|
A Rare Sighting in Kaziranga Yellow-throated marten was recently sighted for the very first time in the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve in Assam (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Yellow-throated Marten (Martes flavigula) » It is a diurnal and arboreal member of the mustelid family, a group of carnivorous mammals. » Features: Golden-yellow throat, long tail, and defensive scent glands. » Behaviour: Fearless, highly social, often hunts in pairs or small groups. » Ecological Role: Functions as a mesopredator, controls rodent populations, aids seed dispersal, etc. » Distribution: Found across Southeast Asia, eastern Russia, China, and the Korean Peninsula; in India, occurs mainly in the Himalayas and Northeast. » Conservation Status: IUCN (Least Concern); protected under Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. » Threats: Habitat fragmentation, deforestation, and human encroachment. |
|
Bangladesh’s Water Security Project Bangladesh approves Padma Barrage Project. Padma Barrage » Location: Proposed on the Padma River (Bangladesh stretch of the Ganga) » Objective: Aims to improve water security and reduce drought conditions in southwest Bangladesh linked to reduced flows from the Farakka Barrage. » Padma River is the main distributary of the Ganga river in Bangladesh after it enters the country from India. |
|
Climate Alert: El Niño Returns The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned of an 80% probability of El Niño developing in the coming months. » El Niño and La Niña are opposite phases of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). » Southern Oscillation is a coherent inter-annual fluctuation of atmospheric pressure over the tropical Indo-Pacific region. El Niño » El Niño means “Little Boy” in Spanish. » Characterized by warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. » Occurs every 2–7 years and typically lasts 9–12 months. » Usually develops between March and June and peaks during November–February. La Niña » La Niña means “Little Girl” in Spanish. » Characterized by cooling of sea surface temperatures in the central and east-central equatorial Pacific Ocean. Impact of El Nino Global: » Wetter conditions in parts of southern South America, the southern United States, etc. » Drier conditions in northern South America, the Caribbean, Australia, and parts of South Asia. » Weakened upwelling (off the coast of Peru) reduces the supply of cold, nutrient-rich water, leading to lower phytoplankton productivity and disruption of marine food chains. On India: » It is associated with below-normal southwest monsoon rainfall, disrupting agriculture and water management. o On the other hand, La Niña strengthens the Indian monsoon, resulting in above-normal rainfall. » Increased risk of extreme weather events such as cyclones, wildfires etc., causing human and economic losses. |
|
Cosmic Fireballs Meteor explosion light up skies over Boston and Rhode Island, experiencing bolides. Bolides » Bolide: An exceptionally bright meteor (fireball) that explodes in Earth’s atmosphere, producing intense flashes of light and often sonic booms before reaching the ground. o Meteoroid: Small asteroid/comet fragment orbiting the Sun. o Meteor: Visible streak (shooting star) produced when a meteoroid enters Earth’s atmosphere. o Meteorite: A meteoroid fragment that survives atmospheric entry and reaches the ground. » Effects: Can generate bright sky flashes, loud booms, shock waves, etc. |
|
Global Flashpoints Israel expanded operations in Southern Lebanon by crossing the Litani River (previously a de-facto boundary), for the first time since 2006. » Israel captured Beaufort castle. » Beaufort Castle is a 12th-century Crusader fortress located near Nabatiyeh, overlooking the Litani River. |
|
India Moves Towards Producer Price Index Government has decided to gradually phase out the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) over the next five years and replace it with a comprehensive Producer Price Index (PPI) system. Wholesale Price Index (WPI) » It is a measure of the average change of prices of a fixed set of goods at the first point of bulk sale in a commercial transaction in the domestic market over a given period of time. » Released by: Office of the Economic Adviser, DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry. Key Changes in the Revised Series: o Base Year Revised: Updated from 2011-12 to 2022-23. o Expanded Coverage: Items increased from 697 to 957. o Energy Basket Rationalisation: Solar, wind, and nuclear energy added under electricity; crude petroleum and natural gas shifted to Fuel & Power. » Significance of changes: Ensures more realistic assessment of inflationary trends. Producer Price Index (PPI) » It measures the average change in the price a producer receives for his goods/services sold in the domestic market/ exports. » PPI measured through: Output PPI, Input PPI and Service PPI (compiled on quarterly basis). Why WPI is being replaced by PPI? » Global Best Practice: Aligns India’s inflation measurement with advanced economies and IMF recommendations. » Broader Coverage: Captures input, output and service prices, providing a more comprehensive inflation picture than WPI. » Better Cost Analysis: Enables assessment of input cost pressures and their pass-through to output prices. |
