Author: karthik

Veer Savarkar Syllabus: GS1/Modern History   Savarkar Jayanti (May 28) Honouring the Legacy of Veer Savarkar (1883–1966)   About Vinayak Damodar Savarkar: Revolutionary freedom fighter, writer, poet, and political thinker. Advocated for armed struggle to end British rule. Founded Abhinav Bharat (1904) while at Fergusson College, Pune. Established Free India Society in London; authored The First War of Independence on the 1857 revolt. Arrested in 1910; sentenced to 50 years in Cellular Jail, Andaman. Released in 1937; became president of Hindu Mahasabha (served ~7 years). Actively campaigned against untouchability. Dissolved Abhinav Bharat in 1951; focused on Hindu nationalist ideology.   About Hindu Mahasabha: Founded: 1915, Haridwar (Kumbh Mela) by Madan Mohan Malviya. Purpose: Counterbalance to Muslim League’s growing political influence.   Goals: Unite Hindus politically and culturally Promote Hindu religious and social causes Protect Hindu interests in governance, education, and employment With reference to the political ideology of Veer Savarkar, consider the following statements: He considered untouchability a social evil and actively worked to eradicate it. He believed Hindu identity was primarily religious rather than cultural. He conceptualized Hindutva as a cultural and political unifying force. Which of the statements given above are correct?A) 1 and 2 onlyB) 2 and 3 onlyC) 1 and 3 onlyD) All of the above Answer: CExplanation: Savarkar opposed untouchability and campaigned against it → 1 is correct. He emphasized cultural and national aspects of Hindu identity over purely religious ones → 2 is incorrect. Njattadi Festival Syllabus: GS1/Culture Context: Kerala’s Agriculture Minister inaugurated the annual Njattadi Festival, also known as the Sapling Festival.   About the Festival: A traditional agricultural celebration observed by farming communities in Kerala. The name “Njattadi” is derived from “Njattuvela”, a period in the Malayalam calendar deemed ideal for paddy sowing. Marks the onset of the paddy cultivation season in the state. Cultural Significance: Celebrated with folk songs like Vanchipattu and Njattu Pattu. Includes traditional dance performances, reflecting the agrarian heritage of Kerala. Consider the following statements regarding Njattadi Festival: It is celebrated during the post-monsoon harvest season. It is accompanied by folk performances like Vanchipattu and Njattu Pattu. It is a pan-India agricultural festival celebrated for wheat sowing. Which of the above is/are correct?A. 1 and 2 onlyB. 2 onlyC. 1 and 3 onlyD. All of the above Answer:B.2onlyExplanation: Statement 1 is incorrect – Njattadi occurs during sowing, not harvest. Statement 3 is incorrect – it is a regional (Kerala-specific) paddy festival, not related to wheat or pan-India observance. Defence Minister Approves AMCA Fighter Jet Execution Model   Syllabus: GS3/Defence Context: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the execution framework for the development of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a key milestone in India’s indigenous aerospace capability.  About the AMCA Programme: Executing Agency: Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), under the Ministry of Defence. Manufacturing Model: Competitive execution model with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and private sector players eligible to participate independently or in joint ventures/consortia. Eligibility: Bidding entities must be Indian companies compliant with national laws. Key Features of AMCA: Type: 5th-generation twin-engine stealth multirole fighter aircraft. Weight Class: 25 tonnes. Approval: Cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in 2024. Estimated Cost: ₹15,000 crore. Design Status: Completed. Prototype Timeline: Expected by 2028–29. Production Timeline: Commencing 2032–33. Induction Goal: Targeted for operational deployment by 2034. Strategic Significance: Aatmanirbharta in Defence: Reinforces India’s commitment to self-reliance in critical military technologies. Geopolitical Imperatives: Responds to increasing regional threats, particularly following Operation Sindoor and enhanced China-Pakistan strategic cooperation. Air Superiority & Tech Parity: AMCA is critical to achieving long-term air dominance and narrowing the technological gap with adversarial forces. Global Standing: Upon successful induction, India would join a select group of nations possessing indigenous fifth-generation fighter capability. With respect to the development timeline of AMCA, arrange the following in chronological order: Start of production Completion of design phase Deployment into Indian Air Force Roll-out of prototype Choose the correct sequence: A. 2 – 4 – 1 – 3B. 4 – 2 – 1 – 3C. 2 – 1 – 4 – 3D. 2 – 4 – 3 – 1 Answer:AExplanation: Design is complete → prototype roll-out by 2028-29 → production starts by 2032-33 → induction by 2034. It involved conceptualization, engineering design, stealth shaping, radar cross-section optimization, and wind tunnel testing.  