Prelims Current Affairs includes Asmita Initiative, Commission on The Status of Women (CSW), Thaad Missile System, G-Spider Robot, National Climate Stack Innovation Challenge, Eighth Schedule, Shine App (Indian Railways) & International Malaria Conference (IMC) 2026

POLICY AND PROGRAMME

1. ASMITA INITIATIVE

Current Context: The nationwide athletics league was launched at 250 locations under the ASMITA programme.

ABOUT ASMITA INITIATIVE

• Full Form: Achieving Sports Milestone by Inspiring Women Through Action
• Launched: 2021
• Objective: Promote women’s participation in sports

KEY FEATURES

• Conducts women’s sports leagues and competitions across the country
• Helps identify sports talent at grassroots level
• Encourages inclusive sports development
• Participation: Nearly 3 lakh women across 33 sports disciplines and 2,600 leagues

IMPLEMENTATION

• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
• Supported by Sports Authority of India (SAI) and National Sports Federations.

ABOUT KHELO INDIA

• A flagship Central Sector Scheme of the Government of India
• Promotes mass participation and sporting excellence.

ORGANISATION

2. COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN (CSW)

Current Context: India participated in the 70^th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW-70) at the United Nations Headquarters.

ABOUT COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN

• A functional commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
• Established: 21 June 1946
• Purpose: Promote gender equality and empowerment of women

MANDATE

• Promote political, economic, civil and social rights of women
• Monitor global progress on women’s rights and gender equality
• Review implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action

MEMBERSHIP

• 45 member states elected by ECOSOC
• Members serve a four-year term based on geographical representation.

DEFENCE

3. THAAD MISSILE SYSTEM

Current Context: Reports indicated that Iran destroyed a Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) radar system used by the United States in the Middle East.

ABOUT THAAD MISSILE SYSTEM

• Full Form: Terminal High Altitude Area Defence
• Developer: United States
• Purpose: Intercept ballistic missiles during their final phase of flight

KEY FEATURES

• Uses “hit-to-kill” technology, destroying missiles by direct collision
• Capable of intercepting threats inside and outside Earth’s atmosphere
• Range: About 150–200 km

COMPONENTS

• Interceptor missiles
• Truck-mounted launchers
• AN/TPY-2 radar for long-range detection
• Fire control and communication systems.
• A typical THAAD battery includes 6 launchers and 48 interceptor missiles.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

4. G-SPIDER ROBOT

Current Context: Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation deployed an AI-powered G-SPIDER robot for canal cleaning under Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban 2.0.

ABOUT G-SPIDER ROBOT

• Developed by Genrobotic Innovations
• Designed for automated canal cleaning without human entry

KEY FEATURES

• Built on Cable-Driven Parallel Robotics (CDPR) architecture
• Equipped with AI-based vision and sensors
• Uses a biomimetic claw-type grabber to collect waste.

FUNCTIONS

• Detects and removes plastic waste, debris and hazardous materials
• Transfers waste directly to collection vehicles
• Works efficiently even during high water levels and strong flow conditions

POLICY AND PROGRAMME

5. NATIONAL CLIMATE STACK INNOVATION CHALLENGE

Current Context: The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) launched the National Climate Stack Innovation Challenge to strengthen India’s climate resilience architecture, especially in rural regions.

ABOUT THE INITIATIVE

• Launched By: NABARD
• Partners: Gates Foundation and Dalberg Advisors
• Objective: Develop technological solutions for integrating climate-related data and improving climate risk forecasting

KEY FEATURES

• Aims to create a National Climate Stack, a digital framework that integrates climate datasets across India.
• Enables better prediction of floods, droughts, heatwaves and cyclones.
• Supports climate risk management and disaster preparedness, particularly for rural areas.

PRIZE AWARDS

• First Prize: ₹15 lakh
• Second Prize: ₹10 lakh
• Third Prize: ₹5 lakh
• Significance: The initiative aims to improve data-driven climate planning and resilience in agriculture and rural livelihoods.

POLITY

6. EIGHTH SCHEDULE

Current Context: The Mizoram Legislative Assembly unanimously passed a resolution requesting the inclusion of the Mizo language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India.

ABOUT THE EIGHTH SCHEDULE

• It lists the official languages recognized by the Constitution of India.
• Currently, 22 languages are included in the Eighth Schedule.

SIGNIFICANCE OF INCLUSION

• Provides government support for language development
• Promotes academic research and translation work
• Allows usage in government examinations and official communication

E-GOVERNANCE

7. SHINE APP (INDIAN RAILWAYS)

Current Context: Indian Railways launched the SHINE App on International Women’s Day to improve workplace safety for women employees.

ABOUT SHINE APP

• Full Form: Sexual Harassment Incident Notification for Empowerment
• Launched By: Indian Railways
• Integrated With: Human Resources Management System (HRMS)

KEY FEATURES

• Allows women employees to report incidents of sexual harassment digitally
• Complaints are automatically forwarded to designated committees for action
• Accessible through the Employee Self-Service portal

SPECIAL FEATURE

• Complaints can also be filed on behalf of visitors, contractual workers, students and other individuals interacting with railway offices.
• Significance: Strengthens workplace safety mechanisms and gender-sensitive grievance redressal within Indian Railways.

MISCELLANEOUS

8. INTERNATIONAL MALARIA CONFERENCE (IMC) 2026

Current Context: The International Malaria Conference (IMC) 2026 concluded in New Delhi after three days of scientific discussions aimed at accelerating global malaria elimination.

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL MALARIA CONFERENCE 2026

• Organised By: ICMR–National Institute of Malaria Research under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
• Duration: 7–9 March 2026
• Participants: Scientists, policymakers, public health experts and researchers from India and several countries.
• Theme : “Discovery, Development and Delivery: Driving Malaria Elimination and Beyond.”

OBJECTIVES

• Promote scientific research and knowledge sharing on malaria.
• Strengthen global partnerships for malaria elimination.
• Address emerging challenges such as drug resistance and transmission patterns.
• Significance: The conference highlighted the importance of scientific innovation, international cooperation and stronger health systems to achieve the global goal of malaria elimination.

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