About Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991:

• It is described as “An Act to prohibit conversion of any place of worship and to provide for the maintenance of the religious character of any place of worship as it existed on the 15th day of August 1947, and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.”
• No person can convert any place of worship of any religious denomination or any section thereof into a place of worship of a different section of the same religious denomination or of a different religious denomination. 
• It also prohibits court intervention in problems concerning the religious nature of such places.
• Exemption:

• The disputed site at Ayodhya was exempted from the Act. Due to this exemption, the trial in the Ayodhya case proceeded even after the enforcement of this law.
• Besides the Ayodhya dispute, the Act also exempted:

• Any place of worship which is an ancient and historical monument, or an archaeological site covered by the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.
• A suit that has been finally settled or disposed of.
• Any dispute that has been settled by the parties or conversion of any place that took place by acquiescence before the Act commenced.

About International Pathogen Surveillance Network (IPSN):

• It is a public health network to prevent and detect infectious disease threats before they become epidemics or pandemics.
• The IPSN, with a Secretariat hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO) Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence, brings together experts worldwide at the cutting-edge of genomics and data analytics, from governments, philanthropic foundations, multilateral organizations, civil society, academia and the private sector. 

• All share a common goal: to detect and respond to disease threats before they become epidemics and pandemics, and to optimize routine disease surveillance.

• IPSN will rely on insights generated from pathogen genomics, which helps analyze the genetic material of viruses, bacteria, and other disease-causing microorganisms to determine how they spread and how infectious or deadly they may be.

• Using these data, researchers can identify and track diseases to improve outbreak prevention, response, and treatments.

• Members will work together in dedicated groups focusing on specific challenges, supported by funding through the IPSN to scale up ideas and projects in pathogen genomics. 
• By strengthening the pathogen genomic surveillance ecosystem, the IPSN enables faster detection of new pathogens and enhanced tracking of the spread and evolution of diseases. 

About Raimona National Park:

• It is located along the Indo-Bhutan border in Kokrajhar district in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), Assam.
• It was declared a national park on June 5, 2021.
• It shares contiguous forest patches of Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary and Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park in Bhutan, creating a trans-boundary conservation landscape of more than 2,400 sq km.
• Rivers: The Sankosh River runs beside the west of the park and the Saralbhanga River on the eastern part.
• Vegetation: It includes as many as twelve different types and sub-types of forests ranging from very moist sal forests, sub-Himalayan high alluvial semi-evergreen forests, savannah forests, moist-mixed deciduous forests, riparian fringing forests, to khair-sissoo forests.
• Flora: This park flourishes with myriads of orchid species, other tropical rainforest species, and riverine grasslands.
• Fauna: 

• The park is famous for its endemic species, golden langur, which has been named the mascot of the Bodoland region. 
• It is also inhabited by various other species, such as elephants, Bengal tiger, wild bison, white-spotted deer, clouded leopard and wild buffalo. 

About Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI):

• It is a voluntary self-regulatory organization of the advertising industry in India. 
• Established in 1985, ASCI is registered as a non-profit company under Section 25 of the Company Act, 2013.
• ASCI is committed to the cause of self-regulation in advertising, ensuring the protection of the interests of consumers. 
• ASCI seeks to ensure that advertisements conform to its Code for Self-Regulation, which requires advertisements to be legal, decent, honest and truthful and not hazardous or harmful while observing fairness in competition. 
• ASCI looks into complaints across all media, such as Print, TV, Radio, hoardings, SMS, Emailers, Internet/web-site, product packaging, brochures, promotional material, and point of sale material, etc.
• Structure:

• A Board of Governors includes 16 members drawn from prominent businesses, media agencies, and advertisers, among others.
• The Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) is a body that investigates complaints and decides whether advertisements adhere to the Advertisement Standards Council of India Code.
• A Secretariat, headed by the Secretary General, oversees the day-to-day operations of the organisation.

• While ASCI is not a government body, its role has been widely acknowledged, and in 2006, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued a mandate requiring all TV advertisements in India to follow ASCI’s codes. 
• ASCI is a part of the Executive Committee of the International Council on Ad Self-Regulation (ICAS).

About Pennaiyar River:

• It is a major river in southern India, flowing through Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
• It is also known as the South Pennar River, Dakshina Pinakini in Kannada, and Thenpennai, Ponnaiyar, in Tamil. 
• Course: 

• Origin: It originates in the Nandi Hills in the Chikkaballapura district of Karnataka.
• It then flows southward for 80 km through Karnataka to northwestern Tamil Nadu, where it turns southeastward and flows 320 km to enter the Bay of Bengal at Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu. 

• The basin is bounded on the northwest and south by various ranges of the Eastern Ghats, like the Velikonda Range, the Nagari Hills, the Javadhu Hills, the Shevaroy Hills, the Chitteri Hills and the Kalrayan Hills, and in the east by the Bay of Bengal.
• It is the second largest interstate east-flowing river basin among the 12 basins lying between the Pennar and Cauvery basins. 
• It drains an area of 16,019 sq.km., out of which nearly 77 percent lies in Tamil Nadu. 
• Major tributaries are the Chinnar, Markanda, Vaniar, and Pamban. 
• The river is extensively dammed for irrigation, especially in Tamil Nadu.

About Dunlin:

• It is a small shorebird with a droopy bill and is a fully migratory circumpolar breeder. 
• Appearance: 

• Dunlins are medium-sized sandpipers with a slightly down-curved black bill. 
• Unique feature: During the summer breeding season, they have a large black belly spot and orange feathers on their back and in winter and nonbreeding season, they are all white with a gray back and head. 

• A group of Dunlin is known as a "flight," "fling," or "trip."
• Habitat: During the breeding season, they live in coastal tundra areas. In the winter, they live along mudflats, estuaries, marshes and coastlines.
• They spend the summer breeding season in the arctic and subarctic regions, and winter along both coasts of the United States and Mexico.
• Diet: Insects form the main part of the Dunlin's diet on the nesting grounds; they eat mollusks, worms, and crustaceans during the winter and on migration.
• Conservation status

• IUCN: Near threatened

• Threats: It is threatened by habitat loss caused by wetland draining, global warming, and invasive plants, particularly at migration staging and wintering areas.

It is also vulnerable to avian influenza.

About Black thrips:

• It is an invasive pest species.
• It was first reported in India in 2015 on Papaya.
• These insects lacerate the tender leaves and flowers before consuming the tissues. Lacerations, especially of the flower, impair fruit formation. 
• It is polyphagous, i.e., it can feed on different plant species. 
• It feeds on tender flowers, causes large scale shedding of flowers, stunting and malformation of fruits and fruit drop in chilli, leading to severe yield loss.
• In addition to chilli, it damages crops such as cotton, bell pepper, red and black grams, mango, watermelon and others. 

• From 2015, the pest has been found feeding on both agriculture, horticulture and ornamental crops and widely distributed across Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha and Tamil Nadu.

• Reasons for its upsurge in India: 
• Absence of natural enemies of this particular invasive pest in the area of invasion for natural control of the pest species and excessive use of chemical pesticides and staggered plantings are the possible reasons for their outbreak. 

About Design Law Treaty:

• It seeks to harmonize the procedural frameworks for industrial design protection, improving the efficiency and accessibility of registration processes across multiple jurisdictions. 
• The treaty requires 15 contracting parties to enter into force.
• Key features

• It provides for a grace period of 12 months following a first disclosure of the design, during which such disclosure will not affect its validity for registration.
• It provides relief measures and offers some flexibility to applicants to prevent them from losing their rights if they miss a deadline. 
• It simplifies the procedure for requesting the renewal of a design registration.
• It promotes the introduction of e-filing systems for designs and the electronic exchange of priority documents.
• It ensures the availability of technical assistance to developing and least developed countries for the implementation of the treaty.

• Benefits

• Its goal is to ensure that the benefits of streamlined design protection are accessible to all stakeholders, with particular emphasis on Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), startups and independent designers.
• By standardizing procedural requirements, the DLT reduces administrative burdens, thereby promoting global creativity in design. 

• When combined with initiatives like the Startup India program and the Startups Intellectual Property Protection (SIPP) scheme, these provisions will help empower startups and SMEs to secure design rights globally, boosting their competitiveness and supporting market growth.

• India recently signed the final act of this treaty.

About Sjögren’s disease:

• It is a chronic disorder in which the immune system mistakenly targets the body’s moisture-producing glands.
• It is an under-recognised autoimmune condition that often remains undiagnosed for years.
• Prevalence: It is roughly 10 times more common in women than in men and usually manifests in the 30s and 40s, although it can appear at any age, even in children.
• Symptoms

• The most common complaints are dry eyes and dry mouth, which can severely impact quality of life. 
• Dry eyes may feel gritty, especially on awakening and during prolonged screen use, while dry mouth can lead to difficulty in swallowing and a significantly increased risk of dental problems. 
• Sjögren’s can present with joint pain, fatigue, and swelling in the salivary glands, making it a complex, multisystem disease.

• Treatment: 

• It involves managing dryness with salivary stimulants and substitutes and lifestyle adjustments. For systemic symptoms, immunosuppressive medications are used.
• Patients need to avoid triggers like air conditioning and excessive screen time.
• Sunglasses with UV protection and frequent use of gel-based lubricating drops can make a significant difference.

About Global Matchmaking Platform:

• It is designed to fast-track the decarbonisation of heavy-emitting industries in emerging and developing economies.

• The idea of the Global Matchmaking Platform was born in December 2023 at the 28th United Nations Climate Change conference (COP28), with the launch of the Climate Club.

• It connects country-specific needs with global technical and financial assistance to reduce emissions in energy and emissions-intensive industrial sectors. 
• It connects countries with a network of delivery partners, offering comprehensive technical and financial support for industrial decarbonization efforts. 

• These partners assist nations in key areas such as policy development, the transfer of innovative technologies and facilitating investments to drive the transition to zero and low-emission industrial practices including assistance for enhancing the emissions goals.
• This mechanism allows countries to tailor their decarbonization pathways while streamlining access to guidance and resources provided by partner organizations to achieve deep emissions reductions. 

• The GMP for industry decarbonisation is being built as a support mechanism of the Climate Club, with the secretariat hosted by the UNIDO. 
• Its activities are also supported by the Climate Club interim Secretariat jointly hosted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the International Energy Agency (IEA).

About Atal Innovation Mission (AIM):

• AIM is a flagship initiative set up by the NITI Aayog in 2016 with an objective to create and encourage an environment of innovation and entrepreneurship across schools, educational organisations, research institutes, and industries, including MSMEs.  
• AIM has two functions:
• Promote entrepreneurship by encouraging innovators to become entrepreneurs through financial support as well as mentorship.
• Promote innovation by creating a platform where ideas are generated through like-minded individuals.
• AIM has created four programs to support these functions:
• Atal Tinkering Labs
• Atal Incubation Centres
• Atal New India Challenges and Atal Grand Challenges
• Mentor India
• Apart from these programs, AIM also seeks and collaborates with academia, industries, NGOs, and individuals to enable an atmosphere of innovation. 
• All the initiatives of AIM are currently monitored and managed systematically using real-time MIS systems and dynamic dashboards. 

About Constitution Day:

• It is also known as Samvidhan Divas and is celebrated every year on November 26 to commemorate the day the Constitution of India was adopted in 1949.
• Drafted under Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s leadership, the Constitution aimed to ensure justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity for all Indian citizens.
• It finally came into effect on January 26, 1950, when India became a republic.
• In 2015, under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the government designated November 26 as Constitution Day to promote constitutional values and coincide with Ambedkar’s 125th birth anniversary.
• Before this, the day was celebrated as Law Day.

