UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 6 October 2026

Exercise Mountain Guardian 2026

October 6, 2026

Exercise Mountain Guardian 2026 Latest News

The Exercise Mountain Guardian 2026 commenced at the Foreign Training Node, Chaubatia, Uttarakhand.

About Exercise Mountain Guardian 2026

It is a joint military exercise conducted between India and UAE.
Aim: It aims to enhance interoperability, mutual understanding and cooperation, with a focus on Mountain Warfare.
Participating Contingent: The Indian Army contingent comprises troops from a Bhairav Battalion, women officers and combatants from both Armies are also participating in the exercise across specialist roles.
During the exercise, troops will undertake joint planning, tactical drills, firing practices, establishment of surveillance grids, drone operations, physical endurance training, rock climbing, obstacle training and integrated field exercises.
The training will also incorporate technology-enabled operations and exchange of tactics, techniques and procedures relevant to operations in challenging mountainous terrain.
Significance: The exercise will further strengthen military-to-military cooperation between India and the UAE and reinforce the bonds of friendship and trust between the two nations.

Source: PIB

Exercise Mountain Guardian 2026 FAQs

Q1: Exercise Mountain Guardian is conducted between which two countries?

Ans: India and UAE

Q2: What is the aim of Exercise Mountain Guardian 2026 ?

Ans: It aims to enhance interoperability, mutual understanding and cooperation, with a focus on Mountain Warfare.

Southern Right Whale

October 6, 2026

Southern Right Whale Latest News

Recently, dozens of southern right whale calves have been found dead on Argentina's Patagonian coast and scientists are probing a possible bacterial infection after an unusually deadly season.

About Southern Right Whale

The Southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) is a baleen whale, one of three species classified as right whales.
Appearance
- It is readily distinguished from others by the callosities on its head, a broad back without a dorsal fin, and a long arching mouth that begins above the eye.
- Its skin is very dark grey or black, occasionally with some white patches on the belly.
Distribution
- They live across the Southern Hemisphere, generally ranging between 20°S and 60°S latitude.
- They usually live in sheltered bays, but in summer they can be found in the cold water around Antarctica.
- Southern right whales visit the South African coast from May to November each year.
Characteristics
- They feed just beneath the water's surface, holding their mouths partly open and skimming water continuously while swimming.
- They strain the water out through their long baleen plates to capture their prey.
- Diet: They are carnivores (plankrivores) and eat small plankton, including copepods, and pelagic larval crustaceans.
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Source: TH

Southern Right Whale FAQs

Q1: Where do we find Southern Right Whale ?

Ans: They live across the Southern Hemisphere, generally ranging between 20°S and 60°S latitude.

Q2: What is the IUCN status of Southern Right Whale?

Ans: Least Concern

Odisha Forest, Environment and Climate Change minister virtually inaugurated new accommodation and visitor facilities at Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary as part of the ongoing expansion of its community-managed ecotourism infrastructure.

About Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary

It is situated in the Bargarh district of Odisha.
It is located near Hirakud Dam (the longest dam in India and the longest earthen dam in the world) on the Mahanadi River.
It is spread over an area of 347 sq.km.
It finds a special mention because of the state’s noted freedom fighter, Veer Surendra Sai.
- During his rebellion against the British, his base at Barapathara was located within the sanctuary.
Vegetation: Most of the plant sanctuary is covered with mixed and dry deciduous forest.
Flora: Major trees found here are Sal, Asana, Bija, Aanla, Dhaura, etc.
Fauna:
- Indian leopards, sloth bears, chousingha (four-horned antelope), sambar deer, gaurs (Indian bison), wild boars, and Indian wild dogs (dholes) are among the notable animal residents.
- It is one of the most flocked wintering grounds of migratory birds like crested serpent eagle, Flower Peckers, red-vented bulbul, tree pie, drongo, and white-eye oriental.

News: NIE

Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary FAQs

Q1: Where is Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary located?

Ans: Bargarh district, Odisha.

Q2: Near which major dam is Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary located?

Ans: Hirakud Dam.

Q3: Which freedom fighter is closely associated with Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary?

Ans: Veer Surendra Sai.

Q4: What type of forests are predominantly found in Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary?

Ans: Mixed and dry deciduous forests.