In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- The President of India returned the West Bengal Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities Bill, commonly known as the \u2018anti-Goonda\u2019 Bill, to the state for reconsideration.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Bengal anti-Goonda Bill<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- It is a preventive detention statute aimed at \u201cgoondas\u201d and \u201canti-social activities\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Detention Period: <\/strong>It allows authorities to detain a person for up to 12 months \u2014 without trial \u2014 and bar (or extern) them from entering a specified \u201carea, district or districts\u201d for up to the same period to prevent \u2018anti-social\u2019 activity.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Definitions<\/strong>: It has expansive definitions of the term \u2018goonda\u2019, as well as \u2018anti-social activity\u2019.\n
\n- A goonda is a person who is \u201cgenerally reputed to be desperate and dangerous to the community\u201d or is a \u201cHabitual Offender.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- An \u201canti-social activity\u201d covers conduct that directly or indirectly causes \u201calarm or insecurity among the public, danger to life or property, disturbance of public order, unlawful dispossession, or illegal mining, quarrying, sand or forest activity that drains the public exchequer.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Search and seizure <\/strong>: It also allows for search and seizure, punishes the harbouring of a detained or externed person, grants officials good-faith immunity, and makes offences cognizable and non-bailable.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Controversies <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Three Public Interest Litigations challenging the Bill were moved in the Calcutta High Court over its sweeping provisions,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The High Court dismissed the three PILs mentioned above, saying the petitions were premature because the Bill had not yet received the President\u2019s assent to become a law<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- President Droupadi sent back the West Bengal Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities (\u2018anti-Goonda\u2019) Bill to the State Legislature for review.\n
\n- The Center argued that the provisions for offences under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS), 1985, overlap with the preventive-detention regime under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1988, leading to parallel mechanisms and possibly repugnancy under Article 254.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Constitutional Provisions <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Under Article 200<\/strong>, a State Bill generally requires the Governor\u2019s assent to become law. The Governor may assent, withhold assent, or reserve the Bill for the President\u2019s consideration.\n
\n- Reservation is mandatory if the Bill would weaken the powers of the High Court and endanger its constitutional position.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The Governor may also return a non-Money Bill for reconsideration; if the legislature passes it again, the Governor cannot withhold assent.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Article 201 provides<\/strong> that a State Bill may be reserved by a Governor for the consideration of the President who may give consent or withhold assent.\n
\n- In case of a non-Money Bill the President may also request the Governor to re-submit the Bill to the State Legislature for reconsideration.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \u00a0It must be reconsidered by the legislature within six months and if again passed with or without revisions, the Bill is delivered to the President for review.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Status in Other States <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Goonda laws exist in several states, most notably in Gujarat, as the Prevention of Anti-Social Activities Act, 1985.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita also has provisions to deal with organised crime.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Preventive detention is permitted under Article 22 of the Constitution with certain safeguards. Such issues are legislated under \u201cpublic order,\u201d which is a state subject.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Source :IE<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nDeclining Sugar Production in Uttar Pradesh<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/ Agriculture<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nContext<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- The sugar production in Uttar Pradesh has declined from 126.4 lakh tonnes in 2019\u201320 to 89.5 lakh tonnes in 2025\u201326, <\/strong>due to the spread of red rot disease in the widely cultivated Co-0238 sugarcane <\/strong>variety.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Red Rot Disease in Sugarcane<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Red rot is a fungal disease caused by Colletotrichum falcatum<\/strong>, which affects the vascular system of sugarcane<\/strong> and disrupts the transportation of water and nutrients.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The disease causes leaf yellowing, wilting, internal reddening of the cane<\/strong>, and eventually, the drying and hollowing of the stems, resulting in substantial yield losses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Sugar Production in India<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- India <\/strong>has been the largest consumer <\/strong>and second largest producer<\/strong> of sugar in the world.\n
\n- In India, Sugar production in the 2025\u201326<\/strong> sugar season is estimated at around 279 lakh tonnes (lt).<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Production process: <\/strong>Sugar is produced from sugarcane by crushing the crop, extracting the juice, boiling it to form a syrup, crystallizing it, and centrifuging the raw sugar crystals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Location of Sugar Industry in India: <\/strong>Sugar industry is broadly distributed over two major areas of production:\n
