Prelims Current Affairs includes Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP), Group of Seven (G7), Shigellosis, Shyamji Krishna Varma, Ions Maritime Exercise (IMEX) 2026, Olive Ridley Turtle Conservation in Andhra Pradesh & Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG)

AWARDS

1. RASHTRIYA VIGYAN PURASKAR (RVP)

Current Context: The Government of India has opened nominations for Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) 2026.

ABOUT RASHTRIYA VIGYAN PURASKAR

• Purpose:
  • To recognise outstanding contributions in science, technology, and innovation
  • To honour scientists, technologists, and innovators contributing to national development
• Eligibility:
  • Scientists, technologists, and innovators from government, private sector, or individuals
  • Persons of Indian Origin abroad contributing to Indian society
• Award Categories:
  • Vigyan Ratna (VR): Lifetime achievement
  • Vigyan Shri (VS): Distinguished contributions
  • Vigyan Yuva – Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY-SSB): Young scientists (up to 45 years)
  • Vigyan Team (VT): Team-based scientific contributions
• Administered by:
  • RVP Secretariat, CSIR under Ministry of Science and Technology
  • Guided by Principal Scientific Advisor.

ORGANISATION

2. GROUP OF SEVEN (G7)

Current Context: India participated in G7 Foreign Ministers’ Summit discussions.

ABOUT G7

• Established in: 1975
• Nature: Informal grouping of advanced economies
• Members: USA, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Canada
• Historical Note:
  • Russia joined in 1998 (G8)
  • Removed in 2014, reverting to G7
• Scope:
  • Economic policy
  • Security and foreign policy
  • Climate change and development
• Governance:
  • No permanent secretariat
  • Rotational presidency
  • Decisions by consensus
• India’s Role: Not a member but regularly invited.

HEALTH

3. SHIGELLOSIS

Current Context: An outbreak of Shigellosis has been reported in Kerala.

ABOUT SHIGELLOSIS

• Cause: Shigella bacteria
• Nature: Highly contagious diarrhoeal disease
• Affected Group: Mainly children under 5 years
  • Also affects elderly and immunocompromised persons
• Transmission:
  • Faecal-oral route
  • Contaminated food and water
  • Close contact with infected person
• Treatment:
  • Usually self-limiting
  • Antibiotics in severe cases

HISTORY

4. SHYAMJI KRISHNA VARMA

Current Context: Prime Minister paid tribute to Shyamji Krishna Varma on his death anniversary.

ABOUT SHYAMJI KRISHNA VARMA

• Born: 1857, Mandvi (Gujarat)
• Profession: Freedom fighter, lawyer, journalist
• Associations: First President of Bombay Arya Samaj
  • Influenced by Swami Dayanand Saraswati
• Major Contributions:
  • Indian Home Rule Society (1905): Promoted self-rule
  • India House (London): Hub for Indian revolutionaries
  • Indian Sociologist: Journal spreading nationalist ideas
• Significance:
  • Key figure in early revolutionary movement abroad
  • Promoted Indian nationalism in Europe

DEFENCE

5. IONS MARITIME EXERCISE (IMEX) 2026

Current Context: Indian Navy hosted IONS Maritime Exercise (IMEX) TTX 2026 in Kochi.

ABOUT IMEX 2026

• Conducted by: Indian Navy
• Location: Maritime Warfare Centre, Kochi
• Framework: Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS)
• Objective:
  • To enhance maritime cooperation
  • To address security challenges in Indian Ocean Region
• Participation: Countries include Bangladesh, France, Indonesia, Maldives, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, etc.

Environment

6. Olive Ridley Turtle Conservation in Andhra Pradesh

Context

Officials of the Wildlife Management Authority and Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary have successfully conserved nearly 20,000 eggs of Olive Ridley turtles on Hope Island in Kakinada Bay, Andhra Pradesh.

About Olive Ridley Turtle

Olive ridley sea turtle

• The Olive Ridley turtle gets its name from the olive-green colour of its heart-shaped shell.
• It is the smallest and most abundant sea turtle species found in the world.
• These turtles are carnivorous, feeding mainly on:
  • Jellyfish
  • Shrimp
  • Crabs
  • Molluscs
  • Distribution
• Olive Ridley turtles are found mainly in the tropical regions of:
  • Pacific Ocean
  • Indian Ocean
  • Atlantic Ocean
  • Major Nesting Sites in India

• Important nesting sites include:
  • Odisha coast
  • Rushikulya rookery coast
  • Gahirmatha beach (Bhitarkanika National Park)
  • Andhra Pradesh coast
  • Tamil Nadu coast
  • Special Feature
• The species is famous for its mass nesting behaviour, known as Arribada.
• Arribada: A phenomenon in which thousands of female turtles come ashore simultaneously on the same beach to lay eggs.
• Conservation Status
• IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
• CITES: Appendix I
• Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I

Miscellaneous

7. Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG)

Context

The inaugural edition of the Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) is being held in Chhattisgarh across three host cities — Raipur, Jagdalpur and Sarguja over a 10-day period.

About

• It is the first national multi-sport event under the Khelo India programme dedicated exclusively to tribal athletes.
• More than 60,000 athletes from 30 States and UTs are participating.
• Medal Sports (7)
• Athletics
• Football
• Hockey
• Weightlifting
• Archery
• Swimming
• Wrestling
• Demonstration Events
• Mallakhamb
• Kabaddi
• Mascot
• The official mascot is Morveer.
• Mor = our own
• Veer = bravery
• (derived from Chhattisgarhi words)

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