About State of the World’s Animal Health Report:

• It is released by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
• It provides the first comprehensive review of animal disease trends, risks, and challenges, from the uptake and availability of vaccines to the use of antibiotics in animals.
• Highlights of the Report:
  • Infectious animal diseases are spreading to previously unaffected regions and species, with nearly half (47 percent) capable of zoonotic transmission.
  • Bird flu, or high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI), which has caused the culling or loss of more than 630 million birds in the last two decades, was one of several animal diseases to affect new areas last year.
  • Peste des petits ruminants (PPR), which has traditionally affected sheep and goats in developing countries, has re-emerged in Europe while African swine fever (ASF) reached Sri Lanka, travelling more than 1,800 km from the nearest outbreaks.
  • In 2024, there were a further 3,517 cases of Bluetongue, an insect-borne virus that spreads among livestock, in 23 countries, while Germany experienced its first outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease since 1988.
  • In Mexico, vets reported the first case of New World screwworm, a parasitic fly whose larvae eat the flesh of warm-blooded animals. The disease has also re-emerged in Nicaragua.
  • Almost half of the WOAH-listed diseases notified to WOAH between 2005 and 2023 were considered a threat to human health with zoonotic, or animal-to-human infection, potential.
  • The report cited climate change and increased trade among the factors influencing the spread and prevalence of animal diseases.
  • Many are preventable through a combination of vaccination, improved hygiene, and biosecurity measures, but the report noted that access to animal vaccines remains uneven around the world.
  • The report also emphasised the importance of disease prevention for reducing the need for antibiotic treatment and limiting the development of drug-resistant diseases.
  • By 2050, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is projected to cause livestock losses that jeopardise the food security of two billion people and result in a US$ 100 trillion economic loss if urgent action is not taken.
  • Antimicrobial use, including antibiotics, in animals fell five percent between 2020 and 2022, with use in Europe seeing the biggest decline of 23 percent, followed by Africa at 20 percent.
  • However, one in five countries continues to use antimicrobials as growth promoters, which is discouraged by WOAH.

What is the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)?

• The WOAH, formerly known as the Office International des Epizooties (OIE), is an intergovernmental organization that focuses on improving animal health worldwide.
• It was founded in 1924 in response to rinderpest outbreaks in livestock.
• It was renamed as WOAH in 2022 to reflect its global role in animal health.
• WOAH’s primary objective is to protect the health of animals and to ensure a safe and fair trade in animals and animal products worldwide, by ensuring transparency in the global animal disease situation and by publishing health standards for international trade.
• WOAH is recognised as a reference organisation by the World Trade Organization (WTO) for international standards relating to animal health and zoonoses.

About Keoladeo National Park:

• Keoladeo National Park, popularly known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, is located in Bharatpur in Rajasthan.
• It was founded in the late 19th century as a hunting preserve by Suraj Mal, the maharaja of the Bharatpur princely state, and became a bird sanctuary in 1956.
• Declared a national park in 1981, it was renamed Keoladeo for the ancient temple in the park dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.
• It has an area of 29 sq.km.
• Woodlands, swamps, and wet grasslands cover a large part of the park.
• It is a Ramsar site and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• It is strategically located in the middle of the Central Asian migratory flyway.
• It is home to more than 360 species of permanent and migratory birds.
• During the annual period of migratory visitors (about October to March), birds from throughout the world can be found in the park.
• Among those wintering in the park are waterfowl from Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, China, and Siberia, including species such as gadwalls, shovellers, common teals, tufted ducks, pintails, white spoonbills, Asian open-billed storks, Oriental ibises, and the rare Siberian crane.
• Vegetation: The vegetation here is of a dry deciduous type, with medium-sized trees and shrubs found inside its forest.
• Flora: Some of the trees which can be commonly spotted inside the park are kadam, jamun, babul, kandi, ber, kair, and piloo.
• Fauna: The park is also home to a range of mammals and reptiles—including pythons and other snakes, deer, sambars, blackbucks, jackals, monitor lizards, and fishing cat.

About Binary Star System:

• A binary star is a system of two gravitationally bound stars that orbit a common center of mass called a
• Stars in a binary system do not necessarily have the same mass, size, or brightness.
• The larger star of a binary couple is called the primary star, while the smaller one is known as the secondary star or the companion star.
• Binary stars are double stars, but not all double stars are binary stars.
  • This is because some double stars comprise two stars close enough in the sky over Earth to appear as a single point of light, but they are actually vastly separated in space and not part of a gravitationally bound binary system–these are called optical doubles.
• Unlike the sun, the vast majority of stars have a binary partner. It is estimated that around 85% of stars exist in binary star systems or systems with three or more stars.
• Binary star systems can also include systems containing a normal star and a stellar remnant, an object that forms when a star runs out of the fuel for nuclear fusion and collapses under its own gravity.
  • These dense and compact star "corpses" can include white dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes.
  • Especially ancient binary systems can contain two stellar remnants orbiting each other.
• In some binary systems, the stars are so close together that they exchange material. This mass transfer occurs when the radius of one star is not much smaller than the orbital separation between the stars.

About Bharat Seva Kendra (BSK):

• It is a nationwide initiative launched by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) of India.
• It is aimed at providing various government services and benefits to villagers in India.
• These centers serve as a one-stop solution for accessing government schemes, services, and information in rural areas.
• Designed as a grassroots movement, BSK is backed by a network of 2.5 lakh sarpanches and 5 lakh BSK Sarthis.
• These individuals will act as on-ground facilitators, linking rural citizens directly with welfare schemes related to financial aid, healthcare, education, employment, digital empowerment, and agriculture.
• At the core of the initiative is the goal of cutting down bureaucratic delays by offering a single-window platform for government programs.
• A key feature of BSK is its emphasis on digital inclusion.
  • Equipped with modern infrastructure, these centers offer digital literacy programs, enabling villagers to interact with technology and avail themselves of e-governance services
• By working closely with both central and state governments, BSK aims to streamline service delivery and eliminate the barriers that often prevent rural citizens from benefiting from welfare schemes.

Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) India:

• CCI India is a national-level autonomous business organization with clear objectives for the business expansion through policy advocacy, business matchmaking, and making the environment conducive for the investors.
• It is the voice of India's business and industry.
• From influencing policy to encouraging debate, engaging with policymakers and civil society, CCI India articulates the views and concerns of industry.
• It serves its members from the Indian private and public corporate sectors and multinational companies, drawing its strength from diverse regional chambers of commerce and industry across states.
• It acts as a catalyst for global companies to expand their business and smoothen operations in India and vice versa through joint ventures and market intelligence.

About Asian Productivity Organisation (APO):

• It is a regional intergovernmental organization established in 1961 to increase productivity in the Asia-Pacific region through mutual cooperation.
• The APO contributes to the sustainable socioeconomic development of the region through policy advisory services, acting as a think tank, and undertaking smart initiatives in the industry, agriculture, service, and public sectors.
• The APO is shaping the future of the region by assisting member economies in formulating national strategies for enhanced productivity and through a range of institutional capacity-building efforts, including research and centers of excellence in members.
• It is nonpolitical, nonprofit and nondiscriminatory.
• APO membership is open to countries in Asia and the Pacific that are members of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP).
• The current membership is 21 economies, comprising Bangladesh, Cambodia, Republic of China, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Republic of Korea, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Türkiye, and Vietnam. India is a founding member of APO.
• These countries/economies support each other in their productivity drives in a spirit of mutual cooperation by sharing knowledge, information, and experience and coordinate with the APO through the designated national productivity organizations (NPOs).
• Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
• Organisational Structure:
• APO is composed of the governing body, the NPOs, and the secretariat, which is headed by a secretary-general.
• The Governing Body is the APO's highest decision-making authority and meets annually to set the organisation's strategic direction, approve major proposals, and review Secretariat performance.

What is a Dividend in Public Finance?

• A dividend refers to a portion of profits returned by a corporation or institution to its shareholders; in the case of the RBI, the Government of India is the sole shareholder.
• Dividends are a non-tax revenue source for the government and help in bridging fiscal deficits.
• RBI dividends are governed by the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 and are subject to approval by the RBI Central Board.
• Dividend Yield measures the return from dividends relative to the stock price, calculated as:
  • Dividend Yield = (Annual Dividend per Share) / (Current Market Price of Share)
• Although private dividends require shareholder approval, RBI’s transfer is a policy-based institutional mechanism.

Why Did RBI Earn Higher Surplus in 2024-25?

• The higher surplus in 2024-25 is attributed to:
  • Increased sale of foreign exchange reserves, especially in January 2025, when the RBI was the top seller among Asian central banks.
  • Higher interest income from investments in government securities and foreign assets.
  • Gains from forex transactions amid volatility in global markets.
• This is 27% higher than the ₹2.10 lakh crore dividend transferred in the previous year (2023-24), indicating a sharp rise in RBI’s earnings.
• The transferable surplus was calculated as per the Revised Economic Capital Framework (ECF), approved on May 15, 2025.
• The ECF determines how much surplus RBI can safely transfer while keeping enough capital to absorb financial shocks.

About Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)

• The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is a statutory body functioning under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.
• It is commonly referred to as the Censor Board, though it functions more as a certification authority.
• CBFC operates under the Cinematograph Act, 1952, the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 1983, and the guidelines issued by the Central Government.

CBFC’s Role and Structure

• The CBFC is responsible for regulating the public exhibition of films in India.
• No film can be exhibited publicly in India without CBFC certification.
• The CBFC is headed by a Chairperson, with 12–25 members appointed by the Central Government.
• The Board operates through nine regional offices located in Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Thiruvananthapuram, Hyderabad, New Delhi, Cuttack and Guwahati.
• Film examination is aided by Advisory Panels, whose members are nominated by the Government from diverse backgrounds for two-year terms.

Categories of Film Certification

• U (Universal): Suitable for all age groups.
• U/A: Universal with parental guidance for children below 12.
• A: Adults only.
• S: Restricted to special categories (e.g., doctors, farmers)

About INSPIRE Scheme

• The INSPIRE Scheme (Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research) is a flagship initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology.
• It was launched in 2008 with a vision to build a critical human resource base that can strengthen India’s Science & Technology and R&D ecosystem.
• Unlike competitive scholarship schemes, INSPIRE does not conduct any entrance examinations. It instead relies on merit-based identification through existing academic performance metrics.

What is the INSPIRE Fellowship?

• The INSPIRE Fellowship is a component of the DST’s INSPIRE (Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research) scheme, launched in 2008 to promote research careers in basic sciences.
• The scheme aims to nurture talent and attract top-performing students to scientific research rather than more lucrative careers in engineering, IT or finance.
• Annually, about 1,000 scholars are selected for the fellowship based on academic merit and the quality of their research proposals.

Eligibility for INSPIRE Fellowship

• Must be a first-rank holder in postgraduate courses in science, applied sciences, or engineering, OR
• An INSPIRE scholar with at least 70% aggregate marks through UG and PG and previously in the top 1% of Class XII board exams or top performers in national level exams like IIT-JEE.
• A screening committee evaluates the research proposal before awarding the fellowship.

Key Features of the INSPIRE Scheme

• Implemented by DST with a total outlay of ₹1,979 crore in the 11th Plan and ₹2,200 crore in the 12th Plan.
• Aims to build a human resource base in basic and natural sciences.
• Comprises three components:
  • SEATS (Scheme for Early Attraction of Talent) – For school students to foster interest in science.
  • SHE (Scholarship for Higher Education) – For undergraduate and postgraduate science students.
  • AORC (Assured Opportunity for Research Careers) – Includes INSPIRE Fellowships and Faculty Awards.

About Alicella gigantea

• Alicella gigantea is a giant amphipod crustacean that can grow up to 34 cm in length, making it one of the largest deep-sea amphipods ever recorded.
• It was long considered extremely rare, with few sightings since its discovery. A major early sighting involved a 28 cm specimen at 5,304 m depth in the North Pacific, but it remained unidentified for years.

Taxonomy and Habitat

• Amphipods are shrimp-like crustaceans with over 10,000 known species, commonly found in a wide range of aquatic environments.
• gigantea thrives in deep-sea zones, including:
  • Abyssal depths (3,000–6,000 m), and
  • Hadal zones (>6,000 m)
• It was found at depths up to 6,746 m in areas such as the Murray Fracture Zone in the North Pacific.

Global Distribution and Dataset

• The new research compiled 195 records of gigantea from 75 locations across the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans, covering 15 different seafloor features.
• This data establishes gigantea as a globally distributed species, not a localised rarity.
• The Pacific Ocean emerged as the species’ most significant habitat, with 75% of its seafloor area falling within the suitable depth range for the species.

About Lithium

• Lithium is a lightweight, silvery-white alkali metal with the lowest density among metals.
• It reacts vigorously with water and makes alloys with aluminium and magnesium, enhancing material strength and reducing weight—ideal for aerospace and battery technologies.
• Lithium, also known as “white gold”, is a critical mineral essential for the renewable energy sector, especially in the production of electric vehicle (EV) batteries and energy storage systems.
• Around 40% of global lithium supply is derived from evaporative brine mining in salt flats (salars) of the central Andes (Chile, Argentina, Bolivia—“Lithium Triangle”) and the Tibetan Plateau.

Key Findings

• The study focused on Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia, the world’s largest lithium brine reserve, located in a high-altitude arid region.
• It was found that, unlike seawater, where carbonate molecules dominate pH regulation, the pH of these brines is controlled almost entirely by boron compounds.
• Boron, present in the form of boric acid and borates, was found to determine the pH and alkalinity of natural brines.
• During brine evaporation in mining ponds:
  • The concentration of boron increases.
  • Boric acid breaks down, releasing hydrogen ions, which lowers the pH and makes the brine highly acidic.

About Keezhadi Excavation

• The Keezhadi excavation site is located near Madurai in Tamil Nadu, along the Vaigai River.
• It is a major urban Sangam-era settlement, estimated to date between the 5th century BCE and the 3rd century CE.
• It represents one of the most significant archaeological findings in Tamil Nadu since the Adichanallur site.
• Excavations reveal an urban, literate, and craft-oriented society, suggesting early urbanisation in South India independent of North Indian influences.

Sangam Period

• The term ‘Sangam’ is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Sangha’, meaning an assembly or association, and refers to Tamil literary academies under the Pandya kings.
• Sangam literature provides vital insights into ancient Tamil society, covering aspects like governance, economy, trade, war, social life, and agriculture.
• Key texts include:
  • Tolkappiyam (oldest Tamil grammar),
  • Pattupattu (Ten Idylls),
  • Ettutogai (Eight Anthologies),
  • Padinenkilkanakku (Eighteen Minor Works),
  • The three great epics (Silappadikaram, Manimekalai, and Civaka Cintamani).

About Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition caused by differences in brain development, affecting communication, social interaction, behaviour and learning patterns.
• Symptoms of ASD typically appear before the age of 3 years, though diagnosis is often delayed, particularly in low-awareness settings.
• People with ASD may display repetitive behaviours, narrow interests, and may have unusual learning styles or motor skills.

Causes

• ASD is not caused by a single factor. It results from a complex interaction of genetic and environmental influences.
• Genetics plays a strong role, with studies showing heritability estimates of up to 91% (Tick et al., JAMA, 2016).
• Environmental contributors such as advanced parental age, prenatal exposure to air pollutants, and maternal health are being studied, but no single environmental toxin has been conclusively proven to cause autism.
• Vaccines do not cause autism. This claim stems from a discredited study, and continued misinformation can lead to dangerous vaccine hesitancy.

About Charaka and Charaka Samhita

• Charaka, a court physician during the Kushan period, is considered the Father of Medicine in India.
• He revised the ancient Agnivesha Samhita into what became the Charaka Samhita, a foundational text of Ayurveda.
• Charaka Samhita covers topics such as physiology, diagnosis, prevention, and internal medicine.
• The text is part of the Bṛhat-Trayi (Great Trilogy) of Ayurveda, alongside the Sushruta Samhita and Ashtanga Hridaya.
• The Charaka Samhita was later expanded by Dṛḍhabala, making it an encyclopaedic treatise.
• Charaka emphasised ethics in medicine, highlighting the importance of physician conduct, diet, and preventive care.
• It remained authoritative for over two millennia, and was translated into Arabic, Latin, and other foreign languages, showing its global medical relevance.

About Sushruta

• Sushruta, dating back to the 7th century BCE, is revered as the Father of Surgery and possibly the world’s first documented surgeon.
• He authored the Sushruta Samhita, which elaborates on over 300 surgical procedures, 120 surgical instruments, and various types of fractures and dislocations.
• Innovations include rhinoplasty (nasal reconstruction), skin grafting, cataract surgery, and caesarean sections.
• The Sushruta Samhita also integrates anatomical knowledge, surgical training, patient care, hygiene, and scientific observation.
• Sushruta’s teachings display principles of evidence-based medicine, centuries before modern systems emerged.

About National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR)

• Established in 1998 as an autonomous R&D institute, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
• Formerly known as the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR).
• Location: Vasco da Gama, Goa.

Mandate and Functions

• Nodal agency for Planning and executing polar expeditions in the Antarctic, Arctic, Southern Ocean, and Himalayas.
  • Coordinating scientific research and logistics in polar and oceanic domains.
  • Also works on strategically vital projects like: Mapping of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Continental shelf surveys, and the Deep Ocean Mission.
• Maintains a Research Advisory Committee (RAC) for scientific guidance.

About Polar Bhavan and Sagar Bhavan

• Polar Bhavan, the largest facility on the NCPOR campus, covers 11,378 sq. m and was built at a cost of ₹55 crore.
  • It includes state-of-the-art laboratories, 55 rooms for scientists, conference halls, a library, and the new Science on Sphere (SOS) 3D earth systems visualisation platform.
  • It will house India’s first Polar and Ocean Museum for public scientific outreach.
• Sagar Bhavan spans 1,772 sq. m and costs ₹13 crore.
  • It includes two -30°C ice core laboratories, +4°C storage units for archiving sediment and biological samples, and a Class 1000 metal-free clean room for trace metal and isotope analysis.

India’s Expanding Polar Footprint

• NCPOR maintains India’s research presence in: Antarctica (Stations: Maitri and Bharati), Arctic (Station: Himadri), and Himalayas (Station: Himansh).
• India’s Arctic Policy (2022) and Indian Antarctic Act (2022) were cited as key legislative frameworks for science-led and environmentally responsible polar engagement, aligned with international obligations.

About PM E-DRIVE Scheme

• The PM E-DRIVE (Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement) scheme is a flagship initiative launched to accelerate electric mobility in India through demand incentives and charging infrastructure support.
• It aims to reduce transport-related carbon emissions, improve air quality and enhance energy security by decreasing fossil fuel dependency.
• The scheme has a total financial outlay of ₹10,900 crore and will be implemented from 2024 to 2026.

Key Objectives and Scope

• To promote the adoption of EVs by supporting the purchase of electric vehicles (e-2Ws, e-3Ws, e-buses, e-ambulances, and e-trucks).
• To deploy a robust national EV charging grid to reduce range anxiety and ensure seamless mobility across cities and highways.
• To provide direct demand incentives through Aadhaar-authenticated e-vouchers sent to the buyer’s mobile number after EV purchase.

BHEL as Nodal Agency

• Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) is being considered the nodal agency for:
  • Demand aggregation for charging infrastructure.
  • Development of a Unified EV Super App for users across India.
• The app will offer real-time charger availability, slot booking, payment integration, and deployment progress tracking, ensuring digital ease-of-use for all EV stakeholders.

About Self Reliant India (SRI) Fund Scheme:

• The Self Reliant India (SRI) Fund has been set up to infuse Rs. 50,000 crore as equity funding in those MSMEs which have the potential and viability to grow and become large units.
• Under this fund of Rs. 50,000 crore, there is a provision of Rs. 10,000 Crore from the Government of India and Rs. 40,000 Crore through Private Equity/Venture Capital funds.
• SRI fund operates through a mother-fund and daughter-fund structure for equity or quasi-equity investments.
• The SRI Fund is being implemented by NSIC Venture Capital Fund Limited (NVCFL), which is an Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) of Category II registered with SEBI.
• SRI fund is oriented to provide the funding support through NVCFL to the Daughter Funds for onward provision to MSMEs as growth capital, in the form of equity or quasi-equity, for the following:
  • Enhancing equity/equity-like financing to MSMEs and listing of MSMEs on stock exchanges.
  • Supporting faster growth of MSME businesses and thereby ignite the economy and create employment opportunities.
  • Supporting enterprises which have the potential to graduate beyond the MASME bracket and become National/International Champions.
  • Supporting MSSMEs, which help make India self-reliant by producing relevant technologies, goods, and services.
• The Daughter Funds shall invest at least 5 times the amount of capital contribution received from SRI Fund (net of fees and expenses) in MSMEs, covered under the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006.