\n- Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana and Punjab<\/strong> in the north and\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh<\/strong> in the south.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nGeographical Conditions for Sugarcane Growth<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Climate:<\/strong> Requires hot (21\u00b0-27\u00b0C)<\/strong> and humid (75-150 cm)<\/strong> conditions.\n
\n- Excess rainfall reduces sugar content; insufficient rain produces fibrous crops. Cool, dry winters aid ripening.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- South India has tropical climate <\/strong>which is suitable for higher sucrose content giving higher yield per unit area as compared to north India.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Soil:<\/strong> Prefers moisture-retentive soil but depletes fertility over time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- Sugarcane is a tropical and subtropical cash crop<\/strong> mainly used for sugar, jaggery, ethanol, and bioenergy production in India.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- India has two major sugarcane-growing zones: <\/strong>the tropical zone (peninsular India) with higher yields and the subtropical zone (northern India) with lower productivity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Region: <\/strong>Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Source: <\/strong>IE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nLaunch Livestock Insurance Portal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nIn News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD) launched the Livestock Insurance Portal <\/strong>in New Delhi marking an important milestone in the digital transformation of livestock insurance services in the country.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Livestock Insurance Portal<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- It will provide a single, integrated digital platform for livestock insurance, enabling streamlined policy issuance, claim processing, monitoring and reporting, in case of animals insured under the Livestock Insurance Scheme of the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It will also be available in 11 regional languages apart from Hindi and English, enabling livestock farmers to access information and services in languages familiar to them.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nDo you know?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Livestock Sector is an important subsector of agriculture in the Indian economy<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The livestock sector has recorded a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.77 percent since 2014-15.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- In the Union Budget 2026-27, Rs.6,153.46 crore has been allocated to the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- India has the world\u2019s largest livestock population<\/strong>, making livestock an important part of agriculture and rural livelihoods.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- India ranks 1st in milk production<\/strong>, contributing about 24.76% of global output. It ranks 2nd in egg production and 5th in meat production globally.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Livestock provides organic manure<\/strong>, improves soil fertility and supports integrated crop-livestock farming, particularly in drought-prone areas.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-220.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Source :PIB<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nIndia\u2019s First LNG Train<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/ Environment\/ Energy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nContext<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- After launching the country\u2019s first hydrogen train<\/a>, India has now introduced its first LNG-powered train.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Flagged off from Sabarmati, Gujarat,<\/strong> the train uses a diesel-LNG dual-fuel system<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- As part of the project, two 1,400 HP Driving Power Cars (DPCs)<\/strong> at the Sabarmati Integrated Coaching Depot have been converted to operate on both fuels.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Under the dual-fuel system, LNG can replace up to around 40% of diesel consumption<\/strong>, helping reduce fuel use, costs and emissions<\/strong> such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nLiquefied Natural Gas (LNG)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is natural gas, primarily methane, cooled to around minus 162\u00b0C<\/strong> until it becomes a liquid. In liquid form, its volume is about 600 times smaller<\/strong> than in its gaseous state, making it easier to store and transport.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- India imports roughly half of its natural gas requirement as LNG<\/strong>, with Qatar <\/strong>alone accounting for nearly half of the country\u2019s LNG imports.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The United States<\/strong> is the world\u2019s largest LNG exporter<\/strong>, while China <\/strong>is the largest importer<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do you know<\/strong>?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Indian Railways used around 293 crore litres <\/strong>of diesel in 2015\u201316<\/strong> and has set a broader target of eliminating diesel use in its operations by 2030<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The potential of LNG also extends beyond railways. It is emerging as an alternative fuel for long-haul trucks<\/strong>, where it can offer a significant cost advantage over diesel.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Source: <\/strong>IE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nAmoeba Survives Heat Beyond Complex Life\u2019s Limits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/Science and Technology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nContext<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- NASA-supported scientists have discovered an organism that lives at extreme temperatures previously thought impossible for complex life.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- The study found Incendiamoeba cascadensis,<\/strong> or the \u201cfire amoeba\u201d<\/strong>, reproducing by cell division at 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63 degrees Celsius) in the heated waters of California\u2019s Lassen Volcanic National Park.\n
\n- It has set a record for the upper temperature limit for all known eukaryotes.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Eukaryotes have complex cells <\/strong>containing a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, which are vulnerable to extreme heat.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The discovery could broaden scientists\u2019 understanding of where complex life might survive on Earth and beyond.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- The cell is the basic unit of life and forms the building blocks of all living organisms. It was discovered by Robert Hooke In 1665.<\/strong>\n
\n- Some cells have membrane-bound organelles<\/strong> and some do not. Depending upon the internal structure of the cell, two types of cells are found in an organism namely Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Prokaryotic cells are simpler and smaller in size,<\/strong> while eukaryotic cells are more complex and larger.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Bengal anti-Goonda Bill<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- It is a preventive detention statute aimed at \u201cgoondas\u201d and \u201canti-social activities\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Detention Period: <\/strong>It allows authorities to detain a person for up to 12 months \u2014 without trial \u2014 and bar (or extern) them from entering a specified \u201carea, district or districts\u201d for up to the same period to prevent \u2018anti-social\u2019 activity.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Definitions<\/strong>: It has expansive definitions of the term \u2018goonda\u2019, as well as \u2018anti-social activity\u2019.\n
\n- A goonda is a person who is \u201cgenerally reputed to be desperate and dangerous to the community\u201d or is a \u201cHabitual Offender.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- An \u201canti-social activity\u201d covers conduct that directly or indirectly causes \u201calarm or insecurity among the public, danger to life or property, disturbance of public order, unlawful dispossession, or illegal mining, quarrying, sand or forest activity that drains the public exchequer.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Search and seizure <\/strong>: It also allows for search and seizure, punishes the harbouring of a detained or externed person, grants officials good-faith immunity, and makes offences cognizable and non-bailable.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Controversies <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Three Public Interest Litigations challenging the Bill were moved in the Calcutta High Court over its sweeping provisions,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The High Court dismissed the three PILs mentioned above, saying the petitions were premature because the Bill had not yet received the President\u2019s assent to become a law<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- President Droupadi sent back the West Bengal Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities (\u2018anti-Goonda\u2019) Bill to the State Legislature for review.\n
\n- The Center argued that the provisions for offences under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS), 1985, overlap with the preventive-detention regime under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1988, leading to parallel mechanisms and possibly repugnancy under Article 254.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Constitutional Provisions <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Under Article 200<\/strong>, a State Bill generally requires the Governor\u2019s assent to become law. The Governor may assent, withhold assent, or reserve the Bill for the President\u2019s consideration.\n
\n- Reservation is mandatory if the Bill would weaken the powers of the High Court and endanger its constitutional position.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The Governor may also return a non-Money Bill for reconsideration; if the legislature passes it again, the Governor cannot withhold assent.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Article 201 provides<\/strong> that a State Bill may be reserved by a Governor for the consideration of the President who may give consent or withhold assent.\n
\n- In case of a non-Money Bill the President may also request the Governor to re-submit the Bill to the State Legislature for reconsideration.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \u00a0It must be reconsidered by the legislature within six months and if again passed with or without revisions, the Bill is delivered to the President for review.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Status in Other States <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Goonda laws exist in several states, most notably in Gujarat, as the Prevention of Anti-Social Activities Act, 1985.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita also has provisions to deal with organised crime.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Preventive detention is permitted under Article 22 of the Constitution with certain safeguards. Such issues are legislated under \u201cpublic order,\u201d which is a state subject.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Source :IE<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nDeclining Sugar Production in Uttar Pradesh<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/ Agriculture<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nContext<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- The sugar production in Uttar Pradesh has declined from 126.4 lakh tonnes in 2019\u201320 to 89.5 lakh tonnes in 2025\u201326, <\/strong>due to the spread of red rot disease in the widely cultivated Co-0238 sugarcane <\/strong>variety.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Red Rot Disease in Sugarcane<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Red rot is a fungal disease caused by Colletotrichum falcatum<\/strong>, which affects the vascular system of sugarcane<\/strong> and disrupts the transportation of water and nutrients.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The disease causes leaf yellowing, wilting, internal reddening of the cane<\/strong>, and eventually, the drying and hollowing of the stems, resulting in substantial yield losses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Sugar Production in India<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- India <\/strong>has been the largest consumer <\/strong>and second largest producer<\/strong> of sugar in the world.\n
