1. Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary

The drying up of Tamulidoba Beel, a significant wetland in Assam’s Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, highlights the urgent need for effective habitat management.

About Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary

Located in eastern Guwahati, Assam, Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1998 and spans 48.81 square kilometers. It comprises the Rajamayong Reserve Forest and Pobitora Reserve Forest.

Flora:

• 72% of the sanctuary consists of wet savannah, dominated by species such as Arundo donax, Erianthus ravennae, Phragmites karka, Imperata cylindrica, and Saccharum spp.
• The spread of water hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes) poses a major threat, particularly to waterfowl, as it forms dense mats on the water surface.

Fauna:

• Pobitora is best known for its population of the Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros.
• Other resident species include leopards, wild boars, barking deer, wild buffaloes, and various reptiles.
• The sanctuary also hosts over 2,000 migratory birds.

History:

• Designated as a reserved forest in 1971 by the Government of Assam.
• Included in India's Indian Rhino Vision 2020 program to support rhino conservation.
• Holds the highest density of Greater One-Horned Rhinoceroses in the country.

Tamulidoba Beel

Tamulidoba Beel, a wetland near Morigaon within Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, is a favored destination for birdwatchers and photographers, especially during winter when migratory birds flock to the area. The wetland provides an essential habitat for rhinos, buffaloes, and numerous water bird species.

2. Tuberculosis

The resurgence of tuberculosis (TB) worldwide has been exacerbated by funding cuts under the Trump administration, disrupting global treatment programs and threatening progress in combating the disease.

About Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria, primarily affecting the lungs. It spreads through airborne droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or spits.

• An estimated one-quarter of the global population carries TB bacteria, though only 5–10% of infected individuals develop active TB.
• Asymptomatic carriers cannot transmit the disease.
• TB is treatable with antibiotics but can be fatal if left untreated.

Symptoms:

• Persistent cough (over two weeks), chest pain, and coughing up blood or sputum.
• Fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, weight loss.
• Fever, chills, and night sweats.

Treatment:

• TB is both preventable and curable.
• Standard treatment involves a six-month course of four antimicrobial drugs, administered under medical supervision.

Multidrug-Resistant TB (MDR-TB)

• MDR-TB arises due to improper medication use, incorrect prescriptions, poor drug quality, or patients discontinuing treatment prematurely.
• It is resistant to isoniazid and rifampicin, the two most potent first-line TB drugs.
• While MDR-TB is treatable, it requires more toxic and expensive medications.

3. Uniyala keralensis

A newly identified shrub species endemic to southwest India has been named Uniyala keralensis (family Asteraceae), in honor of the state of Kerala.

About Uniyala keralensis

• A small to large shrub, growing between one to three meters, adorned with attractive light purple florets.
• Characterized by large leaves, long petioles, and fewer lateral veins.
• Flowering and fruiting occur between August and April.

Habitat & Distribution:

• Found in open areas along the western mountain slopes of the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve (ABR), at elevations of 700 to 1,400 meters.
• The species' known population includes approximately 5,000 plants across four subpopulations, covering 250 square kilometers.

Conservation Status:

• As per the IUCN Red List Criteria (2024), Uniyala keralensis is classified as Data Deficient (DD) due to limited available data.

4. CAR T-cell Therapy

Clinical trial results published in The Lancet reveal that India’s first CAR T-cell therapy has demonstrated a 73% success rate among patients.

What is CAR T-cell Therapy?

• Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy reprograms a patient’s immune cells to target and destroy cancer cells.
• This therapy is primarily used for certain blood cancers in patients whose cancer has relapsed or not responded to first-line treatments.

How Does It Work?

1. A patient’s T-cells (a type of immune cell) are extracted via blood filtration.
2. The T-cells are genetically modified in a lab to recognize and attack cancer cells.
3. The engineered cells are multiplied and then infused back into the patient.

Application in India:

• The therapy is designed for patients suffering from two types of B-cell blood cancers:
  • Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
  • Large B-cell lymphoma

Side Effects of CAR T-cell Therapy

• Immune Overreaction (12%) – Hyperinflammation and organ damage, resulting in at least one death.
• Low Red Blood Cell Count (61%) – Leading to fatigue and weakness.
• Thrombocytopenia (65%) – Increased risk of bleeding due to low platelet count.
• Neutropenia (96%) – Increased susceptibility to infections due to a low neutrophil count.

5. Assam Rifles

The Union Home Minister recently announced the relocation of Assam Rifles battalions to Mizoram.

About Assam Rifles

• One of the six Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
• Conducts counterinsurgency operations in northeastern India and other regions as required.
• Operates under Indian Army command, led by a Lieutenant General.
• Headquarters: Shillong (unlike other paramilitary forces based in New Delhi).

History of Assam Rifles

• 1835: Established as Cachar Levy, a militia protecting British tea estates.
• Later Years: Became the Frontier Force, conducting border expeditions.
• 1870: Merged into three Assam Military Police Battalions, with over 3,000 men deployed in Europe and West Asia during World War I.
• 1917: Officially renamed Assam Rifles.
• Post-Independence: Played key roles in:
  • Sino-India War (1962)
  • Indian Peacekeeping Force (IPKF) mission in Sri Lanka (1987)
  • Counterinsurgency and peacekeeping in Northeast India
• Growth: Expanded from 17 battalions (1960) to 46 battalions today.

6. What is PM-YUVA 3.0?

The Ministry of Education, Department of Higher Education, has recently introduced PM-YUVA 3.0—Prime Minister’s Scheme for Mentoring Young Authors.

About PM-YUVA 3.0:

The scheme is designed to nurture young authors under the age of 30, fostering a culture of reading, writing, and literature across the country. It aims to develop a new generation of writers capable of exploring various aspects of India’s past, present, and future.

Key themes for PM-YUVA 3.0 include:

• The contribution of the Indian diaspora to nation-building
• The Indian Knowledge System
• Makers of Modern India (1950–2025)

Additionally, the scheme provides a platform for aspiring writers to share their perspectives and present a comprehensive narrative of India's contributions across various fields throughout history.

Implemented by the National Book Trust (NBT), India, under the Ministry of Education, the scheme follows a structured mentorship program with defined phases.

Features:

• Participants must submit a book proposal of 10,000 words, including a synopsis (2,000–3,000 words), a chapter plan, 2–3 sample chapters (7,000–8,000 words), and references.
• A total of 50 authors will be selected by a committee formed by NBT.
• Those selected for PM-YUVA 1.0 and PM-YUVA 2.0 are ineligible for PM-YUVA 3.0.
• Selected authors will collaborate with renowned writers, participate in literary festivals, and contribute to a diverse body of literature representing India's heritage and contemporary developments.
• The books produced under this scheme will be published by NBT and translated into multiple Indian languages to promote cultural and literary exchange under the "Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat" initiative.
• Each author will receive a scholarship of ₹50,000 per month for six months (totaling ₹3 lakh).
• A 10% royalty will be paid upon the successful publication of their books.
• Authors will also get opportunities to promote their work and encourage a nationwide reading and writing culture.

7. North East Center for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR)

The Union Minister of Science and Technology recently laid the foundation stone for the permanent campus of the North East Center for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR) at Mawdiangdiang, Shillong.

About NECTAR:

NECTAR is an autonomous body under the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, with its headquarters in Shillong, Meghalaya.

• Established in 2012, it was formed by merging two initiatives:
  • National Mission for Bamboo Application (NMBA)
  • Mission for Geospatial Applications (MGA)
• NECTAR focuses on utilizing advanced technologies from central scientific departments to aid the northeastern region.

Objectives & Areas of Development:

NECTAR supports the region in technology-driven development across various sectors, including:

• Biodiversity conservation
• Watershed management
• Telemedicine
• Horticulture
• Infrastructure planning
• Technology-assisted decision support systems
• Employment generation through local resources and skill development

NECTAR’s Role:

• Technology Solution Designer
• Partnership Institution
• Technology Assistance to State Governments in the Northeast
• Enhancing Technology Reach & Application

Currently, NECTAR operates from the Survey of India Campus, Shillong, with branch offices in Delhi and Agartala.

8. What is Foreign Exchange Reserve?

In the sharpest rise in over two years, India’s foreign exchange reserves surged by $15.267 billion, reaching $653.966 billion recently.

About Foreign Exchange Reserves:

Foreign Exchange Reserves, or Forex Reserves, are foreign currency assets held by a country’s central bank.

These reserves include:

• Foreign marketable securities
• Gold
• Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) from the IMF
• Reserve Tranche Position (RTP) in the IMF

Key Points:

• China holds the largest foreign exchange reserves in the world.
• In India, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) manages the country's forex reserves.
• The reserves are typically denominated in US dollars as the global benchmark currency.

Components of India's Forex Reserves:

1. Foreign Currency Assets (FCAs) – Held in major currencies like the US Dollar, Euro, Pound Sterling, Australian Dollar, and Japanese Yen.
2. Gold Reserves
3. Special Drawing Rights (SDR) – A reserve currency maintained with the IMF.
4. Reserve Tranche Position (RTP) – India’s reserve capital with the IMF.

Purpose of Forex Reserves:

• Maintain liquidity for foreign exchange transactions and balance of payments.
• Help the central bank intervene in Forex markets to regulate the exchange rate.
• Enhance India’s global financial credibility by ensuring smooth trade payments.
• Prevent currency depreciation by selling dollars in the market when the Rupee weakens.

9. Key Facts about Raisina Dialogue

The Prime Minister of New Zealand, foreign ministers from 18 countries, top corporate executives, and foreign policy experts are set to participate in the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi.

About Raisina Dialogue:

• India’s flagship conference on geopolitics and geo-economics, focusing on global challenges.
• Modeled after the Munich Security Conference (Germany) and Shangri-La Dialogue (Singapore).
• Held annually since 2016 in New Delhi.
• A multi-stakeholder platform, bringing together:
  • Heads of State & Cabinet Ministers
  • Local government officials
  • Thought leaders from media, academia, and the private sector
• Hosted by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.
• Supported by various institutions, organizations, and individuals dedicated to fostering global dialogue.

Theme for Raisina Dialogue 2025:

"Kalachakra: People. Peace. Planet."

10. What is Melioidosis?

A recent study indicates that melioidosis cases in Odisha peak during and after the monsoon season.

About Melioidosis:

• A bacterial infectious disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei.
• The bacteria thrive in soil and surface water (rivers, lakes, and streams) in tropical and subtropical regions.
• Endemic in Southeast Asia, Northern Australia, India, Southern China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
• Also known as Whitmore’s disease.
• High Fatality Rate: 16%–50% in endemic regions.

Transmission:

• Spreads through direct contact with contaminated soil, water, or air.
• Infections rise after hurricanes, heavy rainfall, and severe weather events.
• Affects adults aged 40–60 with pre-existing conditions; children under 15 are rarely affected.

Symptoms:

• Fever, headache, localized pain, swelling, ulcers
• Pneumonia, meningoencephalitis, sepsis, chronic suppurative infections
• Chest pain, cough, breathlessness, hemoptysis, swollen lymph nodes

Treatment:

• Antibiotic therapy is effective.
• Long-term treatment may be required for chronic cases.