1 . Hypergolic Engines
Syllabus Mapping: GS3: Science & Technology | Space Technology | Space Missions
- ISRO successfully carried out a hot test of the indigenous 200 mN Hypergolic Thruster developed for the Service Module Propulsion System (SMPS) of the Gaganyaan Mission. The test was conducted at ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC), Mahendragiri, validating the thruster for future human spaceflight missions.
- The 200 mN Hypergolic Thruster has been developed by Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), ISRO for the Gaganyaan Service Module.
- It forms part of the Service Module Propulsion System (SMPS) responsible for attitude control, orbital manoeuvres and de-orbit operations of the Orbital Module.
- A hypergolic propellant is a fuel–oxidizer combination that ignites spontaneously on contact, eliminating the need for an ignition system.
- Hypergolic propulsion is preferred in spacecraft because it offers:
- Instant ignition
- High reliability
- Multiple restart capability
- Long-term storability
- ISRO’s hypergolic propulsion system uses bipropellant configuration (fuel and oxidizer stored separately until combustion).
- Hypergolic engines are extensively used in:
- Satellite attitude control
- Orbit raising
- Orbit correction
- Spacecraft de-orbiting
- Docking and rendezvous missions.
2. Magnetic Trees
Syllabus Mapping: GS3: Science & Technology | Space Technology | Astronomy & Astrophysics
- Researchers have developed a novel technique called “Magnetic Trees” to reveal previously hidden plasma flows in the Sun’s upper atmosphere (corona). The study helps improve understanding of solar magnetic fields and the mechanisms responsible for heating the solar corona.
- Magnetic Trees are a visualisation and analysis technique, not physical trees.
- They map the branching structure of the Sun’s magnetic field lines, resembling the roots and branches of a tree.
- The technique helps trace the movement of hot ionised plasma along magnetic field lines in the solar corona.
- The solar corona is the outermost layer of the Sun’s atmosphere, extending millions of kilometres into space.
- The corona is visible during a total solar eclipse as a faint white halo around the Sun.
- The corona is much hotter (~1–3 million K) than the Sun’s visible surface (photosphere ~5,500 K)—a phenomenon known as the Coronal Heating Problem.
- The Sun’s atmosphere consists of:
- Photosphere – visible surface.
- Chromosphere – middle atmospheric layer.
- Corona – outermost and hottest layer.
3. National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK)
Syllabus Mapping: GS2: Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections | Statutory & Non-Statutory Bodies | Social Justice
- The Union Cabinet approved the extension of the tenure of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) for three years beyond 31 March 2025, i.e., up to 31 March 2028, to continue monitoring the welfare of sanitation workers and the implementation of laws against manual scavenging.
- National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) was constituted on 12 August 1994 under the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis Act, 1993.
- It was initially established as a statutory body for a period of three years.
- The NCSK Act, 1993 lapsed on 29 February 2004; since then, the Commission has functioned as a non-statutory body through Government Resolutions under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.
- Composition: Chairperson + Vice-Chairperson + Five Members
- Major Functions:
- Recommend measures for the welfare of Safai Karamcharis.
- Monitor implementation of welfare programmes.
- Investigate grievances and complaints.
- Evaluate rehabilitation measures.
- Advise the Central and State Governments.
- Under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 (PEMSR Act, 2013), NCSK monitors:
- Elimination of manual scavenging.
- Rehabilitation of identified manual scavengers.
- Complaints regarding hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks.
4. Prime Minister’s National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS / NAPS 2.0)
Syllabus Mapping: GS2: Government Policies & Interventions | GS3: Employment | Skill Development | Human Resource Development
- The Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has extended the Special Intervention for Promotion of Apprenticeship in the North Eastern Region (NER) under the Prime Minister’s National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS) for FY 2026–27.
- The initiative will continue to be implemented by the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE), Guwahati, to expand apprenticeship opportunities and improve youth employability in the region.
- PM-NAPS (National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme) is a Central Sector Scheme implemented by the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
- Initially launched in August 2016, it has been continued as NAPS 2.0 (from 2022–23 onwards).
- The scheme is implemented under the Apprentices Act, 1961.
- Objective:
- Promote industry-led apprenticeship training.
- Enhance employability through the “Earn While You Learn”
- Encourage industries, especially MSMEs, to engage apprentices.
- Under NAPS 2.0:
- Government provides 25% of the stipend (maximum ₹1,500 per month).
- The remaining stipend is paid by the employer.
- Apprentices receive on-the-job practical training while earning a stipend.
- Apprentices are trainees, not regular employees, and engagement under the Apprentices Act does not create a right to permanent employment.
- National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS)
- Implemented by the Ministry of Education.
- Primarily covers graduate, diploma and degree apprentices.
5. SAMADHAN Portal 2.0
Syllabus Mapping: GS2: Government Policies & Interventions | Labour Welfare | E-Governance | Industrial Relations
The Chief Labour Commissioner (Central), under the Ministry of Labour & Employment, conducted an awareness session on SAMADHAN Portal 2.0 for trade unions. The upgraded portal aims to provide a single digital platform for filing, tracking and disposal of industrial disputes, workers’ grievances and claims under the new labour framework, thereby enhancing transparency, accessibility and time-bound grievance redressal.
- SAMADHAN stands for Software Application for Monitoring, Disposal and Handling of Industrial Disputes.
- SAMADHAN Portal 2.0 provides a single-window digital platform for:
- Filing industrial disputes.
- Filing workers’ grievances.
- Filing claims under labour laws.
- Online monitoring and tracking of cases.
- The portal digitises the processes of:
- Conciliation
- Arbitration
- Adjudication of industrial disputes.
- The portal aligns with the implementation of the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, particularly for digital handling of labour disputes.
- Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) is an attached office of the Ministry of Labour & Employment and is responsible for enforcing Central Labour Laws
