About International Air Transport Association (IATA):

• It is the global trade association of airlines (for both freight and passenger carriers) that regulates the aviation industry by developing standards, procedures, and practices.
• It was founded in Havana, Cuba, on 19 April 1945.
• It is the successor to the International Air Traffic Association, founded in the Hague in 1919.
• It was created with the goal of promoting cooperation among airlines, as well as facilitating the development of regulations and procedures that ensure the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of air transport.
• Although the formal regulation of international civil aviation is the responsibility of bodies such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), IATA acts primarily as an industry association that develops operational standards and best practices widely adopted by airlines and logistics operators.
• In practice, its activity focuses on three main areas:
  • Standardization of processes and documentation used in international air transport.
  • Development of technical regulations for the transport of goods, especially in sensitive areas such as dangerous goods or perishable products.
  • Financial cooperation and settlement systems that enable airlines to operate global transportation networks.
• Members:
  • At its founding, IATA had 57 members from 31 nations, mostly in Europe and North America.
  • Presently, it has airline members in 126 countries and territories, comprising around 82 percent of total air traffic.
• Head Office: Montreal, Canada.

About Umiam Lake:

• Umiam Lake, also known as Barapani Lake, is a man-made reservoir in Meghalaya.
• It is encircled by East Khasi hills.
• History:
  • It was created in 1965 as part of the Umiam Umtru Hydroelectric Power Project, which was the first hydroelectric project in Northeast India.
  • The project was initiated by the Assam State Electricity Board (ASEB) with the assistance of the Government of India and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
  • The project involved the construction of a dam across the Umiam River, which is a tributary of the Brahmaputra
• Source of Water: The confluence of the two streams, Umkhrah and Umshvrpi, forms the Wah Ro-ro stream in the northwest of the town and joins River Umiam, the main source of water for the lake.
• It is a popular venue for the water sport and adventure facilities.

About Scarlet Fever:

• Scarlet fever, also known as scarlatina, is a bacterial infection caused by group A streptococci bacteria — the same type of bacteria that cause 'strep throat', skin infections (impetigo), wound infections, and rheumatic fever.
• It is most common in children 5 to 15 years of age.
• If left untreated, scarlet fever can result in more-serious conditions that affect the heart, kidneys, and other parts of the body.

Is Scarlet Fever Contagious?

• Yes, the bacteria that cause scarlet fever are contagious (spread from person to person).
• People who are infected can easily spread it by coughing or sneezing, which sends tiny droplets that contain the bacteria into the air.
• People can get scarlet fever more than once.
• There is no vaccine to prevent scarlet fever.

• Treatment:
  • It is treated with antibiotics (usually penicillin).
  • The fever will usually subside within 24 hours of starting antibiotics, but it is important to take the whole course to completely clear the germs from your throat.

About Salween River:

• The Salween River, also known as the Nu River in China and Thanlwin River in Myanmar, is a transboundary river in Asia, shared by China, Thailand, and Myanmar.
• It is the longest undammed/free-flowing river in mainland Southeast Asia.
• Course:
  • The Salween River originates in the Tibetan range of the eastern Himalayas.
  • The river passes through western Yunnan, China, Myanmar, and then forms the border between Myanmar and Thailand before it turns west and drains into the Gulf of Martaban in the Andaman Sea.
• The upstream portion of the Salween flows in parallel with two of Asia’s mightiest rivers, the Mekong and the Yangtze.
• The location where three gorges carved by these rivers come together – the Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan – was designated as a World Heritage Site by the UN in 2003.
• Since Salween flows primarily through rugged terrain with dangerous rapids along its course, only small parts of the river are navigable by large water vessels.
• Its major economic use is in floating teak logs from the forests of southeastern Myanmar to the sea.
• Some of the major ethnic groups in the region include the Shan, Karen (or Kayin), Karenni (or  Kayah),  Wa,  Lisu,  Lahu,  Kokang,  Akha,  and  Hmong.

