About Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL):

• It is a joint venture company of three Central Public Sector Enterprises, namely, National Aluminium Company Ltd. (NALCO), Hindustan Copper Ltd. (HCL), and Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Ltd. (MECL) in the ratio of 40:30:30.
• It was incorporated under the Companies Act 2013, with an objective to identify, explore, and acquire overseas mineral deposits & bring strategic minerals into India.
• It is under the aegis of the Ministry of Mines, Government of India.
• The company is currently focusing on two prime critical and strategic minerals, i.e., Lithium and Cobalt, and significant projects are underway in Argentina, Australia, and Chile.
• Amongst the three promoters, NALCO is one of the largest integrated primary producers of aluminum in Asia, HCL is India’s only vertically integrated copper producer, whereas MECL is one of the largest mineral exploration agencies of India.
• The registered office of KABIL is situated in New Delhi and managed by the lead partner NALCO.

About South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA):

• The South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA), or the "Bermuda Triangle of Space’’, is a dip in the Earth's magnetic field which allows cosmic rays and charged particles to reach lower into the atmosphere.
• It is southeast of South America and southwest of Africa. In this area, the planet’s magnetic field dips down.
• It lies roughly between latitudes 5 and 40 degrees South and between longitudes 0 and 80 degrees West -- the precise strength, shape, and size of the SAA varies with the seasons.

Why Does it Occur?

• Earth’s magnetic field acts like a protective shield around the planet, repelling and trapping charged particles from the Sun.
•  SAA exists because the Earth’s inner Van Allen radiation belt comes closest to the planet’s surface, causing an increased flux of energetic particles.
• This leads to the penetration of solar energetic particles deep into Earth’s atmosphere, posing severe problems for airplanes and ships’ positioning systems as well as spacecraft electronic systems.

What are the Van Allen Radiation Belts?

• The Van Allen radiation belt is a zone of energetic charged particles, most of which originate from the solar wind.
• The particles are captured by and held around a planet by that planet’s magnetic field.
• It surrounds Earth, containing a nearly impenetrable barrier that prevents the fastest, most energetic electrons from reaching Earth.
• The outer belt is made up of billions of high-energy particles that originate from the Sun and become trapped in Earth’s magnetic field, an area known as the magnetosphere.
• The inner belt results from interactions of cosmic rays with Earth’s atmosphere.
• The Van Allen belts are most intense over the Equator and are effectively absent above the poles.
• These radiation belts serve both protective and hazardous roles; while they shield Earth from harmful cosmic radiation, they can pose risks to satellites and human space missions, as the particles can interfere with electronic systems.
• They were discovered in 1958 by James A. Van Allen, the American physicist who designed the instruments on board Explorer 1, the first spacecraft launched by the United States.

About Wular Lake:

• It is the largest freshwater lake in India and the second largest freshwater lake in Asia.
• Location:
  • It is located in the Bandipore district of Jammu and Kashmir
  • It lies at the north end of the Vale of Kashmir
  • The lake lies at the foothills of Haramuk Mountain.
• The lake controls the flow of the Jhelum River, which runs through it.
• The lake basin was formed as a result of tectonic activity.
• It is also said to be a remnant of Satisar Lake that existed in ancient times.
• This lake also has a small island in its centre called the ‘Zaina Lank’. This island was constructed by King Zainul-Abi-Din.
• It is an important habitat for fish and contributes about 60 percent of the fish yield of the Kashmir Valley.
• In 1990, it was designated as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention.

About Vitamin D:

• Vitamin D (also referred to as calciferol) is a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in a few foods, added to others, and available as a dietary supplement.
• It is also produced endogenously when ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight strike the skin and trigger vitamin D synthesis.
• During periods of sunlight, vitamin D is stored in fat and then released when sunlight is not available.
• Very few foods naturally contain vitamin D. Most people get vitamin D in their diet from foods that are fortified. This means that vitamin D is added to the food. These foods may include milk, cereal, and yogurt.
• Foods that naturally have vitamin D include egg yolks, saltwater fish, and liver.
• The amount of vitamin D one needs each day depends on one's age.

Why is Vitamin D So Important?

• Vitamin D promotes calcium absorption and helps maintain adequate levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood, which is necessary for healthy bones and teeth.
• Without sufficient vitamin D, bones can become thin, brittle, or misshapen.
• Vitamin D has other roles in the body, including reduction of inflammation as well as modulation of such processes as cell growth, neuromuscular and immune function, and glucose metabolism.

Vitamin D Deficiency:

• In children, vitamin D deficiency causes rickets, a disease in which the bones become soft, weak, deformed, and painful.
• In teens and adults, vitamin D deficiency causes osteomalacia, a disorder that causes bone pain and muscle weakness.
• Vitamin D deficiency may be more common in people with higher skin melanin content (darker skin) and who wear clothing with extensive skin coverage.

Can Vitamin D be Harmful?

• Very high levels of vitamin D in your blood can cause nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, confusion, pain, loss of appetite, dehydration, excessive urination and thirst, and kidney stones.
• Extremely high levels of vitamin D can cause kidney failure, irregular heartbeat, and even death.

About Kali Tiger Reserve:

• It is located in the central portion of the Uttara Kannada (North Canara) district of Karnataka.
• The Tiger Reserve comprises two important protected areas of the region viz., Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary and Anshi National Park.
  • These two protected areas are contiguous to each other and form a single tract of the protected area located in the biologically sensitive Western Ghats.
• It shares a border with Bhimghad Wildlife Sanctuary in the north, which is further connected to Radhanagari and Koyna wildlife sanctuaries in Maharashtra.
• To the west, Kali Tiger Reserve shares borders with five protected areas in Goa.
• The terrain is incredibly diverse, ranging from rolling hills and steep escarpments to riverine valleys and plateaus.
• River: The Kali River, which forms the major source of water for Uttara Kannada, flows through the tiger reserve, hence the name.
• Vegetation: It is a blend of semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests, interspersed with patches of bamboo and grasslands.
• Flora: The reserve is rich in plant diversity, featuring species like teak, silver oak, eucalyptus, and various medicinal plants.
• Fauna:
  • Animals found in the Tiger Reserve include Tiger, Leopard, Elephant, Bison, Wild dog, Sambar, Spotted deer, Sloth bear, Wild boar, Hanuman langur, Bonnet macaque, etc.
  • The area holds one of the highest populations of Great Indian Hornbills in the Western Ghats.
  • It is also home to rare black panthers.

About Nagarjunasagar–Srisailam Tiger Reserve:

• Location: It is located in the Nallamala hill ranges of Andhra Pradesh.
• It is one of the largest tiger reserves in India.
• It is named after two major dams in the area, Nagarjuna Sagar Dam and Srisailam Dam.
• Two wildlife sanctuaries, namely Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and Gundla Brahmeswaram Wildlife Sanctuary (GBM), constitute the NSTR.
• Rivers: The River Krishna traverses through this reserve.
• The reserve holds significant importance with ancient temples like the Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple at Srisailam and several archaeological sites, including Buddhist relics from the Nagarjuna Konda area.
• Topography: It consists of plateaus, ridges, gorges, and deep valleys.
• Vegetation: It mainly consists of Tropical dry deciduous forests having an undergrowth of bamboo and grass.
• Flora: The habitat has several endemics like Andrographis nallamalayana, Eriolaena lushingtonii, Crotalaria madurensis Var, Dicliptera beddomei, and Premna hamiltonii.
• Fauna: Tiger, Leopard, Wolf, Wild Dog and Jackal, Sambar, Chital, Chowsingha, Chinkara, Mouse Deer, Wild boar, and Porcupine etc.

About Tajikistan:

• Location: It is a landlocked country in the heart of Central Asia.
• Bordering Countries: It is bordered by the four countries Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, China, and Afghanistan to the north, west, east, and south respectively.
• Capital City: Dushanbe
• It is one of the members of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
• Political Structure: It is governed by the President, and the legislative function is assigned to the bicameral parliament.
• Geographical Features of Tajikistan:
  • Terrain: Mountainous region dominated by the Alay Mountains in the north and the Pamirs in the southeast.
  • Climate: It consists of mid-latitude continental, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid to polar in Pamir Mountains.
  • Highest Point: Tajikistan’s highest point is Qullai Ismoili Somoni
  • Rivers: It has a dense river network, including the Syr Darya and the Amu Darya.
  • Lakes: Lake Karakul and Iskanderkul 
  • Natural resources: Petroleum, Uranium, Mercury, brown coal, lead, zinc, antimony, tungsten, silver, gold etc.

About Sagarmala Programme

• It was launched in 2015 to promote port-led development.
• It aims to improve logistics efficiency, reduce transportation costs, and support trade by increasing the use of coastal shipping and inland waterways alongside existing road and rail networks.
• The overall projects under the Sagarmala Programme are divided into 5 pillars and 24
• Components of Sagarmala Programme
• Port Modernization and New Port Development: It focuses on upgrading existing ports and developing new ones to expand capacity and improve operational efficiency.
• Port Connectivity Enhancement: It aims to strengthen connectivity between ports and the hinterland to facilitate faster and more cost-efficient cargo movement.
• Port-Led Industrialization: It promotes the development of industrial clusters in port-proximate areas to support manufacturing and economic activity.
• Coastal Community Development: It focuses on improving livelihoods and promoting sustainable development in coastal regions.
• Coastal Shipping and Inland Waterways Transport: It encourages greater use of coastal shipping and inland waterways for cargo movement.
• Institutional Backbone of Sagarmala 
  • It is supported by a multi-tier framework designed to enable coordinated planning, efficient implementation, and continuous monitoring across the Centre and States.
  • National Sagarmala Apex Committee (NSAC): Constituted in May 2015, NSAC is the apex body providing overall policy guidance and oversight for the programme.
  • Maritime States Development Council (MSDC): It is convened periodically to facilitate centre–state coordination. It brings together all stakeholders and promotes coordinated development of ports and related infrastructure.
  • State Sagarmala Committees (SSCs): Constituted in coastal states and union territories (UTs), SSCs are responsible for identifying projects, coordinating implementation, and monitoring progress at the state level.
  • Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL): Sagarmala Development Company Limited (SDCL), established in August 2016, has played an important role in advancing India’s maritime infrastructure.
  • In June 2025, SDCL restructured as the Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL).

About Exercise Dustlik:

• It is a joint military exercise conducted between India and Uzbekistan.
• It is a yearly event conducted alternatively in India and Uzbekistan.
• Participating Forces: It is mainly Indian Army’s Battalion of the MAHAR Regiment and personnel from the Indian Air Force.
• Aim: To foster military cooperation and enhance combined capabilities to execute joint operations in semi-mountainous terrain.
• It will also establish a unified operational algorithm between the command-and-control structures of both the contingents for planning and execution of joint operations.
• Key operational aspects to be practiced include land navigation, strike missions on enemy bases and seizure of enemy-held areas.
• It will enable the two sides
  • To share their best practices in Tactics, Techniques and Procedures of conducting joint operations.
  • To further strengthen interoperability, operational synergy and joint command and control coordination between the contingents.