Hanging Glaciers
Syllabus: GS1/ Physical Geography
Context
- A new scientific study has warned that the collapse of hanging glaciers above Badrinath could trigger massive ice avalanches, posing a risk to the Himalayan pilgrimage town.
What are Hanging Glaciers?
- These are ice bodies located on steep mountain slopes, often terminating abruptly at bedrock cliffs rather than extending to the valley floor.
- Their detachment or slope failure can trigger ice avalanches, releasing huge volumes of ice, water, and debris within a short period.
Glacial Landforms
Do you know?
- Located at around 3,415 metres above sea level along the Alaknanda River, Badrinath is one of India’s most visited pilgrimage sites, attracting around 1.7 million visitors during the 2025 Char Dham Yatra.
Source: IE
National Social Security Board for Unorganised Workers
Syllabus: GS2/Social Justice
Context
- The Ministry of Labour & Employment has notified the constitution of the National Social Security Board for Unorganised Workers and Gig & Platform Workers.
About
- Statutory basis: The Board is constituted under the Code on Social Security, 2020, which provides a framework for extending social security benefits to unorganised workers, gig workers and platform workers.
- Composition: The Boards will be presided over by the Union Minister for Labour & Employment and comprise representatives from;
- Central and State Governments.
- Aggregator companies and employers.
- Civil society organisations and workers’ unions.
- Associations representing gig and platform workers.
- The Boards shall meet at least thrice a year and shall perform the following functions:
- Recommend to the Central Government for framing suitable schemes for different sections of unorganised workers, gig workers and platform workers,
- Advise the Central Government on such matters arising out of the administration of this Code as may be referred to it,
- Monitor such social welfare schemes for workers as are administered by the Central Government,
- Review the expenditure from the fund and account.
Social Security Provisions under the Code on Social Security, 2020
- Section 6: Provides for the constitution of the National Social Security Board for unorganised workers and State-level Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Boards.
- Section 113: Provides for the registration of unorganised, gig and platform workers.
- Section 114: Empowers the Central Government to frame social security schemes for gig and platform workers covering:
- Life and disability insurance.
- Accident insurance.
- Health and maternity benefits.
- Old-age protection.
- Crèche facilities.
Source: PIB
Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) – Plus
Syllabus: GS2/IR
In News
- The Defence Minister told the 13th ADMM-Plus that India would share its operational experience through joint exercises, capacity-building programmes and intelligence sharing, and proposed a dedicated defence ‘Youth Bridge’ with ASEAN countries.
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
- Origin: It was established in 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by the Founding Fathers of ASEAN: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
- Brunei Darussalam joined ASEAN in 1984, followed by Viet Nam in 1995, Lao PDR and Myanmar in 1997, Cambodia in 1999, and Timor-Leste in 2025 (11th member.)
- Motto: “One Vision, One Identity, One Community”.
- Mandate: ASEAN strives to foster economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region and to promote regional peace, stability and cooperation.
- Objective: To strengthen cooperation in the economic, social, cultural, scientific and technical fields, to promote agriculture, industry and trade, to improve transport and communications, to provide mutual assistance in education, training and research, and to raise the living standards of people.
Significance for India
- Economic Opportunities: ASEAN provides a major market for Indian goods, services and investments.
- Act East Policy: ASEAN is a central pillar of India’s engagement with Southeast Asia.
- Indo-Pacific Strategy: Supports India’s vision of a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
- Northeast Connectivity: Regional connectivity can transform India’s Northeast into a gateway to Southeast Asia.
- Maritime Security: Cooperation helps maintain freedom of navigation and regional stability.
- Energy Security: Cooperation with countries such as Vietnam helps diversify India’s energy partnerships.
Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) – Plus
- The ADMM is the highest defence consultative and cooperative mechanism in ASEAN.
- ADMM-Plus is a platform for ASEAN member states (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam) and its eight Dialogue Partners (India, US, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand) to strengthen security and defence cooperation.
- The Philippines is the chair of ADMM-Plus for 2026.
India’s Position
- India became the dialogue partner of ASEAN in 1992 and the inaugural ADMM-Plus was convened in Hanoi, Vietnam on October 12, 2010.
- India’s active participation in the ADMM-Plus mechanisms underscores the deepening defence diplomacy in Southeast Asia under the Act East policy, aimed at ensuring peace, stability and collective growth in the region.
Source: TH
Dearness Allowance (DA)
Syllabus: GS2/Governance; GS3/Economy
In News
- The Union Cabinet approved releasing an additional instalment of Dearness Allowance (DA) to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) to pensioners, increasing the rate by 3% to 60% of Basic Pay/Pension to offset the price rise.
Dearness Allowance (DA)
- It is granted by the Government to its employees to meet the impact of inflation and the increase in the cost of living that erodes the purchasing power of money.
- It is generally revised twice a year.
- It is generated based on the current monthly reported Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) released by the Labour Bureau.
- Calculation: Dearness allowance is calculated as a percentage of basic pay under the 7th Central Pay Commission’s pay structure.
- The calculation does not include other salary components such as house rent allowance (HRA) or transport allowance.
