Prelims Focus 22nd April 2026

22/04/2026

22 2 minutes read

India as Jamun Evolution Centre

In News: According to a recent study, Syzygium (Jamun) has evolved much earlier than it has been thought, and India has been at the centre of its evolution.

Syzygium was previously thought to have a limited range of origin in Australia or Southeast Asia.
This has been challenged in recent fossil evidence of India which has dated the origin much earlier.
The presence of Syzygium paleosalicifolium in India is confirmed by newly discovered Early Miocene fossils (c. 20 million years ago) of the Kasauli Formation in Himachal Pradesh, including 11 of its leaves in good condition.
The origin of the genus is now placed in an East Gondwanan origin (~80 million years ago).
The genus was later spread to Southeast Asia and Australia with India being a primary centre of early diversification.

Fata Morgana

In News: Videos of the ships that seem to be floating more than several metres above the ocean surface have become viral on social media, reviving the scientific interest in the Fata Morgana.

Fata Morgana is a superior mirage, an optical phenomenon where the light of a remote object (a ship, coast or iceberg) is refracted by layers of air with radically dissimilar temperatures, so that the image of the object appears displaced, often much higher than its actual position.
The term is named after the Arthurian sorceress Morgan le Fay, whose folklore tales in Italian folklore told of castles and cities built on the sea.

PMGSY-III Extension

In News: The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has extended the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-III (PMGSY-III) to March 2028 with a revised total outlay of ₹83,977 crore. This extension beyond the original March 2025 deadline aims to complete 25,000 km of road upgrades and 161 long-span bridges, facilitating improved rural access to schools, hospitals, and markets.

Key Details of the PMGSY-III Extension

Extension Timeline: The scheme is extended until March 2028 for roads and bridges in plain areas and roads in hilly regions.
Hilly Areas Bridge Extension: A further extension until March 2029 is granted for bridges in hilly areas due to technical complexities.
Revised Financial Outlay: The total budget is now set at ₹83,977 crore, increased from the original ₹80,250 crore.
Un-awarded Works: Projects sanctioned before March 31, 2025, that were not yet awarded can now proceed to tendering and execution.
Key Focus: The scheme focuses on consolidating “Through Routes” and “Major Rural Links” connecting habitations to Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs), schools, and hospitals.

River Basin Management (RBM) Scheme

In News: The Union Cabinet has proposed the continuation of the River Basin Management (RBM) Scheme for 2026-27 to 2030-31 with a total outlay of ₹2,183 crore. As a Central Sector Scheme under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, it prioritizes integrated, basin-level planning, focusing on the Brahmaputra, Barak, Teesta, and Indus basins to improve flood management and sustainable water use.

Key details of the continued RBM Scheme:

Budget & Funding: The scheme is fully funded by the central government with an estimated outlay of ₹2,183 crore, a significant increase from the previous cycle’s ₹1,276 crore.
Strategic Focus: Priority is given to the North Eastern Region and the Indus basin in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh for strategic water security.
Key Techniques: The initiative uses advanced technology, including GIS, remote sensing, LiDAR, and drone-based surveys for precise planning.
Objective: To manage surface and groundwater sustainably, focusing on flood control, irrigation, and hydropower.
Implementing Agency: The National Water Development Agency (NWDA), Brahmaputra Board, and Central Water Commission (CWC) handle the implementation, focusing on 30 identified river link projects.