About Chagos Islands:

• It is an island group located in the central Indian Ocean.
• It is about 1,000 miles (1,600 km) south of the southern tip of the Indian subcontinent.
• It is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom that was established on November 8, 1965.
• The principal islands in the archipelago include the Diego Garcia atoll, Danger Island, Egmont Islands, Eagle Islands, Nelsons Island, Peros Banhos atoll, Three Brothers Islands, and the Solomon Islands.
  • Diego Garcia covers an area of about 30 sq.km. and is the largest and the most southerly island of the Chagos Archipelago.
  • Diego Garcia houses a strategic US military base.
• The islands feature flat and low terrain, and most areas of the islands do not exceed more than 2 m in elevation.
• There are no rivers and lakes on the islands.
• Climate:
  • It experiences a tropical marine climate with high temperatures and elevated humidity levels.
  • The island’s climate is heavily moderated by the trade winds which blow over the islands.
• History:
  • The archipelago’s first inhabitants, primarily enslaved people from Madagascar and Mozambique, were forcibly brought to the islands by French enslavers, to work on coconut plantations.
  • Centuries later, they had unshackled themselves from slavery and became Chagossians, an indigenous people with a distinct language and culture.
  • In 1965, the British convinced Mauritian nationalist politicians to give up their claim to the Chagos Islands in exchange for independence.
  • In 1966, Chagos became the ’British Indian Ocean Territory‘ (BIOT) and was denied any claim to independence.
  • This led to the removal of the peoples living there, most of whom relocated to Mauritius.
  • The UK made an agreement with the United States to host a military base in the islands for Indian Ocean defenses.
  • Mauritius, which gained independence from Britain in 1968, has consistently maintained its claim over the Chagos Islands.
  • In 2019, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) dismissed the UK's right to govern the Chagos Islands and called on its government to withdraw from the archipelago.

About Tiangong Space Station:

• The Tiangong Space Station, translating to ‘Sky Palace’, is a Chinese-owned and operated permanently crewed space station in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
• It represents the third and final step of China’s Manned Space Program.
• The first module of the space station was launched in April 2021, following two precursor missions, Tiangong-1 and Tiangong-2.
• The station consists of a core module known as Tianhe, which connects two science modules, Wentian and Mengtian, as well as a planned space telescope module, Xuntian.
• Tiangong is much smaller than the International Space Station (ISS), with only three modules compared with 16 modules on the ISS.
• Tiangong is also considerably lighter than the ISS, which weighs about 400 tons (450 metric tons); the Chinese station is about 20% as massive.
• It can accommodate up to three astronauts at a time for six-month stays. It can also support six astronauts at a time during crew handovers.
• The aims of the Tiangong Space Station are to:
  • Build a long-term, reliable space station in orbit.
  • Guarantee the long-term health and safety of stationed astronauts.
  • Provide conditions for scientific and technological experiments in space.
• The station serves as an in-orbit laboratory with 23 enclosed experiment racks, each covering a different proposed experiment in the fields of:
  • Space life sciences and biotechnology
  • Microgravity fluid physics and combustion
  • Material science in space
  • Fundamental physics in microgravity
• The space station also features platforms for exposed and unpressurised external experiments.

About Nagarhole Tiger Reserve:

• It is situated in the districts of Mysore and Kodagu in Karnataka.
• It is located at the tri-junction area of the States of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
• Geographically, it is an “ecological confluence” of the Western and Eastern Ghats.
• The reserve is named after a small river, ‘Nagarahole’ (literally a snake stream in Kannada), which meanders within the habitat before joining the river Kabini.
• It is part of the larger Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• It is flanked by the Bandipur Tiger Reserve on its southeastern side and the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary of Kerala on the southwest.
• Rivers: It is surrounded by the River Kabini in its north and River Moyar in its south.
• Vegetation:
  • The dry eastern limits of the reserve has dry deciduous forests.
  • Towards the west, with the increase in rainfall, the vegetation changes to tropical moist and semi-evergreen forests.
  • The forests are interspersed with swampy fallows called ‘hadlu’, which are dominated by grasses and sedges, favoured by wild herbivores.
• Flora:
  • It includes rosewood, Indian kino tree, sandalwood, Indian laurel, clumping bamboo, giant clumping bamboo, etc.
• Fauna:
  • It is a shelter for the largest population of wild Asian elephants in South Asia.
  • It comprises other mammals such as Bengal tiger, gaur, sloth bear, golden jackal, dhole, four-horned antelope, etc.

About Chenab Valley:

• The Chenab Valley, otherwise called the Chenab Region, is the river valley of the Chenab River moving through the Kishtwar, Doda, and Ramban locales of Jammu Division in Jammu and Kashmir.
• It is the eastern region of Jammu and Kashmir.
• To the north lies the majestic Pir Panjal range and to the south, the Zanskar range.
• Deep gorges, lush meadows, and cascading rivers form a beautiful landscape that defines the Chenab Valley.
• It covers an area of 11,885 sq.km.
• The people of Chenab Valley are referred to as “Chenabis” or simply “Chenabi“.
• The region is a mosaic of ethnic groups, with multiple languages spoken, including Kashmiri, Gojri, Bhaderwahi, Sarazi, Kishtwari, and Padari.
• It is home to several tourist attractions, such as Bhaderwah, Jai Valley, Padri Pass, Sinthan Top, Lal Draman, and Jantroon Dhar.
• Its hydroelectric potential is harnessed by significant dams like Baglihar Dam, Dulhasti Dam, and Salal Dam.
• The region is traversed by National Highway 244.

About International Booker Prize:

• The prize, which is awarded annually, celebrates the best works of long-form fiction or collections of short stories translated into English and published in the UK and/or Ireland.
• History:
  • It was founded in 2005 as a biennial award recognising an author’s contribution to world literature.
  • At the time there were no requirements that the book be published in a language other than English.
  • The rules changed in 2015, and it is now awarded annually for a work of fiction that is originally written in another language and then translated into English.
• Any nationality is eligible, as long as the work is translated into English.
• It recognises the vital work of translators, with the £50,000 prize money divided equally between authors and translators.
• In addition, shortlisted authors and translators each receive £2,500.
• Administered By: The Booker Prize Foundation.
• International Booker Prize 2025:
  • Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq, translated from Kannada by Deepa Bhasthi, is the winner of the 2025 prize.
  • The winning book is the first collection of short stories to be awarded the prize, and the first winner originally written in Kannada.
  • Spanning stories written between 1990 and 2023, Heart Lamp is a portrayal of the struggles faced by Muslim women in southern India.

