Current Context: Odisha has launched a roadmap to integrate Landraces (traditional seed varieties) into the formal seed system for sustainable agriculture.

ABOUT LANDRACES

• Meaning : Traditional, local seed varieties developed by farmers over generations through natural and manual selection.
• Advantages:
  • Resistant to climate change and pests
  • Stable yield
  • Rich in nutrition
  • Suitable for local farming conditions

 Threats:

• Genetic Erosion due to:
  • Use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides
  • Shift to hybrid commercial seeds
  • Changes in agricultural methods and land use

Current Context: India Post Payments Bank has introduced Aadhaar-based Face Authentication to make banking services easier and faster.

ABOUT INDIA POST PAYMENTS BANK (IPPB)

• Launched In: 2018
• Ministry: Department of Posts, Ministry of Communication
• Ownership: 100% Government of India

New Feature – Face Authentication:

• Developed Under: Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI)
• Allows bank transactions through facial recognition
• No need for fingerprints or One-Time Passwords (OTPs)

Promotes inclusive banking and faster services, especially for senior citizens and rural population

Current Context: The Odisha government plans to introduce tigers in Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary to revive the tiger population in the state.

• The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has granted technical approval.

ABOUT DEBRIGARH WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

• Location: Bargarh district, near Hirakud Dam on Mahanadi River, Odisha
• Established In: 1985
• Area: Around 347 square kilometres
• Significance:
  • Known for rich biodiversity
  • Historic site of freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai’s rebellion against British rule

 Tiger Reserve Plan:

• Core and buffer zones being demarcated by expert committee
• Tiger relocation to begin once preparations are complete

Current Context: The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has launched the Apna Ghar initiative to provide safe, clean, and comfortable resting places for truck drivers across major highways in India.

ABOUT APNA GHAR INITIATIVE

• Launched By: Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India
• Objective: To improve long-haul journeys for truck drivers by offering them clean and secure rest stops.
• Facilities Established:
  • 368 Apna Ghar units
  • 4,611 beds (as of 1 July 2025)
  • Located at fuel retail outlets on national and state highways

Features: Dormitories with 10 to 30 beds, Restaurants / Dhabas, Self-cooking kitchens, etc,.

Current Context: The International Space Station (ISS) now uses advanced artificial intelligence (AI) robots like Cimon to support astronauts during space missions.

ABOUT CIMON

• Full Form: Crew Interactive Mobile Companion
• Developed By: Airbus, IBM, and German Space Agency
• Launched: 2018
• Type: Voice-controlled, floating robot

Features:

• Displays step-by-step instructions
• Offers hands-free information access
• Records and monitors experiments
• Uses AI to interact like a helpful teammate

Purpose:

• Reduces workload of astronauts
• Increases efficiency and safety in space missions

Current Context: Kopili River in Assam has been declared National Waterway 57, and was recently made operational to boost river-based trade and sustainable logistics.

ABOUT KOPILI RIVER

• Location: Meghalaya and Assam (Northeast India)
• Origin: Saipong Reserve Forest, North Cachar Hills District, Meghalaya
• Length: 256 kilometres
• Tributary of: Brahmaputra River (largest south bank tributary in Assam)
• Districts Covered: North Cachar Hills, Karbi Anglong, Nagaon, Morigaon

Importance:

• Plays a major role in irrigation and river navigation.
• Helps in cultivation of crops like rice (winter, summer, autumn), mustard, wheat, and rape seed.

CURRENT CONTEXT : China and Russia have begun joint naval exercises in the Sea of Japan, a region of growing geopolitical interest in East Asia.

 ABOUT SEA OF JAPAN

Geography and Location

• Marginal Sea of the Western Pacific Ocean, also known as the East Sea (especially in Korea).
• Boundaries:
  • East: Japan and Sakhalin (Russia)
  • West: Mainland Russia, North Korea, and South Korea

Physical Features

• Area: Approximately 978,000 sq.km
• Shape: Elliptical, aligned from southwest to northeast
• Average Depth: 1,667 meters
• Deepest Point: Dohoku Seamount (underwater volcano)

Connecting Straits

• South: Tsushima Strait and Korea Strait (to East China Sea)
• North: La Perouse and Tatar Straits (to Sea of Okhotsk)
• East: Kanmon Strait (to Inland Sea of Japan), Tsugaru Strait (to Pacific Ocean)

IMPORTANT PORTS

• Russia: Vladivostok, Sovetskaya Gavan,Nakhodka, Alexandrovsk-Sakhalinsky, Kholmsk
• North Korea:Hamhung, Chongjin, Wonsan
• Japan:Niigata, Tsuruta, Maizuru

Current Context: The Kerala High Court has ordered urgent conservation steps for the Ashtamudi Wetland after reports of pollution and environmental damage.

ABOUT ASHTAMUDI WETLAND

• Location: Kerala
• Ramsar Site Since: 2002
• Significance: Second largest wetland in Kerala; rich in biodiversity
• Threats Identified:
  • Open defecation and sewage discharge
  • Shrinking wetland area
  • Loss of mangroves and fish habitats

Court Actions:

• Directed formation of a dedicated management unit
• Ordered preparation of an Integrated Conservation Plan
• Imposed penalty of Rupees 10 crore (by National Green Tribunal in 2023)

Current Context: India has set up a unique analogue research station called Human Outer Planet Exploration (HOPE) at Tso Kar in Ladakh, developed by ISRO and Bengaluru-based company Protoplanet.

ABOUT HUMAN OUTER PLANET EXPLORATION (HOPE)

• Location: Tso Kar, Ladakh (Altitude: over 14,500 feet)
• Developed By:
  • Protoplanet (Private space-tech company)
  • Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
• Purpose:
  • Simulates the conditions of the Moon and Mars
  • Used to test space technology, study human survival, and prepare for interplanetary missions
• Analogue Site:
  • A place on Earth that closely matches the terrain and environment of other planets
  • Useful for training astronauts, testing life-support systems, and conducting scientific studies

Significance for India :

• India’s first such station, helping in future human space missions
• Will support research in physiology, psychology, and technical readiness for long-duration space travel

GLOBAL CONTEXT:

• Number of Analogue Stations Worldwide: 33
• Famous Stations:
  • BIOS-3 (Russia)
  • HERA (United States – NASA)
  • SHEE (Europe)
  • Mars Desert Research Station (Utah, United States)

Current Context: The Union Government of India has approved the setting up of PM Ekta Malls in 27 states under the One District, One Product (ODOP) scheme.

ABOUT PM EKTA MALLS

• Purpose: To promote local products, Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged items, and traditional handicrafts by creating permanent retail spaces.
• Announced In: Union Budget 2023-24
• Sanctioned Amount: Rupees 4,796 crore (Financial Year 2023–2024)
• Implementing Ministry: Ministry of Finance
• Under: Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme

Objectives:

• To give visibility and market access to district-specific products.
• To support artisans, self-help groups, and small manufacturers.
• To promote self-reliant India (Atmanirbhar Bharat) through local entrepreneurship.