APTI PLUS Academy For Civil Services

ESA’s Biomass Mission to Launch This Month Launch Details The European Space Agency is set to launch the Biomass mission on April 29 aboard a Vega C rocket from the Korou spaceport in French Guiana. The satellite will be placed in a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 666 km. Mission Objectives The Biomass mission aims to provide the first global measurements of forest biomass. It will help scientists understand how forests are changing and their critical role in the global carbon cycle. Why Forests Matter Forests absorb around 16 billion metric tonnes of carbon dioxide each year and store 861 gigatonnes of carbon in their soil and vegetation. However, data on forest biomass is limited, making it difficult to assess their health and contribution to climate regulation. Technology and Innovation The satellite will carry a 12-meter antenna and use a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) with a long-wave P-band — the first of its kind in space. This technology allows it to penetrate dense forest canopies and create 3D images from the top of the trees to the forest floor. Environmental Significance In 2023, Earth lost 3.7 million hectares of tropical forests, equivalent to ten football fields every minute. This deforestation accounted for about 6 percent of global CO2 emissions. The Biomass mission will offer accurate insights into such changes and help track carbon distribution. Additional Capabilities Besides monitoring forests, the mission will observe ice sheet movements in Antarctica and create digital terrain models of regions covered by dense vegetation.

The expansion of mulberry plantations has significantly contributed to the growth of raw silk production, leading to a steady increase in the availability and diversity of silk goods.

⚖️ “Life should be great rather than long.” 🙌 Celebrating the life and legacy of Babasaheb Ambedkar!

Article 32 – The heart and soul of the Indian Constitution. –Dr. B.R. Ambedkar IndianConstitution 🇮🇳

Ambedkar studied under street lamps, faced discrimination head-on, and still rose to become the chief architect of the Indian Constitution. This Ambedkar Jayanti, draw strength from his life — let every hour of study be a tribute to his vision, every setback a lesson, and every step forward a commitment to serve India with integrity, equality, and compassion.

Ambedkar studied under street lamps, faced discrimination head-on, and still rose to become the chief architect of the Indian Constitution. This Ambedkar Jayanti, draw strength from his life — let every hour of study be a tribute to his vision, every setback a lesson, and every step forward a commitment to serve India with integrity, equality, and compassion.

We Are LIVE Join us for an exclusive Webinar on UPSC Prelims Strategy with a distinguished IIS Officer! Get expert insights, tips, and last-minute guidance as the prelims approach! Join Now- https://youtube.com/live/vvy-BHcFt5E?feature=share

https://youtube.com/live/vvy-BHcFt5E We are live 👆

Join us for an exclusive Webinar on UPSC Prelims Strategy with a distinguished IIS Officer! Get expert insights, tips, and last-minute guidance as the prelims approach! 🗓️ Date: 13.04.2025 🕒 Time: 4.00 pm 📍 Platform: https://youtube.com/live/vvy-BHcFt5E?feature=share 🎯 Don’t miss this golden opportunity to boost your prep with expert advice!

The Reserve Bank of India announces a 25 bps repo rate cut, shifting to an accommodative stance.

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species now includes 169,420 species, of which 47,187 are threatened with extinction. The IUCN Red List is a critical indicator of the health of our planet's biodiversity and drives conservation action.

Dear Future Officers, As you step into the final phase of your UPSC journey, we bid you a heartfelt farewell. Your dedication, discipline, and dreams have inspired us every day. Thank you for placing your trust in APTI PLUS. Go with confidence, give your best, and remember—the nation awaits your service. – Team APTI PLUS, Kolkata

Dire wolves (Aenocyon dirus) were large canines that dominated southern Canada and the US before they went extinct about 13,000 years ago. They resembled the grey/ gray wolves (Canis lupus) of today, but were larger, with white coats. A dire wolf could be 3.5 feet tall, more than 6 feet in length, and weigh up to 68 kg. Pic. Courtesy: Trolls_official.

Kerala's Drug Crisis