• Initiative's Objective: To protect adolescent girls from cervical cancer, one of the most common but preventable cancers affecting women in India.
• Target: Specifically for girls up to 14 years of age. The target is to cover approximately 11.5 million girls annually.
• Administration and Cost: The vaccine will be available free of charge and voluntarily at government health centers (such as Ayushman Arogya Mandir, District Hospital).
• Vaccine Type: Currently, the quadrivalent vaccine called Gardasil will be used for this campaign, which provides protection against HPV types 16, 18 (cancer-causing) and 6, 11.
• Dosage: India has adopted a single-dose approach, in line with WHO recommendations.
• Duration: Initially, this will be a 90-day (3-month) dedicated campaign, after which it will be incorporated into the routine vaccination program.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV):

• A very common virus, it is considered the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection (STI) worldwide. This virus is a group of over 200 types that primarily affect the skin and mucous membranes.
• It is particularly important in India because it is the leading cause of cervical cancer, the second most common cancer in women.

Two categories of HPV:

• High-risk: HPV 16 and 18 are the most dangerous, accounting for approximately 70% of cervical cancers.
• Low-risk: HPV 6 and 11, which primarily cause genital warts.

Cervical cancer:

• This is a cancer that occurs in the cells lining the lower part of the uterus (cervix).
• Transmission: It spreads primarily through sexual contact (skin-to-skin contact).
• Cervical cancer remains the second most common cancer in women in India (after breast cancer), with approximately 80,000 new cases and over 42,000 deaths reported annually.

• Operation Epic Fury: This is the code name given by the US (Pentagon). The operation aims to target Iran's military capabilities, missile industry, and navy.
• Operation Lion's Roar: Israel has named this military operation "Operation Lion's Roar" or "Lion's Roar."
• Iran's response: In response to this attack, Iran has launched a retaliatory operation called 'Operation True Promise 4' or 'Fateh-e-Khaibar', in which US bases located in Gulf countries have been targeted.

• Real GDP growth projected for FY 2025-26: 7.6%
• Nominal GDP growth is projected at 8.6%.
• The overall economic performance in FY 2025-26 is primarily due to strong real growth witnessed in the second quarter (8.4 percent) and third quarter (7.8 percent).
• The economy has demonstrated consistent performance, registering real GDP growth rates of 7.2 percent and 7.1 percent during FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25, respectively.
• Nominal GDP has registered growth rates of 11.0 percent and 9.7 percent during FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25, respectively.
• The manufacturing sector has been a major contributor to the economy's strong performance for three consecutive fiscal years since the baseline. This sector has achieved double-digit growth rates in FY 2023-24 and FY 2025-26.
• The secondary and tertiary sectors have boosted the economy's performance, registering growth rates of over 9.0 percent in FY 2025-26.
• The 'Trade, repair, hotels, transport, communication and services related to broadcasting, storage' sector is projected to grow by 10.1 per cent at constant prices in FY 2025-26.
• On the consumption front, both private final consumption expenditure (PFCE) and gross fixed capital formation (GFCF) are projected to grow by over 7.0 per cent in FY 2025-26.

• Increasing Demand: This move could generate 16 million tons per annum (MTPA) of green steel demand from government projects alone by FY 2030.
• Cost Impact: According to the study, using green steel would only marginally increase the total project cost by 0.2% to 1.2%.
• Ambitious Target: If this requirement is increased to 37%, emissions reductions of up to 29.7 million tons are possible, equivalent to removing approximately 6-9 million cars from the road.
• Industry readiness: 93% of surveyed steel producers are ready to supply certified green steel, provided clear policy guidelines and cost recovery mechanisms (such as premiums or GST concessions) are available.

• First Unit: This is the first unit in India to begin commercial production of semiconductor chips.
• The foundation stone for this project was laid in September 2023 and it was the first proposal to be approved under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM).
• Total Investment: The project involves an investment of approximately $2.75 billion (over ₹22,500 crore) between Micron and the central government.
• India Semiconductor Mission (ISM): This was the first proposal to be approved under the India Semiconductor Mission.

• This research has been published in the prestigious international journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), USA.

What is a Biofilm?:

• When we think of bacteria, we often picture them as solitary floating cells. But in reality, many bacteria clump together to form a strong layer called a biofilm.
• This biofilm is a kind of microscopic "shield" made up of proteins, sugars, and DNA. It protects bacteria from external attacks.
• Bacteria in biofilms can be up to 1,000 times more antibiotic resistant than normal bacteria.
• Biofilms are commonly found in: catheters, artificial heart valves, bone implants, and chronic, non-healing wounds.

• Objective: To re-validate the capability of the high-speed missile system to fly at various speeds, ranges, and altitudes.
• System Design: VSHORADS is a man-portable air defence system (MANPADS) that can be easily transported by soldiers.
• Development: Indigenously designed and developed by the Hyderabad-based Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories and Indian industry partners.
• Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO):
• Established: 1958, by the merger of the Defence Science Organisation (DSO), the Technical Development Establishment (TDE), and the Directorate of Technical Development and Production (DTDP).
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Objective: To achieve self-reliance in cutting-edge defense technologies and equip the Indian Armed Forces with world-class weapons and equipment.
• Current Chairman: Dr. Samir V. Kamat
• Motto: "Balasya Moolam Vigyanam" (Science is the root of power).

