theIASHub | 04 Apr, 2025 | 112
Get expert-curated videos and notes directly on your phone.
Never miss any important exam-related topic.
NITI NCAER States Economic Forum Portal: Finance Minister Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman recently launched the “NITI NCAER States Economic Forum” portal.
o It is a comprehensive repository of data on social, economic, and fiscal parameters, research reports, papers, and expert commentary on state finances from 1990-91 to 2022-23.
o State Reports: Summarises the macro and fiscal landscape of 28 Indian States, structured around indicators on demography, economic structure, and socio-economic and fiscal indicators.
o Data Repository: Provides direct access to a complete database categorised under five verticals: Demography, Economic Structure, Fiscal, Health & Education.
o State Fiscal and Economic Dashboard: Presents graphical representations of key economic variables over time, with quick access to raw data via a data appendix and summary tables.
o Research and Commentary: Features in-depth research on State finances and key aspects of fiscal policy and financial management at both State and national levels.
Undersea Cables: India is gradually getting new undersea cable landing systems. The latest is Airtel’s 2Africa Pearls system, with investment from Meta, adding 100 terabits per second capacity to India’s international bandwidth. Earlier in 2024, the SEA-ME-WE-6 cable also landed in Chennai and Mumbai.
o They connect internet service providers and telecom operators in different countries.
o These are a few inches thick, heavily padded to withstand the hostile sea floor environment.
o Inside are strands of fiber optic cables carrying large volumes of data globally.
o About 600 cables exist globally (as per Goldman Sachs).
o 90% of data, 80% of world trade, and about $10 trillion in financial transactions and secure government information move through these cables.o The terrestrial network brings connectivity inland from the coast.
o India also has two domestic cable systems: Chennai–Andaman and Nicobar Islands (CANI) & Kochi–Lakshadweep Islands Project.
Axiom-4 Mission: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will be the pilot of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission, the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
o Conducted by Axiom Space using a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft.
o Commercial Space: Supports research, technology, and tourism.
o Global Collaboration: Involves astronauts from multiple nations.
o R&D: Conducts microgravity experiments in various fields.
o Purpose: Conducts research in astrobiology, astronomy, meteorology, and physics.
o Largest Artificial Object in Space: At altitude of 400 km above Earth.
o Collaborative Project involving five major space agencies: NASA (USA), Roscosmos (Russia), JAXA (Japan), ESA (Europe) & CSA (Canada)
o Two Segments of the ISS: Russian Orbital Segment (ROS) - Managed by Russia.
o United States Orbital Segment (USOS): Managed by USA & partner nations.
o Governance: Established through the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), these agreements between NASA and other space agencies were signed on January 29, 1998.World Health Organization (WHO) Report on compassionate healthcare: In January 2025, the WHO published a report emphasizing compassion as a transformative force in primary healthcare systems (PHC). It highlighted the importance of being responsive and adapting to community needs with quality care.
o Sub-centres serve 3,000–5,000 people.
o Primary Health Centres (PHCs) serve 20,000–30,000 people.
o Community Health Centres (CHCs) serve 80,000–1,20,000 people.
o Rajasthan – Clinical Courage through Amrit Clinics: Operated by Basic Health Services (BHS) in tribal Udaipur.
o Gujarat – ASHA-led Domestic Violence Care (SWATI): NGO SWATI trains ASHAs in Patan district to handle domestic violence cases.
o Tamil Nadu – Trained Public Health System for Disaster Response: Regular training for health staff in epidemic and disaster preparedness.Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024: Recently, the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024 was passed in the Lok Sabha to provide a dedicated legal framework for promoting coastal and inland trade in India.
o Objective: Unlock the potential of India’s coastline and decongest road and rail networks.
o Policy Alignment: Linked to the National Logistics Policy and Government’s multi-modal transport vision.
o Legal Overhaul: Replaces outdated Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 with a future-ready legal framework.
o Foreign Vessel Regulation: Introduces licensing for foreign vessels in coastal trade.
o Strategic Planning: Mandates a National Coastal and Inland Shipping Strategic Plan, revised biennially.o Data Integration: Creates a National Database for Coastal Shipping for transparency and coordination.
o Penalty Mechanism: Regulates foreign-chartered vessels with penalties aligned with decriminalisation.
o Regulatory Power: Grants powers to the Director General of Shipping for enforcement and oversight.
o Government Oversight: Central Government can provide exemptions and frame regulations.
o Global Standards: Aligns with international best practices, tailored to Indian conditions.
o Trade Boost: Enhances coastal trade, inland waterways, and riverine economies.
o State Support: Focus on Odisha, Karnataka, Goa, enabling joint planning and execution.Heard and McDonald Islands: Recently, the US President announced 10% reciprocal tariffs on several trade partners, including Heard and McDonald Islands.
Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV): The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister of India, was approved the development of the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV).
o It will have 3 times the present payload capability at 1.5 times the cost of LVM3.
o Key Features: It will have reusability, enabling low-cost access to space and modular green propulsion systems.
o Payload Capacity: NGLV is designed to carry a maximum payload of 30 tonnes to Low Earth Orbit, with a reusable first stage.o Significance: Enables national and commercial missions, including human spaceflight missions to Bharatiya Antariksh Station.
ü Supports lunar and interplanetary missions, and LEO satellite constellations for communication and earth observation.
ü Boosts the Indian space ecosystem in terms of capability and capacity.Uranium Deposits in India: Recently, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Atomic Energy, informed the Rajya Sabha about the state-wise augmentation of uranium resources and ongoing uranium mining projects in India.
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
