DRDO
News- DRDO successfully conducted two back-to-back flight-tests of the Pralay quasi-ballistic missile.
- Type – Pralay is a surface-to-surface, solid-fuelled, quasi-ballistic missile.
- Launch from – Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha.
- Purpose – Designed for conventional precision strikes with high accuracy.
- Guidance – Equipped with state-of-the-art guidance and navigation systems.
- Developed By – Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad.
- Collaborators – In collaboration with DRDL, ASL, other DRDO labs, BDL, and BEL.
- Features:
- Range – Up to 500 km.
- Payload – Can carry up to 1000 kg warheads (unitary and cluster types).
- Navigation – Inertial Navigation System (INS) + satellite-based guidance.
New human blood group—CRIB
News- A new human blood group—CRIB—has been discovered at the Rotary Bangalore TTK Blood Centre.
- Discovery – New human blood group named CRIB discovered.
- Found at – Rotary Bangalore TTK Blood Centre, India.
- Global Significance – First of its kind in the world.
- Recognition – Officially recognised by International Blood Group Reference Laboratory (IBGRL), UK.
PM Modi Releases Commemorative Coin
News- PM Modi Releases Commemorative Coin Honouring Rajendra Chola I.
- Event – PM Narendra Modi celebrated Aadi Thiruvathirai festival in Tamil Nadu.
- Location – Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Ariyalur district.
- Occasion – Birth anniversary of Emperor Rajendra Chola I.
- Tribute – PM released a commemorative coin in the emperor’s honour.
- Significance – Honoured Chola king’s legacy in Indian history, architecture, and maritime power.
NISAR
News-India-US maiden space collaboration NISAR placed in precise orbit.
- Event – India–US marked their first space collaboration with the launch of NISAR satellite.
- Launch Vehicle – ISRO’s GSLV F-16 successfully placed NISAR in Sun Synchronous Polar Orbit (SSPO) (~745 km) in ~19 minutes.
- Developed By – Jointly developed by ISRO and NASA.
- Technology – World’s first dual-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (L-band and S-band).
- Mission Objectives – Study land and ice deformation, ecosystems, and oceanic regions.
- About NASA
- Full Form – National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
- Established – July 29, 1958; began operations on October 1, 1958.
- Country – United States of America.
- Headquarters – Washington, D.C.
- About ISRO
- Full Form – Indian Space Research Organisation.
- Established – August 15, 1969.
- Founder – Dr. Vikram Sarabhai (Father of India’s space program).
- Headquarters – Bengaluru, Karnataka.
Remona Evette Pereira
News- Mangaluru student sets global record with 170-hour Bharatanatyam performance.
- Person – Remona Evette Pereira, 20-year-old Catholic student from Mangalore.
- Achievement – Entered the Golden Book of World Records.
- Event – Performed Bharatanatyam continuously for 170 hours.
- Dates – From July 21 to July 28, 2025.
- Significance – A historic blend of faith, culture, and endurance in Indian classical dance.
- About Bharatanatyam:
- Origin – Tamil Nadu; oldest Indian classical dance.
- Meaning – Bha (expression), Ra (melody), Ta (rhythm), Natyam (dance).
- Roots – Based on Natya Shastra; started in temples.
- Style – Graceful moves, strong footwork, expressive gestures.
- Themes – Stories from Hindu mythology.
MCQs
Q1. What type of missile is Pralay?
A. Air-to-air missile
B. Surface-to-surface, solid-fuelled, quasi-ballistic missile
C. Submarine-launched missile
D. Cruise missile
Q2. What is the name of the newly discovered human blood group?
A. GRAB
B. CRIB
C. TRIB
D. BORN
Q3. The festival marked the birth anniversary of which historical figure?
A. Raja Raja Chola I
B. Rajendra Chola I
C. Ashoka the Great
D. Krishnadevaraya
Q4. What is the name of the first India–US joint space mission?
A. Chandrayaan
B. NISAR
C. Aditya-L1
D. Mangalyaan
Q5. Who is Remona Evette Pereira?
A. A Bharatnatyam teacher from Tamil Nadu
B. A 20-year-old Catholic student from Mangalore
C. An Odissi dancer from Odisha
D. An ISRO scientist