UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 19 September 2026

Pneumocystis jirovecii

September 19, 2026

Pneumocystis jirovecii Latest News

According to the findings of a study by researchers, Pneumocystis jirovecii fungi that can cause severe pneumonia in people with weaker or weakened immune systems appears to have become resistant to a drug that never intended to kill it.

About Pneumocystis jirovecii

It is an opportunistic fungal pathogen.
It can cause pneumonia in patients with impaired immune systems, such as those with AIDS or who are receiving immunosuppressive drugs.
It is a ubiquitous organism transmitted by aerosol route and causes no disease in immunocompetent patients.
Initially classified as a protozoa, it has been considered a fungus since the 1990s based on molecular analyses.
Its life cycle primarily consists of trophic (eg, trophozoites) and cystic forms.

What is Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP)?

It is a lung infection that mainly affects people with weakened immune systems. The fungus Pneumocystis jirovecii causes it.
Signs and symptoms of Pneumocystis pneumonia: Fever, Chills, Cough, Shortness of breath (dyspnea), Fatigue etc.
Transmission: P. jirovecii is transmitted from one person to another through the air when someone coughs, sneezes or talks.
Treatment: It is treated with high doses of the antibiotic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX).

Source: TH

Pneumocystis jirovecii FAQs

Q1: What is Pneumocystis jirovecii?

Ans: It is an opportunistic fungal pathogen.

Q2: Who is more prone to Pneumocystis jirovecii infection?

Ans: It can cause pneumonia in patients with impaired immune systems, such as those with AIDS or who are receiving immunosuppressive drugs.

Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary

September 19, 2026

Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary Latest News

As Project Cheetah completes four years, Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary is awaiting the arrival of a fourth African cheetah, with a South African female or a younger Botswana female likely to be translocated from Kuno National Park in the coming days.

About Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary

It is situated in northwestern Madhya Pradesh, with one of its boundaries running along the border of Rajasthan.
The sanctuary was notified in 1974 and is spread over an area of 368 sq.km.
Rivers: The Chambal River flows through the sanctuary, dividing it into two parts.
The presence of the Gandhi Sagar Dam further enhances the region, forming a large reservoir.
The sanctuary houses sites of historical and archaeological significance, such as Chaurasigarh, Chaturbhujnath Temple, Bhadkaji rock paintings, Hinglajgarh Fort, and Taxakeshwar Temple.
Topography: A major part of the sanctuary consists of vast open landscapes with sparse vegetation and rocky terrain, with small patches of dense forests here and there.
Flora:
- It lies within the Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests ecoregion.
- The principal tree species found are Khair, Salai, Kardhai, Dhawda, Tendu, Palash and the like.
Fauna:
- Herbivores like Chinkara, Nilgai and Spotted Deer, and carnivores like the Indian Leopard, Striped Hyena and Jackal are found in good numbers in the region.
- It was chosen as a favourable site for the reintroduction of cheetahs in India.
- It is a designated Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA).

News: NIE

Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary FAQs

Q1: Where is Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary located?

Ans: It is situated in northwestern Madhya Pradesh.

Q2: Which river flows through Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary?

Ans: Chambal River.

Q3: Which major dam is associated with Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary?

Ans: Gandhi Sagar Dam.

Q4: Which ecoregion includes Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary?

Ans: Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests ecoregion.

Sohar Port

September 19, 2026

Sohar Port Latest News

With the Strait of Hormuz in a chokehold due to Iran-U.S. hostilities, Oman has pitched to India investment opportunities in Sohar Port that could provide uninterrupted access to energy resources from the Persian Gulf.

About Sohar Port

It is a deep-sea port situated in northern Oman, on the Gulf of Oman.
It is one of the largest and most strategically located deep-sea ports in the Middle East.
It lies approximately 160 km south of the Strait of Hormuz, midway between Dubai and Muscat (capital of Oman).
The port serves as a vital commercial hub connecting the markets of the Gulf region, the Indian subcontinent, and East Africa.
Sohar Port handles various cargo, including dry, break, and liquid bulk, as well as container shipping.
The port is managed by Sohar Industrial Port Company (SIPC), a joint venture between the Omani Government and the Port of Rotterdam.
The Sohar Freezone adjacent to the port supports industrial activities such as petrochemicals, metals, and the energy sectors.

News: TH

Sohar Port FAQs

Q1: Where is Sohar Port located?

