Dugongs: The Union government’s Expert Appraisal Committee (MoEFCC) has asked Tamil Nadu to revise the design of the proposed International Dugong Conservation Centre at Manora (Thanjavur).Dugong is a large, slow-moving marine mammal, commonly called a “sea cow”, that feeds exclusively on seagrass.It is a keystone species, playing a vital role in maintaining healthy seagrass meadows.Scientific […]
Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 17th January 2026
Today’s Current Affairs: 17th January 2026 for UPSC IAS exams, State PSC exams, SSC CGL, State SSC, RRB, Railways, Banking Exam & IBPS, etc
Chatham Islands
Chatham Islands: A bloom of phytoplankton—tiny photosynthetic organisms that become visible to satellites when their numbers explode—encircled the Chatham Islands in austral summer recently Chatham Islands is an island group in the South Pacific Ocean. These islands are New Zealand’s most easterly territory. Composed of 10 islands, they are primarily of volcanic formation, but areas […]
Vitamin A : New Study
Vitamin A : New Study Recently uncovered new ways a vitamin A-derived molecule can interfere with the immune system’s ability to fight cancer. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin primarily stored in the liver. There are two types of vitamin A that are found in the diet. Preformed vitamin A is found in animal products […]
Dardanelles Strait
Dardanelles Strait: Southbound ship traffic is set to resume in Turkey’s Dardanelles Strait after a tanker experienced engine failure recently. Dardanelles Strait is a very important narrow waterway in northwestern Turkey. It connects the Aegean Sea (an arm of the Mediterranean Sea) to the Sea of Marmara. This strait acts like a natural border, separating […]
Gegeneophis valmiki
Gegeneophis valmiki: Indian scientists recently discovered a rare subterranean amphibian species in the northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra and named it Gegeneophis valmiki. It is a rare, subterranean amphibian species, discovered in the northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra. The name Gegeneophis valmiki honors the historic Maharshi Valmiki Mandir located near the discovery site. It belongs […]
Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC)
Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC): The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) in New Delhi, highlighting India’s commitment to sharing open-source tech platforms with the Global South. It brings together the Speakers and Presiding Officers of the national parliaments of […]
Root Wilt Disease
Root Wilt Disease: Phytoplasma-induced root wilt disease has destroyed large tracts of traditional coconut-growing areas in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala States. Root Wilt Disease is caused by phytoplasma (bacteria) is one of the most devasting diseases of coconut palms. It is classified as a non-fatal disease of coconut palm and was first identified more […]
Foundation Day of Lokpal of India
Foundation Day of Lokpal of India: The Lokpal of India observed its Foundation Day on 16th January, marking the coming into force of Section 3 of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, which provided for the establishment of the Lokpal in 2014. The idea of a Lokpal was first mooted in 1963, inspired by the […]
CSIR Integrated Skill Initiative
CSIR Integrated Skill Initiative: CSIR Integrated Skill Initiative has trained more than 1.90 lakh individuals through 5200+ skill-based trainings. It is a flagship national programme implemented by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). It is aimed at bridging the gap between scientific research and industry requirements, and employable skills. Objective is to seamlessly […]
