About Lycodon irwini:

• It is a new species of snake.
• It was discovered on the remote Great Nicobar Island at the southern tip of the Nicobar Islands.
• The snake, which is a member of the Lycodon subcinctus group, was named in honour of the late Australian conservationist and television personality, Stephen Robert Irwin.
• It is a striking glossy-black wolf snake that had remained unidentified for years because it closely resembles another widespread species.
• The new research finally confirms that the Great Nicobar population represents a distinct species currently known only from the island.
• One of the most notable features of Lycodon irwini is its uniform glossy black colour, unlike close relatives that typically have white bands or patches.
• The snake is slender, nocturnal, and can grow close to 1.2 metres in length.
• The researchers also documented a higher number of belly and tail scales compared to similar species.

About Vitamin K:

• It is a fat-soluble vitamin that comes in two forms.
  • The main type is called phylloquinone (Vitamin K1), found in green leafy vegetables like collard greens, kale, and spinach.
  • The other type, menaquinones (Vitamin K2), are found in some animal foods and fermented foods.
  • Menaquinones can also be produced by bacteria in the human body.
• Vitamin K helps to make various proteins that are needed for blood clotting and the building of bones.
  • Prothrombin is a vitamin K-dependent protein directly involved with blood clotting.
  • Osteocalcin is another protein that requires vitamin K to produce healthy bone tissue.
• Vitamin K is found throughout the body, including the liver, brain, heart, pancreas, and bone.
• It is broken down very quickly and excreted in urine or stool.
• Because of this, it rarely reaches toxic levels in the body even with high intakes, as may sometimes occur with other fat-soluble vitamins.
• Why Do Modern Diets Often Cause Vitamin K Deficiency?
  • Many people fall short of Vitamin K not because food is scarce but because daily diets lack greens and fermented foods.
  • Over-frying or overcooking vegetables also destroys much of the vitamin.
  • Long-term antibiotic use, liver disease, or fat-absorption disorders can further lower Vitamin K levels since it is fat-soluble and requires dietary fat for absorption.
  • Vitamin K deficiency can contribute to significant bleeding, poor bone development, osteoporosis, and increased cardiovascular disease.

About Dariya Bahadur Island:

• It is located in the Udupi district, Karnataka.
• It is among the four islands near Malpe Beach.
• It is also known as Bhadragada Island, or Lighthouse Island.
• The island’s breadth is just approximately 1.6 square kilometres, and its area is estimated to be less than 250 yards.
• It is well renowned for being a rocky island and esteemed for the elegance of its buildings.
• This island is where the famous Daira Bahadurgarh fort is located.
  • It was constructed by Basavappa Naik of Bidanur.
  • There is also a mystery associated with the island fort, as the treasure of the king was buried somewhere to escape from the invasion of Haider Ali during the mid-18th century.
  • Surrounding the fort premises, there is an old tile factory and also a few temples.

About Kwar Hydroelectric Project:

• It is a 540 MW run-of-river hydropower project.
• It is located on the Chenab River in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir.
• The project is being developed by Chenab Valley Power Projects Private Ltd (CVPPL).
  • CVPPL is a joint venture company between NHPC Ltd and Jammu & Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) with equity contributions of 51 percent and 49 percent, respectively.
• The project shall generate 1,975.54 million units in a 90 percent dependable year.
• The Government of India is extending a grant of Rs. 69.80 crore towards the cost of enabling Infrastructure and also supporting the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir by providing a grant of Rs. 655.08 crore for the equity contribution of JKSPDC (49%) in M/s. CVPPPL.

About National Gopal Ratna Awards (NGRA):

• NGRA are the country’s highest honours in the livestock and dairy sector.
• It was constituted by the Department of Animal Husbandry, and Dairying under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
• It was launched under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission in 2021.
• Objective: It aims to encourage excellence among milk-producing farmers, dairy cooperatives, Milk Producer Companies (MPCs), Dairy Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and Artificial Insemination Technicians (AITs).
• The NGRA will be conferred in the following categories:
  • Best Dairy farmer rearing indigenous cattle/buffalo breeds (list of registered breeds Annexed).
  • Best Dairy Cooperative Society (DCS)/ Milk Producer Company (MPC)/Dairy Farmer Producer Organization (FPO).
  • Best Artificial Insemination Technician (AIT).
• There is also a provision of Special award for the North Eastern Region (NER) and Himalayan States so as to encourage and boost the dairy development activities in these States/UTs.
• The Award consists of a cash prize of 5 lakh for 1st rank, Rs. 3 lakh for 2nd rank, Rs. 2 lakh for 3rd rank and Rs. 2 lakh for Special Award for North Eastern Region, along with a Certificate of merit and a memento in the first two categories i.e Best Dairy Farmer and Best DCS/FPO/MPCs.
• In the Best Artificial Insemination Technician (AIT) category, NGA will consist of a Certificate of merit and a memento.

Why in news?

Highlighting the need for global collaboration to tackle cybercrime, the Supreme Court asked the Centre to clarify whether India has ratified the UN Convention against Cybercrime.

During a hearing on a suo motu case related to a ‘digital arrest’ scam, Justice Joymalya Bagchi questioned Solicitor General Tushar Mehta on India’s status regarding the treaty, stressing its importance in addressing rising online frauds.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Digital Arrest Scam
• United Nations Convention against Cybercrime
• SC on Digital Arrest Scams

Digital Arrest Scam

• A digital arrest scam is a sophisticated cyber fraud in which criminals impersonate law enforcement agencies to intimidate victims into believing they are under “virtual arrest”.
• Scammers typically pose as officers from the police, CBI, ED, or even courts, using forged documents, spoofed phone numbers, or video calls to create a sense of urgency and fear.
• Victims are falsely accused of crimes such as money laundering, violating cyber laws, or involvement in illegal parcels.
• They are then coerced into staying on video call “under surveillance” and pressured to transfer money to supposedly secure or investigative accounts.
• Elderly individuals and professionals are frequent targets.

United Nations Convention against Cybercrime

• Adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2024, the Convention is the world’s first comprehensive global treaty on cybercrime.
• It establishes a unified framework for countries to prevent, investigate, and combat a wide range of cyber offences.
• It recognises that criminals exploit ICT systems across borders—hacking networks, stealing data, committing financial fraud, and engaging in online child exploitation—while law enforcement remains limited by jurisdictional boundaries.
• A key objective of the treaty is to enhance international cooperation, especially in the sharing of electronic evidence across borders for cybercrimes and other serious offences.
• The Treaty Structure
  • It consists of a Preamble and nine chapters, covering General Provisions, Criminalization, Jurisdiction, Procedural Measures, International Cooperation, Preventive Measures, Technical Assistance, Implementation, and Final Provisions.
• Major Provisions
  • The Convention requires states to criminalise core cyber offences—illegal access, data interference, system interference, online fraud, forgery, child sexual abuse material, grooming, and non-consensual intimate image sharing.
  • It obligates countries to align domestic laws and cooperate through extradition, mutual legal assistance, and 24/7 contact points for quick evidence preservation.
  • It also empowers authorities to secure electronic evidence through expedited preservation, search and seizure, production orders, and interception, while respecting human rights.
• Implementation
  • A Conference of States Parties will monitor compliance, review progress, and adopt future protocols.
  • The treaty was opened for signature in October 2025 and will become binding once 40 states ratify it.
  • The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime serves as the secretariat to the Ad Hoc Committee and to the future Conference of the States Parties.

