UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 8 June 2026

Kirthai-II Hydroelectric Project

June 8, 2026

Kirthai-II Hydroelectric Project Latest News

A year after placing the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) in abeyance, the government recently revived the long-stalled Kirthai Stage II Hydroelectric Project on the Chenab river in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir.

About Kirthai-II Hydroelectric Project

It is a 930 MW hydropower project planned on the Chenab River in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir.
The project is being developed by Chenab Valley Power Projects.
NHPC and Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development currently own the project having ownership stakes of 51% and 49%, respectively.
It is a run-of-river project. The hydro reservoir capacity is planned to be 51.26 million cubic meters.
It is designed to include a 121 m-high concrete gravity dam, a 4.29 km-long headrace tunnel, an 840 MW underground powerhouse, and a 90 MW dam toe powerhouse.

Key Facts about Chenab River

It is a tributary of the Indus River.
Origin:
- It is formed by the confluence of two streams, Chandra and Bhaga, in the Lahaul and Spiti Districts of Himachal Pradesh.
- In its upper reaches, it is also known as the Chandrabhaga.
- It flows through the Jammu and Kashmir union territory, Himachal Pradesh, and after receiving the Jhelum River near Trimmu, the Chenab empties into the Sutlej River.
Major Tributaries:
- Left Bank: Niru, Tawi, Neeru, and Liddrari
- Right Bank: Ans, Bhut Nalla, Bichleri, Kalnai Marusudar, and Miyar Nalla.
Major Dams on Chenab River: Salal (rockfill dam), Aalal (concrete dam), Baglihar, and Dul.

Source: SW

Kirthai-II Hydroelectric Project FAQs

Q1: On which river is the Kirthai-II Hydroelectric Project planned?

Ans: The Chenab River.

Q2: Where is the Kirthai-II Hydroelectric Project situated?

Ans: Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Q3: What type of hydropower project is Kirthai-II?

Ans: A run-of-river project.

Q4: What are the major components of the Kirthai-II Hydroelectric Project?

Ans: A 121 m-high concrete gravity dam, a 4.29 km-long headrace tunnel, an 840 MW underground powerhouse, and a 90 MW dam toe powerhouse.

Autoimmune Blistering Diseases (AIBDs)

June 8, 2026

Autoimmune Blistering Diseases (AIBDs) Latest News

A joint study by Punjabi University, Patiala, and PGIMER, Chandigarh, has developed artificial intelligence-based methods to aid diagnosis of Autoimmune Blistering Diseases (AIBDs).

About Autoimmune Blistering Diseases (AIBDs)

Autoimmune Blistering Diseases (AIBDs), also called autoimmune bullous disorders, are a group of rare skin diseases.
They happen when your immune system attacks your skin and mucous membranes -- the lining inside your mouth, nose, and other parts of your body. This causes blisters to form.
Symptoms:
- The places on your body where blisters form depend on which disorder you have.
- Some AIBDs cause blisters to grow on the skin.
- Other types cause them to form in the mucous membranes that line the mouth, nose, throat, eyes, and genitals.
- They can be painful or itchy. They can break open and leave a sore.
Although rare, AIBDs can be severe and even life-threatening if untreated because of:
- Extensive skin loss
- Secondary infections
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Damage to mucous membranes and eyes
Treatment aims to suppress the abnormal immune response and prevent new blister formation:
- Corticosteroids
- Immunosuppressive drugs
- Biologic therapies such as Rituximab
- Wound care and infection prevention

Source: TOI

Autoimmune Blistering Diseases (AIBDs) FAQs

Q1: What are Autoimmune Blistering Diseases (AIBDs)?

Ans: AIBDs are a group of rare skin diseases in which the immune system attacks the skin and mucous membranes, causing blisters.

Q2: What is the primary result of the immune system attack in Autoimmune Blistering Diseases (AIBDs)?

Ans: Formation of blisters.

Q3: What are mucous membranes?

Ans: They are the linings inside the mouth, nose, and other parts of the body.

Q4: What are the common symptoms of Autoimmune Blistering Diseases (AIBDs)?

Ans: Painful or itchy blisters that may break open and leave sores.

Jhajjar-Bachauli Wildlife Sanctuary

June 8, 2026

Jhajjar-Bachauli Wildlife Sanctuary Latest News

The Punjab forest department recently prepared a ₹5.36-crore development plan for the Jhajjar-Bachauli Wildlife Sanctuary in Rupnagar district.

About Jhajjar-Bachauli Wildlife Sanctuary

It is located in the Rupnagar district of Punjab.
It lies near the Sutlej (Satluj) River in the foothills of the Shivalik Range.
Vegetation: The sanctuary is characterized by dry deciduous forests.
Flora: The sanctuary boasts a vibrant array of plant life, such as Eucalyptus, Khair, Neem, Shisham, and Amla, many of which hold medicinal properties.
Fauna: It shelters various wildlife including Sambar deer, Barking deer, Hare, Jackal, migratory Leopards, Blue Bull (Nilgai), Mongoose, Jungle Cat, Porcupine, Pangolin, Wild Boar, and a variety of birds and reptiles like Python, Cobra, and Monitor Lizard.
In January 2026, the Punjab State Board for Wildlife approved renaming the sanctuary as Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Wildlife Sanctuary in honor of Guru Tegh Bahadur.

Source: HT

Jhajjar-Bachauli Wildlife Sanctuary FAQs

Q1: Where is the Jhajjar-Bachauli Wildlife Sanctuary located?

Ans: It is located in the Rupnagar district of Punjab.

Q2: Near which river is the Jhajjar-Bachauli Wildlife Sanctuary situated?

Ans: It lies near the Sutlej (Satluj) River.

Q3: What type of vegetation characterizes the Jhajjar-Bachauli Wildlife Sanctuary?

Ans: Dry deciduous forests.

Pyroprocessing

June 8, 2026

Pyroprocessing Latest News

Pyroprocessing is being used in many sectors across the globe.

About Pyroprocessing

It is a way to change a solid material physically or chemically using high temperature.
It is a dry process and very energy-intensive. Three sectors that use it most are cement-making, metallurgy, and nuclear power.

Applications of Pyroprocessing

Cement Making
- This sector uses pyroprocessing the most and it involves
- First, finely ground limestone, clay and iron — the raw materials — are fed into a rotary kiln.
- As the temperature increases to 900° C, the limestone loses its carbon dioxide, and at around 1,450° C, the mix partly melts to form marble-sized nodules called clinker.
- The clinker is then ground to produce cement.
Metallurgy Sector
- Pyroprocessing is used to extract metals from their ores in multiple stages.
- For example, sulphide ores are heated in air — or roasted — to convert them into metal oxides, like zinc sulphide.
- Smelting melts an ore to separate the metal from waste impurities called slag.
Nuclear industry
- It uses pyroprocessing to reprocess spent nuclear fuel.
- First, used nuclear fuel is broken up into pieces and placed in a salt bath — usually a mixture of lithium and potassium chlorides at 500° C or more.
- Then, an electric current is passed through the salt bath, causing different elements to become separated depending on their electrochemical properties.
- Operators then recover the elements of interest in separate streams.

Source: TH

Pyroprocessing FAQs

Q1: Pyroprocessing is a technique mainly used in which industry?

Ans: Used in cement, metallurgy, and nuclear fuel cycle

Q2: Which material is commonly used as electrolyte in pyroprocessing of spent nuclear fuel?

Ans: Molten lithium chloride-potassium chloride salt at ∼500°C

Land Port Management System

June 8, 2026

Land Port Management System Latest News

The Union Home Minister is going to launch the Land Port Management System (LPMS) in New Delhi.

About Land Port Management System

It is a state-of-the-art digital platform designed to integrate operations across Land Ports into a unified system.

Features of Land Port Management System

Real time information: It enables secure, real-time exchange of logistics and regulatory information, bringing land ports at par with digital systems operational at airports and seaports.
Inclusion and Coordination: LPMS will facilitate seamless coordination among various stakeholders, including government agencies and private operators,
Digitization: The system introduces end-to-end digital workflows for cargo and passenger processing, including slot booking, payments, tracking, and single-window clearances.
Integration with Platforms: It is fully integrated with key national platforms such as ICEGATE, ULIP, and the motor vehicle ecosystem.
LPMS will enable interoperable, efficient, and transparent border management.
Significance: It reduces delays and enhances operational efficiency.

Key Facts about Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI)

It is a statutory body under the Department of Border Management, Ministry of Home Affairs.
It is responsible for developing and managing land ports to facilitate trade, connectivity, and regional cooperation.
Currently, LPAI operates 15 land ports across India’s international borders:
- India-Pakistan Border (2): Attari (Punjab) and Dera Baba Nanak (Punjab)
- India–Nepal Border (3): Rupaidiha (Uttar Pradesh), Raxaul (Bihar) and Jogbani (Bihar)
- India–Bhutan Border (1): Darranga (Assam)
- India–Bangladesh Border (8) : Petrapole (West Bengal), Dawki (Meghalaya), Sutarkandi, Golakganj and Mankachar (Assam), Agartala, Srimantapur and Sabroom (Tripura)
- India–Myanmar Border (1): Moreh (Manipur)

Source: PIB

Land Port Management System FAQs

Q1: Land Ports Authority of India functions under which ministry?

Ans: Ministry of Home Affairs

Q2: What is the main purpose of LPMS?

Ans: Digitizes passenger & cargo movement, reduces dwell time at Integrated Check Posts

Bascanichthys chepakakiensis

June 8, 2026

Bascanichthys chepakakiensis Latest News

Recently, marine scientists have discovered a new species of snake eel and officially named Bascanichthys chepakakiensis.

About Bascanichthys chepakakiensis

It is a new species of snake eel discovered in Kakinada fishing harbour in Andhra Pradesh.
The specific name, chepakakiensis, is a combination of two words from the regional Telugu language: chepa, which means "fish," and "kaki, a shortened nickname for Kakinada.
It is the only second time a species of this snake-eel genus has been described from Indian waters.

Features of Bascanichthys chepakakiensis

It has a distinct bicoloured body.
It has a noticeably shorter snout, a different tooth arrangement in its jaws, and fewer vertebrae before its anal fin.
It also possesses incredibly tiny, flap-like pectoral fins that are barely visible.

What are Snake eels?

Snake eels are members of the family Ophichthidae, and are named for their snake-like appearance
Habitat: These eels mainly live in sandy areas in shallow seas, however some live in depths to 800m.
Distribution: They are found in both tropical and temperate waters in oceans around the world.
The snake eel uses its tail to burrow backward into the sea bottom, creating a protective burrow.

Source: RM

Bascanichthys chepakakiensis FAQs

Q1: . The species Bascanichthys chepakakiensis belongs to which family?

Ans: Ophichthidae family, commonly called snake eels

Q2: Bascanichthys chepakakiensis was discovered in which Indian state?

Ans: Andhra Pradesh

Indonesia

June 8, 2026

Indonesia Latest News

Recently, India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM) and Indonesian counterpart co-chaired the 8th Indonesia–India Joint Commission Meeting in New Delhi.

About Indonesia

Location: It is an archipelagic nation located off the Southeast Asian mainland in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Bordering countries: It is bordered by Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, and Timor-Leste.
Maritime Border: It is surrounded by the Indian Ocean in the south; by the Pacific Ocean (South China Sea) in the north.
Capital City: Jakarta.

Geographical Features of Indonesia

Terrain: The major Indonesian islands are characterized by densely forested volcanic mountains in the interior that slope downward to coastal plains covered by thick alluvial swamps.
Climate: The climate of Indonesia is almost everywhere equatorial, ie hot, humid and rainy throughout the year
Rivers: Main Rivers are Kapuas, Barito, Musi, and Digul.
Highest Peak: Puncak Jaya 16,502 ft (5,030 m)
Natural Resources: It is dominated by natural gas and crude petroleum. Other major mineral exports include coal, nickel, bauxite, gold, tin, and copper.

Source: DD News

Indonesia FAQs

Q1: Indonesia is located between which two oceans?

Ans: Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean

Q2: Which strait lies between Sumatra and Malay Peninsula?

Ans: Malacca Strait

Barren Island

June 8, 2026

Barren Island Latest News

Far from the mainland, Barren Island in the Andaman Sea remains the only confirmed active volcano in South Asia and one of India’s strangest territories.

About Barren Island

It is a volcanic island located in the Andaman Sea.
It is the emergent summit of a volcano that rises about 2,250 meters from the sea floor, poking 354 meters above sea level.
It is a part of the Indian union territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
It lies about 138 kilometers northeast of the territory’s capital, Port Blair.
It lies above the subduction zone of the India and Burmese plates.
This island is about three kilometers in diameter and has a big crater of the volcano, about half a kilometer away from the shore.
- It is the only active volcano in South Asia. It is the only active volcano among the chain of islands from Myanmar to Sumatra.
- It is a stratovolcano composed of lava, rock fragments, and volcanic ash.
- It has erupted multiple times in recent history, with the most recent significant eruptions occurring in 2017.
The volcanic zone is devoid of vegetation and covered in sharp basaltic rocks that cover nearly half its area.
The island itself is extraordinarily remote and largely uninhabited.

Source: N18

Barren Island FAQs

Q1: What is Barren Island?

Ans: A volcanic island located in the Andaman Sea.

Q2: In which sea is Barren Island located?

Ans: The Andaman Sea.

Q3: Barren Island lies above the subduction zone of which two tectonic plates?

Ans: The India Plate and the Burmese Plate.

Q4: What type of volcano is Barren Island?

Ans: A stratovolcano.

Bhakra Dam

June 8, 2026

Bhakra Dam Latest News

The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) recently commissioned an emergency study after detecting that the main wall of the Bhakra dam on the Sutlej river along the Punjab-Himachal Pradesh border is tilting outward beyond permissible limits.

About Bhakra Dam

It is a concrete gravity dam across the Sutlej River.
It is located at a gorge near the upstream Bhakra village in the Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh.
It is near the border between Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.
It is the highest straight gravity dam in the world, with a height of about 207.26 meters.
It is Asia’s second tallest dam, next to the 261 m Tehri Dam, also in India.
History:
- The Bhakra Dam is one of the earliest river valley development schemes undertaken by India after independence.
- The construction of this dam started in 1948, when Jawahar Lal Nehru, the first prime minister of India, poured the first bucket of concrete into the foundations of Bhakra.
- The dam was completed by the end of 1963.
- Bhakra Dam was described as the ‘New Temple of Resurgent India’ by Jawaharlal Nehru.
- Operation and maintenance of the Bhakra dam is done by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).
The dam created the massive Gobind Sagar reservoir and plays a crucial role in irrigation, flood control, and hydroelectric power generation for Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, and Chandigarh.
- The 90 km long reservoir is spread over an area of 168.35 sq.km.
- In terms of storage of water, it is the second largest reservoir in India, the first being Indira Sagar Dam in Madhya Pradesh with a capacity of 12.22 billion cu m.
Nangal Dam is another dam downstream of Bhakra Dam. Sometimes both the dams together are called the Bhakra-Nangal Dam, though they are two separate dams.
- Nangal Dam is an earthen dam with a height of 29 meters and a length of 305 meters.
- It serves as an auxiliary dam to channel the water released from Bhakra Dam to two powerhouses.
- The installed capacity of Bhakra Right Bank Power House is 785 MW, and that of Bhakra Left Bank Power House is 630 MW.

Source: HT

Bhakra Dam FAQs

Q1: Where is the Bhakra Dam located?

Ans: Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh.

Q2: Across which river is the Bhakra Dam constructed?

Ans: The Sutlej River.

Q3: What type of dam is the Bhakra Dam?

Ans: A concrete gravity dam.

Q4: Which dam is Asia’s second tallest dam?

Ans: Bhakra Dam.

e-Jagriti Platform

June 8, 2026

e-Jagriti Platform Latest News

Recently, the e-Jagriti platform has been awarded the Silver Award at the prestigious National Awards for e-Governance (NAeG) 2026.

About e-Jagriti Platform

It is a flagship initiative by the Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.
It was launched on 1 January 2025.
It is aimed at strengthening the consumer dispute redressal system across the country.

Features of e-Jagriti Platform

Global Accessibility: NRIs and citizens can file and manage cases from any location, with secure end-to-end encryption and role-based permissions.
Inclusivity: Features like multilingual interfaces and accessibility tools make it user-friendly for diverse demographics.
Integrated Platforms: It has unified four legacy applications Online Case Monitoring System (OCMS), e-Daakhil, NCDRC CMS and CONFONET into a single AI-enabled, paperless platform.
AI-Powered smart search: It has case filing, online fee payment, case monitoring modules for seamless disposal of cases by all the Commissions, has Smart search facility on archived consumer complaints / cases / judgements using AI technology for metadata and keyword creation, and Voice-to-text conversion of judgements, case history and other details using AI / ML technology.
It enabled consumers to file complaints, track case statuses, and access judgments online.
The platform played a vital role in digitizing consumer commissions and empowering citizens by providing easy access to legal remedies.
It provides simple, fast and a more cost-effective consumer disputes redressal software solution at all levels.

Source: PIB

e-Jagriti Platform FAQs

Q1: What is the main purpose of e-Jagriti platform?

Ans: For e-filing, virtual hearings, case tracking in Consumer Commissions

Q2: e-Jagriti platform is an initiative of which ministry?

Ans: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution