Ministry announces end of GST compensation cess; beed is in 18% slab, other tobacco products in 40% bracket as govt. bids to ‘ensure that real cigarette prices rise faster than incomes’.

• The Union Finance Ministry issued a series of notifications that will give effect to the new taxation regime for tobacco products from February 1 2026.
• The Central Excise (Amendment) Act, 2025, passed recently, specifies new rates of excise duty on tobacco products.

Excise duty on cigarette

• The Ministry also notified that provisions of the Health Security se National Security Act, 2025, which intends to levy a cess on pan masala units, will come into force from February 1.
• Under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime, the excise duty on cigarettes had so far been rendered a nominal amount of a “fraction of a paisa” per cigarette stick, and the GST compensation cess rate on tobacco products had not been increased since it was implemented in July 2017.
• “For India, affordability has either stagnated or increased in the past decade, meaning cigarettes have not become more expensive relative to consumers’ purchasing power,” the note said. “This is contrary to global public health guidance, which emphasises annual increases in specific excise duties to ensure that real cigarette prices rise faster than incomes.”

• At the same time, the Ministry notified February 1 as the date from which the GST compensation cess would cease to exist. The cess was originally introduced for a period of five years to compensate States for any loss arising out of the implementation of GST.

Tax slabs

• The Finance Ministry also notified the new GST rates for tobacco products. Beedis have been moved to the 18% category from the now-defunct 28% slab. All other tobacco products have been moved to the 40% slab. These new rates will be effective from February 1.
• The GST compensation cess was to end in 2022. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the cess collections were not enough to compensate the States and so the Centre borrowed money to compensate them.Hence, it was extended until 2026, with the proceeds being used to repay the loan.
• With the impending end of the loan, the Centre on September 22, 2025, removed the incidence of the cess on most items except tobacco items. From February 1, 2026, the cess will no longer apply on these items either, effectively ending it.
• Finally, the Ministry introduced a new valuation mechanism for tobacco products such as chewing tobacco, filter khaini, jarda, scented tobacco, and gutkha, whereby the GST value would be determined based on the retail sale price declared on the package.

• Regarding the Health Security se National Security Act, 2025, the Ministry justified the inclusion of the national security aspect by saying that conventional tax revenues cannot always guarantee funding for national security functions, and so a dedicated cess is needed for the purpose.
• “General tax revenues are subject to competing developmental priorities and cannot always guarantee sustained long-term funding for core national security functions,” the FAQ note said.
• “A dedicated purpose-specific cess enables the Union to create a non-lapsable, predictable financial stream that supports multi-year security preparedness, technological upgradation, capacity creation, and advanced equipment procurement — without increasing the tax burden on the general population or raising broad-based rates such as GST.”

Brief on Central Excise (Amendment) Act, 2025:

What is it?

The Central Excise (Amendment) Act, 2025 is a law passed by Parliament in December 2025 to amend the Central Excise Act, 1944 by revising excise duty rates on tobacco and tobacco-related products.
The amendment was introduced to ensure that tax incidence on tobacco products remains protected even after the cessation of GST compensation cess.

Key Features of the Amendment

Higher Excise Duties on Tobacco Products

The Act increases central excise duty on various tobacco products:

• Cigarettes, cigars, hookah, chewing tobacco, zarda and scented tobacco products are covered under the revised structure.
• Excise duty on cigarettes is raised from the earlier ₹200–₹735 per 1,000 sticks to ₹2,700–₹11,000 per 1,000 sticks (depending on category).
• Chewing tobacco duty increased from 25% → 100%.
• Hookah tobacco duty increased from 25% → 40%.
• Smoking mixtures (for pipes/cigarettes) duty increased from 60% → 325%.

The objective is to protect total tax incidence after GST compensation cess ends, and also to discourage tobacco consumption for public health reasons.

New BIS Standard for ‘agarbattis’

What changes for consumers, manufacturers and exports?
On National Consumer Day 2025, released a New Indian Standard for incense sticks (agarbattis)—IS 19412:2025–Incense Sticks (Agarbatti)—Specification—developed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

The newly notified standard aims to enhance consumer safety, indoor air quality, and product consistency, while supporting ethical manufacturing practices and boosting India’s global competitiveness in the agarbatti sector.

“The newly notified standard specifies prohibited use of certain insecticidal chemicals and synthetic fragrance substances in agarbattis that may pose risks to human health, indoor air quality and the environment. To address these issues, IS 19412:2025 specifies a list of substances prohibited for use in agarbattis,” the official release read.

What consumers should know?
The new standard not only eliminates the use of some of the most effective insecticidal agents and synthetic fragrance substances but also improves health and environmental conditions.

The announcement lists out the following main substances that are banned:

1) Insecticides: Alethrin, Permethrin, Cypermethrin, Deltamethrin, Fipronil

2) Synthetic fragrance intermediates: Benzyl cyanide, Ethyl acrylate, Diphenylamine

Many of these substances have already been classified as hazardous and are subject to stringent control and prohibition measures across the globe due to their deleterious effects on human health, air quality, and the environment.

Thus, consumers will be able to find the standard mark (BIS) on certified agarbatti products, indicating that the incense sticks are safe and of a higher quality.

Impact on manufacturers
The new IS 19412:2025 stipulates that very strict rules and regulations are to be followed in respect of raw materials, burning quality, fragrance performance and chemical parameters. Moreover, the standard has also categorised agarbattis based on the method of production as;

Machine-made
Hand-made
Traditional masala agarbattis
For the producers, this implies:

Adoption of good and safe production practices
Shifting to the use of ethical and sustainable methods
Assured continuity of traditional crafts
Better prospects of accessing the international markets
“Products conforming to this standard will be eligible to carry the BIS Standard Mark, enabling consumers to make informed choices with confidence,” the release read.

Boost for exports
India is the top manufacturer and exporter of agarbatti in the world; it has an industry worth Rs 8,000 crore per year and exports valued at Rs 1,200 crore to more than 150 countries.

With the new BIS standard, Indian incense products are likely to become acceptable to the international market for their quality and safety, thereby augmenting their status in the global marketplace.

How was the standard developed?
IS 19412:2025 was formulated by the Fragrance and Flavour Sectional Committee (PCD 18) of BIS with extensive stakeholder input. Experts from leading institutions contributed, including:

CSIR–Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP)
CSIR–Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (IITR)
CSIR–Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI)
Fragrance and Flavour Development Centre (FFDC), Kannauj
All India Agarbatti Manufacturers Association
Why does this matter?
Incense sticks or agarbattis are an integral part of India’s cultural and religious practices and are widely used in households, places of worship, meditation centres and wellness spaces.

With rising global interest in yoga, meditation, aromatherapy and holistic well-being, demand for incense products has increased significantly in both domestic and international markets, the release said.

Source: Zeebiz