UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 12 May 2025
Kartavya Desk Staff
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 12 May 2025 covers important current affairs of the day, their backward linkages, their relevance for Prelims exam and MCQs on main articles
InstaLinks : Insta Links help you think beyond the current affairs issue and help you think multidimensionally to develop depth in your understanding of these issues. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions in your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background.
Table of Contents
GS Paper 3:
• A Fundamental Reset to Drive Manufacturing Growth
A Fundamental Reset to Drive Manufacturing Growth
• India’s Air Pollution Strategy Needs Atmanirbharta
India’s Air Pollution Strategy Needs Atmanirbharta
Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):
• Vruthi Campaign
Vruthi Campaign
Facts for Prelims (FFP):
• Niveshak Shivir Initiative
Niveshak Shivir Initiative
• Safe Harbour
Safe Harbour
• Right to Self-Defence
Right to Self-Defence
• BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile
BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile
• Asteroid YR4
Asteroid YR4
• Dongria Kondh Tribe
Dongria Kondh Tribe
• LICONN (Light-Microscopy-Based Connectomics)
LICONN (Light-Microscopy-Based Connectomics)
• Longest Banana Infructescence (*Musa indandamanensis*)
Longest Banana Infructescence (*Musa indandamanensis*)
Mapping:
• DR Congo
DR Congo
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 12 May 2025
#### GS Paper 3 :
A Fundamental Reset to Drive Manufacturing Growth
Syllabus: Economy
Source: TH
Context: The recent article highlights the urgent need for a structural reset in India’s manufacturing sector to boost competitiveness and productivity in the context of global shifts towards high-tech, innovation-driven industries.
About A fundamental reset to drive manufacturing growth:
Status of Indian Manufacturing
• Current Contribution: Manufacturing contributes 16–17% to India’s GDP and employs over 6 crore workers (MoSPI, 2023).
• Export Performance: Manufacturing exports reached an all-time high of $447.46 billion in FY23, registering 6.03% growth over FY22.
• Global Vision: India aims to increase manufacturing’s GDP share to 25% by 2025 and add $500 billion to the global economy by 2030.
• Industrial Growth Indicator: The HSBC Manufacturing PMI touched a 16-year high of 59.1 in March 2024, reflecting robust growth in output and employment.
• FDI Inflows: India received $165.1 billion FDI in manufacturing in the last decade, up 69%, showing strong investor confidence.
Challenges Faced by Indian Manufacturing:
• Low Productivity and Value Addition: India’s per capita value added in manufacturing is $0.32K, compared to the world average of $2K (World Bank, 2023).
• Inadequate R&D Investment: R&D expenditure is only 0.7% of GDP, much lower than South Korea (4.8%) or China (2.4%).
• Skill Gaps and Education-Industry Mismatch: Only 48.7% of India’s workforce is considered employable (India Skills Report 2023), with low exposure to industry 4.0 tools.
• Weak Infrastructure and Logistics: Logistics costs in India stand at 14–18% of GDP, compared to 8–10% in developed economies.
• Policy Instability and Bureaucratic Bottlenecks: Delays in land acquisition and regulatory clearances deter investments; India ranks 63rd in Ease of Doing Business.
• Import Dependency: India heavily depends on imports for semiconductors, electronics, and EV batteries, leading to trade imbalances (China trade deficit: $85 billion, FY24).
• Fragmented MSME Ecosystem: Only 14% of 64 million MSMEs in India have credit access; tech adoption remains minimal among them.
Key Government Initiatives:
• Make in India (2014): Promotes local manufacturing across 25 sectors; aims to transform India into a global manufacturing hub.
• Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme: Covers 14 sectors and is expected to generate $500 billion worth of additional manufacturing output.
• Gati Shakti National Master Plan: Integrates multi-modal transport and logistics to reduce supply chain bottlenecks.
• FAME-II Scheme: Boosts electric vehicle (EV) production with subsidies on vehicles and battery manufacturing.
• PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY): Offers skill development in advanced manufacturing aligned with global production standards.
• Digital India and Industry 4.0 Push: Encourages digitization of MSMEs and the adoption of IoT, AI, and robotics in manufacturing.
Way Ahead:
• Scale Up R&D and Innovation Ecosystems: Raise R&D spending to 2% of GDP and set up Manufacturing Innovation Fund to support advanced research.
• Upgrade Technical Education and Labs: Reform engineering education with 50% focus on practical work, advanced labs, and industry collaboration.
• Strengthen Core Engineering Sectors: Prioritize civil, mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineering for building indigenous industrial capabilities.
• Build Industrial Infrastructure: Invest an additional 1% of GDP to create plug-and-play manufacturing parks with in-house design, testing, and certification units.
• Enhance Global Value Chain (GVC) Integration: Re-negotiate trade deals and focus on SEZs, export processing zones, and logistics infrastructure near ports.
• Support MSMEs: Provide credit guarantees, tech training, and global market access to uplift MSMEs’ contribution to GDP and exports.
• Adopt Green and Circular Manufacturing: Incentivize renewable energy in factories and integrate Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies across sectors.
Conclusion:
India stands at a critical juncture where structural reforms and bold investments in R&D, infrastructure, and skills are essential to uplift manufacturing. Global headwinds offer opportunities to position India as a credible alternative in global value chains. By aligning education, policy, and innovation with industrial goals, India can transition from an assembly economy to a global manufacturing powerhouse.
• “Industrial growth rate has lagged behind in the overall growth of Gross-Domestic-Product (GDP) in the post-reform period” Give reasons. How far are the recent changes in Industrial Policy capable of increasing the industrial growth rate? (2017)
#### GS Paper 3 :
India’s Air Pollution Strategy Needs Atmanirbharta
Syllabus: Pollution
Source: IE
Context: The lack of self-reliance in India’s air pollution strategy has come under scrutiny following global disruptions in climate research and continued foreign-led studies on India’s pollution crisis.
About India’s Air Pollution Strategy Needs Atmanirbharta:
• India’s Air Pollution: Data & Status
• Global Rankings: Over 12 Indian cities consistently rank among the world’s top 20 most polluted cities (IQAir, 2024). Mortality: Air pollution contributes to 1.6 million deaths annually in India (Lancet, 2020). Ambient Monitoring: Only 131 cities are covered under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) despite over 4,000 cities and towns.
• Global Rankings: Over 12 Indian cities consistently rank among the world’s top 20 most polluted cities (IQAir, 2024).
• Mortality: Air pollution contributes to 1.6 million deaths annually in India (Lancet, 2020).
• Ambient Monitoring: Only 131 cities are covered under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) despite over 4,000 cities and towns.
Key Initiatives & History:
• 1984: Launch of the National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAAQMP).
• 2001–2010: Development of SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research), India’s first indigenous real-time forecasting system.
• 2019: Implementation of NCAP targeting 20–30% reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 levels by 2024.
• EV Push: States like Delhi and Tamil Nadu lead the transition to Electric Vehicles to curb urban emissions.
• Anusandhan NRF: Promotes collaborative R&D between academia and industry for pollution solutions.
Challenges in Combating Air Pollution:
• Over-reliance on Foreign Data: India’s climate models are heavily dependent on data from foreign satellites and agencies.
• Limited Research Capacity: Most global-funded studies on Indian pollution are led by foreign institutions, not Indian researchers.
• Uneven Resource Allocation: Elite institutions corner most of the funding; regional R&D bodies remain under-resourced.
• Unspent Funds: Despite air quality funds, Pollution Control Boards (PCBs) often return unused allocations.
• City-Centric Focus: Current strategies neglect airshed-level pollution, ignoring the inter-district and inter-state flow of pollutants.
Way Forward: Towards Atmanirbharta
• Develop Indigenous Data Systems: India should invest in launching polar-orbiting satellites for self-sustained climate data.
• Expand SAFAR Nationwide: Enhance and scale SAFAR to at least 100 cities for real-time prediction and public access.
• Integrate with Health Metrics: Adopt health-centric pollution control frameworks, linking exposure data with public health outcomes.
• Implement NARFI: Accelerate the rollout of the National Air Quality Resource Framework of India (NARFI) to unify efforts across states and sectors.
• Strengthen ESSO-IMD & CPCB Synergy: Create a joint air quality authority leveraging the technical strengths of meteorology and pollution science.
• Decentralise R&D Funding: Promote state-wise innovation hubs and fund second-tier institutions for grassroots tech solutions.
Conclusion:
India’s battle against air pollution requires more than scattered projects — it needs systemic, indigenous innovation. Bridging research gaps, decentralising data capacity, and moving beyond city silos to regional airshed governance can deliver real self-reliance. Only then can we truly breathe easy.
• Describe the key points of the revised Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) recently released by the World Health Organisation (WHO). How are these different from its last update in 2005? What changes in India’s National Clean Air Programme are required to achieve these revised standards?
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 12 May 2025 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)
Vruthi Campaign
Context: Kerala launched the ‘Vruthi’ campaign in October 2024 to combat the rising waste crisis through mass public participation and decentralized solutions.
• The recent ‘Clean Kerala Conclave 2025’ showcased innovative practices and collective achievements in waste management.
About Vruthi Campaign:
• What is Vruthi?
• ‘Vruthi’ means cleanliness of body and mind. It is a statewide behavioural change campaign for garbage-free Kerala. Part of the ‘Malinya Muktham Nava Keralam’ mission.