\n- In India, Sugar production in the 2025\u201326<\/strong> sugar season is estimated at around 279 lakh tonnes (lt).<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Production process: <\/strong>Sugar is produced from sugarcane by crushing the crop, extracting the juice, boiling it to form a syrup, crystallizing it, and centrifuging the raw sugar crystals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Location of Sugar Industry in India: <\/strong>Sugar industry is broadly distributed over two major areas of production:\n
\n- Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana and Punjab<\/strong> in the north and\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh<\/strong> in the south.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nGeographical Conditions for Sugarcane Growth<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Climate:<\/strong> Requires hot (21\u00b0-27\u00b0C)<\/strong> and humid (75-150 cm)<\/strong> conditions.\n
\n- Excess rainfall reduces sugar content; insufficient rain produces fibrous crops. Cool, dry winters aid ripening.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- South India has tropical climate <\/strong>which is suitable for higher sucrose content giving higher yield per unit area as compared to north India.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Soil:<\/strong> Prefers moisture-retentive soil but depletes fertility over time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- Sugarcane is a tropical and subtropical cash crop<\/strong> mainly used for sugar, jaggery, ethanol, and bioenergy production in India.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- India has two major sugarcane-growing zones: <\/strong>the tropical zone (peninsular India) with higher yields and the subtropical zone (northern India) with lower productivity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Region: <\/strong>Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Source: <\/strong>IE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nLaunch Livestock Insurance Portal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nIn News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD) launched the Livestock Insurance Portal <\/strong>in New Delhi marking an important milestone in the digital transformation of livestock insurance services in the country.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Livestock Insurance Portal<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- It will provide a single, integrated digital platform for livestock insurance, enabling streamlined policy issuance, claim processing, monitoring and reporting, in case of animals insured under the Livestock Insurance Scheme of the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It will also be available in 11 regional languages apart from Hindi and English, enabling livestock farmers to access information and services in languages familiar to them.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nDo you know?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Livestock Sector is an important subsector of agriculture in the Indian economy<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The livestock sector has recorded a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.77 percent since 2014-15.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- In the Union Budget 2026-27, Rs.6,153.46 crore has been allocated to the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- India has the world\u2019s largest livestock population<\/strong>, making livestock an important part of agriculture and rural livelihoods.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- India ranks 1st in milk production<\/strong>, contributing about 24.76% of global output. It ranks 2nd in egg production and 5th in meat production globally.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Livestock provides organic manure<\/strong>, improves soil fertility and supports integrated crop-livestock farming, particularly in drought-prone areas.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Source :PIB<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nIndia\u2019s First LNG Train<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/ Environment\/ Energy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nContext<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- After launching the country\u2019s first hydrogen train<\/a>, India has now introduced its first LNG-powered train.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Flagged off from Sabarmati, Gujarat,<\/strong> the train uses a diesel-LNG dual-fuel system<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- As part of the project, two 1,400 HP Driving Power Cars (DPCs)<\/strong> at the Sabarmati Integrated Coaching Depot have been converted to operate on both fuels.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Under the dual-fuel system, LNG can replace up to around 40% of diesel consumption<\/strong>, helping reduce fuel use, costs and emissions<\/strong> such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nLiquefied Natural Gas (LNG)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is natural gas, primarily methane, cooled to around minus 162\u00b0C<\/strong> until it becomes a liquid. In liquid form, its volume is about 600 times smaller<\/strong> than in its gaseous state, making it easier to store and transport.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- India imports roughly half of its natural gas requirement as LNG<\/strong>, with Qatar <\/strong>alone accounting for nearly half of the country\u2019s LNG imports.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The United States<\/strong> is the world\u2019s largest LNG exporter<\/strong>, while China <\/strong>is the largest importer<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do you know<\/strong>?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Indian Railways used around 293 crore litres <\/strong>of diesel in 2015\u201316<\/strong> and has set a broader target of eliminating diesel use in its operations by 2030<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The potential of LNG also extends beyond railways. It is emerging as an alternative fuel for long-haul trucks<\/strong>, where it can offer a significant cost advantage over diesel.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Source: <\/strong>IE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nAmoeba Survives Heat Beyond Complex Life\u2019s Limits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/Science and Technology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nContext<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- NASA-supported scientists have discovered an organism that lives at extreme temperatures previously thought impossible for complex life.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- The study found Incendiamoeba cascadensis,<\/strong> or the \u201cfire amoeba\u201d<\/strong>, reproducing by cell division at 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63 degrees Celsius) in the heated waters of California\u2019s Lassen Volcanic National Park.\n
\n- It has set a record for the upper temperature limit for all known eukaryotes.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Eukaryotes have complex cells <\/strong>containing a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, which are vulnerable to extreme heat.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The discovery could broaden scientists\u2019 understanding of where complex life might survive on Earth and beyond.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- The cell is the basic unit of life and forms the building blocks of all living organisms. It was discovered by Robert Hooke In 1665.<\/strong>\n
\n- Some cells have membrane-bound organelles<\/strong> and some do not. Depending upon the internal structure of the cell, two types of cells are found in an organism namely Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Prokaryotic cells are simpler and smaller in size,<\/strong> while eukaryotic cells are more complex and larger.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- A goonda is a person who is \u201cgenerally reputed to be desperate and dangerous to the community\u201d or is a \u201cHabitual Offender.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- An \u201canti-social activity\u201d covers conduct that directly or indirectly causes \u201calarm or insecurity among the public, danger to life or property, disturbance of public order, unlawful dispossession, or illegal mining, quarrying, sand or forest activity that drains the public exchequer.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Search and seizure <\/strong>: It also allows for search and seizure, punishes the harbouring of a detained or externed person, grants officials good-faith immunity, and makes offences cognizable and non-bailable.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Controversies <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Three Public Interest Litigations challenging the Bill were moved in the Calcutta High Court over its sweeping provisions,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The High Court dismissed the three PILs mentioned above, saying the petitions were premature because the Bill had not yet received the President\u2019s assent to become a law<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- President Droupadi sent back the West Bengal Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities (\u2018anti-Goonda\u2019) Bill to the State Legislature for review.\n
- \n
- The Center argued that the provisions for offences under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS), 1985, overlap with the preventive-detention regime under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1988, leading to parallel mechanisms and possibly repugnancy under Article 254.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Constitutional Provisions <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Under Article 200<\/strong>, a State Bill generally requires the Governor\u2019s assent to become law. The Governor may assent, withhold assent, or reserve the Bill for the President\u2019s consideration.\n
- \n
- Reservation is mandatory if the Bill would weaken the powers of the High Court and endanger its constitutional position.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The Governor may also return a non-Money Bill for reconsideration; if the legislature passes it again, the Governor cannot withhold assent.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Article 201 provides<\/strong> that a State Bill may be reserved by a Governor for the consideration of the President who may give consent or withhold assent.\n
- \n
- In case of a non-Money Bill the President may also request the Governor to re-submit the Bill to the State Legislature for reconsideration.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \u00a0It must be reconsidered by the legislature within six months and if again passed with or without revisions, the Bill is delivered to the President for review.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Status in Other States <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Goonda laws exist in several states, most notably in Gujarat, as the Prevention of Anti-Social Activities Act, 1985.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita also has provisions to deal with organised crime.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Preventive detention is permitted under Article 22 of the Constitution with certain safeguards. Such issues are legislated under \u201cpublic order,\u201d which is a state subject.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Source :IE<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Declining Sugar Production in Uttar Pradesh<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/ Agriculture<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- The sugar production in Uttar Pradesh has declined from 126.4 lakh tonnes in 2019\u201320 to 89.5 lakh tonnes in 2025\u201326, <\/strong>due to the spread of red rot disease in the widely cultivated Co-0238 sugarcane <\/strong>variety.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Red Rot Disease in Sugarcane<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Red rot is a fungal disease caused by Colletotrichum falcatum<\/strong>, which affects the vascular system of sugarcane<\/strong> and disrupts the transportation of water and nutrients.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The disease causes leaf yellowing, wilting, internal reddening of the cane<\/strong>, and eventually, the drying and hollowing of the stems, resulting in substantial yield losses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Sugar Production in India<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- India <\/strong>has been the largest consumer <\/strong>and second largest producer<\/strong> of sugar in the world.\n
- \n
- In India, Sugar production in the 2025\u201326<\/strong> sugar season is estimated at around 279 lakh tonnes (lt).<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Production process: <\/strong>Sugar is produced from sugarcane by crushing the crop, extracting the juice, boiling it to form a syrup, crystallizing it, and centrifuging the raw sugar crystals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Location of Sugar Industry in India: <\/strong>Sugar industry is broadly distributed over two major areas of production:\n
- \n
- Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana and Punjab<\/strong> in the north and\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh<\/strong> in the south.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nGeographical Conditions for Sugarcane Growth<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Climate:<\/strong> Requires hot (21\u00b0-27\u00b0C)<\/strong> and humid (75-150 cm)<\/strong> conditions.\n
- \n
- Excess rainfall reduces sugar content; insufficient rain produces fibrous crops. Cool, dry winters aid ripening.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- South India has tropical climate <\/strong>which is suitable for higher sucrose content giving higher yield per unit area as compared to north India.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Soil:<\/strong> Prefers moisture-retentive soil but depletes fertility over time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Sugarcane is a tropical and subtropical cash crop<\/strong> mainly used for sugar, jaggery, ethanol, and bioenergy production in India.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- India has two major sugarcane-growing zones: <\/strong>the tropical zone (peninsular India) with higher yields and the subtropical zone (northern India) with lower productivity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Region: <\/strong>Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Source: <\/strong>IE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Launch Livestock Insurance Portal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD) launched the Livestock Insurance Portal <\/strong>in New Delhi marking an important milestone in the digital transformation of livestock insurance services in the country.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Livestock Insurance Portal<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- It will provide a single, integrated digital platform for livestock insurance, enabling streamlined policy issuance, claim processing, monitoring and reporting, in case of animals insured under the Livestock Insurance Scheme of the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It will also be available in 11 regional languages apart from Hindi and English, enabling livestock farmers to access information and services in languages familiar to them.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nDo you know?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Livestock Sector is an important subsector of agriculture in the Indian economy<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The livestock sector has recorded a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.77 percent since 2014-15.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- In the Union Budget 2026-27, Rs.6,153.46 crore has been allocated to the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- India has the world\u2019s largest livestock population<\/strong>, making livestock an important part of agriculture and rural livelihoods.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- India ranks 1st in milk production<\/strong>, contributing about 24.76% of global output. It ranks 2nd in egg production and 5th in meat production globally.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Livestock provides organic manure<\/strong>, improves soil fertility and supports integrated crop-livestock farming, particularly in drought-prone areas.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n
\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Source :PIB<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
India\u2019s First LNG Train<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/ Environment\/ Energy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- After launching the country\u2019s first hydrogen train<\/a>, India has now introduced its first LNG-powered train.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Flagged off from Sabarmati, Gujarat,<\/strong> the train uses a diesel-LNG dual-fuel system<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- As part of the project, two 1,400 HP Driving Power Cars (DPCs)<\/strong> at the Sabarmati Integrated Coaching Depot have been converted to operate on both fuels.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Under the dual-fuel system, LNG can replace up to around 40% of diesel consumption<\/strong>, helping reduce fuel use, costs and emissions<\/strong> such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nLiquefied Natural Gas (LNG)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is natural gas, primarily methane, cooled to around minus 162\u00b0C<\/strong> until it becomes a liquid. In liquid form, its volume is about 600 times smaller<\/strong> than in its gaseous state, making it easier to store and transport.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- India imports roughly half of its natural gas requirement as LNG<\/strong>, with Qatar <\/strong>alone accounting for nearly half of the country\u2019s LNG imports.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The United States<\/strong> is the world\u2019s largest LNG exporter<\/strong>, while China <\/strong>is the largest importer<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do you know<\/strong>?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Indian Railways used around 293 crore litres <\/strong>of diesel in 2015\u201316<\/strong> and has set a broader target of eliminating diesel use in its operations by 2030<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The potential of LNG also extends beyond railways. It is emerging as an alternative fuel for long-haul trucks<\/strong>, where it can offer a significant cost advantage over diesel.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Source: <\/strong>IE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Amoeba Survives Heat Beyond Complex Life\u2019s Limits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/Science and Technology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- NASA-supported scientists have discovered an organism that lives at extreme temperatures previously thought impossible for complex life.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- The study found Incendiamoeba cascadensis,<\/strong> or the \u201cfire amoeba\u201d<\/strong>, reproducing by cell division at 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63 degrees Celsius) in the heated waters of California\u2019s Lassen Volcanic National Park.\n
- \n
- It has set a record for the upper temperature limit for all known eukaryotes.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Eukaryotes have complex cells <\/strong>containing a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, which are vulnerable to extreme heat.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The discovery could broaden scientists\u2019 understanding of where complex life might survive on Earth and beyond.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- The cell is the basic unit of life and forms the building blocks of all living organisms. It was discovered by Robert Hooke In 1665.<\/strong>\n
- \n
- Some cells have membrane-bound organelles<\/strong> and some do not. Depending upon the internal structure of the cell, two types of cells are found in an organism namely Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Prokaryotic cells are simpler and smaller in size,<\/strong> while eukaryotic cells are more complex and larger.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Some cells have membrane-bound organelles<\/strong> and some do not. Depending upon the internal structure of the cell, two types of cells are found in an organism namely Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Eukaryotes have complex cells <\/strong>containing a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, which are vulnerable to extreme heat.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It has set a record for the upper temperature limit for all known eukaryotes.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The study found Incendiamoeba cascadensis,<\/strong> or the \u201cfire amoeba\u201d<\/strong>, reproducing by cell division at 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63 degrees Celsius) in the heated waters of California\u2019s Lassen Volcanic National Park.\n
- The potential of LNG also extends beyond railways. It is emerging as an alternative fuel for long-haul trucks<\/strong>, where it can offer a significant cost advantage over diesel.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- India imports roughly half of its natural gas requirement as LNG<\/strong>, with Qatar <\/strong>alone accounting for nearly half of the country\u2019s LNG imports.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- As part of the project, two 1,400 HP Driving Power Cars (DPCs)<\/strong> at the Sabarmati Integrated Coaching Depot have been converted to operate on both fuels.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Flagged off from Sabarmati, Gujarat,<\/strong> the train uses a diesel-LNG dual-fuel system<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- India has two major sugarcane-growing zones: <\/strong>the tropical zone (peninsular India) with higher yields and the subtropical zone (northern India) with lower productivity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Soil:<\/strong> Prefers moisture-retentive soil but depletes fertility over time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh<\/strong> in the south.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Production process: <\/strong>Sugar is produced from sugarcane by crushing the crop, extracting the juice, boiling it to form a syrup, crystallizing it, and centrifuging the raw sugar crystals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- In India, Sugar production in the 2025\u201326<\/strong> sugar season is estimated at around 279 lakh tonnes (lt).<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The disease causes leaf yellowing, wilting, internal reddening of the cane<\/strong>, and eventually, the drying and hollowing of the stems, resulting in substantial yield losses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Red rot is a fungal disease caused by Colletotrichum falcatum<\/strong>, which affects the vascular system of sugarcane<\/strong> and disrupts the transportation of water and nutrients.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The sugar production in Uttar Pradesh has declined from 126.4 lakh tonnes in 2019\u201320 to 89.5 lakh tonnes in 2025\u201326, <\/strong>due to the spread of red rot disease in the widely cultivated Co-0238 sugarcane <\/strong>variety.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Under Article 200<\/strong>, a State Bill generally requires the Governor\u2019s assent to become law. The Governor may assent, withhold assent, or reserve the Bill for the President\u2019s consideration.\n
- The Center argued that the provisions for offences under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS), 1985, overlap with the preventive-detention regime under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1988, leading to parallel mechanisms and possibly repugnancy under Article 254.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n