UPSC GS 1

Moinuddin Chishti

• News: An Ajmer court recently admitted a petition by the Hindu Sena which claims that there lies a Shiva temple under the revered Ajmer Sharif dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti.

• Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti: Early Life and Spiritual Journey:
  • Born in 1141 CE in Sistan, a province in Persia (now Iran) bordering Afghanistan. He is believed to be a descendant of Prophet Muhammad.
  •  He encountered Ibrahim Qandozi, a wandering mystic, who inspired his spiritual journey.
  • Qandozi encouraged Moinuddin to explore and experience the deeper truths of life.
• Mentorship Under Khwaja Usman Harooni:
  • He met his mentor Sufi master near Herat (modern-day Afghanistan) and underwent years of spiritual discipline and was initiated into the Chishti order by Harooni.
• Spread of Teachings and Establishment in Ajmer:
  • While travelling in Afghanistan, Moinuddin eventually accepted Qutubuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki as his first follower. 
  • He traveled to Multan, studied Sanskrit, and engaged with Hindu scholars.
  • He reached Ajmer around 1191, then under the rule of Prithviraj Chauhan.
  • He witnessed the devastation following Muhammad of Ghor’s victory in the Second Battle of Tarain (1192).
  •  He offered food and shelter to the needy through a langarkhana (community kitchen) managed by Bibi.
  • He earned the title Garib Nawaz (Friend of the Poor) for his selflessness.
  • He interacted with Hindu sages and mystics, emphasizing shared devotion to the Creator.
  • He rejected religious orthodoxy and promoted equality, divine love, and service to humanity.
• Royal Patronage:
  • Mughal emperor Akbar revered Moinuddin, made pilgrimages to his shrine, and beautified his mausoleum.
  • Ajmer became a cultural hub due to the Mughal court’s patronage.
• Legacy and Influence of the Chishti Order: 
  • Sufism emerged between the 7th and 10th centuries CE, advocating asceticism and devotion.
  • The Chishti order, founded in the 10th century by Abu Ishaq Shami in Chisht (near Herat), was popularized in the Indian subcontinent by Moinuddin.
  • Among Moinuddin’s most prominent disciples was Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki (1173-1235), who established the Chishti order base in Delhi. 
  • Kaki became a central figure in the region’s spiritual life as the spiritual guru of Iltutmish, the third Sultan of Delhi. 
  • The Qutub Minar is said to be named after Kaki, whose shrine lies in Mehrauli, next to the iconic structure.
• Baba Fariduddin Ganj Shakr (1173–1265):
  • Kaki’s disciple Baba Fariduddin (1173-1265) spread the Chishti order’s teachings in Punjab. 
  • Baba Farid was given the name Ganj Shakr or ‘a treasure of sweetness’, by Moinuddin. 
• Hamiduddin Nagauri: 
  • Other notable disciples included Hamiduddin Nagauri, who served as a spiritual leader in Nagaur.
• Nizamuddin Auliya (1238–1325):
  • Nizamuddin Auliya (1238-1325) and his successor Chirag Dehalvi (1274-1356) carried on Moinuddin’s message well after Moinuddin’s passing in 1236.

Read also: Evolution of the Indian Constitution | UPSC Notes

Rengma Naga Tribe

• News: The Rengma Naga tribe recently celebrated the Ngada Festival-cum-Mini Hornbill Festival with a two-day programme at the Tseminyu RSA Ground. 
• Ethnic Group: The Rengma Naga are a Tibeto-Burman ethnic group primarily found in the Northeast Indian states of Nagaland and Assam.

