• Location: Borjuli, Sonitpur district (Assam)
• Protected Species: Wild rice. It is the ancestor of modern rice.
• Scientific Significance: This species is highly tolerant to floods (waterlogging), drought, and salinity. Its gene pool is invaluable for developing future "climate-resilient" crops.
• Statutory Basis for Declaration: It was declared a 'Biodiversity Heritage Site' (BHS) under Section 37 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
• Funding: It is funded by the National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
• Target Species: A specific species of wild rice, Oryza rufipogon.
• Project Name: In-situ conservation and management of wild rice in Sonitpur district, Assam.
• Implementing Agencies: It is being implemented by the ICAR–National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), New Delhi, in collaboration with the Assam State Biodiversity Board.
• Funding: It is fully funded by the National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS):

• Statutory Provision: BHSs are notified under Section 37 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
• Authority to Declare: State governments notify these sites in consultation with local bodies (such as Biodiversity Management Committees - BMCs).

National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA):

• Establishment: Constituted in 2006 as an expert advisory body.
• Ministry: Currently functions under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
• Mandate: To make agriculture sustainable, systematic, and productive in India's vast rainfed areas. It places special emphasis on watershed management and dryland agriculture.

• Full Name: Point-in-Space
• Core Concept: It is a satellite-based 'instrument approach' procedure. Under this, a helicopter is safely guided to a pre-determined virtual point in the air using only instruments, without needing to visually sight the runway or landing pad.
• Shift: Unlike traditional Visual Flight Rules (VFR), this operates on Instrument Flight Rules (IFR).

Technology and Implementation:

• Indigenous Basis: It utilizes India's own GAGAN (GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation) system.
• Developer: The GAGAN system was jointly developed by ISRO and the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
• Accuracy: By correcting errors in standard GPS signals, it provides the helicopter with highly precise directional and altitude information.

Where is it implemented? :

• Location: Undavalli Heliport, Andhra Pradesh (situated near the Amaravati capital region).
• Significance: It has become the first heliport in the country to receive approval for this technology.

Key Benefits:

• All-weather Operation: Helicopters will now be able to land safely even during dense fog, heavy rain, low visibility, and at night.
• 24x7 Connectivity: Heliport usage will no longer be restricted to daylight hours.
• Emergency Services (HEMS): This technology will prove revolutionary in safely airlifting patients via air ambulance during the 'Golden Hour' in the event of accidents or medical emergencies.

• Appointment: Vikram Misri, an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer of the 1989 batch, assumed office as India's 54th Foreign Secretary on July 15, 2024, succeeding Vinay Mohan Kwatra.
• Tenure Extension: His initial two-year term was scheduled to end on July 14, 2026; this has now been extended by one year to July 14, 2027, by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).

Administrative Rules and Statutory Provisions:

• Fundamental Rule 56(d) - FR 56(D): Vikram Misri's service extension has been granted under Fundamental Rule 56(d).
• Which officers benefit?: Under this rule, the government is empowered to extend the tenure of officials holding certain critical posts—such as Foreign Secretary, Defence Secretary, Home Secretary, Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), and Secretary of RAW—beyond the retirement age of 60.
• Private Secretary to Three Prime Ministers: He holds the unique distinction of having served as the Private Secretary to three Prime Ministers of India: Inder Kumar Gujral, Dr. Manmohan Singh, and Narendra Modi.
• Previous Diplomatic Roles: He has served as India's Ambassador to China (2019–2021), Spain (2014–2016), and Myanmar (2016–2018). Additionally, he has served as the Deputy National Security Advisor (Deputy NSA).

• Venue: Kochi, Kerala
• Associated Event: It was organized as part of the India Seafood Expo 2026.
• Related Sector: It primarily focuses on skill development and encouraging youth in the aquaculture (fisheries) and seafood processing sectors.
• Objective: To promote the 'Blue Economy' and develop technical skills aligned with global standards within India's seafood sector.

