10 July 2026

UPSC GS 1

Changpa Community

·       News:  The Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh recently announced measures aimed at improving the livelihoods of the indigenous Changpa pastoral community.

·        About the Changpa Community:

o  The Changpas are a semi-nomadic pastoral community inhabiting the Changthang region of the Trans-Himalayas.

o  They have traditionally reared Pashmina (Cashmere) goats for centuries and are renowned for producing some of the world's finest Pashmina wool.

o  They are recognised as a Scheduled Tribe (ST) in India.

o  The Changpas primarily follow Buddhism.

·       Livelihood: The community depends mainly on:

o  Rearing Pashmina goats.

o  Sheep and yak pastoralism.

o  Production of high-quality Pashmina wool.

o  Their seasonal migration helps them adapt to the harsh climatic conditions of the high-altitude cold desert.

·       Lifestyle: The Changpas are traditionally divided into two groups:

o  Phalpa – Nomadic Changpas who migrate seasonally with their livestock.

o  Fangpa – Changpas who have settled permanently in fixed locations.

·       Traditional Dwellings:

o  They live in distinctive conical yak-skin tents known as Reboo.

o  Every Reboo typically contains:

o  The family's deity.

o  A picture of their spiritual leader, usually Dalai Lama.

·       Festivals and Rituals:

o  Jyabten

§ An important purification ritual.

§ Offerings of different kinds of food are made to Padmasambhava.

o  Tangpe Chona

§ Celebrated on the 15th day of the first lunar month.

§ It is one of the major festivals of the Changpa community.

UPSC GS 2

Guwahati Declaration

·       News:  The BRICS nations recently adopted the Guwahati Declaration, reaffirming their commitment to strengthen cooperation in preventing and combating illicit drug trafficking and related transnational organised crime.

·        About the Guwahati Declaration:

o  The Guwahati Declaration was adopted by BRICS countries to enhance cooperation against illicit drug trafficking and transnational organised crime.

o  It was adopted at the conclusion of the BRICS Heads of Anti-Drug Agencies Meeting held in Guwahati.

o  The meeting was organised under India's BRICS Chairship (2026).

o  Theme of India's BRICS Chairship 2026: "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability."

·       Participating Countries: The meeting brought together representatives from:

o  Brazil

o  China

o  Ethiopia

o  India

o  Indonesia

o  Iran

o  Russia

o  United Arab Emirates

·       Key Provisions of the Declaration:

·       Strengthening International Cooperation: Calls for closer cooperation among BRICS countries to combat:

o  Illicit drug trafficking.

o  Related organised transnational crime.

o  Encourages the timely exchange of information, intelligence, and best practices, in accordance with:

§ National laws.

§ International obligations.

·       Use of Technology: Emphasises the adoption of:

o  Innovative technologies.

o  Digital tools.

o  Data-driven approaches.

o  These measures aim to improve:

§ Law enforcement.

§ Regulatory mechanisms.

§ Detection and disruption of drug trafficking networks.

·       Demand Reduction: Stresses the importance of:

o  Reducing drug demand.

o  Promoting healthy lifestyles.

o  Preventing substance abuse.

o  Advocates evidence-based and people-centred strategies, with particular focus on:

§ Children.

§ Young people.

§ Other vulnerable groups.

UPSC GS 3

Himalayan Pangolin (Manis aurita)

·       News:  Researchers have revalidated the Himalayan pangolin (Manis aurita) as a distinct living species, confirming that it is separate from the Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla).

·        About Himalayan Pangolin:

o  The Himalayan pangolin is a distinct species of pangolin native to the Himalayan region.

o  Scientific Name: Manis aurita.

o  Recent research has established it as a separate extant species rather than a population of the Chinese pangolin.

o  Genetic studies indicate that the species experienced a demographic contraction around the 14th century, coinciding with the onset of the Little Ice Age in the Himalayan region.

·       Features:

o  It is significantly larger in body size and skull than the Chinese pangolin.  It has:

§ Smaller ears.

§ A shorter and broader nasal bone.

§ An enlarged olfactory bulb and turbinals, giving it a highly developed sense of smell for locating ants and termites.

§ Like all pangolins, its body is covered with protective keratin scales.

·       Distribution:

o  Its distribution is restricted to the southern Himalayan foothills.

o  Confirmed populations occur in:

§ Nepal

§ South Tibet

§ Northeast India, including Assam

·       Diet:

o  It is myrmecophagous, feeding primarily on:

§ Ants.

§ Termites.

§ It uses its strong sense of smell and long sticky tongue to locate and capture prey.

Kwar Hydroelectric Project

·       News:     Heavy rainfall recently triggered a major landslide near the under-construction 540 MW Kwar Hydroelectric Project in Kishtwar district.

·       About Kwar Hydroelectric Project: The Kwar Hydroelectric Project is a 540 MW hydropower project being developed on the Chenab River.

·       Location: Kishtwar district.

·       It is designed as a Run-of-the-River (RoR) hydroelectric project.

·       Key Features:

·       Installed Capacity:

o  Total installed capacity: 540 MW.

o  The underground powerhouse will house four generating units, each with a capacity of 135 MW.

·       Dam: The project involves the construction of a 109-metre-high dam across the Chenab River.

·       Power Generation: Expected annual electricity generation: 1,975 million units (MU).

·       Project Developer: The project is being developed by Chenab Valley Power Projects Private Limited (CVPPL).

·       Ownership Structure: CVPPL is a joint venture between:

o  NHPC Limited – 51% equity.

o  Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation – 49% equity.

·       What is a Run-of-the-River (RoR) Project?

o  A Run-of-the-River (RoR) project generates electricity by utilising the natural flow of a river with little or no large-scale water storage.

o  Water is diverted through tunnels or channels to drive turbines before being returned to the river.

o  Compared to large storage dams, RoR projects generally:

§ Require smaller reservoirs.

§ Cause relatively less submergence.

§ Depend on seasonal river flows for power generation.

Astra Mk 1 Missile

·       News:  India and Indonesia have strengthened their strategic defence partnership by signing a deal for the supply of the Astra Mk 1 air-to-air missiles.

·        About Astra Mk 1:

o  Astra Mk 1 is an indigenously developed Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM).

o  It has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation.

o  The missile is designed for deployment by both the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy.

·       Features:

o  Range: 80–110 km.

o  Maximum altitude: 20 km.

o  Speed: Mach 4.5 (approximately 4.5 times the speed of sound).

o  Astra Mk 2, the advanced variant, has an enhanced range of about 200 km.

·       Guidance System: The missile employs a multi-stage guidance mechanism comprising:

o  Inertial navigation guidance.

o  Mid-course guidance updates.

o  Terminal active radar homing for precise target engagement.

·       Propulsion: Powered by a single-pulse smokeless solid-fuel rocket motor.

·       Platform Integration: Astra Mk 1 is being integrated with:

o  Sukhoi Su-30MKI.

o  HAL Tejas Mk 1 (planned).

o  Dassault Rafale (planned).