UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 8 October 2026

JOSH (Joint Squad for Health) Teams

October 8, 2026

JOSH (Joint Squad for Health) Teams Latest News

The Centre will launch JOSH (Joint Squad for Health) Teams across 55 districts in 11 states to strengthen youth-led community mobilisation for tuberculosis elimination, the Union Health ministry said recently.

About JOSH (Joint Squad for Health) Teams

JOSH Teams have been designed to channel the reach and energy of India’s youth into organised community action for TB elimination.
It is being undertaken by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Ministry of Defence.
It will bring together Class-I officers, MY Bharat volunteers, and NCC cadets to drive community-level engagement against TB.
JOSH teams will be rolled out across 55 districts in 11 states in the first phase of the campaign.
During the first phase, the initiative will focus on engagement at the block, ward, and community levels, taking the TB Mukt Bharat message beyond health facilities and closer to local communities.
The teams will disseminate information on TB symptoms, prevention, timely diagnosis, and completion of treatment.
They will also contribute to efforts to address myths and misconceptions surrounding TB, reduce stigma, and encourage individuals, families, and communities to participate actively in the national TB elimination movement.

News: NDTV

JOSH (Joint Squad for Health) Teams FAQs

Q1: What is the main objective of JOSH Teams?

Ans: The main objective is to channel the reach and energy of India’s youth into organised community action for TB elimination.

Q2: Which ministries are collaborating with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on JOSH Teams?

Ans: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Ministry of Defence are collaborating on the initiative.

Q3: Who will be brought together under the JOSH Teams initiative?

Ans: Class-I officers, MY Bharat volunteers, and NCC cadets will be brought together.

Garo Tribe

October 8, 2026

Garo Tribe Latest News

Elections to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) got delayed till at least early next year as the Meghalaya cabinet recently approved a second six-month extension of the council’s term.

About Garo Tribe

The Garo are a Tibeto-Burman ethnic group primarily residing in the Garo Hills of Meghalaya with smaller populations in Assam, Tripura, Nagaland, and West Bengal.
They are the second largest tribal community of Meghalaya.
Historically, the tribe originated in Tibet and migrated to India 400 years ago.
The main language spoken by these tribes is Garo, also known as "Garrow" and "Mande", which belongs to the Bodo branch of the Bodo-Naga-Kachin family of the Sino-Tibetan phylum .
The Garo people live mostly in rural villages, with community life centered around agriculture.
They practice both shifting (jhum) and wet rice cultivation, growing rice, millet, and vegetables.
They are one of the last remaining matrilineal tribes in the world.
Women play a central role in both family and economic life, as property and clan lineage are inherited through the female line.
Villages are organized into exogamous clans, and social life is vibrant, featuring communal work, festivals, and traditional music and dance.
Their homes are typically built on stilts, reflecting adaptation to the hilly terrain.

Garo Tribe Beliefs

Historically, the Garo practiced Songsarek, an indigenous animistic religion centered on the worship of spirits, nature deities, and ancestors.
Since the late 19th century, Christianity has become the predominant faith among the Garo.
However, elements of traditional beliefs and rituals persist, especially in rural areas, and festivals such as Wangala (the harvest festival) continue to reflect their spiritual heritage.

News: TP

Garo Tribe FAQs

Q1: Who are the Garo?

Ans: The Garo are a Tibeto-Burman ethnic group primarily residing in the Garo Hills of Meghalaya.

Q2: Where do the Garo primarily live?

Ans: They primarily live in the Garo Hills of Meghalaya.

Q3: To which linguistic branch does the Garo language belong?

Ans: Garo belongs to the Bodo branch of the Bodo-Naga-Kachin family of the Sino-Tibetan phylum.

Q4: What is the main economic activity of the Garo community?

Ans: Agriculture is central to the economic life of the Garo.

Hidimba Temple

October 8, 2026

Hidimba Temple Latest News

President Droupadi Murmu recently visited the historic Hidimba Temple in Manali, the second day of her visit to Himachal Pradesh.

About Hidimba Temple

Hadimba Temple, locally known as Dhungari Temple, also known variously as the Hadimba Temple, is a Hindu temple located in Manali, Himachal Pradesh.
It is dedicated to Hidimbi Devi, wife of Bhima, a figure in the Indian epic Mahābhārata.
The temple is surrounded by a cedar forest called Dhungiri Van Vihar at the foot of the Himalayas.
It was built in 1553 during the reign of Kullu ruler Bahadur Singh, who ruled from 1546 to 1569.

Hidimba Temple Architecture

The temple is one of the few temples in India that follows a Pagoda style of architecture, which is common in Nepal and Tibet.
It has a unique wooden structure and a four-tiered roof with intricate carvings.
The roof has 24 wooden pillars that support it. The roof also has metal bells, brass cones, and horns that adorn it.
The roof is made of deodar wood, which is resistant to insects and decay.
The temple has intricate carvings on its wooden walls, doors, and windows.
The carvings depict various animals, plants, dancers, musicians, and scenes from the Mahabharata epic.
An enormous rock occupies the inside of the temple, with only a 7.5 cm (3 inch) tall brass image representing goddess Hidimba Devi.

News: ETVB

Hidimba Temple FAQ's

Q1: Where is the Hidimba Temple located?

Ans: The Hidimba Temple is located in Manali, Himachal Pradesh.

Q2: Who is the Hidimba Temple dedicated to?

Ans: It is dedicated to Hidimbi Devi, the wife of Bhima from the Mahabharata.

Q3: Who built the Hidimba Temple?

Ans: It was built in 1553 during the reign of Kullu ruler Bahadur Singh, who ruled from 1546 to 1569.

Q4: Which architectural style is followed by the Hidimba Temple?

Ans: The temple follows the Pagoda style of architecture.

Canine Distemper

October 8, 2026

Canine Distemper Latest News

A tigress being treated for symptoms of Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) infection died in the Kanha Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh recently.

About Canine Distemper

It is a contagious and serious disease caused by the canine distemper virus (CDV).
The virus attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems of dogs and has a very high mortality rate.
All dogs are at risk of canine distemper. Those at particular risk include puppies younger than four months and dogs that have not been vaccinated against CDV.
In addition to dogs, canine distemper virus can infect ferrets as well as a wide range of other mammals, especially carnivores.

Canine Distemper Transmission

CDV spreads primarily through direct contact with respiratory secretions like saliva, nasal discharge, and sneezing.
It can also be transmitted indirectly via contaminated surfaces, objects, or shared food and water bowls.
The virus does not last long in the environment and can be destroyed by most disinfectants.
However, infected dogs can shed the virus for weeks, even before they show symptoms.
Once a dog is infected, the virus quickly spreads throughout the entire body and significantly weakens the immune system, leaving them susceptible to secondary infections.

Canine distemper Symptoms

Early canine distemper symptoms include:
- mucous in the eyes and discharge from the nose
- a lack of appetite
- coughing
- pneumonia
- fever (although this can come and go and is hard to detect)
At this stage, some dogs’ immune systems can fight the virus.
But in others, after a few weeks from the first symptoms, the central nervous system and other body systems can be affected.
As the infection spreads through the body, it goes on to cause:
- vomiting
- diarrhoea
- thickened paw pads and thickened skin on the nose
- seizures (ranging from tremors of the jaw to full body convulsions)
- twitching
- limb weakness
- muscle stiffness
- imbalance

Canine Distemper Treatment

There is no cure, and no antiviral drugs have been approved to combat the infection.
The best way to prevent canine distemper is through vaccination.

News: TP

Canine distemper FAQs

Q1: What is canine distemper?

Ans: Canine distemper is a contagious and serious viral disease caused by the canine distemper virus (CDV).

Q2: Which body systems are primarily affected by canine distemper?

Ans: It primarily affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems.

Q3: Which animals are particularly susceptible to canine distemper?

Ans: Dogs, especially puppies younger than four months and unvaccinated dogs, are particularly susceptible.

Q4: Can canine distemper virus infect animals other than dogs?

Ans: Yes, CDV can infect ferrets and a wide range of other mammals, particularly carnivores.

Q5: Is there a specific cure for canine distemper?

Ans: No, there is no specific cure for canine distemper.

International Air Transport Association

October 8, 2026

International Air Transport Association Latest News

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) recently called for a consultative approach between Mumbai International Airport Ltd. and airlines to ensure that the redevelopment of Terminal 1 does not undermine international connectivity to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).

About International Air Transport Association

It is the global trade association of airlines (for both freight and passenger carriers) that regulates the aviation industry by developing standards, procedures, and practices.
It was established in 1945 in Havana, Cuba, as a successor to the International Air Traffic Association, which was formed in 1919.
Head Office: Montreal, Canada.
IATA was created to promote cooperation among airlines and ensure the safe, secure, and efficient transportation of people and goods across international borders.
Its mission is to represent, lead, and serve the global airline industry by advocating for fair regulations, enhancing operational efficiency, and improving passenger and cargo services worldwide.
In practice, its activity focuses on three main areas:
- Standardization of processes and documentation used in international air transport.
- Development of technical regulations for the transport of goods, especially in sensitive areas such as dangerous goods or perishable products.
- Financial cooperation and settlement systems that enable airlines to operate global transportation networks.
Members:
- At its founding, IATA had 57 members from 31 nations, mostly in Europe and North America.
- As of today, it has 370 airline members in 126 countries and territories, comprising around 85 percent of total air traffic.

What’s the difference between the IATA and the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization)?

While the IATA and ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) both serve the airline industry, they are distinct and different organizations.
The key differences are the following:
- IATA establishes standards for its member airlines, whereas ICAO establishes standards for member states.
- IATA promotes on behalf of its airline industry members, whereas ICAO works to establish civil aviation rules and procedures (particularly as it pertains to the actual process of flight).

News: TH

International Air Transport Association FAQs

Q1: What is the International Air Transport Association (IATA)?

Ans: IATA is the global trade association of airlines, representing both passenger and freight carriers.

Q2: When was International Air Transport Association (IATA) established?

Ans: IATA was established in 1945.

Q3: Where is the headquarters of International Air Transport Association (IATA) located?

Ans: IATA's headquarters is located in Montreal, Canada.

Q4: What are the three main areas of International Air Transport Association (IATA)'s activities?

Ans: Standardization of processes and documentation, development of technical regulations for goods transport, and financial cooperation and settlement systems.