Current Context: The Asiatic lion population in Gujarat has experienced a remarkable increase, reaching an estimated 891 individuals as of May 2025.

• This is a rise from 674 lions recorded in the previous census conducted in 2020.

ABOUT THE 16TH ASIATIC LION CENSUS

• Conducted: From May 10 to 13, 2025, covering approximately 35,000 square kilometers across 58 talukas in 11 districts.
• Methodology: The census was performed in two phases, with a preliminary assessment followed by a final count. Modern tools such as high-resolution cameras, camera traps, and GPS-enabled radio collars were used for tracking and identifying the lions.
• Participation: A total of 3,000 participants, including officers and volunteers, contributed to this effort.

POPULATION BREAKDOWN

• Males: 196
• Females: 330
• Sub-adults: 140
• Cubs: 225
• Within Gir National Park: 384 lions
• Outside Gir National Park: 507 lions

Current Context: Madhya Pradesh introduced the Rahveer Scheme to reward good Samaritans who help accident victims with ₹25,000. The scheme is part of a wider ₹3,867 crore package for development, approved at a cabinet meeting in Indore.

ABOUT RAHVEER SCHEME

• Objective: To encourage bystanders to assist accident victims promptly, thereby reducing road fatalities.
• Eligibility: Individuals who stop at the accident site, call for a 108 ambulance, and aid in transporting the injured.
• Incentive: A reward of Rs 25,000 for assisting accident victims.

OTHER INITIATIVES APPROVED IN THE CABINET MEETING

• Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Training Scheme: Aims to enhance employment opportunities for the youth through skill development. Eligible individuals can receive an annual interest subsidy on loans, encouraging entrepreneurship and self-employment.
• Support for Women in Workforce: Construction of 26 working women hostels to provide safe housing and modern amenities, facilitating women’s entry into the workforce. The initiative includes partnerships with private entities and CSR funding to expand such facilities.

Current Context: The U.S. announced the Golden Dome missile defense system, a $175 billion plan to build a satellite-based shield against missile threats from countries like Russia and China.

The system, led by the U.S. Space Force, has raised global concerns about space militarization.

ABOUT GOLDEN DOME PROJECT

• Aim: To create a multilayered missile defense system utilizing space-based sensors and interceptors to detect, track, and neutralize incoming missile threats.
• Components: High-tech detection sensors, tracking tools, interceptor missiles, and command-and-control networks, all operating autonomously yet exchanging information in real-time.
• Leadership: The project will be headed by a U.S. Space Force general.
• Inspiration: Inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome, but with expanded capabilities to include space-based defense mechanisms.

OTHER AERIAL DEFENSE SYSTEMS

• Iron Dome, David’s Sling, Arrow-2, Arrow-3 (Israel): Iron Dome (short-range), David’s Sling (short to medium and medium to long-range), Arrow (long-range).
• S-400 Triumph (Russia): Long-range air defense system.
• Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) (USA): Intercepts ballistic missiles.
• HQ-9 System (China): Inspired by the Russian S-300, offering a 125 km range.

Current Context: Mizoram has achieved 98.2% literacy, surpassing the 95% benchmark set by the Ministry of Education for functional literacy. A state-wide survey in 2023 identified 3,026 non-literates, and most of them were included in learning programs under the ULLAS scheme.

ABOUT FUNCTIONAL LITERACY

• Definition: The ability to read, write, and perform basic arithmetic, enabling individuals to function effectively in everyday life.
• Significance: Essential for personal empowerment, community development, and national progress.

ABOUT ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram (New India Literacy Programme – NILP)

• Full Form: Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society.
• Type: Centrally Sponsored Scheme aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
• Duration: FY2022-23 to 2026-27.
• Ministry: Ministry of Education.
• Target Group: Adults aged 15 and above who missed formal schooling.
• Components: Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, Critical Life Skills, Basic Education, Vocational Skills, and Continuing Education.

Implementation: Through volunteerism, promoting social responsibility and a sense of duty or ‘Kartavya Bodh’.

Observed annually on May 24

Aim : to honor the bond between brothers.

• Origin: Founded in 2005 by C. Daniel Rhodes of Alabama.
• Global Observance: While primarily celebrated in the United States, the day is also recognized in countries like Australia, Russia, India, France, and Germany.

General Studies Paper-2

Context: WHO Member States approved a historic resolution calling for adoption of the WHO Pandemic Agreement, aimed at making the world safer from future pandemics.

WHO Pandemic Agreement

• The agreement is the result of over three years of negotiations initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic to address global inequities and improve pandemic preparedness and response.
• This includes equitable and timely access to vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics.
• It was adopted under Article 19 of the WHO Constitution.
• It seeks to enhance collaboration among countries, WHO, civil society, the private sector, and other stakeholders to prevent pandemics and improve response systems.
• It will open for signature and ratification after the annex is finalized. It will enter into force once 60 countries ratify it.
• It complements the International Health Regulations (IHR) amendments adopted in 2024.

Key Provisions

• Establishment of a Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system, to be negotiated and presented at next year’s World Health Assembly.
• Creation of a Coordinating Financial Mechanism and a Global Supply Chain and Logistics Network (GSCL) to ensure equitable and timely access to pandemic-related health products.
• Pharmaceutical companies in the PABS system must provide 20% of their real-time production of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics to WHO for equitable distribution, prioritizing developing countries.

