UPSC PT Pointers

The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has recently recommended 13 defence and paramilitary projects, most of which are located in the high-altitude protected areas of Ladakh, with one project proposed in Arunachal Pradesh. These recommendations reflect the ongoing need to balance national security requirements with wildlife conservation concerns in ecologically sensitive zones. About the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) The National Board for Wildlife is a

Konark Sun Temple

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has recently prohibited tourists from entering the ‘Nata Mandap’ of the Konark Sun Temple in Puri district, Odisha. This decision has been taken to preserve the structural integrity of the historic monument. About Konark Sun Temple The Konark Sun Temple, also called the Surya Devalaya, is situated on the coastline of Odisha in Puri district. It is dedicated to the Hindu sun god, Surya. Historical evidence indicates that Narasimha

Exercise Malabar

The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri is currently at Guam in the Northern Pacific to participate in the multilateral Exercise Malabar-2025. About Exercise Malabar Exercise Malabar is a naval exercise that was initiated in 1992 as a bilateral exercise between the Indian Navy and the United States Navy. The first Malabar Exercise in the Bay of Bengal took place in 2007. In 2015, the exercise was expanded to a trilateral format with the inclusion of the Japanese Navy.

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

The international community has convened in Belém, located in the Brazilian state of Pará, for the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the UNFCCC. The conference brings together global leaders, negotiators, and experts to advance climate action and review progress under the Paris Agreement. About the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Overview The UNFCCC is the primary global treaty for coordinating international efforts to address cli

Financial Sector Assessment (FSA) Report

The latest Financial Sector Assessment (FSA) Report has stated that India is progressing steadily toward its vision of becoming a $30 trillion economy by 2047. The report highlights the increasing resilience and inclusiveness of India’s financial system. About the Financial Sector Assessment (FSA) Report The Financial Sector Assessment (FSA) Report is published by the World Bank. It evaluates the strengths, vulnerabilities, and overall performance of a country’s financial s

Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC)

Recently, scientists from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), in collaboration with NASA, successfully estimated crucial parameters of a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) using data from the Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC). The VELC is one of the key scientific payloads aboard Aditya-L1, India’s first dedicated solar mission. About the Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) The Visible Emission Line Coronagraph is the primary payload of the Aditya-L1 Mission, design

International Arya Mahasammelan 2025

The Prime Minister recently addressed the International Arya Mahasammelan 2025 in New Delhi. The event marks two important milestones— the 150th foundation year of the Arya Samaj and the 200th birth anniversary of Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati. Organised as part of the Jy?na Jyoti Festival, the Mahasammelan celebrates Dayanand Saraswati’s reformist legacy and highlights “150 Golden Years of Service.” The event aims to reaffirm the values of Vedic knowledge, Swadeshi, a

calcium carbide

The recent calcium carbide-related incident in Bhopal, where over 60 people, primarily children, were hospitalized due to injuries from makeshift "calcium carbide guns" during Diwali celebrations, has highlighted the hazardous nature of this substance and its misuse in the community. About Calcium Carbide: Chemical Formula: CaC?. Appearance: It is a grayish-black lump or crystalline powder with a garlic-like odor. Manufacturing: Calcium carbide is produc

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic health condition that is often misunderstood but is a very real medical issue that affects approximately 2 to 3% of the global population. What is Fibromyalgia? Definition: It is a long-term condition that causes pain and tenderness in the muscles and soft tissues of the body. The pain is often widespread and can occur in areas such as the neck, shoulders, back, hips, and legs. Associated Symptoms: In addition to pain, people with fibromyalgia o

JAIMEX 2025

Recently, the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri participated in the Sea phase of JAIMEX-25, a maritime exercise between India and Japan. This exercise highlights the growing cooperation between the two countries in the maritime domain, specifically within the context of their Special Strategic and Global Partnership established in 2014. About JAIMEX 2025 Objective: The exercise aims to enhance naval cooperation and interoperability between the Indian Navy and Japanese Maritime Sel