Current Context : The Enforcement Directorate secured an Interpol Purple Notice on trade-based money laundering modus operandi. ABOUT PURPLE NOTICE Purpose: Provides information on modus operandi, devices, and concealment methods used by criminals. Difference: Unlike Red Notices (individuals), Purple Notices target practices and tools. Other Interpol Notices: Red, Yellow, Blue, Black, Green, Orange, Silver (pilot phase). ABOUT INTERPOL Founded: 1923. Members: 196 countries. Headquarters: Lyon, France. UN Status: Permanent Observer at UN since 1996 (not under UN). Functions: Information-sharing network for international police cooperation. Tackles crimes like terrorism, money laundering, human trafficking. Issues colour-coded notices in English, French, Spanish, and....Read More

Current Context : Assam is likely to receive the 16th-century Vrindavani Vastra from the British Museum in 2027 for exhibition. ABOUT VRINDAVANI VASTRA Nature: Silk textile woven in Assam. Depictions: Illustrates stories of Lord Krishna’s childhood and pastimes in Vrindavan. Patronage: Created under Srimanta Sankardeva at the request of Koch king Nara Narayan. Sankardeva took refuge under Nara Narayan after facing opposition from the Ahom kingdom. Journey: Travelled from Assam to Tibet; acquired by British Museum in 1904. Features: Originally 15 separate silk drapes, now a 9.5-metre-long masterpiece.Read More

CURRENT CONTEXT : Recently, 19 workers and officials were rescued after being trapped for 22 hours inside the tunnel of the 280 MW Dhauliganga Hydroelectric Project in Uttarakhand. ABOUT DHAULIGANGA HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT Capacity: 280 MW Location: Dharchula, Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand River: Built on the Dhauliganga River, a tributary of the Alaknanda (Ganga basin). Construction started: 2000 Commercial operation: 2005 Owned by: National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) Type: Run-of-the-river project Dam Structure: 56 m high, 315 m long, concrete-faced rock-fill dam Reservoir capacity: 6.2 million cubic meters Gross head: 310 m | Net head: 297 mRead More

CURRENT CONTEXT : During his visit to Japan (August 29, 2025), PM Narendra Modi received an auspicious Daruma Doll at Shorinzan Daruma-Ji Temple, Takasaki. ABOUT DARUMA DOLL Symbol of resilience, good luck, and goal-setting Inspired by Bodhidharma, Indian monk from Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu, who spread Zen Buddhism to East Asia Tradition: Fill one eye when setting a goal, other eye when goal achieved.Read More

Current Context : Indian Railways commissioned India’s first removable solar panel system between railway tracks at Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW), Varanasi. ABOUT REMOVABLE SOLAR PANEL SYSTEM Location: BLW, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh Design: 70-metre track with 28 solar panels Capacity: 15 kWp Unique Feature: Removable design → easy maintenance without disrupting train operations. Significance: First-of-its-kind innovation in railway engineering. Supports carbon neutrality and renewable energy goals. Promotes eco-friendly transport infrastructure.Read More

Current Context: Recently, two Indian aquanauts descended to 4,025 metres and 5,002 metres depth in the Atlantic Ocean, as part of an Indo-French collaboration using the French submersible Nautile. This milestone places India among the very few nations capable of exploring extreme ocean depths.  SIGNIFICANCE First Time: India crossed the 4,000 metres depth mark Capability Boost: Strengthened India’s deep-sea research and technological expertise Global Standing: Enhanced India’s role in international marine exploration Knowledge Gain: Insights into deep-sea ecosystems and mineral resources  INDO-FRENCH COLLABORATION Partner: IFREMER (French Marine Research Institute) Vessel Used: Nautile submersible from research ship L’Atalante Knowledge Transfer: Training....Read More

Current Context: On 15 August 2025, marking India’s 79th Independence Day, the Indian Tricolour was hoisted for the first time at the Space Needle in Seattle (USA), symbolizing deepening India–US relations and diaspora recognition. ABOUT THE HISTORIC EVENT Occasion: India’s 79th Independence Day Venue: 605-feet-tall Space Needle, Seattle Event Hosted By: Consulate General of India in Seattle Key Participants: Consul General Prakash Gupta Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell Senior Seattle officials Indian-American community SIGNIFICANCE OF SPACE NEEDLE Constructed for the 1962 World Fair Icon of Seattle’s innovation and global outlook Illuminated in saffron, white, and green for the eventRead More

Current Context : The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved an investment proposal worth ₹8,146.21 crore for the construction of the 700 MW Tato-II Hydro Electric Project in Shi Yomi district, Arunachal Pradesh. ABOUT TATO-II HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT Location: Siyom River, Shi Yomi district, Arunachal Pradesh Type: Run-of-river hydroelectric project Capacity: Total 700 MW (4 turbines × 175 MW each) Hydro Reservoir Capacity: 56 million cubic meters Expected Annual Generation: 2,738.06 million units of energy Benefits: Improves power supply in Arunachal Pradesh Helps balance the national grid State Benefits: 12% free power to Arunachal Pradesh Additional 1% for Local....Read More

Current Context: Indian Railways conducted a trial run of Asia’s longest freight train, named ‘Rudrastra’, covering 209 km in 5 hours 10 minutes between Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand. ABOUT RUDRASTRA Length:5 km (Longest in Asia) Wagons: 345 total Engines: 7 total (Two at front, others distributed after every 59 bogeys) Load Capacity: 72 tonnes per wagon Speed: Average 40.5 km/h during trial Route: Ganjkhwaja (UP) to Garhwa (Jharkhand) Purpose: Increase freight efficiency, reduce turnaround time, and save fuel.Read More

Current Context: The Prime Minister inaugurated the M. S. Swaminathan Centenary International Conference on the 100th birth anniversary of Professor M. S. Swaminathan. The theme of the conference is "Evergreen Revolution: The Pathway to Biohappiness", highlighting his life-long work for food security. About M. S. Swaminathan (1925–2023): Known as the Father of the Green Revolution in India (1960s). Promoted Crop Cafeterias – growing different crops together for better nutrition. Introduced Crop Distribution Agronomy – changing crops mid-season for better results. Chaired National Commission on Farmers – gave recommendations to improve farming productivity and income. Awards: Ramon Magsaysay Award (1971), First....Read More