GS3

GS3 – Science & Technology Context: The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kiltan is set to participate in the upcoming IMDEX Asia 2025. About IMDEX Asia: First held in 1997, IMDEX Asia (International Maritime Defence Exhibition) is one of the leading maritime defence events in the Asia-Pacific region. It is held …

Context: India recently activated its integrated air defence systems in response to aerial threats from Pakistan, showcasing its multi-layered capability to neutralize diverse aerial attacks. Raksha Kavach Developer: DRDO Type: Indigenous multi-layered air defence platform Features: Combines ballistic, electronic, and blast protection Integrated with satellite surveillance, drones, laser weapons Uses …

GS-3: Environment and Climate Change Key Highlights Climate-driven food shortages and nutrient losses impact gut microbiota, increasing disease risks. Elevated CO₂ levels reduce micronutrients (e.g., phosphorus, zinc, iron) in crops like wheat and maize. Malnutrition and reduced microbial diversity are linked to diseases like eczema, diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease. …

GS-3: Indian Economy Key Highlights India-U.K. total trade reached $19.3 billion in 2024-25, a 60% increase from $12.2 billion in 2016-17. Exports grew 41% to $12 billion, while imports nearly doubled to $7.3 billion. Top export categories: Electrical machinery (15.3%), Nuclear reactors/boilers (11.6%), Mineral fuels (9.1%), Pearls/stones (7%), Pharma (5.4%). …

GS 3 – SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Context: The DRDO successfully conducted the maiden flight trials of the Stratospheric Airship Platform from the Sheopur Trial site in Madhya Pradesh. Developed by the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment in Agra, the airship carried an instrumental payload to an altitude of approximately …

GS 3 – AGRICULTURE Context: World Solar Day on 3rd May highlighted India’s efforts to promote agrivoltaics, aiming to harness solar energy while boosting agricultural productivity. Agrivoltaics (APV) Agrivoltaics refers to the co-location of solar photovoltaic panels and crops on the same land, enabling dual land use for both clean …

GS-3: Infrastructure Key Points: A blackout in Spain and Portugal highlights grid stability issues with solar and wind energy. Grid frequency (50 Hz in Europe) must be balanced to avoid disruptions. Renewables lack the inertia of traditional power plants, increasing grid vulnerability. Energy storage and backup systems are critical for …

GS-3: Environment, Energy, Infrastructure Key Points: PM2.5 pollution caused ~30,000 annual deaths in Indian cities (2008-2019). Global EV adoption is rising, led by Europe and China. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs) are 20-30% costlier than battery EVs, but costs may align by 2030. Per km costs: HFC buses ($0.84/km) vs. …

GS-3: Science and Technology Key Points: The article addresses the environmental impact of AI, particularly generative AI like ChatGPT, due to its high energy consumption. Growing computational demands for AI training and operations raise sustainability concerns. Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are proposed as a cleaner energy solution for AI infrastructure. …

GS3 – Science & Technology Context : New research using the Hyper Suprime-Cam (HSC) on the Subaru Telescope (Hawaii) has offered insights into the distribution of matter in the universe. The researchers arrived at a Sigma 8 (S8) value of 0.747, which is consistent with earlier astronomical surveys. What is …

GS3 – S&T Context: Indian Air Force officer Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will become the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission. About the Ax-4 Mission Organizer: Axiom Space (U.S.-based private space company), in collaboration with NASA. Launch Vehicle: SpaceX …

GS-3: Indian Economy Key Points: SEBI accuses Pranav Adani, a director in multiple Adani Group companies and Gautam Adani’s nephew, of insider trading linked to the 2021 SB Energy Holdings acquisition by Adani Green Energy. Allegations state Pranav traded using unpublished price-sensitive information (UPSI) before the deal’s announcement, violating insider …

GS-3: Science and Technology Key Points: Indian-origin scientist Nikhilesh Natraj and the UCSF team developed a Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) enabling a paralyzed individual to control a robotic arm through imagined movements. The system operated reliably for months with minimal recalibration, a significant advancement in assistive technology. Sensors detect neural signals …

GS-3: Infrastructure  Key Points: PM Modi inaugurated the ₹8,800-crore Vizhinjam International Deepwater Seaport in Kerala, marking India’s first specialized container transshipment facility. Developed through a PPP model by Adani Ports in collaboration with the Kerala government. Modi stressed that port-driven development will be pivotal for India’s maritime and economic advancement …

GS 3 – DEFENCE Context: Fifty years after the Vietnam War (1955-1975), millions of Vietnamese continue to suffer from the devastating effects of Agent Orange. This toxic herbicide was sprayed by U.S. forces to destroy forests and food crops that provided cover and sustenance to North Vietnamese and Viet Cong …

GS3 – Environment Context: A recent study has linked daily exposure to phthalates, particularly di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), to approximately 350,000 deaths worldwide due to heart disease in 2018. India accounted for the highest number of these deaths (103,587), followed by China and Indonesia. What Are Phthalates? Phthalates are chemicals commonly …

GS3 – Environment Context: UNESCO has included 16 new sites from 11 countries in its Global Geoparks Network. Notably, North Korea has joined for the first time, and Saudi Arabia introduced two new geoparks. In 2025, UNESCO celebrated the 10th anniversary of its International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme, a key …

 GS 3 – INTERNAL SECURITY   Context (UNODC): The 2025 UNODC report titled “Inflection Point: Global Implications of Scam Centres, Underground Banking, and Illicit Online Marketplaces in Southeast Asia” highlights the escalating threat posed by transnational organised crime (TOC) in East and Southeast Asia. The United Nations Office on Drugs …

GS 3 – ENVIRONMENT Context: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) introduced the Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Intensity (GEI) Target Rules, 2025. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Intensity (GEI): GEI measures the amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emitted per unit of product, such as per tonne of cement or …

Context: The RBI has unveiled a draft Master Direction for Electronic Trading Platforms (ETPs) and is inviting feedback from stakeholders until May 31. What are ETPs? Electronic Trading Platforms (ETPs) are digital systems that enable the buying and selling of various financial instruments, including securities, money market instruments, foreign exchange …