About Foot-and-mouth Disease (FMD):

• It is a severe, highly contagious viral disease of livestock that has a significant economic impact.
  • The disease affects cattle, swine, sheep, goats, and other cloven-hoofed ruminants.
  • It does not affect horses, dogs, or cats.
  • Intensively reared animals are more susceptible to the disease than traditional breeds.
• It is a transboundary animal disease (TAD) that deeply affects the production of livestock and disrupts regional and international trade in animals and animal products.
• The disease is estimated to circulate in 77% of the global livestock population, in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, as well as in a limited area of SouthAmerica. 
• It is not a human health or food safety threat. It is also not related to hand, foot, and mouth disease, which is a common childhood illness caused by a different virus.
• The organism which causes FMD isan aphthovirus of the family Picornaviridae.
  • There are seven strains (A, O, C, SAT1, SAT2, SAT3, and Asia1) which are endemic in different countries world wide.
  • Immunity to one type does not protect an animal against other types or subtypes.
• Transmission:
  • FMD is found in all excretions and secretions from infected animals.
  • Notably, these animals breathe out a large amount of aerosolised virus, which can infect other animals via the respiratory or oral routes.
• The disease is rarely fatal in adult animals, but there is often high mortality in young animals.
• Symptoms:
  • FMD is characterised by fever and blister-like sores on the tongue and lips, in the mouth, on the teats, and between the hooves.
  • Ruptured blisters can result in extreme lameness and reluctance to move or eat.
  • Other frequent symptoms are fever, depression, hypersalivation, loss of appetite, weight loss, growth retardation, and a drop in milk production, which can persist even after recovery. 
• The disease causes severe production losses, and while the majority of affected animals recover, the disease often leaves them weakened and debilitated.
• It was the first disease for which the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH, founded as OIE) established official status recognition.
• Vaccines for FMD are available but must be matched to the specific type and subtype of virus causing the outbreak.

Q1: What is the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)?

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), formerly known as the Office International des Epizooties (OIE), is an international organization that focuses on improving animal health worldwide. It was founded in 1924 in response to rinderpest outbreaks in livestock. It was renamed as WOAH in 2022 to reflect its global role in animal health. It works to prevent, control, and eliminate animal diseases, including zoonotic diseases (which can spread to humans).

Source: DD

About Desert National Park (DNP):

• It is located in the Thar Desert near the town of Jaisalmer, in Rajasthan.
• It is one of the largest national parks in the country, covering an area of over 3160 sq. km.
• The area falls in the extreme hot and arid region of the very low rainfall zone (<100mm) of the country.
• Topography:
  • The Park forms a vast, sandy, and undulating terrain.
  • The major landform consists of craggy rocks and compact Salt Lake bottoms, inters medial areas, and fixed dunes.
  • Sand dunes form around 20% of the park. 
• There are three main lakes in this sanctuary: Rajbaugh Lake, Malik Talao Lake, and Padam Talao. 
• One of the most interesting features of the DNP is the presence of fossils from the Jurassic Period.
• Vegetation:
  • The vegetation of a major part of the arid region of the Thar falls under the thorn forest type (Champion and Seth 1968).
  • The vegetation is quite sparse with open grassland, thorny bushes, plantations and dunes as the broad habitat types.
• Flora:
  • It consists of dhok, ronj, salai, and palm trees.
  • Khejri (Prosopis cineraria) is commonly found, which is revered and protected by the local communities, especially the 'Bishnois'.
• Fauna:
  • The wildlife of the DNP includes Chinkara, Desert fox, Bengal Fox, Indian Wolf, Desert Cat, Hare, etc. 
  • The endangered Great Indian Bustard is one magnificent bird found in relatively fair numbers.
  • Reptiles are also found in abundance, and they include the spiny –tailed lizard, monitor lizard, saw scaled-viper, Russel viper, and Karit.

Q1: What is the Great Indian Bustard?

It is a bustard found on the Indian subcontinent. It is among the heaviest of the flying birds. The species has a current viable population of 100- 150 individuals in India and mainly survives in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan that holds about 100 individuals. It is a large bird with a horizontal body and long, bare legs, giving it an ostrich-like appearance. It is classified as Critically Endangered under the IUCN Red List.

Source: NDTV

About Indian Customs Electronic Gateway: 

• It is known as ICEGATE which was established in 2007.
• It is the national portal of Indian Customs of Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) that provides e-filing services to the Trade, Cargo Carriers and other Trading Partners electronically.
• It serves as a centralized hub for all electronic interactions between Indian customs and the trading community.
• It is the main infrastructure for connecting trade users with the Indian government's customs department, and acts as a hub for exchanging information between external trading partners involved in international trading.
• It is internally linked with multiple partner agencies including RBI, Banks, DGFT, DGCIS, Ministry of Steel, Directorate of Valuation and other various Partner Government Agencies involved in EXIM.
• It collectively contributes to streamlining customs procedures, enhancing trade facilitation, and promoting transparency and efficiency in cross - border trade activities in India by providing multiple features for it's users.

Q1: What is Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank)?

It is the premier export finance institution of the country. It was established by the Government of India, under the Export-Import Bank of India Act, 1981.EXIM Bank wholly owned by the Government of India.

Source: IE

About National Youth Festival (NYF):

• Under the component ‘Promotion of National Integration’ of the National Programme for Youth and Adolescent Development (NPYAD), a NYF is organised during the month of January every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda (12 January), which is celebrated as National Youth Day.
  • Every year since 1985, the Government of India observes January 12 as National Youth Day and the week commencing from that day, as National Youth Week.
• NYF is organized every year from 12th to 16th January.
• It is organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports in partnership with one of the States/UTs which hosts the NYF. 
• The expenditure is shared between the Centre and the host State. 
• During the festival, various cultural programmes (both competitive and non-competitive), Youth convention, Suvichar, Exhibition, Adventure programmes, etc., are organized, and about 7500 youth delegates from different states/UTs take part in the festival.
• Thematic displays are also organized.
• NYF 2025:
  • The Theme of NYF 2025 is Innovation in Science and Technology.
  • NYF 2025 main event will be held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

Q1: Who was Swami Vivekananda?

Swami Vivekananda (1863 – 1902), born Narendranath Datta,was a Hindu monk and one of the most celebrated spiritual leaders of India. He was the foremost disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhamsa and a world spokesperson for Vedanta. He attempted to combine Indian spirituality with Western material progress, maintaining that the two supplemented and complemented one another. He believed that the path to self-purification is through helping others. Vivekananda represented Hinduism at the 1893 World’s Parliament of Religions convened during the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. After his first visit to the West, Swami Vivekananda went back to India and founded the Ramakrishna Order at Belur outside of Kolkata in 1897.

Source: NDTV

About Silver Nanowire-Based Conductive Ink Technology: 

• It has been developed under the project funded by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Govt. of India.
• The indigenous conductive ink technology holds the promise of reducing dependency on other countries, while also enabling India to tap into the rapidly growing demand for advanced electronic materials.
• Silver Nanowire-Based Conductive Ink is a versatile material used in:
  • Flexible electronics (e.g., foldable devices, touchscreen displays, computer keyboards).
  • Wearable devices and sensors.
  • Solar panels and display technologies.
  • RFID tags and windshield defrosters.
• The global market for silver nanowire-based conductive ink and adhesive is projected to surpass $16.87B by 2032 due to a rapid increase in the electronics, semiconductor, solar photovoltaic, and RFID market.
• The market growth can be attributed to key factors, including robust demand from end-use industries.
• India imports ink worth no more than $15,72,000 every year. The United States of America, the People's Republic of China, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Taiwan are the major exporter countries.

Q1:What is Radio frequency ?

It refers to the rate of oscillation of electromagnetic radio waves in the range of 3 kHz to 300 GHz, as well as the alternating currents carrying the radio signals. This is the frequency band that is used for communications transmission and broadcasting.

Source: PIB

About Gulf of Mexico: 

• It borders the southeastern coast of North America.
• It is connected to the Atlantic Ocean by the Straits of Florida, running between the peninsula of Florida and the island of Cuba, and to the Caribbean Sea by the Yucatán Channel, which runs between the Yucatán Peninsula and Cuba.
• It is a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean and the world’s largest gulf. It is often referred to as the “Mediterranean of the Americas”.
• It was formed as a result of seafloor subsidence due to the movement of the tectonic plates.
• It is somewhat shallow, along the coastal continental shelf areas, and has an average depth of 1,615 m.
• Climate:
  • Its climate varies from tropical to subtropical type.
  • This region experiences some of the most severe weather in the world, including major hurricanes, tornadoes, and thunderstorms.
• Rivers: The Mississippi and the Rio Grande are the major rivers draining into the gulf.
• Natural resources: The shallow continental shelf regions of this Gulf contain large deposits of petroleum and natural gas.

Q1:Where is the Yucatan Peninsula?

 It is a Northeastern projection of Central America which is lying between the Gulf of Mexico to the west and north and the Caribbean Sea to the east. The peninsula is almost wholly composed of beds of coralline and porous limestone rocks.

Source: IE

About Project Veer Gatha:

• It was launched in 2021 as part of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ to commemorate India’s 75th year of Independence.
• Aim: The project aims to raise awareness of Gallantry awardees’ acts of bravery and the life stories of these heroes.
• The initiative helps instill patriotism and civic values in students.
• The journey of Project Veer Gatha from Edition 1 to Edition 4 has been inspiring, expanding the reach of the competition across the length and breadth of the country.
• It is a joint initiative by the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Education.
  • Project Veer Gatha 4.0 presented a variety of thought-provoking topics for essay and paragraph writing.
  • Students had the opportunity to write about their chosen role models, particularly focusing on Gallantry Award recipients.
  • They were also encouraged to explore the inspiring lives of freedom fighters such as Rani Laxmibai, the 1857 First War of Independence, and the significant role of Tribal Uprisings in India’s Freedom Struggle.

Q1: What are the Gallantry Awards?

They have been instituted by the Government of India to honour the acts of bravery and sacrifice of the officers/personnel of the Armed Forces, other lawfully constituted Forces and civilians. These gallantry awards are announced twice a year - first on the occasion of the Republic Day and then on the occasion of the Independence Day.

Source: PIB

About World Meteorological Organization:

• It is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN).
• History
  • It originated from the International Meteorological Organization (IMO), which was founded in 1873. 
  • Established in 1950, WMO became the specialized agency of the UN for meteorology (weather and climate), operational hydrology and related geophysical sciences.
• It is the UN system's authoritative voice on the state and behavior of the Earth's atmosphere, its interaction with the oceans, the climate it produces, and the resulting distribution of water resources.
• Its main goal is to facilitate international cooperation in the development of meteorology and the exchange of information and technology related to weather, climate, hydrology and related environmental fields.
• Governance Structure:
  • World Meteorological Congress: It is WMO’s supreme body which consists of representatives of all members. It meets at least every four years to set general policy and adopt regulations.
  • Executive Council: It consists of 36-members which meets annually and implements policy.
  • Secretariat: It is headed by a secretary-general appointed by the congress for a four-year term, serves as the administrative centre of the organization.
• Members: It has 193 Members, including 187 Member States and 6 Territories, maintaining their own meteorological services.
• Headquarter: Geneva, Switzerland.

Q1: What is Meteorology?

It is the scientific study of atmospheric phenomena, particularly of the troposphere and lower stratosphere. Meteorology entails the systematic study of weather and its causes, and provides the basis for weather forecasting. See also climatology.

