Global Geological And Climatic Events
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:
Prelims level: Shiveluch Volcano
The Shiveluch Volcano in Russia erupted following a 7.0 magnitude earthquake off the country’s eastern coast.
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| Location |
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| Geological Features | Large actively growing lava dome, andesitic to dacitic lava |
| Eruption History | Frequent eruptions; significant activity in 2005, 2010, and ongoing in 2023-2024 |
| Hazards | Ash plumes, pyroclastic flows, lahars |
| Kamchatka Peninsula |
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Health Sector – UHC, National Health Policy, Family Planning, Health Insurance, etc.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:
Prelims level: Polio and its eradication
The World Health Organization (WHO) is investigating a suspected new strain of polio in a two-year-old child from Tikrikilla, Meghalaya.
What is Vaccine-Derived Polio?
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| Details | |
| Nature of Disease | Crippling and potentially deadly viral infectious disease affecting the nervous system. |
| Types of Poliovirus | – WPV1 (Wild Poliovirus type 1) – WPV2 (Wild Poliovirus type 2, eradicated globally) – WPV3 (Wild Poliovirus type 3, eradicated globally) |
| Current Status | WPV1 remains in circulation in Afghanistan and Pakistan. |
| Transmission | Primarily through the faecal-oral route or contaminated water/food. |
| Affected Population | Largely affects children under 5 years of age. |
| Impact | Virus multiplies in the intestine, may invade the nervous system, causing paralysis. |
| Prevention | – No Cure: Preventable through immunization. – Vaccines: – OPV: Oral Polio Vaccine given at birth, with doses at 6, 10, 14 weeks, and a booster at 16-24 months. – IPV: Injectable Polio Vaccine given with the 3rd dose of DPT under UIP. |
| India’s Status |
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PYQ:[2016] ‘Mission Indradhanush’ launched by the Government of India pertains to: (a) immunization of children and pregnant women (b) construction of smart cities across the country (c) India’s own search for the Earth-like planets in outer space (d) New Educational Policy |
International Space Agencies – Missions and Discoveries
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:
Prelims level: JUICE Mission
European scientists are preparing to execute a first-of-its-kind ‘Double Slingshot’ orbital maneuver to guide the JUICE probe towards Jupiter using a double slingshot technique.
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| Aim | Investigating the potential for life on Jupiter’s moons and understanding the Jovian system |
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PYQ:[2020] The experiment will employ a trio of spacecraft flying in formation in the shape of an equilateral triangle that has sides one million kilometres long, with lasers shining between the craft.” The experiment in question refers to (a) Voyager-2 (b) New Horizons (c) LISA Pathfinder (d) Evolved LISA |
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:
Prelims level: Schedule IV of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972
Legal Framework for Reporting of Animals in Possession
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| Details | |
| Protection Level | Provides legal protection to species, prohibiting their hunting, capture, or trade. Protection is less stringent compared to Schedules I & II. |
| Offenses and Penalties | Violations can lead to fines and imprisonment, but penalties are generally less severe than those for species in higher schedules. |
| New Amendment (2022) | The Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022, inserted a new Schedule IV for specimens listed in the CITES Appendices. |
| Examples of Species | Flamingos, Hares, Falcons, Kingfishers, Magpie, and Horseshoe Crabs. |
| Purpose | Ensures legal protection to prevent exploitation and population decline of species that are not critically endangered but still need protection. |
| General Protection Role | Plays an important role in broader conservation efforts, offering safeguards to a wider range of species in India. |
PYQ:[2020] If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, what is the implication? (a) A licence in required to cultivate that plant. (b) Such a plant cannot be cultivated under any circumstances. (c) It is a Genetically Modified crop plant. (d) Such a plant is invasive and harmful to the ecosystem. |
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:
Prelims level: Quantum Non-Locality
A recent study published in Physical Review Letters by Indian researchers has revealed that a universal standard for measuring quantum non-locality is impossible.
Historical Background: Bell’s Theorem (1964)
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PYQ:[2022] Which one of the following is the context in which the term “qubit” is mentioned? (a) Cloud Services (b) Quantum Computing (c) Visible Light Communication Technologies (d) Wireless Communication Technologies |
Innovations in Biotechnology and Medical Sciences
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:
Prelims level: Hayflick Limit
Leonard Hayflick, the renowned biomedical researcher who made a discovery about the limits of cell division in somatic cells (Hayflick Limit) has passed away at 98.
PYQ:[2011] Regular intake of fresh fruits and vegetables is recommended in the diet since they are a good source of antioxidants. How do antioxidants help a person maintain health and promote longevity? (a) They activate the enzymes necessary for vitamin synthesis in the body and help prevent vitamin deficiency (b) They prevent excessive oxidation of carbohydrates, fats and proteins in the body and help avoid unnecessary wastage of energy (c) They neutralize the free radicals produced in the body during metabolism (d) They activate certain genes in the cells of the body and help delay the ageing process |
Global Geological And Climatic Events
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:
Prelims level: Waterspout
A yacht sank off the coast of Sicily, Italy after being hit by a Waterspout.
PYQ:[2020] Consider the following statements: 1. Jet streams occur in the Northern Hemisphere only. 2. Only some cyclones develop an eye. 3. The temperature inside the eye of a cyclone is nearly 10ºC lesser than that of the surroundings. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 2 only (d) 1 and 3 only |
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:
Prelims level: Himalayan Yaks
Around 40 Chinese yaks ventured into Indian Territory in the “Demchok” area of eastern Ladakh and are currently under the control of the local villagers.
Grazing land issue at LAC:
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| Details | |
| Species | Belongs to the Bovini tribe, including bison, buffaloes, and cattle. |
| Adaptation | Can tolerate extreme cold, down to -40°C; adapted for high altitudes with long, insulating hair. |
| Cultural Significance | Valued by Himalayan peoples;
Linked to Tibetan Buddhism legend of Rinpoche. |
| Raising Method | Traditionally reared under a transhumance system; involves significant hardship. |
| Habitat | Endemic to the Tibetan Plateau and high-altitude regions. |
| Altitude Preference | Thrives above 14,000 feet; typically climbs to 20,000 feet and rarely descends below 12,000 feet. |
| Yak-Rearing States in India | Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir. |
| Population Decline | 2019 census: 58,000 yaks in India, a 25% drop from 2012; decline due to low remuneration and market. |
| Significance | Provides crucial nutritional and livelihood security for pastoral nomads in high-altitude regions. |
| Threats | Climate change causing heat stress; inbreeding due to closed borders limiting genetic diversity. |
| Protection Status* | – IUCN Red List: Vulnerable – CITES: Appendix I – Indian Wildlife Act: Schedule I |
| Food Status* | Approved as a ‘food animal’ by the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI). |
PYQ:[2016] What is/are unique about ‘Kharai camel’, a breed found in India? 1. It is capable of swimming up to three kilometres in seawater. 2. It survives by grazing on mangroves. 3. It lives in the wild and cannot be domesticated. Select the correct answer using the codes given below: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
Modern Indian History-Events and Personalities
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:
Prelims level: Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur
The Prime Minister has paid homage to the great Maharaja of Tripura Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur on his birth anniversary.
| Details | |
| Reign | 1923 – 1947 |
| Birth | August 19, 1908 |
| Contributions to Tripura | – Modernized Tripura with infrastructure and educational reforms. – Planned and designed the city of Agartala, earning the title “Architect of Modern Tripura.”-He took initiatives to explore tea cultivation and established several tea estates in Tripura. |
| Education and Infrastructure | – Established schools, colleges, and hospitals. – He was instrumental in establishing the first airport in Tripura, the Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport, which greatly improved connectivity and facilitated economic growth |
| Social Reforms | Introduced land reforms, granted land rights to indigenous people, and worked to abolish untouchability.
Maharaja Bir Bikram was a patron of the arts and culture, supporting various cultural activities and institutions. |
| Military Role | Supported the British during World War II. |
| Legacy | Died on May 17, 1947
Remembered as a visionary ruler who played a crucial role in shaping modern Tripura. |
PYQ:[2022] The political and administrative reorganization of states and territories has been a continuous ongoing process since the mid-nineteenth century. Discuss with examples. (250 words, 15 marks) [2007] Which one of the following is the correct chronological order of the formation of the following states as full states of the Indian Union? (a) Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Haryana (b) Nagaland , Haryana, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh (c) Sikkim, Haryana, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh (d) Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Haryana |
Forest Conservation Efforts – NFP, Western Ghats, etc.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:
Prelims level: Banni Grasslands of Kachchh
A study conducted by researchers at Kachchh University assessed the suitability of different areas in Banni for sustainable grassland restoration, with ecological value being the primary criterion.
Restoration of Banni Grasslands: Highlights of the StudyRecent Study:
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PYQ:[2021] The vegetation of Savannah consists of grassland with scattered small trees, but extensive areas have no trees. The forest development in such areas is generally kept in check by one or more or a combination of some conditions. Which of the following are such conditions? 1. Burrowing animals and termites 2. Fire 3. Grazing herbivores 4. Seasonal rainfall 5. Soil properties Select the correct answer using the code given below. (a) 1 and 2 (b) 4 and 5 (c) 2, 3 and 4 (d) 1, 3 and 5 |
