Monthly DNA
15 Apr, 2026
37 Min Read
Goa showcased Kaavi Art through its tableau during the Republic Day Parade on 26 January 2025. It is a traditional mural art form associated with the Konkan region, especially old temples and sacred structures in Goa.
Kaavi Art is known for its distinctive reddish appearance created from natural laterite soil. The craft reflects the cultural, religious and architectural traditions of the Konkan region and remains closely linked with heritage temple structures.
During his visit to France from 10–12 February 2025, India’s Prime Minister gifted Dokra Art pieces to the French President. Dokra is a traditional bell-metal craft practised by tribal and artisan communities in different parts of India.
The craft is known for its rustic metal finish, handmade appearance and use of the ancient lost-wax casting method. It reflects one of India’s oldest continuing metal-craft traditions.
Eco-friendly toys from Andhra Pradesh were showcased in the Republic Day Parade on 26 January 2025. Etikoppaka toys are traditional toys made by artisans of Etikoppaka village, located on the banks of the Varaha River in Visakhapatnam district.
The craft is known for its use of soft wood, natural dyes and the lacquer-turning technique, giving the toys a smooth, glossy and eco-friendly finish.
In the 2026 Republic Day Parade, Assam’s tableau showcased Asharikandi’s terracotta heritage. Asharikandi, located in the Dhubri district of Assam, is one of India’s largest and famous clusters for terracotta and pottery.
The craft tradition reflects Assam’s rural artisan culture and long-standing clay-based heritage. The village is especially known for handcrafted terracotta figures and pottery made using locally available clay.
On 7 February 2025, the Kashmir hand-knotted carpet “Kal baffi” received a new GI logo from the Geographical Indications Registry, Chennai. This strengthens the authenticity and market identity of Kashmir’s traditional carpet craft.
Kashmir carpets are globally known for their intricate hand-knotting, Persian influence and premium craftsmanship using wool and silk. The GI recognition further enhances the protection and branding of the craft.
On 23 December 2025, the Department of Posts successfully transported a priceless Thanjavur art of Lord Shri Ram from Spain to India. Thanjavur painting is a classical South Indian art form known for devotional themes, gold foil work and decorative richness.
The art form reflects temple-linked devotion, royal patronage and ornamental craftsmanship, with paintings usually centred on Hindu deities and sacred stories.
During his visit to Japan, PM Narendra Modi received a Daruma Doll from the chief priest of Shorinzan Daruma Temple. The Daruma is a traditional Japanese wish doll and a symbol of perseverance and resilience.
The Daruma reflects the spirit of determination and recovery after setbacks. It also represents a strong cultural and spiritual connection between India, Buddhism and Japanese Zen traditions.
Lucknow was designated a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy on 31 October 2025 for its rich, historic Awadhi cuisine, vibrant food culture and sustainable culinary practices.
The recognition places Lucknow within the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, highlighting the role of food traditions, culinary heritage and creativity in sustainable urban development.
On 11 July 2025, at the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee, the Maratha Military Landscapes of India were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
This became India’s 44th World Heritage Site, following the 2024 inscription of the Moidams of the Ahom Dynasty. India now ranks sixth globally and second in the Asia-Pacific region for the number of World Heritage Sites.
Salher, Shivneri, Lohagad, Khanderi, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala, Vijaydurg and Sindhudurg.
Gingee Fort.
Gender Budgeting: Towards Women’s Empowerment and Economic Equality In the Union Budget 2026–27, the share of gender budget allocation in the total Union Budget increased to 9.37%, rising from 8.86% in FY 2025–26. This reflects a stronger policy commitment towards women-ce
Global Gender Gap Index 2025 & India The World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2025 ranked India 131st out of 148 countries, slipping from 129th position in 2024. While Iceland continued to lead globally, Bangladesh remained the best performer in South Asia at 24th posit
SC Directions to Combat Dowry Practices On December 15, 2025, in State of UP vs. Ajmal Beg, the Supreme Court issued comprehensive directions to tackle the continuing menace of dowry deaths and cruelty. The Court observed that dowry remains widespread and is often disgui
Child Marriages in India: A Barrier to Equality and Development The latest Statistical Report of the Sample Registration System, released in September 2025, presents a concerning picture of child marriages in India. The data shows that early marriage remains a major barrier to girls’
Child Rights & Protection Marrakech Global Framework for Action: The 6th Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour, held in Marrakech in February 2026, concluded with the adoption of the Marrakech Global Framework for Action. The conference aimed to establish necessary
National Task Force on Students’ Mental Health On March 24, 2025, the Supreme Court of India constituted a National Task Force (NTF) to address the “disturbing pattern” of student suicides in educational institutions. The Court highlighted the lack of robust legal and inst
Reduction in India’s Poverty The recent Household Consumption Expenditure Survey and National Statistical Office (NSO) estimates indicate a major reduction in poverty and consumption inequality in India. The data highlights that poverty has fallen steadily over the last decade, with v
Global Burden of Disease Study 2023: India’s Health Transitions Published in The Lancet, the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023 reveals a major shift in India’s health profile. The country is witnessing a transition from a disease burden dominated by communicable diseases to on
Revised Guidelines on Obesity Diagnosis & Treatment India has updated its obesity diagnosis and treatment guidelines after 15 years. The revision reflects new evidence on fat distribution, metabolic risks and obesity-related health complications, especially among the Asian Indian popula
Decline in India’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) The SRS Statistical Report 2023 highlights a landmark demographic shift in India. The national Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has dropped to 1.9, which is below the replacement level of 2.1. This indicates that India is moving deeper into a lo
Pesticides Management Bill, 2025 On 7 January 2026, the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare released a fresh draft of the Pesticides Management Bill, 2025, aimed at regulating the manufacture, import, sale and use of pesticides. It seeks to replace the existing Insecticides Ac
SC Ruling on Equal Inheritance for Tribal Women The Supreme Court delivered a landmark verdict affirming that tribal women possess equal rights to inherit ancestral property. The ruling marks a major step toward gender equality in regions governed by traditional and customary laws. By st
Supreme Court Limits on Narco-Analysis In December 2025, the Supreme Court set aside a Patna High Court order and reaffirmed that involuntary narco-analysis is unconstitutional. Upholding the landmark Selvi vs. State of Karnataka (2010) guidelines, the Court ruled that investigative require
Environmental Responsibility as Core CSR: SC On December 19, 2025, the Supreme Court delivered a landmark ruling interpreting Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to inherently include environmental protection. While addressing conservation of the endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB), the
SC Ruling on Pollution Control Board Powers On August 4, 2025, the Supreme Court delivered a landmark judgment empowering State Pollution Control Boards (PCBs) to penalize environmental violations. Reversing a previous High Court decision, the Court clarified the statutory authority of thes
Supreme Court Expands Ambit of POSH Act, 2013 On December 10, 2025, the Supreme Court delivered a landmark ruling broadening the jurisdiction of Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) under the POSH Act, 2013. The decision addresses modern workplace complexities where survivors and harassers
SC Verdict on Reproductive Autonomy in Surrogacy On October 9, 2025, the Supreme Court ruled that age limits under the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 cannot apply retrospectively. The ruling protects couples who had initiated IVF or frozen embryos before the law came into effect in Januar
Religion and Privacy are Interlinked: SC In October 2025, the Supreme Court delivered a landmark verdict while hearing challenges to Uttar Pradesh’s Anti-Conversion Law. The Court ruled that the right to choose a religion is a personal choice, and excessive State regulation of it viol
SC Extends ‘Public Trust Doctrine’ to Man-made Lakes On October 9, 2025, the Supreme Court expanded the scope of environmental protection by ruling that the Public Trust Doctrine applies to man-made lakes and reservoirs, not just natural water bodies. The verdict came in a plea
Income Alone Can’t Decide OBC Creamy Layer: SC The Supreme Court has ruled that income cannot be the sole criterion for determining the “creamy layer” among Other Backward Classes (OBCs). The judgment addresses a long-standing issue regarding “equivalence” betw
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