Prelims
Senna Spectabilis (Invasive Species)
About Senna Spectabilis
- Invasive species native to tropical America spreading aggressively in new environments causing ecological harm.
- Common names: Popcorn Bush Cedar, Archibald’s Cassia, Calceolaria Cassia, Golden Shower, Scented Shower, Fetid Cassia.
Characteristics
- Forms dense, sterile thickets choking out native plants, altering soil chemistry, depriving herbivores of food significantly.
- Tree with very dense, spreading crown; can grow 7-18 metres tall showing rapid vertical growth.
- Often planted for fuelwood, as ornamental, and as shade tree in agroforestry situations despite invasive nature.
- Resembles Kerala’s state flower Cassia fistula known locally as kanikkonna causing identification confusion among people.
Conservation Status
- Classified as Least Concern under IUCN Red List despite being invasive showing widespread distribution globally.
Challenges
- Very aggressive growth rate and degrade lands in forest ecosystems making it challenging to control its spread.
About Invasive Species
- Organism causing ecological or economic harm in new environment where it is not native threatening biodiversity.
- Can be introduced via ballast water of oceangoing ships, releases of aquaculture species, aquarium specimens and other means.
- Capable of causing extinctions of native plants and animals reducing biodiversity significantly threatening ecosystem balance comprehensively.
Vande Mataram: 150 Years Celebration
About Vande Mataram
- India’s national song meaning “I bow to thee, Mother” symbolizing reverence to motherland evoking patriotism/unity.
- Composed in Sanskritised Bengali by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1870s; first published in novel Anandamath (1882).
Historical Significance
- First public rendition by Rabindranath Tagore at 1896 Congress Session marking official introduction nationally.
- Became anthem of India’s freedom struggle; sung in protests and revolutionary gatherings despite British ban.
- Indian National Congress (1937) adopted the first two stanzas as National Song balancing inclusivity and secular appeal.
- January 24, 1950: Constituent Assembly accorded Vande Mataram equal honour to National Anthem “Jana Gana Mana”.
Features
- Spiritual Patriotism: depicts nation as nurturing mother embodying emotional and divine strength comprehensively.
- Secular Adaptation: only first two stanzas (devoid of religious imagery) used officially ensuring inclusivity for all communities.
- Cultural Symbolism: serves as unifying call cutting across linguistic and regional divides uniting diverse India.
- Historical Legacy: association with Swadeshi (1905), Quit India (1942) made it lyrical soul of resistance against colonialism.
Current Status
- Recognized by Government as equal in stature to National Anthem ensuring constitutional importance comprehensively.
- Instrumental version played at closing of every Parliament session maintaining official recognition and respect.
- Citizens encouraged to show equal respect to both Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana per Delhi HC affidavit (2022).
Central Zoo Authority (CZA)
About CZA
- Statutory autonomous body functioning under Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change ensuring zoo regulation nationwide.
- Established in 1992 under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 with primary objective of enforcing minimum standards for zoo animals.
- Monitors zoo management across country; extends technical and financial support when required ensuring quality maintenance.
- Every zoo in India must secure recognition from CZA to operate legally granted after evaluating against prescribed parameters.
Establishment Purpose
- Set up to address pressing issues like unchecked growth of zoos without proper planning, scientific principles, or financial resources.
- India needed dedicated body with exclusive mandate to oversee and regulate all zoos in country ensuring standardization.
- Played pivotal role in improving zoo standards and facilitating development of zoological parks meeting international benchmarks comprehensively.
Functions
- Laying down minimum standards for housing, upkeep, and veterinary care of zoo animals ensuring animal welfare.
- Evaluating and monitoring zoos to ensure compliance with prescribed norms maintaining quality standards across country.
- Granting and withdrawing recognition of zoos based on performance ensuring accountability and quality maintenance comprehensively.
- Identifying endangered species for captive breeding; assigning responsibility to specific zoos for conservation efforts effectively.
- Coordinating and implementing training programmes for zoo personnel in India and abroad ensuring capacity building.
