Category: National and International Current Affairs

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.

Moon Base Programme

Science & Technology

In News

• US space agency NASA has invited ISRO to join its Moon Base programme building on partnership under the Artemis Accords.

Moon Base 

• It is humanity’s first lunar outpost, a place where astronauts will live, work, and explore near the Moon’s South Pole. 
• NASA and its partners will build the infrastructure needed to support an enduring human presence on the lunar surface while advancing science, technology, and exploration for the benefit of all.

Additional Information – Artemis Accord

• Objective – These are a set of principles and guidelines for international cooperation in space exploration.
• Status – They are not a legally binding instrument.
• Launched by – They were announced by NASA in 2020 and named after NASA’s Artemis program which is aimed at returning humans to the Moon by the mid-2020s.
• Members: Artemis Accords has 39 members including Australia, France, Germany, India, Japan, United Kingdom, United States of America etc.
• India’s membership – India joined the Artemis Accords in 2023.
• Note – Russia and China are not part of the Artemis Accords.

Total Solar Eclipse

Science & Technology

Context

• Recently, a total solar eclipse occurred, providing an important opportunity to understand celestial mechanics, the Earth–Moon system and solar phenomena.

Solar Eclipse

• It occurs when the Moon is between the Sun and Earth and the shadow of the Moon is cast on Earth, blocking the Sun’s light from reaching certain parts of the world.

Solar eclipse

• Solar eclipses are classified mainly into three types:
• Total Solar Eclipse (Umbra): The Moon fully blocks the visible disc of the Sun. Those in the line of totality will get to experience a brief darkness in the daylight.
• Partial Solar Eclipse (Penumbra): The Moon obscures part of the Sun, causing a ‘bite’ to be taken out of the solar disc.
• Annular Solar Eclipse (Antumbra): When the Moon is approaching the point of its orbit farthest from Earth, its apparent size is smaller than the Sun. It therefore leaves a dazzling outer ring, commonly known as the ‘Ring of Fire’.

Black-necked Cranes (BNC)

Environment

Context

• The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) has sterilised over 2,950 Free Ranging Dogs (FRD) to save Black-necked Cranes (BNC) and wildlife in Ladakh.

Black-necked Crane (Grus nigricollis)

• It is one of the 15 crane species found worldwide
• It is considered the only high-altitude/alpine crane species. 
• Habitat & Distribution: In India, it is found in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh, particularly in high-altitude wetlands and marshes.
• Its global range extends across the Tibetan Plateau and adjoining Himalayan regions, including China, India, Bhutan and Nepal. 
• Population: Fewer than 100 Black-necked Cranes are estimated to remain in India, out of a global population of around 15,000. 
• Major Threats: Predation by free-ranging dogs, changing agricultural practices, rapid and unregulated development around high-altitude wetlands.

Conservation Status: 

• • The species receives the highest legal protection under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 – Schedule I

• IUCN Red List – Near Threatened

• It is also protected under CITES and the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species

• Near Threatened under IUCN Red List. 

• State Bird: It is the State bird of Ladakh and holds special significance in Ladakh’s Buddhist culture. 

Additional Information – Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS)

• BNHS is one of the largest and oldest non-governmental organizations in India dedicated to nature conservation and biodiversity research. 
• Founded on September 15, 1883, in Mumbai, its mission is to conserve nature through action based on research, education, and public awareness.

Container Manufacturing Assistance Scheme (CMAS)

Government Schemes

Context

• The Union Government has proposed a ₹10,000 crore Container Manufacturing Assistance Scheme (CMAS) 

About – 

• Launch: Announced in Union Budget 2026–27.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
• Financial Outlay: ₹10,000 crore over 5 years.
• Primary Objective: Build a self-reliant domestic shipping container ecosystem.

Key Targets

• Production: Scale capacity to 7.5 lakh TEUs annually.
• Economic Value: Unlock ₹80,000 crore market opportunity.
• Employment: 3,000 direct and 50,000 indirect jobs.
• Scope: Supports both Greenfield and Brownfield units.

Significance

• Import Substitution: Reduces reliance on 2 million imported containers annually.
• Supply Chain Resilience: insulates Indian exports from global logistics shocks.
• Policy Synergy: Aligns with Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, PM Gati Shakti, and Make in India.

Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY)

Government Schemes

Context

• The Standing Committee on Rural Development has highlighted the gap between skill training and actual employment outcomes under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY).

