CURRENT CONTEXT: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is developing an indigenous malaria vaccine named ‘AdFalciVax’.

 ABOUT THE VACCINE:

• Institutes Involved:
• ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar
• National Institute of Malaria Research
• Department of Biotechnology – National Institute of Immunology
• Target: Dual-stage protection against Plasmodium falciparum (most lethal species)

ABOUT MALARIA:

• Caused by Plasmodium parasites (not person-to-person).
• Spread via bites of infected female Anopheles
• Found mostly in tropical regions.
• 5 human-infecting species: falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae, P. ovale, P. knowlesi.

CURRENT CONTEXT : China has started building what is expected to become the world’s largest hydroelectric dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River (known as the Brahmaputra River in India) near the Arunachal Pradesh border.

The project is located in a deep gorge in the Himalayas where the river takes a U-turn before entering India.

ABOUT THE DAM PROJECT

• The dam is being constructed in the Medog County of Tibet Autonomous Region.
• Once completed, it could surpass China’s Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River in power generation.
• The Yarlung Tsangpo River flows through the Tibetan Plateau, forming the world’s deepest canyon before entering India as the Brahmaputra.

 KEY CONCERNS ASSOCIATED WITH THE DAM

Disaster Risk

• The Tibetan Plateau is seismically active due to tectonic activity.
• Large dams in such regions increase the risk of earthquake-triggered disasters.
• Example: 1950 Assam–Tibet Earthquake, one of the most powerful quakes in the region.

INDIA-CHINA WATER COOPERATION

• Expert-Level Mechanism (ELM) established in 2006 to share hydrological data during flood seasons.
• Despite ELM, there is no water-sharing treaty between the two countries.
• Both countries are not signatories to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses, 1997.

CURRENT CONTEXT : The Lakshadweep administration is considering acquiring Bitra Island for defence purposes. It would become the third defence establishment in the archipelago.

 ABOUT BITRA ISLAND

• Location: Northern region of Lakshadweep
• Smallest inhabited island in the Union Territory
• Cultural Site: Contains a shrine dedicated to Malik Mulla, an old Arab saint

 CLIMATE

• Similar to Kerala’s climate
• Hottest Period: March to May
• Temperature Range: 25°C to 35°C
• Humidity: 70%–76% throughout the year

 STRATEGIC SIGNIFICANCE

• Will become the third defence base in Lakshadweep
• Existing Naval Bases:
  • INS Dweeprakshak – Kavaratti (UT capital)
  • INS Jatayu – Minicoy

CURRENT CONTEXT : The Union Minister of Commerce and Industry recently announced that the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) will come into effect from 1st October 2025.

 ABOUT EUROPEAN FREE TRADE ASSOCIATION

• Established: 1960 by the Stockholm Convention
• Type: Intergovernmental organisation
• Objective: Promote free trade and economic integration among members and globally

 MEMBER COUNTRIES

• Founding Members: Austria, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom
• Later Joined: Iceland (1970), Finland (1986), Liechtenstein (1991)
• Countries That Left EFTA to Join EU:
  • Denmark and UK (1973)
  • Portugal (1986)
  • Austria, Finland, and Sweden (1995)
• Current Members: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland

CURRENT CONTEXT: The Ram Division of the Indian Army conducted Exercise Prachand Shakti at the Kharga Corps Field Training Area in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh.

 ABOUT THE EXERCISE:

• Showcased use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), loitering munitions, AI-enabled systems, and autonomous platforms.
• Aimed at improving agility, lethality, and survivability of infantry in deep offensive operations.
• Part of the Year of Technology Absorption under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat

CURRENT CONTEXT: India secured 7th rank out of 110 countries at the 66th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) held in Sunshine Coast, Australia, with a record score of 193/252.

 ABOUT THE COMPETITION:

• Organised Since: 1959
• Format: Two-day exam with six complex problems in algebra, geometry, number theory, and combinatorics.
• India’s Entry: Since 1989, managed by HBCSE under TIFR.

 TEAM INDIA HIGHLIGHTS:

• Gold: Kanav Talwar, Aarav Gupta, Adhitya Mangudy
• Silver: Abel George Mathew, Aadish Jain
• Bronze: Archit Manas
• Note: This is only the second time India won three golds, and third time India ranked 7th (after 1998 and 2001).

CURRENT CONTEXT: Uttarakhand endangered plant conservation programme launched by Uttarakhand Forest Department’s Research Wing, the programme aims to reintroduce 14 critically endangered plant species into natural habitats.

 ABOUT THE PROGRAMME:

• State Profile: Uttarakhand has 69% forest cover, highest in India.
• Species Included: Himalayan Gentian, Indian Spikenard, Kumaon Fan Palm, etc.
• Methodology: Nursery cultivation, habitat mapping for 4 years, monsoon reintroduction. 7 species already reintroduced; rest by end of July.

CURRENT CONTEXT: India successfully conducted night-time test launches of two nuclear-capable short-range ballistic missiles—Prithvi-II and Agni-I—from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur.

 ABOUT PRITHVI-II MISSILE:

• Range: ~350 km
• Warhead: Up to 500 kg (conventional/nuclear)
• Purpose: Tactical short-range deterrence

 ABOUT AGNI-I MISSILE:

• Range: 700–900 km
• Payload: ~1,000 kg (conventional/nuclear)
• Purpose: Strategic depth and regional deterrence

 AKASH PRIME TEST IN LADAKH:

• Conducted on 16 July 2025 at high altitude near the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
• Successfully intercepted two high-speed aerial targets using indigenous radio-frequency seeker.

Celebrated on 22 July.

Aims : to highlight the history and cultural importance of the mango.

 ABOUT NATIONAL MANGO DAY:

• Origin & Timing: Started in 1987, linked to India’s International Mango Festival; held during peak mango season.
• Global Reach: Initially celebrated in India, now also observed in countries like the United States.
• Symbolism: Mango symbolizes love, prosperity, and friendship, especially in Indian culture.

Observed on 22 July every year

Aim : to mark the day in 1947 when the Constituent Assembly adopted India’s national flag weeks before independence.

 ABOUT THE NATIONAL FLAG OF INDIA (TIRANGA):

• Designer: Pingali Venkayya
• Adoption Year: 1947 (first drafted in 1921)
• Features: Three horizontal bands — saffron (courage), white (peace and truth), green (growth), with a navy-blue Ashoka Chakra at the center.

 FLAG RULES (FLAG CODE OF INDIA):

• Governed by the Flag Code of India, 2002.
• Must be flown between sunrise and sunset, not to touch the ground, and should be treated with respect.