About Cushing’s Syndrome:

• It is a disorder that occurs when the body makes too much of the hormone cortisol over a long period of time.
  • Cortisol is produced by the adrenal glands and helps control blood pressure, metabolism, immunity, and the body’s response to stress.
• Cause:
  • The most common cause is long-term use of steroid medicines prescribed for asthma, autoimmune diseases, arthritis, or after organ transplants.
  • The body produces excess cortisol on its own. This is usually due to a non-cancerous tumour in the pituitary gland (called Cushing’s disease).
• Signs and Symptoms:
  • Weight gain especially around the abdomen and face and develop fat buildup between the shoulders.
  • The skin becomes thin and bruises easily. Wounds may heal slowly. Wide purple stretch marks can appear on the abdomen, thighs, breasts, or arms.
  • Acne and increased facial or body hair (especially in women) can also occur.
  • Women may notice irregular or absent periods, while men may experience reduced libido or fertility issues.
  • Many people develop high blood pressure and high blood sugar, and some develop diabetes.
  • Bone loss can lead to osteoporosis and fractures.
  • Anxiety, irritability, depression, mood swings, sleeps problems and memory problems.
• Risks: Women are more commonly affected than men in naturally occurring (endogenous) cases, especially between ages 30 and 50.
• Treatment:
  • Treatment depends on the cause and aims to bring cortisol levels back to normal.
  • If steroid medicines are the cause, doctors slowly reduce the dose under supervision.
  • If a tumour is causing excess cortisol, surgery is usually the first treatment.

About New Earthworm Species:

Moniligaster girishi:

• It is endemic to Western Ghats and belongs to the family Moniligastridae.
• It is named after P. Girish Kumar, a scientist at the Zoological Survey of India’s Western Ghats Regional Centre, Kozhikode.
• It was collected from the tropical wet evergreen forest.
• Characteristics of Moniligaster girishi:
• It is of the gravelyi species-group.
• It is distinguished by a single undivided spermathecal atrial gland on each side of the anterior body, particularly by the condition of its prostate and prostatic capsule.
• It has a smooth, tubular capsule at one end that flattens into a strap-like shape.

About Drawida reynoldsi

• It was collected from the montane grassland.
• It is named after John Warren Reynolds, an eminent Canadian earthworm specialist.
• It belongs to the robusta species-group characterised by glandular prostates and bilobed spermathecal atria.

Key Facts about Earthworms

• They are terrestrial worms of the class Oligochaeta (phylum Annelida)—in particular, members of the genus Lumbricus. 
• Earthworms are harmless, often beneficial residents of the soil.
• Benefits:
• They breakdown dead and decaying organic matter into rich humus soil, thereby supporting plant growth.
• Earthworm releases waste from their bodies called castings. Castings contain many nutrients that the plant can use.
• They also dig tiny channels and make holes that aerate soil and improve drainage.

About Karbi Anglong Ginger:

• It is grown as an important cash crop in Singhasan Hills of Karbi Anglong district of Assam.
• It is cultivated using the age-old system of Jhum and Tila cultivation.
• Properties of Karbi Anglong Ginger:
  • It is one of the most aromatic and flavourful varieties of ginger in India.
  • It is renowned for its bold flavour, rich pungency, and high oil content.
  • It is known for its pungent aroma and medicinal properties.
  • The ginger has a distinct earthy flavour with a hint of spiciness that makes it perfect for cooking.
• It received the Geographical Indication tag in 2015.

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.
• It is 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 Musa sikkimensis:

• It is a wild banana species.
• It is native to the Eastern Himalayas and Northeast India.
• Other Names: It is commonly known as the ‘Darjeeling banana’ or ‘Sikkim banana’,
• Features of Musa sikkimensis:
  • It is a tall, evergreen perennial plant that belongs to the banana family.
  • It has large, paddle-shaped leaves that can grow up to 10 feet (3 meters) long and 2 feet (60 cm) wide.
  • The plant produces beautiful, pendulous flowers that are a deep maroon color and can grow up to 2 feet (60 cm) long.
  • It is not widely cultivated for edible fruit. It plays a crucial role in strengthening crop resilience and ensuring sustainable production.
  • Its germplasm exhibits strong adaptive potential across diverse environmental conditions.
  • It is a wild-seeded species that serves as a crucial genetic reservoir.
• Required Climatic Conditions for Musa sikkimensis:
  • It prefers high humidity levels, around 50-60%. 
  • It prefers warm temperatures between 20-30°C.
  • It can tolerate cooler temperatures, but not below 10°C.
• Significance: It possesses traits linked to disease resistance, environmental stress tolerance and climate adaptability, making it an invaluable resource for future banana breeding and crop improvement programmes.

