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Type: Prelims Only

  • Oldest Quasars Ever Discovered by Euclid Telescope

    Why in News?

    The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Euclid Space Telescope has discovered 31 ancient quasars, including the oldest ever observed, dating back to when the Universe was about 670 million years old.

    Key Highlights

    • Quasars are the extremely bright cores of distant galaxies powered by supermassive black holes.
    • The newly discovered quasars belong to the Epoch of Reionisation, when the first stars and galaxies formed.
    • Euclid has doubled the number of known ancient quasars within two years.
    • The findings deepen the mystery of how supermassive black holes grew to billions of solar masses so soon after the Big Bang.
    • The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) will further study these quasars to understand the early Universe.

    Significance

    • Helps trace the reionisation of the Universe.
    • Improves understanding of the formation of early galaxies and black holes.
    • Challenges existing models of cosmic evolution.

    UPSC Prelims Value Addition

    • Quasar: The highly luminous active galactic nucleus (AGN) of a distant galaxy, powered by matter falling into a supermassive black hole.
    • Epoch of Reionisation: The period (about 400 million to 1 billion years after the Big Bang) when the first stars and galaxies ionised neutral hydrogen, ending the Cosmic Dark Ages.

    [2017] The terms ‘Event Horizon’, ‘Singularity’, ‘String Theory’ and ‘Standard Model’ are sometimes seen in the news in the context of:

    (a) Observation and understanding of the Universe

    (b) Study of the solar and the lunar eclipses

    (c) Placing satellites in the orbit of the Earth

    (d) Origin and evolution of living organisms on the Earth

  • Vikram-1 to Carry Six Payloads in Maiden Orbital Mission

    Why in News?

    Skyroot Aerospace announced that its Vikram-1, India’s first privately developed orbital-class launch vehicle, will carry six payloads during its maiden mission, Mission Aagaman, expected between July 12 and August 4, 2026.

    Key Highlights

    • Vikram-1 is India’s first privately built orbital-class rocket.
    • It will carry six payloads, including technology demonstrations and cultural artefacts.
    • Technology payloads include:
      • SOLARAS nano-satellite (Grahaa Space)
      • SCOPE (Skyroot Aerospace)
      • Embrace robotic arm (Cosmoserve Space) for space debris capture technology
      • One international payload from Dcubed GmbH (Germany).
    • Cultural payloads:
      • Cosmic Bloom: Diamond jewellery mounted on an aluminium plate.
      • Microart: An 18K gold rocket featuring micro-sculptures of Sir C.V. Raman, Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, and Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

    Significance

    • Marks a major milestone for India’s private space sector.
    • Demonstrates indigenous launch capability for commercial and technology missions.
    • Supports innovation in satellite technologies and space debris removal.

    Orbital-class Launch Vehicle

    • A rocket capable of placing satellites into Earth’s orbit, unlike sub-orbital rockets that follow a ballistic trajectory without completing an orbit.

    [2026] Consider the following statements with regard to involvement of private entities in India’s space programme :
    1. The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) is an autonomous agency formed to facilitate participation of private entities.
    2. Agnikul Cosmos launched the world’s first flight using 3D-printed rocket engine.
    3. Skyroot Aerospace has developed liquid fuel for GSLV.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    [A] 1 only

    [B] 2 and 3 only

    [C] 1 and 2 only

    [D] 1, 2 and 3

  • El Niño to Dent India’s Wind & Hydropower Output

    Why in the News?

    The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) projects an 18 TWh clean-power shortfall for India by June 2027, driven by El Niño-linked weakness in wind and hydropower output and rising cooling demand. The finding exposes a gap between the record renewable capacity India has installed and the storage needed to actually deliver that capacity as power, forcing the shortfall to be filled by coal.

    What has changed in India’s exposure to this El Niño cycle?

    1. Monsoon deficit: June rainfall closed with an all-India deficit of about 40%, the fifth-lowest June since 1901, with the cumulative shortfall at 20% below normal by July 6.
    2. IMD forecast: The India Meteorological Department has forecast below-normal southwest monsoon rainfall at 90% of the long-period average, with a 60% chance of a deficient season.
    3. Generation gap: CREA projects a median shortfall of 17.7 TWh and a severe-case shortfall of 24 TWh, against India’s total 2025-26 generation of about 1,846 billion units.
    4. Emissions cost: A coal-led response to the gap would release an estimated 17 million tonnes of additional carbon dioxide.

