New H-1B visa fee will not apply for change of status: U.S. govt.

In News

The Bathou religion of the Bodo community in Assam has been officially granted a separate code in the upcoming national census.

About

Bathouism is the indigenous religion of the Bodo community, primarily concentrated in Assam and parts of North Bengal, where it serves as a core marker of cultural identity and community life. 

The term “Bathou” denotes “Five Principles,” a cosmology wherein the universe is constituted by five elements—Ha (Earth), Dwi (Water), Or (Fire), Bar (Air), and Okhrang (Sky)—a framework often explained as five deep principles or thoughts in Bodo tradition. 

Rooted in nature-veneration, Bathouism emphasizes reverence for the environment and maintaining equilibrium in human–nature relations through household and community rituals centered on sacred plants (Sijou plant) and elemental symbolism.

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Context

210 Maoists surrendered in Dandakaranya region of Chhattisgarh, following a similar event in Maharashtra, as a part of a broader strategy by the Union and state governments to abandon violence and embrace rehabilitation.

About Maoism, or Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)

It was rooted in radical communist ideology, advocating armed struggle to overthrow the state and establish a classless society. 

LWE in India traces its roots to the Naxalbari uprising of 1967 in West Bengal, inspired by Mao Zedong’s revolutionary tactics.

The movement gained momentum through the formation of groups like the Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) and later the CPI (Maoist), which rejected electoral politics and embraced violent revolution.

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Context

The Union Finance Minister urged rural banks to enhance agricultural credit disbursement to meet the evolving financial needs of New Rural India, while reviewing the performance of Karnataka Grameena Bank (KaGB) in Ballari.

Agriculture Credit in India

Sources of Agricultural Credit: Public sector banks (like the State Bank of India), regional rural banks (RRBs), cooperatives, and NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development) provide most formal agricultural credit.

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Context

The Sri Lankan Prime Minister is on a state visit to India.

India and Sri Lanka Relations

Diplomatic Ties: Diplomatic relations established in 1948 after Sri Lanka’s independence.

Trade Relations: India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (ISFTA) in 2000 contributed significantly towards the expansion of trade between the two countries.

India has traditionally been among Sri Lanka’s largest trade partners and Sri Lanka remains among the largest trade partners of India in the SAARC.

India is also one of the largest contributors to Foreign Direct Investment in Sri Lanka. 

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Context

The first India–Egypt Strategic Dialogue was held in New Delhi co-chaired by EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar and Egyptian FM.

About

Egypt’s Position: Egypt supports regional connectivity projects like India-Middle East EU Economic Corridor (IMEC) but believes progress is impossible without addressing the Palestinian question.

It proposed that India join the Egyptian Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE) — where Russia, China, and others already have industrial complexes — to strengthen connectivity and trade cooperation.

India’s Support to Palestine: EAM reiterated India’s consistent support for the two-state solution, i.e. peaceful coexistence of Israel and Palestine as independent states.

Egypt’s Geostrategic Role: Egypt aims to act as a bridge between Asia, Africa, and Europe, leveraging its Suez Canal Economic Zone for industrial and trade cooperation.

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In News

The Supreme Court set up a committee under former Justice Asha Menon to formulate an equal opportunity policy for transgender individuals and to suggest measures for inclusive medical care and protection for gender non-conforming and gender-diverse persons.

Supreme Court’s Recent Observations 

SC highlighted systemic barriers in employment, healthcare, education, and public institutions, including the lack of a ‘third gender’ option and the expectation for transgender individuals to conceal their identity, violating their dignity under Article 21.

Exercising powers under Article 142, the Court mandated the designation of appellate authorities under Rule 9, creation of welfare boards in all states and UTs, and establishment of Transgender Protection Cells under district magistrates and DGPs.

It also called for a nationwide toll-free helpline and recommended safeguards such as ensuring no transwoman is arrested without a female officer present.

It also urged all public and private institutions to foster gender-inclusive environments and suggested gender-diverse screening points at public venues to ensure dignity and safety for transgender individuals.

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India’s rivers, once the arteries of trade and cultural exchange, are being reimagined as engines of modern economic growth. 

संदर्भ 

असम में बोडो समुदाय के बाथौ धर्म को आगामी राष्ट्रीय जनगणना में आधिकारिक तौर पर एक अलग संहिता प्रदान की गई है।

विषय 

बाथौवाद बोडो समुदाय का स्वदेशी धर्म है, जो मुख्य रूप से असम और उत्तरी बंगाल के कुछ हिस्सों में केंद्रित है, जहाँ यह सांस्कृतिक पहचान एवं सामुदायिक जीवन का एक प्रमुख प्रतीक है।

"बाथौ" शब्द "पाँच सिद्धांतों" को दर्शाता है, एक ब्रह्मांड विज्ञान जिसमें ब्रह्मांड पाँच तत्वों - हा (पृथ्वी), द्वि (जल), ओर (अग्नि), बर (वायु), और ओखरंग (आकाश) से बना है - एक ढाँचा जिसे बोडो परंपरा में प्रायः पाँच गहन सिद्धांतों या विचारों के रूप में समझाया जाता है। 

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संदर्भ 

छत्तीसगढ़ के दंडकारण्य क्षेत्र में 210 माओवादी आत्मसमर्पण कर चुके हैं, जो महाराष्ट्र में हुई इसी प्रकार की घटना के बाद हुआ। यह केंद्र और राज्य सरकारों की व्यापक रणनीति का हिस्सा है, जिसका उद्देश्य हिंसा को त्यागकर पुनर्वास को अपनाना है।

माओवाद या वामपंथी उग्रवाद (LWE) के बारे में 

यह उग्रवादी कम्युनिस्ट विचारधारा पर आधारित था, जो राज्य को उखाड़ फेंकने और एक वर्गहीन समाज की स्थापना के लिए सशस्त्र संघर्ष का समर्थन करता था। 

भारत में LWE की शुरुआत 1967 में पश्चिम बंगाल के नक्सलबाड़ी आंदोलन से हुई, जो माओ ज़ेडोंग की क्रांतिकारी रणनीतियों से प्रेरित था। 

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