UPSC GS 1
Shree Jagannath Temple
- News: The annual Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra has begun in Odisha’s Puri.
- Introduction:
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- Puri, located in the Indian state of Odisha, is renowned for the world-famous Shri Jagannath Temple and its longest golden beach.
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- Dham:
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- It holds a significant place as one of the four holiest sites (Dhamas) in India, alongside Dwarika, Badrinath, and Rameswar.
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- Construction:
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- It was constructed in the 12th century by Ananta Varman Chodaganga Deva of the Ganga Dynasty.
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- Architecture:
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- It is an architectural marvel built in the Kalinga style.
- Due to its white washed exterior, the temple was called ‘White Pagoda’ by the European sailors in contrast to ‘Black Pagoda’, the Konark temple.
- Jagannath Puri temple is called ‘Yamanika Tirtha’.
- The four extremely large corridors of Jagannath temples: Jagamohana, Bhogamandapa, Natyamandapa, Vimana.
- The outer wall of Jagannath temple is known as Meghanada Prachira and the inner one as Kurma beda.
- There are 4 gates to the temple: Eastern ‘Singhdwara’ (The Lion Gate) Southern ‘Ashwadwara’, Western ‘Vyaghra Dwara’ and Northern ‘Hastidwara’.
- The temple houses the Aruna stambha.
- The temple is a fine specimen of the ‘Pancharatha’ style of Odishan temple architecture, made of Khandolite stone.
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- Deities and Worship:
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- Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath, along with his sister Devi Subhadra and elder brother Mahaprabhu Shri Balabhadra, are worshiped.
- The deities are seated on the Bejeweled Pedestal (Ratna Simhassana), attracting countless devotees.
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- Festivals of Puri:
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- Snana Yatra, Netrotsava, Ratha Yatra (car festival), Sayan Ekadasi, Chitalagi Amabasya, Srikrushna Janma, Dussehra etc.
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Gallantry Awards
- News: Captain Anshuman Singh has been awarded Kirti Chakra posthumously.
- Definition: The Gallantry awards in India are announced twice in a year:
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- First on the occasion of the Republic Day
- On the occasion of Independence Day.
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- Order of Precedence of these Awards:
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- Param Vir Chakra
- Ashoka Chakra
- Mahavir Chakra
- Kirti Chakra
- Vir Chakra and
- Shaurya Chakra.
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- Investiture Ceremony:
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- Gallantry awards are conferred to the awardees/Next-of-Kins by the President at the Defence Investiture Ceremony held every year at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.
- The Param Vir Chakra and the Ashoka Chakra are conferred by the President on the occasion of the Republic Day Parade at the Rajpath.
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- Param Vir Chakra:
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- Circular in shape, made of bronze, one and three eighth inches in diameter.
- It contains four replicas of “Indra’s Vajra” with the State Emblem embossed in the centre.
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- It has embossed Param Vir Chakra both in Hindi and English with two lotus flowers between Hindi and English.
- Conferred On: Armed Forces, Reserve Forces
- Eligibility: Act of valour in the presence of the enemy, whether on land, at sea, or in the air.
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- Ashoka Chakra:
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- Circular in shape, one and three eighth inches in diameter with rims on both sides and will be of gold-gilt.
- Contains a replica of Ashoka’s Chakra in the centre surrounded by a lotus wreath.
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- It has embossed the words “Ashoka Chakra” both in Hindi and English, the two versions being separated by two lotus flowers.
- Conferred On: Armed Forces, Reserve Forces, Members of Police Forces and Para Military
- Eligibility: Act of valour otherwise than in the face of the enemy.
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- Mahavir Chakra:
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- Circular in shape and is made of standard silver.
- Contains a five pointed heraldic star which is polished and the centre piece is in gold gilt.
- The State emblem is embossed in the centre-piece.
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- It has embossed Maha Vir Chakra both in Hindi and English with two lotus flowers between Hindi and English.
- Conferred On: : Armed Forces, Reserve Forces
- Eligibility: Awarded for gallantry in the presence of the enemy on land, at sea or in the air.
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- Kirti Chakra:
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- Circular in shape and is made of standard silver, one and three eight inches in diameter.
- Contains a replica of Ashoka Chakra in the centre, surrounded by a lotus wreath.
