About National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA):

• It is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
• It was established in 2006 under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 (WPA 1972).
• Objectives:
  • Providing statutory authority to Project Tiger so that compliance with its directives becomes legal.
    • The ‘Project Tiger’ is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, providing funding support to tiger range States for in-situ conservation of tigers in designated tiger reserves.
  • Fostering accountability of the Center-State in the management of Tiger Reserves by providing a basis for MoU with States within the federal structure.
  • Providing for an oversight by Parliament.
  • Addressing livelihood interests of local people in areas surrounding Tiger Reserves.
• NTCA Composition:
  • Minister in charge of MoEFCC (as Chairperson),
  • Minister of State in MoEFCC (as Vice-Chairperson),
  • three members of Parliament, the Secretary (MoEFCC), and other members.
• Power and Functions:
  • Powers and functions of the NTCA as prescribed under the WPA 1972, as amended in 2006, are as under:
    • to approve the tiger conservation plan prepared by the State Government.
    • evaluate and assess various aspects of sustainable ecology and disallow any ecologically unsustainable land use, such as, mining, industry, and other projects within the tiger reserves.
    • lay down normative standards for tourism activities and guidelines for Project Tiger from time to time for tiger conservation in the buffer and core area of tiger reserves and ensure their due compliance.
    • provide for management focus and measures for addressing conflicts of men and wild animals and to emphasize coexistence in forest areas outside the National Parks, sanctuaries, or tiger reserves, in the working plan code.
    • provide information on protection measures, including future conservation plans, estimation of the population of tiger and their natural prey species, status of habitats, disease surveillance, mortality surveys, patrolling, reports on untoward happenings, and such other management aspects as it may deem fit, including future conservation plans.
    • Approve and coordinate research and monitoring on tigers, co-predators, prey habitat, related ecological and socio-economic parameters, and their evaluation.
    • ensure that the tiger reserves and areas linking one protected area or tiger reserve with another protected area or tiger reserve are not diverted for ecologically unsustainable uses, except in the public interest and with the approval of the National Board for Wild Life and on the advice of the NTCA.
    • facilitate and support the tiger reserve management in the State for biodiversity conservation initiatives through eco-development and people’s participation as per approved management plans and to support similar initiatives in adjoining areas consistent with the Central and State laws.
    • ensure critical support, including scientific, information technology, and legal support, for better implementation of the tiger conservation plan.
    • facilitate ongoing capacity building programme for skill development of officers and staff of tiger reserves, and
    • perform such other functions as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act with regard to conservation of tigers and their habitat.
  • The NTCA may, in the exercise of its powers and performance of its functions under this Chapter, issue directions in writing to any person, officer or authority for the protection of tiger or tiger reserves and such person, officer or authority shall be bound to comply with the directions.

About Draft Civil Drone (Promotion and Regulation Bill) 2025:

• Released by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Draft Civil Drone (Promotion and Regulation Bill) 2025 proposed provisions such as mandatory registration, safety and security features, as well as insurance, amongst other requirements for unmanned aircraft systems’ (UASs) operations in the country.
• The law covers individuals and entities engaged in drone ownership, operation, design, manufacture, import, export, leasing, training or maintenance, but excludes unmanned aircraft used by the armed forces or those weighing over 500 kilograms, which will be governed under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam.
• DGCA Retained as Regulator:
  • It retains the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) as the primary regulatory authority.
  • The draft mandates that no drone will be allowed to operate without registration and issuance of a Unique Identification Number (UIN) by the DGCA.
  • Similarly, manufacturers would be required to obtain a type certification from DGCA before their drones can be sold or operated in India.
• Safety, Security Features Compulsory:
  • No person shall manufacture or assemble, offer for sale, transfer or cause to transfer, operate or cause to operate any UAS that does not incorporate the mandatory safety and security features as prescribed by the central government or unless the UAS is exempted from such requirement.
  • These features are intended to ensure airworthiness, prevent tampering, and enable traceability of drone operations.
• Compulsory Insurance for Operators:
  • Notably, provision for insurance has been made compulsory, with third-party coverage required for all operators unless specifically exempted by the government.
  • The insurance company shall, upon receiving information of the accident, either from the claimant or through an accident information report or otherwise, designate an officer to settle the claims relating to such accident.
• Digital Sky Zones Retained:
  • Draft retains the concept of a ‘Digital Sky’ online platform of zoning that will segregate skies into green, yellow, and red zones.
  • While operations in green zones will be freely permitted, flying in yellow zones will require clearance from air traffic control.
  • No person shall operate an UAS in a red zone without prior permission from the central government and the red zone creating agencies.
  • Violations in restricted airspace have been classified as cognisable and non-compoundable offences, attracting up to three years’ imprisonment or fines extending to ₹1 lakh.
• Compensation for Victims Proposed: The owner of the UAS or the authorised insurer shall be liable to pay, in the case of death or grievous hurt due to any accident arising out of the use of unmanned aircraft system, a compensation of a sum of 2.5 lakh rupees in case of death or one lakh rupees in case of grievous hurt to the legal heirs or the victim, as the case may be.
• Claim Tribunals to Handle Drone Cases: The ‘Motor Accident Claim Tribunals’ has been proposed to be designated as the claim tribunal for the purpose of adjudicating upon claims for compensation in respect of accidents involving the use of UASs.
• Punishment:
  • Any person who contravenes the provisions of this Act shall be punishable with a fine up to ₹50,000 or an imprisonment which may extend to three months or both, and for any second or subsequent offence with a fine up to ₹1 lakh or an imprisonment which may extend to six months or both.
  • Any offence involving carriage of dangerous goods by a civil UAS, or use of a civil UAS as a weapon, shall be cognizable and non-compoundable.
  • The Director General or any other officer authorised in this behalf may seize and confiscate the UAS, documents, records, devices or things which may be useful for, or relevant to, the investigation of such offence.

About Qatar:

• Qatar, officially the State of Qatar, is a country located in Western Asia.
• It is located on the northeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula.
• It has a total area of 11,586 sq.km.
• It shares a sole land border with Saudi Arabia to the south and is surrounded by the Persian Gulf on all other sides.
• The Gulf of Bahrain separates Qatar from the Kingdom of Bahrain.
• Doha is its capital and largest city.
• Languages: Arabic is the official and English is the common language in the country.
• Official Currency: Riyal (QAR)
• Qatar has been ruled by the House of Thani family since 1868.
• It was a British protectorate from 1916 and became fully independent in 1971.
• Landscape:
  • The landscape of Qatar is primarily flat and barren desert.
  • Sand dunes dominate the southern part of the country, especially in the area known as the Khor al Adaid, or the “Inland Sea”.
  • To the north and west, the terrain turns slightly rockier and features low-rising limestone formations.
  • Qatar has wadis, which are valleys that remain dry except during the rainy season when they can briefly turn into rivers.
  • One of the most distinct geographical features of Qatar is its salt flats or sabkhas. They form as a result of the country's high evaporation rates, which leave behind salt deposits.
  • It includes a number of islands in the coastal waters of the peninsula. Hawar Archipelago, Halul and Al Bashiria are the most well known among these.
• Ethnic Groups:
  • Qatar was originally settled by Bedouin nomads from the central part of the Arabian Peninsula.
  • Qatari citizens, however, constitute only a small portion—roughly one-ninth—of the total population
  • Economic growth beginning in the 1970s created an economy dependent on foreign workers—mostly from Pakistan, India, and Iran—who now far outnumber nationals.
  • Few Qataris retain a nomadic lifestyle.
• Economy:
  • The Qatari economy is, to a very large extent, dependent on income derived from the exploitation of oil, natural gas and subsidiary industry, which accounts for more than 90 percent of annual exports.
  • It has the third largest reserves of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the world.
  • Doha, the capital city, is a regional financial hub, home to various international banks, financial institutions, and investment firms.

About Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI):

• DRI was constituted in 1957 as the apex anti-smuggling intelligence and investigation agency.
• It works under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC), Ministry of Finance, Government of India.
• DRI enforces the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962, and over fifty other allied acts, including the Arms Act, NDPS Act, COFEPOSA (Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities), Wildlife Act, Antiquities Act,
• It is tasked with detecting and curbing smuggling of contraband, including drug trafficking and illicit international trade in wildlife and environmentally sensitive items, as well as combating commercial frauds related to international trade and evasion of customs duty.
• It has a country-wide network of zonal, regional, and sub-regional units and intelligence cells.
• DRI collects, analyzes, and disseminates intelligence to the field formations, helps in investigations, and keeps statistics of seizures and prices/rates, etc, for watching trends of smuggling and movement of other contraband and suggest remedies for fixing loopholes in existing laws and procedures.
• The DRI has also been designated as the lead agency for S-CORD, the national anti-smuggling coordination centre.
• DRI has also been at the forefront in international Customs collaboration through Customs Mutual Assistance Agreements of CBIC with over 60 other countries, where the thrust is on information exchange and learning from the best practices of other Customs administrations.

About PM MITRA Park:

• Pradhan Mantri Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) is a mega textile hub that brings every step of textile production, like spinning, weaving, dyeing, printing, and garment-making, into one single place.
• Each park covers a large area (about 1,000 acres or more) and acts as a complete ecosystem for textile manufacture.
• MITRA parks can be either Greenfield or Brownfield.
• The scheme is inspired by the vision “Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign” and aims to make Indian textiles cheaper, faster to market, and of higher quality.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Textiles
• Features:
  • Integrated Value Chain: Each park brings spinning, garmenting, dyeing, and processing into a single zone, cutting transport time and costs.
  • World-Class Infrastructure:
    • The parks have modern roads, reliable power and water, worker hostels, logistics, and plug-and-play factory units, with space for research, skill training, and commercial activity.
    • PM MITRA will develop 50% area for pure Manufacturing Activity, 20% area for utilities, and 10% of area for commercial development.
  • Jobs and Investment: Each park is expected to create 1 lakh direct and 2 lakh indirect jobs. The project aims to attract over Rs 70,000 crore in investments.
  • Public–Private Partnership: PM MITRA park will be developed by a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) which will be owned by the State Government and the Government of India in a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Mode.
  • Capital and Incentives:
    • The Ministry of Textiles will provide financial assistance up to Rs 800 crores per park for Greenfield projects and up to Rs 500 crores per park for Brownfield projects.
    • The State Governments will provide land and augmented utility infrastructure for the proposed mega textile parks.
• Where are the PM MITRA Parks? The seven approved PM Mitra Parks are being set up in:
  • Tamil Nadu (Virudhunagar)
  • Telangana
  • Gujarat
  • Karnataka
  • Madhya Pradesh
  • Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow district)
  • Maharashtra.

About Hathei Chilli:

• It is commonly known as the Sirarakhong chilly.
• It thrives well only in the climatic condition of the Sirarakhong village, which is situated about 66 km from Imphal, Manipur.
• This indigenous chilli variety is cultivated under the jhum system on the slopes.
• Features of Hathei Chilli:
  • It is one of the best varieties of chilli in the world and its distinctive colour, taste, size and shape is typical of the variety grown in Sirarakhong village.
  • It has a high demand both inside and outside the state for its deep red colour and special taste.
  • Its cultivation serves as the main source of income for residents of Tangkhul Naga-dominated Sirarakong village
  • It has an extremely high American Spice Trade Association (ASTA) colour value of 164. (The extractable colour of chilli is usually expressed using ASTA values).
  • Health Benefits: It works as a good anti-oxidant and possesses high calcium and Vitamin C levels.
• This chilli received the Geographical Indication Tag (GI) in 2021.

What is a Geographical Indications Tag?

• The geographical origin of a product is indicated by a GI tag.
• It is given to foods, handicrafts, industrial items, wine and spirits, and agricultural products.
• The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act of 1999 mandates the use of GI tags.
• They are granted by the Geographical Indication Registry, which is part of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry's Department of Industry Promotion and Internal Trade.

About Japanese Encephalitis:

• It is a viral zoonotic disease caused by the Japanese Encephalitis(B) virus.
• Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a flavivirus related to dengue, yellow fever and West Nile viruses.
• Transmission of Japanese Encephalitis:
  • The virus is transmitted to humans by the infected Culex mosquito of the Vishnui group.
  • There is no human-to-human transmission of the virus.
• It is most common in rural areas of Asia, particularly during monsoon seasons when mosquito breeding is prevalent.
• Both Japanese encephalitis virus and dengue virus belong to the same genus, 
• Symptoms of Japanese Encephalitis:
  • It affects the brain, leading to symptoms like fever, headache, vomiting, and neurological signs such as confusion, seizures, and paralysis.
  • While many infected individuals may show mild or no symptoms, severe cases can lead to permanent brain damage or death.
• Prevention and Treatment for Japanese Encephalitis
  • There is no antiviral treatment for patients with JE. Treatment is supportive and includes stabilization and relief of symptoms.  
  • Vaccination is the most effective prevention strategy, particularly in endemic regions.
  • According to the Government of India’s guidelines, two doses of the vaccine have been a part of the Universal Immunisation Programme since 2013.

