In News:

India has developed 'Bhargavastra', a cutting-edge indigenous weapon system designed to neutraliseenemy drones, including drone swarms. It has been developed by Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL), marking a major advancement in India’s drone warfare capabilities.

Key Features:

• Type:A multi-layered anti-drone system using micro-rockets and guided micro-missiles.
• Detection & Destruction Range:
  • Detects drones from 6–10 km using radar.
  • Destroys drones up to 2.5 km away.

How It Works:

• Layer 1:
  • Unguided micro-rockets target drone swarms.
  • Each rocket has an effective kill radius of 20 meters.
• Layer 2:Guided micro-missiles provide precision strikes on individual drones.
• Additional Features:Jammers and spoofers to confuse and disable drones electronically.

Successful Testing:

• Date & Location:Conducted on May 13, 2025, at the Seaward Firing Range, Gopalpur, Odisha.
• Results:
  • Three tests: two with single rockets, one with two rockets fired within two seconds.
  • All rockets hit their intended targets successfully.

Technological Components:

• Integrated Command and Control Centre
• High-resolution cameras and infrared sensors
• Real-time battlefield awareness system

Operational Versatility:

• All-Terrain Capability:Effective even in high-altitude zones above 5,000 metres.
• User Base:Can be deployed by Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy.
• Modularity:System components such as radars and launchers can be configured based on operational requirements.

Significance:

• Strategic Defence Tool:Counters rising threats from low-cost drones and UAV swarms.
• Indigenous Development:Boosts the Make in India initiative in defence manufacturing.
• First-of-its-kind in India:Among the few operational drone defence systems globally with successful tests.

In News:

The Government of India has officially fixed September 23 as Ayurveda Day, replacing the earlier practice of celebrating it on Dhanteras, which follows a variable lunar calendar. This change, notified through a Gazette notification in March 2025, aims to bring uniformity and global visibility to Ayurveda observance.

About Ayurveda Day:

• Purpose:Ayurveda Day is observed to honour India’s ancient medicinal heritage and promote Ayurveda as a scientific, evidence-based, and holistic healthcare system rooted in preventive and sustainable wellness practices.
• New Fixed Date:Starting 2025, Ayurveda Day will be celebrated every year on 23rd September, coinciding with the autumnal equinox, a day when day and night are nearly equal, symbolizing balance—a core concept in Ayurvedic philosophy.
• Why the Shift?The previous observance on Dhanteras created logistical challenges due to its annual date fluctuation (between mid-October and mid-November). The new fixed date allows for better planning and consistent global celebrations.
• Symbolism of Autumnal Equinox:The equinox represents cosmic balance and harmony, aligning with Ayurveda’s emphasis on equilibrium between mind, body, spirit, and environment.

Ayurveda: Key Facts for UPSC

• Definition:Ayurveda, meaning the “Science of Life” (from Sanskrit Ayu = life, Veda = knowledge), is a traditional Indian medical system dating back over 5,000 years, with roots in the Atharva Veda.
• Core Principles:
  • SwasthasyaSwasthyaRakshanam: Maintaining the health of the healthy
  • AturasyaVikaraPrashamanam: Treating diseases in the sick
  • Emphasis on natural healing, diet, seasonal routines, and mind-body balance
• Key Features:
  • Focus on preventive healthcare
  • Use of herbal medicines, detox therapies, yoga, and meditation
  • Personalised treatment based on individual constitution (Prakriti)

Significance for Global Health:

The Ministry of AYUSH envisions Ayurveda Day as a global platform to promote India’s traditional knowledge system as a part of the international wellness movement. Health professionals, researchers, academic institutions, and global partners are encouraged to participate in its observance to integrate Ayurveda into broader healthcare dialogues.

In News:

One of India’s most extensive anti-Naxal offensives in recent years, Operation Black Forest, resulted in the elimination of 31 Maoists. The operation was conducted in the Kurraguttalu Hills, a strategic Maoist stronghold located on the Chhattisgarh–Telangana border.

