• 05 Jun 2025

Astrolabe Excavated at Raigad Fort

Why in News? 

The Archaeological Survey of India and the Raigad Development Authority jointly unearthed a ‘Yantraraj’ (astrolabe) during an excavation at Raigad, the capital fort of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. 

• The excavation also uncovered a variety of artefacts, including Shivrai coins minted by Shivaji Maharaj, clay and glass utensils, as well as weapons and lamps.

Key Points 

• Key Features of the Astrolabe: 
  • The astrolabe is rectangular, made of copper-bronze, and dated Shaka 1519 (1597 CE). 
  • It was in use during Raigad’s renovation in 1656 and at the time of Shivaji Maharaj’s coronation in 1674. 
  • The instrument’s upper surface has inscriptions in the Sanskrit language and in Devanagari script, with two animal engravings—likely a tortoise or snake—at the centre. 
  • It features the inscribed words "mukh" (head) and "poonchh" (tail), likely used to align with the north-south orientation. 
  • Such astrolabes were commonly used by astrologers and navigators to track stars and calculate directions. 
    • This discovery affirms that Raigad Fort, like other Maratha strongholds, was strategically planned, integrating advanced knowledge of astronomy to aid its construction, defense, and administration.

 

• About Raigad Fort (Raigad District): 
  • Significance: On 6th June, 1674 CE a grand coronation ceremony of Shivaji Maharaj was held on Raigad post, during which he attained the title of “Chhatrapati”.  
  • The fort served as the second capital of Shivaji Maharaj and played an important role in the administration and expansion of the Maratha Kingdom. 
  • It is part of the 12 forts nominated for UNESCO World Heritage under the title “Maratha Military Landscapes of India”.  
    • It is the classic example of Maratha architecture and best representation of the capital fort on a hill, showcasing well-integrated design with the terrain and advanced structural typologies. 

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj  

 

• About:  
  • Born on 19th February 1630, at Shivneri Fort, Pune was a visionary leader from the Bhonsle clan and the founder of the Maratha Empire, known for resisting the Mughal Empire and striving for self-rule.   
• Major Battles:   
  • Battle of Pratapgad (1659), Battle of Pavan Khind (1660), Sacking of Surat (1664), Battle of Purandar (1665), Battle of Sinhagad (1670), and Battle of Sangamner (1679).   
  • The Wagh nakh (tiger claw-shaped), was used by Shivaji to kill Afzal Khan in the 1659 Battle of Pratapgad.   
• Titles:   
  • Chhatrapati, Shakakarta, Kshatriya Kulavantas, and Haindava Dharmodhhaarak.   
• Administration:   
  • Centralized administration with the Ashtapradhan (Council of Eight Ministers), abolished the Jagirdari System, implemented the Ryotwari System, and built a strong naval force for coastal defense.   
    • Shivaji is renowned for his innovative guerrilla warfare tactics, which influenced subsequent rulers and shaped the Maratha Military Landscapes.

Horizontal Reservation for Agniveers in UP

Why in News? 

The Uttar Pradesh government has announced a 20% horizontal reservation to former Agniveers in various positions within the state police force. 

• In addition to reservation, the government has also provided a 3-year age relaxation to facilitate their recruitment.

Key Points 

• The Agnipath Scheme: 
  • About: 
    • The term "Agniveer" translates to "Fire-Warriors" and is a new military rank. 
    • It is a scheme of recruiting army personnel below officer ranks such as soldiers, airmen, and sailors who are not commissioned officers to the Indian Armed Forces. 
    • They are recruited for a period of 4 years, after which, up to 25% of these recruits (called Agniveers), can join the services on a permanent commission (another 15 years), subject to merit and organisational requirements. 
    • At present, all sailors, airmen, and soldiers, except the technical cadre of the medical branch, are recruited to the services under this scheme. 
  • Eligibility Criteria: 
    • Candidates between the age of 17.5 years to 23 years are eligible to apply (the upper age limit was increased from 21). 
    • Girls under the given age limit are open for agnipath entry, while there is no such reservation for women under this scheme. 
  • Pay & Benefits: 
    • Death on Duty: The family gets a combined sum of Rs 1 crore, which includes both the Seva Nidhi package and the soldier's unserved salary. 
    • Disability: An Agniveer can receive compensation up to Rs 44 lakh depending on the severity of the disability. This amount is provided only if the disability is caused by or worsened due to military service. 
    • Pensions: Agniveers won't receive a regular pension after their 4-year service, unlike soldiers in the traditional system. 
      • Only the 25% who get selected for permanent commission will be eligible for a pension. 
  • Goal of Agnipath: 
    • This scheme aims to maintain a youthful profile in the armed forces while optimising the force structure, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and ensuring long-term fiscal sustainability in defence spending. 

