About Telecom Regulatory Authority of India:

• It was established under the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997, passed by Parliament.
• Mandate: To regulate telecom services in India, including tariff fixation/revision, this was earlier the domain of the Central Government.
• TRAI's mission is to create and nurture conditions for growth of telecommunications in the country in a manner and at a pace which will enable India to play a leading role in emerging global information society.
• Functions of TRAI:
  • Scope of regulation: Covers areas like tariffs, quality of service, interconnection, spectrum management, and consumer protection in the telecom sector.
  • Policy role: Issues regulations, recommendations, and orders that guide telecom policy-making and market practices.
• Composition of TRAI
  • Chairman: It consists of a Chairperson, a maximum of two full-time members, and two part-time members.
  • Tenure: Members serve for three yearsor until the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
  • Appointments are made by the Central Government.
• The TRAI Act was amended by an ordinance, and established a Telecommunications Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT).
  • TDSAT was set up to adjudicate any dispute between a licensor and a licensee, between two or more service providers, between a service provider and a group of consumers, and to hear and dispose of appeals against any direction, decision or order of TRAI.

About Production Linked Incentive Scheme for the Food Processing Industry:

• It was launched by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.
• It is a major initiative aimed at strengthening India’s food processing sector, promoting Indian brands in global markets, and creating global food manufacturing champions.
• It focuses on increasing value addition in the food processing sector, expanding processing capacity, and generating employment, particularly in rural areas and off-farm sectors. 
• Financial Outlay and Time Period: The scheme is being implemented for a period of six years from FY 2021–22 to FY 2026–27.
• Objectives:
  • Support Food manufacturing entities with stipulated minimum Sales and willing to make minimum stipulated investment for expansion of processing capacity and Branding abroad to incentivise emergence of strong Indian brands.
  • Strengthen select Indian brand of food products for global visibility and wider acceptance in the international markets;
  • Increase employment opportunities of off-farm jobs,
  • Ensuring remunerative prices of farm produce and higher income to farmers.
• The components of the Scheme are:
  • Incentivising manufacturing of four major food product segments Ready to Cook/ Ready to Eat (RTC/RTE) foods, Processed Fruits & Vegetables, Marine Products and Mozzarella Cheese.
  • To production of Innovative / Organic products of SMEs
  • To support branding and marketing abroad to incentivize emergence of strong Indian brands for in-store Branding, shelf space renting and marketing.
• Under the scheme, a total of 128 companies have been approved, covering 274 units across the country.

About Umred–Pauni–Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary:

• Location: It is spread over Pauni tehsil in Bhandara district and Umred, Kuhi, and Bhivapur Taluka of Nagpur district in
• It is surrounded by the Wainganga River and the Gose Khurd Dam along the northeast boundaries of the sanctuary.
• The forest along the Wainganga River connects this sanctuary to the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve. 
• Flora:
  • The forest hosts teak, bamboo, tendu, mahua, and other indigenous tree species.
• Fauna: The sanctuary is home to resident breeding tigers, herds of Gaur, wild dogs, and also rare animals like flying squirrels, pangolins, and honey badgers

About Poshan Pakhwada:

• It is celebrated in the month of March/April for 15 days.
• Aim: It aims to raise awareness about the importance of nutrition and promote healthy eating habits through Jan Andolan and Jan Bhagidari.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Women and Child Development
• The theme for Poshan Pakhwada 2026 is “Maximizing Brain Development in the First Six Years of Life”.
• The key focus areas under this year’s theme include:
  • Maternal and Child Nutrition: Promoting optimal nutrition during pregnancy, exclusive breastfeeding, and age-appropriate complementary feeding.
  • Early Stimulation for Brain Development (0–3 years): Encouraging responsive caregiving and early learning interactions.
  • Play-Based Education in Early Years (3–6 years) : Supporting holistic development and school readiness.
  • Role of Parents and Community in Minimising Screen Time: Promoting healthy habits and active engagement.
  • Strengthening Anganwadi Centres through Community Participation: Enhancing infrastructure and service delivery through Jan Bhagidari and CSR

About Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana:

• It was launched in 2015.
• It is the flagship programme of the central government aimed at funding the Unfunded microenterprises and small businesses.
• Any Indian citizen who has a business plan for a non-farm sector income generating activity such as manufacturing, processing, trading or service sector can avail loans under this scheme.
• Features of Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana:
  • MUDRA loans are being offered in four categories namely, ‘Shishu’, ‘Kishor’, ‘Tarun’ and ‘TarunPlus’
    • Shishu: covering loans upto Rs. 50,000/-
    • Kishor: covering loans above Rs. 50,000/- and up to Rs. 5 lakhs
    • Tarun: covering loans above Rs.5 lakh and upto Rs.10 lakhs
    • TarunPlus: covering loans above Rs.10 lakh and upto Rs.20 lakhs
  • Loans cover term financing and working capital needs across manufacturing, trading and service sectors, including activities allied to agriculture like poultry, dairy, and beekeeping, etc.
  • These loans are given by Commercial Banks, RRBs, Small Finance Banks, MFIs and NBFCs.
  • The interest rate is governed by RBI guidelines, with flexible repayment terms.
  • MUDRA, which stands for Micro Units Development & Refinance Agency Ltd, is a financial institution set up by the Government of India under PMMY for development and refinancing micro unit enterprises.

