• Objective: To promote cooperation in the fields of postal operations, technology development, capacity building, logistics connectivity, and philately (stamp collection).
• This agreement was concluded between India's Ministry of Communications and Bhutan's Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport during the visit of the Secretary of the Department of Posts to Bhutan.

Bhutan:

• It is also known as the 'Land of the Thunder Dragon'.
• Capital: Thimphu
• Location: South Asia
• Currency: Bhutanese Ngultrum
• Official Language: Dzongkha
• Current King: Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
• It is a carbon-negative country.

• International Context: This initiative aligns with the goals of the 'International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026,' as declared by the United Nations (UN) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
• Awareness Campaigns: These include social media campaigns (January), 'Walkathons' (February), and grassroots-level workshops (March).
• Krishi Sakhi Convergence Program (KSCP): This program was launched by the Prime Minister from Varanasi in June 2024, with the aim of training rural women to serve as para-extension workers.

• Objective: To provide assistance to exporters across 17–18 sectors affected by the West Asia crisis (e.g., tensions in the Strait of Hormuz) and to mitigate their operational challenges.
• Duration: The scheme is valid for exports undertaken between February 14 and June 15, 2026.
• Financial Security: Exporters holding ECGC insurance coverage will receive risk coverage of up to 100% for the period between February 14 and March 15, 2026, and up to 95% for the period between March 16 and June 15, 2026.
• Special Provisions for MSMEs: Uninsured MSME exporters will receive reimbursement of up to 50% of the additional costs incurred, subject to a maximum limit of ₹50 lakh.
• Relaxation in Export Obligations: The due dates for Advance and EPCG Authorizations falling between March 1 and May 31, 2026, will be extended until August 31, 2026, without attracting any penalty.
• Affected Countries: This scheme will be applicable to shipments destined for or originating from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Iraq, Iran, Israel, and Yemen.

• This legislation will replace the Income Tax Act, 1961.
• It replaces the dual concepts of 'Assessment Year' and 'Previous Year' with a single, uniform 'Tax Year,' defined as the period from April 1st to March 31st.
• Chapters and Sections: This Act comprises a total of 23 chapters, 536 sections, and 16 schedules.
• Simplification: Incorporating over 280 recommendations, unnecessary and repetitive provisions have been removed to reduce the compliance burden.

• A leading 'Maharatna' Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the administrative control of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India.
• Granted 'Maharatna' status in 2017.
• Established: 1952 (originally Burmah Shell; nationalized in 1976).
• Headquarters: Mumbai (Maharashtra).

• Types of Coal: Anthracite, Peat, Bituminous, Lignite
• Most Abundant Coal in India: Bituminous coal
• Oldest Coalfield: Raniganj, West Bengal
• Deepest Coal Mine in India: Chinakuri
• India is the world's second-largest producer of coal.
• Largest Coal-Producing States: Jharkhand > Odisha > Chhattisgarh
• World's Largest Coal Producer: China
• India's largest coalfield is Jharia (Jharkhand), which is also known as the 'Coal Capital of India'.

• Peak Demand: Between FY 2024-25 and 2035-36, this is likely to witness an annual growth (CAGR) of 5.58%.
• Total Energy Requirement: During the same period, the total electricity requirement is projected to grow at a rate of 6.41%.
• Projected Targets (2035-36): India's peak electricity demand is expected to reach 459 GW, while the total energy requirement is projected to be 3,365 Billion Units (BU).

Expansion in Installed Capacity:

• Current Status: Capacity is estimated to reach approximately 520 GW by January 31, 2026.
• Future Target: The goal is to increase this to 1,121 GW by 2035-36.

Projected Energy Mix (by 2035-36):

• Solar Energy (Solar PV): The largest contributor, accounting for 45% of the total capacity (509 GW).
• Coal: The second-largest source, accounting for 28% of the total capacity (315 GW).
• Wind Energy: 14% of the total capacity (155 GW).
• Hydroelectric Power (Hydro): 77 GW (7%) from large plants and 6 GW from small plants.
• Other Sources: Nuclear (22 GW), Gas (20 GW), and Biomass (16 GW).

Clean Energy and a Green Future:

• Non-Fossil Fuels: By 2035-36, the total capacity from non-fossil sources (solar, wind, hydro, nuclear) is projected to reach 786 GW.
• Increase in Generation: Net electricity generation—which stands at 1,725 ​​BU in 2024-25—is expected to double to 3,450 BU by 2035-36.

• Award: Stockholm Water Prize 2026, considered the Nobel Prize of the water sector.
• Contribution: Madani introduced the concepts of Game Theory and "Water Bankruptcy" to explain complex water crises.
• Basis for Honor: He played a pivotal role in water management and policy formulation, particularly during a time when water resources are facing permanent depletion.
• Achievement: He is the youngest winner in the 35-year history of this prestigious award.
• Current Role: He currently serves as the Director of the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH).

Stockholm Water Prize:

• It is the world's most prestigious award presented for outstanding contributions to water conservation, management, and protection, and is often referred to as the "Nobel Prize of Water."
• Presented annually since 1991 (by SIWI), this award honors individuals or organizations that have developed sustainable water solutions.

Key Facts:

• Establishment: Founded in 1991 by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI).
• Presented by: King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, who serves as its official patron.
• Prize: The award consists of 1,000,000 Swedish Kronor and a specially designed crystal sculpture.
• Announcement: Typically made in March, on the occasion of World Water Day. Held: During World Water Week in Stockholm in August.
• Objective: To promote the conservation and sustainable use of water resources.
• Indian Recipients: This honor was conferred upon India's "Water Man," Rajendra Singh, in 2015, and upon Bindeshwar Pathak, the founder of Sulabh International, in 2009.

• Initiation: By the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 1971.
• Formal Recognition by the UN General Assembly: 2012.

India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023:

• Forest and tree cover constitutes 25.17% of the country's geographical area (GA), comprising 21.76% forest cover and 3.41% tree cover.
• The country's forest and tree cover has increased by 1,445.81 sq. km. compared to the year 2021.
• According to the report, more than 33 percent of the geographical area of ​​19 states/Union Territories is under forest cover.
• India's forest carbon stock is estimated at 7,285.5 million tonnes, which is 81.5 million tonnes higher than in 2021.
• India's mangrove cover stands at 4,991.68 sq. km. (0.15% of GA), marking a decrease of 7.43 sq. km. since 2021.
• Largest Forest Area (by Area): Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh.
• Highest Percentage of Forest Cover: Lakshadweep (91.33%), Mizoram (85.34%), Andaman and Nicobar (81.62%).

• Theme: "Together Against Loneliness"
• UN Recognition: The United Nations General Assembly officially declared this day in December 2011, and it has been observed globally since 2012.

Down Syndrome:

• It is a genetic disorder that typically results from abnormalities occurring during cell division.
• Cause: It is caused by the presence of an extra copy of Chromosome 21, also known as 'Trisomy 21'. Typically, the human body contains two copies of this chromosome; however, in cases of Down syndrome, the number increases to three.
• Discovery: It is named after the British physician John Langdon Down, who first identified this clinical condition in 1866.