31st March 2026

Explanation - The Indian Ocean Naval Symposium, commonly known as IONS, is a forum to increase maritime cooperation among the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region. The forum helps to preserve peaceful relations between nations, and thus is critical to building an effective maritime security architecture in the Indian Ocean Region and is also fundamental to collective prosperity. IONS Conclave of Chiefs (CoC) is the decision-making body at the level of Chiefs of Navies, which meets biennially. The inaugural IONS Seminar was held by the Indian Navy in 2008. Subsequent seminars and meetings of the 'Conclave of Chiefs' have been held at the commencement of each two year IONS Chairmanship - United Arab Emirates in 2010, South Africa in 2012, Australia in 2014, Bangladesh in 2016 and Iran in 2018. In 2020 the IONS Chairmanship rotated to France and in 2022 it rotated to Thailand. IONS includes 24 nations that permanently hold territory that abuts or lies within the Indian Ocean, and 8 observer nations. Observer Countries - China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Madagascar, Netherlands, Russia and Spain.

Explanation - It is a strait between Arabia (northeast) and Africa (southwest) that connects the Red Sea (northwest) with the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean (southeast). It forms a vital strategic link in the maritime trade route between the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean via the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. It is one of the world's most important routes for global seaborne commodity shipments, particularly crude oil and fuel. It is bordered by Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula and Djibouti and Eritrea on the African coast.

Explanation - It was constituted under Section 410 of the Companies Act, 2013 for hearing appeals against the orders of National Company Law Tribunal. NCLAT is also the Appellate Tribunal for hearing appeals against the orders passed by NCLT(s) under Section 61 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC). NCLAT is also the Appellate Tribunal for hearing appeals against the orders passed by Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India under Section 202 and Section 211 of IBC. NCLAT is also the Appellate Tribunal to hear and dispose of appeals against any direction issued or decision made or order passed by the Competition Commission of India (CCI).

Explanation - Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is mainly a mixture of propane and butane, produced as a byproduct of crude oil refining and natural gas processing. It may also contain small amounts of other hydrocarbons. In contrast, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is primarily methane, derived from natural gas. Liquefaction Process and Storage — LPG becomes liquid under moderate pressure or low temperatures, making it relatively easy to store and transport. LNG, however, requires extreme cooling below -160°C and must be stored in specialised cryogenic tanks, making its handling more complex and energy-intensive. Volume and Transportation Advantage — Both fuels are liquefied to reduce volume for transport. LPG reduces to about 1/260th of its gaseous volume, while LNG shrinks further to about 1/600th, enabling efficient long-distance transportation, especially where pipelines are not feasible. Usage and Applications — LPG is widely used for cooking, heating, and some industrial applications, and also as a vehicle fuel in certain regions. LNG itself has limited direct use but is mainly transported and then converted back into natural gas, which is used for cooking, transport (CNG), and industries such as fertilisers, power generation, refineries, and petrochemicals.

Explanation - Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Uttham Mahabhiyan was launched in 2019. The scheme envisages income generation for farmers from their infertile land with the establishment of solar power plants. Aim — To help farmers access reliable daytime solar power for irrigation, reduce power subsidies, and decarbonise agriculture. The Scheme consists of three components — Component A: 10,000 MW of solar capacity through the installation of small Solar Power Plants of individual plants of capacity up to 2 MW. Component B: Installation of 20 lakhs standalone Solar Powered Agriculture Pumps. Component C: Solarisation of 15 Lakh Grid-connected Agriculture Pumps. Nodal Ministry — Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).