About United Nations Human Rights Council:

• It was created by the General Assembly on 15 March 2006 by replacing the Commission on Human Rights.
• It is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system, which is responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the world.
• Mandate: To promote “universal respect for the protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all” and “address situations of violations of human rights, including gross and systematic violations, and make recommendations thereon.”
• Member countries: The Council is made up of 47 Member States, which are elected by the UN General Assembly through direct and secret ballot.
• The Council’s Membership is based on equitable geographical distribution.
• Members of the Council serve for a period of three years and are not eligible for immediate re-election after serving two consecutive terms.
• Functions of United Nations Human Rights Council
  • It investigates allegations of breaches of human rights in UN member states.
  • It addresses important human rights issues such as freedom of expression, women’s rights, LGBT rights, and the rights of racial and ethnic minorities.
  • The UNHRC works closely with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

About Global Innovation Index:

• It is a ranking of countries as per their success and capacity in innovation.
• It was first time launched in 2007and has become the leading global benchmark for measuring and comparing innovation performance.
• It is recognized by the UN General Assembly as an authoritative reference for Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) policies.
• It is published yearly by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
• It tracks global innovation trends through investment patterns, technological progress, adoption rates, and socioeconomic impacts.
• Significance: It provides a useful resource for government, industry, researchers and anyone with a stake in developing innovation ecosystems around the world

Key highlights of the Global Innovation Index 2025

• Top 5 Innovators: For the 15th consecutive year, Switzerland ranks first, followed by Sweden in second, the United States in third, the Republic of Korea in fourth, and Singapore in fifth.
• New Entrants and Rising Stars: China has entered the top 10 for the first time, securing the 10th position and leading all middle-income economies.
• Other countries like India, Türkiye, Vietnam, and Morocco are noted for their upward mobility in the rankings.
• India has risen to 38th place among 139 economies in the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025, a remarkable improvement from its 81st rank in 2015.

About Bima Sugam Portal:

• It is a unified digital marketplace for insurance, designed to bring insurers, intermediaries, and customers onto a single platform.
• It is backed by the Life Insurance Council and the General Insurance Council (GIC).
• Features of Bima Sugam Portal
  • It helps users to buy, sell, service, renew, manage, and even claim insurance policies with ease and full transparency.
  • This platform will serve as a centralised database to answer insurance-related queries and help consumers navigate the complex world of insurance.
  • It also aims to accelerate the acceptance of new and sandbox products, opening the door for innovation in insurance offerings.
  • It will cover life insurance in all its forms, including term plans, savings products (both participating and non-participating), annuity and pension plans, as well as ULIP products.
  • It also provides health insurance options, addressing the full range of medical and wellness needs.
  • It will remain flexible to host any new insurance products that may be introduced in the future, as determined by the regulatory councils.
  • It will leverage advanced digital technologies to automate and digitise processes for multiple stakeholders.

About Penna River:

• The Penna River, also known as Pennar, Pinakini, or Penneru, is a river in southern India that flows through the states of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
• Course:
  • Origin: It rises in the Nandi Hills, an upland region on the Deccan plateau, in Karnataka’s Chikkaballapur district.
  • It flows north into Andhra Pradesh state and turns east and then southeast.
  • After passage through a gap in the Eastern Ghats range, it again bends east toward the Coromandel Coast, emptying into the Bay of Bengal near the Nellore district.
• It has a total length of about 597 km.
• The river basin lies in the rain shadow region of the Eastern Ghats.
• The river is seasonal, becoming a torrent after the rains and a thin stream during dry periods.
• Tributaries:
  • The Penna River has several tributaries, most of which are seasonal.
  • Major ones include the Chitravati, Papagni, Cheyyeru, and Kunderu
• The Penna River is crucial to agriculture in parts of Andhra Pradesh, particularly the drought-stricken Rayalaseema region.
• Several irrigation projects, such as the Somasila, Mylavaram, and Gandikota projects, have been constructed to use the river’s waters for farming and drinking purposes.

About Birhor Tribe:

• The Birhor are a forest-dependent semi-nomadic tribal community concentrated in the eastern central Indian state of Jharkhand.
• Some of them are also found in Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and West Bengal.
• The Birhor community is one of eight Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) identified in Jharkhand.
• The term "Birhor" is derived from the words “Bi”, meaning “Jungle”, and “hor”, meaning “man”; thus, it means “the man living in Jungle” or “people of Jungle”.
• They belong to the Porto-Australoid stock.
• Religion: The Birhor follow a mixture of animism and Hinduism.
• Language:
  • The Birhor tribes have their own language, known as Birhor, which belongs to the Munda group of languages of the Austroasiatic language family.
  • Their language has similarities with the Santali, Mundari, and Ho languages.
  • However, due to increased contact with other communities and the influence of mainstream languages, many Birhor people are bilingual or trilingual, with proficiency in Hindi, Bengali, or other regional languages.
• Ethnology:
  • The Birhors are of short stature, with long heads, wavy hair, and broad nose.
  • They claim they have descended from the Sun and believe that the Kharwars, who also trace their descent from the Sun, are their brothers.
• Ethnologically, they are akin to the Santals, Mundas, and Hos.
• Society:
  • They typically live in small, close-knit communities, and their social organization is primarily based on kinship ties.
  • The tribe is divided into several clans, and each clan has its own leader who plays a crucial role in resolving disputes and maintaining social harmony within the community.
  • They live in small settlements in the forest or on the outskirts of villages.
  • The temporary Birhor settlements are known as tandas or bands.
  • These consist of at least half a dozen huts of conical shape, erected with leaves and branches.
  • Birhor society is characterized by a strong sense of community, cooperation, and mutual support.
• Economy:
  • The “primitive subsistence economy” of the Birhors has been based on nomadic gathering and hunting, particularly for monkeys.
  • They make ropes out of the fibres of a particular species of vine, which they sell in the markets of the nearby agricultural people.
  • Some of them have settled into stable agriculture.
  • According to socio-economic standing, the Birhors are classified into two groups. While the wandering Birhors are called Uthlus, the settled Birhors are called Janghis.
  • The Birhor tribe has a rich knowledge of traditional medicine and uses various medicinal plants found in the forest for treating common ailments.

About Ion Chromatography:

• Ion chromatography (IC), or ion exchange chromatography, is a powerful analytical technique used to separate and quantify ions in a sample.
• It separates charged molecules based on their affinity to the ion-exchange resin.
• Ion chromatography techniques of various types enable scientists to target specific ions or classes of ions, providing precise and sensitive analysis.
• It is of two types: cation exchange and anion exchange.
  • Ion chromatographs are able to measure concentrations of major anions, such as fluoride, chloride, nitrate, nitrite, and sulfate, as well as major cations, such as lithium, sodium, ammonium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, in the parts-per-billion (ppb) range.
• Concentrations of organic acids can also be measured through ion chromatography.
• How Does Ion Chromatography Work?
  • Ion chromatography, a form of liquid chromatography, measures concentrations of ionic species by separating them based on their interaction with a resin.
  • Ionic species separate differently depending on species type and size.
  • Sample solutions pass through a pressurized chromatographic column where ions are absorbed by column constituents.
  • As an ion extraction liquid, known as eluent, runs through the column, the absorbed ions begin separating from the column.
  • The retention time of different species determines the ionic concentrations in the sample.
• Applications:
  • Drinking water analysis for pollution and other constituents.
  • Determination of water chemistries in aquatic ecosystems.
  • Determination of sugar and salt content in foods.
  • Isolation of select proteins.

About Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD):

• It is a very contagious illness caused by a virus.
• The disease gets its name from the blister-like rash that forms on your child’s hands and feet and painful sores that develop in their mouth.
• The rash can actually appear anywhere on their body, including their chest, back, arms, legs, genitals, and buttocks.
• Infants and children younger than 5 are most likely to get HFMD. It is extremely uncommon in adults; however, it is still a possibility.
• It tends to spread quickly among children in daycare and school
• Because several viruses can cause the disease, it’s possible to get HFMD multiple times.
• It is often confused with foot-and-mouth (also called hoof-and-mouth) disease, a disease of cattle, sheep, and swine; however, the two diseases are not related—they are caused by different viruses.
  • Humans do not get the animal disease, and animals do not get the human disease.
• Transmission: It easily spreads through contact with unwashed hands, feces, saliva , mucus from the nose, or fluid from the blisters.
• Symptoms:
  • Fever
  • Sore throat
  • Painful mouth sores that blister
  • Rash commonly found on the hands and feet
  • Complications from HFMD are rare.
• Treatment:
  • There's no cure for HFM and no vaccine to prevent it.
  • Most people get better on their own in 7 to 10 days with minimal or no medical treatment.
  • However, it can take children younger than 2 years old a little longer for their bodies to clear the virus.

About Almatti Dam:

• It is a hydroelectric project on the Krishna River in North Karnataka.
• The dam was completed in July 2005.
• It was built with the primary objectives of supplying irrigation and potable water to adjacent regions, generating hydroelectric energy, and managing flood risks in the area.
• The annual electric output of the dam is 713,000,000 kilowatts (KW).
• The dam holds a gross water storage capacity of 123.08 TMC at 519 meters MSL.
• Standing at a height of 52.5 meters and extending 3.5 kilometers in length, Almatti Dam serves as the principal reservoir of the Upper Krishna Irrigation Project; the 290 MW power station is located on the right side of the Almatti Dam.
  • The facility uses vertical Kaplan turbines: five 55 MW generators and one 15 MW generator.
  • Two separate facilities, namely, Almatti 1 Powerhouse and Almatti II Powerhouse, each separated by distance, do provide power generation capabilities.
  • After generating power, water is released into the Narayanpur reservoir to meet the irrigation requirements downstream.
• 77 acres surrounding Almatti Dam have been developed into meticulously maintained gardens, including the Japanese Garden, Rock Garden, Mughal Garden, Gopal Krishna Garden, and Lavakush Garden.

About International Labour Organisation:

• It is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) dedicated to improving labour conditions and living standards throughout the world.
• It is the only tripartite U.N. agency that brings together governments, employers and workers’ representatives of 187-member States.
• History of International Labour Organisation:
• It was created in 1919, as part of the Treaty of Versailles that ended World War I
• In 1946, the ILO became a specialized agency of the newly formed UN.
• It is also a member of the United Nations Development Group (UNDP), a coalition of UN organizations aimed at helping meet the Sustainable Development Goals.
• Member countries: It has 187 member states: 186 out of 193 UN member states plus the Cook Islands.
• Functions of International Labour Organisation:
  • Policy Formulation: It forms international policies and programmes to promote basic human rights, improve working and living conditions, and enhance employment opportunities
  • Creation of international labour standards backed by a unique system to supervise their application
  • An extensive programme of international technical cooperation formulated and implemented in an active partnership with constituents, to help countries put these policies into practice in an effective manner
  • Training, education, and research activities to help advance all of these efforts.
• In recognition of its activities, the ILO was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1969.
• Headquarter: Geneva, Switzerland.

About Saunders’s Tern:

• It is a species of bird in the family Laridae.
• Saunders’s terns (Sternula saundersi) are a small, ground-nesting marine bird species.
• It is sparsely resident along the shores of the north-western Indian Ocean.
• Geographical Range: It breeds in the Red Sea and Persian Gulf to islands between India and Sri Lanka; apparently winters mainly Seychelles to Maldives and Cocos (Keeling) Island.
• Habitat: This species occupies a variety of coastal areas: estuaries, shallow tropical and subtropical inshore waters, tidal lagoons, and harbors.
• Food: Its diet comprises many kinds of marine animals, such as small fish, crustaceans, and mollusks.
• It nests on the ground up to 2 km inland on uncovered sandy sites, shingles, or dried mud.
• Breeding Season: The breeding season for the Saunders’s tern is between March and June.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern (IUCN Red List).

Key Facts about the Adyar estuary

• It is formed by the Adyar River at the point at which the river meets the Bay of Bengal.
• It lies between Santhome beach in the north and Elliots Beach in the south.

About Bureau of Indian Standards:

• It is the National Standard Body of India established under the BIS Act 2016.
• Objective: It was established for the harmonious development of the activities of standardization, marking, and quality certification of goods and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
• It is the successor of the Indian Standards Institution (ISI), which was created in 1947 to ensure quality control and competitive efficiency in the rapid industrialization era.
• Functions of Bureau of Indian Standards
  • BIS has been providing traceability and tangibility benefits to the national economy in a number of ways by
    • Providing safe, reliable quality goods; 
    • Minimizing health hazards to consumers; 
    • Promoting exports and imports substitute; control over proliferation of varieties etc. through standardization, certification, and testing.
  • It operates product certification schemes through which it grants licenses to manufacturers covering practically every industrial discipline, from agriculture and textiles to electronics.
  • BIS represents India in International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
  • Nodal Ministry: It is functioning under the administrative control of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
  • Headquarter: It is headquartered in New Delhi and maintains regional and branch offices throughout the country.

About Frontier 50 Initiative:

• It will support 50 Aspirational Districts / Blocks to pick use cases from the Repository and deploy those frontier technologies that have potential to accelerate saturation of services across ADP/ABP themes.
• Launched by: NITI Aayog under its Frontier Tech Hub.
• The Frontier Tech Repository showcases 200+ impact stories from across India in four sectors – Agriculture, Healthcare, Education, and National Security.
• It brings to life how states and startups are deploying technology with the purpose to transform livelihoods.

What is NITI Frontier Tech Hub?

• It has been established to anticipate mega technology shifts and chart India’s readiness to unlock their potential for inclusive growth, supply chain resilience, and national security.
• It convenes leading experts across government, industry, and academia to assess frontier technologies—such as AI, quantum, and biotechnology.
• It evaluates AI, quantum, and biotechnology opportunities and risks for India, and designs strategies to harness them for Viksit Bharat@2047.

About WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies:

• The Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies is the WTO's first multilateral agreement with environmental sustainability at its core.
• It prohibits government support to illegal fishing activities and overexploitation of stocks, contributing to the protection of marine life.
• It was adopted at the 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) in 2022, in Geneva.
• The agreement establishes
  • The first global trade rules designed to curb harmful fisheries subsidies.
  • Prohibits subsidies that support illegal, unreported and unregulated(IUU) fishing, fishing activities targeting overfished stocks
  • It also covers fishing in areas of the high seas that are not covered by a regional fisheries management organisation.
• Implementation of the Agreement
  • WTO Fish Fund: Ministers have established this fund to provide developing economies and least-developed countries (LDCs) with technical assistance and capacity-building needed to implement the new obligations and manage their own fisheries more sustainably.
  • Seventeen members have pledged the equivalent of more than USD 18 million to the WTO Fish Fund.
  • Following its entry into force this month, a Committee on Fisheries Subsidies will be created to monitor compliance, review members’ notifications on their subsidy programmes.
  • WTO members will be required to report details of their fishing subsidies, as well as data such as fish stock levels and conservation measures in place.

