Why in News?

Russia reportedly received the KN-30 ballistic missile from North Korea for the first time, according to Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence Directorate (HUR).

About KN-30 Missile

The KN-30 is the Western designation for the North Korean Hwasong-11C ballistic missile, also known as the Hwasong-11Da.

It is an enlarged version of the Hwasong-11 family and belongs to the short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) class.

Features of KN-30 Missile

Dimensions

The missile is approximately 10.1–10.2 metres long and has a diameter of about 1.26 metres.

Propulsion

The KN-30 is powered by a solid-fuel engine and is launched from a mobile, ground-based launcher.

The use of solid fuel provides advantages such as faster response times, longer storage capacity, and reduced deployment complexity compared with traditional liquid-fuel missiles.

Range and Warhead

The missile has an estimated range of approximately 600–900 km, while its claimed warhead mass is around 2,500 kg.

Speed

Its maximum speed is estimated at approximately Mach 5–6.

Flight Profile

The missile can follow a low quasi-ballistic trajectory, flying at an altitude of nearly 50 km.

Such a lower flight profile can reduce the engagement window compared with a higher and more conventional ballistic trajectory.

Why in News?

A Chhattisgarh professor and five students were recently arrested for allegedly leaking an entomology examination using an endoscopic camera.

About Endoscopic Camera

An endoscopic camera is a device used to view, capture, and record videos inside small and hard-to-reach areas of the human body where visibility is limited or absent.

It allows doctors to visualize a surgical or diagnostic procedure on a larger medical-grade display, such as a TV display, computer monitor, or stereoscopic viewing console.

How Does an Endoscopic Camera Work?

Chip-on-Tip Technology

Most modern endoscopic camera modules use “chip-on-tip” technology. In this system, the lens and imaging electronics are combined into a miniature package located at the tip of the device.

Illumination and Image Transfer

Endoscopic cameras illuminate the anatomical area using fibre optics or LEDs positioned at the tip. The image signal is then transferred from the camera through an electrical cable.

The light source must provide sufficient brightness and illumination angle to maintain true-colour properties and produce a clear image for medical diagnosis and procedures.

Types of Endoscopes

Cystoscope

A cystoscope is used to examine the bladder, urethra, urinary tract, and prostate in men. It is generally inserted through the urethra.

Laryngoscope

A laryngoscope is used to examine the larynx or voice box and is inserted through the mouth.

Otoscope

An otoscope is designed for the visual examination of the eardrum and the passage of the outer ear.

Gastroscope

A gastroscope is used to examine the upper part of the digestive system, including the throat, oesophagus, and stomach.

Laparoscope

A laparoscope is inserted through the abdomen to examine the stomach, liver, abdominal organs, and female reproductive organs such as the fallopian tubes, uterus, and ovaries.

Arthroscope

An arthroscope is inserted into a joint through a small incision near the area being examined.

Duodenoscope

A duodenoscope is a long, flexible endoscope inserted through the mouth to reach the duodenum, the upper part of the small intestine.

Applications

Endoscopic technology has transformed several fields because it allows internal or difficult-to-reach areas to be inspected with limited invasive intervention.

Its applications have expanded beyond medicine into industry, research, and security.

Why in News?

Scientists recently discovered that a narwhal’s uniquely straight tusk remains strong because opposing twists in its inner and outer collagen fibril layers create internal tension that helps keep the tusk straight.

About Narwhal

The narwhal is a medium-sized toothed whale belonging to the family Monodontidae. The only other member of this family is the beluga whale.

Its scientific name is Monodon monoceros.

Habitat and Distribution

Narwhals are found mainly in the Arctic Ocean, particularly in the Atlantic sector, although they have also been recorded in the Pacific sector.

Their largest populations occur around Canada, Greenland, and eastern Russia.

They generally migrate seasonally. They move from under the ice during winter to inshore waters in spring and coastal waters during summer.

Physical Features

The Characteristic Tusk

The narwhal is best known for its long, spiraled tusk, which is actually a tooth. It is usually developed by males, although females may occasionally develop one.

The tusk can grow up to 3 metres in length and weigh more than 10 kilograms.

Recent observations suggest that males may use their tusks to hunt fish and to detect salt levels in the water through which they swim.

Body Structure

Narwhals have stout, torpedo-shaped bodies with a low dorsal ridge instead of a dorsal fin and a concave-shaped tail fin.

Like belugas, they possess short, paddle-shaped front flippers. However, they lack the extremely flexible neck and well-defined beak characteristic of belugas.

Adult narwhals are generally light grey with irregular black spots. These spots are more numerous on the back and fewer on the belly.

Behaviour and Feeding

Narwhals generally travel in groups of around 15–20 individuals, although much larger gatherings containing hundreds or even thousands of individuals have also been observed.

They are among the deepest-diving whales in the world and can hold their breath for approximately 25–30 minutes at a time.

Their diet consists mainly of fish, squid, and shrimp.

Narwhals use sound for communication as well as for navigation, hunting, and detecting their surroundings.

Why Are They Called the “Unicorns of the Sea”?

During medieval times, narwhals were hunted for their tusks, which were sold as supposed unicorn horns. This historical association gave the narwhal its popular nickname, the “unicorn of the sea.”

Conservation Status

The narwhal is classified as Least Concern (LC) under the IUCN Red List.

Why in News?

A tanker was recently boarded by six armed people, who took control of the vessel and diverted it towards Somalia. The incident was reported by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).

About UKMTO

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) is a British Royal Navy-sponsored organisation established in 2001. It was initially established with an office in Dubai to handle distress calls during maritime security threats.

In 2014, the organisation was moved to Portsmouth, United Kingdom.

UKMTO serves as the primary point of contact between commercial vessels and military forces operating in the region.

Organisation and Operations

Despite its large geographical area of responsibility, UKMTO is a relatively lean organisation. It has a team of 15 civilian watchkeepers and three managers.

The watchkeepers work in shifts and receive calls from ship masters irrespective of their nationality. They coordinate rescue responses and issue warnings and advisories to the maritime community.

Area of Operation

The UKMTO operates in West Asia and the Indian Ocean Region through an information framework agreement.

It operates a Voluntary Reporting Scheme (VRS) within the Voluntary Reporting Area (VRA), which is outlined in a maritime security chart.

The VRA covers almost 2.5 million square miles of ocean and includes the:

Red Sea, Arabian Sea, northwestern Indian Ocean, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf.

Voluntary Reporting Scheme

Ship masters are requested to submit multiple reports while operating within the VRA.

An initial report is submitted when a vessel enters the VRA. A daily report is submitted while the vessel is transiting the area, and a final report is submitted after the vessel exits the VRA or reaches a port.

UKMTO maintains three 24/7 telephone lines and an email facility through which emergencies and maritime security incidents can be reported.

Communication Issued by UKMTO

UKMTO issues several categories of communication to the maritime community. These include Warnings, Advisories, Reports, and Records of Maritime Information Exchange Meetings.

It hosts warnings on its website and also publishes notices issued by partner organisations.

Why in News?

The Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) has emerged as a structured mechanism to support farmers through assured procurement, price stabilization, and market interventions.

About PM-AASHA

The PM-AASHA was launched in September 2018 with the objective of strengthening the implementation of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and ensuring remunerative prices for farmers.

The scheme uses different mechanisms to address situations in which market prices fall below the desired level and to manage price volatility in agricultural commodities.

Components of PM-AASHA

1. Price Support Scheme (PSS)

Under the Price Support Scheme (PSS), crops are procured at MSP when market prices fall below MSP during the harvesting period.

The scheme mainly covers pulses, oilseeds, and copra.

Procurement is carried out through agencies such as the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) and the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India Limited (NCCF) at the request of State Governments.

Only registered farmers with valid land records are eligible, which enables direct benefits to farmers without intermediaries.

2. Price Stabilization Fund (PSF)

The Price Stabilization Fund (PSF) aims to protect consumers from price volatility by maintaining buffer stocks of essential commodities such as pulses, onions, and potatoes.

Under this mechanism, commodities are procured during the harvest season and released during lean seasons. This helps control price spikes and maintain affordability for consumers.

3. Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS)

Under the Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS), farmers' produce is not physically procured.

Instead, farmers receive the difference between the MSP and the actual market price in the notified market, subject to 15% of the MSP value, directly into their bank accounts.

The scheme is mainly used for oilseeds and reduces the need for large-scale physical procurement infrastructure.

4. Market Intervention Scheme (MIS)

The Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) is designed to procure perishable agricultural and horticultural commodities for which an MSP does not apply.

It covers commodities such as tomatoes, onions, and potatoes.

The scheme is activated when market prices fall by at least 10% compared with the rates prevailing during the previous normal season.

The operations are undertaken through Central Nodal Agencies such as NAFED and NCCF, with cost-sharing between the Centre and State Governments.