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24/12/2025

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CA-24/12/2025

• The Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) is a new telecom‑linked risk metric that classifies mobile numbers as Medium, High, or Very High risk of involvement in cyber‑enabled financial fraud in India.
• It is designed mainly for banks, NBFCs and UPI/payment platforms to enable real‑time, risk‑based controls on transactions linked to flagged numbers.​

• FRI is mapped to a mobile number, not to a person or bank account.​
• It operates as part of DoT’s Digital Intelligence Platform and Digital Intelligence Unit (DIU) ecosystem.​

• Key benefits:
  • Helps bridge the data gap between telecom and financial sectors, enabling a common fraud‑intelligence grid.​
  • Particularly effective against short‑lived “disposable” numbers frequently used in mule accounts, phishing/OTP scams, investment scams, and fake app support calls.​
• Limitations and safeguards:
  • FRI is a risk signal, not proof of guilt; institutions are expected to use it within a broader, principle‑based fraud‑risk framework and applicable due‑process norms.​
  • Over‑reliance without human/AI contextual checks could raise issues of legitimate customers facing friction, so RBI/DoT position it as one input among many.​

• Purpose: IMF emergency lending facility that provides rapid, low-access financial support to countries experiencing urgent balance-of-payments (BoP) pressures that could cause severe economic disruption if left unaddressed.
• Nature: Designed for situations where a full IMF program (like the Extended Fund Facility) is unnecessary or not feasible due to time, policy, or capacity constraints.
• Eligibility: Available to all IMF member countries. For low-income nations, a concessional version exists under the Rapid Credit Facility (RCF).
• Access: Typically limited to a percentage of a country’s IMF quota, ensuring emergency liquidity without long-term conditionality.

• Speed: Disbursement is faster than traditional IMF programs, crucial during emergencies.
• Flexibility: No need for a comprehensive economic reform plan upfront.
• Conditionality: Lighter than standard IMF programs, but countries must show commitment to addressing the crisis responsibly.
• Use Cases: Natural disasters, commodity price shocks, pandemics, or sudden capital outflows.
• Access limits include up to 50% of a country's IMF quota annually and 100-150% cumulatively, with higher thresholds (up to 80% yearly for large natural disasters exceeding 20% of GDP). 

Feature	Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI)	Extended Fund Facility (EFF)	Rapid Credit Facility (RCF)
Purpose	Emergency liquidity for urgent BoP needs	Medium-term support for structural reforms	Concessional emergency support for low-income countries
Speed	Fast disbursement	Slower, requires detailed program	Fast disbursement
Conditionality	Light, short-term	Strong, reform-heavy	Light, concessional
Eligibility	All IMF members	All IMF members	Low-income IMF members
Access Limits	Limited % of quota	Higher % of quota	Limited % of quota

• Higher effective interest rates due to IMF surcharges and currency depreciation.
• Short-term relief only — not a substitute for structural reforms.
• Potential debt sustainability issues if used repeatedly without broader economic adjustments.

• Names: Known as Paliyan, Pulliyar, Palaiyar, Pazhaiyarare, and Panaiyar.
• Etymology: The word Paliyar comes from Palaniyan in Tamil, meaning "man from Palani".
• Population: Around 9,500 people.
• Language: They speak a Dravidian language closely related to Tamil, often using Tamil script for communication.
• Status: Recognized as a Scheduled Tribe in India.

• Regions: Found in the South Western Ghats montane rain forests, especially in Tamil Nadu (Madurai, Thanjavur, Pudukkottai, Tirunelveli, Coimbatore) and parts of Kerala.
• Traditional dwellings: Early 20th century accounts describe them living in rock crevices and caves.
• Current settlements: Many now live in small villages, sometimes petitioning for recognition of their settlements as formal villages.

• The Paliyars embody a forest-dependent, semi-nomadic lifestyle that reflects deep ecological knowledge.
• Their honey-hunting traditions are particularly notable, symbolizing both sustenance and cultural identity.
• They worship Vanadevadai (forest deities) in interior forests.
• Despite modernization, they continue to balance traditional practices with adaptation to mainstream society.

• Developed by DRDO under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).
• Successor to the original Akash missile system (inducted into IAF in 2014, Army in 2015).
• Part of India’s push for Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence technology.

