About United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO):

• It is a British Royal Navy-sponsored organisation that was formed in 2001 with an office in Dubai to handle distress calls during maritime security threats.
• In 2014, it was moved to Portsmouth in the K.
• It is the primary point of contact for commercial vessels with military forces in the region.
• The UKMTO works in West Asia and the Indian Ocean Region through an information framework agreement and operates a “Voluntary Reporting Scheme (VRS) within the Voluntary Reporting Area (VRA)” outlined in a maritime security chart.
• UKMTO issues several categories of communication to the maritime community. These are in the form of Warnings, Advisories, Reports, and Records of Maritime Information Exchange Meetings.
• The UKMTO hosts all warnings on its website as well as hosting notices from partner organisations.

About Narwhal:

• It is a medium-sized toothed whale that belongs to the family Monodontidae.
• The only other member of this family is the beluga whale.
• Scientific Name: Monodon monoceros
• Habitat and Distribution:
  • They live in the Arctic Ocean, mostly in the Atlantic sector, but they have also been recorded in the Pacific sector.
  • Their largest numbers live around Canada, Greenland, and eastern Russia.
  • They usually migrate from under the ice in the winter to inshore waters in the spring and coastal waters in the summer.
• Features:
  • It is best known for its tusk—a long, spiraled tooth that usually only the males develop. (Females occasionally do.)
    • Recent observations suggest that the males use their tusks to hunt fish and to detect the level of salt in the waters through which they swim.
  • Narwhals have stout, torpedo-shaped bodies with a low dorsal ridge in place of a dorsal fin and a concave-shaped tail fin.
  • Like belugas, narwhals have short paddle-shaped front flippers, but they lack their extremely flexible neck and well-defined beak.
  • Adult narwhals are light grey with numerous irregular black spots; the spots are more numerous on the back and fewer on the belly.
  • Narwhals tend to travel in groups of 15 to 20, though larger gatherings of hundreds or even thousands of individuals have been observed.
  • They are one of the deepest diving whales in the world and can hold their breath for 25-30 minutes at a time.
  • Narwhals feed on fish, squid, and shrimp.
  • They use sound to communicate with each other, as well as to navigate their surroundings, hunt, and see.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Least Concern

About Endoscopic Camera:

• It is a device used to view, capture, and record videos in small, hard-to-reach places of the human body with limited to no visibility.
• It allows doctors to visualize the surgery or diagnostic procedure on a larger medical-grade screen, like a TV display, a computer monitor, or a stereoscopic viewing console.
• Most modern endoscope camera modules utilize “chip-on-tip” technology, where the lens and imaging electronics are combined into a miniature package located at the end of the device.
• Endoscopic cameras illuminate the anatomical area through fiber optics or LEDs on the tip, and the image signal is transferred out from the camera on an electrical cable.
• The light source must provide sufficient brightness and illumination angle to ensure true-color properties and brilliant image presentation to aid medical professionals in their diagnoses and procedures.
• There are many types of endoscopes used for diagnostic, preventative, and surgical applications:
  • Cystoscope: This is used to study the inside of the bladder, urethra, urinary tract, and prostate (in men) and is often inserted through the urethra.
  • Laryngoscope: This is an endoscope used to view the larynx or the voice box and is inserted through the mouth.
  • Otoscope: The otoscope is designed for visual examination of the eardrum and the passage of the outer ear.
  • Gastroscope: This is used to check the upper part of the digestive system, which includes the inside of your throat, food pipe (esophagus), and stomach.
  • Laparoscope: A laparoscope is inserted through the abdomen to study the stomach, liver, abdominal organs, and female reproductive organs such as the fallopian tubes, uterus, and ovaries.
  • Arthroscope: An arthroscope is an endoscope that’s inserted into the joint through a small incision near the site.
  • Duodenoscope: This is a long flexible endoscope inserted through the mouth to the top of the small intestine (duodenum).
• It has revolutionized numerous fields due to its ability to inspect internal or hard-to-reach areas without requiring invasive procedures.
• Its use has expanded across various sectors such as industry, research, and even security.

About Terrier Cyber Quest 2026:

• It is a national-level hackathon focused on cybersecurity, defence, and digital threats.
• It is being organised by the Territorial Army in collaboration with CyberPeace (an Indian non-partisan civil society organisation).
• The competition aims to bring together talent from educational institutions, industry, research organisations, government bodies, and the Armed Forces.
• Participants will work on technology-based solutions to address emerging cybersecurity and national security challenges.
• This year's competition will be held across three tracks.
  • Bug Hunting: Participants will identify security flaws in simulated critical infrastructure system The challenge will begin with an online Capture-the-Flag round, followed by a live final round.
  • AI Kavach: This track will focus on artificial intelligence and machine learning. Participants will develop solutions for detecting threats, identifying unusual activity, and improving cyber defence.
  • Creators Challenge: Content creators, communicators, and influencers can take part in this track. They will be asked to create digital campaigns on threats such as deepfakes, phishing, online scams, and misinformation.
• The hackathon gives students, technology enthusiasts, and other participants a chance to showcase their skills and work on real-world cybersecurity challenges linked to national security.
• Winners could further get a chance to visit defence establishments and contribute to future cybersecurity initiatives with the Territorial Army.

