About Ammonia:

• It is a colorless, pungent gas composed of nitrogen and hydrogen with the formula NH₃.
• It is the simplest stable compound of these elements and serves as a starting material for the production of many commercially important nitrogen compounds.
• It exists naturally in humans and in the environment.
  • In the environment, ammonia is part of the nitrogen cycle and is produced in soil from bacterial processes.
  • Ammonia is also produced naturally from decomposition of organic matter, including plants and animals.
• Industrial production: Manufactured mainly by the Haber–Bosch process (from nitrogen and hydrogen).
• Ammonia gas can be dissolved in water. This kind of ammonia is called liquid ammonia or aqueous ammonia. Once exposed to open air, liquid ammonia quickly turns into a gas.
• Uses:
  • The major use of ammonia is as a fertilizer.
    • Ammonia is a basic building block for ammonium nitrate fertilizer, which releases nitrogen, an essential nutrient for growing plants.
    • About 90 percent of ammonia produced worldwide is used in fertilizer.
  • Additional uses include as a refrigerant, stabilizer, neutralizer, and purifier — particularly in food transport and water treatment applications.
  • It can also be used in the manufacture of plastics, explosives, fabrics, dyes, and pharmaceuticals.
• Exposure to high levels of ammonia in air may be irritating to a person’s skin, eyes, throat, and lungs and cause coughing and burns.
• To prevent the release of toxic fumes, ammonia should not be mixed with other chemicals (especially chlorine bleach).

About Phulkari:

• Phulkari, meaning "flower work," is a traditional embroidery of Punjab and Haryana.
• The term first appeared in 18th-century Punjabi literature and may be linked to the Iranian art of gulkari.
• Historically, phulkari chaddars were an essential part of a girl's marriage trousseau, crafted by mothers and grandmothers from the girl's birth.
• Girls learned to embroider early, with the number of phulkaris reflecting the family's status and marking cultural milestones.
• Features:
  • It is a form of counted-thread embroidery recognised by its neat, regular patterns of geometric and natural motifs.
  • Phulkari embroidery uses khaddar, a handspun and handwoven cotton fabric, traditionally dyed in madder brown, rust red, indigo, or green.
  • Colourful silk threads are used to create flower patterns on the fabric.
  • The mix of colourful silk threads creates a beautiful and exciting design.
  • The floral imagery used in phulkari includes marigolds, jasmines, lotuses, and Tree of Life motifs.
  • Modern motifs such as trains, trucks, and cars have also found their way into phulkari patterns.
  • Phulkari’s product range includes embroidered chaddars, dupattas, and stoles, traditionally worn by brides or for ceremonies.

About Gangapur Dam:

• It is an earthfill dam on the River Godavari, near Nashik, Maharashtra.
• The dam has a unique design, with a curved shape and a spillway in the middle.
• It was built as part of the Godavari Marathwada Irrigation Development Project.
• The dam was constructed to provide irrigation and drinking water to the drought-prone areas of Nashik, Ahmednagar, and Aurangabad districts.
• The dam also has an upstream dam called Kashypi Dam, which regulates the water flow and prevents flooding.
• The area around the dam features beautiful gardens and is home to numerous migratory birds, adding to its scenic beauty.

About Engineering Export Promotion Council of India (EEPC India):

• It is the premier trade and investment promotion organization in India, catering to the Indian engineering sector.
• Sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, it actively contributes to the policies of the Government of India as an advisory body and acts as an interface between the engineering industry and the government.
• EEPC India facilitates sourcing from India and encourages MSMEs to raise their standard at par with international best practices.
• It also encourages MSMEs to integrate their business with the global value chain.
• Motto: Engineering the Future
• It serves as the reference point for the Indian engineering industry and the international business community in its efforts towards establishing India as a major engineering hub in the future.
• EEPC India publishes several reports/studies to make its members aware of international trends and opportunities in order to enhance their global footprint.
• EEPC India is regarded as the Model Export Promotion Council in India by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

About Lambadi Tribe:

• They are found in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka states in South India.
• They are also known as Sugali or Banjara.
• Language: They speak Gor Boli also called Lambadi which belongs to the Indo-Aryan Group of Languages. Lambadi has no script.
• Belief System: The majority of Banjara in India are Hindu; some have combined Hindu practices with their own animistic beliefs.
• Culture of Banjara Community:
  • Banjara people celebrate the festival of Teej during Shravanam (in the month of august).
  • In this festival young unmarried Banjara girls pray for a good groom.
  • Fire dance and Chari are the traditional dance forms of the banjara people.
  • Tattoos are very common in their community.
  • Women, Lambadi / Gor women (Thandri) wear a very colourful red style dress and lots of jewellery. The clothes we wear are decorated with pieces of mirror and cowl. we wear ivory bangles and ornaments.