The first physical prototype is expected to be built and revealed during this period.  This stage includes building a full-scale test aircraft for evaluation, ground testing, and limited flight trials. RoDTEP scheme Syllabus :GS 3/Economy The Government of India has reinstated benefits under the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) scheme for three key categories: Advance Authorization (AA) holders, Export-Oriented Units (EOUs), and Special Economic Zone (SEZ) These benefits will apply to all eligible exports made from 1st June 2025     About the RoDTEP Scheme: Launch: January 2021 Objective: To reimburse embedded taxes and duties on exported goods that were previously non-recoverable. Coverage: Includes Central, State, and local levies not refunded under any other scheme. WTO Compliance: Designed to align with World Trade Organization (WTO) norms by neutralizing domestic taxes on exports.   Implementation Mechanism: Fully digitalized and transparent. Benefits are disbursed in the form of transferable electronic duty credit scrips issued by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC). Principle: Upholds the global trade norm that exported products should not carry the burden of domestic taxes. With reference to the RoDTEP scheme, consider the following statements: The scheme allows reimbursement of both refundable and non-refundable duties and taxes incurred during the production and export of goods. It is compliant with the provisions of the WTO Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures. The electronic scrips issued under the scheme are non-transferable and can only be used by the original exporter. The benefits under the scheme were initially not available to SEZ units and EOUs. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A. 1 and 2 onlyB. 2 and 4 onlyC. 1, 2, and 3 onlyD. 2, 3, and 4 only Answer:BExplanation: Statement

India has initiated the process to develop Electric Hansa (E-Hansa), a next-generation two-seater electric trainer aircraft: Dr Jitendra Singh Syllabus:Governance In a high-level review chaired by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, India highlighted major advancements in green aviation, space exploration, and the broader science and technology landscape.   E-HANSA: India’s First Indigenous Electric Aircraft India is developing the Electric Hansa (E-HANSA), a next-generation two-seater electric trainer aircraft.Developed by CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), Bengaluru, it is priced around ₹2 crore, nearly half the cost of comparable imported trainers.It is part of the HANSA-3 NG program, contributing to India’s green aviation and clean energy goals. Technology Commercialization and Public-Private Partnerships The National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) will adopt successful models from BIRAC and IN-SPACe to promote technology transfer.Focus areas include hub-and-spoke PPP models, AI-powered tech and IP exchange platforms, and regional National Technology Transfer Offices (NTTOs).Efforts are aimed at standardizing tech transfer protocols and improving ease of doing business.A global perspective rooted in the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam was emphasized.   ISRO Recognized for Key Achievements ISRO was praised for the SPADEX mission, which demonstrated docking and undocking technology essential for the upcoming Gaganyaan human spaceflight.It also played a major role in Operation Sindoor and is collaborating with 40 central ministries and 28 state governments.As part of the Axiom Space Mission, Group Captain Subhash Shukla will carry out seven microgravity experiments aboard the International Space Station.   Whole-of-Science, Whole-of-Government Vision Aligned with Prime Minister Modi’s Viksit Bharat vision, Dr. Singh called for integrated planning through region-wise Chintan Shivirs.These strategic sessions will include departments such as DST, DBT, CSIR, ISRO, Earth Sciences, and Atomic Energy to ensure holistic coordination.   Global Collaboration and Science Talent Exchange A proposal was made for a Global Science Talent Bridge to attract leading international researchers.CSIR labs, recently opened to students, received an overwhelming response and will reopen soon after temporary security-related suspension.New science collaboration centers are being explored with countries like Switzerland and Italy, building on the models of the Indo-French and Indo-German Science Centres.   