Prelims Current Affairs includes World Theatre Day, Prism-Sg Portal, Qs World University Rankings 2026, Operation Urja Suraksha, Cauvery River, Regional Connectivity Scheme – Modified Udan & Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve (VDTR)

Important Day

1. WORLD THEATRE DAY

Celebrated on 27 March

• Aim : to highlight the importance of theatre as an art form and raises awareness about cultural and economic importance of theatre.
• Theme : Theatre and a Culture of Peace.

E-GOVERNANCE

2.  PRISM-SG PORTAL

Current Context: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways launched the PRISM-SG Portal in New Delhi.

ABOUT PRISM-SG PORTAL

• Full Form: Portal for Rail-Road Inspection & Stages Management – Steel Girders
• Purpose: To improve efficiency, transparency, and coordination in infrastructure projects
• Key Features:
  • Digital processing of approvals and inspections for Road Over Bridges (ROBs)
  • Covers Quality Assurance Plans (QAP) and Welding Procedure Specifications (WPSS)
  • Enables online submission, scrutiny, approvals, and inspection scheduling
  • Provides real-time monitoring and audit trail
• Stakeholders Involved: Road authorities, Indian Railways, contractors, fabricators, inspection agencies.
• Significance:
  • Reduces approval time from 12 months to 3–4 months
  • Ensures timely completion of infrastructure projects
  • Enhances connectivity and coordination

RANKING

3. QS WORLD UNIVERSITY RANKINGS 2026

Current Context: IIM Kozhikode entered the Top 100 globally in QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026.

ABOUT QS WORLD UNIVERSITY RANKINGS

• Published by: Quacquarelli Symonds (QS)
• Nature: Global ranking of universities based on multiple performance indicators
• Evaluation Criteria:
  • Academic reputation
  • Employer reputation
  • Research output and citations
  • Employability outcomes
• Five Key Lenses:
  • Research and Discovery
  • Employability and Outcomes
  • Global Engagement
  • Learning Experience
  • Sustainability
• Key Highlights (India):
  • 120 new Indian entries (4th globally)
  • India ranks 4th in total institutional presence
  • Six Indian institutions in global Top 100 (Computer Science)

Top Indian Performers:

DEFENCE

4. OPERATION URJA SURAKSHA

Current Context: India launched Operation Urja Suraksha to protect energy supply routes amid tensions in West Asia.

ABOUT OPERATION URJA SURAKSHA

• Conducted by: Indian Navy
• Region: Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman
• Objective: To ensure safe passage of India-bound cargo ships carrying oil, LNG, and LPG
• Key Features:
  • Deployment of multiple warships including destroyers and frigates
  • Escorting vessels through high-risk maritime zones
  • Real-time monitoring and navigation support
• Strategic Importance of Strait of Hormuz:
  • Major global energy chokepoint
  • Significant share of India’s oil and gas imports passes through it
• Operational Mechanism:
  • Coordination with cargo vessels
  • Escort after exiting high-risk zones
  • Protection from threats such as mines and attacks

GEOGRAPHY

5. CAUVERY RIVER

Current Context: An IIT Gandhinagar study predicts a decline of about 3.5% in Cauvery River water flow between 2026 and 2050.

ABOUT CAUVERY RIVER

• Origin: Talakaveri, Brahmagiri Hills, Western Ghats (Karnataka)
• Length: Approximately 800 km
• Drainage Basin: Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry
• Tributaries:
  • Left Bank: Harangi, Hemavati, Shimsha, Arkavati
  • Right Bank: Lakshmantirtha, Kabbani, Bhavani, Amaravati
  • Major Waterfalls: Shivanasamudra Falls, Hogenakkal Falls
• Major Dams:
  • Krishnarajasagar Dam (Karnataka)
  • Mettur Dam (Tamil Nadu).

SCHEME

6. REGIONAL CONNECTIVITY SCHEME – MODIFIED UDAN

Current Context: The Union Cabinet has approved the Regional Connectivity Scheme – Modified UDAN with an outlay of ₹28,840 crore for the period 2026–2036.

ABOUT MODIFIED UDAN SCHEME

• Full Form: Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik
• Launched (Original): 2016
• Modified Version Approved: March 2026 (Implementation from FY 2026–27)
• Objective:
  • To enhance regional air connectivity
  • To make air travel affordable and accessible
  • To develop a globally competitive aviation ecosystem

Financial Outlay: ₹28,840 crore

• Key Features:
• Infrastructure Expansion:
  • ₹12,159 crore allocated
  • Development of 100 airports from unserved airstrips
• Helipad Development:
  • 200 modern helipads to be constructed
  • Focus on hilly, remote, and island regions
• Viability Gap Funding (VGF):
  • ₹10,043 crore support to airlines
  • Ensures affordable fares and route viability
• Operation & Maintenance Support:
  • Support for 3 years (up to ₹3.06 crore/year per airport)
  • Covers around 441 aerodromes
• Indigenous Aircraft Promotion:
  • Procurement of HAL Dhruv helicopters and HAL Dornier aircraft
  • Supports Atmanirbhar Bharat

ENVIRONMENT

7. VEERANGANA DURGAVATI TIGER RESERVE (VDTR)

Current Context: Madhya Pradesh government initiated development of a soft-release enclosure at Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve for cheetah reintroduction.

ABOUT VEERANGANA DURGAVATI TIGER RESERVE

• Location: Bundelkhand region, Madhya Pradesh (Sagar, Damoh, Narsinghpur)
• Established: 2023 (approved by NTCA)
• Area: 2,339 sq km
• Origin: Formed by merging Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary and Durgavati Wildlife Sanctuary.

• Key Features:
  • Large Landscape: Suitable for wide-ranging species like tiger and cheetah
  • Terrain: Savannah-like grasslands and scrub forests (similar to African veld)
  • River System: Bamner River flows through reserve
• Biodiversity:
  • High prey base: chital, sambar, blackbuck
  • Habitat for Indian wolf
  • Over 240 bird species
• Unique Feature: First reserve where cheetahs will co-exist with tigers and leopards
• Significance:
  • Expands big cat conservation landscape in India
  • Strengthens biodiversity conservation.

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