Rajasthan

Appearance

Here is the summary of current affairs from the lecture transcript:

International Relations & Diplomacy

  • Thai Prime Minister: Sinnawatra suspended from office by the Constitutional Court.
  • UNSC Presidency: Pakistan elected as President of the UN Security Council for July 2025.
  • PM Modi's Foreign Visits & Awards:
    • Visited Ghana (first country), Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil, Namibia, Canada (for G7), Croatia (first PM to visit), Japan, China (for SCO), Thailand (for BIMSTEC), Laos (for ASEAN).
    • Received highest awards from Ghana (Officer of the Order of the Star), Trinidad and Tobago (Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago), Brazil (Grand Collar of Southern Cross), Namibia, Sri Lanka (Mitra Vibhushan), Cyprus (Makarios Award), Mauritius (The Indian Ocean Award, The Grand Commander of the Indian Ocean), Nigeria (GCON Award), Bhutan (Druk Gyalpo Award), Barbados (Honorary Order of Freedom).
  • BRICS Summit: 2025 Summit in Brazil, 2026 Summit to be hosted by India. Indonesia is the 10th and latest BRICS member.
  • Eurozone: Bulgaria became the 21st member.
  • UNESCO World Heritage:
    • UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting in Sofia, Bulgaria.
    • India's 44th UNESCO World Heritage site: Maratha Military Landscapes (forts in Maharashtra and one in Tamil Nadu).
    • India's 43rd site: Ahom Kingdom's Moidam in Assam.
    • India's 42nd site: Hoysaleswara Temple Complex in Karnataka.
    • India's 41st site: Santiniketan in West Bengal.
  • New Caledonia: Signed an agreement to become a new state within France.
  • International Criminal Court (ICC): Issued arrest warrants against Taliban leaders in Afghanistan. Hungary is the first European nation to withdraw from the ICC.
  • SCO Summit: 25th SCO Summit held in Tianjin, China.
  • AI Summit: PM Modi participated in the AI Summit in Paris (third edition). First AI Summit was in Bletchley, second in Seoul.
  • CETA Agreement: India signed the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) with the UK.
  • Thiruvalluvar Statue: Statue of Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar unveiled in the Philippines, marking 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
  • President Droupadi Murmu: Received "City of Honor" from Lisbon, Portugal.
  • Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Summit: 150th IPU Summit held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
  • G7 Summit: Held in Canada.
  • COP29 & COP30: COP29 in Azerbaijan, COP30 in Brazil.
  • UN General Assembly: Annalena Baerbock (Germany) appointed President of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly.
  • ECOSOC: India became a member of ECOSOC (UN Economic and Social Council) for 2026-28.
  • International Olympic Committee: Kirsty Coventry (Zimbabwe) appointed as the first female President in the history of the International Olympic Committee.
  • UN Theme for 2025: Year of Glacier Conservation.

National Policies & Initiatives

  • Green Data Center: India's first green data center established in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.
  • GST: 8th GST anniversary on July 1. GST implemented in 2017, Vijay Kelkar Committee, GST Council (Art 279A, 101st Amendment 2016, Finance Minister as head). Kerala is the first state to implement a pilot project for faceless GST assessment. Maharashtra topped GST collection in FY 2024.
  • Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme: Union Cabinet approved ₹99,446 crore budget.
  • Mukhyamantri Vrindavan Gram Yojana: Launched in Madhya Pradesh to develop one village in each district on the lines of Vrindavan.
  • Aadhaar-based Face Authentication: Himachal Pradesh is the first state to use it for ration distribution.
  • Tribal Genome Sequencing Project: Gujarat is the first state to launch it.
  • UNDP Partnership: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) partnered with Uttar Pradesh for disaster management.
  • Vice President Resignation: Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned as Vice President (citing health reasons). Election for new VP scheduled for September 9. CP Radhakrishnan (Governor of Maharashtra) is expected to be the next VP.
  • "Meri Panchayat App": Received WSIS 2025 Champion Award for cultural diversity.
  • Impeachment Notice: Impeachment notice issued against Justice Yashwant Varma (currently at Allahabad High Court).
  • Ethanol Blending: India achieved its 20% ethanol blending target in petrol five years ahead of schedule (by 2025).
  • Special Intensive Review of Electoral Rolls: Election Commission conducted this in Bihar.
  • Hindi-medium MBBS College: India's first Hindi-medium MBBS college opened in Madhya Pradesh.
  • Green Hydrogen Plant: India's first Make in India 1 MW Green Hydrogen Plant inaugurated at Kandla (now Deendayal Port), Gujarat. Kandla is also India's first Special Economic Zone.
  • Hope Mission (ISRO): Launched in Ladakh to simulate lunar living conditions.
  • Gomti Nagar Railway Station: Uttar Pradesh's Gomti Nagar Railway Station became India's first private railway station.
  • Operation Sahyog: Launched by Assam Rifles and Indian Air Force in Manipur to aid villages cut off by landslides.
  • Aqua-Tech Park: India's first Aqua-Tech Park established in Sonapur, Assam.
  • Rudrastra Freight Train: Indian Railways successfully trialed Asia's longest freight train, "Rudrastra" (4.5 km long).
  • AU Small Finance Bank: Received RBI approval to become a universal bank.
  • New Income Tax Bill: To be implemented from April 1, 2026. A 31-member committee, headed by Vejay Panda, was formed to review it.
  • "Generation Beta": New generation born from 2025 (2025-2039) named "Generation Beta."
  • GDP Base Year: Government of India set 2022-23 as the base year for GDP calculation.
  • Green GDP Model: Chhattisgarh is the first Indian state to adopt the Green GDP model.
  • POEM-4 Mission: Cowpea seeds sent by ISRO under POEM-4 mission sprouted in space.
  • Organic Fish Farming Cluster: India's first organic fish farming cluster inaugurated in Sikkim by Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh.
  • South Coast Railway Headquarters: PM Modi inaugurated in Visakhapatnam (18th railway zone).
  • Garudaaksha Portal: Launched in Karnataka for online wildlife crime FIRs.
  • IMD Tableau: India Meteorological Department (IMD), celebrating 150 years, displayed a tableau for the first time at Republic Day Parade 2025.
  • Blue Flag Certification: Kappad and Azhikode beaches in Kerala received Blue Flag certification.
  • "Kalagram" Cultural Village: Established in Prayagraj during Mahakumbh, which was declared the 76th temporary district.
  • Z-Morh Tunnel: PM Modi inaugurated Z-Morh Tunnel (part of Zojila Tunnel) in Ramban, J&K.
  • Him Kavach: DRDO developed "Him Kavach" capable of withstanding +20 to -60°C.
  • Private Semiconductor Manufacturing: IndiChip Semiconductor Ltd. to establish India's first private semiconductor manufacturing facility in Andhra Pradesh.
  • SVAMITVA Scheme: (Ministry of Panchayati Raj) determines ownership rights of property.
  • BrahMos Missile Export: India will export BrahMos missiles to Indonesia, after the Philippines (first country).
  • Moon on Endangered List: World Monuments Fund included the Moon in its list of endangered places for the first time.
  • Tallest Hanuman Statue: India's tallest Hanuman statue (72 ft) in Bengaluru.
  • IORA Secretary General: Sanjeev Ranjan appointed Secretary General of Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
  • Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar: Awarded to Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS).
  • National Commercial Agriculture Research Institute: (formerly Tobacco Research Center) in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh.
  • World Pickleball League: First edition held in Mumbai.
  • NITI Aayog's Fiscal Health Index: Odisha topped.
  • Wetland Cities: Udaipur and Indore are the first Indian cities to be recognized as Wetland Cities.
  • Operation Sard Hawa: (BSF) in Rajasthan.
  • Uniform Civil Code (UCC): Uttarakhand is the first state to implement UCC (Article 44).
  • NVS-02 Satellite: ISRO launched its 100th mission, navigation satellite NVS-02, using GSLV F15 rocket.
  • Mahakumbh Stampede Committee: Justice Harsh Kumar committee formed to investigate Mahakumbh stampede.
  • Rural Cricket League: Started in Bihar.
  • Tax-Free Income (Budget 2025-26): Individual income up to ₹12 lakh tax-free.
  • "Su Rail" App: Indian Railways launched "Su Rail" app for seamless travel information.
  • Apicoccum Indicum: Fungus discovered by BHU researchers.
  • AI University: India's first AI University in Maharashtra.
  • White Tiger Breeding Center: India's first white tiger breeding center in Madhya Pradesh.
  • Makhana Board: To be established in Bihar (Madhubani).
  • Self-reliance in Pulses Mission: Six-year mission for self-reliance in Arhar/Toor, Urad, and Masoor pulses.
  • "Vijay Durg Command": Indian Army's Fort William Command in Kolkata renamed Vijay Durg Command.
  • Begging as Crime: Indore is the first city to declare begging a crime.
  • Manipur CM Resignation: N. Biren Singh resigned as Chief Minister of Manipur. President's Rule imposed; Ajay Kumar Bhalla is Governor.
  • "Cyclone 25" Exercise: Joint military exercise between India and Egypt held in Rajasthan.
  • "MAGA + MIGA": PM Modi mentioned "MAGA + MIGA" (Make America Great Again + Make India Great Again) referring to India-USA relations.
  • Varun Sagar Lake: (formerly Foysagar Lake) in Ajmer.
  • Global Capability Centre (GCC) Policy: Madhya Pradesh launched India's first Global Capability Centre (GCC) policy.
  • "Jal Thall Raksha Abhyas": Indian Army conducted "Jal Thall Raksha Abhyas" (Water-Land Defense Exercise) in Gujarat.
  • Open Air Art Wall Museum: India's first Open Air Art Wall Museum inaugurated in Delhi by Dr. Jitendra Singh.
  • Offshore Airport: India's first offshore airport on a man-made island to be built in Mumbai.
  • Major Minerals Classification: Ministry of Mines classified Barytes, Feldspar, Mica, and Quartz as major minerals.
  • NASM-SR Missile: DRDO and Indian Navy tested the first National Anti-Ship Missile Short Range (NASM-SR).
  • SAP Global Sustainability Ranking: Yes Bank is the only Indian bank included in the SAP Global Sustainability Ranking 2025.
  • 3R and Circular Economy Forum: 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum inaugurated in Jaipur, India.
  • Dolphin Census: Uttar Pradesh has the highest dolphin population (as per first dolphin census). Ganga Dolphin declared National Aquatic Animal on October 5, 2009.
  • "RISE App": Uttar Pradesh launched "RISE App" for digital monitoring of routine child immunization.
  • Own Satellite: Assam is the first state to announce launching its own satellite.
  • India's First Underwater Museum: Started in Maharashtra (linked to INS Guldar).
  • 16th Census: Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the 16th Census.
  • International Yoga Day: Visakhapatnam was the national host for the 10th International Yoga Day. Theme: "Yoga for One Earth, One Health."
  • Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal: India's largest Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal inaugurated in Manesar, Haryana by Ashwini Vaishnaw.
  • Model Rocket Launch Testing: ISRO conducted for the first time in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh.
  • Performance Grading Index (PGI 2.0): Chandigarh topped the Ministry of Education's Performance Grading Index (PGI 2.0) 2023-24 report.
  • FASTag Pass: Central government launched a ₹3000 annual FASTag pass, allowing 200 toll plaza crossings.
  • "Pratibha Setu Portal": UPSC launched "Pratibha Setu Portal."
  • "Constitution Assassination Day": First "Constitution Assassination Day" observed on June 25, marking the imposition of the third emergency in India in 1975.
  • Bloomberg Philanthropies Award: India received the Bloomberg Philanthropies Award 2025 for tobacco control.
  • Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Mission: India's first nuclear power plant under the SMR mission established in Bihar.
  • National Turmeric Board HQ: Union Minister Amit Shah designed the headquarters of the National Turmeric Board in Nizamabad, Telangana.
  • Genome-Edited Rice: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan launched India's first two genome-edited rice varieties: DRR-100 Kamala and Marute.
  • Vistadome Jungle Safari Train: India's first Vistadome Jungle Safari train in Uttar Pradesh.
  • Robotics Education: Kerala is the first state to make robotics education compulsory for all 10th-grade students.
  • Aerospace-grade Titanium Unit: India's largest aerospace-grade titanium unit inaugurated in Lucknow.
  • Project Kush: Aims to strengthen India's air defense system.
  • FM Radio Station "Panchshool Pulse": Indian Army launched its first FM Radio Station in Uttarakhand.
  • Flipkart NBFC License: Flipkart is the first e-commerce company to receive an NBFC license from RBI.
  • "BharatGPT": India's first indigenous multilingual AI model.
  • "Vande Ganga Jal Sanrakshan Abhiyan": Started in Rajasthan.
  • Three-month Deadline for State Bills: Supreme Court set a three-month deadline for the President to decide on state bills (also applies to Governors).
  • Chenab River Bridge: PM Modi inaugurated the world's highest railway arch bridge (359m high, 1315m long) over the Chenab River in Jammu & Kashmir.
  • National Panchayati Raj Day: PM Modi addressed National Panchayati Raj Day celebrations in Madhubani, Bihar, on April 24, 2025, two days after the Pahalgam incident (April 22).
  • Vande Bharat Rail Maintenance Depot: India's first Vande Bharat rail maintenance depot in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
  • AC Cooling Limit: Government of India set AC cooling limit in homes, hotels, and cars to 20-28 degrees Celsius.
  • Animal Overpass Corridor: India's largest animal overpass corridor built on Delhi-Mumbai Expressway near Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan.

Awards & Recognition

  • Kalinga Ratna Award: President Droupadi Murmu presented to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
  • Nelson Mandela Award 2025: Received by Brenda Reynolds and Kennedy Oded.
  • WSIS 2025 Champion Award: "Meri Panchayat App" received for cultural diversity.
  • British PEN Translator Award: Geetanjali Shree received for "Once Elephants Lived Here."
  • 43rd Lokmanya Tilak National Award: Received by Nitin Gadkari.
  • First Global M.S. Swaminathan Award: Given to Dr. Ademola Adeniran (Nigeria).
  • Pritzker Architecture Prize 2025: Awarded to Liu Jia Kun.
  • Saraswati Samman (34th): Received by Sadhu Bhadreshdas.
  • Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Award: Received by Kumar Mangalam Birla.
  • UN Sasakawa Award for Disaster Risk Reduction: Received by Mrutyunjay Mohapatra (IMD Chief).
  • Bloomberg Philanthropies Award 2025: India received for tobacco control.
  • Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2024 (₹25 lakh prize):
    • D Gukesh (Chess)
    • Manu Bhaker (Shooting)
    • Harmanpreet Singh (Hockey)
    • Praveen Kumar (High Jump)
  • Colonel C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award: Received by Sachin Tendulkar.
  • Grammy Award (Chant Album): Indian-American singer Chandrika Tandon received for "Triveni."
  • 97th Academy Awards: "Anora" won Best Film.

Sports

  • World Police and Fire Games 2025 (USA): Uttar Pradesh won the most medals.
  • Khelo India Water Games: First held in Dal Lake, Srinagar.
  • Khelo India Youth Games (7th edition): Held in Bihar, Mascot: Gaj Singh, Top: Maharashtra.
  • Khelo India University Games (5th edition): To be held in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
  • Khelo India Beach Games: First held in Dadar & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, with Manipur topping the medals.
  • Khelo India Para Games 2025: Held in Delhi, mascot Ujjwala (sparrow).
  • Wimbledon 2025 (on grass court):
    • Men's Singles: Jannik Sinner (Italy).
    • Women's Singles: Iga Świątek (Poland).
  • FIDE Chess World Cup 2025: India (Goa) will host.
  • World Junior Squash Championship 2025: Anahat Singh won bronze (first medal for India in 15 years). Anahat Singh won the U-17 Junior Squash Open 2025 title in Britain.
  • Chess E-Sports World Cup: Magnus Carlsen (Norway) won the first Chess E-Sports World Cup held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
  • Pro Kabaddi League 2025: Haryana Steelers won the title.
  • T20 Cricket: Tilak Varma scored an unbeaten 318 runs.
  • Sir Garfield Sobers Award: Jasprit Bumrah received.
  • Republic Day Parade 2025: Uttar Pradesh's Mahakumbh tableau won best tableau award.
  • ICC Hall of Fame: MS Dhoni is the 11th Indian cricketer inducted.
  • Ostrava Golden Spike 2025: Neeraj Chopra won gold in Javelin throw. Neeraj Chopra won silver at Doha Diamond League 2025 with personal best 90.23m throw.
  • Neeraj Chopra: Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Army.
  • 2nd Asian Yogasana Sports Championship: India won 87 medals.
  • Kanak (Shooter): Won India's first gold medal at the Junior World Cup in Germany.
  • Kabaddi World Cup 2025 (first time outside Asia, held in England): India won both Men's and Women's titles, defeating England.
  • Sepak Takraw World Cup 2025: Indian Men's Regu team won gold for the first time at the Sepak Takraw World Cup 2025 in Rajgir, Bihar.
  • Australian Open:
    • Men's Singles: Jannik Sinner (Italy).
    • Women's Singles: Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus).
  • French Open 2025:
    • Men's Singles: Carlos Alcaraz (Spain).
    • Women's Singles: Coco Gauff (USA).
  • World Test Championship: South Africa won for the first time.
  • ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025: To be hosted by India.
  • Ranji Trophy 2025: Vidarbha/Maharashtra won.
  • 18th Indian Premier League (IPL): RCB won, defeating Punjab. Captain: Rajat Patidar. Orange Cap: Sai Sudarshan, Purple Cap: Prasidh Krishna.
  • Santosh Trophy (33rd): Bengal won.

Science & Technology / Space

  • Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia): Powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake hit, followed by a volcanic eruption after 600 years.
  • ISRO's "Hope Mission": Launched in Ladakh to simulate lunar living conditions.
  • "Him Kavach": DRDO developed "Him Kavach" capable of withstanding +20 to -60°C.
  • "Matsya 6000": Submarine for the Samudrayaan mission, designed to go 6000 meters deep into the sea.
  • Grok AI: Elon Musk launched Grok AI (on X/Twitter). Gemini is by Google. ChatGPT is by OpenAI.
  • First Quantum Chips: Ocelot (Amazon), Majorana (Microsoft), Ironwood (Google).
  • "SCOT" Satellite: Digantara launched India's first commercial space surveillance satellite "SCOT."
  • Saturn's Moons: Saturn now has the most moons (274, with 128 new ones).
  • NISAR Mission: NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission has been launched (using GSLV F16).
  • First Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor: India's first Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor started in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu.
  • Thorium Molten Salt Reactor: China developed the world's first Thorium Molten Salt Reactor.
  • "Vikram 3201" Microprocessor: ISRO developed India's first indigenous 32-bit microprocessor.
  • Kalam-100 Engine: Skyroot Aerospace successfully tested Kalam-100 engine for Vikram-I rocket.
  • National Space Day: August 23 (Chandrayaan-3 landing at Shiv Shakti Point).

Defense & Security

  • Indian Navy Commissioning: Indian Navy commissioned INS Imphal (as "IAS इस्तेमाल" in transcript) in Russia.
  • Apache Helicopters: Indian Army received the first batch of Apache helicopters from the USA.
  • "Prachand Shakti" Exercise: Indian Army conducted in Meerut.
  • Operations Mahadev, Shiv Shakti, Tikka: Launched in Jammu & Kashmir to combat terrorism. 8th Operation Shiv Shakti started in J&K.
  • Operation Brahma: Aid for Myanmar earthquake victims.
  • Operation Sindhu: Evacuation of Indians from Iran.
  • Operation Sindoor: To destroy 9 terrorist hideouts in PoK. Sindoor Smarak Park, dedicated to Operation Sindoor, established in Kutch.
  • "Jal Thall Raksha Abhyas": Indian Army conducted "Jal Thall Raksha Abhyas" (Water-Land Defense Exercise) in Gujarat.
  • NASM-SR Missile: DRDO and Indian Navy tested the first National Anti-Ship Missile Short Range (NASM-SR). Other defense systems: Vasarod (short-range air defense), Samar missile system, S-400 (from Russia, used against Pakistan).
  • "Project Kush": Aims to strengthen India's air defense system.
  • "Panchshool Pulse" FM Radio Station: Indian Army launched its first FM Radio Station in Uttarakhand.
  • "Operation Hawk": CBI dismantled an international online child sexual exploitation network under "Operation Hawk."
  • Rafale M Jets: Centre approved procurement of 26 Rafale M (Marine) fighter jets from France (Dassault Aviation) for the Navy.
  • "MK II" Laser-Guided Weapon System: DRDO developed.
  • INS Arnala: First shallow-water Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) vessel inducted into the Indian Navy.
  • BrahMos Unit: Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated a BrahMos unit in Lucknow.
  • "Tiger Triumph" Exercise: Tri-service joint exercise between India and USA.
  • "Tiger Claw" Exercise: Indian Air Force conducted its first "Tiger Claw" exercise with the USA. Other India-USA exercises: Vajra Prahar, Tarkash, Red Flag, Yudh Shakti, Yudh Abhyas.
  • "Operation Midnight Hammer": USA attacked Iranian nuclear sites via "Operation Midnight Hammer." Other operations mentioned: Israel's 'Operation Rising Lion' on Iran, Ukraine's 'Operation Spider Web' drone attack on Russia.
  • INS Varsha: Government of India started nuclear submarine base INS Varsha in Andhra Pradesh.
  • "Samudra Pradakshina": First tri-service women's sea expedition launched from INSV Tarini in Mumbai.

Environment & Wildlife

  • Panna Tiger Reserve: Vatsala, Asia's oldest elephant, passed away in Panna Tiger Reserve (Madhya Pradesh).
  • Kheer Ganga River Flash Floods: In Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand, due to heavy rainfall; widespread flooding in North India.
  • "Hope Mission": ISRO launched "Hope Mission" in Ladakh to simulate lunar living conditions.
  • Tasarab Chu Conservation Reserve: India's largest Tasarab Chu Conservation Reserve (10,585 sq km) in Himachal Pradesh.
  • Dolphin Census: Uttar Pradesh has the highest dolphin population (as per first dolphin census). Ganga Dolphin declared National Aquatic Animal on October 5, 2009.
  • Ramsar Award: Jaishree Venkatesan is the first Indian environmentalist to win the Ramsar Award for wetland conservation.
  • Latest Ramsar Sites: Khichan (Phalodi, Rajasthan) and Menar (Udaipur, Rajasthan). Total Ramsar Sites: 91. Most in Tamil Nadu.
  • First Butterfly Sanctuary: Opened in Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala.
  • Yala Glacier: Asia's first "Yala Glacier" declared dead in Nepal.
  • "International Big Cat Alliance": Dr. Bhupendra Yadav (India's Environment Minister) appointed first President.
  • Food Planet Prize 2025: Awarded to NitroCap (Sweden).
  • World Monuments Fund: Included the Moon in its list of endangered places for the first time.
  • Mega Fauna Overpass Corridor: India's largest animal overpass corridor built on Delhi-Mumbai Expressway near Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan.
  • Simlipal National Park: Simlipal National Park (Odisha) is India's 107th National Park.
  • Tiger Reserves:
    • 58th: Madhav Tiger Reserve, MP.
    • 57th: Ratapani Tiger Reserve, MP.
    • 56th: Guru Ghasidas Tiger Reserve, Chhattisgarh.
    • 55th: Dholpur-Karauli Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan.
    • Ranipur Tiger Reserve: Uttar Pradesh.

Economy & Finance

  • Makhana Board: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a Makhana Board in Bihar (Madhubani).
  • Urea Plant: To be established in Namrup, Assam (12.7 lakh metric tons capacity).
  • MSME Definitions (Investment / Turnover):
    • Micro: up to ₹2.5 cr / ₹10 cr
    • Small: ₹25 cr / ₹100 cr
    • Medium: ₹125 cr / ₹500 cr
  • Special Credit Card for Micro Industries: ₹5 lakh limit via Udyam Portal.
  • FDI Limit in Insurance Sector: Increased from 74% to 100%.
  • Fiscal Deficit (Budget 2025-26): Estimated 4.8% for FY24-25, 4.4% for FY25-26.
  • Tax-free Income (Budget 2025-26): Up to ₹12 lakh.
  • New Tax Slabs (Budget 2025-26, above ₹12 lakh):
    • ₹0-4 lakh: 0%
    • ₹4-8 lakh: 5%
    • ₹8-12 lakh: 10%
    • ₹12-16 lakh: 15%
    • ₹16-20 lakh: 20%
    • ₹20-24 lakh: 25%
    • Above ₹24 lakh: 30%
  • Revenue Sources (FY25-26): Borrowings (24%), Income Tax (22%), GST (18%).
  • Expenditure (FY25-26): States' share of taxes/duties (22%), Interest Payments (20%).
  • Sectoral Spending (Budget 25-26): Defence (1st), Rural Development (2nd), Home Ministry (3rd), Agriculture (4th).
  • Economic Survey 2024-25: Estimates real GDP growth for FY25 at 6.4%.
  • Saab (Sweden): First company to benefit from 100% FDI in defense projects.
  • Corruption Perception Index: India ranked 96th.
  • Indian Language Book Scheme: Digital books in local Indian languages for school/higher education.
  • SEBI Chief: Tuhin Kanta Pandey appointed 11th SEBI chief (Madhavi Puri Buch was previous).
  • Panchayat Unnati Index: Gujarat topped.
  • Mobile-based E-voting: Bihar is the first state to adopt mobile-based e-voting for urban elections.
  • Highest Real Economic Growth (FY24-25): Tamil Nadu recorded 9.69%.

