• 27 Aug 2025

Earth Overshoot Day 2025

Why in News?

Earth Overshoot Day occurred on 24th July this year(2025), marking the earliest date ever when humanity's demand for ecological resources surpasses what the Earth can regenerate in a year.

• This means humans have consumed an entire year's worth of resources in under seven months.

Key Points

• Definition: Earth Overshoot Day marks the date when humanity’s demand for ecological resources and services exceeds the Earth’s capacity to regenerate them in that year.
• Inception: The idea of Earth Overshoot Day was first proposed by Andrew Simms of the UK think tank New Economics Foundation.
  • The New Economics Foundation partnered with Global Footprint Network in 2006 to launch the campaign. Since 2007, the World Wide Fund (WWF) has collaborated on the initiative.
  • Calculation: Global Footprint Network hosts and calculates the event based on the National Footprint and Biocapacity Accounts, maintained by York University.
  • The data is updated annually to reflect the most accurate and current global consumption patterns.
• Formula:

• Biocapacity vs. Ecological Footprint:
  • Biocapacity: The amount of ecological resources Earth can regenerate in a given year (e.g., forests, grazing lands, croplands).
    • Represents the Earth’s productive land and sea areas, including forests, grazing lands, cropland, and fishing grounds.
  • Ecological Footprint: The total demand humanity places on these resources (including food, timber, space for urban infrastructure, and carbon dioxide absorption).
    • Measures a population's demand for resources like food, fiber, timber, and space to absorb CO₂ emissions from fossil fuels.
• Global Impact:
  • Ecological Deficit: When a region’s demand exceeds its ecological supply, it runs an ecological deficit. This deficit is addressed by importing resources, over-exploiting local ecosystems (like overfishing), and emitting CO₂ into the atmosphere.
  • Global Overshoot: At a global scale, ecological deficit and overshoot are synonymous, as there’s no net import of resources to the planet.

Sadak Suraksha Mitra Initiative

Why in News?

The Uttar Pradesh Transport Department launched the Sadak Suraksha Mitra (SSM) programme, initiated by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), to engage youth in road safety measures and reduce accidents and fatalities. 

Key Points

• About: The initiative is launched in partnership with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and seeks to train and deploy volunteers through the MYBharat platform.
• Target: The program targets youth aged 18 to 28 with no pending traffic challans, with the first phase set to cover 100 districts nationwide.
• Training Programs:
  • General Volunteers: A one-week training program will be provided, which includes basic first aid and road safety awareness.
  • Civil Engineering Graduates: A 15-day training program focused on road safety audits, black spot identification, awareness initiatives, and field surveys.
• Recognition: Outstanding volunteers will be recognized for their contributions with certificates and 'Good Samaritan' awards.
• Implementation: The initiative will be implemented in 28 districts across Uttar Pradesh, including Kanpur Nagar, Bulandshahr, Prayagraj, and Agra, among others.
• Program Oversight: The District Road Safety Committees (DRSC) will ensure the implementation, including volunteer onboarding, training, and monthly performance reviews, following MoRTH's 12-step roadmap.
• Outcome: The expected outcomes include a reduction in road crashes and injuries, improved emergency responses, increased youth engagement in road safety, and strengthened district-level road safety systems through structured training, field studies, and data-driven reporting.

Ayurveda Day 2025

Why in News?

Ayurveda Day, first observed in 2016, will now be celebrated on 23 September every year, replacing the earlier practice of celebrating it on Dhanvantari Jayanti (Dhanteras).

Key Points

• About: With the fixed date of 23 September, Ayurveda Day is poised to gain a permanent position in the global calendar, contributing to worldwide health, well-being, and ecological sustainability through the rich tradition of Ayurveda.
  • Ayurveda spread globally through trade and cultural exchanges, influencing traditional medicine practices in Tibet, China, and beyond. 
  • Ayurveda Day has evolved into a global movement, highlighting Ayurveda's recognition as a traditional medicine system in 24 countries, with over 100 nations importing its products.
• Ayurveda Day 2025:
  • The theme for 2025 is "Ayurveda for People & Planet," emphasizing global wellness and environmental sustainability through Ayurveda.
  • The 2025 celebrations will focus on addressing global challenges like lifestyle disorders, climate-related diseases, and stress management, with Ayurveda promoted as a viable solution.
  • The Ministry of Ayush will lead activities, including Awareness campaigns, Youth engagement programs, Wellness consultations, and International collaborations. 
• Milestones of Ayurveda Day 2024: The 9th Ayurveda Day (2024) marked significant achievements in India's healthcare sector:
  • Inauguration of Phase II of the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA).
  • Launch of four Centres of Excellence in Ayurveda.
  • Introduction of “Desh Ka Prakriti Parikshan Abhiyan” 
• Significance: The first all-India NSSO survey reaffirmed Ayurveda as the most used treatment system in both rural and urban India.

Initiatives Taken For Development of Ayurveda 

• National Ayush Mission 
• New Portals on Ayush Sector 
• ACCR Portal and Ayush Sanjivani App

IMS For Atal Residential Schools

Why in News?

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched the Integrated Monitoring System (IMS) for Atal Residential Schools at the Rozgar Mahakumbh 2025 held at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan, Lucknow. 