    Is this a capacity shortfall or a utilisation shortfall?

    1. Record capacity base: Non-fossil installed capacity reached 283.46 GW by March 31, including 150.26 GW of solar and 56.09 GW of wind.
    2. Record additions: India added 44.6 GW of solar and 6 GW of wind capacity in 2025-26 alone.
    3. Curtailment: Grid operators curtailed about 2.1 TWh of solar and wind generation last year to keep coal plants running.
    4. Storage gap: CREA estimates roughly 10 GWh of battery storage could have averted this curtailment.

    Why does the response default to coal rather than storage?

    1. Coal’s continuing weight: Coal remains about 42% of installed capacity even as coal generation fell 3.69% over the year.
    2. New coal pipeline: India is adding around 130 GW of new coal capacity to buffer peak demand, such as the 270.82 GW peak recorded on May 21.
    3. Policy diagnosis: CREA director Nandikesh Sivalingam states India must move faster on batteries and grid upgrades to meet future demand surges.
    4. Dispatch logic: Coal capacity can be dispatched on demand without storage investment, making it the default buffer despite its emissions cost.

    Conclusion

    India’s projected clean-power shortfall is a storage and grid-integration deficit, not a generation deficit. The 130 GW of new coal capacity being planned addresses the symptom of demand variability, not the missing battery and transmission investment needed to convert installed renewable capacity into reliable output. Without storage scaling alongside capacity addition, each future El Niño cycle will repeat the same coal fallback and its emissions cost.

  • Gaganyaan: ISRO Conducts First SOLVE Ground Test

    Why in News?

    ISRO successfully conducted the first ground test of the Sub-Orbital Launch Vehicle for Experiments (SOLVE) solid motor at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, for the Gaganyaan Mission.

    What is SOLVE?

    • SOLVE (Sub-Orbital Launch Vehicle for Experiments) is a solid motor-based test vehicle developed by ISRO.
    • It is designed to validate the Crew Module’s parachute-based deceleration system under different mission conditions.
    • A key component for future Gaganyaan Test Missions.

    Key Features

    • Carries the Crew Module to an altitude of 10 to 17 km.
    • After separation, a series of 10 parachutes slows the Crew Module before sea splashdown.
    • Solid motor derived from the PSLV Strap-on Motor with modifications such as:
      • Slow burn-rate propellant.
      • Straight nozzle with Secondary Injection Thrust Vector Control (SITVC).

    Significance

    • Validates the Crew Module recovery system.
    • Provides flexibility to simulate different mission scenarios.
    • Supports upcoming uncrewed and crewed Gaganyaan missions.

    About Gaganyaan Mission

    • India’s first human spaceflight mission.
    • Objective: Demonstrate the capability to send three astronauts to a 400 km Low Earth Orbit (LEO) for about three days and safely recover them in Indian waters.
    • Implemented by ISRO.

    [2025] Consider the following space missions:
    I. Axiom-4
    II. SpaDeX
    III. Gaganyaan
    How many of the space missions given above encourage and support microgravity research?

    [A] Only one

    [B] Only two

    [C] All the three

    [D] None

  • LokOS: Digital Backbone for Rural Livelihoods

    Why in News?

    The Government highlighted LokOS, the digital platform under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), for strengthening governance, transparency, and financial inclusion of Self-Help Groups (SHGs).

    What is LokOS?

    • LokOS (Lok = People, OS = Operating System) is a web and mobile platform for end-to-end digitisation of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and their federations.
    • Implemented under DAY-NRLM of the Ministry of Rural Development.
    • Digitises member records, savings, loans, repayments, livelihoods, and convergence with government schemes.

    Key Features

    • End-to-end digital management of SHGs, Village Organizations (VOs), and Cluster Level Federations (CLFs).
    • Aadhaar and bank-linked digital IDs for members.
    • Real-time recording of savings, loans, and repayments.
    • Livelihood profiling and scheme convergence.
    • Role-based administration and real-time dashboards.
    • Digitally tracks nearly ₹2 lakh crore worth of SHG financial transactions annually.

