22nd September 2026

Explanation - NdFeB magnets are a type of rare-earth permanent magnet composed of an alloy of neodymium (Nd), iron (Fe), and boron (B). First developed in the early 1980s, they are the strongest commercially available permanent magnets in the world, offering an extraordinary combination of high magnetic energy density, coercivity, and remanence in a compact size. The chemical formula for the primary magnetic phase in an NdFeB magnet is Nd₂Fe₁₄B — a tetragonal crystalline structure that gives the material its exceptional magnetic properties. Typically, the composition includes 29-32.5% neodymium, 64-69% iron, and 1-1.2% boron. Their magnetic performance can deteriorate at high temperatures, although specialised grades are designed for higher-temperature applications. The addition of heavy rare-earth elements like dysprosium (Dy) or terbium (Tb) is common in high-temperature grades to maintain performance above 150°C. All the NdFeB magnets are prone to corrosion. They will require a form of protective coating. The standard coating is a triple-layer plating of nickel copper nickel (Ni-Cu-Ni). Applications — NdFeB magnets find widespread use in various industries, including electronics, automotive, medical devices, renewable energy, and more. In everyday products like headphones, electric motors, sensors, speakers, and generators, NdFeB magnets deliver enhanced performance, underlining their adaptability in modern technology.

Explanation - The scheme aims to reimburse all embedded State and Central Taxes/Levies for exports of manufactured goods and garments. It has been established as a successor for the old "Rebate of State Levies (RoSL) Scheme. The difference between RoSL & RoSCTL Scheme is that under the RoSL Scheme, there was no benefit on the central tax and Levies. But in the RoSCTL scheme, the exporter will get a rebate of both State and Central tax and Levies. Objective — To compensate for the State and Central Taxes and Levies in addition to the Duty Drawback Scheme on the export of apparel/ garments and Made-ups by way of rebate. The rebate under the Scheme shall be in the form of duty credit scrips. The scrips shall be issued electronically on the Customs system. The duty credit scrips shall be used for payment of Basic Customs Duty on import of goods. These scrips shall be freely transferable. The duty credit available in an e-scrip shall be transferred at a time for the entire amount in the said e-scrip to another person and transfer of the duty credit in part shall not be permitted. Validity of e-scrip — The period of validity of the e-scrip, of one year from its creation, shall not change on account of the transfer of the e-scrip. Eligibility — All exporters of garments/Apparel and made-ups manufactured in India are eligible to take benefit under this scheme, except entities/ IECs under the Denied Entity List of the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). Implementing agency — It has been notified by the Ministry of Textiles. However, the scheme shall be implemented by the Department of Revenue.

Explanation - AASHVAST stands for Assessment and Analysis of Electronic Systems Hardware for Vulnerabilities and Security Threats. It is a specialised testing and validation system developed to examine military electronics for hidden security weaknesses. The primary goal is to ensure that critical military systems operate exactly as intended and do not contain unauthorised components or malicious code. It is developed by the private firm for the Directorate General of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering (DG EME). Working — Scale: There are approximately 14 types of vulnerabilities that the labs can detect. Neutralise Threats: It neutralises the common threats of enemy interference in Indian drones, preventing them from performing their designated tasks in a contested area. Inspect Both Software and Hardware: The facility can inspect both hardware and software components used in drones, communication systems, sensors, and other defence equipment. It examines the software that operates these unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) – to identify and eliminate firmware-level vulnerabilities. Location based Bug Test: The system examines location-based security controls and assesses how a drone would respond to GPS spoofing or jamming by an adversary. It can scan systems for hidden passwords, embedded keys and remote-access tools. It can also check whether a drone accepts only manufacturer-approved software updates. Significance — The launch of AASHVAST Labs marks a major step toward strengthening the cyber security and resilience of India’s defence infrastructure. The facility will help ensure that military drones, sensors, communication systems, and electronic platforms remain secure from hidden vulnerabilities and evolving cyber threats.

Explanation - The sanctuary (notified in 1974) is spread across (an area of 368.62 sq km) the districts of Mandsaur and Neemuch in western MP, right on the border with Rajasthan. The Chambal river cuts the sanctuary into two almost equal halves and the Gandhi Sagar dam lies within the area of the sanctuary. Ecosystem — The savanna ecosystem - comprising open grasslands interspersed with dry deciduous trees and shrubs, belongs to the sanctuary. However, the riverine valleys of the sanctuary are evergreen. Cheetah reintroduction — It became India’s second cheetah habitat after Kuno when two male cheetahs, Pawak and Prabhas, were relocated there in (April) 2025. With the arrival of CCB-2, Gandhi Sagar now has four cheetahs—two males and two females. The addition of another female is expected to improve the prospects of breeding and population establishment at the sanctuary.

Explanation - Discussions to bring the Cheetah back to India were initiated in 2009 by the Wildlife Trust of India. Plan — Under the ‘Action Plan for Reintroduction of Cheetah in India’, 50 cheetahs to be brought from African countries to various national parks over 5 years. Most suitable site - Kuno Palpur National Park (KNP) in MP — Amongst the surveyed sites of the central Indian states, KNP has been rated as the most suitable habitat with adequate prey base. It is assessed to be capable of supporting 21 Cheetahs and is likely the only wildlife site in the country where villages have been completely relocated from within the park. Kuno also provides the possibility of harbouring four of India's big cats - tiger, lion, leopard and Cheetah, enabling them to coexist as they have in the past. Other recommended sites — Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary and Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary of MP; Shahgarh bulge and Mukundara Tiger Reserve of Rajasthan. First reintroduction — India’s cheetah reintroduction programme began in (September) 2022, with African cheetahs being brought to India after the species had become extinct in the country. The programme is gradually moving beyond simply introducing individual animals towards creating multiple viable habitats and a sustainable, interconnected cheetah population.