UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 14 November 2026

SHATAYU Portal: Government Initiative to Strengthen Geriatric Care in India

November 14, 2026

SHATAYU Portal Latest News

The Ministry of Social Justice And Empowerment, is taking significant steps towards strengthening the geriatric care ecosystem and ensuring dignified, accessible and dependable care for senior citizens through SHATAYU dashboard.

About SHATAYU Portal

SHATAYU (Senior Holistic Care Assistance and Training for Your Utility) was launched on 22 May 2026.
It is a centralized digital initiative by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Ministry of Social Justice And Empowerment.
Objective: Its core objective is to map certified geriatric caregivers across the country, providing senior citizens and their families with transparent, localized, and direct access to high-quality elderly care and generate employment.
The platform seeks to bridge the gap between professionally trained geriatric caregivers and senior citizens, their families and institutions requiring specialised elderly care services.

Key Features SHATAYU Portal

It incorporates facilities such as OTP-based verification for callback requests, caregiver profile access, enrolment tracking and a feedback and rating mechanism.
It currently features 30,151 caregivers in its national directory, providing a digital database of caregiving professionals across States and Union Territories.
- Through this directory, individuals and families can search for caregivers based on geographical location, including State/UT and district, making it easier to identify locally available caregiving support.
It also offers a convenient “Request Callback” facility for individuals seeking assistance in engaging a caregiver.
The request is subsequently made available to caregivers in the selected district, facilitating direct communication between service seekers and caregiving professionals, the Official said.
It caters to both full-time and hourly caregiving requirements, while searching the directory and placing callback requests are available free of charge.

Source: PIB

SHATAYU Portal FAQs

Q1: What is SHATAYU Portal ?

Ans: It is a centralized digital initiative by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Ministry of Social Justice And Empowerment.

Q2: What is the advantage of SHATAYU Portal ?

Ans: It seeks to bridge the gap between professionally trained geriatric caregivers and senior citizens, their families and institutions requiring specialised elderly care services.

Exercise Mitra Shakti 2026: India and Sri Lanka Begin 12th Joint Military Exercise

November 14, 2026

Exercise Mitra Shakti Latest News

Recently, a 170-member Indian Defence Forces contingent departed to participate in the 12th edition of India–Sri Lanka joint military exercise ‘MITRA SHAKTI 2026’.

About Exercise Mitra Shakti

It is an annual bilateral military exercise conducted alternately in India and Sri Lanka.
Aim: The exercise aims to enhance joint military capability of both armies to undertake Counter Terrorism operations in a semi-urban environment under a United Nations mandate.
Participating Contingent: Indian battalion of the Rajputana Rifles along with troops from other arms and services, and personnel from the Indian Air Force are participating.
It provides an important platform for both armies to strengthen interoperability, exchange operational experiences and share best practices in the conduct of Counter Terrorism operations, while promoting mutual understanding and professional camaraderie.
The training programme will encompass joint planning, rehearsing tactical operations and specialised combat skills including road block operations, urban patrolling, vehicle convoy protection, area ambush etc.
It will further strengthen defence cooperation between India and Sri Lanka.

Source: PIB

Exercise Mitra Shakti FAQs

Q1: Exercise Mitra Shakti is conducted between which two countries?

Ans: India and Sri Lanka

Q2: What is aim of Exercise Mitra Shakti?

Ans: It aims to enhance joint military capability of both armies to undertake Counter Terrorism operations in a semi-urban environment under a United Nations mandate.

Pioxaniliprole: India’s First Indigenous Insecticide Molecule, Mechanism of Action and Uses

November 14, 2026

Pioxaniliprole Latest News

PI Industries Ltd’s Pioxaniliprole has received approval from the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIBRC).

About Pioxaniliprole

It is India’s first indigenously discovered insecticide molecule.
It has been developed by PI Industries Ltd.
It is an insecticidal active ingredient belonging to the anthranilic diamide class of insecticides.
Pioxaniliprole’s Chemical Composition: It is a carboxamide compound containing chlorine, nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur atoms.
Mechanism of action
- Target insect pests: The insecticide is effective against yellow stem borer, leaf folder, fall armyworm, tobacco cutworm, fruit borer and pod borer.
- It targets ryanodine receptors in insects, causing feeding cessation, muscle paralysis and eventually death.
- Pioxaniliprole acts by targeting ryanodine receptors (RyRs), specialised protein channels present in insect muscle cells that regulate the release of calcium ions from intracellular storage compartments into the cell cytoplasm.
  - Calcium ions play a crucial role in normal muscle contraction and relaxation. Pioxaniliprole binds to and activates these receptors, triggering an uncontrolled release of calcium ions.
- This disrupts normal muscle functioning in insects, leading to feeding cessation, lethargy, muscle paralysis and eventually death.

Source: IE

Pioxaniliprole FAQs

Q1: What is Pioxaniliprole?

Ans: It is India’s first indigenously discovered insecticide molecule.

Q2: Pioxaniliprole targets which type of insects?

Ans: The insecticide is effective against yellow stem borer, leaf folder, fall armyworm, tobacco cutworm, fruit borer and pod borer.

Water Rail in India: Rare Sighting at TS Chanakya Wetlands

November 14, 2026

Water Rail Latest News

An uncommon water rail (Rallus aquaticus) bird was recently sighted at TS Chanakya wetlands, off Palm Beach Road in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra.

About Water Rail

It is a bird of the rail family Rallidae.
Scientific Name: Rallus aquaticus

Water Rail Habitat and Distribution

It breeds in well-vegetated wetlands across Europe, Asia, and North Africa.
Northern and eastern populations are migratory, but this species is a permanent resident in the warmer parts of its breeding range.
In the Indian subcontinent, the Water Rail is a summer visitor to Kashmir and winters in eastern Pakistan and the northwestern plains of India. It wanders into western Uttarakhand and Rajasthan.

Water Rail Features

The adult is 23–28 cm long and, like other rails, has a body that is flattened laterally, allowing easier passage through the reed beds it inhabits.
It has mainly brown upperparts and blue-grey underparts, black barring on the flanks, long toes, a short tail, and a long reddish bill.
Known for its elusive nature, the water rail often remains motionless when threatened, opting to run for cover rather than fly.

Water Rail Conservation Status

It is classified as 'Least Concern' under the IUCN Red List.

News: TOI

Water Rail FAQs

Q1: What is the Water Rail?

Ans: It is a bird belonging to the rail family, Rallidae.

Q2: In which regions is the Water Rail found?

Ans: Across Europe, Asia and North Africa.

Q3: What is the typical colouration of the Water Rail?

Ans: It has mainly brown upperparts and blue-grey underparts, with black barring on its flanks.

Q4: What is the conservation status of the Water Rail according to the IUCN Red List?

Ans: Least Concern (LC).

Willow Warbler in News: Karnataka Records Its First Sighting of the Rare Migratory Bird

November 14, 2026

Willow Warbler Latest News

A willow warbler recorded at Kenjar grasslands near Mangaluru recently is believed to be Karnataka’s first sighting and species’ only fifth confirmed record in India.

About Willow Warbler

It is a very widespread insectivorous songbird.
Scientific Name: Phylloscopus trochilus

Willow Warbler Habitat and Distribution

Willow warblers breed throughout Europe and the Palearctic, from Ireland east to the Anadyr River basin in eastern Siberia.
They are strongly migratory, and almost all of the population winters in sub-Saharan Africa.
They inhabit open woodlands with trees and ground cover for nesting, including most importantly birch, alder, and willow habitats.
They also frequent gardens, orchards, hedges, and pastures.

Willow Warbler Features

It measures around 11cm in length, with a wingspan of 19cm.
It is greenish brown above and off-white to yellowish below; the wings are plain greenish-brown with no wingbars.
Juveniles are yellower below than adults.
It can be distinguished by their paler pinkish-yellow legs, longer, paler bill, more elegant shape, and longer primary projection (wingtip).

Willow Warbler Conservation Status

It is classified as ' Least Concern' under the IUCN Red List

News: TOI

Willow Warbler FAQs

Q1: What type of bird is the Willow Warbler?

Ans: It is a widespread insectivorous songbird.

Q2: Where does the Willow Warbler breed?

Ans: It breeds throughout Europe and the Palearctic, from Ireland eastwards to the Anadyr River basin in eastern Siberia.

Q3: Where does the Willow Warbler migrate during winter?

Ans: Almost the entire population migrates to sub-Saharan Africa for wintering.

Q4: What is the characteristic colouration of the Willow Warbler?

