Prelims Current Affairs includes SCO Summit, New Controller General of Accounts, NCERT launches Bal Vatika TV & DIKSHA 2.0, IEPFA launches Niveshak Didi Phase II for Women, India’s First Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) Tolling System, Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) Report 2025 and warnamukhi River.

ORGANISATION

1. SCO SUMMIT

Current Context: At the 2025 SCO Summit, China announced major financial, technological, and educational initiatives to boost cooperation among member nations.

Relevant Data

• Financial Support

  • RMB 2 billion (USD 274 million) in grants to SCO members by 2025

  • RMB 10 billion (USD 1.37 billion) in loans to SCO Interbank Consortium in 3 years

• Livelihood Projects: 100 “Small and Beautiful” Projects in health, sanitation, education, and community welfare

• Education and Human Resource

  • Doubling of SCO scholarships from 2026

  • Launch of SCO Innovative PhD Programme

  • 10 Luban Workshops in 5 years

  • 10,000 vocational training opportunities in advanced technology

• Artificial Intelligence Cooperation

  • Tianjin Declaration on responsible AI use

  • Adoption of AI Development Cooperation Roadmap (Chengdu, 2025)

  • AI showcase: Humanoid Robot “Xiao” assisted delegates

About SCO

• Established: 2001 (successor to “Shanghai Five”, 1996)

• Founding Members: China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan

• Expansion:

  • 2017 → India and Pakistan admitted as full members

  • 2023 → Iran became full member

  • 2024 → Belarus joined as full member

• Observers: Afghanistan, Mongolia, Belarus (before full membership)

• Dialogue Partners: Turkey, Egypt, Sri Lanka, UAE, etc.

• Secretariat: Beijing

Objectives & Significance

• Promote regional cooperation in:

  • Security → countering terrorism, separatism, extremism (“Three Evils”)

  • Economy → trade, investment, energy, connectivity projects

  • Society → culture, science & technology, environmental protection

• Guided by the “Shanghai Spirit”: mutual trust, equality, consultation, cultural respect, mutual benefit

• Symbolises a multipolar world order, offering a platform for non-Western alignment.

APPOINTMENTS

2. NEW CONTROLLER GENERAL OF ACCOUNTS

Current Context: Ms. T.C.A. Kalyani, a 1991-batch ICAS officer, has been appointed as the 29th Controller General of Accounts (CGA).

About T.C.A. Kalyani

• Over 34 years of service in Indian Civil Accounts Service

• Expertise: Public finance, digital governance, transparency

Role of CGA

• Principal accounting advisor to the Government of India

• Functions:

  • Maintain central govt. accounts

  • Prepare monthly and annual statements

  • Implement financial reforms

  • Monitor expenditure and receipts

  • Strengthen transparency and accountability

POLICY AND PROGRAMME

3. NCERT LAUNCHES BAL VATIKA TV & DIKSHA 2.0

Current Context: On 1st September 2025, NCERT celebrated its 65th Foundation Day with new digital and inclusive education initiatives under NEP 2020.

Key Launches

• Bal Vatika TV (PM eVidya Channel 35)

  • For children aged 3–6 years

  • Content on foundational literacy and numeracy

  • Support for teachers, Anganwadi workers, and parents

• DIKSHA 2.0

  • AI-powered learning platform with 12-language support

  • Features: Adaptive assessments, Read Aloud, Closed Captions, Translation tools

  • Enables personalized learning

• PRASHAST 2.0

  • Enhanced disability screening tool

  • Linked with UDISE+, APAAR ID, Swavlamban Card

  • Facilitates early identification of divyang children

• Kitab Ek Padhe Anek

  • Inclusive textbooks for Classes 1–2

  • Based on Universal Design of Learning (UDL) principles

Additional Initiatives

• VR Labs in NCERT demonstration schools

• PM eVidya Mobile App for multi-format content

• Primers Released: Hindi, Sanskrit, Ho-Hindi, Koya

• Odisha Heritage Book: Utkal Jananinkara Sujogya Santana

• Vocational Education Handbook by PSSCIVE

4. IEPFA LAUNCHES NIVESHAK DIDI PHASE II FOR WOMEN

Current Context: The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs launched Phase II of Niveshak Didi at Patelguda Panchayat, Hyderabad.