Key Features of Operation Black Forest

• Type: High-intensity counterinsurgency operation
• Duration: 21 days
• Area of Operation:Kurraguttalu Hills (approx. 1,200 sq km), known for rugged terrain and dense forest cover

Objectives:

• Dismantle key Maoist bases and operational infrastructure
• Neutralize senior Maoist leadership
• Re-establish state control in insurgency-affected zones
• Contribute to the national target of eliminating Left Wing Extremism (LWE) by March 31, 2026

Security Forces Involved:

• Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)
• CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) units
• Chhattisgarh Police, including:
  • Special Task Force (STF)
  • District Reserve Guard (DRG)

About Kurraguttalu (Karregutta) Hills

• Geographical Location: On the inter-state border of BhadradriKothagudem district (Telangana) and Sukma district (Chhattisgarh)
• Terrain Characteristics:
  • Extends over 25–50 km
  • Features include steep elevations (~5,000 feet), caves, waterfalls, and dense forest cover
  • Topography ideal for guerrilla warfare and concealment
• Local Terminology: Referred to by tribal communities as “Black Hills” or “Carregutta”

Demographic & Socio-political Aspects:

• Inhabited by Koya, Gond, and Chenchu tribes
• Tribal communities have historically been vulnerable in the conflict zone, often caught between insurgents and state forces

Other Key Maoist-affected Regions

• Abujhmad (Chhattisgarh)
• Malkangiri (Odisha)
• Gadchiroli (Maharashtra)

These areas, like Karregutta, serve as critical Maoist corridors with difficult terrain and limited state presence, posing ongoing challenges to internal security operations.

In News:

In a significant advancement for clean energy in Northeast India, Dirang in Arunachal Pradesh has become the site of the region’s first operational geothermal production well. This marks a pivotal step in utilizing Earth’s internal heat for sustainable energy generation in the eastern Himalayas.

Project Details

• Location:Dirang, West Kameng district, Arunachal Pradesh
• Terrain: Eastern Himalayan region

Technology Used

• The project employs a closed-loop binary Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) system, which captures subsurface geothermal heat for applications such as:
  • Electricity generation
  • Space heating
  • Agricultural processing
• Reservoir Temperature: Approx. 115°C — optimal for direct-use geothermal systems.
• Drilling Approach: Low-impact precision drilling aimed at fault zones between quartzite and schist rock formations.

Institutional Collaboration

• Implementing Agency:Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies (CESHS), Itanagar
• Supported by:
  • Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India
  • Government of Arunachal Pradesh
  • International partners from Norway, Iceland, and Guwahati research institutes

Significance

• First-of-its-kind in the entire Northeast region
• Potential to make Dirang energy self-reliant through clean geothermal power
• Helps replace diesel and firewood in cold climates, reducing emissions
• Can enhance agricultural productivity and living standards in high-altitude areas
• Strengthens India’s geothermal potential (~10,600 MW), offering reliable base-load renewable energy unlike solar or wind

In News:

In 2025, economic analysts are raising alarms over growing signs of stagflation in the United States and its potential to trigger a renewed banking crisis similar to the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) in 2023.

Unrealized Losses in U.S. Banks

As of early 2025, U.S. banks are grappling with $482.4 billion in unrealized losses from securities investments, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). This marks a 32.5% rise from the previous quarter. The figure is approaching the $515 billion mark observed during the SVB crisis and could rise to $600–700 billion if interest rates hit 5%.

These losses are primarily linked to long-term securities like government bonds, whose prices have fallen due to rising benchmark 10-year Treasury yields, now exceeding 4.5%.

What is Stagflation?

Stagflation is a rare and difficult economic condition marked by:

• High inflation
• Stagnant or negative economic growth
• High unemployment

It complicates policymaking because:

• Tightening monetary policy (raising interest rates) to control inflation can worsen unemployment and slow growth.
• Loosening policy to boost growth can further fuel inflation.

Causes of Stagflation in 2025:

1. Supply Shocks – Rising input costs (e.g., energy or tariffs).
2. Tariff Hikes – New U.S. tariffs on imports have raised production costs.
3. Policy Missteps – Uncoordinated fiscal and monetary measures.

Impacts on the Financial Sector

• Reduced Bond Values: High interest rates lower the market value of banks’ bond holdings.
• Risk of Bank Runs: Diminished asset values can trigger depositor panic.
• Credit Losses: Particularly in sectors like tech and venture capital where firms have weak earnings and poor debt coverage.
• Liquidity Crisis: A sudden negative news cycle could lead to another SVB-like collapse.

Experts warn that continued high interest rates could deepen banking stress and prolonged stagflation could amplify credit defaults.