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Birsa Munda

Art & Culture

Hindu Kush Himalaya

Geography

Context

• The HKH Monsoon Outlook 2026, projects below-normal rainfall and above-normal temperatures across the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region during the 2026 monsoon season.

Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH)

• The HKH mountains extend around 3,500 km over eight countries — Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, Myanmar, and Pakistan.
• These mountains are also called the “water towers of Asia” because they are the origins of 10 crucial river systems on the continent — Amu Darya, Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra, Irrawaddy, Salween, Mekong, Yangtse, Yellow river, and Tarim.
• These river basins provide water to almost one-fourth of the world’s population and are a significant freshwater source for 240 million people in the HKH region.

Coal Exchange Rules, 2026

Economy

Context

• The Ministry of Coal has notified the Coal Exchange Rules, 2026, paving the way for the establishment of Coal Exchanges in the country to enable transparent and market-driven coal trading.

Coal Exchange

• A Coal Exchange is an electronic marketplace where coal producers, consumers, traders, and other participants can buy and sell coal through transparent trading mechanisms.
• Significance – It facilitates efficient price discovery based on market demand and supply conditions.

Coal Sector in India

• India is the world’s second-largest producer and consumer of coal.
• India has the fifth-largest coal reserves globally.
• Coal accounts for around 55% of India’s primary commercial energy requirement and about 70% of electricity generation.
• Major coal-producing regions are concentrated in states such as Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal

Dark Patterns

Science and Technology

Context

• According to a report, Indian consumers are losing an estimated ₹25,000 crore to ₹28,000 crore annually due to dark patterns, across online marketplaces.

About

• Definition – Dark patterns are user interface or user experience designs that manipulate, pressure, or mislead people into making choices they might not otherwise make.
• The term ‘dark patterns’ was coined by Harry Brignull in 2010.
• It encompasses a wide range of manipulative practices such as drip pricing, disguised advertising, bait and click, choice manipulation, false urgency and privacy concerns.

Dark patterns can:

1. Undermine informed consent.
2. Reduce user autonomy.
3. Lead to unintended purchases or data sharing.
4. Erode trust in products and companies.

India’s Laws Related to Dark Patterns

• Consumer Protection Act, 2019 & CCPA Guidelines, 2023: The Consumer Protection Act empowers the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) to curb unfair trade practices.
• The CCPA’s Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023 explicitly prohibit deceptive practices such as false urgency, basket sneaking, confirm shaming, and subscription traps.
• Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020: Require transparency in pricing, advertisements, and terms of sale, and prohibit misleading practices on e-commerce platforms.
• Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023: Mandates free, informed, and unambiguous user consent for data processing, thereby discouraging dark patterns that manipulate users into sharing personal data.

Summer Air Pollution and Ground-Level Ozone

Environment

Context

• Several Indian cities witnessed severe summer air pollution in 2026, leading to the reimposition of Stage-I restrictions under GRAP in Delhi.

Summer Causes Ground-Level Ozone

• Ground-level ozone is a secondary pollutant and is not released directly into the air.
• Formation – It forms when Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) from vehicles and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from industries, paints, solvents, and fuel emissions react under strong sunligh
• Hot summer conditions and heatwaves accelerate this reaction, causing high ozone levels during daytime.
• Ozone and particulate matter can cause serious respiratory illnesses, especially among children, the elderly, and people with lung diseases.

Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)

• Objective – It is a set of emergency measures implemented in Delhi-NCR to control air pollution based on the Air Quality Index (AQI) levels.
• Implementation – It was formulated by the Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority (EPCA) and enforced by CAQM from 2021.

GRAP is divided into four stages corresponding to AQI levels:

• Stage I – Poor (AQI 201–300)
• Stage II – Very Poor (AQI 301–400)
• Stage III – Severe (AQI 401–450)
• Stage IV – Severe+ (AQI >450)

Additional Information – Commission for Air Quality Management

• Constituted under: The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021.
• Jurisdiction: Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
• Purpose: To coordinate and implement region-wide measures for air quality improvement, replacing the earlier EPCA.

