UPSC Aspirant 2025-26

good material for GS4 revision

good material for GS4 revision

Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students

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Massive protests took place on 31st March when outraged citizens hurled bricks and started fires outside the President’s private residence. The entire cabinet of the Sri Lankan government was effectively dissolved on April 3 due to mass resignations by several Ministers. President Rajapaksa tried to reshuffle the Cabinet in an attempt to keep the country functioning until a full cabinet is appointed, though the reshuffle failed to stop further desertions. Till date, political stalemate persists in the country as leaders sought to keep positions amidst the worsening crisis. The situation in Sri Lanka continues to be delicate until a stable political block is reached and people see better days than the surging inflation.

All you need to know about the crisis in Sri Lanka The generations’ old vibrant history of the island nation of Sri Lanka is witnessing a tumultuous present, mostly triggered and also what experts believe, due to its whimsical economic policies, big tax cuts and a drastic switch to organic farming that further led to the food crisis in the country. And now with the internal political dysfunction (dramatic fall of the political administration) and the external economic disturbance, the crisis in Sri Lanka has turned for the worse-with an emergency already being declared in the country. The infamous move came amidst the news of Rajapaksa’s early escape from the country, fueling the anger on the streets. Reportedly, Rajapaksa along with his wife and two bodyguards travelled to Maldives on a military jet earlier on Wednesday, July 13. If believing on the reports, the former Sri Lankan President, from the Maldives, will then travel to Singapore. As soon as the report of Gotabaya’s departure to Maldives re-surfaced, thousands of angry demonstrators stormed into the office of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe (- appointed as incumbent President), calling out for his resignation. “Go home Ranil, Go home Gota,” protestors demanded. The president had been in hiding after the angry mob ransacked his residence on Saturday, July 9. Following the political upheaval, the President had pledged to resign, but an official resignation is yet to be received by him. The island nation is facing an economic and political crisis, with protesters taking to the streets in defiance of the current situation. India extends support of over US$ 3.8 billion to Sri Lanka Sri Lanka now seeks financial support from the International Monetary Fund and its regional powers, including India, for crisis management. Amidst the unprecedented crisis that has hit the island nation, New Delhi, as the first line of support, extended all possible assistance to its neighboring island nation. It is pertinent to note that India has extended this year itself an unprecedented support of over US$3.8 billion for ameliorating the serious economic situation there. -To help ease fuel prices in the country, New Delhi recently delivered a 40,000 MT diesel consignment to the island nation. Helping Colombo with mitigating the shortage of essential items, India also sent food and other essential items to Sri Lanka. -To boost its crippling agriculture sector, India has also recently sent around 44,000 MT of Urea with the aim of bolstering the efforts for food security of the country’s citizens. India stands with the people of Sri Lanka Earlier speaking of the unprecedented crisis in the neighboring nation, the Ministry of External Affairs extended solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka at the moment of grave crisis. “We continue to follow closely the recent developments in Sri Lanka. India stands with the people of Sri Lanka as they seek to realize their aspirations for prosperity and progress through democratic means and values, established institutions and constitutional framework,” Arindam Bagchi, MEA Spokesperson said. Why is Sri Lanka in crisis? The ongoing crisis in the country is perhaps not sudden, but immediate, a culmination of circumstances and government mismanagement. The Sri Lankan government over the last decade borrowed vast sums of money from foreign lenders to fund public services, which has landed the nation in a debt trap when hit by disasters, both natural, such as heavy monsoons, to man-made, including a government ban on chemical fertilizers that crippled farmers’ harvests. In addition to this, a severe shortage of foreign currency has left the country unable to pay for essential imports, including fuel, leading to debilitating power cuts, and spiking inflation for basic goods and amenities. Late in March, the agitated citizenry took to the streets in protests and demanded accountability from the government.

UPSC Mains Schedule 2022

IS4OM to protect India’s space assets The ever-growing population of space objects including operational satellites and orbital debris pose a serious threat of collision to India’s satellites. To protect our space assets from collision, Union Minister Jitendra Singh inaugurated ISRO System for Safe & Sustainable Operation and Management (IS4OM) on July 11. The IS4OM facility launched by ISRO will aid India in achieving its Space Situational Awareness goals by providing timely information of the Space environment to users. IS4OM IS4OM facility can support all routine operations, such as - Safeguarding Indian space assets - Mitigating collision threats from space objects through specific collision avoidance manoeuvres - Providing info required for strategic purposes - Supporting research activities in Space Debris & Space Situational Awareness This multi-domain awareness platform will bring a prompt, accurate and efficient information on on-orbit collision, fragmentation, atmospheric re-entry risk, space based strategic information, hazardous asteroids and space weather forecast. ISRO actively participates in all international efforts to contain the space debris growth for the long-term sustainability of outer space. It is an active member of Inter Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IDAC), IAF Space Debris Working Group, IAA Space Traffic Management Working Group and several other groups. India’s leap in Space sector India proved its mettle by becoming the first nation to enter Mars orbit in the first attempt with Mangalyaan. The nation launched 342 satellites from 34 different countries. With IRNSS-1G, India got its own satellite navigation system. Around 60 Start-Ups have registered with ISRO in just about two years since the Indian Space Department and the ISRO were opened to the private sector. A few of them are dealing with projects related to Space debris management. The start-up proposals range from nano-satellites to launch vehicles, ground systems, and research. In the global space industry valued at 400 billion USD, India’s share is around 2-3%. With private sector partnership, there is going to be a significant spike in India’s share and IN-SPACe was set up by the government to pave the way for this partnership by handholding private enterprises. With the New Space Policy, private companies in the space sector will have access to the infrastructure of ISRO and other government space establishments. #science #prelims2023 #mains

