Main Point :-   (i) AMSL's strategy aims to position the company as a Tier-I Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for weapon systems, supporting India's 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative by providing indigenously developed defence solutions.

      (ii) IDL Explosives, founded in 2010, has over 64 years of expertise in manufacturing bulk and packaged explosives.

(iii) The company has primarily served the mining and infrastructure sectors, furthering AMSL's goal to strengthen its position in the defence industry.

      - When selling gold, customers deposit their gold into the machine, which then melts it. The purity and value of the gold are displayed, and once the customer accepts the value, the amount is transferred to their bank account.

Main Point :-   (i) The process of depositing and selling gold takes around 30 minutes, during which the machine takes the depositor's photograph and verifies their Aadhar card and ID proof.

      (ii) In case any criminal record is found in the transaction, the ATM will withhold the gold and automatically alert the police.

(iii) In 2022, Goldsikka launched India’s first real-time Gold ATM.

Main Point :-   (i) The garden hosts 40 species of medicinal trees, such as Neem, Red Sandalwood, Tulsi, and Tropical Almond, chosen for their spiritual and healing properties.

      (ii) Designed to emit Pranahuti (yogic transmission), it includes acupressure pathways, percolation pits, and sloped landscapes to enhance rainwater harvesting and promote ecological sustainability.

      - The International Charter operates as a collaborative initiative involving 17 member organizations. These members voluntarily supply Earth observation data and value-added products to assist in managing disasters across the globe. The Charter’s services extend to more than 120 countries, ensuring even nations with limited space capabilities can access vital satellite-based information.

Main Point :-   (i) Assuming the lead role places India at the strategic core of coordinating global disaster response efforts through space-based assets. ISRO’s responsibilities include managing activation requests, ensuring the rapid delivery of satellite products, leading strategic planning activities, supervising the delivery of satellite imagery from partner agencies, and promoting training, outreach, and capacity-building efforts.

      (ii) Since 2021, ISRO has actively contributed to the Charter by responding to 153 activation requests and delivering nearly 700 Earth observation products. These contributions include flood extent maps, landslide assessments, infrastructure damage evaluations, and aiding in post-disaster recovery planning efforts across various affected regions.

(iii) Not only has India contributed significantly to Charter operations, but it has also benefited from Charter activations during times of natural calamities within the country. This two-way engagement reinforces India’s role as both a benefactor and a beneficiary within the global disaster management community.

Main Point :-   (i) A Hypersonic Cruise Missile (HCM) is capable of sustained flight at speeds exceeding Mach 5 (>6,100 kilometers per hour), powered by air-breathing scramjet engines that utilize supersonic combustion for extended performance.

      (ii) A Scramjet (Supersonic Combustion Ramjet) is an air-breathing propulsion system without any moving parts, designed to sustain combustion at supersonic speeds.

(iii) It employs a unique flame stabilization technique that allows combustion even when air enters the engine at speeds greater than 1.5 kilometers per second (km/s).

Main Point :-   (i) The proposed facility will include a 400 MegaWatt (MW) data center cluster, envisioned to host India's most powerful AI supercomputing infrastructure, equipped with 25,000 Graphics Processing Units (GPUs).

      (ii) As per the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the partnership will combine the global data center expertise of NTT DATA with Neysa’s AI acceleration platform to co-develop cutting-edge AI-first solutions.

(iii) The facility will operate on a combination of grid and renewable energy sources, with a capacity of up to 500 MW, and will leverage advanced technologies such as liquid immersion cooling to meet Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards.

Main Point :-   (i) The ACA programme serves as the industry standard for assessing an airport's initiatives to manage and reduce carbon emissions.

