Archives (PRELIMS  Focus) National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) Category: Polity and Governance Context: The National Commission for Scheduled Castes has prescribed conditions under which complaints to the panel can be rejected — in some cases, without a hearing. About National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC): Nature: The NCSC is a Constitutional Body established with a view to provide safeguards against the exploitation of Scheduled Castes and to promote and protect their social, educational, economic and cultural interests. Composition: The NCSC comprises a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, and three additional Members. Appointment: These positions are filled through the President’s appointment, indicated by a warrant under his hand and seal. Conditions of service: Their conditions of service and tenure of office are also determined by the President. Evolution: Initially, the constitution provided for the appointment of a Special Officer under Article 338. The special officer was designated as the Commissioner for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. By 65th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1990, it amended Article 338 of the Constitution and replaced the one-member system with a multi-member National Commission for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes(ST). Through 89th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003, Article 338 was amended, and the erstwhile National Commission for SC and ST was replaced by two separate Commissions from the year 2004. Powers: The Commission, while investigating any matter or inquiring into any complaint, has all the powers of a civil court trying a suit and in particular in respect of the following matters: summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath; receiving evidence on affidavits; and requisitioning any public record from any court or office. Changes post 2018: Till 2018, the commission was also required to discharge similar functions with regard to the other backward classes (OBCs). It was relieved from this responsibility by the 102nd Amendment Act, 2018. Source: The Hindu Thalassemia Category: Science and Technology Context: Thalassemia patients flagged shortage of leukocyte filter sets and iron chelation drugs in Kerala. About Thalassemia: Nature: Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder that reduces the body’s ability to produce normal hemoglobin, leading to fewer healthy red blood cells and anemia. Cause: Thalassaemia is caused by inheriting a gene mutation (change in the normal DNA) from one or both parents. Symptoms: Symptoms range from growth issues, delayed puberty, and bone abnormalities in mild cases to poor appetite, jaundice, dark urine, and facial bone irregularities in severe cases. Types of Thalassemia: Alpha Thalassemia: It is caused by defective alpha-globin genes inherited from both parents. Beta Thalassemia: It is caused by defects in beta-globin genes. Treatments: Blood transfusions – regular blood transfusions treat and prevent anaemia; in severe cases these are needed around once a month. Chelation therapy – treatment with medicine to remove the excess iron from the body that builds up as a result of having regular blood transfusions. The only possible cure for thalassaemia is a stem cell or bone marrow transplant, but this is not done very often because of the risks involved. Source: The Hindu Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) Category: Environment and Ecology Context: A report on 25 years of support for wildlife warriors by the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) has highlighted the role of India’s forest protectors. About Wildlife Trust of India (WTI): Nature: The Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) is a non-profit conservation organisation dedicated to safeguarding India’s natural heritage. It is a registered charity in India (under Section 12A of the Income Tax Act, 1961). Establishment: It was established in 1998 in response to the numerous crises confronting India’s wildlife and wild habitats. Objective: Its mission is to conserve nature, especially endangered species and threatened habitats, in partnership with communities and governments. Ministry: It works closely with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change under the Government of India, as well as with the respective state government forest and wildlife departments. Headquarters: It is headquartered in New Delhi. About Van Rakshak Project (VRP): The WTI launched the Van Rakshak Project (VRP) in 2000 with the International Fund for Animal Welfare’s (IFAW) support. It aimed at building a well-equipped, and motivated force of frontline forest staff across India. The project has supported more than 21,000 personnel nationwide through a diverse range of capacity-strengthening initiatives. A key component of the VRP is the Supplementary Accident Assurance Scheme, which offers immediate financial assistance to frontline forest staff in the event of injury or death in the line of duty. Source: The Hindu Iron Age Culture