Prelims Current Affairs includes World Cotton Day, Exercise KONKAN-25, Namo Biodiversity Park (NAMO VAN), Amazon of the Seas, Fishermen around Pulicat Lake have demanded a long-term solution, NATO Pipeline System (NPS) and Humanoid robot Vyommitra aboard the first uncrewed Gaganyaan mission in December 2025.

IMPORTANT DAY

1. WORLD COTTON DAY

Observed: Every year on 7 October
Aim: To raise awareness about cotton’s importance in livelihood generation and global trade, and to promote sustainable cotton production and fair trade.

2. VALMIKI JAYANTI

Celebrated: On 7 October 2025
Aim: To mark the birth anniversary of Maharishi Valmiki, the revered sage and author of the epic Ramayana.

ABOUT MAHARISHI VALMIKI

• Title: Revered as the Adi Kavi (First Poet) in Indian tradition.

• Early Life: Born as Ratnakar, who lived as a dacoit before a spiritual transformation inspired by Sage Narada.

Transformation:

• Guided to meditate on the name of Lord Rama as penance.

• Deep meditation led to anthills forming around him — hence the name Valmiki (from “Valmika,” meaning anthill).

Major Work:

• Composed the Ramayana, consisting of around 24,000 verses across seven sections.

• The epic narrates the ideals and virtues of Prince Rama of Ayodhya.

DEFENCE

3. EXERCISE KONKAN-25

Current Context: Exercise KONKAN-25, a bilateral naval exercise between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy (UK), commenced on 05 October 2025 off the western coast of India.

ABOUT EXERCISE KONKAN-25

• Type: Bilateral naval exercise between India and the United Kingdom.

• Phases: Conducted in two phases – Harbour Phase and Sea Phase.

• Harbour Phase: Includes professional interactions, cross-deck visits, sports fixtures, and cultural programmes.

• Sea Phase: Focuses on anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine operations, flying drills, and other seamanship evolutions.

Observed: Every year on 7 October

ENVIRONMENT

4. NAMO BIODIVERSITY PARK

Current Context: Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav inaugurated Rajasthan’s first Namo Biodiversity Park (NAMO VAN) at Pratap Bandh, Alwar.

ABOUT NAMO BIODIVERSITY PARK

• Developed As: A “green lung” for the Alwar region to improve air quality and urban greenery.

• Objective: To preserve native flora and fauna of the Aravalli ecosystem and serve as a model for sustainable urban development.

Key Goals:

• Acts as a natural carbon sink and mitigates air pollution.

• Promotes environmental awareness among students and citizens.

• Encourages eco-friendly lifestyles through education and community involvement.

INTERNATIONAL

5. CORAL TRIANGLE

Current Context: The Philippines is preparing to host Southeast Asia’s first coral larvae cryobank, connecting institutions in the Philippines, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand to preserve coral species across the Coral Triangle.

ABOUT CORAL TRIANGLE

• Also Known As: “Amazon of the Seas.”

• Area Covered: Over 10 million sq. km of marine area.

• Member Countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, the Philippines, Timor-Leste, and Solomon Islands.

Significance:

• Home to 75% of the world’s coral species and 33% of reef fish species.

• Supports 120 million people through fisheries and tourism.

• Habitat for 6 of the 7 marine turtle species and vast mangrove forests.

Threats: Coral bleaching, overfishing, pollution, and climate change.

ABOUT CORALS

• Nature: Marine animals that are sessile (fixed to the sea floor).

• Symbiotic Relationship: Live with algae called zooxanthellae, which provide nutrients through photosynthesis.

• Structure: Each coral unit is called a polyp, and many polyps form a colony.

6. NATO PIPELINE SYSTEM

Current Context: Poland has announced its decision to join the NATO Pipeline System (NPS), expanding cooperation on energy and fuel logistics within the alliance.

ABOUT NATO PIPELINE SYSTEM

• Established During: Cold War, to supply fuel to NATO forces.

• Total Length: Around 10,000 km, covering 12 NATO countries.

• Storage Capacity: 4.1 million cubic metres.

Components:

• Storage depots, refineries, pumping stations, and air bases interconnected through pipelines.

Management:

• Controlled by national organisations.

• The Central Europe Pipeline System (CEPS) is managed multilaterally under the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA).

Oversight:

• The Petroleum Committee, reporting to the Logistics Committee, oversees petroleum logistics.

Funding: Supported by the NATO Security Investment Programme.
Structure: Comprises eight national and two multinational pipeline systems.

GEOGRAPHY

7. PULICAT LAKE

Current Context: Fishermen around Pulicat Lake have demanded a long-term solution to address siltation problems that threaten fishing livelihoods and the lake’s ecosystem.

ABOUT PULICAT LAKE

• Type: Coastal shallow brackish water lagoon.

• Location: Spreads across Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, separated from the Bay of Bengal by Sriharikota Island.

• Rivers Feeding It: Aarani River (south) and Kalangi River (northwest).

• Special Feature: Buckingham Canal passes through the lagoon.

• Status: Designated as a Ramsar Site (2002).

• Biodiversity: Home to mudskippers, seagrass beds, oyster reefs, and over 200 avian species.

• Significance: India’s second-largest brackish water lagoon after Chilika Lake.

SPACE

8. VYOMMITRA – INDIA’S HUMANOID ROBOT FOR GAGANYAAN MISSION

Current Context: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will send its humanoid robot Vyommitra aboard the first uncrewed Gaganyaan mission in December 2025, to test life-support systems and onboard safety before sending astronauts.

ABOUT VYOMMITRA

• Meaning: Derived from Sanskrit – “Vyoma” (space) + “Mitra” (friend).

• Type: Half-humanoid robot with head, torso, and arms, but no legs.

• Developed By: Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Kerala.

Capabilities:

• Equipped with AI and environmental sensors.

• Can operate control panels, monitor oxygen and CO₂ levels, and simulate human reactions.

• Interacts in Hindi and English, providing responses like a co-passenger.

ROLE IN GAGANYAAN MISSION

• Will fly aboard Gaganyaan-1 (uncrewed mission) to validate systems in microgravity.

• Tests life support, avionics, environmental control, and crew module safety.

• Serves as a bridge between robotic and human space missions.

TECHNICAL FEATURES

• Built with high-strength aluminium alloys to withstand launch pressure.

• Designed with movable joints for realistic movement.

• Equipped with speech and sensory systems for real-time data relay.

TIMELINE

• 2025 declared as the “Gaganyaan Year” by ISRO.

• Uncrewed mission with Vyommitra – December 2025.

• Crewed flight expected by 2027.

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