Prelims Current Affairs includes International Day Of Plant Health 2026, Mental Health Awareness Week 2026, Saudi Arabia To Join International Big Cat Alliance, Icmr, Icar Launch Sehat Initiative, Kartavya-Kaams App For School Attendance, Annapurna Bhandar Scheme Announced In West Bengal, Pune Plans India’s First Low Emission Zone& Psyche Spacecraft

 DAY TO REMEMBER

1. INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PLANT HEALTH 2026

Current Context: The International Day of Plant Health (IDPH) is observed every year on 12 May to spread awareness about protecting plants from pests, diseases, and environmental threats.

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PLANT HEALTH

• Theme 2026: “Plant Biosecurity for Food Security”
• Promoted by: Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), supported by United Nations
• Key Facts: Plants provide nearly 80% of the food humans consume; plants produce around 98% of the oxygen we breathe

 DAY TO REMEMBER

2. MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK 2026

Current Context: Mental Health Awareness Week 2026 is being observed from 11 May to 17 May.

ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK

• Theme 2026: “Action” it encourages people to move beyond the conversations and take practical steps to support mental wellbeing.
• Organised by: Mental Health Foundation
• Supported by: Mind and NHS
• Campaign Activity: Wear it Green Day (communities wear green clothing to show solidarity and support)

INTERNATIONAL

3. SAUDI ARABIA TO JOIN INTERNATIONAL BIG CAT ALLIANCE

Current Context: Saudi Arabia is set to join the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) as its 26th member country, marking another important step in the expansion of India’s global wildlife conservation initiative.

ABOUT IBCA MEMBERSHIP

• Alliance Status: Saudi Arabia expected to become 26th member
• Current Members: 25 signatory countries + 5 observer nations
• Seven Big Cat Species Covered:

1. Tiger
2. Lion
3. Leopard
4. Snow Leopard
5. Cheetah
6. Jaguar
7. Puma

• Key Background and Origins
• Initiation: First proposed by India in July 2019 to curb poaching and demand illegal wildlife trade.
• Launch: Officially launched on April 9, 2023, in Mysuru, India, to mark the 50th anniversary of “Project Tiger”

SCHEME & INITIATIVE

4. ICMR, ICAR LAUNCH SEHAT INITIATIVE

Current Context: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) launched SEHAT (Science Excellence for Health through Agricultural Transformation) on 11 May 2026 in New Delhi.

ABOUT SEHAT INITIATIVE

• Objective: Link agricultural research with health outcomes; shift from curative healthcare to preventive healthcare
• Key Focus Areas: Biofortified crops, integrated farming systems, occupational health of agricultural workers, One Health preparedness, malnutrition, non-communicable diseases (diabetes, hypertension, cancer)
• Biofortification: ICAR has developed 203 biofortified crop varieties; clinical trial validation with ICMR

STATES IN NEWS

5. KARTAVYA-KAAMS APP FOR SCHOOL ATTENDANCE

Current Context: The Department of School Education and Literacy, Government of Karnataka, introduced the Karnataka Advanced Attendance Management System (KAAMS), also called Kartavya-KAAMS mobile application.

ABOUT KARTAVYA-KAAMS APP

• Technologies Used: Artificial Intelligence, Facial Recognition, Geo-Fencing
• Target Users: Permanent teachers, Head Masters, equivalent cadre officers, non-teaching staff in government educational institutions and offices in Karnataka
• Attendance Process: Twice a day (“In Time” and “Out Time”) from duty location
• Implementation: Academic year 2026-27, replaced biometric attendance system from 1 May 2026
• System Integration: Links with Human Resource Management System (HRMS) and Students Achievement Tracking System (SATS)
• Coverage: More than 20 lakh government employees and contractual workers

STATES IN NEWS

6. ANNAPURNA BHANDAR SCHEME ANNOUNCED IN WEST BENGAL

Current Context: West Bengal announced the proposed Annapurna Bhandar scheme on 11 May 2026 after the first cabinet meeting of the new BJP government.

ABOUT ANNAPURNA BHANDAR SCHEME

• Benefit: Rs 3,000 per month to eligible women (through direct bank transfer)
• Replaces/Upgrades: Lakshmir Bhandar scheme (general category: Rs 1,500/month, SC/ST: Rs 1,700/month)

ENVIRONMENT

7.  PUNE PLANS INDIA’S FIRST LOW EMISSION ZONE

Current Context: Pune is set to establish India’s first Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in Shivajinagar, a densely polluted area in the central business district.

ABOUT PUNE LOW EMISSION ZONE

• Coverage: About 7%-10% of city area around Shivajinagar
• Target Vehicles (First Phase): Bharat Stage-III and older vehicles (registered before 2011)
• Exemptions: Autorickshaws, public buses, emergency vehicles
• Enforcement: Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras
• Policy Framework: Maharashtra Electric Vehicle Policy 2021 – mandates LEZs in six cities under National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)
• Bharat Stage-VI: Current nationwide emission standard

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

8. PSYCHE SPACECRAFT

Current Context: NASA’s Psyche spacecraft captured a stunning crescent image of Mars from nearly 5 million kilometres away.

ABOUT PSYCHE SPACECRAFT

• Launched by: NASA
• Launch Date: 13 October 2023
• Mission: Reach metal-rich asteroid (also named Psyche)
• Capture by Asteroid Gravity: Late July 2029
• Prime Mission: Begins August 2029, about two years orbiting asteroid
• Spacecraft Size: About the size of a small van
• Propulsion: Solar-electric propulsion system powered by xenon gas
• Scientific Instruments:
  • Magnetometer: Look for evidence of ancient magnetic field
  • Gamma-ray and neutron spectrometer: Determine chemical elements on asteroid’s surface
  • Multispectral Imager: Pair of identical cameras with filters and telescopic lenses

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