About Cassava Brown Streak Disease:

• It is a devastating disease that causes loss of cassava root (tuber) production and quality.
• Cause: It is caused by two types of virus, Cassava Brown Streak Virus (CBSV) and Ugandan Cassava Brown Streak Virus (UCBSV).
• It was first identified in Africa in the coastal region of East Africa close to the mid-20th century.
  • Its presence has now been confirmed in several eastern, central and southern African countries, including Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Congo, the DRC, South Sudan, Malawi and now Zambia.
• Spread: It is primarily spread by the whitefly Bemisia tabaci, a pest that exists as a complex of genetically distinct groups.
  • It spreads through particular whitefly populations in sub-Saharan Africa, known as Sub-Saharan Africa 1 and 2, are highly efficient at transmitting the virus.
• Symptoms of Cassava Brown Streak Disease:
  • Symptoms of Cassava brown streak disease can be observed on leaves, stems and cassava roots
  • Typical CBSD symptoms are leaf chlorosis, brown streaks on stems and dry hard rot in roots which affects both the quality and quantity of edible storage roots. 
  • The disease causes necrosis in the roots of infected plants, often leading to total crop loss. 
• It is observed that weak clean-seed systems, whitefly transmission and climate pressures accelerating spread of Cassava Brown Streak Disease.
• Management of CBSD: Planting of clean cassava cuttings is the main way of controlling CBSD.
  • Use of resistant varieties is the most sustainable way of controlling CBSD.

About Oleum:

• Oleum is a powerful chemical solution composed of sulfur trioxide (SO₃) dissolved in sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄).
• Though oleum and sulfuric acid are closely related, they differ significantly in composition and reactivity.
  • Sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) is a powerful acid in its own right, but oleum is even more reactive due to the additional dissolved SO₃.
  • The Contact Process is the primary industrial method for producing sulfuric acid, and by extension, oleum.
• Oleum is available in different concentrations, with the SO₃ content varying to suit industrial needs.
• It’s often referred to as “fuming sulfuric acid” due to its tendency to release SO₃ fumes upon exposure to air.
• In terms of appearance, oleum ranges from colorless to pale yellow, with an oily consistency.
• Applications:
  • Oleum's high reactivity makes it a vital component for producing highly concentrated sulfuric acid and in synthesizing crucial chemicals like explosives, dyes, and pharmaceuticals.
  • Oleum’s high viscosity contributes to its “oily” appearance and influences its handling requirements in industrial applications.
  • It is also an efficient dehydrating agent and can strip water from organic compounds, which is essential in certain industrial reactions.
• Is Oleum Dangerous?
  • It is highly corrosive, meaning it can burn and damage skin, eyes, and other materials very quickly.
  • Because it releases toxic fumes, it can also be harmful if inhaled.

About Ruddy Shelduck:

• It is a migratory bird species belonging to the duck family called Anatidae.
• Scientific Name: Tadorna ferruginea
• In India it is known as the Brahminy duck.
• Habitat and Distribution:
  • It is known to breed in Central Asia and parts of Europe and spends the winter months in South Asia, including the Himalayan region.
  • Ruddy Shelducks typically arrive in the Himalayan region between October and November and leave by March or April.
  • It favors inland water bodies such as lakes, reservoirs, and rivers.
  • It is often found in open areas and is less common in forested regions. It can also be found in brackish waters and saline lagoons.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Least Concern.

About Takydromus ultapanensis:

• It is a new species of Asian grass lizard.
• It was discovered in Assam’s Manas Biosphere landscape.
• It was found in the Ultapani Reserve Forest in the Kokrajhar district.
• Unlike many of its congeners found in montane or subtropical habitats, T. ultapanensis inhabits lowland, semi-evergreen forests interspersed with waterlogged grasslands and fern patches.
• Researchers recorded the lizards basking on fern bushes in small open patches criss-crossed by seasonal water channels.
• Morphologically, the new species differs from its northeastern Indian relatives—including T. khasiensis and T. sikkimensis, in scale patterns, body proportions, and diagnostic head features.
• The fact that T. ultapanensis is currently known from a single forest range raises conservation concerns.