• Main objective: To demonstrate the Air Force's precision strike capability, operational readiness, and indigenous weaponry in realistic combat scenarios.
• Participating aircraft: More than 130 aircraft participated, including the Rafale, Su-30 MKI, Mirage-2000, MiG-29, Jaguar, and the indigenous fighter aircraft Tejas.
• Helicopters and missile systems: Attack helicopters such as the Prachand and Apache, as well as surface-to-air missile systems such as the Akash and Spyder, demonstrated their capabilities.

Indian Air Force:

• Is the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces.
• Establishment and history: 8 October 1932 (as the Auxiliary Air Force of British India). The word 'Royal' was dropped in 1950, making it the 'Indian Air Force'.
• Foundation Day: October 8
• Supreme Commander: President of India
• Chief of the Air Staff (CAS): Air Chief Marshal (4-star officer)
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Marshal: Arjan Singh is the only five-star officer (only three individuals in India have ever been awarded the five-star rank, the highest military honor. These include Field Marshals K.M. Cariappa and Sam Manekshaw of the Army and Arjan Singh, the only Marshal of the Air Force).

• Ship Name: INS Anjadeep (fourth of eight under the ASW-SWC project)
• Name: After 'Anjadeep Island' located off the Karwar coast of Karnataka
• Builder: Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata
• Nickname: Dolphin Hunter
• Features: 77 meters in length, over 80% indigenous equipment, 'Abhay' sonar system, lightweight torpedoes, and anti-submarine rockets
• Role: Detecting, pursuing, and destroying enemy submarines in coastal shallow waters

• Declaration of the Day: By the Government of India at the request of the National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC).
• Objective: To develop a scientific temper among the public and spread awareness about the importance of science and technology.
• This year's theme (2026): "Women in Science: Catalysts for a Developed India" (This theme links scientific progress to India's vision of becoming a developed nation and recognizes the role of women researchers and innovators.)

Sir C.V. Raman:

• Full name: Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman
• was a great Indian physicist.
• Born: November 7, 1888, in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu.
• Father: Chandrasekhara Iyer, a professor of physics and mathematics.
• In 1907, he earned an M.A. in physics.
• Major discovery: Raman Effect - When light passes through a transparent medium, its scattering causes a change in wavelength.

Honors and awards:

• Nobel Prize (1930): He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his discovery of the scattering of light and the Raman effect. He was the first Asian to receive a Nobel Prize in science.
• Bharat Ratna (1954): The Government of India honored him with the country's highest civilian honor, the Bharat Ratna. He was one of the first three individuals to receive this award.
• Knighthood (1929): He was awarded the title of 'Sir' (Knight Bachelor) by the British government.
• Lenin Peace Prize (1957/1958): This award was given to him by the Soviet Union for promoting international peace and brotherhood.
• Fellowship of the Royal Society (1924): He was elected a Fellow (FRS) of the prestigious Royal Society of London.
• Matteucci Medal (1928): Awarded by the Italian Society of Sciences for his contributions to physics.
• Hughes Medal (1930): Awarded by the Royal Society of London.
• Franklin Medal (1941): Awarded by the Franklin Institute of Philadelphia.
• Raman Crater: A crater on the Moon is named 'Raman Crater' in his honor.

• Born: December 3, 1884, in Jiradei, Siwan district, Bihar
• Father: Mahadev Sahay
• Education and Profession: Law degree from Calcutta University, lawyer and teacher by profession
• In 1915, Prasad passed the Master of Laws examination from the Law Department of Calcutta University, winning a gold medal.
• In 1916, he began his legal career at the Patna High Court.
• He completed his doctorate from Allahabad University in 1937.
• He joined the Indian National Congress during its annual session held in Calcutta in 1911.
• He presided over the Bombay session of the Indian National Congress in October 1934.
• He was elected President for the second time in 1939 after Subhas Chandra Bose resigned as Congress President.
• In 1946, he joined Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's interim government as Minister of Food and Agriculture and gave the slogan "Grow More Food."
• In July 1946, when the Constituent Assembly was established to draft the Constitution of India, he was elected its President.
• Constituent Assembly: Elected as the permanent President of the Constituent Assembly in July 1946. He headed the Ad Hoc Committees on Rules of Procedure, Conduct of Business, Finance and Personnel, and the National Flag.
• On January 26, 1950, the Constitution of independent India was ratified, and he was elected the first President of India.
• In 1962, after 12 years as President, Dr. Prasad retired and was subsequently awarded the Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian award.
• Major works: India Divided, Satyagraha at Champaran, In Bapu's Footsteps, and his autobiography (autobiography).
• Death: February 28, 1963