Consider the following statements regarding the Super Garuda Shield 2025:
1. It is a multinational military exercise hosted by India and France jointly.
2. The exercise emphasizes multi-domain operations, including air, land, sea, cyber, space, and information domains, with activities such as live-fire drills, joint staff planning, and cyber defense training.

Consider the following statements about the Smart Intelligent Village Project:

1. The first Smart Intelligent Village pilot project in India was launched in Maharashtra, to integrate technologies like AI, IoT, smart agriculture, and telemedicine.
2. The project is a joint initiative between the Union Ministry of Rural Development and a consortium of Indian telecom and technology companies called Voice of Indian Communication Technology Enterprises (VoICE).

🔆 Vikram-32: India’s First 32-bit Space Processor

📍About
✅ India’s first indigenously developed 32-bit processor for space applications.
✅ Developed by Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC); fabricated at ISRO Semiconductor Lab (SCL), Chandigarh.

📍Key Features
✅ Upgrade → Vikram-32 (Vikram 3201) succeeds Vikram 1601 (16-bit), in use since 2009.
✅ Technology → Custom Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) by ISRO.
✅ Supports floating-point computations & high-level programming in Ada language.
✅ Durability → Operates in extreme space conditions (-55°C to +125°C).

📍Validation
✅ First batch tested in space via PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM-4) on PSLV-C60 mission.

📍Significance
✅ Boosts indigenous self-reliance in advanced space electronics.
✅ Enhances ISRO’s capability in launch vehicles, satellites, navigation & communication systems.

#Vikram32 #ISRO #IndigenousTechnology #UPSCPrelims #UPSCMains

With reference to the Commonwealth Games, consider the following statements:

1. It is an international multi-sport event held every five years.
2. India hosted the Commonwealth Games once, in 2010 at New Delhi.
3. A unique feature of the Commonwealth Games is the integration of para-sports events into the main program.

Evia Island:
✅Evia, or Euboea, is the second largest island in Greece, second only to Crete, and third in Europe (second only to Cyprus).
✅The area of the island is a little more than 3500 sq.km.
✅It is located in Central Greece, in the Aegean Sea.
✅The island is separated from the Greek mainland by the Euboean strait.
It is often referred to as a “mainland island” due to its close proximity to Athens, with many points of connection between the two.
✅Evia’s dramatic geography includes alpine mountains, lush forests, coastal wetlands, hidden canyons, and sun-soaked beaches.
✅The main city on Evia is Halkida.
✅It acts as the administrative and commercial heart of the island and is famously known for the unique phenomenon of the tidal currents in the narrow strait of Euripus, which changes direction multiple times a day.
✅Evia's highest mountains are Dyrfi, Kandili, and Ohi.
✅The climate of Evia is Mediterranean. Winters are mild but rainy, and summers are hot with plenty of sunshine.


#Places_in_news

Join @Mapping_prelims_mains

Phosphate Rock:
✅It is the natural source of phosphorus, an element that provides nutrients to plants for their growth and development.
✅Formation of phosphate rock: It is a sedimentary rock formed millions of years ago by the accumulation of organic matter on the ocean floor.
✅Geographical Distribution: Its reserves are found in Africa, North America, Kazakhstan, the Middle East and Oceania.
✅The world’s largest deposits are located in Morocco, which is also one of the global leaders in phosphate extraction.
✅Phosphorus in India: Phosphate rocks are majorly produced only from two States in India, namely Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
📍Uses of Phosphate
✅Rock phosphate is the key raw material for DAP and NPK fertilizers. Currently, India is 90% dependent on imports for this raw material. 
✅Most of the phosphate rock mined throughout the world is used to produce phosphate fertilizer.
✅It is also used as animal feed supplements.
✅Industrial use: Elemental phosphorus and phosphoric chemicals derived from phosphate rocks find application in detergents, insecticides etc.

🔆 Eastern DRC Conflict: Peace Deals & Pitfalls

📍 Background
✅ June 27: Rwanda–DRC sign U.S.-brokered peace pact in Washington.
✅ July 19: DRC–M23 rebels sign Doha ceasefire (mediated by Qatar).
✅ Within days, M23 resumes offensive → peace fragile.

📍 Role of U.S. & Qatar
✅ U.S. Pact: Cessation of hostilities, no support for armed groups, Joint Security Coordination Mechanism, licit mineral trade framework.
✅ Qatar Deal: DRC & M23 agree to ceasefire, rebels promise withdrawal, DRC to release prisoners.

📍 U.S. Strategic Stakes
✅ Access to $24 trillion mineral reserves.
✅ DRC = 70% of global cobalt + rich in coltan, copper, diamonds, gold.
✅ Reduces China’s dominance in critical minerals.

📍 Challenges
✅ Ceasefire violated — M23 continues attacks in North & South Kivu.
✅ 140+ civilians killed (July, HRW report).
✅ No withdrawal by M23, no prisoner release by DRC.

📍 Implications for Peace
✅ U.S.–Qatar roles raise hopes but peace still elusive.
✅ Conflict rooted in 1994 Rwandan genocide, Congo wars, ethnic tensions.
✅ Without addressing historic causes + ethnic rivalries, deals remain temporary.
✅ Lasting peace needs comprehensive, inclusive process, not just mineral-driven pacts.

#IR #gs2 #mains

Consider the following statements regarding the Ramon Magsaysay Award:

1. It is considered Asia’s highest honor, often called the Asian Nobel Prize.
2. It is awarded annually.
3. Educate Girls is the first Indian organisation to receive the prestigious award.