About Arunachalesvara Temple:

• It is located at the base of Arunachala Hill in Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu.
• It is dedicated to Lord Arunachalesvara, a form of Lord Shiva.
• The temple’s origin dates back thousands of years, with references in ancient scriptures and Tamil Saiva texts.
• The current structure, however, was built during the period of the early Chola kings (9th century AD), expanded during the period of the later Cholas, Hoysala (Bhosala) kings, and Vijayanagarar Nayakar kings,
• Architecture:
  • The temple is a fine example of Dravidian architecture.
  • The temple complex is among the largest in the country.
  • The Rajagopuram is regarded as among the tallest temple towers in the country built by the Nayaka kings.
  • There are nine lofty gopurams, intricately carved with mythological figures and deities.
  • It has a massive thousand-pillar hall built by the ancient kings.

About Chanakya Defence Dialogue 2025 (CDD 2025):

• CDD is an annual platform that encourages discussion on contemporary security issues, technological advancements in defense, and strategic partnerships.
• It is organised by the Indian Army, in collaboration with the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS).
• It is the third edition of the dialogue.
• Scheduled as a two-day conference, the gathering will feature military leaders, global strategic experts, diplomats, industry leaders, and young scholars.
• The 'Chanakya Defence Dialogue', named after the ancient Indian strategist Chanakya, aims to create a comprehensive platform for strategic deliberation on India’s future security architecture.
• It examines India’s security challenges and technological frontiers in an increasingly contested global landscape.
• The dialogue’s outcomes are expected to inform future military policies and enhance cooperative security arrangements, potentially influencing regional peace and stability.

About Vitamin B12:

• It is a water-soluble vitamin. 
• It is also called cobalamin.
• It is a vitamin the body uses to make and support healthy nerve cells.
• It's also used to make healthy red blood cells and the genetic material inside cells called DNA.
• Human body cannot produce B12 on its own, so it must be obtained through foods high in vitamin B12 or supplements.
  • It is naturally found in animal foods such as fish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk, and milk products.
• It is not present in plant foods unless fortified.
• The body stores vitamin B12 in the liver.
• The body can store vitamin B12 for 2 to 5 years, and it can get rid of any excess or unwanted vitamin B12 in the urine.
• Vitamin B12 Deficiency:
  • People who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet can sometimes have low levels of Vitamin B12. This is because plant foods don't have vitamin B-12.
  • Older adults and people who have had stomach surgery also are at risk because they may not absorb the vitamin as well.
  • People with digestive conditions such as celiac disease and Crohn's disease also are at risk of low vitamin B-12 levels.
  • People with very low vitamin B-12 levels can have symptoms such as fatigue, muscle weakness, stomach problems, nerve damage, vision problems, and mood changes.
  • They also may have low iron, called anemia, or low blood counts.

About Etalin Hydroelectric Project:

• It is a 3,097 MW hydropower project planned on Dri and Talo rivers (tributaries of the Dibang river) in Arunachal Pradesh’s Dibang Valley.
• It is one of the largest hydropower projects proposed in the country in terms of installed capacity.
• EHEP is proposed to be developed as a combination of two run-of-the-river schemes.
• The project is being executed by NHPC Limited (formerly known as the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation).
• The project will feature two concrete gravity dams.
• The project area falls under the “richest bio-geographical province of the Himalayan zone” and “one of the mega biodiversity hotspots of the world”.
• The project area is dominated by indigenous populations belonging to Idu-Mishmi tribes.

About Aloe Vera:

• It is a succulent plant belonging to the Aloaceae family, known for its medicinal and therapeutic properties.
• Scientific Name: Aloe barbadensis Mill
• Distribution:
  • It is native to the arid, desert regions of the Arabian Peninsula, particularly in Oman, Yemen, and Saudi Arabia.
  • It thrives in hot, dry climates with well-drained, sandy, or rocky soils.
  • It is widely cultivated in various warm regions around the world, including parts of North Africa, the Canary Islands, India, and the southwestern United States.
• It is a thick, short-stemmed plant that stores water in its leaves.
• It is known for its thick, pointed, and fleshy green leaves.
  • Each leaf contains a slimy tissue that stores water, making the leaves thick.
  • This water-filled tissue is the “gel” that people associate with aloe vera products.
  • The gel contains beneficial bioactive compounds, including vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
• Uses:
  • Aloe vera is known for its antibacterial, antiviral, and antiseptic properties.
  • It is best known for treating skin injuries.
  • It inhibits the growth of different types of bacteria.
  • It is used in arid regions for erosion control due to its shallow root system and ability to stabilize soil.

About Tex-RAMPS Scheme:

• It will be implemented as a Central Sector Scheme, fully funded by the Ministry of Textiles.
• It is designed to address critical gaps in research, data systems, and innovation support and capacity development.
• Components of Tex-RAMPS Scheme:
  • Research & Innovation: It promotes advanced research in smart textiles, sustainability, process efficiency, and emerging technologies.
  • Data, Analytics & Diagnostics: It creates robust data systems including employment assessments, supply chain mapping, and the India-Size study.
  • Integrated Textiles Statistical System (ITSS): A real-time, integrated data and analytics platform to support structured monitoring and strategic decision-making.
  • Capacity Development & Knowledge Ecosystem: It strengthens State-level planning, dissemination of best practices, capacity building workshops, and organisation of sectoral events.
  • Start-up & Innovation Support: It supports for incubators, hackathons, and academia-industry collaborations to nurture high-value textile start-ups and entrepreneurship.

About International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance:

• It is an inter-governmental organisation established in 1995.
• It works to strengthen democratic institutions and electoral processes worldwide.
  • International IDEA has been granted UN observer status.
• Objective: To support stronger democratic institutions and processes, and more sustainable, effective and legitimate democracy.
• India is a founding member of International IDEA.
• Governance: The Institute's governance consists of a Council of Member States, a Steering Committee, a Finance and Audit Committee, a Board of Advisers and a Secretariat, led by the Secretary-General.
  • Each year, the Council elects a Chair and two Vice Chairs among its Members States. 
• Core Functions: Its working modalities includes four elements: knowledge production, capacity development, advocacy as well as convening of dialogues.
• It focuses on six work streams namely:
  • Electoral Processes
  • Constitution-Building 
  • Democracy Assessment
  • Political Participation and Representation
  • Climate Change and Democracy
  • Digitalization and Democracy
• Secretariat: Stockholm, Sweden

About Vikram-I Rocket:

• It is developed by Skyroot Aerospace.
• It is India’s new private orbital-class launch vehicle named after the notable space pioneer Vikram Sarabhai. 
• Features of Vikram-I Rocket
  • Thrust: It uses an all-carbon composite structure for enhanced lightweight strength and efficiency.
  • Design: It emphasises simplicity, reliability, and the ability to launch within 24 hours from any location.
  • Stages: It has four stages and the first three stages are solid-fuelled, providing robust initial thrust, topped by a hypergolic liquid upper stage for precise orbital adjustments.
    • Stage 4 uses a cluster of four Raman engines. These are hypergolic engines, (meaning they ignite instantly when two chemicals, MMH fuel and NTO oxidiser, come into contact).
  • It is built to target the small-satellite segment and is capable of placing multiple satellites into orbit in a single mission.
  • Payload Capacity: It can deploy up to 350 kg into low Earth orbit (LEO) and 260 kg into a sun-synchronous orbit (SSO).
  • Innovation: Other key innovations include 3D-printed engines, ultra-low-shock pneumatic separation systems, and advanced avionics for real-time guidance.

About Sirpur Archaeological Site:

• Location: It is located in Chhattisgarh located on the banks of river Mahanadi.
• It was the flourishing capital of Dakshina Kosala under the Panduvanshi and later Somavamshi kings.
• It was discovered by Alexander Cunningham.
• Key Features of Sirpur Archaeological Site:
  • Excavations revealed temples, Buddhist and Jaina .
  • Notable Structures:
    • Lakshmana Temple (dedicated to Vishnu), one of India’s finest brick temples which was built around the 7th Century.
    • Surang Tila complex: It is built on a high terrace and has multiple shrines in the panchayatana style (one main shrine surrounded by four subsidiary ones).
    • Tivaradeva Mahavihara: It houses a significant Buddha statue.
  • It was a major Buddhist centre with large viharas, meditation halls and excavated stupas.
  • Archaeologists have also uncovered a 6th Century market complex, showing Sirpur was both a religious and commercial hub.