Prelims Current Affairs includes Vijay Diwas, Mexico, Mount Vinson, National Energy Conservation Award, Global AI Vibrancy Index 2024, Emperor Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II, SHANTI Bill (Nuclear Energy Reforms), New Ramsar Sites in India, Siliserh Lake, Kopra Jalashay.

IMPORTANT DAYS

1. VIJAY DIWAS

Observed every year on 16 December in India.
Aim: To honour the bravery and supreme sacrifice of the Indian Armed Forces.

ABOUT VIJAY DIWAS

• Commemorates India’s victory in the 1971 India–Pakistan War
• Marks the surrender of Pakistani forces in Dhaka

PLACE IN NEWS

2. MEXICO

Current Context: Mexico’s Senate approved tariffs of up to 50% on imports from Asian countries, including India.

ABOUT MEXICO

• Location: Southern part of North America
• Land Borders: USA (North), Guatemala & Belize (South-East)
• Maritime Boundaries: Pacific Ocean (South & West), Gulf of Mexico & Caribbean Sea (East)
• Capital: Mexico City

GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES

• Part of the Circum-Pacific Ring of Fire
• Peninsulas: Baja California, Yucatán
• Major Rivers: Rio Grande, Colorado River
• Major Rivers: Rio Grande, Colorado River
• Major Mountain Range: Sierra Madre
• Natural Resources: Petroleum, silver, copper, gold, zinc, natural gas

3. MOUNT VINSON

Current Context: Kavita Chand from Almora district, Uttarakhand, successfully scaled Mount Vinson, the highest peak in Antarctica.

ABOUT MOUNT VINSON

• Highest mountain peak of Antarctica
• One of the Seven Summits
• Located in the Sentinel Range, Ellsworth Mountains, West Antarctica

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL FEATURES

• Height: About 4,892 metres (16,050 feet)
• Distance from South Pole: ~1,200 km
• Nearby Feature: Ronne Ice Shelf
• Part of the Vinson Massif
• Among the coldest and most remote mountains on Earth

AWARD

4. NATIONAL ENERGY CONSERVATION AWARD

Current Context: Andhra Pradesh won the National Energy Conservation Award for the fourth consecutive year.

ABOUT THE ACHIEVEMENT

• Secured First Prize (Group II) at National Energy Conservation Awards 2025
• Recognised for outstanding energy efficiency

KEY SECTORS COVERED

• Buildings
• Industry & MSMEs
• Agriculture
• Municipal services
• Transport
• Power Distribution Companies

ABOUT NATIONAL ENERGY CONSERVATION AWARD (NECA)

• Annual initiative of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)
• Implemented under the Ministry of Power
• Instituted: 1991
• Awarded On: 14 December
• Coincides with National Energy Conservation Day

INDEX / REPORT

5. GLOBAL AI VIBRANCY INDEX 2024

Current Context: India secured 3rd rank globally in Stanford University’s Global AI Vibrancy Index 2024.

ABOUT THE INDEX

• Prepared by Stanford University
• Measures countries’ competitiveness in Artificial Intelligence

PARAMETERS

• Research & Development
• Talent Pool
• Infrastructure
• Economic Activity
• Governance
• Public Adoption

TOP RANKINGS (2024)

• United States: Rank 1 (78.60)
• China: Rank 2 (36.95)
• India: Rank 3 (21.59)
• India jumped from 7th rank in 2023

HISTORY

6. EMPEROR PERUMBIDUGU MUTHARAIYAR II

Current Context: Vice-President released a commemorative postage stamp in his honour.

ABOUT EMPEROR PERUMBIDUGU MUTHARAIYAR II

• Also known as Suvaran Maran
• Prominent ruler of the Mutharaiyar dynasty
• Known for military valour, administration & cultural patronage

PERIOD AND TERRITORY

• Reign: c. 705–745 CE
• Core region: Thanjavur–Tiruchirappalli belt
• Influence over Pudukkottai, Perambalur & Thiruvarur

DYNASTY AND POLITICAL POSITION

• Mutharaiyars dominated Thanjavur (7th–9th century CE)
• Functioned as feudatories of the Pallava Empire
• Enjoyed substantial autonomy

POLITY

7. SHANTI BILL (NUCLEAR ENERGY REFORMS)

Current Context: Union Cabinet approved the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill.

ABOUT SHANTI BILL

• Targets 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047
• Strengthens long-term energy security

KEY PROVISIONS

• Allows private participation in civil nuclear power generation
• Subject to strict government oversight
• Department of Atomic Energy retains control over:
  1. Nuclear material production
  2. Heavy water management
  3. Radioactive waste handling

SIGNIFICANCE

• Mobilises private investment
• Reduces burden on public sector
• Major shift in nuclear governance

ENVIRONMENT

8. NEW RAMSAR SITES IN INDIA

Current Context: Siliserh Lake (Rajasthan) and Kopra Jalashay (Chhattisgarh) designated as Ramsar Sites.

SILISERH LAKE

ABOUT SILISERH LAKE

• Location: Alwar district, Rajasthan
• Type: Human-made lake
• Built in 1845 by Maharaja Vinay Singh
• Purpose: Drinking water for Alwar
• Buffer zone of Sariska Tiger Reserve

ECOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE

• Supports 149 bird species & 17 mammal species
• Habitat for River Tern (Vulnerable) & Tiger (Endangered)
• Supports >1% biogeographic population of Black Stork

KOPRA JALASHAY

ABOUT KOPRA JALASHAY

• Location: Chhattisgarh
• Reservoir in upper catchment of Mahanadi River
• Strong ecological & hydrological connectivity

ECOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE

• Supports 60+ migratory bird species
• Key nesting & stop-over site
• Notable species:
  1. Greater Spotted Eagle (Vulnerable)
  2. Egyptian Vulture (Endangered)

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