DEFENCE

S-400 Air Defence System

  • Context: India has received the fourth squadron of the Russian made S-400 air defence system, strengthening the country’s long-range air defence network.
  • The delivery is part of a agreement $5.43 billion signed between India and Russia in 2018 for the acquisition of five S-400 regimental systems.

About S-400 Air Defence System

  • It is a highly mobile, long-range surface-to-air missile defence system.
  • Developed by a Russian government-owned enterprise.
  • The system is capable of defending against a wide variety of aerial threats such as drones, ballistic and cruise missiles, rockets, and fighter aircraft.

Key Features:

    • Comprises a command and control unit, advanced tracking and targeting systems, missile launchers, and supporting vehicles.
  • Range:Can engage aerial targets up to 400 km, with surveillance capabilities extending to about 600 km.
  • Can track and engage up to 80 targets simultaneously.
  • Altitude coverage: Up to 30 km.

 

Current Facts

 

  • The CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), located in Jammu, is gearing up to host the 4th Lavender Festival under the theme “Lavender Goes Global.”

Udham Singh Convicted (1940)

  • On June 4, 1940, the revolutionary freedom fighter Udham Singh was formally convicted in a London court for the assassination of Michael O’Dwyer on March 13, 1940, at Caxton Hall in London, England.
  • Michael O’Dwyer, the former Lieutenant-Governor of Punjab responsible for the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

GeM Portal

  • Launched: In 2016 by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
  • Aim: It is a dedicated digital e-commerce portal for mandatory procurement and sale of goods and services by Central and State Government Organisations/Departments/PSUs.
  • Objective: GeM seeks to establish a transparent, efficient, and inclusive procurement ecosystem, replacing the traditional Directorate General of Supplies and Disposals (DGS&D).
  • Other Features
    • Automated rule-based enforcement of MSE provisions.
    • Advanced analytics for decision support, fraud, and anomaly detection.
    • Faceless, transparent procurement process concealing seller identity.

TAMIL NADU INSTITUTE OF LABOUR STUDIES (TILS)

  • The Tamil Nadu Institute of Labour Studies (TILS) was established by the Government of Tamil Nadu in 1973. 
  • It was registered under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act and functions as a Society from the year 1988. 
  • This is an educational cum-training institute now functioning in Ambattur, Chennai under the control of the Labour Welfare and Skill Development Department.

India Emerges as the World’s Second-Largest Solar Power Market

  • Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change   said that India has emerged as the world’s second-largest solar market. 
  • Highlighted that the country overtook the United States of America in annual solar capacity additions in 2025.
  • India surged ahead by adding over 37 GW of solar power in 2025, compared to the U.S. additions of 34 GW.
  • By adding over 37 GW in annual capacity in 2025, the country crossed a total installed capacity of 155 GW, a massive 5,370% increase since 2014.