8th November 2025

Explanation - NBWL is chaired by the Prime Minister. Its roles is "advisory" in nature and advises the Central Government on framing policies and measures for conservation of wildlife in the country. 

Explanation - Konark Sun Temple, located in the eastern State of Odisha near the sacred city of Puri, is dedicated to the sun God or Surya. The temple declared a world heritage by UNESCO was built in A.D. 1250, during the reign of the Eastern Ganga King Narasimhadeva-I (A.D. 1238-64). It is a monumental representation of the sun God Surya's chariot; its 24 wheels are decorated with symbolic designs and it is led by a team of seven horses.The seven horses are said to symbolise the seven days of the week. Sailors once called this Sun Temple of Konarak, the Black Pagoda because it was supposed to draw ships into the shore and cause shipwrecks. 

Explanation - About Financial Sector Assessment (FSA) Report - It is published by the World Bank. Key highlights of the Report — India's financial system has become more resilient, diversified, and inclusive. It acknowledges that financial sector reforms helped India recover from various distress episodes of the 2010s as well as the pandemic. India's 'world class' digital public infrastructure and government programmes have significantly improved access to a wider range of financial services for men and women. WB welcomed the scale-based regulation for NBFCs which recognises the different needs of this diverse industry. India's capital markets(equity, government bonds and corporate bonds) have increased from 144 percent to about 175 percent of GDP since the last Financial Sector Assessment Program. 

Explanation - Ricin is a poison found naturally in castor beans. If castor beans are chewed and swallowed, the ricin that comes out can cause injury. Ricin can be made from the waste material left over from processing castor beans. Ricin can be in the form of a powder, a mist, or a pellet. It can also be dissolved in water or weak acid. It is stable under normal conditions. However, it will not work if temperatures are over 80 degrees centigrade (176 degrees Fahrenheit). It is toxic when inhaled, ingested, or injected. As few as five to ten micrograms per kilogram can be lethal. How Does It Work? Ricin works by getting inside the cells of a person's body and preventing the cells from making the proteins they need. Without the proteins, cells die. Eventually this is harmful to the whole body, and death may occur. It is of special concern because of its potential use as a biological weapon. Accidental exposure to ricin is rare and results primarily from the ingestion of castor seeds. Treatment — No antidote exists for ricin. Symptomatic ricin poisoning is treated by providing supportive medical care to minimise the effects of the poisoning. 

Explanation - The Ayni airbase in Tajikistan, located about 20 km from Afghanistan's Wakhan Corridor near PoK and China's Xinjiang, served as a key strategic hub for India. Initially used during India's support to the Northern Alliance against the Taliban, it also facilitated the evacuation of Indian nationals from Kabul in 2021. Originally a Soviet-era base, Ayni was renovated by India at a cost of around $80 million under a 2002 bilateral agreement, with work led by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). India upgraded it with a 3,200-metre runway, hangars, fuel depots, and air traffic control systems. At its peak, about 200 Indian Army and IAF personnel, along with Sukhoi-30 MKI jets, were stationed there. After the agreement lapsed, India began withdrawing its troops and assets in 2022, marking the end of its two-decade military presence at this vital Central Asian outpost.