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Type: Prelims Only

  • Historical and Archaeological Findings in News

    Piprahwa Relics of Buddha

    Prelims Only | Art and Culture | Mains Paper 1: Arts & Culture

    Why in the News?

    The sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha have reached Thimphu, Bhutan, as a goodwill gift from India for the Global Peace Prayer Festival (GPPF).

    About the Piprahwa Relics:

    • Discovery: Unearthed in 1898 by William Claxton Peppe, a British engineer, at Piprahwa (Siddharthnagar, Uttar Pradesh), near the Nepal border.
    • Historical Significance: Identified as ancient Kapilavastu, capital of the Shakya republic, where Prince Siddhartha (Buddha) lived before renunciation.
    • Findings at the Site: A buried stupa yielded a large stone coffer containing:
      • Bone fragments believed to be Buddha’s relics
      • Caskets made of soapstone and crystal
      • A sandstone coffer
      • Over 1,800 ornaments: pearls, rubies, sapphires, gold sheets
    • Legal Custody:
      • The British Crown claimed the relics under the Indian Treasure Trove Act, 1878.
      • Most artifacts were transferred to the Indian Museum, Kolkata.

    Stupas with Buddha’s Relics:

    • After the Buddha’s death (Mahaparinirvana), his cremated relics were divided among 8 kingdoms and a Brahmin named Drona, who coordinated their distribution.
    • Each recipient built a Stupa to enshrine their share of the relics, creating important pilgrimage sites and early centers of Buddhist worship.
    • The 9 stupas were in Rajagriha, Vaishali, Kapilavastu, Allakappa, Ramagrama, Vethadipa, Pava, Kushinagar, and Pippalivana.
    • Emperor Ashoka (3rd century BCE) redistributed the relics from these stupas into thousands of new stupas across his empire.
    • The stupa at Ramagrama is unique because it is believed to remain untouched and still holds the original relics.
    • A typical early Buddhist stupa included a hemispherical mound (anda), a square railing (harmika), a central pillar (yashti) with umbrellas (chatra), and a path for circumambulation (pradakshinapatha).
    [UPSC 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?

    Options: (a) Only one (b) Only two* (c) All three (d) None

     

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  • Electoral Reforms In India

    Disclosure of Election Finance

    Prelims Only | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Representation Of People’s Act

    Why in the News?

    A recent report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) revealed that over half of registered unrecognised political parties (RUPPs) linked to Bihar have failed to comply with mandatory financial disclosure norms for FY 2023–24.

    Key Findings of ADR Report:

    • Non-Compliance: Over 59% of registered unrecognised political parties (RUPPs) linked to Bihar failed to file either their audit reports or donation statements for FY 2023–24, violating Election Commission of India (ECI) norms.
    • Scope: Of 275 RUPPs reviewed, 184 were from Bihar and 91 from other states. Only 67 parties (24.36%) disclosed both audit and contribution reports.

    Political Funding in India:

    • Overview: Political funding refers to financial resources raised by political parties or candidates to sustain organisational operations and election campaigns.
    • Purpose: Ensures participation in democratic processes, electoral competitiveness, and mass outreach.
    • Sources of Funding:
      • Individuals: Citizens contribute voluntarily; deductions under Section 80GGB (Income Tax Act).
      • Corporates: Donations governed by Section 182 (Companies Act, 2013).
      • State Support: Indirect subsidies (media access, tax exemption) allowed; direct funding prohibited.
      • Electoral Trusts (2013): Channel corporate contributions transparently.
      • Electoral Bonds (2018): Introduced donor anonymity; struck down by Supreme Court (2024) for violating transparency and citizens’ right to information.

    Legal Framework for Political Funding:

    • Representation of the People Act, 1951 (RPA): Governs election conduct, contributions, and maintenance of accounts.
    • Income Tax Act, 1961:
      • Section 13A: Exempts tax only for parties maintaining audited accounts and disclosing donations.
      • Section 80GGB/GGC: Offers tax benefits to individual and corporate donors.
    • Companies Act, 2013:
      • Section 182: Limits corporate donations to 7.5% of average net profits of the last three years.
      • Mandates annual disclosure of political contributions.
    • Election Commission Guidelines: Mandate submission of audited accounts and contribution reports above ₹20,000.

    Mechanisms Governing Political Funding Disclosure:

    • Disclosure Requirements:
      • Under Section 29C (RPA, 1951): Political parties must disclose donations above ₹20,000 to the ECI annually.
      • Under Sections 77–78 (RPA, 1951): Candidates must submit true election expenditure accounts within 90 days (Lok Sabha) or 75 days (Assembly).
      • Violations invite disqualification up to three years (Section 10A).
    • Transparency Gaps:
      • Over 60% of party income from “unknown sources”, mainly due to inadequate enforcement and loopholes.
      • Frequent delays, incomplete disclosures, and absence of independent audits persist.
    • Judicial Oversight:
      • Supreme Court judgments (e.g., PUCL v. Union, 2003) and 2024 ruling on Electoral Bonds strengthened citizens’ right to know funding sources.
    • Reform Recommendations:
      • Bring political parties under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
      • Lower disclosure threshold from ₹20,000 to ₹2,000.
      • Establish National Election Fund for equitable, state-audited funding.
      • Ensure real-time digital reporting and independent third-party audits.
    [UPSC 2021] Which one of the following effects of the creation of black money in India has been the main cause of worry to the Government of India?

    Options: (a) Diversion of resources to the purchase of real estate and investment in luxury housing

    (b) Investment in unproductive activities and purchase of precious stones, jewelry, gold, etc.

    (c) Large donations to political parties and the growth of regionalism

    (d) Loss of revenue to the State Exchequer due to tax evasion*

     

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  • Foreign Policy Watch: United Nations

    Bangladesh’s accession to the UN Water Convention

    Prelims Only | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: Important International Institutions

    Why in the News?

    In 2025, Bangladesh became the first South Asian nation to join the UN Water Convention (Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes).

    About UN Water Convention:

    • Overview: Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes, adopted in Helsinki (1992) and enforced in 1996 under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).
    • Globalisation: Originally regional (Europe, Central Asia); opened to all UN Member States in 2016 after a 2013 amendment, becoming a global treaty for transboundary water governance.
    • Objective: Promotes sustainable management of shared water resources and conflict prevention through cooperative mechanisms.
    • Key Goals: Implements SDG-6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG-16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) via equitable water sharing and joint management.
    • Obligations for Parties:
      • Prevent and reduce transboundary pollution and unsustainable extraction.
      • Use shared waters equitably and reasonably.
      • Coordinate national and transboundary water management policies.
      • Establish joint bodies or commissions for shared basins.
    • Institutional Mechanism: Managed by the UNECE Secretariat, which organises meetings, facilitates implementation, and promotes basin-level cooperation among signatories.
    • Legal Character: Functions as a framework convention, complementing rather than replacing bilateral treaties (e.g., Indus Waters Treaty, Ganga Treaty).
    • Significance: Serves as a legal and institutional mechanism for Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM), regional peacebuilding, and climate-resilient governance.
    • Related Instruments: Inspired the UN Watercourses Convention (1997); both operate in complementary scopes within international water law.

    Why did Bangladesh join (2025):

    • First in South Asia: Became the first South Asian nation to ratify the Convention amid escalating water stress and climate vulnerability.
    • Hydrological Dependence: Over 90% of river inflows come from outside Bangladesh, mainly India and China, making Dhaka highly vulnerable to upstream interventions.
    • Upstream Projects: Concerns over China’s Motuo Hydropower Project (Yarlung Tsangpo/Brahmaputra) and India’s unresolved Teesta water-sharing dispute drove the decision.
    • Environmental Risks: 60% of population exposed to floods; half live in drought-prone areas, heightening need for cooperative governance.
    • Legal Context: Bangladesh’s 2019 High Court ruling granting rivers legal personhood reinforced its institutional focus on water rights.
    • Strategic Motivation: Seeks global legal recourse, access to data-sharing mechanisms, and international funding for climate adaptation and water security.

    Implications for India:

    • Shift from Bilateralism: India prefers bilateral river treaties (e.g., Indus, Ganga). Bangladesh’s multilateral engagement introduces scope for third-party mediation, contrary to India’s stance.
    • Ganga Treaty Renewal (2026): Bangladesh may invoke “equitable utilisation” to seek a higher share of Ganga waters under Convention norms.
    • Teesta River Pressure: The stalled Teesta agreement could face renewed international pressure, citing fairness and sustainability principles.
    • Regional Domino Effect: Likely to motivate Nepal and Bhutan to join, potentially transforming South Asia’s hydro-diplomatic architecture.
    • Strategic Concerns: Bangladesh’s simultaneous trilateral cooperation with China and Pakistan raises apprehensions of a Beijing-influenced hydro-bloc.

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  • What is Animal Birth Control (ABC) Program?

    Prelims Only | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Governance, Transparency & Accountability, Citizens Charters

    Why in the News?

    The Supreme Court has ordered all States and Union Territories to remove stray dogs from public areas and relocate them to shelters after sterilisation and vaccination under the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023.

    About Animal Birth Control (ABC) Program:

    • Purpose: Humane, scientifically proven method to control stray dog populations and reduce rabies.
    • Legal Basis: First under Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001 (under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960); updated as Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023.
    • Development: Created with support from the World Health Organization (WHO).
    • Core Method: “Catch–sterilise–vaccinate–release” model; prohibits relocation or culling.
    • Implementation: Managed by municipalities, municipal corporations, and panchayats.
    • Authorisation: Only organisations recognised by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) can conduct programs.
    • Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023:
      • Implemented to comply with Supreme Court guidelines in Writ Petition No. 691 of 2009.
      • Assigns responsibility to local bodies (municipalities, corporations, panchayats) to conduct ABC programs for sterilisation and immunisation of stray dogs.
      • Prohibits relocation of stray dogs as a means of population control; instead, they must be sterilised and returned to the same area.
      • Only organisations recognised by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) can conduct ABC programs.

    Key Features:

    • Sterilisation Target: Minimum 70% of stray dogs in an area within one reproductive cycle (~6 months).
    • Focus: Female sterilisation at a 70:30 female-to-male ratio.
    • Rabies Control: Mandatory rabies vaccination (ABC–ARV) for every sterilised dog.
    • Infrastructure: Kennels, veterinary facilities, vehicles, and hygienic shelters required.
    • Recordkeeping: Detailed records for catching, surgery, vaccination, and release.
    • Monitoring: State and local committees ensure compliance and handle complaints.
    • Legal Protection: Mass relocation or killing prohibited under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960.
    [UPSC 2010] Consider the following statements:

    1. Every individual in the population is equally susceptible host for Swine Flu.

    2. Antibiotics have no role in the primary treatment of Swine Flu

    3.To prevent the future spread of Swine Flu in the epidemic area, the swine (pigs) must all be culled.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    Options: (a) 1 and 2 only* (b) 2 only  (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

     

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  • CAG plans to create two new cadres for more centralisation

    Prelims Only | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Indian Constitution – historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure

    Why in the News?

    The Comptroller and Auditor General of India approved two new Indian Audit and Accounts Department (IA&AD) cadres, the Central Revenue Audit and Central Expenditure Audit, effective from 1 January 2026.

    About the New Cadres:

    • Objective: Designed to build deeper professional expertise in auditing Central receipts and expenditures, streamline manpower management, and reduce dependence on regional deployments.
      1. Central Revenue Audit (CRA): Focuses on auditing Central Government revenues, including direct taxes, indirect taxes, customs, excise, and non-tax receipts. It ensures compliance, accuracy, and transparency in revenue administration.
      2. Central Expenditure Audit (CEA): Concentrates on auditing Central Government expenditures, assessing legality, efficiency, and prudence in public spending across ministries and departments.
    • Impact: The reform consolidates around 4,000 audit professionals (out of a total CAG strength of ~42,000), improving manpower flexibility, domain expertise, and data-driven audit capabilities.
    • Significance: Marks a major shift toward centralised auditing, ensuring a uniform approach to the examination of national finances and reinforcing accountability in public administration.

    About the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India:

    • Overview: Established under Article 148, the CAG heads the Indian Audit and Accounts Department (IA&AD) and acts as guardian of public finance.
    • Legal Framework: Functions under the CAG (Duties, Powers and Conditions of Service) Act, 1971, amended in 1976, 1984, and 1987.
    • Appointment & Tenure:
      • Appointed by the President under warrant and seal.
      • Tenure – Six years or until age 65, whichever earlier.
      • Removal – Same as a Supreme Court judge, requiring special majority in Parliament.
    • Independence Safeguards:
      • Salary and expenses charged on the Consolidated Fund of India.
      • No reappointment to government posts after retirement.
      • No minister can defend the CAG in Parliament.
    • Duties & Powers:
      • Audits Consolidated Funds of the Union, States, and UTs.
      • Examines PSUs, autonomous bodies, and grant-in-aid institutions.
      • Submits reports to the President, later examined by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
    • Role & Importance: Serves as the watchdog of public finance, conducting regulatory and propriety audits to ensure legality and efficiency in expenditure.
    • International Role: Currently the External Auditor for IAEA (2022–2027) and FAO (2020–2025), enhancing India’s global audit leadership.
    [UPSC 2012] In India, other than ensuring that public funds are used efficiently and for intended purpose, what is the importance of the office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)?

    1. CAG exercises exchequer control on behalf of the Parliament when the President of India declares national emergency/financial emergency

    2. CAG reports on the execution of projects or programmes by the ministries are discussed by the Public Accounts Committee.

    3. Information from CAG reports can be used by investigating agencies to press charges against those who have violated the law while managing public finances.

    4. While dealing with the audit and accounting of government companies, CAG has certain judicial powers for prosecuting those who violate the law.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    (a) 1, 3 and 4 only  (b) 2 only  (c) 2 and 3 only * (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

     

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  • Land Reforms

    Watandari System of Land Revenue

    Prelims Only | History | Mains Paper 1: Modern Indian History

    Why in the News?

    An inquiry has been ordered into a Pune land deal over alleged irregularities and undervaluation of 40 acres of a Watandari land.

    What is the Watan / Watandari System?

    • Overview: A hereditary land tenure and revenue-rights system once prevalent in Maharashtra and the Deccan, granting Watan lands to individuals or families for performing state or village services.
    • Historical Origin: Evolved under the Rashtrakutas, Deccan Sultanates, and Mughals to institutionalise local governance through hereditary offices.
    • Purpose: Created to compensate local officials and functionaries (like village heads, accountants, or priests) through land revenue rights rather than direct salaries.
    • Administrative Role: Integrated local elite families into the state’s fiscal system, ensuring continuity of governance and tax collection.
    • Socio-Economic Character: Reflected the fusion of land, caste, and service, forming a semi-feudal agrarian order at the village level.

    Key Features of the Watan System:

    • Hereditary Tenure: Watan rights and duties passed from one generation to another, often within the same lineage.
    • Service-Based Grant: Land given as compensation for hereditary duties– administrative, military, or religious, performed for the state.
    • Watandars: Holders included Patils, Kulkarnis, Deshmukhs, Josis, and Purohits, each tied to specific village roles.
    • Non-Transferability: Watan lands were non-saleable and non-alienable, as tenure depended on continued public service.
    • Revenue Rights: Watandars retained a share of village revenue in lieu of fixed payment, ensuring local autonomy.
    • Caste-Linked Hierarchy: Reinforced hereditary privilege and caste dominance within village administration.
    • Decline and Inefficiency: Over time, hereditary claims caused disputes, mismanagement, and reduced accountability.
    [UPSC 2024] With reference to revenue collection by Cornwallis, consider the following statements:
    1. Under the Ryotwari Settlement of revenue collection, the peasants were exempted from revenue payment in case of bad harvests or natural calamities.
    2. Under the Permanent Settlement in Bengal, if the Zamindar failed to pay his revenues to the state on or before the fixed date, he would be removed from his Zamindari.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    Options: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only* (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

     

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  • Global Study on Biomass Movement

    Prelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

    Why in the News?

    A new study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution highlights how species mobility, measured as biomass movement, shapes ecosystems and reflects human ecological dominance.

    About the Concept of Biomass Movement:

    • Overview: Biomass movement is the product of a species’ total biomass and the distance it travels annually, representing the mass of living matter displaced across ecosystems each year.
      • Biomass movement = (Total biomass of a species) × (Distance it travels annually).
    • Purpose: Quantifies how living organisms contribute to nutrient transport, seed dispersal, and energy flow through movement.
    • Comparative Metric: Enables cross-species comparison of ecological influence via mobility, bridging animal ecology and global biogeography.
    • Analytical Value: Provides a standardised ecological indicator to study both natural migrations and human-induced mobility patterns.
    • Anthropocene Context: Serves as a unified measure of ecological and energetic impact in a human-dominated epoch.
    • Scientific Basis: Concept explored in Nature Ecology & Evolution (2025) to assess species-level and anthropogenic movement on a global scale.

    Key Highlights with Example:

    • Arctic Tern: Weighing ~100 g, travels ~90,000 km annually (Arctic–Antarctica circuit), the longest animal migration known.
    • Collective Biomass Movement: Two million terns contribute only 0.016 gt/km/yr, due to low body mass despite vast distances.
    • Grey Wolf: Records 0.03 gt/km/yr, higher due to larger body size and wider terrestrial range.
    • Serengeti Migration: Over a million wildebeests, gazelles, and zebras generate biomass movement 20× greater than wolves.
    • Human Parallel: The total biomass moved in the FIFA World Cup equals that of major animal migrations, highlighting scale disparity between species.

    Human Biomass Movement and Its Consequences:

    • Magnitude: Humans move an estimated ~4,000 gt/km/yr, the largest on Earth, 40× greater than all wild land mammals combined.
    • Mobility Patterns: Average human travels 30 km/day, mostly motorised, 65% by cars/motorcycles, 10% by air, 5% by rail.
    • Economic Disparity: Two-thirds of total human mobility occurs in high- and upper-middle-income countries, reflecting global inequality.
    • Ecological Effects: Drives carbon emissions, urban sprawl, resource depletion, and land fragmentation.
    • Marine Decline: Marine animal mobility has halved since 1850 due to industrial fishing and whaling.
    • Livestock Factor: Domesticated cattle show biomass movement comparable to humans, indicating the ecological weight of livestock farming.
    • Wildlife Contrast: Combined biomass movement of all wild land mammals (excluding bats) is only 30 gt/km/yr, underscoring human dominance.
    • Anthropocene Insight: Demonstrates that human and domesticated animal mobility now defines Earth’s biogeochemical and ecological motion.

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  • Panchayati Raj Institutions: Issues and Challenges

    Mayor in India

    Prelims Only | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Panchayats & Local Bodies

    Why in the News?

    Zohran Mamdani of Indian-origin has been elected as the mayor of New York City.

    Mayor in India:

    • Overview: The Mayor serves as the head of a Municipal Corporation, responsible for urban governance, civic infrastructure, and local service delivery in large cities.
    • Basis: Institutionalised under the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, which gave constitutional status to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and transferred 18 functional subjects to them.
    • Administrative Framework: Municipal corporations function under state municipal laws, operating under the supervision of state urban development departments.
    • Historical Context: The first municipal corporation was created in Madras (1688), followed by Bombay and Calcutta (1762) under British rule.
    • Evolution of the office: The idea of an elected municipal President was first introduced through Lord Mayo’s Resolution (1870). The present form of local self-government was shaped by Lord Ripon’s Resolution (1882), earning him the title “Father of Local Self-Government in India.”
    • Election and Tenure:
      • Direct Election: Citizens directly elect the Mayor in cities like Bhopal, Indore, and Jaipur.
      • Indirect Election: Elected councillors choose the Mayor in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru.
      • Tenure: Varies from 1 to 5 years, depending on state-specific legislation.
    • Powers and Functions:
      • Ceremonial Role: Acts as the first citizen of the city, representing it in official and public functions.
      • Presiding Officer: Chairs meetings of the Municipal Corporation and ensures smooth deliberations.
      • Limited Executive Power: Administrative authority lies with the Municipal Commissioner (IAS officer) appointed by the state government.
      • Policy and Representation: Serves as a political leader and civic advocate, voicing urban development concerns.

    How a Mayor in India differ from a Mayor in the U.S.?

    India U.S.
    System Type Parliamentary model under state supervision Executive or presidential city model
    Election Usually indirectly elected by councillors Directly elected by citizens
    Tenure 1–5 years, varies by state Fixed 4-year term, renewable once
    Administrative Power Ceremonial, executive power with Commissioner Full executive control over departments and budget
    Financial Authority Dependent on state approval Autonomous budgetary power (e.g., NYC manages $120+ bn)
    Legislative Role Chairs council meetings Can veto bills and issue executive orders
    Autonomy Subordinate to state Semi-autonomous, independent within city jurisdiction
    Nature of Office Symbolic and representational Powerful executive, city-level head of government

     

    [UPSC 2024] Consider the following statements:

    1. Powers of the Municipalities are given in Part IX A of the Constitution.

    2. Emergency provisions are given in Part XVIII of the Constitution.

    3. Provisions related to the amendment of the Constitution are given in Part XX of the Constitution.

    Select the answer using the code given below:

    (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3*

     

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  • Indian Navy Updates

    [pib] Indian Navy commissions INS Ikshak

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Achievements Of Indians In S&T

    Why in the News?

    The Indian Navy has commissioned INS Ikshak, the third Survey Vessel (Large) (SVL) and the first to be based at the Southern Naval Command, at Naval Base Kochi.

