Prelims Current Affairs includes NRI Day / Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, Sports Authority of India (SAI),  Thanthai Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Brics Chairmanship 2026, Bio-Bitumen in Road Construction, Sagar Island (Gangasagar), Suryastra Rocket System, Nagauri Ashwagandha Gets Gi Tag and Census 2027

IMPORTANT. DAY

1. NRI DAY / PRAVASI BHARATIYA DIVAS

Observed every year on 9 January

Aim : to recognise the contribution of the overseas Indian community to India’s development.

ABOUT PRAVASI BHARATIYA DIVAS

• The day commemorates the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to Mumbai on 9 January 1915.
• It highlights the role of the Indian diaspora in nation building.
• It strengthens engagement between India and overseas Indians.

SPORTS

2. SPORTS AUTHORITY OF INDIA (SAI)

Current Context: The Sports Authority of India has launched a four-day Sports Sciences Workshop for combat sports coaches at its Sports Science Division in New Delhi.

ABOUT SPORTS AUTHORITY OF INDIA (SAI)

• It is the apex national sports body of India.
• Established in 1984 under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India.
• It was created to carry forward the legacy of the IXth Asian Games (1982) held in New Delhi.
• It is a registered society fully funded by the Government of India.

OBJECTIVES

• Promotion of sports across the country.
• Achieving sporting excellence at national and international levels.

KEY FUNCTIONS

• Talent identification and scouting at grassroots level.
• Training of athletes through coaching, infrastructure, equipment and competitive exposure.
• Implementation of athlete development schemes through regional and training centres.

SPORTS PROMOTIONAL SCHEMES

• National Centres of Excellence (NCOE)
• SAI Training Centres (STC)
• Extension Centres of STC
• National Sports Talent Contest (NSTC)

ENVIRONMENT

3. THANTHAI PERIYAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Current Context: The first phase of All-India Tiger Estimation 2026 has commenced in the Thanthai Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.

ABOUT THANTHAI PERIYAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

• It is located in the Bargur Hills of Erode district, Tamil Nadu.
• It lies between Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve and Male Mahadeshwara and Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuaries of Karnataka.
• It is an important tiger corridor identified by the National Tiger Conservation Authority.
• It is part of the Nilgiris Elephant Reserve.
• It forms a link between the Eastern Ghats and Western Ghats.
• RIVERS : It is the catchment area of the Palar River, draining into the Cauvery River.
• FAUNA: Elephants, Indian Gaur

ORGANISATION

4. BRICS CHAIRMANSHIP 2026

Current Context: Brazil has formally handed over the BRICS Presidency for 2026 to India, which will also host the 18th BRICS Summit.

THEME OF INDIA’S CHAIRMANSHIP

• Resilience
• Innovation
• Cooperation
• Environmental Stability and Sustainability

SIGNIFICANCE OF INDIA’S PRESIDENCY

• Reform of global governance institutions.
• Strengthening Global South leadership.
• Promotion of digital public infrastructure.
• Maintaining strategic autonomy and multi-alignment.

ABOUT BRICS

• Coined by Jim O’Neill in 2001 as BRIC.
• Formal grouping began in 2006.
• First summit held in 2009 in Russia.
• South Africa joined in 2010 forming BRICS.

OBJECTIVES

• Reform global governance institutions.
• Provide alternatives to Western-dominated institutions.

MEMBERS

• Original members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa.
• New members: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates.

ENVIRONMENT

5. BIO-BITUMEN IN ROAD CONSTRUCTION

Current Context: India has become the first country in the world to commercially produce bio-bitumen for road construction.

ABOUT BIO-BITUMEN

• It is an alternative form of bitumen produced from organic materials.
• Sources include agricultural waste, lignin, bio-char and bio-oil.

BENEFITS

• Reduces crude oil imports.
• Helps address stubble burning.
• Boosts bio-economy and sustainability.

APPLICATIONS

• Road paving.

PLACE IN NEWS

6. SAGAR ISLAND (GANGASAGAR)

Current Context: West Bengal Chief Minister laid the foundation stone of a 5-km bridge over River Muriganga to connect Sagar Islandwith the mainland.

ABOUT SAGAR ISLAND

• Located in Ganges Delta, West Bengal
• About 100 km south of Kolkata
• Part of South 24 Parganas district

GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES

• Lies at mouth of Hooghly River
• Separated from mainland by Muriganga
• Part of Sundarbans but no tiger habitat

RELIGIOUS SIGNIFICANCE

• Major Hindu pilgrimage centre
• Hosts Ganga Sagar Fair every January
• Second largest religious gathering after Kumbh Mela
• Famous Kapil Muni Temple

DEFENCE

7. SURYASTRA ROCKET SYSTEM

Current Context: Indian Army signed a ₹293 crore contract with NIBE Limited, in collaboration with Israel, for the Suryastra Rocket Launcher System.

ABOUT SURYASTRA

• India’s first indigenous universal multi-calibre rocket launcher
• Developed by NIBE Limited with Elbit Systems (Israel)

KEY FEATURES

• Range: 150 km and 300 km
• Accuracy: CEP less than 5 metres
• Can fire loitering munitions up to 100 km
• Based on PULS launcher technology

OPERATIONAL ADVANTAGES

• Multi-target engagement
• Semi-automated reload
• Shoot-and-scoot capability

MISCELLANEOUS

8. CENSUS 2027

Current Context: The Centre has notified the first phase of Census 2027, with house listing operations scheduled from April to September 2026.

KEY DATES

• House listing: April–September 2026.
• Population enumeration: February 2027.
• Snow-bound areas: September 2026.

KEY FEATURES OF CENSUS 2027

• India’s first digital Census.
• First nationwide caste enumeration since 1931.

DIGITAL INITIATIVES

• Self-enumeration portal.
• Census Management and Monitoring System (CMMS).
• Houselisting Block Creator.
• Census as a Service (CaaS).

ABOUT CENSUS IN INDIA

• Conducted by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner.
• Legal backing: Census Act, 1948 and Census Rules, 1990.
• Census 2027 will be the 16th Census of India.

MISCELLANEOUS

 9. NAGAURI ASHWAGANDHA GETS GI TAG

Current Context: The Centre has granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag to Nagauri Ashwagandha.

ABOUT NAGAURI ASHWAGANDHA

• Scientific name: Withania somnifera
• Also known as Indian ginseng or Indian winter cherry.
• It is mainly grown in Nagaur district of Rajasthan.
• The dry climate and sandy soil of Nagaur are ideal for its cultivation.
• It has longer and thicker roots rich in medicinal alkaloids.
• Its berries are dark bright red, indicating superior quality.
• It has brittle and starchy roots.
• It is considered the best Ashwagandha variety in arid regions.

CLIMATIC REQUIREMENTS

• Climate: Dry and sub-tropical regions.
• Soil: Sandy loam or light red soil with pH 7.5–8.0.
• Crop season: Late rainy season (kharif).
• Rainfall: 500–750 millimetres.
• Temperature tolerance: 20–38 degree Celsius.
• MAJOR PRODUCING STATES : Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra.

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