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The Employees' Provident Fund is a retirement savings scheme run by EPFO, where salary contributions build up for workers. Accounts that stay inactive for years can be left unclaimed, so small balances may be settled automatically.

Context: The CAA, passed in 2019, offers a path to citizenship for some migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who belong to certain non-Muslim groups and arrived before 2015. The law remains debated, and West Bengal is one of the states where it matters most.

Context: Big tech firms have spent heavily on AI computing since 2023, and some investors fear that spending may outrun the profits it brings. Data centres are the large computer buildings that run AI tools, and they are often financed with borrowed money.

Context: Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund is a state investor that has backed many large projects as the country diversifies its economy away from oil. Aramco is the state-owned oil giant; Humain is a Saudi AI company, part of a wider Gulf race for AI leadership.

Context: 3I/ATLAS is one of only a few known objects to visit our solar system from interstellar space, after 'Oumuamua and Borisov. Such visitors give scientists a rare sample of material from other star systems.

Context: Gaia is an ESA space telescope that has been mapping the positions and movements of more than a billion stars in the Milky Way since 2013. Its long-running survey lets astronomers study how stars and our galaxy change over time.

Context: WhatsApp keeps automatic backups in Google Drive on Android and iCloud on iPhone, so deleted chats are usually restorable only from the most recent backup saved before deletion.

Penny stocks are shares of small companies priced very low, which are often volatile and hard to verify. Sebi is the regulator that oversees India's stock market, and delisting means a company's shares stop trading on an exchange.

Context: Cement is one of the most widely used building materials, and making it releases large amounts of carbon dioxide. Glass waste is common and often ends up in landfill, so reusing it in construction helps cut both waste and emissions.

Context: A world model is an AI system that learns how an environment behaves so it can predict what happens next, which helps machines plan actions. Google has released earlier Genie models as research previews, so Genie 4 continues that line of work.

Context: Group I and Group II are state-level recruitment exams in Tamil Nadu for many government posts. Age limits often differ by category, so an age relaxation can open the door for applicants who would otherwise be too old to apply.

Context: Commercial cylinders are priced separately from the subsidised household ones used at home. Restaurants, hotels and small eateries rely on them heavily, so higher costs can reach customers' bills.

Context: Google has put a first data-centre satellite in orbit, so this test checks whether AI can work beyond Earth. A haiku is a short three-line poem, often about nature.

Context: Quantum computing uses the rules of quantum physics to process information in ways ordinary computers cannot. India's National Quantum Mission, approved by the central government in 2023, is the national programme that state-level efforts like this one can build on.

Context: Fodder is feed for cattle, and a shortage hits dairy and small farm households hard. Rabi is the winter sowing season, and Mahabeej is Maharashtra's state seed corporation, while jowar and bajra are hardy millets that need less water.

Nandini is the milk brand run by the Karnataka Milk Federation, a cooperative owned by dairy farmers. Milk prices in the state are revised from time to time, and farm costs such as feed often play a part.

Context: COP is the UN's yearly climate summit, where countries negotiate action on warming. The 1.5°C goal comes from the 2015 Paris Agreement, which aimed to keep warming near that level above pre-industrial times.

Context: Pensioners under the EPFO scheme must prove each year that they are alive to keep receiving their monthly pension, and a life certificate is the usual proof. Doing it online saves trips to offices, which matters most for older people.

Context: Fungi live in soil and form partnerships with plant roots, and many plants depend on them for nutrients and water. Scientists have long studied these underground networks, which some call a wood wide web, though that label is debated.

Context: Dearness allowance is a payment added to basic salary and pension to offset rising prices, and states revise it periodically. The central government also revises its own DA rate twice a year, so state hikes are often watched by staff elsewhere.

Context: Power distributors buy electricity from generators, and when purchase costs rise, they can recover the extra money by adding a surcharge to customer bills. Power prices and surcharges can therefore change from one billing cycle to the next.

Context: Methane is a greenhouse gas that traps far more heat than carbon dioxide over short periods, and wetlands and ponds are among its natural sources, so understanding it helps with climate planning.

