1. ISRO Launches Advanced Imaging Satellite EOS-05

Why in News?

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the advanced Earth Observation Satellite EOS-05 aboard the GSLV-F17.

The 2,367-kg satellite was placed into a Sub-Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (Sub-GTO) after launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

EOS-05 is India’s first dedicated imaging satellite designed to operate from geosynchronous orbit, around 36,000 km above Earth.

It has been described as an “eye in the sky” and is expected to provide real-time imagery for agriculture, environment, disaster management and strategic applications.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Extremely important for ISRO, GSLV, Earth Observation Satellites, Geosynchronous Orbit, Space Technology, Remote Sensing, Agriculture and Disaster Management.

Prelims Facts

• EOS stands for Earth Observation Satellite.
• The launch vehicle used was GSLV-F17.
• EOS-05 weighs about 2,367 kg.
• It was launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
• The satellite is designed to operate from geosynchronous orbit.
• Geosynchronous orbit is roughly around 36,000 km above Earth.
• EOS-05 will support agriculture, environment and disaster-management applications.

Mains Perspective

GS-III: Science and Technology, Space Technology, Disaster Management and Agriculture

Revision Note: EOS-05 strengthens India’s real-time Earth-observation capability and can support both civilian development needs and strategic decision-making.

2. Arunachal Pradesh SIR: Chakma-Hajong Inclusion Sparks Protest

Why in News?

The alleged inclusion of members of the Chakma and Hajong communities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Arunachal Pradesh triggered protests and violence in Changlang district.

The All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) has opposed the inclusion of groups it describes as non-indigenous in the electoral rolls.

The Chakmas and Hajongs were displaced from the Chittagong Hill Tracts of erstwhile East Pakistan and were settled in Arunachal Pradesh by the Union government during the 1960s.

The issue is also linked to a 1996 Supreme Court judgment which directed the State to protect the life and personal liberty of Chakmas residing in Arunachal Pradesh.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Extremely important for Electoral Rolls, SIR, Election Commission, Citizenship, Migration, Fundamental Rights, North-East India and Human Rights.

Prelims Facts

• SIR stands for Special Intensive Revision.
• Chakmas and Hajongs were displaced from the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
• They were settled in Arunachal Pradesh during the 1960s.
• ERO stands for Electoral Registration Officer.
• Form 6 is associated with inclusion of a name in the electoral roll.
• Form 7 is used for objection to inclusion or deletion-related requests in the electoral roll.
• The Election Commission of India derives constitutional authority from Article 324.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Elections, Fundamental Rights, Citizenship, Human Rights and Governance

Revision Note: Electoral-roll revision in sensitive regions requires a balance between electoral integrity, legal citizenship, indigenous concerns, human rights and constitutional protections.

3. CBI Launches Operation Chakra-VI Against “Digital Arrest” Scams

Why in News?

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted searches at 89 locations across 20 States in connection with major “digital arrest” scam cases under Operation Chakra-VI.

In such scams, fraudsters impersonate police officers or investigating agencies and falsely convince victims that they are under digital arrest.

Victims are kept under continuous online surveillance or psychological pressure and are forced to transfer large sums of money.

The CBI investigation is tracing bank accounts, digital devices, online-access data, money layering and cross-State financial networks.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Extremely important for Cybercrime, Digital Fraud, CBI, Internal Security, Money Laundering, Financial Cybercrime and Digital Literacy.

Prelims Facts

• There is no legal concept of “digital arrest” in Indian criminal procedure.
• Fraudsters often impersonate police, CBI, customs or other agencies.
• Operation Chakra-VI is linked to CBI action against organised cyber-enabled financial fraud.
• Money layering involves moving funds through multiple accounts to conceal their origin.
• Cyber fraud may involve bank accounts, digital wallets, SIM cards and online communication platforms.
• Cybercrime is a major component of contemporary internal-security challenges.

Mains Perspective

GS-III: Internal Security, Cyber Security, Money Laundering and Technology

Revision Note: Combating digital-arrest scams requires real-time banking coordination, cyber-forensics, public awareness, cross-State investigation and faster freezing of fraudulent accounts.

4. Houthis Fight for Control of Bab el-Mandeb Strait

Why in News?

A major offensive by Yemen’s Houthis has intensified fighting near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the narrow gateway at the southern entrance of the Red Sea.

The Houthis have used ground assaults, rockets and drones as they seek greater control over the strategically important maritime corridor.

