25th August 2026

Explanation - India is the natural home of the largest population of Asian elephants. It is also found in Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Myanmar. It usually resides in shrublands, artificial/terrestrial forests and grasslands. It is listed as ‘Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List of threatened species. It is also listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The earliest indications of captive use of Asian elephants are engravings on seals of the Indus Valley Civilisation dated to the 3rd millennium BC.

Explanation - It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for the holistic growth of the horticulture sector covering fruits, vegetables, root & tuber crops, mushrooms, spices, flowers, aromatic plants, coconut, cashew, cocoa and bamboo. Under MIDH, the Government of India (GOI) contributes 60%, of the total outlay for developmental programmes in all the states except states in the North East and the Himalayas, and 40% share is contributed by State Governments. In the case of North Eastern States and Himalayan States, GOI contributes 90%. In the case of the National Horticulture Board (NHB), Coconut Development Board (CDB), Central Institute for Horticulture (CIH), Nagaland and the National Level Agencies (NLA), GOI contributes 100%.

Explanation - The National Horticulture Board (NHB) is an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. It supports the development of commercial horticulture and related post-harvest infrastructure. One of its schemes, Development of Commercial Horticulture through Production and Post-Harvest Management of Horticulture Crops, provides financial assistance for large-scale commercial cultivation of horticultural crops. The scheme covers crops such as capsicum, cucumber and tomato, along with flowers including rose, lilium and chrysanthemum. Under the earlier guidelines, financial assistance could cover up to 50% of project cost, subject to a maximum subsidy of Rs. 1 crore per family.

Explanation - Ribociclib is an anticancer medicine used in combination with other medicines to treat certain types of breast cancer. It belongs to a group of drugs called CDK 4/6 (cyclin-dependent kinase) inhibitors. These drugs block the action of kinase, which is a protein that helps cells to grow and divide. This stops the growth and spread of cancer. It is a treatment for breast cancer that has — spread to another part of the body (advanced or metastatic breast cancer) spread to the area and structures surrounding the breast, such as nearby lymph nodes, muscle, and skin, but not to other parts of the body (locally advanced breast cancer) Ribociclib is always given alongside a hormone therapy drug to treat breast cancer. Since the growth of normal cells may also be affected by the medicine, other unwanted effects will also occur. Some of these may be serious and must be reported to your doctor.

Explanation - Guruvayur Sree Krishna Swamy Temple, also known as the Dwarka of the South, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and the young form of Lord Krishna. It is located in the small town of Guruvayur, in the Thrissur District of Kerala. The earliest temple records date back to the 17th century, but other literary texts and legends indicate that the temple may be around 5000 years old.

Features —

• Lord Krishna, or Guruvayoorappan, is the chief deity of this temple.
• The temple is built in the traditional Kerala architectural style.
• The central shrine is believed to have been rebuilt in 1638 C.E.
• Structures like the Nalambalam (temple structure surrounding the sanctum sanctorum), Balikkal (sacrificial stone), and Deepasthambham (pillar of lights) are situated on the temple premises.
• The wall of the sanctum sanctorum is decked with ancient 17th-century murals.
• Another famous sight here is the Dwajasthambam. It is a flagstaff, around 70 feet tall, fully covered with gold.
• One of the most popular offerings at Guruvayoor temple is Thulabharam, where devotees are weighed against bananas, sugar, jaggery, and coconuts equivalent to their weight on a giant pair of scales.
• The temple is also noted for being home to a large population of captive male Asian elephants.
• The Punnathur Kotta elephant sanctuary, where 56 elephants live, is very close to the temple.