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INDEX
TOPIC Page Number
1) Environment 2
2) Schemes 11
3) International Relations 15
4) S&T 18
5) Polity and Governance 24
6) Economy 28
7) Defence 32
8) Health 33
9) Indices and Reports 36
10) Art and Culture 38
11) Miscellaneous 43
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1) ENVIRONMENT
Ø Hog Deer = It appears to prefer dense forests; however, they are often observed in clearings,
grasslands and occasionally wet grasslands + The hog deer's native habitat spans India,
encompassing the Himalayan foothill zone, and extends into Southeast Asia, covering Burma
and Thailand + IUCN: Endangered + Wildlife Protection Act 1972: Scheduled I + The hog
deer, primarily a solitary creature, is occasionally seen in small groups in open fields + Known
for its sedentary nature, this species generally does not engage in migration + This species
exhibits sexual dimorphism. The females are slightly smaller than males and lack antlers.
Ø Snow Leopard = IUCN: Vulnerable + CITES: Appendix I + Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972:-
Schedule I + It inhabits the Himalayas at elevations ranging from 3,000 to 4,500 m across
Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal
Pradesh + Habitat: Cold High Mountains + In Uttarakhand, snow leopards are found in Nanda
Devi Biosphere Reserve, Gangotri National Park, Askot Wildlife Sanctuary and other places
of altitude between 3000-4500 meters + Snow leopards are found in 12 countries—including
China, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Russia, and Mongolia + Snow Leopard
capital of the world: Hemis, Ladakh. Hemis National Park is the biggest national park in India
and also has a good presence of Snow Leopard.
• Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection (GSLEP) Programme: The GSLEP
is a high-level inter-governmental alliance of all the 12 snow leopard range countries + The
snow leopard countries namely, India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Mongolia, Russia, Pakistan,
Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan + It majorly focuses on
the need for awareness and understanding of the value of Snow Leopard for the ecosystem.
• Living Himalaya Network Initiative: Living Himalayas Initiative (LHI) is established as
one of WWF’s global initiatives to bring about transformational conservation impact across
the three Eastern Himalayan countries of Bhutan, India (North-East) and Nepal +
Objectives of LHI include adapting to climate change, connecting to habitat and saving
iconic species.
• Project Snow Leopard: Project Snow was launched in 2009 to safeguard and conserve
India’s unique natural heritage of high-altitude wildlife populations and their habitats by
promoting conservation through participatory policies and actions.
Ø Indian Grey Wolf = It is a subspecies of grey wolf that ranges from Southwest Asia to the
Indian Subcontinent + They live in warmer conditions + The Indian wolf inhabits areas
dominated by scrub, grasslands and semi-arid pastoral agro-ecosystems + It has a wide
distribution range that extends from the Indian subcontinent to Israel. There are about 3,000
animals in India, some in captivity + IUCN: Least concern + Recently, it was sighted in
Chambal after a long time. The last wolf sightings were reported during Operation Bhediya
carried out between 1997 and 2000 to map the canines’ footprint in Chambal.
Ø Himalayan Wolf = Himalayan Wolf, a prominent lupine predator found across the Himalayas
+ It is also called as Tibetan wolves, which live at more than 4,000 metres altitudes are
genetically distinct from grey wolves + Living at such high altitudes, these wolves have
genetically adapted themselves to live in low oxygen (hypoxic) conditions + In China, the
Himalayan wolf lives on the Tibetan Plateau and In northern India, it occurs in the Union
Territory of Ladakh and in the Lahaul and Spiti region in northeastern Himachal Pradesh +
IUCN: Vulnerbale + CITES: Appendix I + Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I.
Ø Pangolin / Scaly Anteaters = Pangolins are mammals of the order Pholidota + Pangolins have
large, protective keratin scales covering their skin; they are the only known mammals with this
feature + They live in hollow trees or burrows, depending on the species + Pangolins are
nocturnal, and their diet consists of mainly ants and termites, which they capture using their
long tongues + They tend to be solitary animals + Pangolins are threatened by poaching (for
their meat and scales, which are used in traditional medicine and heavy deforestation of their

natural habitats + They are the most trafficked mammals in the world + Indian Pangolin (Native
to the Indian subcontinent + IUCN Red List: EN) + ( Chinese Pangolin = Native to the northern
Indian subcontinent, northern parts of Southeast Asia and southern China + IUCN: CR)
Ø Binturong = It is the largest civet in India + Common names: Asian Bearcat and the Asian
Civet + It is a generally solitary and nocturnal animal + It is a medium sized carnivore that is
found inhabiting the dense forests of South-East Asia + IUCN: Vulnerable + Wildlife
Protection Act of 1972: Schedule I + CITES: Appendix III + Distribution: China, India,
Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and on the island of Borneo.
Ø Small Clawed Otter = This mammal boasts a broad distribution range spanning from India
eastwards to Southeast Asia and southern China + In India, it predominantly inhabits protected
areas in West Bengal, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and certain regions
of Kerala within the Western Ghats + IUCN: Vulnerable + Wildlife Protection Act of 1972:
Schedule I + CITES: Appendix I + They are primarily found in freshwater habitats, sustaining
themselves with a diet comprising fish and crustaceans.
Ø Indian Vulture = Indian vulture (Gyps indicus) is an Old-World vulture native to Asia + They
are also known as Indian long-billed vultures due to their comparatively longer beak + It is a
medium-sized and bulky scavenger feeding mostly on the carcasses of dead animals. Females
of this species are smaller than males + Distribution: These are native to India, Pakistan, and
Nepal + They are usually found in savannas and other open habitats around villages, cities, and
near cultivated areas + IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered.
Ø Laughing Gull = These birds are mainly found on the Atlantic coast of North America, the
Caribbean, and northern South America + known for its unique laughter-like calls which
resemble human laughter + They are opportunistic carnivores and scavengers + IUCN: Least
Concern + Recently, a laughing gull, a migratory bird from North America, has been sighted
for the first time in the country at the Chittari estuary in Kasaragod district, Kerala.
Ø Wandering Albatrosses = It is the world’s largest flying bird, with a wingspan reaching an
incredible 3.5 metres + These birds are oceanic nomads: they spend most of their 60 years of
life at sea and only come to land to breed + These are found almost exclusively in the Southern
Hemisphere + IUCN: Vulnerable + hey breed on several subantarctic islands, which are
characterised by peat soils, tussock grass, sedges, mosses, and shrubs + Marion Island and
Prince Edward Island together support about half of the entire world’s wandering albatross
breeding population + Please Note: The Prince Edward Islands are two small uninhabited
islands in the sub-Antarctic Indian Ocean that are part of South Africa which are named Marion
Island and Prince Edward Island.
Ø Agulhas long-billed Lark = It is a small passerine bird + only found in South Africa + It is a
South African endemic species restricted to the Agulhas plains + It builds nests on the ground
mainly in Renosterveld fynbos, a type of vegetation filled with grasses and wild spring flowers
+ IUCN: Near-threatened.
Ø Green Honeycreeper = Small bird + The New World Tropics (Rainforests in Central and
South America), from Mexico to Brazil + IUCN Red List: Least Concern.
Ø Great Indian Bustard (GIB) = = Native to India and Pakistan + State Bird of Rajasthan +
IUCN: Critically Endangered + CITES: Appendix I + Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife
(Protection)Act, 1972 + Important sanctuaries are: Desert National Park, Rajasthan; Kutch
Bustard Sanctuary, Gujarat; Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary or Jawaharlal Nehru Bustard
Sanctuary, Maharashtra + GIB is largest among the four bustard species in India, other 3 being
MacQueen’s bustard, lesser florican and the Bengal florican + Recenty, Central government
informed that there were no Great Indian Bustards (GIB) in Kutch Bustard Sanctuary (KBS)
in Gujarat + Supreme Court recently said, in M.K. Ranjitsinh & Others vs Union of India &
Others, that in all cases where the overhead lines in power projects exist, the governments of
Rajasthan and Gujarat shall take steps forthwith to install bird diverters in order to protect

Great Indian Bustards + Wildlife Institute of India proposed to put all power transmission lines
passing through Great Indian Bustard (GIB) habitat underground
• Captive breeding of GIBs: The captive breeding of GIBs was taken up in the Desert
National Park through a project executed by the Dehradun-based Wildlife Institute of India
in 2019. As many as 24 GIB chicks are being reared in DNP by a team supported by the
International Fund for Houbara Conservation of United Arab Emirates.
• Project Great Indian Bustard: It has been launched by the Rajasthan government with
an aim of constructing breeding enclosures for the species and developing infrastructure to
reduce human pressure on its habitats.
• Firefly Bird Diverters: These are flaps installed on power lines, a reason for many death
among GIB. They work as reflectors for bird species like the GIB. Birds can spot them
from a distance of about 50 meters and change their path of flight to avoid collision with
power lines + Supreme Court recently said, in M.K. Ranjitsinh & Others vs Union of India
& Others, that in all cases where the overhead lines in power projects exist, the
governments of Rajasthan and Gujarat shall take steps forthwith to install bird diverters in
order to protect Great Indian Bustard.
Ø Baleen Whales = These are any cetacean possessing unique epidermal modifications of the
mouth called baleen, which is used to filter food from water + Most mammals have teeth in
their mouth. Baleen whales are a strange exception + Baleen whales, scientifically known as
Mysticeti, are a group of large marine mammals belonging to the cetacean order + They play
a crucial role in marine ecosystems and have cultural significance in various societies +
Recently, A fossil of Baleen Whales has been found on the banks of the Murray River in South
Australia.
Ø Northeast African Cheetah = It is found in the Horn of Africa + It is also known as the Sudan
cheetah + This subspecies is more closely related to the Southern African cheetah than to
Saharan cheetah populations + Contemporary records are known in South Sudan and Ethiopia
+ IUCN: Vulnerable.
Ø Kumki Elephants = Kumki elephants are trained captive elephants used for operations such
as trapping, rescuing, and tranquillizing wild elephants + The Odisha government requested
the deployment of kumki elephants from Tamil Nadu to address escalating human-elephant
conflicts + Tamil Nadu has used Kumkis successfully.
Ø Tibetan Brown Bear = one of the rarest subspecies of bears in the world and is rarely sighted
in the wild + Historically found mainly on the alpine eastern Tibetan plateau (4,500 to 5,000
metres) in eastern Tibet, western China, Nepal, and Bhutan + It inhabits alpine forests,
meadows, and steppes, close to the tree line + IUCN Red List: Least Concern + Recently, A
rare and elusive bear, the Tibetan brown bear, has been recently sighted in Sikkim, making it
the first confirmed record of the animal being sighted in India.
Ø Alpine Ibexes = An ibex is any of several species of wild goat, distinguished by the male’s
large recurved horns, which are transversely ridged in front. Ibex are found in Europe (Alpine
Ibexes), Russia (Siberian Ibexes), India (Himalayan Ibexes), North Africa and East Africa +
Climate change is impacting Alpine ibexes (IUCN: Least Concern), a species of mountain
goats in the European Alps. Warmer temperatures are forcing these goats to shift from diurnal
to nocturnal (from daytime to night-time) habits to escape excess heat, making them vulnerable
to predators like wolves.
Ø Gir and Kankrej Cattle = Kankrej is also called as Wadad or Waged, Wadhiar. It is originated
from Southeast Rann of Kutch of Gujarat and adjoining Rajasthan (Barmer and Jodhpur
district) + Kankrej, famously known as Guzerat in Brazil, is being maintained in large numbers
as a pure breed in that country + Gir breed is a famous Indian-born dairy cattle breed. It is also
known as “Bhodali”, “Desan”, “Gujarati”, “Kathiawari”, “Sorthi”, and “Surati”. Its native tract

is Gir hills and forests of Kathiawar in Gujarat. It is a world-renowned breed known for its
tolerance to stress conditions and resistant to various tropical diseases.
Ø Punganur Cow = Punganur Cows are a rare breed of cattle native to Punganur village in
Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh + Due to their declining numbers, in 2020, Andhra Pradesh
government launched ‘Mission Punganur’ + One of the world’s smallest humped cattle breeds:
Mere 70-90 cm tall and weigh around 115- 200 kg + Known for high-quality milk which is
rich in fat + Cultural significance: Many temples of Andhra Pradesh, including the Tirupati
Thirumala Temple, use its milk for Ksheeraabhishekam (milk offering to the deity)
Ø Pallas Fish Eagle = It is also known as Pallas's sea eagle or band-tailed fish eagle, is a large,
brownish sea eagle + It feeds primarily on fish + It is found in east Palearctic in Kazakhstan,
Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, China, India, Nepal, Bangladesh and
Myanmar + It is partially migratory + IUCN Red List: Endangered + Recently, After 10 years,
the Pallas fish eagle, was sighted in the Chilika during the bird census carried out by the Chilika
wildlife division.
Ø Lamprey Fish = Lampreys are boneless, jawless fish with eel-like bodies that date back over
350 million years + They belong to a relic (primitive) group of jawless fish called Agnathans
+ They live in coastal and fresh waters and are found in temperate regions around the world,
except Africa.
Ø Hermit Crab = The hermit crab (IUCN: least concern) is a unique crustacean that lacks a hard
shell and utilizes old shells, particularly whelk shells, for protection + Unlike other crustaceans
with a complete exoskeleton, the hermit crab has a soft and squishy back part where its
abdomen is located + Hermit crabs worldwide, known for using scavenged shells as armour,
are increasingly turning to plastic waste instead, according to an ecological study using social
media photos.
Ø Eucalyptus Snout Beetle = It is a leaf-feeding beetle that is a major defoliator of eucalypts +
The pest is indigenous to Australia but occurs in many countries throughout the world where
eucalypts are grown + The beetle feeds on leaves, buds and shoots, resulting in stunted growth
and deflation and causing heavy losses + Eucalyptus (evergreen tree) wood is a crucial material
for paper pulp production + Recently, scientists have found a natural remedy to protect
eucalyptus forest plantations from a pest, eucalyptus snout beetle, which is known to cause
serious damage to eucalypts. The researchers have managed to collect a naturally occurring
pathogenic fungi and characterized it to turn it into a biopesticide for controlling beetle
populations.
Ø Red Weaver Ants = These are indigenous to Mayurbhanj and are found in abundance in the
jungles of every block area of the district, including in the Similipal Tiger Reserve, throughout
the year + They form colonies with multiple nests in trees.
• Similipal Kai Chutney = The savoury chutney is popular in Mayurbhanj region for its
healing properties and also deemed important for nutritional security of the tribal people +
Many indigenous people from Mayurbhanj district venture into nearby forest to collect kai
pimpudi (red weaver ant) + Around 500 tribal families have been eking out a living by
collecting and selling these insects and a chutney made with them.
Ø Senna Spectabilis = Senna spectabilis is a plant species of the legume family (Fabaceae) in
the subfamily Caesalpinioideae native to South and Central America + They are also known
as Golden wonder tree, American cassia, Popcorn tree, Cassia excelsa, Golden shower tree or
Archibald's cassia + They are often grown as an ornamental in front yards, parks, gardens,
buildings etc. due to their bright yellow flowers that bloom during the summer months + Senna
spectabilis, along with Lantana camara, is among five major invasive weeds that had taken
over vast swathes of the Nilgiris, with wattle being the other major invasive species.
Ø Tapioca Plant = It is a major horticulture crop + It is cultivated throughout the tropical world
for its tuberous roots, from which cassava flour, breads, tapioca, a laundry starch, and an

alcoholic beverage are derived + It thrives best in a tropical, warm, humid climate with well-
distributed rainfall of over 100 cm per annum + All parts of cassava/tapioca – leaves, stem,
tuber and rind – contain the compounds called cyanogenic glucosides (CNGs), that is,
linamarin and lotaustralin which are hydrolysed by endogenous enzyme linamarase to acetone
cyanohydrin which may break down spontaneously liberating free hydrogen cyanide. Both
acetone cyanohydrin and free cyanide are toxic.
Ø Sisal Plant = It is a xerophytic, monocarp, semi-perennial leaf fibre producing plant + The
leaves are thick, fleshy and often covered with a waxy layer, typical characteristics of
xerophytic plants + Each leaf has about a thousand fibres that can be used to make ropes, paper,
and cloth + It could be used to make a highly absorbed material as well + It is well adapted
mainly in Odisha, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, part of Bihar, western part of West Bengal and
many southern states.
Ø Sikki Grass = This grass grows indigenously in the Tarai regions of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar
and has an average height of 3-4 feet + Sikki grass belongs to the zizanoides grass family +
Sikki got the geographical identification tag in 2018Sponge Farming = A sponge is a living
animal which is made of loosely arranged cells that surround a skeleton of fibres + The
specialised cells nestled within thousands of tiny chambers act as microscopic pumps, and
tirelessly drawing water into the sponge’s body with their whip-like tails + Sponges provide
homes for many other animals, plants, and microorganisms. In many cases, they all work
together in a mutual symbiotic relationship + Sea sponges exist in all oceans around the world
and make up 20% of the global silicon biological sink + Most sponges are hermaphrodites,
harbouring both male and female reproductive organs, enabling them to self-propagate
effortlessly.
Ø Deep-Sea Coral Reef = Deep-sea corals are colonies of small animals that build a common
skeleton, which grows into many shapes and colors. They provide habitat for sharks, swordfish,
shrimp, fish etc + Deep-sea corals live in much deeper or colder oceanic waters and lack
zooxanthellae. Unlike their shallow water relatives, which rely heavily on photosynthesis to
produce food, deep sea corals take in plankton and organic matter for much of their energy
needs + White in coloration + Deep sea coral rely either by feeding on organic material falling
from surface or by feeding on small plankton.
Ø Agasthyagama Edge = New kangaroo lizard species + Recently, scientists have discovered a
new kangaroo lizard species from the Western Ghats.
Ø Andrographis Theniensis = A new plant species has been discovered in Theni district of
Tamil Nadu in the Western Ghats + Andrographis is a tropical Asian genus native to
Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and the West Himalaya. However, a majority
of Andrographis taxa are distributed in southern India and Sri Lanka, particularly in Western
and Eastern Ghats + This genus is traditionally used to treat various ailments such as cold,
cough, fever, jaundice, diarrhoea, cardiovascular and hepatic diseases in both codified and non-
codified medicinal systems.
Ø Dravidoseps = New genus discovered from peninsular India + first-ever viviparous skink
genus + This genus ‘Dravidoseps’ is distinct from the genus ‘Subdoluseps’, as it gives birth to
its young—instead of laying eggs + Skink is the common name for the lizards that comprise
the family Scincidae. It is typically smooth and shiny with small or rudimentary legs. It is a
type of reptile that has been around since the time of the dinosaurs.
Ø Polygonum Chaturbhujanum = Recently, a new plant species of Polygonum genus has been
discovered at Gol Pahadi Island of the Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Maharashtra during a
survey + Six plant species endemic to India have also been found in Pench. They are Aegineta
indica, Boerhavia crispa, Habenaria gibsonii var foetida, Iphigenia pallida, Petalidium
barlerioides and Barleria gibsonii.

