Prelims Pointers for 10-May-2025

by Vajiram & Ravi

10-05-2025

06:30 AM

Methane

10-05-2025

06:30 AM

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1 min read
Methane Blog Image

Methane Latest News

According to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Global Methane Tracker 2025, the energy sector contributed approximately 145 million tonnes (Mt) of methane emissions in 2024, with oil and gas facilities alone accounting for over 80 Mt.

About Methane

  • Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, responsible for about 30% of the global temperature rise since the Industrial Revolution. Its atmospheric concentration is now 2.5 times higher than in the preindustrial era and is rising faster than other greenhouse gases.
  • The three major anthropogenic sources of methane emissions are agriculture, energy, and waste sectors.
  • The energy sector — comprising oil, natural gas, coal, and bioenergy — accounts for over 35% of human-induced methane emissions.
  • Within the energy sector:
    • Oil operations contributed around 45 Mt.
    • Natural gas operations released nearly 35 Mt.
    • Abandoned oil and gas wells emitted approximately 3 Mt.
    • Coal activities added more than 40 Mt, including 4 Mt from abandoned mines.
    • Bioenergy combustion, especially in developing countries, contributed 18 Mt, mostly from traditional biomass like wood, dung, and charcoal.
  • Methane Characteristics:
    • It is a colourless, odourless, and highly flammable gas, also known as marsh gas.
    • It has a short atmospheric lifespan of ~10 years but a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of ~80 times that of CO₂ over 20 years.
  • Around 60% of atmospheric methane comes from human activities; the rest is from natural sources like wetlands and permafrost thawing, which release methane and CO₂ as temperatures rise.
  • End-use equipment in energy systems also leaks methane — contributing an additional 2 Mt.
  • Modern bioenergy sources contributed ~2 Mt of methane. These include biogas, biomethane, and biofuels derived from plant residues and waste.
  • The IEA highlighted that ~70% of fossil fuel methane emissions can be mitigated using existing technologies, and in oil & gas, ~75% of emissions can be reduced by fixing leaks and plugging abandoned wells.
  • China, followed by the USA, Russia, Iran, Turkmenistan, and India, are the top emitters from fossil fuel operations.

Methane FAQs

Q1: What is methane, and why is it significant in climate discussions?
Ans: Methane (CH₄) is a potent greenhouse gas, with a global warming potential about 80 times greater than CO₂ over 20 years.

Q2: What are the major sources of methane emissions?
Ans: Major sources include livestock digestion (enteric fermentation), rice paddies, landfills, and oil and gas operations.

Q3: Which global initiative targets methane reduction?
Ans: The Global Methane Pledge, launched at COP26, aims to reduce global methane emissions by at least 30% by 2030.

Source: DTE


Songar Drones Blog Image

Songar Drones Latest News

Recently, Pakistan attempted a mass drone incursion at 36 locations from Leh to Sir Creek, deploying an estimated 300–400 Songar drones.

About Songar Drones

  • Songar drones are armed unmanned aerial systems (UAS) developed by Turkey-based defence company Asisguard and are considered Turkey’s first indigenously developed armed drones.
  • First launched in April 2019, these drones were officially inducted into the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) in February 2020 after completing successful trials.

Key Technical Features of Songar Drones

  • The drone's rotor-to-rotor width is 140 cm, with a maximum take-off weight of 45 kg.
  • It can perform operations for 35 minutes without payload, and has autonomous and manual flight control modes.
  • Operational range is approximately 10 km, with a maximum altitude of 3,000 m above mean sea level and 300 m above ground level.
  • Equipped with real-time video transmission and dual cameras – a pilot camera for navigation and a gun-mounted camera for targeting.
  • Includes GPS and GLONASS-based navigation, with autonomous return-to-base function in case of communication loss.

Weapon Configurations and Variants

  • There are five primary weaponised variants of Songar drones:
    • Songar 5.56×45 mm Assault Rifle – uses standard NATO rounds with a recoil-dampening mechanism.
    • Songar 2×40 mm Grenade Launcher – fires two grenades up to 400–450 metres.
    • Songar 6×40 mm Drum-type Grenade Launcher – fires six grenades in rapid succession.
    • Songar 3×81 mm Mortar Gripper – suited for launching mortar shells.
    • Songar 8×Tear/Smoke Grenade Launcher – delivers grenades via controlled free-fall, ideal for riot control or non-lethal missions.
  • All variants are equipped with multi-layered safety protocols, requiring operator authorisation before firing.

