INSV Kaundinya
Syllabus:Defence
Overview
- The Indian Navy has inducted INSV Kaundinya, a reconstructed ancient Indian ship inspired by 5th-century maritime imagery found in the Ajanta cave murals. This unique vessel symbolizes India’s historic shipbuilding prowess and aims to raise awareness of the country’s rich maritime legacy.
Project Background
- Launched in July 2023 under a tripartite collaboration between the Ministry of Culture, Indian Navy, and Hodi Innovations.
- Funded by the Ministry of Culture to celebrate traditional craftsmanship and maritime traditions.
- The ship is scheduled to sail along the ancient maritime trade route from Gujarat to Oman in 2025.
Traditional Shipbuilding Techniques
- Built using ancient “stitched ship” methods, where wooden planks are fastened with coir ropes, coconut fibres, and natural resin, completely avoiding the use of metal nails.
- Design inspired by maritime scenes depicted in the Ajanta cave paintings.
- With no original blueprints available, the ship’s reconstruction relied on a combination of 2D artistic analysis, archaeological evidence, naval architecture, and hydrodynamic modeling.
Symbolism and Design
- The sails display traditional motifs like the Gandabherunda (two-headed eagle) and the Sun, representing strength and vitality.
- The bow features a Simha Yali, a mythical lion-like figure rooted in South Indian iconography.
- A Harappan-style stone anchor on deck symbolically connects the ship to the maritime practices of the Indus Valley Civilization.
- Named after Kaundinya, a legendary Indian sailor believed to have sailed to Southeast Asia, the vessel pays tribute to India’s role in ancient trade and cultural exchange across oceans.
Ajanta Cave Paintings Context
- The Ajanta Caves in Maharashtra, dating from the 2nd century BCE to the 6th century CE, are renowned for their early Indian mural art.
- The murals use the tempera technique (painting on dry plaster) with natural pigments like red ochre and black.
- Artistic themes center around Buddhism, depicting Jataka Tales, scenes from the Buddha’s life, and moral stories (Avadanas).
- The paintings are notable for their expressive human figures, detailed gestures, and rich decorative patterns reflecting spiritual and emotional depth.
Which of the following statements about the maritime trade network referenced in the voyage of INSV Kaundinya is/are correct?
- It was part of the “Maritime Silk Route” linking India to Southeast Asia and East Africa.
- It had established ports like Lothal, Arikamedu, and Barygaza that facilitated Roman and Arab trade.
- Kaundinya’s voyage is associated with the cultural transmission of Buddhism to Sri Lanka.
Select the correct answer using the code below:
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 only
D. 1, 2, and 3
Answer:A
Explanation:
- Kaundinya is associated with Indian maritime expansion to Southeast Asia (e.g., Funan), not Sri Lanka. Buddhism reached Sri Lanka via Ashoka’s missionary efforts.
- The “Maritime Silk Route” was an ancient network of sea routes that linked Southeast Asia, South Asia (including India), the Arabian Peninsula, and East Africa.
- India played a pivotal role in this trade network, acting as a central hub due to its strategic location between the East and the West.
- Indian ports facilitated the movement of goods (like spices, textiles, gems) as well as ideas (like religion, language, and culture) across the Indian Ocean.
- The voyage of INSV Kaundinya is a tribute to this historical maritime linkage, especially between India and Southeast Asia (e.g., ancient kingdoms like Funan, in modern-day Cambodia and Vietnam).
Liquid Carbon
Syllabus:Chemistry
Overview:
- For the first time, scientists have successfully observed the atomic structure of liquid carbon, using advanced techniques involving the DIPOLE 100-X high-power laser and ultrashort X-ray pulses from the European XFEL (X-ray Free Electron Laser) in Germany. This marks a significant milestone in high-energy material science and planetary physics.
What Is Liquid Carbon?
- Liquid carbon refers to the transient molten phase of carbon, which exists only under extreme conditions of temperature (~4500°C) and pressure. Under normal circumstances, carbon exists as:
- Solid allotropes (e.g., graphite, diamond)
- Gaseous compounds (e.g., CO₂)
- This liquid phase is crucial for:
- Modelling carbon-rich exoplanetary cores
- Understanding high-energy astrophysical environments
- Investigating material behavior under extreme laser interactions, relevant to nuclear fusion research
Why Is It Challenging to Study?
