UPSC: Subramania Bharati, IFAD, RBI Governor, Nuclear Battery & More

Table of Contents

UPSC GS 1

Subramania Bharati

News: PM Modi has released a compendium of Subramania Bharati’s works on 143rd birth anniversary.
Definition:
- C. Subramania Bharati was a renowned poet, freedom fighter, and social reformer from Tamil Nadu.
- Popularly known as Mahakavi Bharathiyar, where “Mahakavi” signifies “a great poet.”

Early Life and Background:
- Born in Ettayapuram, South India, in 1882, he passed away in Madras in 1921.
- He is celebrated as one of India’s greatest poets, whose works inspired the masses during the Indian Independence Movement, particularly in Tamil Nadu.
Role in Journalism:
- Bharati began his journalistic career as the Assistant Editor of the Tamil daily Swadesamitran in 1904.
- In 1907, he co-edited the Tamil weekly India and the English newspaper Bala Bharatham alongside M.P.T. Acharya.
- He collaborated with Aurobindo for the Arya journal and later worked on the Karma Yogi in Pondicherry.
Exile and Persecution:
- Bharati faced persecution from both British authorities and orthodox sections of society, who ostracized him for his revolutionary ideas.
- In 1908, he went into exile in Pondicherry, then a French colony, and lived there for ten years before returning to Madras, where he later died.
Literary Contributions:
- Known primarily as a lyrical poet, his works focus on patriotic, devotional, and mystic themes.
Some of his notable works include:
- Kaṇṇan Pattu (1917; Songs to Krishna)
- Panchali Sapatham (1912; Panchali’s Vow)
- Kuyil Pattu (1912; Kuyil’s Song)
- He also translated significant texts such as Vedic hymns, Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra, and the Bhagavad Gita into Tamil.

Read also: Soil Health and Sustainability in India | UPSC

UPSC GS 2

International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD)

News: The Odisha government is planning to take another loan of Rs 734.86 crore from International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) to implement the second phase of Odisha PVTG Empowerment and Livelihood Improvement Programme (OPELIP-II).

International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD):
Definition:
- IFAD is an international financial institution and a specialized United Nations agency dedicated to supporting rural development.
- Its primary mission is to empower rural populations, improving their food security, nutrition, and incomes through the provision of grants and low-interest loans for various development projects.
History and Impact:
- Established in 1977 in response to a global food crisis, IFAD-supported initiatives have benefited hundreds of millions of people worldwide.
- The organization focuses on regions where poverty and hunger are most severe.
- IFAD is also a member of the United Nations Development Group.
Objectives and Focus Areas:
- IFAD is the only global development agency exclusively focused on transforming agriculture, rural economies, and food systems.
- It supports research, innovation, institutional change, and the development of pro-poor technologies.
Grant Types: IFAD provides two categories of grants, based on the scope and nature of the projects:
- Global or regional grants
- Country-specific grants
Headquarters and Membership: Rome, Italy.

UPSC GS 3

RBI Governor

News: The Centre has appointed Sanjay Malhotra, the Revenue Secretary, as the 26th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Process of Appointment:
- The RBI Governor is appointed under the provisions of the RBI Act of 1934, which mandates that the chief is chosen by the central government.
- The Financial Sector Regulatory Appointment Search Committee is responsible for preparing a list of eligible candidates for the position. This committee consists of:
- Cabinet Secretary
- Current RBI Governor
- Financial Services Secretary
Two independent members
- After evaluating the candidates, the committee conducts interviews and forwards the shortlisted list to the Cabinet Committee on Appointments. This committee, chaired by the Prime Minister, gives the final approval for the appointment.
Tenure:
- The appointed RBI governor serves a term of up to five years. The exact duration is determined by the government at the time of appointment.
- The governor is eligible for reappointment or an extension of their term.
Qualifications:
- The RBI Act of 1934 does not specify any particular qualifications for the RBI governor.
- Historically, individuals with a wide range of educational backgrounds have been appointed to head the central bank.

India Skills Report 2025

News: Nearly 55% of Indian graduates are expected to be globally employable in 2025 as per the latest ‘India Skills Report 2025’.
Definition:
- The India Skills Report 2025 is jointly prepared by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), Wheebox (a talent assessment agency), and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).
- It is based on data collected from over 6.5 lakh candidates who participated in the Global Employability Test (G.E.T.) across India, along with inputs from more than 1,000 corporations across 15 industries.

