Author: instakas

Chief of Defence Staff

Syllabus: GS3/ Defence

Context

• The Government of India has appointed Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani as the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
• He will also function as the Secretary, Department of Military Affairs (DMA).

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)

• The post of CDS was created in 2019 following recommendations of the Kargil Review Committee and subsequent defence reforms.
• The first CDS of India was General Bipin Rawat.

Role and Responsibilities of the CDS:

• Principal Adviser: Acts as the primary military adviser to the Defence Minister on all tri-services matters.
• Department of Military Affairs: Functions as the Secretary to the Government of India for the Department of Military Affairs.
• Military Reform: Focuses on enhancing synergy, jointness in operations, and modernization of the armed forces.
• Theater Commands: Drives the restructuring of military commands into integrated theater commands.
• Strategic and Nuclear Role: Serves as an important military adviser to the Nuclear Command Authority.

Sardar Vallabhai Patel

Syllabus: GS1/History

In News

• Recently, the Prime Minister paid tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at Somnath Temple during the 75th anniversary celebrations of the temple’s reconstruction.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

• Born on – October 31, 1875,
• India’s first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister.
• He is widely regarded as the architect of India’s national integration and a key force behind the establishment of modern civil services
• He was posthumously honoured with the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award in the country in 1991.

Contributions in India’s Freedom Struggle

• Kheda Satyagraha, 1917: As a prominent local leader in the Kheda district of Gujarat, Patel supported Mahatma Gandhi in organising the Satyagraha against unjust land revenue taxes imposed by the British.
• Non-Cooperation Movement, 1920-22: Patel significantly impacted the Non-Cooperation Movement, recruiting approximately 300,000 members and raising 1.5 million rupees.
• Bardoli Satyagraha, 1928: During the Bardoli Satyagraha, Patel supported the local population suffering from famine and increased land taxes.
• Civil Disobedience Movement 1930-34: He actively participated in the Salt Satyagraha, a nonviolent protest against the British salt monopoly.
• Quit India Movement, 1942: He organised protests and strikes against British rule, and delivered compelling and electrifying speeches throughout India, inspiring and mobilising people to join mass protests, engage in acts of civil disobedience, boycott tax payments, and stage civil service shutdowns.

Speedy Trial a ‘Human Right’

Syllabus: GS2/ Polity and Governance

Context

• The Supreme Court of India, while hearing a criminal case pending for nearly 35 years in Uttar Pradesh, declared that the right to speedy trial is not only a constitutional guarantee under Article 21 but also a human right.

Article 21 of the Constitution

• Article 21 guarantees the protection of life and personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.
• Judicial interpretation has expanded Article 21 to include fair trial, legal aid, humane prison conditions, and speedy justice.

Judicial Evolution

• Hussainara Khatoon v. State of Bihar: The Supreme Court first recognised speedy trial as a fundamental right under Article 21. The case highlighted the plight of undertrial prisoners languishing in jails for years.
• A.R. Antulay v. R.S. Nayak: The Court laid down principles to determine violation of the right to speedy trial. It clarified that delays caused by systemic inadequacies also violate constitutional rights.

PCOS Renamed as PMOS

Syllabus: GS2/ Health

Context

• A global medical consensus has renamed Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) as Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) after nearly 14 years of scientific consultations involving doctors, researchers, and patient advocacy groups across the world.

PMOS

• PMOS, earlier known as PCOS, is a complex hormonal and metabolic disorder affecting women of reproductive age.
• It impacts the endocrine system, metabolism, reproductive health, and mental well-being.
• The disorder affects nearly one in eight women globally and is among the leading causes of infertility and menstrual irregularities.

Symptoms of PMOS:

• Risk of Diabetes: Insulin resistance can lead to Type-2 diabetes mellitus.
• Cardiovascular Risks: Women with PMOS are more vulnerable to hypertension and heart diseases.
• Fertility Challenges: The disorder affects ovulation and reproductive health.
• Mental Health Concerns: Long-term stress, body image issues, and hormonal imbalance may contribute to psychological disorders.

Why Was PCOS Renamed?

• The earlier name Polycystic Ovary Syndrome was considered scientifically inaccurate and misleading, as many women diagnosed with the condition do not actually develop ovarian cysts.
• The earlier term primarily associated the disorder with reproductive organs, whereas the condition also significantly affects metabolism, hormones, cardiovascular health, and mental health.

Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI)

Syllabus: GS2/Governance

Context

• The Union Ministry of Education has issued a fresh reminder regarding the pending implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme to West Bengal, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

PM SHRI Schools

• Abbreviation – PM Schools for Rising India(PM SHRI)
• Nodal Ministry – Ministry of Education
• Type – Centrally Sponsored Scheme
• Aim – To upgrade and develop more than 14,500 Schools across the country by strengthening the selected existing schools from amongst schools managed by Central Government/ State/ UT Government/ local bodies.
• Features – PM-SHRI schools will have a modern, transformational and holistic method of imparting education.
• The focus of these schools will be on modern infrastructure including latest technology, smart classrooms, sports and more.
• They will also be developed as “green schools” with water conservation, waste recycling, energy-efficient infrastructure and integration of an organic lifestyle in the curriculum.
• Hence, these schools will showcase all components of the National Education Policy 2020 and act as exemplar schools and also offer mentorship to other schools in their vicinity.

Study on Malaria Vaccine

Syllabus: GS2/Health

In News

• A major study published in the Lancet found that the world’s first approved malaria vaccine, RTS,S/AS01E, reduced overall child deaths by 13% in parts of Africa.

Additional Information – Malaria

• Responsible pathogen – Malaria is an acute febrile illness caused by Plasmodium parasites.
• Vector – It spreads from people to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. It is preventable and curable.
• Transmission – Malaria is not contagious and cannot spread from one person to another; the disease is transmitted through the bites of female Anopheles mosquitoes.
• Five species of parasites can cause malaria in humans and 2 of these species – Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax – pose the greatest threat.

Symptoms

• Infants, children under 5 years, pregnant women, travelers and people with HIV or AIDS are at higher risk. Severe symptoms include:
  • extreme tiredness and fatigue
  • impaired consciousness
  • multiple convulsions
  • difficulty breathing
  • dark or bloody urine
  • jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin)
  • abnormal bleeding.

Initiatives to Control Malaria by WHO

• WHO’s Global technical strategy for malaria 2016–2030 – It aims to reduce malaria case incidence and mortality rates by at least 40% by 2020, at least 75% by 2025 and at least 90% by 2030 against a 2015 baseline.
• ‘E-2025 Initiative’: The WHO has identified 25 countries with the potential to eradicate malaria by 2025 under the initiative.
• High Burden to High Impact (HBHI) initiative: WHO has initiated the initiative in 11 high malaria burden countries, including India.

Indian Government Initiatives to Control Malaria

• National target – The Government of India set a target to eliminate malaria in India by 2027.
• National Framework for Malaria Elimination (NFME) – It has been developed and launched in 2016 aligned with the Global Technical Strategy (GTS) for malaria elimination 2016-2030.
• Malaria Elimination Research Alliance-India (MERA-India): It was established by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) as a conglomeration of partners working on malaria control.

National Florence Nightingale Awards 2026

Syllabus: Miscellaneous

Context

• President Droupadi Murmu conferred the National Florence Nightingale Awards 2026 to nurses at a function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

National Florence Nightingale Awards

• Named after Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.
• It was instituted in 1973 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
• It recognizes meritorious services of nurses and nursing professionals who contribute significantly to society.
• Each award consists of a Certificate of Merit, Cash Award of Rs.1,00,000/- and a medal.

Foreign Exchange Reserves

Syllabus: GS3/ Economy

Context

• The appeal of Prime Minister Modi to reduce the consumption of imported goods has reignited the debate on whether India should reduce consumption to save forex or strengthen production and productivity to sustain long-term economic growth.

Foreign Exchange Reserves

• Foreign exchange reserves refer to foreign currency assets held by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
• These reserves mainly consist of foreign currencies such as the US dollar, gold reserves, Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), and reserve positions in the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
• Significance: Foreign exchange reserves are essential because they help India finance imports, stabilise the rupee, maintain investor confidence, and meet external payment obligations during periods of economic stress.

Why Does India Need Strong Forex Reserves?

• Dependence on Imports: India depends heavily on imports for crude oil, fertilisers, edible oils, gold, electronics, and industrial machinery.
• Hence India requires adequate forex reserves to ensure uninterrupted trade and economic stability.
• Protection from External Shocks: Strong forex reserves help protect the economy during periods of global financial instability, rising oil prices, currency volatility and sudden capital outflows.
• Countries with weak forex reserves often face balance of payments crises and severe currency depreciation.

