About Passport Seva Portal:

• Established by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in partnership with Tata Consultancy Services, the Passport Seva portal is an excellent example of a Public-Private Partnership.
• It simplifies the passport application and renewal process in India.
• Through this portal, individuals can quickly apply for a passport or its renewal from the convenience of their homes.
• It is a user-friendly portal providing access to various passport services online.
• The MEA has retained sovereign functions like verification, granting, and issuance of a passport as well as ownership of core assets, including data and information of the applicants.
• Users can perform the following functions on the Passport Seva Online Portal:
  • Apply for a new passport.
  • Apply for renewal of a passport.
  • Apply for re-issue of lost or damaged passport.
  • Download the application form for the Police Clearance Certificate.
  • Download the application form for the Surrender Certificate.
  • Download the application form for the Identity Certificate.
• The portal offers complete information regarding the documents required and the process to be followed for obtaining any of the documents mentioned above. You can complete these steps online.
• But in some instances, you will be required to take a printout of the application form, book an appointment, and then visit your nearest Passport Seva Kendra.
• To be able to use the facilities made available under Passport Seva, it is mandatory to register for Passport Seva Online first.

What is the Passport Seva Project (PSP)?

• The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is responsible for the issuance of passports to Indian citizens through a network of 37 passport offices across the country and 190 Indian missions and posts abroad.
• The PSP was launched by the MEA in May 2010, with the objective of delivering Passport Services to the citizens in a comfortable environment with wider accessibility and reliability.
• The project envisages setting up Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) across the country, a Data Centre and Disaster Recovery Centre, a Call centre operating in multiple Indian languages, and a centralized nationwide computerized system for the issuance of passport
• With the implementation of the PSP, PSKs are working as extended arms of Regional Passport Offices.
• An applicant may ascertain the jurisdiction of the Regional Passport Office and PSK before submitting an application.
• It enables simple, efficient, and transparent processes for delivery of passports and related services.
• Apart from creating a countrywide networked environment for Government staff, it integrates with the Indian missions and posts abroad, and with a few external stakeholders, such as State Police for physical verification of applicant's credentials with India Post for delivery of passports, and UIDAI for applicant’s demographics and biometrics validation.

About Chemotherapy:

• Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses medicines to destroy cancer cells.
• There are many different types of chemo. They don’t all work exactly the same way, so different types of chemo might be used for different types of cancer.
• Most are given as an infusion into a vein (IV), but some are given as an injection, taken as pills, or applied to the skin.
• How is Chemo Different from Other Cancer treatments?
  • Chemo is a systemic treatment.
  • It travels through the bloodstream to reach all parts of your body.
  • It can kill cancer cells that have spread (metastasized) to parts of the body far away from the original (primary) tumor or cancer cells in blood cancers, such as leukemia, that have spread throughout the body.
  • This makes chemo different from local treatments like surgery and radiation, which only affect one part of the body.
• How Does Chemotherapy Work?
  • Chemotherapy works by affecting cells when they are growing and dividing to make new cells. During this process (called the cell cycle), cells:
  • Grow in size.
  • Make copies of their genetic material (DNA).
  • Divide to form new cells.
  • Some cells, such as skin cells, are fast-growing, meaning they move through this process quickly. Other cells, such as muscle cells, complete it more slowly.
  • Cancer cells tend to be faster growing, moving through the cell cycle very quickly.
  • Different types of chemo target cells at different phases of the cell cycle. This is why certain chemo drugs work better for different types of cancer cells, and sometimes different combinations of chemo work better together.
  • Understanding how chemo works also helps doctors plan how often each chemo should be given, and how those doses should be timed.
• Side Effects:
  • Chemo interrupts the cell cycles of normal cells, too–especially cells that grow faster.
  • Blood cells and the cells in your skin, hair follicles, and digestive tract are examples of cells that grow and multiply quickly.
  • That’s why some common side effects of chemotherapy occur in these areas, including:
  • Anemia.
  • Bleeding
  • Hair loss.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diarrhea.
  • Fatigue.

About Tawi River:

• It is a major left-bank tributary of the Chenab River and an important river in the Jammu region.
• It is considered sacred and holy. The Tawi River is also called "Surya Putri" in ancient texts.
• Course:
  • The Tawi rises from Kalpas Kund of Seo Dhar in the Bhaderwah in the Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir, then descends to Sudh Mahadev.
  • Spanning approximately 141 kilometers, it traverses steep hills and plains before entering Pakistan's Punjab province and merging with the Chenab
• The catchment area of the river up to the Indian border (Jammu) is 2168 sq.km. and falls in the districts of Jammu, Udhampur, and a small part of Doda.
• On the way, many tributaries such as Bhuteshwari (Birma), Duddhar, Jajjhar, etc., join this river.
• The Tawi River traverses through and divides the city of Jammu into two
  • The old Jammu town is located on the hill overlooking the river
  • The new town is across the river.
  • The water of the Tawi River is the main source of water for the entire city.

About Iliamna Volcano:

• It is located in southwest Alaska, United States.
• It sits in the Chigmit Mountains within Lake Clark National Park and Preserve.
• It soars to 10,016 feet (3,053 m) tall from nearby Cook Inlet.
• Iliamna is a stratovolcano, characterised by its steep, conical shape and periodic explosive eruptions.
• It comprises andesite lava flows and pyroclastic rocks on a base of Jurassic-era granite.
• The volcano is not a symmetric cone but is made of a summit peak and four other peaks that make a 5-km-long ridge.
• Most of the volcano is covered by perennial snow and ice, and numerous glaciers radiate from the summit area.
• Large avalanche deposits occur on the flanks of the volcano, particularly down the Umbrella Glacier on the southwest side of the volcano.
• The volcano is currently considered dormant, as the most recent reported eruption occurred in 1876. 

What is a Stratovolcano?

• It is a tall, steep, and cone-shaped type of volcano.
• Unlike flat shield volcanoes, they have higher peaks.
• They are typically found above subduction zones, and they are often part of large volcanically active regions, such as the Ring of Fire that frames much of the Pacific Ocean.
• Stratovolcanoes comprise the largest percentage (~60%) of the Earth’s individual volcanoes, and most are characterized by eruptions of andesite and dacite, lavas that are cooler and more viscous than basalt.
• These more viscous lavas allow gas pressures to build up to high levels. Therefore, these volcanoes often suffer explosive eruptions.
• They are usually about half-half lava and pyroclastic material, and the layering of these products gives them their other common name of composite volcanoes.
• At the peak, stratovolcanoes usually have a small crater. The crater may be filled with water or ice, or it may contain a volcanic dome during a period of relative inactivity.