- Unlike many elements, carbon sublimates at normal atmospheric pressure—directly transitioning from solid to gas—making it virtually impossible to study its liquid form in a laboratory. Additionally:
- It forms only under intense pressures and temperatures
- No conventional containment system can withstand these conditions
- The liquid state exists for mere nanoseconds, requiring ultrafast diagnostic tools
Experimental Technique
- To overcome these barriers:
- The DIPOLE 100-X laser generated shock compression waves, briefly converting solid carbon into liquid
- Within a billionth of a second, European XFEL’s X-ray pulses diffracted off the sample’s atoms
- The resulting X-ray diffraction patterns revealed the atomic structure
- Repeating the experiment at varying intervals enabled a time-resolved sequence or “movie” of the solid-to-liquid transition
Key Discoveries
- Structure: Liquid carbon exhibits a tetrahedral configuration—with four nearest atomic neighbors—resembling solid diamond
- Validation: The findings confirmed theoretical predictions and provided a precise estimate of carbon’s melting point under high-pressure conditions
Implications
- Planetary Science: Enhances understanding of deep planetary interiors, especially carbon-rich exoplanets and early Earth models
- Fusion Research: Informs the design of carbon-based materials used in extreme-temperature environments, such as fusion reactors
- Fundamental Physics: Contributes to the broader understanding of phase transitions in high-energy-density systems
Which of the following factors make experimental observation of liquid carbon uniquely difficult?
- Its liquid phase exists only at extremely high pressure and temperature.
- Its rapid vaporization causes interference with optical diagnostics.
- Conventional laboratory containers cannot withstand the required experimental conditions.
- It has a permanent liquid phase in the upper mantle of the Earth.
A. 1, 2 and 3 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2, 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer:A
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct – liquid carbon forms only under extreme conditions.
- Statement 2 is plausible due to rapid phase change causing diagnostic challenges.
- Statement 3 is correct.
- Statement 4 is incorrect—carbon does not exist in a liquid state in the Earth’s mantle due to insufficient pressure-temperature conditions.
Kakapo
Syllabus:Environment
- Artificial Insemination to Save the Critically Endangered Kakapo
About Kakapo (Strigops habroptilus):
- Largest flightless parrot, native to New Zealand
- Nocturnal, herbivorous, and unique lek-breeding species (males display at specific sites)
- Distinctive owl-like face; moss-green plumage with yellow & black mottling
Breeding & Behavior:
- Breeds infrequently, only in years with abundant native fruits like rimu berries
- Males dig bowl-shaped depressions to amplify mating calls
Threats to Survival:
- Predation by invasive mammals (rats, stoats, weasels)
- High infertility and embryo mortality
- Vulnerable to fungal diseases like aspergillosis
Conservation Breakthrough:
- Successful use of Artificial Insemination (AI) by international research teams
- Aimed at boosting population and genetic diversity
Status:
- Critically Endangered (IUCN Red List)
Consider the following statements regarding the Kakapo (Strigops habroptilus) and its conservation:
- Kakapo is the world’s largest flightless parrot and exhibits lek-breeding behavior, where males perform mating displays at communal sites.
- The Kakapo breeds annually, regardless of fruit availability in its habitat.
- Major threats to the Kakapo population include invasive mammalian predators and fungal infections like aspergillosis.
- Artificial insemination has been successfully implemented to address infertility and boost genetic diversity in Kakapo populations.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Options:
A) 1, 3 and 4 only
B) 1 and 2 only
C) 2, 3 and 4 only
D) All of the above
Answer: A
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct: Kakapo is the largest flightless parrot and practices lek-breeding.
- Statement 2 is incorrect: Kakapo breeds infrequently, only in years when specific native fruits (like rimu berries) are abundant.
- Statement 3 is correct: Invasive predators and fungal diseases pose serious threats.
- Statement 4 is correct: Artificial insemination has been used successfully for conservation.
Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) Portal
Syllabus:Governance
Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) – Latest Update:
- Telangana has become the leading state in India for recovering stolen and lost mobile phones through the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) portal.
About the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR):
- The CEIR is a centralized database developed by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, aimed at tracking lost or stolen mobile phones across India. It stores the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) or Electronic Serial Number (ESN) of all mobile devices registered in the country.
