About Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP):

• It is a high altitude national park located in Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh.
• Nestled in the far Western Himalayas, the park comprises four valleys: the Tirthan Valley, the Sainj Valley, the Parvati Valley, and the Jiwa Nal Valley.
• It is surrounded by steep ridges and permanent snow on its northern, eastern, and southern
• The GHNP is situated adjacent to Pin Valley National Park, Rupi-Bhaba Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Tirthan and Sainj Wildlife Sanctuaries.
• Topography: The park is a stunning mix of lush coniferous forests, meadows, glaciers, and mountain peaks.
• It was awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2014.
• Flora:
  • Vegetation grows in well-defined altitude zones, beginning with rather open, subtropical forests at the lowest valley bottoms, gradually grading to mixed forests of horse chestnut, evergreen oak, spruce, and deodar, then to rusty-leaved kharsu oak, spruce, and fir in the upper temperate zone.
  • Further up is a subalpine zone of birches, stunted firs, and rhododendron bushes, followed by the higher alpine areas where vegetation is reduced to grasses, herbs, and low shrubs, such as juniper.
• Fauna:
  • The park is home to 31 mammals, including the elusive snow leopard, the majestic Himalayan brown bear, and the vibrant blue sheep, or bharal.
  • Other notable residents include the Himalayan tahr, musk deer, and serow.
  • Birdlife in the park is equally diverse, with 209 species recorded, such as the endangered western tragopan and the impressive lammergeiers, alongside the Himalayan griffon vulture and golden eagle.

About Ichak:

• Ichak is a small village in Jharkhand.
• Known as the “temple town” of Hazaribag district, Ichak is dotted with hundreds of ancient temples, ponds, and gardens, many of which today stand in a state of alarming neglect.
• Ichak’s origins trace back over two centuries to the Ramgarh Raj under the Singh dynasty.
• The rulers had established Ichak as one of their prominent capitals before shifting to areas near the Padma River.
• During their reign, they built an extensive network of temples, akharas (traditional centres), ponds, and gardens.
  • At the heart of Ichak’s main market stands the imposing Singh Dwar, a massive domed gateway that once marked the entrance to the royal palace.
  • From Baba Banshidhar and Bhairavnath temples to Lakshmi Narayan (Bada Akhara) and Shri Ram Janaki (Chota Akhara), each structure carries historical, architectural, and cultural value.
  • Ichak is also home to the Budhiya Mata Temple, where devotees worship a formless deity — a rare and unique tradition for over 300 years.
  • Bhagwati Math Temple reflects architectural influences akin to the Mahabodhi Temple, showcasing the artistic excellence of the past.
• The style of the temples reveals the Nagara and the Bengal styles of architecture. The mosque-type domes emphasize the Moghul influence on these temples.
• Historians and locals said that at one point, Ichak had nearly 174 temples. Today, only a fraction of them remain, and many of them have either lost their idols—allegedly stolen—or are on the verge of collapse.

About SVAMITVA Scheme:

• The Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas (SVAMITVA) is a central sector scheme of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
• It was launched nationwide on National Panchayati Raj Day, 24th April 2021, after successful completion of the pilot phase of the scheme (2020-2021) in 9 states.
• It aims to empower rural citizens with property cards, enabling access to credit, dispute resolution, and better planning.
• It provides a ‘Record of Rights’ to village household owners with the issuance of legal ownership cards (property cards/title deeds) to the property owners by mapping land parcels using drone technology.
• The mapping shall be done across the country in a phased manner. It generates high-resolution and accurate maps to confer ownership property rights.
• The scheme seeks to achieve the following objectives:
  • To bring financial stability to the citizens in rural India by enabling them to use their property as a financial asset for taking loans and other financial benefits.
  • Creation of accurate land records for rural planning.
  • Determination of property tax, which would accrue to the Gram Panchayats (GPs) directly in States where it is devolved or else add to the State exchequer.
  • Creation of survey infrastructure and GIS maps that can be leveraged by any department for their use.
  • To support the preparation of a better-quality Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) by making use of GIS maps.
  • To reduce property-related disputes and legal cases.
• Eligibility: The applicant should have a property in a rural inhabited (Abadi) area.
• Exclusions: Agricultural lands are not covered under this scheme.
• Implementing Agency:
  • It is implemented by the Survey of India (SoI) with the National Informatics Centre Services Inc. (NICSI) as the technology partner.
  • In the States, the Revenue Department/Land Records Department will be the Nodal Department and shall carry out the scheme with the support of the State Panchayati Raj Department.

