1. HUMANOID'S SKULL (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: The Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO’s) uncrewed Gaganyaan mission in 2025 will carry the female half humanoid Vyomitra (literally “space friend”).

Humanoid's Skull

• About: These are robotic systems designed to resemble humans — Vyomitra comes with movable arms, a torso, a face, and a neck — and function autonomously in space.
• Designed at:  ISRO’s Inertial Systems Unit  in the Vikram Sarabhai Space Center in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. 
• Weights & dimension:  800 grams in 200 mm x 220 mm.
• Made up from:  High-strength aluminium alloy to endure pressure and vibration.
• Use: To withstand the vibrational loads experienced during the launch.

How ISRO Designed the Humanoid Skull for Vyomitra

• Material Selection: The skull is made from an aluminium alloy (AlSi10Mg) known for its flexibility, light weight, and heat resistance.
• Strength and Durability: The skull is designed to withstand extreme vibrational loads during rocket launches, with a yield strength of over 220 MPa.
• Additive Manufacturing (AM) Technique: The skull was created using AM, which allows for the incorporation of lattice structures, significantly reducing the overall weight. AM follows a layered creation process, similar to 3D printing.

Vyommitra

• About: A female humanoid robot designed for space travel.
• Developed by:  Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) 
• Function: To aboard the spacecraft Gaganyaan,a crewed orbital spacecraft. 
• Features: Resemble the upper human body, featuring movable arms, face, and neck equipped with sensors to perform human-like functions and assess the impacts of space travel.

oUpper torso of a human body and will primarily demonstrate operations such as Crew Console related tasks.

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2. PROHIBITION OF CHILD MARRIAGE BILL 2024 (Syllabus GS Paper 1 – Social Issues)

Context: The Himachal Pradesh Assembly passed a Bill to raise the minimum age of marriage for women from 18 to 21 years.

Prohibition of Child Marriage (Himachal Pradesh Amendment) Bill, 2024 (Provisions):

• About: The Bill amended the Prohibition of Child Marriage (PCM) Act, which was passed by Parliament in 2006.
• Uniform Age Definition: The Bill amends Section 2(a) of the PCM Act, redefining a "child" as any individual, male or female, under 21 years of age, eliminating the previous gender-based age distinction.
• Revised Child Marriage Definition: Section 2(b) of the PCM Act is amended to redefine "child marriage" as a marriage where either party is a child. 

oThe Bill introduces a clause giving this definition precedence over any conflicting laws, customs, or practices.

• Universal Application of Marriage Age: The Bill ensures that the new legal marriage age for women (21 years) applies universally across Himachal Pradesh, overriding any other laws or cultural practices that allow for earlier marriages.
• Introduction of Section 18A: The Bill introduces Section 18A, which extends the overriding effect to the entire PCM Act and its provisions, ensuring uniform application of the law.
• Extension of Petition Period: The Bill extends the time period for filing a petition to annul a marriage from two years to five years after reaching the age of majority, allowing individuals to file until they turn 23.

Process of law making in state legislature

• Scope: The Concurrent List in the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution includes subjects on which both the central and state governments can legislate.
• State Legislation Process: Under Article 200, a Bill passed by a state Assembly is presented to the Governor for assent.

oThe Governor can assent to the Bill, return it for reconsideration, or reserve it for the President's consideration.

• Inconsistency with Central Law: If a state law conflicts with a central law on a Concurrent List subject, the inconsistent part of the state law is considered void under Article 254(1).
• Exception Under Article 254(2): If a state Bill contradicts an existing central law, it must be reserved for the President’s consideration and can only become valid if the President gives assent.

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3. GREAT SCHEME (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: The 8th Empowered Programme Committee (EPC), Ministry of Textiles meeting held recently approved GREAT’ scheme.

Great Scheme

• About: It is designed to support individuals and companies in translating prototypes into technologies and products, including commercialization.
• Full form: Grant for Research and Entrepreneurship across Aspiring Innovators in Technical Textiles.

oIt supports translating prototypes into technologies and products, including commercialization.

