Topic-1: India Post Payments Bank
GS-3: Economy
The context:
India Post Payments Bank (IPPB), a Government of India undertaking and Aditya Birla Capital Limited (‘ABCL’), India’s leading diversified financial service company has recently announced their strategic partnership to broaden the reach and accessibility to loan products across Bharat.
About India Post Payments Bank:
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- India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) has been established under the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communication with 100% equity owned by Government of India.
- IPPB was launched on September 1, 2018. The bank has been set up with the vision to build the most accessible, affordable and trusted bank for the common man in India.
- The fundamental mandate of India Post Payments Bank is to remove barriers for the unbanked & underbanked and reach the last mile leveraging the Postal network comprising ~1,65,000 Post Offices (~140,000 in rural areas) and ~3,00,000 Postal employees.
- IPPB’s reach and its operating model is built on the key pillars of India Stack – enabling Paperless, Cashless and Presence-less banking in a simple and secure manner at the customers’ doorstep, through a CBS-integrated smartphone and biometric device.
- Leveraging frugal innovation and with a high focus on ease of banking for the masses, IPPB delivers simple and affordable banking solutions through intuitive interfaces available in 13 languages to 11 Crore customers across 5.57 lakh villages & towns in India.
- IPPB is committed to provide a fillip to a less cash economy and contribute to the vision of Digital India. India will prosper when every citizen has equal opportunity to become financially secure and empowered. Our motto stands true – Every customer is important; every transaction is significant, and every deposit is valuable.
Source: PIB
Topic- 2: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
GS- 3: Science and Technology
The context:
According to the CDC (USA), the prevalence of autism has risen from 1 in 36 children (2020) to 1 in 31 (2022).
About Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD):
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- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition caused by differences in brain development, affecting communication, social interaction, behaviour and learning patterns.
- Symptoms of ASD typically appear before the age of 3 years, though diagnosis is often delayed, particularly in low-awareness settings.
- People with ASD may display repetitive behaviours, narrow interests, and may have unusual learning styles or motor skills.
Causes
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- ASD is not caused by a single factor. It results from a complex interaction of genetic and environmental influences.
- Genetics plays a strong role, with studies showing heritability estimates of up to 91% (Tick et al., JAMA, 2016).
- Environmental contributors such as advanced parental age, prenatal exposure to air pollutants, and maternal health are being studied, but no single environmental toxin has been conclusively proven to cause autism.
- Vaccines do not cause autism. This claim stems from a discredited study, and continued misinformation can lead to dangerous vaccine hesitancy.
Source: TH
Topic- 3: National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR)
GS-3: Science and Technology
The context:
Recently, the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) inaugurated “Sagar Bhavan” and “Polar Bhavan” at the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa.
Explanation:
About National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR):
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- Established in 1998 as an autonomous R&D institute, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
- Formerly known as the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR).
- Location: Vasco da Gama, Goa.
Mandate and Functions
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- Nodal agency for Planning and executing polar expeditions in the Antarctic, Arctic, Southern Ocean, and Himalayas.
- Coordinating scientific research and logistics in polar and oceanic domains.
- Also works on strategically vital projects like: Mapping of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Continental shelf surveys, and the Deep Ocean Mission.
- Maintains a Research Advisory Committee (RAC) for scientific guidance.
- Nodal agency for Planning and executing polar expeditions in the Antarctic, Arctic, Southern Ocean, and Himalayas.
About Polar Bhavan and Sagar Bhavan
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- Polar Bhavan, the largest facility on the NCPOR campus, covers 11,378 sq. m and was built at a cost of ₹55 crore.
- It includes state-of-the-art laboratories, 55 rooms for scientists, conference halls, a library, and the new Science on Sphere (SOS) 3D earth systems visualisation platform.
- It will house India’s first Polar and Ocean Museum for public scientific outreach.
- Sagar Bhavan spans 1,772 sq. m and costs ₹13 crore.
- It includes two -30°C ice core laboratories, +4°C storage units for archiving sediment and biological samples, and a Class 1000 metal-free clean room for trace metal and isotope analysis.
- Polar Bhavan, the largest facility on the NCPOR campus, covers 11,378 sq. m and was built at a cost of ₹55 crore.
India’s Expanding Polar Footprint
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- NCPOR maintains India’s research presence in: Antarctica (Stations: Maitri and Bharati), Arctic (Station: Himadri), and Himalayas (Station: Himansh).
- India’s Arctic Policy (2022) and Indian Antarctic Act (2022) were cited as key legislative frameworks for science-led and environmentally responsible polar engagement, aligned with international obligations.
Source: PIB
Topic- 4: Mohmand dam project
GS-1: Geography
The context:
China is accelerating the pace of work on the Mohmand dam in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, according to a recent report in the South China Morning Post.
What is the Mohmand dam project?
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- The Mohmand dam is being constructed on the Swat river, which originates from the glaciers of the Hindu Kush mountains. It is a perennial river, flowing through picturesque valleys and mountains, and later joining the Indus.
- The project in question is located on the river, about 5 km upstream of the Munda Headworks (a structure that diverts water flow) in the Mohmand Tribal District. It will have a height of 213 metres and a capacity of 1.239 million acre-feet.
- According to the Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority’s website, its main objectives are to mitigate the risk of floods, irrigate agricultural land of 16,737 acres, generate hydropower and improve the socio-economic conditions of the local population.
- Work on the project began in 2019, with an initial proposed completion date of December 2025. Once complete, it will generate 2,862 Gigawatt hours of power annually.
- It will also supply 300 million gallons of drinking water every day to Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. At present, it assumes significance given the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.
Source: IE
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