An Indian-flagged liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker, Jag Vikram, successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first such transit by an Indian vessel since a temporary two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran was announced. Ship-tracking data confirmed the tanker's movement between Friday night and Saturday morning, and a government statement provided an update on developments in West Asia. The vessel, carrying approximately 20,400 tonnes of LPG cargo with 24 seafarers, is owned by Mumbai-based Great Eastern Shipping Company and is expected to arrive in Mumbai on April 15, 2026. This transit is significant as it follows a period of heightened tensions in the region.
An Indian-flagged LPG tanker, Jag Vikram, completed the first transit through the Strait of Hormuz by an Indian vessel since a U.S.-Iran ceasefire.
The transit occurred between Friday night and Saturday morning, following a temporary two-week ceasefire announcement between the U.S. and Iran.
The vessel carried 20,400 tonnes of LPG cargo and had 24 seafarers onboard.
Crew members of the Artemis II lunar flyby mission, including pilot Victor Glover and mission specialist Christina Koch, successfully returned to Earth. They were extracted from the Orion spacecraft after it splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California on Saturday morning. The image captures them after their extraction, highlighting the successful completion of their voyage beyond the moon and back. This mission is a significant step in NASA's broader Artemis program aimed at returning humans to the Moon.
The Artemis II lunar flyby mission successfully concluded with the crew's return to Earth.
Pilot Victor Glover and mission specialist Christina Koch were among the crew members.
The Orion spacecraft splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off California.
Exam Points
Mission: Artemis II lunar flyby mission
Crew members mentioned: Victor Glover (pilot), Christina Koch (mission specialist)
Indian States collectively spend nearly ₹2.4 lakh crore annually on electricity subsidies for agriculture and domestic consumers. The Centre is encouraging States to adopt farm solarisation and rooftop solarisation through schemes like PM KUSUM and PM Surya Ghar to eliminate this subsidy bill over time. Maharashtra is highlighted as a model, having launched the Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana in 2017, scaling its ambitions to 16 GW. The article notes challenges like the higher cost of domestic solar equipment compared to Chinese and Vietnamese alternatives, and the structural limitation of PM Surya Ghar for poor households who lack incentive to install rooftop solar.
Indian States incur significant annual expenditure on electricity subsidies, totaling nearly ₹2.4 lakh crore.
The Centre promotes farm and rooftop solarisation through schemes like PM KUSUM and PM Surya Ghar to reduce these subsidies.
Maharashtra's Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana serves as a model for decentralised solar plant installation.
Exam Points
Annual electricity subsidy: ₹2.4 lakh crore
Schemes mentioned: PM KUSUM, PM Surya Ghar
Model State: Maharashtra (Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana, 2017)
West Bengal is embroiled in a major controversy over the Election Commission of India's (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The SIR, aimed at cleaning up rolls by removing duplicate, migrated, and deceased voters, led to over 63 lakh name deletions and 1.20 crore names with logical discrepancies. The Supreme Court intervened due to a "trust deficit" between the ECI and the Trinamool Congress government, deploying judicial officers to hear 'under adjudication' cases. While 27 lakh names were cleared, others remain in limbo, unlikely to vote in upcoming Assembly polls. The Trinamool accuses the ECI of political bias, while civil society groups allege deliberate targeting of Muslim and women voters.
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal has become a significant controversy.
Over 63 lakh names were deleted, and 1.20 crore names had logical discrepancies, leading to a "trust deficit" between ECI and the state government.
The Supreme Court intervened, deploying judicial officers to adjudicate disputed cases, clearing 27 lakh names.
Exam Points
Process: Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls
State: West Bengal
Total names deleted from pre-SIR 2025 list: 90.8 lakh
A two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran was announced, mediated by Pakistan, following escalating tensions and a U.S.-Israeli bombing campaign. The process involved a 15-point plan from the U.S. and subsequent backchannel discussions, with Pakistan playing a crucial intermediary role due to its historical diplomatic ties and communication channels with both sides. The ceasefire aims to pave the way for a permanent truce, with ongoing trilateral talks in Islamabad involving economic, military, legal, and nuclear experts. Israel has reacted negatively, bombing Hezbollah targets, while Iran has adhered to the ceasefire. The negotiations face challenges from Israeli opposition and the need to bridge wide gaps between proposals.
A temporary two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran was announced, following a period of intense conflict.
Pakistan played a key mediation role, leveraging its historical diplomatic channels with the U.S., Iran, and Gulf monarchies.
The ceasefire was initiated after the U.S. sent a 15-point plan to Iran via Pakistan's Gen. Munir.
The 'Priest King' (steatite statue) and the 'Dancing Girl' (bronze statue) are two of the most significant artistic discoveries from the Indus Valley Civilisation. These iconic artifacts provide crucial insights into the art, culture, and societal structure of the ancient civilization. Both of these famous artifacts were excavated from the archaeological site of Mohenjo-Daro, a major city of the Indus Valley Civilization located in present-day Sindh, Pakistan.
The 'Priest King' (steatite statue) and 'Dancing Girl' (bronze statue) are key artifacts of the Indus Valley Civilisation.
These artifacts are significant for understanding the art and culture of the period.
Both the 'Priest King' and 'Dancing Girl' were excavated from Mohenjo-Daro.
India's Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, achieved criticality, marking a milestone in the country's nuclear ambitions. FBRs are designed to 'breed' more nuclear fuel than they consume and are crucial for India's three-stage nuclear power program, aiming for energy security by utilizing plutonium and thorium. However, the article highlights concerns regarding the Department of Atomic Energy's (DAE) limited parliamentary and judicial oversight, lack of transparency, and the inherent risks of FBR technology, such as using liquid sodium as a coolant. Past international failures of FBRs and the PFBR's exclusion from IAEA purview raise questions about accountability and safety.
India's Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) in Kalpakkam has achieved criticality, a significant step in its nuclear program.
FBRs are vital for India's three-stage nuclear power program, aiming for fuel efficiency and energy security.
Concerns exist regarding the DAE's lack of transparency, minimal oversight, and the inherent risks associated with FBR technology, such as the use of liquid sodium coolant.
The Lanjia Saora community, a vulnerable tribal group in Odisha's Rayagada and Gajapati districts, is striving to maintain its distinctive visual traditions while adapting to modernity. Their belief system is deeply connected to nature, with rituals, music, and dance integral to daily life. Notable traditions include large metal earrings fixed into stretched earlobes and intricate tattoos. However, younger generations are reinterpreting these customs; they prefer hooked earrings over permanently fixed ones and use temporary black markings for tattoos during festivals, reflecting a compromise between continuity, comfort, identity, and mobility. This evolving aesthetic showcases the community's negotiation with contemporary influences.
The Lanjia Saora community, a vulnerable tribal group in Odisha, is known for its unique visual traditions.
Their culture is deeply intertwined with nature, rituals, music, and dance.
Distinctive traditions include large metal earrings and intricate tattoos, historically markers of identity and spirituality.
Exam Points
Tribe: Lanjia Saora community
Location: Rayagada and Gajapati districts, Odisha
Key traditions: Large metal earrings, intricate tattoos
Read more
Read it. Retain it. Recall it.
Get spaced-repetition flashcards, daily quizzes and offline access — free on Android.