Tipitaka
Syllabus: GS1/ Art & Culture
In News
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi was presented with ‘The World Tipitaka: Sajjhaya Phonetic Edition’ by his Thai counterpart, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, in a diplomatic exchange.
About Tipitaka
- The term Tipiṭaka means “Three Baskets” in Pāli, representing the three primary divisions of the Buddhist scriptures.
- The Three “Baskets” of the Tipiṭaka includes:
- Vinaya Piṭaka (Basket of Discipline): Contains rules and procedures for monastic life and the discipline of monks and nuns.
- Sutta Piṭaka (Basket of Discourses): Comprises the Buddha’s teachings, presented in the form of discourses or sermons.
- Abhidhamma Piṭaka (Basket of Higher Doctrine): Offers a systematic and philosophical analysis of Buddhist teachings.
- Compiled after the Buddha’s death (5th century BCE) at the First Buddhist Council in Rajagaha (Rajgir), India.
Source: TH
Bharani Festival
Syllabus: GS1/Culture
Context
- Known as the Kodungalloor Bharani, one of Kerala’s most famous and intense celebrations.
- It occurs during the Malayalam month of Meenam (March-April).
About
- Kodungalloor Bharani is the annual festival of Sree Kurumba Bhagavathy Temple at Kodungalloor in Thrissur.
- The festival offers a mystical experience with the presence of a multitude of Oracles (Komaram or Velichappadu) clad in red attire.
- The Bharani festival celebrates the birth of Bhadrakali (Hindu Goddess) who as per legend was born from the third eye of Lord Shiva and was the one who went to destroy the demon Darika.
Source: TH
Parliament Adopts Statutory Resolution Confirming President’s Rule in Manipur
Syllabus: GS2/ Polity
In News
- Parliament has adopted a Statutory Resolution confirming the imposition of the President’s Rule in Manipur.
About President’s Rule
- Article 356: Union govt can take direct control of the state machinery if a state government is unable to function according to the Constitution.
- Valid for six months & can be extended up to three years in phases.
- Can be revoked by the President at any time without Parliamentary approval.
- 44th Amendment Act, 1978: President’s rule can only be extended over a year every 6 months only after certification of Election Commision or in case of National Emergency.
- Article 365: President’s Rule can be proclaimed if a state fails to comply with directions given by the Union.
- It was imposed for the first time in PEPSU state (1954) and then in Kerala (1959).
- The term ‘President’s Rule’ is not mentioned in the Constitution.
- Major Cases: S R Bommai vs Union of India (1994); Buta Singh case (2005).
Relevant Committees
- Sarkaria Commission (1987): Rare use of Article 356; No dissolution of Assembly.
- National Commission for Reviewing the Working of Constitution (2002): Warning to the errant State; Wide publicity in media before imposition of President’s Rule.
- Justice V Chelliah Commission (2002): Very sparing use of Article 356.
- Punchhi Commission (2008): Localised emergency for less than three months.
Source: AIR
Baku to Belem Roadmap
Syllabus: GS2/ IR
In News
- India called upon BRICS nations to unite behind the ‘Baku to Belem Roadmap’, aimed at mobilizing USD 1.3 trillion to support the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of developing countries.
What is the Baku to Belém Roadmap?
- The Baku to Belém Roadmap is a strategic framework adopted at COP29 (2024) to guide negotiations and actions on:
- Defining a new collective quantified goal (NCQG) on climate finance post-2025.
- Ensuring greater predictability, adequacy, and accessibility of climate finance.
- Supporting low-carbon and climate-resilient development pathways in developing countries.
- Enabling the implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
Why BRICS Matters for Climate Action?
- The BRICS bloc—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (recently expanded to include 6 new members)—represents 47% of the global population and 36% of the global GDP (PPP).
- These emerging economies face similar environmental challenges and developmental aspirations, making their cooperation vital for achieving a just and equitable climate transition globally.
Why is it Important?
- The current climate finance goal of $100 billion/year (set in 2009) has consistently fallen short.
- Studies show that developing countries need over $1.3 trillion annually by 2030 to meet their NDC targets.
Source: PIB
GI Tag to Chapata Chilli
Syllabus: GS3/ Economy
In News
- The Warangal Chapata chilli, or as it is called Tomato chilli, from Telangana has been granted the Geographical Indication tag by the GI Registry.
About Chapata Chilli (Tomato Chilli)
- Chapata Chilli is known for its flaming red colour but low pungency.
- It is in demand due to its natural colouring agent “paprika oleoresin”.
- There are three fruit types existing in the Warangal Chapata chilli, namely the single patti, double patti and odalu.
Source: TH
Axiom-4 Mission (Ax-4)
Syllabus :GS 3/Space
In News
- Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will pilot the Axiom-4 mission (Ax-4) to the International Space Station.
| Do you know? – Axiom Mission 1 was the first all-private mission to the ISS, followed by Axiom Mission 2, which launched the first Saudi female astronaut, and Axiom Mission 3, which included the first Turkish astronaut and first ESA astronaut on a commercial mission. – In 2024, Axiom Space has announced a partnership with India (through ISRO), Poland (with ESA support), and Hungary for Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4). |
Axiom space mission
- Ax-4 is the fourth crewed mission (to the ISS organized by Axiom Space, a private company based in Houston).
