Prelims Current Affairs includes Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary, Tender Years Doctrine, Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (Sfdr) Technology, Armenia, Exercise Khanjar–XIII, Aluminium Phosphide (Celphos), India–United States Landmark Trade Agreement & Rare Earth Corridors

ENVIRONMENT

1. PAKHAL WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Current Context: Scientists from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) have discovered a new flowering plant species named Dicliptera pakhalica in Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary.

ABOUT PAKHAL WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

• Location: Warangal district, Telangana
• Vegetation: Mixed deciduous forests
• Historical Feature: Pakhal Lake excavated in 1213 AD by King Ganapati Deva of the Kakatiya empire
• Flora: Bamboo, teak, Terminalia, Pterocarpus, Mohua
• Fauna: Leopard, wild boar, hyena, sloth bear, chital, blackbuck

ABOUT DICLIPTERA PAKHALICA

• Family: Acanthaceae
• Habitat: Stream banks and rocky areas
• Flowering: November to January
• Fruiting: December to March
• Associated Species: Tarenna asiatica, Ruellia prostrata, Mallotus philippensis

POLITY

2. TENDER YEARS DOCTRINE

Current Context: The Delhi High Court ruled that the welfare and best interests of the child must prevail over the automatic application of the Tender Years Doctrine.

ABOUT TENDER YEARS DOCTRINE

• Nature: Common law principle in child custody cases
• Presumption: Children below 5 years should remain with the mother unless proven unfit
• Basis:
  • Biological bond
  • Nurturing role of mother
  • Emotional and developmental needs
• Origin: Late 19th century
• Application: Often raised in divorce and custody disputes

RECENT JUDICIAL INTERPRETATION

• Welfare of the child is paramount consideration.
• Custody decisions must rely on holistic evaluation, not gender stereotypes.
• Reflects evolving views on gender equality and parenting roles.

SCIENCE AND TECH

3. SOLID FUEL DUCTED RAMJET (SFDR) TECHNOLOGY

Current Context: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully demonstrated Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) technology from the Integrated Test Range, off the Odisha coast.

ABOUT SFDR TECHNOLOGY

• Nature: Advanced air-breathing propulsion system using a solid fuel gas generator.
• Developed By: Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad, with other DRDO labs.
• Fuel Type: Solid fuel (no liquid fuel).

WORKING MECHANISM

• Uses solid fuel instead of liquid fuel, making the system simpler, safer, and easier to store.
• Does not carry an oxidiser, unlike conventional rockets, reducing overall missile weight.
• Provides sustained thrust over a longer duration.
• Allows thrust modulation during flight, improving control and manoeuvrability.
• Enables missiles to fly faster, farther, and remain manoeuvrable throughout flight.

SIGNIFICANCE

• Enhances long-range air-to-air missile capability with sustained propulsion.
• Places India among an elite group of nations possessing SFDR technology.
• Provides a tactical edge by improving range, speed, and engagement flexibility.

WHAT IS A RAMJET?

• A propulsion system that uses the missile’s high forward speed to compress incoming air.
• Eliminates the need for a compressor, enabling efficient high-speed flight.

PLACE IN NEWS

4. ARMENIA

Current Context: India’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) is leading a high-level defence delegation on a four-day official visit to Armenia to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation.

ABOUT ARMENIA

• Location: Landlocked country in the South Caucasus
• Capital:
• Bordering Countries: Georgia (north), Azerbaijan (east), Iran (southeast), Turkey (west).

GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES

• Terrain: Dominated by the Lesser Caucasus Mountains.
• Soil: Volcanic origin; rich in nitrogen, potash, and phosphates.
• Highest Peak: Mount Aragats (4,090 m), an extinct volcano.
• Climate: Highland continental – hot summers and cold winters.
• Major Rivers: Aras, Hrazdan, Arpa, Vorotan (hydropower and irrigation).
• Largest Lake: Lake Sevan.
• Natural Resources: Gold, copper, molybdenum, zinc, bauxite.

PLACE IN NEWS

5. EXERCISE KHANJAR–XIII

Current Context: The 13th edition of Exercise KHANJAR between India and Kyrgyzstan commenced at Misamari, Sonitpur district, Assam.

ABOUT EXERCISE KHANJAR–XIII

• Type: Annual India–Kyrgyzstan Joint Special Forces Exercise.
• First Held: December 2011 at Nahan, India.
• Frequency: Conducted alternately in India and Kyrgyz Republic every year.
• Duration: 14 days.
• Location (2026): Misamari, Assam.

SCIENCE

6. ALUMINIUM PHOSPHIDE (CELPHOS)

Current Context: Doctors at PGIMER achieved a global breakthrough by treating aluminium phosphide poisoning using intravenous lipid emulsion therapy.

ABOUT ALUMINIUM PHOSPHIDE

• Common Name:
• Form: Yellow or dark grey crystalline solid with garlic-like odour.
• Nature: Cheap, highly effective, and widely used pesticide.

TOXICITY & HEALTH IMPACT

• Releases lethal phosphine gas on contact with moisture or stomach acid.
• Phosphine gas is highly toxic and flammable.
• Causes cellular hypoxia, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress.
• Major public health concern in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.

USES

• Fumigant for grain storage in agriculture.
• Used in semiconductor manufacturing, including LEDs.

INTERNATIONAL

7. INDIA–UNITED STATES LANDMARK TRADE AGREEMENT

Current Context: India and the United States signed a landmark trade agreement, marking a strategic reset in bilateral economic relations.

KEY FEATURES OF THE AGREEMENT

• US Tariff Reduction:
• Tariffs on Made-in-India products reduced from 25% to 18%.
• Additional 25% duty withdrawn with immediate effect.
• India’s Commitments:
• Scale up imports of over $500 billion worth of US energy, technology, and nuclear equipment.
• Progressive reduction of tariffs and non-tariff barriers.

SIGNIFICANCE

• Boosts opportunities for farmers, MSMEs, entrepreneurs, and skilled workers.
• Facilitates technology access from the US.
• Strengthens India’s role in global supply chains, countering China’s dominance.
• Enhances macroeconomic stability, investor confidence, and capital flows.

INDIA–US TRADE SNAPSHOT

• Bilateral Trade (FY25): US$ 132.2 billion.
• FDI: US is India’s 3rd largest investor (US$ 70.65 billion since 2000).
• Indian Exports: Pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, electronics, gems & jewellery.
• US Exports: Crude oil, LNG, aircraft, defence equipment.

MISCELLANEOUS

8. RARE EARTH CORRIDORS

Current Context: Union Budget 2026–27 announced Dedicated Rare Earth Corridors in Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.

ABOUT RARE EARTH CORRIDORS

• Focus on mining, processing, research, and manufacturing of Rare Earth Permanent Magnets (REPMs).

WHAT ARE REPMs?

• Strongest class of permanent magnets with high stability.
• Applications: Electric vehicle motors, wind turbines, advanced electronics.
• Demand: Expected to double by 2030.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR INDIA

• Strategic Self-Reliance: Reduces heavy dependence on China (60–90% imports earlier).
• Climate Goals: Supports clean energy transition and Net Zero 2070.
• National Security: Ensures secure supply for defence and precision technologies.

RELATED GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES

• REPM Manufacturing Scheme: ₹7,280 crore; 6,000 MTPA capacity.
• National Critical Minerals Mission (NCMM): End-to-end supply chain creation.
• MMDR Amendment Act, 2023: Dedicated critical minerals list and streamlined auctions.

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