News in Shorts: 23 April 2026

23 Apr 2026

Mundial do Queijo do Brasil 2026

Context: PM Narendra Modi congratulated Indian cheesemakers on their notable achievement at the Mundial do Queijo do Brasil 2026.

About the Mundial do Queijo do Brasil 2026

It is an international dairy competition held in Brazil that showcases and evaluates cheeses from across the world.
Objective: Aims to promote artisanal cheesemaking traditions, encourage innovation, and support small-scale dairy producers globally.
Evaluation Criteria: Cheeses are judged on texture, aroma, flavor, appearance, and overall balance by expert juries.
Award Structure: Features multiple award categories such as Super Gold, Gold, Silver, and Bronze to recognize varying levels of excellence.
India’s Debut: India secured four medals in its debut participation, signaling rising global recognition of its artisanal cheese sector.
- Super Gold Winner: Eleftheria Gulmarg (Brie-style cheese) won the Super Gold.
- Gold Winners: Yak Churpi-Soft from Nordic Farm (Leh, Ladakh) and Eleftheria Brunost (whey cheese) each secured Gold medals.
- Silver Winner: Eleftheria Kaali Miri (Belper Knolle-style cheese) was awarded a Silver medal.

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Extreme Heat Threatens Global Food Systems

Context: A joint report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) highlights the growing threat of extreme heat to global agrifood systems.

Key Findings

Rising Heatwave Trends: Heatwaves are becoming more frequent, prolonged and intense due to climate change.
- The year 2025 was ranked among the three hottest years on record.
Critical Temperature Threshold: Crops, livestock, fisheries and forests are increasingly vulnerable.
- Crop yields decline sharply when temperatures rise beyond about 30 degrees Celsius.
- A one degree rise in global temperature reduces yields of major crops like rice, wheat, maize and soybean by around six per cent
Marine Heat Stress: Marine heatwaves are increasing and have affected most of the world’s oceans, reducing fish stocks
Risk Multiplier Effect: Extreme heat amplifies droughts, wildfires and pest outbreaks, and sharply reduces crop yields beyond critical temperature thresholds.
Empirical Evidence: Morocco witnessed over forty per cent decline in cereal production due to combined drought and heatwaves

Future Projections

Non-linear Rise in Heat Extremes: Heat intensity increases sharply with warming, doubling at two degrees and nearly quadrupling at three degrees
Shrinking Biological Limits: Biological and ecological tolerance limits are being increasingly breached.
- Biological limits is the maximum temperature or environmental conditions that living organisms can tolerate and still function normally.

Impacts

Food Security Threat: Threatens the food security and livelihoods of more than one billion people.
Agricultural Disruption: Alters cropping patterns and reduces farm productivity.
Fisheries Decline Risk: Increases the risk of fisheries decline due to oxygen depletion in oceans.
Market Instability: Leads to instability in global food supply and prices.

Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary

Context: Recently, Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary was designated as India’s 99th Ramsar Site.

Chhari-Dhand (Gujarat) was designated as India’s 97th Ramsar site and Patna Bird Sanctuary (Uttar Pradesh) was designated as India’s 98th Ramsar site

About Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary

Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary is a freshwater wetland ecosystem known for its rich biodiversity and role as a migratory bird habitat.
Location: It is located in Aligarh district of Uttar Pradesh within the Gangetic plains.
- It developed after the construction of the Upper Ganga Canal in 1852.
Features
- It is a perennial freshwater wetland influenced by monsoonal hydrology.
- It lies along the Central Asian Flyway, a major migratory route for birds.
- Vegetation includes submerged (Hydrilla, Vallisneria), floating (Azolla, Eichhornia), and rooted species.
- It supports avifauna such as Bar-headed Goose, Painted Stork, and migratory ducks.
Significance:
- It provides a critical stopover and breeding habitat for migratory birds.
- It supports local livelihoods through eco-tourism and related activities.
- It enhances climate resilience through water regulation and carbon sequestration.