Category: History and Culture Context: The first season of excavations carried out by the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology (TNSDA) at Thirumalapuram in Tenkasi district has brought to light the presence of Iron Age culture close to the Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu. More about the findings: According to ‘Archaeological Excavations in Tamil Nadu: A Preliminary Report’, the burial site at Thirumalapuram  covers nearly 35 acres and lies about 10 km northwest of the present-day village, between two seasonal streams that rise from the Western Ghats near the Kulasegarapereri tank. The excavations also yielded a rich collection of ceramics found in graves and among grave goods. These included white-painted black-and-red ware, red ware, red-slipped ware, black-polished ware, and coarse red ware. The black-and-red ware, black ware, and black-slipped ware types had white-painted designs, a unique feature first reported from T. Kallupatti and later from Adichanallur, Sivagalai, Thulukkarpatti, and Korkai. According to the report, symbols on the urns were among the most striking discoveries at Thirumalapuram. One red-slipped pot featured dotted designs showing a human figure, a mountain, a deer, and a tortoise. A total of 78 antiquities made of bone, gold, bronze, and iron were also found. They include a tweezer, sword, spearhead, gold ring, axe, dagger, chisel, bonehead, and arrowhead. About Iron Age: Nature: The Iron Age is a prehistoric period that followed the Bronze Age, characterized by the widespread use of iron for tools, weapons, and other implements. Various cultures associated with it: Black-and-Red Ware (BRW): It is characterized by distinctive pottery with black interiors and red exteriors due

Archives (PRELIMS  Focus) Nobel Peace Prize 2025 Category: Miscellaneous Context: Venezuela’s Opposition leader María Machado won the Nobel Peace Prize for ‘promoting democracy.’     About Nobel Peace Prize 2025: Awardee: Venezuelan Opposition leader María Corina Machado won the Nobel Peace Prize 2025. Reason for the award: The Nobel Peace Prize 2025 has been awarded to María Corina Machado “for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.” Significance: She won the Nobel Peace Prize for her struggle to achieve a democratic transition in the South American nation, winning recognition as a woman “who keeps the flame of democracy burning amid a growing darkness.” About Nobel Peace Prize: Nature: It is one of the five Nobel Prizes established by the will of Swedish industrialist, inventor, and armaments manufacturer Alfred Nobel, along with the prizes in Chemistry, Physics, Physiology or Medicine, and Literature. Background: In 1895, Alfred Nobel’s will specified a prize for those promoting fraternity between nations, reducing standing armies, or supporting peace congresses. Establishment of the award: The Nobel Peace Prize was established in 1901 by Alfred Nobel, and it recognizes individuals or organisations promoting peace, disarmament, and global harmony. Inspiration: Alfred Nobel was inspired by Bertha von Suttner, a peace activist, to include the peace category. Awarding Body: The prize is administered by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, elected by Norway’s Parliament (Stortinget). First recipient: The first Nobel Peace Prize was awarded in 1901 and was shared by two recipients: Swiss humanitarian Jean Henry Dunant and French pacifist Frédéric Passy. Source: The Hindu Census 2027 Category: Polity and Governance Context: A four-day training to conduct the pre-test exercise for the first phase of the Population Census 2027 has started, the Registrar General and Census Commissioner (RG & CCI) said. About Census: Feature: The Indian Census is the largest source of demographic and socio-economic data on the country’s population. First census: India’s first synchronised census occurred in 1881 under W.C. Plowden, the then Census Commissioner of India.  Decennial in nature: It has consistently provided detailed statistical information every 10 years, starting in 1872, when the first non-synchronous census was conducted across different regions of India. Legal framework: The Census Act of 1948 was enacted to create a legal framework for census operations and to define the roles of census officers. While the Act provides the legal framework, it does not mandate a specific frequency, making the decennial pattern a convention, not a constitutional requirement. Ministry: In May 1949, the Government of India established a permanent Census organization under the Ministry of Home Affairs to systematize the collection of population and demographic data.  Implementing authority: The Office of the Registrar General was later tasked with implementing the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, further expanding its role in maintaining vital statistics. About Census 2027: The central government has officially notified the conduct of the next decennial census in 2027, exercising its authority under Section 3 of the Census Act, 1948. The Census will have a reference date of 1st March, 2027, for most parts of the country. Source: The Hindu Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project Category: Geography Context: An apex committee of the Environment Ministry has accorded a fresh environmental clearance to the Sawalkote hydroelectric project.     About Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project: Location: It is a 1,856 MW run-of-the-river (uses the natural flow of a river with little or no water storage) hydroelectric project located on the Chenab River (a western river under Indus Water Treaty) in Ramban, J&K. Gravity dam: The project was initiated in 1984 and has faced multiple delays over the years. Declared as a project of national importance, it involves the construction of a concrete gravity dam with a reservoir. Electricity production: Once operational, Sawalkote is expected to generate over 7,000 million units of electricity annually, making it one of the largest hydroelectric projects in India. Significance: With the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) in abeyance, the project is considered crucial for harnessing Chenab River’s hydropower potential and enhancing India’s control over western rivers of IWT. About Chenab River: Origin: It is formed by the confluence of two streams, Chandra and Bhaga, in the Lahaul and Spiti Districts of Himachal Pradesh. It is a tributary of the Indus River. In its upper reaches, it is also known as the Chandrabhaga. Course: It flows through Jammu and Kashmir union territory, Himachal Pradesh and after receiving the Jhelum River near Trimmu, the Chenab empties into the Sutlej River. Major Tributaries: Left Bank:  Niru, Tawi, Neeru, and Liddrari Right Bank: Ans, Bhut Nalla, Bichleri, Kalnai Marusudar and Miyar Nalla. Major projects on Chenab river: The Chenab River hosts the 390-MW Dulhasti project at Kishtwar, the 890-MW Baglihar project at Ramban, and the 690-MW Salal project at Reasi. These projects significantly contribute to the region’s energy supply. Source: The Hindu Rare Earth Elements Category: Economy Context: US President said that China had sent letters to countries detailing export controls on “each and every element of production having to do with Rare Earths, and virtually anything else they can think of, even if it’s not manufactured in China.” About Rare Earth Elements: Nature: Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are important components in over 200 products, spanning applications in consumer electronics, electric vehicles, defence systems, and many more. Types of Rare Earth Elements: Based on the atomic weight, Rare Earth Elements are divided into two groups – light REEs, those with atomic numbers from 57 to 63 (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm and Eu) and heavy REEs, those with atomic numbers from 64 to 71 (Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu). Characteristics: REEs are characterised by high density, high melting point, high conductivity and high thermal conductance. Rare Earth Elements share a trivalent charge (+3) and similar ionic radii, hence similar properties. Sources: The principal sources of REE are bastnaesite (a fluorocarbonate which occurs in carbonatites and related igneous rocks), xenotime (yttrium phosphate) commonly found in mineral

Archives (PRELIMS  Focus) Nobel Prize in Literature 2025 Category: Miscellaneous Context: László Krasznahorkai wins Nobel Prize in literature. About Nobel Prize in Literature 2025: Awardee: Hungarian writer László Krasznahorkai won the Nobel Prize in Literature 2025. Reason for award: His philosophical, bleakly funny novels often unfold in single sentences, and his “compelling and visionary oeuvre, in the midst of apocalyptic terror, reaffirms the power of art.” Significance: The Nobel judges praised his “artistic gaze which is entirely free of illusion, and which sees through the fragility of the social order combined with his unwavering belief in the power of art. The judges applauded his “extraordinary sentences, sentences of incredible length that go to incredible lengths, their tone switching from solemn to madcap to quizzicSal to desolate as they go their wayward way.” About the Writer: László Krasznahorkai is a great epic writer in the Central European tradition that extends through [Franz] Kafka to Thomas Bernhard, and is characterised by absurdism and grotesque excess.” Several works, including his debut, Satantango, and The Melancholy of Resistance were turned into films. He also won the National Book Award for Translated Literature in the U.S. in 2019 for Baron Wenckheim’s Homecoming. Source: The Hindu Surrogacy Category: Polity and Governance Context: Supreme Court said that retrospective age limits under surrogacy law violate reproductive autonomy. About Surrogacy in India: Definition: Surrogacy is an arrangement where a woman (known as the surrogate mother), agrees to carry and deliver a baby for another individual or couple, known as the intended parents. Permissibility: Under the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act 2021, Surrogacy is permissible only for altruistic purposes or for couples with proven infertility or disease. Prohibition