Key Facts about Constituent Assembly of India:

• It was set up in 1946 under the Cabinet Mission Plan of 1946.
• The Assembly held its first meeting on December 9, 1946, and elected Dr. Sachhidanand Sinha, the oldest member of the Assembly, as the Provisional President.
• On December 11, 1946, the Assembly elected Dr. Rajendra Prasad as its permanent Chairman.
• As to its composition, members were chosen by indirect election by the members of the Provincial Legislative Assemblies, according to the scheme recommended by the Cabinet Mission.
• The arrangement was:
• 292 members were elected through the Provincial Legislative Assemblies;
• 93 members represented the Indian Princely States;
• 4 members represented the Chief Commissioners' Provinces;
• The total membership of the Assembly thus was to be 389.
• However, as a result of the partition under the Mountbatten Plan of 3 June 1947, a separate Constituent Assembly was set up for Pakistan, and representatives of some Provinces ceased to be members of the Assembly.
• As a result, the membership of the Assembly was reduced to 299.
• The Constituent Assembly had 13 committees, including the drafting committee headed by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
• The Constitution took 3 years (1946-49) to complete the drafting. During this period, it held eleven sessions, covering a total of 165 days.
• The Constitution was adopted in 1949 when 284 members signed it, marking the completion of the Constitution-making process.
• The constitution went into effect in January 1950, and the CA was transformed into a Provisional Parliament.

About Pterosaurs:

• Pterosaurs were flying reptiles that flourished during Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods of the Mesozoic Era(252.2 million to 66 million years ago). 
• They were not only the first reptiles capable of flight, but also the first vertebrates to fly, a feat they accomplished by using strong forelegs to launch their bodies into the air.
• Both Pterosaurs and Dinosaurs are archosaurs, or “ruling reptiles,” a group to which birds and crocodiles belong. 
• It included the largest vertebrate ever known to fly: the late Cretaceous Quetzalcoatlus.
• Features:
• Pterosaurs are not closely related to either birds or bats and thus provide a classic example of convergent evolution.
• Their wings were formed by a membrane of skin that was connected to the hand by an elongated fourth finger, not unlike the fleshy wings of bats.
• Earlier species had long, fully-toothed jaws and long tails, while later forms had a highly reduced tail and some lacked teeth.
• They often had long necks, which sometimes had throat pouchessimilar to pelicans' for catching fish.
• They went extinct at the end of the Cretaceous period, around 65.5 million years ago, during the mass extinction known as the Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction event(K-T extinction event).
• When they disappeared, their role as the dominant vertebrates in the skies was taken over by the birds, which are considered to be of dinosaur ancestry.

About Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC):

• It is an innovative urban development project that integrates economic growth with mindfulness, holistic living and sustainability. 
• The GMC project has been envisioned by the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. 
• It is located in the south-central part of Bhutan and covers over 2500 square kilometers (bigger than Singapore).
• It is a first-of-its-kind Special Administrative Region (SAR) in Bhutan.
• Features of GMC:
• The city will be built around a series of inhabitable bridges.
• It is expected to be a low-rise city which will have its own university and health care facilities for both western and traditional medicine.
• The planned city will have eleven “ribbonlike neighborhoods” that incorporate the area’s 35 rivers and streams.
• Neighborhoods will be designed like mandalas, with repeated patterns organized around a central public space.
• The city will have its own international airport.
• It will also have several markets and spiritual centres.
• To protect against flooding, paddy fields will be built along the rivers, “forming urban terraces that cascade down from the hills to the valley,”.
• It will have its own government and have the independence to have its own lawmaking, as well as an independent judiciary.
• It will have two protected areas - a national park and a wildlife sanctuary.

About Samos Island:

• It is a Greek island located in the eastern Aegean Sea.
• It is one of the largest and most easterly Greek islands.
• It lies close to the Turkish coasts. It is located just 1700 m from the Asia Minor Turkish Coast. 
• The area of the island is 478 sq.km.
• It is characterized by steep mountain ranges, sandy beaches, azure sea water, olive groves, and green pine forests.
• Mount Kerketeus, the highest peak (1,433 metres), forms the western tip of the island.
• Climate: It has a Mediterranean climate with long, hot summers and relatively short, mild winters. 
• It is home to the Pythagoreion and the Heraion of Samos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which includes the Eupalin Aqueduct, a marvel of ancient engineering.
• It is the birthplace of the Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras, for whom the Pythagorean theorem is named.
• It is also the birthplace of the famous astronomer of ancient times, Aristarchus, who first suggested a heliocentric solar system at 500 B.C.

About Raja Raja Chola I:

• He was born as Arulmozhi Varman in 947 CE, he rose to become one of history’s most illustrious and visionary rulers.
• He was revered as Raja Raja the Great, he inherited the legacy of his ancestors and crafted an empire that flourished both militarily and culturally. 
• Reign: His reign, from 985 to 1014 CE, was marked by military prowess and profound administrative vision.
• Military Conquest:
  • During his reign, the Cholas expanded beyond South India with their domains stretching from Sri Lanka in the south to Kalinga in the north.
  • He also launched several naval campaigns that resulted in the capture of the Malabar Coast as well as the Maldives and Sri Lanka.

• Titles
  • After the defeat of the Pandyas by him he took the title Pandya Kulashanimeaning a thunderbolt to the race of the Pandyas.
  • He also adopted the title of Mummudi Chola which means the Chola who wears the three crowns.
• In 1010, Raja Raja built the Brihadisvara Temple in Thanjavur dedicated to Lord Shiva.
• The temple and the capital acted as a center of both religious and economic activity.
• During his reign, the texts of the Tamil poets Appar, Sambandar and Sundarar were collected and edited into one compilation called Thirumurai.

