1. INDIAN NAVY COMMISSIONS INS IKSHAK, THIRD SURVEY VESSEL (LARGE)
SUBJECT: DEFENCE
• INS Ikshak, the third ship of the Survey Vessel (Large) class, was commissioned into the Indian Navy by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi at Naval Base, Kochi.
• It is the first SVL vessel to be based at the Southern Naval Command, enhancing hydrographic survey capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region.
• Built indigenously under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, the ship features advanced surveying systems for seabed mapping and maritime domain awareness.
• Equipped with state-of-the-art hydrographic equipment, it supports safe navigation, disaster response, and underwater operations.
• The commissioning strengthens India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing and operational readiness in strategic waters.
• Concepts: Atmanirbhar Bharat in Defence – Promotes indigenous production to reduce import dependency; Hydrography – Science of measuring and describing ocean features for navigation and security.
2. INDIA SUPPORTS AFGHANISTAN’S KUNAR RIVER DAM PROJECT
SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL
• India announced support for Afghanistan’s plan to construct a dam on the Kunar River, a tributary of the Kabul River, marking a shift in regional water diplomacy.
• The project could intensify Pakistan’s water scarcity concerns, as the Kunar contributes significantly to the Indus basin flows.
• This move aligns with India’s growing infrastructure engagement in Afghanistan, including Chabahar Port and humanitarian aid.
• It highlights India’s strategic interests in Central Asia and countering Pakistan’s influence in the region.
• The announcement comes amid efforts to strengthen bilateral ties post-Taliban takeover.
• Concepts: Transboundary Water Sharing – Governed by treaties like Indus Waters Treaty (1960); Riparian Rights – Principles for equitable use of shared river resources.
3. UNEP EMISSIONS GAP REPORT 2025 WARNS OF CLIMATE TARGET MISS
SUBJECT: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL
• The UNEP Emissions Gap Report 2025, titled “Off Target”, warns that current climate pledges lead to 2.3–2.5°C warming, exceeding Paris Agreement limits.
• It calls for deeper cooperation, technology transfer, and reformed global finance to achieve 1.5°C goal.
• India emphasized pairing technology with political will for equitable transitions in developing nations.
• The report highlights widening gap between ambition and action, urging immediate cuts in emissions.
• Stresses victim-centric approaches in climate finance and asset recovery for affected countries.
• Concepts: Paris Agreement (2015) – Global framework for limiting warming; Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) – Country-specific climate action plans.
4. BIHAR RECORDS OVER 60% VOTING IN FIRST PHASE OF ASSEMBLY POLLS
SUBJECT: POLITY
• Over 60.18% voter turnout recorded in the first phase of Bihar Assembly elections across 121 constituencies till 5 p.m.
• Stray incidents of violence reported, including attack on Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha’s vehicle.
• Polling underway amid high security, with results to influence national political dynamics.
• Calcutta High Court directed ECI to file affidavit on plea challenging special intensive revision of electoral rolls based on 2002 voters’ list.
• Supreme Court to examine distinction between ‘right to vote’ and ‘freedom of voting’.
• Concepts: Model Code of Conduct (MCC) – Guidelines for fair elections; Electoral Rolls Revision – Process to update voter lists for accuracy.
5. TAMIL NADU CM MK STALIN HOLDS CONSULTATIONS ON WELFARE SCHEMES
SUBJECT: POLITY (TAMIL NADU)
• Senior Ministers presided over stakeholder consultations at the Secretariat in Chennai on various welfare and development schemes.
• DMK president and CM MK Stalin dared PM Narendra Modi to repeat alleged divisive remarks in Tamil Nadu.
• Discussions focused on implementation of announcements for Public and Rehabilitation Department (2021–2026).
• Over 68 out of 90 announcements fully implemented, emphasizing inclusive growth.
• Stalin criticized central policies on financial fairness and federalism.
• Concepts: Federalism in India – Division of powers between Centre and States; Welfare State – Government role in promoting citizen well-being.
