Current Context: After heavy rains, Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) opened 62 gates of Ajwa Reservoir to release water into the Vishwamitri River. ABOUT VISHWAMITRI RIVER Location: Gujarat; about 200 km long. Origin: Western & southern slopes of Pavagadh Hills. Course: Flows through Vadodara → joins Dhadar & Jambuva → drains into Arabian Sea (Gulf of Khambhat). Features: Meandering river with ravines supporting diverse ecosystem. FLORA & FAUNA Species: Porcupine, civet, jungle cat, cobras, pythons, monitor lizards. Home to Indian Mugger Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris). 2020 Survey: ~300 muggers found within Vadodara city limits.Read More

Current Context: Millions across Asia and Europe are expected to witness a total lunar eclipse turning the moon blood red. ABOUT BLOOD MOON A Blood Moon is when the Moon appears red/orange during a total lunar eclipse. Process: Earth blocks sunlight; atmosphere scatters shorter blue light, allowing red light to reach the Moon (Rayleigh scattering). Appearance: Can look red, orange, or copper depending on atmosphere and light pollution. RAYLEIGH SCATTERING Explained by Lord Rayleigh (19th century). Light scatters inversely with wavelength. Reason sky is blue: Blue light has shortest wavelength and scatters more.Read More

Current Context : The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has asked the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (RGI) to consider separately enumerating PVTGs in the upcoming Census. ABOUT PVTGs Category: Sub-group of Scheduled Tribes (STs) Identified By: Dhebar Commission (1960–61) under U. N. Dhebar Criteria for Identification: Declining or stagnant population Geographical isolation Pre-agrarian level of technology (hunting, gathering, shifting cultivation) Economic backwardness and low literacy Distribution Total Groups: 75 Spread Across: 18 States + Andaman and Nicobar Islands Population:5 lakh (as per recent survey) Largest Population: Madhya Pradesh, followed by Maharashtra (6.7 lakh) and Andhra Pradesh  Livelihoods :....Read More

Current Context : In Chamoli’s Nanda Nagar (Uttarakhand), people are witnessing land subsidence, adding to the state’s natural calamities like landslides, flash floods, and cloudbursts. About Land Subsidence Meaning: Gradual settling or sudden sinking of the Earth’s surface. Causes: Natural: Earthquakes, volcanic activity, collapse of cavities, compaction of soil. Human-induced: Excess groundwater withdrawal, mining, and energy extraction. Impacts Damage to infrastructure (roads, buildings, pipelines). Increases flood risk and reduces aquifer storage capacity. Causes saltwater intrusion and changes in river/stream flow. High maintenance costs for public infrastructure. Global Context Estimated 12 million sq. km of land worldwide is vulnerable. Reported in....Read More

Current Context : Tirupati Urban Development Authority (TUDA) launched Operation Swarna to remove encroachments, revive flow, and rejuvenate the Swarnamukhi River in Andhra Pradesh. About Swarnamukhi River Location: Andhra Pradesh (Rayalaseema region). Origin: Eastern Ghats near Pakala village, Chittoor district (elevation ~300 m). Length: ~130 km. Basin Area: ~3,225 sq. km. Course: Flows northeast through Tirumala, Tirupati, and Srikalahasti, then drains into the Bay of Bengal. Religious Significance: Passes by Tirumala and Srikalahasti temples. Tributary: Kalyani River (Kalyani Dam – 1977). Rainfall Dependence: Monsoon-fed, independent river (not part of a major river system).  About Operation Swarna Launched by: Tirupati Urban....Read More

Current Context : Indian Army evacuated CRPF personnel and civilians after heavy discharge from Ranjit Sagar Dam caused floods near Madhopur Headworks.  ABOUT RANJIT SAGAR DAM Also Known As: Thein Dam Location: Near Pathankot, Punjab–Jammu & Kashmir border. River: Built on the Ravi River. Purpose: Provides irrigation and hydroelectric power to Punjab and neighbouring states.Read More

Current Context : A 7.5 magnitude earthquake recently hit the Drake Passage, triggering a brief tsunami alert. ABOUT DRAKE PASSAGE Location: Between Cape Horn (South America) and South Shetland Islands (Antarctica). Width: Narrowest stretch of the Southern Ocean, ~800 km Named After: Sir Francis Drake, first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe. Ocean Link: Connects Southwestern Atlantic Ocean with Southeastern Pacific Ocean. Climatic Role: Acts as a transition zone between subpolar Tierra del Fuego and polar Antarctica. Navigation: Known as one of the roughest waterways in the world due to collision of cold and warm seawater, eddies, storms, and strong winds.....Read More

Current Context : Dal Lake in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir is hosting the first-ever Khelo India Water Games. ABOUT DAL LAKE Location: Eastern part of Srinagar city, Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, on the right bank of Jhelum river. Area: Covers 18 sq. km; part of a 1 sq. km wetland, including floating gardens. Inflow: Fed by the Arrah river. Outflow: Flows out through a deep channel called Tel Bal. Basins: Divided by causeways into four basins – Gagribal, Lokut Dal, Bod Dal, Nagin Significance: Known as the “Jewel of Srinagar” or “Srinagar’s Jewel”. Important for tourism, fisheries, horticulture,....Read More

Current Context : Champa Raspeda from Odisha’s Malkangiri district became the first from the Didayi tribe (a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group) to clear NEET 2025. ABOUT DIDAYI TRIBE Location: Malkangiri district, Odisha; live in Eastern Ghats hill villages. Classification: One of 13 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in Odisha. Racial Stock: Proto-Australoid. Language: Austroasiatic family. Society: Patriarchal; traditional council of elders resolves disputes. Belief System: Animism, deep reverence for nature. Housing: Thatched huts with mud walls and bamboo. Occupation: Agriculture, hunting, gathering, and fishing.Read More

Current Context : The Union Ministry for Jal Shakti has initiated steps to include the Pampa River of Kerala under the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP). ABOUT PAMPA RIVER Location: Originates from Pulachimalai Hill, Western Ghats. Length: 176 km, Kerala’s third-longest river. Districts Covered: Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Alappuzha. Cultural Significance: Known as Dakshina Bhageerathi or Ganga of Kerala. Religious Importance: Sacred river for pilgrims visiting Sabarimala shrine. Associated with Maramon and Cherukolpuzha religious conventions.Read More