theIASHub | 01 Jul, 2025 | 21
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QUAD at Sea Ship Observer Mission: Recently, in a significant move to strengthen maritime cooperation and regional security in the Indo-Pacific, the QUAD nations jointly launched the inaugural ‘QUAD at Sea Ship Observer Mission’.
o Implemented under the Wilmington Declaration, this initiative represents a new phase of operational collaboration among the member countries.
o Comprises four major Indo-Pacific democracies: Australia, India, Japan, and the United States.
o Purpose: Functions as an informal strategic partnership among maritime democracies.
ü Aims to promote a free, open, stable, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
ü Seeks to act as a force for global good by delivering positive and lasting impact.
o Represents: 24% of the world’s population, 35% of global GDP and 18% of global trade.
o Key Highlights: Urged peaceful resolution of maritime disputes based on international law.
ü Announced new initiatives for maritime training, legal dialogues, and joint naval exercises.
ü Committed to improving Indo-Pacific connectivity through quality infrastructure.
ü Introduced initiatives to improve public health under the "Four Dimensions" of Quad cooperation.
ü Pledged joint efforts in space exploration, cybersecurity, clean energy, and semiconductor development.
Altermagnets : Recently, scientists identified a unique electrical behavior in altermagnets, an emerging class of magnetic materials, marking a significant breakthrough that could transform the design of electronic devices.
o Ideal for Spintronics: A futuristic field that manipulates electron spin instead of charge—paving the way for faster, energy-efficient electronics.
o Dual Magnetic Nature: Exhibit the zero magnetization of antiferromagnets while displaying non-relativistic spin splitting like ferromagnets.
ü This duality arises from complex atomic interactions within their crystal structure.
o These capabilities surpass those of traditional ferromagnets or antiferromagnets.
GOSAT-GW Satellite : Recently, Japan successfully launched the Global Observing Satellite for Greenhouse Gases and Water Cycle (GOSAT-GW) satellite aboard its H-2A rocket, marking a major advancement in climate science and space technology, as well as the final mission of the H-2A before its retirement.
o Data Capabilities: Will provide high-resolution data on: Carbon dioxide (CO₂), Methane (CH₄), Sea surface temperatures and Precipitation patterns.
o International Collaboration: Data will be shared worldwide, including with the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
o Carried notable payloads such as the SLIM lunar lander (2024), the Hayabusa2 asteroid mission (2014), and various weather, defense, and communication satellites.
o Succeeded by the H3 rocket, designed to carry larger payloads, cut launch costs by up to 50%, and compete globally in the satellite launch market.
National Turmeric Board : Recently, the Union Home Minister inaugurated the headquarters of the National Turmeric Board in Nizamabad, Telangana, marking a significant step in strengthening support for turmeric farmers in India.
o Board Composition : Chairperson , Secretary and other representatives from:
ü Ministry of AYUSH
ü Departments of Pharmaceuticals, Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Commerce & Industry
ü Senior officials from three turmeric-producing states (on a rotational basis).
ü Members from leading national and state-level research institutions.
ü Turmeric farmers and exporters to ensure grassroots-level representation.
o Its active compound, curcumin, gives it a bright yellow color and provides anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties.
o Cultivation in India: Grown in over 20 states with 30+ varieties. Major turmeric-producing states: Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
o India is the world’s largest producer, consumer, and exporter of turmeric.
o Several regional varieties of turmeric have received Geographical Indication (GI) tags, including: Lakadong (Meghalaya), Kandhamal (Odisha), Erode (Tamil Nadu) and Armoor (Nizamabad, Telangana)
India’s Biodiversity Wealth : Recently, India reinforced its status as one of the world’s most biodiverse countries by adding 683 species to its fauna and 433 taxa to its flora in 2024—an important milestone in biodiversity documentation and conservation.
o Top States for Floral Discoveries: Kerala: 58 species ( highest floral discoveries), Maharashtra: 45 species and Uttarakhand: 40 species
o Notable discoveries fauna and flora :
ü Dravidoseps gouensis – a new genus of lizard
ü Anguiculus dicaprioi – a newly discovered snake named after actor Leonardo DiCaprio
ü Rare orchids like Bulbophyllum gopalianum, Coelogyne tripurensis, Gastrodia indica, and Gastrodia sikkimensis.
Financial Stability Report (FSR): Recently, the Reserve Bank of India released its biannual Financial Stability Report (FSR), highlighting that India continues to serve as a strong pillar of global economic growth.
o For 46 scheduled commercial banks, which together represent 98% of the sector's total assets, the GNPA ratio may increase to 2.6% by March 2027.
o Capital adequacy across the banking sector remains comfortably above the regulatory minimum, ensuring sufficient resilience to absorb adverse shocks.
o India’s growth trajectory is largely driven by domestic demand, and the outlook for food inflation is optimistic, aided by softening prices and record crop production.
o Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) are also performing well, maintaining strong capital positions, robust profitability, and improving asset quality.
o It reflects the collective assessment of the Sub-Committee of the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC).
o The report provides insights into the resilience of the Indian financial system and highlights risks to financial stability.
o It is prepared in consultation with all financial sector regulators (e.g. SEBI, IRDAI, PFRDA).o The FSR also includes the Systemic Risk Survey (SRS), which gathers expert and market participant views on: Global risks, Financial risks, Macroeconomic risks, Institutional risks and General risks
Space-Based Surveillance–III (SBS-III) Programme: Recently, the Union government sanctioned the fast-tracked launch of 52 dedicated surveillance satellites to enhance 24x7 monitoring of India’s land borders and expansive coastline under the Space-Based Surveillance–III (SBS-III) programme.
o Implementation Plan: A total of 52 satellites will be launched — 21 by ISRO and 31 by three selected private companies.
o Strategic Coverage: The system is designed to provide broader surveillance over regions including China, Pakistan, and the Indian Ocean Region. It will offer shorter revisit times and higher-resolution imaging capabilities.
o Military Utility: The satellites will support the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force by tracking enemy activity deep within hostile territories, such as airfields, military bases, and troop staging zones.
o Technological Advancements: These next-generation satellites will be AI-enabled and capable of inter-satellite communication for more efficient collection of geospatial intelligence (GeoInt).
o Orbital Deployment: The satellite constellation will function in both low Earth orbit (LEO) and geostationary orbit (GEO), ensuring wide-area surveillance and resilience against China’s anti-satellite technologies, including kinetic and electronic warfare threats.
o Established in 2019 to replace the Integrated Space Cell, the DSA collaborates with ISRO, DRDO, and the armed forces to devise military space strategies and protect India’s space-based assets.
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