About International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB):

• Celebrated each year on May 22, IDB aims to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues.
• IDB 2025 Theme:
  • This year’s theme “Harmony with nature and sustainable development", highlights how this campaign for nature connects with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • The IDB 2025 seeks to focus the world’s attention on the linkages between the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs and the goals and targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), as two universal agendas must advance together as they support the recently adopted Pact for the Future.
• History of IDB:
  • The United Nations has proclaimed May 22 as the IDB to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues.
  • When first created by the Second Committee of the UN General Assembly in late 1993, 29 December (the date of entry into force of the Convention of Biological Diversity), was designated IDB.
  • In December 2000, the UN General Assembly adopted 22 May as IDB, to commemorate the adoption of the text of the Convention on 22 May 1992 by the Nairobi Final Act of the Conference for the Adoption of the Agreed Text of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
  • This was partly done because it was difficult for many countries to plan and carry out suitable celebrations for the date of 29 December, given the number of holidays that coincide around that time of year.

About SPICED Scheme:

• Sustainability in the Spice Sector through Progressive, Innovative, and Collaborative Interventions for Export Development (SPICED) is an initiative of the Spices Board, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• The scheme offers financial assistance across various components, aiming to enhance sustainability, foster innovation, and promote export development in the Indian spices sector.
• The scheme aims to enhance the productivity of small and large cardamom, improve the quality of post-harvest processes, and encourage the production and export of value-added, GI-tagged, and organic spices.
• It is also focused on enabling compliance with global food safety and phytosanitary standards and boosting the capacity of stakeholders across the value chain.
• Features:
  • The scheme offers support for activities such as replanting and rejuvenation of cardamom plantations, development of water resources, micro-irrigation, promotion of organic farming, and expansion of good agricultural practices (GAP).
  • In addition, it supports the installation of improved post-harvest infrastructure, such as modern dryers, slicers, dehullers, and grading machines to ensure superior product quality.
  • The scheme provides financial assistance to farmers and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) to procure essential post-harvest machines such as spice polishers, turmeric boilers, mint distillation units, and threshing machines.
  • The scheme further supports the creation of Spice Incubation Centres and promotes entrepreneurship and product development initiatives aimed at enhancing market access and branding for startups and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
  • Through capacity-building efforts, including training and extension services, the scheme aims to empower spice farmers, SHGs, and FPOs with the latest technical know-how, best practices, and market intelligence.
  • In export development and promotion, the scheme assists in participating in international trade fairs, buyer-seller meets, and other market linkage programs.
  • While exporters with a valid Certificate of Registration as Exporter of Spices (CRES) are eligible for assistance under these programs, preference will be given to first-time applicants, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), etc.
  • Scheme activities will be geo-tagged, and fund availability, status of applications under different components, list of beneficiaries, etc., will be published on the board's website for better transparency.

About Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) Portal:

• It was developed by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, to track lost or stolen mobile phones.
• It acts as a central database of all the mobile phones that are used and registered in India. It contains all the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) or Electronic Serial Number (ESN).
  • IMEI is a 15-digit unique number attached to all the handsets. These numbers are attached to the registered service provider.
• The user can track the devices by providing the required information requested on the portal along with the IMEI and FIR copy.
• The CEIR shares a wide platform that supports all the network operators.
• It helps to receive information on the blacklisted mobile devices from the registered network to notify other networks.
• This helps to track the device even if the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) has changed.
• The following are the types of lists in the EIR database:
  • White List: It contains all the authorised IMEI numbers that are allowed to access the network.
  • Grey List: It contains all the authorised IMEI numbers that are kept for observation to track the number.
  • Black List: It contains all the unauthorised IMEI numbers that are prohibited from registration in a cellular network.
• Objectives of CEIR:
  • Discourage mobile theft, identify fraudulent mobile markets, and protect consumer interest.
  • To centralise the database for identifying and blocking the lost, stolen, or illegal mobile phones/networks.
  • To track the lost or stolen mobile phones through IMEI numbers even if the SIM cards are changed or disabled.
  • Create an infrastructure to provide the services to track the mobile devices.
  • Create an infrastructure to access GSMA's database to check the authentication of the mobile device.
  • To identify duplicate IMEI numbers, cloned, reprogrammed, stolen or unauthorised devices.

About Polavaram Project:

• It is a multi-purpose irrigation project built on the Godavari River where the river emerges out of the last range of the Eastern Ghats and enters the plains.
• The dam will be located near Polavaram village in the West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, an area bordering Chhattisgarh and Odisha.
• It was conceived in 1980 as a part of the recommendations of the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (GWDT).
• It has been accorded national project status by the central government.
• It involves the construction of a dam to address water scarcity, boost agricultural productivity, and generate power.
  • The span of the dam is about 1.2 km, having a pier height of 54 m and a total of 48 radial gates (16mx20m).
  • Designed to withstand massive floods that could occur once in 1000 years, the Polavaram Spillway is set to have the highest discharge capacity in the world.
  • At 50 lakh cusecs, it is set to surpass even the 3 Gorges Dam of China, one of the largest dams in the world.
  • The project has set a world record by pouring 32,315.5 cubic metres of concrete into the spillway channel of the project.
• Objectives:
  • It is intended for the development of a gross irrigation potential of 4,36,825 ha.
  • The project also envisages the generation of 960 MW of hydropower and drinking water supply to a population of 28.50 lakh in 611 villages.
  • The project also aims to transfer 80 TMC (Thousand Million Cubic Feet) of water from the Godavari to the Krishna river basin.
  • The dam will help manage floodwaters from the Godavari River, reducing risks to nearby communities.

What are Intercrystals?

• Intercrystals are created by stacking two layers of twisted graphene atop hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), resulting in moiré patterns that significantly alter electron behaviour.
• The material is based on the principle of “twistronics”, where ultrathin atomic layers are rotated at small angles to form moiré superlattices.
• The misalignment of layers causes new electronic phases, not found in regular crystals.
• This approach builds upon earlier work by the same team, who in 2009 first showed that twisted graphene displays unusual electronic properties.

Structural Properties of Intercrystals

• Regular crystals possess repeating atomic arrangements and show symmetry under specific translations or rotations.
• Quasicrystals, discovered in 1982, are ordered but non-repeating, defying traditional crystallography.
• Intercrystals combine traits of both:
  • They exhibit non-repeating atomic patterns (like quasicrystals),
  • But retain certain crystalline symmetries.
• The structure creates geometric frustration, enabling new quantum phases.

Unique Electronic Characteristics

• In intercrystals, electronic properties change dramatically with minor structural variations, unlike conventional materials.
• These materials exhibit novel quantum behaviours, including: Superconductivity (zero-resistance current), Magnetism, and other quantum electronic states.