|
India Revamps Industrial Output Index The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has revised the base year of IIP from 2011-12 to 2022-23 to better reflect current industrial structure and dynamics. » This is the 10th revision of base year of All India IIP. The first IIP was prepared with base year 1937. Major Changes in New Series of IIP » Base Year Revision: It is revised to 2022-23 under the aegis of the Technical Advisory Committee for base year revision (TAC-IIP). » Coverage: It added Gas Supply, Water Supply, Sewerage & Waste Management activities while retaining the existing sectors. » Inclusive Mining Classification: It added minor minerals and rare earth minerals for better sectoral representation. » Revamped Item Basket: Basket expanded from 839 items to 1,042 products (463 item groups). o Additions: Cards with a magnetic stripe, CCTV camera, Articles of non-woven textiles, Parts of aircraft and spacecraft, Stents, Vaccine (other than veterinary). o Deletions: Kerosene, Fluorescent tubes and CFLs, Tubes for bicycle/ tricycle/ rickshaw tyres. Tubes for LMV tyres, Printing machinery, Sewing machines. » Enhanced Granularity: It provides a more detailed disaggregation of industrial activities. In mining covering: (i) Fuel Minerals, (ii) Metallic Minerals, including Rare Earth Minerals, and (iii) Non-Metallic Minerals, including Minor Minerals. o The Electricity Index now separately tracks generation from renewable and non-renewable sources. Need of Change in Base Year: To capture emerging sectors, changing production patterns and evolving consumption trends, to align IIP methodology with UN best practices and Include New Products & Industries etc. |
|
India’s Indigenous Strike Missile India successfully flight-tests indigenous RudraM-II Missile. RudraM-II » Indigenous air-to-surface missile launched from an airborne platform. » Developed By: Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad a nodal laboratory of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and other organizations. » Significance: Strengthens India''s indigenous defence capability and advances Aatmanirbhar Bharat in advanced weapon systems. |
|
India–Nepal Boundary Issues The Prime Minister of Nepal acknowledged encroaching on certain Indian territories. India-Nepal Border » Length: The India–Nepal border stretches 1,751 km. » Boundary: With 5 states (Sikkim, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Bihar). o Mechi bridge connect Panitanki Bypass(West Bengal) in India with Kakarvitta in Nepal. Disputed Border Areas » West: Kalapani-Limpiyadhura-Lipulekh tri-junction (Uttarakhand) » Kalapani is located near the India-Nepal-China tri-junction, giving it strategic importance. o Limpiyadhura: Northwest of Kalapani, claimed by Nepal as the true source of the Kali (Mahakali) River under the Treaty of Sugauli. o Lipulekh is also an important mountain pass. Used by Indian pilgrims travelling to Kailash Mansarovar in Tibet. » East: Susta area (Bihar). |
|
Peace and Stability Along the LAC The 35th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) reviewed the situation in the India-China border areas. India-China Border Dispute » Origin: Different perceptions of the Line of Actual Control as India shares second longest land boundary with China (3488 km) only after Bangladesh (4096.7 km). o In 1865, when WH Johnson, a civil servant with the Survey of India, proposed the ''Johnson Line'', which placed Aksai Chin within Jammu and Kashmir which Chinese dynasty refused. o In Simla meeting, 1914, between British India,Tibet and, China; proposed line from Bhutan to Burma (now Myanmar) (McMahon Line) but opposed by China. » Conflict: 1962 India–China War when China attacked India. » Disputed Areas: (Along three sectors) o Western Sector (Ladakh–Aksai Chin): China controls Aksai Chin, which India claims as part of Ladakh. o Middle Sector: Kauirik Lahaul and Spiti Valley (Himachal Pradesh), Bara Hoti and Nelang Valley (Uttarakhand). o Eastern Sector (Mainly Arunachal Pradesh): China claims Arunachal Pradesh, especially the Tawang region, as "South Tibet" (Zàng Nán). Ø Sikkim Sector: Nathu La pass, the Naku La sector, Cho La, Mount Gipmochi, Batang La, and the Doklam Plateau (Situated at the crucial tri-junction of India, China, and Bhutan) and adjoining Jampheri Ridge. Principles India Should Follow for Dispute Settlement » Preserve the 2005 Framework: A package settlement through a three-step process: political parameters, a settlement framework, and final delineation and demarcation of the boundary. » Focus on LAC Stability: Make peace and tranquility on the LAC a precondition for progress; oppose unilateral changes and persistent buffer zones. » Seek a Comprehensive Political Settlement: Push for meaningful political negotiations on the entire boundary issue. |
