CURRENT CONTEXT : India reaffirmed its commitment to the ‘Pact for the Future’ at the United Nations Dialogue.

ABOUT PACT FOR THE FUTURE

• Adopted at: Summit of the Future, 2024
• The pact aims to shape international cooperation and commitments for a better, more sustainable future.

KEY COMPONENTS

• Global Digital Compact
• First global framework for digital cooperation
• Promotes inclusive, secure, and open digital transformation
• Declaration on Future Generations
• Focuses on intergenerational equity and long-term planning

FOCUS AREAS

• Sustainable development and financing for development
• International peace and security
• Science, technology, and innovation (STI) and digital cooperation
• Youth and future generations
• Reform and transformation of global governance systems

FEATURES

• Emphasis on human rights, gender equality, and sustainable development
• Calls for concrete deliverables across thematic priorities
• Strengthens global commitments on shared challenges

CURRENT CONTEXT : The Union Minister has launched the National Standards for Civil Service Training Institutes 2.0 (NSCSTI 2.0)framework to improve governance and training quality.

 ABOUT NSCSTI 2.0 FRAMEWORK

• Developed by: Capacity Building Commission (CBC)
• Aim: To make civil service training institutes future-ready through standardization and innovation.

FEATURES

• Evaluation based on streamlined metrics
• Inclusive and accessible design for wider reach
• Digital integration with hybrid and e-learning models
• Promotes institutional excellence and knowledge sharing

ABOUT CAPACITY BUILDING COMMISSION

• Established in: 2021 under the National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building (NPCSCB)
• Also known as: Mission Karmayogi
• Functions as an independent executive body
• Responsible for guiding reforms in civil service training and performance

CURRENT CONTEXT : Recently, Ukraine has officially joined the International Criminal Court as the 125th State Party to the Rome Statute.

 ABOUT INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT

• It is the world’s first permanent international court established to try individuals for the most serious crimes of concern to the international community.
• Established by: Rome Statute (adopted in 1998, came into force in 2002)
• Headquarters: The Hague, Netherlands

 JURISDICTION AND ROLE

• Investigates and prosecutes:
• Genocide
• War Crimes
• Crimes Against Humanity
• Crime of Aggression
• The court functions independently of the United Nations but cooperates with it.

INDIA’S POSITION : India is not a signatory to the Rome Statute and is not a member of the International Criminal Court.

Observed on 20 July every year.

Aim : To mark the Apollo 11 mission’s Moon landing on 20 July 1969, when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans on the lunar surface.

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL MOON DAY

• Declared by: United Nations General Assembly via Resolution A/RES/76/76
• Adopted on: 9 December 2021
• First observed: 20 July 2022

Purpose

• Commemorates the historic lunar landing of Apollo 11
• Promotes public awareness about sustainable lunar exploration
• Encourages global dialogue on international cooperation in space missions
• Historical highlight : On 20 July 1969 at 22:56 EDT, astronaut Neil Armstrong made history with the words:
  “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

Observed every year on 20 July

Aim : to commemorate the establishment of Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE)in 1924.

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL CHESS DAY

• Organized by: Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE), also known as the International Chess Federation
• Founded on: 20 July 1924 in Paris, France
• First observed globally: In 1966 by the initiative of UNESCO
• UN Recognition: The United Nations General Assembly officially declared it as International Chess Day in 2019

Current Context: Recently, the White House confirmed that President Donald Trump, 79, was diagnosed with Chronic Venous Insufficiency after noticing mild swelling in his lower legs and bruising on his hands.

 About Chronic Venous Insufficiency

• A condition where veins in the legs fail to return blood properly to the heart due to damaged vein valves, causing blood pooling and pressure build‑up.
• Affects about 1 in 20 adults, especially those over 70 years, overweight, or with a history of prolonged standing or vein damage.

 Symptoms and Diagnosis

• Common signs: leg swelling, aching, skin discoloration, flaky skin, varicose veins. No ulcers or serious complications in this case.
• Diagnosis made via Doppler ultrasound of leg veins and an echocardiogram, which ruled out deep vein thrombosis, arterial disease, heart or kidney problems.
• Management : The condition is benign and manageable with everyday treatments.

Current Context: India successfully tested the Akash Prime air‑defence missile system in high‑altitude Ladakh, destroying two unmanned high‑speed aerial targets at over 15,000 feet.

 ABOUT AKASH PRIME

• Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
• It is an upgraded version of the indigenous Akash Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) system
• Specially designed to operate in extreme weather, high-altitude regions (above 4,500 metres), and low-oxygen conditions

 FEATURES OF AKASH PRIME

• Medium-range surface-to-air missile
• Protects mobile, semi-mobile, and static military installations from aerial threats
• Equipped with an indigenous Radio Frequency seeker to lock on to targets in the final flight phase
• Range: Around 25–30 kilometers
• Improved reliability in low-temperature environments
• Developed based on feedback from the Indian Armed Forces
• Provides air defence cover for vital and sensitive areas in high-altitude zones

CURRENT CONTEXT: Under the (PM VIKAS) scheme’s, first higher‑education rollout, a landmark MoU was signed at IIIT Kottayam in Kerala.

• Project will skill 450 minority candidates — including 150 youth in Internet of Things and 300 women in leadership & entrepreneurship.

ABOUT PM VIKAS

• Full form: Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan.
• Type: Central Sector Scheme under the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
• Purpose: To empower six notified minority communities (Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Zoroastrians) through skill development, entrepreneurship training, leadership and heritage education.
• Converged Schemes: Integrates earlier schemes—Seekho Aur Kamao, Nai Manzil, Nai Roshni, USTTAD and Hamari Dharohar .

CURRENT CONTEXT : Nitin Gupta, former Chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), has been appointed Chairperson of NFRA by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet on 17 July 2025.

He takes over after a vacancy following Ajay Bhushan Pandey’s tenure ending on 31 March 2025; Ravneet Kaur had been acting Chair until now.

 ABOUT NFRA

• Established: October 2018 under Section 132 of the Companies Act, 2013.
• Jurisdiction: Independent auditor and accounting watchdog under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
• Headquarters: New Delhi.
• Membership: 1 Chairperson + up to 15 members (3 full-time, 9 part-time, plus a Secretary).

 FUNCTIONS

• Recommend and enforce accounting and auditing standards.
• Monitor quality of audit services and punish defaulting professionals.
• Investigate misconduct by auditors; can fine or debar them for up to 10 years.

 ABOUT NITIN GUPTA

• Former Indian Revenue Service (1986 batch); Civil Engineer by training.
• Served as CBDT Chairman (2022–2024) and Director General at Competition Commission of India.
• Appointment is for three years or until he reaches age 65.

Current Context: The Indian Navy will take part in the 32nd Singapore–India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX) later this month in Singapore.

• This exercise has run annually since 1994 and is India’s longest-uninterrupted naval drill.

 About SIMBEX:

• Organizers: Indian Navy and Republic of Singapore Navy.
• Purpose: Enhance maritime cooperation in areas like anti-submarine warfare, air defence, search-and-rescue operations, and counter-terrorism.
• Participants: Ships include INS Delhi, INS Satpura, INS Kiltan, INS Shakti, under Rear Admiral Susheel Menon