PM-POSHAN Scheme Latest News

The Government of India has approved a 9.5% hike in material cost under the PM-POSHAN scheme, resulting in an additional central expenditure of ₹954 crore for the financial year 2025–26, effective from May 1, 2025.

About PM-POSHAN Scheme

• The PM-POSHAN Scheme, formerly known as the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented by the Ministry of Education.
• It aims to provide one hot cooked meal per school day to 11.20 crore children studying in Balvatikas (pre-primary), and Classes 1 to 8 across 10.36 lakh government and government-aided schools.
• The scheme addresses twin objectives:
  • Enhancing nutritional status of school-going children.
  • Improving enrollment, retention, and attendance in schools, especially among disadvantaged children.
• The revised material cost per student per day is:
  • ₹6.78 for Balvatika and Primary students (up from ₹6.19).
  • ₹10.17 for Upper Primary students (up from ₹9.29).
• These rates represent the minimum mandatory contribution. However, States and Union Territories can contribute more from their budgets to provide meals with higher nutritional value.
• Nutritional norms under PM-POSHAN include:
  • For Balvatika and Primary classes: 20g pulses, 50g vegetables, and 5g oil.
  • For Upper Primary classes: 30g pulses, 75g vegetables, and 7.5g oil.
• The Labour Bureau under the Ministry of Labour supplies data on inflation for the items in the PM-POSHAN meal basket. This data is based on the Consumer Price Index – Rural Labourers (CPI-RL), calculated from 600 sample villages across 20 States.
• POSHAN Abhiyan is managed by the Ministry of Women and Child Development and aims to improve nutrition among adolescent girls, pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children (0–6 years).
• Mission POSHAN 2.0, launched in 2021, merged POSHAN Abhiyan and the Supplementary Nutrition Programme to streamline efforts under one unified framework.
• Funding Pattern under POSHAN Abhiyan:
  • 60:40 between Centre and States/UTs with legislature.
  • 90:10 for the Northeastern and Himalayan States.
  • 100% central funding for UTs without legislature.

PM-POSHAN Scheme FAQs

Q1. What is the PM-POSHAN Scheme?
Ans. The Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM-POSHAN) is India’s flagship nutrition program, providing hot cooked meals to schoolchildren and addressing malnutrition through Anganwadi centers.

Q2. What are its key objectives?
Ans. Combat malnutrition, improve educational outcomes, and ensure holistic development of children via fortified meals, health check-ups, and nutrition education.

Q3. How does it integrate with existing schemes?
Ans. Merges the Mid-Day Meal Scheme and ICDS, leveraging digital tracking (POSHAN Tracker) for real-time monitoring of beneficiaries.

Source: TH

Sunbird Latest News

Sunbird is a nuclear fusion-powered rocket being developed by Pulsar Fusion, a British startup, to revolutionise interplanetary travel.

About Sunbird

• Sunbird could potentially reach speeds of up to 805,000 km/h, which is faster than the Parker Solar Probe (692,000 km/h), currently the fastest human-made object.
• This technology, if successful, could enable missions to Pluto in just 4 years and cut travel time to Mars by nearly half.
• It aims to revolutionize interplanetary travel by drastically reducing travel time to distant planets like Mars and Pluto.
• An orbital demonstration is scheduled for 2027, marking a major milestone in space propulsion technology.

What is Nuclear Fusion Propulsion?

• Nuclear Fusion replicates the energy generation process of stars, fusing atoms to release energy.
• Unlike fission, fusion is cleaner and offers higher energy output with lower radioactive waste.

Two Main Concepts in Nuclear Propulsion

Sunbird FAQs

Q1. What is a nuclear fusion-powered rocket?
Ans. A nuclear fusion-powered rocket is a theoretical spacecraft propulsion system that uses nuclear fusion reactions to generate thrust. It offers high specific impulse and sustained acceleration, enabling efficient interplanetary travel with minimal fuel requirements.

Q2. What is the Sunbird nuclear fusion rocket?
Ans. The Sunbird is a nuclear fusion rocket concept developed by UK-based Pulsar Fusion. It integrates a Dual Direct Fusion Drive (DDFD) to provide both thrust and electrical power, potentially enabling missions to Pluto in just four years and halving travel time to Mars.