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- It has embossed the words KIRTI CHAKRA both in Hindi and in English the versions being separated by two lotus flowers.
- Conferred On: Armed Forces, Reserve Forces, Members of Police Forces and Para Military.
- Eligibility: The medal is awarded for conspicuous gallantry otherwise than in the face of the enemy.
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- Vir Chakra:
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- Circular in shape and is made of standard silver.
- Contains a five pointed heraldic star which is polished and the centre piece is in gold gilt.
- The State Emblem (including motto) is embossed in the centre-piece which is domed.
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- On the reverse it has embossed Vir Chakra both in Hindi and English with two lotus flowers between Hindi and English wording.
- Conferred On: Armed Forces, Reserve Forces
- Eligibility: Acts of gallantry in the presence of the enemy, whether on land or at sea or in the air.
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- Shaurya Chakra:
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- Circular in shape and of bronze, one and three-eighth inches in diameter.
- Has a replica of Ashoka Chakra in the centre, surrounded by a lotus wreath.
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- It has embossed the words “SHAURYA CHAKRA” both in Hindi and English, the two versions being separated by two lotus flowers.
- Conferred On: Armed Forces, Reserve Forces, Members of Police Forces and Para Military, Railway Protection Force,
- Eligibility: Gallantry otherwise than in the face of the enemy.
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Mount Etna
- News: Flights have been suspended in Catania as Mount Etna in Europe erupts.
- Definition:
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- Mount Etna is located on the east coast of Sicily, Italy.
- It is the highest Mediterranean island mountain and the most active stratovolcano in the world.
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- Recognition: It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Pangong Lake
- News: Satellite images are showing China digging close to Pangong Lake in eastern Ladakh.
- Definition: Pangong Lake, situated at an elevation of approximately 4,350 meters, is the world’s highest saltwater lake.
- Location:
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- Pangong Lake is set in the Himalayas (Leh Ladakh) and spans across the borders of India and China.
- The Line of Actual Control (LAC) passes through the lake.
- One-third of the Pangong Lake lies in India and the other two-thirds in China.
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- Nomenclature: It derives its name from the Tibetan term “Pangong Tso,” meaning “high grassland lake.”
- Features:
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- It is an endorheic lake (landlocked) in the Himalayas
- It is a saline (brackish) lake.
- Pangong Lake has the ability to change colours appearing blue, green and red at different times.
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Groynes
- News: In a bid to resolve the extensive coastal erosion in the Poonthura region, eight groynes will be constructed at a cost of Rs 17.5 crore inThiruvananthapuram.
- Definition:
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- Groynes are active structures extending from the shore into the sea, most often perpendicular or slightly oblique to the shoreline.
- They are usually made of wood, rock, or sometimes concrete and metal.
- These structures are designed to trap sediment, dissipate wave energy, and restrict the transfer of sediment away from the beach through longshore drift.
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- Longshore Drift:
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- It occurs when prevailing winds blow waves across the shore at an angle, carrying sediment along the beach.
- Groynes prevent this process and thereby slow the process of erosion at the shore.
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- Advantages:
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- Ease of Construction: Groynes are easy to construct.
- Durability and Low Maintenance: They have long-term durability and require low maintenance.
- Reduced Beach Maintenance: Groynes reduce the need for beach maintenance through nourishment and the recycling of sand.
- Sediment Trapping: By trapping sediment, groynes lead to beach widening, reduced erosion, and greater wave energy dissipation.
- Coastline Stabilization: When designed and maintained properly, groynes serve as robust structures for long-term stabilization of coastlines used for societal activities.
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UPSC GS 2
Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN)
- News: The Ministry of Communication recently issued a notification proposing the draft Telecommunications (Digital Bharat Nidhi) Rules, 2024.
- Objective:
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- The Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) aims to increase telecom connectivity in rural areas.
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- Replaces:
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- It replaces the erstwhile Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF).
- USOF was a pool of funds generated by a 5% Universal Service Levy charged upon all telecom operators based on their Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR).
- The rules will supersede rules 523 to 527 of the Indian Telegraph Rules, 1951.
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- Fund Flow:
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- Contributions made by telecom companies towards the DBN will first be credited to the Consolidated Fund of India.
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- Key Functions of DBN: Collected funds used for:
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- Access to Telecommunication Services: In rural, remote, and underserved urban areas and underserved groups such as women, persons with disabilities, economically and socially weaker sections.
- Research & Development: In telecommunication services, technologies, and products.
- Pilot Projects & Consultancy: For improving connectivity and introducing new technologies.
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- Administration:
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- The Centre will appoint an “administrator” who will select “DBN implementers” through “bidding” or invitation of applications from eligible persons.
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- Implementation:
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- The administrator “on a case-to-case basis” will determine the funding modalities, which could include full or partial funding, co-funding, and market risk mitigation.
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UPSC GS 3
People’s Biodiversity Register
- News: Thazhakara has become the first grama panchayat in Kerala to update and publish a comprehensive PBR with the involvement of local communities.
- Definition: PBR is a document which contains comprehensive information on locally available Bio-resources including landscape and demography of a particular area or village.
- Biological Diversity Act (2002):
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- As per this act, every local body shall constitute a Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC) within its area for the purpose of promoting conservation.
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- Biodiversity Management Committee:
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- The main function of the BMC is to prepare People’s Biodiversity Registers in consultation with local people.
- The Register shall contain comprehensive information on availability and knowledge of local biological resources, their medicinal or any other use or any other traditional knowledge associated with them.
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- Importance: PBR plays a crucial role in conservation, sustainable resource utilisation, and protection of traditional knowledge.
Vaquita
- News: The world’s most endangered marine mammal, the vaquita, is on the edge of extinction.
- More on News:
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- The decrease in the vaquita population is also related to the totoaba, a large fish that also only lives in the Gulf of California.
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- Definition:
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- The vaquita is the world’s rarest marine mammal.
- It is the smallest member of the porpoise family.
- Vaquita are the smallest of all known cetaceans (aquatic mammals).
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- Habitat: They are most often found close to shore in the Gulf’s shallow waters, although they quickly swim away if a boat approaches.
- Description:
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- They are called as ‘sea pandas’ due to their distinctive facial markings that include darker rings around their eyes and curved black lips that resemble a smile.
- Their skin is usually a dark grey to black colour on their back, which fades into a paler grey on their underside.
- Vaquita are shy, rather secretive animals.
- Vaquitas communicate using echolocation (or sonar) by emitting high-frequency clicks.
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- Distribution: Vaquitas are endemic to the Gulf of California, Mexico.
- IUCN Status: Critically Endangered
Spider Species
- News: Two new species of jumping spiders have been discovered from Western Ghats.
- Names of Species:
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- Habrocestum swaminathan, discovered from the banks of the river Kunthi, has been named after M.S. Swaminathan.
- Habrocestum benjamin, collected from Thusharagiri, is named after Suresh P. Benjamin, a Sri Lanka-based jumping spider specialist.
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- Feature: These spiders are attractive with beautiful colour patches and were spotted near the Thusharagiri waterfalls.
Tank Zorawar
- News: The Defense Research and Development Authority (DRDO) has started testing its light battle tank Zorawar in Gujarat’s Hazira.
- Overview:
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- Light tank ‘Zorawar,’ is a 25-tonne tank jointly developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Larsen & Toubro.
- The tank is designed for rapid deployment and high mobility in mountainous regions.
- It is expected to be ready for induction into service by 2027.
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- Historical Inspiration:
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- Named after 19th-century Dogra General Zorawar Singh, who led armed operations in Ladakh and Western Tibet.
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- Key Features and Capabilities:
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- Amphibious and High Mobility: Zorawar’s lightweight design allows it to traverse steep climbs in mountains and cross rivers more easily than the heavier T-72 and T-90 tanks.
- Advanced Armaments: Equipped with a 105-mm rifled gun, a Multi-Ranging Sensor (MRS), a BEL Remote Weapon Station (RWS), Safran Paseo optics, and two Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs).
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- Enhanced Protection and Functionality: Incorporates a new Light Weight Rifle (LWR), provisions for an Active Protection System (APS), add-on modular armor blocks, Composite Rubber Tracks (CRT), and additional cameras.
- Innovative Technologies: Incorporates Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) equipped with loitering munitions.
- Powerful Engine: Powered by an American engine, enhancing its operational capabilities.
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