About SWOT Satellite

• The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite, launched in 2022, is a joint mission of NASA and CNES (French Space Agency).
• It uses a specialised instrument called the Ka-band Radar Interferometer (KaRIn) to measure the height, width, and elevation of surface water bodies such as rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and oceans.
• SWOT offers high spatial resolution by bouncing microwaves off water surfaces and calculating return time, allowing dynamic water movement
• The satellite covers over 55% of large-scale global floods during their lifecycle through frequent Earth orbits.

What Are River Waves and Why Do They Matter?

• River waves, also referred to as flood or flow waves, are temporary surges in water flow typically caused by intense rainfall, snowmelt, ice jams, or dam breaches.
• Unlike ocean waves driven by wind and tides, river waves are transient, unsteady phenomena that can stretch for tens to hundreds of kilometers.
• These waves play a crucial ecological role by transporting nutrients and organisms, but also pose flood risks to downstream populations.
• Previously, such large-scale waves could only be detected locally by ground stream gauges, which are sparse in many global regions.

About Liquid Carbon

• Liquid carbon refers to carbon in a liquid state, which is not naturally stable under normal temperature and pressure conditions.
• Carbon typically exists in solid forms like graphite, diamond, or as gas (CO₂) when oxidised.
• Liquid carbon is a transient phase, and its study is important for understanding:
  • Planetary core compositions (e.g., carbon-rich exoplanets),
  • High-energy astrophysical processes,
  • And high-temperature material behaviour in laser-material interactions and nuclear science.

Why Liquid Carbon Is Hard to Study

• Carbon does not melt under normal pressure; it transitions directly from solid to gas (sublimation), making lab-based liquid-phase studies almost impossible.
• Liquid carbon only forms under extreme conditions:
  • Temperatures ~4500°C,
  • Very high pressures,
  • Conditions that no conventional container can withstand.
• Thus, laser-driven compression was employed to briefly liquefy solid carbon for nanoseconds, enabling real-time measurement.

Experimental Technique and Innovation

• The DIPOLE 100-X laser was used to generate compression waves through the carbon sample, converting it to the liquid state for a billionth of a second.
• During this fleeting moment, the European XFEL’s ultrashort X-ray pulse was used to irradiate the sample, causing the X-ray light to diffract off atoms.
• The resulting diffraction pattern revealed the atomic arrangement of liquid carbon.
• Multiple iterations of the experiment with varying delays and conditions were used to create a step-by-step "movie" of the solid-to-liquid transition.

Major Findings of the Study

• Liquid carbon has a water-like structure, with four nearest atomic neighbours, resembling the structure of solid diamond.
• The experiment confirmed earlier theoretical simulations and helped to precisely determine the melting point of carbon under high pressure.
• These insights are important for:
  • Planetary science, as liquid carbon exists in the interiors of planets.
  • Nuclear fusion technology, where carbon-based materials are often involved under extreme conditions.

About Kakapo (Strigops habroptilus)

• The Kakapo is the largest flightless parrot in the world, native to New Zealand.
• It is nocturnal, herbivorous, and the only lek-breeding parrot species, meaning males gather to perform mating displays at specific sites.
• It is named for its owl-like face, with moss-green plumage mottled with yellow and black, grey bill, and grey legs with pale soles.
• The Kakapo reproduces infrequently, only breeding in years when certain native fruits, such as rimu berries, are abundant.
• Lek-breeding behaviour includes the digging of bowl-shaped depressions in the ground, which help amplify mating calls across long distances.

Threats to Survival

• The species faces multiple threats:
  • Predation by invasive mammals (rats, stoats, weasels) introduced by European settlers.
  • Infertility issues and high embryo mortality have severely restricted population growth.
  • Susceptibility to diseases such as aspergillosis, a dangerous fungal infection.
• Due to these pressures, the Kakapo is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

About INSV Kaundinya

• This initiative was launched in July 2023 under a tripartite agreement involving the Ministry of Culture, the Indian Navy, and Hodi Innovations.
• The Ministry of Culture funded the ship as a symbol of India’s ancient shipbuilding tradition and to promote maritime heritage awareness.
• INSV Kaundinya is scheduled to sail along the ancient maritime trade route from Gujarat to Oman later in 2025.

Traditional Shipbuilding Techniques

• The ship was constructed using ancient “stitched ship” techniques, where wooden planks are joined using coir ropes, coconut fibres, and natural resin, without metal nails.
• The design was based on a 5th-century maritime scene depicted in the Ajanta mural paintings.
• As there are no surviving blueprints, the design process involved interpreting 2D artistic representations through archaeological, naval architectural, and hydrodynamic analysis.

Symbolism and Cultural Integration

• The sails feature motifs such as the ‘Gandabherunda’ (mythical two-headed eagle) and the Sun, symbolizing strength and vitality.
• The bow is adorned with a ‘Simha Yali’ (mythical lion-like figure), reflecting traditional South Indian maritime iconography.
• A Harappan-style stone anchor on the deck connects the ship to India’s Indus Valley maritime legacy.
• Named after Kaundinya, a legendary Indian sailor who reached Southeast Asia, the ship highlights India’s role in ancient transoceanic trade and cultural exchange.

About Ajanta Paintings

• The Ajanta Caves, located in Maharashtra, date from the 2nd century BCE to the 6th century CE, and are among the earliest surviving examples of Indian mural art.
• The paintings follow the tempera technique (painting on dry plaster with pigments), using vegetable and mineral dyes like red ochre, black, and brown.
• The murals focus on Buddhist themes, such as the Jataka Tales, life of the Buddha, and Avadanas, often interwoven with nature motifs and decorative patterns.
• Figures are depicted with heavy proportions, expressive gestures, and distinctive hairstyles, showcasing emotional depth and spiritual symbolism.

Germany's Electoral System – Key Features

• Germany follows a Mixed-Member Proportional Representation system, combining both majoritarian and proportional representation
• Every voter casts two votes:
  • First vote (Erststimme): For an individual candidate under the first-past-the-post system in 299 constituencies.
  • Second vote (Zweitstimme): For a political party list in each Länder (state) under proportional representation.
• Bundestag (Lower House) members are elected based on these two votes; 299 by first vote and the rest by second vote.
• Overhang seats arise when a party wins more seats through first votes than it deserves by proportional representation.
• To ensure fairness, balance seats are allocated to other parties so that the final distribution reflects proportional vote share

Selection of the Chancellor in Germany

• German citizens do not directly elect the Chancellor; they vote for representatives who then form the Bundestag, which elects the Chancellor.
• Post-election, the Federal President nominates a candidate for the Chancellorship.
• The Bundestag votes in a secret ballot; an absolute majority is required to elect the Chancellor in the first round.
• If no candidate secures a majority in the first attempt:
  • A second round is held.
  • If still unresolved, a third round takes place, and the candidate with the highest number of votes is elected.

