Mudh-Nyoma Airbase, Ladakh

Context: India has recently operationalised the high-altitude Mudh-Nyoma airbase in Ladakh, strengthening frontline air power and enhancing rapid-response capability along the sensitive LAC with China.

About Mudh-Nyoma Airbase

• Location: Situated at nearly 13,000 feet in Eastern Ladakh, around 25 km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
• Positioned close to critical sectors such as Depsang Plains, Pangong Tso, and Chushul Valley, areas marked by heightened India–China tensions since 2020.

Features & Capabilities

• Capable of hosting fighter jets, transport aircraft (including C-130J), and helicopters for high-altitude operations.
• Enables real-time air operations, faster troop deployment, logistics delivery, and casualty evacuation in difficult Himalayan terrain.
• Adds a robust forward operating capability alongside existing Ladakh airbases: Leh, Kargil, and Thoise.

Operational Significance

• Reduces response time to PLA manoeuvres, enhancing tactical air dominance and sustained support for deployed troops.
• Strengthens India’s high-altitude warfare readiness, ensuring mobility even when ground routes are weather-constrained.
• Supports offensive–defensive missions, improves redundancy, and complements the strategic network including Daulat Beg Oldi ALG.

Strategic Importance

• Reinforces India’s proactive border infrastructure push, part of a larger effort to match Chinese deployments across Tibet–Xinjiang.
• Symbolises India’s determination to defend sovereignty while enabling disaster relief, connectivity improvements, and socio-economic benefits for local communities.

Ambaji Marble

Context: Recently, Gujarat’s Ambaji white marble received a GI tag, recognising its exceptional quality and heritage value, strengthening regional identity and boosting artisanal livelihoods.

About Ambaji Marble

• Ambaji marble originates from the Ambaji region of Banaskantha, a prominent pilgrimage centre and Shaktipeeth in Gujarat renowned for its ancient marble quarries.
• It is known for its pure white colour, natural shine, and high calcium content contributing to superior durability.
  • Contains silicon oxide and calcium oxide, giving it structural strength.
• Exhibits exceptional resistance to ageing; centuries-old structures like Dilwara Jain Temples , Mount Abu, Rajasthan showcase its long-lasting purity.
  • The Dilwara Jain Temples, built between the 11th–13th centuries CE by the Chaulukya (Solanki) rulers, are renowned for their exquisite marble craftsmanship.
• Significance: Traditionally used in religious architecture across India and abroad (USA, New Zealand, England).
  • Also used in the Ram Temple, Ayodhya.

Other Marble with GI Tag

• Makrana marble received its Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2015
• It is a calcitic marble variety famous for its use in the construction of the Taj Mahal and other prominent architecture.

About the GI Tag

• A Geographical Indication (GI) identifies products having qualities or reputation tied to their geographic origin, ensuring authenticity and legal protection.
• Awarded By: Granted by the Geographical Indications Registry, Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
• Significance
  • Enhances market recognition, export potential, and branding of products.
  • Protects traditional knowledge, benefits local artisans, and promotes sustainable regional development.

AI-based ‘DRISHTI’ System

Context: Indian Railways is introducing the AI-based ‘DRISHTI’ system to detect tampered or unlocked freight wagon doors in real time, enhancing safety and reducing manual inspections.

About ‘DRISHTI’

• Introduction: ‘DRISHTI’ is an AI-enabled Locking Monitoring System designed to autonomously monitor freight wagon door security during transit.
• Developed By: The system has been jointly developed by the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) and IIT Guwahati’s Technology Innovation and Development Foundation (IITG-TIDF).

Features

• Uses AI-powered cameras and sensors to capture and analyse door positions in real time.
• Employs computer vision and machine-learning algorithms to detect tampering or abnormal locking conditions.
• Provides automated alerts without disrupting train operations.
• Successfully trial-tested for nearly ten months on selected wagons with high accuracy.

Cohort Connect 2025

Context: India announced Cohort Connect 2025 at CSIR–IMMT, Bhubaneswar, on World Diabetes Day, reflecting the rising national burden of metabolic disorders.

Cohort Connect 2025

• It will become the country’s largest evidence-based study on how genetics, lifestyle and environment shape disease patterns.
• It aims to generate India-specific health evidence, avoiding reliance on global one-size-fits-all models.
• With 70% of the population below 40, prevention-focused datasets from Phenome India and Cohort Connect will shape customised therapeutic pathways.
• It also supports long-term public health planning by linking scientific research with policy design.

What is Customised therapy?

• Customised therapy (also called personalised or precision medicine) refers to medical treatment tailored to an individual’s genetic profile, lifestyle, environment, and clinical characteristics, rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.

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