Increased Ethanol Diversion: Approximately 35 lakh tonnes of sugar are projected for ethanol production in 2024-25, up from 21.5 lakh tonnes in 2023-24, indicating a strong push for biofuels.
Ethanol Blending Targets: India aims for 20% ethanol blending by 2025-26 and 30% by 2030, driving increased ethanol production.
Food Security Concerns: Reliance on sugarcane, maize, and rice for ethanol could divert resources from food production, potentially increasing food prices and impacting vulnerable
Land Use Pressure: Meeting blending targets requires significant land allocation for feedstock cultivation, straining land, water, and fertilizer resources.
Water Resource Depletion: Ethanol production consumes substantial water, exacerbating water stress in agricultural regions.
Limited Emission Reductions: The EBP offers modest emission reductions and ethanol plants can cause pollution.
Technological Gaps: India primarily uses less efficient first-generation ethanol production.
Sustainable Solutions: Promoting 3G ethanol from microalgae, strengthening environmental regulations (LCA, CCS, carbon credits), advanced irrigation, ZLD technology, agroforestry, and circular economy models are crucial for balancing production with sustainability.
Sugar Production: Sugar production between October 2024 and April 15, 2025 was 254.97 lakh tonnes and 38 of the 534 factories continued to operate.
Uttar Pradesh Cane Availability: Cane availability had improved in Uttar Pradesh and hence some of the factories in that State were expected to continue sugar production till the first week of May.
Historical Origin: The Bengali calendar dates back to the reign of King Shoshangko (~594 CE).
Wider Celebrations: Poila Boishakh is one of many New Year and harvest festivals celebrated across India during March-April and Baisakh, reflecting the country’s diverse agricultural cycles and cultural traditions.
Regional Variations: Other significant celebrations at this time include Gudi Padwa, Ugadi, Cheti Chand, Nowroz, Baisakhi, Rongali Bihu, Puthandu, Vishu, Pana Sankranti, and Jude Sheetal.
West Bengal Foundation Day: West Bengal has adopted Poila Boishakh as its State Foundation Day.
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January 2024, after spending significant amounts on fertilizers and maintenance.
Root rot can be caused by overwatering, fungal pathogens (Armillaria mellea, Clitocybe tabescens, and Fusarium) and oomycetes (Pythium, Phytophthora, and Aphanomyces).
The horticulture department has been notified and is planning a field visit to assess the situation and advise farmers on disease management.
‘Pichi poo’ is a sought-after flower for garlands used in temples and ceremonies, contributing to its economic importance for farmers.
Root rot spreads through soil, especially when soggy and fungal spores multiply.
Control measures include planting in well-drained soils, using resistant varieties, and removing affected plants. Fungicides can also treat the soil.
The Tiruchy area cultivates red jasmine across approximately 1,000 acres, supplying the flower to various parts of the state.
Meghayan 25 Symposium: The Indian Navy hosted its 3rd Meteorological and Oceanological Symposium, Meghayan 25, on April 14, 2025, in New Delhi.
Why: To commemorate the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) formation and celebrate WMO Day 2025.
Inauguration & Participation: Virtually inaugurated by Adm Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff. It included experts and representatives from various organizations like IMD, IITM, INCOIS, NIOT, IAF, SAC-ISRO, NMF, and IIT-Madras.
Why: To foster collaboration and knowledge sharing in marine meteorology and oceanology.
WMO Theme Alignment: The seminar aligned with the 2025 WMO Day theme: “Closing the Early Warning Gap Together”.
Why: To address the critical need for improved early warning systems in maritime contexts.
Technical Sessions: Two sessions focused on Marine Meteorology & Oceanology, and Statistical Approaches in Weather Forecasting.
Why: To explore cutting-edge developments and innovative forecasting methods.
Panel Discussion: A panel discussed “Closing the Early Warning Gap Together: Enhancing Maritime Security and Coordination”.
treating various ailments like fever, dysentery, and even snake bites, using tree bark, leaves and fruits for the same.
