1. Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary

A recent wildfire has devastated approximately 50 hectares of the Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Udaipur.

About Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary:

• Situated on the outskirts of Udaipur, Rajasthan, the sanctuary spans about 5.19 sq. km within the Aravalli hill range.
• It surrounds Sajjangarh Fort, which was constructed in 1874 by Maharana Sajjan Singh of Mewar on Bansdara Hill.
• Bari Lake, also called Tiger Lake, is located on the sanctuary’s western slope and was built by Maharana Raj Singh of the Mewar dynasty.

Vegetation & Wildlife:

• The sanctuary features deciduous and semi-evergreen forests with trees such as teak, mango, neem, jamun, khair, and ber, along with bamboo groves.
• It is home to diverse wildlife, including panthers, hyenas, wild boars, jackals, sloth bears, sambar deer, spotted deer, and four-horned antelopes.

2. Pratibimb Module

The Pratibimb Module has facilitated 6,046 arrests, identified 17,185 cybercrime linkages, and processed 36,296 investigation requests, as per recent updates in the Lok Sabha.

About Pratibimb Module:

• Developed by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Union Home Ministry, it is a GIS-based software.
• Objective: To help law enforcement agencies map cybercriminals in real time and dismantle their networks.
• The module projects mobile numbers linked to cybercrimes on a GIS map, providing real-time data for law enforcement agencies.

Samanvaya Platform:

• Launched by the Ministry of Home Affairs, this platform supports cybercrime data sharing and analytics across states and UTs.

Key Facts about I4C:

• Established under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), I4C is based in New Delhi and serves as a central agency to combat cybercrime in a coordinated manner.
• Functions:
  • Acts as a nodal center for cybercrime investigation.
  • Collaborates with research institutions for forensic technology development.
  • Prevents the misuse of cyberspace for terrorism and extremist activities.
  • Recommends cyber law amendments to keep pace with evolving technology.
  • Handles Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLAT) related to cybercrime.
  • Operates the Cyber Crime Volunteers Program, enabling citizens to contribute to cybercrime prevention.

3. Fuego Volcano

A powerful eruption of Volcán de Fuego in Guatemala has triggered strong explosions, pyroclastic flows, and lava emissions, endangering nearby communities.

About Fuego Volcano:

• Also known as the "Volcano of Fire", it is one of three major stratovolcanoes overlooking Antigua, Guatemala.
• Guatemala, located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, frequently experiences seismic and volcanic activity.
• Fuego is one of Central America’s most active volcanoes, with recorded eruptions dating back to the 16th century.
• A deadly eruption in 2018 resulted in 194 deaths, with 234 people reported missing.

What is a Stratovolcano?

• A steep, cone-shaped volcano, stratovolcanoes are taller than shield volcanoes and typically have small summit craters.
• They consist of alternating layers of lava and pyroclastic materials, earning them the name composite volcanoes.
• Commonly found in subduction zones, they frequently experience explosive eruptions due to the high viscosity of their lava.
• Stratovolcanoes account for about 60% of Earth’s volcanoes and are mainly composed of andesite and dacite lavas.

4. POLG Disease

Prince Frederik of Luxembourg (22 years old) recently passed away due to POLG disease, a rare genetic disorder affecting mitochondrial function.

About POLG Disease:

• A mitochondrial disorder that disrupts cellular energy production, leading to organ dysfunction and failure.
• Primarily affects the brain, nerves, muscles, liver, and vision.
• In severe cases, individuals may become bedridden and lose the ability to perform daily activities.

Causes:

• The disease stems from mutations in the POLG and POLG2 genes, which regulate mitochondrial DNA replication.
• Mitochondria, the "powerhouses of the cell," generate ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate), a vital energy source.

Symptoms:

• Can appear in childhood or adulthood, ranging from mild to severe.
• Common symptoms include muscle weakness, epilepsy, paralysis of eye muscles (ophthalmoplegia), liver failure, balance issues, and seizures.

Treatment:

• Currently, no cure exists for POLG disease.
• Treatment focuses on symptom management and improving quality of life.

5. INS Imphal

Indian Naval Ship (INS Imphal) has docked at Port Louis, Mauritius, ahead of the country’s 57th National Day celebrations on March 12.

About INS Imphal:

• Commissioned in December 2023, it is the third vessel of the Project 15B Visakhapatnam-class of stealth-guided missile destroyers.
• Other ships in the Visakhapatnam-class:
  • INS Visakhapatnam
  • INS Mormugao
  • INS Surat
• Designed by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and constructed by Mazagon Dock Ltd. (MDL).
• First Indian warship named after a city in the Northeast – Imphal, Manipur.
• The first warship commissioned with accommodations for women officers and sailors.

Key Features:

• Among the largest destroyers built in India, measuring 164 meters in length with a displacement of over 7,500 tonnes.
• Speed: Capable of reaching 56 km/hr.
• Equipped for anti-submarine warfare.
• 75% indigenous content, including:
  • BrahMos missile system
  • Medium-range surface-to-surface missile
  • Torpedo tube launchers
  • 76mm super rapid gun mount
• Advanced surveillance radar for target tracking.
• Features a Total Atmospheric Control System (TACS) to protect against chemical, biological, and nuclear threats.

Crest Design:

• Depicts Kangla Palace and Kangla-Sa, a mythical guardian from Manipuri history.
• Kangla-Sa is also Manipur’s state emblem.

6. Plastic Ice

Scientists have confirmed the existence of a fourth form of water, Plastic Ice VII, an unusual phase of ice that forms under extreme conditions.

About Plastic Ice:

Under normal conditions, water exists in three phases: solid (ice), liquid (water), and gas (steam/vapor). Unlike conventional ice, Plastic Ice VII features water molecules that can rotate freely within a rigid crystalline structure.

Although this phase was theoretically predicted in 2008, recent neutron-scattering experiments conducted at the Institut Laue-Langevin in France have provided solid evidence of its existence.

Plastic Ice VII forms under pressures exceeding three gigapascals (GPa)—roughly 30,000 times Earth's atmospheric pressure—and at temperatures above 450 Kelvin (177°C).

How Was It Discovered?

Scientists utilized quasi-elastic neutron scattering (QENS) and diamond-anvil cells to examine high-pressure samples at the atomic level. Their findings revealed that although Plastic Ice VII retains a crystalline structure, its molecules exhibit rotational motion in specific directions.

Significance of the Discovery:

• This breakthrough holds major implications for planetary science. Ice VII, a previously known phase, exists deep inside Jupiter and Saturn's icy moons, such as Callisto, Ganymede, and Titan.
• The confirmation of Plastic Ice VII suggests that water behaves in even more complex ways under extreme planetary conditions.
• Understanding this exotic form of ice could aid in exploring extraterrestrial habitability and provide insights into the formation of celestial bodies.
• The discovery could also contribute to advancements in materials science, planetary exploration, and the development of technologies operating under extreme pressure conditions.

7. Gulf of Oman

Iran, Russia, and China have launched joint naval drills in the Gulf of Oman, marking the fifth consecutive year of military collaboration between the three nations.

About the Gulf of Oman:

• Also known as the Gulf of Makran, this water body serves as the western extension of the Arabian Sea, forming the only entry point to the Persian Gulf from the Indian Ocean.
• It is bordered by Iran and Pakistan (north), Oman (south), and the UAE (west).
• Notable ports along its coastline include Ṣuḥār, al-Khābūrah, Muscat, and Ṣūr (Oman), as well as Jāsk and Chāh Bahār (Iran).
• The Gulf is home to several islands, including Sheytan Island, Al Fahal Island, Dimaniyat Islands, and the Sawadi Islands.

Strategic Importance:

• While fishing is practiced in the region, its primary significance lies in oil transportation.
• It serves as a critical maritime route for Persian Gulf oil exports, with nearly one-third of the world’s oil trade passing through the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman.
• Global oil exporters and importers have a shared interest in securing this route.

Marine Security Belt 2025:

The Marine Security Belt 2025 is a joint naval exercise conducted by China, Russia, and Iran in the Gulf of Oman. It aims to enhance:

• Maritime security
• Counter-piracy measures
• Anti-terrorism operations

The drills feature simulated attacks, search-and-rescue missions, and damage control exercises.

8. World Air Quality Report 2024

Delhi remains the world’s most polluted capital city, with an average PM2.5 concentration of 91.8 μg/m³, according to the 2024 World Air Quality Report.

About the Report:

• Published annually by Swiss organization IQAir, the 2024 World Air Quality Report assesses global air quality.
• It presents data collected from 8,954 cities across 138 countries, regions, and territories.

India-Specific Findings:

• Delhi remains the most polluted capital city with a PM2.5 level of 91.8 μg/m³.
• 13 of the 20 most polluted cities worldwide are in India, with Byrnihat (Assam-Meghalaya border) ranking as the most polluted.
• Other highly polluted cities include Faridabad, Loni (Ghaziabad), Gurgaon, Greater Noida, Bhiwadi, Noida, Muzaffarnagar, and Central Delhi.
• India ranks as the fifth most polluted country globally, with an average AQI of 50.6 μg/m³—10 times higher than the WHO’s safe limit of 5 μg/m³.
• In 2023, India was ranked the third most polluted country.

9. Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025

The government introduced the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 in Parliament to bolster national security and modernize immigration laws.

Key Features:

• National Security: Foreigners deemed threats to India’s integrity will be denied entry or permission to stay.
• Powers of Immigration Officers: Officers can arrest without a warrant if they suspect immigration violations. They can also restrict movements and name changes.
• Mandatory Registration: Foreigners must register upon arrival and report any movement or identity changes. Institutions such as hospitals and schools must notify authorities if they are accommodating foreigners.
• Strict Entry & Stay Rules:
  • All foreigners require a valid passport and visa.
  • Transport providers must verify travel documents or face fines and vehicle seizures.

Penalties for Violations:

• No valid documents: Up to 5 years in prison, ₹5 lakh fine
• Forged documents: 2-7 years in prison, ₹1-10 lakh fine
• Overstaying: Up to 3 years in prison, ₹3 lakh fine
• Transporting undocumented foreigners: ₹5 lakh fine, vehicle seizure

Handling Dual Citizenship:

Foreigners with dual citizenship will be treated as citizens of the country whose passport they used to enter India.

10. Kuki Tribe

An armored vehicle belonging to central security forces came under attack by Kuki tribal protesters in Manipur during efforts to restore free movement of people in the conflict-hit state.

About the Kuki Tribe:

• The Kukis are an ethnic group inhabiting Northeast India (Manipur, Mizoram, Assam), Myanmar, and Bangladesh.
• They are related to the Chin (Myanmar) and Mizo (Mizoram) peoples, collectively known as the Zo people.
• The British colonial administration introduced the term “Kuki” and categorized them into Old Kukis and New Kukis.

Cultural & Social Aspects:

• Sawm: A community center for boys where they are taught under elder supervision.
• Lawm: A youth club promoting social activities and skill development.
• Traditionally, Kukis practiced shifting (Jhum) cultivation, leading to territorial disputes with the Nagas (fixed agriculture) and Meiteis (valley dwellers).

Kuki Rebellion (1917-1919):

• The Kuki Rebellion was their first major resistance against British rule.
• The Kukis remained independent under their chieftains until their defeat in 1919, after which the British divided their lands between British India and Burma.