- Promoting research in captive breeding and designing educational initiatives for zoos ensuring public awareness and conservation.
- Providing technical, scientific, financial support for better zoo management and development ensuring continuous improvement.
- Undertaking ex-situ research including biotechnology-based interventions to complement in-situ conservation efforts ensuring comprehensive conservation strategy.
Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR)
Context
- CRAR rose from 13.5% to 17.5% between March 2015 and March 2025 showing strengthened capital buffers in Indian banking.
About CAR
- Ratio of bank’s capital to its risk-weighted assets and current liabilities measuring financial strength comprehensively.
- Also known as capital-to-risk-weighted-assets ratio (CRAR) used to protect depositors and promote financial system stability.
- Bank with high CAR has sufficient capital to absorb potential losses; less likely to go bankrupt and lose depositors’ money.
Regulatory Framework
- Following 2008 financial crisis: Bank of International Settlements (BIS) began imposing stricter CAR requirements to protect depositors.
- CAR critical in ensuring banks have enough cushion to absorb reasonable losses before going bankrupt ensuring financial stability.
- Used by regulators to determine bank’s capital adequacy and to run stress tests assessing resilience to financial shocks.
CAR Formula
- Calculated by dividing bank’s capital by total risk-weighted assets for credit risk, operational risk, and market risk.
- Total CAR = (Eligible Total Capital Funds) / (Credit Risk RWA + Market Risk RWA + Operational Risk RWA).
Tier 1 Capital
- Can absorb losses without requiring bank to stop trading; also referred to as core capital ensuring continuity.
- Includes ordinary share capital, equity capital, audited revenue reserves, and intangible assets providing permanent cushion.
- Permanently available capital used to absorb losses incurred by bank without forcing it to cease operations.
Tier 2 Capital
- Can absorb losses if bank goes bankrupt providing depositors with lesser level of protection than Tier 1.
- Includes unaudited reserves, unaudited retained earnings, and general loss reserves providing secondary protection layer.
- Absorbs losses after bank loses all Tier 1 capital; used to cushion losses if bank winding up operations.
Risk-Weighted Assets
- Used to determine minimum capital banks should hold to reduce insolvency risk ensuring financial stability comprehensively.
- Capital required for all bank assets determined by risk assessment ensuring proportionate capital allocation to risk.
Importance
- Set by central banks and regulators to prevent banks from taking too much leverage and becoming insolvent ensuring stability.
- Necessary to ensure banks have enough leeway to absorb reasonable loss before becoming insolvent and losing depositors’ funds.
- Bank with high CRAR/CAR considered safe/healthy and likely to meet financial obligations ensuring depositor confidence.
- When bank wound up: depositors’ funds take precedence over bank’s capital; depositors lose savings only if loss greater than capital.
- Higher CAR means greater protection for depositors’ funds held by bank ensuring financial security comprehensively.
- Contributes to stability of economy’s financial system by lowering risk of bank insolvency ensuring systemic stability.
Non-Performing Assets (NPAs)
Context
- GNPA and NNPA reduced to 2.3% and 0.5% respectively in March 2025 showing significant asset quality improvement.
- NPAs reached highs of 11.2% (GNPA) and 5.96% (NNPA) in March 2018 showing peak stress period.
Definition
- NPA is loan or advance for which principal or interest payment remained overdue for period of 90 days.
- For banks, loan is asset because interest paid is one of most significant sources of income for bank.
- When customers cannot pay interest: asset becomes ‘non-performing’ for bank because it not earning anything for bank.
- RBI defined NPAs as assets that stop generating income for banks requiring classification and provisioning comprehensively.
Reporting
- Banks required to make NPAs numbers public and to RBI from time to time ensuring transparency and accountability.
Classification of Assets
- Substandard Assets
- Assets remained NPA for period less than or equal to 12 months showing recent non-performance.
- Doubtful Assets
- Asset remained in substandard category for a period of 12 months showing prolonged non-performance requiring higher provisioning.
- Loss Assets
- Considered uncollectible and of such little value that its continuance as bankable asset not warranted though some recovery possible.
- NPA Provisioning
- Provision for loan refers to certain percentage of loan amount set aside by banks for potential losses.
- Standard rate of provisioning for loans in Indian banks varies from 5-20% depending on business sector and repayment capacity.
- In cases of NPA: 100% provisioning required in accordance with Basel-III norms ensuring adequate capital buffers.
GNPA and NNPA
- GNPA: absolute amount talking about total value of gross NPAs for bank in particular quarter or financial year.
- NNPA: Net NPAs subtracts provisions made by bank from gross NPA; gives exact value of NPAs after specific provisions.
Gogabeel Lake – India’s 94th Ramsar Site
About Gogabeel Lake
- Natural oxbow lake (crescent-shaped waterbody) formed by meandering of rivers located between Ganga and Mahananda in Katihar, Bihar.
- Acts as seasonal floodplain connecting both rivers during high water levels ensuring ecological connectivity comprehensively.
- Officially added to list of Ramsar Sites becoming India’s 94th Wetland of International Importance under Ramsar Convention.
Location and Formation
- Formed from flow of Mahananda and Kankhar rivers in north and Ganga in south and east.
- Spread over 57 hectares as Community Reserve and 30 hectares as Conservation Reserve ensuring protected status.
- Declared Bihar’s first Community Reserve in 2019 under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 showing conservation commitment.
Historical Background
- Initially declared “Closed Area” in 1990, renewed till 2000 providing initial protection to ecosystem.
- Lost legal protection after 2002 amendment to Wildlife Act removed “Closed Area” provision creating protection gap.
- Regained recognition as Important Bird Area (IBA) in 2004 and 2017 by IBCN and BirdLife International.
- Community efforts led by NGOs like Janlakshya and Goga Vikas Samiti resulted in Community Reserve notification (2019).
- Now recognized globally as Ramsar Site (2025) acknowledging its ecological importance internationally comprehensively.
Ecological and Biodiversity
- Supports over 90 bird species including 30 migratory ones using Central Asian Flyway showing avian diversity.
- Habitat for vulnerable species: Common Pochard (Aythya ferina) and Lesser Adjutant Stork requiring conservation attention.
- Black-necked Stork, White Ibis, White-eyed Pochard listed as Near Threatened showing conservation concern species.
- Breeding ground for vulnerable catfish Wallago attu supporting aquatic biodiversity and fisheries resources comprehensively.
- Identified as Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) by BNHS and IUCN ensuring scientific recognition.
- Provides livelihood through fishing, cattle grazing, irrigation though excessive fertilizer use threatens ecosystem requiring management intervention.
Project Suncatcher
About Project Suncatcher
- Google’s research initiative to create solar-powered AI data centers in space deploying high-performance TPUs aboard orbiting satellites.
- Satellites communicate through optical data links ensuring high-speed connectivity for space-based computing operations comprehensively.
Launch Details
- Developed and launched by Google under AI and Advanced Infrastructure Division as part of long-term sustainability roadmap.
Objectives
- Reduce energy, water, carbon costs of terrestrial data centers ensuring environmental sustainability of AI infrastructure.
- Harness uninterrupted solar power available in space for round-the-clock AI computation without Earth-based energy constraints.
- Develop scalable space-based computing network with interlinked, high-speed satellites ensuring distributed computing capability globally.
Key Features
- Solar-Powered Satellite Constellation: uses solar panels up to 8 times more efficient in orbit than on Earth.
- Orbiting TPUs: AI accelerators (Trillium v6e) tested under radiation for space durability ensuring operational reliability.
- High-Speed Optical Links: free-space optical communication capable of tens of terabits per second connecting satellite nodes.
- Prototype Launch: two test satellites planned for early 2027 to validate hardware and communication systems comprehensively.
- Scalability: analytical models suggest satellites can operate just hundreds of meters apart allowing clustered space-based data hubs.
- Future Cost Efficiency: by mid-2030s, falling launch costs (as low as $200/kg) could make orbital data centers economically viable.
Significance
- Sustainability Breakthrough: eliminates dependency on Earth’s power and water resources for AI computation operations.
- Technological Innovation: opens avenues for distributed, radiation-resistant AI computing beyond Earth ensuring space-based infrastructure development.
- Climate Impact Reduction: helps offset rising carbon emissions of expanding AI infrastructure supporting global climate goals comprehensively.
The Taj Mahal
Context
- Upcoming Hindi film “The Taj Story” starring Paresh Rawal triggered nationwide controversy reviving discredited “Tejo Mahalaya” theory.
- Theory claims Taj Mahal was originally Shiva temple contradicting historical evidence and architectural documentation comprehensively.
About Taj Mahal
- 17th-century white marble mausoleum on right bank of Yamuna River in Agra, Uttar Pradesh showing architectural excellence.
- One of Seven Wonders of the World and UNESCO World Heritage Site (1983) celebrated as pinnacle of Indo-Islamic architecture.
Construction
- Commissioned in 1632 CE by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of wife Mumtaz Mahal showing eternal love.
- Completed in 1648 CE with additional structures and landscaping finished by 1653 CE under architect Ustad Ahmad Lahori.
- Constructed by artisans, calligraphers, inlayers, masons from across India, Central Asia, Persia representing zenith of Mughal craftsmanship.
- Inscriptions in Arabic, Persian, Quranic verses document its chronology and spiritual symbolism providing historical evidence comprehensively.
Key Features
- Central white marble tomb stands on raised square platform with four minarets at each corner symbolizing symmetry and spatial balance.
- Double-dome chamber houses cenotaphs of Mumtaz Mahal (center) and Shah Jahan (west); real graves lie in lower crypt.
- Pietra dura (inlay) work with precious stones depicting intricate floral motifs exemplifying Persian and Indian artistic fusion.
- Charbagh garden follows Timurid-Persian quadripartite design divided by water channels symbolizing rivers of paradise showing Islamic influence.
- Main gateway (Darwaza-i-Rauza) and flanking mosque and guest house of red sandstone contrast with central marble mausoleum emphasizing visual harmony.
Significance
- Represents culmination of Mughal architecture uniting Persian, Ottoman, Indian aesthetics into symbol of eternal love and divine harmony.
- Testament to 17th-century engineering and design blending artistic precision with spiritual allegory reflecting paradise and resurrection comprehensively.
- Global icon of India’s cultural heritage drawing over 6 million visitors annually inspiring art, literature, architecture worldwide showing enduring legacy.
China’s Aircraft Carrier Fujian
About Fujian
- China commissioned its latest aircraft carrier Fujian after extensive sea trials.
- Commissioned at naval base on southern China’s Hainan island in ceremony attended by President Xi Jinping.
- China’s third carrier and first that it both designed and built itself showing indigenous capability comprehensively.
- Most visible example of Xi’s massive military overhaul and expansion aiming for modernized force by 2035.
- Goal: have force that is “world class” by mid-century ensuring global military power projection capability.
Strategic Significance
- China’s navy goal: dominate near waters of South China Sea, East China Sea, Yellow Sea around First Island Chain.
- First Island Chain runs south through Japan, Taiwan, Philippines showing strategic maritime perimeter for China.
- Deeper into Pacific: wants to contest control of Second Island Chain where US has military facilities on Guam.
Technological Advancement
- China’s first carrier Liaoning: Soviet-made; second carrier Shandong: built in China based on Soviet model using ski-jump systems.
- Fujian skips past steam catapult technology used on most American carriers employing electromagnetic launch system (EMALS).
- EMALS found only on latest US Navy Ford-class carriers showing technological leap by China comprehensively.
- System causes less stress to aircraft and ship; allows more precise control over speed launching wider aircraft range.
Comparative Analysis
- Numerically: China has three carriers compared to US Navy’s 11 showing numerical gap in carrier fleet.
- China’s carriers conventionally powered; US carriers all nuclear powered operating almost indefinitely without refueling increasing operational range.
