UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 2 September 2026

by Vajiram & Ravi - 2 September 2026

Vajiram & Ravi provides Daily UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 2 September 2026, tailored for aspirants. We cover all relevant news and events crucial for the exam, ensuring you stay updated & well-prepared.

Lohit River

September 2, 2026
Lohit River

Lohit River Latest News

One person died, six were injured, and three others remained missing after a Delhi-registered vehicle carrying 10 people fell into the Lohit River recently.

About Lohit River

  • It is a major tributary of the Brahmaputra River in northeastern India.  
  • Course: 
    • It originates in eastern Tibet, in the Zayal Chu range, and surges through Arunachal Pradesh for 200 kilometers, joining the Brahmaputra in Assam. 
    • Entering India via the Anjaw district, it traverses deep valleys, dense forests, and remote tribal areas.
    • Some of the densest tropical jungles all over India are found in this area.  
    • The river is fast, fierce, and unpredictable, descending rapidly from the Tibetan plateau into narrow gorges. 
    • By the time it reaches India, it is a powerful force, crashing over boulders and carving through the Mishmi Hills. 
  • Why Is the Lohit Called the River of Blood?
    • Geologically, the Lohit Valley and Mishmi Hills are rich in laterite, an iron-heavy soil that gives the river a reddish hue during high flow after rainfall.  
  • Rivers Dau, Dalai, and Tidding are its major tributaries on the right bank, and river Lang is the major tributary on the left bank.  
  • Being the principal river of Arunachal Pradesh, it largely contributes towards the drinking water supply, agriculture, and energy needs. 
  • A Hindu pilgrimage known as Parshuram Kund is nestled on the lower reaches of Lohit.

News:ANI

Lohit River FAQs

Q1: Lohit River is a tributary of which major river?

Ans: It is a major tributary of the Brahmaputra River.

Q2: Where does the Lohit River originate?

Ans: It originates in eastern Tibet, in the Zayal Chu range.

Q3: Where does the Lohit River join the Brahmaputra?

Ans: It joins the Brahmaputra in Assam.

Q4: Through which Indian state does the Lohit River primarily flow?

Ans: Arunachal Pradesh.

Raja Mircha

September 2, 2026
Raja Mircha

Raja Mircha Latest News

In a recent post, Nagaland Tourism and Higher Education Minister shared a video of chillies and had a hilarious warning for anyone brave enough to try Raja Mircha.

About Raja Mircha

  • Raja Mircha, also known as Naga King Chilli or Bhut Jolokia, is a variety of chilli pepper cultivated mainly in Nagaland state.
  • Scientific name: Capsicum chinense 
  • It is counted among the world's hottest chillies and is known for its extraordinary pungency and intense, fruity aroma. 
  • It is significantly spicier than most common chillies, including jalapeños and habaneros. It ranks among the top 10 hottest chillies in the world. 
  • The chilli changes colour from green to a vibrant red as it matures. 
  • Famous for the heat it brings to the table, it has a subconical to conical shape, finely wrinkled skin, and thin flesh. 
  • The chilli is deeply connected to Nagaland's lifestyle and has been cultivated for generations by farmers in chilli-growing areas of the state. 
  • It became the first chilli variety from Nagaland and the first product of any kind from the state to receive a GI tag, in 2008. 
  • The GI tag makes the name "Naga Mircha" exclusive to chillies grown in the region.

News: NDTV

Raja Mircha FAQs

Q1: What is Raja Mircha?

Ans: Raja Mircha is a variety of chilli pepper cultivated mainly in Nagaland.

Q2: What are the other names of Raja Mircha?

Ans: It is also known as Naga King Chilli or Bhut Jolokia.

Q3: Why is Raja Mircha famous?

Ans: It is famous for its extraordinary pungency, intense fruity aroma, and extreme heat.

Q4: How is Raja Mircha ranked among the world’s hottest chillies?

Ans: It ranks among the top 10 hottest chillies in the world.

Dipturus dhritiae

September 2, 2026
Dipturus dhritiae

Dipturus dhritiae Latest News

Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), in collaboration with the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) and international experts, recently discovered a new species of deep-sea skate named Dipturus dhritiae in the southeastern Arabian Sea.