About Alleles:

• An allele is a variant form of a gene.
• Some genes have a variety of different forms, which are located at the same position, or genetic locus, on a chromosome.
• Humans are called diploid organisms because they have two alleles at each genetic locus, with one allele inherited from each parent.
• Each pair of alleles represents the genotype of a specific gene.
• Genotypes are described as homozygous if there are two identical alleles at a particular locus and as heterozygous if the two alleles differ.
• Alleles contribute to the organism's phenotype, which is the outward appearance of the organism.
• Some alleles are dominant or recessive. When an organism is heterozygous at a specific locus and carries one dominant and one recessive allele, the organism will express the dominant phenotype.
• This genetic diversity allows offspring to inherit traits from both parents while exhibiting unique characteristics.
• For example, in hair color, dark hair is typically dominant over light hair; a child may inherit light hair only if both parents pass on the recessive allele.
• All genetic traits are the result of the interactions of alleles.
• Mutation, crossing over, and environmental conditions selectively change the frequency of phenotypes (and thus their alleles) within a population.

About Udayan Fort:

• Udayan Fort, also known as Udayan Kila, is a historical site located in the Kaushambi district of Uttar Pradesh.
• It is located on the banks of the Yamuna River.
• The fort is associated with King Udayana, the ruler of the Vatsa kingdom—one of the 16 Mahajanapadas of ancient India.
• It served as the capital fort of the Vatsa kingdom during the 6th century BCE.
  • King Udayana was known for his military strength, diplomatic skills, and cultural patronage.
  • According to Buddhist and Jain texts, Udayana had connections with both Lord Buddha and Mahavira, who visited Kaushambi and contributed to its spiritual growth.
  • The fort thus played a key role in shaping the early political and religious landscape of the region.
• Architectural Remains and Layout:
  • The layout of the fort suggests a well-planned administrative and residential zone, complete with defensive structures and public buildings.
  • The defensive structures include thick brick walls, earth ramparts, and bastions rising up to 50 to 60 feet, along with evidence of protective moats or trenches.
  • The site is characterized by extensive brickbats scattered across the ground, hinting at the density of buildings that once stood inside the fortress.
  • Archaeologists have unearthed pottery, coins, and ancient tools from the area, providing evidence of a thriving settlement.

About Ecuador:

• Location: It is a country located on the northwestern edge of South America.
• Bordering countries: It is bordered by Colombia to the north, by Peru to the south and east.
• Maritime boundaries: It shares borders with the Pacific Ocean to the west.
• Capital City:
• Geographical Features of Ecuador
  • It consists of 4 geographic regions namely:
    • Coastal lowlands and mountain area; the Central Andes Mountainsand its two major chains Cordillera Occidental in the West and the Cordillera Oriental in the east.
  • Climate: Tropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations; tropical in Amazonian jungle lowlands.
  • Highest Point: The highest point in Ecuador is Mount Chimborazo.
  • Volcano: Cotopaxi is one of the world’s highest active volcanoes located in the Andes Mountains.
  • Rivers:  Babahoyo, Chira, Coca, Curaray.
  • Natural resources: It mainly consists of Petroleum, fish, timber, hydropower

    India and Ecuador are looking at the possibility of firming up a preferential trade pact to boost economic ties.

