About Mudumalai Tiger Reserve:

• Location: It is located in the Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu.
• It is at the tri–junction of three states, viz, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
• It is part of the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve, the first biosphere reserve in India.
• It has a common boundary with Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala) on the west, Bandipur Tiger Reserve (Karnataka) on the north.
• Vegetation: A variety of habitats ranging from tropical evergreen forest, moist deciduous forest, moist teak forest, dry teak forest, secondary grasslands, and swamps are found here.
• River: The Moyar River runs through the reserve.
• Flora: It has tall grasses, commonly referred to as “Elephant Grass”, bamboo of the giant variety, and valuable timber species like Teak, Rosewood, etc.
  • It has wild relatives of cultivated plants, viz. wild rice, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, etc.
• Fauna: It includes elephant, gaur, sambar, four-horned antelope, spotted deer, barking deer, blackbuck, wild pig, mouse deer, and predators like tigers, leopards, and wild dogs.

About Measles:

• Measles is a highly contagious, serious airborne disease caused by a virus.
• Cause: It is caused by a virus in the paramyxovirus family.
• Transmission:
  • It spreads by contact with infected nasal or throat secretions (coughing or sneezing) or breathing the air that was breathed by someone with measles. 
  • The virus remains active and contagious in the air or on infected surfaces for up to two hours. 
  • The virus infects the respiratory tract, then spreads throughout the body, causing severe disease, complications, and even death.
• Measles Symptoms:
  • The first sign of measles is usually high fever, beginning about 10 to 14 days after exposure to the virus and lasting four to seven days.
  • A runny nose, cough, red and watery eyes, and small white spots inside the cheeks can develop in the initial stage.
  • A rash erupts after several days, usually on the face and upper neck.
• Who is at Risk of Measles?
  • Any non-immune person (not vaccinated or vaccinated but did not develop immunity) can become infected.
  • Unvaccinated young children and pregnant persons are at the highest risk of severe measles complications.
• Measles Treatment
  • No specific antiviral treatment exists for measles.
  • It can be prevented with a safe and effective measles-rubella (MR) vaccine that gives long-term immunity.

About BioNEST :

• The Bioincubators Nurturing Entrepreneurship for Scaling Technologies (Bio-NEST) was launched by Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council.
• It was launched with a vision that focused on fostering the biotech innovation ecosystem in the country.
• The BioNEST Incubators provide access to high end infrastructure, specialized and advanced equipment, business mentorship, IP, legal and regulatory guidance and networking opportunities to start-ups.
• The main objectives of the BioNEST scheme are to promote and establish Bioincubators in India which will:
  • Support and encourage startups and entrepreneurs in the biotech sector
  • Connect Industry and Academia and enable interactions for efficient exchange of knowledge as well as facilitate technical and business mentorship.
  • Provide enabling services and required mentorship for IP and Technology management, legal support, certifications, validation, regulatory requirements, resource mobilization and a unique networking platform.
• Funding: The BIRAC funding for the BIRAC BioNEST Centres will be done in alignment with the Government’s umbrella scheme ‘Biotechnology Research Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development’ (Bio-RIDE).

About Afghanistan:

• Location: It is a landlocked mountainous country in Southern Asia.
• Bordering Countries: It is bordered by six nations – by Pakistan in the east and south; Iran in the west; Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in the north and China in the northeast.
• Capital City: Kabul
• Geographical Features of Afghanistan
  • Climate: It has hot summers and extremely cold winters which are typical in a semiarid steppe climate.
  • Mountain ranges: It consists of Hindu Kush, Pamir Mountains in the northeast and Safed Koh range in the south.
  • Major rivers: River Amu Darya, Helmand River, Kabul River
  • Highest Point: Nowshak
  • Natural Resources: It mainly consists of coal, copper, natural gas, petroleum, gold, lithium, uranium, gold, rare earth elements.

About Indian Softshell Turtle:

• Indian softshell turtles (Nilssonia gangetica) are one of the largest freshwater turtle species in the world. 
• It is also known as the Ganges Softshell turtle.
• Appearance:
  • It has carapace (upper shell), which is round to oval shaped, and green in colour with a yellow border.
  • It has a long neck and tube-like snouts help them to extend their nose out of the water to breathe.
  • The compressed shell, on the other hand, streamlines them, thereby making them brilliant and fast swimmers.
• Habitat: These turtles inhabit deep rivers, streams, canals, lakes and ponds, typically preferring areas with sandy or muddy bottoms.
• They thrive in turbid water and spend most of their time hidden under the sand.
• Geographical Distribution: They are found in Afghanistan, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
  • Mainly found in Indus, Ganges, Meghna, Brahmaputra, Yamuna, Narmada and Mahanadi river basins.
• Diet: Indian softshell turtles are omnivorous, feeding on fish, amphibians, mollusks, insects, carrion and aquatic plants. 
• Cultural Significance: These are often maintained in the temple ponds of Orissa where they are considered sacred.
• Threat: Habitat alteration and destruction, Poaching and illegal trading for traditional medicines, expansion of agriculture, commercial exploitation.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Endangered
  • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I

