UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 26 November 2025

Manchurian Walnut Tree

November 26, 2025

Manchurian Walnut Tree Latest News

Recently, researchers found that plant leaves from the Manchurian walnut tree showed extraordinary weed-killing potential.

About Manchurian Walnut Tree

It is a hardy deciduous tree known for its robust growth and adaptability to a range of soil types.
Distribution: It is found in Manchuria (China) and also grows on the Korean Peninsula and in the Far East of Russia.

Features of Manchurian Walnut Tree

Soil: The Manchurian nut tree likes well-drained fertile soils with a neutral PH reaction.
Cold Resistance: It is very cold-resistant and can withstand frost down to -45 ° C.
Growth: Under natural conditions it can reach upto 30 m, and the life expectancy is high – up to 300 years.
Fruiting: The plant begins to bear fruit at the age of 7-10 years.
Growth Rate: It grows at a tremendous pace for the first 20 years up to 2 m per year. In its lifetime, it grows up to 30 m and even higher.

Applications of Manchurian Walnut Tree

Medicinal Use: The plant is widely used in pharmaceuticals and folk medicine. Preparations made from Manchurian walnuts have a strong analgesic, antifungal, and antiparasitic effect.
Other uses: Green fruits are used to make jams, and wood is used in furniture production.

Source: TOI

Manchurian Walnut Tree FAQs

Q1: What is the medicinal use of Manchurian Walnut Tree preparations?

Ans: Analgesic, antifungal, and antiparasitic

Q2: What is the wood of the Manchurian Walnut Tree used for?

Ans: Furniture production.

Cuban gar

November 26, 2025

Cuban gar Latest News

Cuban scientists have taken restoration efforts in Cuba's Zapata Swamp to save the Cuban gar from extinction.

About Cuban gar

The Cuban gar (Atractosteus tristoechus), also known as the manjuarí, is a fish in the family Lepisosteidae.
This fish is part of a family called "gars," which have been around for about 100 million years.
It is a tropical, freshwater species, although it also inhabits brackish water.
Characteristics of Cuban gar
- It is also notable for its high tolerance of high ammonia and nitrate levels in water.
- It has the ability to breathe some atmospheric air in absence of sufficiently oxygenated water.
Habitat: It is found in various habitats from large lakes and rivers to sluggish tributaries, backwaters and pools, and can surive in both fresh and brackish waters.
Distribution: It is found in rivers and lakes of western Cuba and the Isla de la Juventud.
Diet: Gars are ambush predators feeding on smaller fishes and aquatic crustaceans in nature.
Threats: Habitat loss, and introduction of invasive species African walking catfish.
Conservation Status: IUCN: Critically Endangered

Source: India Today

Cuban gar FAQs

Q1: What is the habitat of the Cuban Gar?

Ans: Waters of Cuba and surrounding areas

Q2: What is the conservation status of the Cuban Gar?

Ans: Critically Endangered

Abujhmadiya Tribe

November 26, 2025

Abujhmadiya Tribe Latest News

Recently, the Bastar Olympics’ tournament has seen increasing participation of the Abujhmadiya tribe.

About Abujhmadiya Tribe

They are an ancestral and patriarchal tribe primarily residing in the Abujmarh region in Chhattisgarh, India.
Abujhmadiya tribal community is a sub-group of Gond tribe of Central India region.
It is a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG).

Culture and Traditions of Abujhmadiya Tribe

Language: They speak Abuj Maria, Hindi or Chhattisgarhi.
Belief: They follow a form of animism, worshipping nature spirits and deities associated with natural elements.
Abujhmaria women consider (Godana) tattoo a permanent jewel.
Festivals: Celebrate various festivals which includes:
Saja Festival: A traditional festival celebrating agricultural success and honoring nature spirits.
Bastar Dussehra: Which features traditional dances, rituals, and community gatherings.
Economy: The Abuj Maria primarily engage in subsistence agriculture, cultivating crops like rice, maize, and pulses. They also practice hunting, fishing, and gathering forest products.
Social Structure: Their society is organized into clans, each with its own customs and traditions.

Source: IE

Abujhmadiya Tribe FAQs

Q1: Where is the Abujhmadiya Tribe primarily located?

Ans: Chhattisgarh

Q2: What is the name of the traditional youth dormitory of the Abujhmadiya Tribe?

Ans: Ghotul

Hoya dawodiensis

November 26, 2025

Hoya dawodiensis Latest News

Arunachal Pradesh recently reported a major scientific milestone with the discovery of a new plant species, Hoya dawodiensis.

About Hoya dawodiensis

It is a new plant species.
It was discovered in the Vijaynagar region in Changlang district, Arunachal Pradesh.
- Vijoynagar landscape, accessible only by air or multi-day treks, remains one of the least explored but biologically richest regions of the state.

Key Facts About Hoya Plants

Hoyas constitute a diverse group of tropical flowering species, many of which are valued for their ecological roles and unique morphology.
Hoyas are also known as wax plants or porcelain flowers because of their unique and beautiful flowers that look like they are made of wax.
Hoyas are native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands, but they can be grown indoors as houseplants in most climates.
Hoya plants thrive in bright, indirect light.
Hoyas prefer well-draining, airy soil.
Hoyas are accustomed to high-humidity environments, though their waxy, thick leaves do help them tolerate periods of dry air.

Source: PTI

Hoya dawodiensis FAQs

Q1: What is Hoya dawodiensis?

Ans: Arunachal Pradesh

Q2: In which region of Arunachal Pradesh was Hoya dawodiensis discovered?

Ans: It was discovered in the Vijaynagar region in Changlang district.

Q3: Hoya dawodiensis belongs to which group of plants?

Ans: Tropical flowering species

Q4: Hoyas are primarily native to which regions?

Ans: Tropical and subtropical Asia, Australia, and Pacific Islands.

Ningaloo Reef

November 26, 2025

Ningaloo Reef Latest News

A new survey finds nearly 70% of corals at UNESCO-listed Ningaloo Reef have died.

About Ningaloo Reef

It is located on Western Australia's remote coast along the East Indian Ocean.
It is Australia’s largest fringing coral reef, extending across 300 kilometres of coastline.
It is one of the world’s most pristine, longest, and largest coral reefs.
However, it is unusually narrow and covers an area of about 50 sq.km.
The reef sustains both temperate and tropical marine life, including mammals and reptiles.
It has about 250 corals, of which 200 are hard coral species.
Besides corals, the reef hosts over 500 fish species. Some of the mega marine species found here are manta rays, whale sharks, humpback whales, potato cod, dugongs, and sea turtles.
The Ningaloo Reef is also a popular spot for snorkeling and scuba diving.
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Source: DTE

Ningaloo Reef FAQs

Q1: Ningaloo Reef is located along the coast of which region?

Ans: Western Australia.

Q2: Approximately how long is the Ningaloo Reef?

Ans: 300 km

Q3: Ningaloo Reef covers roughly how much area?

Ans: It covers an area of about 50 sq.km.

Q4: How many coral species are found in Ningaloo Reef?

Ans: About 250, including 200 hard corals.

Exercise SURYAKIRAN

November 26, 2025

Exercise SURYAKIRAN Latest News

Recently, the 19th edition of the “Exercise SURYAKIRAN XIX - 2025” commenced at Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand.

About Exercise SURYAKIRAN

It is the joint military exercise conducted between India and Nepal.
The Indian contingent is being represented mainly by troops from the ASSAM Regiment.
The aim of the exercise is to jointly rehearse conduct of Sub Conventional operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations Mandate.’

Key Facts about Exercise SURYAKIRAN–XIX

Scope: To strengthen battalion-level synergy in Jungle Warfare, Counter-Terrorism Operations in Mountainous Terrain, Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief (HADR), Environmental Conservation, and Integrated Ground–Aviation Operations.
It will focus on incorporating niche and emerging technologies, including Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), drone-based ISR, AI-enabled decision support tools, unmanned logistic vehicles and armoured protection platforms.
Significance: It will further enhance the level of defence cooperation between Indian Army and Nepal Army.

Source: PIB

Exercise SURYAKIRAN FAQs

Q1: What is the primary objective of Exercise Suryakiran?

Ans: To enhance interoperability in jungle warfare and counter-terrorism operations.

Q2: Which countries participate in Exercise Suryakiran?

Ans: India and Nepal

Fujiwhara Effect

November 26, 2025

Fujiwhara Effect Latest News

Two cyclonic storms are predicted to form in the Bay of Bengal, with a potential Fujiwhara interaction.

About Fujiwhara Effect

The Fujiwhara Effect (also named as the Fujiwhara interaction or the binary interaction) is a natural phenomenon that takes place when two nearby cyclones or hurricanes interact with each other.
It was first described by a Japanese meteorologist, Dr. Sakuhei Fujiwhara, in 1921. The phenomenon was thus named after him.
Many years later, the occurrence was observed in the western Pacific Ocean when typhoons Marie and Kathy merged in 1964.

What Happens During The Fujiwhara Effect?

The Fujiwhara Effect can occur when two cyclones form near each other or approach each other close enough to allow the Fujiwhara interaction to take place.
Extratropical cyclones can exhibit binary interaction when within a distance of 2,000 km of each other.
Tropical cyclones exhibit this type of effect when separated by a distance of less than 1,400 km.
During the Fujiwhara interaction, the centers of the two cyclones involved in the phenomenon begin to mutually orbit in a counterclockwise direction about a point between the two cyclones.
The position of the point is dependent on the intensity and relative mass of the cyclonic vortices.
The smaller cyclone involved in the Fujiwhara Effect moves at a faster rate than the bigger one about the central point.
The Fujiwhara Effect might lead the two cyclones to spiral into the central point and merge with each other, or it might trigger the development of a larger cyclone.
The effect might also divert the original path of one or both the cyclones.

Source: DTE

Fujiwhara Effect FAQs

Q1: What is the Fujiwhara Effect?

Ans: It is a natural phenomenon that takes place when two nearby cyclones or hurricanes interact with each other.

Q2: Who first described the Fujiwhara Effect?

Ans: It was first described by a Japanese meteorologist, Dr. Sakuhei Fujiwhara, in 1921.

Q3: How close must two tropical cyclones be (in km) for the Fujiwhara Effect to occur?

Ans: Less than 1,400 km.

Q4: Can the Fujiwhara Effect change the original path of one or both cyclones?

Ans: Yes, the Fujiwhara Effect can alter or divert the original path of one or both cyclones.