May-2025

Gamburtsev Mountains

• Ancient Origins Revealed: The Gamburtsev Subglacial Mountains (GSM) formed over 500 million years ago during the assembly of the Gondwana supercontinent.
• Hidden Mountain Range: The GSM are a completely buried mountain range located beneath the East Antarctic Ice Sheet.
• Discovery: The mountains were first discovered in 1958 by a Soviet seismic expedition.
• Unlike Transantarctic Mountains: Unlike the Transantarctic Mountains, which are partially visible, the GSM remain entirely buried under kilometers of ice.
• Tectonic Stability Puzzle: The existence of such a large mountain range in a tectonically stable region like East Antarctica has puzzled geologists.
• Zircon Analysis: Scientists analyzed zircon grains from ancient river deposits to determine the mountains’ age.
• Timeline of Formation:
  • Uplift began ~650 million years ago.
  • Himalayan-scale peaks reached ~580 million years ago.
  • Crustal melting and flow ceased ~500 million years ago.
• Gondwana Formation Link: The GSM’s formation is linked to tectonic plate collisions during the formation of the supercontinent Gondwana.
• Insight into Continent Evolution: The findings offer insight into how mountains and continents evolve over geological time and why Antarctica’s interior has remained stable for millions of years.

AGN

• Discovery of New AGNs: Astronomers using the Spektr-RG (SRG) space observatory detected 11 new Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs) during all-sky X-ray surveys.
• What are AGNs: AGNs are compact regions at the centers of galaxies with exceptionally high electromagnetic radiation. Powered by supermassive black holes accreting matter.
• Importance of AGNs: Crucial for understanding galaxy formation, evolution, black hole activity and cosmic energy sources.
• Method of Detection: The new AGNs were identified via optical and X-ray inspection of sources in the ARTSS1-5 catalog, using SRG’s ART-XC telescope.
• Characteristics: The newly detected AGNs are relatively nearby (redshifts 0.028 to 0.258) with X-ray luminosities in the range of 2 to 300 × 10³⁹ erg/s.
• Seyfert Classification: All 11 new AGNs are classified as Seyfert galaxies: 7 Sy 1, 3 Sy 1.9, and 1 Sy 2. Types are distinguished by emission line characteristics.
• Seyfert Galaxies: These appear like normal galaxies in visible light but have strong infrared and X-ray emissions from their cores.
• Types of AGNs: Common types include quasars, blazars, Seyfert galaxies, and radio galaxies, each emitting energy across various wavelengths.

Mearim River Tidal Bore

• Mearim River’s Location: Located in Maranhão state, northeastern Brazil, flowing into the Atlantic Ocean.
• Tidal Bore (Pororoca): The river is famous for its “Pororoca,” a tidal bore where ocean tides surge upstream against the river current. The term “Pororoca” means “great roar” in the Tupi language.
• Tidal Bore Formation: The tidal bore is a positive surge of water caused by rising ocean tides pushing against the river current, typically during spring tides and supermoons.
• Ecological Significance: The river forms the southern boundary of the Tocantins–Araguaia–Maranhão moist forests ecoregion, a biodiversity hotspot.
• Surfing and Awareness: A Brazilian surfer is using the Mearim’s pororoca to raise awareness about climate change and ecological degradation.
• Navigational Challenges: The upper and middle courses of the river are non-navigable due to rapids; only the lower course is suitable for navigation.
• Global Comparison: Other rivers with tidal bores include the Amazon, Qiantang, and Seine.

Ayurveda Day

• Fixed Date for Ayurveda Day: Ayurveda Day will be observed annually on September 23rd, starting in 2025, as per a Gazette Notification dated March 23rd, 2025.
• Shift from Dhanteras: Previously, Ayurveda Day was celebrated on Dhanteras (October/November), which follows a variable lunar calendar.
• Reason for Change: The Ministry of AYUSH shifted the date to ensure consistency and enhance global visibility, as Dhanteras fluctuates significantly each year (between October 15th and November 12th).
• Autumnal Equinox Significance: September 23rd coincides with the autumnal equinox, when day and night are nearly equal, symbolizing balance in nature, aligning with Ayurvedic principles of equilibrium among body, mind, and spirit.
• Holistic Philosophy: The equinox represents cosmic harmony, supporting Ayurveda’s holistic approach to health, emphasizing living in balance with nature.
• Ministry of AYUSH’s Role: The Ministry of AYUSH is the key organizer of Ayurveda Day celebrations in India. The ministry urges global participation and sees this shift as an opportunity to further embed Ayurveda into global health narratives.
• Ayurveda Defined: Ayurveda, derived from ‘Ayu’ (life) and ‘Veda’ (knowledge), means the “science of life”.
• Core Principle: Ayurveda is based on the tridosha theory: Vata (air & space), Pitta (fire & water), and Kapha (water & earth). Health is a balanced state of these doshas, dhatus (body tissues), and malas (waste products).
• Preventive and Curative: Ayurveda emphasizes both preventive measures (hygiene, lifestyle) and curative treatments (herbal remedies, diet).
• Formal Recognition: The Indian Medical Council Act of 1971 provides formal recognition to Ayurveda.

T-Bills

• India extends financial support to Maldives: Renewed a USD 50 million Treasury Bill for another year via SBI.
• Purpose: Bolsters Maldivian government’s economic reform and resilience efforts.
• Special Arrangement: Government-to-government arrangement where SBI subscribes to T-Bills without interest. Renewed annually since March 2019 as emergency aid.
• Strategic Importance: Highlights Maldives’ significance to India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and Vision ‘MAHASAGAR’.
• Beyond Financial Aid: India extended the special quota for essential commodities exports to the Maldives.
• Stronger Ties: Assistance reflects India’s commitment to supporting the Maldivian government and people.
• Treasury Bill Rollover: Reinvesting proceeds from a maturing T-bill into a new one, effectively extending the investment term.
• T-Bills: Short-term debt instruments issued by the Indian government through the RBI.
• Purpose of Indian T-Bills: To meet short-term financial requirements of the central government. RBI uses them in open market operations.
• Features of Indian T-Bills: Zero coupon securities, issued at a discount, redeemed at face value.
• Tenure of Indian T-Bills: 91 days, 182 days, 364 days.
• Minimum Investment of Indian T-Bills: ₹25000 or multiples.

2024 YR4

• Asteroid 2024 YR4: Initially flagged as a potential Earth threat, NASA now estimates a 3.8% chance of it colliding with the Moon on December 22, 2032.

• Discovery & Size: Discovered in December 2024 by the ATLAS telescope in Chile. Estimated to be about 65 meters wide (size of a 10-15 story building).

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• Near-Earth Asteroid: It’s a Near-Earth Asteroid (NEA), meaning its orbit brings it within 1.3 Astronomical Units (AU) of the Earth.

• Revised Threat Assessment: Initial high alert due to potential Earth impact was lowered after more data refined the orbit calculations.

• Impact Implications: A lunar collision could create a large crater (500-2000 m wide) and pose a risk to lunar missions. The impact would be far more powerful than Hiroshima.

• Monitoring Efforts: Observatories constantly monitor NEAs. Automated searches identify moving objects, and models predict their orbits. Uncertainties are reduced with additional data.

• Visibility Debate: Whether the impact flash will be visible from Earth is debated.

• Future Observations: YR4 will pass Earth again in 2028, allowing for more data collection and refined predictions.

• Preventable Disaster: Asteroid impacts are considered a preventable natural disaster with adequate monitoring and potential mitigation strategies.

CIMS

• RBI’s CIMS: Regulated entities must report digital lending app (DLA) details through the CIMS portal.

• CIMS Purpose: Introduced by RBI for managing large data flows, analysis, dissemination, and governance. It acts as a central data warehouse.

• CIMS Technology: Employs advanced technology for Big Data management, enabling data mining, text mining, visual analytics, and statistical analysis across financial, external, fiscal, corporate, real estate, and pricing sectors.

• Advantages: Improves regulatory reporting efficiency for RBI and reduces the workload for regulated entities via electronic submission using cloud technology.

• Benefits for RBI: Enhanced timeliness and quality of regulatory data, improved financial system monitoring, quicker response to risks, and better communication with regulated entities.

• Selenium Error: Indicates a problem with locating a specific element on a webpage using Selenium automation, specifically element with CSS selector “.MainStory_storycontent__Pe3ys”. This suggests a website structure change or issue with the script.

India: Growth Imperative

• “6% GDP Growth Trap”: India’s GDP growth has largely hovered around 6% between 2000 and 2025, needing structural reforms, tech investment, human capital development, and sustainability to surpass.

• Current Growth: IMF projects 6.2% GDP growth in 2025 and 6.3% in 2026, fastest among major economies. Forex reserves are strong, infrastructure is expanding, and manufacturing capacity utilization is high. Unemployment is gradually improving.

• Investment & Job Creation: Investment-to-GDP ratio has fallen, slowing growth and job creation. Employment elasticity of investment has declined due to capital-intensive sectors.

• Fiscal Constraints: High interest payments on debt and a low tax-to-GDP ratio limit crucial investments. Inefficient public spending reduces policy effectiveness.

• Infrastructure & Trade: High logistics costs and trade barriers limit access to global markets.

• Social Weaknesses: Uneven wealth distribution, rural-urban disparities, and corruption hinder growth.

• External Factors: Global uncertainties, geopolitical tensions, and dependence on foreign investment impact growth.

• Growth Drivers: Domestic demand, infrastructure spending, digital economy, manufacturing growth, services sector, energy transition, and fiscal/monetary stability drive growth.

• Needed Steps:

  • Boost private investment in labor-intensive industries.
  • Reform fiscal policy to raise the tax-to-GDP ratio.
  • Expand exports by strengthening trade agreements.

• Conclusion: Targeted investments, trade and tax reforms, and prudent fiscal management are crucial to break the “6% growth trap” for poverty reduction and enable a larger middle class.

• Aspirational Growth: India seeks to move from a per capita GDP of $2,800 to $20,000 by 2047 (developed nation status), emphasizing the importance of high growth.

SAMRIDH: Seed Funding

• Fraudulent Activity: Two individuals, Prashant Agarwal (HPPL Foundation director) and chartered accountant Sudhanshu Kumar Rakesh, have been arrested for allegedly defrauding the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) of over ₹3 crore under the SAMRIDH scheme.
• Modus Operandi: They allegedly made false representations to obtain government funds, failed to distribute the money to selected startups, and concealed the fraud with forged financial reports.
• SAMRIDH Scheme: The Startup Accelerator of MeitY for Product Innovation, Development, and Growth (SAMRIDH) is a MeitY program designed to support and accelerate IT-based startups.
• Objective: The scheme aims to provide startups with customer connections, investor access, and international market opportunities, offering up to ₹40 lakh in investment through selected accelerators, with matching investment facilitated by the accelerator.
• Implementation: The scheme is implemented by MeitY Start-up Hub (MSH), Digital India Corporation (DIC).
• HPPL Foundation’s Role: HPPL Foundation was selected as an accelerator and received ₹3.04 crore to fund eight startups but failed to disburse the funds, instead misappropriating them and submitting fake utilization certificates.
• Arrests: Agarwal was arrested in Bengaluru, and Rakesh was apprehended in Patna, Bihar.
• Complaint: The case was registered following a complaint by Rashi Sharma, authorized representative of MeitY Startup Hub (MSH).

Social Media & Youth

• Why in News: Growing concerns over social media’s impact on youth identity and mental health, highlighted by a young entrepreneur’s suicide due to follower loss.

• Identity Formation: Social media shifts identity formation from private reflection to public performance, driven by algorithm-based self-curation, blurring the lines between authenticity and online approval.

• Mental Health Concerns: Pressure for validation and curated self-presentation contribute to anxiety, depression, and distorted self-image. The system rewards performance, not vulnerability. Filter bubbles reinforce extreme views.

• Ecosystem’s Role: The entire social media ecosystem, not just influencers, is responsible for promoting unrealistic ideals and punishing vulnerability.

• Child Influencers: Concerns are heightened with child influencers, where parents may push content for follower count, leading to adult scrutiny and performance pressure.

• Body Image Distortion: Online trends like “thigh gaps” distort body image, causing internalized shame and eating disorders.

• Extreme Trends: Trends like the “Blue Whale challenge” demonstrate the dangers of pushing boundaries without addressing underlying issues.

• Parental Role: Moving from surveillance to connection is crucial; parents should understand and learn the language children use online, fostering open conversations rather than imposing fears. Recognizing Finsta accounts indicates a disconnect.

• Regulation & Policy: Social media platforms should modify recommendation algorithms to prioritize educational content. Ethical design standards should be enforced to prohibit amplification of harmful content. Digital literacy programs should be integrated into school curricula.

Kendu Leaf

• Kendu Leaf Trade Deregulation Delayed: Eight Gram Sabhas in Odisha’s Koraput district are waiting for government deregulation of kendu leaf trade, crucial for their economic self-sufficiency under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006.

• Impact of Delay: Failure to deregulate last year resulted in an estimated Rs 36 lakh loss due to rain damage, severely impacting local tribal economies.

• Economic Importance: Kendu leaves (“green gold”) are a significant Non-Timber Forest Produce (NTFP), providing vital income for tribals, women, and widows.

• FRA 2006 and Community Rights: The FRA, 2006 grants forest rights, including MFP rights, to forest-dwelling communities, allowing them to manage and sell non-timber forest produce independently.

• Odisha’s Significance: Odisha is a major kendu leaf producer, contributing about 20% of India’s national output, making deregulation particularly critical for the state.

• Current Situation: The Gram Sabhas are ready to manage the trade, having collected over 400,000 bundles, but await the crucial government notification to proceed.

China’s Mineral Grip

• China’s Export Restrictions: China has imposed export restrictions on germanium, a critical mineral vital for semiconductors, fiber optic cables, and solar panels.
• India’s Engagement: India is in talks with China to address these restrictions, as they impact Indian industries dependent on germanium imports.
• Germanium Importance: Germanium is crucial for semiconductors, fiber optic cables, solar cells, and infrared night vision systems. China produces over half the world’s germanium.
• Reasons for Restrictions: China cites national security, retaliation against US tariffs, and strengthening control over global supply chains as reasons.
• India’s Dependence: India is entirely reliant on imports for germanium, as it has no domestic production. This makes India vulnerable to supply disruptions.
• Impact on India: Indian industries face increased costs due to inflated import prices, with some relying on suppliers in the UAE.
• Critical Minerals: Critical minerals are essential for renewable energy technologies, EVs, electronics, AI, robotics, and space technology.
• India’s Concerns: The Economic Survey 2022-23 warns that critical minerals may become geopolitical flashpoints like crude oil.
• China’s Dominance: China dominates the global processing of critical minerals, controlling 80-90% of processing capacity, especially in rare earth elements.
• Other Restrictions: Reportedly, China is also thwarting other projects through export curbs, and even travel restrictions.

Digital Banking Units: Road Ahead

• News: Digital Banking Units (DBUs) face limited expansion and sustainability concerns despite their 2022 launch aimed at extending digital financial services to remote areas.

• What are DBUs: Specialized banking hubs offering digital services through self-service, anytime access; launched in 75 remote districts in 2022.

• Challenges:

  • Ineffective Planning: Rushed implementation without considering local needs and digital readiness.
  • High Operational Costs: RBI mandates separate infrastructure, increasing expenses, especially in low-traffic areas.
  • Low Digital Literacy: Hinders DBU usage, particularly among senior citizens, in areas lacking cash counters.
  • Connectivity Issues: Unstable internet and power in remote areas disrupt operations.

• Enhancement Measures:

  • Decentralized Expansion: Base DBU establishment on local demand and digital literacy.
  • Strengthened Digital Literacy Programs: Leverage PMGDISHA and collaborate with local entities for training.
  • Infrastructure Support: Improve connectivity via BharatNet and ensure backup power.
  • Enhanced Customer Support: Provide human assistance for onboarding and multilingual interfaces.
  • Focused Financial Products: Facilitate access to schemes like PMSBY, PMJJBY, APY, and digital loans (Mudra).

Indore: Beggar-Free City

• Indore Declared Beggar-Free: Indore is the first city in India to be declared beggar-free.
• Bhiksha Vriti Mukta Bharat Initiative: This achievement falls under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment’s “begging-free India” initiative.
• World Bank Recognition: The World Bank has also recognized the city’s efforts.
• Rehabilitation Efforts: Achieved through the “Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Persons Engaged in the Act of Begging” sub-scheme of SMILE.
• SMILE Scheme: Launched in 2022, focuses on rehabilitating beggars through identification, profiling, and providing services like counseling, education, and reintegration support.
• Campaign Details: A year-long campaign, started in February 2024, rehabilitated approximately 5,000 beggars by providing employment and education.
• Begging Ban: Begging and giving alms are banned, with penalties for violations. Rewards are offered for reporting violations.
• Constitutional Context: Vagrancy, including beggary, falls under the Concurrent List, allowing both Centre and states to legislate.
• No Central Law: India lacks a uniform central law; Bombay Prevention of Begging Act, 1959, acts as a main law which criminalizes begging.
• Pilot Project: Indore is one of 10 cities with a pilot project to eliminate begging.

MY Bharat

• MY Bharat selects civil defence volunteers: Aims to empower youth in disaster management.

• Training: Volunteers receive week-long specialized training from national and state disaster management agencies.

• Goals: Build a trained force to handle disasters, accidents, and emergencies. Foster civic responsibility and equip youth with critical skills.

• Need: Addresses increasing security concerns and the need for a community-based response system.

• Volunteer Roles: Rescue operations, evacuation, first aid, traffic/crowd control, public safety, disaster rehabilitation, and assisting government agencies.

• Registration: Individuals can register on the My Bharat portal (mybharat.gov.in).

• MY Bharat Overview: Autonomous body under the Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

• Purpose: Technology-driven platform for youth development and engagement across government initiatives.

• Target Age Group: Primarily 15-29 years (10-19 years for specific adolescent programs).

• Focus: Shifting youth from “passive recipients” to “active drivers” of development.

• Phygital Platform: Combines physical activities with digital connectivity.

Afrikaners: A White African Tribe

• US Welcomes Afrikaner Refugees: The US Deputy Secretary of State welcomed the first group of Afrikaner refugees to the United States, following President Trump’s directive to prioritize resettlement for this “vulnerable group facing unjust racial discrimination.”

• Accusations of Racial Bias: The US administration’s decision to welcome Afrikaners has sparked accusations of racial bias, with critics alleging selective migrant acceptance.

• Afrikaner Identity: Afrikaners are a white ethnic group native to South Africa, with origins dating back to 1652 with the Dutch East India Company’s settlement. They are often called “Africa’s White Tribe” due to their long-standing presence and ethnogenesis on the continent.

• Origins and Formation: The Afrikaner community evolved from Dutch, French Huguenot, German settlers, and enslaved people from India, Indonesia, Madagascar, and East Africa. A unique identity developed through interactions among these groups, marked by Afrikaans language, Calvinist values, and a self-reliant culture.

• Historical Conflicts: Afrikaners, particularly the Trekboers, engaged in conflicts with indigenous communities as they moved inland. Later, they fought wars with Britain, including the Boer Wars, resulting in significant loss and displacement.

• Apartheid and Inequality: The Afrikaner-led National Party implemented apartheid in 1948, which ended in 1994. Despite the end of apartheid, wealth and land ownership remain disproportionately in white hands, with significant economic disparities between white and Black South Africans.

• Afrikaner Perspective: Afrikaners view themselves as having a legitimate claim to Africa, seeing it as their home and wanting their right to be there.

Chambal: India’s River

• Sand Mining Concerns: Illegal sand mining is a major environmental issue in the Chambal River region (Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh), threatening its ecosystem.

• Clean River Status: The Chambal is recognized as one of India’s cleanest rivers.

• Habitat for Endangered Species: It is a crucial habitat for endangered species such as gharials, Gangetic dolphins, and Indian skimmers, highlighting its biodiversity importance.

• National Chambal Sanctuary: A significant portion of the river is protected by the National Chambal Sanctuary, emphasizing conservation efforts.

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• Tributary of Yamuna: The Chambal is a tributary of the Yamuna River, and part of the Gangetic drainage system, underscoring its role in the larger river system.

• Origin and Course: It originates in the Vindhya Range, flows through Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, forms a boundary between them, and finally joins the Yamuna in Uttar Pradesh. This defines its geographical path.

• Drainage Basin: The river and its tributaries drain the Malwa region and southeastern Rajasthan, illustrating its regional influence.

• Key Tributaries: The Banas, Mej, Parbati, Kali Sindh, and Shipra rivers contribute to the Chambal’s water flow, indicating a complex hydrological network.

• Major Dams: Gandhi Sagar Dam, Rana Pratap Sagar Dam, and Jawahar Sagar Dam are built on the river, demonstrating its use for water management and power generation.

Wadge Bank

• Hydrocarbon Exploration Project Proposed: The Union government plans hydrocarbon exploration at Wadge Bank under the Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP). The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has invited bids for exploration of oil and natural gas from three areas in South of Cape Comorin, covering 27,154.80 sq km.

• Fishermen Opposition: Fishermen in Kanyakumari and surrounding districts (Tamil Nadu and Kerala) strongly oppose the project.

• Livelihood Concerns: Fishermen fear the project will negatively impact their livelihoods by disrupting access to vital fishing grounds, potentially forcing small-scale fishers to sail longer distances.

• Ecological Sensitivity: Wadge Bank is a marine area in south of Cape Comorin, rich in fishery resources and a biodiverse, ecologically sensitive zone. Concerns raised about potential harm to the environment.

• Wadge Bank Importance: Wadge Bank is a submarine plateau, a rich fishing ground with high organic productivity, serving as a key feeding and breeding area for fish. It spans approximately 10,000 sq km

• Lack of Consultation: Criticism that the government did not adequately consult the local fishing community before proposing the project.

• Potential Environmental Impact: Hydrocarbon exploration may release pollutants into air and water, according to research.

• Protests and Advocacy: Fishermen associations are raising awareness, planning protests, and submitting memorandums to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

• Wadge Bank’s Natural Barrier Role: Wadge Bank serves as a natural barrier protecting the region from disasters. The project could weaken this barrier.

• State Government Stance: The Tamil Nadu government has not granted a no-objection certificate and is reportedly reviewing the project. No major intimation or public hearing done.

Semi-Cryo Engine

• ISRO Semi-Cryogenic Engine Hot Test Successful: ISRO successfully conducted a short-duration hot test of its semi-cryogenic engine at IPRC, Mahendragiri, marking its 2nd successful hot test.

• LOX-Kerosene Engine: The engine utilizes liquid oxygen (LOX) as an oxidizer and refined kerosene (RP-1) as fuel.

• Higher Performance: This LOX-kerosene combination provides a higher density impulse compared to cryogenic systems (LOX-LH2), improving propulsion efficiency.

• Cost-Effective & Easier Handling: Kerosene is cheaper and easier to manage than liquid hydrogen, reducing costs and simplifying operations.

• Boosts Payload Capacity: The engine’s development enhances ISRO’s payload capacity.

• Supports Future Launch Vehicles (NGLV): This engine is designed to power booster stages of heavy-lift launch vehicles like the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV).

• NGLV Details: The NGLV is a cost-efficient, reusable heavy-lift rocket under development, capable of carrying up to 30 tonnes to Low Earth Orbit and designed for communication satellite launches, deep space missions, and human spaceflight.

Pratap Jayanti

• Maharana Pratap Jayanti: Observed on May 9th, 2025.

• Prime Minister’s Tribute: Shri Narendra Modi paid respects to Maharana Pratap, acknowledging his courage and valor in defending the motherland.

• Birth and Lineage: Born on May 9, 1540, in Kumbhalgarh, Rajasthan. He was the 13th King of Mewar and son of Udai Singh II, the founder of Udaipur.

• Battle of Haldighati: Fought on June 18, 1576, against Raja Man Singh (Akbar’s General). Though brave, Maharana Pratap was defeated.

• Regaining Mewar: After 1579, he regained Western Mewar and established his capital at Chavand.

• Death and Succession: Died on January 19, 1597. His son, Amar Singh, succeeded him.

• Inspiration: Maharana Pratap’s life and bravery continue to inspire generations, serving as a guide for courage and patriotism.

HIMARS

• Taiwan Live-Fire Exercise: Taiwan recently conducted its first live-fire exercise using the American-supplied HIMARS. This is noteworthy as it signals Taiwan’s increased defense capabilities and readiness in a region with heightened geopolitical tensions.

• What is HIMARS? It’s a lightweight, wheeled, multiple rocket launcher system capable of launching precision-guided rockets and tactical missiles. This makes it highly versatile for various combat scenarios.

• Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin Corporation (USA). This highlights the US’s role as a key provider of advanced military technology.

• Targets: Designed to engage artillery, air defense systems, trucks, light armor, and troop concentrations. This illustrates HIMARS’ effectiveness against a wide range of enemy assets.

• Key Features:

  • Air-transportable and mounted on a 5-ton FMTV. This provides rapid deployment and maneuverability.
  • Carries either 6 rockets (43-mile range) or 1 ATACMS missile (200-mile range). This emphasizes its ability to strike both near and far targets.
  • Quick firing time (less than 20 seconds to prepare, 45 seconds to fire all 6 rockets). This allows for shoot-and-scoot tactics, minimizing vulnerability.
  • Equipped with Increased Crew Protection cabin. This protects the crew from various battlefield hazards.

• High Mobility: Designed to quickly relocate after firing, reducing the risk of counter-attack. This highlights its survivability in a dynamic combat environment.

Vesak Day 2025: UN

• UN Vesak Day 2025 held in Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City hosted the event with delegates from 85 countries.
• Theme: “Solidarity and Tolerance for Human Dignity: Buddhist Wisdom for World Peace and Sustainable Development.”
• Global Leaders United: The event emphasized the importance of Buddhist values for peace and sustainability.
• Ethical Foundation: Buddhism is highlighted as the ethical foundation for a just and non-discriminatory society.
• Ministerial Address: Shri Ramdas Athawale emphasized the transformative potential of Buddhist principles in modern societies.
• Prayer Chanting: Vajrayana Buddhist monks from India performed a prayer chanting ceremony.
• Global Cooperation: Speakers underscored the relevance of Buddhist wisdom in addressing global challenges.
• Key Messages: Focused on Buddhist education, environmental advocacy, mental health, and nurturing the younger generation.
• International Voices: Leaders of international Buddhist organizations clarified the theme.
• Emphasis on Unity: Affirmed the importance of global cooperation and solidarity among Buddhist traditions.
• Relics Intervention: India successfully intervened to stop the auction of Piprahwa Buddhist relics in Hong Kong.
• Vesak Significance: Observance of the birth, enlightenment, and Mahaparinirvana of Lord Buddha.
• Piprahwa Relics: Relics excavated in 1898, linked to Buddha, and protected under Indian law.

IMO

• MEPC-83 Outcome: IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC-83) voted 63-16 to accept a hybrid model, based on India’s proposal, as the Net Zero Framework, setting a mandatory emissions levy for international shipping.
• Five Proposals for emissions levy: Proposals included a fixed CO2 levy (Intl Chamber of Shipping, EU), a market-driven approach (China), a ‘bridging mechanism’ targeting under-compliant ships (India), and a hybrid model rewarding ZNZ fuel use (Singapore).
• Implementation Challenges: The MEPC-83 decision requires amending Annex VI of the MARPOL convention. A two-thirds majority is needed for final adoption, and one-third of parties representing 50% of global shipping tonnage can block it.
• Geopolitical Interests: Oil-exporting countries opposed green fuel transition, while small island nations favored high carbon levies for green development. Shipowners questioned the need for a green levy.
• Why Green Shipping Matters: Shipping contributes ~2.8% of global GHG emissions. Without action, emissions could rise significantly by 2050.
• IMO Goals: IMO aims to reduce carbon intensity by 40% by 2030 (vs. 2008 levels), 70% by 2040, and achieve net-zero by 2050.
• CBDR-RC Erosion: The principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” is being eroded, with wealthier nations shifting responsibility to developing economies.
• India’s Benefit: India could become a hub for clean energy exports due to its National Hydrogen Mission. The MBM’s impact on India’s trade volumes is expected to be minimal.
• IMO’s Role: IMO is a UN agency responsible for the safety and security of international shipping and the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships. It formulates regulations on shipping safety, maritime security, and environmental protection, but does not enforce them
• MARPOL Convention: The primary international treaty to prevent pollution of the marine environment from ships due to operational or accidental causes.

Private Capex

• NSO Survey on Private Sector Capex: The National Statistics Office (NSO) released its first survey estimating private corporate capital expenditure (capex) trends over five financial years (2021-22 to 2025-26).The survey was conducted between November 2024 and January 2025.

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• Capex Growth and Projected Decline: Overall capex rose by 66.3% between FY22 and FY25. However, a 25.5% decline is projected for FY26, indicating cautious planning after a strong capex cycle in FY25.The highest capex was seen in 2024-25 at Rs 6.56 lakh crore.

• Investment Purpose: In FY25, 49.6% of enterprises invested for income generation, 30.1% for upgradation, and 2.8% for diversification.

• Sectoral Distribution: Manufacturing received the highest capex share (43.8%), followed by Information & Communication (15.6%) and Transportation & Storage (14%).

• Asset Allocation: 53.1% of total capex in FY25 was directed towards machinery & equipment, 22% to capital work-in-progress, and 9.7% to buildings and structures.