- DA calculation formula: DA amount = Basic pay × (DA rate ÷ 100).
Source: TH
Fighter Jets
Syllabus: GS3/Defence
Context
- The Defence Minister raised India’s concerns over Washington’s support package for Pakistan’s F-16 fighter aircraft with U.S. Secretary of War.
Various Generation of Aircrafts
- First Generation (1940s–1950s): These early jets were lacking radar, relying solely on machine guns and unguided rockets, and operating at modest speeds and altitudes.
- Aircraft such as the F-86 Sabre (USA), MiG-15 (USSR), and Gloster Meteor (UK) defined this era.
- Second Generation (1950s–1960s): Jets began reaching supersonic speeds and were equipped with early radar systems. Air-to-air missile technology emerged, fundamentally altering aerial combat.
- Examples from this phase include the MiG-21 (USSR), F-104 Starfighter (USA), and Mirage III (France).
- Third Generation (1970s–1980s): Aircraft became more versatile, with the ability to conduct both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. Notable jets from this period include the F-4 Phantom II (USA), MiG-23 (USSR), and SEPECAT Jaguar (UK/France).
- Third-and-a-Half Generation (1980s–1990s): Upgrading existing aircraft with improved radar, cockpit displays, and limited beyond-visual-range missile capabilities. Examples include the MiG-23MLD (USSR), F-5E Tiger II (USA), and MiG-21 Bison (India).
- Fourth Generation (1990s onward): Digital systems and network-centric warfare became central to fighter jet operations. Aircraft like the Mirage 2000 (France), F/A-18 Hornet (USA), and HAL Tejas Mk1 (India) were equipped with multi-role functionality and precision targeting systems.
- Fourth-and-a-Half Generation: Enhancements included sensor fusion, improved radar systems, and partial stealth features.
- Examples include the Dassault Rafale (France), F-16 Block 50/52+ (USA), and HAL Tejas Mk1A (India).
- Fifth Generation: Designed around stealth, with integrated avionics and network warfare capabilities. They support supercruise, advanced sensor packages, and internal weapons bays to reduce radar signatures.
- Key aircraft include the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II (USA), Su-57 (Russia), J-20 (China), and the upcoming HAL AMCA (India).
Source: TH
UNEP Honors India’s Ganges Dolphin Recovery
Syllabus: GS3/ Environment, Conservation
In News
- The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has recognised India’s efforts towards Ganges River Dolphin conservation as one of the 35 UN World Restoration Flagships.
About Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista Gangetica)
- Characteristics: Ganges River Dolphin is essentially blind and hunts by emitting ultrasonic sounds (echolocation) waves that bounce off of fish and other prey.
- Because of the sound it produces when breathing, the animal is popularly referred to as Susu.
- Distribution: It is distributed in Ganges and Brahmaputra river basins of India, Nepal and Bangladesh. It can only live in freshwater.
- Threat: Ganges river dolphin is facing severe threats from water development projects, pollution, hunting and death due to accidental catches in fishing gear.
- Conservation status: The Ganges river dolphin is protected under
- Schedule 1 of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972,
- Appendix 1 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and
- Appendix 1 of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS).
- IUCN status: Endangered
- National and State Symbol: The Ganges river dolphin was designated as a national aquatic species in 2009 and as the state aquatic animal of Assam.
India’s Conservation Initiatives
- Project Dolphin (2020): Focuses on the conservation of riverine and marine dolphins.
- Conservation Action Plan (2022–2047): Provides a long-term roadmap for dolphin protection and habitat conservation.
- Community Participation: Involves local communities in monitoring, rescue and conservation activities.
- River Restoration: Focuses on reducing pollution, maintaining environmental flows and protecting dolphin habitats.
Also Know about Indus River Dolphin (Platanista minor)
- Characteristics: The Indus River Dolphin is also functionally blind and relies on echolocation to navigate and find prey.
- It is commonly referred to as Bhulan in local languages.
- Distribution: The Indus River Dolphin is found in the Indus River system in Pakistan and a small population is present in the Beas River in India.
- Threat: Water diversion projects have significantly reduced its habitat range, confining populations to isolated sections of the river.
- Conservation Status: Protected under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 in India.
- Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
- Appendix I of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS).
- IUCN status: Endangered
- State Symbol: The Indus river dolphin is the state aquatic animal of Punjab.
Source: IE
UAE’s First-Class Order of Zayed II
Syllabus: Miscellaneous
In News
- Indian-origin pilot Captain Smit Machchhar and fellow flydubai crew members received the First-Class Order of Zayed II from the UAE for their courage and professionalism during a cockpit attack on Flight FZ1073.
About First-Class Order of Zayed II
- It is a prestigious civilian decoration of the UAE, awarded to foreign diplomats, international dignitaries and distinguished individuals for exceptional public service, diplomatic achievements and acts of bravery.
- It was instituted in memory of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father and first President of the UAE.
Previous Recipients
- Captain Smit Machchhar is the third Indian recipient of this honour. Former Indian ambassadors Navdeep Singh Suri (2019) and Sunjay Sudhir (2025) were also conferred the award for their diplomatic contributions.
Source: IE
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