Author: Ramvilas

  • 5 Years of e-Shram Portal | UN Initiative to Protect Victims of Terrorism from Online Harm | GENESIS EIR 3.0 | COP17 of UNCCD | Ervebo Ebola Vaccine | Global Digital Capacity Building Alliance (GBDCA)

    5 Years of e-Shram Portal

    Economy

    News 

    • The e-Shram Portal completed five years, marking a significant milestone in strengthening social security for India’s unorganised workforce.

    e-Shram Portal 

    • Launched: 2021 by Ministry of Labour & Employment; developed by NIC.
    • Purpose: First Aadhaar-seeded National Database of Unorganised Workers (NDUW).
    • UAN: Provides a unique 12-digit Universal Account Number.
    • Coverage: Construction, migrant, gig/platform, domestic, agricultural workers, street vendors, etc.
    • Eligibility: 16+ years, unorganised-sector workers; generally excludes income-tax payers and EPFO/ESIC members.
    • Objectives:
      • Convergence of social-security schemes.
      • Portability of welfare benefits, especially for migrant workers.
      • Data-driven policymaking and better delivery of services.
      • Support during emergencies/disasters.

    UN Initiative to Protect Victims of Terrorism from Online Harm

    International

    News- 

    • A new victim-led initiative to protect victims of terrorist attacks from online harm and re-traumatisation by the Victims of Terrorism Associations Network (VoTAN).
    • It was launched on the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism.

    VoTAN 

    • VoTAN: Victims of Terrorism Associations Network.
    • Established: 2025 by the UN Counter-Terrorism Office (UNOCT).
    • Aim: Promote collective action for the rights and needs of victims and survivors of terrorism.
    • New initiative: Victim-led effort to protect survivors from online harm, fake/misleading content, misuse of stories and re-traumatisation.
    • International Day: 21 August – International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism.
    • Established by: UN General Assembly in 2017.
    • Significance: Strengthens a victim-centric approach to counter-terrorism and digital safety.

    GENESIS EIR 3.0

    Science & Technology

    Context (PIB): 

    • The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched the third cohort of the GENESIS Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) programme.

    GENESIS EIR 3.0

    • Scheme: Part of GENESIS (Gen-Next Support for Innovative Startups) under MeitY.
    • Aim: Accelerate early-stage tech startups, especially in Tier-II & Tier-III cities.
    • Nodal Agency: MeitY Startup Hub (MSH).
    • Eligibility: Indian citizens with TRL 1–4 innovations; startups <2 years old with prior funding below ₹10 lakh.
    • Support: Grants up to ₹10 lakh, incubation, mentorship, prototyping, industry linkages and IP/patent support.
    • Focus: AI, IoT, semiconductors, cybersecurity, blockchain, quantum computing & AR.

    COP17 of UNCCD

    Environment

    Context: 

    • The 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is being held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
    • Theme: “Restoring Land. Restoring Hope.” aligns with the UN International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP 2026).

    Key Outcomes of COP17 of the UNCCD

    • Drought Resilience: Launched a new global architecture, including the Drought Resilience Investment Facility (DRIF) and the first Drought Resilience Index (DRI).
    • Rangelands: Launched the Rangelands Flagship Initiative, mobilising about US$1.2 billion across 45 projects to support rangeland restoration and pastoralist livelihoods.
    • Steppe Action Agenda: Promotes nature-based infrastructure, sustainable rangeland management and the land–water nexus.
    • Finance: More than US$1.3 billion was pledged across 23 countries for land restoration and drought resilience.
    • Restoration Flagships: Three new World Restoration Flagships were recognised in Brazil, the Sahel and Saudi Arabia.
    • Pastoralists: Global Pastoralist Declaration highlighted land-tenure rights and protection of pastoralist livelihoods.
    • Future COP: Egypt will host COP18 in 2028

    Additional information – United Nations Convention to combat Desertification (UNCCD)

    • Established in – 1994  
    • Objective – To combat desertification and It is the sole legally binding international agreement linking environment to sustainable land management.
    • Significance – To maintain and restore the land and soil reproductively. 
    • June 17 – It is observed as the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought (WDCDD).
    • UNCCD COP16 (2024, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia): $12 billion was pledged for land restoration; India showcased the Aravalli Green Wall initiative.
    • Theme (2026): ‘Restoring Land, Restoring Hope’.

    Ervebo Ebola Vaccine

    Science & technology

    Context (IT): 

    • Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is receiving 70,000 doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine amid a rapidly worsening Ebola outbreak.
    • Ervebo (rVSV-ZEBOV) is a single-dose vaccine used to protect against Ebola virus disease (EVD). It is a live, replication-competent recombinant viral vector vaccine.

    Ebola virus disease (EVD)

    • It is formerly known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever. It is a rare but severe, often fatal illness in humans.
    • First found in –  Guinea in December 2013..
    • Transmission – The virus is transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads in the human population(Zoonotic nature).
    • Host –  fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family are natural Ebola virus hosts.
    • Symptoms – Fever, fatigue, muscle, pain, headache, sore throat.

    vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, symptoms of impaired kidney and liver function.

    • Treatment – The Ervebo vaccine has been shown to be effective in protecting people from the species Zaire ebolavirus. Remdesivir was also tested as an Ebola treatment

    Global Digital Capacity Building Alliance (GBDCA)

    Science & technology

    Context (PIB): 

    • GDCBA, an initiative of the Capacity Building Commission (CBC), has completed six months and is entering its next phase

    Global Digital Capacity Building Alliance (GBDCA) 

    • Launched: 20 Feb 2026 at India AI Impact Summit, New Delhi.
    • Initiative of: Capacity Building Commission (CBC) under Mission Karmayogi.
    • Aim: Global cooperation in public-sector capacity building through knowledge and experience sharing.
    • Goals: Institutional capacity, evidence-based decisions, global governance community and knowledge repository.
    • Reach: Partnerships across 10 countries and multiple global institutions.

    Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs (SEED)

    • Launched: 2022 by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.
    • Target: De-notified, Nomadic & Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNTs/NTs/SNTs).
    • Type: Central Sector Scheme; ₹200 crore for 5 years.
    • 4 Components:
      1. Education: Free coaching for competitive/professional courses.
      2. Health: ₹5 lakh/family/year through PM-JAY.
      3. Livelihood: Income support through SHGs.
      4. Housing: Assistance through convergence with PMAY.
    • Aim: Socio-economic empowerment and improved access to education, healthcare, livelihood and housing.

    Related Articles

  • Rajghat Excavations | Liberia | Right to Walk: Strengthening Pedestrian Safety in India | Garbhini Mitra Course | Polysilicon Manufacturing in India | INS Mangrol

    Rajghat Excavations

    GS1/History and Culture

    Context

    • Banaras Hindu University (BHU) recently opened 22 boxes containing over 10,000 artefacts excavated from Rajghat, Varanasi, in 1957  under the supervision of archaeologist T.N. Roy.

    Findings: 

    • Painted Black Ware, sculptures, coins, tools, seals and objects of copper, ivory and bone; some seals bear Brahmi script.
    • Location: Rajghat lies near the Ganga–Varuna confluence in Varanasi.
    • Significance: Important archaeological site of the Middle Ganga Valley, linked to ancient Varanasi/Kashi Mahajanapada.
    • Evidence: Seals bearing the name ‘Varanasi’ establish its association with ancient Varanasi.
    • First identified: 1939, during expansion of Kashi railway station.

    Additional Information – Rajghat, Varanasi 

    • Location: On the north-eastern edge of Varanasi, near the Ganga–Varuna confluence.
    • Archaeological site: Important site of the Middle Ganga Valley, associated with ancient Varanasi/Kashi Mahajanapada.
    • Excavation: Major excavation in 1957 under archaeologist T.N. Roy.
    • Findings: Painted Black Ware, coins, sculptures, tools, copper/ivory/bone objects and Brahmi-inscribed seals.
    • Key evidence: Seals bearing the name ‘Varanasi’ establish its link with ancient Varanasi.
    • First identified: 1939, during expansion of Kashi railway station.