• Population: According to the 2011 Census of India, the Rengma Naga population in Nagaland is 62,951, while in Assam, their population is around 22,000.
• Self-Identification: The Rengma people refer to themselves as “Njong” or “Injang.”
• Racial Background: The Rengma Naga belong to the Mongoloid racial stock.
• Migration History: It is believed that the Rengma, along with other Naga tribes, migrated from Southeast Asia, crossing the Yunnan Mountain ranges, and settled in the upper Burma region.
• Historical Practice of Slavery: The Rengma tribe historically practiced slavery, with slaves commonly referred to as “menugetenyu” and “it sakesa.” However, by the time the British arrived in the Naga region, the practice of slavery had declined, and no Rengma individual was recorded as a slave during the colonial period.
• Agricultural Lifestyle: The Rengma Naga are primarily agriculturalists, engaging in both Jhum (shifting) cultivation and wet cultivation.
• Crops and Produce: They grow paddy as a staple crop, along with seasonal crops and fruits.
• Traditional Beliefs: Traditionally, the Rengma tribe worshipped various supernatural beings.
  However, the majority of the Rengma people are now Christians.
• Seasonal Festivals: The Rengma Naga celebrate numerous seasonal festivals that are closely tied to their agricultural activities.
• Ngada Festival: “Ngada” is the most significant and widely celebrated festival among the Rengma tribe.

UPSC GS 2

UNSC Resolution 1701

• News:  Israel and Lebanon entered into a ceasefire recently that draws on the provisions of Resolution 1701 passed by the UN Security Council (UNSC) in 2006.

• Adoption and Purpose:
  • UNSC Resolution 1701 was adopted on August 11, 2006, with the primary aim of halting hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel.
  • It emphasizes the need for a permanent ceasefire and measures to prevent the recurrence of conflict.
• Key Provisions:
  • Buffer Zone: The resolution mandates the establishment of a buffer zone in southern Lebanon to separate the conflicting parties.
  • Ceasefire Implementation: It calls for a sustainable ceasefire and the deployment of peacekeeping forces to ensure stability in the region.
• Territorial Focus: Blue Line and Golan Heights:
  • The resolution seeks to complete the Israeli withdrawal initiated in 2000 from southern Lebanon along the UN-designated “Blue Line” and the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights.
  • The Blue Line, delineated by the UN, serves as a de facto border between Lebanon and Israel.
• Control of Arms:
  • Exclusive Armed Presence: South of the Litani River, the resolution stipulates that only the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers (UNIFIL) are authorized to bear arms.
  • Disarmament: It aligns with the Taif Accords and earlier UNSC Resolutions 1559 (2004) and 1680 (2006), which require all armed groups in Lebanon to be disarmed, consolidating military power under the Lebanese state.
• Restrictions on Foreign Influence:
  • No External Forces or Arms: The resolution prohibits the presence of foreign forces or the supply of arms to groups in Lebanon without the explicit consent of the Lebanese government.
• Present Situation:

OPEC +

• News: Oil prices drifted lower recently after a surprise jump in US gasoline inventories, with investors focusing on OPEC+ meeting to discuss oil output policy.
• Composition and Purpose:
• • OPEC+ is a coalition of 22 oil-exporting countries that regularly meet to determine the amount of crude oil to be sold on the global market.
  •  The main goal of OPEC+ is to collaborate on managing crude oil production levels to ensure market stability.

• Formation and Origin: The agreement to form OPEC+ was reached towards the end of 2016, with the aim of institutionalizing a framework for cooperation between OPEC and non-OPEC oil-producing countries on a regular and sustainable basis.
• Core Members: The foundation of OPEC+ consists of the 12 members of OPEC (the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries), which are primarily based in the Middle East and Africa.
• Full Membership: The group includes the 12 OPEC countries as well as Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brunei, Kazakhstan, Russia, Mexico, Malaysia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Oman.
• What is OPEC?:
• Definition:  OPEC is a permanent intergovernmental organization made up of oil-exporting countries that coordinate and unify their petroleum policies to secure stable oil prices.
• Formation: OPEC was founded in 1960 by five founding members: Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela. Today, the organization consists of 12 member countries.
• Current Membership: In addition to the founding members, OPEC’s current membership includes Algeria, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Libya, Nigeria, and the United Arab Emirates. Notably, Angola officially withdrew from OPEC on January 1, 2024.
• Headquarters: The organization is headquartered in Vienna, Austria.

Eklavya Digital Platform

• News: General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), recently launched an online learning platform for the Indian Army nicknamed as “Eklavya”.
• Initiation and Development:
  • The Eklavya Digital Platform has been developed under the guidance of the Headquarters Army Training Command, with the Army War College serving as the sponsoring agency. 
  • The platform was created by the Bhaskaracharya National Institute of Space Applications and Geoinformatics (BISAG-N), located in Gandhinagar, with support from the Directorate General of Information Systems.

