Prelims Focus 27th July 2026

Black Sea

In News: The commercial ship MV OMORFI attack in the Black Sea is strongly condemned by India.

• A large inland sea in southeastern Europe bordered by six countries: Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Russia, Georgia, and Turkey is called the Black Sea. 
• It is linked to the Mediterranean Sea via the Bosporus Strait, Sea of Marmara and the Dardanelles strait.
• It is the largest inland body of water and is also the largest meromictic basin, which means the movement of water between the lower and upper layers of the Sea is rare.
• Most marine life cannot survive in the deeper water of the Black Sea, as it is anoxic and contains high levels of hydrogen sulfide. 
• However, the Black Sea is not devoid of life in its upper parts where there is plenty of oxygen.
• Significance: Ports such as Odessa (Ukraine), Constanta (Romania), Varna (Bulgaria) and Novorossiysk (Russia) are key to the countries bordering the sea.
• The Black Sea is also of significance for shipping, fishing and energy resources – oil and natural gas.
• It is a strategic gateway for access to the Mediterranean Sea, and historically has been the focus of numerous conflicts.

UNESCO Adds West Bank, Lebanon Sites to Danger List

In News: UNESCO recently inscribed Sebastia in the West Bank and five castles in Mount Amel, Lebanon, in the World Heritage List and the List of World Heritage in Danger.

• Cultural, natural and mixed heritage sites are included in the World Heritage List if they have OUV. 
• List of World Heritage in Danger comprises properties at risk from armed conflict, natural events, unchecked urban development, pollution, climate change or neglect. It aims to raise international awareness and conservation efforts. 
• The inscription of these sites as a result of the emergency situation has been driven by the concern about the effect of the current conflict in the Middle East on their conservation. 

PM-YASASVI

In News: The Government of India reiterates its efforts to provide educational opportunities within the PM-YASASVI (Prime Minister Young Achievers Scholarship Award Scheme for Vibrant India) umbrella scheme.

• It provides scholarships to Other Backward Class (OBC), Economically Backward Class (EBC) and Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes Denotified Tribe(DNT) students.
• Ministry: Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.
• The Scheme is a fully-funded one by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
• It consists of four main aspects of scholarship for students at various educational levels.
• They are Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme, Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme, Top Class Education in Schools Scheme and Top Class Education in Colleges Scheme.
• The Pre-Matric Scholarship is for the children studying in classes IX and X in Government schools and provides a scholarship of Rs. to them on an annual basis for their studies. 4,000 is distributed to families who are earning below Rs. 2.5 lakh.
• Matric Scholarship is awarded to students who are going to enrol in a post-secondary education institute, with academic allowances ranging from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. Depending on the category of the course 20,000.
• The scheme is designed to be directed at students from those identified beneficiary groups who need financial support to attend school and/or Higher Education without financial constraints.

2026 Commonwealth Games (CWG)

In News: The opening ceremony of the 23rd Commonwealth Games (CWG) was a fantastic one, held in Glasgow, Scotland. 

• The Commonwealth Games, originally the British Empire Games, are a multi-sport international competition that mirrors the Olympic Games and draws athletes from all over the Commonwealth of Nations, and were first held in 1930 in Hamilton, Canada. 
• The Commonwealth is a voluntary organisation made up of 56 independent nations, the majority of which were once colonies of the British Empire.
• Changes in political circumstances and voluntary departures and additions have made up the composition of the membership over the years.
• The Commonwealth Games today comprise athletes from 71 countries and territories, and are the world’s second-largest multi-sport event and the fourth-largest globally broadcast sporting event.

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