UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 8 September 2026

Mindoro bleeding-heart Pigeon

September 8, 2026

Mindoro bleeding-heart Pigeon Latest News

Recently, Mindoro bleeding-heart pigeon reappeared after 20 years which confirmed that it is still surviving in the wild.

About Mindoro bleeding-heart Pigeon

It is a ground-dwelling pigeon endemic to Mindoro, Philippines.
It is one of seven species of bleeding-hearts, or “bleeding-heart” doves, five of which are endemic to the Philippines.
Appearance: It measures about 30 cm in length and has orange-red spot on white chest, together with the iridescent green plumage on its head and neck.
Habitat: It has generally been described as a lowland forest specialist, typically occurring at elevations of around 400 meters (1,300 feet), and occasionally up to 800 m (2,600 ft).
Behaviour: It is ground-dwelling and usually takes flight only when threatened.
Males and females look almost identical.
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered (CR)
Threats: It is threatened by hunting and habitat loss.
- Its habitat is affected by slash-and-burn agriculture, agricultural use, rattan harvesting, and marble quarrying.

Source: TOI

Mindoro bleeding-heart Pigeon FAQs

Q1: What is Mindoro bleeding-heart Pigeon ?

Ans: It is a ground-dwelling pigeon endemic to Mindoro, Philippines.

Q2: What is the IUCN status of Mindoro bleeding-heart Pigeon?

Ans: Critically endangered

Cell Broadcasting System

September 8, 2026

Cell Broadcast System Latest News

Recently, the Cell Broadcast System (CBS) has been resumed in India, by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT).

About Cell Broadcast System

It is a telecom-enabled public warning system that enables authorities to broadcast simultaneous, geo-targeted alerts to mobile devices within a defined area.
It is indigenous technology developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

Features of Cell Broadcast System

It uses common messaging protocols that have been incorporated by all the major handset makers around the world.
Unlike SMS alerts, CB messages are broadcast to all mobile phones in a specific area, ensuring rapid delivery even in congested networks.
Messages are delivered in near real-time, reaching users within seconds without any queuing delays.
It offers precise geo-targeting capabilities, enabling alerts to be disseminated at the level of individual cell towers or clusters.
It provides universal reach by covering all mobile users within the targeted area, including those who are roaming.
Supported across 2G to 5G networks, it ensures wide reach in both urban and rural areas, including last-mile and roaming populations.
These alerts are delivered as priority notifications, appearing as pop-up messages accompanied by distinct loud tones, with text messages with multilingual alerts read aloud on supported mobile handsets.

Source: TH

Cell Broadcast System FAQs

Q1: What is Cell Broadcast System?

Ans: is a telecom-enabled public warning system that enables authorities to broadcast simultaneous, geo-targeted alerts to mobile devices within a defined area.

Q2: Which organisation developed the Cell Broadcast System?

Ans: It is indigenous technology developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics.

e-FAST India Initiative

September 8, 2026

e-FAST India Initiative Latest News

Recently, NITI Aayog launched the Platform for Aggregating Clean Transport (PACT) at the 5th e-FAST India Summit 2026.

About e-FAST India Initiative

The e-FAST India (Electric Freight Accelerator for Sustainable Transport - India) is a NITI Aayog government–industry platform focused on moving medium- and heavy-duty freight towards zero-emission vehicles.
It brings together government and industry stakeholders
It includes OEMs, logistics service providers, financiers, shippers and charge point operators - to accelerate the transition to zero-emission freight in India, particularly in the medium- and heavy-duty vehicle segments.

What is the Platform for Aggregating Clean Transport (PACT)?

It is a flagship initiative under the e-FAST India platform.
It is designed to aggregate freight demand from shippers, Logistics Service Providers (LSPs) and other ecosystem stakeholders and translate it into deployment opportunities across identified freight corridors.
It brings together shippers, LSPs, vehicle manufacturers, financiers, charge point operators (CPOs) to improve demand visibility, support charging infrastructure planning and strengthen the commercial case for electric medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (e-MHDVs).

Source: PIB

e-FAST India Initiative FAQs

Q1: What is e-FAST India Initiative?

Ans: It is a NITI Aayog government–industry platform focused on moving medium- and heavy-duty freight towards zero-emission vehicles.

Q2: What is NITI Aayog?

Ans: NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) is the premier public policy think tank of the Government of India, established on January 1, 2015,

Bhitarkanika National Park

September 8, 2026

Bhitarkanika National Park Latest News

Recently, hundreds of saltwater crocodile hatchlings have begun emerging from nests in the Bhitarkanika National Park.

About Bhitarkanika National Park

Located: It is located in the state of Odisha.
It is surrounded by the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary. Gahirmatha Beach and Marine Sanctuary lie to the east, and separates a swamp region covered with a canopy of mangroves from the Bay of Bengal.
It is India’s second largest mangrove ecosystem after the Sunderbans.
It is nestled in the estuary of Brahmani, Baitarani, and Dhamra rivers.
Vegetation: The vegetation and species of the sanctuary are those that are mainly found in the tropical and subtropical intertidal regions.
It is also designated as a Ramsar site.
Flora: Mangrove species, casuarinas, and grasses like the indigo bush.
Fauna
- It is home to the largest congregation of saltwater crocodiles in the country.
- The Gahirmatha Beach is the largest colony of the Olive Ridley Sea Turtles.
- It is also home to numerous animals like hyenas, wild boar, Chitals, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Wild Boar, Jungle cat, Wild Pigs, etc., and migratory birds, which make it their home during the winter season, lending a vibrant hue to the ecosystem.

Source: DH

Bhitarkanika National Park FAQs

Q1: Where is Bhitarkanika National Park located?

Ans: Odisha

Q2: Bhitarkanika National Park is home to which type of crocodile?

Ans: It is home to the largest congregation of saltwater crocodiles in the country.