Meteorites are rocks from space that land on Earth, and many Martian ones are found in deserts like the Sahara, where they are easier to spot. Studying them helps scientists learn about Mars without sending a probe there.

Context: Space dust is tiny particles floating between planets and stars, and studying it helps scientists understand how the solar system formed. Nasa is the United States space agency that runs many international science missions and projects.

Context: Ebola is a rare, serious virus spread through contact with blood or other bodily fluids. The 2014-2016 West Africa outbreak killed more than 11,000 people, and DR Congo has had several Ebola outbreaks before this one.

Context: BS-VI is the latest emission standard for vehicles in India, and older vehicles that fall below it release more pollution. Delhi's air typically worsens in winter as cold air traps smoke and dust, so these curbs return every year.

Swift was launched in 2004 to study gamma-ray bursts, which are powerful flashes of light from distant space. Most spacecraft burn up on re-entry, but larger parts can survive and reach the ground.

Context: FASTag is the electronic tag on vehicles that lets them pay tolls automatically at highway plazas without stopping. India's toll plazas are moving to barrier-free electronic collection, so many vehicles now rely on tags linked to bank accounts.

The RBI is the central bank that regulates India's banks and sets banking rules. Banks now hold large amounts of digital customer data and run online payments, so breaches can put ordinary people's savings and accounts at risk.

Context: Electoral rolls list who can vote, and the Election Commission's online ECINET system lets authorised staff add and update those records. Misuse of login details matters because wrong entries can affect who gets to vote.

Context: POCSO stands for the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, and NDPS stands for the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. Special courts are set up so that cases under these laws can be heard faster than in regular courts.

Jal Jeevan Mission is a central government scheme that aims to bring piped tap water to rural homes, carried out with the states. Its timelines often depend on funding, so delays in money can push completion dates back.

Context: Voter rolls are the official lists of people allowed to vote in each state, and keeping them accurate is a long-running debate in US elections. Noncitizens cannot vote in federal elections, so checks on these lists are a sensitive political issue.

Context: Alphabet owns Google, along with YouTube and Android. Big tech firms are spending heavily on AI chips and data centres, and investors keep asking when those bets will earn money. Sharp swings like this often reflect that wider debate, not one quarter alone.

Context: Food safety in India is set by the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and enforced by state food safety departments, so state bodies such as Maharashtra's FDA handle local enforcement.

Context: The Election Commission of India updates voter rolls, and a national revision can add or remove names. Opposition parties have been challenging the process, so the rally is part of a longer fight over how elections are run.

Context: Kannada is the language of Karnataka, and Kannada groups have long pushed for more local hiring in the state's IT hubs such as Bengaluru. The flag rule adds a state-identity question to that jobs debate.

Context: The INDIA bloc is a group of opposition parties formed in 2023 to contest national elections together against the BJP-led NDA. JD(U) is a Bihar-based party that was part of the INDIA bloc before later returning to the NDA.

Buy now, pay later lets shoppers split a purchase into instalments, often with no interest if paid on time. Missed payments can bring fees, so it's worth checking terms before using it.

Context: Bay of Bengal cyclones often form in the autumn months and can bring strong winds and flooding to coastal India. Odisha and Andhra Pradesh have both faced major storms in recent years, so early warnings and evacuations are standard steps.

Context: Maruti Suzuki is India's largest carmaker, so its monthly figures are often read as a signal of demand across the auto market. Sales usually rise around Diwali and the festive season, when many buyers make big purchases.

Context: Kashmir's Pampore area is known for saffron, a spice made from crocus flowers that is among the costliest in the world by weight. Iran is one of the largest saffron producers, so supply trouble there affects buyers elsewhere.

Lucy launched in 2021 to study Jupiter's Trojan asteroids, groups of rocky bodies that share the giant planet's orbit. Scientists think these asteroids may be leftovers from the early solar system, which helps explain how the planets formed.

Context: The Quad is an informal partnership of India, the US, Japan and Australia, formed to work together on the Indo-Pacific. Economic coercion means pressure through trade or money, and the grouping has been widening its work on AI and critical minerals.

