Wilmington Declaration
The Coast Guards of India, Japan, the U.S., and Australia (QUAD members) have launched the first ‘QUAD at Sea Ship Observer Mission’ under the Wilmington Declaration.
- The mission will strengthen maritime cooperation, security, and interoperability among QUAD coast guards in the Indo-Pacific and support India’s maritime vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region).
Wilmington Declaration (2024)
- Issued by QUAD leaders in Wilmington, USA.
- Reaffirms commitment to a free, open, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific, respecting rule of law, democracy, and territorial integrity.
- Other Key Initiatives Launched:
- Quad Cancer Moonshot (focus: cervical cancer)
- MAITRI – Maritime training in the Indo-Pacific
- Ports of the Future Partnership for support for digital infrastructure, including undersea cables
- Tags :
- QUAD
- Indo-Pacific
- Wilmington Declaration
Articles Sources
Altermagnets
Scientists from S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences (SNBNCBS) discovered a unique duality in alternemagnets using chromium antimonide (CrSb).
About Altermagnets
- Definition: Altermagnets are a new type of magnetic material that combine the best features of ferromagnets and antiferromagnets.
- Ferromagnets: Spins align in the same direction, resulting in strong magnetism.
- Antiferromagnets: Spins alternate, thus cancelling each other out, resulting in no external magnetism.
- Features:
- Like antiferromagnets, they exhibit alternating spins and therefore have no net magnetism.
- But due to their unique crystal symmetry, they show intense internal spin polarisation, similar to ferromagnets.
- CrSb (Chromium Antimonide) Shows the strongest spin-splitting among known altermagnets.
- Tags :
- Ferromagnets
- Magnets
- Altermagnets
- Antiferromagnets
- Chromium Antimonide
Articles Sources
Disaster Alert Systems
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) operationalised the Integrated Alert System (SACHET), and a testing of the Cell Broadcast (CB) system is being conducted to ascertain the efficacy
About SACHET (India’s SMS-Based Alert System)
- Developed by Centre of Development of Telematics C-DOT using the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP), recommended by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
- Active in all 36 States and UTs.
- Sends geo-targeted SMS alerts during disasters like cyclones, floods, and storms.
About Cell Broadcast (Near Real-Time Emergency Alerts)
- C-DOT is developing it.
- CB alerts are broadcast directly to all mobile phones in the affected area.
- Much faster than SMS—ideal for urgent disasters like tsunamis, earthquakes, lightning, and gas leaks.
- Tags :
- Disaster Alert Systems
- SACHET
- Cell Broadcast
Articles Sources
Mahabodhi temple

Supreme Court declined to hear a plea challenging the Bodh Gaya Temple Act, which governs the management of the Mahabodhi Temple Complex in Bihar
Mahabodhi Temple Complex
- Historical Background:
- First temple was built by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century B.C.
- Present structure dates to the 5th–6th century, late Gupta period.
- Architectural Features
- Features a curvilinear shikhara, topped by an amalaka and kalasha.
- However, the design of the temple is neither Dravidian nor Nagara.
- It is narrow like a Nagara temple, but it rises without curving like a Dravida one.
- Features a curvilinear shikhara, topped by an amalaka and kalasha.
- Key Components: Main temple, Vajrasana (Diamond Throne), Sacred Bodhi Tree, holy sites of Buddha’s enlightenment, surrounded by votive stupas and three protective boundaries (inner, middle, outer).
- Global recognition: UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Tags :
- UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Mahabodhi Temple
- Bodh Gaya
- Emperor Ashoka
Santhal Rebellion
170th years of Santhal rebellion is celebrated as Hul (revolution) Diwas..
About Santhal Rebellion (1855-56)
- Tribal uprising: Santhal rebellion was one of the first expressions of revolt against the British colonial regime.
- It is also considered to be the inspiration for the 1857 rebellion.
- Region: It was organised in Damin-i-Koh region in Rajmahal Hills of Jharkhand.
- Leadership: it was initaitved mainly led by four brothers Sidhu, Kanhu, Chand-Bhairav, Phulo & Jhano Murmu against British rule and exploitation.
- Reason: It is attributed to Permanent Settlement Act of 1793 that led to their displacement from Birbhum and Manbhum regions (present day Bengal) and subsequent exploitation by Zamindars, police and British.
- Tags :
- Santhal Rebellion
- Tribal Uprising
- Permanent Settlement Act of 1790
Articles Sources
WaveX
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MoI&B) has launched the WAVEX Startup Challenge 2025 under its flagship startup accelerator program, WaveX.
- Challenge Titled BhashaSetu – Real-Time Language Tech for Bharat, is a national hackathon to develop an AI-powered multilingual translation solution across at least 12 major Indian languages.
About WaveX
- It is dedicated startup accelerator platform launched under the MoI&B’s WAVES initiative, aimed at nurturing innovation in the media, entertainment, and language technology sectors.
- WaveX continues to support breakthrough ideas through targeted hackathons, incubation, mentorship, and integration with national platforms.
- Tags :
- Startups
- Innovation
- WaveX
- Incubation
Articles Sources
Reservation in Supreme Court
For the first time, the Supreme Court has introduced a formal policy of reservation in the direct appointment and promotion for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) staff in court’s internal administration.
- The policy covers many posts, including registrars, senior personal assistants, assistant librarians, junior court assistants and chamber attendants.
- However, this policy is not applicable on judges.
- SC employees will receive a 15% quota and ST employees a 7.5% quota in promotions, aligning with central government’s reservation norms.
- Tags :
- Supreme Court
- Reservation
- Judiciary
Andaman Sea
Andaman Sea, which falls within Seismic Zone V (highest earthquake risk zone), experienced three earthquakes in a day.
About Andaman Sea

- It is a semi-enclosed marginal sea in the northeastern Indian Ocean.
- Bounded by Myanmar (North), Thailand and Malaysia (East), Indonesia and Strait of Malacca (South), and Andaman and Nicobar Islands (West).
- Geologically active with features like the Andaman Trench, formed by subduction of the Indian Plate beneath the Eurasian Plate.
- Marine Biodiversity:
- Part of the Coral Triangle, known for high marine biodiversity.
- Important for migratory birds along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.
- Tags :
- Islands
- Earthquake
- Andaman Sea
- Sea