Q3. How does the Sunbird rocket achieve propulsion?
Ans. The Sunbird uses compact linear fusion reactors that generate plasma through nuclear fusion. The escaping particles from this plasma serve as exhaust, propelling the spacecraft. It also provides up to 2 MW of electrical power for payloads.

Source: IE

Sea Lions Latest News

An algal bloom along the California coast has resulted in a neurotoxin release, which is causing sea lions to become aggressive, leading to attacks on beachgoers and surfers.

About Sea Lions

• Family: Otariidae, which includes five species – California, Northern, Southern, Australian, and New Zealand sea lions.
• Habitat: Found along the Western coasts of North America, from southeast Alaska to central Mexico, mainly on rocky shores and sandy beaches.
• Physical Traits: They possess external ear flaps, long foreflippers, mane-like fur in males, and can weigh up to 1200 pounds (approx. 545 kg).
• Behavior: Typically non-aggressive and social, sea lions are now showing lethal aggression due to neurotoxin-induced neurological disorders.
• Lifespan: The Average lifespan is 20 to 30 years.

What is Causing the Sea Lions' Aggression?

• Sea lions, typically non-aggressive marine mammals, have shown violent and erratic behaviour, attributed to exposure to a neurotoxin called domoic acid.
• Domoic acid is secreted by the toxic diatom algae Pseudo-nitzschia, which blooms excessively under nutrient-rich conditions in the ocean.
• Once released, this neurotoxin enters the marine food chain, affecting not just small fish, but also larger predators like sea lions that consume these fish.

Sea Lions FAQs

Q1. What are Mammals?
Ans. Mammals are a diverse group of animals that belong to the class Mammalia. They are characterised by several key features like have mammary glands, hair or fur covering their bodies and most mammals give birth to live young, as opposed to laying eggs.

Q2. Why are sea lions ecologically important?
Ans. As apex predators, they maintain marine ecosystem balance and serve as bioindicators of ocean health.

Q3. What threats do they face globally?
Ans. Climate change, overfishing reducing prey, and entanglement in marine debris. IUCN lists the Australian sea lion as Endangered.

Q4. How is India involved in their conservation?
Ans. India collaborates via CMS (Convention on Migratory Species) and enforces marine protected areas under the Wildlife Protection Act.

Source: DTE

Blue Washing Latest News

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has recently introduced a new category of industries called the ‘Blue Category’, which falls under Essential Environmental Services (EES).

What is Blue Washing?

• ‘Blue Washing’ refers to the practice of portraying polluting industries as environmentally friendly by categorising them under less polluting or cleaner industry labels.
• This term is now used to describe the reclassification of highly polluting Waste-to-Energy (WTE) incineration industries by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) into the new 'Blue Category'.

Blue Category

• The ‘Blue Category’ is introduced as part of a subset of EES activities like composting, biogas plants, sewage treatment, and material recovery facilities.
• Waste-to-Energy (WTE) incineration, previously under the ‘Red Category’ with a PI of 97.6, is now reclassified as a ‘Blue Category’ industry.

What is WTE Incineration?

• WTE incineration burns mixed municipal solid waste (MSW) to produce heat and electricity.
• It generates energy through turbine-driven steam, similar to coal plants, but emits more CO₂

About Pollution Index (PI)

• The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) introduced a Pollution Index (PI) to categorise industries based on pollution levels.
• PI is calculated on the basis of emissions (air pollutants), effluents (water pollutants), hazardous waste, and resource consumption.
• PIranges from 0 to 100, with industries classified as:
  • White Category (0–20): Least polluting
  • Green Category (21–40)
  • Orange Category (41–59)
  • Red Category (60–100): Most polluting

Blue Washing FAQs

Q1. What is blue washing?
Ans. A deceptive practice where companies overstate their commitment to ocean conservation or ethical water use for brand image.

Q2. How does it differ from greenwashing?
Ans. Focuses specifically on water-related sustainability claims, often linked to SDG 14 (Life Below Water).

Q3. Give an example of blue washing.
Ans. A 2022 case where a beverage firm advertised “plastic-neutral” products while remaining a top ocean plastic polluter.

Source: DTE

BM-04 Missile Latest News

India unveiled the BM-04 missile at a defense exhibition in Hyderabad last month. This next-generation short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) reflects India’s focus on enhancing its conventional counterforce capabilities.

About BM-04 Missile

• The BM-04 is India's latest short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Unveiled at the Vigyan Vaibhav 2025 defense exhibition in Hyderabad, it represents a significant advancement in India's missile technology.
• Features: 
  • Size: The BM-04 is 10.2 meters long, 1.2 meters in diameter and weighs 11,500 kg. 
  • Range: The missile has a two-stage solid-fuel propulsion system; it can engage targets located at a maximum distance of up to 1,500 km, with a 500 kg conventional warhead, and has a 30-meter circular error probability (CEP). 
  • Deployment: It can be deployed using a six-wheel indigenous transport erector launcher (TEL). 
  • Like the existing missiles in the Indian arsenal, the BM-04 is canisterized, which allows the warheads to be mated with the delivery systems in advance, thus reducing the time required to fire the projectile. 
• The BM-04 incorporates a Common Hypersonic Glide Body (C-HGB), enabling it to maneuver during flight and evade enemy missile defenses. This design allows for unpredictable flight paths, enhancing its survivability against anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) systems.
• BM-04 missiles can be regularly upgraded with new warheads, sensors, and propulsion systems as the threat matrix evolves. This will make the BM-04 a robust and reliable system that can withstand future threats.

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)

• DRDO is India's premier military research agency, dedicated to developing advanced technologies for national defence and security.
• Established in 1958 with the motto “Balasya Mulam Vigyanam,” DRDO undertakes indigenous design and development leading to the production of state-of-the-art weapon systems and technologies for the Indian armed forces.
• DRDO has seven technology clusters: Aeronautics, Armament, Combat Engineering, Electronics and Communication Systems, Microelectronic Devices and computational Systems, Life Sciences, and Naval Systems.

BM-04 Missile FAQs

Q1. What are the top 5 missiles of India?

Ans. India's top missiles include Agni-V (ICBM), BrahMos (supersonic cruise missile), Prithvi-II (SRBM), Akash (surface-to-air missile), and Nirbhay (subsonic cruise missile).

Q2. What is the BM-04 missile?

Ans. The BM-04 is a short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) developed by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)

Q3. What is the name of Agni 4 missile?

Ans. Agni-IV is the fourth missile in India's Agni series of ballistic missiles.

Source: DIPLOMAT

Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Latest News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah paid tribute to social reformer Mahatma Jyotirao Phule on his birth anniversary.

About Mahatma Jyotiba Phule

• Mahatma Jyotiba Phule (1827–1890) was a pioneering Indian social reformer, educator, and writer from Maharashtra, renowned for his relentless fight against caste discrimination and gender inequality.
• Born on April 11, 1827, in Pune, Maharashtra, Jyotirao Govindrao Phule belonged to the Mali caste.
• Despite societal barriers, he pursued education at the Scottish Mission High School in Pune, which exposed him to progressive Western ideas that shaped his reformist vision.
• A personal experience of caste-based discrimination at a friend’s wedding in 1848 profoundly impacted him and inspired his lifelong fight against social injustices.
• His wife, Savitribai Phule, became India's first female teacher and an equal partner in his reforms. Together, they championed women's education and opened the first school for girls in Pune in 1848.

Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Contributions

• Education: 
  • Established schools for girls and marginalised communities when educating them was considered taboo.
  • Founded night schools for working-class individuals to ensure access to education irrespective of caste or gender.
• Social Reforms: Satyashodhak Samaj (1873): Founded this "Society of Truth Seekers" to promote social equality and challenge caste oppression. It was open to people from all religions and castes.
• Women's Rights: Advocated for widow remarriage and fought against child marriage and female infanticide.
• Literary Contributions: Authored works like Gulamgiri (Slavery) critiquing caste oppression and Shetkaryacha Asud (Cultivator’s Whip) highlighting farmer exploitation by upper-caste landlords.
• Critique of Brahmanical Orthodoxy: Strongly opposed the caste system perpetuated by Brahmanical traditions and called for its abolition to achieve true social justice.

Mahatma Jyotiba Phule FAQs

Q1. Why was Jyotiba Phule famous?

Ans. Jyotiba Phule was renowned for his pioneering efforts in social reform, particularly in promoting women's education and challenging the caste system in India.

Q2. What is the real surname of Jyotiba Phule?

Ans. His original surname was 'Gorhe'; the family adopted 'Phule' due to their profession as florists.

