Prelims Current Affairs includes Infant Protection Day, National Cancer Awareness Day, Kartik Naach Festival, “World Leader for Peace and Security 2025” Award, India Climbs to 3rd in Global Clean Industry Pipeline, Director General of BIS, FAO’s State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA) Report 2025, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Vaibhav Fellowship Programme.

IMPORTANT DAY

1. INFANT PROTECTION DAY

Observed every year on November 7
Aim: To raise awareness about the importance of protecting, promoting, and developing infants for a healthy future generation.

2. NATIONAL CANCER AWARENESS DAY

Observed every year on November 7
Aim: To spread awareness about cancer prevention, detection, and treatment.
Established By: Former Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan
Year of Inception: 2014

HISTORY

3. KARTIK NAACH FESTIVAL

Current Context: Nepal’s 300-year-old Kartik Naach Festival concluded on Kartik Purnima at Patan Durbar Square, Lalitpur, showcasing traditional dance-drama and global art exhibitions.

ABOUT KARTIK NAACH FESTIVAL 

Also Known As: Katti Pyakha
Origin: 17th century by King Siddhinarsingh Malla of Patan
Location: Patan Durbar Square – a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Duration: 10 days
Nature: Traditional open-air dance-drama performance

Cultural Significance

• Devotional offering to Hindu deities, later evolved into a cultural tradition
• Enacts episodes from Ramayana and Lord Vishnu’s incarnations
• Accompanied by Nepali instruments like Madal and Panchai Baja

AWARD

4. “WORLD LEADER FOR PEACE AND SECURITY 2025” AWARD

Current Context: Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of the Art of Living Foundation, was honoured with the World Leader for Peace and Security Award 2025 by Boston Global Forum (BGF) and AI World Society (AIWS).

ABOUT THE AWARD

• Recognises extraordinary contributions to global peace, governance, and diplomacy.
• Past awardees include: Emmanuel Macron, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Ban Ki-moon.

Reasons for Recognition

• Mediated conflicts in Colombia, Iraq, Sri Lanka, Venezuela, and Kashmir.
• Promoted peace education and dialogue in over 180 countries.
• Integrated spirituality with policy and diplomacy.

ABOUT THE ART OF LIVING FOUNDATION

Founded: 1981
Focus Areas: Stress relief, river rejuvenation, education, and social reform.
Major Initiatives:

• Rehabilitated 800,000+ prisoners
• Revived 70+ rivers in India
• Provided free education to 1 lakh+ children
• Promoted Sudarshan Kriya (SKY Breath Meditation)

RANKINGS

5. INDIA CLIMBS TO 3RD IN GLOBAL CLEAN INDUSTRY PIPELINE

Current Context: India now ranks 3rd globally after China and the USA in clean industrial projects, with 65 low-emission projects worth $150 billion.

Key Highlights

Total Projects: 65
Investment Potential: $150 billion+
Job Potential: 2 lakh new jobs
CO₂ Reduction: 160–175 million tonnes per year

Sectoral Composition

• Chemicals – ~80% share (clean ammonia & methanol projects)
• Steel – Hydrogen-based iron reduction projects
• Cement, Aluminium, Aviation – Pilot clean-fuel projects

Major States: Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu

APPOINTMENT

6. DIRECTOR GENERAL OF BIS

Current Context: IAS officer Sanjay Garg (Kerala cadre, 1994 batch) assumed charge as Director General of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

Career Highlights

• Former Secretary, ICAR
• Additional Secretary, DARE
• Led “Kisan Sarathi” digital platform linking farmers and scientists

ABOUT BIS

• India’s National Standards Body
• Ensures product quality, safety, and reliability
• Supports consumer protection, hallmarking, and industrial regulation

REPORT

7. FAO’S STATE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE (SOFA) REPORT 2025

Current Context: The State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA) Report 2025 by FAO warned that land degradation affects 1.7 billion people, threatening food security worldwide.

Key Findings

Main Driver: Agricultural expansion causes 90% of global deforestation
Regions Affected: Eastern and Southern Asia most impacted
India: High yield losses due to land degradation
Cropland Loss: 3.6 million hectares abandoned annually

ABOUT THE REPORT 

• Published by: Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
• Provides analysis on land degradation, crop yield losses, and poverty intersections

SCHEME

8. PRADHAN MANTRI KAUSHAL VIKAS YOJANA (PMKVY)

Current Context: The Ministry of Skill Development blacklisted 178 training partners due to irregularities in PMKVY implementation.

ABOUT PMKVY

Launched: 2015
Objective: To skill India’s youth for employment and better livelihood
Implementing Agency: National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)

Eligibility
Age: 14–35 years
Nationality: Indian citizens
Priority: Unemployed/underemployed individuals
Requirement: Aadhar card mandatory

Features

• Short-term skill training
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
• Industry-aligned courses
• Placement assistance

POLICY AND PROGRAMME

9. VAIBHAV FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMME

Current Context: Union Minister of State for Science & Technology interacted with VAIBHAV Fellows across the world.

ABOUT THE FELLOWSHIP

Full Name: Vaishvik Bhartiya Vaigyanik (VAIBHAV) Fellowship
Launched By: Department of Science and Technology, Government of India
Eligibility: Scientists of Indian origin (NRI/OCI/PIO)
Duration: 2 months/year for 3 years
Funding: ₹4,00,000 per month
Aim: To enhance research collaboration between Indian and global institutions.

Key Facts

• Open to researchers from Top 500 QS-ranked universities
• Focus Areas: Quantum technology, health, pharma, agriculture, energy, materials science

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