State PCS - Uttar Pradesh (UP PCS)

• 15 Sep 2025

Hindi Diwas

Why in News?

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended greetings on Hindi Diwas, emphasizing Hindi as a symbol of unity, culture, and identity.

Key Points 

• About: 
  • Hindi Diwas commemorates the Constituent Assembly’s 1949 decision designating Hindi in the Devanagari script as the official language of the Union of India.
  • This decision was shaped by the Munshi-Ayyangar formula, which led to Article 343 adopting Hindi while allowing English to continue for official purposes for 15 years.
  • After the 15-year period ended, protests against Hindi imposition resulted in the Official Languages Act, 1963, which ensured English continued as an official language alongside Hindi.
• Constitutional Status: 
  • Hindi is listed in the 8th Schedule, which includes 22 languages recognized for official use.
    • The language is named after the Persian word 'Hind', meaning 'land of the Indus River', and is a descendant of Sanskrit.
  • Article 210 states that the language to be used in the legislature can be the official language of the state, Hindi, or English.
  • Article 351 states that it shall be the duty of the Union to promote the spread of the Hindi language, to develop it so that it may serve as a medium of expression for all the elements of the composite culture of India.
• Significance: Hindi, with over 600 million speakers, is the third most spoken language globally, and the most spoken language in India.

Note: Vishwa Hindi Divas or World Hindi Day is celebrated annually on 10th January to expand Hindi's presence on the international stage. This date commemorates the historic moment in 1949, when Hindi was first spoken at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Indian Women Shine at World Boxing Championships 2025

Why in News?

Indian boxer Jaismine Lamboria etched her name in history by winning the featherweight (57kg) title at the Women’s World Boxing Championships 2025 in Liverpool, defeating Paris Olympics silver medallist Julia Szeremeta of Poland. 

• Alongside her, Minakshi Hooda won the 48kg gold, making this India’s best-ever performance at the World Championships held abroad.

Key Points

• Jaismine Lamboria’s Victory:
  • In her third World Championships appearance, she clinched her first-ever medal by defeating Poland’s Julia Szeremeta 4-1, becoming the ninth Indian boxer to win a world title.
  • She joined an illustrious list featuring six-time winner Mary Kom (2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2018), two-time winner Nikhat Zareen (2022 and 2023), Sarita Devi (2006), Jenny RL (2006), Lekha KC (2006), Nitu Ghanghas (2023), Lovlina Borgohain (2023) and Saweety Boora (2023).
  • She overcame the disappointment of a first-round exit at the Paris 2024 Olympics. In the past, she had won a bronze medal at the 2021 Asian Championships, a medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, and a gold at the 2024 World Cup in Astana.
• Minakshi Hooda’s Triumph:
  • Minakshi avenged her Astana World Cup defeat (July 2025) by clinching gold in the women’s 48kg final (non-Olympic category). She stunned Kazakhstan’s Nazym Kyzaibay, a three-time world champion and Paris Olympics bronze medallist.
  • She had previously won an Asian silver medal in 2022 (52 kg).
• Other Medal Winners:
  • Nupur Sheoran (+80kg): Silver after a close 2-3 loss to Poland’s Agata Kaczmarska.
  • Pooja Rani (80kg): Bronze after semifinal defeat to England’s Emily Asquith.
• Significance: India recorded its best-ever World Championships performance outside the country, winning two golds, one silver, and one bronze, further strengthening its legacy in women’s boxing.

Read More: UP to Host India's First World Boxing Cup

Women’s Hockey Asia Cup 2025

Why in News?

The Prime Minister congratulated the Indian Women’s Hockey Team for their outstanding performance at the Women’s Asia Cup 2025, where they secured the Silver Medal and brought pride to the nation.

Key Points

• China’s women’s hockey team defeated India 4-1 in Hangzhou, China, to win the 2025 Asia Cup.
  • With this victory, China secured qualification for the 2026 Hockey World Cup in Belgium & Netherlands.
  • This marks China’s third Asia Cup title, after earlier wins in 1989 (Hong Kong) and 2009 (Bangkok).
• India secured the silver medal, while Japan claimed the bronze. 
  • However, India will now have to go through the World Cup Qualifiers to secure their place in the 2026 Hockey World Cup.
• India’s Past Performance:
  • Tokyo Olympics 2020: Historic 4th place finish.
  • Paris Olympics 2024: Failed to qualify.
  • Pro League: Struggled, finishing last and being relegated.
  • Asian Champions Trophy 2024: Winner

Read More: 12th Men’s Asia Cup Hockey Championship