About Spinal Muscular Atrophy:

• It is a rare and progressive neuromuscular disorder that leads to muscle weakness and can cause life-threatening complications. 
• It is a debilitating genetic condition which affects motor neurons that control movement, and leads to progressive muscle weakening.
• Cause: Most forms of SMA are caused by mutations of the survival motor neuron 1 gene (SMN1) on the fifth chromosome, resulting in insufficient expression levels of the SMN protein.
• Types of SMA: There are five subtypes of SMA- type 0, 1, 2, 3, 4. Healthcare providers classify them based on the age of onset, as well as the severity and life expectancy.
• Symptoms of Spinal Muscular Atrophy:
  • Its symptoms vary and may be mild or disabling, but involve a weakness of the muscles that control movement.
  • The weakness in SMA tends to be more severe in the muscles that are close to the center of your body than in the muscles farther away from your body’s center.
  • Treatment: Unfortunately, there isn’t a cure for SMA. Treatment for SMA mainly seeks to manage symptoms and prevent complications.

About Atomic Energy Regulatory Board:

• It is India’s premier regulatory authority for nuclear and radiation safety.
• Background: It was constituted on November 15, 1983, by the President of India by exercising the powers conferred by the Atomic Energy Act, 1962.
  • The regulatory authority of AERB is derived from the rules and notifications promulgated under the Atomic Energy Act and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
• Objective: To ensure the use of ionizing radiation and nuclear energy in India does not cause undue risk to the health of people and the environment.
• Headquarters: Mumbai.
• Composition:
  • It comprises six members of which two are whole time members including the chairman. 
  • The other whole-time member is the executive director of the AERB Secretariat who is an ex-officio member of the Board. 
  • The other four members are eminent experts from various disciplines relevant to the mandate of the board.
  • The Board shall be responsible to the Atomic Energy Commission.
• Functions of AERB:
  • Develop safety policies in nuclear, radiation and industrial safety areas for facilities under its purview.
  • Develop Safety Codes, Guides and Standards for siting, design, construction, commissioning, operation and decommissioning of different types of nuclear and radiation facilities.
  • Grant consents for siting, construction, commissioning, operation and decommissioning, after an appropriate safety review and assessment, for establishment of nuclear and radiation facilities.
  • It shall have authority to administer the provisions of the Factories Act, 1948, the industrial safety for the units of Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).

About Padma Doree:

• It is a unique cross-cultural textile initiative that brings together the Eri (Ahimsa) silk traditions of Northeast India with the rich Chanderi weaving heritage of Madhya Pradesh.
• It aims to promote sustainable textiles, strengthen cross-regional craft collaboration, and create new livelihood opportunities for artisans while showcasing India’s rich textile heritage.
• Launched by:It was launched by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER).
• Executing Agency: It is executed by the North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC).
• Key Aspects of 'Padma Doree':
  • Convergence of Traditions: It is developed across two culturally significant regions of India, and represents a convergence of textile traditions and generational knowledge systems.
  • Environmental Integrity: Padma Doree is crafted using natural dyes, drawing from time-honoured dyeing practices that yield depth and environmental integrity.
  • Ethical Philosophy: In alignment with an ethical philosophy, Padma Doree adopts a non-violent silk approach, ensuring that silkworms are not harmed in its production.

About Fiber Optic Drones:

• Fiber optic drones are specialized unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that integrate fiber optic technology.
• Working of Fiber Optic Drones:
  • Fiber optic drones operate by using optical fiber cables instead of traditional wireless systems.
  • These are operated while connected to the ground through a fiber optic tether.
  • Unlike regular drones that rely on radio frequencies for communication and batteries for power, these drones receive both data connectivity and often electrical power through the
• Advantages:
  • Real-time Data: It operates at near-zero latency transmission, ideal for surveillance, targeting and network maintenance.
  • Improved Coverage: These can be operated in GPS-denied, RF-jammed environments like electronic warfare zones.
  • High Security: These drones carry optical fiber cables, ensuring the transmission of large data volumes with minimal signal interference.  
  • Reliable Transmission: These drones provide high-speed, reliable data transmission over vast distances.
• Applications: Military and Drone Warfare, Telecommunications and Infrastructure Maintenance, Emergency and Disaster Response.