22nd October 2026

Explanation - It is located in Kathmandu, Nepal. The temple lies within Kathmandu Durbar Square, part of the Kathmandu Valley UNESCO World Heritage property. It is dedicated to Goddess Taleju Bhawani, regarded as a form of Goddess Durga. The temple was constructed in the 16th century by King Mahendra Malla. The Malla dynasty, which ruled the Kathmandu Valley from the 12th to the 18th century, is deeply intertwined with the worship of Goddess Taleju Bhawani. For the general public, the temple opens its doors just once a year during Maha Navami (the ninth day of Dashain). Architecture: It is a masterpiece of Newar pagoda architecture. Key architectural features include: Three-tiered pagoda roof with elaborately carved eaves and gilded finials. 12-stage plinth representing the layers of the universe and spiritual ascent. Four main decorative gateways, each guarded by stone lions. Golden statues of the ten-armed goddess inside the inner sanctum. Elaborately carved wooden windows and torana (ornamental arches above doorways). The overall layout is modelled on the Shri Yantra, the sacred geometric diagram believed to embody the goddess herself.

Explanation - Baltic Sea is a semi-enclosed inland sea of the Atlantic Ocean, situated in Northern Europe. It is often cited as the world’s largest brackish inland water body. It is the youngest sea. Surrounding Countries: It is bordered by Sweden, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Finland, Estonia, Germany, Denmark, and Russia. Key Branches and Basin — It comprises several branches and basins, which include, from northeast to southwest, the Gulf of Bothnia, the Gulf of Finland, and the Gulf of Riga; the central-southern area known as the Baltic Proper; and the Danish straits of Kattegat and Skagerrak, which connect to the North Sea, an arm of the Atlantic Ocean. Its water salinity levels are lower than that of the world oceans due to the inflow of fresh water from the surrounding land and the sea’s shallowness.

Islands: It is home to many islands and archipelagos. Gotland, located off the coast of Sweden, is the largest island in the Baltic Sea. Issues: Algal Harmful Blooms are also one of the issues that affect the Baltic Sea.

Explanation - International Energy Agency is an autonomous intergovernmental organisation within the OECD framework. It works with governments and industry to shape a secure and sustainable energy future for all. Background — It was established in 1974, in the wake of the 1973-1974 oil crisis, to help its members respond to major oil supply disruptions, a role it continues to fulfill today. Mandate — Tracking and analysing global key energy trends, promoting sound energy policy, and fostering multinational energy technology cooperation. Focus Area — It focuses on four main areas energy security, economic development, environmental awareness, and engagement worldwide. Member Countries — It consists of 31 member countries and eleven association countries. A candidate country to the IEA must be a member country of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). India joined this organisation in 2017 as an Associate member. Reports published by IEA — World Energy Outlook, World Energy Balances, Energy Technology Perspectives, World Energy Statistics and Net Zero by 2050. Headquarters — Paris, France.

Explanation - Reliance Industries' Jamnagar Refinery: Key Facts - Scale and Capacity — World’s largest single-site oil-refining complex. Combined crude-processing capacity: 1.4 million barrels per day (bpd) — nearly 1.5% of global refining capacity. Two-Refinery Structure — Original refinery — commissioned 1999; capacity 660,000 bpd. Second, export-oriented refinery — commissioned 2008; adds 580,000 bpd; operates within a Special Economic Zone (SEZ). Imports crude internationally and exports refined products to global markets. Technical Strength — Capable of processing heavy, sulphur-rich crude that many other refineries cannot handle efficiently — converting it into higher-value products. Has processed over 216 crude grades, a feat Reliance claims “perhaps” no other refinery has matched.

Explanation - Article 341 empowers the President to specify Scheduled Castes for each State/UT; under Article 341(2), Parliament may by law include or exclude communities from the list. Paragraph 3 of the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 restricts SC status to persons professing Hinduism, Sikhism or Buddhism — Jainism and Christianity are not included. Conversion to Islam or Christianity does not preserve SC status merely on the basis of former caste identity. Backward-class identification under Articles 15(4)/16(4)/342A is not confined to Hindu caste identities; non-Hindu communities may qualify if they meet the relevant constitutional criteria. Article 342A, read with the 105th Constitutional Amendment, recognises States' authority to maintain their own backward-class lists for State purposes.