This Darjeeling Zoo to release red pandas into the wild under Augmentation Programme Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Darjeeling, in the first re-wilding programme of red pandas in India, will release 20 red pandas in about five years to the forests of the country. Red pandas are endangered animal species in India. Their number has been declining in the wild including in the Singalila and Neora Valley National Parks, the two protected areas where they are found in the wild in West Bengal. As per recent estimates, there are 38 red pandas in Singalila and 32 in Neora. According to Basavaraj Holeyachi, Director of the zoological park, Red Panda Augmentation Programme, the conservation breeding of red pandas is only one part of the programme. Selection of animals to be released in the wild, breaking their food association with humans, and tagging the animals released in the wild are crucial factors in the re-wilding of the red panda population. Earlier in 2000, when the zoo had 21 stable and genetically healthy population of red pandas, two young females were selected for augmentation into the wild habitat at Singalila National Park in 2003 followed by another two young females in 2004. The two females were radio-collared for monitoring when finally released in the wild. The monitoring brought fruitful results when one of the released females gave birth to a cub. This was one of the major steps undertaken by Darjeeling Zoo toward saving this endangered species. Red Panda Augmentation Programme Augmentation refers to the release of captive-born wild animals into areas in which the species still occurs but only in low numbers. These new animals can help increase the size of the population and enhance genetic diversity. The augmentation project, Red Panda Augmentation Programme in Singalila National Park and Neora Valley National Park, is being funded by the Government of India and West Bengal Zoo Authority under the Department of Forests, Govt. of West Bengal. The project aims to strengthen the wild population through the release of genetically, biologically, and behaviourally viable zoo-bred Red Panda in the wild in a scientific and planned manner. The benefit of the project will be the long-term conservation of these species. This will also help in developing expertise in rehabilitating the zoo bred/captive red pandas in the wild. Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park The Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, formerly known as Himalayan Zoological Park, was established on August 14, 1958. Located at an altitude of 7000ft in West Bengal's Darjeeling, it is the only specialized zoo in the country and is internationally recognized for its conservation breeding programmes of Snow leopard, Red panda, and other highly endangered species of eastern Himalaya. The zoo is currently involved in several conservation breeding programmes for the species such as the Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens), Snow Leopard (Uncia uncia), Himalayan wolf (Canis lupus himalayensis) etc. Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park at present is housing 423 animals of 49 species including 22 species of mammals, 7 species of reptiles, 10 species of pheasants, 9 species of birds, and 1 amphibian. #speciesinnews #prelims2023 #environment

Surat Model of Natural Farming can become a model for the entire country, says PM Modi In a Natural Farming Conclave held on 10 July 2022 Prime Minister Modi expounded on the nation's drive towards adopting Natural Farming for sustainable agricultural practices. Taking note of the success of Surat in connecting 75 farmers in every panchayat with natural farming, the Prime Minister lauded Gujarat as leading India's commitment to achieving the goals of Amrit Kaal. The conclave, organised in Surat, Gujarat, witnessed the participation of thousands of farmers and all other stakeholders who have made the adoption of Natural farming in Surat a success story. The Governor and Chief Minister of Gujarat also attended the conclave on Natural Farming. What is Natural Farming? Natural Farming is a chemical-free, traditional farming method. It is an agroecology-based method presenting a diversified farming system, integrating crops, trees and livestock with functional biodiversity. In India, Natural farming is promoted as Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati Programme (BPKP) under the centrally sponsored scheme- Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY). BPKP aims to promote traditional indigenous practices that reduce externally purchased inputs. It is primarily based on on-farm biomass recycling with major stress on biomass mulching, use of on-farm cow dung-urine formulations; periodic soil aeration and exclusion of all synthetic chemical inputs. Speaking at the conclave PM Modi said that PKVY is providing resources and training for traditional farming wherein 30 thousand clusters have been created all over the country under the scheme for the benefit of lakhs of farmers. Further, 10 lakh hectares will be covered under the Scheme in future, the Prime Minister stated. In a big stride toward sustainable agriculture, Natural farming has also been linked with the Namami Gange project which has been taken up as a separate campaign to create a natural farming corridor along the Ganga river. What is the Surat Model of Natural Farming? "The basis of progress and speed of the country is the spirit of Sabka Prayas," PM Modi said, reinstating that the government has provided a centre stage to Gram Panchayats, giving them a key role in the welfare projects for the poor and the deprived. In March 2022 PM Modi exhorted at least 75 farmers in each village to adopt the natural way of farming. Taking the leap, Surat District undertook a concerted and coordinated effort to sensitise and motivate different stakeholders and institutions like farmer groups, elected representatives, village-taluka-district committees, Agriculture Produce Marketing Committees (APMCs), Cooperatives, Banks etc, in the district to help farmers in adoption of Natural Farming. Subsequently, at least 75 farmers were identified in each Gram Panchayat and were motivated and trained to undertake Natural Farming. This resulted in more than 40,000 farmers from over 550 panchayats taking up natural farming in a short span of time. Time to take full advantage of the global opportunities with Natural Farming When the entire world is talking about a sustainable lifestyle, 'this is one area where India has led the world for centuries,' PM Modi noted in his address. He gave out a clarion call that now is the time for India to move forward on the path of natural farming and take full advantage of the global opportunities that are emerging. Recalling the natural farming knowledge hidden in the scriptures and popular culture of India, PM Modi requested the institutions, NGOs and experts to do research on the ancient knowledge and how that can be communicated to farmers as per the demands of modern times. "The beginning of 75 farmers taking up natural farming in every panchayat will soon increase manifold as demand for this chemical-free natural product is bound to increase..." the Prime Minister noted in assurity. #agriculture #prelims2023 #mains