• Objective: To foster entrepreneurship and innovation in technical textiles.
• Part of: GREAT is part of the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM).
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Textiles.
• Funding Amount: Up to ₹50 lakhs for a period of up to 18 months.
• Incubators: IITs, NITs, Textiles Research Associations, and Centres of Excellence.
• Eligibility Criteria: Early-stage startups in the technical textiles sector. 

oResearchers: Individual researchers and research groups from recognized institutions. 

oEntrepreneurs: Aspiring entrepreneurs with innovative ideas in technical textiles.

• Coverage: Innovations under all segments of Technical Textiles.
• Project Duration: Up to 18 months, with milestones for project implementation.
• Approved Startup: These projects are focused on key strategic areas of Composites, Sustainable Textiles, and Smart Textiles. The approved Education Institutes have proposed to introduce new B.Tech courses in different fields and applications of technical textiles including Geotextiles, Geosynthetics, Composites, Civil Structures, etc.
• Technical textiles: These are a distinct type of fabric engineered for their performance and functionality rather than for aesthetic or decorative reasons.

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4. GEOGLYPHS (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Art and Culture)

Context: The Maharashtra government has designated 1,500 geoglyphs across 70 sites in Ratnagiri district, spanning 210 square kilometers, as protected monuments.

Geoglyphs

• About: These are colossal designs on the earth’s surface, created by excavating rock and removing sand, soil, and stone.
• Types: Geoglyphs can be anthropomorphic (human-like), zoomorphic (animal-like), or geometric shapes.
• Forms of Geoglyphs: They can represent naturalistic or abstract forms, either as a singular large figure or an ensemble of smaller figures.
• Visibility and Proportions: Due to their large size, geoglyphs are visible from a distance, indicating the creators' understanding of proportions and mathematics.
• Significance: Geoglyphs are often linked to religion and spirituality and are culturally significant, lasting as a testament to the civilizations that created them.
• Global Distribution: Ancient geoglyphs have been found across Europe, the Americas, Australia, Africa, Asia, the Near East, and India.

oSignificant geoglyphs include the Cerne Abbas Giant, the Uffington White Horse, the Atacama Giant, and the Nazca lines.

• World’s largest geoglyph: Eight geoglyph sites in the Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan.

The Geoglyphs of India

• Lack of Early Geoglyph Evidence: For a long time, India lacked known examples of geoglyphs despite its rich rock art heritage, which includes diverse painted motifs and petroglyphs in various regions.
• Discovery: In the 1980s, engineer and petroglyph conservationist Sudhir Risbud discovered abstract relief patterns near Niwali, Ratnagiri, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the Konkan region’s prehistoric research.
• Geoglyphs of Konkan Coastline: Approximately 1,500 geoglyphs are scattered along 900 km of the Konkan coastline, representing the largest concentration of geoglyphs on the laterite plateaus, with notable sites including Jambhrun, Kasheli, and Barsu.
• Notable Geoglyphs: At Barsu, one prominent geoglyph depicts a man with two leaping tigers across 17.5 by 4.5 meters, with stylistic parallels to Harappan Civilization motifs found on seals from Harappa and Mohenjo Daro.

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5. AGRICULTURE INFRASTRUCTURE FUND (AIF) (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: The union cabinet expanded the scope of the 1 lakh crore Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF).

Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)

• About: It is a central sector scheme that will enable a financing facility of Rs.1 lakh crore for funding agriculture infrastructure projects at farm-gate and aggregation points.
• Origin: It was announced in May 2020 under the ambitious Atma Nirbhar Bharat Package as a dedicated Central Government scheme that provides medium-long term credit facility for investment in creation of post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
• Objective: To mobilize a medium to long term debt financing facility for investment in viable projects for post-harvest management Infrastructure and community farming assets through incentives and financial support in order to improve agriculture infrastructure in the country.

