Prelims Current Affairs includes India And Australia Launch Pacts, India And Kyrgyzstan Launch ‘Manas And Mahabharata’ Centre, Aishe Report 2023-24: Higher Education Enrolment Hits Record 4.5 Crore, Tamil Nadu Tops India In Higher Education Ger, ISRO Clears Ce20 Cryogenic Engine For Lvm3-M7, Iaf Ranks Third In Wdmma Global Air Power List, Telangana To Host 8th Khelo India Youth Games 2026 , Sourav Ganguly Joins Icc Hall Of Fame & Icmr To Establish India’s First High-Altitude Medicine Centre

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

1.  INDIA AND AUSTRALIA LAUNCH PACTS

Current Context: India and Australia launched PACTS during PM Modi’s visit to Australia at the third India-Australia Annual Summit in Melbourne.

ABOUT PACTS

• Announced At: Third India-Australia Annual Summit, Melbourne
• PACTS is a strategic bilateral initiative to strengthen collaboration in cybersecurity, critical and emerging technologies, and trusted supply chains.
• Full Form:Australia-India Partnership for Cyber, Critical Technologies and Supply Chains
• It supports both countries’ vision of a free, open, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific.
• Five Pillars of PACTS: Supply Chain Flexibility and Diversification, Critical Technologies, Cyber Security, Digital Resilience and Defence Research Cooperation.

INDIA-AUSTRALIA STRATEGIC RELATIONS

• Diplomatic Relations: Established in 1941.
• Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP): Established in 2020.
• Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA): Entered into force in 2022.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

2. INDIA AND KYRGYZSTAN LAUNCH ‘MANAS AND MAHABHARATA’ CENTRE

Current Context: India and Kyrgyzstan inaugurated the International Centre for Civilizational Studies “Manas and Mahabharata” in Bishkek.

ABOUT THE CENTRE

• It is a dedicated cultural and academic centre established to promote research on the epic traditions of India and Kyrgyzstan.
• Objective:Promote comparative civilizational research, cultural diplomacy, and academic exchanges
• It serves as a platform for preserving and promoting the shared values of courage, justice, wisdom, and cultural diversity embodied in the two epics; Mahabharata (India) and Manas epic (Kyrgyzstan)
• Established by:Manas National Academy in collaboration with CSIR, New Delhi

About THE EPICS

• Manas is the national epic of Kyrgyzstan and one of the longest epic poems in the world, comprising over 500,000 lines.
• In 2013, the Epic of Manas was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
• The Mahabharata is one of the world’s longest epic poems and is traditionally attributed to Maharishi Vyasa.
• It consists of about 100,000 shlokas (verses) arranged in 18 Parvas (books).

EDUCATION

3. AISHE REPORT 2023-24: HIGHER EDUCATION ENROLMENT HITS RECORD 4.5 CRORE

Current Context: Union Ministry of Education released AISHE Reports for 2022-23 and 2023-24, revealing that higher education enrolment reached an all-time high of 4.50 crore students, the highest ever recorded in India.

ABOUT Report

• AISHE (All India Survey on Higher Education) is an annual survey conducted by the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education.
• It was launched in 2010-11.
• Purpose:Collects information on student enrolment, faculty, infrastructure, examination results, academic programs

KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF AISHE 2023-24

• Total enrolment reached 50 crore, up from 4.46 crore in 2022-23.
• Enrolment has increased by 5% since 2014-15 (3.42 crore).

Female Enrolment

• Female enrolment reached 24 crore.
• Female enrolment has increased by 2% since 2014-15.
• Women now constitute nearly 50% of total higher education enrolment.
• Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER)
• Overall GER (18-23 years) increased to 0%.
• Female GER: 31.2%
• Male GER: 28.9%
• Female GER exceeded male GER for the second consecutive year.
• However, the current pace remains below the NEP 2020 target of 50% GER by 2035.
• STEM Education: Enrolment in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) crossed 1 crore for the first time.
• PhD Enrolment: PhD enrolment increased by 47% over the past decade.
• Undergraduate Education: Undergraduate programmes accounted for 8% of total student enrolment, remaining the largest segment of higher education.
• Private Sector: Private colleges continue to dominate India’s higher education landscape, educating over 70% of college students.

EDUCATION

4.  TAMIL NADU TOPS INDIA IN HIGHER EDUCATION GER

Current Context: Tamil Nadu recorded highest GER of 52.3% in higher education for 2023-24.

