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Goa Liberation Day

History & Culture

Context

• December 19 marks the day Goa was liberated from Portuguese rule and formally integrated into India in 1961.

Goa Liberation Day

• First capture (1510): Albuquerque seized Goa with help from the local chieftain Timoji.
• Loss of Goa: Adil Shah’s forces recaptured Goa during the monsoon.
• Final conquest (November 1510): Albuquerque returned with reinforcements and decisively defeated Bijapur forces.

Reasons for Portuguese Success:

1. Superior naval power and artillery
2. Weak internal control of the Bijapur Sultanate
3. Local support from discontented groups
4. Effective leadership of Albuquerque

Impact:

• Goa became the capital of Portuguese India (Estado da Índia).
• It marked the beginning of European territorial colonialism in India.
• Goa emerged as a centre of trade, administration, and Christianity.
• Goa was the first Indian Territory to be captured by European power and last to get its independence.

Background:

• Following the country’s independence in 1947, the regime had major challenges to tackle: the integration of regions like Goa, Jammu and Kashmir, Hyderabad among others.
• The India government made several diplomatic outreach to persuade Portugal to hand over Goa peacefully.
• Portugal, which ruled Goa for 451 years, rejected all such requests.
• This led to the Goa Liberation Movement, with significant participation from local leaders and the public.

Operation Vijay

• Operation Vijay was launched by the Indian Armed Forces to annex Goa and amalgamate it with the rest of India during Jawaharlal Nehru’s tenure as Prime Minister.
• The operation lasted for over 36 hours and involved coordinated strikes by the Indian Armed Forces across air, sea, and land.
• Outcome: Portuguese forces surrendered on 19 December 1961, leading to Goa’s liberation along with Daman and Diu.
• On 30 May 1987, the Union Territory was split, and Goa was made India’s twenty-fifth state, with Daman and Diu remaining Union Territories.

Securities Markets Code Bill 2025

Economy

Context

• The Union Finance Minister introduced the Securities Markets Code Bill 2025 in the Lok Sabha.

Securities Markets Code Bill 2025

• The Bill proposes to consolidate the;

1. Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956,
2. Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Act, 1992, and
3. The Depositories Act, 1996.

Key Provisions

• Reforms in SEBI’s Composition: The strength of the SEBI Board is proposed to be increased from 9 to 15 members, including the Chairperson.

The reconstituted Board will include;

• The Chairperson.
• Two officials appointed by the Central Government.
• One ex-officio member from the Reserve Bank of India.
• Eleven other members, of whom at least five will be whole-time members. Currently there are three full-time members.

Additional Information – The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)

• It is the primary regulatory body for the securities and capital markets in India.
• Established as a statutory body in 1992,
• It operates under the Ministry of Finance.
• Chairman: Tuhin Kanta Pandey (as of 2025).
• Headquarters: Mumbai with regional offices in New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, and Ahmedabad.
• Objective: To protect investor interests, promote market development, and regulate the securities market.

Key Functions and Powers

• Protective: Prevents insider trading, price rigging, and fraudulent practices.
• Developmental: Promotes investor education and trains intermediaries to enhance market transparency.
• Regulatory: Drafts regulations, conducts audits, and registers market participants like brokers and mutual funds.

New Logo for Regional Rural Banks (RRBs)

Economy

In News

• The Government of India, in collaboration with NABARD, has unveiled a common logo for all Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) under the “One RRB, One Logo” initiative, marking a significant step towards unifying the identity of RRBs across the country.

“One RRB, One Logo” Initiative

• A reform measure to introduce a single, uniform visual identity for all 43 Regional Rural Banks operating in India.
• Implemented jointly by – Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance & National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)

Objectives of the Initiative

• Unified Identity: Present RRBs as part of a single national banking system, rather than fragmented regional entities.
• Customer Trust: Improve public confidence by ensuring easy recognition and credibility.
• Operational Integration: Support recent amalgamation and consolidation of RRBs.
• Digital Readiness: Align RRB branding with modern banking and digital financial services.

Regional Rural Banks (RRBs)

• Established under – Regional Rural Banks Act, 1976
• Objective – to expand institutional credit in rural areas & serve small farmers, SHGs, artisans and MSMEs.

RRBs have a tripartite ownership pattern:

• Government of India – 50%
• Concerned State Government – 15%
• Sponsor Bank – 35%.

Andhra’s Rare Earth Corridor

Science & Technology

In News

• Andhra Pradesh’s 974-km-long coastline has gained strategic importance due to large reserves of rare earth elements (REEs) embedded in beach sand minerals.

Andhra’s Rare Earth Corridor

• Location – A continuous mineral-rich belt along Andhra Pradesh’s coast from Srikakulam (north) to Nellore (south).

Rich in beach sand minerals such as:

• Monazite (primary source of REEs and thorium)
• Ilmenite, rutile, zircon, garnet and sillimanite
• Note – Andhra Pradesh holds 30–35% of India’s total monazite reserves

Rare Earth Elements (REEs)

• They are a group of 17 elements, 15 lanthanides + scandium + yttrium.
• Though geologically abundant, they are termed “rare” because:
• They occur in low concentrations, and
• Their extraction and processing are complex, capital- and technology-intensive.

REEs are classified into:

• Light REEs (LREEs): lanthanum, cerium, neodymium, praseodymium, samarium, etc.
• Heavy REEs (HREEs): dysprosium, terbium, yttrium, etc.

Ratle Project

Economy

In News

• Recently, the Jammu and Kashmir Police informed Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL) that 29 workers employed at the under-construction 850 MW Ratle Hydro Electric Project in Kishtwar had alleged militant links or criminal backgrounds.

The Ratle Hydroelectric Project (850 MW)

• Location: On the Chenab River near Drabshalla in Kishtwar district, Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.​
• Type and capacity: Run-of-the-river scheme with a total installed capacity of 850 MW and a 133 m high concrete gravity dam and associated underground power houses.​

RESPOND Basket 2025

Science & Technology

In News

• Recently, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched the RESPOND Basket 2025.

RESPOND Basket 2025

• It invites submission of research proposals from various premier universities, and other recognised academic and R&D institutions in areas relevant to ISRO’s upcoming missions and national priorities.
• It supports ISRO’s upcoming projects, including Bharatiya Antariksh Station, Chandrayaan-4, Gaganyaan missions, Venus orbiter, and a human Moon landing.

Live in Relationship Not Illegal: Allahabad High Court

Health & Society

In News

• Allahabad High Court categorically held that live-in relationships are not illegal and that consenting adults have the constitutional right to live together with dignity and safety, irrespective of marital status.

Key Observations of the Allahabad High Court

• Live-in relationship is not an offence: Living together without marriage does not violate any law in India if both partners are adults and give free consent.
• Right to life and personal liberty: The Court emphasized that Article 21 of the Constitution guarantees the right to life, dignity, and personal freedom to all individuals, including those in live-in relationships.
• State’s duty to protect: Once adults choose to live together, the State is duty-bound to ensure their safety, even against threats from family or society.
• Social Morality vs Constitutional Morality: The Court clearly prioritised constitutional morality over social morality.
• Evidentiary Presumption of Marriage: The Court referred to Section 114 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, and Section 119(1) of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023.
• These provisions state that if a man and woman cohabit for a significant period in the nature of husband and wife, the law may presume them to be married.

Key Supreme Court Judgments on Live-in Relationships

• Tulsa v. Durghatiya (2008): Children born from prolonged live-in relationships cannot be treated as illegitimat It ensures inheritance and dignity of children.
• Velusamy v. D. Patchaiammal (2010): The Court clarified the concept of “relationship in the nature of marriage” under the Domestic Violence Act.
• Conditions laid down like a couple must hold themselves out as husband and wife, must be of legal age & must be otherwise qualified to marry.
• Indra Sarma v. V.K.V. Sarma (2013): Recognised that live-in relationships may be morally debated, but courts must deal with social realities.
• Shafin Jahan v. Asokan K.M. (2018): The Court held that the right to marry a person of one’s choice is an integral part of Article 21.

Child Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation

Polity and Governance

Context

• The Supreme Court laid down guidelines on how courts must sensitively appreciate the evidence of minor victims of trafficking and prostitution.

Constitutional Safeguards in India

• Article 23: Prohibits trafficking in human beings and forced labor.
• Article 21: Ensures the right to life and personal liberty, which has been interpreted to include the right to live with dignity.
• Article 39(e): The state should ensure that the health and strength of workers and children are not abused, and that citizens are not forced to take jobs that are not suitable for their age or strength.

Laws governing anti-trafficking crimes

• The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 is targeted at stopping immoral trafficking and sex work. It went through two amendments, in 1978 and 1986.
• The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, prevents children from partaking in certain employments and regulates the conditions of work for children in other fields.
• The Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, prohibits systems of labour where people, including children, work under conditions of servitude to pay off debt, and also provides a framework for rehabilitating released labourers.
• The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015, which governs laws relating to children alleged and found to be in conflict with law.
• Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, which seeks to prevent commercial sexual exploitation of children.
• India set up Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs) in 2007.

Government to Increase Reservation for Agniveers in CAPFs to 50%

Defence

Context

• The Union Home Ministry has decided to enhance reservation for ex-Agniveers in the Group C posts of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) from the existing 10% to 50%.

Agnipath Scheme

• Objective – It allows patriotic and motivated youth to serve in the Armed Forces for a period of four years.

Features of the scheme

• Agniveer – Under this scheme, the youth joining the army will be called Agniveer. Youth will be able to be recruited into the army for a short duration.
• Recruitment for Short term – Under the new scheme, around 45,000 to 50,000 soldiers will be recruited annually, and most will leave the service in just four years.
• However, after four years, only 25% of the batch will be recruited back into their respective services, for a period of 15 years.

Eligibility Criteria

• It is only for personnel below officer ranks (those who do not join the forces as commissioned officers).
• Aspirants between the ages of 17.5 years and 23 years will be eligible to apply.

Benefits for Agniveers

• Seva Nidhi package – Upon the completion of the 4-years of service, a one-time ‘Seva Nidhi’ package of Rs 11.71 lakhs will be paid to the Agniveers.
• Life Insurance – They will also get a Rs 48 lakh life insurance cover for the four years. In case of death, the payout will be over Rs 1 crore, including pay for the unserved tenure.
• Rehabilitation – The government will help rehabilitate soldiers who leave the services after four years. They will be provided with skill certificates and bridge courses.

Related Concerns

• Difficult to Find Another Job – The ‘Agnipath’ scheme opens the way for recruitment of soldiers for a short-term contract of four years. After the completion of the contract, 25% of them will be retained and the rest will leave the forces.
• No Pension Benefit – Those hired under the ‘Agnipath’ scheme will be given a one-time lump sum of Rs 11 lakh. However, they do not receive any pension benefits.
• Training May Remain Unutilized – Forces will lose experienced soldiers. The jawans joining the Army, Navy and Air Force will be given technical training so that they are able to support the ongoing operations. But these men and women will leave after four years, which could create a void.

Significance of Such Step for the Country

• Future Ready Soldiers – It will create “future-ready” soldiers.
• More Employment Opportunities – It will increase employment opportunities and because of the skills and experience acquired during the four-year service such soldiers will get employment in various fields.

‘Support to Poor Prisoners’ Scheme

Polity & Governance

In News

• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) revised the guidelines of the ‘Support to Poor Prisoners’ scheme due to sub-optimal implementation by several States and Union Territorie

‘Support to Poor Prisoners’ Scheme

• Objective – to provide financial assistance to States/UTs for extending relief to poor prisoners who are unable to secure bail or release from prison due to non-payment of fine, on account of financial constraints.

GI-Tagged Indi Lime from Karnataka Enters Oman Market

Economy

In News

• India’s agricultural exports received a boost with the export of 3 metric tonnes of GI-tagged Indi Lime from Vijayapura, Karnataka, to Oman.

Indi Lime

• Indi Lime is known for its distinctive aroma, high juice content and longer shelf life.
• It represents the agricultural heritage of northern Karnataka.
• The GI status of Indi Lime has played a crucial role in positioning the fruit competitively in global markets.
• The export of GI-tagged Indi Lime to Oman gains significance under the India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) / Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which aims to strengthen economic ties and expand market access for Indian products.

Tundra Biome

Environment

In News

• A recent scientific study from Arctic Alaska reveals that wildfires in the tundra biome have become more frequent in the last century than at any time in the past 3,000 years.

Tundra Biome

• The tundra is a cold, treeless biome found in high-latitude (Arctic) and high-altitude (Alpine) regions. The word tundra comes from a Finnish term meaning “treeless plain.”

Types of Tundra:

• Arctic Tundra: Found in northern Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Siberia
• Alpine Tundra: Found at high altitudes on mountains (Himalayas, Andes, Rockies). No permafrost, but very cold conditions

Climatic Characteristics:

• Temperature: Extremely low; winters can reach −30°C to −50°C
• Precipitation: Very low (150–250 mm/year).

Bureau of Port Security (BoPS)

Defense

In News

• The Union Home Minister convened a high-level meeting to initiate the constitution of a dedicated Bureau of Port Security (BoPS) to enhance the security of vessels and port facilities across the country.
• Under the revamped security framework, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has been designated as a Recognised Security Organisation for ports.

Bureau of Port Security (BoPS)

• It will be established as a statutory body under Section 13 of the newly promulgated Merchant Shipping Act, 2025.
• It will function under the aegis of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
• It will be headed by a Director General of the rank of an IPS officer.
• Function – It will be responsible for regulatory oversight and coordination related to the security of ships and port infrastructure.

Supreme Court Clarifies Aravalli Boundaries, Regulates Mining

Environment

Context

• The Supreme Court, in a recent order, settled on a uniform definition of the Aravalli hills and ranges, and paused the grant of fresh mining leases across Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.

Aravalli Range

• Location – The Aravalli Range, stretching over approximately 692 kilometers (430 miles) in a northeastern direction, traverses the Indian states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Haryana before culminating in Delhi
• Uniqueness – It is the oldest mountain range in India.
• Significance – The Aravallis serve as a natural barrier against desertification, and helps regulate the climate, supports diverse ecosystems, and acts as a watershed for several rivers, including the Sabarmati, Luni, and Banas.

Aravalli Green Wall Project (AGWP)

• It is a major initiative aimed at restoring 1.15 million hectares of degraded land across four states in northwestern India (Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Delhi).
• National Goals: The project is part of India’s effort to achieve the national goal of creating an additional 2.5 billion tonnes of carbon sink by 2030.
• Broader Impact: The project contributes to India’s commitments under international conventions such as:
  • UNCCD (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification),
  • CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity),
  • UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change).
• Objectives and Features of AGWP: The project focuses on combating desertification, land degradation, and drought.

India Tops Global Doping Violations: WADA Report 2024

Health

In News

• The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Report 2024 has ranked India as the worst doping offender globally for the third consecutive year.

Doping and its Concerns

• Doping refers to the practice of using banned chemical substances, known as performance enhancing drugs (PEDs), by athletes.

Global efforts to tackle Doping

Copenhagen Declaration

• Held in – Copenhagen Declaration on Anti-Doping in Sport was agreed upon by governments at the Second World Conference on Doping in Sport held in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2003.
• Purpose – The declaration was the political document through which governments signalled their intention to formally recognise and implement the World Anti-Doping Code.
• Significance – This declaration was the first step toward the preparation of the UNESCO International Convention against doping in sports.
• India agreed to this declaration in the year 2003.

International Convention Against Doping in Sport

• It is also known as the ‘UNESCO Anti-Doping Convention’.
• It was adopted at the General Conference of UNESCO in Paris in 2005. It entered into force in 2007.
• Objective – To promote the prevention of and the fight against doping in sports, with a view to its elimination.
• India ratified this convention in 2007.
• Note – National Anti-Doping Agency, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Youth Affairs, is responsible for adopting, implementing and enforcing anti-doping programmes in India.

World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)

• Founded in 1999 following the Lausanne Declaration
• It is headquartered in Montreal, Canada, with regional offices in Lausanne (Europe), Cape Town (Africa), and Montevideo (Latin America).
• The agency publishes the World Anti-Doping Code and the annual prohibited list.

India’s Efforts to Tackle Doping

• National Anti-Doping Act, 2022: This landmark legislation gave the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) and the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) statutory status.
• National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025 recently introduced to strengthen institutional autonomy.
• India is a signatory to the UNESCO International Convention Against Doping in Sport.
• Athlete Passport Management Unit (APMU): A dedicated unit at NDTL was inaugurated in 2025 to monitor the Biological Passport of athletes.
• NIDAMS Portal: The NADA India Data Administration and Management System was launched in 2025. It digitalizes the entire process—from planning tests and generating mission orders for Doping Control Officers (DCOs).
• “Know Your Medicine” (KYM) App: A mobile tool that allows athletes to scan or search medicines to check if they contain substances prohibited by WADA.

Pamir Mountains/ Pamir-Karakoram Anomaly

Geography

Context

• Ice cores from the Pamir Mountains are being studied to understand why its glaciers have resisted melting despite global warming.

Pamir–Karakoram Anomaly

• It refers to the unusual behaviour of glaciers in parts of the Pamir and Karakoram ranges.

Unlike most glaciers worldwide, these glaciers have:

• Shown resistance to melting, and
• Experienced slight mass gain in recent decades.
• This makes the region scientifically significant for understanding glacier–climate interactions.

Pamir Mountains

• Geology: Formed by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, making it a seismically active zone.
• Location: Spans parts of Tajikistan, Afghanistan, China, and Kyrgyzstan.
• The Pamir Mountains, also known as the “Roof of the World,” form a massive convergence zone (Pamir Knot) with the Himalayas, Karakoram, Hindu Kush, Kunlun, and Tian Shan ranges.
• Ancient Routes: Historically part of the Silk Road, with Marco Polo referencing the area.
• Major Peaks & Features: Ismoil Somoni Peak (Tajikistan), Kongur Tagh (China), Muztagh Ata (China) etc.
• Tajik National Park: A large protected area encompassing much of the Pamirs, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Drainage System: The Pamirs are heavily glaciated, with the Fedchenko Glacier being the largest glacier in Central Asia.
• Meltwater from glaciers feeds major rivers such as, Panj River and Vakhsh River. These rivers are part of the Amu Darya river system, crucial for Central Asia.

Exercise Desert Cyclone 2025

Defence

Context

• India-UAE Joint Military Exercise Desert Cyclone is going to begin in UAE.

About the exercise

• The first edition of Exercise Desert Cyclone was held in 2024 in Rajasthan, India.
• The aim of the exercise is to enhance interoperability and foster defence cooperation between the Indian Army and the UAE Land Forces

Navy Inducts Second Seahawks Squadron

Defence

Context

• The Indian Navy commissioned its second MH 60R helicopter squadron, INAS 335, at INS Hansa in Goa.

Seahawks Squadron

• Twenty-four of these submarine-hunting helicopters have been acquired by India from the US.
• These are US-origin Seahawks, maritime versions of the Black Hawk.
• The helicopter is designed for a wide range of operations: anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), search and rescue (SAR) missions.
• These helicopters are replacing the ageing British-origin Sea King helicopters, which have been in service for long.

Param Vir Chakra (PVC)

Miscellaneous

Context

• Portraits of all 21 Param Vir Chakra (PVC) awardees have been installed at Rashtrapati Bhavan, replacing the portraits of 96 British Aide-de-Camps (ADCs).
• This move is part of the government’s broader effort to dismantle colonial legacies.

