Prelims Current Affairs includes Mahavir Jayanti, Ghorad (Great Indian Bustard), Birsa Munda, Zojila Pass, Artemis II Mission, Bab el-Mandab Strait & Exercise Dweep Shakti

Important Day

1. Mahavir Jayanti

Current Context: Mahavir Jayanti on 31 March marks the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism.

About

• The day is observed with prayers, processions, and acts of kindness, promoting the values of peace, non-violence, and compassion.
• Celebrated on Chaitra Shukla Trayodashi (13th day of bright fortnight of Chaitra)
• Usually falls in March–April
• In 2026, it falls on 31 March

Lord Mahavira

• 24th and last Tirthankara
• Preached Ahimsa (non-violence)
• Emphasised: truth, non-stealing, celibacy, non-possession
• These form the five great vows (Mahavratas) of Jainism.

BIODIVERSITY

2. Ghorad (Great Indian Bustard)

Current Context: After nearly a decade-long gap, a Great Indian Bustard (Ghorad) chick has been born in Kutch district, Gujarat, through an inter-state conservation effort.

About Great Indian Bustard (Ghorad)

• Locally known as Ghorad in Gujarat and Maharashtra
• One of the heaviest flying birds in the world
• Large ostrich-like bird
• Males can weigh up to 15 kg
• Females lay only one egg per year
• Called the flagship species / guardian of India’s grassland ecosystem
• Habitat:
  • Dry grasslands and scrublands
  • Ground-nesting bird
  • Eggs highly vulnerable to predators
• Conservation Status
  • IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I
• Population
  • Fewer than 150 individuals globally
  • Majority found in Desert National Park, Rajasthan
• Present Distribution: Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh.

Operation Egg Transfer

• This is a high-tech foster-parenting conservation strategy.
• Aim: To revive the GIB population in Kutch, Gujarat
• Mechanism
  • An unfertilized egg in the wild nest is replaced with a lab-fertilized egg
  • Ensures successful hatching in areas with no male bustards
• Agencies Involved
  • Forest Departments of Gujarat and Rajasthan
  • Wildlife Institute of India (WII)

HISTORY

3. Birsa Munda

Current Context: The Vice-President of India visited the birthplace of Birsa Munda in Jharkhand.

About

• Born on 15 November 1875
• Birthplace: Ulihatu, erstwhile Bengal Presidency (present-day Jharkhand)
• Belonged to the Munda tribe
• Tribal freedom fighter, religious leader, and folk hero

Birsait Religion

• Founded a new religion called Birsait
• Believed in One God
• Declared himself as God’s messenger
• Followers called him Dharti Abba (Father of Earth)
• People from Munda and Oraon tribes joined the sect and opposed British missionary conversion activities.

Munda Rebellion

• Tribal uprising led against British rule & local exploiters (Dikus)
• Also known as Ulgulan or Great Tumult
• Janjatiya Gaurav Divas: Observed on 15 November since 2021 to honor Birsa Munda’s legacy.

GEOGRAPHY

4.  Zojila Pass

Current Context: An avalanche at Zojila Pass claimed multiple lives, highlighting concerns over traffic management and safety protocols on this high-risk mountain highway.

About Zojila Pass

• One of the most critical and challenging high-altitude passes in the world
• Located at 3,528 metres in Jammu and Kashmir
• Connects the Kashmir Valley with Ladakh
• Known for its strategic importance and Himalayan scenery

Importance

• Vital route on the Srinagar–Leh Highway
• Crucial for civilian movement, tourism, and military logistics
• Key to maintaining connectivity with Ladakh region

Zojila Tunnel Project

• Under-construction tunnel on Srinagar–Leh Highway
• Located at about 3,500 metres (11,578 ft) altitude
• Will be India’s longest road tunnel
• Also, the longest bi-directional tunnel in Asia

SPACE

5. Artemis II Mission

Current Context: NASA is set to launch the Artemis II mission, marking the first crewed mission around the Moon in over 50 years. The launch is targeted for 1 April 2026.

About Artemis II

• Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center, Florida
• First crewed mission under NASA’s Artemis programme
• Part of the broader goal to establish a long-term human presence on the Moon
• Will carry 4 astronauts on an approximately 10-day mission around the Moon and back
• First human lunar flyby since the Apollo missions

Mission Objective

• Test critical systems for future lunar missions
• Validate life support, communication, navigation, and re-entry systems
• Prepare for future Moon landings
• Act as a stepping stone for eventual Mars missions

Major Components

1. Space Launch System (SLS)

• NASA’s most powerful rocket
• Used to launch the crew beyond Earth orbit

2. Orion Spacecraft

• Crew capsule carrying the astronauts
• Designed for deep-space missions
• After completing the lunar flyby the Orion will be re-enter in the Earth’s atmosphere at very high speed and will land safely in the ocean using parachutes.

GEOGRAPHY

6. Bab el-Mandab Strait

Current Context: The Bab el-Mandab Strait, also known as the “Gate of Tears”, is facing renewed threats of closure due to rising conflict in the region.

About

• A strategic maritime chokepoint
• One of the world’s most vital shipping lanes
• Acts as the southern gateway to the Red Sea
• Links the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea via the Suez Canal
• Location:
  • Located between Horn of Africa (Djibouti, Eritrea) & Arabian Peninsula (Yemen)
  • Connects: Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea

DEFENCE

7. Exercise Dweep Shakti

Context: The Indian Armed Forces successfully concluded Dweep Shakti, a high-intensity tri-service exercise.

About

• A large-scale Tri-Service joint military exercise
• Tests India’s integrated combat capabilities
• Focuses on coastal and island defence
• Emphasises rapid deployment of forces to remote island territories

Objective

• Improve joint operational synergy
• Test rapid response mechanisms
• Strengthen amphibious assault capability
• Ensure maritime dominance and island security

Forces Involved

• Indian Army
• Indian Navy
• Indian Air Force

Host Command

• Conducted under Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC)
• India’s only theatre command
• Uses the strategic location of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands

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