- ISRO’S ADITIYA – L1 MISSION UNLOCKS SOLAR FLARE SECRETS WITH NEW IMAGE
SUBJECT: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
- Objective: First Indian space-based solar observatory at Lagrange Point L1 to study the Sun.
- Significant Findings: Captured class solar flare kernel in the lower solar X6.3 atmosphere.
- Observed Near Ultraviolet (NUV) wavelength brightening.
- Confirms link between flare energy deposition and temperature evolution in the solar corona.
- Importance for India: Enhances solar physics research.
- Helps predict solar storms impacting satellite communications and power grids.
2. THE NECESSITY OF MAINSTREAMING WETLAND CONSERVATION
SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENT
- Cover6% of Earth’s surface.
- Provide biodiversity support, flood control, and groundwater recharge.
- Threats: Urbanization and industrial expansion.
- Climate change.
- Agricultural encroachment.
- India’s Efforts: Ramsar Convention: International treaty for wetland conservation.
- India has 75 Ramsar sites (as of 2023).
- National Wetland Conservation Programme (NWCP): Policy framework for wetland management.
3. INDIAN DIGITAL ECONOMY RANKED 28TH ON USER SPENDING : REPORT
SUBJECT: ECONOMY
- The part of the economy that is based on digital technologies (e-commerce, fintech, digital payments, AI, etc.).
- India’s Digital Economy: India ranks 3rd largest overall economy but 28th in user spending.
- Growth is twice the rate of the overall economy.
- Challenges: Digital divide: Internet penetration is not uniform.
- Low digital spending by users.
- Need for better infrastructure and financial inclusion.
- Significance: Digital economy’s role in GDP growth, financial inclusion, digital literacy, and employment generation.
4. BOTTOM – TRAWLING MUST END
SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENT
- Adestructive fishing method that scrapes the seabed, harming marine ecosystems.
- Concerns: Depletes fish stocks and threatens marine biodiversity.
- Affects livelihoods of small-scale fishermen.
- Leads to cross-border disputes (India-Sri Lanka conflict).
- Sri Lanka Issue:
- Sri Lanka banned bottom-trawling (2017).
- Indian fishermen still engage in the practice, causing diplomatic tensions.
5. WE NEED TO ADD 35-40 FIGHTER JETS EVERY YEAR, PRIVATE SECTOR CAN PLAY BIGGER ROLE : IAF CHIEF
SUBJECT: DEFENSE
- Needs35-40 fighter jets annually to maintain operational strength.
- HAL’s Tejas Mark-1A production at 24 jets/year is insufficient.
- Calls for private sector involvement to boost production.
- Challenges in Defence Manufacturing: Lengthy procurement cycles.
- High risk in R&D investment discourages private participation.
- Government Initiatives: “Make in India” & Defence Procurement Policy (DPP).
- Strategic Partnership Model – to enable private sector participation.
