#1ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY
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Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary

ЁЯФ╣ Why in News & Recent Development

A snow leopard (Panthera uncia) was camera-trapped for the very first time in the Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, marking a historic baseline record for high-altitude wildlife tracking in the region.

ЁЯФ╣ Key Geographical and Ecological Features

Established in 1994, the sanctuary spans an elevation ranging from 1,600 metres to 4,500 metres above mean sea level. It is defined by two prominent physical featuresтАФthe Dhauladhar Range and the Bara Bhangal RangeтАФwhich comprise rugged terrain with bare granite rocks and snow-clad peaks.

ЁЯФ╣ Flora and Fauna Diversity

The area is dominated by Western mixed coniferous forest vegetation, along with rich alpine pastures. Major floral species include deodar, fir, spruce, blue pine, and oaks. The sanctuary serves as a habitat for rare fauna such as the Musk Deer, Himalayan Black Bear, Serow, Himalayan Weasel, Himalayan Palm Civet, Cheer Pheasant, Speckled Wood-Pigeon, and the Western Tragopan.

ЁЯФ╣ UP PCS / STATE PCS HIGH-YIELD VALUE ADDITION

State & District: Himachal Pradesh (Kangra District)Key Mountain Ranges: Dhauladhar Range and Bara Bhangal RangeMajor Vegetation Type: Western Mixed Coniferous Forest & Alpine PasturesIUCN Status of Snow Leopard: VulnerableNodal Administrative Department: Department of Forests, Himachal PradeshUPPCS PYQ Trend: Matching wildlife sanctuaries with their respective states/districts and mountain ranges is a recurring question type in Prelims Paper 1.
#2GEOGRAPHY & RIVERS
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Nathu La Pass

ЁЯФ╣ Why in News & Recent Development

Bilateral border trade between India and China through the historic Nathu La Pass in Sikkim recently resumed after remaining completely suspended for six years following the COVID-19 pandemic and heightened bilateral military tensions along the Line of Actual Control.

ЁЯФ╣ Geographical Profile and Strategic Location

Situated at an altitude of 4,310 metres above mean sea level in the Himalayas, Nathu La is located 54 kilometres east of Gangtok in Sikkim. It directly connects India with China's Tibet Autonomous Region and constitutes an ancient offshoot of the historic Silk Road, operating as one of the world's highest motorable roads.

ЁЯФ╣ Bilateral Trade Framework and Open Border Posts

Nathu La is one of three operational land border trade posts between India and China; the other two are Shipki La in Himachal Pradesh and Lipulekh in Uttarakhand. Originally sealed after the 1962 Sino-Indian War, Nathu La was reopened for restricted commercial trade in 2006 for specified goods like silk, garments, and yak hair.

ЁЯФ╣ UP PCS / STATE PCS HIGH-YIELD VALUE ADDITION

State & Location: Sikkim (54 km east of Gangtok)Elevation: 4,310 metres above mean sea levelThree Open Trade Posts with China: Nathu La (Sikkim), Shipki La (Himachal Pradesh), Lipulekh (Uttarakhand)Etymology: 'Nathu' means 'listening ears' and 'La' means 'pass' in TibetanUPPCS PYQ Trend: Himalayan mountain passes, their connecting regions, and state-wise matching appear frequently in Geography section.
#3INDIAN POLITY & GOVERNANCE
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Clean Slate Doctrine

ЁЯФ╣ Why in News & Recent Development

The Supreme Court of India delivered a significant ruling in the Ujaas Energy case, clarifying that while the Clean Slate Doctrine under corporate insolvency law extinguishes past financial claims against a corporate debtor, it does not automatically erase every statutory or factual consequence arising from those past acts.

ЁЯФ╣ Legal Framework under Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code

Embedded primarily in Section 31 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016, the doctrine mandates that once a Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) is finalized and approved by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), the successful resolution applicant takes over the corporate debtor free from past debts, penalties, or undisclosed liabilities.