About Shtil Missile:

• It is a medium-range, ship-based, vertical-launch surface-to-air missile (SAM) system developed by Russia.
• It primarily uses the 9M317ME semi-active radar homing (SARH) missile.
• It is designed to defend warships from aerial threats such as helicopters, supersonic fighter aircraft, anti-ship cruise missiles, and drones.
• It can engage up to 12 targets simultaneously.
• It has a range of 3.5 to 50 km and can engage targets at altitudes between 5 meters and 15 km.
• The Shtil SAM system uses the information provided by the ship's 3D radar system.
• It has been highly automated to reduce the reaction time in the event of an attack.
• It can travel at 5 times the speed of sound.

About World Wildlife Day (WWD):

• It is observed every year on March 3 to celebrate wild animals and plants and recognize the unique roles and contributions of wildlife to people and the planet.
• History:
  • It was established by the United Nations in 2013 after Thailand proposed to dedicate a day to raise awareness about wildlife conservation.
  • On December 20, 2013, the UN General Assembly officially declared March 3 as World Wildlife Day, with the first celebration taking place in 2014.
  • This date was chosen because, in 1973, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was signed on the same day.
  • CITES is a global agreement to ensure that international wildlife trade does not threaten the survival of animal and plant species.
• WWD 2026 Theme: “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods”
  • It highlights the importance of plants used for medicine, their role in preserving cultural traditions, and the income they provide to local communities.
  • Across the world, 70–95% of people in developing countries depend on traditional medicine for basic healthcare, much of it derived from plant-based resources.
  • Medicinal and aromatic plants form the foundation of traditional systems of medicine and also contribute significantly to modern pharmaceuticals.
  • India is one of 17 megabiodiversity-rich countries with around 15,000 medicinal plant species, of which 8,000 are used in Indian medicine, making it one of the world's most important hubs for medicinal and aromatic plants.

About Tomahawk Missile:

• It is an American-made long-range subsonic cruise missile used for deep land attack warfare.
• It is launched from ships or submarines through a Vertical Launch System.
• The Tomahawk was first conceptualised in the early 1970s as a Cold War-era weapon.
• Features:
  • It can 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.
  • They cruise at subsonic speeds of 880 kmph and fly as low as 30-50 metres to avoid radar detection.
  • Tomahawks 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.
  • It has a range of up to approximately 2,400 km.

About India Meteorological Department (IMD):

• Established in 1875, IMD is the National Meteorological Service of the country and the principal government agency in all matters relating to meteorology and allied subjects.
• It functions under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
• It is headquartered in Delhi and operates hundreds of observation stations across India and Antarctica.
• There are 6 Regional Meteorological Centres, each under a Deputy Director General, with headquarters at Mumbai, Chennai, New Delhi, Calcutta, Nagpur, and Guwahati.
• IMD Mandate:
  • To take meteorological observations and to provide current and forecast meteorological information for weather-sensitive activities like agriculture, shipping, aviation, offshore oil explorations, etc.
  • To warn against severe weather phenomena like tropical cyclones, norwesters, duststorms, heavy rains and snow, cold and heat waves.
  • To provide meteorological statistics required for agriculture, water resource management, industries, oil exploration, and other nation-building activities.
  • To conduct and promote research in meteorology and allied disciplines.
• IMD is also one of the six Regional Specialized Meteorological Centres of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
• It is responsible for forecasting, naming, and distributing warnings for tropical cyclones in the Northern Indian Ocean region, including the Straits of Malacca, the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and the Persian Gulf.

About Persian Gulf:

• It is a marginal sea of the Indian Ocean, located in Western Asia.
• It is an extension of the Gulf of Oman and connects to the Indian Ocean via the Strait of Hormuz in the east.
• It is also referred to as the Arabian Gulf or Gulf of Iran.
• It lies between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran to the southwest and northeast, respectively.
• Iran borders it from the north, east and northeast, while Oman and UAE surround it from the south and southeast.
• It is surrounded by Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain from the southwest and west and Iraq and Kuwait from the northwest.
• To the west, it connects to a large river delta called Shatt al-Arab. Here, the waters from two major rivers, the Euphrates and the Tigris, flow into the Gulf.
• It has a coastline length of about 5,117 km, with Iran having the longest coastline (1,536 km).
• Islands:
  • There are several islands in the Persian Gulf, including Bahrain, the Persian Gulf state. Bahrain comprises over 50 islands centered on Bahrain Island.
  • Qeshm Island is the largest island in the Persian Gulf, almost 2.5 times the size of Bahrain.
  • The area in and around the Persian Gulf holds the world's largest amounts of crude oil.
  • Al-Safaniya, the world's largest offshore oilfield, is located in the Persian Gulf.

About Kosi River:

• It is a transboundary river which flows through China, Nepal, and India.
• It is a prominent tributary of the Ganges, also known as "Sorrow of Bihar" because of the big floods it can cause, especially in the Indian state of Bihar.
• Course:
  • The river Kosi is formed by the confluence of three streams, namely the Sun Kosi, the Arun Kosi, and the Tamur Kosi, all of which have their origin in the Himalayan region of Nepal and Tibet.
  • About 48 km north of the Indian-Nepalese frontier, the Kosi is joined by several major tributaries and breaks southward through the Siwalik Hills at the narrow Chatra Gorge.
  • The river then emerges on the great plain of northern India in Bihar state on its way to the Ganges River, which enters south of Purnea after a course of about 724 km.
• Over the last 250 years, the Kosi has shifted its course over 100 kilometres from East to West and the unstable nature of the river is attributed to the heavy silt it carries during the monsoon season.
• Corn (maize) is extensively cultivated on the sandy soils of the Kosi’s basin.
• Tributaries: It has seven major tributaries: Sun Koshi, Tama Koshi or Tamba Koshi, Dudh Koshi, Indravati, Likhu, Arun, and Tamore or Tamar.

About Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary:

• It is situated in the Bargarh district of Odisha.
• It is located near Hirakud Dam (the longest dam in India and the longest earthen dam in the world) on the Mahanadi River.
• It is historically significant as the 19th-century guerrilla base for freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai. Specifically, the Barapathara area within the sanctuary served as his stronghold against British colonial rule.
• Vegetation: Most of the plant sanctuary is covered with mixed and dry deciduous forest.
• Flora: Major trees found here are Sal, Asana, Bija, Aanla, Dhaura, etc.
• Fauna:
  • Indian leopards, sloth bears, chousingha (four-horned antelope), sambar deer, gaurs (Indian bison), wild boars, and Indian wild dogs (dholes) are among the notable animal residents.
  • It is one of the most flocked wintering grounds of migratory birds that visit the sanctuary from far-off places.
  • Some of the most prominent among them are the crested serpent eagle, Flower Peckers, red-vented bulbul, tree pie, drongo, and white eye oriental.

Key Facts about Indian Bison:

• The Indian Bison, also known as Gaur, is the largest species among the wild cattle and the Bovidae.
• They have strong and mightily built, with a high grey ridge on their forehead between their horns, which curve upwards from the sides of the head.
• Distribution: Gaurs are indigenous to the South and Southeast parts of Asia.
• Habitat:
  • Gaurs are primarily found in evergreen and semi-evergreen forests along with moist deciduous forests with open grasslands.
  • They prefer hilly terrains below an altitude of 1,500-1,800 m with large and undisturbed forest tracts and abundant water.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Vulnerable.

About Eligible Manufacturer Importers (EMIs) Scheme:

• It is designed as a trust-based facilitation measure, encouraging compliant manufacturers to benefit from simplified procedures.
• Under this initiative, Eligible Manufacturer Importers (EMI) will be able to clear imported goods without paying Customs duty at the time of clearance.
  • Instead, the applicable duty can be paid on a monthly basis as prescribed under the Deferred Payment of Import Duty Rules, 2016.
• Duration: EMI facility will be available from 1st April, 2026 and will remain in force till 31st March,
• Eligible Manufacturer Importers: Existing Authorised Economic Operators (AEOs) AEO-T1 entities, including MSMEs that fulfill the eligibility conditions are also eligible to participate.
  • Under this, approved Eligible Manufacturer Importers are expected to progressively obtain AEO-T2 or AEO-T3 status, enabling access to enhanced facilitation, faster clearances and priority treatment under the AEO Programme.
• It is expected to improve ease of doing business, strengthening compliance culture, and boosting domestic manufacturing.

