Background
Wayanad was formed as Kerala's 12th district on 1 November 1980, carved out of parts of Kozhikode and Kannur districts. It comprises three taluks - Mananthavady, Sulthan Bathery and Vythiri - with Kalpetta as the district headquarters. The district lies on a plateau within the Western Ghats, at elevations between 700 and 2,100 metres above mean sea level, bordering Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Wayanad ranks first among Kerala's districts in both pepper cultivation and coffee plantation, and its cash crops - pepper, cardamom, coffee, tea and other spices - make agriculture the principal occupation of its people. The district has no railway line. The name Wayanad is derived from 'Vayal Nadu', meaning the land of paddy fields, and the district is described as having a mainly tribal-oriented culture.
District formed:
1 November 1980 (12th district)
Headquarters:
Kalpetta
Why it matters for exams: District formation dates, headquarters and crop rankings of Kerala's districts are a recurring objective-question theme in Kerala PSC exams.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
The Loktak Development Authority of Manipur is the body responsible for the conservation and sustainable management of Loktak Lake and its associated wetlands. Its official website records a lake area of 287 sq. km, states that 6.8% of the Manipur River Basin is wetlands, and that 100k+ people depend on the lake and wetlands. The Authority describes Loktak as the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India, home to the world's unique floating phumdis ecosystem, and a Ramsar site of international importance.
Lake area:
287 sq. km
Of Manipur River Basin is wetlands:
6.8%
People depend on the lake & wetlands:
100k+
Why it matters for exams: Wetland authorities and Ramsar sites are asked about together, and the 287 sq. km figure with the phumdi ecosystem is the pairing examiners use.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
The Forest Department of Manipur records that the forests of the State have 6 major Forest Types and 10 Subtypes. The major forest types are Tropical Wet Evergreen Forest, Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests, Sub-Tropical Pine Forest, Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest, Montane Wet Temperate Forest and Sub-alpine Forest. The department's stated mission includes conserving dense forest cover, increasing the density of open forests and increasing the Protected Area Network.
major Forest Types:
6
Subtypes:
10
Why it matters for exams: Forest type classification is a recurring geography question, and the six types listed for Manipur show how sharply vegetation changes with altitude in the Northeast.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
The Manipur Forest Department attributes the state's biological richness to its location at the junction of two of the world's hotspots of biodiversity, the Indo-Myanmar hotspot and the Himalayan hotspot. Out of 34 hotspots across the globe, India has four, and of those four Manipur has two, the Himalayan and the Indo-Burma hotspot. The department records about 4,000 angiosperms, 1200 medicinal plants, 34 species of edible fungi, about 500 orchids, 55 species of bamboo, 695 birds, 160 fish species and 21 migratory aquatic birds in the state.
hotspots across the globe:
34
India:
four
angiosperms:
about 4,000
orchids:
about 500
birds:
695
Why it matters for exams: Hotspot geography and the count of India's biodiversity hotspots are standard questions, and Manipur holding two of the four is the detail examiners ask for.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
Background
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) is a statutory non-autonomous body under the Chairmanship of the Chief Minister of Kerala.
State Disaster Management Authorities are statutory bodies constituted under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
The authority's portal publishes the list of SDMA Members, Members of DDMA and Former Technical Members of KSDMA.
It carries Notified Disasters, Disaster Notifications, Disaster Memoranda, Disaster Reports and Disaster Management Plans.
Sections on Disability & Disaster Risk Reduction, Transgender Disaster Risk Reduction and NCRMP – Kerala are linked from the same portal.
Kerala Fire & Rescue Services is also linked from the authority's website.
The website is designed and maintained by CDIT.
Act:
Disaster Management Act, 2005
Chairmanship:
Chief Minister of Kerala
Statutory body:
statutory non-autonomous body
Website maintained by:
CDIT
Why it matters for exams: The statutory basis and the chairmanship of the state disaster management authority are standard Kerala PSC and UPSC governance questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
The Forest Department has established a Protected Area Network over about 3.7 % of the total geographical area of Manipur.
The network is created through notifications of National Parks, Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves.
Shirui National Park is in Ukhrul District.
Yangoupokpi Lokchao Wildlife Sanctuary is in Tengnoupal District and Kailam Wildlife Sanctuary is in Churachandpur District.
Jiri-Makru, Bunning and Zeilad Wildlife Sanctuaries are all in Tamenglong District.
The Department enforces the Indian Forest Act, 1927, the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Protected Area Network:
About 3.7% of geographical area
Sanctuaries in Tamenglong:
Jiri-Makru, Bunning, Zeilad
Shirui National Park:
Ukhrul District
Why it matters for exams: Matching Manipur's sanctuaries to their districts is a common map-and-list question.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
The forest and tree cover of Manipur is 77.20 % of the State's total geographical area.
Around 8.42 % of the total forest area is under Reserved Forests, including the Wildlife Protected Area Network.
23.95 % is Protected Forests and the rest belong to the category of Un-classed Forests.
About 82 % of the State's forest cover is in the Manipur hills.
Manipur has a valley located at the centre surrounded by hills on all sides, and many rivers and streams originate in those hills.
The State also falls in Seismic Zone V.
Forest and tree cover:
77.20 %
Reserved Forests:
8.42 %
Protected Forests:
23.95 %
Seismic zone:
Zone V
Why it matters for exams: Manipur's forest cover percentage and its hill-valley topography are standard statistics questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
Manipur is the home of the brow-antlered deer called Sangai (Rucervus eldii eldii), one of the endangered deer species in the world.
It is now available only in the Keibul Lamjao National Park of the State and is also called the Manipur Dancing Deer.
The Sangai was declared extinct in 1951 and then re-discovered at Keibul Lamjao in 1953.
The first census of Sangai, conducted in 1975, counted 14 heads only.
The Forest Department took the initiative in 1975 and notified Keibul Lamjao National Park in 1977.
As per the 2016 ground census, the population of Sangai has reached 260.
Declared extinct:
1951
Re-discovered:
1953
First census count:
14 heads
2016 ground census:
260
Why it matters for exams: The extinction-rediscovery sequence and the census figures of the Sangai are precise, frequently asked facts.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
Keibul Lamjao National Park is located on the Loktak Lake in Manipur.
It is the only floating National Park in the world.
It is the last natural habitat of the Sangai (Rucervus eldii eldii), the dancing deer of Manipur.
Other wildlife in the park includes hog deer, otter and a host of water fowls.
Migratory birds are usually sighted from November to March.
The Forest Department of Manipur maintains watch towers and two rest houses within the park.
Location:
On the Loktak Lake
Flagship species:
Sangai (Rucervus eldii eldii)
Migratory bird season:
November to March
Why it matters for exams: The world's only floating national park and the Sangai's habitat are repeatedly asked in environment sections.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
Loktak Lake lies in the Bishnupur district of Manipur, 48 kms from Imphal City.
It is the largest fresh water lake in the North-East India.
Visitors get a bird's eye view of the lake from Sendra.
Fishermen live on floating islands called Phumdis, in floating huts known as Phumsangs.
Boating and other water sports are organised at the Takmu Water Sports Complex.
The Sendra Tourist Home with an attached cafeteria stands beside the lake.
District:
Bishnupur
Distance from Imphal City:
48 kms
Floating islands:
Phumdis
Why it matters for exams: Loktak's phumdis and its position as the Northeast's largest freshwater lake are standard geography questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
Kerala has a small land area and a high population density, and forest area accounts for 29.15 per cent of the state's total land area.
This includes 23 wildlife sanctuaries and protected areas.
Strong environmental laws are already in force in the state, among them the law for the conservation of paddy fields and wetlands and the laws regulating the felling of trees.
These figures were placed on record by the state Environment Department while explaining Kerala's position on Ecologically Sensitive Area restrictions in inhabited areas.
Forest share of land area:
29.15 per cent
Wildlife sanctuaries and protected areas:
23
Why it matters for exams: The share of forest area and the number of wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala are direct one-mark questions in Kerala PSC geography.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
The Inland Waterways Authority of India has undertaken works in the declared National Waterways in Kerala, namely NW-3, NW-8 and NW-9.
