26 May 2025 - Daily Current Affairs Updates

GS 1 – History, Geography, Culture

1. Topic: Vithalbhai Patel

Subtopic: Role in Legislative Development & Swaraj Party Value Addition:

• Born 27 Sept 1873, elder brother of Vallabhbhai Patel.

• First Indian President of Central Legislative Assembly (1925).

• Co-founder of Swaraj Party with C.R. Das & Motilal Nehru → strategy: enter legislatures to obstruct colonial policies.

• Opposed Gandhi’s suspension of Non-Cooperation (1922).

• Died in Geneva (1933), symbolising international outreach of India’s freedom struggle.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 1: Modern Indian History – contributions of leaders outside Congress mainstream.

• GS 2: Evolution of legislature and parliamentary traditions.

• Prelims: Swaraj Party, first Indian Assembly Speaker.

GS 2 – Governance, Law, International Relations

2. Topic: Free Movement Regime (FMR) – India–Myanmar Border

Subtopic: Regulation of Border Tribes & Security Concerns Value Addition:

• Introduced 2018 → allowed tribes to cross 16 km without visa/passport.

• Suspended in 2024 due to demographic & insurgency concerns.

• New system (2024): Assam Rifles issues single-entry, 7-day pass valid within 10 km.

• Monitored at designated crossing points by Assam Rifles + police + health staff.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 2: IR – India-Myanmar ties, borderland policy.

• GS 3: Internal Security – insurgency, migration.

• Prelims: FMR distance limit, Assam Rifles role.
  

3. Topic: Replenishment Study for Sand Mining

Subtopic: SC Ruling on Sustainable Mining Value Addition:

• Mandatory scientific study to assess sand replenishment → baseline for extraction.

• SC analogy: tree felling requires regrowth, similarly sand mining requires recharge.

• Legal base: Environment Protection Act (1986), Deepak Kumar Case (2012), EIA 2016 amendment, Sustainable Sand Mining Guidelines (2016 & 2020).

Subject Analysis:

• GS 2: Governance – judicial oversight in environmental law.

• GS 3: Environment – sustainable mining & river ecology.

• Prelims: Replenishment study definition, 2012 SC ruling.
  

GS 3 – Economy, S&T, Defence, Environment, Agriculture

4. Topic: Product Nation

Subtopic: India’s Transition from Service Economy to IP-led Manufacturing Value Addition:

• Current risk: punitive US tariffs highlight India’s vulnerability as net importer.

• Vision: replicate Taiwan’s semiconductor leadership or China’s rare earth dominance.

• Focus on IP-driven branded products to climb global value chains.

• Strengthens economic resilience & global leverage.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 3: Economy – industrial policy, innovation ecosystem.

• Essay: “From back-office to product nation – India’s economic leap.”

• Prelims: Definition of Product Nation, global examples.
  

5. Topic: Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-01) – Gaganyaan

Subtopic: Astronaut Safety System Validation Value Addition:

• Jointly conducted by ISRO, IAF, DRDO, Navy, Coast Guard.

• Tested parachute deceleration system for safe astronaut recovery.

• Precursor to Test Vehicle (TV-D2) & uncrewed Gaganyaan-1.

• Mission: 3 astronauts in 400 km orbit for 3 days using HLVM3 (Human Rated LVM3).

Subject Analysis:

• GS 3: Space – human spaceflight programme.

• Prelims: Gaganyaan mission details, HLVM3 features.
  

6. Topic: Almond Cultivation in India

Subtopic: Decline in Kashmir Orchards Value Addition:

• Almonds need cold climate (7–24°C), rainfall 75–110 cm, altitude 750–3200m.

• India’s major states: J&K, HP, Uttarakhand, Kerala, Andhra hills.

• Challenges: weather variability, import competition, shrinking farmland, low govt support.

• Global leaders: USA, Australia, Spain, Turkey.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 3: Agriculture – horticulture diversification, climate resilience.

• Prelims: Almond crop conditions, distribution.
  

7. Topic: Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS)

Subtopic: Multi-Layered Air Defence Value Addition:

• Components: QRSAM (3–30 km), VSHORADS (300 m–6 km MANPAD), Directed Energy Weapons (<3 km).

• Developed by DRDL, RCI, CHESS labs of DRDO.

• Mobile, multi-layered shield against drones, UAVs, aircraft.

• India joins elite club with operational DEW (laser) capabilities.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 3: Defence – air defence modernisation.

• Prelims: QRSAM, VSHORADS, DEW ranges & features.
  

8. Topic: Halman Apricot (Ladakh)

Subtopic: GI-Tagged Agri Export Value Addition:

• Cultivated widely in Sham region (villages: Dha-Hanu, Skurbuchan, Khaltse).

• Known for rich taste, medicinal use, festival role.

• Recently exported to Gulf countries (Saudi, Kuwait, Qatar).

• Rich in Vitamin C, E, potassium, iron.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 3: Agriculture + Exports.

• Prelims: Halman apricot origin, distribution, GI relevance.
  

9. Topic: X-Guard Fibre-Optic Towed Decoy (FOTD)

Subtopic: IAF’s AI-enabled EW CapabilityValue Addition:

• Developed by Rafael (Israel); protects fighter jets from radar-guided threats.

• Works with onboard EW suite; retractable during flight.

• Operates across altitudes, subsonic–supersonic speeds.

• Demonstrated in Operation Sindoor.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 3: Defence tech – electronic warfare systems.

• Prelims: Subsonic vs supersonic speeds, FOTD role.
  

10. Topic: Jellyfish Blooms

Subtopic: Threat to Marine Ecosystems & Infrastructure Value Addition:

• Shut down reactors in France’s Gravelines nuclear plant by clogging cooling systems.

• Anatomy: epidermis, mesoglea, gastrodermis; radial symmetry.

• Causes: global warming (plankton rise), overfishing (loss of predators like turtles/tuna), plastic pollution (low-oxygen tolerance).

• Impacts: ecosystem collapse, fishery losses, infrastructure disruption.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 3: Environment – marine ecology, climate-linked disasters.

• Prelims: Jellyfish biology, bloom causes.