Key Attendees The meeting was attended by top scientific leaders including Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood (Principal Scientific Advisor), Dr. N. Kalaiselvi (DG and Secretary, CSIR), Dr. V. Narayanan (Chairman, ISRO), and the Secretaries of DST, DBT, Earth Sciences, Atomic Energy, IMD, and NRDC.This strategic review represents a pivotal moment in the transformation of India’s science and innovation ecosystem. With reference to the E-HANSA aircraft, consider the following statements: It is India’s first indigenously developed electric trainer aircraft, designed to support the transition to carbon-neutral aviation under the National Green Aviation Mission. The aircraft was developed by CSIR–NAL and includes onboard AI modules for autonomous flight control and energy optimization. The E-HANSA project complements the UDAN scheme by enabling cost-effective pilot training in underserved regions. The aircraft uses lithium-sulphur battery technology, which offers higher energy density and lower weight compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A.  1, 2 and 3 onlyB. 1 and 3 onlyC. 2, 3 and 4 onlyD. 1, 3 and 4 only Correct Answer: B. 1 and 3 only Explanation: Statement 1 is correct:E-HANSA is indeed India’s first indigenously developed electric trainer aircraft, intended to promote sustainable aviation. Though there is no official “National Green Aviation Mission,” its development aligns with broader green and clean energy initiatives. Statement 2 is incorrect:There is no public documentation confirming the presence of AI-based autonomous flight systems in E-HANSA. It is primarily a manually piloted trainer aircraft. Statement 3 is correct: E-HANSA supports affordable pilot training and could help extend aviation access in line with the UDAN scheme, which targets regional connectivity. Statement 4 is incorrect: E-HANSA currently uses lithium-ion batteries, not lithium-sulphur. Lithium-sulphur technology is still in experimental stages and not yet deployed in this aircraft. DRDO inaugurates Quantum Technology Research Centre to further bolster indigenous quantum capabilities for strategic & defence applications Syllabus:Defence   On May 27, 2025, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) inaugurated the Quantum Technology Research Centre (QTRC) at Metcalfe House, Delhi. The state-of-the-art facility was inaugurated by Samir V. Kamat, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, DRDO. The QTRC aims to strengthen India’s indigenous quantum research capabilities, particularly in support of strategic and defence applications. Equipped with cutting-edge experimental infrastructure, QTRC is poised to advance research across critical quantum technology domains. Its key capabilities include: Characterisation of Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers (VCSELs) and Distributed Feedback (DFB) Lasers, Test-beds for evaluating single-photon sources, Characterisation of Micro-Fabricated Alkali Vapor Cells, Experimental platforms for developing and validating Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) techniques, a critical enabler of ultra-secure communication in the post-quantum era. These initiatives are spearheaded by the Scientific Analysis Group (SAG), DRDO. In parallel, the Solid State Physics Laboratory (SSPL) is leading the development of foundational quantum technologies at QTRC. These include: An ultra-small atomic clock based on Coherent Population Trapping (CPT) for highly precise timekeeping in GNSS-denied environments, An atomic magnetometer utilizing optically pumped magnetometry for ultra-sensitive magnetic field detection, Advanced solid-state quantum devices and materials, critical for the development of scalable quantum systems. DRDO continues to play a pivotal role in India’s quantum technology ecosystem, leading national efforts in quantum sensing, secure communications, and post-quantum cryptography. As a core stakeholder in the National Quantum Mission, DRDO remains committed to fostering sovereign quantum capabilities through indigenous innovation. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Suma Varughese, Director General (Micro Electronic Devices, Computational Systems & Cyber Systems), whose vision was instrumental in conceptualising this next-generation research facility. Also present were Manu Korulla, DG (Resources & Management), along with Directors of SSPL and SAG, senior scientists, and distinguished guests. With reference to the Quantum Technology Research Centre (QTRC) recently inaugurated by DRDO, consider the following statements: The primary aim of QTRC is to establish a commercial ecosystem for quantum computing in collaboration with private sector partners under the National Quantum Mission. The centre hosts facilities for characterisation of laser systems such as Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting