The Prime Minister of Nepal acknowledged encroaching on certain Indian territories.

About India-Nepal Border

• Length: The India–Nepal border stretches 1,751 km.
• Boundary: With 5 states (Sikkim, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Bihar).

• Mechi bridge connect Panitanki Bypass(West Bengal) in India with Kakarvitta in Nepal.

Disputed Border Areas

• West: Kalapani-Limpiyadhura-Lipulekh tri-junction (Uttarakhand)
  • Kalapani is located near the India-Nepal-China tri-junction, giving it strategic importance. 
  • Limpiyadhura: Northwest of Kalapani, claimed by Nepal as the true source of the Kali (Mahakali) River under the Treaty of Sugauli.
  • Lipulekh is also an important mountain pass. Used by Indian pilgrims travelling to Kailash Mansarovar in Tibet.
• East: Susta area (Bihar).

The Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education has launched applications for the Prime Minister Research Chair (PMRC) Scheme 2026.

About PMRC Scheme

• It is a flagship initiative of the Government of India to strengthen the country's research and innovation ecosystem.
• Aim: To attract and engage distinguished Indian-origin researchers, scientists, and professionals from across the world.
  • It places globally experienced experts in leading Indian higher research institutions.
• Eligibility: Young Research Fellows (0–5 years post-PhD), Senior Fellows (5–10 years post-PhD), and Research Chairs (10+ years post-PhD with demonstrated research leadership).
• Host Institutions: Government HEIs ranked among the Top 100 (NIRF Overall/Engineering) or Top 50 (Research), etc.

India successfully flight-tests indigenous RudraM-II Missile.

About RudraM-II 

• Indigenous air-to-surface missile launched from an airborne platform.
• Developed By: Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad a nodal laboratory of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and other organizations.
• Significance: Strengthens India's indigenous defence capability and advances Aatmanirbhar Bharat in advanced weapon systems.

Indian Peacekeepers serving with United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) have been awarded the UN Medal of Honour. 

About UN Peacekeepers (Blue Helmet)

• Origin: Began in 1948 when the UN deployed military observers to West Asia to observe the Armistice Agreement.
• Also called Blue Helmets, as they use blue helmets while carrying out peacekeeping missions around the world. 
• Deployment Mechanism: UN Security Council by adopting a resolution.
• Principles of Peacekeeping are based on Consent of the parties, Impartiality, Non-use of force except in self-defence and defence of the mandate
• Department of Peace Operations (DPO) of UN provides political and executive direction to peacekeeping operations.

Yellow-throated marten was recently sighted for the very first time in the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve in Assam (UNESCO World Heritage Site).

Yellow-throated Marten (Martes flavigula)

• It is a diurnal and arboreal member of the mustelid family, a group of carnivorous mammals.
• Features: Golden-yellow throat, long tail, and defensive scent glands.
• Behaviour: Fearless, highly social, often hunts in pairs or small groups.
• Ecological Role: Functions as a mesopredator, controls rodent populations, aids seed dispersal, etc. 
• Distribution: Found across Southeast Asia, eastern Russia, China, and the Korean Peninsula; in India, occurs mainly in the Himalayas and Northeast.
• Conservation Status: IUCN (Least Concern); protected under Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• Threats: Habitat fragmentation, deforestation, and human encroachment.

Giant potato coral patch found on southeastern side of Kadmat Island in Lakshadweep.

Potato Patch Coral Colony (Pavona clavus)

• Covers about 4,250 sq. m. (1.05 acres), potentially the world's largest living Pavona clavus colony.
• Scientific Value: Serves as a natural time capsule for studying coral longevity, climate adaptation, and past ocean conditions.

Meteor explosion light up skies over Boston and Rhode Island, experiencing bolides.

About Bolides

• Bolide: An exceptionally bright meteor (fireball) that explodes in Earth’s atmosphere, producing intense flashes of light and often sonic booms before reaching the ground.
  • Meteoroid: Small asteroid/comet fragment orbiting the Sun.
  • Meteor: Visible streak (shooting star) produced when a meteoroid enters Earth’s atmosphere.
  • Meteorite: A meteoroid fragment that survives atmospheric entry and reaches the ground.
• Effects: Can generate bright sky flashes, loud booms, shock waves, etc.

Israel expanded operations in Southern Lebanon by crossing the Litani River (previously a de-facto boundary), for the first time since 2006.

• Israel captured Beaufort castle. 
• Beaufort Castle is a 12th-century Crusader fortress located near Nabatiyeh, overlooking the Litani River. 

Bangladesh approves Padma Barrage Project.

About Padma Barrage

• Location: Proposed on the Padma River (Bangladesh stretch of the Ganga) 
• Objective: Aims to improve water security and reduce drought conditions in southwest Bangladesh linked to reduced flows from the Farakka Barrage.

• Padma River is the main distributary of the Ganga river in Bangladesh after it enters the country from India.