SNIPPETS 15 FEBRUARY 2026

National Large OpticalNear Infrared Telescope (NLOT): Approved in: Union Budget (recent)+ NLST Location: Merak near Pangong Tso, Ladakh+ Type: Ground-based Solar Telescope+ Wavelength: Visible + Near-Infrared+ Purpose: Study Sun, solar magnetism & space weather+ India’s 3rd solar observatory

Consumer Price Index: CPI track changes over time in the general retail prices of a basket of goods and services purchased by households for consumption+ It is compiled by MoSPI every month for rural, urban and combined sectors+ CPI has been revised for representing current household consumption patterns, price structures, and the evolving nature of the Indian economy+ The base updation was done on the basis of latest Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) 2023–24, which provides comprehensive information on household expenditure patterns across rural and urban areas of the country.

Mud Volcano: A rare mud volcano eruption has been reported in Diglipur, Andaman Islands, prompting scientific monitoring+ Geological structures that release a mixture of mud, water and gases (mainly methane) due to subsurface pressure, without magma involvement+ Associated with tectonic activity, sediment compaction and hydrocarbon-rich regions+ mud is cold or perhaps only slightly warmer than the ground temperature.

Mangrove Clams: ICAR–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has successfully achieved induced breeding of mangrove clam (Geloina Erosa) under captive conditions+ Mangrove clams, commonly known as mud clams, are ecologically important but dwindling bivalve species distributed across mangrove and estuarine ecosystems in South and Southeast Asia+ Inhabits organic-rich muddy substrates; ecologically important for nutrient recycling and sediment stabilisation+ Supports coastal livelihoods and food security (locally called Kandal Kakka in parts of Kerala).