Feb-2025

Blood Moon

• A total lunar eclipse, also known as a “blood moon,” occurred on March 14, 2025.
• This happens when the Earth is directly between the Sun and the Moon, causing the Earth’s shadow to fall on the Moon.
• The Moon appears reddish during a total lunar eclipse due to Rayleigh scattering. Shorter wavelengths of light (blue) are scattered by Earth’s atmosphere, while longer wavelengths (red) pass through, illuminating the Moon.
• The color can vary from red to orange or copper, depending on atmospheric conditions and light pollution.
• The March 14, 2025, blood moon wasn’t visible from India but was visible in parts of America, Western Europe, Western Africa, and the North and South Atlantic Ocean.
• This blood moon was notable for being the first in nearly three years, the last one having occurred in 2022.
• Not all lunar eclipses are blood moons; only total lunar eclipses can be blood moons.
• Live streams were available for those who could not view the eclipse directly.

FCTC News

• The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) recently celebrated its 20th anniversary.

• It’s the first WHO-negotiated international treaty, adopted in 2003 and in force since 2005.

• 181 countries are currently Parties to the Convention.

• Its purpose is to protect people from the health, social, economic, and environmental consequences of tobacco.

• The FCTC was created in response to the globalization of the tobacco epidemic.

• It addresses cross-border issues like tobacco advertising, promotion, sponsorship, and illicit trade.

• India ratified the FCTC in 2004.

• The FCTC aims to reduce both tobacco demand and supply through various measures.

• These measures include: protecting public health policies from tobacco industry influence; using price and tax measures to reduce demand; protecting people from secondhand smoke; regulating tobacco product content, disclosures, packaging, and labeling.

• The WHO’s overall purpose is to achieve the highest possible level of health for all people globally.

Ghatiborealis Frog

• Discovery of a new frog species, Minervarya ghatiborealis, in the northwestern Ghats of Sahyadri, Maharashtra.
• The species is endemic to the region, meaning it’s found nowhere else naturally.
• The name combines Sanskrit “Ghati” (western) and Latin “Borealis” (northern), referencing its location.
• Minervarya ghatiborealis belongs to the “cricket frog” genus, characterized by parallel abdominal lines.
• The frogs nest near water sources and males have unique breeding calls differing from other Minervarya species.
• The discovery was published in the international journal Zootaxa.
• The research team included scientists from west Maharashtra and the Thackeray Wildlife Foundation.
• The find emphasizes the need for conservation efforts in the northwestern Ghats, highlighting the region’s potentially vast, undiscovered biodiversity.
• The Mahabaleshwar Plateau is identified as a crucial area for endemic species, requiring enhanced conservation measures.

Anti-Avoidance Rules

• GAAR’s Purpose: To prevent tax avoidance by targeting transactions that legally reduce tax liability but violate the spirit of the law. It aims to curb tax evasion and revenue losses for the government.

• GAAR’s Mechanism: Authorizes tax authorities to designate transactions as “impermissible avoidance arrangements” (IAAs), allowing reassessment of income and taxes. An Approving Panel, headed by a judge, oversees its application.

• Proposed Change in Reassessment Time Limits: The Income Tax

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  Bill 2025 proposes to remove time limits on reassessment notices under GAAR, even for past years, provided the matter was referred to the GAAR Panel within the existing time limits for the relevant assessment year.

• Impact of the Proposed Change: This would allow the tax authorities to reassess taxes for years that would otherwise be time-barred, addressing delays in GAAR panel decisions and streamlining the process.

• Safeguards: The GAAR process includes safeguards, such as the Approving Panel, to prevent misuse of the rule. GAAR panel directions are now explicitly considered evidence of escaped assessment, removing further procedural hurdles. The mandatory hearing before issuing reassessment notice is also exempted in

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  GAAR cases.

• Difference between GAAR and SAAR: GAAR is a general anti-avoidance rule, while SAAR addresses specific tax avoidance schemes.

Lunar Trailblazer

• NASA’s Lunar Trailblazer spacecraft launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
• Its primary mission is to map water on the Moon’s surface, focusing on permanently shadowed craters at the poles.
• The spacecraft, built by Lockheed Martin, is about the size of a dishwasher.
• It uses two instruments: the High-resolution Volatiles and Minerals Moon Mapper (HVM3) to detect water and the Lunar Thermal Mapper (LTM) to measure surface temperature.
• Combined data will reveal water’s form, distribution, and abundance, and help understand the lunar water cycle.
• The mission is crucial for future lunar exploration, as water can be used for drinking, oxygen production, and rocket fuel.
• The spacecraft will perform moon flybys and looping orbits before settling into a 100 km orbit for detailed mapping.
• The presence of water, even in sunlit areas, is scientifically intriguing, as it may shed light on the origin of water on Earth.
• Potential sources of lunar water include solar wind and impacts from comets/meteorites.
• The total amount of lunar water is uncertain, but estimates reach hundreds of millions of tons.

Idukki Wildlife

• Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Idukki District, Kerala, recently underwent a faunal survey.

• The survey revealed 14 new bird species, bringing the total to 245. Notable additions include Grey Heron, Indian Spotted Eagle, and several types of harriers and eagles.

• 15 new butterfly species were discovered, increasing the sanctuary’s total to 212. Large congregations of Blue Tiger, Dark Blue Tiger, and Crow butterflies were also observed.

• Eight new odonate species were identified, raising the total to 73.

• Other notable findings included 202 moth species, 52 ant species, 10 mantid species, and six cicada species.

• The sanctuary covers 77 sq km, encompassing diverse terrain, altitudes (450-1272 m), and rich flora and fauna. It includes the Idukki reservoir (33 sq km).

• The sanctuary is home to endangered species like the Nilgiri Tahr, along with elephants, bison, tigers, and various bird and reptile species.

• A follow-up survey is planned for the post-monsoon season.

• The survey was a joint effort by the Travancore Nature History Society (TNHS) and the Kerala Forest and Wildlife Department.

Hague Service Treaty

• The Hague Service Convention (1965) facilitates international service of legal documents in civil/commercial matters.

• 84 countries, including India and the US, are parties. Service only applies if both countries are signatories.

• The US SEC used the Convention to serve summons on Gautam Adani in a bribery case.

• India’s central authority is the Ministry of Law and Justice. It’s the primary method for serving documents in India under the Convention.

• India has reservations, rejecting most alternative service methods (e.g., diplomatic channels, except for its own nationals). Requests must be in English.

• A default judgment is possible if a foreign government doesn’t cooperate, but specific conditions under Article 15 must be met (e.g., at least six months elapsed since transmission).

• India allows default judgments even without a certificate of service if Article 15’s conditions are met.

• There’s debate on using alternative service methods (email, social media) due to conflicting judicial interpretations of India’s reservations.

• Parties may waive the Convention’s provisions and use contractual service agreements to avoid delays.

Doomsday Fish

• Recent oarfish sightings near Baja California Sur, Mexico, have fueled online discussions.

• Oarfish, also called “Doomsday Fish” or “sea serpent,” are deep-sea dwellers rarely seen near the surface.

• They are filter feeders consuming krill, plankton, and crustaceans.

• Oarfish inhabit the mesopelagic zone (250-1000 meters deep).

• They possess long, ribbon-like bodies and bright orange fins, growing over 30 feet long.

• Folklore, particularly in Japan, links oarfish surfacing to impending disasters.

• The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami followed multiple oarfish strandings in Japan, strengthening this belief.

• Scientific explanations for surface appearances include ocean temperature changes, pollution, deep-sea disturbances, strong currents, or illness.

• A 2019 study found no correlation between oarfish sightings and earthquakes in Japan.

• While coincidences exist (e.g., Philippines 2017), no scientific evidence directly links oarfish sightings to natural disasters.

AWBI

• The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) is a statutory advisory body established in 1962 under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.

• Its mandate is to promote animal welfare and prevent animal cruelty.

• AWBI advises central and state governments on animal welfare issues.

• It addresses complaints of animal cruelty, urging state authorities to take action against offenders. State authorities are empowered to enforce relevant laws.

• The AWBI provides financial and other assistance to animal welfare organizations.

• AWBI’s 28 members serve three-year terms and include government representatives, animal rights activists, and parliamentarians.

• The central government plans to update AWBI guidelines to improve relevance and effectiveness in preventing animal cruelty.

• AWBI is under the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. The headquarters location is not specified in provided text.

ART: Fighting HIV

• Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a combination of medications used to treat HIV.

• HIV destroys CD4 cells, crucial for a healthy immune system. Without sufficient CD4 cells, life-threatening infections are more likely.

• ART doesn’t cure HIV, but it significantly reduces the viral load in the body.

• Lower viral loads allow the body to produce more CD4 cells, strengthening the immune system and reducing the risk of serious infections.

• ART works by using multiple medications that prevent HIV from entering cells and reproducing. A combination approach is more effective and reduces the chance of treatment failure.

• If the viral load is low enough, HIV may become undetectable in blood tests.

• ART is called “antiretroviral” because HIV is a retrovirus, using RNA to create DNA (unlike typical human cells which use DNA to create RNA).

• Recent Supreme Court directives highlight concerns about ART drug stockouts, transparency in procurement, and drug quality and certification processes in India. These concerns impact access to treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV).

Cholanaikkan

• The Cholanaikkan tribe, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in Kerala, is in the news due to a unique educational initiative.

• Fewer than 400 members remain, making them one of India’s smallest and most isolated tribes.

• They reside deep within the Western Ghats, largely isolated from mainstream society and reliant on forest resources. They are also known as the “Cavemen of Kerala” for their use of natural caves as dwellings.

• The Samagra Shiksha Kerala program created 30 audio-visual educational texts in the Cholanaikkan language for a bedridden 12-year-old girl, Meenakshi.

• Meenakshi’s father was killed by a wild elephant, prompting her family’s relocation and the need for home-based education.

• The audio-visual texts, named “Thanka, Bana, Belli” (moon, sky, and star) in Cholanaikkan, are proving effective.

• This initiative highlights Kerala’s commitment to inclusive education, reaching even the most marginalized communities. The Cholanaikkan language, a distinct Dravidian language, is being preserved through this effort.

• The program is part of a broader initiative providing home-based education to over 6,000 students across Kerala.

Cali Fund

• The Cali Fund, a new international biodiversity fund, launched at COP16 in Rome.

• It’s the first UN biodiversity

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  fund to receive direct contributions from private companies.

• The fund targets businesses using Digital Sequence Information (DSI) – genetic data from plants, animals, and microorganisms – in sectors like pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, agriculture, and biotechnology.

• These businesses will contribute a portion of their revenue to the fund.

• Funding will support biodiversity conservation projects, help developing countries implement biodiversity action plans, and fund research on DSI management.

• At least 50% of the fund will go to indigenous peoples and local communities.

• The fund is managed by the UNDP and UNEP.

• This initiative is a crucial step towards achieving the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) goal of halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030.

• The fund’s launch signifies that industries profiting from biodiversity are now contributing to its conservation.

SPHEREx Telescope

• Mission Overview: SPHEREx is a NASA telescope scheduled for launch, designed to create a “most colorful” map of the cosmos by surveying the entire sky in optical and near-infrared light. It has a two-year mission.

• Scientific Goals:

  • Measure cosmic inflation, the rapid expansion of the universe after the Big Bang.
  • Map the distribution of galaxies across cosmic history, providing insights into the universe’s formation and growth.
  • Locate water and life-forming molecules (biogenic molecules) in the Milky Way galaxy, which can answer how life came to be.

• Technical Capabilities:

  • SPHEREx will take spectroscopic images, dividing light into 96 bands (a significant leap compared to the human eye).
  • It will measure the 3D positions of about a billion galaxies.
  • It will generate 8 million new spectroscopic images of life-bearing molecules.

• Significance & Advantages:

  • SPHEREx is unique in its ability to map the entire sky, unlike high-resolution telescopes like James Webb and Hubble which only study tiny parts of the sky.
  • It will provide a complete census of icy biogenic molecules.
  • Enables astronomers to identify regions that can support life.

• Impact: SPHEREx aims to revolutionize our understanding of the universe’s origins, galaxy evolution, and the potential for life beyond Earth.

Fentale

• Unusual Methane Emissions: Mount Fentale volcano in Ethiopia is releasing abnormally large amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, according to satellite data.

• Location and Characteristics: Situated in Awash National Park, Ethiopia, Mount Fentale is a stratovolcano, a cone-shaped volcano built from layers of lava, ash, and tephra. It has an elliptical caldera, approximately 6 km in diameter at its peak. Stratovolcanoes make up the largest percentage (~60%) of the Earth’s individual volcanoes

• Recent Seismic Activity: A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck beneath Mount Fentale on February 14, 2025. It was the most powerful earthquake to hit Ethiopia since 1989.

• Stratovolcano Structure: Stratovolcanoes are steep and tall, with a small crater at the peak. They are formed by alternating layers of lava and pyroclastic materials, which is why they also go by the name of composite volcanoes.

• Contextual Information: The volcano rises

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  approximately 600 meters from the Rift Valley floor. A rift valley is a lowland region that forms where Earth’s tectonic plates move apart, or rift. A caldera is a large depression formed when a volcano erupts and collapses. Pyroclastic materials, also called tephra, are formed from cooling magma during explosive volcanic eruptions.

Kundi Water Harvest

• The Kundi (or Kund) is a traditional rainwater harvesting system from Rajasthan, India, particularly in desert regions like Churu.

