Current Context: Sikkim recently celebrated Tendong Lho Rum Faat, a nature-worship festival of the Lepcha tribe.

ABOUT LEPCHA TRIBE

• Indigenous to eastern Nepal, western Bhutan, Sikkim, and Darjeeling (West Bengal).
• Recognised as a Scheduled Tribe in Sikkim.
• Self-name: Rongs or Rongkups.
• Habitat: Slopes of Mt. Kanchenjunga (world’s 3rd highest mountain).
• Population: Around 42,909 (Census 2011).
• Language: Lepcha – own script based on Sanskrit.
• Occupation: Traditionally hunters and gatherers; now also farmers and cattle breeders.
• Religion: Originally nature worshippers; later adopted Buddhism.
• Culture: Singing, dancing, archery contests.
• Belief: Kanchenjunga is their guardian deity.

Current Context: Turkey recently closed the Dardanelles Strait to ships because of nearby forest fires.

About Dardanelles Strait:

• Narrow waterway in northwestern Turkey, linking the Aegean Sea and the Sea of Marmara.
• Separates Europe from the tip of Asia Minor.
• Ancient name: Hellespont – named after a mythical princess, Helle.
• Length: 61 km, width: 1.2 to 6.5 km.
• Connects with the Bosporus Strait, which links to the Black Sea – together they form the only sea route from the Black Sea to the rest of the world.
• Gallipoli Peninsula lies on its west side.
• Important ports: Gallipoli, Eceabat, Çanakkale (all in Turkey).

Current Context: The Reserve Bank of India has given ‘in-principle’ approval to AU Small Finance Bank to change into a universal bank. It is the first such approval in 10 years.

About Universal Bank Licence:

• Allows a bank to offer all types of banking services (commercial + investment) under one roof.
• Last given in 2014 to Bandhan Bank and IDFC Bank.

Eligibility for Small Finance Bank to Become a Universal Bank:

• Scheduled bank status for at least 5 years.
• Listed on a recognised stock exchange.
• Minimum net worth: ₹1,000 crore.
• Profits in the last 2 years.
• Low bad loans – Gross NPA ≤ 3% and Net NPA ≤ 1%.
• No new promoters during transition.
• Preference to banks with a variety of loans.

About Small Finance Banks:

• Announced in Union Budget 2014–15.
• Purpose: Financial inclusion.
• Registered as public limited companies under the Companies Act, 2013.
• Governed by the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
• Minimum capital requirement: ₹200 crore.
• Promoters must be experienced in banking/finance for at least 10 years.

Current Context: The Prime Minister inaugurated the M. S. Swaminathan Centenary International Conference on the 100th birth anniversary of Professor M. S. Swaminathan.

• The theme of the conference is “Evergreen Revolution: The Pathway to Biohappiness”, highlighting his life-long work for food security.

About M. S. Swaminathan (1925–2023):

• Known as the Father of the Green Revolution in India (1960s).
• Promoted Crop Cafeterias – growing different crops together for better nutrition.
• Introduced Crop Distribution Agronomy – changing crops mid-season for better results.
• Chaired National Commission on Farmers – gave recommendations to improve farming productivity and income.
• Awards: Ramon Magsaysay Award (1971), First World Food Prize (1987), UNEP Sasakawa Environment Prize (1994), UNESCO Gandhi Gold Medal (1999).
• Bharat Ratna: Awarded posthumously in 2024.

Observed every year on 10 August

Aim : To spread awareness about biofuels as sustainable and cleaner alternatives to fossil fuels.

• Historical Background: Commemorates 10 August 1893, when Sir Rudolf Diesel successfully powered the first diesel engine using peanut oil, marking the beginning of biofuel technology.
• Significance in India:
  • Organized By: Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas.
  • Government Initiatives:
    • Ethanol blending expanded from 380 million litres (2013-14) to 4 billion litres currently.
    • Target set for 20% ethanol blending in petrol by 2030.
  • State-Level Initiatives:
    • Bihar launched an updated Biofuel Policy.
    • Plans for nine new ethanol plants by 2026 to enhance rural energy production and promote sustainability.

Observed annually on 10 August

Aim : to raise awareness about the conservation of lions and their habitats.

• Initiated By: Wildlife conservationists Dereck and Beverly Joubert in 2013, with support from the Big Cat Initiative and National Geographic.
• Significance:
  • Global wild African lion population is estimated at 20,000.
  • Asiatic lion population in India’s Gir Forest is around 675.
  • Urges coordinated conservation efforts to prevent further decline.

Current Context : Ministry of Women and Child Development has extended the special registration drive for the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) till 15 August 2025.

ABOUT PMMVY

• Category: Centrally Sponsored Scheme under Mission Shakti – Samarthya.
• Target: Pregnant and lactating women from disadvantaged sections.

Benefits

• ₹5,000 cash incentive in two instalments for the first child.
• Additional ₹1,000 under Janani Suraksha Yojana, making total ₹6,000.
• ₹6,000 benefit for second child only if the second child is a girl.
• In case of stillbirth or miscarriage, the woman can reapply for future pregnancies.

Eligibility Criteria

• Women belonging to Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes
• Women with E-shram Card, BPL Ration Card, MGNREGA Job Card
• Divyangjan (Partially/Fully Disabled Women)
• Income below ₹8 Lakh per annum
• Women employed under PM Jan Aarogya Yojana or Kishan Samman Nidhi

Implementation

• Done through PMMVYSoft, launched in March 2023.
• Ensures Aadhaar-based Direct Benefit Transfer with NPCI verification.

Current Context : Researchers from Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) Delhi and Gandhinagar have developed a District Flood Severity Index (DFSI) to measure flood impact across Indian districts.

ABOUT DFSI

• Data Source: India Flood Inventory with Impacts (IFI-Impacts).
• Measured Factors:
  • Average flood duration
  • Percentage of district area affected
  • Total deaths and injuries
  • Population exposed

Purpose : To help in district-level flood management and disaster planning.

Key Findings

• Patna: Most flood-prone in terms of impact.
• Thiruvananthapuram: Highest flood events but not among top 30 in severity.
• Assam: Dhemaji, Kamrup, and Nagaon faced over 178 flood events.
• Urban floods are worsened by poor planning and urbanisation.

Current Context : Biochar, a carbon-rich substance made from agricultural waste, is expected to play a vital role in India’s upcoming carbon market in 2026.

ABOUT BIOCHAR

• Definition: A stable, carbon-rich product made by heating biomass in low oxygen (pyrolysis).
• Temperature: 400 to 600 degrees Celsius.
• Material Used: Crop residue, municipal solid waste.

Advantages

• Locks carbon in soil for 100 to 1,000 years.
• Reduces nitrous oxide emissions by 30–50 percent.
• Improves soil health and water retention.

Applications

• Agriculture: Restores degraded soils.
• Industry: Can absorb CO₂ from emissions.
• Construction: Used as low-carbon building material.
• Wastewater Treatment: Reduces water pollution.

Current Context : The Chhattisgarh High Court acquitted an individual accused of double murder on the grounds of legal insanity, highlighting mental state as a valid legal defence.

ABOUT LEGAL INSANITY

• Definition: A mental condition that disables a person from understanding the nature or consequences of a criminal act.
• Basis: If the person cannot distinguish right from wrong at the time of the crime, they may not be held criminally liable.

Key Features

• It is a legal concept, not a medical
• Requires evidence like psychiatric evaluations, medical records, and behavioural patterns.
• Burden of proof lies on the accused.

Types

• Emotional Insanity: Caused by extreme emotions deranging intellect.
• Temporary Insanity: Exists only at the time of the offence.