of Commercial surrogacy: Commercial surrogacy, including for sale or exploitation purposes, is strictly prohibited. Eligibility for Couples: Couples must be married for at least 5 years. The wife must be aged between 25-50 years, and the husband between 26-55 years. The couple must not have any living child, whether biological, adopted, or through surrogacy, except in cases of children with disabilities or life-threatening disorders. Criteria for Surrogate mother: The surrogate mother must be a close relative of the couple. She must be a married woman with at least one child of her own. Her age must be between 25-35 years, and she must have only been a surrogate once in her life. Parental Status upon Birth: Upon birth, the child is legally recognized as the biological child of the intended couple. Rule for abortion: Abortion of the foetus requires consent from both the surrogate mother and the relevant authorities, following the provisions of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act. Types and Forms of Surrogacy: Different types of Surrogacy: Traditional Surrogacy: Traditional surrogacy involves using the intended father’s sperm to fertilise the surrogate’s egg. The surrogate carries the pregnancy to term, and the resulting baby is biologically related to the surrogate mother and the intended father. Gestational Surrogacy: In gestational surrogacy, the baby is not biologically related to the surrogate. An embryo, created using the intended father’s sperm (or donor sperm) and the biological mother’s egg (or donor egg), is implanted into the surrogate’s uterus for her to carry to term. Various forms of Surrogacy: Altruistic Surrogacy: It refers to a surrogacy arrangement where the surrogate does not receive financial compensation beyond reimbursement for medical expenses and other related costs. The primary motivation for the surrogate in altruistic surrogacy is typically to help another individual or couple achieve their dream of having a child. Commercial Surrogacy: It involves a contractual agreement where the surrogate mother receives financial compensation beyond just reimbursement for medical expenses and other costs associated with the pregnancy. This compensation may vary depending on factors such as location, legal regulations, and the specific terms of the surrogacy agreement. Source: The Hindu Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Category: Science and Technology Context: Antimicrobial resistance has become, a communication crisis; instead of talking only about the future collapse of healthcare systems, the focus must be on the present impact on individual bodies. About Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): Definition: Antimicrobial resistance is the resistance acquired by any microorganism (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, etc.) against antimicrobial drugs (such as antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, antimalarials, and anthelmintics) that are used to treat infections. Natural process: It is a natural phenomenon as bacteria evolve, making drugs used to treat infections less effective. Formation of superbugs: Microorganisms that develop antimicrobial resistance are sometimes referred to as “superbugs”. Global threat: The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified AMR as one of the top ten threats to global health. Reasons for the Spread of AMR: High burden of communicable diseases, such as tuberculosis, diarrhoea, respiratory infections, etc. that require antimicrobial treatment. Hygiene lapses in hospitals and clinics facilitate the spread of resistant bacteria. Overprescribing by doctors under pressure from patients (often self-medication), incomplete antibiotic courses, and broad-spectrum antibiotics used unnecessarily create selective pressure for resistant bacteria. Unregulated over-the-counter availability and affordability of antibiotics fuel self-medication and inappropriate use. Low public understanding of AMR and proper antibiotic use encourages misuse. Measures Taken by India to Address AMR: National Programme on AMR containment was launched in 2012 to strengthen AMR Surveillance Network by establishing labs in State Medical College. National Action Plan on AMR was launched in April 2017 with the aim of involving various stakeholder ministries/departments. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has taken initiatives to develop new drugs /medicines through international collaborations in order to strengthen medical research in AMR.         Source: The Hindu UN Peacekeeping Force Category: International Relations Context: The United Nations will begin slashing its peacekeeping force, as a result of the latest U.S. funding cuts to the world body. About UN Peacekeeping Force: Nature: UN Peacekeeping refers to the activities carried out by the United Nations (UN) to help maintain or restore international peace and security in conflict-affected areas. UN Peacekeepers are also known as ‘Blue Helmets.’ Origin: It began in 1948 with the establishment of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) in the Middle East to monitor ceasefires.

