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DEFENCE PROGRAMME & TECHNOLOGY

Defence Research and • Surface-to-Surface : Missiles which are fired

from the ground at target on the ground.
Development Organisation
(DRDO)
• It work under the Department of Defence
Research and Development in Ministry of
Defence (Government of India).
• Formed in 1958, Headquarters at New Delhi
• DRDO is India's largest and most diverse
research organisation. Integrated Guided Missile
• It has network of 52 laboratories, which are Development Program (IGMDP)
engaged in research & development of
different defence projects like missiles, • Ministry of Defence started this IGMDP
materials, aeronautics, armaments, land between 1983 to 2008 for the development of
combat engineering, naval systems etc. a comprehensive range of missiles.
• DRDO has developed major weapons, • The program was managed by DRDO
equipments, and critical technologies such as (Defence Research and Development
missiles, UAVs, aircrafts, small arms, artillery Organization) in partnership with other
systems, tanks and armoured vehicles, government agencies.
command and control systems etc. • Missile like –Prithvi, Trishul, Akash etc. were
• DRDO started its first major project in surface- developed under this program.
to-air missiles (SAM) known as Project Indigo • The idea of IGMDP was conceptualized by the
in the 1960s. former President and eminent scientist, Dr.
• Project Indigo was started by India in 1962, APJ Abdul Kalam. The objective of this
under it project an agreement was signed program was to enable India to attain self-
between India and Switzerland to develop sufficiency in the field of missile technology.
an intermediate-range surface-to-air • The last major missile developed under this
missile (SAM). program was Agni-III, which was successfully
• But in later years it was discontinued in tested in July-2007.
without achieving full success. • In May-2008, GOI announced the closing of
the program but DRDO has independently
continued further development work on missile
Missile like Nag, Surya etc.
• These are rocket propelled weapon, designed
to deliver an explosive warhead with great
accuracy at high speed. Agni Missile
• Agni - I is the first missile of the Agni series was
Types of missile on the basis of target and developed under the IGMDP (Integrated
launching position. Guided Missile Development Program)
• Air-to-Air Missile : Missiles which are fired in • It is surface to surface missile developed by
air (say by an aircraft) and targets the enemy DRDO.
• The Agni -V is the most advanced version of
in air.
the indigenously built missile under this series.
• Surface-to-Air Missile : Missiles which are
• Agni -V is an intercontinental surface-to-
fired from the ground to the air.
surface nuclear capable ballistic missile.
• Air-to-Surface : Missiles which are fired from
the air to the surface (e.g. targeting tanks,
ships etc)
SPM IAS Academy, Times Square Mall 4th floor, Sundarpur Road R.G Baruah Road, Zoo Rd, Guwahati,
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• India is now became 6th nation to have ICBM BrahMos Missile

technology, after USA, Russia, U.K, France,
& China.
• Agni –VI is under the developmental phase
and its range is about 8000 -10,000 Km.
• In Agni Missiles series Solid fuel is used.

• The BrahMos is a medium-range ramjet

supersonic cruise missile that can be
launched from submarine, ships, aircraft or
land.
• It is a joint venture between the Russian
Federation’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya
(NPOM), a subsidiary of the state-owned JSC
Tactical Missiles Corporation and
Agni Prime India’s Defence Research and Development
• It is the advanced version of the ‘Agni-1’ Organisation (DRDO), who together have
missile. formed BrahMos Aerospace.
• It is a short-range ballistic missile. • Stockholm International Peace Research
• Range: 1000 km to 1500 km Institute (SIPRI)
• It is a two-stage • It is an international institute based in
• It is the latest and sixth variant of the Agni Stockholm (Sweden)
series missiles. • Headquarters:- Solna
• Agni Prime has multiple independently • Type – Global Think Tank
targetable re-entry vehicles. It is capable of • Formed in May-1966
delivering a number of warheads at separate • Dedicated to research into conflict,
locations. armaments, arm control and disarmament.
• It can carry warheads up to 1.5 tonnes. • Purpose – Provide data, analysis and
• The Agni-P missile would further strengthen recommendations, based on open sources, to
India’s credible deterrence capabilities policymaker, researchers, media and the
• Development by India & Russia interested public.
• Type:- Supersonic cruise missile. • Its publications and information material are
• Variant:- Submarine, Ships, Aircraft, Land. distributed to a wide range of policy makers,
• Range:- 450 km. researchers, journalists, organizations etc.
• Engine stage:-
• Fist Stage – Solid fuel; Stockholm International Peace
• Second Stage – Liquid fuel Research Institute (SIPRI)- Report -
{Note: Now BrahMos II Missile (Under 2022
Development) Type Hypersonic Cruise • During 2016-2020, 164 states are major arms
Missile Range 450 – 600 km.} importers. The five largest arms importers
states were Saudi Arabia, India, Egypt,
Australia and China, which together
accounted for 36% of total arms imports.
SPM IAS Academy, Times Square Mall 4th floor, Sundarpur Road R.G Baruah Road, Zoo Rd, Guwahati,
Assam – 781005 Phone: 6901259799, Students’ Support Team: 7099064717,
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• The five largest exporter of arms in 2016-20 ▪ Debate the region’s most pressing security
- the United States, Russia, France, Germany challenges engage in important bilateral talks
and China - accounted for 76% of the total and come up with fresh approaches together.
volume of exports of major arms. ▪ It is Asia’s largest annual security forum.
• The nine nuclear-armed states are U.S.A, ▪ The 2024 Shangri-La Dialogue took place in
Russia, U. K, France, China, India, Pakistan, Singapore from 31 May to 2 June
Israel and North Korea —continue to
modernize their nuclear arsenals. Multilateral Export Control
• Total number of nuclear weapons declined
slightly between January 2021 and January Regime (MECR)
2022. • MECR is a voluntary & informal group of
• India had 160 nuclear warheads as of January like-minded supplier countries.
2022 and it appears to be expanding its nuclear • With the goal of non-proliferation of weapons
arsenal. India’s nuclear stockpile increased of mass destruction, delivery systems, and
from 156 in January 2021 to 160 in January advanced conventional weapons through
2022. national implementation of guidelines and
• As per the numbers of nuclear warheads control lists for exports.
India is at seventh position, after Russia, • It is non-binding agreements among the
USA, China, France, UK, Pakistan. major supplier countries.
• Russia and the USA together possess over • Aim to prevent the proliferation of Weapons
90% of all nuclear weapons. of Mass Destruction.
• These groups are independent of the United
Nations.
Shangri-La-Dialogue • And their regulations apply only to members
▪ It is a inter-governmental security forum held
and it is not obligatory for a country to join.
annually by an independent think tank, the
International Institute for Strategic Studies
(IISS) Multilateral Export Control
▪ IISS is a London-based independent think Regime (MECR)
tank. • MECR is a voluntary & informal group of
▪ 28 Asia-Pacific countries are the members. like-minded supplier countries.
India is also a member. • With the goal of non-proliferation of weapons
▪ Attended by Defence ministers, permanent of mass destruction, delivery systems, and
heads of ministries & military chiefs. advanced conventional weapons through
▪ Besides government delegations, the summit national implementation of guidelines and
is also attended by legislators, academic control lists for exports.
experts, distinguished journalists, and • It is non-binding agreements among the
business delegates. major supplier countries.
▪ The forum get its name from the shangri-La • Aim to prevent the proliferation of Weapons
Hotel in Singapore where it has been held of Mass Destruction.
annually since 2002. • These groups are independent of the United
▪ The Shangri-La Dialogue has become one of Nations.
the most important independent forums for • And their regulations apply only to members
the exchange of views by international and it is not obligatory for a country to join.
security policy decision-makers. • Voting Process: The NSG work under the
▪ It provides a unique platform for debate principle of unanimity and even one
among government ministers and senior member country vote against other country
officials, as well as business leaders and entry, them particular country will not get
security experts, on Asia’s developing membership.
security challenges.
SPM IAS Academy, Times Square Mall 4th floor, Sundarpur Road R.G Baruah Road, Zoo Rd, Guwahati,
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• NSG decision needs all members majority, not Missile Technology Control
just simple majority
Regime (MTCR)
• Formed in 1987 by Canada, France,
Australia Group Germany, Italy, Japan, UK, USA.
• It is a multilateral export control regime
• It is also multilateral export control regime
(MECR), to control and not to contribute the
(MTCR)
spread of chemical and biological
• Its aim to limit the proliferation of weapons
weapons.
of mass destruction by controlling exports of
• Formed in 1985 after the used of chemical
goods and technologies i.e. Rockets and UAV
weapon by Iraq in 1984.
(Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) capable of
• The name came from Australia initiative to
delivering a payload of at least 500 kg to the
create the group.
range of at least 300 km.
• The member group maintain the export
• It is not a treaty and also does not legally
control of a uniform list of 54 compounds.
binding.
• Presently, 43 countries are the member.
• It is an informal political understanding among
• India is also a member (as on Jan-2018).
the members states.
• Presently there are 35 countries are
Wassenaar Arrangement members.
• It was established in 1996, • India is also member since 2016.
• To contribute to regional and international
security and stability by promoting Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-
transparency and greater responsibility in
transfers of conventional arms and dual- TEJAS AIRCRAFT
use goods and technology. • It is a single-bigger engine multirole aircraft
• It is also a multilateral export control regime. designed by Aeronautical Development
• It is not a treaty and hence not legally Agency (ADA) in collaboration with
binding. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
• Presently, 42 countries are the member. • It came from the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)
• India is also a member since 2017. programme, which began in the 1980s to
replace India's ageing MiG-21 fighters but later
became part of a general fleet modernisation
Zangger Committee programme.
• Zangger Committee was the group of 15
• In 2003, the LCA was officially named
nuclear supplier state which held informal
"Tejas".
meeting in Vienna (between 1971 and 1974)
• The Tejas is the second supersonic fighter
• Chaired by Prof. Claude Zangger of
developed by HAL after the HAL HF-24
Switzerland for the common understanding on
Marut.
nuclear equipment, definition etc.
• Tejas achieved initial operational clearance
• Till date 39 countries are member, India is
in 2011 and final operational clearance in
not a member.
2019.
• It is lightest, smallest and tailless multi-role
The Committee maintain supersonic fighter aircraft in its class.
• List of equipment that may only be exported • It is designed to carry a range of air-to-air, air-
if safeguard are applied to the recipient to-surface, precision-guided, weapons.
facility called the "Trigger List" because • Air to air refuelling capability.
such exports trigger the requirement for safe • It can attend the maximum speed of Mach
guard. 1.8.
• Allow members to co-ordinate on nuclear • The range of the aircraft is 3000km
export issue.
SPM IAS Academy, Times Square Mall 4th floor, Sundarpur Road R.G Baruah Road, Zoo Rd, Guwahati,
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• Variants of Tejas:- Tejas Trainer, LCA Navy, conventional weapon accurately, on time and
LCA Tejas Navy MK2, LCA Tejas Mk-1A, LCA with devastating effect, while operating from
Tejas Mk-2. multiple air bases.
• The exercise will also showcase joint
Exercise Desert Knight operations with the Indian Army.
• Location:- Indian, Over the Arabian Sea • The Indian Air Force is slated to carry out three
• Date:- January -2024 large-scale war games namely, Vayu Shakti,
• Participating countries:- India, France, UAE Gagan Shakti and Tarang Shakti.
• Indian Air Force (IAF), French Air and Space
Force (FASF) and United Arab Emirates (UAE) NOMADIC ELEPHANT
Air Force. • Bilateral military exercise conducted by the
armies of India and Mongolia.
Exercise SHAKTI • Date: 03rd to 16th July 2024.
• Location:- 7th edition of Exercise Shakti • Venue: Meghalaya (16th edition of exercise)
commenced at Umroi, Meghalaya. • The 15th edition of the exercise was held in
• Date:- 13th to 26th May 2024. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
• Participating countries:- Bilateral joint
military exercise between the armies of India MALABAR EXERCISE
and France. • The Malabar Exercise is annual naval
exercise that involves the navies of India,
EXERCISE UDARA SHAKTI- 2024 USA, Japan and Australia.
• Location:- RMAF base in Kuantan, Malaysia. • Date:- 9th Oct-2024
• Date: August 5-9, 2024 • Venue:- Andhra Pradesh’s Visakhapatnam.
• Participating countries:- India, Malaysia (28th edition of exercise)
• Exercise Udara Shakti is a significant bilateral • The Malabar Exercise began in 1992 as a
air force exercise between the Indian Air bilateral exercise between the Indian Navy
Force (IAF) and the Royal Malaysian Air and the United States Navy.
Force (RMAF). • Expansion: Japan became a permanent
• Aim:- To enhance military cooperation and participant in 2015, and Australia joined in
strengthen the strategic partnership 2020, transforming it into a quadrilateral
between India and Malaysia exercise.

Sada Tanseeq Exercise Poorvi Prahar

• India and Saudi Arabia are conducted their first • Exercise is a high-intensity tri-service military
Joint Military Exercise named as Sada exercise conducted by the Indian Armed
Tanseeq. Forces.
• Date: 29th January to 10th February 2024. • The exercise aims to enhance the joint combat
• Venue: Mahajan, Rajasthan. effectiveness of the Army, Navy, and Air
Force in executing integrated joint operations
Facts:- Al-Mohed Al-Hindi Exercise:- India and in challenging terrains.
Saudi Arabia :- Naval Exercise • Dates:- November 10 to November 18, 2024.
• Place:- Arunachal Pradesh
Exercise Vayu Shakti-24:- • Participants:- Army, Navy, and Air Force.
• Date: 17 February 2024.
• Venue: Pokhran Air to Ground Range, near Tarang Shakti
Jaisalmer. • India will host the international air exercise
• Exercise Vayu Shakti will be a demonstration ‘Tarang Shakti’ in two phases, taking place in
of the IAF’s capability to deliver weapons Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan.
with long range, precision capability as well as
SPM IAS Academy, Times Square Mall 4th floor, Sundarpur Road R.G Baruah Road, Zoo Rd, Guwahati,
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• It will be the largest international air • The aim of the exercise is to

exercise ever conducted in India, with practice Offensive Counter Air (OCA)
invitations extended to 51 countries. and Defensive Counter Air (DCA) combat, in
• This exercise aims to strengthen strategic a simulated war environment.
relations with our friends from the • The name ‘Pitch Black’ was derived from the
international community. emphasis on night time flying over large un-
• Objective: The plan is to invite friendly populated areas.
foreign countries with whom the IAF interacts
regularly and has a certain degree of Exercise Varuna
interoperability. • An annual bilateral naval exercise between the
• Participating countries: Fifty-one countries Indian Navy and the French Navy
were invited to take part in the exercise and • Date:- September 2 to September 4, 2024.
nearly 30 of them will be taking part in it • Venue:- Mediterranean Sea (France) from
• Phase one of the exercise will be conducted • The exercise began in 1993 and was named
at Sulur in Tamil Nadu from August 6 to ‘Varuna’ in 2001.
August 14. • It aims to enhance interoperability, improve
• Phase two will be held at Jodhpur in coordination, and share best practices
Rajasthan from September 1 to 14. between the two navies.
• It represents a unique opportunity for these
nations to collaborate and enhance their EXERCISE SURYA KIRAN
tactical and operational capabilities. • It is 18th Edition of Military Exercise.
• Background:–
Exercise Red Flag 2024 • Venue :- Saljhandi, Nepal
• Location:- Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska • Date :- 31st December 2024 to 13th January
(USA) 2025.
• Date:- 04 Jun to 14 Jun 24. • Exercise SuryaKiran is a bilateral military
• This was the second edition, which is an exercise conducted annually between the
advanced aerial combat training exercise, held Indian and Nepalese armies.
four times a year by the US Air Force. • The exercise is held alternately in India and
• Participation:- Indian Air Force, Republic of Nepal
Singapore Air Force (RSAF), Royal Air Force • Aim:- To enhance interoperability in jungle
(RAF) of the UK, Royal Netherlands Air Force warfare, counter terrorism operations in
(RNLAF), German Luftwaffe, and the USA Air mountains, and Humanitarian Assistance and
Force (USAF). Disaster Relief under United Nations Charter
• Red Flag is an air combat
exercise featuring realistic combat Important Defence Exercises
scenarios. • INDRA EXERCISE ( India - Russia )
• YUDH ABHYAS (India– USA)
EXERCISE PITCH BLACK • NOMADIC ELEPHANT (India– Mongolia)
• Indian Air Force (IAF) is all set to participate • MITRA SHAKTI (India– Sri Lanka)
in Exercise Pitch Black 2024. • MALABAR EXERCISE (India-USA- Japan-
• The IAF has previously participated in the 2018 Australia)
and 2022 editions of this exercise.
• participation by 20 countries. Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS)
• Biennial warfare exercise hosted by • IONS was first held in 2008 with India as
the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). host country.
• The exercise is normally held in Northern • It is a regional forum of Indian Ocean littoral
Australia, primarily at RAAF states which represented by their Naval Chiefs.
Bases Darwin and Tindal.

SPM IAS Academy, Times Square Mall 4th floor, Sundarpur Road R.G Baruah Road, Zoo Rd, Guwahati,
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• It provide a forum to enhance maritime security • The Defence Space Research Agency
cooperation, discussion of regional maritime (DSRA) is the scientific organisation
issues and also promote friendly relationships responsible for developing space-warfare
among the members nations. systems and technologies for the Defence
• It is a voluntary initiative among the countries. Space Agency.
• Presently there are 25 member nations.
• Date: December 19 to 22, 2023. Defence Space Research
• Venue: Bangkok, Thailand.
Agency (DSRA)
• Government of India has cleared setting up of
new agency called DSRA, which has been
entrusted with task of creating space warfare
weapon systems and technologies.
• Now the agency has started taking shape
under a joint secretary level scientist
• DSRA would be provided with a team of
scientists, which work in co-ordination
with tri-services (Army, Navy, Air Force).
• It is also charged with finding and implementing
defence related application for India’s entire
spectrum of space technology.
• It will develop modern weapons system &
INDIAN OCEAN NAVAL technology so as to enhance capabilities of
armed forces to fight wars in space.
SYMPOSIUM (IONS) - 2023:-
• During the Conclave, Thailand assumed the
role of Chair of IONS, and a comprehensive AGNIPATH SCHEME
two-year work plan was finalized. • Agnipath scheme for recruiting soldiers across
• A noteworthy development was the selection the Three services (Army, Navy and
of a flag designed by India as the official Airforce).
IONS flag. • The youth joining the duty will be called
• India is also scheduled to take over as the Agniveer.
Chair of IONS (2025-27) during 9th CoC • Around 45,000 to 50,000 soldiers will be
planned to be conducted in India in end 2025. recruited annually.
• The Republic of Korea Navy was welcomed • Duration of services is four years,
as the latest observer increasing the • However after four years, only 25% of the
collective strength of IONS to 34. batch will be recruited back into their
respective services, for a period of 15 years
under permanent commission.
Defence Space Agency
• The Defence Space Agency (DSA) is a tri-
Eligibility Criteria:
service agency of the Indian Armed Forces.
1) It is only for personnel below officer ranks
• The DSA draws personnel from all three
(those who do not join the forces as commissioned
branches of the Armed Forces.
officers).
• The agency is tasked with operating the
2) Aspirants between the ages of 17.5 years and
space-warfare and Satellite Intelligence
23 years will be eligible to apply.
assets of India.
• Headquartered:- Bengaluru, Karnataka,
Benefits for Agniveers:
• Established:- 28 September 2018
• After the completion of the 4-years of service,
• Operational:- November 2019
a one-time ‘Seva Nidhi’ package of Rs 11.71
SPM IAS Academy, Times Square Mall 4th floor, Sundarpur Road R.G Baruah Road, Zoo Rd, Guwahati,
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lakhs will be paid to the Agniveers that will o Conventional combat role: during
include their accrued interest thereon. Sino-India War in 1962
• They will also get a Rs 48 lakh life insurance o Operating in a foreign land: as part of
cover for the four years. the Indian Peace Keeping
• In case of death, the payout will be over Rs 1 Force (IPKF) to Sri Lanka in 1987 (Op
crore, including pay for the unserved Pawan)
tenure. o Peacekeeping role: in the North-
• The government will help rehabilitate soldiers Eastern areas of India.
who leave the services after four years. They
will be provided with skill certificates and Structure of Assam Rifles:-
bridge courses. • The Force is commanded by an officer of the
rank of Lieutenant General of the Army.
Types of Naval Forces:- • HQ Directorate General of Assam Rifles:
• Blue-water navy (open oceans) is a maritime Shillong-Meghalaya
force capable of operating globally,
essentially across the deep waters of open
oceans. There ability is to exercise sea control
at long range.
• Brown-water navy' or 'riverine navy' (river
and near to shore), refers in its broadest sense
to any naval force capable of military
operations in littoral zone waters.
• Green-water navy (near to shore), is
a maritime force that is capable of operating
in its nation's littoral zones and has limited
competency to operate in the
surrounding marginal seas.
Prachand (Light Combat Helicopter)
Central Paramilitary Force • Designed and manufactured by: Hindustan
• Ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs. Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
• Also known as Central Armed Police Forces • It is multi-role and can perform roles
(CAPF). of Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR),
• It includes 7 forces: Assam Rifles (AR), Border Destruction of Enemy Air Defence (DEAD)
Security Force (BSF), Indo-Tibetan Border and Counter Insurgency (CI) operations.
Police (ITBP), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), • The LCH has been designed as a twin-
Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), engine.
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and • It is a dedicated combat helicopter of 5.8-ton
National Security Guard (NSG). class, thus categorized as light.
• Assam Rifles is the oldest Central Para • It features a narrow fuselage and tandem one-
Military Force in India. behind-the-other configuration for the pilot and
co-pilot.
Historical Background:- • The co-pilot is also the Weapon Systems
• The Assam Rifles was set up as Cachar Levy Operator (WSO).
in 1835 to protect British Tea estates and • It has a maximum take-off weight of 5.8
their settlements against tribal raids. tonnes, a maximum speed of 268 kilometres
• Post-Independence, role of the Assam Rifles per hour, range of 550 kilometres
continued to evolve ranging from:- • It has an endurance of over three hours and
a service ceiling the maximum density altitude
to which it can fly of 6.5 kilometres.
SPM IAS Academy, Times Square Mall 4th floor, Sundarpur Road R.G Baruah Road, Zoo Rd, Guwahati,
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• LCH is powered by two French-origin Shakti technology development in defence &

engines manufactured by the HAL. aerospace sectors
• The helicopter uses radar-absorbing • By engaging Industries including MSMEs,
material to lower radar signature and has a start-ups, individual innovators, R&D
significantly crash-proof structure and landing institutes & academia.
gear. • iDEX is funded and managed by a ‘Defence
• A pressurized cabin offers protection from Innovation Organization (DIO)’ which has
nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) been formed as a ‘not for profit’ company as
contingencies. per Section 8 of the Companies Act 2013 for
• The LCH is the only attack helicopter in the this purpose,
world that can land and take off at an altitude • By the two founder members i.e. Defence
of 5,000 metres (16,400 ft), which makes it Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) – HAL
ideal to operate in the high-altitude areas of & BEL.
the Siachen glacier. • iDEX will function as the executive arm of DIO,
carrying out all the required activities while DIO
‘Ugram’ will provide high level policy guidance to iDEX.
• DRDO launches ‘Ugram’, indigenous
assault rifle for armed forces Objectives of iDEX:-
• Developed by DRDO's Pune- based facility • Facilitate:- Facilitate rapid development of
Armament Research and Development new, indigenized, and innovative technologies
Establishments (ARDE) in collaboration with for the Indian defence and aerospace sector, to
Hyderabad-based Dvipa Armour India meet needs for these sectors in shorter
Private Limited. timelines
• Create:- Create a culture of engagement with
innovative startups, to encourage co-creation
for defence and aerospace sectors
• Empower:- Empower a culture of
technology co-creation and co-innovation
within the defence and aerospace sectors.
• Funding and Support :- iDEX provides grants
(up to ₹1.50 crore, or up to ₹10 crore for iDEX
Prime) through the Support for Prototype and
• The rifle has an effective range of 500 metres Research Kickstart (SPARK) Framework.
and weighs less than four kilograms
• Assault rifle of the 7.62 x 51 mm calibre. National Terrorism Data Fusion & Analysis
• The rifle has a 20 round magazine and fires in Centre (NTDFAC):-
both single and full auto mode. • Inaugurated: January 2024.
• DRDO’s Ugram will have to go through several • The NTDFAC will collect data from a variety
internal tests, acceptance trials and user trials of sources, including:-
before it can be considered for induction. • NIA’s National Automated Fingerprint
Innovation for Defence Identification System (NAFIS), and
• National Integrated Database on Arrested
Excellence (iDEX) Narco-Offenders,
• The iDEX initiative was launched by the GOI in • Combined, the various databases will allow
April 2018. Indian intelligence to access subjects’
• Innovation for Defence Excellence (iDEX) is an histories, fingerprints, videos, pictures,
ecosystem initiated by the Ministry of social media profiles and information on
Defence to foster innovation and affiliated terror groups.

SPM IAS Academy, Times Square Mall 4th floor, Sundarpur Road R.G Baruah Road, Zoo Rd, Guwahati,
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• NAFIS holds 9.2 million biometric records,

and data from more than 22,000 terrorism
cases is being added from the Integrated
Monitoring of Terrorism system.
• It also includes a facial recognition system to
scan CCTV footage for the faces of
suspects.
• It has been modelled along the lines of
the Global Terrorism Database (GTD) of the
US.

Significance:-
• It will serve as a centralized database and
analysis centre for information related to
terrorism and terrorists operating in the
country.

Mission Divyastra Mission Divyastra’.

About Agni-V:
• India’s recent successful testing of an Agni-5
• The Agni-V is an advanced surface-to-surface
Missile equipped with Multiple Independently
ballistic missile developed under the Integrated
Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV)
Guided Missile Development Programme
technology with multiple warhead capabilities.
(IGMDP) in India.
• The Agni-V is an intercontinental ballistic
missile (ICBM) developed indigenously by the
DRDO.
• It’s a fire-and-forget missile, which means once
fired, it doesn’t require further guidance and
can’t be stopped without an interceptor missile.
• Range of over 5000 km, making it capable of
hitting targets beyond this range.
• It can carry a warhead of about 1500 kg.
• The Agni series of missiles, which includes
Agni-1 to Agni-5, forms the backbone of India’s
MIRV technology nuclear launch capability.
• MIRV stands for Multiple Independently
Targetable Re-entry Vehicle. Operation Ajay
• About– It is a missile technology that enables • It is an operation by the Indian Armed
one missile to carry multiple nuclear Forces to evacuate Indian citizens from Israel
warheads, each capable of hitting different during the Oct- 2023 Israel–Hamas war.
targets. • On 7 October, the 2023 Israel–Hamas
• Other Countries equipped with this war began.
technology– Currently, the United • An estimated 18,000 Indians were living in the
States, Russia, China, France, and the United affected areas.
Kingdom.
• These missiles can be launched from either Operation Indravati
land-based platforms or submarines at sea.
• March, 2024:- It begins to Evacuate Indians
from Haiti

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• India is monitoring the situation through its Staff in 2002, which was to eventually serve as
mission at Santo Domingo, the capital of the CDS’s Secretariat.
the Dominican Republic, which has no • In 2012, the Naresh Chandra
embassy in Haiti. Committee recommended the appointment of
a Permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff
Committee as a midway to eliminate
apprehensions over the CDS.
• Finally, the post of CDS was created in
2019 on the recommendations of a committee
of defence experts headed by Lt General
DB Shekatkar.
• General Bipin Rawat was the first CDS in the
country and was appointed on December 31,
2019 and took office on 1 January 2020.
• The government amended Service Rules of
the Army, Navy and Air Force, allowing retired
Service Chiefs and three-star officers eligible
PROJECT AKASHTEER: for consideration for the country’s top
• April, 2024:- The ‘Project Akashteer’ is a military post.
significant initiative aimed at enhancing the • Age limit that the retired officer should not have
air defence capabilities of the Indian Army. attained 62 years on the date of appointment.
• It is developed by Bharat Electronics Limited
(BEL) as part of the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ Important Features:-
initiative. • It is the military head and permanent
• This project is designed to automate air Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee
defence control. (COSC) of the Armed Forces.
• The system’s control centers, designed to be • It is the highest-ranking uniformed
vehicle-based and mobile, can maintain officer on active duty in the Indian military and
operational capabilities even in challenging • It is chief military adviser to the Minister of
communication environments. Defence.
• The total cost of the project is nearly Rs 1,982 • The Chief also heads the Department of
crore. Military Affairs.
• The system integrates radar and • The position was created with the aim of
communication systems at all levels into a improving coordination, tri-service
unified network, providing an unprecedented effectiveness and overall integration of the
level of situational awareness and control. combat capabilities of the Indian armed
• This enables swift engagement of hostile forces.
targets, significantly reduces the risk of • The CDS will be the single-point military
fratricide, and ensures the safety of friendly adviser to the Defence Minister on matters
aircraft in contested airspace. involving all three services and the service
chiefs will be obliged to confine their counsel to
CDS (Chief of Defence Staff) issues pertaining to their respective services.
• Background: Its creation was recommended • CDS as a key functionary in the nuclear
in 2001 by a Group of Ministers (GoM) that command chain will also administer
was tasked with studying the Kargil Review the Strategic Forces Command.
Committee (1999) report. • This measure will go a long way in enhancing
• After the GoM recommendations, in the credibility of India's nuclear deterrent.
preparation for the post of CDS, the
government created the Integrated Defence

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Integrated Theatre Command:-

• An integrated theatre command envisages
a unified command of the three Services,
under a single commander, for geographical
theatres (areas) that are of strategic and
security concern.
• The commander of such a force will be able to
bear all resources at his disposal — from the
Army, the Indian Air Force, and the Navy —
with seamless efficacy.
• The integrated theatre commander will not be
answerable to individual Services.
• Integration and jointness of the three forces BHISHM Cube
will avoid duplication of resources. The • BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for
resources available under each service will be Sahyog, Hita and Maitri) Cube, a state-of-
available to other services too. the-art indigenous mobile hospital.
• The services will get to know one another • BHISHM Cube emerged as a crucial lifesaver
better, strengthening cohesion in the during a medical emergency.
defense establishment. • BHISHM cube is tailored to treat up to 200
casualties, emphasizing rapid response and
The Shekatkar committee has recommended comprehensive care.
the creation of 3 integrated theatre commands • Aarogya Maitri Project:- It involves India
— supplying vital medical resources to
• Northern for the China border, any developing nation facing the impact
• Western for the Pakistan border, and of natural disasters or humanitarian crises.
• Southern for the maritime role • The Aid Cube is equipped with several
Joint Command in Andaman & Nicobar innovative tools designed to enhance disaster
islands: response and medical support during
• There is one joint command in Andaman emergencies
and Nicobar Islands. • It integrates Artificial Intelligence (AI) and
• It is the first Tri-Service theatre command of data analytics to facilitate effective
the Indian Armed Forces, based at Port Blair coordination, real-time monitoring, and efficient
in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands of management of medical services in the field.
India. • The success of BHISHM Cube underscores
• It was created in 2001 to safeguard India's the importance of mobile hospital units in
strategic interests in Southeast Asia and delivering immediate and effective medical
the Strait of Malacca by increasing the rapid assistance during emergencies.
deployment of military assets in the islands.
• The other tri-service command, the Strategic
Forces Command (SFC), looks after the
delivery and operational control of the country’s
nuclear assets.

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NAGASTRA-1

PROJECT UDBHAV
• Launched in 2023, with aims to enrich the
nation’s outlook in the defence domain by
integrating India’s ancient strategic
acumen into contemporary military
practices, making the force “future-ready”.
• The objective of the Project is to synthesize
ancient wisdom with contemporary military
practices, forging a unique and holistic
approach to address modern security
challenges.
• It is a visionary initiative by the Indian Army
that seeks to integrate age-old wisdom with NAGASTRA-1
contemporary military pedagogy. • First indigenous Loitering Munition
• Literature like Chanakya’s Arthashastra • Loitering Munition:- It is also known as
underscores the importance of strategic a suicide drone, kamikaze drone,
partnerships, alliances and diplomacy, aligning or exploding drone,
with modern military practices such as • It is a kind of aerial weapon with a built-
international cooperation and soft power in warhead that is typically designed
projection. to loiter around a target area until a target
• Apart from ancient texts, a study of prominent is located, then attack the target by
military campaigns and leaders is also crashing into it
important. The empires of Chandragupta • Solar Industries, based in Nagpur, has
Maurya, Ashoka and Cholas flourished and delivered the first indigenously developed
expanded in influence, during their times. Loitering Munition, Nagastra-1, to the Indian
• There are examples of the Ahom Kingdom Army.
too, which successfully ruled for 600 years, • The Indian Army has ordered 480 Loiter
repeatedly defeating the Mughals. Munitions from Solar Industries’ Economic
Explosives Ltd (EEL).
Project UDBHAV aims to
• Effectively integrate this ancient wisdom with Technical Specifications
modern military pedagogy through • Altitude Over 4,500 meters (stealth capability)
interdisciplinary research, workshops and • Endurance 60 minutes
leadership seminars. • Man-in-loop Range 15 km
• It will facilitate emergence of previously under- • Autonomous Mode Range 30 km
explored thoughts and theories related to • Precision GPS-enabled, 2-meter accuracy
strategic thinking, statecraft and warfare, foster • Warhead Capability Capable of defeating soft-
deeper understanding and contribute to skin targets
enriching military training curricula. • Surveillance Day-night cameras
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• Recovery Parachute-assisted soft landing • Phase-II system can intercept ballistic

missiles with a range of up to 5,000 km,
Note:- Over 75% indigenous components, enhancing India’s strategic defence.
showcasing India’s self-reliance in defense • Phase-I BMD, capable of intercepting missiles
technology. with ranges up to 2,000 km, has already been
Strategic Importance:- Enhances India’s military deployed.
capabilities with advanced drone technology in • The test demonstrated a network-centric
modern warfare scenarios. warfare weapon system, including long-
range sensors, low-latency
Zarowar communication, and advanced interceptor
• Zarowar is a joint effort between the Defence missiles.
Research and Development Organisation
(DRDO) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T). Indian Ballistic Missile Defence
• Zorawar is the first tank to be designed and
ready for trials in such a short timeframe. (BMD) Programme
• Named after the 19th-century Dogra General • IBMD launched in 2000 post-Kargil War, it is
Zorawar Singh, who led military operations in important in safeguarding India against missile
Ladakh and Western Tibet, threats, primarily from Pakistan and China.
• Its amphibious capabilities enable it to traverse • BMD has multi-layered approach, it deploys
steep climbs in mountainous terrain and cross two interceptor missiles:
rivers and other water bodies more easily than • Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) for high altitudes:-
heavier predecessors like the T-72 and T-90 It is designed to tackle longer-range ballistic
tanks. missiles above (50km-80km) altitudes
• The Zorawar tanks are designed with an active in exo-atmospheric space.
protection system to shield combat • Advanced Air Defence (AAD) for lower
vehicles from anti-tank guided missiles and altitudes:- It provide an additional interception
projectiles. layer engaging enemy missiles endo-
• The tank is currently powered by a Cummins atmospherically in the 15 to 30 km altitude
engine and DRDO has taken up a project to range
develop a new engine domestically.

July, 2024:- Successful Phase-II

Components of BMD Network
Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) • Detection and tracking
System Test • Command and control centres
• The DRDO has successfully tested its Phase- • Interceptor launchers
II-BMD system showcasing India's advanced • Communications network
capabilities in defending against long-range
ballistic missile threats.

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Two-Tier Ballistic Missile endo-atmospherically in the 15 to 30

km altitude range:
Defence System • AAD Ashwin Interceptors: Single-stage solid
• BMD shield comprises two interceptor missile rocket-propelled missiles that can attain 4.5
systems – Mach speeds, 100 km range and 20
• Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) / High Altitude km operational altitude to neutralise hostile
PAD Interceptors projectiles.
• It is designed to tackle longer-range ballistic • Together, the PAD and AAD interceptors form
missiles above (50km-80km) altitudes in exo- a robust and impenetrable missile shield
atmospheric space. reducing leakage of hostile missiles
• Two PAD variants are developed:- significantly.
• Pradyumna Missile
• Prithvi Defence Vehicle
• Advanced Air Defence (AAD):- The AAD
missiles provide an additional interception
layer engaging enemy missiles endo-
atmospherically in the 15 to 30 km altitude
range.
• AAD Ashwin Interceptors

Two-Tier Ballistic Missile

Defence System Pinaka rocket system
• Pinaka Rockets are an indigenously
• BMD shield comprises two interceptor missile
developed multi-barrel rocket launcher
systems –
(MBRL) system,
• Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) / High Altitude • Designed /Produced:- Defence Research
PAD Interceptors and Development Organisation (DRDO)
• It is designed to tackle longer-range ballistic • It plays a significant role in the country’s
missiles above (50km-80km) altitudes in exo- defense capabilities, particularly in artillery
atmospheric space. warfare.
• Two PAD variants are developed: • Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL):Pinaka
is an all-weather, artillery multi-barrel
• Pradyumna Missile: It is a two-stage solid
rocket system.
and liquid-fueled quick-reaction missile to
• Range :- 75 km (accuracy of ±10 meters)
intercept incoming missiles at 80 km
altitude with a maximum speed of Mach 5. • Mounted on a Tata truck or Ashok Leyland.
• It is capable of firing a salvo of 72 rockets in
• Prithvi Defence Vehicle: Advanced variant 44 seconds, providing heavy firepower in a
consisting of a kinetic kill vehicle attached to
short period.
the top of dual stage PAD interceptor instead
of explosives.
Key Features:
• It collides directly with hostile missiles above • Pinaka can strike targets with an accuracy of
the atmosphere. ±10 meters over a range of 75 km, significantly
improving its effectiveness in precision strikes.
Advanced Air Defence (AAD) • Pinaka system is mounted on a Tata truck or
Interceptors for lower altitudes. Ashok Leyland 8×8 chassis, making it mobile
and easily deployable in different terrains,
• The AAD missiles provide an additional
including high-altitude regions.
interception layer engaging enemy missiles

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• It is capable of firing a salvo of 72 rockets in 44 • Security considerations and legitimate

seconds, providing heavy firepower in a short defensive needs.
period. • Lack of universal adherence to the
• Pinaka rockets can be equipped with various convention.
types of warheads, including high-explosive • Concern over the efficacy of existing
fragmentation, incendiary, anti-tank, and anti- alternatives.
personnel warheads, making it versatile for
different types of operations.
• The Pinaka system has been used effectively
SPACE SCIENCE
in combat, notably during the Kargil War
(1999), where it played a key role in Indian Space Research
neutralizing enemy positions in mountainous Organisation (ISRO)
terrain.
• ISRO is the space agency under the
Department of Space of Government of
CLUSTER MUNITIONS India.
• Nov, 2024: - A Russian ballistic missile with • Headquarter: - Bengaluru, Karnataka.
cluster munitions strike northern Ukraine. • Formed: - 15 August 1969;
• Preceding agency: - INCOSPAR (1962–1969)
What are Cluster Munitions? • The INCOSPAR (Indian National Committee
• Cluster munitions are explosive weapons for Space Research) was initiated under the
designed to release multiple smaller leadership of Dr. Sarabhai and Dr.
submunitions or bomblets over a wide area. Ramanathan.
• It is delivered via rockets, artillery, or aircraft. • Its vision is to harness space technology for
• Cluster munitions open mid-air, scattering national development, while pursuing space
submunitions across a wide area. science research and planetary exploration.
• Many bomblets may remain unexploded, • The space research activities were initiated in
creating long-term risks similar to landmines. India under Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the
founding father of Indian space
International Concerns: - programme, during 1960’s.
• Humanitarian Issues:
• Environmental Damage ASTRONOMY
• It is a scientific study of the celestial objects
Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) and its phenomena
• Adopted: - 2008; • Where we study the origin of these objects like
• Entered into force: - 2010. planets, satellite, stars etc.
• Objective: - To prohibit the use, development, • Phenomena like supernova explosion, black
production, acquisition, stockpiling, and hole etc.
transfer of cluster munitions.
• Ratifications: - Over 110 countries have UNIVERSE
ratified or acceded to the convention. • The universe is all of space and time.
• Provisions: - Assistance for victims and • The universe consists of all matter energy,
clearance of contaminated areas. planets, galaxies, stars etc.
• Following states that have not joined
convention: - USA, Russia, China, and India.
• India’s Position: -
• India has not signed the CCM, citing:

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• The spectra of light from these galaxies show

a frequency shift towards the red, known as the
red shift.
• This Red shift indicates that the galaxies are
moving away (Doppler effect)
• Doppler Effect or Doppler Shift is the change
in frequency or wavelength of a wave in
SPACE UNIVERSE relation to an observer who is moving relative
Space refers to Universe refers to the to the wave source.
the void that entirety of all physical
exists between matter and energy, solar SOLAR SYSTEM
celestial [Link], planets, galaxies,
and all contents of the 1) It consist of sun, planets, satellite, asteroids etc.
space. 2) It is gravitationally bound system of the sun and
Space does not Universe includes all the objects that orbit it, either directly or indirectly.
include celestial celestial objects.
objects;
It includes only
the void between
them.
Space consists Universe consists of
of magnetic planets, stars, galaxies, as
fields, well as space.
electromagnetic
radiation,
neutrinos, dust
and cosmic rays. Sun
• It is our nearest star.
• Consist of 74% hydrogen, 25% helium and
GALAXY 1% other elements.
• The galaxy is a gravitational bound system • Same basic structure as other starts but
of stars, gases, dust and dark matter. brightest object in the sky because of its
• The size of galaxy with just a few hundred nearness to us.
million star (108) to one hundred trillion (1014) • The sun is at a distance of 8 light minutes
starts. (somewhere 8 light minutes & 19 Sec.) from
• JADES-GS-z13-0 galaxy discovered by the earth. i.e. it takes about 8 minutes for light
the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) on, to travel from the sun to the earth.
29 September 2022, is the oldest and most • The fusion reaction take place for the
distant observe galaxy (33.6 billion light transformation of hydrogen into helium. i.e.
year(LY) from earth). Proton-Proton Chain, Carbon-Nitrogen-
• Our solar system found in milky way, having Oxygen Chain
diameter (1,50,000 – 2,00,000 LY) and central
thickness is about (10,000 LY).
• There are nearly 1010 such galaxies which build
Planets
• Presently there are 8 planets
this vast universe.
• Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn,
• Galaxies are not fixed in the universe but are
moving outwards. i.e. we are in an expanding Uranus, Neptune
• Pluto has been removed from the list in 2006
universe.
by International Astronomical Union (IAU). It is
now considered as Dwarf planet

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• Dwarf Planets: It is a planetary mass objects Facts You Need to Know

that is neither a true planet nor a natural
• Condition of International Astronomical Union
satellite. e.g. Pluto, Eris, Make-Make etc.
(IAU), for a celestial object to be called as a
planet in our solar system.
• 1) It must orbit the sun.
• 2) It should have sufficient mass to assume
hydrostatic equilibrium. i.e. nearly round
shape.
• 3) Has "cleared the neighbourhood" around
its orbit. i.e. The object that exerts the
maximum gravitational pull within its orbit.

Classification of Planets International Astronomical

Terrestrial Planets Jovian Planets Union (IAU)
• IAU is a non-governmental organisation that
Inner Planets. Outer Planets.
governs international professional
These are relatively Larger as compare to astronomical activities worldwide.
small and dense. terrestrial planets but • Established:- 1919
low in density. • Headquarters:- Paris, France.
• Members :- National members from 85
Probably made of Composed of mostly countries
rocks and metallic hydrogen and helium. • Its mission is to promote and safeguard the
materials. science of astronomy in all its aspects,
e.g. Mercury, Venus, e.g. Jupiter, Saturn, including research, communication, education,
Earth, Mars Uranus, Neptune and development, through international
cooperation.
• It is the only organization recognized
Facts You Need to Know professionally for the naming of
• Smallest planet – Mercury astronomical bodies, which it does solely on
• Largest planet – Jupiter the basis of merit, history, or discoverer’s
• Largest Satellite – Ganymede (Jupiter) privilege.
• Smallest satellite: Deimos (Mars) • The IAU holds a general assembly every three
years in varying parts of the world at which
Planet No. of Moons professional astronomers meet to discuss
research, new cooperative ventures, and
Mercury 0 similar matters of professional interest.
• The IAU also works to promote research,
Venus 0 education, and public outreach activities in
Earth 1 astronomy for the public.

Mars 2
NEBULAE
Jupiter 95 • Cluster of stars & gaseous clouds.
• It is an interstellar cloud of dust, hydrogen,
Saturn 146 helium and others ionized gases.
• The closest known nebula to Earth is called
Uranus 27
the Helix Nebula. It is approximately 700 light-
Neptune 14 years away from Earth.

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• Stars are formed out of condensing gases • Stars are born in nebulas.
within these nebulae. e.g. Orion Nebula • Nebulas are clouds found in space. They are
within Milky way. made of gases and dust.
• A star's colour tells us how hot or cold it is.
• For example, the bluish star are the hottest.
While the reddish star are the coolest (but they
are still very hot).

Death of Star
• The process of the death of a star begins
when fuel (gases) in its core runs out.i.e.
when the hydrogen in the core is finished.
Constellation • Then the stars starts contracting and
• A group of stars that forms a particular having heavier nuclei like helium, carbon,
shape in the sky and has been given a name oxygen etc.
like – Hydra, Hercules etc • Fusion of these heavier nuclei also started,
• It is also refers as a definite regions of the sky, till a stage is reached, when there is mostly
set off by arbitrary boundary lines to include iron and no more fusion take place.
prominent groups of stars. • Then it explodes and this stage, referred to
• The name of the regions or constellations as “Super Nova” explosion the star is
have been derived from the groups of bright temporarily as bright as the whole milky way.
stars contained in them. • After the explosion, the highly dense residual
• The International Astronomical Union (IAU) core of a comparatively small star (mass less
has divided the sky into 88 official than 1.4 solar masses known as
constellations with exact boundaries. Chandrasekhar limit) is called a "white
dwarf"
• The extremely dense core left after the
Quasars (Quasi Stellar Object) explosion of a bigger star is known as a
• These are object which appear smaller then "Neutron Star"
any galaxy, yet they emit more energy than • Because of their small size, neutron stars
all the stars of any galaxy. spin very fast and while spinning, radiate all
• These are extremely luminous active galactic kinds of electromagnetic radiation. When
nucleus. this phase found then the star is called as
• The energy radiated by quasars is enormous, “Pulsar”.
even have luminosities thousands of times • Still bigger stars (Mass greater than 5 solar
greater than a galaxy such as the milky way. masses) are believed to end up as “Black
Holes” after the explosion.

Chandrasekhar Limit
• It is the maximum mass of a stable white
dwarf star.
• It is about 1.4 times of solar mass i.e. (2.765
x 1030 kg.)

Stars Solar Mass

• A stars is a sphere of gases held together • It is a standard unit of mass in astronomy,
by its own gravity. • It is equal to approx = 2 x 1030 kg
• Birth of Stars
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• It is used to indicate the masses of stars, ASTEROIDS

clusters, galaxies etc.
• It is equal to the mass of the sun.

Magnetar
• A magnetar is a type of neutron
star believed to have an extremely
powerful magnetic field.
• There is the emission of high-
energy electromagnetic radiation,
particularly X-rays and gamma rays.

Cepheids
• Cepheids, also called Cepheid Variables, • Asteroids, sometimes called minor planets.
are stars which brigthen and dim • They are rocky, airless remnants left over
periodically. from the early formation of our solar system
• It changes in brightness, with a well-defined about 4.6 billion years ago.
stable period and amplitude. • It is believed that asteroids are debris left
over from the accumulation process, which
led to the origin of the inner planets.
BLACK HOLE • It is the belt of celestial objects of irregular in
• Black hole, is a cosmic body of extremely shape and small both in size & mass
intense gravity from which nothing, not compared to a planet.
even light, can escape. • It lies between Mars and Jupiter.
• The gravity in black hole is so strong because • Ceres: The largest know asteroid.
matter has been squeezed into a tiny space.
• This can happen when a star is dying
because its internal thermonuclear fuel has
Asteroids are divided into 3
been exhausted in its core. categories
• As a result, the core become unstable and • First type, they are found in the main asteroid
gravitationally collapses inward upon itself. belt, between Mars and Jupiter. It is estimated
• Because no light can get out, people can't that this region contains somewhere between
see black holes. They are invisible. 1.1-1.9 million asteroids.
• Second type is that of trojans (the name
comes from Greek mythology), which are
asteroids that share an orbit with the
planet.
• NASA reports the presence of Jupiter,
Neptune and Mars trojans. In 2011, they
reported an Earth trojan as well.
• Third type is under Near-Earth Asteroids
Sagittarius A, Sgr A is the supermassive (NEA), which has orbits that pass close to
black hole at the center of the Milky Way. the Earth.
• Those that cross the Earth’s orbit are called
Earth-crossers.
• More than 10,000 such asteroids are known,
of which over 1,400 are classified as
Potentially Hazardous Asteroids.

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• When there is collision between two • The head is affected by light from the sun
asteroids a small lump of material may be and the solar winds.
thrown off. • While the portion of the gas leaves the head
• When such lumps enter the earth's forms a tail which always point away from
atmosphere, they produce blazer of light. the sun.
• Some of the pieces eventually landing on
the earth's surface are called meteorites.

METEORITES

Comet Nishimura
• As per NASA ‘It seems like a good bet’ that
Comet Nishimura could become visible to
the naked eye this September (2023).
Meteors • Its orbit could bring it on a close approach to
• If a meteoroid comes close enough to Earth Earth on 12, September 2023, when it could
and enters Earth’s atmosphere, it vaporizes be as close as 125 million kilometers away.
and turns into a meteor: a streak of light in the • Discovered on: August 11, 2023.
sky. • Discovered by: Hideo Nishimura (Japanese
• Because of their appearance, these streaks amateur astronomer)
of light are sometimes called "shooting
stars." Devil Comet
• But meteors are not actually stars.
• Also known as 12P/Pons-Brooks.
• It is larger than typical comets and has been
Meteor shower dubbed the “Devil Comet” for appearing to
have horns.
• Its “horns” are actually tails of gas and dust
formed by an odd series of explosive
outbursts.
• When this happens, the comet brightens
really rapidly and then sort of fades back to
the brightness it had before.
• This short-period comet orbits the Sun once
every 71.2 years, similar to the famous
Halley’s Comet.
COMETS • Scientists have known about Pons-Brooks
• These objects are formed by the debris left ever since 1812.
over from the formation of the outer • However, observations of the comet weren’t
planets. precise enough to predict exactly when or
• A comet has a central core of icy material where it would return, so it was rediscovered
known as the nucleus. in 1883 by William Brooks.
• As the comet comes close to the sun, a part of
its material evaporates and forms the "head"
of the comet.
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ASTRONOMICAL UNIT (A.U) • High initial cost.

• Storage of cryogenic fuel is expensive &
• Unit of length
difficult
• Used to express astronomical distances.
• The average distance from the earth to sun
which is 1.495 x 1011 meter. REMOTE SENSING SATELLITE
SYSTEM (RSS)
PARSEC (PC) • The observation acquiring information of the
• Unit of length earth surface from space is usually termed as
• Used to express astronomical distances. remote sensing
• 1 P.C = 3.085 x 1016 meter • And satellite used for this purpose are known
as remote sensing satellites.
LIGHT YEAR (LY) • Mostly these satellites are placed in LEO
(Low Earth Orbit).
• Unit of length
• Electromagnetic radiation is normally used
• Used to express astronomical distances
as an information carrier.
• 1 LY = 9.46 X 1015 meter.
• Examples: - IRS series (Indian Remote
Sensing), Cartosat, Oceansat etc
TYPES OF ORBITS
The various types of orbits:
• Low Earth Orbit (LEO) (180 Km to 2000 Km.) APPLICATION OF RSS
• Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) (2000 km to • Natural Resources Management
35,780 km) • Disaster management
• Geostationary Orbit (GEO) (More than 35,780 • Weather forecasting
km) • Agriculture sector

CRYOGENIC ENGINES
• It means engines running at a very low
temperature.
• Here the fuel used is like: - Liquid Hydrogen
(LH) (-2530 C), Liquid Oxygen (LO) (-1860 C)
which act as oxidizer.
• Various cryogenic fuel and oxidizer
combinations have been tried, but the
combination of liquid hydrogen and liquid COMMUNICATION SATELLITE
oxygen is widely used.
SYSTEM
ADVANTAGES • These satellites are placed at an altitude of
• When LH and LO burned, it released high about 36,000 KM
enthalpy. Producing specific impulse up • Revolution period is same as the earth
to 450 sec. (effective exhaust viability 4.4 rotation period, hence observed to be
km/sec.). stationary satellites over one spot above the
• Due to more density of liquid fuel stored at low equator.
temperature, large amount of fuel can be • Used for communication purpose like T.V
store. broadcasting, digital audio, data and video
• Due to higher density, the energy per unit broadcasting etc.
volume of fuel is higher. So, the power • Also called Geo- Synchronous satellite or
generated per unit volume is high. Geo-stationary satellites.
DISADVANTAGES
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• Example: - INSAT Series (Indian National

Satellite System)
• GSAT Series (Geo Synchronous Satellite)

Application
• Telecommunication
• Defence
• Global Positioning System
• Meteorology

Sun-synchronous Orbit (SSO)

• SSO also called a Heliosynchronous orbit.
• SSO is a particular kind of polar orbit.
• Satellites in SSO, travelling over the polar
regions, are synchronous with the Sun.
• The SSO satellites rotate w.r.t earth from north
Geostationary vs. to south.
Geosynchronous Orbit • Altitude range:- 200- 1000 km.
• It is a nearly polar orbit around a planet, in
which the satellite passes over any given point
of the planet's surface at the same local mean
solar time.
• More technically, it is an orbit arranged so that
it processes through one complete revolution
each year, so it always maintains the same
relationship with the Sun.

Polar Orbit GAGANYAAN SPACE

• A polar orbit is one in which
a satellite passes above or nearly above
PROGRAMME
both poles (North-South) of the planet on • Indian Human spaceflight programme
each revolution. • Type : Crewed orbital vehicle
• Polar Orbit satellites travel past earth from • As part of this program, two unmanned
north to south instead of west to east. missions and one manned mission are
• It has an inclination of about 60 - 90 degrees to approved by the Government of India.
the equator. • Two unmanned preparatory missions—
• The altitude can go as low as 200 km & Gaganyaan-1 (G1) and Gaganyaan-2 (G2)—
maximum upto 1000 km. will be conducted, with G1 scheduled for
• However, mostly the satellites are placed December.
between 600-800 km. • G1 will primarily test the spacecraft’s safe
• Its orbital period of about 100 minutes. re-entry and orientation upon splashing down
• Polar orbits are used for Earth- at sea.
mapping, imaging, weather satellites etc • G2 will carry the robot Vyommitra inside the
human-rated crew module to simulate
astronaut conditions and record flight
parameters for human impact studies.

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• The spacecraft will carry three people, at an Shukrayaan (Venus mission)

orbit of the earth at 400 km altitude for up to
• It is a Venus orbiter mission
5 - 7 days. (Low Earth Orbit (LEO))
• Earlier, it was set to be launched in December-
• The crewed vehicle is planned to be launched
2024
by ISRO GSLV MK III in 2021-2022. But, the
• The ISRO is targeting a March 2028 launch
first manned spaceflight is expected to take
for its Venus mission, timed to coincide with
place in 2024.
the closest alignment of Earth and Venus.
• For implementation of the programme
• This will be India’s second mission to a
“Human Space Flight Centre” was set up
planet, after the Mars Orbiter Mission in 2014.
at Bengaluru ( Bangalore).
• An orbiter going around the planet will study
• In June-2019, India also signed an
the surface of the planet, its dust and cloud,
agreement with Russia to get its astronauts
volcanism, atmosphere and ionosphere, as
trained for this mission.
well as the interaction of the planet with the
• The success of the Gaganyaan Mission will put
sun.
India in the elite group of nations (US, Russia,
• Objectives of studying of Venus’ surface and
and China) having human space flight
subsurface, its atmospheric chemistry and
capability.
solar wind interactions with the planet.
• Mission Gaganyaan is likely to be launched
• The atmosphere of Venus contains a gas
in 2026
that on Earth can be attributed to living
• Organisation Involved :- DRDO, HAL, ISRO
organisms.
• With this new sign of potential life beyond
Earth, many missions to Venus have been
proposed.
• In September 2020, scientists have detected
phosphine molecules on Venus, which could
be a biosignature of microbial life.
• Scientists also use Venus as a reference to
understand how Earth-sized planets around
other stars evolve and what conditions might
exist there.

Venus: -
• First Recorded: 17th century BCE by
Babylon astronomers
• It is the only planet named after a female.
• It is named after the Roman goddess of love
Names of Astronauts: - and beauty.
• In February 2024, P.M Narendra Modi • Number of Moons: None
announced the names of four astronauts who • It is the second planet from the Sun.
would be onboard the first Gaganyaan • It is the sixth in the solar system in size and
spaceflight. mass.
• All four are officers of the Indian Air Force. • It is the brightest planet.
• The four astronaut-designates are:- • It is the hottest planet in the solar system
• Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, because of the high concentration of
• Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, carbon dioxide which works to produce an
• Group Captain Angad Pratap, and intense greenhouse effect.
• Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla.

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• Unlike the other planets in our solar system, • The satellite will have a Rubidium atomic
Venus and Uranus spin clockwise on their clock onboard, a significant technology
axis. developed by India.
• Venus has been called Earth’s twin because
of the similarities in their masses, sizes, and WORLD NAVIGATION SYSTEM
densities and their similar relative locations in
the solar system. Satellit Operation
Country Name
e al
Venus Missions:- USA GPS 31- 33 1978
• USA: Mariner series 1962-1974, Pioneer
Russia GLONAS 24-26 1995
Venus 1 and Pioneer Venus 2 in 1978,
Magellan in 1989. S
• Russia: Venera series of space crafts 1967- Europea Galileo 26 2019-20
1983, Vegas 1 and 2 in 1985. n Union
• Japan: Akatsuki in 2015.
• Europe: Venus Express in 2005. China BeiDou 35-40+ 2020
• India: Shukrayaan (to be launched in 2024.)
Japan QZSS 4 2018
NAViC (Navigation with Indian
India IRNSS 7 2018
Constellation)
• Also called as IRNSS (Indian Regional • GPS (Global positioning system)
Navigation Satellite System). • QZSS (Quasi Zenith Satellite System)
• It is an Indian satellite navigation system. • IRNSS – (Indian Regional Navigation Satellite
• It covers India and a region extending 1500 km System)
around it, with plan for further extension.
• Accuracy: - 5 to 10 mt land, 20 mt. ocean.
• Presently the constellation consist of 7 active
YOUNG SCIENTIST
satellites (3 satellites in geostationary orbit & PROGRAMME (YUVIKA)
4 satellites in geosynchronous orbit ) • Initiative of ISRO, under which students 8th
• Plans to expand the constellation size from standard pass, would be selected from all over
7 to 11 number of satellites. India.
• It covers India and a region extending • This program includes experience sharing
1,500 km around it, with plans for further by eminent scientists, experimental
extension up to 3,000 km demonstrations, facility and lab visits,
• It became operational in 2018. Currently, exclusive sessions for discussions with
NavIC’s use is limited. experts, practical and feedback sessions.
• Used for military, commercial purpose etc • Students will also get access to Research and
• Total launches :- 10 satellites (IRNSS-1A – Development and will be given experience to
partial failure, IRNSS-1H – launch failed) build a satellite
• Satellite series :- IRNSS-1A, IRNSS-1B…..etc • It will imparting basic knowledge on space
• NVS-01 is the first in the series of second technology, space science and application
generation Navigation Satellite to the younger ones with the intent of
• And the ninth satellite in the NavIC, with an arousing their interest in the emerging areas of
alternate name of, IRNSS-1J. space activities
• Launched by GSLV-F12-Mk2 on 29 May 2023 • This programme is similar to US – NASA
• Orbit :- Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit. programme [Link] agency – Students
• The satellite is intended to replace IRNSS-1G outreach.

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SPACE SCIENCE AND • It will be represented by domestic and global

corporations that have advanced capabilities
TECHNOLOGY AWARENESS in space and satellite technologies.
TRAINING (START) • Help to make India self-reliant, technologically
• April, 2024: - ISRO will conduct the Space advanced, and a leading player in the space
science and Technology Awareness arena.
• ISpA will also promote building of global
Training (START) 2024 programme during
April and May. linkages for the Indian space industry to
• It is an online introductory-level awareness bring in modern & sophisticated technology
program in space science and technology. and investments into the country to create
• The START program intends to equip more high-skill jobs.
students with foundational knowledge in
space-related domains. Indian National Space
• It is specifically designed for undergraduate
and postgraduate students of science and
Promotion and Authorisation
technology. Centre
• The lectures are delivered by scientists from (IN-SPACe)
Indian academia and ISRO centres. • Establishment: 2020.
• This program is part of ISRO’s efforts to train • HQ: Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
Indian students to become professionals in • Objective: promotion, encouragement and
the fields of space science and technology. regulation of space activities of both
government and private entities.
New Space India Limited • It will be a single window clearance and
• The establishment of NSIL was announced in authorisation agency for space launches,
Budget 2019. establishing launch pads, buying and selling
• New Space India Limited (NSIL), the newly satellites, and disseminating high-resolution
created second commercial arm of the data among other things.
ISRO. • It is an autonomous agency in the
• Its aim is to use research and development Department of Space.
carried out by ISRO over the years
for commercial purposes through Indian
industry partners.
• It differs from ISRO’s existing commercial
arm Antrix Corporation:
1. Antrix will handle ISRO’s commercial
deals for satellites and launch vehicles
with foreign customers.
2. NSIL will deal with capacity building
of local industry for space manufacturing KUIPER BELT
• Named after Dutch – American astronomer
"Gerard Kuiper”
Indian Space Association (ISpA) • It is a circumstellar disc in the outer solar
• ISpA will act as a single-window and
system.
independent agency on matters related to
• Extending from the orbit of "Neptune" to
space technology.
approximately 50 A.U from the sun.
• ISpA aspires to be the collective voice of
• It is a similar to the asteroid belt, but its size is
the Indian Space industry.
20 times wide and its mass is about 20 to

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200 times more than celestial objects found MEDIUM 500 - 1000
in asteroid belt. SATELLITE
• Mostly Kuiper belt objects are composed
largely of frozen volatiles ( termed “ice” ) MINI SATELLITE 100 - 500
such as methane, ammonia and water.
• It is home of three officially recognised MICRO SATELLITE 10 - 100
dwarf planets pluto, haumea, make-make.
• Some satellites of planets such as Neptune, NANO SATELLITE 1 - 10
Saturn may have originated in this region.
• As per estimation there are more than one lakh PICO SATELLITE 0.1 - 1
Kuiper belt objects. FEMTO LESS THAN 0.1
SATELLITE

Wormhole: - It is the theoretical

passage through space-time
could create shortcuts for long
journeys across the universe.
Dark Matter Dark Energy

Dark matter acts as Dark energy is

an attractive force, a repulsive force, a
a kind of cosmic kind of anti-gravity.
mortar that holds our
world together. This also helps
in speeding up the
This is because dark universe's BHUVAN - Geo Portal
matter interacts expansion.
with gravity yet Developed by ISRO
does not reflect, • BHUVAN, also called the Indian version of
absorb, or emit light Google Maps.
• BHUVAN means Earth in Sanskrit.
Dark matter Dark energy is by far • It was introduced with an aim to evince the
accounts for 27% of the most powerful of Indian Earth Observation capabilities from the
the total. the two, accounting Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) series of
for around 68% of satellites
the universe's • It is a multi-purpose end-user satellite
application platform.
• This software application allows the users to
Classification of satellites explore a 2D/3D representation of the surface
of the Earth.
CLASS MASS (KG)
• It offers detailed imagery of Indian locations,
LARGE GREATER with spatial resolutions ranging up to 1 metre.
SATELLITE THAN 1000

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Visualisation of Earth Observation

Data and Archival System (VEDAS)
• VEDAS portal serves to disseminate the
data useful for various application.
• The portal may be browsed for understanding
and obtaining the services.

The services include:-

• Vegetation and crop monitoring
• Monitoring of air quality, Fire etc here
• Hydrological Services: Monitoring Water
level, spread, Flood forecast etc
• Polar ice study and Monitoring polar ice
melt status, area, Ship navigation
• New and Renewable Energy

MOSDAC
(Meteorological and Oceanographic
Satellite Data Archival Centre)
• It is a data repository for all the meteorological
missions of ISRO and deals with weather-
related information, oceanography, and
tropical water cycles.
• Data acquired from missions is disseminated in Next Generation Launch
near real time from Space Applications
Centre (SAC) , Ahmedabad through the
Vehicle (NGLV)
• ISRO is developing a rocket named NGLV to
MOSDAC web site.
replace its ageing workhorse the Polar
• The web site also hosts weather services
Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
including cloud burst and heavy rain alerts,
• NGLV will use ‘semi-cryogenic’ technology
genesis of tropical cyclones in the Indian
which is both efficient and cost-effective.
Ocean.
• Semi-cryogenic engine, in which a mix of
liquid and gas is used as a propellant.
• The new rocket could also be ‘reusable’.
• A reusable rocket will have a smaller
payload than an expendable one.
• If it is reusable, the payload will be around
5 tonnes and if it’s expendable, it will go up
10 tonnes.
• Participation of the industry would ensure that
capability is created outside ISRO to build,
operate and launch it on a commercial basis.

Chandrayaan-3 mission.
• Launch Vehicle: Mark-III (LVM-3) (Launch
Vehicle Mark 3)

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• Launched site: Satish Dhawan Space Centre Objectives of Chandrayaan-3

(SDSC), Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
• Launch date :- 14 July 2023 mission:-
• Chandrayaan-3 the first mission to soft-land • To demonstrate a Safe and Soft Landing on
on the lunar south pole, a region that has the Lunar Surface.
never been explored before. • To demonstrate Rover roving on the moon.
• India now joins the United States, Russia, • To conduct in-situ scientific experiments.
and China as one of the few countries to
successfully land on the Moon. What are ISRO's Future
• Vikram Lander softly landed on the Moon
around 6:04 pm on August 23, 2023. Expeditions?
• National Space Day :- August 23 each year • Chandrayaan-4: Navigating the Path of
to mark the significant achievement Lunar Evolution
of Chandrayan-3's successful landing on the • Chandrayaan-4 emerges as a potential
Moon. candidate for a sample return mission.
• The 26kg Rover called Pragyaan (the • The mission holds promise for advancing our
Sanskrit word for wisdom). understanding of the Moon's composition and
• It will roam around the rocks and craters, history.
gathering crucial data and images to be sent • Mission as per present plan in 2028.
back to Earth for analysis.
• Chandrayaan-3 touchdown point to be known What are ISRO's Future
as 'Shiva Shakti Point':
• March, 2024:- The International Expeditions?
Astronomical Union (IAU) has approved the • Chandrayaan-5 mission, a collaborative
Chandrayaan-3 landing site name ‘Shiva effort between ISRO and JAXA( Japan space
Shakti’. agency).
• The announcement defined the origin of the • Originally named LUPEX, or Lunar Polar
name as, a “compound word from Indian Exploration, the time frame of this new
mythology that depicts masculine (Shiva) mission was not specified but is likely after
and feminine (Shakti) duality of nature. 2028.
• Landing site of Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram • It will be specifically designed to venture
Lander. into permanently shaded areas.
• Investigating the presence of water and
assessing the potential for a sustainable
Composition: - long-term station are among LUPEX's
• Lander Module: a spacecraft that descends objectives.
towards and comes to rest on, the surface of
an astronomical body.
• Propulsion module: a box-like structure, GSLV-Mk III
mounted with a large solar panel on one side • It is also known as the Launch Vehicle Mark
and a large cylinder on top. 3 (LVM3).
• Rover: a small vehicle that can move over • It is a three-stage vehicle with two solid
rough ground, often used on the surface of motor strap-ons, a liquid propellant core
other planets, sometimes controlled from the stage and a cryogenic stage.
earth. • It is the heaviest and the shortest among
• There will not be any India’s operational launch vehicles.
orbiters like Chandrayaan 2 in it. • Weighs: 641 tonnes, which is equal to the
weight of five fully loaded passenger
planes.

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• Capacity: GSLV can take 10,000-kg satellites • AstroSat is India's first dedicated multi-
to lower earth orbits. wavelength space telescope.
• The spacecraft is planned to be placed in a
The LVM-3 has 3 stages, halo orbit around the Lagrangian point 1
(L1) of the Sun-Earth system.
• The first (or bottom most stage) is in the
form of two S200 boosters straps to the sides
of the rocket body. Objective:-
• They combust a solid fuel called hydroxyl- • To provide valuable insights into the solar
terminated poly butadiene (HTPB). corona, photosphere, chromosphere, and
• The Second stage is powered by Vikas solar wind.
Engines, which combust a liquid fuel, either • To gain a deeper understanding of the Sun's
nitrogen tetroxide or unsymmetrical behavior, including its radiation, heat, particle
dimethyl hydrazine (UDH). flow, and magnetic fields, and how they
• The Third Stage:- Uppermost final stage is impact Earth.
powered by a cryogenic engine. What are Lagrange Points?
• It combusts liquified hydrogen with liquified
• Lagrange points are special positions in
oxygen.
space where the gravitational forces of two
large orbiting bodies, such as the Sun and
Mission to Moon
the Earth, balance each other out.
[Link] Mission Country • This means that a small object, such as
a spacecraft, can stay at these points
1 Artemis USA without using much fuel to maintain its
orbit.
2 Chandrayaan -3 India • There are five Lagrange Points, each with
distinct characteristics.
• These points enable a small mass to orbit in a
3 Chang’e Project China
stable pattern amid two larger masses.
4 Luna - 25 Russia

5 SLIM :- Smart Lander Japan

for Investigating Moon

Aditya-L1 Mission
• Launch date :- 2 September 2023
• Launch Vehicle :- PSLV-XL C57
• Launch site :- Satish Dhawan Space Centre
(Sriharikota, A.P)

About Mission
• Aditya-L1 is the space based observatory
class Indian solar mission to study the Sun
from a substantial distance of 1.5 million • A halo orbit is a periodic, three-
kilometers. dimensional orbit near one of the L1, L2 or
• Aditya-L1 is also ISRO’s second astronomy L3 Lagrange points in the three-body
observatory-class mission after AstroSat problem of orbital mechanics.
(2015).

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NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic

Aperture Radar)
• NISAR has been built by space agencies of
the US and India under a partnership
agreement signed in 2014.
• It is expected to be launched in 2025 from
Satish Dhawan Space Centre into a near-
polar orbit.
• The satellite will operate for a minimum of
three years.
• It is a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) observatory.
• NISAR will map the entire globe in 12 days.
• Objectives:-
1. Tracking subtle changes in the Earth’s REUSABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE
surface,
2. Spotting warning signs of imminent (PUSHPAK)
volcanic eruptions, • March, 2024: - ISRO plans to conduct the
3. Helping to monitor groundwater supplies, second landing test of the Reusable Launch
and Vehicle (RLV) Pushpak soon.
4. Tracking the rate at which ice sheets are • This ongoing research and development aim to
melting. reduce space launch costs and advance
• Expected Benefits India’s space exploration missions.
1. Earth Science • In 2023, ISRO successfully conducted the
2. Disaster Management Reusable Launch Vehicle Autonomous
3. Agriculture Landing Mission (RLV LEX).
4. Infrastructure Monitoring • Its purpose is to explore and validate
5. Climate Change technologies essential for achieving a fully
reusable launch vehicle.

Background and Purpose:

• The RLV Pushpak is part of ISRO’s efforts to
develop a fully reusable launch vehicle.
• Its primary goal is to enable low-cost access to
space.

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• ISRO envisions building a space station by developed and operated the launch vehicle
2035, and the RLV technology plays a crucial Vikram-S on a sub-orbital flight from Satish
role in achieving this objective. Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, becoming the
first player to do so.
SPACE SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY AWARENESS AGNIBAAN - SOrTeD –
TRAINING (START) Suborbital Technological
• April, 2024: - ISRO will conduct the Space Demonstrator
science and Technology Awareness Training • First launch from a private launchpad of the
(START) 2024 programme during April and country’s second privately built rocket and
May. • First using a combination of gas and liquid
• It is an online introductory-level awareness fuel.
program in space science and technology. • SOrTeD uses the world’s first single-piece
• The START program intends to equip 3D-printed engine, designed and built
students with foundational knowledge in indigenously.
space-related domains. • The Agnibaan rocket: - Two-stage launch
• It is specifically designed for undergraduate vehicle, Carry up to 300 kg of payload, upto
and postgraduate students of science and 700 km in altitude.
technology. • Agnibaan also has the unique distinction of
• The lectures are delivered by scientists from having been launched from India’s first
Indian academia and ISRO centres. private launchpad Dhanush, established by
• This program is part of ISRO’s efforts to train AgniKul.
Indian students to become professionals in • AgniKul Cosmos inaugurated first private
the fields of space science and technology. launchpad and mission control centre in
India at the Satish Dhawan Space
AGNIBAAN - SOrTeD – Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, (A.P), 28 Nov-
• Suborbital Technological Demonstrator 2022.
• May-2024:- Chennai-based space startup • The launchpad and the mission control
AgniKul Cosmos Private Limited launched a centre are 4 km apart from one another
single-stage technology demonstrator rocket • This launch is also considered historic
— Agnibaan SOrTeD— from Sriharikota. because the ISRO has not yet successfully
• Founded in 2017 by Srinath Ravichandran, flown a semi-cryogenic engine, in which a
Moin S P M, and S R Chakravarthy, AgniKul mix of liquid and gas is used as a
became the first Indian firm to sign an propellant.
agreement with ISRO in December 2020. • The key purpose of this mission is to serve as
• This pioneering agreement was facilitated a test flight, demonstrate in-house and home-
under the IN-SPACe initiative, granting AgniKul grown technologies, gather crucial flight data,
unprecedented access to Isro’s expertise and and ensure optimal functioning of systems for
cutting-edge facilities. AgniKul’s orbital launch vehicle, the
• The company is one of the highest-funded ‘Agnibaan’.
space startups in India and has raised $42
million so far. Axiom Mission 4 (or Ax-4)
• The startup is looking at flying an orbital July-2024:- The ISRO has selected two out of its
mission towards the end of 2024–25 and is four trained Gaganyaan astronauts to
working with customers on flights starting participate in the Axiom-4 mission.
regularly in the calendar year 2025. • Only one of the shortlisted astronauts will go
• It was in November 2022 that a private on the mission.
company, Skyroot Aerospace, successfully
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• The Axiom-4 mission is a private spaceflight • Their participation will contribute to scientific
to the International Space Station (ISS) research, technology demonstrations, and
conducted by Axiom Space in collaboration enhance India's human space program
with NASA. while strengthening ISRO-NASA
• It will be the fourth private astronaut mission cooperation.
to the ISS.
• The flight will be launched in October 2024 International Space Station (ISS)
and will last 14 days
• Launched :- 20 November 1998 (25 years ago)
• Spacecraft :- SpaceX Crew Dragon.
• Launch pad :- Baikonur, Kennedy, (Cape
Canaveral, USA)
Indian Involvement: • Perigee altitude :- 413 km Apogee altitude :-
• The ISRO has shortlisted two of its four 422 km
trained Gaganyaan astronauts to • International Space Station is a modular
participate in the mission. space station.
• These Indian astronauts will receive • Modular stations can allow modules to be
training from NASA, international partners, added to or removed from the existing
and SpaceX. structure, allowing greater flexibility.
• It is a large laboratory in space that allows
Objectives: astronauts to come aboard and stay for weeks
or months to carry out experiments.
• The mission aims to facilitate commercial
• The first crew on the ISS arrived on
activities in space, including scientific
November 2, 2000.
research, technological development, and
• Objective:- To conduct scientific research in
space tourism.
astrobiology, astronomy, meteorology, physics,
• It will demonstrate the viability of
and other fields.
commercial space stations as platforms for
• It is the largest artificial object in space.
business and innovation.
• It circles the Earth in roughly 93 minutes,
• Diverse Crew:
completing 15.5 orbits per day.
• The Axiom-4 mission will carry a diverse crew
• There are five participating Space Agencies
of astronauts from different countries.
1. National Aeronautics and Space
• Scientific Experiments:
Administration (USA)
• During the mission, various scientific
2. Roscosmos State Corporation for Space
experiments and technological tests will be
Activities (Russia)
conducted in the unique microgravity
3. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
environment of space.
(Japan)
• August ,2024 :- India has selected Group
4. European Space Agency (Europe)
Captains Shubhanshu Shukla and Prasanth
5. Canadian Space Agency (Canada)
Balakrishnan Nair for the upcoming Axiom-4
mission to the International Space Station
(ISS). Asteroid Day (International
• This mission is part of a joint ISRO-NASA Asteroid Day)
effort, stemming from a Space Flight • Date: - June 30 (Annual global event)
Agreement with Axiom Space Inc. • The anniversary of the Tunguska event in
• Shubhanshu Shukla will serve as the prime 30th June, 1908 when a meteor air burst
mission pilot, with Group Captain Nair as the levelled about 2,150 km2 of forest
backup. in Siberia, Russia.
• Both astronauts will undergo training in the • In 2016, the United Nations proclaimed
U.S. starting in August 2024.
Asteroid Day be observed globally on June
30 every year in its resolution.
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• The event aims to raise • Efforts are made across the world to protect
awareness about asteroids and what can the planet from possible harm.
be done to protect the Earth, its families, • Therefore, planetary defence is a unifying
communities, and future generations from a step of the scientific community across the
catastrophic event. world
• 99942 Apophis Asteroid • With Aim: - To track any object which can be
• It is a Near-Earth Object and it is believed that a potential threat to the earth and destroy
this may reach Earth in 2029. them before they become lethal.
• Distance from the Earth: It will be just • Mission DART is an outcome of this
38,012km away from the Earth on April 14, initiative.
2029.
• Size: The asteroid is 335 meters in size. Double Asteroid Redirection
• Astronomers Roy Tucker, David Tholen, and
Fabrizio Bernardi discovered the asteroid Test (DART) Mission
99942 Apophis on June 19, 2004. • DART was a NASA space mission aimed at
• Naming: Apophis is named after the demon testing a method of planetary
serpent who personified evil and chaos in defence against near-Earth objects.
ancient Egyptian mythology. • DART is the world’s first planetary defence
technology demonstration.
• Aims to protect the planets from any possible
ISRO’s Plans for Apophis collision with alien particles.
• Observation and Study: ISRO plans to • The Dart mission has changed the orbital
observe Apophis and gathering crucial data to period of asteroid to ensure that they remain
develop effective defense strategies. in their tight orbit.
• Collaboration: ISRO may collaborate with • Agency: - NASA.
other space agencies such as • Launch date :- 24 November 2021,
• JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration • Rocket :- Falcon 9
Agency), • Contractor :- SpaceX
• ESA (European Space Agency), and • Impact date :- 26 September 2022
• NASA (National Aeronautics and Space • Dimorphos impactor
Administration) • Dimorphos is a smaller asteroid that
• For potentially contributing instruments to a revolves around a larger asteroid called
joint mission focused on Apophis or Didymos.
offering other forms of support. • The Dart mission has changed the orbital
• Mission Participation: By participating in joint period of Dimorphos to ensure that they
mission, India can actively contribute to global remain in their tight orbit.
research on planetary defense.
• Necessity for Collaboration: ISRO’s focus
on planetary defense highlights the necessity
for international collaboration in safeguarding
Earth from potential cosmic threats.

What is planetary defence?

• There are various objects that revolve in the
solar system and these objects range from
tiny particles to large rocky particles.
• These objects can cause serious damage to
earth if they collide in the course of
revolution around the sun.
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Vampire Stars Important Facts: -

• SSLV is the new small satellite launch vehicle
developed by ISRO to cater for the launch of
small satellites.
• It has a three-stage launch vehicle
configured with three Solid Propulsion
Stages and liquid propulsion-based
Velocity Trimming Module (VTM) as a
terminal stage.
• VTM is the last liquid-propellent based stage of
the rocket which is used to correct the
velocity just before injecting the satellites
Vampire Stars: - into orbit.
• August, 2024: - Researchers have made a • The SSLV missions are useful to launch small-
groundbreaking discovery of a vampire star in sized satellites weighing anywhere
the star cluster M67 located in the constellation between 10 to 500kg into the Low Earth
Cancer, Orbit.
• It has been rejuvenating its youth by sucking • Shift the burden from PSLV: - SSLV will shift
up material from a companion. the burden of commercial launches from PSLV.
Introduction: - The SSLV is likely to cost a fourth of the current
• These are known to astronomers as blue PSLV.
straggler stars (BSS), are identified easily in
star clusters. International Astronautical
• These stars, found in clusters, appear
Federation (IAF)
younger than their neighbours, defying simple
• IAF is an international space advocacy
models of stellar evolution.
organization based in Paris (France).
• The mystery behind their youthful appearance
• Founded in 1951 as a non-governmental
has long puzzled astronomers, with theories
organization
suggesting they might be consuming
• Aim: - to establish a dialogue between
material from companion stars.
scientists around the world and to lay the
• They are also known as Symbiotic
information for international space
Binaries because they are normally in pairs.
cooperation.
• The Vampire star will start as the smaller
• They are drawn from space agencies,
star but, nearing the end of the sucking
companies, universities, professional
process will inevitably be the larger of the two.
associations, government organizations etc.
• The sucking star, when it has consumed a
• It has 68 countries as members.
large amount from its victim, will become a
• The IAF organizes the annual International
blue star, also known as a blue straggler.
Astronautical Congress (IAC).
• Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)
• Oct, 2024: - International Astronautical
• August, 2024:- ISRO successfully launched
Federation (IAF)'s World Space Award 2024
the third and final developmental flight of the
was conferred on the ISRO team which
SSLV from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in
executed the Chandrayaan-3 mission.
Sriharikota.
• The IAF World Space Award is constituted to
• The SSLV-D3 placed the Earth observation
recognise outstanding contributions in space
satellite EOS-08 precisely into orbit.
science, space technology, space medicine,
• NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), ISRO’s
space law or space management of
commercial arm, and India’s private space
“exceptional impact” to the world’s progress in
industry can now produce SSLVs for
astronautics.
commercial missions.
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• The core objective of the mission is to create

an artificial eclipse by precisely coordinating
two independent satellites.
• This capability will enable scientists to observe
the Sun's corona, a region typically obscured
by the intense brightness of the Sun.
• It is the innovative mission which
will demonstrate precision formation
flying between two satellites to create an
GSAT-N2 (GSAT-20): artificial eclipse, revealing new views of the
• Nov, 2024: - It was launched onboard Sun’s faint corona.
SpaceX’s Falcon-9 rocket into a • It consists of two small satellites —
geosynchronous transfer orbit. a Coronagraph spacecraft (340 kg) and
• GSAT-20 is India’s advanced a solar-disc-shaped Occulter spacecraft
communication satellite. (200 kg) — will mimic a natural solar eclipse.
• It is designed to provide data and internet • They will manoeuvre precisely in Earth’s
services to remote regions and enable in-flight orbit so that one satellite casts a shadow
Internet connectivity across the Indian onto the other.
subcontinent.
• It will provide significant data transmission Working
capacity, particularly for India's Smart Cities • By flying in tight formation about 150 metres
Mission. apart, the Occulter will precisely cast its
shadow onto the Coronagraph’s telescope,
Why Falcon-9 rocket was blocking the Sun’s direct light.
• This will allow the Coronagraph to image the
chosen? faint solar corona in visible, ultraviolet and
• As we know that ISRO’s Mark-3 launch vehicle polarised light for many hours at a time.
can place up to 4,000 kg into a geostationary • It will provide new insights into the origins of
transfer orbit only. coronal mass ejections (CMEs) — eruptions of
• But the GSAT-N2’s weight of 4,700 kg solar material that can disrupt satellites and
required a different solution. power grids on Earth.
• Hence, ISRO turned to SpaceX’s launch • The mission will also measure total solar
vehicle for this particular mission, marking irradiance, tracking changes in the Sun’s
ISRO’s first commercial collaboration with energy output that may influence Earth’s
SpaceX. climate.

PROBA 3
• Nov, 2024: - The ISRO successfully launched
the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Proba-3
mission aboard the Polar Satellite Launch
Vehicle (PSLV)-C59 rocket.
• The PSLV-C59/PROBA-3 Mission is the 61st
flight of PSLV and used PSLV-XL configuration.
• PROBA-3, a European Space Agency (ESA) SPADEX MISSION
mission consisting of two satellites, is designed • Dec, 2024: - The satellites for the SpaDeX
to study the solar corona—the outer layer of (Space Docking Experiment) mission are set to
the Sun’s atmosphere. launch onboard the PSLV C60 mission on
December 30, 2024.

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• If the SpaDeX test is successful, India will their relative velocity to just 0.036 km/h before
become the fourth country in the world to have docking.
a space programme capable of docking in
space.
• The SpaDeX mission is project by the ISRO
aimed at demonstrating in-space docking
technology.
• The primary goal of the SpaDeX mission is to
develop and demonstrate the technology
required for rendezvous, docking, and
undocking of two small spacecraft in low-Earth
orbit.
• ISRO needs to master in-space docking so that
satellites launched in separate rocket launches
can link up to perform more sophisticated
tasks.
• The technology will be essential for the
‘Bharatiya Antariksh Station,’ a new India-
made space station ISRO has begun work on.

Mission Details:
• Spacecraft: The mission involves two small
spacecraft, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02
(Target), each weighing approximately 220 kg.
• Objective: The primary goal of SpaDeX is to
develop docking technologies for two small
spacecraft, in Low Earth orbit.
• They will dock autonomously using advanced
sensors and propulsion systems.
• Secondary objectives include testing electric
power transfer and demonstrating spacecraft
control.
• Mission Duration: Two years
• SpaDeX will deploy two satellites, SDX01 and
SDX02, into a 470 km orbit using the PSLV
rocket, where they drift apart and gradually
approach each other, eventually docking at
distances from 20 km to 3 meters.
• The two satellites are equipped with the
Bharatiya Docking System (BDS).
• SpaDeX will use PSLV's fourth stage, POEM
(PSLV Orbital Experimental Module)-4, to
carry 24 payloads from academic institutions
and startups. These experiments will leverage
the microgravity environment in orbit.
• Docking Challenge: The two satellites
(Chaser and Target) will orbit at speeds of
28,800 km/h. They will need to carefully reduce
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SPACE SCIENCE

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

• ISRO is the space agency under the Department of Space of Government of India.
• Headquarter: - Bengaluru, Karnataka.
• Formed: - 15 August 1969;
• Preceding agency: - INCOSPAR (1962–1969)
• The INCOSPAR (Indian National Committee for Space Research) was initiated under the leadership
of Dr. Sarabhai and Dr. Ramanathan.
• Its vision is to harness space technology for national development, while pursuing space science research
and planetary exploration.
• The space research activities were initiated in India under Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the founding father of
Indian space programme, during 1960’s.

ASTRONOMY
• It is a scientific study of the celestial objects and its phenomena
• Where we study the origin of these objects like planets, satellite, stars etc.
• Phenomena like supernova explosion, black hole etc.

UNIVERSE
• The universe is all of space and time.
• The universe consists of all matter energy, planets, galaxies, stars etc.

SPACE UNIVERSE

Space refers to the void that exists between Universe refers to the entirety of all physical
celestial objects. matter and energy, solar systems, planets,
galaxies, and all contents of the space.

Space does not include celestial objects; Universe includes all celestial objects.
It includes only the void between them.

Space consists of magnetic fields, Universe consists of planets, stars, galaxies, as

electromagnetic radiation, neutrinos, dust and well as space.
cosmic rays.

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GALAXY
• The galaxy is a gravitational bound system of stars, gases, dust and dark matter.
• The size of galaxy with just a few hundred million star (108) to one hundred trillion (1014) starts.
• JADES-GS-z13-0 galaxy discovered by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) on, 29 September
2022, is the oldest and most distant observe galaxy (33.6 billion light year(LY) from earth).
• Our solar system found in milky way, having diameter (1,50,000 – 2,00,000 LY) and central thickness is
about (10,000 LY).
• There are nearly 1010 such galaxies which build this vast universe.
• Galaxies are not fixed in the universe but are moving outwards. i.e. we are in an expanding universe.
• The spectra of light from these galaxies show a frequency shift towards the red, known as the red shift.
• This Red shift indicates that the galaxies are moving away (Doppler effect)
• Doppler Effect or Doppler Shift is the change in frequency or wavelength of a wave in relation to an
observer who is moving relative to the wave source.

SOLAR SYSTEM
1) It consist of sun, planets, satellite, asteroids etc.
2) It is gravitationally bound system of the sun and the objects that orbit it, either directly or indirectly.

Sun
• It is our nearest star.
• Consist of 74% hydrogen, 25% helium and 1% other elements.
• Same basic structure as other starts but brightest object in the sky because of its nearness to us.
• The sun is at a distance of 8 light minutes (somewhere 8 light minutes & 19 Sec.) from the earth. i.e.
it takes about 8 minutes for light to travel from the sun to the earth.
• The fusion reaction take place for the transformation of hydrogen into helium. i.e. Proton-Proton Chain,
Carbon-Nitrogen-Oxygen Chain

Planets
• Presently there are 8 planets
• Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune

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• Pluto has been removed from the list in 2006 by International Astronomical Union (IAU). It is now
considered as Dwarf planet
• Dwarf Planets: It is a planetary mass objects that is neither a true planet nor a natural satellite. e.g. Pluto,
Eris, Make-Make etc.

Classification of Planets

Terrestrial Planets Jovian Planets

Inner Planets. Outer Planets.

These are relatively small and dense. Larger as compare to terrestrial planets but low in
density.

Probably made of rocks and metallic Composed of mostly hydrogen and helium.
materials.

e.g. Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars e.g. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune

Facts You Need to Know

• Smallest planet – Mercury
• Largest planet – Jupiter
• Largest Satellite – Ganymede (Jupiter)
• Smallest satellite: Deimos (Mars)

Planet No. of Moons

Mercury 0

Venus 0

Earth 1
Mars 2

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Jupiter 95

Saturn 146

Uranus 27
Neptune 14

Facts You Need to Know

• Condition of International Astronomical Union (IAU), for a celestial object to be called as a planet in our
solar system.
• 1) It must orbit the sun.
• 2) It should have sufficient mass to assume hydrostatic equilibrium. i.e. nearly round shape.
• 3) Has "cleared the neighbourhood" around its orbit. i.e. The object that exerts the maximum
gravitational pull within its orbit.

International Astronomical Union (IAU)

• IAU is a non-governmental organisation that governs international professional astronomical activities
worldwide.
• Established:- 1919
• Headquarters:- Paris, France.
• Members :- National members from 85 countries
• Its mission is to promote and safeguard the science of astronomy in all its aspects, including research,
communication, education, and development, through international cooperation.
• It is the only organization recognized professionally for the naming of astronomical bodies, which
it does solely on the basis of merit, history, or discoverer’s privilege.
• The IAU holds a general assembly every three years in varying parts of the world at which professional
astronomers meet to discuss research, new cooperative ventures, and similar matters of professional
interest.
• The IAU also works to promote research, education, and public outreach activities in astronomy for the
public.

NEBULAE
• Cluster of stars & gaseous clouds.
• It is an interstellar cloud of dust, hydrogen, helium and others ionized gases.
• The closest known nebula to Earth is called the Helix Nebula. It is approximately 700 light-years
away from Earth.
• Stars are formed out of condensing gases within these nebulae. e.g. Orion Nebula within Milky way.

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Constellation
• A group of stars that forms a particular shape in the sky and has been given a name like – Hydra,
Hercules etc
• It is also refers as a definite regions of the sky, set off by arbitrary boundary lines to include prominent
groups of stars.
• The name of the regions or constellations have been derived from the groups of bright stars
contained in them.
• The International Astronomical Union (IAU) has divided the sky into 88 official constellations with
exact boundaries.

Quasars (Quasi Stellar Object)

• These are object which appear smaller then any galaxy, yet they emit more energy than all the
stars of any galaxy.
• These are extremely luminous active galactic nucleus.
• The energy radiated by quasars is enormous, even have luminosities thousands of times greater than a
galaxy such as the milky way.

Stars
• A stars is a sphere of gases held together by its own gravity.
• Birth of Stars
• Stars are born in nebulas.
• Nebulas are clouds found in space. They are made of gases and dust.
• A star's colour tells us how hot or cold it is.
• For example, the bluish star are the hottest. While the reddish star are the coolest (but they are still very
hot).

Death of Star
• The process of the death of a star begins when fuel (gases) in its core runs out.i.e. when the
hydrogen in the core is finished.
• Then the stars starts contracting and having heavier nuclei like helium, carbon, oxygen etc.
• Fusion of these heavier nuclei also started, till a stage is reached, when there is mostly iron and
no more fusion take place.
• Then it explodes and this stage, referred to as “Super Nova” explosion the star is temporarily as
bright as the whole milky way.
• After the explosion, the highly dense residual core of a comparatively small star (mass less than 1.4
solar masses known as Chandrasekhar limit) is called a "white dwarf"

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• The extremely dense core left after the explosion of a bigger star is known as a "Neutron Star"
• Because of their small size, neutron stars spin very fast and while spinning, radiate all kinds of
electromagnetic radiation. When this phase found then the star is called as “Pulsar”.
• Still bigger stars (Mass greater than 5 solar masses) are believed to end up as “Black Holes” after
the explosion.

