Chandrayaan 4 Lander Site Identified 

Context: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has identified a suitable landing site in the Moon’s south polar region for the Chandrayaan 4 mission.

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• The Union Government has approved the Chandrayaan 4 as India’s first lunar sample return mission.
• The mission is targeted for launch around 2028 and is expected to be India’s most complex lunar endeavour so far.
• The landing site is located near Mons Mouton in the Moon’s south polar region.
• Five potential locations were initially examined, out of which four were shortlisted: MM 1, MM 3, MM 4 and MM 5.
• Among them, MM 4 has been selected as the most suitable landing site.
• The south polar region is scientifically significant due to the possible presence of water-ice and volatile materials.

Selection of Landing Site

• The shortlisted sites were fully characterised using high-resolution Orbiter High Resolution Camera multi-view image datasets from Chandrayaan-2 orbiter.
• The analysis was carried out by researchers at ISRO’s Space Applications Centre (SAC).
• The Assessment focused on terrain characteristics, slope, elevation, rock distribution and landing hazards.
• The selected MM 4 site contains a one kilometre by one kilometre area with the least hazardous percentage.
• The mean slope of the site is about 5 degrees, suitable for safe soft landing.
• The mean elevation of the site is approximately 5334 metres.
• The site has the largest number of hazard-free grids measuring 24 metres by 24 metres.
• The location provides adequate sunlight for about 11–12 days to power mission instruments.
• The site enables direct radio communication with Earth and has relatively fewer large craters and boulders.
• The careful selection ensures compliance with all technical and safety constraints of the lander system.

Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD)

Context: Recently, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) initiated Phase I human clinical trials for an improved vaccine against Kyasanur Forest Disease.

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• The initiative was undertaken at the request of the Government of Karnataka due to recurring outbreaks in the region.
• The vaccine is being developed collaboratively by Indian Immunologicals Limited and ICMR–National Institute of Virology as a fully indigenous, two dose, adjuvanted inactivated vaccine to be administered 28 days apart.
• The candidate vaccine has been successfully developed following extensive laboratory research.
• The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has approved the initiation of Phase I clinical trials and further clinical phases will be conducted if safety and immunogenicity are established.

About the Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD)

• Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), popularly known as "Monkey Fever," is a tick-borne zoonotic viral haemorrhagic fever caused by the Kyasanur Forest Disease virus (KFDV), a member of the genus Flavivirus in the family Flaviviridae.
• It was first identified in 1957 in the Kyasanur Forest area of Karnataka, India.
• The disease is endemic to the Western Ghats region and causes seasonal outbreaks, mainly between January and June.
• Humans become infected primarily through the bite of infected hard ticks, especially Haemaphysalis spinigera.
• Transmission may also occur through direct contact with infected animals or handling of infected carcasses.
• Monkeys, particularly Semnopithecus entellus (Hanuman langur) and Macaca radiata (bonnet macaque), act as important amplifying hosts in the transmission cycle.

Task Force Recommends National Coach Accreditation Board

Context: India's Task Force on “Unified Framework for Development of Coaching Ecosystem in India,” led by national badminton head coach Shri Pullela Gopichand, submitted its report to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in January 2026.

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• The Task Force proposes a unified national coaching framework to standardise coach education, accreditation, and professional development in alignment with international best practices.

Key Recommendations

• Establishment of National Coach Accreditation Board (NCAB) as the apex body for coach education and accreditation.
• Creation of a Tiered National Coaching Pathway with four levels: Grassroots, Intermediate, Elite, and National Team Coach (with "Level 0" as the universal entry point).
• Introduction of a Practice–Theory–Practice model, where 78% of the 1,800-hour training focuses on hands-on experience and mentored internships.
• Launch of "TOPS for Coaches", inspired by the Target Olympic Podium Scheme, to provide financial support, international exposure, and technology access to high- performing coaches.
• Integration of the framework with NSQF and NEP 2020.
• Mandatory licensing, renewal mechanisms, and Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
• Performance-based evaluations and incentive structures

National Coach Accreditation Board (NCAB)

• NCAB as the apex authority to set national standards for coach education and accreditation, approve and monitor coaching pathways and accredit coach education institutions.
• NCAB designs a unified core curriculum across sports, oversees licensing and renewal of coaches and ensures quality assurance aligned with NSQF and NEP 2020.

Sacred Devnimori Relics of Lord Buddha Return to India

Context: The sacred Devnimori relics of Lord Buddha returned to India after their first-ever international exposition in Sri Lanka, reinforcing India–Sri Lanka Buddhist ties and India’s role in preserving global Buddhist heritage.

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• The relics were displayed at the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo from 4 to 10 February 2026 and returned on 11 February 2026.
• This mark the first international exposition of the Devnimori Relics.
• Over one million devotees paid homage during the seven-day public veneration.
• Special exhibitions titled Unearthing the Sacred Piprahwa and Sacred Relic and Cultural Engagement of Contemporary India were organised to highlight shared Buddhist heritage.
• The relics were originally discovered at Devnimori in Gujarat and are associated with India’s ancient Buddhist legacy.

Significance of the Exposition

• The event strengthened centuries-old civilisational and spiritual ties between India and Sri Lanka, rooted in Buddhism.
• It reinforced India’s position as a custodian of global Buddhist heritage.
• It enhanced people-to-people and cultural linkages between the two nations.
• The return of the relics symbolised shared faith, gratitude and mutual respect.

About the Devnimori Relics

• • The Devnimori was excavated in 1957 by archaeologist Prof. S. N. Chowdhry.
• • The relics were found within a Buddhist stupa complex in Gujarat.
• • The Casket is made up of green schist and bears the inscription "dashabala sharira nilaya," meaning the abode of Lord Buddha’s bodily relics.
• • The relics are preserved at the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda.