About Platypus:

• The platypus is a semi-aquatic egg-laying mammal endemic to eastern Australia.
• Scientific Name: Ornithorhynchus anatinus
• Habitat:
  • Platypuses occur in freshwater systems from tropical rainforest lowlands and plateaus of far northern Queensland to cold, high altitudes of Tasmania and the Australian Alps.
  • When not foraging, the platypus spends most of the time in its burrow in the bank of the river, creek, or a pond.
• Features:
  • Platypus is well adapted for a semi-aquatic lifestyle.
  • In addition, males possess a horny spur on their ankles, which is connected to a venom gland in the upper leg, making the Platypus one of the few venomous mammals.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Near Threatened

About Piprahwa Relics:

• The Piprahwa Relics are a collection of sacred artifacts discovered in 1898 at the Piprahwa Stupa in Uttar Pradesh.
• Archaeological evidence associates the Piprahwa site with ancient Kapilavastu, widely identified as the place where Lord Buddha spent his early life prior to renunciation.
• These are among the earliest and most historically significant relic deposits directly connected to Lord Buddha.
• These relics, unearthed by British colonial engineer William Claxton Peppé in 1898, include bone fragments believed to be those of Lord Buddha, along with crystal caskets, gold ornaments, gemstones, and a sandstone coffer.
• An inscription in Brahmi script on one of the caskets links the relics directly to the Sakya clan, to which Buddha belonged, indicating that these remains were enshrined by his followers around the third century BC.

About E-PRAAPTI Portal:

• E-PRAAPTI (EPF Aadhaar-Based Access Portal for Tracking Inoperative Accounts), a dedicated digital platform of the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).
• Purpose: To facilitate identification, tracking, Unique Account Number (UAN) linking, and activation of old EPF accounts.
• The E-PRAAPTI Portal will provide a streamlined Aadhaar-based authentication mechanism that will enable members to securely access their old EPF account that are not linked to a UAN and initiate the process for updating their member profile, followed by seamless UAN linking and activation.
• In the initial phase, the portal will be member ID-based, ensuring a secure and efficient rollout while delivering immediate benefits to a large segment of members who possess their member IDs.
• E-PRAAPTI’s scope will later be expanded to include members who may not be able to recall or access their old member IDs.

About Preah Vihear Temple:

• It is a Hindu temple located in the Preah Vihear Province, in the northern part of Cambodia.
• It is situated atop a cliff on the Cambodia–Thailand border in the Dangrek Mountain range.
• It is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
• It was built during the period of the Khmer Empire, in the eleventh and twelfth centuries.
• It was built firstly by King Suryavarman I (1002-50) and then expanded upon by Suryavarman II (1113-50).
• It was used by the ancient kings of Angkor for over 800 years.
• After the decline of Hinduism in the region, the temple gradually transformed into a Buddhist monument, which is why it features some Buddhist decorations.
• Due to its location, the Preah Vihear temple has been at the heart of the conflict between Cambodia and Thailand since the 19th and 20th centuries.
• In 1904, both countries signed a treaty granting Cambodia the right to occupy the temple.
  • However, the Thai government contested the treaty and took control of the site.
  • This led to a public protest by Cambodians in 1959.
  • To resolve the issue, the International Court of Justice in The Hague ruled in 1960, affirming Cambodia's ownership of the temple.
• In July 2008, Preah Vihear was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Architecture:
  • It is an outstanding masterpiece of Khmer architecture.
  • The temple is composed of a series of sanctuaries linked by a system of pavements and staircases.
  • It features more than five successive gopuras.
  • Unlike other structures of this kind, the gopuras here are connected by a long path and topped with multi-tiered platforms.
  • Some of these gopuras have stone roofs, while others have wooden roofs.

About Diaphanes meghalayanus and Diaphanes mawlynnong:

• They are two new species of fireflies.
• They were discovered in Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills.
• meghalayanus has been named after Meghalaya to indicate its broader distribution in the region, while D. mawlynnong derives its name from Mawlynnong village, where the species was first recorded, acknowledging the local Khasi community.
• Both species thrive in dark, humid environments with minimal human interference.

About Mission SAKSHAM:

• The mission SAKSHAM (Sahakari Bank Kshamta Nirman) is a sector-wide capacity-building and certification framework for urban co-operative banks (UCBs).
• It aims to enhance managerial and operational capabilities, improve compliance culture, and strengthen institutional resilience across UCBs.
• It is a mission-mode, sector-wide and all-India capacity-building training initiative for UCBs, under which the RBI will conduct a large number of training programmes,
• Features:
  • Target Groups: It targets board members, senior management, heads of risk, compliance and audit functions, and employees working in IT functions and other critical areas.
  • Delivery Model: Blended learning (in-person and digital) with a focus on regional language accessibility.
  • Collaboration: Designed with the Umbrella Organisation for UCBs and State/National Federations.
  • Core Objective: To improve compliance culture and strengthen the financial health of cooperative institutions
  • It focuses to establish a sustainable, self-reinforcing ecosystem for systemic stability and the healthy growth and development of the UCB sector.

About Panchayat Advancement Index 2.0:

• It is India’s first nationwide data-driven framework to assess Gram Panchayat performance.
• It serves as a robust tool for evidence-based planning, performance monitoring, and incentivising Panchayati Raj Institutions.
• It evaluates each of the more than 5 lakh Gram Panchayats across the country.
• It is built on the framework of Localization of Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs), which consolidates the 17 global SDGs into nine thematic areas relevant to Panchayati Raj Institutions.
• Covering Poverty, Health, Child Welfare, Water, Environment, Infrastructure, Social Justice, Good Governance, and Women’s Empowerment.
• Based on their composite PAI scores, Gram Panchayats are classified into five performance categories
  • Achiever (A+: 90 and above)
  • Front Runner (A: 75 to below 90),
  • Performer (B : 60 to below 75),
  • Aspirant (C: 40 to below 60),
  • Beginner (D: below 40)
• It is prepared by the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj.

About Kyrgyzstan:

• Location: It is a landlocked mountainous country in Central Asia.
• Bordering Countries: It is bordered by four nations; Kazakhstan (north), Uzbekistan (west), Tajikistan (south), and China (east).
• It is occasionally referred as “the Switzerland of Central Asia”.
• Capital City: Bishkek
• Geographical Features of Kyrgyzstan:
  • Climate: The climate is continental and varies according to the altitude. The winters are cold, often freezing, and the summers warm and sunny.
  • Highest Peak: Victory Peak
  • Major Rivers: Syr Darya, Naryn, Chu.
  • Lakes: Lake Issyk-Kul, the second-largest saline lake in the world is located here.
  • Natural Resources: It consists of coal, oil, natural gas, and uranium, alongside deposits of gold and rare earth metals.

About Exercise Pragati:

• The PRAGATI (Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region)is a multilateral military exercise.
  • It is the first edition of exercise which will be held in Umroi,
• Participating Countries: It includes 11 friendly countries Laos, Myanmar, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Nepal, Maldives, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Bhutan.
• Aim: It aims to strengthen defence cooperation, enhance interoperability, and build mutual trust among participating nations.
• It reflects a shared commitment to collective security and regional stability.
• Key Focus of Exercise Pragati:
  • It centers on counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations, emphasising joint training and defence diplomacy.
  • It is part of India’s growing defence engagement with its neighbouring and Indian Ocean region nations, focusing on building capacity and shared operational capabilities.
  • It will mark a shift in the Indian Army training from bilateral to consortium-style engagements.
  • Besides war games, a key component of the event is a two-day industry exposition, highlighting the Indian Army's capabilities and fostering industrial partnerships with ASEAN nations.

About Naval Anti-ship Missile Short Range:

• It is India’s first indigenous helicopter-launched anti-ship missile.
• It has been developed as a replacement for the ageing British-origin Sea Eagle missile currently used by naval Sea King helicopters.
• Developed By: It has been developed by Hyderabad-based Research Center Imarat in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories
• Features of Naval Anti-ship Missile Short Range:
  • It uses a solid propulsion booster and long-burn sustainer.
  • Range: It has a range of 55 km.
  • It supports fire-and-forget operation in all weather conditions and at all hours.
  • It is equipped with advanced subsystems including a state-of-the-art seeker, integrated avionics, fibre-optic gyroscope-based inertial navigation system, radio altimeter, and a high-bandwidth two-way data link.
  • The system also incorporates advanced control and guidance algorithms and jet-vane control technology.
  • It features advanced, low-level sea-skimming, a precise waterline hit capability, a critical feature designed to maximise damage to enemy vessels.

About Holocene Epoch:

• It is the current period of geologic time.
• The term was introduced by Gervais in 1869 and was accepted as part of valid geological nomenclature by the International Geological Congress in 1885.
• Another term that is sometimes used is the ‘’Anthropocene Epoch’’, because its primary characteristic is the global changes caused by human activity.
• The Holocene Epoch began 12,000 to 11,500 years ago at the end of the last Ice Age (the Pleistocene Epoch) and continues to the present.
• Continental motions are negligible over a span of only 10,000 years—less than a kilometer. However, ice melt caused world sea levels to rise about 35 meters in the early part of the Holocene.
• It is marked by a significant warming trend and relative climate stability compared to the previous glacial period.

