24th September 2026

Explanation - Garamantes Civilisation were an ancient civilisation that thrived in the Sahara Desert from approximately 500 BCE to 200 CE, primarily centred in the Fazzan region of southwest Libya. They established significant urban centres, including their capital, Germa, as well as Zinchera and Saniat Gebril, alongside numerous other settlements. Contrary to historical depictions of them as nomadic, archaeological findings suggest that the Garamantes were an advanced society skilled in constructing extensive underground irrigation systems known as foggara, which allowed them to access groundwater for agriculture in an arid environment. The origins of the Garamantes remain debated among scholars, with theories ranging from Berber ancestry to connections with Neolithic peoples. Their civilisation engaged in trade with nearby Mediterranean regions, exchanging goods like salt, gold, ivory, and slaves, and transitioned from military conflict to becoming important trading partners with the Roman Empire. However, environmental changes, particularly falling water levels, led to the decline of the Garamantes by the sixth century CE, resulting in the eventual abandonment of their urban centres. The legacy of the Garamantes is marked by their innovative adaptation to a challenging landscape and their role in shaping the cultural and historical landscape of ancient North Africa.

Explanation - Lord Howe Island is a crescent-shaped, volcanic island. Discovered By — It was discovered in 1788 and named for Admiral Lord Howe by Lieutenant Henry Lidgbird Ball of the British navy. Flora and Fauna — About 47% of the island's vascular plants are endemic, including the famous Kentia Palm (Howea forsteriana). It has endemic species like the Lord Howe Island Phasmid which is considered the world’s largest stick insect, and the flightless Lord Howe Woodhen (Gallirallis sylvestris). It hosts the world’s largest known population of sable shearwaters. The Lord Howe Island Group is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that boasts countless unique plants and animals, many of which are endemic to the region.

Explanation - Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 is the multinational air exercise to be conducted in Jodhpur. Participating Countries: Eight friendly foreign countries such as Australia, Bangladesh, France, Germany, Greece, Sri Lanka, UAE and USA will participate with air assets, while 32 nations will be attending as observers. Aim: It is aimed at enhancing interoperability among participating air forces, while providing a platform for exchanging operational experience and showcasing India’s air combat capabilities. The exercise will see the participation of advanced combat aircraft, including the U.S. Air Force’s F-35, the French Rafale, the UAE’s F-16 and a Bangladeshi C-130J. The IAF will field a range of its frontline platforms, including the Rafale, Mirage-2000, Jaguar, Tejas, MiG-29 and Su-30MKI.

Explanation - National Single Window System serves as a digital platform that guides investors in identifying and applying for the approvals required for their businesses. It was launched in September 2021. It is implemented by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry. It integrates approvals offered by Central Ministries, State Governments, and regulatory authorities on a common digital platform.

Key Functionalities of NSWS — Know Your Approvals: It is the Know Your Approvals (KYA) module, a tool that identifies the approvals applicable to a business based on its proposed activities. The portal hosts applications for approvals from 32 Central Ministries/ Departments and 34 State Governments and Union Territories. Common Registration Form: It captures information through a single interface and enables reuse of information across applications. Access to State Single Window Systems: It offers seamless access through a dedicated State Registration Form, ensuring integration with State-level approval mechanisms. Applicant Dashboard: It includes an applicant dashboard for submitting applications, monitoring their status, and responding to departmental queries. A centralised Document Repository enables one-time upload and reuse of documents across multiple approvals, reducing duplication of submissions. E-Communication Module: It facilitates online exchange of queries and clarifications between applicants and the concerned Ministries and State Governments.

Explanation - Sustainability assurance refers to the independent examination and verification of information disclosed by companies regarding their environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance.

Unlike financial statements, which are generally prepared and audited according to established accounting and auditing standards, sustainability information can be collected through different methodologies and may involve both measurements and estimates.

This creates challenges relating to consistency, comparability, data quality and verification. SSA 5000 seeks to address these concerns by establishing principles and procedures for assurance practitioners to —

• Examine sustainability disclosures
• Assess relevant risks
• Collect and evaluate evidence
• Examine internal controls
• Identify material misstatements
• Issue an assurance conclusion