G 7 ⑳ah ⑰

Es
Sci-Tech DrDo -
I-
BioRIDE
-
Zorawar Light Tank
Context:
-
6 o O
Bio-RIDE Scheme

O Context:
-

DRDO completed the first phase of field

trials for the Zorawar Light Tank. Union Cabinet approved the continuation of two
-
umbrella schemes of the Department of
MCQ Pointers: -
Biotechnology (DBT), merged into one scheme
Developed by: CVRDE, with Larsen & Toubro (L&T). -
called Biotechnology Research Innovation and

*
Designed for: High Altitude Deployment.
Features: Unmanned systems and loitering munitions.
Entrepreneurship Development (Bio-RIDE).
MCQ Pointers:
Indigenous Effort: Contributions from Indian industries, including MSMEs.
The scheme is modelled to foster innovation, promote bio-entrepreneurship,
and strengthen India's global position in biomanufacturing and
VLSRSAM biotechnology.
Context: Objectives:
India test-fired the Vertical Launch Short
-
Range Surface to Air Missile (VLSRSAM)
Acceleration in Research
Promote Entrepreneurship T
Innovation and Sustainability
Do you remember BioE3 Policy?
This is just an extension, but also
an addition to you GS3 arsenal!

si
- -

ITR at Chandipur, Odisha. Key Components:

Biotechnology Research and Development (R&D)
MCQ Pointers:
Industrial & Entrepreneurship Development (I&ED)
VLSRSAM: Ship-borne missile to neutralize aerial threats at close Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry (newly introduced component)
Key Features:
range, including sea-skimming targets. Promote Bio-Entrepreneurship: Support startups (through seed funding,
Developed by: DRDO; Max speed of Mach 4.5, reaching altitudes of up to 16 km. incubation, and mentorship).
Significance: Enhances India’s air defence in maritime operations. Advance Innovation through Grants.
Industry-Academia Collaboration and Human Resource Development.
Sustainable Biomanufacturing.
Diseases in news

⑭
Cellulitis Necrotising fasciitis

Ge
/
Context: Context:

&
Cellulitis has become widespread in
-
A 59-year-old British man narrowly survived
&

the erstwhile Karimnagar district of Necrotising fasciitis, a life-threatening

OTelangana. disease triggered by a minor spider bite.

I
MCQ Pointers: MCQ Pointers:

O Necrotising fasciitis (flesh-eating disease) is a rare, severe

an
Bacterial skin infection affecting deeper layers of the skin.

!
Affected Areas: Legs, feet, and toes, though it can occur on bacterial infection that affects the fascia, the tissue beneath the
the face, arms, hands, and fingers. skin.
Causes: Bacteria, viz streptococcus or staphylococcus, Types: Type I (Polymicrobial); Type II (Monomicrobial).
enters through a break in the skin caused by trauma, injury,

·
Causes: Infection may enter through various Cuts, scratches.
or surgery.
Progression: Necrotising fasciitis affects the fascial plane, with
*
Symptoms: - Swelling, inflammation, pain, and warmth in the
poor blood supply, which postpones visible symptoms and
affected area; Blistering, dimpling, or spotting of the skin;
Can spread to the lymph nodes and bloodstream, becoming
diagnosis.
life-threatening, if left untreated. It spreads rapidly, leading to tissue death and can be fatal without
#
Transmission: Non-contagious, though rare cases of
-
immediate treatment.
transmission can occur through direct contact with an Symptoms: Flu-like, later signs include skin discoloration, tissue

O
infected wound. swelling, fluid-filled blisters, tissue necrosis, sepsis, and low blood
Treatment: Antibiotics. pressure.
Treatment: Antibiotics and surgery to remove the damaged tissue.
No Vaccine.
 Safeliz
Space-related news I
⑮ O
-Indian tran =
y

O
Chamran-1
Context:
-
Venus Orbiter Mission
Context:
OIran has recently launched its research

O
Cabinet approved the development of
-
satellite, Chamran-1, into space.
the Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM).
MCQ Pointers:
Launch Vehicle: It was launched aboard the Ghaem-100 SLV, a three-stage MCQ Pointers:
solid-fuel rocket developed by the IRGC Aerospace Force.