    Liberia

    Places in News

    Context

    • A 12-member delegation of Liberian lawmakers visited India to study women’s political participation and gender-responsive governance under the framework of South-South cooperation.

    Liberia (Capital: Monrovia)

    • Location: Capital: Monrovia | West Africa
    • Borders: Sierra Leone (W), Guinea (N), Côte d’Ivoire (E), Atlantic Ocean (S).
    • History: One of Africa’s two countries never formally colonised by a European power; the other is Ethiopia.
    • Climate: Tropical, humid with heavy seasonal rainfall.
    • Biodiversity: Contains 35–40% of remaining Upper Guinean rainforest; Sapo National Park is a major protected area.
    • International: Founding member of UN (1945) and OAU (1963) → later AU.
    • India–Liberia: India deployed the first-ever all-female police unit in Liberia in 2007 under UN peacekeeping; served till 2016.

    Right to Walk: Strengthening Pedestrian Safety in India

    Governance

    Context

    • After the Supreme Court’s order recognising the right to walk on footpaths as a fundamental right
    • Andhra Pradesh (2026): First state to formulate a dedicated Pedestrian Safety & Universal Accessibility Policy.
    • 3-step approach: Road safety audits → Footpath improvement/removal of encroachments → Behavioural change.
    • Coverage: Urban, peri-urban, satellite towns and rural areas.
    • Footpath audits: Prioritises 15–20 pedestrian black spots; 20% of roads to be surveyed within one year.
    • Legal provision: Section 198A, Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 → ₹1 lakh fine on officials/contractors/consultants for infrastructure or design failures causing pedestrian death/disability.
    • Pedestrian deaths (2024): 36,526 out of 1.77 lakh road-accident deaths.

    Right to Walk

    • SC: Recognised safe, well-maintained and demarcated footpaths as a Fundamental Right in Maniyar Iliyaz @ Shaik Riyaz v. P. Ayyappan & Ors.
    • Derived from Article 19(1)(d) – freedom of movement + Article 21 – life and personal liberty.

    Garbhini Mitra Course

    Government schemes

    News

    • The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) has introduced the Garbhini Mitra Course for the 2026–2027 academic session. 

    Garbhini Mitra Course

    • Offered by: All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), Sarita Vihar, New Delhi.
    • Aim: Train personnel to provide pregnancy and postnatal health education and community support.
    • Batch size: 20 students.
    • Ayurvedic basis: Garbhini Paricharya (antenatal), Sutika Paricharya (postnatal) and Garbhadhana Vidhi (pre-conception).
    • Skills: Trimester-wise diet, lifestyle, pregnancy-safe yoga, emotional support, newborn care and basic life support.
    • Eligibility: 18+ years + 10+2 pass from a recognised board.

    Polysilicon Manufacturing in India

    Science & Technology

    Context

    • The government is considering a new Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for polysilicon manufacturing to develop an integrated domestic solar PV supply chain.

    India’s Solar Manufacturing Position

    • Installed solar capacity: ~163 GW, the largest renewable energy source in India.
    • Manufacturing: ~173 GW solar module and ~25–30 GW solar cell capacity.
    • Key gap: India remains dependent on imports of polysilicon, ingots and wafers.
    • China: Accounts for 85%+ of global PV supply capacity with an integrated solar manufacturing chain.

    Polysilicon

    • Highly purified silicon used to manufacture crystalline-silicon solar cells.
    • Produced from quartz/silica through energy-intensive purification.
    • High purity is essential for efficient solar-cell performance.

    Solar value chain:

    • Quartz/Silica → Polysilicon → Ingot → Wafer → Cell → Module → Solar Panel

    INS Mangrol

    Defence

    Context

    • ‘Mangrol’, the third Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi, was delivered to the Indian Navy.

    INS Mangrol

    • Type: Kalvari-class (Scorpène) diesel-electric submarine of the Indian Navy.
    • Built by: Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) under Project-75.
    • Commissioned: 2024.
    • Named after: Mangrol, a coastal town in Gujarat.
    • Key features: Stealthy, designed for anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
    • Significance: Strengthens India’s underwater warfare capability and supports Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence manufacturing.
    • Project-75: Involves construction of six Scorpène-class submarines in India.

    Related Articles

  • Resistance against Ken-Betwa Link Project | India-Brazil Relations | Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) | Terrier Cyber Quest 2026 | Rising cases of Swine Flu | GST Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT) | Heritage Village

    Resistance against Ken-Betwa Link Project

    ENVIRONMENT

    News 

    • Adivasi people in Madhya Pradesh are protesting against the Ken-Betwa river-linking project for fear of mass displacement, degradation of their ancestral woods, and loss of their traditional identity. 

    Ken-Betwa Link Project 

    • It is a project proposed to transfer excess water from the River Ken to the Betwa basin through the use of a concrete canal. 
    • Objective – to provide irrigation to the Bundelkhand region of UP, which is one of the worst drought-affected areas in India.
    • Beneficiary states –  Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
    • Significance – It will meet the irrigation purposes, drinking water, and electricity needs of 6 districts in both states.
    • Biodiversity Concerns – Nearly 8,650 hectares of forest land including part of Panna National Park in Madhya Pradesh will be submerged if the project were to become a reality.

    India-Brazil Relations

    International

    Context

    • India and Brazil reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation in telecommunications and Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).

    India–Brazil Relations

    • Diplomatic: Relations since 1948; Strategic Partnership since 2006.
    • Trade: Brazil is India’s largest trade partner in South America; bilateral trade $12.2 bn (2024–25).
    • Defence: Defence Cooperation Agreement (2003); Joint Defence Committee (JDC).
    • Security: Strategic Dialogue since 2006; extradition and mutual legal assistance agreements.
    • Space: Cooperation since 2004; satellite tracking and data sharing.
    • Multilateral: Cooperation through BRICS, G20, G4, IBSA, BASIC, ISA, UN, WTO, UNESCO & WIPO.

    Key Areas of Convergence

    • UNSC Reform: Expansion of permanent & non-permanent categories.
    • Global South: Reform of UN, IMF & World Bank.
    • Biofuels: Founding members of Global Biofuels Alliance; focus on clean energy.
    • Climate: Cooperation on tropical forests, climate finance & COP30.
    • Health: Joint R&D in vaccines and tropical diseases.
    • Food Security: Cooperation through Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty.
    • Technology: Collaboration in AI, quantum technology & renewables.
    • Trade & Investment: Reduce trade barriers, facilitate visas and explore local-currency financing.

    Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA)

    Economy

    News

    • PM-AASHA has emerged as a strong and structured mechanism to support farmers through assured procurement, price stabilization, and effective market interventions. 

    Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA)

    • Launched: 2018
    • Objective – It aims to ensure remunerative prices to farmers, prevent distress sales and maintain price stability.
    • Components:
      • PSS: Procurement of pulses, oilseeds & copra at MSP.
      • PSF: Buffer stocks to control price volatility.
      • PDPS: Pays MSP–market price difference to farmers.
      • MIS: Support for perishable crops during price crashes.
    • Significance: Strengthens MSP-based price assurance while balancing farmer and consumer interests.

    Terrier Cyber Quest 2026

    Internal Security

    News 

    • The Territorial Army, in collaboration with CyberPeace, has launched Terrier Cyber Quest 2026 (TCQ 3.0).

    Terrier Cyber Quest

    • National-level hackathon focused on defence, cybersecurity and information-domain challenges.
    • Brings together academia, industry, research institutions, government and Armed Forces.
    • Promotes AI, cybersecurity, threat mitigation and indigenous solutions.
    1. Bug Hunting: CTF-based vulnerability identification in simulated critical infrastructure.
    2. AI Kavach: AI/ML solutions for threat intelligence, anomaly detection and automated defence.
    3. Creators Challenge: Awareness campaigns on deepfakes, phishing, scams and misinformation.

    Rising cases of Swine Flu

    Health

    News

    • Delhi has registered 1,777 confirmed cases of swine flu, with hospitals reporting a spurt in illnesses in all age groups over the past two weeks.

    Swine Influenza

    • Cause: Respiratory disease of pigs caused by Influenza A viruses.
    • Common subtypes: H1N1, H1N2, H3N2.
    • Transmission: Mainly through coughing/sneezing; also via contaminated surfaces.
    • Human infection: Can spread person-to-person.
    • Distribution: Common in the Americas, Europe and parts of Asia; also reported in Africa.
    • Treatment: Mainly supportive care; antibiotics do not work against viral infections.
    • UPSC Link: Influenza A → zoonotic potential → respiratory infection → viral disease.

    GST Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT)

    Economy

    Context

    • Less-than-anticipated cases were filed with the GST Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT).

    About GSTAT

    • Established under: CGST Act, 2017.
    • Purpose: Appellate authority for disputes arising under GST laws.
    • Structure: National Principal Bench + State Benches.
    • Composition: Judicial Member + Technical Members (Centre/State).
    • Appeals: Hears appeals against orders passed by Appellate/Revisionary Authorities under GST.
    • Significance: Provides specialised, speedy and uniform resolution of GST disputes and reduces the burden on higher courts.
    • Constitutional link: GST is based on Article 246A, with the GST Council under Article 279A.

    Additional Information – Goods and Service Tax (GST)

    • Goods and Services Tax is an indirect tax used in India on the supply of goods and services.
    • It is a value-added tax levied on most goods and services sold for domestic consumption.
    • It was launched in India in 2017 as a comprehensive indirect tax for the entire country.

    It is of three types i.e. 

    1. CGST to be levied by the Centre, 
    2. SGST to be levied by the States and 
    3. IGST a tax levied on all Inter-State supplies of goods and/or services.  

    GST Council

      • Legal status – It is a Constitutional body under Article 279A, introduced by the Constitution (One Hundred and First Amendment) Act, 2016.
      • Mandate – It is empowered to modify, reconcile or to procure any law or regulation based on the context of GST in India.
      • Federal body – It is also considered as a federal body where both the centre and the states get due representation.
      • Functions: It makes recommendations to the Union and State Government on issues related to GST.
    • Composition
      • Chairperson: Union Finance Minister.
      • Members: Union State Minister of Revenue or Finance and Ministers in-charge of Finance or Taxation of all the States.

    Heritage Village

    Government schemes

    News: 

    • Odisha plans to develop Gurujang village, Angul, birthplace of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, as a heritage village.

    About – 

    • Meaning: Traditional settlements conserved to preserve cultural heritage, architecture, traditions and lifestyle.

    Heritage includes:

    • Tangible: Houses, monuments, artefacts.
    • Intangible: Festivals, folklore, crafts, music and traditional knowledge.
    • Significance: Promotes cultural tourism while preserving local identity.
    • Key Example: Pragpur, Himachal Pradesh – widely recognised as India’s first heritage village.
    • Other examples: Kisama (Nagaland), Reiek (Mizoram), Khasi Heritage Village (Meghalaya).

    Additional Information – Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY)

    • Launched: 2015 by the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs.
    • Aim: Preserve and revitalise heritage cities by improving infrastructure around heritage sites.
    • Focus: Sanitation, roads, public spaces, water supply, parking, security and civic facilities.
    • Coverage: 12 heritage cities, including Varanasi, Ajmer, Amritsar, Mathura, Gaya and Puri.
    • Funding: 100% Central Government funded.
    • Duration: Implemented from 2015–2019.

    Related Articles

  • Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM) | Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) | GISAT-1A | Satkosia Tiger Reserve 

    Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM)

    Government Schemes

    Context

    • The Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM) is unlocking India’s tribal forest economy.

    About PMJVM

    • Launched in 2021-22, 
      • Financing- It is a Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. 
    • Nodal agency – Tribal Co-operative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) 

    Objectives

    • Promote tribal entrepreneurship, livelihood and income generation.
    • Focuses on Minor Forest Produce (MFP), tribal products and value addition.
    • Supports tribal producer enterprises, SHGs and Van Dhan Vikas Kendras.
    • Aims to strengthen tribal value chains, market linkages and access to finance.
    • It also provides Minimum Support Price (MSP) for identified Minor Forest Produce (MFP) through direct procurement from tribal gatherers. 
    • Key focus: From collection → value addition → branding → marketing of tribal products.

    Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)

    Polity and Governance

    Context

    • The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has transferred the processing of pending citizenship applications under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) to District Collectors in eight States and Union Territories (UTs).
    • District Collectors in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh have been authorised.

    Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019 

    • Amends: Citizenship Act, 1955; received Presidential assent on 12 December 2019 and came into force on 10 January 2020.
    • Eligibility: Provides a pathway to Indian citizenship for Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan who entered India on or before 31 December 2014.
    • Exclusion: Muslims are not included in this specific category.
    • Naturalisation period: Reduced from 11 years to 5 years for eligible persons.
    • CAA Rules, 2024: Notified on 11 March 2024, enabling implementation of the Act.
    • Exemptions: Does not apply to Sixth Schedule tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura, and areas covered by the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system.
    • Key debate: Concerns relate to Article 14 (equality), secularism and the exclusion of Muslims, while the government describes it as a measure for persecuted minorities from the three specified countries.

    GISAT-1A

    Science and Tech

    In News

    • The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing to launch the GISAT-1A Satellite.

    GISAT-1A (Geo Imaging Satellite )

      • It is also referred to as EOS-05 under the new nomenclature .
      • It is a replacement satellite for the 2021-launched GISAT-1 (or EOS-03), which missed the orbit after the final propulsive segment of the rocket failed to ignite.
      • It is scheduled to launch aboard the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV). 
      • The mission will be Isro’s first launch since the PSLV-C62/EOS-N1 mission failed in January 2026.
      • Purpose :  GISAT-1A is designed for high-frequency imaging of large areas of the Indian landmass.
      • Its applications include monitoring natural disasters, agriculture, forestry and other changes on the ground. 
    • The satellite has a planned 10-year mission life.

    Satkosia Tiger Reserve

    Environment

    Context

    • The Odisha government has formed a high-level inquiry committee to look into the displacement of villages from the Satkosia Tiger Reserve (STR) amid allegations that the villagers were forcibly evicted.

    Satkosia Tiger Reserve 

      • Location: Odisha, at the meeting point of the Deccan Peninsula and the Eastern Ghats.
    • Established: In 2007 under Project Tiger.
    • Area: The reserve includes the Satkosia Gorge Wildlife Sanctuary and Baisipalli Wildlife Sanctuary, which together span an area of around 1,000 sq km.
    • The Mahanadi River flows through the reserve and forms the spectacular Satkosia Gorge.
    • Flora: Mixture of deciduous forests including Sal (Shorea robusta) and riverine forest.

    Additional Information – Tiger Reserves Facts

    • Legal basis: Declared under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, through the Project Tiger framework.
    • Project Tiger: Launched in 1973 with 9 tiger reserves.
    • Nodal authority: National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), established under the Wildlife (Protection) Act.
    • Core + Buffer: Tiger Reserves have a Core/Critical Tiger Habitat and a Buffer area.
    • Tiger census: Conducted every 4 years under the All India Tiger Estimation (AITE).
    • Latest estimate: India had 3,682 tigers in 2022, according to the fifth AITE.
    • India’s share: India supports around 75% of the world’s wild tiger population.
    • Largest Tiger Reserve: Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam (Andhra Pradesh/Telangana).
    • Smallest Tiger Reserve: Bohr(Maharashtra)
    • First Tiger Reserve: Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve, Uttarakhand (among the original 9).
    • State with most tiger reserves: Madhya Pradesh.
    • Important point: A Tiger Reserve is not a separate category of protected area like a National Park or Wildlife Sanctuary; it can include one or more such protected areas.
    • International initiative: Global Tiger Initiative / TX2 aims to double wild tiger numbers.

    Related Articles

  • New Development Bank | Raichur Miyawaki Forest | Amazon Rainforest | South Zone Council

    New Development Bank

    International

    News 

    • Iran decided to join the New Development Bank to strengthen monetary, financial and banking cooperation with BRICS countries.

    New Development Bank (NDB)

    • Established: 2015 by BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa).
    • Headquarters: Shanghai, China.
    • Objective: Financing infrastructure and sustainable development projects in emerging and developing economies.
    • Membership: Open to UN member countries; both borrowing and non-borrowing members are allowed.
    • Members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Bangladesh, UAE, Egypt, Algeria and Uzbekistan.
    • Uzbekistan: 10th member and first Central Asian country to join NDB.

    Raichur Miyawaki Forest

    Environment

    In Context

    • The Miyawaki method has been in the news repeatedly over the past year from Raichur’s Yakalaspura dumpsite-turned-forest in Karnataka, to Rajkot’s Nakrawadi landfill transformation in Gujarat, to urban afforestation drives in Mumbai.

    Miyawaki Method

    • Afforestation technique for creating dense, native, multi-layered forests in a short time, including small urban spaces.
    • Developed in the 1970s by Japanese botanist Dr. Akira Miyawaki.
    • Based on “Potential Natural Vegetation” — vegetation that would naturally occur in an area if left undisturbed.
    • Key principle: Plant diverse native species closely together, creating competition for sunlight and nutrients and enabling rapid forest growth.
    • Benefits: High biodiversity, carbon sequestration, improved soil quality and urban cooling.

    Amazon Rainforest

    Environment

    Context

    • A recent study published in Global Change Biology has found that just 15–25 tree species play a major role in regenerating deforested areas of the Amazon rainforest.

    Amazon Rain Forests

    • Location: The region belongs to nine nations of the South American continent.
    • Surrounded by – It is bounded by the Guiana Highlands to the north, the Andes Mountains to the west, the Brazilian central plateau to the south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east.
    • Area Covered: The majority of the forest, 60%, is in Brazil, followed by Peru with 13%, Colombia with 10%, and with minor amounts in Bolivia,Ecuador,French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname and Venezuela.
    • Climate: Hot and humid climate with temperatures of 26-30°C throughout the year.There are no periodic seasons.The precipitation ranges from 2,000 mm to 10,920 mm annually. 
    • Tribes: Yanomamo,Kayapo,Akuntsu,Matses,Tupi etc.
    • Fauna: Anaconda,Jesus lizard,howler monkey, golden lion tamarin, jaguar,sloth, spider monkey,Amazon River dolphin,toucan and the scarlet macaw,poison dart frog and the glass frog.
    • Flora: Moist broadleaf tropical rainforest like myrtle,laurel,palm, acacia,rosewood,Brazil nut,rubber tree, mahogany and Amazonian cedar. 

    Significance of the Rainforests

    • Lungs of the planet: Rainforests generate about 20% of the world’s oxygen and its trees play a key role in reducing pollutant levels.
    • Fight climate change: They act as a crucial buffer in the global fight against climate change as it holds tremendous capacity to store carbon.
    • Medicinal Properties: Many of these plants contain bioactive compounds capable of treatmenting diseases that are not yet curable, especially cancer.

    Threat to the forests

    • Climate Change: Due to climate change the forests are witnessing various challenges like changes in rainfall patterns,pollution etc.
    • Deforestation: The size of the Amazon forest shrank dramatically as a result of settlers’ clearance of the land to obtain lumber and to create grazing pastures and farmland. 
    • Wildfires: It causes threat to the survival of ecosystems and biodiversity. The 2019 forest fires in the region have led to widespread devastation in the region.

    Additional Information – Amazon River

    • It is the largest river by volume of water and second longest river after the Nile river of Africa in the world.
    • Source:River has its source in the Peruvian Andes, at an elevation of 5,598 m.
    • Length:6400 km.
    • Basin:The basin includes the greater part of Brazil and Peru,some parts of Colombia, Ecuador and Bolivia and a small area of Venezuela.
    • Tributaries:Japurá , Juruá, Madeira, Negro, Purus, and Xingu rivers.
    • Mouth:Atlantic Ocean on the northeastern coast of Brazil.

    South Zone Council

    Polity

    Context

    • The 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting was held in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu.

    Zonal Councils — UPSC

    • Statutory bodies established under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956 to promote Centre–State and inter-State cooperation.
    • Chairman: Union Home Minister.
    • Vice-Chairman: Chief Minister of one member State, rotationally.
    • Nature: Advisory bodies; Standing Committee of Chief Secretaries examines issues before the Council.
    • Five Zonal Councils: Northern, Central, Eastern, Western and Southern.
    • North Eastern Council (NEC): Established under the North Eastern Council Act, 1972 for the special problems of the Northeast.
    • NEC States: Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Sikkim (added in 2002).
    • Key point: Zonal Councils ≠ Constitutional bodies; they are statutory and advisory.

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  • Tamirabharani River | BRICS calls EU’s Carbon Tax Punitive | Introduction of Blackbucks Into Banni Grassland | India’s Makhana Sector

    Tamirabharani River

    Environment

    Context

    • The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has declared Tamil Nadu’s Tamirabharani river a deity, thereby granting it legal personhood to curb pollution from funeral rites and waste dumping.

    Background- 

      • In 2017, the Uttarakhand High Court recognised the Ganga and Yamuna as legal persons. However, the Supreme Court later stayed the order, citing practical and administrative difficulties, particularly since the rivers flow across multiple states.
    • Globally, New Zealand’s Whanganui River became the first river in the world to be recognised as a legal person in 2017.

    Additional Information- Tamirabharani River 

    • Origin: Pothigai Hills (Western Ghats), Tamil Nadu.
    • Course: Flows through Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts.
    • Mouth: Drains into the Gulf of Mannar.
    • Type: One of the few perennial rivers of Tamil Nadu.
    • Major tributaries: Manimuthar, Gadananathi, Pachaiyar and Chittar.
    • Importance: Irrigation, drinking water and hydropower.
    • Key feature: Supports agriculture in the Tirunelveli–Thoothukudi region.

    BRICS calls EU’s Carbon Tax Punitive

    International

    Context

    • BRICS environment and climate ministers opposed the European Union’s (EU) Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) calling it a discriminatory and protection measure that is not in line with international law.

    Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)

    • It is a carbon tariff on carbon intensive products, such as cement and some electricity, imported by the European Union.
    • Significance – As a price on carbon, it discourages emissions. As a trade-related measure, it affects production and exports.

    Introduction of Blackbucks Into Banni Grassland

    Environment

    In News

    • The Gujarat Forest Department, with technical support from Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre, Vantara, released 20 blackbucks (Antilope cervicapra) into the Banni Grassland of Kutch.

    Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra)

    • Appearance: Males have striking spiral horns that can reach up to 75 cm (30 inches) in length and their coat is a dark brown to black color. Females are smaller and have a reddish-brown coat without horns.
      • Habitat: They are typically found in grasslands, savannas, and open forests. They prefer areas with short grass for grazing.
      • Threats: Earlier extensively hunted in the princely states of India, Habitat destruction,  Illegal Hunting for economic consumption
    • Conservation Status: IUCN Status: Least Concern
        • CITES: Appendix III
    • Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.
    • State animal – Declared as state animal of Punjab, Haryana, and Andhra Pradesh.
    • Cultural Importance: In Hinduism, the Blackbuck is considered a symbol of purity, with its skin and horns revered as sacred objects. In Buddhism, it represents good luck.

    Banni Grassland

    • Location – The Banni grasslands in Kachchh 
    • Uniqueness – Asia’s largest natural grasslands
    • Pastoral communities – Fakirani Jat.
    • The region contains over 70 species of nutritious grasses and supports grazing of camels, buffaloes, sheep, and goats.
    • Nearby – Chhari Dhand Wetland Conservation Reserve is a Ramsar site important for migratory birds and local biodiversity.

    Concerns 

      • Local communities fear loss of grazing land, cultural spaces, graveyards, and traditional livelihoods.
    • Conservationists warn that solar infrastructure, light pollution, and human activity may disturb bird habitats and migratory routes.

    India’s Makhana Sector

    Economy

    In News

    • Makhana has emerged as one of India’s fastest-growing agri-food sectors, driven by rising health awareness, expanding domestic demand, and strong export potential.

    National Makhana Board

    • Objective – to strengthen and modernize India’s Makhana sector.
    • It is headquartered in Purnea, Bihar.

    Makhana (Euryale ferox) 

      • It is a flowering plant classified in the water lily family (Nymphaeaceae). 
      • Climatic condition: Requires a temperature range of 20-35°C, and annual rainfall between 100- 250 cm. 
      • It is a fully organic non-cereal food found principally in India but also in Korea, Japan, as well as parts of eastern Russia. 
    • Bihar accounts for ~90% of India’s makhana production. 
    • GI Tag: In 2022, ‘Mithila Makhana’ was conferred a GI tag.

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  • Dahi Handi Festival | Communal Award | Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) | MQ-9B Sea Guardian Unmanned Aircraft | Draft SHANTI Rules 2026

    Dahi Handi Festival

    History & Culture

    Context

    • The Maharashtra government is seeking UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage recognition for the Dahi Handi festival.
    • It also plans to send ‘Govindas’, who form human pyramids during the festival, to Spain to showcase this traditional practice. 

    Dahi Handi Festival

    • Dahi Handi, held a day after Janmashtami to mark the birth of Lord Krishna.
    • It combines religious devotion with community participation and sport.
    • Participants, or Govindas, form tall human pyramids to reach and break an earthen pot filled with curd, butter, and milk.

    India-Spain Connection

      • The traditional practice of building human pyramids and towers is the common link between the Dahi Handi festival and Spain, where communities practice building human towers called castells.
    • Spain’s Catalan Castells (human towers)— is already recognized by UNESCO. 
    • Spanish teams regularly visit Mumbai and Thane to participate in the Dahi Handi festival. 

     

    Connect with the basics – Intangible Cultural Heritage

    UNESCO defines “intangible” as “expressions that have:

    1. Passed from one generation to another.
    2. Evolved in response to their environments.
    3. Contributed to giving us a sense of identity and continuity.
      • According to an official document by UNESCO, ‘intangible cultural heritage’ includes “oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, festive events, knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe or the knowledge and skills to produce traditional crafts.”
    • To date, 16 Indian elements have been inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List (including Deepavali)
      1. Garba of Gujarat (2023)
      2. Durga Puja in Kolkata (2021)
      3. Kumbh Mela (2017)
      4. Navroz (2016)
      5. Yoga (2016)
      6. Traditional brass and copper craft of utensil making among the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, Punjab (2014)
      7. Sankirtana, ritual singing, drumming and dancing of Manipur (2013)
      8. Buddhist chanting of Ladakh: recitation of sacred Buddhist texts in the trans-Himalayan Ladakh region, Jammu and Kashmir (2012)
      9. Chhau dance (2010)
      10. Kalbelia folk songs and dances of Rajasthan (2010)
      11. Mudiyettu, ritual theatre and dance drama of Kerala (2010)
      12. Ramman, religious festival and ritual theatre of the Garhwal Himalayas (2009)
      13. Kutiyattam, Sanskrit theatre (2008)
      14. Tradition of Vedic chanting (2008)
      15. Ramlila, the traditional performance of the Ramayana (2008)
      16. Deepavali (2025) – Recently added

    Communal Award

    History & Culture

    In News 

    • Recently, the anniversary of the Communal Award announcements was observed.

    Communal Award

    • Announced by – Ramsay MacDonald in August 1932.
    • Objective – It Granted separate electorates to the Depressed Classes and 71 reserved seats.
    • Also provided separate electorates for Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Anglo-Indians and Europeans.
    • Aim: political representation and protection of minorities.

    Gandhi’s Response

    • Gandhi opposed separate electorates for the Depressed Classes, arguing they would divide Hindu society.
    • He began a fast unto death at Poona on 20 September 1932.
    • M.C. Rajah and B.G. Horniman also opposed separate electorates.

    Ambedkar’s Views

    • Ambedkar strongly supported separate electorates for the Depressed Classes.
    • He believed they needed independent political representation.
    • Initially, he refused to compromise, prioritising their interests.

    Poona Pact

    • Signed on 24 September 1932 after negotiations between Gandhi and Ambedkar.
    • Separate electorates were replaced by joint electorates.
    • Reserved seats increased from 71 to 148 in provincial legislatures.
    • The Pact became a modification of the Communal Award.
    • Political reservation for SCs continued after independence.

    Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS)

    Economy

    Context

    • The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) approved projects collectively worth ₹7,877 crore for incentives under the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS).

    Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS)

    • Launched: 2025 by the Government of India.
    • Objective: To develop a strong domestic ecosystem for electronic components and reduce import dependence.
    • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY).
    • Outlay: ₹22,919 crore over 6 years.
    • Focus: Manufacturing of components such as PCBs, camera modules, display modules, connectors, and other electronic sub-assemblies.
    • Benefits: Attracts investment, creates jobs, strengthens supply chains and promotes Make in India.
    • Significance: Supports India’s goal of becoming a global electronics manufacturing hub.

    MQ-9B Sea Guardian Unmanned Aircraft

    Science & technology

    Context

    • The Ministry of Defence signed a contract with the U.S. General Atomics Aeronautical to lease two MQ-9B Sea Guardian High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) for the Indian Navy.

    MQ-9B SeaGuardian Unmanned Aircraft

    • Type: High-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) remotely piloted aircraft.
    • Manufacturer: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, USA.
    • Role: Maritime surveillance, reconnaissance and intelligence gathering.
    • Key feature: Can operate for 40+ hours and cover vast maritime areas.
    • India: The Indian Navy is acquiring MQ-9B SeaGuardians to strengthen maritime domain awareness and surveillance in the Indian Ocean Region.
    • Significance: Enhances India’s ability to monitor ships, submarines and suspicious maritime activity over long distances.
    • Note: It is an unmanned aircraft, but is remotely controlled by operators rather than being fully autonomous.

    Draft SHANTI Rules 2026

    Polity

    Context

    • Recently, the government has released the draft SHANTI Rules, 2026, 

    Draft SHANTI Rules, 2026

    • Full form – Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India
    • Purpose: Operationalise the SHANTI Act, 2025 and expand India’s nuclear energy sector.
    • Private participation: Framework for greater private-sector involvement in nuclear activities.
    • Licensing: Provides for a composite licence covering the nuclear installation lifecycle.
    • Safety: Strengthens requirements for nuclear safety, radiation protection and emergency preparedness.
    • Liability: Operators must maintain insurance/financial security against nuclear damage.
    • Nuclear Liability Fund: Proposed fund supported through operator levies for compensation.
    • Technology: Facilitates use of foreign nuclear technologies, subject to Indian regulatory requirements.
    • Goal: Supports India’s target of 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047 and net-zero by 2070.

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  • Surrogate Advertisements | Saptadhara | Friedreich’s ataxia (FRDA) | Hara Mangrove Forests

    Surrogate Advertisements

    Polity

    Context

    • Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued show-cause notices to actors alleging that their advertisement for Vimal Elaichi amounts to surrogate advertising for Vimal Pan Masala.

    Surrogate advertising 

      • It is a form of marketing used to promote products banned or limited from advertising under government regulations, such as alcohol, tobacco, and pan masala. 
    • Maharashtra has prohibited gutkha and pan masala containing tobacco or nicotine since 2012 under Section 30(2)(a) of the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006. 

    Misleading Advertisement Under the Consumer Protection Act 2019

    • Legal Definition (Section 2(28)) –  Any advertisement that falsely describes products, gives deceptive guarantees, or deliberately conceals material information.
    • Enforcing Body: The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) regulates violations and enforces the 2022 Guidelines to protect consumer rights.Surrogate 
    • Advertising: Strictly banned to stop restricted items (alcohol/tobacco) from using permitted shadow products (soda/cardamom) for branding.
    • Coaching Institute Crackdown: Penalises institutes that hide course details when using toppers’ photos (e.g., claiming a mock-interview student as a full-time student).
    • Greenwashing & Labels: Targets unverified, misleading eco-friendly or health claims like “100% natural” to ensure scientific accuracy.
    • Financial Penalties: Fines up to ₹10 Lakh for a first offence and up to ₹50 Lakh for subsequent violations.
    • Targeted Liability: Punishes manufacturers, publishers, and celebrity endorsers, with endorsers facing a product endorsement ban of up to 3 years.

    Saptadhara

    Economy

    News

    • Prime Minister launched a seven-point ‘Saptadhara’ reform framework to fast-track India’s goal of attaining a Viksit Bharat by 2047, 

    Saptadhara 

    1. Manufacturing Power: Scaling up quality and global integration.
    2. Agricultural Power: Boosting processing, storage, and food exports.
    3. Technology & Innovation: Advancing AI, semiconductors, and R&D.
    4. Connectivity: Enhancing multimodal logistics and infrastructure.
    5. Defence Power: Achieving self-reliance in high-tech armaments.
    6. Green & Blue Economy: Expanding renewables and ocean resources.
    7. Soft Power: Promoting culture, tourism, and heritage globally.

    Friedreich’s ataxia (FRDA)

    Health & Society

    Context

    • Many Indian communities practice consanguinity.
    • It greatly increases the risk of genetic diseases that are otherwise rare, Friedreich’s ataxia is one such disease.

    Friedreich’s ataxia, or FRDA

    • It is a genetic disorder that progressively damages the nerves and the heart.
    • The affected individuals typically begin to show symptoms between the ages of 5 and 15. 

    Symptoms: 

      • Unsteady and impaired coordination.
      • Speech slows down and slurs, swallowing becomes difficult, Hearing and vision deteriorates. 
      • Fatigued, lost sensation, eventually, most patients die relatively young, of heart disease. 
    • There is no cure.
      • FRDA is more likely when both parents carry the defective gene. 
    • FRDA is caused by mutations in the FXN gene.
    • Consanguineous marriages (marriages between relatives, such as cousins) increase the chance that both parents carry the same rare genetic mutation.

    Hara Mangrove Forests

    Environment

    Context

    • A major oil spill off the southern coast of Iran has emerged as a serious ecological threat to the Hara mangrove forests.

    Hara Mangrove Forests

    • It also known as the Qeshm–Hara mangrove forests
    • Location – It is located around Qeshm Island and the Strait of Hormuz in southern Iran.
    • They are dominated by the grey mangrove (Avicennia marina), a species highly adapted to saline coastal environments.
    • The area has been recognised as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

    Mangroves  

    • Definition: A mangrove is a woody plant which lives between the sea and the land, in areas which are flooded by tides for part of the time. 
    • Halophytes – Mangroves are salt-tolerant plants, also called halophytes.
    • Climatic conditions – receiving rainfall between 1,000 to 3,000 mm and temperature ranging between 26-35°C. 
    • Ecotone – Since mangroves are located between the land and sea they represent the best example of ecotone.

    Sundarbans Location: 

    • Location – The Sundarbans Forest located on the delta of Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna in South Asia (India & Bangladesh).
    • Global Significance: It is the largest mangrove forest in the world. 
    • It is Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Ramsar Site.

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  • Karnataka & Group C Current Affairs – August 10th to 14th, 2026

    Appointments

    1. SC Collegium Recommends CJs for Calcutta & Bombay HCs

    Justice R.V. Ghuge and Justice M.C. Tripathi have been recommended by the Supreme Court Collegium for elevation as Chief Justices of the Calcutta High Court and Bombay High Court, respectively. Following constitutional procedure under Article 217, Justice Ghuge (previously Acting CJ of Bombay HC) will lead the Calcutta High Court, while Justice Tripathi (from Allahabad HC) is set to become the 50th Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court.

     

    2. Dr. Srinivasa Kumar Tummala Appointed MoES Secretary

    Dr. Srinivasa Kumar Tummala has officially assumed charge as the new Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). With his extensive expertise in oceanography and disaster early warning systems, he will lead the ministry’s administrative and scientific mandate, overseeing critical advancements in India’s meteorological, climatological, ocean, and seismological research initiatives.

    Awards

    1. Deepak Dhar Wins 2026 Dirac Medal

    Context: Renowned Indian theoretical physicist Prof. Deepak Dhar has been awarded the prestigious Dirac Medal for his seminal contributions to statistical physics.

    Key Highlights:

    • Award: 2026 Dirac Medal (ICTP Dirac Medal)
    • Awardee: Prof. Deepak Dhar (INSA Distinguished Professor at ICTS-TIFR Bengaluru)
    • Issuing Authority: International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP, Trieste, Italy)
    • Key Achievement: Honoured for his foundational contributions to statistical mechanics, particularly his pioneering work on the abelian sandpile model, self-organized criticality, and statistical physics on fractal lattices.

    About the Award:

    • Established in 1985 in honour of Nobel laureate Paul Dirac.
    • Awarded annually by ICTP to scientists who have made significant, original contributions to theoretical physics.

     

    2. Team India Wins 4 Medals at International Linguistics Olympiad 2026

    Context: Indian students secured four medals at the prestigious international linguistics competition held in Romania.

    Key Highlights:

    • Award: 1 Gold, 3 Bronze Medals (and 1 Honourable Mention) at IOL 2026.
    • Awardees: Shrilakshmi Venkatraman (Gold); Aarav Anil Rao, Nishanth Shankar Lakshmanan, and Advay Misra (Bronze).
    • Venue: Bucharest, Romania.
    • Key Achievement: Mentored by IIIT Hyderabad, the team successfully decoded unfamiliar languages using computational logic against competitors from over 40 countries.

    About the Competition:

    • The IOL is a global academic olympiad for secondary school students that tests logical reasoning and pattern recognition rather than prior linguistic knowledge.
    • India has participated since 2009, currently holding a cumulative tally of 37 individual medals.

     

    3. Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards 2024-25

    Context: President Droupadi Murmu will confer the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowships and Awards for 2024 and 2025 to 115 eminent artists in New Delhi, recognising their distinguished contributions to India’s performing arts.

    Key Highlights:

    • Award: Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowships (Akademi Ratna) and Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards (Akademi Puraskar).
    • Awardees: 115 artists from across India, comprising 7 Akademi Fellows and 108 Akademi Awardees.
    • Issuing Authority: Sangeet Natak Akademi.
    • Presenter: President Droupadi Murmu at New Delhi.
    • Key Achievement: Recognises outstanding and sustained individual contributions across classical music, dance, theatre, traditional and folk arts, and puppetry.

    About the Award:

    • Established as India’s national academy for music, dance, and drama, conferring these apex national honours since 1952.
    • Akademi Ratna (Fellowship): The institution’s highest and most exclusive honour. It carries purse money of ₹3,00,000, a Tamrapatra, and an Angavastram.
    • Akademi Puraskar (Awards): Carries purse money of ₹1,00,000, a Tamrapatra, and an Angavastram.

    List of Akademi Ratna (Fellowship) Recipients 2024-25:

    S.No.

    Name of the Akademi Fellow

    Field of Art / Core Contribution

    1

    Ramlal Bareth

    Kathak (Classical Dance)

    2

    A.V. Anand

    Carnatic Music (Instrumental – Mridangam)

    3

    Rita Ganguly

    Hindustani Music & Dance (Vocalist & Dancer)

    4

    Puru Dadheech

    Kathak (Classical Dance)

    5

    Chittaranjan Jyotishi

    Hindustani Music (Classical Vocal)

    6

    Pasumarthi Rattaiah Sarma

    Kuchipudi (Classical Dance)

    7

    Sudharani Raghupathy

    Bharatanatyam (Classical Dance)

     

    4. 2026 Dirac Medal

    Context: Indian theoretical physicist Prof. Deepak Dhar has been awarded the prestigious 2026 Dirac Medal for his groundbreaking contributions to statistical mechanics.

    Salient Features & Key Exam Facts:

    • Inception: Instituted in 1985 by the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) in honour of British physicist Paul A. M. Dirac.
    • Awarding Institution: International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Trieste, Italy.
    • Prize Allocation: Medallists receive a combined prize of US$5,000.
    • Nobel Exclusion Rule: By statutory rule, the medal is not awarded to current Nobel Laureates, Fields Medallists, or Wolf Foundation Prize winners.
    • Indian Context: Prof. Deepak Dhar (only the second Indian to win this, after Ashoke Sen) is celebrated for his foundational mathematical work on the “sandpile model”, which explains complex, unpredictable behaviours in physical systems.

    2026 Awardees & Core Field Overview:

    Medallist

    Associated Nation

    Primary Field of Contribution

    Deepak Dhar

    India

    Statistical Mechanics (Sandpile Model)

    Bernard Derrida

    France

    Disordered Systems & Statistical Mechanics

    Marc Mézard

    Italy / France

    Statistical Mechanics & Optimization Problems

    Haim Sompolinsky

    Israel / USA

    Theoretical Neuroscience & Artificial Intelligence

     

    5. Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026

    Context: National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval was conferred the prestigious Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026 by Union Home Minister Amit Shah at a ceremony held in Pune, Maharashtra.

    Salient Features:

    • Conferred To: NSA Ajit Doval, India’s longest-serving National Security Advisor and founding chairman of the Multi Agency Centre (MAC).
    • Presented By: Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
    • Awarding Body: Lokmanya Tilak Smarak Trust.
    • Reason for Award: For his exceptional leadership in strengthening India’s internal and external national security apparatus, and his long-standing dedication to national service.
    • Historical Genesis: The award is presented annually on August 1, commemorating the death anniversary of the great nationalist and freedom fighter Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak. The 2026 ceremony marked his 106th death anniversary.

    Award Overview & Key Facts:

    Parameter

    Key Detail / Exam Fact

    Year of Institution

    1983

    Conferment Date

    August 1 (Death Anniversary of Lokmanya Tilak)

    First Recipient (1983)

    Socialist leader S. M. Joshi

    Notable Recent Recipients

    Nitin Gadkari (2025), Sudha Murty (2024), Narendra Modi (2023)

    Important Days

    1. World Elephant Day 2026

    • Observed Date: August 12
    • Observing Organisation: World Elephant Society & Global Wildlife Conservation Organisations
    • Objective: To raise global awareness about the urgent need for elephant conservation, protection of critical habitats, and the mitigation of existential threats such as poaching, illegal ivory trade, and human-elephant conflict.
    • Theme: “Bringing the World Together to Help Elephants”

     

    2. International Youth Day 2026

    • Observed Date: August 12
    • Observing Organisation: United Nations (UN)
    • Objective: To recognise the vital role of young people in driving social, economic, and sustainable development, and to encourage global cooperation in addressing challenges like unemployment, digital inequality, and climate change.
    • Theme: “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations”

    Military Exercises

    Exercise ROTOR CLAP III

    Context: The Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully concluded its week-long specialised counter-drone military drill, Exercise ROTOR CLAP III, at the Pokhran Field Firing Range in Jaisalmer district, Rajasthan.

    Salient Features & Key Exam Facts:

    • Nature & Edition: It is the 3rd edition of an indigenous, specialised rotary-wing (helicopter) operational exercise conducted exclusively by the Indian Air Force (IAF).
    • Core Theme: Centred entirely around “Counter-UAS” (Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems), focusing on detecting, tracking, and neutralising hostile drones and low-flying aerial threats in modern warfare.
    • Geographic Significance: Conducted in the harsh desert terrain of the Western Desert Sector (Pokhran) to validate live-fire missile and rocket salvos, and refine Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) against cross-border drone surveillance.
    • Comprehensive Operations: Beyond live firing, it integrated comprehensive tactical drills including precision strikes, aerial reconnaissance, battlefield support, troop insertion, and casualty evacuation under contested threat environments.

    Participating Helicopter Fleet Overview:

    Platform Category

    Helicopter Models

    Primary Operational Role

    Attack & Assault

    AH-64 Apache, Mi-25/35

    Anti-armour, close air support, and offensive ground attack missions

    Light Combat

    HAL Prachand (LCH)

    Indigenous combat operations and precision targeting

    Heavy & Medium Lift

    CH-47F(I) Chinook, Mi-17 V5

    Heavy-lift transport, logistics, and troop deployment

    Utility & Multi-Role

    HAL Dhruv (ALH)

    Aerial reconnaissance, surveillance, search-and-rescue, and evacuation

    Ranks & Reports

    Barclays-Hurun India Most Valuable Family Businesses List 2026

    Released By: Barclays Private Clients and Hurun India

    Key Observations:

    • Aggregate Valuation: India’s top 300 family businesses are valued at ₹138 lakh crore ($1.46 trillion), equivalent to the world’s 18th-largest economy.
    • Wealth Concentration: The top three families (Ambani, Birla, Jindal) hold ₹42 lakh crore, accounting for ~9% of India’s total listed market capitalisation.
    • First-Generation Leader: The Adani Family topped first-generation enterprises with a valuation of ₹19.57 lakh crore.

    Performance Metric (Top 10 Legacy Family Businesses):

    Rank

    Business Family

    Core Group

    Valuation (₹ Lakh Crore)

    1st

    Ambani Family

    Reliance Industries

    25.82

    2nd

    Birla Family

    Aditya Birla Group

    8.13

    3rd

    Jindal Family

    JSW Steel

    8.01

    4th

    Bajaj Family

    Bajaj Group

    7.70

    5th

    Mahindra Family

    Mahindra & Mahindra

    5.14

    6th

    Anil Agarwal Family

    Vedanta

    4.45

    7th

    Murugappa Family

    Cholamandalam

    3.06

    8th

    Nadar Family

    HCL Technologies

    2.91

    9th

    Premji Family

    Wipro

    2.72

    10th

    Dani, Choksi & Vakil Families

    Asian Paints

    2.48

    Sports

    India to Host 2030 Centenary Commonwealth Games

    Context: India has been officially awarded the hosting rights for the 2030 Centenary Commonwealth Games (CWG), which will be held in Ahmedabad. This historic milestone makes India the first Asian nation to host the prestigious multi-sport event twice.

    Salient Features & Key Exam Facts:

    • Historical Genesis: The Games were first held in 1930 in Hamilton, Canada, originally known as the “British Empire Games”. The event is held every four years.
    • The 2030 Centenary Edition: The Ahmedabad games will mark exactly 100 years since the inaugural edition.
    • India’s CWG Journey: India made its debut at the 2nd edition in 1934 (London). India previously hosted the event in 2010 in New Delhi.
    • The Commonwealth Origins: The political association traces its roots to the 1926 Balfour Declaration and was formally established by the 1949 London Declaration.

    CWG & Commonwealth Structural Overview:

    Parameter

    Key Details & Exam Facts

    Governing Body

    Commonwealth Sport (formerly Commonwealth Games Federation)

    Headquarters

    London, United Kingdom

    CWG Participation

    74 Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs), including independent members and territories

    Commonwealth of Nations

    A voluntary political association of 56 independent and equal countries (including India) spanning Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe, and the Pacific

    Miscellaneous

    1. Birth Anniversary of Dr. G. S. Dhillon

    Context: The Lok Sabha Speaker paid floral tributes to Dr. G. S. Dhillon, former Speaker of the Lok Sabha, in the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan to mark his birth anniversary.

