1. Key Facts about the Continental Shelf
India has expanded its claim in the Central Arabian Sea by nearly 10,000 sq. km under its 'extended continental shelf' and adjusted a previous claim to avoid a long-standing maritime boundary dispute with Pakistan.

About the Continental Shelf:

• It refers to the submerged edge of a continent under the ocean.

• It is the continuation of a coastal nation's landmass beneath the sea, extending from the shoreline to a steep drop known as the shelf break.

• Beyond the shelf break, the seabed slopes down sharply along the continental slope.

• The true boundary of a continent lies at the end of the continental shelf, not at the coastline.

Formation:

• Continental shelves have formed over millions of years from the accumulation of organic material (like plant and animal remains) and inorganic sediment (carried by rivers).

• These sediments gradually layer at the continental edges.

• Shelves vary in width and are typically broad, gently sloping areas submerged under relatively shallow waters, averaging 60 meters (200 feet) deep.

• Rich in sunlight and nutrients from river runoff and ocean currents, they support diverse marine life, including kelp and microscopic organisms.

• Continental shelves cover less than 10% of the ocean’s total area.

• Deep underwater canyons and channels sometimes cut through these shelves, remaining among the least explored parts of the ocean.

What is the Extended Continental Shelf?

• Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), coastal states have sovereign rights over the continental shelf up to 200 nautical miles (their exclusive economic zone).

• They can claim additional areas if they can scientifically prove that the seabed is a natural extension of their landmass, reviewed by the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS).

• This extended claim grants them rights to exploit seabed resources like minerals and oil.

2. What is the United Nations High Seas Treaty?
Two years after its adoption, delegates met recently in New York for the first Preparatory Commission meeting to develop rules for implementing the High Seas Treaty and prepare for the first Conference of Parties (COP1).

About the UN High Seas Treaty:

• Officially called the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, the 'High Seas Treaty' is part of the UNCLOS framework.

• It is the first legally binding international treaty to protect marine life in international waters.

• Often described as the 'Paris Agreement for the Ocean,' it aims to promote sustainable use of ocean biodiversity through global cooperation.

• It supports the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably SDG 14 (Life Below Water).

• The treaty will come into effect 120 days after 60 countries ratify it.

Key Features:

• Contains 75 articles to protect and sustainably manage marine ecosystems.

• Aims to place 30% of the world’s oceans under protection by 2030.

• Establishes legal frameworks for creating marine protected areas (MPAs) and for sharing genetic marine resources.

• Introduces environmental assessments for commercial activities like deep-sea mining.

• Forms a Conference of Parties (CoP) to oversee implementation and accountability.

• Ensures equitable sharing of benefits from marine resources without claims of sovereignty over high seas resources.

• Promotes ecosystem-based management and incorporates both traditional and scientific knowledge.

What are the High Seas?

• High seas begin beyond 200 nautical miles (around 370 km) from a country's coastline, outside national jurisdictions.

• They cover over 60% of the ocean's surface area.

• Due to lack of regulation, they are often vulnerable to overexploitation and environmental damage.

3. Key Facts about Anaemia
A recent UK study found that women who are anaemic during pregnancy have a 47% higher risk of giving birth to a child with a congenital heart defect.

About Anaemia:

• Anaemia occurs when there aren’t enough healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin to carry oxygen to body tissues.

• Hemoglobin, found in red blood cells, transports oxygen from the lungs throughout the body.

• Symptoms include fatigue, weakness, and breathlessness.

• Anaemia can be inherited or acquired later in life.

• According to WHO, about 40% of children aged 6–59 months, 37% of pregnant women, and 30% of women aged 15–49 are affected globally.

• It can range from mild to life-threatening and may indicate underlying serious health conditions.

• Iron-deficiency anaemia, often caused by inadequate iron intake, absorption issues, or blood loss, is the most common type.

• Treatment typically involves dietary changes, supplements, or medical interventions.

• A balanced diet can help prevent certain types of anaemia.

