A snapshot of the ten stories that mattered on May 25, 2026 — from the Quad foreign ministers’ Delhi meeting and the conclusion of US Secretary Rubio’s visit, to CSE’s State of India’s Environment 2026, the IMF’s GDP rankings, World Thyroid Day, International Missing Children’s Day, and the IUCN Red List update on Open Natural Ecosystem birds. Each item is structured for direct UPSC use — Why in News, Background, Key Facts, UPSC Angle, and a mini Facts Corner — ending with a consolidated Knowledgepedia.

1. Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting — Delhi, May 26, 2026 (Final Preview)

Why in News: External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar will host his Quad counterparts — US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi — in New Delhi on May 26, 2026, the first Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting hosted by India since 2023 and a curtain-raiser to the Quad Leaders’ Summit to be held in India later in 2026.

Background

The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) — India, USA, Japan and Australia — was first proposed by Japanese PM Shinzo Abe in 2007, lay dormant after Australia’s exit in 2008, and was revived in November 2017 in Manila on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit. It was elevated to Foreign Ministers’ level in September 2019 (UNGA, New York) and to Leaders’ Summit level in March 2021 (virtual). India hosted the last Quad FM meeting in March 2023.

Key Facts

  • Outcome document themes (expected):
    • Quad Critical Minerals Initiative — launched at Washington Quad FM Meeting, July 1, 2025; aims to diversify processing capacity away from China, which currently processes >90 % of global rare earths.
    • South China Sea & Freedom of Navigation — reaffirmation of UNCLOS 1982 and 2016 PCA Award.
    • Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) — launched Tokyo Summit, May 24, 2022; expansion to Indian Ocean region.
    • Quad Cancer Moonshot — launched Wilmington Summit, September 21, 2024, with focus on cervical cancer in Indo-Pacific.
    • Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI) — semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, telecom.
  • India’s critical minerals push:
    • KABIL (Khanij Bidesh India Limited) — a joint venture of NALCO + HCL + MECL in the ratio 40 : 30 : 30, incorporated August 2019.
    • National Critical Mineral Mission approved January 29, 2025; 30 minerals listed in 2023.
  • Quad Working Groups: Critical & Emerging Technologies, Climate, Cybersecurity, Space, Health Security, Infrastructure, STEM Fellowships, Counter-Terrorism.

UPSC Angle

  • GS2 — IR: India’s Indo-Pacific strategy, balancing Quad with BRICS/SCO; minilateralism vs multilateralism.
  • GS3 — Internal Security & Economy: Supply-chain de-risking, rare earths, dual-use technology.
  • Mains hook (2024): “Quad has shifted from a security dialogue to a public-goods provider in the Indo-Pacific. Examine.”

📌 Facts Corner — Quad: Members 4 (India, USA, Japan, Australia) · Revived November 2017 Manila · First Summit March 12, 2021 (virtual) · First in-person Summit September 24, 2021 (Washington) · Tokyo Summit May 24, 2022 · Wilmington Summit September 21, 2024 · IPMDA launch May 2022 · Cancer Moonshot September 2024 · Critical Minerals Initiative July 2025 · India to host Leaders’ Summit 2026.

2. Rubio India Visit Concludes — Mission 500 & TRUST Reaffirmed

Why in News: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio concluded his four-day India visit (May 22–25, 2026) on the eve of the Quad FM meeting. He delivered a White House invitation to PM Modi and reaffirmed Mission 500 — the goal to take bilateral trade to USD 500 billion by 2030.

Background

  • India–US Strategic Partnership — declared during PM Manmohan Singh’s Washington visit, July 18, 2005.
  • Civil Nuclear Deal / 123 Agreement — signed October 10, 2008; operationalised after NSG waiver September 2008.
  • Major Defence Partner (MDP) status to India — December 8, 2016.
  • Strategic Trade Authorization-1 (STA-1) — granted July 30, 2018 (India is one of 3 countries from Asia with STA-1).
  • iCET (Initiative on Critical & Emerging Technology) — announced May 2022 (Quad Tokyo), operationalised January 31, 2023.
  • TRUST (Transforming Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology) — launched at the Modi–Trump joint statement, February 13, 2025.
  • Mission 500 — announced February 13, 2025 — target USD 500 bn bilateral trade by 2030.