      (ii) The Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) programme comprises seven progressive levels that evaluate an airport’s efforts to manage and reduce carbon emissions. These levels are: Level-1 (Mapping), where airports measure their carbon footprint; Level-2 (Reduction), which involves actively lowering emissions; Level-3 (Optimization), where airports engage stakeholders to reduce emissions collectively; Level 3+ (Neutrality), which requires offsetting residual emissions to achieve carbon neutrality; Level-4 (Transformation), focusing on aligning carbon management with global climate goals; Level-4+ (Transition), which incorporates long-term emissions reduction strategies; and Level-5, the highest level of carbon accreditation, awarded to airports that demonstrate exceptional performance in carbon management and alignment with net-zero targets.

Main Point :-   (i) The Letters of Intent (LoIs) were signed with several renowned Japanese companies to facilitate the development of the proposed 'Eco Town' in Hyderabad. The companies involved include EX Research Institute Limited, P9 Limited Liability Company (LLC), Nippon Steel Engineering Co., Ltd., New Chemical Trading Co., Ltd., and Amita Holdings Co., Ltd..

      (ii) These collaborations aim to strengthen efforts in environmental restoration, recycling, and waste management through innovative Japanese technologies and practices.

(iii) In addition to these agreements, Toshiba Transmission Distribution Systems (India) Pvt. Ltd. (TTDI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Toshiba Corporation (Japan), announced a major investment of ₹562 crore in Telangana. This investment will be used to set up a new manufacturing facility for surge arresters and expand existing infrastructure for transformers and gas-insulated switchgear at the company’s plant located in Rudraram, Telangana.

      - He is set to take charge on April 21, 2025, succeeding Dr. Himanshu Pathak, who voluntarily retired from ICAR and joined ICRISAT as DG in March 2025.

Main Point :-   (i) Additionally, the ACC has approved the appointment of four officers from the 1989 batch of the Indian Revenue Service (IRS), Income Tax cadre, as new members of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), headquartered in New Delhi.

      (ii) The newly appointed members of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) are Pankaj Kumar Mishra, Sanjay Bahadur, L. Rajasekhar Reddy, and G. Aparna. These appointments were recently approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) to strengthen the leadership within the Income Tax cadre.

      - Initially, the portal has been launched on a pilot basis in four mandals: Maddur (Narayanpet district), Nelakondapalli (Khammam district), Lingampeta (Kamareddy district), and Venkatapur (Mulugu district).

Main Point :-   (i) Mandal Revenue Officers (MROs) will visit every revenue village within these mandals to resolve all pending land-related cases by May 1, 2025.

      (ii) After the pilot phase, one block from each district will be selected for the next rollout, with plans to expand the initiative statewide starting June 2, 2025.

      - Following this, on March 18, 2025, the Telangana Legislative Assembly passed the SC Sub-Categorization Bill, in alignment with the Supreme Court’s judgment. The bill, titled The Telangana Scheduled Castes (Rationalisation of Reservation) Act, 2025, received the Governor’s assent on April 8, 2025, and was officially published in the Telangana Gazette on April 14, 2025.

Main Point :-   (i) Out of the 59 Scheduled Caste (SC) sub-castes in Telangana, 15 have been identified as the "most backward," representing just 0.5% of the state’s SC population. These communities have been allocated 1% reservation, which is double their population share, to improve their access to education and employment opportunities.

      (ii) A total of 18 SC sub-castes that were receiving marginal benefits under the previous system have been categorized under Group-II. These sub-castes have now been allocated 9% reservation, aiming to enhance their representation and support in both education and public sector jobs.

(iii) The remaining 26 SC sub-castes, considered to have relatively better access to social and economic opportunities, fall under Group-III and have been granted 5% reservation. Notably, out of the 59 total sub-castes, 33 continue in their earlier classification, and only 26 sub-castes, accounting for 3.43% of the SC population, have been reclassified under this new system.

Main Point :-   (i) A key objective of this initiative is to bridge the credit gap in Telangana, foster entrepreneurial ventures, and fuel inclusive economic growth in the region's developing business corridors.

      (ii) The partnership will emphasize digital-first lending solutions, tailored to meet the unique financial needs and operational models of MSMEs, ensuring faster, simpler, and tech-enabled financing options.

