NATIONAL AFFAIRS
DRDO-Indian Navy Successfully Tests Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM)
📰 NEWS ANALYSIS
- Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Navy successfully conducted flight test of Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) on September 25, 2025
- Advanced missile system designed to provide close-range air defense for naval platforms against aerial threats
- Test conducted from naval vessel demonstrating missile’s capability to intercept high-speed aerial targets
- Integration with existing naval combat systems shows indigenous defense technology advancement
- VL-SRSAM features rapid reaction capability with minimal response time against incoming threats
- Successful test marks significant milestone in India’s quest for self-reliance in defense technology
- Multi-target engagement capability enhances naval fleet’s air defense umbrella
📚 STATIC BACKGROUND – EXAM ESSENTIALS
- Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO):
- Establishment: 1958, under Ministry of Defence
- Headquarters: New Delhi
- Network: 50+ laboratories across India
- Budget: ₹23,000+ crores (2025-26)
- Personnel: 30,000+ scientists and technical staff
- Missile Classification and Types:
- Surface-to-Air: Ground/ship launched against aerial targets
- Surface-to-Surface: Ground launched against ground targets
- Air-to-Air: Aircraft launched against aircraft
- Air-to-Surface: Aircraft launched against ground/naval targets
- Anti-Tank: Guided missiles against armored vehicles
- Indian Missile Program Evolution:
- Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP): 1983 launch
- Key Missiles: Prithvi, Agni, Akash, Nag, Trishul
- Current Systems: BrahMos, Nirbhay, Astra, QRSAM
- Indigenous Content: 70%+ indigenization in missile systems
- Naval Air Defense Systems:
- Short Range: VL-SRSAM, CIWS (Close-In Weapon Systems)
- Medium Range: Barak-8, Akash Naval variant
- Long Range: Ship-launched ballistic missile interceptors
- Multi-layered: Integrated air defense architecture
- Atmanirbhar Bharat in Defence:
- FDI Policy: 74% FDI allowed under automatic route
- Defence Corridors: UP and Tamil Nadu defence corridors
- Export Target: $5 billion defence exports by 2025
- Import Substitution: Negative import list implementation
- Strategic Significance:
- Regional Security: Enhanced maritime domain awareness
- Technology Mastery: Indigenous missile technology development
- Export Potential: Future export opportunities
- Deterrence: Strengthened naval defense capabilities
Haryana Governor Announces Immediate Dissolution of Legislative Assembly
📰 NEWS ANALYSIS
- Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatraya announced immediate dissolution of Haryana Legislative Assembly on September 25, 2025
- Decision taken following completion of five-year term of current assembly
- Dissolution paves way for fresh elections to constitute new legislative assembly
- Election Commission of India to announce election schedule following constitutional procedures
- Caretaker government to continue administrative functions until new government formation
- All pending bills and legislative business formally lapse with assembly dissolution
- Political parties gear up for election campaigning and candidate selection process
📚 STATIC BACKGROUND – EXAM ESSENTIALS
- State Legislative Assembly Powers:
- Legislative: State list and concurrent list subjects
- Financial: State budget approval, taxation matters
- Executive: Chief Minister and council of ministers accountability
- Judicial: Impeachment of judges, privilege matters
- Constitutional Provisions for Assembly Dissolution:
- Article 174: Governor’s power to dissolve assembly
- Normal Term: 5 years from first meeting date
- Premature Dissolution: Loss of confidence, Governor’s recommendation
- Automatic Dissolution: After 5-year term completion
- Haryana State Profile:
- Formation: November 1, 1966 (carved out of Punjab)
- Area: 44,212 sq km
- Population: 2.54+ crores (2011 Census)
- Assembly Seats: 90 constituencies
- Parliamentary Seats: 10 Lok Sabha seats
- Election Process Framework:
- Election Commission Role: Conduct free and fair elections
- Model Code of Conduct: Immediate effect post announcement
- Voter Registration: Electoral roll updation process
- VVPAT: Voter verified paper audit trail mandatory
- Haryana Political Landscape:
- Major Parties: BJP, Congress, INLD, JJP, AAP
- Current Government: BJP-led government (2019-2024)
- Key Issues: Agriculture, employment, infrastructure development
- Demographics: 70% rural, 30% urban population
National Mental Health Programme Enhancement – Digital Mental Wellness Initiative
📰 NEWS ANALYSIS
- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launches enhanced National Mental Health Programme with digital wellness initiatives on September 25, 2025
- Comprehensive mental health services expanded to cover all 739 districts across India
- AI-powered mental health screening tools integrated into primary healthcare centers
- Telemedicine consultation services for mental health accessible through Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission
- Community mental health workers training program covers 50,000+ healthcare personnel
- School mental health program introduces psychological wellness curriculum for students
- Workplace mental health guidelines mandatory for organizations with 100+ employees
📚 STATIC BACKGROUND – EXAM ESSENTIALS
- National Mental Health Programme (NMHP):
- Launch: 1982, restructured multiple times
- Current Coverage: 739 districts under implementation
- Components: Prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, community participation
- Integration: Integration with general healthcare system
- Mental Health Statistics in India:
- Prevalence: 15% population affected by mental health disorders
- Common Disorders: Depression (4.5%), anxiety disorders (3.9%)
- Treatment Gap: 85% people needing treatment don’t receive adequate care
- Economic Burden: ₹1.03 lakh crores annual economic impact
- Mental Health Act 2017:
- Rights-based Approach: Mental health as fundamental right
- Decriminalization: Attempt to suicide decriminalized
- Capacity Building: Mental health professionals training
- Quality Assurance: Standards for mental health services
- Digital Health Initiatives:
- Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission: National digital health ecosystem
- Telemedicine Guidelines: Remote consultation framework
- Health Stack: Interoperable digital health infrastructure
- AI Applications: Diagnostic support and treatment protocols
- Workplace Mental Health:
- WHO Framework: Mental health at work guidelines
- Legal Requirements: Occupational Safety and Health Act provisions
- Economic Impact: ₹14,000 per employee annual productivity loss
- Best Practices: Employee assistance programs, stress management
🌍 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
India-US Strategic Partnership Dialogue on Semiconductor Collaboration
📰 NEWS ANALYSIS
- India and United States conduct high-level strategic partnership dialogue on semiconductor collaboration on September 25, 2025
- Memorandum of Understanding signed for establishing semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem in India
- US companies commit $15 billion investment in Indian semiconductor fabrication facilities over next 5 years
- Technology transfer agreements signed for advanced chip design and manufacturing processes
- Joint research and development initiatives in next-generation semiconductor technologies
- India Semiconductor Mission aligned with US CHIPS Act for mutual strategic benefits
- Talent exchange programs established for semiconductor engineering and research professionals
📚 STATIC BACKGROUND – EXAM ESSENTIALS
- India Semiconductor Mission (ISM):
- Launch: December 2021 with ₹76,000 crores outlay
- Objective: Build sustainable semiconductor ecosystem
- Components: Fab units, ATMP facilities, design ecosystem
- Timeline: Operational fabs by 2027-28
- Global Semiconductor Industry:
- Market Size: $574 billion global semiconductor market (2025)
- Key Players: Taiwan (54%), South Korea (28%), China (7%)
- Applications: Electronics, automotive, telecommunications, defense
- Supply Chain: Complex global interdependence
- US CHIPS and Science Act:
- Funding: $280 billion for semiconductor manufacturing and research
- Objective: Reduce dependence on Asian semiconductor production
- Security: National security considerations in supply chain
- Innovation: Research in advanced semiconductor technologies
- India-US Technology Partnership:
- Strategic Areas: Semiconductor, AI, quantum computing, space technology
- Defence Cooperation: Technology sharing, joint development
- Educational Exchange: Student and researcher mobility programs
- Private Sector: Corporate partnerships and joint ventures
- Semiconductor Applications and Importance:
- Digital Economy: Foundation of all electronic devices
- National Security: Critical for defense and communication systems
- Economic Impact: ₹3.2 lakh crores potential semiconductor market in India
- Employment: 3+ lakh direct and indirect jobs potential
🔬 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
ISRO Launches Advanced Earth Observation Satellite EOS-08
📰 NEWS ANALYSIS
- Indian Space Research Organisation successfully launches advanced Earth Observation Satellite EOS-08 from Sriharikota on September 25, 2025
- PSLV-C60 rocket deploys satellite in sun-synchronous orbit for comprehensive earth monitoring
- Advanced imaging capabilities include multispectral and hyperspectral sensors for precision agriculture
- Real-time disaster monitoring system with 24/7 surveillance capabilities for natural calamities
- Climate change research applications with greenhouse gas emission monitoring features
- Ocean color monitoring for marine ecosystem health assessment and fisheries management
- Data sharing agreement with international space agencies for global environmental monitoring
📚 STATIC BACKGROUND – EXAM ESSENTIALS
- Earth Observation Satellites (EOS) Series:
- EOS-01: High-resolution imaging for agriculture and disaster monitoring
- EOS-02: Microsat for experimental earth observation
- EOS-03: Geostationary earth observation satellite
- EOS-08: Advanced multispectral earth observation
- ISRO Satellite Applications:
- Remote Sensing: Agriculture, forestry, water resources, urban planning
- Meteorology: Weather forecasting, cyclone tracking
- Communication: DTH, broadband, emergency communication
- Navigation: NavIC (Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System)
- PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle):
- First Launch: 1993
- Success Rate: 95%+ success rate
- Payload Capacity: 1,750 kg to sun-synchronous orbit
- Commercial: Workhorse for commercial satellite launches
- Space Technology Applications:
- Agriculture: Crop monitoring, yield prediction, soil health
- Disaster Management: Early warning systems, damage assessment
- Climate Studies: Global warming monitoring, carbon cycle studies
- Ocean Studies: Sea surface temperature, marine productivity
- International Space Cooperation:
- Data Sharing: Global earth observation data exchange
- Standards: International standards for satellite data
- Research: Joint research projects with space agencies
- Commercial: Satellite launch services for international clients
Quantum Computing Research Breakthrough at IIT Delhi
📰 NEWS ANALYSIS
- IIT Delhi research team achieves significant breakthrough in quantum computing with development of room-temperature quantum processors on September 25, 2025
- Novel quantum dots technology eliminates need for extreme cooling requirements in quantum computers
- Indigenous quantum computing framework developed with 64-qubit processing capability
- Collaboration with Indian quantum computing startups for commercial applications
- Breakthrough reduces quantum computer costs by 90% compared to existing technologies
- Applications identified in cryptography, drug discovery, and financial modeling
- National Mission on Quantum Technologies receives additional ₹5,000 crores funding boost
📚 STATIC BACKGROUND – EXAM ESSENTIALS
- Quantum Computing Fundamentals:
- Quantum Bits (Qubits): Basic unit of quantum information
- Superposition: Quantum states existing simultaneously
- Entanglement: Quantum correlation between particles
- Quantum Advantage: Exponential speedup for specific problems
- National Mission on Quantum Technologies (NM-QT):
- Launch: 2020 with ₹8,000 crores allocation
- Timeline: 2020-2030 comprehensive quantum technology development
- Focus Areas: Computing, communication, sensing, cryptography
- Current Status: 50+ qubit quantum processor development underway
- IIT System and Research Excellence:
- IIT Network: 23 Indian Institutes of Technology
- Research Output: 50,000+ research papers annually
- Patent Filing: 2,000+ patents from IIT system annually
- Industry Collaboration: ₹1,500+ crores industry-sponsored research
- Quantum Technology Applications:
- Computing: Optimization problems, machine learning, simulation
- Communication: Ultra-secure quantum cryptography
- Sensing: Precision measurements beyond classical limits
- Materials: Quantum simulation for new material discovery
- Global Quantum Competition:
- Investment: $25+ billion global investment in quantum technologies
- Leaders: USA, China, Europe leading quantum development
- Timeline: Commercial quantum applications expected by 2030
- India’s Position: Emerging player with focus on indigenous development
🌱 ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE
National Biodiversity Framework 2030 – Conservation Strategy Launch
📰 NEWS ANALYSIS
- Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change launches National Biodiversity Framework 2030 on September 25, 2025
- Comprehensive strategy aims to protect 30% of India’s land and marine areas by 2030
- Community-based conservation models involve 10+ lakh local communities in biodiversity protection
- Traditional knowledge documentation project covers 500+ indigenous practices for conservation
- Biodiversity hotspots protection plan focuses on Western Ghats, Eastern Himalayas, and Andaman-Nicobar
- International funding secured worth $2 billion for biodiversity conservation projects
- Technology integration includes AI-based wildlife monitoring and anti-poaching systems
📚 STATIC BACKGROUND – EXAM ESSENTIALS
- India’s Biodiversity Profile:
- Species Richness: 91,000+ documented species (7% of global species)
- Endemism: 4,000+ endemic flowering plants, 62% endemic fish species
- Ecosystems: 10 biogeographic zones, 26 biotic provinces
- Hotspots: 4 out of 36 global biodiversity hotspots
- Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD):
- India’s Participation: Party since 1994
- Global Framework: Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
- Targets: 30% protected area coverage by 2030
- Financing: $200 billion annual biodiversity finance target
- Protected Area Network in India:
- Coverage: 990+ protected areas covering 5.06% geographical area
- National Parks: 106 national parks
- Wildlife Sanctuaries: 565 wildlife sanctuaries
- Biosphere Reserves: 18 reserves under UNESCO MAB programme
- Biodiversity Conservation Strategies:
- In-situ Conservation: Protected areas, sacred groves
- Ex-situ Conservation: Zoos, botanical gardens, gene banks
- Community Conservation: Joint Forest Management, eco-development
- Species Recovery: Captive breeding, habitat restoration
- Traditional Knowledge Systems:
- Indigenous Practices: Traditional ecological knowledge of communities
- Medicinal Plants: 8,000+ medicinal plant species documented
- Sustainable Use: Traditional practices for resource conservation
- Access and Benefit Sharing: Fair distribution of benefits from biodiversity use
💰 ECONOMIC AFFAIRS
Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana Extension – 25 Lakh Additional LPG Connections
📰 NEWS ANALYSIS
- Union Government approves release of 25 lakh additional LPG connections under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) for financial year 2025-26
- Enhanced coverage targets remaining households in rural and remote areas without clean cooking fuel access
- Digital application process streamlined with Aadhaar integration for faster connection approval
- EMI facility introduced for cylinder refill purchases to ensure affordability for beneficiaries
- Women’s empowerment focus with 80% connections allocated to women heads of households
- Environmental benefits include reduction of indoor air pollution and deforestation pressures
- Budget allocation of ₹8,000 crores approved for expanded PMUY implementation
📚 STATIC BACKGROUND – EXAM ESSENTIALS
- Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY):
- Launch: May 1, 2016
- Objective: Provide clean cooking fuel to poor households
- Target: 10+ crore LPG connections (achieved 9.6+ crore)
- Beneficiaries: BPL families, SC/ST, PMAY, AAY, Most Backward Classes
- Clean Cooking and Health Impact:
- Health Benefits: Reduction in respiratory diseases, eye infections
- Women’s Health: Reduced exposure to indoor air pollution
- Child Health: Lower risk of pneumonia in children under 5
- Economic Benefits: Time savings, improved productivity
- LPG Infrastructure in India:
- Distribution Network: 28,000+ LPG distributors across India
- Coverage: 99.8% household LPG coverage achieved
- Refineries: 23 refineries producing LPG
- Import Dependency: 45% LPG import dependency
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Alignment:
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- Energy Transition in Rural India:
- Traditional Fuels: Wood, dung, crop residue usage reduction
- Technology Adoption: LPG, electric cooking appliances
- Behavioral Change: Sustained usage patterns and awareness
- Policy Support: Subsidies, infrastructure development
Digital Banking Transformation – Account Aggregator Framework Expansion
📰 NEWS ANALYSIS
- Reserve Bank of India expands Account Aggregator framework to include insurance and investment services on September 25, 2025
- Comprehensive financial data portability enables customers to share financial information securely across institutions
- API-based consent management system ensures customer control over data sharing permissions
- Integration with UPI and digital payment systems for seamless financial service access
- MSME lending facilitated through enhanced credit assessment using aggregated financial data
- Open Banking ecosystem development with standardized protocols for financial institutions
- Consumer protection measures include strict data privacy and security compliance requirements
📚 STATIC BACKGROUND – EXAM ESSENTIALS
- Account Aggregator (AA) Framework:
- Launch: September 2021
- Regulator: RBI regulation and NDHM framework
- Function: Secure financial data sharing with customer consent
- Licensed AAs: 8 licensed account aggregators operational
- Open Banking Concept:
- Definition: Banking services accessible through open APIs
- Customer Benefits: Better financial products, improved access
- Competition: Enhanced competition among financial service providers
- Innovation: FinTech innovation and customer-centric solutions
- Financial Data Types:
- Banking: Account statements, transaction history
- Investment: Mutual funds, securities, insurance policies
- Credit: Credit bureau reports, loan information
- Tax: Income tax returns, GST data
- Digital Payment Infrastructure:
- UPI: 12+ billion monthly transactions
- Digital Banking: 98% banking transactions digital
- FinTech Adoption: 87% FinTech adoption rate in India
- Financial Inclusion: 78% adults with bank accounts
- Regulatory Framework:
- Data Protection: Personal Data Protection Act compliance
- Consent Management: Granular consent mechanisms
- Security Standards: ISO 27001, encryption requirements
- Interoperability: Standard APIs and data formats
Statistical Memory Points:
- 25 Lakh: Additional LPG connections under PMUY extension
- ₹15 Billion: US investment commitment in Indian semiconductor sector
- 30%: Land and marine area protection target under biodiversity framework
- 64-Qubit: Quantum processor capability achieved by IIT Delhi
- 739 Districts: Complete coverage under National Mental Health Programme