Political Geography of Germany

• Germany is located in Central Europe, sharing borders with nine countries: Denmark (north), Poland and Czech Republic (east), Austria and Switzerland (south), and France, Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands (west).
• Bordering water bodies include the North Sea and the Baltic Sea in the north.

What is PBAT?

• PBAT (Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate) is a biodegradable thermoplastic polymer used as an eco-friendly substitute for traditional plastics.
• It is a copolymer of adipic acid, 1,4-butanediol, and terephthalic acid and can be processed using conventional plastic manufacturing methods.
• PBAT is often blended with other biopolymers to enhance its mechanical and barrier properties.

Properties of PBAT

• 100% compostable – breaks down into water, CO₂, and biomass under industrial composting conditions within 180 days.
• Flexible and tough, making it ideal for bags, films, and packaging.
• It is moisture-resistant, chemically inert, and offers good barrier properties.

PBAT vs PLA

About Jarosite

• Jarosite is a yellow-brown mineral composed of potassium, iron, and sulphate, commonly found in arid, saline environments.
• The study aimed to assess whether jarosite can act as a “natural clock” on Mars by tracking geological events through radiation-induced luminescence.

Scientific Methodology and Luminescence Testing

• The researchers collected six jarosite vein samples from Kachchh and examined them in a lab using a process based on luminescence dating.
• Luminescence refers to the light emitted by minerals when they release energy stored from natural radiation over time.
• The process involved:
  • Washing grains with weak acid to enhance brightness.
  • Irradiating, heating, cooling, and repeating the cycle to analyze luminescent properties.
• The team observed four distinct luminescent emissions at 100°C, 150°C, 300°C, and 350°C, even after heating the samples up to 450°C, indicating thermal stability.

Why Kachchh, Gujarat Was Chosen

• The Kachchh region in Gujarat was selected due to its extreme aridity and salinity, resembling Martian terrain conditions.
• This made it an ideal analog site to test the behavior of jarosite under extraterrestrial-like environments.

About Titan

• Titan is the largest moon of Saturn and the second-largest moon in the solar system, after Jupiter's Ganymede.
• It is the only known moon with a thick atmosphere and surface liquid bodies, including lakes and seas of methane and ethane.
• Titan exhibits Earth-like weather patterns, including clouds, rainfall, and seasonal variations.

Key Findings

• These observations revealed the presence of clouds in the mid- and high northern latitudes of Titan that rose to higher altitudes over time, indicating convection-driven weather patterns.
• This marks the first-ever confirmed evidence of convective cloud activity in Titan’s northern hemisphere, where most of Titan’s hydrocarbon seas (like Kraken Mare and Ligeia Mare) are located.
• The findings offer fresh insights into Titan's active methane cycle, which is analogous in complexity to Earth’s hydrological cycle, but with methane and ethane instead of water.
• Understanding Titan's weather helps scientists better comprehend prebiotic chemistry and climate dynamics on icy moons with thick atmospheres.

About Keck Observatory

• The M. Keck Observatory is located near the summit of Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano in Hawaii, at an altitude of 4,200 metres. This high elevation provides evident atmospheric conditions for astronomical observations.
• The observatory consists of two 10-metre telescopes, Keck I (operational since 1992) and Keck II (since 1996), making it the largest optical/infrared telescope system in the world.
• Each telescope has a 10-metre primary mirror composed of 36 hexagonal segments made of zero-expansion glass ceramic, which ensures thermal stability and precision imaging.
• These segments are adjusted in real-time by computer-controlled actuators to maintain the mirror's hyperboloid shape, enabling ultra-precise focus and light collection.
• A technique called stressed mirror polishing was used to shape the asymmetric off-axis segments, a breakthrough innovation in modern telescope engineering.

About Shirui Lily Festival

• The Shirui Lily Festival is a five-day cultural and ecological festival held in the Ukhrul district of Manipur, which is dominated by the Tangkhul Naga tribe.
• The festival celebrates the endemic Shirui Lily (Lilium mackliniae), a rare, bluish-pink bell-shaped flower found only in the Shirui Hills, about 18 km from Ukhrul town.
• The flower was discovered in 1946 by English botanist Frank Kingdon-Ward and won a merit prize at the 1948 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) show in London.
• In 1989, the Manipur government declared Shirui Lily as the State Flower, but it is now endangered due to tourism pressures and the invasion of an exotic bamboo species.
• The festival aims to raise awareness about the ecological importance of the flower and promote conservation efforts.

About Vitamin D:

• Vitamin D (also referred to as calciferol) is a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in a few foods, added to others, and available as a dietary supplement.
• It is also produced endogenously when ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight strike the skin and trigger vitamin D synthesis.
  • During periods of sunlight, vitamin D is stored in fat and then released when sunlight is not available.
• Very few foods have vitamin D naturally. The foods with the most are fatty fish (like salmon and tuna), liver, mushrooms, eggs, and fish oils.
  • Kids don't eat these foods a lot. That's why food companies often "fortify" milk, yogurt, baby formula, juice, cereal, and other foods with added vitamin D.
• The amount of vitamin D you need each day depends on your age.
• Why is vitamin D so important?
  • Vitamin D promotes calcium absorption and helps maintain adequate levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood, which is necessary for healthy bones and teeth.
  • Without sufficient vitamin D, bones can become thin, brittle, or misshapen.
  • Vitamin D has other roles in the body, including reduction of inflammation as well as modulation of such processes as cell growth, neuromuscular and immune function, and glucose metabolism.
• Vitamin D Deficiency:
  • A lack of vitamin D can lead to bone diseases such as osteoporosis or rickets. Osteoporosis is a disease in which your bones become weak and are likely to fracture (break).
  • With chronic and/or severe vitamin D deficiency, a decline in calcium and phosphorus absorption by your intestines leads to hypocalcemia (low calcium levels in your blood).
  • This leads to secondary hyperparathyroidism (overactive parathyroid glands attempting to keep blood calcium levels normal).
  • Both hypocalcemia and hyperparathyroidism, if severe, can cause symptoms, including muscle weakness and cramps, fatigue, and depression.
  • Anyone can have vitamin D deficiency, including infants, children and adults.
  • Vitamin D deficiency may be more common in people with higher skin melanin content (darker skin) and who wear clothing with extensive skin coverage, particularly in Middle Eastern countries.
  • Vitamin D supplements are commonly used to treat and prevent vitamin D deficiency.

