theIASHub | 21 Apr, 2025 | 170
Get expert-curated videos and notes directly on your phone.
Never miss any important exam-related topic.
Keonjhar Kalachampa: Odisha farmer Jayant Kumar Jena seeks profit share from commercialisation of Keonjhar Kalachampa paddy. If accepted, it will be first benefit-sharing case in Odisha under Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPV&FRA).
o It is non-lodging (resistant to bending or falling over), responsive to fertilizers, suitable for both timely and late sowing.
o Yield: Gives 7,000 kg/hectare average yield.
o Accepted widely by farmers due to biotic stress resistance.
o Catalogued: Among 1,070 paddy and 200 non-paddy varieties.
o Preservation: Stored in state gene bank (climate-controlled, up to 50 years).
o Registration Process: Based on DUS testing, 62 traits listed, seeds submitted.
o Promote nAuthority: Quasi-judicial body under Central Govt.
o Mandate: Protects plant varieties, farmers’ rights, and breeders’ rights.
o Aim: ew variety development and recognise farmer conservation efforts.
Kuno National Park: Recently, Two cheetahs shifted from Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park to the Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary.
o Topography: Nestled near the Vindhyan Hills.
o Area: Spans a total of 750 sq.km.
o Name Origin: Derived from the Kuno River, a tributary of the Chambal River.
o History: Initially a wildlife sanctuary; upgraded to national park status in 2018.
o Project Selection: Chosen under the ‘Action Plan for Introduction of Cheetah in India’.
o Landscape: Primarily a grassland region, interspersed with rocky outcrops.
o Forest Type: Mostly mixed forest.
o Avifauna: Hosts more than 120 bird species.
Enzymes/Coenzymes: A recent published paper by Chinese Academy of Sciences titled ‘Gene-edited plants make the jump from farm to factory’, highlighted a breakthrough in Enzymes or Coenzymes (CoQ10) Bio-fortification in rice.
o Cofactors are molecules required by many enzymes for efficient functioning.
o Coenzymes are naturally occurring organic molecules that bind to and support the activity of enzymes.
o Coenzyme Q (ubiquinone) is a molecule with several isoprene units that act as antioxidants and provide stability against stress.
o Ubiquinone is present in every cell membrane and is crucial for energy production.
o CoQ exists in 10 types (CoQ1 to CoQ10), each being a lipid-soluble, and water-insoluble antioxidant molecule in the respiratory chain.
o Coenzymes play a vital role in the mitochondrial function, the major energy producer in the cell.
o Rich in wheat, rice, oats, barley, corn, rye, and millet.
o Also found in bamboo, barley, and flowering plants such as cinnamon, avocado, and pepper.
o Organs such as the heart, with high energy demands, contain high concentrations of CoQ10.
o CoQ9 is rich in daily foods like rice, wheat, and maize.
o Humans need more CoQ10 due to genetic factors, ageing, and neurological problems.
Anti-Satellite (ASAT) weapon testing/Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO): European Union Special Envoy for Space recently highlighted the threats from Anti-Satellite (ASAT) weapon testing, Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPOs), and cyber jamming/spoofing in space. It also highlighted India’s role in developing a global framework for responsible behaviour in space.
o India’s ASAT test (March 2019) destroyed a satellite in Low Earth Orbit (~300 km) using a three-stage interceptor.
o Several countries have tested ASATs, increasing space debris. No specific EU-India talks on ASAT yet; focus remains on cooperation.
o RPOs not inherently problematic, but need regulation.
o India-EU space dialogue planned to frame norms for responsible RPOs.
o Unnotified RPOs by hostile actors near sensitive satellites are a security threat.
o Aim to set international agreements on acceptable space behaviours.
o Proposed India-EU space dialogue to address regulatory gaps and boost business environment. Upcoming EU Space Act to promote EU coordination, ensure safety and sustainability.
Carbon-Based Perovskite Solar Cells (CPSCs): Scientists have recently developed ethanol and ethyl acetate-based solutions to dissolve other components of perovskite solar cells.
o Aims to enable stable and futuristic perovskite solar cells.
o Issues with Perovskite Photovoltaic Cells: Degrade on exposure to heat, moisture, light, and other environmental factors.
o Stability over long durations is a key challenge for commercial-scale deployment.
o CPSCs help reduce stability issues and fabrication costs.
o Humidity and thermal stress sensitivity of perovskite materials remain major barriers.
o Can reduce fabrication costs and accelerate commercialization of perovskite-based niche products.
o General formula: ABX₃, where A and B are cations, X is an anion.
o Compositional flexibility allows wide-ranging electrical, optical, and physical properties—from insulating to superconducting.
Exercise Desert Flag-10: Recently, Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent reached Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates to participate in Exercise Desert Flag-10.
o Enhancing mutual understanding and interoperability
o Strengthening military cooperation among participant nations
o Promotes interoperability with friendly foreign air forces
Yellow Sea: After aggressive posturing in the South China Sea, China is upping the ante in the Yellow Sea, following the building of a gigantic steel rig.
Sapsan (Hrim-2/Grom-2) Missile System: Recently acknowledged by Russia’s Ministry of Defence as a growing threat amid its use in the conflict.
Refine your answer writing skills and elevate your UPSC preparation with personalized support and expert feedback.
Fill out the form to get started with the program or any other enquiries !
Are you dreaming of becoming an IAS officer? Then, IAShub can be your best guide. It is one of the Best IAS Coaching in Delhi. Many students who want to clear the UPSC exam join IAShub for learning. The institute gives both online and offline classes. Their teachers are experienced and helpful. They easily explain every topic. Students also get notes, tests, and tips to do well in the exam.
IAShub is in Delhi and is trusted by many UPSC students. It offers coaching for every part of the UPSC exam – Prelims, Mains, and Interview. The classes are simple and easy to understand. The teachers are experts and guide students in the right way. IAShub is also known for its helpful notes, test series, and answer-writing practice. IAShub is the best coaching in Delhi and also gives UPSC Online Classes. This helps students from any place in India to learn. The online classes are live and also recorded. So, students can watch them anytime. These classes cover the full UPSC syllabus.
Here are some important services provided by IAShub:
The UPSC Civil Services Exam has three parts:
This exam is tough, but with the right guidance, it becomes easy to manage. Students must study smart and stay regular.
IAShub supports students from the beginning to the end. It gives the right books, tests, and notes. The classes are easy to follow, and the teachers are always ready to help. Students get personal doubt sessions too. The test series and answer checking help students learn where they need to do better. Also, free study materials save time and money.
IAShub also guides students during the final stage – the interview. Experts take mock interviews and give useful tips. This full support makes IAShub one of the best IAS coaching in Delhi.
Detailed Solutions & Explanations
Improve Your Answer Writing & Strategy