Chandrasekhar Limit
• It is the maximum mass of a stable white dwarf star.
• It is about 1.4 times of solar mass i.e. (2.765 x 1030 kg.)

Solar Mass
• It is a standard unit of mass in astronomy,
• It is equal to approx = 2 x 1030 kg
• It is used to indicate the masses of stars, clusters, galaxies etc.
• It is equal to the mass of the sun.

Magnetar
• A magnetar is a type of neutron star believed to have an extremely powerful magnetic field.
• There is the emission of high-energy electromagnetic radiation, particularly X-rays and gamma rays.

Cepheids
• Cepheids, also called Cepheid Variables, are stars which brigthen and dim periodically.
• It changes in brightness, with a well-defined stable period and amplitude.

BLACK HOLE
• Black hole, is a cosmic body of extremely intense gravity from which nothing, not even light, can
escape.
• The gravity in black hole is so strong because matter has been squeezed into a tiny space.
• This can happen when a star is dying because its internal thermonuclear fuel has been exhausted
in its core.
• As a result, the core become unstable and gravitationally collapses inward upon itself.
• Because no light can get out, people can't see black holes. They are invisible.

Sagittarius A, Sgr A is the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way.
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ASTEROIDS

• Asteroids, sometimes called minor planets.

• They are rocky, airless remnants left over from the early formation of our solar system about 4.6
billion years ago.
• It is believed that asteroids are debris left over from the accumulation process, which led to the
origin of the inner planets.
• It is the belt of celestial objects of irregular in shape and small both in size & mass compared to a
planet.
• It lies between Mars and Jupiter.
• Ceres: The largest know asteroid.

Asteroids are divided into 3 categories

• First type, they are found in the main asteroid belt, between Mars and Jupiter. It is estimated that this
region contains somewhere between 1.1-1.9 million asteroids.
• Second type is that of trojans (the name comes from Greek mythology), which are asteroids that share
an orbit with the planet.
• NASA reports the presence of Jupiter, Neptune and Mars trojans. In 2011, they reported an Earth
trojan as well.
• Third type is under Near-Earth Asteroids (NEA), which has orbits that pass close to the Earth.
• Those that cross the Earth’s orbit are called Earth-crossers.
• More than 10,000 such asteroids are known, of which over 1,400 are classified as Potentially
Hazardous Asteroids.
• When there is collision between two asteroids a small lump of material may be thrown off.
• When such lumps enter the earth's atmosphere, they produce blazer of light.
• Some of the pieces eventually landing on the earth's surface are called meteorites.

METEORITES

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Meteors
• If a meteoroid comes close enough to Earth and enters Earth’s atmosphere, it vaporizes and turns into
a meteor: a streak of light in the sky.
• Because of their appearance, these streaks of light are sometimes called "shooting stars."
• But meteors are not actually stars.

Meteor shower

COMETS
• These objects are formed by the debris left over from the formation of the outer planets.
• A comet has a central core of icy material known as the nucleus.
• As the comet comes close to the sun, a part of its material evaporates and forms the "head" of the
comet.
• The head is affected by light from the sun and the solar winds.
• While the portion of the gas leaves the head forms a tail which always point away from the sun.

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Comet Nishimura
• As per NASA ‘It seems like a good bet’ that Comet Nishimura could become visible to the naked eye
this September (2023).
• Its orbit could bring it on a close approach to Earth on 12, September 2023, when it could be as close as
125 million kilometers away.
• Discovered on: August 11, 2023.
• Discovered by: Hideo Nishimura (Japanese amateur astronomer)

Devil Comet
• Also known as 12P/Pons-Brooks.
• It is larger than typical comets and has been dubbed the “Devil Comet” for appearing to have horns.
• Its “horns” are actually tails of gas and dust formed by an odd series of explosive outbursts.
• When this happens, the comet brightens really rapidly and then sort of fades back to the brightness
it had before.
• This short-period comet orbits the Sun once every 71.2 years, similar to the famous Halley’s Comet.
• Scientists have known about Pons-Brooks ever since 1812.
• However, observations of the comet weren’t precise enough to predict exactly when or where it would
return, so it was rediscovered in 1883 by William Brooks.

ASTRONOMICAL UNIT (A.U)

• Unit of length
• Used to express astronomical distances.
• The average distance from the earth to sun which is 1.495 x 1011 meter.

PARSEC (PC)
• Unit of length
• Used to express astronomical distances.
• 1 P.C = 3.085 x 1016 meter

LIGHT YEAR (LY)

• Unit of length
• Used to express astronomical distances
• 1 LY = 9.46 X 1015 meter.

TYPES OF ORBITS
The various types of orbits:
• Low Earth Orbit (LEO) (180 Km to 2000 Km.)
• Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) (2000 km to 35,780 km)
• Geostationary Orbit (GEO) (More than 35,780 km)

CRYOGENIC ENGINES
• It means engines running at a very low temperature.
• Here the fuel used is like: - Liquid Hydrogen (LH) (-2530 C), Liquid Oxygen (LO) (-1860 C) which act
as oxidizer.
• Various cryogenic fuel and oxidizer combinations have been tried, but the combination of liquid hydrogen
and liquid oxygen is widely used.

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ADVANTAGES
• When LH and LO burned, it released high enthalpy. Producing specific impulse up to 450 sec. (effective
exhaust viability 4.4 km/sec.).
• Due to more density of liquid fuel stored at low temperature, large amount of fuel can be store.
• Due to higher density, the energy per unit volume of fuel is higher. So, the power generated per unit
volume is high.

DISADVANTAGES
• High initial cost.
• Storage of cryogenic fuel is expensive & difficult

REMOTE SENSING SATELLITE SYSTEM (RSS)

• The observation acquiring information of the earth surface from space is usually termed as remote
sensing
• And satellite used for this purpose are known as remote sensing satellites.
• Mostly these satellites are placed in LEO (Low Earth Orbit).
• Electromagnetic radiation is normally used as an information carrier.
• Examples: - IRS series (Indian Remote Sensing), Cartosat, Oceansat etc

APPLICATION OF RSS
• Natural Resources Management
• Disaster management
• Weather forecasting
• Agriculture sector

COMMUNICATION SATELLITE SYSTEM

• These satellites are placed at an altitude of about 36,000 KM
• Revolution period is same as the earth rotation period, hence observed to be stationary satellites
over one spot above the equator.
• Used for communication purpose like T.V broadcasting, digital audio, data and video broadcasting
etc.

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• Also called Geo- Synchronous satellite or Geo-stationary satellites.

• Example: - INSAT Series (Indian National Satellite System)
• GSAT Series (Geo Synchronous Satellite)

Application
• Telecommunication
• Defence
• Global Positioning System
• Meteorology

Geostationary vs. Geosynchronous Orbit

Polar Orbit
• A polar orbit is one in which a satellite passes above or nearly above both poles (North-South) of
the planet on each revolution.
• Polar Orbit satellites travel past earth from north to south instead of west to east.
• It has an inclination of about 60 - 90 degrees to the equator.
• The altitude can go as low as 200 km & maximum upto 1000 km.
• However, mostly the satellites are placed between 600-800 km.
• Its orbital period of about 100 minutes.
• Polar orbits are used for Earth-mapping, imaging, weather satellites etc

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Sun-synchronous Orbit (SSO)

• SSO also called a Heliosynchronous orbit.
• SSO is a particular kind of polar orbit.
• Satellites in SSO, travelling over the polar regions, are synchronous with the Sun.
• The SSO satellites rotate w.r.t earth from north to south.
• Altitude range:- 200- 1000 km.
• It is a nearly polar orbit around a planet, in which the satellite passes over any given point of the planet's
surface at the same local mean solar time.
• More technically, it is an orbit arranged so that it processes through one complete revolution each year,
so it always maintains the same relationship with the Sun.

GAGANYAAN SPACE PROGRAMME

• Indian Human spaceflight programme
• Type : Crewed orbital vehicle
• As part of this program, two unmanned missions and one manned mission are approved by the
Government of India.
• Two unmanned preparatory missions—Gaganyaan-1 (G1) and Gaganyaan-2 (G2)—will be conducted,
with G1 scheduled for December.
• G1 will primarily test the spacecraft’s safe re-entry and orientation upon splashing down at sea.
• G2 will carry the robot Vyommitra inside the human-rated crew module to simulate astronaut
conditions and record flight parameters for human impact studies.
• The spacecraft will carry three people, at an orbit of the earth at 400 km altitude for up to 5 - 7 days.
(Low Earth Orbit (LEO))
• The crewed vehicle is planned to be launched by ISRO GSLV MK III in 2021-2022. But, the first manned
spaceflight is expected to take place in 2024.
• For implementation of the programme “Human Space Flight Centre” was set up at Bengaluru (
Bangalore).
• In June-2019, India also signed an agreement with Russia to get its astronauts trained for this
mission.
• The success of the Gaganyaan Mission will put India in the elite group of nations (US, Russia, and
China) having human space flight capability.
• Mission Gaganyaan is likely to be launched in 2026
• Organisation Involved :- DRDO, HAL, ISRO

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Names of Astronauts: -
• In February 2024, P.M Narendra Modi announced the names of four astronauts who would be onboard
the first Gaganyaan spaceflight.
• All four are officers of the Indian Air Force.
• The four astronaut-designates are:-
• Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair,
• Group Captain Ajit Krishnan,
• Group Captain Angad Pratap, and
• Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla.

Shukrayaan (Venus mission)

• It is a Venus orbiter mission
• Earlier, it was set to be launched in December-2024
• The ISRO is targeting a March 2028 launch for its Venus mission, timed to coincide with the closest
alignment of Earth and Venus.
• This will be India’s second mission to a planet, after the Mars Orbiter Mission in 2014.
• An orbiter going around the planet will study the surface of the planet, its dust and cloud, volcanism,
atmosphere and ionosphere, as well as the interaction of the planet with the sun.
• Objectives of studying of Venus’ surface and subsurface, its atmospheric chemistry and solar wind
interactions with the planet.
• The atmosphere of Venus contains a gas that on Earth can be attributed to living organisms.
• With this new sign of potential life beyond Earth, many missions to Venus have been proposed.
• In September 2020, scientists have detected phosphine molecules on Venus, which could be a
biosignature of microbial life.
• Scientists also use Venus as a reference to understand how Earth-sized planets around other stars
evolve and what conditions might exist there.

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Venus: -
• First Recorded: 17th century BCE by Babylon astronomers
• It is the only planet named after a female.
• It is named after the Roman goddess of love and beauty.
• Number of Moons: None
• It is the second planet from the Sun.
• It is the sixth in the solar system in size and mass.
• It is the brightest planet.
• It is the hottest planet in the solar system because of the high concentration of carbon dioxide which
works to produce an intense greenhouse effect.
• Unlike the other planets in our solar system, Venus and Uranus spin clockwise on their axis.
• Venus has been called Earth’s twin because of the similarities in their masses, sizes, and densities and
their similar relative locations in the solar system.

Venus Missions:-
• USA: Mariner series 1962-1974, Pioneer Venus 1 and Pioneer Venus 2 in 1978, Magellan in 1989.
• Russia: Venera series of space crafts 1967-1983, Vegas 1 and 2 in 1985.
• Japan: Akatsuki in 2015.
• Europe: Venus Express in 2005.
• India: Shukrayaan (to be launched in 2024.)

NAViC (Navigation with Indian Constellation)

• Also called as IRNSS (Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System).
• It is an Indian satellite navigation system.
• It covers India and a region extending 1500 km around it, with plan for further extension.
• Accuracy: - 5 to 10 mt land, 20 mt. ocean.
• Presently the constellation consist of 7 active satellites (3 satellites in geostationary orbit & 4 satellites
in geosynchronous orbit )
• Plans to expand the constellation size from 7 to 11 number of satellites.
• It covers India and a region extending 1,500 km around it, with plans for further extension up to 3,000 km
• It became operational in 2018. Currently, NavIC’s use is limited.
• Used for military, commercial purpose etc
• Total launches :- 10 satellites (IRNSS-1A – partial failure, IRNSS-1H – launch failed)
• Satellite series :- IRNSS-1A, IRNSS-1B…..etc
• NVS-01 is the first in the series of second generation Navigation Satellite
• And the ninth satellite in the NavIC, with an alternate name of, IRNSS-1J.
• Launched by GSLV-F12-Mk2 on 29 May 2023
• Orbit :- Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit.
• The satellite is intended to replace IRNSS-1G
• The satellite will have a Rubidium atomic clock onboard, a significant technology developed by India.

WORLD NAVIGATION SYSTEM

Country Name Satellite Operational

USA GPS 31- 33 1978

Russia GLONASS 24-26 1995

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European Union Galileo 26 2019-20

China BeiDou 35-40+ 2020

Japan QZSS 4 2018

India IRNSS 7 2018

• GPS (Global positioning system)

• QZSS (Quasi Zenith Satellite System)
• IRNSS – (Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System)

YOUNG SCIENTIST PROGRAMME (YUVIKA)

• Initiative of ISRO, under which students 8th standard pass, would be selected from all over India.
• This program includes experience sharing by eminent scientists, experimental demonstrations,
facility and lab visits, exclusive sessions for discussions with experts, practical and feedback
sessions.
• Students will also get access to Research and Development and will be given experience to build a
satellite
• It will imparting basic knowledge on space technology, space science and application to the
younger ones with the intent of arousing their interest in the emerging areas of space activities
• This programme is similar to US – NASA programme [Link] agency – Students outreach.

SPACE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AWARENESS TRAINING

(START)
• April, 2024: - ISRO will conduct the Space science and Technology Awareness Training (START)
2024 programme during April and May.
• It is an online introductory-level awareness program in space science and technology.
• The START program intends to equip students with foundational knowledge in space-related
domains.
• It is specifically designed for undergraduate and postgraduate students of science and technology.
• The lectures are delivered by scientists from Indian academia and ISRO centres.
• This program is part of ISRO’s efforts to train Indian students to become professionals in the fields
of space science and technology.

New Space India Limited

• The establishment of NSIL was announced in Budget 2019.
• New Space India Limited (NSIL), the newly created second commercial arm of the ISRO.
• Its aim is to use research and development carried out by ISRO over the years for commercial
purposes through Indian industry partners.
• It differs from ISRO’s existing commercial arm Antrix Corporation:
1. Antrix will handle ISRO’s commercial deals for satellites and launch vehicles with foreign customers.
2. NSIL will deal with capacity building of local industry for space manufacturing

Indian Space Association ( ISpA )

• ISpA will act as a single-window and independent agency on matters related to space technology.
• ISpA aspires to be the collective voice of the Indian Space industry.

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• It will be represented by domestic and global corporations that have advanced capabilities in space
and satellite technologies.
• Help to make India self-reliant, technologically advanced, and a leading player in the space arena.
• ISpA will also promote building of global linkages for the Indian space industry to bring in modern &
sophisticated technology and investments into the country to create more high-skill jobs.

Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre

(IN-SPACe)
• Establishment: 2020.
• HQ: Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
• Objective: promotion, encouragement and regulation of space activities of both government and private
entities.
• It will be a single window clearance and authorisation agency for space launches, establishing launch
pads, buying and selling satellites, and disseminating high-resolution data among other things.
• It is an autonomous agency in the Department of Space.

KUIPER BELT
• Named after Dutch – American astronomer "Gerard Kuiper”
• It is a circumstellar disc in the outer solar system.
• Extending from the orbit of "Neptune" to approximately 50 A.U from the sun.
• It is a similar to the asteroid belt, but its size is 20 times wide and its mass is about 20 to 200 times
more than celestial objects found in asteroid belt.
• Mostly Kuiper belt objects are composed largely of frozen volatiles ( termed “ice” ) such as methane,
ammonia and water.
• It is home of three officially recognised dwarf planets pluto, haumea, make-make.
• Some satellites of planets such as Neptune, Saturn may have originated in this region.
• As per estimation there are more than one lakh Kuiper belt objects.

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Dark Matter Dark Energy

Dark matter acts as an attractive force, a kind of Dark energy is a repulsive force, a kind of
cosmic mortar that holds our world together. anti-gravity.

This is because dark matter interacts with gravity This also helps in speeding up the universe's
yet does not reflect, absorb, or emit light expansion.

Dark matter accounts for 27% of the total. Dark energy is by far the most powerful of the
two, accounting for around 68% of the
universe's

Classification of satellites
CLASS MASS (KG)

LARGE SATELLITE GREATER THAN 1000

MEDIUM SATELLITE 500 - 1000

MINI SATELLITE 100 - 500

MICRO SATELLITE 10 - 100

NANO SATELLITE 1 - 10

PICO SATELLITE 0.1 - 1

FEMTO SATELLITE LESS THAN 0.1

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Wormhole: - It is the theoretical passage through space-time could

create shortcuts for long journeys across the universe.

BHUVAN - Geo Portal Developed by ISRO

• BHUVAN, also called the Indian version of Google Maps.
• BHUVAN means Earth in Sanskrit.
• It was introduced with an aim to evince the Indian Earth Observation capabilities from the Indian Remote
Sensing (IRS) series of satellites
• It is a multi-purpose end-user satellite application platform.
• This software application allows the users to explore a 2D/3D representation of the surface of the Earth.
• It offers detailed imagery of Indian locations, with spatial resolutions ranging up to 1 metre.

Visualisation of Earth Observation Data and Archival System (VEDAS)

• VEDAS portal serves to disseminate the data useful for various application.
• The portal may be browsed for understanding and obtaining the services.

The services include:-

• Vegetation and crop monitoring
• Monitoring of air quality, Fire etc here
• Hydrological Services: Monitoring Water level, spread, Flood forecast etc
• Polar ice study and Monitoring polar ice melt status, area, Ship navigation
• New and Renewable Energy

MOSDAC
(Meteorological and Oceanographic Satellite Data Archival Centre)
• It is a data repository for all the meteorological missions of ISRO and deals with weather-related
information, oceanography, and tropical water cycles.
• Data acquired from missions is disseminated in near real time from Space Applications Centre (SAC) ,
Ahmedabad through the MOSDAC web site.
• The web site also hosts weather services including cloud burst and heavy rain alerts, genesis of
tropical cyclones in the Indian Ocean.

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Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV)

• ISRO is developing a rocket named NGLV to replace its ageing workhorse the Polar Satellite Launch
Vehicle (PSLV).
• NGLV will use ‘semi-cryogenic’ technology which is both efficient and cost-effective.
• Semi-cryogenic engine, in which a mix of liquid and gas is used as a propellant.
• The new rocket could also be ‘reusable’.
• A reusable rocket will have a smaller payload than an expendable one.
• If it is reusable, the payload will be around 5 tonnes and if it’s expendable, it will go up 10 tonnes.
• Participation of the industry would ensure that capability is created outside ISRO to build, operate and
launch it on a commercial basis.

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Chandrayaan-3 mission.
• Launch Vehicle: Mark-III (LVM-3) (Launch Vehicle Mark 3)
• Launched site: Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
• Launch date :- 14 July 2023
• Chandrayaan-3 the first mission to soft-land on the lunar south pole, a region that has never been
explored before.
• India now joins the United States, Russia, and China as one of the few countries to successfully land
on the Moon.
• Vikram Lander softly landed on the Moon around 6:04 pm on August 23, 2023.
• National Space Day :- August 23 each year to mark the significant achievement of Chandrayan-
3's successful landing on the Moon.
• The 26kg Rover called Pragyaan (the Sanskrit word for wisdom).
• It will roam around the rocks and craters, gathering crucial data and images to be sent back to Earth for
analysis.
• Chandrayaan-3 touchdown point to be known as 'Shiva Shakti Point':
• March, 2024:- The International Astronomical Union (IAU) has approved the Chandrayaan-3
landing site name ‘Shiva Shakti’.
• The announcement defined the origin of the name as, a “compound word from Indian mythology that
depicts masculine (Shiva) and feminine (Shakti) duality of nature.
• Landing site of Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram Lander.

Composition: -
• Lander Module: a spacecraft that descends towards and comes to rest on, the surface of an
astronomical body.
• Propulsion module: a box-like structure, mounted with a large solar panel on one side and a large
cylinder on top.
• Rover: a small vehicle that can move over rough ground, often used on the surface of other planets,
sometimes controlled from the earth.
• There will not be any orbiters like Chandrayaan 2 in it.

Objectives of Chandrayaan-3 mission:-

• To demonstrate a Safe and Soft Landing on the Lunar Surface.
• To demonstrate Rover roving on the moon.
• To conduct in-situ scientific experiments.

What are ISRO's Future Expeditions?

• Chandrayaan-4: Navigating the Path of Lunar Evolution
• Chandrayaan-4 emerges as a potential candidate for a sample return mission.
• The mission holds promise for advancing our understanding of the Moon's composition and history.
• Mission as per present plan in 2028.

What are ISRO's Future Expeditions?

• Chandrayaan-5 mission, a collaborative effort between ISRO and JAXA( Japan space agency).
• Originally named LUPEX, or Lunar Polar Exploration, the time frame of this new mission was not
specified but is likely after 2028.
• It will be specifically designed to venture into permanently shaded areas.
• Investigating the presence of water and assessing the potential for a sustainable long-term station
are among LUPEX's objectives.

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GSLV-Mk III
• It is also known as the Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (LVM3).
• It is a three-stage vehicle with two solid motor strap-ons, a liquid propellant core stage and a
cryogenic stage.
• It is the heaviest and the shortest among India’s operational launch vehicles.
• Weighs: 641 tonnes, which is equal to the weight of five fully loaded passenger planes.
• Capacity: GSLV can take 10,000-kg satellites to lower earth orbits.

The LVM-3 has 3 stages,

• The first (or bottom most stage) is in the form of two S200 boosters straps to the sides of the rocket
body.
• They combust a solid fuel called hydroxyl-terminated poly butadiene (HTPB).
• The Second stage is powered by Vikas Engines, which combust a liquid fuel, either nitrogen
tetroxide or unsymmetrical dimethyl hydrazine (UDH).
• The Third Stage:- Uppermost final stage is powered by a cryogenic engine.
• It combusts liquified hydrogen with liquified oxygen.

Mission to Moon

[Link] Mission Country

1 Artemis USA

2 Chandrayaan -3 India

3 Chang’e Project China

4 Luna - 25 Russia

5 SLIM :- Smart Lander for Investigating Moon Japan

Aditya-L1 Mission
• Launch date :- 2 September 2023
• Launch Vehicle :- PSLV-XL C57
• Launch site :- Satish Dhawan Space Centre (Sriharikota, A.P)

About Mission
• Aditya-L1 is the space based observatory class Indian solar mission to study the Sun from a substantial
distance of 1.5 million kilometers.
• Aditya-L1 is also ISRO’s second astronomy observatory-class mission after AstroSat (2015).
• AstroSat is India's first dedicated multi-wavelength space telescope.
• The spacecraft is planned to be placed in a halo orbit around the Lagrangian point 1 (L1) of the
Sun-Earth system.

Objective:-
• To provide valuable insights into the solar corona, photosphere, chromosphere, and solar wind.
• To gain a deeper understanding of the Sun's behavior, including its radiation, heat, particle flow, and
magnetic fields, and how they impact Earth.

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What are Lagrange Points?

• Lagrange points are special positions in space where the gravitational forces of two large orbiting
bodies, such as the Sun and the Earth, balance each other out.
• This means that a small object, such as a spacecraft, can stay at these points without using much
fuel to maintain its orbit.
• There are five Lagrange Points, each with distinct characteristics.
• These points enable a small mass to orbit in a stable pattern amid two larger masses.

• A halo orbit is a periodic, three-dimensional orbit near one of the L1, L2 or L3 Lagrange points in
the three-body problem of orbital mechanics.

NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar)

• NISAR has been built by space agencies of the US and India under a partnership agreement signed
in 2014.
• It is expected to be launched in 2025 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre into a near-polar orbit.

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• The satellite will operate for a minimum of three years.

• It is a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) observatory.
• NISAR will map the entire globe in 12 days.
• Objectives:-
1. Tracking subtle changes in the Earth’s surface,
2. Spotting warning signs of imminent volcanic eruptions,
3. Helping to monitor groundwater supplies, and
4. Tracking the rate at which ice sheets are melting.
• Expected Benefits
1. Earth Science
2. Disaster Management
3. Agriculture
4. Infrastructure Monitoring
5. Climate Change

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REUSABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE (PUSHPAK)

• March, 2024: - ISRO plans to conduct the second landing test of the Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV)
Pushpak soon.
• This ongoing research and development aim to reduce space launch costs and advance India’s space
exploration missions.
• In 2023, ISRO successfully conducted the Reusable Launch Vehicle Autonomous Landing
Mission (RLV LEX).
• Its purpose is to explore and validate technologies essential for achieving a fully reusable launch
vehicle.

Background and Purpose:

• The RLV Pushpak is part of ISRO’s efforts to develop a fully reusable launch vehicle.
• Its primary goal is to enable low-cost access to space.
• ISRO envisions building a space station by 2035, and the RLV technology plays a crucial role in
achieving this objective.

SPACE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AWARENESS TRAINING (START)

• April, 2024: - ISRO will conduct the Space science and Technology Awareness Training (START) 2024
programme during April and May.
• It is an online introductory-level awareness program in space science and technology.
• The START program intends to equip students with foundational knowledge in space-related
domains.
• It is specifically designed for undergraduate and postgraduate students of science and
technology.
• The lectures are delivered by scientists from Indian academia and ISRO centres.
• This program is part of ISRO’s efforts to train Indian students to become professionals in the fields
of space science and technology.

AGNIBAAN - SOrTeD –
• Suborbital Technological Demonstrator
• May-2024:- Chennai-based space startup AgniKul Cosmos Private Limited launched a single-stage
technology demonstrator rocket — Agnibaan SOrTeD— from Sriharikota.

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• Founded in 2017 by Srinath Ravichandran, Moin S P M, and S R Chakravarthy, AgniKul became the
first Indian firm to sign an agreement with ISRO in December 2020.
• This pioneering agreement was facilitated under the IN-SPACe initiative, granting AgniKul
unprecedented access to Isro’s expertise and cutting-edge facilities.
• The company is one of the highest-funded space startups in India and has raised $42 million so far.
• The startup is looking at flying an orbital mission towards the end of 2024–25 and is working with
customers on flights starting regularly in the calendar year 2025.
• It was in November 2022 that a private company, Skyroot Aerospace, successfully developed and
operated the launch vehicle Vikram-S on a sub-orbital flight from Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR,
becoming the first player to do so.

AGNIBAAN - SOrTeD –
Suborbital Technological Demonstrator
• First launch from a private launchpad of the country’s second privately built rocket and
• First using a combination of gas and liquid fuel.
• SOrTeD uses the world’s first single-piece 3D-printed engine, designed and built indigenously.
• The Agnibaan rocket: - Two-stage launch vehicle, Carry up to 300 kg of payload, upto 700 km in
altitude.
• Agnibaan also has the unique distinction of having been launched from India’s first private
launchpad Dhanush, established by AgniKul.
• AgniKul Cosmos inaugurated first private launchpad and mission control centre in India at
the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, (A.P), 28 Nov- 2022.
• The launchpad and the mission control centre are 4 km apart from one another
• This launch is also considered historic because the ISRO has not yet successfully flown a semi-
cryogenic engine, in which a mix of liquid and gas is used as a propellant.
• The key purpose of this mission is to serve as a test flight, demonstrate in-house and home-grown
technologies, gather crucial flight data, and ensure optimal functioning of systems for AgniKul’s orbital
launch vehicle, the ‘Agnibaan’.

Axiom Mission 4 (or Ax-4)

July-2024:- The ISRO has selected two out of its four trained Gaganyaan astronauts to participate in the
Axiom-4 mission.
• Only one of the shortlisted astronauts will go on the mission.
• The Axiom-4 mission is a private spaceflight to the International Space Station (ISS) conducted by
Axiom Space in collaboration with NASA.
• It will be the fourth private astronaut mission to the ISS.
• The flight will be launched in October 2024 and will last 14 days
• Spacecraft :- SpaceX Crew Dragon.

Indian Involvement:
• The ISRO has shortlisted two of its four trained Gaganyaan astronauts to participate in the
mission.
• These Indian astronauts will receive training from NASA, international partners, and SpaceX.

Objectives:
• The mission aims to facilitate commercial activities in space, including scientific research,
technological development, and space tourism.
• It will demonstrate the viability of commercial space stations as platforms for business and
innovation.

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• Diverse Crew:
• The Axiom-4 mission will carry a diverse crew of astronauts from different countries.
• Scientific Experiments:
• During the mission, various scientific experiments and technological tests will be conducted in the unique
microgravity environment of space.
• August ,2024 :- India has selected Group Captains Shubhanshu Shukla and Prasanth Balakrishnan
Nair for the upcoming Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
• This mission is part of a joint ISRO-NASA effort, stemming from a Space Flight Agreement with Axiom
Space Inc.
• Shubhanshu Shukla will serve as the prime mission pilot, with Group Captain Nair as the backup.
• Both astronauts will undergo training in the U.S. starting in August 2024.
• Their participation will contribute to scientific research, technology demonstrations, and enhance India's
human space program while strengthening ISRO-NASA cooperation.

International Space Station (ISS)

• Launched :- 20 November 1998 (25 years ago)
• Launch pad :- Baikonur, Kennedy, (Cape Canaveral, USA)
• Perigee altitude :- 413 km Apogee altitude :- 422 km
• International Space Station is a modular space station.
• Modular stations can allow modules to be added to or removed from the existing structure, allowing
greater flexibility.
• It is a large laboratory in space that allows astronauts to come aboard and stay for weeks or months to
carry out experiments.
• The first crew on the ISS arrived on November 2, 2000.
• Objective:- To conduct scientific research in astrobiology, astronomy, meteorology, physics, and other
fields.
• It is the largest artificial object in space.
• It circles the Earth in roughly 93 minutes, completing 15.5 orbits per day.
• There are five participating Space Agencies
1. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (USA)
2. Roscosmos State Corporation for Space Activities (Russia)
3. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (Japan)
4. European Space Agency (Europe)
5. Canadian Space Agency (Canada)

Asteroid Day (International Asteroid Day)

• Date: - June 30 (Annual global event)
• The anniversary of the Tunguska event in 30th June, 1908 when a meteor air burst levelled about
2,150 km2 of forest in Siberia, Russia.
• In 2016, the United Nations proclaimed Asteroid Day be observed globally on June 30 every year
in its resolution.
• The event aims to raise awareness about asteroids and what can be done to protect the Earth, its
families, communities, and future generations from a catastrophic event.
• 99942 Apophis Asteroid
• It is a Near-Earth Object and it is believed that this may reach Earth in 2029.
• Distance from the Earth: It will be just 38,012km away from the Earth on April 14, 2029.
• Size: The asteroid is 335 meters in size.
• Astronomers Roy Tucker, David Tholen, and Fabrizio Bernardi discovered the asteroid 99942 Apophis
on June 19, 2004.