• To enhance and strengthen the agricultural infrastructure in the country and support the farming community, the Government has announced a series of measures to expand the scope of Agricultural Infrastructure Fund (AIF) scheme:

oViable Farming Assets: To allow all eligible beneficiaries of scheme for creation of infrastructure covered under 'viable projects for building community farming assets'. 

oIntegrated Processing projects: To include integrated primary secondary processing projects in list of eligible activities under AIF. 

oPM KUSUM Component-A: To allow convergence of Component-A of PM-KUSUM with AIF for farmer/group of farmers/ Farmer Producer Organizations/ Cooperatives/ Panchayats. 

üThe alignment of these initiatives aims to promote sustainable clean energy solutions alongside the development of agricultural infrastructure.

oNABSanrakshan: In addition to CGTMSE, it is proposed to extend AIF credit guarantee coverage of FPOs through the NABSanrakshan Trustee Company Pvt. Ltd. also. 

üThis expansion of credit guarantee options is intended to enhance the financial security and creditworthiness of FPOs, thereby encouraging more investments in agricultural infrastructure projects.

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6. EASTERN EQUINE ENCEPHALITIS (EEE) VIRUS (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Health officials in New Hampshire, United States, have reported the death of a person who contracted the rare mosquito-borne Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) Virus

• About: It is an extremely rare but serious and often fatal infection that causes encephalitis or inflammation of the brain.
• Last Record: The last recorded human case of EEE in New Hampshire was in 2014.
• Spread: To people by the bite of an infected mosquito.

oEEEV can also infect a wide range of animals including mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.

• Symptoms of EEEV: Infection typically appear 4-10 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.

oSevere cases of EEE infection begin with the sudden onset of headache, high fever, chills, and vomiting that may progress into disorientation, seizures, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), and coma.

oAbout 30% of people ill from EEE die, and many who survive the infection are left with permanent neurologic damage.

• Treatment: There is no specific treatment for EEE.

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7. NICD PROGRAMME (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: India is set to develop a network of industrial smart cities as the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved 12 new projects under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme.

National Industrial Corridor Development Programme

• About: It is India's most ambitious infrastructure programme aiming to develop new industrial cities as "Smart Cities" and converging next generation technologies across infrastructure sectors.
• Objective: To foster a vibrant industrial ecosystem by facilitating investments from both large anchor industries and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
• Implementation: Each Industrial Corridor is envisaged to be implemented by a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) in the form of a company set up under the Companies Act, 2013 as a joint venture between the central and the state governments.
• Implementing Agency: National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation Limited.
• Vision and Goals:

oSmart Cities Development: Transforming industrial cities into smart, technology-driven hubs.

oGlobal Competitiveness: Positioning Indian cities as leading global manufacturing and investment destinations.

• These industrial areas will be located in: Khurpia in Uttrakhand, Rajpura-Patiala in Punjab, Dighi in, Maharashtra, Palakkad in Kerela, Agra and Prayagraj in UP, Gaya in Bihar, Zaheerabad in Telangana, Orvakal and Kopparthy in AP and Jodhpur-Pali in Rajasthan.
• Smart Cities and Modern Infrastructure: The new industrial cities will be developed as greenfield smart cities of global standards, built "ahead of demand" on the 'plug-n-play' and 'walk-to-work' concepts. This approach ensures that the cities are equipped with advanced infrastructure that supports sustainable and efficient industrial operations.

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8. INS TABAR (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Indian Navy's stealth frigate, INS Tabar, arrived in Malaga, Spain for a two-day visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between India and Spain.

INS Tabar

• About: It is a stealth frigate built for the Indian Navy in Russia.
• Class and Commissioning: It is the third of the Talwar-class frigates of the Indian Navy, commissioned on 19 April 2004 in Kaliningrad, Russia.
• It is equipped with a versatile range of weapons and sensors and is among the earliest stealth frigates of the Indian Navy. 
• The ship is part of the Indian Navy’s Sword Arm Fleet which is based at Mumbai under the Western Naval Command.
• Capabilities: The frigate can handle air, surface, and sub-surface missions, operating either independently or as part of a larger naval task force.
• Fleet Assignment: INS Tabar is part of the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet, based in Mumbai under the Western Naval Command.
• Features

oDisplacement: Fully loaded, INS Tabar has a displacement of 4,035 tons.

oSpeed: The ship can reach speeds of 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph).

oRange: It has a maximum range of 4,850 nautical miles (8,980 km; 5,580 mi) at 14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph) and a reduced range of 1,600 nautical miles (3,000 km; 1,800 mi) at 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph).

oWeapons and Sensors: The ship is equipped with a versatile range of weapons and sensors.

oMissile Armament: INS Tabar is the first Talwar-class vessel to be armed with supersonic BrahMos anti-ship cruise missiles and also equipped with Barak-1 missiles.