About

• Implementation – Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD)

• Launched in – 2014. 

• It is a placement-linked skill development programme under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).
• Age Limit: Rural youth between 15 and 35 years of age (age limit is up to 45 years for women, SC/ST, persons with disabilities and minorities).
• Objective – It aims to skill rural youth and promote sustainable livelihoods for rural youth through placement-linked skilling programs.

PM-POSHAN

Government Schemes

In News

• Delhi government schools will have a new menu for PM-POSHAN with additions such as idli-sambar.

Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN)

• Earlier known as Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDMS) and renamed as PM POSHAN (Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman) in 2021.
• It operates under the Ministry of Education and is approved for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26.
• It is a centrally sponsored scheme (jointly funded by Centre and States) providing one hot cooked meal to students in government and aided schools up to Class 8.
• It aims to address hunger (lack of adequate food intake) and educational outcomes (attendance, retention, learning) simultaneously.

10 Years of Government e-Marketplace

Polity

Context

• The Government e Marketplace (GeM) completed ten years of operations on 9 August 2026.

Government e-Marketplace

• It is India’s online public procurement portal launched in 2016 under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. 
• It is a 100% government-owned, not-for-profit company.

Core Pillars

• Inclusivity: Onboards MSMEs, startups, and women artisans.
• Efficiency: Reduces time via paperless and cashless processes.
• Transparency: Uses open electronic bidding to eliminate corruption.

Key Features

• Flexible Purchasing: Supports direct buying, e-bidding, and reverse auctions.
• Seamless Integration: Verified via Aadhaar, PAN, GSTIN, and corporate banking.

Major Sub-Initiatives

• SWAYATT: Promotes startups, women, and youth-led businesses.
• Womaniya: Showcases handicrafts made by women Self-Help Groups.
• Startup Runway: Helps tech startups pitch products to state buyers.
• SARAS Collection: Markets utility goods produced by rural artisans.

National Youth Parliament Scheme Web Portal

Polity

Context

• The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs has launched an upgraded version of the National Youth Parliament Scheme web portal, known as NYPS 2.0.

National Youth Parliament Scheme (NYPS) 

• It is an initiative of the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.
• Objective- It is aimed at promoting democratic values, parliamentary practices, and constitutional awareness among young people. 
• Uniqueness – Unlike the previous version, which was limited to students of recognized institutions only, NYPS 2.0 is open to all educational institutions, groups and citizens across the country.

Web Portal: 

• The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs launched the web portal of the NYPS in 2019.
• Aim: To expand the outreach of the Youth Parliament Programme of the Ministry to all the recognized educational institutions of the country.

Mahanadi River Water Dispute

Polity

News – 

• The long-standing Mahanadi River water dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh has once again come into focus.

Constitutional and Legal Framework 

Inter-State River Waters

• • Article 262: Empowers Parliament to adjudicate disputes relating to inter-state river waters.
  • Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956: Provides for the establishment of water dispute tribunals.
  • River Boards Act, 1956: Provides for river basin planning (though no River Board has been established under the Act).

• Entry 17 (State List): Water is primarily a state subject.

• Entry 56 (Union List): Parliament can regulate and develop inter-state rivers in the public interest.

Other Inter-State River Water Disputes

• Cauvery: Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry.
• Krishna: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh.
• Godavari: Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha.
• Ravi-Beas: Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan.
• Mahadayi (Mandovi): Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra.
• Vamsadhara: Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.

Additional information – Mahanadi River

• Origin: Sihawa Hills, Dhamtari district, Chhattisgarh. Length: Approximately 851 km.
• States Covered: Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and a small part of Jharkhand.
• Mouth: Empties into the Bay of Bengal near Paradip, forming a fertile delta.
• Major Tributaries: Left Bank: Seonath, Hasdeo, Mand. Right Bank: Ong, Tel, Jonk, Ib.

Chandrayaan-5

Science & technology

News – 

• Scientists from ISRO and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) recently reviewed the progress of the Chandrayaan-5.

• Also known as LUPEX (Lunar Polar Exploration),

About – 

• It is a joint project between ISRO and JAXA.
• Targeted for launch around 2028.
• Objective – The mission focuses on exploring the Moon’s South Pole to study surface and subsurface water-ice deposits.
• The mission will take off on a Japanese rocket, H3, and is planned to carry seven scientific instruments for carrying out different kinds of experiments.

Additional information – Chandrayaan-3

• It is India’s third moon mission. 

• It was made by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). 
• On August 23, 2023, it landed near the Moon’s South Pole. This made India the first country to reach the south polar region and the fourth country to land on the Moon. August 23 is now celebrated as National Space Day in India.

Key Quick Facts

• Launch Rocket: LVM3-M4 rocket.
• Landing Site: Named Shiv Shakti Point.
• Mission Life: 1 Lunar Day (about 14 Earth days).

The Three Spacecraft Parts

Propulsion Module: Carried the lander close to the Moon. It has 1 payload

• SHAPE (Spectro-polarimetry of Habitable Planet Earth):  Studies Earth from orbit.

Vikram Lander: The main box that made the soft landing.It has 4 payloads

1. ChaSTE (Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment) : Measures surface temperature.
2. ILSA (Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity): Records moonquakes.
3. RAMBHA-LP (Radio Anatomy of Moon Bound Hypersensitive Ionosphere and Atmosphere – Langmuir Probe) :Measures plasma density.
4. LRA (Laser Retroreflector Array) : Measures Moon distance (NASA)

Pragyan Rover: A small 6-wheeled robot. It has 2 payloads.

1. LIBS (Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscope): Finds elements (found Sulphur).
2. APXS (Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer):  Studies soil minerals.

Why the South Pole Matters

• Water Ice: Deep craters have ice that never melts.
• Resources: This ice can make drinking water, oxygen, and fuel for future astronauts.
• History: The cold preserves old solar system clues.

Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana

Government Schemes

News- 

• The Union Government announced that post-harvest losses in Karnataka’s marine fisheries range between 6.21% and 10.13%.

Fisheries Sector of India

• Producer – India is the 3rd largest fish producing and 2nd largest aquaculture producing nation in the world. 
• India is the 4th largest exporter of fish and fisheries. 
• In terms of employment, the sunrise sector supports the livelihood of over 30 Mn people in India. 
• Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)– to bring about the Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of the fisheries sector in India.

Government Initiatives for the Growth of the Sector

• National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB): Established in 2006, NFDB serves as the apex body for the planning and promotion of fisheries development in India.
• Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): Launched in 2020, PMMSY is a flagship scheme aimed at boosting fish production and doubling farmers’ income.
• Blue Revolution: Launched in 2015, the Blue Revolution aims to promote sustainable development and management of the fisheries sector.

Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan

Polity

News – 

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan to build a drug-free India through awareness and community engagement.

About – 

• • It is a 100-week youth campaign launched on August 2, 2026. 
  • Mandate – It aims to eradicate substance abuse to achieve Viksit Bharat @2047.

• Ministry: Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

• • Platform: Conducted through Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat).
  • Timeline: 100 weeks (active every Sunday).

• Origin: Inspired by a pilot in Varanasi (Kashi Declaration).

• Synergy: Complements the Ministry of Social Justice’s Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan.

Key Pillars

• Mass Mobilisation: Uses 1 crore+ youth, NSS units, and spiritual bodies.
• Sunday Activities: Promotes sports, yoga, and arts as positive alternatives.
• Destigmatization: Treats recovering addicts as “warriors” for social reintegration.

Revamped Khelo India Scheme

Government Schemes

News – 

• The Union Cabinet approved the revamped Khelo India Scheme and enhanced Assistance to National Sports Federations with an increased budget of ₹36,441 crore for 2026-27 to 2030-31.

Core Changes

• 10x Athlete Pool: Adds “Emerging Khelo India Athletes” (E-KIAs) to scale up talent enrollment
• School Integration: Creates Khelo India Feeder Schools and Utkrishta Vidyalayas for academics-sports balance.
• Coaching Standards: Establishes the National Coach Accreditation Board (NCAB) to unify certifications.
• Tech-Driven Tracking: Deploys an AI-enabled digital platform for performance monitoring and scouting.

Comparison

Bay of Bengal as India’s SHANTI Anchor

International

News – 

• The External Affairs Minister introduced the SHANTI framework to establish a rules-based maritime order in the Bay of Bengal (BOB) and across the Indo-Pacific.

