PRELIMS BITS  Capital: Kigali. Recent Event: M23 armed group, supported by Rwanda, advanced in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Geography: Landlocked country in the Great Rift Valley, bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and the DRC. Features: Virunga volcanic mountains, Lake Kivu, Kagera River.

PRELIMS BITS Location: Kutch, Gujarat. Significance: Gujarat’s first Biodiversity Heritage Site, rare inland mangrove ecosystem. Biodiversity: Houses around 20 migratory and 25 resident migratory bird species.

PRELIMS BITS Issue: Yamuna board highlights recurring ammonia pollution with no convergent solutions. Causes: Intensive farming, untreated sewage discharge, cement mortar pipe linings. Health Risks: Respiratory system irritation, bacterial and sewage pollution indicator.

PRELIMS BITS Supreme Court Ruling: Recognizes the right to die with dignity as a fundamental right under Article 21. Passive Euthanasia: Withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment for terminally ill patients. Implementation: Karnataka is the second state after Kerala to implement this directive.

PRELIMS BITS Total Ramsar Sites: Increased from 85 to 89, highest in Asia. New Sites: Sekkarakottai and Therthangal Bird Sanctuaries (Tamil Nadu), Khecheopalri Wetland (Sikkim), Udhwa Lake (Jharkhand). Ramsar Convention: Adopted in 1971, aims to conserve and wisely use wetlands.

PRELIMS BITS Presented by: Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs. Focus: Driving domestic growth and resilience through deregulation. Key Highlights: Real GDP Growth: Pegged at 6.4% for FY25. Inflation: Moderating due to core inflation. Export Growth: Exceeded $600 billion in the first nine months of FY25. Concerns: Unfavorable global …

PRELIMS BITS  Study by IIT Bombay: Highlights resilience to extreme weather and pollution but with limited self-repair abilities. Key Findings: Weather Resilience: Mangroves recover within 1-2 weeks after cyclones. Nutrient Stability: Maintain productivity despite water pollution. Increased Link Strength: Mangroves stabilize productivity by linking with hydro-meteorological variables. About Mangroves Definition: …

PRELIMS BITS Constituted by: Union Ministry of Labour & Employment and state governments. Focus: Designing a social security model for unorganized workers, including gig and platform workers. Structure: Each committee includes five states. Proposal: Development of a dedicated social security and welfare scheme for gig and platform workers. Need for …

GS3 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) conducted a $5 billion dollar-rupee swap to inject liquidity into the Indian financial system amidst ongoing liquidity deficits and global market concerns. The operation attracted $25.6 billion in bids, showing strong demand for dollars. The transaction will be reversed on August …

GS2 GOVERNANCE Key Highlights: Objective: Improve transparency and inclusivity in governance, enhance service delivery, and ease of living. Expanded Scope: Both government and private entities can use Aadhaar for services in e-commerce, healthcare, travel, tourism, and hospitality. New Features: Streamlined Approval: Entities must apply via a portal with usage details, …

PRELIMS BITS  Key Facts: Species: Indosticta deccanensis Location: Madhugundi Village, Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka First Recorded: Northernmost part of the Western Ghats Known Regions: Tamil Nadu, Kerala Physical Features: Size: Less than 2 inches long Appearance: Cinnamon-colored thorax, transparent wings Family: Platystictidae (Shadow Damselflies) Habitat & Distribution: Found near slow-moving forest streams …

PRELIMS BITS Current Situation Maharashtra reported 140 confirmed cases in 2024, with Pune district as the epicentre. Out of India’s 151 cases, Pune alone accounted for 125 cases. Previous years had significantly lower numbers: 1 case (2021), 3 cases (2022), and 18 cases (2023). No severe complications, such as microcephaly …

GS3 SCIENCE & TECH Historic Achievement: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to become the first Indian astronaut to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4). This milestone underscores India’s growing participation in human space exploration. …

GS3 ENVIRONMENT  Historic Recognition: New Zealand has officially granted Mount Taranaki, also called Taranaki Maunga, the status of a legal person, affirming its cultural and spiritual significance to the Indigenous Māori community. This decision is part of efforts to address historical injustices resulting from colonisation. Key Highlights Historical Context Taranaki …

GS3 INTERNAL SECURITY  The Defence Ministry recently conducted a pilot study on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS) in collaboration with the Manohar Parrikar Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses. This study highlights the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in modern warfare while raising concerns about control, accountability, and ethics. …

GS2 POLITY The PM-JANMAN Package was launched in November 2023 to improve living conditions for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) across India. It aims for 100% coverage of essential services such as housing, water, healthcare, education, and roads in PVTG habitations, benefiting 75 PVTG communities across 18 states and one …