1 . Sant Gajanan Maharaj
Syllabus Mapping : GS I: Art & Culture – Saints & Religious Traditions
- The Union Minister of State (IC), Ministry of Ayush urged the Government to issue a ₹150 commemorative coin and a commemorative postage stamp to mark the 150th Prakat Din of Sant Gajanan Maharaj (17 February 2028).
- Sant Gajanan Maharaj first appeared at Shegaon, Buldhana district, Maharashtra, in February 1878.
- 150th Prakat Din will be observed on 17 February 2028.
- His teachings emphasize: Bhakti (Devotion) + Seva (Selfless Service) + Compassion + Human Welfare
- Shri Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan, Shegaon is known for its contributions in education, healthcare, rural development and social welfare.
- Shri Gajanan Vijay is the principal biographical text on Sant Gajanan Maharaj. Written by Das Ganu Maharaj.
- Commemorative coins are issued by the Government of India to commemorate important personalities/events. And minted by Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Ltd. (SPMCIL).
2. Blue Straggler Stars (BSS)
Syllabus Mapping :GS III: Science & Technology – Space & Astronomy
- Astronomers from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), along with international collaborators, discovered a Blue Straggler Star (BSS) that is actively forming in the binary system TIC 327546480 located in the open star cluster Collinder 261.
- The study provides direct observational evidence for the formation of Blue Straggler Stars through mass transfer in binary systems.
- Blue Straggler Stars (BSS) are stars in a star cluster that appear hotter, brighter and more massive than other stars of the same cluster.
- The study observed a binary star system (TIC 327546480) in the open cluster Collinder 261, about 9,500 light-years from Earth.
- The observations combined:
- NASA’s TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) data, and
- Very Large Telescope (VLT) observations of the European Southern Observatory (ESO), Chile.
- Researchers found the binary system to be semi-detached, with one star overflowing its Roche lobe and transferring matter to the Blue Straggler Star.
- The ongoing mass transfer confirms that the Blue Straggler is still being formed (stellar rejuvenation).
- The system also showed strong X-ray emission, providing independent evidence of active mass accretion.
- Roche Lobe is the region around a star within a binary system where its gravitational influence dominates.
- When a star expands beyond its Roche lobe, matter flows to its companion (Roche-lobe overflow).
3. Kosi–Mechi Intra-State Link Project
Syllabus Mapping: GS III: Water Resources • River Interlinking • Irrigation
- The Kosi–Mechi Intra-State Link Project has been included under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayi Yojana – Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (PMKSY-AIBP) for balance works with central assistance for Bihar.
- The project aims to divert surplus monsoon waters of the Kosi basin to the Mechi basin through remodelling of the Eastern Kosi Main Canal (EKMC) and extension of the canal system, thereby enhancing irrigation potential in Bihar.
- The project forms part of the National Perspective Plan (NPP) for Interlinking of Rivers, implemented by the National Water Development Agency (NWDA).
- The NPP comprises 30 river-link proposals (14 Himalayan and 16 Peninsular), with the Kosi–Mechi Link included under the Himalayan Component.
- The Kosi River originates in Tibet, flows through Nepal, and joins the Ganga in Bihar. Owing to frequent floods and channel shifting, it is popularly known as the “Sorrow of Bihar.”
- The Mechi River originates in Nepal, forms part of the India–Nepal boundary, and is a tributary of the Mahananda River.
4. Flue-Cured Virginia (FCV) Tobacco
Syllabus Mapping: GS III: Agriculture • Commercial Crops • Agricultural Marketing
- The Department of Commerce reviewed the prevailing market situation of Flue-Cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco in Andhra Pradesh.
- Flue-Cured Virginia (FCV) Tobacco is a light-coloured, flue-cured tobacco primarily used in the manufacture of cigarettes. The leaves are cured in enclosed barns using indirect heat (flues) without exposing them to smoke, producing the characteristic golden-yellow colour, mild flavour and and low moisture content.
- It is grown extensively as a rainfed crop during the Kharif season is states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
- The Tobacco Board, a statutory body constituted under the Tobacco Board Act, 1975, functions under the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
- It regulates FCV tobacco cultivation through crop regulation, organizes electronic auction platforms, promotes exports, undertakes quality improvement, and provides extension support to registered growers.
- India is a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), the world’s first public health treaty on tobacco control, while domestically the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003 regulates the advertisement, production, supply and sale of tobacco products.
5. Museum Grant Scheme
Syllabus Mapping: GS I: Indian Heritage & Culture • Museums & Conservation
- The Ministry of Culture informed Parliament that the Museum Grant Scheme provides financial assistance for setting up new museums, modernization of existing museums, digitization of museum collections, establishment of virtual museums, and capacity building of museum professionals.
- The scheme supports museums managed by Central/State Governments, Autonomous Bodies, PSUs, Local Bodies, Academic Institutions, Societies and Trusts.
- The scheme comprises three components:
- (i) Development & Establishment of Museums,
- (ii) Digitization of Museum Collections, and
- (iii) Capacity Building & Training of Museum Professionals.
- Under the revised guidelines (2021), Virtual Experiential Museums (VEMs) and Projects of National Importance have also been included.
- Museums are classified into three categories for financial assistance. Under the Development & Establishment component, assistance is available up to ₹15 crore (Category I), ₹10/8 crore (Category II – New/Existing Museum) and ₹5/4 crore (Category III – New/Existing Museum). For digitization and training, assistance is available up to ₹50 lakh for Category I museums and ₹25 lakh for other museums.
- The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), under the Ministry of Culture, is India’s premier organisation for archaeological research, conservation of protected monuments and site museums, while the National Museum, New Delhi, is one of India’s premier museum institutions.