Southwest Monsoon

Geography

Context

• The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed the arrival of the southwest monsoon in Kerala (June 4, 2026).
• This marks the official start of the rainy season in India.

Southwest Monsoon

• Onset and Retreat: The monsoon season in India generally starts in early June and lasts until September.
• The onset of the monsoon is marked by the arrival of the southwest monsoon winds, which bring moisture-laden air from the Indian Ocean.
• The withdrawal or retreat of the monsoon typically begins in October.
• The northeast monsoon, occurring from October to December, brings rainfall to parts of southern India.
• Monsoon Dynamics: Factors such as the El Niño and La Niña phenomena can influence the strength and distribution of the monsoon.
• Agricultural Impact: The success of the monsoon directly influences crop yields and, consequently, the overall economy of the country.

Connect with the basics- Difference between El Niño and La Niña

Connect with the basics- Difference between El Niño and La Niña

Navachar Mantra Initiative

Economy

News

• Navachar Mantra is a national initiative launched by the Union Minister at IIT Delhi.

Navachar Mantra Initiative

• Launched by – Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE)
• Objective – to identify, mentor, and scale grassroots innovations originating from Tier-2, Tier-3, and rural India

Key Features

• Target Demographic: Open to Indian citizens aged 18 to 55 residing in aspirational districts and underserved rural or semi-urban geographies.
• Eligibility: Flexible criteria allow individuals with ideas in the validation or early prototype stages to apply; a registered corporate entity or finished market product is not required.
• Focus Sectors: Prioritizes high-impact verticals including Agritech, HealthTech & Wellness, EdTech, Climate Action, Rural Commerce, and MSME Enablement.

Price Stabilisation Fund

Economy

Context

• The Union Cabinet has approved a one-time budgetary support of up to ₹10,000 crore for Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to provide Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) price stabilisation support to Scheduled Indian Airlines.

Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) Price Stabilisation Fund

• Financial outlay – ₹10,000 crore
• Objective – It protects Indian airlines from sudden jumps in fuel prices.

How It Works

• Fixed Price: The fund pays oil companies to keep jet fuel prices steady for local airlines.
• The Buffer: When global oil prices go up, the fund covers the extra cost. When prices go down, the money goes back into the fund.
• Rules: Airlines must sign a 36-month deal to buy fuel only from participating oil companies. Foreign airlines cannot use this fund

E85 Fuel Adoption in India

Environment

Context

• The Union Government is considering a policy framework to support the affordable adoption of E85 fuel in India.

E85 Fuel

• E85 is a fuel blend containing 85% ethanol and 15% petrol.
• It can be used in specially designed flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) that can operate on varying ethanol-petrol blends.
• These vehicles are equipped with modified engines and fuel systems that can automatically adjust to different fuel compositions.

Why is India Promoting E85?

• Enhancing Energy Security: Greater ethanol use can reduce India’s dependence on imported crude oil.
• Reducing Import Bill: If just 1% of annual petrol vehicle sales shift to E85 during the 2026–27 ethanol supply year, India could save around ₹195 crore in foreign exchange.
• Supporting Farmers and Rural Economy: Increased adoption of E85 could generate demand for more than 4 crore litres of ethanol.
• Environmental Benefits: E85 adoption at the projected level could result in a net reduction of nearly 0.86 LMT of CO₂ emissions.

Ethanol

• Ethanol is9% pure alcohol that can be blended with petrol. It can be produced from sugarcane, maize, wheat, etc which are having high starch content.

Ethanol Blending

• Ethanol blending refers to the practice of mixing ethanol with gasoline to create a fuel mixture that can be used in internal combustion engines.

There are a few common blends:

• E10: This is a mixture of 10% ethanol and 90% gasoline. It is the most common blend and is used widely in many countries.
• E15: This blend contains 15% ethanol and 85% gasoline.
• E85: This is a high-ethanol blend, consisting of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. It’s used in flex-fuel vehicles designed to run on higher ethanol content.

