D-Voter Latest News

Assam's opposition recently raised concerns over the plight of ‘D’ (Doubtful) voters in Assam, demanding the closure of the state’s only detention centre, now termed a transit camp, and the tabling of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) report in the Assembly.

About D-Voter

• D-voters or doubtful voters, are a category of voters in Assam who couldn't give evidence to prove their Indian nationality and whose cases are pending with the Foreigners Tribunals or who have been declared foreigners by the Tribunal. 
• The D-voter category was introduced by the Election Commission of India in 1997. 
• Because their Indian citizenship has not been verified, doubtful voters are not allowed to vote in elections.
• They are also not permitted to run for office in the nation's elections.
• However, ‘doubtful voter’ or ‘doubtful citizenship’ have not been defined in the Citizenship Act, 1955, or the Citizenship Rules of 2003.
• The Citizenship Rules, 2003, was framed under the provisions of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2003.
  • The rules framed in 2003 list out the steps to be followed for the preparation of the National Population Register (NPR) and the National Register of Indian Citizens (NRIC).
  • It has only been stated that the Local Registrar will include the details of individuals whose citizenship is in doubt with an "appropriate remark in the population register for further enquiry" under subsection 4 of section 4, which deals with the production of the National Register of Indian Citizens (NRIC).
  • A family or individual is notifiedin a specific pro forma as soon as the verification process concludes, whether they have been classified as a dubious citizen (D-Category). 
  • Before deciding whether or not to add their name to the register, they are also given the opportunity to be heard by the Taluk or Sub-district Registrar of Citizenship. 
  • The Registrar has ninety days to complete and justify his findings.
• The marking as a doubtful voter is a temporary measure and cannot be prolonged. Within a specific timeframe, a decision needs to be made. 
• According to the documentation provided, if it is determined that the individual is a foreign national or an illegal immigrant, they may be deported or placed in a detention centre.
• D- Voters can also apply to have their names added to the NRC. 
  • They will be included only after they get clearance from the Foreigners Tribunals and their names are removed from electoral rolls under the ‘D’ category.

D-Voter FAQs

Q1. What is the National Population Register (NPR)?

Ans. NPR is a register of usual residents of the country.

Q2. What is the National Register of Citizens (NRC)?

Ans. The NRC is a registry of all Indian citizens, mandated by a 2003 amendment to the Citizenship Act of 1955. 

Q3. What is a Foreigners Tribunal (FT)?

Ans. FTs are quasi-judicial bodies formed through the Foreigners (Tribunals) Order of 1964, to let local authorities in a State refer a person suspected to be a foreigner to tribunals.

Source: ITN

Vitiligo Latest News

New research shows gut-friendly bacteria may slow vitiligo progression, offering hope for millions with autoimmune disease.

About Vitiligo

• Vitiligo (vit-ih-LIE-go) is a disease that causes loss of skin color in patches. 
• The condition can affect the skin on any part of the body. 
• It generally starts on your hands, forearms, feet and face.
• The discolored areas usually get bigger with time. 
• It can also affect hair and the inside of the mouth.
• Causes:
  • The condition occurs when your body’s immune system destroys melanocytes. 
  • Melanocytes are skin cells that produce melanin, the chemical that gives skin its color, or pigmentation.
  • While research is ongoing to learn more about the causes of vitiligo, studies indicate that about 30% of vitiligo cases are genetic.
• Vitiligo affects all races and sexes equally. It’s more visible in people with darker skin tones. 
• Globally, about 1% of the population has vitiligo.
• Treatment:
  • The condition is not life-threatening or contagious.
  • Treatment for vitiligo may restore color to the affected skin. 
  • But it doesn't prevent continued loss of skin color or a recurrence.

Vitiligo FAQs

Q1. What is the major cause of vitiligo?

Ans. Vitiligo is primarily caused by the loss of melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin, which gives skin its color.

Q2. Will vitiligo be cured?

Ans. Treatment cannot cure vitiligo.

Q3. How to improve melanin in skin?

Ans. Eating vitamin C–rich foods like citrus, berries, and leafy green vegetables may optimize melanin production.

Source: TH

Bangus Valley Latest News 

The Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday (March 6, 2025) announced a new set of rules for Bangus, a far-off tourist spot near the Line of Control (LoC) in north Kashmir, in a bid to promote it as an ecotourism destination.

About Bangus Valley

• Lying within the Trans-Himalayan area, Bangus is a unique ecological combination comprising a mountain biome, which includes a grassland biome with flora at lower altitudes; and Taiga or Coniferous forest. 
• The valley which lies at an altitude of around 10,000 ft. above sea level is in the northern part of district Kupwara within the Handwara sub District.
• Occupying an estimated area of 300 sq. km, the principal valley locally known as Bodh Bangus (Big Bangus) consists of a linear elliptical bowl aligned along the east-west axis. 
• The valley is surrounded by Rajwar and Mawar in the east, Shamasbury and Dajlungun Mountains in the west and Chowkibal and Karnah Guli in the north. 
• A smaller valley known as Lokut Bangus (Small Bangus) lies on the north-eastern side of the main valley. 
• Both the valleys have level green meadows surrounded by low-lying mountains covered with dense Coniferous forests (budloo) and a stream flowing through them.

Trans Himalayan Range

• The Trans-Himalayas, also known as the Tibetan Himalayas, lie north of the Great Himalayan Range and extend approximately 1,600 km. 
• Comprising major ranges like Zanskar, Ladakh, Kailash, and Karakoram, this region is characterized by arid plateaus, high-altitude passes, and cold deserts.
• It holds ecological significance and serves as a boundary between the Indian subcontinent and the Tibetan Plateau

Bangus Valley FAQs

Q1. Where is Bangus Valley located?

Ans. Bangus Valley is situated in the Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, near the Line of Control.

Q2. What is Bangus Valley famous for?

Ans. Bangus Valley is known for its natural beauty, including lush meadows, mountains, and streams, making it ideal for trekking, camping, and nature exploration.

Source: TH

Antarctic Circumpolar Current Latest News 

A groundbreaking study has revealed that the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC)—the world’s most powerful ocean current—is slowing down due to melting ice sheets.

About Antarctic Circumpolar Current

• The Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) is the strongest ocean current globally, flowing clockwise (from west to east) around Antarctica and connecting the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.
• As the only ocean current connecting the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, the ACC is five times stronger than the Gulf Stream and over 100 times more powerful than the Amazon River. 
  • The Antarctic Circumpolar Current separates the Southern Ocean from the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans at 60° S latitude, which roughly coincides with the current’s southern boundary.
• It plays a critical role in regulating Earth’s climate by distributing heat, water, and nutrients worldwide. Beyond climate regulation, the ACC acts as a natural barrier, preventing non-native marine species from reaching Antarctica.
• However, the rapid melting of Antarctic ice due to rising global temperatures is introducing large volumes of freshwater into the ocean, which can disrupt the ACC's flow. 

Potential Impacts of ACC Slowdown

• Climate Regulation: A slowdown of the ACC could lead to more extreme climate events and alter weather patterns globally. 
• Marine Ecosystems: Changes in the ACC can disrupt nutrient distribution, affecting marine biodiversity and fisheries. 
• Carbon Sequestration: The ocean's ability to absorb carbon dioxide may decrease, potentially accelerating global warming. 

Antarctic Circumpolar Current FAQs

Q1. What is the Antarctic Circumpolar Current is?

Ans. The Antarctic Circumpolar Current is the world's strongest ocean current, encircling Antarctica and connecting major oceans.

Q2. What is the most powerful current in the world?

Ans. The Antarctic Circumpolar Current is the most powerful current globally, surpassing the Gulf Stream in strength.

Q3. What is the longest current in the world?

Ans. The Antarctic Circumpolar Current is also the longest current, spanning across Antarctica.

Q4. What is the Antarctic ocean current called?

Ans. The Antarctic ocean current is known as the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC).

Source: News18

Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple (BRT) Tiger Reserve Latest News

An Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) monitoring committee meeting held recently decided that new commercial construction shall not be permitted within 1 km from the boundary of the Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple (BRT) Tiger Reserve or up to the ESZ, whichever is nearer.

About Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple (BRT) Tiger Reserve

• It is located in the Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka State.
• It is in the middle of the bridge between Western and Eastern Ghats in South India.
• It was declared a Tiger Reserve in 2011.
• The total area of the Tiger Reserve is 574.82 sq.km.
• The reserve gets its name from Biligiri, meaning "white rocky cliff," which is home to the ancient Rangaswamy Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
  • It is also believed that the hill range gets its name due to white mist and silvery clouds which cover these lofty hills for a greater part of the year. 
• The Soliga tribe, an indigenous people, inhabit the area and co-exist with wildlife.
• Vegetation: The reserve's diverse climatic conditions and elevation changes have resulted in a much-diversified mosaic of habitats that includes practically all major forest vegetation types, including scrub, deciduous, riparian, evergreen, sholas, and grasslands.
• Flora: The major species include Anogeissus latifolia, Dalbergia paniculata, Grewia teliaefolia, Terminalia alata, Terminalia bellirica, Terminalia paniculata, etc.
• Fauna: Animals including tiger, elephant, leopard, wild dog, bison, sambar, spotted deer, barking deer, four-horned antelope, sloth bear, wild boar, common langur, bonnet macaque, varieties of reptiles, birds, etc., are found in the Tiger Reserve.

Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple (BRT) Tiger Reserve FAQs

Q1. Which state is BRT Tiger Reserve in?

Ans. Karnataka 

Q2. Which temple is inside the BRT Tiger Reserve?

Ans. Rangaswamy Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu is inside the BRT Tiger Reserve.

Q3. Which tribe lives in BRT Tiger Reserve?

Ans. The Soliga tribe is the indigenous community living in the BRT Tiger Reserve.

Source: DH

AI Kosha Latest News 

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched AI Kosha, a non-personal datasets platform, along with the GPU access portal under the IndiaAI Mission.

About AI Kosha 

• AI Kosha is an initiative by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) designed to serve as a unified repository for datasets, tools, and AI models.
• It aims to enhance access to datasets and models from various sources to boost AI innovation, support AI solution development with shared toolkits, and showcase use cases to inspire new applications.
• It serves as a central repository, offering over 300 datasets, 80+ models, and diverse AI use cases.
• AI Kosha also features an AI sandbox with an integrated development environment, tools, and tutorials. 
• Key security measures include content discoverability, AI readiness scoring, permission-based access, data encryption, secure APIs, and real-time firewalls to ensure safe and efficient AI development.

What is the IndiaAI Mission?

• The IndiaAI Mission is a comprehensive initiative launched by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to build a robust AI ecosystem in India.
• The IndiaAI Mission, with an allocation of Rs. 10,300 crore (US$ 1.18 billion) over five years, is building a high-performance computing infrastructure with 18,693 Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) and launching an open GPU marketplace to empower startups, students, and researchers.

AI Kosha FAQs

Q1. What is AI Kosha?

Ans. AI Kosha is a secure platform providing access to datasets, models, and tools to accelerate AI innovation in India.

Q2. How does AI Kosha support AI development?

Ans. AI Kosha offers a sandbox environment with integrated tools and tutorials, ensuring secure and efficient AI development through robust security measures.

Q3. What is the significance of AI Kosha?

Ans. AI Kosha is crucial for democratizing AI access and enhancing data quality, supporting the development of indigenous AI technologies in India.

Source: PIB

Panchaganga River Latest News

Maharashtra govt recently appointed a panel to investigate the causes of pollution in Panchaganga river.

About Panchaganga River

• It is a major tributary of the Krishna River, flowing through Maharashtra.
• Course: 
  • It originates from Prayag Sangam in the Sahyadri mountain ranges.
  • The birthplace of this river is called Chikhlee Taluka, a small village in the district of Kolhapur, Maharashtra.
  • It is formed by the confluence of five rivers—Kasari, Kumbhi, Tulsi, Bhogawati, and Saraswati.
  • From there, the river flows approximately 80 km before eventually joining the Krishna River in Maharashtra.
• The Panchganga River holds immense spiritual significance. The banks of the river are adorned with numerous temples and shrines.
• The valley of the Panchaganga River is very fertile, and its sloping banks yield rich crops during the winter season.
• The waters of all the streams which join to form the Panchaganga are much used for growing sugarcane.
• Since the last decade, its pollution level has been increasing fast. The pollution of the Panchaganga River is due to the disposal of untreated municipal sewage from the Kolhapur town. 

Panchaganga River FAQs

Q1. Where is the birthplace of Panchaganga river?

Ans. It originates from Prayag Sangam in the Sahyadri mountain ranges.

Q2. Panchganga River is a tributary of which river?

Ans. It is a major tributary of the Krishna River.

Q3. Panchganga River is formed by the confluence of which all rivers?

Ans. It is formed by the confluence of five rivers—Kasari, Kumbhi, Tulsi, Bhogawati, and Saraswati.

Source: TOI

Pashu Aushadhi Initiative Latest News 

The government will open “Pashu Aushadhi” stores across the country to provide affordable generic veterinary medicines to people engaged in animal husbandry and dairying.

About Pashu Aushadhi Initiative 

• The Pashu Aushadhi initiative has been conceptualised on the lines of the existing Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJK), which provide “quality generic medicines at affordable prices” to people to “bring down the healthcare budget of every citizen of India”.
• The Pashu Aushadhi initiative is part of the revised Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP), which was approved by the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister.
• The Pashu Aushadhi stores will be run by cooperative societies and Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Kendras (PMKSK).
• The Pashu Aushadhi Kendras will also sell ethnoveterinary medicines, based on traditional beliefs and indigenous knowledge and practices, to treat animal diseases.
• It has been allocated ₹75 crore to ensure the availability of high-quality, affordable generic veterinary medicines. 
• These medicines will be distributed through PM-Kisan Samriddhi Kendras and cooperative societies, making essential animal healthcare more accessible to farmers.

