Editorials

In a recent case highlighting human-wildlife conflict, four individuals sustained injuries following a sloth bear attack in the Kawardha range of Bhoramdev Wildlife Sanctuary. The victims were reportedly collecting tendu leaves when the incident occurred. Overview of Bhoramdev Wildlife Sanctuary Situated in Chhattisgarh’s Kawardha district, Bhoramdev Wildlife Sanctuary—sometimes spelled Bhoramdeo—lies …

GS-3: Space Technology Key Highlights NASA earlier flagged asteroid 2024 YR4 as a potential threat with a 3.8% chance of hitting the moon on December 22, 2032. New trajectory data indicates YR4 is unlikely to hit either Earth or the Moon. YR4 is a near-Earth asteroid, classified as potentially hazardous …

GS-2: International Relations Key Highlights India and Pakistan have announced a ceasefire understanding following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. U.S. officials, including President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, claimed to have facilitated this dialogue. The article cautions against third-party involvement in the Kashmir issue, reinforcing India’s …

Context: Researchers have discovered compelling evidence of prehistoric wildfires—referred to as palaeofires—beneath the ancient rock formations of the Godavari Basin in peninsular India. What are Palaeofires? Palaeofires are naturally occurring wildfires that took place in Earth’s distant past, long before written records existed. Their presence is primarily identified through fossilized …

Origin: Soviet Union Type: Legacy system for low–medium altitude Range: Up to 30 km Speed: Mach 3–3.5 Role: Supplementary air defence coverage Significance Provides layered, mobile and real-time defence against varied aerial threats. Enhances India’s deterrence and strategic defence posture against adversaries like China and Pakistan. Part of India’s shift …

Origin: Joint Indo-Israel development Type: Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile Range: Up to 70 km, 16 km altitude, Mach 2 Guidance: Two-way datalink, active radar/IIR seeker Operators: Indian Army, Navy, Air Force Deployment: In Ladakh against China Targets: Jets, UAVs, cruise missiles, helicopters

Developer: DRDO; Manufacturer: Bharat Dynamics Ltd Type: Indigenous Short-Range SAM Range: Up to 45 km, Speed: Mach 2.5–3.5 Warhead: 60 kg HE fragmentation Radar: Rajendra 3D PESA (tracks 64 targets) 3D CAR (tracks 200 targets) Capabilities: Engages aircraft, UAVs, cruise missiles, low-level ballistic threats High ECCM resistance, open architecture Mobility: …

Origin: Russia (Almaz-Antey) Type: Long-range Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) system Detection & Tracking: Tracks 300 targets at once; detects threats up to 600 km Phased array radars: Big Bird, Tombstone, Grave Stone, Cheese Board Target Engagement: Engages 36 targets; fires up to 160 missiles Neutralizes targets up to Mach 14 (17,000 …

In a rare and thrilling wildlife moment, a group of tourists traveling through the Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh encountered a snow leopard, an animal famously difficult to spot in the wild. Overview of the Snow Leopard The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is a medium-sized wild cat known for its …

Recent Update: The Indian Armed Forces recently carried out Operation Sindoor, a carefully planned retaliatory strike targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Precision Strike and Target Engagement The operation involved the targeting of 21 terrorist camps spread across 9 locations using advanced precision-guided munitions. These strikes were …

The Indian Naval Ship INS Kiltan recently docked in Singapore to take part in IMDEX Asia 2025, hosted at the Changi Exhibition Centre. About IMDEX Asia (International Maritime Defence Exhibition) IMDEX Asia stands as one of the leading maritime defence exhibitions in the Asia-Pacific, held every two years in Singapore …

Latest Update: The catastrophic collapse of Anak Krakatau in 2018, which triggered a deadly tsunami, was preceded by years of subtle ground deformation. This previously undetected movement was recently revealed through advanced satellite radar imaging. Overview of Anak Krakatau Anak Krakatau, meaning “Child of Krakatau”, is a stratovolcano located in …

A segment of the Soviet spacecraft Kosmos 482, which was launched on March 31, 1972, is projected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere around May 10, 2025, after remaining in orbit for over five decades. What is Kosmos 482? Kosmos 482 was launched by the Soviet Union as part of its Venera …

Operation Sindoor: Reports indicate that during Operation Sindoor, the Indian Air Force deployed SCALP cruise missiles from Rafale fighter jets to conduct precision strikes on terror infrastructure located deep within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Overview of the SCALP Missile Known in the UK as Storm Shadow, the SCALP is …

Recent Discovery: In a major development in condensed matter physics, scientists have identified a chiral quantum state within the topological Kagome lattice material KV₃Sb₅—a substance previously not known to exhibit chirality. This finding represents a significant advancement in the understanding of quantum materials. Understanding Chirality Chirality, often described as “handedness,” …

In a significant move, families from the Jenu Kuruba tribe have recently started returning to their ancestral lands located within the Nagarhole National Park, marking a crucial moment in their long-standing struggle for forest rights. About the Jenu Kuruba Tribe The Jenu Kurubas, categorized as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group …

GS-2: International Relations Key Highlights India-U.S. energy collaboration now emphasizes critical minerals, nuclear energy, and clean technology. A 2024 MoU aims to diversify critical mineral supply chains and reduce reliance on China. India targets 20 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047, up from approximately 8 GW currently. The partnership focuses …

GS-2: Welfare Schemes Key Highlights India improved to 130th out of 193 countries in the 2025 Human Development Report, up from 133 in 2022. India’s HDI value increased to 0.685 in 2023 (from 0.676 in 2022), reflecting post-pandemic recovery. Life expectancy reached a record 72 years, and GNI per capita …

GS 3 – ECONOMY Context: The PM inaugurated India’s first World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. This government-led global platform aims to promote the Media & Entertainment (M&E) sector and the Creative Economy. Theme: Connecting Creators, Connecting Countries. Participants: Over …

Scientists are closely monitoring the Axial Seamount volcano, which is expected to erupt for the first time in ten years. About Axial Seamount Located roughly 300 miles off the Oregon coast in the Pacific Ocean, Axial Seamount is an underwater shield volcano characterized by a large caldera at its summit. …