State PCS - West Bengal (WBCS)

• 23 Mar 2026

Butis Bargabhimae: New Estuarine Fish Species Discovered in West Bengal

Why in News? 

Scientists in West Bengal have identified a new species of estuarine fish — a type of gudgeon goby — in the Rupnarayan River, highlighting India’s rich and largely unexplored freshwater biodiversity. 

Key Points: 

• Discovery: Researchers from Tamralipta Mahavidyalaya and Vidyasagar University discovered the fish in the Rupnarayan River near Tamluk in West Bengal. 
• New Species: The newly identified fish was named Butis Bargabhimae.  
  • It belongs to the Butid family, a group of small bottom‑dwelling fishes commonly referred to as gudgeon goby. 
  • The species name, Bargabhimae, is a tribute to the Hindu deity Bargabhima, a significant cultural and religious figure in the Tamluk area of West Bengal. 
• Habitat: Gudgeon Goby typically live in the brackish waters where rivers meet the sea. 
• Implications: The finding underscores the need for conservation efforts in India’s rivers and estuaries, which support rich biodiversity but face threats from pollution, habitat alteration, and climate change. 
• Significance: Estuarine fish like gudgeon goby play crucial roles in aquatic ecosystems, serving as both prey and predator within food webs, and as indicators of environmental health and water quality. 

Read More: Biodiversity 

Amogh Jwala Exercise in UP

Why in News? 

The Indian Army’s Southern Command recently concluded Exercise Amogh Jwala at the Babina Field Firing Ranges in Uttar Pradesh. 

Key Points 

• Duration: The exercise was carried out over 13 days (March 6–18, 2026). 
• Objective: To validate technology-driven mechanised warfare capabilities in a multi-domain operational environment. 
  • It demonstrated the integrated employment of mechanised forces with attack helicopters, fighter aircraft, unmanned aerial systems, counter-drone systems and network-enabled battlefield platforms under a robust command and control architecture. 

Read More:  Unmanned aerial systems