1.

Current Context  :  India launched the world’s first AI‑powered Traditional  knowledge  digital  library (TKDL), drawing praise in a new WHO‑ITU‑WIPO report on AI in traditional medicine.

ABOUT TKDL

• Joint project of CSIR & Ministry of Ayush; digitises ~34 million pages covering Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa & Homoeopathy.
• Integrated with global patent offices (USPTO, EPO, UKIPO) to stop biopiracy of Indian remedies.

AI‑ENABLED ADVANCES

• Ayurgenomics: blends genome data with Ayurveda’s Prakriti types for personalised health.
• Machine‑learning tools for pulse reading, tongue analysis and drug‑repurposing of herbal formulas.
• WHY IT MATTERS : Protects India’s traditional knowledge and promotes research into new evidence‑based medicines.

Current Context  : World Youth Skills Day 2025 marks the 10‑year anniversary of the UN observance and the 5‑year anniversary of UNESCO’s Global Skills Academy.

• Theme : “Youth empowerment through AI & digital skills.”
• Proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 2014; first observed in
• Focuses on technical & vocational education and training (TVET) so that young people gain employable skills.

CURRENT CONTEXT: Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya, sentenced to death in Yemen, might be spared through diya (blood money) payments to the victim’s family.

 ABOUT BLOOD MONEY (Diya):

• Defined in Islamic Sharia law as financial compensation payable to the victim’s heirs in cases of unintentional homicide or where families opt out of retribution (qisas).
• Intent is compensation, not to commodify life. Even if diya is paid, the state may still impose penalties.
• Practices and amounts can vary significantly across countries (e.g. Saudi Arabia, Iran), influenced by gender, religion, and nationality.

INDIA’S POSITION:

• No formal provision for diya in Indian law.
• However, plea bargaining (Criminal Law Amendment 2005) allows defendants to plead guilty for lesser charges or reduced sentences in exchange for compensation—but only for non-severe offences and with victim consent.

CURRENT CONTEXT : The central government has extended the deadline for the Ravi & Beas Waters Tribunal, constituted under the Inter-State River Water Disputes (ISRWD) Act, 1956, by one year—now due by 5 August 2026—after nearly 39 years without resolution over water-sharing disputes among Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.

 ABOUT ISRWD ACT, 1956:

• Enacted under Article 262 of the Constitution to resolve water disputes between states.
• Once a tribunal is appointed, the Supreme Court and other courts cannot intervene in the matter.
• Aims to provide a binding, time-bound mechanism for resolving conflicts over shared river waters.

 Ravi–Beas Tribunal Details:

• Constituted in April 1986 under the Punjab Settlement (Rajiv–Longowal Accord).
• Submitted its initial report in January 1987, recommending 5 MAF (Punjab) and 3.83 MAF (Haryana); revisions are still pending due to state feedback.
• Future outcomes will impact the stalled SYL canal issue.

Current Context: Uttarakhand’s state cabinet has approved the Geo-Thermal Energy Policy 2025, encouraging research and development of geothermal sources for power, heating/cooling, and community projects.

 FEATURES OF THE POLICY:

• Objectives: Promote scientific and technological R&D to tap geothermal energy for power, heating, cooling, and water treatment; strengthen energy security and reduce carbon emissions. It targets hot springs near tectonic faults (e.g., Gaurikund on Main Central Thrust).
• Implementation Mechanism: Managed by Energy Dept in collaboration with UREDA and UJVNL, with 30-year project leases via competitive bidding.
• Incentives: Grants up to 50% (max ₹3 crore) for project feasibility studies and DPRs; land transfers/leases streamlined with forest-clearance provisions.
• National & Global Alignment: Taps into India’s 10,600 MW geothermal potential; connects with RE-RTD programme and global expertise from Iceland, Saudi Arabia, and RETAP-USA.

Current Context: On July 11, 2025, the government introduced a scheme under PM E-DRIVE to provide up to ₹9.6 lakh incentive per electric truck, aiming to promote 5,600 e-trucks nationwide.

 About

• Eligibility: Applies to N2 (3.5–12 t) and N3 (12–55 t) electric trucks; scrappage of old diesel trucks required.
• Financial Support: Upfront incentives up to ₹9.6 lakh per vehicle or ₹5,000 per kWh battery capacity, whichever is lower; ₹500 crore out of ₹10,900 crore allocated for e-trucks.
• Deployment Support: OEMs will receive reimbursement via PM E-DRIVE portal; includes sectors like cement, steel, and logistics, with public enterprises (e.g. SAIL) procuring ~150 units.

EXPECTED OUTCOME:

Boosts domestic EV manufacturing, cuts freight emissions (diesel trucks—3% fleet yet 42% transport emissions), and supports India’s net-zero by 2070 goal

Current Context: UNESCO recently added 12 Maratha forts in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu to its World Heritage list, making it India’s 44th site—placing India 6^th globally and 2nd in the Asia-Pacific region.

About :

• These forts, built between the 17^th–19th centuries, show smart military planning, strong architecture, and smart use of the land .
• Forts Included (12): Salher, Shivneri, Lohgad, Khanderi, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala, Vijaydurg, Sindhudurg (all in Maharashtra), plus Gingee in Tamil Nadu .
• Area Covered: Total site covers ~1,578 ha, with a buffer zone of ~96,500
• Future Plans: For forts near Salher, a 10-year conservation plan will fix roads, add sanitation, safety features, and maintain local buffer zones.

CURRENT CONTEXT : Prime Minister Narendra Modi received “The Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis”, Namibia’s highest civilian honour, from President Netumbo Nandi‑Ndaitwah—his 27^th international award—during his state visit.

ABOUT THE AWARD:

• Institution: Created in 1995, named after the desert plant symbolising resilience.
• Class: Awarded as Grand Commander.
• Significance: Recognises PM Modi’s contribution to bolstering India–Namibia relations—notably in digital cooperation, defence, agriculture, critical minerals, health, and energy

CURRENT CONTEXT : Capt S.N. Ahmed, a retired Indian Army officer, recently launched his book “Das Paise ka Postcard” in Hyderabad. Actor-director Vinay Varma unveiled it.

The narrative is being adapted into a play, rekindling the charm of handwritten postcards.

 ABOUT THE BOOK:

• A tribute to the era when postcards were the only way to connect across distances.
• Highlights how people cherished, re-read, and preserved these small but meaningful messages.
• Authored by Capt Ahmed and planned for stage adaptation to evoke nostalgia.

CURRENT CONTEXT : Apple Inc. announced that Sabih Khan, Senior VP of Operations, will succeed Jeff Williams as Chief Operating Officer later this month.

 ABOUT SABIH KHAN:

• Background: Born in Moradabad (Uttar Pradesh) in 1966; raised in Singapore; moved to the US as a student.
• Education: Dual BSc degrees in Economics & Mechanical Engineering from Tufts University; MS in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.