Prelims Current Affairs includes Zero Discrimination Day, World Civil Defence Day, Him-Connect Platform Sweden, International Climate Initiative (Iki), She-Travel Policy & E–Railway Claims Tribunal System

IMPORTANT DAY

1.  ZERO DISCRIMINATION DAY

Observed every year on 1 March

• Aim : to promote equality, dignity, and inclusion for all people.
• Initiated By: Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)
• Objective: Promote equality and eliminate discrimination in society

IMPORTANT DAY

2. WORLD CIVIL DEFENCE DAY

Observed every year on 1 March

Aim : to recognise the role of civil defence organisations in protecting people during disasters and emergencies.

• Established By: International Civil Defence Organization (ICDO)
• Objective: Raise awareness about disaster preparedness and civil protection
• Focus: Safety of people and property during natural and man-made disasters.

POLICY AND PROGRAMME

3. HIM-CONNECT PLATFORM

Current Context: The Union Minister for Environment inaugurated the World Sustainable Development Summit and launched Him-CONNECT.

ABOUT HIM-CONNECT

• Launched By: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
• Purpose: Connect Himalayan researchers with industry and policymakers
• Objective: Translate research into practical solutions
• Mission Linkage: National Mission on Himalayan Studies

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

4. SWEDEN

Current Context: India and Sweden strengthened cooperation in Artificial Intelligence through the Sweden–India Technology and Artificial Intelligence Corridor Framework.

ABOUT SWEDEN

• Region: Northern Europe
• Location: Scandinavian Peninsula
• Capital: Stockholm
• Bordering Countries: Norway and Finland
• Water Boundaries: Baltic Sea and Gulf of Bothnia
• Membership: European Union and North Atlantic Treaty Organization

GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES

• Terrain: Forests and mountainous regions
• Major Rivers: Angerman, Indal, Lagan
• Natural Resources: Uranium, copper, lead, zinc

INTERNATIONAL

5. INTERNATIONAL CLIMATE INITIATIVE (IKI)

Current Context: India and Germany launched a new large grant project under the International Climate Initiative with funding up to Euro 20 million.

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL CLIMATE INITIATIVE

• Launched: 2008
• Country: Germany
• Framework: United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and Convention on Biological Diversity
• Purpose: Support climate mitigation and biodiversity conservation in developing countries

FOCUS AREAS

• Emission Reduction: Support climate neutrality goals
• Climate Adaptation: Build resilience to climate impacts
• Carbon Sinks: Protect and restore forests and ecosystems
• Biodiversity Protection: Implement global biodiversity framework
• Priority Countries Include: India, Brazil, Indonesia, South Africa, and others

HIMACHAL PRADESH

6. SHE-TRAVEL POLICY

Current Context: The Himachal Pradesh Government is drafting a SheTravel policy to make the state one of the safest mountain destinations for women travelling alone.

ABOUT SHE-TRAVEL POLICY

• Objective: Make the state a safe and women-friendly tourism destination
• Focus: Safety technology, certified accommodation, and women employment in tourism
• Funding Support: Women’s Tourism Fund with an annual corpus of ₹50 crore

KEY FEATURES OF THE POLICY

• SheShield App: Safety application with real-time SOS alerts, verified stay listings, and trusted contact networks
• Emergency Support: Integration with Police Dial 112 and Women & Child Development helpline 181
• Certified Accommodation: “SheStays” certification for women-friendly hotels and homestays.
• Target: Certification of about 2,000 women-friendly accommodations by 2028

GENDER-RESPONSIVE TOURISM INITIATIVES

• Tourism Hubs: Establish 12 Gender-Responsive Tourism Hubs across districts
• Representation: Ensure 40% women participation in tourism bodies
• Women Workforce: Train 5,000 women for tourism jobs such as trekking guides, hospitality staff, and safety marshals.

MISCELLANEOUS

7. E–RAILWAY CLAIMS TRIBUNAL SYSTEM

Current Context: The Union Minister for Railways launched the e–Railway Claims Tribunal system as part of Indian Railways’ “52 Reforms in 52 Weeks” initiative.

ABOUT E–RAILWAY CLAIMS TRIBUNAL SYSTEM

• Purpose: Complete digitisation of Railway Claims Tribunal functioning
• Objective: Make claim filing and processing faster, transparent, and accessible
• Access: Passengers can file claims online from anywhere in India
• Technology Use: Artificial Intelligence-enabled case management

CORE COMPONENTS

• E-Filing System: 24×7 online submission of claims and legal documents
• Case Information System: Centralised database for case registration, tracking, and auto-allocation
• Document Management System: Digital storage of notices, orders, and judgements

ABOUT RAILWAY CLAIMS TRIBUNAL (RCT)

• Established Under: Railway Claims Tribunal Act, 1987
• Function: Decides compensation claims against Railways
• Claim Types: Death or injury in accidents, loss of goods, fare refunds
• Structure: 23 benches in 21 cities
• Composition: One Judicial Member and one Technical Member per bench

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