Ø Sinomicrurus Gorei = New Coral Snake Species + discovered in Mizoram + The reptile is
locally known as 'Rulṭhihna' due to its striking resemblance to a Mizo traditional amber
necklace called 'Ṭhihna’.
Ø Conjoined Silverline Butterfly = New butterfly species found in Karnataka’s Bramhagiri
Wildlife Sanctuary, Kodagu + It is endemic to mid-elevation evergreen forests of the Western
Ghats + It is first such find in Western ghats in last 4 decades + While males have “dark shining
blue” wings, females have “dark brown” wings.
Ø Cigaritis Meghamalaiensis = The Meghamalai hills in Tamil Nadu have thrown up a new
species of ‘silverline’ butterflies + It is the new species of butterfly + It has become the first
butterfly species to be described from the Western Ghats in 33 years.
Ø Timorebestia Koprii = Scientists recently uncovered the fossils of the newfound species of
carnivorous worm, named Timorebestia koprii, or "terror beast", in northern Greenland + ne
of the earliest carnivorous animals to have colonised the water column during the early
Cambrian period (541 million to 485.4 million years ago)
Ø Sidersaura Marae = Palaeontologists in Argentina recently found fossil fragments of a new
species of dinosaur named Sidersaura marae + It is a new species of sauropod dinosaur + It
belongs to the Rebbachisauridae, a large family of sauropod dinosaurs known from
fragmentary fossil remains from South America, Africa, North America, Europe, and Asia.
Ø Megalosaurus = 2024 marks the bicentennial (200th year) of the first scientific naming of a
dinosaur, the megalosaurus (meaning great lizard) + These carnivorous dinosaur’s fossils were
discovered in Oxfordshire, England (UK) + In 1824, they were named based on scattered
bones, including vertebrae, and hip + Dinosaurs are a diverse group of reptiles of the clade
Dinosauria. They belong to the Mesozoic Era ((252-66 million years ago) which includes three
consecutive geologic periods (Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous). They are believed to be
ancestors of modern Birds.
Ø Willingdon Island = Kochi, Kerala + man-made island, named after Lord Willingdon who
was a British Viceroy of India + Lord Willingdon (1931 - 1936) was the 22nd Viceroy and
Governor-General of India.
Ø Sagar Island = Sagar Island, the westernmost island of the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta, is
situated in West Bengal + It lies at the mouth of the Hugli (Hooghly) River, with an arm of the
river separating it from the mainland to the east.
Ø Futala Lake = also known as Telankhedi Lake + is located in the western part of Nagpur,
Maharashtra + Built by the Bhonsle kings of Nagpur.
Ø Wular Lake = Largest freshwater lake + Bandipora district, Jammu and Kashmir + fed by the
Jhelum River + The lake basin was formed as a result of tectonic activity + It is also said to be
a remnant of Satisar Lake, that existed in ancient times + This lake also has a small island in
its centre called the ‘Zaina Lank’. This island was constructed by King Zainul-Abi-Din + In
1990, it was designated as a Ramsar Site.
Ø Indrayani River = It is a tributary of the Bhima River, which again is a tributary of the Krishna
River + It originates in Kurvande village near Lonavla, a hill station in the Sahyadri mountains
of Maharashtra + Fed by rain, it flows east from there to meet the Bhima River + It follows a
course mostly north of the city of Pune.
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 + 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 Kuno National Park = Madhya Pradesh + It is nestled near the Vindhyan Hills + It is named
after the Kuno River(one of the main tributaries of the Chambal River) that cuts across it + It
was selected under ‘Action Plan for Introduction of Cheetah in India’ + The vegetation in the
park varies from tropical dry deciduous forest to savannah grasslands.
Ø Parambikulam Tiger Reserve = Kerala + The reserve supports diverse habitat types, viz.,
evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist deciduous, dry deciduous, and shola forests. Other unique
habitats like montane and marshy grasslands, locally known as 'vayals', are also found + It is
credited with the world’s first scientifically managed plantation of teak. It is home to the
world’s oldest and tallest teak tree named ‘Kannimara’, which is 450 years old and at a height
of 40 metres + The only South Indian wild goat, the Nilgiri Tahr is found on the high-altitude
rocky hills and grasslands in the tiger reserve. The tiger reserve is also home to several rare
small animals like Tarantula (large bodied spiders).
Ø Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary = Odisha
Ø Bhitarkanika National Park = Odisha + The national park that is sprawling across mangrove
swamp is situated on a delta formed by rivers, namely Brahmani, Baitarani, and Dhamra +
Proximity to the Bay of Bengal makes the soil of the area enriched with salts; the vegetation
and species of the sanctuary are those that are mainly found in the tropical and subtropical
intertidal regions + The area was designated as the Ramsar Site in 2002 + Bhitarkanika has
one of the largest populations of endangered saltwater crocodiles in India + Gahirmatha Beach,
which forms the boundary of the park in the east, is the largest colony of Olive Ridley Sea
Turtles.
Ø Laokhowa and Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuaries = Assam + They are located on the
southern bank of the river Brahmaputra + They are surrounded by many key PAs like
Kaziranga National Park to the east, Orang National Park and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuaries to
the west, Pakke-Nameri NPs to the north, and the rich reserve forests of Karbi Anglong to the
south.
Ø Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary = Arunachal Pradesh + It conjoins Sessa Orchid Sanctuary to
the northeast and Pakhui Tiger Reserve across the Kameng river to the east + It is also a part
of the Kameng Elephant Reserve.
Ø Singchung Bugun Village Community Reserve = It is a community reserve launched by
Bugun community of Singchung Village, Arunachal Pradesh by joining hands with the Forest
Department in 2017 + It borders the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh + local
Bugun tribe supported the formation of community reserve to conserve the critically
endangered bird called Bugunliocichla (About 20 pairs are left in the world, and all of them
live in and around Eaglenest) + area is home to unique flora and fauna including the red panda,
the clouded leopard and over 500 bird species.
Ø Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary = Jharkhand + It is situated around the Dalma Hills on the Chota
Nagpur Plateau + Inaugurated in 1975, it contains a significant population of Indian Elephants
+ Medicinal plants like Ananatmula, Satawari, Sarpagandha, etc. are abundant in the sanctuary.
Ø India’s First Dark Sky Park = The Pench Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra has been designated
as India's first Dark Sky Park and the fifth in Asia, protecting the night sky and preventing
light pollution + Dark Sky Place certification focuses on lighting policy, dark sky-friendly
retrofits, outreach and education, and monitoring the night sky + The certification was given
by the International Dark-Sky Association, a global dark-sky movement to promote astronomy.
Ø India’s First ever Dark Sky Reserve = In a first -of -its -kind initiative, the Department of
Science & Technology (DST) has announced the setting up of India's first dark sky reserve at
Hanle in Ladakh as a part of Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary + A Dark Sky Reserve is a
designation given to a place that has policies in place to ensure that a tract of land or region

has mini-mal artificial light interference + Hanle is best suited for the project as it is located in
Ladakh’s cold desert region with clear sky and dry weather conditions throughout the year and
away from human disturbance + It is to be Developed by Ladakh administration and will work
with Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council(LAHDC) and the Indian Institute of
Astrophysics (IIA) for developing this reserve + The reserve will boost Astro tourism in India
and will be one of the world’s highest-located sites for optical, infrared, and gamma-ray
telescopes.
• The International Dark Sky Association is a U.S.-based non-profit that designates
places as International Dark Sky Places, Parks, Sanctuaries and Reserves depending on
the criteria they meet. Several such reserves exist around the world but none so far in
India.
• Hanle, Ladakh = It is about 4,500 metres above sea level and it hosts telescopes + It
is regarded as one of the world’s most optimal sites for astronomical observations +
The Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT), High Energy Gamma Ray telescope
(HAGAR), the Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment Telescope (MACE) and
GROWTH-India are prominent telescopes located at the Hanle observatory.
• Bortle Scale = In astronomy, there is something called the Bortle scale which measures
the night sky’s brightness of a location on a nine level numerical scale + The lesser the
numerical scale, it qualifies for a better dark sky location + For example, Hanle skies
would qualify as Bortle one skies, Talacauvery as Bortle two, and Bengaluru as Bortle
nine.
Ø Wadge Bank Ecosystem = It lies south of Cape Comorin in the Kanyakumari district in Tamil
Nadu + It is part of Indian continental shelf + It is one of the most productive coastal areas in
the world + In this region, seas (Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea) meet with a distinct pattern
of water currents in different seasons (southwest and northeast monsoon).
Ø Kolam Tribes = occupy a major portion of Madhya Pradesh + These tribal groups are
reckoned as scheduled tribes and apart from Madhya Pradesh they reside in some parts of
Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. They are listed as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group
(PVTG) in the state of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh + Around the twelfth century, the
Kolam served as priests for the Gond, representing some of their important gods + Their
society is patrilineal.
Ø Bru Tribe = also known as Reang + Indigenous to Northeast India, living mostly in Tripura
(recognized as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group), Mizoram, and Assam + Belongs to
Tibeto-Burman family and speak Kaubru language + Practice Jhum cultivation and engage in
food gathering activities + Perform Hozagiri dance.
Ø Warli Tribe = They are an adivasi indigenous tribe who live in the mountainous, coastal, and
bordering regions of Gujarat and Maharashtra + The word 'Warli' is derived from the word
'Warla,' which means 'piece of land' + The Warli Tribe women wear a Lugden that is worn
until the knee and is typically a one yard sari + Bohada is a three-day mask festival held by the
Warli tribes + The Warli Tribes perform Tarpa Dance along with Tarpa music instruments.
Ø Kutia Kondh Tribe = The Kutia Kondh community is located in the Belaghara area of
Kandhamal district in Odisha + The Kutia Kandha are a major section of the Kandha tribe who
speak Kui, a Dravidian language + They are known for their buffalo sacrifice ritual, called
“Kedu” to worship their Earth Goddess” + one of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups
(PVTGs) in Odisha.
Ø Yeravas = came to the state from Wayanad district in Kerala and settled in Kodagu district of
Karnataka + They speak their own language of Ravula + Mushrooms become part of the
Yerava diet during monsoon + have been living in the Cauvery Basin.
Ø BS-VI Norms = Bharat stage (BS) emission standards are laid down by the government to
regulate the output of air pollutants from internal combustion engine and spark-ignition engine

equipment, including motor vehicles + India has adopted BS Emission Standards since 2000,
modelled on European Union norms + The first emission norms with the name ‘India 2000’
were introduced in the year 2000. BS2 and BS3 were introduced in 2005 and 2010, while BS4
norms came into effect in 2017 with stricter emission standards or norms + he BS standards
regulate tailpipe emissions of air pollutants, including particulate matter, SOx, and NOx, as
well as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and methane + The standards and timeline for
implementation are set by the Central Pollution Control Board under the Ministry of
Environment, Forests and Climate Change + In April 2020, India leapfrogged from BS-IV to
the implementation of BS-VI. The central government has mandated that vehicle makers must
manufacture, sell, and register only BS-VI (BS6) vehicles from April 1, 2020. It is applicable
for cars, trucks, buses, three-wheelers, and two-wheelers (motorcycles, scooters, and mopeds).
This emission norm does not apply to off-highway equipment and vehicles such as tractors,
back-hoe loaders, excavators, etc + Compared to BS4, BS6 emission standards are stricter. The
main difference is in the amount of sulphur in the fuel, which is reduced from 50 ppm in BS
IV fuel to 10 ppm in BS VI fuel for both gasoline and diesel. Hence, BSVI engines produce
less harmful emissions and pollutants.
Ø National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) = Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate
Change (MoEFCC) launched NCAP in 2019 in the backdrop of the rising air pollution in the
country + Aims to improve air quality in 131 cities (non-attainment cities (NAC) and Million
Plus Cities) in 24 States by engaging all stakeholders + The cities which are exceeding the
National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for 5 consecutive years are identified as
NAC by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) + Target: To achieve reductions up to 40%
of Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5) concentrations by 2025-26, base year 2017 + PRANA
(Portal for Regulation of Air-pollution in NAC) has been also launched monitor the
implementation of NCAP.
Ø Green Fuels Alliance India (GFAI) = Denmark announces Green Fuels Alliance India
(GFAI) initiative + It is part of Green Strategic Partnership (GSP) signed in 2020 between
India and Denmark + It’s primary objective is to promote sustainable energy growth in India
by encouraging collaboration among businesses, government entities, research institutions, etc.
from both countries + It is inspired by initiatives like India-Denmark Energy Partnership, and
joint R&D efforts on Green Fuels, etc.
Ø Wetland City Accreditation = The Ramsar Convention during COP12 held in the year 2015
approved a voluntary Wetland City Accreditation system + It recognizes cities which have
taken exceptional steps to safeguard their urban wetlands + This voluntary scheme provides an
opportunity for cities that value their natural or human-made wetlands to gain international
recognition and positive publicity for their efforts + Since Ramsar COP13, 43 cities from 17
countries have been officially recognized as “Wetland Cities” + Recently, the Ministry of
Environment, Forest and Climate Change has submitted three nominations from India for
Wetland City Accreditation (WCA) of Indore (Madhya Pradesh), Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh)
& Udaipur (Rajasthan) under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
Ø Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) = It is a proposed European Union (EU)
tariff on carbon-intensive products + Purpose: To put a fair price on the carbon emitted during
the production of carbon intensive goods that are entering the EU and to encourage cleaner
industrial production in non-EU countries + It is designed to counter the risk of carbon leakage
and operates by imposing a charge on the embedded carbon content of certain imports that is
equal to the carbon price of domestic production
Ø Alpenglow = It is a natural phenomenon when mountain slopes are illuminated by the sun as
it rises or sets + The slopes turn a rosy, reddish, or orange hue depending on the angle of the
sun and atmospheric conditions + It occurs during the twilight hours before or after sunset. It
can also occur in the first minutes after the sun rises or sets.

Ø Latitudinal Diversity Gradient (LDG) = LDG refers to the pattern of having lots of species
at the equator with diversity reducing towards poles + A recent study examined role of major
classes of Mycorrhizal Fungi - arbuscular mycorrhizal and ectomycorrhizal in LDG + Study
found that: Mycorrhizal fungi form mutually beneficial relationships with majority of plant
roots globally + Arbuscular fungi, common near equator promote diversity + Ectomycorrhizal
fungi, common at higher latitudes support single tree species, reducing diversity.
Ø Humboldt’s Enigma = It was proposed by Alexander von Humboldt stating that mountain
regions generally display higher diversity than tropical regions + it questions the conventional
notion that tropical regions, fueled by ample sunlight, are the primary centres of biodiversity
on Earth + The proponents of Humboldt’s enigma hold that many areas outside the tropics are
also highly biodiverse. i.e., the Mountains.
2) SCHEMES
Ø PRERANA Program = Launched by Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry
of Education + It is a week-long residential program for selected students of class IX to XII. A
batch of 20 selected students (10 boys and 10 girls) will attend the program, every week from
various parts of the country + It aims to offer a meaningful, unique, and inspiring experience
to all participants, thereby empowering them with leadership qualities.
Ø SMART 2.0 Program = Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) along
with National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) has launched 'SMART
2.0' program + Scope for Mainstreaming Ayurveda Research among Teaching professionals
(SMART) program promotes robust clinical studies in priority areas of Ayurveda with
Ayurveda academic institutions/hospitals across the country through mutual collaboration.
• CCRAS: It is an autonomous body of the Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga &
Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy), Government of India + It is an apex body
in India for the formulation, coordination, development and promotion of research on
scientific lines in Ayurveda and Sowa-Rigpa system of medicine.
• National Commission for Indian System of Medicine: statutory body constituted under
NCISM Act, 2020 + It consists of 29 members, appointed by the central government +
Functions: Framing policies for regulating medical institutions and medical professionals
of Indian System of Medicine, Assessing the requirements of healthcare related human
resources and infrastructure, Ensuring coordination among the autonomous boards etc.
Ø PM YASASVI Scheme = It is a scholarship scheme for Other Backward Class (OBCs),
Economically Backward Class (EBC), and Denotified Nomadic Tribes (DNT) students +
Under this scheme, students can avail of Pre-Matric Scholarships from Classes 9 to 10 and
Post-Matric Scholarships for their higher education at the post-matriculation or post-secondary
level + These scholarships shall be available for studies in India only and will be awarded by
the Government of State/Union Territory to which the applicant + Implementing Agency:
Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
+ Entitlement: Upto Rs. 75,000 p.a. for Class 9/10, 1,25,000 p.a. for Class 11/12, covering the
school tuition fee/hostel fee.
Ø PRITHvi VIgyan Scheme = PRITHVI Scheme is an initiative of the Ministry of Earth
Sciences (MoES) to enhance the understanding of the Earth and its vital signs + for the period
2021-26 + aims to significantly enhance research, modelling, and service delivery across
crucial areas like weather, climate, oceans, and the polar regions + The Prithvi scheme
integrates five existing sub-schemes: Atmosphere and Climate Research-Modelling Observing
Systems and Services (ACROSS); Ocean Services, Modelling Application, Resources and
Technology (O-SMART); Polar Science and Cryosphere Research (PACER); Seismology and
Geosciences (SAGE); and Research, Education, Training, and Outreach (REACHOUT) +

Various components of the PRITHVI scheme are interdependent and are carried out in an
integrated manner through the combined efforts of the concerned institutes under the MoES.
Ø Zero Defect Zero Effect (ZED) Scheme or MSME Sustainable (ZED) Certification
Scheme = Ministry of MSME + MSME Sustainable (ZED) Certification Scheme is for
Udyam-registered MSMEs + It is a revamped version of the Zero Defect, Zero Effect (ZED)
scheme, launched in 2016 + It aims to enable and facilitate MSMEs adopt Zero Defect Zero
Effect (ZED) practices and motivate and incentivize them for ZED Certification while also
encouraging them to become MSME Champions + The certification can be attained in 3 levels
-> Bronze, Silver and Gold + A provision of up to Rs. 5 lakhs (per MSME) will also be made
available for handholding and consultancy support for MSMEs under ZED Certification.
Ø Payments Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) Scheme = It was first operationalized
in 2021 for three years + Aims to encourage deployment of payment acceptance infrastructure
such as physical Point of Sale (PoS) terminals, Quick Response (QR) codes, in tier-3 to tier-6
centres, North eastern states and UTs of J & K and Ladakh + It was extended to street vendors
covered under PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi Scheme) in Tier-1 and
Tier-2 centres + PIDF is governed through an Advisory Council and managed and administered
by RBI + Types of Acceptance Devices Covered: Physical PoS, mPoS (mobile PoS), GPRS
(General Packet Radio Service), PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) etc + Recently,
RBI extends Payments Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) Scheme till 2025.
Ø Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme = Statutory body established under the Khadi and Village
Industries Commission Act of 1956 + under the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium
Enterprises + The KVIC is charged with the planning, promotion, organisation and
implementation of programmes for the development of Khadi and other village industries in
rural areas in coordination with other agencies engaged in rural development wherever
necessary + At the state level, Khadi & Village Industries Boards were set up to effectively
implement the schemes of KVIC in their respective states.
Ø Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS) = It is an ongoing Indian Railways mission launched
in February 2023 by the Ministry of Railways to redevelop 1,309 stations nationwide + The
scheme aims to transform railway stations into modern, well-equipped hubs with improved
passenger amenities, better traffic circulation, inter-modal integration, and enhanced signage
+ It is based on Master Planning for the long termand the implementation of the elements of
the Master Plan as per the needs and patronage of the station + The scheme shall cater for the
introduction of new amenities as well as the upgradation and replacement of existing amenities.
The ultimate goal is to transform these stations into vibrant city centres over the long term.
Ø Scheme for Protection and Preservation of Endangered Languages of India (SPPEL) = It
was instituted by Ministry of Human Resource Development (Government of India) in 2013 +
The sole objective of the Scheme is to document and archive the country’s languages that have
become endangered or likely to be endangered in the near future + The scheme is monitored
by Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL) located in Mysuru, Karnataka + University
Grants Commission (UGC) provides financial assistance for creation of centres for endangered
languages at Central and State Universities to undertake research projects + Central Institute
of Indian Languages (CIIL) was established in 1969 and is under the administrative control of
Ministry of Human Resource Development (Now Ministry of Education).
Ø Project Veer Gatha = It is a joint initiative of Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Education.
It was instituted under Gallantry Awards Portal (GAP) in 2021 + Aim: With the aim to
disseminate the details of acts of bravery of the Gallantry Awardees and the life stories of these
brave hearts among the students so as to raise the spirit of patriotism and in still amongst them
values of civic consciousness + Project Veer Gatha deepened this noble aim by providing a
platform to the school students to do creative projects/activities based on gallantry award
winners.

