UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 4 January 2026

Live Events Development Cell (LEDC)

January 4, 2026

Live Events Development Cell Latest News

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry recently established a Live Events Development Cell (LEDC) to facilitate the expansion of the “concert economy”, boosting employment and tourism in the country.

About Live Events Development Cell

It was established by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India.
Objective: Support the structured growth of India’s rapidly expanding live entertainment industry and strengthen the country’s emerging concert economy.
The LEDC will function as a single-window facilitation mechanism aimed at streamlining processes for the sector and positioning India among the world’s leading live entertainment destinations by 2030.
It brings together representatives from the Central and State governments, industry bodies, and major event companies to coordinate policy support and sectoral expansion.
Key Focus Areas:
- Single-Window Clearance System being developed on India Cine Hub (ICH) for permissions (fire, traffic, municipal, etc.) to ensure faster approvals and investor-friendly processes.
- Model SOPs for States and removal of redundant permissions.
Need for Establishing a Dedicated LEDC:
- The organised live events market in India recorded a valuation of Rs 20,861 crore in 2024, reflecting a growth rate of 15 percent.
- This sector currently outpaces several traditional media segments and maintains an expected compound annual growth rate of 18 percent.
- The industry currently supports over 10 million jobs across the value chain, with a single large-format event generating more than 15,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities.
- As per the report data, Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities are emerging as significant cultural hubs.
- Consumption across musical concerts, sports, and theatre rose by 17 percent, with over five lakh individuals travelling to other cities to attend events.
- The establishment of the cell follows the address of the Prime Minister at the WAVES Summit in May 2025.
- During the summit, the Prime Minister highlighted the untapped potential of the live entertainment sector as a driver for investment, tourism, and cultural influence.

Source: TH

Live Events Development Cell FAQs

Q1: Which ministry established the Live Events Development Cell (LEDC)?

Ans: The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India.

Q2: What is the main objective of the Live Events Development Cell (LEDC)?

Ans: To support the structured growth of India’s live entertainment industry and strengthen the emerging concert economy.

Q3: What is the purpose of the Single-Window Clearance System under Live Events Development Cell (LEDC)?

Ans: To streamline permissions related to fire, traffic, municipal authorities, etc., ensuring faster approvals.

Q4: What was the valuation of India’s organised live events market in 2024?

Ans: Rs 20,861 crore.

White-Bellied Heron

January 4, 2026

White-Bellied Heron Latest News

Recently, the Union Environment Ministry expert panel has recommended environmental clearance (EC) for the Kalai-II hydroelectric project on Lohit River which is a white-bellied heron habitat.

About White-Bellied Heron

The white-bellied heron (Ardea insignis ) is a large heron species. It is the second largest living species of heron.
Other Names: It is also known as the imperial heron or great white-bellied heron.
Its presence in our ecosystem indicates the health of the rivers, the environment, the fish population, and water quality.
Habitat: It inhabits the wetlands of tropical and subtropical forests in the foothills of the eastern Himalayas.
Distribution: It is mainly living in the foothills of the eastern Himalayas in northeast India and Bhutan to northern Myanmar.
Diet: It prefers free-flowing riverine habitats with low disturbance, and predominantly depends on fish found in the river rapids.
Threats: It is threatened by habitat loss, increasing disturbance and habitat degradation due to conversion of wetlands for agriculture and expansion of settlements

Conservation Status of White-Bellied Heron

IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Wildlife Protection Act 1972: Schedule-I

Source: IE

White-Bellied Heron FAQs

Q1: Where is the White-Bellied Heron mainly found?

Ans: Eastern Himalayas

Q2: What is the conservation status of White-Bellied Heron?

Ans: Critically Endangered

Sri Govindaraja Swamy Temple

January 4, 2026

Sri Govindaraja Swamy Temple Latest News

Under the influence of alcohol, a man climbed the main Gopuram of Sri Govindaraja Swamy temple in Tirupati recently.

About Sri Govindaraja Swamy Temple

It is a Hindu temple located in the town of Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh.
It is situated 22 km from the Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple.
It is dedicated to Lord Govindaraja Swamy, a form of Lord Vishnu.
It was built in the 12th century by the Cholas and later expanded by the Vijayanagara kings.
Renowned Vaishnavite philosopher, Saint Ramanujacharya consecrated this temple in 1130 AD.
The temple has a rich history and has been visited by several kings and emperors over the centuries.

Sri Govindaraja Swamy Temple Architecture

It is a beautiful blend of Dravidian and Vijayanagara styles.
Its tall and remarkable seven storied outer Gopuram is adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures.
The vimana (tower) above the main sanctum is an architectural highlight. It features a pyramidal shape and intricate carvings, symbolizing the cosmic journey of the deities.
The temple complex also includes a large courtyard, several smaller shrines, and a pillared hall.

Source: TH

Sri Govindaraja Swamy Temple FAQs

Q1: Where is the Sri Govindaraja Swamy Temple located?

Ans: It is located in the town of Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh.

Q2: To which deity is the Sri Govindaraja Swamy Temple dedicated?

Ans: It is dedicated to Lord Govindaraja Swamy, a form of Lord Vishnu.

Q3: Who consecrated the Sri Govindaraja Swamy Temple in 1130 AD?

Ans: Saint Ramanujacharya consecrated the temple.

Q4: Which dynasty originally built the Sri Govindaraja Swamy Temple?

Ans: The Cholas built it in the 12th century.

Q5: What architectural styles are reflected in the Sri Govindaraja Swamy Temple?

Ans: It showcases Dravidian and Vijayanagara architectural styles.

Rani Velu Nachiyar

January 4, 2026

Rani Velu Nachiyar Latest News

Recently, the Prime Minister of India paid tributes to Rani Velu Nachiyar on her birth anniversary.

About Rani Velu Nachiyar

Rani Velu Nachiyar (1730–1796) was an 18th-century queen of Sivaganga in present-day Tamil Nadu.
She was the princess of Ramanathapuram and the only child of Raja Chellamuthu vijayaragunatha Sethupathy and Rani Sakandhimuthal of the Ramnad kingdom.
At the age of 16, she married the prince of Sivaganga, Muthuvadugananthur Udaiyathevar.
She is also known as Veeramangai.
Skills: She was trained in handling various weapons, horse riding, archery, and traditional martial arts such as Silambam and Valari.
- She was also a distinguished scholar. She was proficient in multiple languages, including Tamil, English, French, and Urdu.
Strategic Alliances: Velu Nachiyar forged strategic alliances with several powerful leaders of the time, including Hyder Ali of Mysore and Gopala Nayaker.
She raised a formidable army that included a dedicated women’s battalion and the queen named her women’s army “Udaiyaal” in her adopted daughter’s honour.
Her army commander Kuyili, participated is considered the “first woman martyr” and the first suicide bomber in Indian history.
She was the first queen to fight for freedom from the British in India. She granted powers to the Marudu brothers to administer the country in 1780.

Source: DD News

Rani Velu Nachiyar FAQs

Q1: Which kingdom did Rani Velu Nachiyar rule?

Ans: Sivagangai

Q2: What was Rani Velu Nachiyar's role in Indian history?

Ans: First Indian queen to wage war against the British

Microlensing

January 4, 2026

Microlensing Latest News

A study recently used microlensing to weigh a rogue planet, i.e. not orbiting a star.

About Microlensing

It is a fascinating phenomenon where the light of a background star is deflected by the gravity of a foreground object towards an observer, temporarily magnifying the star as the foreground object crosses the observer's line of sight.
It occurs due to gravitational lensing, predicted by Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity.
The intervening object acts as a gravitational lens, bending the background light.
We don't need to receive any light at all from the foreground object, and still we can use microlensing to measure its properties, like mass and distance.
This makes it a great way to find objects that are too far away to be visible, like distant planets, brown dwarfs, and neutron stars, and even those that are entirely invisible, like isolated black holes.
Microlensing events are transient and generally unpredictable.
Some events last for just 1 day, while others can continue for months or even years, and they can result in very sudden and dramatic changes in brightness.
Why Use Microlensing for Exoplanet-Hunting?
- Most exoplanet-hunting techniques either find planets really close to their star (like the transit and radial-velocity methods), or very big, young planets far away from their star (the direct-imaging method).
- Microlensing is really helpful for catching the planets in the middle – planets that are similar to our own Jupiter – and smaller planets much further out, including free-floating ones.
- It’s even quite effective at detecting Earth-like planets.
- Other methods require many years to detect such planets. Instead, microlensing relies on the blind luck of the planet passing in front of a star.

Source: TH

Microlensing FAQs

Q1: What is microlensing?

Ans: It is a phenomenon where the light of a background star is temporarily magnified by the gravity of a foreground object crossing the observer’s line of sight.

Q2: Which theory predicts the microlensing phenomenon?

