UPSC GS 1
Magh Bihu
- News:ย PM Modi recently greeted the nation on the occasion of Magh Bihu.
- Overview:
- Magh Bihu, also known as Bhogali Bihu or Maghor Bihu, is a traditional harvesting festival celebrated in Assam.
- It is rooted in the agricultural customs of the region and takes place during the month of Magh, which corresponds to January in the Gregorian calendar.
- The festival marks the conclusion of the harvesting season.
- History:
- The origins of Bihu can be traced back to ancient times, around 3500 BC, when fire sacrifices were offered to enhance agricultural productivity.ย
- The Dimasa Kacharis tribe is recognized as the first-known ancestors of the festival.
- Rituals:
- Magh Bihu is celebrated over two days:
- Uruka (Bihu Eve): The first day involves lighting a bonfire known as Meiji. People sing traditional Bihu songs, play the Dhol (drum), and enjoy festivities with family and friends.
- Main Magh Bihu: On the following day, people start the day by taking an early bath and engage in traditional Assamese games like Tekeli Bonga (pot-breaking) and buffalo fighting.
- Significance:
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- Magh Bihu marks the end of the harvest season and celebrates the new yield.
- It is a time to express gratitude to the ancestors and deities for a successful harvest.
- The festival fosters community bonding, with people coming together to share meals and celebrate friendship and unity.
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Neduntheevu Islandย
- News: Tamil Nadu fishermen have been arrested by the Sri Lankan navy for allegedly poaching near Neduntheevu Island.ย
- Location and Name:
- Neduntheevu, also known as Neduntivu, is the largest island in the Palk Strait, situated in the northern part of Sri Lanka.
- The island is commonly referred to as Delft Island, a name given by the Dutch colonizers.
- Size and Geography:
- The island covers an area of 50 square kilometers.
- It measures 8 kilometers in length and reaches a maximum width of 6 kilometers.
- Neduntheevu is the largest among the seven inhabited islands in the region.
- Topography and Climate:
- The island is characterized by its flat, oval-shaped terrain, which is consistently wind-swept, contributing to its tranquil atmosphere.
- There are no natural streams on the island. The primary source of freshwater is surface water, which is collected in both natural depressions and artificial ponds.
- Vegetation:
- The island features a range of dry shrubs and semi-arid tropical plants.
- Tall palm trees are prevalent, enhancing the islandโs beach-like ambiance.
- Historical Significance:
- A Dutch fort, constructed from dead coral chunks, is located on the island, serving as a historical reminder of the Dutch colonial era.
- Population:
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- The island is home to a population of around 4,800 Tamil people, residing primarily in the northern half of the island in clustered compounds.
UPSC GS 2
National Programme for Organic Production
- News: Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Shri Piyush Goyal has launched the 8th edition of the National Programme for Organic Production.
- About the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP):
- Launch: The programme was launched in 2001, laying a strong foundation for the systematic growth of the organic agriculture sector in India.
- Objective: NPOP aims to strengthen India’s organic certification system, promote sustainable farming practices, and create new opportunities for farmers and exporters.
- Global Competitiveness: By setting stringent standards for organic products, the programme enhances Indiaโs standing in the global organic market, while aiding farmers in adopting eco-friendly and economically viable practices.
- Scope:
- Accreditation of Certification Bodies.
- Establishment of standards for organic production.
- Promotion of organic farming and its marketing.
- Implementation: The programme is implemented by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India.
- Key Highlights of the 8th Edition of NPOP:
- Simplification of Certification: Certification requirements for organic grower groups have been streamlined. These groups are now accorded legal status, replacing the previous Internal Control System (ICS).
- Introduction of Portals: The eighth edition introduced several portals to facilitate operations, enhance transparency, and promote organic products:
- NPOP Portal: A dedicated platform offering better visibility and simplified operations for stakeholders involved in organic production.
- Organic Promotion Portal: Provides a platform for farmers, FPOs, and exporters to showcase their certified organic products. Enables the generation of trade leads and facilitates connections with global buyers. Includes online training and capacity-building sessions on organic production and information about organic trade events.
- TraceNet 2.0: An upgraded online traceability system ensuring seamless operations. Offers enhanced tools for regulatory oversight in the organic sector.
- Revamped APEDA Portal: Redesigned to provide an improved user experience. Offers comprehensive information for stakeholders involved in agri and processed food products.
- Revamped AgriXchange Portal: Updated to enable easier data analysis and generate reports on agricultural exports. Makes export-related data accessible to the general public.
UPSC GS 3
Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary
- News: The Centre’s wildlife panel has approved a proposal to carry out oil and gas exploration in the eco-sensitive zone of the Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam’s Jorhat district.
- Location:
- Situated in the Jorhat district of Assam, India, it holds the distinction of being the only sanctuary in the country named after a gibbon.
- Renowned for having the densest gibbon populations in Assam, it lies at an altitude of 100 to 120 meters (330 to 390 feet) and features a landscape that gently slopes from southeast to northwest.
- River:
- The Bhogdoi River forms a waterlogged area along the sanctuary’s boundary, supporting semi-hydrophytic vegetation.
- Flora:
- The forest’s upper canopy is dominated by the Hollong tree, while the middle canopy features the Nahar tree.
- The lower canopy comprises various evergreen shrubs and herbs.
- Fauna:
- The sanctuary is home to Indiaโs only gibbons, the hoolock gibbons, and Northeastern Indiaโs only nocturnal primate, the Bengal slow loris.
- Other species include Indian elephants, tigers, leopards, jungle cats, wild boars, three types of civets, four types of squirrels, stump-tailed macaques, and northern pig-tailed macaques.
- Key Facts About the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL):
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- Establishment: Formed by the Central Government under Section 5A of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (WLPA).
- Role: As per the WLPA, any activities such as constructing tourist lodges, altering boundaries of protected areas, destroying or diverting wildlife habitats, or de-notifying tiger reserves require the approval or recommendation of the NBWL.
- Structure: The board consists of 47 members and is chaired by the Prime Minister of India. The Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change serves as the vice-chairperson.
Neptune Missile
- News: Ukrainian Neptune missile recently hit the Russian drone warehouse in Rostov Oblast.
- Neptune Missile:
- The R-360 Neptune is a subsonic cruise missile developed by Ukraine, initially designed for anti-ship purposes and later adapted for land attack capabilities.
- The missileโs design is based on the Russian Kh-35 cruise missile, which is identified by NATO as the AS-20 Kayak.
- It was introduced into service with the Ukrainian Navy in March 2021.
- Specifications:
- The missile has a weight of 870 kilograms and a length of 5.05 meters.
- It is capable of reaching speeds of up to 900 km/h.
- The missile operates at altitudes ranging from 10 to 300 meters, with its final approach bringing it down to just 3 meters to evade enemy air defenses.
- Range and Payload:
- The Neptune missile has a maximum range of 400 kilometers.
- Its combat payload is 350 kilograms, with 150 kilograms allocated for the anti-ship variant.
- Guidance Systems:
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- During the missile’s marching phase, it is guided by a satellite positioning system.
- For the final stage of the flight, an infrared homing system takes over to guide the missile accurately to its target.
United Nations World Economic Situationย andย Prospects 2025 Report
- News:ย India would again be the fastest growing large economy in the world with a projected annual growth rate of 6.6% as per UNโs flagship report โWorld Economic Situation and Prospects 2025, (WESP)โ.
- United Nations World Economic Situation and Prospects 2025:
- Produced by: The report was created by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) in collaboration with the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the five UN regional commissions.
- Global Economic Growth Projections: The global economic growth rate is projected to remain at 2.8 percent in 2025, the same as in 2024.
- Infrastructure Investment and Economic Growth: Capital expenditure in infrastructure development is expected to generate significant multiplier effects on growth in the upcoming years.
- Sectoral Growth:
- The report anticipates continued expansion in the manufacturing and services sectors, which will drive overall economic performance.
- Strong export growth, especially in services and specific goods like pharmaceuticals and electronics, is expected to further support economic activity.
- Agricultural Output:
- Favorable monsoon rains in 2024 have positively impacted summer-sowing areas for major crops, enhancing agricultural output expectations for 2025.
- Economic Outlook for South Asia:
- Economic growth in South Asia is forecasted to remain strong, primarily driven by Indiaโs robust performance.
- The region is projected to grow at 5.7 percent in 2025, with a further growth rate of 6 percent in 2026.
- Opportunities for Resource-Rich Developing Countries:
- The report emphasizes the potential for resource-rich developing nations, such as India, to stimulate growth, create jobs, and increase public revenues through rising demand for critical minerals.
Indravati National Park
- News:ย Five Maoists, including two women were killed in an encounter with security forces inside Indravati National Park in Chhattisgarhโs Bijapur district recently.
- Location and Establishment:
- Indravati National Park is situated in the Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh.
- The park was established in 1981 and became a tiger reserve in 1983 as part of India’s Project Tiger initiative.
- Name and Boundary:
- The park is named after the Indravati River, which flows from east to west and forms the northern boundary of the reserve, adjacent to the state of Maharashtra.
- Topography:
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- The park features primarily undulating hilly terrain, with elevations ranging from 177 to 599 meters above sea level.
- Vegetation:
- Indravati is home to three main forest types:
- Moist Mixed Deciduous Forest with Teak
- Moist Mixed Deciduous Forest without Teak
- Southern Dry Mixed Deciduous Forest
- Flora:
- The parkโs flora includes several key species such as:
- Teak, Achar, Karra, Kullu, Shisham, Semal, Haldu, Arjun, Bel, and Jamun.
- Fauna:
- Indravati National Park is renowned for hosting one of the last populations of the rare wild buffalo.
- Other notable animals found in the park include Nilgai, Black Buck, Sambar, Gaur, Tiger, Leopard, Chital, and Sloth Bears.
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Universal Account Numberย (UAN)
- News:ย The deadline for Universal Account Number (UAN) activation and Aadhaar seeding of bank accounts under the Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) scheme has been extended.
- Overview:
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- UAN is a unique 12-digit number allocated to all salaried employees who contribute a portion of their income to the Employee Provident Fund (EPF).
- It is generated and issued by the Employeesโ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) and is authenticated by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India.
- This number remains the same throughout an employee’s career.
- UAN and Job Changes:
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- When an employee changes jobs, their EPF account number and Member Identification Number (Member ID) may change, but their UAN remains unchanged.
- If the employee already has a UAN, they can provide it to their new employer, who will then link the new Member ID to the same UAN.
- The UAN serves as an umbrella for all the Member IDs assigned to an individual by various employers, allowing the employee to track all linked accounts.
- This helps the EPFO monitor an employee’s job transitions and consolidate their EPF details.
- Employee Provident Fund (EPF):ย
- EPF is a primary scheme established under the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Act of 1952.
- It is managed by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO).
- The scheme applies to all establishments with 20 or more employees, though some smaller organizations may also be included under specific conditions and exemptions.
- Both the employee and employer contribute 12% of the employee’s basic salary and dearness allowance to the EPF.
- Upon retirement, employees receive a lump sum amount, which includes their own contributions, the employerโs contributions, and interest earned on both contributions.