About Kappatagudda Wildlife Sanctuary:

• It is located in the Gadag district of Karnataka.
• It spans over 244.15 sq.km.
• The sanctuary features diverse habitats—dry deciduous forests, grasslands, scrublands, and riverine zones—earning it the nickname “Western Ghats of North Karnataka”.
• The sanctuary’s historical significance traces back centuries, evident in the remnants of ancient temples and ruins that dot the hillsides.
• These structures are adorned with intricate carvings and tell tales of dynasties that once ruled the land, such as the Chalukyas and Rashtrakutas.
• Moreover, the architectural marvels strewn across Kappatagudda, such as the Kappatagudda Jain Basadi, Brahma Jinalaya, Trikuteshwara Temple, and the Dambala Temple, stand testament to the craftsmanship and religious diversity of the region.
• Flora:
  • The sanctuary supports diverse vegetation typical of dry-scrub and deciduous ecosystems.
  • The forest has about 400 medicinal plant species.
• Fauna:
  • Carnivores such as gray wolves, striped hyenas, leopards, and golden jackals are in good numbers.
  • Small carnivores such as jungle cats, rusty-spotted cats, small Indian civets, common palm civets, ruddy mongooses, and Indian gray mongooses also exist.

About Black Mass Recovery Technology:

• It is designed to extract battery-grade lithium, cobalt, nickel and manganese from end-of-life lithium-ion batteries.
• Its dual-mode (wet and dry) black mass recovery technology ensures high separation efficiency and recovery rates of up to 97–99%.
• The end-to-end process, including collection, shredding, metal leaching, and downstream purification, is indigenously developed and patented, significantly reducing reliance on imported recycling equipment.
• Significance: It seeks to minimize import of critical minerals by recycling already available ones within the country.
• The recovered battery-grade compounds—such as lithium carbonate and cobalt sulphate—meet global specifications and will cater to both domestic consumption and exports.

What is Black Mass?

• It is the term used to describe the dark, granular material that remains after lithium-ion batteries are shredded during recycling.
• It contains a valuable mix of metals, including: Lithium, Cobalt, Nickel, Manganese and Graphite
• These materials are essential to the production of new batteries, especially for electric vehicles, energy storage systems, and electronics.

About Tansen:

• Tansen was a prominent Indian classical music composer, musician and vocalist, known for a large number of compositions.
• He was also an instrumentalist who popularised and improved the plucked rabab (of Central Asian origin).
• He first stayed under the shelter of Daulat Khan, son of Sher Shah Suri and then was appointed as the court singer of King Ramchandra of Bandhavgarh.
• He was among the Navaratnas (nine jewels) at the court of the Mughal Emperor Jalal ud-din Akbar.
• Akbar gave him the title Mian, an honorific, meaning learned man.
• Tansen as a historical personality is difficult to extract from the extensive legend that surrounds him.
• Cultural contribution
  • He is given credit for introducing some famous ragas viz., Miyan ki Malhar, Miyan ki Todi and Darbari.
  • Tansen was remembered for his classical Dhrupad compositions
• The tomb of Hazrat Sheikh Muhammad Ghaus was declared a protected monument of national importance in 1962 under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.

About Leptospirosis:

• It is a potentially fatal zoonotic bacterial disease.
• The disease is caused by a bacterium called Leptospira interrogans, or Leptospira.
• The disease causing bacteria is found in the urine of animals such as rats, cattle, and dogs.
• The bacteria can infect humans by entering the body through tiny cracks and wounds in the soles of the feet. 
• Prevalence: It is more prevalent in warm, humid countries and both urban and rural areas. 
• Transmission:
  • It is a contagious disease in animals but is occasionally transmitted to humans in certain environmental conditions.
  • The carriers of the disease can be either wild or domestic animals, including rodents, cattle, pigs, and dogs.
• The cycle of disease transmission begins with the shedding of leptospira, usually in the urine of infected animals.
• According to the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, infected animals can continue to excrete the bacteria into their surroundings for a few months, but sometimes up to several years.
• Leptospirosis may occur in two phases:
  • After the first phase (symptoms: fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, vomiting, or diarrhoea) the patient may recover for a time but become ill again.
  • If a second phase occurs, it is more severe; the person may have kidney or liver failure or meningitis.
• Treatment: It can be treated with antibiotics.

About Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool Alliance:

• It was founded in 2008 as collaboration between four of the world’s largest and most influential conservation organizations.
• The four organisations that form part of the Alliance are:
  • BirdLife International, Conservation International, the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre.
• IBAT has been a trusted resource for organizations worldwide, supporting the private sector, governments, not-for-profits, and research institutions in making informed biodiversity decisions for nearly two decades.
• It licences commercial access to the IBAT platform - the world’s most authoritative biodiversity data platform, providing trusted data to assess biodiversity risks and align with global frameworks to support nature-positive goals.
• It provides datasets which are the World Database of Protected Areas (WDPAs), World database of Key Biodiversity Areas (WDKBA) and the IUCN Red list of Threatened Species.
• It also provides derived datasets - the Rarity-Weighted Richness layer and Species Threat Abatement and Restoration or STAR metric.
• The IBAT platform provides unique access to these datasets and layers helping to inform your world-leading biodiversity decisions.
• It is supported by a network of conservation and scientific expertise. This collaboration ensures IBAT provides the gold standard in biodiversity data, helping organizations navigate sustainability challenges with confidence.
• It is headquartered in Cambridge, UK.

About International Potato Centre:

• It was founded in 1971 as a research-for-development organization with a focus on potato, sweet potato and Andean roots and tubers.
• It delivers innovative science-based solutions to enhance access to affordable nutritious food, foster inclusive sustainable business and employment growth, and drive the climate resilience of root and tuber agri-food systems.
• CIP is a CGIAR research center, a global research partnership for a food-secure future. CGIAR science is dedicated to transforming food, land and water systems in a climate crisis.
• Its research is carried out by 13 CGIAR Centers/Alliances in close collaboration with hundreds of partners, including national and regional research institutes, civil society organizations, academia, development organizations and the private sector. 
• Headquarter: It is in Lima, Peru and it has a research presence in more than 20 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
• The India centre will not only serve domestic farmers, but those in other South Asian countries as well.

Potato Production in India

• India is the world’s second top producer and consumer of potato
• Major potato growing States: Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab.
• As of now, at least two different centres of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) work on tuber crops.
• While the Shimla-based ICAR-CPRI (Central Potato Research Institute) is working on potato, the Thiruvananthapuram-based ICAR-CTCRI (Central Tuber Crops Research Institute is working on sweetpotato.

About Price Support Scheme (PSS):

• It is implemented by the Government of India under India’s umbrella scheme “PM-AASHA” (Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan), launched in 2018.
• Implemented by:
  • The Department of Agriculture & Cooperation implements this scheme for procurement of oilseeds, pulses, and cotton, through the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED), which is the Central nodal agency, at the MSP (minimum support price) declared by the government.
  • In addition to the NAFED, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) will take up PSS operations in states/districts.
• What are the Benefits?
  • When the price of commodities falls below the MSP, State and central notified procurement nodal agencies purchase commodities directly from the farmers at MSP under FAQ (Fair Average Quality).
  • By this way prices of the main commodities are procured and protect the farmers against the economical loss in farming.
  • Procurement under PSS is continued till prices stabilize at or above the MSP.
  • The procurement expenditure and losses due to procurement will be borne by the Central Government as per norms.

