9th March 2026

Explanation - Syphilis is indeed a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. The primary stage of syphilis is characterised by the appearance of a painless sore called a chancre at the site of infection. Syphilis can be effectively treated and cured with antibiotics, primarily penicillin, which is the preferred treatment. If left untreated, syphilis can progress through secondary, latent, and tertiary stages, potentially affecting multiple organ systems, including the brain (neurosyphilis) and heart (cardiovascular syphilis), leading to serious complications.

Explanation - The Khelo India Tribal Games are part of the Khelo India Scheme. The Games will feature seven medal sports – athletics, football, hockey, weightlifting, archery, swimming and wrestling. There will be two demonstration sports – mallakhamb and kabaddi. Host State: Chhattisgarh will be the first state to host this landmark national event. KITG will see representation from most states and Union Territories of India. It will be jointly managed by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Sports Authority of India (SAI), Indian Olympic Association, National Sports Federations and the Chhattisgarh state organising committee. Mascot: 'Morveer', derived from two powerful words — 'Mor', meaning mine or our own in Chhattisgarhi, and 'Veer', symbolising courage and valour.

Explanation - It is an automated canal cleaning robot, created by Genrobotic Innovations. It is engineered to operate in complex, high-risk canal environments without any human entry. Features of G-SPIDER Robot — Efficient Operation: It is designed to function efficiently even during high water levels and continuous flow conditions. Advanced Technology: It is built on Cable-Driven Parallel Robotics (CDPR) architecture and powered by AI-enabled vision and sensor intelligence. It has five-degrees-of-freedom robotic mechanism, equipped with a biomimetic claw type grabber, ensures accurate positioning and secure handling of mixed and irregular debris. It enables precise detection, assessment, and removal of accumulated waste. By using advanced machine vision, the system autonomously identifies and adapts to different waste types, flow conditions, and structural challenges in real time. The extracted waste is directly transferred into designated collection vehicles, enabling a fully hands-free and end-to-end canal cleaning process — from detection to safe disposal. Uninterrupted Maintenance: It ensures uninterrupted and consistent maintenance of urban waterways. Safe Waste Extraction: It is capable of safely extracting mixed and hazardous waste — including plastics, sharp debris, and other harmful materials.

Explanation - The State of the World's Migratory Species Report is a global assessment that evaluates the conservation status of migratory animals across the world. It is prepared under the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), a legally binding international treaty established in 1979 under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The report provides comprehensive scientific information on migratory species, their population trends, conservation status, and the threats they face across their migratory routes. The first global State of the World's Migratory Species Report, released in 2024, was the first comprehensive global assessment of migratory wildlife. It covered 1,189 species listed under the CMS treaty and also analysed trends among more than 3,000 additional migratory species. The report uses scientific data from sources such as the IUCN Red List, population monitoring studies, and scientific literature to evaluate extinction risks and population changes.

Explanation - The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) released the 'State of India's Environment 2026' report. Published annually since 1982, the report provides an overview of major environmental challenges in India, including floods, extreme weather events, wildlife behaviour changes, and air pollution. It also examines global climate change trends and their impact on India. CSE experts warned that the global temperature rise may exceed the 1.5°C threshold, indicating that the world is nearing a critical climate tipping point. Rising Extreme Weather Events in India - The report highlights that 2025 saw the highest frequency and impact of extreme weather events in India in the past four years. These events included heatwaves, cold waves, heavy rainfall, and floods. Data from January 1 to November 30, 2025 shows that extreme weather events occurred on 99% of the days. These events resulted in 4,419 deaths and affected 17.41 million hectares of crop area. Comparison with Previous Years — The frequency and impact of extreme weather events have increased steadily: 2024: Events on 88% of days, causing 3,393 deaths and damaging 3.61 million hectares of crops. 2023: Events on 89% of days, causing 3,208 deaths and affecting 2.09 million hectares of crops. States Most Affected — Some states experienced a particularly high number of extreme weather days: Himachal Pradesh: 267 days Kerala: 173 days Madhya Pradesh: 162 days Need for Climate Action — The report warns that these trends indicate growing ecological stress and climate risks. It stresses the need for strong climate action, better planning, and resilient development strategies to prevent such disasters from becoming the norm.