Today's Brief 19/05/2025

1 .International Museum Day,

General Studies Paper-I (250 Marks) – Indian Heritage and Culture, History, and Geography of the World and Society

observed annually on May 18th, serves as a global platform to raise public awareness about the indispensable role museums play in the development of society.

Established in 1977 by the International Council of Museums (ICOM), this day encourages museums worldwide to engage their communities and highlight their significance in cultural exchange, education, and the promotion of peace and understanding.

The theme for 2025, "The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities," underscored the need for museums to adapt and contribute to a world undergoing rapid social, technological, and environmental transformations, aligning with several Sustainable Development Goals.

2 .Exercise Teesta Prahar

(General Studies-III (250 marks)Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management)

was a significant military exercise undertaken by the Indian Army in North Bengal during January 2023.

This exercise served to validate the integrated combat capabilities of the Indian Army alongside Central Armed Police Forces in the challenging high-altitude, mountainous terrain of the northern borders.

3 .The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)

General Studies Paper-II (250 Marks) – Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations

had recently implemented Stage 1 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the National Capital Region (NCR) on May 16, 2025, due to a decline in air quality that pushed the AQI into the "Poor" category.

owing to a significant improvement in air quality, with Delhi's AQI reaching the "Moderate" level, the CAQM revoked all restrictions under GRAP Stage 1 effective May 18, 2025.

4 .Over 1.25 Lakh Grievances Resolved in April via CPGRAMS: DARPG Report:

General Studies Paper-II (250 Marks) – Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations

The Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS), an online platform managed by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), serves as a crucial interface for Indian citizens to lodge and track grievances related to government services.

As highlighted by the DARPG report indicating over 1.25 lakh resolutions in April, CPGRAMS provides a 24x7 accessible system via web portal, mobile applications, and even offline channels like post and Common Service Centres.

Each registered grievance is assigned a unique ID for tracking, and designated Nodal Officers within government bodies are responsible for ensuring timely resolution, typically within 21 days, with an appeal mechanism available for dissatisfied complainants.

The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) has released the 36th Monthly Report on the Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) of Central Ministries and Departments’ performance for the month of April.

Nearly one lakh 25 thousand grievances were redressed by central ministries and departments in April this year.

5 .Marigolds:

(General Studies-III (250 marks)Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management)

are vibrant, hardy flowers belonging to the Tagetes genus, widely cultivated for their bright orange, yellow, or red blooms.

They thrive in sunny conditions and are popular in gardens, religious ceremonies, and festivals like Mexico’s Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Marigolds repel pests, making them useful as companion plants in agriculture.

6 .Sea moth: Scientists discovered Mosura fentoni, a 506-million-year-old sea predator with three eyes, spiny claws, and a unique segmented body. Found in Canada’s Burgess Shale, this "sea moth" had a circular, toothed mouth and swam like a stingray.

The well-preserved fossils reveal complex anatomy, showing early arthropods were more advanced than thought. Mosura was likely a mid-level hunter in Cambrian oceans.

7 .The International Telecommunication Union (ITU),

(General Studies-III (250 marks)Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management)

established in 1865, is a United Nations specialized agency headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

It regulates global telecommunications, allocates radio spectrum and satellite orbits, and develops technical standards to ensure seamless interconnectivity of networks and technologies

The ITU also works to bridge the digital divide by improving telecommunication infrastructure in developing countries and promoting digital inclusion Its three main sectors ITU-R (radiocommunication), ITU-T (standardization), and ITU-D (development) address issues like cybersecurity, digital transformation, and universal connectivity

. The ITU hosts key global events, such as the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA), to coordinate international policies and innovations in ICT

. With 193 member states and over 800 sector members, the ITU plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of global communication

8 .Akash Missile system: 

(General Studies-III (250 marks)Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management)

 an indigenously developed short-to-medium range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system, serves as a crucial component of India's air defense, safeguarding vulnerable areas from aerial threats.

With a range extending from 4.5 km to 25-30 km (and a longer reach of 70-80 km in its next-generation variant, Akash-NG), it can engage targets at altitudes between 100 meters and 18-20 km, traveling at supersonic speeds of Mach 2.5 to 3.5. Armed with a 60 kg high-explosive warhead and guided by a command system coupled with the "Rajendra" PESA radar (with newer variants incorporating active radar seekers),

 the Akash system can simultaneously track up to 64 targets and engage multiple threats, including fighter jets, helicopters, cruise missiles, and drones.

 Its effectiveness was recently demonstrated in Operation Sindoor in May 2025 against Pakistani aerial threats. The system has evolved through variants like Akash Mk-1, Akash-1S, Akash Prime, and the upcoming Akash-NG, each featuring enhancements in range and accuracy.

9 .National Technology Day 2025

(General Studies-III (250 marks)Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management)

 was observed across India on Sunday, May 11, 2025, with the theme "YANTRA – Yugantar for Advancing New Technology, Research & Acceleration." 

This theme, unveiled by the Technology Development Board (TDB) under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), blends India's rich scientific heritage ("YANTRA," symbolizing systems, synergy, and scalable solutions) with the nation's current transition towards global technology leadership ("Yugantar," meaning epochal transformation).

The significance of National Technology Day, celebrated annually on May 11th since 1999, lies in commemorating India's technological prowess and achievements. 

 The date specifically marks the anniversary of the successful Pokhran-II nuclear tests of 1998 (Operation Shakti), which positioned India as a nuclear-weapon state.

 Additionally, May 11th, 1998, witnessed the first test flight of Hansa-3, India's indigenous light aircraft, and the successful test-firing of the Trishul missile by the DRDO, further highlighting the nation's advancements in aerospace and defense technologies.

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