X
The Venus Orbiter Mission is designed to send a scientific spacecraft to
Orbit: Chamran-1 was placed in a 550 km orbit above Earth.
orbit Venus for a comprehensive study of its surface, subsurface, and
Developed by Iran Electronics Industries (SAIran) with contributions from the
atmospheric processes.
Aerospace Research Institute and private firms.
Objectives:
Primary Mission: Testing hardware, software, and orbital maneuver technology.
Secondary Tasks: Evaluating cold gas propulsion, navigation, and attitude control
Gain better understanding of the Venusian
surface and subsurface. Venus Missions:
subsystems in space. US: Mariner Series,
Study atmospheric processes; influence of the

L
Pioneer Venus 1 and
NGLV Sun on the Venusian atmosphere. Pioneer Venus 2,
Explore the transformation of Venus, offering Magellan;
Context: insights into the evolution of Venus and Earth. USSR: Venera series,

-
Cabinet approved the development of the Key Features: Vegas 1 and Vegas 2;
Scientific Exploration: To improve our Japan: Akatsuki;
Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV).
understanding of planetary environments. Europe: Venus Express
MCQ Pointers:
ISRO's Role: Lead the development of the
It is an advanced launch system being developed to provide enhanced spacecraft and launch it into orbit.
payload capabilities and reusability for low-cost access to space. Launch Timeline: The mission is expected to be
Features: 3X payload capacity of the current LVM3 with 1.5X the cost; Reusable First Stage; launched in March 2028.
Modular Green Propulsion Systems;Maximum Payload: Up to 30 tonnes to Low Earth Orbit.
 #
India French
Space-related news
-
O
TRISHNA Mission - Mini-Moon O - O

⑨
Context: Context:
President of the French Space Agency,
Study reveals that 2024 PT5, a
spoke on a several topics from
small asteroid, to be captured
celebrating 60 years of French-India
by Earth's gravitational field;
space cooperation to the Gaganyaan
will behave as a mini-moon.
and the TRISHNA missions.
MCQ Pointers: About:
TRISHNA Mission (Thermal Infrared Imaging Satellite for High-resolution Mini-moons: Small asteroids that become temporarily trapped in

6
-

Natural Resource Assessment): Collaborative project between the Indian

X
Earth's gravity, orbit the planet for a short period; difficult to detect;
Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the French Space Agency (CNES). Only four mini-moons have been discovered, none of which are still
Objectives: orbiting Earth.
High-resolution observations of Earth's surface temperature, vegetation Occurrence is relatively often, typically every few decades.
health, water cycle dynamics; 2024 PT5: Apollo-class NEO; Discovered through NASA’s Asteroid
Assess urban heat islands, detect thermal anomalies related to volcanic Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS).
activity and geothermal resources, and monitor snow-melt runoff and
NASA considers any space object within 120 million miles of Earth as
glacier dynamics;
an NEO, and objects within 4.7 million miles are considered
Provide valuable data on aerosol optical depth, atmospheric water vapor,
potentially hazardous.
and cloud cover.
Thermal Infra-Red (TIR) Payload: by CNES. The differences between
Visible - Near Infra-Red - ShortWave Infra-Red (VNIR-SWIR) Payload: by ISRO. Meteor, Meteorite, Meteoroid, Asteroid, Comet
5-year operational life in a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 761 have been provided in the August Monthly Affairs notes!
km.
Environment
⑳ captur
&
Fa
Letzung

X
Syntretus perlmani

oX
-
Assam Cascade Frog
Context: Context:
Being studied to understand how water G
Researchers discovered a new species of
-

parasitoid wasp named Syntretus perlmani,

flow affects presence. -- -

which develops inside living adult fruit flies.

MCQ Pointers:
Distribution: Himalayan belt in India, and in streams of Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal. MCQ Pointers:
Indicator Species: Used for monitoring the health of hilly streams over time. Infects adult fruit flies; Parasitoid because it inevitably kills its host, whereas
Adaptation: Features adhesive disks on their digits for gripping rocks in swift streams. parasites usually allow their hosts to survive.
Other Names: Assam sucker frog, beautiful stream frog, hill stream frog. Discovery: Found across the eastern United States, including in states like
IUCN Status: Least Concern Mississippi, Alabama, and North Carolina.