Archives (PRELIMS  Focus) Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2025 Category: Science and Technology Context: An Australian, a Japanese and a Jordanian-American scientists were announced winners of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for discovering and creating a class of materials, called metal-organic frameworks (MOF).         About Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2025: Awardees: The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2025 has been awarded to Scientists Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar Yaghi for the development of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Significance: Their pioneering work on MOFs porous materials with vast surface areas has revolutionized applications in gas storage, catalysis, and environmental sustainability. The discovery represents a transformative advancement in chemical sciences, with potential benefits for medicine, clean energy, and climate solutions. Applications: Following the laureates’ groundbreaking discoveries, chemists have since built tens of thousands of different MOFs. Some of these may contribute to solving some of humankind’s greatest challenges, with applications that include separating PFAS (a family of chemicals that are believed to be toxic) from water, breaking down traces of pharmaceuticals in the environment, capturing carbon dioxide or harvesting water from desert air About the experiment: It all started in 1989, when Richard Robson tested utilising the inherent properties of atoms in a new way. He combined positively charged copper ions with a four-armed molecule; this had a chemical group that was attracted to copper ions at the end of each arm. When they were combined, they bonded to form a well-ordered, spacious crystal. It was like a diamond filled with innumerable cavities. Robson immediately recognised the potential of his molecular construction, but it was unstable and collapsed easily. However, Susumu Kitagawa and Omar Yaghi provided this building method with a firm foundation; between 1992 and 2003 they made, separately, a series of revolutionary discoveries. Kitagawa showed that gases can flow in and out of the constructions and predicted that MOFs could be made flexible. Yaghi created a very stable MOF and showed that it can be modified using rational design, giving it new and desirable properties. Source: The Hindu Rabindranath Tagore Category: History and Culture Context: The Odisha government has announced plans to restore ‘Pather Puri’, the residence of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore in Puri, and transform it into a museum. About Rabindranath Tagore: Background: He was the youngest of 13 children born to Debendranath Tagore, a leading figure in the Brahmo Samaj, and Sarada Devi. Tagore received early education at home, with his family emphasizing literary and cultural learning. Schooling and higher education: He attended several schools, including a stint at the University College London, though he did not complete formal schooling. Multi-faceted personality: Rabindranath Tagore was a Bengali poet, novelist, and painter, who was highly influential in introducing Indian culture to the west. He was an exceptional literary figure and a renowned polymath who singlehandedly reshaped the region’s literature and music. Sobriquets: He was also referred to as ‘Gurudev’, ‘Kabiguru’, and ‘Biswakabi’. Association with Mahatma Gandhi: He was a good friend of Mahatma Gandhi and is said to have given him the title of Mahatma. Votary of national integration: He had always stressed that unity in diversity is the only possible way for India’s national integration. World Parliament for Religions: He had spoken at the World Parliament for Religions in the years 1929 and 1937. Contribution to education system: Besides all his literary achievements he was also a philosopher and educationist who in 1921 established the Vishwa-Bharati University, a university that challenged conventional education. Contributions as a poet: He is said to have composed over 2000 songs and his songs and music are called ‘Rabindra Sangeet’ with its own distinct lyrical and fluid style. He is responsible for modernising Bengali prose and poetry. His notable works include Gitanjali, Ghare-Baire, Gora, Manasi, Balaka, Sonar Tori, He is also remembered for his song ‘Ekla Chalo Re’. He published his first poems aged 16 under the pen-name ‘Bhanusimha’. He not only gave the national anthems for two countries, India and Bangladesh, but also inspired a Ceylonese student of his, to pen and compose the national anthem of Sri Lanka. Awards: In 1913 he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for his work on Gitanjali. He was the first non-European to receive the Nobel Prize. In 1915 he was awarded knighthood by the British King George V. In 1919, following the Jallianwalla Bagh massacre, he renounced his Knighthood. Source: The Hindu PM-KUSUM Scheme Category: Government Schemes Context: The Union government is looking to showcase the PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan) programme to several African countries and island nations, Union Minister for Renewable Energy (MNRE) said. About PM-KUSUM Scheme: Launch: The PM-KUSUM was launched by the MNRE in 2019, in order to endow installation of off-grid solar pumps in rural areas and reduce dependence on grid, in grid-connected areas. Objective: It aims to enable farmers to set up solar power generation capacity on their arid lands and to sell it to the grid. It also seeks to increase the income of farmers by allowing them to sell surplus solar power to the grid. Components of the scheme: 10,000 MW of decentralized ground-mounted grid-connected renewable power plants. Installation of 20 lakh solar-powered agriculture pumps. Converting 15 lakh agriculture pumps, already connected to the grid, into solar. Significance: It incentivises the farmers to sell surplus solar energy to the states, which in turn will augment their income. If farmers are able to sell surplus power, they will be incentivised to save power and, in turn, it will mean the reasonable and efficient use of groundwater. The scheme is expected to create job opportunities in the installation, maintenance, and operation of solar power projects. Challenges: The cost of setting up solar power projects can be high, and some farmers may not have access to the necessary financing. Due to power subsidies, the recurring cost of electricity is so low that farmers keep on pumping water and the water table is going down. Integrating decentralized solar power projects into the grid may pose technical challenges and stability issues,