Ans: It has greenish-brown upperparts and off-white to yellowish underparts.

Q5: What is the IUCN Red List conservation status of the Willow Warbler?

Ans: Least Concern.

Kurumba Tribe: Migration Threatens the Survival of Its Indigenous Language

November 14, 2026

Kurumba Tribe Latest News

Recently, it was observed that increased migration among the Kurumbas is one of the factors that poses a threat to the survival of the Kurumba language.

About Kurumba Tribe

They reside in the hilly forest regions of Attappady in Palakkad district of Kerala.
These people are also found in the Cardamom and Nīlgiri hills, west-central Tamil Nadu.
They have been classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG).
Society
- Belief System: They consider the forest as their mother. Thy worship the earth, mountains, nature and rivers.
- The Kurumbas are polytheists. They pray to their gods and ancestors in all tribal ceremonies
- They represent their deities by wooden or stone sculptures placed in small huts called ‘Kaavu’ (temples).
- They speak Kurumba, an oral language without a script.
- Diet: Kurumbas consume a diet based on forest produce, millets, and locally grown vegetables.
- Occupation: The primary occupations of the Kurumba Tribe span traditional forest-based livelihoods and modern shifting labor due to conservation restrictions.

Source: TH

Kurumba Tribe FAQs

Q1: Where do we find Kurumba Tribe?

Ans: They reside in the hilly forest regions of Attappady in Palakkad district of Kerala.

Q2: What are the belief system of Kurumba Tribe?

Ans: They consider the forest as their mother. Thy worship the earth, mountains, nature and rivers.

Mississippi River Collision: Tanker and Passenger Cruise Ship Collide in New Orleans

November 14, 2026

Mississippi River Latest News

A tanker ship collided recently with an American Cruise Lines passenger ship docked on the Mississippi River in New Orleans, triggering rescue operations for multiple passengers who were in the water.

About Mississippi River

It is the longest river in the United States and the second longest in North America.
It lies entirely within the United States.
Course:
- It rises in Lake Itasca in Minnesota and flows almost due south across the continental interior.
- It collects the waters of its major tributaries, the Missouri River (to the west) and the Ohio River (to the east), approximately halfway along its journey to the Gulf of Mexico through a vast delta southeast of New Orleans.
The Mississippi River alone is more than 3,700 kilometers long.
If the length of the Missouri River system is added, the Mississippi-Missouri is the world’s fourth longest river system, following the Nile (6,693 km), the Amazon (6,436 km), and the Yangtze Rivers (6,378 km).
The Mississippi River basin drains 1,260,000 square miles, making it the largest drainage basin in terms of area in North America.
The basin is home to different ecosystems, including wet forests dominated by cypress trees, brackish and freshwater marshes, sandy beaches, and salt marshes.

News: HB

Mississippi River FAQs

Q1: Where does the Mississippi River originate?

Ans: It originates from Lake Itasca in Minnesota, USA.

Q2: Does the Mississippi River flow entirely within the United States?

Ans: Yes, it lies entirely within the United States.

Q3: Into which water body does the Mississippi River empty?

Ans: The Gulf of Mexico.

Q4: What is the approximate length of the Mississippi River alone?

Ans: More than 3,700 kilometres.

Scientists Discover Disporopsis crispata in Arunachal Pradesh, Marking Genus’ First Record in India

November 14, 2026

Disporopsis crispata Latest News

Researchers recently discovered a new flowering plant species named Disporopsis crispata in Arunachal Pradesh's Changlang district, marking the first recorded occurrence of the genus Disporopsis in India.

About Disporopsis crispata

It is a new species of flowering plant.
It was discovered in the Vijoynagar area, Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh.
It grows on damp slopes in temperate forests dominated by mixed rhododendron and bamboo vegetation, at elevations of 2,500-2,800 metres.
It marks the first recorded occurrence of the genus Disporopsis in India.
The discovery is significant, as the genus Disporopsis, comprising around 12 known species, was previously recorded mainly in Myanmar, China, Taiwan, the Philippines, and other parts of Southeast Asia.
Disporopsis crispatta is distinguished by its strongly wavy, crinkled leaf margins, reddish stems, and white-and-green flowers.
Its stems grow between 30 and 80 cm tall, while its lance-shaped leaves measure 5–15 cm in length.
The plant produces fleshy white fruits containing three to eight seeds.
Researchers named the species crispata in reference to the distinctive crinkled or undulating edges of its leaves.
The plant flowers between May and June, with fruiting recorded from July to December.

News: IT

Disporopsis crispata FAQs

Q1: What is Disporopsis crispata?

Ans: Disporopsis crispatta is a newly discovered species of flowering plant.

Q2: In which Indian state was Disporopsis crispatta discovered?

Ans: Arunachal Pradesh.

Q3: In which type of habitat does Disporopsis crispatta grow?

Ans: Damp slopes in temperate forests dominated by mixed rhododendron and bamboo vegetation.

Q4: What are the distinctive morphological features of Disporopsis crispatta?

Ans: Strongly wavy and crinkled leaf margins, reddish stems, and white-and-green flowers.

Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary

November 14, 2026

Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary Latest News

Hundreds of sand-laden lorries passing through Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary round the clock are disturbing wildlife habitats.

About Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary

It is located in the Warangal district of Telangana near the border with Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh.
Established in 1952, this sanctuary spreads over an area of approximately 812 sq.km.
Three-fourths of the sanctuary is covered in rising and falling plains and dense forest formation, while the remaining one-fourth comprises springs and streams.
Rivers:
- It has a water source called Dayyam Vagu, which separates the sanctuary into two parts.
- The Godavari River also passes through it.
The sanctuary forms part of the wider forested landscape of the Godavari basin and the Deccan Peninsula biogeographic region.
The famous Sammakka-Saralamma Temple is situated inside the sanctuary.
Flora:
- The sanctuary is characterized by southern tropical dry deciduous forest, with teak (Tectona grandis) as an important dominant species.
- Other vegetation includes dry-deciduous trees and grasses such as Terminalia, Anogeissus, and associated forest species.
Fauna:
- This sanctuary provides shelter to Tiger, Leopard, Panther, Wolf, Wild Dogs, Jackals, Sloth Bear, Chousingha, Black Buck, Nilgai, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Four Horned Antilope, Chinkara, Black Buck, Gaur, and Giant Squirrels.
- The sanctuary supports diverse birdlife, including Peafowl, Junglefowl, Crested Serpent Eagle, Kingfishers, Hornbills, Painted Storks, and other resident and seasonal birds.

News: DC

Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary FAQs

Q1: Where is Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary located?

Ans: In Telangana, near the borders with Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh.

Q2: What type of landscape characterises Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary?

Ans: Rising and falling plains with dense forest formations, along with springs and streams.

Q3: Which major river passes through Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary?

Ans: The Godavari River.

Q4: Which type of forest is predominantly found in Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary?

Ans: Southern tropical dry deciduous forest.

PPVFRA: 22nd Foundation Day of the Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority

November 14, 2026

Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority Latest News

Recently, the 22nd Foundation Day of the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPVFRA) was celebrated.

About Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority

It is a statutory body established on 11 November, 2005 under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001.
Nodal Ministry: It works under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India.
Headquarter: New Delhi

Objectives of the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority

Grant intellectual property rights to plant breeders for their innovations in developing new plant varieties
Recognise and reward farmers and communities who conserve traditional varieties and biodiversity
Promote the protection of farmers’ rights to save, use, sow, resow, exchange, share, and sell farm-saved seed of registered varieties
Encourage research and innovation in plant breeding and agriculture
Maintain the National Register of Plant Varieties (NRPV) and ensure the documentation and conservation of valuable germplasm resources

Structure of the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority

The Chairperson is the Chief Executive of the Authority.
Members: It has 15 members, as notified by the Government of India (GOI).
Eight of them are ex-officio members representing various Departments/ Ministries,
Three from State Agriculture Universities and the State Governments.
One representative each for farmers, tribal organization, seed industry and women organizations associated with agricultural activities are nominated by the Central Government.
The Registrar General is the ex-officio Member Secretary of the Authority.

Functions Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority

Registration of new plant varieties, essentially derived varieties (EDV), extant varieties;
Compulsory cataloging facilities for all variety of plants;
Preservation of plant genetic resources of economic plants and their wild relatives;
Maintenance of the National Register of Plant Varieties and National Gene Bank

Source: PIB

Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority FAQs

Q1: What is Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority?

Ans: It is a statutory body established on 11 November, 2005 under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001.

Q2: Which is the nodal ministry of Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority?

Ans: It works under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India.