Current Context : The 11th World Green Economy Summit (WGES) 2025 was held in Dubai with participation from over 3,300 delegates representing more than 30 countries, focusing on innovation and global climate action.

ABOUT THE SUMMIT

• Theme – “Innovating for Impact – Accelerating the Future of the Green Economy”
• Venue – Dubai World Trade Centre
• Organized With – WETEX 2025 (Water, Energy, Technology & Environment Exhibition)
• Participants – Policymakers, investors, innovators, and business leaders

KEY FOCUS AREAS

• Technology-driven climate solutions and policy reforms for net-zero goals
• Role of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in sustainable innovation
• Strengthening climate finance and youth engagement
• Promotion of renewable energy and circular economy practices

REGIONAL INITIATIVES

• The Arab Foundations Forum (AFF) launched the first Arab Regional Climate Commitment to unify efforts of civil society and private sectors.

Current Context : The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed the formation of Cyclone Shakhti over the northeast Arabian Sea, emphasizing the growing trend of warming-induced cyclonic activity in the region.

ABOUT CYCLONE SHAKHTI

• Formed On – 3 October 2025
• Location – Around 340 km west of Dwarka, Gujarat
• Movement – Initially west-northwest, later west-southwest, predicted to recurve east-northeast
• Forecast – Expected to become a severe cyclonic storm by 4 October 2025

SIGNIFICANCE OF ARABIAN SEA WARMING

• The Arabian Sea is witnessing increased cyclonic activity due to rising sea surface temperatures.
• Warmer waters accelerate storm intensification, as seen in Cyclones Tauktae (2021) and Biparjoy (2023).

Current Context : The Union Cabinet has announced nationwide celebrations marking the 150^th anniversary of India’s national song “Vande Mataram”, which continues to inspire patriotism and unity.

ABOUT VANDE MATARAM

• Composer: Bankim Chandra Chatterjee
• First Published In: Anandamath (1882)
• Declared National Song: 24 January 1950 — equal status with the National Anthem “Jana Gana Mana”.
• First Recited: By Rabindranath Tagore in 1896 at the Indian National Congress Session.

Theme: Tribute to Mother India, symbolizing courage, devotion, and unity.

Current Context : India’s para-athletes Nishad Kumar and Simran Sharma clinched gold medals at the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi.

ABOUT THE ACHIEVEMENT

• Event: World Para Athletics Championships 2025, New Delhi
• Winners:
  • Nishad Kumar: Gold in Men’s High Jump (T47) — cleared 2.14m, breaking his own Asian record.
  • Simran Sharma: Gold in Women’s 100m (T12) — clocked 11.95s (personal best).

Current Context : The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is preparing for the maiden test of Dhvani, a state-of-the-art hypersonic glide missile.

ABOUT DHVANI MISSILE

• Developer: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
• Type: Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV)
• Speed: Exceeds Mach 5–6 (~7,400 km/h)
• Range: Estimated 6,000–10,000 km
• Target Capability: Can strike both land-based and maritime targets with high precision.

TECHNICAL FEATURES

• Design: Blended wing-body, 9 m long and 2.5 m wide.
• Material: Ultra-high-temperature ceramic composites (can withstand 2,000–3,000°C).
• Stealth Design: Angled surfaces reduce radar detection.
• Significance:
  • Increases India’s deterrence capabilities.
  • Enhances readiness for next-generation warfare.

Current Context : The tragic stampede at Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam’s (TVK) rally in Tamil Nadu’s Velusamypuram claimed 41 lives, with doctors confirming compressive asphyxia as the primary cause of death due to crowd pressure.

ABOUT ASPHYXIA

• Definition: A condition where the body fails to get adequate oxygen, leading to unconsciousness or death.
• Process: The lungs fail to supply oxygen or expel carbon dioxide efficiently, disrupting blood oxygen levels.

