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.

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.