Prelims Current Affairs includes New Governors Appointed, Straits in the Indian Ocean, Total Lunar Eclipse and Blood Moon, World Obesity Atlas 2026, Shtil Missile, Moonshot Project, Golestan Palace & Karbi Anglong Ginger

APPOINTMENTS

1. NEW GOVERNORS APPOINTED

Current Context: President Droupadi Murmu has appointed new Governors and Lieutenant Governors in several States and Union Territories.

ABOUT THE APPOINTMENTS

• Shiv Pratap Shukla – Appointed as Governor of Telangana (earlier Governor of Himachal Pradesh)
• Jishnu Dev Varma – Appointed as Governor of Maharashtra (earlier Governor of Telangana)
• Nand Kishore Yadav – Appointed as Governor of Nagaland (former Speaker of Bihar Legislative Assembly)
• Gen. (Retd.) Syed Ata Hasnain – Appointed as Governor of Bihar
• N. Ravi – Appointed as Governor of West Bengal (earlier Governor of Tamil Nadu)
• Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar – Will discharge the functions of Governor of Tamil Nadu (currently Governor of Kerala)
• Kavinder Gupta – Appointed as Governor of Himachal Pradesh (earlier Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh)
• Vinai Kumar Saxena – Appointed as Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh (earlier Lieutenant Governor of Delhi)
• Taranjit Singh Sandhu – Appointed as Lieutenant Governor of Delhi (former Indian diplomat)

PLACE IN NEWS

2. STRAITS IN THE INDIAN OCEAN

Current Context: Iran recently warned it may attack ships attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns about maritime security.

ABOUT STRAITS

• A strait is a naturally formed narrow water passage connecting two larger water bodies.
• MAJOR STRAITS IN THE INDIAN OCEAN
• Strait of Hormuz: Connects Persian Gulf with Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea
• Bab-el-Mandeb Strait: Connects Red Sea with Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean
• Malacca Strait: Connects Andaman Sea (Indian Ocean) with the South China Sea (Pacific Ocean).

GEOGRAPHY

3. TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE AND BLOOD MOON

Current Context: India recently witnessed a Total Lunar Eclipse, confirmed by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

ABOUT TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE

• Occurs when the Moon passes completely through Earth’s umbra (dark shadow)
• The Sun, Earth and Moon align in a straight line, blocking direct sunlight.

ABOUT BLOOD MOON

• A Blood Moon refers to the reddish appearance of the Moon during a total lunar eclipse.

CAUSE

• Sunlight passing through Earth’s atmosphere bends and scatters
• Only red wavelengths reach the Moon, giving it a reddish colour.

REPORT

4.  WORLD OBESITY ATLAS 2026

Current Context: The World Obesity Atlas 2026 report revealed that India ranks second globally in the number of children with overweight or obesity.

ABOUT WORLD OBESITY ATLAS

• Published by the World Obesity Federation
• Provides global data, projections and policy insights on obesity trends

GLOBAL SCENARIO

• Around 7% of children aged 5–19 years worldwide are overweight or obese
• By 2040, nearly 507 million children globally may be overweight or obese
• Over 200 million school-age children with high BMI are concentrated in 10 countries including China, India and the United States

INDIA SCENARIO

• India ranks second after China in number of children with high BMI
• Estimated for 2025:
• 41 million children with high BMI
• 14 million children living with obesity
• Rising risks between 2025–2040:
• Hypertension
• Hyperglycaemia
• High triglycerides
• MASLD (earlier NAFLD)

LIFESTYLE CONCERNS

• 74% adolescents (11–17 years) do not meet recommended physical activity levels
• Only 5% children receive school meals
• Around 6% infants experience sub-optimal breastfeeding

GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES

• POSHAN Abhiyaan – improving nutrition outcomes
• Fit India Movement – promoting physical activity
• Eat Right India – encouraging healthy diet and food safety
• School Health and Wellness Programme – promoting health awareness among students.

DEFENCE

5. SHTIL MISSILE

Current Context: The Ministry of Defence signed contracts worth ₹5,083 crore for procurement of Shtil surface-to-air missiles for the Indian Navy and Advanced Light Helicopters for the Indian Coast Guard.

ABOUT SHTIL MISSILE

• Type: Medium-range ship-based surface-to-air missile (SAM) system
• Developer: Russia
• Launch System: Vertical Launch System (VLS)

FEATURES

• Uses 9M317ME semi-active radar homing missile
• Designed to defend warships from aircraft, helicopters, drones and cruise missiles
• Can engage up to 12 targets simultaneously
• Range:5 km to 50 km
• Engagement Altitude: 5 m to 15 km
• Speed: Around 5 times the speed of sound
• Uses information from the ship’s 3D radar system and operates with high automation for quick response.

POLICY AND PROGRAMME

6. MOONSHOT PROJECT

Current Context: The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) launched a new Moonshot Project aimed at developing advanced brain co-processor technology.

ABOUT MOONSHOT PROJECT

• Institution: Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru
• Funding: Pratiksha Trust
• Nature: Multidisciplinary research initiative combining Artificial Intelligence and neuromorphic hardware

OBJECTIVE

• To develop AI-powered brain co-processors that can enhance or restore brain functions
• These devices will connect with different parts of the brain to improve coordinated movement and cognitive functions

KEY FEATURES

• Development of implantable and non-invasive brain devices
• Uses AI algorithms to decode neural signals
• Sends signals back to the brain through neural stimulation or neurofeedback

PLACE IN NEWS

7. GOLESTAN PALACE

Current Context: Iran’s Golestan Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Tehran, was recently damaged due to shockwaves and debris caused by US–Israel airstrikes.

ABOUT GOLESTAN PALACE

• Location: Tehran, Iran
• Type: Historic royal palace complex
• UNESCO Status: Inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 2013

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

• Served as the official residence of the Qajar dynasty
• One of the oldest historic monuments in Tehran
• Its origins trace back to the Safavid dynasty, when Tehran started gaining political importance
• Later rulers expanded and renovated the complex.

ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES

• Represents a blend of traditional Persian architecture and Western influences introduced in the 19th century
• Houses cultural archives, early Iranian photography collections and historic coronation sites

IMPORTANT STRUCTURES

• Shams-ol-Emareh (Edifice of the Sun): Built in the 1860s by Naser al-Din Shah Qajar
• Marble Throne Hall (Takht-e-Marmar): Used for royal coronations and official ceremonies
• Mirror Hall: Known for intricate mirror mosaics and decoration
• Museum Buildings: Display Qajar-era paintings, royal gifts and artefacts.

MISCELLANEOUS 

8.  KARBI ANGLONG GINGER

Current Context: Assam Agriculture Minister recently flagged off the first export of GI-tagged Karbi Anglong Ginger to London.

ABOUT KARBI ANGLONG GINGER

• Location: Grown in the Singhasan Hills of Karbi Anglong district, Assam
• Cultivation Method: Traditional Jhum and Tila cultivation systems
• Crop Type: Important cash crop of the region

PROPERTIES

• Known as one of the most aromatic and flavourful ginger varieties in India
• Characterised by strong pungency, high oil content and rich flavour
• Has a distinct earthy taste with medicinal properties

GI TAG

• GI Status: Received Geographical Indication tag in 2015

ABOUT GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION (GI) TAG

• It is a sign used for products that originate from a specific geographical region and possess qualities linked to that origin
• Used for agricultural products, food items, handicrafts and industrial goods
• Governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999
• Validity: GI registration is valid for 10 years and can be renewed.

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