About Sulphur Dioxide:

• It is a gaseous air pollutant composed of sulfur and oxygen. It forms when sulfur-containing fuel such as coal, petroleum oil, or diesel is burned.
• Properties of Sulphur Dioxide:
  • It is a liquid when under pressure, and it dissolves in water very easily.
  • It has a pungent, irritating odor, familiar as the smell of a just-struck match.
• Sources of Sulphur Dioxide Emissions:
  • Sulfur dioxide in the air comes mainly from activities such as the burning of coal and oil at power plants or from copper smelting.
  • It is usually prepared industrially by the burning in air or oxygen of sulfur or such compounds of sulfur as iron pyrite or copper pyrite.
  • In nature, sulfur dioxide can be released to the air from volcanic eruptions.
  • The largest source of SO2 in the atmosphere is the burning of fossil fuels by power plants and other industrial facilities.
• Applications: It is used to manufacture chemicals, in paper pulping, in metal and food processing.
• Impacts of Sulphur Dioxide: It is harmful for human health, environment and climate.

About Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) Telescope:

• It is a state-of-the-art radio-telescope, located in the Atacama Desert in Chile that studies celestial objects at millimetre and submillimetre wavelengths.
• It has been fully functional since 2013.
• It was designed, planned and constructed by the US’s National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) and the European Southern Observatory (ESO).
• Properties of ALMA Telescope:
  • It also has extraordinary sensitivity, which allows it to detect even extremely faint radio signals.
  • It consists of 66 high-precision antennas, spread over a distance of up to 16 km in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile.
  • These antennas can be moved closer together or farther apart for different perspectives – like the zoom lens of a camera.
• Major Discoveries of ALMA Telescope:
  • In 2013 it discovered starburst galaxies earlier in the universe’s history than they were previously thought to have existed.
  • It provided detailed images of the protoplanetary disc surrounding HL Tauri — a very young T Tauri star in the constellation Taurus, approximately 450 light years from Earth.
  • It helped scientists observe a phenomenon known as the Einstein ring.
    • Einstein ring occurs when light from a galaxy or star passes by a massive object en route to the Earth, in extraordinary detail.

About Pilibhit Tiger Reserve:

• Location: It is located in the state of Uttar Pradesh, forming part of the Terai Arc Landscape, in the upper Gangetic Plain Biogeographic Province. 
  • It lies along the India-Nepal border in the foothills of the Himalayas.
• Rivers: The River Gomti originates from the PTR, which is also the catchment of several others like Sharda, Chuka, and Mala Khannot.
  • The Sharda Sagar Dam, is on the boundary of the reserve.
• Climate: It has a dry and hot climate, which brings a combination of dry teak forest and Vindhya Mountain soils.
• Vegetation: It consists of Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests, Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests, Seasonal Swamp Forests and Tropical Semi-evergreen Forests.
• Flora: The Sal woodland is very dense with good natural regeneration, amounting to almost 76% of the reserve area.
  • The forest patches are interspersed with grass meadows with several species like Sacchrum, Sclerostachya, Imperata, Themeda, Bothriochloa, Vetiveria, Apluda, Dichanthium, Digitaria and Cyperus.
• Fauna:  It is home to a myriad of wild animals, including the endangered tiger, swamp deer, Bengal florican, hog deer, leopard, etc.

About Bureau of Energy Efficiency:

• It is a statutory body, established in 2002 under the provisions of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001.
• Primary objective: To reduce energy intensity in the Indian economy.
• Function and Duties of Bureau of Energy Efficiency:
  • It coordinates with designated consumers, designated agencies and other organizations; recognizes, identifies and utilizes the existing resources and infrastructure, in performing the functions assigned to it under the Energy Conservation Act.
  • The EC Act provides for regulatory and pro­motional functions which are assigned to the organisation.
• Regulatory functions
  • Develop minimum energy performance standards for Commercial Buildings, equipment and appliances under Standards and Labelling
  • Develop Energy Consumption Norms for Designated Consumers
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Power.
• Schemes of Bureau of Energy Efficiency
  • National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency (NMEEE), Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC), Standards and Labeling Scheme, Municipal Demand Side Management (MuDSM) Scheme, Agricultural Demand Side Management (AgDSM) Scheme.

About Yadava Dynasty:

• The Yadava Dynasty, also known as the Seuna Dynasty, ruled around 12th–14th-in central India.
• At its zenith they ruled a vast kingdom stretching from the River Tungabhadra to the River Narmada, including modern Maharashtra, the north of Karnataka, and parts of Madhya Pradesh.
• Originally a feudatory of the Eastern Chalukyas of Kalyani, the dynasty became paramount in the Deccan under Bhillama (c. 1187–91), who founded Devagiri (later Daulatabad) as his capital.
• Under Bhillama’s grandson Singhana (reigned c. 1210–47), the dynasty declared independence and reached its height, as the Yadava campaigned against the Hoysalas in the south, the Kakatiyas in the east, and the Paramaras and Chalukyas in the north.
• Later rulers continued expansionist wars with varying success.
• During the reign of the last Yadava king, Ramachandra (reigned 1271–c. 1309), a Muslim army commanded by the Delhi sultan Alauddin Khilji invaded the kingdom in 1294 and imposed tributary status.
• A later attempt to throw off the vassalage brought another Delhi army; Ramachandra was imprisoned but was later released and remained loyal to Delhi until his death.
• In a further attempt, his son and successor died in battle, and the kingdom was annexed by the Khilji empire in 1317.
• The foundations of Marathi culture were laid by the Yadavas, and the peculiarities of Maharashtra's social life developed during their rule.
• The Hemadpanti architectural style (stone masonry without mortar) is associated with this period.

About Carbon-14:

• Carbon has three main isotopes: carbon-12, carbon-13, and carbon-14. The first two are stable.
• Carbon-14 is a radioactive isotope of carbon.
• It is created in the atmosphere through the bombardment of nitrogen by cosmic rays.
• It has six protons and eight neutrons in its nucleus.
• It is used in radiocarbon dating to determine the age of organic substances by measuring its decay over time.

What is Radiocarbon Dating, or Carbon-14 Dating?

• It is a method that provides objective age estimates for carbon-based materials that originated from living organisms.
• It is based on the fact that living organisms—like trees, plants, people, and animals—absorb carbon-14 into their tissue.
• When they die, the carbon-14 starts to change into other atoms over time.
• Carbon-14 has a half-life of approximately 5,730 years (i.e., half the amount of the isotope present at any instant will undergo spontaneous disintegration during the succeeding 5,730 years).
• Because carbon-14 decays at this constant rate, an estimate of the date at which an organism died can be made by measuring the amount of its residual carbon-14.
• Over the years, carbon-14 dating has also found applications in geology, hydrology, geophysics, atmospheric science, oceanography, paleoclimatology, and even biomedicine.

About Gitchak nakana:

• It is a new species of groundwater fish.
• It belongs to a newly described genus within the family Cobitidae (loaches).
• Named Gitchak nakana, the species draws from the Garo language, “Gitchak” meaning red, referencing its striking blood-red live colour, and “na-tok” and “kana” referring to a blind fish.
• It displays classic subterranean adaptations, or troglomorphies: no externally visible eyes, a translucent, pigmentless body, and extreme miniaturization.
• It is the most unusual among other groups due to the complete lack of a skull roof, with the brain covered dorsally only by skin.
• It lives in aquifers, groundwater habitats far more difficult to access.
  • While more than 300 fish species worldwide are known from subterranean habitats, the vast majority inhabit caves.
  • Fewer than 10 percent are known from groundwater aquifers, making such discoveries rare.

About Porcelain:

• It is a type of ceramic material that is highly durable and has high-performance characteristics due to its production process.
• It is made from a combination of natural materials including kaolin (china clay), feldspar, and quartz.
• Porcelain was first made in China—in a primitive form during the Tang dynasty (618–907 CE) and in the form best known in the West during the Yuan dynasty (1279–1368 CE).
• The word porcelain is derived from porcellana, used by Marco Polo to describe the pottery he saw in China.
• There are three major types of porcelain historically used in dinnerware and decorative pieces: hard paste, soft paste, and bone china.
• Properties of Porcelain:
  • High material density.
  • Smooth, glossy surface, which is particularly translucent and gives porcelain products a refined, elegant character.
  • High resistance to scratches and breakage, making it ideal for everyday use as well as special occasions.

About Sulawesi Island:

• Sulawesi, formerly known as Celebes, is a large island in Southeast Asia, in the Indonesian archipelago.
• It sits centrally within the Indonesian archipelago.
• It is part of the island chain known as the Greater Sunda Islands.
• Makassar is the largest city on the island.
• The island is surrounded on all sides by other big islands: Borneo to the west, the Philippines to the north, the Maluku Islands to the east, and Flores and Timor to the south.
• The island is highly mountainous, with some active volcanoes.
• The highest peak on the island of Sulawesi is Ratenkombola, which is also known simply as Mario.
• Sulawesi is known for its rainforests, which once covered the entire island until human activity led to mass deforestation.
• A large number of the species are endemic to the island.
• The island contains thirteen freshwater lakes, including the deepest lake, Matano, in Southeast Asia.
• It has several remarkable prehistoric cave paintings depicting ancient hunts and animal life.
• Seven major ethnic groups inhabit Sulawesi: the Toala, Toraja, Buginese, Makassarese, Minahasan, Mori, and Gorontalese.