• It’s a crucial water source in arid and semi-arid areas with unpredictable rainfall.

• The system is a deep, circular or rectangular pit, dug into or built above ground.

• The pit is lined with materials like stones or bricks for reinforcement and to prevent water leakage.

• A lid or slab covers the pit to prevent contamination and reduce evaporation.

• Rainwater is channeled from rooftops or other sources into the Kundi for storage.

• Kundis are efficient for water conservation where surface and groundwater are limited.

• The stored water is used for drinking, irrigation, and other domestic purposes during dry seasons.

• The Kundi system showcases how local knowledge and architectural ingenuity can solve water scarcity issues.

• While the Kundi is a significant traditional system, other older systems like those in Sringaverapura near Allahabad (using Ganges floodwaters) also existed.

ASHA Worker

• ASHA workers are protesting: Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers in Kerala are protesting for increased monthly pay (Rs 21,000), retirement benefits (Rs 5 lakh), and other benefits. This highlights dissatisfaction with their current compensation and working conditions.
• ASHA’s Role: ASHA workers are trained female community health activists serving as a crucial interface between communities (especially rural) and the public health system.
• Program’s Purpose: The ASHA program was launched in 2005-06 under the National Health Mission to promote public health awareness, increase utilization of existing health services, and improve healthcare access in rural areas.
• ASHA Responsibilities: ASHAs facilitate healthcare access, raise health awareness, advocate for hygiene, and promote healthy behavior.
• Selection and Eligibility: Selected by community groups, ASHAs receive training and are equipped with basic healthcare tools. They must be female residents, typically in the 25-45 age range, and are expected to be educated up to 10th standard, but this can be relaxed.
• Compensation: ASHAs are primarily “honorary volunteers” compensated for their time (training, meetings), with earnings varying, but averaging between ₹2,000 – ₹7,000 per month, and eligible for program incentives.
• Current Situation: There are roughly 9.83 Lakh ASHAs in position, helping the village community to access health services provided by the government.

Gharial: The Fish-Eater

• Gharials, freshwater crocodiles with a distinctive pot-shaped snout in adult males, are critically endangered.
• Recently, 10 gharials were released into the Chambal River in Madhya Pradesh, India, as a conservation effort.
• Their range historically included Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan, with major populations in the Chambal, Girwa (India), and Rapti-Naryani (Nepal) rivers.
• Gharials are the most aquatic crocodilian, rarely venturing far from water.
• Threats include overhunting and habitat loss.
• The Gharial is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

• The National Chambal Sanctuary is a key gharial reserve.

• The US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is a new government department facing scrutiny.

• DOGE, named after the Dogecoin cryptocurrency, aims to reduce government waste and fraud.
• Elon Musk has no official role in DOGE despite past association.
• DOGE’s claimed cost savings of $65 billion are disputed, with inaccuracies and misrepresentations identified in its reporting.
• Cancelled contracts, some deemed pointless, have raised concerns about redundancy.
• DOGE faces legal challenges regarding its mandate and data access.
• Mass layoffs and resignations of federal employees have occurred, causing additional controversy.

CBAM

• What it is: A tariff (tax) on imports to the EU, based on the greenhouse gas emissions from producing those goods.

• Purpose: To prevent “carbon leakage” (companies moving production to countries with less or no carbon regulations) and encourage cleaner production globally. It aims to put a fair price on carbon emissions.

• How it works: EU importers will need to buy carbon certificates, the cost of which reflects the carbon price in the EU’s carbon market. The amount of certificates needed depends on the emissions embedded in the imported goods. If a carbon price was already paid during production, it can be deducted.

• Products affected: Initially covers cement, fertilizers, aluminium, electricity, and hydrogen.

• Implementation: A transitional phase with reporting obligations started October 1, 2023. Financial obligations (paying the tariff) begin in 2026.

• Impact on India: India has expressed “specific concerns” about the CBAM’s impact on its exports to the EU. A report estimates a 20-35% tariff equivalent, which is far greater than the average import tariffs the EU applies on manufactured products.

• EU’s Response: The EU acknowledges India’s concerns and wants to address them, emphasizing that the CBAM is WTO-compatible and designed to prevent carbon leakage, and also open to share its experience.

Seed Vault

• The Svalbard Global Seed Vault recently received over 14,000 new seed samples.
• It’s located in the Svalbard archipelago, Norway, a remote location chosen for its stability and security.
• The vault is the world’s largest backup facility for crop diversity, holding duplicates of seeds from genebanks worldwide.
• Its purpose is to safeguard the world’s unique crop genetic material against various threats, including natural disasters and climate change.
• Storage is free-of-charge for international, national, and regional genebanks.
• The depositing institution retains ownership and exclusive access to its seeds.
• It was established in 2008 with a capacity to store 4.5 million crop varieties.
• The vault is a humanitarian initiative aligned with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s goals for conserving plant genetic diversity.
• There is no Svalbard Seed Vault in India; it’s located in Norway.
• The vault’s remote location and secure design are intended to protect against various catastrophic events.

Petrified

• A rare, well-preserved petrified fossil of a 20ft tree (14 parts) was discovered in Jharkhand, India’s Rajmahal Hills. This is considered a first-of-its-kind in-situ discovery in the country.
• Petrification is the process where organic matter is completely replaced by minerals, turning it to stone. This happens over thousands to millions of years. Minerals fill the pores and spaces within the organic material, replacing it.
• The fossil is estimated to be 100-145 million years old, dating back to the Cretaceous period. Its discovery could provide valuable insights into the region’s past climate and volcanic activity.
• The discovery has potential for geo-tourism and economic development in the area. Proposals include a UNESCO global geopark and a center of excellence.
• Petrified wood is one example of petrification; other examples include amber-preserved insects.
• Geological Survey of India (GSI) will verify the claims on March 4. The location is to be marked on Google Earth to attract international researchers.

INS Tamal

• INS Tamal’s Commissioning: The Indian Navy crew has arrived in St. Petersburg to prepare for the commissioning of INS Tamal, a stealth frigate, expected in early June.
• Final Imported Warship: INS Tamal marks the last warship
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  to be imported; India now designs and builds its own warships.
• Project Details: Tamal is an upgraded Krivak-III class frigate, part of a $2.5 billion deal with Russia for four stealth frigates.
• Construction & Trials: The ship is undergoing State Committee Trials after manufacturer trials. Delivery acceptance trials, spanning 45-50 days, will follow.
• Timeline & Location: Commissioning will be in Russia, with trials in Kaliningrad. INS Tushil, the first of the four frigates, was commissioned in December 2024.
• Indigenous Components: Approximately 26% of Tamal’s components come from Indian manufacturers.
• Weaponry: Equipped with a 76mm Super Rapid Gun Mount (SRGM) and two Indigenous Triple Torpedo Launchers (ITTL) for anti-submarine warfare. Also carries BrahMos missiles.
• Blue Water Capabilities: Designed for broad
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  naval operations, including air, surface, underwater, and electronic warfare.
• Follow-on Frigates: The Indian Navy will receive two additional frigates built at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) in India after the delivery of INS Tamal. GSL is scheduled to deliver the first ship in 2026 and the second one six months later.
• Deal Overview: Two frigates are imported, and two are being manufactured at GSL under technology transfer.

Dwarf Galaxies

• Discovery: An Indian-origin astrophysicist, Raga Deepika Pucha, led a team that discovered the largest samples of intermediate-mass black holes and dwarf galaxies with active black holes.

• Significance: This discovery offers a deeper understanding of dwarf galaxy evolution and black hole growth, potentially revealing insights into the formation of early black holes and their role in the universe.

• Dwarf Galaxies: They are small galaxies, typically containing a few billion stars, and are the most abundant type in the universe. They are often found in galaxy clusters or orbiting larger galaxies like our Milky Way.

• Challenge: Dwarf galaxies are hard to detect due to their low luminosity, mass, and small size. Finding black holes in them is even more difficult.

• Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN): When a black hole feeds, it releases energy, forming an AGN, which acts as a “beacon” to identify hidden black holes in dwarf galaxies.

• Method: The team used early data from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), a state-of-the-art instrument that can capture light from 5,000 galaxies simultaneously.

• Results: The team identified 2,500 candidate dwarf galaxies with AGN, a significantly higher fraction than previous studies, suggesting many undiscovered black holes exist.

• DESI Project: This is an international collaboration surveying 40 million galaxies and quasars.

QIP

• What it is: Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP) is a method for listed companies to raise capital by issuing equity shares or convertible securities to Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIBs).
• Who are QIBs: These include mutual funds, venture capital funds, pension funds, and other institutional investors.
• Purpose: QIPs enable companies to raise funds domestically, lessening reliance on foreign investors and instruments like ADRs, GDRs, or FCCBs.
• Benefits: It offers a quicker and less expensive alternative to public offerings (IPOs and FPOs). It helps in raising fund faster and also maintains the management control due to less public involvement.
• Historical Context: Introduced by SEBI in 2006 to streamline domestic fundraising, making it easier for Indian companies to raise capital within the country.
• Key Difference from FPO: QIP is a private placement to institutional investors, while an FPO is a public offering to a broader investor base after a company is listed.

Kaziranga

• High-Profile Visit: Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and heads of missions from 61 countries visited Kaziranga National Park on Monday, February 24, 2025, experiencing elephant and jeep safaris.

• Significance of the Visit: The visit aimed to showcase Assam’s natural beauty and promote tourism and investment in the northeastern region. The Minister hopes to increase Assam’s international profile.

• UNESCO World Heritage Site: Kaziranga is a UNESCO World Heritage site, renowned for its one-horned rhinoceros population and diverse flora and fauna.

• Rich Biodiversity: The park is home to various endangered species, including the one-horned rhinoceros, tigers, and elephants, thriving in its grasslands, wetlands, and forests.

• Positive Tourist Trends: Over three lakh tourists have visited Kaziranga this season, indicating growing interest in the park.

• Advantage Assam 2.0: The envoys’ visit is linked to the Advantage Assam 2.0 Infrastructure and Investment Summit, with some envoys attending the summit.

• River Diffalu: The River Diffalu, a tributary of the Brahmaputra, flows through Kaziranga National Park.

• Location: Situated in Assam, in the Brahmaputra Valley floodplain.

SwayATT

• SWAYATT Initiative: Launched on February 19, 2019, to boost participation of startups, women-led enterprises, and youth in public procurement via the Government e Marketplace (GeM).
• Objectives: Enhance ease of doing business, establish direct market linkages, and promote social inclusion.
• Target Groups: Startups, women entrepreneurs, Micro & Small Enterprises (MSEs), Self Help Groups (SHGs), and youth, particularly from backward sections.
• Focus Areas: Training and onboarding of sellers, developing women entrepreneurship, and encouraging small-scale businesses in government procurement.
• GeM’s Role: GeM is an online procurement platform (established 2016) facilitating government ministries, departments, and PSUs. It aims to be India’s National Procurement Portal.
• Key Achievements:
  • Enabled startups to fulfill orders worth ₹ 35,950 Crore.
  • Women entrepreneurs comprise 8% of registered sellers on GeM.
  • 1,77,786 Udyam-verified women MSEs registered, with orders worth ₹46,615 Crore.
• Recent Developments: GeM signed an MoU with FICCI-FLO to provide women entrepreneurs direct access to government buyers.
• Future Goals:
  • Onboard 1 lakh Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade registered startups.
  • Double the number of women entrepreneurs on the portal.
  • Increase women entrepreneurs’ share in overall procurement from 3.78%.

Tribal Co-op Marketing Fed

• Purpose: TRIFED’s core mission is the socio-economic upliftment of tribal communities.

  • Why: It is dedicated to improving their lives and financial standing.

• Function: Facilitates the marketing of tribal products, including Minor Forest Produce (MFP) and surplus agricultural produce (SAP).

  • Why: This ensures fair trade and economic opportunities for tribal people.

• Establishment: Established in August 1987 as a national-level cooperative body under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 1984.

  • Why: Set up by the Government of India to provide a structured framework for tribal development.

• Activities: Retail marketing of tribal products under the “TRIBES INDIA” brand. Also, conducts exhibitions, international fairs, and e-marketing initiatives.

  • Why: Creates visibility and sustainable market access for tribal goods.

• Schemes: Implements the Minimum Support Price Scheme for Minor Forest Produce.

  • Why: Provides economic security and fair pricing for tribal producers.

• Recent Developments: Signed MoUs with Reliance Retail, HCL Foundation, and Torajamelo Indonesia.

  • Why: To promote tribal entrepreneurship and economic inclusion, broadening market reach.

• Objectives: Provides training to enhance artistic skills with modern technology to meet the requirements of the global market.

  • Why: Upgrades skills and facilitates access to a global market.

PUNCH Mission

• Mission Overview: The PUNCH (Polarimetry to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere) mission is a NASA Small Explorer mission designed to observe the Sun’s outer atmosphere (corona) and the solar wind in 3D.
• Novel Approach: It’s the first solar mission specifically using polarized light to measure the corona and solar wind in 3D.
• Instrumentation: A constellation of four suitcase-sized satellites, each equipped with three Wide Field Imagers (WFI) and one Narrow Field Imager.
• Data Collection: The cameras will capture polarized and unpolarized images using polarizing filters to generate large-scale 3D imagery.
• Scientific Goals: To understand the transition from the corona to solar wind, forces acting in the corona, and the evolution of Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) and solar winds.
• Impact: The mission aims to improve space weather predictions, including the timing of events impacting Earth’s satellite communications, GPS, power grids, and robotic explorers.
• Significance: PUNCH will provide new insights into the structure of the solar wind and the dynamics of the Sun’s atmosphere.
• Unique Feature: The four-camera setup will operate as a single instrument, offering a unique, information-loaded 3D image of the solar corona.
• 3D Imaging: PUNCH facilitates an overlapped heliospheric-coronagraphic imaging in 3D, a first-time achievement.
• Expert Insights: The mission will help scientists understand where CMEs and solar winds are formed, how they evolve and accelerate, and try to determine the forces and energies that help them gain speed.

Palaeognathae

• Palaeognath Birds Redefined: New research challenges the long-held assumption that Palaeognath birds (like emus and rheas) are “dumb.”

• Innovation Demonstrated: Studies showed emus and rheas solving tasks to obtain food, indicating problem-solving abilities. Emus even developed a new technique.

• Evolutionary Significance: Palaeognath birds are closely related to extinct dinosaurs, making them a crucial group for understanding avian evolution and potentially shedding light on dinosaur behavior.

• What they are: Palaeognaths comprise large, flightless ratites (ostrich, emu, cassowary, rhea) and smaller, flying tinamous.

• Physical Characteristics: These birds are the largest and heaviest avian specimens, distinguished by their palate morphology. They are grouped into two categories; Tinamiformes (can fly weakly) and Ratitae (cannot fly).

• Research Methods: Scientists used tasks involving a rotating wheel to test the birds’ cognitive abilities at a local zoo with ostriches, emus and rheas.

Thames

• Climate Change Impact: Climate change is increasing the potential for algal blooms in the River Thames, despite past efforts to reduce phosphorus levels.

• Geographical Significance: The Thames is a 346-km river, the longest in England and the second longest in the UK. It flows through southern England, originating near Kemble and flowing into the North Sea via the Thames Estuary.

• Key Locations: The river passes through major cities including London, Reading, Oxford (where it’s also known as the Isis), and Windsor.

• Water Source: The Thames provides two-thirds of London’s drinking water.

• Historical Importance: The river has been a vital transportation route since ancient times, supporting trade and commerce.

• Infrastructure: There are 16 bridges in Greater London alone, like the Golden Jubilee and Millennium Bridges.

• Tributaries: Major tributaries include the Lea, Leach, Churn, Coln, Windrush, Kennet, Evenlode, Ock, and Loddon.

• The Nore: The sandbank that marks the mouth of the Thames Estuary.

• Basin Area: The Thames’s basin covers about 16,130 sq. km.

AARDO

• Focus on Community-Driven Development: AARDO emphasizes development rooted in community involvement, local knowledge, and South-South cooperation. This approach was reaffirmed at its recent conclusion.

• Inter-Governmental Organization: AARDO is an autonomous body comprising African and Asian governments, established in 1962.

• Objectives: AARDO aims to promote coordinated efforts, exchange experiences, and cooperative action to advance rural area development.

• Membership: Open to Afro-Asian countries that are UN members or part of its specialized agencies, with 32 full and 3 associate members.

• Observer Status: AARDO has observer status with key international organizations like FAO, IFAD, UNCTAD, UNESCO, and UNDP, facilitating collaboration.

• Key Goals:

  • Foster understanding and collaboration for sustainable agricultural and rural development.
  • Collaborate with international and regional organizations, including UN agencies.
  • Conduct training programs to strengthen member countries’ capacity in sustainable agriculture and rural development.
  • Initiate research and studies, disseminating information.
  • Provide technical and financial support for pilot projects.

• FAO Link: The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), with which AARDO has observer status, is a UN agency focused on defeating hunger globally.

SMA

• What is SMA? Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a debilitating genetic condition affecting motor neurons, leading to progressive muscle weakening. It is a leading genetic cause of death in infants and children, affecting approximately 1 in 10,000 births.
• Cause of SMA: SMA is caused by mutations in the SMN1 gene, causing a deficiency in a protein crucial for motor neuron survival. This deficiency prevents muscles from receiving signals from the brain, causing them to waste away.
• Severity: SMA has subtypes (0-4), classified by age of onset, severity, and life expectancy. In its most severe form, SMA-1, motor skills decline rapidly, and patients often only live two to three years.
• Symptoms: Symptoms vary but involve muscle weakness, particularly closer to the body’s center. Early signs can include limited movement, difficulty sitting, breathing, feeding, and swallowing.
• Treatment: While there’s no cure, treatments aim to manage symptoms and prevent complications. Physical therapy helps, and the FDA approved disease-modifying and gene replacement therapies (2016-2020).
• In-Utero Treatment: Scientists treated SMA in the womb using risdiplam, an oral drug. The mother took the drug daily for six weeks during pregnancy. The baby continued taking the drug after birth.
• Success of In-Utero Treatment: The treated baby showed higher levels of the SMN protein and normal muscle development after 30 months with no signs of atrophy, suggesting the treatment was successful.
• Future Implications: The success of the in-utero treatment opens doors for larger studies to replicate these findings.

Spice Board

• Regulatory Focus: The Spices Board is collaborating with FSSAI and other agencies to introduce stricter regulations, emphasizing sustainable practices and conservation.
• Quality Control: Mandatory ethylene oxide (ETO) testing for EU exports has been implemented to ensure food safety and compliance.
• Global Standards: Actively participating in the Codex Committee to harmonize global spice standards, easing trade and reducing barriers.
• Market Dominance: India currently holds a 25% share of the global spice market, exporting 225 products to over 180 countries.
• Infrastructure & Exporters: Boasts over 8,400 registered exporters and 830 manufacturers, leveraging diverse agro-climatic zones and skilled labor.
• Value Addition & R&D: Investing in post-harvest facilities, processing plants, and R&D centers, with a focus on nutraceutical research for spices like turmeric, ginger, and garlic.
• Farmer Support: Initiatives have benefited 1,700 farmers and 200 value chain actors, with 8 FPOs established, leading to a 58% increase in farmer incomes.
• Climate Resilience: Adopting climate-smart agricultural practices and developing resilient crop varieties, enhancing farmer resilience.
• Technological Advancements: Embracing IoT, blockchain, and robotics for enhanced transparency, traceability, and operational efficiency.
• Market Growth: The Indian spice industry, valued at $24 billion, is growing at a CAGR of 10.56% and is projected to reach $61 billion by 2033, with exports expected to hit $10 billion by 2030 and $25 billion by 2047.
• Industry call for action: Industry leaders are urged to unite in creating a sustainable, high-quality spice industry, treating spices with standards akin to pharmaceuticals and focusing on seed development and pesticide reduction using nanotechnology.

Slender-billed Gull

• Rare Sighting in Chennai: Slender-billed gulls, a rare shorebird, were recently spotted at Pallikaranai marshland in Chennai.

• Identification: Medium-sized bird with a long, slender bill, pale grey body, white head and breast, black wingtips, and dark red legs. It is 37-40 cm long with a 90-102 cm wingspan.

• Habitat & Diet: The species breeds around the Mediterranean and the north of the western Indian Ocean. Its diet consists mainly of fish (50%), along with insects and marine invertebrates.

• Migration & Distribution: Migratory, wintering in North Africa and India. In India, it’s a regular along the western coast. Sightings in Chennai are less common, with previous sightings at Kelambakkam, Nemmeli salt pans, Kovalam Creek and Pulicat Bird Sanctuary.

• Conservation Status: ‘Least Concern’ under the IUCN Red List.

• Significance of Pallikaranai Marshland: The marshland is a freshwater marsh and partly saline wetland, acting as an aquatic buffer for flood-prone areas and a Ramsar site.

• Reasons for Increasing Sightings: Expansion of range and absence of predators are leading to more sightings.

• Feeding Behavior: They are known to feed at landfill sites, potentially contributing to their increased presence.

Caspian

• Declining Water Levels: The Caspian Sea is experiencing rapidly declining water levels, causing significant alarm among environmental activists. This is a major crisis.
• Urgent Need for Action: The shrinking sea highlights the urgent need for action to address climate change and its impact.
• Largest Enclosed Water Body: The Caspian Sea is the world’s largest enclosed body of water, located between Asia and Europe.
• Shrinking Area: The sea’s water area has shrunk by 7.1% in the last 15 years, with a drop of 185 cm in water levels between 2005-2023 resulting in a loss of 31,000 sq km of water area.
• Bordering Countries: It is bordered by five countries: Russia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Iran.
• Ecological and Economic Threats: The declining water levels pose ecological changes and economic hardships, particularly impacting fishing, agriculture, and tourism.
• Diverse Regions: The northern part of the sea is less salty and shallow, while the southern part is saltier and much deeper.
• Strategic Importance and Resources: The sea is known for its energy resources (oil and natural gas) and is a source of caviar. Also, the Caspian Sea holds significant strategic importance for oil-importing nations, with oil reserves estimated at 48 billion barrels.
• Expert Concerns: Experts highlight the broader climatic, environmental, and economic crises caused by the shrinking sea.

Bhitarkanika

• Early Departure of Migratory Birds: Bhitarkanika National Park is experiencing an early departure of migratory birds this year, earlier than the usual mid-March/April timeframe.
• Reason: Climate Change: The primary cause for the early migration is climate change, specifically the increase in air and ocean surface temperatures.
• Temperature Rise: The temperature in Bhitarkanika has been 3-4 degrees Celsius higher than normal this February, reaching 32 degrees Celsius.
• Bird Species Affected: Several species, including Shoveler, Pintail, Gadwall, and
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  others, have already started leaving. Some wader birds are still present.
• Migratory Bird Data: This year’s bird census recorded 1,51,614 migratory birds from 118 species, which is similar to last year’s numbers.
• Location: Situated in Kendrapara district, Odisha.
• Ecosystem: Bhitarkanika is a unique ecosystem formed by the Brahmani, Baitarani, Dhamra, and Patasala rivers.
• Key Features: India’s second-largest mangrove ecosystem, housing a variety of habitats like creeks, backwaters, and mudflats.
• Biodiversity Hotspot: Home to a large population of endangered Salt Water Crocodiles and the Gahirmatha Beach, the largest colony of Olive Ridley Sea Turtles.
• Ramsar Site: Designated as a Ramsar site, recognizing its international importance for wetlands.
• Flora: Includes mangrove species, casuarinas, and grasses.
• Fauna: Supports a rich array of animals, including hyenas, wild boars, and various deer species, along with migratory birds during the winter.

Honduras: Land of Beauty

• Humanitarian Aid: India has sent 26 tons of humanitarian assistance to Honduras due to Tropical Storm SARA. This highlights international support for the country.
• Geographic Location: Honduras is a Central American nation, bordered by Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, the Pacific Ocean, and the Caribbean Sea. This defines its regional context.
• Climate: Honduras experiences a generally hot and humid climate, with elevation affecting temperature.
• Terrain: The majority of Honduras is mountainous.
• Major Water Bodies & Rivers: Key features include the Coco River (border with Nicaragua), Lake Yojoa, Caratasca Lagoon, and rivers like Patuca & Ulúa. This shows the country’s geographic diversity.
• Natural Resources: Honduras possesses various natural resources, including timber, gold, silver, and hydropower. This points to its economic potential.
• Famous for: Honduras is known for its agricultural exports (coffee, fruits, sugar cane) and its textile industry. This explains key industries.
• Landform Regions: The country has distinct regions: central highlands, Pacific lowlands, eastern Caribbean lowlands, and northern coastal plains and mountains. This categorizes the landscape.

Selenium

• Health Crisis: An outbreak of sudden hair loss (alopecia totalis) has affected 279 people in Buldhana district, Maharashtra.

• Cause: The outbreak is linked to excessive selenium intake from wheat supplied through local ration shops, originating from Punjab and Haryana.

• Selenium Overload: Wheat from these regions contained significantly higher selenium levels (600 times more) compared to locally grown varieties. Affected individuals showed elevated selenium levels in blood, urine, and hair, and decreased zinc levels.

• Social Impact: The hair loss caused significant social challenges, including disrupted education and marriage prospects, leading to shaving of heads to avoid stigma.

• Symptoms: Patients displayed symptoms like headache, fever, scalp itching, tingling, and gastrointestinal issues.

• Selenium Basics: Selenium is an essential trace mineral found in soil, water, and food. The body needs it in small amounts for thyroid hormone metabolism, DNA synthesis, reproduction, and protection from cell damage and infections. The recommended daily intake is around 55-70 micrograms.

• Source of Problem: The investigation revealed that the high selenium content was inherent in the grain, attributed to high selenium bioavailability from Punjab and Haryana’s soil.

• Wheat Source: The wheat was obtained from regions with high selenium content, contributing to the health crisis.

• Consequences: The condition developed rapidly, causing total baldness within days.

• Remedy and Prevention: Authorities have advised against consuming the selenium-rich wheat. Some people have reported partial hair regrowth after discontinuing consumption.

• Call for Regulation: The outbreak underscores the need for stronger regulation of government food supplies, particularly in areas dependent on rations.