Key Facts about Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA):

• It is an umbrella scheme aimed at ensuring remunerative prices to the farmers for their produce.
• PM AASHA has three components, and states can choose whichever one they wish to implement. The three components are
• Price Support Scheme (PSS)
• Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS):
  • Under PDPS, it is proposed to cover all oilseeds for which MSP is notified.
  • Direct payment of the difference between the MSP and the selling/model price will be made to pre-registered farmers selling his produce in the notified market yard through a transparent auction
  • All payments will be done directly into the registered bank account of the farmer.
  • This scheme does not involve any physical procurement of crops, as farmers are paid the difference between the MSP price and the Sale/model price on disposal in the notified market.
  • The support of the central government for PDPS will be given as per norms.
• Pilot of Private Procurement and Stockist Schemes (PPPS):
  • In addition to PDPS, for oilseeds, states have the option to roll out PPSS on a pilot basis in selected districts/Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMCs) of districts involving the participation of private stockist
  • This scheme will allow private players to participate in the procurement of crops.
  • The pilot district/selected APMC(s) of the district will cover one or more crops of oilseeds for which MSP is notified.
• Only one scheme, i.e., PSS or PDPS, may be made operational in one State with respect to one commodity.

About Sabka Vishwas - (Legacy Dispute Resolution) Scheme, 2019 (SVLDRS):

• It was a one-time amnesty scheme proposed in the Union Budget, 2019, and introduced to resolve all disputes relating to the erstwhile Service Tax and Central Excise Acts, which are now subsumed under GST, as well as 26 other Indirect Tax enactments.
• It was introduced for taxpayers who wish to close their pending disputes, with substantial relief provided by the government.
• Operational Period: September 1, 2019 – December 31, 2019
• Objectives:
  • To encourage voluntary disclosure of past disputes of Central Excise, Service Tax, and 26 other Indirect Tax Enactments.
  • To facilitate an eligible person to declare the unpaid tax dues and pay the same in accordance with the provisions of this scheme.
  • To provide certain immunities, including penalty, interest or any other proceedings, including prosecution, to eligible persons who pay the declared tax due.
• This scheme provided for a substantial relief margin on all duty demands, ranging from 40% to 70% of the demand, except in the case of voluntary disclosure.

About Sree Narayana Guru:

• Sree Narayana Guru (20 August 1856 – 20 September 1928) was a saint, philosopher, spiritual leader and social reformer from Kerala.
• The Guru was born into an Ezhava family in an era when people from backward communities like the Ezhavas faced social injustice in the caste-ridden Kerala society.
• Sree Narayan Guru, under the guidance of Ayyavu Swamikal, learned yoga and meditation. This led to him becoming a hermit for eight years, during which he practised yoga and meditation to attain spirituality.
• Gurudevan, as he was known among his followers, led a reform movement in Kerala, revolted against the caste system, and worked on propagating new values of freedom in spirituality and social equality, which transformed Kerala society.
• He is revered for his Vedic knowledge, poetic proficiency, openness to the views of others, non-violent philosophy, and unrelenting resolve to set right social wrongs.
• He was one of the most successful social reformers to revolt against the caste system in India.
• He demonstrated a path to social emancipation without invoking the dualism of the oppressed and the oppressor.
• Philosophy: “Oru Jathi, Oru Matham, Oru Daivam, Manushyanu” translates to “One Caste, One Religion, One God for Mankind” and is a core message advocated by Shri Narayana Guru.
• Aruvippuram Movement (1888): Sree Narayana Guru consecrated a Shiva idol at Aruvippuram, a village in present-day Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala, symbolising resistance against social injustice, particularly the caste-based restrictions that barred lower castes from temple entry.
• The Guru went on to establish more than 40 temples across the state of Kerala, to enable everyone, including the lower caste and oppressed segments of society, to practise their faith.
• He opened several ashrams, schools, , for children and others from underprivileged societies. Here, free education was provided to everyone, irrespective of their caste.
• He founded an ashram, or religious retreat, on Sivagiri hill, near Varkkallai, in 1904. The ashram is now called Sivagiri Matha (or Sivagiri Mutt).
• Established SNDP:
  • Under the Indian Companies Act, the Sri Narayana Guru Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP) was established in 1903.
  • Narayana Guru served as its permanent chairman, while Kumaran Asan, a renowned poet and disciple of Guru, became its general secretary.
  • The Ezhava’s right to attend public schools, access to government services, and political representation were all addressed by the SNDP.
• The Guru also led the ‘Vaikom Satyagraha’ protest movement against caste discrimination, untouchability, and inequality.
• The Sivagiri foundation was established in 1924 by the Guru to promote virtues of cleanliness, education, devotion, agriculture, handicrafts, and trade.
• The Sivagiri pilgrimage (Sivagiri Theerthadanam), initiated by his followers, promotes values of purity, education, and organization.
• Literary Contributions: He authored several important works, including Advaitha Deepika, Atmavilasam, Daiva Dasakam, and Brahmavidya Panchakam.
• After his death, Guru’s birth anniversary was established as “Sri Narayana Jayanthi,” and both his birth and death days are observed as public holidays in Kerala and other states.

About Haemophilia A:

• It is a hereditary bleeding disorder that happens when your blood doesn’t clot as well as it should.
• Causes:
  • When you bleed, a series of reactions take place in the body that help blood clots form. This process is called the coagulation cascade.
  • It involves as many as 20 different special proteins called coagulation, or clotting, factors.
  • You may have a higher chance of excess bleeding if one or more of these factors are missing or are not functioning like they should.
  • Factor VIII (eight) is one such coagulation factor. Hemophilia A is the result of the body not making enough factor VIII.
• How is Haemophilia A passed on?
  • It is usually caused by an altered gene being passed on to a child by their parents (inherited).
  • Men with the altered gene will have symptoms.
  • Women with the altered gene (carriers) can have symptoms, but this is less common, and the symptoms are less severe than in men.
• Symptoms:
  • The severity of symptoms varies. Prolonged bleeding is the main symptom. It is often first seen when an infant is circumcised.
  • Other bleeding problems usually show up when the infant starts crawling and walking.
  • Mild cases may go unnoticed until later in life.
  • Symptoms may first occur after surgery or injury. Internal bleeding may occur anywhere.
  • Symptoms may include:
    • Bleeding into joints with associated pain and swelling
    • Blood in the urine or stool
    • Bruising
    • Gastrointestinal tract and urinary tract bleeding
    • Nosebleeds
    • Prolonged bleeding from cuts, tooth extraction, and surgery
    • Bleeding that starts without cause
• Treatment:
  • Healthcare providers typically treat hemophilia A with factor replacement therapy.
  • Healthcare providers will inject concentrated factor VIII into your bloodstream.
  • Factor VIII replaces the missing blood protein, or factor, that helps blood to clot.

