ISRO’s LVM3 Rocket Launches GSAT-7R

Syllabus: GS3/ Science and Technology

Context

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the Indian Navy’s advanced communication satellite GSAT-7R (CMS-03) from the Satish Dhawan S Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

GSAT-7R Satellite

It is an indigenously developed satellite, weighing approximately 4,400 kg, is India’s heaviest communication satellite to be launched from the country to date.
It is designed to replace Gsat-7 (Rukmini), which was launched in 2013 and is primarily dedicated to the Indian Navy.
Launch vehicle – LVM3, on its M5 mission.
The satellite had been successfully inserted into a geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO).

Syllabus: Miscellaneous

In News

UNESCO designated Lucknow as a Creative City of Gastronomy, recognizing its rich and diverse culinary heritage, particularly its famed Awadhi cuisine.
This makes Lucknow the second Indian city after Hyderabad (2019) to earn this honor in the gastronomy category of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN).

UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy

The UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy designation celebrates cities with rich culinary traditions and innovative food cultures.
This recognition is part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN).

UNESCO Creative Cities Network

Launched in –
Aim – To promote investment in creativity for sustainable urban development, social inclusion and cultural vibrancy.
The Network covers seven creative fields – Crafts and Folk Arts, Media Arts, Film, Design, Gastronomy, Literature and Music.
With this, Lucknow joins a global network of 408 cities across 100+ countries

Syllabus: GS2/ Health, GS3/ Science and Technology

Context

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is promoting development and production of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against Nipah viral disease.

Nipah Virus

Nipah is a zoonotic disease, which means it is transmitted to humans through infected animals or contaminated food.
First discovered in – The first outbreaks of the Nipah virus among humans was reported from Malaysia (1998) and Singapore (1999).
Host reservoir: The animal host reservoir of the virus is the fruit bat, commonly known as flying fox.
Fruit bats are known to transmit this virus to other animals like pigs, and also dogs, cats, goats, horses and sheep.
Symptoms: Fever, headache, cough, sore throat, difficulty in breathing, and vomiting.In severe cases, disorientation, drowsiness, seizures, encephalitis (swelling of the brain) can occur, progressing to coma and death.
Transmission: It can also be transmitted directly from person to person through close contact with an infected person.Some cases of infection have also been reported among people who climb trees where bats often roost.

Syllabus: GS3/Defence

In News

Russia has launched its newest nuclear submarine ‘Khabarovsk’ designed to carry the underwater nuclear drone ‘doomsday missile’.

‘Doomsday Missile’

It is also known as Poseidon
It can travel at high speeds, greater than those of existing submarines and torpedoes.
It can operate at great depths and across intercontinental distances, which could make it difficult to intercept.
It is capable of intercontinental travel and immense destruction.
It can travel deep underwater across long distances with a nuclear power source.
It can reach coastal targets and serve as a strategic deterrent.

Syllabus: GS3/Economy

Context

The Centre launched the Employee Enrollment Scheme 2025, aimed at voluntarily enrolling employees under the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).

Employee Enrollment Scheme 2025

It was launched by the Union Minister of Labour during the 73rd foundation day of the EPFO.
It aims at encouraging employers to voluntarily declare and enroll eligible employees.
Employers can enrol workers who joined their organisations between July 1, 2017 and October 31, 2025, but were not registered under the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) for any reason.
Significance – The Scheme provides a chance for employers to regularise their workforce without fear of heavy penalties or legal action.

Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)

It is a statutory body under the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
Established under – Employees’ Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952.
Objectives: To ensure financial security and social welfare of employees post-retirement.

Syllabus: GS3/Environment

Context

Experts from academic institutions and conservation groups are collaborating to propose the Rowmari and Donduwa wetlands in Assam for Ramsar site designation.

Rowmari-Donduwa Wetland Complex

Location – This is within the Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary, which is a part of the Kaziranga Tiger Reserve.
Laokhowa and the adjoining Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuaries function as connectivity corridors for wild animals migrating between the Kaziranga Tiger Reserve and Orang National Park (Kaziranga-Orang landscape).
It hosts around 120 species of resident and migratory birds annually, including globally threatened species such as, the knob-billed duck, black-necked stork, and the ferruginous pochard.
This complex has recorded more birds than the only two Ramsar sites in the northeast, Assam’s Deepor Beel and Manipur’s Loktak Lake.

Connect with the basics – Ramsar Convention

A Ramsar site is a wetland designated as one of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
Ramsar Convention – It is one of the inter-governmental accords to preserve the wetlands of international importance.
It was signed on February 2, 1971 in Ramsar, Iran and came into force in 1975.
India became a signatory to the Ramsar Convention in 1982.

ISRO’s LVM3 Rocket Launches GSAT-7R | Lucknow Designated as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy | Nipah Virus | Russia’s ‘doomsday missile’ | Employee Enrollment Scheme 2025 | Rowmari-Donduwa Wetland Complex