Ø Design-Linked Incentive Scheme for Semiconductors = It aims to offer financial incentives

as well as design infrastructure support across various stages of development and deployment
of semiconductor design(s) for Integrated Circuits (ICs), Chipsets, System on Chips (SoCs),
Systems & IP Cores and semiconductor linked design(s) over a period of 5 years + Aim: To
nurture at least 20 domestic companies involved in semiconductor design and facilitate them
to achieve turnover of more than Rs.1500 Crore in the next 5 years + The scheme shall initially
be for three (3) years from 01-01-2022 + The DLI scheme is part of the MeitY’s comprehensive
Program for the Development of Semiconductors and Display Manufacturing Ecosystems in
the country + C-DAC (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing), a scientific society
operating under MeitY, will serve as the nodal agency for implementation of the DLI scheme
+ The approved applicants that claim incentives under the scheme will be encouraged to retain
their domestic status (i.e., more than 50% of the capital in it is beneficially owned by resident
Indian citizens and/ or Indian companies, which are ultimately owned and controlled by
resident Indian citizens) for a period of three years after claiming incentives under the scheme.
Ø PAiSA Portal Dashboard = This online platform provides real-time updates on the progress
of the PM SVANidhi Mission scheme + Vendors can track loan applications, disbursements,
and repayments at their fingertips, fostering transparency and accountability + Ministry of
Housing and Urban Affairs.
Ø National Quantum Mission (NQM) = NQM is a flagship initiative launched by the
Government of India for period of 2023-2031 with an aim to make India a global leader in
quantum technologies + Aim: To seed, nurture and scale up scientific and industrial R&D and
create a vibrant & innovative ecosystem in Quantum Technology (QT) + It’ll be implemented
by the Department of Science & Technology (DST) under the Ministry of Science &
Technology + It will target developing intermediate scale quantum computers with 50-100
physical qubits in 5 years and 50-1000 physical qubits in 8 years.
Ø Samavesha Project = The Indian Science, Technology, and Engineering Facilities Map (I-
STEM) is launching the Samavesha project at IISc., Bengaluru + The project aims to enhance
research collaboration in India by improving accessibility to facilities and labs + The platform
allows researchers and industries to connect with institutions that have the required equipment,
enabling them to rent it for experiments.
• I-STEM = I-STEM (Indian Science, Technology, and Engineering facilities Map) is
an initiative of the Office of Principal Scientific Advisor, Government of India + It is
developed with the concept “One Nation One Portal” for the scientific community,
aimed at “Linking Researchers and Resources” + It assists users to locate the specific
facility they need for their R&D work and identify the one that is either located closest
to them or available the soonest.
Ø Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme = It is an export promotion scheme + The scheme
is formulated on focus product-focus country approach to evolve specific markets and specific
products through market studies and surveys + Assistance would be provided to Export
Promotion Organizations + Under the Scheme, the level of assistance for each eligible
activities has been fixed + It is administered by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry through
the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) + The funding for each project will be on
cost-sharing basis with the sharing pattern ranging from 65% to 50% at the minimum.
Ø PM-eBus Sewa Scheme = Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs + Under the PM-eBus Sewa
Scheme, 10,000 e-buses will be deployed across cities in the country + Under this scheme, city
bus operations will be done on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model + This scheme will
support bus operations for 10 years + States/Cities shall be responsible for running the bus
services and making payments to the bus operators + The Central Government will support
these bus operations by providing subsidies to the extent specified in the proposed scheme.

Ø National Transit Pass System (NTPS) = Launched by Ministry of Environment + It is an

online system for issuing transit permits for timber, bamboo and other forest produce vis e-
pass to bring ease of business + Currently, transit permits are issued for the transport of timber
and forest produce based on state-specific transit rules + NTPS enables managing records for
both inter-state and intra-state transportation of timber, bamboo, and MFP from private
lands/government/private depots.
Ø Bharatmala Pariyojana = Bharatmala Pariyojana Programme (BMP) or BMP, announced in
2015, was launched under Ministry of Road Transport and Highways + It focuses on the new
initiatives like development of Border and International connectivity roads, Coastal & port
connectivity roads, improving efficiency of National Corridors, Economic corridors and others
+ subsume unfinished parts of National Highway Development Program (NHDP) + Phase I
was approved in 2017 to focus on bridging critical infrastructure gaps through development of
34,800 km of National Highways by 2022. Till November-2023, 42% of project has been
completed + Recently, Bharatmala Phase 1 deadline extended by Six years to 2027-28.
Ø e-SAKSHI Application = It was launched for revised fund flow procedure under Members of
Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLAD) Scheme + Union Ministry of Statistics
and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) + MPLADS, established in 1993, is a central sector
scheme fully funded by the Government of India. It allows MPs to recommend developmental
projects with an emphasis on durable community assets, based on locally felt needs. Each MP
is allocated Rs. 5 crores annually for these projects, which may include building infrastructure
like toilets and bridges and providing essential services like drinking water and electricity.
Before e-SAKSHI, the process was predominantly paper-based, leading to various
administrative challenges.
Ø Election Seizure Management System (ESMS) = The Election Seizure Management System
(ESMS) is a dedicated technology platform introduced by the Election Commission of India
(ECI) to enhance the management of election-related seizures during the electoral process +
The primary purpose of ESMS is to facilitate real-time information sharing among different
enforcement agencies involved in election-related activities + Enforcement agencies include
the police, transportation authorities, Central tax agencies, and possibly other relevant entities.
Ø Bharat 5G Portal = Recently, the Secretary, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT),
Ministry of Communications (MoC), launched the “Bharat 5G Portal- an integrated portal” on
the sidelines of ‘Bharat Telecom 2024’ + It is a comprehensive platform serving the interests
of startups, industry and academia in quantum, 6G, IPR and 5G domains + It also features the
Future Tech-Experts registration portal in collaboration with PANIIT USA, aimed to help and
advise the Indian Telecom ecosystem to advance the goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat + It acts as a
one-stop solution for all quantum, IPR, PoCs/Pilot, 5G and 6G-related works capturing
academic R&D developments, industry standards, OEMs, startups/MSMEs, and subject matter
experts.
Ø Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) = DARPG
has put in place CPGRAMS since 2007 + It 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 Ministries/Departments of Government of India and States
+ Issues that are not taken for redress: RTI Matters, Court related matters, Religious matters,
etc + In 2022, Government implemented the 10- step reforms of CPGRAMS + Please Note:
Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), Ministry of
Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions was set up in 1964.
Ø Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN) = PM-JANMAN
(comprising Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored Schemes) was launched for the socio-
economic welfare of PVTGs on 15th November 2023 in Khunti, Jharkhand, on the occasion
of Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas + PM-JANMAN, with a budget of approximately Rs 24,000 crore,

focuses on 11 critical interventions through 9 Ministries + An amount of Rs.15,000 crore will

be made available to implement the Mission in the next three years under the Development
Action Plan for the Scheduled Tribes (DAPST) + It is aimed to improve socio-economic
conditions of the PVTGs by saturating PVTG households and habitations with basic facilities
such as safe housing, clean drinking water and sanitation, electricity, road and telecom
connectivity etc.
Ø Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAAGY) = Vision: Aims to achieve
integrated development of 36,428 villages with more than 500 tribal populations and 50% or
more ST persons in them + It is a revamped version of the Special Central Assistance to Tribal
Sub-Scheme (2017), under which funds were provided to the States with notified STs for the
development and welfare of tribal people + Ministry: Ministry of Tribal Affairs +
Convergence: Converges with 58 schemes of the Centre and the States that have Schedule
Tribe Component to bridge various gaps.
Ø Clean and Green Villages Programme = Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) is prioritizing
the 'Clean and Green Village' theme as part of its Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP)
+ Theme Adoption: 'Clean and Green Village' is the fifth theme under the GPDP + Aim is to
install solar power capacities in 'Clean & Green Villages' on a commercial basis.
Ø Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana = 2015 + saving scheme was launched by the Government of
India as a part of Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign + to encourage parents of a girl-child to
stock a fund for their education and marriage + People can open the Sukanya Samridhi account
at any India Post office or branch of authorised commercial banks. The parents or the legal
guardian can open the account for a girl child before she attains the age of 10 years. After
turning 10, a girl can manage her account. The scheme allows one account per child and two
accounts in a family. However, there is an exception for twins and triplets.
3) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Ø Food and Agriculture Organization’s Committee on Fisheries (COFI) = It is a subsidiary
body of the Food and Agriculture Organization + It was established by the FAO Conference
in 1965 + It addresses issues on international fishing and aquaculture, providing policy
guidance on fisheries management + Recently, India has been elected as the First Vice Chair
of the Food and Agriculture Organization’s Committee on Fisheries (COFI) Sub-Committee
on Fisheries Management + The Sub-Committee on Fisheries Management is a new sub-group
formed under the COFI in 2022, during the 35th session of the FAO Committee on Fisheries
(COFI), held in Rome. It will work closely with the two other COFI sub-committees, the Sub-
Committee on Aquaculture and the Sub-Committee on Fish Trade.
Ø International Court of Justice (ICJ) = also known as the World Court + is the principal
judicial organ of the United Nations (UN) + 1945 + The hearings of the ICJ are always public
+ court may entertain two types of cases (Contentious cases - Legal disputes between States
submitted to it + Advisory proceedings - Requests for advisory opinions on legal questions
referred to it by United Nations organs and specialized agencies) + NO jurisdiction to deal with
applications from individuals, NGOs or private groups and it rules only on the rights and
obligations of States + comprises 15 Judges, elected by United Nations General Assembly and
Security Council for 9 year term, elected every 3 years to ensure continuity + headquartered in
Peace Palace, Hague, Netherlands (Of the six principal organs of the United Nations, it is the
only one not located in New York, United States) + India is a founding member of the ICJ +
The Court's official languages are English and French + Judgments delivered by the Court (or
by one of its Chambers) in disputes between States are binding upon the parties concerned.

Ø UN Statistical Commission = 1947 + Highest body of the global statistical system bringing
together the Chief Statisticians from member states from around the world + Statistical
Commission oversees the work of the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), and it is a
Functional Commission of the UN Economic and Social Council + The Commission consists
of 24 member countries of the United Nations elected by the United Nations Economic and
Social Council on the basis of an equitable geographical distribution + The term of office of
members is four years + The officers of the Commission, also referred to as the Bureau, are
the Chairman, 3 Vice-chairmen and the Rapporteur + Recently, India has been elected to the
highest statistical body of the United Nations for a four year term beginning January 1, 2024
Ø Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) = West African Bloc + It is the
regional group which was established in 1975 through the Lagos Treaty + The vision of
ECOWAS is the creation of a “borderless region” that is well-integrated. ECOWAS’ larger
aims are to have a single common currency and create a single, large trading bloc. Along with
the goals of economic cooperation, it has attempted to quell military conflicts in the region +
Members: Benin, Cape Verde, Côte d’ Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau,
Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Senegal and Togo + Headquarters: Abuja, Nigeria + Recently,
the military regimes in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger announced their immediate withdrawal
from the West African bloc ECOWAS.
Ø Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) = Recently, 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement
(NAM) was held in Kampala, Uganda + Theme of the summit: 'Deepening Cooperation for
Shared Global Affluence' + Kampala declaration was adopted at the summit + Non-Aligned
Movement (NAM) has genesis in Asia-Africa Conference held in Bandung, Indonesia in 1955
+ Ten Principles of Bandung" proclaimed during Bandung Conference were later adopted as
the main goals/principles of NAM + NAM’s first conference - The Belgrade Conference in
1961 + It has 121 members (including India) comprising 53 countries from Africa, 39 from
Asia, 26 from Latin America and the Caribbean and 2 from Europe + South Sudan became the
new member(121st) of NAM.
• Kampala Declaration = Adopted at 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)
+ commit to strengthen the UN as the primary multilateral organization + agreed to make
joint efforts to realize the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Addis Ababa
Action Agenda (AAAA)
Ø Genocide Convention 1948 = Officially known as Convention on the Prevention and
Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, 1948 + Genocide is defined as acts committed with the
intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. According
to the convention, genocide is a crime that can take place both in time of war as well as in time
of peace + The Genocide Convention has been ratified by 153 States + India has signed the
treaty in 1949 and ratified in 1959. However, India did not enact any legislation on the subject
+ International Court of Justice (ICJ) hears cases related to the interpretation and application
of the convention.
Ø Hague Apostille Convention, 1961 = Aim – To simplify the global circulation of public
documents + It simplified the global circulation of public documents. These public documents
include certificates of birth, marriage, and death, and educational documents among others +
Allahabad High Court mandates that India, a member of the Apostille Convention, must accept
foreign apostille-authenticated documents + Contracting parties issue an Apostille certificate
to authenticate a document's origin, allowing it to be presented abroad to another Contracting
Party. Non-member countries require extra certification from the State of origin for document
acceptance.
Ø AI Governance Alliance (AIGA) = The World Economic Forum launched the AI Governance
Alliance in 2023 + It is a dedicated initiative focused on responsible generative artificial
intelligence (AI) + It is a union of industry leaders, governments, academic institutions, and

civil society organizations to champion responsible global design and release of transparent
and inclusive AI systems.
Ø Global Alliance for Global Good - Gender Equity and Equality = India successfully
established a "Global Alliance for Global Good - Gender Equity and Equality" to promote
women's empowerment and gender equality + established by India on the sidelines of the 54th
annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos + The alliance will bring together
worldwide best practices, knowledge sharing, and investment opportunities in women's
education, health, and enterprise + It has garnered support from industry leaders such as
MasterCard, Uber, Tata, TVS, Bayer, Godrej, the Serum Institute of India, IMD Laussane, and
over 10,000 partners from industry through the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) +
Supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the alliance will be housed and anchored
by the CII Centre for Women Leadership + The WEF has come on board as a ‘Network
Partner’ and Invest India as an ‘Institutional Partner’.
• World Economic Forum(WEF) = The World Economic Forum (WEF) is a Swiss
nonprofit foundation established in 1971, based in Geneva, Switzerland + HQ- Cologny-
Geneva, Switzerland + Recognized by the Swiss authorities as the international institution
for public-private cooperation + The Founder and Executive Chairman of WEF is Klaus
Schwab + Annually, the WEF organizes a meeting at the end of January in Davos, a
mountain resort in Graubünden, in the eastern Alps region of Switzerland + The Annual
Meeting, also known as the Davos Agenda, has the objective of orienting global leaders on
the imperatives of the year ahead + Some major reports published by WEF are: Energy
Transition Index; Global Competitiveness Report; Global IT Report (WEF along with
INSEAD, and Cornell University publishes this report); Global Gender Gap Report; Global
Risk Report and Global Travel and Tourism Report + The 54rd edition of the annual World
Economic Forum summit was held in Davos, Switzerland recently.
Ø Free Movement Regime (FMR) = Under the FMR, all the hill tribes, whether they are citizens
of India or Myanmar, can travel within 16 km on either side of the Indo-Myanmar Border
(IMB) + They can cross the border by producing a border pass with a one-year validity issued
by the competent authority and can stay up to two weeks per visit + FMR was implemented in
2018 as part of the Central government’s Act East policy + FMR is implemented by both
governments for the people living along the IMB.
Ø India-Nepal Joint Commission = India and Nepal ink agreements during the 7th India-Nepal
Joint Commission meeting held in Kathmandu + The commission was established in 1987 and
acts as a platform for both foreign ministers to review the bilateral partnership + India is the
largest trading partner of Nepal and the highest source of FDI + Nepal is a priority partner of
India under its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy + India and Nepal have had a Power Exchange
Agreement since 1971 for meeting the power requirements in the border areas. In 2023, India
agreed to the first +
• India-Nepal Hydropower Cooperation = Nepal and India have inked an agreement
setting the target to reach 10,000 megawatts of electricity export to India in the coming
decade + Indian Hydropower projects in Nepal: West Seti and Seti River (SR6) projects
(1,200 MW), Sapta Kosi high dam project on Kosi river, Mahakali Treaty (6,480 MW),
the Upper Karnali Project (900 MW) and the Arun - III projects (900 MW), Phukot Karnali
Hydroelectric Project, and Lower Arun Hydroelectric Project.
Ø Migration and Mobility Agreement = India and Italy + Recently, the Union Cabinet
approved the Migration and Mobility Agreement between India and Italy + Indian students,
after completing academic/vocational training in Italy, may be granted temporary residence for
up to 12 months + For workers, the Italian side has reserved a quota for non-seasonal and
seasonal Indian workers for 2023, 2024, and 2025 under the current Flows Decree + The

agreement will remain in force for five years and will be automatically renewed for a
successive period unless it's terminated by either signatory.
Ø Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) = India- UAE CEPA came into
force in 2022 + It is the first full free trade Agreement to be signed by India with any country
in past decade + It covers Trade in Goods and services, Rules of Origin, customs cooperation,
Dispute Settlement etc. Bilateral trade has increased by approximately 15% since CEPA came
into force + UAE is India’s third largest trading partner (2022-23) after China and US and
second-largest export destination. Both countries have maritime cooperation to maintain peace
and security in the region through regular military exercises like Desert Eagle.
Ø CAATSA = Act of USA + Countering America’s Adversaries through Sanctions Act
(CAATSA), aims at taking punitive measures against Russia, Iran, and North Korea + It was
passed in the backdrop of Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine and its alleged meddling +
As per USA, S-400 deal of India with Russia could attract sanctions under US’ CAATSA law
on India. The US has already sanctioned China and Turkey over similar purchases.
Ø ILO Conventions for protection of Migrant Workers = Migration for Employment
Convention (Revised), 1949 (No. 97): To maintain an adequate and free service to assist
migrants for employment + Migrant Workers (Supplementary Provisions) Convention, 1975
(No. 143): For illegally employed migrant workers + India has not ratified both conventions.
Ø EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program = EB-5 (employment-based, 5th preference), or US
golden visa, provides a special road for overseas investors and their families to seek permanent
residency and Green Cards in the United States + It is administered by the United States
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) + It was created in 1990 to stimulate the U.S.
economy through job creation and capital investment by foreign investors + Under this
program, investors (and their spouses and unmarried children under 21) are eligible to apply
for lawful permanent residence (become a Green Card holder) if they make the necessary
investment in a commercial enterprise in the United States, and Plan to create or preserve 10
permanent full-time jobs for qualified U.S. workers.
4) S&T
Ø HD 63433d = Astronomers recently unveiled the discovery of an Earth-like planet, younger
and closer than any previously identified, named HD 63433d + It is an Earth-like exoplanet
that orbits a sun-like star called HD 63433 (also known as TOI 1726) + It is the smallest
confirmed exoplanet, younger than 500 million years old + It’s also the closest Earth-sized
planet discovered so far, and it’s about 400 million years old + It’s the third planet found in
orbit around its star. This planet is eight times closer to its star than Mercury is to the Sun.
Ø Amaterasu = Japanese scientists discovered a high-energy cosmic-ray event named
‘Amaterasu,’ making it the second-highest-energy cosmic ray ever detected + The energy level
of Amaterasu is about 40 million times higher than that produced by the Large Hadron Collider
+ The discovery of such ultra-high-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) could contribute to
understanding cosmic phenomena and subatomic particles better, as well as potentially
challenging existing theories in high-energy particle physics.
Ø Kilonova Explosion = A kilonova is a bright blast of electromagnetic radiation that happens
when two neutron stars or a neutron star and a stellar-mass black hole collide and merge + A
neutron star is formed when a star having a mass more than 1.44 times that of the Sun (as per
Chandrasekhar limit) blows off its gaseous envelope in a supernova explosion. They are among
the densest objects in the cosmos.
Ø Karman Line = Located at 100 km (62 miles) above sea level, it is an imaginary line that
demarcates the earth’s atmosphere from space + It was established in the 1960s by a record-