Nine Inland Water Transport terminals cum godowns have been constructed for cargo handling at Kottapuram, Aluva, Maradu, Vaikom, Thaneermukam, Alappuzha, Thrikunnapuzha, Kayamkulam and Kollam.
Two Roll on - Roll off (Ro-Ro) terminals have been built at Bolgatty and Willington Island in NW-3 for a Ro-Ro service to de-congest Kochi city traffic.
Two Ro-Ro vessels were constructed through Cochin Shipyard Limited, Kochi, and are operated between Bolgatty and Willington Island in NW-3 through the Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation, Kochi.
Navigational buoys have been installed for 24 hours of safe navigation - 312 in NW-3, 15 in NW-8 and 25 in NW-9.
Four HDPE jetties are planned at the Vaikom, Thaneermukam, Alappuzha and Kayamkulam terminals for river cruise tourism in NW-3.
National Waterways in Kerala:
NW-3, NW-8, NW-9
IWT terminals cum godowns:
9
Ro-Ro terminals on NW-3:
Bolgatty and Willington Island
Navigational buoys in NW-3:
312
Why it matters for exams: The numbering of National Waterways in Kerala and the Ro-Ro terminals on NW-3 are standard Kerala PSC geography and economy questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
Idukki is one of the 14 districts of Kerala state and was created on 26 January 1972.
It lies in the Western Ghats of Kerala, is the second largest district in area, and has the lowest population density.
Idukki has a vast forest reserve area; more than half of the district is covered by forests.
About 66% of the state's power needs come from the hydroelectric power projects in Idukki.
Idukki is also known as the spice garden of Kerala.
Share of state power needs:
About 66%
Rank by area in Kerala:
Second largest
Forest cover:
More than half the district
Why it matters for exams: Kerala PSC repeatedly asks which district has the lowest population density and which district supplies most of the state's hydroelectric power.
Kerala PSCUPSC
27 September 2026
Three Sistan sand boas (Eryx sistanensis) were found in Sikar district, Rajasthan, in 2025. This is the first official scientific record of the species in India. It was earlier known only from Iran and Pakistan. The record was published by Vivek Sharma of Jabalpur and Dharmendra Khandal of Tiger Watch, Ranthambhore, in the Journal of Threatened Taxa on 26 May 2026. The snake is non-venomous and thick-bodied, and its tail tapers gradually to a point, unlike the red sand boa.
Species:
Eryx sistanensis
Specimens found:
3
District:
Sikar
Earlier range:
Iran and Pakistan
Why it matters for exams: New species records, range limits and the Thar Desert's biodiversity are common science and environment questions.
UPSCSSC
27 September 2026
The National Zoological Park (NZP), New Delhi, organised the fourth edition of the ‘Butterfly and Dragonfly Walk @ NZP’ and the fifteenth edition of the ‘Sunday Bird Walk @ NZP’.
The walks were conducted from 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM under the expert guidance of Sh. Rohit Sharma, Bird Expert, and Sh. Ramver, Butterfly and Dragonfly Expert.
A total of 15 participants took part in the walks.
Participants documented 47 bird species, with observations of more than 750 individual birds, along with 8 butterfly species, 10 dragonfly species and 5 damselfly species in the walk area.
Dr. Sanjeet Kumar, Director, National Zoological Park, said such nature walks strengthen field-identification skills and contribute to biodiversity documentation.
NZP is to celebrate Wildlife Week 2026 from 2nd - 8th October 2026.
bird species:
47
butterfly species:
8
dragonfly species:
10
Wildlife Week 2026:
2nd - 8th October 2026
Director, National Zoological Park:
Dr. Sanjeet Kumar
Why it matters for exams: Citizen-science biodiversity drives and Wildlife Week dates are recurring environment questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
27 September 2026
An avalanche struck the base camp of Himlung Himal in Nepal's Manang district on the morning of 27 September 2026, leaving 10 people missing.
