1. PRESBYOPIA (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Entod Pharmaceuticals, based in Mumbai, has received approval from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for its new eye drop, designed to reduce dependency on reading glasses for those with presbyopia.

Presbyopia

• About: It is an age-related condition in which the eyes gradually lose the ability to focus on nearby objects.
• Onset: It typically starts around the age of 40.
• Management: Spectacles are one of the most effective ways to manage the condition.
• How Does PresVu Work?

oActive Ingredient: PresVu contains pilocarpine, which is a chemical compound that affects the body by contracting the iris muscles.

oMechanism: Pilocarpine helps improve focus on nearby objects by controlling the size of the pupil.

oTechnology: PresVu uses “advanced dynamic buffer technology” to adapt to the pH level of tears, ensuring consistent efficacy and safety for extended use.

oPrescription Status: PresVu is available by prescription only.

oDuration of Effect: The impact of PresVu is generally effective for four to six hours.

oSide Effects: Potential side effects include itching, redness, eyebrow pain, and muscle spasms in the eyes.

oHistorical Use: Pilocarpine has been used for cataract therapy and is known to temporarily improve the depth of focus. It has been tried for presbyopia in other countries as well.

• Regulatory Information:

oFDA Approval: The United States Food and Drug Administration approved pilocarpine eye drops for presbyopia in 2021.

oPrice Regulation: In India, the government regulates the ceiling price for pilocarpine in 4% and 2% concentrations, while PresVu contains pilocarpine in a 1.25% concentration.

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2. LUNAR NUCLEAR PLANT ON MOON (Syllabus GS Paper 2/3 – IR/Sci and Tech)

Context: India and China are expected to collaborate with Russia to establish a nuclear power plant on the Moon, marking a significant step in lunar exploration and energy development.

Nuclear Power Plant on Moon

• About: The project will led by Rosatom, Russia’s state nuclear energy corporation. The initiative aligns with India’s plans for a manned lunar mission by 2040 and the establishment of a lunar base.
• Objective: To build a small nuclear power plant capable of generating up to half a megawatt of energy, providing the necessary power for the base.
• Energy for Lunar Base: The reactor will provide energy for a proposed lunar base, which Russia and China are jointly working on. India's desire for a lunar base coincides with its possible participation in the lunar power project.
• Complex Construction: The construction of this lunar nuclear power plant will be complex. Russia previously revealed that it would likely be carried out autonomously without the direct involvement of humans.
• International Lunar Research Station (ILRS): In 2021, Russia and China announced plans to build a joint lunar base called the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) which could be commissioned in phases between 2035 and 2045.

Significance of the Nuclear Power Plant

• Establishing a lunar colony: For which a stable and continuous energy source is essential and nuclear power is viewed as the most viable solution.
• Power in Shadowed Areas: The reactor can be positioned in permanently shadowed lunar regions, potentially where water ice exists, ensuring continuous power production through lunar nights.
• Weather Independence: The plant produces energy unaffected by lunar weather conditions, ensuring reliable power supply.
• Support for NASA’s Goals: The reactor could bolster NASA’s efforts to maintain a sustained human presence on the Moon for at least a decade.

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3. KONYAK TRIBE (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Indian Society)

Context: The Konyak Union, the apex body of Nagaland's Konyak community, has expressed concern over an inaccurate boundary depiction of their traditional territory on Google Maps.

Konyak Tribe

• About: It is the largest tribal group in Nagaland, also found in parts of Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar.
• Settled: The Konyaks reside in around a hundred villages in the Mon district of Nagaland.
• Occupation: Historically, the Konyaks were hunters and warriors, but their main occupation now is agriculture.
• Tattooed: A distinct feature of the Konyaks is their tattooed faces, which easily identify members of the tribe.
• Head-hunters: In the past, the Konyaks were known as headhunters, often bringing back the heads of rivals as war trophies.

• Skilled Artisans: Konyaks are talented artisans, proficient in making firearms, baskets, bamboo works, and weaving.
• Learning Institutions: The Konyak tribe has learning institutions similar to the "morung" found in other Naga tribes.
• Society: The Konyak society is patriarchal, with male dominance prevalent in societal roles.

oThe eldest son in a family typically inherits the paternal property.

• Religion: Before the advent of Christianity into Nagaland, the Konyaks were the believers of “Animism” worshipping different objects of nature. About 95% of the population follows the Christian faith now.
• Autonomous Villages: Naga villages, including Konyak settlements, are autonomous units, typically situated on hilltops.

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4. NIDHI PROGRAMME (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: The Union Minister of Science and Technology recently inaugurated 8 new NIDHI i-TBIs across India and launched a DST-NIDHI website at IIT Delhi, marking 8 years of the Department of Science and Technology’s NIDHI initiative.

NIDHI Programme

• About: It is an umbrella programme conceived and developed by the Technology Translation and Innovation (TTI) Division, Department of Science & Technology.
• Full form: National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI)
• Objective: To nurture Startups through scouting, supporting and scaling of innovations by providing them with a series of programme components tailored towards the critical initial phases of the Startup journey.
• Key Components:

oNIDHI PRAYAS: Promotion and Acceleration of Young and Aspiring technology entrepreneurs – Support from Idea to Prototype

oNIDHI – EIR: Entrepreneur In Residence – Support system to reduce risk for entrepreneurs.

oNIDHI – TBI: Technology Business Incubator (NIDHI-TBI) – Converting Innovations to start-ups.

oNIDHI – iTBI: Inclusive- Technology Business Incubator – A new variant of the NIDHI-TBI launched in 2022-’23.

oNIDHI – Accelerator: Startup Acceleration Programme – Fast tracking a start-up through focused intervention.

oNIDHI – SSS: Seed Support System – Providing early stage investment

oNIDHI – COE: Centres of Excellence – Globally competitive facilities to help startups go global.

• Funding Agency: National Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB).
• 8 new NIDHI i-TBIs across India: 1. Central University of Rajasthan Ajmer.2. Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University Ludhiana, Punjab 3. BLDE Bijapur, Karnataka 4. Aligarh Muslim University 5. Pranveer Singh Institute of Technology Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh 6. Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya (Central University) Bilaspur, 7. GSSS Institute of Engineering and Technology for Women Mysore, Karnataka 8. University of Petroleum & Energy Studies (UPES) Dehradun,)

i-TBIs (Inclusive TBI)

• It is a three years duration initiative Supported by DST for educational institutions who are likely to foster innovation and entrepreneurship culture among the students, faculties, entrepreneurs, and nearby communities.

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5. AGNI-4 BALLISTIC MISSILE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Recently, India has completed a successful test-fire of Agni-4 Ballistic Missile.

Agni-4 Ballistic Missile

• About: It is a long-range, surface-to-surface ballistic missile
• Conducted under: Aegis of the Strategic Forces Command, a part of India's Nuclear Command Authority (NCA).
• Developed by: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• Range: 4,000 kilometres. 

oIn 2012, Agni-4 covered more than 3,000 km in 20 minutes

• Payload: The 20-metre-long missile can carry a payload of 1,000 kg and can be fired from a road-mobile launcher.
• Previously known as: Agni-2 Prime.

India's Missile Arsenal Expansion

• Agni-5: It is a land based nuclear MIRV-capable Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM).

oOperational range: 7,000–8,000 kilometres.

• Agni I: Medium Range with a Range of 700-800 km.
• Agni II: Medium Range with a Range more than 2000 km.
• Agni III: Inter-Medium Range with Range of more than 2,500 Km
• Agni IV: Inter-Medium Range with Range more than 3,500 km.
• Agni- VI: Longest of the Agni series, an Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) with a range of ICBM 11,000–12,000 km (Under development).

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6. INDIASIZE INITIATIVE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: The government will soon launch the highly anticipated 'INDIAsize' initiative, according to the Union Textiles Minister.

INDIAsize Initiative

• About: It is led by the Ministry of Textiles, aims to create standardized measurements tailored to Indian body types.
• Current Measurement Issues: Presently, brands in India use US or UK size measurements (e.g., small, medium, large), which do not align well with Indian body types.
• Need for Indian-Specific Measurements: The discrepancy between Western body types and Indian measurements causes fitting issues and consumer dissatisfaction.
• Goal: To develop standardized body sizes to address fitting inconsistencies in the Indian apparel sector.
• Data Collection Process: The project will collect anthropometric data from over 25,000 individuals aged 15 to 65 using 3D body scanning technology.
• Benefits for Retailers and Manufacturers: The new body size chart will help both national and international retailers and manufacturers produce garments that better fit Indian body types, balancing demand and supply.
• Future Impact: INDIAsize will set a benchmark for both Indian and international fashion brands operating in India once implemented.

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7. ENEMY PROPERTY (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Gov. policies)

Context: A parcel of land in Uttar Pradesh, once owned by the family of former Pakistan President, will be auctioned under the Enemy Property Act.

Enemy Property

• About: It refers to assets left by individuals who migrated to China and Pakistan during or after the India-China war (1962) and the India-Pakistan wars (1965, 1971) and acquired citizenship of these countries.
• Custodianship by: Indian Government
• Legal Framework:

oEnemy Property is managed under: Defence of India Act (1962) and the Enemy Property Act (1968).

oClassification of Enemy Property: Immovable properties of those who migrated to Pakistan after the partition of 1947 or during the 1965 and 1971 wars were declared as ‘enemy property.’

oThe descendants of these individuals, who are now Indian citizens, were also categorized under this 'enemy' classification.

oTashkent Declaration 1966: This declaration said India and Pakistan would discuss the return of the property and assets taken over by either side in connection with the conflict.

