Prelims Pinpointer 25-12-2025

India’s Largest Circular Stone Labyrinth

Latest Discovery

• Archaeologists discovered India’s largest circular stone labyrinth in Boramani grasslands, Solapur, Maharashtra.

Key Physical Features

• Structure measures approximately 50 feet × 50 feet.
• Composed of 15 concentric stone circles, arranged with geometric precision.
• Path guides inward to a tightly coiled central spiral.
• Soil accumulation indicates the structure remained undisturbed for centuries.

Historical and Cultural Significance

• Dates back nearly 2,000 years, linked to Satavahana period.
• Associated with Indo-Roman trade networks.
• Design resembles Mediterranean classical labyrinths, seen on Roman coins.
• Central spiral reflects Indian symbolism linked to Chakravyūha concept.

Comparative Importance

• Previously known largest circular labyrinth in India had 11 circuits.
• Solapur discovery is unprecedented in circular complexity.
• Larger square labyrinth exists at Gedimedu, Tamil Nadu, but differs structurally.

Mazes vs Labyrinths

• Labyrinths are unicursal, having a single continuous path.
• Mazes are multicursal, containing multiple paths and decision points.
• Labyrinths have no dead ends or wrong turns.
• Stone labyrinths globally date back over 4,000 years.

BlueBird Block-2 Satellite

Context: ISRO successfully launched the BlueBird Block-2 satellite weighing 6,100 kg into low earth orbit using LVM3 on Wednesday from Sriharikota. This marked ISRO’s largest commercial communications satellite deployment and the heaviest payload launched by LVM3 from Indian soil.

About BlueBird Block-2

• • BlueBird Block-2 is a next-generation space-based cellular broadband satellite.
  • Developed by AST SpaceMobile.
  • Enables direct-to-mobile connectivity, allowing ordinary smartphones to connect directly with satellites.
  • Eliminates dependence on terrestrial towers, dishes, or specialised handsets.

• Core Capabilities

• • Provides 4G and 5G connectivity directly to standard smartphones.
  • Supports voice calls, video calls, text messaging, and internet data services.
  • Ensures global, continuous (24/7) coverage, including remote and disaster-prone regions.
  • Designed for seamless connectivity over land, oceans, and underserved areas.

• Key Technical Features

• • Heaviest commercial satellite in LEO, weighing approximately 6,100 kg.
  • Launched using India’s LVM3 (GSLV Mk-III).
  • Carries a 223 m² phased-array antenna, the largest commercial antenna deployed in LEO.
  • High antenna gain enables strong direct-to-mobile signal strength without auxiliary hardware.
  • Part of a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation planned for universal mobile broadband.

LVM3-M6 Mission Overview

• Mission name: LVM3-M6 / BlueBird Block-2.
• Launch site: Second Launch Pad, SDSC-SHAR, Sriharikota.
• Client: AST SpaceMobile, USA.
• Executed through NewSpace India Limited, ISRO’s commercial arm.
• Marked the largest and heaviest commercial communication payload placed into LEO by India.

Significance of the Mission

• Demonstrates direct-to-mobile satellite communication without ground infrastructure.
• Strengthens India’s role in the global commercial launch market.
• Showcases the heavy-lift and precision capabilities of ISRO.
• Supports digital inclusion, disaster resilience, and global telecom expansion.
• Enhances confidence in India’s launch systems for future heavy commercial missions.

Bureau of Port Security (BoPS)

Background and Legal Basis

• The Bureau of Port Security (BoPS) has been constituted under Section 13 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025.
• It is a statutory body, modelled on the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security.
• Functions under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
• Responsible for regulatory oversight of security at ports and on ships.

Why was BoPS Created?

• India’s coastal security is currently handled by multiple agencies.
• Key agencies include Coast Guard, CISF, Navy, and State maritime police.
• Fragmented responsibilities caused coordination gaps and overlaps.
• BoPS acts as a single nodal authority for port and ship security regulation.
• Ensures unified standards, information sharing, and compliance enforcement.

Security Challenges in India’s Coastal Domain

• Exposure to maritime terrorism and arms smuggling.
• Rising cases of drug trafficking, human trafficking, and illegal migration.
• Risks from piracy, poaching, and illicit coastal trade.
• Growing threat of cyberattacks on port IT infrastructure.
• Increasing cargo and vessel traffic raises systemic vulnerability.

Role and Functions of BoPS

• Provides regulatory oversight for security of ports and ships.
• Enforces compliance with International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
• Coordinates countermeasures against physical and digital security threats.
• Houses a dedicated cybersecurity division for port digital infrastructure.
• Facilitates collection, analysis, and exchange of security intelligence.
• Ensures security implementation through a graded, risk-based approach.

Institutional Framework under BoPS

• CISF designated as a recognised Security Organisation.
• CISF to prepare standardised security plans across ports.
• Conducts security audits, vulnerability assessments, and training.
• Applies to both major and non-major ports uniformly.

Link with India’s Maritime Expansion

• Cargo handling grew from 974 MMT (2014) to 1,594 MMT (2025).
• Port capacity expanded by 57%, improving operational efficiency.
• Ship turnaround time reduced to 48 hours, meeting global benchmarks.
• Coastal shipping rose 118%, inland waterways cargo increased eightfold.
• Nine Indian ports featured in World Bank Container Port Performance Index.

Alignment with Maritime India Vision 2030

• Vision prioritises safe, secure, and world-class port infrastructure.
• BoPS institutionalises security as a core pillar of maritime growth.

Criticisms and Federal Concerns

• New laws increase Union control over non-major State ports.
• Some States view it as undermining maritime federalism.
• Indian Ports Act, 2025 criticised for broad inspection powers without explicit safeguards.
• Criticism targets legislation framework, not BoPS directly.

Conclusion

• BoPS addresses long-standing coordination failures in coastal security.
• It balances maritime growth with security, compliance, and cyber resilience.
• Effective implementation will determine its success in securing India’s expanding maritime domain.

Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT)

Latest Development

• National Highways Authority of India received in-principle approval from Securities and Exchange Board of India.
• Approval granted for ‘Raajmarg Infra Investment Trust (RIIT)’ as an Infrastructure Investment Trust.
• The move aims to monetise highway assets and mobilise long-term capital.

What is an Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT)?

• An InvIT is a collective investment vehicle, structurally similar to a mutual fund.
• It enables retail and institutional investors to invest directly in infrastructure assets.
• Operates through a trust structure registered and regulated by SEBI.
• Allows participation in infrastructure projects earlier restricted to large institutions.

Objective of InvITs

• Provide long-term financing for infrastructure development.
• Unlock value from operational infrastructure assets.
• Offer investors stable returns through periodic income distribution.
• Reduce funding stress on government and infrastructure developers.

Key Features of InvITs

• Governed under SEBI (Infrastructure Investment Trusts) Regulations, 2014.
• Assets typically include roads, highways, power transmission, pipelines, and similar infrastructure.
• Income generated from assets is distributed to unit holders.
• Enhances liquidity and transparency in infrastructure financing.

Structure and Participants in an InvIT

• Four key entities are involved in InvIT operations.
  • Sponsor(s):
    • Usually infrastructure companies or private equity firms.
    • Set up the InvIT and transfer infrastructure assets into the trust.
  • Trustee:
    • SEBI-registered entity responsible for oversight and investor protection.
    • Monitors compliance and performance of the InvIT.
  • Investment Manager: Manages investment decisions and overall operations.
  • Project Manager: Responsible for execution, maintenance, and performance of assets.

Working Mechanism

• Sponsor transfers revenue-generating infrastructure assets to the trust.
• Trust issues units to investors, representing proportional ownership.
• Returns are generated from toll, usage fees, or annuity payments.
• Investors receive income through dividends, interest, or repayment.

Significance

• Facilitates asset monetisation for public infrastructure agencies.
• Attracts private and foreign capital into infrastructure sector.
• Strengthens capital markets by offering new investment instruments.
• Supports sustainable infrastructure financing without increasing public debt.
  

AILA (Artificially Intelligent Lab Assistant)

Latest Development

• Researchers at Indian Institute of Technology Delhi developed an AI-based autonomous laboratory agent named AILA.

What is AILA?

• AILA is an AI agent capable of independently conducting complex scientific experiments.
• It can analyse results and take decisions dynamically in real time.
• Developed through collaboration with scientists from Denmark and Germany.

Key Capabilities

• Unlike earlier AI tools, AILA directly interfaces with laboratory instruments.
• It can operate real scientific equipment without human intervention.
• Particularly designed to work with Atomic Force Microscope (AFM).
• AFM is a highly delicate instrument used for nanoscale material analysis.

Technological Significance

• AILA writes required experimental code autonomously.
• It controls instruments, collects raw data, and processes outputs independently.
• Entire workflow from data generation to interpretation is automated.
• High-resolution AFM optimisation time reduced from 24 hours to 7–10 minutes.

Why Important for Science?

• Mimics actions of a trained human scientist.
• Enables faster, more precise, and reproducible experimentation.
• Marks a shift toward autonomous AI-driven scientific research.

Akash-NG Missile System

Latest Development

• Defence Research and Development Organisation completed User Evaluation Trials of Akash-NG missile.

About Akash-NG

• Akash-NG is a next-generation surface-to-air missile system.
• Developed by DRDO and produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited.
• Designed to protect critical areas from aerial threats.
• Succeeds the original Akash missile inducted from 2014 onwards.

Key Technological Features

• Significantly lighter: ~350 kg compared to earlier 720 kg.
• Equipped with indigenous RF seeker and dual-pulse rocket motor.
• Uses fully indigenous radar and C2 systems.
• Capable of engaging high-speed, low-altitude, and high-altitude targets.

Operational Capabilities

• Maximum engagement range of 30 km and altitude up to 18 km.
• Can engage up to 10 targets simultaneously.
• Firing capability of one missile every 10 seconds.
• Deployable in mobile as well as fixed configurations.

Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary & Asian Waterbird Census

Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary

• • Located in Andhra Pradesh, within the Godavari estuary region.
  • Formed where the Coringa River meets the Bay of Bengal.
  • Hosts India’s second-largest mangrove forest stretch.

• Flora and Fauna

• • Dominated by mangrove species like Rhizophora, Avicennia, Sonneratia.
  • Mammals include Smooth Indian otter, Fishing cat, Jackal.
  • Supports diverse birdlife including kingfishers, kites, herons, sandpipers.
  • Coastal area serves as a breeding site for Olive Ridley turtles.

• Asian Waterbird Census (AWC)

• • AWC supports wetland and waterbird conservation through citizen science.
  • Conducted annually as part of the International Waterbird Census (IWC).
  • Initiated in 1987 in the Indian subcontinent.
  • Covers Asia from Afghanistan to Japan and Australasia.

• Indian Implementation

• • Conducted in India by Bombay Natural History Society and Wildlife Institute of India.
  • Enumeration usually held in early January.
  • Coringa Sanctuary included in 40th AWC and 60th IWC.