Ans: Northern Oman, on the Gulf of Oman.

Q2: Between which two major cities is Sohar Port located?

Ans: It is located midway between Dubai and Muscat.

Q3: Which company manages Sohar Port?

Ans: The port is managed by Sohar Industrial Port Company (SIPC), a joint venture between the Omani Government and the Port of Rotterdam.

Q4: Why is Sohar Port strategically important?

Ans: Its location on the Gulf of Oman provides a major maritime link between the Gulf, the Indian subcontinent and East Africa.

Fitzroy River

September 19, 2026

Fitzroy River Latest News

The Fitzroy River, home to about 500 saltwater crocodiles, has been recently approved to host rowing and canoeing at the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics.

About Fitzroy River

It is a major river located in Queensland, Australia.
Course:
- It is formed by the confluence of the Dawson and Mackenzie rivers on the slopes of the Great Dividing Range.
- The united stream flows northeast across the Broadsound Range and then southeast through distributaries to enter Keppel Bay of the Coral Sea of the Pacific Ocean after a course of 480 km.
Its catchment area with its main tributary, the 160-km Margaret River, is 142,000 sq.km.
The river flows through different types of land. It passes through farming areas, towns, and natural landscapes.
The main city along the river is Rockhampton, which is an important centre for the region.
The Fitzroy is navigable from Port Alma, at the mouth, 56 km upstream to Rockhampton.

News: OUT

Fitzroy River FAQs

Q1: Where is the Fitzroy River located?

Ans: Queensland, Australia.

Q2: Which two rivers form the Fitzroy River?

Ans: The Dawson River and Mackenzie River.

Q3: Where does the Fitzroy River ultimately drain?

Ans: Keppel Bay of the Coral Sea of the Pacific Ocean.

Q4: What is the approximate length of the Fitzroy River?

Ans: 480 km.

Q5: Which is the main tributary of the Fitzroy River mentioned here?

Ans: Margaret River.

Elias 2-24 b

September 19, 2026

Elias 2-24 b Latest News

Recently, astronomers have discovered the youngest exoplanet on record, and named it as Elias 2-24 b.

About Elias 2-24 b

It is an exoplanet which is still whirling in its natal disk of dust and gas.
It is the youngest known planet discovered so far and located roughly 450 light-years from Earth.
Size: It is orbiting the star Elias 2-24 and a size is somewhere between two and four times as massive as Jupiter.
The planet is still in the process of forming within its native gas-and-dust disk.
It is far younger (less than 1 million years old) than the previous record holders.
- Previous record holders for the youngest known planets were more than 5 million years old. They included two planets around PDS 70 and two around WISPIT 2.
Elias 2-24 b orbits its young star at a distance of about 55 times the distance between Earth and the Sun.

What are Exoplanets?

These are planets that orbit other stars and are beyond our solar system.
Exoplanets come in a host of different sizes.
They can be gas giants bigger than Jupiter or as small and rocky as Earth. They are also known to have different kinds of temperatures; boiling to cold

Source: ET

Elias 2-24 b FAQs

Q1: What is Elias 2-24 b?

Ans: It is an exoplanet.

Q2: How far is Elias 2-24 b from earth?

Ans: It is located roughly 450 light-years from Earth.

Himalayan Monal

September 19, 2026

Himalayan Monal Latest News

A study in Uttarakhand found that Himalayan monals exposed to roads, tourists and pilgrimage traffic use higher-frequency calls which are impacting this species' calling behaviour.

About Himalayan Monal

The Himalayan Monal (Lophophorus impejanus) is also known as the Impeyan Monal or Danphe.
They are among the larger birds in the Phasianidae family.
It is the state bird of Uttarakhand.
Appearance: It exhibits high sexual dimorphism—the males decked head to toe in multicoloured plumage and exhibiting a long green metallic crest, while the females have a pale blue eye patch, white throat, and a streaky brown body.
Habitat
- It occupies the upper temperate forests of conifer and oak with open grasslands.
- It typically inhabits altitudes between 2,500 and 4,000 meters in Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP).
- It is commonly sighted in Tirthan Valley especially during the spring and post-monsoon seasons.
Distribution: It is found across the Himalayan mountains, including in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Sikkim.
Behavior
- It is a ground-dwelling bird, often seen digging through leaf litter or soft soil with its powerful beak in search of roots, tubers, seeds, insects, and grubs.
- It exhibits a clear altitudinal migration, descending as low as 2,000m in winter.
- However, it also shows tolerance to snow and has been observed digging through snowfall for roots, tubers and invertebrates.
Threats: It faces threats from habitat loss, hunting, and disturbance from tourism.
Conservation Status
- IUCN Red List: Least Concern
- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I

Source: IE

Himalayan Monal FAQs

Q1: Where do we find Himalayan Monal?