üHowever, the Government of Pakistan disposed of all such properties in their country in the year 1971 itself.

oEnemy Property Act (1968): It provided for the continuous vesting of enemy property in the Custodian of Enemy Property for India. 

üThe central government, through the Custodian, is in possession of enemy properties spread across many states in the country.

üSome movable properties too, are categorised as enemy properties.

oAmendment to Enemy Property Act: The 2017 amendment expanded the definition of ‘enemy subject’ to include those who no longer hold enemy country citizenship.

üThe amended law provided that enemy property shall continue to vest in the Custodian even if the enemy or enemy subject or enemy firm ceases to be an enemy due to death, extinction, winding up of business or change of nationality, or that the legal heir or successor is a citizen of India or a citizen of a country which is not an enemy.

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8. GROSS VALUE ADDED (GVA) (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: Concerns about GDP data were addressed with the release of Q1 FY25 figures, showing a 5.7% year-on-year growth in India's GDP. Notably, the gap between GDP growth and gross value added (GVA) growth narrowed to 5.8% for the same period.

Gross Value Added (GVA)

• About: It is an economic productivity metric that measures the contribution of a corporate subsidiary, company, or municipality to an economy, producer, sector, or region.
• Calculation: GVA=GDP+SP−TP

oWhere: SP= Subsidies on products and TP= Taxes on products

• ​GVA Focus: GVA is specific to a particular sector, indicating its production contribution.
• Relationship Between GDP and GVA
• GDP Derivation: The GDP is derived by looking at the GVA data.
• Mathematical Relation: The GDP and GVA are related by the equation: GDP = (GVA) + (Taxes earned by the government) — (Subsidies provided by the government).
• Impact of Taxes and Subsidies: If the taxes earned by the government are more than the subsidies it provides, the GDP will be higher than GVA.

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9. STUDY ON PLASTIC POLLUTION (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Eco & Env)

Context: According to new study India has become the world's largest plastic polluter, releasing 9.3 million tonnes annually.

Key Highlights of the Study

• Definition of Plastic Emissions: The study defines plastic emissions as materials that move from a managed or mismanaged system (controlled or contained) to an unmanaged system (uncontrolled or uncontained — the environment).
• India’s Contribution: India accounts for nearly one-fifth of global plastic emissions.

oIndia generates approximately 0.12 kilograms of waste per capita per day.

• Global Status: Global plastic waste emissions reached 52.1 million tonnes (Mt) per year in 2020.
• Sources of Plastic Emissions: Littering is the largest emission source in the Global North, while uncollected waste dominates emissions in the Global South.
• Major Plastic Polluters: Nigeria is the second-largest plastic polluter followed by Indonesia.
• Uncollected Waste: Over two-thirds of the world's plastic pollution comes from uncollected waste, with 1.2 billion people (15% of the global population) lacking access to waste collection services.
• Open Burning of Plastic Waste in 2020: Around 30 million tonnes, or 57% of total pollution, was burned in uncontrolled conditions in 2020, posing health risks such as neurodevelopmental and reproductive disorders.

Plastic

• About: It is a broad category of synthetic or semi-synthetic materials primarily composed of polymers, characterized by their plasticity—the capacity of a solid material to undergo permanent deformation when subjected to external forces.
• Characteristic: Plastic encompasses primarily of polymers. 
• Material Source and Composition: chemicals based on fossil fuels, such as natural gas or petroleum.

India’s Efforts In Tackling Plastic Waste

• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): It is based on the polluter-pays principle, which aims to include producers of material goods in the management and treatment of waste and keep raw materials and goods in the economic cycle.
• Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules 2022: It prohibits the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of plastic carry bags that are thinner than 120 microns.
• Plastic Parks: India has established specialized industrial zones called Plastic Parks, dedicated to recycling and processing plastic waste.

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10. YUDH ABHYAS (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: India-U.S. bilateral Army exercise Yudh Abhyas is set to commence at the Mahajan field firing ranges in Rajasthan.

Yudh Abhyas

• About: It is the largest running joint military training and defense cooperation endeavor between India and the US.
• Focus: The exercise focuses on enhancing understanding, cooperation, and interoperability between the two armies.
• Started:  2004.
• Largest U.S. Contingent: This year’s Yudh Abhyas will feature one of the largest U.S. contingents with approximately 600 personnel.
• Advanced Vehicles and Systems: The U.S. Army will deploy Stryker infantry vehicles and the M142 HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System).
• Current Indian Army Testing: The Indian Army is currently testing the Stryker vehicles in various conditions and plans to procure a few hundred vehicles, including some with Javelin Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM).
• Previous Evaluations: The U.S. has previously demonstrated both the Stryker vehicles and Javelin ATGM to the Indian Army, though the Javelin deal did not go through.

Other Exercises between India and the US

• Army: Yudh Abhyas and Vajra Prahar, Navy: MALABAR (Multilateral), Air Force: Cope India, Red Flag (Multilateral)

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