The Greater Noida Authority is implementing a conservation project, including a sewage treatment plant to manage wastewater to help protect and conserve the Surajpur wetland.

• Surajpur Wetland is located near Surajpur Village in Dadri Tehsil, Gautam Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh.
• It covers 308 hectares of catchment area, with 60 hectares dedicated to the waterbody.
• Classified as an Important Bird Area (IBA)by BirdLife International.
• It supports breeding species like Spot-billed Duck, Lesser-whistling Duck, and wintering species like Bar-headed Goose, Greylag Goose.
• Home to mammals such as Nilgai, Indian Grey Mongoose, and Golden Jackal.

As per Ministry of Education (MoE), PM SHRI Schools witness around 76% rise in student enrolment in five states (Manipur, Tripura, Rajasthan, Meghalaya, and Madhya Pradesh).

• PM SHRI Scheme (Aligned with NEP, 2020) was launched in 2022 by the Ministry of Education, aiming to develop over 14,500 schools.

Duration: 5 years (2022-2027).

Funding:

• 60:40 between Centre and States/UTs with legislature.
• 90:10 for North Eastern and Himalayan States and J&K.
• 100% for UTs without legislature.

Recently, Vayu Sena Medal was awarded to officers for executing Operation Sankalp.

Operation Sankalp was launched by the Indian Navy in December 2023 to safeguard maritime security.

Focuses on the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, and Red Sea.

Objectives: Prevent piracy, protect merchant vessels, and secure international shipping lanes.

Achievements:

• Saved 100+ lives through timely interventions.
• Conducted 1,000+ boarding operations for security checks.
• Responded to 18+ maritime incidents.

Pune, Maharashtra, has reported 110 suspected Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) cases, with Campylobacter bacteria detected in some patients.

• Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is a rare autoimmune disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nerves, leading to weakness, tingling, and possible paralysis.
• It is often triggered by infections, particularly gastrointestinal or respiratory infections.
• The bacterial infection Campylobacter jejuniis a common cause, typically spread through contaminated food or water.
• Symptoms start with tingling or weaknessin the legs, which may spread to the upper body, leading to difficulty in movement, swallowing, and breathing.
• In severe cases, paralysiscan occur, requiring intensive medical care.
• No cureexists, but plasmapheresis (plasma exchange) and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy help reduce symptoms.
• Preventive measures include avoiding undercooked poultry, unpasteurized dairy, and contaminated water, and maintaining good hygiene.

Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) organized an international solar conference titled ‘Sun, Space Weather, and Solar-Stellar Connections’ to commemorate the 125th anniversary of Kodaikanal Solar Observatory.

• The Kodaikanal Solar Observatory (KSO), established in 1899, is owned and operated by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA).
• Located in the Palani range of hills in Tamil Nadu, Kodaikanal was selected for its proximity to the equator and its dust-free, high-altitude environment, ideal for solar observations.
• The observatory was founded to enhance understanding of how the Sun heats Earth’s atmosphere and to study monsoon patterns.

SANJAY is an advanced Battlefield Surveillance System (BSS) jointly developed by the Indian Army and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) under the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.

• It integrates inputs from ground and aerial battlefield sensors, processes data to remove duplication, and creates a unified battlefield surveillance picture.
• The system operates via a secured Army Data Network and Satellite Communication Network, enhancing real-time situational awareness.
• SANJAY will be deployed in all operational Brigades, Divisions, and Corps of the Indian Army in three phases from March to October 2025.
• It enables commanders to operate effectively in network-centric environments, supporting decision-making and modernizing military operations.

The system integrates with the Indian Army Decision Support System, providing centralized web-based inputs to Command and Army Headquarters.

The Fiscal Health Index (FHI) 2025, launched by NITI Aayog, provides a comprehensive assessment of the fiscal health of 18 major Indian states.

This annual publication aims to offer data-driven insights to inform state-level policy interventions, thereby enhancing overall fiscal governance, economic resilience, and national stability.

Key Findings of FHI 2025:

• Top Performing States: Odisha leads with the highest overall index score, excelling in both the Debt Index and Debt Sustainability rankings.
• Revenue Mobilization Leaders: Goa, Telangana, and Odisha are at the forefront in generating revenue from their own sources.
• Capital Expenditure Allocation: States categorized as ‘Achiever’ and ‘Front Runner’ allocate approximately 27% of their Developmental Expenditure to Capital Expenditure. In contrast, ‘Performer’ and ‘Aspirational’ states allocate around 10%.
• Debt Sustainability Concerns: States like West Bengal and Punjab are experiencing increasing debt burdens, raising concerns about their debt sustainability.

• Celebrated annually on 31 January to raise awareness about the conservation of zebras and their habitats.
• Aims to highlight the challenges zebras face, such as habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict.
• Focuses on protecting zebra species like the Plains zebra, Grevy’s zebra, and the Mountain zebra, which are increasingly endangered.

• Hariman Sharma, known as the “Apple Man of India,” has been conferred with the Padma Shri for his significant contributions to agriculture.
• He developed the HRMN-99apple variety, which can thrive in tropical and subtropical regions with summer temperatures up to 46°C.
• Sharma started his journey in 1990, initially with a small nursery in Paniyala village, Bilaspur district, Himachal Pradesh.
• The HRMN-99apple has a striped red-over-yellow skin and soft, juicy pulp, with plants producing up to 75 kg of fruit.
• His work has helped cultivate apples in regions previously thought unsuitable, benefiting farmers in 27 states and boosting exports to countries like Nepal, Bangladesh, Germany, and South Africa.
• Sharma has received 15 national awards and 10 state awards for his horticultural achievements.

The upcoming Bollywood film Chhava, based on the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, has sparked controversy over a scene where the Maratha king is depicted performing the Lezim dance.

• Lezim dance is a traditional folk dance originating from Maharashtra, performed with a handheld instrument made of wood and metallic jingles.
• It is mainly performed during festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi, marriage processions, and cultural celebrations, especially in Maharashtra and along the Konkan coast.
• The dance involves energetic movements, including stepping, squatting, and jumping, often in synchronized patterns.
• Instruments like the dhol or dhalgi accompany the dance, with occasional song additions.
• It represents community spirit and is practiced as physical exercise in schools across Maharashtra.