Geography 

Why are temperatures rising in A.P. and Telangana? - The Hindu 

Recently, 17 districts of Andhra Pradesh recorded temperatures above 41ºC, with the A.P. State Disaster Management Authority saying heatwave-like conditions are set to prevail in the northern districts.

Impact of Geographical Location on Weather

• Latitudinal Position: Andhra Pradesh and Telangana lie near the Tropic of Cancer, within the Torrid Zone, resulting in hot and humid summers.
• Sun's vertical position during summer: It leads to intense solar radiation and surface heating.
• Landlocked Nature:
  • No nearby water bodies to moderate temperature.
  • Results in continental climate with sharp day-time temperature rise.
• Topography and Soil:
  • Terrain and type of soil also impact heat absorption, spiking surface temperatures.
• Lack of Vegetation and Agriculture:
  • Sparse green cover and minimal summer agriculture limit evaporative cooling.
  • Absence of irrigation reduces soil moisture, worsening heat stress.

• Evaporative Cooling Mechanism:
  • Evaporation draws heat from surroundings, cooling the air.
  • Effective in regions with dense vegetation and irrigation.

• Pre-monsoon Dryness:
  • Insufficient rainfall between March and May fails to cool temperatures.
  • Monsoon arrives after June 10, causing prolonged heat exposure.
• Reduced Cloud Cover:
  • Leads to greater sunshine and surface heating.
  • Forest loss lowers evapotranspiration, worsening the heat.

• Forecasting Gaps:
  • Lack of hourly early warning systems for heatwaves.
  • IMD efforts underway, but significant improvements needed.
• Risk Differentiation Strategy:
  • Districts should be classified based on dry heat vs humid heat.
  • Understanding local heat risk is essential for effective mitigation.
     

World Affairs 

India extends financial support to Maldives via rollover of $50 million Treasury Bill - The Hindu 

India has extended financial support to the Maldives by renewing a USD 50 million Treasury Bill for another year through the State Bank of India (SBI), in a move aimed at bolstering the Maldivian government's economic reform and resilience efforts.

Treasury Bills (T-Bills)

• Definition: Short-term debt instruments issued by the Indian government via the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
• Purpose:
  • To fulfill the short-term financial needs of the central government.
  • Used by RBI in Open Market Operations (OMO) to control inflation and manage spending/borrowing habits. 

• Investor Perspective: Considered one of the safest and most liquid government securities.
• Features:
  • Zero-coupon securities (do not pay interest).
  • Issued at a discount and redeemed at face value at maturity.
  • Investor’s return = Difference between redemption value and issue price.
• Tenure: Issued for 91 days, 182 days, and 364 days.
• Minimum Investment: ₹25,000 or multiples thereof.
• Issue Process: Issued through auctions conducted regularly by RBI on its electronic platform E-Kuber.
• Buying eligibility: Open to banks, financial institutions, primary dealers, corporates, institutions, mutual funds, state governments, trusts, and individuals in both primary and secondary markets.

Economy 

CA among two held for duping MeitY of Rs 3 crore under the pretext of SAMRIDH scheme - Indian Express 

Two persons, including a chartered accountant, have been arrested for allegedly cheating the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) of over Rs 3 crore under the pretext of the government-run SAMRIDH scheme for startups.

SAMRIDH (Startup Accelerator for Product Innovation, Development, and Growth) Scheme

• About: A flagship initiative by MeitY under the National Policy on Software Products–2019.
• Focus: Accelerating IT-based startups by supporting accelerators.
• Objectives:
  • To help existing and new accelerators select and scale promising IT startups.
  • Facilitate startups with customer access, investor connections, and international market outreach.
  • Provide financial support up to Rs 40 lakh per startup based on valuation and growth stage, with matching investment from accelerators.
• Implementation: By MeitY Start-up Hub (MSH) and Digital India Corporation (DIC).