    About INS Ikshak:

    • Overview: It is the third vessel of the Survey Vessel (Large) [SVL] class and the first to be based at the Southern Naval Command.
    • Series Lineage: Third ship in the SVL series, following INS Sandhayak and INS Nirdeshak, replacing older Sandhayak-class vessels.
    • Builder & Origin: Constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) Ltd., Kolkata, under Aatmanirbhar Bharat, with over 80% indigenous content sourced from Indian MSMEs.
    • Name Meaning: Means ‘Guide’ in Sanskrit – symbolising its role in charting unexplored waters and strengthening maritime safety in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
    • Mission Role: Designed primarily for hydrographic surveys but also configured for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations and can serve as a hospital ship during crises.

    Key Features:

    • Dimensions & Displacement: 110 m long, 16 m wide, 3,400-ton displacement, with crew capacity of ~231 personnel.
    • Propulsion & Speed: Powered by twin main engines and twin-shaft configuration; achieves 14 knots cruising speed, 18 knots maximum.
    • Survey Systems: Equipped with multi-beam echo sounder, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), four Survey Motor Boats (SMBs), and advanced oceanographic sensors for coastal and deep-water mapping.
    • Aviation Facility: Features a helicopter deck, extending its range, reconnaissance, and operational versatility.
    • Dual Role Capability: Convertible for HADR and medical missions, enhancing naval disaster-response capability.
    • Gender-Inclusive Design: India’s first survey vessel with dedicated accommodation for women officers and sailors.
    [UPSC 2016] Which one of the following is the best description of ‘INS Astradharini’, that was in the news recently?
    Options: (a) Amphibious warfare ship
    (b) Nuclear-powered submarine
    (c) Torpedo launch and recovery vessel *
    (d) Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier

     

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  • Gravitational Wave Observations

    Clearest Black Hole Merger signal allows probe of Hawking’s Law

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

    Why in the News?

    Researchers have detected the clearest gravitational wave signal, GW250114, from merging black holes, confirming Stephen Hawking’s 1971 Black Hole Area Theorem.

    Clearest Black Hole Merger signal allows probe of Hawking’s Law

    About GW250114:

    • Overview: GW250114 is the clearest gravitational wave signal ever detected, observed on January 14, 2025, by LIGO (US), Virgo (Italy), and KAGRA (Japan).
    • What Happened: It came from the collision of two black holes, each about 30 times the Sun’s mass, located 1.3 billion light-years away.
    • Importance: Published in Physical Review Letters (Sept 2025), it gave the strongest proof of Stephen Hawking’s Black Hole Area Theorem (1971) and confirmed Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity.

    Back2Bascis: Black Holes

    • Overview: A black hole is a region in space where gravity is so strong that even light cannot escape.
    • Formation: Created when a massive star collapses after using up its fuel.
    • Types:
    1. Stellar Black Holes – formed from dead stars.
    2. Supermassive Black Holes – at the centre of galaxies.
    3. Intermediate or Primordial – smaller or early-universe types.
    • Properties: Defined by mass, spin, and charge; grow by absorbing matter or merging with other black holes.

    What is a Black Hole Merger?

    • Process: Two black holes orbit each other, come closer, and finally collide to form a bigger black hole.
    • Phases:
    1. Inspiral – they lose energy and move inward.
    2. Merger – they collide, sending out gravitational waves.
    3. Ringdown – the new black hole settles down.
    • Observation: These mergers create powerful ripples in spacetime called gravitational waves, first detected by LIGO in 2015.

    What is the Hawking’s Black Hole Area Theorem (1971)?

    • Idea: The total surface area of black holes never decreases — it can only stay the same or increase.
    • Analogy: Similar to the Second Law of Thermodynamics, where disorder (entropy) always increases.
    • Meaning: When two black holes merge, the new black hole’s surface area is greater than or equal to the combined areas of the originals.
    • Proof: The GW250114 event (2025) confirmed this by showing that the total area increased, just as Hawking predicted.
    [UPSC 2019] Recently, scientists observed the merger of giant ‘blackholes’ billions of light-years away from the Earth. What is the significance of this observation?

    Options: (a) Higgs boson particles’ were detected.

    (b) Gravitational waves’ were detected. *

    (c) Possibility of inter-galactic space travel through ‘wormhole’ was confirmed.

    (d) It enabled the scientists to understand ‘singularity’.

     

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