In News:

The Union Cabinet has approved the Modernisation of Command Area Development and Water Management (M-CADWM) scheme as a sub-scheme of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY). The scheme will be implemented during 2025–26 with an initial outlay of ?1,600 crore.

Background

• PMKSY was launched in 2015-16 to expand the cultivable area under assured irrigation, improve on-farm water use efficiency, and enhance access to water at the farm level.
• The Command Area Development and Water Management (CAD&WM)programme was first initiated in 1974-75, and restructured in 2004. It has been implemented under PMKSY - Har Khet Ko Pani since 2015-16.

Objectives of M-CADWM

• Modernize the irrigation water supply network to ensure efficient delivery from existing canals or other sources to farming clusters.
• Enhance Water Use Efficiency (WUE) and promote sustainable agricultural practices.

Key Features

• Technological Integration:Adoption of SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) and Internet of Things (IoT) for real-time water accounting and monitoring.
• Infrastructure Development:Installation of underground pressurised piped irrigation systems up to 1 hectare per farm, supporting micro-irrigation from source to farm gate.
• Sustainable Water Management:
  • Implementation of Irrigation Management Transfer (IMT) to Water User Societies (WUS).
  • These societies will be supported for five years and linked with Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS) to strengthen local management.
• Youth Engagement:The scheme aims to attract youth to agriculture by promoting the use of modern irrigation technologies and creating opportunities in agrarian entrepreneurship.

Components of CAD&WM (Under PMKSY)

• Structural Interventions:On-Farm Development (OFD) works, construction of field, intermediate and link drains.
• Non-Structural Interventions:One-time functional grants to registered Water Users’ Associations (WUAs), capacity building, demonstrations, and adaptive trials to promote efficient water use.

Expected Outcomes

• Improved irrigation efficiency and agricultural productivity.
• Enhanced water conservation and equity in water distribution.
• Strengthened community participation in irrigation management.
• Boost to rural employment and agriculture modernization.

In News:

The Uttar Pradesh Police has taken a unique step to humanize policing and strengthen community engagement through the launch of Cafe Rista—a public-friendly café located within the Noida Police Commissionerate, Sector 108. This initiative is an example of citizen-centric policing aimed at improving the image of law enforcement and promoting positive interactions with the public.

Key Highlights:

• Launched by:The café is the brainchild of IPS officers Laxmi Singh and Babloo Kumar, with active public outreach by IPS Preeti Yadav, who brought attention to the initiative through a viral social media video.
• What is Cafe Rista?

It is a pastel-themed, aesthetically pleasing café designed to serve affordable, hygienic, and tasty meals to both civilians and police personnel. The ambiance is warm and welcoming, featuring quirky motivational quotes and a calming decor.

• Strategic Location:The café is situated close to the Family Dispute Resolution Clinic within the Commissionerate. This proximity serves a dual purpose:
  • It offers a space of relaxation for families and individuals undergoing counselling or dispute mediation.
  • It provides psychological respite for those visiting under stressful circumstances.

Objectives of the Initiative:

• Break Stereotypes:Challenge the conventional perception of the police as unapproachable or intimidating by creating an informal and friendly setting.
• Promote Informal Engagement:Encourage dialogue and trust-building between civilians and police personnel in a relaxed, non-threatening environment.
• Support Mental Well-Being:The café contributes to the morale and mental wellness of both the public and police officers, especially those on demanding duties.
• Welfare Policing Model:Aligns with the concept of "welfare policing", wherein the police function not only as enforcers of law but also as community caretakers.
• Public Outreach through Social Media:The initiative leverages platforms like Instagram and Twitter to showcase the human side of policing, creating transparency and relatability.

In News:

In a major astronomical breakthrough, scientists have discovered 128 new moons orbiting Saturn, raising its total confirmed moon count to 274—the highest for any planet in the solar system. This discovery has been officially recognized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU).

About the Discovery

• The moons were detected using the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope with a method called “shift and stack”, which enhances the visibility of faint objects moving across the sky.
• Most of the newly identified moons are irregular, small, and non-spherical, indicating a likely origin as captured asteroids or remnants of larger celestial bodies.
• Their clustered orbits suggest a history of violent collisions or fragmentation, possibly linked to the chaotic early evolution of the solar system.

Significance

• Confirms Saturn’s status as the planet with the most known moons, overtaking Jupiter (95 moons as of 2024).
• Enhances understanding of planetary formation, orbital dynamics, and the evolution of ring and satellite systems.
• May contribute to refining the scientific definition of a moon and deepen knowledge of irregular satellite formation in gas giants.