• ‘Vruthi’ means cleanliness of body and mind.
• It is a statewide behavioural change campaign for garbage-free Kerala.
• Part of the ‘Malinya Muktham Nava Keralam’ mission.
• Key Features:
• Involves all societal levels — from the Chief Minister to sanitation workers. Mobilises Haritha Karmasena, youth, schools, artists, and local bodies. Focuses on technology-neutral and context-specific solutions like composting, local segregation, etc. Encourages competition among local bodies for achieving 100% garbage-free status.
• Involves all societal levels — from the Chief Minister to sanitation workers.
• Mobilises Haritha Karmasena, youth, schools, artists, and local bodies.
• Focuses on technology-neutral and context-specific solutions like composting, local segregation, etc.
• Encourages competition among local bodies for achieving 100% garbage-free status.
• Significance:
• Shifted Kerala’s waste collection coverage from 40% to 75% of households in just one year. Tackles the post-liberalisation waste boom driven by urbanisation and plastic use. Demonstrates the power of decentralised governance and people’s participation in environmental solutions.
• Shifted Kerala’s waste collection coverage from 40% to 75% of households in just one year.
• Tackles the post-liberalisation waste boom driven by urbanisation and plastic use.
• Demonstrates the power of decentralised governance and people’s participation in environmental solutions.
Relevance in UPSC Exam Syllabus:
• General Studies (GS) Paper II: Governance: Decentralized waste management, role of local bodies (Panchayati Raj Institutions), and people’s participation. Government Policies & Interventions: ‘Malinya Muktham Nava Keralam’ mission and its impact.
• Governance: Decentralized waste management, role of local bodies (Panchayati Raj Institutions), and people’s participation.
• Government Policies & Interventions: ‘Malinya Muktham Nava Keralam’ mission and its impact.
• GS Paper III: Environment & Ecology: Waste management, plastic pollution, and sustainable urbanisation. Disaster Management: Tackling waste crisis as an environmental challenge.
• Environment & Ecology: Waste management, plastic pollution, and sustainable urbanisation.
• Disaster Management: Tackling waste crisis as an environmental challenge.
• Essay & Ethics (GS Paper IV): Behavioural Change: Public participation, community-driven initiatives, and Swachh Bharat linkages. Case Study: Kerala’s model of decentralized governance in waste management.
• Behavioural Change: Public participation, community-driven initiatives, and Swachh Bharat linkages.
• Case Study: Kerala’s model of decentralized governance in waste management.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 12 May Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Niveshak Shivir Initiative
Source: PIB
Context: IEPFA and SEBI jointly convened a strategic meeting, to launch the “Niveshak Shivir” initiative to help investors reclaim unclaimed dividends and shares.
About Niveshak Shivir Initiative:
• What it is: A nationwide investor assistance and outreach program to help investors reclaim unclaimed dividends and shares with ease.
• Launched by: Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, in collaboration with SEBI.
• Key Features: Investor Helpdesks: On-ground support for investors to directly interact with company representatives and RTAs. Digital Search Tool: IEPFA provides a portal to track share status and file claims (Form IEPF-5). Streamlined Claim Process: Guidance for shareholders in demat and physical form to recover unclaimed assets.
• Investor Helpdesks: On-ground support for investors to directly interact with company representatives and RTAs.
• Digital Search Tool: IEPFA provides a portal to track share status and file claims (Form IEPF-5).
• Streamlined Claim Process: Guidance for shareholders in demat and physical form to recover unclaimed assets.
• Significance: Reduces dependency on intermediaries. Enhances transparency in the investor recovery process. Boosts financial literacy and trust in the financial ecosystem. Supports faster resolution of investor grievances.
• Reduces dependency on intermediaries.
• Enhances transparency in the investor recovery process.
• Boosts financial literacy and trust in the financial ecosystem.
• Supports faster resolution of investor grievances.
About Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA):
• What it is: A statutory authority established under Section 125 of the Companies Act, 2013.
• Ministry: Functions under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India.
• Functions: Protects interests of investors. Promotes financial literacy and education. Facilitates refund of unclaimed dividends, matured deposits, and shares. Manages the IEPF corpus comprising unclaimed amounts transferred by companies.
• Protects interests of investors.
• Promotes financial literacy and education.
• Facilitates refund of unclaimed dividends, matured deposits, and shares.
• Manages the IEPF corpus comprising unclaimed amounts transferred by companies.
Safe Harbour
Source: TH
Context: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is reconsidering safe harbour protections under the IT Act, 2000, to tackle the surge in fake news and misinformation online.
About Safe Harbour:
• What is Safe Harbour? Safe harbour is a legal protection that shields online platforms from being held liable for content posted by users.
• Safe harbour is a legal protection that shields online platforms from being held liable for content posted by users.