Key Facts

  • Current bilateral trade (FY25): ~USD 190 billion (goods + services) — USA is India’s largest trading partner.
  • Defence trade since 2008: ~USD 25 billion (from <USD 1 bn in 2008).
  • GE F-414 engine deal: ToT of 80 % for the indigenous Tejas Mk-2; original MoU June 2023, contract under finalisation.
  • Tariff context: Trump 2.0 reciprocal-tariff framework announced April 2, 2025; the 25 % reciprocal duty on India took effect August 7, 2025, and an additional 25 % “Russian-oil penalty” (Executive Order August 6, 2025) took effect August 27, 2025, stacking the cumulative duty to 50 %; negotiations under bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) ongoing.
  • Visit deliverables (reported):
    • In-principle agreement on first tranche of BTA (zero-for-zero on selected goods).
    • Co-production of armoured vehicles, undersea cables and AI compute infrastructure under TRUST.
    • INDUS-X innovation bridge — Phase II.

UPSC Angle

  • GS2: India–US relations; multi-alignment; strategic autonomy; defence trade.
  • GS3: Tariffs and WTO compatibility; semiconductor & critical-tech supply chains; rupee–dollar effects.

📌 Facts Corner — India-US: Strategic Partnership 2005 · 123 Agreement 2008 · MDP Dec 8, 2016 · LEMOA Aug 2016 · COMCASA Sept 2018 · BECA Oct 2020 · STA-1 July 30, 2018 · iCET Jan 31, 2023 · TRUST Feb 13, 2025 · Mission 500 (USD 500 bn by 2030).

3. CSE — State of India’s Environment 2026: Seven Planetary Boundaries Breached

Why in News: The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), New Delhi, released its annual flagship publication State of India’s Environment (SoE) 2026 in late May. It warns that seven of nine planetary boundaries have now been breached, with ocean acidification newly crossed in the 2025 update of the framework.

Background

  • Planetary Boundaries framework — proposed by Swedish scientist Johan Rockström and 28 colleagues at the Stockholm Resilience Centre in 2009, published in Nature. The framework identifies 9 boundaries: climate change, biosphere integrity, land-system change, freshwater use, biogeochemical flows (N & P), ocean acidification, atmospheric aerosol loading, stratospheric ozone depletion, novel entities (chemicals/plastics).
  • CSE — founded 1980 by Anil Agarwal; current Director-General Sunita Narain. SoE has been published since 1982 (“The First Citizens’ Report”).

Key Facts

  • 7 of 9 planetary boundaries breached as of 2025-26 assessment; ocean acidification is the newest to cross the safe operating limit.
  • India 2025 extreme-weather burden: Extreme weather events recorded on 99 % of days; 4,419 weather-related deaths (CSE data).
  • Biodiversity: Lantana camara (invasive shrub native to Central & South America) has invaded ~50 % of India’s forest and scrubland.
  • Species extinction rate: ~100x natural background rate.
  • Air & water: PM2.5 levels exceed WHO guideline by 6–10× in most Indian cities; ~70 % of surface water sources contaminated.
  • Policy gap flagged: India’s National Adaptation Plan still pending finalisation; Loss & Damage finance flows below promised levels.

UPSC Angle

  • GS3 — Environment: Planetary boundaries, climate adaptation, IAS (invasive alien species), CBD/IPBES.
  • GS1 — Geography: Disaster vulnerability; monsoon variability.

📌 Facts Corner — Planetary Boundaries: Framework — Johan Rockström + 28, Stockholm Resilience Centre, 2009, Nature · 9 boundaries · 7 now breached (climate, biosphere integrity, land use, freshwater, N & P flows, novel entities, ocean acidification) · CSE founded 1980 by Anil Agarwal · DG Sunita Narain · SoE published since 1982.

4. World Thyroid Day — May 25, 2026

Why in News: World Thyroid Day is observed on May 25 every year to raise awareness of thyroid disorders. The day commemorates the founding of the European Thyroid Association (ETA) on May 25, 1965, and has been observed globally since 2007 by Thyroid Federation International (TFI).

Background

  • Thyroid gland — butterfly-shaped endocrine gland in the neck; secretes T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine); regulated by TSH from the anterior pituitary.
  • Iodine is essential for thyroid hormone synthesis; daily requirement: 100–150 μg for adults, 200 μg pregnant women.
  • NIDDCP (National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Programme) — launched 1992, renamed from National Goitre Control Programme (NGCP, 1962).

