UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 24 June 2026

Antaram idukki

June 24, 2026

Antaram idukki Latest News

A team of researchers has discovered a new genus and species of tiger moth from the southern Western Ghats and named it as Antaram idukki.

About Antaram idukki

It belongs to the tiger moth subfamily Arctiinae (Erebidae).
It was discovered in Kerala’s Idukki district.
It is currently known only from Idukki and is distinguished from related genera by a unique combination of external and genital morphological characters.
- Tiger moths play a crucial ecological role as pollinators, particularly for plants that bloom at night.
- They also serve as an important food source for birds, bats and other wildlife, while acting as biological indicators of environmental change.

What are Moths?

These are insects that belong to the order Lepidoptera, which they share with butterflies.
Characteristics
- Highly adapted, they live in all but polar habitats.
- They often have duller colors compared to butterflies, which helps with camouflage. Some, like the luna moth or atlas moth, are vividly colored.
- Moth antennae are often feathery, unlike the thin and clubbed antennae of butterflies.
- Most moths are active at night, but some are diurnal.
- The larvae and adults of most moth species are plant eaters. Larvae in particular do considerable damage to ornamental trees and shrubs and to many other plants of economic importance.

Source: TH

Antaram idukki FAQs

Q1: What is Antaram idukki?

Ans: New genus & species of Tiger Moth

Q2: Which subfamily does Antaram idukki belong to?

Ans: Arctiinae, family Erebidae

Vitamin B3

June 24, 2026

Vitamin B3 Latest News

A clinical trial is exploring whether high doses of vitamin B3 could give patients with glioblastoma a better chance against aggressive brain cancer.

About Vitamin B3

Vitamin B3, or Niacin, is a water-soluble vitamin.
Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water. Leftover amounts of the vitamin leave the body through the urine.
The body keeps a small reserve of these vitamins, but they have to be taken on a regular basis to maintain the reserve.
It is naturally present in many foods, added to some food products, and available as a dietary supplement.
Your body gets niacin through food, but it also makes small amounts from the amino acid tryptophan, which can be found in protein sources like turkey and other animal foods.
The two most common forms of niacin in food and supplements are nicotinic acid and nicotinamide.
Functions:
- Niacin works in the body as a coenzyme, with more than 400 enzymes dependent on it for various reactions.
- Niacin helps to convert nutrients into energy, create cholesterol and fats, create and repair DNA, and exert antioxidant effects.
- Due to Niacin's positive effects on cholesterol levels, it may help prevent heart disease.
- Additionally, it may reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, which are associated with atherosclerosis, or the hardening of the arteries.
Food Sources: It is found in many foods, both from animals and plants.
- Red meat: beef, beef liver, pork
- Poultry
- Fish
- Brown rice
- Fortified cereals and breads
- Nuts, seeds
- Legumes
- Bananas
Deficiency:
- A severe niacin deficiency leads to pellagra, a condition that causes a dark, sometimes scaly rash to develop on skin areas exposed to sunlight; bright redness of the tongue; and constipation/diarrhea.
- Other signs of severe niacin deficiency include:
  - Depression
  - Headache
  - Fatigue
  - Memory loss
  - Hallucinations.

News: SD

Vitamin B3 FAQs

Q1: What is another name for Vitamin B3?

Ans: Niacin.

Q2: Is Vitamin B3 a water-soluble or fat-soluble vitamin?

Ans: It is a water-soluble vitamin.

Q3: What are the two most common forms of niacin found in foods and supplements?

Ans: Nicotinic acid and nicotinamide.

Q4: What role does niacin play in the body?

Ans: It acts as a coenzyme in numerous biochemical reactions.

Q5: How does niacin help in energy production?

Ans: It helps convert nutrients into energy.

Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar

June 24, 2026

Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar Latest News

The Ministry of Women and Child Development has invited nominations for the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP) 2026.

About Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar

It is the nation's highest civilian honour for children.
It is presented annually by the President of India on Veer Bal Diwas.
- Veer Bal Diwas is observed annually on December 26 in memory of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh.
It recognises exceptional achievements in six distinct categories namely: Bravery, Social Service, Environment, Sports, Art and Culture, Science and Technology.
Selection Committee: The awardees are selected by a committee constituted by the Union Minister for Women and Child Development and headed by the Secretary of the Ministry.

Eligibility for Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar

Citizenship: A child should be an Indian Citizen.
Age: A child above the age of 5 years and not exceeding 18 years (as of 31st July of respective year).
The act/incident/achievement should have been within 2 years of the last date of receipt of application/nomination for the year of consideration.
The number of awards will be 25, however, any relaxation to this maximum number may be permitted at the discretion of the National Selection Committee.
A child may be nominated in more than one category, although the committee reserves the right to consider only one application.
Any individual or institution can nominate a child. Children may also apply through self-nomination.
Recommendations are also invited from certain government entities and offices.
Each awardee is given a medal, a cash prize of Rs. 1 Lakh and certificate.

Source: DD News

Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar FAQs

Q1: What is Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar?

Ans: Highest civilian honour for children – given by MoWCD for exceptional achievement; age 5-18 years

Q2: How many categories are there in PMRBP?

Ans: 6 categories – Innovation, Social Service, Scholastic, Sports, Art & Culture, Bravery

International Maritime Organisation

June 24, 2026

International Maritime Organisation Latest News

Recently, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Secretary-General has announced a plan to evacuate all the ships — and the 11,000 seafarers on them — stranded in the Persian Gulf due to the war in West Asia.

About International Maritime Organisation

It is a specialized agency of the United Nations which is responsible for measures to improve the safety and security of international shipping and to prevent pollution from ships.
It is the global standard-setting authority for the safety, security and environmental performance of international shipping.
Mandate: Its main role is to create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective, universally adopted and universally implemented.
Background: It was established as the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO) in 1948, became a specialized agency of the United Nations in 1959 and was renamed International Maritime Organization in 1982.
Governance of the organisation
- Assembly: It is the highest Governing Body of the IMO. It consists of all Member States, and it meets once every two years in regular sessions. The Assembly is responsible for approving the work program, voting the budget and electing the Council.
- Council: It is the Executive Organ of the IMO and and consists of 40 elected members, is responsible, under the Assembly, for supervising the work of the Organization.
- Committees: The five policy-making committees are responsible for the development, review, updating, and approval of the organization’s guidelines and regulations.
Funding: Funding for the organization comes from contributions by member states, as well as voluntary donations and commercial activities.
Members: It currently has 176 Member States. (India has been a member since 1959)
Headquarters: London.

Source: TH

International Maritime Organisation FAQs

Q1: How many member states are in IMO?

Ans: 176 member states

Q2: What is the International Maritime Organisation?

Ans: UN specialized agency – for safe, secure, environmentally sound shipping

Burevestnik Missile

June 24, 2026

Burevestnik Missile Latest News

Russia’s mysterious Burevestnik cruise missile, known to NATO as SSC-X-9 Skyfall, recently returned to the spotlight after new research suggested the weapon may leave a trail of radioactive material in its wake as it flies.

About Burevestnik Missile

The Burevestnik, whose name translates as “storm petrel“, is a ground-launched, low-flying nuclear-powered, nuclear-armed cruise missile.
It was developed by Russia.
It is the world's first nuclear-powered cruise missile.
It is one of six strategic weapons that the Russian President introduced in a 2018 speech.
NATO refers to it as the SSC-X-9 Skyfall.

Burevestnik Missile Features

It is powered by a small nuclear reactor, which heats up air to propel the missile forward.
Its nuclear propulsion gives the missile much longer range than traditional turbojet or turbofan engines that are limited by how much fuel they can carry.
That propulsion gives it virtually unlimited range, allowing it to loiter for days, circling the enemy’s air defenses and attacking from an unexpected direction.
The missile is also designed to fly at low altitudes, much lower than a conventionally powered cruise missile, which would make it harder for air-defence radar to detect.

News: IE

Burevestnik Missile FAQs

Q1: What is the Burevestnik missile?

Ans: It is a ground-launched, low-flying, nuclear-powered, nuclear-armed cruise missile.

Q2: Which country developed the Burevestnik missile?

Ans: Russia.

Q3: Why is the Burevestnik missile considered unique?

Ans: It is the world's first nuclear-powered cruise missile.

Q4: What is the NATO designation for the Burevestnik missile?

Ans: SSC-X-9 Skyfall.

Sahariya Tribe

June 24, 2026

Sahariya Tribe Latest News

The President recently interacted with Cheetah Mitras and members of the Sahariya tribe at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh’s Sheopur district.