Significance of an Agreement

• This landmark global accord reflects a unified international commitment to ensure a stronger, faster, and fairer response to future pandemic threats, grounded in equity, solidarity, and scientific evidence.

Current Context : The Ministry of Home Affairs launched the e-Zero FIR initiative—piloted in Delhi—to automatically convert financial cybercrime complaints over ₹10 lakh into FIRs when reported via the 1930 helpline or National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP)

About Zero FIR

• Definition: A Zero FIR may be registered at any police station, regardless of where the crime occurred.
• Origin: Recommended by the Justice Verma Committee (2013) after the Nirbhaya case to eliminate jurisdictional delays.
• Process:
  • Complainant approaches any police station.
  • The station registers a Zero FIR and sends a copy to the jurisdictional station.

About the e-Zero FIR Initiative

• Objective: Streamline registration of financial cybercrime complaints above ₹10 lakh, eliminating delays in FIR creation and enhancing recovery prospects.
• Legal Basis: Enabled under Sections 173(1) and 1(ii) of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.
• Mechanism:
  1. Complaint filed via 1930 helpline or National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP).
  2. Automatic Zero FIR generated at the e-Crime Police Station, Delhi.
  3. Auto-routing of the Zero FIR to the appropriate local cybercrime station.
  4. Complainant converts the Zero FIR to a regular FIR within 3 days.

Current Context : Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah launched the new Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Portal in New Delhi, aiming to streamline services for over 5 million OCI cardholders and new applicants .

About the OCI Scheme & Portal

• Scheme Origin: Introduced via amendment to the Citizenship Act, 1955 in August 2005 to allow lifelong visa and related privileges to eligible foreign nationals of Indian origin.
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Citizens of India on or after 26 January 1950, or eligible under that date.
  • Descendants up to great-grandchild of such citizens.
  • Minor children of eligible persons.
  • Spouse of Indian citizen/OCI cardholder with 2-year continuous marriage.
  • Exclusions: Those with parental links to Pakistan, Bangladesh, or notified countries.
  • Must be ordinarily resident in India or abroad (continuous 6 months’ residence).
• Portal Features:
  • User-friendly interface with auto-fill of profile details and dashboard for application status.
  • Integrated payment gateway, in-built image cropping
  • Segregated menus for fresh applications and existing cardholder services.
  • Enhanced security and improved functionality for seamless registration and service delivery .

Current Context : The World Health Organization (WHO) member states adopted the first-ever global pandemic treaty during the 78^th  World Health Assembly in Geneva. 

Voting Outcome: 124 countries in favor, 11 abstentions (including Poland, Israel, Italy, Russia, Slovakia, and Iran); no votes against. Notably, the United States did not participate.

About the Treaty

• The treaty aims to enhance global preparedness and response to future pandemics by addressing the shortcomings observed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• It emphasizes equitable access to health tools, strengthens international coordination, and promotes a One Health approach, recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.

Key Objectives

• Equitable Access: Ensure fair distribution of diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics during pandemics.
• International Coordination: Strengthen global health infrastructure and cooperation among nations.
• One Health Approach: Integrate human, animal, and environmental health strategies to prevent future outbreaks.
• Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS): Establish a system for sharing pathogen samples and related benefits, with provisions to be finalized in an annex by 2026.
• Research and Development: Encourage geographically diverse research and development, along with local manufacturing capabilities.
• Technology Transfer: Facilitate the sharing of technology and knowledge to build global capacity for pandemic response

About WHO

• Established: Founded on April 7, 1948, as a specialized agency of the United Nations.
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
• Membership: Comprises 194 Member States and two associate members.
• Mission: To attain the highest possible level of health for all people, defined as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being.

Current Context : CISF Sub-Inspector Geeta Samota became the first officer of the Central Industrial Security Force to scale Mount Everest (8,849 m), marking a historic milestone for the force.

About Geeta Samota

• Joined CISF: 2011, currently posted at Udaipur Airport.
• Mountaineering Milestones:
  • 2019: First woman from any CAPF to summit Mount Satopanth and Mount Lobuche.
  • 2025: First CISF officer to summit Mount Everest, fulfilling her “Seven Summits” quest to climb the highest peak on each continent.
  • Expeditions:
    • Mount Satopanth (7,075 m): 2019
    • Mount Lobuche (6,119 m): Nepal
    • Mount Everest (8,849 m): 202

About Mount Everest

• Name: Mount Everest
• Location: Border between Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China
• Height: 8,848.86 meters (29,031.7 feet) above sea level, as jointly confirmed by China and Nepal in 2020.
• First Ascent: May 29, 1953, by Sir Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay, a Sherpa of Nepal.
• Climbing Routes:
  • Southeast Ridge (Nepal): The standard and most frequently used route.
  • North Ridge (Tibet): Less commonly used due to political and logistical challenges.
• Climbing Season: Primarily in spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October), with spring offering more favorable weather conditions.
• Challenges:
  • Altitude Sickness: Due to the “Death Zone” above 8,000 meters, where oxygen levels are insufficient.