UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 9 March 2026

Raisen Fort Latest News

Police in Madhya Pradesh’s Raisen district lately arrested 4 youths after a video exhibiting cannon firing from the hilltop ASI-protected Raisen Fort and alleged slogans referring to war-prone international locations surfaced on social media.

About Raisen Fort

• Located on a sandstone hill in Raisen city, it is without doubt one of the most outstanding forts in Madhya Pradesh.
• It is positioned roughly 40 km from Bhopal.
• Built within the eleventh century, the Raisen Fort has witnessed the rule of:

  • Local Hindu chieftains
  • Sultans of Mandu
  • Mughals below Akbar (Raisen was a Sarkar headquarters within the Ujjain Subah)
  • Nawabs of Bhopal, together with Fiaz Mohammad Khan, who occupied the fort round 1760 and was later acknowledged by Emperor Alamgir II as Faujdar of Raisen.

Raisen Fort Features

• The fort represents medieval Indian hilltop army structure and affords panoramic views of the encircling countryside.
• It spans over practically 800 acres, making it one of many largest forts in Central India.
• The fort has a large stone wall pierced with 9 gateways.
• Adorned with a big courtyard and a wonderful pool within the center, the Raisen Fort has 4 palaces, specifically Badal Mahal, Rohini Mahal, Itradaan Mahal & Hawa Mahal, inside its boundaries.
• It additionally homes a temple devoted to Lord Shiva and a shrine devoted to Muslim saint Hazrat Peer Fatehullah Shah Baba, making it a singular mix of Hindu and Islamic heritage.
• The fort additionally had a well-maintained water administration and conservation system with greater than 40 wells.
• It additionally abounds in rock shelters with work created by the cave dwellers.

Source: TOI

Kharg Island Latest News

The United States is contemplating seizing Iran’s Kharg Island to choke off the regime’s oil revenues, a US official has steered.

About Kharg Island

• It is a small coral island in Iran within the northern Persian Gulf.
• It lies about 30 Km from the Iranian mainland.
• Its space is 25 sq.km., its size is 8 km, and its width is 4.5 km.
• This rocky limestone island is exclusive as a result of it’s one of many few islands within the Persian Gulf with freshwater, which has collected inside the porous limestone.
• The island experiences sizzling and humid summers, and its highest level, Mount Didehban, stands at 87 meters above sea stage.
• The discovery of an offshore oil subject within the waters round Kharg within the early Nineteen Sixties stimulated the event of the island as a web site for main petroleum and petrochemical installations. 
• Connection by pipelines to the underwater oil fields, in addition to to the oil fields in Khuzistan province, remodeled Kharg into Iran’s largest oil-loading terminal by the early Seventies. 
• During the Iran–Iraq struggle (1980–1988), Kharg repeatedly was bombed, and its oil services suffered in depth injury, however they have been reconstructed within the early Nineties.
• It facilitates as a lot as 90 % of the nation’s oil exports and is significant for Iran’s financial system.
• It boasts an enormous storage capability of 28 million barrels and loading infrastructure able to dealing with VLCCs and ULCCs.
• It has a loading capability of about 7 million barrels per day. It can load eight to 9 supertankers concurrently.
• Its strategic significance lies in its proximity to the Strait of Hormuz, an important world oil passage.

Source: TELE

Stenothoe lowryi Latest News

For the primary time, a uncommon marine amphipod, a shrimp-like species, named Stenothoe lowryi was present in Indian water at Arjyapalli in Ganjam district by marine science researchers of Berhampur University.

About Stenothoe lowryi

• It is a uncommon marine amphipod.
• This shrimp-like crustacean, beforehand recognized solely from Malaysian shores, was detected for the first time in India throughout a focused survey at Aryjapalli Beach in Odisha’s Ganjam district. 
• It belongs to the household Stenothoidae inside the order Amphipoda. 
• It stands out with its approximate 5.5 mm physique measurement, outstanding giant claws (gnathopods), and affinity for rocky intertidal habitats. 
• These claws doubtless assist in gripping substrates and prey, facilitating their scavenging way of life.
• It is distinguished by distinctive morphological traits comparable to particular antennal buildings and pereopod (strolling leg) configurations.
• Although little is at the moment recognized about its ecological position, it’s believed to contribute considerably to the marine meals internet.

What are Amphipods?

• They are a sort of small crustacean. 
• They are members of the invertebrate order Amphipoda,  inhabiting all components of the ocean, lakes, rivers, sand seashores, caves, and moist (heat) habitats on many tropical islands.
• They are associated to crabs, lobsters, and shrimp. 
• The title ‘amphipoda’ means “different-footed.” 

  • This is as a result of they’ve many completely different sorts of legs. 
  • Unlike another crustaceans, their legs will not be all the identical.

