Power of words

                       PM E-DRIVE Scheme  The PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme has replaced FAME-II , shifting India's approach toward public transport electrification and EV infrastructure expansion .  *It holds significance for UPSC Prelims & Mains , particularly in Governance, Environmental Policies, Disaster Management, and Economic Sustainability . Key Facts & Features 📌 Launch Year : April 2024  📌 Budget Allocation : ₹10,900 crore  📌 Duration : Two years (April 2024–March 2026)  📌 Focus Areas :   ✔ Deployment of 14,028 Electric Buses    ✔ Establishment of 72,000 EV Charging Stations    ✔ Energy Security & Sustainable Transport    ✔ Scrappage Incentive for Old ICE Buses 📌 Exclusions : No subsidies for private electric cars , unlike FAME-II .  📌 Subsidy Mechanism : Aadhaar-based authent...

🔭 Quasar-Triggered Star Formation Shutdown * Why in the news? 📍 Discovery : The Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics ( IUCAA), Pune & international team confirm that quasars halt star formation when galaxies collide.  🌌 Observations : Using VLT & ALMA telescopes , scientists found that quasar radiation strips interstellar gas , preventing star formation.  📍 Key Telescopes Used in IUCAA’s Research Very Large Telescope (VLT) —Operated by the European Southern Observatory (ESO) in Chile, VLT is one of the most advanced optical telescopes. It is used to study distant galaxies, quasars, and cosmic phenomena . Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA)— A powerful radio telescope in Chile, ALMA helps observe cold interstellar gas, star formation, and early universe structures . 📍 Recent Discovery: Quasar Disrupting Star Formation IUCAA researchers, in collaboration with an international team, used VLT and ALMA to observe a galaxy inte...

                      iGOTKarmayogi  The Integrated Government Online Training (iGOT) Karmayogi platform is a digital learning initiative under the National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building (NPCSCB) , launched in 2020 . It aims to enhance the skills and efficiency of civil servants through competency-based learning, AI-driven training modules, and structured career development . 📌 UPSC Prelims Key Points ✔ Objective → Capacity building for civil servants through digital learning .  ✔ Implementing Agency → Capacity Building Commission (CBC) under DoPT .  ✔ Key Features → Competency-Based Learning → Focus on behavioral, functional, and domain competencies . Digital Training Platform → iGOT Karmayogi offers self-paced courses . Performance-Based Evaluation → Officers assessed based on course completion & competency development .  ✔ Legislative Frameworks → Mission Karmayogi (NPCSCB)...

             Asiatic Lion Conservation The Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica) , native to India , has made a significant recovery due to sustained conservation efforts under Project Lion . The 2025 Asiatic Lion Census recorded a 32.2% increase , bringing the population to 891 , reinforcing its role as a flagship species for conservation .

                   Namami Gange Mission The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) is the implementation arm of the Namami Gange Programme , launched in 2014 to rejuvenate and conserve the Ganga River . It operates under the Ministry of Jal Shakti and follows a river basin approach to ensure pollution control, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable river management. 📌 UPSC Prelims Key Points ✔ Objective → Holistic conservation and rejuvenation of the Ganga Basin.  ✔ Implementing Agency → National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under National Ganga Council.  ✔ Legislative Frameworks → Environment Protection Act, 1986 → Regulates industrial waste discharge. Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 → Ensures river water quality protection.  ✔ Financial Model → Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) – A PPP-based funding approach for long-term sustainability.  ✔ Afforestation & Biodiversity → Focuses on...

        The  Indian wolf (Canis lupus pallipes)                             The Indian wolf (Canis lupus pallipes) is a subspecies of the gray wolf , found in Southwest Asia and the Indian subcontinent . It is intermediate in size between the Himalayan wolf and the Arabian wolf , but lacks a thick winter coat due to its adaptation to warmer climates . Key Facts About the Indian Wolf Scientific Classification : Kingdom : Animalia Order : Carnivora Family : Canidae Genus : Canis Species : Canis lupus Subspecies : Canis lupus pallipes Habitat : Found in semi-arid grasslands, scrublands, and pastoral agro-ecosystems . Behavior : Hunts in small packs , is less vocal than other wolf subspecies, and has a reputation for being cunning . Appearance : Grayish-red to reddish-white fur , with a dark V-shaped patch around the shoulders. Diet : Carnivorous, preying on antelopes, rodents, hares, an...