11th July 2025

Explanation - Catastrophe bonds are hybrid financial instruments that combine features of insurance and debt. They allow at-risk entities, usually sovereign states, to transfer defined disaster risks to investors. In the event of a pre-defined natural disaster, investors lose a part or all of their principal, which is then used for post-disaster relief and reconstruction. If no disaster occurs during the bond's tenure, investors receive their principal back along with a relatively high coupon (interest) rate. These bonds effectively turn a country's hazard exposure into a tradable security, opening access to a wider pool of capital beyond traditional insurers and reinsurers. This reduces counterparty risk and enables faster payouts, essential in times of crisis. 

Explanation - It is a precise method for measuring the radioactive isotope values of Carbon-14 (C-14). It involves accelerating the ions to extraordinarily high kinetic energies followed by mass analysis. It is used primarily in determining carbon 14 content of archaeological artefacts and geological samples. It detects atoms of specific elements according to their atomic weights. There are essentially two parts in the process of radiocarbon dating through accelerator mass spectrometry. The first part involves accelerating the ions to extraordinarily high kinetic energies, and the subsequent step involves mass analysis. Applications — It is most widely used for isotope studies of 14C, which has applications in a variety of fields such as radiocarbon dating, climate studies, and biomedical analysis. Advantages of Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) Dating — Sample size: Accelerator mass spectrometers need only as little as 20 milligrams and as high as 500 milligrams for certain samples whereas conventional methods need at least 10 grams in samples. Time: It takes less time to analyse samples for carbon 14 content compared to radiometric dating methods that can take one or two days. AMS measurements usually achieve higher precision than radiometric dating methods. 

Explanation - Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND) scheme - It is a Central Sector Scheme. It aims to provide financial support to Prasar Bharati (All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan (DD) for expenses related to expansion and upgradation of its broadcasting infrastructure, content development and civil work related to the organisation. It enables the public broadcaster to undertake a major upgradation of its facilities with better infrastructure which will widen its reach, including in the LWE, border and strategic areas and provide high-quality content to the viewers. It also focuses on development of high-quality content for both domestic and international audiences. It ensures the availability of diverse content to the viewers by upgradation of the capacity of the DTH platform to accommodate more channels. Significance of the scheme — It has potential to generate indirect employment by way of manufacturing and services related to the supply and installation of broadcast equipment. The Scheme will increase coverage of AIR FM transmitters in the country to 66% by geographical area and 80% by population up from 59% and 68% respectively. 

Explanation - Malaria is caused by the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito, if the mosquito itself is infected with a malarial parasite. There are five kinds of malarial parasites — Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax (the commonest ones), Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium ovale and Plasmodium knowlesi. Therefore, to say that someone has contracted the Plasmodium ovale type of malaria means that the person has been infected by that particular parasite. 

Explanation - Launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination was launched in the year 2017 to give year wise elimination targets in various parts of the country depending upon the endemicity of malaria for the next 5 years. National Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination (2017-22) gives strategies for working towards the ultimate goal of elimination of malaria by 2030. The strategies involve strengthening malaria surveillance, establishing a mechanism for early detection and prevention of outbreaks of malaria, promoting the prevention of malaria by the use of Long Lasting Impregnated Nets (LLINs), effective indoor residual spray and augmenting the manpower and capacities for effective implementation for the next five years.