Rules Governing Election Symbols in India

Polity

Prime Minister of India

Polity

In News

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has overtaken Jawaharlal Nehru as the longest-serving Prime Minister in India to remain in office through consecutive electoral mandates.

Prime Minister of India

• Constitutional Position (Article 75): The Prime Minister is appointed by the President and serves as the head of the Union government, exercising actual executive authority.
• Leader of the Council of Ministers (Article 74): The Prime Minister leads the Council of Ministers, which assists and advises the President in carrying out constitutional functions.
• Role: The Prime Minister acts as the chief link between the President and the Council of Ministers,conveying decisions of the Cabinet and advising the President on matters such as appointments, convening Parliament, and dissolution of the Lok Sabha.
• Head of Key Bodies: The Prime Minister presides over several major institutions and councils, including NITI Aayog, the National Integration Council, and the Inter-State Council.

Ayushman Bharat Scheme

Government Schemes

Context

• West Bengal has formally joined the flagship health insurance programme, Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), becoming the last state in India to come under its ambit.

Ayushman Bharat

• Launched in – It was launched in 2018
• Objective – To achieve universal health coverage.

It has two key components

1. Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri- Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY)
2. Ayushman Arogya Mandir

Ayushman Arogya Mandir

• Launched in – The Government of India in 2018 announced the creation of 1,50,000 Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) by transforming existing Sub Centres and Primary Health Centres.
• Functions – These centres would deliver Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC) bringing healthcare closer to the homes of people covering both maternal and child health services and non-communicable diseases, including free essential drugs and diagnostic services.

Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY)

• Objective – The world’s largest health insurance/assurance scheme fully financed by the government.
• Feature – It provides cover of Rs 5 lakhs per family per year, for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization across public and private empaneled hospitals in India.
• Coverage – Over 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable entitled families (approximately 50 crore beneficiaries) are eligible for these benefits.
• Implementation – The National Health Authority (NHA) is the nodal agency responsible for the nationwide roll-out and implementation of the AB-PMJAY scheme.
• Financing – This scheme is a Centrally sponsored scheme with some Central sector components.
• Note – First Ayushman Arogya Mandir inaugurated in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh.

Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Gramin (VB-G RAM G)

Government schemes

Context

• The government has proposed an interim budget allocation of 95,692 crore rupees to states and union territories to ensure a smooth transition from MNREGA to Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Gramin (VB-G RAM G).

Key Differences

Land Port Management System (LPMS): Vinimay

Economy

In News

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the Land Port Management System (LPMS), named ‘Vinimay’, in New Delhi under the Smart Borders initiative.

About

• It is a unified digital platform launched to modernise operations across India’s international land borders.
• Developed by – Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI), a statutory body under the Ministry of Home Affairs established through the Land Ports Authority of India Act, 2010.
• Significance – It achieve Smart Border Management by replacing manual paperwork with end-to-end digital workflows

Additional Information – The Smart Borders Initiative

• It is an Indian government project to secure international borders using advanced technology.
• Implementation – Ministry of Home Affairs to secure India’s borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh. It uses technology instead of just human patrolling.

Key features

• Quadrangular Security Grid: Links local people, police, civil officials, and the military with the Border Security Force (BSF).
• High-Tech Tools: Uses drones, anti-drone systems, underground sensors, and thermal cameras. It protects tough areas like rivers and swamps.
• VINIMAY System: A digital platform by the Land Ports Authority of India. It cuts paper paperwork by 90% and tracks trade data in real time.

Shiv Shakti Point

Science and Technology

Context

• Data from Chandrayaan-3’s Pragyan rover has revealed that the soil at Shiv Shakti Point near the Moon’s South Pole is chemically very similar to a lunar meteorite (ALHA 81005) discovered in Antarctica.
• The findings are based on observations made by the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) onboard the rover.

Shiv Shakti Point

• It is the official name of the place on the Moon where India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission landed.
• The mission’s lander, Vikram, successfully touched down at this spot on 23 August 2023.
• With this achievement, India became the first country to land a spacecraft near the lunar south pole.

