Current Context : The Government of Arunachal Pradesh has launched Mission Arun Himveer.

Aim : to enhance market linkages for local agricultural and horticultural producers.

Objective:

• Strengthen market linkages for local agricultural and horticultural producers in Arunachal Pradesh.
• Direct procurement of fresh produce by ITBP from farmers to enhance incomes and reduce wastage.

Implementation: Collaboration between the Arunachal Pradesh Agriculture Marketing Board (APAMB) and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) via a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Current Context : FSSAI has classified Packaged drinking water and mineral water as ‘High Risk Food Category’ for stricter safety protocols.

About High Risk Food

• High-risk foods include ready-to-eat items that support bacterial growth, posing health risks. Examples: dairy, meat, fish, eggs, and infant nutrition products.
• Objective: Enhance consumer safety and ensure compliance with hygiene and quality standards.

About Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)

Establishment:

• Formed under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
• Became operational in 2011.

Purpose:

• Ensures safe and wholesome food for all citizens by setting science-based standards.
• Regulates the manufacturing, storage, distribution, and sale of food to ensure public health.

Current Context : The emerging concept and construction of “sponge cities” is an effective approach to solving urban floods.

About Sponge city:

Sponge cities use green infrastructure to absorb, store, and manage rainwater sustainably, mitigating urban flooding and water scarcity issues.

Features:

• Green roofs, urban gardens, permeable pavements, and rain gardens.
• Infrastructure like infiltration and retention systems to manage stormwater​

Benefits:

• Improved urban flood management and water quality.
• Enhanced air humidity and microclimate regulation.
• Reduced urban heat islands and health risks​

Examples:

• Berlin, Germany: Green roofs and vertical gardens.
• Tirana, Albania: Ring forest projects.

China: Integrated sponge city designs addressing urban flooding​

Current Context : Recently, the Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $98 million loan to improve horticulture crop farmers’ access to certified disease-free planting materials which aligns with India’s Atmanirbhar Clean Plant Programme.

About Atmanirbhar Clean Plant Programme:

Objective:

• Provide disease-free, high-quality planting materials to boost horticulture.

Aims:

• Increase horticulture crop yields.
• Promote climate-resilient varieties.
• Ensure virus and disease control for ecosystem protection.

Components:

• Establishment of 9 advanced Clean Plant Centers with tissue culture labs.
• A robust certification system for accountability in planting material production.
• Development of region-specific varieties to suit diverse climates.

Implementation: Led by the Ministry of Agriculture, NHB, and ICAR.

Current Context : Recently, the 13th edition of Exercise AGNI WARRIOR (XAW-2024) concluded at Field Firing Ranges, Devlali (Maharashtra).

About Exercise AGNI WARRIOR:

• It is a joint military exercise between the Indian Army and Singapore Armed Forces.
• Aimed at enhancing mutual understanding of artillery drills and achieving jointness as a multinational force under the UN Charter.

Participants :

• Involved 182 personnel from Singapore Artillery and 114 from the Indian Army’s Regiment of Artillery.

Observed annually on 4^th December.

Aim :  to honor the valor, achievements, and sacrifices of the Indian Navy.

Theme : ‘Strength and Power through Innovation and Indigenisation.

Current Context : Recently, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri inaugurated ‘Eat Right’ fair at Ramlila Ground in Una.

About Fair :

• Focus on promoting local farm produce and food prepared by women self-help groups.
• Emphasized the importance of conserving and promoting traditional cuisines.
• The fair aimed to educate on healthy eating to prevent diseases.
• Government initiatives discussed for improving irrigation, farming infrastructure, and marketing.

Current Context : Recently, central government approved loans for development of Ramappa Circuit under the SASCI scheme (Swadesh Darshan Scheme 2.0).

About Ramappa Temple

• Also called Kakatiya Rudreshwara Temple, located in Telangana.
• Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Built during the Kakatiya period (1123–1323 CE)under Rudradeva and Recharla Rudra.

Architecture

• Constructed with sandstone, decorated granite, and dolerite beams and pillars.
• Features a pyramidal Vimana made of lightweight porous bricks.
• Follows the Chalukyan Vesara architectural style.

About Swadesh Darshan Scheme 2.0

• Objective: Develop sustainable and responsible tourism destinations in partnership with states/UTs, emphasizing community participation and infrastructure enhancement​
• Destination-Centric: Covers 57 destinations across 32 states/UTs, focusing on categories like spiritual tourism, eco-tourism, and vibrant village programs​
• Vision: Transform lesser-known places into high-quality tourism hubs, aligning with global standards for economic growth and job creation.​

Current Context : At the December 2024 talks in Busan, South Korea, nearly 200 countries failed to meet their self-imposed deadline to finalize the Global Plastic treaty.

About Global Plastic Treaty ​

• It is an ambitious international agreement aimed at combating plastic pollution.
• It will be a legally binding treaty, negotiated under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
• Aim : to address the entire life cycle of plastic, including production, consumption, recycling, and waste management, with a focus on reducing plastic pollution globally.

Core Elements: The treaty includes provisions for reducing plastic production, advancing recycling technologies, and improving waste management systems, while supporting a transition for informal waste sectors and promoting sustainable alternatives

Current Context : India has been re-elected to U.N. Peacebuilding Commission for 2025–2026.

About U.N. Peacebuilding Commission

Established in 2005 to support post-conflict recovery and peacebuilding efforts.

Composition

• 31 Member States, elected from the General Assembly, Security Council, and ECOSOC.
• Includes major financial and troop-contributing countriesto the UN system.

Mandate

• Advise on recovery strategies, reconstruction, and institution-building.
• Ensure sustainable developmentin conflict-affected regions.
• Bridge coordination among UN entities and stakeholders​

India’s Role

• Re-elected for 2025–2026as a founding member.
• Among the largest contributorsto UN Peacekeeping (6,000 personnel).
• Highest sacrifices: 180 Indian peacekeepers have lost their lives in service.