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9. CHANDIPURA VIRUS (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: The WHO has labeled the current Chandipura virus outbreak in India as the largest in 20 years. This alarming development highlights the severity and scale of the ongoing epidemic.

Chandipura Virus

• About: CHPV is a virus of the Rhabdoviridae family, which also includes other members such as the lyssavirus that causes rabies.
• CHPV Discovery: The CHPV infection was first isolated in 1965 during an investigation of a dengue/chikungunya outbreak in Maharashtra.
• Affected States: Maharashtra, Northern Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh.

oThe virus predominantly affects children under the age of 15 in rural areas. 

oDuring the 2003 outbreak in Andhra Pradesh, affected children were between 9 months and 14 years old, with most deaths occurring within 48 hours of hospital admission. 

oIn recent outbreaks, such as in Gujarat, all suspected deaths have been among children.

• Vectors: Several species of sandflies like Phlebotomine sandflies and Phlebotomus papatasi, and some mosquito species such as Aedes aegypti (which is also the vector for dengue) are considered vectors of CHPV.
• Transmission: The virus resides in the salivary gland of these insects, and can be transmitted to humans or other vertebrates like domestic animals through bites.
• Infection Progression: The infection caused by the virus can then reach the central nervous system, leading to encephalitis — inflammation of the active tissues of the brain.
• Symptoms: Fever, body ache, and headache. It may then progress to altered sensorium or seizures and encephalitis.

oAdditional Symptoms: Retrospective studies from India have also reported other symptoms such as respiratory distress, bleeding tendencies, or anaemia.

• Treatment: Currently there is no specific antiretroviral therapy or vaccine available for treatment.

oThe case fatality ratio from CHPV infection is high (56-75%), and there is no specific treatment or vaccine available.

Current Status: A total of 43 districts in India are currently reporting AES cases. Cases are sporadically present across various districts as in previous outbreaks. 

• Of the 64 confirmed cases, 61 cases have been reported from Gujarat and three from Rajasthan. A declining trend in the number of new cases of AES has been observed daily since July 19, 2024. 
• The Health Ministry reported 245 cases of acute encephalitis syndrome (AES), including 82 deaths (case fatality rate 33%). Of these, 64 are confirmed cases of Chandipura virus (CHPV) infection.

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10. SIG 716 (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: The Ministry of Defence has signed a repeat order for 73,000 SIG716 rifles from Sig Sauer of the U.S. and deliveries are expected to completed by end-2025.

SIG 716

• About: The SIG 716 is an advanced assault rifle chambered in 7.62 NATO.
• Specifications: It features a 16-inch barrel and a 6-position telescoping stock.
• Equipped with an M-LOK handguard for modular accessory attachment.
• Design and Production: SIG SAUER designs and builds the SIG 716 for the Indian Army and U.S. customers.
• Compatibility
• Picatinny Rails: The SIG 716 comes with picatinny rails for attaching accessories.
• Versatile Attachments: Accessories include optical sights, grenade launchers, forehand grips, bipods, and laser pointers.
• Firing Mode: Offers automatic firing mode similar to the AK-47, unlike the INSAS rifle’s three-round burst mode.
• Bipod Procurement: The Army has acquired bipods to enhance the weapon’s versatility and effective range.

Performance Comparison

• Effective Range and Lethality: The SIG 716 boasts a higher caliber compared to the INSAS and AK-47.
• Range: It offers an extended effective range and increased lethality, but with higher recoil.

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