Today's Brief 21/08/2025

1.Starlink :

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

is a satellite internet constellation operated by Starlink Services, LLC, a subsidiary of SpaceX, designed to provide high-speed, low-latency broadband internet globally.

Unlike traditional satellite internet, Starlink's network consists of thousands of small satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), which allows for significantly faster speeds and lower latency, making it suitable for activities like online gaming and video calls.

The system works through a network of satellites, ground stations, and user terminals a phased-array antenna that customers use to connect to the satellites.

Starlink's primary goal is to serve remote and rural areas where traditional internet infrastructure is unreliable or non-existent, and it currently serves over 130 countries and territories.

In addition to its core internet service, Starlink is developing "Direct to Cell" to provide connectivity directly to mobile phones and "Starshield" for government and military use.

While the constellation has been praised for its ability to bridge the digital divide, it has also faced criticism from astronomers due to its impact on observations and from space safety experts regarding the potential for increased space debris and collision risk in an already crowded LEO environment

2 .Agni-V

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

is a nuclear-capable intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) that serves as a cornerstone of India's strategic defense and nuclear deterrent.

Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), this land-based, three-stage missile is powered by solid fuel, giving it the advantage of high mobility and a short launch preparation time.

It is a canister-launched missile, meaning it can be transported and stored easily, enhancing its survivability and operational readiness.

With an operational range of over 5,000 kilometers, Agni-V can strike targets across a large part of Asia and even reach parts of Europe.

It is equipped with an advanced guidance system and is notable for its Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) capability, which allows it to carry and deliver multiple warheads to different targets simultaneously.

As the most advanced missile in the Agni series, Agni-V is a crucial element of India's "credible minimum deterrence" policy.

3 . Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan:

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

Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan is a national mission launched by India's Ministry of Tribal Affairs aimed at transforming governance and service delivery in tribal-dominated villages.

The program's core objective is to create a dedicated cadre of 20 lakh "Karmayogis," or change leaders, who will serve as the human link between government initiatives and tribal communities.

By empowering local government officials, youth, and community members, the mission seeks to ensure that government schemes for housing, healthcare, education, and livelihoods reach the last mile.

This bottom-up approach is designed to foster a collaborative environment where communities and government officers jointly develop a "Village Vision 2030" roadmap for their development.

To support these leaders, the mission utilizes a hybrid training model and an "Adi Karmayogi Digital Platform" for ongoing support and accountability, making it a comprehensive effort to improve governance and bring about positive change in tribal areas.