keeping body called the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) + Anything traveling
above the Kármán line needs a propulsion system that doesn’t rely on lift generated by Earth’s
atmosphere—the air is simply too thin that high up. In other words, the Kármán line is where
the physical laws governing a craft’s ability to fly shift + Anyone who crosses this line qualifies
as an astronaut.
Ø 30 Doradus B = NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory recently captured a stunning image of
30 Doradus B, a supernova remnant that is part of a vibrant region of space where stars have
been forming for millions of years + NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory is a telescope
specially designed to detect X-ray emission from very hot regions of the Universe, such as
exploded stars, clusters of galaxies, and matter around black holes. It was launched by NASA
on July 23, 1999. Because X-rays are absorbed by Earth’s atmosphere, Chandra must orbit
above it, up to an altitude of 139,000 km (86,500 mi) in space.
Ø MCG-01-24-014 = Hubble Space Telescope recently captured an image of the spiral galaxy,
MCG-01-24-014 + Spiral galaxies are twisted collections of stars and gas that often have
beautiful shapes and are made up of hot, young stars + Most of the galaxies that scientists have
discovered so far are spiral galaxies, as opposed to the other two main categories of galaxy
shapes—elliptical and irregular. Approximately 60% of all galaxies are thought to be spiral
galaxies.
Ø VIPER Rover = NASA + first robotic lunar rover VIPER – short for Volatiles Investigating
Polar Exploration Rover + It is NASA's first mobile robotic mission to the Moon + It will
directly analyse ice on the surface and subsurface of the Moon at varying depths and
temperature conditions within four main soil environments.
Ø Lunar Gateway Station = It is a primary component of NASA's Artemis program + Artemis
intends to establish a long-term base on the Moon (Artemis base), and the Lunar Gateway will
serve as a multi-purpose outpost that orbits the Moon + The Gateway is a multinational project
involving four of the International Space Station partner agencies: NASA, the European Space
Agency (ESA), Japan’s Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and the Canadian Space
Agency (CSA) + Basically, the Gateway Station is similar to the International Space Station
currently in low Earth orbit, but the Gateway will orbit the Moon + Incidentally, the Gateway
will be the first space station ever to exist outside of low Earth orbit, or LEO + The UAE
recently announced its participation in developing a module on NASA’s Lunar Gateway
Station alongside the USA, Japan, Canada, and the European Union.
Ø Peregrine Lander or Peregrine Mission 1 = Peregrine Lander is expected to be one of the
first American spacecraft to land on the Moon since the Apollo program + It is part of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s Commercial Lunar Payload
Services (CLPS) programme, which aims to stimulate a broader lunar economy.
Ø Ingenuity Mars Helicopter = Ingenuity is a small, autonomous aircraft that flew to Mars
aboard NASA's Perseverance rover + It is a solar powered aircraft which consists of a wireless
communication system, navigation system, computers and cameras + It was built by the Jet
Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) of NASA + It is an experimental flight test to determine whether
life is possible on Mars.
Ø Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) = Japan (Japanese Aerospace Exploration
Agency (JAXA)) + Japanese spacecraft SLIM landed on the moon, making Japan the fifth
country to reach the lunar surface. The other four countries are India, United States, Russia,
and China + It successfully demonstrated pinpoint technology for landing. This technology
enables landing within 100 m of a target.
Ø GSAT -20 (Renamed as GSAT-N2) = GSAT-20 is a high- throughput Ka-band Satellite
which will be fully owned, operated and funded by NSIL + The satellite, weighing 4700 kg,
has been specifically designed to meet the demanding service needs of remote and unconnected
regions + It is much heavier than launch capacity of ISRO’s most powerful rocket; LVM-3

(which can launch spacecraft weighing up to 4000 kg into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit).
Hence, India will use SpaceX Falcon-9 Rocket to launch Communications Satellite GSAT-20
in 2024 + GSAT-20 will be the second “demand driven” satellite launch enabled by NSIL.
Previously, NSIL successfully undertook its 1st Demand-driven satellite mission, GSAT-24,
with Tata Play purchasing its capacity for Direct-To-Home broadcasting.
• NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) = NSIL (incorporated in March 2019) is commercial
arm of ISRO + It is a Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Department of Space +
Presently, NSIL owns and operates 11 communication satellites in orbit.
Ø Finite Element Analysis of Structures (FEAST) = Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC),
ISRO developed FEAST, a Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software + FEA is a computerized
method for predicting how a product reacts to real-world forces + FEAST will be used to
perform FEA of various types of structures including rockets, aircraft, satellites, buildings, etc
+ So far, users have mostly depended on expensive software versions from foreign firms for
this function.
Ø Insat-3DS = It is a collaborative effort between ISRO and the India Meteorological
Organisation (IMD) + It is part of a series of climate observatory satellites aimed at enhancing
climate services + Comprising three dedicated Earth observation satellites, including INSAT-
3D and INSAT-3DR already in orbit + It will be launched by using the Geosynchronous
Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F14) + It is an advanced meteorological satellite of India configured
with an imaging System and an Atmospheric Sounder + INSAT-3DR carries a multi spectral
Imager, 19 channel Sounder, Data Relay Transponder and Search and Rescue Transponder.
Ø Bharatiya Antariksha Station: India’s own Space Station = Bharatiya Antariksh Station
(BAS) is India’s proposed space station, which the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
aims to set up by 2035 + It will serve as a platform for conducting space research and
experiments in a microgravity environment + More details are not available yet.
Ø X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) = XPoSat is the first dedicated satellite from ISRO to
carry out research and measure X-ray emission from celestial sources like black holes and
neutron stars + It is the second satellite in the world to study X-ray polarization, first being
NASA’s Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE), launched in 2021 + ISRO successfully
launched the X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) by Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)
-C58 + PSLV-C58 was the 60th flight of ISRO’s Polar Satellite launch Vehicle.
• Polarization and X-ray Polarimetry = Normal light (unpolarized light) consists of
electric field and magnetic field vectors which vibrate perpendicularly to each other. (refer
to figure) + Light waves that travel in a single plane are known as polarized light waves +
The process of transforming unpolarized light into polarized light is known as polarization
and can be achieved through Scattering, reflection, refraction or use of Polaroid/ polarizing
filter + Studying/measuring the polarization of X-rays is X-Ray polarimetry + X-rays are
high-energy electromagnetic waves.
• PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM) = Orbital Platform Experiments in PSLV
(PS4-OP) is a novel idea, which uses the spent PS4 stage (fourth stage of PSLV) as a 3-
axis stabilized microgravity environment for short duration scientific experiments + This
is intended to carry out in-orbit scientific experiments for an extended duration of 4-6
months for small scientific payloads + The advantage of the platform is that the stage has
standard interfaces & packages for power generation, telemetry, tele-command,
stabilization, orbit keeping & orbit manoeuvring + Earlier POEM experiments: POEM 1
and POEM 2 were launched in June 2022 and April 2023 respectively.
• Cygnus X-1 = India’s space telescope AstroSat has for the first-time measured X-ray
polarization from the Cygnus X-1 black hole + Cygnus X-1 is one of the first confirmed
black hole systems in our galaxy.

Ø Proba-3 Mission = India’s ISRO is set to launch the European Space Agency’s (ESA)
groundbreaking Proba-3 mission in September 2024 + The mission will be facilitated by
India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-XL) + The Proba-3 mission is led by the
European Space Agency (ESA), showcasing international collaboration in space exploration.
Proba-3 is hailed as the world’s first precision formation flying mission. It aims to establish a
144-metre-long solar coronagraph through two small satellites, demonstrating precise
formation flying in space.
Ø Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) = It is proposed as a joint collaboration involving institutions
in the S., Japan, China, Canada, and India + Location: Mauna Kea, an inactive volcano on the
island of Hawai’i in the United States + It will be the world’s most advanced and capable
ground-based optical, near-infrared, and mid-infrared observatory + The Indian Institute of
Astrophysics (IIAP) is leading the consortium of Indian institutions that are involved with the
TMT project + India TMT will be jointly funded by the Departments of Science and
Technology and Atomic Energy.
Ø Square Kilometer Array Observatory = The Square Kilometer Array (SKA) will be the
largest radio telescope in the world when completed in 2028 + The Square Kilometer Array
(SKA) project is an international effort to build the world’s largest radio telescope, with
eventually over a square kilometer (one million square meters) of collecting area + It is being
built in Australia (low-frequency) and South Africa (mid-frequency) + The SKA cores are
being built in the southern hemisphere, where the view of the Milky Way galaxy is the best
and radio interference at its least + The SKA will give astronomers insight into the formation
and evolution of the first stars and galaxies after the Big Bang, the role of cosmic magnetism,
the nature of gravity + (Square Kilometer Array Observatory = The SKA Observatory
(SKAO) is an intergovernmental organization established in early 2021 + The SKAO dedicated
to radio astronomy, is headquartered in the UK + It will undertake the construction, operation
and maintenance of the SKA telescopes + Organizations from 16 member countries take part
in the SKA project + National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA) represents participation
from India).
Ø Einstein Probe (EP) = China + China recently sent a new astronomical satellite called the
Einstein Probe into space to observe mysterious transient phenomena in the universe that
flicker like fireworks + The primary scientific goal of the EP is to explore the transient and
variable X-ray sky, capturing powerful bursts of high-energy light emanating from objects
such as merging neutron stars and black holes.
Ø Chang’e 6 Mission = China + planned lander designed to return samples from the lunar south
pole + The mission aims to land on the Moon, collect samples from the lunar surface, and
return them to Earth.
Ø Direct-to-mobile (D2M) Technology = Direct-to-mobile (D2M) technology is a method of
transmitting content directly to mobile devices using broadcast signals + D2M uses broadcast
networks, similar to those for TV and radio, to send content directly to mobile devices,
bypassing traditional cellular or internet data networks + This technology is efficient for
delivering the same content to many users simultaneously, reducing the load on cellular
networks and making it ideal for live events or popular broadcasts + Mobile devices need to
be equipped with specific hardware to receive and decode broadcast signals, which may require
new standards in smartphone manufacturing + D2M can offer high-quality video and audio
streaming, as it doesn’t depend on the variable speed and stability of an internet connection.
Ø Direct-to-Cell Satellites = SpaceX, an American company, launched the first batch of Starlink
satellites with “Direct-to-Cell” capabilities + Direct-to-Cell satellites have an advanced
eNodeB modem onboard that acts like a cellphone tower in space + Current communication
system is based on the land based tower for transferring signals + It allows Starlink to deliver
direct satellite broadband connectivity on smartphones anywhere on Earth.

Ø End-to-end Encryption = Encryption is a way of protecting data from unauthorised access or

tampering + It works by transforming the data into a secret code that only the intended recipient
can decipher + There are two main types of encryption: Symmetric and Asymmetric +
Symmetric: It uses the same key to encrypt and decrypt the data. In symmetric encryption, the
key used to encrypt some information is also the key required to decrypt it + Asymmetric: It
uses a pair of keys: one public and one private. The public key can be shared with anyone, but
the private key must be kept secret + The term encryption is generally used when referring to
the privacy of stored data, while end-to-end encryption protects data as it’s transferred between
a location – which is crucial wherever there’s a rapid exchange of information.
Ø Generative AI = Generative AI, or generative artificial intelligence, is a form of artificial
intelligence (AI) in which algorithms automatically produce content in the form of text,
images, audio, and video + Unlike traditional AI systems that are designed to recognize
patterns and make predictions, generative AI creates new content + Generative AI is powered
by foundation models (large AI models) that can multi-task and are trained on massive amounts
of data + It works by using a Machine Learning (ML) model to learn the patterns and
relationships in a dataset of human-created content. It then uses the learned patterns to generate
new content.
Ø Fuel Cell = A fuel cell is a device that generates electricity by a chemical reaction + A fuel
cell consists of two electrodes—a negative electrode (or anode) and a positive electrode (or
cathode). Both electrodes must be immersed in and separated by an electrolyte, which may be
a liquid or a solid but must, in either case, conduct ions between the electrodes in order to
complete the chemistry of the system + A fuel, such as hydrogen, is supplied to the anode,
where it is oxidised, producing hydrogen ions and electrons + An oxidizer, such as oxygen, is
supplied to the cathode, where the hydrogen ions from the anode absorb electrons from the
latter and react with the oxygen to produce water + The difference between the respective
energy levels at the electrodes (electromotive force) is the voltage per unit cell + A single fuel
cell generates a tiny amount of direct-current (DC) electricity. In practice, many fuel cells are
usually assembled into a stack.
Ø Coal Gasification = Coal gasification is a process in which coal is partially oxidized with air,
oxygen, steam or carbon dioxide to form a fuel gas + This gas is then used instead of piped
Natural Gas, methane and others for deriving energy + In-situ gasification of coal – or
Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) – is the technique of converting coal into gas while it
is still in the seam and then extracting it through wells + It produces Syngas which is a mixture
consisting primarily of methane (CH4), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen (H2), carbon
dioxide (CO2) and water vapour (H2O). Syngas can be used to produce a wide range of
Fertilizers, Fuels, solvents and synthetic materials + India has a target to gasify 100 million
tonnes of coal by 2030.
Ø Induction/Wireless Charging = Induction Charging (IC) also known as wireless charging is
method of charging in which electromagnetic fields are used to transfer energy between two
coils without the need of a physical connection + The transmission of electricity generally
takes place by either of the two methods: By electric fields using capacitive coupling between
metal electrodes (capacitive charging) or By magnetic fields using inductive coupling between
coils of wire (inductive charging) + The operating principle is similar to that of a transformer
and is based on the laws of magnetic induction + Recently, In a bid to boost e-mobility, India
plans to transform the Golden Quadrilateral into a network of electric vehicles (EV) ready
highways using induction charging technology.
Ø Kalpakkam Atomic Power Station = Tamil Nadu + nation’s indigenously developed
Demonstration Fast Reactor Fuel Reprocessing Plant (DFRP) + 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.
Ø Advanced Nuclear Energy for Enriched Life (ANEEL) = An American company has
developed a fuel ANEEL (named after India’s scientist, Dr Anil Kakodkar) + ANEEL is a mix
Thorium and Uranium of a certain level of enrichment, called HALEU (High Assay Low
Enriched Uranium) + HALEU has an enrichment level of 5-20%, whereas most current
reactors are enriched up to 5% + ANEEL can be used in the existing Pressurized Heavy-Water
Reactors (PHWRs) of India’s nuclear fleet, Reduction in nuclear waste etc.
Ø Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) = An LED is a semiconductor device which emits light when
electric current flows through it + It can produce all three primary colours – red, green, and
blue – different LEDs can be combined on a display board to produce a large variety of colours
+ LEDs have several applications in industry, consumer electronics, and household appliances:
from smartphones to TV screens, from signboards to ‘feeding’ plants light in greenhouses,
from barcode scanners to monitoring air quality + The Nobel Prize in Physics of 2014 was
jointly awarded to Akasaki, Amano and Nakamura for the invention of Blue LEDs in the
1990s.
Ø E-Ink Displays = These are a special type of screen technology often used in e-readers like
the Amazon Kindle + The technology was originally developed in the 1990s at MIT and is
now owned by E Ink Corporation + The screens work using tiny microcapsules filled with
positively charged white particles and negatively charged black ones suspended in fluid inside
the display + Unlike LCD and LED displays that use a backlight, E Ink displays reflect light –
just like paper. This makes them easier on the eyes for long reading sessions + They also
require very little power since they don’t need a backlight and only use energy when the image
changes.
Ø Distress Alert Transmitter (DAT) = ISRO + Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
has developed an improvised Distress Alert Transmitter (DAT) with advanced capabilities and
features for the fishermen at sea to send emergency messages from fishing boats + The first
version of DAT has been operational since 2010 + The fishermen at sea send emergency
messages from fishing boats + The messages are sent through a communication satellite and
received at a central control station (INMCC: Indian Mission Control Centre) where the alert
signals are decoded for the identity and location of the fishing boat. The extracted information
is forwarded to Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCCs) under Indian Coast Guard
(ICG). Using this information, the MRCC coordinates to undertake Search and Rescue
operations to save the fishermen in distress.
Ø Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) = ADAS are a set of electronic systems which
are integrated into vehicles to enhance driver safety, improve vehicle performance, and provide
convenience + This is made possible with use of sensors, cameras, radar, and other advanced
technologies to monitor the vehicle's surroundings and detect potential hazards + As per
various reports there has been a surge in demand of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems
(ADAS) from India and India is becoming a growing market for the same.
Ø Rejupave Technology = Road Construction technology + It is developed by India’s oldest and
premier road research organisation, CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI) + It
is beneficial in constructing high-altitude bituminous roads at low and sub-zero temperature
conditions + Recently, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has utilised road construction
technology i.e. Rejupave technology to build high-altitude bituminous road sections at the Sela
tunnel and LGG-Damteng-Yangste (LDY) road near the India-China border in Arunachal
Pradesh.

Ø Steel Slag Road Technology = The slag is generated from a steel furnace burning in the form
of molten flux material as an impurity + Steel slag is a non-metallic, glassy material consisting
of calcium, magnesium, manganese, and aluminium silicates and oxides in various
combinations + During the road construction, steel slag is processed to remove impurities and
metal content + These processed steel slag aggregates exhibit superior mechanical properties
compared to natural aggregates + Recently, JSW Steel has constructed 1 km long four lane
steel slag road section on NH-66 (Mumbai-Goa) + This project falls under the initiative of the
Waste to Wealth and Clean India Campaign. The Waste to Wealth Mission is one of the nine
national missions of the Prime Minister’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Advisory
Council (PM-STIAC).
Ø Trichoderma = Trichoderma is a fungal biocontrol agent, has proven effective in suppressing
several soil-borne plant pathogens and serves as a successful bio-pesticide and bio-fertilizer in
crop production + Recognizing the importance of Trichoderma and the challenges posed by
traditional lime applications, the scientists at IISR developed ‘Tricholime’ to integrate lime
and Trichoderma + The formulation named ‘Tricholime’, integrates Trichoderma and lime into
a single product, making the application easier for farmers.
Ø Thylakoid Membranes = Thylakoids are little pouches located in the chloroplasts of plants +
They store chlorophyll, the substance in plants that reacts to sunlight and triggers
photosynthesis + These membranes are dense, mostly galactolipid, protein-containing bilayers
in which photosynthesis occurs in photosynthetic organisms + They are found in ancient, light-
sensitive bacteria called cyanobacteria + The cyanobacteria multiplied in the oceans billions
of years ago, and are believed to be responsible for the vast stores of oxygen that are found in
the atmosphere and thus, a precursor to life + It is now believed that thylakoid membranes in
cyanobacteria were what made them capable of using sunlight to create energy and release
oxygen.
Ø Mpemba Effect = The effect is that hot water can freeze faster than cold water in similar
conditions + While Aristotle, Francis Bacon, and René Descartes had noticed the effect
centuries earlier, the Mpemba effect caught scientists’ attention only more recently + It is
named after Tanzanian student Erasto Mpemba, who brought attention to this counterintuitive
phenomenon in 1969, making for curious observations.
5) POLITY & GOVERNANCE

Ø Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) = FCRA regulates foreign donations and
ensures that such contributions do not adversely affect internal security + First enacted in 1976,
it was amended in 2010 when a slew of new measures was adopted to regulate foreign
donations + The FCRA is applicable to all associations, groups and NGOs which intend to
receive foreign donations + It is mandatory for all such NGOs to register themselves under the
FCRA + The registration is initially valid for five years and it can be renewed subsequently if
they comply with all norms.
Ø Electricity (Amendment) Rules, 2024 = Ministry of Power notified Electricity (Amendment)
Rules, 2024 to amend Electricity Rules, 2005 + Consumers having more than specified load
and Energy Storage Systems are allowed to establish, operate and maintain dedicated
transmission lines themselves without the requirement of licence + Tariff shall be cost
reflective and there shall not be any revenue gap between approved Annual Revenue
Requirement and estimated annual revenue from approved tariff except under natural calamity
conditions.
Ø Point of Presence (PoP) Regulations 2023 = Pension Fund Regulatory and Development
Authority (PFRDA) notifies new point of presence regulations for NPS subscribers + PFRDA
has notified the Point of Presence (PoP) Regulations 2023, requiring only one registration for
the National Pension System (NPS) + POPs are the first points of interaction of the NPS

subscriber with the NPS architecture + The authorized branches of a POP, called Point of
Presence Service Providers (POPSPs), will act as collection points + Banks and non-banks can
now act as PoPs to onboard NPS subscribers.
Ø Statutory Bail or Default Bail = this is a right to bail that accrues when the police fail to
complete investigation within a specified period in respect of a person in judicial custody +
This is enshrined in Code of Criminal Procedure + If it is not possible for the police to complete
an investigation in 24 hours, the police produce the suspect in court and seek orders for either
police or judicial custody + This section concerns the total period up to which a person may
be remanded in custody prior to filing of charge sheet + For most offences, the police have 60
days to complete the investigation and file a final report before the court. However, where the
offence attracts death sentence or life imprisonment, or a jail term of not less than 10 years,
the period available is 90 days. In other words, a magistrate cannot authorize a person’s judicial
remand beyond the 60-or 90-day limit + At the end of this period, if the investigation is not
complete, the court shall release the person “if he is prepared to and does furnish bail’’ + The
60- or 90-day limit is only for ordinary penal law. Special enactments allow greater latitude to
the police for completing the probe. In the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act,
the period is 180 days. However, in cases involving substances in commercial quantity, the
period may be extended up to one year + This extension beyond 180 days can be granted only
on a report by the Public Prosecutor indicating the progress made in the investigation and
giving reasons to keep the accused in continued detention + In the Unlawful Activities
(Prevention) Act, the default limit is 90 days only. The court may grant an extension of another
90 days, if it is satisfied with a report by the Public Prosecutor showing the progress made in
the investigation + Default or statutory bail is a right, regardless of the nature of the crime +
The stipulated period within which the charge sheet has to be filed begins from the day the
accused is remanded for the first time + It includes days undergone in both police and judicial
custody, but not days spent in house-arrest + A requirement for the grant of statutory bail is
that the right should be claimed by the person in custody. If the charge sheet is not filed within
the stipulated period, but there is no application for bail, there is no automatic bail. In general,
the right to bail on the investigation agency’s default is considered an ‘indefeasible right’, but
it should be availed of at the appropriate time.
Ø Denotified, Nomadic and Seminomadic Tribes (DNTs) = These communities were notified
as criminals under the Criminal Tribes Act 1871 by British to prevent their future engagement
with criminal activities. They were forcibly alienated from their traditional occupations and
habitations through other subsequent legislation + The act was repealed by the Indian
Government in 1952 and they were declared DNTs + There is no Central list for these
communities neither are they recognised as a separate group (like SC/STs) under the
Constitution + Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes was constituted in 2014 under
Bhiku Ramji Idate. The commission was mandated to compile a state-wise list of Denotified
Nomadic and SemiNomadic Tribes (DNTs), identify DNTs not included in SCs/STs or OBC
lists, recommend measures for their welfare, etc.
Ø Tribunals = Tribunals were not part of the original constitution, it was incorporated in the
Indian Constitution by 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 + Article 323-A deals with Administrative
Tribunals + Article 323-B deals with tribunals for other matters + While Article 323 A
contemplates the establishment of tribunals for public service matters only, Article 323 B
contemplates the establishment of tribunals for certain other matters + Under Article 323 B,
the Parliament and the state legislatures are authorised to provide for the establishment of
tribunals for the adjudication of disputes relating to the following matters: Taxation, Foreign
exchange, import and export, Industrial and labour Land reforms etc + While tribunals under
Article 323 A can be established only by Parliament, tribunals under Article 323 B can be
established both by Parliament and state legislatures with respect to matters falling within their

legislative competence + Under Article 323 A, only one tribunal for the Centre and one for
each state or two or more states may be established. There is no question of the hierarchy of
tribunals, whereas under Article 323 B a hierarchy of tribunals may be created +
Administrative Tribunals was set-up by an act of Parliament, Administrative Tribunals Act,
1985. It owes its origin to Article 323 A of the Constitution.
Ø Mitakshara Law = It is one of the two major Hindu law schools (the other being Dayabhaga)
that governs the succession of property in Hindu families + It is based on the commentary on
the Yajnavalkya Smriti, written by Vijnaneswara in the 12th century + It recognizes the concept
of coparcenary, which means that ancestral property is jointly held by all male members of the
family, and they have equal rights in the property + Coparcener has no absolute right to transfer
his share because his share is not definite or ascertainable as their shares fluctuate with the
births and deaths of the coparceners + According to this school, a woman could never become
a coparcener + However, the Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, of 2005 empowered women
to become a coparcener like males in ancestral property + It is prevalent throughout India,
except in some eastern parts where Dayabhaga School is followed.
• Dayabhaga School of Thought = It is based mainly on the Yagnavalkya Smriti
commented by Jimutuvahana + Inheritance is based on the principle of spiritual benefit. It
arises by pinda offering, i.e., rice ball offering to deceased ancestors + Followed in Bengal
and some parts of Assam only + It has no sub-school.
Ø Sapinda Marriages = Delhi High Court upheld the constitutional validity of the prohibition
of marriage between ‘Sapindas’ under the Hindu Marriage Act (HMA), 1955 + The court also
said that if the choice of a partner in a marriage is left unregulated, an incestuous relationship
may gain legitimacy + Section 5(v) of the HMA, 1955 prohibits marriages between Sapindas,
unless custom or usage governing each of them permits a marriage between the two + Under
the HMA, 1955, Sapinda relationship with any person extends as far as: 3rd generation
(inclusive) in the line of ascent through the mother, and 5th generation (inclusive) in the line of
ascent through the father.
Ø Dual Citizenship = It grants an individual legal status as a citizen of two or more countries
simultaneously + Countries offering dual citizenship: United States, Finland, Albania, Israel,
and Pakistan, etc + The Indian Constitution prohibits dual citizenship for nationals +
Alternative to dual citizens in India: India offers the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI)
program to Persons of Indian Origin (PIO), excluding those who migrated to Pakistan and
Bangladesh.
Ø Legal basis of Remission = Supreme Court sets aside remission of 11 convicts in Bilkis
Bano’s case given by Gujarat government + SC held that Gujarat is not appropriate government
to decide on remission petition as the trial was conducted in Maharashtra. Thus, remission
orders were held to be invalid + Section 432 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) 1973 grants
government power to suspend or remit sentences. Section 433A mandates remission only after
14 years of imprisonment + Please Note: Constitution under Article 72 empowers President
and Under Article 161 empowers Governor's for power of remission [Read more in Polity].
Ø 16th Finance Commission = It was constituted with the approval of the President of India in
pursuance of Article 280(1) + The government appointed Arvind Panagariya (former vice-
chairman of NITI Aayog) as the chairman and members would be notified separately + The
Commission’s work involves redressing the vertical imbalances between the taxation powers
and expenditure responsibilities of the center and the States respectively and equalization of
all public services across the States + The 16th FC recommendations, upon acceptance by the
government, would cover the period of five years commencing April 1, 2026.
Ø Supreme Court Legal Services Committee (SCLSC) = Statutory body + Constituted under
section 3A of Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 by National Legal Service Authority +
Objective: Providing free legal services to poor, under-privileged and those marginalized in

society + Chief Justice of India in Patron-in-Chief of Committee + Members: Chairman (sitting

Judge of SC) and 9 members (nominated by the Chief Justice of India) + Recently, a Supreme
Court judge has been nominated as the Chairman of the SCLSC.
Ø Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) = It is the premier intelligence and enforcement
agency on anti-smuggling matters + It works under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and
Customs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India + Formed in 1957 + Headquarters in New
Delhi.
• Operation Black Gold = Operation Black Gold is about the seizure of an alloy containing
16.67 kg of gold and 39.73 kg of silver in Delhi + The alloy was worth over Rs 10 crore
and was seized by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).
Ø Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) = Corporate fraud investigating agency + 2015
+ operates under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs + Section 211 of the Companies Act, 2013,
accorded a statutory status to the SFIO + The core objective of the SFIO is to be an
investigative and law enforcement agency to detect and prosecute or recommend to prosecute
white-collar frauds or crimes + SFIO will usually take up the following types of cases sent by
the Central Government. SFIO can also take up cases on its own only when decided by the
Director of the SFIO, and also give the reasons for taking up the case in writing + Upon
assignment of a case to the SFIO, no other investigative agency can proceed with an
investigation for any offence under the Act + The headquarters of SFIO is in New Delhi, with
five regional offices in Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata.
Ø National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) = Statutory body constituted in 2018 under
Section 132 of the Companies Act, 2013 + Act mandates NFRA to monitor compliance with
Auditing Standards and to oversee the quality of service of the professions associated + NFRA
acts as a regulator oversees accounting standards and auditing profession in India + Companies
Act requires the NFRA to have a chairperson who will be appointed by the Central Government
and a maximum of 15 members + NFRA has the power to investigate, either suo moto or on a
reference made to it by the Central Government, into the matters of professional or other
misconduct committed by any member or firm of chartered accountants registered under the
Chartered Accountants Act, 1949. It has the same powers as are vested in a civil courtunder
the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, while trying a suit.
Ø Social Audit Advisory Body (SAAB) = SAAB is a first of its kind advisory body in India +
It is set up in the National Institute of Social Defence (NISD) + NISD function under the
Department of Social Justice & Empowerment (DoSJE), Ministry of Social Justice and
Empowerment + It will guide the Ministry in institutionalizing social audits for its various
schemes + It will promote capacity building of the members of Social Justice Cell of the Social
Audit Units + Recently, First meeting of the Social Audit Advisory Body (SAAB) held.
Ø Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) = Standards Development process in India is largely
government led with BIS acting as National Standard Body + Established under BIS Act 2016
+ Involved in harmonious development of activities of standardization, marking and quality
certification + Administered by Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
with its Minister being President of BIS.
Ø Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) = statutory body + under Ministry of
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises + It is charged with the planning, promotion,
organisation and implementation of programmes for the development of Khadi and other
village industries in the rural areas in coordination with other agencies engaged in rural
development wherever necessary.
Ø Centre for Industrial Revolution (C4IR) = Telangana signs agreement with World
Economic Forum for setting up Centre for Industrial Revolution (C4IR) in Hyderabad + The
term was coined by Klaus Schwab, founder of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in 2016 +
4IR means the digital transformation of the manufacturing industry by new technologies such

as artificial intelligence, additive manufacturing, augmented/virtual reality, and the Internet of

Things (IoT).
Ø India Innovation Centre for Graphene (IICG) = IICG is India’s first Graphene Centre +
IICG is a joint venture of the Digital University of Kerala, Centre for Materials for Electronics
Technology (C-MET) and Tata Steel Limited funded by MeitY + IICG aims to foster Research
and development, product innovation and capacity building in the area of Graphene and two-
dimensional materials (2DM) + It will also support the Graphene-Aurora program of the
MeitY.This programme aims to fill the gap between R&D and commercialization by providing
a complete facility to startup and industry.
• Graphene = Graphene is derived from graphite, the material found in pencil lead + 1
mm of graphite contains some 3 million layers of graphene + It is a one-atom-thick
layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice like a honeycomb + It is a two-
dimensional form (allotrope) of carbon + Graphene is prepared by heating either
Intercalated Graphite, Coal tar or Shellac or a mixture of these three in inert atmosphere
+ Strongest material: 200 times stronger than steel, yet six times lighter + High Thermal
Conductivity + High Electrical conductivity + Graphene has an exceptionally high
surface area due to its two-dimensional structure + Impermeable to gases + Almost
perfectly transparent since it only absorbs 2% of light. Even more transparent than glass
and plastic + Graphene is chemically stable and inert. It does not easily react with other
chemical + Graphene has been hailed as the Wonder Material of the 21st century.
Ø India Club = India plans to establish its own Protection and Indemnity (P&I) entity, named
the India Club, to provide insurance for ships operating along its coasts and waterways + The
initiative aims to reduce vulnerability to international pressures, particularly in conflicts like
the Russia-Ukraine situation + The India Club will initially focus on insuring ships involved
in domestic movements, led by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways + (Global P&I
Club: International Group of P&I Clubs + Headquartered in London + this group comprises
13 clubs covering about 90% of the world’s ocean-going vessels)
Ø Bharat Tex 2024 = It is a global textile mega-event organized by 11 Textile Export Promotion
Councils in collaboration with the Ministry of Textiles + It showcases India’s entire textile
value chain, emphasizing fashion, traditional crafts, and sustainability + Aligned with India’s
5F vision, it covers the journey from Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign,
representing the textile production process from raw resources to global markets.
Ø Prasadam = India’s first healthy and hygienic food street + was inaugurated by the Union
Minister for Health & Family Welfare + Prasadam aims to connect citizens across the country
with pure and safe local and traditional food, promoting healthy eating habits.
6) ECONOMICS
Ø Direct Tax to GDP Ratio = Direct Tax to GDP ratio reached a 15-year high at 6.11% of GDP
in FY23 + As per Central Board of Direct Taxes data, Direct Tax to GDP ratio rose to 15-year
high in FY23 + Direct Tax to GDP ratio gives an estimate of a country’s ability to mobilise
resources to fuel its development + Tax Buoyancy, however, declined from 2.52 to 1.18
compared to the previous year. Tax buoyancy indicates the measure of efficiency or
responsiveness in tax collection in response to the growth in GDP. Tax revenues are considered
as buoyant when they increase more than proportionately in response to the increase in GDP
even when the rates of taxes remain unchanged.
Ø Reverse Flipping = It is a term used to describe the trend of overseas start-ups shifting their
domicile to India and listing on Indian stock exchanges + Many Startups are reverse flipping
i.e. moving their overseas holding entities to India + The Economic Survey 2022-23 recognized
the concept of reverse flipping and proposed ways to accelerate the process, such as
simplifying corporate laws and capital movements, simplification of taxation, etc.

Ø Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs) = Reserve Bank of India (RBI) releases
2023 list of Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs) + D-SIBs are systemically
important due to their size, cross-jurisdictional activities, complexity and lack of substitute and
interconnection + It also means that the bank is too big to fail + It is based on the D-SIBs
Framework of RBI which was released in 2014. This Framework is based on Basel Committee
on Banking Supervision’s (BCBS’s) framework for dealing with D-SIBs + Banks are placed
in 5 buckets. As per latest list, India’s D-SIB’s are State Bank of India (bucket 4) and HDFC
Bank (bucket 2), ICICI Bank (bucket 1) + Bucket 1 banks have to maintain lowest CET1 i.e.
0.20% and Bucket 5 have to maintain highest CET i.e. 1% + Please Note: In case a foreign
bank having branch presence in India is a Global Systemically Important Bank (G-SIB), it has
to maintain additional CET1 capital surcharge. o Financial Stability Board (FSB) releases the
list of G-SIBs.
Ø Non- Performing Assets (NPA) = A NPA refers to a classification for loans or advances of a
bank that are in default or arrears + A loan is in arrears when principal or interest payments are
late or missed and becomes an NPA when the interest and/ or instalment of principal remain
overdue for more than 90 days + GNPAs are the sum of all loan assets that are classified as
NPAs + RBI’s annual Trend and Progress of Banking in India report for the financial year
2022-23, showed that the gross non-performing assets (GNPA) ratio fell to 3.9 per cent in
2022-23.
Ø Momentum Investing = It refers to a style of investing wherein investors purchase assets such
as stocks or bonds that are consistently rising in price, while selling assets whose prices are
falling + Momentum investor hope that the upward price momentum of these assets would
continue, thus allowing them to sell these assets at higher prices in the future to make profits
+ The buy high, sell higher philosophy of momentum investing is in stark contrast to the
traditional approach of buy low, sell high.
Ø Stock Market = India overtakes Hong Kong to become the world’s 4th largest stock market +
Top three stock markets are the US, China, and Japan + Stock market is where investors, both
individual and institutional, trade a wide range of securities such as stocks, bonds, Exchange
Traded Funds (ETFs), derivatives, etc + Two types of stock market: Primary Market: New
shares, bonds, etc., are offered for the first time and Secondary Market: Existing securities
(equities, bonds, etc.) are traded. e.g., Stock exchanges like Bombay Stock Exchange.
Ø Exploration License (EL) Regime = EL means a licence granted for undertaking
reconnaissance operations or prospecting operations or both + It was introduced through
MMDR Amendment Act, 2023 + Issued in respect of 29 minerals specified in Seventh
Schedule of MMRD Act including Cobalt, Lithium, Nickel, Gold, etc + Granted by: State
governments through competitive bidding + Tenure: 5 years from date of execution of EL +
Central government through rules can prescribe the details such as manner of auction, bidding
parameters, etc.
Ø K-Shaped Recovery = A K-shaped recovery is when one sector of the economy rebounds
from a recession, and another sector of the economy continues to decline during a recession +
A K-shaped recovery is possible due to the creative destruction of old industries due to the
development of new industries and technologies during the recession + Many experts have
suggested that post the COVID-19 pandemic, India is experiencing a 'K-shaped' recovery,
where the rich thrive while the less privileged face challenges + A recent SBI Research report
reveals decline in individual income inequality in the country in past 8 years. In terms of Gini
coefficient, income inequality of taxable income group has declined from 0.472 to 0.402. These
findings dispel the notion of 'K '-shaped growth or recovery.
• Gini Coefficient = Gini coefficient is a statistical measure of income or wealth inequality,
ranging from 0 (perfect equality) to 1 (perfect inequality) + Theoretically, values over 1

