Current Affairs 17 March 2026
IndiaAI Mission
- Launched: 2024 by the MeitY
- Aim: To foster AI innovation by democratizing computing access, enhancing data quality, and developing indigenous AI capabilities.
- Implementing agency:IndiaAI, an Independent Business Division (IBD), under MeitY.
- 7 pillars: IndiaAI Innovation Centre, IndiaAI compute capacity, IndiaAI FutureSkills etc.
- Duration: 5 years
Child Adoption Regulations in India
- Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Women and Child Development
- Primary legislations: JJ ACT,2015 and Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956
- The Guardians and Wards Act, 1890 governs guardianship, particularly for Muslims and Christians, as their personal laws do not recognise full adoption.
- Agencies established under JJ ACT:
- National level: CARA as nodal body for-
- In-country (domestic) adoption and
- Inter-country (international) adoption in accordance with provisions of Hague Convention on Inter-country Adoption, 1993 (Ratified by India in 2003).
Afghanistan (Kabul)
- Political Features
- A landlocked mountainous country in Southern Asia.
- Often referred to as “Gateway to Asia”.
- Land Boundaries: India (northeast), Pakistan (east and south), Iran (west) Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan (north) and China (northeast).
- Geographical Features
- Major rivers: Amu Darya, Helmand River, Kabul River
- Highest Point: Mt. Nowshak
- Mountain ranges: Hindu Kush, Pamir Mountains in the northeast and Safed Koh range in the south.
- Major Minerals: Coal, iron ore, copper, Uranium etc.
Tribal Arts Displayed
- Warli Painting (Maharashtra)
- It has a GI tag and uses geometric shapes and rice paste on mud walls
- Themes: Nature, farming, rituals (Tarpa dance)
- Rabha & Tamang Masks (Assam, Bengal, Himalayan region)
- Used in ritual dances and folk theatre
- Made from wood, bamboo, clay, gourds
- Themes: Deities, spirits, mythological beings
- Gond Painting (Madhya Pradesh)
- It is GI-tagged and known for intricate dots and line patterns.
- Themes: Animals, folklore, ecology
- Bhil Painting (Central India)
- Characterised by thousands of dots (pointillism style)
- Themes: Nature, deities, daily life
Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary
- Location: Megamalai, Theni district, Tamil Nadu.
- Situated near Tamil Nadu–Kerala border, acts as a buffer zone for Periyar Tiger Reserve.
- Also, an Eco- sensitive Zone
- Share boundaries with: Srivilliputhur Grizzled Squirrel Sanctuary (TN) and Periyar Tiger Reserve (Kerala).
- Part of: Srivilliputhur Megamalai Tiger Reserve (SMTR)
- Rivers: Vaigai, Suruliyaru, Shanmuganathi.
- Fauna: Elephants, tigers, leopards, Nilgiri tahr, sambar deer, Nilgiri langur, lion-tailed macaque, common langur, sloth bear, lying squirrel, etc.
Suryavamsi Gajapati Dynasty (Odisha)
- Succeeded: Eastern Ganga dynasty (weakened by mid-14th century political instability).
- Rulers of this dynasty claimed descent from Suryavamsa (Solar dynasty) of Lord Rama for legitimacy.
- The Title Gajapati (“Lord of Elephants”) was earned due to the large elephant corps in their army.
- Founder: Kapilendradeva (1435–1467 CE), overthrew the last Ganga king Bhanu Deva IV.
- Prominent Rulers: Purusottamadeva, Prataprudradeva, etc.
- Capital: Cuttack (Abhinava Varanasi Kataka)
- Ministerial Council: Amatyas – Ministers; Sandhivigrahi – War & Peace; Sena-narendra – Army Chief; Rautaraya – Army Captain; Pariksha – Treasury Secretary; others for seals, temple accounts, etc.
Operation Sankalp
- Launched: 19 June 2019
- Objective: Ensure safe passage of Indian-flag vessels and protect India’s maritime trade and energy supply lines
- Area of Operation: Strait of Hormuz, Persian Gulf region
- Strategic importance: ~20% of global oil trade passes through Strait of Hormuz and critical for India’s energy security.