PRELIMS
KOLHAPURI CHAPPALs & THE G.I. TAG
GS1: Indian Culture | GS3: Economy (Intellectual Property Rights)
Context: Italian luxury brand Prada drew criticism for selling sandals resembling traditional Kolhapuri chappals for approx ₹1.2 lakh.
About Kolhapuri Chappals:
- Origin: Traditional handcrafted leather footwear from Maharashtra.
- Historical Use: In use since at least the 12th century.
- GI Tag: Awarded in 2019; protects cultural identity and traditional knowledge.
Traditional Process:
- Kala Mitti paste used to bind layers.
- Decorative art: Stamping patterns like birds, elephants using small metal tools.
- Natural dye polishing: Brown, mustard, tan shades.
Significance:
- Recognition of indigenous artisanship.
- Promotes rural livelihoods, export potential, and heritage preservation.
BONALU FESTIVAL
GS1: Indian Culture – Art & Festivals
Context: Bonalu celebrations began at Jagadambika Temple in Golconda Fort.
Type: Hindu religious festival honouring Goddess Mahakali.
Region: Celebrated in Hyderabad, Secunderabad, and parts of Telangana.
History: Began in the 19th century after a plague outbreak in Hyderabad.
Name Origin: “Bonam” = meal (Bhojanalu in Telugu) offered to the Goddess.
Declared: State festival of Telangana in 2014.
Rituals:
- Bonam Offering: Pots with rice, jaggery, turmeric, neem leaves, lamp
- Metlu Puja: Devotees apply turmeric and vermillion to temple steps.
- Celebrations extend to Ujjaini Mahankali Temple (Secunderabad) & Akkanna Madanna Temple (Old City).
DIGHA’s JAGANNATH TEMPLE & FIRST RATHYATRA
GS1: Art & Architecture | Religion & Pilgrimage Sites
Context: Digha’s new Jagannath temple held its first-ever Rathyatra with foreign pilgrims.
Location: Purba Medinipur, West Bengal.
Inauguration: 30 April 2025.
Deities: Lord Jagannath (Vishnu), Balabhadra (Balarama), Subhadra.
Architecture:
- Inspired by Kalingan Style (like Puri Jagannath Temple).
- Materials Used: Sandstone from Rajasthan’s Bansi Paharpur Hills; Vietnamese marble flooring.
- Height: 65 meters (213 ft).
- Cultural Value:
- Promotes religious tourism.
- Strengthens cultural ties with Odisha.
ESTIMATES COMMITTEE OF PARLIAMENT — 75 YEARS
GS2: Indian Polity – Parliamentary Committees
Context: National conference held in Mumbai to celebrate 75 years.
Establishment: 1950, on recommendation of Finance Minister John Mathai.
Composition:
- 30 members elected by Lok Sabha annually.
- No Rajya Sabha representation.
- Ministers cannot be part of the Committee.
Functions:
- Examines efficiency, reforms, and economy in public expenditure.
- Suggests better ways to present and utilize estimates.
- Reports on policy-aligned reforms in administration.
Significance:
- Strengthens fiscal accountability.
- Ensures efficient use of taxpayer money.
MOST COMMONLY USED CANCER DRUGS FAIL QUALITY TESTS
Syllabus: GS2 – Health
Drugs involved:
- Cisplatin, Oxaliplatin, Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Methotrexate, Leucovorin
- All widely used in chemotherapy for treating various cancers.
Issue: Quality failure of exported chemotherapy drugs flagged after being shipped to over 100 countries.
Chemotherapy:
- Involves using cytotoxic drugs to kill rapidly dividing cells.
- Common side effects: kidney damage, suppressed immunity, cardiotoxicity.
Relevance:
- Raises concerns on pharmaceutical regulatory oversight, export quality checks, and global drug safety standards.
Static Linkage:
- CDSCO – Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (India’s drug regulatory authority).
- Schedule M & Schedule Y under Drugs & Cosmetics Act.
JIYO PARSI SCHEME
Syllabus: GS2 – Welfare Schemes
Launched: 2013–14 | Type: Central Sector Scheme
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Minority Affairs
Objective: To arrest the population decline of the Parsi/Zoroastrian community.
Key Components:
- Medical Assistance: IVF, ICSI, Surrogacy support
- Health Support: Monthly financial help to families and elderly
- Advocacy: Awareness on fertility, timely marriage, community continuity
Demographic Concern:
- Parsi population declined by 22% (2001–2011)
- Maharashtra: Highest population (44,854), followed by Gujarat (9,727)
- Static Linkage: Zoroastrianism: One of the world’s oldest religions, prophet Zarathustra Recognised under National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992
10 YEARS OF AMRUT
Syllabus: GS3 – Infrastructure
Launched: 2015 | AMRUT 2.0: Launched on 1 Oct 2021
Type: Centrally Sponsored Scheme
Nodal Ministry: MoHUA
Coverage:
- AMRUT 1.0: 500 cities
- AMRUT 2.0: Extended to all ULBs
Objectives:
- Universal tap water and sewerage
- Pollution reduction and urban mobility
- Empowering ULBs through reforms and capacity-building
- Enhancing green spaces and amenity value
Key Features:
- SCADA-based monitoring
- Jal Hi AMRIT, ‘Drink from Tap’ initiatives
- Focus on PPP models, and digital governance
Static Linkage:
- Part of urban reform agenda under National Infrastructure Pipeline
- Linked to Sustainable Development Goal 11 – Sustainable Cities
OPERATION DEEP MANIFEST
Syllabus: GS3 – Economy/Internal Security
Agency: Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI)
Event: Seized 1,115 metric tonnes of Pakistani-origin goods rerouted via Dubai
Backdrop:
- Post-Pahalgam Terror Attack, India banned direct or indirect imports of Pakistani goods, even via third countries.
Issue Highlighted:
- Grey Routing – use of intermediary countries to bypass trade restrictions.
Static Linkage:
- DRI: Apex anti-smuggling agency under CBIC
- Customs Act, 1962
- WTO rules on non-tariff barriers
‘ADAMYA’ – FAST PATROL VESSEL FOR INDIAN COAST GUARD
Syllabus: GS3 – Defence/Maritime Security
Built by: Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL); First of 8-FPV project
Special Feature:
- First in ICG fleet to use Controllable Pitch Propellers (CPP)
- Indigenously developed gearbox
Capabilities:
- 30mm CRN-91 gun, 12.7mm RCGs
- Integrated Bridge, Power, and Platform Management Systems
Significance:
- Boosts coastal patrol, EEZ security, law enforcement
- Symbol of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence shipbuilding
Static Linkage:
- ICG established: 1978
- Under Ministry of Defence, HQ in New Delhi
INDIA’s FIRST FEMALE ASTRONAUT ON TITANS SPACE MISSION 2029
Syllabus: GS3 – Science & Technology/Space
Person: Jahnavi Dangeti from Andhra Pradesh
Agency: Titan Space Industries (USA)
Highlights of Mission (2029):
- Duration: 5 hours
- 2 Earth orbits, 3 hours of zero gravity
- Commanded by NASA astronaut Col. William McArthur Jr.
Earlier Achievement:
- Youngest graduate of Analog Astronaut Program (2022), Poland
Static Linkage:
- ISRO – Gaganyaan Mission
- India’s first astronaut: Rakesh Sharma (1984)
- Indian female astronaut yet to go under Indian programme