Key Facts about Territorial Army:

• It is a part of the Indian Army that consists of volunteers who undergo military training and serve when required.
• Unlike regular army officers, Territorial Army officers maintain their civilian jobs while dedicating a few weeks each year to military service.
• It’s a platform for motivated individuals to contribute to national defence without sacrificing their primary professions.
• Often called the “Second Line of Defence,” the TA plays a crucial role in:
  • Relieving the regular army from static duties.
  • Assisting the civil administration in dealing with natural calamities and maintaining essential services.
  • Providing units for the regular Army as and when required.
• Motto: Savdhani Va Shoorta (Vigilance and Valour)
• Eligibility:
  • Nationality: Citizens of India
  • Age: 18 to 42 years
  • Educational Qualifications: Graduate from any recognized university
  • Physical Standards: A candidate must be physically and medically fit in all respects.
  • Employment: Gainfully Employed
  • Serving members of the Regular Army/Navy/Air Force/Police/GREF/Para Military and like forces are not eligible.

About KN-30 Missile:

• The KN-30 is the Western designation for the North Korean Hwasong-11C ballistic missile, also known as the Hwasong-11Da.
• It is an enlarged version of the Hwasong-11 family and belongs to the short-range ballistic missile class.
• Features:
  • It is 10.1 to 10.2 m in length and 1.26 m in diameter.
  • It is powered by a solid-fuel engine and launched from a mobile ground-based launcher.
    • The use of solid-fuel engines offers distinct advantages in terms of faster response times, longer storage capacity, and reduced deployment complexity compared to traditional liquid-fuel missiles.
  • Its estimated range reaches 600-900 km, and its claimed warhead mass reaches 2,500 kg.
  • Maximum speed is approximately Mach 5-6.
  • The missile can fly in a low quasi-ballistic profile at nearly 50 km in altitude, which reduces the engagement window compared with a higher and more conventional ballistic trajectory.

About Chromium:

• It is a naturally occurring element found in rocks, animals, plants, soil, and in volcanic dust and gases.
• There are two forms: trivalent chromium, which is safe for humans, and hexavalent chromium, which is a toxin.
• Properties:
  • It is a hard gray solid with a metallic luster.
  • It does not tarnish in air, when heated it forms the green chromic oxide.
  • Chromium is unstable in oxygen, it immediately produces a thin oxide layer that is impermeable to oxygen and protects the metal below.
• Applications:
  • It is used in iron, steel, and nonferrous alloys. It enhances hardenability and resistance to corrosion and oxidation.
  • The use of chromium to produce stainless steel and nonferrous alloys are two of its more important applications.
  • Other applications are in alloy steel, plating of metals, pigments, leather processing, catalysts, surface treatments, and refractories.

About Squint Eye:

• It is medically known as strabismus.
• It is a condition in which the two eyes do not align properly.
• It can affect children and adults and, when it develops during childhood, can interfere with the normal development of vision.
• In this condition one eye may turn inwards towards the nose (esotropia), outwards (exotropia), upwards or downwards, while the other eye remains focused on an object.
• Causes:
  • Strabismus occurs when the systems that control eye movement and alignment do not work properly together. 
  • Genetic factors can play a role, and children with a family history of strabismus are at higher risk.
  • It is also more common in children with certain neurological or developmental conditions. Being born prematurely or with low birth weight are recognised risk factors.
  • In adults, strabismus can develop due to conditions such as diabetes, thyroid eye disease, stroke, neurological disorders or trauma.
• Treatment: Glasses are often the first treatment when a refractive error contributes to the misalignment. Surgery may be needed when glasses and other treatments do not adequately correct the misalignment.

About Long Tailed Marmot:

• It is a rodent of the high-altitude areas of the Kashmir Himalaya.
• It is also known as the golden marmot and is a member of the Sciuridae family.
• Appearance: It has vibrant golden fur and has relatively long tail, robust body, and golden-brown coat that vary among subspecies.
• Habitat: It inhabits alpine meadows and rocky slopes, where its life is closely linked to the seasonal availability of vegetation.
• Distribution: They are found in parts of Central Asia and South Asia, including Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, and Northwestern India.
  • In India, they are found in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
• Diet: Herbivorous by nature, it feeds on vegetation in its alpine habitat.
• It is a diurnal and social mammal that thrives in challenging alpine habitats.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Least Concern

About Mauritius:

• Location: It is an island country located off the southeast coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean.
• It is a member of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
• Both the Indian Ocean Rim Association and the Indian Ocean Commission have their headquarters in Mauritius.
• Capital City: Port Louis.
• Geographical Features of Mauritius:
  • It is part of the Mascarene islands, a group of islands created by volcanic activity in the Indian Ocean. 
  • Terrain: It is made up of the main island of Mauritius and several outlying islands, like Ambre Island, Est Island, Cerfs Island, Benitiers Island, etc.
  • It is a volcanic island.
  • Climate: The climate is maritime subtropical, with fairly uniform temperatures throughout the year.
  • Highest peak: Mount Piton, is located in the southwest of the plateau.
  • Lakes: Lake Vacoas, which is a main water source.
  • Major Rivers: Grand River South East and the Black River.

About Thiksey Monastery:

• Location: It is one of the largest and most prominent monastic complexes located in central Ladakh.
• It was founded in 1433 which belongs to the Gelug sect.
• It was founded by Spon Palden Sherabwith his Master Jangsem Sherab Zang (the founder of Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism).
• The structure and architecture of Thiksey resembles the Potala Palace of Lhasa, Tibet. 
• Features of Thiksey Monastery:
  • Architectural uniqueness: The twelve storey complex resembles the Potala Palace of Lhasa and is one of the most visually striking monasteries in India.
  • It is also home to the statue of Maitreya Buddha, installed in the 1980s.
  • Cultural assets: It houses stupas, statues, thangkas, wall paintings and ancient artifacts showcasing Buddhist artistic richness.
    • An annual festival held in the monastery precincts is known as the Gustor ritual, which is held from the 17th to 19th day of the ninth month of the Tibetan calendar (October–November).
  • Religious Role: Thiksey functions as a major centre for monastic education and spiritual training in the Ladakh.