#1ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE & FORESTRY
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CAG Flags Critical Deficiencies in Implementation of National Green India Mission (GIM)

ЁЯФ╣ Why in News & Audit Findings

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) presented a comprehensive compliance audit flagging substantial shortfalls, fund diversion, and implementation delays in the execution of the National Mission for a Green India (GIM) across multiple states.

ЁЯФ╣ Core Architecture & Mandate of Green India Mission

Launched in 2014 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), GIM constitutes one of the eight core national missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). It aims at protecting, restoring, and enhancing India's forest cover while responding to climate change through combined adaptation and mitigation measures.

ЁЯФ╣ Targets & India's Revised NDC Commitments

The mission originally targeted increasing forest and tree cover across 5 million hectares (mha) and improving the quality of forest cover on another 5 million hectares, sequestering 50тАУ60 million tonnes of CO2 annually. Under its updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), India committed to creating an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3.0 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2030.

ЁЯФ╣ UP PCS / STATE PCS HIGH-YIELD VALUE ADDITION

тАв Mission Launch Year: 2014 (Centrally Sponsored Scheme). тАв Parent Policy: National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC, 2008) тАФ 8 Missions (Solar, Energy Efficiency, Sustainable Habitat, Water, Himalayan Ecosystem, Green India, Sustainable Agriculture, Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change). тАв India's NDC Target (Forestry): Additional 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent carbon sink by 2030. тАв Nodal Authority: MoEFCC & State Forest Development Agencies (SFDAs). тАв UP PCS Focus: NAPCC 8 Missions, Forest Survey of India (ISFR) forest metrics, and carbon sequestration policies.
#2INFRASTRUCTURE, HYDROPOWER & GEOGRAPHY
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Vishnugad-Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project (VPHEP) in Chamoli: Run-of-the-River Hydropower Profile

ЁЯФ╣ Why in News & Recent Incident

The under-construction 444 MW Vishnugad-Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project (VPHEP) in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district was impacted by a major debris and water surge triggered by an uphill landslide into its tunnel, highlighting ecological and geological vulnerabilities in the fragile Himalayan terrain.

ЁЯФ╣ Project Architecture & Technical Specifications

VPHEP is a run-of-the-river hydroelectric scheme developed on the Alaknanda River (a primary tributary of the Ganga). It comprises a 65-meter-high concrete diversion dam, a 13.4 km long Head Race Tunnel (HRT), and an underground powerhouse with an installed capacity of 444 MW (4 ├Ч 111 MW), designed to supply peaking power to the Northern Grid. Water diverted is returned to the river approximately 18 km downstream.

ЁЯФ╣ Executing Agency & International Financing

The project is executed by THDC India Limited (a joint venture enterprise between the Government of India and the Government of Uttar Pradesh) with partial funding via a US $648 million loan facility from the World Bank.

ЁЯФ╣ UP PCS / STATE PCS HIGH-YIELD VALUE ADDITION

тАв River System: Alaknanda River (originates at Satopanth and Bhagirath Kharak glaciers; confluences with Bhagirathi at Devprayag to form the Ganga). тАв Developer: THDC India Limited (Govt of India & Govt of Uttar Pradesh Joint Venture). тАв Type & Capacity: Run-of-the-River Hydropower, 444 MW (4 ├Ч 111 MW). тАв Financing Institution: World Bank (IBRD). тАв UP PCS Geography Focus: Panch Prayags (Vishnuprayag, Nandaprayag, Karnaprayag, Rudraprayag, Devprayag), Alaknanda basin hydrology, and Himalayan disaster management.
#3INDIAN ECONOMY, TAXATION & COMPLIANCE
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CBDT Notifies 'Foreign Assets of Small Taxpayers тАУ Disclosure Scheme' (FAST-DS)

ЁЯФ╣ Why in News & Notification

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) formally notified the Foreign Assets of Small Taxpayers тАУ Disclosure Scheme (FAST-DS) under Chapter IV of the Finance Act, 2026, granting a one-time voluntary compliance window for resident taxpayers with undisclosed foreign assets.

ЁЯФ╣ Two-Tier Scheme Structure & Asset Thresholds

The scheme categorizes declarations into two distinct windows: Category 1 (Undisclosed Foreign Assets/Income up to тВ╣1 Crore) requires payment of 30% tax plus 30% additional tax in lieu of penalty to receive absolute immunity from prosecution. Category 2 (Reported Assets / Acquired when Non-Resident up to тВ╣5 Crore) grants immunity from prosecution and penalty on payment of a flat fee of тВ╣1 Lakh.

ЁЯФ╣ Legal Immunity & Statutory Protection

Taxpayers completing valid declarations under FAST-DS receive complete immunity from additional tax, interest, penalty, and criminal prosecution under the Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act, 2015.

ЁЯФ╣ UP PCS / STATE PCS HIGH-YIELD VALUE ADDITION

тАв Nodal Administrative Authority: Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance. тАв Enabling Legislation: Chapter IV of Finance Act, 2026 & Black Money Act, 2015. тАв Category 1 Limit: Assets/Income up to тВ╣1 Crore (30% tax + 30% penalty-equivalent fee = 60% total). тАв Category 2 Limit: Assets up to тВ╣5 Crore (тВ╣1 Lakh flat fee for procedural non-reporting). тАв UP PCS Economy Point: Tax administration reforms, voluntary disclosure mechanisms, and direct tax compliance frameworks.
#4WORLD GEOGRAPHY & VOLCANOLOGY
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Glaciological Survey of Mount Ararat: Geo-Morphology of the Armenian Highlands

ЁЯФ╣ Why in News & Scientific Survey

A joint international glaciological expedition completed the first comprehensive geophysical radar and ice-core survey of the high-altitude glacier on Mount Ararat in eastern Turkey to assess climate-induced retreat.

ЁЯФ╣ Geographical Position & Tri-Junction Convergence

Mount Ararat is a massive dormant volcanic massif situated in eastern Turkey, overlooking the international boundary tri-junction where the borders of Turkey, Iran, and Armenia converge. Standing at 5,165 meters (16,940 ft), it represents the highest peak in Turkey and the entire Armenian Highlands.

ЁЯФ╣ Volcanic Morphology & Twin Peak Structure

The massif consists of two distinct volcanic cones: Greater Ararat (5,165 m) and Lesser Ararat (3,896 m), formed by eruptive volcanic processes. While lacking a distinct central summit crater, extensive fissure systems exist on its flanks, and its northern summit plateau hosts the only permanent ice cap and glacier in the region.

ЁЯФ╣ UP PCS / STATE PCS HIGH-YIELD VALUE ADDITION

тАв Geographical Location: Eastern Anatolia / Armenian Highlands, Turkey (near Iran & Armenia border). тАв Elevation: 5,165 m (Highest point in Turkey). тАв Local / Alternative Names: Mount A─Яr─▒ (Turkish), Mount Masis (Armenian), Koh-i-Nuh (Persian). тАв Volcanic Classification: Compound Stratovolcano / Dormant Volcanic Massif. тАв UP PCS Geography Focus: Mountain peaks of West Asia, Anatolian Plateau tectonics, and international tri-junctions.
#5INDIAN GEOGRAPHY & RIVER SYSTEMS
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Subansiri River Hydrological Rise: Tributary Dynamics & 2,000 MW Lower Subansiri HEP

ЁЯФ╣ Why in News & Hydrological Surge

The Subansiri River experienced an abrupt and intense surge in water discharge and timber flow in Arunachal Pradesh's Upper Subansiri district despite no localized rainfall, triggering riverbank alerts and monitoring downstream in the Assam Valley.

ЁЯФ╣ Origin, Antecedent Nature & River Course

The Subansiri (historically known as the 'Gold River' for its alluvial gold dust) is the largest right-bank tributary of the Brahmaputra River. It is an antecedent and trans-Himalayan river originating in the Tibetan Plateau at the confluence of the Lokong Chu, Chayal Chu, and Tsari Chu streams. It flows eastward in Tibet, enters India near Taksing (Arunachal Pradesh), cuts deep gorges across the Miri Hills, and merges with the Brahmaputra at Jamurighat (Assam) near Majuli Island.

ЁЯФ╣ Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Project Profile

The river hosts the 2,000 MW (8 ├Ч 250 MW) Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Project located at Gerukamukh on the Arunachal PradeshтАУAssam border. Once fully commissioned by NHPC, it will be the single largest hydroelectric power station in India.

