Category: National and International Current Affairs

Dark-Web

Science & Technology

Context

• The State Bank of India (SBI) has disclosed that it is investigating a cybersecurity incident involving the suspected exposure of customer data on the Dark Web.

Dark Web

• Definition: A part of the internet that requires specialised software, such as The Onion Router (Tor), to access certain hidden services anonymously.
• Origin: The foundational technology behind onion routing was developed by researchers at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL).
• Purpose: Designed to support anonymous communication and protect sensitive communications from monitoring.
• Concerns: Can facilitate cybercrime, illegal trade, data leaks and identity theft, although it also has legitimate privacy and security uses.

Constitutional Provisions

• Article 21: Protects the right to life and personal liberty.
• K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017): Supreme Court recognised the right to privacy as a fundamental right.

Legal Framework for Data Protection

• Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023:
  • Section 8(6): Requires a Data Fiduciary to inform the Data Protection Board of India and affected individuals of a personal data breach, subject to the Act’s provisions.

Government Initiatives

• Samanvaya Platform: Ministry of Home Affairs initiative supporting cybercrime data sharing, analytics and coordination among law-enforcement agencies.
• Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C): Strengthens coordination among agencies to combat cybercrime.
• Cyber Swachhta Kendra: Helps detect and remove malicious software and promotes cybersecurity awareness.

Namami Gange

Government Schemes

Context

• The programme adopts a multi-technology approach to wastewater treatment, combining infrastructure development, decentralised solutions, rehabilitation and long-term operation.

About Namami Gange

• Launch: 2014.
• Nature: Integrated Conservation Mission.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Jal Shakti.
• Implementing Agency: National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG).
• Objectives: Pollution abatement, conservation and rejuvenation of the River Ganga.

Major Pillars

1. Sewerage Treatment Infrastructure: Construction and rehabilitation of sewage treatment plants (STPs).
2. Riverfront Development: Development of ghats and crematoria.
3. River-Surface Cleaning: Removal of floating waste.
4. Biodiversity Conservation: Protection of aquatic ecosystems and species.
5. Afforestation: Plantation along the Ganga basin.
6. Public Awareness: Community participation and behavioural change.
7. Industrial Effluent Monitoring: Monitoring and control of industrial pollution.
8. Ganga Gram: Promoting sanitation and cleanliness in villages along the Ganga.

Significance

• Improves river-water quality and sanitation.
• Reduces the discharge of untreated sewage and industrial effluents.
• Supports aquatic biodiversity and ecological restoration.
• Promotes sustainable river management through technology and community participation.

Additional Information – GANGA RIVER 

Origin and Course

• Origin: Gangotri Glacier (Gaumukh), Uttarakhand; the headstream is called the Bhagirathi.
• Confluence: Bhagirathi meets the Alaknanda at Devprayag, forming the Ganga.
• Length: Approximately 2,525 km.
• Drainage Basin: India and Bangladesh.
• Outfall: Enters the Bay of Bengal through the Ganga–Brahmaputra–Meghna delta.

Major Tributaries

• Left-bank tributaries: Ramganga, Gomti, Ghaghara, Gandak, Kosi and Mahananda.
• Right-bank tributaries: Yamuna, Son, Punpun and Damodar.

States Through Which It Flows

• Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal.
• In Bangladesh, its main distributary is known as the Padma.

Important Features

• Largest river basin in India by drainage area.
• The Yamuna is a major tributary, joining the Ganga at Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.
• The Sundarbans Delta, formed by the Ganga–Brahmaputra river system, is among the world’s largest deltas.
• Supports agriculture, drinking water, transport, fisheries and biodiversity.

Ecological Significance

• Habitat of the Gangetic river dolphin — India’s National Aquatic Animal.
• Other important species include the gharial and several freshwater turtle species.
• The Ganga basin supports a large share of India’s population and agricultural activity.

Major Government Initiatives

• Namami Gange Programme (2014): Pollution abatement, conservation and rejuvenation of the Ganga.
• National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG): Implements the Namami Gange Programme.
• Ganga Action Plan: Launched in 1985 to reduce river pollution.

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE TENTATIVE LIST – 3 NEW INDIAN SITES

History & Culture

Context

• Three Indian sites were added to UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites, taking India’s tentative list to 81 sites, as stated in the source.

About the Tentative List

• A Tentative List is an inventory of properties a country considers suitable for future nomination to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
• Inclusion on the Tentative List is a prerequisite for nomination to the World Heritage List.

Three Newly Added Sites

1. Baratang Karst–Mud Volcano Complex

• Location: Baratang Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• Features: Limestone caves and active mud volcanoes.
• Mud Volcanoes: Release mud, water and gases rather than molten rock.

2. Andaman Subduction Volcanoes

• Location: Barren Island and Narcondam Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• Barren Island: Home to India’s only confirmed active volcano.
• Narcondam Island: Forest-covered volcanic island known for biodiversity and the Narcondam hornbill, endemic to the island.
• Significance: Illustrates volcanic processes and ecological succession.

3. Sirpur Cultural and Archaeological Landscape

• Location: Mahasamund district, Chhattisgarh, on the eastern bank of the Mahanadi River, around 78 km from Raipur.
• Historical Name: Shripur.
• Historical Significance: Developed under the Sharabhapuriya and Panduvamshi dynasties and associated with the ancient Kosala region.
• Importance: Archaeological remains reflect historic architecture, trade links and the coexistence of multiple religious traditions.

Badr Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)

International

Context

• Pakistan, Turkey, Qatar, and Indonesia have signed the Badr Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

BADR MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MoU)

Context

• Pakistan, Türkiye, Qatar and Indonesia reportedly signed the Badr MoU to strengthen military cooperation and defence capabilities.

Key Objectives

• Promote defence manufacturing, joint production and domestic defence industries.
• Enhance military training, research and technology development.

Badr MoU vs Mecca Pact

• Badr MoU: Focuses on defence-industrial cooperation.
• Mecca Pact: Focuses on collective defence, as described in the source.

Significance for India

• May support Pakistan’s military modernisation and defence manufacturing.
• Could affect regional security dynamics and technology-sharing arrangements.

WHALE STRANDINGS ON INDIA’S WESTERN COAST

Environment

Context

• A global database of blue whale strandings identified India’s western coast, particularly Gujarat, as an important region for recorded strandings.

Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus)

• Classification: Marine mammal; order Cetacea.
• Features: Largest animal known to have lived on Earth; adults reach approximately 24–28 metres.
• Distribution: All oceans except the Arctic Ocean.
• Subspecies: Five recognised subspecies, including the Antarctic, Northern, Pygmy, Northern Indian Ocean and Chilean blue whales.
• Conservation Status: Endangered (IUCN Red List); Appendix I of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS).

About Cetaceans

• Include whales, dolphins and porpoises.
• Characteristics: Warm-blooded, breathe through lungs, give birth to live young and must surface to breathe.
• Around 30–35 cetacean species are reported from the waters of the Indian subcontinent.

Additional Information – International Whaling Commission (IWC)

• Established: 1946 under the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling.
• Headquarters: Impington, United Kingdom.
• Commercial Whaling Moratorium: Adopted in 1982; effective from 1986.
• Functions: Regulates whaling and promotes whale conservation.
• Types of Whaling: Commercial, Aboriginal subsistence and special-permit (scientific) whaling.
• India’s Membership: Since 1981.

India’s Nutrient-Rich Purple Potato

Economy

Context

• An important outcome of biofortification research has been the development of coloured potato varieties with enhanced nutritional value.

ICAR–CPRI Coloured Potato Varieties

• Developed nutrient-rich varieties: Kufri Neelkanth, Kufri Manik and Kufri Jamunia.
• Contain anthocyanins, iron and zinc, which contribute to nutritional quality.

Kufri Jamunia

• Released: 2024.
• Features: Purple flesh, high antioxidant content and higher levels of ascorbic acid, anthocyanins and carotenoids compared with Kufri Manik and Kufri Neelkanth.
• Nutritional value: Enhanced levels of iron and zinc.
• Performance: Stable in multi-location trials; recommended for cultivation in the North Indian plains.

Connect  with the basics – Biofortification

• Definition: Biofortification is the process of increasing the nutritional value of crops by enhancing vitamins, minerals and essential nutrients through plant breeding, agronomic practices or biotechnology.
• Objective: To address hidden hunger (micronutrient deficiencies despite adequate calorie intake).
• Methods: Conventional plant breeding, agronomic biofortification and genetic engineering.
• Benefits: Improves nutritional security, reduces micronutrient deficiencies and provides a cost-effective, sustainable approach to combating malnutrition.
• Examples: Iron-rich pearl millet, zinc-rich wheat, vitamin A-rich sweet potato and biofortified coloured potatoes.
• Significance for India: Helps tackle anaemia, micronutrient deficiencies and malnutrition, complementing food fortification and nutrition programmes.