Key Facts

  • India has an estimated ~42 million thyroid-disorder patients.
  • Hypothyroidism prevalence: ~11 % (1 in 10 adults).
  • Women are 3–5x more affected than men.
  • Universal Salt Iodisation (USI) — made mandatory in India in 1997 (briefly de-notified 2000, re-notified 2005).
  • Iodised salt must contain minimum 15 ppm iodine at consumer level.
  • NFHS-5 (2019-21): 94 % of Indian households consume adequately iodised salt.
  • Treatment: Levothyroxine is the standard treatment for hypothyroidism.
  • Goitre Belt (Sub-Himalayan): J&K, Himachal, Uttarakhand, UP terai, Bihar, Northeast — historically high IDD prevalence.

UPSC Angle

  • GS2 — Health: NCDs, micronutrient deficiency, NIDDCP, USI policy.
  • GS3 — S&T: Endocrine system, public health nutrition.

📌 Facts Corner — Thyroid & IDD: World Thyroid Day May 25 (since 2007 TFI) · ETA founded May 25, 1965 · India ~42 mn patients · Hypothyroidism ~11 % · NIDDCP 1992 (NGCP 1962) · USI mandatory 1997 · Iodised salt min 15 ppm · NFHS-5 USI coverage 94 % · Treatment: levothyroxine.

5. International Missing Children’s Day — May 25

Why in News: International Missing Children’s Day is observed on May 25 every year — origin: Etan Patz disappearance on May 25, 1979 in New York City. Symbol: the forget-me-not flower. India also observes this day with renewed focus on TrackChild, Khoya-Paya and a recent Supreme Court directive (May 22, 2026) mandating FIR registration in every missing-child case.

Background

  • Observed in the United States since 1983 (proclaimed by President Reagan); globally from 2001 through the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC) in collaboration with EU.
  • NCRB Crime in India 2022 report: ~83,350 children reported missing; ~60 % were girls.
  • Childline 1098 — toll-free helpline for children in distress.

Key Facts

  • Digital tracking platforms in India:
    • TrackChild — Ministry of Women & Child Development (launched 2012).
    • Khoya-Paya — Citizens’ portal launched June 2015 by MoWCD + MeitY.
    • ZIPNET (Zonal Integrated Police Network) — Delhi-NCR + Northern states.
    • CCTNS (Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems) — launched 2009, MHA flagship.
  • Operation Smile (one-month MHA campaign across all States/UTs in January 2015, based on Ghaziabad Police’s 2014 pilot) and Operation Muskaan (adopted at the national level by MHA in July 2015) — annual drives for the rescue of trafficked/missing children.
  • NCPCR (National Commission for Protection of Child Rights) — statutory body under the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act, 2005; established March 2007.
  • UNCRC — adopted November 20, 1989; India ratified December 11, 1992.
  • Palermo Protocol on Trafficking — adopted 2000; India ratified 2011.
  • Mission Vatsalya — restructured from ICPS (2009) in 2022; umbrella scheme for child protection.
  • SC Directive (May 22, 2026): Mandatory FIR registration in every missing-child case; presumption of trafficking until proven otherwise.

UPSC Angle

  • GS1 — Society: Child rights, trafficking, gender dimension.
  • GS2 — Polity: NCPCR architecture, statutory bodies, child-protection legislation.

📌 Facts Corner — Missing Children: Day May 25 (Etan Patz, 1979) · Symbol forget-me-not · ICMEC global lead from 2001 · NCRB 2022 — ~83,350 missing, 60 % girls · TrackChild 2012 (MoWCD) · Khoya-Paya June 2015 · NCPCR — CPCR Act 2005, est. 2007 · Mission Vatsalya 2022 (from ICPS 2009) · UNCRC 1989, India ratified 1992 · Childline 1098.

6. IUCN Red List Update — Four Indian Open Natural Ecosystem Birds Uplisted

Why in News: The latest IUCN Red List update (released October 10, 2025 at the IUCN World Conservation Congress, Abu Dhabi; re-surfacing in May 2026 alongside CSE’s State of India’s Environment 2026) reassessed 12 Indian species — 4 uplisted and 8 downlisted. The four uplisted are all Open Natural Ecosystem (ONE) birds: Indian Courser, Indian Roller and Rufous-tailed Lark moved from Least Concern to Near Threatened, and the Long-billed Grasshopper-warbler to Endangered.

Background

  • IUCN — International Union for Conservation of Nature; founded 1948 at Fontainebleau, France; HQ Gland, Switzerland; the world’s first global environmental union.
  • IUCN Red List — established 1964; the most comprehensive inventory of global conservation status of species.
  • 9 Red List categories: Extinct (EX), Extinct in the Wild (EW), Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN), Vulnerable (VU), Near Threatened (NT), Least Concern (LC), Data Deficient (DD), Not Evaluated (NE).
  • Open Natural Ecosystems (ONEs) — grasslands, savannas, scrub, ravines, semi-arid landscapes — cover ~10 % of India’s land area but were misclassified as “wastelands” under colonial-era revenue classification (Wasteland Atlas of India, ISRO/DoLR).

Key Facts

  • The 4 uplisted ONE birds (latest update): Indian Courser (Cursorius coromandelicus) → Near Threatened; Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis) → Near Threatened; Rufous-tailed Lark (Ammomanes phoenicura) → Near Threatened; Long-billed Grasshopper-warbler (Locustella major) → Endangered.
  • India’s existing Critically Endangered ONE birds (status unchanged): Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) — CR, < 150 in the wild, mostly Rajasthan (Desert National Park) and Gujarat (Kutch), state bird of Rajasthan; Bengal Florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis) — CR, Terai grasslands (UP, Assam, Arunachal); Lesser Florican (Sypheotides indicus) — CR, < 750 individuals, Rajasthan, Gujarat, MP.
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972: GIB, Bengal Florican and Lesser Florican are in Schedule I.
  • Project Great Indian Bustard: Launched 2013, implementing agency Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun; conservation breeding centre at Sam, Jaisalmer; first GIB chick hatched June 2019 (Sudasari).
  • Power-line mitigation: Supreme Court order April 19, 2021 mandated undergrounding of power lines in GIB habitat; modified March 21, 2024.
  • Recent downlistings (improving): Tiger (EN), Indian rhinoceros (VU), Asiatic lion (EN→VU candidates in earlier rounds).

UPSC Angle

  • GS3 — Environment & Biodiversity: Red List categories; ONEs vs forests; CITES, CBD, CMS linkages.
  • Prelims tip: Memorise the order of 9 IUCN categories and current Indian CR species.

📌 Facts Corner — IUCN & ONEs: IUCN founded 1948 Fontainebleau · HQ Gland Switzerland · Red List established 1964 · 9 categories (EX, EW, CR, EN, VU, NT, LC, DD, NE) · Latest update Oct 10, 2025, IUCN World Conservation Congress, Abu Dhabi · 4 Indian ONE birds uplisted: Indian Courser, Indian Roller, Rufous-tailed Lark → NT; Long-billed Grasshopper-warbler → EN · GIB <150, CR, Schedule I, state bird of Rajasthan · Project GIB 2013, WII Dehradun · First chick June 2019, Sam Jaisalmer · ONEs ~10 % of India; misclassified as wastelands.

7. Southwest Monsoon Onset — May 26 Forecast

Why in News: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast the Southwest Monsoon (SWM) onset over Kerala on May 26, 2026 (±4 days) — five days ahead of the normal onset date of June 1.

Background

  • IMD — founded 1875 (HQ Shimla initially, now New Delhi); functions under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
  • Normal onset over Kerala: June 1; over Mumbai June 10; over Delhi June 27; full coverage by July 8.
  • Long Period Average (LPA): ~87 cm of June–September rainfall (baseline 1971–2020, revised in 2022 from the earlier 1961-2010 88.6 cm baseline).

Key Facts

  • 2026 onset forecast: Kerala — May 26 ± 4 days.
  • Andaman & Nicobar: SWM advanced into the islands ~6 days early.
  • IMD seasonal forecast 2026: 92 % of LPA — “below normal” category.
  • Heatwave thresholds (plains):
    • Heatwave: Tmax ≥ 40 °C and departure ≥ 4.5 °C from normal.
    • Severe heatwave: departure ≥ 6.5 °C.
  • Monsoon mechanism: ITCZ northward migration; Mascarene High; Somali Jet; Tibetan High; Madden-Julian Oscillation; ENSO & IOD modulation.

