Fast X-ray Transient (FXT)
Context: Astronomers have traced the rare Fast X-ray Transient (FXT) EP241107a to a powerful explosion likely caused by either the collapse of a massive star or the merger of two neutron stars.
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About EP241107a
- EP241107a is a rare Fast X-ray Transient (FXT) detected in November 2024, characterized by a brief but powerful burst of X-rays.
- Discovered by Einstein Probe: It was first detected by the Einstein Probe, a satellite dedicated to discovering transient high-energy cosmic events.
- Likely Origin: Scientists believe it originated from either:
- Collapse of a massive star, or
- Merger of two neutron stars.
- Possible Orphan Afterglow: No gamma-ray burst (GRB) was directly observed, but the scientists classify it as a possible “orphan afterglow”—the afterglow of a gamma-ray burst whose main gamma-ray emission was not observed.
- Multi-Wavelength Observations: Studied using radio, optical, and X-ray observations from facilities in India, the USA, Chile, and Hawaii.
- Indian Contribution: Observations involved Indian facilities including:
- Indian Astronomical Observatory
- Himalayan Chandra Telescope
- GROWTH India Telescope
- Upgraded Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope
- Scientific Significance: Provides important evidence linking Fast X-ray Transients (FXTs) with Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs) and helps understand the universe’s most energetic explosions.
What are Fast X-ray Transients (FXTs)?
- Fast X-ray Transients (FXTs) are rare, highly energetic, short-duration bursts of X-rays originating from violent cosmic events.
- Characteristics:
- They typically last from a few minutes to several hours and then fade rapidly, making them difficult to observe.
- Unlike regular X-ray sources, FXTs are generally non-repeating and unpredictable, appearing suddenly and disappearing quickly.
- Origin: FXTs are believed to be associated with phenomena such as gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), supernova explosions, neutron star mergers, and black hole-related events.
- Scientific Significance: They are important for understanding the most extreme explosions and high-energy processes in the universe.
INS Dunagiri, INS Sanshodhak and INS Agray
Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned three indigenously built naval platforms INS Dunagiri, INS Sanshodhak and INS Agray strengthening India’s maritime security and indigenous shipbuilding ecosystem.
About INS Dunagiri
- INS Dunagiri is the fifth Project 17A (Nilgiri-class) stealth frigate of the Indian Navy.
- Developed By: Designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
- Key Features
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- Multi-Role Combat Capability: Capable of conducting air, surface and sub-surface warfare operations simultaneously.
- Advanced Weapons: Equipped with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and the Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) system.
- Stealth Design: Features reduced radar signature and enhanced survivability in hostile environments.
- Significance: Strengthens India’s blue-water naval capabilities and maritime deterrence.
About INS Sanshodhak
- INS Sanshodhak is the fourth Survey Vessel (Large) designed for hydrographic and oceanographic missions.
- Developed By: Designed and built indigenously by GRSE, Kolkata.
- Key Features
-
- Hydrographic Surveys: Conducts coastal and deep-water seabed mapping and navigational surveys.
- Advanced Survey Systems: Equipped with Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) and Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs).
- Scientific Data Collection: Collects oceanographic and geophysical data for defence and civilian applications.
- Significance: Enhances maritime domain awareness, navigation safety and scientific research capabilities.
About INS Agray
- INS Agray is the fourth Arnala-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC).
- Developed By: Built indigenously by GRSE under the Navy’s coastal defence modernization programme.
- Key Features
-
- Anti-Submarine Warfare: Designed to detect, track and neutralise underwater threats in shallow waters.
- Indigenous Weapon Systems: Equipped with lightweight torpedoes and indigenous rocket launchers.
- Advanced Sensors: Features modern shallow-water SONAR systems and waterjet propulsion.
- Significance: Strengthens coastal security, littoral warfare capability and anti-submarine defence preparedness.
The three platforms contain over 75% indigenous content, involve participation of over 200 MSMEs, and exemplify the goals of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and defence indigenisation.
India’s First Commercial-Scale Coal-to-Ammonium Nitrate Project
Context: Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of India’s first commercial-scale coal-to-ammonium nitrate project at Lakhanpur, Jharsuguda district, Odisha.
About the Lakhanpur Project
- It is India’s first commercial-scale coal gasification facility for producing ammonium nitrate.
- It will be developed over 350 acres of land belonging to Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd. (MCL).
- Implementing Agency: The project is being developed by Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Limited (BCGCL), a joint venture of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) and Coal India Limited (CIL).
- Investment and Government Support: It entails an investment of ₹25,016 crore, with ₹1,350 crore in financial support from the Ministry of Coal under the Coal Gasification Incentive Scheme.
- Capacity and Technology: The plant will produce 2,000 tonnes per day (0.66 MTPA) of technical-grade ammonium nitrate using indigenously developed Pressurised Fluidised Bed Gasification (PFBG) technology by BHEL, suitable for high-ash Indian coal.
- Significance: The project aims to promote clean coal technologies, reduce import dependence on critical feedstocks, and strengthen India’s manufacturing ecosystem in line with the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, while serving as a model for future coal gasification ventures.
About Coal Gasification
- Coal gasification is the process of converting coal into synthesis gas (syngas) by reacting it with a controlled amount of oxygen (or air), steam, and heat at high temperatures and pressures.
- Composition of Syngas: Mainly consists of carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H₂).
- Products: Syngas can be used to manufacture methanol, ammonia, urea, ammonium nitrate, synthetic natural gas (SNG), and other chemical feedstocks.
Coal-to-Ammonium Nitrate Process
- Coal Gasification: Coal is converted into synthesis gas (syngas).
- Ammonia Production: Syngas is processed to produce ammonia.
- Nitric Acid Production: Part of the ammonia is oxidised to form nitric acid.
- Ammonium Nitrate Production: Nitric acid reacts with ammonia to produce ammonium nitrate.
India’s Coal Position
- Global Ranking: Second largest producer and consumer of coal globally.
- Coal Reserves: India has the world’s fifth-largest coal reserves, estimated at over 400 billion tonnes.
- Largest Coal Producer: Coal India Limited (CIL) is the world’s largest coal-producing company.
- Target: The Ministry of Coal aims to achieve 100 million tonnes (MT) of coal gasification by 2030.
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Country Partnership Framework (CPF)
Context: The World Bank approved $1.5 billion Development Policy Financing (DPF) for India with potential to create job opportunities for 11 million youth.
- It is also aligned with the Country Partnership Framework (CPF) India has with the World Bank until 2031.
Country Partnership Framework (CPF)
- The Country Partnership Framework (CPF) is the World Bank Group’s strategic roadmap for aligning its support with a member country’s development priorities.
- Key Objective: It aligns World Bank interventions with national development goals and poverty-reduction strategies.
- Evidence-Based Planning: It is based on the Systematic Country Diagnostic (SCD), which identifies a country’s key development challenges and opportunities.
- Funding Support
- Development Policy Financing (DPF): Provides rapid budgetary support for policy and institutional reforms.
- Investment Project Financing: Supports infrastructure, health, education and social development projects.
- Private Sector Financing: Mobilises private capital through the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and other World Bank Group institutions.
- Key Features
- Promotes sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
- Encourages private-sector participation and investment.
- Supports climate resilience, governance reforms and human capital development.
- Combines financing, technical assistance and policy advisory support.
Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for India
- The CPF serves as the World Bank Group’s strategic framework for supporting India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision through inclusive and sustainable growth.
- Tenure: Current CPF covers the period FY 2026–2031.
- It succeeds the previous FY 2018–2022 CPF.
- Funding Envelope: The World Bank Group plans annual support of approximately $8–10 billion through loans, investments and advisory services.
- Key Targets
- Boosting Rural Prosperity: Diversify agricultural incomes, improve market access and strengthen water-resource management.
- Supporting Urban Transformation: Promote sustainable urbanisation, housing, infrastructure and municipal financing.
- Investing in People: Enhance health, nutrition, education, skill development and workforce participation, especially for youth and women.
- Strengthening Energy Security: Expand renewable energy, green hydrogen, e-mobility and resilient infrastructure.
- Significance: The CPF aims to accelerate private sector-led, job-rich growth, improve ease of living, enhance climate resilience and support India’s transition towards becoming an upper-middle-income economy and achieving the Viksit Bharat@2047 vision.
Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY)
Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi disbursed ₹2,400 crore under PM-VBRY to support first-time employees, job creation and social security expansion across sectors.
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Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY)
- PM-VBRY is a flagship employment-linked incentive scheme designed to promote formal employment, social security coverage and inclusive economic growth.
- Launch: Launched on 1 st August 2025 by the Ministry of Labour and Employment as part of the Viksit Bharat Vision to accelerate employment-led development.
- Objective:
- Support First-Time Employees: Facilitate entry of youth into the formal workforce through direct financial incentives and social security benefits.
- Incentivise Employers: Encourage employers to create additional and sustained employment opportunities across sectors.
- Promote Financial Inclusion: Strengthen financial literacy, savings habits and formal workforce participation among young workers.
- Budget Outlay: Total financial outlay of ₹99,446 crore.
- Target: It aims to generate 3.5 crore jobs over a period of two years.
- Key Components
- Incentive to First-Time Employees
- Provides an incentive of up to ₹15,000 to first-time employees registered with EPFO.
- Employees earning gross monthly wages up to ₹1 lakh are eligible.
- Includes an online financial literacy programme.
- Support to Employers
- Provides incentives for generating additional employment.
- Employers receive up to ₹3,000 per month for each eligible new employee.
- Incentives are available for 2 years in all sectors and 4 years in the manufacturing sector.
- Key Achievements
- Nearly 70 lakh new jobs were created and an equal number of first-time employees brought under social security coverage.
- More than ₹2,000 crore has been transferred directly to beneficiaries through DBT.
PM-VBRY promotes formal job creation, strengthens social security coverage, boosts manufacturing employment and supports India’s transition towards a developed economy by 2047.
20 Jun 2026
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