9 April 2026 - "Daily Current Affairs" Updates

GS Paper-2: Polity / Governance

⭐ ECINet Platform

⭐ Why in News

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has promoted the use of the “Know Your

Candidates” feature available on the ECINet platform to help voters make informed

choices.

⭐ Nature & Purpose

• ECINet is a unified digital platform developed by the ECI.

• Acts as a single-window interface for accessing electoral services and information.

⭐ Target Users

• Designed for a wide range of stakeholders, including:

• Voters

• Election officials

• Political parties

• Civil society

⭐ Integration of Systems

• Consolidates 40+ existing ECI apps and services into one platform.

• Integrates tools such as:

• Voter Helpline App

• Voter Turnout App

• cVIGIL

• Suvidha 2.0

⭐ Key Services for Voters

• Voter registration

• Electoral roll search

• Application status tracking

• Access to grievance redressal systems

GS Paper-2: Social Issues / Government Schemes

⭐ Jiyo Parsi Scheme

⭐ Why in News

A special facilitation camp under the Universal Parsi Registration Drive was

organised by the Ministry of Minority Affairs.

⭐ Nature & Objective

• Jiyo Parsi is a Central Sector Scheme aimed at addressing the declining population

of the Parsi community in India.

⭐ Launch & Aim

• Launched in 2013–14.

• Seeks to stabilise and gradually increase the Parsi population through scientific

interventions and planned support measures.

⭐ Components of Assistance

• Medical Support

Provides assistance for fertility treatments and pregnancy-related care.

• Community Health Support

Offers financial aid for:

• Childcare

• Care of dependent elderly

⭐ Financial Support & Delivery

• Eligible couples receive benefits through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) under different

components of the scheme.

GS Paper-3: Environment / Biodiversity

⭐ Bengal Florican

⭐ Why in News

The global population of the Bengal Florican has declined to below 1,000 individuals.

⭐ Species Identity

• Recognised as an indicator species of grassland ecosystems.

• Belongs to the bustard family.

⭐ Habitat

• Inhabits seasonally flooded alluvial grasslands.

• Mainly found in the Gangetic–Brahmaputra plains.

⭐ Distribution

• In India, found in:

• Uttar Pradesh

• Assam

• Arunachal Pradesh

• Also present in:

• Terai region of Nepal

• Bangladesh

⭐ Physical Characteristics

• Male has black plumage, crest, and elongated display feathers used during courtship.

• White wing patches are clearly visible during flight.

⭐ Behaviour

• Displays lekking behaviour (unique courtship system).

• Males perform:

• Vertical jumps

• Wing displays