The Department of Official Language recently celebrated its golden jubilee, marking 50 years since its establishment in 1975.
About Indian Languages
India’s linguistic diversity is not just a cultural asset — it is a foundational pillar of its national identity, democratic ethos, and inclusive development.
Cultural and Civilizational Heritage: Census 2011 recognised 121 languages and over 1,600 mother tongues are used throughout India.
The Indus Valley script, Brāhmī, and Kharosthī are among the earliest writing systems, reflecting India’s long-standing literary traditions.
India has eleven recognized classical languages, i.e. Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Odia and recently added Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali.
June 26, 2025 marks 80 years of the signing of the UN Charter in 1945, considered the founding treaty of the United Nations.
Background
The UN Charter was signed on June 26, 1945, at the United Nations Conference on International Organization in San Francisco, by 50 nations in the aftermath of World War II.
It was based on proposals developed by China, the USSR, the UK, and the USA during the Dumbarton Oaks Conference (1944).
It comprises a Preamble and 111 Articles, organized into chapters.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has asked for the electoral rolls for Bihar to be prepared afresh.
About
All electors must submit an enumeration form, and those registered after 2003 have to additionally provide documentation establishing their citizenship.
This special intensive revision (SIV) of rolls will eventually cover all states and Union Territories.
Reasons for the SIV: Rapid urbanisation, frequent migration, young citizens becoming eligible to vote, non-reporting of deaths and inclusion of the names of foreign illegal immigrants have necessitated the conduct.
The booth level officers (BLOs) will make house to house verification of voters.
World Micro-, Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) Day is celebrated annually on June 27th with the theme “Enhancing the role of MSMEs as drivers of Sustainable Growth and Innovation.”
Significance of MSMEs
Globally, MSMEs represent the most dominant segment of the business ecosystem, accounting for nearly 90% of enterprises and over 50% of total employment.
In India, MSMEs are contributing around 30% to the GDP and over 45% to the country's exports.
MSMEs are the second-largest employer in India after agriculture.
Exports from MSMEs have seen substantial growth, rising from ₹3.95 lakh crore in 2020-21 to ₹12.39 lakh crore in 2024-25.
The recent revision of the International Poverty Line by the World Bank has reignited the global debate on how poverty should be defined and tracked.
Background
The World Bank has announced a major revision to global poverty estimates, raising the International Poverty Line (IPL) from $2.15/day (2017 PPP) to $3.00/day (2021 PPP).
While the change led to a global increase in the count of extreme poverty by 125 million, India witnessed a massive reduction in poverty.
Italian luxury fashion brand Prada has come under fire in India after featuring leather flat sandals, priced at approximately Rs 1.2 lakh, that closely resemble traditional Kolhapuri chappals.
About
Kolhapuri chappals, known for their handcrafted leather design, are traditionally made by artisan communities in Maharashtra and have been in use since at least the 12th century.
Kolhapuri chappals received Geographical Indication (GI) status in 2019, recognising their cultural and regional significance.