(iii) A special highlight of the collaboration is the integration of Godrej Capital’s women-centric initiative ‘Aarohi’, which aims to provide focused support and financial inclusion opportunities to women entrepreneurs across Telangana.

Main Point :-   (i) A fine of ₹1 crore was imposed for violating the Insurance E-commerce Guidelines, 2017, specifically the clause stating that an insurance intermediary can onboard only insurers as permitted on its Insurance Self-Network Platform (ISNP).

      (ii) FIPL was found redirecting consumers to the “Buy Insurance” section of another insurance intermediary instead of the actual insurer's website.

(iii) An additional fine of ₹6 lakh was levied for continuing the sale and purchase of insurance policies via its platform even after its Certificate of Registration (CoR) expired on September 25, 2024, thereby violating Clause 3(ii)(a) of Schedule III read with Regulation 26 of the IRDAI (Registration of Corporate Agents) Regulations, 2015.

Main Point :-   (i) The MoU leverages Geospatial AI, Object Detection AI, Generative AI, and Digital Twin solutions to optimize vessel design, enhance shipyard security, and enable 360-degree surveillance systems. It aligns with Industry 4.0 and Quality 4.0 (QA 4.0) principles to modernize shipbuilding, reduce operational costs, and set new global benchmarks.

      (ii) The Center for Geospatial AI and Digital Twins (CGDT) at IIT-H, led by Director Prof. B.S. Murty, will be responsible for developing advanced Geospatial Digital Twin models to build virtual replicas of shipbuilding environments for testing and innovation.

(iii) This collaboration marks the launch of Asia’s first AI-driven maritime security project and positions India as a global frontrunner in AI-powered maritime technology, significantly boosting indigenous technological expertise and innovation in the shipbuilding sector.

Main Point :-   (i) The IAF has proposed that the Airports Authority of India (AAI) acquire adjacent land for the construction of a civil terminal, aircraft parking apron, and associated infrastructure.

      (ii) The AAI is likely required to submit a detailed proposal to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the IAF for the civil development plans.

(iii) In February 2025, the GoI had granted approval for the development and operationalization of the Mamnoor Airport in Warangal, Telangana.

Main Point :-   (i) The company has committed to investing ₹1,200 crore over the next three years to scale operations in high-priority segments such as pipes, construction chemicals, and designer boards.

      (ii) To expand its global presence, BirlaNu will leverage Parador, the German flooring company it acquired in 2018, alongside exporting its India-made products.

(iii) In a pioneering move for the Indian market, BirlaNu has adopted Organic Based Stabilizers (OBS) in the manufacturing of Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride (UPVC) pipes, eliminating the use of heavy metals in the process.

      - Dhruva Space plans to deploy 7.4m antennas with S, X, and Ka-band capabilities to support Lunar and Deep Space Missions in collaboration with global partners.

Main Point :-   (i) The agreement was signed in Tokyo (Japan) during the Third India-Japan Space Dialogue, organized by the Bopal, Ahmedabad (Gujarat)-based Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India (GoI), and the Cabinet Office of Japan.

      (ii) This collaboration enables Dhruva Space to provide end-to-end satellite solutions, while Infostellar offers its platform to satellite operators worldwide.

(iii) This partnership strengthens the existing India-Japan cooperation in space initiatives, including the Chandrayaan series, the Sentinel Asia initiative, and the forthcoming Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) mission.

      - The signing ceremony was attended by Chief Minister of HP Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu, and Telangana's Energy Minister.

Main Point :-   (i) The hydropower projects, located on the Chenab River, will create 5,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities in Himachal Pradesh. Telangana has paid an upfront premium of Rs. 26 crore and will provide free power to Himachal Pradesh at varying percentages over the next 40 years, after which both projects will be transferred to Himachal Pradesh.

      (ii) Telangana will also contribute 1.5% of the project costs to the Local Area Development Fund (LADF) and offer an additional 1% of free power for LADF after commissioning. Affected families will receive benefits equivalent to 100 units per month for 10 years.

