Prelims Pinpointer 18-12-2025 Current Affairs Notes

Prelims

INS Hansa

Context: Navy commissioned second MH-60R helicopter squadron, the ‘Ospreys’ (INAS 335), at INS Hansa, Goa, significantly enhancing rotary wing combat and surveillance capabilities on western seaboard.

INS Hansa

• • INS Hansa is an Indian Naval Air Station located near Dabolim, Goa.
  • It is India’s largest naval airbase and hosts the Indian Navy’s premier air squadrons.
  • The air station includes a civil enclave, which operates as Dabolim Airport.
  • It functions as a full-fledged airfield, handling both domestic and international flights round the clock.

• Historical Background

• • Commissioned on 5 September 1961 at Sulur, near Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
  • Initially co-located with the Sulur Air Force Station of the Indian Air Force.
  • After the liberation of Goa (1961), the Indian Navy took over Dabolim airfield in April 1962.
  • INS Hansa was relocated to Dabolim in June 1964, where it continues to operate.

100% FDI in Insurance Sector

Context

• Rajya Sabha passed the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Bill.
• Lok Sabha had cleared the Bill a day earlier.
• Bill permits 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the insurance sector.

Key Provisions and Government Rationale

• Insurance regulation structure clearly laid down in the Bill.
• Premiums collected from Indian policyholders will remain within India.
• Foreign insurance companies mandated to participate in social sector schemes and Union government welfare programmes.
• Government asserts no dilution of social responsibility of insurers.
• 100% FDI aimed at attracting foreign players who earlier failed to find joint venture partners.
• Increased competition expected to reduce insurance premiums and expand coverage.

Opposition Concerns

• • Opposition demanded the Bill be sent to a Select Committee of Parliament due to its far-reaching impact.
  • Data privacy risks flagged:
    • Foreign insurers may seek PAN and Aadhaar, raising concerns of digital fraud.
  • Comparison drawn with civil aviation privatisation outcomes.
  • Allegation that Bill enables profit extraction by foreign companies.

• Concerns raised over:

• • A potential $600 billion market share shifting to foreign investors.
  • Weakening of public sector insurance companies.
• Criticism of mixed Hindi–English naming of the Bill.

Repealing and Amending Bill, 2025

• Key Features

• • Rajya Sabha also passed the Repealing and Amending Bill.
  • Bill annuls 71 obsolete laws.

• Objective:

• • • Remove outdated legislation.
    • Correct drafting errors.
    • Eliminate discriminatory provisions.

• Government’s Position

• • Reform aligned with ease of living and ease of doing business.
  • Described as a step towards liberation from a colonial legal mindset.

• Examples of Laws Repealed

• • Indian Tramways Act, 1886
  • Levy Sugar Price Equalisation Fund Act, 1976
  • BPCL Employees Conditions of Service Act, 1988
  • General Clauses Act, 1897
  • Code of Civil Procedure, 1908
  • Indian Succession Act, 1925

Kavach System (Automatic Train Protection System)

Context: Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed Lok Sabha that indigenous anti-collision Kavach safety system fully commissioned on over 2,000 km rail network, with consequential accidents fallen 90%.

What is Kavach?

• • Indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system.
  • Designed to enhance railway safety by preventing human-error-related accidents.

• Development

• • Developed by Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) under Indian Railways.
  • Industry collaboration with:
    • Medha Servo Drives Pvt. Ltd.
    • HBL Power Systems Ltd.
    • Kernex Microsystems
  • Field trials underway since 2016 on passenger trains.

• Technology and Working

• Consists of:

• • • • Electronic devices and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) equipment.

• Installed across:

• • • Locomotives
    • Signalling systems
    • Railway tracks
• Devices communicate using ultra-high radio frequencies.

• Based on pre-programmed logic, system:
  • Alerts locomotive pilots.
  • Automatically controls train brakes when required.

Key Applications and Functions

• Prevents Signal Passing At Danger (SPAD).
• Checks overspeeding by automatic brake application.
• Detects another train on the same track within a prescribed distance.
• Automatically brings the train to a halt if the pilot fails to respond.
• Continuously relays upcoming signal information to the locomotive.
• Enhances safety in low visibility conditions, especially:
  • Dense fog.
  • Adverse weather conditions.
• Assists loco pilots during inclement weather operations.

Makhana

Context

• Parliament was informed that India produces nearly 80% of global makhana output.
• This reinforces India’s global dominance in the makhana agri-sector.
• The government established the National Makhana Board to strengthen the sector.
• A ₹476.03 crore central scheme (2025–31) was approved to boost value addition and exports.

What is Makhana

• Makhana, also called fox nut or gorgon nut, is an edible aquatic seed.
• It is derived from Euryale ferox, an aquatic plant species.
• Euryale ferox is the only surviving species of the genus Euryale.
• The crop is valued for nutritional benefits and livelihood generation.

Regions of Cultivation

• Makhana is cultivated mainly in India, China, and Japan.
• India is the world’s largest producer of makhana.
• Bihar contributes around 85% of India’s total makhana output.
• Darbhanga serves as a major cultivation and processing hub.

Key Features

• Makhana is an aquatic crop, grown in shallow ponds and wetlands.
• Cultivation is often integrated with fisheries, supporting mixed livelihoods.
• The crop is highly labour-intensive, engaging farmers and fisher communities.
• Makhana is consumed roasted or fried, and used in traditional dishes.

Economic and Social Significance

• Makhana cultivation enhances income security for small farmers and fishers.
• It plays a critical livelihood role in eastern India, particularly Bihar.
• Labour-intensive production supports rural employment generation.

Nutritional Importance

• Makhana is rich in protein, dietary fibre, and antioxidants.
• It has a low glycaemic index, making it suitable for diabetic diets.
• The crop is considered heart-friendly and supports nutrition security.

Policy Focus

• The National Makhana Board aims to strengthen sectoral coordination.
• The central scheme focuses on productivity enhancement and processing capacity.
• Emphasis is placed on branding, value addition, and global market access.

Channa Bhoi 

Context and Discovery

• Channa bhoi is a newly discovered species of snakehead fish from India.
• It was found in a small mountain stream near Iewmawlong village.
• The discovery location lies in Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya.

Nomenclature and Cultural Link

• The species is named Channa bhoi after the indigenous Bhoi people.
• The Bhoi community belongs to the Khasi tribe inhabiting the Ri-Bhoi region.

Taxonomic Classification

• Channa bhoi belongs to the “Gachua group” of snakehead fishes.
• This group is known for high species diversity in the Eastern Himalayan region.

Morphological Characteristics

• The species shows a distinctive colour pattern compared to close relatives.
• It has a bluish-grey body with minute black spots on each scale.
• The spots form eight to nine horizontal broken lines along the body sides.
• The fish displays distinct banding patterns on the pectoral fins.

Phylogenetic Significance

• Phylogenetic analysis identifies Channa bhoi as a sister species to Channa bipuli.
• Channa bipuli is another snakehead species found in Northeast India.

Biodiversity Significance

• The discovery increases the total Channa species in India to 26.
• It highlights the rich freshwater biodiversity of Northeast India.

DHRUV64 Microprocessor

Overview

• DHRUV64 is a fully indigenously developed microprocessor of India.
• It is developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC).
• The processor is built under the Microprocessor Development Programme (MDP).

Core Architecture and Performance

• DHRUV64 is a 64-bit dual-core processor operating at 1.0 GHz clock speed.
• The dual-core design enables efficient multitasking and parallel processing.
• It uses superscalar execution, allowing multiple instructions to start simultaneously.
• The processor supports out-of-order execution, improving throughput and efficiency.

Design and Integration Features

• DHRUV64 integrates communication and control functionalities within the chip.
• It is packaged using an advanced FCBGA (Flip-Chip Ball Grid Array) technology.
• Compact packaging makes the processor suitable for embedded and scalable systems.

Potential Applications

• DHRUV64 is designed to support both strategic and commercial applications.
• It is suitable for 5G infrastructure and automotive systems.
• The processor can be deployed in consumer electronics and industrial automation.
• It is also relevant for Internet of Things (IoT) applications.

Strategic and Economic Significance

• DHRUV64 provides homegrown microprocessor capability, reducing foreign dependence.
• It supports startups, academia, and industry in indigenous product development.
• The platform enables design, testing, and scaling of computing products domestically.
• It facilitates low-cost prototype development for new system architectures.

Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS)

Latest Update

• CPGRAMS has recorded a 74% reduction in public grievance pendency since 2021.
• The decline indicates improved efficiency and responsiveness in grievance redress mechanisms.