About Indira Gandhi Peace Prize:

• It was instituted in the memory of the former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by a trust in her name in 1986.
• It is also known as the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development,
• It consists of a monetary award of 25 lakh rupees along with a citation.
• It is awarded annually by the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust to a person or organization without any distinction of nationality, race or religion, in recognition of creative efforts towards:
  • Promoting international peace and disarmament, racial equality, and goodwill and harmony among nations;
  • Securing economic co-operation and promoting a new international economic order;
  • Accelerating the all-round advancement of developing nations;
  • Ensuring that the discoveries of science and modern knowledge are used for the larger good of the human race; and
  • Enlarging the scope of freedom and enriching the human spirit.

About Indo Pacific Oceans Initiative:

• It was launched by India at the ASEAN-led East Asia Summit (EAS) in Bangkok.
• Objective: To promote cooperation for a free and open Indo-Pacific and the rules-based regional order.
• It is a non-treaty-based voluntary arrangement.
• It aims to achieve greater cohesion and integration through common understanding and actions related to shared interests. 
• It leans heavily on the EAS mechanism, which includes ASEAN member states and its eight dialogue partners.
• It has outlined seven pillars, and it was indicated that one or two countries could take the lead for a pillar with others joining in voluntarily.
• The seven IPOI pillars are:
  • Maritime Security: The United Kingdom (UK) and India
  • Maritime Ecology: Australia and Thailand
  • Maritime Resources: France and Indonesia
  • Capacity Building and Resource Sharing: Germany
  • Disaster Risk Reduction and Management: India and Bangladesh
  • Science, Technology, and Academic Cooperation: Italy and Singapore
  • Trade, Connectivity, and Maritime Transport: Japan and the United States (US).

About Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary:

• Location: It is located in the state of Sikkim.
• It is connected to the forests of Bhutan and Neora Valley National Park in West Bengal.
• The Pangolakha Range, extending below the Chola Range, separates Sikkim from Bhutan.
• Vegetation: It has typical alpine-temperate-subtropic vegetation.
• Lakes: It features high-altitude lakes, including Lake Tsongmo which is a biodiversity hotspot for migratory birds.
• Rivers: Important Rivers like Rangpo and Jaldhaka originate from nearby lakes within the sanctuary.
• Flora: Rhododendron, Silver Fir, Juniper forest and associated ground flora, moss-filled oak forests.
• Fauna: It is home to a diverse range of charismatic species, including red pandas, snow leopards, Himalayan musk deer, Himalayan goral, and Himalayan black bears.

About Red-Eared Slider Turtle:

• It is one of the world’s most widely introduced freshwater turtles.
• Distribution: It now has an established distribution across all continents except Antarctica.
• Habitat: It is predominantly aquatic, becoming terrestrial only when expanding its range.
• Appearance: It is known for its distinct red stripes behind each ear.
• Characteristics of Red-Eared Slider Turtle:
  • It is highly adaptable and can survive under sub-optimal temperature conditions.
  • Its flexibility allows it to thrive in non-native environments.
  • These species exhibit aggressive hunting behaviour during certain periods.
  • One such phase is during pregnancy, when the turtle requires excess food and easily preys on native aquatic species.
  • Life Span: In the wild, red sliders can live from 20 to 50 years.
  • Conservation Status: IUCN: Least Concerned
• Issues of Red-Eared Sliders Turtle:
  • They breed quickly and expand unchecked due to the absence of natural predators.
  • The species competes directly with India’s native turtles for basking sites, nesting grounds and food.
  • It shows aggressive behaviour and higher consumption patterns also affect fish population, disturbing freshwater ecosystems.

About Metadon ghorpadei and Metadon reemeri:

• They are two new species of ant flies.
• These insects belong to the Microdontinae subfamily of hoverflies.
• Metadon ghorpadei was discovered in Delhi’s Northern Ridge Forest.
• Metadon reemeri was found in the Siruvani Hills of the Western Ghats.
• Globally, many Microdontinae species are considered rare or threatened due to their specialised habitat requirements and patchy distribution.
  • They are known for their unique association with ants, as their larvae live inside ant nests and feed on ant broods, a specialised behaviour called myrmecophily that makes them exceptionally rare and difficult to detect.

About Bhitarkanika National Park:

• It is located in the Kendrapara district of Odisha.
• The mangrove swamp situated on the delta formed by the three rivers, namely Brahmani, Baitarani, and Dhamra, the park houses an array of creeks, backwaters, estuaries, deltas, and mudhuts.
• The national park is surrounded by the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary. Gahirmatha Beach and Marine Sanctuary lie to the east, and separates a swamp region covered with a canopy of mangroves from the Bay of Bengal.
• It is India’s second largest mangrove ecosystem after the Sunderbans.
• Proximity to the Bay of Bengal makes the soil of the area enriched with salt.
• The vegetation and species of the sanctuary are those that are mainly found in the tropical and subtropical intertidal regions.
• It is also designated as a Ramsar site.
• Flora: Mangrove species, casuarinas, and grasses like the indigo bush.
• Fauna:
  • It is home to the largest congregation of the endangered saltwater crocodile in the country.
  • The Gahirmatha Beach is the largest colony of the Olive Ridley Sea Turtles.
  • It is also home to numerous animals like hyenas, wild boar, Chitals, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Wild Boar, Jungle cat, Wild Pigs, etc., and migratory birds, which make it their home during the winter season, lending a vibrant hue to the ecosystem.
  • It is also home to eight varieties of Kingfisher birds, which is also a rarity.

About Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD):

• Often referred to as a “silent” disease, MASLD is a liver condition that can progress over time if left unaddressed.
• It is a long-lasting liver condition caused by having too much fat in the liver.
• Previously known as Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), its name was changed to better reflect the condition’s underlying causes.
• The new term highlights that the disease is a metabolic one, linked to factors such as obesity, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
• It is the most common form of liver disease in the world.
• MASLD ranges in severity from hepatic steatosis — sometimes called diffuse hepatic steatosis, or formerly fatty liver infiltration or simply fatty liver — to a more severe form of disease called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), formerly called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
• Treatment: Treating MASLD with a healthy diet, physical activity, and weight loss can slow or even reverse liver damage, especially if it is at an earlier stage.

About Muna Island:

• It is situated in the Southeast Sulawesi province of Indonesia.
• It is known for its diverse culture and natural beauty, including lush forests and pristine beaches.
• The island is home to the Muna people, who have a rich cultural heritage and are known for their traditional crafts and dances.
• The economy of Muna Island is primarily based on agriculture, fishing, and local crafts.
• The main town and principal port is Raha, on the northeastern coast across the Strait of Buton from the neighbouring island of Buton to the east.
• One of the most famous natural attractions on Muna Island is the Liangkobori Cave, which contains prehistoric paintings.
• Additionally, there is Napabale Lake, which has a natural tunnel connecting it directly to the sea.

About Borax:

• Borax, also known as sodium tetraborate decahydrate, is a powdery white mineral.
• It’s a combination of boron, sodium, and oxygen.
• Chemical Formula: Na2B4O7·10H2O
• It is used in many ways—as a component of glass and pottery glazes in the ceramics industry, as a solvent for metal-oxide slags in metallurgy, as a flux in welding and soldering, and as a fertilizer additive, a soap supplement, a disinfectant, a mouthwash, and a water softener.
• Borax occurs naturally in evaporite deposits produced by the repeated evaporation of seasonal lakes.
• Borax can also be produced synthetically from other boron compounds.
• Naturally occurring borax is refined by the process of recrystallization.

