Prelims Current Affairs includes National Forest Martyrs Day, Digvijay Diwas, CP Radhakrishnan has been elected as the 15th Vice President of India, Irfaan Ali has secured a second term as the President of Guyana, Russia to participate in Exercise ZAPAD 2025, Forest and Climate Change has announced the Swachh Vayu Sarveshan Award 2025 and Child Nutrition Report 2025.

DAYS

1. NATIONAL FOREST MARTYRS DAY

• Observed every year on: 11 September.

• Objective:

  • To honor those who laid down their lives to protect forests and the environment.

  • To raise awareness about forest conservation and sustainable living.

Historical Background

• In 1730, more than 360 Bishnoi tribe members led by Amrita Devi sacrificed their lives at Khejarli, Rajasthan, while protesting against the felling of Khejri trees ordered by the king.

2. DIGVIJAY DIWAS

• Observed every year on: 11 September.

Historical Significance

• On 11 September 1893, Swami Vivekananda delivered his historic speech at the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago.

• He represented India and Hinduism on the global stage.

• Parliament Duration: 11–27 September 1893.

• Objective: To commemorate Swami Vivekananda’s contribution in spreading the message of universal brotherhood, tolerance, and spirituality.

PERSON NEWS

3. CP RADHAKRISHNAN – 15TH VICE PRESIDENT OF INDIA

Current Context: CP Radhakrishnan has been elected as the 15th Vice President of India after defeating opposition candidate B Sudershan Reddy in the 2025 elections. The election witnessed 98.3% turnout, with NDA’s majority ensuring a decisive victory.

About CP Radhakrishnan

• Full Name: Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan

• Born: 20 October 1957, Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu

• Political Career:

  • Two-time Lok Sabha MP from Coimbatore (1998, 1999)

  • Former Tamil Nadu BJP president

  • Served on various Parliamentary Committees

  • Chaired Coir Board (2016–2020) – coir exports hit record highs

  • BJP’s Kerala in-charge (2020–2022)

  • Served as Governor of Jharkhand

About the Office of the Vice President

• Constitutional Position: Second-highest constitutional office in India

• Articles:

  • Article 63 – India shall have a Vice-President

  • Article 64 – Vice-President is Chairman of the Rajya Sabha

  • Article 65 – Acts as President in case of vacancy

Election Process

• Electoral College: Members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha (both elected and nominated)

• Voting: Proportional Representation via Single Transferable Vote; secret ballot

• Equal Vote Value: Every MP’s vote carries equal weight

• No Whip: Anti-Defection Law not applicable

Eligibility (Article 66)

• Citizen of India, at least 35 years of age

• Eligible to be a Rajya Sabha member

• Must not hold an office of profit

APPOINTED

4. IRFAAN ALI – RE-ELECTED AS PRESIDENT OF GUYANA

Current Context: Irfaan Ali has secured a second term as the President of Guyana, following the general election held on 1 September 2025.

About Irfaan Ali’s Re-election

• Party: People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)

• Outcome: Won 36 of 65 parliamentary seats

About Guyana

• Official Name: Co-operative Republic of Guyana

• Location: Northeastern edge of South America, bordered by Venezuela (west), Brazil (south), Suriname (east), and the Atlantic Ocean (north)

• Ethnic Composition: Predominantly South Asian and African descent, with mixed and indigenous groups

• Language & Currency: English (official); Guyanese Dollar (GYD)

DEFENCE

5. EXERCISE ZAPAD 2025

Current Context: An Indian Armed Forces contingent has departed for the Mulino Training Ground, Nizhniy, Russia to participate in Exercise ZAPAD 2025.

About Exercise ZAPAD

• Type: Multilateral joint military exercise

• Indian Participation: 65 personnel (57 Army, 7 Air Force, 1 Navy)

• Significance:

  • Strengthens defence cooperation between India and Russia

  • Builds camaraderie among multinational forces

  • Enhances India’s operational readiness in a multinational combat environment

AWARD

6. SWACHH VAYU SARVESHHAN AWARD 2025

Current Context: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has announced the Swachh Vayu Sarveshan Award 2025, recognizing the best-performing cities under the Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2025, conducted across 130 cities under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).

About Swachh Vayu Sarveshan Award 2025

• Population Categories:

  • Category 1: Cities with Population > 10 lakh

  • Category 2: Cities with Population 3–10 lakh

  • Category 3: Cities with Population < 3 lakh

• Awarded Cities (Total: 11 out of 130 NCAP cities):

  • Category 1 (>10 lakh): 1st – Indore, 2nd – Jabalpur, 3rd – Agra & Surat

  • Category 2 (3–10 lakh): 1st – Amravati, 2nd – Jhansi & Moradabad, 3rd – Alwar

  • Category 3 (<3 lakh): 1st – Dewas, 2nd – Parwanoo, 3rd – Angul

Ranking Criteria

• Biomass & Municipal Solid Waste Burning

• Road Dust

• Construction & Demolition Waste

• Vehicular Emissions

• Industrial Emissions

• IEC Activities

• Improvement in PM10 concentration

About NCAP (National Clean Air Programme)

• Launched: 2019 by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

• Objective: Improve air quality in 131 cities (non-attainment + million-plus cities)

• Target: Achieve 40% reduction in PM10 or bring down to 60 µg/m³ (NAAQS standard) by 2025–26, compared to 2019–20 levels

• Implementing Body: Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)

• Monitoring Tool: PRANA Portal (Portal for Regulation of Air-pollution in Non-Attainment cities)

REPORT

7. CHILD NUTRITION REPORT 2025 – UNICEF

Current Context: UNICEF has released the Child Nutrition Report 2025, warning of a sharp global rise in unhealthy diets and childhood obesity, largely due to ultra-processed foods (UPF) and aggressive marketing.

Relevant Data

• Overweight & Obesity:

  • 5% children under 5 years overweight

  • 20% children and adolescents (5–19 years) overweight (double since 2000)

  • In 2025 → Obesity prevalence: 9.4%, Underweight: 9.2% (school-age children & adolescents)

• Regional Concentration:

  • More than half of affected children are in East Asia & Pacific, Latin America & Caribbean, South Asia

  • In South Asia, overweight among 5–19 years increased fivefold since 2000

• Key Drivers:

  • Availability & Affordability: UPFs cheaper than nutritious foods due to subsidies & long shelf-life

  • Aggressive Marketing: Digital promotions, influencer ads, surrogate advertising

  • Policy Gaps:

    • Only 7% countries have mandatory front-of-pack labelling

    • Only 8% countries provide subsidies for healthy food

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