• 17 Nov 2025

Gadisar Lake

Why in News? 

The Gadisar Lake in Jaisalmer is facing conservation issues, prompting the Rajasthan High Court to direct the state government to submit a detailed response on its plans to conserve the lake. 

Key Points 

• Gadisar Lake is a 14th-century artificial water reservoir located in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. 
• It was originally built by Raja Rawal Jaisal, and later renovated by Maharawal Gadsi Singh, from whom it derives its present name. 
• The lake was historically the primary water source for Jaisalmer, functioning as a crucial rainwater harvesting and conservation system in the desert region. 
• The lake’s catchment area has shrunk due to encroachment, urban pressure, siltation, and pollution, threatening its ecological balance. 
• Gadisar Lake supports local biodiversity, including migratory birds in winter, making it an important urban-wetland ecosystem. 
• It is surrounded by ghats, temples and chhatris that create a rich cultural–architectural heritage zone, and it continues to draw visitors for its Tilon-ki-Pol gateway, boating activities and scenic vistas. 

Garuda Exercise 2025

Why in News? 

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is taking part in the 8th edition of Exercise Garuda-25, a bilateral air combat drill conducted with the French Air and Space Force (FASF). 

Key Points 

• About Garuda Exercise: 
  • “Garuda” is a bilateral air exercise between the Indian and French air forces, conducted periodically since 2003. 
  • It is among the highest-level air force exercises India conducts with a foreign air force and is held alternately in India and France. 
  • Its key objectives include enhancing mutual operational capabilities, sharing tactics, building log-operational familiarity and forging strategic ties. 
• About 2025 Edition: 
  • The 8th edition of Garuda (Garuda-25) is being held from 16th to 27th November, 2025 at Mont‑de‑Marsan Air Base in France. 
  • The Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent, featuring Su-30MKI fighter aircraft supported by IL-78 refuellers and C-17 Globemaster III air-lift assets, will operate alongside French multirole fighters in complex simulated missions involving air-to-air combat, air defence, and joint strike operations. 

Jharkhand Ties Up with Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC)

Why in News? 

The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) signed an MoU with the Jharkhand State Pharmacy Council (JSPC) to strengthen pharmacovigilance systems across Jharkhand. 

Key Points 

• About the Agreement: 
  • The MoU aims to strengthen the safe and rational use of medicines in the state by improving pharmacovigilance (drug safety monitoring) and materiovigilance (medical device safety). 
  • The agreement promotes wider adoption of the National Formulary of India (NFI) as a standard reference across healthcare institutions to support rational medication practices. 
  • Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) will provide technical expertise, while Jharkhand State Pharmacy Council (JSPC) will mobilise pharmacists from public and private sectors to ensure effective implementation. 
• About Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC): 
  • IPC is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. 
  • It publishes the Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP), the official book of drug standards in India. 
  • It operates the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI) and Materiovigilance Programme of India (MvPI). 
  • It promotes patient safety, drug quality surveillance, and evidence-based medicine use. 
• About National Formulary of India (NFI): 
  • It is an official reference published by the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) to guide the rational and safe use of medicines. 
  • It provides standard information on approved drugs, including indications, dosages, contraindications and adverse effects, promoting uniform and evidence-based prescribing.

Narendra-09 Wheat Variety

Why in News? 

A farmer from Nainital district, Uttarakhand, has received national recognition for developing the climate-resilient wheat variety “Narendra-09” and registering it under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001 (PPV&FRA). 

Key Points 

• About Narendra-09: 
  • Narendra Singh Mehra from Devla Malla village (Nainital) developed the wheat variety “Narendra-09” through on-farm selection of naturally occurring plants. 
  • The variety shows high heat tolerance and produces 50–80 grains per stalk, compared to 20–25 grains in traditional varieties. It adapts well to diverse areas across hills and plains, requires less water, and performs well under climate-stress conditions. 
  • The farmer registered the variety under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act (PPV&FRA), 2001, securing legal breeder and farmer rights.
    
• About Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act (PPV&FRA), 2001: 
  • It was enacted to protect newly developed plant varieties, recognise the rights of farmers, and promote the breeding of improved crop varieties in India. 
  • The Act allows the registration of new, extant, farmers’, and essentially derived varieties, provided they meet the DUS criteria of Distinctness, Uniformity, and Stability. 
  • It grants breeders exclusive rights to produce, sell, market, distribute, import or export their registered varieties. Farmers are also allowed to save, use, sow, resow, exchange and share seeds of protected varieties, but they cannot sell these seeds in branded form. 
  • The Act also provides for benefit-sharing, Plant Genome Saviour Awards, and establishes the National Gene Fund to reward farmers and communities that have conserved or contributed valuable genetic resources. 

AI-Based Smart Surveillance Systems in Temples

Why in News? 

The Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department has announced that AI-based smart surveillance systems will be installed at three religious destinations to strengthen security and improve visitor experience.

Key Points

• About the Initiative: 
  • The project is part of Uttar Pradesh’s broader Smart Tourism and Digital Governance drive aimed at enhancing safety, crowd management and pilgrim convenience at major temples 3 of the state’s most visited temples: 
    • Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple (Varanasi)  
    • Ram Temple (Ayodhya) 
    • Gorakhnath Temple (Gorakhpur) 
• Key Features of the AI Surveillance System: 
  • AI-powered cameras will monitor real-time visitor footfall, analyse crowd density and issue alerts during peak hours or emergencies. 
  • The system will employ facial recognition, behavioural analytics and emergency-response protocols to track visitor movement and detect unusual or suspicious activities. 
  • It will also assist temple authorities in maintaining cleanliness, improving basic amenities and ensuring smoother visitor flow. 

Sirpur Heritage Sites

Why in News? 

A joint inspection by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Sirpur Special Area Development Authority (SADA) has advanced Chhattisgarh’s Sirpur heritage complexes toward formal nomination for UNESCO World Heritage status.

Key Points 

• Sirpur, located in Mahasamund district of Chhattisgarh, lies on the banks of the Mahanadi River, approximately 78 km from Raipur. 
• It is home to the celebrated Lakshman Temple, considered one of India’s earliest surviving brick temples, dating to around the 6th century CE. 
• Historically, Sirpur served as a major centre of South Kosala, known for its Hindu-Buddhist-Jain syncretic cultural traditions. 
• The site features an extensive collection of monasteries (viharas), temples, assembly halls, and residential complexes, reflecting nearly 700 years of architectural evolution. 
• The complex is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and the state government is actively advancing its UNESCO World Heritage nomination. 
• Excavations have revealed significant Buddhist remains, including the Anand Prabhu Kuti Vihara, visited by Chinese traveller Xuanzang in the 7th century CE. 
• Sirpur is also associated with the Pandu dynasty, whose rulers patronised art, architecture, and religious scholarship, making it a flourishing urban centre of its time. 

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) 

• ASI, under the Ministry of Culture, is the premier organization for the archaeological research and protection of the cultural heritage of the nation. 
• It administers more than 3650 ancient monuments, archaeological sites and remains of national importance. 
• Its activities include carrying out surveys of antiquarian remains, exploration and excavation of archaeological sites, conservation and maintenance of protected monuments etc. 
• It was founded in 1861 by Alexander Cunningham- the first Director-General of ASI. Alexander Cunningham is also known as the “Father of Indian Archaeology”. 
• It oversees all archaeological undertakings within the nation by the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, of 1958.