Songar Drones FAQs

Q1: What is the Songar drone?
Ans: Songar is an armed drone developed by Turkey’s Asisguard, capable of carrying assault rifles and grenade launchers.

Q2: Which country manufactures Songar drones?
Ans: Turkey manufactures Songar drones through a company called Asisguard.

Q3: What are the capabilities of Songar drones?
Ans: Songar drones are capable of autonomous or remote-controlled firing, real-time surveillance, and night vision operations.

Source: IE


MADMAX

10-05-2025

07:04 AM

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1 min read
MADMAX Blog Image

MADMAX Latest News

The MADMAX collaboration has published the first results of its search for dark photons using a prototype detector.

What is MADMAX?

  • MADMAX stands for Magnetised Disk and Mirror Axion Experiment.
  • It is a research initiative designed to detect dark matter candidates such as axions and dark photons.
  • The detector consists of a stack of dielectric (sapphire) disks and a reflective mirror, forming a resonator system.

What are Dark Photons?

  • Dark photons are hypothetical particles similar to photons (light particles) but with mass.
  • They are proposed components of galactic dark matter halos.
  • Under specific conditions, dark photons can convert into ordinary photons, with the frequency of conversion depending on the mass of the dark photon.

How does the MADMAX Detector Work?

  • The core detection mechanism involves boosting the conversion of dark photons to microwave photons.
  • This is achieved using a resonator composed of parallel dielectric disks that enhance conversion probabilities.
  • A curved mirror focuses the resulting microwave signals into a horn antenna that connects to a microwave receiver.

Key Features of the MADMAX Setup

  • Resonators larger than the wavelength of expected dark photon signals, enabling detection at higher frequencies (~20 GHz).
  • Ability to tune resonance frequencies by adjusting disk positions, thereby expanding the mass range coverage.
  • Signal identification relies on detecting a narrow peak in Fourier space that stands out from thermal noise.

Experimental Findings

  • The first prototype run did not detect dark photon signals.
  • However, the instrument functioned successfully, detecting signals with a sensitivity three orders of magnitude better than prior methods.
  • This run covered a previously unexplored range of parameters in just one experiment.

MADMAX FAQs

Q1: What are axions?
Ans: Axions are hypothetical elementary particles proposed to solve the strong CP problem in quantum chromodynamics (QCD).

Q2: Why are axions significant in physics?
Ans: They are strong candidates for cold dark matter, which is believed to make up most of the universe’s mass.

Q3: What are dark photons?
Ans: Dark photons are theoretical particles that may mediate interactions in the dark matter sector, similar to how regular photons mediate electromagnetic interactions.

Source: PHY


Manas National Park Blog Image

Manas National Park Latest News

Three persons have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the killing of three wild elephants in Assam’s Manas National Park recently.

About Manas National Park

  • It is located in the foothills of Himalayas in Assam. 
  • Sprawling in a large area of 950 sq.km, the national park shares a border with Bhutan's Royal Manas National Park.
  • The Manas River, from which its name has been derived, flows through the west of the park and is the main river within it. 
    • The river also acts as an international border between India and Bhutan. 
    • Manas River is a major tributary of the Brahmaputra River and divides into two separate rivers, the Beki and Bholkaduba, as it reaches the plains.
  • The park’s elevation ranges from 60 to 1,500 meters (200 to 4,900 feet) above sea level, contributing to its rich biodiversity.
  • The area has the unique distinction of being a Natural World Heritage Site, a Tiger Reserve, an Elephant Reserve, a Biosphere Reserve, and an Important Bird Area.
  • It is one of the first reserves included in the tiger reserve network under Project Tiger in 1973.
  • It forms part of a large tiger conservation landscape which includes Buxa-Nameri-Pakke-Namdapha tiger reserves and protected areas of Bhutan and Myanmar.
  • The park is inhabited by several indigenous communities, including the Bodo, who have a deep connection with the land and its wildlife.
  • Flora
    • In general, the vegetation comprises Sal (Shorea robusta), scrub forests, old plantations (in buffer areas), semi-evergreen and mixed deciduous forests, interspersed with grasslands and riparian vegetation (in core area).
    • The most presiding plant species found here are hoolong trees. Some other prominent species available here are Amari, Dewa Sam, Himolu, Garjan, etc.
  • Fauna: The Park is known for its rare and endangered endemic wildlife, such as the Hispid Hare, Pygmy Hog, Golden Langur, Indian Rhinoceros, Asiatic Buffalo, etc.

