GS Paper-1: Art & Culture ⭐ Sarhul Festival ⭐ Why in the News The President of India recently extended greetings to citizens on the occasion of the Sarhul festival . ⭐ Meaning & Significance • Sarhul literally means “worship of the Sal tree” and is one of the most sacred festivals of Adivasi communities . • It is deeply associated with nature worship and symbolises the union of the Sun and the Earth . • The Sal tree is considered sacred and is believed to be the abode

GS Paper-1: Art & Culture ⭐ Chapchar Kut ⭐ Why in the News Mizoram’s largest spring festival, Chapchar Kut , has recently concluded after a week- long series of cultural celebrations . ⭐ Nature of the Festival • Chapchar Kut is a traditional spring festival of Mizoram . ⭐ Historical Background • The festival is believed to have originated between 1450–1700 AD . • Its roots are traced to a village known as Suaipui . ⭐ Timing & Significance • Celebrated annually in the mon

GS Paper-2: International Relations / Security ⭐ IOS SAGAR (Indian Ocean Ship SAGAR) ⭐ Why in the News The second edition of the Indian Ocean Ship SAGAR (IOS SAGAR) initiative has recently commenced. ⭐ Nature of the Initiative • IOS SAGAR is a maritime security cooperation programme focused on the Southwest Indian Ocean region . • It is designed as an operational engagement initiative to enhance collaboration among participating countries . ⭐ Participation • The curren

GS Paper-1: Indian History / Art & Culture ⭐ Kalinjar Fort ⭐ Why in the News The hill region around Kalinjar Fort in Banda (Uttar Pradesh) has recently been declared a National Geo-Heritage Site by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) . ⭐ Location & Setting • Located in Banda district, Uttar Pradesh . • Situated atop an isolated hill , surrounded by the Vindhya Range and the Ken River . ⭐ Nature & Significance • Considered one of the oldest and most formidable forts in

GS Paper-1: Indian Culture / Art & Culture ⭐ Petroglyphs ⭐ Why in the News Researchers have recently identified two ancient petroglyphs carved on a flat rock inside a rock shelter near Beerappa Temple in Manchirevula, Telangana. ⭐ Definition & Nature • Petroglyphs are rock engravings or carvings created on stone surfaces. • They are formed by removing portions of the outer rock layer using tools harder than the rock itself. ⭐ Techniques Used • Petroglyphs are created using me

GS Paper-1: History (Medieval India) ⭐ Gajapati Empire ⭐ Why in the News A medieval Telugu inscription associated with the Gajapati rulers of Odisha has recently been discovered on a stone pillar at the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. ⭐ Nature of the Empire • The Gajapati Empire was a medieval Hindu dynasty that originated in Odisha. • It flourished roughly between 1434 and 1541 CE. ⭐ Origin and Foundation • The Gajapati dynasty emerged after the dec

GS Paper-1: Geography (Physical Geography) ⭐ Silverpit Crater ⭐ Why in the News Recent scientific research has confirmed that the Silverpit Crater originated from a massive asteroid impact, which occurred millions of years ago. ⭐ Location • The Silverpit Crater is located beneath the seabed of the North Sea, at a depth of about 700 metres. • It lies roughly 80 miles off the coast of Yorkshire in the United Kingdom. ⭐ Discovery • The crater remained buried under thick sediment

GS Paper-1: Geography (World Geography) ⭐ Nevado Ojos del Salado ⭐ Why in the News A professor from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) recently successfully summited Nevado Ojos del Salado, bringing attention to this prominent volcanic mountain. ⭐ Location • Nevado Ojos del Salado lies in the Andes mountain range, along the international border between Chile and Argentina. • It is also recognised as the highest mountain located within Chile. ⭐ Geological Nature • Nevado O

GS Paper-1: Geography (World Geography) ⭐ Mozambique ⭐ Why in the News India recently sent 500 metric tonnes of rice to Mozambique to assist the country after severe flooding impacted several central and southern provinces. ⭐ Location • Mozambique is a country situated in Southern Africa. • It lies within both the Southern Hemisphere and the Eastern Hemisphere. ⭐ Bordering Countries • Zimbabwe lies to the west of Mozambique. • Eswatini and South Africa are located to the sout

GS Paper-1: History / Culture ⭐ Sinhagad Fort ⭐ Why in the News At least twenty-five visitors were injured after a swarm of bees attacked tourists at Sinhagad Fort near Pune, drawing attention to the historic site. ⭐ Location • Sinhagad Fort is located near Pune in the state of Maharashtra. ⭐ Earlier Name • The fort was previously known as Kondhana. ⭐ Geographic Setting • The fort stands on an isolated cliff in the Bhuleswar range of the Sahyadri Mountains. • It is situated a

UPSC GS Paper-1: Geography / Culture ⭐ Roopkund Lake ⭐ Why in the News Roopkund Lake, often referred to as the “Skeleton Lake,” has recently attracted renewed attention due to the large number of human skeletal remains discovered around its frozen waters. ⭐ Nature of the Lake • Roopkund is a glacial lake located in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. • The lake is popularly called Skeleton Lake because hundreds of ancient human skeletons have been found scattered around its surr

UPSC GS Paper-1: Geography (World Geography) ⭐ Qeshm Island ⭐ Why in the News Iran’s Foreign Minister recently accused the United States of attacking a desalination facility located on Qeshm Island, raising concerns about regional tensions. ⭐ Location Qeshm Island lies in the Persian Gulf, close to the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. ⭐ Political Control The island forms an integral part of the territory of Iran. ⭐ Meaning of the Name The Arabic term “Qeshm” translat

UPSC GS Paper-2: Governance / Social Development ⭐ Khelo India Tribal Games ⭐ Why in the News The Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports recently announced that the first edition of the Khelo India Tribal Games will be held from 25 March to 6 April 2026. ⭐ Nature of the Event The Khelo India Tribal Games are organised under the Khelo India Scheme, which aims to promote sports participation and talent development across India, particularly among tribal communities. ⭐ Meda

UPSC GS Paper-2: Governance & Social Development IMPAct 4 Nutrition Platform ⭐ Why in the News NITI Aayog and UNICEF India have signed a Statement of Intent to strengthen collaborative efforts for improving maternal and child nutrition in Aspirational Districts and Blocks across India. ⭐ Definition The IMPAct4Nutrition platform (I4N) stands for Initiative to Mobilize Private Action for Nutrition. ⭐ Nature of the Platform It functions as a knowledge and resource network on nut

UPSC GS Paper-2: International Relations Raisina Dialogue ⭐ Why in the News The Prime Minister of India recently inaugurated the 11th edition of the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi. ⸻ ⭐ Nature of the Forum The Raisina Dialogue is India’s premier global conference on geopolitics and geo-economics, aimed at addressing key international challenges and shaping global policy discussions. ⸻ ⭐ Conceptual Inspiration The forum is modelled on leading global strategic conferences such as

UPSC GS Paper-1: Geography (World Geography) Finland ⭐ Why in the News The President of Finland, Alexander Stubb, is currently on an official visit to India and is scheduled to meet the President and Prime Minister of India to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries. ⸻ ⭐ Country Overview Finland is a Nordic country located in Northern Europe and is widely known for its strong welfare system, advanced technology sector, and high environmental standards. ⸻ ⭐ Hi

UPSC GS Paper 2 – International Relations | Energy Security Druzhba Pipeline Subtopic: Russia–Europe Energy Connectivity Value Addition: • Pipeline Name: Druzhba Pipeline (“Druzhba” means Friendship in Russian). • Type: International crude oil pipeline network connecting Russia with Europe. • Commissioned: 1964 during the Soviet era . • Origin: Oil fields of West Siberia, Russia . • Transit Countries: Belarus and Ukraine . • Network Scale: One of the longest and la

UPSC GS Paper 1 – Art & Culture | Geography 1. Sulawesi Island (Indonesia) – Oldest Rock Art Discovery Subtopic: Prehistoric Rock Art & Early Human Culture Value Addition: • Location: Indonesia, Southeast Asia; part of the Indonesian Archipelago. • Former Name: Celebes. • Area: ~180,680 sq km; one of the largest islands of Indonesia. • Geographical Structure: Unique shape with four long peninsulas separated by deep bays and gulfs . • Topography: Mostly mountainous terra

UPSC GS–1 | WORLD GEOGRAPHY 1. Jeju Island (South Korea) Subtopic: Volcanic Islands & UNESCO Natural Heritage Value Addition: Location: Southern coast of South Korea. Status: Special Autonomous Province. Type: Volcanic island (oval-shaped; largest & southernmost in Korea). Central Feature: Mount Hallasan (1,950 m; dormant volcano). Crater Lake: Present at summit. Satellite Cones: ~360 parasitic volcanoes. UNESCO Tag (2007): Lava tubes + volcanic landscape inscribed as

UPSC GS–1 | INDIAN GEOGRAPHY 1. Tsomgo Lake (Changu Lake) Subtopic: Glacial Lakes of the Eastern Himalayas Value Addition: Location: East Sikkim. Type: Glacial lake. Altitude: ~3,753 m (12,313 ft). Source: Snowmelt from surrounding Himalayan ranges. Seasonal Variation: Winter: Completely frozen. Post-May: Alpine bloom (rhododendron – State Tree of Sikkim, primulas, poppies, irises). Biodiversity: Birds: Brahminy ducks. Mammals: Red panda. Recent Context: Rescue of stran