About Sjogren’s Disease:

• Sjogren's disease (also called Sjögren’s syndrome) is a chronic autoimmune disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks its own moisture-producing glands.
• It typically attacks the glands that produce tears, saliva, and sweat. Other parts of the body may also be affected.
• Cause:
  • The exact cause of Sjogren's syndrome is unknown, though there seems to be a genetic influence.
  • It is thought that factors such as viral infections, stress, and hormone changes can trigger symptoms of Sjogren's syndrome.
  • Sjogren syndrome can happen at any age. But most people are older than 40 at the time of diagnosis.
  • Ninety percent (90%) of adults diagnosed with Sjogren’s are women.
  • Sjogren’s can occur alone or in association with other autoimmune diseases, most commonly lupus and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
• Symptoms: People with Sjogren's syndrome can have:
  • dry eyes, which may also feel painful, burning, itchy, or gritty
  • a dry mouth, making it difficult to swallow, speak, or eat dry foods
  • swelling of the glands in the face and neck areas
• Some people with Sjögren's syndrome also notice:
  • joint pain, swelling and stiffness
  • dry skin or skin rash
  • vaginal dryness
  • persistent dry cough
  • ongoing fatigue
• Sometimes the liver and kidneys are affected. A few people will also develop lymphoma (cancer of the lymph nodes).
• Treatment:
  • There is no cure for Sjögren's syndrome.
  • Treatment for Sjogren’s disease attempts to relieve the effects of chronic dryness of the mouth and eyes by increasing the lubrication and moisturization of the affected tissues.

About Angkor Thom:

• Angkor Thom, located in present-day Cambodia, was the last and longest-lasting capital of the ancient Khmer Empire.
• Angkor Thom translates into English as the “Great City”.
• The complex is located in the north of Angkor Wat, between West Baray and East Baray.
• History:
  • It was established after Jayavarman VII reclaimed the Khmer capital from the Cham invaders in 1181.
  • Unlike earlier Hindu temples, Angkor Thom was designed as a Buddhist city, reflecting the king’s devotion to Mahayana Buddhism.
  • However, it also incorporated elements of Hinduism and ancestral worship, showcasing the empire’s religious syncretism.
  • Angkor Thom witnessed the reign of the greatest Angkor king until 1219 and remained the capital of the Khmer Empire throughout its decline, which probably led to the complete abandonment in the 16th century.
• Features:
  • It covers an area within which are located several monuments from earlier eras as well as those established by Jayavarman and his successors.
  • It is a square-shaped city with higher walls and about 3 kilometres long on each side.
  • A moat surrounds the outside of the city.
  • Bayon Temple: At its centre stands the famous Bayon, renowned for its numerous giant stone faces.
  • Other Important Structures:
    • Terrace of the Elephants
    • Terrace of the Leper King
    • Baphuon
    • Phimeanakas
  • Angkor Thom is part of the Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 1992.

About Marshall Islands:

• The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) is a country located in the central Pacific Ocean.
• It lies northeast of Papua New Guinea and southeast of the Federated States of Micronesia.
• These atolls and islands form two parallel chains referred to as the Ratak (Sunrise) chain and Ralik (Sunset) chain that are both oriented in a northwest-southeast direction.
• Capital: Majuro
• Official languages: English and Marshallese
• Government:
  • It is a presidential republic with a parliamentary system.
  • The President is both the head of state and the head of government.
• Economy: Agriculture and tourism are the mainstays of the economy.
• Official Currency: US dollar
• In 2018, RMI became the first country to issue its own cryptocurrency and certify it as legal tender.
• History:
  • The islands have been under the control of various nations throughout the last few centuries, including Spain from the late 1400s to the late 1800s, Germany from 1885 to World War I, and Japan from 1914 to World War II.
  • After World War II, the RMI became a part of the United Nations (UN) Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands under the United States (US)
  • The RMI Government was officially established in 1979, following the signing of the Constitution.
  • The RMI gained its independence in 1986 after signing the Compact of Free Association with the US, ending the UN-US Trusteeship Agreement.
• Compact of Free Association with the United States:
  • It provides the Marshall Islands with financial assistance, defense protection, and access to U.S. government programs.
  • The Compact recognises RMI’s right to self-government and seeks to promote economic development and budgetary self-reliance.
  • The United States has full authority and responsibility for security and defense of the Marshall Islands.

About Doctrine Of Forum Non Conveniens:

• It is a common law legal principle that allows a court to dismiss or stay a case when it believes that another forum is more appropriate for hearing the case, even if the court itself has jurisdiction over the case and the parties.
• The term “forum non conveniens” is Latin for “inconvenient forum,” and the doctrine has been applied in various legal systems, particularly those with roots in English common law.
• This doctrine plays a critical role in private international law (conflict of laws), where courts frequently deal with cross-border disputes that involve multiple jurisdictions.
• The application of the doctrine is typically discretionary, meaning that trial courts have significant latitude in deciding whether to dismiss or stay a case based on this principle.
• Courts are required to balance several factors in determining whether to apply the doctrine, including both private and public interests.
  • Courts consider various factors, including the convenience of the parties, the location of evidence and witnesses, the applicable law, and the availability of a fair trial in the alternative forum.
  • The overriding consideration is whether the interests of justice would be better served by litigating the matter in another jurisdiction.
• Generally, the doctrine is invoked by defendants who argue that the current forum is inappropriate and that a different jurisdiction would be more suitable for the case.
• The defendant must demonstrate that an alternative forum exists where the case can be adequately heard.
• This forum must have jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter of the case and must provide the plaintiff with an adequate remedy.

About RISA: Timeless Tribal:

• It is a dedicated premium brand for tribal textiles, embroideries, and handicrafts.
• It was launched by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, through the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED).
• The RISA initiative has been conceptualized:
  • to create a distinct brand identity for tribal products
  • strengthen market linkages for tribal artisans
  • facilitate design development and product diversification, and
  • promote tribal heritage in premium domestic and international markets.
• It seeks to generate enhanced livelihood opportunities for tribal artisans while ensuring the preservation of traditional crafts and indigenous knowledge.
• As part of the first phase of implementation, seven tribal textile and embroidery traditions have been identified based on their cultural significance and market potential.
  • These include Eri Silk and Muga Silk of Assam, Santal Cotton of Jharkhand, Changpa Pashmina of Ladakh, Kotpad Cotton and Dongria Embroidery of Odisha, and Toda Embroidery of Tamil Nadu.
• The first phase also includes focused promotion of selected tribal handicrafts, namely Longpi Pottery of Manipur, Turtuk Brass Cutlery of Ladakh, and Dokhra Art of Chhattisgarh.
• To facilitate design interventions and product development, eminent fashion designers have been associated with the initiative.
• The initiative is being implemented through the National Design Centre (NDC), an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Textiles.
• The project encompasses design development, creation of garment prototypes, capacity building of tribal weavers and artisans, establishment of stitching facilities, strengthening of weaving and handicraft clusters, and improvement of product presentation and packaging.
• The National Institute of Design (NID), Haryana, has been engaged for the development of premium and environmentally sustainable packaging solutions for products marketed under the RISA brand.
• First exclusive RISA Store: Gallery No 2, Rajiv Gandhi Handicrafts Bhawan, Connaught Place, New Delhi.

About International Labour Conference:

• It is the supreme deliberative and decision making body of the International Labour Organization.
• The Conference meets annually, bringing together tripartite delegations from the Organization’s 187 Member States and a number of observers.
• Tripartite Delegation: Each national delegation has a minimal composition of two Government one Employers’ and one Worker delegates (2–1–1). The Government, Employers’ and Workers’ delegates participate and vote independently.
• Role of the International Labour Conference:
  • Crafting and adoption of international labour standards (Conventions and
  • Recommendations);
  • Supervision of the application of standards through its Committee on the Application of Standards;
  • Approval of the biennial programme and budget of the Organization and the allocation of expenses among Member States;
  • Election of the members of the Governing Body;
  • Admission of new Member States which are not members of the United Nations;
  • Discussion on the reports of the Director-General and the Chairperson of the Governing Body;
  • Adoption of resolutions that provide guidelines for the ILO's general policy and future activities.