About National Gopal Ratna Award:

• It is one of the highest honors in the field of livestock and dairy sector.
• These awards will be given on the occasion of National Milk Day celebrations.
• Objective
• The awards  are conferred  with an objective to recognize and encourage all individuals like Farmers rearing indigenous animals, AI Technicians and Dairy cooperative societies / Milk Producer Company / Dairy farmers Producers Organizations working in the sector of animal husbandry and dairying.
• The Award is conferred in three categories, namely,
• Best Dairy Farmer Rearing Indigenous Cattle/buffalo Breeds,
• Best Artificial Insemination Technician (AIT) and
• Best Dairy Cooperative/ Milk Producer Company/ Dairy Farmer Producer Organization.
• From this year onwards, the Department has incorporated a Special award for North Eastern Region (NER) States, in all the three categories under National Gopal Ratna Awards, so as to encourage and boost the dairy development activities in NER.

About One Nation One Subscription Scheme:

• It is a new Central Sector Scheme for providing country-wide access to scholarly research articles and journal publication.
• The scheme will be administered through a simple, user friendly and fully digital process.
• This will be a “One Nation One Subscription” facility for the government higher education institutions and R&D laboratories of the Central G
• This will supplement the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) initiative to promote research and development and foster a culture of research and innovation throughout government universities, colleges, research institutions, and R&D laboratories.
• The benefits of One Nation One Subscription scheme will be provided to all Higher Educational Institutions under the management of the Central or State Government and Research & Development Institutions of the Central Government, through a national subscription coordinated by a central agency, namely the Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET), an autonomous inter-university centre of the University Grants Commission (UGC).
• The Department of Higher Education will have a unified portal “One Nation One Subscription” through which the institutions will be able to access the journals.
• The ANRF will periodically review the usage of One Nation One Subscription and publications of Indian authors of these institutions.
• Funding: A total of about Rs.6,000 crore has been allocated for One Nation One Subscription for 3 calendar years, 2025, 2026 and 2027 as a new Central Sector Scheme.
• Significance:
• It will build on and further enhance the scope and reach of the range of initiatives undertaken by the Government of India over the past decade in the domains of education, for maximizing access to quality higher education for the youth of India.
• The initiative will expand access to scholarly journals to a vast diaspora of students, faculty, researchers and scientists of all disciplines, including those in tier 2 and tier 3 cities, thereby promoting core as well as interdisciplinary research in the country.

About PAN 2.0 Project:

• It is an e-Governance project for re-engineering the business processes of taxpayer registration services through technology driven transformation of PAN/TAN services for enhanced digital experience of the taxpayers.
• This will be an upgrade of the current PAN/TAN 1.0 eco-system consolidating the core and non-core PAN/TAN activities as well as PAN validation service.
• It is a project of the Income Tax Department.
• The PAN 2.0 Project enables technology driven transformation of Taxpayer registration services and has significant benefits including:
• Ease of access and speedy service delivery with improved quality;
• Single Source of Truth and data consistency
• Eco-friendly processes and cost optimization; and
• Security and optimization of infrastructure for greater agility.
• The PAN 2.0 Project resonates with the vision of the Government enshrined in Digital India by enabling the use of PAN as Common Identifier for all digital systems of specified government agencies.

What is a Permanent Account Number (PAN)?

• A PAN is an alphanumeric identifier consisting of ten characters, issued by the Income Tax Department.
• It is provided to any "person" upon application or allocated directly by the department without a formal request.
• The Income Tax Department utilises PAN to monitor and connect all transactions associated with an individual. This includes various activities such as tax payments, TDS/TCS credits, income returns, specific transactions, and official communications.

About National Mission on Natural Farming:

• It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare.
• It has been launched to promote natural farming in mission mode across the country as a standalone scheme.
• It aims at promoting natural farming practices for providing safe & nutritious food for all.
• It is designed to support farmers to reduce input cost of cultivation and dependency to externally purchased inputs.
• Features
  • In the next two years, NMNF will be implemented in 15,000 clusters in Gram Panchayats, which are willing, & reach 1 crore farmers and initiate Natural Farming (NF) in 7.5 lakh Ha area.
  • Preference will be given to areas having prevalence of practising natural farming farmers, SRLM / PACS / FPOs, etc.
  • Further, need-based 10,000 Bio-input Resource Centres (BRCs) will be set-up to provide easy availability and accessibility to ready-to-use natural farming inputs for farmers.
  • Under NMNF, around 2000 NF Model Demonstration Farms shall be established at Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), Agricultural Universities (AUs) and farmers’ fields, and shall be supported by experienced and trained Farmer Master Trainers.
  • The willing farmers will be trained in Model Demonstration Farms on the natural farming package of practices, preparation of natural farming inputs, etc. near their villages in KVKs, Agricultural Universities and practising natural farming farmers’ fields.
  • 75 lakh trained willing farmers will prepare inputs like Jeevamrit, Beejamrit, etc. by using their livestock or procure from BRCs. 30,000 Krishi Sakhis/ CRPs will be deployed for awareness generation, mobilisation and handholding of willing farmers in the clusters.
  • Farmers will be provided with an easy simple certification system and dedicated common branding to provide access to market their natural farming produce. Real time geo-tagged & referenced monitoring of NMNF implementation shall be done through an online portal.
  • Convergence with existing schemes and support structures of Government of India/ State Governments/ National & International Organisations shall be explored for enhancing local livestock population, development of NF Model Demonstration Farms at Central Cattle Breeding Farms/ Regional Fodder Stations, provide market linkages at district/ block/ GP levels through convergence for local farmers’ markets, APMC (Agricultural Produce Market Committee) Mandis, Haats, Depots, etc.
  • Additionally, students will be engaged in NMNF through the RAWE program and dedicated Undergraduate, Postgraduate & Diploma courses on NF.
  • Funding: The scheme has a total outlay of Rs.2481 crore (Government of India share – Rs.1584 crore; State share – Rs.897 crore) till the 15th Finance Commission (2025-26).