ЁЯФ╣ Evolution through Key Supreme Court Precedents

The doctrine was solidified across multiple rulings: Essar Steel (2020) established unified claim settlement; Ghanashyam Mishra (2021) held that claims not part of the approved plan stand extinguished even for statutory authorities; Arun Kumar Jagatramka (2021) emphasized unencumbered business takeover; and Ebix Singapore (2021) confirmed its binding nature on all stakeholders.

ЁЯФ╣ UP PCS / STATE PCS HIGH-YIELD VALUE ADDITION

Parent Statute: Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016Core Governing Provision: Section 31 of IBC, 2016Adjudicating Authority: National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT)Key Judicial Rulings: Essar Steel Case (2020), Ghanashyam Mishra Case (2021), Ebix Singapore Case (2021)UPPCS PYQ Trend: Standard economic and commercial governance laws, statutory bodies (NCLT, IBBI), and judicial doctrines are regularly featured in Mains GS Paper 2 & 3.
#4INDIAN POLITY & GOVERNANCE
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Scheme of Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Castes

ЁЯФ╣ Why in News & Recent Development

Official reviews highlighted that the Scheme of Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Castes has played a pivotal role in enabling Scheduled Caste (SC) entrepreneurs to build tech-driven manufacturing enterprises, driving job creation and social inclusion.

ЁЯФ╣ Institutional Design and Funding Structure

Launched during financial year 2014тАУ15 by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the fund operates as an Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) registered under SEBI Regulations, 2012. The Government of India serves as the anchor investor, while IFCI Ltd. functions as the sponsor investor.

ЁЯФ╣ Financial Assistance Pattern and Priorities

The scheme provides concessional financial assistance ranging from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 15 crore. For projects up to Rs 5 crore, up to 75% of project cost is funded (25% promoter contribution). For projects above Rs 5 crore, maximum fund contribution is 50% (with 25% minimum promoter contribution and 25% institutional debt). Priority is given to women and disabled SC entrepreneurs.

ЁЯФ╣ UP PCS / STATE PCS HIGH-YIELD VALUE ADDITION

Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Social Justice and EmpowermentLaunch Year: 2014тАУ15Sponsor Institution: IFCI Ltd. (IFCI Venture Capital Funds Ltd.)Regulatory Body: SEBI (Registered under AIF Regulations, 2012)Constitutional Provisions: Article 46 (Promotion of educational and economic interests of SCs, STs, and other weaker sections)UPPCS PYQ Trend: Central Sector Welfare Schemes, targeted funding mechanisms, and socio-economic empowerment programs are key areas in GS Paper 2.
#5GEOGRAPHY & RIVERS
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Broad Peak

ЁЯФ╣ Why in News & Recent Development

A high-altitude emergency rescue operation was launched after a 10-member mountaineering expedition was struck by a severe avalanche on the treacherous upper slopes of Broad Peak in the Karakoram Range.

ЁЯФ╣ Geographical and Topographic Profile

Broad Peak is the 12th-highest mountain in the world with an altitude of 8,051 metres. Known locally as Falchan Kangri in the Balti language, it sits in the Karakoram massif spanning Gilgit-Baltistan and China's Xinjiang region, located approximately 8 km southeast of K2.

ЁЯФ╣ Geological Formation and Glacial Hydrology

Formed by the ongoing tectonic collision between the Indo-Australian and Eurasian plates, the peak consists of massive plutonic granite blocks and complex metamorphic strata. Its massive snowpack and ice walls feed two primary glacial systems: the Godwin-Austen Glacier and the Baltoro Glacier.

ЁЯФ╣ UP PCS / STATE PCS HIGH-YIELD VALUE ADDITION

Mountain Range: Karakoram RangeGlobal Elevation Rank: 12th highest peak worldwide (8,051 m)Local Name: Falchan Kangri (Balti Language)Associated Glaciers: Godwin-Austen Glacier and Baltoro GlacierUPPCS PYQ Trend: Mapping high-altitude peaks, international mountain ranges, and associated glaciers is an essential component of Prelims physical geography.
#6ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY
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Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2026

ЁЯФ╣ Why in News & Recent Development

Environmental policy experts called for urgent structural reforms following the publication of the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2026, in which India received a low global placement of 176th out of 177 evaluated countries.