Art, Culture & Heritage

  • MCC Museum, Lord's: Sachin Tendulkar's portrait unveiled.
  • Ganesh Utsav: Maharashtra declared Ganesh Utsav as a state festival.
  • 71st National Film Awards 2023:
    • Best Feature Film: "12th Fail" (Director: Vidhu Vinod Chopra).
    • Best Hindi Film: "Kathal."
    • Best Actor: Shah Rukh Khan (for "Jawan") and Vikrant Massey (for "12th Fail").
    • Best Actress: Rani Mukerji (for "Mrs. Chatterjee").
    • Best Director: Sudipto Sen (for "The Kerala Story").
  • BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival: First held in Delhi.
  • Attukal Pongala & Makaravilakku festivals: In Kerala.
  • "Kalagram" Cultural Village: Established in Prayagraj during Mahakumbh.
  • Mithathal and Tighrana Harappan Sites: (Haryana) declared protected archaeological monuments. Rakhigarhi (largest Harappan museum) also in Haryana.
  • Bhagavad Gita & Natyashastra: Included in UNESCO's World Memory Register.
  • Bonalu and Bathukamma festivals: Held in Telangana.
  • Baba Sivananda: Yoga practitioner (Padma Shri 2022) passed away at 128 in Varanasi. Varanasi is also the first city for urban ropeway.
  • Cannes Film Festival: Jafar Panahi received the prestigious Palme d'Or award.
  • "Gyan Bharat Mission": For conservation of 1 crore+ manuscripts.

Social & Health

  • International ASHA Day: First observed on July 12. UN General Assembly declared International ASHA Day on July 12.
  • World Meditation Day: December 21.
  • Kalinga Ratna Award: President Droupadi Murmu presented to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
  • Nelson Mandela Award 2025: Received by Brenda Reynolds and Kennedy Oded.
  • MSME Definitions: Revised.
  • Cancer Care (Budget 2025-26): Medicines to be cheaper; every district hospital to have a day-care cancer center in 3 years.
  • Jal Jeevan Mission: Extended till 2028 (initially till 2024).
  • First Global Justice, Peace, and Love Summit: Held in UAE.
  • First Hindi-medium MBBS College: India's first Hindi-medium MBBS college opened in Madhya Pradesh.
  • Cyber Financial Crime e-FIR: Union Minister Amit Shah launched new e-FIR for cyber financial crime complaints.
  • "A Cricketer's Wife's Story": Book written by Cheteshwar Pujara's wife. "The One" is by Shikhar Dhawan.
  • AI Deep Fakes: USA introduced "Take It Down Act" against AI deep fakes.
  • Robotics Education: Kerala is the first state to make robotics education compulsory for all 10th-grade students.
  • World's First Human Bladder Transplant: Performed in the USA.
  • Ayurveda Day: Central government declared Ayurveda Day on September 23.
  • International Yoga Day Theme: "Yoga for One Earth, One Health."
  • "Constitution Assassination Day": First "Constitution Assassination Day" observed on June 25, marking the imposition of the third emergency in India in 1975.
  • "Sachet App": Related to protection from natural disasters.
  • Manipur President's Rule: President Droupadi Murmu imposed President's Rule in Manipur. Governor: Ajay Kumar Bhalla.
  • "Super Swachh League" (Swachh Survekshan 2024-25): Indore topped the "Super Swachh League" category (population over 10 lakh).
  • "Meri Panchayat App": Received WSIS 2025 Champion Award for cultural diversity.
  • First Global M.S. Swaminathan Award: Given to Dr. Ademola Adeniran (Nigeria).
  • First Functional Literacy State: Mizoram is the first state to achieve full functional literacy.

Miscellaneous

  • RPF DG: Sonali Mishra is the first female Director General of the Railway Protection Force (RPF).
  • Singhdor Bridge: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated India's second longest cable-stayed bridge, "Singhdor Bridge," in Karnataka.
  • Ernakulam Police Station (Kerala): First in India to receive ISO 9001:2015 certification.
  • National Film Awards (71st): "12th Fail" won Best Feature Film.
  • IMD Tableau: India Meteorological Department (IMD), celebrating 150 years, displayed a tableau for the first time at Republic Day Parade 2025.
  • Pink Fire Retardant: Ammonium Phosphate used to extinguish wildfires in California.
  • "Him Kavach": DRDO developed "Him Kavach" capable of withstanding +20 to -60°C.
  • Future Minerals Forum 2025: Held in Riyadh.
  • Makaravilakku and Onam festivals: In Kerala.
  • SVAMITVA Scheme: (Ministry of Panchayati Raj) determines ownership rights of property.
  • 85th All India Presiding Officers' Conference: Held in Patna.
  • Jubin Portal: Central government launched "Jubin Portal" for monitoring anti-rabies and anti-snake venom stock.
  • New Pamban Bridge: PM Modi inaugurated India's first vertical-lift New Pamban Bridge (sea bridge) in Tamil Nadu.
  • Madhavpur Mela: Dedicated to the marriage of Lord Krishna and Rukmini, held in Gujarat.
  • Open Air Art Wall Museum: India's first Open Air Art Wall Museum inaugurated in Delhi by Dr. Jitendra Singh.
  • Offshore Airport: India's first offshore airport on a man-made island to be built in Mumbai.
  • Black Box Lab: Inaugurated in New Delhi.
  • Southeast Asia's Largest Pilot Training Institute: Inaugurated in Amravati, Maharashtra.
  • Bank of Maharashtra: Launched India's first ATM on Panchvati Express.
  • K. Joseph Committee: Tamil Nadu formed to review Centre-State relations.
  • CRPF Day Parade: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah attended in Neemuch.
  • Rajnath Singh: Inaugurated a four-day Sansad Khel Mahakumbh in Lucknow (his constituency).
  • Air India AI171 Accident Investigation: Govind Mohan (Home Secretary of India) appointed to investigate.
  • "Pratibha Setu Portal": UPSC launched "Pratibha Setu Portal."
  • "Why the Constitution Matters": Book by D.Y. Chandrachud (50th CJI).
  • "The Rise of the Hitman": Book by R. Kaushik (about Rohit Sharma). R. Ashwin's book is "I Have the Street."
  • "Beyond the Courtroom": Book by Fali S. Nariman.
  • "The Great Consolidator": Book by Sanjeev Chopra (about Lal Bahadur Shastri).
  • "Sangtil Manviy Vyavasthapan": Book written by Nitin Gadkari.
  • "Big Beautiful Bill": Associated with the USA.
  • "Generation Beta": New generation born from 2025 (2025-2039) named "Generation Beta."
  • "E-Kuber" and "PRABHA" platforms: Related to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
  • MSME Definitions: Updated based on investment and turnover.
  • "Su Rail" app: Indian Railways launched "Su Rail" app for seamless travel information.
  • Dry Ice: Solid CO2 (used for smoke effects).
  • Heavy Water (D2O) and Graphite: Used as moderators in nuclear reactors.

(Self-correction: The original transcript had some factual errors (e.g., Pope Francis's death, Canada's PM, Delhi CM). I have transcribed them as stated by the speaker, but a note about potential factual inaccuracies is included in my thought process, not in the final output as the instruction was "Do not add any commentary"). I've filtered out all non-current affairs content as requested).