Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- A first-of-its-kind Indian study has identified 21 genetic regions linked to endometriosis,<\/strong> offering new clues to why some women may be more prone to the disease.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
About Endometriosis<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Endometriosis affects an estimated 10% (190 million) of reproductive age women worldwide.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- In endometriosis, endometrium-like tissue<\/strong> (usually found only in the lining of the uterus) grows outside the uterus, causing inflammation and scar tissue formation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Symptoms include:<\/strong> severe pain during menstruation; heavy menstrual bleeding; chronic pelvic pain ; infertility; and abdominal bloating and nausea.\n
\n- Endometriosis most commonly occurs in the pelvis but in some women, occurs elsewhere in the body, including the abdomen and chest.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Endometriosis can impact<\/strong> sexual intercourse, bowel movements and\/or urination; and mental health (including depression and anxiety).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The causes of endometriosis are unknown.<\/strong> Emerging research suggests that endometriosis is associated with immune system dysregulation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- There is currently no cure<\/strong> for endometriosis; access to early diagnosis and effective treatment of endometriosis is limited in many settings and treatment aims to control symptoms and limit long-term impacts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Source: IE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nOrangutan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/ Environment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nContext<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- The Odisha Forest Department rescued five young orangutans after they were found abandoned in a casuarina plantation in the Udayapur-Talsari forest area of Balasore district.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
About Orangutan <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Characteristics: <\/strong>Orangutans are the largest arboreal mammal,<\/strong> spending most of their time in trees.\n
\n- They are the closest living relatives of humans and they share 96.4%<\/strong> of Human genes and are highly intelligent creatures.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- There are three species of Orangutan <\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 the Bornean, Sumatran and Tapanuli \u2013 which differ a little in appearance and behavior.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Eating habitats :<\/strong> Orangutans mainly eat fruits, such as mangoes, lychees and figs, but they also feed on young leaves, flowers, insects, and even small mammals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Habitat and Distribution:<\/strong> They can occur up to 1,500m<\/strong> above sea level, most are found in lowland areas and prefer forests in river valleys or floodplains.\n
\n- These great apes are only found in the wild on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- IUCN status: <\/strong>All three orangutan species are critically endangered.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-80.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nSource: <\/strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nAnti-smog Guns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/Environment <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nIn News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- The Delhi government has approved spending \u20b9100 crore for 1,000 truck-mounted \u201canti-smog\u201d guns to be operated across the city in the winter months over three years.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Anti-smog gun <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Anti-smog guns are equipment that spray the atmosphere<\/strong> with fine droplets of nebulised water to absorb the smallest dust and contaminated particles.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The gun is attached to a water tank which is on a truck.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It is built in such a way that, by passing through high-pressure nozzles, it turns the water into a fine spray with droplets of a size of 50-100 microns.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Importance <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- It reduces air pollution by binding dust and other particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and carrying them down to the ground level along with water.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It creates a canopy effect and works like rain to bring down the suspended particles wafting in the atmosphere.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It contains air pollution in cities, and it also helps in controlling industrial dust in mining, grinding, coal, and stone crushing.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Source: HT<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nPermafrost Melting <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/Environment <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nIn News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- According to a recent study, melting permafrost in the Arctic could cause infrastructure damage worth $261 billion by the middle of the 21st century.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Permafrost <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Permafrost is any ground that remains completely frozen \u2014 32\u00b0F (0\u00b0C) or colder \u2014 for at least two years straight.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- These permanently frozen grounds are most common in cold regions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- These include high mountains and Earth\u2019s higher latitudes \u2014 near the North and South poles.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It covers about 24 per cent of the Northern Hemisphere, including large areas of Alaska, Canada, and Siberia<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It is made of a combination of soil, rocks, and sand that are held together by ice.\n