Param Vir Chakra

• It was instituted on 26 January 1950 (Republic Day) by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India.
• The name Param Vir Chakra translates to “Wheel of the Ultimate Brave.”
• The medal was designed by Savitri Khanolkar, who drew inspiration from Sage Dadhichi, the Vedic rishi who sacrificed his body so that the gods could forge the Vajra (thunderbolt) from his spine.
• The medal is cast in bronze. In the centre, on a raised circle, is the state emblem, surrounded by four replicas of Indra’s Vajra, flanked by the sword of Shivaji. It is suspended from a swivelling bar and worn with a 32 mm purple ribbon.

Additional Information – 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.

Appointment to Chief Information Commissioner

Polity and Governance

Context

• The President of India administered the oath of office to Raj Kumar Goyal as the Chief Information Commissioner of the Central Information Commission.

Central Information Commission (CIC)

• Established – in 2005 by the Central Government under the provisions of Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005.
• Objective – It hears appeals against public authorities who have not provided information satisfactorily to the public and also addresses major issues concerning the RTI Act.
• Annual report – CIC submits an annual report to the Union government on the implementation of the provisions of RTI Act.

Composition of CIC

• Head – The CIC is headed by the Chief Information Commissioner and not more than ten Information Commissioners.
• Tenure – The Chief Information Commissioner holds office for five years or until he attains the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. He is not eligible for reappointment.
• Appointment of the commissioner in CIC – The commissioners are appointed by the President on the recommendation of a selection committee.
• Selection committee – It consists of the Prime Minister as Chairperson, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister.

State Information Commission

• The Right to Information Act of 2005 provides for the creation of a State Information Commission at the state level.
• The State Information Commission is a high powered independent body which inter-alia looks into the complaints made to it and decides the appeals.
• It entertains complaints and appeals pertaining to offices, financial institutions, public sector undertakings, etc under the concerned state government.
• Composition – State Chief Information Commissioner and not more than ten State Information Commissioners appointed by the Governor.

Siliserh Lake and Kopra Jalashay Designated as New Ramsar Sites

Environment

Context

• India designated Siliserh Lake and Kopra Jalashay as its 95th and 96th Ramsar Sites, increasing the country’s total to 96, up from 26 in 2014.

Newly Designated Ramsar Sites:

Siliserh Lake:

• It is a man-made freshwater lake, constructed in 1845 by Maharaja Vinay Singh of Alwar.
• It was originally built to meet the drinking water needs of Alwar city.
• The lake is situated close to the Sariska Tiger Reserve, enhancing its ecological significance.

Kopra Jalashay:

• Located near Bilaspur, this is the first-ever Ramsar site in Chhattisgarh.
• It is a reservoir situated in the upper catchment of the Mahanadi River and serves as a freshwater source and biodiversity habitat.

Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar

Ancient History

Context

• A commemorative postage stamp in honour of the king Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II (Suvaran Maran) was released by Vice President C P Radhakrishnan.

Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar (705 AD-745 AD),

• He was also known as Suvaran Maran, was a ruler of the Mutharaiyar lineage, feudatories of the Pallavas.
• He belonged to the illustrious Mutharaiyar dynasty, which ruled the central regions of Tamil Nadu between the 7th and 9th centuries CE.
• He ruled from Tiruchirappalli for nearly four decades and that his reign was marked by administrative stability, territorial expansion, cultural patronage, and military prowess.
• Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar is believed to have fought bravely in several battles alongside the Pallava king Nandivarman, and is remembered as a great administrator.
• Religious Policies: The Pallava reign saw a religious revivalism of Hinduism amid the dominance of Jainism and Buddhism.
• As their feudatories, the Mutharaiyars were great temple builders.

PM Visit to Jordan

International Relation

Context

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his two-day visit to Jordan.
• The visit marks India’s first full bilateral engagement with Jordan and comes as the two countries prepare to celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations.
• Five memoranda of understanding were finalized covering culture, renewable energy, water management, digital public infrastructure and a twinning arrangement between the historic sites of Petra and Ellora.
• India is Jordan’s third-largest trading partner, Prime Minister Modi proposed enhancing bilateral trade to $5 billion over the next five years.
• He also encouraged collaboration between Jordan’s digital payment system and India’s Unified Payments Interface.
• Note – Jordan is a leading supplier of phosphates and potash fertilizers for India.

