• 18 Aug 2025

Asian Canoe Slalom Championship

Why in News? 

At the prestigious Asian Canoe Slalom Championship in Guizhou, China, the women athletes from the Madhya Pradesh Water Sports Academy earned the silver medal in the women’s canoe slalom team event, with China securing the gold. 

Key Points 

• About: Canoe slalom involves competitors navigating a whitewater course, typically up to 300 meters long, while passing through a maximum of 25 upstream and downstream gates to achieve the fastest time. 
• Championship Details: The Asian Canoe Confederation organized the championship from  14th- 17th August 2025, which featured around 100 athletes and coaches from 10 countries and regions, including India, China, Japan, and South Korea. 
• Indian Team: The Indian team included three talented athletes from Madhya Pradesh: Shikha Chauhan, Pallavi Jagtap, and Reena Sen. 
• Significance: The silver medal is a significant achievement, showcasing one of the best performances by an Indian women's team in recent years and reflecting the growth of water sports in India, driven by enhanced athlete training and international exposure. 

International Canoe Federation (ICF) 

• The International Canoe Federation (ICF) serves as the global authority for canoe and kayak paddling sports, overseeing 10 disciplines worldwide, recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).  
  • The five continents (Africa, America, Asia, Europe, and Oceania) are represented on the ICF Executive Committee and Board of Directors, with each electing Continental Representatives and a President during their respective Continental Congress. 

UP Police’s ‘Operation Savera’

Why in News? 

The Uttar Pradesh Police has launched ‘Operation Savera’ in the Saharanpur region to curb drug trafficking and promote a drug-free society.  

• The initiative, directed by CM Yogi Adityanath and DGP Rajeev Krishna, targets the entire chain of illegal narcotics, from manufacturers to peddlers. 

Key Points 

• Objective: The operation focuses on illegal drug manufacturers, intermediaries, suppliers, and peddlers across the three districts of the Saharanpur range. 
  • Police will dismantle trafficking networks, targeting both forward and backward linkages of the drug trade. 
• Legal Mandate: Strict legal action will be taken under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, and Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PITNDPS) Act, 1988, including confiscation of properties acquired through illicit drug activities. 
  • Ongoing NDPS cases will be reviewed to ensure convictions of guilty persons. 
• Awareness: Awareness campaigns will educate society, especially students, about the harmful effects of drug abuse. 
  • Visits to de-addiction centers are planned to assess facilities and challenges, and coordinate with departments for rehabilitation support.

Note: Earlier, the Kanpur Police had launched ‘Operation Mahakal’ on 5th August 2025 to crack down on the land mafia, extortion gangs, and influential individuals supporting them. 

Divyansh M Bhardwaj: Best Sarpanch in Rajasthan

Why in News? 

In a recognition of his innovative leadership and community initiatives, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma awarded Divyansh M Bhardwaj, Sarpanch of Awan Panchayat in Tonk district, the title of Best Sarpanch in Rajasthan during the state-level Independence Day celebrations at Mehrangarh Fort.  

• Divyansh is the only awardee among 11,341 panchayats across 41 districts. 

Key Points 

• Building Supporting Infrastructure: Under Divyansh’s leadership, Awan Panchayat has witnessed transformative projects, including: 
  • Separate air-conditioned libraries with internet access for boys and girls. 
  • Construction of two cremation grounds and a heritage panchayat building. 
  • Development of a marriage garden with a banquet hall and a ghat with a dressing room at Rajkaleshwar Teerth. 
• Capacity Building: An MBA graduate from Switzerland, Divyansh has implemented several progressive initiatives, such as: 
  • Sponsoring air travel for students for educational purposes. 
  • Appointing a girl student as Sarpanch on Balika Divas, promoting women’s leadership. 
• Role Model: Divyansh’s projects have set Awan as a model of excellence, with the Awan Panchayat model being considered for replication in Maharashtra.

National Panchayat Awards 2025: The 2025 National Panchayat Awards were presented by the Prime Minister on National Panchayati Raj Day (24th April) in Madhubani, Bihar to recognise top-performing Panchayats aligned with the 9 Local Development Goals (LSDGs) covering all 17 SDGs. 