ЁЯФ╣ UP PCS / STATE PCS HIGH-YIELD VALUE ADDITION

тАв Total Length & Basin Area: ~442 km | 32,000 sq. km. тАв Key Tributaries: Laro, Nye, Yume, Tsari, Kamla, Jiyadhol, Ranganadi, Dikrong. тАв Antecedent River Concept: Pre-dates the Himalayan orogeny and maintained its incised course through antecedent downcutting. тАв Major Project: 2000 MW Lower Subansiri HEP (Gerukamukh) by NHPC. тАв UP PCS Geography Point: Brahmaputra river basin tributaries (Subansiri, Kameng, Manas, Sankosh, Teesta - Right Bank; Dibang, Lohit, Dhansiri, Kopili - Left Bank).
#6ENVIRONMENT, PROTECTED AREAS & WILDLIFE
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Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary: Biodiversity Profile & Riverine Ecosystem

ЁЯФ╣ Why in News & Anti-Poaching Operation

Forest department anti-poaching squads conducted a major patrol operation inside the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka's Chamarajanagar district to secure sensitive riverine wildlife corridors along the inter-state border.

ЁЯФ╣ Geographical Location & Forest Ecosystem

Notified in 1987, the sanctuary spans 1,027 sq. km across the Ramanagara, Mandya, and Chamarajanagar districts of Karnataka, contiguous with the Dharmapuri and Erode districts of Tamil Nadu. The Cauvery River flows through the heart of the sanctuary, nurturing dense riverine forests, dry deciduous woodlands, and scrub vegetation.

ЁЯФ╣ Key Flora & Faunal Diversity

The sanctuary protects critical populations of Bengal tigers, Asian elephants, Indian leopards, Indian bisons (gaur), and the Grizzled Giant Squirrel. It is a vital nesting site for more than 250 avian species, including the endangered Great Hornbill, Malabar Pied Hornbill, and the Crested Hawk Eagle.

ЁЯФ╣ UP PCS / STATE PCS HIGH-YIELD VALUE ADDITION

тАв Location: Mandya, Chamarajanagar & Ramanagara districts, Karnataka (bordering Tamil Nadu). тАв Major River: River Cauvery (Kaveri). тАв Prominent Flora: Teak (Tectona grandis), Sandalwood (Santalum album), Terminalia arjuna, Bamboo. тАв Flagship Fauna: Asian Elephant, Bengal Tiger, Mahseer fish (Tor remadevii - critically endangered), Great Hornbill. тАв UP PCS Environment Focus: Protected Area Network of South India, Wildlife Protection Act 1972 schedules, Riverine ecosystems.
#7SCIENCE, SEMICONDUCTORS & DIGITAL INDIA
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MeitY's 'Chips to Startup' (C2S) Programme Trains 68,000+ Chip Designers

ЁЯФ╣ Why in News & Milestone Achievement

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) announced that over 68,000 engineering and research students across 100+ premier academic institutions have received hands-on VLSI semiconductor chip design training under the Chips to Startup (C2S) Programme.

ЁЯФ╣ Core Objectives & Capacity Building Targets

Launched in 2022 with an outlay of тВ╣250 Crore over five years, the C2S Programme aims to train 85,000 industry-ready specialized engineers across B.Tech, M.Tech, and PhD levels, incubate 25 fabless startups, and facilitate 10 technology transfers to bolster the domestic semiconductor supply chain.

ЁЯФ╣ SMART Lab Access & Fabless Innovation

The program provides academic institutions with centralized access to industry-grade Electronic Design Automation (EDA) software tools, fabless prototyping facilities for Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), and Systems-on-Chip (SoC) verification pipelines.

ЁЯФ╣ UP PCS / STATE PCS HIGH-YIELD VALUE ADDITION

тАв Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). тАв Implementation Arm: C-DAC (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing). тАв Tenure & Outlay: 5 Years (2022тАУ2027) | тВ╣250 Crore. тАв Target: 85,000 trained chip design professionals, 25 startups, 50 patents. тАв UP PCS Science & Tech Point: India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), Semicon India Programme, National Deep Tech Policy.
#8ENVIRONMENT, BOTANY & NEW SPECIES
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Discovery of 'Leucas droupadiae': New Coastal Dune Plant Species Named After President Murmu

ЁЯФ╣ Why in News & Discovery

Botanists discovered an undocumented flowering herb species, named Leucas droupadiae in honor of the 15th President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, growing on the coastal sand dunes of Cuddalore district along Tamil Nadu's Coromandel Coast.

ЁЯФ╣ Botanical Family & Distinctive Morphological Traits

Belonging to the Lamiaceae (mint) family, Leucas droupadiae exhibits a distinct 'loner' growth habit тАФ standing as a solitary, upright unbranched stem (~15 cm in height) anchored by shallow fibrous roots, unlike its creeping or bushy relatives. It produces distinctive oblong golden-yellow nutlets covered in irregular dark brown spots.

ЁЯФ╣ Ecological Niche & Conservation Status

Adapted exclusively to nutrient-poor coastal sand dune ecosystems, the plant plays a crucial role in sand dune stabilization. Due to its restricted localized habitat range, it is provisionally classified as Data Deficient (DD) under IUCN guidelines.

ЁЯФ╣ UP PCS / STATE PCS HIGH-YIELD VALUE ADDITION

тАв Botanical Family: Lamiaceae (Mint Family). тАв Discovery Location: Cuddalore Coast, Tamil Nadu (Coromandel Coast). тАв Named After: Smt. Droupadi Murmu (15th President of India). тАв Ecological Role: Coastal sand dune stabilizer, adapted to high salinity and nutrient-sparse sands. тАв UP PCS Prelims Focus: Recent botanical/faunal discoveries, binomial nomenclature, Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) ecology.
#9GOVERNANCE, RURAL INNOVATION & AGRICULTURE
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Principal Scientific Adviser & NABARD Launch RSVC-AMRIT Platform for Rural Tech Transfer

ЁЯФ╣ Why in News & Launch Event

The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (OPSA) to the Government of India, in partnership with NABARD, launched the RSVC-AMRIT Platform to digitize and scale rural technology validation and commercialization.

ЁЯФ╣ RSVC-AMRIT Digital Ecosystem Architecture

AMRIT acts as the centralized digital backbone for the RuTAGe Smart Village Centre (RSVC) ecosystem, connecting grassroots innovators, SHGs, technology startups, rural incubators, and validation laboratories to streamline demand-driven technology adoption across agricultural and rural enterprises.

ЁЯФ╣ Background on RuTAG (Rural Technology Action Group)

RuTAG was established by the Office of PSA in 2004 across premier IITs to deliver high-level Science & Technology interventions, upgrading traditional rural vocations through demand-driven machinery, processing tools, and renewable energy solutions.

ЁЯФ╣ UP PCS / STATE PCS HIGH-YIELD VALUE ADDITION

тАв Partner Entities: Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (OPSA) & NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development). тАв Parent Mechanism: Rural Technology Action Group (RuTAG, launched 2004). тАв Primary Focus: Grassroots rural technology transfer, commercial prototype validation, and Smart Village Centres. тАв UP PCS Economy & Governance Focus: S&T interventions in rural development, NABARD refinancing schemes, and SHG enterprise mechanisms.
#10SCIENCE, ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE & LINGUISTICS
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IISc & ARTPARK Release 'SraVaani': India's First 65-Language Multilingual Speech AI Model

ЁЯФ╣ Why in News & Breakthrough Launch

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc Bengaluru) SPIRE Lab, in collaboration with ARTPARK (AI & Robotics Technology Park) and Google, released SraVaani, India's first open-source multilingual speech recognition foundation model.

ЁЯФ╣ Language Coverage & Acoustic Architecture

SraVaani supports automatic speech recognition across 65 Indian languages and dialects (including 20 Constitutionally Scheduled Languages and 45 underserved regional dialects like Garo, Angika, Chakma, Kokborok, Tulu, Bundeli, and Bajjika). Built on a FastConformer neural architecture, it converts spoken voice into text across 10 Indian scripts with automatic zero-shot language identification.

ЁЯФ╣ Training Corpus & Real-World Applications

Trained on over 31,000 hours of conversational speech data from 156,000+ speakers collected under Project Vaani, the model is engineered to power vernacular voice interfaces in e-governance, digital financial inclusion, telemedicine, and rural education.

ЁЯФ╣ UP PCS / STATE PCS HIGH-YIELD VALUE ADDITION

тАв Developers: SPIRE Lab (IISc Bengaluru), ARTPARK, and Google. тАв Data Backbone: Project Vaani (31,000+ hours of natural conversational audio from 165 Indian districts). тАв Scope: 65 Languages/Dialects (20 Scheduled Languages + 45 non-scheduled regional dialects across 10 scripts). тАв 8th Schedule Context: 22 Constitutionally recognized languages under the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution. тАв UP PCS S&T Point: National Language Translation Mission (NLTM), Bhashini AI, and Digital Public Goods.