Chandrayaan-3

• It is India’s third moon mission.
• It was made by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
• On August 23, 2023, it landed near the Moon’s South Pole. This made India the first country to reach the south polar region and the fourth country to land on the Moon. August 23 is now celebrated as National Space Day in India.

Key Quick Facts

• Launch Rocket: LVM3-M4 rocket.
• Landing Site: Named Shiv Shakti Point.
• Mission Life: 1 Lunar Day (about 14 Earth days).

The Three Spacecraft Parts

Propulsion Module: Carried the lander close to the Moon. It has 1 payload

• SHAPE (Spectro-polarimetry of Habitable Planet Earth): Studies Earth from orbit.

Vikram Lander: The main box that made the soft landing.It has 4 payloads

1. ChaSTE (Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment) : Measures surface temperature.
2. ILSA (Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity): Records moonquakes.
3. RAMBHA-LP (Radio Anatomy of Moon Bound Hypersensitive Ionosphere and Atmosphere – Langmuir Probe) :Measures plasma density.
4. LRA (Laser Retroreflector Array) : Measures Moon distance (NASA)

Pragyan Rover: A small 6-wheeled robot. It has 2 payloads.

1. LIBS (Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscope): Finds elements (found Sulphur).
2. APXS (Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer):  Studies soil minerals.

Why the South Pole Matters

• Water Ice: Deep craters have ice that never melts.
• Resources: This ice can make drinking water, oxygen, and fuel for future astronauts.
• History: The cold preserves old solar system clues.

Battery Energy Storage System

Environment

In News

• The Defence Ministry has approved the establishment of a 250 MW Solar Power Project with Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at Sitapur (Ex-Cantonment) in Uttar Pradesh.

Battery Energy Storage System

• Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) refers to a technology that stores electrical energy in rechargeable batteries for later use.
• It helps balance electricity demand and supply by storing excess power generated from renewable sources such as solar and wind energy.
• Significance – It improves grid stability, reduces power fluctuations, and supports peak load managemen
• It also enhances energy access in remote areas and strengthens energy securit

Major Storage Technologies

Electrochemical (Battery-Based):

• Lithium-ion: Most widely deployed globally, energy density 150 to 300 Wh/kg, round-trip efficiency 90 to 95%, used in EVs and gridscale storage but dependent on imported lithium and cobalt.
• Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP): Safer, cheaper, longer life cycle, increasingly preferred for utility-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and electric buses.
• Sodium-ion: Abundant domestic sodium, lower cost and reduced geopolitical dependence. Strategically important for India given limited domestic lithium reserves.
• Solid-state: Next-generation with solid electrolyte, higher density and improved safety. Still high cost and limited scalability.
• Flow batteries (Vanadium Redox, ZincBromine): Long-duration storage, minimal degradation, suited for utility-scale renewable integration.

Mechanical and Thermal

• Pumped Storage Hydropower (PSH): Most mature large-scale technology globally, using height difference to store and release energy.
• Molten salt and ice thermal storage are used in concentrated solar and industrial applications.

SIPRI Yearbook 2026

Science and Technology

Pride Month

Polity

Context

• June is observed globally as Pride Month to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and raise awareness about issues of equality, inclusion, and human rights.

LGBTQ+ Community

• LGBTQ+ is an umbrella term for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer persons, with ‘+’ representing other identities that are not specifically included in these letters.
• Notably, LGBTQ+ persons do not conform with traditional gender roles and expectations, display sex characteristics that do not fit the typical male or female binary, and their gender identities that differ from the sex they were assigned at birth.
• Pride Month – It commemorates the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights and celebrates diversity and inclusion.

