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Type: Prelims Only

  • Fast X-ray Transients (FXTs)

    Why in the news?

    Astronomers from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics have traced the likely origin of a rare Fast X-ray Transient (FXT) event, EP241107a, detected by the Einstein Probe in November 2024.

    Key Findings

    • FXTs are energetic, non-repeating flashes of X-rays lasting from a few minutes to several hours.
    • They are a recently discovered class of transient cosmic events whose origin has remained uncertain.
    • Researchers identified a radio counterpart of FXT EP241107a using the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array.
    • Follow-up observations were conducted using:
      • Himalayan Chandra Telescope
      • GROWTH India Telescope
      • Upgraded Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope

    Likely Origin

    • The event was probably caused by: Collapse of a massive star leading to a supernova and gamma-ray burst (GRB), or Merger of two neutron stars.
    • Researchers concluded that EP241107a is most likely an “orphan afterglow”:
      • A gamma-ray-burst-like explosion whose gamma rays were not directly detected.
      • Represents a lower-energy member of the GRB population.

    Fast X-ray Transients (FXTs)

    • Sudden flashes of low-energy X-rays.
    • Non-repeating and short-lived.
    • Fade rapidly after detection.
    • Associated with highly energetic cosmic explosions.

    Proposed Sources

    • Core-collapse supernovae.
    • Binary neutron star mergers.
    • Magnetars (highly magnetized neutron stars).
    • Tidal disruption events involving white dwarfs and black holes.
    • Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs).

    Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs)

    • Most energetic explosions known in the Universe.
    • Emit intense gamma radiation for a few milliseconds to several minutes.
    • Associated with the collapse of massive stars (Long GRBs) and Neutron star mergers (Short GRBs).
    • Followed by multi-wavelength “afterglows” in X-ray, optical, and radio bands.

    Neutron Star

    • Extremely dense remnant of a massive star after a supernova.
    • Mass ≈ 1.4-2 solar masses compressed into a sphere about 20 km across.
    • Composed mainly of neutrons.

    [2023] Consider the following pairs: Objects in space : Description
    1. Cepheids : Giant clouds of dust and gas in space
    2. Nebulae : Stars which brighten and dim periodically
    3. Pulsars : Neutron stars that are formed when massive stars run out of fuel and collapse
    How many of the above pairs are correctly matched ?

    [A] Only one

    [B] Only two

    [C] All three

    [D] None

  • India’s First Commercial-Scale Coal-to-Ammonium Nitrate Project

    Why in the news?

    The Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of India’s first commercial-scale Coal-to-Ammonium Nitrate Project at Lakhanpur, Jharsuguda district, Odisha. The project, worth ₹25,016 crore, is a major step towards energy security, import substitution, and industrial self-reliance.

    Coal Gasification

    • A process that converts coal into Synthesis Gas (Syngas), mainly consisting of carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H₂).
    • Syngas can be used to produce Methanol, Urea, Ammonia, Ammonium Nitrate, Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG), Other chemical feedstocks

    Lakhanpur Project

    • India’s first commercial-scale Coal-to-Ammonium Nitrate facility.
    • Developed by Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Limited, a joint venture of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited and Coal India Limited.
    • Located on about 350 acres under Mahanadi Coalfields Limited land.
    • Capacity: 2,000 tonnes/day of Ammonium Nitrate.
    • Uses indigenous coal gasification technology developed by BHEL.
    • Receives ₹1,350 crore support under the Coal Ministry’s incentive scheme.

    Significance

    • Reduces dependence on imported natural gas, ammonia, methanol, and chemicals.
    • Supports Aatmanirbhar Bharat and domestic manufacturing.
    • Enhances value addition to India’s vast coal reserves (>400 billion tonnes).
    • Expected to boost downstream chemical and fertilizer industries.

    [2025] Consider the following substances:
    I. Ethanol
    II. Nitroglycerine
    III. Urea
    Coal gasification technology can be used in the production of how many of them?

    [A] Only one

    [B] Only two

    [C] All the three

    [D] None

  • International Sickle Cell Day 2026

    Why in the news?

    The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, commemorated International Sickle Cell Day at Omkareshwar and highlighted the achievements of the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission (NSCAEM).

    National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission (2023)

    • Launched to eliminate Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) as a public health problem by 2047.
    • Targets screening of 7 crore people (0-40 years age group) in affected tribal and high-prevalence areas.
    • One of the world’s largest genetic disease screening programmes.
    • So far: Around 2.5 lakh patients identified. Over 20 lakh carriers detected.

    Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)

    • A hereditary genetic blood disorder caused by mutation in the haemoglobin gene.
    • Red blood cells become sickle-shaped, reducing oxygen supply.
    • Leads to anaemia, pain episodes, infections, organ damage, and reduced life expectancy.
    • Inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern.

    High-Risk Areas in India

    • Predominantly affects tribal populations across Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Gujarat, Jharkhand, and Rajasthan

    Madhya Pradesh Initiatives

    • Sickle Mitra Initiative: Trains volunteers, NCC cadets, and civil society members for awareness and patient support.
    • Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyan (2025): Screened over 4 lakh women for SCD.

    [2023] Consider the following statements in the context of interventions being undertaken under Anaemia Mukt Bharat Strategy:
    1. It provides prophylactic calcium supplementation for pre-school children, adolescents and pregnant women.
    2. It runs a campaign for delayed cord clamping at the time of child- birth.
    3. It provides for periodic deworming to children and adolescents.
    4. It addresses non-nutritional causes of anaemia in endemic pockets with special focus on malaria, hemoglobinopathies and fluorosis.
    How many of the statements given above are correct?

    [A] Only one

    [B] Only two

    [C] Only three

    [D] All four

  • RBI Temporarily Lifts Interest Rate Ceiling on FCNR(B) & NRE Deposits

    Why in the news?

    The RBI has temporarily removed the interest rate ceiling on fresh FCNR(B) deposits (3-5 years) and NRE deposits (3 years and above) from 17 June 2026 to 30 September 2026 to attract foreign currency inflows, support the rupee, and ease external financing conditions.

    FCNR(B) Deposits

    • Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Bank) Deposits allow NRIs to maintain fixed deposits in designated foreign currencies.
    • Principal and interest are protected from exchange-rate risk.
    • RBI has removed the interest rate cap on fresh and renewed deposits of 3-5 year tenor.
    • Banks have already increased FCNR(B) deposit rates to around 7%.

    NRE Deposits

    • Non-Resident External (NRE) Accounts are rupee-denominated accounts maintained by NRIs.
    • Both principal and interest are fully repatriable.
    • Interest rate ceiling on fresh and renewed deposits of 3 years and above has been removed temporarily.
    • Transfers from NRO to NRE accounts will not qualify for this relaxation.

    RBI’s Objective

    • Attract larger NRI deposits and foreign currency inflows.
    • Strengthen foreign exchange reserves.
    • Support rupee stability.
    • Reduce overseas borrowing costs for banks and public sector entities.
    • Complement RBI’s concessional forex swap facility announced on 5 June 2026.

    Expected Impact

    • Analysts estimate $30-50 billion of inflows by Q3 FY27.
    • Similar FCNR(B) scheme in 2013 attracted nearly $25 billion.
    • Increased foreign currency liquidity may ease external sector pressures.

    [2021] Consider the following:
    1. Foreign currency convertible bonds
    2. Foreign institutional investment with certain conditions
    3. Global depository receipts
    4. Non-resident external deposits
    Which of the above can be included in Foreign Direct Investments?

    [A] 1, 2 and 3

    [B] 3 only

    [C] 2 and 4

    [D] 1 and 4

  • Advancing Electrolyte Engineering for Durable and Affordable Aqueous Batteries

    Why in the news?

    Scientists at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), have developed a novel electrolyte additive (BDIM) that significantly improves the performance and lifespan of Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries (AZIBs).

    Key Highlights

    • AZIBs are emerging as safer, cheaper, and more sustainable alternatives to lithium-ion batteries.
    • Major challenges:
      • Zinc dendrite formation
      • Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER)
      • Corrosion of zinc anode
      • Poor cycling stability
    • Researchers developed BDIM (1,3-bis(1,3-dicarboxypropyl)-1H-imidazole-3-ium chloride) as an electrolyte additive.
    • BDIM selectively adsorbs on the zinc surface and occupies the Inner Helmholtz Plane (IHP).
    • It displaces water molecules, thereby:
      • Suppressing hydrogen evolution
      • Reducing corrosion
      • Preventing dendrite growth
      • Enhancing battery life and safety
    • Researchers used: Ultramicroelectrode (UME) and Fast-Scan Cyclic Voltammetry (FSCV)
      to study zinc deposition mechanisms.

    Significance

    • Extends battery lifespan without costly material redesign.
    • Improves safety and reliability of rechargeable batteries.
    • Supports large-scale renewable energy and grid-storage applications.
    • Can reduce maintenance costs of energy-storage infrastructure.

