Prelims Mantra – (08/10/2025)

Data: Economy

Exports surged by 5.19% in April-August 2025:

• • Export Growth Performance:
    • India’s exports growing at 1% vs. global growth of 2.5% (2024).
    • Export share in GDP increased from 19.8% (2015) to 2% (2024).
    • Target: USD 1 trillion exports for FY 2025-26; 34.61% already achieved in first five months.
  • Merchandise Export Highlights
    • Overall merchandise exports grew 2.31% in April-August 2025 to USD 183.74 billion
    • Non-petroleum and non-gems & jewellery exports surged76% to USD 146.70 billion
    • August 2025 alone accounted for 19% of total merchandise exports (5 months)
  • Top Performing Sectors:
    • Electronic goods:63% growth, led by smartphones crossing INR 1 lakh crore exports
    • Other cereals:95% growth (rye, barley, oats, quinoa)
    • Meat, dairy & poultry:29% growth
    • Tea:20% growth – India became world’s 2nd largest tea exporter
    • Mica & processed minerals:60% growth
  • Key Export Destinations:
    • USA: Leading destination for electronics, engineering goods, pharmaceuticals.
    • China: 19.65% growth in exports, reaching $14.25 billion in FY 2024-25.
    • Hong Kong: 26.19% growth, serves as “Gateway to India”.
    • Germany: 11.73% growth, key European market.
  • Services Sector Success:
    • Services exports grew 8.65% with trade surplus of USD 79.97 billion
    • Technology sector represents 7.3% of GDP, projected to reach one-fifth of economy by 2030
    • Demographic advantage: 65% population under 35 years
  • Government Initiatives:
    • Export Promotion Mission: ₹2,250 crore initiative for MSMEs
    • RoDTEP scheme: Reimbursed ₹58,000 crore to exporters
    • PLI scheme: Attracted ₹1.76 lakh crore investments, created 12+ lakh jobs
    • Ease of Doing Business: Improved from rank 142 (2014) to 63 (2020)
    • Trade agreements: Negotiations with UK, EU, Australia, New Zealand ongoing
  • Infrastructure & Digital Push:
    • India’s logistics ranking improved from 44 (2018) to 38 (2023)
    • National Single Window System and digital platforms streamlining trade processes
    • 734 districts identified for export potential under Districts as Export Hubs initiative

 

(PIB)

Science & Technology

Physics Nobel:

• • The Nobel Prize in Physics 2025 was awarded to John Clarke, Michel Devoret, and John Martinis for “discovery of macroscopic quantum mechanical tunnelling and energy quantisation in an electric circuit”.
  • Their groundbreaking 1980s experiments at UC Berkeley proved that systems made of billions of particles (not just single atoms) can exhibit quantum behavior under controlled conditions.
  • Using superconducting circuits separated by insulators (Josephson junctions), they showed entire circuits could tunnel through barriers and display discrete energy states—phenomena usually restricted to atomic-scale particles.
  • This research laid the foundation for today’s quantum computers, enabling the creation of quantum bits (qubits) using superconducting circuits.
  • Their work fundamentally answered how large a system can be and still show quantum effects, with major implications for quantum technology, sensors, and computing.

 

(TH+IE)

Josephson junction:

• • It is a quantum device consisting of two superconductors separated by a thin insulating barrier, allowing Cooper pairs (paired electrons) to tunnel through via quantum mechanics without resistance.
  • It exhibits two key phenomena: the DC Josephson effect, where a supercurrent flows without any applied voltage, and the AC Josephson effect, where an applied voltage generates an oscillating current with frequency precisely proportional to the voltage.
  • They are fundamental in superconducting quantum circuits, serving as the core element for creating superconducting qubits in quantum computers due to their nonlinearity and quantum coherence.
  • They are used in highly sensitive measurement devices like SQUIDs (Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices), where arrays of junctions produce precise voltages.