Reservation 

• Reservation is a form of affirmative action, created to promote equality among marginalized sections, so as to protect them from social and historical injustice. 
• Generally, it means giving preferential treatment to marginalised sections of society in employment and access to education. 
• It was also originally initiate to correct historical injustice of discrimination and to give a boost to disadvantaged groups. 
• In India, people have been historically discriminated against on the basis of caste. 
• Vertical Reservation: 
  • Reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes is referred to as vertical reservation. 
  • It applies separately for each of the groups specified under the law. 
  • Example: Article 16(4) of the Constitution contemplates vertical reservation. 
• Horizontal Reservation: 
  • It refers to the equal opportunity provided to other categories of beneficiaries such as women, veterans, the transgender community, and individuals with disabilities, cutting through the vertical categories. 
    • The horizontal quota is applied separately to each vertical category, and not across the board. 
  • Example: Article 15 (3) of the Constitution contemplates horizontal reservation.

Ramsar Sites & World Environment Day

Why in News?

On World Environment Day, India added two more wetlands—Khichan in Phalodi and Menar in Udaipur—to the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance. 

• These additions increased the total number of Ramsar Sites in India to 91.

World Environment Day (WED)

• About & History:
  • World Environment Day was established in 1972 during the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm. 
    • Later that year, the UN General Assembly officially designated June 5 as World Environment Day.
  • The first celebration took place in 1973 with the theme “Only One Earth,” marking the beginning of what would become the largest global platform for environmental awareness.
  • WED celebration in 2021 started the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) which is a global mission to revive billions of hectares, from forests to farmlands, from the top of mountains to the depth of the seas.
• WED 2025:
  • The Republic of Korea will host World Environment Day 2025 with a focus on ending plastic pollution globally.
  • The theme for 2025 is “ Beat Plastic Pollution," a global focus on reducing plastic waste.
  • India hosted the 45th celebration of World Environment Day in 2018 under the theme ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’

Key Points

• Khichan Wetland:

  • About:

    • It is situated in the village of Khichan, approximately 171 km from Jaisalmer city, Rajasthan.
    • It comprises two water bodies, Ratri river and Vijaysagar pond, riparian habitat and scrub land.
  • Migratory Bird Habitat:
    • The sanctuary hosts three migratory bird species: Kurjan, Karkara, and Kunch, locally known names for Demoiselle Cranes.
      • Khichan Bird Sanctuary is globally renowned as the "Demoiselle Crane Village", attracting bird watchers and researchers from around the world.
    • These birds migrate to Khichan from regions such as Southwest Europe, the Black Sea, Poland, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and parts of North and South Africa.
• Menar Wetland:

  • About:

    • Menar Wetland is a freshwater monsoon wetland complex located in Udaipur, Rajasthan.
    • The wetland is formed by three interconnected ponds—Braham Talab, Dhand Talab, and Kheroda Talab—along with the agricultural land that links Dhand and Kheroda.
    • During the monsoon season, the surrounding farmland floods, creating additional habitat for water bird species.
  • Biodiversity and Key Species:
    • The site supports a variety of birdlife, including the critically endangered white-rumped vulture (Gyps bengalensis) and long-billed vulture (Gyps indicus).
    • It also harbours over 70 plant species, including mango trees (Mangifera indica) near Braham Talab.
      • The mango trees serve as roosting sites for a large colony of Indian flying foxes (Pteropus giganteus), adding to the wetland’s ecological richness.
  • Model of Community-Led Conservation:
    • It is considered one of the finest examples of community-driven conservation in Rajasthan.
    • Residents of Menar village play a crucial role in protecting wildlife, actively working to prevent poaching and fishing in the area.
• Ramsar Convention

