Brazil’s agriculture ministry declared an animal health emergency in Rio Grande do Sul due to a Newcastle disease case on a poultry farm.
Newcastle disease, caused by paramyxovirus, affects birds’ respiratory, nervous, and digestive systems.
Highly contagious, it spreads through direct contact with infected birds and contaminated materials.
Symptoms include loss of appetite, coughing, and discolored wattles.
There is no treatment; prevention relies on vaccination and biosecurity.
4. Which is the 10th African country to join the United Nations Water Convention? – Ivory Coast
Short News
Awards & Honours
5. Who among the following will be honoured with the Ambassador of Indian Art and Culture Award at the 15th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) for his contribution to Indian cinema? – Ram Charan Teja
Organisations & Institutes
6. Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS), recently seen in the news, is implemented by which two organizations? – NABARD and RBI
The Union Government plans to raise the upper limit of short-term crop loans under the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS) from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh.
Implemented from Kharif 2006-07, MISS offers subsidized short-term credit to farmers and is active from 2022-23 to 2024-25.
Interest subvention is available to various banks, and the scheme is managed by NABARD and RBI.
Eligible recipients include owner cultivators, tenant farmers, and SHGs.
7. Pralay Missile, recently seen in the news, was developed by which organization? – DRDO
Armenia’s interest in India’s Pralay missile presents a significant opportunity for India.
The Pralay missile is a 350-500 km short-range, quasi-ballistic surface-to-surface missile with a 500-1,000 kg payload, developed by DRDO for defense needs.
It features solid-fuel propulsion, inertial guidance, and a DSMAC seeker for terminal guidance.
Capable of evasive maneuvers, it has various warhead options and a reduced radar signature.
Important Days & Weeks
8. Recently awards were given under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihood Mission, when was Deendayal AntyodayaYojana-National Urban Livelihood Mission launched? – 24 September, 2013
State Current Affairs
9. Which is the first state in India to launch Gross Environment Product Index (GEP Index) for environmental protection? – Uttarakhand
10. Which of the following states is the ‘Best Performing State’ under the Pradhan Mantri SVANidhi Scheme? – Madhya Pradesh
Miscellaneous
11. Adam’s Bridge, recently seen in the news, is separated by which two water bodies? – Gulf of Mannar and Palk Strait
Scientists from ISRO successfully mapped the submerged structure of Adam’s Bridge (Ram Setu), a 48 km limestone chain connecting Rameswaram Island (India) to Mannar Island (Sri Lanka).
The bridge separates the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Strait, with shallow waters of 1-10 meters.
Geological evidence indicates it was a former land connection, referenced in the Ramayana and Islamic legend, but submerged since 1480 due to natural calamities.
12. Padma Shri awardee Kamala Pujari passed away, she was related to which field? – Agriculture
13. Padma Vibhushan awardee Dr. Marthanda Varma Sankaran Vaidyanathan passed away, in which year was he awarded Padma Vibhushan? – 2005
