New wild kiwi species Actinidia indica discovered in Arunachal Pradesh

Exam-focused facts from the 23 March 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

A new species of wild kiwi, Actinidia indica, has been discovered in the Lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh.
The species was recorded at an elevation of approximately 1,725 metres along forest edges in the Eastern Himalayan region.
The plant is a perennial climbing shrub that grows between 2 to 4 metres in height and features densely hairy young branches.
It is characterised by large ovate leaves, white to creamy flowers, and globose, olive-green fruits with a distinct reticulate lenticel pattern.
The discovery adds to the global diversity of the Actinidia genus, which includes various kiwi fruit species found across the world.