1. Ayushman Arogya Mandir

Delhi Welcomes Three Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, Emphasizing Holistic Patient Care and Disease Prevention

About Ayushman Arogya Mandir:

The initiative marks a shift from a selective healthcare approach to a comprehensive model that integrates preventive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative services. It consists of two key components:

1. Primary Healthcare Expansion:
   • Establishment of 1,50,000 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs to provide universal and free primary healthcare services with a strong focus on wellness and accessibility.
2. Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY):
   • Offers Rs. 5 lakh annual health insurance coverage for secondary and tertiary care to over 10 crore poor and vulnerable families.

As of January 31, 2025, 1,76,141 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are operational across India, offering a broad spectrum of medical services.

Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY:

Launched under the National Health Policy 2017, Ayushman Bharat is the world's largest health assurance scheme. It provides Rs. 5 lakh per family per year for hospitalization, benefiting approximately 55 crore individuals (12 crore families), covering 40% of India’s population.

2. US-Ukraine Mineral Deal

US and Ukraine to Sign Controversial Mineral Agreement Following Oval Office Meeting

About the US-Ukraine Mineral Deal:

This bilateral agreement grants the United States access to Ukraine’s vast mineral resources, particularly critical raw materials. Key highlights:

• Establishment of a Joint Reconstruction Investment Fund, equally managed by Kyiv and Washington, to aid Ukraine’s post-war recovery.
• Ukraine will allocate 50% of future revenues from its state-owned mineral resources, oil, and gas to the fund for reinvestment in domestic projects.
• Aims to strengthen economic ties and help the US reduce its dependence on China for critical minerals.
• The deal focuses solely on economic cooperation and resource development, with no explicit security guarantees for Ukraine.

Ukraine’s Mineral Reserves:

• Ukraine holds 5% of the world's mineral resources, including 23 of the 50 critical materials identified by the US government.
• Rich in rare-earth minerals essential for high-tech industries such as aerospace, defense, and renewable energy.

3. Indus River

Pakistan Discovers Gold Reserves Worth Rs. 80,000 Crore in Indus River, Offering Economic Boost

About the Indus River:

• One of Asia’s longest rivers, originating from Mansarovar, Tibet (5182m elevation) and stretching 2,880 km to the Arabian Sea.
• India’s portion: 800.75 km, primarily flowing through Ladakh.
• Major tributaries: Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, Chenab, and Jhelum.
• Drainage Basin: 1.16 million sq. km, spanning Tibet, India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan (India’s share: 321,289 sq. km, ~9.8% of its total area).

Historical & Cultural Significance:

• The Indus Valley Civilization (3300 BCE - 1300 BCE), one of the world’s earliest urban cultures, thrived along its banks.
• Major sites like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro provide crucial insights into ancient civilization, leading to the term Harappan Culture.

4. Semi-Cryogenic Engine

ISRO Successfully Conducts Hot Test on Semi-Cryogenic Engine (SE2000), Advancing Heavy-Lift Rocket Development

About the Semi-Cryogenic Engine:

• A liquid rocket engine utilizing liquid oxygen (LOX) as an oxidizer and refined kerosene (RP-1) as fuel.
• ISRO’s SE2000 Engine (2000 kN thrust): Designed to power booster stages for future heavy-lift launch vehicles, including the LVM3 and Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV).

Key Advantages Over Cryogenic Engines:

• Higher Density Impulse: LOX-kerosene combination delivers better efficiency than LOX-liquid hydrogen.
• Cost-Effective & Easier Handling: Kerosene is cheaper and easier to store than liquid hydrogen.
• Operational Efficiency: Kerosene remains stable at ambient temperatures, simplifying logistics.

5. Open Market Operations (OMO)

RBI to Inject Rs 1.9 Lakh Crore Liquidity via Open Market Purchases and Forex Swaps

About Open Market Operations (OMO):

OMO is a monetary policy tool used by central banks to regulate money supply by buying or selling government securities in the open market.

• To control inflation: RBI sells government securities → reduces money supply, raises interest rates, and slows economic activity.
• To boost liquidity: RBI buys government securities → injects funds, lowers interest rates, and stimulates growth.
• Liquidity Impact: Excess liquidity can lead to bond yield spikes, as more government securities enter the market.

Current RBI Action:

• Injecting Rs. 1.9 lakh crore via OMO and USD/INR swaps to stabilize market liquidity and support economic growth.

6. Astra MK-III Missile

India's most advanced air-to-air missile, the Astra MK-III, has been officially renamed Gandiva, inspired by the legendary bow of Arjuna from the Mahabharata.

About Astra MK-III Missile:

• It is a beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile designed for deployment on fighter jets.
• Currently under development by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), it is expected to revolutionize aerial combat, particularly in BVR engagements.
• The missile will be integrated into Sukhoi Su-30MKI and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas fleets.
• Once operational, Gandiva will be among the longest-range BVR air-to-air missiles globally.
• It is designed to engage various airborne threats, including enemy fighter jets, bombers, military transport aircraft, refueling planes, and Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft.

Key Features:

• Range:
  • 340 km when engaging targets at an altitude of 20 km.
  • 190 km when targeting objects at 8 km altitude.
• Engine: Powered by a dual-fuel ducted ramjet, allowing launches from altitudes between sea level to 20 km.
• Speed:
  • Launch speed varies between Mach 0.8 and 2.2.
  • Can hit targets traveling at speeds of Mach 2.0 to 3.6.
• Advanced Capabilities:
  • Can engage highly maneuverable fighter aircraft at up to 20-degree angle of attack.
  • Has a ±10 km snap-up/snap-down feature, enabling it to strike targets positioned above or below the launch aircraft.

7. Dnipro River

Russia is making persistent, high-casualty assaults to cross the Dnipro River in Kherson, aiming to seize more territory ahead of possible peace negotiations.

About the Dnipro River:

• One of Europe’s major transboundary rivers.
• Fourth-longest river in Europe, after the Volga, Danube, and Ural.
• Flows through Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine, draining a vast portion of Belarus and Ukraine.
• Historically served as a natural division between the right and left banks of Ukraine.

Course & Geography:

• Origin: The Valdai Hills, west of Moscow, Russia.
• Length: 1,368 miles (2,201 km), flowing through Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine before emptying into the Black Sea.
  • 300 miles in Russia
  • 430 miles in Belarus
  • 680 miles in Ukraine
• Characteristics:
  • A slow-moving river with an unstable riverbed and significant water level variations.
  • The Dnipro Basin covers 504,000 sq. km, with 289,000 sq. km (48%) within Ukraine.
• Key Cities Along the River:
  • In Russia: Smolensk, Dorogobuzh
  • In Belarus: Mogilev
  • In Ukraine: Kiev, Cherkasy, Dnipro, Zaporizhia
• Economic Importance: A vital navigable waterway for Ukraine, connected to European trade routes via the Dnieper–Bug Canal.
• Tributaries: 32,000 tributaries, including the Sozh, Desna, Trubizh, Bilozerka, Drut, Berezina, and Prypiat.

8. Crassolabium dhritiae

Researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Kolkata, have recently identified a new species of soil-dwelling nematode, Crassolabium dhritiae, in Odisha’s Keonjhar district, part of the Deccan Peninsular biogeographic zone.

About Crassolabium dhritiae:

• A newly discovered species of soil-dwelling nematode.
• Named in honor of Dhriti Banerjee, ZSI’s Director, recognizing her contributions to zoology and taxonomic research.
• Distinctive Features:
  • Medium-sized, slender body
  • Rounded lip region
  • Wide odontostyle
  • Long pharynx
  • Unique female reproductive structures and distinct tail shape
• Feeding Behavior:
  • While the dietary habits of this species are still under study, the Crassolabium genus includes both predatory and omnivorous nematodes.
• With this discovery, the total number of Crassolabium species worldwide reaches 39, including nine recorded in India.

About Soil Nematodes:

• Microscopic invertebrates that play a crucial role in soil fertility.
• Found in all soil types, even in nutrient-poor environments.
• Diverse feeding behaviors:
  • Some feed on plant roots.
  • Others consume bacteria, fungi, algae, protozoa, and even other nematodes.
• Agricultural Impact:
  • Can be beneficial—helping decompose organic matter and recycle nutrients.
  • Can also be harmful—damaging plant roots.
• Environmental Indicators:
  • The ratio of bacterial- to fungal-feeding nematodes can signal nutrient cycling efficiency.
  • Entomopathogenic nematodes work with bacteria to control pests.
  • Help monitor soil health by detecting disturbances or pollution.

9. Gum Arabic

A key ingredient in Coca-Cola, M&M’s, and various other products, Gum Arabic is increasingly being smuggled from rebel-controlled regions of Sudan, creating supply chain disruptions for Western companies.

About Gum Arabic:

• A water-soluble, dried exudate primarily derived from two acacia species:
  • Acacia senegal
  • Acacia seyal

Distribution:

• Indigenous to North Africa, with the largest production in the Sahel region.
• Also found in Australia, India, and South America.
• Acacia senegal is present in India, mainly in:
  • Southeast Punjab
  • Northern Aravalli Hills
  • Arid regions of Rajasthan and Gujarat

Major Producing Countries:

• Cameroon, Chad, Mali, Nigeria, and Sudan (Sudan holds around 70% of the global market share).

Properties of Gum Arabic:

• A neutral or slightly acidic complex polysaccharide containing calcium, magnesium, and potassium ions.
• Non-toxic, odorless, and bland-tasting—does not alter the flavor, color, or aroma of the products it is added to.
• Yellowish in color.
• Insoluble in oils and most organic solvents but dissolves completely in hot or cold water, forming a clear mucilaginous solution.
• Breaks down into:
  • L-arabinose
  • L-rhamnose
  • D-galactose
  • D-glucuronic acid after hydrolysis.

Historical & Industrial Uses:

• Used for thousands of years—notably as an embalming agent in Ancient Egypt.
• Widely used in:
  • Food industry (beverages, confectionery)
  • Ceramics
  • Painting
  • Photography
  • Printmaking