-O-what
E
?
Onitis bordati Seaweeds

O
O-
Twaary
Context:
Discovery of a new dung beetle Wa ?
A sign for you to
Context:
ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research
Institute (CMFRI) designated as a centre of
species, in Nongkhyllem Wildlife revise them in the
- static portion!!!
Sanctuary, Meghalaya. excellence for seaweed cultivation.
MCQ Pointers: MCQ Pointers:
Ecological Role: Aids in seed dispersal, nutrient cycling, pest control, and Seaweed refers to various species of marine plants and algae that grow in oceans,
plant growth. lakes, and other water bodies; can be of several colours, such as red, green, brown,
Threats: Habitat destruction and climate change. and black, and can range in size from microscopic to large underwater forests.
Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary: Anchored to the seafloor using rootlike holdfasts, but only provide attachment.
Location: Part of the Eastern Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspot in Zonation: Grow along coastal margins with water depth <50 metres.
Meghalaya;Rugged terrain on the Meghalaya Plateau, shaped by rivers like Rich in antioxidants, increase fat metabolism, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial
Umtrew, Umran, and others. properties.
Environment -WPA1972
~
u
ONBWL
-
Context:
2 Head PM =

X
O Spotted Deer
Context:
Overpopulation in Madhya Pradesh's Pench
The Standing Committee of the National Board
Tiger Reserve is stressing the habitat,
for Wildlife cleared many projects, including a
prompting the need for relocation efforts.
transmission line in the Little Rann of Kutch and
a controversial transmission line project in MCQ Pointers:

=>
Goa’s Mollem National Park. Distribution: Native to the Indian subcontinent, the spotted deer is widely found
in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and a small population in Pakistan.
MCQ Pointers: Sexual Dimorphism: Males are larger and possess antlers; Social animals.
Statutory board established under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972; advices the
government on wildlife conservation matters and approves projects in protected
Other Names: Chital

O
IUCN Status: Least Concern ⑳ ⑭ove
-

-
areas (PAs).
The Wildlife Protection Act (WLPA) mandates that the NBWL’s approval is required for Global Summits on Environment
activities such as: Context:

Fi
Construction of tourist facilities,
UN to host four major sessions in 2024 aimed
Alteration of PA boundaries,
OR at tackling the key threats facing the planet.
Destruction or diversion of wildlife habitats, PM
CD1
O
=
De-notification of Tiger Reserves. MCQ Pointers:
Mour
E
Structure:
O
Prime Minister: Chairperson
- Four Major Sessions in 2024:
E
CBD COP16, Cali, Colombia: Review progress of 2022 Montreal commitment to protect 30%
Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change: Vice-Chairperson.
⑪O
-
-
of the world’s land and marine areas by 2030;
It comprises 47 members, including: -
- UNFCCC COP 29, Baku, Azerbaijan : Finalise agreements on climate finance;

O
- -

Chiefs of the army, defence, and expenditure secretaries. UNCCD COP16, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Restore 1.5 billion ha of land by 2030, manage
COP1
O
-
droughts; -
- -
10 nominated members, who are eminent conservationists, ecologists, and
environmentalists. Or Plastic Pollution Treaty Negotiations, South Korea.
 Offsh Tidal locean Based

·
OTE ,

Miscellaneous d
-
und
. Renewable zw
-
-

Context: O
Palamau Tiger Reserve

Forest officials reported to the National

Integrated Ocean Energy Atlas
Context:
INCOIS launched the Integrated Ocean Energy Atlas

O
Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) about for India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ),
Naxal activity encroaching on the reserve. showcasing the marine energy potential.
About: About:
Location: On the Chhota Nagpur Plateau, Jharkhand Initiative of Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Association: Part of Betla National Park. Features: Highlights areas abundant in renewable energy resources, including
Significance: World's first tiger census using pugmarks, 1932. GS3: Internal Security solar, wind, waves, tides, ocean currents, and thermal gradients; offers annual,
Rivers: North Koyal, Auranga, Burha Minerals:bauxite and coal. (Naxalism; Left Wing Extremism)
monthly, and daily energy estimates through a WebGIS interface to support
Northern Tropical Dry Deciduous forests, especially Sal.
I
sustainable energy exploration and development.

Operation Sadbhav Biodecomposer

Context: Context:
Launched by India to provide humanitarian Delhi government to spray bio-decomposer >5,000 acres

⑳
aid to Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam, all of farmland to manage paddy stubble without burning.
severely affected by Typhoon Yagi. About:
About: Bio-decomposers are a Microbial Liquid Spray that decomposes paddy stubble
⑧
Committed $1 million in aid to Vietnam and $100,000 to Laos.
Navy and Air Force - Delivering relief supplies, including food, medicines,
and gets it absorbed into the soil background with no burning.
Developed by the IARI; deployed from 2020, in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and UP.
Benefits:
clothing, water purification systems.

①
Air pollution reduction- Prevents stubble burning.
Aligns with Act East Policy. Soil Fertility- Enriches the soil with organic carbon and nutrients.
-
-
Eco-friendly- Cost-effective, practical and environmentally sustainable.
Tribes In news
Or
Irula Tribe
Context:
Karam Festival
Context:
The Irula Snake Catchers' Industrial Tribal populations across India celebrated
Cooperative Society, a cooperative Karam Parv, an occasion that signifies
of Irula tribals near Chennai, faces reverence for the Karam tree and is associated
an uncertain future. with agricultural abundance and prosperity.

About: About:
One of Indigenous Group, classified as PVTG Tribes that celebrate the Karam/Karma Festival:

O
Location: Mainly Tamil Nadu, but also Kerala and Baiga -
Munda - Found in: Madhya Pradesh and
Karnataka. Found in: Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Chhattisgarh;
Language: Irula, related to Tamil and Kannada. Bengal; Shifting cultivation, forest resources.
Religious Beliefs: Pantheists, worship the virgin goddess Farming, hunting, and forest gathering; Kharia -

O
Mundari language: Austroasiatic family. Found in: Jharkhand, Odisha, and West
Kanniamma, linked to the cobra.
Ho - Bengal.
Livelihood: Traditionally hunters, gatherers, and herbal Found in: Jharkhand and Odisha; Three sub-groups: Hill Kharia, Dhelki Kharia,
medicine specialists. Ho language: Munda branch of the and Dudh Kharia, with distinct cultural
Snake Expertise: Renowned for knowledge of snakes Austroasiatic language family; practices;

O
Practice agriculture, animistic beliefs. Agriculture and forest-based livelihoods;
and venom.
Oraon - Kharia: Munda language family.

E
Role: The cooperative society provides 80% of the Found in: Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Santhal -
venom for India's anti-snake venom (ASV) production; Odisha, and West Bengal; Found in: Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha,
catch snakes, extract venom, and release them Agriculture and forest products; and Bihar;
Kurukh language: Dravidian language. Known for Santhal Rebellion;
unharmed.
Santhali language: Austroasiatic family.
Terms In news E
Trilobites Mammography

X
Context: Context:
Recent study revealed a trilobite species Calcium buildup in breast arteries may
with well-preserved fossils from New York, signal an increased risk of heart disease.
that had an additional set of legs beneath MCQ Pointers:
its head.
Purpose: Detect early signs of breast cancer and other abnormalities.
About: Types: Screening Mammogram: Early detection before symptoms; Diagnostic
Extinct Marine Arthropods: Lived for ~300 million years, first appearing 521 million Mammogram: For specific symptoms.
years ago (Cambrian period); Wiped out 251 million years ago in the Permian mass Process: Breast compressed between two plates, and x-rays pass through to a
extinction. detector.
Three-Lobed Body, Chitin exoskeleton, Complex Eyes, &
Multiple Appendages. Detection: Images show low-density tissues as darker and high-density tissues

po I
(tumors, masses) as lighter areas, helping identify potential abnormalities.
Kleptoparasitism
Mpemba Effect
About:
Context:
Definition: refers to a behavior in which one animal steals food or other Scientists from the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre
resources that another animal has acquired or caught. The term comes for Advanced Scientific Research observed
from the Greek “klepto,” meaning “to steal,” and “parasitism,” meaning “to Mpemba effect in certain magnetic materials.
benefit at the expense of another.”
About:
This practice has the potential to transmit the virus through saliva-coated food.

Q
Transmission of H5N1: A recent study suggests that kleptoparasitism could facilitate
the spread of the H5N1 virusacross seabird populations, especially during long-
Mpemba Effect can be defined as the phenomenon where hotter liquids cool
or freeze faster than cooler ones.
distance migratory journeys. Potential Applications: Better thermal control; enhanced cooling strategies in
Most Vulnerable: Seabirds living in dense breeding colonies, are particularly various devices.
vulnerable to viral outbreaks due to close contact.
Places in News stes
O
Gulf of Mexico
Context:
& O Mali
Context:

7
Hurricane Francine recently caused the shut-in of 42% of crude oil production and 53% Coordinated attack by an Al Qaeda
of natural gas output in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. affiliate in Mali's capital, Bamako.
About: About:
Location: Partially landlocked, on the southeastern edge Location: Mali is a landlocked country in West Africa.
of North America; a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean. Borders: Burkina Faso, Niger, Senega, Guinea, Côte
Borders: Mexico in west, U.S. in the north, Caribbean d'Ivoire, Algeria, Mauritania.
islands, and Cuba in the east. Mali is home to numerous ethnic groups, with the
Connected to the Caribbean Sea via the Yucatán Bambara being the largest, making up 36.5% of the
Channel; to the Atlantic via the Straits of Florida. population.
Climate: Tropical to subtropical, with severe weather Cotton is the largest crop export.
including hurricanes and tornadoes. Gold Export: Mali is the third-largest gold exporter in
Currents: Gulf Stream; Africa.

G
Rivers: Mississippi, Rio Grande.
Resources: Petroleum and natural gas deposits;

Q
accounts 18% of U.S. oil production. Lebanon
Depsang Plains and Demchok Context:
Explosions in Lebanon, by
Context: Hezbollah.These devices were covertly
Demchok and Depsang plains have seen no progress modified with Pentaerythritol tetranitrate
towards their resolution in the past two years. (PETN) to evade detection typically
About: associated with cell phones.
Depsang Plains: Proximal to Siachen Glacier; PLA’s control poses a significant threat to India's access; highly About:
vulnerable due to their flat topography, which is ideal for mechanised warfar; China has direct access to Aksai
Location: Situated in the Levant region of West Asia, along
Chin.
the eastern Mediterranean Basin.
Demchok: India’s control increases ability to monitor Chinese movements and activities in Aksai Chin, providing
Borders: Syria to the north and east, Israel to the south,
crucial intelligence and early warning capabilities, along with military mobility.
Mediterranean Sea to the west.
 Istetics
Maine - Punitine I d
Mains -
Preventive Detention
Context:
-
-
Issues with Preventive Detention:-
Misuse: Mostly for political gains or curbing dissent.
Limited Oversight: Courts only review procedural
Supreme Court revised standards for

-
safeguards, not the grounds for being detained.
preventive detention while reviewing Colonial-Era Laws: Maintenance of Internal Security
an order under the COFEPOSA in Act (MISA) and COFEPOSA, archaic and may not
relation to the Jaseela Shaji vs Union align with modern human rights standards.

of India (2024) case. Relevant Laws:-

COFEPOSA (1974): Economic offenses.
About: National Security Act (1980): National security and
public order.
The ruling emphasised the need to protect personal liberty
Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (1967): Amended
under Article 22(5) of the Constitution. to tackle
Types of Detention:- Relevant Judgements:-
Punitive Detention: Post trial; conviction for offense. Shibban Lal v. Union of India(1954): Courts cannot
Preventive Detention: Without trial; to prevent future offenses. question detention facts.
Key SC Rulings on Preventive Detention:- Rekha v. Tamil Nadu (2011): Detention must be
narrowly applied in order to avoid violating Article 21.
Fair Opportunity: Detainees to receive all relevant documents
Prem Narayan v. Union of India (2019): Should not be
related to their detention. imposed casually.
Non-arbitrary Actions: Authorities to respect the rights of
detainees, including language comprehension. Conclusion
Avoidance of Delays: Grounds for detention to be Even though necessary for national security, preventive detention can
communicated. infringe on personal liberty. Hence, reforms are a necessity to balance
security with human rights and modernize outdated laws.