About Bherjan-Borajan-Padumoni Wildlife Sanctuary:

• It is a protected area situated in the Tinsukia district in the eastern part of Assam.
• It is part of the Indo-Chinese tropical moist forest biome.
• It comprises three separate forest blocks named Bherjan, Borajan, and Padumoni.
  • The three areas are disjunct and separated by tea gardens and human habitations.
  • These are entirely on the flat plains of the Brahmputra Valley.
• The terrain is mostly flat with some scattered hillocks.
• The sanctuary enjoys the typical humid subtropical climate of the Northeast Indian region, receiving heavy rainfall, which significantly influences its dense vegetation growth.
• Flora: The vegetation of the sanctuary is almost tropical wet evergreen rainforest.
• Fauna:
  • It holds the highest concentration of primates on the Indian subcontinent, including hoolock gibbons (only species of apes found in India), langurs, and macaques.
  • The sanctuary also hosts mammals such as leopards, wild pigs, and giant flying squirrels.
  • There are many species of birds, including Osprey, Indian Pied Hornbill, Kingfisher, Woodpecker, Lined Barbet, Common Myna, Drongo, Bulbul, Magpie Robin, Wagtail, and many more varieties of woodland birds.

About Kilauea Volcano:

• It is located in the island of Hawaii (Big Island), Hawaii State, United States.
  • Hawaii is the southernmost and largest of the island chain located in the Pacific Ocean, which owes its existence to the very active Hawaiian hotspot.
• Kilauea is located within the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• It is renowned for being one of the most active volcanoes in the world.
• It is a shield volcano characterized by its broad, gently sloping profile.

About Central Bureau of Narcotics:

• It is a central government organization dealing with the international trade of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances, and Precursor Chemicals.
• It works under the ambit of various United Nations Conventions and the provisions of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.
• Nodal Ministry: It works under the Department of Revenue (DoR), Ministry of Finance.
• Headquarters: Gwalior
• Organization Structure:
  • The Narcotics Commissioner is the head of the Central Bureau of Narcotics.
  • A Deputy Narcotics Commissioner is in-charge of each of the three opium growing States of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
  • The Deputy Narcotics Commissioner is assisted by the Assistant Narcotics Commissioner and District Opium Officers.
  • The District Opium Officer issues licences for cultivation of opium poppy as per the General Licencing Conditions notified by the Central Government.

Functions of Central Bureau of Narcotics:

• Supervision over licit cultivation of opium poppy in India
• Preventive and enforcement functions especially in the three poppy growing States.
• Investigation of cases under the NDPS Act, 1985 and filing of complaint in the Court.
• Issue of licences for manufacture of synthetic narcotic drugs.
• Issuance of Export Authorisations/ Import Certificate for export/ import of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.
• Issuance of No Objection Certificate (NOC) for import/ export of a select number of Precursor Chemicals.

About Begonia Siangensis:

• It is the new species of wild flowering plant discovered in Arunachal Pradesh.
• The plant’s scientific name, Begonia siangensis, honours the Siang River Valley in Arunachal Pradesh, the river canyon where it was originally found.
• It belongs to the diverse Begonia section Platycentrum and closely resembles another regional species called Begonia iridescens,
• It has been assessed as ‘Data Deficient’ (DD), pending comprehensive assessment in the future.

About Bahamas:

• Location: It is an archipelagic country comprising coral islands, islets and cays situated in the northwest of West Indies in West Atlantic Ocean.
• Capital City: Nassau
• Geographical Features of Bahamas:
  • Topography: The islands were mostly created by the disintegration of coral reefs and seashells, and low scrub covers much of their surfaces.
  • Climate: The Bahamas has a subtropical marine climate characterized by year-round warm temperatures, moderate rainfall, and cooling trade winds.
  • Islands: New Providence, San Salvador and Great Inagua
  • Mountain: Mount Alvernia, also known locally as Como Hill, is the highest point
  • Strategic Significance: The strategic location of the islands commands the gateway to the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, and the entire Central American region.

About Exercise Rahat Mitra:

• It is the first bilateral Tri-Services Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise conducted between India and Myanmar.
• Theme: ‘Together for Humanity, Stronger through Partnership’
• Aim: The exercise aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation, foster mutual trust and enhance coordination between the Defence Forces of both nations.
• Participating Contingents: It brings together personnel from all three services of both countries, reflecting their shared commitment to humanitarian cooperation and regional disaster response.
• It is coordinated under the aegis of the Indian Navy.
• It provides an important platform for the Indian and Myanmar Defence Forces to engage in professional exchanges, share experiences and enhance interoperability in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations.
• Significance: The exercise reflects India’s commitment to its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and the strategic vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions).

About Kochon Prize:

• It was established in 2006.
• It is presented by the Kochon Foundation, an independent Korean non-profit foundation, in partnership with the Stop TB Partnership.
• It recognises individuals and organisations that have made significant contributions to the fight against TB. 
• It consists of cash prize of US$ 65,000.
• Previous winners from India include S. Chauhan (2006), head of the Revised National TB Control Programme, the Indian Council of Medical Research (2017) and Molbio Diagnostics (2024). 

Key Facts about Tuberculosis

• Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which primarily affects the lungs but can also impact other body parts such as the abdomen, glands, bones, and nervous system.
• Transmission: It spreads through airborne transmission, mainly inhaling tiny droplets released from the coughs or sneezes of an infected person.
• Treatment & Prevention
  • BCG Vaccine: The Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine provides moderate protection, mainly for severe TB in infants and children.

About Chinar Tree:

• It is also known as Oriental plane tree, maple tree and locally it is called Boueen.
• Chinar is a distinctive feature of Kashmir’s landscape and is found in almost every part of the Valley.
• The tree is believed to have been introduced in Kashmir from Persia.
• Habitat: Chinar trees characteristically grow in Eastern Himalayas. It spreads wide across a region of cool climate with sufficient water.

Key Facts about the Geotagging of Chinar

• A QR-based digital plate has been affixed to each identified Chinar using a specialised spring-enabled metal mechanism.
• By scanning the QR code, a person can get required information about the Chinar tree including its location, health, age and other relevant characteristics.
• The Chinar tree is a protected species under J&K Preservation of Specified Trees Act, 1969 and even pruning requires official approval.

About UNESCO Memory of the World Register Programme:

• It was launched by UNESCO in 1992with the goal of preserving global documentary heritage and preventing what it called “collective amnesia.”
• It aims to safeguard rare documents, including manuscripts, oral traditions, audio-visual content, and archive materials, of global and universal value.
• It is operating at international, regional, and national levels, the programme recognizes globally significant documents through the International Register.
• The MoW Register serves as a global compendium of such heritage, and is updated biennially (every two years).

Key Facts about Arthashastra:

• It is traditionally attributed to Kautilya, also known as Chanakya.
• It is a foundational work on governance, administration, economics, diplomacy and military strategy.
• Its detailed examination of statecraft, taxation, law enforcement, intelligence networks and public administration offers valuable insights into political organisation and the functioning of ancient Indian states.
• The text remains an important reference for scholars studying the history of political and economic thought.

Key Facts about Rajatarangini:

• It was composed by the 12th-century Kashmiri historian Kalhana.
• It is widely regarded as one of the most important historical chronicles of medieval India.
• It was written in Sanskrit, it traces the history of Kashmir through successive dynasties, rulers, political developments and social transformations.
• Its significance lies in its attempt to present historical events through chronological narration, critical examination of sources and literary composition, making it an important resource for understanding Kashmir's political and cultural past.

About INS Amini:

• It is the fifth of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) being built by Kolkata-based Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) for the Indian Navy.
• The newly launched ASW ships belong to the Arnala class of vessels and replaced the Abhay class of anti-submarine warfare corvettes.
• Amini becomes the 119th warship designed and constructed by the defence public sector undertaking GRSE and the 81st delivered directly to the Indian Navy.
• Designed for operations in coastal waters, ‘Amini’ is equipped to undertake comprehensive subsurface surveillance, search and attack missions, and coordinated anti-submarine warfare operations in conjunction with aircraft.
• Features:
  • Equipped with an advanced Combat Management System, lightweight torpedoes and anti-submarine warfare rockets, the warship is capable of detecting, tracking and engaging underwater threats.
  • It also carries an indigenously manufactured 30 mm naval surface gun developed by GRSE for protection against surface threats.
  • Its integrated systems will allow it to coordinate with naval aircraft during anti-submarine missions.