UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 15 July 2026

by Vajiram & Ravi - 15 July 2026

Vajiram & Ravi provides Daily UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 15 July 2026, tailored for aspirants. We cover all relevant news and events crucial for the exam, ensuring you stay updated & well-prepared.

New Species of Bees

July 15, 2026
New Species of Bees

New Species of Bees Latest News

Researchers recently discovered two new species of solitary bees named Elaphropoda Triangulata and Habropoda Adi in Arunachal Pradesh.

About Elaphropoda Triangulata and Habropoda Adi

  • They are two new species of solitary bees.
  • They were discovered in Arunachal Pradesh.
  • Elaphropoda triangulata is named after the triangle-shaped markings on its abdomen.
  • Habropoda adi is named after the Adi indigenous community of Arunachal Pradesh, which inhabits the region where the bees were collected. 
  • They belong to the bee subfamily Anthophorinae, which consists largely of ground-nesting solitary bees.
    • Solitary bees are important pollinators that help maintain healthy ecosystems and support agriculture. 
    • Unlike honeybees, they do not live in colonies and usually nest alone.   
  • These bees were collected using Malaise traps, a passive sampling method that captures flying insects over extended periods and is particularly effective in detecting elusive or low-density species that conventional netting often misses.

News: TH

New Species of Bees FAQs

Q1: What are Elaphropoda triangulata and Habropoda adi?

Ans: They are two newly discovered species of solitary bees.

Q2: Where were Elaphropoda triangulata and Habropoda adi discovered?

Ans: Arunachal Pradesh.

Q3: Why is Elaphropoda triangulata named so?

Ans: It is named after the triangle-shaped markings on its abdomen.

Q4: Why is Habropoda adi named so?

Ans: It is named after the Adi indigenous community of Arunachal Pradesh.

Periyar Tiger Reserve

July 15, 2026
Periyar Tiger Reserve

Periyar Tiger Reserve Latest News

A conservation initiative in Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) seeks to demonstrate how the management of invasive species can protect biodiversity while simultaneously improving livelihoods of local populations.

About Periyar Tiger Reserve 

  • It is located in the Idukki district of Kerala.
  • It is set high at Cardamom Hills and Pandalam Hills of the Western Ghats, adjacent to the border with Tamil Nadu.
  • It surrounds the Periyar Lake, which was created in 1895 by building a dam across the Periyar River.
  • Terrain: 
    • The terrain is hilly and undulating with a maximum altitude of 2016 m. 
    • The highest peak is Kottamala (2016 m).
  • Rivers: Two major rivers, namely Periyar and Pamba, drain the area.
  • Dams: Mullaperiyar Dam is located within the PTR. 
  • Tribes: It is home to many tribal communities, including the Mannans and the Palians.
  • Vegetation: It mainly comprises tropical evergreen forests, semi- evergreen forests, moist deciduous forests, transitional fringe evergreen forests, grasslands, and eucalyptus plantations.
  • Flora: It includes Banyan, Sacred Fig, Teak, Royal Poinciana, Kino, Sandalwood, Rosewood, Mangoes, Bamboos, Jacarandas, Jamun, Tamarind, Gloriosa lily, and many more. 
  • Fauna: 
    • Several species of mammals are found here like Tiger, Gaur, Elephant, Sambar, Barking Deer, Indian Wild Dog, Mouse Deer, Wild Pig, Indian giant squirrel, Jungle cat, sloth bear, Nilgiri Tahr, ETC.
    • The major four species of primates are also found at Periyar – the rare lion-tailed macaque, the Nilgiri Langur, Gee’s Golden Langur, Common Langur, and Bonnet Macaque.
    • It is also being considered as the habitat of the elusive Nilgiri Tahr.

News: TH

Periyar Tiger Reserve FAQs

Q1: Where is the Periyar Tiger Reserve located?

Ans: Idukki district of Kerala.

Q2: In which mountain ranges is the Periyar Tiger Reserve situated?

Ans: The Cardamom Hills and Pandalam Hills of the Western Ghats.

Q3: Which two major rivers drain the Periyar Tiger Reserve?

Ans: The Periyar and Pamba rivers.

Q4: Which dam is located within the Periyar Tiger Reserve?

Ans: Mullaperiyar Dam.

Q5: Which type of forests dominate the vegetation of the Periyar Tiger Reserve?

Ans: Tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen, and moist deciduous forests.

Intron

July 15, 2026
Intron

Intron Latest News

Scientists visually tracked an RNA intron jumping from a predator to its prey, revealing insights into gene transfer across species.

About Intron

  • In some genes, not all of the DNA sequence is used to make protein.
  • Introns are noncoding sections of an RNA transcript, or the DNA encoding it, that are spliced out before the RNA molecule is translated into a protein. 
  • The sections of DNA (or RNA) that code for proteins are called exons. 
  • Following transcription, new, immature strands of messenger RNA, called pre-mRNA, may contain both introns and exons. 
  • The pre-mRNA molecule thus goes through a modification process in the nucleus called splicing during which the noncoding introns are cut out and only the coding exons remain. 
  • Splicing produces a mature messenger RNA molecule that is then translated into a protein. 
  • Introns are also referred to as intervening sequences. 
  • The length of introns differs among species and genes in the same species; mammals and flowering plants have multiple introns and are longer than exons. 
  • Introns may contain sequences that regulate how genes are expressed or transcribed and how mRNA is processed.

News: TH

Intron FAQs

Q1: What are introns?

Ans: Introns are noncoding sections of an RNA transcript or the DNA encoding it that are removed before protein synthesis.

Q2: Do introns code for proteins?

Ans: No, introns are noncoding sequences.

Q3: What are the protein-coding regions of a gene called?

Ans: Exons

Q4: What happens to pre-mRNA before it is translated into a protein?

Ans: Introns are removed and exons are joined together through splicing.

Codex Alimentarius Commission

July 15, 2026
Codex Alimentarius Commission

Codex Alimentarius Commission Latest News

India achieved significant milestones at the 49th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC49) held in Geneva, Switzerland. 

About Codex Alimentarius Commission

  • It is the international food standards-setting body.
  • It was established jointly by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in May 1963.
  • Objective: Protecting consumer’s health and ensuring fair practices in the food trade.
  • Headquarters: It has its headquarters in Rome.
  • Membership
    • Membership of the Commission is open to all Member Nations and Associate Members of FAO and WHO which are interested in international food standards.
    • Currently the CAC has 189 Codex Members made up of 188 Member Countries and 1 Member Organization (The European Union). 
    • India became a member of CAC in 1964.
  • Governance: The CAC consists of the following main organizational elements:Commission; Executive Committee;Codex Secretariat and Codex subsidiary bodies.
  • The Commission meets in regular session once a year, alternating between Geneva and Rome.
  • Funding: The programme of work of the Commission is funded through the regular budgets of WHO and FAO, with all work subject to approval of the two governing bodies of the parent organisations.

Source: PIB

Codex Alimentarius Commission FAQs

Q1: Codex Alimentarius Commission was established in which year?

Ans: 1963

Q2: CAC is jointly established by which two UN agencies?

Ans: Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO)

Maldives

July 15, 2026
Maldives

Maldives Latest News

Recently, the first round of negotiations for the India-Maldives Free Trade Agreement (FTA) concluded successfully.  

About Maldives

  • Location: It is an island country of South Asia located in the Arabian Sea region of the Indian Ocean.
  • It is located about 700 km (430 mi) off the coast of mainland Asia and to the southwest of India.
  • It has over 1,110 islands grouped into a double chain of 26 atolls. 
  • Capital City: Male

Geographical Features of Maldives

  • Topography: The topography of each of the islands vary from mostly sand to marshy wetlands.
  • It is separated from Lakshadweep by the Eight Degree Channel, a crucial sea route for India’s maritime movement.
  • Coral Reefs: It is home to the 7th largest coral reef system in the world, contributing 3.14% of global reef area.
  • The average height of the islands does not exceed 1.7 m above mean sea level.
  • Gan is the country's largest island and is located in the Laamu Atoll. 

Source: News On Air

Maldives FAQs

Q1: Maldives is located in which ocean?

Ans: Indian Ocean

Q2: What is the Capital of Maldives?

Ans: Male

Greater Sand-Plover

July 15, 2026
Greater Sand-Plover

Greater Sand Plover Latest News

A Greater Sand Plover (Anarhynchus leschenaultii), a migratory shorebird typically found along coastal mudflats and estuaries, was recently spotted at Chandu village, marking the fifth documented record of the species in the region.