Additional Information – Balance of Payments (BoP)

• The Balance of Payments (BoP) is a record of all economic transactions between India and the rest of the world during a particular period.

Components of BoP:

• Current Account: It includes trade in goods and services, remittances, and income transfers. India generally imports more goods than it exports, which results in a Current Account Deficit (CAD).
• Capital Account: It includes foreign investments such as Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI), and external borrowings.
• India has traditionally financed its current account deficit through capital inflows from foreign investors.

National Jute Board

Syllabus: GS3/Economy and Agriculture

Context

• The National Jute Board has been implementing the Jute Crop Information System project since 2023 in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the Jute Corporation of India.

Jute Crop Information System project

• Aim: To monitor jute cultivation using remote sensing and field data.
• As part of this initiative, two key tools have been developed:

1. BHUVAN JUMP – A mo bile app for on-field jute monitoring, and
2. PATSAN (Prospective Assessment of Jute Using Mobile App-Based Field Observations) – a web-based platform that provides near-real-time jute surveillance and analytics to support informed decision-making by officials and stakeholders.

Jute Production In India

• It is also called the golden fibre, in view of being a natural, renewable, biodegradable and eco-friendly product.
• India is the largest producer of jute followed by Bangladesh and China.
• West Bengal, Bihar and Assam account for almost 99% of India’s total production.

Conditions Required for Jute Production

• Temperature: A mean maximum and minimum temperature of 34°C and 15°C and a mean relative humidity of 65% are required.
• Rainfall: Around 150-250 cm.
• Soil: Jute can be raised on all kinds of soils from clay to sandy loam, but loamy alluvial soils are best suited.

Baiga Tribe

Syllabus: GS1/Tribal Groups

Context

• Children belonging to the Baiga tribe rescued from bonded labour in Chhattisgarh.

Baiga Tribe

• Found in – The Baiga are an ethnic group found in central India primarily in the state of Madhya Pradesh, and in smaller numbers in the surrounding states of Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.
• The name Baiga means “sorcerer- medicine man”.
• The Baigas in Chhattisgarh are classified as Particularly vulnerable tribal group(PVTG) by the Government due to their declining population and low level of literacy.
• They traditionally practiced shifting cultivation, locally called “Bewar” cultivation.

Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)

• PVTGs are the most marginalized and extreme backward sections among Scheduled Tribes (STs).
• The criteria for identifying Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups are:

1. Pre-agricultural level of technology,
2. Low level of literacy,
3. Economic backwardness,
4. A declining or stagnant population.

• History of PVTGs: Dhebar commission (1960-61) identified that there is inequality among tribal communities in terms of socio-economic development.
  • In 1975, acting on the Dhebar Commission report, the government identified Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) as a separate category and listed 52 tribal groups as PTGs.
  • As per 2001 census, there are 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) with a total population of 27,68,322, living in 18 States and Union Territory.
  • In 2006, PTGs were renamed as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).

Recent Government Initiatives

• The PM-PVTG Development Mission program – The programme envisions connecting all 22,544 PVTG villages to basic government services like communications, electricity, public education, healthcare, water supply, and connectivity.
• Pradhan Mantri-Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan – It will focus on 11 critical interventions like Provision of pucca houses, Connecting roads, Piped Water Supply, Community water supply, Mobile Medical Units with medicine cost, etc.

National Technology Day

Syllabus: GS3/ Science and Technology

Context

• National Technology Day is observed annually on 11 May.

National Technology Day

• The day commemorates the successful nuclear tests conducted by India at Pokhran in Rajasthan in 1998 under Operation Shakti.
• The day recognizes the contribution of Indian scientists, engineers, and technological institutions to national development and strategic capability.

‘One Case One Data’ and ‘Su Sahay initiative

Syllabus: GS2/Governance

In News

• Recently, the Supreme Court launched ‘One Case One Data’ and ‘Su Sahay initiative.

One Case One Data initiative

• It is a major digital initiative to connect all levels of courts — from taluka and district courts to High Courts and the Supreme Court  through a unified database system.
• It aims to improve case management by creating a comprehensive and interconnected digital judicial information system.