About Doctrine of Escheat:

• It is a significant legal concept that ensures no property is left without ownership, reverting it to the state if the original owner dies without legal heirs or fails to make a will.
• This legal process addresses the handling of unclaimed assets, protecting societal interests and maintaining order within the legal framework.
• The doctrine addresses two primary situations:
  • when a person dies intestate (without a will) and without heirs, and
  • when property remains unclaimed or abandoned for a specific period.
• The underlying principle of escheat is that property must always have an identifiable owner, and in the absence of heirs, the government assumes ownership.
• In modern legal systems, escheat serves as a way to maintain orderly succession and prevent assets from being wasted or misused.
• Historical Origins of Escheat:
  • Escheat originates from the Old French word “eschete,” meaning “to fall to”.
  • The concept of escheat is rooted in the feudal system of medieval Europe, where land was held by tenants under a lord.
  • If the tenant died without an heir or was convicted of certain crimes like treason, the land would escheat, or revert, to the lord.
  • This system allowed for continuous control of land, ensuring that property remained within the hierarchy of the feudal structure.
  • Over time, this evolved to include the monarch or the state as the ultimate recipient of property without heirs.
  • Escheat in Modern Legal Systems:
  • In modern legal systems, escheat ensures that unclaimed or ownerless property does not remain in limbo but is transferred to the state.
  • The state assumes ownership of such property, either permanently or temporarily, until rightful claimants can be found.
  • Escheat laws vary across jurisdictions, with some countries having well-defined processes for handling unclaimed assets.
  • In India, escheat is regulated primarily through Section 29 of the Hindu Succession Act, 1956, and Article 296 of the Constitution.
    • These provisions outline the circumstances under which property escheats to the state, safeguarding against unclaimed or abandoned property.
    • However, the Supreme Court made it clear that the doctrine of escheat under Section 29 of the Hindu Succession Act, 1956, is a remedy of last resort; it comes into play only when a person dies intestate and without any legal heirs.
    • Where a valid will is executed and duly probated, the property must devolve strictly in line with the testator’s intent, leaving no room for the State to assert rights over the estate.

About Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB):

• It is India’s premier research organization in frontier areas of modern biology.
• The objectives of the Centre are to conduct high-quality basic research and training in frontier areas of modern biology, and promote centralized national facilities for new and modern techniques in the interdisciplinary areas of biology.
• Located in Hyderabad, Telangana, CCMB is a constituent laboratory of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), a renowned national organization under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India.
• Established in 1977, CCMB has emerged as a global leader in cellular and molecular research and is known for its contributions to understanding the molecular mechanisms that govern biological systems.
• CCMB’s work spans various disciplines of biology, including genetics, biotechnology, bioinformatics, immunology, and molecular medicine.
• The institution is well-regarded for its cutting-edge research in molecular biology, genomics, proteomics, and cellular mechanisms.
• The centre’s research is both fundamental and translational, focusing on problems that have wide-ranging implications for medicine, disease management, agricultural improvement, and environmental sustainability.
• CCMB has state-of-the-art facilities for research, including a high-throughput genomics facility and a bioinformatics centre.
• The institute also offers training programs and workshops for students and researchers and collaborates with national and international institutions.
• CCMB is a designated "Center of Excellence" by the Global Molecular and Cell Biology Network, UNESCO.

About Carlsberg Ridge:

• It is a mid-oceanic ridge (a divergent plate boundary) located in the Indian Ocean.
• The ridge extends from the triple junction of the African, Indian, and Australian tectonic plates (where it connects to the Mid-Indian Ridge) northwest to the Gulf of Aden.
• The ridge separates the Arabian Sea to the northeast from the Somali Basin to the southwest.
• It marks the boundary between the Somali Plate and the Indian Plate.
• The mean depth of the Carlsberg Ridge is between some 6,000 and 12,000 feet (1,800 and 3,600 meters) below the sea surface, and it rises to a mean elevation of about 7,000 feet (2,100 meters) above the seafloor.
• The ridge turns westward around the island of Socotra and eventually connects with the East African Rift System by way of the Gulf of Aden.
• It is the most prominent mid-ocean ridge segment of the western Indian Ocean, which contains a number of earthquake epicenters.

About Red Fort:

• The Red Fort, or Lal Qila, is a Mughal fort located in Delhi, India.
• Formerly known as Quila-e-Mubarak, or the Blessed Fort, the Red Fort lies along the banks of the river Yamuna, whose waters fed the moats surrounding the fort.
• It was built as the palace fort of Shahjahanabad – the new capital of the fifth Mughal Emperor of India, Shah Jahan.
• Shah Jahan constructed it in 1639. It was designed by architects Ustad Ahmad Lahauri and Ustad Hamid.
• Named for its massive enclosing walls of red sandstone, it is adjacent to an older fort, the Salimgarh, built by Islam Shah Suri in 1546, with which it forms the Red Fort Complex.
• The fort complex served as the residence of Mughal Emperors for nearly 200 years, until 1857.
• The fort was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2007.
• From the fort each year on Independence Day (August 15), the Indian prime minister participates in a flag-raising ceremony and delivers a televised address to the country.
• Architecture:
  • The Red Fort’s massive red sandstone walls, which stand 75 feet (23 metres) high, enclose a complex of palaces and entertainment halls, projecting balconies, baths and indoor canals, and geometrical gardens, as well as an ornate mosque.
  • The planning of the palace is based on Islamic prototypes, but each pavilion reveals architectural elements typical of Mughal buildings, reflecting a fusion of Persian, Timurid, and Hindu traditions.
  • The fort is octagonal, with the north-south axis longer than the east-west axis.
  • Among the most famous structures of the complex are the Hall of Public Audience (Diwan-i-ʿAm), which has 60 red sandstone pillars supporting a flat roof, and the Hall of Private Audience (Diwan-i-Khas), which is smaller and has a pavilion of white marble.
  • The marble, floral decorations, and double domes in the fort's buildings exemplify later Mughal architecture.
  • It has 2 principal gates–Lahore Drawaza and Delhi Darwaza along its western and southern sides, respectively.

About Nankana Sahib:

• It is a city located in the Punjab province of Pakistan, which is historically significant to the Sikh community.
• It is the birthplace of Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh religion.
• Formerly known as Rai-Bhoi-Di Talwandi, Rai Bhullar Bhatti (grandson of Talwandi founder Rai Bhoi) renamed it Nankana Sahib in honor of Guru Nanak Sahib’s birth.
• Guru Nanak Dev Ji spent his early years in Nankana Sahib, and from here began his divine calling and spiritual journey.
• It is where Gurdwara Janam Asthan (also called Nankana Sahib Gurdwara) is located.
  • The shrine is built over the site where Guru Nanak was believed to be born in 1469.
  • It was constructed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh after he visited Nankana Sahib in 1818-19 while returning from the Battle of Multan.
• Besides Gurdwara Janam Asthan, Nankana Sahib has several important shrines, including Gurdwara Patti Sahib, Gurdwara Bal Leela, Gurdwara Mal Ji Sahib, Gurdwara Kiara Sahib, and Gurdwara Tambu Sahib—all dedicated to stages in the life of the first Guru.
• There is also a Gurdwara in memory of Guru Arjan (5th Guru) and Guru Hargobind (6th Guru). Guru Hargobind is believed to have paid homage to the town in 1621-22.

About Lake Natron:

• Location: It is a salt lake located on the border between Tanzania and Kenya.
• It is part of the eastern branch of the Great Rift Valley.
• It has a unique composition of warm waters and salt, caustic soda, and magnesite deposits that provide ideal conditions for flamingos to thrive.
• It was designated as a Ramsar Site of International Importance in 2001.
• Primarily, the lake is fed by the Ewaso Ng’iro River, which originates from the central region of Kenya.
• One of the most striking features of this Lake is its striking red coloration. The primary reason for its hue lies in its extreme alkalinity.
• It is the only reliable breeding ground for Lesser Flamingos in Africa, supporting up to 75 per cent of the world’s population. 
• Lesser flamingos feed on Lake Natron with Shompole volcano (situated on the border of Kenya and Tanzania) in the distance at the northern end of the lake.
• Threats: Several factors, including agriculture, pollution, and climate change, are threatening the beauty of this unique ecosystem.

About Polypropylene:

• It is a thermoplastic polymer produced by the addition polymerization of propylene.
• It is a synthetic resin built up by the polymerization of propylene.
• It is one of the important family of polyolefin resins.
• Polypropylene is molded or extruded into many plastic products in which toughness, flexibility, light weight, and heat resistance are required.
• Properties of Polypropylene
  • It is highly resistant to chemical corrosion, making it an excellent choice for packaging of cleaning products and bleaches.
  • It is a commodity plastic with low density and high heat resistance.
  • Flammability: PP is a highly flammable material.
  • Density: PP is one of the lightest polymers among all commodity plastics.
• Application of Polypropylene
  • It is widely used in polymer materials in the plastic manufacturing industry to produce various end products, especially plastic packaging.
  • Polypropylene has high insulation properties too, making it safe to use for plastic casing in electrical goods and cables. 
  • It offers impressive chemical and biological-resistant properties and makes polypropylene an obvious choice for the medical industry.

About Red Coral Kukri Snake:

• It is identified as Oligodon kheriensis.
• It is one of the rarest non venomous snake species.
• This nocturnal and fossorial snake is specialized with curved teeth like kukri (Nepalian Knife). Hence, they are called “Kukri”.
• Appearance: Its whole body including the head is uniform bright coral-red without any patterns and the underside is yellowish or pinkish hence it is one of the most distinct snakes of its range.
• Its head is short, not broader than the neck and bears an obtusely pointed snout.
• Distribution: It is widely distributed in lowlands (below 1500ft) of Himalayan foothills from Uttrakhand, Nepal, northern parts of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal to Sikkim and western Assam.
• Conservation Status
  • IUCN: Least Concern (LC)
  • Wild Life Protection Act: Schedule –IV

Key Facts about Pilibhit Tiger Reserve

• It is located in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
• It lies along the India-Nepal border in the foothills of the Himalayas and is part of the Terai Arc Landscape.
• Rivers: The river Gomti originates from the PTR, which is also the catchment of several others like Sharda, Chuka, and Mala Khannot.
• Habitat: The habitat is characterized by dense sal forests and tall alluvial grasslands, savannahs, and impenetrable swamps, maintained by periodic flooding from rivers. 
• The Sharda Sagar Dam, extending up to a length of 22 km, is on the boundary of the reserve.
• It has a dry and hot climate, which brings a combination of dry teak forest and Vindhya Mountain soils.

About Exercise Pacific Reach 2025:

• It is a multinational conducted in Singapore.            
• It is a biennial exercise which will witness participation of more than 40 nations.
• The exercise is mainly conducted in two phases, including the harbour and sea phases.
• Focus of the Exercise: The harbour phase will involve in-depth discussions on submarine rescue systems, Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE), a medical symposium and cross-deck visits between the participating nations.
• The Sea phase of the exercise would witness INS Nistar and Submarine Rescue Unit (E) engaging in multiple intervention and rescue operations with participating assets in the South China Sea.

Key Facts about INS Nistar

• It was commissioned on 18 Jul 2025.
• It was developed by HSL, Visakhapatnam, under the Ministry of Defence’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.
• The ship with its Side Scan Sonar, Work & observation class ROVs and expansive deep sea diving systems will be carrying out the role of mothership (MoSHIP) for Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV).
• Diving and Rescue Capabilities
  • Integrated Saturation Diving System (ISDS): Enables diver deployment at depths up to 300 meters, supporting underwater repairs, salvage, and rescue operations.
  • Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs): These can be deployed for underwater surveillance and recovery missions in deep waters.
  • Side Scan Sonar and Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS): Aid in locating submerged vessels or wreckage and managing onboard systems, respectively.
  • Submarine Rescue System: Especially crucial for submarine emergencies, allowing the timely and safe recovery of personnel from disabled submarines.

About Eustoma:

• It is commonly known as Lisianthus or Prairie Gentian or Texas Bluebell.
• It is a perennial herbaceous ornamental species that is used as cut flower and is among the top ten popular cut flowers globally.
• The plant originates from the grasslands of North America.
• Features: It is admired for its wide colour range, long vase life and suitability for cut flowers and potted plants.
• Because of its enormous rose‐like blossoms, long stems and extended vase life, its sales have increased dramatically in recent years, earning it the title of ‘next rose’.
• Habitat: It typically grows in grasslands and disturbed areas, thriving in warm climates.
• Soil Required: Well drain, moisture-retentive soil and garden compost or well-rotted manure.
• It is native to Mexico, southern USA, Caribbean, and northern South America.
• It has a great cosmopolitan demand mainly for its large and attractive flowers, long and hard stem, and wide range of colors.

About Zircon Missile:

• The 3M22 Zircon (Tsirkon), NATO code-named SS-N-33, is a scramjet-powered hypersonic cruise missile developed by Russia.
• Initially designed to target naval assets, the missile has evolved to include land-attack capabilities, making it an important tool for precision strike missions.
• It entered service in 2022, with initial deployments on Project 22350 Admiral Gorshkov-class frigates.
• Features:
  • It has an estimated length of 9 meters (30 feet) and a diameter of 60 cm (24 inches), with an estimated weight of between 3,000 and 4,000 kg (3–4 tons).
  • The missile is powered by a two-stage propulsion system.
    • The first stage consists of a booster engine powered by solid fuel, which accelerates the missile to supersonic speeds.
    • After reaching a certain speed, the scramjet engine in the second stage ignites, utilizing liquid fuel to accelerate the missile to hypersonic speeds.
  • Its speed—reaching up to Mach 9—makes it extremely difficult to intercept.
  • The operational range of the Zircon is reported to be around 400–450 km (250–280 miles) at low altitudes, while it can extend up to 1,000 km (620 miles) in a semi-ballistic trajectory.
  • It is capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads, providing it with a versatile role in modern warfare.
  • The missile uses a combination of inertial navigation, radar homing, and plasma stealth to navigate towards its target.
  • One of the key features of the Zircon is its ability to generate a plasma cloud during hypersonic flight, which absorbs radio waves and makes the missile more difficult to detect by radar. This phenomenon is known as plasma stealth.

About Pink Tax:

• The Pink tax is neither a real tax nor is it a government-imposed fee.
• It is a term used to describe the extra cost that some companies charge for products marketed to women compared to similar products marketed to men.
• This means women might end up spending more money for the same product that men get for less.
• When companies charge more for pink (female) products compared to blue (male) versions, the extra revenue does not go to the government but benefits the companies
• Pink toys, haircuts, dry cleaning, razors, shampoos, body lotions, deodorants, facial care, skincare items, beauty care, clothing, T-shirts, jeans, salon services ,etc. suffer the tax.
• The term “Pink Tax” is believed to have originated in the U.S. in California in 1994.
  • It emerged following the realisation that brands in various cities consistently charged women higher prices for goods and services than men.
  • As per a study done in the U.S., personal care products targeting women were 13% costlier than men’s. Further, women’s accessories and adult clothing were 7% and 8% more expensive.
• Pink Tax in India:
  • The "pink tax" is not prohibited by law in India, and there are no set government regulations on this pricing practice.
  • Female-targeted goods and services prices are determined based on market dynamics and demand.
  • While there is limited research on the pink tax in India, surveys indicate price variations between products for women and men.
  • While there are no specific laws in India to address the issue of Pink Tax, the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission ruled that companies must follow fair pricing policies and avoid gender-based price discrimination.

About Dongsha Islands:

• The Dongsha Islands, also known as the Pratas Islands, are a small group of three islands located in the northern part of the South China Sea.
• It lies approximately 445 km southwest of Kaohsiung, Taiwan, and 320 km southeast of Hong Kong.
• The Dongsha Islands are governed by Taiwan. There are no permanent residents. But Taiwanese marines are stationed
• These islands are characterized by a circular coral atoll structure.
• They are composed primarily of clastic coral and reef flats approximately 15 miles (24 kilometers) in diameter, enclosing a lagoon about 10 miles (16 kilometers) in diameter.
• The island group includes Dongsha Island, being the only island above sea level, about 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) long and a little over 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers) wide, and Northern Vereker and Southern Vereker atolls, both of which are below sea level.

About INS Trikand:

• It is a Talwar-class guided-missile frigate of the Indian Navy.
• It is the third and final ship of the second batch of Talwar-class frigates ordered by the Indian Navy.
• It was built by the Yantar shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia.
• It was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 29 June 2013 at Kaliningrad, Russia.
• It is part of the Indian Navy's Western Fleet and operates under the Western Naval Command headquartered at Mumbai.
• Features:
  • INS Trikand carries a state-of-the-art combat suite, which includes the supersonic BRAHMOS missile system, advanced surface-to-air missiles Shtil, an upgraded A190 medium-range gun, electro-optical 30 mm close-in weapon system, anti-submarine weapons such as torpedoes and rockets, and an advanced electronic warfare system.
  • The weapons and sensors are integrated through a Combat Management System ‘Trebovanie-M’, which enables the ship to simultaneously neutralise multiple surface, sub-surface, and air threats.
  • Powered by four gas turbines, INS Trikand is capable of speeds more than 30 knots and is configured to carry a Kamov 31 helicopter.
  • It has a complement of about 300 personnel, including officers.

About Garra nambashiensis:

• It is a new species of freshwater fish which belongs to the Labeonine family.
• It was discovered in Taretlok, a tributary of the Chindwin River, near Nambashi Valley in Manipur’s Kamjong district.
• It was collected from “swift-flowing riffles (shallow sections of a river or stream) with algae-covered gravel beds and mixed substrate comprising cobbles, boulders, pebbles, sand, fine silt, and coarse sediments.
• The species features a quadrate-shaped proboscis, 7-8 acanthoid tubercles on the anterolateral margin, black spots on the opercle, 8-11 dorsal-fin scales, and six black stripes extending to the hypural plate.
• It typically measures 90-140 mm (9-14 cm), and locals call it Nutungnu.
• Currently, 60 species of Garra have been recorded from various river systems in the Northeast, encompassing the Eastern Himalayan and Indo-Burma regions.
  • Of these, 32 are grouped in the ‘proboscis species group’ and occur in the Chindwin, Brahmaputra, Barak, and Kaladan river systems.
  • Eight species have been recorded from the Chindwin river system alone, including the recently described G. chingaiensis.

About INS Androth:

• It draws its name from Androth Island in the Lakshadweep archipelago. 
• It is the second of eight anti-submarine warfare-shallow watercraft (ASW-SWC) built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
• The ASW SWC ships have been indigenously designed and constructed as per the Classification Rules of Indian Register of Shipping (IRS)at GRSE, Kolkata 
• Features of INS Androth
  • It is approximately 77 meters in length and it is the largest Indian Naval warships.
  • Propulsion: The ship is propelled by a diesel engine-waterjet combination, which allows for high speed and efficient maneuverability in shallow waters.
  • Armament: It is equipped with state-of-the-art lightweight torpedoes, indigenous ASW rockets, and advanced shallow water SONAR,
  • It enables effective submarine detection and engagement in littoral zones.
  • It strengthens the Navy's Anti-submarine, coastal surveillance and mine laying capabilities.
  • It is built by using over 80 percent indigenous content, reflecting growing domestic capabilities and reducing dependency on imports.

About International Electrotechnical Commission:

• It is a nonprofit organization which was established in 1906.
• It is the organization that prepares and publishes international Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.
• IEC’s mission is to promote, through its members, international cooperation on all questions of electrotechnical standardization and related matters. 
• Its standards are developed in a consensus process by experts from the participating countries.
• IEC Standards are often used as a basis to globally harmonize technical requirements in IEC member and non-member countries.
• IEC standards reach over 150 countries.
• Standardization Management Board (SMB) is an apex governance body of IEC responsible for technical policy matters.
• The IEC works closely with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
• It is the world’s leading body for developing international standards for electrical, electronic and related technologies, with a network of 30,000 experts worldwide.
• It is the fourth time India is hosting the prestigious IEC General Meeting, after 1960, 1997 and 2013.
• It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

About Koala:

• Koala bear (Phascolarctos cinereus) is an arboreal herbivorous marsupial native to Australia.
• It is the only extant representative of the family Phascolarctidae and its closest living relatives are the wombats.
• Koalas are asocial animals, congregating only during the breeding season.
• They spend most of their time eating and sleeping in eucalyptus trees, and their paws have two opposing thumbs to help them grasp and climb up tree trunks.
• Habitat: They can be found in habitats ranging from relatively open forests to woodlands, and in climates ranging from tropical to cool temperate.
• Distribution: Koalas are distributed across eastern and southeastern Australia, including northeastern, central, and southeastern Queensland, eastern New South Wales, Victoria as well as southeastern parts of South Australia.
• Food: Koalas are herbivorous (folivorous) animals, feeding primarily upon the leaves of the eucalyptus tree.
• Conservation status: IUCN: Vulnerable
• Threats: These species are facing compounded threats from disease, habitat loss, climate change and road collisions.