About Dipturus dhritiae

  • Dipturus dhritiae, commonly called the Arabian skate, is a new species of deep-sea skate.
    • A deep-sea skate is a flat, shark-related fish that lives on the dark bed of the ocean. 
    • Deep-sea skates are particularly vulnerable to overfishing because they generally reproduce slowly, have few offspring, and take a long time to recover when their populations decline. 
  • Dipturus dhritiae was discovered in the Arabian Sea off India’s southwestern coast.
  • It can grow up to about 1.3 metres in length and was found at depths of 400 to 600 metres off the Kerala coast and in the Wadge Bank region. 
  • One of its most noticeable features is five rows of thorn-like structures along its tail.
  • It is named after Dr. Dhriti Banerjee, the first woman Director of the ZSI.

News: TOI

Dipturus dhritiae FAQs

Q1: What is Dipturus dhritiae?

Ans: Dipturus dhritiae is a new species of deep-sea skate, commonly called the Arabian skate.

Q2: Where was Dipturus dhritiae discovered?

Ans: It was discovered in the Arabian Sea off India’s southwestern coast.

Q3: What is a deep-sea skate?

Ans: It is a flat, shark-related fish that lives on the dark bed of the ocean.

Q4: What distinctive feature is found along the tail of Dipturus dhritiae?

Ans: It has five rows of thorn-like structures along its tail.

Mission Rangeen Machhli 2031

September 2, 2026
Mission Rangeen Machhli 2031

Mission Rangeen Machhli 2031 Latest News

Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan recently released the ‘Mission Rangeen Machhli 2031’ Strategic Action Plan for Ornamental Fisheries Development at a Fisheries Outreach Programme in Agatti.

About Mission Rangeen Machhli 2031

  • It is a Strategic Action Plan for Ornamental Fisheries Development aimed at providing a more organised and scientific approach to India’s ornamental fisheries sector.
  • The initiative is under the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India. 
  • It will establish uniform operating procedures and management standards for the ornamental fish industry nationwide. 
  • The strategic action plan covers the entire supply chain, from breeding and hatchery work through to sale in aquariums and export.
    • Standard procedures for breeding, hatchery operations, and production systems.
    • Rules for quarantine, animal health checks, and disease management.
    • Quality assurance and biosecurity standards across all operations.
    • Certification and traceability systems to track fish from farm to market.
    • Guidelines for handling, transport, and trade of ornamental species.
  • The plan will also build skills among farmers and traders, improve product quality, help businesses get certified for international markets, and support the sector to grow in an organised and competitive way globally.
  • Focus Area: 
    • Lakshadweep has been identified as a dedicated seaweed cluster for cultivation and processing. 
    • The island’s marine resources, which account for roughly 17 percent of India’s total oceanic economic zone, are considered well-suited for ornamental fish farming and other high-value fisheries activities.

News: DD

Mission Rangeen Machhli 2031 FAQs

Q1: What is Mission Rangeen Machhli 2031?

Ans: It is a Strategic Action Plan for Ornamental Fisheries Development aimed at providing an organised and scientific approach to India’s ornamental fisheries sector.

Q2: Which ministry is implementing Mission Rangeen Machhli 2031?

Ans: The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying.

Q3: What will Mission Rangeen Machhli 2031 establish across India?

Ans: Uniform operating procedures and management standards for the ornamental fish industry.

Denmark

September 2, 2026
Key Facts about Denmark

Denmark Latest News

Recently, India and Denmark have held discussions to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector and also intellectual property (IP).

About Denmark

  • Location: It is located in north central Europe and it is part of the Scandinavian countries.
  • It also encompasses the Faroe Islands and the island of Greenland, both located in the North Atlantic Ocean.
  • Bordering Country:  It shares a land border with Germany in the south.
  • Water bodies: It is surrounded by bodies of water including the Baltic Sea, North Sea, Kattegat Bay and Kiel Bay.
  • Capital City: Copenhagen.

