Current Context : The Union Minister of State for Forest, Environment, and Climate Change recently launched Nanobubble technology, at Delhi’s National Zoological Park, enhances water cleaning and purification, promoting aquatic health.

What are Nanobubbles?

• Tiny bubbles, 70-120 nanometers in size, 2500x smaller than a salt grain.
• Made from any gas and injected into liquids.
• Possess unique physical and chemical properties superior to traditional aeration methods.

Properties:

• High Surface Area: Enhances gas transfer efficiency.
• Brownian Motion: Nanobubbles remain suspended in water, distributing oxygen evenly.
• High Oxygen Transfer: Achieves up to 90% oxygen transfer efficiency.
• Surface Charge: Negatively charged, improving pollutant separation.

Applications:

• Water treatment (removing contaminants).
• Agriculture and aquaculture (improved growth and health).
• Industrial use (oil and gas recovery, cleaning surfaces).

Current Context : Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) has developed a new product, nano-NPK fertilizer.

About Nano NPK Fertilizer:

• Composition: Contains essential nutrients—Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K)—in nano-particle form.
• Efficiency: Enhances nutrient uptake by plants, reduces wastage, and decreases overall fertilizer usage.

Significance of Nano Fertilizers:

• Controlled Release: Nano fertilizers ensure slow and controlled nutrient diffusion into the soil.
• Reduced Dependency: Helps reduce reliance on conventional fertilizers, promoting sustainability.
• Economic Benefits: Saves up to 20% on fertilizer costs for farmers.

IFFCO’s Initiatives:

• Introduced Nano Urea Liquid in 2021 and Nano-DAP Liquid in 2023.
• Promotes eco-friendly farming practices and boosts productivity.

Current Context : The Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution launched the ‘Anna Chakra’ PDS Supply Chain optimization tool and SCAN Portal to modernize the PDS system

Anna Chakra:

• A tool for optimizing the Public Distribution System (PDS) supply chain.
• Uses advanced algorithms to plan efficient routes, ensuring smooth transport of food grains.
• Developed by the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) with support from the World Food Programme and IIT-Delhi.
• Integrated with:
  • PM Gati Shakti for logistical optimization.
  • Freight Operations Information System (FOIS)of Indian Railways.

SCAN Portal (Subsidy Claim Application for NFSA):

• A digital platform for state governments to submit subsidy claims.
• Automates end-to-end processes for faster scrutiny, approval, and settlement of food subsidy claims.
• Part of efforts to modernize and streamline food distribution under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).

Current Context : Hornbill Festival has completed 25 years of its celebration.

• Celebrated annually in Nagaland since 2000, it is known as the “Festival of Festivals”.
• Named after the Great Indian Hornbill, a bird revered in Naga folklore for its grandeur.
• Typically held from December 1 to 10 in Kohima’s Kisama Heritage Village.

Objective:

• Promotes inter-tribal interaction and preserves Nagaland’s cultural heritage.
• Boosts tourism and provides economic benefits to the region.

Current Context : Recently, ISRO launches PSLV-C59 rocket with European Space Agency’s Proba-3 satellites.

• Mission: Carried European Space Agency’s Proba-3 satellites to a highly elliptical orbit.
• Operator: Dedicated commercial mission by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL).
• Launch Site: Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

Significance:

• ESA’s first launch from India since 2001 (Proba-1 mission).
• PSLV: A four-stage vehicle with capabilities for multiple satellite launches into various orbits.

Proba-3 Mission :

• Purpose: Demonstrate precision formation flying to observe the Sun’s corona.
• Uniqueness: World’s first precision formation-flying mission with two satellites maintaining a fixed configuration.
• Components:
  • Coronagraph Spacecraft (CSC).
  • Occulter Spacecraft (OSC).

About NewSpace India Limited (NSIL)

• Established: 2019 under the Department of Space.
• Role:
  • Manage ISRO’s commercial activities.
  • Enable Indian industries in high-tech space projects.
  • Allow ISRO to focus on advanced research and development.

Observed annually on December 9

• Objective: To raise awareness about corruption’s impact on society and promote the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).
• Theme : “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity”
• Established by the UN General Assembly in 2003.

Current Context : Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has been awarded one certificate for its mobile application -Ask An Appointment (AAA+).

Three additional awards for:

• Occupational accident and disease management.
• Sustainable investment initiatives.
• System resilience.

The awards were presented at the Regional Social Security Forum for Asia-Pacific (RSSF), organized by ISSA in Riyadh.

About ESIC and AAA+

• Established under the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948.
• Operates under the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
• Provides comprehensive social security to workers.

Mobile App AAA+:

• Supports insured persons, beneficiaries, and staff.
• Aims to simplify healthcare services through digital mechanisms.

About ISSA:

• Founded in 1927under the International Labour Organization (ILO).
• A global network for social security institutions and policymakers.

Current Context : Inland Waterways Authority of India’s Intermodal Terminal at Kalughat in Bihar has received five-star SVAGRIHA rating from GRIHA.

• Terminal is part of World Bank funded Jal Marg Vikas Project for capacity augmentation of National Waterway 1 – River Ganga.

About GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment):

• Ministry & Partner:Joint initiative of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).
• Purpose:Evaluates and certifies buildings for environmental performance over their lifecycle, promoting sustainable construction practices.
• SVAGRIHA Rating:Simplified version for smaller projects like homes or small offices.

Current Context : India showcased its Aravalli Green Wall project for restoring degraded forest lands at CoP-16.

About Aravalli Green Wall Project

• Launched by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
• Objective: Restoration of degraded forest land across a 5 km buffer area around the Aravalli Range in Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Delhi. Inspired by Africa’s Great Green Wall initiative.

Focus Areas:

• Prevent eastward desertification and soil erosion.
• Enhance carbon sequestration, improve biodiversity, and water quality.
• Promote afforestation, agroforestry, and pasture development for sustainable livelihoods.

About Aravalli range in India

• One of the oldest fold mountain systems in the world. It has considerably worn down due to erosion.
• Aravali Hills lie on western and northwestern margins of Peninsular plateau.
• Highest Peak: Guru Shikhar in Rajasthan.

Current Context : Indian-origin Scottish artist Jasleen Kaur has won the prestigious Turner Prize 2024 for her exhibition, “Alter Altar”

• Kaur was the youngest nominee for this year’s award that includes a cash prize of £25,000.

About Turner Prize

• Established: 1984 by Tate Britain. Named after British painter J.M.W. Turner.
• Purpose: Recognizes innovative contributions to contemporary British art. Open to artists born, working, or residing in Britain​.
• Prize Money: £25,000 for the winner; £10,000 for other nominees​
• Frequency: Annual; alternates between Tate Britain and other UK venues​
• Eligibility: Recognizes outstanding exhibitions or presentations in the preceding year.