About Football for Schools (F4S) Programme:

• It is run by Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) in collaboration with UNESCO.
• Aim: It aims to contribute to the education, development and empowerment of children.
• Objective: It seeks to make football more accessible to both boys and girls around the world by incorporating football activities into the education system, in partnership with relevant authorities and stakeholders.
• The programme has been designed to promote targeted life skills and competencies through football and contribute to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other priorities.
• The F4S Programme is aligned with:
  • Global sport, education and health policies, including UNESCO’s Kazan Action Plan, the Education 2030: Incheon Declaration and Framework of Action, and the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Action Plan on Physical Activity (GAPPA).
• In India, the programme is implemented by the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education (DoSEL), with support from the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Sports Authority of India (SAI).

About Gypsum:

• It is a sedimentary rock primarily composed of calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4 · 2H2O) and anhydrite (CaSO4).
• Gypsum is found in both crystal and rock forms.
• Occurrence: It commonly occurs in extensive beds alongside evaporite minerals like anhydrite and halite, especially in Permian and Triassic sedimentary formations.
• It is often found in saline lakes and salt pans and constitutes a significant part of cap rock on salt domes,
• It generally results from the evaporation of saline water and is one of the more common minerals in sedimentary conditions.
• Gypsum that occurs in nature is called mineral gypsum.
• In India, Marine gypsum is recovered from salt pans during production of common salt in coastal region, particularly in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.
• Applications of Gypsum:
  • Agricultural use: It works as an agent to remove Saline/Alkaline ingredients in the soil. It acts more or less like manure.
  • Industrial use: It is used in manufacturing lime and in cement industry and also used in manufacturing Plaster of Paris.

About LCH Prachand:

• It is an indigenously developed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH).
• It is developed by state-run aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.
• It is the only attack helicopter in the world that can land and take off at an altitude of 5,000 metres (16,400 ft).
• Features of LCH Prachand
  • It has the best stealth features, armored-shield systems, and dark-mode attack capability.
  • Its crash-resistant landing gear gives it an added edge for better survivability, among other technologies like radar and IR signature.
  • A pressurised cabin offers protection from nuclear, biological, and chemical contingencies.
  • It is equipped with a countermeasure dispensing system that protects it from enemy radars or infrared seekers of enemy missiles.
  • The multi-role attack helicopter has been customised as per the requirements of the Indian armed forces to operate both in desert terrains and high-altitude sectors. 

About Controller General of Accounts:

• CGA is the Principal Accounting Adviser to the Government of India.
• It was established in 1975 to administer matters pertaining to the departmentalisation of the accounts of the Union.
• The CGA is responsible for for the central government exchequer control and internal audits
• Functions of Controller General of Accounts:
  • The Office of CGA prepare smoothly and annual analysis of expenditure, revenues, borrowings, and various fiscal indicators for the Union Government. 
  • It further formulates policies relating to general principles, forms, and procedures of accounting for the Central and State Governments.
  • It administers the process of payments, receipts, and accounting in the Central Civil Ministries/ Departments. 
  • CGA is also responsible for coordination and monitoring the progress of the submission of corrective/remedial action taken notes (ATNs) on the recommendations contained in the Public Accounts Committee’s (PAC) reports as well as the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports through its web-based Audit Para Monitoring System (APMS).
  • It also looks after the pensions of Central government employees.
• Nodal Ministry: Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance.

About Forest owlet:

• It is a member of the typical owl family, Strigidae.
• Habitat: It is mainly found in tropical and subtropical moist lowland woods, dense deciduous woodlands, open dry deciduous teak woods and tropical and subtropical dry forests.
• Distribution:
  • It is endemic to the forests of central India.
  • It was observed in Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, and at a few locations in the Melghat Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra.
• Features of Forest Owlet:
  • It is a typical owlet with a rather unspotted crown, presence of full throat collar, thickly feathered legs, heavily banded wings, and a tail.
  • These birds are diurnal and have been observed to hunt during the day.
  • They eat rodents, reptiles such as lizards and skinks, and insects.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Endangered
  • CITES: Appendix I