(iii) The projects will harness the perennial waters of Himachal Pradesh's Himalayan rivers, which provide hydropower generation for 9-10 months annually, aligning with Telangana's Clean & Green Energy Policy 2025 for sustainable energy development.

      - 360 ONE Private Equity Fund, registered with SEBI as a 'Category-II Alternative Investment Fund (AIF),' is also part of the combination.

Main Point :-   (i) The proposal includes the acquisition of certain road assets belonging to the Ashoka Buildcon Group.

      (ii) Mumbai-based Epic Concesiones 2 Private Limited (ECP2PL) has been approved to acquire a 100% equity stake in 11 road SPVs (Target SPVs).

(iii) These 11 road SPVs are currently owned by Nashik-based Ashoka Concessions Limited (ACL) and Ashoka Buildcon Limited (ABL).

      - The state's per capita income is 1.8% higher than the national average.

Main Point :-   (i) The Telangana government has allocated Rs 24,439 crore for the Agriculture Department, including schemes like Rythu Bharosa and Indiramma Abhaya Hastham, and Rs 23,373 crore for irrigation projects in the FY26 budget.

      (ii) The 'Mega Master Plan 2050' has been introduced to decentralize growth, focusing on greenfield industrial clusters in Ranga Reddy and Mahabubnagar districts.

(iii) Telangana will develop India’s first Net-Zero Future City, setting a new benchmark for sustainable and smart urbanization.

Main Point :-   (i) In First-Class cricket, Syed Abid played for Hyderabad in the Ranji Trophy. Across 212 matches, he scored 8,732 runs with 13 centuries and 31 fifties. He also claimed 397 wickets, including 14 five-wicket hauls.

      (ii) He played a crucial role in India's historic 1971 Test series victories against England and the West Indies.

(iii) He was part of the Ajit Wadekar-led Indian team that played its first-ever ODI in 1974 against England at Headingley, United Kingdom (UK).

Main Point :-   (i) The collaboration includes field visits, seminars, workshops, and information-sharing initiatives to foster continuous learning and professional growth among public servants.

      (ii) This MoU further strengthens the long-standing bilateral relations between South Africa and India.

Main Point :-   (i) Fisheries Startup Grand Challenge 2.0: Launched to support emerging enterprises/startups in manufacturing and related fields within the fisheries sector, with 10 winning startups receiving Rs 1 crore in funding.

      (ii) The NFDP mobile app is designed to simplify access to various Government of India (GoI)-led schemes, specifically benefiting startups and stakeholders in the fisheries sector.

Main Point :-   (i) The initiative aims to develop clean coal technologies and diversify coal consumption. Both entities will work together to establish cutting-edge technological readiness levels (TRLs) for the long-term use of Indian coal.

      (ii) The management of CIL has approved a five-year grant of Rs 98 crores to IIT Hyderabad for the establishment of this Center of Excellence. After the initial five-year investment from CIL, it is expected to achieve financial sustainability in the long term.

(iii) This collaboration is part of the National Centre for Coal and Energy Research (NaCCER), an independent Research and Development (R&D) unit of the Central Mine Planning and Design Institute (CMPDI), which serves as CIL's mine development and consultancy arm.

      - He also served as the DG of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), based in New Delhi.

Main Point :-   (i) Dr. Himanshu Pathak has held various positions, including the Director of ICAR-National Institute of Abiotic Stress Management, based in Pune, Maharashtra, and the Director of ICAR-National Rice Research Institute, based in Cuttack, Odisha.

      (ii) Dr. Pathak has also been a visiting scientist at the University of Essex in the United Kingdom (UK) and the Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research (IMK) in Germany.

      - The bank will also provide customized financial support to homebuyers purchasing homes in IGBC-certified projects.

Main Point :-   (i) This partnership aims to promote the use of sustainable construction methods, which are essential in addressing environmental issues and reducing energy consumption.

