• Observed on every year on 11 September.
• Historical Significance:
  • On 11 September 1893, Swami Vivekananda delivered his historic speech at the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago
  • He represented India and Hinduism on the global stage
• Parliament Duration: 11–27 September 1893
• Objective: To commemorate Swami Vivekananda’s contribution in spreading the message of universal brotherhood, tolerance, and spirituality.

• Observed every year on11 September.
• Objective:
  • To honor those who laid down their lives to protect forests and the environment
  • To raise awareness about forest conservation and sustainable living
• Historical Background:
  • In 1730, more than 360 Bishnoi tribe members led by Amrita Devi sacrificed their lives at Khejarli, Rajasthan while protesting against the felling of Khejri trees ordered by the king.

Current Context: On 8 September 2025, in Samarkand (Uzbekistan), 16-year-old American chess prodigy Abhimanyu Mishra defeated World Champion D Gukesh at the FIDE Grand Swiss, becoming the youngest ever to beat a reigning world champion in classical chess.

ABOUT ABHIMANYU MISHRA

• Nationality: American (Indian-origin)
• Born: 2009
• Titles:
  • Youngest International Master (2019) – at 10 years, 9 months, 20 days.
  • Youngest Grandmaster (2021) – at 12 years, 4 months, 25 days in Budapest.
  • Youngest to Beat World Champion (2025) – defeated D Gukesh at 16 years.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

• Event: FIDE Grand Swiss 2025, Round 5.
• Opponent: D Gukesh (19-year-old reigning World Champion).
• Result: Mishra won in 61 moves, exploiting a mistake by Gukesh on the 12th move.
• Record Broken: Gata Kamsky’s 33-year-old record (he beat Kasparov at 17).

Current Context: The Government of Uttar Pradesh has launched Anokhi Duniya, the world’s first park made entirely from ceramic waste, located in Khurja, Bulandshahr.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

• Model: Public-Private Partnership (PPP).
• Area: 2 acres.
• Material Used: 80 tonnes of discarded ceramic waste.
• ODOP Link: Part of One District One Product (ODOP) scheme → promotes Khurja’s ceramic identity.

SIGNIFICANCE

• Artworks: 100 ceramic installations, including 28 large-scale pieces (cups, pitchers, kettles).
• Tourism: Includes selfie points, café, green landscapes → attracts domestic and foreign tourists.

Current Context: The Prime Minister will inaugurate the Combined Commanders’ Conference (CCC) 2025 in Kolkata, West Bengal, from 15–17 September 2025.

ABOUT CCC

• Nature: Apex-level brainstorming forum of the Armed Forces.
• Purpose: Brings together civil and military leadership to discuss conceptual and strategic matters.
• Theme 2025: “Year of Reforms – Transforming for the Future”.
• Focus Areas:
  • Reforms, Transformation, and Change.
  • Operational Preparedness.
  • Deeper integration and technological modernisation.
• Participation: PM, Defence Minister, NSA, MoS Defence, CDS, Defence Secretary, Chiefs of Services.
• Special Feature: Interactive sessions with officers of various ranks → field-level perspectives included.

Current Context: The Indian Army’s Western Command is conducting large-scale Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations under Operation Rahat in flood-hit Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir.

SCALE OF RELIEF OPERATIONS

• People Rescued: 6,000+.
• Medical Aid: 13,000 treated.
• Supplies Delivered: 48 tons (food, medicines, water).
• Missions Conducted: 82 HADR missions using 59 Army columns (including 17 Engineer Task Forces).

AVIATION ASSETS USED

• Helicopters:
  • 3 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH), 6 MI-17s, 6 Cheetahs, 1 Chinook heavy-lift helicopter.
• Role: Evacuation, supply drops, airlifting patients, monitoring flood areas.

Current Context: On International Literacy Day 2025, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced that India’s literacy rate rose from 74% in 2011 to 80.9% in 2023–24 driven by ULLAS-Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram.

About ULLAS – NAV BHARAT SAAKSHARTA KARYAKRAM

• Enrolled: 3 crore+ learners.
• Volunteers Mobilized: 42 lakh+.
• Assessment: 1.83 crore learners tested in basic literacy & numeracy.
• Pass Rate: 90%.
• Languages: Learning content in 26 Indian languages for inclusivity.

FULL LITERACY REGIONS

• Union Territory: Ladakh (declared fully literate on 24 June 2024).
• States: Mizoram, Goa, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh.

ABOUT ULLAS

• Full Form: Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society.
• Launched By: Ministry of Education, Government of India.
• Year: 2023.
• Coverage: Nationwide scheme.

OBJECTIVES

• To create opportunities for lifelong learning among all age groups.
• To promote basic literacy, numeracy, and digital literacy for adults (15 years and above).
• To provide vocational skills, financial literacy, and healthcare awareness.
• To enhance critical life skills including cultural values, environmental awareness, and citizenship duties.

Imp. Fact : International Literacy Day was observed on 08 September under theme Promoting Literacy in the Digital Era.

• Himachal Pradesh is now the fourth fully literate state in India, with a 99.3 per cent literacy rate, higher than the national benchmark of 95 per cent, Himachal joins Mizoram, Tripura and Goa on the list.

Current Context: The Andhra Pradesh government has announced plans to set up a Space City in Tirupati with Skyroot Aerospace, and two Defence Manufacturing Hubs in Madakasira, with a total investment of ₹3,400 crore.

SPACE CITY – TIRUPATI

• Partner: Skyroot Aerospace (Hyderabad-based startup founded by ex-ISRO scientists).
• Investment: ₹400 crore.
• Focus Areas:
  • Private satellite launches.
  • Development of low-cost small launch vehicles.
• Location Advantage: Tirupati already hosts ISRO’s Propulsion Complex → natural choice for integrated launch facilities.

DEFENCE HUBS – MADAKASIRA

• Total Investment: ₹3,000 crore.
• Focus Areas:
  • Aerospace components, defence electronics, and weapon systems.
  • Integration with India’s Defence Corridor projects.
• Benefits:
  • Thousands of jobs for local youth.
  • Partnership opportunities with Indian MSMEs and global defence manufacturers.

Current Context: Russia’s Federal Medical Biological Agency (FMBA) announced a colon cancer vaccine ready for use after successful preclinical trials, revealed at the 10th Eastern Economic Forum, Vladivostok.

ABOUT THE VACCINE

• Type: Therapeutic vaccine (not preventive).
• Trial Results:
  • Tumour size reduced by 60%–80%.
  • Slowed progression, improved survival rates.
  • No adverse effects, even with repeated doses.

HOW IT WORKS

• Stimulates immune system to recognize and attack tumour cells.
• Enhances recognition of tumour antigens.
• Slows disease progression and extends survival.

OTHER VACCINES IN PIPELINE

• Glioblastoma (aggressive brain cancer).
• Melanoma (including rare ocular melanoma).
• Early results show high safety and effectiveness.

Current Context: India won its first-ever gold medal in the men’s compound team event at the World Archery Championships in Gwangju, South Korea, defeating France 235–233.

THE HISTORIC FINAL

• Teams: India (Rishabh Yadav, Aman Saini, Prathamesh Fuge) vs France.
• Score: India trailed early (57–59) but recovered with six 10s in second round.
• Decisive Moment: Fuge’s six consecutive 10s sealed victory.

STAR PERFORMERS

• Rishabh Yadav: Top qualifier, also won silver in mixed team event.
• Prathamesh Fuge: Lowest-ranked, shot flawless final six 10s.
• Mentorship: Yadav guided by veteran Abhishek Verma.