What is CPGRAMS

• CPGRAMS is an online, citizen-centric grievance redress platform of the Government of India.
• It enables citizens to lodge grievances related to public service delivery.
• The platform is accessible 24×7 to all citizens.

Institutional Framework

• CPGRAMS is developed and monitored by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG).
• DARPG functions under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.
• The system acts as a single integrated portal linking all Central Ministries, Departments, and States.

Access and Digital Integration

• Every Ministry and State has role-based access to the CPGRAMS portal.
• Citizens can access CPGRAMS through a standalone mobile application.
• The mobile application is also integrated with the UMANG platform.

Grievance Filing and Tracking

• Each grievance is registered with a unique registration ID.
• Citizens can track grievance status online using the registration number.
• The system ensures time-bound grievance handling across departments.

Resolution Timeline

• Grievances are to be addressed promptly upon receipt.
• The maximum time limit for disposal is 21 days.

Appeal and Feedback Mechanism

• CPGRAMS provides an appeal facility if the complainant is dissatisfied.
• After grievance closure, citizens can submit feedback ratings.
• A ‘Poor’ rating automatically enables the option to file an appeal.
• Appeal status can also be tracked using the grievance registration ID.

Matters Excluded from Redressal

• Sub-judice cases or matters under judicial consideration are excluded.
• Personal and family disputes are not entertained.
• RTI-related matters fall outside CPGRAMS jurisdiction.
• Religious issues are excluded from grievance handling.
• Matters affecting territorial integrity or foreign relations are not admitted.

Administrative Significance

• CPGRAMS strengthens accountability, transparency, and citizen trust.
• It reflects digital governance reforms in public grievance redressal systems.

Vellode Bird Sanctuary

Location and Status

• Vellode Bird Sanctuary is a well-known avian habitat located in Tamil Nadu.
• It is built around the Periyakulam Lake, forming the core wetland ecosystem.
• The sanctuary was designated as a Ramsar Site in 2022, recognising its global wetland importance.

Climatic and Hydrological Features

• The sanctuary receives rainfall mainly from the Northeast Monsoon.
• The monsoon period extends from September to December each year.
• Primary water sources include seepage from the Lower Bhavani Project canal.
• Rainwater also contributes significantly during the bird migration season.

Ecological Significance

• The sanctuary lies along the Central Asian Flyway, a major migratory route.
• It functions as a breeding ground for resident and migratory bird species.
• The wetland provides feeding, nesting, and resting habitats for diverse avifauna.

Faunal Diversity

• Migratory birds recorded include Northern Pintail and Northern Shoveler.
• Other species include Garganey and Blue-tailed Bee-eater.
• Wader species such as Wood Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper are present.
• Additional sightings include Green Sandpiper and Chestnut-tailed Starling.
• Warbler species such as Blyth’s Warbler and Sykes’s Warbler are observed.

Floral Diversity

• The sanctuary supports diverse wetland and terrestrial plant species.
• Notable flora includes Cayratia pedata and Tephrosia purpurea.
• Commelina tricolor is another characteristic plant species of the site.

Conservation Importance

• Ramsar recognition strengthens protection of the sanctuary’s wetland ecosystem.
• The site supports biodiversity conservation and migratory bird protection.

Project Mausam

 

Overview

• Project Mausam is an Indian government–led cultural diplomacy and maritime heritage initiative.
• It was launched in 2014 by the Ministry of Culture.

Core Objective

• The project seeks to study the Indian Ocean world through historical and archaeological evidence.
• It documents cultural, commercial, and religious exchanges across the Indian Ocean region.

Geographical Scope

• A total of 39 Indian Ocean countries are covered under Project Mausam.
• The initiative highlights long-standing maritime connectivity and interactions.

UNESCO World Heritage Focus

• The primary objective is to prepare trans-national nominations for UNESCO inscription.
• Identified places and sites are proposed for the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Research and Knowledge Creation

• The project promotes research on maritime routes and oceanic linkages.
• It organises international scientific seminars and meetings.
• A multidisciplinary approach is adopted for comprehensive understanding.

Public Outreach and Publications

• Encourages production of specialised academic works.
• Supports publications aimed at the general public.
• Seeks to promote ideas of common heritage and multiple identities.

Institutional Structure

• The project has two units: Project Research Unit and World Heritage Nomination Unit.
• Implemented by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as the nodal agency.
• Research support provided by IGNCA and the National Museum.