PRELIMS
Shipki-La Pass
Why in News: China has agreed in principle to reopen the Shipki-La Pass in Himachal Pradesh’s Kinnaur district for border trade with India, after being closed since 2020. It is part of talks to resume trade through all three designated routes — Shipki-La, Lipulekh, and Nathu La.
Location: Kinnaur district, Himachal Pradesh; motorable pass on the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Height: Among India’s highest motorable passes (~4,000 m).
River: Sutlej River (Langqen Zangbo in Tibet) enters India through this pass.
Other Names: Earlier called Pema La or Shared Gate; renamed Shipki La by ITBP after 1962.
History: Key Indo-Tibetan trade route since 5th century; closed after 1962 war, Doklam standoff, and COVID-19.
Trade items:
- Imports: wool, livestock, yak products, religious items, minerals.
- Exports: grains, spices, tobacco, timber, metal tools.
Mountain Pass – General Info
- Definition: Natural low points/gaps in mountains formed by erosion, glaciation, or tectonic activity.
- Functions: Enable trade, migration, military movement.
- Significance: Strategic, economic, and cultural connectors between valleys/regions.
Social Media Conduct
Why in News: Supreme Court directed the Union Govt. to frame guidelines for regulating conduct on social media, after hearing a case of comedians making insensitive remarks about persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Court noted:
- Social media influencers often commercialise free speech.
- Need to balance Article 19(1)(a) – Freedom of Speech with Article 19(2) – reasonable restrictions (public order, decency, morality, dignity, etc.).
- Categories of speech: Free speech, commercial speech, prohibited speech.
- Direction: Guidelines should include sensitisation measures and proportionate consequences for violations.
Related Info
Commercial Speech: Recognised under Article 19(1)(a) by SC in Tata Press Ltd. v. MTNL (1995).
Reasonable Restrictions under Article 19(2):
- Sovereignty & integrity of India, security of the State, public order, decency/morality, contempt of court, defamation, incitement to offence.
Disability Rights:
- Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 ensures equality, dignity, and non-discrimination.
- India is a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
Stealth Frigates
Why in News: Indian Navy commissioned two Project 17A stealth frigates — Udaygiri & Himgiri — at Visakhapatnam Naval Base (Aug 2025). First-ever simultaneous commissioning of two frontline warships built at different shipyards
Project 17A (Nilgiri-class frigates):
- Follow-on of Shivalik-class (Project 17).
- Total: 7 frigates (4 at MDL, 3 at GRSE).
Builders:
- INS Udaygiri → Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. (MDL), Mumbai.
- INS Himgiri → Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
Design:
- By Warship Design Bureau (WDB).
- Udaygiri = 100th ship designed by WDB in 5 decades.
Features:
- Stealth design (reduced radar signature).
- CODOG propulsion (Combined Diesel or Gas).
- Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS).
- Modular construction → faster delivery.
Weaponry & Systems:
- Equipped for anti-surface, anti-air, anti-submarine warfare.
- Indigenous weapons: BrahMos missiles, Barak-8, torpedoes, advanced sensors.
Indigenisation:
- ~75% indigenous content.
- Supported by 200+ MSMEs; ~15,000 jobs created.
Deployment:
- To join the Eastern Fleet.
- Strengthens India’s reach in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Legacy:
- Named after earlier frigates INS Udaygiri (Leander-class, decommissioned 2007) & INS Himgiri (Nilgiri-class, decommissioned 2005).
Bloom Syndrome
Why in News: A 12-year-old girl with Bloom Syndrome underwent a bone marrow transplant (BMT) using stem cells from her younger brother at a Chennai hospital.
Type: Rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder.
Gene Involved: BLM gene mutation → defective RecQ helicase protein → genomic instability & chromosomal breaks.
Major Features / Symptoms
- Growth Deficiency: Short stature, rarely >5 feet in adulthood.
- Photosensitive Skin: Butterfly-shaped facial rash after sun exposure; telangiectasia.
- Cancer Risk: Very high risk of early-onset cancers (esp. blood cancers like leukemia).
- Immune Deficiency: Prone to recurrent infections.
- Other Issues: Insulin resistance, diabetes, COPD risk.
Management
- No cure for underlying genetic defect.
- Treatment focuses on managing complications.
- In severe cases (like MDS/monosomy 7) → Bone Marrow Transplant.
Areca Nut Development
Why in News: A high-level meeting on areca nut development was held at Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi, chaired by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
About Areca Nut (Supari)
- Produced by arecanut palm; widely chewed in India.
- Has cultural and religious significance.
- Climatic zone: grows mostly within 28° N and 28° S of equator.
Climatic Conditions
- Optimum temperature: 14°C–36°C (hampered <10°C or >40°C).
- Altitude: up to 1000 m.
- Requires abundant, well-distributed rainfall (750–4500 mm annually).
- Irrigation essential in dry spells.
- Optimum season: June–December.
Soil Requirements
- Best in gravelly laterite red clay soils (Southern Kerala, Coastal Karnataka).
- Also suited to laterite, red loam, and alluvial soils.
Production
- India = world’s largest producer (~63% global share).
- Top state: Karnataka (40%).
- Other producers: Kerala, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu.
Grading & Varieties
- Grades: Nuli, Hasa, Rashi, Bette, Gorabalu.
- White variety: harvested fully ripe → sun-dried for ~2 months.
- Red variety: from green nuts → boiled, husked, dried.
International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)
Why in News: In August 2025, Nepal officially joined the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), an India-led global initiative for conservation of big cats.
About IBCA
- Launch: 9 April 2023, Mysuru by PM Narendra Modi.
- HQ: India.
- Union Cabinet approval: Feb 2024.
- Members: 90+ countries (range & non-range nations).
Focus: Conservation of 7 big cat species –
1. Tiger
2. Lion
3. Leopard
4. Snow Leopard
5. Cheetah
6. Jaguar
7. Puma
Objectives & Functions
- Create synergy among member nations & stakeholders.
- Share expertise, best practices & financial resources.
- Provide repository of technical knowledge.
- Support ecological security & climate change mitigation.
- Strengthen global species-specific conservation platforms.
Significance of Nepal’s Membership
- Nepal hosts 3 big cats: Tiger, Snow Leopard, Common Leopard.
- Enhances transboundary cooperation & habitat protection.
- Adds strength to regional conservation efforts in the Himalayas & Terai.
India’s Role
- Lead country → experience from Project Tiger (1973) & lion/snow leopard/leopard conservation.
- Coordinated by NTCA & MoEFCC.
- Acts as knowledge hub for big cat protection models.
Global Impact
- Promotes unified international approach to protect big cats.
- Addresses threats: habitat loss, poaching, climate change.
- Encourages cross-border cooperation & resource mobilisation.