Key Facts about Saturn

• Position: Sixth planet from the Sun.
• Size: Second-largest planet after Jupiter.
• Type: Gas giant composed mainly of hydrogen and helium, with traces of methane and ammonia.
• Density: Approximately 0.69 g/cm³, the only planet less dense than water.
• Shape: Oblate due to rapid rotation—flattened at poles, bulging at the equator.
• Rings: Made of ice, dust, and rocky debris.
• Orbit: About 9.59 AU (1,434 million km) from the Sun; orbital period ~29.45 Earth years.
• Weather: Hosts extreme storms like the Great White Spot, recurring roughly once every Saturnian year (~29 Earth years).

Important Moons of Saturn

Titan

• Largest moon of Saturn and second-largest in the solar system, larger than Mercury.
• Only moon with a dense atmosphere, rich in nitrogen and methane.
• Features liquid hydrocarbon lakes near the poles.
• Explored by Cassini-Huygens mission; lander touched down in 2005.

Enceladus

• An icy moon with a subsurface liquid ocean.
• Known for its highly reflective surface and water-ice geysers.
• Cassini (2005) observed plumes of water vapor ejecting at ~400 m/s.
• Discovery of silica nanograins suggests hydrothermal activity, making it a prime target in the search for extraterrestrial life.

In News:

Mount Kenya, Africa’s second-highest peak after Kilimanjaro, is witnessing a dramatic loss of its glacial cover due to accelerating climate change. Scientists warn that the mountain may become completely ice-free by 2030.

Key Findings:

• The Lewis Glacier, once one of the most prominent ice bodies on Mount Kenya, has experienced substantial shrinkage.
• A 2011 study by the University of Innsbruck (Austria) reported a 90% volume loss in Lewis Glacier between 1934 and 2010.
• A 2023 satellite analysis revealed that only 4.2% of the ice present in 1900 remains today.

About Mount Kenya:

• Location: Central Kenya, just south of the Equator.
• Elevation:5,199 meters (17,058 feet) at its highest peak, Batian.
• Geological Nature: An extinct stratovolcano, heavily eroded over millennia.
• Glaciers: Includes Lewis Glacier and Tyndall Glacier, among the last surviving tropical glaciers in Africa.
• UNESCO Status: Declared a World Heritage Site in 1997 for its ecological and cultural value.

In News:

The Government of India launched the Sagar Mein Samman (SMS) initiative on International Day for Women in Maritime (18 May), observed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The 2025 theme is “An Ocean of Opportunities for Women.”

About the Initiative:

• Objective: To build a gender-equitable maritime workforce by promoting inclusivity, safety, skill development, leadership, and equal opportunities for women across seafaring and shore-based maritime operations.
• Alignment:
  • IMO’s gender inclusion mandate.
  • UN SDG-5 (Gender Equality).
  • India’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) framework.
  • Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.

Key Features:

• Structured Policy Roadmap covering:
  • Planning & strategy.
  • Training & development.
  • Research & innovation.
  • Governance & compliance.
  • Outreach & communications.
• Financial Support: ~2,989 women received assistance since 2014.
• Incentives for Industry: Shipping companies are incentivized to hire women; scholarships support training.

Achievements:

• 649% growth in women seafarers:From 341 in 2014 to 2,557 in 2024.
• Rise in financial aid beneficiaries:From 45 in 2014-15 to 732 in 2024-25.
• Female representation target:12% in technical maritime roles by 2030.
• Increasing employment of Indian women on Indian and foreign-flagged ships.

Recognition and Outreach:

• Women Leaders Honoured: Ten outstanding women were felicitated for their contributions to maritime.
• Focus on awareness campaigns, onshore job facilitation, and leadership opportunities.

Significance:

• Aims to dismantle gender-based barriers and promote inclusive economic growth.
• Reinforces India’s commitment to gender equity as a strategic enabler of maritime sustainability and national development.
• Aligns with global maritime norms and India’s broader commitment to SDGs.

Other Key Maritime Initiatives:

• SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region): Maritime security and regional cooperation.
• Maritime India Vision 2030: Long-term strategy for port-led development and gender inclusion.

In News:

Japan’s Sakurajima volcano, located in Kagoshima Prefecture on the southern island of Kyushu, recently erupted sending a dense ash plume 3,000 metres into the sky. The eruption originated from the Minamidake summit crater and was accompanied by a Level 3 volcanic alert, advising people to stay away from the vicinity.

Key Features of Sakurajima Volcano:

• Type: Stratovolcano (composite volcano)
• Geological Setting: Situated on a convergent plate boundary, formed from subduction-related volcanic activity.
• Structure: Comprises North Peak and South Peak, and lies on the southwestern rim of the Aira Caldera.
• Historical Significance: Was an island until the 1914 eruption, which connected it to the ?sumi Peninsula.
• Frequent Activity: One of Japan's most active volcanoes, experiencing daily minor eruptions and emitting continuous volcanic smoke.

Volcanic Characteristics:

• Lava Type:Andesitic – high in gas content and viscosity, leading to explosive eruptions.
• Hazards: Produces ash fall, pyroclastic flows, volcanic bombs, and toxic gases.
• Proximity to Populated Areas: Only 4 km from Kagoshima City, making it a high-risk volcano with strict monitoring by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).

Impact and Preparedness:

• No injuries or major damages have been reported as of now.
• Ash fall warnings were issued for Kagoshima, Kumamoto, and Miyazaki prefectures.
• The eruption highlights Japan’s robust disaster preparedness and early warning systems, essential due to the country's location on the Pacific Ring of Fire.

In News:

The Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala is set to be inaugurated by the Prime Minister, marking a significant milestone in India’s maritime infrastructure.

Key Highlights

• Location: Situated at Vizhinjam, near Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala.
• Type: India’s first dedicated transshipment port and semi-automated seaport.
• Development Model: Built under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model at an estimated cost of ?8,900 crore. The port is operated by the Adani Group, while the Kerala Government retains majority ownership.

Technical Features

• Deepest Breakwater in India: Spanning about 3 km with a natural depth of ~20 metres, enabling accommodation of large container vessels.
• Minimal Littoral Drift: Reduced sediment movement along the coast helps lower maintenance costs significantly.
• AI-Powered Vessel Traffic Management: India’s first indigenous VTMS system developed in collaboration with IIT Madras.
• Advanced Automation:
  • Fully automated yard cranes.
  • Remotely operated ship-to-shore cranes for efficient and safe cargo handling.

Strategic Importance

• Proximity to Global Shipping Lanes: Located just 10 nautical miles from a key international East-West shipping route.
• Boost to Domestic Transshipment:
  • Currently, around 75% of India’s transshipment traffic is handled by foreign ports such as Colombo and Singapore.
  • Vizhinjam is expected to reduce foreign exchange outflows and increase India's share in global maritime trade.
• International Connectivity: The port is now connected to global maritime hubs like Shanghai, Singapore, and Busan.

Future Prospects

• Multi-Modal Integration:
  • Direct linkage to National Highway-66 (NH-66).
  • Kerala’s first cloverleaf interchange for seamless traffic movement.
  • An upcoming railway link to integrate the port with the national railway grid.
• Vision: Aims to become a major multi-modal logistics hub supporting India’s broader maritime and trade ambitions under Sagarmala and PM Gati Shakti initiatives.

In News:

Recently, the Ministry of Education, Department of Higher Education, launched the third edition of the Prime Minister’s Scheme for Mentoring Young Authors (PM-YUVA 3.0). The scheme is a part of India’s broader efforts to cultivate literary talent among youth and promote a vibrant reading and writing culture.

About PM-YUVA Scheme:

• Launched by: Ministry of Education, Government of India
• Implementing Agency: National Book Trust (NBT), India
• Target Group: Young authors below 30 years of age
• Launch Date: March 11, 2025
• Application Window: March 11 to April 10, 2025, via MyGov portal
• Number of Authors Selected: 50
• Eligibility: Applicants of PM-YUVA 1.0 and 2.0 are not eligible

Objectives:

• To mentor young writers and encourage storytelling in Indian languages and English
• To promote a book culture, literacy, and intellectual engagement among youth
• To reflect Indian heritage, knowledge systems, and contemporary progress through literature

Themes for PM-YUVA 3.0:

1. Contribution of Indian Diaspora in Nation Building
2. Indian Knowledge System (IKS)
3. Makers of Modern India (1950–2025)

Mentorship and Publishing:

• Selected authors will undergo training from June 30 to December 30, 2025, under the guidance of eminent mentors
• Books authored during the programme will be published by NBT and translated into Indian languages to promote Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat
• Authors will participate in literary festivals and gain exposure to the publishing world

Financial Support and Recognition:

• Scholarship: ?50,000 per month for 6 months (Total ?3 lakh per author)
• Royalty: 10% on successful publication of books
• Platform: Authors will receive national-level exposure for promoting their books and themes

Background:

• PM-YUVA 1.0 (2021): Focused on India’s freedom struggle and unsung heroes
• PM-YUVA 2.0 (2022): Highlighted democracy and constitutional values
• PM-YUVA 3.0 (2025): Explores diaspora, knowledge systems, and nation-building post-independence

Significanc:

• Aligns with NEP 2020 goals of holistic development and youth empowerment
• Encourages intellectual and cultural contributions by the youth
• Promotes awareness of India’s diaspora and indigenous knowledge systems

In News:

Probe agency seizes Business Jet at Hyderabad Airport in "Ponzi Scam" Case.

What is a Ponzi Scheme?

A Ponzi scheme is a fraudulent investment operation where returns to earlier investors are paid using the capital of new investors, not from legitimate business profits. It creates an illusion of high returns with low or no risk.

