Recently, the Soil and Land Use Survey of India (SLUSI) launched a digital soil fertility mapping project to enhance soil health and agricultural productivity. Using geo-spatial techniques and data from Soil Health Cards (SHC), the initiative has successfully mapped soil fertility in 351 villages across Maharashtra. Key Highlights: Soil Health Cards (SHC) Scheme Launched in 2015 under the Soil Health and Fertility Scheme by the Government of India. Provide farmers with insights into soil nutrient status (low, medium, high). Recommend fertiliser application strategies to improve soil fertility and crop yield. Geospatial Techniques in Soil Mapping Uses remote sensing, AI, and....Read More

India has obtained a 9,000-square-kilometer exploration block in Zambia, a leading global copper producer, to search for copper and cobalt. Global Copper Market Trends: Shrinking supply of copper ore (Bloomberg report). China controls 50% of global smelting & refining capacity. High demand drivers: EV batteries, renewable energy, and clean tech. Top producers: Chile, Peru, China, DRC, U.S. Geopolitical race: India, China, and the U.S. securing supply chains. India’s Copper Situation: Domestic Production (2023-24): 3.78 million tonnes (8% lower than 2018-19). Top producing states: Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan. Copper Imports: Doubled to ₹26,000 crore (2023-24 vs. 2018-19). Challenges: Large deposits require extensive....Read More

The Supreme Court of India instructed the newly constituted supervisory committee overseeing the Mullaperiyar Dam's safety to address repair and maintenance concerns raised by Tamil Nadu. The committee has been given four weeks to submit its report. Historical Context: Constructed in the late 19th century, the Mullaperiyar Dam is located in Kerala but is operated and maintained by Tamil Nadu under a 999-year lease agreement established in 1886. This arrangement has been a source of disputes, especially concerning the dam's safety and water management. Location: Situated in the Idukki district of Kerala, the dam stands at an elevation of 881 meters above sea level in....Read More

The Ministry of Earth Sciences launched SARAT (Search and Rescue Aid Tool) Version 2 to enhance search-and-rescue efficiency in the Indian Ocean. Key enhancements include more accurate search areas, enhanced data visualization, and future upgrades (e.g., surface current and wind prediction accuracy). SARAT is a satellite-based distress alert system that aids vessels, aircraft, and individuals in remote or high-risk areas at sea. It was developed by the Earth System Science Organization (ESSO) and the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) as part of the Make in India initiative. Key Features of....Read More

India’s Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh announced that the country aims to launch the Chandrayaan-4 mission by 2027. ISRO’s Chandrayaan-4 Mission is India's first lunar sample return mission, aiming to collect and bring back Moon soil and rock samples. The Chandrayaan-4 will use five different components, which will be assembled in orbit, to help India overcome payload limitations as due to payload size constraints for single-launch rockets. It will require two separate launches using the heavy-lift LVM-3 rocket. The first launch is planned to carry the ascender module and descender module. The second launch would carry the transfer module, re-entry module,....Read More

China's Chang'e-7 lunar probe, scheduled for launch in 2026, will target the moon's south pole to search for water ice and test cutting-edge technologies critical for sustainable human activities on the moon. The probe is planned to be launched by a Long March 5 rocket in 2026, from the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center on Hainan Island. The mission, set for 2026, includes a robotic "flyer detector" designed to search for water. The Chang’e-7 mission will consist of four key components. These include an orbiter, a lander, a lunar rover and a flying robotic detector. It is part of China’s long-term roadmap....Read More

An eight-year-old girl from Kottakkal in Malappuram district of Kerala died at the Government Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode, recently after undergoing around two months of treatment for brucellosis. Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease caused by bacteria belonging to Brucella species, which mainly infect cattle, swine, goats, sheep and dogs. It is also known as Malta fever or Mediterranean fever. Symptoms include fever, sweats, anorexia(psychological disorder in which one eats less due to fear of weight gain), headache and muscle pain. It is usually treated with antibiotics, including rifampin and doxycycline. Precaution includes avoiding unpasteurised dairy products and taking safety precautions such as wearing rubber gloves,....Read More

The Greater Noida Authority is implementing a conservation project, including a sewage treatment plant to manage wastewater to help protect and conserve the Surajpur wetland. Surajpur Wetland is located near Surajpur Village in Dadri Tehsil, Gautam Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh. It covers 308 hectares of catchment area, with 60 hectares dedicated to the waterbody. Classified as an Important Bird Area (IBA)by BirdLife International. It supports breeding species like Spot-billed Duck, Lesser-whistling Duck, and wintering species like Bar-headed Goose, Greylag Goose. Home to mammals such as Nilgai, Indian Grey Mongoose, and Golden Jackal.Read More

Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) organized an international solar conference titled 'Sun, Space Weather, and Solar-Stellar Connections' to commemorate the 125th anniversary of Kodaikanal Solar Observatory. The Kodaikanal Solar Observatory (KSO), established in 1899, is owned and operated by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA). Located in the Palani range of hills in Tamil Nadu, Kodaikanal was selected for its proximity to the equator and its dust-free, high-altitude environment, ideal for solar observations. The observatory was founded to enhance understanding of how the Sun heats Earth's atmosphere and to study monsoon patterns.Read More

Odisha signed an MoU with Singapore’s Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN)in January 2025 to establish a FinTech hub in Bhubaneswar. The hub will focus on InsureTech innovationand support India’s “Insurance for All” vision by 2047. The Global Competency Centrewill drive financial inclusion and innovation in FinTech solutions. The initiative aims to position Odisha as a key player in the global FinTech sector. The agreement was signed during Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam’s visit, marking 60 years of diplomatic ties between India and Singapore.Read More