Recently, National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)  celebrated its 22^nd Foundation Day on February 19, 2025.

• Established:Under Article 338A via the 89th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003.
• Replaced:The combined National Commission for SCs and STs with separate NCSC and NCST.
• Composition:Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and 3 members appointed by the President.
• Mandate:Investigates, monitors, and safeguards ST rights under the Constitution.
• 22nd Foundation Day:February 19, 2025; focus on Forest Rights Act

Government Initiatives for Scheduled Tribes

• Pre-Matric & Post-Matric Scholarships:Financial aid for ST students.
• National Overseas Scholarship:Supports ST students for higher education abroad.
• Adivasi Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana (AMSY):Concessional loans for ST women’s livelihood.
• Adivasi Shiksha Rinn Yojana:Education loans for ST students.
• PVTG Development Program:Special focus on Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups.
• PTP-NER Scheme:Boosts tribal product marketing in the Northeast.

India has been elected as Vice President of the International Organization of Aids to Marine Navigation (IALA) during its first General Assembly in Singapore.

• India to host the IALA Council meeting in December 2025 and the IALA Conference & General Assembly in Mumbai (September 2027).
• Establishment:Founded in 1957 to harmonize global maritime navigation systems.
• Transition to Inter-Governmental Organization (IGO):In August 2024, IALA transitioned from a non-governmental organization to an IGO, following ratification by 34 member states.

Arunachal Pradesh government has recently announced enhancements to the Dulari Kanya Scheme.

• The Dulari Kanya Scheme is an initiative by the Arunachal Pradesh government to promote the welfare of girl children through financial incentives.
• Objective:Promote institutional births and support girl child education.
• Financial Incentive:₹30,000 fixed deposit for institutional births (earlier ₹20,000).
• Education Support:₹20,000 direct benefit transfer for Class XI admission.
• Total Benefit:₹50,000 per girl child.
• Withdrawal Condition:Accessible only when the child turns 18.
• Government’s Goal:Encourage institutional deliveries, improve maternal and child health, and promote girls’ education.

Observed annually on February 22 by 10 million Girl Guides and Girl Scouts across 150 countries.

• Aim : to promote international friendship and raise awareness of issues affecting young women and
• Theme : “Our Story,” focuses on sharing experiences and strengthening global unity.

India and the United States have recently bolstered their defense partnership, announcing new procurements and co-production of the Javelin anti-tank guided missile.

• The FGM-148 Javelin, developed by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, is designed to destroy heavily armored vehicles, fortifications, and even helicopters.
• The FGM-148 Javelin has an effective range of 2.5 km and uses automatic infrared guidance for enhanced accuracy.
• The Javelin anti-tank missile is a portable, medium-range weapon system known for its fire-and-forget technology.
• After launch, it autonomously tracks the target, enabling the gunner to take cover and avoid counter-fire.

The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), a key Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) lab, signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI) at Aero India 2025 to develop MDN100, a high-strength, high-toughness steel for aeronautical applications, including the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

• MDN100 steel offers high strength, toughness, and excellent forgeability, making it ideal for stressed aircraft components.
• Its lightweight design enhances the performance and efficiency of modern combat aircraft.
• This initiative supports India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat mission in defence manufacturing.
• MIDHANI, a key supplier for DRDO and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), also showcased SuperNi 41, a nickel-chromium-based superalloy for high-temperature aero engines.
• ADA leads the AMCA project and oversees the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk2 and Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) programs for the Indian Navy.

The Similipal Tiger Reserve has deployed 100-150 AI-enabled cameras as part of the TrailGuard AI system to detect poachers and enhance wildlife protection.

• Nightjar Technologies, a Gurgaon-based company, developed the system for remote surveillance in wildlife conservation.
• The system features compact cameras with long-lasting batteries (6 months to 1 year) and provides real-time updates, aiding intelligence gathering and law enforcement raids.
• It can detect and identify humans, animals, and vehicles, sending alerts upon detecting poachers.
• Currently, it is deployed in Kanha Tiger Reserve and Dudhwa National Park.
• Simlipal Tiger Reserve, located in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district, features waterfalls like Joranda and Barehipani.
• Designated a tiger reserve under Project Tiger in 1973, it became a wildlife sanctuary in 1979, with 303 sq. km proposed as a national park in 1980.
• UNESCO recognized it as a Biosphere Reserve in

Recently, Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar inaugurated India’s first vertical bi-facial solar plant at Okhla Vihar metro station, along with a 1 MW rooftop solar installation at Khyber Pass metro depot in Delhi.

• The event was organized by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) under the i-Metro banner, in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC).
• The 50 KW vertical solar plant features bi-facial panels that capture sunlight from both sides, maximizing energy efficiency.
• By 2030, India aims for metro systems to be primarily powered by renewable energy, utilizing advancements in energy storage, smart grid integration, and sustainable construction.

Haryana’s proposed 3,858-hectare Aravali Safari Park in Gurugram and Nuh, set to be the world’s largest, has sparked controversy.

• Currently, the largest curated safari park outside Africa is Sharjah Safari, spanning 2,000 acres, opened in February 2022.
• The Aravali Safari Park will feature animal enclosures, guest accommodations, dining, and recreational facilities. The Haryana Tourism Department has begun the tender process.
• The Aravalli Range, one of the world’s oldest fold mountains, now consists of residual hills with elevations between 300m to 900m.
• Stretching 800 km from Himmatnagar (Gujarat) to Delhi, it spans Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Delhi, with a 692 km stretch in India.
• The range is divided into Sambhar Sirohi and Sambhar Khetri ranges in Rajasthan.

Rekha Gupta, a BJP leader and Shalimar Bagh MLA, has been appointed as the 9th Chief Minister of Delhi, bringing the party back to power after 27 years. The BJP won a decisive majority, securing 44 of 70 seats in the Delhi Assembly elections on February 8, 2025.

• She is the fourth woman to hold the post in Delhi, following Sushma Swaraj, Sheila Dikshit, and Atishi Marlena.
• Delhi is the capital city of India.
• Situated in northern India, Delhi is bordered by the state of Haryana on three sides and Uttar Pradesh to the east.
• It is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Red Fort, Qutub Minar, and Humayun’s Tomb.
• The Yamuna River flows through Delhi.