UNHCR Suspends Repatriation of Refugees to Sri Lanka
Context: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has temporarily suspended voluntary repatriation of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees to Sri Lanka.
About UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
- Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
- Origin: Created by the UN General Assembly in 1950, following World War II. Began operations in 1951 with a temporary three-year mandate, later made permanent.
- Purpose: Protecting the rights and building a better future for people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution.
- Leadership: Led by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, elected by the General Assembly.
- Present High Commissioner: Filippo Grandi (Italy), serving since 2016.
- Funding: Entirely voluntary, supported by governments, private donors, and organisations.
- Functions and Powers:
- Protection: Safeguards refugees’ rights, including the principle of non-refoulement (no forced return to unsafe countries).
- Humanitarian Aid: Provides shelter, food, healthcare, and education to displaced populations.
- Durable Solutions: Promotes voluntary repatriation, local integration, or resettlement in third countries.
- Advocacy: Works with governments to improve refugee rights and asylum systems.
- Achievement: Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1954 and 1981.
- Currently operates in over 137 countries.
IT 2.0 – Advanced Postal Technology
Context: Recently, the Department of Posts (DoP), has successfully rolled out IT 2.0 – Advanced Postal Technology (APT).
About IT 2.0 – Advanced Postal Technology
- Background:
- IT 1.0 (2012): Enabled Core Banking Solutions (CBS), Core Insurance Solutions (CIS), and basic digital networking of post offices.
- IT 2.0 (APT, 2025): Builds on IT 1.0, introducing indigenous microservices-based applications, hosted on the Government’s MeghRaj 2.0 cloud, supported by BSNL’s nationwide connectivity.
- Key Features:
- Architecture & Design: Microservices & Open API-based architecture.
- Unified single-user interface across services.
- Cloud-ready deployment ensures scalability.
- Service Delivery: End-to-End digital solutions, from booking to delivery.
- Next-Gen features, QR-code payments, OTP-based delivery.
- DIGIPIN (10-digit alphanumeric), enhances delivery accuracy.
- Connectivity & Inclusivity: An open network system ensures reliable access even in rural areas.
- Over 1.70 lakh offices live, including post offices, mail offices, and admin units.
- Analytics & Monitoring: Improved real-time reporting & analytics for efficiency.
- Fraud detection and operational monitoring.
- Training & Capacity Building: Over 4.6 lakh employees trained under the principle of “Train – Retrain – Refresh”.
- Training through Master Trainers, User Champions & End-Users.
- Significance:
- Citizen-Centric: Faster, reliable, and user-friendly services.
- Financial Inclusion: Seamless integration of India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) with postal network.
- Digital India & Atmanirbhar Bharat: Entirely indigenous development by Centre for Excellence in Postal Technology (CEPT).
- Economic Boost: Strengthens logistics & e-commerce backbone for MSMEs.
- Global Standards: Positions India Post as a world-class public logistics organisation.
Nepal Eliminates Rubella
Context: Recently, Nepal was declared free of rubella as a public health problem by the World Health Organization (WHO).
- Nepal is the first country in the WHO’s Southeast Asia Region to achieve this milestone.
About Rubella
- It is a contagious viral infection best known by its distinctive red rash. It’s also called German measles or three-day measles.
- Rubella Infection is particularly serious for unborn babies whose mothers become infected during pregnancy.
- Rubella infection in pregnant women may cause death or congenital defects known as Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS)
- Treatment: The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe and highly effective in preventing rubella.
- The vaccine provides lifelong protection against rubella.
- Global Burden: Approximately 100,000 infants are born worldwide with CRS each year.
Difference Between Rubella and Measles
Aspect |
Rubella (German Measles) |
Measles (Rubeola) |
Causative Virus |
Rubella virus (Togaviridae). |
Measles virus (Paramyxoviridae). |
Symptoms |
Mild fever, pink rash, swollen lymph nodes, joint pain. |
High fever, red rash, cough, runny nose, Koplik’s spots. |
Severity |
Milder; serious for pregnant women (CRS risk). |
Severe; complications like pneumonia, encephalitis. |
Contagiousness |
Less contagious; airborne droplets. |
Highly contagious; rapid spread via droplets. |
Complications |
Congenital Rubella Syndrome in newborns. |
Pneumonia, encephalitis, SSPE, high mortality. |
Vaccine |
MMR vaccine (two doses, lifelong protection). |
MMR vaccine (two doses, lifelong protection). |
Cabinet Clears Kota-Bundi Greenfield Airport
Context: Recently, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by PM, approved a ₹1,507 crore greenfield airport project at Kota-Bundi, Rajasthan.
Project Details
- Executing Agency: Airports Authority of India (AAI) will fund and develop the project through its internal accruals.
What is a Greenfield Airport?