Kalakkad Tiger Reserve

• Census Underway: The post-monsoon wildlife census has begun in the Kalakkad Division of the Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR).
  • Why: This annual exercise helps monitor the wildlife population, track changes, and assess conservation efforts.
• Location: KMTR is situated in the Southern Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu.
  • Why: Its location makes it a crucial area for biodiversity conservation.
• Key Features: KMTR is made up of Kalakad, Mundanthurai and part of Kanyakumari Sanctuaries and is known as the “River Sanctuary,” with 14 rivers originating there.
  • Why: The diversity of habitat, climate, and various water resources, which support a wide array of flora and fauna.
• Biodiversity Hotspot: It is part of the Agastya Malai Hill Range, a part of one of the world’s 18 biodiversity hotspots.
  • Why: This highlights the reserve’s critical role in protecting globally significant biodiversity.
• Diverse Terrain: The reserve features a range of terrains, from thorny shrub jungles to evergreen forests, savannah woodlands, and grasslands.
  • Why: This diverse habitat supports a variety of species, making it an important area for conservation.
• Flora and Fauna: KMTR is home to notable plant species like Sarcandra and animals like tigers, leopards, elephants, and various primate species.
  • Why: Protecting this rich biodiversity is a primary goal.
• Census Methodology: Over 100 trained personnel and volunteers, divided into groups, are using a mobile app and GPS to record wildlife based on signs like scat, pug marks, and direct sightings.
  • Why: This advanced method enhances accuracy in wildlife monitoring.
• Duration of Census: The surveyors will be in the jungle till March 1st.
  • Why: To ensure a thorough assessment of the wildlife population within the reserve.
• Scat Analysis: Collected scat and droppings will be sent for analysis.
  • Why: This will provide in-depth data about the animals and their health.

Yars Missile

• Deployment: Russia recently deployed autonomous launchers of the RS-24 Yars ICBMs on combat patrol routes. This action is significant because it underscores Russia’s ongoing nuclear posture and readiness.

• Type: The RS-24 Yars is a Russian intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), designed to deliver nuclear warheads over long distances. This is important as it directly relates to global strategic stability and nuclear deterrence.

• Features: It’s a solid-fueled, three-staged missile launched from silos or mobile launchers. The missile is 22.5 meters in length and 2 meters in diameter, weighing approximately 49,000 kg. This is a part of military hardware that requires attention.

• Range: The Yars has a range of 2,000 km to 10,500 km. This range demonstrates the missile’s capability to strike targets at a vast distance, showcasing Russia’s global reach.

• Warheads: The Yars can carry up to 10 MIRVs (Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicles), each equipped with a thermonuclear warhead, increasing the destructive capacity.

• Stealth and Defence: The Yars is equipped with both active and passive decoys and can manoeuvre during flight, enhancing its ability to penetrate missile defense systems.

• Guidance: The Yars uses an upgraded guidance system of inertial and Glonass systems. This is important for its accuracy and strategic relevance.

Black Plastic

• Toxicity Concerns: Black plastic, often made from recycled electronics, contains toxic flame retardants (like BDE-209) and heavy metals (lead, cadmium, etc.). These can leach into food, especially when heated.
• Source of Materials: This plastic often originates from recycled e-waste (computers, TVs), which are likely to have unregulated toxic chemicals, including heavy metals and flame retardants.
• Health Risks: Exposure to these chemicals can be harmful, potentially leading to endocrine disruption and reproductive health issues. Children are particularly vulnerable.
• Recycling Issues: Black plastic is difficult to recycle because the carbon black pigment absorbs NIR light, making it hard for recycling facilities to identify it.
• Exposure Levels: The study on BDE-209 exposure in kitchen utensils was initially exaggerated. Although the levels were below the safe limits, uncertainty remains regarding the long-term effects and safe exposure limits.
• Environmental Impact: Black plastic often ends up in landfills or incinerators, releasing toxic substances like dioxins and furans into the air.
• Expert Advice: It’s better to use existing black
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  plastic items until they are no longer useful instead of immediately replacing them.

HKU5-CoV-2

• Newly Discovered Bat Coronavirus: HKU5-CoV-2, identified in China, is a new bat coronavirus.

  • Why: It’s the starting point for understanding the virus.

• Similarity to SARS-CoV-2: HKU5-CoV-2 resembles the virus that caused the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Why: Highlights potential for human health concern, similar to COVID-19.

• Belongs to Merbecovirus Subgenus: This subgenus also includes the MERS virus.

  • Why: Establishes a family connection, suggesting potential for respiratory illness.

• Can Bind to Human ACE2 Receptors: Similar to SARS-CoV-2, suggesting potential for animal-to-human transmission.

  • Why: Indicates the virus can enter human cells.

• Lower Binding Affinity: HKU5-CoV-2 has a lower binding affinity to human ACE2 than SARS-CoV-2, making its large-scale infection ability uncertain.

  • Why: Suggests a possibly lower risk but needs monitoring.

• Potential for Intermediate Hosts: The virus can bind to multiple mammalian species, potentially spreading through an animal before infecting humans.

  • Why: Explains a possible path for transmission.

• No Confirmed Human Cases: Symptoms are currently unknown, but may be similar to MERS and COVID-19.

  • Why: Emphasizes the need for continued monitoring.

• Led by Shi Zhengli: The discovery was made by virologists led by “Batwoman.”

  • Why: Names the key researcher, highlighting expertise in coronavirus research.

Pintail Duck

• Unprecedented Sighting: A flock of Northern Pintail ducks was spotted at a high altitude of 13,500 feet in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, marking an unusual event.
• Migratory Species: Northern Pintails are migratory waterfowl known for their extensive travels. They are migratory birds in India.
• Global Distribution: They are found on every continent except Antarctica, primarily living north of the equator.
• Distinctive Appearance: They are easily recognizable by their pointed tail feathers. Males are buff-gray with a chocolate head and white chest stripe; females are mottled brown.
• Size and Abilities: These ducks can be over 60 cm long with a wingspan up to 91 cm, known for their aerodynamic build, enabling them to fly up to 48 mph.
• Lifespan: Northern Pintails can live up to 22 years in the wild.
• Conservation Status: They are listed as ‘Least Concern’ by the IUCN Red List.

XR: Immersive Reality

• XR Defined: Extended Reality (XR) combines Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR) to blend virtual and physical worlds.
• Types of XR: VR creates fully immersive digital environments, AR overlays digital information on the
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  real world, and MR allows real and digital objects to coexist and interact.
• Hackathon’s Purpose: The XR Creator Hackathon, organized by Wavelaps with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s WAVES 2025 initiative, provides a platform for XR developers and innovators.
• Hackathon Impact: Offers opportunities for individuals like S. Bala Subramaniyam with XR patents to showcase their ideas, even with challenges to enter this field and helps others with similar limitations
• Key Areas of Focus: Finalists are focusing on healthcare, fitness, education, immersive tourism, e-commerce, and digital media.
• Applications of XR: XR solutions are being developed for medical training, mental wellness, personalized fitness, virtual learning, skill-based training, virtual travel, shopping experiences, and entertainment.
• WAVES 2025 Initiative: Designed to position India as a global leader in content creation, technology integration, and creative industry growth.
• Government Support: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is actively promoting XR development and innovation.

IFC

• IFC’s Decision: The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank’s private lending arm, has withdrawn a proposed $40 million loan for waste-to-energy (WTE) incineration projects in Gujarat, India.

• Reason for Rejection: The decision was made due to sustained opposition from communities, environmental groups, and civil society organizations. They raised concerns about pollution, public health risks, and the financial viability of the projects.

• Projects Involved: The loan was intended to support Abellon Clean Energy Limited (ACEL) in constructing four WTE plants in Gujarat, which would incinerate 3,750 tonnes of unsegregated municipal solid waste daily.

• Community Concerns: Local residents and activists feared the projects would worsen air and water pollution, contribute to climate change, and undermine sustainable waste management practices.

• Financial Viability Questions: ACEL has faced financial difficulties, including significant losses and difficulties meeting loan interest payments, casting doubt on the project’s long-term viability.

• Call for Action: Activists are urging other financial institutions like the Power Finance Corporation (PFC) and the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) to reconsider their loans to ACEL and stop funding similar projects.

• Alternative Solutions: Campaigners advocate for sustainable waste management solutions like reducing single-use plastics, promoting waste segregation, and investing in decentralized waste processing.

• IFC’s Role: The IFC’s initial role involves offering investment, advisory, and asset-management services to promote private-sector development in developing nations.

Zagros Range

• Sinking Zagros Mountains: A geological study reveals that a region surrounding the Zagros Mountains in Iraq is being pulled into the Earth due to the sinking of the Neotethys oceanic slab, a process driven by plate tectonics. This process is extremely slow, occurring over millions of years.
• Formation and Location: The Zagros Mountains, a major mountain range in Central Asia, were formed by the collision of the Arabian and Eurasian plates. They stretch 1,500 kilometers from Turkey to Iran, acting as a historical natural barrier.
• Significance as a Barrier: Historically, the Zagros Mountains have acted as a natural barrier, defining boundaries between cultures and empires, influencing the ancient and modern worlds.
• Geological Composition: The mountains are primarily composed of limestone and shale rocks from the Mesozoic Era and Paleogene Period.
• Climate and Vegetation: The region has a semi-arid temperate climate. It features broad-leaved forests dominated by oak and pistachio trees, along with steppe vegetation.
• Practical Implications of Research: The study aids in constructing geological models for earthquake prediction by revealing Earth’s interior activity. This understanding helps determine earthquake locations and intensity.
• Highest Peak: Mount Dena, the highest peak of Zagros, reaches an elevation of 14,465 feet.
• Influence on Energy Production: The research aids in understanding topography changes, helping in estimating the geothermal gradient for electricity production.

Ex Gratia Payment

• Definition: Ex-gratia payments are voluntary payments made out of moral obligation, not legal requirement, for damages or claims. They are a gesture of goodwill.

• Purpose: Often used to express goodwill, maintain relationships, or mitigate negative public image.

• Distinction from Compensation: Compensation is a legally mandated payment to rectify losses; ex-gratia payments are not a legal obligation.

• Cash Payments: The recent Ministry of Railways’ cash distribution of ex-gratia payments, while unusual, is not contrary to existing guidelines. These cash payments are designed as immediate relief for initial expenses after a tragedy. However, bank transfers are preferred for better accountability and transparency.

• Government Practices: Previous examples of ex-gratia payments, like those during the Covid-19 pandemic, had detailed guidelines, using Aadhaar-linked Direct Benefit Transfer procedures. Some payouts involve an immediate cash portion followed by a second portion after documentation.

• Legal Considerations: Ex-gratia payments are generally not taxable, unless made in lieu of salary or wages. The amount is not fixed but depends on individual needs and circumstances.

Soliga People

• Recognition & Appreciation: Prime Minister Modi highlighted the Soliga tribe’s contribution to tiger conservation in the BRT Tiger Reserve in “Mann Ki Baat”.

• Indigenous Community: The Soliga are an indigenous, forest-dwelling tribe primarily found in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, residing near the Biligiri Rangana Hills and Male Mahadeshwara Hills.

• Tiger Conservation & Coexistence: The Soliga are recognized for their worship of tigers and their practices that minimize human-animal conflict. Their sustainable lifestyle contributes to wildlife habitat preservation.

• Historical Significance: The Soliga were the first tribal community to have their forest rights recognized within a tiger reserve through a 2011 court judgment.

• Language & Culture: They speak the Dravidian language Sholaga, along with Kannada and Tamil. Their culture is deeply rooted in the forest ecosystem.

• Population: As per the 2011 Census, their population is about 33,871 in Karnataka and 5,965 in Tamil Nadu.

• Traditional Practices: They are known for their respect for nature, using it sustainably.

Pagri Sambhal

• What: The “Pagri Sambhal Jatta Movement” was a significant peasant uprising in 1907 against oppressive British agricultural laws in Punjab.
• Why: These laws, including the Punjab Land Alienation Act, the Punjab Land Colonisation Act, and the Doab Bari Act, severely restricted farmers’ land ownership, sale rights, and increased their financial burdens through taxes. They favored moneylenders and landlords, leading to debt and land loss for many farmers.
• Key Figures: Led by Ajit Singh (Bhagat Singh’s paternal uncle) and supported by figures like Kishan Singh (Bhagat Singh’s father) and Lala Lajpat Rai. Banke Dayal coined the slogan “Pagri Sambhal Jatta,” which became a symbol of resistance.
• Impact: The movement resulted in mass protests, civil disobedience, and the British government partially withdrawing the oppressive clauses. It was a pivotal moment in the fight against British rule and inspired future resistance movements, including the Ghadar Movement and Bhagat Singh’s revolutionary activities. Ajit Singh was exiled but later returned to India.
• Modern Relevance: Observed as “Pagri Sambhal Diwas” on February 23rd. Farmers protesting at the Punjab and Haryana borders since February 13th, 2024, have observed the date to honor the movement, continuing the legacy of resistance for farmer rights. It is a reminder of the long struggle for agricultural justice.

NCISM

• NCISM’s Achievement: The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) concluded the first phase of the ‘Desh Ka Prakriti Parikshan Abhiyaan’ with five Guinness World Records.
• Abhiyaan Details: Over 1.29 crore individuals participated in the ‘Prakriti Parikshan’ (nature assessment), exceeding the target of 1 crore.
• Record Categories: The Guinness World Records include: most pledges for a health campaign in a week, month, and overall; largest online photo album; and largest online video album.
• NCISM’s Role: NCISM is a statutory body constituted under the NCISM Act, 2020. It is responsible for regulating medical institutions and professionals of the Indian System of Medicine (ISM).
• NCISM’s Functions: Key functions include setting policies, assessing healthcare resource needs, and ensuring compliance with regulations.
• Ministry of Ayush’s Support: The Ministry of Ayush supported the campaign.
• Campaign Details: The campaign aimed to promote Ayurveda’s role in preventive healthcare and lifestyle management.
• Impact of Prakriti Parikshan: The program involved 1,81,667 volunteers, reflecting unity in diversity.
• Vision: The campaign is an initiative that can create a data-driven approach that can facilitate evidence-based research.

