Current Context : The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has launched QR code-enabled Project Information Sign Boards across national highways to promote transparency, safety, and real-time information access for commuters. ABOUT THE INITIATIVE Launched By – National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) Purpose – To give road users instant access to project details and emergency contacts through QR codes KEY FEATURES QR codes display project details such as highway number, project length, construction timelines, and maintenance data. Provides contact information of officials including Toll Manager, Project Manager, Resident Engineer, and Highway Patrol. Displays emergency helpline number 1033 for quick....Read More

Current Context : The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in collaboration with the Integrated Defence Staff and the Tri-Services, has released Indian Radio Software Architecture (IRSA) Standard 1.0, marking a major step in standardizing India’s defence communication systems. ABOUT IRSA STANDARD 1.0 Developed By – DRDO, Integrated Defence Staff, and Tri-Services Objective – To create a standardised software architecture for secure, efficient, and interoperable military radio communication systems. Significance – It is India’s first national specification defining software architecture for Software Defined Radios (SDRs). Vision – To position IRSA as a global benchmark in SDR technology and promote export....Read More

Current Context : The Tata Group, in partnership with Airbus, is setting up India’s first private-sector helicopter Final Assembly Line (FAL) at Vemagal, Karnataka, to produce Airbus H125 helicopters. ABOUT THE HELICOPTER ASSEMBLY LINE Nature of Project Facility will assemble, test, and deliver civil and military versions of H125. Will address domestic needs and South Asian export markets. Partnership Background Based on Airbus–Tata agreement signed in January 2024 during French President Macron’s visit. Follows earlier Airbus–Tata collaboration on the C295 military aircraft facility in Vadodara, Gujarat. Marks Airbus’ second major manufacturing venture in India. ABOUT H125 HELICOPTER Global Recognition Member....Read More

Current Context : China has introduced a new visa category called the K Visa, effective from October 1, 2025, to attract foreign science and technology talent. ABOUT K Visa Purpose: To bring in youth and professionals in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics). Eligibility: Graduates with bachelor’s degree or higher from reputed universities/research institutions; professionals in STEM teaching & research. Features: Greater flexibility in entry and validity period. Broader scope (education, science, technology, culture, entrepreneurship, business). No requirement of local enterprise sponsorship.Read More

Current Context: The Prime Minister of India has laid the foundation stone for a Polypropylene (PP) plant at Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) in Golaghat, Assam. ABOUT POLYPROPYLENE Type: Thermoplastic polymer produced by polymerization of propylene Category: Synthetic resin, part of polyolefin family Properties: Light weight and low density High heat resistance Resistant to chemical corrosion Highly flammable High insulation properties Applications: Used widely in plastic manufacturing industry Production of packaging materials Plastic casings in electrical goods and cables Used in medical industry due to biological and chemical resistanceRead More

Current Context: India’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO announced that seven new sites have been added to India’s Tentative List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, taking the total to 69 sites (49 cultural, 3 mixed, 17 natural). ABOUT THE UNESCO TENTATIVE LIST Purpose: A prerequisite for nomination to the final UNESCO World Heritage List Significance: Indicates international recognition of a site’s Outstanding Universal Value 7 NEW NATURAL HERITAGE SITES ADDED Deccan Traps (Maharashtra): Ancient volcanic formations of Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar. St Mary’s Island Cluster (Karnataka): Columnar basaltic lava formations near Udupi. Meghalayan Age Caves (Meghalaya): Geological network from the Meghalayan age....Read More

Current Context: Union Government has announced the annual licensing policy for opium cultivation for 2025–26 under NDPS Rules, 1985. ABOUT OPIUM & CULTIVATION POLICY Opium poppy produces opium gum rich in morphine, codeine, thebaine (medicinal alkaloids). India is the only country allowed by UN (1961 Single Convention) to produce gum opium. Cultivation permitted in: Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh (notified tracts). Licensing Authority: Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN), Gwalior (Ministry of Finance). Farmers must sell entire produce to CBN at government-decided price.Read More

Current Context: Andhra Pradesh’s Erra Matti Dibbalu (Red Sand Dunes) have recently been included in the UNESCO Tentative List of World Heritage Sites. ABOUT ERRA MATTI DIBBALU Location: Near Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh Discovered by: British geologist William King in 1886 Declared as: National Geo-heritage Monument by Geological Survey of India in 2016 Key Features: Composed of sand, silt, and clay with a distinct red colour due to natural oxidation Represent the late Quaternary geologic age Show unique badland topography with gullies, dunes, buried channels, beach ridges, wave-cut terraces, etc. Depict real-time climate change effects and geological evolution Archaeological significance: Artefacts....Read More

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