India’s Position on LGBTQ+ Rights

• As per census 2011, there were 4.87 lakhs persons in India who opted for “other” in gender category.
• Transgender Rights: NALSA v. Union of India (2014) recognised the right to self-identify gender.
• It recognises transgender as the “third gender” upholding their fundamental rights.
• Decriminalisation: Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018) decriminalised consensual homosexual acts (Section 377 partially struck down).
• Constitutional Provisions: Article 14 Right to equality, Article 15 No discrimination on grounds of sex and Article 21 Right to life and personal liberty.
• Legislation: The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 provides legal recognition of transgender identity.

Zojila Tunnel

Geography

Context

• The Zojila Tunnel achieved its final breakthrough in June 2026, marking a significant milestone in India’s efforts to establish all-weather connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh.

Zojila Tunnel

• The Zojila Tunnel is a 14-km-long single-tube, bi-directional road tunnel being constructed beneath the Zojila Pass in the Himalayas.
• It is located at an altitude of approximately 11,578 feet and connects Baltal in Kashmir with Meenamarg in Ladakh.
• The tunnel is designed as a two-lane horseshoe-shaped structure and is among the world’s longest road tunnels at such a high altitude.
• The project is being executed by Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Ltd.
• The tunnel has been constructed using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM).

Strategic Importance

• It will provide all-weather connectivity between Kashmir Valley and Ladakh.
• It will reduce dependence on the snow-bound Zojila Pass, which remains closed during winter due to heavy snowfall and avalanches.
• It will improve military logistics and troop mobility in areas close to the Line of Actual Control.

Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyaan (PMSMA)

Government Schemes

Context

• The 10th anniversary of the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) was observed.

Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA)

• Launched on – June 9, 2016,
• Objective – It provides free, comprehensive antenatal care to pregnant women — particularly those in their second and third trimesters — at designated government health facilities on the 9th of every month.
• Key Services: Under PMSMA, pregnant women receive:

1. Clinical examinations and risk assessment;
2. Blood and urine tests;
3. Ultrasonography;
4. Essential medicines and supplements;
5. Counselling on nutrition, birth preparedness, and safe pregnancy practices.

• The Doctor Volunteer System: The programme encourages voluntary participation of private-sector specialists, including obstetricians, gynaecologists, radiologists, and physicians, to provide antenatal care services on the 9th of every month.
• In 2022, the government launched the Extended PMSMA (e-PMSMA) to strengthen tracking and follow-up of high-risk pregnancies.
• Note – India’s Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) declined from 130 per lakh live births (2014–16) to 87 per lakh live births (2022–24).

Additional Information- Maternal Health Initiatives

1. Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY): Gives cash to poor women who choose to give birth in a hospital instead of at home.
2. Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) – Makes hospital births 100% free. Covers medicine, food, tests, and free rides to and from the hospital.
3. Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN) – It Promises dignified care with zero tolerance for being turned away by a hospital.
4. Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) – Gives direct cash (₹5,000 for the first child and ₹6,000 for a second girl child) to buy nutritious food.
5. LaQshya: Upgrades the quality and safety of hospital delivery rooms.

Preventive Detentions

Polity

Context

• The Allahabad High Court recently raised concerns over the alleged misuse of preventive detention laws.

Preventive Detention

• Preventive detention refers to the detention of a person without trial in order to prevent them from committing an act that may threaten public order, national security, or other vital state interests.
• Unlike punitive detention, which is imposed as punishment after conviction by a court of law, preventive detention is based on the apprehension that a person may engage in activities prejudicial to:

1. Security of the State;
2. Defence of India;
3. Public order;
4. Foreign affairs; or
5. Maintenance of essential supplies and services.

• The Constitution divides the legislative power to enact preventive detention laws between the Union and the States.

Constitutional Provisions

• Article 22(3) of the Constitution provides for preventive detention laws,
• Article 22(4) contain the following safeguards against abuse of this power:
• No law providing for preventive detention shall authorise the detention of a person for a longer period than three months. Detention beyond this 3-month period requires clearance from an Advisory Board.
• The 44th Amendment Act of 1978 has reduced the period of detention without obtaining the opinion of an advisory board from three to two months.
• However, this provision has not yet been brought into force, hence, the original period of three months still continues.

Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana

Government Schemes

Context

• The Union Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas has indicated that subsidised LPG cylinders for households under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) have been reduced from nine to four.

Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana

• Launched in – May 2016
• Implementation – Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
• Objective -To give free LPG (gas) connections to poor women to replace dirty cooking fuels.
• Key Benefits: The government pays ₹1,600 for the connection setup. In Ujjwala 2.0, the first refill and stove are free.
• There is also a ₹300 subsidy per cylinder for up to 12 refills a year.
• Eligibility: Only adult women from poor households (like SC/ST or low-income families) who do not already have a gas connection.
• Scale: Over 10.3 crore connections have been given out so far.

Gallantry Awards

Defence

Context

• President conferred Gallantry Awards to the personnel of the Armed Forces, Central Armed Police Forces, and State and Union Territory Police during the Defence Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan.

Gallantry Awards

• Honoured by – Government of India
• It is given to honour acts of bravery, sacrifice, and exceptional courage by members of the armed forces, paramilitary forces, and civilians.
• They are classified as wartime (gallantry in the face of enemy) and peacetime awards.
• Administered by: Ministry of Defence (for armed forces) and Ministry of Home Affairs (for police and civilians).
• Awarded by: President of India.
• These gallantry awards are announced twice in a year – first on the occasion of the Republic Day and then on the occasion of the Independence Day.
• Wartime Gallantry Awards: Param Vir Chakra (PVC), Mahavir Chakra (MVC) and Vir Chakra.
• Peacetime Gallantry Awards: Ashok Chakra, Kirti Chakra, Shaurya Chakra.

Gallantry Awards

• Order of Precedence: Param Vir Chakra (PVC), Ashoka Chakra (AC), Maha Vir Chakra (MVC), Kirti Chakra (KC), Vir Chakra (VrC), Shaurya Chakra (SC).
• All six awards can be conferred posthumously.

Tejas

Syllabus: GS3/Defence

Context

• The Defence Minister reviewed the progress of major ongoing projects of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) where delays in the delivery of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A was also discussed.

Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A

• It is an advanced, 5-generation multirole fighter jet built in India.
• Developed by- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
• The aircraft is designed to be a multi-role aircraft capable of taking up offensive air support, close combat and ground attack roles at ease.
• Advanced Radar: Uses an AESA Radar (including the indigenous Uttam radar) to track multiple targets at once.
• Electronic Warfare: Equipped with a jamming suite to protect the jet from enemy missiles.
• Smart Weapons: Can fire Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missiles like the Indian-made Astra.
• Mid-Air Refueling: Features a probe to refuel in the sky, which helps it fly longer distances.
• Engine: Powered by the American GE F404-IN20 turbofan engine.

Herbicide-Tolerant Mustard Hybrids

Syllabus: GS3/ Agriculture

Context

• India is set to begin large-scale cultivation of imidazolinone-resistant (IMI-resistant) mustard hybrids during the 2026–27 rabi season.

IMI-Resistant Mustard Hybrids

• These are mustard hybrids resistant to imidazolinone (IMI) herbicides.
• They have been developed through mutation breeding, not through genetic modification (GM).
• Mutation breeding involves selecting and preserving naturally occurring genetic mutations that confer desirable traits.

Connect with the basics – Gene Editing Technology

• It refers to technology that permits the change of an organism’s DNA by allowing genetic material to be added, removed, or altered at particular locations in the genome.

CRISPR Cas9 Technology

• Acronym – Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats.
• Significance – With the use of the gene editing technique CRISPR, researchers can modify the DNA of living things.
• An enzyme called Cas9 functions as molecular scissors, guided by RNA molecules created to precisely match a certain DNA sequence.
• GE (Genome Editing): Involves precise modification of specific genes within an organism’s genome without introducing foreign genes, resulting in targeted genetic changes.
• GM (Genetically Modified): Involves the insertion of foreign genes from unrelated organisms into an organism’s genome to confer specific traits or characteristics.