• Hosting and Architecture:
  • The platform is hosted on the Army Data Network and is designed with a scalable architecture. 
  • This enables seamless integration of any number of training establishments across the Indian Army, each capable of hosting a wide variety of courses. 
  • The scalability ensures that the platform can grow with the evolving needs of the Indian Army.
• Alignment with Strategic Vision:
  • The Eklavya Digital Platform aligns with the Indian Army’s broader vision for the “Decade of Transformation” as outlined by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
  •  It also supports the Indian Army’s theme for 2024, which has been designated as the “Year of Technology Absorption.”
• Key Features and Functionalities
  • Pre-Course Preparatory Capsules:
  • This category contains study material for all offline physical courses conducted at Category ‘A’ training establishments.
  •  The purpose of this category is to shift the “basics” of various subjects to online courses, which allows physical courses to focus more on contemporary content and practical application.
  • Appointment or Assignment-Specific Courses:
  • These courses are designed to provide officers with domain specialization in their field of choice. 
  • This helps to prepare them for specific appointments or assignments within the Army, contributing to more strategic and effective employment planning.
  • Professional Development Suite:
  •  The Professional Development Suite offers courses on a variety of essential topics, including Strategy, Operational Art, Leadership, Organizational Behavior, Finance, Art of Reading, Power Writing, and Emerging Technology. 
  • These courses are designed to enhance the professional skills of officers across a broad range of military and leadership domains.
  • Knowledge Highway: 
  • The platform includes a searchable “Knowledge Highway” feature, which serves as a centralized repository for various journals, research papers, articles, and other educational resources. 
  • This feature allows officers to easily access valuable knowledge under a single window, facilitating continuous learning and development.
  • Student Officer Participation: 
  • The platform permits student officers to register for multiple courses simultaneously. 
  • This flexibility encourages them to take advantage of a variety of learning opportunities and broadens their knowledge base in different areas of military education.

See more: Kachchatheevu Island Dispute: Causes & Solutions | UPSC

UPSC GS 3

Tato-I Hydro Project

• News:  The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, led by PM, approved investing Rs 1750 crores for the Tato-I Hydro Electric Project (HEP) in Arunachal Pradesh’s Shi Yomi District.
• Location and Cost:
  • The Tato-I Hydroelectric Project is planned in the Shi Yomi District of Arunachal Pradesh.
  • The project is estimated to cost Rs. 1,750 crore.
• Capacity and Timeline:
  • It will have an installed capacity of 186 MW, divided into three units of 62 MW each.
  • The project is expected to be completed within 50 months.
  • Once operational, it will generate 802 million units (MU) of electricity annually.
• Benefits of the Project:
  • Regional Impact:
  • The electricity produced will enhance the power supply in Arunachal Pradesh.
  • It will also contribute to balancing the national grid, addressing broader energy demands.
  • Power Allocation:
  • Arunachal Pradesh will receive 12% of the electricity generated at no cost.
  • An additional 1% of the power will be allocated to a Local Area Development Fund (LADF) for community benefit.
• Development and Funding:
  • Joint Venture: 
  • The project will be developed as a joint venture between the North-Eastern Electric Power Corporation Ltd. (NEEPCO) and the Government of Arunachal Pradesh.
  • Central Assistance:
  • The central government will provide Rs. 77.37 crore to support the development of essential infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and transmission lines.
  • Additionally, Rs. 120.43 crore will be offered as financial support for Arunachal Pradesh’s equity contribution in the project.

K4 Missile

• News:  India recently tested a nuclear-capable ballistic K4 missile with a range of around 3,500 km from a nuclear-powered submarine in the Bay of Bengal.
• Nuclear-Capable Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile: This missile is nuclear-capable, equipped with a solid-fuel propulsion system, and designed for submarine launches.
• Development Authority: It has been developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• Range: The missile has an operational range of 3,500 kilometers, making it a critical asset for strategic deterrence.