Key Facts about Von Willebrand Disease (VWD):

• VWD is a blood disorder in which the blood does not clot properly.
• Cause: People with the disease have low levels of von Willebrand factor, a protein that helps blood clot, or the protein doesn't perform as it should.
• Most people with the disease are born with it, having inherited it from one or both parents.
  • Symptoms:
    • VWD does not always cause symptoms unless you have an injury.
    • Sometimes it's found when you have more bleeding than usual after surgery or giving birth.
    • Symptoms of VWD can include:
    • bruising easily
    • frequent nosebleeds
    • bleeding gums
    • bleeding more than usual after an injury or cut
    • heavy periods
  • Some people also have more severe symptoms, such as:
    • heavy bleeding that's difficult to stop, for example, after an injury or procedure
    • blood in your poo
    • blood in your pee (urine)
    • pain, swelling and stiffness in a joint
• Treatment:
  • VWD can't be cured.
  • But with treatment and self-care, most people with this disease can lead active lives.

About Candida tropicalis:

• It is a species of yeast (fungus) that is part of the Candida genus.
• It is a human pathogen associated with high mortality rates.
• Habitat:
  • It is one of the fungal species that has been obtained from seawater, sea sediments, mudflats, marine fish intestine, mangrove plants, marine algae, and shrimps.
  • Therefore, they are widely distributed in the tropical and subtropical marine environments.
  • It is also dominantly found in the human gut, fruit surfaces, a variety of foods, and soil.
• It is a common systemic fungus, affecting persons with immune-compromised and immune-suppressed systems.
• It is known to be pathogenic in neutropenic hosts and disseminating through the bloodstream to peripheral organs.
  • A neutropenic host refers to a person with neutropenia, a condition characterized by an abnormally low count of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell essential for fighting off infections, especially bacterial and fungal infections.
• It is also known to cause infections when the normal microbiota in the human host has been compromised by intake of antimicrobial agents such as antibiotics or when the sugar levels are high in the system.
• It causes infections on human skin, in the gastrointestinal tract, and also in the female genitourinary tract.
• Its infections are associated with a mortality rate of 55-60%.
• The most common mode of transmission is the nosocomial transmission between health-care workers and patients.
• Treatment: Antifungal drugs are typically utilized to treat C. tropicalis infections.

About State of the Climate in Asia 2024 Report:

• It is published by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).
• It is the fifth edition of climate reports published annually for this region and has involved National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs), WMO Regional Climate Centres (RCCs), and several research institutions, as well as United Nations agencies, international and regional organizations.
• The report provides the status of key climate indicators and latest data and information on impacts, risks and policy from United Nations agencies.

Key Findings of the Report    

• The global mean temperature in 2024 was the highest on record for the period 1850-2024,
• Each of the years from 2015 to 2024 was one of the 10 warmest years on record.
• Sea surface temperatures were the highest on record, with Asia’s sea surface decadal warming rate nearly double the global average.
• Sea level rise on the Pacific and Indian Ocean sides of Asia exceeded the global average, heightening risks for low-lying coastal areas, according to the report.
• It also highlighted changes in key climate indicators such as surface temperature, glacier mass and sea level, which will have major repercussions for societies, economies and ecosystems in the region.
• In 2024, most of the ocean areas of Asia were affected by marine heatwaves of strong, severe, or extreme intensity — the largest extent since records began in 1993.
• The northern Indian Ocean and in the ocean area adjacent to Japan, the Yellow Sea, and East China Sea were especially affected.
• Three out of four cyclones formed over the Bay of Bengal (Remal, Dana, Fengal), and one formed over the Arabian Sea (Asna). 
• Extreme high temperatures affected the Makkah region of Saudi Arabia in mid-June with temperatures reaching 49 °C.

About Digital Payment Intelligence Platform:

• It seeks to bolster fraud risk management by facilitating real-time intelligence sharing and gathering, thereby preventing fraudulent digital transactions.
• The institutional structure of the proposed entity would be created with the help of both public sector and private sector lenders.
• It will collect and analyse data from various sources to identify potential threats and prevent fraudulent activities.
• By enabling real-time data sharing, the platform will help prevent scams and ensure secure transactions.
• The Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) has been assigned to build a prototype of DPIP in consultation with 5-10 banks.
• It is going to leverage advanced technologies to curb payment-related frauds.
• RBI formed a committee, chaired by AP Hota to examine various aspects of establishing this digital public infrastructure.
• Why is it needed?
  • The volume of frauds also rose to 15.51 lakh during the March 2024 period from 11.5 lakh in the previous six-month period.
  • The alarming increase coincides with India’s rapid transformation into a digital payments powerhouse, fuelled by the widespread adoption of the unified payments interface (UPI) since its launch in 2016.

About Organisation of Islamic Cooperation:

• It is the second largest intergovernmental organisation after the United Nations, with the membership of 57 states, covering four continents.
• It was established upon a decision of the historical summit, which took place in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco on 25 September 1969.
• It aims to preserve Islamic values, safeguard and defend the national sovereignty and independence of member states, and contribute to international peace and security.
• The OIC is the collective voice of the Muslim world to ensure and safeguard their interest in economic, social, and political areas. 
• Its official languages are Arabic, English, and French.
• The OIC is composed of the following main bodies:
  • Islamic Summit Conference (ISC): It is the supreme authority of the OIC, which meets every three years to lay down the Organization’s policy.
  • Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM): It  meets once a year to examine the implementation of its decisions taken within the framework of the policy defined by the Summit
  • General Secretariat: It is the executive organ of the OIC entrusted with the implementation of the decisions of the two preceding bodies
• The OIC partners with international mechanisms(including every specialized UN agency), governments, and civil society organizations (CSOs) to address issues of concern to its member states and Muslims worldwide.
• Headquarters: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

About Enhanced Rock Weathering:

• It aims to speed up the natural capture and storage of carbon dioxide -- a planet-warming greenhouse gas and also to turbocharge a natural geological process called weathering.
  • Weathering is the breakdown of rocks by carbonic acid, which forms when carbon dioxide in the air or soil dissolves into water.
  • Weathering occurs naturally when rain falls on rocks, and the process can lock away carbon dioxide from the air or soil as bicarbonate, and eventually limestone.
• ERW speeds the process up by using quick-weathering rocks like basalt that are ground finely to increase their surface area.
• Projects are happening in most parts of the world, including Europe, North America, Latin America and Asia.
• Effectiveness of Enhanced Rock Weathering
  • Its rates depend on variables including rock type and size, how wet and hot the climate is, soil type and land management.
  • The added rock increases soil alkalinity, which can boost crop growth, soil nutrients and soil formation.
  • Basalt is both naturally abundant and often available as a byproduct of quarrying, lowering the costs of the process.
  • Experts note that even if the rock reacts with other acids in the soil, failing to lock away carbon dioxide at that stage, it can still have planetary benefits.
  • That is because acids in the soil would otherwise eventually wash into rivers and the sea, where acidification leads to the release of carbon dioxide.
  • It prevents carbon dioxide being released from the water into the atmosphere downstream.
• Issue with ERW: Some quick-weathering rocks have high levels of potentially poisonous heavy metals.

About Training of Trainers (ToT) programme:

• It is aimed at strengthening the financial autonomy of Panchayats.
• It focuses on enhancing the capacity of Panchayats to generate their Own Source Revenue (OSR).
• This initiative is being implemented under the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad.
• This Training of Trainers on OSR marks a structured and forward-looking initiative to build robust, responsive, and financially capable Panchayats across the country.  

Key Facts about Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan

• It was launched on 24th April 2018 as an umbrella scheme of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Govt. of India.
• It is a unique scheme proposed to develop and strengthen the Panchayati Raj System across India in the rural areas implemented during 2018-19 to 2021-22. 
• The scheme was revamped and the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) was approved for the implementation from financial year 2022-23 to 2025-26 for capacity building of elected representative of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
• The primary objective of Revamped RGSA is to develop the governance capabilities of the Panchayats to deliver on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which covered within the purview of Panchayats.
• The Revamped RGSA extends to all States and Union Territories (UTs) of the country including institutions of rural local government in non-Part IX areas, where Panchayats do not exist.

About Evaporative Demand:

• Evaporative demand is a measure of how thirsty the atmosphere is.
• It determines the near-maximum of how much water will evaporate from a given piece of land if sufficient water is available.
• It does not necessarily relate to actual evaporation rate, as if there is little water supply there can only be a small evaporation rate, no matter how large the demand.
• It is driven by atmospheric factors including temperature, wind speed, humidity and cloud cover.
• Periods of high evaporative demand are connected to droughts and increased fire danger.
• Tracking extended periods with above normal evaporative demand can be a useful way to detect drought onset, drought intensification, and elevated fire danger.
• Above normal temperatures, clear skies, and wind speed, and below normal humidity all drive evaporative demand up and lead to quicker drying at the surface.
• Soil moisture is reduced which leads to less water available for plants and vegetation becomes stressed and more flammable.
• When extended periods of below normal precipitation overlap with extended periods of above normal evaporative demand fuels become critically dry favoring rapidly spreading wildfires.

 What is a Thirstwave?

• It denotes three or more contiguous days of intense evaporative demand.
• While heat waves are caused by particular temperature and wind patterns, a thirstwave is the product of temperature, humidity, solar radiation, and wind speed.
• When temperatures rise, the consequences include more heat as well as the mechanics of water exchange between land and atmosphere, which in turn alters humidity, wind, and solar radiation.
• In a warming world, the researchers found that thirstwaves have grown more intense, are more frequent, and are lasting longer.

About India's First Off-Grid Green Hydrogen Pilot Plant:

• Location: Kutch, Gujarat
• It is a 5 MW green hydrogen plant developed by Adani New Industries Limited (ANIL), the clean energy arm of Adani Enterprises Ltd.
  • An off-grid green hydrogen plant is a facility that produces hydrogen using electrolysis powered by renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind, and is not connected to the main electrical grid.
  • This means the plant relies entirely on its own renewable energy generation for the hydrogen production process.
• The ANIL plant is fully powered by solar energy and works with a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), which enables it to operate completely off-grid.
• It features a fully automated and controlled electrolyser system, which is designed to respond to real-time renewable energy inputs.
  • This provision, also known as a closed-loop system, aids in flexibility of operations, particularly in addressing the shifting nature of solar power, while ensuring efficiency, safety, and performance.
• The initiative is aligned with the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), a flagship Government of India programme that aims to reduce import dependence, improve energy self-sufficiency, and ramp up decarbonisation of energy-intensive industries, all in fulfilment of India's Atmanirbhar Bharat.

About Estimates Committee of Parliament:

• It was constituted for the first time in 1950.
• It is a parliamentary committee consisting of 30 members, elected every year by the Lok Sabha from amongst its members, to examine the budget estimates of the Union Government.
• The Chairperson of the Committee is appointed by the Speaker from amongst its members.
• A Minister cannot be elected as a member of the Committee and if a member after selection to the Committee is appointed a Minister, the member ceases to be a Member of the Committee from the date of such appointment.
• The term of office of the Committee is one year.
• Functions: It has powers to examine the budget estimates and
  • to report what economies, improvements in organisation, efficiency, or administrative reform, consistent with the policy underlying the estimates, may be effected;
  • to suggest alternative policies in order to bring about efficiency and economy in administration;
  • to examine whether the money is well laid out within the limits of the policy implied in the estimates; and
  • to suggest the form in which the estimates shall be presented to Parliament.
• The Committee may continue the examination of the estimates from time to time throughout the financial year and report to the House as its examination proceeds.
• It shall not be incumbent on the Committee to examine the entire estimates of any one year.
• The Demands for Grants may be finally voted on notwithstanding the fact that the Committee has made no report.
• The Committee does not exercise its functions in relation to such Public Undertakings as are allotted to the Committee on Public Undertakings by the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of Lok Sabha or by the Speaker.
• Working:
  • Soon after it is constituted, the Committee selects such of the estimates pertaining to a Ministry/Department of the Central Government or such of the statutory and other bodies of the Central Government as may seem fit to the Committee.
  • The Committee also examines matters of special interest which may arise or come to light in the course of its work or which are specially referred to it by the House or the Speaker.
  • The Committee, from time to time, appoints one or more Sub-Committees/Study Groups for carrying out detailed examinations of various subjects.
  • The observations/recommendations of the Committee are embodied in its Reports which are presented to Lok Sabha.
  • The Ministry or Department concerned is required to take action on the observations/recommendations conclusions contained in the Report within a period of six months or as directed by the Committee.
  • The replies of the Government are examined by the Committee and an Action Taken Report is presented to Lok Sabha.
  • The replies to the recommendations contained in the Action Taken Reports are laid on the Table of Lok Sabha in the form of Statements.

About Operation Midnight Hammer:

• It is the codename for a covert S.–led military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities carried out around midnight on June 21–22, 2025.
• It aimed to cripple Iran's nuclear program.
• The coordinated assault involved over 125 military aircraft, including B-2 stealth bombers, the deployment of 14 GBU-57 bunker-buster bombs, and more than 30 Tomahawk missiles launched from US submarines in the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea.
• This attack was the first time that the United States used its largest bunker-busting bomb, the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), in an operational conflict.
• Targeted Sites:
  • The operation targeted two uranium enrichment facilities at Fordow and Natanz and one facility at Isfahan, which conducts several activities related to Iran’s nuclear program.
  • Natanz and Fordow are the only operational enrichment facilities in Iran.
  • The US attacked Natanz and Fordow with B-2 bombers equipped with MOPs and only attacked Isfahan with Tomahawk cruise missiles.
• Why is Fordow so important?
  • Located deep within a mountain 29 kilometers north of the Iranian city of Qom, the Fordow uranium enrichment facility stands as a highly protected and strategically central site within Iran’s nuclear program.
  • Its subterranean placement provides significant protection against potential aerial bombardment, a design choice indicative of its critical role.
  • The facility is approximately 54,000 square feet and is believed to house 3,000 centrifuges.
  • Under the terms of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, Iran was explicitly prohibited from conducting enrichment activities at Fordow.
  • However, following the U.S. withdrawal from the agreement in 2018 during the first Trump administration, Iran resumed enrichment activities at the site.

About ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA):

• It is a trade deal between the ten member states of ASEAN and India.
• It was signed at the 7^th ASEAN Economic Ministers-India Consultations in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2009. The agreement entered into force on 1 January 2010.
• The agreement originated out of the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation between India and ASEAN created in 2003.
• This framework agreement set the basis for India and ASEAN to conclude further agreements.
• AITIGA covers trade in physical goods and products; it does not apply to trade in services.
• ASEAN and India signed a separate ASEAN-India Trade in Services Agreement in 2014.
• Along with the ASEAN-India Investment Agreement, the three agreements collectively form the ASEAN-India Free Trade Area.
• Eliminating Tariffs on Goods:
  • Under the AITIGA, ASEAN and India have committed to progressively eliminating duties on 76.4 percent of goods and to liberalize tariffs on over 90 percent of goods.
  • Because of the uneven levels of development and differing economic policies within ASEAN, the agreement applies two different classes of tariff rates depending on whether or not they are WTO members.
  • Generally speaking, the agreement grants less developed ASEAN members with less liberalized economies, such as Myanmar and Laos, a longer timeframe to reduce their tariffs.
  • The agreement allows the parties to maintain tariffs of four to five percent for some sensitive products.
  • Moreover, the agreement includes unique tariff reduction provisions for India’s “special products”, which are crude and refined palm oil, coffee, black tea, and pepper.
  • Finally, parties are permitted to place some tariff lines into “highly sensitive lists” to manage tariff reductions for sensitive products, as well as an “exclusion list” for products excluded from the Agreement, which the parties must review annually.
• Other provisions:
  • In addition to reducing tariffs, the Agreement calls on all parties to establish predictable, consistent, and transparent trade practices to reduce non-tariff barriers.
  • This includes simplifying customs procedures, ensuring permissible non-tariff measures are transparent, and preventing countries from instituting or maintaining non-tariff measures not in accordance with the WTO.
  • The Agreement also establishes a Joint Committee formed from representatives of the parties.
  • Among other responsibilities, the Joint Committee reviews the implementation and operation of the Agreement, considers and recommends amendments, and supervises and coordinates the work of sub-committees established under the Agreement.
  • Other provisions in the agreement include references to the ASEAN-India DSM agreement for dispute resolution, exemptions for protecting security interests, and safeguard measures to protect against tariff cuts resulting in such significant import increases that foreign products overwhelm domestic ones.

About Ambubachi Mela:

• The Ambubachi festival is held during the monsoon, generally in June at the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati, Assam.
• It is a shrine to the Goddess Kamakhya and one of the most important centres of Tantrik Shaktism.
• The period of Ambubachi is believed to be the period of the goddess’s annual menstruation, and the shrine is closed for this.
• At the end of the period, the shrine’s doors are opened ceremonially and devotees flock for darshan of the deity.
• The festival is associated with fertility, with the onset of monsoon, and the common historical association across cultures of the Earth as a fertile woman. The name ‘Ambubachi’ itself translates to water flowing.

Key facts about the Kamakhya Temple         

• It is situated on Nilachal Hill and adjoining the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River.
• It is one of the most revered centres of Tantric practices. It is regarded as one of the oldest of the 51 Shakti Peethas in India. 
• Temple Architecture of Kamakhya Temple:
• It had been modelled out of a combination of two different styles namely, the traditional nagara and Saracenic or Mughal style of architecture.
• This unusual combination has been named the Nilachala Style of Architecture.
• This is the only temple of Assam having a fully developed ground plan.
• It consists of five chambers, garbhagriha, antarala, Jagan Mohan, bhogmandir and natmandir or opera hall for performing traditional dance and music associated with sukti temples.
• It is interesting to note that the superstructure of each of the above chambers exhibits different architectural features.
• The main temple contains a modified Saracenic dome, the antarala carries a two-roofed design, the bhogmandir with five domes similar in appearance to the main temple and the natmandir having a shell-roof with apsidal end similar to some of the impermanent namghars or prayer halls found in Assam.

About Dravidogecko coonoor :

• It is the new species of gecko discovered in Coonoor Hills of the Upper Nilgiris, Western Ghats,
• Habitat: It is found in the matrix of montane forests and monoculture plantations amidst human habitations.
• It is noted in both urban as well as natural habitats, including the walls of a building, on the branches of plants, and in tree bark and wall crevices.
• It is the only species of gecko endemic to the high elevation regions of the Western Ghats.
• Following the discovery of the new gecko species in Coonoor, the number of Dravidogecko species found across the Western Ghats now stands at nine

What is Gecko?

• These are reptiles and are found on all the continents except Antarctica.
• These colorful lizards have adapted to habitats from rainforests, to deserts, to cold mountain slopes.
• These are mostly small, usually nocturnal reptiles.
• Geckos are spread across six families: Carphodactylidae, Diplodactylidae, Eublepharidae, Gekkonidae, Phyllodactylidae, and Sphaerodactylidae.

About Sustainable Development Report 2025:

• It reviews progress made each year on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) since their adoption by the 193 UN Member States in 2015.
• It is published by the U.N. Sustainable Development Solutions Network.

Highlights of the Report

• India has for the first time secured a place among the top 100 out of 193 countries ranked for their progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• The SDG progress has stalled at the global level, with only 17 per cent of the 17 targets adopted by the U.N. member countries in 2015 projected to be achieved by 2030.
• It is said that conflicts, structural vulnerabilities and limited fiscal space impede SDG progress in many parts of the world.
• European countries, especially the Nordic nations, continue to top the SDG Index, with Finland ranking first, Sweden second and Denmark third.
• Many European countries face significant challenges including those related to climate and biodiversity, largely due to unsustainable consumption.
• East and South Asia have outperformed all other global regions in terms of SDG progress since 2015 largely due to rapid socioeconomic development.
• Most UN member states have made strong progress on targets related to access to basic services and infrastructure, including mobile broadband use (SDG 9), access to electricity (SDG 7), internet use (SDG 9), under-five mortality rate (SDG 3) and neonatal mortality (SDG 3).
• Five targets show significant reversals in progress since 2015. These are obesity rate (SDG 2), press freedom (SDG 16), sustainable nitrogen management (SDG 2), the Red List Index (SDG 15) and the Corruption Perceptions Index (SDG 16).
• The report said the top three countries most committed to the UN multilateralism are Barbados (1), Jamaica (2) and Trinidad and Tobago (3).
• Among G20 nations, Brazil (25) ranks highest, while Chile (7) leads among OECD countries.