• Growth in Gross Fixed Assets (GFA): Average GFA per enterprise grew by 27.5% from Rs 3,279.4 crore in FY23 to Rs 4,183.3 crore in FY24. The highest GFA was in Electricity, Gas, Steam, and Air Conditioning Supply, followed by Manufacturing.

• Challenges: The projected decline in FY26 is attributed to high borrowing costs, weak demand, geopolitical uncertainties, lack of greenfield projects, and structural bottlenecks (land acquisition, labour reforms).

• Cautious Approach: Data for 2025-26 should be interpreted with caution, given the conservative approach shown by responding enterprises in reporting these figures.Capex tends to rise when enterprises pursue growth strategies rather than maintain current operations.The sample size for the survey was of 5,380 enterprises.

Tech Day ’25

• National Technology Day 2025 Theme: “YANTRA – Yugantar for Advancing New Technology, Research & Acceleration.”

  • Why: YANTRA symbolizes India’s scientific heritage, innovation, systems, synergy, and scalable solutions. Yugantar signifies India’s shift towards global tech leadership.

• Observed on: May 11th, 2025.

  • Why: Commemorates the successful nuclear tests (Operation Shakti) and the first flight of Hansa-3 aircraft on May 11th, 1998.

• Declared in 1999: By then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

  • Why: To honor India’s scientific and technological achievements.

• Focus of 2025 Celebrations: Advancing deep-tech, precision engineering, and transformative R&D.

  • Why: To accelerate India’s technological progress in key sectors.

• Key Participants: Policymakers, scientists, industry leaders, academic institutions, and startup founders.

  • Why: To foster collaboration between science, industry, and society for technological advancement.

• Organized by: Technology Development Board (TDB) under the Department of Science and Technology (DST).

  • Why: TDB-DST plays a crucial role in promoting and funding technological innovation.

• Significance: Reinforces the partnership between science, society, and industry.

  • Why: To translate scientific discoveries into practical applications that benefit society.

WWII: 80 Years On

• 80th Anniversary Commemoration: Russia marked the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s defeat with a military parade on May 9, 2025, in Red Square.
• Historical Context: World War II (1939-1945) was the most widespread conflict in history, ending with Germany’s surrender in May 1945 and Japan’s in September 1945.
• Victory Day Variations: Russia celebrates Victory Day on May 9 due to time zone differences, while Western nations commemorate on May 8.
• Indian Contributions: The article highlights the contributions of Indians during WWII, often overlooked.
• Kolachala Sitaramaiah: A scientist who contributed to the Soviet war effort by developing kerosene-based fuels and lubricants for tanks, his research aided the Soviets in the Battle of Kursk.
• Idris Hasan Latif: An Indian pilot in the Royal Indian Air Force who fought in Burma and later became the 10th Chief of the Indian Air Force.
• Global Impact: Victory in Europe Day is a global commemoration of the millions who suffered, including economic hardships and famine.
• Individual Heroism: The article emphasizes the heroism of individuals like Sitaramaiah and Latif, who fought for liberty without seeking personal glory.
• India’s Perspective: The war years are largely remembered as a crucial moment in India’s struggle for independence.

IMDEX Asia ’25

• IMDEX Asia 2025 Overview: A premier biennial maritime and defence exhibition held in Singapore since 1997, serving as a global platform for navies and maritime industries in the Asia-Pacific.

• Key Features: Includes the International Maritime Security Conference (IMSC) for strategic dialogue and the Maritime Information Sharing Exercise (MARISX) to improve maritime security coordination.

• Indian Participation: INS Kiltan, an indigenously-built anti-submarine warfare stealth corvette, is participating, reaffirming India’s strategic presence and strengthening naval ties.

• INS Kiltan Significance: This is India’s first major warship with a carbon fiber composite superstructure.

  • Participated in the war and named after an island.

• India-Singapore Partnership: The visit underscores the robust maritime partnership between India and Singapore.

• Activities and Objectives: The ship’s crew will engage in bilateral/multilateral activities to strengthen naval cooperation, enhance interoperability, and promote mutual understanding. These include professional exchanges, guided tours, and cross-deck visits.

• Focus: Highlights the Indian Navy’s commitment to regional security, stability, and the longstanding friendship between India and Singapore.

Phosphorus Micro-Gatekeepers

• Microbial ‘Phosphorus Gatekeeping’ Discovered: Soil microbes (fungi and bacteria) control phosphorus (P) cycling in soil, regulating its availability to plants. Study in Cooloola, Australia (700,000-year-old system).

• Phosphorus is Crucial: Essential for all life; involved in energy metabolism (ATP), cell membranes, photosynthesis, and genetics (DNA/RNA). Often limiting in old/weathered soils.

• Microbial Adaptations to P Scarcity: Microbes adapt via lipid replacement, lipid accumulation and optimizing phosphorus use efficiency in metabolism.

• Competition and Facilitation for Plants: Microbes compete with plants for P, but also recycle and make P more accessible over time, aiding plant growth in the long run.

• Microbial Control Over P Availability: Microbes control P release, uptake, and storage in the soil.

• Phosphorus Role in Agriculture: Phosphorus is a vital macronutrient essential for plant growth, root development, and energy transfer (ATP).
• Influence of Microbes on Cycling: Microbes solubilise inorganic phosphorus, produce phosphatase enzymes, and store or release phosphorus based on environmental conditions.

NCLAT

• NCLAT Dismissed Insolvency Petition Against PepsiCo India: NCLAT rejected an insolvency petition by SNJ Synthetics, reinforcing that IBC (Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code) should not be used merely for debt recovery, especially when only disputed interest claims are involved.

• Upheld NCLT Order: NCLAT supported the prior decision of the Chandigarh bench of NCLT, which had also dismissed SNJ Synthetics’ plea.

• Disputed Interest Claim: The principal debt owed by PepsiCo had been repaid, leaving only a disputed interest claim. NCLAT ruled that initiating CIRP (corporate insolvency resolution process) based solely on a contested interest component was not justified.

• IBC’s Purpose: NCLAT emphasized that IBC aims to rejuvenate and revive companies facing genuine insolvency, not to push them into “corporate death” for debt recovery.

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• SNJ Synthetics’ Claim: SNJ Synthetics initially claimed ₹1.96 crore, including principal and interest. After the principal was settled, they pursued only the interest claim, which NCLT found potentially below the minimum threshold and based on an unsigned agreement.

• NCLAT Rationale: NCLAT’s decision confirms the appropriate use of IBC and prevents it from being misused as a tool for simple debt recovery, especially over disputed amounts.

• NCLAT Overview: NCLAT is a quasi-judicial body established under the Companies Act, 2013 to hear appeals against NCLT, IBBI, CCI and NFRA orders. It ensures corporate dispute resolution, transparency, and efficiency in insolvency and corporate governance.

Tapti Recharge Project

• MoU Signed: Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra have signed an agreement to jointly implement the Tapti Basin Mega Recharge Project.
• Objective: To ensure optimal utilization of river water resources for irrigation and drinking water across both states, addressing water needs in specific regions.
• Third Major Project: Following Ken-Betwa and Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal projects, this is the third major inter-state river project involving MP.
• Water Diversion: Water from the Tapti River (originating in MP) will be diverted to northeastern Maharashtra (including Nagpur for drinking water) and southern/southeastern MP for irrigation.
• Water Allocation: Total planned usage is 31.13 TMC, with 11.76 TMC allocated to MP and 19.36 TMC to Maharashtra.
• Land Usage & Cost: The project requires 3,362 hectares of land in MP (no displacement) and has an estimated cost of ₹19,244 crores (2022-23). Centre to fund 90%.
• Beneficiary Areas: Burhanpur and Khandwa districts in MP, and Jalgaon, Akola, Amravati, and Buldhana districts in Maharashtra will benefit from improved irrigation.
• Irrigation Potential: The project aims to ensure permanent irrigation for 1,23,082 hectares in MP and 2,34,706 hectares in Maharashtra.
• “World’s Largest Recharge Scheme”: The project is described as the world’s largest groundwater recharge scheme.
• Revival of Old Project: The project was initially conceptualized in the 1990s and is now being revived after sporadic discussions. The meeting was the first in 25 years.
• National Project Recognition: MP seeks recognition of the Tapti initiative as a national water project.

Axion Hunting with HAYSTAC

• Axions are hypothetical particles: Proposed to solve the strong CP problem in QCD and are leading candidates for dark matter.
• HAYSTAC experiment’s technological advance: HAYSTAC’s recent results, though not detecting axions, expanded the search range for axion mass and coupling strength.
• Axions as Dark Matter: They are electromagnetically neutral, extremely light, and weakly interacting, making them suitable as cold dark matter.
• HAYSTAC’s detection method: HAYSTAC aims to detect axions by converting them into photons within a strong magnetic field using a haloscope (microwave cavity in a magnetic field).
• Quantum Squeezing: HAYSTAC utilizes quantum squeezing techniques to reduce noise and improve signal detection sensitivity, which is crucial for spotting faint axion signals.
• Parameter Space Exploration: HAYSTAC Phase II conducted the widest frequency search for dark matter axions, pushing the boundaries of the search.
• Why Axions matter: Understanding axions could solve the dark matter puzzle, explaining a significant portion of the universe’s mass.
• Why HAYSTAC matters: It’s a leading experiment using innovative techniques like quantum squeezing to directly search for axions, advancing detection capabilities.

Bhoramdev Sanctuary

• Man-Animal Conflict: Four people were injured in a bear attack within the Kawardha range of Bhoramdev Wildlife Sanctuary while collecting tendu leaves. This highlights the ongoing issue of human-wildlife interaction in the area.

• Location: Situated in the Kawardha district of Chhattisgarh, the sanctuary is part of the Maikal range of the Satpura hills.

• Name Origin: The sanctuary derives its name from the ancient Bhoramdeo Temple (dedicated to Lord Shiva) located nearby, often called the “Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh”.

• Area: Covers approximately 352 sq.km.

• Ecological Significance: Part of the crucial Kanha-Achanakmar Corridor, facilitating wildlife movement between Kanha National Park (Madhya Pradesh) and Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary (Chhattisgarh).

• Terrain: Features undulating hills, dense forests, and numerous streams.

• Rivers: Origin of the Fen and Sankari rivers.

• Vegetation: Tropical moist and dry deciduous forests, including Saaj, Sal, Tendu, and Nilgiri trees.

• Fauna: Home to tigers, leopards, sloth bears, deer, and diverse bird species.

SVAMITVA & WB Land 2025

• SVAMITVA Scheme as a Global Model: India showcased its SVAMITVA Scheme and Gram Manchitra platform at the World Bank Land Conference 2025. India is a “Country Champion” at the conference.
• SVAMITVA Scheme Details:
  • Launched in 2020 by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
  • Aims to provide legal ownership of residential properties in rural areas using drone and GIS technology.
  • Has issued property cards to 24.4 million households in 1.6 lakh villages as of April 2025.
  • Unlocking land value worth USD 1.162 trillion.
• Gram Manchitra Platform:
  • A GIS-based platform for rural governance and planning.
  • Integrates geospatial data with existing schemes for effective decision-making.
• World Bank Land Conference 2025: A platform for sharing research and promoting best practices in land management.
• India’s Achievements Highlighted: India’s leadership in land rights, tenure reforms, and technology-driven spatial planning was presented.
• Impact of SVAMITVA: SVAMITVA is giving millions rural families legal title, dignity, and access to credit and opportunity.
• Future Focus: Further discussions on inclusive, technology-driven land governance in a special event.
• Gram Manchitra Presentation: On May 8, 2025, the platform for spatially informed decision-making at the Panchayat level to be showcased.
• SDG Alignment: India’s interventions aim to be a model for other nations to achieve SDG Target 1.4.2.
• Global Leadership: India is positioned as a global thought leader in land tenure reforms, rural development and inclusive governance.

Nursing 2025: Global Snapshot

• Global Nursing Workforce Growth & Disparities: Increased from 27.9 million (2018) to 29.8 million (2023). 78% concentrated in 49% of the global population, leading to unequal access to essential health services.
• Projected Shortage: Expected to decrease to 4.1 million by 2030, but largely concentrated in Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean.
• International Migration: 1 in 7 nurses are foreign-born globally, highlighting reliance on migration, especially in high-income countries (HICs).
• Mental Health Support Deficit: Only 42% of countries offer mental health support for nurses, crucial for retention and quality of care.
• India’s Nurse-to-Population Ratio: 1.9 nurses per 1,000 people, below WHO’s recommended 3.
• India’s Nursing Workforce Size: Over 3.3 million nurses registered; expansion of nursing education planned.
• Challenges in India: Overburdened nurses, urban-rural imbalance, inadequate training, poor compensation, social stigma, and high migration rates.
• LMICs Challenges: Low- and middle-income countries face challenges in graduating, employing, and retaining nurses due to limited domestic investment and job creation. Faster population growth may diminish impact of increased graduation rates.
• HICs Reliance & Management of Retirement: High-income countries rely on foreign-trained nurses and must manage high retirement rates.
• Gender Imbalance: Women comprise 85% of the global nursing workforce, indicating persistent gender-related issues in the profession.
• Data Improvement: Increased data reporting from countries, highlighting progress in monitoring the global nursing workforce.

Indian Defence Tech

• BrahMos Integration and Testing Centre Inaugurated: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the BrahMos Integration and Testing Centre in Lucknow.
  • Why: Underscores the significance of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile in India’s defense strategy.
• S-400 Effectiveness Demonstrated: The S-400 Triumf system successfully intercepted missile and drone attacks.
  • Why: Highlights India’s growing defense capabilities and the system’s role in providing a swift kinetic response.
• Operation Sindoor: Indian Army launched Operation Sindoor with the motive to demolish terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan.
  • Why: Targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan, sending a message of zero tolerance against terrorism.
• India’s Stance on Terrorism: India will take action on both sides of the border against terrorism, showcasing political, social, and strategic willpower.
  • Why: Reinforces India’s commitment to counter-terrorism efforts and protect its interests.
• Indigenous Air Defence and Missile Systems: Relevance highlighted through the demonstration of BrahMos and S-400 capabilities.
  • Why: Enhances multi-domain warfare readiness and ensures deterrence against adversaries.
• Defense Agreements: India is strengthening defence capabilities through agreements with Russia (S-400, BrahMos), the US (potential F-35 acquisition), and France (Rafale-M).
  • Why: Bolsters India’s defense capabilities and promotes indigenous defense production.
• UP Defence Industrial Corridor: BrahMos unit in Lucknow is part of this corridor, enhancing indigenous defense production.
  • Why: Promotes self-reliance in defense manufacturing and strengthens regional industrial capabilities.

Germanium

• India-China Engagement: India is actively engaging with the Chinese government to address export restrictions imposed on germanium.

• Critical Mineral: Germanium is crucial for manufacturing semiconductors, fiber optic cables, and solar panels.

• Export Restrictions Impact: China’s export restrictions are causing issues for Indian electronics manufacturers and other industries.

• Source of Grievances: The Indian embassy in Beijing confirmed that germanium export restrictions were a source of concern raised by Indian industry players.

• Not a Rare Earth Element: Germanium is not classified as a Rare Earth Element (REE), but China holds a significant production share.

• Import Dependence: India is entirely reliant on imports for its germanium needs, as it does not produce any domestically.

• Trade Route: India is importing germanium through the UAE, leading to increased costs.

• Fiber Optic Use: Germanium oxide is essential in manufacturing fiber optic cables.

• Broader Restrictions: China is reportedly imposing export curbs and travel restrictions impacting other projects, such as those involving Foxconn.

Buddhavanam: The Forest of Buddha

• Miss World 2025 Visit: Contestants from 22 countries visited Buddhavanam on Buddha Purnima.
• Buddhist Theme Park: Buddhavanam is a Buddhist theme park in Telangana, located on the banks of the Krishna River in the Nalgonda district.
• Government Project: Sanctioned by the Indian government to develop an integrated Buddhist Circuit.
• Tourism Focus: Aims to attract domestic and international tourists, especially from Southeast Asia.
• Extensive Area: Spans 279 acres.
• Key Attractions: Features Buddhacharitha Vanam (Life of Buddha), Jataka Park, Dhyana Vanam, Stupa Vanam (Maha Stupa), and a Buddhist Heritage Museum.
• Maha Stupa: Features intricate carvings and a virtual hanging sky with lotus petals inside.
• Historical Significance: Located near Nagarjuna Sagar, close to Nagarjunakonda, the former capital of the Ikshvaku dynasty.
• Nagarjunakonda’s Buddhist History: Nagarjunakonda was a center of Mahayana Buddhism, named after Acharya Nagarjuna.
• Excavations: Revealed Maha Stupa, Votive Stupas, Chaityas, and Buddhist sculptures at Nagarjunakonda.
• Reconstructed Structures: Structures from Nagarjunakonda were reconstructed on the Nagarjunakonda Island and at Anupu.

Agri-Diversity Boost

• Increased Rice and Wheat Cultivation: Area under rice and wheat cultivation has significantly increased in states like Punjab, Telangana, and Madhya Pradesh, driven by supportive policies.
• MSP & Procurement: Government’s near-guaranteed procurement of rice and wheat at Minimum Support Prices (MSP) provides price stability and income assurance, making them preferred crops.
• Irrigation Support: Rice and wheat are mainly grown with irrigation, reducing dependence on rainfall and lowering yield risk.
• Continuous Genetic Improvement: Strong public research support leads to the development of high-yielding, disease-resistant, and climate-smart varieties of rice and wheat. Example ICAR used CRISPR-Cas to create Kamala.
• High Demand & Stable Market: Rice and wheat, as staple foods, have consistent domestic and global demand, ensuring steady sales through PDS and other welfare schemes.
• Policy & Infrastructure Bias: Procurement infrastructure is better developed for cereals, and government schemes favor rice and wheat production.
• Nutritional Deficiencies: Excessive reliance on rice and wheat limits nutritional diversity, contributing to malnutrition.
• Soil Degradation: Overuse of water and chemical fertilizers for rice contribute to soil salinity and nutrient imbalance.
• Water Scarcity: Rice cultivation’s high water consumption strains water resources, threatening agricultural sustainability, especially in Punjab, Rajasthan, and Haryana.
• Market Distortions: The MSP system distorts the market by promoting monoculture and neglect of other profitable or sustainable crops.
• Policy & Institutional Reforms: Expand MSP coverage to include millets, pulses, oilseeds, and horticulture crops.
• Promote Climate-Resilient Crops: Incentivize millets, boost pulses and oilseeds production, and expand horticulture development.
• Strengthen Market Linkages: Expand e-NAM for better price discovery, promote contract farming, and focus on export promotion of high-value products.
• Infrastructure & Technology Support: Provide post-harvest support through cold chains, warehouses, and food processing units.
• Financial Support Measures: Expand PMFBY to cover diversified crops and offer lower interest rate loans for non-cereal crops.
• Regional-Specific Strategies: Shift to alternative crops in Punjab-Haryana, promote flood-resistant varieties in Eastern India, and focus on dryland farming in rainfed areas.
• Lack of R&D in Other Crops: Crops like cotton, oilseeds, and pulses have seen limited R&D, resulting in stagnant yields and fluctuating cultivation.

Dongria Kondh

• NHRC Seeks Report: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has requested an Action Taken Report from Odisha’s Chief Secretary regarding the poor living conditions and lack of basic amenities for over 10,000 Dongria Kondh families. This highlights concerns about the community’s well-being and rights.

• PVTG Status: The Dongria Kondh are a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), signifying their specific vulnerabilities and need for targeted support.

• Niyamgiri Hills: They inhabit the Niyamgiri hills in Odisha’s Kalahandi and Rayagada districts. This region is central to their identity, culture, and livelihood.

• Cultural Significance: The Niyamgiri hills and forests hold deep religious and cultural significance for the Dongria Kondh. They consider the hilltops supreme deities and trace their ancestry to Niyam Raja.

• Jharnia protectors of Streams: They are protectors of streams.

• Unique Identity: They have distinctive jewellery, tattoos, and hairstyles, showcasing their unique cultural identity.

• Livelihood: Their economy relies on collecting Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) and horticulture (podu cultivation). The forest is their primary source of survival.

• Language: They speak “Kuyi” and “Kuvi,” languages distinct from the state’s official language, Odia, further isolating them.

• Concerns Highlighted: The NHRC’s action emphasizes the urgent need to address the Dongria Kondh’s precarious living conditions and ensure they have access to basic necessities and protection of rights.

Polar Crystals

• ORNL Develops New Visualisation Technique: Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have created a technique to visualise ferroelectric domain wall dynamics in unprecedented detail using Scanning Oscillator Piezoresponse Force Microscopy (SO-PFM). This allows observation of both slow and abrupt movements of domain walls under rapidly fluctuating electric fields.

• Ferroelectricity Explained: Ferroelectricity is a property where materials exhibit spontaneous electric polarisation, reversible by an external electric field. Electric dipoles align spontaneously in domains, similar to magnetic domains in ferromagnetism. Examples include barium titanate and Rochelle salt. This polarization vanishes above the Curie temperature.

• Domain Walls’ Unique Properties: Domain walls, the boundaries between differently polarised regions, can exhibit electrical or magnetic properties distinct from surrounding domains. Some may become conductive or magnetically active even when the bulk material is not, making them suitable for nanoelectronic components.

• Significance of New Technique: Traditional methods only provided static snapshots of domain walls. The new SO-PFM method creates dynamic visualisations, allowing researchers to understand how domain walls evolve and how much energy is required to move them.

• Applications of Ferroelectric Materials: Used in non-volatile memory devices, sensors, actuators, capacitors, and energy storage technologies.

• Ferroelectricity vs. Piezoelectricity: All ferroelectric materials are piezoelectric, but not all piezoelectric materials are ferroelectric. The key difference is switchable polarisation in ferroelectrics.

PL-15 Missile

• Recovery in Punjab, India: A fully intact, Chinese-made PL-15 long-range air-to-air missile was found in Hoshiarpur, Punjab. This is noteworthy due to ongoing India-Pakistan tensions.

• PL-15 Definition: The PL-15 (“Thunderbolt-15”) is a long-range, beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) developed and manufactured in China.

• Range: The domestic Chinese PL-15 has a range of 200-300 km. The export version, PL-15E, has a declared range of 145 km (but could be operationally 100-120 km).

• Speed: The PL-15 can reach speeds exceeding Mach 5, attributed to its dual-pulse solid-propellant rocket motor.

• Warhead: It carries a 20-25 kg high-explosive fragmentation warhead designed to destroy maneuvering aerial targets.

• Guidance System: Employs inertial navigation, Beidou satellite updates, a two-way datalink, and an AESA-based active radar seeker for accuracy and resistance to jamming.

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Chenab River

• Baglihar Dam Gates Opened: India opened multiple gates at the Baglihar Hydroelectric Power Project Dam on the Chenab River in Ramban to regulate water flow following heavy rainfall.

• Timing & Context: This action follows earlier gate openings and occurs amidst rising tensions with Pakistan and discussions surrounding the Indus Waters Treaty.

• Indus Waters Treaty: The Chenab River is governed by the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960, which divides water usage rights between India and Pakistan. Pakistan heavily relies on this river system for irrigation.

• Tensions & Ceasefire Violations: Recent events include cross-border firings, attempted air assaults by Pakistan, and explosions in Srinagar, raising concerns about ceasefire violations after a bilateral understanding to halt military operations.

• India’s Response: India has retaliated to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and placed the Indus Waters Treaty in a state of suspension following the Pahalgam terror attack.

• Chenab River Basics: The Chenab River, formed by the confluence of the Chandra and Bhaga rivers, is a major tributary of the Indus River and a vital water source for both India and Pakistan.

• Baglihar Dam as Flashpoint: The Baglihar Dam project has been a previous point of contention between India and Pakistan under the Indus Waters Treaty framework.

• Recent Developments: Earlier Centre had opened two gates at the Ramban-based dam—just days after having shut them—to manage water discharge to Pakistan.

Great Nicobar

• Social Impact Assessment for Great Nicobar Development: The Andaman and Nicobar Administration is seeking financial bids for a social impact assessment related to land acquisition for a new arterial road. This road is part of the larger Great Nicobar Holistic Development Project.

• Great Nicobar Island Location: It is the southernmost island in the Nicobar archipelago, separated from the Andaman Islands by the Ten Degree Channel.

• Island Characteristics: It covers 1044 sq. km, is sparsely populated, and is covered by dense tropical rainforests (over 85%). It has over 100 km of beaches with coral reefs. Indira Point, India’s southernmost point, is located here. Mount Thullier is its highest peak.

• Indigenous Tribes: The Shompen and Nicobarese tribes inhabit the island. Approximately 200 Shompen reside on Great Nicobar.

• Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve: The island is home to the Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO-designated site, highlighting its ecological significance.

• Biodiversity Hotspot: The island boasts diverse flora (650 species) and fauna, including endemic and endangered species like the Crab-eating Macaque, Nicobar Tree Shrew, Dugong, Nicobar Megapode, Serpent Eagle, saltwater crocodile, and Reticulated Python.

• Controversial Development Project: The Holistic Development Project includes plans for a shipping terminal, airport, power plants, and housing, raising concerns about the impact on the environment and indigenous communities.

India and Foreign Aid

• US President’s Freeze on Foreign Aid: Donald Trump’s decision to freeze USAID funding sparks discussions on foreign aid’s impact on India.

• USAID’s Role in India: From 1951, evolved from food aid to infrastructure, WASH, renewable energy, disaster management, and health. In 2023-24, funded USD 750 million in projects.

• Impact of Freeze on India: Potential slowdown in health initiatives (USD 79.3 million in 2024), economic development (USD 34.4 million in 2024), capacity building, and NGO operations, job losses, stalled projects, and weakened accountability.

• Evolution of India’s Relationship with Aid: Shift from early dependence to self-reliance, FDI focus post-1990s, and transition to donor status. Concerns over sovereignty, policy interference, internal security, and cultural imperialism.

• India’s Concerns and Solutions: Balances strategic partnerships, geopolitical neutrality, South-South cooperation, transparency, and accountability in foreign aid.

• Ambivalent Indian Attitude: India has had mixed reactions to foreign aid, from welcoming to hostile. Western nations no longer view India as needing aid.

• Decline in Official Aid: Official development assistance declined after 1970, with a post-1990 shift towards FDI and global cooperation. Private aid to NGOs is also declining.

• Impact on NGOs: Decline in aid affects NGOs involved in development work. External aid has been decreasing due to stringent government regulations (FCRA).

• Drawbacks and Benefits: Foreign aid brought in new ideas but also government regulations created restriction on NGO. It played a valuable role for NGOs by offering flexibility in use, capacity building, and promoting watchdog role.

• Consequences of Aid Cessation: Cessation of aid could lead to unemployment in the voluntary sector, unfinished projects, slowed social sector development, and reduced correction of government overreach.

Bhimgad’s Wilds

• Public Intrusion: Increasing public trespassing into Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary’s (BWS) eco-sensitive zone is raising concerns among conservationists.

• Illegal Activities: Visitors are engaging in activities like picnics, cooking non-vegetarian food, and recreational activities within the protected forest area, including bathing under the Vajrapoha waterfalls and taking selfies in restricted areas.

• Police Involvement: An earlier incident involved police personnel allegedly entering the sanctuary without permission, lighting a fire, cooking food, and holding a booze party. No action was taken against those involved.

• Lack of Enforcement: Despite a strict entry ban and directives from the forest minister, trespassing continues, pointing to a lapse in forest surveillance.

• Access Routes: Locals claim most visitors access the site through Jamboti village.

• Fishing Violations: People are fishing in the Mahadayi River at Krishnapur village, also within the sanctuary’s jurisdiction.

• Forest Department Response: The Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) states that no illegal entry has been officially reported near Vajrapoha or Bhimgad, and that tourists are being turned away at the Chapoli checkpost. An FIR was filed in January.

• Internal Route Usage: The DCF says the recent viral videos appear to involve relatives of residents from Chapoli village who used an internal route to access the falls. The matter is under investigation.

• Why it matters: These intrusions threaten BWS’s fragile ecosystem and biodiversity. BWS is a critical habitat including the only known breeding site of Wroughton’s Free-tailed Bat, diverse avifauna, and the Vajrapoha Waterfalls, a part of the Mahadayi River’s catchment area. Eco-Sensitive Zones are established to protect such areas from harmful human activities.

Price Predation

• CCI Regulation: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has notified the Determination of Cost of Production Regulations, 2025 to regulate predatory pricing, especially targeting e-commerce and quick commerce.

• Predatory Pricing Definition: Defined as pricing below cost to eliminate competition, followed by price increases to gain monopoly power. Covered under the Competition Act, 2002.

• Regulation Changes: Replaces 2009 rules. Removes market value as a benchmark. Redefines total cost to include depreciation and exclude financing overheads.

• Sector Agnostic Approach: A case-by-case approach suited for dynamic digital markets, avoids sector-specific definitions of cost.

• Cost Determination: Cost is assumed to be ‘average variable cost’ (total variable cost divided by total output). Total variable cost is total cost minus fixed cost and overheads attributable to the product.

• Purpose of Regulation: To ensure fair competition by preventing companies from pricing goods or services below cost with the intent to reduce competition and eliminate competitors.

• Stakeholder Input: The CCI incorporated changes suggested by stakeholders after releasing a draft notification and calling for comments.
• CCI’s Role: CCI is a statutory body established under the Competition Act, 2002 to promote fair competition, prevent anti-competitive practices, and protect consumer interests.

Saola: The Asian Unicorn

• Genome Mapping: Scientists mapped the genome of the Saola, the rarest large land mammal, using remains.
• Population Split: The Saola split into two populations 5,000 to 20,000 years ago, likely due to habitat changes during and after the Last Glacial Maximum.
• Agricultural Impact: Agricultural expansion in Vietnam further isolated the populations, which could have contributed to their genetic isolation.
• Genetic Diversity: Both populations lost genetic diversity, but the loss was complementary; mixing the populations could help compensate.
• Critically Endangered Status: The Saola is critically endangered, with only 50-300 individuals remaining.
• Threats: Habitat loss, poaching, and indiscriminate snaring are major threats.
• Conservation Efforts: There are efforts to establish a captive breeding facility in Vietnam to save the species from extinction, with the goal of reintroduction.
• “Asian Unicorn”: The Saola, also known as the “Asian unicorn,” was only scientifically described in 1993.

YR4

• Asteroid 2024 YR4 Discovery: Discovered in December 2024 by the ATLAS telescope in Chile.
• Initial Concern: Triggered NASA’s highest-ever asteroid impact alert in February 2025 due to a potential Earth collision in 2032.
• Revised Size: James Webb Space Telescope data estimates its size at ~65 meters (about the size of a 10-story building).
• Earth Impact Risk Reduced: Initial 3.1% chance of hitting Earth deemed negligible after further analysis.
• Moon Impact Probability: NASA announced a 3.8% probability of colliding with the Moon on December 22, 2032.
• Why the Concern? Near-Earth Asteroid (NEA) classification means its orbit passes relatively close to Earth. Initially considered a potential hazard due to size and trajectory.
• Monitoring Efforts: Observatories constantly monitor NEOs; scientists use data to refine orbit models and assess impact risks. Automated searches using algorithms identify moving objects in the sky.
• Torino Scale: YR4 had a Torino rating of 3, indicating initial concern, but it was later lowered as the threat diminished.
• Potential Moon Impact Effects: If it hits, it would create a crater 500-2,000 meters wide and cause an explosion 340 times more powerful than Hiroshima. The event may/may not be visible from earth.
• Future Observations: YR4 will pass by Earth again in 2028, allowing for more data collection.
• Preventable Disaster: Asteroid detection and potential deflection are seen as preventable natural disasters.

MagFlip

• Earth’s Magnetic Field: Acts as a shield against cosmic/solar radiation, generated by molten iron movement in the outer core.

• Magnetic Reversals vs. Excursions: Reversals are long-term pole swaps (>100,000 years), while excursions are temporary flips, occurring more frequently.

• Soundtracks of Earth’s Magnetism: Scientists created audio representations of magnetic field fluctuations, including the Laschamps excursion (41,000 years ago) and working on Brunhes-Matuyama reversal (780,000 years ago).

• Cause of Fluctuations: Turbulent fluid dynamics in the outer core, influenced by Earth’s rotation and inner core heat.

• Weakening Field: The magnetic field has weakened by 10% in the last 200 years, potentially vanishing in 1,500-1,600 years if the rate continues.

• Pole Drifting: The North Magnetic Pole drifts rapidly (35 km/year) towards Siberia, while the South Pole shifts slowly (5 km/year), indicating core turbulence.

• Irregularity: Reversals/excursions lack periodicity, making them hard to predict.

• Impact Debated: The impact of excursions (e.g., Laschamps) on climate and life is debated, with conflicting study results.

• Reversal Duration: Brunhes-Matuyama reversal took at least 22,000 years.

Kailash Pass Geostrategy

• Resumption of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra: The Yatra, suspended in 2020 due to COVID-19 and LAC tensions, will restart in June-August 2025. It was paused for six years after the last pilgrimage was flagged off.

• Significance: It’s a key measure signaling a restoration of ties between India and China, after the discussions between Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping.

• Operational Routes: Two routes will be used: Lipulekh Pass (Uttarakhand) and Nathu La Pass (Sikkim). Lipulekh is shorter but involves trekking; Nathu La is motorable.

• Pilgrim Numbers: Around 750 pilgrims will participate, with batches traveling via each route.

• Selection Process: Pilgrims will be chosen through a computer-generated, gender-balanced process.

• Cost and Duration: The Lipulekh route costs about ₹1.74 lakh, Nathu La ₹2.83 lakh. Both trips last about three weeks.

• Geopolitical context: The Yatra connects to the sensitive Line of Actual Control (LAC) and indicates a potential easing of tensions. The resumption of the Yatra was negotiated in high-level meetings and the logistics were discussed through the Working Mechanism for Coordination and Consultation at the India-China Border (WMCC).

Raika: The Camel Herders

• Raika Identity: The Raika (also known as Rabari) are an indigenous pastoralist community primarily found in the arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan, particularly around Kumbhalgarh.

• Camel Herding: They are traditionally camel herders, especially of the Marwari camel, and this is central to their cultural identity and livelihood. Camel rearing viewed as sacred duty, with many viewing it as a divine command from Lord Shiva, making them cultural stewards of the Thar Desert.

• Traditional Knowledge: The Raikas possess extensive traditional knowledge of pasture cycles, animal health, and biodiversity crucial for sustaining Rajasthan’s fragile arid ecology.

• Ecological Role: Their historical migratory grazing routes enabled camels to feed on medicinal desert shrubs, contributing to both animal health and ecosystem balance.

• Disappearing Tradition: Despite their historical importance, camel herding among the Raika is a rapidly disappearing tradition.

Microfinance Stress

• Rising NPAs: India’s microfinance sector faces stress with gross NPAs surging to 16% by March 2025, nearly double the 8.8% in 2024, raising concerns about sustainability.

• Cyclical Crisis & Structural Issues: While microfinance has historically seen crises every 3-5 years, the current situation is exacerbated by an economic slowdown, natural disasters, and election-related disruptions, affecting borrowers’ repayment capacity.

• Over-Leveraging: MFIs’ rapid expansion has led to lending to already indebted borrowers, focusing on volume over borrower financial health, resulting in an over-leveraged customer base.

• Weakening JLG Model: The traditional Joint Liability Group model is becoming less effective due to changing borrower profiles and declining group cohesion.

• Rising Regulatory Pressure: Stricter RBI norms and state government regulations against coercive recovery methods, along with loan waiver schemes, contribute to liquidity crunches and weakened repayment culture.

• Importance of Microfinance: Microfinance is crucial for poverty reduction, supporting small businesses, and promoting gender equality, especially empowering women in rural areas.

• Solutions: MFIs need to adopt holistic models (like the Triad Model), improve credit rating systems based on economic stability, shift towards individual credit appraisals, leverage technology for risk mitigation, revamp collection practices, and promote financial literacy.

• Conclusion: The sector’s resilience depends on self-correction, regulatory discipline, and continued institutional support for long-term sustainability.

Crohn’s

• SpaceX Lawsuit: A former SpaceX employee, Douglas Altshuler, is suing the company, alleging he was fired due to his Crohn’s disease, which caused frequent bathroom use.

• Crohn’s Disease: Altshuler, 58, claims he needed to use the bathroom frequently (every 35-45 minutes) due to his condition.

• Company Response: Altshuler alleges SpaceX supervisors tracked his bathroom breaks, warned him about exceeding 10 minutes per visit, and rejected his request for accommodations under disability rights.

• Termination: He was eventually fired for “deficient performance,” which he believes was retaliation for his condition and reporting unsafe workplace practices.

• Additional Allegations: The lawsuit also accuses SpaceX of denying meal breaks, underpaying him, and exposing employees to unsafe conditions.

• What is Crohn’s Disease: A chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation and swelling in the digestive tract. Common symptoms include diarrhea, cramping, abdominal pain, and weight loss. While there’s no cure, treatments can manage symptoms.

Indian Grey Wolf

• Population Decline: Indian Grey Wolves are facing rapid population decline, particularly in areas like Kadbanwadi grassland, Maharashtra.

• Threat from Feral Dogs: Free-ranging dogs pose a significant threat through disease transmission (Canine Distemper Virus, rabies, parvovirus), hybridisation, and direct attacks on wolves and their pups.

• Habitat Loss: Agriculture and semi-urban expansion into grasslands contribute to habitat loss for the wolves.

• Kadbanwadi Grassland: This area, spanning 2,000 hectares, supports the wolves along with other species like the Bengal fox and striped hyena. Once home to 70 wolves, recent counts show a drastic decrease to as low as 6 individuals.

• Symbiotic Relationship Disrupted: The traditional symbiotic relationship between the shepherd community (Shegar Dhangar) and wolves is threatened by the rise in dog populations, which now attack livestock.

• Legal Protection: The Indian Grey Wolf is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, CITES Appendix I, and is listed as ‘Least Concern’ by IUCN. However, sharp population decline warrants concern

• Forest Department Challenges: Maharashtra Forest Rules allow for the removal of trespassing dogs, but officials hesitate due to animal rights concerns, making vaccination difficult.

• Zoonotic Threats and Hybridisation: The human-animal-domestic dog interface raises concerns about emerging zoonotic diseases and genetic dilution through hybridisation.

• Conservation Efforts: Documentaries and conservation initiatives aim to raise awareness and spark discussions about the conservation status of Indian wolves.

• Human Casualities and Dog Bites: Annually, there have been over 18,000 human casualties due to rabies in India and 22 lakh dog bite cases, of which 48 resulted in deaths, were reported in the country last year.

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UN Charter Self-Defense

• News Context: India conducted “Operation Sindoor” after the Pahalgam terrorist attack, raising questions about its self-defense justification under Article 51 of the UN Charter.

• Article 51 of UN Charter: Generally prohibits force (Article 2(4)) but allows self-defense after an “armed attack.” Response must be necessary and proportional. Applies to state conduct and state-sponsored force.

• ICJ’s Nicaragua v. U.S. Case: An armed attack includes non-state actors only if acting “by or on behalf of” a state. India has briefed most of UNSC members.

• “Unwilling or Unable” Doctrine: Permits self-defense against non-state actors in another state’s territory if that state is unwilling or unable to act against them. Controversial; Russia and China criticize it as undermining state sovereignty.

• India’s Position on Doctrine: India has conditions for using the doctrine: repeated attacks by non-state actor, host state unwilling to neutralize threat, host state actively supports/sponsors the non-state actor. India implied use of this doctrine following the Pahalgam attack, accusing Pakistan of inaction.

Know Your Rights

• SC Quashes HC Order: Supreme Court overturned Delhi High Court’s order to Wikimedia Foundation to remove a user-created Wikipedia page.
• Right to Know Reaffirmed: SC reaffirmed “Right to Know” as a basic right under Article 19(1)(a) (Freedom of Speech and Expression) and Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty).
• Essential for Democracy: Right to Know enables citizens to participate in public discourse, access justice, and hold authorities accountable.
• Freedom of Expression: Article 19(1)(a) includes the right to receive information on government activities, public decision-making, and court proceedings.
• Dignified Life: Article 21 includes the Right to Know, enabling informed decision-making and a life of dignity.
• Wikipedia Case Context: The High Court overreacted to adverse comments on its take-down order in a Wikipedia discussion forum.
• Foundation’s Role: Wikimedia Foundation provides the infrastructure for users to contribute to Wikipedia, enhancing the quality of contributions through a democratic platform. It protects users against reprisals.
• Importance of Public Scrutiny: SC emphasizes the importance of public debate and criticism, even on sub judice matters, quoting Bentham that “publicity about courtroom proceedings … keeps the judge himself, while trying, under trial.”
• IT Act Consideration: The High Court may need to consider the Foundation’s intermediary status under the Information Technology Act concerning the right to know.

Semaglutide & Fatty Liver

• Semaglutide Effective for Fatty Liver Disease (MASH): A new study in The New England Journal of Medicine reveals semaglutide, used in drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, is effective in treating Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH), also known as fatty liver disease.

• Semaglutide Mechanism: Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that mimics the action of GLP-1, lowering blood sugar, and assisting in weight loss, addressing underlying metabolic issues of MASH.

• MASH Explained: MASH is fat buildup in the liver not caused by alcohol, leading to inflammation and scarring. It’s often linked to overnutrition and is part of a metabolic syndrome.

• MASH Stages: MASH progresses through stages: NAFL (fat buildup), MASH (inflammation), Fibrosis (scarring), and Cirrhosis (severe scarring, potential liver failure/cancer).

• Potential Treatment Option: Semaglutide could become an additional therapeutic option for MASH, important given the strong links between MASH and cardiovascular, metabolic, and renal conditions where semaglutide has shown benefits.

• Current Fatty Liver Treatments: Current treatments include weight loss through diet, exercise, medication, and other drugs like Resmetirom and FGF21 drugs.

India-West Asia: Forging Bonds

• Strategic Importance: West Asia is strategically and economically vital for India under the ‘Link West’ policy.
• Energy Security: The region supplies nearly 50% of India’s crude oil and holds over 40% of global natural gas reserves.
• Economic Ties: UAE is India’s 3rd largest trading partner (boosted by CEPA), and Saudi Arabia ranks 4th. Iraq is a key oil supplier and a major trading partner.
• Connectivity: The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) and International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) enhance India’s connectivity.
• Security Cooperation: Growing defense and counterterrorism cooperation with countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Israel.
• Diaspora: Over 9 million Indian expatriates in West Asia contribute significantly to India’s economy through remittances.
• Multilateral Engagement: India participates in initiatives like I2U2 (India, Israel, UAE, US).
• Geopolitical Challenges: India navigates complex regional dynamics, balancing relations with Israel, Palestine, Iran, and Saudi Arabia.
• Competition: Increasing competition from China, which is expanding its influence in the region through strategic investments.
• Balanced Approach: India should maintain strategic autonomy and non-alignment, fostering ties with all key players.
• Diversification: Diversifying energy imports and strengthening trade/investment with GCC countries is crucial.
• Counter-Terrorism: Collaborating with regional partners on intelligence sharing and joint military exercises.
• Climate Change: Enhancing regional cooperation on climate change, water conservation, and desertification management.
• Cultural Exchange: Strengthening academic partnerships, cultural diplomacy, and people-to-people ties.
• India’s Role: India aims to be a pivotal influencer in the region through diplomacy, economic partnerships, defense cooperation, and cultural connections, moving from a peripheral actor to a central player.

Anamalai Tigers

• Tiger and Animal Estimation: The Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) has started its pre-monsoon (summer) estimation of tigers and other animals in the Pollachi and Tiruppur divisions.
• NTCA Protocol: The estimation follows the eight-day protocol of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) for monitoring tigers, co-predators, prey, and their habitat.
• Survey Area: The exercise (May 10-17) covers multiple forest ranges within the Pollachi and Tirupur divisions of ATR.
• Supervision: The Chief Conservator of Forests and Field Director of ATR will supervise the estimation.
• Data Collection: The census will focus on carnivore, mega herbivore sign surveys, line transects, vegetation sampling, assessment of human disturbance, ground cover analysis, pellet count of prey species, and recording of vultures and other bird species.
• Data Submission: Data from each forest range will be consolidated and submitted to the NTCA by May 17.
• Location and Significance of ATR: The Anamalai Tiger Reserve, located in Tamil Nadu, is an important part of the South Western Ghats landscape. It is home to diverse flora, fauna and tribal communities. It covers 1,479.87 sq. km.
• Biodiversity Hotspot: ATR boasts a wide range of vegetation, including evergreen, deciduous, and shola forests, and montane grasslands, supporting a rich diversity of plant and animal life.
• Tribal Communities: The reserve is home to indigenous tribal communities such as the Kadars, Muduvars, Malasars, Malai malasars, Eravalars and Pulayars.

Startup Credit Guarantee

• Expansion of Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS): The Centre has recently expanded the CGSS.

• Purpose: To provide credit guarantees to loans extended to startups by Scheduled Commercial Banks, NBFCs, and SEBI-registered AIFs. Aims to improve access to collateral-free loans for DPIIT-recognized startups.

• Eligibility: Startups recognized by DPIIT are eligible for loans covered by the scheme.

• Implementing Agency: National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited (NCGTC) is responsible for implementing the CGSS. NCGTC provides guarantee cover to Member Institutions (MIs) who provide loans to startups.

• Forms of Assistance: Venture debt, working capital, subordinated debt, debentures, optionally convertible debt, and other fund-based/non-fund-based facilities that have materialized as debt obligations.

• Guarantee Coverage: Transaction-based (single borrower) and umbrella-based (Venture Debt Funds).

• Recent Changes:

  • Maximum guarantee limit increased from ₹10 crore to ₹20 crore per eligible borrower.
  • Guarantee coverage increased: 85% for loans up to ₹10 crore, 75% for loans above ₹10 crore.
  • Annual Guarantee Fee (AGF) reduced to 1% p.a. (from 2% p.a.) for startups in 27 Champion Sectors.

• Why these changes matter: The enhancements in guarantee coverage and reduced fees aim to encourage more lending to startups and make financing more accessible, supporting their growth and innovation.

Gomti River

• Gomti River Under Threat: Rapid urbanization in Lucknow poses significant challenges to the Gomti River’s health and future.
• Urbanization Challenges: The river faces declining oxygen levels, rising fecal coliform, and a heavy influx of untreated sewage.
• River’s Importance: The Gomti is considered Lucknow’s lifeline, making its degradation a critical concern for environmental experts and citizens.
• Urgent Action Needed: Immediate and long-term interventions are crucial to prevent irreversible damage and ensure sustainable urban development.
• Gomti’s Uniqueness: Unlike other major Ganga tributaries, the Gomti is both rain- and groundwater-fed.
• Origin and Course: The river originates from Gomat Taal (Fulhaar Jheel) in Pilibhit district, Uttar Pradesh, and flows through several districts before joining the Ganga near Saidpur.
• Tributaries: Major tributaries include the Sai, Chowka, Kathina, and Saryu rivers.
• Key Cities: Major cities on the Gomti’s banks include Lucknow, Sultanpur, and Jaunpur.

Why in the news: The Gomti River’s deteriorating condition due to urbanization impacts the environmental health of Lucknow. The urgency to address pollution and protect the river’s ecological integrity makes it a significant news item.

Magnetars

• Magnetars as Gold Factories: Research indicates magnetar flares can create heavy elements like gold via r-process nucleosynthesis, challenging the prior belief that neutron star mergers were the primary source.

• R-Process Nucleosynthesis Evidence: Observational evidence from a 2004 magnetar flare revealed delayed gamma-ray emissions, suggesting radioactive decay from neutron-rich isotopes indicative of r-process nucleosynthesis.

• What is R-Process Nucleosynthesis: R-process nucleosynthesis is rapid neutron-capture process, involving rapid capturing of Neutrons by Nuclei to forming heavy elements like Gold, Platinum and Uranium.

• Massive Ejection of Material: The flare ejected an estimated 1.9 septillion kg of r-process material at near-light speed, facilitating heavy element synthesis through rapid neutron capture.

• Implications for Galactic Evolution: This discovery suggests magnetars contributed to the universe’s heavy element inventory earlier than neutron star collisions, impacting our understanding of galactic chemical evolution.

• Direct Observational Evidence: The research team reported the first direct observational evidence of r-process nucleosynthesis in a powerful flare emitted by a magnetar in 2004.

• Alternative Explanations Ruled Out: The authors considered some alternative explanations — including noise in the measuring instruments and instruments misreading the flare’s afterglow — and ruled them out by comparisons with other data and detailed simulations.

• Early Gold Production: The findings suggest gold atoms may have existed earlier in the universe due to magnetars, predating the prevalence of neutron star collisions.

Tapti Recharge Project

• MoU Signed: Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the Tapti Basin Mega Recharge Project (TBMRP). The project aims to address water needs in specific regions of both states.

• Project Goal: Divert water from the Tapti River to provide drinking water to northeastern Maharashtra (including Nagpur) and irrigation to southern & southeastern Madhya Pradesh (Burhanpur and Khandwa).

• Water Allocation: Total water usage is planned at 31.13 TMC, with 11.76 TMC allocated to Madhya Pradesh and 19.36 TMC to Maharashtra.

• Irrigation Benefits: Permanent irrigation is projected for 123,082 hectares in Madhya Pradesh and 234,706 hectares in Maharashtra. Vidarbha and North Maharashtra will benefit from irrigation for 5.78 Lakh acres of land.

• Land Usage: The project will utilize 3,362 hectares of land in Madhya Pradesh without displacement or rehabilitation needs.

• Funding: The central government is expected to fund 90% of the ₹19,244 crore project cost (as per 2022-23 estimates).

• Beneficiary Districts: Maharashtra: Jalgaon, Akola, Buldhana, and Amravati. Madhya Pradesh: Burhanpur and Khandwa.

• Historical Context: The project was conceptualized in the 1990s. The recent Inter-State Control Board meeting was the first in 25 years.

• National Project Status: Madhya Pradesh will consult with the Union government to seek recognition of the Tapti initiative as a national water project.

RNA Exosomopathies

• RNA Exosomopathies Defined: Genetic disorders caused by mutations in genes encoding RNA exosome components, leading to brain maldevelopment (e.g., Pontocerebellar Hypoplasia Type 1 – PCH1). Primarily affects brain structures like the pons and cerebellum.

• RNA Exosome’s Role: Multi-protein complex crucial for RNA processing, surveillance, and degradation; discovered in yeast. Functions include rRNA maturation, faulty mRNA elimination, and ncRNA regulation.

• Yeast as a Model: Researchers from Emory University and the University of Texas Health Science Centre are using budding yeast to study RNA Exosomopathies. Yeast’s genetic simplicity and ease of manipulation allow for rapid, cost-effective testing of mutations and potential drug interventions.

• Study 1 (Journal RNA): Introduced human disease mutations into yeast genes, revealing defects in RNA surveillance, ribosome production, and protein synthesis. Mutations displayed unique molecular signatures, explaining varied clinical symptoms.

• Study 2 (Journal G3): Created a “humanized yeast model” by replacing yeast RNA exosome segments with human or mouse genes. This model confirmed that mutations directly impair RNA exosome function.

• Key Findings: Disease variants damaging RNA exosomes in humans also do so in yeast. This suggests that drugs effective in yeast may be useful in humans. The humanised yeast model serves as a convenient platform to test which human RNA exosome mutations are harmful.

• Significance: The findings advance the study of developmental disabilities and opens doors for rapid drug testing in yeast models.

ITI Upgradation & NCOEs

• Approval: The Union Cabinet approved the National Scheme for ITI Upgradation and establishment of five NCOEs for Skilling.
• Centrally Sponsored Scheme: Implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
• Financial Outlay: ₹60,000 crore (Central Share: ₹30,000 crore, State Share: ₹20,000 crore, Industry Share: ₹10,000 crore) with ADB and World Bank co-financing 50% of central share.
• ITI Upgradation: Upgrading 1,000 government ITIs in a hub-and-spoke model, aligning courses with industry needs.
• National Centres of Excellence: Establishing five NCOEs within existing National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs).
• Skilling Target: Aiming to skill 20 lakh youth over five years with industry-relevant courses.
• Industry Alignment: Focusing on aligning local workforce supply with industry demand.
• Flexible Investment: Need-based investment allows flexibility in fund allocation.
• Industry-Led SPV Model: Introducing an industry-led Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) model for ITI upgradation, enhancing industry participation.
• Trainer Training: Upgrading infrastructure for Training of Trainers (ToT) in five NSTIs (Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kanpur, and Ludhiana), with training for 50,000 trainers.
• Objective: To position ITIs as government-owned, industry-managed aspirational institutes of skills, ensuring industries have access to employment-ready workers.

Tech Day ’25

• Theme: “YANTRA – Yugantar for Advancing New Technology, Research & Acceleration.” This emphasizes India’s shift to technology leadership.
• YANTRA Significance: Represents not just mechanical tools but also systems thinking, synergistic innovation, and scalable technological solutions rooted in India’s scientific and cultural heritage.
• Yugantar Significance: Signifies India’s epochal transformation from technology adoption to global technology leadership.
• Date: Celebrated annually on May 11th.
• Commemoration: Marks the 1998 Pokhran-II nuclear tests (Operation Shakti), the first flight of Hansa-3, and the Trishul missile test.
• Origin: Declared by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1998 after the Pokhran-II tests. Celebrated since 1999.
• Organiser: The Technology Development Board (TDB) under the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
• Purpose: Honours scientific excellence, showcases industrial innovations, and strengthens the science-society-industry partnership.
• 2025 Event: Will include policymakers, scientists, industry leaders, academics, and startups, focusing on accelerating technological advancement through deep-tech and R&D.

Pangenome

• Asian Rice Pangenome Created: Scientists assembled the first pangenome of Asian rice (Oryza sativa L.) by compiling genetic data from 144 wild and cultivated varieties.

• Comprehensive Genetic Map: The pangenome includes core genes shared by all varieties and unique genes found in individual strains, offering a comprehensive view of rice genetic diversity.

• Comparable to Human Genome Project: Similar to the Human Genome Project, this project maps genome-wide variations but focuses on rice.

• Staple Food Crop: Rice is a staple food for nearly two-thirds of the world’s population. India produced 220 million tonnes in 2024-25.

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• Advanced Cultivar Development: The pangenome database facilitates the development of rice cultivars with enhanced traits like disease tolerance and climate resilience.

• Key Findings:

  • 3.87 billion base pairs of novel genetic sequences were identified.
  • 69,531 genes were identified, including 28,907 core genes.
  • 13,728 genes specific to wild rice.
  • About 20% of all genes are unique to wild rice species.

• ICAR’s Genome-Edited Rice: ICAR developed genome-edited rice varieties (Samba Mahsuri and MTU 1010) that promise higher yields and drought resistance.

• Climate Change Threat: Rising temperatures threaten rice production in India. Average temperature increased by 0.7°C since 1901. 2024 was the hottest year recorded.

• Wild Rice Potential: The study reinforces the hypothesis that all Asian cultivated rice had an evolutionary origin from a wild variety called Or-IIIa

• Improves traits: Study improves understanding of rice environmental adaptation, phenotypic plasticity and regeneration potential

Nongkhyllem Sanctuary

• Ecotourism Project Opposition: A ₹23.7 crore ecotourism project proposed for Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary is facing resistance from local groups and environmental activists like Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) and Green-Tech Foundation (GTF).
• Potential Ecological Threat: Concerns are raised about the project’s potential disruption to the sanctuary’s delicate ecosystem due to planned construction of tourist dwellings, skywalks, and water sports arena.
• Sanctuary’s Significance: Nongkhyllem, located in Meghalaya’s Ri-Bhoi district, is a biodiversity hotspot with over 400 bird species including the endangered Rufous-necked Hornbill and mammals like Clouded Leopard, Elephant, and Himalayan Black Bear.
• Existing Conservation Status: Established in 1981, the sanctuary was rated the best-managed protected area in Northeast India in the 2021 Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) Report.
• Alternative Development Proposals: Instead of infrastructure, some suggest directing funds towards community development around the sanctuary to improve livelihoods and employment.
• Similar Protests Elsewhere: The opposition mirrors similar protests against infrastructure projects near protected areas in Northeast India, such as oil exploration near Hoolock Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam.
• Fragile Ecosystem: The sanctuary’s relatively small size (29 sq. km) makes it particularly vulnerable to disturbances from tourism-related activities.
• Minimal Human Interaction: Before the project, the sanctuary has been managed well with minimal human interaction, contributing to its conservation success.

LICONN Tech

• New Brain Mapping Technique: Scientists have developed LICONN (Light-microscopy-based Connectomics) to map brain cell connections using light microscopes.

• Developed at ISTA: The technology was created at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA).

• Nanoscale Mapping: LICONN maps the brain’s neural networks at the nanoscale, identifying specific molecules within connections.

• Combines Technologies: It combines light microscopy, hydrogels, experimental techniques, AI, and analytical methods.

• Beyond Electron Microscopy: LICONN is the first non-electron microscopy method capable of reconstructing brain tissue with synaptic connections.

• Overcomes Resolution Trade-off: It resolves the issue of needing to choose between detailed structural view (EM) and molecular identification (light microscopy).

• Expansion Microscopy: LICONN expands brain tissue using a special gel (16x original size).

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• Uses AI for Tracing: Artificial intelligence is used to trace neuron shapes.

Why this is important:

• Detailed Brain Study: Allows for more detailed study of brain connectivity.
• New Research Possibilities: Opens new avenues for neurological research, including brain disorders.
• Cost and Time Effective: Light microscopy is generally more accessible and faster than electron microscopy.

Songar Drones

• Pakistan Drone Incursion: Pakistan reportedly deployed 300-400 Songar drones across 36 locations from Leh to Sir Creek.

• Origin of Songar Drones: Developed by Turkey’s Asisguard, Songar is considered Turkey’s first indigenous armed drone system.

• Turkish Armed Forces Use: Officially inducted into the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) in February 2020.

• Technical Specs: 140 cm rotor-to-rotor width, 45 kg max takeoff weight, 35-minute flight time (without payload), 10 km range, 3000 m max altitude (above mean sea level), autonomous and manual flight modes.

• Key Features: Real-time video, dual cameras, GPS/GLONASS navigation, return-to-base function.

• Weapon Variants: 5.56×45 mm assault rifle, 2×40 mm grenade launcher, 6×40 mm drum grenade launcher, 3×81 mm mortar gripper, 8×tear/smoke grenade launcher.

• Safety Protocols: Multi-layered safety protocols require operator authorization before firing.

• Turkey-Pakistan Defense Cooperation: Pakistan’s acquisition and use of Songar drones highlight its strong defense ties with Turkey.

