theIASHub | 28 Jul, 2025 | 15
Get expert-curated videos and notes directly on your phone.
Never miss any important exam-related topic.
Great Indian Bustard : Recently, in a significant step towards balancing conservation efforts with clean energy expansion, a Supreme Court-appointed expert committee has proposed the establishment of designated “power corridors” in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
o These corridors aim to mitigate the risk of fatal collisions between overhead power lines and the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard.
o Easily identifiable by a black crown on the forehead, contrasting with a pale neck and head.
o Males have larger crowns than females, and both sexes differ in feather coloration.
o Habitat and Distribution: Endemic to the Indian subcontinent.
- Primarily inhabit dry and semi-arid grasslands with scattered bushes and scrub patches.
- Historically widespread, but now locally extinct in 90% of its original range.
- Currently found in parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.
o Features : Primarily terrestrial, spending most of their time on the ground.
- Capable of flying but only for short distances, typically to move between areas.
- Diurnal in nature, active during early mornings and evenings.
- Omnivorous in nature and feed on insects, grass seeds, berries, rodents, and reptiles.
- In agricultural areas, they consume exposed groundnuts, millets, and legume pods.
o Declared the state bird of Rajasthan.
o Protection: IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered ; CITES: Appendix I ; WPA, 1972: Schedule I
Global Specs 2030 : Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched a new initiative titled ‘Global Specs 2030’, aiming to ensure universal access to affordable eyecare by the year 2030. This global effort seeks to address the widespread challenge of vision impairment and promote eye health for all.
o Personnel – Strengthening the capacity and availability of trained eyecare professionals.
o Education – Increasing public awareness and education on eye health.
o Cost – Reducing the cost of eyeglasses and related eyecare services.
o Surveillance – Improving data collection, monitoring, and research on eye health.
o Global SPECS Network: A collaborative platform for organizations to coordinate advocacy, share best practices, and strengthen professional networks.
o Private Sector Dialogues: Engages stakeholders from the optical, pharmaceutical, technology, insurance, and private service sectors to support the initiative.
o Country and Regional Engagement: Supports tailored activities and partnerships at national and regional levels to bridge the gap between global commitments and local implementation.
First Hydrogen-Powered Train Coach : Recently, India successfully tested its first hydrogen-powered train coach at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, marking a significant milestone in the country’s push towards green and sustainable transportation.
o Estimated cost: ₹80 crore per train and ₹70 crore for ground infrastructure per route.
o These trains will operate on heritage and hill routes.
o In 2024, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas of India showcased a hydrogen-fuelled bus developed by Indian Oil to the Prime Minister of Bhutan, highlighting India’s advancements in green hydrogen mobility.
o India is developing a 1,200 horsepower hydrogen train, aiming to join global leaders in hydrogen-powered railway technology.
o High Energy Density: Green hydrogen has greater energy density than batteries and is easy to store and transport, making it suitable for long-distance use.
o Zero Emissions: Hydrogen trains emit only water vapor, with each replacing a diesel train potentially cutting emissions equal to 400 cars annually.
o Infrastructure-Friendly: Hydrogen locomotives can run on existing tracks, requiring minimal additional infrastructure.
Exercise Bold Kurukshetra 2025 : Recently, the 14th edition of the bilateral joint military exercise Exercise Bold Kurukshetra 2025 between the Indian Army and the Singapore Armed Forces commenced in Jodhpur, marking a significant milestone in the deepening defence cooperation between the two countries.
o Participating Units : India: Mechanised Infantry Regiment
- Singapore: 42 Singapore Armoured Regiment (4 Singapore Armoured Brigade)
o Objectives: Enhance Interoperability: Enable seamless joint operations during multinational or UN-mandated deployments.
- Advance Urban and Mechanised Warfare Training: Focus on urban combat tactics and high-intensity battlefield readiness.
- Exercise Format: Structured as a Table Top Exercise and Computer-Based Wargame, simulating real-time battlefield scenarios.
- Joint Tactical Drills: Includes synchronised manoeuvres, urban warfare, and counter-terror operations.
- Technology Integration: Use of advanced communications and modern weaponry for simulation-based training.
- Knowledge Exchange: Sharing of military doctrines, best practices, and operational experiences.
Study on Toxic And Carcinogenic Elements : Recently, a study by Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney found highly toxic and carcinogenic elements in roadside soil and dust across Delhi, posing serious health risks.
o The research, published in Hygiene and Environmental Health Advances and Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances, analyzed samples from 33 locations, processed in Australia.
o Presence of 44 elements identified, including 16 Rare Earth Elements (REEs).
o 15 toxic elements identified from the top 275 hazardous substances list.
o Cerium (Ce) was the most abundant REE in roadside dust.
o Children especially vulnerable due to: Higher daily exposure to REEs.
- Risks of IQ decline, memory loss, and neurodevelopmental issues.
- Ingestion of soil/dust particles (common among children).
- Children in Delhi ingest over 1 mg of toxic and non-toxic metals daily from roadside dust and soil.
o Exposure routes: Ingestion, inhalation, and skin absorption (dermal).
o Other health issues linked: Diabetes mellitus and gestational diabetes
- Long-term accumulation of metals causing chronic diseases.
Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) : Recently, India has launched a national programme to monitor and mitigate Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) risks by focusing on 195 high-risk lakes in the Himalayan region amid rising climate-induced disasters.
o Programme likely to scale up after the 16th Finance Commission (FY2027–FY2031) recommendations.
o Objectives of the Programme : Hazard assessment of each at-risk glacial lake.
- Installation of Automated Weather and Water Stations (AWWS) for real-time monitoring.
- Deployment of Early Warning Systems (EWS) downstream.
- Mitigation infrastructure, including water drawdown systems & retention structures.
- Community engagement for awareness and involvement in risk mitigation.
o This abrupt discharge often leads to catastrophic flooding in downstream areas.
o Glacial Lakes: Formed when melting glaciers leave behind depressions filled with meltwater.
- These lakes may occur: In front of glaciers (proglacial), On top of glaciers (supraglacial), Or beneath glaciers (subglacial).
- They are typically dammed by unstable ice, loose sediment, or moraine (rock and debris).
o Larger lakes under unstable conditions pose higher risks of bursting.
o If the natural dam fails, a massive volume of water can rush downhill, causing destructive floods.
Deep-Brain Stimulation (DBS) : Recently, over 1.6 lakh patients across the globe have undergone Deep-Brain Stimulation (DBS), reflecting its increasing relevance as an effective treatment for a range of neurological disorders.
o Working : Electrodes are connected via wires to a pulse generator (similar to a heart pacemaker) implanted under the skin in the upper chest.
- The device sends mild, controlled electrical impulses to targeted brain regions.
- These impulses help regulate abnormal brain activity or correct chemical imbalances.
o Applications of DBS: Commonly used to manage symptoms in Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, and dystonia when medications are no longer effective.
- Approved for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
- Being researched for treatment-resistant depression and epilepsy.
- Helps interrupt faulty electrical signals between neurons, reducing symptoms like tremors and muscle rigidity.
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
