Prelims Focus 30th September 2026

Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD)

In News: In women of childbearing age (ages 30-40), spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) can lead to a heart attack in women who appear to have no other risk factors.

• A spontaneous, frequently unnoticed heart attack that occurs when a tear or leakage develops in the wall of a coronary artery, compressing the artery and restricting blood flow. 
• It has a different mechanism from the traditional heart attack, which is normally caused by a cholesterol plaque rupturing and a clot forming.
• It usually strikes young women under the age of 50.
• About 80-90 % of people who experience a heart attack are young women, and as many as one-third of all women who have a heart attack are young women.
• Strenuous activity, heavy lifting, emotional stress, pregnancy and hormonal changes, and underlying blood vessel disease are some causes of SCAD.
• There is a strong association with fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD), a non-atherosclerotic disorder of medium-sized arteries. Vascular abnormalities, such as aneurysms and arterial tears are also more common in those with SCAD.
• In the instance of complete blockage in SCAD treatment may include angioplasty but in the absence of obstruction, the artery normally heals without treatment and is treated conservatively, unlike a typical heart attack.

Green Highways

In News: The green highways initiative in India is revolutionising the road infrastructure by introducing plantation and designing and building roads in a climate-resilient way, which also ensures efficient use of resources. 

• Green Highways are highways that consider the environment, public health, and surrounding communities in the planning, design, and construction of highways. 
• The activities of plantation are carried out by the Self Help Groups, private agencies, State Forest Departments and Forest Corporations, and contractors, depending on the amount of sanctioned works.
• Since 2021, a total of 3.61 crore saplings have been planted on the National Highways, covering an area of around 1.32 lakh km over the past five years.

Exercise KAZIND-2026

In News: A 60-member Indian Armed Forces contingent has departed for Oskemen, Kazakhstan, to participate in the 9th edition of Exercise KAZIND-2026, being held from 28 September to 11 October 2026.

About Exercise KAZIND

• Exercise KAZIND is a joint military exercise between India and Kazakhstan aimed at enhancing interoperability, coordination and joint operational capabilities, particularly in counter-terrorism operations.
• The exercise was originally started as Exercise Prabal Dostyk in 2016 and was later renamed KAZIND. It subsequently evolved into a bi-service exercise, incorporating an Air Force component along with Army participation.

KAZIND-2026: Key Features

• The Indian contingent primarily comprises personnel from a battalion of the Garhwal Rifles, along with troops from other arms and services and personnel of the Indian Air Force. Kazakhstan is participating with a contingent of similar strength, mainly from its Land Forces.
• The exercise focuses on joint counter-terrorism operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrain under a United Nations mandate. Training activities include raids, search-and-destroy missions, cordon-and-search operations, securing helipads and landing sites, and Special Heliborne Operations.
• A major feature of the 2026 edition is the use of modern military technologies, particularly Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Counter-UAS capabilities. The exercise also involves establishing a Joint Command Post and an Intelligence and Surveillance Centre to strengthen joint planning, surveillance and operational coordination.
• Overall, KAZIND strengthens India–Kazakhstan defence cooperation, promotes the exchange of military expertise and contributes to regional security and stability.

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

In News: Recent medical research has provided new insights into hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS). Studies published in 2026 have examined associations between hEDS and hormonal differences, as well as its relationship with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), insomnia and persistent daytime fatigue. 

What is Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome?

• Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS) are a group of inherited disorders that primarily affect the body’s connective tissues. Connective tissue provides strength, elasticity and structural support to the skin, joints, blood vessels and other organs.
• A major form is hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS), characterised particularly by excessive joint mobility and multisystem symptoms. 

Major Symptoms

• Common manifestations can include joint hypermobility, joint instability, chronic pain, fatigue and skin/connective-tissue abnormalities. Sleep disturbances are also reported in people with EDS and related hypermobility spectrum disorders. 

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