Current Context : Dal Lake in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir is hosting the first-ever Khelo India Water Games.

ABOUT DAL LAKE

• Location: Eastern part of Srinagar city, Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, on the right bank of Jhelum river.
• Area: Covers 18 sq. km; part of a 1 sq. km wetland, including floating gardens.
• Inflow: Fed by the Arrah river.
• Outflow: Flows out through a deep channel called Tel Bal.
• Basins: Divided by causeways into four basins –
  • Gagribal, Lokut Dal, Bod Dal, Nagin
• Significance:
  • Known as the “Jewel of Srinagar” or “Srinagar’s Jewel”.
  • Important for tourism, fisheries, horticulture, and water sports.
  • Houses the famous Shikaras (houseboats) and floating vegetable markets.

Current Context : Satish Golcha, a 1992-batch IPS officer of the AGMUT cadre, has been appointed as the 26th Commissioner of Police, Delhi.

• He assumed office on 22 August 2025, succeeding Shashi Bhushan Kumar Singh, who served temporarily after the retirement of Sanjay Arora on 31 July 2025.

CURRENT CONTEXT : India resumed border trade with China through Lipulekh Pass (Uttarakhand).

• Nepal strongly objected, claiming the area as its territory.
• India rejected Nepal’s claims, citing historical evidence and long-standing trade practices (since 1954).

ABOUT LIPULEKH PASS

• Location: A Himalayan mountain pass in Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand, India.
• Altitude: Around 5,000 meters above sea level.
• Connectivity: Links India with Tibet (China) through the ancient trade and pilgrimage route.

SIGNIFICANCE

• Strategic Pass: Connects India and China.
• Religious Importance: Route for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
• Infrastructure: India upgraded road to Lipulekh in 2020 for pilgrims and traders.
• Enhances strategic presence near Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

• 1816 Sugauli Treaty: Set the Kali River as the India–Nepal boundary.
• Nepal’s Claim: Source of Kali River lies at Limpiyadhura, hence Kalapani, Lipulekh belong to Nepal.
• India’s Claim: River originates further downstream, so territory is part of Uttarakhand.
• Dispute has persisted since 1960s.

CURRENT CONTEXT : Uttarakhand Assembly passed the Uttarakhand Minority Education Bill 2025, abolishing the Madrasa Boardand creating the Uttarakhand Minority Education Authority.

CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS

• Article 29(1): Right of any section of citizens to conserve their language, script, or culture.
• Article 29(2): Prohibits discrimination in admission to state-aided educational institutions.
• Article 30(1): Minorities (religious or linguistic) have right to establish and administer institutions of their choice.
• Article 30(2): State cannot discriminate in granting aid to minority-managed institutions.

CURRENT CONTEXT : The International Solar Alliance (ISA) announced plans to set up a Global Capability Centre in India, referred to as a “Silicon Valley for solar”.

ABOUT GCCs

• Definition: Strategic units that support an organisation’s global operations through technology, talent, and innovation.
• Objective: To leverage global talent and advanced technology for business transformation.
• Drivers in India:
  • Cost efficiency.
  • Skilled workforce (especially in IT, engineering, English proficiency).
  • Strong startup and innovation ecosystem.

CURRENT CONTEXT : India successfully test-fired Agni-5 Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) under the Strategic Forces Command (SFC).

• SFC is part of India’s Nuclear Command Authority and manages the country’s tactical and strategic nuclear weapons stockpile.

ABOUT AGNI-5

• Type: Nuclear-capable Surface-to-Surface Ballistic Missile (SSBM).
• Range: Over 5,000 km.
• Engine: Powered by three-stage solid fuel
• Developer: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• Programme: Part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).
  • Other missiles: Prithvi, Trishul, Nag, Akash.

Current Context : Champa Raspeda from Odisha’s Malkangiri district became the first from the Didayi tribe (a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group) to clear NEET 2025.

ABOUT DIDAYI TRIBE

• Location: Malkangiri district, Odisha; live in Eastern Ghats hill villages.
• Classification: One of 13 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in Odisha.
• Racial Stock: Proto-Australoid.
• Language: Austroasiatic family.
• Society: Patriarchal; traditional council of elders resolves disputes.
• Belief System: Animism, deep reverence for nature.
• Housing: Thatched huts with mud walls and bamboo.
• Occupation: Agriculture, hunting, gathering, and fishing.

Current Context : West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee launched the Shramshree Scheme for returning migrant workers facing discrimination in other states.

ABOUT SHRAMEHREE SCHEME

• Purpose: Welfare scheme for rehabilitation of Bengali migrant workers.
• Key Aims:
  • Provide monthly aid and social security.
  • Ensure employment/self-employment within the state.
  • Promote skill training and entrepreneurship.
• Benefits:
  • Financial Support: ₹5,000/month (up to 1 year or till job secured).
  • Job Cards: Employment under rural job schemes.
  • Skill Training: For public/private job readiness.
  • Self-Employment: Government loans and entrepreneurship training.
• Eligibility:
  • Must be a Bengali migrant worker returning from another state.
  • Must have a valid bank account for direct transfer.

Celebrated on 23 August

Aim : To commemorate India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission success.

First Observed on: 23 August 2023.

• Purpose:
  • To mark the historic soft landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the South Pole of the Moon.
  • To honour the achievements of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Current Context : Recently, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare informed the Lok Sabha that India currently hosts three Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS).

ABOUT GIAHS PROGRAMME

• Launched by: Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) at the World Summit for Sustainable Development, 2002.
• Purpose:
  • Conserve traditional agricultural systems.
  • Promote sustainable adaptation and socio-economic development.
  • Address threats like climate change, displacement, and biodiversity loss.
• Approach: Multistakeholder model providing:
  • Technical assistance.
  • Promotion of traditional agricultural knowledge.
  • Market opportunities through agrotourism and product branding.

INDIA’S GIAHS SITES

1. Koraput Region (Odisha)
   • Known for subsistence paddy cultivation on highland slopes.
   • Rich in paddy landraces and farmer-developed varieties.
   • Repository of medicinal plants and tribal knowledge systems.
2. Kuttanad System (Kerala)
   • Unique below-sea-level farming system.
   • Uses wetlands for paddy and fish cultivation.
   • Combines coconut gardens, fishing, and shell collection.
3. Saffron Park (Jammu & Kashmir)
   • Traditional saffron cultivation system with intercropping.
   • Emphasises organic farming practices.
   • Maintains biodiversity and improves soil health.