‘Su Sahay’ Chatbot

• It is an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered assistance chatbot .
• It is integrated with the Supreme Court website to facilitate easier access to justice and court-related services for litigants.
• It has been developed by the National Informatics Centre in collaboration with the Supreme Court Registry

National Panchayat Awards 2025

Syllabus: GS2/Governance

In News

• Kawrthah North Village Council in Mizoram has secured the top rank at the national level under the “Clean and Green Panchayat” category of the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar 2025, for its work in sustainable rural development and environmental conservation.

National Panchayat Awards

• Conferred by – Ministry of Panchayati Raj
• It is annually conferred to recognize and incentivise best-performing Panchayats and promote inclusive, participatory, and sustainable development in rural India.
• Winning Panchayats receive financial incentives ranging from Rs. 50 lakh to Rs. 5 crore per awardee, depending on tier and category.

Categories

• Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar awards – It recognises outstanding Gram Panchayats for their performance across themes linked to Sustainable Development Goals, including poverty-free livelihoods, health, water sufficiency, sanitation, women-friendly governance and social justice.
• Nanaji Deshmukh Sarvottam Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar, awards – It will be given to the best-performing Panchayats at the district, block and gram levels.

Latest winners

• Karnataka has secured the highest number of awards with six Panchayats being selected, followed by Andhra Pradesh and Odisha with five awards each.

SEHAT Mission

Syllabus: GS2/Governance; GS3/Economy

In News

• Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, and Chemicals and Fertilisers launched the ‘SEHAT Mission’ in Delhi,

SEHAT (Science Excellence for Health through Agricultural Transformation)

• It is a national mission aimed at linking agriculture, nutrition, and public health by converting agricultural innovations into better health outcomes for people in India.
• It is a joint initiative of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
• Objective – It aims to improve nutrition and public health through biofortified foods, integrated farming, better occupational health for farm workers, and support for the One Health Mission.
• Significance – to address nutrition, preventive healthcare, non-communicable diseases, farmer welfare, and public health challenges.

JANANI Platform

Government Schemes

In News

• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched JANANI (Journey of Antenatal, Natal and Neonatal Integrated Care) at the recently concluded National Summit on Innovation and Inclusivity.

JANANI Platform

• It is a service-oriented digital platform designed to comprehensively monitor and maintain digital health records of women during their reproductive age.
• It is developed as an upgraded version of the existing Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) portal.
• It is a digital maternal and child health platform that introduces QR-enabled digital Mother and Child Health (MCH) Cards for easy and portable access to health records.
• It supports real-time monitoring through high-risk pregnancy alerts, supervisory dashboards, and due-list generation for timely interventions.
• It integrates with national systems such as U-WIN and POSHAN to enable seamless data sharing and coordinated beneficiary tracking.

Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB)

Science and Technology

Context

• The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) has issued permission for “major equipment erection” at Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP) Units 5 and 6.

Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB)

• It is India’s premier regulatory body responsible for ensuring the safe use of nuclear energy and ionising radiation.
• Established on 15 November 1983.
• It derives its authority from the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
• Leadership & StructureCurrent Chairman: Shri A.K. Balasubrahmanian.
• Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• Composition: The board consists of a full-time Chairman, an ex-officio Member (Executive Director), and four part-time eminent experts

Key Functions & Responsibilities

• Safety Regulation: Developing safety codes, guides, and standards for nuclear and radiation facilities across their lifecycle (siting to decommissioning).
• Licensing: Granting mandatory consents and licenses for Nuclear Power Plants, fuel cycle facilities, and industrial/medical radiation applications.
• Inspections: Conducting regulatory inspections to ensure compliance with safety requirements and license conditions.
• Industrial Safety: Administering the Factories Act, 1948 for industrial safety in units under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).Public Awareness

Vadinar Ship Repair Facility

Syllabus: GS2/ Health

In News

• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the development of a ship repair facility at Vadinar, Gujarat, at a combined investment of ₹1,570 crore.

Vadinar Ship Repair Facility

• Vadinar is on the western coast of Gujarat, in the Gulf of Kutch.
• It sits close to Kandla (Deendayal Port) and Mundra, two of India’s busiest cargo ports and is well-positioned relative to major shipping lanes in the Arabian Sea.

Survey records 143 Odonata species across Western Ghats

Environment

In News

• A recent study in the Western Ghats highlights a significant biodiversity gap in dragonflies and damselflies, documenting only about 65% of historically recorded species, suggesting a possible 35% decline.
• The Western Ghats is a 1,600-km mountain chain along India’s west coast and a globally recognised biodiversity hotspot.

Odonata

• Odonata is an insect order that includes dragonflies (suborder Anisoptera) and damselflies (suborder Zygoptera).
• They are characterized by transparent wings, long slender bodies, and a sloping thorax.
• Usually found near water, odonates are active daytime predators, and both adults and aquatic larvae feed on other

Western Ghats

• Forests – The region of Western Ghats has moist deciduous forests and rainforests.
• Endemism – The region shows high species diversity as well as high levels of endemism.
• Nearly 77% of the amphibians and 62% of the reptile species found here are found nowhere else.

Additional Information – Committees related to Western Ghats

Sanjay Kumar Committee:

• Objective – It is formed to review state objections on Ecologically sensitive zones demarcations and validate proposed exclusions.
• Significance- It seeks to finalize the ESA status for villages, restricting activities harmful to biodiversity.

Madhav Gadgil Committee (2011):

• Objective – to propose protection measures for the Western Ghats.
• It recommended designating the entire Western Ghats as ecologically sensitive.
• It proposed the creation of a dedicated ecological authority to regulate development.
• The Report suggested rigorous conservation, but its recommendations were not fully adopted.

Kasturirangan Committee (2012):

• It is formed as a follow-up to the Gadgil Committee to provide a more moderate approach.
• It recommended demarcating 37% of theWestern Ghats as eco sensitive zones.
• It emphasizes a balance between conservation and developmental needs, allowing limited activity in specific areas.

546 Die Every Day in Traffic Accidents: NCRB Data

Polity

Context

• According to the latest report by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), 1.99 lakh people died in traffic accidents in 2024, an increase of 0.79% compared to 2023.

Major Findings

• Traffic accidents include road accidents, railway accidents, incidents on railway tracks or railway premises, and accidents at railway crossings.
• Road Accidents: Out of 1.99 lakh traffic-related deaths recorded in 2024, 1.75 lakh (88%) were due to road accidents.

Government Initiatives

• National Road Safety Policy India, 2010: It emphasized the need for better road infrastructure, stricter enforcement of traffic rules, enhanced emergency medical services, public awareness campaigns, and improved post-crash care.
• Motor Vehicles Amendment Act, 2019: The act brought about higher penalties for traffic violations, including speeding, drunk driving, and not wearing helmets or seat belts.

Additional Information – National Crime Records Bureau

• Set-up in – 1986
• Functions under – Ministry of Home Affairs
• Objective – It acts as a repository of information on crime and criminals so as to assist the investigators in linking crime to the perpetrators.
• Headquarter – New Delhi

Projects being implemented by NCRB

• Inter-Operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) project
• Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS)
• Reports – NCRB brings out three annual reports i.e. These reports are principal reference points for police officers, researchers, media & policymakers.

1. Crime in India
2. Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India
3. Prison Statistics India.

Kerala’s Oil Spill Contingency Plan

Environment

In News

• Kerala began preparing an Oil Spill Contingency Plan following the 2025 shipwrecks incidents off Kerala coast to address marine pollution and coastal environmental risks.

Oil Spill

• Definition – It is the release of petroleum substances into the environment, especially oceans and coastal waters, due to human activities such as tanker accidents, offshore drilling, or fuel leaks, causing serious pollution.

Consequences of oil spills

• Marine Life: Oil coats the feathers of birds and fur of mammals, destroying their natural insulation and buoyancy, leading to hypothermia or drowning.
• Ecosystem Disruption: Thick oil slicks block sunlight and oxygen, killing phytoplankton and smothering sensitive habitats like mangroves, coral reefs, and salt marshes.
• Economic Loss: Spills cause immediate and long-term damage to fisheries, tourism, and coastal livelihoods.
• Human Health: Contaminated seafood and toxic vapors pose serious health risks to coastal communities and cleanup workers.

Methods used to clean up Oil Spills

• Booms & Skimmers: Floating barriers (booms) contain the oil, while skimmers (vacuum-like machines) remove it from the surface.
• Dispersants: Chemicals that break oil into smaller droplets, allowing them to mix with water and biodegrade faster.
• Bioremediation: Utilizing oil-degrading bacteria (e.g., Cycloclasticus or TERI’s Oil Zapper) to break down hydrocarbons into less harmful substances.
• In-situ Burning: Setting freshly spilled oil on fire to remove up to 98% of it, though this creates air pollution

Efforts to combat Marine pollution-

• National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (NOS-DCP): The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is the central coordinating authority for reporting and responding to spills.
• Bunker Oil Convention (2001): Ensures prompt compensation for damage caused by fuel oil spills from ships.
• MARPOL 73/78 (Annex I): An international treaty aimed at preventing marine pollution from ships.
• Environment Protection Act (EPA), 1986: While no dedicated oil spill law exists, incidents are often prosecuted as “accidental discharge” under this act.

11 Years of Jan Suraksha Schemes

Governance

Context

• Recently, PM Modi highlighted the impact of flagship social security schemes launched by the Union Government 11 years ago, including the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), and Atal Pension Yojana (APY).

Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana

• Launched in – 9th May 2015
• Implementation – Ministry of Finance
• Objective – It provides an insurance policy to the people belonging to the underprivileged sections of society.

Key features of the scheme 

• It offers a life cover of Rs. 2 lakhs for one year to all its account holders. This life cover is provided in case of accidental death or permanent disability.
• A life cover of Rs. 1 lakh is provided to the beneficiary in case of partial disability.
• This scheme can be availed by any individual aged between 18 years to 70 years.
• In case of the death of the account holder, the benefits of the scheme can be availed by his/her nominee.
• Premium – The scheme provides an annual premium of Rs. 12 per annum per member. This premium is auto-debited in one instalment on or before 1st June of every year.

Atal Pension Yojana

• Launched in – May, 2015
• Objective – To create a universal social security system for all Indians, especially the poor, the under-privileged and the workers in the unorganised sector.
• Administered By – PFRDA through NPS.
• Eligibility – Any citizen of India can join the APY scheme. The age of the subscriber should be between 18-40 years.

Benefits

• It provides a minimum guaranteed pension ranging from Rs 1000 to Rs 5000 on attaining 60 years of age.
• The amount of pension is guaranteed for lifetime to the spouse on the death of the subscriber.
• In the event of death of both the subscriber and the spouse, the entire pension corpus is paid to the nominee.

Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana

• Launched in – 9th May 2015
• Implementation – Ministry of Finance
• Objective – To provide life insurance security to the poor and low-income section of the society.
• Eligibility – This scheme can be availed by people aged between 18 years to 50 years.

Key features of the scheme

• The scheme offers a maximum assured amount of Rs.2 lakhs.
• In case of the death of the insured person, the next eligible beneficiary is provided with a death benefit including a death coverage of Rs. 2,00,000.
• Premium – The premium for this scheme is Rs. 330 per annum

Multiple Independently Targeted Re-Entry Vehicle system

Defence

In News

• India conducted the successful flight-trial of an Advanced Agni missile with Multiple Independently Targeted Re-Entry Vehicle (MIRV) system from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha.

MIRV technology

• Abbreviation – Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle
• Uniqueness – The technology has the capability that allows multiple warheads to be loaded on a single missile delivery system and programmed to hit different targets, thus greatly enhancing the missile’s destructive potential.

Agni Missiles

• The Agni missile class is the backbone of India’s nuclear launch capability.
• Developed by – Agni-1 to 5 missiles are designed & developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Other Ranges of Agni Missiles

• Agni I: Range of 700-800 km.
• Agni II: Range more than 2000 km.
• Agni III: Range of more than 2,500 Km
• Agni IV: Range is more than 3,500 km and can fire from a road mobile launcher.
• Agni-V: The longest of the Agni series, an Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) with a range of over 5,000 km.

Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP)

• Launched in – 1983
• Conceived by – IGMDP was conceived by Dr. APJ.Abdul Kalam in the 1980s.
• Objective – To enable India to attain self-sufficiency in the field of missile technology.

The missiles developed under IGMDP are

• Short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile – Prithvi
• Intermediate-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile – Agni
• Short-range low-level surface-to-air missile – Trishul
• Medium-range surface-to-air missile – Akash
• Third generation anti-tank missile – Nag