UPSC Angle

  • GS1 — Geography: Monsoon mechanism, ENSO/IOD, climate change impact on monsoon.
  • GS3 — Disaster Management: Flood-drought duality.

📌 Facts Corner — Monsoon: Normal Kerala onset June 1 · LPA 87 cm (1971-2020) · IMD founded 1875, MoES · Severe heatwave departure ≥6.5 °C · ENSO (El Niño-Southern Oscillation) · IOD (Indian Ocean Dipole, identified by Saji et al. 1999).

8. NEET-UG 2026 Re-Exam + CBT Transition from 2027

Why in News: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced on May 25 that NEET-UG 2026 re-examination will be held on June 21, 2026 with 15 extra minutes for candidates. Transition to Computer-Based Testing (CBT) is confirmed from the 2027 cycle.

Background

  • NEET-UG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test — Undergraduate) — the single common entrance for MBBS/BDS/AYUSH admissions in India.
  • NTA (National Testing Agency) — established November 2017 under the Ministry of Education (then MHRD) as an autonomous body; conducts NEET, JEE, CUET, UGC-NET.
  • NMC Act 2019 — replaced the Medical Council of India (MCI) with the National Medical Commission (NMC) in September 2020.

Key Facts

  • NEET-UG 2026 was conducted on May 3, 2026; cancelled on May 12, 2026 after paper-leak allegations.
  • Re-exam: June 21, 2026 with 15 extra minutes.
  • From 2027: Full CBT mode confirmed by Ministry of Education.
  • Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 — passed February 2024; covers all central recruitment & entrance exams; penalties: 3–10 years jail + ₹10 lakh–₹1 crore fine.
  • Radhakrishnan Committee (2024) — recommended CBT shift and multi-stage testing.

UPSC Angle

  • GS2 — Governance: Examination integrity, regulators (NMC, NTA), public exam Act 2024.
  • Ethics (GS4): Examination malpractice; trust in institutions.

📌 Facts Corner — NEET & NTA: NTA est. November 2017 (autonomous, Ministry of Education) · NMC Act 2019, NMC operational 2020, replaced MCI 1934 · Public Examinations Act 2024 — 3-10 yrs + ₹10 L-1 Cr · NEET-UG cancelled May 12, 2026; re-exam June 21, 2026; CBT from 2027.

9. Mount Everest 2026 — Two Indian Climbers Die; Kami Rita’s 32nd Summit

Why in News: Two Indian climbers — Sandeep Are and Arun Kumar Tiwari — died on Mount Everest during the 2026 climbing season. Veteran Nepali Sherpa Kami Rita Sherpa made his 32nd successful Everest summit — a world record.

Background

  • Mount Everest — height 8,848.86 m (revised jointly by Nepal and China, December 8, 2020; earlier accepted 8,848 m / 29,029 ft).
  • Located on the Nepal–China (Tibet) border in the Mahalangur Himal; first summited by Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary on May 29, 1953 via South Col route.
  • Hillary Step — ~12 m rock face at ~8,790 m; partially collapsed in 2015 Gorkha earthquake.

Key Facts

  • 2026 season permits: Nepal issued 478 permits, earning ~USD 5 million.
  • India is the third-largest national contingent with 61 permits.
  • Permit fee: USD 11,000 — being raised to USD 15,000 from September 2025 (notified February 2025).
  • Kami Rita Sherpa: Born 1970, Thame village; 32 summits (May 2026) — world record.
  • Death zone: above 8,000 m; oxygen at ~⅓ of sea-level concentration.
  • Indian summiteer firsts: Avtar Singh Cheema (1965 first Indian), Bachendri Pal (1984 first Indian woman), Arunima Sinha (2013 first amputee woman).

UPSC Angle

  • GS1 — Geography: Himalayan ranges, Mahalangur Himal, glacier dynamics.
  • GS3 — Environment: Climate-change risks to high-altitude mountaineering; over-crowding of Everest as a regulatory issue.

📌 Facts Corner — Everest: Height 8,848.86 m (revised Dec 8, 2020 by Nepal-China) · First summit May 29, 1953 (Hillary-Tenzing) · Hillary Step ~8,790 m · Permit fee USD 11,000 (rising to 15,000 from Sept 2025) · Kami Rita Sherpa — 32 summits (May 2026 world record) · India — 61 permits in 2026 (3rd largest contingent) · Death zone >8,000 m.