    Prelims Facts

    • AZIB Electrolyte: Water-based, making it non-flammable and safer than lithium-ion batteries.
    • Inner Helmholtz Plane (IHP): Region near the electrode surface where electrochemical reactions occur.
    • Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER): Undesirable side reaction that reduces battery efficiency.

  • Qadian-Beas Railway Line Project Revived

    Why in the news?

    The Government of India has revived the Qadian-Beas New Railway Line Project in Punjab after nearly a century. The project was originally approved during 1928-29 by the North-Western Railway but remained incomplete.

    Key Highlights

    • Length: 39.68 km broad-gauge railway line.
    • Cost: Approximately ₹1,400 crore.
    • Implementing Agency: Northern Railway.
    • Route: Qadian (Gurdaspur) – Dhapai – Ghuman – Butala – Sathiala – Beas (Amritsar).
    • Revived under the Socially Desirable Rail Connectivity Programme.

    Infrastructure Features

    • 2 crossing stations (Ghuman and Butala).
    • 11 major bridges and 121 minor bridges.
    • 54 Road Under Bridges (RUBs).
    • Modern signalling and telecommunication systems.
    • Deployment of Kavach, India’s indigenous train collision avoidance system.

    Significance

    • Connectivity: Brings several areas of Punjab’s Majha region onto the railway network. Improves mobility and accessibility for residents.
    • Strategic Importance: Provides an alternative corridor to the Amritsar-Pathankot railway section during emergencies. Enhances resilience of railway operations in northern India.
    • Economic Benefits
      • Better market access for farmers.
      • Faster transportation of agricultural produce.
      • Boost to trade, commerce, and small-scale industries.
      • Employment generation during construction and operation.
    • Tourism: Improves access to major religious destinations including Qadian, Dera Baba Jaimal Singh, Sri Darbar Sahib, Dera Baba Nanak, and Gurdwara Achal Sahib

  • Indigenous Air Cushion Vehicle (ACV) Inducted into Indian Coast Guard

    Why in News?

    The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) inducted the first of six indigenously built Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs), or hovercraft, at Goa on 18 June 2026. The vessels are being constructed by Chowgule & Company Private Limited under a Ministry of Defence contract.

    Key Highlights

    • First ACV inducted into ICG service in Goa.
    • Part of a contract for six indigenous hovercraft.
    • Contract signed between the Ministry of Defence and Chowgule & Company Pvt. Ltd. on 24 October 2024.
    • Supports the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
    • Enhances India’s indigenous maritime manufacturing capability.

    What is an Air Cushion Vehicle (ACV)?

    • A hovercraft that travels on a cushion of pressurised air.
    • Can operate over Water, Mudflats, Marshes, Sandbanks, Shallow and coastal areas
    • Combines features of both marine vessels and aircraft.

  • NIXI Celebrates 23rd Foundation Day

    Why in News?

    The National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) is celebrating its 23rd Foundation Day on 19 June 2026, highlighting its role in strengthening India’s internet infrastructure and digital ecosystem.

    About NIXI

    • Established under the aegis of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
    • Not-for-profit organization promoting internet growth and resilience in India.
    • Functions:
      • Management of ‘.IN’ and ‘.भारत’ country-code top-level domains (ccTLDs).
      • Internet Exchange (IX) services.
      • Allocation of IPv4 and IPv6 addresses through the Indian Registry for Internet Names and Numbers (IRINN).

    Key Achievements

    • Manages over 3.9 million .IN domain names.
    • India is among the top 10 country-code domain registries globally.
    • Operates 79 Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) across the country.
    • Supports domain names in 22 Indian languages.
    • Facilitated migration of banking platforms to the .bank.in domain.
    • India’s IPv6 penetration has reached 78.34%.

    New Initiative

    • Launch of an AI-Powered WHOIS Screening Platform.
    • Aim: Improve trustworthiness of the .IN domain ecosystem. Strengthen domain security and fraud detection.

    Key Terms

    • Internet Exchange Point (IXP): Physical infrastructure through which Internet Service Providers (ISPs) exchange domestic internet traffic. Reduces latency and international bandwidth costs.
    • WHOIS: A public database that stores information about domain name registration, ownership, and administrative details.
    • IPv6: Latest version of the Internet Protocol. Provides a vastly larger address space than IPv4.

    Significance

    • Enhances India’s digital sovereignty.
    • Strengthens internet security and resilience.
    • Promotes multilingual internet access.
    • Supports the vision of a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.

    [2018] Which one of the following links all the ATMs in India?

    a) Indian Banks’ Association

    b) National Securities Depository Limited

    c) National Payments Corporation of India

    c) Reserve Bank of India

  • 10th India-Thailand Defence Dialogue (2026)

    Why in the news?

    The 10th India-Thailand Defence Dialogue was held in Bangkok on 16 June 2026 to review bilateral defence cooperation and discuss regional and global security issues.

    Key Highlights

    • Reviewed the full spectrum of India-Thailand defence cooperation.
    • Discussed the evolving security environment in the Indo-Pacific.
    • Reaffirmed commitment to peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.
    • Reviewed progress in:
      • Military-to-military engagements.
      • Capacity-building initiatives.
      • Training exchanges.
      • Maritime cooperation.

    Defence Industry Cooperation

    • Agreed to deepen collaboration in:
      • Defence manufacturing.
      • Research and development (R&D).
      • Innovation.
      • Capability development.
    • Aim: Promote mutually beneficial partnerships between the defence ecosystems of both countries.

    Regional & Multilateral Cooperation

    • Discussed cooperation under Association of Southeast Asian Nations-led mechanisms.
    • Reaffirmed commitment to addressing shared security challenges through dialogue and collaboration.

    India-Thailand Relations

    • Bilateral ties elevated to a Strategic Partnership in 2025.
    • Thailand is an important partner in India’s:
      • Act East Policy.
      • Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).
      • Maritime and regional connectivity efforts.

    [2023] With reference to India’s projects on connectivity, consider the following statements::
    1. East-West Corridor under Golden Quadrilateral Project connects Dibrugarh and Surat.
    2. Trilateral Highway connects Moreh in Manipur and Chiang Mai in Thailand via Myanmar.
    3. Bangladesh- China- India- Myanmar Economic Corridor connects Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh with Kunming in China.
    How many of the above statements are correct?

    [A] Only one

    [B] Only two

    [C] All three

    [D] None

  • U.S.-Iran 14-Point Framework Agreement

    Why in the news?

    The U.S. and Iran have reportedly reached a 14-point framework agreement aimed at reducing tensions, addressing Iran’s nuclear programme, easing sanctions, and restoring regional stability.

    Iran’s Commitments

    • Pledges to never produce nuclear weapons.
    • Maintain the status quo on its nuclear programme during negotiations.
    • Reportedly agreed to down-blend (dilute) highly enriched uranium under supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
    • Restore pre-war shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz within 30 days.

    U.S. Commitments

    • Facilitate release of frozen Iranian assets.
    • Support an economic development plan worth $300 billion.
    • Lift sanctions on:
      • Crude oil exports.
      • Petrochemical products.
      • Financial and banking services.
    • Remove naval blockade and reduce military presence in surrounding areas.
    • Commit to lifting primary and secondary sanctions under a final agreement.

    Other Features

    • Mutual commitment to respect sovereignty and territorial integrity.
    • Call for an immediate and permanent end to regional hostilities, including in Lebanon.
    • Further negotiations to address:
      • Fate of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile.
      • Future nuclear enrichment rights.
      • Long-term sanctions relief.

    Key Flashpoint: Nuclear Enrichment

    • Iran maintains that peaceful nuclear enrichment is its sovereign right.
    • The U.S. has sought zero enrichment on Iranian soil.
    • This remains the most contentious issue for the final agreement.

    Strait of Hormuz

    https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/J8VR36IE2KhH2W7Chx24NzH7nZiusrq4dHlzofkZaU0l864C0V2ssEm1JqFdfl_ngGIQBhN6bfp46EiL1fB2q_6GwXgdBTeG_Y3DUboLyw1NYdUKA4KFTNeImT-2EfSI91fjV4bWICzONHqnqjH2Y-xnR4G6n7KESqi_YHDrA_d9wFsrmTrX1eF9K6zkpZyv?purpose=fullsize
    • Connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
    • One of the world’s most important oil transit chokepoints.
    • A significant share of global crude oil and LNG trade passes through it.

    Prelims Facts

    • IAEA = International Atomic Energy Agency.
    • Strait of Hormuz lies between Iran and Oman.
    • Iran possesses significant stocks of highly enriched uranium.
    • Nuclear enrichment involves increasing the concentration of the fissile isotope Uranium-235 in uranium fuel.

    [2023]Consider the following statements:
    Statement-IIndia, despite having Uranium deposits, depends on coal for most of its electricity production.
    Statement-II:Uranium, enriched to the extent of at least 60%, is required for the production of electricity.
    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 Statement-II is incorrect.

    [D] Statement-I incorrect but Statement-II is correct.