Current Context: India has officially taken over the chairmanship of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) for the term 2025–26 during the 67^th Governing Body Meeting held in Jakarta, Indonesia.

About APO

• Establishment: Founded in 1961, the APO is an intergovernmental organization aimed at enhancing productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan.
• Membership: Includes 21 economies, such as India, Japan, South Korea, and several Southeast Asian nations.

Current Context: The Supreme Court of India has reserved its judgment on the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, after hearing arguments challenging the Act.

About Doctrine of Essentiality

• Definition: A principle established by the Supreme Court to determine which religious practices are essential to a religion and thus protected under Article 25 of the Constitution.
• Purpose: To balance the right to freedom of religion with other fundamental rights, ensuring that only essential religious practices receive constitutional protection.

Key Points in the Waqf Act Debate

• Government’s Stand: The Centre argued that Waqf is not an essential part of Islam and thus does not warrant constitutional protection as a fundamental right.
• Petitioners’ Argument: Opponents contended that Waqf represents a permanent dedication to God, integral to Islamic practice.

Supreme Court’s Observation: Chief Justice likened Waqf to the Hindu concept of ‘Moksha,’ indicating its spiritual significance but questioned its essentiality to the religion.

Current Context: China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan have agreed to extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into Afghanistan, aiming to enhance regional connectivity and economic integration.

About CPEC

• Launch: Initiated in 2015 as a flagship project under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
• Route: Approximately 3,000 km corridor linking China’s Xinjiang province to Pakistan’s Gwadar Port.
• Strategic Importance: Serves as a convergence point for the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

India’s Concerns

• Territorial Integrity: CPEC passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), which India claims as its territory, raising sovereignty issues.
• Geopolitical Implications: The extension into Afghanistan could strengthen China’s influence in the region, potentially affecting India’s strategic interests and regional connectivity projects like the Chabahar Port.

Current Context: The 5^th State-Level Shirui Lily Festival commenced in Ukhrul district, Manipur, celebrating the 75^th anniversary of the Shirui Lily (Lilium mackliniae), the state flower.

About Shirui Lily Festival

• Organizer: Manipur’s Department of Tourism.
• Location: Ukhrul district, home to the Tangkhul Naga community.
• Significance: Honors the rare and endangered Shirui Lily, which blooms only in the Shirui Hills.

Current Context: India has been awarded the Certificate of Elimination of Trachoma as a Public Health Problem by the World Health Organization (WHO) during the 78^th World Health Assembly held in Geneva.

About Trachoma

• Cause: A contagious eye infection caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis; classified as a Neglected Tropical Disease by the WHO.
• Impact: Repeated infections can lead to irreversible blindness due to scarring of the inner eyelid and corneal damage.
• Transmission: Spread through personal contact, contaminated items, or flies that have come into contact with discharge from the eyes or nose of an infected person.
• Indian Initiative: The Trachoma Control Programme was integrated under the National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCBVI) in 1976.

Current Context: The Asiatic lion population in Gujarat has experienced a remarkable increase, reaching an estimated 891 individuals as of May 2025.

• This is a rise from 674 lions recorded in the previous census conducted in 2020.

ABOUT THE 16TH ASIATIC LION CENSUS

• Conducted: From May 10 to 13, 2025, covering approximately 35,000 square kilometers across 58 talukas in 11 districts.
• Methodology: The census was performed in two phases, with a preliminary assessment followed by a final count. Modern tools such as high-resolution cameras, camera traps, and GPS-enabled radio collars were used for tracking and identifying the lions.
• Participation: A total of 3,000 participants, including officers and volunteers, contributed to this effort.

POPULATION BREAKDOWN

• Males: 196
• Females: 330
• Sub-adults: 140
• Cubs: 225
• Within Gir National Park: 384 lions
• Outside Gir National Park: 507 lions

Current Context: Madhya Pradesh introduced the Rahveer Scheme to reward good Samaritans who help accident victims with ₹25,000. The scheme is part of a wider ₹3,867 crore package for development, approved at a cabinet meeting in Indore.

ABOUT RAHVEER SCHEME

• Objective: To encourage bystanders to assist accident victims promptly, thereby reducing road fatalities.
• Eligibility: Individuals who stop at the accident site, call for a 108 ambulance, and aid in transporting the injured.
• Incentive: A reward of Rs 25,000 for assisting accident victims.

OTHER INITIATIVES APPROVED IN THE CABINET MEETING

• Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Training Scheme: Aims to enhance employment opportunities for the youth through skill development. Eligible individuals can receive an annual interest subsidy on loans, encouraging entrepreneurship and self-employment.
• Support for Women in Workforce: Construction of 26 working women hostels to provide safe housing and modern amenities, facilitating women’s entry into the workforce. The initiative includes partnerships with private entities and CSR funding to expand such facilities.

Current Context: The U.S. announced the Golden Dome missile defense system, a $175 billion plan to build a satellite-based shield against missile threats from countries like Russia and China.

The system, led by the U.S. Space Force, has raised global concerns about space militarization.

ABOUT GOLDEN DOME PROJECT

• Aim: To create a multilayered missile defense system utilizing space-based sensors and interceptors to detect, track, and neutralize incoming missile threats.
• Components: High-tech detection sensors, tracking tools, interceptor missiles, and command-and-control networks, all operating autonomously yet exchanging information in real-time.
• Leadership: The project will be headed by a U.S. Space Force general.
• Inspiration: Inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome, but with expanded capabilities to include space-based defense mechanisms.

OTHER AERIAL DEFENSE SYSTEMS

• Iron Dome, David’s Sling, Arrow-2, Arrow-3 (Israel): Iron Dome (short-range), David’s Sling (short to medium and medium to long-range), Arrow (long-range).
• S-400 Triumph (Russia): Long-range air defense system.
• Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) (USA): Intercepts ballistic missiles.
• HQ-9 System (China): Inspired by the Russian S-300, offering a 125 km range.

Current Context: Mizoram has achieved 98.2% literacy, surpassing the 95% benchmark set by the Ministry of Education for functional literacy. A state-wide survey in 2023 identified 3,026 non-literates, and most of them were included in learning programs under the ULLAS scheme.

ABOUT FUNCTIONAL LITERACY

• Definition: The ability to read, write, and perform basic arithmetic, enabling individuals to function effectively in everyday life.
• Significance: Essential for personal empowerment, community development, and national progress.

ABOUT ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram (New India Literacy Programme – NILP)

• Full Form: Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society.
• Type: Centrally Sponsored Scheme aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
• Duration: FY2022-23 to 2026-27.
• Ministry: Ministry of Education.
• Target Group: Adults aged 15 and above who missed formal schooling.
• Components: Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, Critical Life Skills, Basic Education, Vocational Skills, and Continuing Education.

Implementation: Through volunteerism, promoting social responsibility and a sense of duty or ‘Kartavya Bodh’.

Observed annually on May 24

Aim : to honor the bond between brothers.

• Origin: Founded in 2005 by C. Daniel Rhodes of Alabama.
• Global Observance: While primarily celebrated in the United States, the day is also recognized in countries like Australia, Russia, India, France, and Germany.