 

(TH)

Geography & Environment

Supermoon:

• • Context: A supermoon was visible on the night of October 7 and will appear twice more in November and December.
  • A supermoon occurs when a full moon or new moon coincides with the moon’s closest approach to the earth in its elliptical orbit — a point known as the
  • Because the moon’s orbit is not a perfect circle, its distance from the earth varies throughout the month by around 50,000 km.
  • When the moon is near its perigee and also directly opposite the sun, the full moon appears about 14% larger and 30% brighter than when it is at its farthest point. This is the supermoon.
  • Supermoons also influence the tides, creating perigean spring tides. These tides are slightly higher and lower than usual because the moon’s stronger gravitational pull acts in concert with that of the sun.
  • While the changes are typically modest, they can exacerbate coastal flooding when combined with storm surges.

 

(TH)

Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA):

• • Inaugurated on October 8, 2025, by PM Modi, NMIA is India’s largest greenfield and fully digital airport project, built under a public-private partnership led by Adani Airports Holdings and CIDCO.
  • The first phase includes a terminal inspired by the lotus flower, handling 20 million passengers annually; eventual capacity aims for 90 million passengers per year upon full completion.
  • Designed for multi-modal access with connectivity via road, metro, rail, water taxi, and future high-speed train links.
  • Airport features advanced smart technologies: 5G network, Digi Yatra contactless entry, and real-time IoT and baggage tracking.
  • Sustainability measures include 47 MW solar power, rainwater harvesting, and electric vehicles for airside operations.
  • Cargo terminal capacity: 0.5 million metric tonnes in Phase 1, expanding to 3.2 million metric tonnes on full development; global certifications targeted.
  • NMIA poised to ease Mumbai congestion, boost trade and tourism, and elevate the city among global multi-airport systems.

 

(IE)

Chiropatagium:

• • The chiropatagium, also known as the dactylopatagium, is the wing membrane in bats that stretches between the elongated fingers of the forelimb, forming the primary airfoil for flight.
  • It is a defining feature of the order Chiroptera (bats), derived from the Greek words “chiro” (hand) and “ptera” (wing), literally meaning “hand-wing”.
  • The membrane is composed of two layers of skin with a network of collagen, elastin fibers, blood vessels, nerves, and specialized muscles that allow precise control during flight.
  • The chiropatagium is essential for powered flight in bats, enabling lift, maneuverability, and energy-efficient gliding, and is a key evolutionary adaptation that distinguishes bats as the only mammals capable of true flight.

 

(TH)

Syndactyly:

• • It is a congenital condition where two or more fingers or toes are fused together, commonly referred to as “webbed digits”.
  • Types: It is classified as simple (fusion only in soft tissue) or complex (involving bones and/or nails), and as complete (fusion extending to fingertips) or incomplete (partial fusion).
  • Causes: Results from failure of apoptosis during embryonic development (around 6–8 weeks of gestation), where the tissue between digits does not fully separate.
  • Prevalence: It is the most common congenital hand malformation, occurring in approximately 1 in 1,000 to 2,000 live births, and can be isolated or part of genetic syndromes like Apert or Poland syndrome.
  • Treatment: Surgical separation is typically performed to restore function and appearance, with timing depending on the digits involved—earlier for thumb/index or ring/small finger syndactyly to prevent growth restriction.

 

(TH)

Terms in the News

Apoptosis:

• • It is a form of programmed cell deaththat occurs in multicellular organisms, allowing for the controlled and orderly elimination of cells without causing inflammation or damage to surrounding tissues.
  • It plays a critical role in embryonic development, such as the separation of fingers and toes by removing webbing, and in metamorphosis, like the resorption of a tadpole’s tail.
  • Defects in apoptosis can lead to diseases: Insufficient apoptosis is linked to cancer and autoimmune disorders, while excessive apoptosis is associated with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

 

(TH)

Miscellaneous

Pantheonisation ceremony:

• Context: Former Union Minister of Law and Justice Ashwani Kumar will attend the ‘Pantheonisation ceremony’ of eminent French jurist Robert Badinter in Paris on October 9.
• Pantheonisation is the ceremonial act of interring (burying) or commemorating a departed individual at the Pantheon in Paris.
• It is an honour conferred by the French Republic on individuals who have made exceptional contributions to that nation in various fields.