Palk Strait

• Recent Arrests: 32 fishermen from Tamil Nadu were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy on February 23, 2025, for alleged poaching in the Palk Strait. Five trawlers were also seized. This marks a fresh incident of ongoing tensions.

• Fishermen Protest: Various fishermen associations in Rameswaram have initiated an indefinite strike to protest the frequent arrests by the Sri Lankan Navy. They are seeking intervention from both the Union and State governments.

• Confiscation of Assets: The Sri Lankan government announced the auction of 67 trawlers, including those seized in 2024. This has been a source of distress among the fishermen, and there are concerns regarding the government silence in this issue.

• Calls for Government Action: Political leaders like K. Annamalai and G.K. Vasan have urged the Indian government to intervene, condemn the arrests, and negotiate with the Sri Lankan government to secure the release of the fishermen and their vessels.

• Recurring Issue: The arrests are part of a pattern. Over 100 Tamil Nadu fishermen have been arrested, and 20 trawlers seized by the Sri Lankan Navy since the beginning of the year. The Sri Lankan Courts have been imposing heavy fines and prison sentences.

• Location and Importance: The

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  Palk Strait is a narrow inlet of the Bay of Bengal separating India and Sri Lanka, making it a crucial fishing ground for fishermen from both nations. It connects the Bay of Bengal with the Gulf of Mannar and is named after Robert Palk.

Asperger’s

• What Asperger’s Syndrome is: It’s a neurodevelopmental disorder within the autism spectrum, impacting social communication and interaction.

• Key Characteristics: Individuals often have average to superior intelligence but struggle with social cues. Symptoms appear in early childhood and can last into adulthood. Includes challenges with social interaction, repetitive behaviors, communication, and motor skills.

• History: First described in 1944 by Hans Asperger.

• Causes and Treatment: The causes are unknown, and there’s no cure. Early interventions like behavior management and social skills training are beneficial.

• International Asperger’s Day Initiatives: The National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (NIEPID) organized programs across India to raise awareness and promote inclusivity on International Asperger’s Day.

• NIEPID Activities: Webinars and awareness programs were held by NIEPID centers in Kolkata, Jammu, Nagpur, Guwahati, and Jaipur. These activities included expert discussions, documentaries,

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  and education on the condition, treatment, and support strategies.

• Focus on Inclusivity: The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment and NIEPID are actively working to improve understanding and support for individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome.

Tonkin Gulf

• Vietnam’s Baseline Claim: Vietnam recently published a map defining its baseline claim in the Gulf of Tonkin. This is significant as it asserts its maritime boundaries in the area.

• Location: The Gulf of Tonkin is located in the northwestern part of the South China Sea. Its geographic position between China and Vietnam makes it a strategically important area.

• Bordering Regions: The gulf is bordered by Vietnam to the west/northwest, China’s Guangxi region to the north, and China’s Leizhou Peninsula and Hainan Island to the east. Bordering regions are relevant due to competing territorial claims and resource control.

• Connection to South China Sea: The Gulf connects to the broader South China Sea, a region with ongoing territorial disputes.This connection makes the Gulf of Tonkin an integral part of the South China Sea geopolitical landscape.

• Major Ports: Key ports in the Gulf include Haiphong and Ben Thuy in Vietnam, and Beihai in China.Ports highlight the economic importance of the Gulf for trade and transportation.

• Riverine Discharge: Many rivers, including the Red River, empty into the Gulf. This influences the ecology and resource availability in the area.

BOB-IGO

Here are the key points for news regarding Bay of Bengal Inter-Governmental Organisation:

• India assumed Chairmanship of the Bay of Bengal (BOB) Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO) from Bangladesh at the 13th Governing Council Meeting in Malé, Maldives on February 21, 2025.

• The meeting was part of a conference focused on mainstreaming Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) in Small-Scale Fisheries.

• BOBP-IGO aims to improve livelihoods and quality of life for small-scale fisherfolk in the Bay of Bengal region.

• It evolved from the Bay of Bengal Programme of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations founded in 1979.

• Current members are Bangladesh, India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka. Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand are cooperating non-contracting parties.

• India is committed to building upon BOBP-IGO’s achievements and providing guidance for the fisheries sector’s development across member countries.

• Key areas for increased regional cooperation include marine resource management, training, research, addressing Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, and resolving regional issues.

• India seeks continued support from FAO, SEAFDEC, UNODC, and other organizations.

• Collaborations aim to strengthen the region’s blue economy, harmonize economic development with marine ecosystem protection, and alleviate poverty.

• India highlighted its developmental policies and sustainability measures for small-scale fisheries.

• India’s leadership is expected to advance the national goal of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’.

Extinction Filter

• Extinction Filtering Explained: Human activities outside protected areas are driving biodiversity loss, leading to “extinction filtering.” Sensitive species disappear, leaving behind only those that can survive in degraded landscapes.

• Impact on Tropical Forests: The study focused on tropical forests, known for high mammal diversity. It found that human overpopulation is driving sensitive mammal species to local extinction.

• Key Threats: Forest loss and fragmentation, along with high human population density, are major threats to tropical mammal species.

• Beyond Protected Areas: Simply increasing the size of protected areas is insufficient. Human activities outside these zones, like deforestation and population growth, still impact biodiversity within protected areas.

• Consequences: Extinction filtering results in a less diverse and uniform mix of species, weakening ecosystems and reducing their ability to recover from environmental changes.

• Conservation Solutions: Effective strategies include creating wildlife corridors, sustainable land-use planning, community-based conservation, and strengthening buffer zones around protected areas.

• Global Implications: The problem of extinction filtering is not unique to tropical forests. Conservation efforts must address threats beyond protected area borders to truly safeguard biodiversity worldwide.

PMI

• What it is: The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) is a survey-based economic indicator reflecting business activity in the manufacturing and services sectors.

• How it works:

  • It measures changes in purchasing managers’ perceptions of key business variables.
  • It’s calculated monthly, separately for manufacturing and services, and a composite index is created.
  • Questions cover new orders, output, employment, supplier delivery times, and stock of purchased items.

• Interpretation:

  • A PMI above 50 signals expansion.
  • A PMI below 50 indicates contraction.
  • The magnitude and comparison with previous months determine the rate of expansion or contraction.

• News from the article:

  • Rapid restocking globally is boosting new export orders, particularly for manufacturers.
  • Service exports are rising, potentially benefiting from the rupee’s depreciation.
  • Input prices are easing, while output prices are rising, improving margins for goods producers.
  • Activity indicators show a recovery in the December quarter compared to September 2024. Early trends in January continue to show growth.

• Why it matters: The PMI provides early signals about economic expansion or contraction, allowing businesses and policymakers to make informed decisions.

Binandini Dance

• PM Modi’s Visit to Assam: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the Jhumoir Binandini (Mega Jhumoir) 2025 program in Guwahati, Assam on February 24th.

• Jhumoir Dance: This event features the Jhumoir dance, a traditional folk dance of the Adivasi tea tribes of Assam, with 8,000 performers.

• Cultural Significance: The Jhumoir dance is performed to celebrate various occasions, including harvest festivals, weddings, and community gatherings. It embodies the spirit of inclusivity, unity, cultural pride, and symbolizes Assam’s syncretic cultural mélange.

• Significance of the Event: The Mega Jhumoir event symbolises 200 years of the tea industry and industrialisation in Assam.

• Broader Context: The visit is part of a multi-state tour, with events also planned in Madhya Pradesh and Bihar, highlighting government initiatives in healthcare, investment, infrastructure, and farmer welfare.

Bharat Tech Rise

• Bharat Tech Triumph Program (TTP) Launched: Initiative to boost India’s gaming industry, as part of the Create in India Challenge Season 1.
• Objective: To identify and showcase Indian gaming talent on an international level.
• Organizers: Interactive Entertainment and Innovation Council (IEIC) in partnership with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB).
• Participants: Open to developers, studios, startups, and tech companies involved in gaming development, esports, and related business solutions.Individuals and organizations with working prototype.
• Global Exposure: Winners get sponsored opportunity to present at Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2025 in San Francisco and WAVES in India.
• GDC Importance: Premier event for game developers, focused on creativity, innovation, and excellence.
• WAVES Importance: World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit, a key forum promoting discussion and collaboration in Media and Entertainment (M&E) sector. A hub and spoke platform poised for convergence of the entire M&E sector, especially AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and XR technologies).
• Evaluation Criteria: Focuses on the product, pitch, and team’s potential for success.
• Tech Triumph Season 3: Over 1078 registrations, indicating strong momentum in elevating India’s gaming ecosystem (applications closed Feb 20, 2025).
• Prize: Showcase products, IP and tech at GDC and WAVES, gaining international exposure and connect with leaders.

Palamu Tigers

• Tiger Relocation: For the first time in Jharkhand, a tiger that strayed from Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) into Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary and areas of West Bengal will be relocated back to PTR. A proposal has been sent to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) for approval.
• Reason for Relocation: The tiger has been terrorizing villagers in Jamshedpur and Purulia, hunting cattle, and is reportedly starving in Dalma.
• Procedure: The tiger will be tranquilized and relocated. A team from the Wildlife Institute in Delhi will be present.
• PTR Context: Palamu Tiger Reserve is located in the Chhota Nagpur plateau region of Jharkhand and forms a part of Betla National Park.
• Historical Significance: PTR was one of the first 9 tiger reserves in India under ‘Project Tiger’ and the first in the world to conduct a tiger census via pugmark count (1932).
• Geography: The North Koyal, Auranga, and Burha rivers flow through PTR.
• Ecosystem: Primarily Northern Tropical Dry Deciduous Sal Forest.
• Biodiversity: Home to tiger, Asiatic elephant, leopard, grey wolf, gaur, and sloth bear, among other species.
• NTCA Oversight: The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Perovskite NCs

• Innovation in Perovskite Nanocrystals: Researchers at the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru, have developed a new method to minimize anion migration in CsPbX₃ perovskite nanocrystals.

• Significance: This innovation reduces sensitivity to heat, moisture, and color instability in perovskite nanocrystals, leading to more efficient and durable optoelectronic devices.

• Context: The research addresses a key challenge hindering the widespread use of Perovskite LEDs (PeLEDs), which are promising

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  for next-generation lighting due to their potential to combine the advantages of OLEDs and QLEDs.

• Technical Approach: The researchers synthesized green light-emitting CsPbBr₃ nanocrystals using the hot injection method. They used oleylamine as the passivating ligand. The process involves argon-oxygen (Ar-O₂) plasma treatment to create a cross-linked, hydrophobic layer that stabilizes the ligands, thereby slowing anion exchange.

• Impact: This method significantly improves the color stability of perovskite nanocrystals by several orders of magnitude and provides insights into stabilizing perovskite nanocrystals, paving the way for efficient, durable optoelectronic devices.

• Applications: Perovskite nanocrystals have wide applications in optoelectronics, including photovoltaic solar cells, photodetectors, and light-emitting devices, with the potential to revolutionize next-generation lighting.

Bhavani River

• Unsafe Drinking Water: Bhavani River water at Palaiyur village (Jadayampalayam panchayat) is unsafe for drinking due to contamination from untreated effluents released by dyeing units. This was confirmed by the public health and preventive medicines department of Tamil Nadu.
• Source of Contamination: Illegal dyeing units near the river bank are identified as the source of pollution.
• Local Response: Following the report, seven illegal dyeing units were shut down near the river bank by the local body.
• Water Supply Affected: The contaminated water is supplied daily for drinking to several village panchayats and town panchayats including Jadayampalayam, Annur, Avinashi, Sulur and Sirumugai.
• Resident Concerns: Residents reported black-colored water and health issues (fever, cough).
• Water Quality Tests: Tests revealed the presence of dirt, harmful bacteria, and microbes in the water. Direct pumping from the river without effective purification (slow sand filter) makes the water unsafe.
• Location and Significance: The Bhavani River flows through three districts of Tamil Nadu, and it is the second largest river in Tamil Nadu, used for 90% of its water for agricultural purpose.
• Origin and Tributary: It originates in the Nilgiris of the Western Ghats and its major tributaries are the West and East Varagar.
• Other information: The Bhavanisagar dam, one of the world’s largest earthen dams, is constructed on this River.

E-Personnel License

• Electronic Personnel License (EPL) Launched: Union Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu introduced the EPL for pilots.

  • Why: Modernizes civil aviation, enhances safety, security, and efficiency.

• Digital License: EPL is a digital version of the traditional physical pilot license.

  • Why: Easier access and reduces dependence on physical documents.

• Accessibility: Securely accessible via the eGCA Mobile Application.

  • Why: Seamless, transparent process, aligning with Ease of Doing Business and Digital India initiatives.

• ICAO Compliance: Implemented following ICAO’s Amendment 178, encouraging electronic licenses.

  • Why: Meets international standards for improved security and
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    efficiency in aviation.

• Global Leader: India is the second country globally (after China) to implement EPL.

  • Why: Demonstrates India’s leadership and commitment to aviation innovation.

• DGCA Implementation: Implemented by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

  • Why: DGCA is the regulatory body for civil aviation in India, ensuring safety and compliance.

