ISRO To Launch Earth Imaging Satellite

Context: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch an Earth Observation Satellite (EOS) on May 18, 2025 from the spaceport at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

About Earth Observation Satellites

• Earth Observation or Earth Remote Sensing Satellites are designed for observing the Earth from orbit.
• They serve both military (e.g., spy satellites) and non-military purposes like environmental monitoring, meteorology, and cartography.

About EOS-09

• EOS-09 or Earth Observation Satellite – 09 (formerly known as RISAT-1B) is a Radar Imaging Satellite.
• Purpose: To provide high-quality images under all weather conditions, round-the-clock imaging for applications such as Agriculture, Forestry & Plantations, Soil Moisture & Hydrology and Flood mapping. 
• Launch Site: Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
• Launch Vehicle: Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) C 61.
• Weight: Approximately 1,710 kg.
• Technical Features: Equipped with a C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR).
• Applications: Useful for agriculture and forestry monitoring, disaster management, urban planning, and national security.

Protests In Goa Over NIO Report

Context: A scientific report by National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) and the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services claiming limited impact of Mahadayi river diversion on Goa has sparked protests in the state.

• The report is accused of favouring Karnataka.

About Mahadayi River

• Origin: River Mahadayi originates from the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary of Karnataka and flows into the Arabian Sea in Goa.
  • It is known as River Mandovi in Goa.
• Tributaries: Kalasa and Banduri streams.
• Names: Known as Mahadayi in Karnataka and Mhadei in Goa.
• Basin Spread: Goa – 1,580 sq km (78%), Karnataka – 380 sq km (18%), Maharashtra – 72 sq km (4%)
• River Length: 36 km in Karnataka and 74 km in Goa.
• Ecological Importance: Flows through the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, supporting critical biodiversity.
• Human Dependence: Vital for north Goa’s drinking water, agriculture, and navigation.
• Dispute Context: Subject of a long-standing inter-State water-sharing dispute between Goa and Karnataka.

About Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT)

• Established: In 2010, by the Government of India under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956, to resolve disputes between Goa, Karnataka, and Maharashtra over the Mahadayi River’s waters.
• Final Award (August 2018): Tribunal granted Karnataka a total of 13.42 tmcft (380 Mcum) of Mahadayi water.
• Both the States have challenged the tribunal’s verdict before the Supreme Court.

Exercise Teesta Prahar

Context: The Indian Army conducted a comprehensive integrated field training named ‘Teesta Prahar’ at the Teesta field firing range near the strategic Siliguri Corridor in West Bengal.

About Teesta Prahar

• It was a three-day ,field training exercise showcasing operational capabilities and coordination in river-based terrain, incorporating advanced weaponry and technology.
• Objective: It aimed at validating combat readiness, joint force integration, and operational synergy in riverine terrain. 

About Siliguri Corridor: The Siliguri Corridor, often referred to as the “Chicken’s Neck”, is a narrow stretch of land in West Bengal that connects mainland India to its northeastern states.

• It borders Nepal, Bangladesh and the Kingdom of Bhutan.
• At its narrowest, the corridor is just 17 Km wide
• The corridor extends from the Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and Terai areas of West Bengal towards the North East.

World Food Prize, 2025

Context: Brazilian scientist Mariangela Hungria has won the 2025 World Food Prize for her work in reducing the use of chemical fertilisers and developing biological seed and soil treatments to boost crop yields and nutrition.

About World Food Prize

• Established: 1986
• Prize Amount: $500,000.
• Founded by: Dr. Norman Borlaug, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and father of the Green Revolution.
• Administered by: The World Food Prize Foundation
• Nature of Award: International award recognizing outstanding achievements in food and agriculture. 
  • This prize is often referred to as the “Nobel Prize for Food and Agriculture”.
• Participation: It is open to any individual without regard to race, religion, nationality or political beliefs.
• First Recipient: Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, the father of India’s green revolution, was the first recipient of this award in 1987.

India-EU To Collaborate Under TTC

Context: India and the European Union (EU) have launched two major research and innovation initiatives i.e Marine Plastic Litter (MPL) and Waste to Green Hydrogen (W2GH) under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC).

About TTC

• A bilateral strategic platform launched in 2022 to enhance cooperation on trade, technology, and security between India and the European Union (EU).
• It is the second bilateral forum for the EU and the first one established with any partner for India.

About Initiative On Marine Plastic Litter (MPL)

• Funding: European Union (EU): €12 million and India: ₹90 crore.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Earth Sciences.
• Aim: To find innovative solutions to monitor, assess, and mitigate the cumulative impacts of various pollutants, including microplastics, heavy metals, and persistent organic pollutants.

About Initiative On Waste to Green Hydrogen (W2GH)

• Budget: India: INR 90 Crore, EU: €10 Million.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy,
• Scope: Joint innovation for sustainable renewable hydrogen production from biogenic wastes (agriculture, forestry, municipal, sewage sludge, industrial).

High-pressure Polymeric Membrane

Context: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)has successfully developed an indigenous nanoporous multilayered polymeric membrane for high-pressure seawater desalination.

About Nanoporous multilayered polymeric membrane

• It is an advanced filtration material designed.  
• The membrane has been specially designed for Indian Coast Guard (ICG) ships, 
• Application: This membrane helps convert seawater into fresh, drinkable water.

International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology” (ICGEB)

Context: Recently, India launched its first publicly funded Bio-foundry (DST-ICGEB Bio-foundry) at the ICGEB, New Delhi.

About ICGEB

• ICGEB refers to The International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology. 
• It is a major intergovernmental organization for life sciences research.
• Founded: 1983.
• Nodal ministry: Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India. 
• India is a founding member of ICGEB, which operates through three main centres:
  • New Delhi (India) – focuses on research and biotech applications
  • Trieste (Italy) – serves as headquarters
  • Cape Town (South Africa) – focuses on R&D and collaboration
• Its operations are aligned to those of the United Nations Common System.
• Members: 69 member countries and works on biotechnology-led sustainable development through research, training, and technology transfer.

About Bio-foundry

• A Bio-foundry is a high-tech facility for biomanufacturing.
• The Bio-foundry will help scale up bio-based innovations through collaboration with startups and researchers.
• India’s Bio-foundry aligns with the BioE3 Policy. 

About The BioE3 Policy

• The BioE3 Policy stands for Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment.
• It aims to promote high-performance biomanufacturing using cutting-edge technologies.
• Focus on five key sectors for biotechnology growth: Bioenergy, Bio-industrial, Bio-plantation, Biomedical, and Biomanufacturing. 
• Biotech growth of India
• • India ranks 12th globally in biotechnology and 3rd in the Asia-Pacific region.
  • It is the largest vaccine producer in the world and has the 3rd largest startup ecosystem globally.

Supercapacitor Material

Context: Researchers from Nagaland University have developed a groundbreaking, cost-effective method for producing aminated graphene, a high-performance material for supercapacitors.

What is a Supercapacitor?

• Supercapacitor materials are specialized substances used in energy storage devices for high power density, rapid charging, and long cycle life.

Key highlights of the findings

• Core Material Used
  • Innovation focuses on aminated graphene, derived from reduced graphene oxide.
  • Produced through a simple, one-step process from ordinary graphite.
  • Uses ambient temperature and pressure, unlike complex and energy-intensive traditional methods.
• Potential Applications
  • Renewable Energy Grids: Helps store intermittent solar and wind energy.
  • Public Transport: Useful in regenerative braking systems.
  • Telecommunication: Ideal for backup power systems.
• Advantages Over Traditional Technologies
  • Avoids the use of expensive rare-earth materials.
  • Simplifies manufacturing, making it cheaper and more sustainable.

Enhances compatibility with India’s clean energy goals and Make in India initiative.

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