About Coffee:

• It is a tropical plant generally grown under shady trees.
• It is grown on hill slopes at elevations from 600 to 1,600 metres above sea level.
• The vast majority of the world’s coffee comprises two species — Coffea Arabica (Arabica) and Coffea Canephora (Robusta).
• Coffee, especially Arabica, is considered a sensitive crop, vulnerable to climate variability and change.
• Distribution: In India coffee is largely cultivated in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, among which, Karnataka produces the most with over 70% of the total output.
• Climatic conditions required for coffee production
  • It requires a hot and humid climate for its growth.
  • Temperatures ranging between 15°C and 28 °C
  • Rainfall: 150 to 250 cm.
  • Soil: Well-drained, loamy soil containing a good deal of humus and minerals like iron and calcium are ideal for coffee cultivation.
  • Dry weather is necessary at the time of ripening of the berries.
• Europe remains the top destination for the country's coffee exports. The major countries which import the commodity from India include Italy, Germany, Belgium, Middle East nations, Korea, and Japan.

About NAVYA Initiative:

• The NAVYA – Nurturing Aspirations through Vocational Training for Young Adolescent
  is the joint pilot initiative of the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), in convergence with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
• Features of NAVYA Initiative:
  • It is a pilot initiative aimed at equipping adolescent girls aged 16–18 years with a minimum qualification of Class 10, with vocational training mainly in non-traditional job roles.
  • It will be implemented in 27 Districts of the country which include Aspirational districts and districts of North -eastern States spanning across 19 States, reflecting the Government's inclusive and targeted approach to reaching underserved regions and vulnerable populations.
  • As part of the launch, both Ministries will formalize their collaboration to institutionalize convergence on skilling efforts for adolescent girls.
  • The programme will draw upon the strengths of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) and other flagship skill development schemes.
  • Significance: Through NAVYA, the Government of India will reaffirm its commitment to empowering girls with skills, confidence, and opportunities—ensuring that every young woman becomes a catalyst in India’s journey towards a developed, self-reliant, and inclusive future.

About Himalayan Brown Bear:

• It is the largest mammal found in the high-altitude regions of the Himalayas.
• It is one of the most ancient brown bear lineages.
• Scientific Name: Ursus arctos isabellinus
• It is also known as the “Himalayan Red Bear” and the “Isabelline Bear”. It is known as Denmo in the Ladakhi language.
• Distribution:
  • They are found in northwestern and central Himalayas, including Pakistan, India, Nepal, the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China, and Bhutan.
  • They are found above the timberline, between 3,000 and 5,500 meters (9,800 and 18,000 feet) above sea level.
  • In India, this species exists in small isolated populations in the fragmented alpine and subalpine habitats of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
• It is believed by some that the bear’s ability to walk upright probably gave rise to the legend of the Yeti or “Abominable Snowman.”
• Features:
  • Males are larger than females, with an average length of 1.9 m and weight of 135 kg, in comparison to the female averages of 1.6 m and 70 kg.
  • It has thick fur which is most often sandy or reddish-brown in colour.
  • Food: Omnivorous, eating grasses, roots, bulbs and other plants, insects, and small mammals such as marmots, pikas, and voles.
  • They hibernate in dens during the winter.
  • They are solitary and only interact with each other to mate or fight over mates. The only exception to this is a mother and her cubs.
  • Life span: 20 to 30 years in the wild.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972: Schedule I
  • CITES – Appendix I.

About Tomahawk Missile:

• It is a long-range, subsonic cruise missile developed by the United States Navy.
• It is launched from ships or submarines through a Vertical Launch System and used for precision strikes on land-based targets.
• Tomahawks were first deployed in combat during Operation Desert Storm in 1991. Since then, they have been used in several major conflicts, including strikes in Syria in 2017.
• Features:
  • Tomahawks can fly at low altitudes, avoiding radar detection, and are guided by advanced GPS, inertial navigation, and terrain contour mapping.
  • This makes them highly accurate-with a margin of error of just 10 meters.
  • They are built to follow a non-linear path, reducing the chance of interception.
  • These missiles have a range between 1,000 and 1,500 miles (1,550 to 2,500 km).
  • Tomahawks measure 18.3 feet in length and weigh about 3,200 pounds (4,400 with booster).
  • They carry a 1,000-pound conventional warhead or cluster munitions.
  • It is powered by a solid propellant during its launch phase. Thereafter, it is powered by a turbofan engine that does not emit much heat, which makes infrared detection difficult.
  • Each Tomahawk missile reportedly costs around $2 million.

About Chios Island:

• It is a Greek island situated in the Aegean Sea.
• It is the fifth-largest island in Greece, with a surface area of 842.29 sq.km.
• It is situated 5 miles (8 km) off the western coast of Turkey.
• It is about 30 miles (50 km) long north-south and from 8 to 15 miles (13 to 24 km) wide.
• It is traversed north-south by mountains culminating in Mount Pelinaíon (1,297 meters).
• The principal town of the island and seat of the municipality is Chios town.
• Chios is notable for its exports of mastic gum, and the island is also known as "the Mastic Island."
• It is a very attractive island because of its lush vegetation, fine beaches, and unique medieval  villages,  which  are kept in very good condition.
• It is also famously rich in history, said to be the birthplace of Homer as well as several Greek writers and politicians, and historic records date back to the Neolithic Age, and examples of Byzantine architecture can be found across the island.

About Lake Tahoe:

• It is a cobalt blue freshwater lake located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, on the border of California and Nevada, United States.
• It is the largest freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada and the largest alpine lake in North America.
• It is situated at an elevation of 1,897 m above sea level and is the highest lake in the United States.
• It is 22 miles long and 12 miles wide with 75 miles of shoreline. The surface area covers 191 square miles.
• Lake Tahoe’s deepest point is 1,645 feet, making it the second-deepest in the United States after Crater Lake in Oregon.
• Lake Tahoe, with a water volume of 150 km³ is the largest lake by volume in the United States after the Great Lakes.
• There are 63 streams that flow into Lake Tahoe and only one, the Truckee River, that flows out and into Pyramid Lake. Unlike most bodies of water in North America, Tahoe’s water never reaches the ocean.
• Lake Tahoe is one of the purest bodies of water in the world, with 99.994% of the water pure.
• The lake and the surrounding area of national forests have been developed as tourist resorts.

About INS Nilgiri:

• It is the first of the indigenously built Project 17A stealth frigates of the Indian Navy.
• It is designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and built at the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai.
  • The Nilgiri class is a design derivative of the indigenous Shivalik class stealth frigates (Project 17).
• It would be an integral part of the Eastern Naval Command.
• Features:
  • INS Nilgiri is 149 meters long, with a displacement of approximately 6,670 tonnes.
  • It is powered by a sophisticated combined diesel and gas (CODAG) propulsion
  • It can achieve speeds of up to 28 knots.
  • The warship is enabled to operate independently without supporting vessels and to function as the flagship of the Naval task force.
  • Armed with 16 Barak-8 Surface-to-Air Missiles, INS Nilgiri offers strong anti-aircraft protection.
  • Additionally, it includes 8 BrahMos missiles for anti-ship and surface-to-surface combat.
  • The radar systems on board include MF-STAR for 360-degree cover, 3D AESA radar for the tracking of multi-targets, and Nishant radar for targeting.
  • The Combat Management System (CMS) integrates all systems, which enables the smooth execution of network-centric warfare and cooperative operations with other platforms.
• Other Ships in the Class: The remaining six frigates — Himgiri, Taragiri, Udaygiri, Dunagiri, Vindhyagiri, and Mahendragiri— are under construction at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.