About R-37M Missile:

• The R-37M missile, known by its NATO reporting name AA-13 Axehead, is a long-range air-to-air missile developed by Russia.
• It is designed to eliminate enemy fighter jets and drones beyond visual range (BVR).
• People often call the R-37M an “AWACS Killer” because it can go after large and important enemy aircraft. These include radar planes like AWACS, refuelling tankers, and even jamming aircraft that help enemy fighters.
• Indian engineers expect the missile to fit smoothly onto the IAF’s Su-30MKI fighters because the weapon is already approved for the Russian Su-30SM, which is almost the same type of aircraft.
• Features:
  • R-37M carries a 60-kilogram high-explosive fragmentation warhead intended for large airborne targets.
  • Its guidance architecture combines inertial navigation, mid-course data-link updates, and active radar homing during the terminal phase, allowing the launching aircraft to adjust targeting information dynamically.
  • It also employs a lofted trajectory profile, enabling the missile to climb before descending toward its target, thereby conserving energy and extending effective engagement range.
  • It features a jettisonable rocket booster that allows it to achieve a range of 300 to 400 kilometers, making it one of the longest-reaching air-to-air missiles in service globally.
  • Its speed can reach hypersonic levels, up to Mach 6, which is crucial for intercepting fast-moving targets. It is the world’s fastest known air-to-air missile class.

About SMILE Scheme:

• The Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise scheme (SMILE) scheme is a Central Sector Scheme launched on 12th February 2022.
• It includes two sub-schemes:
  • Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation for Welfare of Transgender Persons’
  • ‘Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation of persons engaged in the act of Begging’.
• This umbrella scheme covers comprehensive measures including welfare measures for both transgender persons and persons who are engaged in the act of
• Features of the SMILE Scheme
  • Scholarships: It provides Scholarships for Transgender Students studying in IX and tillpost-graduation to enable them to complete their education.
  • Skill Development and Livelihood: It has provisions for Skill Development and Livelihood under the PM-DAKSH scheme.
  • Composite Medical Health: Through Composite Medical Health it provides a comprehensive package in convergence with PM-JAY supporting Gender-Reaffirmation surgeries through selected hospitals.
  • Garima Greh: It provides shelter homes provide safe, dignified accommodation to transgender persons who face homelessness as a result of family rejection or social stigma.
  • Transgender Protection Cells: These cells in each state will monitor cases of offences and to ensure timely registration, investigation and prosecution of offences.
  • National Portal & Helpline: It will provide necessary information and solutions to the Transgender community and the people engaged in the act of begging when needed.

About Jute Crop:

• The Jute crop is the second most important fibre crop in India after cotton.
• It is a crop of humid tropical climates.
• Required Climatic Conditions:
  • Climate: Relative humidity between 40-90%.
  • Soil: It can grow in wide range of soil but fertile loamy alluvial soil is better suitable.
  • Temperature: Between 17° C and 41°C
  • Rain: It requires well distributed rainfall over 1200 mm which is ideal for cultivation and growth of jute.
  • Generally sown in February and harvested in October; the crop matures in 8–10 months.
• Jute Distribution in India:
  • Over 99% of India’s jute is produced in five states including West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh.
  • West Bengal (81% share), Bihar, Assam, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh (delta regions are important contributors)
• Uses: It is used in multiple ways like for making ropes, gunny bags, rugs, carpets, tarpaulins and many other products.

About Japan:

• Location: It is an island nation in East Asia, situated in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean.
• Maritime borders: It is bordered by the Pacific Ocean (East), Sea of Okhotsk (North), Sea of Japan (West East) and East China Sea (Southwest).
• Capital City: Tokyo
• Geographical Features of Japan:
  • Climate: It ranges from subarctic in the north to humid subtropical in the south.
  • Main Islands (north to south): Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu.
  • Terrain: Over 80% mountainous, with rugged terrain.
  • Volcanic activity: It is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire – a major zone of earthquakes and active volcanoes.
  • Highest peak: Mount Fuji (3,776 m), which is a strato volcano.
  • Major mountain ranges: Japanese Alps.
  • Major rivers: Shinano River (longest), Tone River, Kiso River.
  • Natural Resources: Coal, iron ore, zinc, lead, copper, sulfur, gold, and silver.

About Vishwa Sutra Initiative:

• It has been developed by the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms) in collaboration with the National Institute of Fashion Technology.
• Aim: It aims to present Indian handlooms in a contemporary global design framework.
• Under this initiative, 30 distinct handloom weaves from across the country have been brought together, each representing a different state.
• These weaves have been creatively reinterpreted with design inspirations drawn from 30 countries, reflecting diverse cultures and modern fashion sensibilities.
• It also reflects the depth and continuity of India’s handloom traditions—techniques preserved and refined across generations
  • Example: Odisha Ikat with Greek forms, Kanchipuram with Norwegian lines, Muga with Egyptian elements, Patola with Spanish influences, and Banarasi with UAE-inspired ensembles.
• Significance:
  • Vocal for Local to Global: It reflects the Government of India’s commitment to transforming traditional industries into globally competitive sectors.
  • 5F framework: It supports Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign.