Prelims Pinpointer 07-02-2026

Bird Flu (Avian Influenza)

Context: Periodic outbreaks of Bird Flu, especially H5N1 strain, raise zoonotic and pandemic concerns.

What is Bird Flu?

• Bird Flu (Avian Influenza) is a viral infectious disease affecting birds.
• Primarily infects poultry and wild birds.
• Circulates naturally among 100+ bird species with limited harm.

Cause of Concern

• Virus occasionally jumps from wild birds → poultry farms.
• Crowded poultry settings enable rapid replication.
• Virus may mutate into highly pathogenic strains.
• Leads to large-scale bird mortality and culling.

H5N1 Bird Flu

• H5N1 = subtype of Influenza A virus.
• Causes severe respiratory disease in birds.
• Classified under Avian Influenza viruses.

Influenza A Classification

• Based on surface proteins:
  • Hemagglutinin (H): 18 subtypes (H1–H18).
  • Neuraminidase (N): 11 subtypes (N1–N11).
  • Example: H1N1, H3N2, H5N1.
• Human Infection
  • Rare but possible zoonotic transmission.
  • Occurs via:
    • Contact with infected birds.
    • Handling dead poultry.
    • Contaminated farm environments.
• Transmission Features
  • Human-to-human spread: Very rare.
  • Infection severity: High.
  • Mortality rate: ~60%.

Origin & Global Spread

• Origin: Guangdong, China (1996) goose farm outbreak.
• Re-emergence: Europe (2020).
• Spread sequence:
  • Africa & Asia
  • North America (2021)
  • South America (2022)
  • Antarctica (2024)

Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)

Context: The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) determines India’s policy interest rate to control inflation.

Monetary Policy

• Monetary policy uses central bank instruments to regulate money supply.
• It controls interest rates, liquidity, and credit availability.
• Objective: Achieve macroeconomic stability and policy goals.
• Legal Basis
  • Conducted by Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
  • Mandated under RBI Act, 1934.
  • Amended in May 2016 to institutionalise inflation targeting.
• Primary Objective
  • Maintain price stability.
  • Support economic growth simultaneously.
  • Price stability ensures sustainable long-term development.
• Inflation Targeting Framework
  • Introduced through RBI Act amendment, 2016.
  • Flexible Inflation Targeting (FIT) adopted.
  • Inflation target set every five years.
  • Decided by Government in consultation with RBI.

Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)

• Constituted under Section 45ZB, RBI Act, 1934.
• Statutory body for policy rate decisions.
• Replaced Technical Advisory Committee system.
• Function
  • Fixes benchmark policy rate (Repo Rate).
  • Ensures inflation remains within target band.
  • Policy decisions binding on RBI.

• Composition (6 Members)
  • RBI Representatives (3)
    • RBI Governor – Chairperson.
    • Deputy Governor (Monetary Policy).
    • One RBI Board nominee.
  • Government Nominees (3)
    • Appointed by Central Government.
    • External experts in economics/finance.
• Tenure
  • External members: 4-year fixed term.
  • Not eligible for reappointment.
• Meeting & Quorum
  • Meets at least four times annually.
  • Quorum: Minimum four members.
  • Governor or Deputy Governor mandatory.
• Decision-Making
  • Decisions by majority vote.
  • Governor holds casting vote in tie.
  • Outcomes binding on RBI.

Sodium-ion Battery Technology

Context: India is reassessing battery strategy due to lithium supply risks and import dependence.

What is Sodium-ion Battery Technology?

• Sodium-ion batteries (SiBs) are rechargeable electrochemical energy storage devices.
• They use sodium ions (Na⁺) as charge carriers.
• Belong to rocking-chair battery family like lithium-ion cells.
• Use abundant raw materials instead of scarce lithium minerals.

Working Mechanism

• Charging Process
  • Sodium ions move from cathode to anode.
  • Ions travel through electrolyte medium.
  • Electrons flow via external circuit.
• Discharging Process
  • Sodium ions migrate back to cathode.
  • Stored chemical energy converts to electrical energy.
  • Power supplied to connected devices.
• Material & Design Features
  • Aluminium used as current collector on both electrodes.
  • Lithium-ion requires copper on anode side.
  • Reduces cost and material criticality.
  • Compatible with existing lithium-ion manufacturing lines.

Key Advantages

• Resource Availability
  • Sodium abundantly available from salt and soda ash.
  • Reduces dependence on lithium, cobalt, nickel.
• Energy Security
  • Supports domestic battery manufacturing ecosystem.
  • Reduces import vulnerability.
• Safety Profile
  • Lower thermal runaway risk than lithium-ion.
  • Safer storage and transportation at zero charge.
• Cost Potential
  • Raw material abundance lowers long-term costs.
  • Simplifies supply chain logistics.
• Strategic Relevance for India
  • Suitable for grid storage and renewables integration.
  • Aligns with clean energy transition goals.

