13th September 2025

Explanation – "Biodiversity Heritage Sites" (BHS) are well defined areas that are unique, ecologically fragile ecosystems – terrestrial, coastal and inland waters and, marine having rich biodiversity comprising of any one or more of the following components: richness of wild as well as domesticated species or intra-specific categories, high endemism, presence of rare and threatened species, keystone species, species of evolutionary significance, wild ancestors of domestic/cultivated species or their varieties, past pre-eminence of biological components represented by fossil beds and having significant cultural, ethical or aesthetic values and are important for the maintenance of cultural diversity, with or without a long history of human association with them. Under Section 37 of Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (BDA) the State Government in consultation with local bodies may notify in the official gazette, areas of biodiversity importance as Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS). 

Explanation – DeFi is an emerging financial system using blockchain and cryptocurrencies to enable direct transactions between individuals and businesses. The transactions take place through smart contracts, open protocols, and decentralised applications (D-Apps), allowing direct peer-to-peer transactions without intermediation. Access to the DeFi service does not warrant the opening of an account or identity verification. A customer can register with a password and create several crypto wallets. Most wallets do not ask for an address, phone number, or email verification. This system eliminates intermediaries like banks and other financial service companies. By eliminating intermediaries, DeFi aims to reduce costs and speed up processes. Unlike centralised financial institutions such as banks, exchanges or brokerage firms, DeFi systems provide uncensored access for everyone. 

Explanation – The Scarborough Shoal is a disputed territory in the South China Sea claimed by China, Taiwan and the Philippines. It is a ring of reefs and rocks located around 200 km west of the Philippine island of Luzon. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that China has no legal basis to claim historic rights over the Scarborough Shoal and other areas within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. 

Explanation – Isobutanol, also called isobutyl alcohol, is an alcohol with the chemical formula C₄H₁₀O and one of the four isomers of butanol. It is a clear, colourless liquid with a characteristic odour. It is only moderately soluble in water. Isobutanol may also be used as a biofuel because, like ethanol, it can be manufactured from plants. When compared to ethanol, isobutanol features a higher heating value. Isobutanol is less corrosive than ethanol and is much less hygroscopic, which enables it to be transported using the existing fuel infrastructure. Moreover, its addition to gasoline does not distort the fuel blend's vapour pressure to the same extent as ethanol does. All of this while having a high octane rating. 

Explanation – Diclofenac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) administered to cattle to reduce inflammation and to reduce pain in certain conditions. NSAIDs are associated with adverse kidney (renal) failure which is caused due to the reduction in synthesis of renal prostaglandins. Vultures which were unable to break down the chemical diclofenac, suffer from kidney failure when they eat the carcass of animals which have been administered with the drug 'Diclofenac'. The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has cleared a plan for conserving vultures. Saliently, the drugs that are used to treat cattle and known to poison vultures will be banned by the Drugs Controller General of India. Diclofenac, a drug used to treat cattle, was linked to kidney failure in vultures and a decline in the bird's population. Though the drug was banned in 2006, it is reportedly still available for use.