• There are over 7,000 recognized species of amphipods. Most of them belong to a gaggle known as Gammaridea.
• Amphipods may be very tiny, about 0.1 centimeters (0.04 inches) lengthy. But some can develop fairly giant, as much as 34 centimeters (13 inches).
• They sometimes have an elongated physique with a definite head, a pereon (thorax) of seven segments, and a six-segmented pleon (stomach).
• Most amphipods eat tiny bits of lifeless crops and animals. Some are additionally scavengers, consuming what they discover.

Source: TOI

Kheybar Shekan Missile Latest News

Iran’s IRGC claimed it focused Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s workplace and an air drive command centre utilizing Kheybar Shekan missiles lately.

About Kheybar Shekan Missile

• It is Iran’s newest long-range solid-fuel ballistic missile. 
• The title means “breaker of Khayber” in Arabic, a reference to the Battle of Khayber in Arab historical past. 
• It is the fourth era of the Khorramshahr missile household.

Kheybar Shekan Missile Features

• The missile is roughly 4 meters lengthy and weighs 1,500 kilograms. 
• It has a vary of 1,450 kilometers.
• It is powered by a regionally developed ‘Arond’ engine built-in inside its gasoline tank to minimise size and improve camouflage.
• It makes use of stable gasoline. This permits for quicker launch preparation, simpler storage, and higher concealment, key benefits in trendy missile warfare.
• It may be launched from a cell platform and is prepared in lower than quarter-hour. 
• The missile operates in three phases: takeoff, mid-flight steerage with rear engines, and a closing descent guided by precision engines.
• It contains a satellite tv for pc steerage system and a maneuverable warhead, permitting it to strike with excessive precision.
• Its pace is claimed to succeed in 19,500 km/h within the environment and 9,800 km/h outdoors it, roughly Mach 12. 
• Due to this pace, it may make interception tough even for superior air defence programs.
• Its aerodynamic design reduces air drag, serving to it evade radar detection.

Source: WION

White Phosphorus Latest News

Recently, the Human Rights Watch  accused Israel of “unlawfully” utilizing white phosphorus over residential components of a southern Lebanese city.

About White Phosphorus 

• White (generally known as yellow) phosphorus is a white to yellow waxy stable with a garlic like odour.
• Properties: It ignites spontaneously in air at temperatures above 30 °C and continues to burn till it’s absolutely oxidized or till disadvantaged of oxygen.

Applications of  White phosphorus

• It is commonly utilized by militaries to light up battlefields, to generate a smokescreen and as an incendiary.
• It is used for army functions in grenades and artillery shells to supply illumination, to generate a smokescreen and as an incendiary.
• Its main industrial makes use of are within the manufacturing of phosphoric acid, phosphates and different compounds.
• Phosphates are used to fabricate a spread of merchandise together with fertilizers and detergents. Phosphorus has been used as a rodenticide and in fireworks.

Impact of White phosphorus on Humans

• It is dangerous to people by all routes of publicity.
• The smoke from burning phosphorus is additionally dangerous to the eyes and respiratory tract because of the presence of phosphoric acids and phosphine.
• It can trigger deep and extreme burns, penetrating even by bone.

Source: TH

Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) Latest News

The extremely contagious human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is spreading quickly throughout the West Coast of the United States, changing into a significant explanation for concern for the authorities.

About Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV)

• It is a respiratory virus belonging to the Pneumoviridae household, which additionally contains the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).
• It causes signs comparable to the frequent chilly.
• Researchers estimate that about 10% to 12% of respiratory diseases in kids are brought on by HMPV.

Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) Transmission

• The virus is extremely contagious. HMPV probably spreads from an contaminated particular person to others by:

  • the air by coughing and sneezing
  • shut private contact, comparable to touching or shaking arms
  • touching objects or surfaces which have the viruses on them, then touching the mouth, nostril, or eyes

Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) Symptoms

• • Symptoms generally related to HMPV embody cough, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath. 
  • In some folks, these signs could progress to bronchitis or pneumonia. 
  • The signs of HMPV may be just like signs from different viruses that trigger higher and decrease respiratory infections.
  • The majority of the circumstances are gentle, however folks with the highest danger of extreme sickness include younger kids, older adults, and people who are immunocompromised. 

Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) Treatment

• There is no vaccine, and there may be no particular antiviral to deal with HMPV. 
• Treatment primarily goals at managing signs and stopping issues.

Narcotics Control Bureau Latest News

Recently, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has dismantled a pan-India drug distribution community working below the title Team Kalki. 

