About Koel River:

• It is an important river flowing through the states of Jharkhand and Odisha.
• Course:
  • It originates from the Palamau Tiger Reserve, Jharkhand, and flows in the western part of Palamu District.
  • The river is believed to be fed by three streams of Jharkhand, namely South Karo, North Karo and Koina.
  • The river divides into two:
    • North Koel River: It is tapped near Kutku for irrigation reasons and finally joins with the Son River (a principal southern tributary of the Ganges).
    • South Koel River: It joins the Sankh River near Rourkela in Odisha to form the Brahmani River.
  • Flowing through the hilly terrain of Jharkhand and Odisha, the Koel River is part of the larger Damodar Valley region, known for its mineral-rich landscape.
  • It is prone to seasonal flooding, particularly during the monsoon months.
  • Hydropower Potential: The North Koel Dam, also known as the Mandal Dam, was constructed on the North Koel River in Jharkhand, intended to generate hydroelectric power and supply irrigation water.

About Garamantes Civilization:

• They were an ancient civilization that thrived in the Sahara Desert from approximately 500 BCE to 200 CE, primarily centered in the Fazzan region of southwest Libya.
• They established significant urban centers, including their capital, Germa, as well as Zinchera and Saniat Gebril, alongside numerous other settlements.
• Contrary to historical depictions of them as nomadic, archaeological findings suggest that the Garamantes were an advanced society skilled in constructing extensive underground irrigation systems known as foggara, which allowed them to access groundwater for agriculture in an arid environment.
• The origins of the Garamantes remain debated among scholars, with theories ranging from Berber ancestry to connections with Neolithic peoples.
• Their civilization engaged in trade with nearby Mediterranean regions, exchanging goods like salt, gold, ivory, and slaves, and transitioned from military conflict to becoming important trading partners with the Roman Empire.
• However, environmental changes, particularly falling water levels, led to the decline of the Garamantes by the sixth century CE, resulting in the eventual abandonment of their urban centers.
• The legacy of the Garamantes is marked by their innovative adaptation to a challenging landscape and their role in shaping the cultural and historical landscape of ancient North Africa.

About Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO):

• It is the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) of India for pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and cosmetics.
• It is responsible for discharging functions assigned to the Central Government under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 and Rules 1945.
• Its primary responsibility is to ensure the safety, efficacy, and quality of drugs, medical devices, and diagnostic kits.
• The organization plays a pivotal role in the regulation and supervision of drug development, manufacturing, distribution, and marketing in India.
• Nodal Ministry: It works under the Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.
• Headed By: The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) is the head of the CDSCO.
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, CDSCO is responsible for:
  • Approval of new drugs; Conduct of clinical trials; Laying down the standards for drugs; Control over the quality of imported drugs in the country; Coordination of the activities of State Drug Control Organizations;
  • CDSCO, along with state regulators, is jointly responsible for the grant of licenses for certain specialized categories of critical drugs such as blood and blood products, I. V. Fluids, Vaccine, and Sera.
  • It is also responsible for overseeing the import, manufacture, sale, and distribution of medical devices in the country.
  • The CDSCO ensures that medical devices comply with safety, quality, and efficacy standards.

About Emi Koussi Volcano:

• It is a large shield volcano located in the central Sahara in the north of the Republic of Chad.
• It lies at the southeast end of the Tibesti Mountains.
• It is not only the highest mountain in Chad but also the highest in the Sahara.
• Nested within the main caldera is a smaller crater that contains white salts of a dry lake at its lowest point.
• Emi Koussi is extinct, and it is not known when it last erupted.

What is a Maar?

• A maar is a broad, low-relief volcanic crater caused by an explosion which occurs when groundwater comes into contact with hot lava or magma.
• A maar characteristically fills with water to form a relatively shallow crater lake.

About Great Cormorant:

• It is a large waterbird and a member of the cormorant family of seabirds.
• Scientific Name: Phalacrocorax carbo
• Habitat and Distribution:
  • They are probably the most widespread member of the cormorant family with a range that includes North America, Europe, Africa, China, India, Southeast Asia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and
  • Well adapted to aquatic environments, they live in the shallow waters along marine shorelines but may inhabit lakes and rivers.
• Features:
  • It is the largest member of the cormorant family.
  • Males are typically larger and heavier than females.
  • They have dark, glossy plumage, very long necks, long, hooked bills and webbed feet.
  • Their powerful bills are greyish with white patches around its base.
  • They employ their powerful webbed feet for efficient swimming and diving to catch a variety of prey, including fish, crabs, and, in some areas, frogs or ducklings.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Least Concern

About International Mobile Equipment Identity Number:

• It is a unique 15-digit number that identifies a mobile device on a telecom network.
• The first eight digits of an IMEI form the Type Allocation Code (TAC), which identifies the device model or type.
• Allocation of IMEI numbers: The Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) oversees the global allocation of TAC.
  • GSMA allocate TACs to manufacturers and brand owners. Manufacturers then assign unique IMEIs to individual devices.
• A dual-SIM phone generally has two IMEI numbers, one for each SIM slot.
• Identification: Users can dial *#06#on their mobile device to display its IMEI number.
• India's IMEI Ecosystem:
  • Manufacturers: They must register the IMEI numbers of all applicable telecom devices manufactured in India with the Government before their first sale, testing, research or other use. 
  • Registration is carried out through the Device Setu–Indian Counterfeited Device Restriction (ICDR) portal.
  • Importers: They must register IMEI numbers on Indian Counterfeited Device Restriction (ICDR) portal with the Central Government before importing applicable telecom equipment into India.
  • Resellers and retailers: They also must ensure that telecom devices offered for sale have valid and untampered IMEI numbers.
  • Brand owners: They must ensure that devices sold under their brands comply with applicable IMEI registration and cybersecurity requirements.
• India’s legal framework to protect the telecommunication ecosystem:
  • The Telecommunications Act, 2023: It provides stringent action against tampering with telecommunication identifiers, including the IMEI number of mobile handsets and other telecommunication devices.
    • Section 42(3)(c)prohibits tampering with telecommunication 
    • Section 42(3)(e)prohibits obtaining Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMs) or telecommunication identifiers through fraud, cheating or impersonation.
    • Violations may attract imprisonment for up to three years, a fine of up to ₹50 lakh, or both. Such offences are cognizable and non-bailable under Section 42(7) of the Act.
    • Under Section 42(6), persons who abet or promote the commission of such offences are also liable to the same punishment.

About National Single Window System:

• It serves as a digital platform that guides investors in identifying and applying for the approvals required for their businesses.
• It was launched in
• It is implemented by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
• It integrates approvals offered by Central Ministries, State Governments, and regulatory authorities on a common digital platform.   
• Key Functionalities of NSWS:
  • Know Your Approvals: It is the Know Your Approvals (KYA) module, a tool that identifies the approvals applicable to a business based on its proposed activities.
  • The portal hosts applications for approvals from 32 Central Ministries/ Departments and 34 State Governments and Union Territories.
  • Common Registration Form: It captures information through a single interface and enables reuse of information across applications.
  • Access to State Single Window Systems: It offers seamless access through a dedicated State Registration Form, ensuring integration with State-level approval mechanisms.
  • Applicant Dashboard: It includes an applicant dashboard for submitting applications, monitoring their status, and responding to departmental queries.
  • A centralized Document Repository enables one-time upload and reuse of documents across multiple approvals, reducing duplication of submissions.
  • E-Communication Module: It facilitates online exchange of queries and clarifications between applicants and the concerned Ministries and State Governments.
• Significance:
  • It simplifies the approval process by enabling one-time submission of information and documents.
  • It helps reduce compliance and approval timelines.
  • It also enhances transparency through real-time application tracking and online communication with regulatory authorities.
  • NSWS minimizes duplication of information across departments and improves coordination among government agencies through an integrated digital ecosystem.

About Oxyserphus narendrani:

• It is a new species of parasitic wasp discovered in Dibru-Saikhowa National Park Assam.
• The members of the Oxyserphus genus are incredibly rare in insect collections globally and are typically only found in high-altitude areas.

Key Facts about Dibru-Saikhowa National Park

• Location: It is located in the Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts of Assam.
  • It was originally created to help conserve the habitat of the rare white-winged wood duck.
• Rivers: The Park is bounded by the Brahmaputra and Lohit Rivers in the north and Dibru River in the south.
• Vegetation: It mainly consists of moist mixed semi-evergreen forests, moist mixed deciduous forests, canebrakes and grasslands. It is the largest salix swamp forest in north-eastern India.
• Climate: It has a tropical monsoon climate with a hot and wet summer and cool and usually dry winter. 
• Flora: It mainly consists of Hollong, Nahor, Simul, Sissoo, Khair, and Jamun are commonly found.
• Fauna: Asian Elephant, Wild Water Buffalo, Leopard, Clouded Leopard, Fishing Cat, Jungle Cat, Hog Deer, Sambar Deer, and Barking Deer are commonly found.

About Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026:

• It is the multinational air exercise to be conducted in Jodhpur.
• Participating Countries: Eight friendly foreign countries such as Australia, Bangladesh, France, Germany, Greece, Sri Lanka, UAE and USA will participate with air assets, while 32 nations will be attending as observers. 
• Aim: It is aimed at enhancing interoperability among participating air forces, while providing a platform for exchanging operational experience and showcasing India’s air combat capabilities.
• The exercise will see the participation of advanced combat aircraft, including the U.S. Air Force’s F-35, the French Rafale, the UAE’s F-16 and a Bangladeshi C-130J.
  • The IAF will field a range of its frontline platforms, including the Rafale, Mirage-2000, Jaguar, Tejas, MiG-29 and Su-30MKI.