Context: The NMMS scholarship is a central government scheme that gives financial support to students from low-income families who do well in school, helping them continue their studies.

Context: Nandini is a cooperative milk brand in Karnataka, and families buy it daily, so price changes affect household budgets. Milk price decisions often spark debate about farmers' earnings versus what consumers can afford.

Context: KMF, or Karnataka Milk Federation, is the state's large dairy cooperative and sells milk under the Nandini brand. Dairy price revisions like this often reflect rising costs for farmers and transport, so households feel the change in their monthly budget.

Context: AI data centres on Earth use large amounts of electricity and cooling, which is a growing concern for tech firms. Putting computing in orbit is an untested idea that companies are exploring as a possible alternative.

Context: The World Bank is a global lender that publishes poverty estimates for countries, often using an international line of about $2.15 a day. Extreme poverty figures are updated as new household surveys come in, so changes are often debated.

Context: Russia has been at war with Ukraine since its full-scale invasion in February 2022, and both sides have repeatedly hit each other's energy systems. Power grids matter because winter heating, water supply and hospitals depend on them.

Context: Personalised cancer vaccines are designed around a patient's own tumour, and most are still in research or early trials rather than routine treatment. Claims from startups should be read alongside peer-reviewed evidence.

Context: El Niño is a natural warming of the central and eastern Pacific that shifts rain and heat patterns worldwide. It often weakens the Indian monsoon, so farmers and water planners watch it closely.

Context: Pensioners usually need to prove each year that they are alive to keep receiving their pension, and the life certificate is the usual proof. Face authentication lets pensioners verify their identity using a camera instead of visiting a bank or pension office in person.

Cyclones form over warm seas and bring strong winds and heavy rain, and India's east coast gets several each season. A red alert is the highest warning level, used when officials expect severe damage.

Job fairs like this bring many employers and job seekers together in one place, so candidates can be interviewed on the spot. Candidates who clear the second round usually face further interviews before any final hiring decision.

Context: BE FAST stands for balance, eyes, face, arms, speech and time, a memory aid for a stroke's common signs. Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in India, and early treatment can limit lasting damage.

Tax devolution is the share of the Union's tax income that the Centre passes on to state governments, which they use for schools, roads and health. The Centre typically pays it in regular monthly instalments, with extra payments added at times.

Context: AI models are trained on large amounts of web content, and news sites have long complained about bots copying their work. Robots.txt, the standard file that tells bots what not to crawl, is the common tool publishers use today.

Context: Qatar's capital Doha has become a meeting point for indirect talks between Washington and Tehran. Diplomats watch US politics closely, since a change in policy after the midterms could shift how the talks proceed.

Context: The Ranji Trophy is India's top first-class cricket tournament for domestic teams, and points from each match decide who reaches the knockout stage. Mumbai has won the title more times than any other team.

Context: YouTube has age settings and content rules, but AI tools let anyone make songs and videos quickly, so filters struggle to keep pace. Bhojpuri and Punjabi music are hugely popular across India, so such content can reach large family audiences.

Context: Char Dham is a major pilgrimage circuit in the Himalayas, where helicopters carry pilgrims and cover difficult terrain. India's aviation regulator, the DGCA, sets flight safety rules, and staffing changes like this often bring cost concerns from operators.

Context: These demonstrations are part of the Gen Z protest wave that has spread across Germany, which we covered earlier across 34 cities. Protests are legal in Germany, but clashes with police raise questions about how the protests are handled.

Context: GST is India's goods and services tax, a single tax that replaced many state and central levies in 2017. Each state where a business sells can require its own registration, so easier rules can matter a lot to small online sellers.

Context: Many women do farm work but are often not counted as farmers in official records, because land ownership usually decides recognition. Recognition can affect access to farm schemes, loans and benefits.

Midterms are held about halfway through a US president's four-year term and decide which party controls Congress for the next two years. Control of each chamber shapes how easily a president can pass laws and approve appointments.

Context: FSSAI is the national regulator that sets and enforces food safety rules for restaurants and packaged food across India. Licence suspension is one of its strongest actions, and show-cause notices give a business a chance to respond before any final decision.