Additional Information – Jordan

• West Asian country in the Middle East.
• Borders: Israel & Palestine (West), Saudi Arabia (South & East), Iraq (East), Syria (North).
• Dead Sea is a landlocked salt lake between Israel and Jordan in southwestern Asia.
• Landlocked except for a short coastline at Aqaba (Red Sea).

UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC)

International Relation

In News

• The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) has completed two decades of efforts aimed at bridging divides, reducing polarization, and promoting intercultural dialogue.

UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC)

• Secretariat: New York
• Launched: 2005
• Initiated by: Republic of Türkiye & Spain, under the auspices of the United Nations.

Objectives:

• Improve cross-cultural and inter-religious relations between nations and communities.
• To counter polarisation, extremism, xenophobia and hate speech.
• Promote mutual understanding, inclusion, and peaceful coexistence.
• Relevance for India- Aligns with India’s civilisational ethos of pluralism and “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”.

National Blood Transfusion Bill 2025

Polity & Governance

Context

• The National Blood Transfusion Bill, 2025 was introduced in Parliament to establish a dedicated legal and institutional framework for blood transfusion services in India.

National Blood Transfusion Bill 2025

• Background – Blood transfusion services are regulated under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, which is considered inadequate for managing blood as a life-saving public resource.

Key Provisions of the National Blood Transfusion Bill, 2025

• Establishment of a National Blood Transfusion Authority (NBTA) as a statutory body.

NBTA to prescribe uniform national standards for:

• Collection, testing and processing of blood
• Storage, distribution, issuance and transfusion of blood and blood components.
• Mandatory registration of all blood centres across the country.
• Introduction of strict penalties for unsafe, unethical or non-compliant practices.
• Promotion of voluntary blood donation through coordinated national programmes.
• Creation of a national haemovigilance system to monitor transfusion-related adverse events.

DHRUV64

Science & Technology

In News

• India has launched the DHRUV64 microprocessor.

DHRUV64

• Type: General-purpose microprocessor
• Developed By: Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) under the Microprocessor Development Programme (MDP) of the Government of India.
• Architecture: 64-bit, dual-core
• Clock Speed: 1.0 GHz
• Status: Fully indigenous (design and development in India)
• Function: Acts as the “brain” of electronic devices such as computers, mobiles, embedded systems and control units.

Significance

• Suitable for 5G infrastructure, automotive, consumer electronics, industrial automation, IoT, and strategic uses
• It reduces import dependence amid India’s 20% global microprocessor consumption.

National Energy Conservation Award

Environment

In News

• Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL) has won the National Energy Conservation Awards 2025 under the State Energy Efficiency Performance Award (SDA Group-1) category.

National Energy Conservation Awards (NECA)

• Instituted by: Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)
• Ministry: Ministry of Power, Government of India
• Objective: Recognise exemplary performance in energy efficiency and conservation
• Encourage States, industries and institutions to reduce energy intensity
• First instituted: 1991 (as National Energy Conservation Award scheme)

Gulf of Oman

International Relation

In News

• Iran seizes foreign oil tanker carrying 6 million litres of smuggled Diesel in the Gulf of Oman.

Gulf of Oman

• The Gulf of Oman is the north-western arm of the Arabian Sea.
• Connectivity – It forms a vital maritime corridor connecting the Indian Ocean with the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz.
• Through the Strait of Hormuz, it provides access to the Persian Gulf, making it vital for global oil and LNG trade.
• Source: TH

ASPIRE Scheme

Government Schemes

In News

• The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) is implementing the ASPIRE scheme to promote entrepreneurship and livelihood opportunities in rural areas.

ASPIRE scheme

• Launch: In 2015 by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
• Aim: To create an enabling ecosystem for job creation through skill development, incubation and support to micro-enterprises.

