Prelims Current Affairs includes International Development Week (Idw), World Wetlands Day New Ramsar Sites In India, United Nations Commission For Social Development (Csocd), Pm-Poshan Scheme, Exercise Agni Pariksha, Coking Coal, Paimana Portal & Living Root Bridges

IMPORTANT DAY

1. INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT WEEK (IDW)

Observed every year from 1 February to 7 February. In 2026, it marks the 36th anniversary of IDW in Canada.

• Objective: To inform citizens about international development efforts and global cooperation
• Creates awareness about career paths in development, humanitarian aid, policy, and sustainability

IMPORTANT DAY

2. WORLD WETLANDS DAY

Celebrated every year on 2 February to mark the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands in 1971 at Ramsar, Iran. It was first observed in 1997.

• Aim: To raise awareness about the importance of wetlands for ecosystems and human well-being.

ENVIRONMENT

3. NEW RAMSAR SITES IN INDIA

Current Context: The Union Environment Minister announced the addition of two new wetlands to India’s Ramsar List, taking the total Ramsar sites to 98.

ABOUT PATNA BIRD SANCTUARY

• Location: Etah district, Uttar Pradesh
• Established: 1991
• Status: Smallest bird sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh
• Bird Species: Lesser Whistling Duck, Graylag Goose, Comb Duck, Ruddy Shelduck, Gadwall, Eurasian Wigeon, Indian Spot-billed Duck, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail

ABOUT CHHARI–DHAND WETLAND RESERVE

• Location: Kutch district, Gujarat
• Geographical Setting: Edge of Banni grasslands and Rann of Kutch salt flats
• Local Meaning: Chhari = Salty, Dhand = Shallow wetland
• Endangered Species Found: Dalmatian Pelican, Oriental Darter, Black-necked Stork, Indian Skimmer
• Unique Feature: Famous for “Chir Batti” (ghost lights) phenomenon

ORGANISATIONS

4.  UNITED NATIONS COMMISSION FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT (CSocD)

Current Context: The Minister of State for Women and Child Development will lead the Indian delegation at the 64th Session of the United Nations Commission for Social Development.

ABOUT UNITED NATIONS COMMISSION FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

• Parent Body: UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
• Earlier Name: Social Commission
• Established: At the inception of the United Nations
• Nature: Functional commission of ECOSOC

MANDATE & FUNCTIONS

• Advance social development globally
• Promote poverty eradication, social inclusion, and equity
• Formulate policy recommendations on welfare-oriented development
• Monitor implementation of the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action (1995)

MEMBERSHIP & MEETINGS

• Total Members: 46
• Election: By ECOSOC on equitable geographical basis
• Tenure: Four years
• Meetings: Held annually at UN Headquarters, New York, usually in February

SCHEME

5. PM-POSHAN SCHEME

Current Context: Recently, 22 States and Union Territories have requested the Centre to increase the honorarium of cooks and helpers under the PM-POSHAN scheme, responding to a consultation initiated by the Ministry of Education.

ABOUT PM-POSHAN SCHEME

• Earlier Name: Mid-Day Meal Scheme
• Nature: Centrally Sponsored Scheme
• Implementing Ministry: Ministry of Education
• Coverage: Balvatikas (pre-primary), Classes 1 to 8 in Government and Government-aided schools
• Provision: One hot cooked meal per school day without discrimination

OBJECTIVES

• Improve nutritional status of children
• Enhance enrolment, retention, and attendance, especially among disadvantaged groups

FUNDING PATTERN

• 60:40 – Centre and States/UTs with legislature
• 90:10 – Northeastern and Himalayan States
• 100% – UTs without legislature

DEFENCE

6. EXERCISE AGNI PARIKSHA

Current Context: The Indian Army and ITBP conducted Exercise Agni Pariksha in Arunachal Pradesh to enhance joint combat preparedness.

ABOUT EXERCISE AGNI PARIKSHA

• Nature: Joint Army–ITBP training exercise
• Location: Arunachal Pradesh
• Objective: Enhance inter-force combat synergy and operational integration

ECONOMY

7. COKING COAL

Current Context: The Government of India has notified Coking Coal as a Critical and Strategic Mineral under the MMDR Act, 1957.

ABOUT COKING COAL

• Also Known As: Metallurgical coal
• Nature: Sedimentary rock
• Property: Softens and swells on heating to form coke
• Carbonisation Product: Coke

TYPES

• Primary Coking Coal – low ash, high coking property
• Medium Coking Coal – medium volatile matter
• Weak/Blendable Coking Coal – very low caking index

INDIAN RESERVES

• Estimated Resources:37 billion tonnes
• Major Locations: Jharkhand (largest), Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh

USES

• Essential input for steel production
• Critical for metallurgical industries

E-GOVERNANCE

8. PAIMANA PORTAL

Current Context: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has operationalised the PAIMANA Portal for monitoring major infrastructure projects.

ABOUT PAIMANA PORTAL

• Full Form: Project Assessment, Infrastructure Monitoring & Analytics for Nation-building
• Ministry: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI)
• Coverage: Central Sector Infrastructure Projects of ₹150 crore and above

KEY FEATURES

• Centralised national repository of infrastructure projects
• Real-time dashboards with drill-down analytics
• Advanced data analytics and role-based access
• API integration with DPIIT’s Integrated Project Monitoring Portal (IPMP/IIG-PMG)

SIGNIFICANCE

• Enhances transparency, efficiency, and data accuracy
• Enables timely monitoring and corrective decision-making

MISCELLANEOUS 

9. LIVING ROOT BRIDGES

Current Context: Recently, India has submitted Meghalaya’s Living Root Bridges to UNESCO for World Heritage status.

ABOUT LIVING ROOT BRIDGES

• Local Names: Jingkieng Jri / Lyu Chrai
• Location: Khasi and Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya
• Creators: Khasi and Jaintia tribes
• Construction Period: 15–30 years
• Lifespan: Several centuries
• Span Range: 15 to 250 feet

CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE

• Grown from aerial roots of Ficus elastica (Indian rubber tree)
• Roots guided through Areca catechu trunks
• Supported initially by bamboo scaffolding
• Process involves inosculation (root fusion)

Download Pdf | Study Material | Downloads | Daily Quiz  | FREE Youtube Videos