    SHE-LEAPS

    • Self-Help Entrepreneur Livelihoods and Enterprise Application for Prosperity and Sustainability (SHE-LEAPS) launched on 29 June 2026.
    • Operates under LokOS.
    • Supports women SHG members in enterprise creation, business management, and performance tracking.

    Coverage

    • Covers 34 States/UTs, 762 districts, 7,241 blocks, 2.57 lakh Gram Panchayats, and 5.92 lakh villages.
    • Digitally integrates: 94.16 lakh SHGs, 5.62 lakh Village Organizations, 34,314 Cluster Level Federations, and 10.03 crore SHG members

    [2023] Consider the following statements:
    1. The Self-Help Group (SHG) programme was originally initiated by the State Bank of India by providing microcredit to the financially deprived.
    2. In an SHG, all members of a group take responsibility for a loan that an individual member takes.
    3. The Regional Rural Banks and Scheduled Commercial Banks support SHGs.
    How many of the above statements are correct?

    [A] Only one

    [B] Only two

    [C] All three

    [D] None

  • Modified UDAN Scheme (Viksit UDAN)

    Why in News?

    The Prime Minister launched the Modified UDAN Scheme (Viksit UDAN) and inaugurated the New Terminal Building at Jodhpur Airport, marking the next phase of India’s regional aviation expansion.

    About UDAN

    • UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) was launched in October 2016 under the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
    • Objective: Make air travel affordable, accessible, and widespread by improving regional connectivity through the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS).

    Achievements of UDAN

    • 669 regional routes operationalised.
    • 95 airports, heliports, and water aerodromes connected.
    • Over 1.66 crore passengers benefited.

    Key Features of Modified UDAN (2026)

    • Approved: 25 March 2026.
    • Outlay: Nearly ₹29,000 crore over 10 years.
    • Develop 100 new aerodromes from unserved airstrips.
      • Note: An aerodrome is any defined location on land or water used for the arrival, departure, and movement of aircraft
    • Develop 200 modern helipads.
    • Continued Viability Gap Funding (VGF) for regional airlines.
    • Operations and Maintenance support for regional airports.
    • Promotes indigenous aircraft such as HAL Dhruv and Dornier under Atmanirbhar Bharat.

    New Terminal Building, Jodhpur Airport

    • Built by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) at a cost of ₹480 crore.
    • Area: 23,342 sq. m.
    • Capacity: 20 lakh passengers annually and 1,500 passengers during peak hours.
    • Features 20 check-in counters, 6 aerobridges, advanced baggage handling, and sustainable design targeting a 5-Star GRIHA rating.

    Significance

    • Improves connectivity to Tier-2, Tier-3, and remote regions.
    • Boosts tourism, trade, employment, and regional economic growth.
    • Strengthens last-mile air connectivity.
    • Supports the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

    [2024] Consider the following airports:
    1. Donyi Polo Airport
    2. Kushinagar International Airport
    3. Vijayawada International Airport In the recent past,
    which of the above have been constructed as Greenfield project?

    [A] 1 and 2 only

    [B] 2 and 3 only

    [C] 1 and 3 only

    [D] 1, 2 and 3

  • MY Bharat (Mera Yuva Bharat)

    Why in News?

    The Government highlighted the achievements of MY Bharat (Mera Yuva Bharat) as India’s digital platform for youth engagement, volunteering, leadership, and nation-building.

    What is MY Bharat?

    • Launched in October 2023 under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
    • A Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) platform connecting youth with government, educational institutions, NGOs, and industry.
    • Aims to empower Amrit Peedhi through volunteering, skill development, experiential learning, and civic participation.

    Key Features

    • Digital Volunteerism: Over 1.52 lakh volunteering opportunities (June 2026). Supports online registration, geo-tagging, attendance, certificates, and impact tracking.
    • Experiential Learning: More than 24,900 Experiential Learning Programmes (ELPs). Offers internships, apprenticeships, industry exposure, quizzes, and competitions.
    • Leadership & Career Support: Viksit Bharat Youth Parliament for leadership development. AI-powered resume builder and mentoring. Multilingual quizzes on governance, Constitution, and public policy.

    Major Initiatives

    • MY Bharat MY Vote campaign for voter awareness.
    • Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026 with over 50.42 lakh participants.
    • Nari Shakti Youth Parliament engaging 7,000+ young women.
    • Supports NSS, Nasha Mukt Bharat, Yoga Day, cleanliness drives, and padyatras.
    • Facilitated youth participation at the ECOSOC Youth Forum 2026.

    Digital Achievements

    • Guinness World Record (2026): Most users taking an online quiz in one week (390,812 participants).
    • Mobile app available in 22 Indian languages.
    • Over 1 lakh app downloads (July 2026).
    • Provides digital badges, certificates, and verified participation records.

    Future Roadmap

    • MY Bharat 2.0 will leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI), multilingual technology, open APIs, and digital credentials.
    • Targets empowering 100 million youth in line with Viksit Bharat@2047.

    [2016] Regarding DigiLocker’, sometimes seen in the news, which of the following statements is/are correct?
    1. It is a digital locker system offered by the Government under Digital India Programme.
    2. It allows you to access your e-documents irrespective of your physical location.
    Select the correct answer using the code given below.

    [A] 1 only

    [B] 2 only

    [C] Both 1 and 2

    [D] Neither 1 nor 2

  • Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme

    Why in News?

    The Government highlighted the achievements of the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme, its policy evolution, and clarified common misconceptions regarding E20 fuel.

    What is the EBP Programme?

    • The EBP Programme promotes blending ethanol with petrol to:
    • Reduce crude oil imports and improve energy security.
    • Lower greenhouse gas emissions.
    • Increase farmers’ income.
    • Promote renewable transport fuel.
    • India achieved 20% ethanol blending (E20) in 2025-26, five years ahead of the target.

    Policy Evolution

    • 2003: EBP Programme launched.
    • 2018: National Policy on Biofuels notified.
    • 2021: E20 target advanced from 2030 to 2025-26.
    • 2025-26: 20% blending achieved.

    Key Achievements

    • Ethanol blending: <1.5% (2013-14) → 20% (2025-26)
    • Ethanol production capacity: 421 crore L → ~2,000 crore L
    • Foreign exchange saved: ₹1.90 lakh crore+
    • Crude oil substituted: 310 lakh MT
    • CO₂ emissions reduced: 930 lakh MT
    • Additional farmer income: ₹1.60 lakh crore+

    Feedstocks

    • Sugarcane juice, Molasses, Maize, Surplus rice, and Other approved agricultural biomass

    Key Facts on E20

    • Does not reduce mileage by 30%; actual impact is marginal.
    • No evidence of widespread engine damage after extensive testing.
    • Higher octane fuel improves combustion and lowers emissions.
    • Does not affect vehicle warranty or insurance.
    • Raw sugarcane juice is not mixed with petrol; ethanol is produced through fermentation and distillation.
    • Modern distilleries use Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) systems.
    • Fuel-grade ethanol contains no sugar and does not attract insects.

    [2025] Consider the following statements:
    Statement I: Of the two major ethanol producers in the world, i.e., Brazil and the United States of America, the former produces more ethanol than the latter.
    Statement II: Unlike in the United States of America where corn is the principal feedstock for ethanol production, sugarcane is the principal feedstock for ethanol production in Brazil.
    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 explains Statement I

    [B] Both Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II does not explain Statement I

    [C] Statement I is correct but Statement II is not correct

    [D] Statement I is not correct but Statement II is correct

  • Salt Marsh Restoration on Oléron Island

    Why in News?

    The revival of the traditional salt harvesting profession on Oléron Island, France, is gaining attention as restored salt marshes help protect coastal areas from the increasing impacts of climate change, especially marine flooding.

    Key Highlights

    • The profession of salt worker disappeared from Oléron Island in the 1980s but has been revived with support from local authorities.
    • Salt marshes are being restored not only for salt production but also as a nature-based solution for climate adaptation.
    • These marshes act as buffer zones, reducing the impact of coastal flooding and storm surges.
    • Climate change has increased the frequency and intensity of marine flooding, making coastal ecosystem restoration increasingly important.

