CA-30/03/2026

• Venue: Maritime Warfare Centre, Southern Naval Command, Kochi, India.
• Format: A Table Top Exercise (TTX) conducted in a sophisticated simulated environment, allowing for complex multi-scenario planning without the logistical constraints of live ship deployments.
• Participating Nations: Bangladesh, France, Indonesia, Kenya, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Timor-Leste.

• Shared Understanding: Enhancing mutual awareness of different navies' operational approaches and constraints.
• Coordination Mechanisms: Streamlining information sharing and joint decision-making processes.
• Framework Validation: Testing and refining IONS maritime security guidelines through practical, simulated application.

• Integration with IOS SAGAR: The exercise included international officers from the Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR initiative, further promoting professional exchange and mutual trust among regional partners.
• Long-term Impact: Insights from IMEX TTX 2026 are expected to strengthen the IONS framework, ensuring a more stable, responsive, and secure maritime domain for global trade and energy flows.

• Established in 2024 to replace earlier science awards (including the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize) with a more comprehensive national-level recognition system.

• Vigyan Ratna (VR): Recognizes lifetime achievements and contributions in any field of science and technology.
• Vigyan Shri (VS): Awarded for distinguished contributions in any scientific domain.
• Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY-SSB): Encourages young scientists (up to 45 years of age) for exceptional contributions.
• Vigyan Team (VT): Honoring collaborative efforts by teams of three or more members.

• Open to scientists and innovators from government, private organizations, or those working independently. People of Indian Origin (PIOs) residing abroad are also eligible if their work benefits Indian society.

• Domains: Covers 13 key fields including Physics, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Mathematics, Medicine, Engineering, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Atomic Energy, and Space Science.
• Selection & Coordination: Administered by the RVP Secretariat under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Ministry of Science & Technology.

• Nominations: Invited from mid-January/March to May.
• Announcement: Winners are typically announced on May 11 (National Technology Day).
• Award Ceremony: Conducted on August 23 (National Space Day) to commemorate the Chandrayaan-3 moon landing. 

• Strategic Location: Situated in the Greater Himalayan Range, it serves as the only terrestrial link between the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh.
• Lifeline of Ladakh: It is critical for the transport of essential supplies and the movement of military equipment to sensitive border areas.
• Nickname: Often called the "Pass of Blizzards" due to its unpredictable weather and heavy snow accumulation (up to 15–25 metres).

• Operation Bison (1948): Recaptured by Indian forces during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1947–48, marking a significant high-altitude military victory.

• Length: 13.15 km long, planned to be the longest bi-directional tunnel in Asia.
• Goal: Provide all-weather connectivity, reducing travel time from 3 hours to just 15 minutes.
• Target Completion: The final completion date is currently targeted for February 2028.

• Dangerous Terrain: Known for narrow, winding roads, steep drops, and high avalanche risk.
• Seasonal Status: Traditionally closed from October to May, though recent BRO efforts have significantly shortened this window.

• Description: A large freshwater turtle where males are significantly smaller than females and exhibit bright red, yellow, and blue markings on their heads and necks during the breeding season.
• Native Range: Historically found in deep, flowing rivers across India, Bangladesh, and Nepal (Ganga and Brahmaputra basins).
• Primary Stronghold: The only remaining substantial wild population survives in the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary, with estimates of fewer than 300–400 adult females left globally.
• Diet: Primarily herbivorous, feeding on aquatic plants and fruits.
• Ecological Role: Acts as a bio-indicator of river health and contributes to nutrient cycling.

• IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered.
• Wildlife Protection Act (1972): Schedule I (highest protection).
• CITES: Appendix I (strictly regulated international trade).

• Habitat Destruction: Sand mining and seasonal agriculture destroying nesting sandbars.
• Human Impact: Accidental drowning in fishing nets and illegal poaching for meat and shells.
• Hydrological Changes: Dams and reservoirs altering river flow and nesting beach dynamics. 

• Members: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK, US; EU participates without formal membership.
• No headquarters or charter; annual summits rotate presidency (France holds 2026).
• Russia expelled in 2014 over Crimea annexation.

• Formed 1975 as G6 (US, France, Italy, Japan, UK, West Germany) amid 1970s oil crises and recession; Canada joined 1976.
• Evolved from economic focus to broader issues like security, climate, and AI.

• Coordinates economic policies against inflation, trade tensions, and supply chain risks.
• Addresses migration, climate change, food security, and rules-based global order.
• Counters China via Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII).

• Regular outreach partner; participated in 2025 Canada Summit.
• Engages on shared priorities like Ukraine support, mineral security, and conflict responses.

• Genus: Nyctibatrachus (night frogs), family Nyctibatrachidae; morphologically cryptic, resembling Kumbara Night Frog (Nyctibatrachus kumbara) but distinct in advertisement calls, genetics, and evolutionary lineage.
• Found by tracking faint, repetitive calls blending with forest sounds near streams in central Western Ghats.
• Research led by Aravind CK (PhD scholar) and team, involving DNA analysis and sound differentiation from 34 existing Nyctibatrachus species.