IMEI Number:
- A unique 15-digit identifier assigned to every mobile handset, linked to the registered service provider.
- Tracking Mechanism: Users can report and track lost or stolen phones by submitting the IMEI number along with a copy of the FIR on the CEIR portal.
- Network Support: The CEIR system integrates all telecom operators, enabling cross-network tracking and notification about blacklisted devices. This ensures the device can be tracked even if the SIM card is changed.
Types of Lists in CEIR Database
- White List: Contains authorized IMEI numbers allowed to access cellular networks.
- Grey List: Contains authorized IMEIs under observation for suspicious activity.
- Black List: Contains unauthorized IMEI numbers that are blocked from network registration.
Objectives of CEIR
- To deter mobile phone theft and curb the sale of fraudulent mobile devices.
- To protect consumers by creating a centralized system for identifying and blocking lost, stolen, or illegal mobile devices.
- To enable tracking of mobile phones using IMEI numbers even if SIM cards are swapped or disabled.
- To build infrastructure for effective mobile tracking services.
- To access the GSMA global database for verifying device authenticity.
- To detect and prevent the use of duplicate, cloned, reprogrammed, stolen, or unauthorized mobile devices.
Consider the following statements about the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR):
- It is maintained by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- CEIR tracks mobile devices using IMEI numbers even if the SIM card is changed.
- The Black List in CEIR contains IMEIs that are authorized but under observation.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B) 2 only
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is incorrect. The CEIR is maintained by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, not the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Statement 2 is correct.The CEIR system tracks lost or stolen mobile devices using their IMEI numbers, which are unique identifiers assigned to mobile handsets. It can continue tracking the device even if the SIM card is changed, helping to locate stolen or lost phones.
- Statement 3 is incorrect.The Black List in CEIR contains unauthorized IMEI numbers—devices that are blocked from accessing cellular networks, typically because they are stolen, lost, or counterfeit.The list that contains authorized IMEIs under observation is the Grey List, not the Black List.
SPICED Scheme
Syllabus:Governance
- The Spices Board, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has launched the “Sustainability in Spice Sector through Progressive, Innovative and Collaborative Interventions for Export Development (SPICED)” scheme for the financial year 2025–26.
About the SPICED Scheme:
- SPICED is designed to provide financial support aimed at promoting sustainability, innovation, and export growth in India’s spices sector. The scheme focuses on improving productivity in small and large cardamom cultivation, enhancing post-harvest quality, and encouraging the production and export of value-added, GI-tagged, and organic spices. It also seeks to help stakeholders comply with global food safety and phytosanitary standards while strengthening the entire value chain.
Key Features of SPICED
- Supports replanting and rejuvenation of cardamom plantations, development of water resources, and implementation of micro-irrigation.
- Promotes organic farming and adoption of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).
- Provides funding for modern post-harvest infrastructure such as dryers, slicers, dehullers, and grading machines to improve product quality.
- Offers financial assistance to farmers and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) for acquiring essential machines like spice polishers, turmeric boilers, mint distillation units, and threshers.
- Supports the establishment of Spice Incubation Centres and fosters entrepreneurship and product development to boost market access and branding for startups and MSMEs.
- Focuses on capacity building through training and extension services to equip farmers, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and FPOs with updated technical knowledge, best practices, and market insights.
- Facilitates export promotion by assisting eligible exporters with participation in international trade fairs, buyer-seller meets, and market linkage programs, prioritizing first-time applicants and SMEs.
Transparency and Monitoring:
- All scheme activities will be geo-tagged, and real-time information on fund availability, application status, and beneficiary lists will be published on the Spices Board’s website to ensure transparency.
Consider the following statements about the SPICED scheme launched by the Spices Board:
- It aims to promote the cultivation and export of only organic spices across India.
- The scheme supports infrastructure development including modern dryers and grading machines for post-harvest processing.
- Financial assistance under the scheme is available exclusively to exporters with multiple years of experience.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) None of the above
The correct answer is: B) 2 only
Explanation:
- Statement 1: The SPICED scheme promotes cultivation and export of value-added, GI-tagged, organic, and other spices. It does not restrict itself to only organic spices across India.
- Statement 2: The scheme supports infrastructure development including the installation of modern post-harvest machinery like dryers, slicers, dehullers, and grading machines to improve the quality of spices.