About Narcotics Control Bureau

• It is the nodal drug legislation enforcement and intelligence company below the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
• It was constituted on 14th November, 1985, below the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act).
• Headquarters: New Delhi

Functions of Narcotics Control Bureau

• Coordination amongst varied Central and State Agencies engaged in drug legislation enforcement;
• Assisting States in enhancing their drug legislation enforcement effort;
• Collection and dissemination of intelligence;
• Analysis of seizure information, examine of traits and modus operandi;
• Preparation of National Drug Enforcement Statistics;
• Liaison with International companies comparable to UNDCP, INCB, INTERPOL, Customs Cooperation Council, RILO and so on;
• National contact level for intelligence and investigations
• It additionally features as an enforcement company by its zonal places of work.

  • The zonal places of work acquire and analyse information associated to seizures of narcotic medication and psychotropic substances, examine traits, modus operandi, acquire and disseminate intelligence, and work in shut cooperation with the Customs, State Police, and different legislation enforcement companies.

Source: News on Air

BharatInternet Project Latest News

Recently, the federal government stated that by BharatInternet venture India expanded its optical fibre networks, 5G companies and digital public infrastructure to greater than 2.15 lakh Gram Panchayats.

About BharatInternet Project

• It is a venture of the Government of India aimed toward offering broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) within the nation.
• Objective: The main goal is to supply unrestricted entry to broadband connectivity to all of the telecom service suppliers.

  • This allows entry suppliers like cell operators, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Cable TV operators, and content material suppliers to launch varied companies comparable to e-health, e-education, and e-governance in rural and distant India. 

• Phases of BharatInternet Project

• • Phase I: Focused on laying optical fibre cables to join 1 lakh Gram Panchayats by utilising present infrastructure. This part was accomplished in December 2017
  • Phase II(ongoing): Expanded protection to an further 1.5 lakh Gram Panchayats utilizing optical fibre, radio, and satellite tv for pc applied sciences.
  • Phase III (ongoing): Aims at future-proofing the community by integrating 5G applied sciences, rising bandwidth capability, and making certain sturdy last-mile connectivity.

• Funding: It is primarily funded by the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), which is a fund that changed the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF).
• Implementation: It is being executed by a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) specifically Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL).

Source: DD News

ASMITA Initiative Latest News

Recently, the Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports launched the nationwide athletics league at 250 places throughout the subcontinent below the ASMITA (Achieving Sports Milestone by Inspiring Women Through Action) programme. 

About ASMITA Initiative

• It was began in 2021.
• It is a part of Khelo India’s gender-neutral mission to advertise sports activities amongst girls by leagues and competitions.

  • ASMITA leagues not solely goal to extend the participation of girls in sports activities but additionally to make the most of the leagues as a platform for the identification of recent expertise throughout the size and breadth of India.

• Objective: Inclusive and grassroots-driven sports activities growth.
• The Khelo India ASMITA league is a core part of the ‘Khelo Bharat Niti,’ selling sports activities for nation-building and ladies’s empowerment.
• The Sports Authority of India (SAI) helps National Sports Federations in conducting Khelo India girls’s leagues throughout a number of age teams at each zonal and nationwide ranges.
• Till now, the ASMITA League has witnessed participation of virtually 3 lakh girls in 33 disciplines throughout 2600 leagues.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

Key Facts about Khelo India

• It is a flagship Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India.
• It is aimed toward selling mass participation and sporting excellence.
• Khelo India Games have been declared an ‘Event of National Importance’ in 2020 below the Sports Broadcasting Signals Act, 2007.

Source: DD News

Proba-3 Mission Latest News

Recently, the European Space Agency (Esa) has misplaced contact with one of many two spacecraft powering its Proba-3 mission.

About Proba-3 Mission

• It is the European Space Agency’s (ESA) first mission devoted to precision formation flying.
• It is the modern mission which is able to exhibit precision formation flying between two satellites to create a man-made eclipse, revealing new views of the Sun’s faint corona.
• Objective: To create an synthetic eclipse by exactly coordinating two unbiased satellites. This functionality will allow scientists to look at the Sun’s corona, a area sometimes obscured by the extreme brightness of the Sun. 
• It consists of two small satellites — a Coronagraph spacecraft and a solar-disc-shaped Occulter spacecraft.
• Working

• • By flying in tight formation about 150 metres aside, the Occulter will exactly forged its shadow onto the Coronagraph’s telescope, blocking the Sun’s direct mild.
  • This will enable the Coronagraph to picture the faint photo voltaic corona in seen, ultraviolet and polarised mild for a lot of hours at a time.
  • It will present new insights into the origins of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) — eruptions of photo voltaic materials that may disrupt satellites and energy grids on Earth.
  • The mission may even measure complete photo voltaic irradiance, monitoring adjustments within the Sun’s vitality output that will affect Earth’s local weather.

Source: IT