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.

Current Context: During Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence Day celebrations, the Indian Navy Band performed at the grand Military Tattoo in Port Moresby.

ABOUT PAPUA NEW GUINEA

• Location: Island nation in Oceania, southwestern Pacific Ocean.
• Neighbours: Indonesia (west), Australia (south), Solomon Islands (south-east).
• Capital: Port Moresby.

GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES

• Terrain: Mountainous, tropical rainforests, prone to earthquakes and tsunamis.
• Highest Point: Mount Wilhelm (4,509 m).
• Rivers: Sepik River, Fly River.
• Volcanoes: Rabaul Caldera (most active).
• Biodiversity: Birds of paradise, tree kangaroos, Queen Alexandra’s birdwing butterfly.

GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE

• Type: Constitutional monarchy, member of Commonwealth.
• Head of State: British Monarch (represented by Governor-General).
• Head of Government: Prime Minister.

Current Context: The President of Sri Lanka recently visited Katchatheevu Island, sparking renewed political debates in India for its return.

ABOUT KATCHATHEEVU ISLAND

• Location: Tiny, uninhabited island in Palk Strait.
  • Northeast of Tamil Nadu’s Rameswaram.
  • Southwest of Sri Lanka’s Jaffna.
• Features:
  • Barren, no drinking water or sanitation.
  • Only structure: Anthony’s Catholic Shrine.

POLITICAL DISPUTE

• Dispute: Between India and Sri Lanka.
• 1974 Agreement:
  • International Maritime Boundary Line placed Katchatheevu with Sri Lanka.
  • India gained Wadge Bank (near Kanniyakumari) in return.

Current Context: Government will implement the next-generation GST reform from 22 September 2025 with a simplified two-rate structure and digital filing.

ABOUT GST REFORM 2025

• New Structure: Two main GST slabs – 5% and 18%.
• New High Rate: 40% GST on luxury and sin goods (pan masala, cigarettes, etc.).
• Ease of Filing: Faster refunds, digital filing, and reduced disputes.

BENEFITS OF REFORMS

• Social Protection: Exemption on GST for insurance and essential medicines.
• Lower Prices, Higher Demand: Reduced rates increase consumption and savings.
• Support for MSMEs: Lower input costs for cement, auto parts, handicrafts.
• Ease of Living: Simpler structure → fewer disputes and easier compliance.
• Wider Tax Net: Simpler rates promote compliance and boost revenue.

KEY CHALLENGES

• Revenue Loss: ~₹48,000 crore on FY23–24 base.
• Removal of Input Tax Credit (ITC): On healthcare and insurance products may cause cascading effect.
• Uncertainty over National Anti-Profiteering Authority: Its revival not clarified.

Current Context: An Assam-based foundation developed the Vulture Network Portal, India’s first such digital platform for vulture conservation.

ABOUT VULTURE NETWORK PORTAL

• Type: Cloud-based portal.
• Initiated By: We Foundation India with support from Assam Bird Monitoring Network and other organisations.
• Purpose:
  • Create a network for vulture conservation.
  • Compile scientific data and outreach materials.
  • Spread awareness in local languages (starting with Assamese).
• Focus Areas:
  • Threats like carcass poisoning, harmful veterinary drugs (diclofenac), and negative social perception.
  • Free downloadable resources for awareness campaigns.

VULTURES FOUND IN INDIA

• Slender-billed vulture (~800 left), White-rumped vulture, Red-headed vulture, Himalayan griffon, Indian vulture, Cinereous vulture, Eurasian griffon, Egyptian vulture, Bearded vulture.