About Shellear fish:

• Shellear fish, whose scientific ‌name is Parakneria thysi.
• It is found in the upper Congo Basin (particularly Luvilombo Falls on the Luvilombo River).
• Habitat: It is a benthopelagic; freshwater species.
• Shellear's climbing abilities are made possible by tiny, hook-like projections on specialized pads on their pectoral and pelvic fins, along with hypertrophied muscles that enable them to carry their weight.
• Why do they do it?
  • The researchers said the fish may climb upstream to find suitable living conditions and areas of the waterway with less competition and fewer predators.
• The researchers identified two major human threats to the species:
  • Illegal fishing using fine-mesh mosquito nets that can easily catch the fish,
  • Water extraction for irrigation which has in some years depleted the Luvilombo River

About INS Sunayna:

• It is the second Saryu-class offshore patrol vessel of the Indian Navy.
• It was designed and constructed indigenously by the Goa Shipyard Limited.
• It is based under Southern Naval Command.
• Functions: It is designed to undertake fleet support operations, coastal and offshore patrolling, ocean surveillance and monitoring of sea lines of communications and offshore assets, and escort duties.
• Features of INS Sunayna
  • Propulsion: Two diesel engines propel INS Sunayna and enable it to achieve speeds in excess of 25 knots.
  • The ship also has an automatic power management system and is fitted with the latest navigation, communication, and electronic support systems.
  • Armament: The armament fit includes one 76 mm gun with an electro-optic fire control system, Close-in Weapon Systems (CIWS) and CHAFF launchers.
  • It can also carry a helicopter.

About Oak Tree:

• Oak belongs to the genus Quercus in the Fagaceae family.
• Geographic Range: Oaks are found in diverse habitats around the world, with a broad distribution in North America, Europe, Asia and parts of Africa.
• They can adapt to various climates, from temperate to subtropical regions.
• Required Climatic Conditions:
  • Climate: Oaks thrive in a variety of climates but are commonly found in temperate zones. They can endure cold winters and warm summers.
  • Soil: Well-drained soil is essential for oaks. They can tolerate different soil types, including sandy, loamy, and clayey soils.
• These are the dominant, climax tree species of the moist temperate forests in the Indian Himalayan region.
• Various species of the Oak found in Uttarakhand are Banj oak, Moru oak, Kharsu oak, Rianj oak, and Phaliath oak.
• Ecological Role of Oak Tree:
  • Conservation Service: The species are providers of numerous ecosystem services such as conservation of soil, water, native flora and fauna, and serve as a lifeline for the local communities.
  • Watershed Protection: Oak forests assist watershed protection by promoting the recharge of springs.
  • Biodiversity Support: Oak forests support a remarkably diverse web of life. Their trees host lichens, bryophytes, pteridophytes (all three being moss-like plants).

About Sanderling:

• The sanderling (Calidris alba) is a small plump wading bird.
• Its name comes from Old English sand-yrðling and means "sand-ploughman".
• Appearance: During the winter the sanderling is very pale, almost white apart from a dark shoulder patch. Later in the summer, the face and throat become brick-red. 
• Habitat: Its habitat ranges from moist sites with lots of vegetation to well-drained clay or gravel slopes, to the tops of stony ridges.
  • It can also be found on tidal sand flats, mud flats, and the shores of lakes and rivers. 
• Distribution: It is mainly found in North America, Europe, Asia, South America, Africa, and
• Migration: These are complete migrants and travel from their breeding grounds to their wintering sites.
• Diet: Sanderlings are carnivores (mollusciovres, insectivores). They eat small crabs and other small invertebrates.
• Threats: Loss of wetland habitats, pollution of the environment as well as the pollution from pesticides.
• Conservation Status
  • IUCN Red List: Least Concern

About Angola:

• Location: It is located on the southwestern Atlantic Coast of Africa.
• Bordering Countries: It is bordered by the Republic of the Congo (Northwest), Democratic Republic of the Congo (North & Northeast), Zambia (Southeast) and Namibia (South)
• Maritime Boundary: It has a coastline with the Atlantic Ocean.
• Capital City: Luanda
• Geographical Features of Angola:
  • Climate: It has a tropical climate with a marked dry season. The climate is largely affected by the northward flow of the cold Benguela Current off the coast, and elevation.
  • Major rivers: Cuango River and Cuanza River, vital for hydropower and inland water transport.
  • Major Water Falls: The largest is the Calandula Waterfalls (also known as the Kalandula Falls) on the Lucala River. 
  • Highest peak: Mount Moco, the tallest mountain in Angola.
  • Natural Resources: Petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold, bauxite, uranium.