Livestock Health and Disease Control Program

• The Government of India implements the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP) across the country with the primary objective of reducing risks to animal health through various measures since 2022. 
• The program focuses on prophylactic vaccination against key animal diseases, capacity building of veterinary services, disease surveillance, and strengthening veterinary infrastructure.

Pashu Aushadhi Initiative FAQs

Q1. What is the Pashu Aushadhi Initiative?

Ans. The Pashu Aushadhi Initiative is a government program aimed at providing affordable generic veterinary medicines to livestock farmers, ensuring better animal health and reducing costs.

Q2. How does the Pashu Aushadhi Initiative benefit livestock farmers?

Ans. By offering cost-effective generic veterinary medicines, the initiative helps reduce the financial burden on farmers and promotes better health management for their livestock.

Source: IE

Viatina-19 Latest News 

In February 2025, an Ongole cow named Viatina-19 was sold for a record-breaking 4.38 million USD (approximately INR 40 crore) in Brazil's Minas Gerais.

About Viatina-19

• Viatina-19 is a Nelore breed cow (Ongole cattle), renowned for its exceptional genetic qualities. The Nelore breed, originating from India and now prevalent in Brazil, is prized for its adaptability and meat quality.
• They are known for their unique genetic traits, including exceptional physical strength, heat resistance, and superior muscular structure. These qualities make them highly desirable for dairy.
• The Nelore breed is well known for its ability to adapt to tropical climates and disease resistance. Due to this, Viatina-19's embryos are in high demand globally for breeding programs.
• The Nelore breed, which makes up the majority of Brazil's cattle stock, is primarily raised for meat. According to the US Department of Agriculture, Brazil has about 230 million cows.
• However, in India, the original home of the Ongoles, the breed is facing the threat of extinction, its numbers halving from 15 lakh in 1944 to 6.34 lakh in the 2019 Livestock Census. 
• The price of the cattle, too, is relatively low in India – Rs 1 lakh for a cow and Rs 10 to 15 lakh for a prized bull.

Viatina-19 FAQs

Q1. Why is Viatina so expensive?

Ans. Viatina-19 is highly valued for its superior genetic traits, including exceptional size, muscle mass, and potential to produce high-quality offspring for Brazil's beef industry.

Q2. What is the most expensive cow in the world?

Ans. The most expensive cow in the world is Viatina-19, an Ongole (Nelore) breed cow from Brazil, which sold for 4.38 million USD in February 2025.

Q3. Which cow is worth 40 crore?

Ans. Viatina-19, an Ongole (Nelore) breed cow from Brazil, was sold for approximately 40 crore Indian Rupees (4.38 million USD) in a record-breaking auction.

Source: IE

Parvatmala Pariyojana Latest News

The union cabinet recently approved two major ropeway projects- Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib Ji (12.4 km) and Sonprayag to Kedarnath (12.9 km)- in Uttarakhand, which will be developed under National Ropeways Development Programme – Parvatmala Pariyojana.

About Parvatmala Pariyojana

• The National Ropeways Development Programme, known as the ‘Parvatmala Pariyojana’, was announced in the 2022-23 Union Budget.
• Under the Parvatmala Pariyojana, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways envisages the provision of safe, economical, convenient, efficient, self-sustainable & world-class ropeway infrastructure providing first- and last-mile connectivity to improve logistics efficiency in India.
• The programme aims to improve connectivity and convenience for commuters in hilly regions and to decongest urban areas where the conventional mode of transport is saturated or not feasible. 
• The aim is to improve connectivity and convenience for commuters, besides promoting tourism. 
• For the development of ropeway infrastructure in dense forests, in urban areas, and in difficult terrains, the ministry is collaborating with various state governments/UT administrations.
• The Centre has identified more than 200 projects at a cost of Rs 1.25 lakh crore under the programme.
• The projects are being implemented through Public-Private Partnership with around 60% contribution support by the Government of India.
• Implementing Agency: 
  • The National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML) has been mandated by the ministry to implement the project. 
  • It is a 100% owned SPV of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

Parvatmala Pariyojana FAQs

Q1. When was the parvatmala scheme launched?

Ans. Parvatmala Pariyojana was announced in the 2022-23 Union Budget.

Q2. Which ministry implements the Parvatmala program?

Ans. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways 

Q3. What is a Public-Private Partnership (PPP)?

Ans. A PPP is a partnership between the public sector and the private sector for the purpose of delivering a project or a service traditionally provided by the public sector. 

Source: IE