Current Context : The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has reported that as of 2023-24, the Central Government has failed to transfer ₹3.69 lakh crore worth of cess collections to their designated funds.

ABOUT CESS

• Definition: A cess is a tax on tax levied for a specific purpose until the required funds are collected. Examples: Swachh Bharat Cess for cleanliness drives
• Key Features:
  • Paid by the public, added to their basic tax liability
  • Imposed over and above existing taxes
• Difference from Regular Taxes:
  • Collection & Use:
    • Taxes like income tax → kept in Consolidated Fund of India (CFI) and used for any purpose
    • Cess → first credited to CFI, but used only for the specified purpose after parliamentary approval
  • Revenue Sharing:
    • Taxes must be shared with states
    • Cess proceeds may or may not be shared with states

Current Context : The Trump administration has recently proposed shutting down NASA’s Orbiting Carbon Observatories (OCO)program.

About OCO PROGRAM

• Purpose: Dedicated Earth remote sensing satellites to observe atmospheric CO₂ from space and improve understanding of climate change.
• Missions Timeline:
  • OCO-1: Failed after launch (Feb 2009)
  • OCO-2: Launched (July 2014), based on original OCO design to minimize cost and time
  • OCO-3: Installed on International Space Station (ISS) in 2019 for enhanced atmospheric CO₂ observations
• Significance:
  • Provides high-resolution maps of plant growth globally
  • Applications in agriculture, drought monitoring, rangeland management, and forest mapping
  • Used by the US Department of Agriculture and private agricultural consulting companies for crop yield forecasts and drought tracking

Current Context : The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved an investment proposal worth ₹8,146.21 crore for the construction of the 700 MW Tato-II Hydro Electric Project in Shi Yomi district, Arunachal Pradesh.

ABOUT TATO-II HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT

• Location: Siyom River, Shi Yomi district, Arunachal Pradesh
• Type: Run-of-river hydroelectric project
• Capacity: Total 700 MW (4 turbines × 175 MW each)
• Hydro Reservoir Capacity: 56 million cubic meters
• Expected Annual Generation: 2,738.06 million units of energy
• Benefits:
  • Improves power supply in Arunachal Pradesh
  • Helps balance the national grid
• State Benefits:
  • 12% free power to Arunachal Pradesh
  • Additional 1% for Local Area Development Fund (LADF)
• Implementation: Joint venture between NEEPCO and Government of Arunachal Pradesh

Current Context : The book Why the Constitution Matters by former Chief Justice of India, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, has been unveiled. The book will be published by Penguin Random House by the end of August 2025.

 ABOUT THE BOOK

• Author: Justice Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud
• Notable Position: 50th Chief Justice of India (November 2022 – November 2024).
• Publisher: Penguin Random House
• Theme: Explores the importance of the Constitution through landmark judgments.
• Key Judgments Discussed : Right to Privacy, Decriminalization of homosexuality, Gender equality in the armed forces.

ABOUT JUSTICE D.Y. CHANDRACHUD

• Predecessor: Justice Uday Umesh Lalit (49th CJI).
• Successors: Justice Sanjay Khanna (51st CJI) and Justice Bhushan Ramakrishna Gavai (52nd CJI).
• Contribution: Known for progressive and inclusive interpretation of constitutional rights.

Current Context : The Chandigarh Administration closed the floodgate at Sukhna Lake after water levels receded.

ABOUT SUKHNA LAKE

• Type: Artificial lake.
• Location: Chandigarh, foothills of Shivalik Hills.
• Created: 1958 by damming Sukhna Choe (seasonal stream).
• Area: Originally 188 ha; currently around 1.5 sq.km. due to siltation.
• Depth: Originally 18 ft; now 8 ft 6 in.
• Length:52 km; Width: 1.49 km.
• Surroundings: Golf course (south), Nek Chand Rock Garden (west).
• Status: National Wetland; part of Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary.

Current Context : Punjab became the first Indian state to deploy an Anti-Drone System (ADS) along an international border, aiming to combat cross-border smuggling of drugs and weapons from Pakistan.

ABOUT BAAJ AKH ANTI-DRONE SYSTEM

• Meaning: “Hawk Eye” in Punjabi.
• Technology: Detects drones and their ground control stations, sends automatic alerts.
• Coordination: Works alongside BSF, Army, and Air Force.

STRATEGIC SIGNIFICANCE

• Border Length: 553 km shared with Pakistan.
• Deployment: 3 ADS units installed from Pathankot to Fazilka; 6 more planned.
• Project Cost: ₹51.4 crore.
• Purpose: Second line of defence after BSF, improves border security infrastructure.

Current Context : The Khelo India ASMITA Football League 2025–26 was inaugurated in Jalgaon, Maharashtra by the Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports.

ABOUT KHELO INDIA ASMITA

• Full Form: Achieving Sports Milestone by Inspiring Women through Action
• Launch Year: 2021
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
• Nature: Affirmative action in sports for women
• Mission:
  • To promote women’s participation in sports through leagues and competitions.
  • To align with Khelo India’s gender-neutral and grassroots sports development vision.
• Part of: Khelo Bharat Niti – promoting sports for nation-building and women’s empowerment.

Current Context : India concluded its campaign at the Asian Under-19 & Under-22 Boxing Championships 2025 in Bangkok with a strong performance, winning a total of 27 medals.

• Ritika claimed gold in the women’s 80+ kg category for the Under-22 team.

ABOUT THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

• Location: Bangkok, Thailand
• Indian Medal Tally: 27 medals (U19: 14, U22: 13)

U19 TEAM PERFORMANCE

Total Medals: 14 (3 Gold, 7 Silver, 4 Bronze)

• Overall Rank: Second, behind Uzbekistan in gold tally.
• Significance: Showcased the depth of young Indian boxing talent.

U22 TEAM PERFORMANCE

• Total Medals: 13 (1 Gold, 4 Silver, 8 Bronze)
• Gold Medalist: Ritika (Women’s 80+ kg) – Only gold for U22 squad.

NOTABLE PERFORMERS

• Yatri Patel – Silver (Women’s 57 kg)
• Priya – Silver (Women’s 60 kg)
• Neeraj – Silver (Men’s 75 kg)
• Ishan Kataria – Silver (Men’s 90+ kg)

Observed every year on 13 August

• Aim : to raising awareness about the critical need for organ and tissue donation and dispelling associated myths.
• 2025 Theme : “Answering the Call”
• Initiated by the Spanish National Transplant Organization in 2005.
• Commemorates the birthday of Christiaan Barnard, who performed the world’s first successful human heart transplant in 1967.

Current Context: The Union Cabinet approved four new components under SDPs for Assam and Tripura.

 ABOUT SDPs

• Type: Central Sector Scheme.
• Purpose:
  • Improve socio-economic conditions of vulnerable and marginalised groups.
  • Focus on Adivasi, Dimasa, ULFA areas in Assam and tribal communities in Tripura.
  • Boost jobs, healthcare, education, skills, and women/youth livelihoods.
  • Promote tourism for additional employment.
• Background : Builds on MoS-based packages for Bodo and Karbi groups that have enhanced peace-building in the Northeast.