Category: National and International Current Affairs

e-Pratyaropan Portal

Polity

Context

• The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) has launched the e-Pratyaropan Portal along with the NOTTO mobile application to create a unified digital ecosystem for organ donation and transplantation in India.

e-Pratyaropan Portal 

• It is a centralized digital platform launched by NOTTO under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare 
• Objective – to digitize India’s organ donation and transplantation ecosystem.

Features

• Automated Allocation: Uses algorithms to distribute organs transparently, eliminating manual or discretionary bias.
• Unified Registry: Syncs real-time waiting lists across hospital, state, regional, and national levels.
• Live Tracking: Integrates with the NOTTO app to monitor the transit of organs through green corridors.
• Emergency Prioritization: Allows hospitals to flag “super urgent” cases for immediate, lifesaving matching.

Delhi Lakshmi Yojana

Government Schemes

Context

• The online registration portal for the Delhi Lakshmi Yojana has opened for registration.

About 

• Launched  in July 2026 

• Objective – to provide ₹2,500 monthly to women from economically weaker sections. It targets over 17 lakh beneficiaries with a ₹5,110 crore budget.

Key Points

• Eligibility: Delhi residents for 10+ years, aged 21–60, with annual family income under ₹2.5 lakh. Only the eldest eligible woman per household qualifies.
• Exclusions: Excludes taxpayers, government employees, pension recipients, and families with over three children.
• Administration: Requires a mandatory recommendation letter from a local MLA/MP and uses 4-layer digital verification.
• Significance: Promotes financial inclusion and women’s autonomy, but faces criticism over political gatekeeping (MLA/MP letters) and strict exclusion criteria.

Glaw Lake Becomes India’s 101st Ramsar Site

Environment

Context

• India’s one more wetland, Glaw Lake of Arunachal Pradesh, has entered the global list of protected wetlands as a Ramsar site. 

Glaw Lake 

• Location – Arunachal Pradesh’s Lohit district 

• It has been officially designated as India’s 101st Ramsar Site, making it the first-ever wetland from the state to achieve this international recognition.

Ecological & Cultural Significance

• High-altitude freshwater lake nestled deep inside the Kamlang Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary in the Eastern Himalayas.
• Biodiversity Hotspot: The wetland and its catchment area support an incredibly rich ecosystem, housing over 150 tree species and 49 orchid species.
• Wildlife Sanctuary: It serves as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA). 
• It acts as a crucial wintering ground for the critically endangered white-bellied heron and supports all four big cat species: tigers, leopards, clouded leopards, and snow leopards.
• Cultural Roots: The lake holds sacred value for the local Mishmi community, who hold a cultural belief that guardian deities protect its pristine waters.

Connect with the basics – Ramsar Convention

• • A Ramsar site is a wetland designated as one of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
  • Ramsar Convention – It is one of the inter-governmental accords to preserve the wetlands of international importance.

• It was signed on February 2, 1971 in Ramsar, Iran and came into force in 1975.

• India became a signatory to the Ramsar Convention in 1982.

Ramsar Facts

• • Total: 101 sites (As of June 2026). 

• India has the most sites in Asia.

• • 100th Site: Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary (Surha Tal) in Uttar Pradesh (Added June 2026).
  • Top State: Tamil Nadu (20 sites), followed by Uttar Pradesh (13 sites).

• First Sites: Chilika Lake (Odisha) and Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) in 1981.

• Sizes: Sundarban (West Bengal) is the largest. Renuka (Himachal Pradesh) is the smallest.

Montreux Record (Threatened Sites)

• What it is: A register of Ramsar sites facing ecological danger from pollution or human interference.Active Indian Sites: 
• Only two sites—Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) and Loktak Lake (Manipur).
• Removed- Chilika Lake was removed after successful recovery.

Utkalmani Pandit Gopabandhu Das

History

Context

• President Droupadi Murmu unveiled the statue of Utkalmani Pandit Gopabandhu Das in New Delhi.

About

• He is popularly known as Utkalmani (Gem of Odisha). 
• He was a prominent freedom fighter, social reformer, educationist, poet, and journalist from Odisha. 
• Devoted to the service of the poor and social upliftment.
• He founded the Satyabadi Bana Vidyalaya at Sakhigopal to promote nationalist ideals through education. 
• He was elected to the Legislative Council in 1917 and actively participated in India’s freedom movement as a member of the Indian National Congress. 
• He founded the Odia newspaper The Samaja in 1919, which became an important platform for promoting nationalism and public awareness. 
• He also made significant contributions to Odia literature. 
• His notable works include Abakasha Chinta, Go-Mahatmya, Nachiketa Upakhyana, Karakabita, Dharmapada, and Bandira Atmakatha, many of which were written during his time at Ravenshaw College.