- A greenfield airport is a new aviation facility built from scratch on previously undeveloped land.
- The development of Greenfield airports is regulated by the Greenfield Airports (GFA) Policy, 2008.
Difference Between Greenfield and Brownfield Airports
Feature |
Greenfield Airport |
Brownfield Airport |
Definition |
Built from scratch on undeveloped land. |
Developed on previously used land. |
Land Use |
Previously unused land. |
Previously developed land. |
Construction |
Entirely new construction. |
Upgrading/expansion of existing facilities. |
Design |
Greater flexibility in design. |
Design may be constrained by existing infrastructure. |
Environmental Impact |
Opportunity to incorporate modern environmental standards from the start. |
May involve addressing existing environmental issues. |
Planning |
More complex planning due to lack of prior infrastructure. |
Relatively less complex planning. |
Examples |
Navi Mumbai International Airport (India), Noida International Airport (India) |
Indira Gandhi International Airport (Delhi, expansion), Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (Mumbai, expansion) |
Made in India Label Scheme
Context: Part of Make in India (2014) and Atmanirbhar Bharat (2020), the Made in India Label Scheme enhances the reputation of Indian products globally and domestically.
About the Made in India Label Scheme
- Aim: To create a strong, trusted brand identity for Indian products, guaranteeing their authenticity and quality.
- Genesis: Built upon two major initiatives:
- Make in India (2014): A precursor focused on making India a global manufacturing hub.
- Atmanirbhar Bharat (May 2020): Launched during the pandemic to promote self-reliance; this scheme is a key pillar of it.
Objectives of the Scheme
- Provide a clear identity to a product based on its Indian origin.
- Develop a mechanism to qualify and brand products of Indian origin.
- Enhance recognition of Indian products in both domestic and international markets.
- Strengthen the positioning of Indian products in competitive markets.
- Build consumer trust in the quality and authenticity of Indian goods.
Key Features of the Scheme
- Nature: A voluntary certification scheme for manufacturers.
- Label Details: Features a logo and a QR code.
- The QR code provides information on manufacturing location, label validity, and product-specific details.
- Eligibility: Products must be manufactured in India and/or crafted with locally sourced raw materials.
- Target Beneficiaries:
-
- Large-scale enterprises and MSMEs.
- Entrepreneurs in farming, agriculture, fishing, aquaculture, horticulture, and allied activities.
Administrative Structure
- Nodal Agency: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) (under Ministry of Commerce & Industry).
- Advisory & Collaborative Bodies: Quality Council of India (QCI) and India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF).
Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan
Context: Recently, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has officially launched the Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan. It is part of Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh, focusing on tribal empowerment and governance.
About Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan
- The Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan is a national movement to build a decentralized tribal leadership and governance ecosystem.
- Guiding Principle: Based on Sewa (Service), Sankalp (Resolve), and Samarpan (Dedication), reflecting “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Prayas, Sabka Vishwas”.
- Three Pillars of Leadership:
-
- Adi Karmayogi — Government Officers – Key drivers of governance at State, District, Block, and Panchayat levels. They ensure convergence of schemes, institutional support, and responsive delivery.
- Adi Sahyogi — Youth, Teachers, Doctors – Motivated service providers and educated tribal youth who bridge access to education, health, awareness, and innovation.
- Adi Saathi — SHG Members (NRLM), Villagers, Tribal Elders – Grassroots changemakers and community anchors who mobilize people, preserve traditions, and uphold local wisdom.
Participation and Outreach
- The Abhiyan will reach over 1 lakh tribal-dominated villages, mobilizing 20 lakh change leaders across 550 districts and 30 States/UTs.
- It builds upon the successful implementation of flagship government schemes, including:
- Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan
- Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN)
- National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission
Kerala to be declared fully Digitally Literate
Context: Kerala to be declared India’s first fully digitally literate state on August 21, 2025, via the Digi Kerala project, achieving over 99% digital literacy, following its 1991 total literacy milestone.
What is digital literacy?
- It means the ability to use technology effectively and responsibly to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information.
- It encompasses both technical skills (like operating devices and software) and cognitive skills (like critical thinking and problem-solving).
About Digi Kerala Project
- Origin: Began in 2021 in Pullampara panchayat (Thiruvananthapuram) as a local solution to the digital divide.
- Methodology:
-
- Ground-level surveys to identify the digitally illiterate.
- Training based on a standardized module.
- Volunteer-driven teaching, notably involving the younger generation.
- Training Content: Included making voice/video calls, using WhatsApp, accessing social media, and most importantly, using government digital services.
- Expansion: After Pullampara’s success in 2022, the model was scaled to the entire state.
- The push for digital literacy is directly linked to the Kerala Solution for Managing Administrative Reformation and Transformation (KSMART) platform.