- Statement 3: Financial assistance is not exclusively available to exporters with multiple years of experience. In fact, the scheme gives preference to first-time exporters, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and farmer producer organizations (FPOs).
Intercrystals
Syllabus:Chemistry
- Researchers at Rutgers University–New Brunswick have discovered a new class of materials called intercrystals, which exhibit unique electronic properties with potential applications in future technologies.
What Are Intercrystals?
- Intercrystals are formed by stacking two layers of twisted graphene on top of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), producing moiré patterns that profoundly influence electron behavior. This design leverages the concept of “twistronics,” where ultrathin atomic layers are slightly rotated to create moiré superlattices. The misalignment between these layers gives rise to new electronic phases not observed in conventional crystals. This discovery builds on the team’s earlier work from 2009, which first demonstrated the unusual electronic properties of twisted graphene.
Structural Properties of Intercrystals
- Regular crystals have repeating atomic arrangements with symmetry under certain translations or rotations.
- Quasicrystals, identified in 1982, possess ordered but non-repeating atomic structures, challenging classical crystallography.
- Intercrystals blend these characteristics by exhibiting non-repeating atomic patterns like quasicrystals, yet preserving some crystalline symmetries. This unique structure creates geometric frustration, enabling the emergence of novel quantum phases.
Unique Electronic Characteristics:
- In intercrystals, electronic properties vary significantly even with slight structural changes, a feature uncommon in traditional materials. They exhibit new quantum phenomena, including superconductivity (where electrical resistance drops to zero), magnetism, and other exotic quantum electronic states.
Consider the following statements about intercrystals:
- Intercrystals are formed by stacking twisted layers of graphene on hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), resulting in moiré superlattices that modify electron behavior.
- Intercrystals exhibit a completely repeating atomic pattern similar to regular crystals but differ in their electronic properties.
- The phenomenon underlying intercrystals, known as twistronics, exploits the relative angular rotation between atomic layers to induce novel quantum phases such as superconductivity and magnetism.
- Quasicrystals and intercrystals both display non-repeating atomic arrangements, but only intercrystals retain some crystalline symmetries.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A) 1, 3 and 4 only
B) 1 and 2 only
C) 2 and 4 only
D) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: A
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct — intercrystals are formed by stacking twisted graphene on h-BN, producing moiré patterns.
- Statement 2 is incorrect — intercrystals do not have completely repeating atomic patterns; they exhibit non-repeating patterns like quasicrystals.
- Statement 3 is correct — twistronics involves angular rotation between layers to induce novel quantum phases like superconductivity and magnetism.
- Statement 4 is correct — both quasicrystals and intercrystals have non-repeating atomic arrangements, but intercrystals preserve certain crystalline symmetries, unlike quasicrystals.
International Booker Prize 2025
Syllabus:Awards
- Banu Mushtaq, an Indian writer, lawyer, and activist, has made history as the first Kannada author to win the prestigious International Booker Prize for her short story collection Heart Lamp.
About the International Booker Prize:
- The International Booker Prize is awarded annually to outstanding works of long-form fiction or short story collections that have been translated into English and published in the UK and/or Ireland.
History and Eligibility:
- Established in 2005 as a biennial award recognizing an author’s global literary contribution, it initially had no requirement for the work to be originally written in a language other than English.
- Since 2015, it is awarded annually to a work of fiction originally written in a language other than English and subsequently translated into English.
- The prize is open to authors of any nationality, provided their work is translated into English.
- The award emphasizes the importance of translators by equally dividing the £50,000 prize money between the author and the translator. Shortlisted authors and translators receive £2,500 each.
- It is administered by the Booker Prize Foundation.
International Booker Prize 2025:
- Heart Lamp, translated from Kannada by Deepa Bhasthi, won the 2025 prize. It is notable for being the first collection of short stories and the first Kannada-language work to receive this honor. The book features stories written between 1990 and 2023, depicting the struggles of Muslim women in southern India.
Consider the following statements about the International Booker Prize and its 2025 winner:
- The International Booker Prize has been awarded annually since its inception in 2005.
- Since 2015, the prize is given only to works originally written in a language other than English and translated into English.
- The prize money is shared equally between the author and the translator.
- Banu Mushtaq is the first Indian author to win the International Booker Prize.
- Heart Lamp is the first collection of short stories to win the International Booker Prize and is originally written in Kannada.
