International Solar Alliance (ISA)

Context: Recently , the 8th Session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly was held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

About the International Solar Alliance (ISA)

• ISA  is a global intergovernmental organization dedicated to promoting solar energy for sustainable development.
• Establishment: It was launched jointly by India and France in 2015 during COP21 in Paris and formally became operational in 2017.
• Headquarter:  Gurugram, India.
• Membership: The ISA currently comprises 125 Member and Signatory Countries, primarily located between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, expanding to global participation.
• Objective: ISA seeks to mobilize solar energy solutions to ensure universal energy access, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and foster sustainable, affordable, and inclusive growth.
• Vision: Guided by the vision “One World, One Sun, One Grid”, ISA operates through four pillars of  Catalytic Finance Hub, Global Capability Centre & Digitisation, Regional Engagement, and Technology Roadmap & Policy.

About the 8th Session (2025)

• Venue & Participation: Hosted at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, the session gathered over 550 delegates, 30 ministers, and representatives from 137 countries.
• Significance: The event highlighted Global South leadership in the solar revolution, aligning with the upcoming COP30 in Brazil.
• Key Outcomes: Launch of SUNRISE (Solar Upcycling Network), One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG) Programme, Global Capability Centre, and five new ISA knowledge products on solar trends and policy.
• Focus: The session emphasized inclusive solar growth, linking solar energy with livelihoods, women’s empowerment, digital inclusion, and ecological balance, reaffirming India’s role as a leader in the global solar transition.

Poseidon Torpedo

Context: On 29 October 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the successful test of the Poseidon nuclear-powered autonomous torpedo, launched from a nuclear submarine.

About Poseidon

• Poseidon is an autonomous, nuclear-powered, and nuclear-capable underwater drone, often described as a cross between a torpedo and an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV).
• Features
  • It can operate independently over long distances and is designed to carry a nuclear warhead.
  • The system is capable of generating radioactive ocean swells, potentially rendering coastal cities uninhabitable.
  • The recent test involved the activation of its nuclear propulsion unit, demonstrating long-duration underwater endurance.
• Significance
  • The Poseidon is part of Russia’s next-generation nuclear arsenal, which includes the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile.
  • Russia views the Poseidon as a deterrent innovation, symbolizing its technological edge in underwater nuclear delivery systems and reinforcing its strategic autonomy in global security architecture.

Indi and Puliyankudi Limes

Context: India has exported its first-ever consignment of GI-tagged Indi and Puliyankudi Limes to the United Kingdom.

About Puliyankudi Lime

• Origin: Grown in Tenkasi district, Tamil Nadu, particularly in the Kadayam region.
• Distinct Features: Known for its thin peel, strong acidity, and high ascorbic acid content, making it rich in Vitamin C.
• Juice Quality: Has an exceptionally high juice yield of around 55%, ideal for beverages and food processing.
• Recognition: It received its Geographical Indication (GI) tag in April 2025.

About Indi Lime

• Origin: Cultivated in Vijayapura district, Karnataka, under semi-arid climatic conditions.
• Key Attributes: Noted for its superior quality, zesty aroma, balanced acidity, and high juice content.
• Culinary and Industrial Use: Preferred in both domestic and international markets for juice extraction and flavoring purposes.
• GI Tag: Received GI recognition for its distinct agro-climatic and traditional cultivation characteristics.

Significance of the Export

• Promoting India’s GI Heritage Globally: The export of these limes enhances the global visibility of India’s GI-tagged horticultural produce, supporting local farmers and traditional growers.
• Boost to Agri-Exports and Rural Economy: Facilitated by APEDA, this marks a milestone in expanding market access for India’s high-value, region-specific agri-products, contributing to Atmanirbhar Bharat and Vocal for Local initiatives.

About GI Tag

• A Geographical Indication (GI) is an Intellectual Property Right (IPR) that identifies goods as originating from a specific region, where their quality, reputation, or characteristics are inherently linked to that geographical origin.
• Aim: It aims to protect regional products, promote authenticity, enhance market value, and benefit local producers by preventing misuse of registered names. 
• Nodal Body:  Issued by the Geographical Indication Registry, Chennai, under DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Model Youth Gram Sabha (MYGS) Initiative

Context: Recently, the Government of India launched the Model Youth Gram Sabha (MYGS) initiative in New Delhi, a first-of-its-kind effort to engage youth in grassroots democracy.

About Model Youth Gram Sabha (MYGS)

• The Model Youth Gram Sabha (MYGS) is a pioneering initiative designed to simulate Gram Sabha sessions for students, fostering hands-on learning in participatory local governance.
• Objective: 
  • To strengthen Janbhagidari (people’s participation) and promote democratic values, civic responsibility, and leadership among youth, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
  • To nurture future citizens who uphold transparency, accountability, and inclusive development, contributing to the vision of Viksit Bharat.
• Nodal Ministries: Implemented jointly by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, the Ministry of Education (Department of School Education & Literacy), and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
• The programme will be rolled out across 1,000+ schools, including Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs), Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs), and State Government Schools.
• Key Components: Launch of a Training Module and a MYGS Portal to support digital learning, capacity building for teachers, and effective student participation.
• Significance: The initiative promotes experiential civic education, bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world governance.

Rehabilitation Education

Context: The Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) has unveiled landmark reforms to transform rehabilitation education through transparency, digitalisation, and inclusivity, aligning with the Government’s Jan Vishwas and Ease of Doing Business vision.

What is Rehabilitation Education ?

• Rehabilitation Education refers to the training and academic preparation of professionals who work with persons with disabilities to enhance their physical, mental, and social functioning.
• It focuses on developing skills in therapy, counselling, assistive technology, and inclusive education to promote independence and social integration.

Key initiatives to transform rehabilitation education

• RCI has waived all fees for Central Rehabilitation Register (CRR) issuance, renewal, and qualification addition, making the process completely free for students and professionals.
• CRR validity extended from five to seven years, with automatic renewal for professionals earning 100+ Continuing Rehabilitation Education (CRE) points.
• A digital dashboard now enables online corrections and institutional submissions without processing fees, promoting efficiency.
• 144 institutions designated as Centers of Excellence (CoEs) with autonomy to conduct State, National, and International CRE programmes, enjoying seven-year approval tenures and quality-linked incentives.
• Regulatory simplification includes reduced approval fees, a common NOC system, and video-based inspections for greater transparency.
• Examination reforms feature student-friendly provisions like 75-day supplementary exams, grace marks, and exclusive CoE-based examiner panels.
• Curriculum reforms encourage the inclusion of Indian author books, regional languages, and locally developed diagnostic tools to enhance cultural relevance.

About the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI)

• It is a statutory body under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
• It is responsible for regulating and standardising training and professional development in rehabilitation and special education across India.
• Established under the RCI Act, 1992.

Türkiye Earthquake

Context: A 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck Balikesir Province in western Türkiye.

About Türkiye

• Türkiye, officially known as the Republic of Türkiye, is a transcontinental nation with its capital at Ankara, blending European and Asian influences in culture and geography.
• Location: It occupies a strategic position, lying partly in Asia and partly in Europe, and acts as a bridge between the two continents.
• Borders: Türkiye shares borders with Greece and Bulgaria (northwest), Georgia and Armenia (northeast), Azerbaijan and Iran (east), and Iraq and Syria (southeast).
• Geographical Features:
• • Major Rivers: The Euphrates and Tigris rivers originate here, supporting agriculture and regional ecology.
  • Highest Point: Mount Ararat (5,165 m) is the nation’s tallest peak and a cultural landmark.
  • Seas and Straits: The Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits link the Black Sea, Sea of Marmara, and Aegean Sea, vital for trade and navigation.

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