Source: IE

About Manis Indoburmanica:

• It is a new species of pangolin genetically distinct from Chinese and Indian pangolins found in India.
• The species has been named Indo-Burmese pangolin (Manis Indoburmanica).
• Genetic analysis has shown that the Indo-Burmese pangolin is 3.8% different from the Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla).
  • The species diverged from the Chinese pangolin around 3.4 million years ago, probably owing to climatic and geological changes during the Pliocene and Pleistocene epochs. 
• The species is believed to inhabit parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and potentially extend into Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar.
• It is found at altitudes ranging from 180 to 1830 meters above sea level and has dark brown and olive-brown scales with a pinkish face, typical of other Asian pangolins.

Key Facts about Pangolins:

• Pangolins are mammals that belong to the family Manidae and are found in Africa and Asia.
• There are eight different species of pangolins: four in Africa and four in Asia.
• They are unique because they are the only mammals covered in large, protective keratinscales, which they use as armour, curling up into a ball when threatened by predators.
• They are myrmecophagous, meaning they primarily eat ants and termites, using their long, sticky tongues to capture these insects.
• Additionally, pangolins are fossorial, which means they are adapted for digging and creating burrows where they often reside.
• Pangolins are among the most trafficked animals globally, partly due to the demand for their scales in traditional medicine and as luxury items.

Q1: What is keratin?

Keratin is a protein that helps form hair, nails and your skin's outer layer (epidermis). It helps support your skin, heal wounds and keep your nails and hair healthy. There are 54 kinds of keratin in your body.

Source: TOI

About Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S):

• C3S is one of six thematic information services provided by the Copernicus Earth Observation Programme of the European Union.
• C3S is implemented by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) on behalf of the European Commission. 
  • ECMWF is an independent intergovernmental organisation serving its member and Co-operating States and the broader community.
• C3S supports society by providing authoritative information about the past, present, and future climate in Europe and the rest of the world.
• The service offers free and open access via the internet to the best available climate data and to the tools needed to use this data.
• C3S has developed a Climate Data Store that provides easy access on the internet to a variety of high-quality, up-to-date, global datasetsabout the impacts of past, present, and future climate change.
  • The Climate Data Store is continually updated with new data based on the latest science, including observations, reanalyzes of past observations, seasonal forecasts, and climate model projections.
  • The Climate Data Store offers tools and expert guidance that make it possible to transform complex climate datasets into useful visual products, such as maps and charts.
  • Users anywhere can use data and tools available on the Climate Data Store for their own local needs.
  • C3S can provide user support, training, and guidance where needed.
• C3S users include scientists, consultants, planners, and policymakers, the media, and the public.
• C3S relies on climate research carried out within the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) and responds to user requirements defined by the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS).
• C3S provides an important resource to the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS).

Key Facts about Copernicus Programme:

• It is the Earth observation component of the European Union’s Space programme.
• It offers information services that draw from satellite Earth Observation, and in situ (non-space) data.
• The programme consists of a complex set of systems that collect data from multiple sources, including Earth Observation satellites, in-situ sensors like ground stations, and airborne and sea-borne sensors. 
• Users have free and open access to a great deal of this data, which is also processed to provide a set of services based on reliable and near-real-time information.
• Copernicus is served by a set of dedicated satellites (Sentinel family) and contributing missions.
  • The Sentinel satellites are specifically designed to meet the needs of the Copernicus information services and their users.
• Copernicus is funded, coordinated, and managed by the European Commission in cooperation with partners such as the European Space Agency and other EU agencies.

Q1: What is the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP?

The World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) is an international initiative that coordinates global climate research to improve understanding of the Earth's climate system and support climate predictions. Through international science coordination and partnerships, WCRP contributes to advancing our understanding of the multi-scale dynamic interactions between natural and social systems that affect climate. It was established in 1980 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the International Council for Science (ICSU) (now part of the International Science Council - ISC).

Source: DH