SHANTI Framework

• Full form – Securing Holistic Advancement through Norms, Trust, and Integrity

• Objective – It is India’s normative regional maritime security approach based on shared responsibility rather than a rigid military alliance.
• Significance – The strategy aims to build long-term resilience against transnational challenges, including illegal fishing, cyber threats, and marine pollution.
• The framework strengthens India’s position as a trusted security partner and first responder across the wider Indo-Pacific.

Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2026

Environment

News –

• The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2026 was released by Yale and Columbia Universities, reviving debate on environmental governance and assessment methodologies.

About – 

• Objective – It assesses 177 countries through 47 indicators, weighted across Ecosystem Vitality (45%), Climate Change Mitigation (30%) and Environmental Health (25%).

Key Highlights of EPI 2026

• Global Leaders: Estonia topped the index with 74.79, followed by Luxembourg and the UK, while European countries dominated the leading positions.
• India ranked 176th out of 177 countries, scoring 22.46, ahead of only Laos globally and last in South Asia.

INS Nipun

Defense

News – 

• Nipun, the second Diving Support Vessel (DSV) built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited, was delivered to the Indian Navy in Visakhapatnam.

About – 

• It is the sister ship of INS Nistar with nearly 75% indigenous content, supporting Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

Features – 

• Role: Deep-sea rescue, submarine salvage, and underwater security.
• Key Asset: Serves as a mother ship for Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicles (DSRVs).
• Specs: 118.4 metres long, 9,350 tonnes displacement.
• Capability: Supports saturation diving up to 300 metres deep.

United to end AIDS Report

Health & Society

Context (DTE):  

• The United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) released the report, United to End AIDS, at the 26th International AIDS Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS (2026)

• It is a global roadmap adopted by UN Member States in 2026, during the UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS in New York.
• It aims to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 through the 95-95-95 targets, secure US$21.9 billion annually by 2030, and protect human rights.

Additional Information – Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) 

• • Pathogen – It is a chronic, potentially life-threatening health condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) which damages the human immune system.
  • Transmission: Through direct contact with certain body fluids (blood, semen, rectal fluid, vaginal fluid or breast milk) from a person infected with HIV.

• Symptoms:

• • Stage 1: Flu-like illness (Fever, chills, rashes, night sweats)
  • Stage 2: Clinical latency (No particular symptoms)
  • Stage 3: AIDS (Weakening of Immune System)
• Prevention: Prevention is better than cure, using protective techniques, non-contaminated needles & preventing mother to child transmission.
• Treatment:  There is no cure for HIV infection. It is treated with antiretroviral drugs, which stop the virus from replicating in the body. Untreated HIV can progress to AIDS, often after many years.

Steps taken by Government of India

• National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) (Central Sector Scheme) 

• • India has achieved the 6th MDG of halting and reversing the HIV epidemic.

• Prevention from Parent to Child Transmission (PPTCT) programme

• HIV/AIDS Act 2017 (Prohibits discrimination against HIV-infected people on any grounds)

• 90:90:90 strategy as adopted by UNAIDS (90% (diagnosed, treatment (by anti-retroviral treatment (ART)) & suppression)) by 2020. Extended by 10 years with the goal post of 95-95-95.
• Project ACCELERATE (John Hopkin & NACO initiative): To provide HIV Services through Safe Zindagi online portal.

• Mission Sampark: Its purpose was to “bring back” people living with HIV (PLHIV) who had stopped antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Dengue Virus

Health & Society

News – 

• Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR) Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL) found all four dengue virus serotypes (DENV- 1 to DENV-4) are circulating in India

Dengue

• • Pathogen – Dengue is a viral infection caused by the dengue virus (DENV).
  • DENV is an RNA virus of the Flaviviridae family with four serotypes (DENV-1 to 4). 

• Symptoms: High fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pains, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands, rash. 

• Transmission: The virus is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female mosquitoes, primarily the Aedes Aegypti mosquito.
• There is a possibility of maternal transmission of Dengue (from a pregnant mother to her baby), transmission via blood products, organ donation and transfusions.
• Prevention: There is no specific antiviral treatment for dengue, so prevention relies on controlling mosquito populations and raising public awareness. 
• The mosquitoes that spread dengue are active during the day. The best way of protection is to protect yourself from mosquito bites.

India’s first indigenous dengue vaccine

• DengiAll is an indigenous, tetravalent, single-dose dengue vaccine candidate being developed by Panacea Biotec in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

Shaheed Udham Singh

History & Culture

News – 

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Shaheed Udham Singh on his martyrdom day, calling his life a symbol of courage and sacrifice that will inspire generations.

Shaheed Udham Singh (1899-1940) 

• He was an Indian revolutionary who avenged the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre by assassinating Michael O’Dwyer, former Lieutenant Governor of Punjab.
• Early Life: Born Sher Singh in Sunam, Punjab, he was raised at the Central Khalsa Orphanage in Amritsar, where he was renamed Udham Singh. 
• Traumatised by the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre, he dedicated his life to a struggle against colonial rule.
• Revolutionary Ties: He joined the Ghadar Party to mobilise overseas Indians. Influenced by Bhagat Singh, he returned to India in 1927 to work with the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA).
• Assassination: Singh shot and killed Michael O’Dwyer at Caxton Hall, London, in March 1940, as a punishment for his support of the 1919 Amritsar massacre.
• Secular Identity: In custody, he adopted the name “Ram Mohammad Singh Azad,” blending India’s major religions with Azad (Freedom) to symbolise anti-colonial unity.
• Martyrdom: After a 42-day hunger strike in Brixton Prison, he was hanged at Pentonville Prison on 31 July 1940. His remains were repatriated to India in 1974.

India’s First Caste Enumeration in Ladakh

Polity

Context

• Ladakh will become the first place in independent India to enumerate caste as part of a regular Census in the Census 2027.

Census in India

• Definition – A census is a survey of the population of an area that includes collecting details of a country’s demographics including age, sex and occupation.
• History: Under W.C. Plowden, the Census Commissioner of India, first census was conducted in 1881.
• Independent India’s first census was held in 1951 and since then it has happened in the first year of every decade.
• The Constitution mandates that enumeration is carried out but the Census of India Act of 1948 does not specify its timing or periodicity.
• Census is conducted by – Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India which functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Rabindranath Tagore

History & Culture

News – 

• The Home Minister offered salutations to Rabindranath Tagore on his death anniversary.

Rabindranath Tagore

• He was the youngest son of Debendranath Tagore (leader of Brahmo Samaj)
• He was a Bengali poet, song composer, and painter.
• He was born in Calcutta on May 7, 1861 and died on August 7, 1941, Calcutta.
• Awards: Became the first non-European and first lyricist to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 for his work Gitanjali (1912).
• He was awarded a knighthood in 1915, but he repudiated it in 1919 as a protest against the Amritsar (Jallianwala Bagh) Massacre.
• Contribution to Education: In 1901 Tagore founded an experimental school in rural West Bengal at Shantiniketan (“Abode of Peace”), where he sought to blend the best in the Indian and Western traditions.
• He settled permanently at the school, which became Visva-Bharati University in 1921.
• Contribution in Freedom Movement: He was a prominent leader particularly during partition of Bengal (1905), and two of his compositions became the national anthems of India (Jana Gana Mana) and Bangladesh (Amar Sonar Bangla).
• Key Literary Works: Sonar Tari (1894), Manasi (1890), Chitra (1914), The Post Office (1914), Nastanirh (1901), Chokher Bali (1903) Noukadubi (1906), Gora (1910), Ghare Baire (1916) and Shesher Kabita (1929).

Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa)

Environment

News – 

• Roselle was highlighted on International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (August 9) for its nutritional security and climate resilience.

About

• It is native to Africa and cultivated across tropical and subtropical Asia, Africa, and the Americas. 
• In India, it’s mainly grown by indigenous and tribal communities.
• Commonly called Mesta or Chukur in India, it is also known as Bhenda Dal in Odisha’s Malkangiri, Gongura in Telugu, and Patwa in Hindi.
• Nutritional Value: Provides vitamin C, iron, and calcium; its red calyces are rich in anthocyanins, which are antioxidants and offer cardiovascular and liver benefits.
• Economic Uses: The fleshy calyces make herbal teas, jams, and pickles; stalks provide Mesta fiber for commercial use or as a raw jute substitute.

Mecca Joint Defense Agreement

International

Context (IE): 

• Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Pakistan signed the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, creating a trilateral mutual-security framework.

About – 

• The agreement expands the 2025 Saudi Arabia-Pakistan Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement (SMDA) by incorporating Türkiye into the security framework.
• Geopolitical Drivers: Declining confidence in US security guarantees, Saudi diversification efforts beyond Western dependence, and Türkiye’s pursuit of wider regional influence.

