State PCS - Punjab

• 04 Dec 2025

Birth Anniversary of Khudiram Bose

Why in News? 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah paid homage to freedom fighter Khudiram Bose on his birth anniversary, calling him a symbol of valour, courage and sacrifice. 

Key Points 

• Birth & Early Life: Khudiram Bose was born on 3rd December 1889 in Habibpur village, Midnapore district, West Bengal, as the only son in his family, and faced hardships early due to the loss of his parents. 
• Early Influence: Motivated by the public speeches of Aurobindo Ghose and Sister Nivedita, he joined the freedom struggle in the early 1900s. 
• Role in Partition Movement: During the Partition of Bengal in 1905, he became an active volunteer and, at just 15, was first arrested for distributing anti-British pamphlets. 
• Joining Anushilan Samiti: In 1908, Khudiram joined the revolutionary group Anushilan Samiti, led by Aurobindo and Barindra Ghose, where he learned bomb-making and targeted British officials. 
• Targeting Kingsford: The revolutionaries marked Douglas H. Kingsford, Chief Presidency Magistrate of Calcutta, known for his brutal treatment of nationalists, as a primary target and sent Khudiram and Prafulla Chaki to assassinate him. 
• Bomb Attack Attempt: On 30th April 1908, Khudiram threw a bomb at Kingsford’s carriage outside the club, but it tragically killed Mrs. and Miss Kennedy, the wife and daughter of a barrister, while Kingsford escaped. 
• Capture & Aftermath: As police launched a manhunt, Prafulla Chaki died by suicide before arrest, while Khudiram was caught at Waini station after walking 25 km; his capture drew large crowds expressing admiration. 
• Execution & Martyrdom: Following trial, Khudiram Bose was executed on 11th August 1908 at age 18, becoming one of India’s youngest martyrs. 
• Public Reverence: Newspapers highlighted his bravery, crowds showered flowers during his final procession, and poet Pitambar Das immortalised him in the famous Bengali song “Ek Baar Bidaye De Ma”, preserving his legacy in Bengal’s folklore. 

Antarctica Day

Why in News? 

India celebrated Antarctica Day on 1st December 2025 while also marking 25 years of the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa, reaffirming its role as the nation’s lead institution for polar and ocean exploration.

Key Points 

Antarctica Day 

• Treaty Signing (1959): The Antarctic Treaty was signed on 1st December 1959 by 12 nations, designating nearly 10% of Earth to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes for the benefit of all humanity. 
• Historic Firsts: The treaty became the first nuclear-arms control agreement and the first institution created to govern human activity in an international space beyond national jurisdictions. 
• Antarctic Treaty Summit (2009): The 50th anniversary summit in 2009 celebrated five decades of peaceful international cooperation under the Antarctic Treaty. 
• Creation of Antarctica Day (2010): Inspired by the 50-year celebrations, the Foundation for the Good Governance of International Spaces (Our Spaces) established Antarctica Day in 2010. 
• Purpose: Antarctica Day seeks to build global awareness about the treaty, celebrating it as a milestone of peace and cooperation in human civilisation. 
• India’s Role: India has been a Consultative Party since 1983, giving it voting rights and the ability to operate research stations and contribute to Antarctica’s scientific and environmental governance. 

National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR)  

• Establishment: It was established in 1998 under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), NCPOR is India’s nodal agency for coordinating the Indian Antarctic Programme and maintaining the Maitri (1989) and Bharati (2011) research stations.  
• Role: Located in Goa, it leads multidisciplinary polar and Southern Ocean research and has recognised research facilities for doctoral studies. It also plays a key role in India’s Deep Ocean Mission, linking polar science with strategic national priorities. 
• Research Station: NCPOR has established India’s permanent research stations: Dakshin Gangotri, Maitri, Bharati (Antarctica) and Himadri (Arctic), along with the Himalayan research station Himansh. 
  • The Ministry of Finance has approved Maitri-II, a new East Antarctica research station to be led by NCPOR. 

Gyanesh Kumar Takes Charge of IDEA Council

Why in News?

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India, Shri Gyanesh Kumar, formally assumed the Chairmanship of the Council of Member States of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) for the year 2026, in Stockholm, Sweden.

Key Points

• Background: International IDEA, established in 1995, now has 35 member countries, with the United States and Japan as observers, and has held observer status at the United Nations General Assembly since 2003.
• Partnerships: Alongside India’s leadership, Mauritius and Mexico will serve as Vice-Chairs of the International IDEA Council for 2026. 
• Milestone: The Chairmanship represents a significant global milestone, acknowledging the Election Commission of India (ECI) as one of the world’s most credible, transparent, and innovative Election Management Bodies (EMBs), with India being a founding member contributing consistently to IDEA’s governance and democratic initiatives.
• Vision: CEC Gyanesh Kumar pledged that India’s Chairmanship would be decisive, ambitious, and action-oriented, guided by the theme “Democracy for Inclusive, Peaceful, Resilient and Sustainable World”, with focus on two pillars: Reimagining Democracy for the Future and Independent & Professional Election Management Bodies for Sustainable Democracy.

India's First All-Electric Tug Project

Why in News?

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal virtually flagged off India’s first all-electric green tug, marking a major national milestone in sustainable and energy-efficient maritime operations under the Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP).

• A tug (or tugboat) is a powerful, manoeuvrable vessel used to assist larger ships in harbour operations such as guiding, towing, berthing, escorting and emergency response, especially in confined port waters where precision is required.

Key Points

• Purpose & Design: The tugboat, designed for Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), Kandla, is being developed to advance India’s maritime decarbonisation goals, ensuring silent operations, zero carbon emissions, optimised energy efficiency, and a 60-ton bollard pull capacity.
• GTTP Roadmap: The Green Tug Transition Programme aims to induct 50 green tugs by 2030, with 16 tugs scheduled in Phase 1 (2024–2027). 
  • Two each will be deployed at DPA, Paradip Port Authority, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority and V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority, with DPA becoming the first to start construction.
• Future Integration: Once deployed, the tug will support harbour manoeuvring, escorting and emergency responses with zero emissions, generating critical data for future GTTP phases. 
  • The initiative aligns with Maritime India Vision 2030, Amrit Kaal commitments, and international decarbonisation frameworks.
• Strategic Impact: DPA’s leadership demonstrates India’s move toward clean-energy ports, strengthens Make in India shipbuilding through Atreya Shipyard, and positions the country as a future global hub for green maritime innovation.