  • About:

    • The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty signed in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, under the auspices of UNESCO, aimed at conserving wetlands of international importance. 
      • In India, it came into force on 1st February 1982, under which wetlands of international importance are declared as Ramsar sites.
      • As of August 2024, Tamil Nadu (18) has the highest number of Ramsar sites, followed by Uttar Pradesh (10).
    • Montreux Record is a register of wetland sites of International Importance where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur as a result of technological developments, pollution or other human interference. 
      • It is maintained as part of the Ramsar List.
  • Criteria for Identifying Ramsar Sites: 
    • Currently, there are nine criteria for identifying Wetlands of International Importance, which include sites containing representative, rare or unique wetland types; sites of international importance for conserving biological diversity; specific criteria based on waterbirds, fish, etc.

Chhattisgarh Homestay Policy 2025-30

Why in News? 

The Chhattisgarh government approved the ‘Chhattisgarh Homestay Policy 2025-30’ to promote tourism in rural and tribal-dominated areas, including the Maoism-affected Bastar division. 

Key Points 

• About the Policy:  
  • The policy was approved amid ongoing anti-Naxal operations in the Bastar region, a tribal-dominated and Maoism-affected area. 
  • The policy focuses on Bastar and Sarguja, the two major tribal-dominated regions of Chhattisgarh known for their natural landscapes and biodiversity. 
    • The tribal communities of Bastar are mainly Gond, Maria, Muria, Bhadra, Halba and Dhurua. 
    • Sarguja is home to tribes like Gond, Bhumij, Oraon, Panika, Korwa, Bhuiya, Kharwar, Munda, Chero, and others. 
• Purpose and Cultural Promotion: 
  • Homestays will offer visitors an immersive rural life experience, showcasing tribal culture, local art and handicrafts, and unique regional features. 
• Socio-Economic Benefits for Locals: 
  • The policy aims to generate income opportunities for local residents by enabling them to run homestays. 
  • It supports the ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative and is expected to strengthen rural tourism and local entrepreneurship.

Maoism  

• About: Maoism is a form of communism developed by Mao Tse Tung. It is a doctrine to capture State power through a combination of armed insurgency, mass mobilization and strategic alliances.  
  • Mao called this process, the ‘Protracted People's War’, where the emphasis is on ‘military line’ to capture power.  
• Maoist Ideology: The central theme of Maoist ideology is the use of violence and armed insurrection as a means to capture State power.   
  • ‘Bearing of arms is non-negotiable’ as per the Maoist insurgency doctrine.   
• Indian Maoists: The largest and the most violent Maoist formation in India is the Communist Party of India (Maoist) formed in 2004.  
  • The CPI (Maoist) and its front organizations were banned under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.  
    • Front Organizations are the off-shoots of the parent Maoist party, which professes a separate existence to escape legal liability. 

Vocal for Local Initiative 

• NITI Aayog launched the ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative under its Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP). 
• The initiative aims to foster self-reliance among citizens and promote sustainable development and inclusive prosperity. 
• As part of this initiative, local products from 500 aspirational blocks have been identified and consolidated under a unified brand called Aakanksha. 
  • Aakanksha serves as an umbrella brand, which can be expanded into multiple sub-brands with the potential to tap into global markets. 
• To promote these local products, the government has launched a dedicated window for the Aspirational Blocks Programme under the Aakanksha brand on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal. 
• Support from Partner Organisation: 
  • Partner organisations will offer technical and operational assistance for: 
    • E-commerce onboarding 
    • Market linkage development 
    • Financial and digital literacy 
    • Documentation and certification 
    • Skill development and capacity enhancement 

Aravalli Green Wall Initiative

Why in News? 

On World Environment Day (5 June, 2025), the Prime Minister extended the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign initiative as part of the ‘Aravalli Green Wall project’ to reforest the Aravalli mountain range from Delhi to Gujarat. 

• As part of the initiative, the Haryana government will restore 25,000 hectares of degraded forest land. 

World Environment Day (WED) 

• About & History: 
  • World Environment Day was established in 1972 during the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm.  
    • Later that year, the UN General Assembly officially designated June 5 as World Environment Day.  
  • The first celebration took place in 1973 with the theme “Only One Earth,” marking the beginning of what would become the largest global platform for environmental awareness. 
  • WED celebration in 2021 started the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) which is a global mission to revive billions of hectares, from forests to farmlands, from the top of mountains to the depth of the seas. 
• WED 2025: 
  • The Republic of Korea will host WED 2025 with a focus on ending plastic pollution globally. 
  • The theme for 2025 is “ Beat Plastic Pollution," a global focus on reducing plastic waste. 
  • India hosted the 45th celebration of World Environment Day in 2018 under the theme ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’. 

Key Points 

• About the Aravalli Green Wall Project Presentation: 
  • Inspired by Africa's Great Green Wall initiative, the Aravali Green Wall project aims to- 
    • Restore over 1.1 million hectares of degraded landscapes by 2027. 
    • Focus on afforestation with native species, soil health improvement, and groundwater replenishment. 
    • Develop an "ecological wall" to mitigate urban heat islands and act as a carbon sink for NCR. 
• Environmental Threats to the Aravallis: 
  • The Aravalli range, one of the oldest mountain ranges in India, spans Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. 
  • The region faces severe environmental degradation due to illegal mining and rapid urbanisation. 
• Nursery Development Plan: 
  • The government will develop 1,000 nurseries across 29 districts of the Aravalli range to support large-scale afforestation under the Aravalli Green Wall project. 
  • To mitigate degradation, the government plans to increase tree plantation and expand green cover along the range. 
  • The initiative aims to restore biodiversity, stabilise soil, and rejuvenate ecological balance. 
• Distribution of Degraded Areas: 
  • Rajasthan holds the majority of degraded land: 81%. 
  • Gujarat accounts for 15.8%. 
  • Haryana has 1.7%. 
  • Delhi contains 1.6% of the total degraded area. 

Aravali Mountain Range 

 

• About:  
  • The Aravallis, is the oldest fold mountain on Earth. Geological studies indicate that it is three billion years old. 
  • It spans from Gujarat to Delhi (through Rajasthan and Haryana). 
  • The highest peak in the Aravalli Range is Guru Peak on Mount Abu. 
• Impact on Climate: 
  • The Aravallis have an impact upon the climate of northwest India and beyond. 
  • During monsoons, the mountain range gently guides the monsoon clouds eastwards towards Shimla and Nainital, thus helping nurture the sub-Himalayan rivers and feeding the north Indian plains. 
  • During the winter months, it shields the fertile alluvial river valleys of the Indus and Ganga from the harsh cold westerly winds blowing in from Central Asia. 
• Ecological Role of the Aravalli Range: 
  • The Aravalli range acts as a natural shield against desertification by preventing the eastward expansion of the Thar Desert. 
  • It protects major cities such as Delhi, Jaipur, and Gurugram from desert encroachment and rising aridity. 
• Rivers: 
  • The range serves as the origin point for several important rivers, including the Chambal, Sabarmati, and Luni. 
  • These rivers are crucial for agriculture, drinking water, and regional ecosystems across northwestern India. 
• Biodiversity Hotspot: 
  • The forests, grasslands, and wetlands in the Aravalli support numerous endangered plant and animal species, making it a critical ecological habitat. 
• Threats to the Aravalli Ecosystem: 
  • Deforestation, illegal mining, overgrazing, and human settlements are accelerating land degradation across the range. 
    • These activities are damaging underground aquifers, drying lakes, and weakening the range’s ability to support wildlife and biodiversity. 

Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ Campaign 

• About: It aims to honor mothers by encouraging tree planting in their names, combining environmental conservation with a tribute to motherhood, symbolizing how mothers, like trees, nurture and sustain life. 
  • It was launched by the Prime Minister on World Environment Day, 5th June, 2024. 
• Objective: To promote environmental preservation, increase forest cover, and support sustainable development while honoring mothers. 
• World Record Achievement: On 22nd September 2024, 128 Infantry Battalion & Ecological Task Force of the Territorial Army planted over 5 lakh saplings in one hour in Jaisalmer.