CURRENT AFFAIRS | MARCH 2026
Prelims: J1007+3540 discovery, uGMRT specifications, SFDR propulsion, IDS deployment details
Mains: GS-III — Science & Technology developments, defence technology, railway modernization
Judicial Services Relevance: Wildlife Protection Act 1972 (IDS and elephant corridors), DRDO under MoD framework, Railways Act provisions on safety obligations, environmental clearances for railway infrastructure
J1007+3540: Discovery of a Giant Radio Galaxy
Indian astronomers have discovered J1007+3540, classified as a giant radio galaxy, using the upgraded Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (uGMRT) located at Pune. This discovery underscores India’s growing capabilities in radio astronomy and deep-space observation.
• Location: Pune, Maharashtra
• Configuration: 30 antennas, each 45 metres in diameter
• Baseline: Spread over 25 km
• Operating body: NCRA-TIFR (National Centre for Radio Astrophysics — Tata Institute of Fundamental Research)
• Discovery: J1007+3540 — a giant radio galaxy
The uGMRT operates at low radio frequencies, making it uniquely suited for detecting faint radio emissions from distant galaxies. Giant radio galaxies are among the largest known structures in the universe, with radio jets extending millions of light-years beyond their host galaxies.
SFDR Missile: Air-Breathing Propulsion Technology
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tested the Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) missile, a significant advancement in India’s missile technology programme. The SFDR was developed by DRDL Hyderabad in collaboration with RCI and HEMRL Pune.
– Propulsion: Air-breathing ramjet engine (uses atmospheric oxygen, no onboard oxidiser required)
– Speed: Supersonic flight capability
– Advantage: Significantly greater range compared to solid/liquid propellant missiles of similar weight
– Developing labs: DRDL (Defence Research & Development Laboratory, Hyderabad), RCI (Research Centre Imarat), HEMRL (High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune)
– DRDO functions under the Ministry of Defence (MoD)
IDS: Intrusion Detection System for Indian Railways
The Indian Railways has deployed an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) with a budget of Rs 208 Crore, covering 1,158 route-km across 8 railway zones. The system employs fibre-based Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) technology using Rayleigh scattering to detect intrusions, trespassing, and critically, elephant movement near railway tracks.
- Budget: Rs 208 Crore
- Coverage: 1,158 route-km across 8 zones
- Technology: Fibre-based DAS using Rayleigh scattering
- Key application: Detecting elephant movement to prevent wildlife-train collisions
- Detection method: Analyses vibration patterns in optical fibre cables to identify anomalies
S — Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet
F — Fuel: Air-breathing (no oxidiser)
D — DRDL Hyderabad + HEMRL Pune + RCI
R — Range: Extended range, supersonic speed
• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 — IDS directly supports Schedule I species (elephants) protection; relevant to railway liability for wildlife deaths in elephant corridors
• Railways Act, 1989 — Section 124 imposes strict liability on railways for passenger injuries; IDS enhances safety compliance
• Environmental clearance for railway projects — Forest Conservation Act 1980 applies to rail lines passing through protected areas
• DRDO framework — Functions under MoD; defence procurement governed by Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP/DAP 2020)
• For PCS-J: wildlife protection provisions are frequently tested, particularly Sections 9, 39, and 50 of the WPA 1972
Source: UPSC Essentials, The Indian Express — March 2026
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