📌 Master Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia (May 25, 2026)

Quad — Members: India, USA, Japan, Australia · Revived Nov 2017 Manila · First Summit Mar 12, 2021 (virtual) · IPMDA May 24, 2022 Tokyo · Wilmington Summit Sept 21, 2024 · Critical Minerals Initiative July 1, 2025 Washington · India hosts Leaders’ Summit 2026 · KABIL = NALCO + HCL + MECL (40:30:30) · China processes >90 % global rare earths.

India–US — Strategic Partnership 2005 · 123 Agreement 2008 · LEMOA 2016 · MDP Dec 8, 2016 · COMCASA 2018 · STA-1 July 30, 2018 · BECA Oct 2020 · iCET Jan 31, 2023 · TRUST Feb 13, 2025 · Mission 500 — USD 500 bn by 2030 · Current trade ~USD 190 bn (FY25) · Defence trade ~USD 25 bn since 2008.

Planetary Boundaries — Johan Rockström + 28, Stockholm Resilience Centre, 2009, Nature · 9 boundaries · 7 now breached · CSE founded 1980 by Anil Agarwal, DG Sunita Narain · SoE since 1982 · Lantana camara invades ~50 % of India’s forest/scrubland.

IMF & GDP — IMF est. 1944 Bretton Woods, HQ Washington DC, 191 members · MD Kristalina Georgieva · WEO twice yearly · India PPP 3rd, Nominal 6th (April 2026) · GDP base revised 2011-12 → 2022-23 (Feb 2026) · FY25 real growth 6.5 % (NSO).

Thyroid & IDD — World Thyroid Day May 25 (since 2007 TFI) · ETA founded May 25, 1965 · India ~42 mn patients · Hypothyroidism ~11 %; women 3-5x · NIDDCP 1992 (NGCP 1962) · USI mandatory 1997 · Iodised salt min 15 ppm · NFHS-5 USI 94 % · Levothyroxine = treatment.

Missing Children — Day May 25 (Etan Patz, May 25, 1979) · Forget-me-not symbol · ICMEC global 2001 · NCRB 2022 — ~83,350 missing, 60 % girls · TrackChild 2012 · Khoya-Paya June 2015 · Operation Smile MHA Jan 2015 · Operation Muskaan MHA July 2015 · NCPCR — CPCR Act 2005, est. March 5, 2007 · Mission Vatsalya 2022 · UNCRC 1989 (India 1992) · Palermo 2000 (India 2011) · Childline 1098.

IUCN — Founded 1948 Fontainebleau · HQ Gland Switzerland · Red List est. 1964 · 9 categories (EX, EW, CR, EN, VU, NT, LC, DD, NE) · Latest update Oct 10, 2025, Abu Dhabi WCC · 4 ONE birds uplisted (Indian Courser, Indian Roller, Rufous-tailed Lark → NT; Long-billed Grasshopper-warbler → EN) · GIB <150, CR, Schedule I, state bird Rajasthan · Project GIB 2013, WII Dehradun · First chick June 2019 Sam Jaisalmer · ONEs ~10 % India, misclassified as wastelands.

Monsoon & IMD — IMD founded 1875, MoES · Normal Kerala onset June 1 · 2026 forecast May 26 ±4 · LPA 87 cm (1971-2020 baseline) · 2026 seasonal forecast 92 % LPA · Severe heatwave departure ≥6.5 °C.

NEET & NTA — NTA est. Nov 2017 (Ministry of Education) · NEET-UG 2026 cancelled May 12, re-exam June 21 · CBT from 2027 · NMC Act 2019, NMC operational 2020 (replaced MCI 1934) · Public Examinations Act 2024 — 3-10 yrs + ₹10 L-1 Cr · Radhakrishnan Committee 2024.

Everest — Height 8,848.86 m (Nepal-China Dec 8, 2020) · First summit May 29, 1953 (Hillary-Tenzing) · Hillary Step ~8,790 m · 2026 permits 478 (USD 5 mn) · India 61 permits (3rd) · Permit fee USD 11,000 → 15,000 (Sept 2025) · Kami Rita Sherpa 32 summits (May 2026) · Death zone >8,000 m.

Sources: The Hindu, Indian Express, PIB, IMF WEO, IUCN Red List, CSE — Down to Earth, IMD, NTA.