🔆National Critical Mineral Mission
✅Critical minerals are essential for a country's economic development and national security, and their lack of availability or concentration in a few geographical locations can lead to supply chain vulnerabilities.
✅The Government of India launched the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) in 2025 to establish a robust framework for self-reliance in the critical mineral sector.
📍Usage
✅Critical minerals such as silicon, tellurium, indium, and gallium are vital for the production of photovoltaic (PV) cells used in solar panels.
India’s current solar capacity of 64 GW is heavily dependent on these minerals.
✅Rare earth elements like dysprosium and neodymium are used in permanent magnets for wind turbines.
India aims to increase its wind energy capacity from 42 GW to 140 GW by 2030
✅Lithium, nickel, and cobalt are key materials used in lithium-ion batteries.
#gs3
#economy
#prelims@thegameoftoppers
✅Critical minerals are essential for a country's economic development and national security, and their lack of availability or concentration in a few geographical locations can lead to supply chain vulnerabilities.
✅The Government of India launched the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) in 2025 to establish a robust framework for self-reliance in the critical mineral sector.
📍Usage
✅Critical minerals such as silicon, tellurium, indium, and gallium are vital for the production of photovoltaic (PV) cells used in solar panels.
India’s current solar capacity of 64 GW is heavily dependent on these minerals.
✅Rare earth elements like dysprosium and neodymium are used in permanent magnets for wind turbines.
India aims to increase its wind energy capacity from 42 GW to 140 GW by 2030
✅Lithium, nickel, and cobalt are key materials used in lithium-ion batteries.
#gs3
#economy
#prelims@thegameoftoppers
🔆POSHAN Scheme
📍Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman Scheme:
✅It was earlier known as the National Programme of Mid-Day Meal in schools.
✅In September 2021, Mid-Day Meal Scheme was renamed as Pradhan Mantri POSHAN Scheme.
✅It is a centrally sponsored scheme under which one hot cooked meal is served to students studying in Balvatika and classes I to VIII, in Government and Government-aided schools on all school-days.
✅The Scheme aims at providing nutritional support and enhancing school participation of students.
✅Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Education
#gs3
#prelims
#economy
#goverment_scheme
📍Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman Scheme:
✅It was earlier known as the National Programme of Mid-Day Meal in schools.
✅In September 2021, Mid-Day Meal Scheme was renamed as Pradhan Mantri POSHAN Scheme.
✅It is a centrally sponsored scheme under which one hot cooked meal is served to students studying in Balvatika and classes I to VIII, in Government and Government-aided schools on all school-days.
✅The Scheme aims at providing nutritional support and enhancing school participation of students.
✅Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Education
#gs3
#prelims
#economy
#goverment_scheme
🔆Myristica swamps
✅Myristica swamps are unique freshwater swamp ecosystems dominated by trees of the Myristicaceae family, including nutmeg trees.
✅These swamps are found in specific regions of the Western Ghats, especially in Kerala, Karnataka, and Goa, and also in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
✅ They are characterized by stilt and knee roots that help trees adapt to waterlogged conditions.
✅These forests are characterized by trees with large protruding roots jutting out of waterlogged soil which remains inundated throughout the year.
They have evolved over millions of years and are comprised of old-growth trees.
✅Climatic conditions: The formation of these swamps is dependent on abiotic conditions like the shape of the valley between the forested hills, the amount of rainfall a place receives (with an average of 3000 mm), and water availability throughout the year
#gs3
#prelims
#enviroment
✅Myristica swamps are unique freshwater swamp ecosystems dominated by trees of the Myristicaceae family, including nutmeg trees.
✅These swamps are found in specific regions of the Western Ghats, especially in Kerala, Karnataka, and Goa, and also in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
✅ They are characterized by stilt and knee roots that help trees adapt to waterlogged conditions.
✅These forests are characterized by trees with large protruding roots jutting out of waterlogged soil which remains inundated throughout the year.
They have evolved over millions of years and are comprised of old-growth trees.
✅Climatic conditions: The formation of these swamps is dependent on abiotic conditions like the shape of the valley between the forested hills, the amount of rainfall a place receives (with an average of 3000 mm), and water availability throughout the year
#gs3
#prelims
#enviroment
🔆Mosura fentoni
✅Lived around 506 million years ago, during the Cambrian period.
✅Classification: Belongs to Radiodonta, an extinct lineage of early arthropods that also includes Anomalocaris.
Size: Approximately the length of an adult human index finger.
✅Eyes: Possessed three eyes-two lateral and one prominent central eye-providing advanced visual capabilities for its time.
✅Trunk-Like Body: Elongated body with swimming flaps along the sides for propulsion, similar to the movement of modern rays.
✅Abdomen-Like Region: Unique among radiodonts, Mosura fentoni had a segmented rear section comprising 16 tightly packed segments, each lined with gills.
✅This structure likely enhanced its respiratory efficiency and is considered an example of evolutionary convergence with modern arthropods such as horseshoe crabs and insects.
✅Respiration: Breathed through gills located at the posterior end of its body, a feature not previously seen in related species.
#gs3
#prelims
✅Lived around 506 million years ago, during the Cambrian period.
✅Classification: Belongs to Radiodonta, an extinct lineage of early arthropods that also includes Anomalocaris.
Size: Approximately the length of an adult human index finger.
✅Eyes: Possessed three eyes-two lateral and one prominent central eye-providing advanced visual capabilities for its time.
✅Trunk-Like Body: Elongated body with swimming flaps along the sides for propulsion, similar to the movement of modern rays.
✅Abdomen-Like Region: Unique among radiodonts, Mosura fentoni had a segmented rear section comprising 16 tightly packed segments, each lined with gills.
✅This structure likely enhanced its respiratory efficiency and is considered an example of evolutionary convergence with modern arthropods such as horseshoe crabs and insects.
✅Respiration: Breathed through gills located at the posterior end of its body, a feature not previously seen in related species.
#gs3
#prelims
🔆What is PBAT?
✅Kamalpur Nagar Panchayat in Tripura has introduced compostable bags made from PBAT as a sustainable alternative to single-use plastic (SUP).
📍What is PBAT?
✅PBAT (Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate) is a biodegradable thermoplastic polymer used as an eco-friendly substitute for traditional plastics.
✅It is a copolymer of adipic acid, 1,4-butanediol, and terephthalic acid and can be processed using conventional plastic manufacturing methods.
✅PBAT is often blended with other biopolymers to enhance its mechanical and barrier properties
📍Properties of PBAT
✅100% compostable – breaks down into water, CO₂, and biomass under industrial composting conditions within 180 days.
✅Flexible and tough, making it ideal for bags, films, and packaging.
✅It is moisture-resistant, chemically inert, and offers good barrier properties.
#gs3
#environment
✅Kamalpur Nagar Panchayat in Tripura has introduced compostable bags made from PBAT as a sustainable alternative to single-use plastic (SUP).
📍What is PBAT?
✅PBAT (Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate) is a biodegradable thermoplastic polymer used as an eco-friendly substitute for traditional plastics.
✅It is a copolymer of adipic acid, 1,4-butanediol, and terephthalic acid and can be processed using conventional plastic manufacturing methods.
✅PBAT is often blended with other biopolymers to enhance its mechanical and barrier properties
📍Properties of PBAT
✅100% compostable – breaks down into water, CO₂, and biomass under industrial composting conditions within 180 days.
✅Flexible and tough, making it ideal for bags, films, and packaging.
✅It is moisture-resistant, chemically inert, and offers good barrier properties.
#gs3
#environment
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🔆 Marine Microplastics Tied to Higher Diabetes Risk
📍 New U.S. study finds health impact correlation with ocean microplastic exposure
✅ Microplastic pollution (within 370 km of U.S. coast) linked to:
– 18% ↑ in Type-2 diabetes
– 7% ↑ in coronary artery disease
– 9% ↑ in stroke incidents
✅ Study used data from 152 coastal counties.
✅ Pattern holds even after controlling for age, sex, race, ethnicity, income, healthcare access, etc.
✅ Suggests microplastics as a potential new risk factor in chronic disease burden.
📝 Prelims Question:
Which of the following diseases has NOT been associated with microplastic exposure in recent studies?
A. Type-2 Diabetes
B. Coronary Artery Disease
C. Stroke
D. Asthma
Answer: D
📝 Mains Question (GS3 – Environment/Health):
#GS3 #Environment #Microplastics #PublicHealth #Diabetes #Prelims2025 #Mains2025
📍 New U.S. study finds health impact correlation with ocean microplastic exposure
✅ Microplastic pollution (within 370 km of U.S. coast) linked to:
– 18% ↑ in Type-2 diabetes
– 7% ↑ in coronary artery disease
– 9% ↑ in stroke incidents
✅ Study used data from 152 coastal counties.
✅ Pattern holds even after controlling for age, sex, race, ethnicity, income, healthcare access, etc.
✅ Suggests microplastics as a potential new risk factor in chronic disease burden.
📝 Prelims Question:
Which of the following diseases has NOT been associated with microplastic exposure in recent studies?
A. Type-2 Diabetes
B. Coronary Artery Disease
C. Stroke
D. Asthma
Answer: D
📝 Mains Question (GS3 – Environment/Health):
#GS3 #Environment #Microplastics #PublicHealth #Diabetes #Prelims2025 #Mains2025