Current Context: The Union Minister of Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh, inaugurated two state-of-the-art facilities—Sagar Bhavan and Polar Bhavan—at the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) in Vasco da Gama, Goa.

About NCPOR:

• Established:1998 as an autonomous R&D institute under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
• Formerly Known As:National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR).
• Location:Vasco da Gama, Goa.
• Nodal Agency:For planning and executing polar expeditions in the Antarctic, Arctic, Southern Ocean, and Himalayas.
• Research Coordination:Oversees scientific research and logistics in polar and oceanic domains.

India’s Expanding Polar Footprint:

 Research Stations Maintained by NCPOR:

Antarctica:

• Maitri and Bharati stations.

Arctic:

• Himadri station in Svalbard, Norway.

Himalayas:

• Himansh station in Spiti, Himachal Pradesh.

Current Context : Chhonzin Angmo, a tribal woman from Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh, has become the first visually-impaired Indian woman to summit Mount Everest.

About

• Background: Born in Chango village, Angmo lost her sight at age 8.
• Education: Graduated and completed her master’s from Miranda House, Delhi University.
• Previous Achievements:
  • Trek to Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) in October 2024.
  • Summited Mt. Kang Yatsae 2 (6,250 m) in Ladakh.
  • Part of the Divyang expedition team that scaled a 6,000 m peak in Ladakh.
• Awards:
  • Sarvshresth Divyangjan National Award (2024).
  • NAB Madhu Sharma Young Achiever Award.
  • International Day of Persons with Disabilities Award.
  • Cavinkare Ability Mastery Award.

Current Context : The 10^th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog was held in New Delhi, chaired by the Prime Minister, under the theme “Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat@2047”.

About Niti Aayog

• Mandate:
  • Oversee the adoption, implementation, and monitoring of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • Promote competitive and cooperative federalism by enhancing the involvement of States and Union Territories in the development process.
• Composition:
  • Prime Minister (Chairperson).
  • Chief Ministers of all States and UTs with legislatures.
  • Lieutenant Governors of other UTs.
  • Union Ministers as ex-officio members.
  • Vice-Chairperson, appointed by the Prime Minister.
  • Full-time Members.
  • Special Invitees (domain experts and specialists).
• Objectives:
  • Formulate credible and inclusive development plans at the village level.
  • Integrate national security considerations into economic policies.
  • Establish a knowledge-driven, innovation-friendly, and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
  • Act as a platform for the resolution of inter-sectoral and inter-departmental coordination issues.

Current Context : The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved a record transfer of ₹2.69 lakh crore as surplus to the Union Government for the financial year 2024-25.

This marks a 27% increase over the previous year’s dividend payment of ₹2.1 lakh crore .

• Purpose: To bridge fiscal deficits and support government expenditure.
• Factors Contributing to Surplus:
  • Increased sale of foreign exchange reserves, especially in January 2025.
  • Higher interest income from government securities and foreign assets.
  • Gains from forex transactions amid global market volatility.

About Dividend Transfer

• The RBI’s dividend transfer refers to the annual surplus it shares with the central government. This surplus arises from the RBI’s earnings, including interest income from government securities, gains from foreign exchange operations, and other financial activities.

Current Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated 103 redeveloped railway stations across 86 districts in 18 states and Union Territories under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.

About Amrit Bharat Station Scheme:

• Origin: Initiated in 2021, with Gandhinagar being the first station to undergo modernization.
• Objective: Enhance and modernize railway stations to transform them into vibrant city centers.
• Target: 1,275 stations to be redeveloped.

Features:

• Detailed plans for cleanliness, comfort, and accessibility.
• Designs inspired by local culture, heritage, and architecture.
• Examples include Ahmedabad Station’s design inspired by Modhera Sun Temple.

Current Context: President Droupadi Murmu conferred six Kirti Chakras and 33 Shaurya Chakras to personnel from the Armed Forces, Central Armed Police Forces, and State/Union Territory Police during the Defence Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi.

