29th September 2026

Explanation - Kaladi, known as Kalari cheese or the “mozzarella of the Himalayas”, it is a traditional dairy product originated from the Ramnagar area, Udhampur district of Jammu & Kashmir. The local delicacy is traditionally made by Gujjar shepherds in the mountains of Kashmir. It is a traditionally ripened cheese made from cow’s or goat’s milk. Kalari was developed to preserve excess milk during the summer months, when the heat would make it difficult to store fresh milk. It received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2023.

Explanation - Modhera will be India’s first village to become a net renewable energy generator. It will be the first modern village to have a solar-based ultra-modern electric vehicle charging station. It is India’s first grid-connected megawatt-hours (MWh) scale battery energy storage system. People in Modhera would be saving 60% to 100% on electricity bills. The heritage lighting and 3-D projection at the Sun Temple would operate on solar energy. The 3-D projection will inform visitors about the history of Modhera.

The Modhera Sun Temple was made by King Bhima I of the Chalukya dynasty in the early 11th century. It is a temple made to honour the Sun God in Modhera village of Mehsana district on the bank of River Pushpavati. The temple is designed in such a way that during every equinox, the first ray of the rising sun would fall on a diamond placed on the head of the Sun God. This would also light up the shrine with a golden glow. The Sabha Mandap stands on 52 pillars, signifying the 52 weeks in a year. There are carvings of the sun on the walls to show its unity with air, water, earth and space. In 2014, Modhera Sun Temple entered the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It enjoys the same significance as other two well-known sun-temples in Kashmir (Martand) and Odisha (Konark). The Gujarat Tourism hosts a three-day dance festival every year, known as the Uttarardha Mahotsav, at the temple every January after Makar Sankranti festival.

Explanation - Polylactic Acid is a biodegradable, thermoplastic polymer derived from renewable resources such as corn starch or sugarcane. It is synthesised through the fermentation of glucose to produce lactic acid, which is then polymerised. Applications: PLA is known for its eco-compatibility and versatility, finding applications in areas like food packaging, medical sutures, and 3D printing. Advantages of Polylactic Acid — Reduces Carbon Footprint: Its bio-based origin ensures a reduced carbon footprint and aligns with global sustainability goals. Dual Benefit: PLA’s ability to integrate agricultural waste into the value chain can create dual benefits first with farmers gaining additional income streams, and second is industries achieving a sustainable supply of raw materials. Resource utilisation: Integrating PLA production within existing agro-industrial frameworks—such as co-locating bioplastic plants with sugar mills—can optimise resource utilisation while reducing waste.

Explanation - Poompuhar, also called Kaveripoompattinam, lies in present-day Mayiladuthurai district. It sits at the mouth of the 800-km-long Cauvery river, where the river empties into the Bay of Bengal. It is believed to have been the capital of the early Cholas and features prominently in Sangam and post-Sangam literature. A 2011 archaeology report says the city existed from the 5th–4th century BCE, based on the carbon dating of a wooden log recovered there. The city is said to have had three major divisions — Maruvurppakkam — along the seashore. Pattinappakkam — to the west. Nalangadi — between the two.

Explanation - India adopted universal adult suffrage from the beginning of the Republic, granting adult citizens the right to participate in elections without restrictions based on gender, caste, religion, education or property. In the United States, although the 15th and 19th Amendments extended voting rights to African Americans in 1870 and women in 1920, systemic barriers such as poll taxes and literacy tests continued to disenfranchise many for decades. India chose immediate, universal inclusion, ensuring democratic equality from the outset and bypassing the prolonged struggles seen elsewhere. Article 326 granted every adult citizen the right to vote regardless of gender, caste, religion, education or property. This was operationalised through two laws, the Representation of the People Act, 1950, governing preparation and revision of electoral rolls, and the 1951 Act, regulating election conduct, candidature and electoral offences. The first general election presented a major administrative challenge, with around 173 million voters, many of whom were illiterate. The Election Commission, under the first Chief Election Commissioner Sukumar Sen, introduced election symbols to make participation accessible to voters.