About CBSE Merit Scholarship Scheme for Single Girl Child:

• It aims to provide scholarships to meritorious female students who are the only children of their parents and have passed the CBSE Class X examination with 60% or more marks and are continuing their further school education in Class XI and Class XII.
• The scheme is aimed at recognizing the efforts of parents in promoting education among girls and to providing encouragement to meritorious students.
• It provides financial aid every month to the selected students, so they can continue their higher education.
• Eligibility Criteria:

• The applicant should be the single girl child of her parents and be an Indian national.
• To be eligible for the scholarship scheme, all single girl students must have 60 percent or more marks in the CBSE Class 10 Examination.
• They should be studying Class 11 and 12 in CBSE-affiliated schools with tuition fees not exceeding Rs 1,500 per month.
• NRI applicants of the Board are also eligible for the award. The tuition fee for the NRIs should be a maximum of Rs. 6,000/- per month.
• Students with gross parental/family income up to Rs. 8 lakh per annum are eligible for scholarships under the scheme.

• Scholarship amount: 

• Students who are selected for the scholarship will receive an amount of ₹500/- per month.
• The amount is payable for a maximum period of two years. Payment will be made through ECS/NEFT.

• Renewal options: Existing scholarship holders can renew their scholarship for Class XII if they secured 50% or more marks in their Class XI exams.

About Dongfeng-100 (DF-100):

• Dongfeng-100, also known as Changjian-100 (CJ-100), is a Chinese supersonic cruise missile.
• It was publicly introduced during China’s 70th National Day parade on October 1, 2019. 
• It is designed for precision strikes and features capabilities aimed at engaging a wide variety of targets, including land-based infrastructure, reinforced installations, underground bunkers, and large warships.
• Features:

• The missile is a land-based system with a range reportedly between 3,000 and 4,000 kilometers.
• 10×10 transporter erector launchers are used to launch it. But it can also be launched from a bomber. 
• It has a length exceeding 9 meters, a projectile diameter ranging between 0.7 and 1 meter, and a payload capacity of over 500 kilograms. 
• The missile is powered by a ramjet engine and achieves speeds of Mach 5 during its terminal phase.
• It boasts supersonic speeds throughout nearly all phases of its flight, enhancing the missile’s survivability and ability to penetrate air defenses.
• This missile goes up to a height of 30 kilometers after launch, after which it turns towards the target. 
• Its guidance system includes inertial navigation, terrain matching, scene matching and satellite positioning, providing high accuracy.

About Antlions:

• Antlions are insects belonging to the order Neuroptera. They are classified in the family Myrmeliontidae. 
• They are named for the predatory nature of the larvae, which commonly trap ants and other small insects in pits dug into the ground.
• Antlions are found throughout the world, primarily in dry, sandy regions.
• It is very difficult to spot them during the day and can be spotted at night near illuminated spots. 
• Features:

• Adult antlions resemble damselflies, but they have softer bodies, a lacy wing pattern, and long clubbed antennae.
• The bodies of antlions are long and slender and grayish in color. 
• The wings are generally clear, but some species have spots on their wings. 
• Antlions are weak fliers and can be found at night near lights. 
• They come in various shapes and sizes, with larvae typically measuring from a few millimeters to several centimeters, depending on the species. 
• Antlion larvae have rounded bodies with long sickle-shaped jaws. The larvae are found at the base of cone-shaped pits in sandy areas.
• They usually remain in the larval stage for one to two years, depending on the species. 
• Once they pupate, they require up to one month to complete their development. Adult antlions survive for one to two months.

• Antlions are harmless and cause no damage to flowers, people, or structures. 
• They are highly beneficial and feed on ants and other insects that fall into their traps. 

What is Palpares contrarius?

• It is a large-sized adult antlion.
• Though it looks like a dragonfly, it has an antenna and a distinct fluttering flight, which separates it from them. 

About Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD):

• KFD, also referred to as Monkey Fever, is a tick-borne viral haemorrhagic disease mostly found in southern India.
• The disease was first reported from the Kyasanur Forest of Karnataka in India in 1957; hence, it is known as Kyasanur Forest disease (KFD).
• The causal agent, Kyasanur Forest Disease Virus (family Flaviviridae, genus Flavivirus), is a member of the tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) complex. 
• Transmission: 

• It is transmitted by a range of tick species, with Haemophysalis spinigera being considered the principal vector. 
• A wide range of small rodents, monkeys and birds are thought to play a role in KFD virus transmission. 
• Transmission to humans may occur after a tick bite or contact with an infected animal, most importantly a sick or recently dead monkey. 
• No person-to-person transmission has been established yet. 

• The epidemic period usually begins in October or November and peaks from January to April, then declines by May and June. 
• Symptoms: Sudden onset of high-grade fever, prostration, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and occasionally neurological and haemorrhagic manifestations.
• Between 5 and 10% of people who are known to be affected by KFD die. 
• Treatment: 

• There is no cure for KFD.
• Supportive care is crucial, including fluid balance, providing oxygen, managing blood pressure, and treating additional infections.

• Vaccine: A vaccine for KFD is available and recommended in the parts of India where KFD is found.

About Reang Tribe:

• The Reang tribe, who locally call themselves “Bru”, is the second largest tribal community of Tripura after the old Tripuri clan. 
• They are the only Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTGs) residing in the state of Tripura. 
• Apart from Tripura, they are also found in the neighbouring state of Mizoram and a few in Assam.
• According to the 2011 census of India report, the total population of the Reang tribe is about 1,88,080. 
• Reangs are said to have come first from Shan State of upper Burma (now Myanmar) in different waves to the Chittagong Hill Tracts and then to the Southern part of Tripura.
• Similarly, another group entered Tripura via Assam and Mizoram during the 18th Century.
• Reangs belong to the Indo-Mongoloid racial stock.
• Their language is known as “Kaubru,” which has a tonal effect on the Kuki language, though broadly it is the Kok-Borok dialect.

• The language belongs to the Tibeto-Burmese linguistic family.

• Ethnically, Reangs are divided into two major clans: Meska and Molsoi. 
• They are a well-knit ethnic group having a rigid, well-ordained and well-structured self-governing system.
• Economy: They are primarily an agriculturist tribe. In the past, they mostly used to practise the ‘Huk' or Jhum cultivation, like most other Tripuri tribes. But now shifted to modern agriculture practice. 
• Religious Belief: 

• At present, most of the Reangs in Tripura follow Hinduism, and most of their deities are akin to gods and goddesses of Hindu faith. 
• They have faith in different deities like Buraha, Bonirao, Songragma, Jampira, Lampra, etc.

• Hojagiri folk dance of the Reang clan had achieved an unprecedented acclaim all over the world. 

About Kanhirapoil Megalithic Site:

• It is located in the state of Kerala.
• Major findings

• 24 pairs of prehistoric footprints and a human figure have been found carved into rock on private property.
• The carvings, made with iron tools, include footprints varying in size from six to ten inches, suggesting representations of both children and adults.
• At the end of the footprints, a human figure has been intricately etched, accompanied by four circular pits around it.
• These carvings bear similarities to prehistoric rock art found in Avalakki Pera in Udupi district in Karnataka.

Key facts about Megaliths

• These were constructed either as burial sites or commemorative((non-sepulchral)  memorials.
• The former are sites with actual burial remains, such as dolmenoid cists (box-shaped stone burial chambers), cairn circles (stone circles with defined peripheries) and capstones (distinctive mushroom-shaped burial chambers found mainly in Kerala). 
• Non-sepulchral megaliths include memorial sites such as menhirs.
• In India, archaeologists trace the majority of the megaliths to the Iron Age (1500 BC to 500 BC).
• In India, these are concentrated in the states of Maharashtra (mainly in Vidarbha), Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

About Phytoplankton Bloom:

• Phytoplanktons are microscopic plants, but they play a huge role in the marine food web.

• Like plants on land, phytoplankton perform photosynthesis to convert the sun’s rays into energy to support them.

•  Phytoplankton bloom

• Phytoplankton population explosion-blooms occur when sunlight and nutrients are abundantly available to the plants.
• When light, nutrients and other conditions, such as temperature, are at the best level for phytoplankton, they can rapidly multiply and flourish. This leads to the development of phytoplankton bloom.
• They grow and reproduce to a point where they are so dense that their presence changes the color of the water in which they live.
• Blooms can be quick events that begin and end within a few days or they may last several weeks. 

• Ecological significance

• Phytoplankton is estimated to produce about 50 percent of Earth’s oxygen.
• They have a crucial role in the global carbon cycle.
• They provide an essential food source for organisms like zooplanktons.
• Just like terrestrial plants, they grow more in certain seasons.

About Narsapur lace Craft:

• Narsapur is situated on the bank of Godavari River in the state of Andhra Pradesh. 
• It is believed that the women of the farming community of this region started creating highly attractive artefacts from colourful lace, about 150 years ago.
• The craft has survived the Indian famine (1899) and the Great Depression (1929). By the early 1900s, above 2,000 women were involved in the craft in the Godavari region. 
• The lace work is done using thin threads and these are again woven with thin crochet needles of varying sizes. 
• Narsapur's famed hand-made crochet industry produces doilies, pillow covers, cushion covers, bed spreads, table-runners and tablecloths etc. 
• Many of these products are exported to markets in the USA, UK and France.

What is a GI Tag?

• Geographical Indications (GI tags) are signs used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess distinctive qualities, reputation or characteristics attributable to that place of origin. 
• GI tags serve as intellectual property rights that identify a product's unique geographical source, providing legal protection and preventing unauthorised use.
• In India, the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, of 1999 governs the registration and protection of GIs. 
• These tags play a crucial role in promoting and safeguarding the unique products and traditional knowledge of various regions.

About Guru Tegh Bahadur:

• Guru Teg Bahadur’s name earlier was Teyag Mal and he was the ninth of ten Gurus of the Sikh religion.
• His father and the sixth Guru of Sikhs, Guru Hargobind Sahib (1595-1644) changed the name to Teg Bahadur.
• He got his name from his fighting and sword skills on the battlefield.
• He was known as Hind ki Chadar, or the 'Shield of India.
• Works

• He built the city of Anandpur Sahib (in Rupnagar/Ropar district, on the edge of Shivalik Hills, near the Sutlej River, in Punjab). Here the last two Sikh Gurus lived and where Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa Panth in 1699.
• Religious work: He contributed more than 100 poetic hymns to Granth Sahib which cover various topics, such as the nature of God, human attachments, body, mind, dignity, service etc.
• Diplomat: He was instrumental in the conciliation between Raja Bishan Singh and Raja Paranpal, thus avoiding a war.

• Martyrdom:

• He was first arrested by the Mughals on the orders of Aurangzeb in 1665.
• He was publicly beheaded in 1675 on the orders of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in Delhi.
• His martyrdom is remembered as the Shaheedi Divas every year on 24 November, according to the Nanakshahi calendar released by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee in 2003.

About Methanol Poisoning:

• It is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that arises when methanol, a type of alcohol widely used in industrial applications, is ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin.
• Methanol’s toxic effects emerge after the body metabolises it into harmful compounds like formaldehyde and formic acid. 
• These byproducts can wreak havoc on the nervous system, optic nerves and other vital organs.
• How does alcohol cause methanol poisoning?

• It typically occurs when counterfeit or illicit alcohol, often containing methanol, is consumed instead of ethanol, the type of alcohol found in beverages. 
• In the body, methanol is metabolised by the liver enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase into formaldehyde and then into formic acid, both of which are toxic.