- It will include Shubhanshu Shukla , former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson (commander), and astronauts Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (Poland) and Tibor Kapu (Hungary).
- The crew will spend 14 days aboard the ISS, conducting around 60 scientific experiments as part of the mission.
ISRO’s Role
- ISRO’s research will focus on microgravity studies, including investigating the effects of space on human health (e.g., physical and cognitive impacts of computer screens, skeletal muscle dysfunction), plant growth, and crop seed germination in space.
Importance
- The mission underscores the global significance of the research, with collaboration between ISRO, NASA, and the European Space Agency (ESA) to advance microgravity research.
Source :TH
GI Tag for Kannadippaya
Syllabus :GS 3/Economy /S&T
In News
- Kannadippaya has received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, ensuring market protection and global recognition.
Kannadippaya
- Kannadippaya, meaning “mirror mat,” is made from the soft inner layers of reed bamboo.
- It is a traditional tribal handicraft from Kerala.
- The best-quality mats are woven from reed bamboo (Teinostachyum wightii) and other bamboo species like Ochlandra sp.
- It has unique properties of providing warmth in winter and a cooling effect in summer.
- It is mainly preserved by Oorali, Mannan, Muthuva, Malayan, and Kadar tribal communities, and artisans from Idukki, Thrissur, Ernakulam, and Palakkad districts.
- It was historically presented to kings as a mark of honor by tribal communities.
Source :TH
US Tariff Impact on Seafood Export
Syllabus :GS 3/Economy
In News
- The US has imposed a 26% tariff on Indian seafood exports, compared to 10% for Ecuador, 46% for Vietnam, and 32% for Indonesia.
| Do you know ? – The U.S. previously banned Indian wild-caught shrimp imports, citing the lack of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) to protect turtles during shrimp fishing. |
India’s Market Share
- India is the largest seafood exporter to the U.S., holding a 35% share of the market.
- India exported 17.81 lakh tonnes of seafood in 2023-24, earning ₹60,523 crore. The bulk of these exports are frozen shrimp, with the U.S. being the largest importer, purchasing 2.97 lakh tonnes worth about $488 million.
- Frozen shrimp makes up over 40% of the quantity and 66% of the value of Indian seafood exports.
Impact of Tariff
- The tariff increase will significantly impact India’s seafood exports to the US, potentially reducing its competitiveness in the US market.
- Ecuador may replace India as the largest supplier of shrimps to the US due to its lower tariff rate (10%).
- Ecuador currently holds an 18-19% share of the U.S. market.
Source :TH
Pope’s Pit Viper Venom
Syllabus: GS3/ Species In News
In News
- A new study has uncoded the mysteries of how the venom of Pope’s pit viper, a snake species native to northern and northeastern parts of India, works.
- The study can help establish the foundation for venom toxicity, pharmaceutical advancements, and enhanced antivenom compositions.
Why Does It Matters?
- Currently, no species-specific antivenom exists for Pope’s Pit Viper.
- Commercial antivenoms in India only target the “Big Four” snakes (Russell’s Viper, Saw-Scaled Viper, Spectacled Cobra, and Common Krait), leaving bite victims from pit vipers like Pope’s Pit Viper vulnerable and untreated.
About Pope’s Pit Viper (Trimeresurus popeiorum)
- Naming: Named after American herpetologist Clifford H. Pope.
- Habitat: Dense tropical and subtropical forests.
- Distribution: Northern and Northeastern India (including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, and Meghalaya), Bhutan, Myanmar, Northern Thailand
Source: PIB
National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR)
Syllabus: GS3/Science and Technology
Context
- National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) Goa, has observed the 25th foundation day.
About
- NCPOR is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
- It was created to manage national expeditions and strategic interests in polar regions.
- NCPOR operates two remote stations in Antarctica – Maitri and Bharati, one in the Arctic – Himadri, and one in the Himalayas – Himansh.
- It also manages a floating oceanographic platform called Sagar Kanya.
Source: IE
Heard and McDonald Islands
Syllabus: GS1/Places in News
Context
- Trump’s “Liberation Day Tariffs”, imposed a baseline 10% tariff on all trade partners.
- This included Heard and McDonald Islands, remote volcanic islands in the sub-Antarctic Indian Ocean, despite being uninhabited.
Heard and McDonald Islands:
- These islands are Australian territory, which led to their inclusion in the tariff list.
- Location: In the Southern Indian Ocean, about 1,700 km from Antarctica and 4,100 km southwest of Australia.
- Volcanic Activity: Only active sub-Antarctic volcanoes, including Big Ben (Heard Island) and the McDonald Island volcano.
- Geological Importance: Key site for studying crustal plates, ocean basins, volcanic activity, and climate change through glaciers and volcanic processes.
- Unique Ecosystem: No introduced species, making it one of the rare pristine ecosystems, with large populations of marine birds and mammals.
- Wildlife: Home to the Heard Island cormorant, endemic subspecies of sheathbill, and other endemic species; vital breeding site for seals, petrels, penguins, and albatrosses.
- Protection: Protected under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and World Heritage Convention, with penalties for unauthorized actions.
- They are listed as the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Source: IE
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