Ans: It is found across the Himalayan mountains, including in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Sikkim.

Q2: What is the IUCN status of Himalayan Monal?

Ans: Least Concern

North Sea

September 19, 2026

North Sea Latest News

Recently, Denmark inaugurated a carbon capture and storage (CCS) project for storing carbon dioxide under the seabed beneath an old oil-platform in the North Sea.

About North Sea

Location: It is a shallow northeastern arm of the Atlantic Ocean nestled between the British Isles and northwestern Europe.
Borders and Connections
It is bordered by Great Britain (southwest and west), Orkney and Shetland islands (northwest), Norway (northeast), Denmark (east), Germany and the Netherlands (southeast), and Belgium and France (south).
It connects to the Atlantic Ocean via the English Channel in the southwest and the Baltic Sea in the east via the Kattegat and Skagerrak straits.
Rivers: Major rivers that drain into the North Sea include the Forth, Elbe, the Weser, the Ems, the Rhine and Meuse, the Scheldt, the Thames, and the Humber.
Economic Importance
- Natural Resources: It contains significant reserves of petroleum and natural gas beneath the seafloor.
- It is one of Europe’s most productive fisheries.
- It is the major shipping zone for trade among European countries and between Europe and the Middle East.

Source: TH

North Sea FAQs

Q1: Where is North Sea located?

Ans: It is nestled between the British Isles and northwestern Europe.

Q2: Which rivers drain into North Sea?

Ans: Major rivers that drain into the North Sea include the Forth, Elbe, the Weser.

Next-Generation Missile Vessels

September 19, 2026

Next-Generation Missile Vessels Latest News

The Cochin Shipyard Limited recently laid the keel for the first of six Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMV) being built for the Indian Navy, marking the shipbuilder's entry into construction of advanced weapon-intensive platforms.

About Next-Generation Missile Vessels

The NGMVs are envisaged as high-speed vessels equipped with an array of weapons and sensors, being built for the Indian Navy.
Six NGMVs are being built by government-run Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) at a cost of Rs 9,805 crore.
Delivery of the vessels is scheduled to commence from March 2027.
The primary role of the ships would be to provide offensive capability against enemy warships, merchantmen, and land targets.
The vessels are intended for maritime strike and anti-surface warfare operations and will also provide the Navy with sea-denial capability, particularly around strategically important maritime choke points.
In defensive operations, the ships are expected to support local naval defence and the protection of offshore development areas.

Next-Generation Missile Vessels Features

The core of the NGMV propulsion system is the LM2500, a marine gas turbine, manufactured by the American engine manufacturer General Electric. LM2500 is engineered to unleash superior power while meeting stealth requirements.
Each vessel will have a complement of around 80 personnel and a maximum speed of approximately 33 knots (61 kmph).
These corvettes can remain at sea for 10 consecutive days and extend their stay by refueling from tankers.
They will be equipped with surface-to-surface missile systems, anti-missile defence systems, air-surveillance radars, and fire-control radars.
The NGMVs’ primary weapon will be the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, capable of striking targets at long ranges.
The vessels will also be equipped with advanced integrated platform management systems, propulsion and auxiliary machinery, power generation and distribution systems and damage-control machinery.

News: ET

Next-Generation Missile Vessels FAQs

Q1: What are Next-Generation Missile Vessels (NGMVs)?

Ans: High-speed vessels equipped with an array of weapons and sensors being built for the Indian Navy.

Q2: Which shipyard is building the Next-Generation Missile Vessels?

Ans: Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL).

Q3: What is the primary role of the Next-Generation Missile Vessels?

Ans: To provide offensive capability against enemy warships, merchantmen and land targets.

Q4: Which missile will serve as the primary weapon of the Next-Generation Missile Vessels?

Ans: The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.

Advance Authorization Scheme

September 19, 2026

Advance Authorization Scheme Latest News

The government has relaxed the existing 15-day stockholding limit for bulk consumers to 30 days, provided the quantity of stock held beyond 15 days limit shall be sourced exclusively from sugar imported under the Advance Authorisation Scheme (AAS).

About Advance Authorization Scheme

It allows duty free import of inputs, which are physically incorporated in an export product.
In addition to any inputs, packaging material, fuel, oil and catalysts which are consumed/utilized in the process of production of export products, are also allowed.
It is overseen by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).
The inputs imported are exempt from duties like,
- Basic Customs Duty, Additional Customs Duty, Education Cess, Anti-dumping duty, Safeguard Duty and Transition Product-Specific Safeguard duty, Integrated tax, and Compensation Cess, wherever applicable, subject to certain conditions.
An export obligation is usually set as a condition for issuing Advance Authorization.
Advanced Authorization Coverage
- Manufacturer Exporters: Entities engaged in manufacturing goods for export.
- Merchant Exporters tied to Supporting Manufacturer(s): Traders who do not manufacture themselves but procure goods from a supporting manufacturer for export.
The Advanced Authorization shall be issued for
- Physical exports
- Intermediate supply
- Supplies made to specified categories of deemed exports
- Supply of ‘stores’ on board of a foreign-going vessel/aircraft, provided that there are specific Standard Input Output Norms (SION) in respect of items supplied.
Advance Authorization is valid for 12 months from the date of issue of such Authorization.

Source: PIB

Advance Authorization Scheme FAQs

Q1: What is Advance Authorization Scheme?

Ans: It allows duty free import of inputs, which are physically incorporated in an export product.

Q2: Who implements Advance Authorization Scheme?

Ans: It is overseen by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).

Bhil Tribe

September 19, 2026

Bhil Tribe Latest News

The Rajasthan High Court recently issued notices to the State government and other authorities on a petition seeking a 9% sub-quota for the Bhil community within the existing 12% reservation for the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category.

About Bhil Tribe

The Bhils are considered one of the oldest tribes in India and are identified as one of the Dravidian racial tribes of Western India and belong to the Australoid group of tribes.
According to the 2011 census, Bhil is the largest tribal group in India, constituting approximately 38% of the total scheduled tribal population of India.
The name ‘Bhil’ is derived from the word “villu” or “billu”, which, according to the Dravidian language, is known as Bow.
Their reference is in old literature, Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Distribution:
- They are the most widely distributed tribal groups in India.
- They mainly reside in Rajasthan, western Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and northern Maharashtra. Some families have migrated to other states like Tripura for jobs in tea gardens.
- Bhil populations are concentrated in the southernmost hills of the Aravalli Range, the western uplands of the Vindhya and Satpura ranges, and the northernmost hills of the Western Ghats.
- Some Bhil groups occupy the nearby river valleys and coastal plains.
Occupation: Nearly all of the Bhil engage in agriculture, some using the slash-and-burn (jhum) method but most employing the plow.
Language:
- They speak Bhili, which is an Indo-Aryan language.
- Bhili dialects show varying degrees of influence of regional languages such as Rajasthani and Marathi, but they all appear to have their origins in Gujarati.
Beliefs:
- Almost all Bhils practice ethnic religions that have been highly influenced by Hinduism.
- Most of them worship local deities like Khandoba, Kanhoba, Bahiroba, and Sitalmata. Some worship the Tiger God called ‘vaghdev’.
Festivals:
- The Baneshwar fair is the main festival celebrated among the Bhils. This fair is held during the period of Shivaratri in the months of January or February.
- The Hindu festivals of Holi and Dusshera are the other major festivals celebrated among the Bhil Tribes in India.
Art and Culture:
- The Ghoomar dance, which is a traditional folk dance symbolising womanhood, is one of the popular aspects of Bhil culture.
- Bhil painting is characterised by the use of multi-coloured dots as in-filling.

News: LAW

Bhil Tribe FAQs

Q1: Which Indian states have major concentrations of the Bhil population?

Ans: Rajasthan, western Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and northern Maharashtra.

Q2: In which mountain ranges are Bhil populations particularly concentrated?

Ans: The southern Aravallis, western Vindhyas and Satpuras, and northern Western Ghats.

Q3: Which language is spoken by the Bhil people?

Ans: They speak Bhili, which is an Indo-Aryan language.

Q4: Which is the main festival associated with the Bhil tribe?

Ans: Baneshwar Fair.

Q5: Which folk dance is an important aspect of Bhil culture?

Ans: The Ghoomar dance, a traditional folk dance symbolising womanhood, is one of the popular aspects of Bhil culture.