• Turkish Support: Turkish President Erdogan expressed solidarity with Pakistan amid tensions with India.

• Growing Partnership: Turkey and Pakistan have deepened defense cooperation through deals, joint exercises, and technology transfer. Pakistan also collaborates with Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar.

• Songar Specs: 145cm rotor-to-rotor width and 70cm height, 5.56x45mm NATO rounds, a 200 round ammo capacity, single and 15-round burst modes, and a gun stabilization system.

• Camera System: Pilot camera with 10x zoom and gun-mounted camera capable of transmitting video and real-time images.

• Target precision: Capable of hitting targets within a 15-cm area from a distance of 200 m. The drone can ascend to an altitude of up to 2,800 m at mean sea level and 400 m above ground level.

Women in Cooperatives

• Low Representation: Despite India’s large cooperative movement (8.5 lakh), women-only cooperatives are only 2.52% (NITI Aayog, 2023).
• International Year of Cooperatives: UN declares 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives, themed “Cooperatives Build a Better World”. Launched in India in November 2024.
• Empowerment Pathway: Cooperatives empower women socio-economically through income generation, skill development, and inclusive governance.
• Successful Models: SEWA, Amul, and Lijjat Papad demonstrate the success of cooperatives in fostering women’s economic self-reliance.
• Access to Services: Women’s cooperatives improve access to credit, banking, healthcare, and education.
• Challenges: Many women’s cooperatives are dormant (around 50%) due to inadequate support, limited financial linkages, training, and market access.
• Time Poverty: Women spend significantly more time on unpaid domestic work, limiting their participation.
• Underrepresentation: Women hold only 26% of positions in mixed cooperatives and even fewer leadership roles.
• Cultural Norms: Patriarchy and societal expectations hinder women’s autonomy and participation.
• Support Measures: Reviving dormant cooperatives, providing dedicated funding, promoting cluster-based models, and ensuring digital platforms for marketing and training.
• Policy Integration: Convergence between Ministries of Cooperation, Women and Child Development, MSME, and Agriculture is crucial.
• New Guidelines: Mandate reservation of two seats for women on the board of multi-state cooperative societies and the presence of women directors on the board of primary agricultural credit societies.
• Dormant Cooperatives The unusually high number of dormant women’s cooperatives (11,869), demonstrates that women face barriers in maintaining and sustaining them.

US Watch on India

• India Placed on ‘Priority Watch List’ (PWL): USTR’s 2025 Special 301 Report puts India on the PWL for persistent IPR protection and enforcement challenges.
• USTR Concerns: India’s progress on IP protection is inconsistent, with long-standing concerns remaining unaddressed, despite efforts to strengthen the IP regime.
• IPR Challenges: India remains a challenging major economy for IPR protection and enforcement.
• Potential Impact: PWL listing could impact trade talks with the US; USTR may initiate trade investigations or impose sanctions if no improvement.
• India’s Stance: India maintains its IP laws comply with WTO TRIPS agreement and views the report as unilateral pressure.
• Patent Concerns: Patent issues, including revocations, discretionary patentability criteria, long waiting periods, and excessive reporting, are specific concerns. Vagueness in interpreting the Indian Patents Act also raised.
• Customs Duties: High customs duties on IP-intensive products like ICT, solar, medical devices, pharma, and capital goods cited.
• Enforcement Inadequate: Despite improvements in IP office operations, overall IP enforcement remains inadequate.
• Bilateral Trade Context: Report coincides with India-U.S. trade negotiations aiming for $500 billion commerce by 2030; US wants to reduce its trade deficit.
• Industry Perceptions: Concerns based on American industry’s perception of India’s IP protection level.
• Section 3(d): Concerns related to section 3(d) of the patent act, and pharmaceutical patent disputes persist.
• Other Countries: China, Indonesia, Russia, Argentina, and Venezuela are also on the PWL; Pakistan and Turkey are on the watch list.

PMFME Scheme

• Bihar Leads in PMFME Implementation: Bihar secured the top rank nationally for successfully implementing the PMFME scheme in FY 2024-25. This success is attributed to effective execution of the scheme, promoting entrepreneurship and small-scale industries.
• Loan Disbursement Success: Loan approval has been granted to 10,296 applicants in Bihar with loans disbursed to 6,589 units, representing 63% of the total distribution.
• PMFME Scheme Overview: A Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched on June 29, 2020, by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries. Aims to formalize and upgrade micro food processing enterprises.
• Key Objectives: Increase access to credit, integrate with the supply chain, formalize 200,000 enterprises, improve access to common services (processing, storage, packaging), and strengthen institutions.
• Financial Outlay & Sharing: ₹10,000 crores over five years (2020-21 to 2024-25). Cost-sharing ratios: 60:40 (Centre:State), 90:10 (NE & Himalayan States), 100% by Centre for UTs without legislatures.
• Coverage: Direct assistance to 200,000 micro food processing units via credit-linked subsidies. Focus on supportive infrastructure.
• Financial Support (Individuals): 35% credit-linked subsidy on project cost, capped at ₹10 lakh. Minimum 10% beneficiary contribution.
• Financial Support (FPOs/SHGs/Cooperatives): Seed capital to SHGs (₹4 lakh per SHG). 35% credit-linked capital subsidy (max ₹3 crore) for common infrastructure. Up to 50% grant for branding and marketing.
• Eligible Borrowers: FPOs, SHGs, Cooperatives, Existing Micro Food Processing Entrepreneurs. New units supported only for ODOP.
• Beneficiaries: Entrepreneurs, private limited companies, proprietorship firms, partnership firms, NGOs, cooperative societies, FPOs, and self-help groups.
• Scheme Impact: Promotes the unorganized food processing sector, enhances competition, and helps FPOs/SHGs/Cooperatives get actual value for their products.

Pakal Dul Hydropower

• Fast-tracked Approval: The Indian government has expedited the approval process for the electricity transmission line of the 1,000 MW Pakal Dul hydropower project. This signals a push to complete the project and integrate its power output into the grid.

• 1 GW Run-of-the-River Project: Pakal Dul is a significant 1 GW hydroelectric project located on the Marusudar River, a tributary of the Chenab in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district. This highlights the project’s scale and importance for the region’s power generation capacity.

• Key Infrastructure Components: The project includes a 167m high dam, underground powerhouse, transformer cabin, and cofferdam. This indicates a complex and substantial engineering undertaking.

• Power Generation: The project is expected to generate approximately 3,330 million units of energy annually. This emphasizes the project’s potential to significantly boost the region’s power supply.

• Joint Venture: The project is being developed by Chenab Valley Power Projects [P] Ltd. (CVPPL), a joint venture between NHPC and J&K State Power Development Corporation Ltd (JKSPDC). This highlights the collaborative nature of the project.

• Benefits to J&K: The state of J&K will receive 12% free power for the first ten years and has the first right to purchase power allotted to NHPC and PTC. This showcases the project’s economic benefits for the region.

Manas National Park

• Elephant Poaching: Three individuals have been arrested for allegedly killing three wild elephants within Manas National Park.

• Location & Border: Manas National Park is situated in the Himalayan foothills of Assam, bordering Bhutan’s Royal Manas National Park.

• Manas River: The Manas River flows through the park’s western side and serves as a natural border between India and Bhutan. It’s a major Brahmaputra tributary.

• Multiple Designations: The park holds the distinction of being a Natural World Heritage Site, Tiger Reserve, Elephant Reserve, Biosphere Reserve, and Important Bird Area.

• Project Tiger: Manas was among the first reserves included in Project Tiger in 1973.

• Tiger Conservation Landscape: It’s part of a larger tiger conservation network with other reserves in India, Bhutan, and Myanmar.

• Indigenous Communities: The park is inhabited by communities like the Bodo, who have strong ties to the land.

• Flora: Vegetation includes Sal forests, grasslands, and riparian vegetation. Hoolong trees are prominent.

• Fauna: Known for endangered species like Hispid Hare, Pygmy Hog, Golden Langur, Indian Rhinoceros, and Asiatic Buffalo.

• Districts: Manas National Park is located in Chirang and Baksa districts of Bodoland Territorial Region in Assam.

India’s Schools: Status

• Poor Learning Outcomes: ASER 2024 reveals that only 23.4% of Class 3 students in government schools can read a Class 2-level text. India’s learning poverty rate is high, with 70% of 10-year-olds unable to read a basic text.
• Underfunding: Public education spending remains at 4.6% of GDP, falling short of the 6% target set by NEP 2020.
• Teacher Shortage: Over 1 million teacher vacancies exist, particularly in rural areas, leading to high pupil-teacher ratios (up to 47:1).
• High Dropout Rates: Dropout rates increase with grade level, reaching 14.1% at the secondary level. Boys have higher dropout rates than girls at the secondary level.
• Infrastructure Gaps: Only 43.5% of government schools have computers for teaching. Many schools lack basic amenities like electricity, functional toilets, and disabled-friendly toilets.
• Regional Disparities: States like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra have the highest dropout rates.
• Curriculum Issues: The school system focuses on rote learning over creativity and critical thinking.
• Regulatory Deficits: Regulation focuses on inputs rather than learning outcomes, lacking an independent quality monitoring body. SSSA implementation is slow.
• Addressing Issues via measures: Focus on learning outcomes through assessments and performance-linked funding. Scale up NIPUN Bharat Mission. Strengthen teacher training. Bridge the urban-rural divide. Expand digital access via DIKSHA. Operationalise SSSA for quality benchmarks.

Why in News?

The ASER 2024 report highlights the struggling state of India’s school education system, with significant learning deficits, teacher shortages, and infrastructural gaps.

AI Water Atlas

• Haryana Launches AI-Enabled Water Atlas 2025: The Haryana government has introduced a geospatial platform powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) to address its rapidly depleting water reserves.
• Comprehensive Water Resource Monitoring: The platform monitors crucial water-related parameters, including groundwater levels, surface water bodies, aquifers, recharge zones, canal systems, and cropping patterns.
• Real-Time Data Integration: It integrates data from various sources, such as satellite imagery, GPS surveys, meteorological inputs from IMD, and data from CGWB, Irrigation, and Agriculture Departments.
• Data-Driven Decision-Making: The AI-enabled atlas offers real-time insights to support informed decision-making in water conservation, sustainable farming practices, and infrastructure development.
• Focus on Water Conservation: The platform’s primary goal is to conserve and manage Haryana’s water resources more effectively in the face of a deepening water crisis.
• AI for Effective Water Management: India is actively adopting AI in water management, as exemplified by the Haryana Water Resource Atlas and AI based prediction model for Arsenic pollution developed by IIT Kharagpur, showcasing a broader trend in utilizing technology for water resource optimization.

One RRB Per State

• 4th Phase Rolled Out: The ‘One State-One RRB’ (OS-OR) plan’s 4th phase is underway in 10 states and 1 Union Territory, further reducing the number of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) in India.

• Objective: To improve the operational viability and efficiency of RRBs.

• What is OS-OR Policy: It is a reform initiative by the Department of Financial Services aimed at consolidating multiple RRBs within a state into a single unified entity

• Background: Consolidation started in 2005, based on Dr. Vyas Committee (2001) recommendations. Implemented under Section 23A(1) of the Regional Rural Banks Act, 1976

• Reduction in Numbers: RRBs have been reduced from 196 in 2005 to 28 with the current phase.

• Increased Capital: Each restructured RRB will have an authorized capital of Rs 2,000 crore.

• Impact: RRBs achieved a record net profit of Rs 7,571 crore in FY 2023-24. Expected to further support rural development.

• Challenge 1: High Operational Costs: High cost/income (77.4%) and wages/operating expenses (72%) ratios indicate inefficiency. Requires cost optimization, tech adoption, and cybersecurity investment while maintaining personal engagement with villagers.

• Challenge 2: Concentration Risk: A single RRB now bears the full risk of state agricultural sector failures, potentially exacerbating regional economic vulnerabilities.

• Challenge 3: Governance Issues: Complex three-way ownership (Central and State governments, sponsor banks) and dual regulation (RBI and NABARD) lead to slow decision-making.

• Challenge 4: Regional Considerations: One-size-fits-all approach may not work; consolidation needs to account for each state’s unique economic, demographic, and geographic factors.

• Why in News: The consolidation aims to create stronger, more efficient RRBs, but potential risks related to cost management, concentrated risks, and complex governance need careful management.

Aotearoa

• India-New Zealand FTA Negotiations: The first round of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and New Zealand concluded successfully in New Delhi from May 5-9, 2025.
• High-Level Support: Launched following discussions between Indian and New Zealand ministers in March 2025, building upon the commitment made by Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Christopher Luxon.
• Comprehensive Discussions: Constructive negotiations covered a broad spectrum including trade in goods and services, trade facilitation, and mutually beneficial economic cooperation.
• Strong Bilateral Trade Growth: Merchandise trade reached USD 1.3 billion in FY2024-25, marking a significant 48.6% increase over the previous year, indicating growing economic partnership potential.
• FTA Benefits: The FTA aims to enhance trade and investment, improve supply chain integration, and create a predictable trading environment for businesses in both countries.
• Future Plans: Both countries are committed to concluding the FTA this year, with the next round of negotiations scheduled for July 2025.
• Strategic Importance: This FTA reflects the strategic importance both nations place on fostering a mutually beneficial and balanced trade agreement, aligning with India’s broader efforts to enhance economic partnerships.
• Geopolitical Context: New Zealand is located in the Southwestern Pacific Ocean, prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific Ring of Fire. Its diverse geography supports hydroelectric energy and tourism.

Seabirds & Marine Pollution

• Hormonal Disruption: Research indicates that plastic ingestion by seabirds can disrupt their hormonal systems due to chemicals released from the plastic, affecting fertility, development, and behavior.

• Vulnerable Seabird Species: Albatrosses, petrels, and shearwaters (Procellariiformes) are highly susceptible due to their foraging habits and ability to retain plastic in their stomachs for extended periods.

• High Plastic Ingestion Rates: Procellariiformes have some of the highest rates of plastic ingestion; approximately 63% retain pollutants in their stomachs for weeks or months. Northern fulmars are bioindicators of marine plastic pollution due to surface feeding habits.

• Physical Harm: Plastic ingestion causes physical harm like obstruction, perforation of the digestive tract, a false sense of satiation leading to malnutrition, and inflammation/fibrosis from micro/nano-plastics.

• Marine Plastic Pollution Statistics: 8-10 million metric tons of plastic enter oceans annually, constituting 80% of marine waste. By 2050, plastic may outweigh fish. 50-75 trillion plastic pieces currently pollute the oceans.

• Broader Impacts: Marine pollution harms biodiversity, reduces oxygen levels, disrupts deep-sea ecosystems, contaminates the food chain, and negatively impacts human health and coastal livelihoods.

• Global Efforts: The Global Partnership on Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter (GPML) and the 1972 London Convention/1978 MARPOL Protocol aim to combat marine plastic pollution.

INS Tamal

• INS Tamal delivery imminent: India is set to receive INS Tamal, its second advanced stealth frigate built in Russia, expected within a month after trials.

• Part of Indo-Russian deal: INS Tamal is a Krivak-III class frigate, part of a 2016 agreement where two ships are built in Russia and two in India. INS Tushil was the first ship built and commissioned in December 2024

• Advanced Stealth Features: It is designed with stealth technology to evade radar, enhancing survivability.

• Weapon Systems: Equipped with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles (extended range to 450 km), Shtil surface-to-air missiles, anti-submarine torpedoes and rockets.

• Multi-Role Capabilities: Designed for air, surface, underwater, and electromagnetic warfare. It can operate Kamov-28 and Kamov-31 helicopters

• Speed and Range: Can achieve speeds of over 30 knots, with a mission range of 3,000 km.

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• Enhanced Undersea Warfare: The Indian Navy also showcased indigenous underwater mines designed to destroy enemy submarines and warships.

• Strengthening Naval Power: These frigates will add to the existing Russian frigates in the Indian Navy, enhancing its blue-water capabilities.

Balochistan

• Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) Claims: The BLA has asserted the capture of multiple strategic army posts across Balochistan, including in Quetta.
• Location and Geography: Balochistan is primarily located in western Pakistan but extends into southeastern Iran. It borders Afghanistan to the north and the Arabian Sea to the south.
• Pakistani Province: The Pakistani province of Balochistan is the country’s largest but least populated, with Quetta as its capital.
• Ethnic Composition: The major ethnic groups include the Baloch and Pashtun people, along with a third group of mixed ethnicity, mainly of Sindhi origin.
• Languages and Religion: The majority of the population practices Islam and speaks languages of the Iranian branch of the Indo-Iranian language family, including Balochi, Brahui, Pashto, and Sindhi.
• Historical Context: Historically ruled by Greeks, Arabs, and later annexed by the British, much of Balochistan became part of Pakistan in 1947 after the partition of British India.

Why it’s in the news: The BLA’s claim of capturing army posts highlights the ongoing conflict and instability in the region. This event may lead to escalated tensions between the Baloch insurgents and the Pakistani military.

2025 Global Economy

• Why in News: The IMF’s April 2025 World Economic Outlook (WEO) projects India to become the fourth-largest economy in 2025, surpassing Japan.

• Global Growth: The IMF revised global growth downwards to 2.8% for 2025. Emerging markets are projected to grow at 3.7%, still above the global average.

• India’s Growth: India’s growth is forecast at 6.2% for 2025, slightly down, but still the fastest-growing major economy. Its GDP is projected to reach USD 4.187 trillion in 2025, exceeding Japan.

• Private Consumption: Strong private consumption, particularly in rural areas, drives India’s growth. India is set to become the third-largest consumer market by 2026.

• Macroeconomic Fundamentals: India’s fiscal management (lower debt-to-GDP ratio) and structural reforms support stability.

• Infrastructure Development: Investment in infrastructure and digitalization boosts productivity. India’s digital economy is a significant contributor.

• Government Reforms: Initiatives like financial inclusion schemes and manufacturing incentives strengthen economic dynamism. Infrastructure projects support growth.

• Demographics: A young, growing workforce, with increasing female labor participation, benefits India.

• Technological Innovation: The adoption of digital technologies supports higher productivity. Indian startups are expected to create millions of new jobs.

• External Demand: Increased integration into global value chains provides growth opportunities. India’s share in global services exports has doubled.

Thunderdome

• MADMAX’s First Dark Photon Search Results: The MADMAX collaboration has released the initial results from their search for dark photons using a prototype detector.
• What is MADMAX? It stands for Magnetised Disk and Mirror Axion Experiment, designed to detect dark matter candidates like axions and dark photons.
• Dark Photons Explained: These are hypothetical, massive particles akin to photons, potentially comprising dark matter halos. They can convert to ordinary photons under certain conditions.
• Detection Method: The detector boosts the conversion of dark photons to microwave photons using a resonator system of dielectric disks and a mirror. The mirror focuses the signal towards a microwave receiver via a horn antenna.
• Key Setup Features: The resonator’s size, larger than expected dark photon signal wavelengths, allows detection at higher frequencies (around 20 GHz). Resonance frequencies are tunable by adjusting disk positions, broadening the mass range coverage.
• Signal Identification: A narrow peak in Fourier space, distinguishable from thermal noise, would indicate a signal.
• Experimental Outcome: No dark photon signals were detected in the first prototype run.
• Significant Sensitivity: The instrument operated successfully, achieving a sensitivity 1000 times better than previous methods, exploring a previously uncharted parameter space in a single experiment.
• Axions: Hypothetical particles that could solve a problem in physics and be candidates for dark matter.
• Dark Photon Significance: These may mediate interactions within the dark matter sector.

Methane (CH₄)

• High Methane Emissions: The energy sector emitted 145 million tonnes (Mt) of methane in 2024, with oil and gas accounting for over 80 Mt, per the IEA’s Global Methane Tracker 2025.

• Methane’s Impact: Methane is a potent greenhouse gas responsible for approximately 30% of global temperature increase since the Industrial Revolution, with concentrations 2.5 times pre-industrial levels and rising faster than other GHGs.

• Major Sources: Agriculture, energy, and waste sectors are the main anthropogenic sources. The energy sector accounts for over 35% of human-induced emissions.

• Energy Sector Breakdown: Oil operations (~45 Mt), natural gas (~35 Mt), abandoned wells (~3 Mt), coal (~40 Mt, including 4 Mt from abandoned mines), and bioenergy (~18 Mt, primarily from traditional biomass) are key contributors within the energy sector.

• Methane Characteristics: It’s a colorless, odorless, and flammable gas (marsh gas) with a short atmospheric lifespan (~10 years) but a high Global Warming Potential (GWP) – ~80 times that of CO₂ over 20 years.

• Mitigation Potential: Approximately 70% of fossil fuel methane emissions can be mitigated with existing technologies. In oil & gas, ~75% of emissions can be reduced by fixing leaks and plugging abandoned wells.

• Top Emitters: China, USA, Russia, Iran, Turkmenistan, and India are the top emitters from fossil fuel operations.

• Global Methane Pledge: The Global Methane Pledge at COP26 aims for a 30% reduction in global methane emissions by 2030.

Lupus: An Overview

• World Lupus Day (May 10): Highlights the need for increased awareness of this rare and severe autoimmune disease.
• What is Lupus: An autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues and organs, leading to inflammation that can affect various body systems.
• Causes: The exact cause is unknown, but it is believed to result from a combination of genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors. More prevalent in women.
• Types of Lupus: Several types exist, including Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE – most common), discoid lupus, subacute cutaneous lupus, drug-induced lupus, and neonatal lupus.
• Symptoms: Symptoms vary widely and can affect different parts of the body, including joint pain, headaches, rashes, fever, fatigue, mouth sores, confusion, swollen glands, and blood clots.
• Flare-ups and Remission: Symptoms occur in flare-ups, with periods of remission (few or no symptoms) in between.
• Treatment: There is no cure for lupus. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms through medication and lifestyle changes.
• Key Facts: Lupus is an autoimmune disease caused by a complex interplay of genes, hormones, and environmental factors. It is treatable, but not curable.

Stamp Vendors: Public Servants

• SC Ruling: The Supreme Court declared licensed stamp vendors as “public servants” under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

• Reasoning:

  • Stamp vendors perform an essential public duty by providing access to stamp papers, crucial for legal transactions.
  • They are remunerated by the government through commissions or discounts on stamp paper sales, establishing a financial link to public service.
  • The court emphasized that the definition of “public servant” should be interpreted broadly to effectively combat corruption. The court noted that, it is the nature of duty being discharged by a person which assumes paramount importance when determining whether such a person falls within the ambit of the definition of public servant as defined under the PC Act.

• Case Specifics: This ruling stems from an appeal by a stamp vendor, Aman Bhatia, who was convicted under the anti-corruption law. While the SC upheld the “public servant” status, it overturned Bhatia’s conviction due to insufficient evidence of demanding and accepting a bribe.

• Legal Basis: The judgment is based on Section 2(c)(i) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, which defines a public servant as someone in government service, paid by the government, or remunerated by fees/commission for performing a public duty.

The IMF

• IMF Disbursement to Pakistan: The IMF approved the immediate disbursement of approximately $1 billion to Pakistan under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) on May 9, 2025. This brings the total disbursements under the EFF to about $2.1 billion.

• Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF): The IMF Executive Board also approved Pakistan’s request for an arrangement under the RSF, providing access to about $1.4 billion. This aims to support Pakistan’s efforts to reduce vulnerabilities to natural disasters and build climate resilience.

• EFF Objectives: The 37-month EFF, approved in September 2024, focuses on building resilience and enabling sustainable growth, with priorities including macroeconomic sustainability.

• India’s Abstention and Concerns: India abstained from the IMF vote, raising concerns about Pakistan’s “poor track record,” the potential misuse of funds for state-sponsored cross-border terrorism, and the Pakistan military’s interference in economic affairs. India stated that rewarding cross-border terrorism sends a dangerous message and exposes donors to reputational risks.

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• Pakistan’s Response: Pakistan’s Prime Minister expressed satisfaction with the IMF approval and criticized India’s “high-handed tactics.” Pakistan claims its economic situation is improving and accused India of attempting to divert attention from its development through aggression.

• IMF Conditions & Reforms: The IMF program is expected to stabilize Pakistan’s economy and facilitate long-term recovery. Pakistan agreed to reforms, including a carbon levy, electricity tariff revisions, increased water pricing, and automobile sector liberalization.

**Making Rain**

• Delhi Government Approves Cloud Seeding Trials: Aimed at reducing air pollution and addressing water scarcity in the capital. The project has been approved by the Delhi Cabinet.

• Budget Allocation: ₹3.21 crore allocated for the project, with ₹2.75 crore earmarked for five trials (₹55 lakh per trial) and ₹46 lakh for preparation costs like aircraft calibration, chemical storage and logistics.

• Implementation by IIT Kanpur: The Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, will oversee the project, managing aircraft deployment, chemical dispersal, scientific modelling, planning, and operational logistics.

• Trial Schedule and Coverage: The first trial is scheduled for May-June 2025, covering approximately 100 square kilometers on the outskirts of Delhi. Five trials will be conducted in this phase.

• Evaluation of Effectiveness: Scientific evaluations will be conducted to assess the effectiveness of cloud seeding in reducing air pollution and its overall environmental impact.

• Cloud Seeding Technique: Cloud seeding involves dispersing chemicals (silver iodide, potassium iodide, or dry ice) into clouds to promote water droplet formation and increase precipitation.

• Benefits of Cloud Seeding: Potential benefits include combating air pollution (especially during high AQI), increasing water availability, and resulting in economic, environmental, and human health benefits.

• Types of Cloud Seeding: Techniques used include static, dynamic, hygroscopic, and glaciogenic cloud seeding, each with different methods to stimulate precipitation.

DRC: Key Facts

• DRC Peace Talks: The DRC is engaged in US-facilitated peace talks with Rwanda and the M23 militia to stabilize mineral-rich regions and ensure national security. The US is seeking bilateral critical mineral deals alongside peace.

• M23 Threat: Rwanda-backed M23 militia briefly seized cities in early 2025 and threatened the Bisie tin mine (world’s 4th largest), disrupting tin production and revenue.

• Mineral Wealth: North and South Kivu provinces are rich in tin, tungsten, and tantalum (3T minerals). The DRC is a leading source of cobalt (70% global) and coltan (40% global). Katanga Plateau holds significant cobalt, copper, tin, uranium, and diamonds.

• M23 Motives & Conflict: The Tutsi-led M23 militia claims to protect Tutsi communities. They clash with the DRC government and Hutu-linked militias connected to the Rwandan genocide.

• “Conflict Minerals”: Artisanal mining sites are prevalent, often subject to “armed interference” and illicit taxation by armed groups, including M23. Congo served as the basis for “conflict minerals” legislation.

• US Engagement: The US government is actively involved in negotiations to end the conflict, potentially leading to mineral deals between the US, Congo, and Rwanda.

• Bisie Mine Importance: The Bisie tin mine’s temporary closure due to M23 advances highlighted its significance as a legitimate source of tin concentrates.

• Railway Competition: Western nations are trying to reduce China’s influence over the extraction of minerals in Congo, China’s copper and cobalt-rich Katanga region through the Lobito Corridor project. China is also upgrading its Tanzania-Zambia railway for minerals transport.

Thalassemia

• World Thalassaemia Day (May 8): Observed annually to increase awareness and encourage action regarding this genetic disorder.

• Thalassaemia Defined: An inherited blood disorder resulting in less hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen.

• Cause: Inherited gene mutations from one or both parents disrupt normal hemoglobin production.

• Anemia: Insufficient hemoglobin or red blood cells leads to anemia, causing fatigue and weakness.

• Symptoms: Can range from mild to severe anemia; fatigue, shortness of breath, feeling cold, dizziness, and pale skin are common symptoms. Iron overload is a complication that can develop over time.

• Treatment: Primarily involves regular blood transfusions to manage anemia. Chelation therapy removes excess iron buildup from frequent transfusions.

• Cure: Stem cell or bone marrow transplant is the only potential cure, but is rarely performed due to risks.

BRS Conventions

• BRS COPs Focus: The Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions (BRS COPs) aim to improve the management of hazardous chemicals and waste to protect human health and the environment. The 2025 COPs theme is “Make Visible the Invisible: Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste.”

• India’s Stance: India advocated for predictable international financing, domestic resource mobilization (progressive taxation, carbon levies, EPR), and enhanced international cooperation.

• India’s Actions: India is implementing the conventions through national legislation (Environment (Protection) Act, etc.) and investing in infrastructure. India banned single-use plastics in 2022 despite still being a major plastic polluter.

• Key Outcomes of the 2023 COPs: Listing of new chemicals under the Stockholm Convention, addition of a pesticide to the Rotterdam Convention, and adoption of technical guidelines for waste management under the Basel Convention.

• Ministerial Roundtable Discussions: Discussions at the roundtable focused on the need for finance, technology transfer, capacity building, institutional mechanisms, regional cooperation, and innovative financing solutions. Strong data infrastructure and transparent monitoring systems were also emphasized.

Maharana Pratap

• Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Maharana Pratap on his Jayanti.
• Who was Maharana Pratap?: The 13th ruler of Mewar (present-day Rajasthan) from 1572 to 1597, a Rajput warrior of the Sisodia dynasty.
• Key Conflict: Resisted Mughal Emperor Akbar’s expansionism, unlike many other Rajput rulers.
• Early Life: Born in Kumbhalgarh Fort. Became Maharana in 1572 after a succession dispute, succeeding his father Udai Singh II.
• Major Battles and Strategies:
  • Battle of Haldighati (1576): Inconclusive military outcome for the Mughals, but a symbolic victory for Pratap.
  • Guerrilla Warfare: Employed effective guerrilla tactics in the Aravalli hills with support from Bhil tribals.
  • Battle of Dewair (1582): A decisive victory for Pratap, reclaiming much of Mewar.
• Legacy: Celebrated for his bravery and determination in the face of the Mughal Empire, securing his place in Indian history as a symbol of resistance.

SC Flags Bankruptcy Gaps

• SC Strikes Down Resolution Plan: The Supreme Court (SC) invalidated JSW Steel’s resolution plan for Bhushan Power & Steel Ltd. (BPSL) and ordered liquidation, citing non-conformity with IBC Section 30(2).
• Why this matters: Raises questions about the consistency and effectiveness of the IBC in achieving timely and constructive resolutions. Also a blow to insolvency process.
• Non-Compliance: The SC found JSW’s resolution plan did not meet statutory requirements under Section 30(2) of the IBC.
• RP Failures: The Resolution Professional (RP) failed in due diligence.The Supreme Court found that the RP had “utterly failed” to discharge his statutory duties under the IBC and CIRP regulations.
• CoC Lapses: The Committee of Creditors (CoC) failed to exercise commercial wisdom and did not protect creditor interests.
• Judicial Oversight Gap: The NCLT failed to reject the flawed resolution plan, highlighting weaknesses in judicial oversight.
• JSW Action: The Bench observed that JSW wilfully contravened and did not comply with the terms of the resolution plan for a period of two years, which frustrated the very object of the IBC and consequently vitiated the insolvency process of BSPL.
• Impact on JSW: JSW Steel shares fell following the ruling.
• BPSL History: BPSL’s resolution was marked by delays and disputes since its admission into CIRP in 2017 and is one of the first 12 cases flagged by the RBI under the insolvency law.
• Financials: JSW paid ₹19,350 crore to financial creditors, a 41.03% recovery on ₹47,204.51 crore owed.
• SC Observations: The CoC took contradictory stances, and JSW did not comply with the plan terms for two years.
• ED Issues: In October 2019, the Enforcement Directorate issued a provisional attachment order for BPSL assets worth ₹4,025.23 crore, citing alleged violations by the former promoters under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
• Future Investment risk: The setback comes when JSW has already invested to expand BPSL capacity.

Coal Gasification

• CGPDPA Signed: Ministry of Coal signed Coal Gasification Plant Development and Production Agreement (CGPDPA) with selected applicants under Category II of Coal Gasification Financial Incentive Scheme on May 8, 2025.

• Category II Applicants: Includes projects from both private companies (Jindal Steel and Power Limited, New Era Cleantech Solution Private Limited, Greta Energy and Metal Private Limited) and government PSUs.

• Financial Incentive Scheme: Launched on January 24, 2024, with a total outlay of ₹8,500 crore.

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• Target: Aims to achieve 100 million tonnes of coal gasification by 2030.

• Goal: To use domestic coal reserves for sustainable industrial development, promoting public and private sector participation.

• Coal Gasification: A thermo-chemical process converting coal into syngas (carbon monoxide, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapour) via reaction at high temperatures with controlled oxygen and steam.

• Syngas Uses: Used for electricity generation, methanol/fertilizer production, and as a natural gas substitute.

• Clean Coal Transition: Initiative is a key part of India’s strategy for clean coal, energy security, and reduced import dependence.

• Ex-situ Gasification: Coal is extracted and gasified in reactors. More energy is used in mining and handling.

• In-situ Gasification: Oxygen and steam are injected into the coal seam to generate syngas underground. More energy-efficient for deeper deposits.

Ahilyabai Holkar @ 300

• 300th Birth Anniversary Celebration: Maharashtra Cabinet held a meeting in Chondi (Ahilyabai Holkar’s birthplace) to honor her legacy on her 300th birth anniversary (May 31, 2025). This is significant because it highlights the continued importance of her contributions to Maharashtra and India.

• Financial Allocations for Development: ₹5,503 crore approved for temple development across Maharashtra. This indicates a focus on preserving cultural heritage sites.

• Development of Chondi: ₹681 crore sanctioned for preserving Ahilyabai’s memorial in Chondi. A medical college (Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Government Medical College) and an Industrial Training Institute for girls will be established in Ahilyanagar district. This shows commitment to developing her birthplace and promoting education.

• Commemorative Initiatives: Plans to create a feature film and release a special postal ticket and logo dedicated to Ahilyabai Holkar. These initiatives aim to raise awareness about her life and achievements.

• Nashik Kumbh Mela Authority: Law approved to establish an authority for the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela 2027, mirroring the structure in Prayagraj. This signals preparation for a major religious event and infrastructure planning.

• Dhangar Community Outreach: Approved plan to enroll more Dhangar students in residential schools under Raje Yashwantrao Holkar Mahamesh Yojana. The Dhangar community has been demanding reservations under Scheduled Tribes category, which provides 7% quota, while they are currently receiving 3.5% reservation in education and jobs under the Nomadic Tribes category. Focus on improving educational access for the Dhangar community, while addressing their demand for ST status.

• Historical Significance of Ahilyabai Holkar: She ruled Malwa and Indore, rebuilt temples (Somnath, Kashi Vishwanath), promoted education and opposed sati. This reinforces her legacy as a wise and just ruler, a temple builder, and a social reformer.

• Economic Contributions: Promoted Maheshwar as a trade hub and supported the Maheshwari weaving industry (GI tag). This recognizes her contribution to the economy and promotion of local crafts.

UNFF20

• UNFF20 Participation: India actively participated in the 20th Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF20) in New York from May 5-9, 2025.

• Focus: India highlighted achievements in forest conservation and sustainable forest management, reaffirming its commitment to Voluntary National Contributions (VNCs) under the UN Strategic Plan for Forests (UNSPF) 2017–2030.

• Progress Report: India reported a consistent increase in forest and tree cover to 25.17% of its geographical area.

• Key Initiatives: Noteworthy initiatives include: Aravalli Green Wall project, 7.86% increase in mangrove cover, afforestation of over 1.55 lakh hectares under the Green India Mission, and planting of 1.4 billion seedlings under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign.

• International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA): India invited UN Member States to join the IBCA, a global platform for big cat conservation through research, knowledge exchange, and capacity-building.

• Country-Led Initiative (CLI): India advocated for global action on the outcomes of the CLI hosted in Dehradun, focusing on forest fire management and forest certification. It also acknowledged CLI efforts led by other nations.

• Side Event: India hosted a side event showcasing its approach to sustainable forest management and climate resilience through policy innovation, resource convergence, community engagement, and technology use.

• Ecosystem Valuation: India shared findings from pilot studies quantifying ecosystem services (carbon sequestration, water provisioning, biodiversity conservation) using SEEA and MEA frameworks, emphasizing the need to integrate ecosystem valuation into national planning.

• Delegation Lead: The Indian delegation was led by Shri Sushil Kumar Awasthi, Director General of Forests and Special Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Conviction Disqualification

• Disqualification: Gali Janardhana Reddy, a sitting MLA, has been disqualified from the Karnataka Legislative Assembly.

  • Why: Due to his conviction in the Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) illegal mining case.

• Legal Basis: Disqualification is mandated under Article 191(1)(e) of the Constitution and Section 8 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (RPA).

  • Why: Article 191(1)(e) allows for disqualification based on laws made by Parliament, specifically referencing the RPA.

• RPA Section 8: Details grounds for disqualification.

  • Why: Section 8(1) for specific offences, Section 8(2) for offences with a minimum six-month sentence, and Section 8(3) for any other offence with a two-year+ sentence.

• Immediate Disqualification: Disqualification takes effect immediately upon conviction.

  • Why: Following the Lily Thomas v. Union of India (2013) Supreme Court ruling, which struck down the provision allowing a grace period for appeals.

• Significance:

  • Curbing Criminalization: Deters politicians facing criminal cases.
  • Electoral Integrity: Enforces ethical standards for lawmakers.
  • Public Trust: Reinforces democratic accountability.

Civil Service Hurdles

• Erosion of Neutrality: Increasing political interference undermines independence, promotes a spoils system (appointments based on loyalty), and biases bureaucratic functions.
• Lack of Technical Expertise: Generalist bureaucrats often lack specialized knowledge needed for complex challenges in areas like infrastructure and technology.
• Corruption and Accountability Issues: Corruption persists, especially at lower levels, with weak enforcement and protection for civil servants hindering accountability.
• Resistance to Change and Bureaucratic Rigidity: Hierarchical procedures stifle innovation, responsiveness, and effective public service delivery.
• Inefficient Use of Technology: Insufficient technological empowerment limits modernization and citizen engagement.
• Need for Transparency: Vital for maintaining democracy, amidst concerns over political interference and administrative inefficiencies.
• Political Interference: Undermines merit system, and autonomy needed to uphold rule of law and constitutional values.
• Shift to Outcome-Based Approach: Emphasis should be shifted from procedure to outcomes by hiring domain experts as lateral entrants at senior levels.

Indigenous-led Conservation

• Global Conservation & Exclusion: Conservation laws often exclude Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs), undermining their role in biodiversity protection. “Fortress model” leads to displacement and rights violations.
• IPLCs’ Role: IPLCs possess traditional knowledge, protect forests (sacred groves, community reserves), conserve seeds, and coexist with wildlife through sustainable practices.
• Indian Frameworks:
  • FRA 2006: Recognizes forest dwellers’ rights over land and resources, empowering Gram Sabhas for sustainable management.
  • BDA 2002: Promotes conservation through Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs), documenting traditional knowledge.
  • PESA 1996: Grants local self-governments in tribal areas control over land and natural resources.
  • JFM & NBAP: Involve communities in conservation, respecting traditional knowledge.
• India’s constitution: Recognizes Scheduled Tribe groups and provides an advanced framework to recognize and protect their rights
• Need for Strengthening FRA: Ensure effective implementation by resolving land tenure issues and expediting CFR claims.
• Knowledge Integration: Document and integrate IPLCs’ traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) into biodiversity strategies.
• “30 by 30” Inclusion: Ensure IPLCs’ rights and participation in the design and management of protected areas.
• Financial Support: Establish funding for community-led conservation projects, providing incentives like eco-certification.
• OECMs: Focus on “other effective area-based conservation measures” and legal recognition of rights
• Ministry of Tribal Affairs response: Government should combine existing mechanisms to manage resources and biodiversity with the gram-sabha-led community forest resource management systems under FRA.
• Potential and Challenges: FRA has the potential to protect at least 4 crore ha of forest land but The implementation of the updated NBSAPs rely significantly on the BMCs (which have yet to become fully functional). It’s not clear how the NBSAPs will build synergy between the different governance approaches.

Vikrant: India’s Pride

• Deployment: INS Vikrant has been deployed to the Arabian Sea amid heightened India-Pakistan tensions.

  • Why: Demonstrates India’s naval power and readiness in response to regional security concerns.

• Indigenous Design & Manufacturing: India’s first indigenously designed and manufactured aircraft carrier.

  • Why: Highlights India’s growing capabilities in defense production and self-reliance.

• Construction: Built by Cochin Shipyard Limited and designed by Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau

  • Why: Shows Indigenous production and country’s capability

• Commissioned: Inducted into the Indian Navy in 2022.

  • Why: Marks a significant milestone in India’s naval modernization efforts.

• Indigenous Content: 76% indigenous content.

  • Why: Underscores India’s commitment to ‘Make in India’ initiative in the defense sector.

• Blue Water Navy: Strengthens India’s position as a ‘Blue Water Navy’.

  • Why: Enhances India’s ability to project power and influence across the Indian Ocean region and beyond.

• Elite Group: India joins select nations capable of building aircraft carriers.

  • Why: Elevates India’s status in the global arena and signifies advanced engineering capabilities.

• Specifications: 262 meters long, 62 meters wide, 14 decks, can house 1500+ personnel, 43,000-tonne displacement.

  • Why: Indicates the carrier’s size and capacity for naval operations.

• Power & Endurance: Powered by 88 MW gas turbines, 28-knot speed, 8,600-mile endurance, 45-day independent operation.

  • Why: Showcases its operational range and sustainability at sea.

• Air Wing: Capable of operating 30 aircraft, including MiG-29K, Kamov-31, MH-60R, ALH, and LCA (Navy).

  • Why: Demonstrates the carrier’s offensive and defensive capabilities.

• STOBAR: Uses STOBAR system (Short Take-Off but Arrested Landing) with ski-jump and arrester wires.

  • Why: Defines the method of launching and recovering aircraft.

Arnala: Island Gem

• Delivery of ‘Arnala’: The first Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) named ‘Arnala’ was delivered to the Indian Navy on May 8, 2025. This is significant as it boosts India’s indigenous shipbuilding capabilities.
• Indigenous Design & Construction: ‘Arnala’ was indigenously designed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, and constructed at L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli, under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). This highlights successful collaboration in defense manufacturing.
• Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) Compliance: The warship was built according to IRS classification rules, demonstrating adherence to domestic naval architecture standards. This showcases India’s growing expertise in this field.
• Named After Arnala Fort: ‘Arnala’ is named after the historic Arnala Fort off Vasai, Maharashtra, connecting the vessel to India’s maritime heritage. This adds symbolic value and reinforces national identity.
• Capabilities: The 77-meter-long warship is the largest Indian Naval warship powered by a Diesel Engine-Waterjet combination. It’s designed for underwater surveillance, search and rescue, low intensity maritime operations, coastal anti-submarine warfare, and mine-laying. These capabilities significantly enhance India’s maritime security.
• Boost to ASW Capabilities: The induction of ASW SWCs like ‘Arnala’ strengthens India’s shallow water anti-submarine warfare capacity. This is crucial for protecting India’s coastal zones.
• ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’: Over 80% of the ship’s components are sourced indigenously, supporting the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative in defense manufacturing. This reduces dependence on foreign suppliers and promotes self-reliance.

Rabies

• Vaccination Failure: Three vaccinated children in Kerala died from rabies, raising concerns about vaccine efficacy and timely intervention.

• Wound Severity: Deep head and hand injuries, areas rich in nerves, allowed the virus to rapidly access the nervous system, potentially overwhelming the vaccine.

• First Aid Imperative: Failure to wash wounds with soap and water significantly increases the risk of virus transmission. Only 38% of animal bite victims reported washing wounds.

• Rabies Basics: Rabies is a fatal viral disease affecting the central nervous system, transmitted through animal bites, scratches, or saliva contact. It’s 100% preventable with timely post-exposure care.

• Kerala’s Rabies Burden: Kerala has a high number of rabies deaths, with 13 deaths reported by May 2024, despite vaccinations.

• Vaccine Safety Questions: Despite government assurances, the deaths of vaccinated individuals raise questions about vaccine effectiveness, particularly in cases of severe bites.

• Increasing Dog Bite Cases: The number of dog bite cases and infected dogs has increased in Kerala, escalating the risk of rabies transmission.

• Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Suggested: Due to the rise in cases, the state is suggested to give the pre-exposure prophylaxis for rabies as a temporary measure until canine control is achieved.

Indo-Pacific Logistics

• Indo-Pacific Logistics Network (IPLN) Launched: A Quad initiative aimed at improving disaster response in the Indo-Pacific.

• Quad Tabletop Exercise: Recent simulation held in Honolulu, Hawaii, to test the IPLN’s launch.

• Core Function: IPLN enables Quad nations (US, Australia, India, Japan) to share logistics capabilities for faster, more efficient civilian disaster relief across the Indo-Pacific region.

• Complements Existing Efforts: The IPLN is designed to work alongside other initiatives and partners in the Indo-Pacific.

• Part of Broader Quad Strategy: It complements the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness, demonstrating the Quad’s commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

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• Quad’s Origins: Formed in response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Revitalized in 2017 and annual leader summits since 2021.

• Quad’s Objectives: Promote a rules-based global order, freedom of navigation, liberal trade, and offer alternative financing in the Indo-Pacific. Also, seen as a counter to Chinese dominance.

• Why it matters: Enhances regional disaster preparedness and response, strengthens Quad cooperation, and promotes a stable, open Indo-Pacific.

Insider Trading

• SEBI Allegations: Gautam Adani’s nephew, Pranav Adani, is accused by SEBI of sharing Unpublished Price Sensitive Information (UPSI) related to Adani Green’s acquisition of SB Energy.

• Insider Trading: This alleged action constitutes insider trading, which is illegal buying/selling of securities based on non-public information, providing an unfair advantage.

• Specifics of the Case: Pranav Adani allegedly communicated UPSI about the SB Energy acquisition to his brother-in-law, Kunal Shah. Kunal Shah and his brother Nrupal Shah then traded in Adani Green shares.

• Gains from Insider Trading: The Shah brothers allegedly made illicit gains of 9 million rupees (approximately $108,000) from trading on this information.

• Denials and Settlement: Pranav Adani is seeking to settle the charges without admitting or denying the allegations. The Shah brothers are contesting the allegations, claiming the information was already public.

• SEBI Scrutiny: SEBI is currently reviewing its settlement process, which will affect Pranav Adani’s settlement plea.

• Context: The Adani group faces prior accusations of bribery and misleading investors in the US, which the group denies.

Alchemy’s Quest

• Lead Transmutation Confirmed: CERN’s ALICE detector at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) has experimentally verified the transmutation of lead into gold.
• Chrysopoeia Realized (Sort Of): This achieves, in a limited scientific sense, the alchemists’ dream of chrysopoeia, turning lead into gold, which was previously considered impossible through chemical means.
• Nuclear Process: The transmutation occurs via nuclear reactions, specifically electromagnetic dissociation during ultra-peripheral collisions of lead nuclei at near-light speed (99.999993% the speed of light) at LHC.
• Mechanism: The near-miss collisions generate intense electromagnetic fields which induce internal nuclear oscillations and ejection of protons and neutrons from lead nuclei (Pb-208). The loss of 3 protons and 2 neutrons leads to the creation of gold nuclei (Au-203).
• ALICE’s Role: The ALICE detector, utilizing Zero Degree Calorimeters (ZDCs), identifies photon-nucleus interactions and the ejection of protons. The experiment can detect the creation of lead, thallium, mercury and gold using this approach. ALICE’s sensitivity to rare collisions was crucial.
• LHC’s Significance: The LHC, the world’s most powerful particle accelerator, facilitates these high-energy collisions to study fundamental particles and test the Standard Model. It’s located on the Franco-Swiss border near Geneva.
• CERN’s Importance: CERN, located near Geneva, is a collaborative research organization with 23 member states and 10 associate members (including India), dedicated to high-energy particle physics research.
• Why it matters: This is the first systematic experimental detection of gold creation at the LHC.

CCI Cost Regulations 2025

• CCI Notified New Regulations: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has notified the Competition Commission of India (Determination of Cost of Production) Regulations, 2025.
• Targeted at E-commerce Practices: The regulations aim to assess predatory pricing and deep discounting in the quick commerce and e-commerce sectors.
• Addressing Predatory Pricing: The regulations seek to strengthen oversight of predatory pricing, which is prohibited under the Competition Act, 2002. Predatory pricing is when a dominant company prices its goods below cost to eliminate competition.
• Updated Cost Assessment: The regulations implement updated cost assessment standards, reflecting modern economic thinking, judicial rulings, and international best practices.
• Definition of Cost: The “cost of a good or service would be assumed to be its average variable cost” which is the total variable cost divided by total output during a particular period.
• Shift to Case-by-Case Assessment: A key change is the shift from sector-specific benchmarks to a case-by-case assessment model. This provides flexibility, especially for digital markets.
• Focus on Digital Economy: The new framework enables the Commission to consider the unique features and evolving dynamics of digital markets when evaluating alleged predatory conduct.
• Repeals Old Regulations: These new regulations repeal the 2009 Cost Regulations.

HAROP Drones

• Deployment in ‘Operation Sindoor’: Indian armed forces reportedly deployed Israeli-origin Harop drones for precision strikes on Pakistani air defence systems.
• Retaliation: The strikes are a response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam.
• Target: Pakistan’s air defence installation in Lahore was neutralized by the drone action.
• Loitering Munition: Harop drones are loitering munitions, bridging the gap between drones and missiles, capable of autonomous target identification and destruction.
• Radar-Seeking: Harop drones are known for their radar-seeking capabilities.
• Developed by IAI: The Harop is developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
• Precision Strike Capability: Harop is part of India’s growing arsenal of unmanned precision-strike capabilities.
• Key Features:
  • Can loiter for up to nine hours.
  • Uses an electro-optic seeker for target location.
  • Immune to satellite jamming (GNSS).
  • Allows real-time human oversight.
• Launch Platforms: Launched from canister-based systems on mobile ground vehicles or naval platforms.
• Strategic Implication: India aims to degrade Pakistan’s defensive capabilities and eliminate terror infrastructure.
• Operational Range: 200 km.
• Warhead: Carries a 16 kg high-explosive warhead.
• Accuracy: Boasts a Circular Error Probable (CEP) of under one meter.
• Dual Purpose: Serves both reconnaissance and attack functions.

Vembanad Lake

• Degradation: Vembanad Lake, India’s longest and Kerala’s largest, faces severe degradation from encroachment, pollution, invasive species, and unsustainable agricultural practices.

• Shrinking Size: The lake’s surface area has significantly shrunk (27% between 1917-1990) due to land reclamation and sedimentation, reducing flood control capacity.

• Pollution: Plastic waste, silt, and chemical pollution (high COD and BOD) are major concerns, exacerbated by water hyacinth proliferation. Houseboats are major contributors.

• Fish Catch Decline: Fish catch has declined by 66% in the last three decades due to pollution and habitat degradation.

• Rejuvenation Project: Alappuzha district administration is leading a Vembanad Lake Rejuvenation Project, inspired by the Namami Gange Programme, with a ₹188.25 crore five-year plan.

• Short-Term Goals: Include plastic removal, bio-shields, fish ranching, weed eradication, and bio bund construction.

• Long-Term Goals: Include dredging, organic farming promotion, flora/fauna conservation, sewage treatment plants, water hyacinth value-added products, and tourism/fish yield boost.

• Challenges: Land encroachment requires strong political support; illegal houseboat operations need stricter enforcement; Kuttanad revival is linked.

• Collaboration Needed: Success requires coordinated collaboration among local communities, district administrations, and government support.

• Climate Resilience: Rejuvenation is crucial for enhancing the region’s resilience to climate change impacts.

Chile

• India-Chile CEPA Negotiations Begin: India and Chile signed Terms of Reference (ToR) on May 8, 2025, to start negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). This builds on existing trade relations.
• Expanding Trade Scope: The CEPA aims to broaden the scope beyond the current Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) to include digital services, investment, MSMEs, and critical minerals. The goal is deeper economic integration.
• Strategic Partnership: India and Chile are strategic partners with strong bilateral ties, strengthened by high-level visits, including the recent visit by the President of Chile in April 2025.
• PTA History: A Framework Agreement on Economic Cooperation was signed in 2005, followed by a PTA in 2006, and an expanded PTA in 2016. Further expansion was discussed in 2019-2021.
• Joint Study Group (JSG): A JSG report finalized in April 2024 recommended a CEPA to boost trade, employment, investment, and exports.
• Chile’s Key Features: Chile is located in South America, bordered by Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, and the Pacific Ocean. It’s known for the Andes Mountains and the Atacama Desert.
• Economic Significance: Chile is the world’s largest copper producer and a member of the “Lithium Triangle,” holding significant lithium reserves.
• First Round of Talks: The first round of CEPA negotiations is scheduled for May 26-30, 2025, in New Delhi.

Cloud Seeding

• Delhi’s Cloud-Seeding Trials: The Delhi government has approved five cloud-seeding trials costing ₹3.21 crore to combat air pollution.

• Purpose of Trials: Scientific evaluations will assess the effectiveness and environmental impact of cloud seeding in reducing air pollution after the trials are completed.

• Cloud Seeding Explained: It’s a weather modification technique enhancing precipitation by introducing substances (cloud condensation nuclei) to clouds.

• How it Works: Agents like silver iodide are introduced into moisture-rich clouds to encourage water droplet or ice crystal formation, leading to artificial rain.

• Delhi’s Goal: The trials specifically aim to wash away pollutants like PM2.5 and PM10, which worsen Delhi’s air quality.

• Types of Cloud Seeding: Includes static (enhancing rainfall), dynamic (increasing cloud mass and rainfall intensity), glaciogenic (increasing snowfall), and hygroscopic (enhancing precipitation from warm clouds) methods.

Bond Forwards

• RBI Introduces Bond Forwards: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is introducing regulations for bond forwards, aiming to create a structured market for forward contracts in government securities. Effective from May 2nd.

• What are Bond Forwards? These are agreements to buy or sell a government bond at a pre-set price on a future date, allowing management of interest rate risks.

• Purpose: To allow long-term investors to hedge interest rate risk and improve cash flow planning and to deepen bond derivatives market.

• Physical Delivery: Bond forwards will involve the actual transfer of the bond, unlike Forward Rate Agreements (FRAs) which have only cash settlement.

• Boost to SDL Demand: Bond forwards are expected to increase demand for 10-15 year State Development Loans (SDLs) due to their higher yields compared to central government bonds.

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• Who Can Participate?: Residents and non-residents eligible to invest in government securities, and non-retail entities, along with Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCB), Primary Dealers, and institutional investors like insurance companies. Excludes SFBs, payment banks, LABs and RRBs.

OER Electrocatalysis

• New Catalyst Developed: Researchers at the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS) have created an iron-doped nickel selenide catalyst for oxygen electrocatalysis.
• Addresses Key Challenges: Aims to improve the efficiency and reduce the cost of clean energy technologies like water splitting and fuel cells, which currently rely on expensive precious metals.
• Catalyst Composition: The catalyst, NixFe₁−xSe₂–NC, is derived from a metal-organic framework (MOF) enhanced with iron doping. Pyrolysis is used to convert to carbon-rich materials.
• Enhanced Performance: The catalyst exhibits excellent bifunctional catalytic performance for both the Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) and Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR).
• OER Performance: Outperforms ruthenium-based catalysts with lower overpotential and high durability over 70 hours.
• ORR Performance: Surpasses platinum-based catalysts in hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) production, showing better reaction speed, efficiency, and stability.
• Innovation: Iron doping modifies the MOF’s electronic structure, creating more active sites and improving reaction intermediate binding, increasing active sites and improving electron transport.
• Cost-Effective: Reduces reliance on precious metals like platinum and ruthenium, lowering costs.
• Sustainability: Offers a sustainable alternative for industries.
• Published Research: Findings published in the journal Nanoscale.
• Potential Impact: Could lead to the widespread use of affordable and sustainable catalysts in clean energy technologies.

Effective G20

• News: Calls for strengthening G20’s effectiveness by increasing inclusivity and global representation, especially with South Africa chairing in 2025.

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• Problem: The G20 faces criticism for its limited membership, excluding over 90% of nations. This undermines its credibility and legitimacy in addressing global issues that require broad cooperation. The group is considered a self-selected club, lacking a mandate from the broader international community.

• Impact: Exclusive decision-making within the G20 can sideline the concerns of poorer countries, particularly on issues like aid and climate finance, leading to divergent priorities and deepening global inequality.

• Proposed Solution: Adopt a model similar to the Financial Stability Board (FSB), which includes Regional Consultative Groups (RCGs) to gather input from non-member countries.

  • This would involve establishing regional consultative groups for the G20, allowing non-member countries to share perspectives and contribute to decision-making.

• Benefits of the Solution:

  • Maintains the core G20 membership while establishing formal consultation with regional neighbors.
  • Empowers smaller nations by enabling them to voice regional challenges with more credibility.
  • Establishes a degree of G20 accountability to the broader international community.

• Additional Reforms:

  • Grant permanent observer status to non-G20 nations, especially from the Global South.
  • Establish a Permanent Secretariat for continuity and accountability.
  • Set binding climate funding targets and reform global debt architecture.

• South Africa’s Role: As the 2025 G20 chair, South Africa is positioned to champion these reforms, potentially starting by establishing an African G20 regional consultative group.

Colombia

• Colombia Joins BRI: Colombia formally joined China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) on May 14, 2025, signaling closer ties with China.

• Strategic Significance: Colombia’s location as the “Gateway of South America” makes it strategically important for BRI, connecting South, Central, and North America.

• Economic Opportunities: The agreement is viewed as a “historic step” that provides Colombia with opportunities for investment, technological cooperation, and sustainable development with China.

• China’s Expanding Influence: China is surpassing the U.S. as a key trading partner in Latin America, with most countries in the region already part of BRI.

• China’s Goals: China aims to expand its economic and political influence via BRI, using infrastructure investment for leverage.

• U.S. Concerns: The growing China-Colombia nexus and China’s overall influence in Latin America may prompt the U.S. to try to counter.

• Countering Unilateralism: China positions itself as a defender of multilateralism and free trade against unilateralism and protectionism.

• India’s Response: The growing China-Colombia nexus under BRI may call for India to deepen its strategic outreach in Latin America to balance regional influence and secure economic opportunities.

• Geopolitical Context: The U.S. and China are competing for influence in Latin America, including over the Panama Canal.

MSME Sector Gaps

• Credit Gap: MSMEs face a significant credit gap of approximately ₹30 lakh crore (24%). This gap is even larger for the services sector (27%) and women-owned MSMEs (35%), highlighting a need for targeted policies.
• Informal Lending: Reliance on informal borrowing persists, especially among micro-enterprises (12%), indicating inadequate access to formal credit channels. Small industries also show 3% and MSMEs show 2% indicating informal borrowing sources.
• Skilled Manpower Shortage: 25% of MSMEs report a shortage of skilled manpower, particularly in sectors like defence, garments, hotels, and sanitaryware.
• Digital Adoption: MSMEs are increasingly adopting digital tools for credit access and payments, with 18% using digital lending platforms and 90% accepting digital payments. Platforms like UPI could boost this further.
• SIDBI Report: The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) report, “Understanding the Indian MSME Sector: Progress and Challenges,” highlights these issues based on a survey of 2,000 MSMEs across 19 sectors.
• MSME Contribution: MSMEs contribute 30.1% to India’s Gross Value Added (GVA) (2022–23), up from 27.3% in 2020–21. Exports from MSMEs jumped from Rs 3.95 lakh crore (2020–21) to Rs 12.39 lakh crore (2024–25).
• Timely and Adequate Credit: The report emphasizes that despite policy initiatives, MSMEs still struggle to access timely and adequate credit when needed.

CSR Spending Growth

• Rise in CSR Spending: Listed companies in India saw a 16% increase in CSR expenditure in FY 2023-24, totaling Rs 17,967 crore, compared to Rs 15,524 crore in FY 2022-23. This is driven by improved profitability across sectors.

• High Compliance: About 98% of companies met their CSR obligations, with nearly half exceeding the mandated 2% spending.

• Top Contributors: HDFC Bank, Reliance Industries, TCS, and ONGC were the largest CSR contributors.

• Sectoral Allocation: Education received the largest share of funds (Rs 1,104 crore), followed by healthcare (Rs 720 crore). Environmental sustainability spending increased the most (54%).

• Declines in Specific Areas: Support for slum development, rural development, and welfare of armed forces veterans decreased significantly.

• State-wise Distribution: Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu were the top recipients of CSR funds.

• Spending Methods: 31% of companies directly spent on CSR, while most funds (over 50%) were channeled through implementing agencies.

• Unspent Amounts: Some companies transferred unspent CSR funds (Rs 2,329 crore) to Unspent CSR Accounts for future use. 27 companies didn’t spend at all.

• PSU Contribution: Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) increased their CSR contribution by 19%.

• Call for Revised Thresholds: There is a suggestion to revise CSR thresholds upwards, given the increase in companies’ net profits since the regulation was introduced in 2014, potentially easing the burden on smaller companies.

• CSR Committees: The CSR Act mandates companies to appoint a CSR committee comprising at least three members of the board of which at least one should be independent, in case the CSR spend is more than Rs 50 lakh.

Dongria Kondh

• Tribe & Location: The Dongria Kondh are a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) residing in the Niyamgiri Hills of Odisha, India.
• Culture & Traditions: Known for their spiritual connection to nature, they worship Niyam Raja (deity of the hills), practice Podu (shifting) cultivation, speak the Kui language, and maintain oral traditions. Women wear distinctive attire, including multiple metallic nose pins and ear piercings. Men wear colourful turbans and loincloths.
• Land Rights Battle: They famously resisted Vedanta Resources’ mining operations in the 2000s.
• Legal Victory: A landmark 2013 Supreme Court judgment upheld the Gram Sabha’s (village council) right to reject mining projects, a rare victory for grassroots power.
• PVTG Status: PVTGs are a sub-classification of Scheduled Tribes, considered more vulnerable. Odisha has the highest number of PVTGs (13) in India.
• Niyamgiri’s Location: The Niyamgiri Hill Range is located in the Kalahandi and Rayagada districts of Odisha.
• Modernity’s Impact: While smartphones have made their way into the community, connecting youth with the outside world, the Dongria Kondh strive to preserve their unique identity.

Shakargarh Bulge

• Pakistan Military Build-up: Recent reports indicate a significant build-up of Pakistani tanks, armored vehicles, and Chinese-made SH-15 howitzers near the Shakargarh Bulge.

• Strategic Location: The Shakargarh Bulge is a strategically important area of Pakistani territory that juts into India, bordered by the Ravi and Chenab rivers. Its flat terrain and proximity to key Indian cities make it a crucial corridor.

• Indian Response: India has responded with “mirror deployments” of its forces in the area.

• Violation of Understanding: Pakistan violated an understanding to cease cross-border military action by sending drones across the western front.

• Authorized Retaliation: The Indian Army has been granted “full authority” to commanders for “counteraction” against any further Pakistani misadventures.

• Historical Significance: The Shakargarh Bulge was the site of the Battle of Basantar during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, highlighting its historical military importance.

• Proximity to Indian Cities: The Bulge’s closeness to Amritsar, Pathankot, Batala, and Gurdaspur, coupled with road links to Jammu, makes it a high-priority area for the Indian Army.

Golden Dragon ’25

• Largest-Ever Joint Military Exercise: Cambodia and China launched their largest Golden Dragon exercise involving land, sea, and air operations. This highlights deepening military cooperation.

• Annual Bilateral Drill: Golden Dragon, initiated in 2016, aims to strengthen strategic ties between China and Cambodia. Its consistent execution signifies ongoing commitment.

• Official Theme: Joint counter-terrorism operations and humanitarian relief are the declared focus, projecting a peace-building image. This frames the exercise publicly.

• Ream Naval Base Location: The exercise takes place at Ream Naval Base, officially inaugurated with Chinese warships, showcasing China’s expanding naval presence.

• Advanced Military Technologies: The drill features reconnaissance drones, surgical robots, and robot dogs, indicating a shift towards tech-driven warfare. It reflects modernization efforts.

• Concurrent Exercise: Golden Dragon coincides with the U.S.-Philippines-led ‘Balikatan’ exercise, signaling geopolitical dynamics in the region.

• Dual-Use Port Concerns: China’s access to Ream Naval Base raises concerns similar to those in Sri Lanka (Hambantota) and Pakistan (Gwadar), sparking strategic debate.

• Military Power Projection: The exercise reflects China’s growing ability to project military power, consistent with its “String of Pearls” strategy. It underscores China’s regional ambitions.

Water From Salt

• DRDO Develops Indigenous Desalination Membrane: The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has created a high-pressure, nanoporous, multilayered polymeric membrane for seawater desalination.
• Aatmanirbhar Bharat Initiative: The project was executed by DMSRDE Kanpur, under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, promoting self-reliance in defense technology.
• Designed for Indian Coast Guard (ICG): The membrane is designed to meet the operational needs of the ICG, specifically addressing chloride ion instability in saline water.
• Onboard Freshwater Capability: The technology will be used in ICG’s Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), providing self-reliant onboard freshwater production.
• Reverse Osmosis (RO) Technology: The membrane utilizes reverse osmosis, pushing water from high-solute to low-solute concentration using pressure, filtering out salts.
• Successful Initial Trials: DMSRDE and ICG conducted successful initial technical trials on an existing desalination plant of an OPV, with satisfactory safety and performance results.
• Operational Testing Underway: The unit is currently undergoing testing and trials on an OPV; final operational clearance from ICG will follow 500 hours of testing.
• Potential for Coastal Application: After modifications, this membrane technology could be beneficial for seawater desalination in coastal regions.
• Strategic Importance: This development provides a domestic solution for a critical need, reducing dependence on foreign technology for desalination, especially for defense applications.

Adyar River

• Stalled Rejuvenation Project: A Rs 1,500-crore project to rejuvenate a 44-km stretch of the Adyar River has been stalled since 2023 due to local political interference.

• Obstruction: Local politicians are obstructing the removal and relocation of encroachers along the riverbanks, hindering project progress.

• DPR Delay: The Chennai Rivers Transformation Company, formed to execute the project, and its concessionaire, Khilari, haven’t been able to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) due to the presence of about 2300 encroaching houses.

• Finance Issues: Khilari needs the DPR to secure bank financing (Rs 750 crore), which is impossible without addressing the encroachment issue.

• Encroachment Details: Approximately 700 houses in Thideer Nagar (Saidapet), 350 in Jafferkhanpet, and 350 in Kotturpuram are obstructing the project.

• Slumlords and Votes: Slumlords, backed by politicians, are preventing biometric surveys of encroachers who constitute a significant vote bank (around 10,000 votes).

• Relocation Issues: While the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board has houses available, encroachers are unwilling to relocate, allegedly due to political influence.

• Sewage Treatment Plants: Five STPs are planned in the encroachment areas, but construction and operation are impossible with the current situation.

• Minister’s Response: State Health Minister Ma Subramanian, representing Saidapet, suggests relocating encroachers within the same area, with a resolution expected in three months.

• River’s Condition: The Adyar River is in dire condition, with 0 dissolved oxygen, making it unable to sustain life. Plugging sewage and removing silt are crucial for restoration.

SHAKTI Policy 2025 Update

• Revised SHAKTI Policy 2025 Approved: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the revised SHAKTI policy for coal allocation to the power sector.
• Objective: To enhance coal availability, promote ease of doing business, encourage competition, efficiency, and better use of capacity in the power sector.
• Streamlined Windows: The policy introduces two streamlined windows (Window-I and Window-II), replacing older categories.
• Window-I (Coal at Notified Price): Coal supplied at fixed prices to government-owned thermal plants, including JVs and subsidiaries and states’ Gencos/IPPs.
• Window-II (Premium above Notified Price): Power producers can secure coal through auctions at a premium over the notified price, with flexibility in selling electricity via long-term (up to 25 years) or short-term (up to 12 months) contracts; it will also allow ICB plants to procure coal.
• Increased Flexibility: Provides greater flexibility, wider eligibility, and better accessibility to coal for power producers.
• Economic Impact: Aims to generate more power, cheaper tariffs, positive impact on the economy, increased employment, and support the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
• Utilization of Surplus Capacity: Linkage coal can be used for generating power from Un-requisitioned Surplus (URS) capacity, which can be sold in power markets.
• Revenue Generation: Increased coal availability will increase mining activities, leading to higher revenue for State Governments.
• Energy Security: Aims to maximize domestic coal utilization, reduce dependence on global markets, and reinforce nation’s energy independence aligning with Government’s push for Energy Security for All.

ITI Upgrade Scheme

• Massive Investment: Union Cabinet approves ₹60,000 crore scheme to upgrade 1,000 government ITIs over 5 years.

  • Why: Addresses suboptimal past funding to meet full upgradation needs of ITIs.

• Funding Model: Centre (₹30,000 crore), States (₹20,000 crore), Industries (₹10,000 crore), with ADB & World Bank co-financing 50% of the central share.

  • Why: Diversified funding ensures commitment and sustainability.

• Hub-and-Spoke Model: Upgrades ITIs with industry-relevant trades.

  • Why: Focuses on aligning workforce supply with industry demand and new-age trades like AI, automation, and advanced manufacturing.

• National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs): 5 NCOEs to be set up in existing NSTIs (Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kanpur, Ludhiana) to train 50,000 trainers.

  • Why: Strengthens the training ecosystem by focusing on trainer development.

• Industry-Led SPV Model: Industry drives curriculum, infrastructure, and management.

  • Why: Shifts control from government-only to public-private collaboration, ensuring relevance and responsiveness.

• Skill Development Goal: Aims to skill over 2 million youth.

  • Why: Addresses human capital needs of industries and facilitates employment-ready workers, especially for MSMEs.

• Need-Based Investment: Allows flexibility in fund allocation based on the specific needs of each ITI.

  • Why: Ensures resources are directed where most needed for infrastructure, capacity expansion, and new trades.

• Global Manufacturing Hub Aspiration: Positions ITIs to cater to skilled manpower requirements.

  • Why: Aligns with the nation’s goal to become a global manufacturing and innovation powerhouse.

India’s Space Ascent

• GLEX 2025 & PM’s Vision: India’s space program empowers citizens, drives economic development, and is not just a race but collaborative effort for humanity.

• ESA Collaboration: ESA open to collaboration with India on larger space exploration ventures.

• Historical Evolution:

  • 1960s-70s: Basic atmospheric studies using sounding rockets.
  • 1980s-90s: Development of SLV, INSAT, and IRS for communication, weather, remote sensing.
  • 2000s-2010s: Successful lunar (Chandrayaan-1) and Mars (Mangalyaan) missions, proving capabilities.
  • 2010s-2020s: Launch services to 34 countries, G20 Satellite Mission.
  • 2020s-2040s: Gaganyaan, Moon missions (2040), Mars and Venus exploration, Bharatiya Antariksh Station (2035).

• Private Sector Rise: Over 250 space startups driving innovation; first private rocket launch (Vikram-S) and launchpad.

• Socio-Economic Impact:

  • Public Service: SVAMITVA, e-KYC via Aadhaar.
  • Agriculture: FASAL, Bhuvan-Krishi.
  • Disaster Management: Cyclone tracking, flood/drought monitoring (NADAMS).
  • Digital Divide: Broadband to remote areas.
  • National Security: GSAT-7, Cartosat, NavIC.

• Key Challenges:

  • Budgetary constraints (0.04% of GDP).
  • Import dependencies.
  • Space debris.
  • Security vulnerabilities.
  • Brain drain.
  • Limited commercial presence (2-3% global share).
  • Geopolitical competition (China).

• Measures for Strengthening:

  • Diversify funding.
  • Indigenous technology development (Space Technology Innovation Hubs).
  • Talent retention.
  • Space sustainability (SSA, de-orbiting).
  • International collaborations (NASA, ESA).
  • Space-based entrepreneurship (National Space Innovation Framework).

• Future Outlook: Indian astronaut mission to ISS, footsteps on moon by 2040; Mars and Venus in radar.

Madku: Island Mystery

• Chhattisgarh High Court Monitoring Development: The court is actively overseeing development initiatives at Madku Dweep (also known as Kedar Tirth and Harihar Kshetra Kedar Dweep).

• Infrastructure Upgrades Approved: ₹45.44 lakh sanctioned for infrastructure upgrades including stairs, a retaining wall, patching work, and a concrete road. Aim is to enhance accessibility and structural stability.

• Construction Progress: Work has commenced and is targeted for completion before the rainy season.

• Improved Sanitation: Toilet facilities constructed in 2018 were handed over to Gram Panchayat Madku for maintenance. A local women’s self-help group is involved in managing the toilets.

• District Administration’s Commitment: Mungeli district administration aims to develop Madku Dweep as a key tourist destination.

• Court Acknowledges Progress: High Court recognizes visible improvements in the situation at Madku Dweep.

• Next Hearing Scheduled: The next hearing is set for July 1, with the Collector and DFO of Mungeli required to submit updated affidavits detailing further progress.

• Historical Significance: Madku Island is important due to archeological discoveries that include stone tools, inscriptions, and ancient temples dating back to the 3rd century BC.

• Religious Diversity: Besides its Hindu temples, Madku Island hosts the Masihi Mela, an annual Christian fair that has been held since 1909.

• Location and Features: Madku Island is located on the Shivnath River (a tributary of the Mahanadi) in the Bilaspur district of Chhattisgarh, and is shaped like a frog.

Yak Genomics

• Chromosome-Level Yak Genome Assembled: Scientists from four ICAR institutes successfully assembled the first chromosome-level genome of the Indian yak (Bos grunniens). This is a significant milestone in livestock genetics and Himalayan biodiversity research.

• Importance of Yaks: Indian yaks, “ships of the Himalayas,” are crucial for the livelihoods of high-altitude communities, providing meat, milk, fiber, fuel, and transport. They’re vital to mountain economies and biological models for cold adaptation.

• ICAR-NRC on Yak’s Role: The ICAR-National Research Centre on Yak in Arunachal Pradesh led the genomic research. It’s the apex institution for yak research, covering health, nutrition, breeding, and genetic conservation.

• Technological Advancement: Long-read sequencing and bioinformatics were used for precise gene mapping on chromosomes, improving understanding of disease resistance, milk quality, fertility, and climate adaptation traits.

• Revolutionizing Yak Management: The genome is expected to revolutionize yak breeding programs and conservation efforts.It enables identification of genetic markers for cold tolerance, disease resistance, and milk production, ensuring long-term sustainability.

• Comparative Genomics Benefits: Comparing the yak genome with other bovine species will help identify useful genes for biotic and abiotic stress tolerance, and quality traits.

• Addressing Challenges: Yaks face challenges such as reduced grazing areas, climate change, disease, and genetic erosion. The genome will aid in sustainable yak populations across the Himalayan belt.

• Socio-Economic Uplift: Findings will translate into practice, especially in conservation and sustainable development, ultimately leading to the socio-economic uplift of yak herders.

Geotubing

• Geotube breakwaters show promise in Kerala: A study in Poonthura, Kerala, reveals that offshore breakwater systems using geotube technology have significantly transformed the coastal landscape.
• Effective wave protection: The system effectively prevents wave overtopping, extending protection roughly twice the length of the breakwater on the shore side.
• Sustainable beach formation: The resulting beach formation has proven sustainable even during harsh weather.
• Geotube structure: The system consists of three layers of geotubes (15m circumference each) placed vertically to the beach in 6-7m deep water. Five 100m units are spaced 50m apart.
• Barrier against erosion: The geotube breakwater diminishes the force of waves, mitigating erosion and facilitating sand accumulation to create a broader beach.
• Durability and stability: Despite some separation in the upper layer leading to sand escape, the geotubes remained securely in position due to corner anchoring. Bottom layer tubes showed complete consolidation.
• Government investment: The Kerala government invested ₹20 crore via KIIFB for the geotube breakwater system.
• Installation challenges: Heavy undercurrents made geotube placement difficult, requiring the use of experienced divers and concrete anchor blocks to secure the tubes.
• Geotube Technology: Geotubes are large, permeable fabric tubes filled with dredged materials to act as first line of defense against waves and tidal action. Made of polypropylene woven geotextile for durability and resistance to environmental factors. Primarily used for dewatering and erosion control.

Agamas

• Supreme Court Intervention: The Supreme Court has directed a Madras High Court-formed committee to identify Agamic vs. non-Agamic temples in Tamil Nadu within three months.

• Status Quo for Agamic Temples: The court mandated a “status quo” on identified Agamic temples, preventing new archakar (priest) appointments for the time being. This is due to petitions alleging the Tamil Nadu government was attempting to appoint “non-believers” as priests, contrary to Agamas.

• Non-Agamic Temple Appointments: The state can proceed with filling existing archakar vacancies in non-Agamic temples after the identification process.

• Committee Composition: The committee is headed by former Madras High Court judge Justice M. Chockalingam.

• Rameswaram Temple: The court directed filling archakar and maniyam (temple workforce) vacancies in Rameswaram Ramanathaswamy Temple, following customs and traditions.

• Agamic Temples’ Significance: Agamic temples are considered very important.

• State’s Stance: The state aims to train Hindus, regardless of caste, to qualify as archakars under the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department.

• Next Hearing: The next hearing is scheduled for September 2025.

• Agamas Definition: Agamas are Hindu devotional scriptures describing temple construction, deity worship, and rituals. Many South Indian temples follow Agamic traditions.

SCALP Missile

• SCALP Missiles Used in Operation Sindoor: Reportedly launched from Indian Rafale jets targeting deep-terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK.

• Long-Range Cruise Missile: The SCALP (also known as Storm Shadow) is a long-range, air-launched cruise missile.

• Deep Strike Capability: Designed for deep strike missions against high-value, fixed targets.

• Jointly Developed: Developed jointly by the United Kingdom and France.

• Extensive Service: In service with multiple air forces, including those of Egypt, India, Italy, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE.

• Range and Warhead: Has a range of approximately 500 km and carries a 450 kg conventional warhead.

• Stealth and Precision: Designed for stealth, low altitude flight to evade radar, and precision targeting. Utilizes terrain-following navigation, GPS/INS guidance, and infrared terminal homing.

• Rafale Integration: India has integrated the SCALP missile with its Rafale fighter jets.

Anak Krakatau

• Unnoticed Ground Movement: Satellite analysis reveals years of ground movement preceded Anak Krakatau’s 2018 collapse, previously undetected. Why: Highlights the potential for improved monitoring techniques to predict future events.

• Location: Anak Krakatau is a stratovolcano in the Sunda Strait, Indonesia, between Java and Sumatra. Why: Contextualizes the volcano’s geographical setting and proximity to populated areas.

• Ring of Fire: It’s part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for high volcanic and seismic activity. Why: Explains its position in a tectonically active zone.

• Emergence: Anak Krakatau emerged from the sea in 1927, offspring of the 1883 Krakatoa eruption. Why: Establishes its relatively recent formation and connection to a major historical event.

• Frequent Eruptions: It has experienced frequent strombolian eruptions, leading to its growth. Why: Characterizes its typical eruptive style.

• Multiple Magma Chambers: Sits above multiple magma chambers. Why: Explains the possible nature of the eruptions in this area

• 2018 Collapse & Tsunami: A 2018 eruption caused a flank collapse, triggering a deadly tsunami impacting Sumatra and Java. Why: Details a recent catastrophic event and its consequences.

India’s Green Hydrogen Standard

• Launch of Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme of India (GHCI): Launched by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) under the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) to certify green hydrogen production.

• Objective: To promote a green hydrogen market in India, reduce carbon emissions, boost exports, and encourage energy-intensive sectors to adopt green hydrogen.

• Focus on MSMEs: MNRE organized a workshop to explore opportunities for Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the green hydrogen supply chain, recognizing their crucial role in innovation and localized solutions.

• Certification Process: Verification by Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) Accredited Carbon Verification (ACV) Agency to ensure compliance. Certificates are non-tradeable and cannot be used for emission reduction credits.

• Offset Mechanism: BEE offers an offset mechanism under CCTS for hard-to-abate sectors using green hydrogen.

• Applicability: Scheme applies to green hydrogen production from electrolysis or biomass conversion.

• Export Hubs: Selected international port cities like Kandla, Paradip, and Tuticorin as key green hydrogen production centers for export.

• Curbing Greenwashing: Aims to ensure transparency and credibility, preventing false eco-friendly claims.

• MSME Opportunities: Focus on component manufacturing, operations and maintenance services, and rural hydrogen generation for MSMEs.

• National Green Hydrogen Mission Goals (by 2030):

  • At least 5 MMT annual green hydrogen production
  • ~125 GW renewable energy capacity addition
  • Over Rs. 8 lakh crore in investments
  • Over 6 lakh jobs
  • Rs. 1 lakh crore reduction in fossil fuel imports
  • ~50 MMT annual greenhouse gas emissions abatement

India and the Arctic

• Arctic Geopolitical Shift: The Arctic is transforming from a zone of scientific cooperation to a region of geopolitical and military competition due to climate change opening new sea routes like the Northern Sea Route (NSR).
• Militarization and Commercialization: Arctic states are increasing military presence and commercial activities, driven by access to resources and strategic positioning. Russia, China, and the US are key players.
• Potential Impact on India: A militarized Arctic could undermine India’s maritime interests by diverting trade through the NSR, affecting India’s vision for regional connectivity (MAHASAGAR) and its role in the Indo-Pacific.
• India’s Arctic Approach: India’s engagement includes scientific expeditions, research stations (Himadri, IndArc), and observer status in the Arctic Council. The 2022 Arctic Policy focuses on scientific research, climate, and economic cooperation.
• Gaps in India’s Strategy: India lacks a long-term geopolitical and economic strategy, has limited private sector involvement, hasn’t capitalized on the NSR, faces challenges from China’s growing Arctic influence, and has underdeveloped infrastructure focus and indigenous engagement policies.
• Recalibrating India’s Strategy: India needs to institutionalize Arctic engagement, align with Arctic countries on technology and infrastructure, strengthen connectivity (India-Russia-Nordic shipping corridor, Chennai-Vladivostok EMC), propose a Blue Economy Treaty, and use space capabilities for Arctic monitoring.
• Russia-China coordination: Growing Russia-China strategic coordination in the Arctic and China’s expanding naval presence in the Indian Ocean are making it harder for India to focus solely on its maritime interests in the south.
• Nordic State Concerns: Nordic states are uneasy about India’s ties with Russia, especially amid the Ukraine conflict.

INS Sharda to Maldives for HADR

• INS Sharda Deployed to Maldives: INS Sharda arrived at Maafilaafushi Atoll, Maldives for a joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise. The exercise is planned for 04 to 10 May 2025.
• HADR Exercise Purpose: To enhance interoperability between the Indian Navy and the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) in responding to humanitarian challenges and natural disasters.
• Focus Areas: Disaster Response Coordination, Search and Rescue Operations, Medical Assistance, Logistical Support, Joint Drills, Training Sessions, and Community Engagement.
• MAHASAGAR Vision: The deployment aligns with India’s “MAHASAGAR” vision, emphasizing collaborative efforts for security, growth, and stability in the Indian Ocean Region.
• India-Maldives Defence Cooperation: The exercise demonstrates strong defence and maritime cooperation between India and Maldives.
• Historical Context: India’s commitment to HADR in the Maldives is highlighted by Operation Castor after the 2004 tsunami.
• Operational Excellence: INS Sharda’s past achievements, such as rescuing hostages off Somalia, reinforce India’s maritime security role.
• Bilateral Exercises: India and Maldives conduct “Ekuverin” (Army) and “Ekatha” (Navy) exercises, strengthening defence ties.

Thalassemia Day

• International Thalassemia Day: Observed annually on May 8th. Aims to promote global awareness, prevention, and early diagnosis of thalassemia.
• Theme 2025: “Together for Thalassemia: Uniting Communities, Prioritizing Patients.” This highlights the importance of collaborative efforts and patient-centered care in thalassemia management.
• Global Burden: India is a major contributor. With 50 million beta thalassemia carriers, India accounts for 25% of global thalassemia cases. This emphasizes the urgent need for prevention and management strategies in India.
• Treatment Approaches: Regular blood transfusions and iron chelation therapy are crucial for managing thalassemia. Bone marrow or stem cell transplantation offers a potential cure in severe cases.
• National Health Mission (NHM) Support: The NHM provides support to States/UTs for thalassemia screening, treatment, and infrastructure. This underscores the government’s commitment to addressing thalassemia.
• Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) Integration: Integration of thalassemia testing into the RCH program is recommended for early carrier detection and genetic counseling. This aims to reduce the disease burden through informed reproductive choices.
• National Program for Prevention and Control of Hemoglobinopathies (NPPCH): Focuses on raising awareness, counseling, and testing services. The program seeks to improve early identification and support for affected individuals.
• Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana (TBSY): Offers financial assistance for Bone Marrow Transplants via Coal India Ltd.’s CSR at empanelled hospitals. This provides critical financial support for potentially life-saving treatment.

Naming Dispute

• Naming Dispute: The water body has been historically known as the “Persian Gulf” since the 16th century. However, many Arab countries prefer “Arabian Gulf.”
• Trump’s Potential Action: There were concerns Donald Trump would officially rename it “Arabian Gulf” during a visit to Saudi Arabia, aligning with Arab states’ preference, but this didn’t happen.
• Iran’s Strong Opposition: Iran strongly opposes any name change, asserting historical naming rights and has done so in the past, including threatening to sue Google.
• Historical Usage: “Persian Gulf” is widely recognized in historical records, treaties, and cartographic references.
• Geopolitical Importance: The Persian Gulf is a vital geopolitical chokepoint for global oil shipments, connected to the Arabian Sea via the Strait of Hormuz.
• Institutional Recognition: The International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) still recognizes the water body as the Persian Gulf.
• Strategic Implications: Islands within the Gulf, like Qeshm (Iran) and Bahrain, hold strategic military and economic value.
• Energy Security: Approximately 30% of the world’s oil exports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting the region’s importance to global energy security.
• Trump’s Previous Actions: Trump has a history of attempting to change geographical names, like calling the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America,” which led to conflict with the Associated Press.
• Symbolic Significance: Changing the name is seen by Iran as a hostile act with no legal or geographical effect but will bring the wrath of Iranians.

India Fire Safe

• Recent Fires: Kolkata hotel fire (14 deaths) and Ajmer hotel fire (4 deaths) highlight a recurring problem in India.
• Urbanization & Infrastructure:
  • Illegal constructions violate safety norms (setback rule).
  • Non-fire-resistant materials used.
  • Poor urban planning hinders fire engine access.
  • Many buildings have only one staircase, violating National Building Code (NBC).
• Governance Issues:
  • Political interference leads to regularization of unsafe buildings.
  • Lack of public awareness about fire drills and exits.
• Industrial/Commercial Issues:
  • Faulty machinery and poor maintenance (HVAC systems).
  • Unsafe handling of hazardous materials.
• Climate Change: Extreme heat leads to overloaded electrical systems and AC compressor bursts.
• Regulations:
  • National Building Code (NBC) 2016: primary standard but often not followed.
  • Model Building Bye Laws 2016, Fire Prevention Act 2005, Emergency Services Bill 2019, and Fire Service Modernization Scheme 2023 exist but need better implementation.
• Solutions:
  • Smart infrastructure (AI detection, fire-resistant materials).
  • Retrofitting buildings with fire-retardant materials.
  • More breathing apparatuses for firefighters.
  • Safe industrial practices (hazardous material management).
  • Climate resilience strategies (green spaces, water recycling).
  • Maintain low-height sidewalks for fire engine access.
  • Retractable metallic staircases for emergency escapes.
• Kolkata’s Situation: Kolkata’s inner city hasn’t seen redevelopment unlike other metropolises, resulting in outdated safety features and use of flammable materials.
• Preventable Tragedies: Fires are often described as accidents but are largely preventable with proper safety measures and efficient mitigation strategies.