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• Naming: Apophis is named after the demon serpent who personified evil and chaos in ancient
Egyptian mythology.

ISRO’s Plans for Apophis

• Observation and Study: ISRO plans to observe Apophis and gathering crucial data to develop effective
defense strategies.
• Collaboration: ISRO may collaborate with other space agencies such as
• JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency),
• ESA (European Space Agency), and
• NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
• For potentially contributing instruments to a joint mission focused on Apophis or offering other forms
of support.
• Mission Participation: By participating in joint mission, India can actively contribute to global research
on planetary defense.
• Necessity for Collaboration: ISRO’s focus on planetary defense highlights the necessity for
international collaboration in safeguarding Earth from potential cosmic threats.

What is planetary defence?

• There are various objects that revolve in the solar system and these objects range from tiny particles
to large rocky particles.
• These objects can cause serious damage to earth if they collide in the course of revolution around
the sun.
• Efforts are made across the world to protect the planet from possible harm.
• Therefore, planetary defence is a unifying step of the scientific community across the world
• With Aim: - To track any object which can be a potential threat to the earth and destroy them before
they become lethal.
• Mission DART is an outcome of this initiative.

Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) Mission

• DART was a NASA space mission aimed at testing a method of planetary defence against near-
Earth objects.
• DART is the world’s first planetary defence technology demonstration.
• Aims to protect the planets from any possible collision with alien particles.
• The Dart mission has changed the orbital period of asteroid to ensure that they remain in their tight
orbit.
• Agency: - NASA.
• Launch date :- 24 November 2021,
• Rocket :- Falcon 9
• Contractor :- SpaceX
• Impact date :- 26 September 2022
• Dimorphos impactor
• Dimorphos is a smaller asteroid that revolves around a larger asteroid called Didymos.
• The Dart mission has changed the orbital period of Dimorphos to ensure that they remain in their tight
orbit.

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Vampire Stars

Vampire Stars: -
• August, 2024: - Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery of a vampire star in the star cluster
M67 located in the constellation Cancer,
• It has been rejuvenating its youth by sucking up material from a companion.
Introduction: -
• These are known to astronomers as blue straggler stars (BSS), are identified easily in star clusters.
• These stars, found in clusters, appear younger than their neighbours, defying simple models of stellar
evolution.
• The mystery behind their youthful appearance has long puzzled astronomers, with theories suggesting
they might be consuming material from companion stars.
• They are also known as Symbiotic Binaries because they are normally in pairs.
• The Vampire star will start as the smaller star but, nearing the end of the sucking process will inevitably
be the larger of the two.
• The sucking star, when it has consumed a large amount from its victim, will become a blue star,
also known as a blue straggler.
• Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)

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• August, 2024:- ISRO successfully launched the third and final developmental flight of the SSLV from the
Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
• The SSLV-D3 placed the Earth observation satellite EOS-08 precisely into orbit.
• NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), ISRO’s commercial arm, and India’s private space industry can now
produce SSLVs for commercial missions.
Important Facts: -
• SSLV is the new small satellite launch vehicle developed by ISRO to cater for the launch of small
satellites.
• It has a three-stage launch vehicle configured with three Solid Propulsion Stages and liquid
propulsion-based Velocity Trimming Module (VTM) as a terminal stage.
• VTM is the last liquid-propellent based stage of the rocket which is used to correct the velocity just
before injecting the satellites into orbit.
• The SSLV missions are useful to launch small-sized satellites weighing anywhere between 10 to
500kg into the Low Earth Orbit.
• Shift the burden from PSLV: - SSLV will shift the burden of commercial launches from PSLV. The SSLV
is likely to cost a fourth of the current PSLV.

International Astronautical Federation (IAF)

• IAF is an international space advocacy organization based in Paris (France).
• Founded in 1951 as a non-governmental organization
• Aim: - to establish a dialogue between scientists around the world and to lay the information for
international space cooperation.
• They are drawn from space agencies, companies, universities, professional associations, government
organizations etc.
• It has 68 countries as members.
• The IAF organizes the annual International Astronautical Congress (IAC).
• Oct, 2024: - International Astronautical Federation (IAF)'s World Space Award 2024 was conferred on
the ISRO team which executed the Chandrayaan-3 mission.
• The IAF World Space Award is constituted to recognise outstanding contributions in space science, space
technology, space medicine, space law or space management of “exceptional impact” to the world’s
progress in astronautics.

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GSAT-N2 (GSAT-20):
• Nov, 2024: - It was launched onboard SpaceX’s Falcon-9 rocket into a geosynchronous transfer orbit.
• GSAT-20 is India’s advanced communication satellite.
• It is designed to provide data and internet services to remote regions and enable in-flight Internet
connectivity across the Indian subcontinent.
• It will provide significant data transmission capacity, particularly for India's Smart Cities Mission.

Why Falcon-9 rocket was chosen?

• As we know that ISRO’s Mark-3 launch vehicle can place up to 4,000 kg into a geostationary transfer
orbit only.
• But the GSAT-N2’s weight of 4,700 kg required a different solution.
• Hence, ISRO turned to SpaceX’s launch vehicle for this particular mission, marking ISRO’s first
commercial collaboration with SpaceX.

PROBA 3
• Nov, 2024: - The ISRO successfully launched the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Proba-3 mission
aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)-C59 rocket.
• The PSLV-C59/PROBA-3 Mission is the 61st flight of PSLV and used PSLV-XL configuration.
• PROBA-3, a European Space Agency (ESA) mission consisting of two satellites, is designed to study the
solar corona—the outer layer of the Sun’s atmosphere.
• The core objective of the mission is to create an artificial eclipse by precisely coordinating two
independent satellites.
• This capability will enable scientists to observe the Sun's corona, a region typically obscured by the
intense brightness of the Sun.
• It is the innovative mission which will demonstrate precision formation flying between two satellites
to create an artificial eclipse, revealing new views of the Sun’s faint corona.
• It consists of two small satellites — a Coronagraph spacecraft (340 kg) and a solar-disc-shaped
Occulter spacecraft (200 kg) — will mimic a natural solar eclipse.
• They will manoeuvre precisely in Earth’s orbit so that one satellite casts a shadow onto the other.

Working
• By flying in tight formation about 150 metres apart, the Occulter will precisely cast its shadow onto the
Coronagraph’s telescope, blocking the Sun’s direct light.
• This will allow the Coronagraph to image the faint solar corona in visible, ultraviolet and polarised light for
many hours at a time.
• It will provide new insights into the origins of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) — eruptions of solar material
that can disrupt satellites and power grids on Earth.
• The mission will also measure total solar irradiance, tracking changes in the Sun’s energy output that
may influence Earth’s climate.

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SPADEX MISSION
• Dec, 2024: - The satellites for the SpaDeX (Space Docking Experiment) mission are set to launch
onboard the PSLV C60 mission on December 30, 2024.
• If the SpaDeX test is successful, India will become the fourth country in the world to have a space
programme capable of docking in space.
• The SpaDeX mission is project by the ISRO aimed at demonstrating in-space docking technology.
• The primary goal of the SpaDeX mission is to develop and demonstrate the technology required for
rendezvous, docking, and undocking of two small spacecraft in low-Earth orbit.
• ISRO needs to master in-space docking so that satellites launched in separate rocket launches can link
up to perform more sophisticated tasks.
• The technology will be essential for the ‘Bharatiya Antariksh Station,’ a new India-made space station
ISRO has begun work on.

Mission Details:
• Spacecraft: The mission involves two small spacecraft, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target), each
weighing approximately 220 kg.
• Objective: The primary goal of SpaDeX is to develop docking technologies for two small spacecraft, in
Low Earth orbit.
• They will dock autonomously using advanced sensors and propulsion systems.
• Secondary objectives include testing electric power transfer and demonstrating spacecraft control.
• Mission Duration: Two years
• SpaDeX will deploy two satellites, SDX01 and SDX02, into a 470 km orbit using the PSLV rocket, where
they drift apart and gradually approach each other, eventually docking at distances from 20 km to 3
meters.
• The two satellites are equipped with the Bharatiya Docking System (BDS).
• SpaDeX will use PSLV's fourth stage, POEM (PSLV Orbital Experimental Module)-4, to carry 24
payloads from academic institutions and startups. These experiments will leverage the microgravity
environment in orbit.
• Docking Challenge: The two satellites (Chaser and Target) will orbit at speeds of 28,800 km/h. They will
need to carefully reduce their relative velocity to just 0.036 km/h before docking.

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DEFENCE PROGRAMME & TECHNOLOGY

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)

• It work under the Department of Defence Research and Development in Ministry of Defence
(Government of India).
• Formed in 1958, Headquarters at New Delhi
• DRDO is India's largest and most diverse research organisation.
• It has network of 52 laboratories, which are engaged in research & development of different defence
projects like missiles, materials, aeronautics, armaments, land combat engineering, naval systems etc.
• DRDO has developed major weapons, equipments, and critical technologies such as missiles, UAVs,
aircrafts, small arms, artillery systems, tanks and armoured vehicles, command and control systems etc.
• DRDO started its first major project in surface-to-air missiles (SAM) known as Project Indigo in the
1960s.
• Project Indigo was started by India in 1962, under it project an agreement was signed between India
and Switzerland to develop an intermediate-range surface-to-air missile (SAM).
• But in later years it was discontinued in without achieving full success.

Missile
• These are rocket propelled weapon, designed to deliver an explosive warhead with great accuracy at
high speed.

Types of missile on the basis of target and launching position.

• Air-to-Air Missile : Missiles which are fired in air (say by an aircraft) and targets the enemy in air.
• Surface-to-Air Missile : Missiles which are fired from the ground to the air.
• Air-to-Surface : Missiles which are fired from the air to the surface (e.g. targeting tanks, ships etc)
• Surface-to-Surface : Missiles which are fired from the ground at target on the ground.

Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP)

• Ministry of Defence started this IGMDP between 1983 to 2008 for the development of a comprehensive
range of missiles.
• The program was managed by DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organization) in partnership
with other government agencies.
• Missile like –Prithvi, Trishul, Akash etc. were developed under this program.

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• The idea of IGMDP was conceptualized by the former President and eminent scientist, Dr. APJ Abdul
Kalam. The objective of this program was to enable India to attain self-sufficiency in the field of missile
technology.
• The last major missile developed under this program was Agni-III, which was successfully tested in July-
2007.
• In May-2008, GOI announced the closing of the program but DRDO has independently continued
further development work on missile like Nag, Surya etc.

Agni Missile
• Agni - I is the first missile of the Agni series was developed under the IGMDP (Integrated Guided Missile
Development Program)
• It is surface to surface missile developed by DRDO.
• The Agni -V is the most advanced version of the indigenously built missile under this series.
• Agni -V is an intercontinental surface-to-surface nuclear capable ballistic missile.
• India is now became 6th nation to have ICBM technology, after USA, Russia, U.K, France, & China.
• Agni –VI is under the developmental phase and its range is about 8000 -10,000 Km.
• In Agni Missiles series Solid fuel is used.

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Agni Prime
• It is the advanced version of the ‘Agni-1’ missile.
• It is a short-range ballistic missile.
• Range: 1000 km to 1500 km
• It is a two-stage
• It is the latest and sixth variant of the Agni series missiles.
• Agni Prime has multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles. It is capable of delivering a number
of warheads at separate locations.
• It can carry warheads up to 1.5 tonnes.
• The Agni-P missile would further strengthen India’s credible deterrence capabilities
• Development by India & Russia
• Type:- Supersonic cruise missile.
• Variant:- Submarine, Ships, Aircraft, Land.
• Range:- 450 km.
• Engine stage:-
• Fist Stage – Solid fuel;
• Second Stage – Liquid fuel

{Note: Now BrahMos II Missile (Under Development) Type Hypersonic Cruise Missile Range 450 – 600
km.}

BrahMos Missile

• The BrahMos is a medium-range ramjet supersonic cruise missile that can be launched
from submarine, ships, aircraft or land.
• It is a joint venture between the Russian Federation’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya (NPOM), a
subsidiary of the state-owned JSC Tactical Missiles Corporation and India’s Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO), who together have formed BrahMos Aerospace.

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• Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)

• It is an international institute based in Stockholm (Sweden)
• Headquarters:- Solna
• Type – Global Think Tank
• Formed in May-1966
• Dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arm control and disarmament.
• Purpose – Provide data, analysis and recommendations, based on open sources, to policymaker,
researchers, media and the interested public.
• Its publications and information material are distributed to a wide range of policy makers, researchers,
journalists, organizations etc.

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)- Report -

2022
• During 2016-2020, 164 states are major arms importers. The five largest arms importers states were
Saudi Arabia, India, Egypt, Australia and China, which together accounted for 36% of total arms
imports.
• The five largest exporter of arms in 2016-20 - the United States, Russia, France, Germany and China
- accounted for 76% of the total volume of exports of major arms.
• The nine nuclear-armed states are U.S.A, Russia, U. K, France, China, India, Pakistan, Israel and
North Korea —continue to modernize their nuclear arsenals.
• Total number of nuclear weapons declined slightly between January 2021 and January 2022.
• India had 160 nuclear warheads as of January 2022 and it appears to be expanding its nuclear arsenal.
India’s nuclear stockpile increased from 156 in January 2021 to 160 in January 2022.
• As per the numbers of nuclear warheads India is at seventh position, after Russia, USA, China,
France, UK, Pakistan.
• Russia and the USA together possess over 90% of all nuclear weapons.

Shangri-La-Dialogue
▪ It is a inter-governmental security forum held annually by an independent think tank, the International
Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS)
▪ IISS is a London-based independent think tank.
▪ 28 Asia-Pacific countries are the members. India is also a member.
▪ Attended by Defence ministers, permanent heads of ministries & military chiefs.
▪ Besides government delegations, the summit is also attended by legislators, academic experts,
distinguished journalists, and business delegates.
▪ The forum get its name from the shangri-La Hotel in Singapore where it has been held annually since
2002.
▪ The Shangri-La Dialogue has become one of the most important independent forums for the exchange
of views by international security policy decision-makers.
▪ It provides a unique platform for debate among government ministers and senior officials, as well as
business leaders and security experts, on Asia’s developing security challenges.
▪ Debate the region’s most pressing security challenges engage in important bilateral talks and come up
with fresh approaches together.
▪ It is Asia’s largest annual security forum.
▪ The 2024 Shangri-La Dialogue took place in Singapore from 31 May to 2 June

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Multilateral Export Control Regime (MECR)

• MECR is a voluntary & informal group of like-minded supplier countries.
• With the goal of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, delivery systems, and advanced
conventional weapons through national implementation of guidelines and control lists for exports.
• It is non-binding agreements among the major supplier countries.
• Aim to prevent the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction.
• These groups are independent of the United Nations.
• And their regulations apply only to members and it is not obligatory for a country to join.

Multilateral Export Control Regime (MECR)

• MECR is a voluntary & informal group of like-minded supplier countries.
• With the goal of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, delivery systems, and advanced
conventional weapons through national implementation of guidelines and control lists for exports.
• It is non-binding agreements among the major supplier countries.
• Aim to prevent the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction.
• These groups are independent of the United Nations.
• And their regulations apply only to members and it is not obligatory for a country to join.
• Voting Process: The NSG work under the principle of unanimity and even one member country vote
against other country entry, them particular country will not get membership.
• NSG decision needs all members majority, not just simple majority

Australia Group
• It is a multilateral export control regime (MECR), to control and not to contribute the spread of
chemical and biological weapons.
• Formed in 1985 after the used of chemical weapon by Iraq in 1984.
• The name came from Australia initiative to create the group.
• The member group maintain the export control of a uniform list of 54 compounds.
• Presently, 43 countries are the member.
• India is also a member (as on Jan-2018).

Wassenaar Arrangement
• It was established in 1996,
• To contribute to regional and international security and stability by promoting transparency and greater
responsibility in transfers of conventional arms and dual-use goods and technology.
• It is also a multilateral export control regime.
• It is not a treaty and hence not legally binding.
• Presently, 42 countries are the member.
• India is also a member since 2017.

Zangger Committee
• Zangger Committee was the group of 15 nuclear supplier state which held informal meeting in Vienna
(between 1971 and 1974)
• Chaired by Prof. Claude Zangger of Switzerland for the common understanding on nuclear equipment,
definition etc.
• Till date 39 countries are member, India is not a member.

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The Committee maintain

• List of equipment that may only be exported if safeguard are applied to the recipient facility called
the "Trigger List" because such exports trigger the requirement for safe guard.
• Allow members to co-ordinate on nuclear export issue.

Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)

• Formed in 1987 by Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK, USA.
• It is also multilateral export control regime (MTCR)
• Its aim to limit the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction by controlling exports of goods and
technologies i.e. Rockets and UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) capable of delivering a payload of at
least 500 kg to the range of at least 300 km.
• It is not a treaty and also does not legally binding.
• It is an informal political understanding among the members states.
• Presently there are 35 countries are members.
• India is also member since 2016.

Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)- TEJAS AIRCRAFT

• It is a single-bigger engine multirole aircraft designed by Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in
collaboration with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
• It came from the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme, which began in the 1980s to replace India's
ageing MiG-21 fighters but later became part of a general fleet modernisation programme.
• In 2003, the LCA was officially named "Tejas".
• The Tejas is the second supersonic fighter developed by HAL after the HAL HF-24 Marut.
• Tejas achieved initial operational clearance in 2011 and final operational clearance in 2019.
• It is lightest, smallest and tailless multi-role supersonic fighter aircraft in its class.
• It is designed to carry a range of air-to-air, air-to-surface, precision-guided, weapons.
• Air to air refuelling capability.
• It can attend the maximum speed of Mach 1.8.
• The range of the aircraft is 3000km
• Variants of Tejas:- Tejas Trainer, LCA Navy, LCA Tejas Navy MK2, LCA Tejas Mk-1A, LCA Tejas Mk-2.

Exercise Desert Knight

• Location:- Indian, Over the Arabian Sea
• Date:- January -2024
• Participating countries:- India, France, UAE
• Indian Air Force (IAF), French Air and Space Force (FASF) and United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force.

Exercise SHAKTI
• Location:- 7th edition of Exercise Shakti commenced at Umroi, Meghalaya.
• Date:- 13th to 26th May 2024.
• Participating countries:- Bilateral joint military exercise between the armies of India and France.

EXERCISE UDARA SHAKTI- 2024

• Location:- RMAF base in Kuantan, Malaysia.
• Date: August 5-9, 2024
• Participating countries:- India, Malaysia
• Exercise Udara Shakti is a significant bilateral air force exercise between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and
the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF).
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• Aim:- To enhance military cooperation and strengthen the strategic partnership between India and
Malaysia

Sada Tanseeq
• India and Saudi Arabia are conducted their first Joint Military Exercise named as Sada Tanseeq.
• Date: 29th January to 10th February 2024.
• Venue: Mahajan, Rajasthan.

Facts:- Al-Mohed Al-Hindi Exercise:- India and Saudi Arabia :- Naval Exercise

Exercise Vayu Shakti-24:-

• Date: 17 February 2024.
• Venue: Pokhran Air to Ground Range, near Jaisalmer.
• Exercise Vayu Shakti will be a demonstration of the IAF’s capability to deliver weapons with long
range, precision capability as well as conventional weapon accurately, on time and with devastating effect,
while operating from multiple air bases.
• The exercise will also showcase joint operations with the Indian Army.
• The Indian Air Force is slated to carry out three large-scale war games namely, Vayu Shakti, Gagan
Shakti and Tarang Shakti.

NOMADIC ELEPHANT
• Bilateral military exercise conducted by the armies of India and Mongolia.
• Date: 03rd to 16th July 2024.
• Venue: Meghalaya (16th edition of exercise)
• The 15th edition of the exercise was held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

MALABAR EXERCISE
• The Malabar Exercise is annual naval exercise that involves the navies of India, USA, Japan and
Australia.
• Date:- 9th Oct-2024
• Venue:- Andhra Pradesh’s Visakhapatnam. (28th edition of exercise)
• The Malabar Exercise began in 1992 as a bilateral exercise between the Indian Navy and the United
States Navy.
• Expansion: Japan became a permanent participant in 2015, and Australia joined in 2020, transforming it
into a quadrilateral exercise.

Exercise Poorvi Prahar

• Exercise is a high-intensity tri-service military exercise conducted by the Indian Armed Forces.
• The exercise aims to enhance the joint combat effectiveness of the Army, Navy, and Air Force in
executing integrated joint operations in challenging terrains.
• Dates:- November 10 to November 18, 2024.
• Place:- Arunachal Pradesh
• Participants:- Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Tarang Shakti
• India will host the international air exercise ‘Tarang Shakti’ in two phases, taking place in Tamil Nadu
and Rajasthan.
• It will be the largest international air exercise ever conducted in India, with invitations extended to
51 countries.
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• This exercise aims to strengthen strategic relations with our friends from the international community.
• Objective: The plan is to invite friendly foreign countries with whom the IAF interacts regularly and
has a certain degree of interoperability.
• Participating countries: Fifty-one countries were invited to take part in the exercise and nearly 30 of
them will be taking part in it
• Phase one of the exercise will be conducted at Sulur in Tamil Nadu from August 6 to August 14.
• Phase two will be held at Jodhpur in Rajasthan from September 1 to 14.
• It represents a unique opportunity for these nations to collaborate and enhance their tactical and
operational capabilities.

Exercise Red Flag 2024

• Location:- Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska (USA)
• Date:- 04 Jun to 14 Jun 24.
• This was the second edition, which is an advanced aerial combat training exercise, held four times a
year by the US Air Force.
• Participation:- Indian Air Force, Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), Royal Air Force (RAF) of the
UK, Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF), German Luftwaffe, and the USA Air Force (USAF).
• Red Flag is an air combat exercise featuring realistic combat scenarios.

EXERCISE PITCH BLACK

• Indian Air Force (IAF) is all set to participate in Exercise Pitch Black 2024.
• The IAF has previously participated in the 2018 and 2022 editions of this exercise.
• participation by 20 countries.
• Biennial warfare exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
• The exercise is normally held in Northern Australia, primarily at RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal.
• The aim of the exercise is to practice Offensive Counter Air (OCA) and Defensive Counter Air (DCA)
combat, in a simulated war environment.
• The name ‘Pitch Black’ was derived from the emphasis on night time flying over large un-populated
areas.

Exercise Varuna
• An annual bilateral naval exercise between the Indian Navy and the French Navy
• Date:- September 2 to September 4, 2024.
• Venue:- Mediterranean Sea (France) from
• The exercise began in 1993 and was named ‘Varuna’ in 2001.
• It aims to enhance interoperability, improve coordination, and share best practices between the two
navies.

EXERCISE SURYA KIRAN

• It is 18th Edition of Military Exercise.
• Background:–
• Venue :- Saljhandi, Nepal
• Date :- 31st December 2024 to 13th January 2025.
• Exercise SuryaKiran is a bilateral military exercise conducted annually between the Indian and
Nepalese armies.
• The exercise is held alternately in India and Nepal
• Aim:- To enhance interoperability in jungle warfare, counter terrorism operations in mountains, and
Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief under United Nations Charter

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Important Defence Exercises

• INDRA EXERCISE ( India - Russia )
• YUDH ABHYAS (India– USA)
• NOMADIC ELEPHANT (India– Mongolia)
• MITRA SHAKTI (India– Sri Lanka)
• MALABAR EXERCISE (India-USA- Japan-Australia)

Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS)

• IONS was first held in 2008 with India as host country.
• It is a regional forum of Indian Ocean littoral states which represented by their Naval Chiefs.
• It provide a forum to enhance maritime security cooperation, discussion of regional maritime issues and
also promote friendly relationships among the members nations.
• It is a voluntary initiative among the countries.
• Presently there are 25 member nations.
• Date: December 19 to 22, 2023.
• Venue: Bangkok, Thailand.

INDIAN OCEAN NAVAL SYMPOSIUM (IONS) – 2023:-

• During the Conclave, Thailand assumed the role of Chair of IONS, and a comprehensive two-year
work plan was finalized.
• A noteworthy development was the selection of a flag designed by India as the official IONS flag.

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• India is also scheduled to take over as the Chair of IONS (2025-27) during 9th CoC planned to be
conducted in India in end 2025.
• The Republic of Korea Navy was welcomed as the latest observer increasing the collective strength
of IONS to 34.

Defence Space Agency

• The Defence Space Agency (DSA) is a tri-service agency of the Indian Armed Forces.
• The DSA draws personnel from all three branches of the Armed Forces.
• The agency is tasked with operating the space-warfare and Satellite Intelligence assets of India.
• Headquartered:- Bengaluru, Karnataka,
• Established:- 28 September 2018
• Operational:- November 2019
• The Defence Space Research Agency (DSRA) is the scientific organisation responsible for developing
space-warfare systems and technologies for the Defence Space Agency.

Defence Space Research Agency (DSRA)

• Government of India has cleared setting up of new agency called DSRA, which has been entrusted with
task of creating space warfare weapon systems and technologies.
• Now the agency has started taking shape under a joint secretary level scientist
• DSRA would be provided with a team of scientists, which work in co-ordination with tri-services
(Army, Navy, Air Force).
• It is also charged with finding and implementing defence related application for India’s entire spectrum of
space technology.
• It will develop modern weapons system & technology so as to enhance capabilities of armed forces to
fight wars in space.

AGNIPATH SCHEME
• Agnipath scheme for recruiting soldiers across the Three services (Army, Navy and Airforce).
• The youth joining the duty will be called Agniveer.
• Around 45,000 to 50,000 soldiers will be recruited annually.
• Duration of services is four years,
• However after four years, only 25% of the batch will be recruited back into their respective services, for
a period of 15 years under permanent commission.

Eligibility Criteria:
1) It is only for personnel below officer ranks (those who do not join the forces as commissioned officers).
2) Aspirants between the ages of 17.5 years and 23 years will be eligible to apply.

Benefits for Agniveers:

• After the completion of the 4-years of service, a one-time ‘Seva Nidhi’ package of Rs 11.71 lakhs will be
paid to the Agniveers that will include their accrued interest thereon.
• They will also get a Rs 48 lakh life insurance cover for the four years.
• In case of death, the payout will be over Rs 1 crore, including pay for the unserved tenure.
• The government will help rehabilitate soldiers who leave the services after four years. They will be
provided with skill certificates and bridge courses.

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Types of Naval Forces:-

• Blue-water navy (open oceans) is a maritime force capable of operating globally, essentially across
the deep waters of open oceans. There ability is to exercise sea control at long range.
• Brown-water navy' or 'riverine navy' (river and near to shore), refers in its broadest sense to any naval
force capable of military operations in littoral zone waters.
• Green-water navy (near to shore), is a maritime force that is capable of operating in its
nation's littoral zones and has limited competency to operate in the surrounding marginal seas.

Central Paramilitary Force

• Ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Also known as Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF).
• It includes 7 forces: Assam Rifles (AR), Border Security Force (BSF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP),
Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Central Reserve Police Force
(CRPF) and National Security Guard (NSG).
• Assam Rifles is the oldest Central Para Military Force in India.

Historical Background:-
• The Assam Rifles was set up as Cachar Levy in 1835 to protect British Tea estates and their
settlements against tribal raids.
• Post-Independence, role of the Assam Rifles continued to evolve ranging from:-
o Conventional combat role: during Sino-India War in 1962
o Operating in a foreign land: as part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) to Sri Lanka in
1987 (Op Pawan)
o Peacekeeping role: in the North-Eastern areas of India.

Structure of Assam Rifles:-

• The Force is commanded by an officer of the rank of Lieutenant General of the Army.
• HQ Directorate General of AssamRifles: Shillong-Meghalaya

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Prachand (Light Combat Helicopter)

• Designed and manufactured by: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
• It is multi-role and can perform roles of Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR), Destruction of Enemy
Air Defence (DEAD) and Counter Insurgency (CI) operations.
• The LCH has been designed as a twin-engine.
• It is a dedicated combat helicopter of 5.8-ton class, thus categorized as light.
• It features a narrow fuselage and tandem one-behind-the-other configuration for the pilot and co-pilot.
• The co-pilot is also the Weapon Systems Operator (WSO).
• It has a maximum take-off weight of 5.8 tonnes, a maximum speed of 268 kilometres per hour, range
of 550 kilometres
• It has an endurance of over three hours and a service ceiling the maximum density altitude to which it
can fly of 6.5 kilometres.
• LCH is powered by two French-origin Shakti engines manufactured by the HAL.
• The helicopter uses radar-absorbing material to lower radar signature and has a significantly crash-
proof structure and landing gear.
• A pressurized cabin offers protection from nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) contingencies.
• The LCH is the only attack helicopter in the world that can land and take off at an altitude of 5,000
metres (16,400 ft), which makes it ideal to operate in the high-altitude areas of the Siachen glacier.

‘Ugram’
• DRDO launches ‘Ugram’, indigenous assault rifle for armed forces
• Developed by DRDO's Pune- based facility Armament Research and Development Establishments
(ARDE) in collaboration with Hyderabad-based Dvipa Armour India Private Limited.

• The rifle has an effective range of 500 metres and weighs less than four kilograms
• Assault rifle of the 7.62 x 51 mm calibre.
• The rifle has a 20 round magazine and fires in both single and full auto mode.
• DRDO’s Ugram will have to go through several internal tests, acceptance trials and user trials before it
can be considered for induction.

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Innovation for Defence Excellence (iDEX)

• The iDEX initiative was launched by the GOI in April 2018.
• Innovation for Defence Excellence (iDEX) is an ecosystem initiated by the Ministry of Defence to foster
innovation and technology development in defence & aerospace sectors
• By engaging Industries including MSMEs, start-ups, individual innovators, R&D institutes &
academia.
• iDEX is funded and managed by a ‘Defence Innovation Organization (DIO)’ which has been formed
as a ‘not for profit’ company as per Section 8 of the Companies Act 2013 for this purpose,
• By the two founder members i.e. Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) – HAL & BEL.
• iDEX will function as the executive arm of DIO, carrying out all the required activities while DIO will provide
high level policy guidance to iDEX.

Objectives of iDEX:-
• Facilitate:- Facilitate rapid development of new, indigenized, and innovative technologies for the Indian
defence and aerospace sector, to meet needs for these sectors in shorter timelines
• Create:- Create a culture of engagement with innovative startups, to encourage co-creation for defence
and aerospace sectors
• Empower:- Empower a culture of technology co-creation and co-innovation within the defence and
aerospace sectors.
• Funding and Support :- iDEX provides grants (up to ₹1.50 crore, or up to ₹10 crore for iDEX Prime)
through the Support for Prototype and Research Kickstart (SPARK) Framework.

National Terrorism Data Fusion & Analysis Centre (NTDFAC):-

• Inaugurated: January 2024.
• The NTDFAC will collect data from a variety of sources, including:-
• NIA’s National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS), and
• National Integrated Database on Arrested Narco-Offenders,
• Combined, the various databases will allow Indian intelligence to access subjects’ histories,
fingerprints, videos, pictures, social media profiles and information on affiliated terror groups.
• NAFIS holds 9.2 million biometric records, and data from more than 22,000 terrorism cases is being
added from the Integrated Monitoring of Terrorism system.
• It also includes a facial recognition system to scan CCTV footage for the faces of suspects.
• It has been modelled along the lines of the Global Terrorism Database (GTD) of the US.

