Gegeneophis chandgadi and Caecilians Why in News: Scientists discovered a new species of legless, worm-like amphibian from Maharashtra and named it Gegeneophis chandgadi. About Gegeneophis chandgadi · It belongs to the caecilian group of amphibians. · The species name 'chandgadi' comes from the Chandgadi language, a distinct dialect of Marathi spoken in the region where it was discovered. · The name recognises the local culture and linguistic heritage of the area

Osbeckia ulotricha Why in News: Scientists from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) have identified a new flowering plant in the Western Ghats, named Osbeckia ulotricha. What to Know • It is a newly identified flowering plant belonging to the Melastomataceae family. • It was discovered in the shola grasslands of the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve in the Western Ghats. Key Characteristics • It is a woolly-haired species endemic to elevations of 1,200-1,500 metres. • Its leaves

Myristica Swamps Why in News: Myristica swamps in the Western Ghats are in focus for their ecological role and the threats posed by plantations and human activities. What are Myristica Swamps? • They are freshwater wetland ecosystems dominated by evergreen trees of the Myristicaceae family. • Because of their primitive plant characteristics, they are often called 'living fossils'. Where are They Found? • They occur mainly in the Western Ghats. • Limited pockets are also found

Larak Island Why in News: The United States reportedly struck Larak Island on August 30 after observing Iranian forces preparing to launch rockets carrying sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz. Location • Larak is a small Iranian island located near the Strait of Hormuz. • It lies about 45 km southeast of Bandar Abbas, south of Hormuz Island and nearly 18 km southeast of the eastern tip of Qeshm Island. • The island covers an area of about 49 sq. km. Why is it Strategically Im

Canada Why in News: India and Canada recently formally launched their inaugural Economic and Financial Dialogue in Toronto. Location and Size • Canada is located in North America. • It is the second-largest country in the world by area after Russia. • It shares a border with Alaska in the northwest and with the continental United States to the south. • The Canada-United States border is the longest bi-national land border in the world. • Canada is bounded by the Arctic Ocean

Jago AI Assistant Why in News: The Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs recently launched the Jago AI Assistant. What is Jago? • Jago is an AI-powered conversational assistant designed to expand the reach of tribal welfare schemes and programmes. • It is an initiative of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Objective • To simplify access to information on tribal welfare schemes and government services. • To improve awareness and accessibility of welfare programmes among beneficiaries.

Crete Island Why in News: Greek media reported that more than 300 migrants were rescued off the coast of Crete in recent days. Location • Crete is an island of Greece located in the southern part of the Aegean Sea, which forms part of the Mediterranean Sea. • It is the largest island in Greece. Surrounding Seas • Sea of Crete lies to the north. • Libyan Sea lies to the south. • Myrtoan Sea lies to the west. • Carpathian Sea lies to the east. Topography • Mount Ida, also known

Dak MITRA App and Dak Sewa App Why in News: The Union Minister for Communications recently launched the revamped Dak MITRA App and Dak Sewa App in New Delhi. Dak MITRA App - What It Is • Dak MITRA stands for Mobile Interface for Transactions & Rural Assistance. • It is a unified digital operational platform for Branch Post Offices across India and serves more than 1.4 lakh Branch Post Offices. • It was developed indigenously by the Centre for Excellence in Postal Technology (

National Horticulture Board (NHB) Scheme Guidelines Why in News: The National Horticulture Board has revised the guidelines of the Commercial Horticulture through Production and Post-Harvest Management of Horticulture Crops Scheme. Key Amendments • The definition of family now includes the applicant's spouse, father, mother, sons and daughters. Earlier, it covered only the husband, wife and dependent minor children. • Certain categories are not eligible for NHB financial assi

Thiksey Monastery Why in News: US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor recently visited the historic Thiksey Monastery in Ladakh. What to Know • Thiksey Monastery is one of the largest and most prominent Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh. • It belongs to the Gelug sect, also known as the Yellow Hat School, of Tibetan Buddhism. • It was founded in 1433 CE by Spon Palden Sherab under the guidance of his teacher Jangsem Sherab Zangpo. Architecture and Religious Heritage • Its architectur

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Parichha Dam Why in News: The International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID) has recognised the historic Parichha Dam as a World Heritage Irrigation Structure (WHIS). What to Know • Parichha Dam is located on the Betwa River in Jhansi district, Uttar Pradesh. • It is an important part of the Betwa Canal System. • The canal system supplies irrigation water to the drought-prone Bundelkhand region. • The dam has supported irrigation for nearly 140 years and benefits

Maveeran Ondiveeran WHY IN NEWS: Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan recently paid tribute to Maveeran Ondiveeran on his death anniversary, recalling his courage and sacrifice in resisting colonial forces. Who was Maveeran Ondiveeran? Identity: Maveeran Ondiveeran, also known as Ondi Veeran, was a renowned Tamil Nadu warrior who fought against the British East India Company. Meaning of the name: “Ondi” means single-handedly and “Veeran” means brave warrior. The title reflects

Tamirabharani River Indian Geography | Rivers | Tamil Nadu WHY IN NEWS: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court declared the Tamirabharani (Porunai) River a deity and granted it legal personhood to strengthen action against pollution and environmental degradation. IN ONE LINE: Tamirabharani is a perennial Tamil Nadu river rising in the Pothigai Hills of the Western Ghats and draining into the Gulf of Mannar. Course and hydrology • River type: perennial river flowing entire

Medak Fort Art & Culture | Medieval History | Telangana WHY IN NEWS: The Department of Posts launched a postal cover and postal stamp on the historic Medak Fort. IN ONE LINE: Medak Fort is a 12th-century hill fort in Telangana built by the Kakatiya ruler Pratapa Rudra and later used by the Qutub Shahis. Location and historical background • Medak Fort is located in Medak town of Telangana. • It was built in the 12th century by the Kakatiya ruler Pratapa Rudra. • Its original T

Madan Lal Dhingra Modern Indian History | Revolutionary Nationalism WHY IN NEWS: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla paid tribute to Madan Lal Dhingra on his martyrdom day, highlighting his courage, patriotism and sacrifice. IN ONE LINE: Madan Lal Dhingra was a revolutionary freedom fighter associated with India House and Abhinav Bharat who assassinated Curzon Wyllie in London in 1909. Early life and ideological influence • Born in 1883 in Amritsar, Punjab, into an affluent family. •

Namibia World Geography | Africa | Critical minerals WHY IN NEWS: The Fourth Session of the India-Namibia Joint Trade Committee (JTC) was held in New Delhi to strengthen bilateral trade and economic cooperation. IN ONE LINE: Namibia is a mineral-rich country on the southwestern coast of Africa, with the Atlantic Ocean to its west and Windhoek as its capital. Locate Namibia first • Namibia lies on the southwestern coast of the African continent. • Capital and largest city: Win

Hanle Wetland Indian Geography | High-altitude wetland | Ladakh WHY IN NEWS: The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) has sterilised over 2,950 dogs to protect Black-necked Cranes and other wildlife in Hanle Wetland and Tso Kar in Ladakh. IN ONE LINE: Hanle is a high-altitude wetland in eastern Ladakh's cold desert, within the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary and developed along the Hanle River. Where is Hanle Wetland? • It is a high-altitude wetland ecosystem in the cold deser

Hallaniyat Islands WHY IN NEWS: A crude oil spill from the tanker Caroline Bezengi has raised concerns about the fragile marine ecosystem around Oman’s Hallaniyat Islands. IN ONE LINE: Hallaniyat is a five-island archipelago off southern Oman in the Arabian Sea, notable for its rugged limestone landscape and high-value marine biodiversity. Where are they? • Located off the northeastern coast of Dhofar Governorate in southern Oman, in the Arabian Sea. • Administratively part o

Mount Bromo World Geography | Volcanoes | Indonesia WHY IN NEWS: Indonesia deployed aircraft and hundreds of firefighters to control a major wildfire in Mount Bromo National Park. IN ONE LINE: Mount Bromo is an active cinder-cone volcano on Java, situated within the Sandsea Caldera of the larger Tengger volcanic complex and surrounded by the famous “Sea of Sand”. Where is Mount Bromo? • Mount Bromo is located on the island of Java in Indonesia. • It is a small but active volc