Prelims Current Affairs includes Google has announced a $15 billion investment, Canis lupus pallipes, Blue Flag Certification, State Member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), MONDIACULT 2025, Legal Information Management and Briefing System (LIMBS), World Economic Outlook (WEO), Astra MArk 2 and Mission Drishti.

IMPORTANT DAY

1. INDIAN WOLF NOW RECOGNIZED AS DISTINCT CANIS SPECIES

Current Context: The Indian Wolf (Canis lupus pallipes) has been evaluated separately for the first time by the IUCN, enhancing focus on its conservation and global recognition.

ABOUT INDIAN WOLF

• Scientific Name: Canis lupus pallipes

• Estimated Population: Around 3,093 individuals across India and Pakistan

• IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable

• Habitat Range:

  • Predominantly found in India, with 10–20 individuals in Pakistan.

• Significance: One of the oldest lineages of wolves, genetically distinct from the Himalayan and Tibetan wolves.

2. BLUE FLAG CERTIFICATION FOR MAHARASHTRA BEACHES

Current Context: Five beaches in Maharashtra have received the prestigious Blue Flag Certification, recognising them for high environmental and quality standards.

OTHER INDIAN BEACHES WITH BLUE FLAG STATUS
Shivrajpur (Gujarat), Ghoghla (Diu), Kasarkod & Padubidri (Karnataka), Kappad (Kerala), Rushikonda (Andhra Pradesh), Golden (Odisha), Radhanagar (Andaman & Nicobar), Kovalam (Tamil Nadu), Eden (Puducherry), Minicoy Thundi & Kadmat (Lakshadweep).

ABOUT BLUE FLAG CERTIFICATION

• Awarded By: Foundation for Environment Education (FEE), Denmark

• Started: 1985 (France); expanded globally in 2001

• Nature: Globally recognised eco-label for beaches, marinas, and sustainable boats.

• Criteria: Based on 33 parameters including:

  • Water quality

  • Environmental management

  • Environmental education

  • Safety standards

• Mission: To promote sustainable development through environmental education and eco-tourism.

NEWLY CERTIFIED BEACHES (Maharashtra)

• Shrivardhan – Raigad district

• Nagaon – Raigad district

• Parnaka – Palghar district

• Guhagar – Ratnagiri district

• Ladghar – Ratnagiri district

3. ARMENIA JOINS IUCN AS NEWEST STATE MEMBER

Current Context: Armenia has become the newest State Member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) during the 2025 World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi.

ABOUT ARMENIA

• Location: South of the Caucasus mountain range (Europe–Asia crossroads)

• Borders: Georgia (N), Azerbaijan (E), Iran (SE), Turkey (W)

• Terrain: Dominated by Lesser Caucasus Mountains; fertile volcanic soil rich in nitrogen, potash, phosphates

• Highest Peak: Mount Aragats (4,090 m; extinct volcano)

• Climate: Highland continental — hot summers and cold winters

• Rivers: Aras, Hrazdan, Arpa, and Vorotan

• Major Lake: Lake Sevan (largest in Armenia)

• Resources: Gold, copper, molybdenum, zinc, bauxite

• Capital: Yerevan

• Language: Armenian (official and national language)

4. WORLD STATISTICS DAY

Observed every five years on October 20

• Aim: To highlight the importance of reliable, authentic, and credible data for informed policymaking and global development.

• Established by: United Nations Statistical Commission (UNSC)

• First Observed: 20 October 2010

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

5. GOOGLE’S $15-BILLION AI HUB IN VISAKHAPATNAM

Current Context: Google has announced a $15 billion investment to establish a state-of-the-art Artificial Intelligence (AI) hub in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh — its largest AI project outside the United States.

ABOUT THE AI HUB PROJECT

• Location: Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh

• Investment: $15 billion (approx. ₹1.25 lakh crore)

• Partnership: Developed jointly with Adani Enterprises through AdaniConneX

• Purpose:

  • To make Visakhapatnam a global AI innovation centre.

  • To strengthen India’s digital and cloud infrastructure.

• Infrastructure Highlights:

  • Includes a 1-GW data centre node for advanced AI workloads and cloud services.

  • Integrates gigawatt-scale computing, advanced energy infrastructure, and subsea gateway connectivity.

• Collaborators: Google, AdaniConneX, Airtel, and EdgeConneX.

  • Investment includes clean energy generation, energy storage systems, and data transmission lines.

ART AND CULTURE

6. VIRTUAL MUSEUM OF STOLEN CULTURAL OBJECTS

Current Context: UNESCO has launched the world’s first Virtual Museum of Stolen Cultural Objects at MONDIACULT 2025, the world’s largest conference on cultural policies.

ABOUT VIRTUAL MUSEUM OF STOLEN CULTURAL OBJECTS

• Launched by: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

• Platform Type: Global digital museum using advanced technologies.

• Objective:

  • To raise awareness about illicit trafficking of cultural heritage.

  • To provide a virtual space for showcasing and identifying stolen or looted artifacts.

• Collection: Displays around 240 stolen cultural objects from 46 countries.

• Objects Included:

  • Sculptures

  • Idols

  • Fossils

  • Paintings

INDIAN ARTIFACTS FEATURED

• Origin: Mahadev Temple, Pali, Chhattisgarh

• Period: 9th Century (Sandstone Sculptures)

• Artifacts:

  • Nataraja – Depiction of Lord Shiva in his cosmic dance form.

  • Brahma – Depicted in lalitasana posture, symbolizing wisdom and creation.

ABOUT MONDIACULT

• Full Name: World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development (MONDIACULT)

• Organized by: UNESCO

• Purpose: To serve as a global forum for shaping and strengthening international cultural policy frameworks.

• Significance: The largest and most influential conference on cultural policies in the world, bringing together ministers of culture, experts, and global organizations.

GOVERNANCE

7. LIMBS

Current Context: The Union Minister of State for Law and Justice inaugurated the Live Cases Dashboard of the Legal Information Management and Briefing System (LIMBS) in New Delhi.

ABOUT THE LIVE CASES DASHBOARD

• Designed to provide real-time data visualization of court cases involving various ministries of the Government of India.

• Displays details of all cases scheduled in the next 7 days in the Supreme Court, High Courts, or other courts.

• Enables proactive decision-making and enhances inter-ministerial coordination.

ABOUT LIMBS

• Launched in: 2016 (advanced version in 2020)

• Developed by: Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice

• Purpose: To monitor all court cases where the Union of India is a party.

• Key Features:

  • Web-based application, accessible 24×7.

  • Used by ministries, departments, PSUs, advocates, and nodal officers.

  • Provides dashboard view for each ministry to track its legal matters.

ECONOMY

8. WORLD ECONOMIC OUTLOOK (WEO) – IMF

Current Context: The International Monetary Fund (IMF), in its latest World Economic Outlook (WEO), projected India’s GDP growth rate at 6.6% for 2025–26 and 6.2% for 2026–27, up from 6.4% earlier.

ABOUT WORLD ECONOMIC OUTLOOK

• Published by: International Monetary Fund (IMF)

• Frequency: Twice a year (with interim updates)

• Purpose: Presents analyses and projections of the global economy in the short and medium term.

• Global Outlook: Growth projected to slow from 3.3% (2024) → 3.2% (2025) → 3.1% (2026)

DEFENCE

9. ASTRA MARK-2 AIR-TO-AIR MISSILE

Current Context: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) announced plans to extend the range of Astra Mark 2 missile to over 200 km.

ABOUT ASTRA MARK 2

• Type: Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile developed by DRDO.

• Involves over 50 public and private industries, including HAL.

• Astra Mark 1 (range: 90–100 km) already deployed with LCA Tejas and Su-30 MKI.

FEATURES

• Type: Dual-pulse, smokeless solid-fuel motor (vs. single-pulse in Mk-1)

• Range: 150–180 km (extendable beyond 200 km)

• Speed: Up to Mach 4.5

• Weight: ~175 kg; Diameter: 190 mm

• Seeker: Indigenous Radio Frequency (RF) Seeker from Su-30 MKI

• Significance: Enhances IAF’s combat superiority and has export potential.

SPACE

10. MISSION DRISHTI

Current Context: Space-tech start-up GalaxEye will launch the world’s first multi-sensor Earth observation satellite, ‘Mission Drishti’, in early 2026.

ABOUT MISSION DRISHTI

• Developed by: Bengaluru-based start-up GalaxEye

• Type: Multi-sensor Earth Observation (EO) satellite

• Weight: 160 kg; Resolution: 1.5 metres

• Status: Successfully tested at ISRO’s U R Rao Satellite Centre

• Deployment Goal: 8–12 satellites by 2029

KEY FEATURES

• Combines Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and high-resolution optical sensors.

• Provides all-weather, day-and-night imagery.

• Enables real-time geospatial analysis for:

  • Border surveillance

  • Disaster management

  • Defence and infrastructure monitoring

  • Agricultural and financial assessments

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