Key Highlights of the Report:
- Global Employability Trends: The global employability of Indian graduates is anticipated to rise to 55 % in 2025, compared to 51.2 % in 2024, marking an increase of 7% .
- Management graduates (78%) have highest global employability, followed by engineering students (71.5%), MCA students (71%) and science graduates (58 %).
- Regional Insights: Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Delhi are emerging as major hubs of employable talent in India. Cities like Pune, Bengaluru, and Mumbai are leading in terms of producing a skilled workforce.
- Gender Analysis: Employability among men is expected to increase to 53.5 % in 2025, up from 51.8 % in 2024. However, employability for women is projected to decline to 47.5 %, compared to 50.9 % in 2024.
- Vocational Training and Emerging Sectors: By 2025, 50 % of secondary and tertiary students are expected to undergo vocational training, enhancing India’s position in the global talent market. The report highlights the need to align vocational training with industry demands, particularly in emerging areas such as:
  - Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  - Cybersecurity
  - Green Energy

Nuclear-Powered Diamond Battery

News: The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) in Culham, Oxfordshire, collaborated with the University of Bristol to make the world’s first carbon-14 diamond battery.

Definition:
- The diamond battery utilizes carbon-14, a radioactive isotope of carbon with a half-life of 5,700 years.
- Carbon-14 is selected because it emits short-range radiation, which is rapidly absorbed by solid materials, ensuring safety.
- The battery is encased in a diamond shell, providing exceptional strength and durability.
- As the hardest known substance, the diamond casing ensures the safe containment of radioactive materials.
- The battery operates similarly to solar panels but captures fast-moving electrons within the diamond structure instead of light particles.
Applications:
- Healthcare: It can power medical devices such as pacemakers, hearing aids, and ocular implants, eliminating the need for frequent battery replacements due to its long lifespan.
- Extreme Environments: The diamond battery is ideal for use in challenging environments, both on Earth and in space, where replacing conventional batteries is impractical.
- Space Exploration: It is especially beneficial for space missions, providing a reliable power source for spacecraft without concerns about recharging or replacing the battery.

Ashtalakshmi 2024

News: PM Modi inaugurated the ‘Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav’ at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi recently that focused on traditional craftsmanship, tourism, and unique Geographical Indication (GI) tagged products.

Geographical Indication Tagged Products:
Adi Kekir Ginger:
- Cultivated in the Dibang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh by the Adi tribe.
- This ginger variety is known for its aromatic properties and extensive medicinal benefits, including aiding digestion and alleviating menstrual pain.
- Its unique aroma and therapeutic properties make it highly valued in both culinary and medicinal applications.
- The Adi tribe’s traditional organic farming practices ensure that the ginger is grown with utmost care, preserving the connection to their ancestral land.

Dalle Khursani:
- A fiery red chili pepper native to Sikkim, recognized internationally for its spiciness.
- Grown under strict organic conditions, it is a key ingredient in local pickles, pastes, and is valued for its medicinal properties.
- Its cultivation supports the livelihoods of over 5,000 families, contributing significantly to the local economy.
- The pepper’s combination of heat and economic importance makes it a vital product for the region.

Naga King Chilli (Raja Mircha):
- Grown in Nagaland, it is one of the hottest chilies in the world.
- This chili symbolizes the Naga people’s cultural heritage and deep-rooted connection to their land.
- Cultivated by approximately 100 families, it thrives in Nagaland’s high-altitude and humid climate, yielding chilies known for their heat and flavor.
- A key ingredient in Naga cuisine, it enhances traditional dishes with its distinctive spiciness.

Kaji Nimu:
- A unique variety of lemon known for its large size, sharp tang, and aromatic qualities.
- This lemon is a staple in Assamese cuisine and is widely used in traditional remedies.
- Larger and more flavorful compared to other lemon varieties, it highlights Assam’s agricultural richness.

Bluetooth Low Energy Gateway

News: iHub – AWaDH (Agriculture and Water Technology Development Hub) at IIT Ropar has launched a groundbreaking Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Gateway and Node System designed to transform Internet of Things (IoT) applications across multiple sectors.
Definition:
- The iHub – AWaDH (Agriculture and Water Technology Development Hub) at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar has launched an innovative Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Gateway and Node System.
- This initiative is part of the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS).
About Bluetooth Low Energy Gateway:
- It is the first cost-effective system of its kind designed to connect Bluetooth-enabled sensors with cloud platforms.
- The system enables real-time environmental monitoring, seamless data transmission, and advanced analytics for applications in agriculture, logistics, and environmental resilience.
Key Features of the BLE Gateway:
- Robust Connectivity: Offers 4G, WiFi, and LAN compatibility, ensuring flexible and reliable networking options.
- Long-Range Communication: Capable of transmitting data up to 1 km in line-of-sight (LOS) conditions.
- Data Aggregation: Collects and processes information from multiple connected nodes, facilitating streamlined data analysis and informed decision-making.
- Weatherproof and Compact Design: Engineered to withstand extreme weather conditions while maintaining a compact and user-friendly structure.
- Wireless Connectivity: Eliminates the need for extensive wiring, thereby reducing installation costs and supporting remote deployments.
- Low Power Consumption: Ensures energy-efficient performance, allowing prolonged and sustainable operation.
- Scalability: Capable of managing over 100 connected BLE nodes, making it ideal for large-scale IoT networks.
- Firmware Over-The-Air (FOTA): Supports remote firmware updates, keeping the system up-to-date with minimal manual input.
- Compatibility: Fully integrates with mobile apps, cloud platforms, and various sensors, ensuring greater flexibility and adaptability.
Potential Applications:
- Agriculture: Enables precision farming by monitoring key environmental factors such as soil moisture and air quality, promoting sustainable practices and better crop management.
- Logistics: Ensures the maintenance of optimal conditions for perishable goods during storage and transit, reducing the risk of spoilage.
- Smart Cities and Industrial Sites: Facilitates large-scale monitoring networks to improve operational efficiency and enhance security measures.
- Real-time data transmission and customizable alerts enable proactive responses to events like temperature fluctuations or unauthorized activities, minimizing losses and enhancing resource management.

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AgeXtend

News: Scientists at the Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology Delhi (IIIT-Delhi) have created AgeXtend to identify molecules that can potentially slow ageing and promote healthier living.
Definition: AgeXtend is an AI-powered platform aimed at discovering molecules with the ability to delay ageing and improve overall health.

Development: The platform was developed by a team of researchers at IIIT-Delhi.
Functionality: Utilizes bioactivity data from existing geroprotectors—substances known to slow the ageing process—to predict new molecules with similar characteristics.
Its AI modules perform the following tasks:
- Evaluate the geroprotective potential of molecules.
- Assess toxicity levels to ensure safety.
- Identify target proteins and understand the mechanisms of action.
Testing and Accuracy: Researchers tested AgeXtend by excluding well-known anti-ageing compounds such as metformin and taurine. Despite their exclusion, the platform accurately predicted their lifespan-extending benefits, demonstrating its effectiveness.
Compound Screening: The platform screened over 1.1 billion compounds, identifying promising candidates that were subsequently validated through experiments on yeast, Caenorhabditis elegans (a nematode), and human cell models.
Exploration of Natural Compounds: AgeXtend also analyzed natural compounds from the human microbiome—microorganisms living within the human body—to examine their potential role in controlling cell ageing.
Key Features of AgeXtend:
- Combines AI-driven predictions with bioactivity data for precise and safe molecule discovery.
- Ensures thorough evaluation by testing both synthetic and natural compounds.
- Promotes scientific advancements in geroprotection, providing insights for future anti-ageing therapies.

‘Champions of the Earth’

News: India’s veteran ecologist, Madhav Gadgil has been named as one of the six ‘Champions of the Earth’ by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) for 2024.
Introduction:
- Established in 2005, the Champions of the Earth Award is presented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
- It is the UN’s highest environmental accolade, acknowledging leaders and innovators who drive efforts to protect both humanity and the planet.

Purpose:
- Each year, UNEP recognizes individuals and organizations for developing innovative and sustainable solutions to combat the triple planetary crisis of:
  - Climate change
  - Nature and biodiversity loss
  - Pollution and waste
  - Awardees are champions who revolutionize economies, inspire political action, fight for environmental justice, and safeguard natural resources.
Categories of the Award:
- Policy Leadership:
- Honors public sector officials spearheading global or national environmental initiatives.
- Recognizes efforts to shape dialogues, foster commitments, and take decisive action for the planet’s welfare.
- Inspiration and Action:
- Celebrates leaders who inspire transformative change by taking bold steps to protect the environment.
- Acknowledges those who lead by example, challenge societal norms, and motivate millions to act sustainably.
- Entrepreneurial Vision:
- Recognizes visionaries challenging traditional systems to forge a cleaner and greener future.
- Highlights contributions in developing innovative technologies, redefining systems, and crafting groundbreaking ideas.
- Science and Innovation:
- Rewards pioneers pushing technological frontiers to create substantial environmental benefits.
- Celebrates those who invent cutting-edge possibilities for a more sustainable and eco-friendly world.