Current Context: Researchers from Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) and Florida State University developed a new method using satellite data to estimate oceanic carbon export more accurately.

About the Model:

• Combines Lagrangian methods (tracking individual particles) + Advection (fluid movement) + Biological growth.
• Tracks phytoplankton succession and carbon movement in dynamic regions (e.g., California Current).

Key Innovations:

• Incorporates temporal and spatial lags in carbon export.
• Includes zooplankton activity and subsurface dynamics.
• Independent of ocean color data, overcoming limitations of traditional chlorophyll-based models.

Significance:

• Matches field data (e.g., Station M carbon monitoring).
• Enhances understanding of the biological pump—critical for climate change models and carbon sequestration

Context: India hosted the 12th edition of the Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX 2025) from May 7 to May 9, 2025, in New Delhi.

Key Highlights:

• Theme: “Reaching New Worlds: A Space Exploration Renaissance,” emphasizing innovation, inclusivity, and international cooperation in space science.
• Organizers:
  • International Astronautical Federation (IAF)
  • Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
  • Astronautical Society of India (ASI)
• Participation: Delegates from 35 nations, including officials from space agencies of China, Japan, Canada, and Europe, are attending the conference.
• Notable Absence: NASA did not send representatives to the conference, raising discussions on global space collaboration dynamics.

About IAF:

• Established: 1951
• Membership: Over 500 members from 78 countries, including major space agencies, private firms, research institutes, and universities.
• Motto: “Connecting @ll Space People”
• Vision: “A space-faring world cooperating for the benefit of humanity.”

Current Context : The Government of India approved a revised SHAKTI policy (Scheme for Harnessing and Allocating Koyala Transparently in India) to streamline coal linkages for thermal power plants.

About the Revised SHAKTI Policy

• Announced by: Ministry of Coal, approved by Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
• Objective: Simplify coal allocation and ensure coal availability for power generation
• Structure:
  • Window I: Coal at notified price for Central/State TPPs
  • Window II: Coal via auction at premium for private players (even without PPA)

Key Features

• Tenure Options: Short-term (up to 12 months) to long-term (25 years)
• Flexibility: PPA not mandatory under Window II
• Implementation: Coal India Ltd & Singareni Collieries to act as nodal agencies

Benefits

• Reduces dependency on imported coal
• Encourages competitive electricity generation
• Allows surplus coal power to be sold via market-based mechanisms
• Helps India meet growing energy demands (302 GW target by 2031)

Current Context : The Haryana government launched the Pandit Lakhmi Chand Kalakar Samajik Samman Yojana to provide monthly financial assistance to senior artists who have devoted decades to traditional arts.

About the Scheme

• Objective: Support aged artists financially and socially.
• Launched by: Department of Art and Cultural Affairs, Haryana
• Monthly Honorarium:
  • ₹10,000 for annual income ≤ ₹1.80 lakh
  • ₹7,000 for income between ₹1.80–3 lakh
• Fields Covered: Singing, dance, drama, theatre, fine arts, etc.
• Eligibility
  • Resident of Haryana
  • Age: 60 years and above
  • Minimum 20 years in respective art field
  • Must possess valid Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP)
  • Evaluated by a state-level committee

Current Context : In a politically sensitive move, Recently, US President Donald Trump announced a proposal to refer to the Persian Gulfas the “Arabian Gulf” during an official visit to Saudi Arabia.

About the Naming Dispute

• Historical Usage: ‘Persian Gulf’ has been the internationally recognized name since 16th century, found in all major treaties and atlases.
• Arab Viewpoint: Gulf nations like Saudi Arabia and UAE prefer the term “Arabian Gulf”.
• Iran’s Response: Strongly opposes the change; considers it an attack on historical and cultural sovereignty.
• UN & IHO: Recognize the name “Persian Gulf” officially.

Geographical Facts

• The body of water between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula is historically known as the Persian Gulf.
• Location: Western Asia — bounded by Iran (north) and Arab Peninsula (south).
• Length: ~5,117 km coastline.
• Key Access: Linked to Arabian Sea through the Strait of Hormuz — a chokepoint for 30% of global oil.
• Important Islands:
  • Qeshm (Iran) – Largest island (~1,491 km²)
  • Bahrain – Archipelago and US naval base location
• Strategic & Economic Importance
  • Central to energy trade, oil exports, and naval security.
  • A critical region for US, Iranian, and Gulf state militaries.
  • Rising geopolitical tension could impact global maritime stability.

Current Context: INS Sharda arrived at Maafilaafushi Atoll, Maldives, for its first-ever HADR exercise from May 4–10, 2025, highlighting India’s regional disaster preparedness role.

• About the Exercise:
  • Part of India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy and MAHASAGAR vision (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions).
  • Aligned with India’s role as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
• Key Objectives:
  • Enhance interoperability with Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).
  • Conduct joint SAR drills, logistics, and medical response
  • Community engagement for disaster awareness and resilience.
• About INS Sharda:
  • Sukanya-class offshore patrol vessel.
  • Awarded in 2024 for rescuing hostages off Somalia—showcasing India’s maritime response capabilities.
• Significance:
  • Reinforces India’s strategic ties with Maldives.

Current Context : Recently, in Operation Sindoor, Indian Air Force deployed SCALP missiles launched from Rafale jets to strike deep terror camps in Pakistan and PoK, following the Pahalgam terrorist attack that killed 26 civilians.

About SCALP Missile

• Full Form: Système de Croisière Autonome à Longue Portée (Autonomous Long-Range Cruise Missile System)
• Alternate Name: Known in the UK as Storm Shadow
• Developed By: Jointly by the UK and France (MBDA)

Features

• Type: Air-launched cruise missile (ALCM)
• Range: ~500 km
• Warhead: 450 kg BROACH warhead (Blast/Fragmentation + Penetration)
• Weight: 1,300 kg
• Speed: Subsonic (~Mach 0.8)
• Guidance: INS/GPS + Terrain Matching + IR terminal guidance
• Stealth: Designed for low radar cross-section
• Accuracy: High precision using pre-loaded image-matching software
• Launch Platform: Indian Rafale fighter jets

Significance

• Capable of penetrating hardened targets like bunkers.
• Operates under all-weather, day-night conditions.
• Ideal for deep-strike missions across heavily defended zones.
• Enhances India’s strategic air-to-ground strike capability.

Current Context : Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kiltan participated in the 14th edition of IMDEX Asia held from 6–8 May 2025 in Singapore, marking India’s expanding naval footprint in Indo-Pacific defence forums.

About IMDEX Asia

• Established: 1997
• Organizer: Republic of Singapore Navy
• Venue: Changi Exhibition Centre, Singapore
• Participants: 70+ countries, 20+ navies, maritime industry leaders.

INS Kiltan’s Role

• Showcased India’s anti-submarine warfare
• Participated in multilateral naval drills and exhibitions.

• Significance
  • Strengthens India’s maritime diplomacy and defence ties with Southeast Asia.
  • Enhances visibility of Make in India naval technologies.

Current Context : Quad nations — India, USA, Japan, and Australia — conducted a simulation exercise under the Indo-Pacific Logistics Network (IPLN) in Honolulu, Hawaii in May 2025 to boost regional disaster-response capabilities.

About IPLN

• Purpose: To strengthen civilian disaster-response logistics through cooperation among Quad nations.
• Mechanism: Enables sharing of logistics like supply chains, warehousing, and emergency transport across Indo-Pacific.
• Complementary Initiative: Works alongside the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA).
• Focus Areas: Humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and regional logistical resilience.

Observed globally on 10 May.

Objective :  to raise awareness about lupus — a chronic autoimmune disease that is often misdiagnosed due to its wide-ranging symptoms.

• Established: 2004 by the Lupus Foundation of America and other international organizations.

About Lupus

• Nature of Disease: It is a chronic autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks healthy tissues, affecting skin, joints, kidneys, heart, and lungs.
• Symptoms: Fatigue, joint pain, facial rash (butterfly rash), and organ inflammation.
• Types: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the most common and serious form.
• Global Impact: Over 5 million people worldwide live with lupus.