Defence Research and Development Organisation and the Indian Air Force successfully flight tested the indigenous RudraM-II air-to-surface missile on June 2, 2026.
Key Highlights
Missile was launched from: An airborne platform under extreme release conditions.
Successfully:
Followed intended trajectory
Hit the predefined target accurately.
Trials validated:
Critical subsystems
Flight parameters
Precision strike capability.
About RudraM-II
RudraM-II is an indigenous air-to-surface missile.
Designed for Precision strike missions.
Capable of destroying enemy ground-based targets.
[2023] Consider the following statements 1. Ballistic missiles are jet-propelled at subsonic speeds throughout their fights, while cruise missiles are rocket-powered only in the initial phase of fight. 2. Agni-V is a medium-range supersonic cruise missile, while BrahMos is a solid-fuelled intercontinental ballistic missile. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Several indicators that were part of the National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5) have been omitted from the newly released NFHS-6 factsheet. The government stated that the move was aimed at “data harmonisation”.
What is NFHS?
The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) is:
A large scale nationwide household survey.
Conducted to collect data on:
Health
Nutrition
Family welfare
Population trends.
Conducted by: International Institute for Population Sciences
Under: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
NFHS Timeline
First NFHS conducted in 1992-93.
NFHS-5 Conducted during 2019-21.
NFHS-6 Conducted during 2023-24.
Major Changes in NFHS-6
NFHS-5 factsheet contained 131 key indicators.
NFHS-6 factsheet contains: 101 indicators.
Indicators Removed
Population Indicators
Sex ratio
Sex ratio at birth
Mortality rates
Birth and death registration data
Women’s Health Indicators
Adolescent fertility rate
Contraceptive methods used
Family planning counselling
Information on contraceptive side effects
Out of pocket expenditure during delivery
Child and Public Health Indicators
ORS and zinc treatment for diarrhoea
HIV awareness indicators
Waist to hip ratio data
Cancer Screening Indicators
Data related to screening for:
Cervical cancer
Breast cancer
Oral cancer was removed.
Anaemia Data Excluded
Anaemia prevalence data was also excluded from NFHS-6.
A recent study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research stated that the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) could significantly strengthen global climate action and reduce carbon leakage.
What is CBAM?
The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is:
A carbon tariff imposed by the European Union on imports of carbon intensive products.
Importers must pay a carbon levy unless the exporting country already has an equivalent carbon pricing system.
Objectives of CBAM
Prevent: Carbon leakage
Protect: EU industries from unfair competition
Encourage: Other countries to adopt carbon pricing policies
Support: Global decarbonisation efforts
What is Carbon Leakage?
Carbon leakage occurs when:
Industries shift production from countries with strict climate policies to countries with weaker environmental regulations.
This causes emissions reductions in one country to be offset by increased emissions elsewhere.
Findings of the Study
Without CBAM, Around 40% of EU emission reductions could be offset by carbon leakage.
With CBAM, Carbon leakage could be reduced to 15%.
Global emission reductions may increase significantly if major trading partners adopt carbon pricing systems.
What is Carbon Pricing?
Carbon pricing means:
Putting a monetary cost on carbon emissions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Major forms: Carbon tax and Emissions Trading System (ETS)
Criticism of CBAM
Critics argue:
Developing countries may face higher export costs.
It may act as a trade barrier.
EU does not provide sufficient:
Climate finance
Technology support for industrial decarbonisation in poorer countries.
[2023] Consider the following statements: Statement-I:Carbon markets are likely to be one of the most widespread tools in the fight against climate change. Statement-II:Carbon markets transfer resources from the private sector to the State Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
[A] Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II is the correct explanation for Statement I
[B] Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II is not the correct explanation for Statement I
[C] Statement I is correct but Statements II is incorrect
[D] Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct.
The NFHS-6 factsheet released in 2026 omitted data on “households using clean cooking fuel”, an important indicator previously included in NFHS-5.
Key Highlights
NFHS-6 showed: Households with electricity increased to: 98.3%.
However, data on: Access to clean cooking fuel was removed from the factsheet.
About NFHS
The National Family Health Survey (NFHS):
Is India’s largest household health survey.
