Current Context: On July 11, 2025, the government introduced a scheme under PM E-DRIVE to provide up to ₹9.6 lakh incentive per electric truck, aiming to promote 5,600 e-trucks nationwide.

 About

• Eligibility: Applies to N2 (3.5–12 t) and N3 (12–55 t) electric trucks; scrappage of old diesel trucks required.
• Financial Support: Upfront incentives up to ₹9.6 lakh per vehicle or ₹5,000 per kWh battery capacity, whichever is lower; ₹500 crore out of ₹10,900 crore allocated for e-trucks.
• Deployment Support: OEMs will receive reimbursement via PM E-DRIVE portal; includes sectors like cement, steel, and logistics, with public enterprises (e.g. SAIL) procuring ~150 units.

EXPECTED OUTCOME:

Boosts domestic EV manufacturing, cuts freight emissions (diesel trucks—3% fleet yet 42% transport emissions), and supports India’s net-zero by 2070 goal

Current Context: UNESCO recently added 12 Maratha forts in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu to its World Heritage list, making it India’s 44th site—placing India 6^th globally and 2nd in the Asia-Pacific region.

About :

• These forts, built between the 17^th–19th centuries, show smart military planning, strong architecture, and smart use of the land .
• Forts Included (12): Salher, Shivneri, Lohgad, Khanderi, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala, Vijaydurg, Sindhudurg (all in Maharashtra), plus Gingee in Tamil Nadu .
• Area Covered: Total site covers ~1,578 ha, with a buffer zone of ~96,500
• Future Plans: For forts near Salher, a 10-year conservation plan will fix roads, add sanitation, safety features, and maintain local buffer zones.

CURRENT CONTEXT : Prime Minister Narendra Modi received “The Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis”, Namibia’s highest civilian honour, from President Netumbo Nandi‑Ndaitwah—his 27^th international award—during his state visit.

ABOUT THE AWARD:

• Institution: Created in 1995, named after the desert plant symbolising resilience.
• Class: Awarded as Grand Commander.
• Significance: Recognises PM Modi’s contribution to bolstering India–Namibia relations—notably in digital cooperation, defence, agriculture, critical minerals, health, and energy

CURRENT CONTEXT : Capt S.N. Ahmed, a retired Indian Army officer, recently launched his book “Das Paise ka Postcard” in Hyderabad. Actor-director Vinay Varma unveiled it.

The narrative is being adapted into a play, rekindling the charm of handwritten postcards.

 ABOUT THE BOOK:

• A tribute to the era when postcards were the only way to connect across distances.
• Highlights how people cherished, re-read, and preserved these small but meaningful messages.
• Authored by Capt Ahmed and planned for stage adaptation to evoke nostalgia.

CURRENT CONTEXT : Apple Inc. announced that Sabih Khan, Senior VP of Operations, will succeed Jeff Williams as Chief Operating Officer later this month.

 ABOUT SABIH KHAN:

• Background: Born in Moradabad (Uttar Pradesh) in 1966; raised in Singapore; moved to the US as a student.
• Education: Dual BSc degrees in Economics & Mechanical Engineering from Tufts University; MS in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

CURRENT CONTEXT : During India Energy Storage Week 2025 in New Delhi, Telangana was awarded the India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA) Industry Excellence Award 2025 under the State Leadership – Battery Manufacturing category.

 ABOUT TELANGANA’S BATTERY STRATEGY:

• Policy Framework: Telangana EV & Energy Storage Policy and Renewable Energy Policy support BESS, solar charging, 100% stamp-duty exemption, and capital subsidies (20%, max ₹30 crore).
• Infrastructure Development: State has set up special industrial zones targeting battery cell manufacturing and EV component production, forming a localized supply chain.
• Clean Energy Push: Focus on advanced energy storage systems—battery manufacturing, EV assembly, and ESS—to align with national renewable energy targets .
• Outcome: Major investments secured, facility expansion underway, and Telangana recognized as an emerging energy storage hub in India.

CURRENT CONTEXT : The ASI will soon begin conservation efforts at Tabo Monastery, addressing structural damage and weather-worn paintings, after caretakers appealed for urgent intervention .

 ABOUT TABO MONASTERY:

• Located in Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh; founded in 996 CE by Tibetan translator Rinchen Zangpo under King Yeshe-Ö’s patronage.
• Features nine temples, four stupas, 23 chortens, housed within fortified mud‑brick walls.
• Contains rare artifacts: frescoes, murals, thankas, echoing Indo‑Tibetan Buddhist art.
• ASI registered site; survived 1975 earthquake and renovated in 1980s.
• Restoration plan includes tendering to install retractable roofs and enhance drainage systems, crucial due to cloudburst threats.

CURRENT CONTEXT : The ISSF selected New Delhi to host the ISSF World Cup in 2027 and the Junior World Championship in 2028, confirming India’s place as a global shooting sports hub.

 ABOUT THE EVENTS:

• Host City: New Delhi’s Karni Singh Shooting Range.
• Events: Rifle, Pistol & Shotgun competitions.

 About ISSF (International Shooting Sport Federation)

• Founded: 17 July 1907 (as International Shooting Union, renamed ISSF in 1998)
• Headquarters: Munich, Germany (since Feb 1980; address: Widenmayerstrasse 16, Munich 80538)
• Membership: Represents 150–163 member federations from ~149 countries

CURRENT CONTEXT: As per July 2025 FIFA rankings, India dropped six places to 133, the lowest in nine years, following losses to Thailand (0–2) and Hong Kong (0–1).

 ABOUT THE RANKING:

• Points fell from 1,132.03 to 1,113.22.
• Last low: 135 in December 2016.
• Now 24th among AFC’s 46 nations; Asian leader is Japan (17^th).

About FIFA – Fédération Internationale de Football Association

• Founded: 21 May 1904 in Paris by seven European nations led by Robert Guérin
• Headquarters: FIFA House, Zurichberg, Zurich, Switzerland, built 2004–07 with two floors above ground and five underground.
• Membership: 211 national associations (close to UN member count)
• Regional Confederations: Six—UEFA, CAF, AFC, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, OFC.

CURRENT CONTEXT: Assam cabinet launched the Gajah Mitra scheme to reduce rising human–elephant conflicts. Between 2000–2023, 1,400+ human and 1,200+ elephant deaths occurred in the state.

 ABOUT GAJAH MITRA:

• Scope: Covers 80 high-risk villages across eight districts: Goalpara, Udalguri, Nagaon, Baksa, Sonitpur, Golaghat, Jorhat & Biswanath.
• Habitat creation: Planting bamboo and Napier grass, elephant-preferred foods, to discourage village intrusions.
• Rapid-response teams: Eight-person local groups active during harvesting season for six months to safely redirect elephants.
• Support partnerships: Community teams aid forest officials; includes efforts like solar fencing and corridor restoration.