State PCS - Maharashtra (MPSC)

• 02 Sep 2025

Yudh Abhyas 2025

Why in News?

An Indian Army contingent has departed for Fort Wainwright, Alaska, USA, to participate in the 21st edition of the India-U.S. Joint Military Exercise, Yudh Abhyas 2025, scheduled from 1st- 14th September 2025. 

Key Points

• Participating Forces: The Indian contingent comprises personnel from a battalion of the Madras Regiment, one of the oldest regiments in the Indian Army. 
  • The U.S. Army will be represented by soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment “Bobcats” of the Arctic Wolves Brigade Combat Team, part of the 11th Airborne Division.
• Activities: The troops will rehearse a range of tactical drills, including heliborne operations, the employment of surveillance resources and unmanned aerial systems, rockcraft, mountain warfare, casualty evacuation, combat medical aid, and the integrated use of Artillery, Aviation, and Electronic Warfare systems.
• Culmination of Exercise: The exercise will culminate in jointly planned and executed tactical manoeuvres, ranging from live-fire exercises to high-altitude warfare scenarios.
• Objectives:
  • A significant aim of Yudh Abhyas 2025 is to improve operational readiness for United Nations peacekeeping operations, focusing on capacity-building for managing peacekeeping missions effectively.
  • The exercise will also prepare the forces to handle multi-domain challenges, emphasizing the importance of integrated warfare and joint operational strategies.

Adi Vaani

Why in News?

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs launched the beta version of “Adi Vaani”, India’s first AI-powered translation platform for tribal languages, as part of Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh (JJGV) celebrations.

Key Points

• About: Adi Vaani has been developed by a national consortium led by IIT Delhi, in collaboration with BITS Pilani, IIIT Hyderabad, IIIT Nava Raipur, and the Tribal Research Institutes of Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Meghalaya.
  • The Beta version currently supports Santali, Bhili, Mundari, and Gondi, while languages like Kui and Garo are under development.                
• Key Features:
  • Real-time text & speech translation between Hindi, English, and tribal languages.
  • Interactive language learning modules for students & early learners.
  • Digitization of folklore & oral traditions to preserve heritage.
  • Government advisories & health messages in tribal languages with subtitles.

Jan Jatiya Gaurav Varsh (JJGV)

• About: It commemorates the 150th Birth Anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda (Dharti Aaba) and honours the extraordinary legacy of tribal heroes.
• It is being celebrated from 15 November 2024 to 15 November 2025, as a year-long extension of Janjatiya Gaurav Divas (declared in 2021).
• It is linked with flagship programmes like Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Utkarsh Gramme Abhiyan and Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyay Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN).

Objectives:

• Highlight the cultural, spiritual, and social contributions of tribal communities to India’s identity and freedom struggle.
• Promote tribal welfare through a whole-of-government approach.
• Encourage Jan Bhagidari (people’s participation) in initiatives aimed at tribal development.
• Foster awareness and recognition of tribal heroes and their role in nation-building.

NCERT’s 65th Foundation Day

Why in News?

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan commemorated the 65th Foundation Day of NCERT by launching multiple initiatives.

• He urged the institution to adopt a reform-oriented and technology-driven approach to education.

Key Initiatives Launched

• PM eVidya Mobile Application: It is a centralized gateway for accessing all key digital and broadcast initiatives under PM eVidya, developed in collaboration with BISAG-N.
• DIKSHA 2.0: It has structured lessons, adaptive assessments, performance feedback, discussion forums, and AI tools like Read Aloud, Closed Caption, and Translation of text files into 12 languages.
• PRASHAST 2.0: It is a Pre-Assessment Holistic Screening Tool that enhances mobile and web platforms for early identification of children with disabilities.
• Kitab Ek Padhe Anek: It is an NEP-2020-aligned initiative to create Universal Design of Learning (UDL)-based accessible digital and printed textbooks for inclusive classrooms, especially benefiting Divyangjan students and children from socio-economically disadvantaged groups.
• Utkal Jananinkara Sujogya Santana: It is a book containing the life and contributions of 100 great personalities of Odisha who have contributed to the development of modern Odisha and also participated in the National Freedom Movement.

NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training)

• Established: 1st September 1961
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Mandate: As an autonomous organisation under the Government of India, it assists and advises the central and state governments on academic matters related to school education.
• Functions: Develops textbooks, teaching-learning materials, and innovative pedagogical tools, while also conducting research, training, and capacity-building programmes.

India Post Payments Bank 8th Foundation Day

Why in News?

India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) celebrated its 8th Foundation Day on 1st September 2025, reaffirming its commitment to providing inclusive, accessible, and affordable banking services at the last mile.

Key Points

• About: IPPB, established in 2018 under the Department of Posts, is a government-backed initiative focused on promoting financial inclusion and advancing Digital India.
• Scope: It utilizes over 1.64 lakh post offices, 1.90 lakh Postmen and Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS), serving more than 12 crore customers, processes billions of digital transactions, and offers doorstep banking in rural, semi-urban, and remote areas.
• Objective: IPPB aims to digitally empower every Indian and pave the way for economic independence. It strives to deliver banking services to the last mile, ensuring that even rural and underserved populations are financially included.
• Services: It has expanded into areas such as direct benefit transfer disbursements, pension payments, credit facilitation, and insurance and investment products in partnership with institutions. 
  • New services like Digismart digital savings accounts, Premium Aarogya Savings Account, Aadhaar-based face authentication, RuPay virtual debit card, AePS-enabled payments, cross-border remittances, and Bharat BillPay integration have enhanced customer convenience.

Payment Bank

• About: A payments bank is a differentiated bank, offering a limited range of products.
  • A committee headed by Dr. Nachiket Mor recommended the setting up of a 'Payments Bank' to cater to the lower-income groups and small businesses.
• Features: 
  • It can accept demand deposits only, that is, savings and current accounts, not time deposits.
    • Payment banks are restricted to holding a maximum balance of Rs. 2,00,000 (Rupees Two lakh only) per individual customer.
  • Payment Banks cannot accept Non-Resident Indian (NRI) deposits.
  • The Payment Banks cannot set up subsidiaries to undertake non-banking financial services activities.