    Salient Features & Key Exam Facts:

    • Historical Role: Dr. Dhillon was a distinguished parliamentarian, scholar, and freedom fighter who actively participated in the Indian Freedom Movement and the Kisan Movement.
    • Lok Sabha Speaker: He held the prestigious office of the Speaker during the 4th Lok Sabha (1969–71) and the 5th Lok Sabha (1971–75).
    • National Honour: He was awarded the Tamra Patra by the Government of India in recognition of his invaluable contributions to the freedom struggle.

    Political & Literary Profile:

    Domain

    Key Roles & Contributions

    Legislative Career

    Member of the Punjab Legislative Assembly (1952–67); Elected to the 4th Lok Sabha (1967).

    Journalism

    Chief Editor of the Urdu daily newspaper Sher-e-Bharat.

    Corporate/Publishing

    Managing Director of National Sikh Newspapers Ltd.

    Literary Works

    Co-editor of the Chatrik Abhinandan Granth.

     

    2. Sinking of MSV Faize Noore Oliya

    Context: The Indian-flagged commercial vessel, MSV Faize Noore Oliya, tragically sank in the Red Sea after being struck by a projectile off the western coast of Yemen.

    Salient Features & Key Exam Facts:

    • Incident Location: The mechanised sailing vessel (MSV) capsized near Yemeni waters (near Hodeidah).
    • Crew & Rescue Operations: The vessel carried a total of 14 seafarers. All crew members, comprising 13 Indian nationals and one Yemeni national, were successfully rescued by the Yemeni Coast Guard.
    • Safe Haven: The rescued crew was safely transported to the Port of Mokha in Yemen.
    • Geopolitical Significance: This incident underscores the escalating regional tensions and the severe risks posed to international commercial shipping lanes in the Red Sea corridor.

     

    3. Centenary Commemorative Stamp of Satish Gujral

    Context: To honour the birth centenary of the legendary Indian artist and Padma Vibhushan awardee Satish Gujral, the Department of Posts officially released a ₹5 commemorative postage stamp on August 3, 2026,.

    Salient Features & Key Exam Facts:

    • Release Ceremony: The stamp was unveiled by the Union Minister for Communications, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, at Bikaner House, New Delhi.
    • Stamp Design: The stamp features a vibrant self-portrait of Gujral painted in 2010, depicting him in a contemplative pose holding a paintbrush,.
    • Multifaceted Genius: Satish Gujral was a highly celebrated painter, sculptor, muralist, architect, and writer.
    • Architectural Marvel: He is globally renowned for designing the Belgian Embassy in New Delhi, a landmark achievement in modern Indian architecture.

    Key Contributions & Literary Works:

    Domain

    Notable Works / Recognition

    Painting & Visual Arts

    The acclaimed Partition Series

    Architecture

    Designed the Belgian Embassy, New Delhi

    Literature

    A Brush with Life (Autobiography)

    Civilian Honour

    Awarded the Padma Vibhushan

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  • Vaishya Tekri Stupa in Ujjain | India’s Campaign For a UN Security Council (UNSC) Seat in 2028-29 | Sri Aurobindo | Rajasthan Trees (Protection) Bill-2026

    Vaishya Tekri Stupa in Ujjain

    History & Culture

    Context

    • The Madhya Pradesh government is considering fresh excavation at Vaishya Tekri in Ujjain, where a massive Buddhist stupa probably larger than Sanchi Stupa, was partially excavated in 1938–39.

    Vaishya Tekri

    • Vaishya Tekri is a large archaeological mound located near Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh.
    • It is believed to contain the remains of a large Buddhist stupa, popularly associated with the ancient Kanipura/Kanakgiri Buddhist establishment.
    • The site has been tentatively dated to the Mauryan period, around the 3rd century BCE. The monument has traditionally been associated with Emperor Ashoka and his period of governance at Ujjain.
    • The stupa is estimated to have an approximate diameter of 350 ft and a height of 100 ft or more.

    Additional Information – The Great Stupa of Sanchi

      • A stupa is a Buddhist commemorative monument usually containing sacred relics of the Buddha or other saints.
      • Established: The stupa was commissioned in the third century BCE by Emperor Ashoka of the Maurya dynasty.
      • The stupa was subsequently enlarged and embellished during the Shunga and Satavahana periods.
      • Structure: The Great Stupa is a hemispherical dome made of stone and brick, with a central structure that is a large, raised platform containing the relics of the Buddha.
      • It is topped by a ‘harmika’ that holds the triple umbrella, or ‘chhatraveli’, which represents the three jewels of Buddhism – the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. 
      • Above the dome, there is a pillar-like structure called the chatra, which is a symbol of the Buddha’s presence and enlightenment.
    • The Stupa is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a pilgrimage destination for Buddhists from around the world.

    India’s Campaign For a UN Security Council (UNSC) Seat in 2028-29

    International Relation

    Context

    • India has launched its campaign for a non-permanent United Nations Security Council (UNSC) seat for 2028–29, with the election scheduled for June 2027.

    United Nations Security Council (UNSC)

      • It is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations
    • Objective – to maintain international peace and security. 
      • It is the only UN body empowered to issue legally binding resolutions that all UN member states are obligated to comply with under international law.
      • Structure and Composition: The Council has 15 members divided into two categories:
    • Permanent Members (P5)  with Veto Power: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. 
      • A single veto from any P5 member is sufficient to block any substantive resolution, regardless of how many other members support it.
      • Non-Permanent Members (10 seats): Elected by the UN General Assembly for two-year terms, distributed geographically.
    • Headquarters: New York, USA

    Sri Aurobindo

    History & Culture

    Context

    • PM Modi paid tribute to Sri Aurobindo (15 August 1872–5 December 1950) on his birth anniversary.

    About – 

    • He received his primary education in England at St. Paul’s School, London, and King’s College, Cambridge. 
    • He returned to India in 1893 and worked for the next thirteen years in the Princely State of Baroda and as a professor in Baroda College. 

    Role in freedom struggle

    • He helped establish a series of youth clubs, including the Anushilan Samiti of Calcutta in 1902.
    • In 1906, Aurobindo was appointed the first principal of the National College in Calcutta (Bengal National College), and started to impart national education to Indian youth.
    • He was the first political leader in India to openly put forward the idea of complete independence for the country in his newspaper Bande Mataram.
    • In 1907 at the Surat session of Congress, he led along with extremists. 
    • He was arrested in 1908 in connection with the Alipore Bomb Case. 

    Yogic Life

      • Sri Aurobindo had begun the practice of Yoga in 1905 in Baroda. 
      • In 1910 he withdrew from politics and went to Pondicherry in order to devote himself entirely to his inner spiritual life and work. 
      • During his forty years in Pondicherry he evolved a new method of spiritual practice, which he called the Integral Yoga. 
    • In 1926, he founded the Sri Aurobindo Ashram.

    Literary works

      • The Life Divine, which deals with the philosophical aspect of Integral Yoga.
      • Synthesis of Yoga, which deals with the principles and methods of Integral Yoga.
    • Savitri: A Legend and a Symbol, an epic poem.
    • He also started two weeklies: the Karmayogin in English and the Dharma in Bengali.

    Rajasthan Trees (Protection) Bill-2026

    Polity

    Context

    • The Rajasthan Cabinet has approved the Rajasthan Trees (Protection) Bill-2026. 

    About

    • The Bill will regulate the felling of 29 specified tree species on non-forest land. 
    • The list includes the state tree Khejri, Rohida, Banyan, Peepal, Lasoda, Tendu, Mahua, Kair and Chironji.
    • Felling or causing the felling of a specified tree on land owned or occupied by a person will require prior permission from the authorised authority.
    • Offences under the proposed law will be cognisable and bailable. A person convicted of illegal felling may face imprisonment of up to one year, a fine of up to ₹1 lakh, or both.
    • Where a tree is removed with permission, the person will be required to plant a prescribed number of trees in the same area for each tree removed.

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