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.

CURRENT CONTEXT: The Border Roads Organisation’s (BRO) Project Vijayak celebrated its 15th Raising Day at Kargil, Ladakh.

ABOUT PROJECT VIJAYAK

• Launched: 2010 by BRO.
• Name Origin: Draws from Operation Vijay, linking the battle theatre with the project area.
• Objective: Provide road connectivity in Kargil and Zanskar, earlier under Project Himank.
• Strategic Routes
  • Zojila – Kargil – Leh axis.
  • Nimmu – Padam – Darcha axis.
• Welfare Initiatives : Insulated shelters, sanitation, protective gear, winter clothing, health camps for labourers.

CURRENT CONTEXT : India has been re-elected to the Council of Administration (CA) and the Postal Operations Council (POC) of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) during its 28th Congress held in Dubai.

ABOUT THE RE-ELECTION

• Significance
  • Reflects global confidence in India’s postal reforms.
  • Strengthens India’s leadership role in shaping global postal governance and operations.
  • Acknowledges India Post’s digital innovations and financial inclusion efforts.
• India’s Contribution
  • Member of UPU since 1876.
  • Introduced digital payments, e-commerce integration, and postal modernisation.
  • Nearly 150 years of continuous cooperation in international postal services.

ABOUT UPU

• Founded: 1874 (Bern, Switzerland).
• Specialised UN Agency since: 1948.
• Headquarters: Bern, Switzerland.
• Members: 192 countries.

Mandate: Primary forum for cooperation among postal stakeholders, ensuring universal and efficient postal services.

Observed  every year on 23^rd September

• Established by:UN General Assembly
• Purpose: To support and protect the linguistic identity and cultural diversity of all deaf people and other sign language users.

CURRENT CONTEXT : During the 2025 Asia Cup vs Oman, pacer Arshdeep Singh became the first Indian bowler to take 100 T20I wickets, achieving it in 64 matches (fastest among pacers globally).

RECORD STATS

• Debut: July 2022 vs England.
• Time taken: 3 years, 74 days.
• Deliveries: 1,329.
• Global rank: 4th fastest overall (after Rashid Khan, Lamichhane, Hasaranga).
• Fastest among fast bowlers (matches & balls).

PERFORMANCE BREAKDOWN

• Powerplay: 43 wickets (most since debut).
• Death overs (last 4 overs): 48 wickets (highest globally since debut).
• In India: 28 wickets at avg. 21.0 — best among Indian pacers at home.

CURRENT CONTEXT : CM Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the Asian Cadet Cup India-2025 at Haldwani — the first-ever international fencing event in India with 250+ athletes from India and abroad.

PARTICIPATION

• Countries: Tajikistan, Syria, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia, India.
• Athletes: 250+ (150 from India).
• Venue: Manaskhand Hall, Indira Gandhi International Sports Stadium, Haldwani.

FENCING IN INDIA

• Inspired by Olympian Bhavani Devi (Arjuna Awardee).
• Rapid growth in youth participation.
• Connects to ancient Indian martial traditions.

CURRENT CONTEXT : Tamil Nadu has launched India’s first identity card programme for Women Self-Help Group (SHG) members, benefiting 5 lakh SHGs across the state.

ABOUT THE INITIATIVE

• Launched by Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin at Salem
• Linked with ₹3,500 crore loan distribution to SHGs
• Originated from SHG demand in Tiruvarur (2025 Women’s Day announcement)

BENEFITS OF ID CARDS

• Free bus travel up to 100 km for SHG members transporting goods
• Discounts on products at Aavin, Co-optex, Mudhalvar Marunthagam
• Easier access to welfare schemes and state-supported marketplaces

ALIGNMENT WITH WOMEN-CENTRIC PROGRAMMES

• Magalir Vidiyal Payanam: 770+ crore free bus rides in 4.5 years
• Magalir Urimai Thogai Scheme: ₹1,000 monthly support to 1.15 crore women (eligibility expanded)
• Enhanced support in education, health, and sports for women

CURRENT CONTEXT : Malayalam superstar Mohanlal will receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2023 at the 71st National Film Awards on 23 September 2025.

ABOUT MOHANLAL

• Career spans 4 decades, debut Thiranottam (1978)
• Acted in 400+ films, including Kireedam, Bharatham, Manichithrathazhu, Drishyam
• Awards:
  • Padma Shri (2001), Padma Bhushan (2019)
  • 5 National Film Awards (2 Best Actor, Jury Awards, Best Film as producer)
  • 9 Kerala State Awards

ABOUT THE AWARD

• Instituted in 1969, named after Dadasaheb Phalke (Father of Indian cinema)
• Includes: Swarna Kamal medallion, shawl, and ₹10 lakh
• First winner: Devika Rani
• Recent winners: Mithun Chakraborty (2022), Waheeda Rehman (2021), Asha Parekh (2020)

CURRENT CONTEXT : Three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets violated Estonia’s airspace over the Gulf of Finland and stayed for 12 minutes, escalating tensions with NATO.

ABOUT GULF OF FINLAND

• Easternmost extension of the Baltic Sea
• Area: 30,000 sq. km; Length: 400 km (E-W); Width: 19–130 km
• Borders: Finland (north), Russia (east), Estonia (south)
• Major cities: Helsinki, Tallinn, St. Petersburg
• Physical features:
  • depth: 38 m (shallow)
  • Low salinity (6 ppt); freezes 3–5 months in winter
  • Receives Neva and Narva rivers, Saimaa Canal
• Climate: Humid continental (hot summers, harsh winters)
• Islands: Kotlin (Kronstadt city), Beryozovye, Lisiy, Maly Vysotsky