Universal Immunisation Programme

GS2/Health

Context

• According to a study by the Union Health Ministry, introducing the hexavalent (six-in-one) vaccine into India’s Universal Immunisation Programme could improve the efficiency of childhood immunisation programmes. 

About

• A hexavalent vaccine is a combination that protects infants against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), Hepatitis B, polio, and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) in a single injection. 
• It eases the workload of frontline health workers, lowers cold-chain requirements, and saves caregivers’ time.

Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) of India

• Launched in – India launched the EPI in 1978, which was later renamed as the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) in 1985. 

Additional Information – Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI 5.0)

• Implementation – It is the flagship routine immunization campaign of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• Objective – It ensures that routine immunization services reach the missed-out and dropped out children and pregnant women across the country. 
• Uniqueness – This year, for the first time the campaign is being conducted across all the districts in the country. It includes children up to 5 years of age (Previous campaigns included children up to 2 years of age).
• Special focus is on improvement of Measles and Rubella vaccination coverage with the aim of Measles & Rubella elimination by 2023.

Additional Information – Mission Indradhanush

• Launched in – 2014
• Aim –  To ensure full immunization with all available vaccines for children up to two years of age and pregnant women.

12 Diseases covered under Mission Indradhanush 

1. Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG).
2. Diphtheria, Pertussis and Tetanus (DPT).
3. Tetanus and adult Diphtheria (Td).
4. Bi valent oral polio vaccine (bOPV).
5. Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine.
6. Hepatitis B (Hep B).
7. Pentavalent — DPT + Hepatitis B + Haemophilus Influenzae type b (DPT + Hep B + Hib).
8. Rotavirus Vaccine (RVV).
9. Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV).
10. Japanese Encephalitis (JE) Vaccine.

Maithili Sharan Gupt Jayanti

History and Culture

Context

• Maithili Sharan Gupt Jayanti is celebrated every year on 3 August to mark the birth anniversary of the legendary Indian poet, Maithili Sharan Gupta.

About

• Birth Date: August 3, 1886, in Chirgaon, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh.
• Literary Contributions: He popularised Khari Boli Hindi as a literary language, displacing the hegemony of Braj Bhasha in modern poetry.
• His work included issues of nationalism, social justice and Indian cultural values.
• Literary Works: Saket (an epic depicting the Ramayana from Urmila’s perspective), Bharat Bharati, Yashodhara, Panchavati, and Jayadrath Vadh.
• Title: Mahatma Gandhi granted him the title of “Rashtrakavi” (National poet) for his patriotic masterpiece Bharat-Bharati (1912).
• Honors: He was nominated member of Rajya Sabha from 1952-1964.
• For his outstanding contribution to literature and education, he was awarded Padma Bhushan in 1954.

Acharya Prafulla Chandra Roy

History and Culture

Context

• 2nd August is observed as the 166th birth anniversary of Acharya Prafulla Chandra Roy.

About

• He was born on 2nd August 1861 in Khulna, now in Bangladesh. 
• He rose to prominence as a pioneering scientist, educator, and industrialist.
• He was the founder of India’s first pharmaceutical company Bengal Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals established in 1901.
• He is widely regarded as the father of modern chemical science in India and played a key role in promoting scientific education in the country. 
• He also established the first modern Indian research school in chemistry. 
• He is remembered for his discovery of mercurous nitrite in 1896. 
• It opened a new path for research into metal nitrites and established modern chemical research in India.

Pingali Venkayya

History and Culture

Context

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to freedom fighter Pingali Venkayya on his 150th birth anniversary.

Pingali Venkayya

• He was born on 2 August 1876, in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh.
• He was a freedom fighter and the designer of the Indian national flag, which later evolved into the present-day Tricolour.

Flag Design

• In 1921, he presented a flag design to Mahatma Gandhi at a Congress session in Vijayawada.
• His design featured three stripes representing India’s major communities and a spinning wheel (charkha) symbolizing self-reliance.
• In 1947, the design was modified to include the Ashoka Chakra, symbolizing law and progress.
• Recognition- The Government of India has issued postage stamps in his honor and organized events like Tiranga Utsav to celebrate his legacy.

Shipki La  Pass

Geography

In News

• India-China cross-border trade resumed through Shipki-La after six years.

Shipki La Pass

• It is a motorable mountain pass in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh at 3,930 m.
• It enters Himachal Pradesh at Shipki La (3,930 m) and flows in the south-westerly direction through Kinnaur, Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, Solan and Bilaspur districts of the State. 
• Trade included wool, horses, borax, turquoise and gold from Tibet, grains, spices, dried fruits, timber and metal goods from India.
• The route was closed after the 1962 Sino-Indian War and was disrupted during the Doklam standoff and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Leptospirosis

Health

News

• Kerala has witnessed a sharp rise in cases and deaths due to leptospirosis in 2026.

Leptospirosis 

• It is a zoonotic disease caused by bacteria and spread to humans by contact with the urine of an infected animal or with contaminated water and soil.
• The bacteria enter the body through cuts in the skin or through the eyes, nose and mouth. 
• It has been endemic in Kerala since 1989 and now has the highest mortality among communicable diseases in the State. 
• The disease can range from mild to severe, sometimes fatal, with symptoms similar to those of influenza, dengue and other viral diseases.
• Mild leptospirosis is treated with oral antibiotics, while severe cases require hospitalisation.

U.S. Invites Bangladesh to Join Pax Silica Initiative

International Relations

Context

• U.S. Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor invited Bangladesh to join the U.S.-led Pax Silica initiative.

‘Pax Silica’

• launched in – December, 2025

• It is a coalition comprising the United States, Australia, Greece, Israel, Japan, Qatar, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, the UAE, the UK, and now India.
• Objective – It is a US-led strategic initiative to build a secure, prosperous, and innovation-driven silicon supply chain from critical minerals.
• The term ‘Pax Silica’ derived from Latin ‘Pax’ (peace) and ‘Silica’ (a core compound in semiconductors).
• Significance – It symbolizes the pursuit of technological peace and prosperity through resilient, transparent, and cooperative supply chains.

Lavender Cultivation

Economy

News-

• Lavender cultivation is expanding in Jammu and Kashmir as farmers look for crops better suited to warmer winters, erratic rainfall and shrinking irrigation sources.

The Purple Revolution 

• launched in 2016 under the CSIR-Aroma Mission
• Objective – to promote lavender cultivation in India.
• Nodal Agency: Ministry of Science & Technology via CSIR.
• Primary Hub: Bhaderwah (Doda district), Jammu & Kashmir.
• Key Climatic Conditions: Cool, sunny climates; well-drained, sandy soil; highly sensitive to waterlogging.
• Economic Value: High-value aromatic oil used in cosmetics and therapeutics, boosting rural incomes.

Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026

Government Schemes

News –

• The Lok Sabha passed the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

About – 

• Objective: To deter fraudulent delayed entries, protect certificate credibility and strengthen demographic data for public-service planning.
• It amends the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, last amended in 2023. The 2023 Amendment mandated centralised digital registration via the Civil Registration System (CRS) portal under the Registrar General of India (RGI).

Key Provisions

• Standard Registration Timeline: Births and deaths must be reported to local registrars within 21 days.

Delayed Registration Mandates:

• Delays of 1 to 2 years need approval from DM, SDM, or authorised Executive Magistrate (per Section 14(1) of the BNSS, 2023).
• Delays exceeding 2 years require an order from a Judicial Magistrate of the First Class (JMFC).
• Verification: Designated authority must verify the event’s correctness and receive the prescribed fee before authorising registration.

Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rojgar Yojana (PM-VBRY) 

Government Schemes

News – 

• PMVBRY completed one year of implementation, marking an important milestone in India’s efforts to expand formal employment and social security coverage.

About PM-VBRY

• It is a flagship government program launched in 2025
• Implementation – Ministry of Labour & Employment.
• Aim: To promote employment generation, enhance employability, and strengthen social security across all sectors with a particular focus on the manufacturing sector.

Features: 

• First-time employees are eligible for incentives of up to ₹15,000.

• For the employer’s side, the government offers a reward of up to ₹3,000 per new employee after six months of stable employment. 
• The initiative is expected to encourage greater participation in the formal workforce and contribute to sustained long-term economic growth.

Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana (PM-SSY)

Government Schemes

News – 

• The Union Cabinet approved Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana (PM-SSY) with a ₹5,070 crore outlay to strengthen floating solar capacity and energy security.

PM-SSY

• • Financing – It is a Central Sector Scheme 
  • Objective – to promote Floating Solar Photovoltaic (FSPV) projects integrated with Energy Storage Systems (ESS).
  • Target: 5 GW of Floating Solar Photovoltaic (FSPV)  by FY 2030-31

• Implementing Agency: Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

• Significance: It supports India’s 500 GW non-fossil electricity goal by 2030, aligns with Atmanirbhar Bharat, and can cut 10 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.
• Note – The Omkareshwar Floating Solar Park on the Narmada River in Madhya Pradesh is India’s largest operational project with a capacity of 278 MW (planned capacity is 600 MW).

Samudra Manthan (National Offshore Exploration Scheme) 

Givernment Scheme

News – 

• The Union Cabinet approved ‘Samudra Manthan’ (National Offshore Exploration Scheme) with an outlay of ₹84,084 crore for implementation through FY 2030–31.

