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SUNYA NOTES (March)

l COVERAGE
Ø The Hindu (Page 2 till Page 23)
Ø Vision Monthly (Page 24 till Page 30)
Ø PIB and Other Monthly (Page 40 till Page 42)

l ‘The Hindu’ Coverage is unique feature of our notes which is generally ignored
by Coaching Institutes and is targeted most by UPSC. We search and add every
important ‘term’ mentioned in the newspaper so as to save your time

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Ø Sea Slug = Recently, the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has named a new marine species of
head-shield sea slug after President of India Droupadi Murmu as Melanochlamys Droupadi
(M. Droupadi) + Belongs to Melanochlamys genus + Discovered from Digha of West Bengal
coast and Udaipur of Odisha coast + Found nowhere else in the world + They continuously
secrete transparent mucus to form a sheath that prevents sand grains from entering parapodial
space + It crawls beneath smooth sand to form a moving capsule where the body is rarely
visible.
Ø Theyyam = It is a Hindu religious ritual practiced in northern Kerala and some parts of
Karnataka + Theyyam is also known as Kaḷiyāṭṭaṁ or Tiṟa + Theyyam consists of traditions,
rituals and customs associated with temples and sacred groves of Malabar + The people of the
region consider Theyyam itself as a channel to a god and they thus seek blessings from
Theyyam + Each Theyyam is a man or a woman who attained divine status by performing
heroic deeds or by leading a virtuous life.Most Theyyams are believed to be the incarnations
of Shiva or Shakti (the consort of Shiva) + Some of the major types of Theyyam are:
Vishnumoorthi, Gulikan, Kuttichathan etc.
Ø Minimum Support Price (MSP) = MSP is the rate at which the government purchases crops
from farmers, and is based on a calculation of at least one-and-a-half times the cost of
production incurred by the farmers + Commission for Agricultural Costs & Prices (CACP)
recommends MSPs for 22 mandated crops and fair and remunerative price (FRP) for
sugarcane. CACP is an attached office of the Ministry of Agriculture + The mandated crops
includes 14 crops of the kharif season, 6 rabi crops and 2 other commercial crops. In addition,
the MSPs of toria and de-husked coconut are fixed on the basis of the MSPs of
rapeseed/mustard and copra, respectively + CACP does not do any field-based cost estimates
itself. It makes projections using state-wise, crop-specific production cost estimates provided
by the Directorate of Economics & Statistics in the Agriculture Ministry + CACP projects three
kinds of production cost for every crop, both at state and all-India average levels.
• ‘A2’ Covers all paid-out costs directly incurred by the farmer in cash and kind on seeds,
fertilisers, pesticides, hired labour, leased-in land, fuel, irrigation, etc.
• ‘A2+FL’ Includes A2 plus an imputed value of unpaid family labour.
• ‘C2’ It is a more comprehensive cost that factors in rentals and interest forgone on
owned land and fixed capital assets, on top of A2+FL
Ø Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) Dam = gravity dam located below the confluence of the river
Kaveri with its tributaries, Hemavati and Lakshmana Tirtha, in the district of Mandya in
Karnataka + type of gravity dam + The dam was constructed during the rule of the Maharaja
of Mysore, Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV, and it was named in his honour. The construction of the
KRS Dam began in 1911 and was completed in 1931. The dam was designed by Sir M.
Visvesvaraya, a famous Indian engineer (often referred to as the ‘architect of modern Mysore’
or ‘father of planning in India’) + The water from the dam is used for irrigation in Mysore and
Mandya and is the main source of drinking water for Mysore, Mandya, and Bengaluru city +
It also ensures power supply to the Shivanasamudra hydroelectric power station + The water
released from this dam flows into the state of Tamil Nadu and is stored in the Mettur dam in
the Salem district.
Ø Rajya Sabha Elections = As per Article 80 of the Constitution, representatives of each State
to the Rajya Sabha are elected indirectly by the elected members of their Legislative Assembly
+ The polls for Rajya Sabha will be required only if the number of candidates exceed the
number of vacancies + Till 1998, the candidates nominated by various parties to the Rajya
Sabha according to their strength in the Assembly, used to be elected unopposed + However,
the June 1998 Rajya Sabha elections in Maharashtra witnessed cross-voting that resulted in the
loss of a Congress party candidate + To prevent the cross-voting, an amendment to the
Representation of the People Act, 1951 (RPA) was carried out in 2003.

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• Amendment to Section 59 of the RPA Act, 1951 = To provide that the voting in
elections to Rajya Sabha shall be through an open ballot + The MLAs of political
parties are required to show their ballot paper to the authorised agent of their Party +
Not showing the ballot paper to the authorised agent or showing it to anyone else will
disqualify the vote + Independent MLAs are barred from showing their ballots to
anyone.
• Kuldip Nayar versus Union of India (2006) = The Supreme Court upheld the system
of open ballot for Rajya Sabha elections + The court held that an elected MLA of a
political party would not face disqualification under the Tenth Schedule (at most a
disciplinary action) for voting against their party candidate.
Ø The Genome India Project = Project funded and coordinated by the Department of
Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology + Recently, the Genome India Project has
finished sequencing 10,000 Indian genomes + Launched in 2020 + Its ambitious goal is to
sequence 10,000 genomes from healthy Indian individuals spanning the length and breadth of
the country + The primary aim of Genome India is to construct a comprehensive catalogue of
genetic variations for India’s population that will better capture our unique diversity. This
initiative is not just about decoding our genes; it is about creating a detailed reference that
encapsulates the Indian population’s genetic makeup and enables a deeper understanding of its
diversity + It would be like creation of the first ever detailed map of India, with all political
units, key geographical and topographical features as opposed to a world map prepared
elsewhere + Please Note: India first sequenced a human genome in 2009 + The Genome India
Project is inspired by the Human Genome Project (HGP 1990-2003) – an international
programme that led to the decoding of the entire human genome.
• Human Genome Project (HGP) = HGP was a highly collaborative international effort
that led to the first sequence of the human genome (92% of the human genome). It took
13 years (1990 – 2003) to produce a blueprint of the sequence of genes and spaces
between genes that make up a typical human genome + The HGP generated 92% of the
Human Genome sequence in 2003 + The Human Genome Project released the latest
version of the complete human genome in 2023 with a 0.3% error margin.
• IndiGen Programme: It took whole genome sequencing of thousands of individuals
representing diverse ethnic groups from India + It was funded by the Council for
Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
• Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH) = Formed in 2013, it is a not-
for-profit alliance that sets standards to expand genomic data use within a human rights
framework.
Ø Kashmir Stag = also called Hangul + subspecies of Central Asian red deer + Endemic to
Kashmir and surrounding areas + found in dense riverine forests in the high valleys and
mountains of Jammu and Kashmir and northern Himachal Pradesh + In Kashmir, it is found
primarily in the Dachigam National Park and in Tral Wildlife Sanctuary where it receives
protection. A small population has also been witnessed in Overa-Aru Wildlife Sanctuary in
south Kashmir + IUCN: Critically Endangered + CITES : Appendix I.
Ø Rheumatoid Arthritis = Arthritis refers to joint pain or joint disease, the inflammation or
swelling of one or more joints + It is not only a disease of the old: people of all ages, sexes and
races can be affected + Most common among numerous conditions are osteoarthritis and
rheumatoid arthritis + Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a form of autoimmune inflammatory
arthritis. Here, the immune system attacks healthy tissue, causing painful swelling in the
affected parts + In osteoarthritis, the cartilage, which is the connective tissue that covers the
ends of your bones where they form a joint, wears down, causing the underlying bone.
Prevalence of certain kinds of arthritis increases with age.
• ALOX5 = Recently, scientists have discovered that an inflammatory form of cell death
may drive rheumatoid arthritis + The findings implicate a protein named ALOX5 as a

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key player in this autoimmune disorder + Study suggests that it could serve as both a
treatment target and a potential marker of active disease and remission.
• World Arthritis Day = To help spread awareness about the existence and impact of
rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs), October 12 is marked as World
Arthritis Day.
Ø Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954 (DMR&OA) = The
Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954 is an Act of the
Parliament of India which controls advertising of drugs in India + It prohibits advertisements
of drugs and remedies that claim to have magical properties, and makes doing so a cognizable
offence + The act defines "magic remedy" as any talisman, mantra, amulet or any other object
which is claimed to have miraculous powers to cure, diagnose, prevent or mitigate a disease in
humans or animal + It also includes such devices that are claimed to have power to influence
structure or function of an organ in humans or animals + The law prohibits advertising of drugs
and remedies for: inducing miscarriage or preventing conception in women, improving or
maintaining the capacity for sexual pleasure, correction of menstrual disorders, curing,
diagnosing or preventing any disease or condition mentioned in an included schedule +
Recently, the Supreme Court intimated Patanjali’s ads present its products to people as a
‘permanent relief’, which is “misleading” and “a violation of the law” by citing provisions of
the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954 (DMR&OA) and
its Rules.
Ø Kuru Disease = Kuru is a rare, incurable, and fatal neurodegenerative disorder that was
formerly common among the Fore people of Papua New Guinea + Kuru is a form of
transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) caused by the transmission of abnormally
folded proteins (prions), which leads to symptoms such as tremors and loss of coordination
from neuro-degeneration + It is also known as the "laughing sickness" due to the pathologic
bursts of laughter which are a symptom of the disease + Kuru was transmitted among members
of the Fore tribe of Papua New Guinea via funerary cannibalism.
Ø Non-Lapsable Defence Modernisation Fund = The 15th Finance Commission had
recommended the constitution of a dedicated non-lapsable Modernisation Fund for Defence
and Internal Security (MFDIS) after the Centre had included the examination of such a fund’s
creation in its terms of reference + Recently, the government dropped the idea of setting up a
non-lapsable defence modernisation fund + The government argued that all defence funding
needs are being met and creating a non-lapsable pool has drawbacks as it affects parliamentary
scrutiny and accountability + The only funds that are non-lapsable traditionally are those
funded through cesses levied for a specific purpose.
Ø Kalpakkam Atomic Power Station = Tamil Nadu + nation’s indigenously developed
Demonstration Fast Reactor Fuel Reprocessing Plant (DFRP) + Capacity: 500 MW + It was
designed by the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research and constructed by BHAVINI +
The plant will reprocess spent fuel from the Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) at the Kalpakkam
Atomic power station + A Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) is a type of nuclear reactor that uses
fast neutrons to cause the fission of uranium-238 (unlike conventional nuclear reactors that use
slow neutrons). The term “breeder” refers to the ability of these reactors to produce more fissile
material than they consume + FBR is the key to India’s three-stage nuclear power programme.
It is the only of its kind in the world and is capable of reprocessing both carbide and oxide
fuels discharged from the fast reactors.
• Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) = It is a machine that produces more nuclear fuel than it
consumes + The Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) will initially use the Uranium-Plutonium
Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel + The Uranium-238 “blanket” surrounding the fuel core will
undergo nuclear transmutation to produce more fuel, thus earning the name ‘Breeder’
+ The use of Throium-232, which in itself is not a fissile material, as a blanket is also

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envisaged in this stage + By transmutation, Thorium will create fissile Uranium-233
which will be used as fuel in the third stage.
• Core Loading = Recently commenced at country’s first indigenous Fast Breeder
Reactor (FBR) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu + core loading is the process of loading
nuclear fuel assemblies into the reactor core + The core loading of PFBR is developed
by BHAVINI (Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited) + The core consists of
control sub-assemblies, blanket sub-assemblies and fuel sub-assemblies. Loading of
the core with its components would generate nuclear power + Once it becomes
operational, India will be only the second country after Russia to have a commercial
operating fast breeder reactor.
• BHAVINI = Short for Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited, BHAVINI was
established in 2003 to build and operate the PFBR.
Ø Nuclear Energy Summit = First ever Nuclear Energy Summit was held at Brussels (Belgium)
+ Hosted by: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Belgian government + It is
organised in the wake of historic inclusion of nuclear energy in the Global Stocktake agreed at
UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai in 2023 + Participants: Leaders and
Representatives from 32 countries (including India) + Objective: To highlight role of nuclear
energy in addressing the global challenges to reduce use of fossil fuels, enhance energy security
and boost economic development.
Ø ADITI Scheme = Launched by Ministry of Defence + Acing Development of Innovative
Technologies with iDEX (ADITI) is a scheme to promote innovations in critical and strategic
defence technologies + It aims to develop about 30 deep-tech critical and strategic technologies
in the proposed timeframe + Under this scheme start-ups are eligible to receive grant-in-aid of
up to Rs 25 crore for their research, development and innovation endeavours in defence
technology + It also envisages to create a ‘Technology Watch Tool’ to bridge the gap between
the expectations and requirements of the modern Armed Forces and the capabilities of the
defence innovation ecosystem + It falls under the iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence)
framework of Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence.
Ø Global Resource Outlook 2024 = It is the flagship report of the International Resource Panel
of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) + This year’s report sheds light on how
resources are essential to the effective implementation of the Agenda 2030 and multilateral
environmental agreements to tackle the triple planetary crisis.
Ø Global Waste Management Outlook 2024 = Published by: United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP) in collaboration with the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA)
+ Report Title: Turning rubbish into a resource: Global Waste Management Outlook.
Ø Young Champions of the Earth Award = Introduced in 2017, It is a flagship youth
engagement initiative of the UNEP + Young people (Aged between 18-30 years) are selected
from every region of the globe and be named UNEP Young Champions of the Earth.
Ø Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) = Developed by the Department of Telecommunications,
Ministry of Communications + It is a secure and integrated platform for real time intelligence
sharing, information exchange and coordination among the stakeholders, Telecom Service
Providers (TSPs), law enforcement agencies (LEAs), banks and financial institutions (FIs),
social media platforms, identity document issuing authorities etc + The portal also contains
information regarding the cases detected as misuse of telecom resources + The said platform
is not accessible to citizens.
Ø Women, Business and Law Index = by World Bank + Aims to measure how laws and
regulations affect women’s economic opportunity on a scale from 0 to 100, where 100 means
equal legal rights for men and women + The report covers eight related areas: Mobility,
workplace, pay, marriage, parenthood, entrepreneurship, assets and pension + The data offer
objective and measurable benchmarks for evaluating global progress toward legal gender
equality.

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Ø Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine = HPV is a group of more than 200 related viruses,
of which more than 40 are spread through direct sexual contact + Among these, two HPV types
cause genital warts, and about a dozen HPV types can cause certain types of cancer. More than
95% of cervical cancer is caused by the HPV virus + It is the most common sexually
transmitted infection (STI) globally. It also spreads through skin-to-skin contact + Once
infected, most people do not develop any symptoms, thereby not being aware that they have
the virus + Getting vaccinated against HPV helps prevent cancer in men and women + (HPV
Vaccination = It prevents HPV infections that can progress to cancer or genital warts + The
HPV vaccination is more efficacious if given between the age group of 9-26 years + Once a
person gets HPV, the vaccine may not be as effective. The HPV vaccine isn't given during
pregnancy)
Ø UDGAM Portal = RBI + The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently launched a Centralised
Web Portal, UDGAM (Unclaimed Deposits – Gateway to Access inforMation), for the public
to search for their unclaimed deposits across multiple banks at one place + Reserve Bank
Information Technology Pvt Ltd (ReBIT), Indian Financial Technology & Allied Services
(IFTAS), and participating banks have collaborated on developing the portal + The portal will
enable users to either claim the deposit amount or make their deposit accounts operative at
their respective banks + According to RBI, "Unclaimed Deposits" refers to funds held in
savings or current accounts that have remained inactive for duration of 10 years, or in the case
of fixed deposits (FDs), have not been withdrawn within 10 years from the maturity date.
Ø Cycas Circinalis = Cycas circinalis is on the verge of extinction in the northern part of the
Kerala after being hit by an unknown and fast spreading plant disease + It is popularly known
as Eenthu Pana in Kerala + It belongs to cycads (family Cycadaceae), which are one of the
world’s most threatened plant groups + It is an evergreen palm-like tree that grows up to 25 ft
+ It is known to be an Indian endemic, restricted to the Western Ghats, in the states of Kerala,
Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and the south of Maharashtra + It is a nutraceutical plant for several
indigenous communities in the Western Ghats.
Ø Begonia Narahari = Researchers recently discovered a new flowering plant species in
Arunachal Pradesh, named Begonia Narahari + Begonia Narahari stands out for its vivid blue
iridescence under direct light, a distinctive feature that aids in its identification alongside
comparisons with related species + As of now, Begonia naraharii is known only from the
Demwe locality in the Lohit district of Arunachal Pradesh.
Ø India's First Under-River Metro Tunnel = Inaugurated in Kolkata + It is a part of Kolkata
Metro Corridor + It passes under the Hooghly River + The stretch also has the deepest metro
station in the country, the Howrah Maidan station, at 32 metres below ground level.
• Hooghly River = also known as the Bhagirathi-Hoogly and Kati-Ganga Rivers, is one
of the significant rivers in West Bengal + It is a distributary or arm of the Ganges River
+ It is formed in Murshidabad, where the Ganga splits into two parts, while the part
flowing through Bangladesh is called the Padma + The Hooghly’s majority of water
comes from the Farakka Feeder Canal instead of natural water + Haldi, Ajay, Damodar
and Rupnarayan are the rivers that feed the lower reaches of the Hooghly.
Ø MethaneSAT = The entity behind MethaneSAT is the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF)
— a US-based nonprofit environmental advocacy group + It will track and measure methane
emissions at a global scale. It will provide more details and have a much wider field of view
than any of its predecessors + It is developed in collaboration with Harvard University, the
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, and the New Zealand Space Agency.
Ø Star Dunes = Star dunes - or pyramid dunes - are named after their distinctive shapes and
reach hundreds of metres in height + They are found in Africa, Asia and North America and
also have been spotted on Mars and on Saturn's large moon Titan + Star dunes make up just
under 10% of the dunes in Earth's deserts + Earth's largest star dunes are found in the Badain
Jaran desert in western China.

