About Shahpur Kandi Dam Project:

• It is located on the Ravi River in Pathankot district, Punjab, downstream from the existing Ranjit Sagar Dam.
• The water released by Ranjit Sagar Dam is utilized for generating power from this project.
• Declared a national project in 2008, the dam is being built with Punjab contributing 80 percent and the Centre funding the remaining 20 percent.
  • It is constructed by the irrigation department of the Government of Punjab.

About Defence Acquisition Council (DAC):

• It is the highest decision-making body of the Defence Ministry on procurement.
• The main objective of the DAC is to ensure expeditious procurement of the approved requirements of the armed forces in terms of capabilities sought and time frame prescribed by optimally utilizing the allocated budgetary resources.
• Formation: It was formed after the Group of Minister’s recommendations on ‘Reforming the National Security System’, in 2001, post-Kargil War (1999).
• Composition:
  • The Defence Minister is the chairman of DAC.
  • Its members include Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force.
• Functions:
  • Give in principle approval of a 15-year Long Term Integrated Perspective Plan (LTIPP) for defence forces.
  • Accord of acceptance of necessity to acquisition proposals.
  • Categorisation of the acquisition proposals relating to ‘Buy’, ‘Buy & Make’, and ‘Make’.
  • Look into issues relating to single vendor clearance.
  • Take decisions regarding ‘offset’ provisions in respect of acquisition proposals above Rs 300 crore.
  • Take decisions regarding the Transfer of Technology under the ‘Buy & Make’ category of acquisition proposals.
  • Field trial evaluation

About Lake Victoria:

• It is the largest lake in Africa.
• It lies mainly in Tanzania and Uganda but also borders Kenya.
  • It is also called Victoria Nyanza in Kenya, Nalubaale in Uganda, and Ukerewe in Tanzania.
• It is crossed by the equator.
• After Lake Superior in North America, it is the second-largest freshwater lake on Earth.
• It is the world’s largest tropical lake.
• The Kagera River is the major river that empties into the lake.
• It is the chief reservoir of the Nile River.
• The lake supports the largest freshwater fishery in the world.

About Charax Spasinou:

• It was an ancient port city located at the confluence of the Tigris and Choaspes rivers, near the modern border of Iraq and Iran.
• Founded during the Hellenistic period, it was initially established by Alexander the Great.
• It was reportedly founded in 324 BCE.
• The city was later rebuilt by Hyspaosines, who became its first king and is recognized for founding the kingdom of Characene with Charax Spasinou as its capital.
• Due to its favourable location, Charax became a very important harbour in the Persian Gulf area and a major trading point between Mesopotamia (a region in the Middle East) and India.
• The city was home to a succession of local rulers who minted coins from the late second century BC to the third century AD.
• Charax's prominence waned around AD 224–28 with the rise of the Sassanian Empire, marking the end of Characene's political significance.

About Alpheus madhusoodanai:

• It is a new species of pistol shrimp, also known as snapping shrimp.
• It was discovered from Kochi backwaters, Kerala.
• It belongs to the family Alpheidae.
• It is the first alpheid shrimp species to be recorded from an estuary in the region.
• It has a burrowing tendency and contributes to the health of mangrove ecosystems by releasing toxic gases trapped in swampy soil.

Key Facts about Pistol Shrimp:

• The pistol shrimp, also known as the snapping shrimp, possesses an extraordinary weapon — an oversized claw that can “fire” underwater bullets made of bubbles.
• These aren’t ordinary bubbles — they’re created through a process called sonoluminescence, “in which water is energised with specific vibrations causing emission of light through bubbles.
  • The resulting temperatures can reach an astounding 4,400°C — nearly as hot as the surface of the sun.
• The sounds produced when the pistols of these shrimps are fired are among the loudest sounds that can be heard in the oceans.
• The pistol shrimp primarily uses this powerful weapon to catch prey.
• When hunting, it hides in its burrow, waiting for prey to come within range before firing its claw with remarkable speed and precision.
• There are hundreds of species found all over the world, but most species are found in reefs and seagrass beds in temperate and tropical regions.

About France:

• It is a country located in North Western Europe.
• Bordering countries: It is bordered by 7 countries: Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Spain and Andorra.
• Surrounding Water bodies: It is bounded by the Bay of Biscay (North Atlantic Ocean) in the west; by the English Channel in the northwest and by the Mediterranean Sea in the
  • It has 5 overseas regions namely: Guadeloupe, Guyane (French Guiana), La Réunion (Réunion), Martinique and Mayotte.
• Capital City: Paris
• Geographical Features of France:
  • Climate: The climate in mainland France is temperate, with quite significant regional differences.
  • Major Rivers: Loire (drains into Atlantic Ocean), Seine (drains into English channel).
  • Major Mountains: Alps (southern France), Jura Mountains (north of Alps), Pyrenees (forms border with Spain).
  • Natural Resources: Coal, iron ore, bauxite, zinc, uranium, antimony, arsenic, potash, feldspar, fluorspar, gypsum.

About H-125 Helicopter:

• It is a single‑engine light utility helicopter from the legendary Ecureuil family.
• It is valued for its reliability, low maintenance and adaptability.
• The H125 is the only helicopter in history to have landed on the summit of Mount Everest.
• Uses: It is used in emergency services, aerial filming, tourism, law enforcement, firefighting, and civil transport.
• Features of H-125 Helicopter:
  • High‑Altitude Performance: It can operate efficiently in “hot and high” environments, meaning high mountains or hot desert conditions.
  • Operational Versatility: It can be reconfigured for multiple roles such as rescue, medical evacuation, firefighting, passenger transport, and aerial work missions.
  • Simple and Robust Design: Its reliable engine and aerodynamics make it easier to maintain and operate in varied conditions.
  • High Cruise Speed and Range: With a range of approximately 662 km, it is capable of covering long distances without compromising performance.
• Significance to India: It provides edge in high-altitude logistics, ensuring the delivery of vital supplies to remote frontline outposts, and serves as a rapid-response asset for search and rescue or medical evacuation operations.

About Tidal Flooding:

• Tidal flooding, also known as sunny day flooding, king tide flooding, and nuisance flooding, is the temporary flooding of low-lying areas near a coast.
• Causes: It occurs through the combination of winds, offshore storms, and full moon cycles during high tide events such as full moons and new moons. 
  • Unlike cyclone-induced storm surges, tidal flooding happens twice in a day and is more severe during full or new moons.
• Impact on Kerala Coast: It is a common phenomenon along Kerala’s coastline, where the Arabian Sea level temporarily rises above an identified threshold for a brief period, inundating low-lying coastal areas.
• Kerala Government’s decision:
  • Kerala government declared financial assistance, similar to that provided to victims of natural disasters under State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), to victims of floods caused by tidal rise.
  • This is the first time in the country that a State has declared tidal flooding a State-specific disaster.
  • Other State-specific disasters in Kerala: Coastal erosion, lightning, strong winds, soil piping, heatwave/sunstroke/sunburn, and human-wildlife conflict as State-specific disasters.

About Strait of Hormuz:

• It is a narrow waterway between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula, specifically the United Arab Emirates and Musandam (Oman).
• The Gulf of Oman is on the strait’s east, while the Persian Gulf is on the west.
• It is the only sea channel linking the oil-rich Persian Gulf (west) with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea (southeast).
• Iran is located on the north coast, while the UAE is on the south coast.
• Islands: Some of the islands located in the Strait of Hormuz are Hengam, Hormuz, and Qishm. 
• Significance:
  • The Strait of Hormuz is considered one of the world’s most economically important choke points.
  • It serves as a key passage for supertankers transporting oil and gas from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, the UAE, and Iran.
  • Most of this energy flows to Asian markets, including China, which remains Iran’s sole significant oil customer.

About Malabar Pied Hornbill:

• The Malabar pied hornbill (Anthracoceros coronatus ), also known as lesser pied hornbill, is a bird in the hornbill family.
• Appearance: It is a medium-sized forest hornbill with striking black and white plumage and a prominent casque.
• Habitat:  Its habitat is evergreen and moist deciduous forests, often near human settlements.
• Distribution: It is found in the Western Ghats and north-eastern Himalayan foothill regions of India and Nepal, the Satpuda Hills, as well as in Sri Lanka. 
• Diet: It is Frugivorous but can adapt to an omnivorous diet in the breeding season.
• Ecological Role: It is a vital indicator of the forest ecosystem’s health and stability.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN: Near Threatened
• Threats: The primary threats to this species are habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation.

Key Facts about Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve

• Location: It is located in the state of
• It was established by joining the regions represented by Sitanadi and Udanti wildlife sanctuaries. 
• 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.
• Vegetation: The forest type here is predominantly tropical dry and moist deciduous.

About INS Tarangini:

• It is the Indian Navy’s first Sail Training Ship (STS).
• It became the first Indian naval ship to navigate the globe in 2003-2004.
• The primary role of the ship is to foster time-honored virtues of courage, camaraderie, and endurance in officer cadets embarking on a naval career.
• It provides an ideal setting for firsthand experience of the natural elements by imparting training which includes sailing, setting and furling of sails, watch-keeping, and sail manoeuvres.

About Lake Michigan:

• It is the third largest of the five Great Lakes of North America and the only one lying wholly within the United States.
• It is the fourth largest freshwater lake and the fifth largest lake in the world, ranked by surface area.
• It is connected directly to Lake Huron, into which it drains, through the broad Straits of Mackinac.
• Water flows into Lake Michigan from several rivers, including the Fox-Wolf, the Grand, the St. Joseph, and the Kalamazoo rivers, among others.

About Khorramshahr-4 Missile:

• Also known as the Kheibar missile, it is a medium-range ballistic missile developed by Iranian state-owned defence company Aerospace Industries Organization (AIO).
• Features:
  • It is liquid-fuelled and has an operational range of approximately 2,000 kilometers.
  • The missile travels faster than the speed of sound.

About Tulbul Navigation Barrage Project:

• The Tulbul Navigation Barrage Project, also known as the Wular Barrage, is a navigation lock-cum-control structure located at the outlet of Wular Lake, in J&K.
• It was designed to facilitate navigation on the Jhelum River during lean winter months.
• The barrage, once completed, would regulate the water of the Wular Lake to maintain a minimum draft in the river up to Baramulla during the winter season.
• Besides, the project would provide water and helped in firming up power generation in downstream hydroelectric plants such as the Uri I and II hydro projects.

Key Facts about Wular Lake:

• It is the largest freshwater lake in India and the second largest freshwater lake in Asia.
• It is located in the Bandipore district of Jammu and Kashmir.
• It is fed by the Jhelum River.
• The lake basin was formed as a result of tectonic activity.
• In 1990, it was designated as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention.

About Lepidocampa sikkimensis:

• It is a new species of Diplura discovered in Ravangla, Sikkim.
• Diplura are small, wingless, soil-dwelling arthropods.
• It represents the first time a species within this primitive hexapod group has been described by an Indian research team.
• Morphological Distinctiveness: The species is distinguished by its unique arrangement of body scales, specific chaetotaxy (bristle patterns), and specialized appendage structures.
• Ecological Role: As primitive, blind hexapods, Diplurans (two-pronged bristletails) are fundamental to soil health, playing a critical role in nutrient cycling and the maintenance of soil structure.
• Beyond the description of a new species, the study provides a comprehensive update to Indian soil fauna records:
  • Rediscovery: The team successfully relocated a rare Indian Diplura subspecies, Lepidocampa juradii bengalensis, which had not been recorded in nearly 50 years.
  • Molecular Breakthrough: The study provides the first-ever DNA barcode data globally for an Indian Lepidocampa species, bridging a significant gap between traditional morphology and modern molecular phylogenetics.

About South Korea:

• Location: It occupies the southern half of the Korean Peninsula.
• Bordering Country: North Korea
• Maritime Borders: To the east by the East Sea (Sea of Japan), to the south by the East China Sea, and to the west by the Yellow Sea.
• To the southeast it is separated from the Japanese island of Tsushima by the Korea Strait.
• Capital:
• Geographical Features of South Korea:
  • Climate: South Korea has a continental climate, with hot, rainy summers and cold winters. 
  • Major Rivers: Han River, Nakdong River.
  • Major Islands: Jeju Island in the Korea Strait is the largest island.
  • Mountains: The country is dominated by the Taebaek Mountain range along the eastern coast.
  • Highest Peak: Mount Halla on Jeju Island 
  • Natural Resources: The most important reserves are of anthracite coal, iron ore, graphite, gold, silver, tungsten, lead, and zinc.

About Nitric Oxide:

• It exists in a gaseous state and is composed of one nitrogen and one oxygen atom.
• Formation: It is formed through nitrogen oxidation.
• It can be created when lightning occurs, uniting nitrogen and oxygen in the air, or commercially by burning ammonia.
• Properties of Nitric Oxide:
  • It is a colorless, toxic gas.
  • It is noncombustible but accelerates the burning of combustible material.
  • It can be found in the natural environment and within parts of the human body.
• Roles of Nitric Oxide:
  • It plays important chemical signaling roles in humans and animals, plus some medical uses.
  • In animals, nitric oxide transmits signals to cells in the cardiovascular, nervous, and immune systems.
  • The body synthesizes it from the amino acid L-arginine with the help of nitric oxide synthase.
  • It helps regulate blood pressure by dilating blood vessels and acts as a neurotransmitter. 
  • Impact on Environment: Nitric oxide is generated by automotive engines and thermal power plants, making it a serious air pollutant.

About SAHI and BODH Initiative:

About SAHI:

• The Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare for India (SAHI) is a national guidance framework to enable the safe, ethical, evidence-based, and inclusive adoption of Artificial Intelligence across India’s healthcare system.
• It aims to provide strategic direction on governance, data stewardship, validation, deployment, and monitoring of AI solutions, while supporting States and institutions in responsible adoption aligned with public health priorities.

About BODH:

• The Benchmarking Open Data Platform for Health AI (BODH)developed by the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur in collaboration with the National Health Authority,
• It is a privacy-preserving benchmarking platform that enables rigorous evaluation of AI models using diverse, real-world health data without sharing underlying datasets.
• It is a digital public good under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission,
• Significance: It is designed to strengthen trust, transparency, and quality assurance in Health AI deployment.

About Food Safety and Standards Authority of India:

• It has been established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
• FSSAI is responsible for setting food standards, regulating the manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import of food and ensuring the availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption. 
• Nodal Ministry: It was established under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
• Functions:
  • Standards Development: It formulates standards for various food products, ensuring they are safe for consumption.
  • Food Safety Management Systems: It provides guidelines for businesses to implement effective food safety management practices.
  • Licensing and Registration: FSSAI manages the licensing process for food businesses, ensuring they comply with food safety regulations.
  • Surveillance and Monitoring: Regular inspections and audits are conducted to assess compliance with food safety standards.
  • Consumer Awareness: Initiatives to educate the public about food safety, hygiene, and nutrition are a key focus area.
• FSSAI also directly monitors compliance of food regulations food licence issued by FSSAI., especially in the area of food imports to India. 
• The FSSAI is also responsible for the accreditation of food testing laboratories throughout India.

About Loggerhead Turtle:

• It is a species of oceanic turtle belonging to the family Cheloniidae.
• It is named Loggerhead for their large heads that support powerful jaw muscles.
• It is the world’s largest hard-shelled turtle, slightly larger at average and maximum mature weights than the green sea turtle and the Galapagos tortoise.
• It is also the world’s second largest extant turtle after the leatherback sea turtle. 
• It uses the geomagnetic field as a map when navigating large distances.
• Habitat: They may be found hundreds of miles out to sea, as well as in inshore areas such as bays, lagoons, salt marshes, creeks.
• Distribution: It inhabits the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans and the Mediterranean Sea.
• Diet: It is omnivorous, feeding mainly on bottom-dwelling invertebrates, such as gastropods, bivalves, and decapods.
• Conservation status:
  • IUCN: Vulnerable
• Threats: Climate change, direct harvest of turtles and eggs, Loss and degradation of nesting habitat, Ocean pollution/marine debris and by catch in fishing gear.

About Osteoporosis:

• It is a disease in which the bones become weak and are likely to fracture.
• What Causes Osteoporosis?
  • Osteoporosis develops when more bone is broken down than replaced.
  • It is accompanied by the loss of bone mass.
• Symptoms:
  • It is called a "silent" disease because it doesn't usually cause symptoms.
  • It is most common in the bones of hip, vertebrae in the spine, and wrist.
  • Once your bones have been weakened by osteoporosis, signs and symptoms may include:
    • Back pain, caused by a broken or collapsed bone in the spine.
    • Loss of height over time.
    • A stooped posture.
    • A bone that breaks much more easily than expected.
  • Treatment: Treatment for osteoporosis may involve:
    • Making lifestyle changes, such as changing diet and exercise routine
    • Taking calcium and vitamin D supplements.

About Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl:

• The spot-bellied eagle-owl, also known as the forest eagle-owl, is a large bird of prey with a formidable appearance.
• Scientific Name: Ketupa nipalensis
• Habitat and Distribution:
  • It is commonly found in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and parts of Southeast Asia.
  • It can be found in a variety of habitats, including tropical and subtropical forests, woodlands, and savannas.
• Features:
  • It is one of the longest owls in the world.
  • The most distinguishing feature is its striking colouration. The upper parts of its body are a rich chocolate brown, speckled with white spots.
  • It is primarily nocturnal.
  • It is a solitary bird that is territorial and maintains a home range.
  • It is famous for its strange, human-like calls.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Least Concern.

About Exposome:

• It can be defined as the measure of all the exposures of an individual in a lifetime, from conception onward and how those exposures relate to health.
• The International Human Exposome Network (IHEN) defines the exposome as the "integrated compilation of all physical, chemical, biological, and psychosocial factors, and their interactions."
• It reveals the accumulated lifetime exposures that determine our health, wellness, and susceptibility to disease.
• This is shaped by internal exposures such as individual metabolism or the microbiome, as well as external factors such as air quality.
• It also involves social or behavioral decisions that influence nutrition and exercise.
• Exposomics is the study of the exposome and relies on the application of internal and external exposure assessment methods.
• Internal exposure assessment relies on fields of study such as genomics, metabonomics, lipidomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics. Commonalities of these fields include:
  • use of biomarkers to determine exposure, effect of exposure, disease progression, and susceptibility factors
  • use of technologies that result in large amounts of data and
  • use of data mining techniques to find statistical associations between exposures, effect of exposures, and other factors such as genetics with disease.
• External exposure assessment relies on measuring environmental stressors.
  • Common approaches include using direct reading instruments, laboratory-based analysis, and survey instruments.

About Futala Lake:

• Futala Lake, also known as Telankhedi Lake, is a man-made lake located in the western part of Nagpur, Maharashtra.
• It was created during the Bhonsle dynasty rule in the 18th century for the purpose of providing water to the nearby villages and farmlands.
• This lake is known for its colorful fountains.

About Leiogalathea samudragiri:

• It is a new species of squat lobster.
• It was found in the Lakshadweep archipelago.

What are Squat Lobsters?

• They are marine crustaceans that resemble small lobsters but are not true lobsters.
• They are more closely related to hermit crabs and porcelain crabs.
• They can be found in nearly every marine environment across most latitudes around the world.
• The lobsters earned their name by tucking their tails under their thorax, giving their bodies a shorter, more “squat” appearance.
• As with many other crustaceans, squat lobsters can use their tail as a paddle to escape backwards very quickly. 

About Yuva AI for All Initiative:

• It is an initiative launched by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), under the IndiaAI Mission.
• It is a first-of-its-kind free course that introduces the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to all Indians, especially the youth.
• It consists of a course designed to make students, professionals and other curious learners comfortable with the basics of Artificial intelligence.
• Aim: To empower the citizens with foundational AI skills.
• Key Features of YUVA AI for ALL Initiative
  • It is simple, practical, and filled with real-life examples to make learning relatable and fun.
  • It is available for free on leading learning platforms – FutureSkills Prime, iGOT  Karmayogi, and other popular ed-tech portals.
  • Every learner who completes the course will get an official certificate from the Government of India.
  • It’s 100% free and open to everyone
  • It allows learning at one’s own pace — anytime, anywhere.