About Gallantry Awards:

• Wartime Gallantry Awards: Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra, and Vir Chakra.
• Peacetime Gallantry Awards: Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra.
• Establishment: Wartime awards were established in 1950, while peacetime awards were established in 1952 and renamed in 1967.
• Announcement: Awards are announced twice a year, on Republic Day and Independence Day.
• Order of Precedence: Param Vir Chakra, Ashoka Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra, Kirti Chakra, Vir Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra.
• Posthumous Awards: These awards can be conferred posthumously.

Highlights of 2025 Awards:

• Kirti Chakras: Six awarded, including four posthumously.
• Shaurya Chakras: Thirty-three awarded, including seven posthumously.

Current Context: The United Kingdom has signed a landmark agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius, ending decades of dispute over the territory.

About Chagos Archipelago:

• Location: Central Indian Ocean, approximately 1,600 km south of the Indian subcontinent.
• Composition: Consists of seven atolls, with Diego Garcia being the largest and hosting a significant US military base.
• History: Purchased by Britain in 1965; Mauritius claims it was coerced into the deal for its independence.
• Biodiversity: Great Chagos Bank supports high-quality coral reefs.
• Strategic Importance: Home to a U.S. military base on Diego Garcia.
• Agreement: UK to pay Mauritius $136 million annually to lease back the base for at least 99 years.

Current Context: Algeria has officially joined the New Development Bank (NDB) as its ninth member, marking a significant expansion of the bank’s membership beyond the original BRICS nations.

About New Development Bank (NDB):

• Establishment: Founded in 2015 by the BRICS countries—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
• Headquarters: Shanghai, China.
• Purpose: To mobilize resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in emerging markets and developing countries (EMDCs).
• Membership: Now includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Bangladesh, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Algeria.
  • Uruguay has been admitted as a prospective member, pending the completion of formalities.
• Voting Power: Combined voting power of the founding members must not be less than 55%.

Current Context: Vice President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, inaugurated the statues of Acharya Charaka and Sage Susruta at the premises of Raj Bhavan, Goa, honoring their monumental contributions to ancient Indian medicine.

About Acharya Charaka:

Contributions:

• Father of Medicine: Recognized as one of the principal contributors to Ayurveda.
• Charaka Samhita: Authored this foundational text, focusing on internal medicine, diagnostics, and the principles of Ayurveda.

Historical Significance:

• Era: Believed to have lived during the 2nd century CE.
• Legacy: His work laid the foundation for systematic study and practice of medicine in ancient India.

About Sage Susruta:

Contributions:

• Father of Surgery: Pioneered surgical techniques and procedures.
• Susruta Samhita: Authored this seminal text detailing surgical methods, instruments, and case studies.

Historical Significance:

• Era: Estimated to have lived around the 6th century BCE.
• Legacy: Introduced over 120 surgical instruments and described numerous surgical procedures, including plastic and cataract surgeries.

Current Context: The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) published the first-ever State of the World’s Animal Health Report, providing global insights into the status, risks, and management of animal diseases affecting public health, food security, and biodiversity.

About:

Objective of the Report:

• To provide evidence-based data on global animal health trends.
• To identify priority diseases and gaps in veterinary services.
• To support One Health strategies linking human, animal, and environmental health.

Key Findings:

• Over 300 animal diseases reported globally.
• Around 50% of WOAH Members reported high-impact animal diseases, including zoonoses.
• Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is rising due to misuse of antibiotics in animals.
• Significant vaccine shortages for transboundary animal diseases like FMD and PPR.

Regional Trends:

• Africa & Asia reported higher cases of zoonotic and vector-borne diseases.
• Europe faces challenges with AMR and avian influenza outbreaks.
• Americas show strong veterinary services but uneven disease reporting.

Zoonotic Threats Identified:

• Rabies, avian influenza, brucellosis, and Rift Valley fever remain significant threats.
• Emphasis on early detection and rapid reporting

Data Coverage:

• Based on inputs from 180+ WOAH Member countries.
• Covers terrestrial and aquatic animals, disease surveillance, diagnostic capacity, and health system resilience.

WOAH (World Organisation for Animal Health):

• Established: 1924 (formerly OIE)
• HQ: Paris, France
• Members: 183 countries (including India)
• Works globally to improve animal health and welfare.

Supports standard setting for veterinary health and international trade in animals.