      (ii) The MoU also focuses on developing new financing models for IGBC Green Affordable Housing, including IGBC NEST and NESTPLUS projects, designed for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and Lower Income Groups.

(iii) IOB and IGBC will continue to evaluate new trends and technologies in the green building sector to ensure the partnership remains at the forefront of sustainable construction.

Main Point :-   (i) The Prepaid Citizen Card will enable seamless, cashless transactions for essential services within GIFT City and will be accepted nationwide. It will serve as a secure digital identity and payment solution for GIFT City’s growing population and workforce.

      (ii) The VMS will ensure enhanced security in the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) by tracking, verifying, and regulating visitor access. It will integrate identity verification, visitor pre-registration, and a streamlined check-in/check-out process, allowing only authorized individuals to enter the premises.

      - All samples are stored at a temperature of minus 196°C in Liquid Nitrogen (LN2) to maintain a cryogenic state, helping preserve the genetic diversity of species.

Main Point :-   (i) The samples can be preserved in the bio-bank for a minimum of 40 to 45 years.

      (ii) CCMB plans to establish bio-banks at other zoos, including the National Zoological Park in Delhi and Nandankanan Zoological Park in Barang, Odisha.

(iii) The animal museum has been created to preserve the bodies and skeletons of deceased animals. It currently houses specimens from 19 species at Darjeeling Zoo, including animals such as the Red Panda, Snow Leopard, and Siberian Tiger.

Main Point :-   (i) The committee, led by Dinesh Kumar Khara, is tasked with reviewing the proposed amendments and suggesting a framework for their implementation. The report is expected to be submitted within 3 months.

      (ii) Based on the committee’s recommendations, the IRDAI will forward proposals to the Ministry of Finance (MoF), and the Department of Financial Services (DFS), MoF will draft a new bill for stakeholder feedback.

Main Point :-   (i) AMSL has also entered into an MoU with Kanpur (Maharashtra)-based Troop Comforts Limited (TCL) under MoD to jointly develop, manufacture, and market next-generation air defence systems, including anti-drone and anti-aircraft solutions.

      (ii) These partnerships aim to address the current and future needs of the Indian Defence Forces, paramilitary forces, police organizations, central and state government agencies, the civil sector, and international export markets.

(iii) AMSL, established in 1985, manufactures advanced electronic and electro-mechanical solutions for industries such as infrastructure, transportation, aerospace, and defence.

Main Point :-   (i) INCOIS launched two new services: The Hilsa Fishery Advisory (HiFA) Service, which utilizes machine learning to predict Hilsa fish availability along the West Bengal coast, and The INCOIS Global Ocean Reanalysis (IGORA) Version 1, which provides crucial ocean climate data for research and forecasting.

      (ii) INCOIS signed MoUs with key institutions, including CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad (Telangana); Directorate General of Shipping (DGS); and ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE), Mumbai (Maharashtra), to enhance research and collaboration in ocean and fisheries studies. Additionally, INCOIS signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), aiming to promote collaborative research and outreach activities at both national and international levels.

(iii) A stakeholder meeting on "Science for Blue Economy Services" was conducted, highlighting the crucial role of INCOIS in providing disaster management and ecosystem services to maritime and coastal communities.

      - The MoU enables cross-border mentorship, market access, and collaboration in key sectors such as IT, software, pharmaceuticals, defense, aerospace, cybersecurity, green and renewable energy, and critical minerals, while also emphasizing health, food security, logistics, supply chain management, agriculture, textiles, and machinery.

Main Point :-   (i) The MoU promotes joint academic and accelerator programs, emphasizing technology-driven initiatives in Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and critical minerals.

      (ii) ITFA will support Indian startups in accessing Turkish markets and connecting with suitable partners, while T-Hub will assist Turkish startups in integrating into the Indian ecosystem.

(iii) In 2024, bilateral trade between India and Türkiye reached USD 13 billion, with both governments setting a mid-term target of USD 20 billion.