About Jayant Narlikar:

• He was one of India’s most distinguished astrophysicists and a global name in theoretical cosmology.
• He was born on July 19, 1938, in Kolhapur, Maharashtra.
• He earned his B.Sc degree from the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in 1957.
• He later went on to Cambridge University for higher studies, becoming a Wrangler and earning the Tyson Medal in the Mathematical Tripos — a mark of top academic distinction.
• After returning to India, Narlikar joined the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) in 1972 and led the Theoretical Astrophysics Group until 1989, during which time the group gained international recognition.
• In 1988, the University Grants Commission (UGC) entrusted him with the task of establishing the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) inside the Savitribai Phule Pune University campus. As its founding director, he led IUCAA until his retirement in 2003.
• He served as President of the Cosmology Commission of the International Astronomical Union from 1994 to 1997.
• He is best known for co-developing the Hoyle–Narlikar theory of gravity.
• From 1999 to 2003, he led a space research experiment to collect microorganisms from the upper atmosphere (up to 41 km).
• He authored numerous popular science books and articles, and appeared frequently on radio and television to explain complex scientific ideas in simple terms.
• In 1996, UNESCO honoured him with the Kalinga Award for science popularisation.
• In 2004, he received the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian award.
• In 2014, the Sahitya Akademi honoured his Marathi autobiography with its highest prize for regional literature.
• He was a Fellow of all three national science academies of India, the Royal Astronomical Society of London, and the Third World Academy of Sciences.

Hoyle-Narlikar Theory of Gravity:

• Jayant Narlikar is best known for co-developing the Hoyle–Narlikar theory of gravity—an alternative to Einstein’s general relativity—and for championing the steady-state theory of the universe, a bold counterpoint to the widely accepted Big Bang model.
• The Hoyle–Narlikar theory offered a formulation of gravitation that synthesised Einstein’s general relativity with Mach’s principle, proposing that the inertial mass of a particle depends on the distribution of mass across the universe—an idea that challenged conventional big bang cosmology and continues to stimulate scientific debate.
• The theory produced evidence to support what is known as the steady-state theory of the universe.
  • Unlike the Big Bang theory that suggests a definite beginning, and possibly an end, to the universe, the steady-state theory maintains that the universe has always been, and would continue to be, the way it is — infinite in extent, without a beginning or an end.
  • It acknowledged an expanding universe, which was experimentally verifiable, but proposed that the universe was able to maintain a constant density by continuously creating new matter.
  • The theory was first put forward in 1948 by British scientists Sir Hermann Bondi, Thomas Gold, and Sir Fred Hoyle.
  • It was further developed by Hoyle to deal with problems that had arisen in connection with the alternative big-bang hypothesis.

About Irula Tribe:

• The Irula, a Dravidian ethnic group, reside in the Nilgiri Mountains of the Western Ghats, spread across Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
• They are one of India’s oldest indigenous communities.
• They are Tamil Nadu’s second largest Adivasi community.
• They are classified under the “Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups” category in Tamil Nadu.
• They also call themselves Erlar or Poosari, while their neighbours refer to them as Eralollu, Irulas, Shikari and Pujari.
• Language: They speak Irula, which is related to Dravidian languages like Tamil and Kannada.
• Religious Beliefs:
  • The Irula people don’t have a definite god for them. They are pantheists who make provision for the presence of spirits in humans and objects.
  • Their main deity is a virgin goddess called Kanniamma, who is deeply associated with the cobra.
• Irula houses are built together in small settlements or villages called mottas. The mottas are usually situated on the edges of steep hills and are surrounded by a few dry fields, gardens, and forests or plantations.
• The Irula community is traditionally associated with healing, traditional medicine, and catching poisonous snakes.
• Cattle production is another source of income. In the forests they collect wild resources like honey, frankincense, firewood and the like.
• Irulas’ knowledge of snakes and snake venom is legendary. They can even locate snakes based on their tracks, smell, and droppings.
  • They use traditional knowledge and skills to catch snakes, extract venom, and release the snakes back into the wild without harming them.
  • The Irula Snake Catchers’ Industrial Cooperative Society is a major producer of anti-snake venom (ASV) in the country. It supplies almost 80 percent of the venom that goes into making anti-venom in India.

About Operation Olivia:

• It is an important initiative of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) conducted annually from November to May.
• It is aimed at ensuring safe nesting grounds for Olive Ridley turtles, particularly at Gahirmatha Beach and surrounding coastal areas of Odisha.
• The operation involves round-the-clock patrolling, aerial surveillance, and close coordination with local stakeholders to protect the turtles during their breeding season.
• Since the inception of the operation, the ICG has conducted over 5,387 surface patrol sorties and 1,768 aerial surveillance missions.
• These measures have led to a significant decline in threats such as illegal fishing and habitat disruption.
• In addition to enforcement, the Coast Guard has actively collaborated with coastal communities, promoting the use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in fishing nets and signing Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with NGOs to support conservation education and sustainable fishing practices.
• This integrated approach has played a pivotal role in creating a safer and more sustainable environment for Olive Ridley turtles, whose conservation is key to maintaining marine biodiversity along India’s eastern coast.

Key Facts about Olive Ridley Turtles:

• This species is among the smallest, but the most widespread and abundant of the world’s sea turtles.
• It gets its name from the olive green color of its heart-shaped shell. .
• These turtles, along with their cousin the Kemp's ridley turtle, are best known for their unique mass nesting called Arribada, where thousands of females come together on the same beach to lay eggs.
• Distribution:
  • They are found throughout the world, primarily in the tropical regions of the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic oceans.
  • Odisha’s Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary is known as the world’s largest rookery (a colony of breeding animals) of sea turtles.
• Features:
  • They grow to about 2 feet in length, and 50 kg in weight.
  • They are omnivorous, meaning they feed on both plants and animals.
  • They are solitary, preferring the open ocean.
  • These turtles spend their entire lives in the ocean, and migrate thousands of kilometers between feeding and mating grounds in the course of a year.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
  • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule 1
  • CITES: Appendix I.

About Doctrine of Presumption of Constitutionality:

• It is a fundamental principle in Indian constitutional law, rooted in the respect for legislative authority and the democratic process.
• This doctrine posits that legislation enacted by the Parliament or State Legislatures is presumed to be constitutional, and the burden of proving otherwise lies on the challenger.
• This principle assumes that laws enacted by the legislature are inherently valid and constitutional until proven otherwise.
• The doctrine finds its roots in the broader jurisprudential tradition that respects the separation of powers, a foundational element of democratic governance, ensuring that each branch of government operates within its constitutionally prescribed limits.
• The Supreme Court of India, as the apex judicial body, has consistently underscored this doctrine in its rulings, emphasizing that courts should strive to uphold the constitutionality of statutes unless there is a clear and unequivocal breach of constitutional provisions.
• It serves multiple purposes in the legal system.
  • It ensures that the legislative process is respected, recognizing that elected representatives, accountable to the public, are best positioned to understand and address societal needs through legislation.
  • This presumption also fosters stability and predictability in the legal system, as laws remain effective and enforceable until they are conclusively declared unconstitutional by the judiciary.
  • Moreover, it upholds the democratic ethos by preventing undue judicial interference in legislative matters, thereby maintaining a delicate balance between the powers of the legislature and the judiciary.