Q3. What are the famous lines of Mahatma Phule?

Ans. One of his notable quotes is: "Without education, wisdom was lost; without wisdom, morals were lost; without morals, development was lost; without development, wealth was lost; without wealth, the Shudras were ruined; so much has happened through lack of education."

Source: BS

Bioluminescent Backwaters Latest News

Recently, bioluminescent blue waves were observed in the backwaters of Kochi, Kerala, attracting tourists but raising concerns among ecologists and fishers due to underlying environmental degradation.

About Bioluminescence

• Bioluminescence refers to the natural emission of light by organisms such as bacteria, fungi, and algae triggered by mechanical disturbances in coastal and estuarine waters.
• The species most commonly responsible is Noctiluca scintillans, a type of dinoflagellate plankton, also known as “sea sparkle”.
• This glow results from chemical reactions inside specialized structures called scintillons and appears primarily blue but can also show red or brown hues depending on species concentration.
• The phenomenon is commonly observed from March to May, locally termed as "Kavaru" in Malayalam.

Scientific Background

• Eutrophication—caused by nutrient overload (especially nitrates and phosphates) from industrial runoff and sewage discharge—is a major driver.
• Salinity levels between 30-35 ppt, rising temperatures, and reduced rainfall contribute to bloom formation.
• When concentrations exceed 500,000 organisms per litre, it leads to red tides, which can severely disrupt marine ecosystems.

Ecological and Economic Impacts

• Plankton, while a key part of marine food chains, in large numbers release substances like dimethyl sulphide, ammonium, and dissolved organic carbon, causing Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs).
• HABs lead to hypoxia (oxygen depletion), resulting in mass fish mortality and affecting biodiversity and aquaculture operations.
• Fishing communities experience significant losses as fish migrate away from bloom-affected zones, leading to declining catches and reduced income.
• Toxins such as domoic acid and those from Alexandrium can cause amnesic or paralytic shellfish poisoning, harming both marine life and human health.

Bioluminescent Backwaters FAQs

Q1. What causes bioluminescence in backwaters?
Ans. Dinoflagellates (e.g., Noctiluca scintillans) emit light through chemical reactions when disturbed, creating glowing waters.

Q2. Where are bioluminescent backwaters found in India?
Ans. Kerala’s Alleppey and Tamil Nadu’s Pitchavaram mangroves are prime examples.

Q3. What ecological role do they play?
Ans. Indicate healthy marine ecosystems but signal algal blooms if excessive, threatening fish populations.

Source: DTE

Taiwan Strait Latest News

China launches aggressive military drills in Taiwan Strait.

About Taiwan Strait

• The Taiwan Strait is a strategically significant and geopolitically sensitive body of water separating mainland China from the island of Taiwan. 
• Approximately 180 kilometers (110 miles) wide at its broadest point and narrowing to about 130 kilometers (81 miles), it connects the South China Sea to the East China Sea. 
• The strait is relatively shallow, with depths averaging around 70 meters (230 feet), and encompasses the Pescadores (Penghu) Islands, which are administered by Taiwan.
• The strait was named Formosa (“Beautiful”) by Portuguese navigators in the late 16th century; although it is still known in the West by its European name, the Chinese and now most Westerners use the name Taiwan Strait.
• The strait is also one of the most important fishing grounds in China, and more than a hundred economically important fish species are found here.
• The Taiwan Strait is vital for global trade, with nearly 40% of the world's container ships passing through it annually.

Taiwan Strait History

• The Taiwan Strait has been a focal point of military and political tensions since the conclusion of the Chinese Civil War in 1949. 
• Following the retreat of the Nationalist government to Taiwan, the strait became a de facto boundary between the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the Republic of China (ROC). 
• Notable flashpoints include the Taiwan Strait Crises of 1954–55 and 1958, during which the PRC conducted artillery bombardments of ROC-held islands, prompting U.S. intervention to deter further escalation.

Taiwan Strait FAQs

Q1. What is the strait of Taiwan called?

Ans. It is called the Taiwan Strait, also known historically as the Formosa Strait.

Q2. Why is the Taiwan Strait so important?

Ans. The Taiwan Strait is a vital maritime corridor for international trade and a geopolitical hotspot due to tensions between China and Taiwan.

