Prelims Current Affairs includes International Day To Protect Education From Attack, Trust Fellowship Launched For India-Us Research Partnership, Niti Aayog Launches Pact For Zero-Emission Freight, Eastern Economic Forum (Eef), Lora Missile, Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2026 & President’s Colour Presented To Goa Police

IMPORTANT DAYS

1. INTERNATIONAL DAY TO PROTECT EDUCATION FROM ATTACK

Current Context: International Day to Protect Education from Attack is observed on 9 September to raise awareness about attacks on educational institutions during armed conflict.

ABOUT THE DAY

• Date:9 September every year
• Established by:UN General Assembly
• Theme 2026:“Can Education Survive Attack? The Resilience of Human Communities”

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

2. TRUST FELLOWSHIP LAUNCHED FOR INDIA-US RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP

Current Context: The U.S.-India TRUST Fellowship was launched in Bengaluru in September 2026 to deepen research collaboration between the United States and India in critical and emerging technologies.

ABOUT TRUST FELLOWSHIP

• The fellowship is designed to promote joint research, academic exchange, publications, patents and commercialisation.
• Full Form:Transforming the Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology
• Replaced:iCET (Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology)
• Fellowship Structure:
• Up to 20 American postdoctoral researchers and early-career faculty
• 12 months at Indian institutions
• Stipends:Postdoctoral – $1,650/month, Visiting Faculty – $3,650/month
• Research Areas:
• AI, semiconductors, quantum computing, biotechnology, energy, defence, space
• Funding:Pratiksha Trust and Mazumdar Shaw Philanthropy

ENVIRONMENT/INFRASTRUCTURE 

3. NITI AAYOG LAUNCHES PACT FOR ZERO-EMISSION FREIGHT

Current Context: NITI Aayog launched the Platform for Aggregating Clean Transport (PACT) and Zero Emission Truck (ZET) Marketplace on 7 September 2026 during the 5th e-FAST India Summit 2026 in New Delhi.

ABOUT THE INITIATIVES

• PACT stands for Platform for Aggregating Clean Transport.
• It is a flagship initiative under e-FAST India, an initiative of NITI Aayog.
• PACT seeks to aggregate freight demand from shippers, Logistics Service Providers (LSPs) and other stakeholders.
• The aggregated demand will be converted into deployment opportunities for zero-emission trucks, particularly along identified freight corridors.
• It brings together shippers, LSPs, vehicle manufacturers, financiers, charge-point operators and other ecosystem partners.

WHAT IS ZET MARKETPLACE?

• ZET stands for Zero Emission Truck.
• It enables stakeholders to showcase products, identify commercial opportunities and form partnerships for zero-emission freight projects.
• Its objective is to move projects from planning and intent to actual implementation.

ECONOMY/INTERNATIONAL

4. EASTERN ECONOMIC FORUM (EEF)

Current Context: 11th Eastern Economic Forum was held from 1-4 September 2026 in Vladivostok, Russia.

Theme: “The Far East: Development for the Benefit of People.”

ABOUT EEF

• The Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) is an annual international economic forum held in Vladivostok, Russia.
• It was established in 2015 by a decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
• The main objective is to promote the economic development of Russia’s Far East and expand international cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.
• It brings together government representatives, businesses, investors, experts and academics to discuss investment, infrastructure, trade and regional development.

Russian Far East:

• Borders Pacific and Arctic Oceans
• Borders 5 countries: China, Japan, Mongolia, USA, DPRK
• Rich in natural resources: gold, diamonds, oil, natural gas
• 1/3 of all coal reserves and hydro-engineering resources

DEFENCE

5. LORA MISSILE

Current Context: Germany successfully tested LORA missile in the North Atlantic.

ABOUT LORA

• LORA stands for Long Range Artillery.
• It is a theatre/quasi-ballistic missile developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
• It is a precision-strike, solid-fuel ballistic missile designed for long-range attacks against high-value and fortified targets.
• It can be launched from land-based mobile launchers as well as naval platforms.

KEY FEATURES OF LORA

• Type: Short-range/theatre ballistic, quasi-ballistic missile
• Launch platforms: Land and naval
• Range: 90–430 km according to IAI
• Weight: Approximately 1,600 kg
• Length: Approximately 2 metre

ENVIRONMENT

6. SWACHH VAYU SARVEKSHAN 2026

Current Context: Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2026 rankings released with Lucknow topping million-plus cities.

ABOUT SWACHH VAYU SARVEKSHAN

• Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan is an annual city-level assessment conducted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to evaluate measures taken by cities to control air pollution.
• It is implemented in the framework of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).
• The survey focuses not merely on measured air quality, but also on the actions and interventions undertaken by cities to reduce air pollution.
• The 2026 edition is the 5th Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan

CATEGORY-I (Population >10 Lakh):

CATEGORY-II (Population 3-10 Lakh):

• 1st:Rourkela (198.5)
• 2nd:Firozabad and Guntur (195)

CATEGORY-III (Population <3 Lakh):

• 1st:Kalinga Nagar (198.5)
• 2nd:Angul (196.5)
• 3rd:Talcher (193.5)

DEFENCE

7. PRESIDENT’S COLOUR PRESENTED TO GOA POLICE

Current Context: President’s Colour presented to Goa Police on 7 September 2026.

ABOUT THE HONOUR

• Presented by:Union Home Minister Amit Shah
• Venue: Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium, Taleigao, Goa
• Goa Police: 5th state police force to receive President’s Police Colour

Key Initiatives:

• AI-based multilingual voice assistant for cyber-crime helpline 1930 (12 languages)
• Emergency response time reduced: 18 mins → 8 mins (112 helpline)
• Target: Eliminate drug menace by 2029

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