Regulatory Bodies

• GEAC (Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee): It is a regulatory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).GEAC is responsible for evaluating and approving genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
• Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB): Ensures safe handling of GMOs that may impact biodiversity under the Convention on Biological Diversity. Nagoya-Kuala Lumpur.

MPC Retains Repo Rate, Lowers Growth Forecast

Economy

Surha Tal: India’s 100th Ramsar Site

Environment

Context

• Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary (Surha Tal) in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, has been designated as India’s 100th Ramsar Site.

About

• Established in 1991,
• The sanctuary is centred around Surha Tal, a natural perennial oxbow lake formed by the shifting course of the Ganga River.
• It is located in the Indo-Gangetic Plain, near the confluence of the Ganga and Ghaghara rivers.
• It hosts several migratory birds from Siberia and Central Asia, including the Greylag Goose, Pintail, Common Teal, and Bar-headed Goose.
• Local species include Sarus crane, Heron, and Cormorant.

Connect with the basics – Ramsar Convention

• A Ramsar site is a wetland designated as one of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
• Ramsar Convention – It is one of the inter-governmental accords to preserve the wetlands of international importance.
• It was signed on February 2, 1971 in Ramsar, Iran and came into force in 1975.
• India became a signatory to the Ramsar Convention in 1982.

Ramsar Facts

• Total: 100 sites (As of June 2026).
• India has the most sites in Asia.
• 100th Site: Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary (Surha Tal) in Uttar Pradesh (Added June 2026).
• Top State: Tamil Nadu (20 sites), followed by Uttar Pradesh (13 sites).
• First Sites: Chilika Lake (Odisha) and Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) in 1981.
• Sizes: Sundarban (West Bengal) is the largest. Renuka (Himachal Pradesh) is the smallest.

Montreux Record (Threatened Sites)

• What it is: A register of Ramsar sites facing ecological danger from pollution or human interference.Active Indian Sites:
• Only two sites—Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) and Loktak Lake (Manipur).
• Removed- Chilika Lake was removed after successful recovery.

Isobutanol

Science & Technology

Context

• As India expands its biofuel strategy beyond ethanol, the government is evaluating the use of diesel blended with up to 15% isobutanol to reduce dependence on crude oil imports.

Isobutanol

• Chemical Profile: It is a clear, colorless liquid with a mild alcoholic odor. It is one of the four isomers of butanol.
• Traditional Use: It has long served as an industrial solvent in paints, lacquer, coatings, pharmaceuticals, and pesticides.
• Production: It can be created from petrochemicals or by fermenting biomass like sugarcane syrup, molasses, and grains using engineered microbes.

Why Isobutanol Over Ethanol for Diesel Blending

• India successfully implemented a 20% ethanol blending mandate for petrol, but ethanol failed to mix properly with diesel.

Significance for India

• Import Substitution: Blending up to 10% isobutanol into diesel can slash India’s high crude oil import bills.
• Climate & Emission Targets: It burns cleaner, reducing harmful particulate emissions. This helps achieve India’s Net-Zero emission goal by 2070 and aligns with the National Policy on Biofuels.

Jan Samarth Portal

Government Schemes

Context

• The Jan Samarth Portal has completed four years of promoting digital financial inclusion and seamless credit delivery.

Jan Samarth Portal

• Launched in – 2022
• Objective – It is a single-window digital platform for availing benefits under 16 credit-linked government schemes.
• Significance – It facilitates access to institutional credit across sectors such as agriculture, business, housing, renewable energy, and livelihoods.
• Available in 8 languages, the portal has onboarded 269 lending institutions, including banks, NBFCs, and cooperative banks.

Additional information – Digital financial inclusion schemes

Core Pillars: The JAM Trinity

1. Jan Dhan: Zero-balance bank accounts for the unbanked.
2. Aadhaar: Biometric digital ID for instant e-KYC verification.
3. Mobile: Core tool to access mobile banking apps.