• Origin: Named after Charles Ponzi, who orchestrated such a scam in the USA in 1920.
• Mechanism:
  • Relies on a continuous influx of new investors.
  • Uses word-of-mouth, high-return promises, and deceptive marketing.
  • Collapses when new investments stop, leading to default on payouts.

Ponzi vs Pyramid Scheme

• Ponzi Scheme: Pays earlier investors from newer investors' money, without involving them in recruitment.
• Pyramid Scheme: Rewards early participants for recruiting others, creating a hierarchical structure that collapses as recruitment slows.

Recent Developments

• ED Action (2024): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) seized a business jet at Hyderabad airport in connection with a ?850 crore Ponzi scam involving a Hyderabad-based company.
• Odisha Case: The STA Crypto scheme operated as a Ponzi-cum-multi-level marketing (MLM) scam, luring people with promises of crypto earnings in return for recruiting more members.

Legal Safeguards Against Ponzi Schemes in India

• Prize Chits and Money Circulation (Banning) Act, 1978
  • Bans prize chits and money circulation schemes.
  • Enforced by State Governments.
• Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Act, 2019
  • Specifically prohibits unregulated deposit-taking schemes including Ponzi models.
  • Provides a unified framework to protect depositors.
• Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002: Used by ED to trace and seize proceeds of crime from Ponzi operators.

Red Flags of Ponzi Schemes

• Unusually high and consistent returns
• No clear investment strategy or revenue model
• Over-emphasis on recruitment
• Difficulty in withdrawing funds
• Lack of regulatory approval or transparency

Consequences of Participation

• Investors: Risk of complete loss of capital.
• Promoters: Face legal action, asset seizure, and imprisonment.
• General Public: Erosion of trust in financial systems.

Preventive Measures for Individuals

• Verify if the scheme is registered with SEBI, RBI, or other regulators.
• Be cautious of too-good-to-be-true returns.
• Conduct due diligence and consult financial advisors.
• Report suspicious schemes to authorities like SEBI or EOW.

In News:

A newly discovered bat coronavirus named HKU5-CoV-2 has been identified in China by a research team led by Shi Zhengli (Wuhan Institute of Virology), known for her work on bat coronaviruses.

About HKU5-CoV-2

• Type: Bat coronavirus
• Subgenus: Merbecovirus
  • This group includes MERS-CoV (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome virus).
• Similarity: Shares traits with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19 virus).
• Discovery Location: China

Virological Features

• ACE2 Receptor Binding:
  • HKU5-CoV-2 can bind to the human ACE2 receptor, the same one used by SARS-CoV-2 for cell entry.
  • Binding Affinity: Lower than SARS-CoV-2, indicating weaker infectivity in current form.
• Intermediate Hosts:Can bind to ACE2 receptors in multiple mammalian species → possible spread through intermediate animals (like SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV).
• Laboratory Studies:The virus could infect lab-grown human lung and gut tissues, suggesting potential zoonotic transmission.
• Pandemic Potential:
  • No immediate threat of a pandemic.
  • Requires ongoing surveillance for possible mutations enhancing transmission.

Transmission Pathways

• Direct Transmission:From bats to humans through contact with bodily fluids (saliva, urine, feces).
• Zoonotic Transmission via Intermediate Host:Could jump species before infecting humans, similar to MERS and SARS-CoV.

Symptoms (Speculative)

• No confirmed human cases so far.
• Possible respiratory symptoms (based on similarity to MERS and COVID-19):
  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath
  • Sore throat
  • Fatigue
  • Body aches

What is the News ?

Union Minister for Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan, along with Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, launched 124 PM-Shri schools in the state.

Facts About:

• PM SHRI School is a scheme sponsored by the Government of India.
• Objective: The initiative aims to establish over 14,500 PM SHRI Schools, managed by various government bodies, to provide a welcoming and caring environment for students.

These schools will offer a wide range of learning experiences, have good infrastructure, and ensure that all students have access to appropriate resources.

• National Education Policy 2020: The goal is to nurture students to become engaged, productive, and contributing citizens, in alignment with the vision of the National Education Policy 2020.
• Beneficiaries: More than 20 lakh students are expected to benefit directly from this scheme.
• Quality of School Education: The scheme will promote an understanding of various dimensions of the quality of school education and will inform policy, practice, and implementation in the education sector.
• Scaling Up: The lessons and best practices from these schools will be scaled up and implemented in other schools across the country.
• Implementation Period: The scheme is planned to be executed over a 5-year period from 2022-23 to 2026-27.
• Exemplar Schools: PM SHRI Schools are expected to showcase the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020 and become exemplary schools over time.
• This initiative aims to enhance the quality of education in India and create an inclusive and equitable society as envisioned in the National Education Policy.