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Ø Taeniogonalos Deepaki = New species of wasp + It was discovered in the Belgaum region of
Karnataka (Western Ghats) + The Taeniogonalos genus is distributed in Afrotropical, oriental,
eastern palaearctic, nearctic, Australian and neotropical regions; 6 of the species have been
reported earlier from India and 20 from China + Most of the Taeniogonalos species have been
reported from south India.
Ø Dolutegravir (DTG) = It is an antiviral drug used with other medications to treat human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection + Dolutegravir is in a class of medications called HIV
integrase inhibitors. It works by decreasing the amount of HIV in your blood and increasing
the number of immune cells + Although dolutegravir does not cure HIV, using it along with
other medications may decrease chance of developing AIDS and HIV-related illnesses + WHO
has recommended the use of dolutegravir as the preferred first- and second-line HIV treatment
for all population groups + It is more effective, easier to take and has fewer side effects than
other drugs currently in use.
Ø Orans = Orans are traditional sacred groves found in Rajasthan + There are often local deities
associated with Oran + Orans also form the natural habitat for India’s most critically
endangered bird, the Great Indian Bustard (GIB), a protected species under the Wildlife
Protection Act, which is also the State bird of Rajasthan.
• Sacred Groves = They are relic forest patches traditionally protected by communities
in reverence of a deity + They form important repositories of forest biodiversity and
provide refuge to many plant and animal species of conservation significance. Sacred
groves are found all over India, especially in states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala
and Tamil Nadu + These are known as Kavu/Sarpa Kavu in Kerala,
Devarakadu/Devkad in Karnataka, Deorai/Devrai in Maharashtra, Jahera/Thakuramma
in Odisha, etc.
Ø IndiaAI Mission = Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology + Aim: To ensure a
structured implementation of the India AI mission through a public-private partnership model
aimed at nurturing India’s AI innovation ecosystem + Implementing Agency: The India AI
Mission will be implemented by ‘IndiaAI’ Independent Business Division (IBD) under Digital
India Corporation (DIC) + India AI Mission aims to develop AI compute infrastructure of
10,000 or more Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) through public-private partnerships + It has
7 pillars: IndiaAI Compute Capacity, IndiaAI Innovation Centre, IndiaAI Datasets Platform,
IndiaAI Application Development Initiative, IndiaAI FutureSkills, IndiaAI Startup Financing
and Safe & Trusted AI.
• INDIA AI: INDIA AI is a knowledge portal, research organisation and ecosystem-
building initiative launched in 2020 + It stands to unite and promote collaborations with
various entities in India’s AI ecosystem + It is a joint venture by the Ministry of
Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), National e-Governance Division
(NeGD) and National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM).
Ø Blue Leaders Alliance = Blue Leaders are an ambitious group of countries calling for urgent
action to save the global ocean in the face of the climate crisis + The group of Blue Leaders
has 24 countries as its members + India is not a member of this group + The first Blue Leaders
event took place in New York on the margins of the 2019 United Nations General Assembly
and the second in Madrid, Spain during the 2019 UN Climate Change Conference, ‘The Blue
COP.
Ø Pritzker Architecture Prize = It is the highest international award in the field, which is
sometimes referred to as the “Architecture Nobel” and “the profession’s highest honor.” + The
prize has been awarded every year since its founding in 1979 + It is awarded to a living
architect/s for significant achievement + It was established by the Pritzker family of Chicago
through their Hyatt Foundation + The laureate receives $100,000 and also a bronze medallion.
Ø International Women's Day = It is an annual event celebrated on March 8 + The campaign
theme for International Women's Day 2024 is "Invest in women: Accelerating Progress" + It

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aims to raise awareness about a number of issues, including violence and abuse against women,
women's reproductive rights, gender equality and women's achievements in various fields.
Ø Sela Tunnel = It is the World’s longest bi-lane road tunnel in the world + It is located in the
West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh + It will connect Tezpur, in Assam, with Tawang,
in Arunachal Pradesh + It is built by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) under Project
Vartak, and the tunnel's construction commenced on April 1, 2019.
Ø Gulf of Tonkin = It is a crescent-shaped, shallow, semi-enclosed water body situated in the
South China Sea’s northwestern portion + The gulf is bordered by the northern coastline of
Vietnam in the west and northwest; by China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in the
north; and by the Leizhou Peninsula and Hainan Island in the east.

Ø Golden Langur = According to recent survey, there are an estimated 7,396 golden langurs in
India + It is limited to Assam, India and neighboring Bhutan where they live year-round. The
area they inhabit is restricted to the region surrounded by four geographical landmarks: the
foothills of Bhutan (north), Manas river (east), Sankosh river (west), and Brahmaputra river
(south) + They occupy moist evergreen and tropical deciduous forests as well as some riverine
areas and savannas in Assam and Bhutan + IUCN: Endangered + CITES: Appendix I +
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 : Schedule I.
Ø Mumps Virus = Mumps is a contagious disease caused by the mumps virus, which belongs to
a group of viruses known as paramyxoviruses + Humans are the only known host for the
mumps virus, which is spread via direct contact or by airborne droplets from the upper
respiratory tract of infected individuals + Mumps most commonly affects children between the
ages of 2 to 12 who haven’t received the mumps vaccine + There is no specific treatment for
mumps. The various symptoms may be relieved with medicines.
Ø Inflection 2.5 = Recently, Inflection AI company launched its latest LLM, Inflection 2.5, an
upgrade to its model that powers its friendly chatbot Pi personal assistant + It is an “upgraded
in-house model that is competitive with all the world’s leading LLMs + The newly upgraded
Large Language Model comes with its signature personality and uniquely empathetic fine-
tuning.
Ø Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) = India’s fifth-generation fighter multirole
fighter jet + The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under the Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO) will be the nodal agency for executing the programme
and designing the aircraft + It will be manufactured by state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics

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Limited (HAL) + Recently, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) cleared a Rs 15,000
crore project to design and develop the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) +
Globally there are four fifth-generation aircraft – F-22 Raptor and F-35A Lightning-II from
the USA; J-20 of China and Su-57 from Russia.
Ø Gold Nanoparticles = Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are small gold particles with a diameter of
1 to 100 nm + Once dispersed in water, AuNPs are also known as colloidal gold + These are
also called as 'gold bhasma,' + Spherical AuNPs possess useful attributes such as size- and
shape-related optoelectronic properties, large surface-to-volume ratio, excellent
biocompatibility, and low toxicity + Applications: Gold nanoparticles are designed for use as
conductors, Near-IR absorbing gold nanoparticles produce heat when excited by light at
wavelengths from 700 to 800 nm, used in a variety of sensors, also used to detect biomarkers
in the diagnosis of heart diseases, cancers, and infectious agents.
Ø Second Thomas Shoal = It is a submerged reef located in the Spratly Islands in South China
Sea + under the administration of Philippines + It is a disputed territory and claimed by several
nations like China, Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.
Ø SHG Bank Linkages Project = It is savings led microfinance model, launched by NABARD
in 1992 + Under this program, banks were allowed to open savings accounts, accessing credit
at subsidized rates of interest for Self Help Groups (SHGs).
• NABARD = Established in 1982 on the recommendations of Shivaraman Committee
to implement the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development Act, 1981 +
Consequent to the revision in the composition of share capital between the Government
of India and RBI, NABARD today is fully owned by the Government of India + The
initiatives are aimed at building an empowered and financially inclusive rural India
through specific goal-oriented departments which can be categorized broadly into three
heads: Financial, Developmental, and Supervision + Chairperson and other directors
(except elected ones by shareholders and officials of the Central Government) shall be
appointed by the Central Government in consultation with the RBI.
Ø Exercise Cutlass Express = It is an exercise conducted in East African coastal regions and
the West Indian Ocean to counter malign influence, aggression and activity along overlapping
command seams and maritime regions + It is a premier multinational maritime exercise
sponsored by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and led by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-
Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet + It brings together maritime forces from East Africa, West Indian
Ocean nations, Europe, North America and several international organizations + The Indian
Navy has been participating in the exercise since 2019.
Ø Yaounde Declaration = Related to Malaria prevention + It was signed by the health ministers
of 11 African countries with the highest burden of malaria, committing to accelerated action
to end deaths from the malaria disease + Yaounde is the capital city of Cameroon.
Ø Lachit Borphukan = He has been revered in Assam as the warrior who defeated Mughal
armies in the Battle of Saraighat in 1671 + He was commander of the Ahom armies during the
battle of Saraighat and fought on the banks of the Brahmaputra in Guwahati + He was chosen
as one of the five Borphukans of the Ahom kingdom by King Charadhwaj Singha and given
administrative, judicial, and military responsibilities + Borphukan preferred guerrilla tactics,
which provided an edge to his smaller but fast-moving and capable forces + He died a year
after the Battle of Saraighat from a long-festering illness + Recently, the Prime Minister of
India unveiled a 125-foot bronze statue of Ahom general Lachit Borphukan at his burial site in
eastern Assam’s Jorhat district.
• AHOM Kingdom =The Ahom kings ruled large parts of what is now known as Assam
for nearly 600 years, from the early 13th century to the early 19th century + This was
a prosperous, multi-ethnic kingdom that spread across the upper and lower reaches of
the Brahmaputra valley, surviving on rice cultivation in its fertile lands + The Ahoms
engaged in a series of conflicts with the Mughals from 1615-1682, starting from the

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reign of Jahangir until the reign of Aurangzeb + Ahom society was divided into clans
or khels. A khel often controlled several villages + Originally, Ahoms worshipped their
tribal gods. But, in the reign of Sib Singh (1714-1744), Hinduism became the
predominant religion + Charaideo Maidams are burial systems, mounds containing
remains of royalty of the Ahom dynasty. Mounds are located along the foothills of the
Patkai range. Charaideo Maidams are commonly known as the Pyramids of Assam.
They are included in the tentative list of UNESCO’s World Heritage.
• Battle of Saraighat (1671) = It took place on the Brahmaputra River at Saraighat, near
the city of Guwahati + The battle was largely a naval war + The Ahom forces were led
by Lachit Barphukan, while the Mughal forces were commanded by the Mughal
general Ram Singh + The Ahom forces under Lachit Barphukan decisively defeated
the larger Mughal army, effectively ending the Mughal attempts to conquer the Ahom
kingdom + The battle stopped the Mughal advance to Assam, and the rest of today’s
Northeast India.
Ø Advance Authorisation Scheme = The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has
implemented the Advance Authorisation Scheme under the Foreign Trade Policy, which
allows duty-free import of inputs for export purposes + It allows the duty-free import of inputs,
which are physically incorporated into an export product + In addition to any inputs, packaging
material, fuel, oil, and catalyst which is consumed/utilized in the process of production of
export product, is also allowed + DGFT provides a sector-wise list of Standard Input-Output
Norms (SION) under which the exporters may choose to apply + Advance Authorization is
valid for 12 months from the date of issue of such Authorization.
• Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) = It is an attached office of the
Ministry of Commerce and Industry and is headed by Director General of Foreign
Trade + It has been assigned the role of "facilitator". It is responsible for implementing
the Foreign Trade Policy or Exim Policy with the main objective of promoting Indian
exports + Role: implement the Exim Policy or Foreign Trade Policy, Grant Exporter
Importer Code Number, It permits or regulate Transit of Goods from India etc +
Headquarter: New Delhi.
Ø Mission Divyastra = The maiden flight test of the locally developed Agni-5 missile with
multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicle (MIRV) technology and code named as
Mission Divyastra.
• MIRV Technology = It can target multiple targets that can be hundreds of kilometers
apart with a single missile + In contrast to a traditional missile, which carries one
warhead, MIRVs can carry multiple warheads. Warheads on MIRVed missiles can be
released from the missile at different speeds and in different directions.” + This has
propelled India into an exclusive league of countries that have the capability to deploy
MIRV missile systems, including the US, the UK, France, Russia and China.
• Agni-5 Missile = three-stage solid fuelled engine + range of more than 5,000 km +
Agni series has medium to Intercontinental versions of Agni missile systems 1 to 5
with a varying ranges — starting from 700 km for Agni-1 to 5000 km and above for
Agni-5.
Ø INS Tushil = It is the first Krivak-III frigate to be acquired under Project 11356M + India in
October, 2016 signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) with Russia to
purchase/construct four additional Admiral Grigorovich-class (Project 11356M) frigates
through a partnership between Russian and Indian shipyards + Russia will supply two of the
frigates (INS Tushil and INS Tamala), while the other two will be constructed in India + The
Talwar-class frigates, or Project 11356, are a class of stealth-guided missile frigates.
Ø Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 = Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) amends the
Citizenship Act of 1955 to provide a path to Indian citizenship for Hindus, Sikhs, Christians,
Buddhists, Jains, and Parsis who migrated from neighbouring Muslim-majority countries such

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as Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, before December 31, 2014 + Under the CAA,
migrants who entered India till December 31, 2014, and had suffered “religious persecution or
fear or religious persecution” in their country of their origin would be made eligible for
accelerated citizenship + It relaxed the residence requirement for naturalisation of these
migrants from twelve years to just six + The law exempts the tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya,
Mizoram, and Tripura as included in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, including the tribal
areas of Karbi Anglong in Assam, Garo Hills in Meghalaya, Chakma district in Mizoram, and
Tribal areas district in Tripura + It also includes a provision for the cancellation of Overseas
Citizen of India (OCI) registration if the OCI cardholder violates any provision of the
Citizenship Act or any other applicable law.
Ø Exercise 'Bharat Shakti' = Tri-Services Firing and Manoeuvre Exercise – Bharat Shakti –
was demonstrated in Pokharan, Rajasthan + `Bharat Shakti will display integrated operational
capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces to counter threats across land, air, sea, cyber, and
space.
Ø Kochrab Ashram = in Ahmedabad + It was the first Ashram established by Mahatma Gandhi
after coming to India from South Africa in 1915 + Jivanlal Desai, a fellow lawyer, helped
Gandhiji setup the Ashram.
Ø Gorsam Kora Festival = an annual event in Arunachal Pradesh's Zemithang valley + An
annual festival held at Gorsam Chorten, a 93 feet tall Stupa, built during 13th Century CE by
a local monk- Lama Pradhar + Theme (2024): ‘Zero Waste Festival’ + Devotees including
Bhutanese nationals visit during the festival to observe virtuous occasion during last day of
first month of Lunar calendar.
Ø Atmospheric Research Testbed in Central India (ART-CI) = Inaugurated at Madhya
Pradesh(MP) + It is established by Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), MoES for
better understanding on processes governing monsoon convection + Atmospheric Research
Testbed will be setup in 2 phases, in 1st phase ART is set up in Central India, and in 2nd phase
another ART would set up in the northeast/eastern part of the country to study severe
thunderstorm processes + It has nearly 25 high-end instruments like the aethalometer for
aerosol studies, cloud condensation nuclei counter, laser ceilometer to measure cloud sizes,
micro rain radar to calculate raindrop size and its distribution have been installed. A Ka-band
cloud radar and a C-band doppler weather radar will also help track the movement of rain-
bearing systems over this zone.
Ø Global Methane Tracker 2024 = by International Energy Agency(IEA) + It indicates that
methane emissions from fuel usage in 2023 were nearly at their highest level on record,
representing a slight increase compared to 2022.
Ø Geo-Heritage Sites = Geo-heritage refers to the geological features which are inherently or
culturally significant offering insight to earth’s evolution or history to earth science or that can
be utilized for education + Geological Survey of India (GSI) is the parent body which is making
efforts towards identification and protection of geo-heritage sites/national geological
monuments in the country + Globally too, UNESCO declares Global geoparks + Currently,
there are no Global geo parks in India + Some of Geo heritage sites are: Marine Gondwana
fossil park in Chhattisgarh; Siwalik vertebrate fossil park in Himachal Pradesh; Stromatolite
park in Rajasthan; Pillow lava in Karnataka, Eparchaean unconformity and Tirumala hills in
Andhra Pradesh, Lonar Lake in Maharashtra, etc.
• Pandavula Gutta = Recently, Pandavula Gutta has been officially recognised as the
sole Geo-heritage site in Telangana + It is a geological marvel older than the Himalayan
hills + It is rich in terms of number of paintings, rock shelters and its habitation, right
from the mesolithic to medieval times.
• Ramgarh Crater (Ramgarh Astrobleme) = Recently recognised as Geo Heritage site
+ Located in Rajasthan + situated on the old course of river Parbati + “Astrobleme” is
used to describe a geological feature formed by the impact of a meteorite + First

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discovered by the Geological Survey of India in 1869 and was recognised as a 'Crater'
by the Geological Society of London + It is one of the three important meteorite impact
craters in India, other two being, Lonar in Maharashtra and Dhala in Madhya Pradesh.

Ø Geological Survey of India (GSI) = The GSI is a government organization in India, attached
to the Ministry of Mines for conducting geological surveys and studies + It is one of the premier
organizations of earth science survey and research in the world + The Geological Survey of
India (GSI) was set up in 1851 primarily to find coal deposits for the Railways + Its
headquarters is in Kolkata + Its main functions relate to creating and updating of national
geoscientific information and mineral resource assessment + These objectives are achieved
through ground surveys, air-borne and marine surveys, mineral prospecting and investigations,
multi-disciplinary geoscientific, geo-technical etc.
Ø Mode Code of Conduct (MCC) = The MCC is a consensus document. The political parties
have themselves agreed to keep their conduct during elections in check and to work within the
Code + It traces its origins back to the assembly elections in Kerala in 1960 + It serves as a set
of conventions unanimously agreed upon by all stakeholders involved in the electoral process
+ Its primary objective is to ensure that campaigns, polling and counting proceed in an orderly,
transparent and peaceful manner + It does not possess any statutory backing but has been
upheld by the Supreme Court on multiple occasions + The MCC is operational from the date
on which the election schedule is announced until the date of the result announcement + The
government cannot announce any financial grants, promise construction of roads or other

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facilities, and make any ad hoc appointments in government or public undertaking during the
time the Code is in force.
Ø Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) Test = It is one of the most commonly-used tests to diagnose pre-
diabetes and diabetes (both type 1 and type 2) and to help manage diabetes + It is also known
as the glycated haemoglobin or glycosylated haemoglobin test + Hemoglobin is the part of
your red blood cells that carries oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body + Sugar enters
your bloodstream from the food you eat. The sugar or glucose, attaches to the haemoglobin in
your red blood cells. Haemoglobin is a protein that transports oxygen to all the cells of your
body. Everybody has some sugar attached to their haemoglobin. Those with pre-diabetes and
diabetes, however, have more + The HbA1C test measures the percentage of your red blood
cells that have sugar-coated, or glycated, haemoglobin.
Ø ULLAS Initiative = ULLAS (Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society) is a
transformative initiative launched by the Indian government to promote lifelong learning and
bridge the gaps in basic literacy and critical life skills among citizens aged 15 and above +
Ministry of Education + It is being implemented through volunteerism + It will serve as a
digital gateway for learners to engage in diverse learning resources through the DIKSHA portal
of NCERT.
Ø Asbestos = Asbestos is a generic term for a group of six silicate minerals with similar but
distinct properties + Properties: These are resistant to heat and corrosion; It is non-flammable
even at very high temperatures; It is extremely flexible and durable; It has good tensile
strength; It has low heat conductivity and high resistance to electricity + It was once widely
used in construction materials, insulation and consumer goods + India's asbestos requirement
is met through imports from Russia, Kazakhstan, Brazil and China + According to the World
Health Organization, all varieties of asbestos are associated with conditions such as lung
cancer, mesothelioma, laryngeal cancer, ovarian cancer and asbestosis, a lung fibrosis + If
products containing asbestos are disturbed, tiny asbestos fibers are released into the air. When
asbestos fibers are breathed in, they may get trapped in the lungs and remain there for a long
time + In India, the mining of asbestos has been stopped, but chrysotile (a type of asbestos) is
still imported and processed in large quantities. Chrysotile is mainly used for asbestos-cement
roofing, and the manufacturers claim its use to be safe. [Chrysotile is Important for Prelims]
Ø Project GR00T = Recently, AI chip leader Nvidia announced Project GR00T which promises
to revolutionise the evolution of humanoid robots + The project GR00T stands for Generalist
Robot 00 Technology + It is a multimodal AI system that acts as the mind for humanoid robots,
allowing them to learn new skills and interact with the real world + The project aims to
empower humanoid robots with human-like understanding and movement using Artificial
Intelligence (AI).
Ø Cocoa = Crop of humid tropics and is native to Amazon basin of South America + It is mainly
grown in an area of land around the equator between 20 degrees latitude north and south + It
can be grown up to 300 m above mean sea level + It requires an annual rainfall of 1500-2000
mm + The temperature range of 15°-39°C with optimum of 25°C is considered ideal + It
requires deep and well drained soils. Majority of area under Cocoa cultivation is on clay loam
and sandy loam soil + Shade requirement: Cocoa was evolved as an under-storey crop in the
Amazonian forests. Thus commercial cultivation of cocoa can be taken up in plantations where
50 per cent of light is ideally available + Major producing regions in the world: About 70
percent of the world’s cocoa beans come from four West African countries: Ivory Coast,
Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon + In India, it is mainly cultivated in Karnataka, Kerala and
Tamil Nadu mainly as intercrop with Arecanut and Coconut.
Ø Brucethoa isro = new species of deep-sea isopod + discovered off the Kerala coast + The tiny
fish-parasitic crustacean, belonging to the genus Brucethoa, was recovered from the base of
the gill cavity of the Spinyjaw greeneye, a marine fish + It is the second species within this
genus to be documented in India.

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• Isopods = Isopods are an order of invertebrates (animals without backbones) that
belong to the greater crustacean group of animals, which includes crabs and shrimp +
They also live in many different types of habitats, from mountains and deserts to the
deep sea + They are one of the most morphologically diverse of all the crustacean
groups, coming in many different shapes and sizes + About half of the known species
of isopods live in the ocean. Others live in coastal and shelf waters, moving around on
the seafloor or living in plants + Most of them are free-living, but a number of marine
species are parasitic on other animals.
Ø National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) = 2003 + not-for-profit organization under the
Companies Act 2013 + It was set up to extend the use of Internet Service Protocols (ISPs) for
the purpose of routing domestic traffic within the country instead of taking it all the way abroad
+ .IN is India’s Country Code Top Level Domain (ccTLD). The Government of India delegated
the operations of INRegistry to NIXI in 2004. The INRegistry operates and manages India’s
.IN ccTLD + Another activity being carried out by NIXI is that of National Internet Registry
(NIR). The NIR is known as the Indian Registry for Internet Names and Numbers (IRINN). It
offers IXPs towards building Internet Exchange Points.
Ø World Happiness Report 2024 = Annual + It is a partnership of Gallup, the Oxford Wellbeing
Research Centre, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), and the World
Happiness Report's Editorial Board + It is based on global survey data from people based on
people's own assessments of their happiness, as well as economic and social data + It considers
six key factors: social support, income, health, freedom, generosity, and the absence of
corruption + It assigns a happiness score based on an average of data over a three-year period
+ The Nordic nations continue to dominate the top rankings. Finland topped the list for the
seventh year in a row + Out of the 143 countries surveyed, Afghanistan remained at the bottom
of the list + India is ranked 126th on the list, the same as last year, in the happiness index.
Ø Earth Hour = It takes place towards the end of March every year + “Earth Hour” encourages
people to switch off all lights for an hour, from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. local time + It is
organized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) + World Wildlife Fund (WWF): It is an
international non-governmental organization (NGO) founded in 1961 in Morges, Switzerland,
to protect endangered species of wildlife and preserve natural habitats.
Ø Pushpak or RLV LEX 02 = Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully
conducted the Pushpak Reusable Landing Vehicle (RLV) LEX 02 landing experiment +
Reusable Launch Vehicle is essentially a space plane with a low lift to drag ratio requiring an
approach at high glide angles that necessitates a landing at high velocities of 350 kmph + It
utilises several indigenous systems. Localised navigation systems based on pseudolite systems,
instrumentation, and sensor systems, etc were developed by ISRO.
Ø Vechur Cow = breed of indigenous cattle + One of the rare dwarf cattle breeds of India + it is
considered to the smallest cattle breed in the world + It is known by the name of a place Vechur
- a small place by the side of Vembanad lake near Vaikam in Kottayam district of South Kerala
+ It is docile, short, disease-resistant and easy to maintain with low food requirement as
compared to other crossbred species + It is resistant to Mastitis (blockage of teats in the udder),
foot and mouth diseases and respiratory infections and require almost no veterinary care + The
medicinal property of its milk has been accepted by Ayurveda too. Since the Vechur cow milk
has got higher proportion of smaller fat globules and saturated fatty acids, it would be
therapeutically useful in malabsorption syndrome.
Ø Order of the Druk Gyalpo Award = Bhutan’s most esteemed civilian accolade + reserved
for individuals who have demonstrated exceptional contributions to society, embodying values
of service, integrity and leadership + Recently, the Prime Minister of India received Bhutan’s
highest civilian award, the ‘Order of the Druk Gyalpo’ + The award has been conferred to
Prime Minister of India in recognition of outstanding contribution to the growth of India-
Bhutan relations and for his distinguished service to the Bhutanese nation and people. The

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present Prime Minister of India became the first foreign head of government to receive
Bhutan’s highest civilian honour.
Ø Enforcement Directorate (ED) = It was established in 1956 as an ‘Enforcement Unit’ under
the Department of Economic Affairs. Later, in 1957, this unit was renamed the ‘Enforcement
Directorate’ + It is under the administrative control of the Department of Revenue (under the
Ministry of Finance) for operational purposes + ED is responsible for enforcement of the
Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA), Foreign Exchange Management Act,
1999 (FEMA), and Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018 (FEOA) + ED has the power to
attach the assets of the culprits found guilty of the violation of FEMA. It has also been
empowered to undertake, search, seizure, arrest, prosecution action, and survey, etc. against
the offences committed under PMLA + The ED Director is appointed by the central
government on the recommendation of a committee: chaired by the Central Vigilance
Commissioner and members comprising of Vigilance Commissioners, Home Secretary,
Secretary DOPT and Revenue Secretary.
Ø Vote-from-Home Facility = The Election Commission of India (ECI) has, for the first time in
the history of the Lok Sabha elections, extended its ‘vote-from-home’ facility to Persons with
Disabilities (PwD) and senior citizens aged 85 and above + Eligible people are: People aged
85 and above; Persons with Disabilities (The disability shall not be less than 40%); Media
persons covering ‘polling day activities’ and carrying authorisation letters from the Election
Commission; Workers from essential services such as metros, railways and health care; Service
voters: Personnel of the armed forces posted away from their hometowns; and; Central Armed
Police Forces personnel deployed away from home and those on poll duty + Key to the process
is Form 12D, which is a letter informing the Assistant Returning Officer (ARO) that the person
may not be in a position to go to the polling station to vote + The form has to be filled and
submitted within five days of notification of the polling date + The voter will receive an
intimation about the date and approximate time of visit via SMS or through post. The home
voting option will be attempted twice + The voter will subsequently be ineligible to vote both
at polling booths and through the home voting scheme.
Ø Project ANAGRANINF = Technology Development Board (TDB) has penned an agreement
with two companies and has sanctioned a grant of ₹75 Lakhs towards the project
"ANAGRANINF for the development of a Novel Class of Antibiotics Against Gram-Negative
Bacterial-Infections + The primary objective of this project is to develop a novel lead
compound, particularly an antibiotic, adept at inhibiting the FabI enzyme and combatting
critical gram-negative pathogens.
• Gram-negative Bacteria = They have a much thinner peptidoglycan cell wall, but in
addition they have an outer membrane containing lipopolysaccharides surrounding the
cell and are consequently termed diderms + These bacteria have built-in abilities to find
new ways to be resistant and can pass along genetic materials that allow other bacteria
to become drug-resistant as well + It causes infections including pneumonia,
bloodstream infections, wound or surgical site infections, and meningitis in healthcare
settings. They are resistant to multiple drugs and are increasingly resistant to most
available antibiotics + Examples: Bacteria include enterobacter species, salmonella
species and pseudomonas species.
• Technology Development Board = Statutory body constituted under the Technology
Development Board Act, 1995 + It aims to promote the development and
commercialization of indigenous technology and the adaptation of imported
technology for wider application + The Fund has been receiving grants from the
Government of India out of the cess collections from the industrial concerns under the
provisions of the Research and Development Cess Act, 1986, as amended in 1995.
Ø Krutrim = Ola has recently launched the Krutrim, which is a large language model (LLM)
trained specifically for Indian languages + Krutrim can understand 22 Indian languages and

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generate content in about 10 + Large Language Model (LLM) are deep learning algorithms
that can recognize, summarize, translate, predict, and generate content using very large
datasets. They are also referred to as neural networks (NNs), which are computing systems
inspired by the human brain. Some of the famous LLMs are Open AI’s ChatGPT, Google’s
Gemini, etc.
Ø Electoral Trusts = These are trusts set up by companies with the objective to distribute the
contributions received from other companies and individuals to political parties + The
companies which are registered under section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956, are only eligible
to make an application for approval as an electoral trust + The names of electoral trusts,
currently, do not indicate the name of the company/group of companies which set up the trusts
+ Contributors of this trust can be: An individual who is a citizen of India; A company
registered in India and; An association of persons (Indian residents) + People who are NOT
citizen cannot contribute to the trust and people without PAN cannot contribute + For
administrative expenses, the electoral trusts are permitted to set aside a maximum of 5 percent
of the total funds collected during a financial year. The remaining 95 percent of total income
of the trusts, including any surplus from the previous financial year, is required to be distributed
to eligible political parties.
Ø Right Whales = Right whales are large baleen whales that belong to the genus Eubalaena,
along with Southern Right Whales (Least Concern), North Atlantic Right Whales (Critically
Endangered), and North Pacific Right Whales (Endangered) + Right whale, (family
Balaenidae) is any of four species of stout-bodied whales having an enormous head measuring
one-quarter to one-third their total body length + While they differ genetically, and in
conservation status, they do not differ significantly in their external appearance + These whales
were hunted for their oil and their strong, elastic baleen. Because of the considerable economic
value of these products, this cetacean gained its name because it was the “right whale” to take
+ When feeding, these whales swim slowly and use baleen to eat schools of small, shrimp-like
crustaceans, called zooplankton + They have been hunted to near extinction, but hunting was
banned in 1935, and the whaling industry is no longer a threat to the species.
Ø Cannabis = It is the most widely used illicit drug in the world, and 19.5% of those who have
used cannabis develop a Cannabis use disorder (CUD) + CUD is characterised by persistent
impairment, such as failing to attend to work or personal obligations, continuing to use
cannabis despite problems, and an inability to cut down its use. Despite this public health
concern, there are currently no treatments for CUD + Previous research has shown that
activation of the cannabinoid receptor by Tetrahydrocannbinol (THC) the main psychoactive
component of cannabis is responsible for the behavioural effects of cannabis.
Ø Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary = It is located near the border of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh
and Telangana + River Vagu separates the wildlife sanctuary into two parts + River Godavari
also passes through it + The sanctuary is also famous for the Sammakkka Sarakka Jathra, one
of the Asia’s largest tribal jahtra, taking place here every two years + The region falls in the
tropical dry deciduous type of vegetation.
Ø District Election Management Plan(DEMP) = DEMP is a comprehensive document that
uses statistics and analysis to ensure the smooth conduct of elections + As per the Election
Commission of India, the DEMP is to be prepared at least six months before the tentative poll
day + Executing the DEMP requires a collaborative effort involving election officials,
administrative authorities, law enforcement agencies etc.
Ø Captive Elephant (Transfer or Transport) Rules, 2024 = Ministry of Environment, Forest,
and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has notified the Captive Elephant (Transfer or Transport)
Rules, 2024, which liberalises the conditions for transferring elephants within or between states
+ Approval or rejection of the transfer is at the discretion of the Chief Wildlife Warden based
on two assessments (Before a transfer within a state, the elephant's health must be confirmed
by a veterinarian and The suitability of both the current and prospective habitats must be