Key Points

• About: The Integrated Monitoring System (IMS) will oversee 18 Atal Residential Schools in Uttar Pradesh, benefiting around 18,000 students who will receive free food and lodging upon selection, with the schools being digitally monitored.
  • Atal Residential Schools aims to provide modern, quality education to the children of workers, particularly those registered under the Building and Other Construction Workers (BOC) Board. 
  • Named after former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, the schools serve students from classes 1 to 12, including Bal Vatikas.
• Features:
  • Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System: The Atal Command Centre serves as the command hub, enabling digital monitoring of the schools.
  • Real-Time Attendance Management: Daily updates on the attendance of students and staff.
  • Academic Monitoring: Students' profiles, academic progress, exam results, and report cards will be tracked and accessible online.
  • Staff Profiles: Information about teachers and staff will be integrated, ensuring accountability and discipline.
  • Financial Management: Transparent records of budgets, expenses, and billing are maintained on the ERP system.
  • CCTV Integration: Live monitoring of school campuses, enhancing security and discipline.
  • Student Profiles: Detailed evaluation of each student's personal details and academic progress will be monitored through the system.

Rozgar Mahakumbh 2025

• About: Rozgaar Mahakumbh 2025 is Uttar Pradesh’s largest integrated employment and placement initiative, designed to bridge the gap between potential and opportunity.
• Initiatives:
  • Shram Nyay Setu Portal: The portal aims to provide quick, transparent, and time-bound justice for workers by enabling online settlement of labor disputes and offering 24/7 services.
  • Industrial Tribunal Website & E-Court Portal: These portals were launched to facilitate efficient legal proceedings and the resolution of worker-related disputes.
  • Basic Education: The IMS System will be introduced in basic education, with the first phase focusing on the establishment of 57 CM Abhyudaya and Composite Schools.

UP to Host India's First World Boxing Cup

Why in News?

India will host the World Boxing Cup (men's and women's) for the first time in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, from 13th- 24th November 2025, at the Vijay Pathik Sports Complex.

• The event will feature 450 boxers from over 80 countries, along with approximately 150 officials, and will coincide with the World Boxing Congress on 23rd November 2025.

Boxing World Cup

• About: It is an annual series where elite boxers compete across multiple stages throughout the year to accumulate ranking points.
  • The year culminates in a Finals event, bringing together top-ranked boxers for the final trophy.
• Boxing World Cup (2023-2025):
  • The first World Boxing Cup competition was held in Cologne, Germany, in October 2023.
  • The 2024 series took place across England, the USA, and Mongolia, culminating in a Finals event in England in November 2024.
  • For 2025, events will be held in Brazil, Germany, and Kazakhstan, with the Finals in India in November 2025.
• World Boxing Cup 2025: The event marks India's first time hosting the prestigious competition, with the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) being a major contender for the bid.
  • India has previously hosted the Women’s World Boxing Championship twice (2018 and 2023 in Delhi).
  • The World Boxing Congress was also held in Greater Noida in 2017.
• Other Major Boxing Events:
  • U19 World Boxing Championships (October 2024): Held in Colorado Springs, USA, with over 180 male and female boxers aged 17 and 18.
  • Elite World Boxing Championships (September 2025): The first event will take place in Liverpool, England, from 4-14 September 2025.
  • Elite World Boxing Championships (2027): Astana, Kazakhstan, will host the 2027 event following a successful bidding process.

World Boxing

• About: World Boxing, since the latter part of 2023, has been committed to organizing high-quality competitions to help boxers develop and progress. 
  • The organization collaborates with National Federations and key stakeholders to deliver competitive opportunities for both male and female boxers at various levels.

Boxing Federation of India (BFI)

• About: It is the national body overseeing amateur boxing, promoting the sport domestically, and representing India in international events like the Olympics and World Championships.
• Leadership: Pramod Kumar has recently been elected as the Secretary-General of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), and Ajay Singh as its President.
  • Pramod Kumar had represented India in the 5000m sprint at the 1986 Asian Games in Seoul.
  • He won two gold medals at the 1985 South Asian Games in Dhaka, bringing recognition to Indian boxing.

Project Aarohan

Why in News?

National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), in collaboration with Vertis Infrastructure Trust, launched ‘Project Aarohan’ to support the educational aspirations of toll plaza employees' children, with the launch ceremony held at NHAI Headquarters in New Delhi.

Key Points

• About: The program aims to address financial barriers and promote equal access to quality education for students from economically weaker sections (EWS), first-generation learners, and marginalized communities, including Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and minority groups.
• Objective: The program combines financial assistance with structured mentorship, skill-building workshops, and career guidance to enhance the overall educational experience of the students.
  • The initiative aims to equip students not only for higher education but also for future employment and entrepreneurship.
• Funding: The first phase of the project has been allocated a fund of ₹1 Crore for the financial year 2025-26.
  • The project will support 500 students from Class 11 to their final year of graduation, offering an annual scholarship of 12,000 rupees for the financial year 2025-26.
  • Fifty bright students aiming for postgraduate and higher studies will receive scholarships of 50,000 rupees each.

National Highway Authority of India (NHAI)

• The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) was established by the NHAI Act, 1988, to oversee the development, maintenance, and management of national highways. 
• NHAI's key responsibility is implementing the National Highways Development Project (NHDP), which covers 50,329 km of highways, and improving road infrastructure for smoother traffic flow.
• With a total length of 132,499 km, national highways carry about 40% of the total road traffic in India, despite making up only 2% of the road network.