01 May 2026

1. Kyrgyzstan

Ø News:   The Defence Minister of India recently participated in the SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting held in Bishkek.

Ø  Location:

o Kyrgyzstan is a landlocked and predominantly mountainous country situated in Central Asia.

o It is often described as the “Switzerland of Central Asia” due to its rugged terrain and scenic landscapes.

Ø   Borders and Neighbours:

o Kyrgyzstan shares its boundaries with four countries.

o It is bordered by Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the west, Tajikistan to the south, and China to the east.

Ø  Capital City: The capital of Kyrgyzstan is Bishkek.

Ø  Climate Characteristics:

o The country experiences a continental climate.

o Climatic conditions vary significantly with altitude.

o Winters are cold and often freezing, while summers are generally warm and sunny.

Ø   Highest Peak: The highest mountain in Kyrgyzstan is Victory Peak, which rises to an elevation of 7,439 metres.

Ø  Major Rivers: Important rivers flowing through the country include the Syr Darya, Naryn, and Chu rivers.

Ø Major Lake: The country is home to Lake Issyk-Kul, which is the second-largest saline lake in the world.

Ø Natural Resources:

o Kyrgyzstan possesses significant reserves of coal, oil, natural gas, and uranium.

o It also has deposits of gold and rare earth elements.

2. Atacama Desert

Ø News:    Rising light pollution is threatening the exceptionally dark skies of the Atacama Desert, which are globally renowned for astronomical observation.

Ø  Location and Extent:

o The Atacama Desert is situated in northern Chile and is considered the driest desert in the world.

o It lies between the Andes Mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west.

o The desert stretches for nearly 1,000 kilometres along the narrow coastal strip of northern Chile.

Ø   Surrounding Regions: The desert region is bordered by Argentina, Peru, and Bolivia.

Ø  Volcanic Features:

o The region contains around 12 volcanoes.

o Most of these volcanoes are located along the western margins of the Andes.

Ø  Rainfall Characteristics:

o The Atacama Desert receives extremely low rainfall, averaging about 1 millimetre per year.

o Some areas within the desert have never recorded any rainfall.

Ø   Temperature Conditions:

o The desert experiences relatively mild temperatures throughout the year.

o The average temperature is around 18°C (63°F).

Ø Natural Resources:

o The region holds the world’s largest natural reserves of sodium nitrate.

o This resource is widely used in the manufacture of fertilizers and explosives.

Ø   Archaeological Significance:

o The Atacama Desert is home to the Chinchorro Mummies.

o These are considered the oldest artificially mummified human remains discovered to date.

UPSC GS 2

3. E-PRAAPTI

Ø News:    The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation is preparing to launch the E-PRAAPTI Portal to improve access to inoperative provident fund accounts.

Ø Definition and Full Form:

o E-PRAAPTI stands for EPF Aadhaar-Based Access Portal for Tracking Inoperative Accounts.

o It is a dedicated digital platform developed by the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation.

Ø Purpose of the Portal:

o The portal is designed to help users identify and track their inactive EPF accounts.

o It also facilitates linking such accounts with the Unique Account Number and enables their reactivation.

Ø Concept of Inoperative Account:

o A provident fund account is classified as inactive if no contributions are made for 36 consecutive months after leaving employment.

o It may also become inactive if the EPF account of a previous employer is not linked to the active UAN.

Ø Unique Account Number System:

o The EPFO introduced a 12-digit Unique Account Number in 2014 for every employee.

o Authentication and Access Mechanism:

o The portal uses Aadhaar-based authentication to ensure secure access.

o It enables members to retrieve old EPF accounts that are not linked to a UAN.

o It also allows users to update their profile details and initiate the process of linking and activating their accounts.

Ø Initial Phase of Implementation:

o In its first phase, the portal will operate using member ID-based access.

o This approach ensures a secure rollout while providing immediate benefits to users who have their member IDs.

Ø Future Expansion: The scope of the portal will later be extended to include individuals who are unable to recall or access their old member IDs.

UPSC GS 3

4. Diaphanes Meghalayanus And Diaphanes Mawlynnong

Ø News:    Scientists have documented two new firefly species, Diaphanes meghalayanus and Diaphanes mawlynnong from Meghalaya.

Ø Classification and Discovery:

o Both species belong to the firefly group and represent newly identified members of the genus Diaphanes.

o They were discovered in the East Khasi Hills region of Meghalaya.

Ø Nomenclature:

o Diaphanes meghalayanus is named after Meghalaya to reflect its wider presence in the region.

o Diaphanes mawlynnong is named after Mawlynnong village, where it was first observed, recognising the local Khasi community.

Ø Habitat Characteristics: Both species inhabit dark, moist environments with very little human disturbance.

Ø Diaphanes Meghalayanus:

o This species is found in semi-evergreen forests as well as in dense betel nut plantations interspersed with bamboo patches.

o It is typically observed during the month of February.

o It thrives in cool and humid conditions, with temperatures ranging between 18°C and 20°C and humidity levels of 77 to 80 percent.

o The species usually flies at heights of about 10 to 15 metres, emitting a soft glow in the dark.

Ø Diaphanes Mawlynnong:

o This species shows more specialised habitat preference and is found in dense forests with thick bamboo growth and rocky streams.

o Male individuals were observed flying approximately 15 metres above ground level.

o The wingless female was located beneath a boulder, indicating a unique behavioural trait and providing insights into its life cycle.

Ø Bioluminescence Characteristics: Female fireflies produce a slower and longer-lasting pulsating glow compared to males.

5. Exercise Pragati

Ø News:   The Indian Army is preparing to host military delegations for the first edition of Exercise Pragati at the Foreign Training Node in Umroi.

Ø  Nature and Full Form:

o Exercise Pragati is a multilateral military exercise.

o PRAGATI stands for Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region.

Ø Edition and Venue:

o This will be the inaugural edition of the exercise.

o It will be conducted in Umroi, Meghalaya.

Ø  Participating Countries: The exercise will involve 11 friendly nations, including Laos, Myanmar, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Nepal, Maldives, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Bhutan.

Ø Aim of the Exercise:

o The exercise seeks to strengthen defence cooperation among participating countries.

o It aims to improve interoperability between armed forces.

o It also focuses on building mutual trust among partner nations.

o It reflects a shared commitment to collective security and regional stability.

Ø  Key Focus:

o The exercise will concentrate on counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations.

o It will emphasise joint training and practical coordination among participating forces.

o It forms part of India’s broader defence outreach to neighbouring countries and nations in the Indian Ocean region.

o It aims to enhance capacity building and develop shared operational capabilities.

o The exercise represents a transition in Indian Army training practices from bilateral engagements to a consortium-based multilateral format.

o In addition to military drills, the event will include a two-day industry exhibition.

o This component will showcase the capabilities of the Indian Army and promote industrial collaboration with ASEAN countries.

6.  Naval Anti-Ship Missile Short Range

Ø News:   The Defence Research and Development Organisation and the Indian Navy successfully carried out the maiden salvo launch of the Naval Anti-Ship Missile Short Range off the coast of the Bay of Bengal near Odisha.

Ø Nature and Role: The Naval Anti-Ship Missile Short Range is India’s first indigenously developed anti-ship missile designed for launch from helicopters.

Ø Replacement Objective: The system has been developed to replace the ageing British-origin Sea Eagle missile currently deployed on naval Sea King helicopters.

Ø Development and Agencies:

o The missile has been developed by the Hyderabad-based Research Centre Imarat.

o It has been built in collaboration with multiple laboratories under DRDO.

Ø Propulsion System:

o The missile uses a solid propulsion booster.

o It is supported by a long-burn sustainer for extended flight performance.

Ø Range Capability: The missile has an operational range of approximately 55 kilometres.

Ø Operational Capability:

o It supports fire-and-forget functionality.

o It can operate effectively in all weather conditions and at any time of day or night.

Ø Avionics and Navigation Systems:

o The system is equipped with an advanced seeker.

o It includes integrated avionics and a fibre-optic gyroscope-based inertial navigation system.

o Additional components include a radio altimeter and a high-bandwidth two-way data link.

Ø Guidance and Control:

o The missile incorporates advanced control and guidance algorithms.

o It also uses jet-vane control technology for improved manoeuvrability.

Ø Strike Capability:

o The missile is designed for low-level sea-skimming flight.

o It is capable of delivering a precise strike at the waterline of enemy vessels, enhancing damage potential.

7. Platypus

Ø News:    Fossil discoveries from South Australia have revealed a previously unknown ancient species of Platypus that possessed teeth, a feature absent in modern platypuses.

Ø Classification and Identity:

o The platypus is a semi-aquatic mammal that lays eggs.

o It is endemic to eastern Australia.

o Its scientific name is Ornithorhynchus anatinus.

Ø   Habitat and Distribution:

o Platypuses inhabit freshwater ecosystems such as rivers, creeks, and ponds.

o Their range extends from tropical rainforest lowlands and plateaus of northern Queensland to the colder, high-altitude regions of Tasmania and the Australian Alps.

o When not searching for food, they spend most of their time inside burrows dug along the banks of water bodies.

Ø  Characteristics:

o The head and body of a platypus measure about 38 centimetres in length.

o The tail is approximately 13 centimetres long.

o The species is highly adapted to a semi-aquatic mode of life.

o Its streamlined body and broad, flat tail are covered with dense, waterproof fur that provides effective insulation.

o The platypus swims using its short, webbed forelimbs.

o Its partially webbed hind limbs function as rudders to aid navigation in water.

o The tail serves as a storage site for fat reserves.

o Strong claws help in digging burrows and moving efficiently on land.

o Male platypuses possess a hardened spur on their ankles.

o This spur is connected to a venom gland located in the upper leg, making the platypus one of the few venomous mammals.

Ø IUCN Conservation Status: Near Threatened