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verified by the Deputy Conservator of Forests) + Additionally, the elephant's genetic profile
must be registered with the MoEF&CC before the transfer + The elephant must be
accompanied by a mahout and an elephant assistant. A health certificate from a veterinary
practitioner confirming fitness for transport is mandatory + Until August 2022, the Wildlife
Protection Act 1972 explicitly prohibited the trade in wildlife including both wild and captive
elephants.
Ø Chalukyas of Kalyani = Primarily a Kannadiga dynasty, they were known after their capital
city, Kalyani. It is present in the modern-day Bidar district of Karnataka + The empire was
established by Tailapa II when the Western Chalukya was a feudatory of the Rashtrakuta
Empire and Tailapa II governed Tardavadi in the Bijapur district of Karnataka + In the 300
years long rule in the western Deccan and southern part of the Indian peninsula, Chalukya of
Kalyani expanded and reached the zenith of power during the rule of Vikramaditya VI (1076-
1126 CE) + It is considered the most successful period of the later Chalukya rulers in
Karnataka’s history and many scholars refer to this period as the ‘Chalukya Vikrama era’ +
Recently, A 900-year-old Kannada inscription from the Kalyana Chalukya dynasty has been
found at Gangapuram, a temple Town, in Jadcherla mandal, Mahabubnagar district, Telangana.
Ø Digital Markets Act (DMA) = European Union’s Law + It aims to create a safer internet,
empower citizens, enhance consumer protections and foster higher-quality digital services +
In order to do so, the DMA establishes a set of clearly defined objective criteria to identify
“gatekeepers” + Gatekeepers are large digital platforms providing so-called core platform
services, such as online search engines, app stores, and messenger services.
Ø Black Carbon(BC) = BC is a short-lived pollutant that is the second-largest contributor to
warming the planet behind carbon dioxide (CO2) + Unlike other greenhouse gas emissions,
BC is quickly washed out and can be eliminated from the atmosphere if emissions stop +
Unlike historical carbon emissions it is also a localised source with greater local impact + +
Some of the policy measures to cut BC emissions are enhancing fuel efficiency standards for
vehicles, phasing out diesel vehicles and promoting electric vehicles, accelerating the use of
liquefied petroleum gas for cooking and through clean cookstove programmes, as well as
upgrading brick kiln technologies + According to a study, the residential sector contributes
47% of India’s total black carbon emissions.
Ø Nimmu-Padam-Darcha Road = Ladakh + Recently, The Border Roads Organisation (BRO)
has achieved a significant milestone by connecting the strategic Nimmu-Padam-Darcha road
in Ladakh + This road serves as a crucial link between Manali and Leh, passing through Darcha
and Nimmu along the Kargil–Leh highway + It now stands as the third axis connecting Ladakh
to the hinterland, alongside the existing Manali-Leh and Srinagar-Leh routes.
• Border Roads Organisation (BRO) = BRO was conceived and raised in 1960 by
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru for coordinating the speedy development of a network of
roads in the North and the North Eastern border regions of the country. It works under
the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence. It has diversified into a large
spectrum of construction and development works comprising airfields, building
projects, defence works and tunneling and has endeared itself to the people.
Ø Magnetofossils = Recently, In the depths of the Bay of Bengal, scientists have discovered a
50,000-year-old sediment — a giant magnetofossil and one of the youngest to be found yet +
These are the fossilised remains of magnetic particles created by magnetotactic bacteria, also
known as magnetobacteria, and found preserved within the geological records + Magnetotactic
bacteria are mostly prokaryotic organisms that arrange themselves along the earth’s magnetic
field. These organisms were believed to follow the magnetic field to reach places that had
optimal oxygen concentration + These magnetotactic bacteria create tiny crystals made of the
iron-rich minerals magnetite or greigite. The crystals help them navigate the changing oxygen
levels in the water body they reside in.

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Ø Monuments of National Importance (MNI) = Presently, there are 3,693 monuments of
national importance (MNI). Their protection and upkeep is the responsibility of the
Archaeological Survey of India, under the Ministry of Culture + Ancient Monuments and
Archaeological Sites and Remains Act (AMASR Act), 1958 (amended in 2010), provides for
the declaration and conservation of ancient and historical monuments and archaeological sites,
and remains of national importance + Uttar Pradesh (745 monuments/sites) have the highest
number + Once declared MNI, The One-hundred-meter radius of the monument is then
considered a ‘prohibited area’ where there is a ban on construction activities. Further 200
meters (i.e., 100+200 meters) are considered a ‘regulated area’ where there are regulations on
construction + The ASI also has the power to delist monuments it deems to "have ceased to be
of national importance" under Section 35 of the Act. Once a monument is delisted, the ASI
becomes no longer responsible for protecting these monuments.
Ø Mushk Budiji Rice = It is short, bold aromatic rice + grown in Kashmir Valley + It is mainly
grown in areas of Sagam, Panzgam and Soaf Shali of district Anantnag + The consumption of
aromatic rice in Kashmir has now been limited to special occasions, marriages and festivals +
It has received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
Ø Volatile Organic Compounds = VOCs are carbon-containing chemicals released by petrol
and diesel vehicles + They impact air quality and human health + VOCs can have a natural
origin, too. Plants emit these chemicals to attract pollinators, defend themselves from pests and
predators and adapt to environmental stress + Effect of VOCs on Health: VOCs can irritate the
eyes, nose and throat, damage body organs and cause cancer + VOCs can drive the formation
of other dangerous pollutants. For instance, they react with sunlight and nitrogen dioxide to
form ground-level ozone.
Ø Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) = It is a joint Initiative launched at the 11th
WTO Ministerial Conference (MC11) in 2017 on a plurilateral basis by 70 countries. This was
done through a process known as the Joint Statement Initiative + One of the significant
developments at the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) of the World Trade Organization
(WTO) in Abu Dhabi was the non-adoption of the agreement on Investment Facilitation for
Development (IFD) + This agreement aims to create legally binding provisions to facilitate
investment flows + A core objective of the framework is to facilitate greater participation by
developing and least-developed WTO Members in global investment flows + India is not a
part of this initiative.
Ø Moyar Valley = It is located in the Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu at the tri-junction of three
states, viz, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu + The 85-km stretch is a wildlife haven in the
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve + It has a common boundary with Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
(Kerala) on the West, Bandipur Tiger Reserve (Karnataka) on the North, the Nilgiris North
Division on the South and East, and Gudalur Forest Division on the South West + Moyar valley
is the biggest nesting colony of critically endangered Gyps vultures in the wild.
Ø South East Africa Montane Archipelago (SEAMA) = It is a newly recognised mountainous
ecoregion + It stretches across northern Mozambique to Mount Mulanje in Malawi, southern
Africa’s second-highest mountain + The ecoregion encompasses 30 granitic inselbergs
reaching > 1000 m above sea level.
• Inselbergs = Inselberg, or Monadnock, is an isolated, steep-sloped ridge, hill, or small
mountain that stands above well-developed plains. It appears like an island rising from
the sea + Inselbergs are generally erosional remnants + These structures are one of
several varieties of landforms called paleoforms that can survive with little
modification for tens of millions of years.
Ø Seamounts = A seamount is an underwater mountain with steep sides rising from the seafloor
+ Most seamounts are remnants of extinct volcanoes and are typically cone shaped +
Seamounts with large flat summits are called guyots + Seamounts are found in every world
ocean basin + Seamounts function as oases of life or biological hotspots with higher species

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diversity and biomass on and around it + World’s highest seamount is Hawaii's dormant
volcano Mauna Kea.
Ø Afanasy Nikitin Seamount = The AN Seamount is a structural feature in the Central Indian
Basin, located about 3,000 km away from India’s coast. It comprises a main plateau, rising
1200 m above the surrounding ocean floor (4800m) + It is rich in deposits of cobalt, nickel,
manganese, and copper + India recently applied to the International Seabed Authority (ISBA)
for rights to explore two vast tracts in the Indian Ocean seabed, including a cobalt-rich crust
long known as the Afanasy Nikitin Seamount (AN Seamount).

Ø CoViNet = Recently, World Health Organisation (WHO) has launched a new network for
coronaviruses, CoViNet + It is a network of global laboratories with expertise in human,
animal and environmental coronavirus surveillance. It will identify and monitor potentially
novel coronaviruses that could emerge shortly + It currently comprises 36 laboratories from
21 countries in all six WHO regions. Three Indian laboratories namely; the Council of
Scientific and Industrial Research-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, the
Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Virology in Pune, and the
Translational Health Science and Technology Institute are part of this network + Data
generated through CoViNet's efforts will guide the work of WHO's Technical Advisory Groups
on Viral Evolution (TAG-VE) and Vaccine Composition (TAG-CO-VAC).
Ø Food Waste Index Report 2024 = It a study jointly authored by the United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP) and WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme), a
U.K.-based non-profit + It tracks the global and national generation of food and inedible parts
wasted at the retail and consumer (household and food service) levels + The report defines
“food waste” as “food and the associated inedible parts removed from the human food supply
chain” + ‘‘Food loss” is defined as “all the crop and livestock human-edible commodity
quantities that, directly or indirectly, completely exit the post-harvest/slaughter
production/supply chain up to, and excluding, the retail level” + As per report, There were 1.05
billion tonnes of food waste generated in 2022, amounting to almost one-fifth of all food
available to consumers.
Ø United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) = It is a UN Refugee Agency
and a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting the rights and building a better
future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people + It was created in
1950 to help millions of Europeans who had fled or lost their homes + It is headquartered at
Geneva, Switzerland + The UNHCR has also won the Nobel Prize for Peace twice (1954 and
1981) + The chief legal document that governs the work of the UNHCR is the 1951 Refugee
Convention. Its parent organisation is the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The
1951 Refugee Convention is a UN treaty that defines who a refugee is and establishes the rights
of such persons and also of those who are granted asylum.
Ø Rohingyas = Rohingya are a Muslim minority ethnic group with their roots in the Arakan
kingdom in Myanmar + Myanmar has refused to recognise them as an ethnic group, denying

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them citizenship since 1982 + They are culturally and religiously distinct from the majority
Buddhist population in Myanmar and speak a Bengali dialect which is different from the
common Burmese language + According to Myanmar’s 1982 citizenship law, members of the
Rohingya community, along with other ethnic minorities, can only attain citizenship if they
prove their ancestors resided in Myanmar before 1823. Otherwise, even if one of their parents
is a Myanmar citizen, they are deemed to be “resident foreigners” or “associate citizens.” +
Their largest and fastest exodus began in August 2017 when violence broke out in Myanmar’s
Rakhine State, and it led to influx of these into Bangladesh, India and other neighboring
countries as refugees.
Ø Mohiniyattam = Indian classical dance + Kerala + It is conventionally a solo dance performed
by female artists. It adheres to the Lasya type that showcases a more graceful, gentle and
feminine form of dancing + The dance form Mohiniyattam has love and devotion to God as its
major themes + It is used to be performed by Devadasis (temple dancers) in temples during the
rule of the Chera kings from 9 to 12 C.E. + Its roots date back to the age-old Sanskrit Hindu
text on performing arts called ‘Natya Shastra’ + Costumes in Mohiniyattam include plain white
or ivory cream traditional sari embroidered with bright gold-laced brocade + Instruments used:
Mridangam, Madhalam, ldakka, flute, Veena and Kuzhitalam(cymbals) + Recently, In a
historic move, the Kerala Kalamandalam, a deemed university for arts and culture, has lifted
gender restrictions to learn Mohiniyattam.
Ø Butterfly Cicada = It is a newly discovered species of cicada belonging to the genus
Becquartina + It was discovered in Meghalaya + It marks the first-ever record of this genus in
the country + Cicada, (family Cicadidae) is any of a group of sound-producing insects. They
have two pairs of membranous wings, prominent compound eyes, and three simple eyes
(ocelli). ost of them are tropical and occur in deserts, grasslands, and forests.
Ø Kalam-250 = Recently, Skyroot Aerospace, the leading space-tech company, has successfully
test-fired the Kalam-250 at the propulsion testbed of the Indian Space Research Organisation
(ISRO) + It is a stage-2 of Vikram-1 space launch vehicle + t is a high-strength carbon
composite rocket motor, which uses solid fuel and a high-performance Ethylene-Propylene-
Diene terpolymers (EPDM) thermal protection system (TPS) + The stage includes a carbon
ablative flex nozzle along with high-precision electro-mechanical actuators for thrust vector
control of the vehicle, aiding in achieving the desired trajectory.
• Vikram-1 Rocket = It is named after the father of India’s space programme, Vikram
Sarabhai and is a multi-stage launch vehicle with a capacity to place around 300 kg of
payloads in low-earth orbit + It has been built by Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace
+ It is an all-carbon-fibre-bodied rocket that can place multiple satellites into orbit.
Being a solid-fuel rocket and using relatively simpler technologies would mean that
launching this vehicle would require minimal infrastructure and that the rocket could
be assembled and launched within 24 hours from any site.
Ø C-Vigil App = It is a mobile application developed by the Election Commission of India (ECI)
to enable citizens to report violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during elections
+ As soon as the complaint is sent on the cVigil app, the complainant will receive a unique ID
through which the person will be able to track the complaint on their mobile + Users capture
audios, photos or videos in real-time, and a “100-minute” countdown for time-bound response
to complaints is ensured + It uses GPS to track the location of the violation. It allows users to
capture the live incidents only. It has a feature to report the case of MCC violation
anonymously.
Ø Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) = Recently, Department of Telecom has
asked telecom operators to deactivate USSD-based call forwarding with effect from April 15
+ DoT said that it has come to its notice that USSD based call forwarding facility, most
commonly known *401# services for unconditional call forwarding services, is being misused
for some unwarranted activities + USSD is a communications protocol used in Global System

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for Mobile Communications (GSM) networks for sending short text messages + It is an instant
messaging service and messages are not stored on the operator side or on the subscriber’s
device + It is used to display balance deduction in mobile phones where a message pops-up on
the device screen after a call or outgoing SMS. It is also used for checking IMEI numbers of
mobiles.
Ø Panneer Thiratchai = Grape variety + mainly cultivated in Cumbum valley of Tamil Nadu
+ It has received Geographical Indication Tag in 2023 + These grapes are rich in vitamins,
tartaric acid and antioxidants and reduce the risk of some chronic diseases. They are also
known for a superior taste apart from the purplish-brown colour + This variety which is also
known as Muscat Hamburg constitutes almost 85% of the grape-growing areas in Tamil Nadu.
• Cumbum Valley = It is located at the Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu is known as the
‘Grapes city of South India’ and cultivates the Panneer Thratchai.
Ø Eco-Niwas Samhita = Residential Energy Conservation Building code + developed by Bureau
of Energy Efficiency (BEE) + The code sets standards to limit heat gain and loss and ensure
adequate natural ventilation and day lighting potential + Recently, The Eco-Niwas Samhita
(ENS) introduced the Residential Envelope Transmittance Value (RETV), a metric measuring
heat transfer through a building’s envelope.
• Residential Envelope Transmittance Value (RETV) = It is a metric measuring heat
transfer through a building’s envelope + Lower RETV values lead to cooler indoor
environments and decreased energy usage + For optimal efficiency, improved occupant
comfort and lower utility expenses, it’s recommended to maintain an RETV of 15W/m2
or less.
Ø Cnemaspis Vangoghi = New species of lizard + discovered from the Southern Western Ghats
in Tamil Nadu + It is described as a small-sized gecko and has a distinctive yellow head and
forebody + It prefers living among rocks and can occasionally be found on buildings and trees.
Ø AMRUT Scheme = It was launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in 2015,
in 500 selected cities and towns across the country. It has been subsumed under AMRUT 2.0
in 2021 + It focuses on development of basic infrastructure in the selected cities and towns in
the sectors of water supply, sewerage and septage management, storm water drainage, green
spaces and parks, and non-motorized urban transport + AMRUT 2.0, which was launched for
a period 2021-26, is designed to provide universal coverage of water supply through functional
taps to all households in all the statutory towns in the country and coverage of
sewerage/septage management in 500 cities covered in the first phase of the AMRUT scheme.
AMRUT 2.0 will promote a circular economy of water through the development of City Water
Balance Plan (CWBP) for each city.
Ø Konda Reddi Tribe = Konda Reddis is a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group inhabiting the
banks of the river Godavari and also in the hilly forest tracts of Godavari and Khammam
districts of Andhra Pradesh + Their mother tongue is Telugu, with a unique accent + The family
is patriarchal + Monogamy is a rule, but polygamous families are also found + They have their
own institution of social control called ‘Kula Panchayat’ + The primary religion practiced by
the Konda Reddi is Folk Hinduism + They are primarily shifting cultivators.
Ø Digne Resolution = The geological heritage of our planet was first recognised in 1991 at First
International Symposium on the Conservation of our Geological Heritage (Digne resolution)
+ UNESCO facilitated efforts to create a formal programme to promote a global network of
geoheritage sites complementing the World Heritage Convention and the UNESCO’s MAB +
Global Geoparks Network was founded in 2004 as an international partnership developed
under the umbrella of UNESCO + Today, there are 169 Global Geoparks across 44 countries
+ India is a signatory to the establishment of UNESCO Global Geoparks. But, it does not have
any legislation and policy for conservation of geoheritages. Geological Survey of India (GSI)
has identified 32 sites as National Geological Monuments. Yet no geopark in India is
recognised by the UNESCO.

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• Global Geoparks Network = It is a non-profit International Association officially
established in 2014 subject to French legislation. It is the official partner of UNESCO
for the operation of the UNESCO Global Geoparks.
Ø Decision Support System (DSS) = System for air quality + It is a numerical model-based
framework to forecast Delhi’s air quality and sources of local and regional pollution which can
impact the air + It is developed by Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) Pune + The
system, which works only in winter and is stopped from March to August + The two models
— System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (Safar) and DSS — had
temporarily stopped sharing data on air pollution for the country as there were differences
between their forecasts and source contribution.
Ø Coral Reef Watch Programme = It is a free online tool that provides a global analysis of sea
surface temperature (SST) and outlooks to identify coral reefs that are at risk of bleaching + It
is developed by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the United
States of America.
Ø Sea Defenders-2024 = It is a joint exercise between the Indian Coast Guard and the United
States Coast Guard + Location: Off the coast of Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Ø Majuli Masks = These are handmade masks traditionally used to depict characters in bhaonas,
or theatrical performances + Assam + Got GI tag recently + The masks are made of bamboo,
clay, dung, cloth, cotton, wood and other materials available in the riverine surroundings of
their makers + The masks can depict gods, goddesses, demons, animals and birds — Ravana,
Garuda, Narasimha, Hanuman, Varaha Surpanakha all feature among the masks.
Ø Pars-I Remote Sensing Satellite = Iran + ran announced the successful launch of its
domestically manufactured ‘Pars-I’ remote sensing satellite into orbit using a Russian Soyuz-
2.1b rocket.
Ø Shekou Port = Located in Shenzhen in China's Guangdong Province.
Ø Striped Marlin = Category of Fish + Striped marlin are some of the fastest animals on the
planet and one of the ocean’s top predators + According to a study, these predatory fish use
rapid colour changes to coordinate attacks.
Ø PQ3 Protocol = by Apple company + a post-quantum cryptographic protocol, to encrypt
conversations in iMessage + The company called it the “first messaging protocol to reach Level
3 security” and claimed it can defend “highly sophisticated quantum attacks.”
Ø Rupa Tarakasi & Banglar Muslin = Odisha + Products got GI tag recently.
• Rupa Tarakasi = also called silver filigree + It is silver craft from cuttack in Odisha +
The artists involved with this filigree work are called “Rupa Banias” or “Roupyakaras”
(in Odia)
• Banglar Muslin = This finest sort of muslin is made of cotton + Original muslin was
produced solely from a cotton plant called, Phuti Karpas, that grew exclusively along
the banks of a certain stretch of the Brahmaputra River.
Ø Risa Textile = Got GI Tag + Tripura’s traditional tribal attire + It is woven in colourful designs
and has a crucial social and religious significance.
Ø Project Seabird = The largest naval infrastructure project for India, it involves creation of a
naval base at Karwar, Karnataka, on the west coast of India + This is a massive project with
the first sealift facility in the country and a transfer system for docking and undocking ships
and submarines + Once completed, it will be the largest naval base in the Eastern Hemisphere.
Ø Netravati River = It rises between Kudremukh and Ballalaryan Durga in the Dakshina
Kannada district of Karnataka + fall into the Arabian Sea near Mangalore + The Kumaradhara,
a major left-bank tributary joins near the village Uppinangadi + The climate of the basin is
characterized by heavy rainfall, high humidity and oppressive weather in the hot season.
Ø Shipra River = The Shipra, also known as the Kshipra, is a river in Madhya Pradesh state +
perennial river + considered as sacred as the Ganga River by the Hindus + It originates in the

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Vindhya Range from a hill called Kakri-Tekdi, which is in the north of Dhar and situated at a
distance of 11km from Ujjain + It flows across the Malwa Plateau to join the Chambal River.
Ø Exercise LAMITIYE = 10th Edition + Army Exercise + between Indian and Seychelles army
+ Biennial training event.
Ø Lake Baikal = Located in the southern part of eastern Siberia within the republic of Russia +
Oldest existing freshwater lake on Earth (20 million–25 million years old), as well as the
deepest continental body of water + The largest rivers that flow into it include the Selenga,
Barguzin, Upper (Verkhnyaya) Angara, Chikoy, and Uda + It is known as the 'Galapagos of
Russia' + In 1996 Lake Baikal was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Ø Lianas = also known as vines, climbing plants or climbers + plants with long, flexible,
climbing stems + plants with long, flexible, climbing stems + They particularly thrive in
disturbed forest areas — such as those affected by logging, natural treefalls, landslides + In
terms of climate, lianas are more resilient to variations in moisture and temperature, which
gives them a competitive advantage over trees.
Ø World Forest Day = World Forest Day, also known as International Day of Forests, is
celebrated on March 21 each year + The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United
Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Forum on Forests are the coordinators of the
International Day of Forests + The theme for this year is - Forests and Innovation: New
Solutions for a Better World.

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Vision-March (No Repetition)
Topics already covered in The Hindu section are NOT repeated
Ø Sixth Schedule = The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, under Article 244(2) and Article
275(1) of the Constitution, is provided for the administration of tribal areas in Assam,
Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram + It empowers the Governor to create Autonomous District
Councils (ADCs) and Autonomous Regional Councils (ARCs) in these four states + ADCs
consist of not more than thirty members, out of which four are nominated by the Governor
while the rest are elected. (Bodoland Territorial Council is an exception; it can have up to forty-
six members) + ARCs: If there are different Scheduled Tribes in an autonomous district, the
Governor may divide the area or areas inhabited by them into autonomous regions + The sixth
Schedule conferred the following Executive, Legislative and Judicial powers to ADCs and
ARCs.
Ø Sita Soren v. Union of India (2024) = In Sita Soren v. Union of India (2024), a seven-judge
constitution bench of the SC overruled its 1998 judgment in the PV Narasimha Rao case + In
current judgement the SC said that Legislators cannot claim immunity from prosecution for
taking bribes for speech/vote in the house + MPs/MLAs accused of taking bribes cannot claim
any immunity from prosecution under Articles 105 and 194 of the Constitution.
Ø ‘NITI For States’ Platform = Developed by NITI Aayog + Government has launched the
‘NITI for States’ platform + It is a comprehensive digital initiative designed to empower
States/UTs in their pursuit of national development goals + It offers a centralised repository of
valuable resources, including best practices, policy documents, datasets, and NITI Aayog
publications + It will be available in 22 major Indian languages and 7 foreign languages.
Ø Digital Criminal Case Management System (CCMS) = Launched by Ministry of Home
Affairs (MHA) + It is designed by National Investigation Agency (NIA) + It is a user-friendly
and easy-to-deploy, customizable, browser-based software to help State Police forces in their
investigations and prosecution.
• National Investigation Agency (NIA) = NIA was created after the 2008 Mumbai
terror attacks with the enactment of the National Investigation Agency Act 2008 + Aim:
To set the standards of excellence in counter-terrorism and other national security-
related investigations at the national level with an oriented workforce + It works under
a written proclamation from the Ministry of Home Affairs + It is empowered to deal
with terror-related crimes across states without special permission from the states +
National Investigation Agency (Amendment) Act, 2019 has given it the power to
investigate scheduled offences committed outside India.
• Sankalan App = MHA launched– A compendium of New Criminal Laws by National
Crime Records Bureau + It is designed for navigating through new criminal laws as a
bridge between old and new criminal laws + It will work in offline mode as well and
its availability has been ensured in far-flung areas.
Ø QUAD = Quad, formally Quadrilateral Security Dialogue is a plurilateral framework
comprising India, Australia, Japan, and the USA + It brings together these four countries with
a shared commitment to work as a force for global good and to support an open, free, and
inclusive Indo-Pacific that is prosperous and resilient.
• Strengthening the Quad Act = US House of Representatives has passed ‘Strengthen
US-Australia-India-Japan Cooperation’ or Strengthening the Quad Act + The act aims
to strengthen joint cooperation between Quad’s four members, to promote a free, open,
inclusive, resilient and healthy Indo-Pacific.
Ø The Commonwealth = It is a voluntary association of countries, most of which are formerly
British colonies, collaborating on democracy, trade, and climate change + Current Members:
56 members (including India) + Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) meet every
two years (latest being in Rwanda in 2022) to discuss pertinent issues and release a summit

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communiqué + The year 2024 marks 75 years since the creation of the modern Commonwealth,
with the signing of the London Declaration.
Ø Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) = Regional intergovernmental organization of
the former Soviet Republics which is focused on cooperation in multidimensional aspects +
Headquarters: Minsk, Belarus + The Soviet Union was dissolved in 1991 leading to the
foundation of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) + The founding states of the
CIS include Belarus, Russia and Ukraine. The remaining republics of the Soviet Union joined
the Commonwealth of Independent States after signing the Alma-Ata Protocol + Now, the
Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) has the following countries as its members:
Russia, Belarus & Ukraine, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan,
Uzbekistan, Moldova and Kyrgyzstan.
Ø North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) = Founded in 1949, with the signing of the
North Atlantic Treaty or Washington Treaty, with the aim of acting as a deterrent to the threat
of Soviet expansion in Europe after World War II + Headquarters: Brussels (Belgium) +
NATO is a political and military alliance of 32 countries from Europe and North America + It
is founded on the principle of collective defence (Article 5 of the Treaty), meaning that if one
NATO Ally is attacked, then all NATO Allies are attacked + Founding members (12):
Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway,
Portugal, the United Kingdom and the United States. Finland joined NATO in 2023. Ukraine
formally submitted application to join NATO, in 2022 and it received assurances at Vilnius
Summit in 2023. EU members that are not a part of NATO are: Austria, Cyprus, Ireland and
Malta + Every NATO country contributes to the costs of running the Alliance, based on a cost-
share formula derived from Gross National Income.
• Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) Status = MNNA status is a designation under U.S.
law that provides foreign partners with certain benefits in the areas of defense trade and
security cooperation + While MNNA status provides military and economic privileges,
it does not entail any security commitments to the designated country + The US has
designated 30 other countries including Japan, South Korea, Israel, etc as MNNA +
India is not a MNNA.
• NATO plus five = It is a grouping of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
and five countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Israel, and South Korea +
The group works toward boosting global defence cooperation + A US Congressional
Committee recently recommended strengthening Nato Plus by including India in the
five-member grouping.
Ø International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) = The India-Sri Lanka IMBL was
delineated by the 1974 Maritime boundary agreement demarcating it in the Palk Strait + It was
determined based on principles under United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
(UNCLOS) + According to UNCLOS, Maritime boundaries are often defined by the
equidistance principle, which asserts that a nation's marine boundary should follow a medial
line equidistant from the coastal areas of two neighbouring countries + This boundary is
established to define each country's exclusive economic zones, territorial waters, and other
maritime zones, helping to prevent disputes and conflicts over maritime jurisdiction.
• Katchatheevu Island and Wadge Bank = It is an uninhabited island administered by
Sri Lanka and was a disputed territory claimed by India until 1976 + The island is
located between Neduntheevu, Sri Lanka and Rameswaram, India + In 1974 India
ceded Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka under the "IndoSri Lanka Maritime agreement" aimed
at resolving the maritime boundaries in Palk Strait + Wadge Bank is one of the world’s
richest fishing grounds and in a much more strategic part of the sea than Katchatheevu
Island. Later, the 1976 agreement between the countries settled the maritime boundary
between by giving sovereign rights to India over Wadge Bank near Kanyakumari.

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Ø Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) = = Signed in 1960, between India and Pakistan + brokered by
the World Bank + It covers the water distribution and sharing rights of six rivers of Indus river
system viz, Beas, Ravi, Sutlej, Indus, Chenab and Jhelum. The treaty specifies that waters from
three western rivers viz. Indus, Jhelum and Chenab are reserved for Pakistan, while waters
from eastern rivers viz. Ravi, Sutlej and Beas are for reserved for India + Projects allowed -
While Pakistan has rights over the waters of the western rivers, the IWT allows India to use
them for certain agricultural uses. IWT allows India to build ‘run of the river’ hydropower
projects, which doesn’t require live storage of water. It also allows Pakistan to raise objections
over such projects being built by India, if it does not find them to be compliant with the
specifications + The IWT also provides a three step dispute resolution mechanism, by
resolution, Through the Permanent Commission or at the inter-government level, Neutral
Expert (NE) of the World Bank, and in the end, through the Court of Arbitration + It established
Permanent Indus Commission(PIC) + The Commissioners must meet at least once a year,
alternately in India and Pakistan.
Ø Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) = Recently, the India-European Free
Trade Association (EFTA) signed a Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) +
The agreement comprises 14 chapters with the main focus on market access related to goods,
rules of origin, trade facilitation, trade remedies, sanitary and phytosanitary measures etc + For
the first time, India has signed an FTA with Members of EFTA + The EFTA was established
in 1960 through the Stockholm Convention, to promote closer economic cooperation and free
trade in Europe. Presently, its members are Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein,
which are not part of the European Union
Ø Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) = GECF, an intergovernmental organisation, seeks
to build a mechanism for a meaningful dialogue between gas producers and consumers to
improve the stability and security of supply and demand in gas markets around the world +
GECF member countries collectively account for more than half of world LNG exports (51%)
+ Full-fledged Members: Algeria, Bolivia, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Iran, Libya, Nigeria,
Qatar, Russia, Trinidad and Tobago, UAE and Venezuela + India is not a member.
• Algiers Declaration = 7th GECF Summit concluded with Algiers Declaration, which
is related to Natural Gas for a Secure and Sustainable Future.
Ø Summit for Democracy = Launched by the US in 2021 + Aim: To strengthen democratic
institutions, protect human rights, and accelerate the fight against corruption globally + the
summit has emerged as an important platform where democracies share experiences and learn
from each other + Recently, 2nd summit held. India was also an invitee to the summit. PM Modi
virtually addressed the Summit.
Ø Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) = It is an economic initiative
launched by United States President in 2022 + IPEF has fourteen member states: Australia,
Brunei, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines,
Singapore, Thailand, United States and Vietnam + IPEF is based on 4 pillars: Trade; Supply
Chains; Clean Energy, Decarbonization, and Infrastructure; and Tax and Anti-Corruption +
IPEF partners are not required to join all four pillars (India has not joined trade pillar) + This
framework is intended to advance resilience, sustainability, inclusiveness, economic growth,
fairness, and competitiveness for member economies + The forum seeks to go beyond
traditional free trade agreements and work on the issues of supply chains, clean energy,
decarbonisation, infrastructure, and tax and anti-corruption + The initiative aims to contribute
to cooperation, stability, prosperity, development, and peace within the Indo-Pacific region +
This framework will offer tangible benefits that fuel economic activity and investment,
promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth, and benefit workers and consumers
across the region.
Ø India-Middle East-Europe Corridor = Recently, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic
Corridor (IMEC) Project was signed at the G20 Summit in New Delhi + The project forms part

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of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) + The proposed IMEC will
consist of Railroad, Ship-to- Rail networks and Road transport routes extending across two
corridors, that is, The East Corridor – connecting India to the Arabian Gulf, The Northern
Corridor – connecting the Gulf to Europe + The IMEC corridor will also include an electricity
cable, a hydrogen pipeline and a high-speed data cable + Signatories: India, the US, Saudi
Arabia, UAE, the European Union, Italy, France, and Germany + Upon completion, it would
provide a “reliable and cost-effective cross-border ship-to-rail transit network to supplement
existing maritime and road transports” + Railway line will connect Fujairah port (UAE) to
Haifa port (Israel) via: Saudi Arabia (Ghuwaifat and Haradh) and Jordan.
• Ports to be Connected: [Mark on Map]
o India: Mundra (Gujarat), Kandla (Gujarat), and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (Navi
Mumbai)
o Middle East: Fujairah, Jebel Ali, and Abu Dhabi in the UAE as well as Dammam
and Ras Al Khair ports in Saudi Arabia.
o Israel: Haifa port.
o Europe: Piraeus port in Greece, Messina in South Italy, and Marseille in France.
Ø Operation Indravati = Launched by India + to evacuate its nationals from Haiti to the
Dominican Republic + Haiti has been under a state of emergency after some armed groups
attacked the country's largest prison in Port-au-Prince.
Ø Darien Gap = Connects northern Colombia and southern Panama + Part of the Isthmus of
Panama + This route is taken when people migrate from South America to North America +
Darien Gap has emerged as one of the world’s most dangerous and fastest-growing border
crossings for illegal immigration.
Ø Blue Line = Israel and Lebanon have no official border separating them, except the Blue Line
+ It was set by the United Nations in 2000 + It is made of blue barrels and runs from the
Mediterranean to the Golan Heights to the east + Its purpose was to confirm the withdrawal of
Israeli forces from the south of Lebanon.