Other Important Facts:

• Blue Revolution: The 'Blue Revolution' was launched in India to boost fish production and marine products.
• Fathers of the Blue Revolution: Arun Krishnan and Dr. Harilal Chaudhury are considered the fathers of the Blue Revolution in India.
• Associated Ministry: This event falls under the policy objectives of the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
• MPEDA: The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) is the primary nodal agency for seafood exports; its headquarters is also located in Kochi, Kerala.
• India's Position in Fisheries: India is the third-largest fish-producing country in the world and holds a prominent position in global aquaculture.

• Launched by: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta
• Website/Portal: Green Drive Portal
• Plantation Target: A target has been set to plant 70 lakh (7 million) saplings in Delhi under this mega plantation drive.

Main Objectives and Functionality:

• Objective: To increase Delhi's green cover and bring transparency to plantation activities.
• Portal Function: The portal will enable live tracking of saplings planted in Delhi. It will allow for monitoring which department has planted how many saplings and their current status.
• Transparency: It will facilitate real-time monitoring of plantation activities, thereby helping to improve the survival rate of the saplings.
• Current Environment Minister of Delhi: Gopal Rai
• Launch of 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' Campaign: This campaign was launched globally by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 5, 2024 (World Environment Day) and is now being implemented by various states at their respective levels.

Important Environmental Days:

• World Environment Day: June 5
• International Day of Forests: March 21
• Earth Day: April 22
• World Ozone Day: September 16

Constitution and Environment:

• Article 48A (DPSP): The State shall endeavor to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife (added by the 42nd Amendment, 1976).
• Article 51A(g) (Fundamental Duty): It is the duty of every citizen to protect and improve the natural environment, including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife.

• Launched by: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath
• Launch Location: This state-wide campaign was launched in Saharanpur district.
• Campaign Duration: This special campaign will be conducted in 'mission mode' across all tehsils of the state from July 1 to August 15.
• Main Objective: To ensure the speedy and time-bound resolution of approximately 79,157 pending cases related to land demarcation and measurement under Section 24 of the Uttar Pradesh Revenue Code.

Uttar Pradesh:

• Governor: Anandiben Patel
• Legislative Assembly Constituencies: 403
• Foundation Day: January 24, 1950
• Legislative Council Constituencies: 100
• Major Cottage Industries of Uttar Pradesh and Associated Districts:
• Varanasi: Silk sarees and textile manufacturing, handicrafts, and wood carving
• Moradabad: Brass and copper utensils, metal crafts
• Agra: Leather footwear, marble carving, and handicrafts
• Bhadohi: Carpet manufacturing
• Lucknow: Chikan-kari (embroidery), Zari-Zardosi work
• Farrukhabad: Block printing, dyeing, and printing work

• Effective Date: From July 1, 2026
• New Authority: Uttarakhand State Minority Education Authority
• Replaced: Uttarakhand Madrasa Education Board
• Main Objective: Modernization of minority educational institutions (including Madrasas) and integrating them with mainstream education
• Curriculum: NCERT curriculum (Science, Mathematics, Computer Science, English) made mandatory alongside religious education.
• Degree Recognition: Equivalent to the Uttarakhand Board of School Education
• Scope: Educational institutions of all 6 notified minority communities
• First Chairperson: Prof. Surjit Singh Gandhi.
• Affiliation (Classes 1–8): Office of the District Chief Education Officer
• Affiliation (Classes 9–12): Uttarakhand Board of School Education, Ramnagar
• UDISE: UDISE numbers allocated to all Madrasas; Data available on the Union Ministry of Education's digital portal

Uttarakhand:

• Formation: 9 November 2000 (India's 27th state)
• Former Name: Uttaranchal (Uttarakhand since 1 January 2007)
• Nickname: Devbhoomi (Land of the Gods)

Capital:

• Winter: Dehradun
• Summer: Gairsain

State Symbols:

• State Animal: Musk Deer
• State Bird: Himalayan Monal
• State Tree: Burans (Rhododendron)
• State Flower: Brahma Kamal

Geography:

• Major Regions: Garhwal and Kumaon
• Highest Peak: Nanda Devi (7,816 m)
• Highest Dam: Tehri Dam (Bhagirathi River)
• Major Passes: Mana, Niti, and Lipulekh

