Norway Chess 2026
- Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa delivered a landmark performance by winning the Norway Chess 2026 tournament, showcasing exceptional skill and consistency against top global players.
- He secured the title with outstanding gameplay, including two victories over reigning world champion Magnus Carlsen, highlighting his dominance in the tournament.
Current Facts
Nilgiri Tahr
- The Nilgiri Tahr is a unique animal endemic to the Western Ghats.
- The name ‘Varaiyadu‘ is derived from the Tamil word ‘Varai’ (meaning rock or cliff); it is so named because it inhabits steep, rocky terrains.
- Of the three species of Tahr known globally, this is the only one found in South India.
- As the state animal of Tamil Nadu, it inhabits altitudes ranging from 300 to 2,600 meters above sea level.
- The Nilgiri Tahr and its mountain habitats are mentioned in Sangam literary works such as Silappathikaram, Seevaka Chinthamani, Manimekalai, Natrinai, Ainkurunuru, and Paripadal.
- This highlights the long-standing significance of the Nilgiri Tahr in Tamil culture.
- Rock paintings of the Nilgiri Tahr, dating back to the Mesolithic period, have been discovered at the Ezhuthupparai site near Marayoor in Kerala.
- This signifies a connection between humans and the Nilgiri Tahr spanning thousands of years.
- The Tamil Nadu government’s ‘Nilgiri Tahr Conservation Project’ serves as a crucial initiative to restore and protect the Shola-grassland ecosystem.
- October 7, the birth anniversary of Nilgiri Tahr researcher E.R.C. Davidar, has been declared ‘Nilgiri Tahr Day’.
- According to the third synchronized census conducted jointly by the Forest Departments of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, the population of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr—Tamil Nadu’s state animal—has risen to approximately 1,364.
- This figure represents a 4.68% increase compared to the 1,303 Tahrs recorded in 2025, and a 32% increase compared to the 1,031 Tahrs estimated during the first synchronized census conducted in 2024.
India’s gross domestic product (GDP) Growth rate
- The growth in India’s gross domestic product (GDP) has been estimated at 7.7% in 2025-26, according to data released by the Ministry ofStatistics and Programme Implementation, compared with 7.1% in the previous financial year of 2024-25.
