Current Context : The Moran community of Assam has recently intensified its demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status from the Government of India.

About Moran Community

• Location: Mainly in Tinsukia district of Assam; also present in parts of Arunachal Pradesh.
• Historical Background: Had an independent kingdom at Bengmara (present-day Tinsukia) before the arrival of the Ahoms.
• Language: Earlier used a dialect from the Bodo group (Tibeto-Burman family); later shifted to Assamese.

Religious Affiliation

• Follow Vaishnavism (Moamoria sect) introduced by Sri Aniruddha Deva, disciple of Srimanta Sankardeva.
• Before Vaishnavism, they followed the Shakta faith linked to Kechaikhati Than (mother goddess shrine).

Festivals

• Gasar Talar Bihu – a traditional Bihu dance performed under a tree.
• Kheri – another popular cultural festival.

CURRENT CONTEXT : Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin launched the ‘Anbu Karangal’ (Hands of Love) scheme on 16 September 2025 to support orphaned children.

FEATURES :

• Benefit: ₹2,000/month per child
• Duration: Till 18 years or completion of school
• Initial Beneficiaries: 6,082 children
• Eligibility:
  • Children who lost both parents
  • Children with one surviving parent unable to care
• Legal Basis: Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015
• Additional Aid: Laptops to 1,340 orphan students (Class 12 pass, entering college)
• Digital App: Developed with TN e-Governance Agency for
  • Online applications
  • Grievance redressal
  • Real-time monitoring of beneficiaries

CURRENT CONTEXT : The Bihar government led by CM Nitish Kumar has expanded the Mukhya Mantri Nishchay Swayam Sahayta Bhatta Yojana in 2025 to include unemployed graduates, aiming to empower youth and promote employment.

ABOUT THE SCHEME

• Name: Mukhya Mantri Nishchay Swayam Sahayta Bhatta Yojana
• Launched by: Government of Bihar
• Eligibility: Unemployed graduates (Arts/Science/Commerce), aged 20–25 years, not studying/working/self-employed
• Benefit: ₹1,000 per month for 2 years
• Earlier Scope: Only for intermediate pass unemployed youth
• Objective: Encourage skill training, competitive exam preparation, and youth self-reliance
• Target: To help achieve Bihar’s goal of creating 1 crore jobs in 5 years
• Part of: 7 Nischay Programme (Youth Welfare & Skill Development)

Current Context : Marium Fatima from Muzaffarpur has become Bihar’s first Woman FIDE Master (WFM), marking a historic milestone for the state in the field of chess.

About Woman FIDE Master (WFM) Title

• Awarded by: Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE)
• Significance: An official international chess title, ranked below Woman International Master (WIM) and Woman Grandmaster (WGM).
• Basis of Award: Achieved through outstanding rating performance and results in recognized FIDE tournaments.

CURRENT CONTEXT Gourangalal Das, a 1999 batch IFS officer, has been appointed as India’s new Ambassador to South Korea.

ABOUT

• Former Director General, India-Taipei Association
• Expert in East Asia affairs and China-related negotiations

Current Context : The water level at Pong Dam, which lies on the Beas in Himachal Pradesh, has risen by more than five feet above the maximum permissible level due to heavy rainfall during the past few days.

ABOUT PONG DAM

also known as the Beas Dam or Maharana Pratap Sagar.

• Location: Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh (in the Shivalik hills)
• River: Beas River
• Year of Completion: 1975
• Type: Earth-fill embankment dam
• Reservoir Name: Maharana Pratap Sagar
• Reservoir Area: ~260 sq. km
• Catchment Area: 12,562 sq. km
• Main Purpose: Water storage for irrigation, hydroelectric power generation, flood control
• Ramsar Site: Pong Dam Lake is a designated Ramsar wetland site and wildlife sanctuary of international importance.

Current Context : A National Security Guard (NSG) team, which was in Shimla on a three-day visit, has suggested to the district administration to enhance security at the famous Lord Hanuman Temple at Jakhu.

ABOUT JAKHU TEMPLE

Jakhu Temple is an ancient and revered shrine of Lord Hanuman located atop Jakhu Hill, the highest peak in Shimla. It is famous for its 108-foot Hanuman statue, which stands as a prominent landmark visible from most parts of Shimla and attracts thousands of devotees and tourists every year.

• Location: Jakhu Hill, 2,455 m (8,054 ft) above sea level, about 2.5 km east of The Ridge, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
• Accessibility:
  • Can be reached by foot, horse, taxi, or Jakhu Ropeway (aerial cable car) from central Shimla
• Surroundings:
  • Surrounded by dense deodar forests with panoramic views of Shivalik ranges and Shimla valleys

MYTHOLOGICAL & HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

• As per Ramayana, Lord Hanuman rested on Jakhu Hill while searching for the Sanjeevani herb to revive Lakshmana.
• Legends say his landing flattened the hilltop, and his footprints are preserved in the temple premises.
• The name “Jakhu” comes from “Yaksha”, referring to a sage Hanuman is believed to have met here.
• Over centuries, it became a holy site believed to fulfill devotees’ wishes.

KEY FEATURES

• 108-foot Hanuman Statue:
  • Installed in 2010
  • Taller than the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro
• Temple Premises:
  • Known for large numbers of monkeys, considered symbolic guardians of Hanuman
  • Offers spiritual peace along with scenic beauty

Current Context : The Prime Minister has launched the ‘Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar’ Abhiyan to improve women’s health and family well-being.

ABOUT THE ABHIYAN

• Objective: Screen women for anaemia, hypertension, diabetes, and cancer while supporting immunisation and nutrition
• Target: Organise over 1 lakh health camps across the country
• Ministries Involved:
  • Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
  • Ministry of Women & Child Development
• Technology Support: SASHAKT Portal to track progress and ensure real-time accountability
• Community Involvement: Anganwadis, Nikshay Mitras, private hospitals, etc.

Current Context : The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has officially announced the launch of the Bima Sugam portal.

ABOUT BIMA SUGAM PORTAL

• Purpose: Unified digital marketplace for all insurance services
• Backed by: Life Insurance Council and General Insurance Council
• Coverage: Life insurance (term, savings, annuity, pension, ULIP) and health insurance products

KEY FEATURES

• Buy, sell, renew, manage, and claim insurance policies on a single platform
• Centralised database for insurance-related queries
• Enables quick acceptance of new and sandbox insurance products
• Uses advanced digital technologies to automate and digitise processes
• Brings insurers, intermediaries, and customers onto one platform

Current Context : India recently defended Qatar’s sovereignty during discussions at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

ABOUT UNHRC

• Created by: United Nations General Assembly
• Year: 15 March 2006 (replaced Commission on Human Rights)
• Type: Inter-governmental body within the UN system
• Mandate:
  • Promote universal respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms
  • Address violations, including gross and systematic violations of human rights
  • Make recommendations on human rights situations
• Total Members: 47 UN Member States
• Elected by: UN General Assembly through direct and secret ballot

ABOUT QATAR

• Official Name: State of Qatar
• Region: Western Asia (northeastern Arabian Peninsula)
• Area: 11,586 sq.km
• Border: Saudi Arabia (south); Persian Gulf on other sides
• Capital: Doha
• Language: Arabic (official); English (widely spoken)
• Currency: Qatari Riyal (QAR)
• Ruling Family: Al Thani (since 1868)
• Independence: 1971 (was a British protectorate)