Major Rivers:

• Ganga: Formed by the confluence of Alaknanda and Bhagirathi at Devprayag
• Bhagirathi Source: Gangotri Glacier (Gaumukh)
• Yamuna Source: Yamunotri Glacier

National Parks:

• Jim Corbett National Park: India's first national park (1936), first Project Tiger site (1973)
• UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Nanda Devi National Park and Valley of Flowers
• Others: Rajaji, Gangotri, and Govind Pashu Vihar
• Culture and Tourism:
• Char Dham: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath
• Yoga Capital: Rishikesh
• Chipko Movement: 1973, Chamoli (led by Sunderlal Bahuguna and Gaura Devi)

• First Official Visit: This is Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's first visit to India since assuming office in October 2025.
• Summit: This is the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit, being held in New Delhi.
• Welcome: Upon her arrival in New Delhi, she was welcomed by Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh.
• Significant Agreements (Investment Target): During this visit, agreements worth over $10 billion have been signed between the two countries in sectors such as trade, AI (Artificial Intelligence), defense, and clean energy. Additionally, momentum is being given to the target of securing 10 trillion yen in Japanese investment in India over the next decade.
• Japan's First Female Prime Minister: Sanae Takaichi is the first female Prime Minister in Japan's history and the first female President of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). She assumed office on October 21, 2025.
• Successor to: She succeeded former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

Japan:

• Official Name: Nippon or Nihon, meaning "Land of the Rising Sun."
• Capital: Tokyo – It is the world's most populous metropolitan area.
• Currency: Yen; its symbol is ¥. Name of Parliament: The Diet (a bicameral parliament)
• National Sport: Sumo wrestling (although baseball is the most popular sport there)
• Main islands (in order from north to south):
• Hokkaido: Northernmost island
• Honshu: Largest island (the capital, Tokyo, and Mount Fuji are located on this island)
• Shikoku: Smallest main island
• Kyushu: Southernmost main island
• Highest Peak: Mount Fuji (an active volcano located on Honshu Island)
• Ring of Fire: Japan is situated on the Pacific Ocean's 'Ring of Fire'
• Hiroshima and Nagasaki (World War II):
• On August 6, 1945, a uranium bomb named "Little Boy" was dropped on Hiroshima
• On August 9, 1945, a plutonium bomb named "Fat Man" was dropped on Nagasaki
• Diplomatic Relations: Diplomatic relations between India and Japan were established on April 28, 1952. The two countries will celebrate the 75th anniversary of their relations in 2027.

• Name: Rajiv Kumar, Age: 66 years
• New Position: Part-time Chairman and Additional Independent Director of HDFC Bank
• Tenure: 3-year term as Chairman (effective after RBI approval) and 4-year term as Independent Director (effective from June 30, 2026)
• Replaced: He has succeeded Atanu Chakraborty, who resigned from the post in March (Keki Mistry served as interim Chairman in the interim).
• 25th Chief Election Commissioner (CEC): He served as India's 25th Chief Election Commissioner and oversaw the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
• Former Finance Secretary: He served as India's Finance Secretary from August 2019 to February 2020.
• Banking Reforms: As Secretary of the Department of Financial Services (DFS) (2017–2020), he played a pivotal role in merging 27 public sector banks into 12 large banks and implementing the '4R strategy' to reduce banks' Non-Performing Assets (NPAs).
• Batch: He is a retired IAS officer of the 1984 batch.

• V – Vigilance and Readiness: Maintaining constant surveillance along the borders and a high state of operational preparedness.
• I – Innovation and Transformation: Continuously improving military doctrines and technological solutions.
• J – Jointness and Integration: Establishing complete coordination with the Air Force and the Navy.
• A – Aatmanirbharta (Self-reliance): "Winning wars through indigenous solutions" by leveraging indigenous technologies.
• Y – Yodha First (Warrior First): Prioritizing the training, technical skills, and welfare of every soldier—from Agniveers to senior veterans.