Current Context: The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has officially approved India’s bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games.

ABOUT INDIAN OLYMPIC ASSOCIATION (IOA)

• Founded: 1927
• Founding President: Sir Dorabji Tata
• Founding Secretary General: A.G. Noehren
• Recognition: Officially recognised by the International Olympic Committee in 1927
• Legal Status: Non-profit organisation under the Societies Registration Act, 1860
• Objective: Develop, promote, and protect the Olympic movement in India
• Governing Body: 32-member Executive Council headed by a President
• About Commonwealth Games:
  • First held in 1930 in Hamilton, Canada
  • Second-largest multi-sport event after the Olympics
  • Brings together athletes from 71 nations and territories

Current Context: The Government of India will launch ‘SabhaSaar’ AI tool in Tripura on Independence Day to modernise gram sabha meeting documentation.

ABOUT SABHASAAR AI TOOL

• Purpose: Automatically generate structured minutes of gram sabha meetings.
• Developed On: Bhashini AI-powered language platform.
• Features:
  • Transcribes gram sabha video/audio into text
  • Translates into multiple Indian languages (Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Gujarati, etc.) and English
  • Summarises discussions
  • Ensures uniformity in documentation across India
  • Panchayat officials can upload recordings using e-GramSwaraj credentials

Current Context : The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has made APAAR ID mandatory for Class 9 and Class 11 registration, and List of Candidates submission for Class 10 and Class 12 ahead of the 2026 board exams.

ABOUT APAAR ID

• Full Form: Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry.
• Launched by: Union Ministry of Education.
• Introduced in: Academic session 2024–25.
• Objective: One Nation, One Student ID.
• Features:
  • 12-digit unique and permanent ID for every student.
  • Consolidates academic achievements in a single digital record.
  • In line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Current Context : The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) may discontinue pull transactions on UPI in the future to reduce fraud.

ABOUT PUSH AND PULL TRANSACTIONS

• Push Transactions:
  • Initiated by the payer.
  • Example: Scanning QR code or entering UPI ID to make payment.
• Pull Transactions:
  • Initiated by the beneficiary.
  • Transaction completes once payer enters PIN for approval.
  • Examples: Cheques, debit card payments.

Current Context : Maharashtra has launched ‘Disha Abhiyan’, the first state-wide curriculum in India for students with intellectual disabilities, implemented in 453 special schools across the state. The initiative aligns with the ‘Developed India 2047’framework for an inclusive and self-reliant society.

ABOUT DISHA ABHIYAN

• Objective: To provide uniform and quality education for students with intellectual disabilities.
• Implemented by: Jai Vakil Foundation (over 80 years of experience in special education).
• Certification: National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (NIEPID).
• Features of Curriculum:
  • Integrates global best practices and research-based methods.
  • Adaptations for different ability levels for personalised learning.
  • Covers academics, life skills, and vocational training to promote independence.

Current Context: India celebrates Independence Day annually on 15 August to mark freedom from British rule in 1947.

ABOUT INDEPENDENCE DAY

• Historical Importance: India achieved independence on 15 August 1947 through the Indian Independence Act, 1947.
• Anniversary Count: 2025 marks the 79th Independence Day (counting from 1947 as the first).
• Celebration Traditions: Flag hoisting at Red Fort, Prime Minister’s address to the nation, 21-gun salute, national anthem, and aerial displays.

2025 Highlights:

• Prime Minister Modi delivered his 12th consecutive Independence Day speech.
• Women Self-Help Groups in Varanasi produced over 4.76 lakh flags under Har Ghar Tiranga, combining patriotism with women’s empowerment.

Current Context : Bibi Fatima Women’s Self-Help Group (SHG) from a small village in Dharwad district, Karnataka, has won the prestigious Equator Initiative Award for their work in promoting climate-resilient agriculture and biodiversity conservation.

ABOUT UNDP EQUATOR INITIATIVE AWARD

• Presented by: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under its Equator Initiative.
• Frequency: Biennially (once every two years).
• Purpose:
  • Recognise and honour outstanding Indigenous Peoples and local community initiatives.
  • Support efforts addressing land degradation, biodiversity conservation, and livelihood improvement.
• Reputation: Known as the “Nobel Prize for Biodiversity Conservation”.

ABOUT BIBI FATIMA WOMEN’S SELF-HELP GROUP (SHG)

• Location: Dharwad district, Karnataka, India.
• Key Initiatives:
  • Introduced millet-based mixed cropping on rainfed farms.
  • Promoted climate-resilient farming systems.
  • Practised livestock rearing and horticulture.
  • Popularised millets for nutrition and sustainability.

Current Context : The Lok Sabha passed two bills aiming to simplify and modernise India’s income tax framework.

ABOUT INCOME-TAX BILL, 2025

• Purpose: Replace the complex 1961 Act with simplified provisions.
• Key Features:
  • Broadened deductions (family pension, gratuity).
  • Separate Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT) and Alternate Minimum Tax (AMT)s
  • AMT exemption for LLPs with only capital gains income and no deductions claimed.
  • Electronic payment mandate for professionals with receipts above ₹50 crore.
  • Updated definitions for capital asset, micro and small enterprises, beneficial owner.

ABOUT TAXATION LAWS (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2025

• Purpose: Amend Income-tax Act, 1961 and Finance Act, 2025.
• Reforms:
  • Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) with tax exemptions.
  • Direct tax relief to Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.

Streamlined rules for pending search case assessments

Current Context : The Union Health Secretary launched the State Health Regulatory Excellence Index to benchmark and improve state drug regulatory systems.

ABOUT SHRESTH

• Developer: Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO).
• Coverage:
  • 27 indices for manufacturing states.
  • 23 indices for distribution-focused states.
• Themes: Human Resources, Infrastructure, Licensing, Surveillance, Responsiveness.
• Significance:
  • Data-driven monthly scoring.
  • Helps states achieve drug safety and quality assurance.

Current Context : The government approved four more semiconductor manufacturing projects in Odisha, Punjab, and Andhra Pradesh under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM).

ABOUT ISM

• Launched: 2021 under Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY).
• Outlay: ₹76,000 crore under the Semicon India Programme.
• Aim: Develop a robust semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem in India.
• Functions:
  • Acts as nodal agency for semiconductor manufacturing, packaging, and design.
  • Provides financial support and facilitates technology transfer.
• Key Schemes:
  • Semiconductor Fabs.
  • Display Fabs.
  • Compound Semiconductors/Silicon Photonics/Sensors Fab and ATMP/OSAT.
  • Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme.