Current Context : The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has set a new global record by constructing the world’s highest motorable road at an altitude of 19,400 feet in Ladakh’s  Mig La Pass, surpassing its earlier record at Umling La (19,024 ft) made in 2021. ABOUT THE PROJECT Constructed By – Border Roads Organisation (BRO) under Project Himank Location – Mig La Pass, Southern Sector of Eastern Ladakh Altitude – 19,400 feet above sea level Previous Record – Umling La Pass (19,024 ft) set by BRO in 2021 ABOUT MIG LA PASS Location – Leh district, Ladakh (near the Indo-China border)....Read More

Current Context : Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently warned Pakistan against any aggression in the Sir Creek region, stating India would give a “resounding and decisive response.” ABOUT SIR CREEK Location – 96 km tidal estuary in the marshy Rann of Kutch, between Gujarat (India) and Sindh (Pakistan). Flows Into – Arabian Sea. Importance – Strategic security zone, fishing rights, oil & gas exploration, and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). NATURE OF THE DISPUTE Origin – 1914 Bombay Resolution between Sindh (then British India) and the Ruler of Kutch. Pakistan’s Claim – Boundary lies on eastern bank (giving full creek to....Read More

Current Context: A 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck northwest Venezuela, as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey. ABOUT VENEZUELA Location: Northern coast of South America. Boundaries: Guyana (east), Brazil (south), Colombia (southwest/west), Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean (north). Terrain: Andes Mountains, Maracaibo Lowlands, central plains (llanos), Guiana Highlands. Rivers: Orinoco and Rio Negro. Lakes: Lake Maracaibo (largest in South America), Lake Guri. Natural Resources: World’s largest oil reserves, coal, iron ore, bauxite, gold. Special Features: Angel Falls (world’s highest waterfall) in Guiana Highlands. Capital:Read More

Current Context: Recently, UNESCO has placed the Varkala Cliff in Kerala on its tentative list of World Heritage Sites. ABOUT VARKALA CLIFF Location: Varkala, Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala. Geological Significance: Exposes the Warkalli Formation of Mio-Pliocene age (13 lakh–2.5 crore years). Local Name: Sivagiri Thuruthu. Features: Laterite and sedimentary layers with fossils and traces of ancient climate. Environmental Importance: Acts as a natural aquifer and water harvesting system. Supports biodiversity and underwater reefs vital for fishing communities. Status: 27th national geological monument in India and 2nd in Kerala (after Angadipuram Laterite).Read More

CURRENT CONTEXT : Three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets violated Estonia’s airspace over the Gulf of Finland and stayed for 12 minutes, escalating tensions with NATO. ABOUT GULF OF FINLAND Easternmost extension of the Baltic Sea Area: 30,000 sq. km; Length: 400 km (E-W); Width: 19–130 km Borders: Finland (north), Russia (east), Estonia (south) Major cities: Helsinki, Tallinn, St. Petersburg Physical features: depth: 38 m (shallow) Low salinity (6 ppt); freezes 3–5 months in winter Receives Neva and Narva rivers, Saimaa Canal Climate: Humid continental (hot summers, harsh winters) Islands: Kotlin (Kronstadt city), Beryozovye, Lisiy, Maly VysotskyRead More

Current Context: During Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence Day celebrations, the Indian Navy Band performed at the grand Military Tattoo in Port Moresby. ABOUT PAPUA NEW GUINEA Location: Island nation in Oceania, southwestern Pacific Ocean. Neighbours: Indonesia (west), Australia (south), Solomon Islands (south-east). Capital: Port Moresby. GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES Terrain: Mountainous, tropical rainforests, prone to earthquakes and tsunamis. Highest Point: Mount Wilhelm (4,509 m). Rivers: Sepik River, Fly River. Volcanoes: Rabaul Caldera (most active). Biodiversity: Birds of paradise, tree kangaroos, Queen Alexandra’s birdwing butterfly. GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE Type: Constitutional monarchy, member of Commonwealth. Head of State: British Monarch (represented by Governor-General). Head....Read More

Current Context: The President of Sri Lanka recently visited Katchatheevu Island, sparking renewed political debates in India for its return. ABOUT KATCHATHEEVU ISLAND Location: Tiny, uninhabited island in Palk Strait. Northeast of Tamil Nadu’s Rameswaram. Southwest of Sri Lanka’s Jaffna. Features: Barren, no drinking water or sanitation. Only structure: Anthony’s Catholic Shrine. POLITICAL DISPUTE Dispute: Between India and Sri Lanka. 1974 Agreement: International Maritime Boundary Line placed Katchatheevu with Sri Lanka. India gained Wadge Bank (near Kanniyakumari) in return.Read More

Current Context: India recently secured Singapore’s support for its interest in patrolling the Malacca Strait. ABOUT STRAIT OF MALACCA Location: Connects the Andaman Sea (Indian Ocean) and the South China Sea (Pacific Ocean). Boundaries: Lies between Sumatra (Indonesia) to the west and Malaysia & southern Thailand to the east. History: Named after the Malacca Sultanate (ruled 1400–1511). Importance: One of the busiest shipping lanes in the world; links Indian and Pacific Oceans. Control: Jointly patrolled by Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia.  SIGNIFICANCE Around 60% of India’s seaborne trade and almost all LNG imports pass through it. A key choke point for....Read More

Current Context : A recent study revealed that the Gangotri Glacier has lost nearly 10% of its snowmelt flow in the past four decades, raising concerns over water security for the Ganga basin. About Gangotri Glacier Location: Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand. Length: About 30 km. River System: Feeds the Bhagirathi River, which merges with the Alaknanda River at Devprayag to form the Ganga River. Protected Area: Lies within Gangotri National Park. Key Fauna: Snow Leopard, Himalayan Blue Sheep (Bharal), Himalayan Monal (state bird of Uttarakhand).Read More

Current Context : The water level at Pong Dam (Beas Dam) in Himachal Pradesh has recently breached the danger mark. ABOUT PONG DAM Location: Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh (Shivalik Hills). River: Built on the Beas River. Type: Earth-fill embankment dam. Construction: 1961–1974; tallest of its type in India at the time. Reservoir: Created Maharana Pratap Sagar Lake. Ecological Significance: Declared a bird sanctuary in 1983. Designated a Ramsar Site in 2002. Habitat for migratory birds such as Bar-headed Geese, Red-necked Grebe, Black Stork, Northern Lapwing, Spot-billed Duck, etc.Read More