CURRENT AFFAIRS
01 August, 2025
1. THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (NASA) – INDIAN SPACE RESEARCH ORGANISATION (ISRO) SYNTHETIC APERTURE RADAR (NISAR) SATELLITE, AN EARTH OBSERVATION MISSION, WAS LAUNCHED BY ISRO FROM SRIHARIKOTA –
What are the Key Facts About NISAR Satellite ?
• About: NISAR, jointly developed by ISRO and NASA, is the first satellite mission to use dual-frequency radar (L-band and S-band) from a single platform, with advanced microwave imaging capabilities including polarimetric and interferometric data.
Technical Features:
• Dual-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR):
• L-band SAR (by NASA): Penetrates forest canopy, ice, and soil, useful for biomass and deformation studies.
• S-band SAR (by ISRO): Better for monitoring crops, wetlands, and other surface-level features.
• Launch Vehicle: Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark II (GSLV Mk II) (specifically the GSLV-F16 variant), India’s largest rocket, is an expendable three-stage launch vehicle.
• The NISAR mission marks the first time ISRO is using a GSLV to place a satellite in sun-synchronous polar orbit.
• Mission Life: 5 Years.
• Phases: The mission includes four phases- launch, deployment, commissioning, and science operations.
• The deployment phase extends a 12-meter antenna 9 meters from the satellite, with commissioning in the first 90 days, followed by science operations for the rest of the mission.
2. OPERATION SHIV SHAKTI –
• The Indian Army launched Operation Shiv Shakti in the Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir. The operation successfully eliminated two terrorists attempting infiltration across the Line of Control (LoC).
• This came shortly after Operation Mahadev neutralised three terrorists involved in the deadly April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians. These operations show India’s intensified efforts to counter cross-border terrorism and secure vulnerable regions.
Background
• Operation Shiv Shakti was initiated following precise intelligence inputs from the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police. The operation targeted Lashkar-e-Taiba militants trying to infiltrate via the Maldivalan sector of Degwar in Poonch. This region is prone to militant activity due to its challenging terrain and proximity to the LoC.
3. KAZIRANGA TIGER RESERVE RECORDS THIRD HIGHEST TIGER DENSITY –
• Kaziranga Tiger Reserve (KTR) in Assam has emerged as the tiger reserve with the third-highest tiger density in India. This was revealed in a 2024 report released on Global Tiger Day. Known primarily for its one-horned rhinoceros, Kaziranga now also stands out as a critical tiger habitat. The reserve recorded 148 tigers across 1,307.49 sq. km, reflecting growth since 2022.
Tiger Population Growth and Survey Methodology
• The tiger count rose from 104 in 2022 to 148 in 2024. This increase was aided by the first-ever sampling of the Biswanath Wildlife Division, which alone recorded 27 tigers. The survey was conducted between December 2023 and April 2024 using camera traps.
• Officials employed the spatially explicit capture-recapture method, a precise technique endorsed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority and the Wildlife Institute of India. Over 13,000 trap nights yielded more than 4,000 tiger images, enabling identification of individual tigers by their right-flank stripe patterns.
4. US TARIFFS IMPACT INDIA-CHINA TRADE NEGOTIATIONS –
• The US announcement of a 25 per cent tariff on Indian imports and penalties linked to Russian defence and energy purchases has intensified trade tensions.
• This move complicates India’s efforts to secure a favourable interim trade deal with the US. Meanwhile, China is ahead in negotiations, potentially gaining tariff advantages. The evolving scenario affects India’s export competitiveness and economic growth prospects.
US Tariff
• The US imposed a 25 per cent tariff on Indian imports just before a key negotiation deadline. This tariff level nearly matches the earlier 26 per cent reciprocal tariff India faced. The US also threatened penalties on countries buying Russian oil and military equipment, potentially doubling tariffs to 100 per cent. This pressure pushes India to accelerate trade talks with the US.
5. BHILS’ GAVRI FESTIVAL –
• The Bhil community of Mewar in Rajasthan annually celebrates Gavri, a 40-day ritual festival. This event involves dance-dramas, songs, and religious ceremonies dedicated to their deity Gorkhiya Mata.
• For the first time, this vibrant tradition has been showcased to a wider audience through a photo exhibition at the India International Centre Art Gallery. The exhibition marks the rich oral literature and cultural heritage of the Bhils.
The Gavri Festival and Its Significance
• Gavri is performed after the full moon night of Raksha Bandhan in August. It honours the goddess Parvati, whom the Bhils regard as their sister. The festival is a deeply spiritual and social event where Bhil troupes travel to villages across Udaipur and nearby districts. They perform khels—dance-dramas filled with trance-like states, songs, and religious rites. These performances invoke the deity Gorkhiya Mata and celebrate Bhil identity and faith.
MCQ QUIZ
Q1. Where was the world’s smallest known snake, threadsnake, rediscovered after 20 years ?
a) Barbados
b) Guyana
c) Colombia
d) Cuba
Q2. Kavach 4.0 is an automatic train protection system introduced by which organization ?
a) Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL)
b) Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO)
c) Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
d) Ministry of Transport
Q3. Typhoon Co-May recently hit which country ?
a) Japan
b) Philippines
c) China
d) None of the Above
Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the cooperative sector in India:
1. India is home to over 27% of the world’s cooperatives.
2. Maharashtra has the largest number of cooperative societies in India.
3. Cooperatives in India are governed exclusively by the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002.
Which of the above statements is/are correct ?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) All three
Explanation-
• Statement 1 is correct – India has 27% of the world’s cooperatives.
• Statement 2 is correct – Maharashtra alone accounts for 25% of India’s cooperatives.
• Statement 3 is incorrect – Cooperatives are governed either by state laws or the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, depending on their jurisdiction.
Q5. Consider the following statements about NISAR:
1. It is the first Earth observation satellite jointly developed by NASA and ISRO.
2. It carries a dual-frequency radar system using L-band and S-band SAR.
3. The satellite will orbit the Earth in a geostationary orbit.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) All three
Explanation-
• Statements 1 and 2 are correct – NISAR is the first NASA-ISRO collaboration on an Earth observation satellite and uses dual-frequency SAR: L-band (NASA) and S-band (ISRO).
• Statement 3 is incorrect – NISAR is launched into a sun-synchronous polar orbit, not a geostationary one.
Answer Key
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
A | B | C | A | A |