Piprahwa Jewels

• Auction Controversy: Buddhist scholars and monks worldwide are concerned about the upcoming auction of ancient Piprahwa Gems in Hong Kong.
• Religious Significance: The gems are widely considered to be imbued with the presence of the Buddha and hold significant religious, archaeological, and historical value for Buddhists.
• Historical Context: The Piprahwa Gems were discovered in a stupa in present-day Uttar Pradesh, India, believed to contain the Buddha’s remains (circa 480 BC).
• Discovery and Distribution: William Claxton Peppé, a British engineer, excavated the gems in 1898. The British Crown claimed the find, gifting bone and ash fragments to Siam (Thailand), while most of the gems went to the Indian Museum in Kolkata, and Peppé retained a portion.
• Auction Details: Descendants of William Claxton Peppé are auctioning the gems, expecting to fetch around 9.7 million pounds.
• Differing Opinions: Some Southeast Asian art specialists consider the gems, bone, and ash to be Buddha’s remains that should not be auctioned. However, a descendant of Peppe claims that Buddhist temples and experts consulted did not classify the gems as bodily remains.

Ocean Microplastics

• Microplastics Deeply Embedded: Microplastics aren’t just surface pollutants; they’ve infiltrated deep into the ocean’s structure, impacting biogeochemical and carbon cycles.
• Vertical Distribution: Smaller microplastic particles (1-100 micrometres) are found as deep as 100 meters within ocean gyres, while larger fragments concentrate near the surface.
• Ocean Gyres as Traps: Gyres, slow-moving circular currents, act as whirlpools, concentrating plastic debris, including microplastics.
• Significant Plastic Input: Estimated plastic input from 1950-2015 is 17-47 million metric tonnes. Fishing gear is a key source, with over 56 polymer types detected.
• Carbon Cycle Disruption: Microplastic pollution adds allochthonous carbon, potentially skewing carbon dating by up to 420 years and disrupting the ocean’s carbon cycle. Microplastic carbon can rise up to 5% of total particulate organic carbon at 2000m depth in subtropical gyres.
• Biogeochemical Alterations: Microplastics disrupt microbial nitrification and denitrification, releasing metabolites that alter nutrient cycles.
• Health Concerns: Microplastics can attach to red blood cells (reducing oxygen transport) and have been found in placentas and fetal organs, posing health risks, especially to children.
• Detailed Analysis: The study synthesised data from 1,885 ocean stations (2014-2024) to understand microplastic distribution across depths, focusing on the subsurface layer (50 cm below the surface).
• Regulations: Global efforts include the UNEP Plastics Treaty. India has implemented a ban on single-use plastics and Plastic Waste Management Rules.

Snow Leopard Watch

• Rare Sighting: Tourists in Himachal Pradesh’s Spiti Valley experienced a rare encounter with a snow leopard during a road trip from Kaza to Nako.
• Elusive Predator: Snow leopards, known as the “ghost of the mountains,” are rarely seen by humans due to their elusive nature.
• Scientific Classification: The snow leopard’s scientific name is Panthera uncia.
• Habitat: They inhabit high-altitude regions of Central and South Asia, ranging from 1,800 to 5,500 meters in elevation.
• Distribution: Snow leopards are found in 12 countries, including China, India, Nepal, Russia, and Mongolia. In India, they reside in the high-altitude areas of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.
• Physical Adaptations: Their pale grey fur with dark rosettes provides camouflage in rocky terrains. They have a dense undercoat for insulation and a long tail for balance and warmth.
• Solitary Nature: Snow leopards are typically solitary animals, except during mating season or when raising offspring.
• Conservation Status: The snow leopard is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, is in CITES Appendix I, and is under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972.
• Population Estimate: Scientists estimate that only between 3,920 and 6,390 snow leopards remain in the wild, despite their vast range of over 2 million sq. km.

Operation Vermillion

• Operation Sindoor: A retaliatory precision strike by the Indian Armed Forces on terror camps in Pakistan and PoK.
• Precision Targeting: 21 terror camps across 9 locations were hit with minimal collateral damage using niche-technology weapons.
• Key Weapons Deployed:
  • HAMMER: French air-to-ground smart weapon, range up to 70 km, all-weather precision, autonomous, resistant to jamming.
  • SCALP: Air-launched stealth cruise missile, range up to 450 km, terrain-hugging flight, INS, GPS, and terrain referencing for accuracy.
  • METEOR: Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM), effective in electronic warfare, extended No-Escape Zone.
  • BRAHMOS: Supersonic cruise missile, speed up to Mach 3, range increased to 450-500 km, Fire-and-Forget Principle, versatile platforms.
  • Loitering Munitions: Kamikaze drones for surveillance and precision strikes on mobile or time-sensitive targets.
• India’s Arsenal Build-up: The operation showcased India’s growing arsenal of precision-guided long-range weapons and drones.
• No Collateral Damage: Carefully selected warheads were used to avoid collateral damage, as stated by IAF Wing Commander Vyomika Singh.
• Autonomous Capabilities: The weapons systems feature autonomous guidance, jamming resistance, and all-weather capabilities.
• Strategic Implications: Operation Sindoor and beyond signify India’s preparedness to tackle terrorism challenge and the Pakistan issue effectively.

Haenyeo: Genetic Legacy

• Genetic and Physiological Adaptations: Haenyeo divers from Jeju Island, South Korea, exhibit genetic and physiological adaptations due to their unique diving practices.

• Diving Culture: They dive up to 10 meters without oxygen masks to harvest shellfish. UNESCO recognized their culture as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2016.

• Bradycardia and Blood Pressure: Long-term diving has shaped traits like bradycardia (slowing of heart rate) and blood pressure regulation.

• Study Findings: Research confirms these adaptations, including a robust diving reflex leading to bradycardia during simulated dives.

• Spleen Size: Spleen size differences were attributed to regional factors rather than genetic adaptation, despite being larger in Jeju residents compared to Seoul.

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• Genetic Distinction: Jeju Island residents are genetically distinct from mainland Koreans, diverging ~5,000-7,000 years ago.

• Gene Variant (rs66930627): A specific gene variant is more common in Jeju residents and linked to lower diastolic pressure, potentially evolved to reduce hypertension risks during pregnancy.

• Pregnancy-Associated Hypertension: The genetic variant identified may reduce pregnancy-associated hypertension risks.

• Impact on Island Population: Diving during pregnancy has influenced the genetic makeup of the island’s population.

Red Cross Day

• Event: World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, observed annually on May 8th.
• Purpose: Honors volunteers and employees of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement for their humanitarian work. Commemorates the birth of Henry Dunant, founder of the ICRC and first Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
• Theme 2025: “Keeping Humanity Alive” – Reflects commitment to humanitarian service amidst rising inequalities, health crises, and conflicts. Emphasizes upholding humanitarian ideals and spreading kindness.
• Historical Context: Established in 1948 to mark Henry Dunant’s birthday. Inspired by his witnessing the Battle of Solferino in 1859, leading to the formation of the ICRC in 1863 and the Geneva Conventions.
• Movement: The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is the world’s largest humanitarian network.
• Significance: Recognizes volunteers aiding in emergencies, wars, and disasters. Promotes the principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntarism, unity, and universality.
• Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS): Founded in 1920, provides disaster relief and healthcare. The President of India is its President, and the Union Health Minister is its Chairman.

Handedness

• Chirality Breakthrough: Researchers discovered a chiral quantum state in KV₃Sb₅, a material previously considered non-chiral.
• What is Chirality? A property where an object isn’t superimposable on its mirror image; also known as “handedness.” Crucial in biochemistry and quantum physics.
• KV₃Sb₅ and Kagome Lattices: KV₃Sb₅ is a quantum material with a Kagome lattice structure (corner-sharing triangles) used to study quantum phenomena.
• Scanning Photocurrent Microscope (SPCM): A tool that can detect nonlinear electromagnetic responses in materials, used in the research
• Chirality Detection: SPCM detected handedness in photocurrent, confirming the circular photogalvanic effect (CPGE), a sign of chirality.
• Symmetry Breaking: KV₃Sb₅ displayed spontaneous symmetry breaking (charge density wave/CDW) when cooled.
• Chiral Confirmation: Differential response to right- and left-handed circularly polarized light proves broken inversion and mirror symmetry at 4 Kelvin.
• Significance: First confirmation of intrinsic chiral charge order in a bulk topological quantum material.
• Chirality in Chemistry: Relates to molecules not superimposable on their mirror image, often due to an asymmetric carbon atom.
• Enantiomers: Non-superimposable mirror-image forms of a chiral molecule.
• Inorganic Chirality: Chirality can exist in inorganic and organometallic compounds.

Jenu Kuruba

• Recent Re-occupation: Jenu Kuruba families have recently begun re-occupying their ancestral homes inside Nagarhole National Park.

• PVTG Status: The Jenu Kuruba are classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG). This highlights their unique vulnerability and need for protection.

• Location: Primarily found in the Kodagu and Mysore districts of Karnataka. This specifies their geographical concentration.

• Etymology & Occupation: “Jenu” means honey in Kannada, reflecting their traditional occupation of honey collection and forest produce gathering. This explains their name and primary livelihood.

• Traditional Livelihood: Historically reliant on land and forest resources for income. This underscores their dependence on the natural environment.

• Alternative Names: Also known as “Then Kurumba” or “Kattu Naikar.” This provides alternative names for the tribe.

• Settlements: Live in small settlements called Hadi. This specifies the name of their traditional living spaces.

• Social Structure: Semi-nomadic lifestyle with a decentralized social structure, led by a headman (Yajamana) and ritual head (Gudda). This shows their self-governance.

• Belief System: They have deep rooted beliefs in supernatural entities and their songs and dances often revolve around agriculture, rituals and religious belief.

Kosmos 482 Mystery

• Kosmos 482 Re-entry: A 500 kg lander module from the Soviet Kosmos 482 mission is predicted to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere around May 10, 2025, after over 50 years in space.

• Failed Venus Mission: Launched March 31, 1972, Kosmos 482 was intended to land on Venus as part of the Venera program but a timer malfunction in the rocket’s upper stage left it stranded in Earth orbit.

• Venera Program: The Venera program was a Soviet effort (1961-1984) involving 28 probes to explore Venus. Venera 8, Kosmos 482’s twin, successfully landed and transmitted data.

• Malfunction Details: The upper stage shut down prematurely, failing to propel Kosmos 482 out of Earth orbit. The main spacecraft burned up, but the lander module remained in orbit.

• Uncontrolled Re-entry: Re-entry will be uncontrolled, lacking aerobraking or parachutes due to its age.

• Titanium Construction: The titanium body is likely to withstand atmospheric re-entry temperatures.

• Potential Impact Zone: Its orbit places it between 52 degrees North and South latitude (Africa, Australia, Americas, parts of Europe and Asia).

• Low Risk: The chances of it hitting someone are extremely low.

Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal

• Current Crisis: Haryana demands an additional 4,500 cusecs of water from the Bhakra-Nangal project, leading to Punjab’s refusal and BBMB intervention. Haryana threatens to move the Supreme Court to secure its share.
• BBMB’s Role: The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) allocated water to states, with Haryana, Rajasthan, and Delhi voting for extra water to Haryana. Punjab refuses to open sluice gates.
• Historical Context: The Bhakra-Nangal project was initially managed by Punjab before the state’s reorganization. The BBMB now oversees water distribution between Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, and Delhi.
• Water Allocation: For the current year, BBMB allocated 5.512 MAF to Punjab, 2.987 MAF to Haryana, and 3.318 MAF to Rajasthan.
• Punjab’s Argument: Punjab claims Haryana has already withdrawn more than its allocated share and water levels in key dams are lower than last year due to scant snowfall.
• Haryana’s Argument: Haryana asserts it hasn’t received its due share and urgently needs water for drinking, especially in water-starved districts.
• Expert Perspective: A water expert suggests providing Haryana with drinking water if needed, ensuring Punjab is compensated later, and emphasizing the sanctity of fixed quotas.
• Interstate River Water Disputes: These disputes arise from disagreements over water usage, distribution, and control of rivers flowing across state boundaries. Causes include riparian rights, ambiguous agreements, water scarcity, political considerations, and economic disparities.
• Constitutional & Legal Framework: Article 262 empowers Parliament to adjudicate disputes, excluding Supreme Court jurisdiction. The River Board Act (1956) and the Inter-State Water Dispute Act (1956) are key legislations.
• Resolution Strategies: Strengthening institutional frameworks, cooperative federalism, scientific water management (drip irrigation, crop diversification), rainwater harvesting, and equitable infrastructure development are crucial.

IMDEX Asia 2025

• INS Kiltan’s Arrival: Indian Naval Ship INS Kiltan arrived in Singapore for IMDEX Asia 2025 at the Changi Exhibition Centre. This participation emphasizes the strong maritime partnership between India and Singapore.

• Bilateral & Multilateral Engagements: The ship’s crew will participate in professional exchanges with the Republic of Singapore Navy and other navies attending IMDEX Asia 2025. These activities aim to improve naval cooperation, interoperability, and mutual understanding.

• Public Engagement: Planned activities include guided tours for school children, cross-deck visits with other navies, and curated visits for defense industries. This encourages awareness of maritime security and India’s naval history.

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• India’s Commitment: The visit demonstrates the Indian Navy’s dedication to regional security, stability, and the enduring relationship between India and Singapore as maritime partners.

• IMDEX Asia Overview: IMDEX Asia is a leading maritime and defense exhibition in the Asia-Pacific region, held biennially in Singapore. It showcases naval platforms, technologies, and fosters high-level strategic dialogue.

• IMSC’s Role: The International Maritime Security Conference (IMSC) is a key component of IMDEX. It brings together navy chiefs, policymakers, and maritime stakeholders to enhance maritime security cooperation and address challenges in the maritime domain. The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) jointly organize it.

India-UK FTA

• India-UK FTA Signed: India and the UK have signed a Free Trade Agreement, a significant step for the world’s 5th and 6th largest economies.
• Trade Boost: Expected to boost bilateral trade by £25.5 billion annually from 2040. Trade totalled £42.6 billion in 2024.
• Key Trade Aspects: UK is India’s 4th largest export destination, and India is UK’s 11th largest trading partner. Bilateral trade projected to double by 2030.
• Tariff Reductions: Zero-duty access for 99% of Indian exports to the UK. Automobile tariffs cut to 10% under quota, down from over 100%. Whisky and gin tariffs will be halved from 150% to 75%.
• Labor Mobility: Includes provisions for labor mobility, with about 100 additional annual visas for Indian professionals, especially in IT and healthcare.
• Double Contribution Convention: Agreement to prevent professionals from paying social security in both countries.
• Significance of FTAs for India: Enhanced market access, investment inflows, supply chain resilience, technology access, services sector growth, and professional mobility.
• Concerns: Rising trade deficits, low FTA utilization (25%), competitiveness challenges, non-tariff barriers, complex certification, and IPR tensions.
• India’s Strategy to Enhance FTAs: Integrate PLI scheme with FTAs, value chain integration, MSME integration, targeted negotiation, boost R&D, prioritize services, and renegotiate existing FTAs.
• UK Perspective: The deal is the “biggest and most economically significant” bilateral trade agreement it has signed since leaving the EU.
• Geopolitical Context: Aim to diversify supply chains and hedge against future shifts in US policy.

IXPE: X-ray Vision

• IXPE Mission: A joint NASA and Italian Space Agency mission launched December 9, 2021. It’s the first satellite to measure X-ray light polarisation.

• Focus on Blazars: IXPE studied BL Lacertae (BL Lac), a blazar known for variability and intense emissions. Blazars are active galactic nuclei (AGN) with jets pointed towards Earth.

• X-ray Emission Mystery: IXPE aimed to determine how X-rays are generated in black hole jets. Competing theories involved protons (high X-ray polarization) or electrons (low X-ray polarization).

• Key Finding: Low X-ray Polarization: IXPE found weak X-ray polarization (no more than 7.6%) from BL Lac’s jets. Optical light showed very high polarisation (up to 47.5%).

• Electron-Based X-ray Generation: Low X-ray polarisation disproves proton-based models.

• Compton Scattering Confirmed: X-rays are generated via Compton Scattering. High-speed electrons scatter infrared photons, boosting them to X-ray energies.

• Significance: IXPE is solving the long-standing mystery of how X-rays are generated in jets. Showing relativistic electron activity links to X-ray generation.

Ancient Fires

• Ancient Wildfires Discovered: Scientists found evidence of palaeofires (ancient wildfires) from the Permian Period (around 250 million years ago) in the Godavari Basin, India.

• Palaeofires Defined: Palaeofires are ancient wildfires preserved in geological records, crucial for understanding past vegetation, climate, and coal formation. Study spanned Late Silurian to Quaternary periods.

• Research Methods: Researchers used Palynofacies analysis, Raman Spectroscopy, Rock-Eval Pyrolysis, and FTIR Spectroscopy to analyze microscopic organic matter and fossil charcoal.

• Organic Matter Types:

  • Translucent Organic Matter (TrOM): Pollen and plant debris.
  • Palaeofire Charcoal (PAL-CH): Direct evidence of burning.
  • Oxidised Charcoal (OX-CH): Transported or altered post-burning.

• In-situ vs. Ex-situ Charcoal: The study successfully differentiated between charcoal formed on-site (in situ) and charcoal transported from elsewhere (ex situ), resolving a geological debate.

• Stratigraphy Matters: Rock layering revealed that regressive phases (sea-level drop) preserved concentrated fire residues, while transgressive phases (sea-level rise) showed dispersed, oxidized charcoal.

• Permian Conditions: High atmospheric oxygen levels during the Permian likely increased wildfire frequency and intensity.

• Raniganj Coalfield: This was one of the first Indian sites showing macroscopic charcoal in coal seams, suggesting palaeofires in ancient peat-forming environments.

• Climate Change Relevance: Understanding palaeofires helps with carbon cycling and sequestration, relevant for modern climate change mitigation.

• Decoding the Fire Story: The study published in ACS Omega provides a clear differentiation between in situ and ex situ charcoal—a major leap in palaeofire research.

• BSIP Lucknow’s Role: Scientists from Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP) Lucknow, DST, led the research.

HDR 2025

• Global HDI Stagnation: The 2025 HDR reveals a worldwide stall in Human Development Index (HDI) progress. Factors like trade tensions, debt crises, and jobless industrialization are cited as potential exacerbating factors.

• Report Theme: The 2025 HDR, “A Matter of Choice: People and Possibilities in the Age of AI”, emphasizes the vital role of Artificial Intelligence in shaping future human development.

• Top and Bottom Performers: Iceland leads the HDI rankings at 0.972, while South Sudan is at the bottom with 0.388.

• India’s Rank: India is ranked 130th out of 193 countries and territories on the HDI.

• India’s HDI Improvement: India’s HDI value increased from 0.676 in 2022 to 0.685 in 2023, remaining in the medium human development category.

• Long-Term Growth: India’s HDI value has increased by over 53% since 1990, outpacing global and South Asian averages.

• HDI Components Improvement: India’s life expectancy rose to 72 years in 2023, expected schooling years increased to 13, and average schooling years rose to 6.9. The per capita Gross National Income (GNI) jumped to $9,047 (PPP 2021).

• AI Talent: India is among the top 10 in the Global AI Index among low- and middle-income countries, demonstrating a high level of self-reported AI skills penetration and improving retention of domestic AI talent.

• Regional Comparison: Among India’s neighbours, China, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan rank higher. Bangladesh is at par with India.

• Inequality Challenge: Inequality reduces India’s HDI by 30.7%, highlighting significant income and gender disparities.

Bhimgad Sanctuary

• Public Trespassing: Unchecked public trespassing into Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS) continues, raising concerns among conservationists.

• Illegal Activities: Visitors are cooking non-vegetarian food, engaging in recreational activities, and disturbing the natural habitat within the protected area, including at Vajrapoha waterfalls.

• Police Involvement: Earlier in January, police personnel from Khanapur allegedly entered the sanctuary without permission for a booze party; no punitive measures were taken.

• Ministerial Directive: Forest minister Eshwar Khandre directed the forest department to take immediate action, but violations persist.

• Social Media Evidence: Videos on social media show visitors bathing under Vajrapoha waterfalls and taking selfies in restricted areas.

• Access Point: Locals claim most visitors access the site through Jamboti village.

• Lack of Surveillance: Environmentalists point to a serious lapse in forest surveillance, particularly by the Khanapur Range Forest Officer.

• Fishing Violations: People are also fishing in the Mahadayi River at Krishnapur village, within the sanctuary’s jurisdiction.

• Official Response: The Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) claims no illegal entry has been officially reported near Vajrapoha or Bhimgad; FIR was filed in January against earlier trespassing.

• Chapoli Village Incident: Viral videos reportedly involve relatives of residents from Chapoli village accessing the falls via an internal route for a religious festival; investigation is ongoing.

• Significance of BWS: The Sanctuary is ecologically sensitive and home to endangered species, including the Wroughton’s Free-tailed Bat.

GLEX 2025

• India hosts the 12th Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX 2025) in New Delhi from May 7-9, 2025.

• The theme is “Reaching New Worlds: A Space Exploration Renaissance,” emphasizing innovation, inclusivity, and international cooperation.

• GLEX 2025 is jointly organized by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) (host), and Astronautical Society of India (ASI) (co-host).

• Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister, will inaugurate the summit, highlighting India’s growing role in global space leadership.

• The conference signifies India’s transition from a regional space power to a key international player.

• Over 1800 delegates are expected, including 233 international delegates from 36 countries.

• A record 1,275 abstracts were submitted from 57 countries (822 from India and 453 internationally), indicating significant global interest.

• Strong student participation with 562 abstracts submitted emphasizes the next generation’s engagement in space exploration.

• The conference includes 10 parallel technical sessions, covering 15 thematic areas, with over 240 interactive presentations.

• Plenary Sessions will feature prominent figures like Dr. Jitendra Singh, Josef Aschbacher (ESA), Kazuyoshi Kawasaki (Japan), V. Narayanan (ISRO), and others.

• An astronaut outreach program will feature nearly 10 astronauts, including Hazzaa AlMansoori (UAE), Alper Gezeravci (Türkiye), and Rakesh Sharma (India).

• Dr. Jitendra Singh will inaugurate a space exhibition with stalls from 22 organizations, including Indian space startups, global companies, and ISRO.

Oversight Power: India

• Need for Strengthening: India’s focus on “Maximum Governance” requires matching “Maximum Accountability” through a stronger Parliament. Existing oversight tools like Question Hour and Standing Committees are underperforming.
• Constitutional Basis: Constitution framers like Dr. Ambedkar chose a parliamentary system for its daily executive accountability via questions, motions, debates, and periodic elections. Articles 75, 108, 111, 113 & 114 support parliamentary oversight.
• Oversight Mechanisms: Question Hour, Zero Hour, Parliamentary Committees (Standing Committees, PAC, Estimates Committee), no-confidence motions, and debates are key mechanisms.
• Success Stories: Examples include Railways’ dividend waiver (2015), Motor Vehicles Act amendments (2017), NHAI project streamlining, uranium mine recommendations, and PAC’s exposure of Commonwealth Games corruption.
• Judicial Support: Landmark SC cases (S.R. Bommai, State of Kerala vs. K. Ajith, Manohar Lal Sharma) reinforce executive accountability and the importance of constitutional principles.
• Key Gaps:
  • Disruptions reduce Question Hour effectiveness (only 60% functional in 17th Lok Sabha).
  • Committee reports rarely debated or implemented.
  • Lack of post-legislative scrutiny to evaluate law impact.
  • Limited public access and engagement with committee findings.
  • Underutilization of technology (AI, data analytics).
• Needed Reforms:
  • Institutionalize post-legislative scrutiny (like UK model).
  • Use AI and data analytics for smarter oversight.
  • Build MP capacity with research support (PRS-style unit, fellows program).
  • Promote transparency (translations, visual explainers, public dashboards).
• Role of Technology: Leverage Artificial Intelligence and data analytics to help MPs swiftly flag irregularities, track policy trends, and frame sharper, evidence-based questions.
• Strengthening Committee Work: Making oversight findings more accessible; through translations in local languages, visual explainers, or short videos.
• The Way Forward: Strengthening legislative oversight means honouring the mandate citizens have given their representatives; to make sure the machinery of government stays transparent, accountable, and truly “of the people, by the people, and for the people”.

Crimson Tide

• Retaliation for Pahalgam Attack: Operation Sindoor was launched by India in response to the April 2025 Pahalgam terrorist attack.
• Precision Strikes: Indian Armed Forces conducted precision strikes on May 7, 2025, targeting nine terrorist infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).
• Targeted Terrorist Groups: Targeted terror facilities linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen.
• No Pakistani Military Targets: Strikes were focused and non-escalatory, avoiding Pakistani military facilities.
• Advanced Weaponry: Indian Air Force used SCALP Cruise Missiles, HAMMER Precision-Guided Bombs, and Loitering Munitions for high accuracy.
• Operation Name Significance: “Sindoor” was chosen as a tribute to the victims, especially the widows of the Pahalgam attack.
• Coordinated Effort: Executed through coordinated efforts of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, conducted from Indian territory.
• Accountability: Launched to hold those responsible for the Pahalgam attack accountable.
• Leadership: Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Colonel Sofiya Qureshi led the Indian government’s briefing about the operation.
• Past Operations: This operation joins a history of Indian military actions, including those from the 1965, 1971 wars, Operation Meghdoot, Kargil conflict operations, and the 2016 and 2019 strikes, highlighting India’s strategic responses to threats.

Road Accident Fund 2025

• Nationwide Cashless Treatment: The Indian government launched a scheme providing cashless medical treatment to road accident victims across the country. Why: Ensures immediate medical attention regardless of the victim’s financial status.

• Eligibility: Any individual injured in a road accident involving a motor vehicle on any public road in India qualifies. Why: Broad coverage aims to assist all road accident victims.

• Benefit Cap & Duration: Treatment capped at Rs 1.5 lakh, valid for up to seven days from the accident date. Why: Sets a defined limit to manage resources and focus on initial critical care.

• Designated vs. Non-Designated Hospitals: Cashless treatment is fully available at designated hospitals; non-designated hospitals provide stabilization measures only. Why: Creates a network of equipped hospitals for comprehensive care while acknowledging the role of other facilities.

• National Health Authority (NHA) Coordination: NHA is the coordinating agency, working with police, hospitals, and State Health Agencies. Why: Centralizes administration for effective implementation and standardized processes.

• State Road Safety Council Nodal Agency: State Road Safety Councils are responsible for implementation within their jurisdiction, including hospital onboarding and payment processing via a dedicated portal. Why: Decentralizes operations for localized management and better outreach.

• Steering Committee Oversight: A 17-member committee headed by the road transport secretary monitors scheme implementation. Why: Provides high-level supervision and accountability.

KLIP: A Mega Irrigation Project

• KLIP Damage: The National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) found “irreparable damage” to three barrages within the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP).

• KLIP Overview: A multi-purpose irrigation project on the Godavari River in Telangana, designed to irrigate 45 lakh acres across 20 districts (plus Hyderabad/Secunderabad).

• Scale: World’s largest multi-stage lift irrigation project. It has seven links, 28 packages, spans 500 km, and boasts a canal network over 1,800 km.

• Water Allocation: Aims for 240 TMC of water for irrigation, Hyderabad’s municipal water, industrial use, and drinking water for villages.

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• Pranahita River: Upstream influence is at the confluence of the Pranhita and Godavari. The Pranahita is formed by the Wardha, Painganga, and Wainganga rivers.

Lagrangian Growth Model

• New Carbon Export Estimation Method: Researchers from MBARI and Florida State University have developed a new method using a Lagrangian Growth-Advection Model to estimate oceanic carbon export from satellite data.
• Combines Lagrangian and Advection Approaches: The model integrates Lagrangian tracking of fluid particles with advection (fluid movement) and growth (property changes) to map phytoplankton succession and carbon export.
• Tracks Surface Ocean Currents: The model specifically focuses on tracking surface ocean currents, especially in upwelling regions like the California Current.
• Key Innovations:
  • Incorporates spatial and temporal lags between carbon production and export.
  • Accounts for zooplankton activity, ocean advection of plankton, and biological succession.
  • Offers an alternative to models solely reliant on ocean color data.
• Validation: The model’s predictions align with deep-sea carbon monitoring data, including data from Station M.
• Improved Accuracy: The model better captures previously unexplained pulses of carbon flux observed in deep-sea monitoring.
• Why it Matters: This model contributes to understanding the ocean’s role in carbon sequestration and climate regulation. Existing models relying on ocean color are limited in capturing subsurface and temporal carbon transfer lags. This new method addresses these limitations.
• Lagrangian Definition: Lagrangian refers to tracking individual particles or water parcels as they move with ocean currents.

Bagram Airfield: Key Base

• US President’s Claim: The US President claimed China now occupies Bagram Airfield, vacated by US forces in 2021.
• Strategic Location: Bagram Airfield is the largest air base in Afghanistan, north of Kabul in Parwan province, controlling access to key regions via the Salang Tunnel and highways.
• Historical Significance: Built by the Soviets in the 1950s, vital during the Cold War and Soviet-Afghan War (1979-89). US forces used it as a hub during the War on Terror after 2001, expanding it significantly.
• American Exit: US forces vacated Bagram on July 2nd, 2021, with the Taliban taking control on August 15th, as part of the US withdrawal agreement.
• Taliban Denial: The Taliban denies Chinese presence at Bagram, stating it is under their control.
• China’s Interest: China’s growing ties with the Taliban raise concerns about its strategic ambitions in the region, including potential security interests related to its Xinjiang province.
• Nuclear Facility proximity: The closest Chinese nuclear testing site, Lop Nur in Xinjiang, is 2,000 km from Bagram. A nuclear weapons facility, Koko Nur, is further east in Qinghai province.

Caste Census: India’s Divide

• Caste Enumeration Approved: The Indian government has approved including caste enumeration in the upcoming Census, reviving a practice discontinued post-independence.
• Government Rationale: The government aims to ensure social fabric doesn’t face political pressure and society becomes stronger economically and socially. They cite Article 246 to say census is a union subject so caste enumeration is best handled in the main census.
• Historical Context: Caste enumeration existed in British-era censuses (1881-1931). Post-1951, it was limited to SCs/STs. 2011 SECC was conducted, but flawed.
• Need for Census: Updated data is needed to address gaps in OBC and other caste group data, inform policy, reassess reservation quotas.
• Addressing SECC Flaws: Aims to rectify inaccuracies of SECC 2011, such as an unstandardized caste list and flawed self-reporting.
• Affirmative Action: Data informs equitable distribution of reservation benefits and political representation.
• Concerns: Risks reinforcing caste identities, deepening social divisions, and political exploitation.
• Challenges: Lack of standardized caste list, challenges in self-reporting and mobility claims, misclassification, and institutional capacity constraints.
• Accuracy Measures: Listing castes, incorporating Aadhaar for verification, multi-tier verification, transparent grievance redressal, and leveraging AI/ML are proposed.
• Sub-Categorization: Implement Rohini Commission’s recommendations for OBC sub-categorization.
• Socio-Economic Integration: Supplement data with indicators like MPI and address regional disparities.
• Fair Usage: Treat census as a tool for inclusive development, not vote-bank politics, and monitor policy outcomes.
• Political Context: States conducted own surveys but these varied in transparency and intent, raising concerns. Centre decided that including it in the main census will ensure a holistic approach.

Yangtze Porpoise

• Historical Range Mapping: Chinese scientists used classical poetry (Tang Dynasty to modern times) to reconstruct the historical distribution of the Yangtze finless porpoise.
• Methodology: 724 poems referencing the porpoise were analyzed, identifying 362 with specific location information. This allowed for mapping the species’ historical presence.
• Range Contraction: The porpoise’s range contracted by 65% from the Tang Dynasty to modern times. A sharp decline occurred from the Qing Dynasty (142 grids) to the present (59 grids).
• Habitat Loss: Tributaries and lakes experienced a 91% range reduction, while the main stem of the Yangtze saw a 33% decrease.
• Cause of Decline: Dam construction, beginning in the 1950s, is a primary driver, blocking movement between habitats.
• Scientific Validation of Art: The study validates using historical art forms to track wildlife range changes and other environmental trends.
• Critically Endangered Status: The Yangtze finless porpoise is critically endangered, with only 1,000-1,800 individuals remaining. It is the only freshwater porpoise species.
• Extinction Risk: High risk of extinction, paralleling the Baiji dolphin’s fate.
• Ecological Importance: The porpoise is a key indicator species for the Yangtze River’s health.
• Only Freshwater Porpoise: It is the only known freshwater porpoise in the world.

INS Tamal

• Induction of INS Tamal: The Indian Navy is inducting INS Tamal, its second advanced warship, amid heightened tensions with Pakistan.

• Type of Warship: INS Tamal is a state-of-the-art, Krivak-III class stealth guided missile frigate.

• India-Russia Deal: It’s part of a $2.5 billion deal between India and Russia for four stealth frigates (two Russian-built, two Indian-built).

• Significance: INS Tamal is the last major warship to be imported, marking a shift towards indigenous warship design and construction in India.

• Indigenous Production: The remaining two frigates from the deal, Triput and Tavasya, are under construction at Goa Shipyard Limited with technology transfer.

• Blue Water Operations: Designed for diverse naval warfare, including air, surface, underwater, and electronic warfare.

• Specifications: 125 meters long, 3,900-tonne displacement, incorporating both Russian design and approximately 26% Indian-sourced components.

• Performance: Cruising speed of up to 30 knots (55 km/h), with a range of 3,000 kilometres per deployment.

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• Missile Systems: Equipped with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and vertically launched Shtil surface-to-air missiles, anti-submarine torpedoes, and rocket launchers.

• Helicopter Operations: Can support multi-role helicopter operations for enhanced mission reach.

• Stealth Technology: Features radar-evading stealth technology.

Stratospheric Airship

• Successful Maiden Flight: DRDO successfully conducted the first flight trials of its Stratospheric Airship Platform on May 3, 2025, in Sheopur, Madhya Pradesh.
• Altitude Achieved: The airship reached an altitude of approximately 17 km.
• Data Collection: Onboard sensors collected data to develop high-fidelity simulation models for future high-altitude flights. This is crucial for refining the airship’s design and operational capabilities.
• System Evaluation: In-flight deployment of envelope pressure control and emergency deflation systems, followed by retrieval for further investigation.
• Flight Duration: The flight lasted for about 62 minutes.
• Enhanced ISR Capabilities: The system will significantly enhance India’s earth observation and Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, making India one of the few nations with this technology. It allows for persistent surveillance over specific areas.
• Indigenous Development: Developed by Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment, Agra, showcasing indigenous technological advancement.
• HAPS (High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite): Functions as a HAPS, designed for long-endurance operations in the stratosphere (17-22 km). It offers persistent surveillance and communication capabilities, unlike satellites.
• Strategic Importance: Emphasized by Raksha Mantri (Defence Minister), highlighting its strategic importance in strengthening India’s surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
• DRDO Chief’s Remarks: DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V Kamat considers the flight a milestone towards realizing long-endurance, high-altitude platform systems.

TAC: Catch Limits

• Definition: Total Allowable Catch (TAC) is the maximum amount of a fish species that can be legally harvested from a specific body of water within a set period.

• Purpose: TACs are implemented by governments and international organizations to ensure sustainable exploitation of marine resources and prevent overfishing.

• Importance: TACs maintain a minimum fish population size, allowing for natural replenishment and preventing resource collapse. Without TACs, overfishing can deplete populations, threatening biodiversity, ecosystems, and livelihoods.

• Indian Context: India uses a seasonal fishing ban (a TAC equivalent of zero) for 61 days annually in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to conserve fish stocks during breeding season. East Coast: April 15 to June 14, West Coast: June 1 to July 31.

• TAC Determination: TAC limits are set by national fisheries authorities or international bodies like FAO or Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs).

• Ecosystem Benefits: TACs prevent overexploitation, supporting marine biodiversity and long-term sustainability of ecosystems.

• Geopolitical Implications: Disputes can arise over TAC enforcement, as highlighted by the US-Russia disagreement regarding Patagonia toothfish in the South Atlantic Ocean. Russia’s rejection of the established TAC led to individual country limits and subsequent import blocks by the US.

HADR Drill

• INS Sharda Deployed to Maldives: Indian Navy’s offshore patrol vessel, INS Sharda, arrived at Maafilaafushi Atoll, Maldives, for a HADR exercise from May 4-10, 2025.

• First-Ever HADR Exercise: This is the first time a dedicated HADR exercise is being conducted between the Indian Navy and the Maldives.

• Strategic Importance: The exercise underscores India’s “Neighbourhood First” Policy and strengthens maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region.

• MAHASAGAR Vision: Aligns with India’s “MAHASAGAR” vision, emphasizing regional security, collaboration, and disaster resilience in the Indian Ocean.

• Key Objectives: Enhancing interoperability between the Indian Navy and the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF). Joint drills for SAR operations, disaster response, logistical support, and medical assistance. Facilitating training sessions for capacity building and community engagement.

• Focus Areas: Disaster Response Coordination, Search and Rescue Operations, Medical Assistance, Logistical Support, Joint Drills, Training Sessions, and Community Engagement.

• India’s HADR Role: India aims to project soft power, enhance regional cooperation, and strengthen disaster response mechanisms in the Indo-Pacific.

España

• Power Outage Concerns: Recent widespread power outage in Spain and Portugal has sparked worries about the integration of solar and wind energy into the national grids.
• Renewable Energy Challenge: The shift towards renewables presents challenges for maintaining grid stability, traditionally ensured by conventional power plants with spinning turbines. Solar and wind farms use electronic systems, making it harder to balance electricity supply and demand.
• Grid Frequency: Grid operators must ensure electricity is balanced constantly between demand and supply.
• Technical Solutions: Solutions to compensate for renewables’ lack of inertia include flywheels, gravity storage, and batteries.
• Backup Systems: When renewable sources are insufficient, backup supply currently comes from thermal power plants, nuclear reactors, or hydroelectricity. Countries need to ramp up storage capacity.
• Storage Capacity:The most widespread method is pumped storage hydropower from water reservoirs.
• Transmission Network Failures: Blackouts are often triggered by transmission network failures, requiring billions of euros to renovate and modernize power lines.
• International Connections: Strengthening interconnections between countries’ power systems is crucial. France helped restore power to Spain during the blackout, highlighting the importance of cross-border links.
• Spain’s Geography: Located in Southwestern Europe, sharing borders with Portugal, France, Andorra, and the Mediterranean Sea. The Pyrenees Mountains form a natural barrier between Spain and France, with the Meseta Central as a vast interior plateau.
• Political System: Spain is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy.
• EU Member: Spain is a founding member of the EU and part of the Eurozone.

Fair Price Hike

• FRP Increase: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved an increase in the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane to ₹355 per quintal for the 2025-26 sugar season, up from ₹340 per quintal in the previous season. This aims to safeguard the interests of sugarcane farmers.

• Recovery Rate: The increased rate applies to a basic sugar recovery rate of 10.25%. A premium of ₹3.46 per quintal will be given for each 0.1% increase above 10.25%, and a corresponding reduction for decreases.

• Protection for Farmers: There will be no deduction for mills with recovery rates below 9.5%, ensuring farmers supplying these mills receive ₹329.05 per quintal.

• Profitability: The FRP for 2025-26 is 105.2% higher than the cost of production, calculated at ₹173 per quintal, and 4.41% higher than the current season’s rate.

• Impact on Livelihoods: Sugarcane farming and processing support the livelihoods of approximately five crore farmers and five lakh sugar mill workers, along with many others involved in related activities.

• Payment Status: As of April 28, nearly all (99.92%) of the cane dues for the 2023-24 season have been cleared (₹1,11,703 crore paid of ₹1,11,782 crore). For the current season, 87% of cane dues have been disbursed.

• FRP Determination: The FRP was determined based on recommendations from the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) and after consultations with State Governments and other stakeholders.

• Legal Basis of FRP: FRP is the minimum price sugar mills must pay, governed by the Sugarcane Control Order, 1966, under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. Delays in payment attract up to 15% interest.

FPO

• Why in News: Despite government investment, Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) progress is slower than anticipated, highlighting challenges and areas for improvement.
• What is an FPO: Farmer-member based Producer Organisation (PO) promoted by Small Farmers’ Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC), originating from a 2002 recommendation. Can be registered under various Acts.
• Objectives: Empower small and marginal farmers (87% own <2 hectares) by bulk input purchase, improved bargaining power, better prices, and enhanced market access. Aim to double farmer incomes and enable access to global markets.
• Current Status: 45,000 FPOs registered, but only 16,000 compliant. Only 4,000 have received working capital loans. Low average net profit (Rs 3 lakh) limits impact.
• Key Challenges:
  • No “one size fits all” approach to solve issues like climate risk and lack of rural infrastructure.
  • Limited impact in market linkages despite e-NAM integration (low traded value).
  • Thin profit margins (3-6%) threaten long-term viability.
  • Difficulty replacing middlemen due to trust and credit dependencies.
  • FPOs sometimes act as outsourcing channels, diluting their purpose.
  • Lack of social capital hinders consensus-building and sustainability.
• Strengthening FPOs:
  • Support high-potential FPOs with strong leadership and farmer participation.
  • Develop vernacular knowledge resources for FPO operations.
  • Train rural youth as FPO Promoters.
  • Encourage value addition through processing, branding, and direct retail partnerships.
• Conclusion: FPOs can empower small farmers, but success requires addressing challenges, focusing on high-potential FPOs, leveraging digital platforms, and promoting value addition for long-term sustainability.

Panchayat Index

• Why in News: PM Modi highlighted the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) on National Panchayati Raj Day as crucial for empowering local governance and achieving Viksit Bharat 2047.
• What is PAI: A composite index to assess Gram Panchayat (GP) progress using socio-economic indicators, identifying development gaps, and supporting evidence-based planning. Aligned with Localization of Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs) and the National Indicator Framework (NIF).
• Indicators: Based on 435 unique local indicators across 9 LSDG-aligned themes.
• Data: Over 2.16 lakh GPs from 29 States/UTs submitted data, validated by respective States/UTs.
• Performance Categories: GPs classified into Achiever, Front Runner, Performer, Aspirant, and Beginners based on PAI scores.
• 2022-23 Data: No Panchayat qualified as an Achiever.0.3% were Front Runners, 35.8% Performers, 61.2% Aspirants, and 2.7% Beginners.
• Challenges:
  • Limited Financial Autonomy: Heavy reliance on state/central funds.
  • Incomplete Devolution: Less than 20% of states have fully implemented the transfer of 29 subjects.
  • Technological and Capacity Gaps: Lack of digital infrastructure, literacy, and trained staff.
  • Inadequate Infrastructure: Limited pucca panchayat office buildings.
  • Representation Gaps: Limited participation of women due to patriarchal norms.
  • Poor Inter-Departmental Coordination: Duplication of work and inefficient resource use.
• Measures to Enhance PRIs:
  • Ensure Financial Autonomy: Implement State Finance Commissions.
  • Devolution and Empowerment: Transfer the 29 subjects effectively.
  • Boost Institutional Capacity: Targeted training and convergence with SHGs/CBOs.
  • Technological and Data-Driven Governance: Integrate digital modules and expand e-Gram Swaraj.
  • Encourage Scheme Convergence: Unified panchayat-level action plan.
  • Promote Gender Inclusion: Women Resource Centres and gender budgeting.

Basir Missile

• Iran Unveils Ghassem Basir Missile: Iran revealed a new solid-fuel medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) named Ghassem Basir in May 2025.
• Range: The missile has a reported range of over 1,200 kilometers (745 miles), capable of striking targets across the region.
• Features: It’s approximately 11 meters long, weighs roughly 7 tons, utilizes a solid-fuel propulsion system for quicker launch readiness and stable storage, and can reach speeds up to Mach 12.
• Advanced Technology: The missile includes a thermal imaging sensor for target identification and a maneuverable reentry vehicle (MaRV) to reduce drag, radar observability, and improve efficiency. It is capable of being launched from mobile transporter-erector-launchers (TELs) resembling civilian trucks.
• Timing of the Unveiling: The unveiling occurred after Oman-mediated talks between Tehran and Washington regarding Iran’s nuclear program.
• Regional Tensions: Western nations have expressed concerns about Iran’s missile capabilities and its role in the Middle East, particularly its support for groups opposed to Israel.
• Iranian Response: Iranian officials state that the missile program is for defense purposes, warning of a strong response to any attack targeting American bases while claiming no animosity toward neighboring states.
• Nuclear Program Concerns: The unveiling coincides with renewed concerns about Iran’s nuclear program, with calls from the US and Israel for Iran to halt uranium enrichment and ballistic missile development. Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons.

Saola: The Asian Unicorn

• Saola Genome Mapped: Scientists successfully mapped the complete genome of the critically endangered Saola (“Asian Unicorn”) using tissue fragments from hunter-collected remains.
• Population Split: Genetic analysis reveals the Saola population split into two distinct groups 5,000-20,000 years ago, likely due to habitat changes after the Last Glacial Maximum.
• Human Impact: The transition to agricultural societies (~4,000 years ago) led to habitat loss, increased hunting, and genetic isolation, further threatening the species.
• Complementary Gene Pools: The two Saola groups lost different segments of genetic diversity, meaning combining their gene pools could restore crucial overall diversity.
• Conservation Importance: The genome mapping provides valuable insights into genetic diversity, population structure, and conservation strategies for the Saola.
• Critically Endangered: The Saola is listed as Critically Endangered due to snaring, hunting, habitat loss, and low reproductive numbers. The 2015 assessment estimated the population between 50-300.
• Captive Breeding Hope: There is a major effort to build a well-equipped captive breeding facility for saola in Vietnam, to capture live individuals to save it from extinction.
• Reintroduction Plan: The plan is to use the captive population to reintroduce animals in a protected area where poaching is prevented.
• Need to Mix Populations: Mixing the two populations in a captive breeding program can help compensate for the genetic diversity lost in each population.

Makalu: The Fifth Giant

• ITBP Success: The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) successfully scaled Mt. Makalu (8,485m), the world’s fifth highest peak, on April 19, 2025.
• First CAPF: ITBP is the first Central Armed Police Force to achieve this feat.
• Twin Expedition: Part of a twin expedition to Mt. Makalu and Mt. Annapurna in Nepal, marking a historic first for the ITBP.
• Annapurna Attempt: The Mt. Annapurna team reached 7,940 meters before retreating due to extreme weather.
• Team Composition: The Mt. Makalu team, led by Deputy Commandant Anoop Kumar Negi, had a success rate of 83%, with five climbers reaching the summit.
• Environmental Initiative: The team collected 150 kg of non-biodegradable waste as part of the ‘Clean Himalaya – Save Glacier’ campaign.
• ITBP’s Mountaineering Record: This summit marks ITBP’s sixth successful scaling of the world’s 14 ‘eight-thousanders’, and 229 peaks overall, including Mt. Everest (five times).
• Mountain Location: Mt. Makalu resides in the Mahalangur range of the Nepal Himalayas, on the border between Nepal and Tibet. It is located southeast of Mount Everest, known for its pyramid shape with four sharp ridges and resides in Makalu Barun National Park.
• First Ascent: Mt. Makalu was first ascended in 1955 by a French expedition.
• ITBP Role: The ITBP specializes in high-altitude border guarding along the India-China border.

The Rock

• Alcatraz to potentially reopen as a prison: The US President has directed his administration to rebuild and enlarge Alcatraz, which has been closed for over 60 years.

• Alcatraz’s History: Known as “The Rock,” the island has served as a lighthouse location (1854), a military post, and a military prison before becoming a federal prison in 1934.

• Federal Prison Era (1934-1963): Alcatraz housed some of the most dangerous criminals in the US. It was believed to be inescapable.

• Reasons for Closure: High maintenance costs led to the prison’s closure in 1963.

• Current Status: Alcatraz is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and a popular tourist destination.

The OIC

• OIC Statement on India-Pakistan: The OIC recently expressed concern over the tense situation between India and Pakistan, urging restraint and dialogue.

• Second Largest Intergovernmental Organization: The OIC is the second largest intergovernmental organization after the UN, with 57 member states across four continents.

• Establishment & Purpose: Founded in 1969 following the Al-Aqsa Mosque arson, the OIC aims to preserve Islamic values, safeguard member states’ sovereignty, and contribute to international peace.

• Collective Muslim Voice: The OIC acts as the collective voice of the Muslim world, protecting their interests in economic, social, and political areas.

• Headquarters: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Official languages: Arabic, English, and French.

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• Key Members: Includes Afghanistan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Indonesia, Egypt, and many others.

• Main Bodies:

  • Islamic Summit Conference (ISC): Supreme authority, meets every three years.
  • Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM): Meets annually to examine implementation of decisions.
  • General Secretariat: Executive organ responsible for implementing decisions.

• Committees: Ministerial-level committees coordinate action in various fields.

• Partnerships: The OIC partners with international organizations, governments, and civil society.

• India and OIC: India is not a member of the OIC.

Semaglutide: The Skinny

Here are the key points about Semaglutide from the first article:

• Semaglutide shows promise for Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH).
• Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist used for Type 2 diabetes and weight loss (Ozempic, Wegovy).
• MASH is a severe fatty liver disease with no approved treatments.
• The study is significant because semaglutide improves liver histology and addresses metabolic dysfunctions linked to MASH.

Here are the key points regarding AI from the second article:

• AI is best viewed as a “normal” technology with slow, transformative impacts over decades, similar to the Internet.
• AI progress is now limited by the need for real-world interaction, deployment, and tacit knowledge.
• AI adoption is slowed by the “innovation-diffusion feedback loop,” which involves human behavioral change.
• Focus should be on risks during AI deployment (use) rather than development (training).
• Policy should enable adoption by workforce training and AI procurement standards and address risks by developing fail-safes.
• Attempts to suppress AI development will fail and should be replaced by promoting a “resilience” approach that distributes resources and power.

PMFBY: Crop Insurance

• High Claim Settlement Rate: 97% of reported claims under PMFBY and RWBCIS have been settled nationwide. Goa, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu have achieved 100% claim settlement.

• PMFBY Overview: Launched in 2016, PMFBY is a Central Sector Scheme providing financial protection to farmers against crop losses from natural disasters, pests, or diseases.

• World’s Largest: As of 2023-24, PMFBY is the world’s largest crop insurance scheme by farmer enrollment and land area covered.

• Eligibility: All farmers, including sharecroppers and tenant farmers growing notified crops in notified areas, are eligible. Participation is voluntary, with non-loanee farmers comprising 55% of beneficiaries.

• Risk Coverage: Covers losses from natural disasters (floods, droughts, cyclones, etc.), pest & disease attacks, post-harvest losses (up to 14 days), and localized calamities. It also provides prevented sowing indemnity.

• Affordable Premiums: Farmers pay low premiums: 2% for Kharif, 1.5% for Rabi, and 5% for annual commercial/horticultural crops. The government fully subsidizes premiums in Northeast, J&K, and Himachal Pradesh.

• Technology Integration: Uses satellite imagery & drones for crop area estimation and loss assessment. The CCE-Agri App ensures transparent yield assessment by direct data upload to the National Crop Insurance Portal (NCIP).

• Timely Payouts: Aims to process claims within two months of harvest to prevent farmers from incurring debt.

• RWBCIS Overview: Launched in 2016, RWBCIS protects against financial losses due to unfavorable weather conditions. Compensation is based on deviations from predefined weather indicators.

Indian Livestock

• Rural Livelihoods & Nutrition: India’s livestock sector is vital for rural livelihoods, nutrition, and economic growth, making animal health a national priority.
• World Veterinary Day: Underscores the role of veterinarians and the One Health approach to tackle zoonotic risks.
• Livestock Population: India has the world’s largest livestock population (535.78 million as per 20th Livestock Census, 2019). This includes 303.76 million bovines, 74.26 million sheep, 148.88 million goats, 9.06 million pigs, and 851.81 million poultry.
• Production Rank: India ranks 1st in milk production (24.76% of global production), 2nd in egg production, and 5th in meat production globally.
• GDP Contribution: The sector contributes 5.50% of India’s Gross Value Added (GVA) and provides employment to about 8.8% of the population.
• Exports: Exports of livestock products reached USD 3.64 billion during April-December 2024, strengthening India’s foreign exchange.
• Low Productivity: India’s livestock productivity remains low compared to global standards, particularly in dairy.
• Inadequate Infrastructure: The sector suffers from poor breed quality, inadequate feeding, lack of veterinary services, cold chain facilities, and modern slaughterhouses.
• Health Risks: Zoonotic diseases pose significant threats due to poor hygiene, inadequate veterinary services, and lack of awareness.
• Veterinarian Demand: India needs to produce 2500 additional veterinary graduates annually for the next five years to meet the growing demand.
• Breed Improvement: Promote genetic upgradation through selective breeding and artificial insemination.
• Veterinary Services: Strengthen veterinary care access, vaccination, and disease surveillance. Veterinarians are the first line of defense against health risks for animals and humans and work with farmers and indigenous populations to promote sustainable livestock management.
• One Health Approach: Integrate human, animal, and environmental health through cross-sector collaboration.

Genome-Edited Rice

• India released its first genome-edited rice varieties, ‘DRR Dhan 100 (Kamala)’ and ‘Pusa DST Rice 1’, developed by ICAR using CRISPR-Cas9 technology.

• These varieties aim to enhance yields, climate resilience, and resource efficiency without foreign DNA, making them comparable to traditionally bred crops.

• DRR Dhan 100 (Kamala):

  • Based on Samba Mahsuri.
  • Uses SDN1 technology to target the CKX2 gene (Gn1a) for increased grain number.
  • Results in early maturity (15-20 days earlier), drought tolerance, and high nitrogen-use efficiency.
  • Demonstrated a 19% yield improvement over Samba Mahsuri in multi-location trials, with potential yields up to 9 tons per hectare.
  • Retains the grain and cooking quality of Samba Mahsuri, it has been recommended for cultivation across major rice-growing states.

• Pusa DST Rice 1:

  • Based on Maruteru 1010 variety.
  • Enhances drought and salt tolerance through SDN1 genome editing, targeting the DST gene.
  • Shows yield increases in coastal salinity (30.4%), alkaline soils (14.66%), and inland salinity (9.67%).
  • It has been recommended for cultivation across key rice-growing states.

• Significance: Cultivating these varieties on 5 million hectares could yield 4.5 million additional tonnes of paddy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20%, and save 7,500 million cubic meters of irrigation water.

• The varieties received appropriate biosafety clearances under India’s simplified regulations for genome-edited crops (SDN1 and SDN2).

• India’s paddy yield is lower than other countries like China, Indonesia and Bangladesh hence this step is to increase domestic rice output.

SGNP: Mumbai’s Green Lung

• Leopard Census: A recent census reveals a minimum of 54 leopards reside in Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) and its surrounding areas. The census identified 36 leopardesses, 16 leopards, and 2 unidentifiable leopards.
• Coexistence Amid Urbanization: The leopard population highlights the coexistence of wildlife within a major metropolitan area and underscores ongoing conservation efforts.
• Location and Size: SGNP is a large protected area near Borivali, Mumbai, spanning 103 sq. km. It extends into Thane and Mumbai Suburban Districts, making it one of the largest parks within city limits globally.
• Historical Significance: Formerly known as Krishnagiri National Park and Borivali National Park, it was renamed Sanjay Gandhi National Park in 1981.
• Kanheri Caves: The park houses the ancient Kanheri Caves, carved by Buddhist monks between the 1st and 10th centuries CE, serving as monasteries, temples, and schools.
• Water Source: Two artificial lakes, Tulsi Lake and Vihar Lake, are located within the park and provide a significant water supply to South Mumbai.
• Biodiversity: SGNP is rich in flora, including Kadamba, Teak, and Shisham trees, and fauna, such as leopards, sambar deer, and various civet species. It also hosts 251 bird species and a diverse range of butterflies.
• Human Interference: SGNP is a rare national park to survive despite being surrounded by a metropolis and facing high human interference.

ECINET

• ECI Launches ECINET: The Election Commission of India (ECI) is launching ECINET, a single-point digital platform to streamline electoral services.
• Consolidation of Apps: ECINET integrates over 40 existing ECI mobile and web applications, like Voter Helpline, cVIGIL, Suvidha 2.0, etc., which have recorded over 5.5 crore downloads.
• Simplified User Experience: Aims to provide a user-friendly interface (UI/UX) for electors, officials, parties, and civil society, eliminating the need for multiple app downloads.
• Extensive Consultations: Developed after consultations with Chief Electoral Officers, District Election Officers, and Electoral Registration Officers.
• Data Accuracy: Data will be entered by authorized ECI officials, ensuring accuracy and alignment with legal frameworks (Representation of People Act, etc.).
• Beneficiaries: Expected to benefit nearly 100 crore electors and the entire electoral machinery (BLOs, BLAs, polling officials, etc.).
• Advanced Stage: ECINET is in advanced stages of development with rigorous trials for functionality, ease of use, and cybersecurity.
• Vision: Envisioned by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to improve UX and UI.

Kaleshwaram Project

• Structural Damage and Design Flaws: The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) is under scrutiny due to significant structural damage and design flaws reported by the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA).
• World’s Largest: KLIP is the world’s largest multi-stage lift irrigation project on the Godavari River, spanning 500 km across 13 districts, with a 1,800 km canal network.
• Project Goals: Aims to provide 240 TMC of water, with 70% for irrigation, 30 TMC for Hyderabad municipal area, 16 TMC for industrial uses and 10 TMC for drinking water.
• Medigadda Barrage Crisis: In October 2023, a pillar of the Medigadda Barrage sank, leading to flooding, prompting a thorough inspection by the NDSA.
• NDSA Findings: NDSA found lack of geotechnical investigations, design deficiencies, construction defects, failure of modelling studies, structural distress, absence of quality control, and ignored dam safety aspects.
• Rehabilitation Needed: NDSA recommended rehabilitation of the design, health and safety assessment, immediate stabilization measures, geotechnical studies, and hydraulic model studies.
• Political Implications: The project, a brainchild of the previous BRS government, is now criticized as a “man-made disaster” by the current Congress government.
• Financial Burden: Telangana is reportedly paying Rs 16,000 crore annually in debt repayment and interest for the project.
• Over-Storage: Barrages were originally designed for 2 TMC water regulation but stored over 10 TMC, causing foundational damage and collapse.
• River Godavari Godavari is India’s second-longest river originating from Trimbakeshwar in Maharashtra, flowing 1,465 km eastward into the Bay of Bengal.
• NDSA Role: NDSA is a statutory body established under the National Dam Safety Act, 2021 to regulate and oversee dams, formulate policies, resolve disputes and conduct awareness programs.