Ø Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2022-23 = Released by National Sample

Survey Office (NSSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
(MoSPI) at regular intervals + Initially, the NSSO was conducted HCES every year (starting
1950-51). However, since its 26th round, the survey has been conducted roughly every 5 years.
(The 2017-18 Survey was discarded by the government citing ‘Data Quality’ issues.) + The
data is useful for understanding consumption and expenditure patterns, standard of living and
well-being of households.
Ø Human Development Report (HDR) 2023-2024 = Released by: United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP) annually since 1990 + It’s statistical measure used to
quantify a country's achievement in 3 basic dimensions of human development - Long and
healthy life, Knowledge, and a decent standard of living + It was developed by Pakistani
economist Mahbub ul-Haq + India ranks 134 on the global Human Development Index (HDI).
Switzerland has been ranked number one + The HDI captures only part of what human

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development entails. It does not reflect on inequalities, poverty, human security,
empowerment, etc.

Ø Reserve Bank – Integrated Ombudsman Scheme (RB-IOS) = RB-IOS was launched in

2021 as part of the Alternate Grievance Redress (AGR) Framework of RBI for resolving
customer grievances + It integrated the existing three Ombudsman schemes of RBI: Banking
Ombudsman Scheme, 2006; Ombudsman Scheme for Non-Banking Financial Companies,
2018; and Ombudsman Scheme for Digital Transactions, 2019 + Scheme has been framed by
the RBI in the exercise of the powers conferred on it under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949,
the RBI Act, 1934, and the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 + It aims to provide
cost-free redress of customer complaints involving deficiency in services rendered by entities
regulated by RBI.
Ø Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) = PACS are the ground-level cooperative
credit institutions that provide short-term, and medium-term agricultural loans to the farmers
for the various agricultural and farming activities + It works at the grassroots gram Panchayat
and village level + The first Primary Agricultural Credit Society (PACS) was formed in 1904
+ The PACS functioning at the base of the cooperative banking system constitute the major
retail outlets of short term and medium term credit to the rural sector + PACS are outside the
purview of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 and hence not regulated by RBI.

Ø World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in Cooperative Sector = Ministry of Cooperation

(MoC) + Aim: To address the shortage of agricultural storage infrastructure in the country by
facilitating the establishment of godowns at the level of primary agricultural credit societies
(PACS) and also enables PACS to undertake various other activities + It focuses upon
convergence of various schemes of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ministry
of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Ministry of Food Processing Industries
+ An interministerial committee (IMC) will be formed under the chairmanship of the Minister

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of Cooperation, with ministers of Agriculture and Farmer's Welfare, Consumer Affairs, Food
and Public Distribution, Food Processing Industries, and secretaries as members “to modify
guidelines/ implementation methodologies of schemes of the respective ministries as and when
the need arises” + Initially, scheme would run in pilot phase + The Pilot would provide valuable
insights into various regional requirements of the project, learnings from which will be suitably
incorporated for country-wide implementation of the Plan.
Ø Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) = A Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) is an agricultural extension
center in India. Usually associated with a local agricultural university, these centers serve as
the ultimate link between the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and farmers + All KVKs
fall under the jurisdiction of one of the 11 Agricultural Technology Application Research
Institutes (ATARIs) throughout India + The KVK scheme is functioning on 100% Central
funding pattern under the ambit of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR),
Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) + Activities undertaken by
KVKs include on-farm testing of technologies and demonstrations, capacity development of
farmers and extension personnel and functioning as a knowledge and resource centre of
agricultural technologies.
• Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) = Established in 1929 as a
registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 + It is an autonomous
organisation under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE),
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare + It is headquartered at New Delhi + It is
the apex body for coordinating, guiding and managing research and education in
agriculture including horticulture, fisheries and animal sciences in the entire country
Ø Patents (Amendment) Rules, 2024 = Patents (Amendment) Rules, 2024 have been notified
by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and
Industry + They have been notified under the Patents Act, 1970 + Patents (Amendment) Rules,
2024 have amended the Patents Rules, 2003 + For filing request for examination, time limit
has been reduced from 48 months to 31 months + Certificate of Inventorship has been
introduced to acknowledge the contribution of inventors in the patented invention + Renewal
fee has been reduced by 10% if paid in advance through electronic mode for a period of at least
4 years.
Ø International Intellectual Property (IP) Index = Released by US Chamber of Commerce +
12th edition + Top countries on the index are USA, UK and France + India’s position remained
unchanged at 42 out of 55 economies + IP Index is different from the Global Innovation Index
(GII). GII is co-published by World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Cornell
University, and INSEAD. GII ranks India at 40th position out of 132 economies.
Ø Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS) = BBPS is an integrated online platform that is being
developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) for all kinds of bill payments
+ It intends to build an interoperable service through a network of agents, enabling multiple
payment modes along with instant generation of receipts of payments + Operates as a tiered
structure with NPCI Bharat Bill Pay Ltd (NBBL) as a Central Unit (BBPCU), and Bharat Bill
Payment Operating Units (BBPOUs) as operational units + Recently, Reserve Bank of India
(RBI) issued revised regulatory framework of the BBPS. RBI has revised the framework in
exercise of powers conferred by the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, of 2007.
Ø PM-SURAJ Portal = Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) + Pradhan
Mantri Samajik Utthan Evam Rozgar Adharit Jankalyan (PM-SURAJ) Portal aims for credit
schemes for marginalized sections + Objective: Uplifting most marginalized sections of
society and supporting credit assistance to one lakh entrepreneurs hailing from disadvantaged
communities + Credit support will be provided to eligible persons across country, facilitated
through banks, Non-Banking Financial Company-Micro Finance Institutions’ (NBFC-MFIs),
and other organisations.

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Ø Project GAIA = Central banks unveiled Project Gaia to evaluate climate financial risks + It is
a collaboration between the Bank for International Settlements Innovation Hub Eurosystem
Centre, Bank of Spain, etc + It leverages generative artificial intelligence (AI) particularly
Large Language Models(LLMs) to facilitate the analysis of climate-related risks in the
financial system.
Ø ‘Vocal For Local’ Initiative = NITI Aayog Launches ‘Vocal For Local’ Initiative Fostering
Grassroots Entrepreneurship and Self-reliance + Launched under: Aspirational Blocks
Programme (ABP) + Aim: Encouraging a spirit of self-reliance among people of Aspirational
Blocks, propelling them towards sustainable growth and prosperity + Implementation:
Government e-marketplace (GeM) and Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC)
platforms will provide support to entrepreneurs for e-commerce onboarding, establishing
linkages, enhancing financial and digital literacy, etc.
Ø RoDTEP Scheme = Scheme for Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products
(RoDTEP) has emerged as a critical tool in supporting India's exporters + It became operational
on 1st January 2021 replacing the existing export incentive scheme, Merchandise Exports from
India (MEIS) + The rebate under the scheme is allowed, based on the allowed percentage of
FOB (Freight On Board) value of exports and issued in the form of a transferable duty
credit/electronic scrip (e-scrip), the details of which are maintained in a digital ledger by the
Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) + RoDTEP Committee operates within
the Department of Revenue + Its primary objective is to provide comprehensive support to
exporters by remitting duties and taxes incurred during the production and distribution of
exported products. Importantly, RoDTEP covers taxes, duties, and levies at the central, state,
and local levels, which are not refunded through any other existing mechanisms + It is WTO-
compatible and is being implemented in an end-to-end IT environment.
Ø Integrated Rating and Ranking of Power Distribution Utilities (DISCOMs) = Ministry of
Power released 12th Annual Integrated Rating and Ranking of Power Distribution Utilities
(DISCOMs) + It is conducted with the Power Finance Corporation as the nodal agency and
rates the performance of 55 DISCOMs.
Ø GRID-INDIA (Grid Controller of India Limited) = Miniratna Category-I company +
Established in 2009 + It’s mandate is to oversee the operation of the Indian Power System.
Ø IndiaTex = IndiaTex (Innovative Business Practices and Economic Models in the Textile
Value Chain in India) is launched at BHARAT TEX 2024, one of the largest-ever global textile
events organized in India + IndiaTex is a four-year (2023-2027) United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP) project + It is a part of the One UNEP Textile Initiative + Implementation:
In collaboration with Ministry of Textiles + It will be funded by Denmark's Ministry of Foreign
Affairs.
Ø Centre for Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) = World Economic Forum (WEF)’s Centre
for Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) inaugurated at Hyderabad + This C4IR will be the
world's first thematic centre which will focus on healthcare and life sciences + 4IR means the
digital transformation of the manufacturing industry by technologies such as Artificial
Intelligence, Additive Manufacturing, Internet of Things (IoT), etc.
• C4IR(INDIA): Earlier, C4IR- India centre was also established in Maharashtra. It is
coordinated by NITI Aayog
Ø Sabroom Landport = Tripura + Located along India-Bangladesh international border + SLP
is connected to Chittagong port of Bangladesh through Maitree Bridge on River Feni + It will
facilitate movement of passengers and cargo between India and Bangladesh + Land Ports are
areas on international border including portions of national highways, State highways, etc.,
notified as land customs station or immigration check post, with facilities for clearance and
transport of passengers and goods across the borders. Currently, there are 11 Land Ports
operational in India (excluding SLP).

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Ø Trends in International Arms Transfers, 2023 = The report is released by the Stockholm
International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) (an independent international institute) + USA
is the largest arms exporter and its share of total global arms exports rose to 42%. France, for
the first time, was the second biggest arms exporter, just ahead of Russia + India was the
world’s top arms importer. Russia remained India’s main arms supplier (accounting for 36%
of its arms imports).
Ø Defence Industrial Corridors (DICs) = A defence corridor refers to a route or a path along
which domestic productions of defence equipment by public sector, private sector and MSMEs
are lined up to enhance the operational capability of the defence forces + India has established
two Defence Industrial Corridors - one in Uttar Pradesh and another in Tamil Nadu + The Uttar
Pradesh corridor encompasses nodes in Agra, Aligarh, Chitrakoot, Jhansi, Kanpur, and
Lucknow + The Tamil Nadu corridor includes nodes in Chennai, Coimbatore, Hosur, Salem,
and Tiruchirappalli.
• 1st Private Sector Facilities for Manufacturing of Ammunition and Missiles = First
private sector facilities for the manufacture of ammunition and missiles opened in
Kanpur (UP) + It is opened in the Defence Industrial Corridors (DICs) of UP + The
Defence Industry sector was opened up to 100% for Indian private sector participation
in 2001.
Ø VSHORADS Missile = Designed indigenously by DRDO + is a Man Portable Air Defence
System (MANPAD) + It can neutralise low altitude aerial threats at short ranges + It is
propelled by a dual thrust solid motor and incorporates miniaturized Reaction Control System
(RCS) and integrated avionics.
Ø Vajra Sentinel System = It is a modern solution designed to detect, track, and neutralize
drones at extraordinary ranges + It offers soft kills by jamming and hard kills by interceptor
drones + Operational range of 10 km and a hard-kill reach of 5-6 km + It is designed by Big
Bang Boom Solutions Private Limited (BBBS), Chennai based defense startup.
Ø INS Jatayu = India's second naval base in Lakshadweep after INS Dweeprakshak in Kavaratti
+ Significance: Facilitate Indian Navy’s operational effort towards Anti-Piracy and Anti-
Narcotics Operations in Western Arabian Sea + It will also augment Indian Navy’s capability
as the first responder in the India Ocean region and augment connectivity with the mainland.
Ø Exercise Samudra Laksamana = It is a bilateral Naval Exercise between India and Malasiya
Ø Exercise Tiger Triumph 2024 = It is a bilateral tri Service Humanitarian Assistance and
Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise between India and USA.
Ø UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) = The Sixth session of the UN Environment
Assembly (UNEA-6) got concluded recently at the UN Environment Programme (UNEP)
headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya + Theme: “Effective, inclusive and sustainable multilateral
actions to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution” + UNEA-6 re-affirmed
commitment to tackle triple planetary crisis through the adopted Ministerial Declaration.
• Triple Planetary Crisis [Term in News] = The triple planetary crisis refers to the three
main interlinked issues that humanity currently faces + Term related to Environment
degradation + It refers to three terms: Climate Change; Pollution and Biodiversity Loss.
• United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) = Established in 2012, at the United
Nations Conference on Sustainable Development + Roles and Functions: The United
Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) of the UNEP is the world’s highest-level
decision-making body on the environment. It set the global environmental agenda;
provide overarching policy guidance and define policy responses to address emerging
environmental challenges in the world + It consists of a President and 8 Vice Presidents
(forming the UNEA Bureau) + Membership: Consists of all the 193 Members of the
United Nations.
• UNEA-7 = is scheduled to be held in December 2025 at Nairobi.

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Ø International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) = Launched by India in 2023 + It aims at conservation
of 7 big cats namely Lion, Tiger, Snow Leopard, Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, and Puma + It
comprises of 96 big cat range countries, conservation partners, scientific organizations, and
business groups + 16 countries, including Brazil, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Malaysia, have
officially joined the IBCA led by India + Additionally, nine international organizations,
including the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the World Wildlife
Fund (WWF) International, have given consent to join the IBCA.
• Tiger: Endangered + Appendix I in Cites + Schedule 1 in WPA,1972
• Lion: Vulnerable + Appendix I in Cites (only Indian population, rest in Appendix II)
+ Schedule 1 in WPA,1972
• Snow Leopard: Vulnerable + Appendix I in Cites + Schedule 1 in WPA,1972
• Leopard: Vulnerable + Appendix I in Cites + Schedule 1 in WPA,1972
• Cheetah: Vulnerable + Appendix I in Cites + Schedule 1 in WPA,1972
• Jaguar: Near Threatened + Appendix I in Cites + Not listed in WPA
• Puma: Least Concern + Appendix I in Cites + Not listed in WPA
Ø Gangetic Dolphin = Popularly known as ‘Susu’ of rivers + Only live in freshwater and are
essentially blind + They are reliable indicator of the health of the entire river ecosystem + It is
also National Aquatic Animal of India + It can be found in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna
and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems of Nepal, India, and Bangladesh + In India, it covers seven
states namely, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand and West
Bengal + It prefer deep waters, in and around the confluence + Major threats to dolphins in
India include overfishing in the habitat, pollution, infrastructure etc. + Gangetic dolphins are
one among the 21 species identified under the centrally sponsored scheme, “Development of
Wildlife Habitat” + India’s national aquatic animal (declared in 2009) + IUCN: Endangered +
Schedule I of WPA,1972 & Appendix 1 of CITES + The species is a reliable indicator of the
health of the entire river ecosystem + The Gangetic Dolphin is endemic to the Indian sub-
continent and has a fairly extensive distribution range. It is found in the Ganga -Brahmaputra
- Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems of India and Bangladesh, while a few
individuals survive in the Karnali, and the Sapta Kosi Rivers in Nepal + It is blind and finds
its way and prey in river waters through echolocation + Being a mammal, the Ganges River
dolphin cannot breathe in water and must surface every 30-120 seconds + It is one of four
freshwater dolphin species in the world. The other three are: 'Baiji' in Yangtze River in China
(Functionally extinct since 2006); 'Boto' in Amazon River and; 'Bhulan' in Indus River in
Pakistan
• National Dolphin Research Centre (NDRC) = Recently inaugurated in Patna, Bihar
+ Aimed at conserving the endangered Gangetic River dolphin + It facilitates in-depth
studies conducted by scientists and researchers regarding the dolphin species.
Additionally, the centre offers training to fishermen on effective dolphin conservation
methods.
Ø Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) = Formulated by Subhash Palekar in India on the
basis of four essential elements namely Beejamrit, Jeevamrit, Acchadana, and Waaphasa + It
was first practiced by a Japanese farmer and philosopher, Masanobu Fukuoka + Other
important principles in of ZBNF include: Intercropping, Contours and bunds, Revival of Local
species of earthworms through increased organic matter, Use of Dung of indigenous cow etc
+ ZBNF promotes the usage of natural farming techniques in which farming is done without
use of chemicals and without use of credit or spending any money on purchased inputs +
Currently eleven states practice ZBNF. States like Andhra Pradesh (AP) has adopted ZBNF
over 1 lakh hectares of land and aims to convert its entire agriculture land pool (80 lakh
hectares) under ZBNF by 2027.
• Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Padhati (BPKP) = a sub-scheme under Paramparagat
Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), which aims at promoting Organic farming and soil
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health + Centrally Sponsored Scheme, initiated for a period of six years (2019-25) +
Aims to cover 12 Lakh ha under ZBNF in 600 major blocks of the country + Provides
financial assistance of Rs.12,200/ha for 3 years for Cluster formation and Capacity
building.
Ø World Water Development Report = Annual flagship report by United Nation + It is
published by the UNESCO World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP) on behalf of the
UN-Water + UN-Water is a ‘coordination mechanism’, which comprises of United Nations
members and international organizations working on water and sanitation issues + The latest
report highlights how developing and maintaining water security and equitable access to water
services is essential to ensuring peace and prosperity for all.
Ø Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project = Telangana + Godavari river + The Pranhita-Godavari
River confluence is the location of KLIP + It was previously known as the Pranahita-Chevella
Lift Irrigation Project + It is claimed to be the world’s largest multi-stage and multi-purpose
lift irrigation project.
Ø FARM Programme = led by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) with financial support
from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) + Financing Agrochemical Reduction and
Management (FARM) Programme + It intends to shift financial incentives towards farmers to
adopt low- and non-chemical alternatives, promoting sustainable practices + Seven countries
– Ecuador, India, Kenya, Laos, Philippines, Uruguay, and Vietnam – have initiated a program
called the Financing Agrochemical Reduction and Management Programme (FARM) to
address pollution from pesticides and plastics in agriculture + By phasing out hazardous
pesticides and Agri-plastics and encouraging better management standards, the program aims
to prevent the release of over 51,000 tons of hazardous pesticides and 20,000 tons of plastic
waste, while also reducing carbon dioxide emissions and protecting over 3 million hectares of
land.
Ø Zero Carbon Buildings Action Plan (ZCBAP) = Zero carbon buildings are buildings that
improve their lifecycle environmental performance through measures that reduce embodied,
operational and end-of-life GHG emissions without compromising visual and thermal
comforts.
• Nagpur’s ZCBAP = India's First City-Specific Zero Carbon Buildings Action Plan
(ZCBAP) launched in Nagpur + Nagpur’s ZCBAP aims to achieve net-zero carbon
emissions in all buildings by 2050, contributing to India's 'net zero by 2070' target +
ZCBAP in Nagpur has been developed jointly with implementing partners of Zero
Carbon Building Accelerator (ZCBA) project.
• Zero Carbon Building Accelerator (ZCBA) Project = ZCBA project was launched
by World Resources Institute (WRI) in 2021 along with its global partners + Nagpur is
one of six global cities (other in Kenya, Costa Rica, Turkey, and Colombia) where
ZCBA project is being implemented.
Ø Green Credit Program (GCP) = It is an innovative market-based mechanism to incentivise
environment positive actions by different stakeholders such as Industries/institutions, State
governments, philanthropies + Established under: “The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986”
with MoEFCC as Nodal Agency + This programme is voluntary in nature and a followup
action of the ‘LiFE’(Lifestyle for Environment) campaign + Cover eight types of activities —
tree plantation, water management, sustainable agriculture, waste management, air pollution
reduction, and mangrove conservation and restoration + The initiative aims to encourage
industries, companies, and other entities meet their obligations under any law that is in force +
The notification clarified that the Green Credit programme is independent of the carbon credit
provided under the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, 2023 under the Energy Conservation Act,
2001.
Ø Ethanol 100 = Ethanol 100 fuel was launched by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
+ A cleaner and greener alternative to gasoline + It is a blend of 92 to 94 percent ethanol, 4 to

