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➡️Rajaji–Corbett Wildlife Corridor 1️⃣ Location • State: Uttarakhand • Region: Foothills of the Shivalik Range (Outer Himalayas) • Forms part of the Terai–Bhabar ecosystem 🔹Important: This belt is one of India’s richest biodiversity zones. 2️⃣ Rajaji Tiger Reserve • Located along Ganga river valley • Lies in Shivalik hills • Vegetation: Sal forests, riverine forests, grasslands • Known for: • Asian elephants • Bengal tigers • Leopards 3️⃣ Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve • India’s first National Park (1936) – earlier called Hailey NP • Located in Nainital & Pauri Garhwal districts • Drained by Ramganga River • Important for: • Tigers • Elephants • Rich bird diversity 4️⃣ Wildlife Corridor The 4.5-km stretch mentioned is: • A functional wildlife corridor • Connects Corbett & Rajaji landscapes • Enables: • Animal migration • Genetic exchange • Seasonal movement 👉 Corridors prevent: • Inbreeding • Human-wildlife conflict • Habitat fragmentation 5️⃣ Ecological Zone This area lies in: • Terai region → marshy grasslands • Bhabar region → porous gravel soil zone below Shivaliks Prelims Trap: ✔ Bhabar – coarse sediments, water disappears ✔ Terai – water re-emerges, swampy 6️⃣ Why Sensitive? • Part of the elephant corridor network • Critical tiger habitat • Located in fragile Himalayan foothill ecosystem

➡️New CPI Series (Base Year 2024) 1️⃣ What Has Happened? The government (MoSPI) has introduced a new Consumer Price Index (CPI) series with 2024 as the base year. • January 2026 retail inflation: 2.75% • Earlier base year: 2012 • This is the first inflation number under the new series. 🔹Since it is a new base, past data cannot be directly compared yet. 2️⃣ Why Change the Base Year? The economy has changed significantly in the last decade: • More spending on services • Rise of digital & online shopping • Changing consumption habits • Urbanisation and lifestyle changes So, CPI must reflect current household spending patterns. The new weights are based on: 👉Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) 2023–24 This ensures inflation reflects what people actually spend money on today, not what they spent in 2012. 3️⃣ What Structural Changes Were Made? (A) More Items Included • Earlier: 299 items • Now: 358 items Goods increased from 259 → 308 Services increased from 40 → 50 🔹This improves accuracy because inflation is measured on a broader basket. (B) More Categories (Granular Classification) • Earlier: 6 broad groups • Now: 12 broad groups This helps policymakers understand: • Which sector is driving inflation • Whether it is food-driven, fuel-driven, services-driven, etc. (C) Better Market Coverage • Rural markets: 1,181 → 1,465 • Urban markets: 1,114 → 1,395 • 12 online platforms added 🔹This reflects the digital economy and improves representativeness. 4️⃣ Most Important Change – Weight Revision CPI works on a weighted average system. The weight shows how important a category is in household spending. 🔹 Food & Beverages • Earlier: 45.86% • Now: 36.75% (reduced) 👉 Food prices are highly volatile. Lower weight means: • Headline inflation may become less volatile • Inflation targeting becomes smoother 🔹 Housing (Expanded) • Earlier: 10.07% • Now: 17.67% Now includes: • Water • Electricity • Gas • Other fuels 🔹Reflects real urban living costs better. 👉Other Notable Weights • Health: 6.1% • Transport: 8.8% • Education: 3.33% • Clothing weight reduced • Tobacco weight slightly increased 🔹Shows shift from goods → services economy. 5️⃣ Why Is This Important for Policy? India follows inflation targeting: 🎯 RBI target = 4% ± 2% If CPI measurement is inaccurate: • Monetary policy decisions may be distorted • Interest rates may be wrongly set The new CPI: ✔ Better reflects real consumption ✔ Improves credibility ✔ Helps RBI calibrate interest rates properly 6️⃣ One Important Limitation Since this is a new series: • Historical comparison is not immediately available. • Government has provided linking factors to connect old data The new CPI series modernises India’s inflation measurement by updating the base year, revising weights according to current consumption patterns, expanding coverage, and improving accuracy for better policymaking.