Chlamydia in koalas

• Koalas suffer from both bacterium species Chlamydia pneumonia and Chlamydia pecorum.
• The disease occurs in koalas multiple ways, including through mating, infected discharges and at birth. 
• It can cause eye infections, blindness, urinary tract problems, and even infertility.
• Infected koalas often become weak, dehydrated, and more vulnerable to predators and bushfires.
• In some areas of Australia, up to 70% of wild koalas carry the disease.
• Chlamydia spreads quickly in koalas because they live in overlapping territories and groom each other.

About Ho Tribe:          

• The Ho or Kolha people are an Austroasiatic Munda ethnic group of India.
• They call themselves the Ho, Hodoko and Horo, which mean 'human' in their own language.
• Distribution: They are mostly concentrated in the Kolhan region of Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal and Bihar.
• Belief system of Ho Tribe
  • Over 90% of the Ho practices the indigenous religion Sarnaism.
  • They have a village priest called a deuri.
  • They have a spirit doctor called a deowa who makes sacrifices to these spirits and gods. Much of this happens in a sacred grove outside the village.
• Language: Ho people speak the Ho language, an Austroasiatic language closely related to Mundari.
• Occupation: The majority of the Ho tribe is involved in agriculture, either as land owners or labourers, while others are engaged in mining.
• Women have higher status among the Ho than they do in most tribes.
• Most villages have a dedicated dancing ground, called akhra, usually consisting of a cleared space of hard ground under a spreading tree.
• Traditional Ho music incorporates native instruments including a dama (drum), dholak, dumeng (mandar), and the rutu (flute).

What is the Manki- Munda system?

• The Munda, or the head of the village, was responsible for resolving socio-political disputes at the village level.
• Each village had one Munda, appointed hereditarily.
• The Manki headed the pidh, which generally consists of 8 to 15 villages. If cases were not resolved by the Munda, they moved upwards to the Manki.
• The Manki and Munda had no responsibilities for revenue or land-related issues.
• The system was purely an internal, self-governing mechanism, with no sovereign authority outside or the concept of paying taxes.

About PLI Scheme for White Goods:

• It is designed to create a complete component ecosystem for Air Conditioners and LED Lights Industry in India and make India an integral part of the global supply chains.
• It is implemented as a pan India scheme and is not specific to any location, area or segment of population.
• Objectives: It proposes a financial incentive to boost domestic manufacturing and attract large investments in the White Goods manufacturing value chain.
• Its prime objectives include removing sectoral disabilities, creating economies of scale, enhancing exports, creating a robust component ecosystem and employment generation.
• Incentives: The scheme will extend an incentive of 4-6% on incremental turnover over base year (2019-20) of goods sold in India and exported to global markets, to eligible companies for a period of 5 years.
• Eligibility
  • Applicant can be any company that should be incorporated in India under the provisions of the Company Act, 2013.
  • Eligibility shall be subject to the achievement of thresholds of net incremental sales of Eligible Products for the respective financial year over the base year and cumulative incremental investment in the preceding financial year.
  • Any entity availing benefits under any other PLI Scheme of Govt. of India will not be eligible under this scheme for the same
• Time period: It is to be implemented over FY 2021-22 to FY 2028-29
• Nodal Ministry: The scheme was notified by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

पिंक टैक्स के बारे में:

• पिंक टैक्स न तो कोई वास्तविक कर है और न ही यह सरकार द्वारा लगाया गया कोई शुल्क है।

• यह एक ऐसा शब्द है जिसका इस्तेमाल कुछ कंपनियों द्वारा महिलाओं के लिए बेचे जाने वाले उत्पादों पर पुरुषों के लिए बेचे जाने वाले समान उत्पादों की तुलना में लगाए जाने वाले अतिरिक्त शुल्क को दर्शाने के लिए किया जाता है।

• इसका मतलब है कि महिलाओं को उसी उत्पाद के लिए ज़्यादा पैसे खर्च करने पड़ सकते हैं जो पुरुषों को कम कीमत पर मिलता है।

• जब कंपनियाँ नीले (पुरुष) उत्पादों की तुलना में गुलाबी (महिला) उत्पादों के लिए ज़्यादा पैसे लेती हैं, तो अतिरिक्त राजस्व सरकार को नहीं जाता, बल्कि कंपनियों को ही फ़ायदा होता है।

• गुलाबी खिलौने, बाल कटाने, ड्राई क्लीनिंग, रेज़र, शैंपू, बॉडी लोशन, डिओडोरेंट, चेहरे की देखभाल, त्वचा की देखभाल के उत्पाद, सौंदर्य प्रसाधन, कपड़े, टी-शर्ट, जींस, सैलून सेवाएँ आदि पर यह कर लगता है।

•  ऐसा माना जाता है कि "पिंक टैक्स" शब्द की उत्पत्ति 1994 में अमेरिका के कैलिफ़ोर्निया में हुई थी।
  • यह शब्द तब सामने आया जब विभिन्न शहरों में ब्रांड महिलाओं से वस्तुओं और सेवाओं के लिए पुरुषों की तुलना में लगातार ज़्यादा कीमत वसूल रहे थे।
  
  
  • अमेरिका में किए गए एक अध्ययन के अनुसार, महिलाओं को लक्षित करने वाले व्यक्तिगत देखभाल उत्पाद पुरुषों के उत्पादों की तुलना में 13% महंगे थे। इसके अलावा, महिलाओं के सामान और वयस्कों के कपड़े क्रमशः 7% और 8% ज़्यादा महंगे थे।

• भारत में पिंक टैक्स:

  • भारत में "पिंक टैक्स" कानून द्वारा प्रतिबंधित नहीं है, और इस मूल्य निर्धारण पद्धति पर कोई निर्धारित सरकारी नियम नहीं हैं।

   

  • महिलाओं को लक्षित वस्तुओं और सेवाओं की कीमतें बाज़ार की गतिशीलता और माँग के आधार पर निर्धारित की जाती हैं।

   

  • हालाँकि भारत में पिंक टैक्स पर सीमित शोध उपलब्ध है, लेकिन सर्वेक्षणों से महिलाओं और पुरुषों के उत्पादों के बीच कीमतों में भिन्नता का संकेत मिलता है।

   

  • हालाँकि भारत में पिंक टैक्स के मुद्दे को संबोधित करने के लिए कोई विशिष्ट कानून नहीं हैं, राष्ट्रीय उपभोक्ता विवाद निवारण आयोग ने फैसला सुनाया है कि कंपनियों को उचित मूल्य निर्धारण नीतियों का पालन करना चाहिए और लिंग-आधारित मूल्य भेदभाव से बचना चाहिए।