1. India Pledges At UN Peacekeeping Ministerial in Berlin
About UN Peacekeeping:
- UN Peacekeeping led by the United Nations Department of Peace Operations (DPO) supports countries transitioning from conflict to peace through troops, police, and civilians.
- Core Principles: Consent of parties, impartiality, and non-use of force except for self-defence and mandate protection.
New Pledges of India (2025):
- A Quick Reaction Force (QRF) company
- One women-led Formed Police Unit (FPU)
- Counter-IED and explosive ordnance disposal unit
- K-9 (canine) unit
- SWAT police unit and mixed armed police support.
India’s Peacekeeping Efforts:
- India currently contributes 5,384 personnel, including 153 women, across 10 UN missions (as of Sept 2024).
- India deployed the first all-female FPU to Liberia in 2007.
- Nearly 180 Indian peacekeepers have died in service, the highest among contributing countries.
Berlin UN Peacekeeping Ministerial 2025:
- Part of high-level meetings to improve UN peacekeeping.
- Coincides with the 80th anniversary of the UN and the 10-year anniversary of Leaders’ Summit on Peacekeeping.
2. Sodium-Ion Battery
Development:
- Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) developed a super-fast charging Sodium-ion battery.
Key Features:
- Charges up to 80% in just six minutes, lasts over 3000 charge cycles.
- Uses NASICON-type cathode and anode materials (high ionic conductivity and thermal stability).
- Advanced Anode: Nanoscale particles, carbon coating, aluminium doping.
Benefits:
- Safer (lower fire risk), cheaper (sodium abundantly available), and eco-friendly.
- Ideal for EVs, solar energy storage, rural electrification, and drones.
- Supports Atmanirbhar Bharat by reducing lithium imports.
UPSC Prelims 2023:
Q. Consider the following statements about Lithium-ion batteries:
- They are highly inflammable.
- They operate efficiently at extremely low temperatures.
- They are commonly used in electric vehicles and portable electronics.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b) 1 and 3 only
3. Tulare Lake in California’s San Joaquin Valley
Reappearance After 130 Years:
- Caused by massive snowmelt and intense rainfall from Sierra Nevada mountains in 2023-24.
- Tulare Lake, historically largest freshwater body west of the Mississippi, vanished due to agricultural projects in the 19th century (“ghost lake”).
- Important for indigenous communities like Tachi Yokut tribe (called lake “Pa’ashi”).
- Historically used for transportation.
San Joaquin Valley:
- Known as America’s agricultural “breadbasket”.
- Divided into two basins:
- San Joaquin Basin (North): drained by San Joaquin River.
- Tulare Basin (South): endorheic basin (no natural outlet), centered on Tulare Lake.
- San Joaquin Basin (North): drained by San Joaquin River.
UPSC Prelims 2018:
Q. Consider the following statements:
- In India, the Himalayas are spread over five States only.
- Western Ghats are spread over five States only.
- Pulicat Lake is spread over two States only.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1 and 3 only
Answer: (b) 3 only
4. K. Veeraswami vs Union of India and Others Judgment (1991)
Context:
Vice-President emphasized revisiting the 1991 judgment restricting criminal investigation of judges without prior approval.
Key Highlights of Judgment:
- Judges of High Courts and Supreme Court classified as public servants under Prevention of Corruption Act.
- No criminal case against judges without prior approval from Chief Justice of India.
- Special procedure for investigating corruption allegations against judges.
UPSC Prelims 2020
Q. With reference to the provisions contained in the Constitution of India, consider the following statements:
- The Supreme Court of India is explicitly vested with the power to punish for its contempt.
- The Constitution of India defines civil contempt and criminal contempt.
- In India, the Parliament is vested with the powers to make laws on Contempt of Court.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b) 1 and 3 only
5. New OCI Portal
Context:
Union Home Minister launched revamped Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) portal.
Features:
- Enhanced functionality, advanced security, user-friendly interface.
OCI Scheme (2005):
- Allows visa-free, lifelong multi-purpose entry.
- Grants privileges such as property ownership and economic participation.
- Excludes citizenship or constitutional rights like voting, or holding posts such as President, Vice-President, or Supreme Court Judge.
- Excludes citizens or ancestry from Pakistan and Bangladesh (with specific spousal exceptions).
6. Mosura Fentoni
Discovery:
- Paleontologists discovered Mosura fentoni, a three-eyed marine predator from 506 million years ago.
Features:
- Belongs to Radiodonts, ancestral group of modern arthropods (insects, spiders, crustaceans).
- Nicknamed “sea moth” for moth-like appearance.
- Body: unusual abdomen with 16 segments, gill-like structures (similar to modern horseshoe crabs).
- Prominent third eye for underwater orientation.
- Multiple swimming flaps, pencil-sharpener-like mouth with serrated plates.