SC on Digital Arrest Scams

• Emphasising global cooperation in fighting cybercrime, the Supreme Court asked the Centre to consider ratifying the UN Convention against Cybercrime.
• SC Judge noted that without worldwide coordination, India cannot effectively trace money trails in cyber frauds.
• The Solicitor General informed the Court that India has not yet ratified the treaty.
• Bench Passes Extraordinary Order in Digital Arrest Case
  • In a rare move, the Court directed that the accused in a ‘digital arrest’ fraud—where a 72-year-old lawyer lost ₹3.29 crore—must not be granted bail until the investigation is completed.
  • The order came after concerns that the accused might be released as the 90-day chargesheet deadline nears.
  • Justice Kant remarked that the situation may require unusual orders.
• Court Takes Suo Motu Cognisance of Growing Digital Arrest Scams
  • Acting on a complaint from an elderly couple in Ambala who were defrauded of ₹1.05 crore, the SC had earlier sought responses from the MHA and CBI.
  • The scammers allegedly used forged orders of the SC, Bombay HC, and ED to intimidate victims.
• Proposal to Transfer All Digital Arrest Cases to CBI
  • Concerned by the sharp rise in cyber fraud, the Supreme Court proposed moving all digital arrest cases nationwide to the CBI, asking states to submit case details.
  • The Supreme Court Advocate-on-Record Association (SCAORA) has also sought to join proceedings to assist the court.

About Integrated Forum on Climate Change and Trade:

• It is a politically supported forum where countries can address the increasingly contentious intersection between trade policies and climate action.
• Launched at: It was launched at COP30, Belem (Brazil), on 15 November 2025.
• It bridges divides between climate ambition and trade policy and could help developing countries gain a stronger voice in shaping emerging trade rules. 
• It will be co-chaired by Brazil and a developed country partner, and open to all Parties to the UNFCCC.
• The IFCCT will be institutionally independent of both the WTO and the UNFCCC.
• The Forum will not negotiate binding outcomes or interpret existing agreements or adjudicate disputes or evaluate specific national measures
• Key features of Integrated Forum on Climate Change and Trade:
  • It will begin with an open-ended consultation process extending into 2026 to define what topics to be discussed and forum’s jurisdiction.
  • It creates an opportunity of interoperability rather than fragmentation related to climate negotiations.
  • It will bring together civil society organisations, business associations, and international initiatives.

About United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime:

• It was adopted by member states of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in December 2024 to strengthen global cooperation in combating cybercrime.
• Purpose: To promote international cooperation, strengthen measures to prevent and combat cybercrime, and support capacity-building, particularly for developing countries.
• It will enter into force 90 days after the 40th State deposits its ratification.
• India has not yet signed this treaty yet.
• It is the first universal legally binding instrument to strengthen collective defence against cybercrime.
• The convention was developed by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
• Key Provisions of United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime:
  • It sets legal standards for addressing offenses such as illegal access, cyber fraud, and online child exploitation, while ensuring human rights and data privacy.
  • It provides States with a range of measures to be undertaken to prevent and combat cybercrime.
  • It facilitates the sharing of electronic evidence across borders and establishes a 24/7 cooperation network among States.
  • It recognises the non-consensual dissemination of intimate images as an offence.
  • It covers crimes such as hacking, ransomware, online financial fraud, illegal interception, money laundering,
  • It applies not only to cyber offences but also to the collection and sharing of electronic evidence in serious crimes.

About Sentinel-6B Satellite:

• It is a joint mission between the United States’ NASA and NOAA, and the European Space Agency.
• Objective: It is an ocean-tracking satellite which will measure the rising sea levels and its impacts on the planet.
• Sentinel-6B is set to carry forward the legacy of Sentinel 6 Michael Freilich, launched in November 2020.
• It will orbit Earth at a speed of 7.2 km per second, completing one revolution every 112 minutes.
• Sentinel-6B will provide primary sea level measurements down to approximately an inch from over 90% of all the oceans.
• It is expected to spend the next 5.5 years in orbit.
• Components of Sentinel-6B Satellite:
  • It consists of six onboard science instruments.
  • The satellite has two fixed solar arrays, plus two deployable solar panels, and will travel in a longitude direction around Earth in a non-Sun-synchronous orbit.
• Significance of Sentinel-6B Satellite:
  • It observe Earth's ocean, measuring sea levels to improve weather forecasts and flood predictions.
  • It safeguards public safety, benefit commercial industry, and protects coastal infrastructure.