Why in News?

Union Minister for Education Shri Pralhad Joshi launched the registration portal for the fifth edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam (KTS 5.0), scheduled from 28 November to 12 December 2026, to strengthen cultural and civilisational ties between Tamil Nadu and Kashi.

Key Highlights

Theme: “Thirukkural Payilvom – Thirukkural Abhyas Karen” (Let Us Learn the Thirukkural).

Objective: Promote cultural exchange, linguistic diversity and the shared civilisational heritage of Tamil Nadu and Kashi under the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.

Organising Ministry: Ministry of Education, through the Department of Higher Education, in collaboration with IIT Madras, Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and other institutions.

Major Initiatives

Students' Engagement Programme: To be conducted across 1,000 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to promote understanding of the Thirukkural.

Educational Outreach: Thirukkural experts will conduct interactive sessions, quizzes and orientation programmes in schools and colleges in Varanasi.

Digital Outreach: Technology will be used to make the teachings of the Thirukkural accessible to a wider audience.

Significance

Kashi Tamil Sangamam promotes national integration by strengthening the cultural, literary and educational connections between India's northern and southern regions. The fifth edition aims to introduce the ethical teachings of the Thirukkural to younger generations and advance the vision of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.

Note: Thirukkural is the tamil literature composed by Saint Thiruvalluvar.

Why in news?

Recently, India called for stronger safeguards against Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) proliferation and terrorist access to sensitive technologies at the UNGA First Committee discussion on "Other Weapons of Mass Destruction."

India's Position: Reaffirmed commitment to full and non-discriminatory implementation of CWC and BWC and stressed stronger international cooperation.

Emerging Risks: Advances in science and technology pose risks through misuse of dual-use technologies having both civilian and military use.

India-Sponsored Resolution: Since 2002, India has introduced a UNGA resolution on "Measures to prevent terrorists from acquiring WMDs" to strengthen national and global measures.

Domestic Safeguards: India has the WMD Act, 2005, and export controls on sensitive dual-use materials and technologies.

CWC: Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) Came into force in April 1997, banning the development, production, and use of chemical weapons. India ratified in 1996.

BWC: Biological Weapons Conventions Came into force in March 1975, banning biological and toxin weapons. India ratified in 1974.

UNSC Resolution 1540: Adopted in 2004 under Chapter VII, it requires states to prevent non-state actors from acquiring WMDs.

First Committee: Also called Disarmament and International Security Committee, deals with disarmament and global security threats.

Significance: Stronger safeguards can reduce proliferation risks, prevent WMD access to terrorists, and strengthen the global disarmament framework.

About UNGA

The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the main deliberative and policymaking body of the UN. Established in 1945 under the UN Charter, it is headquartered in New York and represents all member states.

Why in News?

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk visited India from 21–23 October 2026 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Both countries agreed to strengthen their Strategic Partnership and double bilateral trade by 2030.

Key Highlights

Strategic Partnership: Established during PM Modi's visit to Poland in August 2024, supported by the India–Poland Action Plan 2024–2028.

Trade and Investment: Both countries set a target of doubling bilateral trade by 2030 and encouraged investment in manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, mining and energy.

Defence Cooperation: Agreed to establish a Defence Industry Dialogue to promote technology collaboration, co-development and co-production.

Counter-Terrorism: Both countries agreed to initiate a counter-terrorism dialogue and strengthen cooperation against terrorist financing and cross-border terrorism.

Significance

The visit aims to strengthen India–Poland economic and strategic relations, expand trade and investment, enhance defence and technological cooperation, and promote collaboration on global challenges. It also reinforces India's engagement with Europe and its commitment to a rules-based international order.

Why in News?

President of India Droupadi Murmu attended the ‘Seva Samman Parv’ and ‘Yuva Prabodhan’ programmes during the Nuakhai festival in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, on 22 October 2026. She highlighted the importance of agricultural traditions, social harmony, women's empowerment and youth participation in nation-building.

Key Highlights

Nuakhai Festival: Celebrates agricultural traditions, gratitude towards nature and community solidarity.

Food and Farmers: The President emphasised respecting food, recognising farmers' contributions and protecting natural resources.

