10th October 2026

Explanation - Snow Leopards are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. They inhabit alpine and subalpine zones at elevations from 3,000 to 4,500 m (9,800 to 14,800 ft). In the northern range countries, they also occur at lower elevations. Their habitat extends through twelve countries - Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. China contains as much as 60% of all snow leopard habitat areas. In India, their geographical range encompasses a large part of the western Himalayas including the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh in the eastern Himalayas. The snow leopard, like all big cats, is listed on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES), which makes trading of animal body parts (i.e., fur, bones and meat) illegal in signatory countries. It is also protected by several national laws in its range countries. Global Snow Leopard Forum, 2013 - 12 countries encompassing the snow leopard’s range (Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan). Bishkek Declaration was passed to protect the species and its environment. Global Snow Leopard and Eco-System Protection Program - It is a joint initiative of range country governments, international agencies, civil society, and the private sector. Goal — secure the long-term survival of the snow leopard in its natural ecosystem.

Explanation - Bhavanisagar Dam and Reservoir, also called Lower Bhavani Dam, is located on the Bhavani River (a major tributary of the Cauvery River) in Tamil Nadu. It is one of the world's largest earthen dams. It is a Multi-Purpose Dam. It is used to store water for irrigation, generate electricity, supply drinking water, control floods, and control the silt formation in the downstream river. The dam feeds the Lower Bhavani Project Canal and is the second largest dam in Tamil Nadu. It forms the tail end of the long river chain on the eastern side of the Western Ghats in Nilgiris.

Explanation - PRASHAST (Pre-Assessment Holistic Screening Tool) is a school-based disability screening tool. It is used for identifying children with probable disability conditions (21) covered under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016. It serves as an initial screening and referral mechanism. It is designed for use by regular teachers, special educators, counsellors, and school heads involved in the screening and support of students. Structure — PRASHAST consists of two parts — Part-1: Initial screening conducted by regular teachers. Part-2: Validation of observations and tentative identification of disability categories by special educators or counsellors. Process — Teachers should observe students for a minimum period of 1–2 months in various settings such as classrooms, playgrounds, co-curricular activities, and social interactions before recording their observations. After screening, the observations are validated through the second-level screening process. If required, the child may be referred for detailed assessment and certification by competent authorities. Significance — The initiative is part of the Ministry of Education’s continued efforts to strengthen equitable, accessible and inclusive education, in line with the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020 and the RPwD Act, 2016.

Explanation - The Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Bill, 2021, was introduced by the government in the Parliament and passed by both Houses. It has replaced the

The monitoring and management of air quality in the Delhi-NCR region has been done in pieces by multiple bodies, including the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the state pollution control boards, the state governments in the region, including Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, and the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) of the National Capital Region. They, in turn, are monitored by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests and Climate Change (MoEF), and the Supreme Court which monitors air pollution as per the judgment in ‘M C Mehta vs Union of India’ case in 1988.

The Bill, however, seeks to create an overarching body to consolidate all monitoring bodies, and to bring them on one platform so that air quality management can be carried out in a more comprehensive, efficient, and time-bound manner. The Centre also seeks to relieve the Supreme Court from having to constantly monitor pollution levels through various cases. Apart from consolidating all agencies that monitored, investigated and planned mitigation of air pollution in the region, the commission has replaced the Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) which had been running for 22 years.

Explanation - An inverted duty structure in GST occurs when the tax rate on inputs exceeds the tax rate on output. For example, in the textile industry, the input tax rate ranges from 12 to 18%, while most finished products are taxed at 5%. This implies that sellers have fewer options for offsetting the cost of input taxes. This situation might result in an accumulation of input tax credit (ITC), which can’t be used for the output tax liability. The accumulation of ITC due to unutilised ITC will have to be carried over to the next financial year until it can be utilised by the registered taxpayer for payment of output tax liability. This can result in higher tax costs for businesses and/or an increase in the hidden tax cost for consumers. To solve this issue, the GST law allows for a refund or reversal of ITC. The refund is determined using a method including the turnover of the inverted rated supply, the net ITC, and the overall turnover. Exceptions where the refund of the unutilised input tax credit cannot be claimed, are as follows: Output supplies are nil-rated or fully exempt supplies except for supplies of goods or services or both as may be notified by the Government on the recommendations of the GST Council. If the goods exported out of India are subject to export duty. If the supplier claims a refund of output tax paid under the IGST Act. If the supplier avails duty drawback or refund of IGST on such supplies.