About Obstructive Sleep Apnea:

• It is the most common sleep-related breathing disorder.
• Those people with OSA repeatedly stop and start breathing while they sleep. 
• These breath pauses are known as apneas.
• It is characterized by recurrent upper airway obstruction during sleep and is associated with reduced quality of sleep and life and increased cardiovascular risk.
• There are several types of sleep apnea. OSA occurs when the throat muscles relax and block the airway. 
• Anyone at any age can have OSA. But it’s most common in middle-aged and older adults. 
• This condition has significant implications for cardiovascular health, mental well-being, and quality of life.
• Treatment for OSA
  • Making lifestyle changes like sleeping position adjustments (not sleeping on your back) or maintaining a weight that’s healthy for you.
  • Using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine
  • Wearing oral appliances (mouthpieces)

About Rove beetle:

• Rove beetles (family Staphylinidae) are one of the largest beetle families.
• Appearance: They are typically elongate, fast-moving beetles with shortened wing covers (elytra) that expose flexible abdominal segments.
• Many species of these beetles can raise the abdomen in a scorpion-like defensive posture (not a true sting).
• Preferred climate: sub-tropical, cold tolerant
• Distribution: Rove beetles occupy almost all moist environments throughout the world.
• Habitat: Typical microhabitats include leaf litter, soil surface, under bark, fungi, shorelines, dung, carrion, compost, and nests of social insects;
• These are usually found around decaying animal and vegetable matter, preying on carrion-feeding insects. 
• Features:
  • These predatory beetles are beneficial to farmers and gardeners, because they can reduce pest populations, also referred to as biological control
  • Chemical defenses from abdominal glands; secretions can deter predators and may include irritants or antimicrobial compounds

About ECINet Platform:

• It is a single-point digital platform developed by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
• It is a new user-friendly digital interface for the electors and other stakeholders such as the election officials, political parties, and civil society.
• Features of ECINet Platform:
  • It will integrate and reorient over 40 of ECI’s existing mobile and web applications.
  • It has subsumed apps like the Voter Helpline App, Voter Turnout App, cVIGIL, Suvidha 2.0, ESMS, Saksham, and KYC App.
  • It offers a range of services to voters, including registration, electoral roll search, application tracking, and grievance redressal.
  • Additional features include downloading digital voter ID cards (e-EPIC), connecting with election officials, and booking calls with Booth Level Officers (BLOs).
  • The platform also includes tools such as cVIGIL for reporting election code violations and Saksham for facilitating accessible services for persons with disabilities.
  • It has been developed in full compliance with the Constitution of India, the Representation of the People Acts, 1950 and 1951, Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 and the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961.

About Udanti- Sitanadi Tiger Reserve:

• Location: It is located in the state of Chhattisgarh.
• It was established by joining the regions represented by Sitanadi and Udanti wildlife sanctuaries. 
• Rivers: The drainage system of the reserve consists of the Mahanadi as the main river, along with the Udanti, Sitanadi, Indravan, and Pairi Rivers as tributaries.
• The location of the reserve is strategic since it also connects with the Kanker and North Kondagaon forest divisions, forming a contiguous forest corridor to Indravati Tiger Reserve in the Bastar region.
• Vegetation: The forest type here is predominantly tropical dry and moist deciduous.
• Flora: The forest is dominated by Sal (Shorea robusta), which forms dense patches across the landscape. 
  • Alongside, species such as Teak (Tectona grandis), Bamboo, Tendu, Mahua, Bija, and Harra contribute to the green diversity of the region.
• Fauna: It is home to the last few herds of the highly endangered Wild Buffalo.
• Apart from the tiger, other endangered and rare species are the Indian Wolf, Leopard, Sloth Bear, and Mouse Deer.

About National Maritime Day:

• It is celebrated every year on April 5.
• History: National Maritime Day commemorates the maiden voyage of S.S. Loyalty, which sailed from Mumbai to London on April 5, 1919.
• This was a groundbreaking event as it represented India’s independence in maritime affairs, challenging the British shipping monopoly.
• Theme of National Maritime Day 2026: “Maritime India – Empowering Progress"
• The theme of 2026 aims at fostering a self-reliant, technologically advanced, and eco-friendly maritime sector by 2047.
• Key Focus Areas for National Maritime Day 2026
  • Port-Led Development: Expansion of port infrastructure, including the strengthening of the Sagarmala initiative to enhance India’s port capacity.
  • Sustainability: Promoting eco-friendly practices in shipping, and focusing on reducing the carbon footprint of the maritime industry.
  • Honouring Seafarers: Acknowledging the vital role maritime professionals play in driving India’s economy.
  • Technological Advancement: Enhancing digital infrastructure to reduce port turnaround times and improve operational efficiency.