ABOUT COMPRESSIVE ASPHYXIA

• Meaning: Physical asphyxia caused by external pressure on the chest, preventing lung expansion.
• Common Causes: Crowd crushes, collapsed structures, or heavy external weight on the chest.
• Effect: Lungs cannot expand → oxygen deprivation → cardiac arrest.

Current Context : India has been honoured with the International Social Security Association (ISSA) Award 2025 at the World Social Security Forum, recognizing the nation’s remarkable expansion of social security coverage from 19% in 2015 to 64.3% in 2025, benefiting over 940 million citizens.

ABOUT ISSA AWARD 2025

• Awarded By: International Social Security Association (ISSA)
• Organized At: World Social Security Forum 2025
• Key implementing agencies: Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) and Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC).

HOW INDIA EXPANDED SOCIAL SECURITY COVERAGE

• Simplified Legislation: Social Security Code, 2020 — merged 9 laws to ensure protection for all workers.
• Digital and Financial Inclusion: Jan Dhan Yojana, Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
• Support for Informal Workers: e-Shram Portal, Atal Pension Yojana (APY), PM Vishwakarma Yojana.
• Health & Food Security: Ayushman Bharat, PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY).
• Insurance & Pension: Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY).
• Women’s Empowerment: Lakhpati Didi, PM Ujjwala Yojana.

ABOUT SOCIAL SECURITY

• Meaning: Protection ensuring access to healthcare and income security — recognized as a basic human right.
• Need in India:
  • Predominantly unorganized workforce.
  • Decline of joint family system.
  • Persistent poverty (5.25% below poverty line, World Bank 2022–23).

Celebrated across India on 8 October every year

• Aim : to commemorate the establishment of the Indian Air Force (IAF) on 8 October 1932.
• The day honours the bravery, professionalism, and sacrifices of IAF personnel and their contribution to national security.
• Motto: “Nabha Sparsham Deeptam” (Touch the Sky with Glory) — taken from the Bhagavad Gita.

Current Context : The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will send its humanoid robot Vyommitra aboard the first uncrewed Gaganyaan mission in December 2025, to test life-support systems and onboard safety before sending astronauts.

ABOUT VYOMMITRA

• Meaning – Derived from Sanskrit: “Vyoma” (space) + “Mitra” (friend).
• Type – Half-humanoid robot with head, torso, and arms, but no legs.
• Developed By – Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Kerala.
• Capabilities –
  • Equipped with AI and environmental sensors.
  • Can operate control panels, monitor oxygen, CO₂ levels, and simulate human reactions.
  • Interacts in Hindi and English, providing responses like a co-passenger.

ROLE IN GAGANYAAN MISSION

• Will fly aboard Gaganyaan-1 (uncrewed mission) to validate systems in microgravity.
• Tests life support, avionics, environmental control, and crew module safety.
• Serves as a bridge between robotic and human space missions.

TECHNICAL FEATURES

• Built with high-strength aluminium alloys to withstand launch pressure.
• Designed with movable joints for realistic movement.
• Equipped with speech and sensory systems for real-time data relay.

TIMELINE

• 2025 declared as the “Gaganyaan Year” by ISRO.
• Uncrewed mission with Vyommitra – December 2025.
• Crewed flight expected by 2027.

Current Context : Poland has announced its decision to join the NATO Pipeline System (NPS), expanding cooperation on energy and fuel logistics within the alliance.

ABOUT NATO PIPELINE SYSTEM

• Established During – Cold War, to supply fuel to NATO forces.
• Total Length – Around 10,000 km, covering 12 NATO countries.
• Storage Capacity – 4.1 million cubic metres.
• Components – Storage depots, refineries, pumping stations, and air bases interconnected through pipelines.
• Management –
  • Controlled by national organisations.
  • The Central Europe Pipeline System (CEPS) is managed multilaterally under the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA).
• Oversight – The Petroleum Committee, reporting to the Logistics Committee, oversees petroleum logistics.
• Funding – Supported by the NATO Security Investment Programme.
• Structure – Comprises eight national and two multinational pipeline systems.