Current Context: India successfully tested the Akash Prime air‑defence missile system in high‑altitude Ladakh, destroying two unmanned high‑speed aerial targets at over 15,000 feet.

 ABOUT AKASH PRIME

• Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
• It is an upgraded version of the indigenous Akash Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) system
• Specially designed to operate in extreme weather, high-altitude regions (above 4,500 metres), and low-oxygen conditions

 FEATURES OF AKASH PRIME

• Medium-range surface-to-air missile
• Protects mobile, semi-mobile, and static military installations from aerial threats
• Equipped with an indigenous Radio Frequency seeker to lock on to targets in the final flight phase
• Range: Around 25–30 kilometers
• Improved reliability in low-temperature environments
• Developed based on feedback from the Indian Armed Forces
• Provides air defence cover for vital and sensitive areas in high-altitude zones

CURRENT CONTEXT: Under the (PM VIKAS) scheme’s, first higher‑education rollout, a landmark MoU was signed at IIIT Kottayam in Kerala.

• Project will skill 450 minority candidates — including 150 youth in Internet of Things and 300 women in leadership & entrepreneurship.

ABOUT PM VIKAS

• Full form: Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan.
• Type: Central Sector Scheme under the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
• Purpose: To empower six notified minority communities (Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Zoroastrians) through skill development, entrepreneurship training, leadership and heritage education.
• Converged Schemes: Integrates earlier schemes—Seekho Aur Kamao, Nai Manzil, Nai Roshni, USTTAD and Hamari Dharohar .

CURRENT CONTEXT : Nitin Gupta, former Chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), has been appointed Chairperson of NFRA by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet on 17 July 2025.

He takes over after a vacancy following Ajay Bhushan Pandey’s tenure ending on 31 March 2025; Ravneet Kaur had been acting Chair until now.

 ABOUT NFRA

• Established: October 2018 under Section 132 of the Companies Act, 2013.
• Jurisdiction: Independent auditor and accounting watchdog under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
• Headquarters: New Delhi.
• Membership: 1 Chairperson + up to 15 members (3 full-time, 9 part-time, plus a Secretary).

 FUNCTIONS

• Recommend and enforce accounting and auditing standards.
• Monitor quality of audit services and punish defaulting professionals.
• Investigate misconduct by auditors; can fine or debar them for up to 10 years.

 ABOUT NITIN GUPTA

• Former Indian Revenue Service (1986 batch); Civil Engineer by training.
• Served as CBDT Chairman (2022–2024) and Director General at Competition Commission of India.
• Appointment is for three years or until he reaches age 65.

Current Context: The Indian Navy will take part in the 32nd Singapore–India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX) later this month in Singapore.

• This exercise has run annually since 1994 and is India’s longest-uninterrupted naval drill.

 About SIMBEX:

• Organizers: Indian Navy and Republic of Singapore Navy.
• Purpose: Enhance maritime cooperation in areas like anti-submarine warfare, air defence, search-and-rescue operations, and counter-terrorism.
• Participants: Ships include INS Delhi, INS Satpura, INS Kiltan, INS Shakti, under Rear Admiral Susheel Menon

Current Context: Recently, the Central government decided to form a high-level technical committee within a week to address inter‑state disputes over the Polavaram–Banakacherla Link Project, as well as other water-sharing issues involving Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

 About the Project:

• Location: Connects the Polavaram Dam on the Godavari River to the Banakacherla Regulator in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh.
• Objective: Divert around 200 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) of surplus Godavari floodwater annually to drought-prone regions like Rayalaseema via Krishna river basins.

 Issue in Dispute:

• Telangana’s concern: Opposes link fearing it violates water-sharing agreements and could affect its water security.
• Environmental review: Expert Appraisal Committee rejected the project’s draft ToR, asking Andhra Pradesh to first consult the Central Water Commission.

Legal & Administrative Mechanism:

• Statutes invoked:
  • Inter‑State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 – allows the Centre to set up water tribunals.
  • River Boards Act, 1956 – enables state-level river management boards.
  • Constitutional backing: Article 262 bars courts from intervening in tribunal matters.
  • Centre’s action: Decided to set up Godavari River Management Board (Hyderabad) and Krishna River Management Board (Amaravati) by July 21.

Current Context: President Droupadi Murmu presented Swachh Survekshan 2024–25 awards, marking the 9th edition of India’s largest urban cleanliness survey .

 ABOUT SWACHH SURVEKSHAN

• Launched: 2016 under Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
• Aim: Promote cleanliness through citizen engagement, city benchmarking, and competition.
• New Format: Five population categories – Very Small, Small, Medium, Big, and Million‑Plus cities.
• Theme 2024–25: “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” (3R).

 Relevant Data

• Super Swachh League: Indore, Surat, and Navi Mumbai recognized for consistent top performance.
• Top 3 in Million‑Plus: Ahmedabad, Bhopal, and Lucknow named as new ‘Clean Cities’.
• Lucknow: Achieved 3rd place with 12,001/12,500 score; 100% door‑to‑door collection, 97% segregation, 7‑star “Garbage‑Free City” rating.
• Small Town Spotlight: Belha (Chhattisgarh) named India’s cleanest small town (<20,000 pop.) Jamshedpur and Bundu also featured prominently.

 SPECIAL CATEGORY AWARDS

• Best Ganga Town: Prayagraj
• Best Cantonment Board: Secunderabad
• Safai Mitra Surakshit Shehar: Visakhapatnam, Jabalpur, Gorakhpur recognised for worker safety.
• Mahakumbh Management: Special award for waste handling during 2025 pilgrimage in Prayagraj.

 STATE‑LEVEL & INNOVATIONS

• Promising Clean Cities: 34 cities across States/Union Territories honoured under “One City, One Award”.
• New Initiatives:
  • Swachh City Partnership – each top city mentors one underperforming peer.
  • Accelerated Dumpsite Remediation – one-year mission from August 15, 2025, to clean legacy waste.

CURRENT CONTEXT: Ajay Kumar Shrivastava became the new Director of Engineering and Research & Development at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

ABOUT HINDUSTAN AERONAUTICS LIMITED:

• Organisation Profile: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is a major public sector defence company in India, working in aircraft and aerospace technology.

BACKGROUND OF AJAY SHRIVASTAVA:

• Career Journey: Joined Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in 1988 as a Management Trainee (Technical).
• Leadership Roles: Led the Aircraft Research and Design Centre and the Transport Aircraft Research and Design Centre.
• Previous Role: Served as Executive Director of the Aircraft Research and Design Centre.

CURRENT CONTEXT: The Punjab Government introduced the Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scriptures Bill, 2025 in response to rising incidents of religious sacrilege and growing public concern.

ABOUT THE BILL:

• Purpose of the Bill: To protect religious harmony by making sacrilege of holy scriptures a criminal offence.
• Reason for Introduction: Punjab has seen several incidents of disrespect to holy books, disturbing communal peace and unity.

Definition of Offence:

• Meaning of Sacrilege: Acts like tearing, burning, damaging, defacing, or destroying sacred scriptures.
• Coverage: Even damaging a part or extract of the scripture is considered sacrilege under this law.

SCRIPTURES PROTECTED UNDER THE BILL:

• Holy Texts Covered:
  • Sri Guru Granth Sahib and its extracts (like Pothis and Gutka Sahib)
  • Srimad Bhagavad Gita
  • Quran Sharif
  • Holy Bible
• Inclusive Approach: The Bill ensures protection for all major religions followed in Punjab.

 PENALTIES AND PUNISHMENTS:

• Main Punishment: Minimum of 10 years to life imprisonment.
• Fine Amount: Between ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh for sacrilege.
• Attempt or Abetment: Jail term of 3 to 5 years and fine up to ₹3 lakh.

Strict Enforcement: Offences will be tried in Sessions Court and are non-bailable.

CURRENT CONTEXT: Union Cabinet approved the Prime Minister Dhan‑Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, a six-year mission to uplift agriculture in 100 districts.

ABOUT THE SCHEME:

• Objective: Boost farmer income by improving crop productivity, irrigation, storage, diversification, and credit access.
• Budget: Allocated ₹24,000 crore per year from 2025‑26, running for six years.
• Coverage: Targets 100 districts selected for low productivity, cropping intensity, and credit flow; at least one district per state/UT.
• Implementation Model: Converges 36 schemes across 11 ministries, with local PPP involvement.
• Governance Structure:
  • National, State, and District-level committees will oversee planning and execution.
  • District Dhan-Dhaanya Samiti, led by the District Collector and progressive farmers, will prepare tailored plans.
• Monitoring & Evaluation:
  • Performance tracked via 117 key indicators on a monthly digital dashboard.
  • NITI Aayog and Central Nodal Officers will review progress periodically.

SIGNIFICANCE:

• Aims to replicate the success of the Aspirational Districts Programme in agriculture.
• Expected to benefit around 7 crore farmers, create local jobs, and boost rural livelihoods.
• Intended to improve national agricultural performance and help achieve Atmanirbhar Bharat

CURRENT CONTEXT: Recently, a strong earthquake of magnitude 6.7 struck near Tanimbar Islands in the Banda Sea, off the coast of Indonesia.

ABOUT TANIMBAR ISLANDS:

• Location: Situated in Maluku province of Indonesia, between the Banda Sea and Arafura Sea.
• Geography: Group of about 30 islands; largest island is Yamdena, featuring forested hills and swampy lowlands.
• Seismic Vulnerability: Lies on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, a zone of frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.