India is ranked the 6th most affected country during 1993-2022 in the CRI 2025.

• During 1993-2022, India saw more than 400 extreme weather events, causing losses of USD 180 billion and at least 80,000 fatalities.

About CRI

• It is a backward-looking index ranking the human and economic toll of extreme weather with the most affected country ranked highest.
• Published by: Germanwatch (since 2006)
• Methodology: 
  • Impact assessment based on 3 hazard categories- hydrological, meteorological, and climatological. 
  • 6 key indicators: Economic loss, fatalities, and affected people – each in absolute and relative terms.

BrahMos NG missile's maiden flight test set for 2026, production to begin by 2027-28.

About BrahMos NG (Next Generation)

• Advanced supersonic cruise missile developed by India-Russia joint venture.
• Type: It is a lighter, smaller, and more versatile and lethal version of the existing BrahMos missile.
• Deployment: Designed to be deployed on SU-30MKI and LCA Tejas, submarines, and naval platforms.
• Capability: Speed of Mach 3.5 and a range of 290 km (extendable to 450 km).
• Export Potential: India has delivered the first batch of BRAHMOS supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines in 2024.

Mission Amrit Sarovar, has rejuvenated or built over 68,000 ponds, significantly addressing water scarcity.

About Mission Amrit Sarovar

• Launch: In 2022, as part of India's "Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav".
• Aim: Developing / rejuvenating 75 Amrit Sarovar (Pond) in each district of the Country, totaling about 50,000 Amrit Sarovars across the country. 
• The mission integrates schemes like MGNREGS and PMKSY and promotes public participation
• There is no separate financial allocation for the Mission. 

Scientists at Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) discovered a new dense exoplanet using PARAS-2 Spectrograph at Mt Abu Telescope.

• Exoplanet: It lies in the Sub-Saturn category (size in transition region between Neptune-like and gas giant exoplanets).

About PARAS-2 (PRL Advanced Radial velocity Abu Sky Search) Spectrograph

• It is a state-of-the-art high-resolution fiber-fed spectrograph aimed to unveil the super-Earth-like worlds.
  • A spectrograph is an instrument that disperses light into its spectrum for analysis of its composition and properties.
• It is the highest-resolution spectrograph in Asia with high precision and sensitivity.

Recently, the PAC urged the government to review the toll tax rule for National Highways.

About PAC

• Genesis: It was first set up in 1921 in the wake of Montague-Chelmsford Reforms.
• Constitution of Committee: Constituted every year under Rule 308 of Rules of Procedure & Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha.
• Members: 22 (15 from Lok Sabha, 7 from Rajya Sabha) with a one-year term.
  • The Minister is not elected a member of the Committee.
• Chairman: Appointed by the Speaker from Lok Sabha members.
• Functions: Reviews government expenditure, finance accounts, and appropriations approved by Parliament.

A survey conducted by the Fishery Survey of India discovered new fishing grounds in the Arabian Sea.

About FSI

• It is a nodal fishery Institute in India under Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying.
• Function: Survey and assessment of marine fishery resources in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and adjoining areas for sustainable exploitation and management. 
• Marine Engineering Division (MED) under FSI: For maintenance of deep-sea fishing vessels.
• Evolution: It was Established as Deep Sea Fishing Station project in 1946.
  •  Recognised as a Science & Technology Institute in 1988.

The state government's move to build a village for tribals in the buffer zone of Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary raised objections.

• A buffer zone is a designated area around a wildlife sanctuary that helps protect the sanctuary's biodiversity and ecosystem.

About Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary

• Location: It lies in the core of Western Ghats in Kodagu district (Karnataka).
  • The sanctuary derives its name from Brahmagiri Peak, its highest point. 
• Vegetation: It consists of evergreen and semi-evergreen forests interspersed with shola grassland.
• Fauna: Leopard, Gaur or Indian Bison, Barking deer, Lion Tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Langur etc.

SpaceX Starlink’s satellite internet is available in Bhutan.

About Starlink

• Starlink is a constellation of thousands of satellites that orbit the planet much closer to Earth, at about 550km, and cover the entire globe. 
  • Because Starlink satellites are in a low orbit, latency is significantly lower.
• Aim: To provide global broadband coverage, especially in remote areas.
• Benefit: Unlike fiber or cellular networks, Starlink requires no ground infrastructure.
• India has thus far not provided Starlink permissions to operate in India.