• First cohort: 22 accelerators across 12 states support 175 startups after multi-level screening.
• Accelerators: They include government bodies, academic institutions, private sector, and early-stage funding platforms.
• Focus Areas: Health-tech, Ed-tech, Agri-tech, Consumer-tech, Fin-tech, SaaS, and Sustainability.

Support Provided by Accelerators:

• Market research and product positioning diagnostics.
• Expert mentoring by technology vertical specialists.
• Legal assistance covering IP, incorporation, and other related matters.
• Platforms for connected learning, networking, and co-learning.
• Weekly founder meetings.
• Demo Days for presenting to venture capitalists and angel investors.
• Help in negotiating and closing investment deals with investors.

Sci and Tech 

How did India develop genome edited rice? - The Hindu

Union Agriculture Minister recently announced that India has become the first country in the world to develop rice varieties using genome editing technology. 

New Rice Varieties Developed

• DRR Dhan 100 (Kamala):
  • Derived from Samba Mahsuri.
  • Higher yield: 5.37 tonnes/ha vs 4.5 tonnes/ha of Samba Mahsuri.
  • Drought tolerant and high nitrogen use efficiency.
  • Matures 20 days earlier, saving water, fertilizer, and reducing methane emissions.
• Pusa DST Rice 1:
  • Yield advantage of 9.66% under inland salinity stress (3508 kg/ha vs 3199 kg/ha).
  • Developed from Maruteru 1010 (MTU1010).
  • 14.66% better yield under alkalinity stress.
  • 30.4% advantage under coastal salinity conditions.
• Technology: Developed using Site-Directed Nuclease (SDN) 1 and 2 genome editing techniques.

• Significance: First time SDN technology used in rice crop development.

• Classification: Not classified as Genetically Modified (GM) crops.
• Efficiency: 
  • SDN-1 and SDN-2 do not involve foreign gene insertion.
  • Mutation through natural repair mechanisms; native genes retained.
  • Exempt from GM crop regulations in several countries.
• Criticism:

• Gene editing is inaccurately portrayed as precise and safe.
• Legal concerns over deregulation of gene editing.
• IPR issues threaten farmers' seed and food sovereignty.
• Demand for transparency regarding IPR status of new varieties.

Defence 

Indigenous Akash missiles, pivotal to India's air defence - Indian Express 

The indigenously developed Akash missile system was pivotal in thwarting Pakistan’s sustained aerial attacks during Operation Sindoor last week.

Akash missiles

• Description: A mobile short-to-medium-range surface-to-air missile system developed by DRDO.
• Usage: Currently deployed by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Army.
• Development: Initiated in the late 1980s under Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).

• Field and target trials: Conducted in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
• Induction: IAF inducted Akash in 2014; Army followed in 2015.
• Make in India: 96% indigenous content; one of the highest in advanced Indian weaponry.
   

• Main production partners: Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) and Bharat Dynamics Ltd.
• Operational Capabilities:
  • Provides air defence to critical assets and vulnerable zones.
  • Engages multiple aerial targets: aircraft, missiles, UAVs.

• • Equipped with 3D Central Acquisition Radar (120 km range) and Rajendra fire control radar (80 km range).

• Nature: Ramjet-propelled, weighs over 700 kg, and reaches Mach 2.5 speed.
• On-board seeker: For terminal guidance and proximity fuse for warhead activation.
• Accuracy: High precision due to advanced tracking, missile agility, and rapid response; capable of tracking low-flying targets. 
• Mobility: Fully mobile system with integrated launcher, radar, command centre, and C4I systems; enables quick deployment and redeployment.
• Resilience: Built-in Electronic Counter-Counter Measures (ECCM); high immunity to enemy jamming and electronic warfare.
• Upgraded Variants: 
  • Akash Prime: Enhanced performance in low temperatures and high altitudes.
  • Akash-NG (New Generation): Designed to intercept high-manoeuvrability, low radar cross-section threats; extended range up to 70 km.
• Export Potential: In December 2020, export of Akash was approved; export version is distinct from the one used by Indian armed forces.