About Ramsar Sites

Ramsar Sites are wetlands designated under the Ramsar Convention for international importance.
- The Convention was adopted in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, and came into force in 1975.
Adoption & Framework: It is an intergovernmental treaty promoting conservation and wise use of wetlands.
- Member countries designate wetlands based on ecological, botanical, zoological, or hydrological importance.
Montreux Record: The Montreux Record lists Ramsar sites facing ecological threats requiring priority conservation.
- It was established in 1990 to monitor changes in ecological character.
- Currently, Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) and Loktak Lake (Manipur) are listed in the Montreux Record.

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About Wetlands

Wetlands are areas where land is saturated with water (fresh , salty or brackish), either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, lakes, and floodplains.
Significance of Wetland
- Wetlands act as natural water filters and recharge groundwater.
- They mitigate floods and store excess water during heavy rainfall.
- They regulate climate by storing carbon and maintaining hydrological cycles.
- They provide habitat for diverse flora and fauna and support human livelihoods.

India–Sri Lanka Diving Exercise (DIVEX 2026)

Context: INS Nireekshak arrived in Colombo, Sri Lanka to participate in the 4th edition of DIVEX 2026.

About DIVEX 2026

DIVEX 2026 is a bilateral naval diving exercise conducted between India and Sri Lanka.
Objective: To improve interoperability, operational coordination, and technical expertise.
- It focuses on enhancing cooperation in underwater operations and maritime safety.
Venue: Colombo, Srilanka
Key Features
- The exercise is conducted over a week with participation from both navies’ diving teams.
- It involves specialised underwater operations such as submarine rescue and salvage missions.
- Activities include joint training, knowledge exchange, and best practices sharing.
- The exercise also includes humanitarian outreach through initiatives like medical assistance under Aarogya Maitri.
  - The Indian Navy will present two BHISM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri) cubes.
Significance
- It enhances preparedness for underwater emergencies, including submarine accidents.
- It contributes to regional security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
- It builds mutual trust, goodwill, and people-to-people engagement through cultural and social interactions.
- It aligns with India’s vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region).

About INS Nireekshak

INS Nireekshak is a Dive Support and Submarine Rescue Vessel of the Indian Navy.
Built by Mazgaon Shipbuilders in 1985, the ship has been in service with the Navy since 1989 and was commissioned in the year 1995.
It has been part of various diving operations and holds the record for the deepest dive carried out in the country to a depth of 257 m.

Other Bilateral Exercises Between India and Srilanka

Mitra Shakti (Army): A joint annual military exercise, often featuring elite units from both armies, focused on counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations.
- The 11th edition was conducted in Nov 2025 in Belagavi, India, focusing on joint tactical drills and UN peacekeeping operations.
SLINEX (Sri Lanka-India Naval Exercise): A regular bilateral naval exercise aimed at enhancing maritime cooperation and interoperability between the Indian Navy and Sri Lanka Navy.

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Prime Minister Internship Scheme (PMIS)

Context: The Government expanded the Prime Minister Internship Scheme to include final-year students, enhancing early industry exposure and employability in 2026.

About Prime Minister Internship Scheme (PMIS)

PMIS is a flagship initiative launched on October 2024, to provide structured, paid internships in India’s top 500 companies companies across multiple sectors
Ministries: Ministry of Corporate Affairs
Objectives:
- To enhance employability by providing hands-on work experience and real-world exposure.
- To bridge the education-industry gap through practical skills and professional networking.
Beneficiaries : The scheme targets Indian youth aged 18–25 years who are not in full-time employment or education.
- Eligible candidates include school pass-outs, ITI holders, diploma holders, and graduates.
- Recent expansion allows final-year undergraduate and postgraduate students to apply with a No Objection Certificate (NOC).
Financial support: It includes monthly assistance and a one-time grant to interns.
- Interns will get a monthly stipend of ₹5,000 from the government and ₹500 from the company.
- Income-based criteria ensure benefits reach economically weaker sections.
Duration: 12-month training in the industrial environment
Significance of the Expansion
- It enables early career exposure, reducing the transition gap between education and employment.
- It aligns with National Education Policy 2020 by promoting experiential learning.
- It strengthens industry-ready skills in emerging sectors like AI, robotics, and green energy.