Prelims Current Affairs includes Sharda River, Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary, Graphics Processing Units (GPU), Kondaveedu Fort, Agni-3 Missile, ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026, Para Throwball Nationals 2026 & Shipki La Pass

SPORTS

1. SHARDA RIVER

Current Context : The Uttarakhand Chief Minister recently laid the foundation stone of the Sharda River Corridor at Tanakpur in Champawat district.

ABOUT SHARDA RIVER

• Nature: Transboundary river of northern India and western Nepal
• Other Name: Known as Kali River in its upper course
• COURSE
  • Rises as the Kali River in far northern Uttarakhand in the Great Himalayas, on the eastern slopes of the Nanda Devi massif
  • Flows south-southwest forming the India–Nepal border
  • Enters the Indo-Gangetic Plain at Barmdeo Mandi (Nepal)
  • Below the Sharda Barrage, it is known as the Sharda River
  • Flows southeast through northern Uttar Pradesh
  • Joins the Ghaghara River southwest of Bahraich

KEY FEATURES

• Length: About 480 km
• Major Tributaries: Dhauliganga, Goriganga, Sarju
• Sharda Barrage: Near Banbasa (Uttarakhand)
• Sharda Canal: Completed in 1930; among the longest irrigation canals in northern India

ENVIRONMENT

2. DALMA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Current Context : Jharkhand Tourism Minister launched a jungle safari and laid the foundation for 30 eco-cottages at Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary.

ABOUT DALMA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

• Location: East Singhbhum district, Jharkhand
• Nearby City: Jamshedpur
• Physiography: Dalma Hills, Chottanagpur Plateau
• Inaugurated: 1975

KEY FEATURES

• Named after local deity Dalma Mai
• Significant population of Indian elephants
• Terrain: Hilly, rocky, dense forests and grasslands
• Falls within the catchment of Subarnarekha River and Dimna Lake

SCIENCE AND TECH.

3. GRAPHICS PROCESSING UNITS (GPU)

Current Context : India and the United States announced plans to significantly increase trade in GPUs and data-centre-related technologies.

ABOUT GPU

• Electronic circuit designed for high-speed mathematical computation
• Originally developed for 3-D graphics rendering

TYPES

• Standalone GPUs (desktop add-on cards)
• Integrated GPUs (combined with CPU in laptops and consoles)

WORKING

• Uses parallel processing for handling multiple tasks simultaneously
• Has dedicated high-speed RAM

APPLICATIONS

• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
• High-performance computing
• Weather forecasting
• Cryptocurrency mining

HISTORY

4.  KONDAVEEDU FORT

Current Context : The Union Minister of State announced plans for comprehensive development of Kondaveedu Fort.

ABOUT KONDAVEEDU FORT

• Location: Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh
• Elevation: About 1,050 feet
• Status: Largest hill fort in Andhra Pradesh

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

• Built by Telugu Chodas
• Strengthened by Kakatiyas
• Capital shifted here by Prolaya Vema Reddy (1323 AD)
• Later ruled by Gajapathis, Bahmani Sultans, Vijayanagara Empire, Golconda, Mughals, French and British

ARCHITECTURE

• Blend of Hindu and Islamic styles
• Constructed with granite stones and lime mortar
• 23 bastions, defensive walls
• Entrances: Kolepalli Darwaza and Nadella Darwaza

DEFENCE

5. AGNI-3 MISSILE

Current Context : India successfully test-fired the Agni-3 missile from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur.

ABOUT AGNI-3

• Type: Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM)
• Surface-to-surface, nuclear-capable
• Inducted into Indian Armed Forces

TECHNICAL FEATURES

• Range: 3,000–3,500 km
• Payload: 1,500 kg
• Fuel: Two-stage solid fuel
• Guidance: INS with GPS
• Accuracy: ~40 m CEP

STRATEGIC SIGNIFICANCE

• Designed for nuclear deterrence
• Among the most accurate missiles in its range class

SPORTS

6. ICC UNDER-19 WORLD CUP 2026

Current Context : India won its 6th ICC U-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, defeating England in the final.

FINAL HIGHLIGHTS

• India: 411/9 (highest ever U-19 final score)
• Vaibhav Sooryanvanshi: 175 runs
• Ayush Mhatre (Captain): 53 runs
• England: 311 all out
• Caleb Falconer: Century in vain

SPORTS

7. PARA THROWBALL NATIONALS 2026

Current Context : Jharkhand women’s team won Gold Medal at the Para Throwball National Federation Cup 2026.

FINAL MATCH

• Jharkhand vs Rajasthan
• Score: 21–17
• Jharkhand showed superior tactical discipline and composure

HIMACHAL NEWS

8. SHIPKI LA PASS

Current Context : India is engaging with China to explore opening an additional route for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, including the Shipki La Pass.

ABOUT SHIPKI LA PASS

• Location: Kinnaur district, Himachal Pradesh
• Border: India–China frontier
• Altitude: 3,930 metres
• Status: One of the highest motorable passes

STRATEGIC & GEOGRAPHICAL IMPORTANCE

• Located near Khab village
• An offshoot of the ancient Silk Road
• Declared Line of Actual Control (LAC) post-1962
• Named Shipki La by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police

RIVER & TRADE SIGNIFICANCE

• Sutlej River (Langqen Zangbo in Tibet) enters India through this pass
• Acts as India’s third frontier trade post with China
• Other frontier passes: Lipulekh Pass (Uttarakhand) and Nathula Pass (Sikkim)

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