• ICAO Role: ICAO is an intergovernmental agency associated with the UN, dedicated to safe and efficient international air transport.

  • Why: Sets standards and regulations for aviation safety, security, and economic development.

• Digital India Alignment: EPL aligns with the Government of India’s Digital India initiative.

  • Why: Transforms India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.

• Modern Aviation Governance: The step aligns with ICAO’s roadmap for modern aviation governance.

  • Why: Shows India’s readiness to embrace the future of aviation.

Bathousim

• Official Recognition: The Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) government in Assam now includes ‘Bathouism’ as an official religion option on application forms for educational institutions and key documents.

• Traditional Faith: Bathouism is the traditional religion of the Bodos, the largest plains tribe of Assam.

• Etymology: ‘Bathou’ means ‘five deep philosophical thoughts’ in the Bodo language.

• Five Elements: The faith is based on five elements: Air, Sun, Earth, Fire, and Sky.

• Supreme God: Bwrai Bathou is worshipped as the supreme god, representing ultimate power and knowledge.

• Sijou Plant Significance: The Sijou plant (Euphorbia splendens) is central to Bathouism, symbolizing life and Bathoubwrai.

• Altar Construction: The Sijou is planted on an elevated altar with a bamboo fence of 18 pairs of posts woven with five bamboo strips. These strips represent birth, marriage, sorrow, happiness, and death.

• Government Support: The Union Home Minister highlighted the government’s commitment to preserving nature-centric faiths. Assam has declared a state holiday for Bathou Puja.

• Religious Diversity: While Bathouism is the ancestral faith, some Bodos have converted to Christianity or follow reformist movements.

• Core Beliefs: Bathoubwrai is considered omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent, the source of all knowledge and light.

• Biggest Festival: Bwisagw is the greatest seasonal festival of the Bodos.

Tech Adoption Fund

• IN-SPACe launched a Technology Adoption Fund (TAF) with a corpus of ₹500 crore to boost India’s space startups.

• Why: Aims to propel growth of indigenous space tech, cut dependence on imports, and establish India as a global space industry player.

• Offers financial support: up to 60% of project cost for startups/MSMEs, 40% for larger industries, capped at ₹25 crore per project.

• Why: Helps bridge the funding gap between early-stage development and commercialization.

• Open to eligible Non-Government Entities (NGEs) demonstrating commercial potential.

• Why: Broadens the scope of participation and encourages innovation.

• Provides technical guidance and mentoring.

• Why: Supports companies in navigating product development challenges.

• Supports the transition of early-stage technologies into commercially viable products, domestic research and development.

• Why: Facilitates technology refinement, production enhancement, and market access (domestic and international).

• Aims to create jobs, drive economic growth, and foster intellectual property.

• Why: Promotes advanced space technologies and strengthens collaboration between government and private sector.

• IN-SPACe promotes, enables, authorizes and supervises space activities of NGEs, like building launch vehicles & satellites.

Dukono Volcano

• Eruption: Mount Dukono recently erupted, spewing ash clouds up to 2,000 meters high.
• Aviation Warning: This eruption triggered an aviation warning issued by Indonesia’s Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Centre.
• Location: Located in North Maluku province, Indonesia, specifically on Halmahera Island.
• Volcanic Type: Complex volcano and one of Indonesia’s most active historically.
• Elevation: Stands at 1,087 meters above sea level.
• Continuous Activity: Dukono has been erupting continuously since 1933, characterized by frequent ash explosions and sulfur dioxide plumes.
• Active Volcano: It is one of Indonesia’s 127 active volcanoes.
• Past Eruptions: It has been recorded that Dukono Volcano has erupted 21 times.
• Halmahera Island: Dukono volcano is located in the northern part of Halmahera island in Indonesia

Iron Dome

• The US President recently signed an Executive Order to develop an Iron Dome-style missile defense system for the United States.

• Iron Dome is an Israeli mobile air defense system designed to intercept short-range rockets.

• Developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries (with Raytheon support), it was first deployed in 2011.

• It forms the innermost layer of Israel’s tiered air defense network.

• The system functions in all weather conditions, day or night.

• Iron Dome can launch various interceptor missiles.

• It is designed to intercept missiles with a range of up to 40 miles.

• It is mobile and can be deployed on ships or land.

• Reloading is necessary for continuous missile interception.

• The system comprises:

  • Radar for detecting incoming rockets.
  • A command-and-control system for threat assessment.
  • Interceptors to destroy incoming rockets.

• Akash Missile System is the India’s surface-to-air missile system that can intercept aerial targets at ranges up to 30 kilometres.

Giant Strobilanthes

• A new flowering plant species, Strobilanthes gigantra, has been discovered in Arunachal Pradesh, within the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR).

• It’s distinguished by its unusually large size, sometimes growing into a tree, and unique floral traits like densely imbricate bracts, uninterrupted inflorescence, a slightly curved corolla tube, and winged staminal curtain.

• Strobilanthes is the second-largest genus in the Acanthaceae family.

• India is home to 167 Strobilanthes species, mainly in the Himalayas and Western Ghats.

• Arunachal Pradesh in the Eastern Himalayas is a biodiversity hotspot for this genus, with 41 known species.

• The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) is a large mountainous area across 11 Indian states and union territories recognized for its biodiversity and vital role in climate regulation.

• While some Strobilanthes species, such as Strobilanthes dyerianus, can be indoor plants, they require warm, humid, well-lit environments.

• Strobilanthes species have uses ranging from ornamental to medicinal, ecological, and cultural.

Kuno: Cheetah’s New Home

• Cheetah Reintroduction: Kuno National Park (KNP) is central to India’s Project Cheetah. Recent releases of cheetahs into the wild are key news.
• Recent Cheetah Release: Five cheetahs, including Jwala (from Namibia) and her four cubs, were released into the wild in February 2025.
• Cheetah Population: KNP now houses 26 cheetahs: 8 from South Africa, 4 from Namibia, and 14 born in India. 12 are in the wild and 14 in enclosures.
• Location: KNP is in Madhya Pradesh’s Sheopur district, nestled near the Vindhyan Hills. It also spans the Morena district.
• Area: The park covers 750 sq. km.
• Kuno River: The Kuno River, a Chambal tributary, flows through the park and gives it its name.
• National Park Status: It was upgraded from a wildlife sanctuary to a national park in 2018.
• Vegetation: Primarily grassland with mixed forests of Kardhai, Salai, and Khair trees. 123 tree, 71 shrub, 32 exotic/climbing, and 34 bamboo/grass species exist.
• Fauna: Home to jungle cats, Indian leopards, sloth bears, Indian wolves, striped hyenas, golden jackals, Bengal foxes, dholes, and over 120 bird species.

Blue-Cheeked Bee-eater

• New Breeding Site Discovered: The first breeding site of the Blue-Cheeked Bee-eater in peninsular India has been found in the saltpans of Aandivilai, near Manakudy Mangroves in Kanniyakumari district, Tamil Nadu.

• Confirmation:

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  The discovery was confirmed in the ornithological journal Ornis Hungarica (December 2024). Research team includes R. Kishore, Anand Shibu, Vinod Sadhasivan and Ajil Yesudhas.

• Shifting Status: This shifts the bird’s status in India from a passage migrant and winter visitor to a year-round resident and extends the known breeding range further south in the Indian subcontinent.

• Study Details: The study occurred along the Pazhayar Basin from January 2022 to October 2023, leading to the discovery of courtship and nesting sites.

• Breeding Success: The colony grew from 28 to 48 individuals during the research period, indicating successful breeding.

• Habitat and threats: Habitat destruction from development, anthropogenic pressures, as well as natural events, threaten the breeding ground, even though it’s in a CRZ and No Development Zone.

• Call for Protection: There is an appeal for authorities to protect the Aandivilai nesting colony, recognized as the only known breeding hub for the species in India.

Andaman Sea

• Earthquake: A 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck the Andaman Sea near Malaysia on Thursday morning.

• Seismic Activity: The Andaman Sea is a seismically active region due to the subduction of the Indian Plate beneath the Eurasian Plate. This convergence creates undersea features like the Andaman Trench and leads to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

• Location & Geography: The Andaman Sea is a semi-enclosed sea in the northeastern Indian Ocean, located between India and the Malay Peninsula. Bounded by the Bay of Bengal to the west and the Strait of Malacca to the east.

• Geological Context: The Andaman Sea is part of the larger Sunda Plate and is a tectonically complex region with undersea ridges, trenches, and faults.

• Ecological Significance: Home to extensive coral reef systems, seagrass meadows, and mangrove forests, providing habitats for marine organisms. It is also an important site for migratory birds.

• Rivers: The Irrawaddy River of Myanmar flows into the Andaman Sea.

• Maritime Boundary: The maritime boundary between India and Myanmar runs through the Andaman Sea.

• Tectonic Plates: Sunda Plate, Indian Plate, Australian Plate

Brine Pool Secrets

• Scientists have discovered deadly brine pools in the Red Sea that instantly kill or stun marine life.
• Brine pools are hypersaline, anoxic “underwater lakes” on the seafloor, denser than surrounding seawater.
• Their high salt content and lack of oxygen create toxic conditions for most marine life.
• The water in these pools filters through salt sediments, preventing mixing with the surrounding seawater and forming a distinct body of water.
• The deepest-known brine pool is in the Orca Basin in the Gulf of Mexico, 2,200 m below sea level, and is eight times saltier than the Gulf.
• Despite toxicity, specialized chemosynthetic organisms can survive and thrive on the edges of brine pools.
• Brine pools are not necessarily hot but can have elevated temperatures based on location.

Why it’s news:

• Highlights the discovery of extreme and potentially dangerous environments in the ocean.
• Showcases the unique adaptations of life in extreme conditions, specifically chemosynthetic organisms.
• Emphasizes the importance of exploring and understanding the deep sea, which remains largely unexplored.

UN-Habitat

• Landmark Partnerships: UN-Habitat collaborates with organizations like C40 Cities to transform urban planning. This highlights its role in fostering partnerships for urban development.

• UN System Focal Point: UN-Habitat is the central entity within the UN addressing urbanization and human settlements. This emphasizes its authority and scope within the UN system.

• Mandate for Sustainable Cities: It’s tasked by the UN General Assembly with promoting socially and environmentally sustainable urban areas and ensuring adequate shelter for all. This underscores its core mission and priorities.

• Inclusive and Resilient Communities: UN-Habitat works to build inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities, reflecting a holistic approach to urban development.

• Urbanization as a Positive Force: The organization promotes urbanization as a tool for reducing inequality, discrimination, and poverty. This frames urbanization as an opportunity for positive change.

• Three-Tier Structure: UN-Habitat operates with the UN-Habitat Assembly, the Executive Board, and the Committee of Permanent Representatives. This structure allows for broad member state participation and oversight.

• UN-Habitat Assembly: A universal body with all 193 UN member states, meeting every four years. This enables global representation in setting UN-Habitat’s agenda.

• Executive Board: Composed of 36 member states, meeting three times a year for operational oversight. This allows for greater accountability.

• Committee of Permanent Representatives (CPR): Meets twice every four years in an open-ended manner, facilitating continuous engagement.

• World Habitat Day: First celebrated in 1986, it illustrates the organization’s long-standing commitment to addressing shelter and housing issues. The first theme was “Shelter is My Right”.

Khara Committee

• The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) established the “Dinesh Khara Committee.”
• The committee comprises seven members and is headed by former SBI chairman Dinesh Khara.
• Purpose: To review proposed amendments to the Insurance Act of 1938 and suggest a framework for their implementation through regulations and circulars.
• The committee was formed as the Union government prepares to introduce the Insurance Amendment Bill to Parliament.
• Proposed Amendments: Include increasing the foreign direct investment (FDI) cap in the insurance sector from 74% to 100%, reducing paid-up capital requirements, introducing a composite license system, and streamlining regulatory processes.
• The committee’s role is limited to reviewing proposed changes and implementation; it cannot suggest additional amendments.
• Why It Matters: The Insurance Act of 1938 is the primary regulatory framework for India’s insurance industry and led to IRDAI’s establishment. The Act defines the scope of insurance and regulates relationships between insurers, policyholders, shareholders, and IRDAI. The amendments and their implementation have far-reaching implications for the insurance sector and its stakeholders.

Manikaran

• Dispute over water transfer: A proposal to transfer hot spring water from Manikaran, a pilgrimage site, to Kasol for a hot bath facility has sparked local opposition.

• Religious significance: Manikaran is a significant religious site for both Hindus and Sikhs, featuring temples like the Shiva temple and Manikaran Sahib Gurudwara. Its hot springs are believed to have healing properties and are said to be radioactive.

• Local outrage: Residents fear the plan to use holy water for commercial purposes. They’ve threatened protests and argue the water should be used for development in Manikaran itself.

• Development vs. preservation: The dispute highlights a clash between development initiatives (a nature park in Kasol) and preservation of religious sites and local traditions.

• Political involvement: Local politicians, including BJP’s Narotam Thakur and Congress’s Sunder Singh Thakur, are involved in the debate, with accusations of vested interests.

• Former MP’s opposition: Former MP Maheshwar Singh also voiced opposition, stressing the sacred nature of the water.

• MLA’s counter-argument: The Kullu MLA defended the proposed development, asserting previous opposition to similar projects.

