7th October 2026

Explanation - Plague is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis, usually found in small mammals and their fleas. Transmission — It is transmitted between animals through fleas. Humans can be infected through: infected flea bites, contact with infected animal tissues or fluids and in the case of pneumonic plague inhalation of respiratory particles from an infected person or animal. Types of Plague — Bubonic Plague — It is the most common form of plague and is caused by the bite of an infected flea. Plague bacillus, Y. pestis, enters at the bite and travels through the lymphatic system to the nearest lymph node where it replicates itself. The lymph node then becomes inflamed, tense and painful, and is called a ‘bubo’. At advanced stages of the infection, the inflamed lymph nodes can turn into open sores Pneumonic Plague — It is the most virulent form of plague. Transmission: It transmits through respiratory droplets or particles from an infected person can infect another person, particularly during close and sustained contact. Septicaemic Plague — It occurs when pestis multiplies rapidly in the bloodstream. It can develop from any other form of plague. Treatment for Plague — There is no routinely recommended plague vaccination for the general public. Antibiotics and supportive therapy are effective against plague if patients are diagnosed in time.

Explanation - Although India has uranium deposits, the quality of its ore is relatively low. The uranium concentration in Indian mines ranges between 0.02 and 0.45 per cent. This is far lower than the global average of 1–2 per cent. In comparison, some mines in Canada contain uranium concentrations as high as 15 per cent. Because of the lower ore quality, extracting uranium in India is more expensive than importing it. Growing Reliance on Imports — Due to these limitations, more than 70 per cent of India’s uranium needs are currently met through imports. However, domestic production still plays an important role. It supports India’s nuclear weapons programme and provides a buffer in case global supply chains are disrupted. Expansion of Domestic Production — India is increasing domestic uranium production to support the planned expansion of nuclear energy. The government aims to raise nuclear power capacity from about 9 GW today to 100 GW by 2047. Despite this expansion, domestic production is expected to meet only around 30 per cent of the fuel requirements of nuclear power plants in the future. Rising Uranium Demand — India currently consumes about 1,500–2,000 tonnes of uranium each year. In 2025, the country’s requirement was about 1,884 tonnes. With the expansion of nuclear power, annual uranium demand could rise to about 5,400 tonnes. Even then, only around 30 per cent of this demand is likely to be met through domestic production.

Explanation - Although India has uranium deposits, the quality of its ore is relatively low. The uranium concentration in Indian mines ranges between 0.02 and 0.45 per cent. This is far lower than the global average of 1–2 per cent. In comparison, some mines in Canada contain uranium concentrations as high as 15 per cent. Because of the lower ore quality, extracting uranium in India is more expensive than importing it. Growing Reliance on Imports — Due to these limitations, more than 70 per cent of India’s uranium needs are currently met through imports. However, domestic production still plays an important role. It supports India’s nuclear weapons programme and provides a buffer in case global supply chains are disrupted. Expansion of Domestic Production — India is increasing domestic uranium production to support the planned expansion of nuclear energy. The government aims to raise nuclear power capacity from about 9 GW today to 100 GW by 2047. Despite this expansion, domestic production is expected to meet only around 30 per cent of the fuel requirements of nuclear power plants in the future. Rising Uranium Demand — India currently consumes about 1,500–2,000 tonnes of uranium each year. In 2025, the country’s requirement was about 1,884 tonnes. With the expansion of nuclear power, annual uranium demand could rise to about 5,400 tonnes. Even then, only around 30 per cent of this demand is likely to be met through domestic production.

Explanation- The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is a statutory body of the Ministry, with an overarching supervisory/coordination role, performing functions as provided in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The All India Tiger Estimation done quadrennially is steered by the National Tiger Conservation Authority with technical backstopping from the Wildlife Institute of India and implemented by State Forest Departments and partners.

Explanation - Project Tiger, a centrally sponsored scheme was launched in 1973 with 9 tiger reserves (currently increased to 50 tiger reserves) with the following objectives - To ensure maintenance of available population of Tigers in India for scientific, economic, aesthetic, cultural and ecological value. To preserve, for all times, the areas of such biological importance as a national heritage for the benefit, education and enjoyment of the people. The tiger reserves are constituted on a core/buffer strategy. The core areas have the legal status of a national park or a sanctuary, whereas the buffer or peripheral areas are a mix of forest and non-forest land, managed as a multiple use area. It is an ongoing Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change providing central assistance to the tiger States for tiger conservation in designated tiger reserves.