PRELIMS BITS:  About Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD): Pathogen: Caused by the lumpy skin disease virus from the capripox virus genus (Poxviridae family). Impact: Primarily affects cows and less commonly buffalos. Symptoms: Includes fever, skin nodules, and potentially death. Transmission: Spread by blood-feeding insects like flies, mosquitoes, and ticks. Vaccine Development: …

PRELIMS BITS:  The second phase of the ASPIRE (Accelerating Sustainable Power and Inclusive Renewable Energy) program has been initiated as part of the Fourth India-UK Energy Dialogue. About ASPIRE Program: Objective: Promotes clean energy transition and sustainable development in India. Focus Areas of Second Phase: Round-the-Clock Power Supply: Technical support …

PRELIMS BITS:  The Bombay blood group, discovered in Mumbai in 1952 by Dr. Y.M. Bhende, is extremely rare. It lacks the H antigen, which is essential for the ABO system’s A and B antigens to attach to red blood cells. People with this blood group have antibodies against A, B, …

GS2 GOVERNANCE:  Introduction The report, titled “Expanding Quality Higher Education through States and State Public Universities,” focuses on improving State Public Universities (SPUs), which educate 80% of India’s college students. State Public Universities 495 SPUs in India as of January 2025, with Karnataka having the most (43), followed by West …

PRELIMS BITS:  Introduction Established on April 8, 2022, by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to manage banking system liquidity. What Is the Standing Deposit Facility? Allows banks to deposit excess funds with the RBI without collateral. Serves as a floor for the Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF) corridor, replacing the …

PRELIMS BITS:  Ex Winged Raider focused on special airborne operations and inter-service collaboration between the Indian Army and Indian Air Force (IAF) in the Eastern Theatre. About Ex Winged Raider Aimed to improve airborne insertion techniques using fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. Ensured readiness for rapid troop deployment in diverse environments. …

PRELIMS BITS:  India and Egypt launched Cyclone 2025 on February 10, 2025, at Mahajan Field Firing Range, Rajasthan. The 14-day exercise focuses on improving military cooperation and operational readiness in desert warfare conditions. Objectives Strengthen defence cooperation between India and Egypt. Enhance capabilities in counterterrorism, reconnaissance, and raids. Train in …

GS3 IR:  The Netzarim Corridor was a military-controlled zone in northern Gaza from 2023 to 2025 during the Gaza War. It ran from the Gaza-Israel border to the Mediterranean Sea, south of Gaza City, and was named after a former Israeli settlement. Ceasefire and Withdrawal Ceasefire initiated on January 19, …

GS3 ECONOMICS:  The Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) is part of the PM-AASHA initiative, designed to support farmers by stabilizing prices for perishable agricultural commodities during price fluctuations. Key Features Protects farmers from distress sales, especially during bumper crop seasons. Focuses on perishable commodities like tomatoes, onions, and potatoes. Activated when …

PRELIMS BITS:  The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has raised significant concerns regarding the Morand-Ganjal Irrigation Project in Madhya Pradesh, highlighting its potential to threaten vital tiger habitats and disrupt ecological corridors between the Satpura and Melghat Tiger Reserves. The NTCA has called on authorities to consider alternative locations that …

GS2 GOVERNANCE:  The Government of India has introduced amendments to the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damages Act (CLNDA) 2010 and the Atomic Energy Act 1962 to attract foreign nuclear investments, especially from American and French companies. These amendments aim to address challenges faced in past nuclear projects. Context of the …

PRELIMS BITS:  Co-chaired by PM Narendra Modi and French President Macron. Over 90 countries participated, continuing the AI summit series from the UK (2023) and South Korea (2024). Previous AI Summits UK Summit (2023): 28 countries signed the Bletchley Park Declaration, focusing on regulating frontier AI to prevent misuse. Seoul …