24 April 2026

1. Salween River

Ø News:    Recent findings have revealed significant arsenic contamination in the Salween River.

Ø Identity and Nomenclature:

o The Salween River is a transboundary river in Asia.

o It is known as the Nu River in China and the Thanlwin River in Myanmar.

o The river flows through China, Myanmar, and Thailand.

o It is the longest free-flowing and undammed river in mainland Southeast Asia.

o It flows through western Yunnan in China and then passes into Myanmar.

UPSC GS 2

2. Market Intervention Scheme

Ø News: The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has announced the procurement of 20 lakh metric tonnes of potatoes under the Market Intervention Scheme.

Ø  Nature of the Scheme: The Market Intervention Scheme is a component of the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan.

Ø Scope and Coverage:

o The scheme is implemented at the request of State or Union Territory governments.

o It covers perishable agricultural commodities such as tomato, onion, and potato.

o It is specifically applied to crops for which Minimum Support Price is not declared.

Ø Objective of the Scheme:

o The scheme aims to stabilise market conditions by preventing distress sales by farmers.

o It is activated when there is a bumper harvest during peak arrival periods, leading to a sharp fall in prices below economic levels and cost of production.

Ø Pattern of Financial Assistance:

o Losses incurred under the scheme are shared between the Central and State governments.

o The sharing pattern is 50:50 between the Centre and States.

o In the case of North-Eastern States, the sharing ratio is 75:25 between the Centre and the States.

Ø Implementing Authority:

o The scheme is implemented by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

Ø Conditions for Implementation:

o The scheme is activated only when there is a minimum decline of 10 percent in prevailing market prices compared to the normal prices of the previous year.

o The quantity of procurement or coverage under the scheme is restricted to 25 percent of the total production of the crop.

3. Technology Development and Investment Promotion Scheme

Ø News:   The Union Communications Minister has issued revised guidelines for the Technology Development and Investment Promotion Scheme to enhance India’s global presence in the telecom sector.

Ø Objective of the Scheme:

o The scheme is intended to strengthen India’s role in global telecom standard-setting processes.

o It also aims to accelerate the development of indigenous telecommunications technologies.

Ø Financial Outlay and Duration:

o The scheme has a total financial allocation of ₹203 crore.

o It will be implemented over the period from 2026 to 2031.

Ø Nature of the Framework:

o The scheme serves as a comprehensive support mechanism for Indian entities.

o It encourages participation in global standardization processes, promotes innovation, and improves competitiveness in next-generation telecom technologies.

Ø Global Engagement Focus:

o The initiative aims to enhance India’s representation in key international telecom bodies.

o These include the International Telecommunication Union, 3rd Generation Partnership Project, and oneM2M.

Ø Scope of Coverage:

o The scheme broadens its reach to include startups, micro, small and medium enterprises, academic institutions, and research organisations.

o It also includes telecom service providers and other industry stakeholders.

Ø Implementation Mechanism:

o The scheme will be implemented through the Telecommunications Standards Development Society India.

o It will also involve the Telecom Centres of Excellence India and Telecommunications Consultants India Limited.

4.  Online Gaming Authority of India

Ø News:    The Government of India has constituted the Online Gaming Authority of India, comprising six members, to regulate the online gaming sector.

Ø  Legal Basis: The authority has been established under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act 2025.

Ø  Institutional Placement:

o The authority will function as a digital office under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

o It is scheduled to become operational from May 1.

Ø Nature and Role:

o The authority will act as the central regulatory body for online gaming in India.

o It will bring online games, including esports, under a formal system of registration and classification.

Ø Core Functions:

o The authority will be responsible for categorising and registering online games.

o It will determine whether a particular game qualifies as a money-based game.

o It will also address grievances raised by users and stakeholders.

Ø Regulatory Powers:

o The authority is empowered to issue guidelines, codes of practice, and directions.

o These measures are intended to ensure compliance within the online gaming ecosystem.

Ø  Coordination Role:

o It will work in coordination with financial institutions and law enforcement agencies.

o This collaboration will support effective implementation and enforcement of regulations.

Ø Composition of the Authority:

o The authority will consist of a total of six members.

o The Additional Secretary of MeitY will serve as the Chairperson.

o The remaining five members will include Joint Secretaries from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Department of Financial Services, and Department of Legal Affairs.

UPSC GS 3

5. R-37M Missile

Ø News:   Russia has approved the sale of the R-37M missile to India, marking a significant step toward enhancing India’s air superiority capabilities.

Ø Definition and Origin: The R-37M, referred to by NATO as AA-13 Axehead, is a long-range air-to-air missile developed by Russia.

Ø Operational Role:

o The missile is designed to engage and destroy enemy fighter aircraft and drones beyond visual range.

o It is often described as an “AWACS killer” because it can target high-value airborne platforms such as airborne warning and control systems, refuelling tankers, and electronic warfare aircraft.

Ø Integration with Indian Air Force:

o The missile is expected to be compatible with the Su-30MKI.

o This is because it is already integrated with the Russian Su-30SM platform, which is technologically similar.

Ø Physical Characteristics:

o The missile has a length of about 4.2 metres and weighs approximately 600 kilograms.

o It carries a 60-kilogram high-explosive fragmentation warhead designed to engage large airborne targets.

Ø Guidance System:

o The missile uses a combination of inertial navigation, mid-course updates through a data link, and active radar homing in the final phase.

o This system allows continuous updating of target information during flight.

Ø Flight Profile:

o It follows a lofted trajectory, where it climbs to a higher altitude before descending toward the target.

o This approach helps conserve energy and increases its effective engagement range.

Ø Range Capability:

o The missile is equipped with a detachable rocket booster that extends its range.

o It can engage targets at distances between 300 and 400 kilometres, making it one of the longest-range air-to-air missiles currently in service.

Ø Speed:

o The missile can reach speeds of up to Mach 6.

o This hypersonic capability makes it highly effective against fast-moving aerial targets and places it among the fastest air-to-air missiles in operation globally.

6. Limnonectes Motijheel

Ø News:    Indian researchers have discovered a rare mud-nesting frog species named Limnonectes motijheel in the Namdapha Tiger Reserve.

Ø Taxonomy and Identity:

o Limnonectes motijheel is a newly identified species of frog.

o It belongs to the genus Limnonectes, which now includes six known species in India.

Ø Naming Origin: The species has been named after Motijheel Lake, an area recognised for its rich amphibian diversity.

Ø Group Characteristics:

o The species is part of a group commonly referred to as fanged frogs.

o This name comes from the presence of small, fang-like projections in the lower jaw of males.

o These structures are believed to assist in feeding or territorial interactions.

Ø Distribution of the Group:

o Frogs belonging to this group are found across South and Southeast Asia.

o They are known for their distinctive reproductive behaviours.

Ø Unique Breeding Behaviour:

o Unlike most frogs that lay eggs in water bodies or on vegetation, this species constructs nests from mud.

o These nests are built beneath leaf litter on the forest floor.

o This nesting behaviour has not previously been documented in this group within India.

Ø Physical Characteristics:

o The frog exhibits a distinctive appearance.

o It has a dark-brown line running between the eyes.

o An inverted V-shaped ridge is present along its back.

o Broken folds run along both sides of its body.

Ø Size:

o Members of the Limnonectes group are generally medium-sized amphibians.

o Adult individuals typically measure between 2.3 and 3.5 centimetres in length.

7. INS Nireekshak

Ø News:    The INS Nireekshak has reached Colombo to take part in the fourth edition of the India–Sri Lanka Diving Exercise, DIVEX 2026.

Ø  Nature and Role of the Vessel: INS Nireekshak is a Dive Support and Submarine Rescue Vessel operated by the Indian Navy.

Ø Construction and Service History:

o The vessel was built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in 1985.

o It has been in service with the Indian Navy since 1989.

o The ship was formally commissioned in 1995.

Ø Technical Capabilities:

o The vessel is equipped with advanced deep-sea diving systems.

o It includes recompression chambers and specialised submarine rescue infrastructure.

o It can deploy Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicles and support saturation diving operations.

Ø Operational Functions:

o The ship’s systems enable it to maintain stability during delicate underwater missions.

o It plays a critical role in search and rescue operations, underwater inspections, and diver training.

Ø About DIVEX 2026:

o DIVEX 2026 is the fourth edition of the India–Sri Lanka Diving Exercise.

o The exercise involves diving teams from the Indian Navy and the Sri Lankan Navy.

o It includes a series of specialised underwater operations and training activities conducted over a week.

o The exercise aims to enhance interoperability between the two navies.

o It focuses on improving coordination and facilitating the exchange of best practices in diving operations.

Ø Humanitarian Component:

o As part of India’s humanitarian outreach, INS Nireekshak will deliver BHISM cubes to Sri Lankan authorities.

o These are provided under the Aarogya Maitri initiative. 

Ø Features of BHISM Units:

o BHISM stands for Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita and Maitri.

o These are portable medical units capable of handling up to 200 emergency cases.

o They are equipped with essential medicines and basic surgical facilities.