Category: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Context: Starlink Internet in India
Need for Satellite Internet:
Features:
Types of Orbits:
Advantages:
Challenges:
Applications:
Learning Corner:
Major Differences Between Satellite Internet and Traditional Internet
| Aspect | Satellite Internet | Traditional Internet |
|---|---|---|
| Infrastructure | Uses satellites orbiting the Earth to transmit data | Uses terrestrial cables (fiber, DSL, coaxial) and cellular towers |
| Coverage | Provides internet access virtually anywhere, including remote and rural areas | Limited to areas with wired or cellular infrastructure; urban-centric |
| Latency | Higher latency (delay) due to long distance signals travel to/from satellites | Generally lower latency due to shorter signal paths |
| Speed | Typically slower speeds, though improving with new satellite tech (e.g., LEO satellites) | Usually faster and more stable speeds, especially fiber-optic connections |
| Reliability | Affected by weather conditions (rain, storms) and line-of-sight issues | Generally more stable and reliable under normal conditions |
| Installation | Requires a satellite dish and modem; easier for remote areas without cables | Requires physical cable connections or cell towers; may need complex installation |
| Cost | Usually higher monthly costs and equipment fees | Often lower costs, especially where infrastructure is mature |
| Use Case | Ideal for remote, rural, maritime, or emergency use where terrestrial internet is unavailable | Preferred for urban, suburban areas with established infrastructure |
Source: THE HINDU
Category: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Context : The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially declared Kenya free of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), or sleeping sickness
WHO Declares Kenya Free of Sleeping Sickness
Making it the tenth country to achieve this milestone. The last indigenous case was detected in 2009, and the last imported case in 2012 in the Masai Mara region.
About the Disease:
HAT is a parasitic disease transmitted by the tsetse fly. Kenya was affected by the rhodesiense form, which progresses rapidly and can be fatal within weeks if untreated.
Factors Behind Elimination:
Kenya’s success is the result of decades of sustained public health measures including tsetse fly control, better diagnostics, community awareness, and strong collaborations between local authorities, WHO, and international partners.
Significance:
This is Kenya’s second eliminated neglected tropical disease after Guinea worm disease in 2018. The achievement protects vulnerable communities, supports economic growth, and contributes to Africa’s goal of eradicating neglected tropical diseases.
Ongoing Measures:
Kenya will maintain strong surveillance and community engagement to prevent resurgence, supported by WHO and partner organizations through post-validation monitoring and rapid response systems.
Former Hotspots:
Historic high-risk areas included counties around Lake Victoria such as Busia, Bungoma, Siaya, Migori, Homa Bay, Kisumu, and Kwale, where sustained control and monitoring proved crucial.
Learning Corner:
Sleeping Sickness
Sleeping sickness, medically known as Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), is a parasitic disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Trypanosoma. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected tsetse fly found in sub-Saharan Africa.
Key Points:
Sleeping sickness remains a neglected tropical disease but control efforts have significantly reduced its incidence.
Source: AIR
Category: HISTORY
Context: PM Modi Pays Tribute to Kakori Heroes on 100th Anniversary
On August 9, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the heroes of the Kakori Train Action, marking its 100th anniversary. The Kakori Train Action was a daring train robbery near Lucknow in 1925, led by revolutionaries like Ram Prasad Bismil, Chandra Shekhar Azad, and Ashfaqullah Khan to protest British colonial rule and reclaim funds for the independence movement.
The incident led to the arrest and execution of several revolutionaries and remains a pivotal moment in India’s struggle for freedom. Modi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to uphold their legacy and work towards a strong and prosperous India.
Learning Corner:
| Conspiracy Case | Year | Prominent Leaders Involved | Objectives |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alipore Bomb Case | 1908 | Aurobindo Ghosh, Barindra Kumar Ghosh | To assassinate British officials and incite armed rebellion against colonial rule |
| Kakori Conspiracy Case | 1925 | Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan, Roshan Singh | To loot government treasury from a train to fund revolutionary activities |
| Meerut Conspiracy Case | 1929 | Shaukat Usmani, S.A. Dange, S.V. Ghate | To organize a communist-led uprising and overthrow British government through strikes and mutiny |
| Lahore Conspiracy Case | 1930 | Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev | To avenge the death of Lala Lajpat Rai and to inspire mass revolution against British rule |
| Peshawar Conspiracy Case | 1922 | Ghadar Party leaders (e.g., Kartar Singh Sarabha) | To incite mutiny among Indian soldiers and spark a pan-Indian revolt against British rule |
Source: AIR
Category: POLITY
Context: Union Cabinet approved four new semiconductor manufacturing projects under the India Semiconductor Mission, marking a significant boost to India’s chip production and electronics ecosystem…
Key Details:
Projects:
Learning Corner:
Semiconductor Mission (ISM)
The India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) is a strategic government initiative launched in 2021 aimed at transforming India into a global semiconductor manufacturing and design hub. Recognizing semiconductors as critical components for a wide array of technologies—from smartphones and automobiles to defense and renewable energy—the ISM focuses on building a robust domestic ecosystem to reduce dependency on imports and enhance self-reliance.
Objectives of ISM
Key Features and Support
Progress and Impact
Strategic Importance
Source: THE HINDU
Category: ENERGY
Context Cabinet Approves 700 MW Tato-II Hydro Electric Project in Arunachal Pradesh
Project Highlights:
Benefits and Impact:
Learning Corner:
Recent Hydroelectric Projects in India
India has been actively expanding its hydroelectric capacity as part of its clean energy and regional development goals. Several major hydroelectric projects have been approved or are under construction since 2023, contributing to energy security, regional growth, and sustainable development.
Key Recent Hydroelectric Projects:
Major Hydroelectric Projects:
Importance:
Challenges:
Overall, hydroelectric projects remain a cornerstone of India’s renewable energy strategy and sustainable development goals.
Source: PIB
The Israel–Palestine conflict has entered a new phase as PM Netanyahu rejects the two-state solution, even as parts of the Global North shift towards recognising Palestinian statehood
The shift in the Global North’s recognition stance marks a potential diplomatic inflection point in the century-old Israel–Palestine conflict. For sustainable peace, both realist security concerns and constructivist identity claims must be addressed through inclusive multilateral diplomacy. As Kofi Annan said, “You can do nothing without peace. But without justice, peace will not last.”
Q) “The recent ideological shift in Israel’s policy towards a no-state solution, coupled with changing global attitudes on Palestinian statehood, reflects a transformation in the normative structure of international diplomacy.” Critically analyse this statement in the context of the Israel–Palestine conflict. (250 words)
The National Sports Governance Bill, 2025 marks a decisive move from ad-hoc executive guidelines to a rule-of-law-based, athlete-centric governance structure. It aims to align Indian sports administration with the Olympic Charter, institutional accountability, and the country’s larger soft-power ambitions, including its bid to host the 2036 Olympics.
The Bill represents a paradigm shift from personality-driven fiefdoms to a rules-based, athlete-first ecosystem. However, to truly realise its transformative potential, issues like centralisation, transparency gaps, and institutional independence must be addressed.
Q.”In light of the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, critically analyse whether India’s sports governance is moving towards a transparent, athlete-centric, and globally competitive framework. How far does the Bill address the structural flaws in the current system, and what challenges remain for its effective implementation?” (15 marks, 250 words)