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5 percent motor spirit to provide colour to flame and 1.5 percent Co-solvent higher saturated
alcohol + It produces lower emissions of greenhouse gases, high octane rating etc.
Ø Tyler Prize = It is annual award for environmental science, environmental health, and energy
+ The Tyler Prize is administered by the University of Southern California + The 2024 Tyler
Prize for Environmental Achievement will be awarded to Johan Rockstrom for his work on the
Planetary Boundaries framework + Planetary Boundaries framework: First published in 2009,
the Planetary Boundaries integrate nine systems that determine the functioning and the state of
the planet. They provide life-support to humans and humanity is well outside of safe operating
space on first six planetary boundaries.
Ø Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) = Representative Concentration Pathways
(RCPs) were rolled out as part of the Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) of the IPCC in 2014 +
These are basically emission scenarios that depict pathways of greenhouse gas and aerosol
emissions resulting from human activities over time, crucial for climate modelling and
forecasting + These pathways were introduced to provide a consistent set of GHGs
concentration trajectories for climate modelling and research purposes + The RCPs were
officially selected and defined based on their total radiative forcing levels in the year 2100.
Ø Ecocide = It is derived from Greek and Latin, translates to “killing one’s home” or
“environment” + No accepted legal definition of ecocide. However, A group of lawyers
proposed that it constitutes the “unlawful or wanton acts committed with knowledge that there
is a substantial likelihood of severe and either widespread or long term damage to the
environment being caused by those acts.” + It includes port expansion projects that destroy
fragile marine life and local livelihoods; deforestation; illegal sand mining; and polluting rivers
with untreated sewage + According to Stop Ecocide International, deforestation of the
Amazon, deepsea trawling and the 1984 Bhopal gas disaster could have been avoided with
ecocide laws in place + Stop Ecocide International is a body advocating for legislation against
ecocides + Recently, Belgium has become the first country in Europe to recognize ‘ecocide’
as a national as well as an international crime + India is yet to make it an offense.
Ø Living Animal Species (Reporting and Registration) Rules, 2024 = Notified by Ministry of
Environment, Forest and Climate Change + Rules were notified under Wild Life (Protection)
Act (WPA), 1972 + Section 49 M provides for registration of possession, transfer, and birth
and reporting of death of living scheduled animal species which are listed in Appendices of
CITES or Schedule IV of WPA, 1972. Section 49M was added through Wild Life (Protection)
Amendment Act, 2022.
Ø Red Mud = byproduct of aluminium production + It contains heavy metals such as arsenic,
lead, cadmium, chromium, vanadium and mercury + It’s high alkalinity makes it extremely
corrosive and damaging to soil and life forms + Recently, Researchers from IIT Madras
developed a method for treating bauxite residue (known as Red Mud) using phosphoric acid
to extract valuable materials from it. Some such materials like ceramic have dielectric and
optical properties, with potential applications in electronic components and energy storage.
Ø Anthropocene Epoch (Human Epoch) = The term was first coined by Nobel Prize-winning
chemist Paul Crutzen and biology professor Eugene Stoermer in 2000 + not yet formally
established as a new geological epoch, but several geologists and Earth system scientists
propose its beginning to the mid-20th century + It is a proposed epoch that denotes the present
geological time interval in which Earth’s ecosystem has undergone radical changes due to
human impact, especially since the onset of the Industrial Revolution + Numerous phenomena
are associated with this epoch, such as global warming, sea-level rise, ocean acidification,
mass-scale soil erosion, deadly heat waves etc + Earth’s geological time scale is divided into
five broad categories: eons, epochs, eras, periods, epochs and ages + Officially we’re in the
Phanerozoic eon, Cenozoic era, Quaternary period, Holocene epoch and Meghalayan age +
Meghalayan age (4200 years ago) began with an abrupt mega-drought that caused the collapse

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of several civilisations. Geologists found proof of this event in Meghalaya’s Mawmluh Cave
system.
• 6th Mass Extinction = Recent study states that earth is going through its 6th mass
extinction + Mass extinction event is usually defined as about 75% of the world's
species being lost in a 'short' amount of geological time - less than 2.8 million years +
There have been 5 mass extinctions so far. However, all of those were caused by natural
phenomena + This time, it is being caused entirely by humans and hence referred to as
Anthropocene extinction + Earlier mass extinctions are: Ordovician, Devonian,
Permian, Triassic and K-T.
Ø Shinkun La Pass = Shingo La is a mountain pass in India, on the state boundary between
Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh + Shinku La Pass connects Lahaul and Spiti in Himachal
Pradesh with Zanskar Valley in Kargil, Ladakh + Recently, Border Road Organisation has
connected strategically important road from Manali (Himachal Pradesh) to Leh (Ladakh)
through Darcha and Nimmu on Kargil– Leh Highway. This will result in road having all
weather connectivity to Ladakh region.
Ø Great Lakes = North America + Great Lakes — Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario
— form the largest fresh surface water system on Earth + Except for Lake Michigan, the lakes
provide a natural border between Canada and United States + Water in the Great Lakes flows
from Lake Superior, via Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, Lake Erie, into Lake Ontario, and into
the Atlantic Ocean through the Saint Lawrence River.
Ø Gender Inequality Index (GII) 2022 = GII 2022 released by United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP) + Index is Released by UNDP in their report Human Development Report
2023/2024; Breaking the gridlock Reimagining cooperation in a polarized world + Topped by
Denmark, followed by Norway and Switzerland. India has been ranked at 108 out of 193
countries with a score of 0.437. In 2021 India stood at rank 122 out of 191 countries. India’s
neighbouring nations such as Bhutan (80); Sri Lanka (90); and Maldives (76) have performed
better + GII is a composite measure, reflecting inequality in achievements between women and
men in three dimensions: Reproductive Health (maternal mortality ratio, adolescent fertility
rate), Empowerment(share of parliamentary seats held and at least secondary attainment level
by both gender) and Labour market (Measured by labour force participation rates) + GII score
varies between 0 (when women and men fare equally) and 1 (when men or women fare poorly
compared to the other in all dimensions).
Ø Gender Equality Acceleration Plan = On International Women’s Day (IWD), the UN
Secretary-General launched the new UN System-Wide Gender Equality Acceleration Plan to
boost the empowerment of women and girls.
• UN-SWAP = In 2012, the United Nations Chief Executives Board approved a
landmark System-wide Action Plan for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of
Women (UN-SWAP) to be applied throughout the UN system + UN-SWAP 2.0
(released in 2018) raised the bar for accountability by strengthening existing indicators
and anchoring the framework within the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Ø World Poverty Clock = Developed by World Data Lab, a global data enterprise + Monitors
global progress against Ending Extreme Poverty + Funded by International Fund for
Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and
Development of Germany + Latest data on World Poverty Clock showed that India has
managed to bring down ‘extreme poverty’ below 3% of its population.
Ø Homosep Atom = India's first septic tank/manhole cleaning robot + developed by a startup
Solinas.
Ø Neutrinos = Also known as Ghost Particles + They are fundamental particles (but not part of
the atom), like electrons, so they can’t be broken down into smaller parts + Very tiny mass,
has no charge and half spin + Travel at almost the speed of light and in straight lines from their
source + Rarely interact with other matter (therefore also referred to as ghost particle) +

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Outnumber all the atoms in the universe + Only affected by gravity and the weak force + 3
types – electron neutrino, tau neutrino and muon neutrino. They can change from one type to
another as they travel. This process is called neutrino oscillation + Neutrinos are emitted from
our galaxy, stars like Sun, and on Earth, neutrinos are produced when unstable atoms decay,
which happens in the planet’s core and nuclear reactor + But not all neutrinos are the same.
They come in different types and can be thought of in terms of flavors, masses, and energies +
Earloer, For the first time, scientists have seen neutrinos originating from the central disk of
the Milky Way. Data was collected by the IceCube Neutrino Observatory.
• Ice Cube Observatory = It is a cubic-kilometre neutrino particle detector buried deep
beneath the ice surface (~2500 metres) + Aim is to observe cosmic rays that interact
with the Earth’s atmosphere and study the nature of dark matter and the properties of
the neutrino + Location: Near the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station in Antarctica +
Neutrinos are not observed directly, but through their interaction with the other matter.
When neutrinos interact with molecules in the ice, they produce electrically charged
secondary particles traveling at high speeds (faster than light in the ice). It leads to
emission of blue light (Cherenkov light) + The observatory was built on the South Pole
as it needs clear, pure, and stable ice to make its discoveries and be shielded from
radiation at the Earth’s surface + It is the first gigaton neutrino detector ever built +
The astrophysical neutrinos were first detected by the observatory in 2013.
• Indian Neutrino Observatory (INO) = It is aimed at building underground laboratory
for studying neutrinos + Jointly funded by Department of Atomic Energy and the
Department of Science and Technology + Location: Bodi West hills of Theni District
of Tamil Nadu.
• TRIDENT = China’s TRIDENT (Tropical Deep-sea Neutrino Telescope): It is new
neutrino detector being built in the South China Sea, near the equator + It will feature
improved sensitivity and help in clearing the mystery around cosmic rays and their
origins.
Ø Gene Therapy = It is a technique that uses a gene(s) to treat, prevent or cure a disease or
medical disorder + In most gene therapy, a normal gene is inserted into the genome to
supplement an abnormal disease-causing gene and restore the target cell to a normal state +
Both inherited genetic diseases (e.g., haemophilia and sickle cell disease) and acquired
disorders (e.g., leukaemia) could be treated with gene therapy + National Guidelines for GTP
Development and Clinical Trials (2019) issued by Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and
ICMR broadly specifies the ethical, scientific, regulatory procedures for conducting clinical
trial on gene therapy products (GTP) in India + Recently, India has conducted the first human
clinical trial of gene therapy for Haemophilia A (FVIII deficiency) at Christian Medical
College (CMC) Vellore (Tamil Nadu).
Ø Haemophilia = Haemophilias are inherited, life-long, sex-linked bleeding disorders occurring
predominantly in males + People with haemophilia can bleed for a longer time which can lead
to serious health problems. However, they do not bleed any faster than normal person + It is
caused by a mutation in one of the genes, that provides instructions for making the clotting
factor proteins needed to form a blood clot + Haemophilia is inherited through an X
chromosome. Male are more vulnerable to haemophillia, since males have only one copy of X
chromosome (XY) + Females are haemophilic in rare cases since they have two copyies of X
chromosome (XX). For a female to be haemophilc, both of their X chromosome should have
haemophile genes. If one of the X chromosomes in women has haemophile genes then its effect
will be masked by another normal X chromosome. Such female can be carrier to the
haemophillia and pass on the defective gene to their off springs.
Ø Global Cervical Cancer Elimination Forum = First ever Global Cervical Cancer Elimination
Forum took place in Colombia, recently + It was organised by WHO, World Bank, UNICEF,
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and others + Forum aims to catalyse governments, donors,

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civil society, and various stakeholders to commit to cervical cancer elimination and galvanize
global community.
• Cervical Cancer = Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control.
When cancer starts in the cervix, it is called cervical cancer + The cervix connects the
vagina (birth canal) to the upper part of the uterus (or womb where a baby grows during
pregnancy) + It occurs most often in women over age 30 and is the fourth most common
cancer in women globally + It is the second most common cancer among females in
India + Main cause of cervical cancer is the persistent infection with the human
papillomavirus (HPV).
• HPV Types = HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection which can affect the
skin, genital area and throat + In most cases the immune system clears HPV from the
body + Persistent infection with high-risk HPV can cause abnormal cells to develop,
which go on to become cancer + There is currently no treatment for HPV infection +
HPV is a group of more than 200 related viruses and fall into two groups: low risk and
high risk + Low-risk HPVs rarely cause cancer + High-risk HPVs can cause several
types of cancer including anal, cervical, oropharyngeal, penile, vagina and vulvar
cancer + There are 12 high-risk HPV types + Two of these, HPV 16 and HPV 18, are
responsible for most HPV-related cancers.
Ø GNSS-based Toll Collection = Government of India is planning to pilot Global Navigation
Satellite System (GNSS)-based Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system on national
highways. It will be implemented as an added facility along with the FASTag, which was made
mandatory in January 2021 + It uses satellite-based imaging to track the position of the vehicle
and collect tolls based on the distance travelled + Implementation involves fitting vehicles with
an On-Board Unit (OBU), or tracking device, which communicates with satellites to determine
location.
• FASTag = FASTag is a device that employs Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
technology for making toll payments directly while the vehicle is in motion + FASTag
(RFID Tag) is affixed on the windscreen of the vehicle and enables a customer to make
toll payments directly from the account which is linked to FASTag + It is operated by
the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) under the supervision of the Ministry
of Road Transport and Highways.
• GAGAN = GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) is an initiative by the
Indian Government for Satellite-based Navigation Services in India + It aims to
enhance the accuracy of global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receivers through
reference signals + The Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the Indian Space
Research Organization (ISRO) have collaborated to develop the GAGAN as a regional
Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS) + The GAGAN's goal is to provide a
navigation system to assist aircraft in accurate landing over the Indian airspace and the
adjoining area and applicable to safety-to-life civil operations + GAGAN is
interoperable with other international SBAS systems.
Ø Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) = QKD is a technique that allows for secure distribution
of keys to be used for encrypting and decrypting messages + It enables two parties to produce
a shared random secret key known only to them, which can be used to encrypt and decrypt
messages. Any intervention or tampering in quantum channel gets detected and key
distribution can be aborted + QKD can be deployed through different mediums viz. optical
fibre, free space as well as satellite to establish secure communication network + Recently, In
a first for India, C-DOT and PRL demonstrated integration of C-DOT’s indigenous Fibre-
based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) system with PRL’s Free Space QKD + Centre for
Development of Telematics (C-DOT) is telecom Research and Development arm of
Department of Telecommunications + Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) is a research
institute under Department of Space.