About – 

• Financing – Central Sector Scheme.

• Implementation – Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

• Objective: To map untapped offshore sedimentary basins and de-risk deepwater exploration to reduce India’s reliance on crude oil (~88%) and natural gas (~50%) imports.

Features – 

• Boost Production: Aims to raise annual production from 62 to 80 MMTOE (Million Metric Tonnes of Oil Equivalent).
• Unlock Reserves: Targets over 600 MMTOE in new hydrocarbon reserves.
• Economic Impact: Seeks to reduce annual import bills by ₹1 lakh crore.

Dhimsa Dance

Art and Culture

News – 

• A recent performance of Dhimsa dance by 13, 000 tribal women and girl students at Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport was recognised by Guinness World Records as largest Dhimsa dance.

Dhimsa

• It is a traditional tribal folk dance performed by indigenous communities (including Bagata, Gadaba, Kondadora, Poraja, and Valmiki) of the Araku Valley and Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) district, Andhra Pradesh; 
• Performance: Performed mainly by 15–20 women in colourful traditional attire, moving in synchronised circles to the rhythm of indigenous instruments such as dappu, tudumu, mori, kidgi, gilka, and jodukommulu.
• Themes & Occasions: Depicts tribal mythology, folklore, livelihood, kinship, and social life and is performed during Chaitrapurab (Eetela Panduga), marriages, festivals, and religious ceremonies.

DAANVEER Initiative

Polity 

In News

• The Ministry of Panchayati Raj launched the DAANVEER initiative to digitize Gram Panchayats.

DAANVEER

• It is a digital citizen-participation platform launched by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj in July 2026. 
• Tagline – Give Back to Your Village.
• Objective – it enables citizens and the Indian diaspora to voluntarily fund and give pre-approved digital infrastructure packages directly to rural Gram Panchayats.

Key Points 

• Mechanism: Donors use the Meri Panchayat app to buy standardized IT hardware bundles, ensuring no direct cash handling and 100% trace-to-installation transparency.
• Core Objective: Bridges the rural digital divide by equipping local panchayats with necessary computing infrastructure.
• Governance Alignment: Integrates with digital local-body frameworks like e-GramSwaraj to support decentralised governance under the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act.

ILO Convention No. 193

International

Context

• The International Labour Organization (ILO) officially adopted Convention No. 193, titled “Decent Work in the Platform Economy,” on June 12, 2026. 
• This landmark agreement represents the world’s first legally binding international treaty specifically designed to protect app-based gig and platform workers worldwide.

About

• Rights: Guarantees fair pay, social security, health protections, and algorithmic transparency.
• Classification: Mandates employment status based on actual work conditions, not platform definitions.
• India’s Stance: The government abstained to prioritize its own Code on Social Security (2020) framework.

International Labour Organisation (ILO)

• • It is a specialised agency of the United Nations.
  • It was established in 1919 by the Treaty of Versailles as an affiliated agency of the League of Nations, and became the first affiliated specialised agency of the United Nations in 1946.
  • Headquarter: Geneva, Switzerland.

• India is a founder member of the ILO.

• Aim: To promote rights at work, encourage decent employment opportunities, enhance social protection and strengthen dialogue on work-related issues.

Flagship Reports of ILO:

1. Global Wage Report; 
2. World Employment and Social Outlook (WESO);
3. World Social Protection Report;
4. World of Work Report

Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2026

Environment

Context

• Yale University released the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2026, ranking India 176th out of 177 countries. 

Environmental Performance Index (EPI)

• Published by – It is a biennial global index developed by the Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy in collaboration with the Center for International Earth Science Information Network, Columbia University.
• Objective – It measures how effectively countries protect environmental health and ecosystem vitality.

Key Findings (EPI 2026)

• Estonia is the top ranked country with 74.79.

Findings Related to India (2026)

• India is 176th out of 177 countries with a score of 22.46.

• Earlier, India ranked 141st in 2016, 177th in 2018, 168th in 2020, 180th in 2022 and 176th in 2024.

Cauvery River

Geography

Context

• Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay formalised this request by writing an official letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 
• He urged the Union government to deny statutory or administrative clearances for Karnataka’s Mekedatu balancing reservoir project unless it strictly aligns with the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) final award and the Supreme Court’s 2018 judgment

Cauvery River

• The Cauvery is an inter-State river in southern India and one of the major east-flowing peninsular rivers that drains into the Bay of Bengal. 
• It originates at Talakaveri in the Brahmagiri Hills of the Western Ghats in Kodagu (Coorg) district, Karnataka. 
• The Cauvery basin extends across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and the Union Territory of Puducherry, covering an area of about 81,155 sq. km. 
• The river has a total length of about 800 km. 