• Special Categories of National Panchayat Awards: 
• Climate Action Special Panchayat Award (CASPA): For climate-responsive Panchayats. 
• Atma Nirbhar Panchayat Special Award (ANPSA): For promoting self-reliance via Own Source Revenue (OSR). 
• Panchayat Kshamta Nirman Sarvottam Sansthan Puraskar (PKNSSP): For excellence in capacity building and training of Panchayati Raj representatives. 

UP’s 1st Green Hydrogen Plant

Why in News? 

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the state's first green hydrogen plant and the second of its kind in the country at Khanimpur village, Gorakhpur district.  

India's Green Hydrogen Milestones 

• Kandla Port in Gujarat is the site of India's first Make-in-India Green Hydrogen Plant, advancing the country's Net-Zero goals. 
• Jindal Stainless Limited in Hisar is India's first off-grid green hydrogen plant dedicated to the stainless steel industry, making it a global first for the sector. 
• Adani Group commissioned India's first off-grid 5 MW green hydrogen pilot plant in Kutch, Gujarat, pioneering renewable-powered hydrogen production. 

Key Points 

• About: The plant, set up by Torrent Gas and Torrent Power, marks a significant milestone in India's transition to clean energy. 
  • As part of a pilot project, the plant will blend up to 2% green hydrogen with natural gas (CNG and PNG), which will be supplied to domestic households, CNG stations, and industries via the local gas grid. 
• Significance: The project is the largest green hydrogen and natural gas blending initiative in the country's city gas distribution sector, expected to cut carbon emissions by 500 tonnes annually and establish Uttar Pradesh as a key hub for green hydrogen due to its abundant water resources. 
• Green Hydrogen Policy: The Uttar Pradesh Green Hydrogen Policy 2024 enables Ease of Doing Business by promoting investments and setting up of Green Hydrogen / Green Ammonia production facilities and Green Hydrogen-based product manufacturing units. 
  • Uttar Pradesh envisions taking the production capacity of Green Hydrogen / Green Ammonia up to 1 million metric tonnes per year by 2028. 
  • The policy includes a 30% capital subsidy, which can go up to 40% for the first four projects in the state.

Green Hydrogen

• Green hydrogen is produced by splitting water into hydrogen (H₂) and oxygen (O₂) through electrolysis powered by renewable energy sources like solar power, or via biomass gasification.  
• Its uses include fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), industrial uses such as fertilizers and the refineries sector, and transportation sectors like road and rail.  
• Other Types of Hydrogen: 

Death Anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Why in News? 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with President Droupadi Murmu and other dignitaries, paid floral tributes to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his seventh death anniversary (16th Aug) at his memorial, ‘Sadaiv Atal’, in New Delhi. 

Key Points About Atal Bihari Vajpayee 

• Atal Bihari Vajpayee: Born on 25th December, 1924 in the erstwhile princely state of Gwalior (now a part of Madhya Pradesh). 
  • He entered in national politics during the Quit India Movement (1942) which hastened the end of British colonial rule. 
• Professional Career: In 1947, Vajpayee started working as a journalist for newspapers of Deendayal Upadhyaya — Rashtradharma (a Hindi monthly), Panchjanya (a Hindi weekly) and the dailies Swadesh and Veer Arjun.  
  • Later, influenced by Syama Prasad Mookerjee, Vajpayee joined the Bharatiya Jana Sangh in 1951. 
• Political Journey: He served as India’s Prime Minister three times (1996; 1998–2004): first term (16th May – 1st June 1996, about 13 days), second term (19th March 1998 – 13th October 1999), and third term (13th October 1999 – 22nd May 2004). 
  • He was elected nine times to the Lok Sabha and twice to the Rajya Sabha. 
• Awards and Recognition: He was conferred with the country's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna in 2015 and second-highest civilian honour, the Padma Vibhushan in 1994. 
  • As a parliamentarian, Vajpayee was awarded with the Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant Award for Best Parliamentarian in 1994, which defines him as "a role model par excellence for all legislators." 
  • His birthday is observed as Good Governance Day. 
• Demise: A revered former Prime Minister, he passed away on 16th August 2018. 
• Key Achievements: 
  • He launched the Golden Quadrilateral Project, creating a network of four national highways connecting Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata. 
  • Through second-generation economic reforms, he liberalized India’s economy, fostering industrial growth and attracting foreign investment. 
  • He led the nation during the Pokhran Nuclear Tests (1998), which established India as a nuclear power while emphasizing peace and non-aggression. 
  • He inaugurated Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in 2000 for better connectivity and transportation in rural India.

Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve

Why in News? 

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) Central Zone Bench in Bhopal has reprimanded state authorities for granting permission for the annual Darshan Yatra (to Bandhavgarh Fort) in the core area of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve,  a critical tiger habitat under Project Tiger. 

• The core area is the most critical part of a protected area where human activity is typically restricted to protect biodiversity and wildlife. 

Key Points 

• About: A green activist filed a plea highlighting the negative impact of large-scale pilgrimages on Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve's biodiversity, citing issues like bamboo cutting, unsanitary camping, river pollution, and wildlife disturbance, all violating the Wildlife Protection Act (1972), Forest Conservation Act (1980), and Environment Protection Act (1986). 
• Recommendations: The Madhya Pradesh government has been directed to finalize a Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) for regulating yatras within three months, while ensuring minimal disruption to wildlife and adherence to the 2012 Project Tiger guidelines in the interim. 
  • Citing a carrying capacity study by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, the NGT recorded that while the terrain could theoretically handle 7,000-8,000 pilgrims, the presence of tigers, elephants and other large animals restricted safe capacity to only 4,000-5,000 visitors.  
  • The WII recommended entry through vehicles only, online registration a month in advance, and better crowd regulation.

Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve 

• Distinct Areas: It is located between the Vindhyan and Satpura ranges of Madhya Pradesh. 
  • The park includes Bandhavgarh National Park, Panpatha Wildlife Sanctuary (Core Area), and the adjoining Buffer Area, spread across the districts of Umaria, Shahdol, and Katni. 
• Majestic Wildlife: It is famous for housing the Royal Bengal Tiger along with other wildlife like Leopards, Wild Dogs, and Gaur. 
• Diverse Habitat: The reserve features dense forests, bamboo vegetation, vast grasslands, and perennial streams, offering a rich environment for various species, especially the solitary tiger. 

India’s First Private Maths Research Institute

Why in News?  

India’s first privately funded mathematics research institute, the Lodha Mathematical Sciences Institute (LMSI), was launched in Mumbai.  

Key Points 

• About: LMSI seeks to apply advanced mathematical techniques, including data science, operations research, machine learning, and optimization, to tackle challenges in infrastructure, healthcare, and economics.  
  • The institute aims to foster research that transcends academia by addressing real-world issues with mathematical insights. 
• Director of LMSI: The institute, supported by the Lodha Foundation and led by renowned mathematician Dr. V Kumar Murty, specializes in number theory and arithmetic geometry. 
• Inaugural Course: Dr. Manjul Bhargava, a Princeton University professor and the first Indian-origin recipient of the Fields Medal, will lead an intensive seminar on arithmetic statistics and number theory. 
• Future Plans: In the future, LMSI plans to establish the Indian Congress of Mathematics, with the first congress scheduled to take place by December 2026.  
  • This congress will celebrate the contributions of Indian-origin mathematicians worldwide.

Eternal Flame of Homeopathy Award to Dr PK Shukla

Why in News? 

Senior homeopathic physician Dr PK Shukla from Lucknow was awarded the Eternal Flame of Homeopathy Award for his outstanding contributions to homeopathy.  

• The award was presented by cricketing legend Sunil Gavaskar at the 4th All India Homeopathy Research Summit 2025, held on 16^th August 2025 at JW Marriott, Goa, and organised by Burnet Homeopathy Private Limited. 

Homeopathy

• Homeopathy is a medical system that stimulates the body’s natural healing ability, using highly diluted substances to enhance effects and reduce side effects.  
• Introduced in India in the 18^th century, World Homeopathy Day is observed every 10^th April to honor its founder, Dr. Hahnemann. 

Note: Crosspathy is the practice where healthcare professionals provide treatments or prescribe medicines beyond their recognized expertise, such as AYUSH practitioners (Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy) performing procedures or prescribing drugs usually reserved for allopathic (modern) medicine.

Inauguration of Circuit Bench of Bombay HC

Why in News? 

The Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai inaugurated the new circuit bench of the Bombay High Court in Kolhapur, making it the fifth bench of the court. 

Key Points 

• About: The Kolhapur Bench will include a Division Bench and two Single Benches serving six districts namely, Satara, Sangli, Solapur, Kolhapur, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg. 
  • The Division Bench will handle public interest litigation petitions, civil writ petitions, family court appeals, contempt appeals, and civil and criminal matters while the single Bench will hear cases including criminal revision applications, bail applications and other criminal matters. 
• Significance: It will improve accessibility for citizens in the Konkan and Western Maharashtra regions. 
• Bombay HC Bench Structure: One of India’s oldest Chartered High Courts, it has jurisdiction over Maharashtra, Goa, Daman & Diu, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli. It already has three main benches: 
  • Principal Bench in Mumbai. 
  • Regional Benches in Nagpur (Vidarbha) and Aurangabad (Marathwada). 
  • A separate Bench in Goa.

Process of Establishment of High Court Benches 

• Establishment of High Court Benches: Setting up of a Bench of a High Court is considered only if a complete proposal in terms of section 51(2) of the States` Reorganisation Act, 1956 is received from the State Government concerned, including the consent of the Chief Justice of the High Court and the Governor of the State and also if it satisfies the broad guidelines and criteria recommended by the Jaswant Singh Commission. 
  • The State Government is responsible for providing infrastructural facilities and bearing the entire expenditure of the High Court and its Bench. 
• Justice Jaswant Singh Commission: In 1981, a commission was appointed to consider demands for High Court Benches in Western districts of Uttar Pradesh. 
  • The commission recommended criteria including characteristics of the region, population size, area, means of travel and communication, distance for litigants, pendency rates, infrastructure availability, and legal talent. 
• Supreme Court's Position: Decisions should be based on rational, not emotional, sentimental, or parochial considerations. 

UP Universities Shine on Sodhganga Portal

Why in News? 

On University Grants Commission’s (UGC) Sodhganga portal, three universities from Uttar Pradesh secured places among the country’s Top 10 institutions in terms of uploaded research theses. 

Key Points 

• On the Shodhganga portal, which hosts over 6,20,000 theses from 840 universities nationwide, Uttar Pradesh’s institutions have emerged as significant contributors, with Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Kanpur University, and Banaras Hindu University (BHU) securing prominent positions—underscoring the state’s growing emphasis on higher education, research, and academic excellence. 
• Top 10 National Universities: 
  • Anna University (17028 theses) 
  • University of Madras (15396) 
  • University of Calcutta (14837) 
  • Savitribai Phule Pune University (13403) 
  • University of Mumbai (12527) 
  • Andhra University (10736) 
  • Aligarh Muslim University (10709): 7th among top contributors (1st in UP). 
  • Chhatrapati Sahuji Maharaj University (10279): 8th among top contributors (2nd in UP). 
  • Panjab University (9890) 
  • Banaras Hindu University (9600): (3rd in UP). 
• Other UP Universities’ Contributions: 
  • Lucknow University: 8,683 theses 
  • Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut: 3,645 theses 
  • Bundelkhand University: 2,335 theses 
  • Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay Gorakhpur University: 1,161 theses 
  • Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University, Lucknow: 462 theses 

Shodhganga: A Digital Repository of Indian Theses 

• About: Shodhganga is a digital repository of Indian electronic theses and dissertations, hosted and maintained by the INFLIBNET Centre.  
  • It provides open access to M.Phil. and Ph.D. research, ensuring wider visibility, reducing duplication, and enhancing research quality across Indian universities. 
• Mandate: Under the UGC (Minimum Standards & Procedure for Award of M.Phil./Ph.D. Degree) Regulation, 2009 (amended 2016), all researchers are required to submit electronic versions of their theses to facilitate global access and preservation. 
• Significance: 
  • “Shodh” means research; “Ganga” symbolizes India’s rich cultural heritage. Together, Shodhganga represents the reservoir of Indian intellectual output. 
  • It prevents duplication of research, promotes quality, and preserves scholarly work digitally. 
• University Integration: 
  • Universities can maintain their own institutional repositories while using Shodhganga as a central backup. 
  • Metadata from distributed repositories is harvested centrally to provide unified access to all theses.