Key Features:

• Collective Deterrence: An armed attack against any member will be treated as an attack against all three, resembling NATO’s Article 5.
• Defense-Industrial Cooperation: Expands military coordination, defense-industrial collaboration, and joint security planning to strengthen interoperable, self-reliant defense capabilities.
• Implications for India: The pact complicates India’s West Asian diplomacy by linking Saudi Arabia, a key partner, to Pakistan and Türkiye.

Grievance Redressal Assessment & Index

Polity

News – 

• The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances released its 50th Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) report featuring the GRAI for June 2026.

Grievance Redressal Assessment & Index 

• It is a periodic evaluation framework launched by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) in India.
• Mandate – It ranks central ministries and departments based on how efficiently and timely they resolve public complaints submitted via CPGRAMS.

GRAI evaluates organizations using 11 key indicators spread across four main dimensions:

1. Efficiency: Time taken to dispose of and clear pending grievances.
2. Feedback: Citizen satisfaction levels and feedback quality.
3. Domain: Performance relative to the specific sector or service area.
4. Organisational Commitment: Institutional resources and top-level monitoring dedicated to fixing issues.

Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS)

• It is India’s 24/7 online portal for citizens to lodge, track, and appeal grievances against public authorities. 
• It is managed by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions.

Features

• Unified Portal: Links 92 Central Ministries/Departments and all States/UTs.
• Strict Timeline: Mandates grievance resolution within 21 days.
• Appeal Window: Citizens can appeal unsatisfactory closures to an Appellate Authority.
• Tech Integration: Features 22-language support via the AI-powered BHASHINI platform.

Excluded Issues- The portal does not accept complaints regarding:

• Sub-judice court matters.
• RTI queries or appeals.
• Service matters of government employees.
• Religious issues.
• National security threats.

Har Ghar Tiranga 2026

History & Culture

Context (PIB): 

• The Ministry of Culture launched the nationwide Har Ghar Tiranga 2026 campaign in New Delhi, which will be observed across the country from 9 to 17 August 2026.
• The Ministry of Culture also launched SURYAPATH TIRANGA, a flagship initiative under the Har Ghar Tiranga 2026 campaign. 
• The National Flag will be ceremonially hoisted in succession from east to west across Indian Missions worldwide, symbolically travelling with daylight across the globe.
• Har Ghar Tiranga 2026 is dedicated to the Spirit of Vande Mataram.

Har Ghar Tiranga

• • Campaign that started in 2022 under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to encourage people to bring the Tiranga home and to hoist it to mark India’s independence.
  • Aim: To invoke feelings of patriotism in the hearts of citizens and promote awareness about our national flag.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Culture

Cabinet Secretary

Polity

News – 

• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), headed by the Prime Minister, approved a one-year extension for Cabinet Secretary Dr. T.V. Somanathan.

Cabinet Secretary 

• • He is the senior-most civil servant and administrative head of the Cabinet Secretariat, under the direct charge of the Prime Minister.
  • He serves as ex officio Chairman of the Civil Services Board.
  • He is regarded as primus inter pares (first among equals) among Union secretaries. He ranks 11th on the Indian Order of Precedence.
  • Mandate: He acts as principal administrative adviser to the PM and Cabinet, ensures inter-ministerial coordination, and heads the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC).
  • Appointment: ACC appoints him for a standard 2-year tenure, extendable up to 4 years. To extend beyond 4 years, the government must relax the relevant service rules on a case-by-case basis.
• Sir Narayanan Raghavan Pillai was the first Cabinet Secretary of independent India.

Asan Wetland Conservation Reserve

Environment

Context (TH): 

• The Supreme Court ruled that a 10-km mining buffer zone now applies to all wetland reserves across India, expanding the earlier safeguard for the Asan Wetland Conservation Reserve.

Asan Wetland

• Locally called Dhalipur Lake
• It is a human-made freshwater lake in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, formed by the Asan Barrage at the Asan and Yamuna Rivers confluence.
• Designated a Ramsar Site (Uttarakhand’s first) in 2020, and is listed as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International.
• Biodiversity: It is a vital wintering habitat and stopover along the Central Asian Flyway, supporting 330 bird species, including threatened vultures, Pallas’s Fish-eagle, and migratory waterbirds.
• It serves as a spawning ground for aquatic biodiversity, supporting the endangered Golden Mahseer.

PM-KISAN

Government Schemes