Context: Punjab has been widely reported as a state struggling with drug abuse, especially among young people, and the issue has been a major campaign topic there. Shah is the Union Home Minister, who oversees the central government's internal security and policing.

Context: GST is the goods and services tax, a single tax on most sales in India that replaced many older state and central taxes in 2017. Gross figures are collected before refunds, so they show money flowing in, not what the government finally keeps.

Context: Many homebuyers have waited years for flats when a builder defaulted on loans and stalled work. Under India's insolvency law, a developer's failure can freeze all its projects, so the new rules offer a narrower route for sound ones.

Context: Fuel prices in India are set in a daily revision system, and rates differ between cities because of local taxes and transport costs. CNG is a cleaner gas used by many cars and autos, so its price changes hit daily commuters directly.

Context: KYC, or Know Your Customer, is the process banks follow to confirm who their customers are. Mule accounts are often opened with stolen or borrowed identities, and online fraud has been rising in India, so the court's review could change how accounts are opened.

Context: The WTA is the women's professional tennis tour, and Chennai has hosted this event for several years. Rain or heat can delay or shorten matches, so organisers often plan for weather changes.

Context: The Centre collects most big taxes but shares a fixed portion with states, which spend it on schools, hospitals and roads. Extra instalments like this one are released on top of the regular transfers.

Context: Chemotherapy often causes nausea and vomiting, and doctors have commonly used steroids such as dexamethasone to control it. Steroids can have side effects, so a non-steroid option that works as well could matter for patients.

Context: Haryana has produced many of India's top wrestlers, and village akhadas, or wrestling pits, are a common route into the sport. A senior world title is among the sport's highest honours, so this win is a major milestone.

Context: Tensions between the US and Iran are long-running, and the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for much of the world's oil, has been a flashpoint. India imports much of its crude oil, so fighting there can push up fuel costs at home.

The census counts the population once every ten years, and its data helps guide how government plans services and resources. Enumerators are the field staff who visit homes to collect the answers.

Context: Nepal's mountain and trekking areas attract many Indian travellers every year. Rescues there can be slow because of weather, terrain and remote locations, and guides and local warnings are usually part of trip planning.

Context: Iran's leader holds final authority over the country, and the US and Iran have been in a long standoff over Iran's nuclear programme. The Strait of Hormuz, a key oil route, matters to India because much of its crude oil passes through it.

Context: The Cook Islands is a group of small islands in the South Pacific, linked to New Zealand, and a transit visa is permission to pass through a country on the way to another destination.

Context: Nandan Nilekani is a well-known Indian tech entrepreneur and Infosys co-founder. Paper leaks in school and recruitment exams have been a recurring worry in India, which is why this panel's work matters to students and parents.

Katchatheevu is a small islet in the Palk Strait that India ceded to Sri Lanka in 1974, and fishermen from Tamil Nadu often face detention when they cross the maritime boundary while fishing.

Context: India has long had rules on research using animals, and regulators update them from time to time. Animal welfare groups and scientists often clash over how strict such safeguards should be.

Automatic emergency braking systems use sensors to spot a possible crash and brake if the driver does not react in time. India has some of the highest road death tolls in the world, so vehicle safety rules are a steady policy focus.

Context: Civic bodies run everyday services such as roads, water and waste collection in towns and cities. Pulivendula is the assembly seat linked to Jagan Mohan Reddy, a former chief minister who leads the YSRCP opposition party in Andhra Pradesh.

Context: Permafrost is ground that stays frozen year-round, and in the Himalayas it helps keep slopes stable. Warming temperatures have been a growing concern for the mountain region, which feeds major rivers such as the Ganga.

Context: T20 is the shortest format of international cricket, and series like this are often used to test new players and combinations before major tournaments. A 3-2 result means the series was decided by the final match.

Context: T20 Internationals are the shortest format of international cricket, with each side batting for 20 overs in a match. Suryakumar Yadav is one of India's best-known T20 batters, so passing his mark is a notable achievement.

Context: France's yellow vest protests of 2018 also began over living costs and spread across the country, so similar anger has a history there. Paris is the capital and a common site of large street protests.

Context: Google Cloud rents computing power and software to businesses, and the AI race has pushed big tech firms to spend heavily on data centres. Search ads bring in most of Alphabet's money, so changes there matter.

Context: Big tech firms are spending huge sums on AI data centres and chips, so investors are worried whether those costs will pay off; the Nasdaq is the US index heavy in technology shares.

Context: Lava is an Indian smartphone brand known for budget phones, and this rise lands in the segment where buyers are most price-sensitive. Mid-range phones sit just above that tier, so their buyers may also watch prices closely.

Context: Oil palm is a major source of edible oil, and India imports much of its cooking oil, so domestic palm growth affects supply. Andhra Pradesh is one of the main states growing oil palm.

Context: The Black Sea is a key route for grain exports from Ukraine and Russia, so shipping disruptions can raise food prices in importing countries. The war began in February 2022 and has affected global trade ever since.

The Ranji Trophy is India's main first-class domestic cricket tournament, where results in group matches decide who reaches the knockout stage. Eden Gardens in Kolkata is one of India's best-known cricket grounds and a home venue for Bengal.

Context: Consumer commissions hear complaints about poor or delayed services and can order a remedy. Solar pumps are used by farmers for irrigation, and government schemes often help fund them.

Context: Nandan Nilekani is an Infosys co-founder and the architect of Aadhaar, and the panel was set up to review how India's national exams are run after the 2024 NEET paper-leak row.

Context: Punjab's Assembly polls are due next year, and a party's first candidate list often shows who keeps a seat and who is left out. MLAs switching sides can change how a party's numbers look before a vote.

Context: India's bullet train plan is a long-term project to link major cities with high-speed rail. Vande Bharat trains are the country's current fast option, which is why they serve as the comparison point.

Context: Oppo is a Chinese smartphone maker, and its Find series is its premium line, which buyers often compare with rival flagship phones from other brands.

Context: Farmers in Punjab often burn paddy stubble after harvest to clear fields quickly, and the smoke worsens air quality in Delhi and nearby areas each autumn. Delhi has announced winter anti-pollution curbs, so this is part of the same seasonal fight.

Context: The H-1B is a US work visa that many Indian software engineers and other skilled workers use, and a green card grants permanent residence. Each new Congress and administration can change these rules, so election results matter for applicants.

Context: Foxconn is the Taiwanese company that assembles many Apple devices, including in India. Foldable phones use flexible screens, which have been a known durability concern for the whole industry.

Flash floods are sudden, fast-moving floods that can develop within minutes or hours of heavy rain. The Southwest is known for dry spells, so soaked ground after heavy rain can make flash flooding more likely.

Ebola is a rare but deadly virus that spreads through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of infected people. DR Congo has seen several Ebola outbreaks since the first recorded one in 1976, which keeps the country a long-running focus for response teams.

Context: Iran, the US and Israel have been in a long-running standoff over Iran's nuclear programme. The supreme leader holds final authority over Iran's military and state decisions, so his orders carry major weight.

Context: Oil beetles are a group of insects whose larvae hitch rides on wild bees to reach their nests. Many species have declined as wildflower meadows and their host bees have disappeared, so rediscoveries are closely watched by conservationists.

Context: El Nino is a periodic warming of parts of the Pacific Ocean that is often linked with weaker monsoon rain in India, which makes water and power savings a bigger concern.

Context: Employers have long used time tracking and activity logs, and many companies now use software to measure work. Debates about surveillance at work have grown as remote and hybrid working became common across India's IT sector.

Context: T20 Internationals are the shortest format of international cricket, with each side batting for 20 overs. Matches in a series like this one often decide the overall result, so each wicket matters.

Context: Indian Oil is a state-run company that sells LPG, the cooking gas used in most Indian homes. When under-recoveries rise, oil firms lose money on each cylinder, which can lead to higher prices or government support.

Context: Rising living costs have led to protests in several countries, and in France students have joined the wider cost-of-living movement. Blockades can disrupt classes and often lead to public debate about school conditions.