Key Components:

• Livelihood Business Incubators (LBIs): Support agro-based ventures with grants up to ₹75 lakh (private) or ₹1 crore (government institutions) for training in food processing, handicrafts, and rural trades.​
• Technology Business Incubators (TBIs): Focus on tech-driven rural innovation with similar funding.
• Fund of Funds: Managed by SIDBI with ₹200 crore corpus to back startups in agro-rural sectors.

Trade Deficit

Economy

Context

• India’s trade deficit dropped by more than 61% in November 2025 to $6.6 billion, due to strong growth in merchandise exports and a fall in merchandise imports.

Trade Deficit

• Definition: A trade deficit occurs when the value of a country’s imports exceeds the value of its exports during a given period, leading to a negative Balance of Trade (BoT).
• Balance of Trade (BoT) = Total Exports − Total Imports

Types of Trade Deficit:

• Merchandise (Goods) Trade Deficit: Difference between exports and imports of physical goods.
• Services Trade Deficit / Surplus: Difference between services exports (IT, tourism, finance) and services imports. India typically runs a services surplus.
• Bilateral Trade Deficit: Trade deficit with a specific country (e.g., India–China trade deficit)
• Indicator of net external demand: Shows whether a country is a net importer or exporter in global trade.

Jumping Genes

Science & Technology

In News

• Polar bears in Southern Greenland show rapid genetic changes linked to jumping genes that may help them survive warming Arctic conditions.

Jumping Genes

• Jumping genes, scientifically called Transposable Elements (TEs), are DNA sequences that can move (transpose) from one location to another within the genome.
• They were discovered by Barbara McClintock in maize (corn), for which she received the Nobel Prize (1983).
• In humans, they constitute 45% of the genome.

AH-64E Apache Attack Helicopters

Defence

Context

• The Indian Army received the final batch of three AH-64E Apache attack helicopters.

AH-64E Apache Attack Helicopters

• The Apaches were contracted in 2020 under a $600 million deal with the United States.
• The AH-64E Apache is regarded as the world’s most advanced multi-role combat helicopter.
• It is equipped with cutting-edge avionics, sensors and weapon systems, and capable of operating in all weather and terrain conditions.

Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025

Polity & Governance

Context

• The Union Minister of Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare introduced the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin): Bill, 2025 in Lok Sabha.

Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025

• It will replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 (MGNREGA).
• The move will mark a shift from a “demand-driven framework” to a “supply-driven scheme”.

Key Statutory Provisions

• Enhanced Livelihood Guarantee: It will enhance the statutory wage employment guarantee to 125 from 100 days per rural household in every financial year, for adults who volunteer to undertake unskilled manual work.
• Centrally Sponsored Scheme: The scheme will be implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with shared responsibilities between the Centre and States.
• The fund sharing pattern will be 90:10 for North-Eastern and Himalayan States/UT and 60:40 for all other States.
• Normative Allocation to States based: States will ensure transparent and need-based intra-State distribution of funds across Districts and Gram Panchayats, taking into account the category of the Panchayats and local developmental needs.
• Wage rate specification: Wage rates for unskilled manual work will be specified by the Central Government; until separate rates are notified, existing MGNREGA wage rates will apply.
• Securing peak agricultural seasons: States will be empowered to notify in advance, a period aggregating to 60 days in a financial year covering peak sowing and harvesting during which works under the Bill will not be undertaken, facilitating sufficient farm labour at critical times.
• Unemployment allowance: If eligible applicants are not provided work within the stipulated period, State Governments will be obliged to pay unemployment allowance.
• State schemes within six months: Every State Government must notify its Scheme to operationalise the guarantee within six months of the Bill’s commencement.
• VGPP based planning: Planning will be undertaken through Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans, prepared by Gram Panchayats and integrated with national spatial planning systems.
• Institutional Oversight: The Central Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Council and the State Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Councils shall be constituted for review, monitoring and effective implementation of the provisions of the legislation in their respective areas.