About ICE Cloud:

• It is an indigenous, comprehensive digital platform for conducting complex scientific research using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and High-Performance Computing (HPC).
• It provides ease of access to computational resources.
• It is built indigenously to provide cloud services for research and development that is reproducible.
• It now offers an open-access platform equipped with supercomputers and tools for software development, AI, quantum technologies, simulation studies and more.
• The platform is available to students, scientists, researchers, start-ups and others.
• ICE offers an array of services — storage, bioinformatics tools, virtual hosting, pipeline execution, AI visualisation, development environments on the cloud and seamless collaboration features.
• Use Cases of ICE Cloud: Research Institutes, Researchers, Developers and Industry
• It was funded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) to support scientific research.

About Steel Slag:

• Steel slag is an industrial byproduct obtained from the steel manufacturing
• It is produced in large quantities during steel-making operations that use electric arc furnaces.
• It can also be produced by smelting iron ore in a basic oxygen furnace.
• Composition: Primarily, slag consists of calcium, magnesium, manganese and aluminium silicates and oxides in various combinations.
• The cooling process of slag is responsible mainly for generating different types of slags required for various end-use consumers
• Applications of Steel Slag:
  • Environmental Remediation: It has found use as a barrier material remedy for waste sites where heavy metals tend to leach into the surrounding environment.
  • Steel slag forces the heavy metals to drop out of solution in water run off because of its high oxide mineral content.
  • It has been used successfully to treat acidic water discharges from abandoned mines.
  • It can replace coarse aggregate due to a higher impact and crushing strength, better anti-skid capacity.

About Kaladi:

• Kaladi is a famous Dogra cuisine.
• It is a traditional dairy product of Udhampur district, Jammu & Kashmir.
• It has received Geographical Indication tag (GI).

Key Facts about Geographical Indication Tag

• It is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
• This is typically used for agricultural products, foodstuffs, wine and spirit drinks, handicrafts and industrial products.
• The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 seeks to provide for the registration and better protection of geographical indications relating to goods in India.
• This GI tag is valid for 10 years following which it can be renewed.

About Atal Pension Yojana:

• It was launched by the Government of India.
• It was designed to encourage voluntary savings for retirement by offering defined pension benefits, linked to the age of joining and amount of contribution.
• Key Features of Atal Pension Yojana:
  • Target Group: It is aimed at workers in the unorganised sector.
    • It was initially available to all citizens of India between 18 and 40 years of age.
    • Later, it mandated that individuals paying income tax are not eligible to join the scheme.
  • Guaranteed Pension: Subscribers can opt for a fixed pension ranging from ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 per month, depending on the contribution made.
  • Government Co-Contribution: For subscribers who enrolled between June 1, 2015, and March 31, 2016, and met certain criteria, the government contributed 50% of the subscriber’s amount or ₹1,000 per annum for five years.
  • It is administered by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).
  • Exit and withdrawal options 
    • Exit at age 60: Full pension begins.
    • Exit before age 60: Permitted only in cases of death or terminal illness.
    • Voluntary Exit: Allowed, but the subscriber only receives the contribution made (with interest) and government co-contribution (if any) is forfeited.

About Small Industries Development Bank of India:

• It was set up by the Government of India under an act of the Parliament, as a wholly owned subsidiary of IDBI Bank.
• Mandate: It is mandated to serve as the Principal Financial Institution for executing the triple agenda of promotion, financing and development of the MSME sector and coordination of the functions of the various Institutions engaged in similar activities.
• Functions of Small Industries Development Bank of India:
  • Offers direct loans and refinancing to banks and NBFCs.
  • Promotes entrepreneurship and MSME growth
  • Provides venture capital and technology support
• Financial support to MSMEs is provided by way of
  • Indirect/refinance to banks/Financial Institutions for onward lending to MSMEs
  • Direct finance in niche is as like risk capital, sustainable finance, receivable financing, service sector financing, etc.
• SIDBI was made responsible for administering the Small Industries Development Fund and the National Equity Fund that were administered by IDBI before.
• Major Stakeholders in SIDBI: Government of India (GOI), State Bank of India (SBI), LIC, and NABARD are among the major stakeholders in the SIDBI.
• Headquarters: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

About Parbati Giri:

