Current Context: Indian Naval Ships INS Rana (Guided Missile Destroyer) and INS Jyoti (Fleet Tanker) are participating in the 12th edition of Sri Lanka–India Naval Exercise (SLINEX-25) in Colombo.

ABOUT SLINEX

• Launched in: 2005
• Type: Bilateral naval exercise between India and Sri Lanka
• Aim:
  • Enhance interoperability between the two navies
  • Strengthen maritime cooperation
  • Exchange best practices in naval operations
• Significance:
  • Reinforces India’s Neighbourhood First Policy
  • Supports the vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions)

Current Context: Prime Minister announced the Mission Sudarshan Chakra to strengthen national defence and critical infrastructure protection by 2035.

ABOUT THE MISSION

• Objective: Comprehensive national security initiative to protect critical civil and defence assets.
• Technology & Weapons: Cutting-edge systems for neutralising enemy attacks and enabling counterstrikes.
• Design: Enhance rapid, precise, and powerful defence responses.
• Strategic Goal: Reinforce India’s strategic autonomy by 2035.

Current Context: The President of South Africa announced the launch of the Global Outlook Council on Water Investments (GOCWI)as part of the G20 Presidential Legacy Initiative.

ABOUT GOCWI

• Launched by: Global Water Partnership (GWP).
• Purpose: High-level platform to sustain political and financial momentum for water investments.
• GWP’s Global Transformation Agenda:
  • Aim: Mobilise 15 billion USD for water security by 2030.
  • Focus: Equitable, sustainable, and efficient management of water resources.
• Role of GOCWI: Forms a core pillar in the Global Transformation Agenda on Water Investments.

Current Context: India rejected the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s (PCA) award concerning the Indus Waters Treaty interpretation.

ABOUT PCA

• Nature: Treaty-based intergovernmental organisation facilitating arbitration and dispute resolution between states.
• Established: 1899 at the First Hague Peace Conference by the Convention for the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes.
• Members: 125 contracting parties (including India).
• Headquarters: Peace Palace, The Hague, Netherlands.

Current Context: Prime Minister announced the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, aiming to generate over 3.5 crore jobs in two years.

ABOUT THE SCHEME

• Part A – Support to First-Time Employees
  • Target: First-time employees registered with EPFO.
  • Incentive: One-month EPF wage up to ₹15,000, given in two instalments.
    • 1st instalment: After 6 months of service.
    • 2nd instalment: After 12 months of service + completion of financial literacy programme.
  • Eligibility: Employees earning up to ₹1 lakh per month.
  • Savings Incentive: Portion of incentive to be deposited in a savings account for a fixed term.
  • Payment Mechanism: DBT mode through Aadhar Bridge Payment System (ABPS).
• Part B – Incentives for Employers
  • Eligibility: Employers hiring new employees with salaries up to ₹1 lakh.
  • Incentive: Up to ₹3,000 per month, for 2 years, per sustained new employment.
  • Special Provision: For manufacturing sector, incentives extend to 3rd and 4th year.
  • Payment Mechanism: Incentives directly into PAN-linked accounts.

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.