TRAWL Assembly
Syllabus: GS3/ Defence
In News
- The Ministry of Defence signed contracts worth approximately ₹975 crore with BEML and Electro Pneumatics & Hydraulics (EPHL) to procure indigenous TRAWL Assemblies for T-72 and T-90 tanks.
About –
- TRAWL Assembly – It is a mine-clearing device mounted on the front of a battle tank to safely detect and detonate anti-tank mines before the tank rolls over them.
- T-72 (Ajeya)-It is a Soviet-era main battle tank that entered service in 1973, with approximately 25,000 units built globally.
- T-90 (Bhishma) – It is a Russian main battle tank that entered service in 1992.
Atal Pension Yojana
Syllabus: GS2/ Governance
Context
- The Atal Pension Yojana (APY), has achieved a historic milestone by surpassing total gross enrolments of “9 crore” subscribers on 21st April, 2026.
Atal Pension Yojana (APY)
- It was launched in 2015
- Objective – to provide old-age income security to workers in the unorganised sector.
- Target Group: Initially available to all citizens of India between 18 and 40 years of age.
- Scheme Features: APY offers a guaranteed minimum pension of Rs.1,000 to Rs.5,000 per month starting at age 60, based on contributions.
- Administering Body: Administered by Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).
- Managed under the National Pension System (NPS)
- Progress: As of January, 2026, over 8.66 crore subscribers have been enrolled, making APY a cornerstone of India’s inclusive social security framework.
The Druzhba Pipeline
Syllabus: GS2/ IR
In News
- The resumption of Russian oil transit through the Ukrainian section of the Druzhba pipeline on 22 April 2026 was the decisive factor in unblocking major financial and diplomatic aid for Kyiv.
Druzhba Pipeline,
- It is often called the Friendship Pipeline,
- It is one of the world’s longest and largest crude oil pipeline networks.
Key Facts
- Origin: It starts in Almetyevsk, Tatarstan (Russia), collecting crude from Siberia, the Urals, and the Caspian Sea.
- Historical Context: Built in the 1960s (operational since 1964) during the Soviet era to supply socialist bloc countries (COMECON).
- Capacity: It can transport between 1.2 to 2 million barrels of oil per day.
- Total Length: Approximately 4,000 to 5,500 km.
Dolphin Friends Initiative
Syllabus: GS3/ Environment
In News
- The Forest Department, Prayagraj has launched the Dolphin Friends volunteer network.
- Objective – to strengthen conservation of the Gangetic dolphin through community participation and river monitoring.
Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista Gangetica)
Characteristics
- Functionally blind; relies on echolocation for hunting.
- Known as Susu due to the sound it makes while breathing.
- Exclusively freshwater species, inhabiting Ganga and Brahmaputra river basins in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
- Threats: Habitat destruction, pollution and hunting.
conservation Status
- Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I
- CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species): Appendix I
- CMS (Convention on Migratory Species): Appendix I
- IUCN Red List: Endangered
National & State Recognition
- Declared India’s National Aquatic Animal in 2009.
- Recognized as the State Aquatic Animal of Assam.
Indus River Dolphin (Platanista minor)
Characteristics:
- Functionally blind, navigates using echolocation.
- Locally called Bhulan in the region.
- Found mainly in the Indus River System (Pakistan) with a small population in India’s Beas River.
- Threats: Habitat fragmentation, Restricted range, leading to population isolation.
Conservation Status:
- Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I
- CITES: Appendix I
- IUCN Red List: Endangered.
- State Recognition:Declared the State Aquatic Animal of Punjab.
Do You Know?
- One more species of Dolphin i.e. Irrawaddy dolphin found in India in Chilika Lake (Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon) in Odisha.
- Unlike the other two species, Irrawaddy dolphins are not blind and have a bulbous head with no beak.
- IUCN Red List Conservation status: Critically Endangered.
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