• Also known as the Mother Teresa of Western Odisha, and epithet as ‘Banhi-kanya’ (daughter of fire) Giri was a prominent freedom fighter from Odisha.
• While she fought for the Independence of India, after independence she dedicated her life as a social worker.
• In 1942, she was in the forefront of agitation following Mahatma Gandhi’s ‘Quit India’ movement.
• She had also staged an agitation at Bargarh Court to persuade the lawyers to boycott the erstwhile court in defiance of the British.
• She was inspired by Gandhian philosophy.
• Giri was also associated with freedom fighter and social reformer Rama Devi.
• Dearly known as Badamaa (Big mother) to the inmates of her Ashrams, the legendary woman from the Western Odishan district Bargarh worked for the poor and downtrodden till her death.

About Mount Aso:

• It is located in Kumamoto-ken (prefecture), Kyushu, Japan.
• It is the largest active volcano in Japan.
• It has the largest active crater in the world.
• Its caldera (bowl-shaped volcanic depression) marks the original crater and contains the active volcano of Naka-dake and numerous hot springs.
• The crater is inhabited and is crossed by roads and railways.
• Its mountain pastures are used for cattle raising and dairy farming.
• The volcano is the central feature of Aso-Kuju National Park.
• The volcano has been erupting sporadically for decades, most recently in 2021.

About Souparnika River:

• The Souparnika River, also known as Sowparnika, is a west-flowing river in Karnataka.
• It is surrounded by lush green forests of the Western Ghats.
• It originates from the Kodachadri Hills in the Western Ghats, and merges with the Arabian Sea.
• A unique feature of the Souparnika River is observed near Maravanthe Beach, where the river runs parallel to the Arabian Sea, separated by a narrow stretch of land.

About World Economic Forum (WEF):

• It is an international non-profit organisation that brings together business, political, and social leaders to discuss global challenges.
• Established in 1971, the WEF promotes stakeholder theory for broader societal impact.
• This body has a concise mission: ‘To improve the state of the world through public-private cooperation’.
• WEF addresses major global concerns such as climate change, economic challenges, and global security.
• The organization is funded by its diverse membership, which includes prominent global figures.

About Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary:

• It is situated in Rajasthan.
• It encompasses the historic Kumbhalgarh Fort and is also named after the fort.
• Drainage:
  • The eastern section is the starting point for the Banas River, which flows into the Bay of Bengal.
  • Meanwhile, rainwater from the western slopes forms small rivers like Sukdi, Sumer, Mithdi, and Kot, all of which are tributaries of the Luni River that eventually flow into the Arabian Sea.
• Flora: The flora of the sanctuary is mainly herbs. The species of Churel, Dhok, Khair, and Salar grow abundantly. among others.
• Fauna: The sanctuary provides a natural abode to many creatures like Wolf, Leopards, Sloth bear, Hyena, jackal, Jungle cat, Sambhar, Nilgai, Chausingha (the four horned antelope), Chinkara and Hare.

About Kamchatka Peninsula:

• Location: It lies in far eastern Russia, between the Sea of Okhotsk on the west and the Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea on the east.
• It is one of the world’s most concentrated areas of geothermal activity.
• It contains the “volcanoes of Kamchatka”, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• It is part of the Kamchatka Krai. Kamchatka, also known as a land of fire and ice, sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire.
• It is one of the largest peninsulas in the world.
• Climate: It experiences severe, with prolonged, cold, and snowy winters and wet, cool summers.
• Highest Point: The Klyuchevskaya Sopka in the Eastern Range is the highest point on the Kamchatka Peninsula. 
  • The Kuril island chain runs from the southern tip of the peninsula to a short distance from Japan’s northern Hokkaido Island.

About Responsible Nations Index:

• It is India’s first globally anchored index.
• It is developed by the World Intellectual Foundation (WIF) in collaboration with Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), IIM Mumbai, and the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre.
• The Index covers 154 countries and is built on transparent, globally sourced data to ensure credibility and comparability.
• It is designed to assess countries on the basis of responsible governance, social well-being, environmental stewardship, and global responsibility, moving beyond conventional power- and GDP-based measures.
• It is structured around three core dimensions, namely
  • Internal responsibility: It focuses on dignity, justice, and the well-being of citizens;
  • Environmental responsibility: It is covering stewardship of natural resources and climate action.
  • External responsibility: It measures country’s contribution to peace, cooperation, and global stability.
• Significance: It seeks to promote a global dialogue on ethics, responsibility, global food security, and sustainable leadership in international affairs.
• It is expected to contribute to a more balanced and value-based understanding of national performance on the global stage.

About Indian Skimmer:

• It is one of the three species that belong to the skimmer genus Rynchops in the family Laridae. 
• It gets its name from the way it feeds, flying low over the water surface and ‘skimming’for fish.
• Habitat: It primarily found on larger, sandy, lowland rivers, around lakes and adjacent marshes, and, in the non-breeding season, in estuaries and coasts.
• Distribution: It is native to South Asia and mainly found in India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, with some populations extending to Nepal and Myanmar.
  • In India, one of the key areas for spotting Indian Skimmers is the Chambal River.
• Features of Indian Skimmer:
  • It has a striking appearance. Its upper body is black, while its underbelly is white.
  • The most eye-catching feature is its beak, which is orange with a lower mandible that is much longer than the upper one.
  • This special beak helps the bird skim across the surface of the water to catch small fish and aquatic creatures.
  • The bird’s wings are long and angular, designed for fast, precise flight.
• Conservation status: IUCN: Endangered.
• Threats: Loss of river habitats, unplanned water release from dams, sand mining, threats from predators.

About Darwin’s Bark Spider:

• The Darwin’s Bark Spider (Caerostris darwini) is a remarkable arachnid famed for producing the largest and toughest known webs in the animal kingdom.
• It belongs to the family Araneidae, or orb-weaver spiders.
• Habitat: It inhabits riverine forests and wetlands.
• Distribution: It is found in the forests of Madagascar.
• Characteristics of Darwin’s Bark Spiders:
  • It weaves silk that outperforms steel and most human-made fibres in both strength and toughness.
  • Their silk is more than twice as tough as any other spider silk studied.
  • Unique Habitat: Unlike most orb-weavers, it builds webs over open water rather than in vegetation.

About Central Silk Board:

• It is a statutory body established in 1948 by an Act of Parliament.
• Nodal Ministry: It is working under the administrative control of Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.
• Headquarter: Bengaluru
• Mandate of Central Silk Board:
  • To advise the central Government on all matters relating to the development of silk industry including import and export of raw silk
  • To prepare and furnish such other reports relating to the silk industry as may be required by the Central Government from time to time.
  • To create greater opportunities for gainful employment and improved levels of income in sericulture through spread of scientific sericulture practices

Silk production in India:

• India is the second-largest producer and consumer of silk globally.
• India's raw silk production increased from 31,906 MT in 2017-18 to 38,913 MT in 2023-24.
• Major silk producing states: Karnataka(the largest silk producing state), Andhra Pradesh.
• Major Silk varieties Produced: Mulberry, Eri, Tasar and Muga.

About India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (IICDEM) 2026:

• The 3-day conference, starting on the 21st of January, will be held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
• It is being organised by the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) under the aegis of the Election Commission of India (ECI).
• IICDEM 2026 is poised to be the largest global conference of its kind hosted by India in the field of democracy and election management.
• Nearly 100 international delegates, representing over 70 countries from across the world, are expected to participate.
• Representatives of international organisations, foreign missions in India, and academic and practicing experts in the electoral domain will also take part.
• The programme will feature a mix of general and plenary sessions of Election Management Bodies (EMBs).
• These discussions will focus on global electoral challenges, international electoral standards, and innovations and best practices in election processes.
• As part of the conference, 36 thematic groups will conduct detailed deliberations.
  • These groups will be led by Chief Electoral Officers of States and Union Territories and supported by national and international academic experts.
• During the event, the ECI will also formally launch ECINET, ECI’s one-stop digital platform for all election-related information and services.
• An exhibition highlighting the scale and complexity of conducting elections in India will run alongside the conference.
• The exhibition will also showcase recent initiatives undertaken by the ECI to strengthen electoral roll preparation and the conduct of elections.
• Additionally, the docuseries “India Decides”, which documents the conduct of the Lok Sabha 2024 elections, will be screened on the opening day of IICDEM 2026.

Key Facts about India International Institute of Democracy & Election Management (IIIDEM):

• IIIDEM is the dedicated training, academic & resource arm of the Election Commission of India (ECI).
• Established in 2011, the Institute was conceived to train, prepare, and equip election officials and other stakeholders for delivery of free, fair, credible, and error-free elections.
• It is a global knowledge and capacity-building centre dedicated to advancing democratic governance and strengthening electoral integrity.
• IIIDEM is one of the few institutions in the world which is not only involved in the training and capacity building of its electoral officials, but also caters to the requirements of Election Management Bodies (EMBs) the world over.
• IIIDEM has a team of senior experts and professionals to run its academic and research programmes.
• It holds domestic and international courses and training programmes that are residential and non-residential.
• Earlier, the IIIDEM was housed in the premises of the ECI. Now, the Institute is functioning from a full-fledged campus at Dwarka (Delhi).

About Sela Lake:

• Sela Lake, also known as Paradise Lake, is a glacial lake located near Sela Pass in Tawang district, Arunachal Pradesh.
  • Sela Pass is a crucial mountain pass connecting the Tawang region with the rest of Arunachal Pradesh.
• Its crystal-clear waters reflect the peaks around it, offering a stunning view.
• The lake is usually frozen all winter because of its very cold temperatures (below zero).
• The lake and its surroundings have limited vegetation because of the altitude.
• Locals and Buddhist monks consider Sela Lake a sacred site.

About Type 096 Tang-Class Submarine:

• The Type 096 (NATO reporting name of Tang-class) submarine is China’s next-generation nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN).
• It is bigger, stealthier, and armed with longer-range missiles than its predecessors.
• Features:
  • It is said to have raft-mounted machinery, hull isolation systems, and a propulsion design that minimizes acoustic signatures during patrols.
  • These features are aimed at making the sub harder to detect in contested waters.
  • The vessel's pressurized water-cooled nuclear reactor powers a single shaft via a steam turbine arrangement.
  • Modern power plant elements and improved vibration dampening technologies are said to enhance submerged speed and stealth performance.
  • The submarine is expected to carry between 16 and 24 JL-3 submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), each capable of ranges exceeding 10,000 to 12,000 kilometers and equipped with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs).
  • It can also launch wire-guided, high-speed Yu-6 torpedoes with a range of over 29 km.

About Vadhavan Port:

• It is a proposed new port on the coast of Maharashtra.
• It is being developed as an all-weather greenfield deep-draft major port.
• It is ideal for large container and bulk vessels.
• The project will be constructed by Vadhavan Port Project Limited (VPPL), a special purpose vehicle (SPV) formed by Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB).
• The strategic location of Vadhavan Port provides it with a unique edge. It will connect seamlessly to industrial centers across Maharashtra, Gujarat, and beyond.
  • The capacities created will also aid EXIM trade flow through IMEEC (India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor) and INSTC (International North South Transportation Corridor).

About Parakaempferia alba:

• It is a new species of Zingiberaceae (ginger family).
• It was discovered in the Siang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh.

Key Facts about Zingiberaceae:

• Zingiberaceae, the ginger family of flowering plants, is the largest family of the order Zingiberales.
• These aromatic herbs grow in moist areas of the tropics and subtropics, including some regions that are seasonably dry.
• Members of the family are perennials that frequently have sympodial (forked) fleshy rhizomes (underground stems).
• A few species are epiphytic—i.e., supported by other plants and having aerial roots exposed to the humid atmosphere.
• Many species are economically valuable for their spices and perfume.
  • The dried thick rhizome of turmeric (Curcuma longa) is commonly ground for culinary, medicinal, and cosmetic uses.
  • The seeds of Elettaria cardamomum are the source of cardamom.
  • Ginger is obtained from the fresh or dried rhizomes of Zingiber officinale, and a number of ornamental gingers are grown for their attractive flowers and foliage.
  • Several species of shellflower (Alpinia) are cultivated as ornamentals.

About INS Sudarshini:

• It is an indigenously built Sail Training Ship (STS).
• It was built by Goa Shipyard Limited and based at Kochi, Kerala under the Southern Naval Command of the Indian Navy. 
• The aim of using such ships is to make sailors sea-friendly, as they are taught how to survive alone at sea, understand rough weather conditions and train themselves to become good sailors.
• Features of INS Sudarshini:
  • Sudarshini is a three-masted barque.
  • It is capable of operations under sail or power.
  • It has got a very high endurance and can be deployed at sea continuously for a period of twenty days.

What is Lokayan 26?

• It is a 10-month transoceanic expedition where the ship will visit 18 foreign ports across 13 countries.

About Saltwater Crocodile:

• It is the largest and heaviest of all living reptiles in the world.
• Other Names: Estuarine crocodile, Indo-Pacific crocodile, marine crocodile, sea crocodile, or informally as saltie.
• It is an opportunistic hypercarnivorous apex predator.
• Habitat: It inhibits in saltwater habitats and brackish wetlands, rivers and mangroves.
• Distribution: It is found in India’s east coast, Southeast Asia and the Sundaic region and northern Australia and Micronesia.
• In India, these are distributed in Odisha and West Bengal and the coastal areas of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• Odisha has India’s largest population of saltwater crocodile in natural habitat.
• Features of Saltwater Crocodile
  • They are solitary creatures, especially when it comes to adult males. 
  • They are highly territorial, with large male saltwater crocodiles often controlling extensive stretches of rivers, estuaries, or coastlines.
• Conservation Status: It is categorized as ‘Least Concern’ under the IUCN Red List.

About C-DOT’s Cell Broadcast Solution:

• It is an indigenous disaster and emergency alert platform.
• It is designed to enable near real-time dissemination of life-saving information to citizens in affected areas through cellular networks.
• It is developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT).
• Features of Cell Broadcast Solution:
  • It provides an automated integration between government emergency alert dissemination platforms and the telecom networks of the country for information delivery.
  • It is designed to support varied geographic & demographic scenarios.
  • It integrates multiple disaster alert generation agencies, including the India Meteorological Department, the Central Water Commission for floods, Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, and Forest Survey of India.
  • It also brings together mobile service providers for message delivery, State Disaster Management Authorities and the National Disaster Management Authority for alert approval and disaster response.
  • It enables geo-targeted, multi-hazard alerts with support for 21 Indian languages.
• Significance of C-DOT’s Cell Broadcast Solution:
  • It significantly enhances the efficiency of disaster risk reduction and management efforts.
  • It aligns with the United Nations’ Early Warnings for All programme, the International Telecommunication Union’s Common Alerting Protocol.

About Chile:

• Location: It is located in the southwestern part of South America.
• It occupies a long, narrow coastal land strip wedged between the Andes Mountains to the east and the South Pacific Ocean to the west.
• Bordering Countries: It is bordered by Peru, Bolivia and Argentina.
• Capital City: Santiago
• Geographical Features of Chile:
  • Climate: Temperate; desert in north; Mediterranean in central region; cool and damp in south.
  • Desert: Atacama Desert which is the driest non-polar desert in the world is in Chile.
  • Major River: Loa River
  • Volcano: Ojos del Salado, the World’s highest active volcano.
  • It is located along the Pacific Ring of Fire.
  • Natural Resources: It is the world’s largest copper and Lithium producer. Other resources include molybdenum, iron ore, timber, hydropower, and precious metals.

About United Nations Economic and Social Council:

• It was established by the Charter of the United Nations in 1945 as one of the six principal organs of the United Nations.
• It is responsible for the direction and coordination of the economic, social, humanitarian, and cultural activities carried out by the UN.
• Decisions are taken by a simple majority vote. The presidency of ECOSOC changes annually.
• Members: It has 54 members, which are elected for three-year terms by the General Assembly.
• Headquarter: New York (USA).
• Functions of ECOSOC
  • It is responsible for coordinating the social and economic fields of the organization, specifically in regards to the 14 specialized agencies, the five regional commissions under its jurisdiction and eight functional commissions.
  • It also serves as a central forum to discuss international social and economic issue.
  • It formulates policy recommendations addressed to the member states and the United States system.
  • It has been at the centre of global progress, advancing the principles of the United Nations Charter and promoting international cooperation on economic, social, cultural, educational, health and related issues.