• Legal Basis in India: Section 79 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 provides safe harbour for intermediaries, mirroring the US’s Section 230 of the Communications Act. Key Features: Protects intermediaries from legal action for third-party content. Conditional immunity—if they take prompt action upon receiving actual knowledge of illegal content (via court or government order). Encourages innovation by not overburdening platforms with liability.
• Legal Basis in India: Section 79 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 provides safe harbour for intermediaries, mirroring the US’s Section 230 of the Communications Act.
• Key Features: Protects intermediaries from legal action for third-party content. Conditional immunity—if they take prompt action upon receiving actual knowledge of illegal content (via court or government order). Encourages innovation by not overburdening platforms with liability.
• Protects intermediaries from legal action for third-party content.
• Conditional immunity—if they take prompt action upon receiving actual knowledge of illegal content (via court or government order).
• Encourages innovation by not overburdening platforms with liability.
• What is Intermediary Liability? It is the concept where intermediaries (like social media platforms, messaging apps, etc.) can be held responsible for content shared by users.
• It is the concept where intermediaries (like social media platforms, messaging apps, etc.) can be held responsible for content shared by users.
• How It Is Regulated in India: Governed by IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. Platforms must appoint: A Grievance Officer and Nodal Contact Person in India. Publish monthly compliance reports. The 2023 Amendment Rules propose to revoke safe harbour for “fake news” identified by the PIB’s fact-check unit (challenged in court for overreach). Features of Current Regime: Conditional immunity based on content moderation and user grievance mechanisms. Restrictions apply if platforms do not comply with takedown requests, especially on misinformation, deepfakes, and cyberfrauds. Court rulings (e.g., Supreme Court interpretation of “actual knowledge”) influence enforcement.
• How It Is Regulated in India: Governed by IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. Platforms must appoint: A Grievance Officer and Nodal Contact Person in India. Publish monthly compliance reports. The 2023 Amendment Rules propose to revoke safe harbour for “fake news” identified by the PIB’s fact-check unit (challenged in court for overreach).
• Governed by IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
• Platforms must appoint: A Grievance Officer and Nodal Contact Person in India. Publish monthly compliance reports.
• A Grievance Officer and Nodal Contact Person in India.
• Publish monthly compliance reports.
• The 2023 Amendment Rules propose to revoke safe harbour for “fake news” identified by the PIB’s fact-check unit (challenged in court for overreach).
• Features of Current Regime: Conditional immunity based on content moderation and user grievance mechanisms. Restrictions apply if platforms do not comply with takedown requests, especially on misinformation, deepfakes, and cyberfrauds.
• Conditional immunity based on content moderation and user grievance mechanisms.
• Restrictions apply if platforms do not comply with takedown requests, especially on misinformation, deepfakes, and cyberfrauds.
• Court rulings (e.g., Supreme Court interpretation of “actual knowledge”) influence enforcement.
• Significance of Safe Harbour:
• Protects Innovation: Prevents tech startups and platforms from being overwhelmed by content liability risks. Upholds Free Speech: Without it, platforms may engage in over-censorship to avoid legal trouble. Enables Due Process: Provides a structured, rule-based system for content takedowns instead of arbitrary removals.
• Protects Innovation: Prevents tech startups and platforms from being overwhelmed by content liability risks.
• Upholds Free Speech: Without it, platforms may engage in over-censorship to avoid legal trouble.
• Enables Due Process: Provides a structured, rule-based system for content takedowns instead of arbitrary removals.
Right to Self-Defence
Source: TOI
Context: India and Pakistan agreed to halt military action after India conducted precision strikes in response to the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians.
• The strikes revived international debates around self-defence and the ‘unwilling or unable’
About Right to Self-Defence in International Law:
• What it is: Right to self-defence is a principle under UN Charter that allows a nation to use force in response to an armed attack. It must meet the conditions of necessity and proportionality, and be immediately reported to the UN Security Council.
• Right to self-defence is a principle under UN Charter that allows a nation to use force in response to an armed attack.
• It must meet the conditions of necessity and proportionality, and be immediately reported to the UN Security Council.
• Legal Basis: Codified in Article 51 of the UN Charter, which permits the use of force in self-defence if an armed attack occurs.
• Key Features: Acts as an exception to Article 2(4), which prohibits the use of force by states. Requires immediate notification to the UN Security Council after defensive action. Must meet necessity and proportionality standards. The ICJ restricts application to armed attacks “by or on behalf of a state” (e.g., Nicaragua v. US, 1986).
• Acts as an exception to Article 2(4), which prohibits the use of force by states.
• Requires immediate notification to the UN Security Council after defensive action.
• Must meet necessity and proportionality standards.
• The ICJ restricts application to armed attacks “by or on behalf of a state” (e.g., Nicaragua v. US, 1986).