Major Tributaries 

• Left-bank tributaries: Harangi, Hemavati, Shimsha and Arkavati. 
• Right-bank tributaries: Lakshmantirtha, Kabbani, Suvarnavati, Bhavani, Noyil and Amaravati.

PM CARES Fund 

Polity

In News

• The PM CARES Fund has not made public any audited financial statements since its last disclosure for Financial Year 2022-23.

Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund vs Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund

Atmanirbhar Panchayat Programme

Government Schemes

Context

• Union Minister of Panchayati Raj launched the Atmanirbhar Panchayat Programme, the SAMARTH Panchayat Portal and released the Model OSR (Own Source of Revenue) Rules for Panchayati Raj Institutions.

Atmanirbhar Panchayat Programme

• Implementation – Ministry of Panchayati Raj

• Objective – It enables Gram Panchayats and Block Panchayats to identify local assets and opportunities and develop them, with dedicated technical support from the Ministry, into bankable, revenue-generating projects that build sustainable OSR. 

SAMARTH Panchayat Portal

• Implementation – Ministry of Panchayati Raj
• Objective – to strengthen the financial capacity of Gram Panchayats through technology-enabled management of OSR. 
• SAMARTH enables Gram Panchayats to digitally manage the complete OSR lifecycle, from taxpayer registration and demand generation to online payments, collection and real-time monitoring.

PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana

Environment

In News

• The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana received over 75 lakh applications, with 39.7 lakh rooftop solar systems installed, benefiting 48 lakh households through ₹27,343.9 crore in Central Financial Assistance.

PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana

• • Launched in – 2024
  • Ministry: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. 

• Objective: Installing rooftop solar (RTS) & providing free electricity for up to 300 monthly units for 1 Crore households. 

• Uniqueness – It is the world’s largest domestic rooftop solar initiative, transforming India’s energy landscape
• Subsidy: The scheme offers a subsidy of up to 40% to households. 

PM-Surya-Ghar-Muft-Bijli-Yojana-eligibility– Model Solar Village: 

• An allocation of ₹800 crore has been designated for this component, with ₹1 crore provided to each selected Model Solar Village.
• To qualify as a candidate village, it must be a revenue village with a population of over 5,000 (or 2,000 in special category states).
• This initiative aims to promote solar energy adoption and empower village communities to achieve energy self-reliance. 

PM Vidyalaxmi Scheme

Government schemes

Context

• PM-Vidyalaxmi is supporting equitable higher education by providing collateral-free education loans and interest assistance. 

PM-Vidyalaxmi 

• Launched in – November 2024

• Financing – Central Sector Scheme

• Objective –  to provide collateral-free, guarantor-free education loans to meritorious students.

• Implemented – Ministry of Education (Department of Higher Education)

Key Features

• Target: Meritorious students admitted to the top 860 Quality Higher Education Institutions (QHEIs) based on NIRF rankings.
• Loan Security: Collateral-free and guarantor-free.
• Credit Guarantee: 75% credit guarantee by the central government for loans up to ₹7.5 lakh.
• Interest Subvention: 3% interest subsidy during the moratorium period for students with an annual family income up to ₹8 lakh (for loans up to ₹10 lakh).
• Digital Integration: Operates through a unified portal; payouts are disbursed via Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) wallets.

Corporate Mitra Scheme

Government Schemes

Context

• The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), Shillong organised a webinar for awareness of the Corporate Mitra Scheme.

Corporate Mitra Scheme

• Launched in – Budget 2026–27 

• Implementation – It is an initiative of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) and administered by Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA).
• Objective –  It trains young graduates to provide affordable regulatory and accounting compliance support to MSMEs in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.

Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) in the Western Ghats

Environment

News

• The Centre has issued the seventh draft notification to notify 56,825.7 sq km of Western Ghats across Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA).

Western Ghats

• • Forests – The region of Western Ghats has moist deciduous forests and rainforests.
  • Endemism – The region shows high species diversity as well as high levels of endemism.

• Nearly 77% of the amphibians and 62% of the reptile species found here are found nowhere else.

Additional Information – Committees related to Western Ghats

Sanjay Kumar Committee:

• Objective – It is formed to review state objections on Ecologically sensitive zones demarcations and validate proposed exclusions.
• Significance- It seeks to finalize the ESA status for villages, restricting activities harmful to biodiversity.

Madhav Gadgil Committee (2011):

• • Objective – to propose protection measures for the Western Ghats.

• It recommended designating the entire Western Ghats as ecologically sensitive. 

• It proposed the creation of a dedicated ecological authority to regulate development.
• The Report suggested rigorous conservation, but its recommendations were not fully adopted.

Kasturirangan Committee (2012):

• • It is formed as a follow-up to the Gadgil Committee to provide a more moderate approach.

