AMCA Fighter Jet Execution Model

Context: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the execution model for India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project.

About AMCA Fighter Jet Project

• It is India’s first indigenous fifth-generation fighter jet project. 
• Designed to perform deep penetration missions, close combat, swing-role, and precision strikes. 
• Project Highlights
  • Stealth Technology: Incorporates an internal weapons bay and Diverterless Supersonic Intake (DSI) for reduced radar visibility.
  • Twin-Engine Power: The MK1 version will use the General Electric F-414 engine, while the MK2 version will feature a more powerful engine co-developed with Saran of France.
  • The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), will lead the project in partnership with both public and private Indian industry players
• Strategic Importance
  • India’s entry into the fifth-generation fighter club—currently limited to the US, Russia, and China—strengthens India’s defence capabilities and self-reliance (Aatmanirbharta) in aerospace technology.
  • Helps maintain India’s air superiority against growing threats in the Indo-Pacific region.

What is Stealth Technology?

• It is an advanced technique and materials which is used to make vehicles or any object less detectable by detection methods like radar, infrared, sonar, and electromagnetic surveillance tools. 
• Also known as: low-observable technology.
• Application: Used in missiles, military aircrafts, and ships.

Sumy Region

Context: Russian forces have captured four villages (Novenke, Basivka, Veselivka, and Zhuravka) in the Sumy region of northeastern Ukraine.

About Sumy Region

• It is located in northeastern Ukraine, bordering Russia’s Kursk, Bryansk, and Belgorod oblasts.
• Situated on the banks of the Psel River.
• Bordered by 
  • It is adjacent to Ukraine’s Chernihiv and Kharkiv regions.
• Strategic importance of the Sumy region:
  • Border Proximity: Directly adjacent to Russia, making it crucial for military operations.
  • Military Access: Key entry point for cross-border strikes between Ukraine and Russia.
• Desna River – The largest river flowing through the region.

Interpol Silver Notices

Context: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) recently published Interpol Silver Notices against two fugitives.

• India’s first Silver Notice was issued against the Personnel Visas & Local Law Officer at the French Embassy in Delhi, allegedly committing visa fraud.

About Silver Notice

• They are the new colour-coded notice, which enables identifying, locating, obtaining, and monitoring the assets of a subject worldwide.
  • It is the latest addition to Interpol’s colour-coded alert system.
• Aim: The Silver Notice is  aimed at enhancing global cooperation in combating financial crimes.
• Purpose: The notice assists member countries in identifying, locating, and recovering criminally obtained assets like, Properties; Vehicles; Financial accounts; Businesses.
• Scope of Criminal Activities: Silver Notices are particularly useful in cases linked to,
  • Fraud; Corruption; Drug Trafficking; Environmental Crimes

About Interpol Notices

• These are international alerts used by police forces to share information about crimes, criminals, and threats with other nations

Ladakh Domicile Policy

Context: The Union Government is considering a new domicile policy for Ladakh which will determine the domicile status of the residents of Ladakh.

Proposed Policy

• Citizens who have resided continuously in Ladakh since 2019 for 15 years will be considered domiciles starting in 2034.
• Those settling in Ladakh after 2019 will only be eligible for domicile after 15 years of stay (i.e., post-2034).
• The policy defines eligibility for 5% of gazetted government posts.

Background & Demands

• Ladakh became a Union Territory in 2019 after Article 370 was revoked.
• Protests erupted in 2020, with demands including:
  • Statehood for Ladakh
  • Sixth Schedule inclusion (tribal safeguards)
  • Job reservation for locals
  • Separate parliamentary seats for Leh and Kargil

Comparison with J&K Policy

• J&K’s 2020 policy allows 15-year residents or students who studied for 7 years and appeared for Class 10/12 exams to qualify as domiciles.
• Children of central government officials posted for 10 years in J&K are also eligible.
• No cut-off date in J&K’s policy, unlike Ladakh’s 2019 base year.

Mt. Khangchendzonga

Context: The Chief Minister of Sikkim in a letter addressed to the Union Home Minister has urged the Centre to ensure the sanctity of Mt. Khangchendzonga by urging the Nepal government to ban all mountaineering activities.

• A team from the National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS) has recently ascended the peak from the Nepal side.

About Mt. Khangchendzonga

• Meaning: The name Mt. Khangchendzonga means, “five treasures of the high snows” in Tsangpa Tibetan.
• Height: Mount Kanchenjunga is the third highest mountain in the world and India’s tallest peak standing at 8,568 metres above sea level (28,169 feet).
• Location: It is located on the border between Nepal (Taplejung District) and Sikkim (India), in the eastern Himalayas.
• Appearance: The entire Mt. Khangchendzonga range is popularly referred to as the “Sleeping Buddha” as its various peaks appear to be forming different parts of the Buddha.
• Kanchenjunga Massif: It is in the form of a gigantic cross with four main peaks (Kanchenjunga Main, Yalung Kang, Kangchenjunga Central, and others) connected by ridges.
• Religious Significance: The mountain is revered as the abode of the principal guardian and protector-deity of Sikkim, known as Dzoe-Nga. 
  • Dzoe-Nga is worshipped as the Pho-lha, or the chief of the entire assemblage of supernatural entities of Sikkim.
• Untrodden Peak: The mountain was scaled for the first time in 1955 by a British Expedition, however the peak was not touched.
  • The Sikkim government has banned all climbing activities on Mt. Khangchendzonga through notifications in 1998 and 2001 under the Sacred Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991.
• World Heritage Site: Khangchendzonga National Park including Mt. Khangchendzonga is a UNESCO Mixed World Heritage Site, officiated in 2016.

Honey Production in India

Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, highlighted the crucial role of bees, beekeeping, and honey production.

Honey Production in India

• Honey production has risen from 75,000 MT to 1.25 lakh MT in the last 11 years (60% growth).
• India now ranks among the top honey-producing countries globally.
  • China is the world’s largest producer and exporter of honey in the world.
• Top Honey producing States:: Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, West Bengal, and Arunachal Pradesh.
• World Bee Day: World Bee Day is celebrated every year on May 20 to mark the birth anniversary of Anton Jansa, who has mastered the skill of beekeeping.
• • The theme for World Bee Day 2025 is “Bee inspired by nature to nourish us all”
• Sonhani Honey of Chhattisgarh: The tribal farmers of the Korea in Chhattisgarh are making pure organic honey called Sonhani.
  • Only forest flowers are used to make this honey.

Sweet Revolution

• The Sweet Revolution  is a government initiative  aimed at promoting apiculture, or beekeeping.
• The primary objective of Sweet Revolution is to boost honey production and increase farmer incomes. 

Honey Mission Programme

• Launched By: Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC)
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India
• Launch Year: 2017
• Objective: To promote beekeeping as a means of creating employment and increasing honey production in India.
  • Under the programme, beneficiaries are provided with Bee Boxes, live bee colonies, tool kits and training.

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