About ‘Unwilling or Unable’ Doctrine:
• What It Is: A contested international law doctrine that allows a state to use force against non-state actors (NSAs) within another state’s territory if that state is unwilling or unable to stop them.
• Key Features: Removes the need for state attribution of an attack to invoke self-defence. Justifies cross-border strikes if the host country harbours or fails to act against terrorist groups. Championed by the United States in operations like the 2011 Osama bin Laden raid (Pakistan) and 2014 IS strikes (Syria). Lacks wide state practice or opinio juris, and is not yet customary international law. Opposed by countries like China, Russia, and Mexico for violating sovereignty norms.
• Removes the need for state attribution of an attack to invoke self-defence.
• Justifies cross-border strikes if the host country harbours or fails to act against terrorist groups.
• Championed by the United States in operations like the 2011 Osama bin Laden raid (Pakistan) and 2014 IS strikes (Syria).
• Lacks wide state practice or opinio juris, and is not yet customary international law.
• Opposed by countries like China, Russia, and Mexico for violating sovereignty norms.
BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile
- •Source: IE*
Context: During Operation Sindoor, India reportedly deployed the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile in combat for the first time against Pakistani military installations.
About BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile:
• What is BrahMos Missile?
• BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile jointly developed by India and Russia. It is a precision strike weapon capable of being launched from land, air, sea, and underwater platforms.
• BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile jointly developed by India and Russia. It is a precision strike weapon capable of being launched from land, air, sea, and underwater platforms.
• Development Origin: A product of a 1998 intergovernmental agreement, BrahMos Aerospace is a joint venture between India’s DRDO (50.5%) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyenia (49.5%).
• Name Origin: The name is derived from Brahmaputra (India) and Moskva (Russia) rivers.
• Anatomy of BrahMos Missile
• Structure: It is a two-stage missile with a solid-propellant booster and a liquid-fueled ramjet engine. Speed: Reaches up to Mach 3 (three times the speed of sound). Range: Originally 290 km, upgraded variants now exceed 350–400 km, with future versions expected to reach 800+ km. Stealth: Low radar cross-section (RCS) and compact design enhance evasion from enemy radar. Guidance: Equipped with a ‘fire and forget’ system—requires no human input after launch.
• Structure: It is a two-stage missile with a solid-propellant booster and a liquid-fueled ramjet engine.
• Speed: Reaches up to Mach 3 (three times the speed of sound).
• Range: Originally 290 km, upgraded variants now exceed 350–400 km, with future versions expected to reach 800+ km.
• Stealth: Low radar cross-section (RCS) and compact design enhance evasion from enemy radar.
• Guidance: Equipped with a ‘fire and forget’ system—requires no human input after launch.
• Key Features:
• Multi-platform Capability: Deployable from ships, submarines, mobile land launchers, and fighter aircraft. Precision: Known for high accuracy, deep-dive, terrain-hugging, and mountain-warfare adaptability. Speed & Kinetic Energy: 3x speed and 9x kinetic energy compared to subsonic cruise missiles. Stand-off Range: Enables operators to launch the missile without entering enemy airspace. Terminal Phase Altitude: Can descend to 10 meters, enabling precise target hits.
• Multi-platform Capability: Deployable from ships, submarines, mobile land launchers, and fighter aircraft.
• Precision: Known for high accuracy, deep-dive, terrain-hugging, and mountain-warfare adaptability.
• Speed & Kinetic Energy: 3x speed and 9x kinetic energy compared to subsonic cruise missiles.
• Stand-off Range: Enables operators to launch the missile without entering enemy airspace.
• Terminal Phase Altitude: Can descend to 10 meters, enabling precise target hits.
• Variants of BrahMos Missile:
• Ship-based Variant Fired from static and mobile warships. Supports vertical and inclined launch modes. Capable of salvo fire (up to 8 missiles). Inducted into the Indian Navy in 2005. Land-based Variant Mobile autonomous launchers with 3 missiles each. Deployed along India’s borders with multiple blocks: Block I: Precision strike Block II: Deep-dive and target discrimination Block III: Mountain warfare adaptation Range upgraded to 400 km; future variant may cross 1,000 km. Air-launched Variant (ALCM) Integrated with Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft. First test: November 2017; validated for land and sea targets. Offers long-range deterrence in the Indian Ocean Region. Submarine-launched Variant Launched from 50 meters below sea level. First tested in 2013 off the coast of Visakhapatnam. Designed for canister-based vertical launch. BrahMos-NG (Next Generation) (under development) Will be smaller, lighter, and have enhanced stealth. Designed for aircraft and submarines, including torpedo-tube launch. Improved ECCM resistance and operational flexibility.
