About Tsomgo Lake:

• Tsomgo Lake, also known as Tsongmo Lake or Changu Lake, is a glacial lake located in East Sikkim.
• The lake derives its water from the melting snow of the mountains surrounding the lake.
• After the winter season ends in the middle of May, the periphery of the lake has scenic blooms of flower species of rhododendrons (the state tree of Sikkim), primulas, blue and yellow poppies, irises, and so forth.
  • Also seen in the precincts of the lake are several species of birds, including Brahminy ducks.
  • Wildlife seen includes the red panda.
• The lake surface reflects different colours with the change of seasons and is held in great reverence by the local Sikkimese
• Buddhist monks prognosticated after studying the changing colours of the lake.

About CM-302 Missile:

• It is a supersonic anti-ship cruise missile developed by China.
• It is an export version of the YJ-12 missile used by the Chinese Navy.
• It is intended to strike large naval vessels and other maritime targets.
• Features:
  • It is equipped with a liquid direct-flow air-breathing jet engine and four air intakes.
  • The missile travels at sustained supersonic speeds, reportedly around Mach 2.5–3 or higher, making it very hard and challenging to intercept once launched.
  • It has a range of about 290 km.
  • It is equipped with a conventional high-explosive warhead.
  • It can be launched from both ships and ground-based launchers.
  • The CM-302 approaches its target at extremely low altitudes.
  • The guidance system of the missile combines inertial navigation with China’s BeiDou satellite navigation for mid-course guidance, along with an active radar seeker for terminal homing.
  • It has a high hit probability, nearly 90 percent, owing to its sea-skimming flight profile and advanced guidance suite.

About Jeju Island:

• It is a volcanic island off the coast of South Korea.
• It is a special autonomous province of South Korea.
• Oval in shape, it is Korea’s largest and southernmost island.
• The provincial capital is the city of Jeju.
• It is composed of a core of volcanic material that rises symmetrically to the crest of Mount Hallasan, which has a lake in its crater.
  • Mount Hallasan is the tallest mountain in South Korea and a dormant volcano.
• The island’s lava tubes and certain other volcanic formations (including Mount Hallasan) were collectively designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2007.
• Jeju is bathed in warm currents, and its oceanic climate supports some subtropical plants.

About Capsid:

• A capsid is a three-dimensional proteinaceous capsular shell around a virus that encloses the viral genetic material.
• It is located just below the viral envelope.
• The capsid is made of several repeating finite numbers of protein subunits known as capsomeres or protomers.
• The capsomeres of the protein coat can be associated with or may be closely related to the viral genetic material or nucleic acid.
• The complexity of the capsid is dictated by the virus’s own genetic material. The more complex the genome, the more intricate the protein shell must be.
• Some complex viruses have capsids with non-protein components like lipids, or in certain viruses, the capsid is further enclosed in a glycoprotein layer; such capsids are known as enveloped capsids.
• The viral capsid is in the nanometer (nm) size range and possesses complex and unique mechanical properties.
• It serves multiple functions, namely, encapsulating and protecting viral genetic material and transferring of genetic material to the required place in the new host.
• For serving all these functions, the capsid needs highly specific mechanistic and functional flexibility as well as strength.

About Human Papillomavirus (HPV):

• HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI).
• More than 95% of cervical cancer is caused by the HPV virus.
• Transmission:
  • The virus that causes HPV infection is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact.
  • Most people get a genital HPV infection through direct sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex.
• Treatment:
  • There’s no cure for HPV.
  • HPV vaccination is the most effective way to prevent HPV-related cancers.

HPV Vaccination:

• The HPV vaccine is a series of shots that can protect from an HPV infection.
• The HPV vaccination is more efficacious if given between the age group of 9-26 years.

About Periyar Tiger Reserve:

• Location: It is located in the Idukki district of Kerala.
• It is named after the Periyar River.
• It is set high at Cardamom Hills and Pandalam Hills of the Western Ghats, adjacent to the border with Tamil Nadu.
• It surrounds the Periyar Lake.
• Terrain: The terrain is hilly and undulating and the highest peak is Kottamala (2016 m).
• Rivers: Two major rivers namely Periyar and Pamba drain the area.
• Dams: Mullaperiyar Dam is located within the PTR. 
• Tribes: It is home to many tribal communities, including the Mannans and the Palians.
• Vegetation: It mainly comprises tropical evergreen forests, semi- evergreen forests, moist deciduous forests, transitional fringe evergreen forests, grasslands, and eucalyptus plantations.
• Flora: Teak, mangoes, rosewood, jamun, jacarandas, terminalias, tamarind, royal ponciana, bamboo, etc.
• Fauna: Elephants, Wild Pigs, Mouse Deer, Barking Deer, and Tiger.
  • The major four species of primates are also found at Periyar – the rare lion-tailed macaque, the Nilgiri Langur, Gee’s Golden Langur, Common Langur, and Bonnet Macaque.
  • It is also being considered as the habitat of the elusive Nilgiri Tahr.

About SUJVIKA Portal:

• It is an AI driven Biotech Product Data Portal.
• It is developed in collaboration with Industry partners ABLE.
• SUJVIKA is a Trade Statistics Digital Intelligence Platform that presents authenticated biotechnology product import data in a structured and accessible format.
• Features of SUJVIKA Portal:
  • The portal provides sector-wise insights into biochemical products, industrial enzymes, and other biotechnology imports.
  • It enables researchers, startups, and industry to identify high-value and high-volume imports, assess import dependency and prioritise indigenisation and R&D efforts.
  • The portal also supports evidence-based planning and promotes public–private partnerships for strengthening domestic biomanufacturing.

Key Facts about Department of Biotechnology

• It was set up in 1986.
• It acts as a nodal agency supporting research and its applications in the Life Sciences and promotes & accelerates the pace of development and large-scale use of biotechnology in the country.
• DBT also supports Research and Development innovations and manufacturing in advanced Biofuels as well as ‘Waste to Energy’ technologies.

About Kenya:

• Location: It is located in Eastern Africa.
• Bordering Countries: It is bordered with Somalia (North East), Ethiopia (North), South Sudan (North West), Uganda (West), Tanzania (South).
• Maritime Border: It has a coastline on the Indian Ocean to the southeast.
• Capital City: Nairobi
  • Nairobi hosts UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) and UN-HABITAT headquarters.
• Geographical Features of Kenya
  • It is almost bisected by the Equator.
  • Major lakes: Lake Victoria (shared with Uganda & Tanzania), Lake Turkana.
  • Rivers: Athi/Galana, Tana (Longest river of Kenya), Mara.
  • Mountain Ranges: Aberdare, Mau Escarpment.
  • Highest Peak: Mount Kenya (second highest in Africa after Kilimanjaro).
  • Island: Lamu Island, part of the Lamu Archipelago in the Indian Ocean, is noteworthy.
  • Natural Resources: Lead, zircon, iron, titanium, mica, chaum, oil, coal, diatomite, gypsum.
  • Famous Tribes: San Bushmen, Samburu, Maasai.
  • Masai Mara National Reserve: It is located in south west Kenya and is a vast scenic expanse of gently rolling African savannah plains.

About Chicory:

• Chicory (Cichorium intybus) is a plant belonging to the Asteraceae family.
• It is a perennial plant mainly cultivated in temperate regions worldwide.
• There are several varieties of the chicory plant, known differently globally due to its numerous medicinal, culinary, and nutritional qualities.
• It is a local wild edible, and the leaves, flowers and root can all be used in culinary creations.
• Additive in Coffee: Chicory is a popular additive that provides a darker colour and an earthy taste to the beverage.
  • It is naturally caffeine-free and significantly less expensive than high-quality coffee.
• Nutritional Value: Most parts of the plant contain nutrients ranging within carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals, soluble fiber, trace elements, and bioactive phenolic compounds.
• Uses: It is used as forage for livestock, as folklore remedies, or as a vegetable addition in human diets.