Polity
Statutory town and Census towns:
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- In the 2011 Census, an urban unit was defined as either a statutory town or a census town.
- Statutory towns are areas that are formally notified as urban by the State government. They have urban local bodies like municipal corporations, municipal councils and nagar panchayats.
- All other places that satisfied the following criteria — a minimum population of 5,000, at least 75% of the male main working population engaged in non-agricultural activities, and a population density of at least 400 persons per sq. km — are classified as census towns.
(TH)
New vote counting process:
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- Vote counting involves enumerating postal ballots and electronically transmitted postal ballots, and the counting of votes cast through EVMs.
- The new process will ensure that the counting of postal ballots ends before that of the electronic voting machines (EVMs).
- Till now, counting of postal ballots would begin from 8 a.m. and the EVM rounds at 8.30 a.m. The poll body has decided that the penultimate round of EVM counting will start only after all the postal ballots are accounted for.
- The move overturns the EC’s 2019 order, which mandated that the second-last round of EVM counting “would not be stopped” till postal ballots are counted and counting of votes cast through EVMs could continue irrespective of the stage of postal ballot counting.
(TH)
Science & Technology
Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine:
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- It is a vaccine that protects against certain types of HPV, which can cause genital warts and various cancers, including cervical cancer.
- It is recommended for both boys and girls, typically starting in adolescence, to prevent these diseases and is most effective when given before exposure to the virus.
- The first HPV vaccine became available in
- Vaccine prevents infections by introducing Virus-Like Particles (VLPs) that mimic the virus without containing any DNA, triggering the immune system to produce protective antibodies.
(TH)
Mahi-Banswara nuclear power project:
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- It is major upcoming nuclear plant in Rajasthan aimed at strengthening India’s clean energy capacity.
- The project will have four indigenous 700 MW Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs), with a total installed capacity of 2,800 MW, making it one of the largest nuclear power facilities in India.
- Funded through a joint venture (ASHVINI) between NPCIL (51%) and NTPC (49%), featuring advanced safety features and uniform reactor design for cost efficiency and faster deployment.
- The foundation stone was laid by PM on September 25, 2025; the site is near the village of Napla in the Banswara district.
- The project has an estimated investment of about ₹42,000 crore and is expected to be operational by 2036.
- It is part of India’s “fleet mode” initiative to construct ten identical 700 MW reactors nationwide, consolidating expertise and strengthening energy security.
- The plant will contribute reliable base load energy, support local jobs and development, and advance India’s clean energy and environmental stewardship goals.
(TH)
Defense in the News
Agni-P missile test:
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- Agni-P was test-fired from a rail-based mobile launcher, making India one of the few nations, alongside Russia, the US, China, and possibly North Korea, with rail-launch ballistic missile capability.
- Rail-based launch systems enhance India’s second-strike capability, crucial for its ‘no first use’ nuclear policy and credible deterrence posture.
- These mobile platforms are more survivable than stationary silos due to advances in missile accuracy and satellite tracking, allowing launchers to be hidden in tunnels until needed.
- India’s extensive 70,000 km rail network enables rapid movement and concealment of launchers across the country, outperforming road-based platforms in scalability and efficiency.
- Rail launchers are significantly more cost-effective to build and maintain than submarine-launched ballistic missile systems.
- Agni-P is a two-stage, solid-fuel missile (11,000 kg mass) with a range of 1,000–2,000 km and can carry conventional or nuclear warheads.
(IE)
Facts and Data
Economy:
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- India’s export economy is heavily centralised. The four States of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka account for more than 70% of all merchandise exports. For Gujarat alone, it is over 33%.
- India’s most populous States, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh, remain on the margins, with barely 5% of the country’s outbound trade between them.
- Then there is the northeast, whose place in India’s export economy is marginal by design. Eight States, with over 5,400 kilometres of international borders, account for just 0.13% of national exports.
(TH)
Environment:
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- In its recent report submitted to the National Green Tribunal, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) stated that over 50% of the “operational” Grossly Polluting Industries (GPIs) located across the districts in Uttar Pradesh were not in compliance with the government-stipulated pollution norms.