Context: Many households in Indian cities hire maids and cooks through private agencies, which often operate with little public oversight. Police verification is meant to check a worker's background before they enter a home.

Context: Chennai is a large, fast-growing city, and its civic body looks after roads, drains and parks. Green spaces and playgrounds are often in short supply in dense Indian cities, so new ones affect daily life.

Context: Kashmir is one of India's main apple-growing regions, and its orchards supply markets across the country. Apple scab is a fungal disease that leaves marks on fruit, lowering its grade and market price.

Context: The Census is India's official count of its population, and it was delayed from 2021. Caste was not counted in the last full census, and the new round will include it for the first time.

Context: NavIC is India's own regional satellite navigation system, meant to give location and timing services over India and nearby areas. Like GPS, it needs a group of satellites in orbit, so each new launch helps keep it working.

The IPL is India's big domestic Twenty20 cricket league, and grounds must be ready before it starts. The outfield is the grass area around the pitch, and sand-based outfields are built to drain water quickly.

Context: India is spending heavily on roads, bridges and rail projects, so construction quality affects many commuters and freight routes. Bridge collapses in recent years have repeatedly drawn attention to inspection and maintenance.

Context: Germany has seen public anger over high living costs, including energy and food prices, since inflation surged in 2022. Unrest in big cities like Frankfurt and Berlin shows how widely that pressure is being felt.

Context: France saw widespread riots in 2023 after a teenager was killed during a police traffic stop near Paris. Governments across Europe have since debated how to hold young people and their families responsible for public disorder.

Context: Jowar, also called sorghum, is a staple grain eaten widely in parts of Karnataka. When rain fails, harvests shrink and supply tightens, so prices tend to climb.

Context: A cess is an extra charge collected for a specific purpose, separate from the regular tax on goods. TASMAC is the state-run liquor retailer in Tamil Nadu, and liquor sales bring in a large share of state revenue.

Context: The University of Calicut is a state university in Kerala that draws students from across the state and from islands such as Lakshadweep. When hostels close, students often have to find housing quickly, which can disrupt their studies and travel plans.

Context: Tax devolution is the share of central tax revenue that the Union government passes on to states. Extra instalments like this help states meet their spending needs, and the Finance Commission sets the broad formula.

Context: Glass waste is hard to recycle, so turning it into building material can help cut landfill waste. Concrete with glass has long raised concern about a chemical reaction that can crack it, which is why long-term checks matter.

Context: Digital arrest scams involve fraudsters posing as police, CBI or tax officials, keeping victims on video calls while they transfer money. Such cases have grown across India, and courts are asking whether banks should do more to flag suspicious transfers.

Context: The INDIA bloc is an alliance of opposition parties that works together to challenge the ruling BJP-led NDA at the national level. Gyanesh Kumar is the Chief Election Commissioner, and the rally follows disputes between opposition parties and the Election Commission over election processes.

Context: The Kannada flag is a symbol of Karnataka's regional identity, and debates over state symbols and the use of Kannada language are long-running in the state. The proposal shows how state governments can shape local public life through official rules.

Context: A brain atlas is a reference map that shows where different structures sit inside the brain, similar to a road map. Scientists use such maps to study brain diseases and how the brain works.

Context: The Quad is an informal grouping of India, the US, Japan and Australia that works on shared interests in the Indo-Pacific. Critical minerals such as lithium and rare earths are used in batteries and electronics, making supply a growing concern for governments.

Context: Harrison Malayalam is a large plantation company in Kerala, and many estate lands there were leased decades ago under old colonial-era arrangements. Land and forest rules often overlap in such cases, which is why records like these draw attention.

The Statue of Unity, a giant statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, is one of Gujarat's biggest tourist draws in Narmada district. Governments often add hotels and attractions nearby so visitors stay longer and spend more locally.

Context: The DGCA is India's civil aviation regulator, and two-pilot cockpits are a common safety measure for helicopters flying in hilly, weather-prone areas. The Char Dam circuit of Uttarakhand's shrines relies heavily on short helicopter hops during the pilgrimage season.

Context: The ATP is the men's professional tennis tour body that runs most events and rankings. Doubles pairs usually earn far less than singles stars, so cuts to draws and prize money hit them hardest.

Colon cancer is cancer of the large intestine, one of the more common cancers worldwide. Gut bacteria live in the digestive system, and scientists have long studied whether some of them can contribute to disease.

Context: Madhyamam is a Malayalam news daily based in Kerala, and this dispute is over unpaid wages that have built up for months. Long pay delays often lead to strikes, and unions usually push for talks between the staff and management.

Context: This is the fifth and final match of the India vs New Zealand T20 series, so the result decides how the series ends. T20 is the shortest international format, with 20 overs per side.

Context: Farmers often sell paddy soon after harvest, when prices can be low, so proper storage helps them keep grain safe until they sell. NABARD is the government-backed bank that funds rural and farm projects across India.

Context: The INDIA bloc is an alliance of opposition parties formed in 2023 to contest national elections together. Ramlila Maidan is a large central Delhi venue often used for major public rallies.

FSSAI is the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, which sets food rules and licences for restaurants and food businesses across the country. A show cause notice is a formal first step asking a business to respond before any final penalty is decided.

Context: E-challans are electronic traffic fine notices sent after a violation is recorded, and fake versions are a known way for fraudsters to try to get money or personal details.

Context: Andhra Pradesh is run by the TDP-led government, while YSRCP is the main opposition party. Pulivendula has long been a stronghold of the Reddy family, so local contests there often draw close attention.

Context: CDSCO is India's central drugs regulator, and it can cancel product registrations when claims are not backed by approved evidence. Fat-loss and slimming products are often promoted with bold claims, so regulators check them closely.

Context: The Knesset is Israel's parliament, and a coalition of parties is needed to form a government with a majority. Netanyahu has led Israel's government for years, and the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023 is the event behind the calls for a security inquiry.

WalletHub is a US personal finance website, so its rankings reflect its own chosen measures. Rankings like this one weigh several factors, so a higher salary may matter less if living costs are high.

Context: Fusion joins light atoms together to release energy, the same process that powers the sun, and no country has yet run a fusion power plant that sends electricity to the grid. Private firms are joining this race, and India's effort is one example.

Context: Bank fraud often involves transfers that the account holder did not authorise, and quick reporting to the bank is the usual first step to limit losses. Customers who act early usually have a better chance of recovering money.

Context: Bay of Bengal storms can bring heavy rain to coastal and nearby inland states, so states issue alerts to prepare residents. An orange alert is an official warning level that asks people to stay prepared, short of the most severe level.

Context: Jammu is a city in the north of India and serves as a winter capital for the Jammu and Kashmir government. New international routes depend on airline demand, airport readiness and approval from aviation regulators.

Context: MLC polls elect members of Bihar's Legislative Council, and both JD(U) and BJP are part of the NDA alliance that runs the state government.

Context: The IAF is one of India's three armed services, alongside the Army and Navy. Each service chief sets long-term plans for equipment, training and staffing.

Context: UNESCO is the UN agency that runs the World Heritage list, which can bring tourism and global recognition. Chhath Mahaparv is a festival of Bihar and eastern India honouring the sun god. Soft power means influence gained through culture rather than force.

Context: The Constitution makes English the default language of the Supreme Court and High Courts, while Hindi is the main official language of the Union. The Official Languages Act of 1963 allowed English to continue alongside Hindi, and the language debate has run for decades.

Delhi often sees severe smog in winter, when cold air traps pollution close to the ground. Similar winter action plans have been used in the National Capital Region for years, with curbs stepping up as air quality worsens.

Context: China claims Taiwan as its territory, although Taiwan runs its own government and elections. Tensions across the Taiwan Strait have grown in recent years, and shipping routes in the region are important for global trade.

Context: NVS satellites are part of NavIC, India's own regional navigation system that works alongside global systems like GPS. A constellation means a group of satellites working together to cover a region.

Context: Cotton is the main raw material for India's textile and garment industry, which employs a large number of people. Governments sometimes use such exemptions when domestic supply is tight.