ЁЯФ╣ Institutional Authorship and Methodology

The EPI is a biennial scorecard developed jointly by the Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy, Columbia University's Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), and the Yale Center for Geospatial Solutions. It measures national performance across 47 indicators and 12 issue categories under three core policy pillars: Environmental Health, Ecosystem Vitality, and Climate Change.

ЁЯФ╣ Key Findings and Performance Analysis

In the 2026 edition, Estonia secured the top rank globally, followed by Luxembourg, the United Kingdom, Finland, and the Netherlands, whereas Laos was ranked lowest at 177th. India recorded an overall EPI score of 22.46, lagging behind the South Asian regional average score of 31.81.

ЁЯФ╣ UP PCS / STATE PCS HIGH-YIELD VALUE ADDITION

Publishing Bodies: Yale University & Columbia UniversityFrequency: Biennial (Every 2 years)Top Ranker (2026): EstoniaIndia's Rank & Score (2026): 176th out of 177 (Score: 22.46)Core Pillars: Environmental Health, Ecosystem Vitality, Climate Change MitigationUPPCS PYQ Trend: Annual/biennial reports, global indices, institutional publishers, and India's exact rankings are standard items in Prelims GS Paper 1.
#7SCIENCE & SPACE
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Suspension Polyvinyl Chloride (S-PVC)

ЁЯФ╣ Why in News & Recent Development

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issued a notification imposing a six-month import restriction on Suspension Polyvinyl Chloride (S-PVC) resin, a vital industrial raw material, to check predatory import dumping and encourage domestic manufacturing capability.

ЁЯФ╣ Chemical Synthesis and Process Classification

S-PVC is synthesized through the suspension polymerisation of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) in an aqueous medium utilizing radical initiators. Unlike emulsion, bulk, or solution polymerisation, suspension polymerisation produces relatively dust-free, granular resin particles with customized particle porosity and controlled molecular weight distribution.

ЁЯФ╣ Industrial and Infrastructural Applications

S-PVC resin is widely utilized across the building and agriculture sectors. Its primary applications include manufacturing agricultural irrigation pipes, urban water supply conduits, electrical cable insulation, window frames, and structural PVC sheets.

ЁЯФ╣ UP PCS / STATE PCS HIGH-YIELD VALUE ADDITION

Primary Monomer: Vinyl Chloride Monomer (VCM)Polymerisation Method: Suspension Polymerisation in aqueous mediumNodal Regulatory Agency: Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce and IndustryMajor End Uses: PVC pipes (irrigation/sanitary), electrical conduits, construction profilesUPPCS PYQ Trend: Basic chemical polymer concepts, industrial applications, and recent trade regulator notifications feature regularly in General Science & Tech.
#8GEOGRAPHY & RIVERS
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Pamba River

ЁЯФ╣ Why in News & Recent Development

The Pamba River overtopped its banks across multiple stretches in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala due to heavy monsoon rains, resulting in regional flooding and forcing the local administration to issue flash flood advisories.

ЁЯФ╣ Hydrographic Profile and Course

Pamba is the third longest river in Kerala, following the Periyar River and the Bharathappuzha River. It originates at an altitude of 1,650 metres in the Pulachimalai Hill on the Peerumedu plateau of the Western Ghats, flowing westwards through Kerala before discharging into the Arabian Sea.

ЁЯФ╣ Cultural Significance and Tributaries

Traditionally called 'Dakshina Bhageerathi' or the 'Ganga of Kerala', the river possesses profound cultural importance due to its direct association with the sacred Sabarimala temple pilgrims. Its major tributaries include Kakki Ar, Azhuta Ar, Kakkad Ar, Kallar, Manimala, and Achenkovil.

ЁЯФ╣ UP PCS / STATE PCS HIGH-YIELD VALUE ADDITION

State: KeralaOrigin Point: Pulachimalai Hill, Peerumedu Plateau (Western Ghats)Length Rank: 3rd longest river in KeralaCultural Epithet: Dakshina Bhageerathi / Ganga of KeralaAssociated Pilgrimage Site: Sabarimala TempleKey Tributaries: Kakki Ar, Azhuta Ar, Kakkad Ar, Kallar, Manimala, AchenkovilUPPCS PYQ Trend: Peninsular rivers, their origination hills, tributaries, and associated cultural/religious landmarks are standard questions in Indian Geography.
#9DEFENCE & MISSILE TECH
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Exercise ROTOR CLAP III

ЁЯФ╣ Why in News & Recent Development

The Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully conducted and concluded its week-long specialized helicopter exercise, titled Exercise ROTOR CLAP III, at the Pokhran Field Firing Range in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer district.

ЁЯФ╣ Core Operational Theme and Focus

The exercise was structured around the theme of Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (Counter-UAS). It focused on validating rotary-wing combat concepts against low-altitude hostile drones, enhancing battlefield situational awareness, and refining operational integration between attack and utility helicopters.

ЁЯФ╣ Participating Rotary-Wing Assets

The operational drill brought together advanced attack platforms including the AH-64 Apache, Mi-25/35, and the indigenous Prachand Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), operating alongside heavy-lift and transport platforms such as the Chinook, Mi-17, and Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH).

ЁЯФ╣ UP PCS / STATE PCS HIGH-YIELD VALUE ADDITION

Conducting Armed Force: Indian Air Force (IAF)Venue: Pokhran Field Firing Range, Jaisalmer District, RajasthanCore Operational Theme: Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (Counter-UAS)Key Indigenous Platform Featured: Prachand Light Combat Helicopter (LCH)UPPCS PYQ Trend: Military exercises, participating weapon systems, and firing ranges are frequently asked in the Science & Defence sector.
#10CULTURE & GI TAGS
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Lohagad Fort

ЁЯФ╣ Why in News & Recent Development

A public confrontation over tourists violating rules by smoking at Maharashtra's historic Lohagad Fort went viral online, igniting national debates on monument conservation, enforcement of heritage laws, and responsible tourism.

ЁЯФ╣ Historical Legacy and Dynastic Rule

Established in the 10th century CE during the Lohtamia dynasty, the fort was held by Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Yadavas, Bahmanis, Nizam Shahis, Mughals, and Marathas. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj captured it in 1648 CE, surrendered it under the Treaty of Purandar (1665), recaptured it in 1670 CE to store Surat campaign treasures, and later served as a refuge for Peshwa statesman Nana Phadnavis.

ЁЯФ╣ Architectural Features and Topography

Situated at an elevation of 1,033 metres in the Western Ghats near Lonavala (Pune district), the fort divides the river basins of the Pavana and Indrayani rivers and overlooks the Pavana reservoir. Notable structural elements include four massive gates (Ganesh, Narayan, Hanuman, and Maha Darwaja) and the famous 'Vinchukada' (Scorpion's Tail)тАФa long, fortified narrow spur extending from the main fort.

ЁЯФ╣ UP PCS / STATE PCS HIGH-YIELD VALUE ADDITION

State & District: Maharashtra (Pune District, near Lonavala)Mountain Range: Western Ghats (Sahyadri)Dividing River Basins: Pavana River and Indrayani RiverKey Architectural Feature: Vinchukada ('Scorpion's Tail' spur)UNESCO Status: Inscribed as part of the 'Maratha Military Landscapes of India' World Heritage siteUPPCS PYQ Trend: Medieval hill forts, Maratha architecture, associated historical treaties (Treaty of Purandar 1665), and UNESCO sites are heavily tested in History & Culture.