About Sahariya Tribe

It is one of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG).
They are also called by the names Seher, Sair, Savar, Saonar, Sahra, etc.
They live on the margins — in the forests and villages of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
They mostly live in a distinct settlement called ‘Seharana’ which is generally a cluster of houses.
- The houses are made of some stone boulders, and the roofing is also made of stone slabs – locally called Patore.
In some villages, mud structures are also constructed.
Language: While the Sahariyas have lost their original language, they speak the local dialects of the regions they inhabit.
Religion: They practice Hinduism infused with veneration of local deities like Bhavani, Gond Devta, and Bijasur, alongside animistic elements tied to their jungle-dwelling heritage
The Saharia are divided into five sub-tribes: the Jati, Arsi, Muli, Kindal, and Kumbi.
- This classification is based primarily on occupation.
- The Jati are farmers; the Arsi are weavers; the Muli are iron workers; the Kindal are basket makers; and the Kumbi are potters.
They are known for their dance, the Saharia Swang, which is performed during the month of Holi.
- The dance is performed to the beats of the dhol, nagari, and matki.
- It features a male dressed in female attire who dances around the male performers.
Livelihood:
- They are predominantly forest dwellers and make their living from forest produce, additionally cultivating small plots of land and work as landless labourers.
- They are particularly skilled in making catechu from khair trees.

News: NOA

Sahariya Tribe FAQ's

Q1: The Sahariya tribe is mainly found in which two Indian states?

Ans: Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Q2: By what other names are the Sahariya people known?

Ans: Seher, Sair, Savar, Saonar, and Sahra.

Q3: What are the traditional houses of the Sahariya tribe made of?

Ans: Stone boulders with roofs made of stone slabs called Patore.

Q4: What is the famous traditional dance of the Sahariya tribe?

Ans: Saharia Swang.

Volcan de Fuego

June 24, 2026

Volcan de Fuego Latest News

Tourists on Guatemala's Volcan de Fuego were caught off guard when the volcano erupted recently, and burning rocks began to rain down, forcing them to scramble down the slopes.

About Volcan de Fuego

Volcan de Fuego, which translates to “Volcano of Fire” in Spanish, is an active volcano located in Guatemala.
It is a relatively young basaltic stratovolcano.
It is one of three large stratovolcanoes overlooking Guatemala’s former capital, Antigua.
Nestled between the neighboring volcanoes of Acatenango and Agua, it rises dramatically to an altitude of 3,763 meters (12,346 feet) above sea level.
It forms part of the Central American Volcanic Arc, a chain of volcanoes stretching from Guatemala to Panama.
Guatemala lies on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” and experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity.
It lies on the boundary between the Cocos Plate and the Caribbean Plate.
Fuego has what scientists call an “open-vent system.”
- This means the volcano keeps a clear pathway for gas and magma to escape.
- Because of this open vent, it releases pressure through smaller, more frequent eruptions.
- The Fuego is known for its vulcanian activity, occasionally accompanied by pyroclastic flows.
It is one of the most active volcanoes in Central America and has erupted more than 60 times in the last 500 years.
A deadly eruption in 2018 claimed 194 lives and left 234 people missing.
Since then Volcan Fuego has continued to be active, but to a lesser extent, with small eruptions several times a day.
Typical activity is characterized by ashfall, pyroclastic flows, lava flows, and lahars.

News: NDTV

Volcan de Fuego FAQs

Q1: In which country is Volcán de Fuego located?

Ans: Guatemala.

Q2: What type of volcano is Volcán de Fuego?

Ans: It is an active basaltic stratovolcano.

Q3: Is Volcán de Fuego an active or dormant volcano?

Ans: It is one of the most active volcanoes in Central America.

Q4: Between which two volcanoes is Volcán de Fuego situated?

Ans: Acatenango and Agua.

Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services

June 24, 2026

Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services Latest News

Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) started releasing Specialized El Nino Bulletins to highlight the possible impacts of the ongoing El Nino on the Maritime Sectors.

About Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services

It was established as an autonomous body in 1999 under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) and is a unit of the Earth System Science Organisation (ESSO).
Mandate: It is mandated to provide ocean information and advisory services to society, industry, government agencies and the scientific community through sustained ocean observations and constant improvements through systematic and focussed research.
It is a permanent member of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC).
It established the Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC) which provides tsunami alerts within 10 minutes, serving India and 28 Indian Ocean countries.
Headquarter: It is located in Hyderabad, Telangana.
Initiatives of INCOIS
- Search and Rescue Aided Tool (SARAT): It is to assist the Indian Coast Guard, Navy and Coastal Security Police, in locating individuals or objects lost at sea.
- SynOPS visualization Platform: It integrates real-time data to strengthen response coordination during extreme events.

Source: PIB

Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services FAQs

Q1: What is INCOIS?

Ans: Autonomous body under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES)

Q2: Which early warning service of INCOIS is globally recognized?

Ans: Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC)

Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS

June 24, 2026

Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Latest News

Scientists studying the comet 3I/ATLAS have determined that this interstellar visitor is remarkably ancient – formed an estimated 10 to 12 billion years ago in a primordial planetary system.

About Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS

It is the third known interstellar object from outside our solar system after 1I/ʻOumuamua(2017) and 2I/Borisov (2019).
It was first observed by a NASA-supported telescope in Rio Hurtado, Chile, which is part of the ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) survey.
It will exit the solar system permanently after a brief interaction with the Sun.
Physical Characteristics of Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS
- It is confirmed to be an active comet, with a visible coma, a cloud of ice particles and dust surrounding the nucleus.
- Trajectory: It has hyperbolic orbit and travels at 57–68 km/s speed relative to the Sun.
- As it nears the Sun, it is expected to develop a tail, a characteristic cemetery feature formed by solar heating.
- Photometric analysis shows a reddish hue suggests the surface may be rich in complex organic compounds or water ice.

What are Interstellar Objects?

These are celestial bodies that originate outside the solar system, and travel through it. These objects are not gravitationally bound to a star.
They can come from other solar systems and be thrown into interstellar space (the area between the stars) due to collisions or be slingshotted by a planet’s or star’s gravity.
The trajectory of these objects is basically open-ended hyperbolic orbit, where there is a perihelion point (closest to the Sun) but no aphelion.

Source: IT

Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS FAQs

Q1: What does “3I” in 3I/ATLAS signify?

Ans: 3rd Interstellar object – “I” = interstellar; after 1I/ʻOumuamua 2017 & 2I/Borisov 2019

Q2: What is 3I/ATLAS?

Ans: Third confirmed interstellar object

Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve

June 24, 2026

Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve Latest News

A captive-bred Indian vulture released in Maharashtra’s Melghat in January this year has covered an astonishing 3,334 km, soaring across states before reaching the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan.

About Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve

It is located in the Sawai Madhopur district of southeastern Rajasthan.
It derives its name from the Ranthambore Fort (a World Heritage Site) situated within its precincts.
It is located at the junction (great boundary fault) of the Aravalis and Vindhyan ranges.
The area was once a royal hunting ground for the Maharajas of Jaipur.
It is one of the largest tiger reserves in northern India. It spans an area of roughly 1,411 sq.km.
It boasts a spectacular landscape filled with boulder-strewn highland plateaus, lakes, and rivers dotted with old forts and abandoned mosques.
Rivers: It is bounded to the north by the Banas River and to the south by the Chambal River.
There are several lakes in the park known as Padam Talab, Raj Bagh Talab, and Malik Talab.
Vegetation: It is dry deciduous forests and open grassy meadow.
Flora: Pure sands of Dhok tree (Anogeissus pendula) interspersed with grasslands at the plateaus, and other species like Acacia, Capparis, Zizyphus, Prosopis, etc are found here.
Fauna:
- It consists of leopard, caracal, jungle cat, sambar, chital, chinkara, and wild boar.
- Peacocks, partridges, green pigeons, parakeets, sparrows, prinias, warblers, etc. are examples of avifauna.

News: TP

Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve FAQs

Q1: Where is the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve located?

Ans: In the Sawai Madhopur district of southeastern Rajasthan.

Q2: At the junction of which two mountain ranges is the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve situated?

Ans: The Aravalli and Vindhyan ranges.

Q3: Which river forms the northern boundary of the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve?

Ans: The Banas River.

Q4: Which river forms the southern boundary of the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve?

Ans: The Chambal River.

Q5: What type of vegetation is found in the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve?

Ans: Dry deciduous forests and open grassy meadows.