• It recommended demarcating 37% of theWestern Ghats as eco sensitive zones.

• It emphasizes a balance between conservation and developmental needs, allowing limited activity in specific areas.

Eco Sensitive Zones

• Notified by – These are notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) under the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986.
• Definition – The land falling within 10 km of the boundaries of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries are notified as eco-fragile zones or Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs).

Activities in ESZs

• Prohibited Activities: Commercial mining, saw mills, industries causing pollution (air, water, soil, noise etc), establishment of major hydroelectric projects (HEP), commercial use of wood.
• Regulated Activities: Felling of trees, establishment of hotels and resorts, commercial use of natural water, erection of electrical cables, drastic change of agriculture system.
• Permitted Activities: Ongoing agricultural or horticultural practices, rainwater harvesting, organic farming.

DWEEPTI Yojana

Government Schemes

Context

• Chhattisgarh has launched the DWEEPTI Yojana.

About

• Full form – Decentralised Women Empowerment on  Energy and Policy for Transformative Inclusion) 

• Objective – It is the first state-level policy in India to formally integrate women-led SHGs into the distributed renewable energy value chain.
• The scheme is aimed at creating 5,000 enterprises in the sector of women-led renewable energy in five years, along with 50,000 jobs, while extending energy to 5 lakh families and 10,000 public institutions across the state.
• Significance – The scheme helps women acquire technical skills for the installation of roof top solar power systems, their maintenance, operation, and interactions with communities through a cluster of skilled “Solar Didis” for decentralized renewable energy systems deployment.

DISHA 2.0

Polity

Context

• The Union Government has launched DISHA 2.0 (Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice) Scheme with a financial outlay of ₹255 crore for the period 2026–31 for pan-India implementation.

DISHA 2.0

• Financing – It is a Central Sector Scheme
• Implementation – Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice.
• DISHA 2.0 – It expands technology-driven legal aid. 

Key Components

• Tele-Law: Pre-litigation advice via Common Service Centres (CSCs).
• Nyaya Bandhu: Pro bono legal services and lawyers.
• LLLAP: Legal Literacy and Legal Awareness Programme.
• VIDHI-Sanjeevani: Centralized platform featuring the AI multilingual Nyaya Setu chatbot.

Significance 

• Constitutional Basis: Fulfills mandates under Articles 14, 21, and 39A (Free Legal Aid).
• Global Goals: Supports UN Sustainable Development Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).

Geographical Indication (GI) Tags for ‘Unjha Cumin’ and ‘Unjha Fennel

Economy

Context

• Rajasthan’s cumin (jeera) and fennel (saunf) farmers have opposed the Geographical Indication (GI) registration of ‘Unjha Jeera’ and ‘Unjha Fennel’.

About

• Unjha is one of Asia’s largest agricultural markets for seed spices, especially cumin (jeera), fennel (saunf), and isabgol.
• A substantial quantity of jeera and saunf traded in the Unjha APMC originates from Rajasthan.
• Rajasthan farmers argue that Unjha in Gujarat is primarily a trading and marketing hub rather than the main production centre for these seed spices.

BHAVYA – Rasayan Scheme

Economy

In News

• The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, has approved Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojana Rasayan or BHAVYA – Rasayan Scheme for establishing three dedicated Chemical Parks in the country. 

Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojana Rasayan (BHAVYA-Rasayan) 

• • Objective – It is a newly approved Central Sector industrial park development scheme aimed at transforming India’s chemical and petro-chemical manufacturing landscape. 
  • Announced in – Union Budget 2026-27 with a total financial outlay of ₹3,030 crore.
  • Objective – to establish three dedicated, world-class chemical parks across India over a five-year period.
  • Nodal Ministry: Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.

• Scheme Type: It is a Central Sector Scheme

• Implementation Timeline: Operational for a 5-year period spanning from FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31.

Significance – 

• Economics: Lowers production and logistics overheads.
• Trade: Promotes raw material import substitution.
• Ecology: Enforces centralized green waste processing.
• Vision: Aligns with Viksit Bharat @ 2047.

PRAXIS Mission

Science and Technology

Context

• NASA has selected PRAXIS, an innovative mission concept to develop the first spacecraft capable of directly collecting and studying particles from planetary rings, such as those around Saturn.

PRAXIS

• Full form – Planetary Rings Autonomous Exploration with In-situ Sampling.

• • It proposes a bio-inspired robotic spacecraft powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI).

• Uniqueness- It aims to become the first mission to directly collect samples from planetary ring particles.

Key Features: 

• Bio-inspired robotic explorer: Designed to mimic efficient movement and adaptability found in nature.
• AI-driven autonomy: Uses AI to identify suitable ring particles, plan sampling operations, and analyze collected data with minimal human intervention.

Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP)

Government Schemes

Context

• Recently, the government highlighted the increasing impact of the Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP) that has assisted more than 4.32 lakh rural firms and improved rural lives through community-led entrepreneurship under DAY-NRLM.

Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP)

• • It was launched in 2016 as a sub-scheme of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) 

• Implementation – Ministry of Rural Development.

Objectives:

• To promote non-farm rural enterprises.
• To generate self-employment and sustainable livelihoods.
• To empower first generation entrepreneurs, especially women and marginalised populations.
• To diversify sources of income in rural areas to lessen dependence on agriculture.
• To create community-based enterprises that create strong local economies.

Sarnath – 45th UNESCO World Heritage Site

History & Culture

News – 

• Sarnath has been inscribed as India’s 45th (UP’s 4th) UNESCO World Heritage Site during the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee in South Korea.

Sarnath

• Location – It is in Uttar Pradesh is one of four holy Buddhist sites (with Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, and Kushinagar) where Gautama Buddha gave his first sermon (Dhammachakkappavattana) after enlightenment.
• It faced Huna invasions but was later restored by Harshavardhana. 
• Sacked by Mahmud of Ghazni in the 11th century, it was revived by Mahipala and finally destroyed by Qutb-ud-din Aibak (1194 CE).
• Alternate Names: Known historically as Rishipatana, Mrigadava, or Saranganatha (Lord of the Deer).
• Excavation: Babu Jagat Singh, diwan of Raja Chait Singh of Benares, rediscovered relics in 1787–88, but colonial accounts credited Jonathan Duncan and Colonel Mackenzie. Alexander Cunningham later led systematic excavations (1834–1836).

Significance of Sarnath

• • Stupas: Dhamek Stupa (500 CE) with Gupta floral carvings marks Buddha’s sermon; Chaukhandi Stupa (5th Century CE) marks where Buddha met his first disciples, with an octagonal tower added by Govardhan (son of Raja Todarmal) in 1588; Dharmarajika Stupa (3rd BCE) enshrined relics under Ashoka.
  • Ashokan Pillar & Lion Capital (250 BCE): Carved from single blocks of polished Chunar sandstone, it features four lions on an abacus with a bull, horse, elephant, and lion, separated by wheels.

• It was adopted as India’s National Emblem in 1950.

• • Viharas: Dharmachakra Jina Vihara (11th century, Kumaradevi) and Mulagandha Kuti Vihara (1930s, Mahabodhi Society) served as monastic centres, with the latter showcasing murals of Buddha’s life.

• The site also preserves Jain temples, including the Digambara Jain Temple.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

• • The World Heritage Committee selects and monitors sites, administers the World Heritage Fund, and allocates preservation assistance. 
  • India served on the World Heritage Committee during 2021–2025.
  • India ranks 6th globally with 45 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. 
• Sarnath has been on UNESCO’s Tentative List since 1998.

Operation Amistad

International

Context

• After devastating earthquakes struck Venezuela, India launched Operation Amistad to support relief and rescue efforts.

About

• Amistad, meaning “Friendship” in Spanish, is India’s Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) mission. 
• India was among the first countries to respond, reflecting its commitment to the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—“The World is One Family.” It also marks one of India’s longest-range humanitarian relief missions. 
• As part of the operation, the Indian Air Force deployed two C-17 Globemaster aircraft carrying a 41-member rescue team, an Indian Army Field Hospital, over 35 tonnes of relief supplies and medical equipment, including two BHISHM Cube portable hospitals.

NASA Rover Detects Potential Signs of Ancient Life on Mars

Science & Technology

Context

• In a new study in Science Advances, an international team of researchers has reported finding organic matter on Mars. 

Connect with the basics – Mars

• It is the fourth planet from the Sun 
• It is the second-smallest planet in the Solar System.
• Mars is about half the size of Earth.
• Rotation period – Its rotation period is 24.6 hours, which is very similar to that of Earth (23.9 hours).
• Red Planet – The reason Mars looks reddish is due to oxidation or rusting of iron in the rocks, and dust of Mars. Hence it is also called the Red Planet.
• Moon of Mars – Phobos and Deimos

Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) or Mangalyaan

• Launched from – Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh 
• Launched by – It was launched by Indian Space Research Organisation in November 2013.
• Rocket used – PSLV C-25 rocket
• Objective – To study Martian surface and mineral composition as well as scan its atmosphere for methane (an indicator of life on Mars).

Major Mars Missions: 

• Mariner 4 (NASA), Viking 1 (NASA), 
• Mars Express (European Space Agency), 
• Hope Probe (Emirates Mars Mission) and current flagship rover Perseverance, which is collecting samples for a future Mars Sample Return mission.

Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024

Polity

Context

• The Union Cabinet cleared a proposal to introduce amendments to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.

Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means ) Act, 2024

• It was passed in 2024 and is aimed at curbing leaks, malpractices in recruitment examinations like UPSC, SSC etc and entrance tests such as NEET, JEE, and CUET.
• The Act broadly defines “unfair means” to include various malpractices, such as:

1. Leaking question papers or answer keys,
2. Assisting candidates during exams (unauthorized communication, providing solutions),
3. Tampering with computer networks or resources,
4. Impersonating candidates,
5. Conducting fake examinations or issuing fake documents,
6. Tampering with documents for merit lists or ranks.

Penalties and Punishments:

Individuals:

• Imprisonment ranges from 3 to 10 years depending on the offense’s severity.
• Fines up to Rs. 1 crore for organized crimes.
• Service providers:
• Fines up to Rs. 1 crore for involvement in malpractices.
• Barring from conducting public examinations for 4 years.
• Personal liability for directors/management involved.

Organized crimes:

• Harsher penalties, with imprisonment between 5 and 10 years and a minimum fine of Rs. 1 crore
• The institution involved can face property attachment and forfeiture

Investigation: 

• All offences under the Act are cognisable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable.
• An officer not below the rank Deputy Superintendent or Assistant Commissioner of Police will investigate the offences under the Act. 
• The Central Government may transfer the investigation to any Central Investigating Agency.

Radhakrishnan Panel

• Following the NEET-UG 2024 controversy, the Ministry of Education formed a high-level committee headed by former ISRO chairman K. Radhakrishnan.

NATO’s Ankara Summit

International

Context

• The 2026 NATO Summit, held in Ankara, Türkiye, reaffirmed the Alliance’s commitment to collective defence and strengthening Europe’s defence industrial base.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

• NATO, also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental military alliance.
• Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
• Background: It was established by 12 countries from Europe and North America with the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty (also known as Washington Treaty) in 1949 in Washington, D.C to provide collective security against the Soviet Union attack in the aftermath of World War II.
• Collective Defense: According to Article 5, NATO works on the principle of collective defense, where an attack on any NATO member is considered an attack on all NATO members. So far, Article 5 has been invoked once – in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States in 2001.
• Members: It comprises 32 member states. Sweden became the 32nd member.

UNESCO Adds West Bank, Lebanon Sites to Danger List

History & Culture

Context

• UNESCO has added Sebastia in the West Bank and five castles in Lebanon’s Mount Amel region, including Beaufort Castle, to both the World Heritage List and the List of World Heritage in Danger.

About

• • The World Heritage List recognises cultural, natural and mixed heritage sites of Outstanding Universal Value. 
  • The List of World Heritage in Danger includes sites threatened by armed conflict, natural disasters, uncontrolled urbanisation, pollution, climate change or neglect. Its objective is to mobilise international attention and conservation support. 

• The emergency inscription of these sites reflects concerns over the impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East on their conservation. 

Sebastia

• Sebastia, located near Nablus in the West Bank, is identified with the ancient city of Samaria, the capital of the biblical Kingdom of Israel. 
• Its archaeological remains span the Iron Age, Roman, Byzantine and Islamic periods, reflecting its long historical significance. 

Mount Amel Castles

• The inscription covers five historic castles in Lebanon’s Mount Amel (Jabal Amel) region, including Beaufort Castle. 
• These fortifications showcase a blend of Crusader, Ayyubid, Mamluk and local architectural traditions, illustrating nearly nine centuries of military and cultural history.

United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL)

International

In News

• The 60th anniversary of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL)  was observed.

United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) 

• Established in – 1966.

• • Objective –It is a subsidiary body of the UN General Assembly and works to modernise and harmonise international trade law. 
  • It convenes annually in New York and Vienna in turn to promote its work in the field of international trade law.
  • Membership – It has 70 member States

• India is a member of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law(UNCITRAL)

• Functions – It develops legal instruments such as conventions, model laws and legislative guides to ease international trade and business by setting common legal standards. 

• UNCITRAL is not a WTO body. The WTO is an autonomous intergovernmental organization, whereas it is a subsidiary organ of the UN General Assembly.

SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting 2026

International

Context

• India urged the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to adopt a firm and principled approach against terrorism during the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Cholpan Ata, Kyrgyz Republic.

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)

• Founded in – The SCO is an intergovernmental organization founded in 2001 with six members.
• Objective: To enhance regional cooperation for efforts to curb terrorism, separatism, and extremism in the Central Asian region.
• Members: China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Iran, Belarus and the four Central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan.
• Secretariat: Beijing
• Official languages: Russian and Chinese
• Observer status: Afghanistan, Belarus and Mongolia
• The SCO has been an observer in the UN General Assembly since 2005.