Current Context : Surajpur district of Chhattisgarh declared 75 village panchayats as Child Marriage-Free, making it the first district in the state to achieve this milestone under the Healthy Women, Empowered Families campaign.

ABOUT THE INITIATIVE

Background

• The campaign was launched in March 2024 by CM Vishnu Deo Sai with UNICEF support.
• Aim: To make Chhattisgarh a Child Marriage-Free State.

Community Participation

• Awareness drives led by the Women and Child Development Department.
• Involvement of Anganwadi workers, Panchayat leaders, NGOs, and families.
• Parents encouraged to focus on girls’ education and health.

Current Context : At the 28th National Conference on e-Governance held on 22 September 2025 in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, several Gram Panchayats were honoured with the National e-Governance Awards 2025 for their digital innovations in citizen services. The awards were presented by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State in the PMO.

 ABOUT THE AWARDS

• Theme : “Viksit Bharat: Civil Service and Digital Transformation”.
• Process : Over 45 lakh entries were evaluated in a multi-tier selection process.
• Award Benefits : Gold Award winners received ₹10 lakh, while Silver Award winners received ₹5 lakh, along with trophy and certificate.

AWARD-WINNING GRAM PANCHAYATS

Gold Award: Rohini Gram Panchayat, Maharashtra

• First fully paperless Gram Panchayat in Maharashtra.
• Offers 1,027 online services such as certificates and welfare schemes.
• Achieved 100% household digital literacy.
• Runs real-time grievance redressal and bulk SMS outreach.

Silver Award: West Majlishpur Gram Panchayat, Tripura

• Developed as a Citizen Charter-driven Panchayat.
• Provides digital services for registrations, job cards, licenses, and property records.
• Ensures timely service delivery through digital tracking.

Jury Award: Palsana Gram Panchayat, Gujarat

• Integrated Digital Gujarat and Gram Suvidha
• Enabled QR/UPI property tax payments.
• Provides services to over 10,000 citizens annually.

Jury Award: Suakati Gram Panchayat, Odisha

• Uses Odisha One and Seva Odisha platforms for 24/7 services.
• Promotes women’s leadership in governance.
• Ensures inclusive and transparent service delivery.

Current Context : Former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud has written his first book titled “Why the Constitution Matters”, which highlights how constitutional values influence and shape everyday life in India.

ABOUT Justice DY Chandrachud

Tenure

• Served as the 50th Chief Justice of India.
• Retired in November 2024.

Key Contributions : Delivered landmark rulings on privacy, gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and freedom of expression.

Recognition

• Known as a liberal constitutionalist.
• Strong advocate of rights expansion and judicial independence.

General Studies Paper 3

Context

• India will submit its updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) around the commencement of U.N. Climate Change Conference COP 30 in Brazil in November.

About NDCs

• The NDCs are renewable-energy adoption goals set by a country as part of being a signatory to the Paris Agreement.
  • Countries must regulate their fossil fuel consumption to keep the globe from heating 2°C, and as far as possible, 1.5°C above that in pre-industrial times.
• Countries are required to update their NDCs every five years.
• India last updated its NDCs in 2022:
  • It committed to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 45% of 2005 levels;
  • source half of its electric power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources;
  • and create a carbon sink of at least two billion tonnes — all three by 2030.

Progress India Made

• Emissions intensity of GDP refers to the amount of carbon emitted per unit of GDP and does not mean a reduction in net emissions.
• As of 2023, India reported to the United Nations climate-governing body that the emissions intensity of its GDP had been reduced by 33% between 2005 and 2019.
• By June 2025, India reported installing at least 50% of its power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources.

Targets for 2035

• The updated NDCs, or NDC 3.0 as they are called, is expected to reflect the degree of emissions reductions by 2035.
• So far, only 30 of the 190-odd countries have submitted their NDCs though it is not uncommon for countries to submit their NDCs just ahead of the annual climate talks.

Expected NDCs

• The EU is expected to submit its NDCs ahead of COP30 with an indicative 2035 target in a range from 66.25% and 72.5% reduction, compared to 1990 levels.
• Australia this month updated its NDCs aimed to cut emissions 62%-70% of 2005 levels by 2035.
• The United States has exited the Paris Agreement and it remains to be seen if China will announce ambitious NDCs ahead of COP 30.
• India is also expected to operationalise the India Carbon Market by 2026 — under which 13 major sectors will be given mandatory emission-intensity targets — and can trade their resulting savings via emission reduction certificates.

Current Context : Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently purchased Pullas (traditional hemp slippers) for priests of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, highlighting their cultural and sustainable value.

ABOUT PULLAS

• Origin: Himachal Pradesh (mainly Banjar Valley of Kullu district).
• Material: Handmade using hemp fibers (from wild cannabis stems), sheep wool, and colorful embroidery threads.
• Eco-friendly Features:
  • Lightweight and breathable.
  • Natural antibacterial and acupressure properties.
  • Ideal for use in temples and kitchens where leather is prohibited.
• Ergonomic Benefits: Promotes foot health, comfort, and blood circulation.

CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

• Deeply rooted in Himachali traditional attire and temple culture.
• Traditionally made by women, passing skills across generations.
• Worn during religious ceremonies, deity processions, and by temple priests.
• Recently gained recognition when offered to priests at Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

SYNONYMS : Pullas are also known as Pulla chappal, Pulle, Peru, Bhaang Ki Chappal, or Pahadi slippers.

CURRENT CONTEXT : The state government announced the introduction of the CBSE curriculum in 100 government senior secondary schools to raise academic standards and support holistic development of students.

SIGNIFICANCE

• Enhances national-level competitiveness of government school students.
• Facilitates uniformity in syllabus with central schools.
• Improves chances for students in national exams and career opportunities.

CURRENT CONTEXT : Maharashtra’s State Level Technical Committee (SLTC) approved two sewage treatment plant projects along the Indrayani River in Pimpri Chinchwad to tackle rising water pollution.

ABOUT INDRAYANI RIVER

• Location: Maharashtra.
• Tributary of: Bhima River (Krishna River system).
• Origin: Western Ghats near Lonavala (Mumbai–Pune Highway).
• Course: Flows through Pune district → merges with Bhima at Tulapur.
• Length: 105.3 km.
• Religious Significance:
  • Alandi – Samadhi of Saint Dnyaneshwar.
  • Dehu – Hometown of Saint Tukaram.
• Other Uses: Irrigation, agriculture, water supply for Pimpri-Chinchwad industrial region.
• Hydro Project: Valvan Dam at Kamshet (hydroelectric).

CURRENT CONTEXT : The stalled Sawalkote Dam on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir has been revived, becoming central to India’s strategy to harness hydropower potential from the river.

ABOUT CHENAB RIVER

• Tributary of: Indus River.
• Origin: Confluence of Chandra and Bhaga streams in Lahaul & Spiti (Himachal Pradesh).
• Other Name: Chandrabhaga (upper reaches).
• Course: Flows through Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir; joins Jhelum near Trimmu and then Sutlej.
• Tributaries:
  • Left Bank – Niru, Tawi, Neeru, Liddrari.
  • Right Bank – Ans, Bhut Nalla, Bichleri, Kalnai, Marusudar, Miyar Nalla.
• Major Dams: Salal, Aalal, Baglihar, Dul.
• Water Sharing: Governed under Indus Waters Treaty (1960) – Western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) allocated mainly to Pakistan.

ABOUT SAWALKOTE DAM

• Type: Run-of-the-river hydroelectric plant.
• Location: Ramban District, Jammu & Kashmir.
• Capacity: 2,185 MW – largest hydropower project in J&K, among the biggest in North India.
• Features: 192.5-metre roller-compacted concrete gravity dam.
• Output: 7,000+ million units electricity annually.
• Benefits:
  • Boosts power supply, especially in winter.
  • May make J&K power-surplus.
  • Flood mitigation & improved water management.

CURRENT CONTEXT : The National Archives of India (NAI) hosted the 50th Golden Jubilee Meeting of the National Committee of Archivists (NCA) in New Delhi.

ABOUT NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF INDIA

• Established: 11 March 1891 as Imperial Record Department in Kolkata.
• Shifted to New Delhi: 1911.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Culture.
• Headed by: Director General of Archives.
• Mandate
  • Custodian of records of enduring value of the Government of India.
  • Implements Public Records Act, 1993 and Public Records Rules, 1997.
  • Conserves records in multiple languages (Sanskrit, Persian, Odia, etc.).
  • Does not receive classified documents.

CURRENT CONTEXT : The Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron completed a four-day port visit to Maputo, Mozambique.

ABOUT MOZAMBIQUE

• Location: Southern Africa; coastline on Indian Ocean.
• Borders: Zimbabwe (west), Eswatini & South Africa (south), Zambia & Malawi (northwest), Tanzania (north).
• Water Bodies:
  • Rivers: Zambezi (largest), Limpopo, Rovuma, Licungo, Lurio.
  • Lakes: Lake Malawi (Nyasa).
• Highest Peak: Mount Binga.
• Capital: Maputo (largest city: Matola).
• Resources: Natural gas, coal, hydropower, mineral sands, possible oil.