CURRENT CONTEXT : CM Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the Asian Cadet Cup India-2025 at Haldwani — the first-ever international fencing event in India with 250+ athletes from India and abroad.

PARTICIPATION

• Countries: Tajikistan, Syria, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia, India.
• Athletes: 250+ (150 from India).
• Venue: Manaskhand Hall, Indira Gandhi International Sports Stadium, Haldwani.

FENCING IN INDIA

• Inspired by Olympian Bhavani Devi (Arjuna Awardee).
• Rapid growth in youth participation.
• Connects to ancient Indian martial traditions.

CURRENT CONTEXT : Tamil Nadu has launched India’s first identity card programme for Women Self-Help Group (SHG) members, benefiting 5 lakh SHGs across the state.

ABOUT THE INITIATIVE

• Launched by Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin at Salem
• Linked with ₹3,500 crore loan distribution to SHGs
• Originated from SHG demand in Tiruvarur (2025 Women’s Day announcement)

BENEFITS OF ID CARDS

• Free bus travel up to 100 km for SHG members transporting goods
• Discounts on products at Aavin, Co-optex, Mudhalvar Marunthagam
• Easier access to welfare schemes and state-supported marketplaces

ALIGNMENT WITH WOMEN-CENTRIC PROGRAMMES

• Magalir Vidiyal Payanam: 770+ crore free bus rides in 4.5 years
• Magalir Urimai Thogai Scheme: ₹1,000 monthly support to 1.15 crore women (eligibility expanded)
• Enhanced support in education, health, and sports for women

CURRENT CONTEXT : Malayalam superstar Mohanlal will receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2023 at the 71st National Film Awards on 23 September 2025.

ABOUT MOHANLAL

• Career spans 4 decades, debut Thiranottam (1978)
• Acted in 400+ films, including Kireedam, Bharatham, Manichithrathazhu, Drishyam
• Awards:
  • Padma Shri (2001), Padma Bhushan (2019)
  • 5 National Film Awards (2 Best Actor, Jury Awards, Best Film as producer)
  • 9 Kerala State Awards

ABOUT THE AWARD

• Instituted in 1969, named after Dadasaheb Phalke (Father of Indian cinema)
• Includes: Swarna Kamal medallion, shawl, and ₹10 lakh
• First winner: Devika Rani
• Recent winners: Mithun Chakraborty (2022), Waheeda Rehman (2021), Asha Parekh (2020)

CURRENT CONTEXT : Three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets violated Estonia’s airspace over the Gulf of Finland and stayed for 12 minutes, escalating tensions with NATO.

ABOUT GULF OF FINLAND

• Easternmost extension of the Baltic Sea
• Area: 30,000 sq. km; Length: 400 km (E-W); Width: 19–130 km
• Borders: Finland (north), Russia (east), Estonia (south)
• Major cities: Helsinki, Tallinn, St. Petersburg
• Physical features:
  • depth: 38 m (shallow)
  • Low salinity (6 ppt); freezes 3–5 months in winter
  • Receives Neva and Narva rivers, Saimaa Canal
• Climate: Humid continental (hot summers, harsh winters)
• Islands: Kotlin (Kronstadt city), Beryozovye, Lisiy, Maly Vysotsky

CURRENT CONTEXT : The Election Commission of India (ECI) has recently de-listed 474 Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs) for not contesting elections in the last six years and flouting mandatory compliance norms.

ABOUT RUPPs

• Definition: Parties either newly registered or those failing to secure the required vote share to be recognised as state/national parties. Some have never contested elections.
• Benefits enjoyed:
  • Tax exemption under Section 13A, Income Tax Act, 1961
  • Common poll symbols (if contesting at least 5% of candidates in an election)
  • Permission to nominate up to 20 star campaigners
• Mandatory compliance:
  • Contest elections periodically
  • File annual audit accounts and contribution reports
  • Disclose donations above ₹20,000 and restrict cash donations to ₹2,000

REGISTRATION OF PARTIES

• Registered under Section 29A, Representation of the People Act (RPA), 1951
• Recognition brings reserved election symbol, free broadcast facilities, electoral rolls, and higher campaign benefits

CONDITIONS FOR RECOGNITION

• State Party: 3% Assembly seats / 1 Lok Sabha seat per 25 seats of state / 6% votes + seat win / 8% vote share
• National Party: 6% votes in 4+ states + 4 LS seats / 2% Lok Sabha seats from 3 states / recognised state party in 4+ states

Observed every year on 22 September.

• Purpose: To celebrate all five species of rhinos and raise awareness about their threats and conservation efforts
• Started: Announced by WWF–South Africa in 2010, and became a global event in 2011
• Species under threat: Five main species — Black, White, Greater One-Horned, Sumatran, and Javan; four are threatened with extinction
• Population status: Fewer than 27,000 rhinos remain worldwide

Celebrated every year on21 September.

Aim : To spread awareness about dementia and reducing stigma around the disease.

• Launched by: Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) in 1994
• Theme: “Ask About Dementia. Ask About Alzheimer’s”

Celebrated every year on 21 September.

• Purpose: To Promote non-violence, ceasefire, peace education, and cooperation among nations.
• First observed: 1982
• Theme: “Act Now for a Peaceful World”

CURRENT CONTEXT : The World Trade Organization (WTO) released its World Trade Report 2025, highlighting the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in boosting global trade and growth by 2040.

Relevant Data :

• AI Impact: Could raise global trade by 34–37% and GDP by 12–13% by 2040
• AI-enabling goods trade (2023): USD 3 trillion
• Digital Gap: If low- and middle-income nations halve their digital gap, income may rise by 14–15%
• Barriers:
  • Tariffs on AI goods up to 45%
  • Trade restrictions rose from 130 (2012) → 500 (2024)
• Challenges: Uneven access to AI technologies
• WTO Role: Promotes commitments under ITA & GATS; 80 AI-related trade concerns raised since 2012
• Focus: Need for open and predictable trade environment, digital infrastructure, and workforce skill development

Current Context : Puducherry has become the first Union Territory in India to achieve zero maternal mortality, a significant milestone in public health.

About Maternal Mortality

• Definition: Death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, from causes related to pregnancy or its management.
• Indicator: Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) = Number of maternal deaths per 1,00,000 live births.
• India’s MMR: 93 per 1,00,000 live births.

Global/SDG Target

• Target: Reduce MMR to 70 per 1,00,000 live births by 2030.

States already meeting SDG target: Kerala, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, Gujarat, and Karnataka.