Lok Sabha approved the second batch of Supplementary Demands for Grants (2025-26) and Finance Minister proposed the Economic Stabilisation Fund (ESF). 

• ESF, with total outlay of Rs one lakh crore would help India respond to recent global crisis, unanticipated supply chain disruptions, etc. 

About Supplementary Demand for Grants 

• Meaning: Required when amount authorised by Parliament through Appropriation Act for a particular service for current financial year is insufficient. 
• Laid by President before both Houses of Parliament and is passed before end of Financial year. 
• Mentioned under Article 115 of Constitution. 

Amid the ongoing Iran-Israel-US war, experts argue that Tehran may emerge from this even more determined to weaponise its nuclear capability to deter future attacks, igniting security dilemma among rival powers.

About Security Dilemma

• Definition: It refers to a situation in which actions taken by a state to increase its own security unintentionally threaten other states, prompting them to respond with similar measures.
  • This creates a vicious cycle of mistrust, arms buildup, and potential conflict.
• Origin: John Herz introduced in his 1950 article ‘Idealist Internationalism and the Security Dilemma’. Herbert Butterfield and Robert Jervis have contributed to its development.
  • It falls within the realist tradition of international relations. 
• Reason: It arises because of anarchy in international system, uncertainty of intentions and power of perception.

Unusually warm late winter and early spring in India are altering the behaviour of plants and animals, according to scientists. 

About Phenology

• Phenology refers to the timing of seasonal biological events such as flowering, breeding and migration.
  • Climate change is altering these cycles, causing ecological mismatches between species and their environments.
• Examples:  
  • In Kashmir Himalayan region, plants are flowering 20–25 days earlier than usual, causing mismatch with pollinators like bees, threatening their long-term population decline.
  • Habitat stress and disruption of breeding cycles of Birds and Reptiles. E.g Hawk eagles
  • Amphibian Frogs taking refuge in caves to escape heat, as their permeable skin makes them highly sensitive to environmental conditions.

Project GIB enters fourth year of its captive breeding programme with tally of 70 birds in captivity. 

About GIB 

• Habitat:  Agro-grassland bird endemic to Indian Subcontinent, mainly Rajasthan with some population in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.
• Characteristics: Omnivorous; belongs to the family Otididae, exhibits sexual dimorphism; male possesses a conspicuous gular pouch that plays a vital role in mating display.
  • Known locally as Godawan in Rajasthan,
• Threat: Hunting, collision with high tension wires, etc. 
• Protection Status
  • IUCN: Critically Endangered
  • Wildlife (Protection)Act, 1972: Schedule I
  • CITES: Appendix I
  • Under Species recovery programme of Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats.

Supreme Court Takes Suo Motu Cognisance to Protect Gharials in National Chambal Sanctuary.

About National Chambal Sanctuary

• Location & Area: ~5,400 sq km riverine stretch along the Chambal River across Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
  • It is the first and only tri-state riverine protected area in India.
• Established: 1979 for conservation of riverine biodiversity.
• Significance: Major habitat of the critically endangered Gharial.
  • Chambal remains one of India’s least-polluted perennial rivers supporting rich aquatic biodiversity.
• Other Fauna: Ganges River Dolphin, Red-crowned Roofed Turtle, other freshwater turtles and migratory birds.

Seven dead, 92 inmates infected with herpes virus at overcrowded Jalpaiguri correctional home in West Bengal.

About Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)

• Also known as Herpes, HSV is a common viral infection causing painful blisters or ulcers on the mouth or genitals.
• Treatable but not curable as the virus remains in the body lifelong.
• Types of HSV
  • HSV type 1: Mainly causes oral herpes (cold sores) around the mouth, spread through oral contact, saliva, or skin contact and can also cause genital herpes via oral-genital contact.
  • HSV type 2: Primarily causes genital herpes, spread through sexual contact with infected skin, sores, or fluids.
    • Rare Transmission: Mother to baby during childbirth (neonatal herpes).

Union Minister of Jal Shakti Launched Sujal Gaon ID.

About Sujal Gaon ID

• Launched by: Ministry of Jal Shakti under Jal Jeevan Mission.
• Nature: Unique digital ID for mapping rural piped water supply schemes.
• Purpose: Enables source-to-tap digital mapping of rural drinking water infrastructure.
• Platform: Linked with Sujalam Bharat national digital architecture.
• Significance: Improves monitoring, transparency, accountability and supports universal Har Ghar Jal coverage by 2028.

Prime Minister releases 22^nd instalment of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi to farmers across nation. 

About PM Kisan Samman Nidhi

• Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
• Launch Year: 2019
• Type: Central Sector Scheme
• Objective: Supplement financial needs of landholding farmers. 
• Key Features:
  • Benefit: ₹6000 per year in 3 equal instalments of ₹2000 each to Landholding farmer families (husband, wife, minor children) directly to their bank accounts. 
  • Excluded Beneficiaries: All Institutional Land holders; families having holders of constitutional posts, government employees, tax payers, professionals like doctors, engineers, etc.
  • Identification: Done by State Governments/UTs.