Prelims Focus 10th September 2026

10/09/2026

35 3 minutes read

Endometriosis

In News: A first-of-its-kind study in India has found 21 regions of the genome associated with endometriosis, providing fresh insights into why some women are at higher risk.

It is estimated that 10% (190 million) of reproductive-aged women will have endometriosis in their lifetime.
Endometriosis is a condition in which normal uterine tissue (the endometrium) forms outside of the uterus, leading to inflammation and scarring.
Symptoms are: intense pain during menstruation, heavy menstruation, chronic pelvic pain, infertility, abdominal bloating, and nausea.
In most women, endometriosis affects the pelvis, but for some women it affects other parts of the body, such as the abdomen and chest.
Endometriosis can impact sexual intercourse, bowel movements and/or urination, and mental health (including depression and anxiety).
The causes of endometriosis are unknown. New studies indicate that there is an immune system imbalance in women with endometriosis.
Endometriosis is not currently curable, and the sooner it is diagnosed and treated, the sooner women can enjoy the same quality of life as they did before the condition, with an effective treatment. Access to early diagnosis and treatment for endometriosis is also limited in many settings, and treatment goals for women with endometriosis are to control symptoms and minimize long-term consequences.

Anti-smog Guns

In News: The Delhi government has sanctioned Rs 100 crore to buy 1,000 truck-mounted “anti-smog” guns to be deployed in the city during the winter season for three years.

Anti-smog guns are apparatus that spray the atmosphere with small droplets of nebulised water that capture smaller dust and contaminated particles.
The gun is attached to a water tank which is on a truck.
It is designed in a way that it is converted into a fine spray of 50-100 microns by passing through the high-pressure nozzles.

Permafrost Melting

In News: A new study estimates that by the middle of the 21st century, the effects of melting permafrost in the Arctic could cost $261 billion in infrastructure damage.

Permafrost is soil that is all the time frozen at or below 32° F (0°C) for two years or more continuously.
They are permanently frozen ground, usually found in colder areas.
These include high mountains and Earth’s higher latitudes — near the North and South poles.
It extends into approximately 24 per cent of the North and encompasses much of Alaska, Canada, and Siberia.
It consists of a mixture of soil, rocks, and sand that are bound together by ice.
The soil and ice in permafrost stay frozen all year long.

India Joins Global 6G Initiative

In News: India officially joined the United States and 24 other nations in a global initiative to guide the development and deployment of secure, competitive, and open next-generation 6G telecommunications networks. The agreement was announced by the US Department of Commerce in September 2026 following a meeting between US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and India’s Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada at the G20 Innovation Ministerial.

Key Goals of the Initiative

Security & Resilience: Ensure future 6G networks reflect shared security interests and resist cyber threats.
Open Standards: Promote open, interoperable, and trusted digital infrastructure.
Competitiveness: Boost joint technological innovation in 6G, artificial intelligence, and semiconductors.

Impact on India

Global Influence: Supports India’s goal to secure significant intellectual property and standards ownership in worldwide 6G frameworks.
Domestic Synergy: Complements national efforts like the Bharat 6G Mission and the Bharat 6G Alliance to build local research and startup capabilities.

9th Rashtriya Poshan Maah

In News: The Ministry of Women and Child Development launched the 9th Rashtriya Poshan Maah on September 9, 2026, in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh . The month-long campaign (September 9 – October 8, 2026) operates under the theme “Hamari Anganwadi Hamari Jimmedari,” focusing on community ownership of grassroots childcare facilities and holistic early childhood development.

Context & Background

Parent Scheme: Part of POSHAN Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission) launched in 2018 and anchored under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0.
Vision: Building a Suposhit Bharat (malnutrition-free India) as a core pillar for Viksit Bharat 2047.
Milestone Highlight: The launch event also commemorated 10 years of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), India’s flagship direct benefit maternity program.

Core Focus Areas

Dietary Diversity & Protein Intake: Promoting plant- and animal-based proteins and local food combinations via regional recipes and Poshan Melas.
Fresh Hot Cooked Meals (HCM): Encouraging millet and seasonal vegetable integration, supported by standardized Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) Menu Boards.
Community Ownership: Driving the operationalization of Anganwadi Management Committees (AMCs) for social auditing and transparency.
Early Childhood Care & Development (ECCD): Merging nutrition with early learning (Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi).
Institutional Governance: Utilizing real-time data tracking through digital tools like the Poshan Tracker.