Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) Missile

Recently the DRDO conducted two successful flight tests of Very Short-Range Air Defense System (VSHORADS) missiles off the coast of Odisha from integrated test range.

• VSHORADS – Very Short-Range Air Defence System.
• The VSHORADS is a Man Portable Air Defence System (MANPAD) indigenously developed by Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories and other industry partners.
• It is designed to destroy hostile aircraft, drones and helicopters at very short ranges. The range of the missile is up-to 6km.
• The design of the missile including launcher has been highly optimized to ensure easy portability.
• The missile incorporates many novel technologies including miniaturized Reaction Control System (RCS) and integrated avionics.
• Reaction control system (RCS) – It is a spacecraft system that uses thrusters to control attitude and translation. It can also provide torque to control rotation.
• Research Centre Imarat (RCI) - It is a premier laboratory of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex, DRDO spearheading R&D in a wide range of Avionics Systems for diversified defense and aerospace applications.

Planum Boreum

Recently Mars Express, a European space craft captured massive dunes colliding with several layers of dusty ice covering the north pole of Mars.

• The Northern Pole of Mars is known as Planum Boreum.
• It is covered in layers of fine dust and water ice that are several kilometers thick and stretch out for around 1000 kilometers.
• It was formed as a mix of dust, water ice and frost settled on the Martian ground over time.
• In Martian winter, the layers are topped by a thin cap of dry ice (carbon dioxide ice) a couple of meters thick.
• This cap completely disappears into the atmosphere each Martian summer.
• Mars Express of European space agency (ESA) – It has been orbiting the Red Planet since 2003.
• It is imaging Mars’s surface, mapping its minerals, identifying the composition and circulation of its tenuous atmosphere, probing beneath its crust.

Agalega Island

Recently Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the inauguration ceremony of several India-assisted development projects at the Agalega Island in Mauritius.

• Agalega Islands is a two-island dependency of Mauritius, in the Western Indian Ocean.
• It consists of North Island and South Island.
• Its latitudinal position is between Maldives and Mauritius.
• It is located in the southern hemisphere to the north of Mauritius and east to the Madagascar.
• It is located south to Seychelles Latitudinally.
• India - India signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the improvement in sea and air transportation facilities at Agalega Island in 2015.
• Recently Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the India-built airstrip in the island.
• The airstrip contributes to the India’s strategic significance in the Indian Ocean.

Critical Minerals

• Critical minerals are elements that are the building blocks of essential modern-day technologies. To know more about the critical minerals click here.

Major applications of Critical Minerals

• Bismuth – Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals and Casting of Iron.
• Cadmium – Batteries, Pigments and Coatings.
• Cobalt – Electric Vehicle, Batteries, corrosion resistant alloys, aerospace applications and Pigments and Dyes.
• Copper – Electrical and electronics products, Electrical Wiring, Solar Panel and Automotive industry.
• Gallium – Semiconductors, Integrated Circuits and LEDs.
• Germanium – Optical fibres, satellites, solar cells.
• Graphite – Batteries, Lubricants, fuel cells for EVs, Electric Vehicle.
• Hafnium – Super alloy, Catalyst precursor, Semiconductors, Oxide for Optical and Nuclear reactors.
• Indium – Electronics (Laptops, LED Monitors/TVs, Smartphones), and semi-conductors.
• Lithium – Electric Vehicle, Batteries, glassware, ceramics, fuel manufacturing and Lubricant.
• Molybdenum – Steel alloys, Pigment and Dyes, Catalyst, Electrical and Electronic.
• Niobium – Construction, transportation
• Nickel – Stainless steel, solar panels, batteries, aerospace, defence applications and Electric Vehicle.
• Rhenium – Super-alloys, aerospace and machinery uses, Catalysts in petroleum industry.
• Tellurium – Solar power, thermoelectric devices and Rubber vulcanising.

BHISHM Cube Initiative

The Indigenous Mobile Hospital (BHISHM) or Arogya Maitri Cube was recently deployed at the Pran Pratishtha ceremony in Ayodhya to mitigate any unexpected disaster events.

• BHISHM Cube is an Arogya Maitri Disaster Management Cube.
• It is the world’s first portable disaster hospital.
• This cube is a part of the broader initiative named “Project BHISHM” – Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita and Maitri.
• Arogya Maitri Cube is equipped with cutting-edge technology which is tailored to treat up to 200 casualties, emphasizing rapid response and comprehensive care.
• Features – Arogya Maitri Cube is a completely made-in-India and each cube cage has three frames.
• It consists of mini cubes and master cubes.
• These cubes are robust, waterproof, and light, designed for various configurations, making them ideal for diverse emergency scenarios.
• India is already supplying the BHISHM Cube to neighbouring nations like Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Bangladesh.

Hangul (Cervus elaphus hanglu)

• Hangul - Also known as the Kashmir stag
• It is a subspecies of the Central Asian red deer.
• They are, by nature, high-altitude forest dwellers.
• The hangul is the only surviving Asiatic member of the red deer family and the state animal of Jammu and Kashmir.
• The Hangul was widely found in the hilly and mountainous regions of Kashmir in the early 20th century with their numbers estimated to be around 5000.
• Threats – Due to hunting and encroachment of their natural habitat, the number fell to just around 150 in 1970.
• Multiple disturbances, including stress on forest areas and human intervention, disturb the habitat of hangul.
• Distribution – Their distribution had earlier spanned over Dachigam National Park and its nearby areas, Rajparian Wildlife Sanctuary, Overa Aru, Sind Valley, and the forests of Kishtwar and Bhaderwah.
• But now, they are mostly spotted in the protected areas of Dachigam National Park and Tral Wildlife Sanctuary in Jammu and Kashmir.
• Population trend – Since 1947, the population of hangul witnessed a sharp decline.
• According to Wildlife department, the hangul population since 2015 the population of hangul is steadily increasing and in 2021 it was 261.

Conservation status

• IUCN – Critically Endangered
• CITES – Appendix I
• WPA, 1972 – Schedule I

Swachhata Green Leaf Rating (SGLR) Initiative

The Swachhata Green Leaf Rating initiative to boost tourism hygiene was launched recently.

• Aim - To improve sanitation practices in India's tourism sector.
• It aids to develop an economically viable, responsible, and resilient tourism industry.
• Launched by - The Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism.
• The Rating is not just a recognition but a commitment to shaping the future of our tourism industry.
• The SGLR initiative seamlessly aligns with the Travel for LiFE (TFL) program under Mission LiFE, fostering awareness about sustainable tourism.
• The Bison Resort in Madhya Pradesh's Narmadapuram has emerged as a pioneer by securing the inaugural Five Swachhata Green Leaf Rating Certificate of Recognition.

ADITI Scheme

Recently the Ministry of Defence launched the ADITI Scheme to promote innovations in critical and strategic defence technologies.

• ADITI – Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX.
• Lunched - During the DefConnect 2024.
• Aim - To develop about 30 deep-tech critical and strategic technologies
• It also envisages to create a ‘Technology Watch Tool’ to bridge the gap between the expectations and requirements of the modern Armed Forces and the capabilities of the defence innovation ecosystem.
• Grants - Under the scheme, start-ups are eligible to receive grant-in-aid of up to 50% of product development budget (PDB) with maximum limit of Rs. 25 Crore for their research, development, and innovation endeavours in defence technology.
• The scheme will nurture the innovation of youth, and help the country leap forward in the field of technology.
• Control - It falls under the iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) framework of Department of Defence Production (DDP), Ministry of Defence.

Eligibility Criteria for ADITI

• Startups, as defined and recognized by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Any Indian company incorporated under the Companies Act 1956/2013, primarily a Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) as defined in the MSME Act, 2006.
• Individual innovators are also encouraged to apply (research & academic institutions can use this category to apply).
• However, post-selection individual innovators need to register as Startup/MSME.

Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (RSGA) Ecosystems

• The Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (RSGA) ecosystems supports a rich biological diversity with a distinct high proportion of endemic species.
• The RSGA ecosystems is home to three UNESCO Natural Heritage Sites
  • Socotra Archipelago
  • Dungonab Bay and
  • Senganeeb Atoll
• Farsan and Dahlak Archipelagos in the southern Red Sea and coral reefs in the northern and central parts of the Red Sea are also distinctive features of the region.
• Red Sea is among the top areas of high fish endemism in the world.
• Endemism is a term used in biology to talk about the distribution of a taxon limited to a small geographic area and which can therefore be found naturally in this place.
• Malpelo is a small oceanic island in the eastern Pacific Ocean, located west of the Colombian mainland.

Orans

Following the orders of the Supreme Court, the Rajasthan state government recently released a notification to classify Orans (sacred groves) as deemed forests.

• Orans are sacred groves in Rajasthan.
• These are lands where herders have been grazing their cows, sheep, and goats for centuries.
• These lands usually features a temple and a waterbody, these community-conserved pastures are rich in biodiversity.
• Significance – The Rajasthan orans are home to the endangered great Indian bustard (GIB), chinkara and the Indian desert fox.
• They are oases of traditional flora and fauna.
• Named after deities, they are considered sacred by the local people and protected as such. The richest biodiversity in the deserts is in the orans.
• Threats – Orans are sought to be used for generating “green energy”, solar in particular.
• Many of the orans, are classified as “wasteland” in revenue records.
• White cheeked Macaque - It is present in the remote Anjaw district in central Arunachal Pradesh. (Not in Orans).

Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF)

Recently the 7th summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum was held at the historic city of Algiers, Algeria.

• GECF – It is an intergovernmental organisation that provides a framework for exchanging experience and information among its member countries.
• It seeks to build a mechanism for a meaningful dialogue between gas producers and consumers in order to improve the stability and security of supply and demand in gas markets around the world.
• Significance – Together, they represent 69% of the world’s gas reserves, 39% of the marketed production, and 40% of global gas exports.
• GECF member countries collectively account for more than half of the world LNG exports (51%).
• Algiers Declaration - The central focus of the 7th summit, articulated through the “Algiers Declaration” is to reaffirm the commitment of member countries to the responsible stewardship of natural gas resources.
• Full-fledged Members – 12 including UAE, Russia, Iran, Venezuela, Egypt, etc.
• India, Iraq and USA are not full-fledged members of GECF.

IRIS

A school in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, recently introduced AI teacher, IRIS which is the first humanoid robot teacher in INDIA.

• IRIS is India’s first generative Artificial Intelligence teacher.
• It is an initiative by the Kaduvayil Thangal Charitable Trust (KTCT) Higher Secondary School in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
• IRIS is part of the Atal Tinkering Lab (ATL) project, a 2021 NITI Aayog initiative designed to boost extracurricular activities in schools.
• Atal Tinkering Lab (ATL) is a program that aims to encourage innovation and experiential learning among school children.

Women Schemes in India

Jagananna Ammavodi Scheme – Andhra Pradesh

• Provides Rs. 15,000 annually to mothers or guardians from poor families (below poverty line) to support their children's education (from Class 1 to 12) in any government, aided, or unaided school/junior college in the state.

Orunodoi Scheme – Assam

• A monthly assistance of Rs. 830 is transferred to women members of marginalised families of Assam.
• A Direct Benefit Transfer scheme, the money is credited directly to the bank account of the woman head of a family.

Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi Yojana – Himachal Pradesh

• To give Rs. 1500 per month to women from 18-60 years of age in the state.

Gruha Lakshmi scheme – Karnataka

• To provide financial assistance of Rs.2,000 every month to eligible women.
• Women government employees are not eligible to get the scheme’s benefits.

Mukhyamantri Ladli Bahna Yojana – Madhya Pradesh

• Women in 23-60 age group will be given Rs 1,000 per month subject to certain conditions, including that they are not income tax payees and their families’ annual income is below Rs 2.5 lakh.

Mahalakshmi Scheme – Telangana

• Offers women and transgender persons free travel on state-run non-AC buses.
• The scheme has two more components that includes:
• Financial assistance of Rs 2,500 to eligible women
• An LPG cylinder at Rs 500.

Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme – West Bengal

• The scheme received the Skoch award.
• Goal – Financial empowerment for women (25-60 years old) from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
• Eligibility – Enrolled in Swasthya Sathi program.
• Amount – Rs 1,000 for women from SC/ST households. Rs500 for women from other households.

Vidiyal Payanam Scheme – Tamil Nadu

• Free bus travel scheme for women.

Ammonium Phosphate Sulphate

Recently Rubymar, a cargo ship that was carrying 21,000 tonnes of ammonium phosphate sulphate was sunk due to the attack by the Houthi missiles.

• Ammonium phosphate sulphate is a fertilizer made by neutralizing sulphuric acid and phosphoric acid with ammonia.
• It's a complex fertilizer that contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulphur.
• Urea is the most important nitrogenous fertilizer in the country because of its high N content (46%N).
• Urea is a white crystalline organic chemical compound with neutral pH.
• DAP is the 2nd most commonly used fertiliser in India after urea and farmers normally apply this fertiliser just before or at the beginning of sowing.
• Impact on Environment – Ammonium phosphate sulphate is a highly soluble fertilizer.
• Its release into the Red Sea could stimulate the growth of algae, using up oxygen that other marine life depends upon.
• It could harm fish and living organisms such as coral reefs and seaweed.

Ayya Vaikundar

Recently Indian Prime Minister paid tributes to Ayya Vaikundar on his birth anniversary (March 3).

• Ayya Vaikundar, born in 1809, is revered as a social reformer and the founder of the Ayyavazhi sect, primarily in southern Tamil Nadu.
• His teachings focused on equality, fraternity, and the eradication of caste-based discrimination, challenging the established religious and social hierarchies of the time.
• He encouraged all devotees to wear turbans and dhotis, promoting equality.
• He pioneered education for the lower castes and opposed discriminatory taxes.
• One of his significant interventions was the introduction of simplified, inclusive marriage customs without a Brahmin priest or Sanskrit mantras.
• Thuvayal Panthy programme – To teach vegetarianism and discipline to followers, who spread these teachings across Tamil Nadu.
• Nizhal Thangals – A community worship spaces, which did not have any idol or deity and only Tamil was used for worship.
• These community worship centres also had community kitchens and even basic schools.
• Samapanthi-bhojana or community eateries – For people from all backgrounds. He would send his disciples to the homes of lower castes to eat with them.
• Thottu Namam – Inspired priests to apply the sacred paste on devotees’ forehead, irrespective of their caste.
• The paste would be applied in the form of a lamp, indicating the soul and God, representing the form of God inside every life.

Golden Langur (Trachypithecus geei)

Recently, the Primate Research Centre NE India (PRCNE) and few other organisations in their latest survey of the primate indicated that an estimate of 7, 396 golden langurs live in India.

• The golden langur, also known as the golden leaf monkey, is an endangered primates endemic to north-western Assam and southern Bhutan.
• In India, the entire distribution range of the golden langur covers the Manas Biosphere Reserve and all fragmented forests in the western part of Assam.
• They are arboreal and diurnal creatures.
• It is listed as Endangered in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list.
• Fossorial are species that are adapted to burrowing which lives primarily underground.

Pushpak

The Indian Space Research Organisation is all set to conduct the second landing test of the Reusable Launch Vehicle, Pushpak.

• Pushpak is the reusable launch vehicle of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
• The vehicle is designed as an all-rocket, fully reusable single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) vehicle.
• The reusable launch vehicle promises to revolutionise the sector by slashing launch costs by nearly 80%, thereby making space exploration more accessible and sustainable.
• The winged RLV prototype serves as a versatile test platform, facilitating the evaluation of hypersonic flight, autonomous landing, and powered cruise capabilities.

Kasarkod Tonka

Recently, 700 eggs of sea turtles were destroyed by feral dogs in Kasarkod Tonka, Karnataka.

• Kasarkod Tonka is one of the important nesting sites for the sea turtle including olive ridley turtle located in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka.
• In Tonka, there are 36 plus nesting sites, of which seven have been destroyed by stray dogs.
• Dogs are natural predators of the turtle eggs that are laid on the beaches.
• Kasarkod Beach has received Blue Flag certification.

Catalhoyuk, Nandankanan & Raghanesda

• Çatalhoyuk – A Neolithic site located in Turkiye (Turkey).
• Recently the ‘oldest bread’ in the world was discovered in this site.
• It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012.
• Nandankanan Zoological Park (NZP) – Nandankanan is the first zoo in the World to breed White tiger and Melanistic tiger.
• It is located in Odisha, India.
• It is the only conservation breeding centre of Indian Pangolins in the world.
• First zoo in India to become a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).
• Raghanesda Solar Power Station – It is one of the largest power stations located in Gujarat.
• The power generated by the Raghanesda Solar Power Station will be supplied to Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) for 25 years.

Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve (GoMBR)

• Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve (GoMBR) is located in the south-eastern coastline of India extending between Thoothukudi and Ramanathapuram districts of Tamil Nadu.
• It came into existence on February 1989, by a joint declaration of the Government of India and the Government of Tamil Nadu.
• It has been recognized by the Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme of UNESCO.
• GoMBR is the first marine biosphere reserve in south & south-east Asia.
• Supports more than 1,10,000 families from 268 fishing villages.
• It is an International bird and biodiversity area and part of central asian bird migratory flyway.
• The Reserve is also home to several globally important and highly threatened species like the Dugong, whale shark, sea horses, Balanoglossus, green sea turtle, Hawksbill turtle, dolphins, sacred chanks, etc.