• Focus: Women-led financial literacy in rural India, through a community-driven, grassroots approach.

About Niveshak Didi

• A “for women, by women” initiative.

• Empowers rural women with financial knowledge to:

  • Make informed decisions

  • Protect savings from fraud

  • Use digital banking tools

  • Understand savings and safe investments

Strategic Impact & Goals

• Promotes financial inclusion under Digital India & Women-led Development.

• Builds confidence and self-reliance among rural women.

• Outcomes expected:

  • Stronger household financial planning

  • Wider use of secure digital platforms

  • Growth of community-led financial resilience

About IEPFA

• Statutory body under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

• Mandate:

  • Promote investor awareness

  • Protect citizens from financial fraud

  • Foster a financially literate society

ECONOMY

5. INDIA’S FIRST MULTI_LANE FREE FLOW (MLFF) TOLLING SYSTEM

Current Context: Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL), promoted by NHAI, signed an agreement with ICICI Bank.

• India’s first comprehensive MLFF tolling system to be implemented at Choryasi Fee Plaza, Gujarat (NH-48).

About MLFF System

• A barrier-less tolling technology.

• Uses:

  • FASTag reading

  • Vehicle Registration Number (VRN) via RFID Readers & ANPR Cameras

About NHAI

• Statutory body under Ministry of Road Transport & Highways.

• Established: 1995 (under NHAI Act, 1988).

• Composition:

  • Chairman + max. 5 full-time Members

  • 4 part-time Members (Secretaries of RT&H, Expenditure, Planning, and DG Roads).

• Mandate: Develop, maintain, and manage National Highways.

REPORT

6. AIR QUALITY INDEX (AQLI) REPORT 2025

Current Context: The Energy Policy Institute (EPIC), University of Chicago, released the AQLI 2025 Report.

• Finding: Air pollution is India’s most severe health threat, cutting average life expectancy by 3.5 years.

About AQLI

• Developed by Michael Greenstone & EPIC.

• Measures particulate pollution (PM2.5) impact on life expectancy.

• Combines global pollution data with long-term health impact research.

Relevant Data – India (2025 Report)

• Average loss: 3.5 years of life expectancy.

• Comparison:

  • Nearly 2× impact of malnutrition.

  • 5× impact of unsafe water and sanitation.

• Population exposure:

  • 100% of Indians live in areas above WHO safe limit (5 µg/m³).

  • 46% Indians live in areas above India’s own standard (40 µg/m³).

Region-wise Findings

• Delhi-NCR: 8.2 years lost (highest).

• Bihar: 5.6 years lost.

• Haryana: 5.3 years lost.

• Uttar Pradesh: 5 years lost.

Global Context

• South Asia is the most polluted region.

• PM2.5 levels rose by 2.8% in 2023 after a dip in 2022.

• On average, air pollution cuts 3 years of life expectancy in South Asia.

GEOGRAPHY

7. SWARNAMUKHI RIVER

Current Context: Tirupati Urban Development Authority (TUDA) launched Operation Swarna to remove encroachments, revive flow, and rejuvenate the Swarnamukhi River in Andhra Pradesh.

About Swarnamukhi River

• Location: Andhra Pradesh (Rayalaseema region).

• Origin: Eastern Ghats near Pakala village, Chittoor district (elevation ~300 m).

• Length: ~130 km.

• Basin Area: ~3,225 sq. km.

• Course: Flows northeast through Tirumala, Tirupati, and Srikalahasti, then drains into the Bay of Bengal.

• Religious Significance: Passes by Tirumala and Srikalahasti temples.

• Tributary: Kalyani River (Kalyani Dam – 1977).

• Rainfall Dependence: Monsoon-fed, independent river (not part of a major river system).

About Operation Swarna

• Launched by: Tirupati Urban Development Authority (TUDA).

• Aim:

  • Clear encroachments.

  • Rejuvenate river ecology.

  • Ensure sustainable water flow and religious access points.

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