(TH)
Terms in News
No First Use (NFU) nuclear policy:
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- A “no first use” (NFU) nuclear policy means a country pledges not to be the first to initiate a nuclear attack.
- Key points of such a policy include maintaining a credible minimum deterrent, retaliating massively to a nuclear attack on national territory or forces, abstaining from using nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states, and keeping civilian political leadership in control of nuclear authorization.
- The goal is to prevent nuclear war and promote global nuclear disarmament, while upholding a responsible image as a nuclear power.
(TH)
Credible Minimum Deterrence:
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- A nation with an NFU policy maintains a nuclear arsenal that is sufficient to deter potential adversaries, but not excessive or for aggressive use.
(TH)
Miscellaneous
ASHVINI:
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- Anushakti Vidhyut Nigam Limited is a joint venture between NPCIL (Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited) and NTPC (NTPC Limited) to build, own, and operate nuclear power plants in India.
- The joint venture has a 51% stake in NPCIL and 49% in NTPC, with the goal of accelerating India’s nuclear power capacity to meet Net Zero by 2070.
- It will start by taking over the Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (MBRAPP), using indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) technology.
(TH)
PRACTICE MCQ’S
Q1. Consider the following statements about Human Papillomavirus Vaccine (HPV):
Statement I: The vaccine prevents new HPV infections and protects against certain types of cancer and genital warts by stimulating the body’s immune system to produce antibodies.
Statement II: The vaccine introduces non-infectious viral-like particles (VLPs) that resemble the natural virus, but lack its DNA, triggering an immune response without causing an HPV infection.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is not correct
d) Statement-I is not correct but Statement-II is correct
Answer: A
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: The vaccine prevents new HPV infections and protects against certain types of cancer and genital warts by stimulating the body’s immune system to produce antibodies.
Statement 2 is correct: The vaccine introduces non-infectious viral-like particles (VLPs) that resemble the natural virus, but lack its DNA, triggering an immune response without causing an HPV infection.
Q2. Consider the following statements about Virus-like Particles (VLPs):
1. VLPs are composed of viral structural proteins but without the viral genome.
2. Since they do not contain any viral genetic material, they are non-infectious and do not cause disease.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: C
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: VLPs are composed of viral structural proteins that self-assemble into organized, repetitive structures, similar to the intact virus but without the viral genome.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Since they do not contain any viral genetic material, they are non-infectious and do not cause disease, enhancing their safety profile for therapeutic and diagnostic applications.
Q3. Consider the following statements:
Statement I: India has carried out the successful launch of Intermediate Range Agni-Prime Missile from a Rail based Mobile launcher system.
Statement II: India is the only country globally to successfully conduct such test.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is not correct
d) Statement-I is not correct but Statement-II is correct
Answer: C
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: India has carried out the successful launch of Intermediate Range Agni-Prime Missile from a Rail based Mobile launcher system.
Statement 2 is incorrect: India is one of the few nations, alongside Russia, the US, China, and possibly North Korea, with rail-launch ballistic missile capability.
Q4. With reference to the Government of India, consider the following information:
| Upcoming Nuclear Power Plant | Location |
| Gorakhpur | Uttar Pradesh |
| Mahi-Banswara | Rajasthan |
| Kaiga | Tamil Nadu |
In how many of the above rows is the information correctly matched?
a) Only one
b) Only two
c) All three
d) None
Answer: A
Explanation:
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- Gorakhpur: 2 x 700 MW units in Haryana, with a projected completion by 2029.
- Mahi-Banswara: Multiple 700 MW units in Rajasthan, with progressive completion expected by 2031.
- Kaiga: 2 x 700 MW units in Karnataka.
Q5. With reference to the Statutory town and Census towns, consider the following statements:
1. A Statutory Town is a locality that isn’t formally recognized as an urban area by law but has urban characteristics.
2. A Census Town is a place with a municipality, corporation, cantonment board, or notified town area committee established by state law.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: D
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect: A Statutory Town place with a municipality, corporation, cantonment board, or notified town area committee established by state law.
Statement 2 is incorrect: A Census Town is a locality that isn’t formally recognized as an urban area by law but has urban characteristics.
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