About African Union:

• It is a continental body consisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent.
• It was officially launched in 2002 and replaced its predecessor, the Organization of African Unity (OAU), which was founded in 1963.
• Primary Objective: To promote unity, cooperation, and development among African nations while advancing the continent’s interests on the global stage.
• Headquarters: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
• Governance of African Union:
  • Assembly: It is the highest decision-making body, consisting of the heads of state and government of member countries.
  • Executive Council: Made up of foreign affairs ministers, handles policy matters and makes recommendations to the Assembly.
  • AU Commission: Headquartered in Addis Ababa, is the administrative arm responsible for implementing the decisions of the Assembly and the Executive Council.
  • The Peace and Security Council: Responsible for maintaining peace and security on the continent.

The AU structure promotes the participation of African citizens and civil society through the Pan-African Parliament and the Economic, Social & Cultural Council (ECOSOCC).

About Piton de la Fournaise Volcano:

• Location: It occupies the east-southeastern end of French Island La Réunion in the western Indian Ocean.
• Type: It is a massive basaltic shield volcano.
• It is one of the most active volcanoes in the world.
• It is in a phase of frequent but short-lived eruptions that start with lava fountains and produce large lava flows. 
• Status: It has been a member of the prestigious club of natural treasures listed as World Heritage sites by UNESCO.

Key Facts about Shield Volcano:

• They are the largest volcanoes on Earth.
• They do not form soaring mountains with conical peaks like composite volcanoes. Instead, they are broad volcanoes with gentle slopes. 
• They are almost exclusively basalt, a type of lava that is very fluid when erupted.
  • Because basalt has a low viscosity, it can flow on the surface better. So, when these types of volcanoes erupt, lava flows outwards at large distances.
• They are built by repeated eruptions that occurred intermittently over vast periods of time.
• The Hawaiian shield volcanoes are the most famous examples.

About Bio-based Chemicals:

• Bio-based chemicals are industrial chemicals produced using biological feedstocks like sugarcane, corn, starch or biomass residues.
• These are often produced through fermentation or enzymatic processes.
  • Examples: Organic acids (such as lactic acid), bio-alcohols, solvents, surfactants, and intermediates used in plastics, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.
• Unlike conventional chemicals, for which the largely available supplies are obtained through sources of fossil fuel, bio-based alternatives reflect a sustainable solution.
• Ecological Benefits of the Bio-Based Chemicals:
  • The bio-based industry reduces reliance on fossil fuels by applying renewable feedstocks.
  • Low production of harmful byproducts: Biobased methods generate much lower amounts of hazardous waste than the conventional petroleum-based methodologies.
  • Reduced Carbon Footprint: The production of biochemicals generally requires less energy than their corresponding petroleum-based equivalents.
  • Waste Minimization and Circular Economy: With bio-based chemicals mostly coming from organic waste resources, development of the circular economy will be based on recycling, efficiency in the use of resources.
• Challenges and Risks:
  • Cost Disadvantage: Higher production cost compared to petrochemical alternative, which creates entry level barrier.
  • Feedstock: Availability of reliable feedstocks and supporting infrastructure required to produce different categories of bio-based chemicals at scale.
  • Market Adoption: Uncertainty about adapting bio-based chemicals as substitute over fossil fuel based chemicals.

About White-bellied Sea Eagle:

• It is also known as the white-breasted sea eagle. It is a large diurnal bird of prey in the family Accipitridae.
• Habitat: It lives primarily in terrestrial habitats
• Distribution: It is found in India, Sri Lanka, southern China, the Philippines, Wallacea, New Guinea, Australia, and Tasmania, among other countries. 
• It exhibit sexual dimorphism, with females being slightly larger than males.
• Communication: The primary form of communication in white-bellied sea eagles is vocalizations
• Diet: They are carnivorous and primarily prey on aquatic animals, especially fish, eels, and crustaceans.
• It is an apex predator in coastal ecosystems. It is considered an indicator of marine and coastal environmental health.
• Conservation Status
  • IUCN: Least Concern.

About Chincha Kingdom:

• The 'Chincha Kingdom,' which was established in the coastal region of modern-day Peru, was a powerful ancient state that flourished before the rise of the Inca Empire.
• It ruled the Chincha Valley.
• The Chincha Kingdom and its culture were very strong between 900 CE and 1450 CE. This time is known as the Late Intermediate Period in pre-Columbian Peru.
• It was organised into specialist communities such as fisherfolk, farmers, and merchants.
• The Chinchas did not build enormous cities but left important marks in their religious and administrative constructions.
• Their temples, palaces, and fortresses were built mainly with adobe, a technique they mastered skillfully.
• They applied stucco to decorate walls, shaping figures of fish heads, gannets, and seabirds.
• The dwellings of most of their inhabitants were built around these enclosures, made with mats and reeds.
• An important old ruin linked to the Chincha is La Centinela, found near the city of Chincha Alta.
• Decline:
  • Conquered by the Inca Empire around 1476 CE.
  • Later affected by Spanish conquest in the 16th century.
    The population drastically declined due to diseases and colonization.
• A new analysis suggests that the secret to the Chincha Kingdom's prosperity was seabird droppings (guano).
  • The analysis indicates that the nutrient-rich droppings, high in nitrogen, acted as a fertilizer, increasing corn yields and significantly contributing to the economic development of the time.

About White-Rumped Vulture:

• It is a small Old World vulture native to South and Southeast Asia.
• Scientific name: Gyps bengalensis
• It is also known as Indian White-backed Vulture or Oriental White-backed Vulture.
• Like other vultures, it feeds mostly on carcasses, which it finds by soaring high in thermals and spotting other scavengers.
• Distribution: Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and southern Vietnam.
• Habitat:
  • Found mostly in plains.
• Population:
  • The main reason for the big decline in its population is a medicine called diclofenac.
    • This medicine, used for farm animals, poisons the vultures when they eat dead animals.
    • It causes their kidneys to fail.
  • Conservation Status:
    • IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered.

About Semaglutide:

• It belongs to a class of medications known as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, or GLP-1 RAs.
• It mimics the GLP-1 hormone, released in the gut in response to eating.
• One role of GLP-1 is to prompt the body to produce more insulin, which reduces blood sugar (glucose).
• For that reason, semaglutide is used for the following:
  • to control blood sugar levels in certain patients with type 2 diabetes (a condition in which blood sugar is too high because the body does not make or use insulin normally).
  • to reduce the risk of a heart attack, stroke, or death in adults with type 2 diabetes, heart and blood vessel disease, also in adults who are obese or overweight.
  • to reduce the risk of worsening of kidney disease and death in certain adults with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease
  • to assist with weight loss in certain people who are obese or overweight and have weight-related medical problems.

About Papikonda National Park:

• Location: It is located in Andhra Pradesh.
• It lies along the banks of the Godavari River.
• It has been recognized as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area by BirdLife International.
• Vegetation: The park is characterized by tropical, moist deciduous forests mixed with patches of semi-evergreen and dry deciduous forests.
• Flora: The park is home to several types of trees, including teak, rosewood, sandalwood, bamboo, eucalyptus, sal, mahua etc.
• Fauna:  Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, sloth bear, and Indian wild dog (dhole).
  • A unique dwarf breed of goat known locally as the “kanchu mekha” originates in this region.

About Army Ant Species:

• Army ants are defined as a nomadic species of ants that lack a permanent nest.
• They belong to one of the subfamilies of ants called the Dorylinae.
• Habitat: Army ants are highly aggressive predators found mainly in tropical ecosystems.
• Characteristics of Army Ant Species:
  • They do not build permanent nests.
  • They form temporary living structures known as ‘bivouacs’, made entirely from the bodies of worker ants.
  • They are social insects, form massive colonies that conduct coordinated raids, consuming insects and small animals in their path.
  • They are distinguished by their large, sharp mandibles, stinging ability and heavy reliance on chemical pheromones to navigate and communicate.
  • These ants are practically blind and rely on a pheromonal system with which they mark their paths and by which they follow paths taken by others. 
  • They have a single queen ant who lays all the eggs and female workers that tend the young and collect food for the colony.
  • Ecological Role: As keystone predators they play a critical role in regulating arthropod populations and shaping forest biodiversity by consuming large quantities of invertebrates on a daily basis.

About PM-DAKSH scheme:

• The Pradhan Mantri Dakshata Aur Kushalata Sampanna Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH) Yojana, is a Central Sector Scheme.
• Aim: To provide skills through good quality institutions so that candidates from its target group can find employment.
  • There are four types of skill development training programmes under this namely, Up-skilling/Re-skilling, Short Term Training Programmes, Long Term Training Programmes, and Entrepreneurship Development Programme.
• Target Group: Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Castes, Economically Weaker Sections, and the De-notified Tribes in India (DNTs), ‘Safai Karamcharis’ or waste pickers.
• Eligibility
  • Age: 18-45 years
  • OBC and EWS candidates must have a family income below Rs. 3 lakh, while there is no income limit for SC, DNT, or Safai Mitras/Waste Pickers.
• It has been merged with the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana of Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

About Cheer Pheasant:

• It is also known as Wallich's pheasant or chir pheasant and belongs to the pheasant family, Phasianidae.
• Habitat: It is found in steep, rocky hillsides studded with scrub, stunted trees and grassy slopes.
• Distribution: Western Himalayas from northern Pakistan through Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, to central Nepal.
• Characteristics of Cheer Pheasant:
  • The cheer pheasant’s nest is a simple ground scrape, tucked beneath undergrowth or sheltered by rocks.
  • It exhibits high natal philopatry­—individuals often return to, or remain near, the area where they were born to breed.
  • It depends on early successional grasslands created by traditional grass cutting and burning practices.
  • Diet: It depends on items such as roots, tubers, bulbs, buried seeds and possibly insect larvae and earthworms.
• Conservation Status
  • IUCN: Vulnerable
  • CITES: Appendix I
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I

About PM RAHAT Scheme:

• It has prioritized life-saving intervention, financial certainty for hospitals, and a structured emergency response system for accident victims.
• Features of PM RAHAT Scheme:
  • It will be integrated with the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) enabling victims, Good Samaritans to locate the nearest designated hospital and request ambulance assistance.
  • Under the Scheme, every eligible road accident victim on any category of road will be entitled to cashless treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh per victim.
  • It is implemented through amalgamating the Electronic Detailed Accident Report (eDAR) platform of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways with the Transaction Management System (TMS 2.0) of the National Health Authority.
  • Reimbursement: To hospitals will be made through the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVAF).
    • In cases where the offending vehicle is insured, payment will be drawn from contributions made by General Insurance Companies.
    • In uninsured and Hit & Run cases, payment will be made through budgetary allocation by Government of India.
  • Grievance Redressal: Grievances will be addressed by a Grievance Redressal Officer nominated by the District Road Safety Committee chaired by the District Collector / District Magistrate.

About Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0:

• It is launched under the Startup India initiative.
• It is designed to accelerate the next phase of India’s startup journey by mobilising long-term domestic capital, strengthening the venture capital ecosystem, and supporting innovation-led entrepreneurship across the country.
• Features of the Scheme: It will have a targeted, segmented funding approach to support:
  • Deep tech and tech-driven innovative manufacturing: Prioritizing breakthroughs in high-tech areas that require patient, long-term capital.
  • Empowering early-growth stage founders: Providing a safety net for new and innovative ideas, reducing early-stage failures caused by lack of funding.
  • National reach: Encouraging investment beyond major metros so that, the innovation thrives in every corner of the country.
  • Designed to address high‑risk capital gaps: Directing greater capital to priority areas which are important for self-reliance and boosting economic growth.
  • Strengthen India’s domestic venture capital base, particularly smaller funds to further boost the domestic investment landscape.

About Urban Challenge Fund:

• It is a new centrally sponsored scheme of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
• The Fund aims to build resilient, productive, inclusive and climate-responsive cities, positioning those as key driver of the country’s next phase of economic growth.
• Features of the Urban Challenge Fund:
  • A minimum of 50 per cent of project financing have to be mobilised from market sources, including municipal bonds, bank loans and Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs). The remaining share may be contributed by States, Union Territories (UTs), Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) or other sources.
  • Projects will be selected through a transparent and competitive challenge mode, ensuring support to high-impact and reform-oriented proposals.
  • Focus area: A strong thrust on reforms across Urban Governance, Market & Financial systems, Operational efficiency, and Urban Planning
  • The Fund will cover:
    • All cities with a population of 10 lakh or more (2025 estimates);
    • All State and Union Territory capitals not covered above; and
    • Major industrial cities with a population of 1 lakh or more
    • Additionally, all ULBs in hilly States, North-Eastern States, and smaller ULBs with population below 1 lakh will be eligible for support under the Credit Repayment Guarantee Scheme.