GS–1 | PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY 1. Lake Urmia (Iran) Subtopic:  Inland Saline Lakes, Environmental Degradation Value Addition: Geographical Location:  One of the largest inland lakes in north-western Iran , located between East and West Azerbaijan provinces. Hydrological Nature: Endorheic lake  (no natural outlet), making it highly vulnerable to salinity build-up. Salinity is about one-fourth of the Dead Sea , yet high enough to limit biodiversity. Physiographic Setting: Western &

GS–1 | WORLD PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY 1. Mount Aconcagua Subtopic:  Mountain Systems, Continental Extremes Value Addition: Location:  Western Argentina , near the international border with Chile . Continental Significance: Highest peak in South America . Highest mountain outside Asia . Elevation:  ~ 6,961 metres  above sea level. Mountain System: Part of the Andes Range , specifically the Principal Cordillera . Forms a natural boundary between Argentina and central Chile. Global Re

GS–1 | GEOPHYSICAL PHENOMENA 1. El Chichón Volcano (Mexico) Subtopic:  Volcanism, Tectonic Setting Value Addition: Location:  Stratovolcano in north-central Chiapas , southern Mexico; also called Chichonal . Volcanic Arc:  Youngest volcano in the Chiapanecan volcanic arc  (~150 km long). Tectonic Position: Lies between the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt  and the Central American Volcanic Arc , making it tectonically complex. Volcanic Structure: Composed of multiple lava domes  a

GS–1 | WORLD GEOGRAPHY & GEOPOLITICS 1. Rojava Region (Syria) Subtopic:  De-facto Autonomous Regions, West Asia Geopolitics Value Addition: Meaning of Name:   Rojava  means “West”  in Kurdish, referring to western Kurdistan. Political Status: A de facto autonomous Kurdish-administered region  in northern and northeastern Syria. Governed largely by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) . Geographical Setting: Lies mainly within the Euphrates river basin . Contains oil

GS–1 | INDIAN SOCIETY & BHARTIYA SANT PARAMPARA 1. Guru Ravidas Subtopic:  Bhakti Movement, Social Reform Value Addition: Historical Period:  Lived c. 1377–1527 CE , during the peak of the medieval Bhakti movement. Birthplace:  Sir Gobardhanpur village near Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) ; now revered as Shri Guru Ravidass Janam Asthan . Alternative Names:  Raidas, Rohidas, Ruhidas, reflecting regional and linguistic traditions. Spiritual Lineage: Traditionally regarded as a discip

GS–2 | INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC INSTITUTIONS 1. New Country Partnership Framework (NCPF) Subtopic:  India–World Bank Cooperation, Development Financing Value Addition: Framework Nature: A strategic medium-term engagement framework  between India and the World Bank Group. Time Period: 2026–2031 , aligned with India’s long-term development roadmap. Strategic Alignment: Explicitly linked to India’s national vision of Viksit Bharat . Financial Commitment: Annual financing of USD 8–

GS–1 | GEOPHYSICAL PHENOMENA 1. Shiveluch Volcano (Russia) Subtopic:  Volcanism, Pacific Ring of Fire Value Addition: Location:  Kamchatka Peninsula, far-eastern Russia . Global Context: Kamchatka lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire , one of the world’s most seismically and volcanically active belts. Volcano Type: Stratovolcano  with steep slopes formed by alternating layers of lava, ash, and pyroclastic material. Elevation: ~ 3,283 m  above sea level. Activity Profile: Among

GS–2 | GOVERNANCE & AWARDS 1. Jeevan Raksha Padak Awards Subtopic:  Civil Honours, Humanitarian Recognition Value Addition: Purpose:  Recognises exceptional bravery and humanitarian acts  in saving lives, often at grave personal risk. Instituted By:  Government of India. Awarding Authority:  Final approval by the Prime Minister and the President of India . Eligibility: Open to all civilians , irrespective of profession. Can be awarded posthumously . Categories: Sarvottam Jeev

GS–1 | INDIAN GEOGRAPHY / RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 1. India’s First Tailings Policy for Critical Minerals Subtopic:  Mining Waste Management, Critical Minerals Strategy Value Addition: Tailings Defined: Residual materials left after ore processing. Contain finely crushed rock, unrecovered metals, chemical reagents, organic matter, and liquid effluents. Physical Nature: Mostly exist as liquid slurry  formed during crushing, grinding, and beneficiation. Storage Methods: Site-specifi

GS–1 | INDIAN SOCIETY & TRIBES 1. Lambadi Tribe (Banjara / Sugali) Subtopic:  Tribal Identity, Constitutional Status & Culture Value Addition: Geographical Distribution: Primarily found in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka . Alternate Names: Also known as Banjara  or Sugali  in different regions. Language: Speak Gor Boli (Lambadi) , an Indo-Aryan language . No written script , transmitted orally across generations. Religious Practices: Majority follow Hinduism . Hindu ritu

GS–1 | MODERN INDIAN HISTORY 1. Ras Behari Bose Subtopic:  Revolutionary Nationalism, Overseas Freedom Movement Value Addition: Birth:  25 May 1886, Subaldaha village, present-day Purba Bardhaman, West Bengal. Early Career:  Worked at the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun , while actively participating in underground revolutionary networks. Ideological Influence: Strongly inspired by the French Revolution (1789)  ideals of liberty and republicanism. Exposure during studies

GS–1 | GEOPHYSICAL PHENOMENA 1. G4 (Severe) Geomagnetic Storm Subtopic:  Solar–Terrestrial Interaction, Space Weather Value Addition: Definition: A geomagnetic storm is a large-scale disturbance of Earth’s magnetosphere  caused by efficient transfer of solar wind energy into near-Earth space. Storm Classification: Rated on a G1–G5 scale  (NOAA); G4 = Severe . Primary Trigger: Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs)  ejecting up to 1 billion tonnes of plasma  from the Sun. Key Physical

GS–1 | INDIAN DIASPORA & CULTURAL HISTORY 1. Shree Ambalavaanar Alayam (Durban) Subtopic:  Indian Diaspora, Cultural Heritage Abroad Value Addition: Location:  Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Established:   1875  by indentured Indian labourers  brought to Natal plantations. Historical Distinction: Oldest Hindu temple on the African continent . Alternate Name: Cato Manor Second River Temple . Geographical Setting: Located on a hill amid lush vegetation  in the Cato Manor

GS–1 | WORLD GEOGRAPHY 1. Dardanelles Strait (Turkey) Subtopic:  Strategic Straits, Maritime Geography & Geopolitics Value Addition: Geographic Location: Narrow strait in north-western Turkey . Separates Europe (west)  from Asia (east) . Sea Connectivity: Connects the Aegean Sea  (Mediterranean system) with the Sea of Marmara . Along with the Bosphorus Strait , forms the only maritime link between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea . Dimensions: Length: ~ 61 km . Width:

GS–1 | WORLD PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY 1. Chatham Islands Subtopic:  Island Geography, Marine Ecology & Cultural History Value Addition: Location:  South Pacific Ocean, ~ 800 km east of New Zealand ; forms New Zealand’s easternmost territory . Composition:  Archipelago of 10 islands ; only Chatham Island  and Pitt Island  permanently inhabited. Geological Origin: Predominantly volcanic origin . Presence of limestone deposits  suggests earlier geological linkage with New Zealand. Phy

GS–1 | WORLD PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY 1. Finke River (Australia) Subtopic:  Ancient River Systems, Arid-Zone Hydrology Value Addition: Indigenous Name:   Larapinta , as known to the Arrernte people. Location:  Central Australia; flows mainly through the Northern Territory , extending towards South Australia . Origin & Course: Originates in the MacDonnell Ranges . Formed by the confluence of Davenport Creek  and Ormiston Creek . Flows ~ 600 km  southwards towards the Simpson Desert

GS–1 | INDIAN GEOGRAPHY / PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY 1. Zanskar River Subtopic:  Himalayan Rivers, Glacial Geomorphology & Adventure Tourism Value Addition: River System:  Major left-bank tributary of the Indus River . Location:  Flows entirely within Ladakh (UT) , draining the remote Zanskar Valley  in the north-western Himalayas. Origin & Course: Formed by two main branches: Doda River  (origin near Pansi-La Pass ). Kargyag River  (origin near Shingo La ) + Tsarap River  (origin ne

GS–1 | WORLD GEOGRAPHY & ENVIRONMENT 1. Argentina (Patagonian Wildfires) Subtopic:  Physical Geography, Climate Vulnerability & Wildfires Value Addition: News Context: Large-scale wildfires in Patagonia  burned ~ 12,000 hectares  of scrubland, plantations, and native forests. Location & Boundaries: Southern part of South America . Borders: Chile (W, S), Bolivia & Paraguay (N), Brazil & Uruguay (E). Maritime boundaries: South Atlantic Ocean (E)  and Drake Passage (S) . Capital

GS–1 | ANCIENT & MEDIEVAL INDIAN HISTORY 1. Bhadrakali Inscription Subtopic:  Temple History, Epigraphy & Dynastic Patronage Value Addition: Location:  Prabhas Patan, Gujarat; engraved on the wall of the Bhadrakali Temple . Chronology:  Dated 1169 CE  (Valabhi Samvat 850; Vikram Samvat 1255). Dynastic Context:  Linked to the Solanki dynasty  of Anhilwad Patan. Nature of Inscription: Eulogistic inscription praising Param Pashupata Acharya Shriman Bhavabrihaspati . Bhavabrihasp

GS–1 | ASTRONOMY / PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY 1. Wolf Supermoon Subtopic:  Lunar Phases, Orbital Mechanics & Atmospheric Optics Value Addition: Definition: A Wolf Supermoon  occurs when the January full moon  coincides with the Moon’s perigee  (closest point to Earth). Orbital Science: The Moon follows an elliptical orbit , not a circular one. Perigee makes the Moon appear larger and brighter . Size & Brightness: Appears up to 14% larger  than at apogee. Can be nearly 30% brighter  t