Observed every year on 1 October.

• Purpose: To raise awareness about the rights and well-being of older persons and to recognize their contribution in families, societies, and communities
• Theme : “Older Persons Driving Local and Global Action: Our Aspirations, Our Well-Being and Our Rights”.
• Established by: United Nations General Assembly on 14 December 1990
• First Observed: 1 October 1991

Current Context: The H3N2 flu virus has triggered a major epidemic throughout the entire Delhi-NCR region.

About H3N2 

• It is a subtype of the Influenza A virus, affecting mainly those over 50 and under 15.
• It spreads through respiratory droplets and contaminated surfaces, with higher risk in crowded spaces like schools and nursing homes.
• H3N2 infection symptoms typically begin with sudden high fever, chills, sore throat, headaches, muscle, body aches, fatigue, abdominal pain and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea and diarrhoea.
• H3N2 flu is usually treated at home with rest, hydration, and symptomatic care like steam inhalation and warm saline gargles.

Context: The Ladakh administration has justified the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act (NSA).

National Security Act (NSA) of 1980 

• It allows preventive detention to protect national security, public order, and essential services.
• It is a powerful tool that limits individual liberty and must be exercised sparingly and lawfully, ensuring due process and rights protection.

Key features: 

• Grounds for Detention: NSA can be invoked if a person’s actions threaten national defense, foreign relations, state security, communal harmony, or involve smuggling/disruption of essential services.
• Procedure: Detention orders can be issued by the Central or State Government based on subjective satisfaction.
  • The detained person must be informed of the reasons, and an Advisory Board must be formed within 3 weeks to review the case.
• Period of Detention: Initially up to 12 months, extendable in blocks not exceeding 12 months, with government approval.
• Safeguards: The detainee has the right to legal representation and to make a representation before the Advisory Board.
  • The government must consider the Board’s recommendation and can revoke or modify the order.
• Judicial Review: The detention can be challenged in High Court through a habeas corpus petition if found unlawful.

Current Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Rani Rashmoni on her birth anniversary.

ABOUT Rani Rashmoni

• She was born on 28 September 1793 into a Mahishya zamindar family in Kona village (now North 24 Parganas) and emerged as a formidable figure in 19th-century Bengal’s male-dominated society.
• Her deep spirituality and commitment to justice earned her the title “Rani.” 

Major Roles 

• Rani Rashmoni took charge of her family’s zamindari and business, showcasing exceptional administrative and supervisory skills.
  • She expanded her enterprises and became a champion of public welfare. 
• She was Known for her bold defiance against British authorities—such as blocking Hooghly river traffic to protect fishermen.
• She also made lasting contributions through philanthropy, including building ghats, funding educational institutions, and most notably founding the Dakshineswar Kali Temple,where she appointed Shri Ramkrishna Paramhansa as priest.

Current Context: India’s first dedicated multi-wavelength Space Astronomy Observatory, AstroSat completed a decade of operations.

ABOUT AstroSat

• It was launched  by PSLV-C30 from Sriharikota in 2015.
• It was designed to observe the universe in the Visible, Ultraviolet, low and high energy X-ray regions of the electromagnetic spectrum simultaneously with the help of its five payloads.
  • The payloads including Ultra Violet Imaging Telescope (UVIT), Large Area X-ray Proportional Counter (LAXPC), Cadmium-Zinc-Telluride Imager (CZTI), Soft X-ray Telescope (SXT) and Scanning Sky Monitor (SSM).
• Although initially designed for a five-year mission, AstroSat continues to deliver valuable scientific data a decade later.
• It has made significant discoveries across the electromagnetic spectrum, including studies on black holes, neutron stars, Proxima Centauri, and the first-time detection of far-ultraviolet photons from galaxies 9.3 billion light years away.

Current Context: The Dugong Conservation Reserve in Palk Bay, Tamil Nadu has received global recognition by IUCN at the World Conservation Congress 2025 in Abu Dhabi.

ABOUT Dugong Conservation Reserve

• Established: 21 September 2022 by Tamil Nadu Government.
• Location: Covers 34 sq. km in northern Palk Bay, including 12,250 hectares of seagrass meadows.
• Species Protected: Dugong (Dugong dugon), classified as Vulnerable on IUCN Red List.

Significance of Seagrass Meadows

• Provide food and habitat for dugongs and marine species.
• Maintain water quality and prevent shoreline erosion.
• Vital for biodiversity and marine ecosystem restoration.

Current Context: The Union Environment Ministry’s expert panel has recommended environmental clearance for the 2,220 MW Oju Hydroelectric Project in Arunachal Pradesh.

ABOUT Oju Hydel Project

• Location: Subansiri River, Taksing, Arunachal Pradesh (near China border).
• Developer: Oju Subansiri Hydro Power Corporation Pvt. Ltd.
• Capacity: 2,220 MW (run-of-the-river scheme with daily peaking).
• Infrastructure:
  • 100-metre-high concrete gravity dam
  • 12 km headrace tunnel
  • Underground powerhouse complex
• Cost: Over ₹24,942 crore.
• Expected Output: 8,402 million units of electricity annually.
• Significance: Largest among the series of proposed dams on the Subansiri River (lifeline of Assam).

Current Context: Bidar district of Karnataka has won the Centre’s Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari Award as the top-performing district under the campaign Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain.

ABOUT Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari Initiative

• Launched: 2024
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Jal Shakti
• Aim: To enhance water recharge through rainwater harvesting, aquifer recharge, borewell recharge, and recharge shafts.
• Objective: To conserve every drop of water through collective efforts following a whole-of-society and whole-of-government
• Stakeholders: Government agencies, local communities, industries, NGOs, resident welfare associations.

Key Outcomes Expected

• Boost in Groundwater Levels: Capture and store rainwater to stabilize and increase groundwater levels.
• Promotion of Water Conservation: Encourage community-led water management.
• Enhancement of Climate Resilience: Provide storage during heavy rainfall and buffer against droughts.
• Improvement of Water Quality: Use artificial recharge to filter water and reduce salinity and contamination.

Current Context: Two wetlands from Bihar — Gokul Jalashaya (Buxar) and Udaipur Jheel (West Champaran) — have been designated as Ramsar Sites.

ABOUT Gokul Jalashaya

• Type: Oxbow lake on southern edge of River Ganga.
• Features: Seasonal flood pulses influence marshes and agriculture.
• Biodiversity: Home to 50+ bird species; supports local fishing and irrigation.
• Role: Acts as flood buffer for nearby villages.

ABOUT Udaipur Jheel

• Location: West Champaran; bordered by Udaipur Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Flora: 280+ plant species; includes endemic herb Alysicarpus roxburghianus.
• Fauna: Important wintering site for 35 migratory bird species; hosts vulnerable common pochard (Aythya ferina).

Current Context: Veteran journalist Amshi Prasannakumar from Mysuru has been awarded the Hombale Samhita Harinikumar Alumni Krishi Media Award – 2025 for his contributions to agricultural journalism.

ABOUT Krishi Media Award

• Instituted By: Alumni Association of University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Bangalore.
• Objective:
  • Encourage quality agricultural journalism.
  • Promote farmer awareness through media.
  • Inspire young journalists to cover rural and farming issues.
• Venue & Date: Award to be presented on October 11, 2025 at Veterinary College Campus, Hebbal, Bengaluru.