are possible due to negative income or wealth + Gini coefficient larger than 0.40 is
considered high.
Ø Direct Listing of Public Indian Companies = Centre allowed direct listing of public Indian
companies on international exchanges of GIFT International Financial Services Centre (GIFT-
IFSC) + This was enabled by: Companies (Listing of Equity Shares in Permissible
Jurisdictions) Rules, 2024 and Amendment to Foreign Exchange Management (Non-debt
Instruments) Rules, 2019 + Direct Listing Scheme of FEMA rules 2019 provides framework
for issuing and listing of equity shares of public Indian companies on international exchanges.
Prior to this, Indian companies were not allowed to issue or list equity shares abroad +
Expected benefits: Give Indian companies access to cheaper foreign capital, boost foreign
investment, etc.
Ø G-Securities (G-Secs) = tradable instrument issued by the Central Government or the State
Governments + short term (Called treasury bills + Maturities of less than one year + presently
issued in three tenors, namely, 91-day, 182 day and 364 day + There are also Cash Management
Bills (CMBs) which have a maturity of less than 90 days) + long term (Called Government
bonds or dated securities + Maturity of one year or more) + Central Government issues both
treasury bills and bonds while the State Governments issue only bonds (NOT Treasury Bills),
which are called the State Development Loans (SDLs) + G-Secs carry practically no risk of
default and, hence, are called risk-free gilt-edged instruments + Major players in the G-Secs
market include commercial banks Primary Dealers, insurance companies, co-operative banks,
regional rural banks, mutual funds, provident and pension funds + Retail investors including
individuals are allowed participation on “non-competitive” basis in select auctions of dated
Government of India (GoI) securities and Treasury Bills + G-Secs are issued through auctions
conducted by RBI. Auctions are conducted on the electronic platform called the E-Kuber, the
Core Banking Solution (CBS) platform of RBI.
• G-sec Acquisition Programme (G-SAP): Under it, RBI conducts open market operations
to purchase G-Secs from the market + It helps the central bank in controlling excessive
volatility faced by market participants in G-Secs market.
• RBI Retail Direct Scheme: Under this, retail investors will have the facility to open and
maintain ‘Retail Direct Gilt Account’ (RDG Account) with RBI to access its G-Sec
platform.
Ø SBI Green Rupee Term Deposit (SGRTD) Scheme = It is an initiative of the State Bank of
India (SBI)with the aim of raising money to finance environment-friendly projects + The
deposit scheme is open to resident individuals, non-individuals, and non-resident Indian (NRI)
customers + The current framework permits green deposits to be denominated in rupees only
+ Premature withdrawals are allowed under the scheme. Loan/ overdraft facility will be
available against the deposit.
Ø Unified Payments Interface (UPI) = UPI powers multiple bank accounts into a single mobile
application (of any participating bank), merging several banking features e.g., transfer of funds,
etc + It was developed by NPCI in 2016 and built over Immediate Payment Service (IMPS)
infrastructure + It is the most successful real-time payment system globally, providing
simplicity, safety, and security in person-to-person (P2P) and personto-merchant (P2M)
transactions in India + New Features of UPI:
• Credit Line on UPI: It enables pre-sanctioned credit lines from banks via UPI + Earlier,
only the deposited amount could be transacted through the UPI System.
• UPI Lite X: Users can both send and receive money offline through any compatible device
that supports Near Field Communication (NFC).
• UPI Tap & Pay: It allows NFC-enabled QR codes at merchants to complete payments,
with a single tap without entering the PIN.

• Hello! UPI: Users can simply give voice commands to transfer funds and input a UPI PIN
to complete the transaction.
• BillPay Connect: Customers can fetch and pay their bills by sending a simple ‘Hi’ message
or by giving a missed call.
Ø Aadhaar-based Payment System (ABPS) = AePS is a bank-led model that allows online
interoperable financial transactions at Point of Sale (PoS) or micro-ATMs through the Business
Correspondent (BC) of any bank using the Aadhaar authentication + It was taken up by the
National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) - a joint initiative of Reserve Bank of India
(RBI) and Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) + The AePS is meant to provide easy and secure
access to banking services for the poor and marginalized sections of society, especially in rural
and remote areas + It eliminates the need for OTPs, bank account details, and other financial
information + Transactions can be carried out with only the bank name, Aadhaar number, and
captured fingerprint during Aadhaar enrollment.
Ø Global Hydrogen Trading Mechanism (GHTM) = Indian Gas Exchange or IGX (India's
only gas exchange) and Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC) signed a MoU to
establish a GHTM in collaboration with IFSC-GIFT City in Gandhinagar (Gujarat) + They
will develop a global hydrogen price index, a benchmark for price discovery and market
information on India's growing green hydrogen market.
Ø Lentil Production = In India, it’s mostly consumed as ‘Dal’ by removal of outer skin and
separation of cotyledons. It is a valuable human food, mostly consumed as dry seeds + Lentil
is also called as Masur and Malka + Lentil requires cold climate. It is very hardy and can
tolerate frost and severe winter to a great extent + Well drained, loam soils with neutral reaction
are best for lentil cultivation. Acidic soils are not fit for growing lentil + The Lentil growing
states in India are Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Chattisgarh, Haryana, Punjab,
Maharashtra, Rajasthan, etc + According to Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the
world top lentil growers in 2022 were Canada, India, Australia, Turkey and Russia + Despite
being the second largest producer of lentil, India has so far been importing mainly from
Australia, Canada, Russia, Singapore, and Turkey + India is set to become the world’s largest
producer of lentil (masoor) during the 2023-24 crop years on account of higher acreage.
Ø Petroleum Basin in India = There are 26 sedimentary basins in India + 49% of total area is
located on land, 12% in shallow water (up to 400 meter water depth) and 39% in the deepwater
area (farther up to Exclusive Economic Zone or EEZ) + ONGC is India’s largest oil and gas
producer contributing 72% of the country’s hydrocarbon production + India is 3rd largest
energy and oil consumer in the world.
Ø Urea Gold = Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved launch of Urea Gold
+ Urea gold is a Sulphur-Coated Urea (SCU) + It is a non-organic slow-release fertilizer and
is generally prepared by coating preheated urea granules with molten sulphur + Sulphur coating
ensures a more gradual release of nitrogen. It prolongs the urea action, thus helping plants to
stay greener for longer time + As per Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) study,
use of SCU leads to reduction in urea consumption by 25%.
Ø Tobacco & India = India is world's second biggest tobacco producer after China + Major
tobacco producing states: Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, West Bengal,
Telangana, and Bihar + Tobacco is a drought-tolerant, hardy and short duration crop which
can be grown on soils where other crops cannot be cultivated profitably.
Ø Atal Setu Nhava Sheva Sea Link = Country’s longest Sea bridge + also referred to as Mumbai
Trans Harbour Link + It is a 21.8 Kms long bridge of which 16.5 km is built completely over
the Sea + It connects Sewri in Mumbai with Nhava Sheva in Raigad district, thereby easing
travel between Mumbai-Navi Mumbai.

7) DEFENCE
Ø Ugram = ‘Ugram’ is a state-of-the-art indigenous assault rifle + It has been developed by the
Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), a unit of DRDO, in
collaboration with a private industry partner + It was developed in less than 100 days + It has
been developed as per the General Staff Qualitative Requirements (GSQR) of the army into
consideration.
Ø BrahMos = Supersonic Cruise Missile + It is a two-stage missile with solid propellant booster
as first stage and liquid ramjet as the second stage + It is named as combination of names of
Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers + They are designed and developed by BrahMos Aerospace,
a joint venture company of DRDO and Mashinostroyenia of Russia + The range of the missile
was originally capped at 290 km as per obligations of the Missile Technology Control Regime
(MTCR). Following India’s entry into the club in 2016, the range has been extended to 450
km (and to 600 km at a later stage) + Submarine launched version has capability of being
launched from around 50 meters below the water surface + BrahMos equipped Sukhoi-30s
have a range of 1,500 kms at a stretch without mid-air refuelling + Earlier, Philippines has
signed a deal with BrahMos Aerospace Private Ltd. for the supply of a shore-based anti-ship
variant of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile. This is the first export order for the missile,
a joint product of India and Russia + Recently, India is all set to begin the export of ground
systems for the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines. The venture, valued at
USD 375 million, marks DRDO's largest-ever defence contract with a foreign nation.
Ø Akash-NG = DRDO + Surface to Air Missile capable of intercepting high-speed, agile aerial
threats + It has range of around 80 km + Its active electronically scanned array (AESA)
multifunction radar features all three functions - search, track and fire control in one platform
+ Akash Weapon System is Short Range Surface to Air Missile (SRSAM) Air Defence System,
indigenously designed and developed by DRDO.
Ø Taurus Missile = Taurus KEPD 350, known as the 'bunker buster', is a Swedish-German +
long-range air-to-surface cruise missile.
Ø Pinaka Weapon System = Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher + DRDO + designed by the
Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), a laboratory of the DRDO + It
was first used during the Kargil War, where it successfully neutralised Pakistan Army positions
on the mountain tops.
Ø Drishti 10 ‘Starliner’ = Indigenously manufactured Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) + It
was developed by Adani Defence and Aerospace + It is an advanced intelligence, surveillance,
and reconnaissance (ISR) platform with 36 hours endurance and a 450 kg payload capacity +
It is an advanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platform with 36 hours
endurance and a 450 kg payload capacity.
Ø Armado = India’s first Armoured Light Specialist Vehicle (ALSV) + It is a fully indigenous
vehicle designed and built by the Mahindra Defence Systems (MDS) for the Indian armed
forces.
Ø INS Kabra = Indigenous fast attack craft, docked at the Colombo port + It is a naval vessel
named after an island of the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago + It belongs to the Car Nicobar
class of high-speed offshore patrol vessels built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers
(GRSE) for the Indian Navy.
Ø INS Chennai = It is the Indian Navy’s indigenously designed and constructed guided missile
destroyer + It is the third and last ship of the Kolkata-class stealth-guided missile destroyers
(Project 15A) + It was constructed by the Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) at Mumbai + It was
commissioned into the Indian Navy in 2016.
Ø INS Imphal = It is the third of four indigenous Visakhapatnam class stealth-guided missile
destroyers under project 15B + It is designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau
and constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai + The other two

destroyers of this Project are INS Visakhapatnam and INS Mormugao + Project 15B is the
latest in the lineage of Project 15A (Kolkata class) and Project 15 (Delhi class) indigenous
destroyers with upgraded capabilities and greater indigenous content.
Ø MARCOS = MARCOS, formally the Marine Commando Force (MCF), is the Indian Navy’s
elite special forces unit formed in 1987 + It is modelled on the US Navy SEALS + its Motto:
‘The few, The fearless’ + MARCOS operates by sea, air, and land, collaborating with the
Indian Army, especially in Kashmir + Notable operations include Cactus, Leech, Pawan, and
Cyclone, with a significant role in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
Ø Exercise -Sada Tanseeq = India-Saudi Arabia Joint Military Exercise + 1st such exercise +
commenced at Mahajan, Rajasthan.
Ø Exercise Desert Cyclone = Joint Military Exercise between India and UAE held in Rajasthan
+ It is the inaugural edition.
Ø Exercise Cyclone = India-Egypt Joint Special Forces Exercise + It is the 2nd edition of the
Exercise Cyclone which will be conducted at Anshas, Egypt + 1st edition held in India.
Ø Exercise Khanjar = It is the 11th edition of India-Kyrgyzstan Joint Special Forces Exercise +
It was 1st initiated in 2011.
Ø Exercise Ayutthaya = India-Thailand Bilateral Exercise + 1st such exercise + conducted
between the navies.
Ø Exercise Sea Dragon-24 = It is an elite multinational maritime exercise + Participating
countries: India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and the US + Recently held at Guam, a US
island territory in Western Pacific + The exercise seeks to improve skills in a variety of
maritime combat domains through a number of aerial and ground-based tasks
Ø Exercise Desert Knight = Indian Air Force conducted Exercise Desert Knight along with
French Air and Space Force and UAE Air Force.
Ø MILAN 24 Exercise = It is a biennial multi-national naval exercise + It was first conceived
by Indian Navy in 1995 at Andaman and Nicobar Command with participation of four
countries (Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand).
Ø Operation Amrith (AMRITH – Antimicrobial Resistance Intervention For Total Health) =
The Kerala Drug Control Department has initiated Operation Amrith (Antimicrobial
Resistance Intervention For Total Health) to curb the overuse of antibiotics in the state.
Ø Operation Sarvashakti = The Army initiates Operation Sarvashakti in Jammu and Kashmir's
Rajouri-Poonch sector, targeting terrorists amid repeated attacks on troops + Indian Army
plans “Operation Sarvashakti” on the lines of “Operation Sarpvinash” launched in 2003 + It is
to target resurgence of militants on both sides of Pir Panjal in Jammu and Kashmir.
• Pir Panjal Range = Pir Panjal delineates Kashmir and Jammu, influencing landscapes and
cultural nuances + Deo Tibba (6,001m) and Indrasan (6,221m) are highest peaks of the
range + Banihal Pass and Peer Ki Gali connect Kashmir and Jammu, enhancing regional
connectivity + It spans between Jhelum to Chenab, encompassing Rajouri, Budhal, and
Poonch on the Indian side.
8) HEALTH
Ø Disease X = It is referred to as a hypothetical pathogen or threat that can cause a major
pandemic in future + It could be a new agent, a virus, a bacterium, or a fungus without any
known treatment + The term coined by scientists and the World Health Organization + Disease
X was included in the WHO’s updated Blueprint list of diseases back in 2018 + Scientists are
of the opinion that Disease X could be 20 times more deadly than SARS-Covid virus that
caused pandemic recently + It represents an illness which is currently unknown but could pose
a serious microbial threat to humans in the future.
Ø Aspergillus Fumigatus = It is a species of fungus that causes diseases in humans + It can be
found throughout the environment, including in soil, plant matter, and household dust + The

fungus can also produce airborne spores called conidia. Most people can inhale many of these
spores on a daily basis + In a healthy individual, the immune system often clears them from
the body without a problem. However, for some people, inhaling A. fumigatus, spores can lead
to a potentially severe infection.
Ø Western Equine Encephalitis Virus = It is a mosquito-borne infection caused by the Western
Equine Encephalitis Virus (WEEV), which belongs to the Togaviridae family of viruses + It is
a recombinant of the eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) and a Sindbis-like virus +
Passerine birds are thought to be the reservoir and equine species as intermediate hosts + The
primary mode of transmission of the infection to humans is through mosquitoes which act as
vectors for the virus + Recent Outbreak of this virus was observed in Argentina.
Ø Leprosy (Hansen’s disease) = It is a chronic infectious disease which is caused by a type of
bacteria called Mycobacterium leprae + Affects: Skin, peripheral nerves, mucosa of upper
respiratory tract, and eyes + Transmission mode: Droplets, from the nose and mouth, due to
close contact with untreated cases + Treatment: Curable with multidrug therapy + For Leprosy,
Multi-drug therapy (MDT), as recommended by WHO, consists of three drugs - dapsone,
rifampicin and clofazimine + Recently, Ministry has decided to introduce a three-drug regimen
for Pauci-Bacillary (PB) cases of leprosy in place of a two-drug regimen for six months.
Ø Bubble Baby Syndrome = BBS, also known medically as Severe Combined
Immunodeficiency (SCID), is a rare genetic disorder affecting the immune system + A baby
with SCID completely lacks a functional immune system and is extremely vulnerable to severe
and life-threatening infections + Babies born with SCID lack white blood cells, including
lymphocytes (T-cells and B-cells), which fight infections + Most common treatment is a stem
cell transplant (bone marrow transplant).
Ø Phytocannabinoids = Cannabinoids are a class of compounds found in the cannabis plant.
The prefix ‘phyto’ in phytocannabinoid means it comes from a plant + Cannabinoids bind to
receptors in the bodies of animals to produce a variety of neurological effects + The researchers
extracted cannabidiol from a cannabis plant and made it react with hydrogen, using palladium
as a catalyst. This process yielded a mixture of molecules with the same composition and order
of atoms but different structures. One of them was THCBD + Recently, Jammu CSIR lab finds
cannabis plant, tetrahydrocannabidiol (THCBD) which is phytocannabinoids compound has
antibiotic effects.
Ø Mitochondrial coxiella effector F (MceF) = Researchers recently discovered a previously
unidentified protein named mitochondrial coxiella effector F (MceF) with antioxidant
properties produced by Coxiella burnetii, a Gram-negative intracellular bacterium + It is a
bacterial protein capable of keeping human cells healthy + It is produced by Coxiella burnetii,
a Gram-negative intracellular bacterium.
Ø Camptothecin = Anti-cancer drug + Camptothecin (CPT) is an important anti-cancer drug
lead molecule for high-value drugs like Topotecan and Irinotecan + It is majorly produced in
the Southeast Asian region, with the plant being largely found only in China and India +
Recently, Researchers at the Indian Institutes of Technology Madras and Mandi have
metabolically engineered Nothapodytes nimmoniana plant cells to increase production of anti-
cancer drug camptothecin (CPT).
Ø Zosurabalpin = Researchers have identified a new class of antibiotics, specifically
zosurabalpin, with the potential to combat drug-resistant bacterium Acinetobacter baumannii
+ This antibiotic was found to be effective against CRAB (carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter
baumannii)-induced pneumonia and sepsis in mouse models + Zosurabalpin, a drug candidate,
was developed through the optimization of a tethered macrocyclic peptide (MCP) that
selectively kills A. baumannii + The antibiotic’s unique mode of action involves inhibiting the
transport of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an essential process for creating the outer-membrane

structure of Gram-negative bacteria + Zosurabalpin blocks LPS transport, leading to the

abnormal build-up of LPS in the cell and the subsequent death of the bacterium.
Ø Hydroxychloroquine = Hydroxychloroquine is in a class of drugs called antimalarials and is
also an antirheumatic drug + It works by killing the organisms that cause malaria.
Hydroxychloroquine may work to treat rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus
by decreasing the activity of the immune system + A new study published in the journal
Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy links hydroxychloroquine, an antimalarial drug, to an
increased mortality rate of up to 11%, suggesting a possible link to 17,000 deaths.
Ø Havisure Vaccine = Recently, the Indian Immunologicals Ltd (IIL) a wholly owned subsidiary
of National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) launched India’s first indigenously developed
Hepatitis A vaccine ‘Havisure’ in Hyderabad + It is a two-dose vaccine — first dose
administered at above 12 months of age and the second at least six months after the first dose
+ The vaccine is recommended for children as part of the routine immunisation as well as for
individuals at risk of exposure or travel to the regions with high hepatitis A prevalence.
• Hepatitis = Viruses known as "hepatotropic" (liver directed) viruses, such as A, B, C, D,
and E, are usually to blame for the hepatitis virus. Other viruses, such as the varicella virus
that causes chicken pox, may also be responsible for affecting the liver. The virus that
causes Covid-19, SARS-CoV-2, may also harm the liver. Other causes include drug and
alcohol abuse, fatty liver hepatitis, and an autoimmune condition in which the body
produces antibodies that attack the liver (autoimmune hepatitis) + Hepatitis A and E are
selflimiting (i.e., they go away on their own) and do not require antiviral treatment +
Hepatitis A and B vaccines are available, but Hepatitis C and D vaccines are not + For
Hepatitis E, a promising vaccine is in the works + Effective medications for Hepatitis B
and C are available + Antiviral medications can be used to treat chronic hepatitis B
infection + Treatment can slow cirrhosis progression, lower the risk of liver cancer, and
improve long-term survival.
• National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) = NDDB is an institute of national
importance established by an act of the Indian Parliament in 1965. It is hence a statutory
body + It was founded by Dr Verghese Kurien, often called ‘India’s milkman’ +
Headquartered in Anand, Gujarat + It is under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry
+ Its operations and programs are focused on bolstering farmer-owned institutions, as well
as supporting national policies that encourage the expansion of such organisations + Its
most notable achievement is Operation Flood, which lasted 26 years and transformed India
into the world's greatest milk producer. The White Revolution is another name for this.
Ø National Essential Diagnostics List (NEDL) = ICMR starts revising current National
Essential Diagnostics List for first time + The list contains the minimum diagnostic tests that
should be available at healthcare facilities + first such list was released in 2019 + India is the
first country to release the NEDL + The list includes general laboratory tests for a broad range
of common conditions for the diagnosis of communicable and non-communicable diseases,
disease-specific tests for HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis, dengue, malaria, and area-endemic
diseases + Since 2018, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends the development
and implementation of a National Essential Diagnostics List (NEDL) to facilitate the
availability of In-Vitro Diagnostics (IVDs) across the various tiers of the healthcare pyramid,
facilities with or without a laboratory onsite.
Ø Bio-Imaging Bank = Mumbai’s Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH), has established a ‘Bio-
Imaging Bank’ for cancer + Through it, the hospital is utilizing deep learning and artificial
intelligence (AI) to craft a cancer specific tailored algorithm that aids in early-stage cancer
detection + BIB aims at creating a robust repository encompassing radiology and pathology
images. It will be linked with clinical information, treatment specifics date etc.