Youth Empowerment: Encouraged young people to promote innovation, uphold ethical values and contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat.

Women Empowerment: Highlighted the importance of women's equal participation in achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Naxalism: Noted the integration of Chhattisgarh's youth into the mainstream and the role of development in creating opportunities for affected communities.

Cultural Significance: Nuakhai Milan Samaroh promotes cultural heritage, social harmony and the transmission of traditional values to future generations.

Significance

Nuakhai highlights the relationship between agriculture, nature and community life. The President's message emphasised sustainable farming, women's empowerment, youth participation and inclusive development as important elements of India's progress towards Viksit Bharat @ 2047.

Why in News?

Recently, the African Union and Africa Centres for Disease Control (CDC) have called for stronger solidarity and coordinated action to contain the spreading Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak.

Earlier, the Africa CDC and WHO had confirmed the 17th Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which is critical because it involves a rare non-Zaire strain.

Strain Complexity: Genomic sequencing shows the outbreak is caused by a non-Zaire strain, which complicates treatment because existing Ebola vaccines and medicines were mainly developed to target the Zaire strain.

Now the outbreak has spread to three African regions, with confirmed cases reported in DRC, Uganda, Kenya, and Nigeria.

About Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)

EVD, earlier called Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is a severe and often fatal disease affecting humans and primates.

It is caused by viruses of the Ortho ebolavirus genus of the Filoviridae family. Out of six known species, three cause major outbreaks: Ebola virus (EBOV), Sudan virus (SUDV), and Bundibugyo virus (BDBV).

First identified in 1976 during two simultaneous outbreaks in Yambuku, DRC (near the Ebola River) and Nzara, South Sudan.

Transmission: The natural host is fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family. Spreads from animals to humans through contact with blood and fluids of infected animals like bats, chimps, and gorillas. Human-to-human spread happens via direct contact with blood, bodily fluids of sick or dead patients, or contaminated objects like bedding.

Symptoms & Fatality: Initial symptoms are fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, and sore throat, followed by vomiting, diarrhea, rash, kidney and liver failure, and bleeding. The average fatality rate is around 50%, varying from 25% to 90% depending on strain and treatment.

Treatment: No specific cure, but early supportive care with rehydration improves survival. Monoclonal antibodies Inmazeb and Ebanga are available for the Zaire strain.

चर्चा में क्यों ?

1. विश्व स्वास्थ्य संगठन ने फ्रांस में शामोंडा वायरस से पीड़ित पहले व्यक्ति की जानकारी दी है. बाद में इसकी मौत हो गई.

2. Midge (छोटी मक्खी जैसा कीट) से फैलने वाला यह वायरस सामान्य तौर पर मवेशी में पाया जाता है .

3. हालाँकि इसकी उपस्थिति घोड़े, भेड़ और बकरियों में भी होती है.

वायरस के लक्षण

इसके लक्षणों में बुखार, दस्त और दूध उत्पादन में कमी शामिल हैं। गर्भपात और भ्रूण में गंभीर विकृतियाँ भी हो सकती हैं। कुछ घोड़ों में तंत्रिका संबंधी विकार भी देखे गए हैं।

महत्त्वपूर्ण पक्ष

1. यह श्मालेनबर्ग वायरस के समान समूह से संबंधित है, जो पशुधन(livestock) में प्रजनन संबंधी विकार पैदा करता है।

2. यह वायरस सबसे पहले 1965 में नाइजीरिया में मवेशियों में पाया गया था, तब से यह अफ्रीका और एशिया के कुछ हिस्सों में भी पाया गया है।

3. शमोंडा विश्व पशु स्वास्थ्य संगठन (WOAH) द्वारा सूचीबद्ध बीमारियों में से एक नहीं है और इसलिए देशों को अपनी रोग-विशिष्ट रिपोर्टिंग बाध्यताओं के तहत WOAH को मामलों की सूचना देने की जरुरत नहीं है।

Why in News?

Recently, according to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS) and international seismic monitoring agencies, a powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.0 struck Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula region. No tsunami threat was reported following the tremor.

About Kamchatka Peninsula

The Kamchatka Peninsula lies in Russia's Far East, between the Sea of Okhotsk on the west and the Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea on the east.

It is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, which makes it highly prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions due to the subduction of the Pacific Plate under the Okhotsk microplate. The climate is harsh, mostly subarctic and tundra type, which leads to very low population density.

Key features:

Tectonic Setting: Highly earthquake-prone region due to plate subduction.

Mountain Ranges: Two main ranges, the Sredinny Range and the Vostochny Range.

Volcanoes: Has numerous volcanoes, including the Volcanoes of Kamchatka UNESCO World Heritage Site with six protected components. Klyuchevskoy is the highest active volcano in Eurasia.

Major River: The Kamchatka River is the principal waterway.

Biodiversity: Rich in wildlife, including salmon, sea otters, brown bears, and Steller's sea eagles.

Kuril Archipelago: Chain of islands from Kamchatka towards Japan, disputed between Russia and Japan.

About the National Centre for Seismology (NCS)

• The National Center for Seismology (NCS) is the nodal agency of the Government of India for monitoring earthquake activity in the country.

• NCS maintains a National Seismological Network of more than 170 stations, each having state-of-the-art equipment and spreading all across the country.

• NCS monitors earthquake activity all across the country through its 24x7

चर्चा में क्यों?

1. अंतरराष्ट्रीय आपराधिक न्यायालय (International Criminal Court — ICC) और उसके कठिन परिस्थितियों में काम करने वाले कर्मचारियों को यूरोपीय संघ के शीर्ष मानवाधिकार सम्मानों में से एक सखारोव पुरस्कार (Sakharov Prize) प्रदान किया गया है।

2. यूरोपीय संसद की अध्यक्ष रॉबर्टा मेट्सोला ने 22 अक्टूबर 2026 को इसकी घोषणा की । यह सम्मान अंतरराष्ट्रीय कानून और न्याय को बनाए रखने के कार्य के लिए दिया गया।

सखारोव पुरस्कार (Sakharov Prize) क्या है?

• सखारोव पुरस्कार: विचार की स्वतंत्रता के लिए पुरस्कार (Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought) यूरोपीय संसद द्वारा दिया जाने वाला प्रमुख मानवाधिकार सम्मान है।

• इसका नाम सोवियत भौतिक विज्ञानी और मानवाधिकार कार्यकर्ता आंद्रेई सखारोव (Andrei Sakharov) के नाम पर रखा गया है।

• इसकी शुरुआत 1988 में हुई थी।

• यह मानवाधिकार, अभिव्यक्ति की स्वतंत्रता, लोकतंत्र और कानून के शासन की रक्षा करने वाले व्यक्तियों या संगठनों को दिया जाता है।

• पुरस्कार विजेता का चयन यूरोपीय संसद की अध्यक्ष और राजनीतिक समूहों के नेताओं वाला Conference of Presidents करता है।

Why in News?

Recently, the World Bank Group launched its first-ever digital strategy in Seoul, South Korea. The strategy aims to make digital technology more affordable, improve public services, generate employment, and help developing countries benefit from Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The strategy focuses on four major areas:

• Expand Digital Connectivity: Improve internet infrastructure, connect underserved communities, and attract private investment to expand network coverage.

• Make Devices and Data Affordable: Reduce the cost of entry-level smartphones and broadband services so that more people can access the internet.

• Strengthen Digital Services and Skills: Improve digital identification, payments, and information-sharing systems while promoting digital literacy and employment-oriented training.

• Build Readiness for AI: Help countries develop computing infrastructure, access useful local data, and acquire the skills needed to adopt AI.

What Is the AI Infrastructure and Readiness Initiative?

Alongside the strategy, the World Bank Group announced the AI Infrastructure and Readiness Initiative. It aims to help emerging economies access affordable computing power.

The initiative will initially focus on Africa and Latin America, with knowledge partners including Cassava Technologies and NVIDIA.

Significance for Developing Countries

The strategy recognizes that internet access alone is not enough. Affordable devices, digital skills, useful services, and safeguards against cybercrime are equally important.

For India, these priorities are relevant to digital inclusion, employment generation, e-governance, and the responsible adoption of AI.

चर्चा में क्यों?

• कोच्चि स्थित Seed – APJ Abdul Kalam School of Environmental Design के छात्र राधाकृष्णन एम.एस. (Radhakrishnan M.S.) ने वास्तुकला (Architecture) के क्षेत्र में 28वाँ चार्ल्स कोरिया गोल्ड मेडल (Charles Correa Gold Medal) जीता है।

• पुरस्कार का उद्देश्य ऐसे उत्कृष्ट स्नातक वास्तुकला शोध-प्रोजेक्ट को मान्यता देना है जो निर्मित पर्यावरण (Built Environment) की चुनौतियों से सार्थक रूप से जुड़ते हों।

महत्त्वपूर्ण पक्ष

• चार्ल्स कोरिया भारत के प्रसिद्ध वास्तुकार (Architect), शहरी नियोजन विशेषज्ञ (Urban Planner) और विचारक थे।

• उन्होंने भारतीय जलवायु, स्थानीय संस्कृति, सामाजिक आवश्यकताओं और आधुनिक वास्तुकला के बीच संतुलन स्थापित करने पर विशेष जोर दिया।

• उनके कार्यों में केवल सुंदर इमारतें बनाना ही नहीं, बल्कि यह समझना भी महत्वपूर्ण था कि इमारतें और शहर आम लोगों के जीवन को किस प्रकार प्रभावित करते हैं।

• उनके प्रमुख कार्यों में भोपाल का भारत भवन, जयपुर का जवाहर कला केंद्र और नवी मुंबई के नियोजन से जुड़ा उनका योगदान शामिल है।

चार्ल्स कोरिया गोल्ड मेडल क्या है?

यह पुरस्कार वास्तुकला के विद्यार्थियों के उत्कृष्ट स्नातक शोध-प्रोजेक्ट या थीसिस को पहचान देने के लिए शुरू किया गया था।

चार्ल्स कोरिया फाउंडेशन के अनुसार:

• इसकी शुरुआत 1998 में हुई थी।

• प्रारंभ में यह गोवा कॉलेज ऑफ आर्किटेक्चर, पणजी के सर्वश्रेष्ठ थीसिस प्रोजेक्ट को दिया जाता था।

• बाद में इसका विस्तार मुंबई के वास्तुकला संस्थानों तक बढ़ाया गया।

• 2021 से चार्ल्स कोरिया फाउंडेशन इस पुरस्कार का संचालन कर रहा है।

चर्चा में क्यों?

नए संसद भवन (New Parliament House) में स्थापित पवित्र राजदंड यानी 'सेंगोल' (Sengol) को डिजाइन और निर्मित करने में महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभाने वाले वुम्मिडी एथिराजुलु का निधन हो गया है.

महत्त्वपूर्ण पक्ष

• सेंगोल एक सुनहरा राजदंड (Golden Sceptre) है, जो तमिल परंपरा में 'सेंगोल' (Sengol) के नाम से जाना जाता है। 'सेम्मई' का अर्थ है धर्मनिष्ठता (Righteousness) और 'कोल' का अर्थ है राजदंड (Sceptre)

• जब भारत को आजादी मिली, तो सत्ता हस्तांतरण के प्रतीक के रूप में देश के पहले प्रधानमंत्री जवाहरलाल नेहरू को यह सेंगोल सौंपा गया था।

• स्वतंत्रता की पूर्व संध्या पर तमिलनाडु के तिरुवावडुथुरै अधीनम (Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam) से जुड़े धार्मिक प्रतिनिधियों ने जवाहरलाल नेहरू को सेंगोल सौंपा। यह घटना 14 अगस्त 1947 की रात से संबंधित है।

सेंगोल की प्रमुख विशेषताएँ

• लंबाई: लगभग 5 फीट।

• निर्माण: चाँदी पर सोने की परत चढ़ाकर बनाया गया।

• शीर्ष पर आकृति: नंदी बैल; नंदी 'भगवान शिव' से जुड़ा पवित्र बैल है और सेंगोल के संदर्भ में इसे न्याय तथा धर्मपूर्ण शासन के प्रतीक के रूप में समझाया जाता है।

• ऐतिहासिक संबंध: 1947 में भारत की स्वतंत्रता और सत्ता के हस्तांतरण से जुड़ा।

• वर्तमान स्थान: नई संसद में लोकसभा अध्यक्ष के आसन के निकट स्थापित।

Why in News?

Recently, UNEP has released its report “The Emissions Gap Report 2026." This report says that global temperatures are rising and are about to exceed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels; therefore, there is an urgent and stringent need to cut greenhouse emissions.

It will probably help to minimize the magnitude and duration of overshoot and return to 1.5°C by the end of the century. It is the 17th edition of the Emission Gap Report.

Key facts about the report

• It is the lowest possibility to retain the 1.5°C overshoot scenario. It will remain limited to 7-1.8°C by around the middle of the century.

• Global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions would have to be reduced by 18 % by 2030, 45 % by 2035, and 69 % by 2040, all relative to 2025 levels.

• Needed to fully implement Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and it would only reduce emissions by 5-8 % by 2030 and 11-15 % by 2035.

• According to the report, if current policies continue, warming could reach 2.8°C within this century and increase thereafter. If all NDCs are delivered and similar efforts continue, warming will be limited to 2.6°C.

What needs to be done?

The report also lays out new sectoral benchmarks consistent with the lowest 1.5°C overshoot scenario:

• The expansion of renewable energy,

• Reducing primary energy intensity,

• Reducing the share of coal,

• Oil and gas in total energy supply, and cutting methane emissions beyond 2030.

Note: Since the adoption of the Paris Agreement, renewable energy has boomed, total energy supply from coal and oil has grown slower than projected, and climate policies have cut emissions in many places.

About the UN Environment Programme (UNEP)

• The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global authority on the environment, established in 1972 after the Stockholm Conference, with its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.

• Many reports are being published by UNEP, such as the Emissions Gap Report, Global Environment Outlook (GEO), Adaptation Gap Report, Frontiers Report, Making Peace with Nature, etc.

Why in News?

The ninth edition of the India–Brazil–South Africa Maritime Exercise (IBSAMAR IX 2026) concluded at Simon’s Town, South Africa, on 20 October 2026. The exercise brought together the navies of India, Brazil and South Africa to strengthen maritime cooperation and operational interoperability.

Key Highlights

• Participating Countries: India, Brazil and South Africa.

• Venue: Simon’s Town, South Africa.

• Duration: Ten days of joint activities.

• Activities: Professional exchanges, joint training, operational interactions and maritime exercises during harbour and sea phases.

• Indian Navy Participation: INS Tarkash participated in the exercise.

Main Objective: Enhance interoperability, exchange operational best practices and strengthen mutual understanding among the three navies.

Significance

IBSAMAR strengthens trilateral maritime cooperation, promotes coordinated responses to common maritime challenges and supports safe, secure and open seas. It also reinforces the commitment of India, Brazil and South Africa to a peaceful maritime environment and a rules-based international order.

Why in News?

The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has launched ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan – Rabi 2026’ from 22 October to 30 November 2026. Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has launched the nationwide campaign from Karnal, Haryana, to promote sustainable farming and improve soil health.

Key Highlights

1. Balanced Fertilizer Use: Promote the judicious use of fertilizers and agricultural inputs based on soil testing, including awareness about green ammonia and biological products.

2. Crop Diversification: Encourage the cultivation of oilseeds, pulses and horticultural crops, along with intercropping and effective utilization of rice fallow fields.

3. Sustainable Farming: Promote natural farming, regenerative agriculture, integrated farming systems and climate-resilient agricultural practices.

4. Water Conservation: Encourage rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge and efficient water use.

5. Farmer Support: Facilitate Farmer IDs, create awareness about the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and expand Kisan Credit Card (KCC) coverage.

6. Implementation: Farmers’ conferences, Kisan Chaupals, training sessions and field demonstrations will be organized at state, district, block and Gram Panchayat levels.

Significance

The campaign aims to improve soil health, conserve water, reduce inefficient use of agricultural inputs and promote climate-resilient farming. It seeks to enhance agricultural productivity, strengthen farmers’ economic well-being and contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat.