🔆 Amazon Rainforest Trees Getting Bigger: New Study
📍 Why in Focus?
✅ A study in Nature Plants (2025) shows trees in the Amazon rainforest are increasing in size by ~3.3% every decade.
✅ This growth is linked to rising atmospheric CO2, which acts as a fertiliser (carbon fertilisation effect).
📍 Key Highlights:
✅ Trees absorbing more CO2 → larger trees → stronger carbon sink capacity.
✅ Study based on long-term monitoring across 188 forest plots in the Amazon Basin.
✅ Amazon rainforest = world’s largest tropical rainforest, spanning 9 countries; ~60% in Brazil.
✅ Stores 150–200 billion tonnes of carbon; home to 10% of known wildlife species.
📍 Challenges / Implications:
✅ Deforestation undermines carbon storage & biodiversity despite CO2-driven growth.
✅ Large old trees are irreplaceable; planting new ones can’t match their carbon & biodiversity functions.
✅ Climate change & human activity threaten Amazon’s role as the “lungs of the planet.”
✅ Mains Question:
Critically analyse the role of the Amazon rainforest as a global carbon sink. Discuss how rising CO2 levels and deforestation together shape its ecological significance. (250 words)
✨ #ClimateChange #Environment #Biodiversity
📍 Why in Focus?
✅ A study in Nature Plants (2025) shows trees in the Amazon rainforest are increasing in size by ~3.3% every decade.
✅ This growth is linked to rising atmospheric CO2, which acts as a fertiliser (carbon fertilisation effect).
📍 Key Highlights:
✅ Trees absorbing more CO2 → larger trees → stronger carbon sink capacity.
✅ Study based on long-term monitoring across 188 forest plots in the Amazon Basin.
✅ Amazon rainforest = world’s largest tropical rainforest, spanning 9 countries; ~60% in Brazil.
✅ Stores 150–200 billion tonnes of carbon; home to 10% of known wildlife species.
📍 Challenges / Implications:
✅ Deforestation undermines carbon storage & biodiversity despite CO2-driven growth.
✅ Large old trees are irreplaceable; planting new ones can’t match their carbon & biodiversity functions.
✅ Climate change & human activity threaten Amazon’s role as the “lungs of the planet.”
✅ Mains Question:
Critically analyse the role of the Amazon rainforest as a global carbon sink. Discuss how rising CO2 levels and deforestation together shape its ecological significance. (250 words)
✨ #ClimateChange #Environment #Biodiversity
🔆 PM E-Drive Scheme (2024–26)
📍 Why in Focus?
✅ Govt launched the ₹10,900 cr PM E-Drive to boost EV adoption, clean transport & domestic manufacturing.
📍 Key Highlights:
✅ Promotes EVs across 2W, 3W, 4W, e-buses, trucks & ambulances.
✅ ₹3,679 cr demand incentives via Aadhaar e-vouchers (capped at 15% ex-factory price).
✅ Subsidy: e-2W/3W at ₹5,000/kWh (2024–25) → ₹2,500/kWh (2025–26).
✅ 14,028 e-buses for 9 cities by 2026 under GCC/OPEX models.
✅ ₹2,000 cr for public charging infra in 9 cities & highways.
✅ ₹500 cr each for e-ambulances & e-trucks (with scrapping certificate).
✅ Builds on FAME-I (2015), FAME-II (2019), EMPS-2024.
📍 E-Truck Incentive Scheme:
✅ First inclusion under E-Drive; covers N2 (3.5–12T) & N3 (12–55T).
✅ Incentives up to ₹9.6 lakh per truck.
✅ 20% of allocation reserved for Delhi-registered vehicles.
📍 Complementary Measures:
✅ Linked with PLI-Auto, PLI-ACC, PM-eBus Sewa & Payment Security Mechanism.
✅ GST cut (12% → 5%); states encouraged to offer tax/toll waivers.
✅ TPEM platform to foster EV R&D & innovation.
✅ Mains Question:
Discuss the significance of the PM E-Drive Scheme in accelerating India’s EV ecosystem and reducing transport emissions.
✨ #EVRevolution #GreenTransport
📍 Why in Focus?
✅ Govt launched the ₹10,900 cr PM E-Drive to boost EV adoption, clean transport & domestic manufacturing.
📍 Key Highlights:
✅ Promotes EVs across 2W, 3W, 4W, e-buses, trucks & ambulances.
✅ ₹3,679 cr demand incentives via Aadhaar e-vouchers (capped at 15% ex-factory price).
✅ Subsidy: e-2W/3W at ₹5,000/kWh (2024–25) → ₹2,500/kWh (2025–26).
✅ 14,028 e-buses for 9 cities by 2026 under GCC/OPEX models.
✅ ₹2,000 cr for public charging infra in 9 cities & highways.
✅ ₹500 cr each for e-ambulances & e-trucks (with scrapping certificate).
✅ Builds on FAME-I (2015), FAME-II (2019), EMPS-2024.
📍 E-Truck Incentive Scheme:
✅ First inclusion under E-Drive; covers N2 (3.5–12T) & N3 (12–55T).
✅ Incentives up to ₹9.6 lakh per truck.
✅ 20% of allocation reserved for Delhi-registered vehicles.
📍 Complementary Measures:
✅ Linked with PLI-Auto, PLI-ACC, PM-eBus Sewa & Payment Security Mechanism.
✅ GST cut (12% → 5%); states encouraged to offer tax/toll waivers.
✅ TPEM platform to foster EV R&D & innovation.
✅ Mains Question:
Discuss the significance of the PM E-Drive Scheme in accelerating India’s EV ecosystem and reducing transport emissions.
✨ #EVRevolution #GreenTransport
🔆 National Dhanwantri Ayurveda Awards 2025
📍 Overview
✅ The Ministry of AYUSH conferred the National Dhanwantri Ayurveda Awards 2025 to Prof. Banwari Lal Gaur, Vaidya Neelakandhan Mooss E.T., and Vaidya Bhavana Prasher for their exceptional contributions to Ayurveda.
✅ The awards celebrate achievements in academic, clinical, and scientific progress in Ayurveda.
📍 Awardees and Contributions
✅ Prof. Banwari Lal Gaur: Recognized for advancing Ayurveda through language, literature, and academic research.
✅ Vaidya Neelakandhan Mooss E.T.: Custodian of Kerala’s Ayurvedic legacy, known for his work in community health and classical practices.
✅ Vaidya Bhavana Prasher: Recognized for integrating AI and genomics in Ayurveda, advancing predictive and personalized healthcare.
🔆 Celebrating Ayurveda’s Evolution
These awards highlight Ayurveda’s continuity and evolution, bridging classical and contemporary advancements.
#Ayurveda #TraditionalMedicine #Health #Research #Prelims #Mains #Innovation
📍 Overview
✅ The Ministry of AYUSH conferred the National Dhanwantri Ayurveda Awards 2025 to Prof. Banwari Lal Gaur, Vaidya Neelakandhan Mooss E.T., and Vaidya Bhavana Prasher for their exceptional contributions to Ayurveda.
✅ The awards celebrate achievements in academic, clinical, and scientific progress in Ayurveda.
📍 Awardees and Contributions
✅ Prof. Banwari Lal Gaur: Recognized for advancing Ayurveda through language, literature, and academic research.
✅ Vaidya Neelakandhan Mooss E.T.: Custodian of Kerala’s Ayurvedic legacy, known for his work in community health and classical practices.
✅ Vaidya Bhavana Prasher: Recognized for integrating AI and genomics in Ayurveda, advancing predictive and personalized healthcare.
🔆 Celebrating Ayurveda’s Evolution
These awards highlight Ayurveda’s continuity and evolution, bridging classical and contemporary advancements.
UPSC Prelims Question:
Which of the following statements about the National Dhanwantri Ayurveda Awards 2025 is/are correct?
A) Prof. Banwari Lal Gaur was recognized for his contributions to Ayurvedic education and literature.
B) Vaidya Neelakandhan Mooss E.T. is known for his work in integrating AI with Ayurveda.
C) Vaidya Bhavana Prasher was recognized for her contributions in genomics and Ayurveda.
D) The awards were given for achievements in Ayurvedic research, clinical practice, and scientific progress.
Select the correct answer using the code below:
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 1, 3, and 4 only
C) 1, 2, and 4 only
D) 1, 3, and 4 only
Answer: D) 1, 3, and 4 only
UPSC Mains Question:
Discuss the significance of the National Dhanwantri Ayurveda Awards in promoting Ayurvedic knowledge and its integration with modern sciences. How do these awards reflect the evolving role of Ayurveda in global health?
#Ayurveda #TraditionalMedicine #Health #Research #Prelims #Mains #Innovation
🔆 Cyclone Shakti: Severe Cyclonic Storm over Arabian Sea (2025)
📍 Classification:
✅ Cyclone Shakti was classified as a Severe Cyclonic Storm (SCS) by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) with wind speeds of 130–145 km/h.
✅ It formed over the east-central Arabian Sea, serving as a key case for studying tropical cyclone dynamics — oceanic heat, Coriolis force, and atmospheric instability.
📍 Naming:
✅ The name “Shakti”, meaning power and resilience, was proposed by Sri Lanka under the WMO–ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones.
✅ Cyclone names are drawn from lists submitted by 13 member countries (including India, Bangladesh, Oman, Myanmar, etc.) to enhance clarity in communication and disaster management.
📍 Formation Mechanism:
✅ Warm sea surface temperatures (>27°C) provided latent heat for convection.
✅ Low pressure formed at the surface; Coriolis effect induced rotation.
✅ Upper-level outflow maintained structure, while low wind shear over the Arabian Sea (Oct 2025) aided intensification into a Severe Cyclonic Storm.
📍 Climatic Background:
✅ Arabian Sea cyclones are rising in frequency and intensity due to warming trends — India’s mean temperature has risen by ~1.2°C since 1901 (CSE, 2017).
✅ Reduced vertical wind shear and higher moisture transport from the equatorial zone support cyclone formation along India’s west coast.
📍 Geographical Path:
✅ Formed near 21°N, 66.8°E, around 270 km southwest of Naliya, 300 km east of Porbandar, and 360 km south of Karachi (as of Oct 3, 2025).
✅ Moved northwestward under subtropical westerly influence, a typical post-monsoon trajectory.
✅ The Arabian Sea’s semi-enclosed basin traps heat and moisture, making it increasingly cyclone-prone.
#CycloneShakti #environment #Geography
📍 Classification:
✅ Cyclone Shakti was classified as a Severe Cyclonic Storm (SCS) by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) with wind speeds of 130–145 km/h.
✅ It formed over the east-central Arabian Sea, serving as a key case for studying tropical cyclone dynamics — oceanic heat, Coriolis force, and atmospheric instability.
📍 Naming:
✅ The name “Shakti”, meaning power and resilience, was proposed by Sri Lanka under the WMO–ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones.
✅ Cyclone names are drawn from lists submitted by 13 member countries (including India, Bangladesh, Oman, Myanmar, etc.) to enhance clarity in communication and disaster management.
📍 Formation Mechanism:
✅ Warm sea surface temperatures (>27°C) provided latent heat for convection.
✅ Low pressure formed at the surface; Coriolis effect induced rotation.
✅ Upper-level outflow maintained structure, while low wind shear over the Arabian Sea (Oct 2025) aided intensification into a Severe Cyclonic Storm.
📍 Climatic Background:
✅ Arabian Sea cyclones are rising in frequency and intensity due to warming trends — India’s mean temperature has risen by ~1.2°C since 1901 (CSE, 2017).
✅ Reduced vertical wind shear and higher moisture transport from the equatorial zone support cyclone formation along India’s west coast.
📍 Geographical Path:
✅ Formed near 21°N, 66.8°E, around 270 km southwest of Naliya, 300 km east of Porbandar, and 360 km south of Karachi (as of Oct 3, 2025).
✅ Moved northwestward under subtropical westerly influence, a typical post-monsoon trajectory.
✅ The Arabian Sea’s semi-enclosed basin traps heat and moisture, making it increasingly cyclone-prone.
#CycloneShakti #environment #Geography
🔆 Nobel Prize 2025: Redefining the Immune System
📍 Context
✅ The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology/Medicine was awarded for discoveries transforming understanding of autoimmune regulation.
✅ Laureates: Mary Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell & Shimon Sakaguchi — pioneers who identified regulatory T-cells (Tregs) and the FOXP3 gene.
📍 Key Findings
✅ FOXP3 acts as a molecular switch for immune self-tolerance.
✅ Mutations in FOXP3 cause autoimmune collapse, proving its central role in immune regulation.
✅ Their discoveries revealed how the immune system balances activation and restraint, preventing self-destruction.
📍 Applications
✅ Treg-based therapies are being tested to treat autoimmune diseases, improve graft acceptance, and enhance cancer immunity without triggering autoimmunity.
✅ Highlights how private-sector research (Celltech Chiroscience) can drive major biomedical breakthroughs.
📘 Challenges
✅ Translating these insights into affordable, scalable cell therapies remains difficult due to high costs and ethical issues.
#prelims #GS3
#science_and_technology
#science_technology
Join @PIB_UPSC
@upsc_science_and_technology
📍 Context
✅ The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology/Medicine was awarded for discoveries transforming understanding of autoimmune regulation.
✅ Laureates: Mary Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell & Shimon Sakaguchi — pioneers who identified regulatory T-cells (Tregs) and the FOXP3 gene.
📍 Key Findings
✅ FOXP3 acts as a molecular switch for immune self-tolerance.
✅ Mutations in FOXP3 cause autoimmune collapse, proving its central role in immune regulation.
✅ Their discoveries revealed how the immune system balances activation and restraint, preventing self-destruction.
📍 Applications
✅ Treg-based therapies are being tested to treat autoimmune diseases, improve graft acceptance, and enhance cancer immunity without triggering autoimmunity.
✅ Highlights how private-sector research (Celltech Chiroscience) can drive major biomedical breakthroughs.
📘 Challenges
✅ Translating these insights into affordable, scalable cell therapies remains difficult due to high costs and ethical issues.
#prelims #GS3
#science_and_technology
#science_technology
Join @PIB_UPSC
@upsc_science_and_technology