Digital Brand Guide

• MeitY Launches Digital Brand Identity Manual (DBIM) & CIO Conference 2025: Aimed at harmonizing the government’s digital presence.
• “Gov.In: Harmonisation of Government of India’s Digital Footprint” initiative: Streamlines government websites for easy citizen access.
• Standardized Digital Identity: Creates a unified digital brand for the Government of India, enhancing trust and accessibility.
• DBIM Toolkit: Ensures uniformity through standardized color palettes, typography, and iconography across government platforms.
• Comprehensive Guidelines: Covers websites, mobile apps, and social media, ensuring a seamless user experience.
• Key Components Introduced: DBIM Toolkit,
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  Gov.In CMS Platform, Central Content Publishing System (CCPS), and Social Media Campaign Guidelines.
• Gov.In CMS Platform: Streamlines website management.
• Central Content Publishing System (CCPS): Centralizes content governance, improving transparency and public engagement.
• Social Media Campaign Guidelines: Standardizes digital communication.
• CIO Conference 2025: Focused on DBIM adoption, unified brand identity, and enhanced accessibility.
• User-Centric Approach: Government portals must be user-friendly, accessible, and efficient like private sector websites.
• Viksit Bharat 2047: Contributes to India’s vision by leveraging AI, security, and seamless digital ecosystems.
• Unified Government’s Digital Presence Seeks to establish a standardized and seamless digital presence across government ministries, departments and agencies

IMA (or) Aid to Navigation

• India Elected Vice President: India has been elected to the Vice Presidency of the International Organization of Aids to Marine Navigation (IALA) in Singapore (Feb 2025).
• Transition to IGO: IALA officially transitioned from a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) to an Intergovernmental Organization (IGO) in 2024 after ratification by 34 states.
• Importance of Transition: The change amplifies IALA’s mandate, enabling it to more effectively harmonize global maritime navigation systems and promote maritime safety.
• IALA’s Purpose: IALA aims to foster safe, economic, and efficient vessel movement by improving and harmonizing aids to navigation worldwide.
• Key Mandates: Harmonizing global maritime navigation systems, promoting maritime safety, and collaborating on maritime safety and environmental protection challenges.
• India’s Commitment: This signifies India’s leadership and commitment to maritime affairs and secure marine navigation.
• Upcoming Events in India: India will host the IALA Council meeting in December 2025 and the IALA Conference & General Assembly in September 2027 in Mumbai.
• Membership: IALA comprises 200 members including 80 national authorities and 60 commercial firms; India has been a member since 1957.
• Headquarters: Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France.

Coronal Holes

• New Study on Coronal Holes: Researchers have accurately measured the thermal and magnetic field properties of solar coronal holes.

• What are Coronal Holes?: Dark, cooler, less dense regions on the Sun, visible in X-ray and extreme ultraviolet light. They possess open, unipolar magnetic fields.

• Importance: Crucial for understanding space weather, the interplanetary medium, and potential impacts on Earth.

• Solar Cycle: Coronal holes are common throughout the Sun’s 11-year cycle, lasting longer during solar minimum.

• Space Weather Impact: Can disrupt Earth’s ionosphere (affecting radio waves and communications) and impact satellites. Also, recent physics-based study suggests they influence Indian monsoon rainfall.

• Solar Wind Source: Coronal holes are sources of fast solar wind, streams of charged particles that can cause geomagnetic storms.

• IIA Study Findings: The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) analyzed eight years of data from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO).

• Key Results:

  • No significant latitudinal variation in coronal hole temperature.
  • Magnetic field strength increases from the solar equator to the poles.

• Implications: Constant temperature suggests a deep origin within the Sun. Magnetic field variation hints at formation via superposition of Alfven wave perturbations.

Parkinson’s

• Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting movement.
• It causes nerve cell damage and death in parts of the brain, leading to movement problems, tremors, stiffness, and balance issues.
• The substantia nigra, an area near the brain’s base, is crucial.
• Neurons in this area produce dopamine, a chemical messenger for smooth movement.
• Significant dopamine loss (60-80%) occurs before symptoms appear.
• Dopamine deficiency causes slow movements and tremors.
• Parkinson’s risk increases with age, with an average onset at 60 and slightly higher incidence in males.
• Currently, no blood or imaging tests diagnose Parkinson’s.
• There’s no cure, but treatments manage symptoms.
• A new study identified 24-OHC, a cholesterol metabolite, as a factor fueling harmful protein clump spread in the brain, potentially contributing to the disease.
• Cognitive (thinking and memory) symptoms are common but not universal in Parkinson’s.

AOR: Supreme Court Lawyer

• Advocate-on-Record (AoR) is a specific legal professional authorized to represent clients in the Supreme Court.
• AoRs have exclusive filing and conduct rights in the SC. No other advocate can appear without an AoR’s instruction.
• The Supreme Court holds AoRs fully responsible for the accuracy of petitions, even if drafted by others.
• AoRs are subject to specific requirements for registration: enrollment with a State Bar Council, 4+ years experience, 1-year training under a senior AoR, Supreme Court examination, Delhi office requirement, and clerk employment.
• AoRs receive a unique identification number and are solely authorized to file Vakalatnamas (representation documents) in the SC.
• AoRs are personally liable for court fees.
• All procedural aspects (drafting, filing) must be completed by the AoR with a registered clerk’s assistance.
• The SC sends notices/orders/correspondence directly to the AoR.
• This system differs from other High Courts in India.
• The Supreme Court’s power to create AoR rules stems from Article 145(1) of the Constitution.
• Candidates get five attempts for the AoR exam.

Majorana Fermion

• Microsoft has released Majorana 1, the world’s first quantum chip built on a topological core, on February 19,2025.
• CEO Satya Nadella calls it a leap in computing unlocked by new materials (top conductors).
• Majorana 1 is designed to make quantum computing more practical, faster, and reliable.
• It leverages a topoconductor, creating more stable qubits less prone to losing information.
• It relies on Majorana fermions, theorized in 1937.
• The chip uses indium arsenide and aluminum to create Microsoft’s “world’s first topoconductor.”
• This could allow quantum computers to scale to millions of qubits.
• Potential applications include designing better medicines, reducing pollution, and creating self-repairing materials.
• Majorana 1 is powered by a Topological Core designed to scale to a million qubits on a single chip.
• The first chip features only eight qubits, but Microsoft plans to scale rapidly.
• Quantum computing uses quantum mechanics to solve complex problems faster than classical computers.
• Qubits can exist in states 0, 1, or both simultaneously (superposition), enabling faster solutions.
• Qubits are fragile and prone to errors, which Majorana 1 aims to address.

Kivu Lake

• Lake Kivu is a large lake in East Africa, bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda.
• It’s one of the great
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  lakes of East Africa and Rwanda’s largest, situated in the Albertine Rift.
• It lies at 1,460 meters above sea level and covers 1,040 square miles.
• 58% of the lake’s water is in the DRC, and the rest is in Rwanda.
• It flows into the Rusizi River, which then flows into Lake Tanganyika.
• Idjwi Island, one of the largest inland islands globally, is located in the lake.
• Lake Kivu is a significant source of fish for Rwanda.
• Recent conflict in Goma, DRC, affecting the region around Lake Kivu.

Nauru

• Nauru, a small island nation in the Pacific, is selling citizenships to raise funds for climate adaptation.
• The initiative aims to relocate 10,000 residents from vulnerable coastal areas.
• Citizenship costs at least $140,500, offering visa-free travel to countries like the UK, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
• Nauru’s plan involves developing a new township, farms, and workplaces on reclaimed land in the island’s interior.
• Proceeds will help fund the “Higher Ground Initiative,” a project to combat rising sea levels and extreme weather events.
• The initiative follows similar efforts by Dominica.
• Nauru’s phosphate mining has left much of the island uninhabitable.
• Previous citizenship programs faced criticism for potential misuse by criminals.
• Nauru is taking precautions to avoid past vulnerabilities.
• The country forecasts raising about $68 million annually from the program.
• The initiative faces funding challenges due to the significant adaptation financing gap globally.
• Nauru’s extreme flooding is predicted to worsen due to rising sea levels.

NDSA: Dam Safety First

• The Supreme Court directed a supervisory committee, chaired by the NDSA head, to address Tamil Nadu’s concerns about Mullaperiyar dam maintenance against Kerala.
• The committee must find a solution acceptable to both states and report back to the court within four weeks.
• The committee needs to meet all stakeholders within a week and address the issues raised.
• Tamil Nadu accuses Kerala of obstructing dam maintenance, citing delays in permissions for materials and machinery, and even routine maintenance like painting and repairs.
• Kerala is denying permission for essential strengthening works, citing forest and wildlife clearances, according to Tamil Nadu.
• Tamil Nadu wants the committee to direct Kerala to allow strengthening works, grouting, and tree removal.
• A previous Kerala proposal to decommission and rebuild the dam was rejected.
• The NDSA, a statutory body under the National Dam Safety Act, 2021, oversees and regulates dam safety.
• The body formulates policies and guidelines for dam construction, maintenance, and operation.
• NDSA has the power to resolve disputes between state dam safety organizations or between organizations and dam owners.
• The NDSA promotes dam safety awareness programs and ensures emergency response plans are in place.

Evo 2 AI

• Evo 2, a powerful AI system for genetic research, was created by Nvidia, Arc Institute, and Stanford University.
• It’s the largest publicly available AI model for genomic data, trained on nearly 9 trillion nucleotides from over 128,000 organisms.
• Evo 2 was built on the NVIDIA DGX Cloud platform using 2,000 Nvidia H100 processors on Amazon’s cloud infrastructure.
• The system accurately identified 90% of potentially harmful mutations in the BRCA1 gene.
• Evo 2 can be used for various biomolecular research applications, including predicting protein function, identifying new molecules, and evaluating gene mutation effects.
• Applications include healthcare, agricultural biotechnology, and materials science.
• Evo 2 is freely available through Nvidia’s BioNeMo platform.
• The technology promises to accelerate biological research, making biological design more accessible and efficient.

Cellulose Bacteria

• Bacterial cellulose, a natural polymer produced by bacteria, is a potential plant wound-healing material.
• It significantly improves plant wound healing and regeneration, with over 80% of treated wounds healing in a week compared to less than 20% of untreated wounds.
• Bacterial cellulose is a sustainable alternative to chemical treatments for plant injuries.
• It promotes healthier plant growth, potentially increasing crop yields and resilience.
• The material aligns with eco-friendly agricultural practices.
• It may also enhance vegetative propagation (growing new plants from cuttings) and be used in agriculture for grafting, preserving cut plant material, or as a growth medium.
• Bacterial cellulose is composed of hundreds to thousands of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms.
• It’s the main substance in plant cell walls, providing stiffness.
• Humans cannot digest it, but it’s a dietary fiber.
• Its use in human medicine, often for wound healing, suggests potential for agricultural applications.
• Bacterial cellulose possesses various beneficial properties such as elasticity, bacterial inhibition, vapor permeability, and low cost for wound healing.
• Its physicochemical and mechanical properties, water absorption capacity, non-toxicity, and chemical inertness make it suitable for various applications.
• The cellulose from plants and bacteria has the same molecular formula (C6H10O5)n.

CPCB

• The Central Pollution Control Board
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  (CPCB) recently reported concerning river water quality at Prayagraj during the Maha Kumbh Mela.
• CPCB is a statutory organization under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and also has powers under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
• It provides technical services to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
• Principal functions include preventing and controlling water and air pollution.
• CPCB advises the central government on pollution control and coordinates with state pollution boards.
• CPCB delegates powers to regional administrations in Union Territories.
• CPCB develops environmental standards, industrial documents, and guidelines.
• It sets standards for streams, wells, air quality, sewage treatment, and industrial emissions.
• CPCB develops Minimal National Standards (MINAS) for industries, which states must adopt.
• CPCB’s head office is in New Delhi.
• CPCB operates under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Mishing

• The Mishing tribe, one of Assam’s largest, celebrated Ali Ai Ligang, their sowing festival.
• They are an indigenous tribe from Northeast India, part of the Tani people, speaking Tibeto-Burman languages.
• They live in parts of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and historically South Tibet.
• Tibetans call them “Lhobhas,” meaning “southerners.”
• The 2011 census counted 680,424 Mishings in Assam.
• Their lives are closely tied to rivers, making them the only riparian tribe in Northeast India.
• Culture revolves around agriculture and fishing, originally using the jhum (slash-and-burn) method.
• They now primarily practice wet paddy cultivation.
• Ali Ai Ligang, their main festival, celebrates sowing, with “Ali” meaning edible root, “Aye” meaning seed, and “Ligang” meaning sowing festival.
• Their religion is centered around worshiping the Sun and Moon (Do-nyi-Po:lo).
• The Mishing language is a Tibeto-Burman language.

OPEC+ Alliance

• OPEC+ is a group of 22 oil-exporting countries, including 12 OPEC members and 10 others, coordinating crude oil production for market stability.
• Brazil has joined OPEC+, aiming to leverage its oil production for economic growth.
• Brazil’s membership in OPEC+ comes despite its upcoming COP30 hosting duties focused on reducing fossil fuels.
• Brazil will not be bound by production limits.
• Brazil is the world’s 7th largest oil producer, with oil now exceeding soy as its top export.
• OPEC+ was
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  formed in late 2016 to establish cooperation between OPEC and non-OPEC producers.
• OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) was established in 1960 with five founding members.
• The USA is not part of OPEC because it’s a net oil importer.

Orcas

• Over 150 false killer whales stranded on a Tasmanian beach.
• 136 whales still alive, but rescue efforts complicated by remoteness and ocean conditions.
• Local resident discovered the stranded whales.
• Experts and veterinarians are at the scene.
• Authorities haven’t requested public help yet.
• Previous mass stranding events have occurred in the area.
• Reasons for the beachings are unknown, potential causes include disorientation, illness, old age, injury, predators, and weather.
• Killer whales are the largest member of the Delphinidae family (dolphins), found globally.
• They use sound for feeding, communication, and navigation, are highly social in pods, and are recognizable by their black and white bodies.
• Unihemispheric sleep is a unique sleep method where only one brain hemisphere sleeps at a time.
• Some types prey on other whales, hence the name “killer whale.”
• They’re apex predators using coordinated hunting strategies.

Vertical Mixer

• ISRO develops world’s largest vertical propellant mixer (10 tonnes): This mixer is crucial for solid rocket motor production.
• Collaboration with CMTI: Satish Dhawan Space Centre and Central Manufacturing Technology Institute collaborated on the project.
• High capacity and precision mixing: The mixer ensures consistent quality and performance in mixing propellant ingredients.
• Safety and reliability: Designed to handle hazardous materials safely.
• Large scale: The mixer weighs 150 tonnes and measures 5.4m (L) × 3.3m (B) × 8.7m (H).
• Advanced technology: Hydrostatic-driven agitators with PLC-based control systems and SCADA stations are used.
• Improved productivity and quality: The mixer will enhance efficiency in heavy solid motor production.
• Self-reliance in space sector: This development is part of India’s push for self-reliance in space technology.
• Critical for India’s spaceflight capabilities: The mixer is expected to significantly advance India’s space program.
• Formal handover: The mixer was formally handed over on February 13, 2024.

Fusion Power

• Record-breaking fusion: The WEST Tokamak reactor in France sustained a plasma for over 22 minutes, a significant milestone.
• Nuclear fusion process: Two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier one, releasing vast energy. This occurs because the combined mass of the products is less than the original masses.
• Plasma state: Fusion reactions happen in plasma, a hot, charged gas of ions and electrons.
• Stellar power: The sun and stars utilize nuclear fusion.
• Tokamaks (artificial suns): These doughnut-shaped devices are used to replicate fusion on Earth. Over 200 exist globally.
• ITER project: The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) is the world’s largest fusion experiment, currently under construction.
• Energy generation potential: Commercial fusion reactors could heat water, create steam, and spin turbines to generate electricity.
• Deuterium-tritium fusion: This type of fusion is a focus for researchers, releasing high energy levels.
• Fusion vs. fission: Fusion produces significantly more energy per unit of fuel than fission, used in current nuclear power plants.
• Clean energy: Fusion doesn’t produce radioactive waste or harmful emissions, only helium and neutrons.
• Abundant fuel: Fusion fuel (heavy hydrogen) is readily available in seawater.
• Safe operation: Fusion reactions can’t create uncontrolled chain reactions like fission.
• Sun as example: The sun’s fusion of hydrogen to helium is a prime example.
• Fusion vs. fission power: Fusion is more powerful than fission, releasing four times more energy per reaction.

Dispute Resolution Act

• Provides a framework for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in India, encompassing arbitration, mediation, and conciliation.
• Offers a two-tiered system with arbitration and conciliation for flexible conflict resolution.
• Allows parties to choose their procedures and arbitrators, ensuring flexibility and confidentiality.
• Arbitration awards are binding and enforceable, promoting finality.
• Judicial intervention is limited, primarily for arbitrator appointment and award enforcement.
• Globally compatible, aligning with the UNCITRAL Model Law.
• Includes provisions for arbitration agreements, arbitrator appointments, interim court measures, and detailed procedures.
• Awards must be written, dated, signed, and reasoned (unless otherwise agreed).
• Sets forth grounds for setting aside awards, such as party incapacity or invalid agreements.
• Limits appeals to ensure finality and enforceability.
• 2015 Amendment introduced 12-month timelines, curtailed judicial interference, and enhanced cost control.
• 2019 Amendment established the Arbitration Council of India (ACI) to regulate standards and promote institutional arbitration, mandating disclosure of arbitrator conflicts of interest, and limiting stay orders on awards.
• 2021 Amendment removed automatic stays on awards for fraud/corruption and streamlined enforcement.
• Recent Supreme Court arguments focused on court modification of arbitral awards under Sections 34 and 37. The Act is currently the subject of judicial review regarding the scope of court intervention in arbitral awards.

Qatar

• Strategic Partnership: India and Qatar elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership, aiming to double bilateral trade to nearly $30 billion by 2030.
• Geographic Location: Qatar is a small peninsular nation on the northeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, bordering Saudi Arabia and surrounded by the Persian Gulf. The Gulf of Bahrain separates it from Bahrain.
• Land Area: Approximately 11,571 sq km.
• Capital: Doha, the largest city.
• Landscape: Primarily flat, barren desert, with sand dunes in the south (Khor al Adaid) and rocky limestone formations to the north and west. Wadis are valleys that dry out except during rain.
• Settlement: Originally settled by Bedouin nomads, Qatar’s population today is largely foreign workers, mostly from Pakistan, India, and Iran. Few Qataris retain a nomadic lifestyle.
• Economy: Qatar’s economy relies heavily on oil and natural gas reserves, which form the majority of its government revenue.
• Language: Arabic is the official language, with a Gulf Arabic dialect
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  spoken.
• Bordering Countries: Qatar shares a land border with Saudi Arabia and is surrounded by the Persian Gulf.

Sariska Tigers

• Sariska Tiger Reserve (STR) is located in the Alwar district of Rajasthan, India, within the Aravalli mountain range.

• It covers approximately 800 sq km and is notable for being the world’s first reserve to successfully relocate tigers.

• STR’s diverse landscape includes rocky terrain, scrub forests, and various lakes and historical sites (Pandu Pol, Bhangarh Fort, etc.). Its flora includes dhok trees, salar, and other species; its fauna includes tigers, leopards, sambhar deer, and more.

• The Rajasthan forest department is currently rationalizing the critical tiger habitat (CTH) within STR, following Supreme Court and Central Empowered Committee (CEC) recommendations. The current CTH (881.11 sq km) exceeds the existing sanctuary area.

• The rationalization aims to align the sanctuary boundaries with the core tiger habitat without reducing the overall CTH area. This process has been extended to June 30, 2025.

• Notification of STR’s eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) is planned for before December 31, 2025, following the CTH rationalization.

• Concerns have been raised regarding the impact of CTH designation on local communities and potential violations of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Calls have been made for stakeholder inclusion in the decision-making process.

Soil Health Card

• Soil Health Card Scheme completed a decade, launched in 2015 to provide soil health cards to all farmers.
• Cards assess soil nutrient levels (N, P, K, S, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Bo, pH, EC, OC) and recommend fertilizer dosages.
• Soil samples are taken twice yearly (after Rabi and Kharif harvests) or when no crops are growing.
• Farmers receive a soil health card every 3 years.
• Village-level soil testing labs can be established by entrepreneurs, including SHGs and schools.
• The scheme is now part of the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).
• A mobile app (SHC) streamlines implementation and provides easier access.
• The scheme monitors soil health regularly, providing farmers with updated reports to guide crop choices.
• The scheme aims for sustainable agriculture and balanced fertilizer use, leading to higher yields at
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  lower costs.
• The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is the nodal agency.
• The slogan is “Swasth Dhara Toh Khet Hara”.

Navika Sagar II

• Navika Sagar Parikrama II, a global circumnavigation mission by two Indian Navy women officers (Lieutenant Commander Dilna K and Lieutenant Commander Roopa A), successfully completed its third and most challenging phase.

• INSV Tarini, the 56-foot sailing vessel, reached Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands on February 18, 2025.

• This leg was particularly challenging, involving three cyclones, passage through Point Nemo (the Oceanic Pole of Inaccessibility), the Drake Passage, and Cape Horn.

• The expedition showcases India’s commitment to gender empowerment and maritime excellence, promoting ocean sailing, self-reliance, and India’s maritime heritage.

• The voyage, which began in Goa on October 2, 2024, covers over 21,600 nautical miles (approximately 40,000 km) in five legs with stopovers for replenishment and maintenance.

• INSV Tarini, built by M/s Aquarius Shipyard Ltd and inducted into the Indian Navy in 2017, has now clocked over 66,000 nautical miles. It also participated in the first Navika Sagar Parikrama in 2017.

• The vessel is equipped with advanced navigation, safety, and communication equipment.

• The expedition reinforces India’s growing maritime reach and commitment to global goodwill through naval diplomacy. The crew will interact with the local community in Port Stanley.

• Following Port Stanley, the vessel will proceed to Cape Town before returning to Goa.

CPC

• A Ukrainian drone attack on the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) pumping station in southern Russia caused a significant reduction in oil flow.

• CPC is a major pipeline transporting Kazakh oil to the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk for global export, including to Western Europe. It accounts for roughly 80% of Kazakhstan’s oil exports and approximately 1% of global supply.

• The attack is estimated to reduce oil flow by 30-40% for 1.5-2 months. This impacts Kazakhstan’s economy significantly, as three-quarters of CPC’s oil comes from Western energy companies.

• The CPC is a joint venture, with Russian and Kazakh governments, as well as Western energy giants (Chevron, ExxonMobil, Shell) holding stakes.

• The pipeline’s total capacity is 1.4 million barrels per day.

• Kazakhstan is working to diversify its energy export routes due to its reliance on Russian infrastructure, especially amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict.

• Ukraine has repeatedly targeted Russian energy infrastructure during the war.

PLFS Data

• Urban unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.4% in Q3 FY25.
• Male unemployment rate slightly worsened to 5.8%.
• Female unemployment rate improved to 8.1%.
• Youth unemployment (15-29) increased to 16.1%.
• Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) in urban areas remained at 50.4%.
• Male LFPR increased to 75.4%.
• Female LFPR decreased to 25.2%.
• Worker Population Ratio (WPR) in urban areas increased to 47.2%.
• Male WPR increased to 70.9%.
• Self-employment (39.9%), regular/salaried work (49.4%), and casual work (10.7%) remained unchanged.
• Female regular work share increased to 54.8%.
• Male regular work share decreased to 47.7%.
• Tertiary sector employment share rose to 62.7%.
• Secondary sector (manufacturing) employment share declined to 31.8%.
• PLFS data released by MoSPI.
• PLFS is a quarterly survey of urban areas measuring employment and unemployment in ‘Current Weekly Status’ (CWS).
• PLFS also conducts annual surveys for rural and urban areas.
• NSO has conducted PLFS since 2017.

Peppara’s Wild Heart

• Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala, covers 53 sq km.
• Declared a sanctuary in 1983, it’s part of the catchments of Peppara dam on the Karamana River.
• Altitude ranges from 100 to 1717 meters, with peaks like Chemmunjimottai (1717 m) and Athirumalai (1594 m).
• Features diverse forest types: tropical evergreen, moist mixed deciduous, semi-evergreen, and Myristica swamp forests.
• Rich biodiversity: 43 mammal species (including tiger, leopard, elephant, and various deer), 233 bird, 46 reptile, 13 amphibian, and 27 fish species are recorded.
• Common tree species include Terminalia paniculta, T. bellerica, Pterocarpus marsupium, and others.
• The Vazhvanthol waterfall is nearby.
• Real-time monitoring and networking system implemented by the Periyar Tiger Conservation Foundation.

Transparency Report

• India is preparing its first Biennial Transparency Report (BTR) under the Paris Agreement.
• The BTR, part of the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF), details India’s progress in implementing climate change commitments.
• It covers mandatory aspects like greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory and progress on Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
• Optional sections include climate change impacts and adaptation, and financial/technological support.
• Developed countries are mandated to report financial, technological, and capacity-building support.
• All countries (except SIDS and LDCs) are required to submit BTRs every two years.
• India’s report will cover data up to 2022, unlike previous reports.
• Independent experts will review India’s BTR.
• India’s 2020 GHG emissions fell 7.93% from 2019 due to COVID lockdowns.
• The BTR is expected to show rising emissions, a common trend.
• India’s emissions are around 4-5% of the global total.
• Energy sector accounts for most GHG emissions in India (75.66%).
• Forests and other land use sequestered 22% of India’s CO2 emissions in 2020.

Inland Waterport

• Inauguration of an Inland Waterways Terminal (IWT) on Brahmaputra in Assam’s Jogighopa by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal.
• Terminal built at a cost of ₹82.03 crore, strategically positioned for trilateral trade with Bhutan and Bangladesh.
• Foundation stone laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February 2021.
• Expected to handle 1.1 million tonnes of cargo annually by 2027.
• Connected to Bangladesh, Barak valley, and other parts of India via IBP route. A railway link with Multi-modal Logistic Parks (MMLP) is planned.
• A port of call under the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWTT) between India and Bangladesh.
• Located 108 km from Bangladesh border, 147 km from Guwahati, and 91 km from Gelephu, Bhutan.
• Aims to reduce transportation expenditure and offer an eco-friendly alternative transport mode via the Brahmaputra river.
• Handles primary commodities like food grains, fertilizers, coal, crude oil, etc.
• Significant increase in Inland Waterways transport in the last decade: 767% increase in operational waterways, 727% increase in cargo handled, and 62% increase in multimodal terminals.
• Cargo traffic on national waterways saw an exponential growth to 133 million tonnes in FY 2023-24, from 18 million tonnes a decade ago (22% CAGR).