22 January 2026 - Daily Current Affairs Updates

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 area.

• Temple Complex:

  • Primary Shrine: Lord Shiva – Ambalavaanar.

  • Secondary Shrine: Mother Goddess – Sri Draupadi Alayam.

  • Third Shrine: Phutu / Phutuvan Temple.

• Architectural Style:

  • Traditional South Indian (Dravidian) architecture.

  • Intricate carvings and vibrant colour schemes.

• Cultural Legacy:

  • Nicknamed “the temple that refused to die” due to survival through colonialism, apartheid, and urban change.

• Heritage Status:

  • Declared a National Heritage Site (1980) by South Africa’s National Monuments Council.

• Current Issue:

  • Facing closure due to financial crisis and fraud allegations, raising concerns about preservation of diaspora heritage.

Subject Analysis:

• High-value GS-1 topic linking Indian diaspora history, cultural continuity, and overseas heritage conservation.

• Useful for mains on soft power and cultural diplomacy.

GS–1 | WORLD PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

2. Mount Elbrus (Russia)

Subtopic: Mountain Systems, Volcanic Landforms

Value Addition:

• Location: Southwestern Russia, part of the Caucasus Mountains.

• Continental Significance:

  • Highest peak in Europe.

• Elevation: 5,642 metres (18,510 feet) above sea level.

• Geological Origin:

  • Formed due to Arabian Plate–Eurasian Plate collision.

  • Inactive (dormant) volcano with two volcanic domes.

  • Major volcanic activity during the Holocene Epoch.

• Global Recognition:

  • Included in the Seven Summits (highest peaks of each continent).

• Protected Area:

  • Lies within Prielbrusye National Park.

• Climate:

  • Extremely cold year-round.

  • Summer night temperatures can drop to –8°C.

• Glaciers:

  • Bolshoi Azaou Glacier, Irik Glacier.

• River Systems:

  • Meltwater feeds Baksan, Malka, and Kuban rivers.

• Recent Context:

  • Artificially triggered avalanche highlights mountain hazard management.

Subject Analysis:

• Important GS-1 topic for mountain geography, plate tectonics, and glacier-fed rivers.

• Frequently asked in prelims under Seven Summits and continental extremes.

GS–3 | ENVIRONMENT & BIODIVERSITY

3. Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary (Rajasthan)

Subtopic: Protected Areas, Eco-Sensitive Zones

Value Addition:

• Location: Rajasthan.

• Districts Covered: Rajsamand, Udaipur, Pali.

• Physiographic Setting: Part of the Aravalli hill system.

• Area: ~610.5 sq km (core + buffer).

• Elevation: 500–1,300 metres.

• Aravalli Ranges Covered:

  • Kumbhalgarh, Sadri, Desuri, Bokhada.

• Geology:

  • Dominated by Archean metamorphic rocks.

  • Thin sandy-loam soils.

• Forest Type:

  • Khathiar–Gir dry deciduous forest ecoregion.

• Faunal Diversity:

  • Mammals: Leopard, Indian wolf, sloth bear, striped hyena, jungle cat, Indian pangolin.

  • Birds: Grey junglefowl, painted francolin, Indian eagle-owl.

  • Reptiles: Indian cobra, rat snake, checkered keelback.

  • Fish: Mahseer, rohu, katla.

• Recent Development:

  • Declared Eco-Sensitive Zone (0–1 km) around sanctuary to regulate human activity.

Subject Analysis:

• High-probability GS-3 topic on ESZs, habitat protection, and Aravalli ecology.

• Useful for mains on balancing conservation and development.

GS–3 | BIODIVERSITY & AQUATIC FAUNA

4. Irrawaddy Dolphin

Subtopic: Marine Mammals, Riverine Biodiversity

Value Addition:

• Scientific Name: Orcaella brevirostris.

• Species Type: Euryhaline dolphin (tolerates fresh, brackish, and saline water).

• Global Distribution:

  • Coastal and riverine regions of Southeast Asia and Bay of Bengal.

• Major River Populations:

  • Irrawaddy River (Myanmar).

  • Mahakam River (Indonesia).

  • Mekong River (Cambodia).

• Presence in India:

  • Chilika Lake (Odisha).

  • Reported from Sundarbans.

• Habitat Preference:

  • Shallow coastal waters, estuaries, deltas, muddy brackish zones.

• Distinct Features:

  • Rounded head, no beak.

  • Flexible neck creases and movable lips.

  • Grey body with lighter underside.

  • Small dorsal fin; large flukes.

• Dentition: Narrow peg-like teeth (~1 cm).

• IUCN Status: Endangered.

• Current Context:

  • Included in India’s pan-India dolphin census.

Subject Analysis:

• Key GS-3 topic on aquatic biodiversity, conservation status, and river ecosystems.

GS–3 | HEALTH & NEUROLOGY

5. Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)

Subtopic: Autoimmune Disorders, Public Health

Value Addition:

• Nature: Rare autoimmune neurological disorder.

• Affected System: Peripheral nervous system.

• Medical Term: Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP).

• Age Profile: Most common between 30–50 years, but can occur at any age.

• Triggers:

  • Viral or bacterial infections.

  • Vaccination or major surgery.

  • Common agents: Campylobacter jejuni, influenza, COVID-19, Zika, CMV, EBV.

• Pathophysiology:

  • Immune system attacks myelin sheath → nerve conduction failure.

• Symptoms:

  • Fever followed by progressive muscle weakness.

  • Can progress to respiratory paralysis.

• Severity:

  • Ranges from mild weakness to life-threatening paralysis.

• Treatment:

  • No cure.

  • Managed through immunotherapy and supportive care.

• Recent Context:

  • Outbreak reported in Neemuch district, Madhya Pradesh.

Subject Analysis:

• Relevant GS-3 topic linking infectious triggers, immunity, and public health preparedness.

GS–3 | BIODIVERSITY & CLIMATE CHANGE

6. Royle’s Pika

Subtopic: Cold-Adapted Species, Climate Vulnerability

Value Addition:

• Scientific Name: Ochotona roylei.

• Common Names: Himalayan mouse hare, hui shutu.

• Habitat:

  • Rocky slopes and rhododendron forests.

  • Elevation: 2,400–5,000 metres.

• Distribution:

  • Pakistan → Indian Himalayas (J&K, HP, UK, Sikkim, Arunachal) → Nepal → Tibet.

• Winter Strategy:

  • Does not hibernate.

  • Relies on snow cover as insulation.

• Shelter:

  • Uses rock crevices and existing burrows.

• Diet:

  • Alpine herbs and moisture-loving Himalayan plants.

• Reproduction:

  • Breeding from late spring to summer.

  • Sexual maturity at 7–10 months.

• Threat:

  • Highly sensitive to rising temperatures and snow loss.

• IUCN Status: Least Concern (but climate-vulnerable).

Subject Analysis:

• High-value GS-3 topic on climate change impacts on alpine fauna.

GS–3 | WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

7. Indian Bison (Gaur)

Subtopic: Large Herbivores, Forest Ecology

Value Addition:

• Scientific Identity: Bos gaurus.

• Largest wild cattle species globally.

• Distribution: South and Southeast Asia.

• Habitat:

  • Evergreen, semi-evergreen, and moist deciduous forests.

  • Open grasslands near forests.

• Altitude Preference: Below 1,500–1,800 metres.

• Ecological Role:

  • Key prey for tigers.

  • Influences vegetation structure.

  • Assists in seed dispersal.

• Threats:

  • Disease transmission from domestic cattle (FMD, rinderpest).

• Conservation Status:

  • IUCN: Vulnerable.

  • CITES: Appendix I.

  • India: Schedule I, Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

• Recent Update:

  • Significant population rise in Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary (Odisha).

Subject Analysis:

• Core GS-3 topic on megafauna conservation and predator–prey dynamics.