Limitations / Challenges

• Energy Density Constraints
  • Lower specific and volumetric energy density.
  • Limits long-range electric vehicle deployment.
• Technology Maturity
  • Early commercialisation stage globally.
  • Performance optimisation ongoing.
• Manufacturing Sensitivity
  • Moisture-sensitive materials require controlled environments.
  • Increases drying and vacuum processing needs.
• Application Limits
  • Better suited for stationary storage systems.
  • Suitable for two-/three-wheelers and short-range mobility.

International Space Station (ISS)

Context: The International Space Station (ISS) is planned to be de-orbited in 2030 through controlled re-entry.

What is the International Space Station (ISS)?

• The International Space Station (ISS) is a permanently crewed modular space laboratory.
• It operates in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
• Used for microgravity research, technology testing, and long-duration human spaceflight.
• Continuous human presence onboard since November 2000.
• ISS operates through a five-agency international partnership:
  • NASA:National Aeronautics and Space Administration (USA)
  • Roscosmos: Russian State Space Corporation
  • ESA: European Space Agency
  • JAXA: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
  • CSA: Canadian Space Agency

Launch & Assembly Timeline

• Assembly began with launch of Zarya module on 20 November 1998.
• First long-duration crew: Expedition 1 (November 2000).
• Continuous habitation maintained since then.

Aims & Objectives

• Enable advanced scientific research in microgravity conditions.
• Study human health impacts of long-duration space missions.
• Test space technologies for Moon and Mars missions.
• Promote international cooperation in space exploration.
• Support development of Low Earth Orbit space economy.

Key Features

• Modular Architecture
  • Built using multiple modules contributed by partner nations.
  • Assembled incrementally in orbit.
• Permanent Crewed Laboratory
  • Supports astronauts for long-duration missions.
  • Continuous experiments across scientific disciplines.
• Shared Governance Model
  • Each agency manages its contributed modules/hardware.
  • Integrated operational coordination ensures station functioning.
• Orbital Characteristics
  • Located in Low Earth Orbit (~400 km altitude).
  • Travels at ~28,000 km/h.
  • Orbits Earth roughly every 90 minutes.
• End-of-Life Plan
  • Dedicated U.S. Deorbit Vehicle planned.
  • Controlled atmospheric re-entry over remote ocean by 2030.

Significance

• Advanced space medicine and microgravity biology research.
• Enabled materials science and fluid physics experiments.
• Supported Earth observation and climate monitoring.
• Built operational experience for deep-space missions.
• Symbol of sustained peaceful international space cooperation.

Armenia

Context: India’s Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan visited Armenia to deepen bilateral defence cooperation.

Location & Political Geography

• Armenia is a landlocked country in the South Caucasus (Transcaucasia) region.
• Lies at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia.
• Considered among the world’s oldest centres of civilisation.
• Capital: Yerevan
• Armenia shares borders with:
  • Georgia – North
  • Azerbaijan – East
  • Iran – South
  • Turkey – West
• Special Border: Borders Nakhchivan (Azerbaijan’s exclave) in the southwest.

Physiography & Geological Features

• Located on the Armenian Highland.
• Average elevation: ~1,800 metres.
• Among the most mountainous countries in the region.

Major Water Body

• Lake Sevan:
  • One of the largest high-altitude freshwater lakes in Eurasia.
  • Supports irrigation, hydropower, fisheries, and climate regulation.

Chabahar Port

Context: India paid $120 million Chabahar port commitment before US sanctions waiver expires in April 2026.

More in news:

• Government ended annual Budget allocation for Chabahar port indicating inability to manage under US sanctions.
• 10-year MoU signed with Iran in May 2024; India fulfilled procurement commitment completely.
• US issued conditional sanctions waiver extended until April 26, 2026 after India-US discussions.
• Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Fathali said India hasn’t conveyed future plans for port management yet.
• Chabahar port crucial for Afghanistan re-engagement and keeping Central Asia access open for India.

Chabahar Port

• Deep-water seaport in southeastern Iran.
• Location / Mapping
  • Sistan–Baluchistan province, Iran.
  • On Gulf of Oman.
  • Near Strait of Hormuz.
  • Direct access to Indian Ocean.
• Port Structure
  • Shahid Beheshti Terminal.
  • Shahid Kalantari Terminal.
• Connectivity Significance
  • Close to Afghanistan and Pakistan.
  • Links India to Central Asia.

INSTC Linkage

• Multimodal transport network.
• Connects Indian Ocean to Caspian Sea.
• Extends to Europe via Russia.
• Distance Facts
  • Kandla → Chabahar: ~550 nautical miles.
  • Mumbai → Chabahar: ~786 nautical miles.

Chabahar Project

• Agreement
  • Signed in May 2016.
  • India-Iran-Afghanistan trilateral pact.
• India’s Role
  • Developing Shahid Beheshti Terminal.
  • India’s first foreign port project.
• Infrastructure Components
  • Port development works.
  • Chabahar–Zahedan rail link.
• Strategic Objectives
  • Bypass Pakistan for Afghanistan access.
  • Trade route to Central Asia.
  • Alternative to Silk Route.