• Methanol poisoning can indeed be fatal if left untreated. The toxic byproducts lead to complications.

• Metabolic Acidosis: A dangerous drop in blood pH levels.
• Optic Nerve Damage: Potentially resulting in partial or complete blindness.
• Central Nervous System Depression: Causing confusion, coma or death.

• Prevention

• Avoid Non-Drinkable Alcohol: Never consume industrial alcohol or alcoholic beverages from unverified sources, as they may contain methanol.
• Regulated Alcohol Sales: Governments should ensure the production and sale of alcohol adhere to safety standards to eliminate harmful levels of methanol.
• Public Awareness: Educate communities about the dangers of consuming illicit or counterfeit alcohol.
• Methanol Screening: Regular testing of alcoholic products in unregulated markets can help identify and prevent contaminated beverages from reaching consumers.
• Seek Prompt Medical Care: If methanol poisoning is suspected, immediate medical attention can be life-saving.

About Compressed Biogas

• It is the mixture of hydrocarbon gases and vapours consisting mainly of Methane in gaseous form.
• It has been produced by the decomposition of animal and plant waste, purified and compressed for use as an automotive fuel and industrial application;
• CBG has calorific value and other properties similar to CNG and hence can be utilized as green renewable automotive fuel. 
• Thus it can replace CNG in automotive, industrial and commercial areas, given the abundance of biomass availability within the country. 
• Conversion of agricultural residue, cattle dung and municipal solid waste (MSW) into CBG in a commercial scale is expected to have the following benefits  

• Import reduction of natural gas and crude.
• Utilization of agricultural residue, cattle dung and MSW for the production of CBG and thus to achieve reduction in emissions and pollution.  
• A boost towards fulfillment of National commitments in achieving climate change goals.
• Providing a buffer against energy security concerns and crude/gas price fluctuations.  
• Contribution towards Swachh Bharat Mission through responsible waste
• management  
• Lowering pollution and carbon emission.
• Providing additional source of revenue to the farmers, rural employment and amelioration of the rural economy

About Project Veer Gatha:

• It was instituted in 2021 with the aim of disseminating the inspiring tales of valour, selfless sacrifice and courage of the Gallantry Awardees and the life stories of these bravehearts among the students to inculcate the spirit of patriotism amongst them. 
• Project Veer Gatha enhanced this noble aim by providing a platform for the school students to do creative projects/activities based on heroic deeds and sacrifice of gallantry award winners.
• Three editions of the Veer Gatha Project have been conducted in 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
• It is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Education.

Key facts about Gallantry Awards

• Gallantry Awards have been instituted by the Government of India to honour the acts of bravery and sacrifice of the officers/personnel of the Armed Forces, other lawfully constituted Forces and civilians.
• These are announced twice in a year - first on the occasion of the Republic Day and then on the occasion of the Independence Day.
• These awards are the Ashoka Chakra, the Kirti Chakra and the Shaurya Chakra.
• Order of precedence of these awards is the Param Vir Chakra, the Ashoka Chakra, the Mahavir Chakra, the Kirti Chakra, the Vir Chakra and the Shaurya Chakra

About Jobs at Your Doorstep Report:

• This report serves as both a diagnostic and roadmap to providing strategic linkages and convergence between education and the jobs agenda of India. 
• It goes deep into the job landscape of six states: Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Rajasthan, and identifies key priority sectors and roles that offer the highest employment potential for young people graduating from secondary school.

• The report is a skills gap analysis that attempts to align trades offered in schools industry-specific needs of the districts where the schools are present. 
• It underscores the significant benefits of embedding skill-based education from Classes 9-12 to prepare students for diverse career paths relying on a bottom-up approach.
• The study was initiated to reimagine the skill education offering through in-depth primary as well as secondary research in six STARS states. 
• What is the STARS Scheme?

• It became effective since 2021 for a period of five years up to FY: 2024-25.
• STARS project would be implemented under Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education with the financial support of World Bank.
• It is being implemented in six identified States Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Kerala. These states will be supported for various interventions for improving the quality of education.

It is carved out of Samagra Shiksha, with a focus on those elements of the scheme that will most directly support school education enhancement.

About Nafithromycin:

• It is an antibiotic which has been developed with the support of "Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council" (BIRAC).
• It has been brought to market under the trade name "Miqnaf".
• It is the country's first indigenously developed antibiotic aimed at tackling Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).
• This innovation is designed to treat Community-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia (CABP).
• Nafithromycin’s efficacy stands out as it targets both typical and atypical pathogens, offering a potent solution where no new antibiotic in this class has been developed worldwide for over three decades.

• The antibiotic has minimal gastrointestinal side effects, no significant drug interactions, and remains unaffected by food, making it a versatile option for patients.
• It offers 10x Efficacy with Just 3 doses to Combat Drug-Resistant Pneumonia.

• The development of Nafithromycin represents 14 years of dedicated research and an investment of ₹500 crores, with clinical trials spanning the U.S., Europe, and India.

Key facts about Community-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia

• It is one of the most common infectious diseases and an important cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. 
• Typical bacterial pathogens that cause CAP include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis. 

About Minke whales:

• They are members of the baleen or “great” whale family and are the smallest of the rorquals.
• There are two recognized species of minke whales with partially overlapping ranges

• The Common minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), and the Antarctic minke whale  (B. bonaerensis). 
• Dwarf minke whales are an unnamed subspecies of the common minke whale that occurs almost exclusively in the Southern Hemisphere.  
• In addition the North Atlantic and North Pacific common minke whales also have separate sub-species designations (B. a. acutorostrata in the North Atlantic and B. a. scammoni in the North Pacific). 

• Distribution: Minke whales are widely distributed through most tropical, temperate and polar regions from approximately 65°S to 80°N.

