State PCS - Uttar Pradesh (UP PCS)

• 13 Apr 2026

Death of Himalayan Griffon Vultures in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve

Why in News? 

More than 25 Himalayan Griffon vultures were found dead in the buffer zone of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve in Uttar Pradesh.  

Key Points 

• Location: The carcasses were discovered in an agricultural field in the buffer zone of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve in Lakhimpur Kheri district.  
• Suspected Cause: Officials suspect the deaths occurred due to secondary poisoning, where vultures consumed carcasses of animals that had earlier ingested poisoned substances. 
• Status: Himalayan Griffon vulture (Gyps himalayensis) 
  • IUCN Status: Near Threatened (NT). 
  • WPA Status (India): They are protected under Schedule IV of the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972. 
  • Habitat: High-altitude regions of the Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau. 

Read More: Himalayan Griffon, Dudhwa Tiger Reserve 

Vice President Released Sindhi Version of Constitution in Two Scripts

Why in News? 

Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan released the updated version of the Constitution of India in the Sindhi language on the occasion of Sindhi Bhasha Diwas. 

Key Points 

• Release: The Vice President released the latest Sindhi translation of the Constitution of India, at an event held at the Vice President’s Enclave in New Delhi. 
• Scripts Used: The Constitution in Sindhi has been published in two scripts—the Devanagari script (first edition) and the Persian script (second edition).  
• Occasion: The release took place on 10th April 2026 on the occasion of Sindhi Bhasha Diwas (Sindhi Language Day), observed to celebrate and promote the Sindhi language and culture. 
• Sindhi Language: 
  • Sindhi is one of the 22 official languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India. 
  • The Sindhi language was included through the 21st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1967. 

Read More: Constitution of India, Eighth Schedule