\n- The soil and ice in permafrost stay frozen all year long.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Impacts of climate change<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Permafrost loss, also known as permafrost thaw, is the progressive loss of ground ice in permafrost, usually due to the input of heat.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Global warming patterns are causing permafrost to melt.\n
\n- This melting releases previously stored greenhouse gases.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- Climate warming is accelerating the thawing of permafrost and melting ground ice and destabilising soils, which can ruin buildings, roads and other infrastructure in northern communities.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Thawing also activates microorganisms that break down previously frozen organic detritus, releasing CO2 and methane and generating a positive feedback that further enhances warming.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It might also release ancient bacteria and viruses frozen in the soil.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Source: DTE<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nSlumping: A Soft-coral Threat<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/Environment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nContext<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- UNESCO-listed soft corals, mostly around uninhabited islets south of Jeju, South Korea are showing the \u2018slumping\u2019 phenomenon.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Unlike hard corals supported by rigid calcium carbonate skeletons, soft corals rely on internal fluid pressure to keep upright.<\/strong>\n
\n- Environmental changes can disrupt that pressure, leading them to slump or collapse.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Weather conditions and water flowing down from China\u2019s Yangtze River<\/strong> are affecting the area\u2019s salinity triggering slumping.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
There are two main types of corals: hard corals and soft corals.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Soft corals <\/strong>are soft and bendable<\/strong> and often resemble plants or trees.\n
\n- These corals do not have stony skeletons<\/strong> and are non-reef-building corals<\/strong>\u2014instead, they grow wood-like cores and fleshy rinds for protection. Like hard corals, they tend to live in colonies.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Hard corals <\/strong>grow in colonies and are often referred to as \u201creef-building corals.\u201d\u00a0<\/strong>\n
\n- Hard corals create skeletons out of calcium carbonate,<\/strong> a hard substance that eventually becomes rock.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Over time, this rock builds up to form the foundation of a coral reef and provides a structure upon which baby corals can settle.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Hard corals depend upon tiny algae called zooxanthellae<\/strong> that live inside them.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Together, they share a symbiotic relationship<\/strong>\u2014the corals provide the zooxanthellae with shelter, and in return, the zooxanthellae provide the corals with food.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Source: <\/strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nPlug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/Science and Technology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nContext<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- JSW MG Motor India has rolled out Hector Tomahawk in Battery Electric Vehicle (EV) and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) variants<\/strong>, indicative of the rising diversity in India\u2019s clean-mobility environment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- A Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle PHEV combines an internal combustion engine (ICE) <\/strong>with an electric motor and a rechargeable battery such that the vehicle can run on electric power, the engine or both.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A PHEV is similar to a normal hybrid electric car (HEV)<\/strong>, but has a larger battery and can be charged by plugging the car into an electrical source,<\/strong> in addition to charging through regenerative braking and the engine.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Its larger battery provides a longer electric-only driving range<\/strong>, enabling short-distance journeys to be completed primarily on electricity, while the ICE provides greater range for long-distance travel<\/strong> and reduces range anxiety.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- PHEVs, however, tend to be more expensive and physically complex<\/strong> than conventional vehicles.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-81-1024x588.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nSource: <\/strong>IE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nVeer Guardian-2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/Defence<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nContext<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- The India-Japan bilateral air exercise, Veer Guardian-2026<\/strong>, began at Air Force Station Jodhpur.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- The inaugural edition<\/strong> of the bilateral air exercise was held in 2023<\/strong>. Veer Guardian-2026 aims to enhance tactical proficiency and aerospace operational synergy, reflecting the deepening strategic partnership between India and Japan.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Do you know<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- The JIMEX<\/strong> series of exercises between India and Japan began in 2012<\/strong>, with a focus on strengthening maritime security cooperation<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
About Endometriosis<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Endometriosis affects an estimated 10% (190 million) of reproductive age women worldwide.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- In endometriosis, endometrium-like tissue<\/strong> (usually found only in the lining of the uterus) grows outside the uterus, causing inflammation and scar tissue formation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Symptoms include:<\/strong> severe pain during menstruation; heavy menstrual bleeding; chronic pelvic pain ; infertility; and abdominal bloating and nausea.\n
\n- Endometriosis most commonly occurs in the pelvis but in some women, occurs elsewhere in the body, including the abdomen and chest.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Endometriosis can impact<\/strong> sexual intercourse, bowel movements and\/or urination; and mental health (including depression and anxiety).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The causes of endometriosis are unknown.<\/strong> Emerging research suggests that endometriosis is associated with immune system dysregulation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- There is currently no cure<\/strong> for endometriosis; access to early diagnosis and effective treatment of endometriosis is limited in many settings and treatment aims to control symptoms and limit long-term impacts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Source: IE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nOrangutan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/ Environment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nContext<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- The Odisha Forest Department rescued five young orangutans after they were found abandoned in a casuarina plantation in the Udayapur-Talsari forest area of Balasore district.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
About Orangutan <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Characteristics: <\/strong>Orangutans are the largest arboreal mammal,<\/strong> spending most of their time in trees.\n
\n- They are the closest living relatives of humans and they share 96.4%<\/strong> of Human genes and are highly intelligent creatures.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- There are three species of Orangutan <\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 the Bornean, Sumatran and Tapanuli \u2013 which differ a little in appearance and behavior.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Eating habitats :<\/strong> Orangutans mainly eat fruits, such as mangoes, lychees and figs, but they also feed on young leaves, flowers, insects, and even small mammals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Habitat and Distribution:<\/strong> They can occur up to 1,500m<\/strong> above sea level, most are found in lowland areas and prefer forests in river valleys or floodplains.\n
\n- These great apes are only found in the wild on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- IUCN status: <\/strong>All three orangutan species are critically endangered.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nSource: <\/strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nAnti-smog Guns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/Environment <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nIn News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- The Delhi government has approved spending \u20b9100 crore for 1,000 truck-mounted \u201canti-smog\u201d guns to be operated across the city in the winter months over three years.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Anti-smog gun <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Anti-smog guns are equipment that spray the atmosphere<\/strong> with fine droplets of nebulised water to absorb the smallest dust and contaminated particles.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The gun is attached to a water tank which is on a truck.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It is built in such a way that, by passing through high-pressure nozzles, it turns the water into a fine spray with droplets of a size of 50-100 microns.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Importance <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- It reduces air pollution by binding dust and other particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and carrying them down to the ground level along with water.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It creates a canopy effect and works like rain to bring down the suspended particles wafting in the atmosphere.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It contains air pollution in cities, and it also helps in controlling industrial dust in mining, grinding, coal, and stone crushing.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Source: HT<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nPermafrost Melting <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/Environment <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nIn News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- According to a recent study, melting permafrost in the Arctic could cause infrastructure damage worth $261 billion by the middle of the 21st century.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Permafrost <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Permafrost is any ground that remains completely frozen \u2014 32\u00b0F (0\u00b0C) or colder \u2014 for at least two years straight.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- These permanently frozen grounds are most common in cold regions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- These include high mountains and Earth\u2019s higher latitudes \u2014 near the North and South poles.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It covers about 24 per cent of the Northern Hemisphere, including large areas of Alaska, Canada, and Siberia<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It is made of a combination of soil, rocks, and sand that are held together by ice.\n
\n- The soil and ice in permafrost stay frozen all year long.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Impacts of climate change<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Permafrost loss, also known as permafrost thaw, is the progressive loss of ground ice in permafrost, usually due to the input of heat.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Global warming patterns are causing permafrost to melt.\n
\n- This melting releases previously stored greenhouse gases.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- Climate warming is accelerating the thawing of permafrost and melting ground ice and destabilising soils, which can ruin buildings, roads and other infrastructure in northern communities.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Thawing also activates microorganisms that break down previously frozen organic detritus, releasing CO2 and methane and generating a positive feedback that further enhances warming.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It might also release ancient bacteria and viruses frozen in the soil.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Source: DTE<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nSlumping: A Soft-coral Threat<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/Environment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nContext<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- UNESCO-listed soft corals, mostly around uninhabited islets south of Jeju, South Korea are showing the \u2018slumping\u2019 phenomenon.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Unlike hard corals supported by rigid calcium carbonate skeletons, soft corals rely on internal fluid pressure to keep upright.<\/strong>\n
\n- Environmental changes can disrupt that pressure, leading them to slump or collapse.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Weather conditions and water flowing down from China\u2019s Yangtze River<\/strong> are affecting the area\u2019s salinity triggering slumping.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
There are two main types of corals: hard corals and soft corals.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Soft corals <\/strong>are soft and bendable<\/strong> and often resemble plants or trees.\n
\n- These corals do not have stony skeletons<\/strong> and are non-reef-building corals<\/strong>\u2014instead, they grow wood-like cores and fleshy rinds for protection. Like hard corals, they tend to live in colonies.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Hard corals <\/strong>grow in colonies and are often referred to as \u201creef-building corals.\u201d\u00a0<\/strong>\n
\n- Hard corals create skeletons out of calcium carbonate,<\/strong> a hard substance that eventually becomes rock.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Over time, this rock builds up to form the foundation of a coral reef and provides a structure upon which baby corals can settle.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Hard corals depend upon tiny algae called zooxanthellae<\/strong> that live inside them.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Together, they share a symbiotic relationship<\/strong>\u2014the corals provide the zooxanthellae with shelter, and in return, the zooxanthellae provide the corals with food.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Source: <\/strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nPlug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/Science and Technology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nContext<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- JSW MG Motor India has rolled out Hector Tomahawk in Battery Electric Vehicle (EV) and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) variants<\/strong>, indicative of the rising diversity in India\u2019s clean-mobility environment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- A Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle PHEV combines an internal combustion engine (ICE) <\/strong>with an electric motor and a rechargeable battery such that the vehicle can run on electric power, the engine or both.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A PHEV is similar to a normal hybrid electric car (HEV)<\/strong>, but has a larger battery and can be charged by plugging the car into an electrical source,<\/strong> in addition to charging through regenerative braking and the engine.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Its larger battery provides a longer electric-only driving range<\/strong>, enabling short-distance journeys to be completed primarily on electricity, while the ICE provides greater range for long-distance travel<\/strong> and reduces range anxiety.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- PHEVs, however, tend to be more expensive and physically complex<\/strong> than conventional vehicles.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nSource: <\/strong>IE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nVeer Guardian-2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/Defence<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nContext<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- The India-Japan bilateral air exercise, Veer Guardian-2026<\/strong>, began at Air Force Station Jodhpur.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- The inaugural edition<\/strong> of the bilateral air exercise was held in 2023<\/strong>. Veer Guardian-2026 aims to enhance tactical proficiency and aerospace operational synergy, reflecting the deepening strategic partnership between India and Japan.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Do you know<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- The JIMEX<\/strong> series of exercises between India and Japan began in 2012<\/strong>, with a focus on strengthening maritime security cooperation<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Endometriosis most commonly occurs in the pelvis but in some women, occurs elsewhere in the body, including the abdomen and chest.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Endometriosis can impact<\/strong> sexual intercourse, bowel movements and\/or urination; and mental health (including depression and anxiety).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The causes of endometriosis are unknown.<\/strong> Emerging research suggests that endometriosis is associated with immune system dysregulation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- There is currently no cure<\/strong> for endometriosis; access to early diagnosis and effective treatment of endometriosis is limited in many settings and treatment aims to control symptoms and limit long-term impacts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Source: IE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Orangutan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/ Environment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- The Odisha Forest Department rescued five young orangutans after they were found abandoned in a casuarina plantation in the Udayapur-Talsari forest area of Balasore district.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
About Orangutan <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Characteristics: <\/strong>Orangutans are the largest arboreal mammal,<\/strong> spending most of their time in trees.\n
- \n
- They are the closest living relatives of humans and they share 96.4%<\/strong> of Human genes and are highly intelligent creatures.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- There are three species of Orangutan <\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 the Bornean, Sumatran and Tapanuli \u2013 which differ a little in appearance and behavior.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Eating habitats :<\/strong> Orangutans mainly eat fruits, such as mangoes, lychees and figs, but they also feed on young leaves, flowers, insects, and even small mammals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Habitat and Distribution:<\/strong> They can occur up to 1,500m<\/strong> above sea level, most are found in lowland areas and prefer forests in river valleys or floodplains.\n
- \n
- These great apes are only found in the wild on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- IUCN status: <\/strong>All three orangutan species are critically endangered.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
Source: <\/strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Anti-smog Guns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/Environment <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- The Delhi government has approved spending \u20b9100 crore for 1,000 truck-mounted \u201canti-smog\u201d guns to be operated across the city in the winter months over three years.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Anti-smog gun <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Anti-smog guns are equipment that spray the atmosphere<\/strong> with fine droplets of nebulised water to absorb the smallest dust and contaminated particles.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The gun is attached to a water tank which is on a truck.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It is built in such a way that, by passing through high-pressure nozzles, it turns the water into a fine spray with droplets of a size of 50-100 microns.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Importance <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- It reduces air pollution by binding dust and other particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and carrying them down to the ground level along with water.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It creates a canopy effect and works like rain to bring down the suspended particles wafting in the atmosphere.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It contains air pollution in cities, and it also helps in controlling industrial dust in mining, grinding, coal, and stone crushing.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Source: HT<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Permafrost Melting <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/Environment <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- According to a recent study, melting permafrost in the Arctic could cause infrastructure damage worth $261 billion by the middle of the 21st century.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Permafrost <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Permafrost is any ground that remains completely frozen \u2014 32\u00b0F (0\u00b0C) or colder \u2014 for at least two years straight.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- These permanently frozen grounds are most common in cold regions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- These include high mountains and Earth\u2019s higher latitudes \u2014 near the North and South poles.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It covers about 24 per cent of the Northern Hemisphere, including large areas of Alaska, Canada, and Siberia<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It is made of a combination of soil, rocks, and sand that are held together by ice.\n
- \n
- The soil and ice in permafrost stay frozen all year long.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Impacts of climate change<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Permafrost loss, also known as permafrost thaw, is the progressive loss of ground ice in permafrost, usually due to the input of heat.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Global warming patterns are causing permafrost to melt.\n
- \n
- This melting releases previously stored greenhouse gases.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Climate warming is accelerating the thawing of permafrost and melting ground ice and destabilising soils, which can ruin buildings, roads and other infrastructure in northern communities.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Thawing also activates microorganisms that break down previously frozen organic detritus, releasing CO2 and methane and generating a positive feedback that further enhances warming.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It might also release ancient bacteria and viruses frozen in the soil.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Source: DTE<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Slumping: A Soft-coral Threat<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/Environment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- UNESCO-listed soft corals, mostly around uninhabited islets south of Jeju, South Korea are showing the \u2018slumping\u2019 phenomenon.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Unlike hard corals supported by rigid calcium carbonate skeletons, soft corals rely on internal fluid pressure to keep upright.<\/strong>\n
- \n
- Environmental changes can disrupt that pressure, leading them to slump or collapse.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Weather conditions and water flowing down from China\u2019s Yangtze River<\/strong> are affecting the area\u2019s salinity triggering slumping.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
There are two main types of corals: hard corals and soft corals.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Soft corals <\/strong>are soft and bendable<\/strong> and often resemble plants or trees.\n
- \n
- These corals do not have stony skeletons<\/strong> and are non-reef-building corals<\/strong>\u2014instead, they grow wood-like cores and fleshy rinds for protection. Like hard corals, they tend to live in colonies.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Hard corals <\/strong>grow in colonies and are often referred to as \u201creef-building corals.\u201d\u00a0<\/strong>\n
- \n
- Hard corals create skeletons out of calcium carbonate,<\/strong> a hard substance that eventually becomes rock.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Over time, this rock builds up to form the foundation of a coral reef and provides a structure upon which baby corals can settle.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Hard corals depend upon tiny algae called zooxanthellae<\/strong> that live inside them.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Together, they share a symbiotic relationship<\/strong>\u2014the corals provide the zooxanthellae with shelter, and in return, the zooxanthellae provide the corals with food.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Source: <\/strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/Science and Technology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- JSW MG Motor India has rolled out Hector Tomahawk in Battery Electric Vehicle (EV) and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) variants<\/strong>, indicative of the rising diversity in India\u2019s clean-mobility environment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- A Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle PHEV combines an internal combustion engine (ICE) <\/strong>with an electric motor and a rechargeable battery such that the vehicle can run on electric power, the engine or both.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A PHEV is similar to a normal hybrid electric car (HEV)<\/strong>, but has a larger battery and can be charged by plugging the car into an electrical source,<\/strong> in addition to charging through regenerative braking and the engine.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Its larger battery provides a longer electric-only driving range<\/strong>, enabling short-distance journeys to be completed primarily on electricity, while the ICE provides greater range for long-distance travel<\/strong> and reduces range anxiety.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- PHEVs, however, tend to be more expensive and physically complex<\/strong> than conventional vehicles.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n
\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nSource: <\/strong>IE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Veer Guardian-2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/Defence<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- The India-Japan bilateral air exercise, Veer Guardian-2026<\/strong>, began at Air Force Station Jodhpur.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- The inaugural edition<\/strong> of the bilateral air exercise was held in 2023<\/strong>. Veer Guardian-2026 aims to enhance tactical proficiency and aerospace operational synergy, reflecting the deepening strategic partnership between India and Japan.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Do you know<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- The JIMEX<\/strong> series of exercises between India and Japan began in 2012<\/strong>, with a focus on strengthening maritime security cooperation<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- The inaugural edition<\/strong> of the bilateral air exercise was held in 2023<\/strong>. Veer Guardian-2026 aims to enhance tactical proficiency and aerospace operational synergy, reflecting the deepening strategic partnership between India and Japan.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- A PHEV is similar to a normal hybrid electric car (HEV)<\/strong>, but has a larger battery and can be charged by plugging the car into an electrical source,<\/strong> in addition to charging through regenerative braking and the engine.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle PHEV combines an internal combustion engine (ICE) <\/strong>with an electric motor and a rechargeable battery such that the vehicle can run on electric power, the engine or both.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Over time, this rock builds up to form the foundation of a coral reef and provides a structure upon which baby corals can settle.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Hard corals <\/strong>grow in colonies and are often referred to as \u201creef-building corals.\u201d\u00a0<\/strong>\n
- These corals do not have stony skeletons<\/strong> and are non-reef-building corals<\/strong>\u2014instead, they grow wood-like cores and fleshy rinds for protection. Like hard corals, they tend to live in colonies.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Weather conditions and water flowing down from China\u2019s Yangtze River<\/strong> are affecting the area\u2019s salinity triggering slumping.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Environmental changes can disrupt that pressure, leading them to slump or collapse.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Unlike hard corals supported by rigid calcium carbonate skeletons, soft corals rely on internal fluid pressure to keep upright.<\/strong>\n
- UNESCO-listed soft corals, mostly around uninhabited islets south of Jeju, South Korea are showing the \u2018slumping\u2019 phenomenon.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- This melting releases previously stored greenhouse gases.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- The soil and ice in permafrost stay frozen all year long.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- According to a recent study, melting permafrost in the Arctic could cause infrastructure damage worth $261 billion by the middle of the 21st century.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Anti-smog guns are equipment that spray the atmosphere<\/strong> with fine droplets of nebulised water to absorb the smallest dust and contaminated particles.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The Delhi government has approved spending \u20b9100 crore for 1,000 truck-mounted \u201canti-smog\u201d guns to be operated across the city in the winter months over three years.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- There are three species of Orangutan <\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 the Bornean, Sumatran and Tapanuli \u2013 which differ a little in appearance and behavior.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- They are the closest living relatives of humans and they share 96.4%<\/strong> of Human genes and are highly intelligent creatures.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Characteristics: <\/strong>Orangutans are the largest arboreal mammal,<\/strong> spending most of their time in trees.\n
- The causes of endometriosis are unknown.<\/strong> Emerging research suggests that endometriosis is associated with immune system dysregulation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n