Why in News? With Maharashtra reporting India’s first case of avian influenza among animals, the Union Animal Husbandry Ministry sent a circular to all States.  Avian Influenza Avian influenza is another term used for bird flu. This highly contagious viral infection is caused in birds and poultry. H5N1, which first originated in Southern China in 1996, is highly pathogenic.

Rafale M is a naval version of the Rafale fighter jet which is designed specifically for carrier-based operations. During Mission CLEMENCEAU 25, the Charles de Gaulle CSG and Indian Navy will hold 42nd annual Varuna bilateral exercise.

Context: 26 Rafale-M fighter jets for the Indian Navy’s aircraft carriers, and three additional Scorpene-class conventional submarines. The two deals are expected to be put before the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) for approval. Rafale-M fighter Jets Rafale M is a naval version of the Rafale fighter jet which is designed specifically for carrier-based operations. During Mission CLEMENCEAU 25, the Charles de Gaulle CSG and Indian Navy will hold 42nd annual Varuna bilateral exercise. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) is a cabinet committee of the Government of India which discusses, debates, and is the final decision-making body on senior appointments in the national security apparatus, defence policies and expenditure, and generally all matters concerning India’s national security.

Context: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced on Sunday a $1-million prize for experts or organisations that succeeded in deciphering the scripts of the Indus Valley Civilisation for everyone to understand. The Indus Script The Indus Valley Civilisation The Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC), also called the Indus Civilisation, was a Bronze Age civilization of northwestern South Asia between 3300 and 1300 BCE, and in its mature form between 2600 and 1900 BCE. Lothal: Global Hub for Maritime Heritage

The Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC), also called the Indus Civilisation, was a Bronze Age civilization of northwestern South Asia between 3300 and 1300 BCE, and in its mature form between 2600 and 1900 BCE. The Indus Script

Context: WHO‘s Member States have endorsed global targets for improving maternal, infant and young child nutrition and are committed to monitoring progress. The Targets include addressing issues like Stunting, Anaemia, Low Birth weight and Childhood Overweight. Social Hostilities Index Report

Context: A batch of cowpea seeds — better known as lobia in Hindi or thattapayaru in Tamil — have successfully sprouted in space, days after they were taken into orbit by an Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) mission. Lobia or Thattapayaru Lobia, also known as thatta payaru or cowpea, is a leguminous crop. Lobia is primarily a Kharif crop, which means it is typically planted during the monsoon season (June-July) and harvested by the end of the monsoon or in the early post-monsoon period (around October-November). ISRO CROPS experiment on PSLV-C60 SpaDeX Mission MCQ Question Which of the following is true about the Lobia (Thatta Payaru) crop and the PSLV-C60 SpaDeX Mission? A) Lobia is a Rabi crop, grown primarily during the winter season and harvested in early summer.B) The PSLV-C60 SpaDeX Mission experimented with the germination of cowpea seeds in space, and the seeds sprouted in seven days.C) Lobia is primarily grown in the Kharif season (monsoon), and it is most commonly produced in states like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh.D) The PSLV-C60 SpaDeX Mission was a failure in testing the viability of plant growth in space.E) Lobia (Thatta Payaru) is grown mostly in summer and is harvested during the winter months. Correct Answer: C) Lobia is primarily grown in the Kharif season (monsoon), and it is most commonly produced in states like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh.

Context: The Telangana government has decided to study the impact of the Polavaram irrigation project on the State. The Polavaram Project The Polavaram Project is a multi-purpose irrigation project in Polavaram, Eluru district, Andhra Pradesh, India, being constructed on the Godavari River. It has National project status and has reservoir back water that spreads into Chhattisgarh and Odisha States.

Context: An international cruise terminal to facilitate a “global” port-led city, “high-end” tourism, and a ship-breaking yard are among the new additions to the ₹72,000-crore mega-infrastructure project in Great Nicobar Island proposed by the Union Shipping Ministry. Great Nicobar Island Great Nicobar is the southernmost and largest of the Nicobar islands in India, just north of Sumatra. It is part of India, in the Nicobar district within the union territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Nicobar Islands have been well known to Indian mariners since the date of the seafaring Cholas.