Prelims Current Affairs includes Quit India Movement Day, Russia Withdraws from INF Trity, Flash Floods in Uttrakhand, Reservation for Schedule Tribe in GOA, International Solar Alliance, Punjab Empanels Sign Language Experts, Delhi Assembly Entirely Runs on Solar Power, and Unitited States Tariffs on India.

IMPORTANT DAY

1. QUIT INDIA MOVEMENT DAY

• Observed annually on 8 August

• Aim: To honour the historic call for complete independence from British rule. This year marks the 83rd anniversary (1942–2025) of this major civil disobedience movement led by Mahatma Gandhi.

ABOUT QUIT INDIA MOVEMENT

• Launched On: 8 August 1942

• Launched At: All India Congress Committee Session, Bombay (now Mumbai)

• By: Mahatma Gandhi

• Slogan: “Do or Die”

• Also Known As: August Kranti or August Movement

• Purpose: To demand an end to British rule in India

• Significance: Mass arrests, protests, and a turning point in India’s freedom struggle

INTERNATIONAL

2. RUSSIA WITHDRAWS FROM INF TREATY

Current Context: Recently, Russia officially ended its commitment to the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, citing recent United States military moves such as:

• Repositioning two nuclear submarines near Russian shores

• Deployment of Typhon missile system in the Philippines

ABOUT INF TREATY

• Signed Between: United States and the Soviet Union

• Year of Signing: 1987

• Main Provision:

  • Destroy all ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with range between 500–5,500 km

  • Allow on-site verification inspections

• Significance:

  • First treaty to eliminate an entire class of nuclear weapons

  • Major step toward arms control and nuclear disarmament

• US Withdrawal: Already weakened in 2019 when the United States formally withdrew

MAJOR NUCLEAR ARMS CONTROL TREATIES

• NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty):

  • Entered into force: 1970

  • Purpose: Prevent spread of nuclear weapons and technology

• SORT (Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty):

  • Signed: 2002

  • Limits number of strategic nuclear warheads

• New START Treaty:

  • Signed: 2010

  • US-Russia treaty limiting strategic offensive arms

• TPNW (Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons):

  • Adopted at UN: 2017

  • Prohibits use, possession, and development of nuclear weapons for signatories

DISASTER

3. FLASH FLOODS IN DHARALI, UTTARAKHAND

Current Context: A cloudburst over the Kheer Ganga River (a tributary of the Alaknanda) triggered flash floods in Dharali, located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand.

ABOUT CLOUDBURST

• Definition: Rainfall of 10 cm or more within an hour at a location

• Common Location: Hilly regions like Himalayas due to terrain effects

• Prediction Difficulty:

  • Due to small scale and short duration

  • Needs dense radar networks or high-resolution weather models

GEO-CLIMATIC REASONS FOR HIMALAYAN VULNERABILITY

• Orographic Lift: Steep mountain slopes force moist air to rise rapidly, forming tall cumulonimbus clouds

• Heavy Cloud Formation: Clouds become heavy and burst, causing intense rainfall in a short time

ANTHROPOGENIC FACTORS

• Global Warming: Increases frequency of extreme rainfall events

• Study Findings: 2013 Kedarnath floods were amplified by greenhouse gases and aerosols

POLITY

4. RESERVATION FOR SCHEDULED TRIBES IN GOA LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

Current Context: The Lok Sabha passed a bill to provide Scheduled Tribe (ST) reservation in the Goa Legislative Assembly, ensuring political representation for tribal communities in the state.

ABOUT RESERVATION OF SEATS FOR SCs/STs

• Constitutional Basis: Article 332 of the Constitution provides for seat reservation for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the legislative assemblies of all Indian states.

• Special Provision for Assam:

  • Separate provision for autonomous districts of Assam

  • STs in these areas get dedicated representation

• Proportional Representation Principle: Number of reserved seats must reflect population proportion of SC/ST communities in the state

• Significance for Goa:

  • Recognizes demographic and cultural rights of STs in Goa

  • Aligns Goa’s assembly structure with national constitutional mandates

5. MOLDOVA BECOMES 107TH MEMBER OF INTERNATIONAL SOLAR ALLIANCE

Current Context: Moldova officially joined the International Solar Alliance (ISA) as the 107th member, reaffirming global efforts towards a solar-powered future.

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL SOLAR ALLIANCE (ISA)

• Launched By: India and France

• Year: 2015 at COP21 Climate Summit, Paris

• Headquarters: Gurugram, India

• Purpose:

  • Promote solar energy development and sustainable solutions

  • Lower technology and financing costs

  • Mobilize solar investment in developing and developed countries

ISA Membership Status

• Total Members Now: 107

• Global Representation: Open to sunshine-rich countries located between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn, and beyond

STATE IN NEWS

6. PUNJAB FIRST TO EMPANEL SIGN LANGUAGE EXPERTS

Current Context: Punjab becomes the first Indian state to formally empanel sign language interpreters and special educators under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 and POCSO Act, 2012, for better access to justice for children with communication disabilities.

ABOUT THE INITIATIVE

• Purpose: To ensure that children with hearing or speech impairments are not denied justice due to communication barriers

FEATURES

• Legal Empowerment: Interpreters and educators will assist during court proceedings involving juvenile cases and POCSO-related cases

• District-Wise Deployment:

  • Experts to be posted in all districts across Punjab

  • Timely and consistent support to be made available

• Compensation and Legal Backing: Remuneration under provisions of Juvenile Justice Act and POCSO Act

SIGNIFICANCE

• Promotes inclusive legal access

• Ensures fair and impartial hearings for vulnerable children

• Sets a national example in creating barrier-free justice systems

7. DELHI ASSEMBLY BECOMES INDIA’S FIRST LEGISLATURE TO RUN ENTIRELY ON SOLAR POWER

Current Context: Delhi Legislative Assembly has become the first legislature in India to be powered entirely by solar energy.

Key Components:

• 500-kilowatt rooftop solar plant installed.

• Full adoption of National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA).

• Solarisation includes net metering, allowing surplus power to be supplied back to the grid.

Purpose

• Promote green governance and sustainability.

• Reduce dependency on non-renewable energy sources.

Significance

• Estimated savings of ₹15 lakh per month, totalling ₹1.75 crore annually.

• Sets an example for other legislatures across the country.

• Aims to eliminate paper use in legislative processes.

ECONOMY

8. UNITED STATES DOUBLES TARIFFS ON INDIAN IMPORTS

Current Context: United States President Donald Trump has issued an executive order doubling tariffs on Indian imports to 50 percent due to India’s ongoing purchases of Russian crude oil.

ABOUT THE EXECUTIVE ORDER

• Tariff Hike: Existing 25 percent increased by an additional 25 percent, now total 50 percent.

• Effective Timeline: 21 days from signing date.

• Scope: Applies to all goods entering the United States from India (excluding already shipped items).

Reason Behind the Move

• To penalise India for its continued imports of Russian oil.

• Cited under United States Executive Orders 14024 and 14066 regarding Russia-Ukraine conflict.

India’s Response

• Ministry of External Affairs termed the hike “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable.”

• Criticised as unilateral and politically motivated.

• Warned of potential long-term impacts on India–United States trade relations.

TRADE AND ECONOMIC IMPACT

• Bilateral Trade: India–United States goods trade is over 190 billion US dollars (2024).

• Affected Sectors in India:

  • Textiles

  • Engineering goods

  • Pharmaceuticals

  • Information technology hardware

• Economic Consequences:

  • Could increase cost of Indian exports to United States

  • May weaken trade ties between India and United States

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