    What are Salt Marshes?

    • Salt marshes are coastal wetlands found in the intertidal zone between land and sea.
    • They are regularly flooded by seawater during high tides.
    • They are dominated by salt-tolerant (halophytic) vegetation such as grasses, sedges, and shrubs.
    • Salt marshes commonly occur in estuaries, lagoons, deltas, and sheltered coastlines.

    Ecological Importance

    • Act as natural buffers, reducing the impact of storm surges and coastal erosion.
    • Absorb and store excess floodwater, lowering flood risks.
    • Trap sediments and improve water quality.
    • Serve as breeding and nursery grounds for fish, crustaceans, and migratory birds.
    • Store large amounts of blue carbon, helping mitigate climate change.

    What is Blue Carbon?

    • Blue carbon refers to carbon captured and stored by coastal and marine ecosystems such as: Mangroves, Salt marshes, and Seagrass meadows
    • These ecosystems sequester carbon in both vegetation and underlying sediments for long periods.

    Threats to Salt Marshes

    • Coastal development and land reclamation.
    • Sea level rise due to climate change.
    • Pollution and eutrophication.
    • Conversion for agriculture and aquaculture.
    • Alteration of natural tidal flows.

    Relevance for India

    • India has significant coastal wetlands, including mangroves, salt marshes, mudflats, and seagrass meadows, which play a crucial role in coastal protection and climate resilience.
    • Restoration of these ecosystems supports India’s commitments under the Ramsar Convention, National Coastal Mission, and climate adaptation strategies.

    [2021] What is blue carbon?

    [A] Carbon captured by oceans and coastal ecosystems

    [B] Carbon sequestered in forest biomass and agricultural soils

    [C] Carbon contained in petroleum and natural gas

    [D] Carbon present in atmosphere

  • Mount Marapi Eruption in Indonesia

    Why in News?

    Mount Marapi, one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes, erupted again, sending an ash column about 2 km high into the sky over West Sumatra’s Tanah Datar District. Authorities continue to enforce a 3 km exclusion zone around the volcano.

    Note: This volcano is Mount Marapi (West Sumatra), not Mount Merapi (Central Java). They are two different active volcanoes in Indonesia.

    Key Highlights

    • The eruption produced an ash plume reaching approximately 2 km above the summit.
    • A 3 km exclusion zone remains in force following the deadly eruption in December 2023.
    • Authorities have advised residents and tourists to stay away from the crater due to the risk of further eruptions.
    • Indonesia frequently experiences volcanic eruptions because of its tectonic setting.

    About Mount Marapi

    • Located in West Sumatra Province, Indonesia.
    • Elevation: 2,891 metres.
    • It is one of the most active volcanoes in Sumatra.
    • It is a stratovolcano (composite volcano) characterized by frequent explosive eruptions.

    What is a Stratovolcano?

    • A stratovolcano is formed by alternating layers of lava, volcanic ash, and pyroclastic material.
    • It has steep slopes and is associated with explosive eruptions because of silica-rich, viscous magma.
    • Examples include Mount Fuji (Japan), Mount Merapi (Indonesia), and Mount St. Helens (USA).

    Why is Indonesia Highly Prone to Volcanic Activity?

    • Indonesia lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a zone of intense volcanic and seismic activity.
    • It is located at the convergence of the Indo Australian, Eurasian, Pacific, and Philippine Sea tectonic plates.
    • The country has more than 120 active volcanoes, the highest number in the world.

    Prelims Facts

    • Pacific Ring of Fire contains about 75% of the world’s active volcanoes and experiences nearly 90% of global earthquakes.
    • Volcanic hazards include ashfall, lava flows, pyroclastic flows, volcanic gases, and lahars (volcanic mudflows).

    [2024] Consider the following:
    1. Pyroclastic debris
    2. Ash and dust
    3. Nitrogen compounds
    4. Sulphur compounds
    How many of the above are products of volcanic eruptions?

    [A] Only one

    [B] Only two

    [C] Only three

    [D] All four