Ans: Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity.

Q3: What role does the intervening object play in microlensing?

Ans: It acts as a gravitational lens, bending the background star’s light.

Q4: Do we need to see the foreground object to study it through microlensing?

Ans: No, microlensing allows measurement of the foreground object's mass and distance even without detecting its light.

Q5: Are microlensing events predictable?

Ans: No, they are transient and generally unpredictable.

Thadou Tribe

January 4, 2026

Thadou Tribe Latest News

The public broadcaster Prasar Bharati recently asked the programme head of All India Radio (AIR) in Manipur's capital, Imphal, for inputs on recruiting staff for resuming live broadcasts in the Thadou tribe's language and other major dialects of the border state.

About Thadou Tribe

They are an indigenous people who live in the hill country adjacent to the Imphal Valley in Manipur.
According to the 2011 census the total Thadou population in Manipur was 190,595.
The Thadous are the second largest tribe in Manipur, preceded only by the Meiteis, or Manipuris.
They are also found in smaller numbers in Nagaland, Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Delhi.
Language: They speak Chin and Thado, which belong to the Tibeto-Burman family of the Sino-Tibetan languages.
Thadous share a common culture with all the Chin-Kuki-Mizo community.
Thadou settlements are located in forests. Sites on the tops of ridges or just below ridges are preferred.
- Villages are not arranged according to an established urban plan, and there is no marking of the perimeter of a village.
- The village chief’s house is usually the largest dwelling within the village.
- Outside it there is a platform upon which men gather to discuss matters of importance and to mediate disputes.
Economy:
- They practice subsistence activities including animal domestication, cultivation, hunting, and fishing.
- Jhum (slash-and-burn) agriculture is predominant.
Religious Beliefs: The Thadou tribe traditionally practiced an animistic religion centered on nature spirits and a supreme god, Pathen, but today, almost all Thadou people are Christians.
Festival: The Hun-Thadou cultural festival is an annual celebration of this community, which is celebrated at the arrival of the New Year.

Source: NDTV

Thadou Tribe FAQs

Q1: Where do the Thadou tribe primarily live?

Ans: They live in the hill country adjacent to the Imphal Valley in Manipur.

Q2: What was the total Thadou population in Manipur according to the 2011 Census?

Ans: 190,595.

Q3: Which languages do the Thadou people speak?

Ans: Chin and Thado, belonging to the Tibeto-Burman branch of the Sino-Tibetan family.

Q4: Where are Thadou settlements typically located?

Ans: In forests, usually on ridge tops or just below ridges.

Q5: What type of economy do the Thadou people engage in?

Ans: Subsistence activities such as animal domestication, cultivation, hunting, and fishing.

Cetacean morbillivirus

January 4, 2026

Cetacean morbillivirus Latest News

Recently, scientists used drones to find a dangerous Cetacean morbillivirus among whales in the Arctic.

About Cetacean morbillivirus

Cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) refers to a viral infection affecting marine mammals, particularly cetaceans.
It belongs to the family Paramyxoviridae, which affects marine mammals such as dolphins, whales, and porpoises.
Characteristics: These viruses are enveloped, negative-sense single-stranded RNA viruses.
History: Morbilliviruses were first identified in marine mammals in 1987.
It has been responsible for numerous outbreaks across the world, especially in the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean.
Transmission: It is highly infectious and spread by the respiratory route and direct contact. The virus is shed by infected animals in ocular and respiratory secretions, urine, feces, and sloughed skin.
It impacts the respiratory and neurological systems of the marine mammals, and can lead to mass strandings and deaths.
Treatment: There is no treatment for morbillivirus infections in marine mammals, only supportive care.

What are Cetaceans?

The Cetacea are one of the most distinctive and highly specialized orders of mammals.
Cetaceans (order Cetacea) are aquatic mammals, including whales, dolphins, and porpoises.
Cetaceans are entirely carnivorous and are distributed in all of the world's oceans.

Source: IE

Cetacean morbillivirus FAQs

Q1: Which marine mammals are affected by Cetacean morbillivirus?

Ans: Dolphins, whales, and porpoises

Q2: How is Cetacean morbillivirus transmitted?

Ans: Direct contact and respiratory droplets

Battery Pack Aadhaar System

January 4, 2026

Battery Pack Aadhaar System Latest News

Recently, the central government has released draft guidelines for a Battery Pack Aadhaar system.

About Battery Pack Aadhaar System

It is an indigenous digital identification and data storage system developed to ensure end-to-end traceability of batteries throughout their entire lifecycle.
Objective: This system aims to bring transparency, accountability, and sustainability to the battery ecosystem by enabling accurate tracking of performance, and environmental impact.

Features of Battery Pack Aadhaar System

The battery producer or importer shall have the obligation of assigning a unique Battery Pack Aadhaar Number (BPAN) to each battery that they introduce in the market and the battery they put to self-use.
Every Electric Vehicle battery pack and industrial battery above 2 kWh will be assigned a 21 character Battery Pack Aadhaar Number, or BPAN, along with a QR code.
The BPAN will store
- Static information: It includes the manufacturer’s identity, battery specifications, material composition, and carbon footprint.
- Dynamic data — including battery health, thermal events, charge-discharge cycles, and end-of-life status — will be maintained on a central server, enabling predictive maintenance and efficient recycling.
Significance: BPAN will play a crucial role in enabling second-life usage, regulatory compliance, and efficient recycling.

Source: TH

Battery Pack Aadhaar System FAQs

Q1: Which ministry has proposed the Battery Pack Aadhaar System?

Ans: Ministry of Road Transport and Highways

Q2: What is the primary objective of the Battery Pack Aadhaar System?

Ans: To ensure end-to-end traceability of batteries

RQ-170 Sentinel

January 4, 2026

RQ-170 Sentinel Latest News

A rare U.S. Air Force RQ-170 “Sentinel” stealth surveillance drone was recently spotted returning to Roosevelt Roads Naval Station in eastern Puerto Rico, following U.S. military strikes conducted overnight against targets in Venezuela.

About RQ-170 Sentinel

It is an American high-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
It was designed and manufactured by Skunk Works, a division of Lockheed Martin (an American defense and aerospace manufacturer), for the United States Air Force (USAF).
It is designed to execute intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) and electronic warfare missions over a target area.
The aircraft entered service in the mid-2000s and has previously been associated with U.S. operations in the Middle East and Asia.

RQ-170 Sentinel Features

It has a wingspan of 20 m and a length of 4.5 m.
It features a flying-wing design optimized for reduced radar visibility and long-endurance flights.
It features a blended fuselage, pointed nose, and tricycle-type landing gear.
An electro-optic camera was incorporated beneath the front fuselage section to seize real-time imagery or videos of the battlefield it is surveying.
It can capture real-time imagery of the battlefield and transfer the data to the ground control station (GCS) through a line of sight (LOS) communication data link.
It is fitted with an active electronically scanned array radar, synthetic aperture radar, and signal intelligence in its belly fairings.
About 90% of the aircraft is made up of composite materials to decrease its overall weight.

Source: DB

RQ-170 Sentinel FAQs

Q1: What is the RQ-170 Sentinel?

Ans: It is an American high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

Q2: What missions is the RQ-170 Sentinel designed to perform?

Ans: Intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, reconnaissance (ISTAR), and electronic warfare missions.

Q3: When did the RQ-170 Sentinel enter service?

Ans: In the mid-2000s.

Q4: What is the primary purpose of RQ-170 Sentinel's flying-wing design?

Ans: To reduce radar visibility and enable long-endurance flight.

Re-Circulatory Aquaculture System

January 4, 2026

Re-Circulatory Aquaculture System Latest News

The Union Minister, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is set to inaugurate state-of-the-art Re-circulatory Aquaculture System (RAS) Facility in Hyderabad, Telangana.

About Re-circulatory Aquaculture System

It is a technology where water is recycled and reused after mechanical and biological filtration and removal of suspended matter and metabolites.
This method is used for high- density culture of various species of fish, utilizing minimum land area and water.

Key Features of Re-circulatory Aquaculture System

It is an intensive high density fish culture unlike other aquaculture production systems.
It is also a closed-loop tank-based farming that recycles water after filtration.
RAS filters and cleans the water in the tank, removing waste and keeping it safe for the fish to live in.
It has automated set up of culture tanks with both mechanical and biological filtration units, and effectively prevents the entry of pathogens from external sources.
It requires the minimal interventions to assess the culture, water and disease monitoring, which allows for improved biosecurity.
It can be set up indoors or in areas without natural water sources, allowing fish to be raised closer to cities and where demand is high.

Source: PIB

Re-circulatory Aquaculture System FAQs

Q1: What is the primary benefit of RAS in aquaculture?

Ans: Minimal land requirement

Q2: What type of environment does RAS provide for fish?

Ans: Closed-loop tank-based