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

Current Context: China has agreed in principle to resume trade through Shipki-La Pass in Himachal Pradesh after Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to India. ABOUT SHIPKI-LA PASS Altitude: 3,930 metres. Location: Kinnaur district, Himachal Pradesh; border pass between India and China. Features: Motorable pass, one of the highest in India. Sutlej River (Langqen Zangbo in Tibet) enters India here. Historically a major India–Tibet trade corridor. History: Earlier called Pema La or Shared Gate/Pass. Became part of Line of Actual Control (post-1962 war). Named Shipki La by Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). Significance: Boosts tourism and trade in border districts (Kinnaur and....Read More

Current Context: India issued a flood warning to Pakistan about a possible rise in Tawi River water levels, calling it a “humanitarian gesture”. KEY FACTS Communication Channel: Through diplomatic channels, not via the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). Background: IWT remains suspended after the Pahalgam attack. ABOUT TAWI RIVER Origin: Kailash Kund (Kali Kund) glacier, near Bhaderwah in Doda district, J&K. Tributary: Left-bank tributary of Chenab River. Importance: Known as the “Lifeline of Jammu city”.Read More

CURRENT CONTEXT : India resumed border trade with China through Lipulekh Pass (Uttarakhand). Nepal strongly objected, claiming the area as its territory. India rejected Nepal’s claims, citing historical evidence and long-standing trade practices (since 1954). ABOUT LIPULEKH PASS Location: A Himalayan mountain pass in Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand, India. Altitude: Around 5,000 meters above sea level. Connectivity: Links India with Tibet (China) through the ancient trade and pilgrimage route. SIGNIFICANCE Strategic Pass: Connects India and China. Religious Importance: Route for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Infrastructure: India upgraded road to Lipulekh in 2020 for pilgrims and traders. Enhances strategic presence near Line of....Read More

Current Context : The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has approved renaming Jalalabad town in Shahjahanpur district, Uttar Pradesh, to Parashurampuri. ABOUT PARASHURAMPURI NAME CHANGE Location: Shahjahanpur district, Uttar Pradesh Reason: Town is considered the mythological birthplace of Lord Parashuram. Cultural Significance: Lord Parashuram is a revered figure in Sanatan Dharma. The renaming reflects regional traditions and identity. Replaces a name seen as a symbol of slavery/“ghulami”. Impact: Boosts cultural pride, preserves local heritage identity.Read More

Current Context: An Arunachalee Mountaineer has successfully scaled Mount Elbrus, the highest peak of Europe. ABOUT MOUNT ELBRUS Location: Western Caucasus mountain range, in Russia (near the border of Georgia). Height: 5,642 metres (18,510 ft) – the highest peak in Europe. Range: Part of the Greater Caucasus Mountains. Type: Dormant stratovolcano (last eruption recorded around 50 AD). PHYSICAL FEATURES Glaciers: More than 20 glaciers, feeding the Baksan, Kuban, and Malka rivers. Climate: Harsh alpine; snow-covered year-round. Significance: Highest peak of Europe and Russia Part of the Seven Summits (the highest peaks on each continent)Read More