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.

Celebrated on 9 August (falls on Shravan Purnima)

• Aim : To promote awareness about the ancient and scientific Indian language Sanskrit through cultural programs and education campaigns.
• Also Known As: Vishva Samskrita Dinam
• Observed On: Shravan Purnima (full moon day in the Hindu month of Shravan)

Observed every year on 9 August.

• This day focuses on the rights, culture, and development of indigenous communities around the world. Cultural programs and campaigns are held globally.
• Established By: United Nations General Assembly
• First Observed: 1995
• Significance: Commemorates the first meeting of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations (1982)

Observed every year on 9 August

On 9 August 1945, the United States dropped an atomic bomb named “Fat Man” on Nagasaki, Japan.

This day is observed to promote peace and awareness about the dangers of nuclear weapons.

• Significance:
  • Second nuclear bomb in history (after Hiroshima)
  • Led to Japan’s surrender and end of World War II
  • Promotes nuclear disarmament and peace

Current Context : United States President Donald Trump has issued an executive order doubling tariffs on Indian imports to 50 percent due to India’s ongoing purchases of Russian crude oil.

ABOUT THE EXECUTIVE ORDER

• Tariff Hike: Existing 25 percent increased by an additional 25 percent, now total 50 percent.
• Effective Timeline: 21 days from signing date.
• Scope: Applies to all goods entering the United States from India (excluding already shipped items).

Reason Behind the Move

• To penalise India for its continued imports of Russian oil.
• Cited under United States Executive Orders 14024 and 14066 regarding Russia-Ukraine conflict.

India’s Response

• Ministry of External Affairs termed the hike “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable.”
• Criticised as unilateral and politically motivated.
• Warned of potential long-term impacts on India–United States trade relations.

TRADE AND ECONOMIC IMPACT

• Bilateral Trade:
  • India–United States goods trade is over 190 billion United States dollars (2024)
• Affected Sectors in India:
  • Textiles, Engineering goods, Pharmaceuticals, Information technology hardware
• Economic Consequences:
  • Could increase cost of Indian exports to United States
  • May weaken trade ties between India and United States

Current Context : Delhi Legislative Assembly has become the first legislature in India to be powered entirely by solar energy.

• Key Components:
  • 500-kilowatt rooftop solar plant installed.
  • Full adoption of National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA).
  • Solarisation includes net metering, allowing surplus power to be supplied back to the grid.

Purpose

• Promote green governance and sustainability.
• Reduce dependency on non-renewable energy sources.

Significance

• Estimated savings of ₹15 lakh per month, totalling ₹1.75 crore annually.
• Sets an example for other legislatures across the country.
• Aims to eliminate paper use in legislative processes.