23 Sep 2026 - "Daily Current Affairs" Updates

Tulu Language

Why in News: The Karnataka Cabinet has proposed Tulu as an additional administrative language in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi.

Basics of Tulu

• Tulu belongs to the South Dravidian branch of the Dravidian language family.

• The 2011 Census recorded about 1.85 million native speakers of Tulu.

• UNESCO classifies Tulu as a Vulnerable language.

• Historically, Tulu was written in the Tigalari script.

• Today, it is mainly written in the Kannada script; Malayalam is also used in Kasaragod.

• Tulu is not included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India.

Important Cultural Traditions

• Paddanas are traditional Tulu folk epics and ritual songs.

• Siri Paddana is a famous long Tulu epic centred on Siri, a woman resisting social oppression.

• Kabitol refers to traditional songs sung during agricultural work, including paddy planting.

• Yakshagana is a traditional folk theatre form combining dance, music, dialogue and colourful costumes.

Quick Recall

• Tulu -> South Dravidian language.

• Speakers -> about 1.85 million in Census 2011.

• UNESCO status -> Vulnerable.

• Historic script -> Tigalari; present use -> mainly Kannada script.

• Not included in the Eighth Schedule.

ENVIRONMENT & WILDLIFE

2. Wildlife Protection and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau

Why in News: Five baby orangutans were recently found in Odisha, nearly 2,000 km away from their natural habitat in the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra.

Wild Life (Protection) Act: 2022 Changes

• The Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022 substantially revised India's anti-trafficking framework to align domestic law with CITES commitments.

• The number of statutory schedules was reduced from six to four.

Four Schedules

• Schedule I -> animals receiving the highest level of legal protection and maximum statutory penalties.

• Schedule II -> animals subject to comparatively lesser penal provisions.

• Schedule III -> protected plant species; this corresponds to the earlier Schedule VI.

• Schedule IV -> captive or controlled specimens governed under CITES Appendices I, II and III.

Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB)

• WCCB was established in 2007 under Sections 38(Y) and 38(Z) of the Wild Life (Protection) Act.

• It is a statutory, multidisciplinary agency under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

• It operates the centralised online Wildlife Crime Database Management System.

• It coordinates with police, customs and paramilitary forces.

• It also implements CITES directives.

Quick Recall

• Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022 -> schedules reduced from 6 to 4.

• Schedule I -> highest animal protection.

• Schedule III -> protected plants.

• Schedule IV -> CITES-controlled specimens.

• WCCB -> statutory body under MoEFCC; established in 2007.

GOVERNANCE & DIGITAL SOCIETY

3. EU Kids Act

Why in News: The EU Kids Act is a proposed European Union framework aimed at strengthening online safety for children.

Proposed Age-Based Restrictions

• Below 13 years -> children would be barred from accessing social-media platforms.

• Age 13-15 -> access would be allowed only through mini accounts linked to a parent or guardian's social-media account.

• For the 13-15 age group, a one-hour daily limit has been proposed.

• Age 15 and above -> children would be allowed to create their own social-media accounts.

Quick Recall

• Below 13 -> proposed social-media ban.

• 13-15 -> parent-linked mini account + proposed one-hour daily limit.

• 15+ -> own social-media account permitted.