1. Antarctic Circumpolar Current

A groundbreaking study has found that the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), the most powerful ocean current on Earth, is slowing down due to the melting of ice sheets.

About the Antarctic Circumpolar Current:

The ACC is the strongest ocean current globally, flowing west to east around Antarctica and linking the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. It is the only current that connects these three major oceans and is five times more powerful than the Gulf Stream, with a strength exceeding 100 times that of the Amazon River.

The ACC serves as a boundary, separating the Southern Ocean from the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans at approximately 60°S latitude. It plays a crucial role in regulating the planet’s climate by redistributing heat, water, and nutrients worldwide. Additionally, it acts as a natural barrier, preventing non-native marine species from reaching Antarctica.

However, rising global temperatures are accelerating the melting of Antarctic ice, releasing significant amounts of freshwater into the ocean, which disrupts the ACC's flow.

Potential Impacts of ACC Slowdown:

• Climate Regulation: A weaker ACC could result in more extreme weather events and altered global climate patterns.
• Marine Ecosystems: Changes in nutrient distribution could negatively impact marine biodiversity and fisheries.
• Carbon Sequestration: A slowdown may reduce the ocean’s capacity to absorb carbon dioxide, potentially intensifying global warming.

2. Bangus Valley

On March 6, 2025, the Jammu and Kashmir government introduced new regulations for Bangus, a remote tourist destination near the Line of Control (LoC) in north Kashmir, aiming to promote it as an ecotourism hub.

About Bangus Valley:

Bangus Valley, situated within the Trans-Himalayan region, features a unique ecological blend of mountain and grassland biomes, along with Taiga (coniferous) forests.

Located at an altitude of approximately 10,000 feet, it lies in the northern part of Kupwara district within the Handwara sub-district, covering about 300 sq. km. The main valley, known locally as Bodh Bangus (Big Bangus), has an elliptical shape oriented along an east-west axis.

The valley is bordered by Rajwar and Mawar in the east, Shamasbury and Dajlungun Mountains in the west, and Chowkibal and Karnah Guli in the north. Lokut Bangus (Small Bangus), a smaller adjacent valley, lies to the northeast. Both valleys feature lush green meadows, dense coniferous forests, and a stream flowing through them.

About the Trans-Himalayan Range:

The Trans-Himalayas, also referred to as the Tibetan Himalayas, stretch north of the Great Himalayan Range, spanning roughly 1,600 km. The region includes significant mountain ranges such as Zanskar, Ladakh, Kailash, and Karakoram, characterized by arid plateaus, high-altitude passes, and cold deserts. It plays a vital ecological role and serves as a natural boundary between the Indian subcontinent and the Tibetan Plateau.

3. AI Kosha

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has launched AI Kosha, a platform for non-personal datasets, alongside a GPU access portal under the IndiaAI Mission.

About AI Kosha:

AI Kosha serves as a centralized repository for datasets, AI models, and tools, designed to accelerate AI innovation in India. It aims to:

• Provide access to over 300 datasets, 80+ AI models, and diverse AI use cases.
• Support AI solution development through shared tools and toolkits.
• Offer an AI sandbox with an integrated development environment, tools, and tutorials.

Security features include content discoverability controls, AI readiness scoring, permission-based access, data encryption, secure APIs, and real-time firewalls to ensure safe AI development.

What is the IndiaAI Mission?

The IndiaAI Mission, launched by MeitY, is a comprehensive initiative aimed at strengthening India’s AI ecosystem. With a budget of ₹10,300 crore (US$ 1.18 billion) over five years, it focuses on:

• Developing high-performance computing with 18,693 GPUs.
• Establishing an open GPU marketplace to support startups, students, and researchers.

4. Pashu Aushadhi Initiative

The government plans to establish Pashu Aushadhi stores nationwide to provide affordable generic veterinary medicines to those engaged in animal husbandry and dairy farming.

About Pashu Aushadhi Initiative:

Modeled after the Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJK), which offer low-cost generic medicines, this initiative aims to reduce livestock healthcare expenses.

• It is a part of the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP), approved by the Union Cabinet.
• Stores will be managed by cooperative societies and Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Kendras (PMKSK).
• The initiative will also offer ethnoveterinary medicines, based on indigenous and traditional knowledge.
• The government has allocated ₹75 crore to ensure the availability of high-quality, affordable veterinary drugs.

About the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP):

Implemented since 2022, the LHDCP focuses on preventive vaccinations, veterinary infrastructure development, disease surveillance, and capacity building for veterinary services.

5. Viatina-19

In February 2025, Viatina-19, an Ongole cow of the Nelore breed, was sold for $4.38 million (approximately ₹40 crore) in Brazil’s Minas Gerais.

About Viatina-19:

Viatina-19 belongs to the Nelore breed, originally from India but now widely raised in Brazil for its heat resistance, muscular structure, and adaptability to tropical climates.

• Due to its exceptional genetics, Viatina-19’s embryos are highly sought after globally for breeding programs.
• The Nelore breed constitutes the majority of Brazil's 230 million cattle and is primarily used for beef production.
• In contrast, in India, the Ongole breed is declining, with its population dropping from 1.5 million in 1944 to 634,000 in 2019.

6. Panchaganga River

The Maharashtra government has recently appointed a panel to investigate the causes of pollution in the Panchaganga River.

About Panchaganga River:

• It is a significant tributary of the Krishna River, flowing through Maharashtra.
• Origin & Course:
  • The river originates from Prayag Sangam in the Sahyadri mountain ranges in Kolhapur district, Maharashtra.
  • It is formed by the confluence of five rivulets: Kasari, Kumbhi, Tulsi, Bhogawati, and Saraswati.
  • It flows approximately 80 km before merging with the Krishna River.
• Significance & Usage:
  • The river holds great spiritual importance, with several temples and shrines along its banks.
  • The Panchaganga River valley is highly fertile, yielding rich crops, particularly in winter.
  • The river and its tributaries are extensively used for sugarcane cultivation.
• Pollution Concerns:
  • In the past decade, pollution levels have risen significantly, primarily due to untreated municipal sewage discharge from Kolhapur town.

7. Who is a D-Voter?

Assam’s opposition has recently raised concerns over the status of ‘D’ (Doubtful) voters in the state, calling for the closure of its only detention center (now termed a transit camp) and demanding the presentation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) report in the Assembly.

About D-Voter:

• Definition:
  • D-voters, or doubtful voters, are individuals in Assam who failed to provide valid proof of Indian nationality.
  • Their citizenship status is under review by the Foreigners Tribunals, or they have been declared foreigners by the Tribunal.
• History & Legal Framework:
  • The category was introduced by the Election Commission of India in 1997.
  • Since their citizenship remains unverified, D-voters are barred from voting and contesting elections.
  • The terms ‘doubtful voter’ and ‘doubtful citizenship’ are not explicitly defined in the Citizenship Act, 1955, or the Citizenship Rules, 2003.
  • The Citizenship Rules, 2003, framed under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2003, outline the procedures for preparing the National Population Register (NPR) and the National Register of Indian Citizens (NRIC).
• Process & Rights:
  • The Local Registrar marks individuals with uncertain citizenship status for further inquiry.
  • Affected individuals receive official notification and an opportunity to present their case before the Taluk or Sub-district Registrar of Citizenship.
  • The Registrar has 90 days to review and justify the final decision.
  • Marking as a doubtful voter is a temporary status; a resolution must be reached within a specific timeframe.
• Implications:
  • If an individual is deemed a foreign national or an illegal immigrant, they may face deportation or detention.
  • D-voters can apply for NRC inclusion, but their names will only be added after clearance from the Foreigners Tribunals and removal from the electoral ‘D’ category.

8. Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple (BRT) Tiger Reserve

A recent Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) monitoring committee meeting decided that no new commercial construction will be permitted within 1 km of the Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple (BRT) Tiger Reserve boundary or up to the ESZ, whichever is closer.

About BRT Tiger Reserve:

• Location: Chamarajanagar district, Karnataka.
• Geography:
  • It acts as a natural bridge between the Western and Eastern Ghats in South India.
  • The reserve was designated as a Tiger Reserve in 2011.
  • It spans a total area of 574.82 sq. km.
• Etymology:
  • The name "Biligiri" means "white rocky cliff," referring to the landscape that houses the ancient Rangaswamy Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
  • The region is also named after the white mist and silvery clouds that often cover its hills.
• Indigenous Presence:
  • The reserve is home to the Soliga tribe, an indigenous community that coexists with the region’s wildlife.
• Vegetation:
  • Due to varied climatic conditions and elevation changes, the reserve features diverse forest types, including scrub, deciduous, riparian, evergreen, sholas, and grasslands.
• Flora & Fauna:
  • Flora: Key species include Anogeissus latifolia, Dalbergia paniculata, Grewia teliaefolia, Terminalia alata, Terminalia bellirica, and Terminalia paniculata.
  • Fauna: The reserve is home to tigers, elephants, leopards, wild dogs, bison, sambar deer, spotted deer, barking deer, four-horned antelope, sloth bears, wild boars, langurs, macaques, various reptiles, and birds.

9. What is Vitiligo?

Recent research suggests that gut-friendly bacteria may help slow the progression of vitiligo, offering new hope for millions affected by this autoimmune condition.

About Vitiligo:

• Definition:
  • Vitiligo is a condition that causes the loss of skin color in patches.
  • It can affect any part of the body and often starts on the hands, forearms, feet, and face.
  • Over time, the affected areas typically expand.
  • It may also impact hair and the inside of the mouth.
• Causes:
  • The condition occurs when the immune system mistakenly destroys melanocytes, the skin cells responsible for producing melanin (pigment).
  • While research continues, studies suggest that genetics play a role in about 30% of cases.
• Prevalence:
  • Vitiligo affects individuals of all races and genders equally.
  • It is more noticeable in individuals with darker skin tones.
  • Approximately 1% of the global population has vitiligo.
• Treatment:
  • The condition is neither life-threatening nor contagious.
  • Treatments can help restore skin color but do not prevent further pigment loss or recurrence.

10. What is Parvatmala Pariyojana?

The Union Cabinet recently approved two major ropeway projects in Uttarakhand—Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib Ji (12.4 km) and Sonprayag to Kedarnath (12.9 km)—under the National Ropeways Development Programme, Parvatmala Pariyojana.

About Parvatmala Pariyojana:

• Overview:
  • The National Ropeways Development Programme, or Parvatmala Pariyojana, was announced in the Union Budget 2022-23.
  • The initiative, led by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, aims to provide safe, economical, convenient, efficient, and self-sustaining ropeway infrastructure to enhance connectivity.
• Objectives:
  • Improve accessibility in hilly regions.
  • Reduce congestion in urban areas where conventional transport is inadequate or impractical.
  • Promote tourism and facilitate smooth travel.
• Implementation & Funding:
  • Over 200 projects, worth ₹1.25 lakh crore, have been identified under the scheme.
  • The projects are being developed via Public-Private Partnership (PPP), with around 60% of funding supported by the Government of India.
• Executing Agency:
  • The National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML), a 100% owned subsidiary of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), is responsible for implementation.