• Strategic Significance: It enhances India’s nuclear triad, which consists of land-based missiles, air-delivered nuclear weapons, and submarine-launched platforms, ensuring robust second-strike capability.
• What is a Ballistic Missile?
  • Ballistic missiles are powered initially by a rocket or series of rockets in stages, but then follow an unpowered trajectory that arches upwards before descending to reach its intended target. 
  • Ballistic missiles can carry either nuclear or conventional warheads.
  • Four general classifications of ballistic missiles based on their range:
  • Short-range: less than 1,000 kilometers also called “tactical” ballistic missiles. 
  • Medium-range: between 1,000 and 3,000 kilometers also called “theater” ballistic missiles. 
  • Intermediate-range: between 3,000 and 5,500 kilometers
  • Long-range: more than 5,500 kilometers also known as intercontinental or strategic ballistic missiles. 
• INS Arighat: India’s Advanced Nuclear Submarine
  • INS Arighat is the second indigenously developed nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) of India.
  • It succeeds INS Arihant, India’s first nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine.
  • The submarine was commissioned into service in August 2024.
  • INS Arighat is capable of carrying up to 12 K-15 Sagarika submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), each with a range of 750 kilometers. Alternatively, it can carry four K-4 SLBMs with a longer range of 3,500 kilometers.
  • The submarine has a displacement of approximately 6,000 tonnes, highlighting its substantial size and capability.

Bar-tailed Godwits 

• News:  In an unusual occurrence, five bar-tailed godwits were spotted by naturalist Poochi Venkat at Pulicat lake recently.
• Migration and Endurance: The Bar-Tailed Godwit is a remarkable migratory shorebird known for its incredible endurance during long-distance migration.
• Scientific Name: Limosa lapponica
• Distribution:
  • The Bar-Tailed Godwit is found across a vast range, including northern Europe and Asia, western Alaska, Africa, the Persian Gulf, India, southeast Asia, China, and Australia.
  • These birds breed primarily in the Arctic region.
  • In India, they are typically observed during winter, with populations found in states such as Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, Tripura, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

• Migration Record:
• • Bar-Tailed Godwits hold the world record for non-stop migration, having been documented flying 13,500 kilometers from Alaska to Tasmania in just 11 days.
  • During this remarkable journey, they flew at an average speed of over 50 km/h, losing nearly half of their body weight along the way.
• Physical Features:
  • Bar-Tailed Godwits are large wading birds, with females generally larger than males.
  • They are primarily mottled brown on their upper bodies, while their underparts are a lighter, more uniform buff color.
  • Their underwings are dull white, and they possess a long, slightly upturned bill.
  • As indicated by their name, their tails are white with brown bars.
• Conservation Status (IUCN Red List): Near Threatened.

Siberian Demoiselle Crane

• News:  A Siberian Demoiselle crane, nicknamed Sukpak, has broken the record for the longest migratory flight to Rajasthan, India, covering over 3,676km.
• Definition: The Siberian Demoiselle Crane is the smallest species of crane, exhibiting both solitary and social behavior.

• Cultural Significance: In Indian culture, the Siberian Demoiselle Crane holds symbolic importance, where it is referred to as Koonj or Kurjaa.
• Migration: These cranes are migratory birds, traveling vast distances between their breeding and wintering grounds.
• Habitat: The Siberian Demoiselle Crane typically inhabits fields, deserts, steppes, and plains, preferring areas with water nearby.
• Distribution: The species is distributed across central Eurosiberia, from the Black Sea region to Mongolia and Northeast China.
• Breeding Range:
  • The breeding grounds of the Siberian Demoiselle Crane are located in Central Eurasia, stretching from the Black Sea to Northeast China and Mongolia.
  • During winter, they migrate to the Indian subcontinent and sub-Saharan Africa.
• Migration Route: While most Demoiselle Cranes travel through the Himalayan valleys and enter India via Nepal, one individual named Sukpak took an alternative route, flying through Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan before entering India through Jaisalmer.
• Conservation Efforts in India: Khichan, a village in Rajasthan, serves as a crucial stopover for migratory birds. It has also been designated as India’s first reserve dedicated to the conservation of the Siberian Demoiselle Crane.
• Conservation Status: According to the IUCN Red List, the Siberian Demoiselle Crane is classified as Least Concern.