UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 16 May 2026

Ganges Soft-Shell Turtle

May 16, 2026

Ganges Soft-Shell Turtle Latest News

Recently, India’s first satellite-tagged Ganges soft-shell turtle was released in the 1,302 sq. km Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve in Assam.

About Ganges Soft-Shell Turtle

It is one of the largest freshwater turtle species in the world.
It is also known as the Indian softshell turtles (Nilssonia gangetica)
Appearance
- It has carapace (upper shell), which is round to oval shaped, and green in colour with a yellow border.
- It has a long neck and tube-like snouts help them to extend their nose out of the water to breathe.
- The compressed shell, on the other hand, streamlines them, thereby making them brilliant and fast swimmers.
Habitat: These turtles inhabit deep rivers, streams, canals, lakes and ponds, typically preferring areas with sandy or muddy bottoms.
They thrive in turbid water and spend most of their time hidden under the sand.
Geographical Distribution: They are found in Afghanistan, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
- Mainly found in Indus, Ganges, Meghna, Brahmaputra, Yamuna, Narmada and Mahanandi river basins.
Diet: Indian softshell turtles are omnivorous, feeding on fish, amphibians, mollusks, insects, carrion and aquatic plants.
These turtles breed from February to April.
Cultural Significance: These are often maintained in the temple ponds of Orissa where they are considered sacred.
Threat: Habitat alteration and destruction, Poaching and illegal trading for traditional medicines, expansion of agriculture, commercial exploitation.

Ganges Soft-Shell Turtle Conservation Status

IUCN Red List: Endangered
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I.

Source: TH

Ganges Soft-Shell Turtle FAQs

Q1: Ganges Soft-shell Turtle is listed under which Schedule of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972?

Ans: Schedule I

Q2: IUCN Red List status of Ganges Soft-shell Turtle is?

Ans: Endangered

Common Bronzeback

May 16, 2026

Common Bronzeback Latest News

A rare species of snake, identified as the “Common Bronze-back Tree Snake”, has been recently spotted in the Belrayan range of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve in Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri district.

About Common Bronzeback

It is a non-venomous species of tree snake found in South and Southeast Asia.
Scientific Name: Dendrelaphis tristis
Other Names: Indian Bronzeback Tree Snake and Daudin's Bronzeback

Common Bronzeback Habitat and Distribution

They are found in Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar, and Bhutan.
They inhabit dry forests, wet montane forests, and the Himalayan foothills.
They can also occur in rural and urban areas, in gardens and parks.
They are arboreal and prefer the treetops to life on the ground.

Common Bronzeback Features

It is a long, thin, and slender snake with a thin, long tail that is usually found in the 90-120 cm range.
Its dorsal body is grey-brown with a bronze-colored line running right down its back.
Its underbody and side body are yellowish-white or pale yellow-orangish.
Its head is typically flat and elongated, clearly broader than the neck, and has large eyes with a rounded pupil.
It can be easily identified by checking a rounded whitish spot on the top of the head.

Common Bronzeback Conservation Status

It is classified as 'Least Concern' under the IUCN Red List.

Source: ETVB

Common Bronzeback FAQs

Q1: What is the Common Bronzeback?

Ans: It is a non-venomous species of tree snake.

Q2: In which regions is the Common Bronzeback found?

Ans: South and Southeast Asia.

Q3: Which countries are home to the Common Bronzeback?

Ans: Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar, and Bhutan.

Q4: How is the body structure of the Common Bronzeback described?

Ans: Long, thin, and slender.

Q5: What is the IUCN Red List status of the Common Bronzeback?

Ans: Least Concern.

ABHAY System

May 16, 2026

ABHAY System Latest News

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) recently launched an AI-based helpbot called “Abhay” for authentication of CBI notices.

About ABHAY System

ABHAY (AI-Based Helpbot for Authentication of Your Notice) is an AI-powered notice verification system launched by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Purpose: It is designed to help citizens identify fake CBI notices and protect themselves from rising “digital arrest” scams.
It is India’s first real-time notice verification system developed specifically to combat cyber-enabled fraud and impersonation scams.
The platform was created as fraudsters increasingly use fake law enforcement notices, AI-generated content, and deepfake technology to intimidate victims.
How does the System Work?
- Users receiving notices in the name of the CBI can upload scanned copies of the documents on the platform after completing OTP verification.
- The AI-based system then checks the authenticity of the notice and flags it as either genuine or potentially fraudulent.
The ABHAY system is available round-the-clock through the official CBI website and the dedicated verification portal, the ABHAY Verification Platform.

Source: TH

ABHAY System FAQs

Q1: Which organization launched the ABHAY system?

Ans: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Q2: What is the main purpose of the ABHAY system?

Ans: To help citizens identify fake CBI notices and prevent digital arrest scams.

Q3: Which type of scams is ABHAY mainly designed to combat?

Ans: Cyber-enabled fraud and impersonation scams.

Q4: Why was the ABHAY system developed?

Ans: Due to the increasing misuse of fake law enforcement notices, AI-generated content, and deepfakes by fraudsters.

Common Criteria Development Board

May 16, 2026

Common Criteria Development Board Latest News

Recently, India has been nominated as the Chair of the Common Criteria Development Board (CCDB) from April 2026 to April 2028.

About Common Criteria Development Board

It serves as the technical core of the Common Criteria Recognition Arrangement (CCRA).
It focuses on the technical standards and evaluation criteria that secure global IT products.
- The Common Criteria Recognition Arrangement (CCRA) is the foundational international treaty that enables the mutual recognition of IT security certificates across borders.
- India has been an active member of the CCRA since September 16, 2013, as a Certificate Authorizing Nation.
- Nodal Agencies: In India, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) and STQC Directorate which acts as the official Certification Body for IT security evaluations.
- The CCRA comprises 20 certificate-authorizing nations and 18 certificate-consuming nations.
Key Functions of Common Criteria Development Board

- Common Evaluation Methodology (CEM): It is managing the international work program for the Common Criteria (CC) and the Common Methodology for Information Technology Security Evaluation (CEM).
- Portal Management: It maintains the Common Criteria Portal, which is the authoritative global repository for certified secure IT products.
- Global IT security evaluation frameworks
- Technical work programmes for secure technology certification

Source: PIB

Common Criteria Development Board FAQs

Q1: Which Indian agency is the national scheme for Common Criteria certification?

Ans: STQC under MeitY

Q2: When did India become an authorizing member of CCRA?

Ans: When did India become an authorizing member of CCRA?

Netherlands

May 16, 2026

Netherlands Latest News

Recently, the Prime Minister of India visited the Netherlands on the second leg of his five-nation tour.

About Netherlands

Location: It is a country located in Northwestern Europe.
Bordering Countries: It is bordered by Germany in the east; and Belgium in the south.
Water Bodies: It is bounded by the North Sea in the north and west.
Capital City: Amsterdam

Geographical Features of Netherlands

Climate: The climate of the Netherlands is temperate, with gentle winters, cool summers, and rainfall in every season.
Three primary geographic regions of the Netherlands are the Lowlands, the Veluwe and Utrecht Hill Ridge, and The Limburg Hills.
Lakes: Ijsselmeer (largest freshwater lake)
Rivers: Major rivers flow through the Netherlands are Rhine, Meuse (Maas), and Scheldt
Highest Point: Vaalserberg is the highest point (1,058 feet) of the Netherlands.
Natural Resources: It has one of the world's largest natural gas fields. Other resources are zinc, and magnesium.

Source: TH

Netherlands FAQs

Q1: Which court of the UN is located at The Hague, Netherlands?

Ans: International Court of Justice (ICJ) and International Criminal Court

Q2: What is the Capital city of the Netherlands?

Ans: Amsterdam

Research and Analysis Wing (RAW)

May 16, 2026

Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) Latest News

Addressing the R N Kao Memorial Lecture-2026 organised by the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), the Home Minister recently called for uniform laws and processes across the globe for drug trafficking, extradition of drug kingpins, and sharing of intelligence.

About Research and Analysis Wing (RAW)

It is India’s external intelligence agency.
It plays a crucial role in counter-terrorism, counter-proliferation, cybersecurity, and monitoring threats from outside the country.
It is headquartered in New Delhi.

Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) Formation

Until 1968, the Intelligence Bureau (IB), which is responsible for India’s internal intelligence, also handled external intelligence.
However, after the 1962 China-India war and the Indo-Pakistani war in 1965, India established a separate and distinct external intelligence organization–the R&AW.
Rameshwar Nath Kao was the first chief of R&AW.
Since its inception, RAW is credited with providing intelligence support to many significant operations on foreign soil.

Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) Working Mechanism

It collects military, economic, scientific, and political intelligence through covert and overt operations.
The agency is also charged with monitoring terrorist elements and smuggling rings that transport weapons and ammunition into India.
Indian officials rely on the intelligence collected by RAW to shift national security policy, revise foreign policy, and to influence international public opinion.

Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) Authority

It directly comes under the prime ministerial office of India.
The Agency reports directly to the prime minister of India and not to anyone other than the PMO.
Because R&AW is a necessarily secretive organization, many of its activities remain classified.
The agency is not liable to answer any questions in the Parliament and the parliamentarians do not have the authority to raise questions on the funds which are allocated to the agency.

Source: TP

Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) FAQs

Q1: What is the primary role of Research and Analysis Wing (RAW)?

Ans: It is India’s external intelligence agency.

Q2: In which year was Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) established?

Ans: 1968.

Q3: Who was the first chief of Research and Analysis Wing (RAW)?

Ans: Rameshwar Nath Kao.

Q4: Which office directly controls Research and Analysis Wing (RAW)?

Ans: Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

Chaprala Wildlife Sanctuary

May 16, 2026

Chaprala Wildlife Sanctuary Latest News

The irrigation engineers of Telangana say they would ensure that the proposed Pranahita-Chevella barrage on River Pranahita does not submerge the Chaprala wildlife sanctuary located near the barrage site.

About Chaprala Wildlife Sanctuary

It is located in the Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra.
It is located on the bank of the confluence of the Wardha and Wainganga rivers.
The Pranhita River flows along its western boundary.
During the monsoons, river water swells and enters the sanctuary.
Additionally, several water bodies, including the Murgikunta, Raikonta, and Komatkunta tanks, further contribute to the sanctuary’s biodiversity.
It is also home to the indigenous Gond tribal community.
Vegetation: It is dominated by southern tropical dry deciduous forests interspersed with grasslands.
Flora: The dominant tree species include teak, arjun, salai, mahua, bel, dhawada, tendu, sissoo, and semal.
Fauna:
- It is inhabited by Tiger, Leopard, Wild boar, Sloth bear, Wild dogs, Langurs, Blackbuck, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Jackal, Mongoose, etc.
- The sanctuary also features a distinctive riparian ecosystem that supports a diverse aquatic fauna, including fish, prawns, and turtles.

Key Facts about Pranahita River

It is a significant tributary of the Godavari River, formed by the confluence of the Wardha and Wainganga rivers.
It flows through the states of Maharashtra and Telangana.
The river course is principally through the dense forests, which are rich in Sagwan or timber trees.
By virtue of its extensive network of tributaries, the river drains all of the Vidharba region as well as the southern slopes of the Satpura Ranges.
The river is known for its vast catchment area and plays a key role in irrigation and local agriculture.
In recent years, the Pranahita-Chevella Lift Irrigation Project was proposed to utilize the river’s water for irrigation and drinking water supply to drought-prone areas in Telangana.

Source: DC

Chaprala Wildlife Sanctuary FAQs

Q1: Where is the Chaprala Wildlife Sanctuary located?

Ans: In the Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra.

Q2: Which river flows along the western boundary of Chaprala Wildlife Sanctuary?

Ans: The Pranhita River.

Q3: Which indigenous tribal community lives in the Chaprala Wildlife Sanctuary region?

Ans: The Gond tribal community.

Q4: What type of vegetation dominates Chaprala Wildlife Sanctuary?

Ans: Southern tropical dry deciduous forests.

International Telecommunication Union

May 16, 2026

International Telecommunication Union Latest News

India strengthened its position in the global telecommunications and digital policy landscape during the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Council 2026 meeting held in Geneva, Switzerland.

About International Telecommunication Union

It is the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies.
Historical Background
- It was established in 1865 as the International Telegraph Union.
- In 1947 the ITU became a specialized agency of the United Nations.
It is an intergovernmental organization that coordinates between governments and private sector bodies with respect to global telecommunication and information communication technology (ICT) services.
Member countries: It has a membership of 194 countries and more than 1000 companies, universities and international and regional organizations.
India and ITU: India has been an active member of the ITU since 1869 and has been a regular member of the ITU Council since 1952.
Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.

Functions of International Telecommunication Union

Allocate global radio spectrum and satellite orbits;
Coordination and setting of technical standards related to telecommunication/ICT;
Work to improve access to ICTs in underserved communities worldwide;

Governance of International Telecommunication Union

ITU Council: It acts as the governing body of the ITU and comprises 48 elected Member States.
It meets annually in Geneva to oversee the organisation’s strategy, policy, budget and financial control.
India has been a member of the ITU Council since 1952.

Source: DD News

International Telecommunication Union FAQs

Q1: Where is the headquarters of ITU is located?

Ans: Geneva, Switzerland

Q2: What are the responsibilities of ITU?

Ans: Allocating global radio spectrum and satellite orbits + setting telecom standards

Ebola

May 16, 2026

Ebola Latest News

A new Ebola outbreak has emerged in the Democratic Republic of Congo's eastern Ituri province, according to the country's health ministry, which has reported the death toll to be 65 so far.

About Ebola

It is a severe and often deadly viral disease caused by a group of viruses known as orthoebolaviruses (formerly ebolavirus).
It is a severe contagious disease affecting humans and non-human primates.
Ebola, first identified in 1976 in southern Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, primarily affects remote villages in Central and West Africa.
It is known as a hemorrhagic fever virus because it can cause problems with the clotting system of the body and lead to internal bleeding as blood leaks from small blood vessels.

Ebola Transmission

The virus is transmitted to people from wild animals (such as fruit bats, porcupines, and non-human primates).
It then spreads in the human population through direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs, or other bodily fluids of infected people and with surfaces and materials contaminated with these fluids.
Ebola cannot be transmitted by air.
Infectious period:
- Infected individuals are not contagious during the incubation period and become infectious once they begin to develop symptoms.
- They remain infectious as long as the virus is present in the blood.

Ebola Symptoms

Incubation period: Typically 5 to 15 days; range is 2 to 21 days.
Symptoms include fever, diarrhea, vomiting, bleeding, and often, death.
The average Ebola disease case fatality rate is around 50%. Case fatality rates have varied from 25–90% in past outbreaks.

Ebola Treatment

There is no known cure for Ebola.
There are no approved drugs or vaccines available to treat EVD, although experimental vaccines and therapeutics are being tested.
Recovery seems to depend in part on how much virus a person was initially exposed to, how early treatment is started, and on the patient's age and immune response.
Chances of survival can be improved with early supportive care.
Current therapy consists of maintenance of fluid and electrolyte balance and the administration of blood and plasma to control bleeding.

Source: HT

Ebola FAQs

Q1: What is Ebola?

Ans: Ebola is a severe and often deadly viral disease caused by orthoebolaviruses.

Q2: Which organisms are affected by Ebola?

Ans: Humans and non-human primates.

Q3: Which regions are mainly affected by Ebola outbreaks?

Ans: Central and West Africa.

Q4: How does Ebola spread among humans?

Ans: Through direct contact with infected blood, secretions, organs, bodily fluids, or contaminated surfaces.

Q5: Is there a known cure for Ebola?

Ans: There is no known cure for Ebola.

Uturuncu Volcano

May 16, 2026

Uturuncu Volcano Latest News

Recently, it was revealed that the eruption of Mount Uturuncu volcano could become imminent, since new batches of hot magma were making their way up from the depths.

About Uturuncu Volcano

Location: It is a large dormant volcano located in southwestern Bolivia, within the Andes Mountains.
Uturuncu is known as a “zombie” volcano for showing signs of activity despite being considered geologically dead.
It is a stratovolcano dominated by dacitic lava domes and flows.
It is about 6,008 meters (19,711 feet) above sea level — it is the tallest mountain in the southern part of Bolivia.
Previous Eruption: Uturuncu last erupted 250,000 years ago, yet is seismically active and lies at the centre of a 70 km diameter uplifted region.
Beneath Uturuncu at a depth of about 10 to 20 kilometers lies a vast reservoir of magma called the Altiplano-Puna Magma Body.
- It is spanning roughly 200 kilometers, it is the biggest known active magma body in the planet’s crust.
- The volcano displays a distinct “sombrero” shape, with the center rising and the surrounding areas sinking.
The volcano currently experiences hundreds of small earthquakes per year.

Source: TOI

Uturuncu Volcano FAQs

Q1: Uturuncu Volcano is located in which country?

Ans: Bolivia

Q2: Uturuncu lies in which mountain range?

Ans: Andes