About Sariska Tiger Reserve:

• Location: It is located in the state of Rajasthan.
• It is spread over the world’s oldest mountain range- the
• It was once a hunting ground of the Maharaja of Alwar before being proclaimed a natural reserve in 1955 and a national park in 1979.
• It is also famous for old temples, palaces, and lakes such as Pandu Pol, Bhangarh Fort, Ajabgarh, Pratapgarh, Siliserh Lake, and Jai Samand Lake.
• Topography: It possesses a rocky landscape, scrub thorn arid forests, grasses, hilly cliffs, and semi deciduous wood. 
• Vegetation: The vegetation of Sariska corresponds to Northern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests and Northern Tropical Thorn Forest.
• Flora:The area of this reserve is covered with dhok trees. 
• Other species found include salar, kadaya, gol, ber, Banyan, gugal, bamboo, kair, adusta, etc.
• Fauna: A variety of other wild animals, like the leopard, sambhar, chital, nilgai, four-horned antelope, wild boar etc are found in the reserve apart from the tiger.

About Palm tree:

• Palm is a member of the Arecaceae, or Palmae, a single family of monocotyledonous flowering plants of the order Arecales.
• It is an evergreen plant which can grow in the form of shrubs, trees, or long, woody vines called lianas.
• Distribution: It is distributed in America and in Asia, from India to Japan and south to Australia and the islands of the Pacific and Indian oceans, with Africa and Madagascar as a third but much less important palm region. 
• Characteristics of Palm tree
  • They are characterized by a tall, unbranched stem or, rarely, by a dichotomous branching stem (Hyphaene), and of the same diameter all along from base to top;
  • Palmate leaves, like hands, grow in a bunch at the end of a stem. Pinnate leaves are like feathers, growing all along either side of a stem.
• Though many species of palms are sturdy and plentiful, as many as 100 species are endangered due to deforestation and unsustainable cultivation practices.
• The palms with the greatest importance in world commerce are the coconut and the African oil palm (Elaeis guineensis); both are prime sources of vegetable oil and fat.

About Kounis Syndrome:

• It is a rare medical condition where an allergic reaction triggers a heart problem.
• It is classified as a form of Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)–a term typically used for conditions like heart attacks–brought on by an allergic or hypersensitivity response.
• It is sometimes referred to as allergic angina or allergic myocardial infarction.
• It occurs when a person is exposed to a trigger–such as an insect sting, drug, or food–the body’s immune system activates mast cells, which release chemicals including histamine and cytokines. These substances:
  • Cause sudden spasm or tightening of coronary arteries
  • May rupture or erode existing plaque, worsening any blockages
  • Reduce blood flow to the heart, leading to ischemia (lack of oxygen) or infarction (tissue death)
• Types of Kounis Syndrome
  • Type I: Occurs in individuals with normal coronary arteries. The allergic reaction causes spasms, reducing blood flow and potentially leading to a heart attack.
  • Type II: Affects those with existing coronary disease. The allergic reaction destabilises plaques, causing rupture and a full heart attack.
  • Type III: Seen in patients with coronary stents. The allergic response may lead to clot formation within the stent.
• What can trigger it?
  • Insect stings or bites (such as bees and wasps)
  • Certain medications, particularly antibiotics and NSAIDs (painkillers)
  • Foods, such as shellfish, nuts, or kiwi
  • Environmental allergens such as latex or contrast dyes
  • Underlying health conditions like mastocytosis (a disorder involving excess mast cells)
• Symptoms: Chest pain, Rash, hives, or swelling (angioedema), shortness of breath or wheezing, low blood pressure, ECG changes such as ST-segment elevation or depression
• Treatment
  • For the allergic reaction: antihistamines, corticosteroids, and sometimes epinephrine is given
  • For the heart: standard cardiac care like oxygen, nitrates, and blood thinners.

About Gwada negative:

• It is named EMM-negative and colloquially dubbed “Gwada negative” in reference to the Guadeloupean origin of the woman who carries it.
• It is the informal name given to the newly classified EMM-negative blood group system, officially registered by ISBT as ISBT042.
• It is defined by the absence of the EMM antigen, which is normally found on red blood cells and is considered a high-incidence antigen.
• High-incidence antigens are present in nearly all humans but lacking in this new system which is extremely rare and medically significant.
• Criteria to consider a new blood group a new system: It should be genetically determined, inherited, identifiable via serological or molecular techniques, and have an associated antibody -- criteria that EMM-negative meets.
• The identification of the EMM-negative blood type adds to the previously known 47 blood group systems, making it the 48th globally recognised system in transfusion science.
• As of now, the woman from Guadeloupe is the only known person in the world to possess this blood type.
  • Her case is especially unique because she inherited the mutated gene from both her mother and her father, each of whom likely carried a single copy of the rare gene variant. This dual inheritance led to a complete lack of the EMM antigen in her red blood cells.

Key Facts about International Society of Blood Transfusion

• It was founded in 1935 in Paris.
• Functions
  • It aids in the solution of scientific and practical problems in blood transfusion.
  • It facilitates the development of closer ties among those concerned with such problems, and to promote standardization of methods, equipment, and norms for its field.
• Headquarter: Amsterdam.

About INS Tamal:

• It is the stealth multi-role frigate belongs to the series of Krivak class frigates inducted from Russia over the past two decades. 
• The ship’s name, Tamal, symbolises the mythical sword used for combat by Indra - the King of the Gods.
• It is the second ship of the Tushil Class, which are the upgraded versions of their predecessors, Talwar and Teg classes having three ships each. 
• It has been built at Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia, and is the last warship to be inducted from a foreign source, in line with the Government of India’s impetus on Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.
• Features of INS Tamal:
  • It has 26% indigenous components, including the BrahMos long-range cruise missile for targeting both at sea and land.
  • It has significant upgrades in its arsenal in comparison to its predecessors, such as vertically launched surface-to-air missiles, improved 100 MM gun, new age EO/IR system in addition to the standard 30 MM CIWS, heavyweight torpedoes, urgent-attack anti-submarine rockets, and a host of surveillance and fire control radars and systems.
  • Force multipliers include Air Early Warning and Multi Role helicopters, which can operate from the deck of Tamal.
  • The combat capability of the ship is augmented by a host of Network Centric Warfare capabilities and advanced Electronic Warfare suite. 
  • Tamal punches well above its weight with a very high tonnage to firepower ratio, extended endurance, and a top speed in excess of 30 knots.
  • It has successively completed extensive sea trials undertaken over three months, proving its systems, weapons and sensors. 
  • It’s mascot is inspired by the congruence of the ‘Jambavant’ the Immortal Bear King of Indian Mythology and the Russian National Animal - the Eurasian Brown Bear.