Manas National Park FAQs

Q1: In which district is Manas National Park located?

Ans: It is located in Chirang and Baksa districts of Bodoland Territorial Region in the State of Assam.

Q2: Which river flows in Manas National Park?

Ans: The Manas River (major tributary of the Brahmaputra River), from which its name has been derived, flows through the west of the park.

Q3: Manas National Park shares its northern boundary with which country?

Ans: Bhutan

Source: PRINT


Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme Blog Image

Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme Latest News

Bihar secured first position in the country for successfully implementing the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises(PMFME) scheme in the financial year 2024-25, said the industries minister recently.

About Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme

  • Launched on June 29, 2020, PMFMPE is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.
  • It is designed to address the challenges faced by micro-enterprises and to tap the potential of groups and cooperatives to support the upgradation and formalization of these enterprises.
  • Objectives: To build the capability of microenterprises to enable:
    • Increased access to credit by existing micro food processing entrepreneurs, FPOs, self-help groups, and co-operatives.
    • Integration with an organized supply chain by strengthening branding & marketing.
    • Support for the transition of existing 200,000 enterprises into a formal framework.
    • Increased access to common services like common processing facilities, laboratories, storage, packaging, marketing, and incubation services.
    • Strengthening of institutions, research, and training in the food processing sector; and
    • Increased access for enterprises to professional and technical support.
  • Outlay:
    • The scheme envisages an outlay of ₹ 10,000 crores over a period of five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25.
    • The expenditure under the scheme would be shared in a 60:40 ratio between Central and State Governments, in a 90:10 ratio with the Northeastern and the Himalayan States, a 60:40 ratio with UTs with the legislature, and 100% by the Center for other UTs.
  • Coverage:
    • Under the scheme, 2,00,000 micro food processing units will be directly assisted with credit-linked subsidies.
    • Adequate, supportive common infrastructure and institutional architecture will be supported to accelerate the growth of the sector.
  • Benefits: The program has four broad components addressing the needs of the sector:
    • Support to individuals and groups of micro-enterprises.
    • Branding and Marketing support.
    • Support the strengthening of institutions.
    • Setting up a robust project management framework.
  • Financial Support:
    • Support to Individual micro units:
      • Micro enterprises will get credit-linked subsidy @ 35% of the eligible project cost with a ceiling of Rs.10 lakh.
      • Beneficiary contribution will be a minimum 10% and balance from the loan.
      • On-site skill training & Handholding for DPR and technical upgradation.
    • Support to FPOs/SHGs/Cooperatives:
      • Seed capital will be given to SHGs (@Rs. 4 lakh per SHG) for loans to members for working capital and small tools.
      • Credit linked capital subsidy @35% subject to a maximum of Rs. 3 crore, to support FPOs, SHGs, Cooperatives, and any Government agency for setting up common infrastructure. 
      • Grant upto 50% for Branding and Marketing to groups of FPOs/ SHGs/ Cooperatives or an SPV of micro food processing enterprises.
      • Skill training & Handholding support.
      • Credit linked capital subsidy
  • The Eligible Borrowers for PMFMPE can be:
    • Farmer Producer Organization (FPO)
    • Self-Help Groups
    • Co-operatives
    • Existing Micro Food Processing Entrepreneurs
    • New Units, whether for individuals or groups, would only be supported for One District One Product (ODOP).

Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme FAQs

Q1: What is Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro food enterprises Scheme?

Ans: It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, designed to address the challenges faced by the micro-enterprises.

Q2: What is the financial support provided to individual micro food processing units under PMFME?

Ans: Credit-linked subsidy of 35% of the project cost

Q3: What is the maximum subsidy limit for individual micro food processing units under the PMFME Scheme?