• Common minke whales are found in all ocean basins, with the dwarf minke whale subspecies more or less limited to the Southern Hemisphere. 
• They feed most often in cooler waters at higher latitudes and can be found in both coastal/inshore and oceanic/offshore areas.
• IUCN Conservation status

• Common minke whale: Least concern
• Antarctic minke whale : Data deficient

About Dibang Multi-Purpose Hydro Power Project:

• It is a flood control cum hydroelectric power project planned to be developed on the Dibang River, a tributary of the Brahmaputra River, in Arunachal Pradesh.
• At 2,880MW installed capacity, it will be the country’s biggest hydropower facility.
• It is being developed by India’s state-run National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC).
• The Project is designed as an energy storage project, with flood moderation as one of the key objectives, besides power generation. 
• Project Features:

• The project envisages the construction of a 278m-high and 375m-long concrete gravity dam, which will be the highest Concrete-Gravity Dam of India. 
• The Dam is planned to be constructed with Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) technique and it will be the highest RCC Dam of the World. 
• The dam will create a 43 km-long reservoir with a gross storage capacity of 3.85 billion cubic metres.
• It includes six Horseshoe-shaped head race tunnels of length varying from 300 m to 600 m with 9 m diameter, an underground Power House, and six horseshoe-shaped tailrace tunnels of length varying from 320m to 470 m with 9 m diameter.

About Chagas Disease:

• Chagas (CHAH-gus) disease is an inflammatory, infectious disease caused by the protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi. 

• This parasite is found in the feces of the triatomine (reduviid) bug.
• This bug is also known as the "kissing bug."

• Chagas disease is common in South America, Central America, and Mexico, the primary home of the triatomine bug.
• Also called American trypanosomiasis, Chagas disease can infect anyone. Left untreated, Chagas disease later can cause serious heart and digestive problems.
• Treatment: 

• During the acute phase of infection, treatment of Chagas disease focuses on killing the parasite. 
• In people who have chronic Chagas disease, it's no longer possible to kill the parasite. Treatment in this later phase is about managing signs and symptoms. 

About Eastern Imperial Eagle:

• It is a large, graceful bird of prey that breeds in southeastern Europe and extensively through West and Central Asia.
• Scientific Name: Aquila heliaca
• Like all eagles, the Eastern imperial eagle is a member of the family Accipitridae. Furthermore, its well-feathered legs mark it as a member of the subfamily Aquilinae.
• It tends to live in forests, where it will build a huge, conspicuous nest in an isolated tall tree.
• Most populations are migratory and winter in northeastern Africa, the Middle East, and South and East Asia.
• Habitat: Old forests, and the forests in mountains, hills, and along rivers are all common habitats.
• Features:

• It is a large eagle. Adult total length can range from 68 to 90 cm with a typical wingspan of 1.76 to 2.2 m.
• The species displays reverse sexual dimorphism as do most birds of prey, in which males are usually smaller than the females.
• They have a pale golden crown and nape and a grey base that extends to the tail. They also have very apparent white "braces" on their scapulars.
• Like other eagles, they have strong legs and feet. Their feet include long, curved talons that they use to seize, kill, and carry their prey.
• They also have large eyes that are located slightly to the side of the head. These eyes provide them with extremely keen eyesight, allowing them to spot prey from high in the air.

About Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary:

• Location: It is located on the southern bank of the river Brahmaputra in Morigaon district, adjacent to Guwahati in Assam.
• It was declared a reserve forest in 1971 and a wildlife sanctuary in 1987.
• It is home to the highest population density of the Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros species (around 102 rhinos in an area of 38.8 sq. km).
• Landscape: It is dominated by alluvial lowlands and marshland.
• The Brahmaputra River offers a natural boundary to the premises of the sanctuary on the north, while the Garanga Beel offers a natural boundary to its south.
• Flora:

• 72% of Pobitora consists of the wet savannah of Arundo donax, Erianthus ravennae, Phragmites karka, Imperata cylindrica, and Saccharum spp.
• Water hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes) is a major problem, especially to waterfowl, as it forms thick mats on the water surface.

• Fauna:

• Besides rhinoceros, the other animals are leopard, wild boar, Barking deer, wild buffalo, etc.
• It is also home to more than 375 species of resident and migratory birds, such as the Indian pied Hornbill, Osprey, Hill Myna, Kalij Pheasant, etc.

About Dal Lake:

• It is a small mid-altitude lake situated in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.
• It is surrounded by the Pir Panjal mountains.
• It is named the “Jewel in the crown of Kashmir” or “Srinagar’s Jewel”.
• It is the second-largest lake in Jammu and Kashmir.
• The lake covers an area of 18 sq.km. and is part of a natural wetland which covers 21.1 sq.km. 

• The wetland is divided by causeways into four basins: Gagribal, Lokut Dal, Bod Dal, and Nagin (although Nagin is also considered an independent lake).

• The shoreline of the lake, is about 15.5 kilometres (9.6 mi), is encompassed by a boulevard lined with Mughal-era gardens, parks, houseboats, and hotels.
• The floating gardens, known as “Raad” in Kashmiri, blossom with lotus flowers during July and August.
• Dal Lake is also popular for the floating market where vendors have their own Shikaras/wooden boats and approach tourists.
• The depth of water varies from 6 metres at its deepest to 2.5 metres at its shallowest. 
• During the winter season, the temperature sometimes reaches −11 °C (12 °F), freezing the lake.
• Islands:

• Dal Lake includes 3 islands, 2 of which are marked with beautiful Chinar trees.
• The island located on the Lakut Dal is known as Roph Lank (Silver Island), is marked with the presence of majestic Chinar trees at the four corners, thus known as Char-Chinari (Four Chinars).
• The second Chinar Island, known as Sone Lank (Gold Island), is located on the Bod Dal (Big Dal) and overlooks the holy shrine of Hazratbal.