Category: PRELIMS TERMINOLOGY

Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD)

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is making steady progress towards the development of an improved vaccine against Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), a neglected but serious tick-borne viral haemorrhagic fever endemic to India’s Western Ghats region. According to officials, the vaccine candidate has been successfully developed, with animal challenge and toxicity studies completed. In a major milestone, GLP-grade vaccine material has been manufactured, and a Phase I human clinical Read More …

What is BharatGen?

BharatGen, India’s first-of-its-kind indigenously developed, government-funded, Artificial Intelligence (AI)–based Multimodal Large Language Model (LLM) for Indian languages, has been developed to strengthen the country’s sovereign AI capabilities. The initiative has been taken up under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) and is being implemented through the TIH Foundation for Internet of Things (IoT) and Internet of Everything (IoE) at IIT Bombay. It is supported by the Department of Read More …

Sodium-ion batteries (SiBs)

Among the various battery chemistries developed over the decades — including nickel-cadmium and lead-acid — lithium-ion batteries (LiBs) have emerged as the dominant global technology, driven by their high energy density, low self-discharge rates and long cycle life. Sustained global focus over the past two decades has led to steady improvements in lithium-ion performance, cementing their role in electric vehicles, consumer electronics and energy storage systems. However, experts note that Read More …

Suborbital space tourism

Private space company Blue Origin, owned by Jeff Bezos, announced on January 31 that it will suspend its New Shepard suborbital space tourism programme for at least two years, shifting its focus towards strengthening its lunar capabilities. The New Shepard programme is part of suborbital space tourism, a form of space travel in which paying passengers are flown to the edge of space but do not complete a full orbit Read More …

Motion of Thanks

Discussion on matters referred to in the President’s Address in the Lok Sabha takes place under Rule 17 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business, through a Motion of Thanks moved by one member and seconded by another. On the days allotted for the debate, the House is free to discuss all issues mentioned in the Address. The scope of discussion is wide, allowing members to raise a Read More …

What is the Power Gap Index?

The Economic Survey 2025–26 makes a first-of-its-kind reference to the Power Gap Index, citing it as evidence that India is operating below its full strategic potential. What is the Power Gap Index? Interpretation: India’s Performance Asia Power Index 2025 Comparison with Other Countries Country Power Gap Score Japan +1.0 Australia +8.0 Singapore +5.2 South Korea +5.1 India –4.0 These countries convert relatively smaller resource bases into greater regional influence through Read More …

What is the Polar Vortex?

A powerful winter storm “Fern” swept across large parts of the United States on Sunday (January 26), bringing heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain from the Ohio Valley and mid-South to New England. The extreme weather disrupted transport and daily life, leaving at least seven people dead. Role of the Polar VortexMeteorologists attribute the intensity of the storm to the activity of the polar vortex, a vast region of low Read More …

ECOFIX

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, has recommended the use of steel slag–based technology for sustainable road construction, especially in difficult and hilly terrains. He was addressing an event held to mark the signing of an agreement for the commercial production of ‘ECOFIX’, a ready-to-use pothole repair mix. About ECOFIX Key Advantages

Monoclonal Antibodies

The Delhi High Court has recently cleared the way for Zydus Lifesciences to manufacture and sell a biosimilar version of Nivolumab, a blockbuster cancer drug patented by US pharmaceutical major Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS). The ruling gives a major boost to the Indian drugmaker just months before the patent’s expiry in May. BMS currently holds the patent for Nivolumab in India, and the court’s decision allows Zydus to prepare for Read More …

Credit Assessment Model (CAM)

Public Sector Banks (PSBs) launched a Credit Assessment Model (CAM) in 2025 to improve and streamline lending to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by leveraging digital footprints for credit appraisal. Strong Uptake and SanctionsBetween 1 April and 31 December 2025, PSBs sanctioned: These sanctions were made under digital credit underwriting programmes, highlighting strong adoption of technology-driven lending. How the Credit Assessment Model WorksThe CAM leverages digitally fetched and verifiable Read More …

Anti-Coercion Instrument (ACI)

Pressure is mounting on European leaders to deploy the European Union’s so-called “trade bazooka” after former US President Donald Trump threatened fresh tariffs if Denmark does not agree to sell Greenland. The remarks have triggered concern in Brussels over economic coercion targeting an EU Member State. What Is the EU’s ‘Trade Bazooka’?The instrument in question is the Anti-Coercion Instrument (ACI), often dubbed the EU’s trade bazooka. Adopted in 2023, it Read More …

What is Point Nemo?

Point Nemo lies in the South Pacific Ocean at 48°52.6′ South latitude and 123°23.6′ West longitude. It is approximately 2,700 kilometres away from the nearest land in every direction, making it the most isolated point on Earth. Nearest LandmassesThe closest land to Point Nemo includes: ‘Pole of Inaccessibility’Point Nemo is also known as the oceanic pole of inaccessibility, a term used for locations that are harder to reach than any Read More …

FDA Approves First Treatment for Rare Menkes Disease

U.S.-based biopharmaceutical company Sentynl Therapeutics Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of Zydus Lifesciences, has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Zycubo (copper histidinate). The drug is approved for the treatment of Menkes disease in paediatric patients. Significance of the Approval About Menkes Disease Clinical Features Children affected by Menkes disease commonly show: The disease also leads to abnormalities in: If untreated, Menkes disease is often Read More …

Kerala asks Centre to issue ‘catastrophe bonds’

The Kerala government has urged the Union government to consider instituting catastrophe bonds (CAT bonds) as a financial safeguard against disaster-linked losses.The proposal was included in Kerala’s wish list for the Union Budget 2026–27, presented by State Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal during the pre-Budget consultation chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi. What Are Catastrophe Bonds? Catastrophe bonds, commonly known as CAT bonds, are insurance-linked securities that Read More …

Free-Space Optical (FSO) communication

The National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), Japan, has successfully demonstrated 2 terabits per second (Tbit/s) Free-Space Optical (FSO) communication, marking a world first for the technology. The achievement was made using small optical communication terminals designed to be mounted on satellites and High-Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS). What is Free-Space Optical (FSO) Communication? Key Features of the Demonstrated System Why This Matters Technical Requirements