Normal Climatic Conditions:

• In "neutral" conditions, surface water in the Pacific Ocean is cooler in the east and warmer in the west.
• The "trade winds" tend to blow east-to-west, taking warm water from South America towards Asia.
• To replace that warm water, cold water rises from the depths — a process called upwelling.

What is El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)?

• El Niño and La Niña are two opposing climate patterns that break normal climatic conditions.
• Scientists call these phenomena the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle.
• El Niño and La Niña can both have global impacts on weather, wildfires, ecosystems, and economies.
• Generally, El Niño occurs more frequently than La Niña.

What is El Nino?

• El Niño is a climate pattern that describes the unusual warming of surface waters in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.
• El Niño is the “warm phase” of the ENSO.
• During El Niño, surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific rise, and trade winds — east-west winds that blow near the Equator — weaken.
• They falter and change direction to turn into westerlies, bringing warm water from the western Pacific towards the Americas.
• The phenomena of upwelling is reduced under El Niño.
• Warm waters also carry tropical species towards colder areas, disrupting multiple ecosystems.
• Since the Pacific covers almost one-third of the earth, changes in its temperature and subsequent alteration of wind patterns disrupt global weather patterns.
  • El Niño causes dry, warm winters in the Northern U.S. and Canada and increases the risk of flooding in the U.S. gulf coast and south-eastern U.S.
  • It also brings drought to Indonesia and Australia.

What is La Nina?

• La Niña, the “cool phase” of ENSO, sees cooler than average sea surface temperature (SST) in the equatorial Pacific region.
• Trade winds are stronger than usual, pushing warmer water towards Asia.
• On the American west coast, upwelling increases, bringing nutrient-rich water to the surface.
• Pacific cold waters close to the Americas push jet streams — narrow bands of strong winds in the upper atmosphere — northwards.
• Impacts:
  • This leads to drier conditions in the Southern U.S., and heavy rainfall in Canada.
  • La Niña has also been associated with heavy floods in Australia.

Impact on India’s monsoons:

• In India, El Niño causes weak rainfall and more heat, while La Niña intensifies rainfall across South Asia, particularly in India’s northwest and Bangladesh during the monsoon.

About Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP):

• It was introduced by the Government of India (GoI) as a part of the Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (“HELP”).
  • HELP replaced the New Exploration and Licensing Policy (NELP) regime, which was in existence for over 18 years.
• Under the OALP, the company has the option to undertake prospecting for fuels in areas which are not notified by the GoI.
• Under the OALP the exploration can be made without waiting for an announcement from the GoI that an area is available for exploration.
• The OALP regime also allows companies access to seismic data at the National Data Repository (NDR).

About Molybdenum Disulfide:

• Molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) is an inorganic compound made up of sulfur and molybdenum.
• It exists in nature in the mineral molybdenite.
• In its bulk form, it appears as a dark, shiny solid.
• It belongs to a class of materials called 'transition metal dichalcogenides' (TMDCs).
  • Materials in this class have the chemical formula MX₂, where M is a transition metal atom (groups 4-12 in the periodic table) and X is a chalcogen (group 16).
• Its crystals have a hexagonal layered structure that is similar to graphite.
• MoS₂ has a high melting point.
• Because of its layered structure, hexagonal MoS₂, like graphite, is an excellent solid lubricant.
  • It can be used as surface coatings on machine parts (e.g., in the aerospace industry), in two-stroke engines (the type used for motorcycles), and in gun barrels (to reduce friction between the bullet and the barrel).
  • Its stability makes it useful in high-temperature applications in which oils and greases are not practical.
  • MoS₂ is highly resistant to oxidation and corrosion, making it an effective lubricant for high-humidity and saltwater environments.
• In addition to its lubricating properties, MoS₂ is a semiconductor.

About ‘CHAKRA’ – Centre of Excellence (CoE):

• It was launched by the State Bank of India (SBI) aimed at financing sunrise sectors critical to India’s economic transformation.
• The Centre will function as a knowledge-driven platform to facilitate funding for next-generation, technology-led and sustainability-focused industries.
• CHAKRA will focus on eight sunrise sectors:
  • Renewables
  • Data Centres
  • E-Mobility & Charging Infra
  • Advanced Cell Chemistry / Battery
  • Semiconductors
  • Green Hydrogen and Ammonia
  • Decarbonization
  • Smart Infrastructure.
• The CoE will work towards enabling this investment, enhancing India’s integration into the global value chain, and accelerating progress toward the country’s sustainability and Net Zero goals.
• Additionally, the CoE will drive technology & AI innovation and play an advisory role, supporting not only the SBI’s Project Finance & Structuring team but also the broader financial ecosystem in India.
• It will engage actively with external stakeholders - with policymakers and regulatory bodies, to shape a robust manufacturing ecosystem that supports investment, innovation, and sustainability.
• The Centre will facilitate structured engagement with development finance institutions, multilateral agencies, banks, NBFCs, industry bodies, corporates, start-ups, academia, and policy think tanks.

About Indian Coast Guard (ICG):

• It is a maritime armed force operating under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India.
• It is a multi-mission organization, conducting round-the-year real-life operations at sea.
• It was envisioned to address emerging maritime challenges and safeguard India’s expanding marine interests.
• It was formally established by the Coast Guard Act, 1978 as an independent Armed force of India.
• The Headquarters of the ICG is located in New Delhi, and is under the command of the Director General Indian Coast Guard.
• Moto: "VAYAM RAKSHAMAH" - WE PROTECT
• Mission:
  • To protect our ocean and offshore wealth, including oil, fish, and minerals.
  • To assist mariners in distress and safeguard life and property at sea.
  • To enforce maritime laws with respect to the sea, poaching, smuggling, and narcotics.
  • To preserve the marine environment and ecology and protect rare species.
  • To collect scientific data and back up the Navy during war.

About Arab League:

• The Arab League, or League of Arab States, is a voluntary association of countries whose peoples are mainly Arabic-speaking or where Arabic is an official language.
• It is a regional organization of Arab states in the Middle East and parts of Africa.
• Its stated aims are to strengthen ties among member states, coordinate their policies and direct them towards a common good.
• Members: It currently has 22 member states: Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestinian Authority, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
• Observer Members: Brazil, Eritrea, India, and Venezuela.
• Headquarters: Cairo, Egypt.
• Governance of Arab League:
  • The highest body of the League is the Council, which is composed of representatives of each state. 
  • The League makes decisions on a majority basis. The decisions are binding only on states that voted for them. 
  • The General Secretariat, the administrative and executive body of the League, runs the League on a daily basis. 
  • It is headed by a Secretary-General appointed by the Arab League Council every five years.

About PM-POSHAN Scheme:

• It was formerly known as the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
• It is implemented by the Ministry of Education.
• The Scheme is implemented across the country covering all the eligible children without any discrimination of gender and social class.
• It aims to provide one hot cooked meal per school day to children studying in Balvatikas (pre-primary), and Classes 1 to 8 across government and government-aided schools.
• Objectives:
  • Enhancing nutritional status of school-going children
  • Improving enrollment, retention, and attendance in schools, especially among disadvantaged children
• Funding Pattern under POSHAN Abhiyan:
  • 60:40 between Centre and States/UTs with legislature
  • 90:10 for the Northeastern and Himalayan States
  • 100% central funding for UTs without legislature

About Grain ATM:

• A grain ATM or Annapurti (meaning “provider of grain”) is an automated machine that dispenses food grains (wheat and/or rice).
• The World Food Programme (WFP) developed the technology behind the machine and has worked in collaboration with the Food Corporation of India and various state governments.
• Key Features of Grain ATM:
  • The machines can work 24×7 like ATMs, and can be powered through solar energy.
  • They also require internet connectivity to access the PDS database and the individual profile of a Below Poverty Line (BPL) cardholder.

About New Ramsar Sites:

Patna Bird Sanctuary:

• Location: It is located in Uttar Pradesh.
• It consists of freshwater marshes, woodlands and grasslands, and is surrounded by agricultural landscapes.
• Together, these different landscapes create a wide range of habitats and support a high level of biodiversity.
• It has been designated an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) by Birdlife International.

 About Chhari-Dhand Wetland:

• Location: It is located in Kutch, Gujarat.
• It is a seasonal saline wetland situated between the famous Banni grasslands and salt flats of Kutch.
• It is an important wintering site for waterfowl.
• Fauna: It supports species such as critically endangered sociable lapwing, the vulnerable common pochard, and, notably, common cranes (Grus grus) annually.

About United Nations Commission for Social Development:

• It is a functional commission of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
• It was formerly known as the Social Commission.
• It focuses on advancing international cooperation on social development issues, including social inclusion, equity and welfare-oriented policies.
• Purpose:
  • Its primary purpose is to advance social development and formulate policies and recommendations to address global social issues.
  • It focuses on topics such as poverty eradication, social inclusion, and the promotion of equitable and sustainable development.
  • Since the 1995 World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen, the CSocD has been the key UN body in charge of the follow-up and implementation of the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action.
• Membership of United Nations Commission for Social Development:
  • Originally 18, membership has been increased several times, most recently in 1996, and now stands at 46.
  • Members are elected by ECOSOC based on equitable geographical distribution for four-year terms. 
• Meetings: The CSocD meets every year at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, typically in February.