21st November 2025

Explanation: Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) is a series of surface-to-surface ballistic missiles developed in the United States, primarily to counter the former Soviet Union’s long-range artillery. They are fired from tracked M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) and wheeled M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). The missile carries either cluster bomblets or a single high-explosive warhead and uses single-stage solid propellant propulsion, not multi-stage liquid fuel. 

Explanation: The Raulane Festival is a traditional festival celebrated in Kalpa, Kinnaur district, Himachal Pradesh, in winter or early spring. It is believed to be around 5,000 years old. The festival honours celestial fairies called Saunis, believed to protect villagers during harsh winters. Two men symbolically “marry” and embody a divine couple, the Raula (groom) and the Raulane (bride), dressing in woollen robes, ornaments, and unique masks, performing a dance at the Nagin Narayan Temple, while the entire community participates. 

Explanation: African Swine Fever (ASF) is a highly contagious and fatal animal disease that infects and leads to an acute form of hemorrhagic fever in domestic and wild pigs. It was first detected in Africa in the 1920s. The mortality is close to 100% and since the fever has no cure, the only way to stop its spread is by culling the animals. ASF is not a threat to human beings since it only spreads from animals to other animals. 

Explanation: Dugongs are large, gentle marine mammals often linked to mermaid legends due to their calm, graceful behaviour. Closely related to manatees, they have a rounded body and a dolphin-like tail. Adults can grow up to 10 feet long and weigh around 420 kg. Exclusively herbivorous, dugongs feed mainly on seagrass meadows, consuming 30–40 kg daily — earning them the name sea cows. They inhabit shallow, warm coastal waters, typically in sheltered bays, lagoons, and estuaries less than 10 metres deep. 

Explanation: The refreshed and expanded UDAN framework focuses on strengthening regional aviation infrastructure, making air travel affordable, and supporting airlines to operate in difficult terrains. Out of the 30,000 crore proposed — Rs. 18,000 crore is allocated for new airport development, including greenfield airports, refurbishment of existing airstrips, and construction of heliports in hilly areas. Rs. 12,000 crore is earmarked for Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to encourage airlines to operate flights on regional routes despite low initial demand. The scheme will particularly target hilly and remote regions, aspirational districts, North-Eastern states, and small towns with limited or no air connectivity. The UDAN scheme was launched in October 2016 to democratise air travel accessible to the “common citizen.” As of now, 649 out of 915 valid routes have been operationalised, connecting 92 unserved and underserved airports, but several identified airports remain non-operational due to land, technical, or regulatory hurdles.