Organic Palmyra Jaggery Powder Export to Bulgaria

Economy

News

• India exported its first consignment of organic Palmyra Jaggery Powder to Bulgaria.

Organic Palmyra Jaggery 

• Origin: Gobichettipalayam, Erode district, Tamil Nadu.
• Preparation: Made from the nectar of Palmyra palm blossoms; a traditional natural sweetener.

• Certification: Certified under India’s National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) and European Union organic standards.

Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)

• Established: 1986 under the APEDA Act, 1985.
• Nature: Statutory authority.
• Ministry: Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Headquarters: New Delhi.
• Role: Promotes the export of agricultural and processed food products from India.

INTERNET ACCESS AS A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT FOR CHILDREN

Polity and Governance

Context

• The Supreme Court recognised children’s constitutional rights to Internet access and use while hearing matters concerning the circulation of Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Material (CSEAM) online.

Key Observations of the Supreme Court

• Fundamental Right: Internet access is linked to Article 21 (right to life and personal liberty) and Article 19(1)(a) (freedom of speech and expression).
• Children’s Rights: Children enjoy constitutional rights irrespective of age; their freedom of expression cannot be denied merely because they are minors.
• Protection from Abuse: Non-consensual, sexually exploitative and abusive material must have no place on the Internet.

Constitutional Provisions

• Article 21: Right to life and personal liberty.
• Article 19(1)(a): Freedom of speech and expression, including the right to access and communicate information.
• Article 19(2): Permits reasonable restrictions on freedom of speech and expression on specified constitutional grounds.

Important Supreme Court Judgments

• Anuradha Bhasin v. Union of India (2020): Freedom of speech and expression, and the freedom to carry on trade or business through the Internet, are protected under Articles 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(g).
• Pragya Prasun v. Union of India (2025): Recognised digital access as an intrinsic component of Article 21, in the context of accessibility and digital KYC for persons with disabilities.
• Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting v. Cricket Association of Bengal (1995): Article 19(1)(a) includes the right to know and to receive and impart information and ideas.

Additional Information – Australia’s Social Media Minimum-Age Law

• Legislation: Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024.
• Provision: Establishes a minimum age of 16 years for accounts on designated social media platforms.
• Implementation: Overseen by the Australian eSafety Commissioner.
• Concerns: Effectiveness of age-assurance methods, privacy risks and possible circumvention.

2 Years of PM Internship Scheme

Government Schemes

Context

• The PM Internship Scheme has completed 2 years of its implementation.

PM Internship Scheme

• Objective: To provide internship opportunities to youth in leading companies, bridging the gap between academic knowledge and practical skills.
• Ministry: Ministry of Corporate Affairs
• Duration: The internship lasts for 12 months.
• Stipend: Interns will receive a monthly stipend of ₹5,000 for the entire year.
• Eligibility Criteria: Must be an Indian citizen.
  • Must be aged between 21-24 years.
  • Should not be employed full-time or engaged in full-time education.

10 Years of UDAN Scheme

Government Schemes

News

• The UDAN Scheme completed ten years and considerably expanded the regional aviation network of India by linking unserved and underserved areas.

UDAN

• Full Form: Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik.
• Launch: 2016.
• Ministry: Ministry of Civil Aviation.
• Framework: Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) under the National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP), 2016.
• Objective: Provide affordable air connectivity to Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities and underserved regions.
• First Flight: Shimla–Delhi, April 2017.
• Mechanism: Airline concessions and Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to support regional routes.

Significance

• Inclusive Growth: Connects smaller cities to national markets.
• Regional Development: Improves connectivity to the North-East, hills and islands.
• Economic Growth: Promotes tourism, MSMEs and perishable-goods exports.
• Employment: Supports regional aircraft, MRO services and pilot training.
• Infrastructure: Expands regional airports and aviation services.

Aditya-L1 Mission offers New Insights

Science & Technology

Context

• Scientists have generated Doppler velocity images of activities taking place in the solar corona using data from India’s maiden solar mission, Aditya-L1.

Doppler Velocity

• Doppler Effect: Change in the observed frequency of a wave due to relative motion between the source and observer.
• Positive Doppler Velocity: Solar plasma moving away from the observer.
• Negative Doppler Velocity: Solar plasma moving towards the observer.
• Significance: Helps measure plasma motion and understand solar activity and space weather.

About Aditya-L1

• Launch: 2023.
• Significance: India’s first space-based solar observatory.
• Location: Sun–Earth L1 (Lagrange Point 1), approximately 1.5 million km from Earth towards the Sun.
• Objective: Study the Sun’s photosphere, chromosphere, corona, solar wind and magnetic activity.

Advantages of Aditya-L1 at L1

• Continuous Observation: Minimises interruptions caused by Earth’s occultation of the Sun.
• Solar-Wind Study: Enables in-situ measurement of solar wind and energetic particles.
• Space Weather Monitoring: Helps study solar flares and CMEs that can affect satellites, communication and power grids.

Census (Amendment) Rules, 2026

Polity and Governance

Context

• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) notified the Census (Amendment) Rules, 2026, expanding the categories of persons eligible for appointment as Census enumerators.

Eligible Categories

• Teachers: From government, local authority, aided/private educational institutions, societies and trusts.
• Clerks and Officials: From Central/State governments, local authorities, PSUs, statutory bodies, banks, companies, institutions, societies and trusts.
• Other Persons: Individuals considered suitable by the respective State Government or UT administration.

Role of Census Enumerators

• Visit households and collect demographic, social and economic data.
• Ensure accurate and comprehensive population enumeration.
• Provide reliable data for government planning and policymaking.

Census of India

• Legal Basis: Census Act, 1948.
• Frequency: Generally conducted every 10 years.
• Last completed Census: 2011.
• 2021 Census: Postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Significance of the Amendment

• Expands the pool of eligible enumerators.
• Supports effective staffing and implementation of Census operations.

Special Summary Revision (SSR)

Polity and Governance

Context

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the schedule for the Special Summary Revision (SSR) of electoral rolls in 17 States and Union Territories, including five states scheduled to hold Assembly elections in early 2027.

SPECIAL SUMMARY REVISION (SSR) 

Legal Basis

• Article 324: Empowers the Election Commission of India (ECI) to supervise, direct and control electoral rolls and elections.
• Laws: Representation of the People Act, 1950, and Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.
• Section 21, RPA 1950: Provides for the preparation and revision of electoral rolls.

What is SSR?

• A periodic exercise to update existing electoral rolls by:

1. Adding newly eligible voters.
2. Correcting errors in existing entries.
3. Removing deceased, duplicate or permanently shifted electors, following due procedure.

SSR vs SIR

• Special Summary Revision (SSR):

1. Existing electors are generally retained in the draft roll.
2. Focuses on new voter registration and correction of existing entries.
3. Deletions follow prescribed statutory procedures, including notices and hearings where required.

• Special Intensive Revision (SIR):

1. Uses enumeration forms to verify electors for inclusion in the draft roll.
2. Certain electors may be required to submit documents to establish eligibility, including citizenship.
3. May involve additional verification of existing electors.

• Key Difference: SSR focuses on updating existing electoral rolls, whereas SIR involves more intensive enumeration and verification.

PUFFINS Telescope Mission

Science & technology

News

• Dr. Ramya Anche, Bengaluru-born astronomer, selected as Principal Investigator of NASA’s $20-million PUFFINS mission.

About PUFFINS

• Full Form: Polarimetry in the Ultraviolet to Find Features in Interstellar Dust.
• Type: Small Satellite (SmallSat) in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
• Funding: NASA’s Astrophysics Pioneers programme.
• Lead Institution: University of Arizona’s Steward Observatory, with support from McDonald Observatory, University of Texas.
• Objective: Study the composition, structure and magnetic alignment of interstellar dust grains and their role in star and planet formation.
• Technique: Ultraviolet spectropolarimetry — measures the polarisation of ultraviolet starlight across wavelengths.
• Focus: Interstellar dust particles smaller than approximately 50 nanometres.

Significance

• Improves understanding of interstellar dust and galactic magnetic fields.
• Helps explain the processes involved in star and planetary system formation.

INS Samarthak

Defence

In News

• The Indian Navy commissioned INS Samarthak, the lead ship of the indigenously designed Multi-Purpose Vessels (MPVs), strengthening India’s naval capabilities and indigenous shipbuilding.

INS Samarthak

• Type: Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV); a 107-metre auxiliary naval platform.
• Builder: Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Shipyard, Kattupalli, Tamil Nadu.
• Roles:
  • Supports fleet operations and testing of indigenous weapons and sensors.
  • Acts as a mothership for autonomous systems.
  • Supports the launch, control and recovery of UAVs, AUVs and USVs.
  • Performs auxiliary tasks, reducing the workload and machinery wear of frontline warships.

World Food Day 2026

Economy

Context

• The Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) celebrated World Food Day 2026.

WORLD FOOD DAY 2026

• Observed: 16 October; marks the founding of FAO in 1945.
• Theme 2026: “Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow.”
• Objective: Raise awareness about hunger and promote global food security.

Food Security Concerns — SOFI 2026

• Global hunger: 7.8% of the global population faced hunger in 2025.
• India’s undernourishment: 142.5 million (9.8%) in 2023–25, down from 243.9 million in 2004–06.
• Healthy diet cost: PPP $4.11 per person per day in India in 2025.
• Affordability crisis: 520.1 million Indians (35.5%) could not afford a healthy diet.
• Child malnutrition: Stunting — 32.9%; Wasting — 18.7%.
• Emerging concerns: Rising childhood overweight, adult obesity and women’s anaemia.

Additional Information – India’s Food Security Framework

• National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013: Subsidised foodgrains for up to 75% of the rural and 50% of the urban population, covering around 81 crore people.
• Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY): Free foodgrains for eligible beneficiaries; extended until 2028, as stated in the supplied source.
• Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS): Foodgrain distribution to eligible households.
• One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC): Nationwide ration portability, especially for migrant workers.
• Digitisation: Aadhaar seeding and digitised ration cards help reduce leakages.
• PM POSHAN: School meal programme to improve children’s nutrition, attendance and retention.
• Food fortification: Fortification of rice, wheat flour and edible oils.
• Poshan Tracker: Monitors children’s growth and nutritional status.
• Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0: Integrates Anganwadi Services, POSHAN Abhiyaan and support for adolescent girls to combat malnutrition.

Dal Lake

Environment

Context

• The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has banned the use of motorboats and jet skis in Dal Lake.

Dal Lake

• Location: Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, in the Kashmir Valley.
• Significance: Famous urban lake known for houseboats, shikaras and scenic beauty.
• Area: Lake covers approximately 18 sq. km; the larger wetland area is about 21.1 sq. km.
• Basins: Includes Gagribal, Lokut Dal, Bod Dal and Nigeen.
• Major Attractions: Floating gardens, shikara rides, houseboats and floating vegetable market.
• Economic Importance: Supports tourism, fishing, horticulture and local livelihoods.
• Ecological Importance: Supports aquatic biodiversity and helps regulate the local hydrological environment.
• Environmental Threats: Untreated sewage, solid waste, aquatic weed growth, siltation and encroachment.

Additional Information – Important Lakes in India

Overseas Citizens of India

Polity and Governance

Context

• Actor Imran Khan, a US citizen and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder, has been asked by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) to leave India, days after he joined a protest in Mumbai.

OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) 

• Status: Foreign citizens of Indian origin. It is not dual citizenship.
• Eligible: Anyone who was an Indian citizen on/after Jan 26, 1950, or their descendants. Foreign spouses qualify after 2 years of marriage.
• Barred: Anyone with ties to Pakistan or Bangladesh. Foreign military personnel are also excluded.

Privileges (What They CAN Do)

• Lifelong Visa: Multiple-entry, multi-purpose visa.
• No Foreigners Regional Registration Office: No police reporting required, regardless of stay duration.
• NRI Parity: Same rights as NRIs in economic, financial, and educational fields.
• Work: Can practice as doctors, dentists, lawyers, and chartered accountants in India.

Restrictions (What They CANNOT Do)

• No Voting: Cannot vote in any Indian elections.
• No Public Office: Barred from government jobs and constitutional posts (e.g., President, Judge).
• No Farm Land: Cannot buy agricultural or plantation property.Permissions Needed: Requires prior approval for journalism, research, missionary work, or visiting restricted areas.

Diabetes

Health

Context

• The ICMR-INDIAB study estimates India now has 101 million people living with diabetes and 136 million with prediabetes. 

Definition

• Diabetes mellitus: A chronic metabolic disorder characterised by high blood glucose levels due to insufficient insulin production or ineffective insulin use.
• Insulin: A hormone produced by the pancreas that enables glucose to enter cells for energy.

Types of Diabetes

• Type 1: An autoimmune disease that destroys insulin-producing cells; requires lifelong insulin therapy.
• Type 2: Caused by insulin resistance or inadequate insulin production; associated with obesity, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet and family history.
• Gestational Diabetes: Develops during pregnancy; increases the future risk of Type 2 diabetes.

World Diabetes Day

• Observed: 14 November annually.
• Objective: Raise awareness about diabetes prevention, management and care.

India Adds Two New Ramsar Sites

Environment

Context

• India’s Ramsar Site tally has reached 103, with Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh and Sauj Jheel in Uttar Pradesh becoming the latest additions.

Sukhna Wetland

• Location: Chandigarh, at the foothills of the Outer Himalayas.
• Significance: Reservoir that regulates sediment and water flows; supports resident and migratory waterbirds along the Central Asian Flyway.
• Important Species: Common pochard (Vulnerable) and Pallas’s fish eagle (Endangered).

Sauj Jheel

• Location: Uttar Pradesh, in the Ganga River floodplain.
• Significance: Shallow lake supporting over 30,000 waterbirds; designated an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) by BirdLife International.
• Important Species: Sarus crane (Vulnerable) and Greater spotted eagle (Vulnerable).

Connect with the basics – Ramsar Convention

• • A Ramsar site is a wetland designated as one of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
  • Ramsar Convention – It is one of the inter-governmental accords to preserve the wetlands of international importance.

• It was signed on February 2, 1971 in Ramsar, Iran and came into force in 1975.

• India became a signatory to the Ramsar Convention in 1982.

Montreux Record (Threatened Sites)

• What it is: A register of Ramsar sites facing ecological danger from pollution or human interference.Active Indian Sites: 
• Only two sites—Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) and Loktak Lake (Manipur).
• Removed- Chilika Lake was removed after successful recovery.

RAMSAR FACTS 2026 

Important Facts

• Total Ramsar Sites in India: 103 (as of 22 October 2026).
• First Ramsar Sites: Chilika Lake (Odisha) and Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan), designated in 1981.
• India joined: 1 February 1982.
• Most Ramsar Sites: Tamil Nadu (20), followed by Uttar Pradesh (14).
• 100th Ramsar Site: Surha Tal (Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary), Uttar Pradesh.
• Latest Additions: Sukhna Wetland (Chandigarh) and Sauj Jheel (Uttar Pradesh).

Important Ramsar Sites — Location and Significance

• Chilika Lake — Odisha: Brackish-water lagoon; Irrawaddy dolphins.
• Keoladeo National Park — Rajasthan: Important bird habitat.
• Wular Lake — Jammu & Kashmir: Freshwater lake associated with the Jhelum River.
• Loktak Lake — Manipur: Floating phumdis; Keibul Lamjao National Park.
• Sambhar Lake — Rajasthan: India’s largest inland saline lake.
• Vembanad–Kol Wetland — Kerala: Extensive backwater ecosystem.
• Kolleru Lake — Andhra Pradesh: Freshwater lake between the Krishna and Godavari deltas.
• Sukhna Wetland — Chandigarh: Habitat for resident and migratory waterbirds.
• Sauj Jheel — Uttar Pradesh: Ganga floodplain wetland supporting large waterbird populations.

South Korea Tests Indigenous Hypersonic Glide Vehicle

Defence

Context

• South Korea has successfully test-fired its first domestically developed Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV), marking a step towards acquiring a new high-speed strike capability amid rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

HYPERSONIC WEAPONS 

• Definition: Weapons that travel at Mach 5 or higher (five times the speed of sound).

Types:

1. Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGVs): Rocket boosters propel them to high altitudes; they then glide towards targets while manoeuvring at hypersonic speeds.
2. Hypersonic Cruise Missiles: Use high-speed, air-breathing engines such as scramjets to sustain hypersonic flight within the atmosphere.

INDIA’S HYPERSONIC PROGRAMMES

• HSTDV: Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle; demonstrated flight at approximately Mach 6.
• BrahMos-II: Proposed hypersonic cruise missile designed to achieve speeds of around Mach 7.

Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA)

Environment and Ecology