theIASHub | 23 Jun, 2025 | 17
Get expert-curated videos and notes directly on your phone.
Never miss any important exam-related topic.
INS Tamal: Recently, in a significant step towards India's defence self-reliance, INS Tamal, a state-of-the-art stealth multi-role frigate, is scheduled to be formally commissioned into the Indian Navy at Kaliningrad, Russia.
o Stealth multi-role frigate is part of the Krivak class series acquired from Russia over the past two decades.
o Named Tamal after the mythical weapon wielded by Indra, the king of gods in Indian mythology, the ship reflects strength and precision in combat.
o It is the second vessel in the Tushil-class series—an enhanced successor to the Talwar and Teg classes, each comprising three frigates.
o Enhanced Firepower: Equipped with Vertical Launch Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs), upgraded 100 mm gun, Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) systems, Close-In Weapon System (CIWS), torpedoes, and anti-submarine rockets.
o Surveillance & EW Suite: Advanced radars, fire control, and electronic warfare systems for superior situational awareness.
o Aerial Capability: Supports Air Early Warning & Multi-Role helicopters for extended reach.
o High Performance: Top speed over 30 knots, high tonnage-to-firepower ratio, and proven endurance through extensive sea trials.
Quantum Communication : Recently, a professor from the IIT Delhi projected that India could achieve satellite-based quantum communication within five years.
o While progress under the National Quantum Mission (NQM) continues, experts stress the need for greater institutional support, funding, and technological advancement to achieve this goal.
o Uses techniques like Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), quantum teleportation, and dense coding.
o Supports secure, long-distance communication through methods like free-space optics, quantum repeaters, and decoherence-free subspaces.
o Strategically important for defence, cybersecurity, and critical infrastructure.
o One of the most secure but technically complex forms of QKD involves quantum entanglement, where two photons remain connected such that any change to one instantly affects the other.
o Key Objectives: Build quantum computers with 50–1000 qubits using superconducting and photonic systems.
o Enable satellite-based quantum communication across 2000+ km within India and with global partners.
o Develop precision tools like atomic clocks and magnetometers.
Kabini Reservoir : Recently, the Cauvery Neeravari Nigama Limited (CNNL) reported that the Kabini Reservoir site was inspected, and the resulting report confirmed that there is no risk to its structural integrity.
o Built across the Kabini River, a major tributary of the Cauvery River.
o Commissioned in 1974 under the Cauvery Water Project to augment irrigation and water management.
o Purpose: Irrigation , drinking Water Supply , flood Control and support for Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary’s ecology.
o It originates in the Pakramthalam Hills of Wayanad district, Kerala.
o Formed by the confluence of the Panamaram River and the Mananthavady River.Flows eastward from Kerala into Karnataka and joins the Cauvery River at Tirumakudalu Narasipura in Mysuru district, Karnataka.
e-Rakt Kosh: Recently, in a significant move to enhance access to life-saving blood for individuals with rare blood types, the Union Health Ministry announced plans to integrate the Rare Donor Registry of India (RDRI) with the national blood management portal, e-Rakt Kosh.
o This integration is expected to save time, reduce costs, and improve outcomes during medical emergencies.
o Coverage: Over 3,800 blood centers across the country are registered on the platform.
o Developer: Developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC).
o Architecture: Built with a modular, scalable, and rule-based architecture to accommodate the diverse needs of stakeholders nationwide.
o Purpose: Acts as a central hub for blood-related services including availability, donor details, and donation camp information.
o Objectives: Ensure safe and adequate blood supply, minimize turnaround time for blood services, prevent wastage of blood and components, curb professional (paid) blood donations, create a national network of blood banks and maintain a comprehensive donor repository
o Database: Maintains a screened database of approximately 4,000 donors tested for over 300 rare blood group markers.
o Purpose: Helps in promptly locating compatible rare blood donors, ensuring safer and more effective blood transfusions.
o For Alloimmunised Patients: Especially beneficial for individuals whose immune systems reject common blood antigens, by providing access to highly specific matches.
o Technological Advancement: Utilises a DNA-based multiplex PCR test to rapidly identify rare blood types, customised for the Indian population.
Sariska Tiger Reserve : Recently, in a controversial move that could significantly impact both conservation efforts and mining policy in Rajasthan, the state government has initiated plans to redraw the boundaries of the Critical Tiger Habitat (CTH) within the Sariska Tiger Reserve.
o Originally the hunting grounds of the Maharaja of Alwar and declared a wildlife reserve in 1955 and a national park in 1979.
o Tourist Attractions: Known for ancient temples, forts, and lakes like Pandu Pol, Bhangarh Fort, Ajabgarh, Pratapgarh, Siliserh Lake, and Jai Samand Lake.
o Landscape & Vegetation: Rocky terrain with arid scrub, grasslands, hilly cliffs, and semi-deciduous forests.
ü Falls under Northern Tropical Dry Deciduous and Thorn Forest types.
o Flora: Dominated by Dhok trees and other species: Salar, Kadaya, Gol, Ber, Banyan, Gugal, Bamboo, Kair, and Adusta.
o Fauna: Apart from tigers, home to leopards, sambhars, chitals, nilgais, wild boars, and four-horned antelopes.
Agarwood: Recently, the global surge in demand for agarwood has led to excessive harvesting, pushing wild agarwood trees to the brink of extinction.
o It produces a fragrant resin, highly valued for perfumes and incense, known as Oud, Gaharu, or Agar.
o This resin forms when the tree is infected by a specific mould (Phaeoacremonium, previously Phialophora parasitica), which stresses the tree.
o Naturally, it takes nearly 10 years for the tree to mature in the wild.
o Found: Mainly in Northeast India – Assam, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Manipur.
o Tripura’s capital, Agartala, gets its name from the abundance of agarwood trees once found there.
o Significance: Revered in ancient Ayurvedic texts like Charaka Samhita for its healing properties and one of the costliest natural products globally.
o Used in religious rituals, medicines, and premium perfumes across the world.
o IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
o CITES: Listed in Appendix II (regulated trade)
o Wildlife Protection Act (India): Schedule IV
o India has submitted a Non-Detriment Finding (NDF) to prevent agarwood from stricter trade scrutiny under CITES.
Global Drought Outlook Report : The OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) has recently released the Global Drought Outlook Report.
o Highlights the growing impact of droughts on people, ecosystems, and economies.
oOffers practical policy ideas to reduce losses and support long-term adaptation to drier conditions.
o Economic Losses: Drought-related economic damage is rising by 3% to 7.5% annually.
o By 2035, drought losses are expected to grow by at least 35%.
o Since 1980, 37% of land has dried, with falling river and groundwater levels.
o Most member countries are developed and support open, competitive economies.
o Formed : December 14, 1960, by 18 European nations + USA + Canada ; HQ: Paris, France.
o Goal: Create policies t promote prosperity, equality, opportunity, and well-being for everyone.
o The OECD publishes economic reports, data, and forecasts on global growth trends.
o India is not a member, but it closely works with the OECD on many issues.
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