Significance:-
• It will serve as a centralized database and analysis centre for information related to terrorism and
terrorists operating in the country.

Mission Divyastra
• India’s recent successful testing of an Agni-5 Missile equipped with Multiple Independently Targetable
Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology with multiple warhead capabilities.

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MIRV technology
• MIRV stands for Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle.
• About– It is a missile technology that enables one missile to carry multiple nuclear warheads, each
capable of hitting different targets.
• Other Countries equipped with this technology– Currently, the United States, Russia, China, France,
and the United Kingdom.
• These missiles can be launched from either land-based platforms or submarines at sea.

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Mission Divyastra’.
About Agni-V:
• The Agni-V is an advanced surface-to-surface ballistic missile developed under the Integrated Guided
Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) in India.
• The Agni-V is an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) developed indigenously by the DRDO.
• It’s a fire-and-forget missile, which means once fired, it doesn’t require further guidance and can’t be
stopped without an interceptor missile.
• Range of over 5000 km, making it capable of hitting targets beyond this range.
• It can carry a warhead of about 1500 kg.
• The Agni series of missiles, which includes Agni-1 to Agni-5, forms the backbone of India’s nuclear launch
capability.

Operation Ajay
• It is an operation by the Indian Armed Forces to evacuate Indian citizens from Israel during the Oct-
2023 Israel–Hamas war.
• On 7 October, the 2023 Israel–Hamas war began.
• An estimated 18,000 Indians were living in the affected areas.

Operation Indravati
• March, 2024:- It begins to Evacuate Indians from Haiti
• India is monitoring the situation through its mission at Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican
Republic, which has no embassy in Haiti.

PROJECT AKASHTEER:
• April, 2024:- The ‘Project Akashteer’ is a significant initiative aimed at enhancing the air defence
capabilities of the Indian Army.
• It is developed by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) as part of the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.
• This project is designed to automate air defence control.
• The system’s control centers, designed to be vehicle-based and mobile, can maintain operational
capabilities even in challenging communication environments.
• The total cost of the project is nearly Rs 1,982 crore.

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• The system integrates radar and communication systems at all levels into a unified network, providing an
unprecedented level of situational awareness and control.
• This enables swift engagement of hostile targets, significantly reduces the risk of fratricide, and ensures
the safety of friendly aircraft in contested airspace.

CDS (Chief of Defence Staff)

• Background: Its creation was recommended in 2001 by a Group of Ministers (GoM) that was tasked
with studying the Kargil Review Committee (1999) report.
• After the GoM recommendations, in preparation for the post of CDS, the government created
the Integrated Defence Staff in 2002, which was to eventually serve as the CDS’s Secretariat.
• In 2012, the Naresh Chandra Committee recommended the appointment of a Permanent Chairman of
the Chiefs of Staff Committee as a midway to eliminate apprehensions over the CDS.
• Finally, the post of CDS was created in 2019 on the recommendations of a committee of defence
experts headed by Lt General DB Shekatkar.
• General Bipin Rawat was the first CDS in the country and was appointed on December 31, 2019 and
took office on 1 January 2020.
• The government amended Service Rules of the Army, Navy and Air Force, allowing retired Service
Chiefs and three-star officers eligible for consideration for the country’s top military post.
• Age limit that the retired officer should not have attained 62 years on the date of appointment.

Important Features:-
• It is the military head and permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) of the
Armed Forces.
• It is the highest-ranking uniformed officer on active duty in the Indian military and
• It is chief military adviser to the Minister of Defence.
• The Chief also heads the Department of Military Affairs.
• The position was created with the aim of improving coordination, tri-service effectiveness and
overall integration of the combat capabilities of the Indian armed forces.
• The CDS will be the single-point military adviser to the Defence Minister on matters involving all
three services and the service chiefs will be obliged to confine their counsel to issues pertaining to their
respective services.
• CDS as a key functionary in the nuclear command chain will also administer the Strategic Forces
Command.
• This measure will go a long way in enhancing the credibility of India's nuclear deterrent.

Integrated Theatre Command:-

• An integrated theatre command envisages a unified command of the three Services, under a single
commander, for geographical theatres (areas) that are of strategic and security concern.
• The commander of such a force will be able to bear all resources at his disposal — from the Army, the
Indian Air Force, and the Navy — with seamless efficacy.
• The integrated theatre commander will not be answerable to individual Services.
• Integration and jointness of the three forces will avoid duplication of resources. The resources
available under each service will be available to other services too.
• The services will get to know one another better, strengthening cohesion in the defense establishment.

The Shekatkar committee has recommended the creation of 3 integrated theatre commands —
• Northern for the China border,
• Western for the Pakistan border, and
• Southern for the maritime role

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Joint Command in Andaman & Nicobar islands:

• There is one joint command in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• It is the first Tri-Service theatre command of the Indian Armed Forces, based at Port Blair in the
Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India.
• It was created in 2001 to safeguard India's strategic interests in Southeast Asia and the Strait of
Malacca by increasing the rapid deployment of military assets in the islands.
• The other tri-service command, the Strategic Forces Command (SFC), looks after the delivery and
operational control of the country’s nuclear assets.

BHISHM Cube
• BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita and Maitri) Cube, a state-of-the-art indigenous
mobile hospital.
• BHISHM Cube emerged as a crucial lifesaver during a medical emergency.
• BHISHM cube is tailored to treat up to 200 casualties, emphasizing rapid response and
comprehensive care.
• Aarogya Maitri Project:- It involves India supplying vital medical resources to any developing nation
facing the impact of natural disasters or humanitarian crises.
• The Aid Cube is equipped with several innovative tools designed to enhance disaster response and
medical support during emergencies
• It integrates Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics to facilitate effective coordination, real-time
monitoring, and efficient management of medical services in the field.
• The success of BHISHM Cube underscores the importance of mobile hospital units in delivering
immediate and effective medical assistance during emergencies.

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PROJECT UDBHAV
• Launched in 2023, with aims to enrich the nation’s outlook in the defence domain by integrating India’s
ancient strategic acumen into contemporary military practices, making the force “future-ready”.
• The objective of the Project is to synthesize ancient wisdom with contemporary military practices,
forging a unique and holistic approach to address modern security challenges.
• It is a visionary initiative by the Indian Army that seeks to integrate age-old wisdom with
contemporary military pedagogy.
• Literature like Chanakya’s Arthashastra underscores the importance of strategic partnerships,
alliances and diplomacy, aligning with modern military practices such as international cooperation and
soft power projection.
• Apart from ancient texts, a study of prominent military campaigns and leaders is also important.
The empires of Chandragupta Maurya, Ashoka and Cholas flourished and expanded in influence,
during their times.
• There are examples of the Ahom Kingdom too, which successfully ruled for 600 years, repeatedly
defeating the Mughals.
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Project UDBHAV aims to

• Effectively integrate this ancient wisdom with modern military pedagogy through interdisciplinary
research, workshops and leadership seminars.
• It will facilitate emergence of previously under-explored thoughts and theories related to strategic thinking,
statecraft and warfare, foster deeper understanding and contribute to enriching military training curricula.

NAGASTRA-1

NAGASTRA-1
• First indigenous Loitering Munition
• Loitering Munition:- It is also known as a suicide drone, kamikaze drone, or exploding drone,
• It is a kind of aerial weapon with a built-in warhead that is typically designed to loiter around a target
area until a target is located, then attack the target by crashing into it
• Solar Industries, based in Nagpur, has delivered the first indigenously developed Loitering Munition,
Nagastra-1, to the Indian Army.
• The Indian Army has ordered 480 Loiter Munitions from Solar Industries’ Economic Explosives Ltd (EEL).

Technical Specifications
• Altitude Over 4,500 meters (stealth capability)
• Endurance 60 minutes
• Man-in-loop Range 15 km
• Autonomous Mode Range 30 km
• Precision GPS-enabled, 2-meter accuracy
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• Warhead Capability Capable of defeating soft-skin targets

• Surveillance Day-night cameras
• Recovery Parachute-assisted soft landing

Note:- Over 75% indigenous components, showcasing India’s self-reliance in defense technology.
Strategic Importance:- Enhances India’s military capabilities with advanced drone technology in modern
warfare scenarios.

Zarowar
• Zarowar is a joint effort between the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and
Larsen & Toubro (L&T).
• Zorawar is the first tank to be designed and ready for trials in such a short timeframe.
• Named after the 19th-century Dogra General Zorawar Singh, who led military operations in Ladakh
and Western Tibet,
• Its amphibious capabilities enable it to traverse steep climbs in mountainous terrain and cross rivers and
other water bodies more easily than heavier predecessors like the T-72 and T-90 tanks.
• The Zorawar tanks are designed with an active protection system to shield combat vehicles from
anti-tank guided missiles and projectiles.
• The tank is currently powered by a Cummins engine and DRDO has taken up a project to develop
a new engine domestically.

July, 2024:- Successful Phase-II Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD)

System Test
• The DRDO has successfully tested its Phase-II-BMD system showcasing India's advanced capabilities
in defending against long-range ballistic missile threats.
• Phase-II system can intercept ballistic missiles with a range of up to 5,000 km, enhancing India’s
strategic defence.
• Phase-I BMD, capable of intercepting missiles with ranges up to 2,000 km, has already been deployed.

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• The test demonstrated a network-centric warfare weapon system, including long-range sensors,
low-latency communication, and advanced interceptor missiles.

Indian Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) Programme

• IBMD launched in 2000 post-Kargil War, it is important in safeguarding India against missile threats,
primarily from Pakistan and China.
• BMD has multi-layered approach, it deploys two interceptor missiles:
• Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) for high altitudes:- It is designed to tackle longer-range ballistic missiles
above (50km-80km) altitudes in exo-atmospheric space.
• Advanced Air Defence (AAD) for lower altitudes:- It provide an additional interception layer engaging
enemy missiles endo-atmospherically in the 15 to 30 km altitude range

Components of BMD Network

• Detection and tracking
• Command and control centres
• Interceptor launchers
• Communications network

Two-Tier Ballistic Missile Defence System

• BMD shield comprises two interceptor missile systems –
• Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) / High Altitude PAD Interceptors
• It is designed to tackle longer-range ballistic missiles above (50km-80km) altitudes in exo-atmospheric
space.
• Two PAD variants are developed:-
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• Pradyumna Missile
• Prithvi Defence Vehicle
• Advanced Air Defence (AAD):- The AAD missiles provide an additional interception layer engaging
enemy missiles endo-atmospherically in the 15 to 30 km altitude range.
• AAD Ashwin Interceptors

Two-Tier Ballistic Missile Defence System

• BMD shield comprises two interceptor missile systems –
• Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) / High Altitude PAD Interceptors
• It is designed to tackle longer-range ballistic missiles above (50km-80km) altitudes in exo-
atmospheric space.
• Two PAD variants are developed:
• Pradyumna Missile: It is a two-stage solid and liquid-fueled quick-reaction missile to intercept
incoming missiles at 80 km altitude with a maximum speed of Mach 5.
• Prithvi Defence Vehicle: Advanced variant consisting of a kinetic kill vehicle attached to the top of
dual stage PAD interceptor instead of explosives.
• It collides directly with hostile missiles above the atmosphere.

Advanced Air Defence (AAD) Interceptors for lower altitudes.

• The AAD missiles provide an additional interception layer engaging enemy missiles endo-
atmospherically in the 15 to 30 km altitude range:
• AAD Ashwin Interceptors: Single-stage solid rocket-propelled missiles that can attain 4.5 Mach
speeds, 100 km range and 20 km operational altitude to neutralise hostile projectiles.
• Together, the PAD and AAD interceptors form a robust and impenetrable missile shield reducing leakage
of hostile missiles significantly.

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Pinaka rocket system

• Pinaka Rockets are an indigenously developed multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) system,
• Designed /Produced:- Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
• It plays a significant role in the country’s defense capabilities, particularly in artillery warfare.
• Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL):Pinaka is an all-weather, artillery multi-barrel rocket system.
• Range :- 75 km (accuracy of ±10 meters)
• Mounted on a Tata truck or Ashok Leyland.
• It is capable of firing a salvo of 72 rockets in 44 seconds, providing heavy firepower in a short period.

Key Features:
• Pinaka can strike targets with an accuracy of ±10 meters over a range of 75 km, significantly improving
its effectiveness in precision strikes.
• Pinaka system is mounted on a Tata truck or Ashok Leyland 8×8 chassis, making it mobile and easily
deployable in different terrains, including high-altitude regions.
• It is capable of firing a salvo of 72 rockets in 44 seconds, providing heavy firepower in a short period.
• Pinaka rockets can be equipped with various types of warheads, including high-explosive fragmentation,
incendiary, anti-tank, and anti-personnel warheads, making it versatile for different types of operations.
• The Pinaka system has been used effectively in combat, notably during the Kargil War (1999), where it
played a key role in neutralizing enemy positions in mountainous terrain.

CLUSTER MUNITIONS
• Nov, 2024: - A Russian ballistic missile with cluster munitions strike northern Ukraine.

What are Cluster Munitions?

• Cluster munitions are explosive weapons designed to release multiple smaller submunitions or bomblets
over a wide area.
• It is delivered via rockets, artillery, or aircraft.
• Cluster munitions open mid-air, scattering submunitions across a wide area.
• Many bomblets may remain unexploded, creating long-term risks similar to landmines.

International Concerns: -
• Humanitarian Issues:
• Environmental Damage

Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM)

• Adopted: - 2008;
• Entered into force: - 2010.
• Objective: - To prohibit the use, development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, and transfer of cluster
munitions.
• Ratifications: - Over 110 countries have ratified or acceded to the convention.
• Provisions: - Assistance for victims and clearance of contaminated areas.
• Following states that have not joined convention: - USA, Russia, China, and India.
• India’s Position: -
• India has not signed the CCM, citing:
• Security considerations and legitimate defensive needs.
• Lack of universal adherence to the convention.
• Concern over the efficacy of existing alternatives.
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Bioterrorism, Biological
BIOTECHNOLOGY 10 Dark Weapons
• INTRODUCTION
• Biotechnology is defined as the technique that
utilizes biological systems, living organisms or Biotechnology in India
parts of this to develop or make a modified & • The Department of Biotechnology manages
different products. programmes of biotechnology sector.
• United Nation Convention on • It is under the Ministry of Science and
Biodiversity, defines Biotechnology “any Technology.
technological application that uses biological • Department of Biotechnology (DBT) was
systems, living organisms or derivatives finally set up in February, 1986
thereof, to make or modify products or • The Department provide services in the areas
processes for specific use”. of research, infrastructure, popularization of
biotechnology, promotion of industries,
creation of centers of excellence,
Color Biotechnology Branch/ implementation of biosafety guidelines for
[Link] Code Field genetically modified organisms and
biotechnology-based programs for societal
benefits.
• Bioinformatics is a major mission to establish
1 Green Agriculture Biotechnology
an information network for the scientific
community, nationally and internationally.

2 Red Medical Biotechnology Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee

(GEAC)
• The Genetic Engineering Appraisal
3 White Industrial Biotechnology Committee (GEAC) is a statutory body.
• It constituted under the ‘Rules for the
Manufacture, Use /Import /Export and Storage
4 Gold Bioinformatics of Hazardous Microorganisms/Genetically
Engineering Organisms or Cells, 1989’ notified
under the Environment (Protection) Act,
Environment Protection
1986.
5 Grey Biotechnology
• It was formed as the Genetic Engineering
Approval Committee and was renamed to its
Marine (Aquatic) current name in 2010.
6 Blue Biotechnology • It come under the Ministry of Environment,
Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
Food Nutritional • As per Rules, 1989, it is responsible for
7 Yellow Biotechnology appraisal of activities involving large scale use
of hazardous microorganisms and
recombinants in research and industrial
Violet or
production from the environmental angle.
8 Purple IPR, Ethics and Biosafety
• The committee is also responsible for appraisal
of proposals relating to release of genetically
Arid & Desert engineered (GE) organisms and products into
9 Brown Biotechnology the environment including experimental field
trials.

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Biotechnology

• GEAC is chaired by the Special • Global Competitiveness

Secretary/Additional Secretary of
• Health and Agriculture
MoEF&CC and co-chaired by a
representative from the Department of Bt- Cotton
Biotechnology (DBT). • It is genetically modified variety of cotton crops
• Presently, it has 24 members and meets in which foreign genes known as Cry-I-A.C
every month to review the applications in genes obtained from a soil bacteria “Bacillus
the areas indicated above. Thuringiensis” is incorporated in the cotton
crops.
BIOE3 POLICY (BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR • This genes makes the cotton resistance from
ECONOMY, ENVIRONMENT, AND cotton pest know as Boll worm.
EMPLOYMENT) • Developed by US based multinational
• August, 2024:- The Union Cabinet has company MONSANTO
approved the BioE3 Policy (Biotechnology • GEAC (Genetic Engineering Appraisal
for Economy, Environment, and Committee) in 1997 allowed the field trail of Bt-
Employment) to boost biotechnology Cotton, with MAHYCO (Maharashtra Hybrid
manufacturing in India. Seed Company).
• The BioE3 Policy aims:- • In 2002, GEAC give the conditional approval to
• To address critical societal challenges and MONSANTO to conduct a commercial
seize opportunities in the biotechnology cultivation of Bt-cotton in 6 states (Gujarat,
sector. A.P, M.P, Maharashtra, Karnataka, T.N).
• To revolutionize the biotech sector. • According to the study of Central Cotton
• Initiative of government aimed at leveraging Research Institute, Nagpur:-
biotechnology to drive economic growth, i) Bt-cotton doesn’t save the sufficient amount
environmental sustainability, and job of pesticides, as it claim by the company.
creation. ii) Expensive technology.
iii)In some districts of Gujarat, it was found that
Key Features: Boll worm attack the crops.
• High-Performance • According to the Ministry of agriculture, Bt-
Biomanufacturing: Focuses on producing cotton has lead to boom the production of
products through advanced biotechnological cotton in India, transforming from being an
processes, including medicines, materials, importer of cotton to the exporter of the same.
and bio-based products for agriculture and • India account about 32% of the global cotton
industry. cultivation area and contribute 21% of the total
• Innovation and R&D: Promotes innovation- global produces 2nd after China.
driven R&D and entrepreneurship across • Enhanced cotton yield form 308 kg/hectare to
these sectors. more than 500 kg/hectare.
• Capacity Building: Supports the creation of • Decrease the use of pesticides.
internships for students and fellowships for • According to the study titled “Socio-
graduate and post-graduate research. Economic Impact” in the assessment of Bt-
• Sustainable Growth: Promoting a circular cotton in India conducted by Council of
bioeconomy to address climate change and Social Development, there has been
environmental sustainability. increment of farmers income by 375%.

Expected Impacts: MAHYCO (Maharashtra Hybrid Seed

• Economic Growth Company)
• Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Co. (Mahyco) is an
• Job Creation agricultural company based in India. founded
• Environmental Benefits in 1964

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Biotechnology

• Mahyco focused on research and • It is Herbicide Tolerant (HT) crop. (Herbicides

development, production, processing, and are agro chemicals used to control undesirable
marketing of seeds for India’s farming plants, vegetation.)
fraternity.
• Mahyco is the pioneer of high quality hybrid Features:-
and open pollinated seeds. • High yields:- DMH-11 yield about 30% more
• Through a joint venture with Monsanto (USA than a normal mustard variety.
based agrochemical & agriculture • This will help to enhance edible mustard oil
biotechnology company) named Mahyco production and reduce import of edible oil.
Monsanto Biotech, Mahyco sublicenses Bt • It will also boost government-led scientific
cotton technology in India. researches in Agriculture & biotechnology.
• Government has maintained price controls on
Bt cotton seeds since 2011. Golden Rice
• Later (Monsanto & Mahyco) attempt to • May-2024 :- What is golden rice — and why
introduce Bt brinjal to India, but it was has a Philippine court put a stop to its
controversial and ultimately unsuccessful. commercial production?
• Court of Appeals recently revoked biosafety
Bt- Brinjal permits for genetically modified golden rice
• Bt- Brinjal is a genetically modified form of and Bt eggplant until all safety, health and
brinjal. legal issues have been addressed
• The foreign genes Cry-I-A.C gene from the soil
bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis has been
inserted to modified it and make brinjal plant
resistant against insects such as
• Leucinodes orbonalis :- Fruit & Shoot borer
• Helicoverpa armigera :- Fruit borer
• Developed by US based multinational
company Monsanto.
• Monsanto & Mahyco (Maharashtra Hybrid Golden Rice – History
Seeds Co.) to introduce Bt brinjal in India. • Research for development of golden rice
• But it was controversial and ultimately end up began as a Rockefeller Foundation (New
unsuccessfully. York, U.S.A) initiative in 1982.
• Golden Rice was developed in the late 1990s
GM Mustard DMH-11 by German plant scientists Ingo Potrykus and
• Dhara Mustard Hybrid-11 (DMH – 11) is a Peter Beyer to combat vitamin A deficiency,
genetically modified hybrid variety of the the leading cause of childhood blindness.
mustard species Brassica juncea. • The International Rice Research Institute
• It was developed by Professor Deepak Pental (IRRI) and its partners, the Philippines Rice
from the University of Delhi. It was Government Research Institute and the Bangladesh Rice
sponsored project. Research Institute, have successfully
• To produce DMH-11, “barnase / barstar” cultivated Golden Rice in a controlled
technology for genetic modification is used. environment on IRRI campus.
• Barnase ("BActerial" "RiboNucleASE") it is
a bacterial protein which is synthesized and • Golden Rice is a new type of rice that
secreted by the bacterium Bacillus contains beta-carotene (provitamin A), which
amyloliquefaciens. It consists of 110 amino is converted into vitamin A as needed by the
acids and has ribonuclease activity. body and gives the grain its golden color.
• Barstar is a protein synthesized by the • Beta carotene (provitamin A, a plant pigment
bacterium “Bacillus amyloliquefaciens”. that the body converts into vitamin A as
needed).

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Biotechnology

• This compound is what gives this grain its • Modified structure of cellulose fibre of
yellow-orange or golden color, hence its cotton which help to restore smooth surface or
name. the soft fabric,
• It is developed through genetic • That’s why it is widely used in textile industries
engineering. for finishing fabric and cloths making them
wrinkle free.
• While vitamin A can be obtained from food
products and supplements, challenges Bio-Fuels
regarding their availability, accessibility, • Biofuels are liquid and gaseous fuel produced
and affordability make it difficult to address from biomass resources.
the problem of vitamin A deficiency. • It is used as alternative or in addition to diesel,
• As rice is a staple food in many vitamin A- petrol or other fossil fuels.
deficient communities in Asia, • Biomass resources are the bio degradable
• Golden Rice can be a significant help in product, waste and residue from agriculture,
improving these areas’ vitamin A status once forestry and related industries.
the grain becomes available for public
consumption. Biofuels includes Bio-ethanol, Bio-diesel.
• Research has indicated that one cup of • Bio-ethanol as the ethanol produced from
Golden Rice can provide up to 50% of the biomass such as sugar containing material like
daily requirement of an adult for vitamin A. sugarcane, sugar beet, sweet sorghum,
starch based material such as corn,
As vitamin A affects a wide range of body cassava or cellulosic material like wood
functions, a deficiency can lead to a variety waste etc.
of problems. These include:- • Bio-diesel is a methyl ester or ethyl ester of
• Night blindness fatty acid produced from vegetable oil both
• Higher risk of infections, especially in the edible or non-edible or even animal fats like
throat, chest, and abdomen chicken fats.
• Dry, bumpy skin.
• Fertility issues Biofuel
• Delayed growth in children
I – Generation – Bio-fuels
White Biotechnology • These are obtained from food crops like
• With the help of biotechnology, industries are sugarcane, corn, soya beans etc.
developing biocatalyst and enzymes to • Bioethanol :- Produced by fermentation of
synthesis chemical. sugar plants. For example:- Sugarcane, Bi
• Industrial Biotechnology is widely used in the product of sugar industries that is molasses
preparation of acid, alcohol, vitamins and products that convert into bioethanol.
antibodies. • Biodiesel :- Alky ester, Methyl ester, Ethyl ester
• These enzymes are used in manufacturing ( Acid + Alcohol )
washing agents, detergents etc.
• Detergents Proteases help to remove protein • II – Generation – Bio-fuels
impurities from cloth. • Biofuels are obtained from non food crops like
• Detergents Lipose help to remove fats strain switch grass and also from the residual part of
like butter, ghee from cloths. food crops, where wood waste is converted
• Amylases are used in laundry detergent, into cellulosic ethanol.
dish washing etc it help to remove starch • Bioethanol :-
base food residue. Cellulose ------- Free Sugar ------------ Cellulosic
Ethanol
(Wood waste) (Fermentation)

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Biotechnology

• Non-edible oil seed like Jatropha Curcas, Amendments in National Policy on Biofuels
Pongamia Pinnata, Ricinus Communis - 2018
(Castor seeds) are also used for the • Government will allow more feedstocks for the
production of bio-diesel. production of biofuels.
• III – Generation – Bio-fuels • Instead of 2030, the Centre plans to move
• Biofuels are obtained from microalgaes like:- ahead with its ethanol blending target of 20%
Chlorella vulgaris, Crypthecodinium cohnii of petrol containing ethanol by 2025-26.
• Asia’s first 2G ethanol bio-refinery • Government will promote the production of
• IOCL:- Panipat, Haryana biofuels in the country, under the Make in India
program, by units located in Special Economic
National Policy on Biofuels -2018 Zones (SEZ) / Export Oriented Units (EoUs).
• An indicative target of 20% blending of ethanol • The government has allowed the addition of
in petrol and 5% blending of biodiesel in diesel new members to the National Biofuel
is proposed by 2030. Coordination Committee (NBCC).
• Develop National Biomass repository by • NBCC was constituted under the
conducting appraisal of biomass across the Chairmanship of Minister, Petroleum & Natural
country. Gas (P&NG) to provide overall coordination,
• Bio diesel production to be encouraged from effective end-to-end implementation and
non-edible oilseeds, used cooking oil, short monitoring of biofuel programme.
gestation crops and development of supply • NBCC has members from 14 other ministries.
chain mechanisms. • Permission will be granted for the export of
• Categorisation of biofuels into:- “Basic biofuels in specific cases.
Biofuels” - First Generation (1G) Bioethanol &
Biodiesel and “Advanced Biofuels” – Second Bioremediation & Phytoremediation
Generation (2G) ethanol, drop-in-fuels, • Bioremediation is defined as the productive
• Third generation (3G) biofuels – Algae based utilization of living system including micro-
• With a thrust on Advanced Biofuels, the policy organism to degrade, detoxified environment
indicates a viability gap funding scheme for 2G pollutant and prevent pollution.
ethanol bio refineries of Rs 5000 crore in 6 • When there is use of plants to absorb pollution
years in addition to additional tax incentives, is known as Phytoremediation.
higher purchase price as compared to 1G • Genetically modified bacteria can be used
biofuels. for cleaning up petroleum contaminated water,
• Thrust on research, development and oil spill by digesting harmful hydrocarbon. e.g.
demonstration in the field of biofuel feedstock
production, advanced conversion technologies -“Seudomonas Putida” developed by Anand
from identified feedstock. Mohan Chakravarthy- Indian born American
• Increase scope of raw material for ethanol scientist.
procurement by encouraging intermediate (B-
Molasses), sugarcane juice, other sugar • Sunflowers was used for during Chernodyl
containing materials and damaged as well as disaster of 1986, USSR, to absorbed
surplus food grains. radioactive waste of caesium-137 (Cs-137),
• Setting up of National Biofuel Coordination Strontium-90 (St-90).
Committee (NBCC) under Ministry of • Chinese fern plant- Pteris Vittata which can
Petroleum & Natural Gas and Working Group absorbed Arsenic.
on Biofuels. • Bamboo’s are used to absorbed silica.
• Brassica Juncea- Indian Mustard- it help to
absorbed Lead, Copper, Zinc.

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Biotechnology

• Alovera are used to absorbed formaldehyde 1) Inactivating a disease-causing gene that is

(HCHO). not functioning properly.
• Chrysanthemum plants are used to absorbed 2) Introducing a new or modified gene into the
benzene. body to help treat a disease.

• Gene therapy products are being studied to

treat different type of diseases like genetic
diseases, cancer and infectious diseases.

Types:-
• Somatic Gene Therapy: Effects will not be
transferred to next generation
• Germline Gene Therapy: Effects transferred
to next generation

Difference between Gene therapy and

Gene editing:
• Gene editing technique is used in different
areas like treatment of genetic disorders,
curing of diseases, invention of
Gene Editing medicines, etc.,
• If we are editing Gene for health related
• Gene Editing is a type of genetic engineering
reasons then its called Gene therapy.
process in which DNA is inserted, deleted,
• There is also difference of degree in both
modified or replaced in the genome of a living
techniques like;- In Gene therapy we don’t
organism.
replace the Genes.
• Unlike early genetic engineering techniques
• In gene editing, a mutated gene is revised,
that randomly insert genetic material into a host
removed, or replaced at the DNA level.
genome, genome editing targets the insertions
• In gene therapy, the effect of a mutation is
to site specific locations.
offset by inserting a “healthy” version of the
• CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced
gene, and the disease-related genes remain in
Short Palindromic Repeats) is widely
the genome.
considered the most precise, most cost-
effective and quickest way to edit genes.
Stem cells:-
• Stem cells that have the natural ability to
generate new cell types.
• Apart from stem cells, no other cell in the
body has the natural ability to generate new
cell types.

Stem cell therapy:-

• Stem cell therapy is a novel therapeutic
approach.
• It utilizes the unique properties of stem cells,
to regenerate damaged cells and tissues in
Gene Therapy the human body or replace these cells with
• It is a technique that modifies a person’s genes new, healthy, and fully functional cells.
to treat or cure disease. Gene therapies can
work by several mechanisms:

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Types of stem cells:- function, such as blood cells, brain cells, heart
muscle cells, or bone cells.
Totipotent cells:
• Omnipotent cells, also referred to as “totipotent Applications of Stem Cells Therapy
stem cells • To treat many human diseases and to repair
• These cells are capable of giving rise to any tissue damage resulting from injury or
part of the body. ageing. (Tissue Regeneration)
• These cells have the capability to become the • Damaged organs can be replaced by obtaining
cells that support a fertilized egg, such as the healthy organs from a donor.
placenta. • Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease
• Examples: The zygote in humans. • Treatment of Brain Diseases :-Parkinson’s &
Alzheimer’s.
Pluripotent cells: • Treatment of Blood Disease
• Pluripotent stem cells are cells that can self- • Spinal cord injuries, brain trauma etc
renew by dividing & growing into the major
cell types that comprise human body. • Somatic cells
• Pluripotent cells can generate all cell types. • Somatic terms originate from the word ‘Soma’,
• Examples: The embryonic cells in humans. which means ‘body’.
• Somatic cells are the cells in the body other
Multipotent cells: than sperm and egg cells (which are called
• Multipotent stem cells are cells that can self- germ cells).
renew by dividing and evolving into a variety of • In human, somatic cells are diploid (contain
specialized cell types found in a certain two sets of chromosomes, one inherited from
tissue or organ. each parent).
• The vast majority of adult stem cells are • DNA mutations in somatic cells can affect an
multipotent stem cells. Eg. Skin Cells individual, but they cannot be passed on to
their offspring.
Induced pluripotent stem cells: (iPSCs)
• These are stem cells that scientists make in
the laboratory.
• These cells are made from mature cells.
• They are pluripotent and can develop into any
cell type just like embryonic stem cells.

Stem cell therapy

• Stem-cell therapy is the use of stem cells to
cure or prevent a disease or condition.
• The damaged cells are repaired by the
generated stem cells, which can also hasten
the healing process in injured tissue.
• These cells are essential for the regeneration
and transplanting of tissue.
CRISPR-Cas9
• Full form Clustered, Regularly Interspaced,
Mechanism:-
Short Palindromic Repeats, or CRISPR /
• Under the right conditions in the body or a
CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9)
laboratory, stem cells divide to form more cells
• This system has revolutionised gene editing
called daughter cells.
process. It is simpler, faster and easily
• These daughter cells become either new stem
accessible to most laboratories
cells or specialized
cells (differentiation) with a more specific

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• The technology can be used for targeting • At this stage the cell recognises that the DNA
specific stretches of an entire genetic code or is damaged and tries to repair it.
editing the DNA at particular locations. • Scientists can use the DNA repair machinery to
introduce changes to one or more genes.
CRISPR- Cas9 :- Clustered, Regularly
Interspaced, Short Palindromic Repeats, Cloning
CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) • Cloning is an asexual form of reproduction
in which exact genetic replica or copies of
living offspring can be produced by obtaining
genetic material from a single parents who
donates nucleus from any of his or her somatic
cells.
• The concept of cloning is based on that
chromosomes are present in the nucleus are
equip with the basic technical knowledge who
to develop full adult of an organism.
• Therefore full adult of a species can be raised
by obtaining living diploid cell of that species.
• In cloning cell obtained from male donor
produces male progeny, whereas cell
obtained from female donor produces
female progeny.
How does it work? • Therefore clone will be genetically similar
• CRISPR-Cas9 system consists of two key to their single parents who has donate his
molecules that introduce a change into the or her genetic material.
DNA. These are: • Human cloning are of two type :-
• First is, an enzyme called Cas9. which acts • Therapeutic: In therapeutic cloning, the aim is
as a pair of ‘molecular scissors’ that can cut to clone cells that make particular organs or
the two strands of DNA at a specific location in types of tissue
the genome so that bits of DNA can then be • Reproductive: In this we actually reproduce
added or removed. not organ but entire being(donor) from where
• Second, a piece of RNA called guide RNA we got genetic information.
(gRNA). This consists of a small piece of
pre-designed RNA sequence located within a Genome sequencing
longer RNA scaffold. The scaffold part binds to • Genome sequencing means figuring out the
DNA and the pre-designed sequence ‘guides’ order of DNA nucleotides, or bases, in a
Cas9 to the right part of the genome. This genome—the order of Adenine, Cytosine,
makes sure that the Cas9 enzyme cuts at the Guanines, and Thymine that make up an
right point in the genome. organism's DNA.
• It is the process that involves deciphering the
• The guide RNA is designed to find and bind to exact order of base pairs in an individual.
a specific sequence in the DNA. The guide • In short we can say, this “deciphering” or
RNA has RNA bases that are complementary reading of the genome is what sequencing
to those of the target DNA sequence in the is all about.
genome. This means that, at least in theory, the
guide RNA will only bind to the target sequence Genome India Project
and no other regions of the genome.
• Department of Biotechnology (DBT) initiated
• The Cas9 follows the guide RNA to the same
the “Genome India Project” (GIP) on 3rd
location in the DNA sequence and makes a cut
January 2020.
across both strands of the DNA.

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• This project is led by the Centre for Brain • The diseases that would most likely be
Research at Bengaluru-based Indian included in the list would be different types of
Institute of Science, which acts as the central cancers, chronic conditions such as diabetes,
coordinator between a collaboration of 20 and various neurological or neurodegenerative
leading institutions, each institution will diseases.
collect samples and conducting its own • Rare diseases that are found in Indian
research. populations are also likely to be included in the
• Institutes like Indian Institute of Science (IISc)- list of diseases to be studied for the next phase
Bengaluru, and IIT’s also involved in this of Genome India project.
project.
• It is aimed at decoding the genetic blueprint IndiGen Project
of the diverse Indian population. • It was implemented by the (Council of Scientific
& Industrial Research) CSIR-Institute of
Goals and impact of genome India:- Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB),
• Develop a reference set of genetic variations Delhi and CSIR-Centre for Cellular and
for Indians by carrying out whole genome Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, in
sequencing of 10000 samples from 99 April-2019.
communities. • The main objective of this project is to enable
• Develop a biobank of 20000 blood samples for genetic epidemiology and develop public
future genome analyses. health technologies applications using
• Make available genomic data for public access population genome data.
(digital public goods) for research purposes • To undertake whole genome sequencing of
through IBDC (Indian Biological Data Center). thousands of individuals representing
• Design genome-wide and disease-specific diverse ethnic groups from India.
genetic chips for low-cost diagnostics and • This has enable to decode the genetic blueprint
research. of humans through whole genome sequencing.
• First big step towards developing genome-
based precision medicine in India. ONE DAY ONE GENOME INITIATIVE
• An inspiration for India’s young minds and • Nov, 2024:- The “One Day One Genome”
young researchers to explore the exciting area Initiative is a transformative project launched
of genomics research and innovation for the by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT)
health of Indian population. and the Biotechnology Research and
Innovation Council (BRIC) to unlock India’s
• Jan, 2025:- After completing India’s vast microbial potential.
baseline map by sequencing 10,000 • There is also collaboration of the National
genomes, the Genome India project is set Institute of Biomedical Genomics (NIBMG),
to move into its second phase during which an institute under the DBT.
samples of individuals with specific
diseases would also be sequenced. Objectives:
• 2nd Phase of Genome India • Microbial Exploration: To explore and
• The second phase seeks to expand the showcase India’s unique microbial species
database to one million sequences, including and their roles in agriculture, the
genetic information of people with specific environment, and human health.
diseases. • Genomic Data: To make genomic data freely
• A comparison of the healthy and diseased available to the public, fostering scientific
genome can help researchers identify targets collaboration and community engagement.
for developing treatments and diagnostic tests. • Innovation: To stimulate discussions,
It is a step towards personalised treatment and inspire research, and drive innovations
medicine. with real-world applications.

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Significance:-
• Environmental Protection: Research in this
field can lead to better protection and
management of the environment.
• Agricultural Development: It can contribute
to the development of agriculture by enhancing
nutrient cycling, soil fertility, and pest control.
• Human Health: The initiative can improve
human health outcomes by supporting
digestion, immunity, and mental health.

Key Features:
• Genome Sequencing: The initiative involves
genome sequencing of bacterial species
isolated in India, revealing their genetic
blueprint and potential applications.
• Public Accessibility: Fully annotated
bacterial genomes, along with graphical
summaries, infographics, and genome
assembly details, will be made publicly
available.

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NANOTECHNOLOGY Carbon Nanotubes

• Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are cylindrical
molecules that consist of rolled-up sheets of
single-layer carbon atoms (graphene).
• CNTs are hexagonal, hallow tubular caged
molecules.
• They can be single-walled (SWCNT) or multi-
walled (MWCNT), consisting of several
concentrically interlinked nanotubes. Their
length can reach several micrometers or even
millimeters.
• CNTs are chemically bonded with sp2 bonds
and have extremely strong form of molecular
INTRODUCTION interaction
• Nanotechnology defined as the manipulation of
matter with at least one dimension sized from Applications:
1 to 100 nanometres. • Electric wires
• The concept of nanotechnology were first • Electronics:- It can replace silicon made
discussed in 1959 by renowned physicist transistors
Richard Feynman. • Solar cell
• The term "nano-technology" was first used by
Norio Taniguchi in 1974. Carbon Nano Tubes are of two types: -
• Its applications are surface science, organic • Single walled nanotubes:- These are
chemistry, semiconductor, energy storage, individual graphene cylinder with 1nm to 2 nm
engineering etc. in diameter which can be twisted, flatten and
bended without breaking.
Process of Preparation of Nanomaterial • Multi walled nanotubes:- These nanotubes
There are two methods for the preparation of are collection of several concentric graphene
nanomaterials: - cylinder with diameter 5 nm to 50 nm.
1) Descending (top-down Approach)
2) Ascending (bottom-up approach) Graphene
• It is single layer of carbon packed in
hexagonal or honeycomb lattice with 2D
crystaline structure.
• About three billion sheets of graphene on top
of each other would be 1mm thick graphite rod.
• It is composed of carbon atom arranged in
rightly bound hexagonal shape.

Properties:-
Nanomaterials
• Low density (0.77 mg/m2):- it is so dense that
Nanomaterials are classified as follows: -
even helium atom cannot pass through it.
1. Organic nanomaterials - Carbon based
• High Optical Transparency:- It is almost
materials, i.e. Graphene, Carbon nanotubes.
transparent as it absorbed only 2.3% of light
2. Inorganic nanomaterials – Metals and their
intensity independent on wavelength in the
compounds – Gold nanoparticles, Silver
optical domain.
nanoparticles, Titanium dioxide (TiO2), Zinc
• High Strength:- It is 100 times stronger than
Oxide (ZnO).
the steel, Hence act as super strong material.
• High thermal conductivity:- It can conduct
Note:- Materials reduced to nanoscale can show
heat 10 times better than copper. So it can act
different properties compare to what they exhibit
as heat shink to radiate heat in the
on a macroscale (nano size, stronger, light weight
environment.
etc) and enabling unique application.
• Electrical Property:- Due to presence of
delocalise electron, there is free flow of

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electron which enable good conduction across • It contains 40,000 mg/L of nitrogen in a 500 ml
the graphene layer. bottle which have same impact of nitrogen
nutrient provided by one bag of conventional
Application urea.
• Light panel, Torch screen, Solar cells, • Urea consumption is India is around 82% of the
• Batteries;- High storage, light weight, fast total nitrogenous fertilisers, with an annual
charging consumption of 33.6 million tonnes in 2019-20.
• Electronic devices
• Satellite and its components

Nanotechnology in India
• The GOI launched “Nano Mission” in May
2007 as an umbrella capacity building
programme.
• As a result of the efforts led by the mission,
India is amongst the top five nations in the
world in terms of scientific publications in nano
science & technology. i.e. (3rd position).
• In the 12th Five Year Plan government Nano DAP (Di-Ammonia Phosphate)
approved for the continuation of the mission on fertilizer
Nano Science & Technology in its Phase- II at • October,2023:- GoI inaugurated India’s first
the total cost of Rs 650 crore. liquid nano di-ammonia phosphate (DAP)
• GOI developed 20 centres of excellence in fertilizer plant.
nanotechnology in various states, 12 units of • It is India’s first liquid nano-ammonia
nano science. phosphate (DAP) plant.
• The Dept of Science & Technology is the • Developed by: Indian Farmers Fertiliser
nodal agency for the implementing the Cooperative Limited (IFFCO)
mission. • Place: Kalol in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
• Many institutions and departments were roped • Nano liquid DAP, containing 8% Nitrogen &
in for the work such as the Department of IT, 16% Phosphorus by volume.
DRDO, Department of Biotechnology, Council • DAP is the second most consumed fertilizer
of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), in the country after urea.
etc. • It provides phosphorous nutrition throughout
• In both IIT Bombay and IISC Bangalore, the crop growth and development cycle.
National Centres for Nanofabrication and
Nanoelectronics were established. Nano DAP:
• It is a unique liquid fertilizer product that
Nano Urea (Liquid) Fertilizer contains nanoparticles of Diammonium
• Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Phosphate (DAP).
Limited (IFFCO) developed nano-technology • It is a source of nitrogen and phosphorus –
based Nano Urea (Liquid) fertiliser to address 2 key primary nutrients essential for the growth
the imbalanced and excessive use of of crops.
conventional Urea. • Unlike conventional DAP, which comes in
• Developed at:- Nano Biotechnology granular form, IFFCO’s Nano DAP is in liquid
Research Centre (NBRC) Kalol, Gujarat. form.
• IFFCO introduced the world's first Nano Urea
Liquid for farmers across the world.
• Cheaper than conventional urea.
• The new product is also expected to reduce
environmental pollution.
• Enhance the farmers income.
• It can curtail the requirement of the
conventional urea by at least 50%.

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NUCLEAR SCIENCE • Alpha rays are positively charged helium nuclei

(2He4), having charge (+2)
• Beta rays are negatively charged electrons,
• Nuclear Science deals with the study of the having charge (-1)
atomic nucleus. • Gamma rays are charge less photons, having
• The nucleus of an atom consists of protons and charge (0)
neutrons.
• Discovered in 1911 by Ernest Rutherford
HALF-LIFE
• Size – 10-15 to 10-14 m in diameter.
• It is the time taken by the radioactive element,
• Nuclear Force is the attractive forces exist
for half of the number of atoms of the elements
between protons-protons, protons-neutrons
to disintegrate
and neutrons-neutrons.
• It varies from element to element.
• It is short distance force (10-15mt) and very
• Carbon-14 :- 5,730 ± 40 years, Uranium-234:-
strong force.
2,45,500 years
• Here repulsion does not take place, because
the nucleons (common name for protons and
neutrons) inside a nucleus are bound by CARBON DATING
nuclear forces. • The technique of estimating the age of the
remains of a once-living organism such as
plants or animals by using radioactive
Nuclear Energy
element C-14.
• Nuclear energy is the energy in the nucleus, or
core, of an atom. Atom consist of electron,
proton, neutron. There is a huge amount of URANIUM DATING
energy in an atom’s dense nucleus. • The dating of older but non-living elements
• The power that holds the nucleus together is such as rocks, minerals etc using radioactive
called as “strong force” or nuclear force. element Uranium.
• Nuclear energy used in different sectors like
industry, energy, health, defence etc. FISSION REACTION
• Those reaction, in which their is the splitting up
• ISOTOPES:- Nuclides (or atoms) with the of the nuclear of a heavy atom into two or more
same atomic number but different mass atoms and releasing the energy.
number.
Examples:- 12C6, 13C6, FUSION REACTION
14C6 235U92, 238U92 • Where, there is fusion or combination of lighter
atoms to form heavier nuclei (or atom) and also
• ISOBARS :- Nuclides (or atoms) with the same release of energy.
mass number but different atomic number. • e.g. Reaction in Sun, Star
Examples:- 40Ca20, 40Ar18

• ISOTONES :- Nuclides (or atoms) are said to

be isotones, if they have same number of
neutrons, but different proton number.
Examples:- 5B12, 6C13 (Having 7 number
of neutrons)

RADIOACTIVITY
• When the atom, nuclei became unstable in
order to achieve greater stability these
unstable nuclei disintegrate spontaneously
with the emission of Alpha, Beta, Gamma
rays.
• Elements emitting these rays are called
radioactive and the phenomenon is known
as radioactivity.
• Enriched Uranium

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• Naturally U-238 is found which is not Fissile • Homi Bhabha also known as "father of the
• It contains only – 0.7% of U-235 Indian Nuclear Programme"
• The Uranium which have an abundance of the • First nuclear reactor in India (Named Apsara)
U-235 isotopes is known as enriched uranium was design and constructed in 1956
(Mumbai)
Facts :- • India enhanced its capability in this sector and
• Nuclear reactors required enriched uranium subsequently commissioned reactor like
(nearly 6% U-235) zerline, purnima (I, II, III) Dhruva and kamini
• Nuclear Bombs, required highly enriched (1996, Tamilnadu)
Uranium (90% of U-235) • Kamini is the country first large research
reactor that uses U – 233 as fuel. The
Important Terms primary objective to provide a facility for
• Moderators – It is used, to slow down the research on different aspect of nuclear science
fast moving neutrons by elastic scattering and technology.
with light nuclei. • Main objective of India Atomic energy
• Aim : To control the chain reaction in reactor by programme is to provide safe and reliable
slow down the fast moving. electric power for the country social and
• e.g. Water, Heavy water (Deuterium Oxide economic progress and to be self reliant in all
D2O) aspects of nuclear technology.

Control Rods Nuclear Energy in India

• It is used for absorbing extra neutrons • Nuclear power is the fourth-largest source of
• Material used – cadmium, boron, silver etc electricity in India after thermal, hydroelectric
and renewable sources of electricity.
Coolant • Presently, Nuclear Power Corporation of
• It is used to removed the heat, which India Limited (NPCIL) operates 24 nuclear
generated during the reaction. reactors in operation in 8 nuclear power
• The coolant transfer heat to a working flied plants with a total capacity of 8,180 MW.
which in turn may produce steam. • India’s nuclear energy goals
• Examples :- Water, heavy water, air, carbon • Short to Mid-Term Goals (by 2031-32)
dioxide, helium, liquid sodium etc • Enhance the nuclear power capacity to 22,480
MW.
Departments of Atomic Energy (DAE) • New Reactors: Commission 20 new nuclear
• DAE was established in 1954 under the direct power plants, adding nearly 15,000 MW to
charge of the Prime Minister through a the power grid.
presidential order.
• Its functions are • Ongoing Projects: Complete the construction
• It has been engaged in the development of and commissioning of 10 reactors totalling
nuclear power technology, application of 8,000 MW in states like Gujarat, Rajasthan,
radiation technology in the fields of agriculture, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Karnataka, and Madhya
medicine, industry and basic research. Pradesh.
• To encourage technology transfers and • Long-Term Goals (by 2047):
interaction with industry for industrial and • 100 GW Target: Achieve a nuclear power
social development. capacity of 100 GW.
• To provide necessary support to basic • Private Sector Involvement: Encourage
research in nuclear energy and related fields of private sector participation to meet investment
science. requirements for this expansion

India's Atomic Energy Programme Some of the nuclear power stations in India
• Under the leadership of Homi. J. include:
Bhabha. (1909-1966) the atomic energy • Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS),
programme in India was launched around the Maharashtra
time of Independence (1950s) • Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS),
Rajasthan

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• Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP), • Executive Council

Tamil Nadu • Political Council
• Kaiga Generating Station (KGS), Karnataka • Strategic Forces Command (SFC)
• Narora Atomic Power Station (NAPS), Uttar
Pradesh Executive Council
• Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS), • It gives its opinion to the Political Council,
Gujarat which authorises a nuclear attack when
• Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS), Tamil deemed necessary.
Nadu • Executive Council is chaired by the National
• Kalpakkam (Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Security Advisor (NSA),
Research), Tamil Nadu
Political Council
Timeline of India’s Nuclear Policy • It is chaired by the Prime Minister.
• 1944 – Homi Jehangir Bhabha established • This mechanism was implemented to ensure
Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, a that Indian nuclear remain firmly in civilian
nuclear research center. control.
• 1962 – Chinese attack on India gave impetus • Also, there exists a full command and control
for the development of Nuclear Weapons. mechanism to prevent their accidental or
• 1968 – India refused to sign Nuclear Non- unauthorised use.
Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
• 1974 – Operation Smiling Buddha or Pokhran I Strategic Forces Command (SFC)
nuclear test. • Also called Strategic Nuclear Command.
• 1998 – Pokhran II nuclear test. • Commander-in-Chief of the rank of Air
• 1999 – Announcement of India’s Nuclear Marshal (or its equivalent) in-charge of the
Doctrine and NFU management and administration of the tactical
• 2003 – Establishment of Nuclear Command and strategic nuclear forces
Authority • It is responsible for the management and
administration of the country’s tactical and
Nuclear Doctrine strategic nuclear weapons stockpile.
• India first proposed Nuclear Doctrine in 1999, • The directives of the NCA are to be
but officially accepted it based on “NFU” (NO operationalised by the Strategic Forces
FIRST USE) policy in 2003. Command.
• A voluntary moratorium an further nuclear
test explosions International Atomic Energy Agency
• No first use of nuclear weapons (IAEA)
• No use of nuclear weapons against the non- • Formed July 1957
nuclear weapons state. However if their is • Headquarter : Vienna, Austria
attach by biological or chemical weapons on • It is an International organisation and world's
India, or major attach against India. Then India intergovernmental forum for scientific and
will retain the option of retaliating with nuclear technical co-operation in the nuclear field.
weapons. • It works for the safe, secure and peaceful uses
• Establishment of minimum credible nuclear of nuclear science and technology contributing
deterrence. This means India will not produce to international place and security.
unlimited nuclear reactor and not emerge as • The IAEA reports to both the UNGA and UNSC
the weapons state. It will produce as per
requirement. It Also
• Inspect the existing nuclear facilities.
Nuclear Command Authority (NCA) • Provide information's and developing
• NCA of India is the authority responsible for standards to ensure the safe and security of
command, control and operational decisions nuclear facilities.
regarding nuclear weapons programme. • It act as a half for the various fields of science
• India established a three-tier system to involved in the peaceful application of nuclear.
oversee its nuclear weapons on January 4,
2003.

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What are anti-radiation pills? 1. ADITYA Tokamak and

• Potassium iodide (KI) tablets, or anti- 2. Steady-State Tokamak (SST)-1.
radiation pills, are known to provide some
protection in cases of radiation exposure. • ADITYA Tokamak: It is the first indigenously
• They contain non-radioactive iodine and can designed and built tokamak of the country. It
help block absorption, and subsequent was commissioned in 1989.
concentration, of radioactive iodine in the • SST-1: It is under design and fabrication at the
thyroid gland. IPR.
• The objectives are
TOKAMAK a) Studying the physics of the plasma
• Scientists first thought about producing processes in tokamak under steady-state
energy from controlled nuclear fusion in conditions,
1940s. b) Learning technologies related to the steady-
• Both the USSR and the US stepped up their state operation of the tokamak.
fusion research in 1950s. Soon, the Soviets
came up with a viable design to kindle and India’s three stage nuclear power
sustain nuclear fusion—the Tokamak. programme:
• Thermonuclear fusion process is established in
fusion reactors such as the Tokamaks. • The Indian nuclear power programme,
• Tokamaks are still considered the best for launched in 1954, envisaged a three-stage
achieving fusion. development of nuclear power generation from
• A tokamak is a device which uses a the country’s uranium and thorium
powerful magnetic field to confine plasma in resources.
the shape of a torus. • Homi J. Bhabha designed the three-stage
• Thermonuclear fusion refers to nuclear fusion programme.
reactions that take place at extremely high • The three stages are expected to allow the
temperatures. country complete self-sufficiency in nuclear
• Tokamak’ is an acronym for Russia term
energy.
which translates into ‘toroidal chamber
with magnetic coils’.
Stage 1
• Reactor: The Reactor used in this stage is
Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR).
• Process: PHWR uses natural uranium.
• The byproduct Plutonium-239 from this
process will be used in Stage 2.

Stage 2
What has been the progress in India with • Reactor: The Reactor used in this stage would
respect to Nuclear Fusion technology? be Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR).
• Way back in 1955, in the first ‘Atoms for Peace’ • Process: Fuelled by a mix of the plutonium
meeting in Geneva, Homi J. Bhabha saw a (Pu-239) from the first stage and natural
future in energy coming from thermonuclear uranium (U-238).
fusion. • Natural uranium contains very small amount of
• The Institute for Plasma Research (IPR) in U-235, as the fissile materials.
Gandhinagar and the Hot Plasma Project at • This uranium would transmute (to change or
Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics (SINP),
alter in form) into more plutonium and once
Kolkata, took the lead in nuclear fusion
sufficient stocks have been built up,
research in India.
• The Institute for Plasma Research • Thorium would be introduced into the fuel
(IPR) owns two operational tokamaks – cycle to convert it into uranium 233 (U-233)
for the third stage

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Stage 3 • Then saturated steam that exits the core region

• Reactor: - Thorium based Nuclear Reactors is transported through a series of separators
called Breeder Reactors, and dryers located within the reactor vessel
• Process: - Mixture of thorium (Th-232) & that promote a superheated water vapour.
uranium (U-233) fuels the reactors. • Finally, superheated water vapour is then used
• Thorium transmutes (to change or alter in form) as the working fluid to turn the steam turbine.
to U-233, which powers the reactor
• Present status: - India achieved success in CANDU Reactors (Pressurized
second stage and working on the third stage. Heavy Water Reactor)
• CANDU (Canada Deuterium Uranium) is a
Thorium – Huge Reserves in India Canadian pressurized heavy-water reactor.
• Uranium is the fuel used in Nuclear reactors to
produce energy. However, India has only 2% of • In these reactors enriched Uranium is used
the world’s Uranium reserves. as its fuel.
• On the other hand, India has 25% of the • Heavy water serves as coolant and neutron
World’s Thorium reserves. moderator.
• The Atomic Minerals Directorate for • The heavy water is kept under high
Exploration and Research (AMD), a pressure, allowing it to be heated to higher
constituent unit of Department of Atomic temperatures without boiling, like in
Energy (DAE), pressurised water reactor.
• Has so far established 11.93 million tonnes of
in situ resources Monazite (Thorium bearing Breeder Reactor
mineral) in the country, which contains about • A breeder reactor is a nuclear reactor that
1.07 million tonnes of thorium generates more fissile material than it
• State: - Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, consumes.
Kerala, West Bengal, Jharkhand. • Breeder reactors achieve this because their
number of neutron is high enough to create
Light-water reactors more fissile fuel than they use.
Light-water reactors (LWRs) are power reactors • If reactor fuelled
that are cooled and moderated with ordinary water. 1) With the fissile material U-238 then it yield
There are two basic types: Pu 239
• Pressurized-water reactor (PWR) and 2) With the fissile material Th-232 then it yield
• Boiling-water reactor (BWR). U- 233

In a PWR, the primary coolant (water) is pumped

under high pressure to the reactor core where it is
Non-Proliferation Treaty
heated by the energy released by the fission of • The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear
atoms. Weapons or Non-Proliferation Treaty or NPT
The heated water then flows to a steam generator • It is an international treaty whose objective is
where it transfers its thermal energy to a to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and
secondary system where steam is generated and weapons technology.
flows to turbines which, in turn, spin an electric • To promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of
generator. nuclear energy, nuclear disarmament.
In contrast to a boiling water reactor, pressure • Signed as on 1-July-1968
in the primary coolant loop prevents the water from • 191 countries are members
boiling within the reactor. • Countries like India, Israel, North Korea,
• Water passing through the core is heated at an Pakistan & South Sudan are non- parties.
intermediate pressure level.

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India’s Stand on NPT

• India always considered the NPT as
discriminatory and had refused to sign it.
• NPT divides the world into nuclear ‘haves’ and
‘have-nots’.
• India has opposed NPT as it applicable to the
non-nuclear state and legitimized the
monopoly of the five nuclear weapons powers
(US, UK, France, Russia and China).

SMALL NUCLEAR REACTORS (SMR)

• Oct, 2024: - India’s plans to get into the Advantages of SMR
manufacturing value chain of Small Modular
• Enhanced Safety Features: SMRs utilize
Reactors (SMR) are yielding some positives
passive safety mechanisms, such as natural
with a handful of private players learnt to have
convection and gravity-driven cooling, which
shown interest in deploying these at their
help prevent overheating without relying on
captive site.
external power or human intervention.
• SMRs are small reactors offering 30-300
• Flexibility: The modular nature of SMRs
MWe power output per unit, and are seen as
allows for incremental power additions, which
effective in not just producing base load power,
is ideal for growing energy needs.
but also amongst renewables as a more
• Suitability for Remote and Off-Grid Areas:
carbon-neutral source.
SMRs compact design makes them adaptable
• India has announced plans to support the
for smaller grid systems and applications like
construction of up to 50 small nuclear
district heating and water desalination.
reactors (SMRs) through public-private
• Cost-Effective Construction: Prefabrication
partnerships.
in controlled environments reduces on-site
construction time and costs.
What are Small Modular Reactors
(SMRs)?
Small modular reactors (SMRs) are advanced
nuclear reactors with a power capacity of up to 300
MW(e) per unit, roughly one-third the generating
capacity of traditional nuclear power plants.
• Small – physically a fraction of the size of a
conventional nuclear power reactor.
• Modular – making it possible for systems and
components to be factory-assembled and
transported as a unit to a location for
installation.
• Reactors – harnessing nuclear fission to
generate heat to produce energy.

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RENEWABLE ENERGY • Akshay Urja stands for “eternal energy”

symbolizing the endless and sustainable
INTRODUCTION nature of renewable energy.
• Renewable energy is energy derived from
natural sources that are replenished at a higher Objectives:
rate than they are consumed. • Highlight the importance of renewable energy
• According to International Energy Agency in India’s energy planning.
“Renewable energy is derived from natural • Raise awareness of renewable energy’s
processes that are replenished constantly. benefits in reducing fossil fuel dependency.
• It includes sources such as sunlight, wind, • Promote renewable energy as a solution to
ocean, tides and geothermal heat. combat climate change.
• The use of renewable energy resources in
energy generation is resulting in lower
emissions and has a significant effect on Key Schemes to Achieve Renewable
economic benefits and energy security. Energy Targets:
• Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam
The most popular renewable energy Utthaan Mahabhiyan scheme (PM-KUSUM):
sources currently are: Promotes the installation of small grid-
• Solar energy connected solar power plants, standalone
• Wind energy solar pumps, and solarisation of existing grid-
• Hydro energy connected pumps.
• Tidal energy • Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme
• Geothermal energy
for Solar PV Modules: Aims to boost domestic
• Biomass energy
production of high-efficiency solar panels.
India targets 500 GW of renewable energy
• Grid Connected Rooftop Solar Program
capacity by 2030 and 1 TW by 2035 and Aims for
(Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana):
net-zero emissions by 2070.
Facilitates rooftop solar installations, allowing
As of May 2024, India has installed 191 GW of surplus power to be exported to the grid.
renewable energy. This capacity includes: - • Solar Parks and Ultra Mega Solar Power
• Solar power (approx 85 GW), Projects: Provides infrastructure for rapid
• Wind power (approx 46 GW), solar project development.
• Large hydropower (approx 45 GW), • Green Energy Corridor Scheme: Series of
• Biomass (approx 10 GW), infrastructure projects under the scheme is
• Small hydropower (approx 4.5 GW), aimed at synchronising the power generated
• Waste-to-Energy (approx 0.5 GW) from renewable energy sources with the
national grid of India.
AKSHAY URJA DAY • National Green Hydrogen Mission: Targets 5
• Every year on August 20, Akshay Urja Day is million tonnes of Green Hydrogen production
celebrated to underscore the significance of by 2030. This in turn will support an addition of
renewable energy sources and to highlight about 125 GW of renewable energy capacity in
the strides India has made in advancing the our country.
same. • National Bioenergy Programme: It aims to
• Launched in 2004 by the Ministry of New & enhance the energy security through the
Renewable Energy. It also commemorates Waste to Energy Programme, Biomass
the birth anniversary of former PM Rajiv Programme, and Biogas Programme.
Gandhi. • FDI in Renewable Energy: Allows up to 100%
• “Akshay” means “eternal” or Foreign Direct Investment under the automatic
“indestructible” in Sanskrit. route, encouraging foreign investments.