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Ø UNCOVER Program = part of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) + UNCOVER
(Ultra-deep NIRCam and NIRSpec Observations Before the Epoch of Reionization) aims at
addressing two core JWST science goals: Identifying first-light galaxies during the Dark Ages
and Studying the ultra-low luminosity galaxies that were responsible for reionization.
• James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) = JWST was built in collaboration between
NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Canadian Space Agency + 2021 +
It is the largest and most powerful space telescope to date + It orbits around a point in
space called the L2 Lagrange point (a gravitationally stable location in space). It is
approximately 1.5 million km beyond Earth’s orbit and is one of the five points in the
orbital plane of the Earth-Sun system + It will focus on four main areas: the first light
in the universe, the assembly of galaxies in the early universe, the birth of stars and
protoplanetary systems, and planets (including the origins of life).
Ø Penicillin G = Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) + It is also known as benzylpenicillin,
or benzylpenicillinic acid + It is used in manufacturing antibacterial drugs to treat pneumonia,
meningitis, gonorrhea, syphilis + It is administered intravenously or intramuscularly due to
poor oral absorption + In 1928, Scottish Biologist Alexander Fleming isolated the first specific
form of penicillin from Penicillium fungi. For this he shared Nobel Prize in
Physiology/Medicine for the discovery in 1945 + Like many other APIs, manufacturing of
Penicillin G was phased out from India due to cheaper imports from China after globalization
+ Recently, Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers said that India will restart Penicillin G
manufacturing after a gap of 30 years.
Ø National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming (NAP-SE) =
Launched by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare + Its vision is to reduce snakebite deaths
and disability cases by halve by 2030, through ‘One Health’ approach + It envisages step-wise
approach for states/ union territories to develop their own action plan as per their needs + It
aims at systematic reduction of snakebite envenoming risk through sustained availability of
anti-snake venom, capacity building, referral mechanism and public education.
Ø Parthenogenesis = It is an asexual reproduction in which a female can produce an embryo
without fertilizing an egg with sperm + Recently, Scientists have genetically modified a fruit
fly to reproduce asexually through Parthenogenesis.
Ø Indelible Ink (Voter’s Ink) = Under rule 49K of Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961 every
elector shall allow his left forefinger to be inspected by Presiding officer or Polling Officer and
an Indelible ink mark to be put on it + Once applied, Purple-coloured ink cannot be removed
by any chemical, detergent, soap or oil for several months + Ink contains silver nitrate, which
on reaction with nail and on exposure to light gets darker + Recently, Mysore Paints and
Varnish Ltd (MPVL), the sole manufacturer of indelible ink, received its largest order yet from
Election Commission for 26.55 lakh vials of marker.
Ø Dry Ice = It is common name for solid carbon dioxide (CO2) + It gets this name because it
does not melt into a liquid when heated; instead, it changes directly into a gas (a process known
as sublimation) + It is manufactured by compressing and cooling gaseous CO2 + It is
considered lethal for human health + Applications: Hospitals & Clinics, Food Processing &
Distribution, Industrial Cleaning and Technical Processes and Theatrical and Special Effects.
Ø Ayya Vaikunda Swamikal (Early 19th Century) = Born in a poor Nadar family in village of
Poovandan Thoppu, near Kanyakumari (Tamil Nadu) + His famous slogan was “One Caste,
One Religion, One Clan, One World, One God”which makes all caste people to feel equality
+ Founded Ayyavajhi Sect (Taught the virtue of non-violence, charity, tolerance and love
among the people) + Created new temples (Pathis and Nizhal Thankals) for those who were
denied permission to enter the temple + Introduced Thottu Namam, encouraging priests to
apply sacred paste on devotees' foreheads, regardless of caste + Authored books: Akila thiruttu;
Arulnool; Ammamai.

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Ø Nana Jagannath Shankarseth (1803- 1865) = Born in Maharashtra + He led major projects
to plan buildings, streets, and avenues in Bombay. This earned him the title "architect" of
Mumbai + He founded the Native School of Bombay, which later evolved into the prestigious
Elphinstone College in 1856 + Played a significant role in promoting the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad
Museum in Byculla, constructed, The Bhawani Shankar Temple and a Ram temple + Described
as ‘Architect of Modern India’ by the renowned scholar of economics, Gangadhar Gadgil +
Influenced freedom fighters like Dadabhai Naoroji and Justice Ranade, who adopted his vision
of economic nationalism in their pursuit of India's independence + Recently, Maharashtra
cabinet has recently decided to ask the Ministry of Railways to rename Mumbai Central station
after Nana Jagannath Shankarseth.
Ø World Monuments Fund (WMF) = It’s the leading independent organization devoted to
safeguarding the world’s most treasured places + Headquarters in New York, also has an office
in India + It has preserved more than 700 sites in 112 countries.
• World Monuments Watch = program by the World Monuments Fund (WMF) +
launched in 1996, is a biennial program that highlights heritage sites globally
nominated by individuals and community-based organizations + nomination based
program that connects local heritage preservation to global awareness and action.
• Eri (tank) Network = in the Kazhuveli watershed region in Tamil Nadu + proposed
for nomination to the World Monuments Fund Watch 2025 program.
Ø Shankaracharya Temple = Kashmir + dedicated to Lord Shiva + The hill located in the
Zabarwan Range, houses the Shankaracharya Temple + It is considered as the oldest shrine for
worship in Kashmir valley + The temple got its name from the visit of the philosopher and
saint Adi Shankaracharya. He propounded the Doctrine of Advaita and established the four
maths namely Dwarka, Joshimath, Puri, and Sringeri.
Ø Sangeet Natak Akademi = It is India’s national academy of music, dance and drama. It was
created by a resolution of the Ministry of Education, with P.V. Rajamannar as its first Chairman
+ It was set up in 1953 for the preservation and promotion of the vast intangible heritage of
India’s diverse culture expressed in forms of music, dance and drama + Presently, it is an
Autonomous Body of the Ministry of Culture + The Chairman of the Akademi is appointed by
the President of India for a term of five year + It is fully funded by the Government for the
implementation of its schemes and programmes.
• Sangeet Natak Academy (SNA) Awards = conferred by President since 1952 +
Symbolizes highest achievement in music, dance and drama + Honour of Akademi
Fellow carries purse money of ₹3 Lakh while Akademi Award carries purse money of
₹1 lakh, besides a Tamrapatra and Angavastram.
Ø Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojna (PM-AJAY) = Ministry of Social
Justice and Empowerment + Launch year: 2021-22 + Beneficiary: Scheduled Caste
Community + PM- AJAY is a merged scheme of 03 Centrally Sponsored Scheme namely
Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY), Special Central Assistance to Scheduled
Castes Sub Plan (SCA to SCSP) and Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana (BJRCY) for
better for convergence of public money and optimal utilization of resources + PM-AJAY aims
to develop Adarsh grams, provide grants for district level SC projects and construct/repair
Educational Hostels for SC students.

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PIB and Other Monthly - March (No Repetition)
Topics already covered in The Hindu and Vision are NOT repeated
Ø e-Kisan Upaj Nidhi Platform = It is an initiative of the Department of Consumer Affairs,
Ministry of Consumer Affairs launched with help of other ministries + It is a digital gateway
of Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA) + To ease the farmers’
warehousing logistics and aid the farmers in receiving fair prices for their produce + E-Kisan
Upaj Nidhi’ platform with its simplified digital process can ease the procedure of farmers’
storage at any registered WDRA warehouse for a period of 6 months at 7% interest per annum
+ This initiative with no collateral, extra security deposit policy aims to prevent distress sales
by farmers, enabling better post-harvest storage opportunities.
Ø LEAPS Initiative = Logistics Excellence, Advancement, and Performance Shield Initiative +
It is a flagship initiative by the logistics division of DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry
+ It is designed to acknowledge and celebrate the best practices and innovations within the
logistics industry + LEAPS will create a new benchmark globally by not only recognizing
players in the logistics sector, but also the MSMEs, Startups and logistics sector enablers who
have been providing innovative solutions across the logistics ecosystem.
Ø Holistic Progress Card (HPC) = Introduced by NCERT + HPC is developed by Performance
Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development (PARAKH) +
HPC incorporates feedback from parents, classmates, and even self-evaluation by students +
The approach aims to provide a comprehensive view of students' academic performance,
cognitive abilities, socio-emotional skills and creativity during class activities + The HPC goes
beyond numerical grades, focusing on descriptive and analytical evaluations that encompass
academic achievements as well as the development of critical skills in a child + (PARAKH =
a standard-setting body under the NCERT, for the foundational stage (Classes 1 and 2),
preparatory stage (Classes 3 to 5), and middle stage (Classes 6 to 8), as per suggestions by the
National Education Policy (NEP) 2020)
Ø Frontier Technology Lab = Recently, Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog and Meta
have announced the launch of Frontier Technology Labs (FTLs) + It is an advanced version of
Atal Tinkering Lab + Atal Innovation Mission and Meta will partner to set up FTLs in schools
of strategic importance to ensure that students from diverse backgrounds across India will have
equal opportunities to learn and engage with frontier technologies + The FTLs will be funded
by Meta and Atal Innovation Mission will be the knowledge partner + It is equipped with state-
of-the-art infrastructure, including all components of the Tinkering Lab to empower students
to innovate using technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Augmented & Virtual Reality,
Blockchain, Cybersecurity, Robotics, 3D Printing and Internet of Things.
Ø Uttar Poorva Transformative Industrialization Scheme (UNNATI) = Ministry of
Commerce and Industry + It is aimed at developing industries and generating employment in
the North East Region, seeks to create productive economic activity in manufacturing and
services + Central Sector Scheme + Implementation of the scheme will be overseen by the
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and
Industry + All new Industrial units and Expanding units would be eligible for the respective
incentives. It has a negative list for the manufacturing sector (non-eligible industries) and a
positive list for the services sector (eligible industries).
Ø KIRTI Programme = Launched by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, a unique Khelo
India Rising Talent Identification (KIRTI) programme + It is aimed at school children between
nine and 18 years age group + It has objectives like hunting talent from every nook and corner
of the country and to use sports as a tool to curb addiction towards drugs and other gadgetry
distractions + KIRTI aims to conduct 20 lakh assessments across the country throughout the
year to identify talent through notified Talent Assessment Centres + Data analytics based on
Artificial Intelligence is being used to predict the sporting acumen in an aspiring athlete.

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Ø Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme 2024 = Ministry of Heavy Industries + It aims to further
accelerate the adoption of Electric Vehicles in the country. It is a fund limited scheme with a
total outlay of Rs. 500 crore for the period of 4 months + This is for 2 wheeler and 3 wheelers
registered for commercial purposes + To encourage advance technologies, the benefits of
incentives, will be extended to only those vehicles which are fitted with advanced battery.
Ø Prasar Bharti = Statutory autonomous body, established under the Prasar Bharati Act in 1997
+ It is the Public Service Broadcaster of the country + The Prasar Bharati Corporation’s main
objective is to provide autonomy to Doordarshan and Akashvani in order to “educate and
entertain the public + Headquarter: New Delhi.
• PB-SHABD Platform = Ministry of Information & Broadcasting + Prasar Bharti -
Shared Audio Visuals for Broadcast and Dissemination (PB-SHABD) platform has
been designed to provide daily news feeds in video, audio, text, photo and other formats
to the subscribers from media landscape + It is powered by the vast network of Prasar
Bharati reporters + It will be a single point source of news content for all organizations
+ SHABD service is being offered free of cost for the first year as an introductory offer
and will provide news stories in all major Indian languages across fifty categories.
Ø Devin AI = It is the world’s first AI software engineer + Launched by US-based company
called Cognition + The AI agent comes with some advanced capabilities in software
development, including coding, debugging, problem-solving, etc. It uses machine learning
algorithms to constantly learn and improve its performance and adapt according to new
challenges.
Ø Smart Meter National Programme (SMNP) = The scheme is being implemented by Energy
Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) + It is an initiative by the government of India to promote
the use of smart meters across the country + The aim of the SMNP is to improve the billing
and collection efficiencies of distribution companies (DISCOMs) operating in the country. It
aims to replace 25 crore conventional meters with smart meters in India + Please note: EESL
is a joint venture of four National Public Sector Enterprises: NTPC Limited, PFC, REC, and
POWERGRID, and was set up under the Ministry of Power.
Ø ICGS Samudra Paheredar = It is a specialised Pollution Control Vessel (PCV) of the Indian
Coast Guard. It is the second PCV of India(the first being ICGS Samudra Prahari) + It was
indigenously built by ABG Shipyard, Surat + It is stationed on the East Coast of India in
Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
Ø INDRA App = The Indian Naval Dynamic Resource for Weather Analysis (INDRA) app is
launched to disseminate weather related information and forecasts empowering optimal &
quick decision making + The application has been developed by BISAG (Bhaskaracharya
National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics) in coordination with
Directorate of Naval Oceanology and Meteorology, Indian Navy.
• BISAG = It is an Autonomous Scientific Society registered under the Societies
Registration Act, 1860 + It undertakes technology development & management,
research & development, facilitate National & International cooperation, capacity
building and support technology transfer & entrepreneurship development in area of
geo-spatial technology + The organisation has three main domain areas: Satellite
Communication, Geo-informatics and Geo-spatial technology + Nodal Ministry:
Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India.
Ø International Telecommunication Union (ITU) = Established in 1985 as International
Telegraph Union + It is the United Nations specialized agency for information and
communication technologies. In 1947 the ITU became a specialized agency of the United
Nations + It is an intergovernmental organization that coordinates between governments and
private sector bodies with respect to global telecommunication and information
communication technology (ICT) services + It has a membership of 193 countries and more
than 1000 companies, universities and international and regional organizations +

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Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland + India has been an active member of the ITU since 1869
and has been a regular member of the ITU Council since 1952 + Recently, Dr Neeraj Mittal
was unanimously elected as co-chair of the Digital Innovation Board of International
Telecommunication Union (ITU).
• Digital Innovation Board = It comprises of Ministers and Vice Ministers of
Telecom/ICT of 23 Member Countries of ITU spanning Asia, Europe, Africa, North
and South America + ITU has started Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alliance for
Digital Development + The Alliance has three main vehicles: - Digital Transformation
Lab, Network of Acceleration Centres and Digital Innovation Board.
Ø IMT Trilateral Exercise 2024 = Joint maritime exercise + India Mozambique Tanzania (IMT)
Tri Lateral (TRILAT) Exercise + Between Navies + The exercise will conclude with a joint
debrief scheduled at Nacala (Mozambique).
Ø STEAG Unit = Signals Technology Evaluation and Adaptation Group (STEAG) + Established
by Indian Army + It is a unit dedicated to researching and evaluating futuristic communication
technologies like 6G, Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning and quantum computing
for military applications + Its primary objective is to nurture technologies across wired and
wireless systems, covering a wide spectrum of domains including electronic exchanges, mobile
communications, software-defined radios, electronic warfare systems and more.
Ø Sea Cucumber = This species is a part of a larger animal group called echinoderms and is
invertebrates that lives on the seafloor + Found in both tropical and temperate oceans +
Distribution: Lakshadweep islands and Andaman Nicobar islands, the Gulf of Mannar at the
confluence of the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal in Tamil Nadu is also home to sea
cucumbers + It has no limbs or eyes, or blood + Status: Schedule 1 of WPA- > Trade is banned
+ CITES: Appendix II + MoEFCC imposed a total ban on harvesting and transporting sea
cucumbers in 2001 + Lakshadweep has created the world’s first conservation area for sea
cucumbers + Beneficial to the benthic animals as they release inorganic nitrogen and
phosporus, also plays an important role in preserving coral reefs + Contain high levels of a
chemical called fucosylated glycosaminoglycan in their skin + They exhibit both sexual and
asexual reproduction.
Ø Grievance Redressal Assessment Index = It was conceptualised and designed by the
Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), Government of
India + It is based on a comprehensive index in the dimensions of Efficiency, Feedback,
Domain and Organisational Commitment + It uses data from the Centralised Public Grievance
Redressal and Management System (CPGRAMS) + CPGRAMS is an online platform
available to the citizens 24x7 to lodge their grievances to the public authorities on any subject
related to service delivery. It is a single portal connected to all the Ministries/Departments of
Government of India and States. The status of the grievance filed in CPGRAMS can be tracked
with the unique registration ID provided at the time of registration of the complainant. It also
provides an appeal facility to the citizens if they are not satisfied with the resolution by the
Grievance Officer.

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