Mandovi River
Syllabus: GS1/Geography
Context
- The Union Government has extended the tenure of the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal by one year.
About the Mandovi River
- Names: Known as Mahadayi in Karnataka and Mhadei in Goa.
- Origin: Rises in the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary, of Karnataka’s Belagavi district.
- Course: Flows westward, entering Goa via Sattari taluk (North Goa), before joining the Arabian Sea at Panaji.
- Basin Coverage: Spans Goa, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.
- Length: 111 km total; about 76 km lies within Goa.
Source: TOI
State Health Regulatory Excellence Index (SHRESTH)
Syllabus :GS 2/Health
In News
- The Union Health Ministry launched the State Health Regulatory Excellence Index (SHRESTH).
State Health Regulatory Excellence Index (SHRESTH)
- It is an initiative aimed at benchmarking and strengthening state drug regulatory systems through a transparent, data-driven framework.
- It will assess states on parameters such as lab testing capacity, digitisation of approvals, inspection rigour, and responsiveness to public grievances.
- It is developed by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).
- It will rank manufacturing states (on 27 parameters) and distribution states/UTs (on 23 parameters) across themes like licensing, surveillance, and responsiveness.
- States will submit monthly data, and best practices will be shared to promote uniform standards.
Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)
Syllabus: GS2/Polity & Governance
Context
- In its report tabled in Parliament, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) found the Centre had failed to transfer ₹3.69 lakh crore worth cess collections to the relevant funds for which they were levied.
Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)
- The CAG is the supreme audit authority of India, responsible for auditing government accounts and ensuring accountability in public finance management.
- Articles 148 to 151 of the Indian Constitution provide the framework for the appointment, duties, and reporting structure of the CAG.
- Appointed by: President of India.
- Tenure: 6 years or up to the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
- Removal: By President on the basis of a motion passed by both Houses of Parliament with a special majority on grounds of proved misbehaviour or incapacity.
- Oath: Administered by the President.
Source: TH
Atal Innovation Mission (AIM)
Syllabus: GS3/Economy
Context
- The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, hosted “Mega Tinkering Day 2025,” bringing together over 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) from all 35 states and Union Territories.
About Atal Innovation Mission (AIM)
- AIM is an initiative under NITI Aayog launched in 2016.
- Aim: To foster innovation at the grassroots level by providing support to students, startups, and entrepreneurs.
- AIM 2.0 is a step towards Viksit Bharat that aims to expand, strengthen, and deepen India’s already vibrant innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
- It aims to break the language barrier through the Language Inclusive Program of Innovation (LIPI) and 30 vernacular innovation centres.
Source: PIB
Retail Inflation Hits 8-year Low
Syllabus :GS3/Economy
In News
- Retail inflation in India fell to 1.55% in July 2025, the lowest since June 2017 and below the RBI’s 2–6% target band, driven by a sharp decline in food prices.
Retail inflation (Consumer Price Index (CPI))
- It measures changes over time in the general level of prices of goods and services that households acquire for the purpose of consumption.
- It is widely used as a macroeconomic indicator of inflation, as a tool by governments and central banks for inflation targeting and for monitoring price stability, and as deflators in the national accounts.
- It is also used for indexing dearness allowance to employees for increase in prices.
- The Central Statistics Office (CSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has revised the Base Year of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from 2010=100 to 2012=100 with effect from the release of indices for the month of January, 2015.
Source :TH
OneWeb LEO Satellite Connectivity Across India
Syllabus: GS3/ Science and Technology
Context
- Nelco Limited, the Tata Group’s satellite communication arm, has signed an agreement with Eutelsat to roll out OneWeb low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite connectivity services across India.
About
- The partnership aims to bridge digital gaps, enhance secure communications, and expand access to high-speed internet in remote, maritime, and aviation sectors.
- Extensive Coverage: The service will blanket India’s entire landmass, territorial waters, and remote regions—reaching into maritime zones and aerial routes.
- Targeted Sectors: The focus is on government, defence, enterprise, maritime, and aviation customers who require secure, low-latency communication channels.
- Competitive Edge: The LEO service complements other satellite offerings (like VSAT and GEO SATCOM), fitting into Tata’s expanding “multi-orbit” connectivity strategy.
Source: BS
UNDP Equator Initiative Award
Syllabus: Miscellaneous
Context
- The Bibi Fatima Women’s Self-Help Group (SHG) from Teertha village in Dharwad district, Karnataka, has won the Equator Prize 2025, awarded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
About Equator Initiative Award
- Launched: In 2002
- The award is presented annually to honor nature-based solutions led by Indigenous Peoples and local communities that promote sustainable development and ecological resilience.
- The award is also referred to as the Nobel Prize for Biodiversity Conservation.
Bibi fathima Swa Sahaya Sangha (Bibi Fatima SHG)
- Founded in Karnataka, this women-led initiative supports over 5,000 farmers across 30 villages through millet-based multi-cropping, seed banks, and solar-powered processing.
- Combining traditional knowledge with regenerative agriculture and renewable energy, it restores biodiversity, boosts food security, and empowers marginalized women and youth as agripreneurs, advancing climate resilience and equity.
Source: TH
National Anubhav Awards
Syllabus: Miscellaneous
Context
- The National Anubhav Awards 2025 is going to be held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, marking the 10th anniversary of the awards.
About the Awards
- Launch Year: 2015
- Purpose: To incentivise and encourage retired government employees to share their work experiences and administrative insights.
- Eligibility:
- Employees who are retiring within the next 8 months, or who have retired within the past 3 years, can submit their write-ups on the Anubhav Portal, which are then evaluated by the Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW).
- Evolution
- 2015: Started with 5 National Anubhav Awards.
- 2023: Introduced 10 Anubhav Jury Awards, increasing total awards to 15 annually for wider participation.
Source: PIB
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