ABOUT THE ACHIEVEMENT

• Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) is the total enrolment in higher education, regardless of age, expressed as a percentage of the population in the 18-23 years age group.
• GER is a key indicator used to measure access to higher education.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF TAMIL NADU’S PERFORMANCE

• First major State to achieve more than 50% GER.
• Well above the national GER of 30.0%.
• Tamil Nadu has consistently remained India’s leading State in higher education enrolment for several years

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

5. ISRO CLEARS CE20 CRYOGENIC ENGINE FOR LVM3-M7

Current Context: ISRO conducted flight acceptance hot test of CE20 cryogenic engine at ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri.

ABOUT CE20 ENGINE

• CE20 is India’s most powerful indigenous cryogenic rocket engine.
• It powers the C25 cryogenic upper stage of the LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3).
• Developed by Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), ISRO.
• It is India’s first cryogenic engine based on the Gas Generator Cycle.
• Uses: Fuel: Liquid Hydrogen (LH₂), Oxidiser: Liquid Oxygen (LOX).
• Part of:India’s heavy-lift launch system for orbital missions

LVM3 Missions:

• CE20 has flown successfully in 8 consecutive LVM3 missions
• Includes: Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3, and three commercial launches
• Tested engine will be integrated with C32 cryogenic stage for LVM3-M7
• CE20 has met human-rating qualification requirements for Gaganyaan programme

DEFENCE 

6. IAF RANKS THIRD IN WDMMA GLOBAL AIR POWER LIST

Current Context: IAF ranked third among military aviation powers in WDMMA 2026 Global Air Powers Rankings.

ABOUT THE RANKING

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) has been ranked 3rd among military aviation powers by country in the World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft (WDMMA) Global Air Power Rankings 2026, behind the United States and Russia.
• However, when individual air service branches (including separate air arms of armies and navies) are assessed, the IAF ranks 6th globally.
• It has ranked ahead of China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) for the fifth consecutive year
• Assesses:Overall strength, attack and defence capability, logistical support, modernisation, aircraft quality and quantity

IAF Fleet Profile:

Squadron Strength:

• Current: 29 fighter squadrons
• Sanctioned: 42 squadrons
• About IAF:
• Established:8 October 1932
• Motto:“Nabha Sparsham Deeptam” (from Bhagavad Gita)
• WDMMA 2026 Rankings:
• 1st (Service Branch): US Air Force
• 4th (By Country): People’s Liberation Army Air Force

SPORTS 

7. TELANGANA TO HOST 8TH KHELO INDIA YOUTH GAMES 2026

Current Context: Telangana will host the 8th Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) 2026.

ABOUT THE GAMES

• Edition:8th Khelo India Youth Games
• Under:Khelo India Programme by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
• Objectives:
• Identify promising talent
• Offer high-level competitive exposure
• Prepare athletes for international competitions

SPORTS 

8. SOURAV GANGULY JOINS ICC HALL OF FAME

Current Context: Sourav Ganguly became 12^th Indian cricketer inducted into ICC Hall of Fame.

ABOUT ICC HALL OF FAME

• Established by:International Cricket Council (ICC)
• Highest individual honour in world cricket
• Recognises retired players with exceptional contributions through performances, leadership, and lasting influence

HIMACHAL NEWS

9. ICMR TO ESTABLISH INDIA’S FIRST HIGH-ALTITUDE MEDICINE CENTRE

Current Context: ICMR is establishing India’s first dedicated Centre for High Altitude Medicine and Public Health Research at Keylong, Himachal Pradesh.

ABOUT THE CENTRE

• Altitude:Above 2,500 metres
• Under:ICMR (upgrading existing field station)
• Type:National facility for research, innovation, and capacity building

Focus Areas:

• High-altitude physiology and acclimatisation.
• Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE), and High-Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE).
• Climate-sensitive diseases
• Infectious and non-communicable diseases
• Maternal and child health
• Nutrition and mental health
• Occupational health and disaster medicine

About ICMR

• Full Form: Indian Council of Medical Research
• Established: 1911 (as the Indian Research Fund Association), renamed ICMR in 1949.
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Administrative Ministry: Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare

MAJOR TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

• Kardang Monastery – One of the largest and most important monasteries in Lahaul.
• Shashur Monastery – Famous for its murals and annual Cham Dance Festival.
• Deepak Tal – A picturesque high-altitude lake.
• Baralacha La Pass – A major Himalayan mountain pass connecting Himachal Pradesh with Ladakh.

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