Geographical Features of Denmark

  • Topography: The most part Denmark consists of flat lands with very little elevation, except for the hilly central area on the Jutland Peninsula. 
    • Denmark occupies the Jutland Peninsula and an archipelago of more than 443 islands
    • The coastline of Denmark is indented by many fjords, with LimFjord (in the north) the largest.
  • Climate: It is moderated by the warm Gulf Stream and is therefore milder than surrounding Scandinavian countries.
  • Rivers: The most significant include the Guden (longest river), Odense and Skjern.
  • Natural resources: It mainly consists of Petroleum, natural gas, fish, salt, limestone, chalk stone.

Source: PIB

Denmark FAQs

Q1: What is the capital city of Denmark?

Ans: Copenhagen

Q2: Denmark shares its land border with which country?

Ans: It shares a land border with Germany in the south.

Peptides

September 2, 2026
Peptides

Peptides Latest News

Recently, a ‘peptide party’ in Bengaluru was cancelled after Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration officials shut down the gig. 

About Peptides

  • Peptides are the fundamental building blocks of proteins, shorter chains of amino acids.
  • These are smaller, often containing anywhere from two to 50 amino acids.
    • The amino acids in a peptide are connected to one another in a sequence by bonds called peptide bonds.
  • The human body naturally produces many peptides; common ones in the public domain include
    • Insulin, which the pancreas makes to regulate the body’s blood sugar
    • Endorphins, which are released by the central nervous system to block pain signals and relieve stress
    • Growth hormone releasing hormone which triggers the pituitary gland to make and release growth hormone.
  • Synthetic proteins have also been created in laboratories for therapeutic uses which includes synthetic insulin and GLP-1 receptor agonists popular as weight-loss drugs.
  • Functions of Peptides
    • The body makes lots of different peptides, each of which has a different role.
    • They serve as biological signalling molecules and instruct cells, including being the starting point for functions including hormone production, tissue repair, immune response and metabolic regulation.
    • They may provide pro-aging support, anti-inflammatory, or muscle-building properties.

Source: TH

Peptides FAQs

Q1: What are Peptides?

Ans: Peptides are the fundamental building blocks of proteins, shorter chains of amino acids.

Q2: What are the functions of Peptides?

Ans: They serve as biological signalling molecules and instruct cells, including being the starting point for functions including hormone production, tissue repair

Male Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary

September 2, 2026
Male Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary

Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary Latest News

Recent official data from the Forest Department shows that Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary accounted for nearly half of the poaching cases and illegal arms cases registered in the last 16 years. 

About Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary

  • Location: It is located at the intersection of the Western and the Eastern Ghats and falls in the Chamarajanagara District of Karnataka.
  • It was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 2013.
  • It is contiguous to Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple (BRT) Tiger Reserve, Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, and the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary.
  • It’s the home of the famous Male Mahadeshwara Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, known here as Mahadeshwara.
  • Male Mahadeshwara Hills is bound by the Kaveri River to the northeast and by the Palar River to the south.
  • Vegetation: It mainly consists of the dry deciduous type, degrading to scrub forest in the fringe areas, and interspersed with patches of moist deciduous, semi-evergreen, evergreen and shola forests occurring at varying altitudes.
  • Flora: Anogeissus latifolia, Boswellia serrata, Hardwikia binata and Chloroxylon swietenia etc.
  • Fauna: It is home to elephants, Indian bison,tigers, wild dogs, leopards, foxes, sambars, spotted deer, and many species of birds.

Source: DH

Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary FAQs

Q1: Where is Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary located?

Ans: Karnataka

Q2: Male Mahadeshwara Hills is bounded by which rivers?

Ans: Male Mahadeshwara Hills is bound by the Kaveri River to the northeast and by the Palar River to the south.

Typhon Missile System

September 2, 2026
Typhon Missile System

Typhon Missile System Latest News

Russia recently warned Japan over the deployment of U.S. Typhon missile systems, calling the move unacceptable and a threat to Russian security. 

About Typhon Missile System

  • Typhon, also called the Mid-Range Capability (MRC), is a surface-to-surface missile system.
  • Manufactured by U.S. firm Lockheed Martin, the system leverages a modular design that allows it to fire various missile types.
  • It is equipped to launch SM-6 and Tomahawk cruise missiles.
    • The SM-6 missile provides engagement ranges beyond 320 kilometers, while the Tomahawk cruise missile offers deep-strike capability out to 1,500 kilometers.
  • Typhon is containerized, road-mobile, and highly survivable, enabling U.S. forces to disperse precision-strike assets across allied territory and quickly target both land and maritime threats in contested environments. 
  • The system’s dual capability makes it particularly effective for both sea denial missions and precision land attacks. 
  • Each Typhon battery includes four trailer-mounted launchers, each with four vertical launch cells, for a total of 16 missiles per battery. 
  • The system also includes a mobile command post and generator vehicles to power its sensors and communications.

News: WION

Typhon Missile System FAQs

Q1: What is the Typhon Missile System?

Ans: Typhon, also known as the Mid-Range Capability (MRC), is a surface-to-surface missile system.

Q2: Which company manufactures the Typhon Missile System?

Ans: Lockheed Martin, a U.S. defence company.

Q3: Which missiles can the Typhon Missile System launch?

Ans: The SM-6 and Tomahawk cruise missiles.

Q4: What type of threats can the Typhon Missile System target?

Ans: It can target both land and maritime threats.

Myristica Swamps

September 2, 2026
Myristica Swamps

Myristica Swamp Latest News

A recent study highlighted that the Myristica Swamps are on the cusp of extinction.

About Myristica Swamp

  • These are freshwater swamps dominated by evergreen trees belonging to the Myristicaceae family.
  • They are also denoted as living fossils due to the primitive nature of Myristica plants.
  • These forests are characterized by trees with large protruding roots jutting out of waterlogged soil, which remains inundated throughout the year.
  • Geographical distribution: In India, these unique habitats occur in the Western Ghats, and a smaller distribution exists in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Meghalaya.
  • Climatic Conditions: These freshwater swamps in the tropics grow on fertile alluvial, waterlogged soils in the plains.
  • Freshwater swamp forests occupy no more than 2.1 per cent of the Earth’s surface.
  • The genetic variety of Myristica swamps dates back an astonishing 500 million years.

Ecological Role of Myristica Swamp

  • They are ecologically crucial in regulating floods, recharging groundwater, offering a perennial flow of freshwater.
  • These forests have a higher ability to sequester carbon than non-swampy forests.
  • These swamps are home to many vertebrate and invertebrate faunal species. 

Source: TH

Myristica Swamp FAQs

Q1: What are Myristica Swamp?

Ans: These are freshwater swamps dominated by evergreen trees belonging to the Myristicaceae family.

Q2: What are the ecological role of Myristica Swamp?

Ans: They are ecologically crucial in regulating floods, recharging groundwater, offering a perennial flow of freshwater.

Pashupatinath Temple

September 2, 2026
Pashupatinath Temple

Pashupatinath Temple Latest News

India recently gifted a special type of sandalwood to the Nepal government to be used at the Pashupatinath temple on Kathmandu’s outskirts.

About Pashupatinath Temple

  • It is a Hindu temple located on both banks of the Bagmati River on the eastern outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal. 
  • It is dedicated to Lord Shiva in his form as Pashupati, protector of animals.  
  • There has been a religious foundation here since at least the 5th century BCE, though the oldest recorded temple dates from 400 CE.  
  • The original, mainly wooden, buildings were eaten by termites and replaced by the current stone and metal structures in the 15th century CE. 
  • In 1979, the temple was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Pashupatinath Temple Features

  • The main temple is designed in the Nepalese pagoda style, with a tiered roof and plinth.
  • It is a cubic construction with four main doors, all covered with silver sheets.
  • The two-storied roof is made from copper and is covered with gold.
  • The temple has two interior rooms where the Pashupatinath idol is placed.
  • One of the most astonishing decorations of the temple is the huge golden statue of Nandi, Shiva’s bull.

Source: DEVD

Pashupatinath Temple FAQs

Q1: Where is the Pashupatinath Temple located?

Ans: It is located on the eastern outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal.

Q2: Which river flows beside the Pashupatinath Temple?

Ans: The Bagmati River flows beside the temple.

Q3: In which year was the Pashupatinath Temple declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

Ans: The temple was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.

Q4: In which architectural style is the Pashupatinath Temple designed?

Ans: The main temple is designed in the Nepalese pagoda style.

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