• Ship-based Variant Fired from static and mobile warships. Supports vertical and inclined launch modes. Capable of salvo fire (up to 8 missiles). Inducted into the Indian Navy in 2005.
• Fired from static and mobile warships.
• Supports vertical and inclined launch modes.
• Capable of salvo fire (up to 8 missiles).
• Inducted into the Indian Navy in 2005.
• Land-based Variant Mobile autonomous launchers with 3 missiles each. Deployed along India’s borders with multiple blocks: Block I: Precision strike Block II: Deep-dive and target discrimination Block III: Mountain warfare adaptation Range upgraded to 400 km; future variant may cross 1,000 km.
• Mobile autonomous launchers with 3 missiles each.
• Deployed along India’s borders with multiple blocks: Block I: Precision strike Block II: Deep-dive and target discrimination Block III: Mountain warfare adaptation
• Block I: Precision strike
• Block II: Deep-dive and target discrimination
• Block III: Mountain warfare adaptation
• Range upgraded to 400 km; future variant may cross 1,000 km.
• Air-launched Variant (ALCM) Integrated with Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft. First test: November 2017; validated for land and sea targets. Offers long-range deterrence in the Indian Ocean Region.
• Integrated with Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft.
• First test: November 2017; validated for land and sea targets.
• Offers long-range deterrence in the Indian Ocean Region.
• Submarine-launched Variant Launched from 50 meters below sea level. First tested in 2013 off the coast of Visakhapatnam. Designed for canister-based vertical launch.
• Launched from 50 meters below sea level.
• First tested in 2013 off the coast of Visakhapatnam.
• Designed for canister-based vertical launch.
• BrahMos-NG (Next Generation) (under development) Will be smaller, lighter, and have enhanced stealth. Designed for aircraft and submarines, including torpedo-tube launch. Improved ECCM resistance and operational flexibility.
• Will be smaller, lighter, and have enhanced stealth.
• Designed for aircraft and submarines, including torpedo-tube launch.
• Improved ECCM resistance and operational flexibility.
Asteroid YR4
Source: TH
Context: NASA updated its projections for asteroid 2024 YR4, reducing its chances of striking Earth but noting a 3.8% probability of colliding with the Moon on December 22, 2032.
About Asteroid YR4:
• What is Asteroid YR4?
• Discovery: Identified in December 2024 by the ATLAS telescope in Chile as a near-Earth object (NEO). Type: Near-Earth asteroid with a solar orbit that brings it within 1.3 AU of the Sun. Size Estimate: Approximately 65 meters wide, comparable to a 10-storey building. Notable Alert: Initially triggered NASA’s highest-ever impact alert in February 2025 (3.1% Earth impact probability), later revised to negligible.
• Discovery: Identified in December 2024 by the ATLAS telescope in Chile as a near-Earth object (NEO).
• Type: Near-Earth asteroid with a solar orbit that brings it within 1.3 AU of the Sun.
• Size Estimate: Approximately 65 meters wide, comparable to a 10-storey building.
• Notable Alert: Initially triggered NASA’s highest-ever impact alert in February 2025 (3.1% Earth impact probability), later revised to negligible.
• Potential Impact & Risk:
• Earth Risk: Now considered no significant threat to Earth based on updated trajectory data. Moon Risk: Holds a 3.8% chance of hitting the Moon in 2032; 96.2% chance it will miss. Impact Effects: If it strikes, it could create a 500–2,000-meter crater and release energy 340x the Hiroshima bomb.
• Earth Risk: Now considered no significant threat to Earth based on updated trajectory data.
• Moon Risk: Holds a 3.8% chance of hitting the Moon in 2032; 96.2% chance it will miss.
• Impact Effects: If it strikes, it could create a 500–2,000-meter crater and release energy 340x the Hiroshima bomb.
• Scientific and Strategic Significance:
• Planetary Defense: Highlights importance of automated detection and early warning systems for NEOs. Observation Opportunity: If YR4 hits the Moon’s near side, spacecraft like Chandrayaan-2 could observe the impact flash. Asteroid Monitoring: Underlines ongoing risks from small-to-medium-sized space rocks, like the Chelyabinsk event (2013). Public Awareness: Reinforces the fact that asteroids are the only natural disaster we can prevent, according to experts.
• Planetary Defense: Highlights importance of automated detection and early warning systems for NEOs.
• Observation Opportunity: If YR4 hits the Moon’s near side, spacecraft like Chandrayaan-2 could observe the impact flash.
• Asteroid Monitoring: Underlines ongoing risks from small-to-medium-sized space rocks, like the Chelyabinsk event (2013).
• Public Awareness: Reinforces the fact that asteroids are the only natural disaster we can prevent, according to experts.
Dongria Kondh Tribe
Source: TH
Context: The Dongria Kondh tribe of Odisha was recently featured for showcasing their vibrant identity and cultural resilience during a festival near the Niyamgiri Hills.
About Dongria Kondh Tribe:
• Who They Are?
• The Dongria Kondh are an indigenous tribal community, classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG). They are renowned for their environmental stewardship and successful resistance against bauxite mining in the Niyamgiri hills.
• The Dongria Kondh are an indigenous tribal community, classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG).
• They are renowned for their environmental stewardship and successful resistance against bauxite mining in the Niyamgiri hills.
• Habitat:
• Reside in scattered hamlets within the Niyamgiri hill range, spread across Rayagada and Kalahandi districts in southwestern Odisha. These hills are ecologically rich and spiritually sacred to the tribe, home to their revered deity, Niyam Raja.
• Reside in scattered hamlets within the Niyamgiri hill range, spread across Rayagada and Kalahandi districts in southwestern Odisha.
• These hills are ecologically rich and spiritually sacred to the tribe, home to their revered deity, Niyam Raja.
• Key Features: Language and Script:
• Language and Script:
• Speak Kui, an oral Dravidian language closely related to Gondi. Kui does not have a written script, though it is sometimes transcribed in the Odia script.
• Speak Kui, an oral Dravidian language closely related to Gondi. Kui does not have a written script, though it is sometimes transcribed in the Odia script.
• Speak Kui, an oral Dravidian language closely related to Gondi.
• Kui does not have a written script, though it is sometimes transcribed in the Odia script.
• Physical and Cultural Traits:
• Known for their distinctive dress and adornment:
• Known for their distinctive dress and adornment:
• Known for their distinctive dress and adornment:
• Women wear minimal clothing, metallic nose pins, tattoos, and long rows of earrings.
• Men wear colourful turbans and loincloths with traditional body tattoos.
• Use traditional knowledge to practise podu (shifting) cultivation, growing millets, turmeric, pineapples, and other crops.
• Use traditional knowledge to practise podu (shifting) cultivation, growing millets, turmeric, pineapples, and other crops.
• Use traditional knowledge to practise podu (shifting) cultivation, growing millets, turmeric, pineapples, and other crops.
• Social and Religious Life:
• Follow animism, ancestor worship, and nature-centric spiritual beliefs. The tribe includes sub-groups like Kovi, Kuttia, Languli, Penga, and Jharnia. Uphold traditions through oral storytelling, song, dance, and community rituals.
• Follow animism, ancestor worship, and nature-centric spiritual beliefs. The tribe includes sub-groups like Kovi, Kuttia, Languli, Penga, and Jharnia. Uphold traditions through oral storytelling, song, dance, and community rituals.
• Follow animism, ancestor worship, and nature-centric spiritual beliefs.
• The tribe includes sub-groups like Kovi, Kuttia, Languli, Penga, and Jharnia.
• Uphold traditions through oral storytelling, song, dance, and community rituals.
LICONN (Light-Microscopy-Based Connectomics)
Source: TH
Context: Scientists have developed LICONN, a new technique for nanoscale brain mapping using light microscopes.
About LICONN (Light-Microscopy-Based Connectomics):
• What it is:
• LICONN stands for Light-Microscopy-Based Connectomics, a cutting-edge imaging technique to map neuronal connections at the synapse level. Developed by researchers integrating hydrogel expansion, protein staining, and AI-based segmentation.
• LICONN stands for Light-Microscopy-Based Connectomics, a cutting-edge imaging technique to map neuronal connections at the synapse level.
• Developed by researchers integrating hydrogel expansion, protein staining, and AI-based segmentation.
• Key Features:
• Expands brain tissue up to 16 times using special hydrogels. Uses fluorescent tagging to highlight molecular features and deep learning for neural segmentation. Achieves nanoscale resolution using diffraction-limited light microscopy—earlier achievable only via electron microscopy.
• Expands brain tissue up to 16 times using special hydrogels.
• Uses fluorescent tagging to highlight molecular features and deep learning for neural segmentation.
• Achieves nanoscale resolution using diffraction-limited light microscopy—earlier achievable only via electron microscopy.
• Applications:
• Enables synapse-level connectome mapping for neuroscientific research. Facilitates molecular characterization of neural pathways. Can be widely adopted in brain disorder research, drug development, and understanding memory processing.
• Enables synapse-level connectome mapping for neuroscientific research.
• Facilitates molecular characterization of neural pathways.
• Can be widely adopted in brain disorder research, drug development, and understanding memory processing.
Longest Banana Infructescence (*Musa indandamanensis*)
Source: TH
Context: A wild banana species Musa indandamanensis from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands has recorded the world’s longest banana infructescence at 4.2 metres.
About Longest Banana Infructescence (*Musa indandamanensis*):
• What it is:
• An infructescence is the complete fruiting part of a plant. The 4.2-metre-long infructescence was found in Musa indandamanensis, a wild banana species endemic to Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• An infructescence is the complete fruiting part of a plant.
• The 4.2-metre-long infructescence was found in Musa indandamanensis, a wild banana species endemic to Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• Key Features:
• Found in Campbell Bay, Nicobar group; tree height ~11 m, stem girth ~110 cm. Previously, infructescences up to 3 m were recorded; the new one sets a world record. Specimens are displayed in Indian Museum, Kolkata, and regional botanical museums.
• Found in Campbell Bay, Nicobar group; tree height ~11 m, stem girth ~110 cm.
• Previously, infructescences up to 3 m were recorded; the new one sets a world record.
• Specimens are displayed in Indian Museum, Kolkata, and regional botanical museums.
• IUCN Status: Critically Endangered — according to recent conservation assessments.
• Significance:
• Serves as a genetic reservoir for developing disease-resistant and high-yield banana varieties. Conserved ex-situ at A.J.C. Bose Indian Botanic Garden and other regional botanical centres.
• Serves as a genetic reservoir for developing disease-resistant and high-yield banana varieties.
• Conserved ex-situ at A.J.C. Bose Indian Botanic Garden and other regional botanical centres.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 12 May 2025 Mapping:
DR Congo
Source: TH
Context: Over 100 people, mostly children and the elderly, were killed in Sud Kivu province, eastern DR Congo, as flash floods triggered by torrential rains swept through Kasaba village.
About DR Congo:
• Location:
• Located in Central Africa, it is the second largest country in Africa after Algeria. The DRC has a short 40 km coastline on the Atlantic Ocean but is largely landlocked.
• Located in Central Africa, it is the second largest country in Africa after Algeria.
• The DRC has a short 40 km coastline on the Atlantic Ocean but is largely landlocked.
• Capital City:
• Neighbouring Countries: Central African Republic, South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia, Angola, Republic of the Congo, Atlantic Ocean, and the Angolan exclave of Cabinda.
• Geological and Physical Features:
• Mountains: Ruwenzori Range (with Margherita Peak at 5,109 m – the highest point) Virunga Mountains (volcanic range including Mount Nyiragongo) Mitumba Mountains and Cristal Mountains Plateaus: Ubangi-Uele Plateau (North) Katanga Plateau (Southeast, includes Kundelungu and Hakansson highlands) Angola Plateau (Southwest) Rivers: Congo River – the world’s deepest river and second longest in Africa, forms the main drainage system Major tributaries: Kasai, Aruwimi, Lomami, Ubangi Lakes: Lies along the Western Rift Valley, includes Lakes Tanganyika, Albert, Edward, Kivu, Mweru Lake Mai-Ndombe and Lake Tumba are significant in the western basin Drainage Basin: Congo River Basin spans 3.46 million sq. km, supports dense rainforest ecosystems Features rich alluvial soils, vital for agriculture in valleys
• Mountains: Ruwenzori Range (with Margherita Peak at 5,109 m – the highest point) Virunga Mountains (volcanic range including Mount Nyiragongo) Mitumba Mountains and Cristal Mountains
• Ruwenzori Range (with Margherita Peak at 5,109 m – the highest point)
• Virunga Mountains (volcanic range including Mount Nyiragongo)
• Mitumba Mountains and Cristal Mountains
• Plateaus: Ubangi-Uele Plateau (North) Katanga Plateau (Southeast, includes Kundelungu and Hakansson highlands) Angola Plateau (Southwest)
• Ubangi-Uele Plateau (North)
• Katanga Plateau (Southeast, includes Kundelungu and Hakansson highlands)
• Angola Plateau (Southwest)
• Rivers: Congo River – the world’s deepest river and second longest in Africa, forms the main drainage system Major tributaries: Kasai, Aruwimi, Lomami, Ubangi
• Congo River – the world’s deepest river and second longest in Africa, forms the main drainage system
• Major tributaries: Kasai, Aruwimi, Lomami, Ubangi
• Lakes: Lies along the Western Rift Valley, includes Lakes Tanganyika, Albert, Edward, Kivu, Mweru Lake Mai-Ndombe and Lake Tumba are significant in the western basin
• Lies along the Western Rift Valley, includes Lakes Tanganyika, Albert, Edward, Kivu, Mweru
• Lake Mai-Ndombe and Lake Tumba are significant in the western basin
• Drainage Basin: Congo River Basin spans 3.46 million sq. km, supports dense rainforest ecosystems Features rich alluvial soils, vital for agriculture in valleys
• Congo River Basin spans 3.46 million sq. km, supports dense rainforest ecosystems
• Features rich alluvial soils, vital for agriculture in valleys
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