Prelims Current Affairs includes Indian Airforce Day, International Social Security Association (ISSA), Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam’s (TVK), Maiden test of Dhvani, World Para Athletics Championships, Cyclone Shakhti, 11th World Green Economy Summit (WGES) 2025 and INSPIRE Award MANAK scheme for 2023–24.

IMPORTANT DAY

1. INDIAN AIR FORCE DAY

• Celebrated across India on 8 October every year.

• Aim: To commemorate the establishment of the Indian Air Force (IAF) on 8 October 1932.

• The day honours the bravery, professionalism, and sacrifices of IAF personnel and their contribution to national security.

• Motto: “Nabha Sparsham Deeptam” (Touch the Sky with Glory) — taken from the Bhagavad Gita.

2. 150 YEARS OF VANDE MATARAM

Current Context: The Union Cabinet has announced nationwide celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of India’s national song “Vande Mataram”, which continues to inspire patriotism and unity.

About Vande Mataram

• Composer: Bankim Chandra Chatterjee.

• First Published In: Anandamath (1882).

• Declared National Song: 24 January 1950 — equal status with the National Anthem “Jana Gana Mana.”

• First Recited: By Rabindranath Tagore in 1896 at the Indian National Congress Session.

• Theme: Tribute to Mother India, symbolizing courage, devotion, and unity.

AWARD

3. ISSA AWARD 2025

Current Context: India has been honoured with the International Social Security Association (ISSA) Award 2025 at the World Social Security Forum, recognizing the nation’s remarkable expansion of social security coverage from 19% in 2015 to 64.3% in 2025, benefiting over 940 million citizens.

About ISSA Award 2025

• Awarded By: International Social Security Association (ISSA)

• Organized At: World Social Security Forum 2025

• Key Implementing Agencies: Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) and Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC).

How India Expanded Social Security Coverage

• Simplified Legislation: Social Security Code, 2020 — merged 9 laws to ensure protection for all workers.

• Digital and Financial Inclusion: Jan Dhan Yojana, Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

• Support for Informal Workers: e-Shram Portal, Atal Pension Yojana (APY), PM Vishwakarma Yojana.

• Health & Food Security: Ayushman Bharat, PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY).

• Insurance & Pension: Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY).

• Women’s Empowerment: Lakhpati Didi, PM Ujjwala Yojana.

About Social Security

• Meaning: Protection ensuring access to healthcare and income security — recognized as a basic human right.

• Need in India:

  • Predominantly unorganized workforce.

  • Decline of joint family system.

  • Persistent poverty (5.25% below poverty line, World Bank 2022–23).

4. INSPIRE AWARD MANAK

Current Context: Uttar Pradesh (UP) has achieved the highest number of student nominations in India under the INSPIRE Award MANAK scheme for 2023–24, registering 2,80,747 entries — the highest since the program began.

About the Scheme

• Full Form: Million Minds Augmenting National Aspiration and Knowledge (MANAK).

• Implemented By: Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.

• Target Group: Students of classes 6 to 12.

• Purpose: To promote original ideas, creativity, and scientific innovation among students.

UP’s Achievement

• Total nominations: 2,80,747 in 2023–24 (rise of 70,000 from previous year).

• Top Districts: Pratapgarh, Prayagraj, Lucknow, and Hardoi.

• 22 of India’s top 50 districts in nominations are from Uttar Pradesh.

Comparative Data

• Rajasthan – 1,41,142 nominations.

• Karnataka – 1,01,656 nominations.

Significance

• Reflects UP’s strong push towards STEM education and innovation culture.

• Encourages participation from both urban and rural schools, including government and Sanskrit institutions.

HEALTH

5. COMPRESSIVE ASPHYXIA

Current Context: The tragic stampede at Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam’s (TVK) rally in Tamil Nadu’s Velusamypuram claimed 41 lives, with doctors confirming compressive asphyxia as the primary cause of death due to crowd pressure.

About Asphyxia

• Definition: A condition where the body fails to get adequate oxygen, leading to unconsciousness or death.

• Process: The lungs fail to supply oxygen or expel carbon dioxide efficiently, disrupting blood oxygen levels.

About Compressive Asphyxia

• Meaning: Physical asphyxia caused by external pressure on the chest, preventing lung expansion.

• Common Causes: Crowd crushes, collapsed structures, or heavy external weight on the chest.

• Effect: Lungs cannot expand → oxygen deprivation → cardiac arrest.

DEFENCE

6. DHVANI MISSILE

Current Context: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is preparing for the maiden test of Dhvani, a state-of-the-art hypersonic glide missile.

About Dhvani Missile

• Developer: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

• Type: Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV).

• Speed: Exceeds Mach 5–6 (~7,400 km/h).

• Range: Estimated 6,000–10,000 km.

• Target Capability: Can strike both land-based and maritime targets with high precision.

Technical Features

• Design: Blended wing-body, 9 m long and 2.5 m wide.

• Material: Ultra-high-temperature ceramic composites (can withstand 2,000–3,000°C).

• Stealth Design: Angled surfaces reduce radar detection.

• Significance:

  • Increases India’s deterrence capabilities.

  • Enhances readiness for next-generation warfare.

SPORT

7. NISHAD, SIMRAN WIN GOLD AT PARA ATHLETICS WORLDS 2025

Current Context: India’s para-athletes Nishad Kumar and Simran Sharma clinched gold medals at the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi.

About the Achievement

• Event: World Para Athletics Championships 2025, New Delhi.

• Winners:

  • Nishad Kumar: Gold in Men’s High Jump (T47) — cleared 2.14m, breaking his own Asian record.

  • Simran Sharma: Gold in Women’s 100m (T12) — clocked 11.95s (personal best).

ENVIRONMENT

8. CYCLONE SHAKHTI

Current Context: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed the formation of Cyclone Shakhti over the northeast Arabian Sea, emphasizing the growing trend of warming-induced cyclonic activity in the region.

About Cyclone Shakhti

• Formed On: 3 October 2025.

• Location: Around 340 km west of Dwarka, Gujarat.

• Movement: Initially west-northwest, later west-southwest, predicted to recurve east-northeast.

• Forecast: Expected to become a severe cyclonic storm by 4 October 2025.

Significance of Arabian Sea Warming

• The Arabian Sea is witnessing increased cyclonic activity due to rising sea surface temperatures.

• Warmer waters accelerate storm intensification, as seen in Cyclones Tauktae (2021) and Biparjoy (2023).

SUMMIT

9. WORLD GREEN ECONOMY SUMMIT 2025

Current Context: The 11th World Green Economy Summit (WGES) 2025 was held in Dubai with participation from over 3,300 delegates representing more than 30 countries, focusing on innovation and global climate action.

About the Summit

• Theme: “Innovating for Impact – Accelerating the Future of the Green Economy.”

• Venue: Dubai World Trade Centre.

• Organized With: WETEX 2025 (Water, Energy, Technology & Environment Exhibition).

• Participants: Policymakers, investors, innovators, and business leaders.

Key Focus Areas

• Technology-driven climate solutions and policy reforms for net-zero goals.

• Role of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in sustainable innovation.

• Strengthening climate finance and youth engagement.

• Promotion of renewable energy and circular economy practices.

Regional Initiatives

• The Arab Foundations Forum (AFF) launched the first Arab Regional Climate Commitment to unify efforts of civil society and private sectors.

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