About PM-WANI Scheme:

• It was launched by the Department of Telecommunication in 2020.
• It aims to enhance the proliferation of public WiFi hotspots to create robust digital communications infrastructure in the country, especially in rural areas.
• Through better access to public hotspots, the government aims to increase employment for small and micro-entrepreneurs and provide low-cost internet to the underserved urban poor and rural households.
• The scheme encourages local shops and establishments to provide Wi-Fi for last-mile internet delivery, which does not require a licence or charge a registration fee.
• How can one get access the PM-WANI internet?
• To access public hotspots under the PM-WANI scheme, one needs to download a relevant app which shows the available networks.
• The user can then choose from a list of available connections and make a payment to use the network.
• The user can access the network till his/her balance is exhausted.
• PM-WANI Ecosystem Components:
• Public Data Office (PDO): Sets up Wi-Fi hotspots and provides internet access. No license is required from DoT.
• Public Data Office Aggregator (PDOA): Offers authorization, accounting services, and user interfaces for purchasing data plans and monitoring usage.
• App Provider: Develops applications to help users locate and connect to nearby PM-WANI hotspots, facilitating easy internet access.
• Central Registry: Managed by the Centre for Development of Telematics, maintaining records of App Providers, PDOs, and PDOAs.

About Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR):

• It is located in the southern reaches of the Satpura hills in the Seoni and Chhindwara districts in Madhya Pradesh and shares the southern boundary with Maharashtra.
• In 1983, it was declared a National Park, and in 1992, a tiger reserve. It is spread across 1,180 sq.km., including a buffer zone of 768 sq.km.
• It is named after the Pench River, meandering through the reserve from north to south.
• It comprises the Indira Priyadarshini Pench National Park, the Pench Mowgli Sanctuary,and a buffer.
• The area of the PTR and the surrounding area is the real story area of Rudyard Kipling's famous "The Jungle Book".
• Vegetation: The undulating topography supports a mosaic of vegetation ranging from a moist sheltered valley to an open, dry deciduous forest.
• Flora:
• The reserve boasts a diverse range of flora, including teak, saag, mahua, and various grasses and shrubs.
• Teak forests are found in about one quarter of the area. Bamboo plantations are also present near the water banks.
• Fauna:
• The area is especially famous for large herds of Chital, Sambar, Nilgai, Gaur (Indian Bison), and wild boar.
• The key predator is the tiger, followed by the leopard, wild dogs, and wolf.
• There are over 325 species of resident and migratory birds, including the Malabar Pied Hornbill, Indian Pitta, Osprey, Grey Headed Fishing Eagle, White Eyed Buzzard, etc.

About Huntington’s Disease (HD):

• It is a genetic condition that affects the cells in the brain.
• It affects the cells in parts of the brain that regulate voluntary movement and memory. 
• What causes Huntington’s disease?
• A genetic mutation of the HTT gene causes Huntington’s disease.
• The HTT gene makes a protein called huntingtin. This protein helps the nerve cells (neurons) function.
• HD is caused by the misfolding of the huntingtin. The misfolding is due to the mtation.
• If someone has HD, her/his DNA does not have all the information needed to make the huntingtin protein.
• As a result, these proteins grow in an abnormal shape and destroy (instead of help) the neurons.
• The destruction of nerve cells happens in the basal ganglia,or the region of the brain that regulates body’s movements.
• It also affects the brain cortex(surface of the brain) that regulates thinking, decision-making, and memory.
• How common is HD?
• Huntington’s disease affects an estimated 3 to 7 out of every 100,000 people, most often people of European ancestry (biological family comes from European descent).
• Symptoms:
• Common symptoms include uncontrollable dance-like movements (chorea) and abnormal body postures, as well as problems with behavior, emotion, thinking, and personality.
• Other symptoms may include tremor (unintentional back-and-forth movement in the person's muscles) and unusual eye movements. The eye movements can happen early in the disease.
• These symptoms get worse over time.
• As HD progresses, it will need constant assistance and supervision because of the debilitating nature of the disease.
• People usually die from the disease within 15 to 20 years of developing symptoms.
• Treatment:
• There is no treatment that can stop or reverse HD, but health care providers can offer medications to help with certain symptoms.
• Drugs like haloperidol, tetrabenazine, and amantadine are especially helpful for controlling the unusual movements caused by Huntington disease. 

About Tungabhadra River:

• It is a significant peninsular river in southern India.
• It is a major tributary of the Krishna
• The Hindus consider this river sacred, and there is a mention of the river in the Ramayana, where it is referred to as Pampa. 
• It derives its name from two streams,viz., the Tunga, about 147 km long, and the Bhadra, about 178 km long, which rise in the eastern slopes of theWestern Ghats.
• The river, after the influence of the two streams near Shimoga in Karnataka, runs for about 531 km till it joins the river Krishna at Sangamaleshwaram in Andhra Pradesh.
• The Krishna River finally ends in the Bay of Bengal.
• It runs for 382 km in Karnataka, forms the boundary between Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh for 58 km and further runs for the next 91 km in Andhra Pradesh.
• The total catchment area of the river is 69,552 sq.km. up to its confluence with Krishna.
• It is influenced chiefly by the southwest monsoon.
• Major tributaries are Varada Riverand Hagari (Vedathy) River.
• The river has several dams and reservoirs built on it, including the Tunga Anicut Dam, the Bhadra Dam, the Hemavathy Dam, and the Tungabhadra Dam.
• The city of Hampi, which was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, is located on the banks of the river. 

About Intravenous Fluids (IV Fluids):

• IV fluids are specially formulated liquids that are injected into a vein to prevent or treat dehydration.
• They are used in people of all ages who are sick, injured, dehydrated from exercise or heat, or undergoing surgery.
• Intravenous rehydration is a simple, safe, and common procedure with a low risk of complications.
• IV fluid often contains water, glucose (sugar), and electrolytes (potassium, sodium, and chloride).
• An IV may allow more than one fluid to be given at the same time and into the same place.
• What are the types of IV fluids?
• Crystalloid solutions:
• These are the most common types of IV fluid.
• They contain small, dissolved molecules that pass easily from the bloodstream into tissues and cells.
• As a result, crystalloid solutions are readily available to your cells once they travel in.
• Examples include normal saline, which is salt in water, and D5W, which is dextrose (sugar) in water.
• Another example is lactated Ringer’s, which contains sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, and lactate. It’s used for aggressive fluid replacement.
• Colloids: 
• These are large molecules that can’t easily pass through cell membranes and are more likely to stay in the blood vessels.
• In healthcare terms, this means that colloid solutions, unlike crystalloid solutions, remain intravascular. 
• Examples include albumin and hetastarch.

About Siachen Glacier:

• It is a piedmont glacier located in the Karakoram Range.
• It lies in the heavily glaciated Himalayan region known as the “Third Pole,” because mountain glaciers in this region contain more fresh water than is found anywhere else on Earth except for the polar ice caps.
• It lies between the Saltoro Ridge, a subrange of the Karakorams, to the west and the main Karakoram Range to the east.
• It is the second longest nonpolar glacier in the world, after Fedchenko Glacier in Tajikistan.
• It originates at the base of the Indira Col West, a col (low point) on the Indira Ridge.
• It is located so strategically that while it dominates Shaksgam Valley(ceded to China by Pakistan in 1963) in the north, controls the routes coming from Gilgit Baltistan to Leh from the west, and at the same time, it dominates the ancient Karakoram Pass in the eastern side too.
• It is the major source of the 80km long Nubra River, a major tributary of the Shyok River. 
• It is considered the world’s highest battleground and in 1984, India took its control under Operation Meghadoot.

About Third Launch Pad:

• The Third Launch Pad project envisages the establishment of the launch infrastructure at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh for the Next Generation Launch Vehicles of ISRO.
• It also support as standby launch pad for the Second Launch Pad at Sriharikota. This will also enhance the launch capacity for future Indian human spaceflight missions.
• Implementation strategy and targets:
• It is designed to have configuration that is as universal and adaptable as possible that can support not only NGLV but also the LVM3  vehicles with Semicryogenic stage as well as scaled up configurations of NGLV.
• It will be realized with maximum industry participation fully utilizing ISRO’s experience in establishing the earlier launch pads and maximally sharing the existing launch complex facilities.
• TLP is targeted to be established within a duration of 48 months or 4 years.
• Funding: The total fund requirement is 3984.86 Crore and includes the establishment of the Launch Pad and the associated facilities.
• Significance: The Project will boost the Indian Space ecosystem by enabling higher launch frequencies and the national capacity to undertake human spaceflight & space exploration missions.
• Background:
• Presently, Indian Space Transportation Systems are completely reliant on two launch pads viz. First Launch Pad (FLP) & Second Launch Pad (SLP).
• FLP was realized 30 years ago for PSLV and continues to provide launch support for PSLV & SSLV.

SLP was established primarily for GSLV & LVM3 and also functions as standby for PSLV. SLP has been operational for almost 20 years and has enhanced the launch capacity towards enabling some commercial missions of PSLV/LVM3 along with the national missions including the Chandrayaan-3 mission

About QS World Future Skills Index:

• The inaugural Future Skills Index, released by London-based Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), evaluates countries on their readiness to meet evolving job market demands.
• The index assesses four main areas: skills fit, academic readiness, future of work, economic transformation

Highlights of the Report:

• The index highlights India’s strong potential in critical sectors such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital, and green industries.
• India ranks 25th overall across all indicators, earning recognition as a “future skills contender.” Notably, the country excels in the “Future of Work” category, securing the second-highest global score (99.1), just behind the United States.
• India’s performance in the Future of Work indicator underscores its readiness to meet emerging job market demands. Alongside Mexico, India is identified as the most prepared nation to recruit for digital roles.
• “India’s outstanding GDP growth, youthful population, and burgeoning start-up culture position the country as a global leader in future-ready skills.
• While India shines in certain areas, the report highlights opportunities for improvement. These include:
• Enhancing Industry Collaboration: Bridging the gap between higher education institutions and industry needs to be done.
• Equipping Graduates with In-Demand Skills: Expanding focus on digital, AI, and green sectors needs to be aligned with employers’
• Future-Oriented Innovation and Sustainability: India scores low on this metric, indicating a need to prioritize sustainable practices and forward-looking solutions.

About Cabo Verde:

• Also known as Cape Verde, it is an African country.
• This former Portugal colony is an archipelago, made up of 10 volcanic islands in the Atlantic Ocean.
• It is 500 kms off the west coast of Africa.
• Its islands are divided into the Barlavento (windward) and Sotavento (leeward) groups.
• Senegal is its nearest country on the continent. 
• It was once an important centre of slave trade.
• Climate:Generally moderate, the climate is characterized by stable temperatures with extreme aridity. 
• Terrain: The terrain of the Cabo Verde islands varies from the geologically older, flatter islands in the east and the newer, more mountainous islands in the west. 
• Population: The overwhelming majority of the population of Cabo Verde is of mixed European and African descentand is often referred to as mestiço or Crioulo.
• Capital: Praia
• Languages spoken: Portuguese and Cape Verdean Creole

Highlights of the Report:

• Cabo Verde is highly vulnerable to extreme climate events including extreme heat, floods, droughts, tropical storms, landslides, volcanic eruptions, coastal erosion and sea level rise.
• Structural factors such as rapid rural-urban migration and land degradation further aggravate the country’s vulnerability to natural hazards.

These vulnerabilities are further compounded by economic challenges, such as heavy reliance on tourism, imported fuel and goods that account for 80 per cent of domestic food consumption, as well as high public debt.

About Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan:

• It is developed by the Ministry of Defence in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism.
• This app opens the doors to India’s most iconic battlefields, offering citizens a chance to explore the country’s wartime history like never before.
• The move is aimed at promoting connectivity, tourism, and socio-economic development in border regions. The Army is collaborating with local civil authorities to facilitate these efforts while maintaining high operational preparedness.
• Features:
• It features details on various battlefields and border areas, offering virtual tours, historical narratives, and interactive content. The sites will also be highlighted by the Tourism Ministry as part of the Incredible India campaign.
• It will be a one-stop destination for the visitors to make all necessary arrangements for their travel planning, including how to apply for permits for some of these places.
• The Indian Army, in conjunction with the Ministry of Tourism, has shortlisted  Galwan (the river valley in Ladakh ) Doklam which is a tri-junction between India, Bhutan and China and 75 other forward sites alongside the country’s border that have witnessed military action in the past for “battlefield tourism.
• Most of these sites fall along India’s borders with China (Line of Actual Control) and Pakistan (Line of Control) that have had a history of wars after independence and other clashes in recent times — the 1962 war with China and the 1967 war, at Nathu La in Sikkim.
• Along the Western border, the Battle of Longewalawas one of the first major engagements during the India-Pakistan war of 1971, fought at the Indian border post of Longewala in the Thar desert.
• These locations, previously restricted due to their strategic significance and challenging terrain, will now offer visitors first-hand insight into the experience of soldiers stationed in these remote regions.