Which of the above statements are correct?
A) 2, 3, and 5 only
B) 1, 2, and 4 only
C) 2, 3, and 4 only
D) 1, 3, and 5 only
Answer: A
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is incorrect because the prize was biennial until 2015 and became annual thereafter.
- Statement 2 is correct as since 2015, the prize is awarded annually to a work originally written in a non-English language and translated into English.
- Statement 3 is correct; the prize money is split equally between author and translator.
- Statement 4 is incorrect; Banu Mushtaq is the first Kannada author but not the first Indian author overall to win the prize.
- Statement 5 is correct; Heart Lamp is the first short story collection and the first Kannada work to win.
Polavaram Project
Syllabus:Geography
- The Prime Minister is set to meet with the chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh to discuss the Polavaram multi-purpose irrigation project.
About the Project:
- The Polavaram Project is located on the Godavari River near Polavaram village in Andhra Pradesh’s West Godavari district, close to the borders of Chhattisgarh and Odisha. Conceived in 1980 based on the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (GWDT) recommendations, the project has been granted national status by the central government.
Key Features
- The dam spans approximately 1.2 km with a pier height of 54 meters and includes 48 radial gates (16 m x 20 m each).
- Its spillway is designed to withstand a 1000-year flood event and has the highest discharge capacity worldwide at 50 lakh cusecs, exceeding even China’s Three Gorges Dam.
- The project holds a world record for pouring 32,315.5 cubic meters of concrete into its spillway channel.
Objectives
- Develop irrigation potential across 436,825 hectares.
- Generate 960 MW of hydropower.
- Provide drinking water to 2.85 million people in 611 villages.
- Transfer 80 TMC of water from the Godavari basin to the Krishna basin.
- Manage floodwaters to protect communities along the Godavari River.
Consider the following statements about the Polavaram Project:
- The dam is located on the Godavari River near the tri-junction of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Odisha.
- Polavaram’s spillway is designed to handle flood discharge exceeding that of China’s Three Gorges Dam.
- One of the objectives of the project is to transfer water from the Krishna basin to the Godavari basin.
- The project aims to generate nearly 1000 MW of hydropower and supply drinking water to over 2 million people.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 4 only
C) 2, 3, and 4 only
D) 1, 2, and 4 only
Answer: D
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct — the dam is near the border of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh, not Telangana.
- Statement 2 is correct — Polavaram’s spillway discharge capacity is 50 lakh cusecs, surpassing the Three Gorges Dam.
- Statement 3 is incorrect — water transfer is from Godavari basin to Krishna basin, not the reverse.
- Statement 4 is correct — hydropower generation is about 960 MW, and drinking water supply is to 2.85 million people.
International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB)
Syllabus:Environment
Date and Purpose:
- Observed annually on May 22, the International Day for Biological Diversity aims to raise global awareness and understanding of biodiversity and the urgent need to protect it.
Theme for 2025:
- The theme for 2025 is “Harmony with nature and sustainable development”, emphasizing the vital connections between biodiversity conservation and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The day highlights the synergy between the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), underscoring the importance of advancing both agendas concurrently as part of the broader Pact for the Future.
Historical Background:
- The United Nations initially designated December 29 as the International Day for Biological Diversity in 1993, marking the date the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) came into force. However, in 2000, the UN General Assembly moved the observance to May 22, commemorating the adoption of the CBD text at the Nairobi Final Act in 1992. The date change also addressed practical challenges faced by many countries in celebrating during the holiday season around December 29.
Consider the following statements about the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB):
- It is observed annually on May 22 to commemorate the adoption of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) text.
- The original date designated for IDB was December 29, marking the entry into force of the CBD.
- The 2025 theme emphasizes the linkage between biodiversity conservation and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) is unrelated to the goals of IDB.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A) 1, 2, and 3 only
B) 1 and 3 only
C) 2 and 4 only
D) All of the above
Answer: A) 1, 2, and 3 only
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct as May 22 marks the adoption of the CBD text.
- Statement 2 is correct; December 29 was the original date, marking the entry into force of the CBD.
- Statement 3 is correct; the 2025 theme focuses on the connection between biodiversity and SDGs.
- Statement 4 is incorrect because the KMGBF is closely linked with IDB goals and is part of the global biodiversity agenda.