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Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects Important project of ISA:

• Also known as Ultra Mega Solar Parks. Power
project has a minimum capacity of 500 MW. One Sun -One World -One Grid (OSOWOG): The
• Scheme for Development of Solar Parks and OSOWOG focuses on a framework for facilitating
Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects global cooperation, building a global ecosystem of
• The scheme was rolled out by the Ministry of interconnected renewable energy resources
New & Renewable Energy in 2014. (mainly solar energy) that can be seamlessly
• Under this scheme, it was proposed to set up shared.
at least 25 Solar Parks and Ultra Mega Solar
Power Projects India’s Updated Nationally
• Targeting over 20,000 MW of solar power Determined Contribution (NDC)
installed capacity within a span of 5 years • At Glasgow Summit - COP 26 of United
starting from 2014-15. Nations Framework Convention on Climate
• In February 2017, the GoI increased the total Change (UNFCCC) Scotland, Indian Prime
number of planned solar parks to 50 with a total Minister had announced intensifying India’s
capacity of 40 GW. climate action through five targets termed as
“Panchamrit”.
International Solar Alliance • This update to India’s existing NDC translates
• The ISA, is an Indian initiative that was the ‘Panchamrit’ announced at COP 26 into
launched by the Prime Minister of India and the enhanced climate targets.
President of France on 30th November 2015 in • The updated NDC help to enhance India’s
Paris, contributions towards achievement of the
• France on the side-lines of the Conference of strengthening of global response to the threat
the Parties (COP-21), with 121 solar resource of climate change and to reduce emissions, as
rich countries lying fully or partially between the agreed under the Paris Agreement.
tropic of Cancer and tropic of Capricorn as • It would protect the interests of the country and
prospective members. safeguard its future development needs based
• The overarching objective of the ISA is to on the principles and provisions of the
collectively address key common challenges to UNFCCC.
the scaling up of solar energy in ISA member • The updated NDC also represents the
countries. framework for India’s transition to cleaner
• The Government of India has allotted 5 acres energy for the period 2021-2030.
of land to the ISA in National Institute of Solar
Energy (NISE) campus, Gurugram and Updated Nationally Determined Contribution
• Also, released a sum of Rs. 160 crore for (NDC) (Panchamrit): In order to curb the climate
creating a corpus fund, building infrastructure change, India aims to-
and meeting day to day recurring expenditure • Reduce carbon intensity of the economy to less
of the ISA up to the year 2021-22. than 45% by 2030.
• ISA is an alliance of 120+ signatory countries • Reach non-fossil energy capacity of 500 GW
(95 of whom are members). by 2030.
• The ISA is guided by its ‘Towards 1000’ • Meet 50% of its energy requirements from
strategy which aims to mobilise USD 1,000 renewable energy by 2030.
billion of investments in solar energy solutions • Reduce total projected carbon emissions by 1
by 2030, while delivering energy access to billion tonne.
1,000 million people using clean energy • Achieve net zero carbon emission by 2070.
solutions and resulting in installation of 1,000
GW of solar energy capacity.

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GOBARdhan scheme • Unified Registration Portal for GOBARdhan,

• Launched: 2018. which acts as a one-stop repository to assess
• Ministry: Ministry of Jal Shakti. investment and participation in Biogas/CBG
• Implementation: The scheme is being sector at pan India level.
implemented as part of the Swachh Bharat • Any government, cooperative, or private entity
Mission (Gramin). operating or intending to set up a
Biogas/CBG/Bio CNG plant in India can obtain
Objectives of GOBARdhan scheme: - a registration number by enrolling in this unified
registration portal.
• Support villages safely manage their cattle
• The registration number will enable availing of
waste, agriculture waste and in long run all
a multitude of benefits and support from the
organic waste.
Ministries & Departments of the Government of
• Support communities, and convert their cattle
India.
and organic waste to wealth using
• States have been advised to get their
decentralized systems. (Compressed Bio Gas
CBG/Biogas plant operators registered on the
(CBG))
portal on priority to avail existing and upcoming
• Promote environmental sanitation and curb
support from the Union Government.
vector-borne diseases through effective
disposal of waste in rural areas.
• Convert organic waste, especially, cattle waste Geothermal Energy
to biogas and fertilizer for use in rural areas. • Geothermal energy is heat derived within the
• Promote rural entrepreneurship employment sub-surface of the earth. Water and/or steam
and income generation opportunities. carry the geothermal energy to the Earth’s
surface.
Salient Features of the GOBARdhan • Geothermal energy can be used for different
scheme: - purposes like heating, to generate clean
electricity etc.
• It is an umbrella initiative of the Government of
India. • Geothermal energy is key renewable source
that covers a significant share of electricity
• It covers the entire gamut of
demand in countries like Iceland, New
schemes/programmes/policies promoting the
Zealand, Kenya, and Philippines and more
conversion of organic waste like cattle dung/
than 90% of heating demand in Iceland.
agri-residue etc. to biogas/ CBG/ Bio CNG.
• The main advantages are that it is not
depending on weather conditions and has very
GOBARdhan portal: - high efficiency.
• Launched: 2023.
• Ministry: Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Geothermal Energy in India
• Developed by: Department of Drinking Water
• In India, exploration and study of geothermal
and Sanitation (DDWS).
fields started in 1970.
• Objective: to ensure close coordination with
• The GSI (Geological Survey of India) has
various Departments/Ministries for smooth
identified 350 geothermal energy locations in
implementation of Biogas schemes/initiatives
the country.
and its real-time tracking.
• Estimated potential for geothermal energy in
• Under the Swachh Bharat Mission – Grameen
India is about 10 GW.
(SBMG).
• The most promising of these is in the Puga
valley of Ladakh.
Salient Features: -
• The GOBARdhan portal will streamline the
process of registration of Biogas plants and
under-construction Compressed Biogas plants
across the country.

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The major sites for geothermal energy in About Hydrogen:

India are: • Hydrogen is the chemical element with the
• Himalayas Regions like: J&K, HP, Sikkim, symbol H and atomic number 1.
Manikaran in HP. • It is the lightest element in the periodic table.
• Sohana: Haryana, Rajasthan. • It is a non-toxic, nonmetallic, odourless,
• Son-Narmada-Tapi (SONATA): MP, tasteless, colourless, and highly combustible
• Tattapani spring in Chhattisgarh & Jharkhand diatomic gas at standard temperature and
• Cambay: Gujarat and some parts of Rajasthan pressure.
• Godavari: AP • It is the most abundant chemical substance
• Mahanadi: Orissa, Taptapani Spring in Orissa. in the universe.
• Its nature is not available freely.
• It exists only in combination with other
elements.
• Thus, it has to be extracted from natural
compounds, like water.

Hydrogen fuel
• Hydrogen is considered an alternative to fossil
and other types of fuels.
• Hydrogen does not occur freely in nature in
useful quantities.
• It can be made from natural gas or it can be
Indian Renewable Energy made by electrolysis of water—using electricity
Development Agency (IREDA) to split water into its constituent components of
• Type: - Mini Ratna (Category–I) non-banking hydrogen and oxygen.
financial institution • When hydrogen is burned, it only emits water
• Ministry: - Ministry of New and Renewable vapour and carbon dioxide (CO2) is not
Energy (MNRE). produced.
• It is a Public Limited Government Company • It is more efficient than internal combustion
established as a Non-Banking Financial engine.
Institution (NBFC) in 1987. • Although hydrogen is a clean molecule, the
• REDA is primarily engaged in promoting, process of extracting it is energy-intensive.
developing and extending financial assistance • Also, manufacturing hydrogen fuel-based
for setting up projects relating to new and vehicle is expensive.
renewable sources of energy and energy
efficiency/conservation. The sources and processes by which
hydrogen is derived, are categorised by
Objectives: - colour tabs.
• To give financial support to specific projects • Grey Hydrogen: - Hydrogen generated from
and schemes for generating electricity and/ or fossil fuels, and carbon dioxide is the byproduct
energy through new and renewable sources of consumption. This constitutes the bulk of the
and conserving energy through energy hydrogen produced today.
efficiency. • Blue Hydrogen: - Hydrogen generated from
• To maintain its position as a leading fossil fuels with carbon capture and storage
organization to provide efficient and effective options.
financing in renewable energy and energy • Brown hydrogen: - Hydrogen is generated
efficiency/ conservation projects. using coal where the emissions are released to
the air.

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• Green Hydrogen: - Hydrogen generated

entirely from renewable power sources.
• In this process, electricity generated from
renewable energy is used to split water into
hydrogen and oxygen.

Green Hydrogen
• When electric current is passed through water,
it splits it into elemental oxygen and hydrogen
through electrolysis.
• And if the electricity used for this process
comes from a renewable source like wind or
solar then the hydrogen thus produced is
referred to as green hydrogen.
Development & Initiatives taken by the
India: -
• It was on April 20, 2022 that the Oil India
Limited (OIL) set up India’s first 99% pure
green hydrogen pilot plant in Jorhat, Assam.

PUMPED STORAGE HYDROPOWER

• Note: - Budget 2024-25 promised thata policy
for promoting pumped storage projects will be
Benefits of hydrogen as a fuel: - brought out for electricity storage and
• It is readily available. facilitating smooth integration of the growing
• It is environmentally friendly and non-toxic. share of renewable energy with its variable and
• It doesn’t produce emissions as other fossil intermittent nature.
fuels. • Pumped Storage Hydropower (PSH) is a
• It is three times as powerful as gasoline and type of hydroelectric energy storage that plays
other fossil fuels. a crucial role in balancing electricity supply and
• It is more efficient than diesel or gas. demand.
• It is renewable and can be produced again and • India’s experience: - India has 3.3 GW of
again. pumped storage. Main ones are
Nagarjunasagar (AP), Kadana (Gujarat),
Limitations to Hydrogen production: - Kadamparai (TN) etc
• It does not occur in deposits or reserves like • Some are under construction and two in
fossil fuel. advanced levels of planning.
• It needs to be actually produced using
chemical reactions.
• It is far more expensive to produce.
• Hydrogen-fueled vehicles are also more
expensive than even battery-electric ones.
• It is highly flammable.
• It is difficult to store.

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How It Works allowing the trapped gas to escape and be

• PSH involves two water reservoirs at different collected.
elevations: • India has significant potential for shale gas
o Upper Reservoir: Positioned at a higher exploration and production.
elevation.
o Lower Reservoir: Positioned at a lower The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has
elevation. identified several basins with potential shale
• During periods of low electricity demand, gas reserves, including:
excess energy from the grid is used to pump • Cambay Basin in Gujarat
water from the lower reservoir to the upper • Assam-Arakan Basin in the Northeast
reservoir. • Gondwana Basin in central India
• This process stores energy in the form of • Krishna-Godavari Basin in Andhra Pradesh
gravitational potential energy. When electricity • Cauvery Basin in southern India
demand is high, the stored water is released • Indo-Gangetic Plains
back into the lower reservoir through turbines,
generating electricity in the process. Government Initiatives:
• In 2013, the Government of India introduced a
Types of PSH policy allowing exploration and exploitation of
• Open-Loop PSH: This system has a shale gas by national oil companies like ONGC
continuous connection to a natural water and Oil India Ltd.
source, such as a river. • The Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing
• Closed-Loop PSH: This system operates Policy (HELP), launched in 2016, simplified
independently of natural water bodies, using regulations, providing a uniform licensing
only the two reservoirs. system and encouraging investment in shale
gas exploration.
Advantages • In 2018, the government further relaxed rules
• Energy Storage: PSH acts like a giant battery, to allow existing contractors under Production
storing energy for later use. Sharing Contracts (PSC) to explore shale oil
• Grid Stability: It helps balance supply and and gas resources.
demand, ensuring a stable electricity grid.
• Renewable Integration: PSH supports the Challenges for Shale Gas Development in
integration of intermittent renewable energy India:
sources like wind and solar by storing excess • Water Scarcity
energy. • Environmental Concerns
• Technological Limitations
Shale Gas
• Shale gas is a type of natural gas trapped Surface Hydrokinetic Turbine (SHKT)
within shale formation which are fine-grained
Technology
sedimentary rocks with low permeability.
• Nov, 2024: - Central Electricity Authority (CEA)
• It is considered an unconventional source of
has recognized the indigenously developed
natural gas
Surface Hydrokinetic Turbine (SHKT)
• It is extracted through a process called
technology under the Hydro Category.
hydraulic fracturing or “fracking.”
• CEA, is a statutory organization under the
• Composition: Shale gas primarily consists of
Ministry of Power.
methane (CH4), along with small amounts of
• It constituted under section 3(1) of the
other gases like ethane, propane, and butane.
Electricity Supply Act 1948, now superseded
• The extraction involves injecting a high-
by section 70(1) of the Electricity Act 2003.
pressure mixture of water, sand, and chemicals
• Its responsibilities include prescribing
into the shale formation to create fractures,
standards for electrical plants, electric lines,

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connectivity to the grid, and safety and grid

standards.
• Provides technical and policy advice to the
government on matters relating to the
planning, development, and management of
the electricity sector.
• SHKT, uses kinetic energy of flowing water with
practically zero potential head for generation of
electrical energy.
• Conventional units utilize potential energy of
water through construction of dam, diversion
weir and barrages for creation of necessary
‘Head’.

Significance: -
• Surface Hydrokinetic turbines are easy to
install and cost-effective, with generation cost
of ₹2-3 per unit.
• This technology provides a win-win situation
both for renewable energy buyers and
generators.
• This technology has huge potential in GW
scale with a lot of opportunities to harness
renewable energy, leading to overall growth of
the power sector.

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INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY NATIONAL PEST SURVEILLANCE

SYSTEM (NPSS)
• Information Technology (I.T) is the branch of
• August, 2024: - The Union Government
engineering which deals with the application of
recently launched the AI-based National Pest
computers to create, store, exchange and use
Surveillance System (NPSS).
of information in various forms.
• The NPSS is a digital initiative by the Ministry
• The term “Information Technology” was
of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
given by “Jim Domsic” of Michigan in
• It leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI) to provide
November 1981.
timely pest management advisories to farmers
• I.T comprises of software, hardware and
across India.
applications.
• Aims to reshape pest management practices
• Fields like cloud computing, bioinformatics,
and fostering a scientific approach to pest
global information systems are the few
control.
examples of modern fields of I.T.
• This initiative is expected to benefit around 14
crore farmers across India, helping to increase
Digital Agriculture Mission productivity and reduce the excessive use of
• September, 2024: - GoI approved the Digital pesticides.
Agriculture Mission with an outlay of Rs. 2817
Crore, including the central share of Rs. 1940 Key Features of NPSS:
Crore. • User-Friendly Access: Comprises a mobile
• This initiative is part of the broader vision of app and a web portal, ensuring accessibility for
Viksit Bharat@2047, aiming to transform the all farmers.
agriculture sector through digital solutions. • Real-Time Data and Analytics: Utilizes real-
• Digital Agriculture Mission is an initiative by the time data and advanced analytics for accurate
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. pest identification, monitoring, and
• The mission aims to create a robust Digital management.
Public Infrastructure (DPI) for the agriculture • Quick Solutions: Provides quick solutions to
sector. pest attacks and crop diseases, reducing crop
losses and improving productivity.
Objectives: - • Actionable Insights: Offers comprehensive
• Enhance Farmers’ Income pest incidence data and automated advisories,
• Digital IDs for Farmers empowering farmers with actionable insights
• Nationwide Crop Surveys on agricultural for informed decision-making and proactive
production. crop protection measures.
• Job Creation
• Development of Agri Stack: (Krishi Decision Supercomputer
Support System and Soil Profile Mapping etc.) • Supercomputer’s are the extremely powerful
computers.
Benefits: - • The term is commonly applied to the fastest
• Improved Service Delivery high-performance systems available at any
• Enhanced Decision-Making given time.
• Increased Productivity • Supercomputers have been used for scientific
• Sustainable Agriculture and engineering applications that must handle
• Economic Growth very large databases or do a great amount of
computation (or both).
• Their performance is generally evaluated in
petaflops (1 followed by 15 zeros).
• Supercomputers in India: - e.g. Param,
Pratyush, Mihir

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Applications: (MeitY) and the Department of Science and

1) Weather and climate modeling. Technology (DST).
2) Research & Development. • Pune: The Giant Metre Radio Telescope
3) Medicine Discovery (GMRT) will utilise it to investigate
4) Oil & Gas Exploration etc astronomical phenomena like Fast Radio
Burst (FRB). A fast radio burst is a bright and
Characteristics of Supercomputer brief burst of electromagnetic radiation (light)
• Supercomputer’s able to solve large digits seen in radio-wave frequencies.
calculations and complicated calculations as • Delhi: The Inter-University Accelerator
well. Centre (IUAC) will use it to bolster research in
• High cost as compared to ordinary computer. material science and atomic physics.
• Multiple users can access supercomputer at • Kolkata: The S N Bose Centre will use it for
same time. research in physics, cosmology, and earth
• Having huge storage capacity. sciences.

Pratyush Supercomputer Facts: -

• USA's Frontier is the most powerful
• Pratyush is India’s supercomputer dedicated to
supercomputer on TOP500, reaching 1102
weather and climate research.
Petaflops.
• Supercomputer has been named as Pratyush
• China has the maximum number of
meaning Sun
supercomputers and maintains the top
• Speed – 6.8 Petaflops.
position in the world, followed by the US,
• It will work under umbrella of the Ministry of
Japan, France.
Earth Sciences.
• AIRAWAT supercomputer is the fastest
• It will help India with better forecasts in terms
supercomputer in India.
of monsoon, cyclones, tsunamis, earthquakes,
• AIRAWAT has been installed at the Centre for
air quality, lightning, fishing, hot and cold
Development of Advanced Computing (C-
waves etc
DAC) in Pune.
• The key function of the High Performance
• The PARAM 8000 was the first machine in the
Computing (HPC) facility will be monsoon
series and was built from scratch
forecasting using dynamical model which
• Vijay P. Bhatkar is best known as the architect
requires simulating weather.
of India's national initiative in supercomputing
• It will enable map regions in India at resolution
where he led the development of Param
of 3 km and at global level 12 km.
supercomputers.
• Developed the first Indian supercomputer,
PARAM Rudra Supercomputers the PARAM 8000, in 1991.
• Sept 2024: - The Prime Minister virtually
launched three PARAM Rudra
Cloud Computing
supercomputers showcasing India’s
commitment to self-reliance in high-
performance computing (HPC).
• The supercomputers have been deployed in
Pune, Delhi, and Kolkata:
• PARAM Rudra supercomputers are part of the
National Supercomputing Mission (NSM).
• NSM: It aims to create a network of advanced
computing systems across India.
• It is a collaboration between the Ministry of
Electronics and Information Technology

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• Cloud computing means delivering of services o LAN (Local Area Network) – Smart Homes
over the internet. o WAN (Wide Area Network) – Connected
• It is the pool of shared resources such as Cars
networks, servers, storage, applications and o VWAN (Very Wide Area Network) – Smart
services that can be provided to the consumer City
rather than the consumer managing them on
her own which is costly and time-consuming. Blockchain Technology
• Here various applications use collective
computing power as they are running on a
single system.

• Blockchains are the data structure that is

cryptography-based, and distributed
across a network.
• Blockchains is an incorruptible digital ledger of
transactions that can be programmed to record
virtually everything of value.
INTERNET OF THINGS (IoT)
• Each list of records in a blockchain is called
• IoT encompasses everything connected to the
block.
internet, but it is increasingly being used to
• It is a continuously growing list of record called
define objects that "talk" to each other.
blocks, which are linked and secured.
• "Simply, the Internet of Things is made up of
• It is a secured way of conducting online
devices – from simple sensors to smart phones
transaction.
and wearable – connected together,"
• IoT allows machines and people to be
Advantages of Blockchain
connected to each other and communicate as
• Faster way to conduct transactions.
well.
• This network can be made public or private
with restricted membership.
Different area/sectors which can be
• Borderless network.
connected with IoT: -
• Remove intermediaries.
• Connected Homes: Interlinking of household
• Enhance transparency.
appliances to the network.
• High level of reliability.
• Connected Wearables: smartphones, smart
watches, fitness bands, etc. • Increases the frequency & efficiency of trades.
• Connected Vehicles: Bike, Car etc connected • Secure network.
to the network. • Eliminate the ability to hacked.
• Connected Cities: smart meters which can
analyse the usage of gas, water, electricity,
etc.; connected traffic signals; smart bins, etc.
• Different networks would be connected to
each other, like as mentioned below:
o BAN (Body Area Network) – Wearables

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Cryptocurrency • All over the world, the central bank of any

country cannot regulate the supply and price
value of cryptocurrencies in the economy.

E-RUPEE
• August, 2024: - Major fintech companies,
including Google Pay, PhonePe, Amazon Pay
etc. are looking to join the RBI digital currency
project by allowing their users to transact in e-
rupee via Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
• Cryptocurrency or crypto is a form of currency • Initially, only banks were allowed to offer e-
that exists virtually or digitally and uses rupee transactions, but the RBI has now
cryptography to secure transactions. opened the project to payment firms to
• It is a digital payment system that doesn't rely increase transaction volumes and user
on any central bank or banks to verify engagement.
transactions.
• It’s a peer-to-peer system that can enable Introduction
anyone anywhere to send and receive • The e-rupee, or digital rupee, is a digital
payments. currency issued by the Reserve Bank of India
(RBI).
Advantages of cryptocurrency • It was launched on a pilot basis in December
• Transactions with cryptocurrencies are 2022.
cheaper and faster money transfers. • It is available entirely in electronic form and
• It is a decentralized system that does not does not leave computer network.
collapse at a single point of failure. • Initially offered by a select group of public and
• Transaction between two parties is easy, as private banks in a few major cities.
there is no involvement of third parties like • Can be used for both person-to-person and
credit/debit cards or banks. person-to-merchant transactions.
• Payments are safe and secured as this
system is based on blockchain technology. Types: -
• There is also the concept of “wallet” or • Retail e-Rupee: - Intended for general public
account address which is accessible by a use, allowing individuals to make everyday
public key and pirate key. But the private key transactions.
is only known to the owner of the wallet. • Wholesale e-Rupee: - Designed for financial
• Transactions of cryptocurrencies are institutions to facilitate interbank transactions
completed with minimal processing fees. and other large-scale financial activities.

Disadvantages of cryptocurrency Objectives: -

• High energy consumption for mining activities • Efficiency: Aims to enhance the efficiency and
of cryptocurrencies. security of transactions.
• Security Issues: - criminal activities, money • Accessibility: Provides an additional option
laundering, terrorism etc for using money, especially in a digital format.
• Cryptocurrencies do not have any sovereign
guarantee and hence are not legal tender. Features:
• It is believed that cryptocurrency will disrupt • Legal Tender: The e-rupee is like banknotes
markets, industries, including finance and law. issued by the RBI and is a legal tender that can
• The market price of cryptocurrencies is also be used to make transactions.
volatile or not stable. Their prices fluctuate very • The only difference is that they can only be
high. transacted online.

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• Non-Interest Bearing: The digital rupee in • In quantum computing, a Qubit or Quantum bit
users wallets does not attract interest is a basic unit of quantum information.
payments from the central bank.
• Conversion: Deposits held in banks can be
converted into digital rupees and vice versa for
ease of use.

Web Version
• The World Wide Web (WWW) is the primary
tool used by billions of people to interact with
other people and also read and write Artificial Intelligence (AI)
information, with the Internet. • Artificial Intelligence was first introduced in
• The World Wide Web has become the world's 1956 by “Jon McCarthy” at the Dartmouth
dominant information systems platform. Conference, Massachusetts Institute of
• The Web was invented by Tim Berners-Lee in Technology.
1989 and opened to the public in 1991. • AI refers to the ability of the machine to have
• Latest Web Version: - A new decentralized web human intelligence processes like learning,
platform that is being called Web 5.0 and is thinking, decision-making, and problem-
being built with an aim to return “ownership of solving.
data and identity” to individuals. • AI is about creating self-learning patterns that
would help the machines to find out answers to
Key Highlights of Various Web the question like a human would do.
Version? • It is a branch of computer science that aims to
create computers or machines with human
Web 2.0, The web was the “read and write”
intelligence.
Internet.
• AI includes technologies like pattern
• Users could now communicate with servers
recognition, machine learning, neural
and other users leading to the creation of the
networks, big data, self-algorithms, etc.
social web.
• This is the world wide web that we use today.
“Dark Patterns” or “Deceptive
Web 5.0: - (The Intelligent / Emotional (Symbiotic) Patterns”
Web) • It has been noted where internet-based
• Former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey announced companies have been tricking users into
his vision for a new decentralized web platform agreeing to certain conditions or clicking a few
that is being called Web 5.0 and links.
• It will built with an aim to return “ownership of • Such acceptances and clicks are flooding
data and identity” to individuals. inboxes of the users with promotional emails
they never wanted, making it hard to
Quantum Computing unsubscribe or request deletion.
• Quantum computing is a rapidly-emerging • Dark Patterns are unethical UI/UX (user
technology that harnesses the laws of quantum interface/user experience) interactions,
mechanics to solve problems too complex for designed to mislead or trick users to make
classical computers. them do something they don't want to do.
• Quantum mechanics is a subfield of physics
that describes the behavior of particles —
atoms, electrons, photons, and almost
everything in the molecular and submolecular
realm.

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Deep tech or Deep technology

• Deep tech or deep technology refers to a class
of startup businesses that develop new
offerings based on tangible engineering
innovation or scientific discoveries and
advances.
• Usually, such startups operate on, but are not
limited to, agriculture, life sciences, chemistry,
aerospace and green energy.
• Deep tech fields like Artificial Intelligence,
advanced materials, blockchain,
biotechnology, robotics, drones,
Deep Synthesis photonics, and quantum computing are
• Deep synthesis is defined as the use of moving more and more quickly from early
technologies, including deep learning and research to market applications.
augmented reality, to generate text, images, • Deep Technology refers to innovations
audio and video to create virtual scenes. founded on advanced scientific and
• One of the most notorious applications of the technological breakthroughs. Due to their
technology is deepfakes, where synthetic disruptive nature, they have the potential to
media is used to swap the face or voice of one solve societal issues.
person for another. • India’s deep tech Vision encompasses four
• Deepfakes are getting harder to detect with the key pillars: securing India’s economic future,
advancement of technology. progressing towards a knowledge-driven
economy, bolstering national capability and
Deepfake Technology sovereignty through the Atma Nirbhar Bharat
imperative and encouraging ethical innovation.
• Deepfake technology is a method for
manipulating videos, images, audios utilizing
powerful computers and deep learning. Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)
• It is used to generate fake news and commit • Digital public infrastructure refers to blocks or
financial fraud among other wrong doings. platforms such as digital identification,
• It overlays a digital composite over an already- payment infrastructure and data exchange
existing video, picture, or audio; solutions etc.
cybercriminals use Artificial Intelligence • That help countries deliver essential services
technology. to their people, empowering citizens and
improving lives by enabling digital inclusion.
• DPI refers to digital solutions that enable basic
functions essential for public and private
service delivery.

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Indian Cybercrime Coordination

Centre (I4C)
The I4C, established in 2018, is a department
under the Ministry of Home Affairs tasked with
establishing a national-level coordination centre to
address cybercrime-related issues.

Home minister inaugurated four I4C platforms

—
• Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre (CFMC),
• ‘Samanvaya’ platform
• Cyber Commandos programme
India’s DPI Ecosystem • Suspect Registry.
• Aadhaar
• DigiYatra Common cyber threats: -
• DigiLocker 1) Malware: It is any kind of software that is
• UPI:-(Unified Payment Interface) designed to cause damage to a single
• Digi Locker computer, server, or computer network.
• Account aggregators Examples: Ransomware, Spyware, Trojans
• India’s DPI ecosystem, known as “India are all varieties of malware.
Stack,” consists of interconnected yet 2) Spoofing: Cybercriminals try impersonating a
independent “blocks” that serve as identity, bank’s URL with a website that is quite similar
payment, data sharing, and consent to the original one and has similar functions as
mechanisms. well.
• India, through India Stack, became the first 3) Smishing: -
country to develop all three foundational DPIs, • Smishing” is a combination of “SMS” (Short
• Digital identity (Aadhar), Message Service) and “phishing.”
• Real-time fast payment (UPI) and • It is a type of phishing attack.
• Account Aggregator built on the Data • It involves sending fraudulent text
Empowerment Protection Architecture (DEPA). messages to individuals.
4) Phishing: it is attempting to obtain sensitive
Non Fungible Tokens (NFTs) information such as credit card details, etc. for
• NFTs are tokens that we can use to represent fraudulent activities, by disguising oneself as
ownership of unique items. an authentic, trustworthy entity via electronic
communication.
• Non-fungible is an economic term that you
could use to describe things like your art,
song, selfies, photos, videos etc. Digital arrests
• NFTs can also function to represent individuals' Digital arrests refer to a type of cybercrime where
property rights, identities and more. scammers impersonate law enforcement officials
• They can only have one official owner at a time to extort money from victims by threatening them
and they're secured by the blockchain. with arrest.
• NFT can then be traded online by using • Initial Contact
cryptocurrency. • False Accusations
• Currently, popular NFT marketplaces are: • Intimidation
OpenSea, Rarible, BuyUCoin etc. • Demand for Payment
• Data Theft

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• Indians lost ₹120 cr in digital arrest frauds in

Jan-April 2024 quarter this year: Report
• Many of those carrying out these frauds are
based in three contiguous southeast Asian
countries: Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia.
• According to Indian Cybercrime
Coordination Centre (I4C), There are four
types of scams which are on the rise— digital
arrest, trading scam, investment scam (task
based) and romance/dating scam.

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ROBOTIC TECHNOLOGY
• Robotics is the branch of science and
technology dealing with design, manufacture,
operation and application of robot and using
computer for the application and processing.
• Branch of electrical engineering, mechanical
engineering and computer science.
• Robotics is based on the word “Robot”
• Term “Robot” was introduced by science and
friction author “Karel Capek” in 1921. CHAT BOT
• The word “Robotics” first used by Issac • It is a virtual robot which are computer
Asimon in 1941. programme designed to simulate a real robot.
• It displace almost human like ability to hold a
Sophia Humanoid Robot conversation.
• Sophia is a social humanoid robot For example: - ChatGPT
• Developed by the Hong Kong-based
company Hanson Robotics.
• It was activated on February 14, 2016
• In October 2017, Sophia was given Saudi
Arabian citizenship, and
• Became the first robot to receive citizenship
of any country.
Anthrobots
• Anthrobots are novel bioengineered robots
created from human cells.
• These are tiny living robots from human
cells.
• These bio-bots possess the remarkable ability
to autonomously configure into diverse forms
and sizes.
• These anthrobots may able to help heal
wounds or damaged tissue.
In November 2017, Sophia was named the United
Nations Development Programme's first Significance: -
Innovation Champion, and become the first non- The researchers anticipate employing
human to be given a United Nations title. personalized anthrobots for various functions such
as arterial clearance, mucus disruption, or drug
administration, showcasing potential uses in the
Vyom - mitra
field of regenerative medicine.
• Vyom mitra is a female-looking space faring
humanoid robot being developed by the ISRO
• To function on-board the Gaganyaan, a crewed
orbital spacecraft.
• Vyommitra (vyoma = space, mitra = friend)
• Also called a half-humanoid since she will
only have a head, two hands and a torso, and
will not have lower limbs.

SPM IAS ACADEMY, Times Square Mall 4th Floor, Sundarpur Road R.G. Baruah Road, Zoo Rd Guwahati –
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