UPSC Current Affairs: NECTAR, Astra, SpaDeX & More

Table of Content:

North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR)

Astra Missile: India’s Beyond Visual Range Weapon

Hantavirus: Understanding the Rare but Deadly Virus

SpaDeX Mission: A Breakthrough in India’s Space Docking Capabilities

Indian Rupee Symbol: Controversy in Tamil Nadu

Mapping: Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Treaty & Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict

UPSC MCQs:

 North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR)

Context:

The Union Minister recently laid the foundation stone for NECTAR’s permanent campus in Shillong, aiming to drive technology-led development in Northeast India.

About NECTAR:

What is NECTAR?

• An autonomous body under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India.
• Established in 2014 under the Ministry of Science & Technology.
• Headquarters: Shillong, Meghalaya.
• Aim:
• Promote technology for socio-economic development in Northeast India.
• Bridge the gap between research institutions and grassroots innovations.
• Encourage sustainable agriculture, like saffron and bamboo cultivation.

Functions & Features:

• Agricultural Technology: Expanding saffron cultivation in Northeast India, inspired by J&K’s lavender farming.
• Drone Technology: Supports land mapping for programs like ‘Swamitva’ for efficient land records.
• Eco-Friendly Industry Promotion: Enhancing bamboo and honey production for sustainable livelihoods.
• Infrastructure & Connectivity: Using technology to improve rural access.
• Skill Development: Establishing a Centre of Excellence in Shillong for tech training and innovation.

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Astra Missile: India’s Beyond Visual Range Weapon

Context:

The Astra Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) was successfully test-fired from the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) AF MK1 prototype off the Odisha coast.

About Astra Missile:

• Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
• Contract value: ₹2,971 crore.

Key Features:

• Altitude: Can engage targets at 20 km.
• Range: Over 100 km.
• Guidance System: Inertial navigation, mid-course updates, and active radar homing.
• Speed: Capable of Mach 4.5 (4.5 times the speed of sound).
• Integration: Operational on Su-30MKI, under integration with LCA Tejas & MiG-29.

Significance:

• Enhances India’s air defense capabilities.
• Reduces dependency on imported air-to-air missiles.
• Strengthens India’s position in Make in India defense initiatives.
• Enables fighter jets to engage enemy aircraft at long distances.

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Hantavirus: Understanding the Rare but Deadly Virus

Context:

The recent death of Betsy Hackman, wife of actor Gene Hackman, due to Hantavirus infection has raised awareness about this disease.

About Hantavirus:

• Caused by viruses from the Bunyaviridae family.
• Primary Carriers: Rodents like deer mice, rice rats, and cotton rats.
• Transmission:
• Human infection occurs via contact with infected rodent urine, droppings, or saliva.
• Inhalation of aerosolized virus particles.
• No confirmed human-to-human transmission, except in Andes virus cases in South America.

Symptoms:

• Incubation: 1-8 weeks post-exposure.
• Early Signs: Fever, muscle aches, nausea, dizziness.
• Severe Phase: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), kidney failure.
• Treatment:
• No specific antiviral treatment available.
• Supportive care with oxygen therapy and ventilation.
• Prevention: Rodent control, hygiene maintenance.

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SpaDeX Mission: A Breakthrough in India’s Space Docking Capabilities

Context:

ISRO successfully undocked two SpaDeX satellites, positioning India among the few nations with advanced space docking technology.

About SpaDeX Mission:

• What is SpaDeX?
• A technology demonstration mission for spacecraft docking and undocking in orbit.
• Satellites Involved:
• SDX-01 (Chaser): Actively maneuvers for docking.
• SDX-02 (Target): Facilitates docking.
• Launch Date: December 30, 2024 (PSLV-C60, Sriharikota).

Key Features:

• India’s First Space Docking Mission: Successfully docked on January 16, 2025.
• Orbital Operations: Conducted in 460 km circular orbit.
• Autonomous Docking: Showcased self-sufficient satellite docking capabilities.
• Power Transfer Capability: Demonstrated power-sharing between docked spacecraft.
• Significance:
• Enables India’s future space station construction.
• Enhances Gaganyaan and deep-space exploration capabilities.
• Advances robotics, orbital repairs, and in-space servicing.

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Indian Rupee Symbol: Controversy in Tamil Nadu

Context:

The Tamil Nadu government replaced the official Rupee (₹) symbol with the Tamil letter “Ru” in the state Budget 2025-26, sparking political controversy.

About Indian Rupee Symbol:

• Adopted: July 15, 2010.
• Designed by: Udaya Kumar (IIT Bombay).
• Symbolic Features:
• Combination of Devanagari ‘Ra’ (र) and Roman ‘R’.
• Two parallel horizontal stripes representing economic stability & Indian tricolor.
• Significance:
• Represents India’s economic strength in global finance.
• Easily recognizable in international transactions.

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Mapping: Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Treaty & Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict

Context:

Armenia and Azerbaijan signed a historic peace treaty, ending a decades-long conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.

About Nagorno-Karabakh:

• Location: A landlocked region in the Caucasus between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea.
• Status:
• Internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians.
• Lost autonomy after Azerbaijan’s 2023 military operation.

About Armenia & Azerbaijan:

Armenia:

• Borders: Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Iran.
• Capital: Yerevan.
• Geography:
• Mountains: Lesser Caucasus range, Mount Aragats (4,090 m).
• Rivers & Lakes: Aras River, Lake Sevan.

Azerbaijan:

• Borders: Russia, Georgia, Armenia, Iran, Caspian Sea.
• Capital: Baku.
• Geography:
• Mountains: Greater Caucasus, Mount Bazardüzü (4,466 m).
• Rivers: Kura and Aras.
• Significance: Caspian coastline crucial for oil exports.

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UPSC MCQs:

1.     Which of the following technologies is NECTAR promoting in Northeast India? a) Artificial Intelligence b) Blockchain c) Saffron Cultivation d) Quantum Computing

2.     Astra missile is developed by: a) HAL b) DRDO c) ISRO d) BHEL

3.     Which virus is primarily transmitted through rodent urine and droppings? a) Hantavirus b) Nipah Virus c) Zika Virus d) Ebola

Mains Question:

Q: Critically examine the role of indigenous defense technology in strengthening India’s military capabilities. Discuss with reference to Astra missile and ISRO’s SpaDeX mission.

 

India Proposes South-East Asia Surveillance Network Plan

 

Introduction

India has proposed the creation of a South-East Asia Surveillance Network (SEASN) to enhance multi-source collaborative surveillance for better pandemic and health emergency responses. The proposal aims to improve real-time disease monitoring, strengthen cross-border collaboration, and integrate digital health innovations. This initiative will be discussed with the 11 member countries of the WHO South-East Asia Region (SEARO) later this year.

Objectives of the South-East Asia Surveillance Network

1. Strengthening Regional Health Security

• Establishing real-time disease monitoring and early warning systems for rapid pandemic response.

• Enhancing epidemic preparedness through coordinated health surveillance.

2. Cross-Border Collaboration

• Facilitating efficient information-sharing among SEARO nations to address transboundary health threats.

• Developing a unified health data-sharing framework for collective disease management.

3. Integrated Surveillance System

• Implementing multi-source surveillance, combining genomic sequencing, wastewater analysis, and AI-driven predictive modeling.

• Utilizing public health intelligence for early disease detection.

4. One Health Approach

• Addressing health challenges arising from human-animal-environment interactions, including zoonotic diseases.

• Strengthening veterinary and environmental surveillance for comprehensive disease control.

5. Capacity Building & Innovation

• Investing in advanced laboratory infrastructure for diagnostic accuracy.

• Deploying AI-based predictive surveillance and digital health solutions.

• Training public health professionals and epidemiologists to enhance outbreak response.

Need for the South-East Asia Surveillance Network

1. Pandemic Preparedness & Response

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed critical gaps in real-time data sharing and coordinated health responses. A regional surveillance network will facilitate faster detection, response, and containment of future pandemics.

2. Climate Change & Emerging Diseases

Rising vector-borne and waterborne diseases due to climate change necessitate better disease monitoring and predictive models.

3. Cross-Border Health Risks

Frequent disease outbreaks such as Dengue, Nipah, and Zoonotic infections demand a collaborative health security framework to ensure early detection and response.

4. Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Monitoring

The region faces a growing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis, requiring genomic surveillance and international cooperation.

5. Strengthening One Health Initiatives

Unifying human, animal, and environmental health data will enhance early disease detection and mitigation strategies.

Challenges in Implementing the South-East Asia Surveillance Network

1. Data Sharing Issues

• Privacy concerns and geopolitical tensions may hinder transparent health data exchange.

• Lack of standardized reporting mechanisms across SEARO countries.

2. Infrastructure & Funding Gaps

• Developing advanced diagnostic labs, AI-based surveillance tools, and digital health platforms requires substantial financial investment.

• Limited funding allocation for public health security in some member nations.

3. Lack of Cross-Sectoral Coordination

• Effective disease surveillance requires cooperation between the health, environment, agriculture, and technology sectors, which remains a challenge.

4. Regulatory & Legal Barriers

• Uniform adoption of International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005) is necessary for seamless integration.

• Differences in public health policies and national laws could delay implementation.

Way Forward: Strengthening Regional Health Security

1. Enhancing Regional Collaboration

• Establishing policy frameworks and legal agreements for transparent data sharing.

• Strengthening WHO-SEARO partnerships to improve health security measures.

2. Implementing AI-Based Digital Health Monitoring

• Deploying AI-driven disease modeling, cloud-based surveillance platforms, and predictive analytics.

• Integrating real-time epidemiological data collection for faster outbreak response.

3. Strengthening Laboratory Infrastructure

• Investing in high-tech diagnostic laboratories, genomic sequencing, and wastewater surveillance.

• Enhancing testing and early warning capabilities for infectious diseases.

4. Capacity Building & Training Programs

• Conducting training sessions for public health professionals, epidemiologists, and data scientists.

• Strengthening workforce capacity in disease surveillance and outbreak response.

5. Establishing Sustainable Funding Mechanisms

• Creating a regional health emergency fund to ensure continuous research and preparedness.

• Encouraging public-private partnerships (PPPs) in digital health innovations.

Conclusion

The South-East Asia Surveillance Network (SEASN) is a crucial step toward global health security, ensuring faster responses to epidemics and public health threats. However, political commitment, technological advancements, and sustainable funding will be key to its success. A collaborative, data-driven approach will empower SEARO nations to tackle emerging health challenges efficiently and protect public health on a regional scale.

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MCQs for UPSC CSE

1. The South-East Asia Surveillance Network (SEASN) is proposed by which country?
a) China
b) India
c) Thailand
d) Indonesia
Answer: b) India

2. Which organization will oversee the South-East Asia Surveillance Network?
a) UNDP
b) World Bank
c) WHO-SEARO
d) FAO
Answer: c) WHO-SEARO

3. What is a key objective of the SEASN?
a) To develop new vaccines
b) To monitor and control emerging diseases in the region
c) To eliminate poverty
d) To promote tourism
Answer: b) To monitor and control emerging diseases in the region

4. Which of the following is a major challenge in implementing SEASN?
a) Lack of AI-based solutions
b) Political and data-sharing barriers among SEARO nations
c) Surplus funding
d) Over-standardized health regulations
Answer: b) Political and data-sharing barriers among SEARO nations

5. What is the 'One Health Approach' in SEASN?
a) Universal healthcare coverage
b) Integrating human, animal, and environmental health surveillance
c) Government-funded health insurance
d) AI-based telemedicine services
Answer: b) Integrating human, animal, and environmental health surveillance

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UPSC Mains Question

Critically examine the role of WHO in providing global health security during the COVID-19 pandemic. (UPSC-2020).

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ASHA Workers: Role, Challenges & Honorarium Issues in India

ASHA Workers: Role, Challenges & Honorarium Issues in India

Introduction

ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) workers have been instrumental in India's rural healthcare system since their introduction under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) in 2005. Despite their crucial role, ASHA workers in Kerala have been on strike for over a month, demanding fair wages, formal employment status, and social security benefits. This article explores the role, challenges, and future prospects of ASHA workers in India.

What is ASHA?

ASHA is a community-based health worker program initiated under NRHM (now part of the National Health Mission - NHM). These frontline workers act as a bridge between rural communities and the public healthcare system, improving healthcare accessibility and awareness.

Ministry Involved

• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW)

Objectives of ASHA Workers

• Enhance maternal, newborn, and child health

• Promote healthcare accessibility in rural areas

• Strengthen preventive healthcare measures at the grassroots level

Key Responsibilities of ASHA Workers

1. Health Monitoring & Record-Keeping: Track births, deaths, and disease outbreaks.

2. Maternal & Child Healthcare: Ensure institutional deliveries, immunization, and nutrition support.

3. Disease Control & Prevention: Implement programs targeting communicable and non-communicable diseases.

4. Community Hygiene & Sanitation: Promote hygiene, sanitation, and clean drinking water.

5. COVID-19 Response: Played a crucial role in awareness, vaccination drives, and surveillance.

Impact of ASHA Workers on India’s Healthcare System

1. Maternal & Child Health Improvement

ASHA workers have significantly contributed to reducing maternal and infant mortality rates. India's Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) declined from 130 per 100,000 live births (2014-16) to 97 (2018-20), mainly due to ASHA-led institutional deliveries and antenatal care programs.

2. Strengthening Rural Healthcare

With over 10 lakh ASHA workers, they serve as the first contact point for healthcare services in remote areas, bridging the gap between communities and medical facilities.

3. Disease Prevention & Public Health Surveillance

During the COVID-19 pandemic, ASHAs conducted active case surveillance, vaccination enrollment, and awareness campaigns, proving their importance in India’s public health infrastructure.

4. Women Empowerment & Economic Inclusion

With 98% of ASHAs being women, the program has empowered them through income generation and leadership roles in community health initiatives.

5. Expanding Public Health Outreach

ASHAs have been actively involved in sanitation programs, menstrual hygiene awareness, and nutrition schemes like Poshan Abhiyaan, enhancing overall public health awareness.

Challenges Faced by ASHA Workers

1. Low & Irregular Payments

ASHA workers earn between ₹5,000-₹15,000 per month, based on performance incentives rather than a fixed salary.

2. No Formal Employment Status

Despite their essential services, ASHAs are not recognized as government employees, which denies them minimum wages, pensions, and social security benefits.

3. Disparities in State-Wise Honorariums

Different states provide varying honorariums, leading to income inequality and administrative inefficiencies.

4. Lack of Job Security

ASHAs do not receive job security, maternity benefits, or pension plans, making their livelihood precarious.

Why the Government Does Not Provide Fixed Salaries?

• Volunteer-Based Model: ASHAs were initially introduced as volunteers to keep costs low and encourage community-driven healthcare.

• Financial Constraints: Granting a fixed salary would pose a significant financial burden on state and central governments.

• Decentralized Implementation: Different states follow different pay structures, leading to disparities but also flexibility in implementation.

• Performance-Based Incentives: Encouraging efficiency through task-specific payments rather than fixed salaries.

Way Forward: Ensuring ASHA Workers’ Welfare

1. Grant Government Employee Status: Recognize ASHAs as formal employees to provide them with salaries and social security.

2. Ensure Timely Payments: Strengthen financial mechanisms to prevent delays and ensure stable income.

3. Improve Incentive Structure: Introduce performance-linked bonuses with a guaranteed base salary.

4. Enhance Social Security Benefits: Provide pensions, health insurance, and maternity benefits.

5. Increase Budget Allocation: Allocate higher funds under NHM to support ASHA programs and their workforce.

Conclusion

ASHA workers are the backbone of India’s rural healthcare system. However, low wages, lack of job security, and informal employment status remain significant challenges. Recognizing them as formal employees with fair wages and social security benefits is crucial for strengthening India's primary healthcare system and empowering women in the workforce.

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MCQs for UPSC CSE

1. ASHA workers operate under which national health mission? a) Ayushman Bharat Mission
b) National Rural Health Mission (NRHM)
c) Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Yojana
d) Universal Immunization Program
Answer: b) National Rural Health Mission (NRHM)

2. What is the primary role of ASHA workers? a) Conducting medical surgeries
b) Linking communities to healthcare services
c) Manufacturing medicines
d) Running private hospitals
Answer: b) Linking communities to healthcare services

3. Which ministry oversees ASHA workers? a) Ministry of Women and Child Development
b) Ministry of Social Justice
c) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
d) Ministry of Rural Development
Answer: c) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

4. What is one of the major challenges faced by ASHA workers? a) Excessive salaries
b) Formal employment status
c) Low & irregular payments
d) Limited government support for the program
Answer: c) Low & irregular payments

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UPSC Mains Question

The increase in life expectancy in India has led to newer health challenges in the community. What are these challenges, and what steps should be taken to address them? (UPSC-2022).

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