Current Context: The third UN conference for Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) was held in Awaza, Turkmenistan (2025) to discuss trade, infrastructure, and development challenges for nations without sea access.

ABOUT LLDC3

• Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) are nations without access to the sea. They are economically disadvantaged due to higher trade costs, longer transport routes, and dependence on neighboring countries for trade access.
• Of the 32 LLDCs, most are also among the poorest globally, with limited export opportunities, weak infrastructure, and high vulnerability to climate shocks.
• Participants: 32 LLDCs, home to 600+ million people
• Global Share: 7% of population, but only 1% of economy and trade
• Adopted Plan: Awaza Programme of Action (APoA) for 2024–2034
• Main Issues: High trade costs, limited transport access, economic inequalities
• Focus Areas: Partnerships, infrastructure investment, innovation in trade routes

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.

Current Context: India’s Annu Rani, the Asian Games champion, won the gold medal in the women’s javelin throw at the International Wiesław Maniak Memorial in Poland with a season-best throw of 62.59 metres.

• She defeated athletes from Turkey and Australia.

ABOUT ANNU RANI’S ACHIEVEMENT

• Event: International Wiesław Maniak Memorial, Poland
• Category: Women’s Javelin Throw
• Gold: Annu Rani (India) – 62.59m (Season Best)
• Silver: Eda Tugsuz (Turkey) – 58.36m
• Bronze: Lianna Davidson (Australia) – 58.24m
• Significance: Boosts India’s track and field presence in global events.

Current Context: Sikkim recently celebrated Tendong Lho Rum Faat, a nature-worship festival of the Lepcha tribe.

ABOUT LEPCHA TRIBE

• Indigenous to eastern Nepal, western Bhutan, Sikkim, and Darjeeling (West Bengal).
• Recognised as a Scheduled Tribe in Sikkim.
• Self-name: Rongs or Rongkups.
• Habitat: Slopes of Mt. Kanchenjunga (world’s 3rd highest mountain).
• Population: Around 42,909 (Census 2011).
• Language: Lepcha – own script based on Sanskrit.
• Occupation: Traditionally hunters and gatherers; now also farmers and cattle breeders.
• Religion: Originally nature worshippers; later adopted Buddhism.
• Culture: Singing, dancing, archery contests.
• Belief: Kanchenjunga is their guardian deity.

Current Context: Turkey recently closed the Dardanelles Strait to ships because of nearby forest fires.

About Dardanelles Strait:

• Narrow waterway in northwestern Turkey, linking the Aegean Sea and the Sea of Marmara.
• Separates Europe from the tip of Asia Minor.
• Ancient name: Hellespont – named after a mythical princess, Helle.
• Length: 61 km, width: 1.2 to 6.5 km.
• Connects with the Bosporus Strait, which links to the Black Sea – together they form the only sea route from the Black Sea to the rest of the world.
• Gallipoli Peninsula lies on its west side.
• Important ports: Gallipoli, Eceabat, Çanakkale (all in Turkey).

Current Context: The Reserve Bank of India has given ‘in-principle’ approval to AU Small Finance Bank to change into a universal bank. It is the first such approval in 10 years.

About Universal Bank Licence:

• Allows a bank to offer all types of banking services (commercial + investment) under one roof.
• Last given in 2014 to Bandhan Bank and IDFC Bank.

Eligibility for Small Finance Bank to Become a Universal Bank:

• Scheduled bank status for at least 5 years.
• Listed on a recognised stock exchange.
• Minimum net worth: ₹1,000 crore.
• Profits in the last 2 years.
• Low bad loans – Gross NPA ≤ 3% and Net NPA ≤ 1%.
• No new promoters during transition.
• Preference to banks with a variety of loans.

About Small Finance Banks:

• Announced in Union Budget 2014–15.
• Purpose: Financial inclusion.
• Registered as public limited companies under the Companies Act, 2013.
• Governed by the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
• Minimum capital requirement: ₹200 crore.
• Promoters must be experienced in banking/finance for at least 10 years.

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 World Food Prize (1987), UNEP Sasakawa Environment Prize (1994), UNESCO Gandhi Gold Medal (1999).
• Bharat Ratna: Awarded posthumously in 2024.

Observed every year on 10 August

Aim : To spread awareness about biofuels as sustainable and cleaner alternatives to fossil fuels.

• Historical Background: Commemorates 10 August 1893, when Sir Rudolf Diesel successfully powered the first diesel engine using peanut oil, marking the beginning of biofuel technology.
• Significance in India:
  • Organized By: Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas.
  • Government Initiatives:
    • Ethanol blending expanded from 380 million litres (2013-14) to 4 billion litres currently.
    • Target set for 20% ethanol blending in petrol by 2030.
  • State-Level Initiatives:
    • Bihar launched an updated Biofuel Policy.
    • Plans for nine new ethanol plants by 2026 to enhance rural energy production and promote sustainability.

Observed annually on 10 August

Aim : to raise awareness about the conservation of lions and their habitats.

• Initiated By: Wildlife conservationists Dereck and Beverly Joubert in 2013, with support from the Big Cat Initiative and National Geographic.
• Significance:
  • Global wild African lion population is estimated at 20,000.
  • Asiatic lion population in India’s Gir Forest is around 675.
  • Urges coordinated conservation efforts to prevent further decline.

Current Context : Ministry of Women and Child Development has extended the special registration drive for the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) till 15 August 2025.

ABOUT PMMVY

• Category: Centrally Sponsored Scheme under Mission Shakti – Samarthya.
• Target: Pregnant and lactating women from disadvantaged sections.

Benefits

• ₹5,000 cash incentive in two instalments for the first child.
• Additional ₹1,000 under Janani Suraksha Yojana, making total ₹6,000.
• ₹6,000 benefit for second child only if the second child is a girl.
• In case of stillbirth or miscarriage, the woman can reapply for future pregnancies.

Eligibility Criteria

• Women belonging to Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes
• Women with E-shram Card, BPL Ration Card, MGNREGA Job Card
• Divyangjan (Partially/Fully Disabled Women)
• Income below ₹8 Lakh per annum
• Women employed under PM Jan Aarogya Yojana or Kishan Samman Nidhi

Implementation

• Done through PMMVYSoft, launched in March 2023.
• Ensures Aadhaar-based Direct Benefit Transfer with NPCI verification.