International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)

• Formation & Purpose: Established for the conservation of seven big cat species: tiger, cheetah, leopard, snow leopard, jaguar, puma, and lion.
• Launch: Launched by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2023, commemorating the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger.
• Launch Venue: The launch ceremony took place in Mysuru, Karnataka.
• Leadership: India's Environment Minister (currently Dr. Bhupender Yadav) serves as its first chairman.
• New Member: Nepal has officially joined IBCA.
• Implementing Agency: The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), established in 2005, is responsible for implementation.
• Other New Members in International Bodies:
  • SCO: Belarus
  • NATO: Sweden
  • BRICS: Indonesia

IMD Smart City Index 2025

• Issuer: International Management Development Institute (IMD).
• Objective: To assess urban areas based on their use of technology, infrastructure, and governance to improve urban living.
• Top Rank: Zurich, Switzerland.
• Second Rank: Oslo, Norway.
• Indian Cities: No Indian city ranked in the Top 100. Delhi is the highest-ranked Indian city at 104th position.
• Related Fact: FIFA headquarters are located in Zurich.

ADR Report on Chief Ministers with Criminal Cases

• Report by: Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).
• Findings: 40% of Chief Ministers in India have criminal cases registered against them.
• Most Criminal Cases: Revanth Reddy, Chief Minister of Telangana, with 89 criminal cases.
• Second Most Criminal Cases: M.K. Stalin, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
• Richest CM: Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, with assets worth ₹931 crore.
• Poorest CM: Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal, with assets worth ₹15.38 lakh.

India's First FinTech Hub (IGFTCH)

• Launch Location: Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
• Launched by: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
• Full Form: Integrated Global Financial Technology Capacity Hub.
• Objective: To foster an ecosystem for innovation and growth in financial technology (fintech) in Bhubaneswar.
• Initiative: Launched under the "Bharat Netra Initiative".

India's First Urban Ropeway Transport System

• Location: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
• Status: Trial run commenced.
• Route: 3.75 km, connecting Banaras Cantt Station to Godaulia Chowk.
• Travel Time: Expected to reduce travel time to 15 minutes from the current 1 hour by road.
• Capacity: Projected to transport 6,000 passengers daily.
• Benefits: Aims to alleviate traffic congestion, reduce pollution, and save time.
• Foundation Stone: Laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2023.

Operation Sanskar

• Initiator: Police in Dungarpur district, Rajasthan.
• Aim: To instill values and deter anti-social behavior among youth (aged 18-24), particularly concerning street gangs involved in activities like fighting, stalking, performing stunts, and displaying weapons online.
• Methodology: Involves monitoring online social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp) to prevent the promotion of such activities.
• Related Operations:
  • Operation Brahma: Myanmar
  • Operation Sindhu: Iran
  • Operation Sindoor: Targeting nine terrorist hideouts in PoK.
  • Operation Hawk: Launched by CBI to combat online child sexual exploitation.
  • Operation Sard Hawa: Conducted by BSF in Rajasthan to prevent infiltration during foggy conditions.
  • Operation Alert: Carried out by BSF in Rajasthan and Meghalaya to counter infiltration.

All India Speakers Conference

• Inaugurated by: Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
• Location: New Delhi.
• Date: August 24, 2025 (as mentioned in the transcript).
• Occasion: Marks the 100th anniversary of Vithalbhai Patel becoming the first elected Indian President of the Central Legislative Assembly on August 24, 1925.
• Participants: Speakers and Deputy Speakers of State Legislative Assemblies, and Chairpersons and Deputy Chairpersons of State Legislative Councils.
• States with Bicameral Legislature: Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka (mnemonic: TU Bhi MAJA Kar).

Deputy National Security Advisor (Deputy NSA)

• Appointment: Anish Dayal Singh has been appointed as the new Deputy NSA.
• Background: 1988 batch IPS officer from the Manipur cadre.
• National Security Advisor (NSA): Ajit Doval.
• Role of NSA/Deputy NSA: Advise the Prime Minister on national security matters.
• National Security Advisory Board (NSAB): Established in 1998 by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, chaired by the Prime Minister.
• Distinction: The term "NSA" also refers to the National Security Act (Rasuka) of 1980, which is distinct from the National Security Advisor position.

Marbat Festival

• Location: Nagpur, Maharashtra.
• Timing: Celebrated in the month of Bhadrapada.
• Tradition: Features parades of large, elaborately crafted effigies.
• 2025 Highlight: An effigy of former U.S. President Donald Trump was a central attraction, used to protest tariffs.
• History: The festival began in 1881 with the presentation of the Kali Marbat.
• Other Maharashtra Festivals: Ganesh Utsav, Third Eye Festival (Mumbai), Kala Ghoda Festival (Mumbai), Shivaji Utsav.

Book Launch: "Justice Denied, Justice Lost"

• Author: Kanchan Chakraborty.
• Launch Location: Kolkata.
• Content: The book critically examines the internal procedures of the Supreme Court and provides an in-depth analysis of the corruption allegations against former Kolkata High Court Justice Soumitra Sen (case from 2006-2011).
• Relevant Constitutional Articles: Article 124 (removal of Supreme Court judges) and Article 217 (removal of High Court judges).

CISF's First Women Commando Unit

• Initiative: The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has established its first all-women commando unit to promote gender equality within the force.
• Training Location: Regional Training Center, Barwaha, Madhya Pradesh.
• Training: 30 women personnel are undergoing an eight-week training program covering fitness, weapons proficiency, live-fire exercises, rappelling, and survival skills.

Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference

• Location: Bridgetown, the capital of Barbados.
• Event: The 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference.
• Indian Delegation: Led by Om Birla.