About Tajikistan:

• Tajikistan is a landlocked country in the heart of Central Asia.
• Bordering countries: It is bordered with Kyrgyzstan (North), Uzbekistan (West), China (East), and Afghanistan (South).
• It is one of the members of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
• Political Structure: It is governed by the President, and the legislative function is assigned to the bicameral parliament.
• Capital City: Dushanbe
• Geographic Features of Tajikistan:
  • Terrain: Mountainous region dominated by the Alay Mountains in the north and the Pamirs in the southeast.
  • Climate: It consists of mid-latitude continental, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid to polar in Pamir Mountains.
  • Highest Point: Tajikistan’s highest point is Qullai Ismoili Somoni
  • Rivers: It has a dense river network, including the Syr Darya and the Amu Darya.
  • Lakes: Lake Karakul and Iskanderkul 
  • Natural resources: It mainly consists of Petroleum, Uranium, Mercury, brown coal, lead, zinc, antimony, tungsten, silver, gold etc.

About C-295 Aircraft:

• It is a new-generation medium tactical military transport aircraft.
• It is a reliable and highly versatile tactical transport that is tailored for missions that range from carrying troops and cargo, maritime patrol, airborne warning, surveillance and reconnaissance to signals intelligence, armed close air support, medical evacuation, Air-to-Air refueling.
• Features:
  • The aircraft, with a flight endurance of up to 11 hours, can function under all weather conditions.
  • It is capable of carrying up to nine tonnes of payload.
  • The C295 is designed to provide outstanding low-level flight characteristics for tactical missions, flying at speeds as slow as 110 knots.
  • It is powered by two turboprop engines.
  • It has short take-off and landing (STOL) characteristics and the ability to use unprepared airstrips.

About Credit Guarantee Scheme for Microfinance Institutions-2.0:

• It was launched in 2026.
• It aims to provide guarantee cover to Banks/ FIs through National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited (NCGTC).
• It provides guarantee against expected losses on the financial assistance extended by them to Non-Banking Financial Company-Microfinance Institutions (NBFC-MFIs) and MFIs for on lending to small borrowers.
• The Government of India has also approved increase in maximum loan amount capped to Large Sized NBFC-MFIs/MFIs from ₹300 crores to ₹1000 crores under the overall ceiling of 20% of Assets under Management (AUM).
• Features of the Scheme:
  • Eligible borrowers: Existing or new small borrowers within the regulatory definition of micro finance as prescribed by RBI from time to time.
  • Guarantee coverage: 80% of amount in default for small, 75% for medium and 70% for large NBFC-MFIs/ MFIs.
  • Guarantee Fee:50% p.a., on sanctioned amount (1st year) & outstanding amount (thereafter).

What is Microfinance?

• It refers to the provision of small-scale financial services, including loans, savings, and insurance, to individuals and small businesses that lack access to traditional banking services. 

About Epichlorohydrin:

• It is an epoxide in which one of the methyl hydrogens is substituted by chlorine.
• Properties:
  • It is a volatile and flammable, clear, colorless, liquid, chlorinated cyclic ether with an irritating, chloroform-like odor.
  • It emits toxic fumes of hydrochloric acid and other chlorinated compounds when heated to decomposition.
  • It is soluble in water.
• Applications:
  • It is used mainly for the manufacture of glycerol and unmodified epoxy resins.
  • It is used in the manufacture of elastomers, water treatment resins, surfactants, ion exchange resins, plasticizers, dyestuffs, pharmaceutical products, oil emulsifiers, lubricants and adhesives
• Impact on Health: Exposure to epichlorohydrin irritates the eyes, skin and respiratory tract, and can cause chemical pneumonitis, pulmonary edema, and renal lesions.

Key Facts about Bureau of Indian Standards

• It is the national standard body of India established under the Bureau of Indian Standards 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.
• 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.