• Cryptic species: Closely mimics known night frogs, making visual ID hard; differentiated by vocalizations and genetics.
• Produces a distinctive "tock" or wood-chopping sound, key to its detection.
• Torrent-dwelling, adapted to fast-flowing streams in evergreen forests and shola-grasslands.

• Central Western Ghats, specifically Kali Tiger Reserve (Uttara Kannada, Karnataka), bordering Goa; near Kali River.
• Thrives in rain-soaked forest streams, a mosaic of tropical evergreen, shola-grassland, and semi-evergreen vegetation.
• Endemic to India, adding to over 470 amphibian species (5.3% of global total).

• Highlights Western Ghats as a biodiversity hotspot with undiscovered species despite heavy study.
• Faces risks from habitat degradation, climate change, diseases, and potential human activities.
• Praised by Karnataka officials (Kumar Pushkar, IFS) for boosting conservation awareness and staff involvement.

• Working Principle: PCMs act as a "thermal battery" by absorbing heat during phase transitions (melting) and releasing it during solidification.
• Target Climate: The OM35-based bricks are specifically designed for hot and humid regions with ambient temperatures ranging from 28°C to 38°C.

• PCM-embedded Bricks: Actively regulate temperature through latent heat storage.
• Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) Blocks: Lightweight blocks with air pockets that provide superior thermal insulation compared to traditional red bricks.
• Fly Ash Bricks: Utilise power plant byproducts and avoid high-temperature kiln firing, reducing the carbon footprint by up to 30%.
• Compressed Stabilised Earth Blocks (CSEBs): Shaped using mechanical presses without any kiln firing, eliminating high-temperature combustion.

• The E3 (Energy Efficiency Enterprise) Certification program by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) labels manufacturers who reduce energy use by 25% below the national baseline.
• Proposals are in place to mandate the use of E3-certified bricks in government-funded projects like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.

• Energy Savings: Can reduce cooling loads by 25–30%.
• Resource Conservation: Reduces dependency on fertile topsoil and river sand by using industrial waste like fly ash or waste foundry sand.
• Environmental Impact: Helps in significant CO2 reduction and diverts millions of tons of industrial waste from landfills. 

• Scientific name: Felis chaus; also known as reed cat or swamp cat.
• Medium-sized wild cat, body length 60-75 cm, tail about 1/3 of body length (short with dark rings and black tip).
• Coat: Sandy/reddish-brown to tawny grey, uniform without spots (except faint leg markings); darker denser winter fur; melanistic forms in some areas.
• Solitary except mating season/mother-kitten groups; territorial via urine/scent marking; nocturnal/crepuscular.

• Widespread across Middle East, Central/South/Southeast Asia (India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, up to SW China); large populations in India.
• Prefers wetlands, swamps, reed beds, grasslands, scrub, riparian zones; adapts to agriculture, plantations, semi-deserts; up to 2500m elevation, common in lowlands.
• In India: Most widespread small cat, favours semi-arid areas with moderate vegetation/human disturbance; avoids dense forests/highly urbanized zones.

• Carnivorous/omnivorous: Primarily rodents (up to 70-95% diet), birds, hares, lizards, snakes, frogs, fish, insects; occasionally larger prey like piglets, fruit in winter.
• Skilled swimmer, climber, stalker; hunts by sprint/leap, uses ears to locate prey.
• Agile in diverse terrains; often near water/canals.

• IUCN Red List: Least Concern globally, but populations declining due to threats.
• India: Schedule II under Wildlife Protection Act 1972 (protected, no hunting/trade); Appendix II CITES.
• Regional variations: Critically Endangered in Jordan; Near Threatened in Bangladesh.

• Habitat destruction/fragmentation (wetlands, agriculture expansion, infrastructure); poaching for fur/parts; human-wildlife conflict/retaliatory killings; road mortality; disease from dogs; hybridization with domestic cats.
• Understudied compared to larger cats; illegal trade common despite protections.

• Purpose: Traditionally provided through Fair Price Shops (FPS) to low-income households for cooking and lighting at highly subsidized rates.
• Allocation Mechanism: The Central Government allocates a specific quota to States/UTs, which then distribute it to Ration Card holders.
• Pricing: Prices are determined by the Centre but vary slightly across states due to local taxes and transportation costs.
• The "Blue" Marker: PDS kerosene is dyed blue to distinguish it from non-subsidized (white) kerosene and to prevent illegal diversion for adulterating diesel.
• Major Drivers for Phase-out:
  • PM Ujjwala Yojana: Has provided over 10.5 crore LPG connections, drastically reducing the demand for kerosene.
  • Saubhagya Scheme: Universal household electrification has largely replaced the need for kerosene lamps.
  • Environmental Health: Kerosene emits high levels of particulate matter and carbon monoxide, contributing to indoor air pollution.
• Current Usage: In states where it is still available, it is primarily used by traditional fishermen for outboard boat engines and in extremely remote hilly/tribal areas lacking reliable electricity.
• Direct Benefit Transfer (DBTL-K): In some regions, kerosene is sold at market rates, and the subsidy is transferred directly to the consumer's bank account to curb leakage.

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