Climate Resilience: Their ability to detect subtle ecological changes makes them vital in strengthening global climate resilience efforts.
Underrepresentation: Their TEK is often underrepresented in environmental discourse and climate policy discussions.
Scientific Value: Researchers are emphasizing the scientific value of TEK, moving beyond viewing it as mere folklore.
Climate Variability Impact: Climate variability is altering plant cycles and availability, knowledge of which is captured through interviews with traditional healers.
Ethical Collaboration: The study advocates for ethical collaboration between indigenous communities and researchers.
Call for Recognition: Mainstream science is urged to recognize local knowledge systems as valid scientific data.
Cultural Significance: Tanaji Malusare, a revered general in Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s army, belonged to this community.
Geographic Location: The Mahadev Koli tribe primarily resides in the states of Maharashtra and Goa.
hazards. Aims to provide insights into climate change and natural hazards.
Key Feature: High Precision: Will capture changes as small as one centimetre.
Technological Advancement: Uses dual-frequency radar (L-band from NASA, S-band from ISRO) for detailed Earth surface monitoring.
Antenna: Features a 12-metre drum-shaped wire mesh reflector, the largest in space, for enhanced signal focus.
Delay and Upgrade: The mission faced delays due to a key component, the 12-metre antenna, needing improvement. It was shipped back to the US for upgrades.
Upcoming ISRO Missions: EOS-09 (Earth Observation Satellite) and Gaganyaan TV-D2 Mission (Crew Escape System test) are scheduled before NISAR.
Axiom-4 Mission: Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will travel to the ISS, becoming the second Indian in space.
Electronics Manufacturing Surge in India: Electronics manufacturing in India has increased fivefold in the last decade, exceeding Rs 11 lakh crore. This was highlighted at the inauguration of VVDN Technologies’ SMT line.
efficient compared to traditional THT. SMT enables automated production.
SMT Advantages: SMT offers cheaper production costs, higher component density, and improved electrical performance compared to THT. SMT supports microelectronics by allowing components to be packed closer together. The process for SMT production setup is faster than THT. SMT overall makeup is far less complex than THT.
SMT Soldering Techniques: The primary soldering methods in SMT are reflow soldering and wave soldering.
SMT Applications: SMT is widely used across various industries, including consumer electronics, medical devices, and aerospace.
UNESCO’s Memory of the World (MoW) Programme: Launched in 1992 to preserve and ensure access to documentary heritage worldwide, guarding against “collective amnesia.”
MoW Register: A compendium of significant documents (manuscripts, oral traditions, audio-visual materials, archives) of global value, updated biennially. As of 2025, it contains 570 entries.
India’s New Additions (2025): Manuscripts of the Natyashastra (by Bharata Muni) and the Bhagavad Gita (attributed to Vyasa), both preserved at the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Pune.
Natyashastra Significance: An ancient Sanskrit treatise on performing arts defining
thought. It’s a dialogue between Arjuna and Krishna, providing ethical and spiritual guidance.
India’s Existing Contributions: 13 entries including the Rig Veda, works of Abhinavagupta, archives of the Non-Aligned Movement’s first summit, and the Dutch East India Company archives (joint submission).
UNSC Reform Push: Kuwait’s UN representative, chairing UNSC reform talks, indicates India is a strong contender for permanent membership if the UNSC expands.
UNSC’s Core Function: The UNSC is a key UN organ responsible for global peace and security. Member states are obligated to
UNSC Structure: The council has 15 members: 5 permanent (P5) with veto power (China, France, Russia, UK, US) and 10 non-permanent, elected for 2-year terms.
Geographic Representation: The 10 non-permanent seats are distributed to ensure geographic representation from Africa/Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Western Europe/others.
G4 Advocacy: India, Brazil, Germany, and Japan (G4 nations) are actively pushing for UNSC reform.
India’s Position: India views the current UNSC as outdated and not reflective of today’s world.