About Pompeii:

• It is a preserved ancient Roman city located near modern-day Naples, Italy.
• It lies at the southeastern base of Mount Vesuvius.
• The area was originally settled in the Bronze Age on an escarpment at the mouth of the Sarnus (modern Sarno) River.
• Pompeii was built on a spur formed by a prehistoric lava flow to the north of the mouth of the Sarno River.
• Pompeii was founded around the 6th century BC by the Samnites, an ancient Italian tribe.
• It was conquered and absorbed into the Roman Empire in 80 BCE.
• The city was buried in volcanic ash following the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 CE, instantly killing its inhabitants and preserving the city in a remarkable state of preservation.
• Pompeii was basically lost and forgotten until it was rediscovered in 1748.
• Its excellent state of preservation gives an invaluable insight into Roman everyday life.
• It is the only archaeological site in the world that provides a complete picture of an ancient Roman city.
• It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

About Mammogram:

• Mammography is a test that uses low-dose X-rays to create images of the breast. These images are called mammograms.
• Healthcare providers use mammograms, or mammography, to look for early signs of breast cancer before symptoms develop. This is called a screening mammogram.
• Providers also use mammography to look for any abnormalities if one develops a new symptom, such as a lump, pain, nipple discharge or breast skin changes. This is called a diagnostic mammogram.
  • Although it’s called a “diagnostic mammogram,” it can’t diagnose breast cancer.
  • However, it can show whether the abnormal findings look like breast cancer.
  • But these abnormal signs can also be caused by a breast condition that is benign (not cancer).

About Noyyal River:

• It is a tributary of the Kaveri River and flows through Tamil Nadu.
• Course:
  • It begins from numerous small streams in the Vellingiri Hills of the Western Ghats.
  • It flows through the districts of Coimbatore, Tirupur, and Erode and meets the Cauvery River at the Noyyal village in Karur District.
• It is a seasonal river with rapid flows during the monsoon
• Most of these check dams and anicuts were constructed by the Chola Kings, who ruled the region in the 9th to 12th centuries to augment irrigation and control floods downstream.
• Until the early 20th century, the Noyyal was the main drinking water source for the region.

About  Nahargarh Wildlife Sanctuary:

• It is located in Rajasthan, in the Aravalli range.
• The sanctuary is named after Nahargarh Fort, a historic fort built in the 18th century by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the founder of Jaipur.
• It connects ecologically with other forest areas like the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve.
• Within the sanctuary is the Nahargarh Biological Park.
• Flora: The sanctuary features a rugged terrain with hills, valleys, seasonal streams, and dry deciduous forests typical of the semi-arid region, including trees such as dhok, babool, khejri, and ber.
• Fauna:
  • Common species include leopards, wild boars, deer, lions, tigers, sloth bears, and several small mammals.
  • It’s a haven for bird watchers, with a variety of species, including peacocks, owls, and eagles.
  • It is also home to reptiles like Indian rock pythons, monitor lizards, and amphibians like frogs and toads.

About Theridion Himalayana:

• It is a new species of ‘happy-face spider’ belongs to the ‘Theridiidae’ family.
• It was discovered in western Himalayas of India.
• Features
  • It is polymorphic in both sexes and has 32 different morphs that exhibit patterns of a smiling face with dots in colours of red, black and white arranged differently.
  • It could also be a crucial pollinator for some plants

About Tapir:

• Tapirs are large herbivorous mammals.
• They are often called “living fossils” due to their lineage dating back millions of years.
• Appearance: They have short, flexible snout, tapirs use it to grab leaves and fruits.
• They are excellent swimmers and spend a lot of time in water.
• Diet: They’re herbivores and fifty per cent of their diet consists of fruit.
• Distribution: They inhabit jungle and forest regions of South America, Central America, and Southeast Asia. 
• There are only four species of tapirs. They live in distinct geographical areas.
  • Malayan Tapir: It is the largest of the tapirs which is native to Southeast Asia. Its black-and-white stripes help it blend into the forest. (IUCN Status: Endangered)
  • Baird’s Tapir: It is Central America's biggest land mammal. It is found in tropical forests and around water. (IUCN Status: Endangered)
  • Lowland Tapir: The South American tapir is the most widespread. It is found in the Amazon Basin and other areas. (IUCN Status: Vulnerable)
  • Mountain Tapir: It is the rarest and found in the high Andes. (IUCN Status: Endangered)
• Ecological Role: They form an important part of the ecosystem as seed dispersers.

About Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries:

• It is a permanent intergovernmental organization of oil-exporting countries.
• It was established in 1960 by the five founding members Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela. 
• Objective: Its primary objective is to stabilize global oil markets and ensure fair prices for producers along with a steady supply for consumers.
• Member countries: Currently, it has 12 members, including Algeria, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Libya, Nigeria, and the United Arab Emirates (Decided to quit from May 1 2026).
• Headquarters: Vienna, Austria.
• OPEC members collectively hold more than 75–80% of the world’s proven crude oil reserves.
• The organization produces around 35–40% of the world’s total crude oil supply.
• OPEC plays a crucial role in influencing global oil prices by adjusting production levels.

What is OPEC+?

• It is an extension of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries formed in 2016.
• It consists of 22 oil-exporting countries which meet regularly to decide how much crude oil to sell on the world market.
• Members of OPEC+: It comprises 12 OPEC countries plus Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brunei, Kazakhstan, Russia, Mexico, Malaysia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Oman.
• These nations aim to work together on adjusting crude oil production to bring stability to the oil market.

About Atacama Desert:

• Location: It is the driest desert in the world, located in northern Chile.
• It is nestled between the Andes Mountains on the east and the Pacific Ocean on the west.
• Bordered by: It is bordered by Argentina, Peru, and Bolivia
• It also hosts 12 volcanoes, mainly located in the western outliers of the Andes.
• Rainfall: Average rainfall in this region is about 1 mm per year. Some locations within the desert have never had any rainfall whatsoever.
• Temperature: Temperatures are comparatively mild throughout the year. The average temperature in the desert is about 63 degrees F (18 degrees C).
• Natural Resources: This region has the largest natural supply of Sodium Nitrate, which can be used for producing fertilizers and explosives, amongst other things. 
• Chinchorro Mummies: The oldest artificially mummified human remains have been found in the Atacama Desert.

About Somalia:

• It is an African country located in the Horn of Africa.
• The Equator passes through southern Somalia.
• Bordering Countries: It is bordered by Djibouti (Northwest), Ethiopia (West), and Kenya (Southwest). 
• Maritime Borders: The Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean
• Capital city: Mogadishu
• Geographical Features of Somalia:
  • Climate: It has an arid or semiarid climate, and there is little seasonal change in temperature.
  • Relief: The Somali peninsula consists mainly of a tableland of young limestone and sandstone formations.
  • In the extreme north, along the Gulf of Aden, is a narrow coastal plain called the Guban.
  • Rivers: Jubba and the Shabeelle
  • Highest Peak: Highest point Somalia is Mount Shimbiris
  • Natural Resources: It mainly consists of iron ore, uranium, copper, tin, bauxite, gypsum, salt

About Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP):

• It is a proposed 11,000 MW hydropower project on the Siang River near the Geku Village in the Upper Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh.
  • The Siang River is the upper course of the Brahmaputra
• It is envisioned as one of India’s largest hydropower reservoirs and as a strategic countermeasure to China’s proposed 60,000 MW super dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) in Tibet’s Medog County.
• This project aims to not only harness hydropower but also to control flooding and erosion downstream in the upper Brahmaputra basin.
• The area is primarily inhabited by the Adi Tribe, an indigenous community with a strong connection to the Siang River.
• Developers: Jointly undertaken by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) and the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO).

About Eulophia picta:

• It is a medium-to-small, hot-growing terrestrial orchid.
• It is commonly known as Nodding Swamp Orchid or pink nodding orchid.
• Habitat and Distribution:
  • It is found from India to Southeast Asia to Australia in moist grasslands, sandy areas behind beaches, and rainforests.
  • It is also found in semi-deciduous and deciduous dry lowland forests at elevations up to 1000 m, with underground, spherical pseudobulbs.
• Description:
  • A distinctive leafy species with three to five broad, smooth, ribbed leaves and pale pink, rarely white flowers.
  • The flowers do not open but remain as a tube.
  • The distinctive inflorescence is hooked like a shepherd's crook when plants are flowering but straightens as the prominently ribbed seed capsules develop.
• It thrives in full sun to partial shade, making it versatile for various garden settings.

About Lake Issyk-Kul:

• It is located in northeastern Kyrgyzstan.
• Surrounding the lake are the snowcapped Tian Shan mountains (the Heaven’s mountains).
• It has an endorheic basin, meaning it has no outflow to other bodies of water like rivers or oceans.
• The water in the lake is blue and brackish.
• It is after Lake Titicaca in South America, the world's second-largest high mountain lake.
• It is the second-largest saline lake in the world after the Caspian Sea. It is also the largest lake in Kyrgyzstan.
• It ranks seventh in the list of the deepest lakes in the world.
• Owing to its depth, low salinity, and warm springs, it does not freeze, even in winter. Issyk-Kul translates as "hot lake".
• From the lakeshore, all major landscape types, from subtropical to tundra, occur in close succession.
• In 1976, it was included on the Ramsar list as a wetland of international importance.

About Dopamine:

• Dopamine is a hormone and a type of neurotransmitter, or chemical messenger, made in your brain.
• Your nervous system uses it to send messages between nerve cells. These messages also travel between your brain and the rest of your body. 
• This unique neurotransmitter affects your body, brain, and behavior.
• Dopamine is the chemical that mediates pleasure in the brain.
  • It is released when your brain is expecting a reward.
  • When you come to associate a certain activity with pleasure, mere anticipation may be enough to raise dopamine levels.
• It's a big part of our unique human ability to think and plan. It helps us focus, work towards goals, and find things interesting.
• Dopamine also plays a role in these functions:
  • learning and attention
  • mood
  • movement
  • heart rate
  • kidney function
  • blood vessel function
  • sleep
  • pain processing
  • lactation
• High or low dopamine levels are associated with diseases including Parkinson’s disease, restless legs syndrome, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
• Dopamine is also made in other parts of your body, where it acts as a hormone.
• Dopamine acts as a hormone to help:
  • relax or tighten your blood vessels when needed
  • control your salt levels and urine production
  • control how much insulin you make
  • slow down some parts of your digestion
• Dopamine is found in humans as well as animals, including both vertebrates and invertebrates.

About Vitamin E:

• It is a fat-soluble vitamin with several forms, but alpha-tocopherol is the only one used by the human body.
• The body stores vitamin E in fatty tissue and the liver.
• Functions:
  • The main role of vitamin E is to act as an antioxidant, scavenging loose electrons—so-called “free radicals”—that can damage cells.
  • Vitamin E helps keep your immune system healthy, promotes good eye health, and supports healthy skin.
  • It helps form red blood cells and widen blood vessels to keep blood from clotting inside
  • It helps the body use vitamin K.
• Food Sources:
  • Foods rich in vitamin E include vegetable oils such as canola and olive oils, nuts, and seeds.
  • Meats, dairy, leafy greens, and fortified cereals also have vitamin E.
• People who have digestive disorders or do not absorb fat properly (e.g., pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, celiac disease) can develop a vitamin E deficiency.
• The following are common signs of a deficiency:
  • Retinopathy (damage to the retina of the eyes that can impair vision)
  • Peripheral neuropathy (damage to the peripheral nerves, usually in the hands or feet, causing weakness or pain)
  • Ataxia (loss of control of body movements)
  • Decreased immune function

About Sahayog Portal:

• It is an online platform launched in 2024 to help remove illegal content from the internet quickly.
• It allows government agencies to send takedown notices directly to social media platforms and other online intermediaries.
• It operates under Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act, 2000, giving it legal backing.
• It ensures that intermediaries act fast while retaining safe harbour protections.
• Nodal Ministry: Union Home Ministry
• Features of Sahayog Portal:
  • Centralised Communication: Connects government agencies, state/UT nodal officers, and 65 online intermediaries in a single platform.
  • Automated Takedown Notices: Sends quick, documented notices to intermediaries for prompt removal of unlawful content.
  • Legal Backing: Operates under Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act, 2000, ensuring legal enforcement and consequences for non-compliance.
  • Separate from Section 69A: Focuses on intermediaries’ responsibility to disable unlawful content rather than government blocking powers.

About Barbary Macaque:

• Barbary macaques are one of 25 species of macaque found around the world.
• They’re the only macaque species living outside Asia and the only non-human primate in North Africa and Europe.
• Habitat: They are most commonly found in high-altitude mountains, rocky cliffs, and gorges. The ideal habitat of this species is cedar forest.
• Distribution: They are mainly found in Africa, Asia and Europe.
  • The natural range of these primates covers the Atlas Mountains of Algeria and Morocco in North Africa.
  • The Barbary monkeys have also been introduced from Morocco to Gibraltar, where these animals currently occur in a small population.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Endangered

About Nilgiri Tahr:

• The Nilgiri Tahr is a mountain ungulate endemic to the southern part of the Western Ghats. 
• It is also known by the name Nilgiri Ibex or simply Ibex. Locally the animal is called ‘Varayaadu’.
• It is the only mountain ungulate in southern India.
• Habitat: It inhabits the open montane grassland habitat of the southwestern ghats montane rain forests ecoregion. 
• Distribution: It is found in the Western Ghats and in states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. 
  • The Eravikulam National Park (Kerala) has the highest density and largest surviving population of Nilgiri tahr. 
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN: Endangered 
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act of India, 1972: Schedule I.
• Threats: Habitat loss due to rampant deforestation, competition with domestic livestock, hydroelectric projects in Nilgiri tahr habitat, and monoculture plantations.

About Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar:

• It is a prestigious national honour conferred annually by the Government of India.
• It is awarded to children for exceptional excellence in Bravery, Art & Culture, Environment, Social Service, Science & Technology, and Sports.
• The Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar organized by the Ministry of Women and Child Development Government of India.
• Eligibility for Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar:
  • A child should be an Indian Citizen.
  • Age: A child above the age of 5 years and not exceeding 18 years (as of 31st July of respective year).
  • The act/incident/achievement should have been within 2 years of the last date of receipt of application/nomination for the year of consideration.
  • The number of awards will be 25, however, any relaxation to this maximum number may be permitted at the discretion of the National Selection Committee.
  • Each awardee will receive a medal, certificate and citation booklet.

About Cyborg Botany:

• It is a hybrid system that integrates living plants with electronic components.
• It is an intersection of biology, materials science, and engineering.
• The word ‘cyborg’ itself comes from ‘cybernetic organism’, a concept long associated with science fiction.
• Its goal is to use the biological processes of living plants and merge them with artificial electronic functionality.
• Working:
  • Embedding Nanowires and Electronic Transistors: These can be directly embedded into plant cell walls, where they can function as biosensors, picking up biochemical changes as they happen.
  • Polymers as living wires: Certain conductive polymers such as PEDOT (a biodegradable, electrically conductive material) can act as living wires within plant tissue, carrying signals from the plant’s cells to an external device.
• Significance:
  • Plants face two broad types of stress: biotic stress, such as pest infestations and disease, and abiotic stress, such as drought and extreme temperatures.
  • If a sensor embedded in a crop plant could flag a moisture deficit or a disease signal days or weeks before the physical symptoms appear.
  • Farmers could intervene early by applying water and nutrients or treatments only where and when they are needed.

About Thrissur Pooram:

• It is one of the most popular temple festivals in Kerala.
• It is held at the Thekkinkadu Maidanam of Vadakkunnathan Temple in the heart of the Thrissur district, every year in the Malayalam month of Medam (April-May).
• The history of Thrissur Pooram dates back over 200 years.
• Often called the "Mother of all Poorams." It was the brainchild of Raja Rama Varma, or famously known as Sakthan Thampuran, the Maharaja of Cochin (1790–1805).
• It unites ten temples in a spectacular display of devotion and rivalry.
• Major participants include Paramekkavu Bhagavathy Temple and Thiruvambady Krishna Temple.
• Highlights:
  • Elephant Processions: Over 50 richly adorned elephants carry idols amid Panchavadyam music and melam beats.
  • Kudamattam: Thrilling parasol exchanges between rival groups showcase precision and flair.
  • Fireworks Spectacle: Midnight display features aerial bursts and ground effects lasting hours.
  • Panchapradakshinam: Deities circle the ancient Vadakkunnathan Temple in a sacred ritual.
  • Ilanjithara Melam: A mesmerizing performance of traditional instruments. 

About  Bnei Menashe:

• The Bnei Menashe, known in India as the Shinlung, is an ethnic community that hails from the northeastern states of Mizoram and Manipur.
• They are a community of about 10,000 people from Tibeto-Burman ethnic group They include members of the Chin, Kuki, and Mizo groups.
• The population claims to be descendants of the Biblical tribe of Manasseh, one of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel, which were exiled by the Assyrian Empire in 722 BC.
• They are Christians converted into Jews and observe traditional Jewish practices and celebrate holidays such as Sukkot.
• After a centuries-long exodus through Persia, Afghanistan, Tibet, and China, the community reached India's northeast and settled in Manipur and Mizoram.
• Historians believe this community may have arrived in India within the last 300–500 years.
• Their ancestors were exiled long before the Roman dispersion, but they continued to practice Judaism across the generations, even if not in a contemporary Orthodox way.
• Once they came into contact with Israel and global Jewry in the 1980s, they embraced modern Jewish learning and practice.
• Nearly half of the ‘Bnei Menashe’ population migrated to Israel over a period of time and became its citizens.
• Operation Wings of Dawn:
  • In 2025, the Israeli government launched ‘Operation Wings of Dawn’ to facilitate the immigration of the remaining members of the Bnei Menashe community to Israel.
  • The programme includes flights, conversion classes, housing, Hebrew lessons, and other benefits.
  • According to the recent Israeli Government plan, approximately 1,200 community members are expected to immigrate to Israel by the end of 2026.
  • A second stage, slated for completion by 2030, will bring an additional 4,600 people, effectively completing the arrival of the entire community.

About Kawasaki Disease:

• Kawasaki Disease, also known as Kawasaki syndrome or mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, is a rare disease that causes fever and inflammation of the blood vessels.
• It occurs mostly in children younger than 5 years old and affects boys more often than girls.
• The disease was first described in Japan by Tomisaku Kawasaki in 1967, and the first cases outside of Japan were reported in Hawaii in 1976.
• The cause of Kawasaki disease is unknown, although more cases happen in late winter and early spring.
• It is the most common form of acquired (not present at birth) heart disease in children in developed countries.
• The condition causes the immune system to attack blood vessels, which become inflamed and swollen.
• It tends to affect the coronary arteries, which carry blood to the heart muscle.
• It can also cause problems with lymph nodes, skin, and the lining of a child’s mouth, nose, and throat.
• It is not contagious, so it cannot spread from person to person.
• Symptoms: Symptoms of Kawasaki disease can appear in two phases and may last several week Common symptoms include:
  • A high fever lasting more than five days.
  • A rash on the main part of the body or in the genital area.
  • An enlarged lymph node in the neck.
  • Very red eyes without a thick discharge.
  • Red, dry, cracked lips and a red, swollen tongue.
  • Swollen, red skin on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. Later the skin on fingers and toes peels.
• Treatment:
  • It is often treatable. With early treatment, most children get better and have no long-lasting problems.
  • It is usually treated in the hospital with an intravenous (IV) dose of immunoglobulin (IVIG) antibodies.

About Leaf Spot Diseases:

• Leaf spot is the name given to a group of plant diseases caused by fungi, bacteria, or other microorganisms.
• These pathogens exploit the leaf’s surface and, once established, can quickly proliferate, producing visible spots or lesions.
• The spots on the leaves can be small or large. Leaf spot also interferes with the plant's photosynthesis.
• If left untreated, leaf spot can eventually severely damage the plant’s foliage.
• Heavily infected leaves turn yellow and brown, shrivel, and drop prematurely.
• Almost every region around the world is susceptible to some form of leaf spot disease.
• The prevalence and severity depend on local climate conditions, with humid and wet environments particularly conducive to the spread and growth of these pathogens.
• They are common on vegetables, bedding plants, fruit trees, ornamental trees and shrubs.
• The two main types of leaf spot are either fungal or bacterial, with 85% of plant diseases caused by fungi.
• While not caused by a pathogen, certain environmental conditions can cause symptoms that resemble leaf spots.
  • Factors such as water stress, sun scald, chemical burn from pesticides or herbicides, or nutrient imbalances can lead to spot-like lesions on leaves.
• Leaf spot diseases present a serious threat to global agriculture, impacting food production, economic stability, and environmental health.
• Controlling and preventing leaf spot diseases require a combination of cultural, biological, and chemical methods.

About INS Kalpeni:

• It is a fast attack craft of the Indian Navy.
• It belongs to a series of 10 Fleet Car Nicobar class Waterjet Fast Attack Craft (FAC) built by the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata for the Indian Navy.
• It was commissioned into the Indian Navy on October 14, 2010.
• The ship is named after Kalpeni Island in the Lakshadweep group of islands.
• The ship is based at Kochi under the Southern Naval Command with the primary role of Coastal Surveillance and Defence.
• It specialises in anti-smuggling, Vessel Boarding Search & Seizure as well as Search & Rescue operations.
• Armaments:
  • The main armament of the ship is 30 mm CRN 91 Gun with an Optronic Pedestal Sight as its Director.
  • In addition the 49-metre-longship has been fitted with 11 Machine guns of various types and shoulder launched IGLA Surface to Air Missiles to neutralise aerial threats.

About Pushkarmema curajae:

• It is a new species of cyanobacteria.
• It was identified from Pushkar Lake in Ajmer, Rajasthan.
• The genus name Pushkar and species name curajae are dedicated to Pushkar Lake and Central University of Rajasthan.
• curajae could potentially be used to develop drugs, biofertilizers, and even nutrient-rich supplements that improve immunity and overall health.

Key Facts about Cyanobacteria:

• They are photosynthetic microscopic organisms found naturally in all types of water.
• They were originally called blue-green algae (though they are not true algae) because dense growths often turn the water green, blue-green, or brownish-green.
• They are usually unicellular, though they often grow in colonies large enough to see.
• They are prokaryotic organisms (lack a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles).
• While often a green or blue-green colour, they can also be white, brown, blue, yellow-brown, or red.
• They live in fresh, brackish (combined salt and fresh water), and marine water.
• They photosynthesise like plants and have similar requirements for sunlight, nutrients, and carbon dioxide to grow and produce oxygen.
• In addition to being photosynthetic, many species of cyanobacteria can also “fix” atmospheric nitrogen—that is, they can transform the gaseous nitrogen of the air into compounds that can be used by living cells.
• They have the distinction of being the oldest known fossils, more than 3.5 billion years old.
• The cyanobacteria have also been tremendously important in shaping the course of evolution and ecological change throughout earth's history.
• The oxygen atmosphere that we depend on was generated by numerous cyanobacteria during the Archaean and Proterozoic Eras.
• High nutrient concentrations can promote a population explosion of these organisms and result in algal blooms, especially during warm weather.
  • Cyanobacterial blooms lead to deterioration of water quality and production of toxins by some species.
  • Exposure to algal toxins has been linked to fatalities of livestock, wildlife, and pets.

About New Zealand:

• It is an island country and one of the many islands that make up Oceania.
• It is located in the South Pacific Ocean to the southeast of Australia, south of New Caledonia, Fiji and Tonga Islands. 
• It is primarily divided into two main islands, the North Island and the South Island, separated by the Cook Strait.
• Capital City: Wellington
• Geographical Features of New Zealand:
  • It is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire—the circum-Pacific seismic belt marked by frequent earthquakes and considerable volcanic activity. 
  • Climate: New Zealand's climate is complex and varies from warm subtropical in the far north to cool temperate climates in the far south.
  • Highest Peak: Mount Cook at 12,316 feet is the highest peak of New Zealand
  • Active Volcano: Mount Ruapehu
  • Glacier: Tasman Glacier, the largest in New Zealand
  • Lake: Lake Taupō which is the largest natural lake.
  • Natural Resources: It consists of gold, silver, iron sands, phosphate and limestone etc.

About Doppler Weather Radar:

• It is specialized radar that uses the Doppler Effect to produce velocity data about objects at a distance.
• These radar systems can provide information regarding the movement of targets as well as their position.
• Working of Doppler weather Radars:
  • In radars, a beam of energy, called radio waves, is emitted from an antenna.
  • When this beam strikes an object in the atmosphere, the energy scatters in all directions, with some reflecting directly back to the radar.
  • The larger the object deflecting the beam, the greater is the amount of energy that the radar receives in return.
  • Observing the time required for the beam to be transmitted and returned to the radar allows weather forecasting departments to “see” raindrops in the atmosphere, and measure their distance from the radar.
  • Types of weather Radar Bands: Varying frequencies like S-band, C-band and X-band — are commonly used by the IMD in India.
• Applications of Doppler weather Radars:
  • Weather System: It is used to track the movement of weather systems and cloud bands, and gauge rainfall over its coverage area of about 500 km.
  • X-band radar is used to detect thunderstorms and lightning, whereas a C-band radar helps in cyclone tracking.

About Abhilekh Patal Portal:

• It is a full-featured web-portal to access the National Archives of India’s reference media and its digitized collections through the internet.
• It is a digital repository thoughtfully curated by the National Archives of India (NAI).
• It has a mission to provide easy access to India's historical archives, comprising of an astounding 7 million records.
• Purpose: Its purpose is to ensure the effortless accessibility of historical records, reaching across geographical borders to engage a diverse global community.
• The archival collections available through the Abhilekh Patal portal cover a wide range of historical records preserved by the National Archives of India. These include:
  • Public records transferred from various Ministries and Departments of the Government of India
  • Private papers of eminent personalities
  • Archival reference media such as photographs, maps, microfilms and rare documents
  • Digitised historical government files and archival collections maintained by NAI

Key facts about the National Archives of India

• It was established on 11 March 1891 at Calcutta (Kolkata) as the Imperial Record Department, it is the biggest archival repository in South Asia.
• It is the repository of the non-current records of the Government of India and is holding them in trust for the use of record creators and general users.
• It has a vast corpus of records viz., public records, private papers, oriental records, cartographic records and microfilms, which constitute an invaluable source of information for scholars-administrators and users of archives.
• Head office: New Delhi
• It has one Regional Office in Bhopal and three Records Centres at Bhubaneswar, Jaipur and Puducherry.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Culture, Government of India.

About Blackbuck:

• It is medium-sized antelope native to India and Nepal.
• Habitat: The blackbuck mostly lives in open grasslands, dry scrub areas, and thinly forested areas.
• Distribution: It is widespread in the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and other areas throughout peninsular India.
  • It has been declared as the state animal by the governments of Punjab, Haryana, and Andhra Pradesh. 
• Characteristics of Blackbuck
  • It is known for its beautiful spiraling horns.
  • Males are characterised by dark coats and spiral horns, while females are generally lighter in colour and often lack horns.
  • Young males and females are lighter in color, often yellowish-brown.
  • They have very good eyesight and are also very fast runners, which comprise their main defense against predators.
  • They are gregarious and social animals with herds generally ranging from 5 to 50 animals.
• Conservation Status: It is classified as ‘Least Concerned’ under the IUCN Red List.
• Threats: One of the most serious threats to this species’ population is the destruction of habitat.