• NEWS:Sunita Williams Returned to Earth
• GS-3 science and technology(Awareness in the fields of IT, Space)

NASA astronauts (Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore) are finally returned to Earth aboard a SpaceX capsule recently, wrapping up an unexpectedly prolonged mission that began with Boeing’s failed test flight over nine months ago.

Mission Details

• Launched on June 5, 2024, aboard Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner as part of its first crewed test flight.
• Originally planned as an 8-day mission to the ISS, but technical issues extended their stay to over 9 months.
• Returned to Earth on March 18, 2025, via SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule.

Achievements and Records: Sunita Williams

• Most spacewalks by a female astronaut: Completed 9 spacewalks totaling 62 hours, surpassing previous records.
• Third-longest cumulative time in space by a woman: Spent over 500 days in space across three missions.
• First female commander of the ISS: Served as commander during her extended stay in 2024-2025.
• Longest unscheduled stay in space for NASA astronauts: 286 days, providing valuable data for long-term space habitation studies.

Reason for Extended Stay 

• Technical Issues with Boeing Starliner: Helium leaks and thruster malfunctions in the Boeing Starliner spacecraft made it unsafe for return.
  • Five out of 28 thrusters failed, critical for steering and reentry.
• Unplanned Extended Stay: Originally an 8-day mission, extended to 286 days (over 9 months) due to Starliner’s issues.
  • NASA sent Starliner back empty and arranged their return via SpaceX’s Crew Dragon.
• Delay in Replacement Mission: SpaceX Crew-10, their replacement mission, was delayed until March 2025, further extending their stay.
  • NASA prioritized astronaut safety over expediting their return.
• Safety Concerns: NASA prioritized astronaut safety over expediting their return, ensuring that the spacecraft used for their return was fully functional and reliable.

Significance of Prolonged Stay for Space Research

• Health and Physiology Studies: Provided data on long-term effects of microgravity on the human body, such as:
  • Bone density loss and muscle atrophy.
  • Changes in brain fluids and brain structure.
  • Increased risk of heart disease and other health issues.

NEWS:Tribal Man Moves HC to Perform Customary Worship Inside similipal tiger reserve

GS-3: Environment & Conservation – Tiger Conservation, Human-Wildlife Conflict

ISSUE:

• Munda tribal member, Nandi Ho, moved Orissa HC after being denied permission for customary worship inside Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR).
• Challenge against Tiger Supplementation Programme, citing that it ignored local consent.
• Zeenat, a tigress from Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra, translocated to STR for genetic diversity enhancement.
• Jamunagarh villagers traditionally worshipped inside STR but were denied access after the translocation.
• Legal plea argues violation of Forest Rights Act, 2006, which guarantees tribal communities’ rights to practice religious traditions in sacred groves.

Forest Rights Act, 2006 and its Provisions

• The Act recognizes and vests the forest rights and occupation in Forest land in Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes (FDST) and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFD) who have been residing in such forests for generations.
• Forest rights can also be claimed by any member or community who has for at least three generations (75 years) prior to the 13th day of December, 2005 primarily resided in forest land for bona fide livelihood needs.
• It strengthens the conservation regime of the forests while ensuring livelihood and food security of the FDST and OTFD.
• The Gram Sabha is the authority to initiate the process for determining the nature and extent of Individual Forest Rights (IFR) or Community Forest Rights (CFR) or both that may be given to FDST and OTFD

News:India Takes 24th Spot in Free Speech Survey

GS-2: Governance & Polity – Fundamental Rights, Freedom of Speech

Survey  by the Future of Free Speech, an independent U.S.-based think tank

Survey Findings

• India ranked 24th out of 33 countries in the Future of Free Speech Index.
• Scandinavian countries (Norway, Denmark) ranked highest with scores of 87.9 and 87.0.
• India scored 62.6, placed between South Africa (66.9) and Lebanon (61.8).

India-Specific Observations

• While Indians strongly support free speech, their support for criticism of government policies is below global average.
• 37% of Indian respondents supported government restrictions on criticism, the highest among surveyed countries.
• Democratic backsliding noted in India, Hungary, and Venezuela, despite past records of strong political liberties.

Article 19(1)(a),

• Article 19(1) (a) of the Constitution of India states that all citizens shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression
• The following aspects are included in Article 19(1)(a):
  • Freedom of Press
  • Freedom of Commercial Speech
  • Right to Broadcast
  • Right to Information
  • Right to Criticize
  • Right to expression beyond national boundaries
  • Right not to speak or right to silence

NEWS:Cabinet approves additional outlay for Gokul Mission

GS2 –GOVERNANCE(Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections of the population by the Centre and States )

• The Union Cabinet on Wednesday revised the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) with a total outlay of ₹3,400 crore
• The additional outlay for the scheme as the component of Union government for the period between 2021-22 and 2025-26 will be ₹1,000 crore
• the Cabinet had added two new activities:
• 1.one-time assistance of 35% of the capital cost for establishment of heifer rearing centres
• 2.encouraging farmers to purchase high genetic merit.

Rashtriya Gokul Mission

• It is being implemented for development and conservation of indigenous bovine breeds since December 2014.
  • The scheme is also continued under umbrella scheme Rashtriya Pashudhan Vikas Yojna from 2021 to 2026 with a budget outlay of Rs.2400 crore.
• Nodal Ministry:
  • Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying

Objectives:To enhance productivity of bovines and increase milk production in a sustainable manner using advanced technologies.

• To propagate use of high genetic merit bulls for breeding purposes.
  • To enhance Artificial insemination coverage through strengthening breeding network and delivery of Artificial insemination services at farmers doorstep.
• To promote indigenous cattle & buffalo rearing and conservation in a scientific and holistic manner.
• Impact on Livestock Numbers:
  • The 2019 livestock census showed a 70% increase in purebred Gir cows since 2013. In contrast, other indigenous breeds like Sahiwal and Hariana have not experienced similar growth, with some even witnessing a decline in numbers.
    • This trend raises concerns about the loss of diversity in indigenous cattle breeds in India.