|
Reviving Assam’s Golden Silk Mission seeks to strengthen the entire Muga silk value chain through Cluster-based Coverage under Ministry of Development of North-East Region (MDoNER) in collaboration with the Government of Assam, the Central Silk Board and other stakeholders. Mission Senehjori » Objective: Transforming Assam''s unique Muga silk sector into high-value luxury textile ecosystem from host-plant cultivation and silkworm seed production to reeling, weaving, branding, export promotion, digital traceability and tourism. » Targets by 2028: Establishment of 5 modern Muga reeling units and a Muga Spun Mill, creation of 30 FPOs, etc. Muga Silk » It is one of the 5 major natural varieties of silk. (India produces all the five). » Silk is a natural protein fibre produced by silkworms, primarily from the Bombyx mori species. » Unique Identity: Muga silk is the world’s only naturally golden silk and India’s first GI-tagged silk (2007). » Production: Assam accounts for 90 percent of the world’s Muga silk production. » Silkworm: It is obtained from semi-domesticated multivoltine silkworm, Antheraea assamensis. o It feeds on the aromatic leaves of Som and Soalu plants and are reared on trees similar to that of tasar. Other types of Silk » Mulberry (~92% of India’s silk production): Produced mainly in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, etc. » Tropical Tussar (Kosa): It is tropical variety; It is copperish colour, coarse silk, generated by the silkworm, Antheraea mylitta which mainly thrive on the food plants Asan and Arjun. » Tropical Tussar: Temperate or Oak tasar practiced in its sub-Himalayan belt extending from Kashmir to Manipur. » Eri: Also known as Endi or Errandi Silk, it is produced from the domesticated silkworm Philosamia ricini, that feeds mainly on castor leaves. o The North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation Ltd. (NEHHDC) obtained Oeko-Tex certification for eri silk; from Germany which will enhance the marketability and export of eri silk. Ø Oeko-Tex is a worldwide certification for textiles tests for harmful substances in textile products ensuring that the final product is safe for human use. |
|
Strengthening India’s Research Ecosystem The Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education has launched applications for the Prime Minister Research Chair (PMRC) Scheme 2026. PMRC Scheme » It is a flagship initiative of the Government of India to strengthen the country''s research and innovation ecosystem. » Aim: To attract and engage distinguished Indian-origin researchers, scientists, and professionals from across the world. o It places globally experienced experts in leading Indian higher research institutions. » Eligibility: Young Research Fellows (0–5 years post-PhD), Senior Fellows (5–10 years post-PhD), and Research Chairs (10+ years post-PhD with demonstrated research leadership). » Host Institutions: Government HEIs ranked among the Top 100 (NIRF Overall/Engineering) or Top 50 (Research), etc. |
|
UN Peacekeepers Honoured Indian Peacekeepers serving with United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) have been awarded the UN Medal of Honour. UN Peacekeepers (Blue Helmet) » Origin: Began in 1948 when the UN deployed military observers to West Asia to observe the Armistice Agreement. » Also called Blue Helmets, as they use blue helmets while carrying out peacekeeping missions around the world. » Deployment Mechanism: UN Security Council by adopting a resolution. » Principles of Peacekeeping are based on Consent of the parties, Impartiality, Non-use of force except in self-defence and defence of the mandate » Department of Peace Operations (DPO) of UN provides political and executive direction to peacekeeping operations. |
|
World’s Largest Coral Discovery Giant potato coral patch found on southeastern side of Kadmat Island in Lakshadweep. » Potato Patch Coral Colony (Pavona clavus) » Covers about 4,250 sq. m. (1.05 acres), potentially the world''s largest living Pavona clavus colony. » Scientific Value: Serves as a natural time capsule for studying coral longevity, climate adaptation, and past ocean conditions. |
