The Tamil Nadu government has introduced the Tamil Nadu Assured Pension Scheme (TAPS) for its employees, replacing the Contributory Pension Scheme. Under TAPS, employees will receive an assured pension equal to 50% of their last-drawn basic pay. Employees contribute 10% of their basic pay, while the state government covers the additional funds required to ensure the 50% payout. The scheme also includes dearness allowance hikes twice a year and a family pension of 60% in case of a pensioner's death. This move aims to address long-standing demands for the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).
TAPS provides an assured pension of 50% of the last-drawn basic pay for state government employees.
Employees contribute 10% of their basic pay, with the state government funding the remainder required for the assured amount.
The scheme includes a family pension of 60% of the pensioner's amount for nominees upon the death of the pensioner.
Exam Points
The scheme was recommended by a three-member Pension Selection Committee headed by Gagandeep Singh Bedi.
The state government will incur an additional expenditure of ₹13,000 crore towards pension funds.
The state will contribute approximately ₹11,000 crore annually to the scheme.
The Indian Army has signed a ₹293-crore contract with NIBE Ltd. for the supply of 'Suryastra', a long-range multi-calibre rocket launcher system. Developed in collaboration with Israel's Elbit Systems, Suryastra is India's first domestically produced high-precision rocket launcher with strike capabilities of 150 km and 300 km. The system is designed to engage multiple targets simultaneously at varying ranges with a circular error probable (CEP) of less than five metres. This procurement, made under emergency powers, significantly enhances the Army's deep-strike artillery firepower and operational reach.
Suryastra is India's first indigenously produced universal multi-calibre rocket launcher capable of surface-to-surface strikes.
The system offers two strike ranges: 150 km and 300 km, with high precision (CEP < 5m).
It is manufactured by NIBE Ltd. in collaboration with Israeli defence major Elbit Systems.
Exam Points
The contract value is approximately ₹292.69 crore.
The Technology Collaboration Agreement (TCA) with Elbit Systems was signed in July 2025.
Emergency procurement powers allow services to procure systems worth up to ₹300 crore without further clearances.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated an international exposition of the sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha at the Rai Pithora Cultural Complex in New Delhi. These relics, discovered during the 1898 excavation in Kapilavastu, were recently repatriated to India from the family collection of colonial archaeologist William Claxton Peppé. The PM emphasized that Buddha's philosophy of 'Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya' (welfare and happiness of all) is India's guide to a global approach. The government is also working on the 'Buddhist Circuit' and promoting Pali as a classical language to preserve Buddhist heritage.
The Piprahwa relics were discovered in 1898 in Kapilavastu and are considered an inseparable part of Indian civilization.
The relics were repatriated from the Peppé family collection after they were nearly auctioned in Hong Kong.
The exposition highlights India's commitment to preserving Buddhist heritage and promoting the 'Buddhist Circuit'.
Exam Points
The relics were discovered by archaeologist William Claxton Peppé in 1898.
The exposition was held at the Rai Pithora Cultural Complex in New Delhi.
Pali has been recently promoted as a classical language by the Indian government.
A report titled 'India's Progress in Addressing the Challenges of Tuberculosis' identifies significant hurdles faced by rural, tribal, and migrant communities in TB care. India accounts for 27% of global TB cases, with socio-economic disparities, malnutrition, and COVID-19 disruptions impeding elimination efforts. Migrant populations face obstacles due to high mobility and limited health access, leading to delayed diagnosis. The report calls for nationwide mapping of non-notified settlements, an integrated migrant health framework, and a national framework for post-TB care to address chronic respiratory symptoms and lung damage among survivors.
India bears approximately 27% of the global tuberculosis burden, facing challenges from socio-economic disparities.
Migrant populations face critical barriers to TB care due to informal employment and lack of health access.
The report recommends a nationwide mapping of non-notified settlements to identify high-burden clusters.
Exam Points
The report is titled 'India's Progress in Addressing the Challenges of Tuberculosis'.
India accounts for 27% of the world's TB cases.
The report was published by stakeholders including the Women’s Collective Forum.
Recent studies of samples from asteroid Bennu, collected by NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission, have revealed the presence of ribose, glucose, amino acids, and nucleobases. These findings support the 'RNA world' hypothesis, suggesting that asteroids could have delivered key molecules required for life to Earth over 3.5 billion years ago. The samples also contained nitrogen-rich polymers and presolar grains from supernovae, indicating that the asteroid's parent body formed in the early solar system. This research provides crucial insights into how Earth acquired the chemical ingredients necessary for the emergence of life.
Samples from asteroid Bennu contain ribose (a sugar in RNA), amino acids, and nucleobases essential for life.
The discovery supports the theory that life's building blocks were delivered to Earth via space rocks.
Bennu contains presolar grains from supernovae, which are older than the sun itself.
Exam Points
NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission returned the Bennu samples to Earth in September 2023.
The studies were published in journals including 'Nature Geoscience' and 'Nature Astronomy'.
The asteroid Bennu is approximately 4.6 billion years old.
Despite stringent laws, acid attacks remain a significant social issue in India. According to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, 207 cases were reported in 2023, an increase from previous years. West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat are the worst-affected states. The conviction rate remains alarmingly low, with only 16 convictions out of hundreds of pending cases in 2023. Challenges include societal stigma, family pressure, and judicial delays. Survivors advocate for a comprehensive ban on acid sales and better implementation of the Justice J.S. Verma Committee's recommendations for rehabilitation.
Acid attacks are often motivated by personal relationship issues, including revenge for rejected advances.
Section 124 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita mandates a minimum of 10 years imprisonment for acid attacks.
The Supreme Court mandated the regulation of acid sales in 2013, but implementation remains poor.
Exam Points
NCRB reported 207 acid attack cases and 65 attempt cases in 2023.
West Bengal (57), Uttar Pradesh (31), and Gujarat (15) reported the highest number of cases in 2023.
Section 124 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) covers acid attack penalties.
Every winter, thousands of migratory birds from Siberia, Tibet, and Europe arrive at the wetlands and Ramsar sites of Assam. Species such as bar-headed geese, northern pintails, and ferruginous pochards roost in destinations like Deepor Beel, Maguri Motapung Beel, and Son Beel. These avian guests boost the state's biodiversity and ecotourism. However, unsustainable development activities pose threats to these vital waterbodies. Sustained conservation efforts are ongoing to protect these habitats, which serve as crucial seasonal hubs for long-distance travellers across the globe.
Assam's wetlands, including Ramsar sites, are major winter destinations for birds from the Palearctic region.
Key species include bar-headed geese (known for high-altitude flight), northern pintails, and greylag geese.
Important birding sites include Deepor Beel (Kamrup), Maguri Motapung Beel (Tinsukia), and Son Beel (Karimganj).
Exam Points
Deepor Beel is a prominent Ramsar site in Assam.
Son Beel in Karimganj district is the largest wetland in the state.
Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is a popular destination for Northern pintails.
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