CURRENT AFFAIRS
15 April, 2025
1. LONG-RANGE GLIDE BOMB ‘GAURAV’ –
• Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has conducted successful release trials of the indigenously developed Long-Range Glide Bomb (LRGB) ‘Gaurav’ from the Su-30 MKI aircraft.
• LRGB ‘Gaurav’- It is an indigenously developed air-launched precision-guided weapon designed for accurate strikes on land targets from stand-off distances, beyond the reach of enemy air defence systems.
• Range: Demonstrated nearly 100 km with pin-point accuracy, and an operational range between 30 km to 150 km.
• Weight: The winged version ‘Gaurav’ weighs 1,000 kg, while the non-winged ‘Gautham’ weighs 550 kg.
• Navigation: Uses Inertial Navigation System (INS), satellite guidance and digital control system.
• Significance: Enhances India’s precision strike capabilities, aligning with indigenous defence development.
2. INDOOR AIR QUALITY –
• Indoor air pollution is a growing concern in India, especially in urban areas where people spend 70–90% of their time indoors. Yet, discussions around Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) remain limited, with most policy focus still on outdoor pollution.
What is Indoor Air Quality-
• Definition: IAQ refers to the quality of air inside and around buildings, impacting the health and comfort of occupants.
Common Indoor Air Pollutants:
• Carbon Monoxide (CO): A toxic odorless gas produced from incomplete combustion.
• Formaldehyde: Found in wood products, glues, paints, and furnishings; a known carcinogen.
• Asbestos: Found in older construction materials used for making fireproof or incombustible building components; exposure can lead to serious lung diseases.
• Radon: A radioactive gas that seeps from the ground into buildings.
• Lead: Found in old paints, plumbing, and ceramics.
• Mould: A microorganism and type of fungus that thrives in damp places, and humid environments.
• Pesticides: Used indoors for pest control, contributing to chemical exposure.
• Smoke: From cigarettes or cookstoves, carrying harmful toxins.
• Allergens: Dust mites, pet dander, and pollen trapped in carpets and furniture.
• Reasons for Deteriorating IAQ: Outdoor pollutants like Particulate Matter (PM2.5) enter poorly sealed or ventilated buildings through gaps in poorly insulated structures.
3. SC LAID DOWN 3 MONTH DEADLINE FOR PRESIDENT TO ASSENT BILL RESERVED BY GOVERNOR –
• In a landmark judgment in State of Tamil Nadu vs. Governor of Tamil Nadu (2023), the Supreme Court of India addressed a critical void in the legislative process—delays in Presidential assent to State Bills reserved under Article 201.
• For the first time, the Court established a 3-month deadline for the President’s decision, ensuring accountability and protecting the principles of federalism and democratic governance.
• Additionally, the Court advised that the President ought to seek the opinion of the Supreme Court under Article 143 in cases where a Bill is reserved for perceived unconstitutionality.
• This judgment is a significant step toward safeguarding the spirit of cooperative federalism and curbing executive arbitrariness.
4. TELANGANA BECOMES FIRST STATE TO IMPLEMENT SC SUB-CATEGORISATION –
• The Telangana government has become the first in India to implement Scheduled Castes (SC) sub-categorisation, following the Supreme Court’s approval.
• On April 14, 2025—coinciding with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s birth anniversary—the state issued a Government Order (GO) enforcing the Telangana Scheduled Castes (Rationalization of Reservations) Act, 2025.
• The move aims to rationalize the existing 15% SC reservation by dividing 59 SC sub-castes into three groups based on inter-se backwardness, thus ensuring more equitable distribution of benefits.
• This initiative aligns with historical efforts like the Lokur Committee (1965) and more recent Justice Ramachandra Raju and Usha Mehra Commissions, reflecting a shift toward targeted affirmative action.
5. SIACHEN DAY: HONOURING THE BRAVEHEARTS OF THE WORLD’S HIGHEST BATTLEFIELD –
• Every year on April 13, Siachen Day is observed to honour the indomitable courage and unwavering resolve of Indian soldiers deployed in the Siachen Glacier, the world’s highest and most inhospitable battlefield.
• This day commemorates the launch of Operation Meghdoot in 1984, when the Indian Army successfully secured the glacier to prevent Pakistan’s attempts to capture key strategic locations.
• The operation not only established India’s control over the Siachen region but also showcased extraordinary synergy between the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force (IAF).
• As 2025 marks the 41st anniversary of this historic mission, the sacrifices and heroism of the Siachen Warriors continue to inspire generations of Indians.
MCQ QUIZ
Q1. Which state has achieved the Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Ryndia silk ?
a) Assam
b) Mizoram
c) Meghalaya
d) Sikkim
Q2. Which state government has declared a new wildlife sanctuary named Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Abhyaran ?
a) Odisha
b) Madhya Pradesh
c) Gujarat
d) Karnataka
Q3. The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) in India is published by which organization ?
a) Central Statistics Office (CSO)
b) NITI Aayog
c) Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
d) Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Q4. Consider the following advantages of long-range glide bombs:
1. They enable aircraft to strike targets without entering enemy airspace.
2. They are more expensive than cruise missiles but offer better accuracy.
3. They can be launched from fighter jets, bombers, or drones.
How many of the above statements are correct ?
a) Only one
b) Only two
c) All three
d) None
Explanation-
• Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Glide bombs like ‘Gaurav’ offer standoff capability, allowing strikes without crossing into hostile territory, which reduces exposure to air defense systems. They are also platform-agnostic, deployable from fighter jets, bombers, and UAVs.
• Statement 2 is incorrect; glide bombs are designed to be more cost-effective than cruise missiles. While a typical cruise missile can cost over $1 million, glide bombs are much cheaper yet still deliver high precision, with some achieving a Circular Error Probable (CEP) as low as 1–3 meters. This makes them ideal for frequent tactical and strategic use.
Q5. Which of the following best explains the constitutional significance of the Supreme Court’s ruling on Article 201 ?
a) It allows the President to reject state bills without providing any reason.
b) It sets a constitutional time limit for the Governor to assent to bills.
c) It introduces a time-bound mechanism for the President to decide on reserved state bills.
d) It removes the Governor’s power to reserve bills for the President.
Explanation-
• The Supreme Court’s decision marks the first time a timeline (3 months) has been prescribed for the President to act on bills reserved by a Governor under Article 201.
• This addresses the issue of indefinite delays, which had previously allowed the Centre to postpone state legislation indefinitely without accountability.
• The court clarified that while the Governor can reserve a bill, the President must act within a reasonable period, and delays beyond 3 months must be justified in writing.
• This strengthens federalism and the legislative autonomy of states, making option (c) the most constitutionally significant statement.
Answer Key
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
C | B | A | B | C |