About Greater Sand Plover

  • It is a small wader in the plover family of birds.  
  • Scientific Name: Charadrius leschenaultii 

Greater Sand Plover Habitat and Distribution

  • Found from Turkey to Jordon, Central Asia, Siberia, Mongolia, and northern China, wintering along the coasts of Africa, the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent, southern China, Japan, Southeast Asia, and Australasia. 
  • It breeds in high-elevation areas, where it favors arid, open habitats, sometimes near water. 
  • Winters on coastal mudflats and estuaries.

Greater Sand Plover Features

  • It is a medium-sized plover with a long, hefty bill.
  • Breeding adults have a dark mask and orangish chest, neck, and forehead; females are duller than males.
  • Non-breeding birds and immatures are sandy brown above and white below, with a white throat and “eyebrows.”
  • Additionally, unlike some Lesser Sand-Plovers, Greater never has a black boundary around the throat.
  • There is a thin band over the white of the forehead.  

Greater Sand Plover Conservation Status

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

News: TOI

Greater Sand Plove FAQs

Q1: What type of bird is the Greater Sand Plover?

Ans: It is a small wader.

Q2: Where does the Greater Sand Plover breed?

Ans: In high-elevation areas from Turkey to Jordan, Central Asia, Siberia, Mongolia, and northern China.

Q3: Where does the Greater Sand Plover spend the winter?

Ans: Along the coasts of Africa, the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent, southern China, Japan, Southeast Asia, and Australasia.

Q4: What type of habitat does the Greater Sand Plover prefer during the breeding season?

Ans: Arid, open habitats, sometimes near water.

Q5: What is the IUCN Red List status of the Greater Sand Plover?

Ans: Least Concern.

Krishna River

July 15, 2026
Krishna River

Krishna River Latest News

A week-long dry spell in the Western Ghats of Karnataka and Maharashtra has significantly reduced water inflows into the Krishna river and its tributaries.

About Krishna River

  • The Krishna River, also known as Krishnaveni, is a river of south-central India. 
  • It is India’s fourth-largest river by water inflows and basin area after the Ganga, Godavari, and Brahmaputra. 
  • It stretches approximately 1400 km. 
  • Course: 
    • The river rises in western Maharashtra state in the Western Ghats range near the town of Mahabaleshwar, not far from the coast of the Arabian Sea. 
    • It passes through the Indian states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh and meets the Bay of Bengal at Hamasaladeevi in Andhra Pradesh on the east coast.
  • The Krishna River Basin extends over an area of about 258,948 sq.km., which is nearly 8 percent of the total geographical area of the country. 
  • It is bounded by the Balaghat range on the north, by the Eastern Ghats on the south and the east, and by the Western Ghats on the west.
  • The principal tributaries joining Krishna are the Ghataprabha, the Malaprabha, the Bhima, the Tungabhadra, and the Musi.
  • The Krishna River and its tributaries create many beautiful waterfalls, such as:
    • Gokak Falls
    • Kalhati Falls
    • Theertham Falls
    • Manikyadhara Falls
    • Hampi Waterfall (formed by the Tungabhadra River)
    • Magod Falls (in the Yellapur taluk of North Canara district)
  • The major dams on the Krishna are the Lal Bahadur Shastri Dam (also known as Almatti Dam), the Nagarjuna Sagar, the Srisailam Dam, the Dhom Dam, the Narayanpur Dam, and the Jurala Dam. 
  • Historically, the Krishna River has been the lifeline for ancient kingdoms such as the Satavahanas and the Vijayanagara Empire. 

News: DH

Krishna River FAQs

Q1: Where does the Krishna River originate?

Ans: Near Mahabaleshwar in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra.

Q2: Into which sea does the Krishna River drain?

Ans: The Bay of Bengal.

Q3: Approximately how long is the Krishna River?

Ans: About 1,400 km.

Q4: Through which four Indian States does the Krishna River flow?

Ans: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.

Sulphur Dioxide

July 15, 2026
Sulphur Dioxide

Sulphur Dioxide Latest News

Recently, a new analysis showed that most sulphur dioxide around Delhi comes from coal plants which were exempted from pollution rules. 

About Sulphur Dioxide

  • It is an inorganic compound, a heavy, colorless, gas.
  • It is produced in huge quantities in intermediate steps of sulfuric acid manufacture.
  • Properties of Sulphur Dioxide
    • It is a colorless gas with a pungent odor.
    • It is a liquid when under pressure, and it dissolves in water very easily.
  • Applications: It is used to manufacture chemicals, in paper pulping, in metal and food processing.
  • Impacts of Sulphur Dioxide: It is harmful for human health, environment and climate.

Sources of Sulphur Dioxide

  • Burning of Coal: Sulfur dioxide in the air comes mainly from activities such as the burning of coal and oil at power plants or from copper smelting.
  • Industries: It is usually prepared industrially by the burning in air or oxygen of sulfur or such compounds of sulfur as iron pyrite or copper pyrite.
  • Natural Occurrence: In nature, sulfur dioxide can be released to the air from volcanic eruptions.
  • From Fossil Fuel burning: The largest source of SO2 in the atmosphere is the burning of fossil fuels by power plants and other industrial facilities.

Source: DTE 

Sulphur Dioxide FAQs

Q1: What is the chemical formula of Sulphur Dioxide ?

Ans: SO2​

Q2: SO2​ reacts with water to form which acid?

Ans: Sulphurous Acid

Valmiki Tiger Reserve

July 15, 2026
Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR)

Valmiki Tiger Reserve Latest News

The Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) in West Champaran is emerging as one of the state’s richest reptile habitats with more than 45 species of snakes recorded in its forests. 

About Valmiki Tiger Reserve

  • Location: It is located at the India-Nepal border in the northern part of the West Champaran District of Bihar. 
  • It forms the easternmost limit of the Himalayan Terai forests in India and is the only tiger reserve of Bihar.
  • It comprises the Valmiki National Park and the Valmiki Wild Sanctuary.
    • It is Situated in the Gangetic Plains bio-geographic zone of the country, the forest has a combination of Bhabar and Terai tracts.
  • Bordered by: It is surrounded by the Royal Chitwan National Park of Nepal in the north and the river Gandak on the western side.
  • Rivers: The Rivers Gandak, Pandai, Manor, Harha, Masan, and Bhapsa flow through various parts of the reserve.
  • Vegetation: The reserve boasts a variety of vegetation types, including tropical wet deciduous forests, grasslands, savannas, and riverine forests. 
  • Flora: Sal trees dominate the forests, but the region also features species like teak, bamboo, semal, and khair.
  • Fauna: Tiger, leopard, fishing cat, leopard cat, sambar, hog deer, spotted deer, black buck, gaur, sloth bear, langur, rhesus monkey, etc.

Source: TOI

Valmiki Tiger Reserve FAQs

Q1: Valmiki Tiger Reserve is located in which state?

Ans: Bihar

Q2: Valmiki TR shares its border with which country?

Ans: Nepal

Indian Grey Hornbill

July 15, 2026
Indian Grey hornbill

Indian Grey Hornbill Latest News

Gujarat has added another landmark achievement to its growing conservation story with the successful return of the Indian Grey Hornbill to the Gir forests after an absence of more than 60 years. 

About Indian Grey Hornbill

  • The Indian gray hornbill (Ocyceros birostris) is a tropical bird that can be found on the Indian subcontinent.
  • It is commonly sighted in pairs.
  • These birds are known to be arboreal, i.e. spend most of their time on tall trees, but may descend for food and to collect mud pellets for nesting. 
  • Appearance
    • It has grey feathers all over the body with a light grey or dull white belly.
    • The horn is black or dark grey with a casque extending to the point of curvature of the horn.
    • Unlike a lot of other birds, the male and female look similar.
  • Habitat: It is mainly found in deciduous forests, open woodlands and thorn forest as well as rural cultivation and urban gardens and parks.
  • Distribution: Indian subcontinent; found from north-east Pakistan and south Nepal east to north-west Bangladesh and south throughout most of India except in Assam.
  • Behaviour: They have various social activities, including bill-grappling and aerial jousting. Indian grey hornbills are quite noisy producing squealing calls.
  • Diet: The food is mainly fruits, particularly figs.
  • Ecological Role: They play an essential role in the ecosystem as prime dispersers of seeds, helping regenerate forests by transporting seeds of fruit-bearing trees across large areas.
  • Conservation status: IUCN: Least Concern.

Source: TH

Indian Grey Hornbill FAQs

Q1: Indian Grey Hornbill is found in which type of habitat?

Ans: Dry deciduous forests, urban areas and gardens

Q2: Indian Grey Hornbill is native to which country?

Ans: India and Nepal

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