Prelims Current Affairs includes Dhasan River, e-Swasthya Samvad, Dulhasti Stage-II Hydropower Project, Ho Tribe, Ayush Mhatre to Lead India at U-19 World Cup, Book: Economic Empowerment of Bharat in the Modi Era, Mandi Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Wins ICAR Zone-1 Best KVK Award.

GEOGRAPHY / ENVIRONMENT

1. DHASAN RIVER

Current Context: The National Green Tribunal dismissed an appeal challenging the cancellation of environmental clearance for sand mining in the Dhasan River in Jhansi district.

ABOUT DHASAN RIVER

• Tributary: Right-bank tributary of the Betwa River, which flows into the Yamuna.
• Region: Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
• Origin: Begumganj tehsil, Raisen district, Madhya Pradesh.
• Course: Forms the south-eastern boundary of Lalitpur district (UP).
• Length: 365 km.

STATE-WISE DISTRIBUTION

• Madhya Pradesh – 240 km
• MP–UP common boundary – 54 km
• Uttar Pradesh – 71 km

Ancient Name: Dasharna.
Dam: Lehchura Dam (irrigation via Dhasan Canal System).

STATE IN NEWS / GOVERNANCE

2. E-SWASTHYA SAMVAD

Current Context: Rajasthan Government launched e-Swasthya Samvad to strengthen governance and coordination in the medical education system.

ABOUT E-SWASTHYA SAMVAD

• Nature: Digital communication and governance platform.
• Objective: Improve transparency, monitoring, and coordination in medical education and healthcare delivery.
• Leadership: Implemented under the Chief Minister and Medical Education Department.

OPERATIONAL STRUCTURE

• Mode: Video conferencing.
• Frequency: Twice a week – Tuesday and Thursday.
• Participants: Principals, medical superintendents, PMOs, heads of departments, faculty, students, and staff.

ECONOMY / GEOGRAPHY

3. DULHASTI STAGE-II HYDROPOWER PROJECT

Current Context: Ministry of Environment panel approved the 260 MW Dulhasti Stage-II Hydropower Project in Jammu and Kashmir.

ABOUT DULHASTI STAGE-II

• Capacity: 260 MW (2 × 130 MW).
• River: Chenab River.
• Location: Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir.
• Developer: National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited (NHPC).
• Extension Of: 390 MW Dulhasti Stage-I (operational since 2007).

PROJECT FEATURES

• Water diversion through 3,685-metre tunnel.
• Horseshoe-shaped pondage system.
• Underground powerhouse with surge and pressure shafts.
• Estimated Cost: Over ₹3,200 crore.

CULTURE / TRIBES

4. HO TRIBE

Current Context: Ho Samaj Yuva Mahasabha called for observing Black Day (Jan 1–2) to remember martyrs and protest historical injustices.

ABOUT HO TRIBE

• Ethnic Group: Austroasiatic Munda tribe.
• Self Names: Ho, Hodoko, Horo (meaning “human”).
• Distribution: Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar; also Nepal & Bangladesh.
• Language: Ho language, closely related to Mundari.
• Occupation: Agriculture, agricultural labour, mining.

CULTURE AND SOCIETY

• Women enjoy relatively higher social status.
• Dance central to community life; villages have akhra.
• Musical instruments: dama, dholak, dumeng, rutu.

RELIGION

• Majority follow Sarnaism (nature-based belief system).
• Village priest known as deuri.

SPORTS

5. AYUSH MHATRE TO LEAD INDIA AT U-19 WORLD CUP

Current Context: Ayush Mhatre named captain of India’s U-19 team for ICC Men’s U-19 World Cup 2026.

KEY DETAILS

• World Cup Captain: Ayush Mhatre.
• South Africa Tour Captain: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
• Vice-Captain: Vihaan Malhotra.
• Injured players to undergo rehabilitation at BCCI Centre of Excellence.

ICC U-19 WORLD CUP 2026

• Hosts: Zimbabwe & Namibia.
• Duration: 15 January – 6 February 2026.
• Teams: 16 teams (4 groups).
• India’s Group: New Zealand, Bangladesh, USA.
• India’s Titles: Five-time champions.

BOOKS / ECONOMY

6. BOOK: ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF BHARAT IN THE MODI ERA

Current Context: Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan released the book Economic Empowerment of Bharat in the Modi Era.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• India is the 4th largest economy by nominal GDP.
• JAM Trinity enabled over ₹47 lakh crore in DBT.
• GST unified India into a single national market.
• IBC strengthened credit recovery.
• Vision aligned with Viksit Bharat @2047.

HIMACHAL PRADESH / AGRICULTURE

7. MANDI KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA (KVK) WINS ICAR ZONE-1 BEST KVK AWARD

Current Context: KVK Mandi, under Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, won ICAR Zone-1 Best KVK Award 2024-25.

ABOUT THE AWARD

• Conferred by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
• Zone-1 includes 72 KVKs from HP, Punjab, Uttarakhand, and J&K.
• Award presented at ICAR Zone-1 Annual Zonal Workshop, SKUAST Jammu.

KEY CONTRIBUTIONS OF KVK MANDI

• Crop diversification & seed production.
• Mushroom cultivation & agri-entrepreneurship.
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
• Promotion of natural & sustainable farming.
• On-farm trials and frontline demonstrations.
• Drone-based agricultural technology demonstrations.

Download Pdf | Study Material | Downloads | Daily Quiz  | FREE Youtube Videos