4. What is the StormBreaker Glide Bomb?
U.S. fighter jets have reportedly deployed the advanced "StormBreaker" glide bomb in operations against Houthi forces during recent airstrikes.

About the StormBreaker Glide Bomb:

• Also called the GBU-53/B or Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB-II), it is a precision-guided glide bomb developed by Raytheon.

• Designed for all-weather operations, it can strike both moving and stationary targets.

Features:

• Weighs 93 kg, with a length of 1.76 meters and a diameter of 15–18 cm.

• Uses a multi-mode guidance system combining millimeter-wave radar, uncooled infrared imaging, and semi-active laser targeting.

• Equipped with GPS/INS for real-time in-flight updates.

• Includes TacNet Data Link (DL) for weapon-to-weapon communication and automatic target recognition.

• Features a multi-effects warhead capable of blast, fragmentation, and shaped charge attacks.

• Can engage moving targets up to 45 miles away and stationary ones up to 69 miles.

5. What is the Line of Control (LoC)?
Following a recent ceasefire violation by Pakistan along the LoC in Kashmir, Indian forces responded appropriately, according to a defence official.

About the Line of Control (LoC):

• The LoC is the de facto military boundary between India and Pakistan in the Jammu and Kashmir region.

• It was originally the Ceasefire Line (CFL) established after the 1947–48 conflict and was renamed the LoC under the 1972 Simla Agreement following the 1971 war.

• The LoC stretches roughly 740 kilometers from Ladakh to the Poonch district.

• It is one of the most militarized borders globally, with frequent skirmishes between Indian and Pakistani forces.

• On the Indian side lies Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh; on the Pakistani side are Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK), Gilgit, and Baltistan.

• The LoC differs from the International Border (IB), which is the formally recognized boundary between the two countries elsewhere.

6. Key Facts about Mahuadanr Wolf Sanctuary
The Mahuadanr Wolf Sanctuary, situated in the Latehar district of Jharkhand, is renowned as India's first and only wolf sanctuary.

About Mahuadanr Wolf Sanctuary
Established in 1976, the Mahuadanr Wolf Sanctuary covers around 63 square kilometers and is dedicated to the conservation of the Indian grey wolf (Canis lupus pallipes).
It forms a part of the Palamau Tiger Reserve.
Besides the Indian grey wolf, the sanctuary is home to species such as spotted deer, wild boar, hyena, and bears.

About the Indian Grey Wolf
The Indian grey wolf, a subspecies of the grey wolf, is native to Southwest Asia and the Indian subcontinent.
It typically inhabits scrublands, grasslands, and semi-arid regions, thriving in warm climates.
Unlike other wolf subspecies, it tends to live in smaller packs, is less vocal, and hunts mainly between dusk and dawn.

Conservation Status

• IUCN Red List: Endangered (Indian population estimated at 2,000–3,000).

• CITES: Listed under Appendix I (maximum international protection).

• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Protected under Schedule I in India.

7. Key Facts about Iran
A recent massive explosion at Shahid Rajaee Port, near Bandar Abbas in southern Iran, led to 18 deaths and 800 injuries.

About Iran
Iran, with Tehran as its capital, is a major West Asian nation.
It shares borders with Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan to the north; Afghanistan and Pakistan to the east; Iraq to the west; and Turkey to the northwest.
Its maritime neighbors include Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
The Caspian Sea lies to its north, while the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman border it to the south.

Geographical Features

• Dominated by the Iranian Plateau, home to deserts like Dasht-e Kavir and Dasht-e Lut.

• Major mountain ranges include the Zagros (west) and Alborz (north), with Mount Damavand — Iran’s highest peak and the Middle East’s tallest volcano — in the Alborz Range.

• Iran’s climate ranges from arid to subtropical, with fertile areas along the Caspian coast.

• Key rivers include the Karun, Dez, Karkheh, and Diyala, essential for irrigation.

• Rich in resources like oil, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, iron ore, lead, manganese, zinc, and sulfur.

Strategic Importance of Shahid Rajaee Port

• Located near the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for nearly 20% of global oil shipments.

• It is Iran’s largest and most advanced container port, crucial for international trade.

8. What is a 3D Microscope?
The Department of Ophthalmology at the Army Hospital (Research and Referral), New Delhi, has successfully used a 3D Microscope for Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) for the first time.

What is a Microscope?
A microscope magnifies tiny objects, making them visible to the human eye by bending light through lenses.
Optical microscopes, using visible light, are the most common type.

What is a 3D Microscope?
A 3D microscope captures images along three axes (X, Y, Z), offering detailed visualization of surface structures, volumes, and internal features.
Unlike traditional 2D microscopes, 3D microscopes utilize advanced optical, electron, or computational methods to reconstruct a full three-dimensional image.
This technology is especially useful for analyzing complex biological and environmental samples.

Features of the 3D Microscope

• Enables advanced three-dimensional visualization during surgeries, aiding in the treatment of squints, cataracts, corneal diseases, glaucoma, and retinal issues.

• Equipped with special 3D polarization glasses for surgeons and a 55-inch 4K Ultra HD display.

• Key Benefits:

  • Shorter surgical durations and fewer complications.

  • Lower power usage of endoilluminators, reducing the risk of photo-toxicity.

  • Simplifies surgeries in complex and rare cases.

9. Lack of Phenotype Data Details in GenomeIndia’s Proposal Call
The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) launched a proposal call for "Translational Research using GenomeIndia data" without providing sufficient details on available phenotype data, raising concerns among researchers.

Background
GenomeIndia collected blood samples and phenotype data from over 20,000 individuals across 83 population groups, including 30 tribal and 53 non-tribal communities.
Findings from 9,772 individuals' genetic data were published in Nature Genetics on April 8, 2025.

Types of Phenotype Data Collected

• Anthropometric measurements: height, weight, hip circumference, waist circumference, and blood pressure.

• Blood samples were analyzed for complete blood counts and biochemical parameters such as glucose, lipid profiles, liver function, and kidney function.

About the 'Phenome India' Project

• Launched by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) on December 7, 2023.

• Focuses on building India-specific risk prediction models for cardio-metabolic diseases like diabetes, liver diseases, and heart conditions.

• Involves about 10,000 participants — mostly CSIR employees, pensioners, and spouses — across 17 states and 24 cities.

• Data collected includes clinical questionnaires, lifestyle and diet information, anthropometry, imaging scans, and biochemical and molecular markers.

• Promotes a Predictive, Personalized, Participatory, and Preventive (P4) healthcare model tailored to India's unique genetic and lifestyle diversity.

10. Key Facts about the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP)
The National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC) recently received the Udyog Vikas Award at an event organized by Janmabhumi Daily in Kerala.

About NICDP
The NICDP is a major infrastructure initiative aimed at developing new industrial smart cities, integrating advanced technologies across various sectors.
The programme seeks to attract investments from both large anchor industries and MSMEs to support India's $2 trillion export target by 2030.

Newly Sanctioned Industrial Areas under NICDP:

• Khurpia (Uttarakhand)

• Rajpura-Patiala (Punjab)

• Dighi (Maharashtra)

• Palakkad (Kerala)

• Agra and Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh)

• Gaya (Bihar)

• Zaheerabad (Telangana)

• Orvakal and Kopparthy (Andhra Pradesh)

• Jodhpur-Pali (Rajasthan)

These projects are aligned with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan to ensure seamless multi-modal connectivity.

Palakkad Industrial Smart City (Kerala)
Spanning 1,710 acres across Pudussery Central, Pudussery West, and Kannambra, this smart city project aims to transform Kerala’s industrial ecosystem.
Strategic Advantages:

• 21 km from Palakkad city

• 120 km from Cochin

• 50 km from Coimbatore
  Offers excellent interstate connectivity and logistical efficiency, positioning it as a major industrial hub in South India.