• Type: Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM).
• Range: ~70 km (extended from Akash’s ~30 km).
• Altitude Coverage: Capable of intercepting targets from low-level to high-altitude scenarios.
• Seeker: Indigenous Radio Frequency (RF) seeker for precision targeting.
• Propulsion: Solid rocket motor.
• System Components:

• Multi-Function Radar (MFR)
• Command & Control Unit
• Missile Launch Vehicle

Feature	Akash (Original)	Akash-NG
Range	~30 km	~70 km
Seeker	No indigenous RF seeker	Indigenous RF seeker
Targets	Low to medium aerial threats	High-speed, agile, low radar cross-section threats
Mobility	Limited	Enhanced mobility & quick reaction
Radar	Conventional	Advanced Multi-Function Radar

• Akash-NG bolsters India's air defense with quicker reaction times and saturation attack resilience, complementing systems like Barak 8.
• Export interest includes Brazil, though negotiations stalled as of mid-2025.​

• Enacted on 24 December 1996.
• Extends Part IX of the Constitution (Panchayati Raj) to Scheduled Areas under Article 244(1).
• Designed to empower tribal communities who historically faced marginalization, displacement, and loss of land.

• Enable tribal self-rule in Fifth Schedule areas.
• Protect community rights over land, water, forests, and natural resources.
• Ensure Gram Sabhas act as the foundation of governance.
• Prevent alienation of tribal land and exploitation by outsiders.

• Gram Sabhas must approve social-economic programs, certify fund utilization, and safeguard traditions, community resources, and cultural practices.​
• Panchayats obtain reservations proportional to tribal populations and consult Gram Sabhas before land acquisition or projects.​
• States must amend Panchayati Raj Acts to align with PESA, devolving powers without higher-level interference.​

• Implementation gap: Many states have not fully enforced PESA rules.
• Conflict with existing laws: Forest, mining, and excise laws often override Gram Sabha powers.
• Awareness deficit: Tribal communities need capacity-building to exercise rights effectively.

Category	Focus Area
Vigyan Ratna	Lifetime achievement in science & technology (highest honour).
Vigyan Shri	Distinguished contributions in science & technology.
Vigyan Yuva	Young scientists (similar to Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar awards).
Vigyan Team	Team-based contributions in science & innovation.

• Vigyan Ratna (Lifetime Achievement):
  • Awarded to Prof. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar (Astrophysics) posthumously.
  • Known for pioneering work in cosmology and contributions to popularizing science in India.
• Vigyan Shri (8 awardees):
  • Gyanendra Pratap Singh – Agricultural Science
  • Yusuf Mohammad Seikh – Atomic Energy
  • Thangaraj – Biological Sciences
  • Pradeep Thalappil – Chemistry
  • Aniruddha Bhalchandra Pandit – Engineering Sciences
  • Venkata Mohan – Environmental Science
  • Mahan Mj – Mathematics & Computer Science
  • Jayan N – Space Science & Technology

• Amritsar's walled city, surrounding the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib), holds the Akal Takht, established in 1606 by Guru Hargobind as the highest Sikh temporal and spiritual authority.
• It attracts millions for its gold-plated sanctum and serves as a core pilgrimage hub.
• Recent restrictions apply specifically to the Galiara area around the Golden Temple.​

• Anandpur Sahib in Rupnagar district features Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, where Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa in 1699.
• This site symbolizes Sikh martial and spiritual heritage.
• The holy city designation supports heritage development here.​

• Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda district hosts Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, where Guru Gobind Singh finalized the Guru Granth Sahib scripture.
• It marks a key point in Sikh textual history.
• The new status enforces prohibitions to maintain its religious environment.​

• The Composite Leading Indicator (CLI) is an index that provides early signals of turning points in business cycles by tracking economic activity relative to its long-term potential.
• Developed by the OECD, it aggregates multiple short-term economic indicators for qualitative assessment of growth phases.
• Values are normalized around a long-term average of 100, with trends above 100 signaling expansion and below indicating potential slowdowns.​

• Developed by the OECD for G20 countries and some aggregates.
• Measures fluctuations around the economy’s long-term potential level.
• Expressed as an amplitude-adjusted index (long-term average = 100).
• Provides qualitative signals (upturns/downturns), not precise forecasts.

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed a CLI specifically for Gross Value Added (GVA) in Manufacturing.
• Frequency: Quarterly.
• Objective: Strengthen short-term economic assessment and anticipate business cycle shifts.
• Indicators used: Domestic demand, Inflation dynamics, Survey-based sentiments, Industrial credit flows, Uncertainty metrics, Global macroeconomic trends.

• As of Nov 2025, India’s CLI stood at 100.85 points, slightly up from 100.75 in Oct 2025.
• Long-term average = 100.

• Historical extremes:

• High: 104.21 (Feb 2000)
• Low: 68.38 (Apr 2020, pandemic shock).

• Adoption Date: 15 December 2025, New York.

• Purpose: Establishes a uniform legal framework for Negotiable Cargo Documents (NCDs) — digital or paper documents representing goods in transit.
• Scope: Extends beyond maritime shipping to multimodal transport (ships, planes, trains, trucks).
• Key Features:
  • NCDs can be used to sell, reroute, or pledge goods as collateral while in transit.
  • Provides the same legal effect as physical delivery of goods.
  • Supports digitalisation of trade finance and smoother global commerce.
• Impact: Seen as a major step in modernising international trade law, reducing paperwork, and boosting efficiency.

• The CM3-MR supports direct-fire targeting for artillery guns and anti-drone operations, improving accuracy, reaction time, and battlefield survivability.
• IOL handles manufacturing, assembly, testing, quality control, and lifecycle support to meet Indian Army needs.​

• This digital ring laser gyro inertial system equips artillery, air defence, missiles, and radars for precise positioning in GPS-denied environments like electronic warfare.
• It enables autonomous engagement by detecting enemy firing locations rapidly.​

• Operational Independence: Inertial navigation ensures forces can operate even if GPS is denied.
• Enhanced Accuracy: Direct firing sights improve hit probability against fast-moving or small targets like drones.
• Defense Diplomacy: Strengthens India–France defense ties, adding to earlier collaborations like the Rafale jets and HAMMER precision weapons.

• Technology Transfer: Ensuring full absorption of advanced tech into Indian manufacturing.
• Cost & Maintenance: High-precision systems require significant investment and upkeep.
• Integration: Seamless deployment across diverse platforms (artillery, missiles, drones) is critical.

• Full name: Sirtuin 6 (SIRT6), part of the sirtuin family of NAD⁺-dependent enzymes.
• Location: Encoded on chromosome 19 (human) and chromosome 10 (mouse).
• Function: Acts as a histone deacetylase and mono-ADP-ribosyltransferase, regulating gene expression, DNA repair, and metabolic pathways.

• DNA Repair & Genomic Stability: SIRT6 helps maintain genome integrity by repairing double-strand breaks.
• Metabolism: Regulates glucose homeostasis, lipid metabolism, and mitochondrial function.
• Longevity: Mice lacking SIRT6 show premature aging, while overexpression extends lifespan in some models.
• Inflammation Control: Suppresses NF-κB signaling, reducing chronic inflammation.

• Tryptophan Metabolism: Recent studies reveal SIRT6 as a gatekeeper of tryptophan metabolism, linking it to sleep regulation, mood, and cognitive decline.
• Neurodegenerative Diseases: Dysregulation of SIRT6 activity is associated with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and age-related cognitive disorders. Targeting SIRT6 may help restore metabolic balance and slow disease progression.
• Therapeutic Potential: Inhibiting enzymes like TDO2 (tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase) alongside SIRT6 modulation shows promise in correcting metabolic imbalances.

• Drug Development: Modulating SIRT6 is complex—overactivation may cause metabolic imbalance, while inhibition could impair DNA repair.
• Clinical Translation: Most findings are from animal models; human trials are still limited.
• Potential Side Effects: Targeting tryptophan metabolism could affect serotonin pathways, impacting mood and sleep.

• Origin: Small fragments of rock or metal, often remnants from the birth of the Solar System.
• Size: Typically less than 1 mm in diameter, though they can vary.
• Speed: Travel at ~20 km/s relative to Earth.
• Environment: About 200 kg of meteoroid mass is within 2000 km of Earth at any given time.
• Impact: Can puncture spacecraft surfaces, damage instruments, and contribute to "space weathering."

• Origin: Human-made fragments from defunct satellites, rocket stages, collisions, and explosions.
• Growth: Increasing rapidly due to mega-constellations like Starlink and OneWeb.
• Size Range: From paint flakes to large satellite remnants.
• Hazard: Even a small piece of debris can cause catastrophic damage because of orbital speeds (7–8 km/s).

• Spacecraft Damage: Tiny particles can create craters, puncture shielding, or disable electronics.
• Astronaut Safety: Threatens spacesuits and the International Space Station (ISS).
• Mission Costs: Requires expensive shielding and avoidance maneuvers.
• Long-Term Sustainability: Growing debris increases collision probability, leading to the "Kessler Syndrome" (runaway chain of collisions).

• Shielding Technologies:
  • Whipple shields (thin bumper layers that vaporize particles before they hit the spacecraft).
  • Hybrid materials and additive manufacturing for stronger, lighter shields.
• Tracking & Avoidance: Ground-based radar and telescopes monitor larger debris.
• International Collaboration: Agencies like NASA, ESA, and ISRO work on debris mitigation guidelines.
• Sustainability Practices: Designing satellites for controlled re-entry, debris removal missions, and stricter launch protocols.

Aspect	Micrometeoroids (Natural)	Orbital Debris (Man-made)
Origin	Space dust, asteroid fragments	Satellites, rockets, collisions
Speed	~20 km/s	~7–8 km/s
Predictability	Stable flux, occasional showers	Increasing, unpredictable growth
Hazard	Small punctures, surface damage	Catastrophic collisions, fragmentation
Mitigation	Shielding only	Shielding + tracking + removal

• Definition: DEWs deliver damage through highly focused energy (electromagnetic, particle, or acoustic) rather than kinetic force.
• Forms:
  • Lasers: Burn or blind sensors, disable drones or missiles.
  • Microwaves: Disrupt electronics and communication systems.
  • Particle beams: Hypothetical systems that could damage matter at a subatomic level.
  • Acoustic weapons: Use sound waves to incapacitate personnel.

• DEWs ignore gravity for flat trajectories, operate silently if invisible, and scale effects from non-lethal to lethal.
• Their "magazine" is energy, enabling near-endless firing at fractions of kinetic interceptor costs.​
  They counter hypersonics, drone swarms, and boats effectively, with U.S. DOD investing $1 billion yearly.​​

• India:

• DRDO tested the 30kW Mk-II(A) laser DEW in April 2025 at Kurnool, neutralizing fixed-wing and swarm drones, with plans to transfer technology to private firms.
• Apollo secured DRDO approval in December 2025 for DEW subsystems to boost indigenous capabilities under Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• Ongoing projects include the 300kW Surya laser (20km range) by 2027 and 50kW systems for Navy warships against drone swarms.

• United States: Pentagon, DARPA, Air Force, Army, and Navy labs are investing heavily in DEWs, with operational systems expected in the late 2020s.

• Other Nations: China, Russia, and Israel are also advancing DEW research for missile defense and anti-drone warfare.

• Operational Constraints: Weather and line-of-sight reduce effectiveness.
• Ethical Concerns: Potential misuse for crowd control or surveillance.
• Technology Gaps: Particle beam weapons remain largely theoretical.
• Strategic Impact: Could alter global military balance by making missile defense cheaper and faster.

• Location: Boramani grasslands, Solapur district, Maharashtra.
• Size: Approximately 50 ft × 50 ft, making it the largest circular stone labyrinth in India.
• Structure: Built with 15 concentric stone circuits, far more than previously known labyrinths in India (earlier ones had up to 11).
• Age: Estimated to be 2,000 years old, linked to the Satavahana dynasty and Indo-Roman trade networks.
• Discovery: First spotted by members of the Nature Conservation Circle, a local NGO monitoring wildlife, particularly the endangered Great Indian Bustard.
• Cultural Significance: Unlike a maze, a labyrinth has a single winding path leading to the center, symbolizing spiritual journeys, meditation, or strategic designs like the “Chakravyuh” mentioned in Indian epics.

• Satavahana Dynasty: The labyrinth’s design and dating suggest it was built during the Satavahana period, a time of flourishing Indo-Roman trade.
• Roman Influence: The patterns resemble motifs found on ancient Roman coins, hinting at cultural exchanges through trade routes.
• Comparison:
  • This labyrinth is circular, unlike the square labyrinth at Gedimedu, Tamil Nadu, which is slightly larger in area (56 ft square).
  • The Boramani labyrinth is unique for its perfect circular design and greater number of circuits.

• Archaeological Importance: Provides new insights into India’s ancient trade networks and cultural exchanges.
• Spiritual Symbolism: Labyrinths often represent journeys of self-discovery, meditation, or cosmic order.
• Conservation Angle: The discovery highlights the role of grassroots wildlife groups in uncovering historical treasures.

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