 

(TH)

 

PRACTICE MCQ’S

 

 

Q1. Consider the following statements:

1. A Josephson junction can exhibit a supercurrent flowing through it even in the absence of an applied voltage, due to the DC Josephson effect.

2. Josephson junctions are used in superconducting qubits primarily because of their linear inductance, which allows for stable quantum states.

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: A

Explanation:

• • Statement 1 is correct: The DC Josephson effect allows a supercurrent (current without resistance) to flow across the junction without any applied voltage, as long as the phase difference between the superconductors is constant.
  • Statement 2 is incorrect: Josephson junctions are used in superconducting qubits because of their nonlinear inductance, not linear inductance. This nonlinearity breaks the degeneracy of energy levels, enabling the isolation of two distinct quantum states.

 

Q2. Consider the following statements about apoptosis:

1. Apoptosis is a form of programmed cell death involved in removing unnecessary or damaged cells without causing inflammation.

2. Apoptosis plays a vital role in embryonic development, like the separation of fingers and toes.

3. The caspase enzyme family mediates the process of apoptosis.

4. Excessive apoptosis is associated with tumor formation, while insufficient apoptosis is linked to neurodegenerative diseases.

Which of the above statements are correct?

a) 1, 2 and 3 only

b) 2 and 4 only

c) 1, 2, 3 and 4

d) 1 and 3 only

Answer: A

Explanation: 

Statements 1, 2, and 3 are correct and describe the fundamental features of apoptosis: its role, developmental importance, and enzyme mediation.

Statement 4 is incorrect because excessive apoptosis is linked to neurodegenerative diseases, while insufficient apoptosis is associated with conditions like cancer and autoimmune disorders, not the other way around.

 

Q3. Consider the following statements about syndactyly:

1. It is a congenital condition caused by the failure of apoptosis during embryonic development, leading to fusion of fingers or toes.

2. Syndactyly is classified as ‘simple’ when bone fusion occurs, and ‘complex’ when only soft tissue is involved.

3. Surgical separation is often required, especially in thumb-index finger syndactyly, to prevent unequal growth.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 2 and 3 only

c) 1 and 3 only

d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: C

Explanation:

• • Statement 1 is correct: Syndactyly results from the failure of programmed cell death (apoptosis) between developing digits during weeks 6–8 of gestation.
  • Statement 2 is incorrect: The classification is reversed — ‘simple’ syndactyly refers to fusion by soft tissue only, while ‘complex’ involves bones and/or nails.
  • Statement 3 is correct: Early surgical release is recommended for certain digit combinations like thumb-index to avoid growth restriction and functional impairment.

 

Q4. Consider the following statements:

1. A supermoon occurs when the full moon coincides with the Moon’s closest approach to Earth, making it appear larger and brighter than usual.

2. Supermoons create higher than usual tides, called perigean spring tides, which can exacerbate coastal flooding in combination with storm surges.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: C

Explanation:

Both statements are correct. A supermoon is when a full moon is at perigee, making it appear larger and brighter. Supermoons amplify tidal effects, and perigean spring tides can contribute to flooding events during severe weather.

 

Q5. Consider the following statements about the chiropatagium in bats:

1. The chiropatagium is the wing membrane that stretches between the elongated fingers of the forelimb and forms the primary airfoil for flight.

2. The membrane consists of two layers of skin containing and contributes to flight control.

3. Bats are the only mammals capable of true powered flight.

4. The chiropatagium is a key evolutionary adaptation enabling this ability.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 3 and 4 only

c) 1, 2 and 3 only

d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: D

Explanation:

All four statements are correct.

• • Statement 1 accurately defines the chiropatagium (or dactylopatagium) as the flight membrane between the fingers.
  • Statement 2 correctly explains the etymology of “chiropatagium” from Greek roots.
  • Statement 3 describes the histological composition supported by sources.
  • Statement 4 highlights the evolutionary significance of the chiropatagium in enabling powered flight, a unique trait.

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