1st June 2026

Explanation:

• LPPI is developed under the Sagar Aankalan framework.
• It is a national benchmarking tool to assess operational performance of ports.
• It evaluates ports across three cargo segments:

o     Dry bulk

o     Liquid bulk

o     Container cargo

Key indicators used:

• Cargo handled
• Vessel turnaround time
• Berth idle time
• Pre-berthing waiting time
• Container dwell time
• Ship berth day output

Key Feature:

• Equal weightage to:

o     Absolute performance

o     Year-on-year improvement

Alignment:

• PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan
• Maritime India Vision 2030
• Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047

Highlights:

• Paradip Port: Top in Dry Bulk (>5 million tonnes)
• Sikka Port: Top in Liquid Bulk
• Mundra Port: Top in Container Cargo (>0.5 million TEUs)
• JNPA: Second among major container ports

Explanation:

• Coal gasification is a thermochemical process, not combustion.
• It produces syngas (CO + H₂).

Uses of Syngas:

• Power generation
• Chemical production
• Hydrogen production

Environmental Aspect:

• Emits CO₂
• Lower emissions of:

o     SO₂

o     NOₓ

o     Particulate matter

• Not primarily used for liquid fuel production (though possible via additional processes).

Explanation:

• PM SVANidhi (launched 2020) is a Central Sector Scheme.
• Implemented by:

o     Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA)

o     Department of Financial Services (DFS)

Key Features:

• Working Capital Loans:

o     ₹15,000 → ₹25,000 → ₹50,000 (progressive tranches)

• UPI-linked RuPay Credit Card:

o     Up to ₹30,000 (after 2nd tranche repayment)

• Digital Incentives:

o     Cashback up to ₹1,600

• SVANidhi se Samriddhi (SSS):

o     Socio-economic profiling

o     Linkage to 8 Central welfare schemes

• Capacity Building:

o     Financial literacy

o     Digital literacy

o     Hygiene training (FSSAI)

Explanation:

• Origin: International Meteorological Organisation (IMO), 1873
• Established: 23 March 1950
• UN Specialized Agency
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
• Members: 192 states and territories

Explanation:

Properties:

• Silver-white metal (Ni)
• High ductility and toughness
• Corrosion-resistant
• Good thermal and electrical conductivity

Occurrence:

• Found in crust and core
• Common in laterite deposits
• Forms: oxides, sulphides, silicates

India:

• Major reserves: Sukinda Valley, Odisha

Global Reserves:

• Indonesia, Australia, Brazil, Russia, Cuba, Philippines

Uses:

• Alloying (largest use, especially stainless steel)
• Batteries (Ni-Cd, Ni-MH)
• Electric vehicles
• Electroplating (protective coating)