Ans: ₹ 10 lakh

Source: TOI


Balochistan Blog Image

Balochistan Latest News

The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed that it has captured several strategic army posts across Balochistan that include the provincial capital, Quetta.

About Balochistan

  • Balochistan lies mostly in western Pakistan but also extends into southeastern Iran.
  • It is the traditional homeland of the Baloch people, after whom it is named. 
  • Balochistan (also spelled Baluchistan) is bounded on the north by Afghanistan and on the south by the Arabian Sea. 
  • The Pakistani province named Balochistan covers an area of 347,190 sq.km. 
    • It is the country’s largest but least populated province.
    • Its capital is Quetta.
  • The Baloch and Pashtun people make up the two major and more distinct ethnic groups. The third major group consists of people who are of mixed ethnicity but mainly of Sindhi origin.
  • Most of the people practice Islam, and most speak languages of the Iranian branch of the Indo-Iranian language family. 
  • The main languages are Balochi, Brahui, Pashto, and Sindhi.
  • The largest towns and main trade centers in Balochistan are Quetta, in Pakistan, and Zahedan, in Iran.
  • History
    • It was ruled by the Greeks after being conquered by Alexander the Great in 330 bc. 
    • Arabs held most of the region from the 7th to the 10th century.
    • The British annexed most of Balochistan to India in the late 19th century. 
    • When British rule ended in India in 1947 and the colony was divided, much of Balochistan became part of Pakistan.

Balochistan FAQs

Q1: Balochistan lies primarily in which country?

Ans: Pakistan

Q2: What is the capital of the Pakistani province of Balochistan?

Ans: Quetta

Q3: Which sea borders Balochistan to the south?

Ans: Arabian Sea

Source: ZEE


Pakal Dul Hydropower Project Blog Image

Pakal Dul Hydropower Project Latest News

The Indian government has fast-tracked approval for the electricity transmission line of the 1,000 MW Pakal Dul hydropower project in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district.

About Pakal Dul Hydropower Project

  • It is a 1 GW run-of-the-river scheme hydroelectric project (HEP) under construction on the Marusudar River, a tributary of the Chenab River in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir.
  • It comprises a 167 m-high concrete-face rockfill dam, a 157 m-long, 20.2 m-wide, and 49 m-high underground powerhouse, a 123.6 m-long, 16 m-wide, and 13.1 m-high transformer cabin, and a rockfill impervious core cofferdam.
  • The underground powerhouse will be equipped with four 250 MW Francis turbine units operating at a net head of 397.3m.
  • It is anticipated to produce around 3,330 million units of energy a year.
  • It is being constructed by Chenab Valley Power Projects [P] Ltd. (CVPPL), a joint venture company of National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC Limited) and Jammu & Kashmir State Power Development Corporation Ltd (JKSPDC).
  • JKSPDC holds a 49% stake in CVPPL while NHPC and PTC India hold 49% and 2%, respectively.
  • During the first ten years of operation, the state of J&K will receive 12% free power from the project, in addition to waiving water usage charges. The state will also have the first right to purchase the power allotted to NHPC and PTC.

Pakal Dul Hydropower Project FAQs

Q1: Where is the Pakal Dul Hydropower Project located?

Ans: Jammu and Kashmir

Q2: The Pakal Dul Hydropower Project is being constructed on which river?

Ans: It is on the Marusudar River, a tributary of the Chenab River

Q3: What is the total planned capacity of the Pakal Dul Hydropower Project?

Ans: 1000 MW (1 GW )

Source: SWA


New Zealand Blog Image

New Zealand Latest News

The first round of negotiations for the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) concluded successfully in New Delhi recently.

Key Facts about New Zealand

  • New Zealand is an island country located in the Southwestern Pacific Ocean, situated between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Antarctic Circle.
  • It comprises two major islands—the North Island and the South Island, separated by the Cook Strait, along with over 700 smaller islands.
  • Geologically, New Zealand is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity.
  • The country features diverse relief, including the Canterbury Plains, a high central plateau in Central Otago, and active volcanoes such as Mount Ruapehu and White Island.
  • The highest peak is Mount Cook (Aoraki), and the largest glacier is the Tasman Glacier.
  • Lake Taupō is the largest natural lake in New Zealand and lies in a volcanic caldera, contributing to the country’s hydroelectric energy and tourism.

