Prelims Focus 24th September 2026

World Rhino Day

In News: World Rhino Day is observed globally on September 22 every year to raise awareness for the protection and conservation of the world’s five remaining rhinoceros species. 

Key Details of World Rhino Day

• Date: September 22 annually. 
• 2026 Theme: “Keep the Five Alive,” which highlights protecting natural habitats, stopping poaching, and ending the illegal trade of rhino horns. 
• The Five Species: Greater one-horned (Indian) rhino, White rhino, Black rhino, Javan rhino, and Sumatran rhino. 
• Global Population: Fewer than 27,000 rhinos remain in the wild today compared to nearly 500,000 a century ago. 
• India’s Focus: India celebrates the day by highlighting conservation triumphs like the recovery of the greater one-horned rhinoceros in Assam and other parts of Northeast India.

IMEI tampering

In News: IMEI tampering is an illegal act of intentionally changing, altering, or removing a mobile device’s unique 15-digit International Mobile Equipment Identity number. 

What is IMEI Tampering?

• Definition: Changing or cloning the unique 15-digit code that identifies a phone on a mobile network. 
• The Law: Under Section 42(3)(c) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023, altering or possessing tools to change an IMEI number is illegal. 
• Penalties: Violations can lead to up to three years in prison, a fine of up to ₹50 lakh, or both. These offenses are cognizable and non-bailable. 

How to Check and Protect Your Device

• Find your IMEI: Dial *#06# on your phone. 
• Verify authenticity: Use the government’s Sanchar Saathi (CEIR) Portal or send an SMS with KYM <15-digit IMEI> to 14422. 
• Safe practices: Buy phones only from authorized sellers and get repairs done at official service centers. 

National Single Window System

In News: National Single Window System (NSWS) recently marked its 5th year.

• National Single Window System (NSWS) was launched in 2021 and is implemented by the Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry. 
• It brings together approvals issued by Central Ministries, State Governments and regulatory bodies to a single digital platform.  
• It provides a single window for investors to identify, apply and track approvals. 
• It features the following major features: Know Your Approvals, Common Registration Form, Applicant Dashboard, Document Repository and E-Communication Module. 

Exercise Tarang Shakti 

In News: TARANG SHAKTI 2026 is the second edition of the Indian Air Force’s multinational air exercise that will be held at Air Force Station, Jodhpur, and nearby air bases.

• The objective of the exercise is to introduce everyone involved in the exercise to the planning and execution of multinational joint combat operations in a realistic contemporary battlespace, and to provide them with tactically viable solutions. 
• Eight friendly foreign countries, including Australia, Bangladesh, France, Germany, Greece, Sri Lanka, the UAE, and the USA, will be taking part with air assets, while 32 countries are attending as observers.
• The first edition was held in 2024 and was coordinated in two phases in Sulur (Tamil Nadu) and Jodhpur (Rajasthan).

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