CURRENT AFFAIRS DESTINATION FOR UPSC & STATE CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATIONS
On May 25, the Liberian-flagged cargo ship MSC ELSA 3, carrying 640 containers including 13 with hazardous cargo, capsized and sank off the Kerala coast. While all crew members were safely rescued by the Indian Coast Guard and Navy, the incident has sparked fears of a potential oil spill. The Indian Coast Guard has deployed the ship Saksham, equipped with pollution response equipment, to monitor and respond to any environmental Read More …
A team of zoologists has recorded Schistura densiclava as a new species of troglophile loach from Krem Mawjymbuin underground cave Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills district. (Source: The Hindu)
Why is it Important? (Source: The Hindu)
To mark the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) 2025, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) organised a National-Level celebration on 22 May at Udaipur, Rajasthan.
Kamalpur Nagar Panchayat in Tripura has taken a significant step toward environmental sustainability by introducing compostable bags made from PBAT (Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate). This move supports the growing push to eliminate single-use plastics and promote eco-friendly alternatives across India. What is PBAT? Wider Context: Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban (Sources: PIB and others)
The butterfly species Euthalia malaccana has been recorded in the country for the first time. The discovery was made in Basar, the headquarters of Leparada district in Arunachal Pradesh. (Source: TH)
Research has found that Olive Ridley turtles that hatch at a nesting site are ‘imprinted’ with a map of the local magnetic field. Decades later they return with remarkable precision to the site by following this map. The phenomenon is called philopatry. Arribada
The Indian Coast Guard’s (ICG) annual mission ‘Operation Olivia’ helped protect a record of over 6.98 lakh Olive Ridley turtles nested at the Rushikulya river mouth in Odisha during February 2025. Key Highlights
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) recently unveiled a pioneering national initiative: five Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) testbeds in the cement sector, forming a first-of-its-kind research and innovation cluster to combat industrial carbon emissions. Key Highlights This is a significant step towards India’s Climate Action for fostering National Determined Contributions (NDCs) targets and to achieve net zero decarbonisation pathways for Industry Transition., towards the Government’s goal to achieve Read More …
The world’s first commercial-scale e-methanol plant began operations in Kasso, Denmark on 13 May 2025. The plant is jointly owned by Denmark’s European Energy and Japan’s Mitsui. Feedstocks Used: Production Process: Environmental Benefit: Industry Context:
On May 7, 2025, the Himachal Pradesh government declared Tsarap Chu Conservation Reserve as India’s largest conservation reserve under Section 36A(1) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Located in the remote Spiti Valley, this becomes the fifth conservation reserve in the state, joining Darlaghat, Naina Devi, Potter Hill, and Shilli. Geographical Significance: Ecological Importance:Tsarap Chu is ecologically vital due to its vast and biodiverse terrain. It is notably home to Read More …
In a remarkable conservation breakthrough, rangers in New Zealand have captured the first-ever footage of a rare snail laying an egg from its neck — a biological marvel that has thrilled scientists working to save the Powelliphanta augusta species from extinction. A Rare Glimpse into Nature Life in Chilled Containers A Conservation Milestone (Source: TH)
The Global Methane Tracker 2025 by the International Energy Agency (IEA) highlights the critical role of the fossil fuel sector in global methane emissions and underscores urgent opportunities for reduction. Here’s a concise summary of the key points:
An international team of scientists has successfully mapped the genome of the saola (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis), one of the rarest large land mammals. The species faces severe threats from: The saola’s survival remains uncertain, making conservation efforts urgent.
Nilgiri Tahr, the State animal of Tamil Nadu, has shown signs of population revival in the Coimbatore Forest Division.