DAILY PRELIMS CA — 9 SEPTEMBER

Context: UN General Assembly adopted the Correct the Map resolution, releasing a new world map depicting disputed border regions.
Map Projection: Uses Equal Earth projection | Accurately represents relative landmass sizes + legally non-binding map.
Initiative: Correct the Map resolution | Backed by African Union + initiated by Togo in UNGA.
Cognitive Justice: Seeks fair cartographic representation by reducing distortion of the Global South.
Border Depictions: Shows Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin via separate claim lines | Depicts Kalapani region under Indian control.
India’s Stand: Voted for equal-area principle only | Maintains Aksai Chin is part of UT of Ladakh.

Context: An Indian Postal Service officer was re-elected as Secretary-General of the union for a second four-year term.
Nature & Status: Intergovernmental regional union of 32 member countries | Restricted Union under Article 8 of Universal Postal Union.
Headquarters: Bangkok, Thailand (relocated from Manila in 2002).
Establishment: Originated in 1962 as Asian-Oceanic Postal Union + renamed APPU via 1981 Yogyakarta Convention.
Key Institution: Administers the Asian-Pacific Postal College in Bangkok for training regional postal personnel.
Objectives: Harmonises regional postal regulations | Enhances cross-border e-commerce logistics + postal financial inclusion.

Context: An ICMR study highlighted rapid market entry of tobacco-free nicotine pouches in urban India amid regulatory gaps.
Composition: Tobacco-free permeable sacks | Contains lab-synthesized or extracted pure nicotine, plant fibers, and flavorings.
Mechanism: Placed between gum and upper lip + absorbed directly through oral mucosa without combustion, smoke, or vapor.
COTPA, 2003: Regulates products containing actual tobacco leaves | Tobacco-free pouches fall outside its statutory schedule.
Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940: DCGI exempts smoking-cessation NRTs up to 2 mg under Schedule K | Recreational pouches make no medical claims.
PECA, 2019: Bans battery-heated electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) | Omits non-electronic oral formats.
FSSAI, 2006: Section 3(1)(j) classifies chewable substances as food | Prohibits adding nicotine as a food ingredient.
Trade & Import: Classified under HS Code 2404 91 30 as restricted | Requires a DGFT import licence rather than total ban.

Context: UNESCO presented the 2026 International Literacy Prizes during global celebrations in Chiapas, Mexico.
Nodal Agency: UNESCO | Instituted in 1967 following International Literacy Day proclamation (1966).
Aim: Progress toward Sustainable Development Goal Target 4.6 for youth and adult literacy.
Prize Value: Cash endowment of US$ 30,000 + medal + diploma.
King Sejong Prize: Est. 1989 (South Korea) + named after creator of Korean Hangul script.
Confucius Prize: Est. 2005 (China) + named after ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius.
King Sejong Winners (2026): Escuelas LEO (Colombia), Language Friendly School (Netherlands), Project PAL (Nigeria).
Confucius Winners (2026): Alsama Project (Lebanon), Chiapas Puede (Mexico), Language for Life (Thailand).
Key Methodology: Project PAL deploys Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) + solar Literacy Hubs.

Context: Inscribed as South Sudan’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site under natural criteria.
Location: Eastern and southern savanna plains of South Sudan | Connects with Gambella National Park in Ethiopia.
Bordering Features: Extends northeast toward the Sudd wetlands | Anchors Great Nile Migration Landscape.
Components: Centered on Boma and Badingilo National Parks + Co-managed with non-profit African Parks.
Migration: Hosts Earth’s largest land mammal migration of 6 million ungulates + dwarfs Serengeti migration.
Key Species: Dominated by white-eared kob, Mongalla gazelle, tiang, and Bohor reedbuck.
Ecosystem: Savanna-wetland complex driven by seasonal rainfall and ITCZ movement.
Avifauna: Designated Important Bird Area along Central African and Nile Flyways.
Threatened Species: Refuge for vulnerable Shoebill in Goum swamps | Breeding ground for endangered hooded vultures.

PRELIMS CA 9 SEPT 2026