Key Schemes

• PM Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY): World’s largest financial inclusion drive. Over 56 crore accounts. Offers free RuPay cards, ₹2 lakh accident cover, and ₹10,000 overdraft.
• UPI: Real-time mobile payment network. Handles over 80% of India’s retail digital payments.
• Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): Sends government subsidies straight into Aadhaar-linked accounts. This stops corruption and cuts state waste.
• Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS): Rural biometric banking via local agents (Bank Mitras). No smartphone required.
• Jan Suraksha Schemes: Cheap, auto-debit security. Includes PMSBY (₹20/year accident cover), PMJJBY (₹436/year life cover), and Atal Pension Yojana (unorganised sector pension).
• Unified Lending Interface (ULI): Nationwide platform that speeds up digital loans by instantly linking land and financial data.

Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM)

Polity

PM E-DRIVE

Environment

Context

• The Delhi Government has announced the induction of 2,800 new low-floor electric buses under the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE)
• Objective – to strengthen public transport and accelerate the transition towards sustainable urban mobility.

PM E-DRIVE

• The scheme was launched by the Government of India in 2024 to accelerate the transition towards electric mobility.
• The scheme has a total financial outlay of ₹10,900 crore.
• Duration: Initially approved for two years (2024–26), its duration has now been extended to 31 March 2028, while retaining the same outlay.

Objectives:

• To accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) across the country.
• To develop a robust EV charging infrastructure.
• To strengthen the domestic EV manufacturing ecosystem.
• To reduce dependence on fossil fuels and lower vehicular emissions.
• To promote the Make in India initiative through the Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP).
• The scheme supports the procurement of 14,028 electric buses across nine major cities with populations exceeding 40 lakh.

Major Abhilasha Barak Conferred UN Award

International

Context

• Prime Minister congratulated Major Abhilasha Barak on being conferred the UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award.

About

• Major Barak is currently serving with the United Nations mission in Lebanon, has been honoured with the award for her outreach efforts with women and girls during her deployment in the West Asian nation.
• She is also the first woman combat helicopter pilot of the Indian Army.
• Nomination – Each year, the awardee is selected from among candidates nominated by force commanders and heads of mission from all peace operations.
• India is among the largest troop and police contributing countries to UN peacekeeping missions.

United Nations peacekeepers

• The United Nations (UN) Peacekeepers, commonly known as the ‘Blue Helmets’
• They are military, police, and civilian personnel deployed by the United Nation
• Objective – to help countries transition from conflict to peace.
• Duties – It includes protecting civilians, preventing conflict, strengthening security, and supporting peace processes.
• Peacekeeping operations are authorized by the UN Security Council and supported by member states, with personnel drawn from many countries around the world.

Food Planet Prize 2026

Miscellaneous

Context

• The Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF) programme has won the Food Planet Prize 2026.

About the Prize

• The Food Planet Prize was established in 2019 by the Curt Bergfors Foundation, Sweden.
• It is regarded as the world’s largest environmental award dedicated to transforming global food systems.
• The award carries a prize of US$ 1.5 million (about ₹14 crore).
• Note – APCNF’s selection marks the first time an Indian initiative has won the award.

Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF)

• Launched in 2016
• Launched by – Rythu Sadhikara Samstha (RySS)
• Mandate – the programme promotes natural farming by reducing dependence on chemical fertilisers and pesticides.
• Uniqueness – it covers over 8,000 villages and nearly 18 lakh farmer families, making it one of the world’s largest community-led agroecology initiatives.
• The Andhra Pradesh model is now being studied and replicated in several Indian states, as well as countries like Sri Lanka and Zambia.

Additional Information – Natural Farming

• It is a chemical free farming, involving livestock (preferably local breed of cow) integrated natural farming methods and diversified crop systems rooted in the Indian traditional knowledge.
• It is largely based on on-farm biomass recycling with major stress on biomass mulching, use of on-farm cow dung-urine formulations; maintaining soil aeration and exclusion of all synthetic chemical inputs.

National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF)

• Launched in – November 2024
• It is a centrally sponsored Scheme
• Objective – to promote chemical-free, ecosystem-based natural farming rooted in traditional knowledge.