• The ban has been imposed under Section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
• High-dose Nimesulide (an NSAID painkiller) can cause liver toxicity, ulcers, and other serious problems, while safer alternatives are available.
• Earlier, in 2011, Nimesulide was banned for use in children below 12 years of age, and in January 2025, all formulations for veterinary use were banned.
• Like Diclofenac, Nimesulide was also found to be toxic to vultures, leading to a sharp decline in their population.
• Nimesulide is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
• It is used in the treatment of acute pain.

Section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940: It empowers the Central Government, in the interest of public health, to regulate, restrict, or prohibit the manufacture, sale, and distribution of any drug or cosmetic.

Nashik–Solapur Economic Corridor (Maharashtra):

• Type: It will be developed as a 6-lane access-controlled highway.
• Significance: This corridor will significantly reduce the distance and travel time between two major industrial and agricultural hubs of Maharashtra—Nashik and Solapur.
• Connectivity: The corridor is an important part of the Surat–Chennai Economic Corridor. It will enable faster access for Nashik’s grape and onion producers to markets in South India.

Widening of NH-326 (Odisha):

• Project: A major stretch of National Highway 326 will be widened and strengthened.
• Objective: The main objective is to improve connectivity in the backward and tribal regions of Odisha.
• Benefits: This road will help connect mineral-rich areas with ports and other states, thereby boosting the local economy and employment opportunities.

• Started: Year 2018
• Organizer: Government of India – Ministry of Education
• Key Speaker: Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi
• Based on the book: “Exam Warriors”
• Held annually: Usually between January and February
• The main event often takes place at Talkatora Stadium in Delhi.

• This procurement will enhance the firepower of the Indian Army and the Navy, and under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, old systems will be replaced with modern indigenous technologies.
• Under the second contract, an agreement worth ₹1,896 crore has been signed with Italy’s WASS Submarine Systems S.R.L. for the procurement of 48 heavyweight torpedoes and related equipment for the Kalvari-class P-75 submarines. This will strengthen the combat capability of the six Kalvari-class submarines.
• The delivery of this equipment will commence from April 2028 and will be completed by early 2030.

• Target: To connect every rural household with ‘Har Ghar Jal’ by 2024–25.
• Standard: Availability of 55 litres per person per day (LPCD) of water.
• Participation: Empowering women and ‘Pani Samitis’ with Field Testing Kits (FTKs) for water testing.

• Afghanistan is expected to face one of the world's largest humanitarian crises in the coming year.
• Approximately 21.9 million people in the country will require assistance.
• Of these, 17.4 million people are facing severe food insecurity, while 4.7 million are in an emergency situation.

Afghanistan:

• Capital: Copenhagen
• Continent: Europe
• Region: Northern Europe (Scandinavia)

• Official name: Kingdom of Denmark
• Currency: Danish Krone (DKK)
• Language: Danish

Shreelal Shukla Memorial IFFCO Sahitya Samman 2025:

• Significance: This award is given to writers who, through their writings, prominently highlight rural life, the struggles of farmers, and the issues of marginalised communities.
• Contribution: Novels by Maitreyi Pushpa such as Alma Kabootari and Idannamm are considered vivid documents of the complexities of rural society and women’s empowerment.
• Award money: Under this award, a cash prize of ₹11 lakh, a citation, and a memento are presented.
• Recognition: She is known for her timeless novels such as Alma Kabootari, Idannamm, and Chak.

IFFCO Yuva Sahitya Samman 2025:

• Significance: This honour is given to encourage young writers who are writing on rural settings.
• Theme of the book: Oh Re! Kisan presents a deep and research-based perspective on the current challenges of Indian agriculture, the psychological condition of farmers, and the changing nature of the agricultural sector.
• Award money: It carries a cash prize of ₹1 lakh along with a citation.
• Ankita Jain received the IFFCO Yuva Sahitya Samman for her book Oh Re! Kisan.

• Khaleda Zia was not only the first female Prime Minister of Bangladesh but also the second female Prime Minister in the Muslim world (after Benazir Bhutto).
• Prime Ministerial Tenure: She served as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh three times (1991–1996, 1996, and 2001–2006).
• Restoration of Democracy: She waged a fierce struggle against the military dictatorship in the 1980s and for the restoration of democracy, which earned her the title of "Uncompromising Leader."

• The report estimates that the current per capita income will increase sixfold to approximately $15,000.
• By 2030, India is expected to surpass Germany and Japan to become the world's third-largest economy after China and the United States.

• Location: Jehanpora village, Baramulla district, Jammu and Kashmir.
• Age: Approximately 2,000 years old.
• Discovery: Stupas, monasteries, and other Buddhist structures were found beneath an ordinary mound of earth.
• Historical Significance: This discovery indicates that Kashmir was an important center of Buddhism during the Kushan period and was connected to Gandhara.
• Assistance in Identification: Old photographs found in a museum in France helped archaeologists identify and excavate the site.