CPI with new base year of 2024

13 feb……..👇

Tumbler Ridge • It is a small, remote town in northeastern British Columbia, Canada. • Located near the Rocky Mountains.

➡️Arctic Warming & Invasive Plant Threat 1️⃣ Climate Change Impact Rising temperatures in the Arctic are reducing natural climatic barriers that earlier prevented non-native species from surviving. 2️⃣ Growing Risk of Invasive Plants Warmer conditions and longer growing seasons are enabling alien plant species to establish and spread in the region. 3️⃣ Human Activity as a Driver Increased tourism, transport and trade are accelerating the introduction of invasive species through seeds and stowaways. 4️⃣ Identified Hotspots Potential high-risk regions include western Alaska, Greenland, Iceland, Fennoscandia, and parts of Russia. 5️⃣ Ecological Consequences Invasive plants threaten fragile tundra ecosystems, displacing native mosses and lichens and altering biodiversity. 6️⃣ Broader Significance The issue shows how climate change acts as a threat multiplier, intensifying biodiversity and ecological risks in sensitive regions.

1️⃣ Why in News NATO has launched a new mission called “Arctic Sentry” to strengthen security in the Arctic region. 👉 The move comes after tensions surrounding Greenland and increasing geopolitical competition in the Arctic. 2️⃣ What is Arctic Sentry? It is a multi-domain security mission that integrates: • Naval operations • Air surveillance • Cyber capabilities • Intelligence sharing 👉 It consolidates ongoing activities of NATO members in the Arctic.

➡️Have States Gained from the 16th Finance Commission (FC)? 1️⃣ Why in News The 16th Finance Commission, chaired by Dr. Arvind Panagariya, submitted its report for the period 2026–31. The Centre has accepted recommendations regarding tax devolution to States. 🔹Debate: Have States actually gained in terms of fiscal share? 2️⃣ Constitutional Basis Under Article 280, the President constitutes a Finance Commission every five years. Under Article 270, net tax proceeds collected by the Centre are shared between the Union and States. 🔹This sharing is called Vertical Devolution. 3️⃣ Vertical vs Horizontal Devolution 👉Vertical Devolution Share of States in the divisible pool of central taxes. • 14th FC → 42% • 15th FC → 41% • 16th FC → Retained at 41% 🔹States had demanded increase to 50%, but FC retained 41%. 👉Horizontal Devolution Distribution among States based on criteria like: • Income distance • Population (2011) • Area • Forest cover • Demographic performance • Tax effort • Contribution to GDP (new emphasis) 🔹16th FC introduced/strengthened recognition of efficiency and growth contribution. 4️⃣ States’ Demands Many States demanded: • Increase in vertical share from 41% to 50%. • Inclusion of cess and surcharge in divisible pool. • Reduction in weight of income distance (favours poorer States). Industrialised States (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana) demanded: • Greater weight to contribution to GDP. • Recognition of efficiency and revenue generation. 5️⃣ What Did 16th FC Recommend? • Retained 41% vertical devolution. • Did not recommend inclusion of cess and surcharge in divisible pool (not constitutionally feasible). • Adjusted horizontal criteria gradually to avoid sudden fiscal shocks. 🔹No drastic redistribution, but marginal shift toward recognising growth contribution. 6️⃣ Key Issues in Fiscal Federalism • Increasing share of cess and surcharge reduces divisible pool. • States argue Centre is centralising fiscal power. • Rising expenditure needs for defence and infrastructure cited by Centre. • Tension between equity (income distance) vs efficiency (growth contribution). 7️⃣ Have States Gained? • Vertical share unchanged → No major gain. • Slight recognition of contribution to GDP → Limited benefit to industrial States. • Status quo largely maintained. 🔹Conclusion: No major fiscal restructuring; only incremental adjustment. 8️⃣ Broader Federalism Context This debate reflects: • Concerns over cooperative vs competitive federalism. • Need for balanced fiscal empowerment. • Importance of predictable intergovernmental transfers. Conclusion The 16th Finance Commission maintained fiscal stability rather than introducing major redistribution. While some efficiency parameters were recognised, the overall framework remains largely unchanged, keeping the balance between equity and fiscal prudence.

1️⃣ Why in News According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 94 million people globally suffer from cataracts. 🔹A major concern is that nearly half lack access to required surgery, increasing risk of avoidable blindness 2️⃣ What is Cataract? A cataract is the clouding of the eye’s natural lens, leading to: • Blurred vision • Reduced clarity • Possible blindness if untreated 🔹It is one of the leading causes of preventable blindness worldwide. 3️⃣ Public Health Significance • Cataracts are largely age-related, but can also occur due to: • Diabetes • UV exposure • Trauma • Malnutrition • It is treatable through safe and cost-effective surgery. 🔹The problem is not medical complexity but access and affordability. 4️⃣ Access Gap • Around 50% of affected individuals do not receive surgery. 🔹Reflects inequality in healthcare delivery systems. 5️⃣ Indian Context India carries a high burden of avoidable blindness, especially among the elderly. Key initiatives: • National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCBVI) • Free cataract surgeries under public health schemes • Integration under Ayushman Bharat 🔹Cataract surgery is one of the most performed procedures in India. 6️⃣ Global Health Dimension WHO considers cataract management part of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). It aligns with: • SDG 3 – Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being. • Reducing preventable disabilities. Conclusion Cataracts remain a major but preventable cause of blindness. Bridging the access gap through stronger primary healthcare and affordable surgery is essential to achieve equitable public health outcomes.

➡️MPs Cannot Attend Parliament Virtually – HC Informed 1️⃣ Why in News During a hearing related to jailed MP Amritpal Singh, the Punjab & Haryana High Court was informed that there is no provision in Lok Sabha Rules allowing MPs to attend Parliament sessions virtually. 👉 The issue arose when the MP sought permission to attend the Budget Session through virtual mode. 2️⃣ Core Legal Issue The question before the court was whether a detained MP can attend parliamentary proceedings virtually. The government submitted that the Lok Sabha Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business do not permit virtual participation. 👉 Therefore, physical presence is mandatory under existing parliamentary rules. 3️⃣ Constitutional and Procedural Position Under the Constitution: • Article 100 → Voting in Parliament requires presence in the House. • Parliamentary functioning is governed by Rules of Procedure framed under Article 118. Currently, there is no rule providing for remote attendance by MPs. 4️⃣ Absence and Vacancy Rule If an MP remains absent for 60 days, the seat may be declared vacant under constitutional provisions. However, a designated committee of the Lok Sabha can condone absence if sufficient cause is shown. 👉 The concerned MP had reportedly remained absent for 37 days. 5️⃣ Detention Aspect The MP is detained under the National Security Act (NSA). For detained MPs, permission to attend sessions must be granted by the detaining authority, not the Lok Sabha. 👉 The Speaker or Lok Sabha Secretariat has no role in granting release from detention. 6️⃣ Broader Constitutional Significance This case highlights: • The principle of Separation of Powers. • Limits of judicial intervention in parliamentary procedure. • Importance of physical quorum and legislative presence. It also raises questions about modernization of parliamentary functioning in the digital era. Conclusion The case reaffirms that under existing rules, physical attendance is mandatory for MPs in Parliament. Any shift toward virtual participation would require formal amendment of parliamentary rules.

➡️Haryana’s AI-Based Portal for State Budget – Citizen Suggestions 1️⃣ Why in News The Haryana Government received over 11,000 suggestions from citizens through its AI-based Voice Feedback Portal for the upcoming State Budget (2026–27). 👉 The initiative aims to prepare a “People’s Budget” by incorporating citizen inputs. 2️⃣ What is the Initiative? The portal was launched by the Chief Minister to collect suggestions using Artificial Intelligence (AI). It marks the first structured use of AI in budget consultation within India’s administrative framework. 👉 The goal is to enhance participatory governance and make budgeting more inclusive.

➡️India’s First ‘Musical Path’ – Mumbai Coastal Road 1️⃣ Why in News Mumbai’s Coastal Road has become India’s first “Musical Path”. Special rumble strips have been installed that play the tune of ‘Jai Ho’ when vehicles pass at a specific speed. 👉 This marks an innovative use of road engineering for public engagement and awareness. 2️⃣ What is a Musical Road? A musical road is a stretch where specially designed grooves or rumble strips are embedded in the road surface. When vehicles drive over them at a designated speed (60–80 kmph), vibrations produce a melody. 👉 The sound is generated due to friction and vibration of tyres, not speakers. 3️⃣ Location and Implementation The musical stretch is located on the Dharamveer Swarajya Rakshak Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Coastal Road from Nariman Point to Worli. It has been implemented by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). 👉 Signboards are placed before the stretch to inform drivers about the required speed for proper experience. 4️⃣ Technology Used The concept is based on Hungarian technology. Similar musical roads exist in: • Hungary • Japan • South Korea • United Arab Emirates 👉 This is the first such road in India and the fifth globally. 5️⃣ Purpose and Significance The initiative aims to: • Enhance road user experience • Encourage speed regulation • Promote innovative urban infrastructure design Musical roads can also act as subtle speed-control tools, as the melody works properly only at a certain speed. 6️⃣ Broader Urban Governance Angle This reflects: • Adoption of global best practices • Integration of technology in urban planning • Focus on smart city concepts and experiential infrastructure It also highlights India’s experimentation with public space innovation. Conclusion Mumbai’s musical road represents a blend of technology, infrastructure innovation, and behavioural engineering. While symbolic in nature, it reflects evolving approaches in India’s urban development.

➡️Tamil Brahmi Inscriptions Discovered in Egypt 1️⃣ Why in News Nearly 30 inscriptions in Tamil Brahmi, Prakrit and Sanskrit have been identified in the Valley of the Kings (Egypt). They are dated between the 1st and 3rd Century CE. 👉 This period overlaps with the Sangam Age in South India and the height of Indo-Roman trade, making the discovery historically significant. 2️⃣ What Exactly Was Found The inscriptions were carved as graffiti inside tombs in the Theban Necropolis. Visitors appear to have written their names on walls, following an existing practice. The Tamil name “Cikai Korran” appears multiple times. Other names include Kopān, Cāttan and Kiran. 👉 This suggests that Indian individuals physically travelled to Egypt and left their presence marks, not just traded indirectly. 3️⃣ Historical Significance This discovery confirms direct contact between ancient Tamilagam and Egypt, which was under Roman control during that time. Trade likely occurred via Red Sea maritime routes, connecting the Malabar Coast to ports like Berenike. 👉 It strengthens earlier evidence such as: • Roman coins found in Tamil Nadu • References in Periplus of the Erythraean Sea • Archaeological finds in South India 4️⃣ Tamil Brahmi Script – Prelims Focus Tamil Brahmi is an early form of the Tamil script derived from Ashokan Brahmi. It was used between 3rd century BCE to 3rd century CE. It is closely associated with the Sangam period and found in cave inscriptions, pottery and trade centres in South India. 👉 Its presence in Egypt shows the spread of Indian writing traditions beyond the subcontinent through trade networks. 5️⃣ Connection with Sangam Literature The name “Korran” has parallels in Sangam texts. For example, Chera ruler Pittankorran is mentioned in Purananuru. The root word “korram” means victory or slaying. It is also linked with the Chera warrior goddess Korravai. 👉 This linguistic continuity connects epigraphic evidence (inscriptions) with literary sources (Sangam poetry). 6️⃣ Broader Implications The discovery shows that South India was an active participant in early global maritime trade networks. It confirms that Indian traders were not passive exporters but mobile actors travelling to foreign lands. It also highlights the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean and Red Sea trade routes in ancient times. Conclusion The Tamil Brahmi inscriptions in Egypt provide strong archaeological proof of Sangam-era maritime trade and cultural exchange. They reinforce the idea that ancient India, especially Tamilagam, was deeply integrated into early global networks.

➡️Guidelines for Books by Defence Personnel 1️⃣ Why in News • Ministry of Defence (MoD) plans to frame pre-publication guidelines. • Triggered by controversy over a former Army Chief’s memoir. • Objective: Prevent disclosure of classified and sensitive defence information. 2️⃣ Existing Legal Framework • No single consolidated statutory law for retired officers. • Different rules apply to: • Serving personnel • Retired personnel 3️⃣ Serving Defence Personnel • Governed by: • Service Rules • Army Act, 1950 • Official Secrets Act (OSA), 1923 • Prior written permission mandatory before publication. • Manuscripts cleared through chain of command → Army HQ → MoD. • Prohibited from disclosing: • Operational details • Intelligence inputs • Equipment capabilities • Classified material 4️⃣ Retired Defence Personnel • Not governed by service rules after retirement. • But still bound by Official Secrets Act (for life). • Can write: • Personal experiences • Public domain material • Cannot disclose classified or sensitive defence information. 📌 Important: Retirement does NOT remove secrecy obligation. 5️⃣ Official Secrets Act (OSA), 1923 • Colonial-era legislation. • Criminalises disclosure of: • Classified defence information • Material prejudicial to national security • Applies even after retirement. 6️⃣ Core Constitutional Dimension • Article 19(1)(a) → Freedom of Speech. • Article 19(2) → Restriction allowed for Security of the State. • National security is a valid constitutional ground. 7️⃣ Key Issue • Balance between: • Freedom of Expression • National Security & Operational Secrecy • Absence of structured clearance system for retired officers creates legal ambiguity. 8️⃣ Way Forward • Enact clear statutory framework. • Define “classified / sensitive information” precisely. • Ensure transparent and time-bound clearance mechanism. • Consider reform of colonial-era OSA. Conclusion The objective is not censorship but protection of national security while respecting constitutional freedoms. A balanced regulatory framework is essential.

12 feb…..👇

Dress Rehearsal (Rocket Launch) Definition: A dress rehearsal is a complete practice of all launch-day procedures conducted before the actual rocket launch to ensure everything works properly. Example: Like a final practice before a live performance. ⸻ 🟢 Dry Dress Rehearsal Definition: A dry dress rehearsal is a launch simulation where all systems and countdown procedures are tested without loading real fuel into the rocket. What it checks: • Countdown sequence • Communication systems • Control room coordination • Software and hardware functioning Example: Like checking your car’s engine, brakes, and dashboard before a trip, but without filling petrol. ⸻ 🔵 Wet Dress Rehearsal (WDR) Definition: A wet dress rehearsal is a launch simulation in which the rocket is filled with real cryogenic fuel, and the countdown is conducted up to just before engine ignition, but the engines are not fired. What it checks: • Fuel loading process • Cooling and pressurising fuel tanks • Leak detection (especially hydrogen leaks) • System performance under real conditions Example: Like filling petrol in your car and turning the key on, but stopping just before driving.

1️⃣ Location & Geographical Significance • The bridge is over the Detroit River. • Connects: • Detroit (Michigan, USA) • Windsor (Ontario, Canada) • The river links Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie, part of the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence Seaway system. • Strategically located in the North American industrial belt.