UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 11 October 2025

Araneus nox

October 11, 2025

Araneus nox Latest News

Recently, a survey by researchers in Idukki Wildlife sanctuary reported the first record of spider species Araneus nox in India.

About Araneus nox

It is an orb-weaving spider species belonging to the Araneidae family.
It is also known as the Leathery Garden Orb-weaver.
It was first documented in 1877 by French arachnologist Eugène Simon from Basilan in the Philippines.
It is known for spinning near-perfect, vertically oriented circular webs on vegetation and tree branches.
Habitat: It is mainly found in gardens, forests, and backyards
Distribution: Southeast Asia including Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam and also in Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar.
Appearance: Its coloration can vary from light brown to jet black, sometimes featuring clusters of light brown setae on the abdomen's sides.
It is a small and medium-sized orb-weaver with a distinctively textured, leathery abdomen.

What are orb-weaving spiders?

They are of the family Araneidae (Argiopidae or Epeiridae) of the order Araneida, a large and widely distributed group noted for their orb-shaped webs
The orb spiders are a large group of spiders that weave round, more or less symmetrical webs suspended in open-air spaces.

Source: TH

Araneus nox FAQs

Q1: In which Wildlife Sanctuary Araneus nox spider discovered recently?

Ans: Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary

Q2: In which state Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary is located?

Ans: Kerala

Kharasrota River

October 11, 2025

Kharasrota River Latest News

A 59-year-old woman, Soudamini Mahala, was recently killed by a saltwater crocodile in the Kharasrota River.

About Kharasrota River

It is a river in Odisha.
It is a tributary of the Brahmani River, one of the major east-flowing rivers in Odisha.
Course:
- It originates from the Eastern Ghats in the Keonjhar district.
- The river flows through Jajpur and Kendrapara districts before joining the Brahmani River near the Dhamra estuary, close to the Bay of Bengal.
- The river passes through the Bhitarkanika region, an ecologically sensitive mangrove area.
Significance:
- It is a lifeline for irrigation and drinking water in parts of the Jajpur and Kendrapara districts.
- The Mega Drinking Water Project in Kendrapara has been a topic of local protest due to concerns about reduced water availability for agriculture.

Source: TOI

Kharasrota River FAQs

Q1: The Kharasrota River is located in which Indian state?

Ans: Odisha

Q2: The Kharasrota River is a tributary of which major river?

Ans: Brahmani River

Q3: The Kharasrota River originates from which mountain range?

Ans: It originates from the Eastern Ghats in the Keonjhar district.

Diethylene Glycol (DEG)

October 11, 2025

Diethylene Glycol Latest News

At least 14 children in India's Madhya Pradesh died after consuming Coldrif syrup, found to contain a toxic contaminant, diethylene glycol (DEG).

About Diethylene Glycol

Diethylene glycol (also known as 2,2-oxydiethanol and diglycol) is a clear, colourless, odourless liquid with the formula C4H10O3.
It is soluble both in water and in many organic compounds and has hygroscopic properties which makes it a useful industrial chemical.
It is primarily used in industrial applications such as antifreeze, brake fluids, and solvents.
It is not intended for human consumption.
When ingested, DEG is metabolised in the body into toxic compounds that can cause severe kidney damage, leading to acute kidney injury, anuria (inability to urinate), and death.
Symptoms of poisoning can include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and lethargy, often progressing rapidly to renal failure.

Source: TOI

Diethylene Glycol FAQs

Q1: What is Diethylene Glycol (DEG)?

Ans: Diethylene glycol (also known as 2,2-oxydiethanol and diglycol) is a clear, colourless, odourless liquid with the formula C4H10O3.

Q2: Diethylene Glycol (DEG) is primarily used in which industry?

Ans: It is primarily used in industrial applications such as antifreeze, brake fluids, and solvents.

Q3: What happens when Diethylene Glycol (DEG) is ingested by humans?

Ans: It is metabolised into toxic compounds that cause severe kidney damage.

SPARK–4.0 Initiative

October 11, 2025

SPARK–4.0 Initiative Latest News

Recently, the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Ministry of Ayush, has announced SPARK–4.0 initiative.

About SPARK–4.0 Initiative

Studentship Program for Ayurveda Research Ken (SPARK) 4.0 is the flagship initiative of the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences.
This initiative aims to ignite scientific curiosity and research aptitude among undergraduate Ayurveda students across India.

Features of SPARK–4.0 Initiative

Under this program, 300 Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) students from colleges recognized by the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) will receive a studentship of ₹50,000 (₹25,000 per month for two months).
SPARK enables undergraduates to undertake short-term, independent research projects guided by faculty mentors.
It offers hands-on exposure to research methodology, experimental design, and data analysis — helping participants gain foundational experience in scientific investigation at an early academic stage.
Institutions are encouraged to support selected students by providing research facilities and academic guidance during the two-month project period.
Each selected scholar will also receive a certificate upon successful completion and approval of their final research report.
Significance: It will strengthen India’s research capacity in traditional medicine and to integrate innovation with heritage.

Source: PIB

SPARK–4.0 Initiative FAQs

Q1: What is the objective of the SPARK-4.0 Initiative?

Ans: To integrate traditional medicine into mainstream healthcare

Q2: Who launched the SPARK-4.0 Initiative?

Ans: Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS).

Cold Wave

October 11, 2025

Cold Wave Latest News

Higher than normal cold wave days are expected to impact parts of central India as well as some regions in northwest and northeast India, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

About Cold Wave

Cold waves are unusual weather occurrences caused by extremely low temperatures in the near-surface atmosphere.
Their duration can range from several days to a few weeks, contingent upon the geography and climatic conditions of the region.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) defines a cold wave as a rapid fall in temperature within 24 hours.
This is distinguished by a marked cooling of the air, or with the invasion of very cold air, over a large area.
As per IMD, a cold wave is considered when the minimum temperature of a station is 10°C or less for plains and 0°C or less for hilly regions.
- A cold wave and severe cold wave is considered a negative departure from normal i.e., 4.5°C to 6.4°C and more than 6.4°C in hill stations, respectively.
- Similarly, the departure in minimum temperature of ≤ 04°C and ≤ 02°C for plains is considered a cold wave and severe cold wave, respectively.
Cold waves are predominantly experienced during the period December-February, when minimum temperatures drop to very low levels, especially over the northern parts of India.
Health Risks:
- Exposure to extreme cold can lead to frostbite, hypothermia, and other cold-related illnesses.
- Non-freezing cold injuries, such as Immersion Foot—caused by prolonged exposure to cold, wet conditions—are also a risk.
- In extreme cases, cold exposure may result in fatalities if adequate precautions are not taken.

Source: HT

Cold Wave FAQs

Q1: What is a cold wave according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD)?

Ans: A rapid fall in temperature within 24 hours over a large area.

Q2: As per IMD, what minimum temperature qualifies as a cold wave in the plains?

Ans: 10°C or less

Q3: Cold waves are most commonly experienced in India during which months?

Ans: December–February

Q4: What indicates a severe cold wave in hilly regions?

Ans: Departure of minimum temperature ≥ 6.4°C from normal.