The Red Sea is one of the world’s most important shipping routes and disruptions can affect global trade, oil flows, freight costs and maritime security.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Extremely important for West Asia, Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb, Houthis, Yemen Conflict, Maritime Chokepoints, Global Trade and Energy Security.

Prelims Facts

• Bab el-Mandeb connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.
• It lies between the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa.
• Yemen lies on the northeastern side of the strait.
• The strait is a major international maritime chokepoint.
• Ships using the Suez Canal-Red Sea route pass through Bab el-Mandeb.
• Houthis are a major armed political movement based in Yemen.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: International Relations and West Asia

GS-III: Maritime Security and Energy Security

Revision Note: Instability at Bab el-Mandeb can have consequences far beyond Yemen because maritime chokepoints convert local conflict into a global trade and energy-security problem.

5. NCPCR Campaign Rescues More Than 3,800 Children from Child Labour

Why in News?

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has rescued more than 3,800 children from child labour under a nationwide rescue and rehabilitation campaign.

More than 575 FIRs were registered as part of the campaign.

The operation involved coordination among State governments, district administrations, labour departments, police authorities and other stakeholders.

The campaign focused not only on rescue but also on rehabilitation, restoration, educational mainstreaming and compensation.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Important for Child Rights, Child Labour, NCPCR, Social Justice, Human Trafficking, Rehabilitation and Welfare Administration.

Prelims Facts

• NCPCR stands for National Commission for Protection of Child Rights.
• NCPCR is a statutory body.
• It functions under the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
• The campaign covered rescue and rehabilitation of children engaged in labour.
• District Magistrates, police and labour departments are important implementation agencies.
• Child labour is closely linked with trafficking, poverty and school dropout.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Social Justice, Vulnerable Sections, Child Rights and Welfare Schemes

Revision Note: Ending child labour requires more than rescue operations. It requires education, rehabilitation, family support, livelihood security and sustained monitoring of trafficking and labour hotspots.

6. Census 2027: OBC Groups Challenge “Classes, Not Castes” Argument

Why in News?

Associations representing Other Backward Classes (OBCs) have challenged the argument that existing OBC lists should not be used for caste enumeration because they contain “classes, not castes”.

The groups argue that if the existing lists contain inconsistencies, experts should rationalise and codify caste names instead of discarding the lists altogether.

The debate is linked to the proposed open-column methodology for enumeration of castes other than Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the 2027 Census.

The issue is especially significant because the size of India’s OBC population has historically been estimated using older caste data, including the 1931 Census.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Extremely important for Caste Census, OBCs, Census 2027, Reservation, Social Justice, EWS, Data Governance and Welfare Policy.

Prelims Facts

• The 2027 Census is expected to include caste enumeration.
• OBC associations have questioned the exclusive use of an open-column method.
• Central and State OBC lists contain officially recognised backward communities.
• SC and ST enumeration is linked with their respective notified lists.
• The last full caste enumeration across the population before Independence is associated with the 1931 Census.
• OBC population estimates have historically relied on indirect or older data sources.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Social Justice, Reservation, Governance and Welfare Policy

Revision Note: The caste-census debate is ultimately about classification, data accuracy, representation and the evidence base of affirmative-action policy.

7. C-DOT Resumes Emergency Cell Broadcasting for Disaster Alerts

Why in News?

The emergency Cell Broadcasting Service (CBS) for weather and natural-disaster alerts has resumed in India.

The system has been developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) and is operated by State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs).

Cell broadcasting allows emergency warnings to be transmitted simultaneously to mobile users in a defined geographical area.

The system forms part of India’s effort to build indigenous telecom and disaster-warning infrastructure.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Important for Disaster Management, Early Warning Systems, C-DOT, Telecom Technology, SDMA, Digital Public Infrastructure and Indigenous Technology.

Prelims Facts

• C-DOT stands for Centre for Development of Telematics.
• CBS stands for Cell Broadcasting Service.
• Cell broadcasting can send location-specific emergency alerts to many mobile devices simultaneously.
• State Disaster Management Authorities can use the system for alerts.
• The technology is useful for extreme weather and natural disasters.
• C-DOT has historically played an important role in indigenous telecom development in India.

Mains Perspective

GS-III: Disaster Management, Science & Technology and Communication Infrastructure

Revision Note: Effective early-warning systems reduce disaster losses by converting scientific forecasting into timely, location-specific public communication.

8. UNEP “Limiting Overshoot” Report and the 1.5°C Climate Challenge

Why in News?

An editorial discussing the UN Environment Programme’s “Limiting Overshoot” report warned that breaching the 1.5°C global warming threshold can produce irreversible losses that adaptation cannot fully reverse.

The report describes an “overshoot, peak and decline” pathway in which warming temporarily crosses 1.5°C, peaks as low as possible and is later brought down.

The report gives particular emphasis to methane reduction as one of the most effective ways to slow near-term warming.

The editorial also notes that more than 155 countries have joined the Global Methane Pledge, while India is not among them.

UPSC/PCS Importance

Extremely important for Climate Change, UNEP, Paris Agreement, 1.5°C Limit, Methane, Global Methane Pledge, Climate Finance and Climate Justice.

Prelims Facts

• UNEP stands for United Nations Environment Programme.
• The Paris Agreement seeks efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
• Overshoot means temporarily exceeding a warming threshold before bringing temperatures down.
• The report uses the phrase overshoot, peak and decline.
• Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas important for near-term warming.
• The Global Methane Pledge seeks major reductions in anthropogenic methane emissions.
• India is not a participant in the Global Methane Pledge mentioned in the report.

Mains Perspective

GS-III: Climate Change, Environment and International Environmental Agreements

Revision Note: Climate policy must now address not only carbon dioxide but also methane, adaptation, climate finance, technology transfer and the growing risk of irreversible climate damage.

📰 Editorial Focus – Warning on Warming: How Should India Respond to a 1.5°C World?

Editorial Theme

The editorial argues that the climate debate has moved from whether the world will breach 1.5°C to how quickly warming can be limited after an overshoot.

The debate now includes rapid mitigation, methane reduction, adaptation, climate finance, carbon removal and responsibility-sharing between developed and developing countries.

Key Issues

• UNEP Limiting Overshoot Report
• 1.5°C Global Warming Limit
• Overshoot, Peak and Decline
• Methane Emissions
• Global Methane Pledge
• Climate Finance
• Adaptation
• Mitigation
• Historical Emissions
• Common but Differentiated Responsibilities
• Developed vs Developing Countries
• Climate Justice

Why is the Debate Important?

India faces a dual challenge. It remains highly vulnerable to climate impacts while also being increasingly viewed internationally as a major emitter whose future policy choices matter for global climate outcomes.

Key Concepts for UPSC

• Paris Agreement
• UNEP
• Climate Mitigation
• Climate Adaptation
• Climate Finance
• Methane
• Net Zero
• Carbon Removal
• Climate Justice
• CBDR-RC

Mains Takeaway: India’s climate diplomacy must combine developmental equity with stronger domestic mitigation, adaptation, technology deployment and credible climate leadership.

⚖️ Prelims Concept – Form 6, Form 7 and Electoral Roll Revision

What is the Key Issue?

The Arunachal Pradesh SIR controversy brings attention to the process through which names are included, objected to or removed from electoral rolls.

Important Points

• Article 324 vests the superintendence, direction and control of elections in the Election Commission of India.
• An Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) supervises preparation and revision of electoral rolls for a constituency.
• Form 6 is generally used for application for inclusion of name in the electoral roll.
• Form 7 is used for objection to inclusion or request for deletion of a name under applicable electoral-roll procedures.
• Electoral-roll revision may be intensive, summary or undertaken through other procedures prescribed by the Election Commission.
• Inclusion in an electoral roll is linked with eligibility under election law and citizenship requirements.

Prelims Trap: Do not confuse electoral-roll inclusion with citizenship itself. An electoral roll is prepared under election law, while citizenship is governed by constitutional and statutory citizenship provisions.

🔥 Most Important Topics for UPSC/PCS Today

• ISRO EOS-05 and GSLV-F17
• Geosynchronous Orbit and Earth Observation Satellites
• Arunachal Pradesh SIR
• Chakma and Hajong Communities
• Article 324, ERO, Form 6 and Form 7
• CBI Operation Chakra-VI
• Digital Arrest and Cyber Fraud
• Bab el-Mandeb Strait and Red Sea
• Houthis and Yemen Conflict
• NCPCR and Child Labour
• Census 2027 and OBC Enumeration
• Caste versus Class Debate
• C-DOT Cell Broadcasting Service
• Disaster Early Warning Systems
• UNEP Limiting Overshoot Report
• Global Methane Pledge and Climate Change