      - The collaboration is focused on meeting the current and future requirements of the Indian Defence Forces (IDFs), Paramilitary Forces (PMFs), Police Organizations, Government Agencies at both Central and State levels, the Civil Sectors, and Global Export Markets.

Main Point :-   (i) A crucial aspect of this partnership is the enhancement of both companies' manufacturing infrastructure to produce critical components and sub-assemblies for advanced defence and aerospace systems.

      (ii) The collaboration includes services for the modernization and upgrade of existing systems, ensuring they align with evolving technological requirements and remain state-of-the-art.

(iii) Through this partnership, GRSE reinforces its commitment to strengthening indigenous capabilities and advancing the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative.

      - CRAs play a vital role in the NPS ecosystem by managing subscriber records, ensuring transparency, and facilitating seamless account operations.

Main Point :-   (i) The CRA platform incorporates advanced security measures, including dual-factor authentication, passwords, and one-time passwords (OTPs).

      (ii) Subscribers can access dedicated portals, WhatsApp services, and a missed-call facility to monitor investments and make modifications effortlessly.

(iii) In 2024, the Government of India (GoI) increased tax benefits under corporate NPS from 10% to 14% of basic income.

Main Point :-   (i) The MoU signing ceremony was attended by Union Minister Manohar Lal (MoP & MoHUA), Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, along with senior officials from MoP, BEE, TERI, and the Telangana government.

      (ii) Additionally, the Government of India (GoI) has allocated Rs. 488 crore to Telangana for nine new schemes under the Power System Development Fund (PSDF).

Main Point :-   (i) Developed under the Ministry of Textiles (MoT), the platform is designed to provide trend insights specifically tailored to India's fashion and retail industry.

      (ii) VisionNxt seeks to reduce India's reliance on international trend forecasting agencies by leveraging the country's strengths in Information Technology (IT) and textiles.

      - Under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, BDL will supply the MRSAMs under the 'Buy (Indian)' category, utilizing mostly indigenous components. This move aligns with the government's push for self-reliance in defense production and reduces dependence on foreign suppliers.

Main Point :-   (i) MRSAM is a high-response, quick-reaction, vertically launched supersonic missile designed to counter various aerial threats, including missiles, aircraft, guided bombs, and helicopters. The missile system is used by the Indian Navy, Indian Army, and Indian Air Force in different variants, strengthening the air defense across the three services.

      (ii) The missile itself is 4,500 millimeters long, 225 millimeters in diameter, and weighs approximately 275 kilograms. It is capable of engaging multiple targets simultaneously at a range of up to 70 kilometers, providing a comprehensive defense against a variety of aerial threats.

(iii) The missile system is powered by an indigenously developed rocket motor and control system, offering high flexibility, especially in the terminal phase. In December 2020, the DRDO conducted the first successful launch of the MRSAM (Army Version) from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha. The Indian Army established its first MRSAM Regiment in the Eastern Sector in 2023, marking a key milestone in its air defense strategy.

      - With this expansion, India now boasts the third-largest metro network in the world, following China and the United States of America (USA).

Main Point :-   (i) i. PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the new Jammu Railway Division, which spans a total length of 742.1 kilometers (km).

      (ii) PM Narendra Modi also inaugurated the Charlapalli New Terminal Station in Medchal-Malkajgiri District, Telangana, including a new coaching terminal and the provision of a second entry at a cost of around Rs 413 crore.

(iii) PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the Rayagada Railway Division Building under the East Coast Railway in Odisha, with an estimated cost of Rs 107 crore.

Main Point :-   (i) In 1848, she opened India's first school for girls in Pune, becoming the country's first woman teacher and the first female headmistress.

      (ii) In 1854, she published her first poetry collection, Kavya Phule ('Poetry's Blossoms'), and in 1892, she also published Bavan Kashi Subodh Ratnakar ('The Ocean of Pure Gems').

(iii) Pune University in Maharashtra is named after Savitribai Phule as a tribute to her efforts in promoting women's education in India.

Main Point :-   (i) The Santosh Trophy is a National Football Championship organized by the All India Football Federation. A total of 31 teams participated in the 2024 edition, competing in the Group stage.

      (ii) The 2023 Santosh Trophy was won by Meghalaya, who defeated Karnataka in the final to claim the title.

Main Point :-   (i) The Agricultural Research Institute (ARI), also known as the Pusa Institute, was established in 1905 in Pusa, Bihar. Its name was changed to the Imperial Institute of Agricultural Research in 1911 and then to the Imperial Agricultural Research Institute in 1919. After India's independence, it was renamed as the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI).

      (ii) It Relocated to New Delhi, Delhi, in 1936, the IARI operates under the administration of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

Main Point :-   (i) The BluJ REACH is an unmanned Hydrogen-Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (H2eVTOL) aircraft designed for mid-mile logistics. It has a target range of up to 300 kilometers (km), a payload capacity of 100 kilograms (kg), and can operate for 12-16 hours, enabling efficient same-day deliveries, especially in underserved regions.

      (ii) The BluJ HOP is a piloted Hydrogen-Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (H2eVTOL) aircraft designed for quiet, cost-effective, and safe regional passenger travel.

(iii) In September 2024, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), under the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MOCA), introduced a VTOL policy. BluJ Aerospace Private Limited contributed to this development as part of the DGCA's working group.

Main Point :-   (i) The joint venture will feature a 51:49 equity split, with Global Munition Ltd. holding the majority stake. This partnership is anticipated to strengthen Premier Explosives' market presence.

      (ii) PEL, India’s first private-sector explosives manufacturer, supplies solid propellants for key missile programs such as Akash, Astra, and the Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LRSAM).

(iii) The company also supports the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) by providing solid propellants for satellite launch vehicles.

      - Kerala, Rajasthan, and Goa boost tourism and foreign exchange earnings. Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh lead in infrastructure development. Rajasthan and Gujarat focus on renewable energy. Northeastern states improve connectivity, enhancing trade and tourism.

Main Point :-   (i) 25 states recorded over 7% GSDP growth in FY22 and FY23.

      (ii) 17 states achieved over 9% growth, including Gujarat and Kerala.

(iii) PHDCCI proposes a nine-pronged strategy for sustained growth.

      - Dr. Hughes, a plant virologist, has led key agricultural organizations in Africa and Asia, specializing in modern technologies like remote sensing and plant quarantine systems, while advocating for gender equity and ethical use of intellectual property.

Main Points:-   (i) During her tenure as Director General of ICRISAT, Dr. Hughes navigated the organization through the global pandemic, achieving milestones such as winning the Africa Food Prize in 2021 and hosting Prime Minister Narendra Modi during ICRISAT's 50th Anniversary celebrations in 2022.

      (ii) She enhanced ICRISAT's reputation as a leader in dryland agriculture by participating in G20 agricultural meetings in 2023 and co-chairing the International Steering Committee for the United Nations' International Year of Millets.

(iii) The World Agricultural Forum (WAF) is a global, policy- neutral platform dedicated to addressing agricultural challenges. It connects governments, farmers, businesses, and experts to promote sustainable agriculture, support smallholder farmers, and strengthen value chains.

Main Points:-   The Smart Shopping Trolley is designed to make airport navigation easier for travelers. Featuring interactive maps, real-time flight updates, and digital advertising displays, it provides a seamless wayfinding experience while promoting targeted advertisements. This innovative approach improves customer satisfaction and generates additional revenue for airport retailers.

Main Points:-   (i) The award will be presented to Reddy in January 2025 during a ceremony at Jyoti Protap Bidyalay in Teok, Jorhat.

      (ii) The Jadav Payeng International Award includes a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh, a citation, and various other mementos.

(iii) The award is named after Padma Shri awardee Jadav Payeng, known as the "Forest Man of India" for his continuous efforts in creating a 550-hectare forest in Assam's Jorhat district.