Ø Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) = WHO has established detailed guidelines for GMP
+ GMP ensures that products are consistently produced and controlled according to set quality
standards + In India, GMP system was first incorporated in 1988 in Schedule M of Drugs and
Cosmetics Rules, 1945, and were revised in 2018, bringing them on par with WHO standards.
Ø Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) = Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a diverse
group of tropical infections which are common in low-income populations in developing
regions of Africa, Asia, and the Americas. They are caused by a variety of pathogens such as
viruses, bacteria, protozoa and parasitic worms (helminths) + India experiences the world’s
largest absolute burden of at least 11 major NTD (2018), though India has already eliminated
several NTDs, including guinea worm, trachoma, and yaws + World Neglected Tropical
Diseases Day is observed every year on January 30 by WHO + Some major initiatives to deal
with NTDs are:
• WHO’s first road map for the prevention and control of NTDs was published in 2012.
• END7: an international public awareness campaign with a mission to see the end of tropical
diseases (NTDs) by 2020.
Ø International Classification of Diseases (ICD) = It is developed by the World Health
Organization (WHO) to classify diseases internationally + ICD is international standard for
reporting diseases and health conditions + ICD is maintained by WHO + Latest CD-11 is
eleventh revision of ICD containing necessary terminological and ontological elements for
seamless use in digital health + Traditional medicine (TM) which were earlier not part of ICD
have found a place in the 11th Revision i.e ICD-11 + Gaming disorder is defined in the 11th
Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) as a pattern of gaming
behavior (“digital-gaming” or “video-gaming”) characterized by impaired control over gaming
+ Central Bureau of Health Intelligence (CBHI) is an agency under the Ministry of Health and
Family Welfare that serves as the WHO Collaboration Centre for ICD-related activities +
Recently, WHO’s International Classification of Diseases 11 (ICD11) now introduced Module
2 (ICD 11 TM 2). Module 2 of the supplementary chapter on traditional medicine conditions
under ICD 11 is dedicated to Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani (ASU) data and terminology. It
encompasses more than 500 codes. Infectious diseases like Malaria and lifestyle diseases like
chronic insomnia are also included.
9) INDICES & REPORTS

Ø Henley Passport Index 2024 = HPI was released by Henley & Partners, a global leader in
residence and citizenship planning + HPI ranks different passports according to number of
destinations their holders can visit without a prior visa + It covers 227 destinations and 199
passports + Rankings are based on data provided by International Air Transport Association +
India stands at 80th rank in list of most powerful passports. Its passport has visa-free access to
62 nations + France, Germany, Italy and Spain, Japan and Singapore are sharing number one
spot.
Ø Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 2023 = It is an annual index released by Transparency
International, a global civil society organisation + Since its inception in 1995, the Corruption
Perceptions Index has become the leading global indicator of public sector corruption + The
CPI ranks 180 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption on
a scale of zero (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean) + The scores reflect the views of experts
and business people, not the public + Denmark topped the index for the sixth consecutive year.
Somalia was ranked last + India has tied with Maldives, Kazakhstan, and Lesotho to rank at
93 out of 180 countries. In 2022, India was ranked at 85.
Ø Global Economic Prospects Report 2024 = Released by the World Bank Group + Global
trade growth in 2024 is expected to be half the pre-pandemic average + Global growth is
projected to slow from 2.6% in 2023 to 2.4% in 2024 + Developing countries need to increase

investments, about $2.4 trillion per year, to tackle climate change and achieve global
development goals by 2030.
Ø World Employment and Social Outlook Trends 2024 = Released by the International
Labour Organisation (ILO) + Despite a slowdown, global growth in 2023 was modestly higher
than anticipated. The macroeconomic environment deteriorated significantly in 2023 + Real
wages declined in the majority of G20 countries due to inflation.
Ø Digital Trade for Development Report = Joint publication by IMF, World Bank, WTO,
OECD, and UNCTAD + The value of digitally delivered services increased nearly four times
since 2005, growing at an average annual rate of 8.1% from 2005 to 2022 + Developing
economies require increased international financial and technical support for digital trade-
related areas.
Ø Global Cooperation Barometer 2024 Report = Released by World Economic Forum (WEF)
in collaboration with McKinsey & Company + It is a tool for leaders to better understand the
contours of cooperation broadly along five dimensions using 42 indicators of global
connection.
Ø Trade Policy Tools for Climate Action Report = released by World Trade Organization
(WTO) + It covers ten trade policy areas that governments could consider as part of their
strategies to promote sustainability and support UNFCCC-COP28’s climate mitigation efforts.
Ø Global Risk Report 2024 = Report is based on Global Risks Perception Survey and annually
released by World Economic Forum(WEF) + India’s top five risks: Misinformation and
Disinformation (MI); Infectious diseases; Illicit economic activity; Inequality (wealth and
income); and Labour shortage.
Ø Future of Growth Report 2024 = Published by the World Economic Forum (WEF) + Report
introduces a multidimensional framework to assess the quality of economic growth across 107
countries globally + It characterizes nations’ economic growth across four dimensions:
Innovativeness; Inclusiveness; Sustainability; and Resilience. Framework produces an
aggregate result for each pillar on a 0-100 scale, where 100 is an ideal and country is perfect
in every pillars.
Ø All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2021-2022 = published by the Ministry of
Education since 2011 + Aim: To portray the status of higher education in the country + The
survey covers all the institutions in the country engaged in imparting higher education + In
2021-22, the overall gross enrolment ratio (GER) in higher education for the age group 18-23
years increased to 28.4%, from 27.3%in 2020- 21 and 23.7% in 2014- 15, the base year +
Female GER increased to 28.5% (2.07 crore) in 2021-22 from 27.9 (2.01 crore) in 2020-21
and 22.9 percent in 2014-15.
Ø States’ Startup Ranking for 2022 = released by the Department for Promotion of Industry
and Internal Trade (DPIIT) + Karnataka, Gujarat, and Kerala have been recognized as the best-
performing states in developing start-up ecosystems, according to the start-up rankings for
2022 + The States’ Start-up Ranking is a yearly capacity-building exercise created and released
by DPIIT that evaluates all of India’s states and Union Territories on their efforts to build an
ecosystem conducive to start-up growth + States’ Start-up Ranking was launched in 2018 to
achieve the vision of building a robust startup ecosystem in the country.
Ø Indian Landslide Susceptibility Map (ILSM) = IIT Delhi created the first hi-resolution
Indian Landslide Susceptibility Map (ILSM) + A landslide susceptibility map divides the
terrain into zones based on the likelihood of landslide occurrence + The map model
incorporates 16 landslide conditioning factors such as height, slope, soil composition, road
distance, river proximity, vegetation cover, precipitation, etc + Map has a spatial resolution of
100 metres with over 95% accuracy + Sikkim has the highest percentage of land area (57.6 %)
susceptible to landslides + Arunachal Pradesh has the highest absolute area susceptible to

landslides + Kerala, among the non-Himalayan regions, exhibits the highest area susceptible
to landslides.
Ø Green Cover Index = The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has signed a three-
year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Remote Sensing Centre
(NRSC), a part of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) + The collaboration aims
to develop and report a “Green Cover Index” for India’s extensive National Highways network
+ The Green Highways Policy, initiated in 2015, prioritizes greening highway corridors, and
currently, monitoring relies on field visits + This innovative approach promises a reliable, time-
saving, and cost-effective solution, allowing for a macro-level assessment of greenness along
highways.
10) ART & CULTURE

Ø Shankaracharyas = Shankaracharya, literally ‘teacher of the way of Shankara’, is a religious
title used by the heads of the four Hindu maths (monasteries) that were established by the
eighth-century Hindu saint Adi Shankara + Adi Shankara established these maths to impart
knowledge + These maths consist of religious shrines, temples, libraries, and residences +
These maths are located in Dwarka (Gujarat), Joshimath (Uttarakhand), Puri (Odisha), and
Sringeri (Karnataka) + The Shankaracharyas also oversee the Dashanami Sampradaya, an
order of renunciates.
• Adi Shankaracharya = ancient Indian philosopher and theologian who lived in the early
8th century CE + He was born in Kalady, a village in present-day Kerala + Revered as an
avatar of Lord Shiva, it is believed that he mastered the Vedas when he was just 16 + He
is best known for his role in the development and propagation of Advaita Vedanta, a non-
dualistic school of Hindu philosophy. The fundamental philosophy of Advaita Vedanta lies
in the unity of atma (soul), or individual consciousness, and brahma or the ultimate reality.
According to this philosophy of non-duality, God and humans are not two and the material
world is an "illusion".
Ø Saint Thiruvalluvar = He was a celebrated Tamil poet and philosopher + Best known as the
author of the Tirukkural, a collection of couplets on ethics, political and economical matters,
and love + Vallalar could not bear the agony of people suffering from hunger. So he established
SATHYA DHARMA SALAI in 1867 at Vadalur (Tamil Nadu) to eradicate hunger.
Ø Guru Gobind Singh = He was the 10th and last human Guru of the Sikhs + Born as Gobind
Rai on December 22, 1666, in Patna, Bihar, Guru Gobind Singh was the son of the ninth Guru
of Sikhism, Guru Teg Bahadur + He became the Sikh guru at the age of nine, following the
demise of his father, Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru + He was assassinated in 1708
+ He introduced the turban to cover hair for sikhs + He also founded the principles of Khalsa
or the Five ‘K’s. The Five K’s are kesh (uncut hair), kanga (wooden comb), kara (iron or steel
bracelet), kirpan (dagger) and kachera (short breeches) + He also laid down many other rules
for the Khalsa warriors to follow like abstaining from tobacco, alcohol, halal meat, etc. The
Khalsa warrior was also duty-bound to protect innocent people from persecution + His literary
contributions include the Jaap Sahib, Benti Chaupai, Amrit Savaiye, etc + He also wrote the
Zafarnama which was a letter to the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb + He named Guru Granth
Sahib, the religious text of the Khalsas and the Sikhs, as the next Guru of the two communities
+ He fought against the Mughals in the battle of Muktsar in 1705. In the Battle of Anandpur
(1704), the Guru lost his mother and two minor sons who were executed. His eldest son also
died in battle.
Ø Savitribai Phule = Born in Maharashtra in 1831 + She was an active participant in the
women's liberation movement + become the first female teacher in India + Savitribai Phule
and her husband, Jyotirao Phule (one of the most famous social reformers in Maharashtra),
opened India's first school for women in Pune in 1848 + Savitribai Phule wrote two books,

Kavya Phule in 1854 and Bavan Kashi Subodh Ratnakar in 1892, which are collections of her
poems.
Ø Kalaram Temple = Kalaram Temple is a Hindu temple in Nashik city’s Panchavati area in
Maharashtra + on the banks of Godavari river + The original temple dedicated to an unknown
deity was ancient, estimated to be of the Rashtrakuta Period from the 7th –11th centuries.
During the early Turkish invasions, the idol of the deity was thrown in the Godavari River by
the Temple Brahmins to save it. The New temple was built in 1792 with the efforts of one
Sardar Rangarao Odhekar + In 1930, B R Ambedkar and the Marathi teacher and social activist
Pandurang Sadashiv Sane, known as Sane Guruji, led an agitation to demand access to Hindu
temples for Dalits. It is also known as Kalaram Mandir Satyagraha.
Ø Jagannath Temple = Puri, Odisha + Vaishnavite temple dedicated to Jagannath, a form of Sri
Krishna + The temple is believed to be constructed in the 12th century by King Anatavarman
Chodaganga Deva of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty + Temple is called ‘Yamanika Tirtha’ where,
according to the Hindu beliefs, the power of ‘Yama’, the god of death has been nullified in
Puri due to the presence of Lord Jagannath + This temple was called the “White Pagoda” and
is a part of Char Dham pilgrimages (Badrinath, Dwaraka, Puri, Rameswaram) + The Puri
temple is famous for its annual Ratha Yatra, or chariot festival, in which the three principal
deities are pulled on huge and elaborately decorated temple cars.
Ø Guruvayur Temple = Thrissur District of Kerala + Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Swamy Temple,
also known as the Dwarka of the South, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and the young form of
Lord Krishna + The earliest temple records date back to the 17th century, but other literary texts
and legends indicate that the temple may be around 5000 years old.
Ø Lepakshi Temple = Andhra Pradesh + built-in 16th century during Vijayanagar empire + Built
in trikutastyle with three shrines - Veerabhadra (Lord Shiva Presiding deity), Papanaseswara
and Raghunatha + Noted for largest monolithic Nandi (bull) statue and Naga-siva-linga with
seven-hooded snake + Placed in UNESCO’s tentative World Heritage Sites list.
Ø Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple = Also known as Thiruvaranga Tirupati + dedicated to
Ranganatha (reclining form of Lord Vishnu) + It is constructed in Dravidian style + It is not
just a temple but a temple-town, unique in its Sapta-Prakaram formation and one of 108 Divya
Desams dedicated to Lord Vishnu + Situated on island of Srirangam bounded by Cauvery and
Kollidam (tributary of Cauvery) Rivers.
Ø Batadrava Than = Assam + one of the most sacred sites for Assamese Vaishnavites + It is a
temple complex at the birthplace of revered Vaishnavite reformer-saint Srimanta Sankardeva
+ Sankardeva founded the first-ever Kirtan Ghar at Bordowa in 1494 AD to practise and preach
the neo Vaishnavite faith during the fifteenth century in Assam, and propagated the Ek Saran
Naam Dharma + A very big festival "Doul Mahotsava" (Holi) is a yearly attraction for the
devotees in Bordowa.
Ø Grantham Inscriptions = A team of archaeologists recently discovered two stone inscriptions
of ‘Grantham’ and Tamil dating 11th and 16th centuries respectively at Pazhnchervazhi village
near Kangayam + Grantha is an important historical script that was once used to write Sanskrit
throughout South East Asia and greater Tamil Nadu + The word Grantha denotes in Sanskrit
‘a literary work’. Evidently, the script used for writing the Sanskrit works obtained the same
name + At one time, it was prevalent throughout South India + When the Malayalam language
began to freely borrow words as well as the rules of grammar from Sanskrit, this script was
adopted for writing that language and was known as Arya Ezhuthu + Both Grantha and Tamil
scripts appear alike in modern forms. The evolution of both scripts from Brahmi was also more
or less similar.
Ø Kadamba Inscription = Recently, an inscription said to be of the 10th century A.D. from the
Kadamba period was discovered in the Mahadeva temple at Cacoda in southern Goa + It is
written in Kannada and Sanskrit. The inscription opens with an auspicious word be it well

