Prelims Current Affairs includes Indian Newspaper Day, Wiley Research Heroes Prize 2025 Euratom, Padma Awards – 2026, Gallantry Awards, Kerala Declares Bacillus Subtilis as State Microbe, Myanmar, Pancham – Panchayat Assistance and Messaging Chatbot & Bactrian Camels

IMPORTANT DAY

1.  INDIAN NEWSPAPER DAY

Observed on 29 January

• Aim : to mark the beginning of newspapers in India.
• Purpose: Promote awareness about print media in India

AWARDS

2. WILEY RESEARCH HEROES PRIZE 2025

Current Context: Indian public health expert Dr. Chandrakant Lahariya has been awarded the Wiley Research Heroes Prize 2025, becoming the first Indian to receive this prestigious international recognition.

ABOUT WILEY RESEARCH HEROES PRIZE

• Awarding Body: Wiley (global academic publisher)
• Purpose: To recognise inclusive, impactful and socially relevant research
• Global Selection: Chosen from over 2,000 nominations worldwide
• Categories: Includes Impact Beyond Academia
• WHO: World Health Organization is a specialised agency of the United Nations for global public health

ORGANISATION

3. EURATOM

Current Context: India and the European Union have committed to strengthening cooperation on the peaceful uses of nuclear energyunder the India–Euratom Agreement.

ABOUT EURATOM

• Full Name: European Atomic Energy Community
• Established: 1957 under the Treaty of Rome
• Objective: Develop a common European market for peaceful atomic energy

KEY FEATURES

• Focused on civil nuclear energy only
• Does not cover military nuclear materials
• Facilitates investment, research and development in nuclear energy
• Ensures nuclear safety, safeguards and waste disposal

MEMBERSHIP

• Original Members: Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands
• Present Status: Includes all EU member states

INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE

• Governed by European Commission and Council
• Under jurisdiction of European Court of Justice
• Key instruments:
• Euratom Supply Agency
• Nuclear safeguard activities
• EU Joint Research Centre (JRC)

AWARDS

4. PADMA AWARDS – 2026

Current Context: The President of India has approved the conferment of 131 Padma Awards on the eve of Republic Day 2026.

BREAK-UP OF PADMA AWARDS

• Padma Vibhushan: 5
• Padma Bhushan: 13
• Padma Shri: 113

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• Women Awardees: 19
• Foreigners / NRI / PIO / OCI: 6
• Posthumous Awards: 16
• Duo Cases: 2 (counted as one award each)

ABOUT PADMA AWARDS

• Nature: One of the highest civilian awards of India
• Categories:
• Padma Vibhushan: Exceptional and distinguished service
• Padma Bhushan: Distinguished service of a high order
• Padma Shri: Distinguished service in any field
• Highest Civilian Award: Bharat Ratna

HISTORY

• Instituted in 1954 as Padma Vibhushan with three classes
• Renamed in 1955 as Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri
• Not conferred during 1978, 1979 and 1993–1997

FIELDS / DISCIPLINES

• Art, Social Work, Public Affairs, Science, Medicine, Sports, Literature, etc.
• Not Eligible: Government servants (except doctors and scientists)

LEGAL STATUS

• Not a title under Article 18(1) of the Constitution
• Cannot be used as prefix or suffix
• Upheld in Balaji Raghavan vs Union of India (1996)

AWARD LIMIT

• Capped at 120 awards per year
• Posthumous and Foreigners/NRI awards excluded from the cap

SELECTION PROCESS

• Nominations examined by Padma Awards Committee (headed by Cabinet Secretary)
• Recommendations submitted to Prime Minister and President
• Awards announced on Republic Day Eve
• Conferred by the President at Rashtrapati Bhavan (March–April)
• Awardees receive a Sanad (certificate) and Medallion
• Upgradation Rule: Minimum 5-year gap between two Padma categories

AWARDS

5. GALLANTRY AWARDS

Current Context: On Republic Day 2026, 70 Armed Forces personnel were conferred Gallantry Awards in recognition of exceptional bravery, valour and self-sacrifice in both wartime and peacetime situations.

ABOUT GALLANTRY AWARDS

• Conferred By: President of India (Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces)
• Objective: Recognition of acts of bravery, valour and self-sacrifice
• Announcement: Twice a year – Republic Day and Independence Day

TWO MAIN CATEGORIES OF GALLANTRY AWARDS

1. GALLANTRY IN THE FACE OF ENEMY (WARTIME)

• Param Vir Chakra (PVC):
• Highest military decoration for most conspicuous bravery in the face of the enemy
• Maha Vir Chakra (MVC):
• Second highest wartime award for acts of conspicuous gallantry
• Vir Chakra (VrC):
• Third in precedence for acts of bravery on the battlefield

2. GALLANTRY OTHER THAN IN THE FACE OF ENEMY (PEACETIME)

• Ashoka Chakra:
• Highest peacetime gallantry award for bravery away from the battlefield
• Kirti Chakra:
• Second highest peacetime gallantry decoration
• Shaurya Chakra:
• Third highest peacetime gallantry decoration

ORDER OF PRECEDENCE (HIGHEST TO LOWEST)

• Param Vir Chakra
• Ashoka Chakra
• Maha Vir Chakra
• Kirti Chakra
• Vir Chakra
• Shaurya Chakra

About WARTIME GALLANTRY AWARDS

• Instituted On: 26 January 1950
• Awards Included:
• Param Vir Chakra
• Maha Vir Chakra
• Vir Chakra

About PEACETIME GALLANTRY AWARDS

• Instituted On: 4 January 1952
• Renamed in 1967 as:
• Ashoka Chakra
• Kirti Chakra
• Shaurya Chakra

SELECTION PROCESS

• Recommendations invited by the Ministry of Defence
• Inputs received from the Armed Forces and Ministry of Home Affairs
• Final approval by the President of India

 STATE IN NEWS

6. KERALA DECLARES BACILLUS SUBTILIS AS STATE MICROBE

Current Context: Kerala has become the first State in India to officially declare a microorganism as its State Microbe, recognising Bacillus subtilis.

ABOUT BACILLUS SUBTILIS

• Type: Probiotic bacterium
• Natural Habitat: Soil, fermented foods, human gut

Importance:

• Supports human health
• Enhances agricultural productivity
• Plays a role in disease control

CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE IN MICROBIOME (CoEM)

• Launched Alongside: State Microbe declaration
• Objective: Scientific study of microorganisms
• Focus Areas: Human health, Environment, Sustainable development
• Economic Aspect: Microbe-based products may become key economic assets

PLACE IN NEWS

7. MYANMAR

Current Context: The Union Solidarity and Development Party has won the recent elections in Myanmar.

ABOUT MYANMAR

• Region: Northernmost country of Southeast Asia
• Capital: Naypyidaw
• Borders : West: India, Northwest: Bangladesh, North & Northeast: China, East: Laos, Southeast: Thailand
• Maritime boundaries : South: Andaman Sea, Southwest: Bay of Bengal
• Mountain Ranges: Bago Yoma, Rakhine Yoma, Shan Hills
• Highest Peak: Hkakabo Razi
• Rivers : Mekong, Irrawaddy, Salween, Chindwin

POLICY AND PROGRAMME

8. PANCHAM – PANCHAYAT ASSISTANCE AND MESSAGING CHATBOT

Current Context: The Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj has launched PANCHAM, a digital chatbot for Panchayati governance.

ABOUT PANCHAM

• Full Form: Panchayat Assistance and Messaging Chatbot
• Developed In Collaboration With: UNICEF
• Nature: Flagship digital governance initiative

AIM AND OBJECTIVE

• Empower Panchayat Elected Representatives and Functionaries
• Support day-to-day governance and service delivery
• Improve efficiency at the grassroots level

KEY FEATURES OF PANCHAM

• Direct Digital Connect: First direct platform between Government of India and Panchayats
• Language Support:
• Integrated with BHASHINI
• Supports 22 Indian languages
• Citizen Access: QR-code-based entry

Two-Way Communication:

• Panchayat officials can send feedback
• Ask questions and flag local issues
• Information Dissemination:
• Circulars, advisories, updates sent directly by the Ministry

MISCELLANEOUS

9. BACTRIAN CAMELS

Current Context: Two Bactrian Camels featured in the Republic Day Parade 2026.

ABOUT BACTRIAN CAMEL (Camelus bactrianus)

• Named after Bactria, an ancient Central Asian region
• Type: Large, even-toed ungulate
• Distinct Feature: Two humps storing fat

HABITAT & DISTRIBUTION

• Native to cold deserts of Central Asia
• Found in Gobi and Taklamakan deserts
• India: About 300–400 camels in Nubra Valley, Ladakh

CLIMATE ADAPTATION

• Thick winter fur
• Can tolerate temperatures from –30°C to 40°C
• CONSERVATION STATUS
• IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered

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