New Zealand FAQs

Q1: Does India have a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with New Zealand?
Ans: No, India and New Zealand are currently negotiating an FTA, but it has not yet been finalised.

Q2: What are the key exports from India to New Zealand?
Ans: India exports pharmaceuticals, textiles, machinery, and agricultural products such as spices and rice to New Zealand.

Source: PIB


Lupus

10-05-2025

08:33 AM

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Lupus Blog Image

Lupus Latest News

World Lupus Day is celebrated every year on May 10 to raise awareness about this rare but severe disease. 

About Lupus

  • It is a disease that occurs when your body's immune system attacks your own tissues and organs (autoimmune disease). 
  • Inflammation caused by lupus can affect many different body systems — including your joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart, and lungs.
  • Causes: The cause of lupus is unknown. It’s thought to be the result of a mix of genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors.
  • Lupus is much more common among women than men.
  • There are several kinds of lupus:
    • Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the most common type. It can be mild or severe and can affect many parts of the body. SLE accounts for 70% of lupus cases.
    • Discoid lupus causes a red rash that doesn't go away.
    • Subacute cutaneous lupus causes sores after being out in the sun.
    • Drug-induced lupus is caused by certain medicines. It usually goes away when you stop taking the medicine.
    • Neonatal lupus, which is rare, affects newborns. It is probably caused by certain antibodies from the mother.
  • Symptoms
    • Lupus causes symptoms throughout your body, depending on which organs or systems it affects. 
    • Everyone experiences a different combination and severity of symptoms.
    • The symptoms of lupus occur in times of flare-ups. Between flare-ups, people usually experience times of remission, when there are few or no symptoms.
    • The wide range of symptoms in the body includes joint pain, headache, rashes, fever, fatigue, mouth sores, confusion, swollen glands, and blood clots, among others.
  • Treatment: There is no cure for lupus, but medicines and lifestyle changes can help control it.

Lupus FAQs

Q1: What type of disease is lupus?

Ans: Autoimmune disease

Q2: What is the main cause of lupus?

Ans: Lupus is caused by a complex interplay of genes, hormones, and environmental factors.

Q3: Is lupus curable or treatable?

Ans: There is no cure for lupus, but medicines and lifestyle changes can help control it.

Source: ETVB


International Monetary Fund (IMF) Blog Image

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Latest News

Recently, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved the immediate disbursement of $1 billion to Pakistan under its Extended Fund Facility (EFF).

About International Monetary Fund (IMF)

  • The IMF is a specialised UN agency, established in 1944 at the Bretton Woods Conference to ensure global monetary stability post the Great Depression.
  • It promotes monetary cooperation, ensures financial stability, facilitates international trade, supports high employment, and works to reduce poverty.

Functions of the IMF

  • Provides economic surveillance of member countries and policy advice.
  • Offers financial assistance to countries facing balance-of-payments crises.
  • Delivers technical assistance and capacity-building support for sound economic governance.
  • IMF loans are usually conditional upon economic reforms to ensure fiscal discipline and long-term growth.

Membership and Voting Power

  • The IMF has 190 member countries.
  • Each member contributes a quota, based on its economic size and performance, which determines its voting power and access to funding.
  • Voting is determined by a formula: 1 vote per 100,000 SDRs of quota + basic votes.
  • SDRs (Special Drawing Rights) are an IMF-created international reserve asset, not a currency, but can be exchanged among members for freely usable currencies.

Organisational Structure

  • The Board of Governors (usually finance ministers or central bank governors) is the highest decision-making body.
  • Day-to-day affairs are run by a 24-member Executive Board.
  • The Managing Director, often a European, is the Chair of the Executive Board and leads the IMF staff.
  • The IMF is headquartered in Washington, D.C.

International Monetary Fund (IMF) FAQs

Q1: What is the primary function of the IMF?
Ans: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) provides financial assistance, economic surveillance, and technical support to member countries to maintain global monetary cooperation and stability.

Q2: When was the IMF established?
Ans: The IMF was established in 1944 at the Bretton Woods Conference and came into existence in 1945.

Source: TH