(Swasthi Shri) + It is in the literary style of the Talangre inscription of Jayasimha I of the same
period + Kadambas of Goa were the subordinates of Chalukyas of Kalyani. Chalukyan emperor
Tailapa II appointed Kadamba Shasthadeva as mahamandaleshwar of Goa for his help in
overthrowing the Rashtrakutas.
Ø Vadnagar = A joint study by Indian Institute of Technology (Kharagpur) discovered evidence
of human settlement in Vadnagar (Gujarat) dating back to 800 BCE. This aligns with late-
Vedic/pre-Buddhist Mahajanapadas or oligarchic republics era, shedding light on the town's
ancient origins + Included in the tentative list of UNCESO World Heritage Sites + It was a
multicultural and multi religious (Buddhist, Hindu, Jain and Islamic) settlement + It is in
proximity to Modhera, which is famous for Sun Temple.
Ø Thanjavur Doll = Tamil Nadu + The Thanjavur doll is a type of traditional Indian bobblehead
or roly-poly toy made of terracotta material. The centre of gravity and total weight of the doll
is concentrated at its bottom-most point, generating a dance-like continuous movement with
slow oscillations. These toys are traditionally handmade, finished with detailed, painted
exteriors + The craft was brought to Thanjavur by Maratha ruler Raja Serfoji in the early 19th
Century + Got GI tag in 2009.
Ø Sohrai Painting = Sohrai painting is practiced by indigenous communities, particularly in the
States of Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, and West Bengal, but it is the region of Hazaribagh in
Jharkhand that has received the GI tag for this art form + It is the art of the women of the
Kurmi, Santal, Munda, Oraon, Agaria, Ghatwal tribes + Sohrai paintings are distinctive for
their vibrant colours, intricate patterns, and symbolic motifs; and there is a Sohrai festival held
every year, marking the harvesting season and the arrival of winter + Dating back to 7000-
4000 BC, cave paintings in the Hazaribagh district bear resemblance to the motifs used in
Sohrai and Khovar paintings + Sohrai painting is associated with the Sohrai festival, occurring
post-Diwali, while Khovar painting is linked to marriage rituals and harvest season celebration.
Ø Bobbilli Veena = It is a traditional ‘Saraswati Veena’ from Bobbili and is famed for its fine
tune and distinctive notes + It is a large plucked string instrument used in Carnatic music +
The making of the veena began in the 17th century during the reign of Pedda Rayudu, the king
of Bobbili Samsthanam who was a great patron of music + It earned a Geographical Indication
(GI) tag in 2012 after originating from Bobbili in the Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh.
Ø Dogri Folk Dance = performed in Duggar region of Jammu + It is generally performed by a
group of artists whose main leader sings the song as well as dances while others are in the
sitting position providing beats of Drums and Chimta + There are other varieties of this dance
with the men and women or only women performing dance in groups + Other dance forms of
Jammu region: Dheku, Phummani, jagran, Ckauki, Chhajja, Kuddha, Hirana etc. are the main
dances. Bhagtan, Raas , Chandrauli etc. are main folk-drama styles.
Ø Shumang Leela = Traditional form of theatre + Manipur + In this, the roles of female artists
are all played by male actors and male characters are played by female artists in the case of
female theatre groups + In this, the roles of women are all played by men, called Nupi Shabis
+ The tradition is believed to be descended from Lai Haraoba,a ritual of the Meitei community
of Manipur.
Ø Qanat System or Karez System = It is an ancient type of water-supply system, developed
and still used in arid regions of the world + It’s known by a variety of names, “foggara” in
north Africa, “falaj” in Oman and “qarez” in parts of Asia + It taps underground mountain
water sources trapped in and beneath the upper reaches of alluvial fans and channels the water
downhill through a series of gently sloping tunnels.
Ø Hambi Kepathu = Hambi Kepathu, also known as Simrit in some parts of Karbi Anglong
(Arunachal Pradesh), is a game played with dried dark brown seeds of the African dream herb.
• African Dream Herb = A perennial climbing vine that is used by African traditional
healers to induce vivid dreams that enables them to communicate efficiently with their

ancestors + It is indigenous to Africa, Asia, Australia and Madagascar. It grows in tropical

lowlands, along the coastline and river banks, in woodland, thickets and riverine rain
forests + A paste made from the leaves, bark and roots is used to clean wounds, treat burns
and heal jaundice in children + This creeper yields a dark brown and spherical seed, almost
the size of a human patella or kneecap, used to play ‘Hambi Kepathu’. Associated with the
origin of the Karbi community.
Ø Moh-Juj = traditional buffalo fight + Assam + It was introduced by the 30th Ahom king
Swargadeo Rudra Singha nearly 200 years ago and is celebrated as a sport in Ahatguri during
Magh Bihu, a significant harvest festival in Assam + [Wild buffalo (Bubalus arnee) = It
primarily inhabits alluvial grasslands, marshes, swamps, and river valleys + It is listed as
“Endangered” on the IUCN Red List, under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972,
and included in Appendix III of CITES]
Ø Pakke Paga Hornbill Festival = The 9th edition of the Pakke Paga Hornbill Festival (PPHF),
a state festival of Arunachal Pradesh + The first-ever PPHF was held in 2015 + The aim was
to recognise the role played by the Nyishi tribal group in conserving hornbills in Pakke Tiger
Reserve (PTR).
Ø Chandubi Festival = Assam + It is organised every year for five days starting from the first
day of the New Year along the Chandubi lake.
Ø Kateel Yakshagana Mela = It is a famous Yakshagana troupe started in the mid-19th century
+ Yakshagana is a traditional folk-dance form popular in Coastal Karnataka. It is a rare
combination of dance, music, song, scholarly dialogues and colourful costumes + Each
performance typically focuses on a small sub-story (known as ‘Prasanga’) from ancient Hindu
epics of Ramayana or Mahabharata + Musical instruments used in Yakshagana include Chande
(drums), Harmonium, Maddale, Taala(mini metal clappers) and flute among others.
Ø Makar Sankranti = It is major harvest festival celebrated across India and different states
celebrate festival under different names, traditions, and festivities + Festival is dedicated to
Sun God, Surya and marks the first day of sun’s transit into Makara (Capricorn) + Makar
Sankranti heralds end of winter and start of longer days as sun moves northward.
Ø Geographical Indication (GI) Tags = Recently got GI Tag

• Arunachal Pradesh: Handmade Carpets, Wancho Wooden Craft, Adi Kekir (Ginger)

• West Bengal: Tangail Saree, Garad Saree, Korial Saree, Kalonunia Rice, Sundarban
Honey
• Jammu and Kashmir: Ramban Anardana
• Gujarat: Kachchhi Kharek
Ø Geographical Indication (GI) Tags from Odisha =
• Kapdaganda Shawl = Odisha + woven and embroidered by the women of the Dongria
Kondh tribe, a particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG) in the Niyamgiri hills in Odisha.
• Lanjia Saurpa Painting = one of the oldest tribal art forms, is also known as Idital + It
belongs to the Lanjia Saura community, a PVTG largely residing in the Rayagada district
+ These paintings are in the form of exterior murals painted on the mud walls of homes.
• Koraput Kala Jeera Rice = black-coloured rice variety, also known as the ‘Prince of Rice’
• Nayagarh Kanteimundi Brinjal = It is known for its prickly thorns on the stems and the
whole plant + The green and round fruits contain more seeds as compared to other
genotypes + It is famous for its unique taste and relatively short quick cooking time.
• Odisha Khajuri Guda (Jaggery) = It is a natural sweetener extracted from date palm trees
and has its origin in the Gajapati district.
• Dhenkanal Magji = sweet made from cheese from buffalo milk.
Ø Kachchhi Kharek = Indigenous variety of dates of Kutch + has become the second fruit of
Gujarat to get a geographical indication (GI) tag + It is believed that date palm groves along
the north-western border of India have developed from the seeds thrown by the settlers, who
used to visit Middle-East countries for Haj.
Ø Classical Language = The Indian Government 2004 decided to declare languages that meet
certain criteria as “Classical Languages of India”. The Classical Languages in India are listed
in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution + The idea of Classical Languages of India was
initially introduced in 2004, with Tamil receiving official recognition as the first language +
Ministry of Culture in the Rajya Sabha outlined the criteria for declaring a language as
‘Classical’: High Antiquity: The language must have a recorded history spanning 1500-2000
years; Valuable Heritage: It should possess a body of ancient literature and texts cherished by
generations; Originality: The literary tradition must be unique and not borrowed from another
linguistic community and Distinctness: The classical language and its literature should be
distinct from modern forms or offshoots + As of now, India recognizes six languages as
classical, including Tamil (2004), Sanskrit (2005), Kannada (2008), Telugu (2008),
Malayalam (2013), and Odia (2014) + Recently, the West Bengal Chief Minister urged the
central government to include ‘Bengali’ as a classical language + The External Affairs Minister
recently announced that the Government of India has decided to include Farsi (Persian) as one
of the classical languages in India under the New Education Policy.
• Farsi Language: Farsi, also known as Persian Language, is the most widely spoken
member of the Iranian branch of the Indo-Iranian languages, a subfamily of the Indo-
European languages + It is the official language of Iran, and two varieties of Persian known
as Dari and Tajik are official languages in Afghanistan and Tajikistan, respectively +
Significant populations of Farsi speakers can be found in other Persian Gulf countries
(Bahrain, Iraq, Oman, Yemen, and the United Arab Emirates), as well as large communities
in the US + It has about 62 million native speakers, ranking it among the world’s 20 most
widely spoken first languages + Farsi in Iran is written in a variety of the Arabic script
called Perso-Arabic, which has some innovations to account for Persian phonological
differences + This script came into use in Persia after the Islamic conquest in the seventh
century + Its relatives are the languages of northern India and, more distantly, the major
European languages including English.

Ø Madhika Language = It is a language spoken by the Chakaliya community + It does not have
script. Despite sounding similar to Kannada it can still bewilder listeners due to its diverse
influences + It is a blend of Telugu, Tulu, Kannada, and Malayalam + It is largely influenced
by Havyaka Kannada, an old form of Kannada + It is fast becoming extinct with the younger
generation opting for Malayalam + Chakaliya community was nomadic and worshippers of
Thiruvenkatramana and Mariamma. They migrated to northern Malabar from the hilly regions
of Karnataka centuries ago. Initially they were recognised as Scheduled Tribe, it was later
included in the Scheduled Caste category in Kerala. The mention of the community can be
found in the book Caste and Tribes of Southern India.
Ø Poila Boisakh and Banglar Mati Banglar Jal = West Bengal government notified Poila
Boisakh as State Day and Banglar Mati Banglar Jal as State Song + Poila Boisakh is the first
day of the month of Boisakh of the Bengali calendar year and is named as Bangala Divas +
Poila Boisakh is an important festival celebrated by Bengali communities across West Bengal,
Tripura, Jharkhand, and Assam + In 2023 it was celebrated on April 15th + Banglar Mati
Banglar Jal song is written by Rabindranath Tagore.
Ø Statue of Social Justice = It was unveiled in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh + It is a 206 foot
Bronze Statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and is currently the world’s tallest Ambedkar statue +
Other important Statues:
• Statue of Unity (Kevadia, Gujarat): Sardar Patel.
• Statue of Equality (Hyderabad's Shamshabad, Telangana): Ramanuja.
• Statue of belief (Nathdwara, Rajasthan): Lord Shiva
Ø World Heritage Committee = It is a committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific,
and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) + The Committee is responsible for the implementation
of the World Heritage Convention, defines the use of the World Heritage Fund, and allocates
financial assistance upon requests from States Parties + It has the final say on whether a
property is inscribed on the World Heritage List + It examines reports on the state of
conservation of inscribed properties and asks States Parties to take action when properties are
not being properly managed + It also decides on the inscription or deletion of properties on the
List of World Heritage in Danger.
11) MISCELLANEOUS
Ø Soda Lake = A soda lake or alkaline lake is a lake on the strongly alkaline side of neutrality,
typically with a pH value between 9 and 12 + High carbonate concentration, especially sodium
carbonate, is responsible for the alkalinity of the water + Soda lakes occur naturally throughout
the world, typically in arid and semi-arid areas and in connection to tectonic rifts like the East
African Rift Valley + Africa and Asia have the highest number of soda lakes since the two
continents have vast desert conditions which are perfect for the formation of soda lakes. Most
of the soda lakes in Africa are located in Eastern Africa, especially in Kenya, Tanzania, and
Ethiopia + India and China have the highest number of soda lakes in Asia.
Ø Lake Retba = It is also known as Lac Rose (the Pink Lake) + Located north of the Cap Vert
peninsula of Senegal, northeast of Dakar region(Senegal) + The pink coloration is due to the
proliferation of halophilic green algae (living in a salty environment), Dunaliella salina, which
contain red pigments + [Locate Senegal on Map]
Ø Lake Victoria = Africa’s largest lake and the world’s second-largest freshwater lake + shared
by Kenya (6%), Uganda (43%), and Tanzania (51%) + Fed by rivers like Kagera, Katonga,
Sio, Yala, Nyando, Sondu Miriu, and Mara, it contributes to the River Nile’s water + As one
of the African Great Lakes, Lake Victoria holds significance as Africa’s largest lake by area,
the world’s largest tropical lake, and the second-largest freshwater lake globally after Lake
Superior in North America.

Ø Chancay = Town in Peru + China is expanding its trade influence in South America with a
new mega port project in the Peruvian town of Chancay.
Ø Cabo Verde = It is also known as Cape Verde which comprises a group of islands that lie off
the west coast of Africa + It is located nearby Senegal and is the nearest point on the continent
+ Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) has certified Cabo Verde (also known as
Cape Verde) as a malaria-free country. Cabo Verde has become the third country to acquire
the status in the global health organisation’s African region. The country has now joined
Mauritius and Algeria, who were certified in 1973 and 2019, respectively.
Ø Kuril Islands = Kuril Islands is an archipelago that extends from Kamchatka Peninsula
(Russia) to Hokkaido Island (Japan) + It separates the Sea of Okhotsk from Pacific Ocean +
Many of its islands are geologically active + Russia and Japan both assert sovereignty over
four islands (referred to as the Northern Territories in Japan and South Kurils in Russia).
Ø Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar (SCBAPP) 2024 = Announced every
year on 23rd January (Parakram Diwas) - birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose +
Recognises and honors invaluable contributions and selfless services rendered by individuals
and organizations in Disaster Management + Only Indian nationals and Indian institutions are
eligible to apply for the award + Any individual/institution can nominate an individual or
institution for the award.
Ø Swachh Survekshan Awards 2023 = Swachh Survekshan is a survey of cleanliness, hygiene
and sanitation in cities and towns across India + Launch: In 2016 under the ambit of the Swachh
Bharat Mission (Urban) + Institutions involved: The survey is conducted annually by the
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) + Objective: To encourage large-scale
citizen participation and create awareness about the importance of making towns and cities a
better place to live + 2023 assessment: It was conducted in 4 phases for the first time in 4477
cities and the total marks increased to 9500 from 7500 (2022’s survey) + Indore (Madhya
Pradesh) and Surat (Gujarat) were declared as the Cleanest Cities in India (Rank 1) followed
by Navi Mumbai (Maharastra) (Rank 3).
Ø Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2024 = PMRBP awarded annually by the Ministry
of Women and Child Development + It honors children aged 5–18 for excellence in Bravery,
Art & Culture, Environment, Innovation, Science & Technology, Social Service, and Sports
that deserve national recognition + Awards include a medal, certificate, and citation booklet,
presented the week before Republic Day + Awardees must receive the accolades personally,
with posthumous exceptions for bravery in Bal Shakti Puraskar + Eligibility: Limited to Indian
citizens residing in India.
Ø Padma Awards 2024 = It is among India’s highest civilian honours, announced annually with
brief interruptions in 1978-1979 and 1993-1997 + Instituted in 1954 with three classes,
renamed in 1955 as Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri + They recognize
exceptional service in various fields like art, social work, science, sports, civil service, etc.,
and are conferred without being a title under Article 18 + The announcement is made on
Republic Day each year.
Ø Bharat Ratna = It is the highest civilian Award of the country which was instituted in the year
1954 + It is awarded in recognition of exceptional service/performance of the highest order in
any field of human endeavour + The recommendations for Bharat Ratna are made by the Prime
Minister himself to the President and no formal recommendations for this are necessary + The
number of annual awards is restricted to a maximum of three in a particular year + On
conferment of the award, the recipient receives a Sanad (certificate) signed by the President
and a medallion. The award does not carry any monetary grant + Any person without
distinction of race, occupation, position or sex is eligible for these awards is eligible + Though
usually conferred on India-born citizens, the Bharat Ratna has been awarded to one naturalised
citizen, Mother Teresa, and to two non-Indians, Pakistan national Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan

and former South African President Nelson Mandela + The original statutes did not provide
for posthumous awards but were amended in 1955 to permit them. Former Prime Minister Lal
Bahadur Shastri became the first individual to be honoured posthumously.
Ø Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar = The awards this year are being coordinated by the Council of
Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) under the Ministry of Science and Technology +
The awards shall be announced on National Technology Day (11th May) + It shall be given in
the following 13 domains, namely: Physics, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Mathematics &
Computer Science, Earth Science, Medicine, Engineering Sciences, Agricultural Science,
Environmental Science, Technology & Innovation, Atomic Energy, Space Science and
Technology, and Others.
Ø National Sports and Adventure Awards 2023 = The awards are administered by the Ministry
of Youth Affairs + Awards are:
• Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award: India's highest sporting honor established in
1991-92 + Named after hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand + Given for outstanding
performances over 4 years + Notable awardees include MC Mary Kom, PV Sindhu, Sachin
Tendulkar, and Virat Kohli + 2023: Chirag Shetty and Satwik Sairaj Rankireddy
(badminton).
• Arjuna Award: Instituted in 1961, it was India’s highest sporting honor before the Khel
Ratna came into being + Named after the Mahabharata character Arjuna + Awarded for
consistent good performance over 4 years + Winners receive a statuette of Arjuna, a
certificate, and a cash prize + First awarded to football Olympian PK Banerjee in 1961 +
First woman awardee: Hockey player Anna Lumsden + 2023: Aditi Gopichand Swami
(archery), Mohammed Shami (cricket), Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar (shooting), among
others.
• Dronacharya Award: India's highest sports honor for coaches, instituted in 1985 + Named
after Dronacharya, Arjuna's coach in Mahabharata + Awardees receive a bronze statue of
Dronacharya, a certificate, and a cash prize + First woman awardee: Athletics coach Renu
Kohli in 2002 + Given for both recent accomplishments and lifetime contributions.
• Major Dhyan Chand Award: Instituted in 2002, honors lifetime achievements in sports
+ Recognizes contributions to the promotion of sports in an individual capacity + First
awardees include Olympian boxer Shahuraj Birajdar and hockey player Ashok Diwan.
• Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy (MAKA): Oldest National Sports Award in India,
instituted in 1956–1957 + Given to an institution or university for top performance in inter-
university tournaments + Award comprises a rolling MAKA Trophy and a cash prize +
First awarded to Bombay University in 1956-57.
• Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar: Instituted in 2009 + Awarded to organizations and
individuals for sports promotion and development + Categories include talent
identification, corporate social responsibility, employment of sportspersons, and sports for
development.
• Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award: It has been presented since 1993-1994 and
is named after Tenzing Norgay, one of the first two individuals to reach the summit of
Mount Everest along with Edmund Hillary in 1953 + The recipients are honored for their
"outstanding achievement in the field of adventure activities on land, sea and air" over the
last three years + The status of this award is considered to be equivalent to the Arjuna
Award conferred in the field of sport.
Ø ANUBHAV Awards = 2015 + launched by the Ministry of personnel, Public Grievances &
Pensions, Department of Pension & Pensioners' welfare + It recognizes the contribution made
by Retired Officials to Nation building while working in Government and to document the
administrative history of India by written narratives + It channels the human resource of
retiring employees for nation building + To participate in the scheme, retiring Central

Government employees/pensioners are required to submit their Anubhav write ups, 8 months
prior to retirement and up to 1 year after their retirement. Thereafter, the write-ups will be
published after assessment by concerned Ministries/Departments + Each ANUBHAV
Awardees will be felicitated with a medal and certificate and a Prize of 10,000 rupees, whereas
a Jury certificate Winner will be presented with a medal and a certificate.
Ø Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas = It is also known as Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Day, is celebrated
on January 9 to mark the contribution and achievements of the overseas Indian community to
the development of India + event by Ministry of External Affairs + The day also
commemorates the return of Mahatma Gandhi, the greatest Pravasi, from South Africa to India
in 1915 + It was first celebrated in 2003. It was an annual event earlier, but in 2015, the
government revised its format to celebrate PBD once every two years + It is held in different
cities, to showcase the diversity and progress of different regions of India.


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Don‘t Pay Any Money[FREE BY RISHABH RAJPUT]

SUNYA NOTES (January)

l ‘The Hindu’ Coverage is unique feature of our notes which is generally

l To subscribe, Visit www.sunyaias.com. Mail us your concern at

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Ø Design-Linked Incentive Scheme for Semiconductors = It aims to offer financial incentives

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Ø National Transit Pass System (NTPS) = Launched by Ministry of Environment + It is an

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focuses on 11 critical interventions through 9 Ministries + An amount of Rs.15,000 crore will

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Ø End-to-end Encryption = Encryption is a way of protecting data from unauthorised access or

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5) POLITY & GOVERNANCE

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society + Chief Justice of India in Patron-in-Chief of Committee + Members: Chairman (sitting

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as artificial intelligence, additive manufacturing, augmented/virtual reality, and the Internet of

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structure of Gram-negative bacteria + Zosurabalpin blocks LPS transport, leading to the

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9) INDICES & REPORTS

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10) ART & CULTURE

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ancestors + It is indigenous to Africa, Asia, Australia and Madagascar. It grows in tropical

Ø Geographical Indication (GI) Tags = Recently got GI Tag

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