Q3. How many people died in the Taiwan Strait Crisis?

Ans. During the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis in 1958, approximately 514 Republic of China troops were killed or missing, with 2,200 injured; civilian casualties included 80 killed and 221 injured.

Q4. How deep is the Taiwan Strait?

Ans. The Taiwan Strait has an average depth of about 70 meters (230 feet), with depths ranging from 25 meters in shallow areas to 177 meters in the Penghu Channel.

Source: CNN

Indian Giant Flying Squirrel Latest News

A rare sighting of the Indian giant flying squirrel has been reported in Ranikhet, a picturesque hill station in Uttarakhand.

About Indian Giant Flying Squirrel

• Size: One of the largest flying squirrels, with a body length of about 30 – 45 cm and a tail measuring up to 60 cm.
• Features: They have a rufous coat, grey underparts, and large, round eyes. Their flying membrane extends from their wrists to their ankles, which enables them to glide from tree to tree.
• Habitat: Found in tropical and subtropical forests across central and southern India. Evergreen, semi-evergreen and deciduous forests frequent forest edges.
• Diet: Primarily feeds on fruits, nuts, leaves, and bark, contributing to seed dispersal.
• Behaviour: 
  • Nocturnal and arboreal, it glides between trees in search of food, covering distances up to 60 meters. Owls have been found to predate on them and they are found giving alarm calls on seeing or hearing owl’s calls.
  • The Indian Giant Flying Squirrel is widely distributed and plays a significant role in maintaining forest ecosystems, making it a keystone species in its habitat.
• Protection under WPA: The Indian giant flying squirrel is listed in Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
• IUCN Status: The Indian giant flying squirrel (Petaurista philippensis) is currently listed as "Least Concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). 
  • While the global status is "Least Concern," its population in India is facing threats like habitat loss and degradation, which have led to a "Near Threatened" status within the country.

Indian Giant Flying Squirrel FAQs

Q1. Can Indian giant squirrels fly?

Ans. No, Indian giant squirrels (Ratufa indica) cannot fly or glide; they move by leaping between trees.

Q2. What is the largest flying squirrel in India?

Ans. The Indian giant flying squirrel (Petaurista philippensis) is among the largest flying squirrels in India.

Q3. Do flying squirrels live in India?

Ans. Yes, India is home to several flying squirrel species, including the Indian giant flying squirrel (Petaurista philippensis).

Q4. Can flying squirrels bite?

Ans. Yes, like other wild rodents, flying squirrels can bite if threatened or handled improperly.

Source: IE

Legionnaires’ Disease Latest News

Health authorities in New South Wales (NSW) have issued a public alert following a spike in Legionnaires' disease cases in Sydney, prompting concerns over possible contaminated air conditioning systems.

About Legionnaires’ Disease

• About: Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria commonly found in freshwater environments like lakes or streams but can also thrive in man-made water systems.
• Types: Legionella most commonly causes one of two lung diseases:
  • Legionnaires' disease is a type of severe pneumonia
  • Pontiac fever is mild respiratory disease
• Symptoms: The symptoms of Legionnaires' disease are similar to those of other types of pneumonia and typically include cough, fever, headaches, muscle aches, and shortness of breath. In some cases, individuals may also experience confusion, diarrhea, or nausea.
• Transmission: The most common form of transmission of Legionella is inhalation of contaminated aerosols from contaminated water. It is not contagious, meaning it is not spread from person-to-person.
• Treatment: Treatments exist, but there is no vaccine currently available for Legionnaires’ disease. Patients with Legionnaires’ disease always require antibiotic treatment following diagnosis.

Legionnaires’ Disease FAQs

Q1. What is Legionnaires' disease caused by?

Ans. Legionnaires' disease is caused by the Legionella bacteria, typically found in water systems.

Q2. How to protect from Legionella?

Ans. Regularly clean, disinfect, and maintain water systems like cooling towers and hot tubs.

Q3. What is the most common way of contracting Legionella?

Ans. Inhaling aerosolized water droplets contaminated with Legionella is the most common route.

Q4. Is Legionnaires' disease permanent?

Ans. No, it is usually treatable with antibiotics, though severe cases may have lasting effects.

Q5. What are four symptoms of legionnaires?

Ans. Common symptoms include cough, fever, muscle aches, and shortness of breath.

Source: DAJIWORLD