Himlung Himal is 7,126 metres high and stands in western Nepal near the border with Tibet.
Expedition organiser Mingma Gyalje Sherpa said the avalanche struck the camp that morning.
Heavy snowfall from a weather system over the Bay of Bengal preceded the avalanche, and a weather warning had been issued the previous week.
Climbers had already retreated from autumn ascents because of the conditions, and tourism authorities urged trekkers and climbers to suspend activities.
Height of Himlung Himal:
7,126 metres
Missing:
10
District:
Manang, Nepal
Why it matters for exams: Named Himalayan peaks with their heights and districts, and the reach of a Bay of Bengal system into the Himalaya, are both examinable geography.
Kerala PSCUPSC
27 September 2026
A vessel carrying more than 50 people capsized on Lake Kivu in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, near Idjwi Island in South Kivu province, and the deaths were reported on 27 September 2026.
Twelve people were killed and dozens are missing.
Fifteen people were rescued.
The vessel was carrying fish traders and goods from Bwina on Idjwi Island to Boza.
The cause of the capsizing was not immediately known.
Killed:
12
Rescued:
15
People on board:
more than 50
Why it matters for exams: Lake Kivu and the Kivu provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo recur in map-based and Africa geography questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
27 September 2026
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel flagged off the country's first LNG-powered train at Sabarmati station on 27 September 2026.
Railway development projects worth over 1,500 crore rupees were taken up at the same event.
The WAG-12 locomotive maintenance shed and automatic signalling systems were inaugurated, and the foundation was laid for the indigenous Kavach safety system.
Annual diesel consumption by the railways has come down from 293 crore litres to 108 crore litres.
Railway electrification has risen from 75 kilometres a year in 2010-11 to about 7,188 kilometres a year, and 99.6 per cent of the network has been electrified.
Value of railway projects:
over 1,500 crore rupees
Annual diesel use:
down from 293 crore litres to 108 crore litres
Network electrified:
99.6 per cent
Why it matters for exams: A first-of-its-kind traction technology, the Kavach safety system and railway electrification figures are all frequently asked facts.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
26 September 2026
The Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) chairman Abang Ahmad Kerdee Abang Masagus said on 26 September that FAMA plans to buy selected agro-food products and store them as buffer stocks.
The stocks cover about 34 types of products, including red chillies, green chillies, cabbage, onions, chicken and beef.
FAMA formed a special committee two months earlier to prepare for El Nino.
MetMalaysia director-general Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip had put the probability of El Nino reaching the "very strong" or "Super El Nino" category between October and December at more than 90 per cent.
FAMA has warehouses, including cold storage, in every state.
Types of products:
34
El Nino probability cited:
more than 90 per cent
Why it matters for exams: El Nino and food-security responses are linked topics in geography and economy papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
FAMA Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority — Malaysia's federal agency for marketing agricultural produce.
El Nino El Nino — A periodic warming of the central and eastern tropical Pacific that disturbs rainfall patterns.
MetMalaysia Malaysian Meteorological Department — Malaysia's national weather and climate agency.
26 September 2026
A vessel carrying more than 50 people capsized on Lake Kivu near Idjwi Island in South Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo on the night of Saturday, 26 September 2026.
At least 12 people were killed and dozens remained missing; about 15 people were rescued.
The vessel was carrying fish traders and goods from Bwina on Idjwi Island to Boza.
Local authorities said the cause of the accident was not immediately known.
Earlier the same week, at least 41 people died when a boat capsized on Lake Tanganyika near the Congolese village of Mapera.
Rivers and lakes are a major means of transport in the DRC for over 100 million people.
Confirmed dead:
At least 12
People on board:
More than 50
Rescued:
About 15
Location:
Near Idjwi Island, South Kivu
Why it matters for exams: Africa's Great Lakes — Kivu, Tanganyika and their bordering countries — are frequent world-geography questions, and disasters bring them into the news.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
DRC Democratic Republic of Congo — A large country in central Africa, with its capital at Kinshasa.
Lake Kivu — A large lake in the eastern DRC, crossed every day by many boats carrying people and goods.