Conducted by: International Institute for Population Sciences
Under: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Clean Cooking Fuel in NFHS-5
NFHS-5 (2019-21) reported:
Only 58.6% households had access to clean cooking fuel.
About 40.6% households still depended on Firewood, Dung cakes, and Biomass fuels.
[2019] Consider the following: 1. Carbon monoxide 2. Methane 3. Ozone 4. Sulphur dioxide Which of the above are released into the atmosphere due to the burning of crop/biomass residue?
Scientists have identified a new species of giant marine reptile named Tylosaurus rex, a fearsome predator that lived during the age of dinosaurs. The findings were published in the Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History.
Key Highlights
Tylosaurus rex was:
A giant marine reptile.
One of the apex predators of the Cretaceous Period.
Scientists identified it as a distinct species based on:
Huge body size
Serrated teeth
Strong jaw and neck musculature
Anatomical differences from related species.
About Tylosaurus rex
Lived around 80 million years ago.
Habitat: an inland sea that once divided North America.
Features:
Streamlined body
Long snout
Paddle like flippers
Powerful tail.
What are Mosasaurs?
Tylosaurus rex belonged to:
Mosasaurs: Group of extinct marine reptiles.
They evolved from Land dwelling lizards.
Became: Apex marine predators during the late Cretaceous Period.
[2018] The term “sixth mass extinction/sixth extinction” is often mentioned in the news in the context of the discussion of
A. Widespread monoculture practices in agriculture and large-scale commercial farming with indiscriminate use of chemicals in many parts of the world that may result in the loss of good native ecosystems.
B. Fears of a possible collision of a meteorite with the Earth in the near future in the manner it happened 65 million years ago that caused the mass extinction of many species including those of dinosaurs.
C. Large scale cultivation of genetically modified crops in many parts of the world and promoting their cultivation in other parts of the world which may cause the disappearance of good native crop plants and the loss of food biodiversity.
D. Mankind’s over-exploitation/misuse of natural resources, fragmentation/loss of natural habitats, destruction of ecosystems, pollution and global climate change.
India’s industrial output, measured by the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), grew by 4.9% in April 2026, slower than 5.8% recorded in April 2025. The government also released a revised IIP series with a new base year of 2022-23.
What is IIP?
The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) measures:
Short term changes in industrial production in India.
Published monthly by:
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
It is an important indicator of:
Industrial performance
Economic activity
Manufacturing trends
New IIP Series
Base year changed from: 2011-12 to 2022-23.
Index value for base year is taken as: 100.
New basket includes:
1,042 products
463 item groups.
Earlier series had:
839 items
407 item groups.
Major Changes in the New Series
The revised IIP has expanded coverage by including:
Gas supply
Water supply
Sewerage activities
Waste management activities
Sectoral Performance
Mining and Quarrying: Output contracted by more than 5% in April 2026.
Manufacturing Grew by: 6.2%.
Manufacturing contributes nearly: 75% of IIP weight.
[2015] In the ‘Index of Eight Core Industries’, which one of the following is given the highest weight?
The Union Ministry of Agriculture launched the nationwide ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ from Raisen district, Madhya Pradesh, on June 1, 2026, to promote sustainable agriculture and soil conservation.
Key Highlights
Initiative launched under the leadership of Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Campaign aims to protect:
Soil health
Agricultural productivity
Long term food security
It will involve:
Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)
Indian Council of Agricultural Research institutions
Agricultural universities
State agriculture departments
Major Objectives
Promote balanced use of fertilisers
Encourage:
Natural farming
Soil testing
Green manuring
Water conservation
Spread awareness regarding:
Soil Health Cards
Climate resilient agriculture
Alternative crops in low rainfall areas
Identify counterfeit:
Seeds
Fertilisers
Pesticides
Important Concerns Highlighted
Rising temperatures
Excessive use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides
Declining soil fertility
Increasing climate crisis affecting agriculture
Government Schemes Linked with Campaign
The campaign seeks convergence with:
PM Kisan Samman Nidhi
Kisan Credit Card (KCC)
Crop Insurance Scheme
Soil Health Card Scheme
Agricultural Mechanisation programmes
Pulses and Oilseeds Mission
Consider the following statements: The nation-wide ‘Soil Health Card Scheme’ aims at 1. expanding the cultivable area under irrigation. 2. enabling the banks to assess the quantum of loans to be granted to farmers on the basis of soil quality. 3. checking the overuse of fertilizers in farmlands. Which of the above statements is/are correct?
The sacred relics of Arhat Sariputra and Arhat Mahamoggallana, the two chief disciples of Lord Buddha, were ceremonially enshrined at Gandantegchenling Monastery during Buddha Purnima (Vesak Day) 2026.
Key Highlights
The relics were brought from India to Mongolia for a 10 day exposition from 31 May to 10 June 2026.
The exposition was inaugurated in the presence of:
Lakshman Prasad Acharya
Atul Malhari Gotsurve
Buddhist leaders and representatives of the International Buddhist Confederation.
The relics are preserved at the stupas of Sanchi Stupa.
About the Relics
Arhat Sariputra
One of the foremost disciples of Gautama Buddha.
Known for wisdom and deep understanding of Buddhist philosophy.
Arhat Mahamoggallana
Another chief disciple of Buddha.
Famous for spiritual powers and meditative attainments.
India-Mongolia Relations
India and Mongolia share strong Buddhist civilisational ties.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier described the two nations as “spiritual neighbours.”
The event coincides with:
70 years of diplomatic relations
10 years of Strategic Partnership
[2023] With reference to ancient India, consider the following statements:: 1. The concept of Stupa is Buddhist in origin. 2.Stupa was generally a repository of relics. 3.Stupa was a votive and commemorative structure in Buddhist tradition. How many of the statements given above are correct?
Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah stated in Parliament that Nepal has also “encroached upon Indian territory in many places,” triggering political controversy in Nepal.
Key Highlights
The statement was made while discussing the disputed:
Kalapani
Lipulekh
Limpiyadhura regions.
Opposition lawmakers in Nepal demanded clarification and removal of the remarks from parliamentary records.
India-Nepal Border Dispute
Main disputed areas:
Kalapani: A strategic Himalayan region near the India-Nepal-China trijunction.
Lipulekh Pass: Important trade and Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage route.
Limpiyadhura: Claimed by Nepal as part of its territory.
Background of the Dispute
The dispute intensified after:
India released a new political map in 2019.
Nepal amended its Constitution in 2020 to include the disputed regions in its official map.
Nepal bases its claims mainly on interpretations of the: Treaty of Sugauli (1816).
What is Dasgaja?
“Dasgaja” refers to the no man’s land along the India-Nepal border.
Nepal’s Foreign Ministry later clarified that the PM’s remarks referred mainly to:
Cross border occupation
Technical boundary irregularities in riverine areas.
Treaty of Sugauli (1816)
Signed between the East India Company and the Kingdom of Nepal.
Signed after the Anglo-Nepal War.
Importance: Forms the basis of the present India-Nepal boundary disputes.
India’s Position
India maintains that:
Lipulekh lies within Indian territory.
It is a historic trade and pilgrimage route.
India supports resolving disputes through diplomatic dialogue.
[2020] Consider the following statements:
1. The value of Indo-Sri Lanka trade has consistently increased in the last decade
2. “Textile and textile articles” constitute an important item of trade between India and Bangladesh.
3. In the last five years, Nepal has been the largest trading partner of India in South Asia.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
General N.S. Raja Subramani assumed charge as India’s third Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Secretary, Department of Military Affairs.
Key Highlights
He paid tribute at the National War Memorial after assuming office.
A ceremonial Tri Services Guard of Honour was accorded at South Block.
He emphasised the “Whole of Nation” approach for strengthening India’s national security.
What is “JAI”?
General Subramani highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of:
Jointness
Aatma Nirbharta
Innovation
About the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)
CDS is the highest-ranking military officer in India.
Acts as the Principal military adviser to the Defence Minister on tri-service matters.
Heads: Department of Military Affairs (DMA).
Permanent Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee
Department of Military Affairs (DMA)
Created in 2019.
Functions under Ministry of Defence.
Responsible for:
Promoting jointness among armed forces
Military staffing and training matters
Integration of services
[2024] What are the duties of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) as Head of the Department of Military Affairs? 1. Permanent Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee 2. Exercise military command over the three Service Chiefs 3. Principal Military Advisor to Defence Minister on all tri-Service matters Select the correct answer using the code given below:
